Iodide of Stannum in Tuberculosis. Dr. Oliver S. Haines, as reported in the "Hahnemann Institute," thinks iodide of stannum often preferable to stannum for tuberculosis. He uses it where the patient has a clear complexion and long eyelashes, and where the progress of the disease is rapid. He reports a case where the iodide was used in the 2x where there was "a marked tubercular affection of the chest, increased vocal fremitus, an abundance of thick, yellow and sweetish sputum, sweat at night, and rapid emaciation." He considered the results of the remedy as most encouraging. MATERIA MEDICA. Conducted by E. Jay Clark, M. D. Kali Phosphoricum. By Horace T. Dodge, M. D., Denver. If asked the question, "What remedy do you consider the most important in our Materia Medica ?" I would unhesitatingly answer, "Kali Phosphoricum." It is the most important because it is indicated in a greater number of conditions than any other, and when the action of this wonderful curative agent becomes known, and we are certain of its physiological effects in detail, and are enabled to know just to what extent it can safely be administered, then will the world hear of the most brilliant cures which have been made in the history of medical science. When Kali Phosphoricum is taken regularly every fifteen minutes for several hours a delightfully pleasant sensation is experienced, one of supreme content, with a disposition to dream on and on indefinitely. It reminds one of the description of the Turk who, with the companionship of his pipe, will peacefully gaze into space for hours, with the exception that all the pleasure derived from his tobacco he pays for dearly in the resultant state of de spondent depression. Through the administration of Kali Phos. there is manifested an exhilaration not unlike the effects of the first glass of champagne, but without its after disagreeable results. Unlike the stimulus of alcoholic mixtures, such as tonics, wine, beer, whiskey or brandy, there is no clouded mental condition or thickened speech. The stimulating action of tea is one which increases the heart's action, but the consequent resulting effects upon the system are depressive. Not so with Kali Phos. It does not in the least depress the heart or other organs, does not perceptibly increase or decrease the beating of the pulse, but seems to confine its sphere of operation upon the brain or spinal cord, and when the drug is taken frequently there is experienced an increasing exhilaration, beginning at the base of the brain and spreading gradually through to the frontal lobes. This condi tion after a while becomes one best described as a peculiar lightness of the brain. If the remedy is taken faithfully for a few hours, a characteristic nervous condition will arise, seemingly beginning in the spinal cord and extending to the arms, thence down the spine to the lower extremities. There will be a desire for greater activity, but strange as it may seem, the heart's action is unimpaired. The brain is clear and the desire for thought and study is greatly pronounced, and it is surprising the amount of mental labor that can be accomplished through the use of this drug. There is a complete loss of weariness. A few doses will ward off "that tired feeling" and greatly aid the waning powers to recuperate, so one can complete the task laid out before one, and and also have the assurance that a good night's rest is a certainty, something which cannot be said of tea, coffee, tobacco, alcohol, tonics, etc. It is a fact that Kali Phos. has its specific action upon the gray matter of the brain, entering into its composition and repairing the waste consequent upon the expenditure of vital force through any mental exertion. We know that the gray matter contains Kali Phos., and those who are subject to mental exhaustion, or are unable to perform their work after a certain time, are mentally reinforced by the use of a few doses of this remedy. Search medical lore through and through, you will find not one remedial agent to take its place, nor is there one which can near approach it in usefulness; and what is a singular fact, but very little is written about it. Its homeopathicity is plain, and it will be found indicated in all cases of debility, especially where there are evidences of a loss of vital fluids, excessive mental exertion, brain fag and a lowered vitality, consequent upon running the human machine at too high rate of speed, causing a breaking down of the various tissues and organs of the body. It is essentially a homeopathic remedy, recommended by Homeopaths and discovered by them, and, like many of our remedies which have been brought to the front by our Allopathic brethren, will not long remain in obscurity, and as the discovery of ether as an anasthetic is pronounced the greatest medical triumph