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Editor Medical World:-The following case, occurring in my practice, presents some features which are without precedent in my limited experience. The individual in question was an infant, aged 1 year. Her previous history revealed the fact that at age of 2 months she had measles, complicated with pneumonia, and her life was despaired of at several times during that siege. She had some bladder trouble some 3 months back, passing large quantities of highly colored urine with a peculiar odor, and staining the clothes a bright yellow, the mother being compelled to change the cloths at very frequent intervals. This trouble promptly subsided on the use of salol in small and frequent doses. The child presented undoubted evidence of being rachitic, perspired constantly. A short time since I was called to see her. She refused to nurse. The cervical glands and tonsils were slightly enlarged; some dyspnea; temperature 10 deg., and did not rise above 102 deg. at any time. Some slight gastric disturbance, which soon subsided under usual treatment. On the second day, dyspnea increased, the child breathing through the mouth only, rattling in throat and a purulent discharge appeared at the nose. This discharge continued to accumulate in the nares and pharynx in spite of all the means we could employ to remove it. We irrigated with post nasal syringe, used local applications to assist the child in clearing out the obstruction, but on the 5th day the child succumbed, literally drowned in the discharge. The throat presented evidence of acute inflammation and we succeeded in removing some shreds of exudation, which only gave temporary relief. There was no diphtheria in the community, nor has there been any since. I would like to have the opinion of some of the many readers and able contributors to The World's columns. I wish to add that there was no cough, and

respirations did not exceed 40. Pulse 100 to 120 at different times.

What are the best means of relieving the frequency of micturition, with burning sensation along under surface of penis; passing of large quantities of pale, colorless urine; pain in loins and small of back and all other troubles following prostatic hypertrophy in men past middle age? Also treatment of renal congestion following cold, etc.?

Why does Dr. Tobias, on page 92, object to cutting around the teeth, especially molars, before applying forceps? Is not an incised wound preferable to one produced by laceration consequent upon pushing forceps down over crown of tooth? I am merely asking for information, not wishing to take the Doctor to task at all.

Byersville, O. C. R. AUSTIN, M.D.,

some

Editor Medical World:-Will brother give diagnosis and treatment for the following cases?

Case 1. Mrs. P., whose family history is good, has an attack, which is very irregular in its accession, of nervous spasm-shaking as if she had an ague and complaining of being cold, while her temperature is 100 deg. or above; pulse very rapid; eyes glazed and dancing. On sitting up she complains of "turning blind" and of pain continuously in the region of the spleen and at times in her stomach and head. She also has leucorrhea. Is the mother of three children, all girls. These spells last from three to seven days, then pass away, when she appears to be in good health; she is of good make and I suppose would weigh about 160 lbs.

I have given her the bromides, belladonna, gelsemium, strychnia, and everything in my knowledge that I thought would give her relief, but without the least marked benefit.

Case 2. Girl, aged 3 years, suddenly began complaining of her feet burning and had her shoes pulled off to let them cool, she said, when I discovered some small pimples over her feet with redness; no swelling. She appears to be in good health in every other respect.

Have used all I know that have any reputation as remedies in skin diseases, without any benefit. Yet it continues to spread and is now very sore.

I am glad to see our excellent. Medical World urging the better qualification of physicians relative to the financial condi

tion of this country. If every one would "post up" on this subject and use his influence among his patrons, getting them to see what this great country will be in another decade, undoubtedly great good would result.

Who has a remedy that will remove moles from the face? DR. W. FINLEY., Wheeling, Ark.

Do the Planets Exert Any Influence

Over the Cause or Prevention of
Disease?

into all that pertains to the study of disease, we publish the above letter. The burden of proof rests with those who make such claims, and until they bring forth their facts and arguments no one could well proceed to disprove the theory.-Ed.)

We have received a communication from Trenton, Mich., signed "A Subscriber." Of course we cannot do anything with it until the writer informs us who he is.

