larial influence may not be an accompanying symptom of almost any disease, and show itself by that regular periodicity.

But, just why the same cause will produce in one person intermittent fever, with its ever reappearing changes, and in another person remittent fever, with its prolonged hot stage, we are unable to say. Perhaps chemistry or physiology may at some future time reveal to us some difference, at present inappreciable, in the constitution of miasmata, or the human body, to account for the affinities displayed in the different

cases.

Intermittent fever may be considered as a succession of fevers ocurring at regular intervals, with a period of health between each. From the beginning of one of these, to the commencement of the next, is termed a revolution of the disease, which comprises a forming, cold, hot, and a sweating stage, and the period of intermission. All these are too well known, to need further description at this time. The type of the disease has reference to the length of the revolutions. In the quotidian, the fever recurs every day, the revolution being made in twentyfour hours. In the tertian, the revolution occupies forty-eight hours and the fever recurs every other day. Requiring seventy two hours for a revolution, it is called quartan. We may have double quotidian, or two revolutions in 24 hours, and double tertian, the disease occurring every day, but at different hours each day. It is said by some to be a general rule that the quotidian paroxysm comes on in the morning, the tertian about noon, and the quartan in the afternoon, but my experience has not been ample enough to verify it.

If the first paroxysm should not cease within the twenty-four hours, the fever is said to be a remittent fever. It is a not unusual form of the malarial process, and in some localities, and in some seasons, it is more common than intermittent. It may be said to arise out of that type of intermittent in which the cold stage is shortened, while the hot stage tends to be prolonged. A certain abatement, or remission, of the fever takes place, with or without sweating, but there is no true intermission, or interval of absolute apyrexia. The periodicity shows itself in the form of an exacerbation of the still continuing fever, and that exacerbation may take place twenty-four hours after the first onset, or the interval may be only half that period, or it may be double. A fever that is to be remittent will usually declare itself from the outset. It begins with the forming stage of general malaise followed by chills, but usually without the shivering and shaking fit of the intermittent; the hot stage soon follows, presenting the same characteristics as the prolonged hot stage of the quotidian, with the frequent additions of bilious symptoms, and it may be, even of jaundice and tenderness over stomach, liver and intestines; hence sometimes the name bilious fever. The time of day at which the first paroxysm takes place is not uniform, but when the disease is established, a morning remission is almost an invariable rule.

Some authors have distinguished intermittents as simple, inflammatory, gastric, masked, congestive, etc., and remittents as congestive, malignant, etc. This, in my opinion, is not a necessity, as it is likely that

the several cases so distinguished, are characterized by aggravated symptoms, indicated by the several names, and I believe this very particular naming of the disease is prone to lead to confusion in the treatment of the same. I believe that in different cases of the same disease, as in the faces of men, the trees of the forest, and the leaves upon the same trees, no two alike, each, having its own prominent points, requires especial notice and study.

The treatment, the most important topic of our subject, remains to be noticed, and as I have already intimated, the number of modes or methods of treatment will be equalled by the number of cases we have to treat, but a few general remarks will not be out of place at this time. In treating cases of intermittent fever, we are rarely called to render assistance to the patient in either the cold or the hot stage, unless they be much prolonged. In the first, we do not forget an increase of bedclothes, warm baths, stimulants, etc., etc. In the second, or hot stage, a removal of excess of clothing, cooling drinks and baths, sedatives, etc., are thought of.

With the ending of the paroxysm we begin our utmost efforts to counteract the poison, and to prevent, if possible, a repetition of the attack, and at this time and place, we think of discerning the needs of the case in hand. If the tongue be foul, stomach loaded, a thorough emetic is the specific. If the bowels are inactive, a cathartic becomes a necessity. If the urinary organs do their work in an inferior manner, they should be aroused, as their asssistance will be needed to help rid the system of the arch enemy, malaria. After these have been noticed, and digestion, and absorption, and excretion have been re-established, as indicated by a moist tongue and skin, we are ready for our antiperi. odic, and in my opinion, at no time before these conditions present themselves.

