American Journal of the Medical Sciences ($5 per year; publisht by Lea Bros. & Co.). Surgery, Gynecology and Obstetrics ($5 per year; the great surgeons, Senn and J. B. Murphy on the staft). Annals of Surgery ($5 per year; J. Wm. White and other great surgeons on the staff). American Journal of Obstetrics ($4 per year). Therapeutic Gazette (edited by H. A. Hare, the author of medical books and a professor in Jefferson Medical College, and Edward Martin a professor in the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania). The Lancet-Clinic. The Medical Standard. Colorado Medical Journal. Carolina Medical Journal. Texas Medical Journal. Texas Medical News. Texas Courier-Record of Medicine. Alabama Medical Journal. Interstate Medical Journal. Canadian Journal of Medicine and Surgery. International Journal of Surgery. American Journal of Surgery. Journal of the Association of Military Surgeons, American Practitioner and News. Medicine. Eclectic Review. American Physician. Clinical Reporter. American Journal of Progressive Therapeutics. Medical Brief. I don't suppose I have gotten them all. Do you think that a medical periodical that pretends to stand for the medical profession should carry such an advertisement? In establishing a standard, let us begin where we should all agree, and having taken that step all together, we can discuss the next step, and so on. Represents the Sentiments of "World" Readers. Dear Doctor Taylor: Inclosed please find $1 for "World" for '06. Am well pleased with it; pleased with your stand for all that is for the welfare of the profession. Just continue as you are doing. Concerning the "ads," you are the best judge. The "World" as it is to-day should satisfy the most fastidious. Ridgeville, O. M. W. LANG, M. D. Worldlets. Compresses soakt in potassium permanganate solution 1 to 1,000, are of service as a continuous moist application to erysipelatous areas. In palpitation of the heart, an ice bag over the precordium is indicated. In other forms of heart weakness, the hot water bottle over the cardiac area is indicated. The pain in appendicitis is ameliorated by the application of menthol over the affected area. It may be applied in the form of an ointment or as a saturated lotion. It is not sufficiently well known that ammonia in any form is a perfect chemical antidote for formaldehyd poisoning, the drugs combining to form the comparativly harmless urotropin. Asthmatics should drink no fluid whatever with meals, nor for three full hours thereafter; but there is benefit derived from drinking a cup of hot water half an hour before meals and before retiring for the night. The fluid extract of elecampane is extensivly used by the eclectics in catarrhal conditions of the vagina and bladder. In catarrhal endometritis it checks the glairy mucous discharge from the os, and affects the general condition favorably. The dose is 10 to 60 minims. In cases where there is an idiosyncrasy against opium and its salts, benefit will often follow the employment of lactucarium in generous doses. In addition to possessing mild sedativ and hypnotic powers, it is a soothing expectorant in irritable conditions of the bronchial tubes. Snuff for Chronic Nasal Catarrh. Tannic acid. Pulverized camphor. Bismuth. subnitrate I dram Mix, and direct to be snuft up the nostrils every 3 hours. The fluid extract of Jamaica dogwood is a powerful nerve sedativ which lessens nervous excitability and reflex irritability. It is useful in the "false pains" in obstetrical cases, relaxing the os without interfering with the normal uterin contractions. It is efficacious in the pelvic pains due to dysmenorrhea, ovarian congestion and neuralgia, and in the pain consequent upon uterin misplacement. It is also a grateful remedy in intractable cough and in inflammatory rheumatism. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS Short articles of practical help to the profession are solicited for this department. Articles accepted must be contributed to this journal only. The editors are not responsible for views expressed by contributors. Copy must be received on or before the twelfth of the month, for publication in the issue for the next month. We decline responsibility for the safety of unused manuscript. It can usually be returned if request and postage for return are received with manuscript; but we cannot agree to always do so. Certainly it is excellent discipline for an author to feel that he must say all he has to say in the fewest possible words, or his reader is sure to skip them; and in the plainest possible words, or his reader will certainly misunderstand them. Generally, also, a downright fact may be told in a plain way; and we want downright facts at present more than anything else.