potency of the drug. We want brother Adolphus to get his Elder, Queen of the Meadow, and Cockroach Teas into doses enticing rather than repugnant. We are progressing along this line, as we possess an art of sugar-coating and reducing crude material to their proximate principles. We do not favor, however, that theory in which the dose is made so small that it is incapable of producing its effect, and then tritutating that with sugar. Don't forget to make your medicine pleasant to the eye, and pleasant to the taste -if you can.

THE BUBONIC PLAGUE.

According to daily dispatches, much interest is felt in an oriental disease which is threatening Southern Europe, and a possible visitation to America.

The disease has been endemic in China for twenty years or more, and following famine it has appeared in India. There are authentic records of this disease appearing as early as the first century. In 542, A. D., an epidemic of a similar character started in Lower Egypt, and continued for fifty years, spreading over North Africa, Palestine, and Syria. It overran Eastern and Western Europe with appalling mortality. Epidemics have been frequently repeated. continuing for three years,

During 1347, and

Europe had about 25,000,000 people that perished with the disease. The great plague of London occurred in 1664-5, when 70,594 died of this disease.

During the different epidemics one symptom more than another attains an eminence; hence different names have been given the disease. Thus in one instance it is called hemorrhagic; in another, bubonic; in another, typhus fever with glandular swellings, in another, adynamic typhoid," or an intermittent fever with glandular swellings. Authors have spoken of it as "black death." In Hong Kong it is recognized as "the pest," the bubonic plague. In various parts of Asia it is known as "the rat plague," because in all epidemics rats are affected with the disease.

This disease has as a dominant symptom the enlargement of the lymphatic glands, and usually begins with the inguinal lymphatics, but in no way are these enlargements connected with peripheral abrasions, but are the outcome of a blood poison; and

owing to this involvement, and the great severity of the disease, Castilie names the disease "malignant polyadenitis.'

The symptoms of the bubonic plague are strikingly those of an acute general infection. Following a varying period of incubation, usually from three to five days, the patient shows fever, pain in certain lymphatic glands, usually the femoral first; then follows swelling of these and other glands, headache, delirium, coma, gastro-intestinal disturbances, sometimes hemorrhage, and in from 30 to 90 per cent. of the cases death within a week. Filth and the general unsanitary conditions which prevail in the Orient are, by consent of all who have studied the disease, most important factors in its spread; and to these predisposing causes is to be added the debility consequent upon famine, such as India is now experiencing.

What determines its geographical distribution is unknown. seems not to be governed by race, low lands or high lands, air currents, or conditions of the weather, It thrives alike in densely packed cities and sparsely populated regions. No meteorological conditions seem to effect its genesis or exodus. A Japanese bacteriologist, Kitasato by name, has claimed to have discovered the bacillus that is present and probably the cause of the disease.

The mortality varies according to the virulence of the epidemic. The population of Bombay is about 800,000. During the first two weeks of December, 1896, the daily average of new cases was 35, and 25 deaths. The total number of cases in Bombay from September 9th, 1896, when the first case occurred, up to December 15th, 1896, was 1,747, and the total number of deaths

was 986.

The treatment thus far has been unsatisfactory. Stimulation, nutrition and cold baths have been followed. Enucleation of the swollen glands, and abscesses have been treated antiseptically. Arsenic internally. Serum therapy is now extolled as a curative.

Phthisis Pulmonalis. - R. Iodoform, Creosote, aa gr. lxxv.; Turpentine, Ac. Benzoic, aa gr. xxx.; Powd. Marshmallow, Magnesia, aa 3iss. Make 100 pills; 4 to 10 a day. — LEGROUX, Med. News, Dec. 19.

BOOK NOTES.

Twentieth Century Practice.-An International Encyclopedia of Modern Medical Science. By Leading Authorities of Europe and America. Edited by Thomas L. Steadman, M.D., New York City. In Twenty Volumes. Volume X. "Diseases of

the Nervous System." New York: William Wood and Company. 1897.

