Wine

The Current Medical Thought.

A Suggestion.

Sulphide of calcium is of undoubted value in the treatment of acne, furuncle, carbuncle, "pimples" of various kinds, scrofulous ulcers of the neck, abscess, etc. In all these cases, its action is due to the sulphur in the form of sulphide, and not, in any way, to the calcium. Arsenic is also indicated in the same class of diseases, and a combination of sulphur with arsenic (as sulphide) is here suggested. Therapeutically considered, its value should be undeniable. Orpiment and realgar are combinations of sulphur with arsenic in nature, in the form of sulphuret; but they have not hitherto been used medicinally. Why not try a sulphide of arsenic?

We have recently had the latter article prepared, and will now proceed to test it therapeutically.

A New Version.

L. L.

Henceforth no one will be able to practice medicine in Pennsylvania without passing an examination in chemistry, physiology, anatomy, materia medica, therapeutics, pathology, and morbid anatomy, in addition to producing a genuine endorsed diploma from a regular college, obtained by examination. Hitherto, by issuing certificates as to the genuineness of the diplomas by applicants, and by the registration of these, the Faculty has acted in an illegal manner, as the law requires it to be satisfied as to the qualifications of the applicant. It is not satisfactorily settled whether these certificates legally entitle their recipients to registration at all. This applies to those who hold diplomas from colleges outside of this State, as graduates from colleges within this State have already necessarily passed the required examination. This is either an attempt to "protect" the colleges of this State, or a bungling way to ascertain the qualifications of the applicant. Even a graduate of Harvard Medical School has to pass an examination before be can practice in this State.

A much better law would be one similar to that of Illinois, which gives the Board of Health the power to accept or reject the diploma of any college. Such a law exer cises a good influence over the colleges of the whole country in placing them upon a basis of merit, with no partiality to colleges within the State.

Quillaya as an Expectorant.

The two glucosides that exist in the root of polygala and exhibit medicinal properties are, it appears, much more abundant in the inner bark of quillaya, or "soap bark." W. Kobert (Paris) has therefore suggested the use of soap bark in the treatment of diseases of the respiratory organs. It has an undoubted expectorant action, and causes no diarrhoea noremesis. He prescribes seventy-five grains of the bark in five ounces of water made into a decoction, of which a tablespoonful may be taken, by adults, every hour.

Peroxide of Hydrogen.

Professor Wood, of King's College, London, praises the peroxide of hydrogen as a microbicide. He says that it is efficacious in so small a proportion as one part in 2,000 in preventing the beginnings of putrefactive fermentation, and destroying the activity of bacteria and micrococci of all kinds. It is absolutely harmless, and is quite free from any suspicion of local or constitutional irritation. Its active properties are due to its ozone. But its instability, which renders it prone to give off its superabundant oxygen, and prove serviceable in this way in the antiseptic treatment of sinuses, abscesses, and joint-cavities, makes it, on the other hand, less applicable as a permanent dressing. If so used, it should be closely covered with guttapercha tissue, or associated with something more lasting, as sulphate of copper or chloride of zinc. It has a decided effect in diminishing and arresting suppuration, as in cleaning suppurating joints, and in such instances as mentioned above.

Importance of Fat.

Fat bacon is one of the most satisfactory things upon which to perform mental work; the nervous system, containing a great proportion of fat, must necessarily suffer if fat be deficient in the food. If insufficient fat is assimilated, the subcutaneous fat becomes absorbed, in order to avoid the waste of more important tissues. When school children show an aversion to fat, its administration under compulsion would probably disagree. In such cases the correct thing to do is to give fat in some other form; and the more finely it is subdivided the more readily is it digested. A piece of solid butter swallowed alone would melt in the stomach, float about without undergoing digestion, and likely begin to decompose and yield acrid fatty bodies, prone to cause irritation and nausea; while the same amount of butter eaten with bread or other food would be so divided as to be easily managed by the digestive organs. By artfully mingling fat with the food, many patients may be greatly benefitted, particularly those prone to tuberculosis.

Chronic Dyspepsia.

The majority of sufferers from "chronic dyspepsia" owe their trouble to imperfect mastication; that is to say, to making their stomachs do what ought to have been done by their teeth. Strychnia is highly useful in

these cases, increasing the secretions by its ready action on the muscular coat. One twentieth of a grain, on an empty stomach, about half an hour before meals, is very beneficial (and is often advantageously combined with iron). Of course, such treatment does not apply indiscriminately, as there are cases of altered or diminished secretion, excessive or irregular action; but frequently this method will be found efficacious. Sugar, beer, and starchy substances should be interdicted; and an occasional fast is often of service, by giving the stomach a temporary functional rest.