of the nineteenth century, and to commemorate its birth has been erected in Boston one of the most magnificent monuments in America, so when the greater benefits which will arise through the use of Kali Phosphoricum, when its value as a therapeutic agent becomes generally known, there will be builded a grander one, a record to preserve its memory, in the cures which will daily be performed throughout the world. It is a positive cure for the "blues," for it is impossible to have an attack if the balance of supply and waste of Kali Phos, is kept up in the gray matter. Give it to your worn out nursing mother, who are tried almost to distraction with nervous babies, and you will be doing a great service, and enable her to stand tenfold more disturbance and annoyance, and be the means of quieting the child through the increased nourishment supplied. She will bless you. Give it to the overworked business man, and he will tell you in a short time that he is able to perform double the amount of work without fatigue. Give it to the tired professiona! man, and notice the marvelous change you will have wrought. The special indications for its use are, a foul breath, tongue coated with a brownish, mustard-like coating. A dull, heavy aching between the shoulders, extending to base of brain, worse while standing, better on lying down, restlessness, inability for mental work, conditions of debility and all complaints having foul odoriferous excretions. Whenever you find a foul breath you will have a nervous condition below par, and whether from billiousness, catarrh, or indigestion, or a condition simulating typhoid fever, Kali Phos. will be found greatly beneficial, and in many cases the only medicine required. If used faithfully and conscientiously in the higher potencies, the best results will be obtained. SURGICAL DEPARTMENT. Dr. F. E. McCurtain, of Mammouth, Arizona, in a recent letter, informs THE CRITIQUE that he is quite busy, having many surgical cases. In a recent case of fracture of the frontal bone, with depression, he trephined and elevated the depressed bone with complete success. The patient regained consciousness and is doing well. Good work to do with no other doctor to assist. E. L. Paulding, in the "Medical Council," says: "In the treatment of Cysts, Hydrocele, etc., I first evacuate through a small canula, such as comes with a pocket aspirator, then inject equal parts of carbolic acid and tinct. of iodine. There is very little pain experienced, and that is short lived. I inject from half a dram to two drams, owing to the size of the cavity. I have never failed to get a cure. Sometimes not a drop of the fluid will run out again, but I don't worry. It does no harm, and the resulting inflammation is slight, for the germs are all killed and the lymph thrown out takes care of my strong injection. Surgical Treatment of Habitual Criminals. A. J. Ochsner, M. D., proposes the resection of the vasa deferentia just below the external abdominal ring, and sums up the "advantages of dealing with male habitual criminals in this manner," as follows: "1. It would do away with hereditary criminals from the father's side. 2. Aside from being sterile, the criminal would re main in his normal condition. 3. This method would protect the community at large, without harming the criminal. (A tenminute operation under local anesthesia.) 4. The same treatment could reasonably be suggested for chronic inebriates, imbeciles, perverts and paupers."-Woman's Medical Journal. A Simple Means of Uniting the Intestine by Suture. By DR. J. THIENOT (Rev. Ill. d. Polytech. Med. et Chir., May 30, 1899). The author describes a simple and apparently practical means of uniting the intestine by suture. It consists of a rolled visiting card inserted into the divided ends of the intestine, and as it has a certain resiliency, as soon as it is released by the fingers it fills the lumen of the intestine and permits of an accurate adjustment of the sutures. It belongs to the same class of aids as bone plates, sections of carrots and potatoes, rubber rings, inflatable rubber bags, etc. The mere enumeration of these various devices would occupy a very considerable space, but they all serve substantially the same purpose, merely allowing of a more ready adjustment of the sutures and a more perfect coaptation of the divided ends of the intestines. It is probable that the device of Criel is as good as any of its class, and it certainly has the merit of great simplicity. GYNECOLOGY. Conducted by S. S. Smythe, M. D. Direct Ligation of Vessels in Coeliotomy. Gubaroff (Centralblatt fur Gynakologie, 1899, No. 30) argues against the use of mass ligatures, believing that bleeding vessels should be caught and ligated as they are divided. The advantages claimed are: 1. The operator can see exactly what tissues |