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remarks on the preparations of Dioscorea, showing that alcohol does not exhaust its virtues, so that it should be used either in strong decoction preserved by spirit, or in triturations of Dioscorein. Dr. Oehme speaks very warmly of table salt, in solution, against hæmorrhages.

The August number communicates some new experience with a plant belonging to the genus Myosotis, and called provisionally M. symphitifolia. It seems very useful in some chronic chest complaints, especially where there is very profuse expectoration. Its place has yet to be determined. Dr. Jones gives another of his useful arrangements of medicines, in this instance of Cedron, which is stated to be the seed of the fruit, not the fruit itself, as stated by Dr. Casanova.

American Journal of Homœopathic Materia Medica.This journal continues the serial papers on "The Therapeutics of Uterine Discharges" and on Comparative Materia Medica. The May number contains nothing else noticeable. In the June number is a review of a new treatise on Therapeutics, from the pen of the younger Dr. Wood, of Philadelphia, which seems a transatlantic parallel to our own Ringer. With July comes a paper by Dr. Cowperthwait on the minute study of symptomatology, which want of space prevents us inserting in this number.

Medical Investigator.-The May number of this Journal begins with some scattered cases, of which we note one in which a peculiar symptom-" itching as if in the bones"—in a pregnant woman was found to yield to Rhus. Veratrum viride 1 is highly praised as counteracting rheumatic determination to the heart. The June number is

occupied mainly with a report of the Annual Meeting (the twentieth) of the Illinois Homoeopathic Medical Association at Chicago, which seems to have been a great success. The report contains plenty of matter of practical interest. A very original feature of this and the following number is an "Illustrated Repertory," that is, a figure of the human trunk, on which are pictured by means of arrows and other VOL. XXXII, NO. CXXX.- -OCTOBER, 1874.

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symbols the seat and direction of the pains caused there by the various drugs of the Materia Medica. For practising by minute symptomatology this is invaluable, and we hope that the author will carry it on for other pains and other regions, the present including only the acute pains of the anterior aspect of the chest and abdomen.

The July number contains the fullest report we have seen of the meeting of the American Institute of Homœopathy-this year at Niagara Falls. Nearly two hundred members were present; and the session lasted over four days. Judging from the account given of what was done, the Transactions will be a valuable volume. Several new

provings were presented, including a full one of the Calabar bean. Dr. Oake's scheme for a College of Provers was discussed, but hardly met with general acceptance. Numerous papers on Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Obstetrics, and Pædiatry, were presented, and the discussions seem to have been active. The proceedings ended

on the fourth day with a banquet at 4 p.m., to which the "two hundred doctors and their lady companions entered." After a number of toasts (couched in the high-flown language which has its last refuge in America, and which entitles them to their old name of sentiments"), "the

evening was devoted to a social hop." The next meeting is to be held at Put-in-Bay, Ohio, under the presidency of Dr. Holcombe, of New Orleans; and we are promised for it a thorough re-proving of Sepia.

The August number contains statements of the value of Sanguinaria in poisoning by Rhus and of "Lunar Influence upon Psychological Patients" (which is strongly affirmed from observation). There are a number of short papers on very practical points, and a rather critical account of our recent Congress, which is styled "weak-kneed " in reference to the proposition about getting a representative of homœopathy on the Medical Council.

United States Medical and Surgical Journal.—The number of this quarterly for April is now before us, and well sustains its high character. Among the contributors we find our own Dr. Robert Cooper, with a very practical

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paper on "Muriatic Acid in Diseases of the Tongue. Comstock supplies another, of the same character, on "Difficult Obstetrical Cases." Dr. Gorton continues his "Genesis of Disease," supplying numerous facts as to the Pathogeny of Food," and Dr. Hale his "Heart Repertory."

Dr. Holcombe gives a wise and stirring paper on "The Elements of Professional Success."

The veteran Dr. Small supplies some "Clinical Notes and Suggestions," and Dr. Nute an interesting account of the Enothera biennis, which seems to be a powerful neurotic excitant, and has a large body of traditional evidence in favour of its virtues. It must be noted for proving.

