Secondary Suture of the Ulnar In a man, at 50, the ulnar nerve had been severed by the blow of an axe between the olecranon process and the internal condyle. Atrophy and loss of sensation and power in the muscles on the ulnar side of the forearm and the little and ring fingers followed. Dr. F. J. Shepherd made an incision in the line of the nerve and across the scar, readily exposing the two ends, the upper being bulbous and the lower atrophied, and seperated about an inch. The nerve was dissected out, the ends freshened and brought together by a continuous suture of fine catgut, and the wound closed and dressed with dry antiseptic dressing. Fairly good sensation in the ring and little fingers, accompanied with a tingling feeling as if the nerve were asleep, appeared the next day. In fifteen days' the wound was firmly united and the patient sent home. Six months later, he reported that he was fast recovering the use of his arm, complaining only of a slight burning pain in the little finger. Dr. T. G. Roddick also reports a case of suture of the sciatic nerve eighteen months after its division in a man æt 26. The operation resulted in gradually returning sensation and motion to the foot and rapid healing of two large and troublesome ulcers on the outer border of the foot. Two years later he could walk without a cane.-Annals of Surgery, March, 1887. The Different Exudates of a White Color which may be found upon Children's Throats. Simon shows that we may have 1. Diphtheritic deposits; that is to say, false membranes which have proceeded from the mucous membrane, are deeply adherent to it by fibrous elongations, and frequently accompanied by swelling of the submaxillary glands and slight elevation of temperature. 2. Pultaceous products; that is, epithelial elements associated with mucous membrane. 3. Herpetic products, such as may follow amygdalitis which results from cold. These consist of herpetic vesicles grouped together, giving a product 6. Muguet of a confluent form or the diphtheroid angina of Lasèque, which occurs in children suffering from typhoid fever, bronchitis, in its severer forms and scarlatina, and which is seen at the bottom of the throat upon the two tonsils and upon the mucous membrane of the isthmus of the pharynx. In this disease, deposits are formed within twenty-four hours as in certain cases of true diphtheria. Only the progress of the disease and the local applications which are made, clear up the diagnosis by demonstrating the absence of cohesion of these deposits.-Archives of Pediatrics, Feb. 1887. Improved Tube for Intubation of the Larynx. One of the chief objection to intubation of the larynx is the difficulty of swallowing, the danger caused by the falling of food and fluid into the bronchial tubes through the canula, and the too frequent occurrence of bronchopneumonia. To overcome this difficulty, Dr. F. E. Waxham has modified the O'Dwyer tubes by making them with smaller heads. The tube is prevented from slipping into the trachea by a rubber collar. To this rubber collar is attached a flap or artificial epiglottis. During the act of deglutition, the larynx rises and presses against the base of the tongue and the epiglottis and the pressure of the epiglottis holds the rubber cap or artificial epiglottis over the aperture of the tube, thus preventing the dropping of solids into it and as deglutition ceases, the larynx falls and the elasticity of the rubber throws it upwards. This rubber attachment does not entirely prevent the falling of liquids, of water particularly, into the tube, but it is of very great assistance in swallowing solids and semi-solids.— Journ. of the Amer. Med. Assoc'n., March 12, 1887. Observations on Diphtheria. In a paper read before the British Homœopathic Society, Dr. Neald advocated the oil of eucalyptus as a local application in cases of diphtheria. Early in the course of the disease, it is only necessary to use it as a gargle, say 6-10 drops in half a tumbler of water, to be used frequently, but if the disease has been neglected for a day or two, the fauces should be painted with the undiluted oil. If there is any doubt that the membrane is confined to the fauces, the remedy should be used in the form of steam inhalations. In very young children where laryngeal symptoms threaten, he uses iodine in the bronchitis kettle. The remedy he has used most frequently internally is mercurius corrosivus. He has not found it do much good however if the system was profoundly affected. In sthenic cases with higher fever and pains extending to the ears, he has confidence in phytolacca. Prostration is the main indication that leads him to mercurius cyan. Kali bi, he uses where the nares are affected. Apis mel. has been very useful where there was much swelling. Aconite Dr. Neald has never shrunk from using where the fever has been an element of danger. Stimulants, he believes to be rarely required.-Monthly Homeopathic Review, March, 1887. News, Etc. THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION will hold its fifteenth annual meeting, at Memphis, Tenn., November 8, 9, 10, 11, 1887. It will consider the following topics-I. The Pollution of Water Supplies. II. The Disposal of Refuse Matter of Cities. III. The Disposal of Refuse Matter of Villages, Summer Resorts and Isolated Tenements. IV. Animal Diseases Dangerous to Man. LEAGUE TRACT NUMBER 12 has been received from London. Its subject is Dangers of Modern Medicine," by which is meant the dangers of the recently adopted modifications and appliances of very old medicine. It will be a good thing for homoeopathists to read, as well as allopathists. Copies may be had of Mr. E. H. Laurie, 16 Blandford Square, London, N. W., England. A NEW HOMEOPATHIC INSANE HOSPITAL.