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conversation with him afterward I learned that it was nothing more than a solution of ammonium chlorid.

Thinking there was some deception about it I suggested that he had previously extracted the snake's fangs. He then

brought from a taxidermist a snake that had just been captured and let it bite him just over the eye. He proceeded as before

with the same result. We then extracted some virus from one of his snakes which had died from being bitten by another and tested it with litmus paper, finding it exceedingly acid in reaction. By pouring into it and mixing a solution of ammonium chlorid it was neutralized. My idea is that the virus of the rattlesnake is a powerful acid (probably formic) which destroys the blood-corpuscles; consequently the heart supplied with such blood becomes weakened, and this accounts for the extreme depression. Ammonium chlorid being a strong alkali and also very diffusible would neutralize the acid and at the same time act as a rapid and effective stimulant. The man himself did not know why it was an antidote nor did he sell the secret. GEO. E. WELCH, M. D.

Palatka, Fla.

A Heaven For One Doctor. Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-An angel had been sent to call the doctor from labor to reward. He had served the people faithfully and well; had gone to see them at all hours of the day and night in all kinds of weather. Had made moderate charges and waited patiently on them. Had sympathized with them in their afflictions, mourned with them in their sorrows, rejoiced with them when restored to health. Before leaving for heaven the doctor asked if he could visit the regions below. Permission being granted, while the angel waited outside, the doctor went in to look around.

Having been gone an unusual length of time, the angel went to look for him, and found the doctor seated fanning himself and watching a lot of people burning in one of the hottest fires in the place, while a look of supreme bliss lighted his face. The angel lookt, and over the door was the sign, "These are people who did not pay the doctor." The angel toucht him and said, "Come, let us go." With a radiant smile the doctor said, "You go on; this is heaven enough for me.'

DR. EUGENE H. WINKLER.

St. Charles, Ark.

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Sig. Use only the bare hand with plenty of friction.

The late Willard Parker used to tell us, when apologizing for the use of lini"Tell them to rub it in freely; we know as a rule that most liniments that are volatile pass off in vapor, but they will not rub thoroly unless they are told to rub it in." A local undertaker here who uses the liniment for his recurrent rheumatism says: "It is the best thing out," and in further testimony of its efficacy he states that when he has “an unyielding cadaver to soften up," he rubs on this liniment and then he can "fold his 'stiff' in any direction." Rahway, N. J.

ELIHU B. SILVERS.

The Effect of Peanuts on the General Health. Editor MEDICAL WORLD:- I have lived for 25 years in what is known as the "Burnt District" of Tennessee, where the famous Tennessee red peanuts are raised by the thousands of bushels. These nuts are freely eaten by the people, raw or just as they are picked from the vines, and also form a staple for feeding hogs and fowls.

In all the time that I have lived in this section I have never seen a case of croup or quinsy among the children who had free access to the peanut "patch," nor a single case of hog quinsy or chicken gapes where these animals had all they wanted of the succulent nut.

In roasting the nuts, the oil is evaporated, and I attribute the apparent healthful action of the nuts to the oil which exists unchanged in them when eaten raw. Has anyone else ever observed anything in this matter? E. T. LEWIS, M. D.

Woolworth, Tenn.

Don't send subscriptions on a postal card. Save your card and save us trouble. When you want THE MEDICAL WORLD badly enough to pay for it, send the price and your order will be promptly filled. There is only one right way to subscribe-do it in the right way. The postal card fraternity have been increasing of late, and they are a nuisance in an office conducted in a business way. The humanitarian question is a different thing. If you can't pay full price, send what you can and write in full, and you will not be overlookt.

Quiz Department.

Questions are solicited for this column. Communications not accompanied by the proper name and address

two o'clock on the day of the patient's death her mother had given her two large

writer (not necessarily for publication) wiss of the griddle-cakes to eat and in three hours

noticed.

The great number of requests for private answers, for the information and benefit of the writer, makes it necessary for us to charge a fee for the time required. This fee will be from one to five dollars, according to the amount of research and writing required.

Diphtheric Cardiac Paralysis.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-My prescription in Dr. Brice's case, February WORLD, page 71, should have been, bismuth five drams and water four ounces. Please make correction.