-RUSKIN. Poisoning by Chloroform Liniment. Editor Medical World: About 6 P. M.. January 30, 1906, I received a 'phone call from Mr. C., three miles in the country, stating that his wife, a beautiful young woman, aged 30, had taken by mistake about 1 oz. of chloroform liniment (composed of equal parts of chloroform and spirit of camphor); to bring a stomach pump and come just as fast as horses could bring me. I told Mrs. S. to 'phone back at once to have her swallow all the hot water she could. The answer came that she was past all swallowing and had passed into a deep stupor. The stomach tube which I had purchased with great care in Kansas City had long since gone the way of cheap rubber. This, however, did not daunt me, only for an instant. We carry in our drug stock several fountain syringes. While these matters had been circulating very rapidly thru my mind, the team had been ordered (which, you will pardon me for claiming, is the best driven by any M. D. in the county). The mud roads were very bad, but I figured that in twentyfive minutes from the time of receiving the cal! I would be on the ground ready for business. In their excitement the husband and the help about the place had taken the patient out into a summer kitchen, which was quite cold, the temperature being about the freezing point. I ordered her brought into the kitchen at once. I found a deathly pallor of face, no pulse at wrist, no respiration, slight throbbing of the carotid (this I did not stop to find out, but took the word of one of the men who was holding her head between his hands). The patient appeared dead at I first glance, and I thought they needed an undertaker rather than a doctor. had my fountain syringe ready, called for water as hot as could be borne, and fortunately this was at hand, it being supper time. On attempting to introduce the tube, I found the jaws set tightly, and it was with great difficulty that we succeeded in forcing a spoon handle between the teeth. In doing this we used so much force that we pulled the cement crown off of the canine tooth, and it looked as tho we had broken a sound tooth in two. By turning the spoon handle edgewise and forcing it well back between the jaws I was enabled to introduce the tube and a forefinger, but found it difficult to get the tube down the throat, and I had forgotten to mark the tube so that I could tell when it had entered the stomach. After getting it part way down I had one person to stand on a chair to hold the bag up to give the water force, but this time it nearly all came back into the mouth instead of going into the stomach. I made a second effort, but markt the tube by slipping the shut-off down to the proper distance from the end, so that I could tell when I had toucht bottom. I found that by bringing the head forward to about the normal upright position I could enter the tube much better, and succeeded in getting it down this time all right. The syringe being filled (2 qt.), the water was allowed to flow into the stomach. Just as soon as the bag was empty it was immediately placed in a pan on the floor, but very little of the water returned. I then withdrew the tube and ordered the patient leaned well forward, she being in the sitting posture, supported by the help. On the removal of the tube about onehalf of the water gusht from the mouth, heavily laden with chloroform, and our efforts were rewarded by seeing the patient gasp for breath for the first time. We repeated the above twice, giving the patient in all about 5 qts. of water. After the first gush from the stomach the patient continued to breathe at long intervals, and respiration became gradually fuller. After each filling of the stomach the tube was removed and part of the water returned with a strong chloroform odor. On using the tube the last time considerable pressure was used on the bag, and we were rewarded by about 1 qt. of the water passing out beside the tube. This water, altho we attempted to catch it, was pretty generally diffused into the garments of the patient. I also used one hypo of nitroglycerin and digitalis, and as soon as we could get patient to swallow gave 1-2 oz. of whisky in hot water, also I cup of strong coffee. in the March "World," and think if the lotion of carbolic acid 2 drams, liquor potassa I dram, linseed oil 1 ounce was used in the strength recommended it would cause a beautiful case of irritativ eczema, which would be much worse than the original disease. Having had occasion to try a great many remedies for that condition, the folIt was fully 8.30 before patient would swallowing are the most satisfactory I have low anything. At about 9, with considerable urging by myself and the husband, the patient was aroused, lookt around surprised, and askt why the neighbors were there. This was all explained and patient cried several times, but was soon pacified. During the night and until 10 the next