-Minnesota is to have a new state hospital for the insane, to be under the care of homœopathic physicians. It is expected that the Legislature will appropriate $150,000 as a beginning toward the erection of the buildings. The institution is to be located at Furgus Falls. ANOTHER HOMEOPATHIC HOSPITAL IN NEW YORK CITY.-The "Deaconess Institute of the Methodist Episcopal Church," a hospital located at 129 West Sixty-first steet, is now open for the reception of patients. It is under the care of a corps of homoeopathic physicians. THE INTERNATIONAL HAHNEMANNIAN ASSOCIATION will hold its annual session at the Ocean House, Long Branch, N. J., June 21st to 24th. The Secretary's address is E. A. Ballard, M. D., 97 Thirty-seventh street, Chicago, Ill. A HOMEOPATHIC HOSPITAL AT ST. PAUL, MINN. We learn from the Minnesota Medical Monthly that an organization has been formed in St. Paul for the establishment and maintenance of a homoopathic hospital in that thriving city. A large number of the most prominent and influential citizens are interested in the movement. An eligible site has been secured at a cost of but $10,000 and the work will be pushed forward in the energetic manner so characteristic of that wide-awake city. THE TEXAS HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION will hold its Fourth Annual session at Fort Worth, May 3 and 4, 1887. President, W. F. Thatcher, M. D., PERSONAL.-Hugh M. Smith, M. D. appointed on the staff of the Brooklyn and Edward Chapin, M. D., have been Homœopathic Hospital. Dr. Wm. C. Richardson, of St. Louis, Mo., has removed his down-town office to Rooms 16, 17 and 18, Turner Building, No. 304 North 8th street. His residence remains at 3216 N. 11th St. Dr. Arthur A. Camp, of Minneapolis, Minn., has retired from active medical practice, and gone into the business of buying and selling real estate and negotiating mortgages. Physicians desiring to transact business of that character in Minnesota should communicate with him. Obituary. J. C. BURNS, M. D.-At a special meeting of the Oxford Social Medical Club, of Philadelphia, held on Thursday evening, March 24th, 1887, a committee appointed to draft a suitable expression of condolence, on the death of our Brother, Dr. J. C. Burns, offered the following word of sympathy to his bereaved family, which was adopted. Whereas, It is with profound sorrow that we have heard of the death of our fellow member and Brother, Dr. J. C. Burns, whose early demise has deprived us of a valued member of our Club, the community of a worthy citizen, the Church of a devoted and exemplary member, and the Profession of a bright, promising, and successful practitioner who wisely used the healing art. Resolved, That in his early removal we, and the community have been bereft, Resolved, That we do most deeply sympathize with his parents and family in their bereavement and pray that a kind Providence may mercifully sustain them in their affliction. Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be presented to his family and published in the HAHNEMANNIAN MONTHLY. R. OWENS, M. D. A. LAYMAN, M. D. JAS. KEMBLE, M. D., Committee. ALBAN WILLIAMS, M. D.,-Dr. Alban Williams, of Phoenixville, Chester Co., Pennsylvania, died on the evening of March 5th, 1887, after an illness of but an hour. He was born in Willistown township, Chester county, July 7th, 1825. His friend Dr. J. B. Wood, of West Chester, says of him— "Soon after I commenced the practice of medicine, I became acquainted with Alban Williams. He then lived near Sugartown, Pa., and if I remember rightly, he, in early life learned one of the mechanical arts, and the same time acquired the rudiments of a good English education, so that instead of following his trade he commenced teaching a district school, having in view the profession, which in later life he adorned. After teaching school for a time he began thestudyof medicine, and after attending the usual course of collegiate study, graduated at the Homœopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania in March, 1858. His college mates were Falligant, Von Tagen, Shearer, Roberts and others, who have adorned with him, the profession of medicine. I think he commenced the practice of medicine at Moorestown, N. J., where he resided until the outbreak of the rebellion when he entered the Ninth New Jersey regiment as a surgeon, where he served with ability until mustered out at the expiration of its term of service. Being of delicate constitution and not used to hardship, he did not re-enter the army, but determined upon the pursuit of his profession in private practice, and accordingly in 1863 removed to and located at Phoenixville, where he continued to live until his demise, which occurred March 5th, 1887, in his 62nd year. Upon entering his profession here, it may be said, his success was phenomenal. Of genial disposition and pleasant manner, he had the rare facility of drawing his patients to him by his kindness and attention, such as few of us can bestow. Many years ago I was called in consultation with him, arriving at the house of the patient about midnight. I did not find