wine, which is confirmed by the taste and color. The liquid contains 18.75 per cent. of alcohol by volume, and 12 per cent. of solid residue on evaporation, which consists mostly of sugar. This residue tested by all the reagents for the various alkaloids gave no reaction, showing that the liquid is essentially port wine. But we can go further than this. From certain peculiarities of the residue it is evident that an attempt has been made to obtain a wine of some tonic property. But from the ignorant or faulty method of preparation, so small a quantity of the drug or drugs used remains in the finished product that it fails to give a reaction sufficiently distinct to identify it even with the most delicate reagents.

Comparing the amount of residue and its character with that obtained from genuine imported port wines, it can be safely said that the wine used is native port, which may mean any strong sweet wine colored to imitate the genuine article.

Here then is the famous tonic which clarifies the mind and stimulates its action, according to Delaney Nicoll; which brings peace and hope, according to Prof. David Swing, the famous divine; which is "well named new life," according to S. S. Cox; and which, in the words of Hon. Jacob Hess, is the most exhilarating non-intoxicating tonic I have ever tried! Lawyer and clergyman, diplomat and politician, all join in singing the praises of cheap wine as a panacea!

But, seriously, can any one believe for a moment that these men ever lent their

names to such a monstrous swindle? Whoever was bold enough to conceive and carry on such a trade would not hesitate to use anybody's name or fame, if he thought it would advance his interests. Knowing that no law can reach him, he continues on his path of deceit and thus he will continue until his patient and long-suffering victims rise up, join hands with their brethern, the

dupes of various other quacks and quack medicines, and secure the enactment of suitable laws by which these sharks may receive their just deserts.

alcohol

But to return to our Vita Nuova. As already quoted from the circular, this article is claimed to be positively free from alcohol. Compare this with the 18.76 per cent. found by analysis and comment is unnecessary. This is a straight out and out misstatement, and when the quantity recommended is taken into account, is quite capable of producing intoxication. The dose is three tablespoonfuls or an ordinary wineglassful three times a day. Now as this "tonic" contains about onefifth of its volume of pure alcohol, this nine tablespoonfuls would equal nearly two tablespoonfuls of alcohol, or more than a wineglassful of straight whiskey.

But this deception sinks into insignificance, when we take up the next claim made for this nostrum. "A sure specific for the alcohol habit." Imagine for a moment a victim of alcohol, who has by sheer force of will given up the intoxicating cup. He reads in the newspapers of this wonderful tonic, which is so highly recommended by well-known people, and hopes at last that he has found that which will restore his shatThe first dose sends tered nerves. through his system the well-remembered feeling of by-gone days, and trusting to the statement that it is non-alcoholic, the innocent victim sinks once more into his old habits, another sacrifice to those remorseless robbers. Such a picture appears very sad to the reader, but he soon forgets it, unless he has, like the writer, had personal experience of just such a case, which was not, however, with the nostrum under discussion. It has always been a question among lawyers, how far the claims of patent medicine quacks offer ground for a criminal prosecution. Unfortunately, there can always be found people who for a cansideration will swear that they have cured by this

been

man's

"Sarsaparilla," or that man's "Discovery," or some other "medicine," and thus afford a loop-hole of escape from the responsibility of the articles. But in the case of Vita Nuova no such escape is possible. The distinct claim is made that it is non-alcoholic, and the invalid relying upon that statement pays his dollar for that which he could purchase at any store for one-quarter that sum. If this is not obtaining money by misleading the public, it comes so near to it that no reasonable man can see any difference.

The other articles of this same list"Recamier preparations"-have also been subjected to analysis, but as the space allotted for the present number has already been overrun, the results will have to be deferred until the next number of the Journal. Two of these preparations contain a deadly poison, corrosive sublimate, which is forbidden to be sold in this state without physician's prescription, and every reader of the Journal is cautioned most strongly against buying any of these articles.-Boston Journal of Health.

a

REMOVAL OF WENS.-The skin over large wens of the scalp is often so thin, that in the commonly practiced method of extirpation the sac is often ruptured in spite of all care, and in consequence its separation from the skin is rendered difficult. This accident, unless it is a case of inflamed wen, may be avoided by a simple expedient. After shaving and cleaning the neighborhood of the wen, I make a radical cut, half an inch long, through the skin where it is separated from the capsule of the wen, at the lowest point of the base of the tumor; through this slit I introduce the slender handle of a scalpel handle, or a similar instrument, between the skin and the sac; this is very easily accomplished. I then by sweeping movements of the scalpel handle to the right and left, separate the sac from the skin. The elasticy of the skin allows almost the whole circumference of the

wen to be separated in this way in a few seconds. I then cut with one snip of the scissors the skin over the tumor as far back as is necessary and shell it out.

