THE following from the editorial columns of the New York Medical Journal tersely sets forth so much of value in the therapeutics of that widespread plague, influenza-well defined by some reverend father in Israel as "a cold possessed of the devil" that we give it special prominence: THE TREATMENT OF INFLUENZA. In the Presse medicale for February 6 there is an interesting article on the clinical forms of this disease and their treatment, by Dr. A. F. Plicque. The whole article will well repay the reader's perusal, but our space will not admit of our dealing with more than the therapeutical part of it. In the common forms of the disease, without special complications, hygiene, with rest in bed, says M. Plicque, should be the foundation of all treatment. Hot drinks also may be employed. Milk is one of the best, and has the advantage of being an active diuretic. Coffee is also useful in prostration and headache. Antipyrine, in daily amounts of from thirty to sixty grains, gives good results in headache, although it sometimes increases the cough and the bronchial irritation. Tincture of aconite root, from ten to thirty drops a day in divided doses, may be given when there are fever, general malaise, and laryngo-tracheo-bronchial catarrh, but it occasionally increases the nervous agitation. Quinine still remains, perhaps, says the author, the agent that more thoroughly reaches the disease, although it sometimes aggravates the feeling of weight in the head; this, however, is less marked with quinine hydrobromide and with the valerianate than with the sulphate. A gentle purgative is always useful during the first two or three days in cases of gastric derangement. If the thoracic symptoms are intense, manna or castor oil is preferable as a purgative. In the common forms of the disease the most important advice to give the patient is perhaps that which deals with the antiseptic treatment of the nose, the mouth, and the pharynx. Gargling with a solution of boric acid, or with a one per cent. solution of chloral, intranasal applications of vaseline and boric acid, and great care in cleansing the mouth, are pretty sure to prevent certain complications, such as angina, abscesses, otitis, perhaps even broncho-pneumonia, and will certainly be of great service. The thoracic symptoms of grippe are extremely variable, and the most painful symptom, which was particularly observed during the last epidemic, is a convulsive cough which often gives rise to vomiting. The following prescription, which was recommended by Monin in cases of whoopingcough, has given rather good results: tincture of belladonna, tincture of aconite, and tincture of drosera, each, 30 grains; tincture of myrrh, 150 grains. From twenty to thirty drops a day are to be taken in divided doses. The congestion of the underlying structures often resembles that of typhoid fever, and, as in typhoid fever, it is combated by the lateral recumbent posture and the sitting posture. It is often indispensable to make the patient lie down for several hours a day on a couch. Daily dry cupping, or, if necessary, wet cupping, in robust persons, should be practiced. Blisters are usually more harmful than useful. Tonics, coffee, cognac, and Todd's potion should be employed. In cases of respiratory catarrh with abundant expectoration, an emetic is often useful for children and adults. Preparations of kermes and antimony may be carefully used. Fortyfive grains of ammonium hydrochloride a day, given in six doses, is preferable to the former. In cases of nervous symptoms of an ataxic type, with agitation and delirium, potassium bromide is the best calmative; it has no harmful, depressing influence if it is administered in small doses. From thirty to sixty grains a day may be given. Chloral is more efficacious in insomnia, but it sometimes increases the cough, which, however, is not so marked if a syrup of chloral containing a bromide is used. In addition to these medicines, cool compresses on the forehead and cooling lotions are indicated, and in obstinate forms heroic measures, such as a cold or hot bath. Adynamia is, in the nervous form, more frequent than ataxia. Here hygienic means, such as pure air, stimulating frictions over the entire body, inhalations of oxygen, coffee, champagne, and alcohol should be employed. Adynamia is sometimes so marked that Le Gendre, says M. Plicque, advises strychnine. Kola is also very efficacious in the nervous de pression that manifests itself in certain forms of the disease. It may be given as a wine, as a tincture, in powders, or granulated. The latter form seems to contain the largest quantity of the active principles. If the tincture is used, it may be associated with equal parts of tincture of coca. In the cardiac form, aside from external means, subcutaneous injections of caffeine and of ether may be resorted to. Injections of a hundred and fifty grains of sterilized olive oil and thirty grains of camphor are also productive of good results, given from once to