I have had some experience with scarlatina and let your readers have it for what it is worth. When fever runs high with great prostration I use the cold bath; beginning with the water luke-warm, place child in bath, then add cold water until water is about the temperature of ordinary well-water. I have had cases in which the clinical pictures of both diphtheria and scarlatina were combined, showing the high fever and the rash peculiar to scarlatina with the extreme prostration and the thick membrane on the throat indicative of diphtheria. I wish to cite two cases treated some five years ago in the Sacramento Mountains of New Mexico.

Upon arrival at the house I found one of the patients with a light membrane on the throat and a very feeble pulse; the other patient had a very heavy membrane on the throat but a good pulse; I remained at the house for ten days. The first patient was well enuf to sit up in bed at the end of this period, but the second patient appeared rather weak, yet seemed to be improving slowly as the membrane had nearly all left the throat and her appetite had improved considerably.

My principal medication to the throat was hydrogen dioxid, 15-volume solution diluted with pure water in the proportion of one to six. I gave bitter wine of iron in teaspoonful doses four to six hours apart, and stimulants as needed, with strychnia as a heart tonic. The bowels were kept open with calomel, lactated pepsin and soda bicarbonate, and whisky was given as needed. A liquid diet was enjoined.

When I took leave of my patients they were apparently both on the road to recovery. Eight days from the time I left, I was again summoned a distance of thirty-five miles from the office to see the second patient. When I reacht the house the patient had been dead some time. At

from that time the patient was dead. In conclusion I would say, insist on liquid diet and treat symptoms as they arise. Sipe Springs, Tex. P. E. GOLD, M. D.

[The instance cited seems to be a case of diphtheric cardiac paralysis following an attack of indigestion. The effect of an overloaded stomach upon the action of a weakened heart is well known.-ED.]

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Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-My boy, 12 years old, has been affected with an epileptoid state for fifteen months, the attacks varying from one to four months apart, getting farther apart all the time under the continued use of the bromids. He is very muscular and well nourisht, weighing 100 pounds. For the last three months he has had a nervous, tingling sensation in his feet and legs, gradually passing upward until now it has involved his entire body. It only lasts a minute or so at a time. He has from five to twenty a day, with dribbling of the urine and ankle-clonus during the time of the attack. It was first thought by some to be choreic trouble, but that idea is given up now. Several neighboring physicians have seen him. But we are at sea now for a diagnosis.

Put this before THE WORLD fraternity for diagnosis and treatment, as I am quite anxious to learn something about this most strange affection. Regarding the treatment heretofore, aside from the bro

mids (which he has taken all the while), he has had Fowler's solution and cimicifuga and peptonated manganese (Wyeth's) for a tonic, for which purpose it served well, altho it had no affect on the disease. His appetite remains good. He is cheerful and playful all the time and doesn't seem to realize his condition, tho he is unable to stand up during his "spells," as he calls them. The only thing he knows is a hot, dizzy feeling in his head, and then the tingling. He is never unconscious, nor has he had any febrile disturbances. I hope some one will give me some light and comfort.

Parker, Tex.

J. T. WATSON, M. D.

[Dr. Watson's case is referred to THE WORLD family for decision. All the symptoms seem to point to a trophoneurosis, possibly involving the cord, and entailing a general disturbance of the vaso-motor system. Still the trouble seems more functional than organic. As the child is approaching the age of puberty, some of the conditions may be referable to the systemic changes incident to that period of life. It would be well to make a thoro examination of the genitals in order to discover whether reflex action may not be at fault.-ED.]

the influenza. There was no elevation of temperature, the pulse was strong and beat 95 or 90 to minute, the respiratory sounds normal, the cough having about disappeared. The patient could be quieted by talking to him, and would answer at times very intelligently, but as one would stop fixing his attention he would begin his wild, rambling talk, that would increase to a whoop or a yell if no attempt was made to control him.

soon as

I prescribed potassium bromid in liberal doses, with no apparent effect, and after several doses left it off and gave sodium bromid, with a little better result. I concluded conct. tr. passiflora incarnat. to be the proper agent and gave in 40 drop dose, which gradually brought on quiet but not much sleep. This delirium lasted for three days before it entirely left. From now on he gradually improved, and in a week's time was able to be up and about the place.

February 7 the father called me again, and this time I found the patient the opposite of my first visit. He was inclined to sleep continually, and was aroused with some difficulty, but when aroused would auswer correctly; made no complaint except that his neck felt as if it was broken. The tongue became heavily coated and the breath was very foul,

Delirium and Hysterical Symptoms Following almost as offensive as in a case of ptya

Influenza.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Allow me to present the outlines of a case that has caused me much worry about making a diagnosis.