morning, patient vomited frequently. I then commenced giving level teaspoonfuls of Epsom salts dissolved in hot water; this did the work, as patient only vomited once more. No food was allowed, and very little water (just enuf to wet the mouth) until about 3 P. M., when patient was allowed a soft egg, milk and toast, which was not rejected. In addition to the treatment of the stomach, we used hot stove lids from the cook stove, hot water bag to the feet and also hot water bathing up to the knees so vigorously that we blistered one foot in our efforts to get up circulation. Devan, Kan. D. W. SHEELER, M.D. Winter Itch. Editor Medical World: I read your article on pruritus hiemalis (winter itch) Dr. A. F. Burkard, of Omaha, Neb., has the following printed at the bottom of his bill heads: To leave everything, and come as quickly as he can, any time, day or night, to help you. You Expect the Doctor, when you need him, The Doctor Expects You, when he has served you, To do all he can for you, even to risk his health and life. To do your best to pay his bills promptly, as soon as you can, not putting them off till all else is paid, or until you have spent your money, perhaps foolishly, or To come and tell him if you really cannot pay. The doctor cannot live on work, and fresh air, and hope, any longer than you So pay him as promptly as you like to be paid when you have worked for can. someone. [Smaller type than the above is more appropriate for this purpose, and so it is on Dr. Burkard's bill heads. It is well to let people know that a doctor should be paid for his services, and the above is a very appropriate and effective way of doing it. Some people will let a doctor work for them forever without a thought of paying, unless reminded; and some doctors will let a medical editor work for them without thought of paying, unless reminded; some doctors like to have the frauds that prey upon the profession exposed, without realizing that they, themselves, are frauds if they do not pay for the journals which they read. Doctors should be paid and editors should be paid. People, as a rule, do pay their doctors; and doctors, as a rule, do pay their editors; but some in both classes do not realize, and meet promptly, their obligations. We are agin" those in both classes who neglect their obligations.-ED.] Cystitis. Editor Medical World: On page 102 of March Number I read a chronic cystitis case. The homeopathic Materia Medica abounds in decisiv remedies for that disease. I think if the good doctor will give cantharis 3x or 30x, or pulsatilla 3x or 30x, or mercurius sol. 3x or 30x, his patient and he himself will both be delighted. Give canth. every 3 hours by day for 3 days; rest one day without a remedy; then give pulsatilla same way, and rest a day; and follow with merc. sol. same way. Such cases draw on our sympathies, but the brilliant results that have followed the use of these remedies in my hands expand our joy measurably. DR. H. A. WHITFIELD. Garden City, Kan. Appendicitis. At Editor Medical World: I notice your note on page 91, March Number, on the use of the ice bag in appendicitis, avoiding pressure. I have for years used an idea developed from necessity while many miles from an ice bag. It is the use of a fountain syringe for the purpose: tach a string to the rubber loop at the mouth and to a screw eye in the ceiling. This will admit of raising and lowering, lessening the pressure at will. Fresh ice may be introduced as often as desired without trouble or annoying the patient, while the rubber tubing may be used to conduct excess of water to a vessel beneath the bed. This is the handiest ice bag I ever used, and I have quit buying the ordinary kind. Speaking of appendicitis, the ice bag and colon tube constitute my treatment; and when used early, seldom indeed is there need for the knife. Reed's Spring, Mo. H S. BREVoort. A Snuff as a Remedy for Hiccups. Editor Medical World: In your March issue I see an inquiry for a remedy for hiccups. Several years ago I had a patient that was certainly a victim along this line. She was subject to attacks, day or night, that would last until she was relieved by chloroform or other such remedy. An old physician told me this: Powdered white veratrum (white hellebore) used as a snuff would act as a specific. As sneezing begins, the hiccups cease. Have our readers seen cases of protracted sneezing? It is said that a few whiffs of chloroform will stop the sneezing. The same remedy will usually stop protracted hiccups; but here it is best to remove the cause, which is usually irritation due to stomach contents. This cannot be said of protracted sneezing, which is not usually due to reflex irritation, but to direct irritation upon the mucous membrane. We have never seen a case of sneezing which gave rise to any anxiety. What has been the