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practice, to send them out to each American physician,-a federation in which the views of each member may be set forth, and discusst dispassionately that no member or school shall be belittled, but each honored for all the good in it or that may be had from it.

from an acute attack that had been on for
several weeks, with no sign of abatement.
The family had been warned by his phy-
sician that it would end in consumption.
For these acute conditions I gave five con-
secutive treatments, completely eradicat-
ing them. Later he took intermittent treat-
ment for one month, with the result that his
throat became stronger than since child- Topeka, Kan.
hood, the vocal cords improving wonder-
fully.

Recently, a gentleman of twenty-eight years, who has had tonsillitis from childhood, was treated by me at 6 p. m. Within one hour the acute conditions all disappeared, and a second treatment at 7 o'clock the following morning perfected the cure. Since then he has been very ill of a chronic stomach ailment, breaking out in a rash over the neck and trunk so that the skin peeled off over the entire surface, the tonsils, however, remaining perfectly well. This last is mentioned because so many charge the stomach with creating tonsil litis, and others write long disquisitions upon the alimentary tract, etc., connecting this with inflammations of the tonsils.

In acute quinsy and congestions of the throat and upper bronchial tract, my experience has been in like measure. Thruout, no "first attack" has ever come under my care, but in every instance in recurrent forms, and for a term of years, as many as three attacks in a single year.

All cures effected have been by the application of pneumatics (vacuum form). With this the indurations were first reduced, and all soreness eradicated, after which a hot gargle and hot wrappings were sometimes used by the patient. It appears to me, as I enter upon my ninth year of active and successful practice in this city, that it is about time this treatment was commanding more attention from medical men who are lookt up to as leaders.

It is about time for the progressive members of the profession to formulate a plan of action by which every physician, regardless of school, may secure knowledge of value to him and needed by his patients. Are medical men working in the cause of humanity? and is their calling as high and noble as " commencementday" orators tell the students and the public?

If so, let us have an American Federation of Physicians, whose business it shall be to gather the gems of every school and

WILLARD CYRIL FRANCIS,
Expert Pneumatist.

Asepsis in Obstetrics.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-In an article, by S. B. A., M. D., on page 444, of October WORLD, regarding antisepsis in obstetrics, he advises the clipping of the hair from the pubes. I have been in the harness a little over thirty-three years continually and have enjoyed quite an extensive obstetric practice. While I consider cleanliness indispensable, I find many primipara who are unwilling to let their physician come near the bed until driven to do so by pain. Would it not be rather out of place to suggest going at such with a pair of

shears?

I rather admire the suggestions of J. HowT. Anderson, M. D., on same page. ever, we would meet with some opposition when we attempted to reconstruct the bed and bedding after two or three wise old ladies had got everything in readiness.

In my thirty-three years' practice, have never lost a baby or mother, never had a case of child-bed fever or of milk leg. Now, is it possible that I have had all the simple cases, and some other doctor had all the bad, complicated cases?

PRACTITIONER.

Save your

Don't send subscriptions on a postal card. 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.

"I take eight or nine journals and periodicals, and I think that I always get from THE WORLD more practical points than from any other journal."-F. C. MORGAN, M. D., Felchville, Vt.

Read THE WORLD's special articles on seasonable diseases and you will surely subscribe. One year, $1; four years, $3. Don't neglect to send all notes on treatment. They will be of value to somebody..

B. F. Shipley of Alpha, Md., says: "I like THE WORLD more and more with each issue, not only for its many valuable hints on the practice of medicine, but as a wonderful teacher on governmental principles. Keep on with the good work."

Dr. Waugh's book on Treatment and THE WORLD until 1900 for $5.

WORLD for four years for $3.

Quiz Department.

Questions are solicited for this column. Communications not accompanied by the proper name and address of the writer (not necessarily for publication) will not be 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.

A Question for Dr. Waugh.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-I see in the January WORLD that Dr. Waugh for morning diarrhea recommends corrosive sublimate, in half milligram, three times a day," and for metrorrhagia, hydrastin, one milligram every four hours. For Dr. Lloyd's case five grains calcium sulfocarbolate every hour for seven doses. Is this a mixture of homeopathy and allopathy, or what would you call it? He will never die of the doctor's doses of corrosive sublimate or hydrastin. I can't say so much for his sulfocarbolate. I ask this that I may learn something of the physiologic effects of these drugs. I have no disposition to cavil, but to learn. I have been giving 1-60 and 1-100 grain

of corrosive sublimate twice and thrice

times daily. Perhaps my doses have been too large, if so I will be forced to the metric weights. I have been giving sulfocarbolate, not five-grain doses; my cases will not tolerate so much. How is this? want information. My best wishes for THE WORLD. L. S. COOмS.