The best anti-malarial remedy known to the profession is cinchona bark, and the preparations derived therefrom. Some physicians prefer one preparation, some another, but perhaps the most scientific prefer Warburg's Tincture. I am pretty confident that if the system be in a proper condition to receive the antiperiodic agent, that it is not so material as to the preparation used; and I believe that the amount required to produce the necessary effect will be much less; also that its administration is less likely to be followed by unpleasant effects, and that the effect will be more lasting upon the patient. In prescribing for children, I use some one of the cinchona salts, by inunction, and internally give the tasteless cinehona mixture, in sweet milk. I have given it to adults with much satisfaction.

After we succeed in checking the paroxysms, I direct the adminisof the antiperiodic every sixth and seventh day from the chill, for at least four or five weeks. Next to quinine as a therapeutic agent in this disease comes arsenic.

In the treatment of remittent fever the same general rules of treatment are observed, and the use of sedatives, diluent drinks, baths, etc., carefully followed, according to the laws of specific medication. The best possible hygienic arrangements are made, and careful ventilation

secured, and upon the arrival of the remission with moist and cleaning tongue, our antiperiodic is administered the same as in intermittent fever.

In many cases of continued malarial influence we have, as a complication, or a sequence, the enlargement of the spleen. The treatment already advised, exercising as it does, a favorable influence on the constitution of the blood, often act beneficially upon the enlarged spleen. Should this organ, however, continue undiminished in size, we have a powerful remedy in uvedalia ointment. The inunction should be applied two or three times daily, thoroughly toasting it in. An allopathic authority, that I have noticed, praises very highly, both for this purpose and for goitre, the use of an ointment of biniodide of mercury, using a portion the size of a nutmeg, thoroughly rubbing it in, then exposing it to extreme heat, as long as it can be borne by the patient, as its application is followed by a severe smarting pain. He said, a second application is made immediately, and it rarely happens that any further treatment is necessary.

Art. 111.-Theory, Induction and Accident, in the Progress of Discovery. By A. J. HOWE, M. D.

The "Undulatory Theory," so called, was adopted to account for certain celestial and terrestrial phenomena. The best hypotheses in regard to the transmission of light and sound are based on the wave theory of fluids. Without this famous theory a host of speculations in physics would be futile.

The "theory" supposes a universal ether composed of particles, and capable of only wave like motion. The tail of a comet indicates the existence of an ethereal substance in space, which offers resistance to the passage of projectiles. Indeed, there are a thousand observations which have been made to support the theory of an elastic ether in siderial space. Many scientific problems are based upon the soundness of the theory; hence it has contributed largely to the solution of many hypothetical questions.

Other important theories have proved of inestimable value in the investigation of queries in physics. Without theories, more or less plausible, roundabout methods of a tedious nature would have to be followed in attempts to fathom the otherwise unattainable.

Accident has often contributed wonderfully to the discovery of what was previously unknown. The planet Uranus was discovered by Sir William Herschel while trying to map out stellar bodies in space. The planetary object had been seen and recorded fifteen times previously by other observers, but they had failed to distinguish its character from that of the fixed stars, so called. Accidental as the discovery was, it added to the founder very great renown; and indirectly the "find" led to the discovery of Neptune. The story is instructive, and runs thus: Laplace and other astronomers of more or less fame, were trying to track the ellipse of Uranus; and while thus engaged they observed certain perturbations in the path of the new planet. Several plausible

hypotheses were propounded, but none seemed so satisfactory as the presumed influence of another planet which by its size or proximity should swerve the course of Uranus in its orbit around the sun. After several speculations had been proposed to account for the perplexing perturbations, and all had come to some bad end, Leverrier proposed tentative processes in a telescopic hunt for the perturbing body-perhaps a satellite. By utilizing some laws of Bode in the survey of stellar space it was conjectured that the disturbing object was quite vast, and at a great distance from the body impressed by the laws of gravitation. However, to enter upon the chance project of trying to hit the yet unseen object was a formidable undertaking. Fortunately for those engaged in the hunt, they could enjoy a new and careful mapping of the stars of the zodiac which had just been completed at the Academy of Berlin. By working from near to more remote spaces in the ellipse of Uranus, at length Neptune, the perturbing cause, was stumbled upon, and "discovered," to use the language of the time.