three times a day. To the ordinary remedies for the adynamic symptoms tincture of digitalis may be added, and from twenty to thirty drops a day may be given in divided doses. The gastro-intestinal form should be treated in the beginning with emetics in young persons and with saline purgatives in old persons. Frequent washing of the mouth with an alkaline water will diminish the sensation of puffiness and anorexia. For profuse diarrhoea, intestinal antiseptics, such as salol, bismuth salicylate, and naphthol, should be employed rather than opium, the action of which is always doubtful in infectious diseases. In convalescence, often long and painful, hygienic treatment is especially indicated, and arsenic, cinchona, coca, kola and sometimes iron are particularly indicated. In cases of neurasthenia and of persistent weakness, it should be ascertained if the phosphaturic albuminuria, described by M. Albert Robin, is present. Mix, and use locally either as a spray or applied on cloth saturated and held to the parts for a few minutes.-Sou. Clinic. THE drug manufacturing house of Parke, Davis & Co. of Detroit, Mich., has made extensive preparations for the production of antitoxin, and will soon have a supply ready for its patrons. SOCIETY MEETINGS. The West Tennessee Medical and Surgical Association will meet at Jackson, Tenn., May 30, 1895. The Medical Association of Georgia meets in Savannah, Ga., on April 17 to 19, 1895. The Mississippi State Medical Association will meet in Jackson, Miss., on April 10. The usual arrangements have been made for reduced railway and hotel rates. The annual meeting of the American Medical Publishers Association will be held in Baltimore on May 6 at the Eutaw House. This will be an important gathering, and there will no doubt be a large attendance. The secretary is Charles Fasset Wood of St. Joseph, Mo. The Tri-State Medical Society of Iowa, Illinois and Missouri will meet at the Planters' Hotel, St. Louis, on April 2, 3 and 4, 1895. The forty-sixth annual meeting of the American Medical Association will be held in Baltimore, Md., on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, May 7, 8, 9 and 10, 1895. NEWS AND NOTICES. We call the attention of our readers to the advertisement of the Robinson-Pettet Co., Louisville, Ky., which will be found on another page of this issue. This house was established fifty years ago, and enjoys a widespread reputation as manufacturers of high character. We do not hesitate to indorse their preparations as being all they claim for them. *** That tippling is more prevalent than is generally imagined, may be shown by the figures of the Interstate Revenue Commission for 1893. This report says that the sixty-five odd millions comprising the population of this country consumed 88,777,187 gallons of alcoholic spirits and 1,054,785,376 gallons of beer during the year. These gallons would make more than 6,000,000,000 drinks of whisky and nearly 13,000,000,000 glasses of beer, for which there was paid to the barkeeper $1,226,258,000. The naked figures are sufficiently eloquent of the resultant amounts of misery, disease and premature death.- Food. *** Chronic Alcoholism. Tinct. capsici, 1 oz.; tinct. zingiberis, 1 oz.; tinct. valerianæ ammon., 2 oz.; celerina, 2 oz. M. Sig. Teaspoonful in teacupful of hot tea three or four times daily. St. Louis Clinique. *** I have for a number of years been subject to periodic attacks of hepatic congestion, and, after going the usual rounds without much benefit, I determined to try Peacock's Chionia. I am free to say that the results obtained from the use of two bottles were eminently satisfactory. Prior to its use my urine was very light colored and it was gratifying to see it return so promptly to its normal condition. The sclerotic change was also very perceptible. Peacock's Chionia is a frequent ingredient of my prescriptions. I have had remarkable results from its use. J. Pierce Roberts, M.D., Shenandoah, Pa. *** Garbage Cremation. According to the Inventive Age, there are now fifty-five towns and cities in England which destroy their garbage and solid refuse by burning, using an average of about ten furnaces each for that purpose. The combustion of the material is used for the generation of steam, by which the streets are electrically illuminated; and other cities are reported to be considering the propriety of reducing their municipal expenses by this means.-N. Y. Med. Rec. *** Alcoholic Nausea. If the stomach of your patient is nauseated by the excessive use of alcoholic stimulants, administer one or two teaspoonfuls of Seng every hour or two until his stomach is O. K. *** Pil Orientalis (Thompson) will be found invaluable in most cases of impotency, but it is not our desire to presume that it will "cure all" and every disease in this line. We rely upon the physician to use his own knowledge and judgment to meet the many contingencies which arise in treating this most distressing complication of diseases. Pil Orientalis (Thomp |