Salem, Va.

I

been to several eminent practitioners, who tried all their favorite formulas on her, dosed her with lithia, cathartic and tonics, all to no purpose, finally advising resort to springs. springs. Here she was subjected to water, steam, mud, hot air and electricity baths, from which very little, if any, benefit has been derived, as the trouble continues in all the joints, even to those of the maxillary bones. Her general condition is good; urine normal. She is only able to move around with difficulty; cannot close the hands sufficiently to grasp a knife, on account of enlarged and distorted joints.

Case No. 2 is that of a married woman, aged 56, who has been greatly troubled for groin upon first arising from bed in the a year with a severe pain in the back and morning. After being up an hour or so she feels nothing of it. ble muscular rheumatism, but all remedies The pains resembenefit in this case. which invariably relieve that are of no Bowels are quite free, appetite fair. Urine is variable; someother times profuse, with specific gravity times scant, with specific gravity of 1035, at of 1002; no albumin; no sugar; muddy deposit when scant. Have tried lithia, baths, douches, enemas and electricity, both galvanic and faradic, with no benefit. If any of your readers can give any suggestions upon either of the above cases it would greatly oblige

AN OLD SUBSCRIBER. [We notice that the hot-air treatment has not been used in the above cases. This would very probably benefit them, unless they are of gonorrheal origin, in which event benefit would not be so markt.-ED.]

Membranous Croup and Calcium Iodid. Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-What curative power has dark iodid of lime in membranous croup? Dr. V. E. Lawrence, of Ottawa, Kan., calls it almost or quite a specific in true membranous croup. He says: "In order to get the desired results from this remedy it must be used only in membranous croup, and not in diphthe- journal, THE WORLD, I think, several

ritic croup." I wish to know the best remedy in this world for membranous croup, and the manner to use it. It need not be a specific.

H. H. BORDNER, M. D. Shamokin Dam, Pa.

Arthritis and Its Treatment.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-May I inquire if any of your numerous subscribers can suggest anything likely to do any good in the following cases:

Case 1. A married woman, aet 33, is suffering greatly with arthritis that began to trouble her four years ago. She has

Lime and Membranous Croup.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-I saw in some

years ago, where some doctor recommended thedark iodid of lime" in membranous croup. Could some one furnish the formula? A "job of ditching" generally follows a case of that disease in my hands. A. C. GORE, M. D.

Hohenlinden, Miss.

Lard and Strychnia.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Please inform me how I can keep the sulfites (especially the hyposulfite of soda) from spoiling when in solution and bottled for use; also its incompatibles. The solution of the above hyposulfite becomes milky colored

if kept any time, especially when the weather is warm.

Formulas.

[In our issue for November, 1897, we began republishing the formulas for the leading advertised nostrums. We do this

ple 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.]

You can add my testimony to the antidotal property of lard in cases of dog believing that physicians have a right to know what the peopoisoning by strychnin. I know of its resurrecting one dog, and of the drug failing to have any injurious effect on three bitches when given on fat pork. Sneads, Fla.

B. FORMAN.

The Needs of a Young Practitioner.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Please get
some old practitioner to tell all about how
to build a two-room office to serve the best
uses; the size of rooms, windows, furni-
ture, etc., the best light exposure, what
instruments,
appliances, examination

tables, chairs and splints, and what drugs
are necessary to meet emergencies, after
the manner of Parrish, in his Pharmacy.
Young men beginning will save money
largely with such an article of reference.
I wasted half my money by not knowing
these points.
J. A. ELLUTE.

Northumberland, Pa.

Use of Lead Hair Dyes.-Why do Dogs Howl?
Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Does anyone
know of actual cases having been paral-
yzed as a result of using hair restoratives?
The following may be an irrelevant ques-
tion for THE MEDICAL WORLD, yet, since
so many doctors keep dogs, some of them
may be able to answer it: Is there any-
one who can give the philosophy of a dog
howling?
D. E. RICHARDS, M. D.
Slatington, Pa.

"Nor could I well do without THE WORLD. It is most valuable to the busy doctor who has neither time nor inclination to wade thru a mass of verbosity. The Monthly Talks' are a most desirable feature of your publication. If all the medical publishers would do likewise the millenium would soon be here. I thought once I would send you a copy of a letter I wrote to Hon. J. W. Gaines, our congressman, who defaulted in the matter of answering the questions you propounded to him. He did not answer my letter, either; so I suppose he is unapproachable. Soon as I can İ will send for binders for my WORLDS, as I want to preserve them."

votes.