It is unnecessary, in the removal of a wen, to cut away the hair over it. All that is required is to make a linear parting with a comb over the tumor. These cysts require to be dissected out, and if any portion of the cyst wall is left, they are apt to return. In the dissection of these thin walled cysts the wall is very apt to give way, the contents escape and the cysts collapse; and if an attempt is made to finish the dissection in the collapsed condition, portions of the cyst wall may be left. The difficulty is overcome in a very simple way. If the cyst bursts during the dissection, squeeze out the contents and stuff the cavity completely with a strip of lint, so as practically to change the cyst into a solid tumor; and if this is done, the dissection can be completed without difficulty.—Chicago Medical Times.

MARSON'S NEW Test for SUGAR IN URINE. Dissolve 10 centigrammes of pure ferrous sulphate in 8 cubic centimetres of urine by the aid of warmth; add 25 cantigrammes of caustic potash, and boil. A dark green precipitate forms if sugar be present, and the supernatant liquid is reddish brown or black, according to the amount of sugar. When sugar is absent, the precipitate is greenish-brown in color, and the liquid is colorless.-Journal of the American Medical Association.

CHLOROSIS AND HEART DISEASE.Excessive anæmia being present, and the heart not being hypertrophied, the diagnosis of the cause of heart murmurs is frequently very difficult. M. Duclos has returned to this battlefield of clinicians, and sums up his conclusions in the following propositions: In true chlorosis, no matter the number and site of the cardiac murmurs, the basic murmur is never absent, and is most often systolic. In true chlorosis the

cylate of sodium has not been observed with salol. Hence, whenever the use of the former drug is contra-indicated, salol will be found both useful and reliable. The best effects were obtained with it in the treatment of sub-acute rheumatism, and the patients soon learn to appreciate the relief which follows its administration. Salol is insoluble in pure water, but is slightly soluble in organic liquids of alkaline reaction. It is best given in the form of compressed tablets, pills, or in an emulsion.-British Medical Journal.

STOTCH OATS ESSENCE.-Having received instructions to analyze the preparation known as Scotch Oats Essence the investigation was at once begun, but it was found impossible to obtain a bottle of the so-called "Triple Strength" in Boston, as the wholesale druggists had sold it so fast that they could not keep up the supply. Simultaneously with the examination of the nostrum an investigation was commenced as to the proprietors, and if confirmation of the character of the stuff was wanting, the name of the president of the concern would furnish it. This is no less a personage than the notorious Dr. H. H. Kane, whose connection, with a now defunct retreat for opium eaters, and also a proprietor of Kane's opium cure, -containing, however, large quantities of morphine, has been exposed time and again by the various New York Medical Journals.

dose of the "Triple Extract" contains in the neighborhood of one-eighth grain of sulphate morphia. Now a victim of the opium habit who was endeavoring to cure himself by means of this "remedy,' would take from six to ten spoonfuls, at least, per day, and from this amount up to a whole bottle. In the former case he would take a grain at least, and in the latter about five grains of morphia per day, and thus only succeeded in fastening his distressing habit more strongly upon himself.

In comparison with this grave aspect of the case the lesser fraud in the prices charged for the various strengths of the essence, sink into insignificance, although in any other connection it would be a matter of considerable importance. For the "single strength" one dollor per bottle is charged, three dollars for the double, and five dollars for the triple extract. The single extract can be made for ten cents a bottle, and the double and triple for at most fifteen cents. Taking advantage, however, of the sufferer's misfortune, and gauging the price he will be willing to pay by the severity of his case, these harpies assail him through his malady and rob him of hope and money at the same time.

But it will be asked is there no redress or remedy for such bare-faced swindling? The Journal has taken steps to find out, and the attention of the Health Department of New York City, as well as our own State Board of Health, has been called to the matter and they have given it their earnest attention, promising to do their utmost to suppress this fraud, which in boldness easily surpasses any similar attempt to impose upon the credulous public. The Druggists' Circular has also taken up the matter, and as a result of their efforts the New York Daily Press is ventilating the swindle, so that it is to be hoped that this new dodge of the ex"opium cure" shark will be soon suppressed.-Boston Journal of Health.