Editor Medical World:-It is claimed by Current Medical Thought. some that the position the planets occupy in the horizon of our lives influences to a greater or less extent our health. It is claimed that a child born under certain planetary conditions can have its life predicted with such a degree of certainty that

the time when it will be sick or otherwise, can be correctly arrived at; the environment or life the child leads influencing the diseased condition for good or bad. It is not claimed that there is no preventative for to interfere with the order as laid out by these attacks, but that, if nothing comes in nature, these things will occur. If there is any truth in these assertions, it would be a great adjunct to the curriculum of all medical colleges to require all students to understand astral science before they are given their degree of M. D. In this way they will be the better enabled to apply preventative medicines in the treatment of their patients, for the reason that, while it is claimed that the portion of the body most liable to be attacked by disease, and the time that the patient will be most susceptible to it, can be accurately arrived at, yet it is claimed that these organs or susceptible times can be greatly modified by the proper use of preventative means. I am led to believe, from personal investigation, that there is more in these influences than we are willing to admit. Every physician in general practice has, no doubt, had experiences that can be traced to some particular planetary change. Whether the planets influence disease or not is a subject for investigation, and to all physicians who wish to be posted on such matters, the study of astral astronomy and its influence on man will be found an interesting and instructive study. T. H. LINE, M. D.,

Doniphan, Neb. (In the interest of broad investigation

University of Pennsylvania Notes. Reported expressly for The Medical World.

Dr. Hirst says if you fear post partum hemor rhage, have ready:

Basin of water, 120°.
Vinegar.

Broken ice-size of fist.
Clean handkerchief.
Hypodermic syringe.
Ergot.
Iodoform gauze.

1. If the hemorrhage comes, try, first, external stimulation, then bimanual stimulation. 2. Ice internally and externally. Throw ether on abdomen.

3. Hankerchief soaked in vinegar squeezed dry at fundus of uterus.

4. Inject hot water, 120°.

5. Use a battery if you have one at hand. 6 Tampon uterus with gauze.

Having everything ready; you can cover all the remedies in a few moments. It is rare that you will have to go farther than combined internal and external stimulation. The intrauterine gauze tampon will always stop hemorrhage, but should never be used except as a

last resort.

common

Dr. Greyson says the practitioner sees the "acute rhinitis" or cold either just as it starts or after it has been firmly settled. In the first case, to abort, he uses the hot drinks, mustard foot baths and warm blankets known to all. To relieve symptoms he gives a saline purge, followed by:

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lieve, spray the nares thoroughly with Dobell's Apply over the trochanters and avoid comor Seiler's solution and apply:

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Apply to nares on small swab not oftener than

every three hours. delightful relief. tracts rather than repels patients, and gives imme liate relief.

This gives immediate and Such treatment of colds at

Dr. Wood says that after the administration of antipyrine and for some length of time, its use must be discontinued for a time, owing to the loss of power to withstand cold. The patient is unable to stand even ordinary cool temperatures.

In puritus vulvæ, Dr. Penrose uses an ethereal solution of iodoform in an atomizer. The ether soon evaporates and leaves the parts well protected by a thin layer of icdoform.

Dr. Penrsose advises the immediate repair of a torn perineum.'

As preventative of eclampsia Dr. Hirst says the urine of pregnant women should be examined at regular intervals.

In case the convulsions suddenly develop during labor the indications are (1) to treat the spasm, (2) to treat case during intervals, (3) to deliver.

For convulsions:-During their approach and duration inhalations of chloroform. In interval, if the case be plethoric, draw thirty ounces of blood. In all cases give gtt. iij of croton oil in glycerin by the mouth and Repeat an enema containing chloral dr. j. enema if necessary. Put the pulse to 60 by viratrum viride. Give hot wet pack.

If head is not engaged do combined version. If the head is fixed deliver at once by forceps. In case of doubt as to diagnosis, boil the urine in a spoon over a lamp. After one or two convulsions it will show coagulation. Do not use amyl nitrite during the treatment on account of its liability to produce hemorrhage.

pression. The traction should be made from the shoulders of the instrument.