Tenn Ridge, Tenn. R. H. BAYLOR. [Candidates are "approachable" when they want your If we had the Recall, by which we could vote congressmen out of office as well as in, they would be " approachable" to the ordinary voter after election as well as before.]

"Here is a renewal for your valuable journal. I would not be without it for several times its cost."-W. J. STEVENSON, M. D., Lauderdale, Miss.

Don't neglect to send all notes on treatment. They will be of value to somebody.

B. F. Shipley of Alpha, Md., says: "I like THE WORLD more and more with each issue, not only for its many valuable hints on the practice of medicine, but as a wonderful teacher en governmental principles. Keep on with the good work."

Dr. J. S. Wheeler, of Quincy, Cal., says: "Send THE WORLD for another year. It is too useful to be missed."

What are your views as to treatment of diphtheria?

Can you have better value for your money than Dr. Waugh's book on Treatment and WORLD until 1900 for $5 ?

Formulas Wanted.

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Current Medical Thought.

Heart Complications in Diphtheria. Dr. C. M. Hibbard (Boston Medical and Surgical Journal), draws the following conclusions: 1. A rapid pulse rate in diphtheria is to be dreaded. Death usually results when it exceeds 150. 2. A slow pulse-60 in young children- is a sign often of serious heart trouble. 3. Irregularities in the pulse occur in about 10 per cent. of the diphtheria cases, and are generally significant of cardiac complications. 4. A systolic murmur at the apex is heard in about one case in ten, and its prognostic value depends upon the nature of the cause. 5. A bruit de galop in diphtheria is a most fatal sign. 6. After four weeks, with no heart symptoms in diphtheria, there is little probability of subsequent cardiac trouble in the convalescence. 7. All diphtheria patients who have tachycardia, bradycardia, irregular or weak pulse, a systolic murmur at the apex, vomiting, or any paralysis-especially palatal-should be kept quiet in bed. 8. The most important element in the treatment consists in absolute rest in bed. 9. The vagus nerve in the fatal cases always had some evidence of degenerative changes. The weight of the heart was increased. 10. The cause of death is usually from cardiac thrombi, dilatation, or paralysis, produced most probably by the toxin of the diphtheria bacillus.

Poultices in Pulmonary Diseases of Children. The poultice may be used to relieve pain, or to produce local dilatation of the capillaries to relieve some congested area. The method of use is as important in the employment of this remedy as in the case of any other. It would be useless in many instances to look for good results from the administration of a dose of quinin once a week or even once a day. It is just as unwise to expect decided effects from a poultice when used in a haphazard or irregular way or at great intervals. Directions must be definite and results will be positive.

In broncho-pneumonia, pneumonia, or bronchitis, it is not always advisable, but is often beneficial. If the patient is poor, the apartment cold, and provisions for nursing meager, it may be better not to undertake the use of this agent. The method and circumstances are everything. Under favorable conditions- that is, under

conditions where the physician's directions can be faithfully carried out-the poultice is of great value. When directions cannot be fully conformed to this agent should not be used-a rule which applies to all remedies.

In broncho-pneumonia, when dyspnea is marked; in pneumonia, when pain is great; in pleurisy and bronchitis, accompanied by much distress-a hot poultice surrounding the body will often give very quick and permanent relief; but it must ing with oiled silk and heating with hotbe kept hot by frequent changing or cover

water bottles.

The failure to get good results from the use of poultices indicates a failure to observe therapeutic indications, or negligence fault, then, is not with the poultice as a in the method of using the remedy. The remedial agent, but with the method of use, or with the using it when there is some contraindication. It is no more a panacea for all pulmonary ailments than is Dover's powder. A differential study of cases will help to determine the conditions in which this remedy is of greatest value, and will aid in restoring the poultice to its former deservedly high place in the minds of the profession, and conduce to a proper limitation of its field of usefulness. Exact therapeusis requires that a remedy be prescribed at the proper time, in a definite manner, for a known purpose. Other important local applications which require as careful and scientific use are the mustard, capsicum and spice poultice or plaster; stupes of turpentine, camphor, alcohol; jackets of spongiopiline, cotton, lamb's wool. None of these can be applied in every case indiscriminately.--Medicine.

Tea and Rheumatism.

The habitual use of tea as a means of relieving headache, is without doubt an efficient cause of rheumatism in numerous ways. The writer has met many persons who could not forego the morning cup of tea or coffee without suffering severely from headache and depression during the day. Haig has shown that a dose of uric acid will cure a headache, by driving the uric acid out of the blood. The day following, howevor, the reverse condition exists. The amount of uric acid found in the blood is increased, and a new dose must be given to protece the nervous system from the result of the contact of this nerve poison. The thein, or caffein, of tea

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