The patient is C. S., white, male, aged 18. The parents are free from any constitutional ailments, but an older brother had two attacks of insanity, cause not known. The patient is well grown for his age, and generally healthy.

January 1 last, while waiting for a train, he contracted a cold, which progresst and was treated by his parents. January 10 I received a note from his father stating that his son had had a cold for the past two weeks, but that it was broken; he then had no fever, the cough continued and he was generally reduced; circulation feeble and no appetite. I concluded his case to have been influenza, and prescribed a cough-mixture and a tonic with strychnia. On the night of January 14 I was called to see patient and found him wild with delirium, which had been gradually coming on since early in the day.

I could find no cause to account for his condition, unless it should be an effect of

lism. The bowels were hard to move. The eyes appeared intolerant of light, and a conjunctivitis developt, with a slight purulent discharge. This sleepy state passed off gradually, in three or four days, but not completely. In about ten days he seemed to relapse, and this sleepy condition returned, more markt than the first. This passt off in about three days, and, as before, not entirely.

He now lies in bed in any position that he may be placed, eats well, and, I think, has gained some flesh and strength. He never speaks only to answer questions or to ask for water or food; the latter he has considerable desire for. He speaks very low, unless requested to speak loud, and that appears to require some exertion.

At no time from January 14 was the temperature elevated more than one-fifth degree. The pulse is generally from 65 to 75, and the respirations are unaltered. The tongue when protruded is always straight out, and remains until told to withdraw it. He always had the use of his limbs, and sensation is unaltered to an appreciable extent.

Slight twitching of the muscles in or

side of face was noticed once. The mouth is allowed to open when lying on back. Saliva is profuse at times.

Hoping that I have sufficiently outlined the case, I will call on some of the many readers of THE WORLD for a diagnosis and suggestions as to treatment. As it will be some time before a reply can be made in the WORLD, I would be glad to hear from any that can give me any advice, particularly Dr. Waugh or the editor, by letter. Whiteville, La. H. C. MILBURN, M. D.

[It seems quite probable that you have to deal with one of those cases of nerveweakness and impairment that not unfrequently follow upon influenza. There seems quite an hysterial type to some of the symptoms you recite. Can you not try the effect of suggestion as an aid in diagnosis? For instance, say in a tone that will reach the patient's ears, that you expect certain symptoms (producible. of course) to appear, such as protrusion of the tongue to one side, elevation of one eye-brow, a peculiar posture to be assumed, or the like; the suggestion being delicately made, in a way to lead the patient to see they may be necessary for continued belief. Then watch for their production. If they come, you have a genuine case of hysteria of the neurasthenic type, and you can treat in accordance, always bearing in mind that hysteria, tho simulative in its manifestations, is a real disease and requires careful treatment. The hysteric may simulate but is not necessarily a malingerer. The normality of pulse temperature, respirations, appetite, etc., seem to point to functional trouble due to weak nerve-action.-ED.]

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Mrs. A., aged 42, was in her seventh confinement, and all had passt off without any trouble worthy of mention. The boy who came for me said she had been having "fits, and if we didn't hurry up, she would die before we got there." arrival I found the patient very nervous and labor-pains coming on about every 5 or 6 minutes. I could not get any history or subjective symptoms from her, as she was delirious. I gave her a hypodermic of veratrum viride, 12 drops. When the needle toucht her she had a convulsion, which lasted about 30 seconds or a minute. She became quiet; the pains con

tinued with good force, and she was deliv. ered of a nine-pound baby in six hours after my arrival. Her mind was clouded from the first convulsion and continued to get worse. She began to vomit, a black coffee-ground stuff, and continued this until death relieved her at 6 a. m. next day.

The first and only dose of veratrum stopt the convulsions and all symptoms of nervousness, but she could not be aroused to consciousness by any method, and the vomiting could not be checkt except for a short time. Notwithstanding all this. labor progressed nicely and the baby was safely delivered. The mother died in an hour after delivery, but the baby is living and doing well now. I have treated patients for puerperal convulsions with good results, but this is the first case that had the "black vomit." If there had been any yellow fever in the country I would have suspected that she had it, but she had been having chills for three weeks previous to the confinement and had had nothing to prepare the system for the occasion. She had a temperature of 103° F. and pulse 130. The skin hot and dry. but after the hypodermic of veratrum the skin got moist and the temperature went down to 100. The placenta was delivered and was perfect. There was no external hemorrhage more than was necessary. What was the cause of death? The pulse didn't indicate concealed hemorrhage. Strange to say, the convulsions and vomiting didn't seem to impede or have any effect on the labor. And as she was so far advanced in actual labor I did not think it advisable to give anything to unload the bowels or arouse secretion of liver. All that I thought could be done was to stop the convulsions, keep patient quiet and let labor progress as it was doing very rapidly.