If a pregnant patient complain of pain in either iliac region, examine for ectopic gestation at once.

Dr. Hirst says, in cases of malnutrition of infants, the color of the mother's milk is absolutely of no value in determining its quality. Rich milk may be very blue and poor milk is often yellowish.

Dr. Penrose says never to pass the sound as a routine practice. Always have a definite object in view that can be attained in no other way. Refuse to pass it if patient admits missing a monthly period. Never pass it in cervical cancer. Never pass it during menstruation. A useful substitute is the whalebone probe of Thomas. It has the advantage of safety from perforation of the uterine wall.

The dull wire curette is the safest instrument. Dr. Penrose.

In suppression of urine in an infant, sugar of milk is an excellent diuretic, given in one-dram doses.—Dr. Hirst.

For infantile diarrhea Dr. Hirst prescribes:

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Dr. Hirst gives as indications for version: placed in an envelope and heated to 250

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This is not to be repeated until the symptoms reappear (probably 24 hours).

It is safe over 16 years of age and is promptly effectual.

In insomnia, if due to pain, use opium. If due to mania use hyoscine. If due to nervous exhaustion use chloral.-H. C. Wood.

Dr. Greyson's very successful treatment for hay fever is given below. We divide our treatment according to the manifestations of the disease:

i. e. (1) During attacks.

(2) During interval.

The nervous element is constant and very much in evidence, and if we do not treat it we will fail to give relief. The attack can not be abated. The best we can do is to relieve for the time being and prevent its recurrence. The attack will last four to six weeks. You can check by belladonna or atropine the annoying rhinorrhea and lachrymation, but other organs will be sure to suffer, so we relieve rather than check by the administration of tablets, each containing:

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In the interval dispense with drugs as far as possible and treat as a neurosis. Interest him in tennis, cricket or any exercise, always stopping short of fatigue. Treated in this way few patients need go to the seaside or mountains if they follow explicitly your directions and everyone will bless you and sound your praises.

Dr. Wood administers cod liver oil in four ways, given in order of preference: (1) A pinch of salt before and after oil. (2) Suspended in whisky, wine or soda

water.

(3) In emulsion.

(4) In capsules.

In Dr. Wood's quinine treatment of chorea he notices that in those cases where a cure will be obtained it is almost impossible to chinchonize,-grain xl being often given daily. If the ears ring it is a sure sign that the treatment will fail in that case.

Dr. Wood says before using apomorphine to look carefully at its color. If it has decomposed it will be green, either in powder, solution or tablet. It should never be used if it has a green tint, as it is then intensely poisonous. The good drug is snow-white.

For ivy poison Dr. Wood uses:

R. Ext. Grindeliae fluidi... fl. Oz. SS

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In amenorrhea Dr. Wood says myrrh and black hellebore are absolutely useless.

If the amenorrhea depend upon anemia, use iron. If on constipation, use aloes. If on plethora, use salines. If on uterine atony, use stimulant emmenagogues, such as oxalic acid, tansy, rue, parsly, etc. Always look out for abortion from careless admin(To be Continued)

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Aug. 1, 1894, there appeared in your journal my adv. of a practice to sell in Gardeau, Pa. I had had my business listed with five different agencies for the sale of the same for two months without one application or letter of inquiry. These agencies make a business of selling medical practices. Immediately I received large numbers of inquiries from all over the United States (about sixty in all), and received a binding fee on the business in just three weeks after the adv. appeared. I would advise any one having anything to offer, that will bear investigation, to put it in THE WORLD.

Berkeley, Cala.

LYMAN T. WADE, M.D. [We make no boast of our circulation nor the value of our pages as an advertising melium. Such things speak for themselves and need no commendations from us. It is a well-known fact that the best means of presenting new ideas to the profession of the entire country, or of placing a new instrument or medical preparation before the medical profession is through the columns of THE MEDICAL WORLD.-Ed.]