From the "Eye and Ear Clinique of the Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital," by Dr. Woodyatt, we select the following excellent case :

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Argentum nitricum in paralysis of the accommodation. Mrs. N., æt. 43, two years ago, after passing through a great deal of trial and anxiety, noticed that her sight had failed for near objects. At a distance she could see as well as ever, but close at hand everything appeared blurred and indistinct. Any attempt to use them for a length of time, even on coarse work, produced pain in the eyes and head. She can assign no other possible cause. By using a pair of 'old' glasses she found she could see much better, and has been wearing a convex glass ever since. But even now she can only bring objects to a certain point. If they come closer than 12 or 14 they are indistinct. She wants to know if anything can be done. The case is clearly one of a paralysed ciliary muscle. It is occasionally seen after a severe illness; frequently follows after diphtheria, and not unfrequently is found in connection with spermatorrhoea. Exactly how these causes operate is unknown, and it is quite probable that the general debility suffered by this patient at the time named was cause sufficient. She is only able to read No. 14 Snellen, and that at 24. With her convex glasses she reads No. 1 quite readily, but the range of accommodation is almost nil. We will give her Argent. nit. 6x, four times daily. This remedy, I believe, has a special action on the ciliary muscle. In its proving we find ' has to push the book away to see it,' 'dilated pupil,' 'intolerance of light,' and the three may really be due to one cause. The ciliary muscle is supplied by the third nerve, as is also the

constrictor pupillæ. Paralysis of these branches would produce the first two and the last would follow naturally, the retina being exposed through a large pupil. It is quite possible that glasses may be dispensed with entirely, or at any rate considerably weakened, only perhaps to meet the condition of the presbyopia found at this age. In some hypermetropes who had been constantly engaged in near work and obliged to increase the power of their glasses from time to time, to overcome symptoms of asthenopia, I have seen the most pleasing results from the use of this remedy. Instead of strengthening their glasses, they have been able to diminish them and work with much greater comfort. To have such appliances of art as the spectacles to be used in such emergencies is decidedly good, but to apply remedies that will enable nature to do her own work is infinitely better.

"[The remedy was used for five weeks. During the first ten days no change was observed, but in the next twenty-five days the power of the muscle so completely returned that, without glasses, No. 2 Snellen could be read at 20", and with convex 24 the range of accommodation extended between 8" to 25". Coincidence seems entirely out of the question, and so far as one case can demonstrate anything the proof seems positive."]

In the "Women and Children's Clinic" there are some good cases of successful ovariotomy by Dr. Ludlam.

In the Reviews, Dr. Woodyatt gives the judgment of a practical oculist on Dr. Berridge's Eye Repertory, which, as may be expected, is not favourable.

New England Medical Gazette.-The June number completes the translation of Dr. Hering's Millefolium, and begins that of his Glonoin, which is continued in the number for August. His preface to the provings is very interesting. In the section of Chemistry and Pharmacology there is an article on Causticum by Dr. Colby, questioning its nature. He does not seem to be acquainted with Dr. Black's investigation into the subject, as recorded in vol. xxiv of this Journal (p. 470). The result of his own following of Hahnemann's instructions in the second edition of the Chronic Diseases produced a liquid which had all the characters of Ammonia. The same writer calls for

chemical investigation of the urine, &c., in drug provings; we cordially approve, and hope he will begin the work.

In the July number Dr. Henry Clarke cominunicates a useful plan of exciting respiration in asphyxia, viz. by putting the finger down the throat, and so irritating the upper part of the larynx. He gives some cases illustrative of its value. Dr. Berridge contributes from this country some cases treated with Fincke's high potencies, which we know to be as dubious as Jenichen's. Homœopathists who do not agree with him are dubbed "notorious mongrels," and the Contagious Diseases Act is stigmatised as "that most infernal Act." Some provings of Fluoride of Calcium,

mainly with the 15th

dil., are supplied by Dr. James Bell, and an involuntary proving of Carbolic acid, by inhalation of a strong solution, by Dr. C. A Norton.

The August number is made up chiefly of reports of Society meetings.

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MISCELLANEOUS.

The Relations of the Profession towards Homœopaths.

On the 19th of August last a leading article with the above title appeared in the Medical Press and Circular. It ran as follows:

"From a Presidential Address to some Homoeopathic Congress, which occupies the leading position in a recent homœopathic periodical, we cull the following statement, which we suppose represents the story upon the faith of which homœopaths maintain their character as martyrs. The lecturer asks: :

"What does this exclusion and professional excommunication of homœopathists mean? It means that a majority of the profession allege that some of their colleagues who possess the same qualifications as themselves, who have been educated at the same schools and walked the same hospitals, are unworthy to be regarded as members of an honourable profession-are, in short, immoral individuals, with whom it would be ignominy to associate. And why? Because this excommunicated minority, taught by careful experiment, are

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