him in slumber, but attending to his patient in slippers and dressing gown, in the dual capacity of doctor and nurse. This attention was not for the night only, but had continued for several days. It is no wonder, therefore, that his patients were drawn to him with hooks of steel, and that his practice remained with him until the close of his earthly career. One thing connected with his practice of medicine deserves especial mention and praise, and that is, his steady and unswerving opposition to the use of alcoholic stimulants in any form of disease, and I am glad to be able to record my testimony as to the utility of his mode of treatment." He was a member of the Baptist church, active and liberal, and generally respected, not only by his fellow church members, but the community at large. At a meeting of the members of the Homœopathic Medical Society of Chester and Delaware counties, present at the funeral services of their deceased brother practitioner, Dr. Alban Williams, Mar. 10th, '87, the following sentiment offered by Dr.Hawley was adopted. Resolved, That we hereby express our feelings of regret and sorrow at his demise, and also our sympathy and condolence to his family for their irreparable loss, and to the community in the loss of a good citizen and faithful medical attendant. The Editors are responsible for the maintenance of the dignity and courtesy of the journal, in both its literary and advertising departments, but not for the opinions expressed by contributors. Original Department. THE CONDUCTING PATHS BETWEEN THE CORTEX OF THE BRAIN AND THE LOWER CENTRES IN RELATION TO PHYSI OLOGY AND PATHOLOGY.* BY D. J. HAMILTON, M.B., F.R.C.S.ED., F.R.S.E., Professor of Pathological Anatomy, University of Aberdeen. One of the primary points to be considered in tracing the connection between the cortical so-called centres and those lower down, is the course and attachments of the fibres entering into the structure of the corpus callosum. It is, I think, almost universally believed at the present day that this body is a commissure; that anatomically it unites equivalent areas in the two cerebral hemispheres, and that physiologically it serves to bring them into functional harmony. Some years ago, when working at the pathology of the brain, I came upon certain appearances which tended to shake my belief in the commissural theory, and which led to an inquiry, part of the results of which are embodied in this paper. The appearances to which I refer are to be seen in the brain of any animal possessing a corpus callosum, when it has been hardened in Müller's fluid, but best in those in which this body is of large size, as in man. It was in man that I first noticed the appearance, but I found afterwards that it is common to From the British Medical Journal. VOL. XXII-17. all callosal mammals. The Müller's fluid in the case of the human brain, or in any brain of large bulk, must be injected from the large vessels at the base, in order to cause it to penetrate properly. If such a brain, when completely hardened, be simply cut into a series of perpendicular transverse segments, each of about half an inch in thickness, the following can be readily seen with the naked eye or a simple lens: Coming out of the corpus callosum, at each side, is a large arched mass of fibres, which, leaving the corpus callosum and continuous with it, turns upwards, outwards and downwards in the centrum ovale. The arched mass varies somewhat in shape at different parts of the brain. Thus, anteriorly it represents an almost complete semi-circle, while posteriorly it becomes more pointed. The fibres entering into the composition of the arched mass subsequently pass into the inner and outer capsules. The greater bulk of them enter the inner capsule, and in its anterior limb this mass of white matter is almost entirely composed of them, while a considerable portion also seem to run into the outer capsule, constituting the inner of the two layers of which it consists. Their further course and attachments to underlying parts will be considered afterwards. This arched mass is very large, quite corresponding in bulk to half of that of the corpus callosum, and, in order to get at once at the gist of the arguments I intend using to explain its nature, I shall start with the postulate that it is mainly constituted of callosal fibres which have arisen in the opposite cortex, have crossed in the corpus callosum, and, instead of turning upwards to become attached to points in the opposite cortex equivalent to those from which they have sprung, are now turning downwards into the two capsules, to become subsequently united with the nasal and other ganglia presently to be enumerated. In a former paper (Journal of Anatomy and Physiology) I have named this mass of fibres the crossed callosal tract; and, as all my work since then has tended fully to bear out the view I then entertained as to its nature, I propose still to retain this nomenclature. The great difficulties heretofore experienced in investigating the nerve-centres have been, first, the want of a method of preparation by which their gross anatomy could be thoroughly sifted and exposed; and, secondly, of a method by which bundles of nerve-fibres could be distinctly traced or their relationship to nerve-cells indicated. In the endeavor to collect anything like reliable data from the records of lesions of the human brain, it becomes abundantly |