The country physician can use his money to much better advantage than in buying the larger treatises, by subscribing for as many good journals as he can read and, every three to five years, such works on special subjects as he needs. There are few medical books that are not "old and gray" in five years in these days of medical progress.-Dr. I. B. Washburn, in Indiana Med. Jour.

M. de Chateaubourg describes (Med. Moderne) a new treatment of whooping cough, which consists in injecting, subcutaneously, 2 1-2 c.c of a 10 per cent. solution of guaiacol and eucalyptol in sterilized oil. After the third injection the fits of coughing diminish noticeably, the appetite returns, and, as the vomiting rapidly ceases and the general condition begins to feel the good effects of the treatment, the whooping cough disappears at the same time. The author reported five cases.— Druggists' Circular.

A General Consideration of Frac-
tures, With Special Consideration
of Those Occurring Near the
Wrist Joint.

(Continued from February World.)

The following admirable and unique resume of the world's leading authorities on the subject, by Charles H. Merz, A.M., M.D., Sandusky, Ohio, is republished from the St. Louis "Medical Era:"

Colles Fracture-The fracture immediately above the lower end of the radius, generally known as Colles' Fracture, has been the subject of much study, but surgeons are not yet fully agreed as to its precise character. It is the result, usually, of a fall upon the palm of the hand, and is characterized by the usual signs of fracture, and by deformity in which some writers have detected a resemblance to a silver fork. The lower fragment, including the carpal bones, is tilted backwards, the hand inclines a little to the radial side, and the fingers are in general slightly flexed.

The point at which the fracture occurs. is usually from half an inch to one inch above the lower end of the bone.-Hamilton on Practice of Surgery, p. 270.

A very common result of treatment in Colles' fracture is that the hand remains slightly deflected to the radial side, and the carpus, including the lower fragment, inclines a little backwards. Imperfect restoration of the lower fragment to its original position is responsible for the remainder

of the deformity; yet the utmost skill and attention cannot always prevent its occur

rence.

Another result, which is much the most serious, but which has hitherto received too little attention, is prolonged, and sometimes permanent stiffness of the joint.Hamilton on Practice of Surgery, p. 271.

If, however, a roller, called the primary roller, is applied to the forearm underneath the splints, as was the custom with the older surgeons, and has been recommended by some surgeons of the present day, the fragments will not only be driven into the interosseous space, but the danger of strangulation will be imminent, no matter what may be the width and form of the splints. Strangulation is also equally liable to occur when leather, felt, pasteboard, or any flexible material is used, which is made to embrace the limb closely, and then is secured in place by a roller.-Hamilton on Practice of Surgery, p. 276.

The symptoms of the fracture are in most cases a characteristic deformity, consisting in a prominence on the back of the limb corresponding to the lower fragment, and another on the palmar surface, corresponding to the end of the upper fragment. Reduction may be difficult, and occasionally impossible. If the spongy tissue has been much crushed, reduction cannot be maintained, because of the lack of support, and in such cases recovery without deformity must not be expected.-Reference Hand-Book of the Medical Sciences, vol. iii., p. 248.

Colles' Fracture. Causes. Falls on outstretched hand. Very rarely direct violence. Especially frequent in old women. Signs. Peculiar spoon-shaped deformity. Prominence of styloid process of ulna. Crepitus generally absent, or at least indistinct. Dorsal prominence is nearer the hand than palmar prominence. Pain severe. Power of supination of pronation lost. The upper fragment is occasionally impacted into the lower. Lower sometimes comminuted. Dorsal prominence formed by lower fragment. Palmar ** ** prominence by flexor tendons stretched over lower end of upper fragment. Position of fracture generally about one inch above carpal articular surface of radius.-Keetlys' Index of Surgery, p. 94.

*

Prognosis: If the deformity can be removed and the fracture perfectly set at first, all should be well. Otherwise deformity will be permanent, and stiffness of the fin

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