After a person has entered the medical profession there are times in which the physician seeks to know all about his individual cases. He wishes for an extended treatise upon his case in hand. The Twentieth Century Practice" will come as near filling this demand as any work extant. Indeed, it becomes an essential library upon the shelves of every physician who seeks to be informed upon our modern investigation of diseases. The work is through the press up to the eighth volume. Volume IX. has been delayed, awaiting the production of some foreign authors; but Volume X. is out and now under consideration. This volume is on diseases of the nervous system, and treats exhaustively on Cerebral Localization, Diseases of the Brain, Hemorrhage and its Sequences, Tumors, Diseases of the Meninges, Hysteria, Epilepsy, Neurasthenia, Disorders of Speech, Disorders of Sleep, We can recommend this great work to our readers with the full confidence of its giving satisfaction.

etc.

The Bedside Record. For the use of Physicians and Trained Nurses.

This is a product of the Imperial Granum Company, whose object, of course, is to keep us from forgetting their prepared food, but for this the company is offering something very convenient and of real value. It is a record whereby a full report of every case may be noted, day and night, and it is systematically arranged. Send for a copy by addressing The Imperial Granum Company, New Haven, Conn.

We have received The Proceedings and Papers of the Kansas Eclectic Medical Association, containing many interesting articles read at their meeting, May 5th and 6th, 1896. Also The Annual Publication of the Massachusetts Eclectic Medical Society, for the year ending in June, 1896. The above reports indicate thrift and progress in our State work. I fear, however, that the energies of many of the States in society work are too dormant, and there are too few eclectics who take an interest in their societies.

High Altitudes for Consumptives.-By A. Edgar Tussey, M. D., Adjunct Professor of Diseases of the Chest in the Philadelphia Polyclinic and School for Graduates in Medicine, and Consulting Physician to the Central Branch of the Y. M. C. A. Gymnasium. Published by P. Blakiston, Son & Co. Philadelphia. Price, $1.00.

The purpose of this book is to furnish the principles or guides for consumptives in seeking altitudes and environment adapted to their particular condition. Rather to extend such information to the physician who may have such cases in charge. Indications and contra-indications are set forth, and useful suggestions are made to those who are forced to remain at home.

Drug Journal in Trouble.-Geo. P. Englehard & Co., of Chicago, the publishers of a drug journal, have recently gotten themselves into court for publishing an alleged recipe for the manufacture of "Seng" and "Cactina Pellets," the products of the Sultan Drug Co., and judgment has been entered against the offenders.

There is nothing to be gained in seeking the "working formula" of any combination of proprietary product. It only encourages the druggist to substitute something of his own and perpetrate a fraud upon the purchaser; then when disappointment ensues the manufacturers of the genuine article will suffer in reputation, and not the dishonest druggist. Let every preparation stand upon its own merits. If it is a good thing the doctor may use it, and if it does not come up to the requirement let him discard it.

Retroperitoneal Transplantation of One Ureter into the Other. This is a procedure advised when a ureter is injured during an operation, and the extirpation of the kidney is not desirable, or transplantation into the bladder is not possible. The peritoneum, at the point of crossing of the common iliac and the ureter, is incised, and the injured ureter is divided after ligation above and below at the same point on the opposite side, the peritoneum is opened, and the upper portion of the cut ureter is carried over behind the peritoneum, and sewed into the normal ureter on the opposite side.-WIESINGER (Aertzlicher Verein zu Hamburg).

THE ESSENTIALS OF MODERN MATERIA MEDICA AND ECLECTIC THERAPEUTICS.

BY PROF. JOHN W. FYFE, M.D., SAUGATUCK, CONN.

[Copyright, 1897, by John W. Fyfe. All rights reserved.]

AMPELOPSIS QUINQUEFOLIA-Common Name: American Ivy. Natural Order.-Vitaceæ.

Part Used.-The bark and twigs.

Description.-Ampelopsis Quinquefolia is a woody vine. It climbs extensively by means of its tendrils. Its leaves are large and glassy green, and its flowers greenish or white. The American ivy is also known as woodbine, Virginia creeper, and by many other names.

Doses. Fluid extract, 30 to 60 drops.

Usual Dose.-Fluid extract, to drops in water every two or three hours.

Indications. Incipient phthisis, scrofula, chronic bronchitis, chronic laryngitis, chronic cutaneous affections, dropsy.

Ampelopsis is a stimulant to the mucous membranes and skin, alterative, diuretic, expectorant, astringent, tonic and antisyphilitic.

AMYGDALUS PERSICA.- Common Name: Peach.

Natural Order.-Rosaceæ.

Part Used.-The leaves and bark.