Conducted by J. Wylie Anderson, M. D. The reaction against the universal surgical treatment of appendicitis has at last set in, owing to the many cases that it was impossible to cure by any other means, as reported to friends of the patients by surgeons, getting well under proper medical treatment. The mortality under the knife has at last awakened the laity to the fact, "better a live man with an appendix than a dead one without it." Again the dear people are aroused to the fact that inflammation of the appendix can be cured as well as inflammation of the bowels. The theory of the grape seed is long since exploded, and when the gas, due to fermentation, that causes pain in the bowels is excluded, and the use of mercury eschewed, the few cases remaining will be insignificant, and it will not be necessary to carry a card in the pocket, as I know of one person doing: "My name is If taken sick, under no circumstances allow an operation for appendicitis to be performed upon me." J. W. A, Recent Progress in Treatment of Scoliosis. By Dr. A. Hoffa. ("Centralbl. f. Chirurgie.") He describes his success in mobilizing the rigid scoliotic spinal column with suitable apparatus, the general and special gymnastic exercises by which he stimulates and restores strength to the muscles of the back, until the patient can voluntarily assume the normal position, and the apparatus which he uses to hold the spine in the normal or over-corrected position. This apparatus consists of an iron pad covered with leather, which is applied to the kyphos and held by a leather strap over the shoulder, and a stout iron rod which screws up and down in a threefold slide at the base of the spine, modifying its position in three different directions. The slide is fastened immovably in a long corset which embraces the pelvis. The firm support af forded by this is the chief feature of the apparatus. The article is profusely illustrated. Typhoid Spine. By Drs. R. W. Lovett and C. F. Whittington. ("Boston Med. and Surg. Jour.") The authors describe a case closely simulating Pott's disease which although treated for many months had not recovered. It was at first considered as a neurosis. The appearance of marked kyphos caused her to be sent to the orthopedic surgeons, under whose care she recovered. The blood examination showed Widal reaction although the history of typhoid was obscure. This condition is considered by some as neurosis, and by others as a spondylitis or perispondylitis. Splint. By James G. Hughes, Sheboygan, Wis. ("Scientific American.") This splint is especially adapted for use on the lower limbs, but may also be employed on the upper limbs. The construction is such that the splint can be simply and readily applied, and that the fractured member can be examined at any time and the wound properly dressed, without disturbing the union of the parts. The splint can be adjusted to secure perfect extension and fixation without pressure on any part of the limb, thus preventing shortening or deformity after a fracture. Pneumatic or hydraulic pads are employed to distribute the pressure evenly. Acute Traumatic Arthritis of the Knee in Children. By Dr. Broca. ("La Presse Medicale, No. 2, 1900.") purative arthritis of the knee in children, whatever may be the origin of the condition. The incision should not be made anteriorly, but on each side of the joint. A Summer Plaster-of-Paris Jacket for Pott's Disease. By Drs. R. T. Taylor and S. H. McKim. ("N. Y. Med. Jour.") The authors' method is to apply practically a figure-of-eight plaster-of-Paris jacket, maintaining the usual antero-posterior support by pressure over the sternum, iliac spines and kyphos, leaving entirely open the space over the patients' abdomen for the sake of coolness. No advantage over the aluminum corset is claimed in point of comfort for the patient. A Case of Hysterical Hip Joint. By J. L. Porter. ("Jour. of Am. Med. Assoc.") The authors report a case of this nature occurring in a girl aged 11 years, who stood in the characteristic attitude of the second stage of hip joint disease. Repeated, careful examinations, however, failing to confirm any objective symptoms, the above diagnosis was arrived at, and the young woman made comple recovery with simply a bitter tonic and without mechanicai or operative interference. [ABSTRACT.] Leg-Cramps in Elderly People-A Mode of Treatment. By John MacDonald, M, D., New York City. In the remedial treatment of cramps, the attention should be directed mainly toward (1) the relief of constipation, (2) the removal of the uric acid toxin, and (3) the establishment of a better nutrition. It is obvious that for this purpose an effective cholagogue agent is of the first importance to stimulate cellular action of the liver, increase its secretions and initiate peristalsis; and, that, combined with an appropriate uric acid solvent, such as lithia, the circulation of the blood may be quickened, while at the same time its subalkalinity may be neutralized and oxidation increased by the removal of the toxin mainly responsible for the abnormal condition. A more active interchange having thus been established between blood and tissue, the former being better enabled to perform its function of removing poisonous waste, the nutrition of the latter becomes improved and the third indication is fulfilled. In the following case the above method of procedure was adopted, directed primarily toward the relief of the constitutional dyscrasia; "leg-cramp" being one of the prominent symptoms which disappeared as the patient's improvement became manifest-thus suggesting to the writer "a mode of treatment" for that troublesome ailment. Dr. X, physician, aged 57, had retired from a large and active practice a few years ago, since which time owing to a sedentary life, his weight had increased several pounds (to nearly 200), and symptoms of the gouty diathesis had become very troublesome. Notwithstanding a careful attention devoted to the diet, abstaining from those articles of food usually prohibited in the ordinary "gouty list," his flesh was in no way reduced, and signs of uric acid poisoning daily grew more marked. Constipation, muscular pains, occasional vertigo, and leg-cramp, were the principal signals of distress. The urine, too, was scanty, acid, high colored, and loaded with uric acid crystals. Upon retiring at night the cramps in the leg would at times become so severe as to necessitate the administration of chloroform to obtain relief. Various expedients were tried; e. g., tying a band around the thigh, above the knee, massage of the muscles affected, application of heat, etc., but only temporary relief could of course be thus obtained. The feet, too, were habitually cold, and hot foot baths were frequently taken before retiring. It was obvious, however, that the underlying constitutional trouble which gave rise to these conditions must receive attention, and the general nutritive functions improved, before the local symptoms could be made to disappear. The constipation had become very obstinate, examination revealing a colon much distended, and which was probably largely responsible for the severity of the cramps. Physic was taken at frequent intervals but was only temporarily beneficial. As the above measures were simply palliative in effect, it was decided to adopt some more heroic means-such as the anti uric acid treatment-and thialion was administered. During the first four days a level teaspoonful of this salt was given in a glassful of hot water, three times daily, before meals; the result of which procedure was a thorough evacuation of the bowels on the fourth day, ample in amount and prodigiously odorous in character. Thenceforward a teaspoonful was administered every morning early on arising. The treatment was kept up in this manner for about two months, or until eight ounces of the drug had been taken, at the end of which time the patient's improvement was manifest. His naturally jovial disposition and cheerful countenance had returned, a hearty manner in greeting acquaintances became the rule, and no further complaints were heard of pains in the back and limbs, the patient moving about with some of his old time. alacrity. The bowels, too, had begun to move more regularly, and it was probably largely owing to this fact in conjunction with a greater amount of exercise taken, that ten or twelve pounds of superfluous flesh had been removed, The cramps, which had been so marked a feature in this case, gradually became less frequent, and finally disappeared; and now, after an elapse of several months, the patient states that he is entirely free from them. The writer has since adopted the same line of treatment in several other cases, usually in elderly people, and with the same gratifying results. ALIANTHUS SCARLATINA.-Dr. Lambreghts, Jour. Belge d'Hom. Ailanthus is useful in the malignant cases with intense fever, livid throat, which may also be ulcerated with pupura. |