This was a magnificent astronomical achievement, yet not the result of pure science, as has been often claimed. The chance revealing of Uranus, and the disclosure of perturbations in the planet's orbit, led to the discovery of Neptune, yet by more or less indirection. The accidental stumbling upon Uranus was followed by important results made possible by the fortuitous circumstance; and scientific problems became capable of solution. Wisely directed experiments completed the discovery which accident had rendered possible, and inductive science had made probable.

When Franklin experimented with a kite to draw an electric spark from the clouds, he was practically acquainted with electricity, and had several well founded theories in regard to the subtle agency-one of which was that the force developed by friction was similar, if not identical, with the lightning of the thunder storm. The soundness of the theory was verified by drawing a spark from a passing cloud with a kite and a key. He saw the spark and felt its shock in his knuckle. The result of the experiment was in accord with a preconceived hypothesis; and there was nothing accidental about the affair, except that a dash of rain, by wetting the string, rendered it at once a conductor of electricity.

The practical application of forces developed in the vapor of boiling water, has revealed the unfolding of profound scientific thought. Accident has contributed a moiety to progress attained, but theory and experiment have done the most to secure startling achievements. Steam ships and steam carriages attest the truth of what has been merely hinted; and it is highly probable that astounding revelations are yet to be made in the utilization of the marvelous powers embraced in the expansibility of super-heated vapor. After a few collateral facts are observed in the unfolding of law, opportunities to advance are presented in an ever-increasing ratio. A certain vantage having been gained in the elucidation of principles, the tide of discovery sweeps on like a

torrent.

In the organic world there exist so many varying conditions that mathematical demonstrations can not always be obtained. However, the laws of organic bodies are sufficiently reliable to permit of pretty safe generalizations. The early inhabitants of the earth were vulnerable and liable to sickness, hence it may be inferred that curative means were tried, and improved upon from time to time. At present we pursue the same methods, having the benefit of past experience and the aids which allied sciences have contributed. Although primitive peoples could have no clear ideas in regard to the circulation of the blood, they probably learned how to staunch moderate hemorrhages with styptics. It is not improbable that they observed pulsations in their bodies, and associated them with blood currents. In a search for toxics to poison weapons they may have stumbled upon remedial agencies. We know that vegetable remedies of ancient repute were more or less poisonous. Rachel took "mandrakes" to overcome sterility, and Socrates drank of the "deadly hemlock." The hellebores were famous drugs in Shakspeare's time; Cleopatra sought a rapid demise through the bite of an asp. Homer has one of his wounded heroes treated as follows: Patroclus, the gifted son of Esculapius, removed a forky missile;

Then in his hand a bitter root he bruised,

The wound he washed, the styptic juice infused.
At once the burning flesh refused to glow,

The torture ceased, no blood could flow."

In mediæval times medicine took a sudden impulse in the forward direction at Padua. Leonardo de Vinci depicted art anatomy with the boldest hand; Fabricius, Servetus, and intelligent men of several professions, were engaged in dissections of the human body to ascertain new facts, theological, physiological, and otherwise, in regard to the organization of man, and his spiritual existence. Theologians expected to find the avenue through which the devil invaded the human soul. While kindred investigations were going on, Wm. Harvey was visiting this scientific quarter of the world, and eagerly joined in dissections. The office of every distinct structure of the body was speculated upon, and both wild and wise conjectures were made. Harvey was not a genius, but circumspect enough to bring together the fragmentary knowledge gained by other investigators. And so much had been done in the way of revealing the circulation of the blood, that the fortunate and favored young Englishman had little to do except put in articulation the disjointed members. Harvey did this in a masterly manner, and gained the credit of having discovered the circulation of the blood. Experiment had more to do with the grand result than accident or theory; and so has it been with all discoveries in medicine since that time. To test this, that, and the other conjecture, has marked the progress of medical science through its entire history. Hunter and Cuvier placed man in the zoological scale, and by comparisons demonstrated that a study of human anatomy and physiology was but a department of a more comprehensive scheme, which should be denominated biology. In the rapid progress made, the vaccine discovery of Jenner was but an incident.

As soon as the grosser parts of organisms were made known, the his