observation of our readers? Whooping Cough and Its Treatment. Editor Medical World: As it has been my privilege to treat quite a number of patients with whooping cough for the past. four months, I will give a few remarks concerning the symptoms and treatment which might be helpful to some younger brother. Definition: An acute infectious disease manifesting itself at the onset by catarrhal symptoms confined chiefly to the upper respiratory passage, larynx and trachea, and the cough toward the end of the second week assumes a peculiar convulsiv character known as the "whoop." Symptoms: After an incubation period of from five to fourteen days, the symptoms begin as a severe coryza. At the onset it is hard to distinguish from a coryza from any other cause, as the cough at this period is not characteristic, but gradually assumes a paroxysmal character, and is more frequent during the night. Toward the end of the second week the characteristic cough develops. The child recognizes its oncoming and runs to its mother or something for support. A series of quick repeated short coughs burst forth, which end by the expectoration of a small bit of thick tenacious mucus, or by vomiting. The paroxysm may be repeated two or three times. In delicate children the paroxysms produce great exhaustion, and the strain may induce tenderness of the respiratory muscles. The paroxysms are generally the most, frequent during the second week of the spasmodic stage. The disease generally runs a long course during the autumn and winter months. The total duration varies from two weeks to ten. an Treatment: Remedies will not cure the disease, but if judiciously applied will lessen the duration and modify the severity. Inhalation of creosote vapors over alcohol lamp is valuable. Quinin sul. gr. 3, phenacetin gr. ij, dissolved in a teaspoonful of glycerin and given every three or four hours, according to the age of the patient and the severity of the attack, will act like a charm. The diet must be regulated, and the bowls kept open, the clothing warm but not too heavy, plenty of fresh air if it is not damp. As a tonic nothing will do as much good as a teaspoonful of the syrup of hypophosphites comp. given three times a day during the paroxysmal stage as well as in the conval escence. Horse Shoe, N. C. Z. T. PINNER, M.D. Goiter. It may interest Dr. Viger, of Quebec (p. 70, February "World"), to know that I have had splendid success in goiter from sp. tr. phytolacca in 5 drop doses every 3 hours, with local applications of tr. iodin daily until skin is blistered, then omit for 3 or 4 days and repeat. Of course I look after the general condition, especially as regards elimination. Have never failed with this plan in young women, but after middle age the results are less certain. Azalia, Ind. O. A. DE LONG. Concerning the suspected "Brights," on page 101, Dr. J. A. Whitford, of Beaufort, S. C., writes that in his opinion the young lady is over-fed, and takes insufficient muscular exercise. He advises "coarser food" (food that has much waste in it), and muscular exercise. He mentions a case in his practise which was treated in that way, and the albumin disappeared and health was restored. He advocates a "balanced ration," and one suited to the habits of the individual. Cured by Rubber Heels. Editor Medical World: A woman with small feet became a little fleshy, and her heels became so lame and tender she could not do her housework. The pain streaked up above the ankle. I procured low heeled shoes for her and put springs under the shanks of the shoes, used liniments, &c., all to no purpose. This trouble continued for about two years. Then thru curiosity I got a pair of rubber heels put on my shoes, and I liked them so well that I had some put on her shoes. From the day she wore the rubber heels she never complained of pain in her heels, and could do her work as well as ever in her life; but if she begins wearing leather heels the trouble comes back. The heels should be of the best quality and elastic. I ask any one having a case like this to kindly drop me a postal, as I would like to know how frequent such troubles are, and what number are cured by changing the heels. Editor Medical World: A man 67 years of age, while walking, fell over a brick and landed on his abdomen. After a few hours his abdomen began to swell, and the nearest physician was called. The physician immediately made a diagnosis of rupture of some internal organ. I was then called in consultation, and found tenderness all over the abdomen without any particular tender area. I inquired into the history and could only determin that the patient was a heavy beer drinker. My diagnosis was rupture of the mesentery or bowels, and advised an exploratory laparotomy, telling the relativs that there was but little hope of recovery. They allowed |