I would like to know if anyone else of the WORLD family has had a similar case and the treatment they used.

The WORLD is the best journal that comes to my office.

Lyon, Miss. W. T. MILSTEAD, M. D.

[It would be extremely difficult to assign off-hand a reason for so unusual a condition as that related by Dr. Milstead, but doubtless the malarial condition referred to was the causal factor of the hematemesis. Was there any postmortem? What was the state of the urine? The color of the skin and conjunctivae? Was there any bright blood mixed with

the vomited matter? Was the grumous matter blood, or was there any history of the patient having eaten anything to give that appearance to the vomit?-ED.]

Dr. Ludwig Fritsch, of Evansville, Ind., wishes to ask: "What is the future of medical science and art?

Also: "Did the Lord create bacilli, bacteria, etc., first? or did they come into being as the result of disease after man's appearance upon earth?”

[The editor will answer these questions by simply saying that he doesn't know. For the answer to the first question we

will simply have to wait and see. Every decade brings great changes in the practice of medicine. What future changes will be, in either the science of medicine or the sociologic relations of the medical profession, no one can say. On the second question we will not speculate. Let the biologists answer.-ED.]

Points in Eclectic Practice.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Will be much obliged to the eclectic readers of THE MEDICAL WORLD Who will explain the following to me:

Dr. Scudder, in his "Specific Medicines," recommends bryonia for the right side and rhus for the left side as remedies for headaches. Now, since the equilibrium of the brain on both sides of the head is, accord

ing to physiology, the same, then why does Dr. Scudder give different remedies for the right and for the left? Why not vice versa ? He does not explain his reason, and I would like to know what his purpose is. H. ROSAHNSKY, M. D.

Brooklyn, N. Y.

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Formulas.

[In our issue for November, 1897, we began republishing the formulas for the leading advertised nostrums. We do this believing that physicians have a right to know what the people are taking, and that they ought to know in order to administer proper antidotes if called in case of an overdose, which often happens, particularly with the various soothing syrups given to children. Back numbers can still be furnished to those who wish the series complete.]

Formulas Wanted.

For fluid injections in treatment of hernia; for the Globe Hair Restorer, made by the Globe Manufacturing Company, of Grinnell, Iowa; for the Ne Plus Ultra Face Beautifier.

A subscriber sent us a suppository that is being used in his vicinity for "female complaints." A chemist of our acquaintance very kindly submitted it to some tests, and he says: "All that I can make out of the suppository is that it contains some fatty matter with borax. It may also contain some vegetable extract." Perhaps this is jequirity, as most of these remedies contain this drug.

WESTERN "RECTAL SPECIALISTS."

The modern Western "Rectal Specialist" is a lineal descendant of the original pile doctor. He uses still, in common with many reputable physicians, the hypodermic method in treating piles, but his evolution has proceeded so far that he now undertakes to treat other common rectal diseases as well, in a fashion peculiarly his own, and suited rather to his own convenience as an itenerant, than to his patients' real welfare. He no longer buys his secret and local right to prac

tise, but invests from fifty to one hundred dol

lars in one of the "systems." He thus obtains a complete set of instruments and a small secret manual of instructions, which "enable persons of no particular skill to treat successfully all rectal diseases." As a matter of fact, many of these persons are not medical graduates at all, but mere adventurers, whose entire knowledge of their specialty consists in what their little book of instructions has furnished them. In some instances the itinerant is not allowed to know the composition of the various remedies directed by the secret pamphlet. He must buy them of the author of the "system," thus continually paying him tribute. Several of these "systems," by underselling each other, have greatly reduced their prices, so that from three hundred dollars they have now fallen in price to fifty and even less.-Andrew's Rectal and Anal Surgery.

VELPEAN'S COMPOUND FOR TREATMENT OF

GONORRHEA.

The formula for Velpean's Compound was given me several years ago by a friend. The drug stores have destroyed their old prescription files, and I have lost my copy. After putting it up for myself a few times, I found that if I followed a certain plan in making the compound, the resulting mass was always what I wanted.

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