If the maximum of resiliency was obtained while the system, so far as diagnostic acumen could observe, was under the sedative or tonic influence of tobacco, would it be the proper modus operandi, or conducive to health, to withhold it abruptly when disease entered the body? Is this the process we would expect from nature or evolution?

Life means action, and in this action there is more or less change from one form or shape to another, followed by a period of repose. Whether the system is appropriating nutriment and adding to the structures to guard against waste and loss, or whether an impression has arrived in the brain and expanding, gaining force, thus forming a motor impulse by molecular action, or the natural result of musular exertion-it all means, and is performed by the changes that take place in the cellular elements of the system.

A life is a portion of the great unit that exists in the three kingdoms of nature. It not only has its origin from this unit, but from the same source it receives the pabulum that is to maintain it. What would be injurious to one constitution might be a tonic to another. While my system is in a normal condition, tobacco might make me sick, while my friend, who has a disturbance of the polarity between the cells in his nervous system, may have harmony restored by its use.

If unity is the first cause, what is the objection to this statement?

INJURY OF THE EYEBALL.

BY C. W. TANGEMAN, M.D.,

Assistant to the Chair of Ophthalmology at the Ohio Medical College.

The above injury is not at all of rare occurrenee, yet it receives but little attention from the writers of "text-books." The report of the following cases may be of value to the general practitioner, assisting him to arrive at a diagnosis to render a comprehensive prognosis and institute proper treatment.

CASE I.

S. T., farmer, æt. 35, made application for advice after the following injury to the eye. Patient states: "I was walking about my barn one night without a light, when I stumbled over the pole

of a large sled that was standing on the barn floor. In falling I struck my left eye on a projecting wagon standard; the fall rendered me unconscious for a few moments but soon recovered and went to the house. On entering the lighted room I found that I could not see even the light with my left eye; it also pained me considerably-the front part of the eye (anterior chamber) was full of blood. I called on my family physician who put some drops into the eye and advised me to put on a poultice at once. In the course of a few days I could see some better and the front of my eye was not red any more, then vision gradually faded

away.

I suffered terrible pains for a few weeks."

T. called two months after the injury and I found the pupil dilated, oval in shape, slightly reacting to the light; vision was very poor, patient could not count fingers. The tension of the globe was normal, pain had nearly ceased, but the lens had become opaque as the fundus could not be examined. Instead of the atropine a solution of eserine (gr. 4 to 3i) was instilled into the eye once every twenty-four hours. Six months later all irritation had left the eye, vision was improving. One year after the injury patient could see large objects distinctly with the injured eye. The lens had become absorbed, even though the age of the patient was thirty-five.

CASE II.

Pat C., carpenter by occupation, (æt. 52) received an injury to the left eye from a knot of wood which sprung out with considerable force while he was working with the chisel and hammer. The The first sensation was that of severe pain in the eyeball and complete, instantaneous loss of sight. The eye teared freely, and though there was a slight injury to the cornea it had not been ruptured. A few minutes after the injury the anterior chamber filled with blood. He at once consulted a physician who instilled a strong solution of cocaine into the eye and then directed him to my office. I saw the eye about one hour later. The blood had all disappeared from the anterior chamber, tension was normal and vision was reduced for perception of light. The oblique light demonstrated an abrasion of the cornea. The pupil was dilated due to the cocaine. The fundus of the eye could not be seen on account of the blood in the vitreous. A 4 gr. solution of eserine was freely dropped into the eye, and the patient requested to return on the following morning. On the second day he could count fingers at three feet. Vision gradually improved under the

use of eserine until I could examine the eye with the ophthalmoscope, (about ten days after the injury) when I found that some of the choroidal vessels had given way detaching the retina which was ruptured, and the blood escaped into the vitreous. The eye during this time was somewhat sensitive to the light but the patient continued his work. The field of vision on the nasal side is quite cloudy yet but he is gradually improving.

Atropine is never of any service in these cases, nor is it necessary to put on a compress bandage to hasten the absorption of the blood. Cocaine which was first instilled was an excellent plan of treatment, it relieved the pain, lessened intra-ocular tension, put the parts into proper condition for the rapid absorption of the extravasated blood, (as was shown in this case). Eserine should not be employed more than once a day, this injunction is neglected by many even who call themselves oculists, and in consequence they report failures.

IODOFORM INJECTIONS IN KNEE-JOINT DISEASE. -An abstract from the Central Zeitung appears in the Medical Record, giving a case of chronic synovitis of knee-joint treated successfully as follows: The case was of one year's standing, in a woman, fiftyeight years of age. The joint was punctured with a trocar and about a pint of pus removed, and the cavity was then washed out with a three per cent. solution of carbolic acid. Then a ten per cent. emulsion of iodoform in glycerine were injected and an anæsthetic dressing applied. No elevation of temperature followed the operation. The pain at once ceased and the patient slept well for the first time in weeks. At the end of six days a little pus had reaccumulated in the joint and the same treatment was renewed, a smaller amount of the emulsion being used. There was no further trouble and the patient rapidly regained her health.

AMPUTATION OF THIGH UNDER COCAINE.-In the Proceedings of the Viatka Zemsky Society is reported a case of amputation of thigh in an old exhausted drinker, with fatry degeneration of heart where chloroform narcosis would have been dangerous, where the operation was painlessly performed by the injection of cocaine along the line of the cut.

EDITORIAL.

MEDICAL COLLEGE OF OHIO.

March 10th witnessed the closing exercises of the Medical College of Ohio. The sixty-sixth year of this college has been a prosperous one. The work done has been better than ever before and the facilities for still further improvement are at hand. Students soon realize the advantages of the numerous daily clinics in the various departments where they are brought into direct contact with the patients. The advantage is still more obvious when compared with the large amphitheater clinics where the patient is seen from afar off and where the physical signs of disease are recognized by the eye of faith alone.

A full account of the Commencement Exercises will appear in our next number in connection with the Valedictory of Professor Seely.

MEETING OF THE ALUMNI OF THE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF OHIO. -Owing to the enthusiastic work of Prof. Dawson the Alumni Meeting on the 10th of March was a grand success. The meeting was held in Lancet Hall, and the work done was of an exceedingly satisfactory character. Lack of space prevents our giving the meeting more than this passing notice in this number.

MIAMI MEDICAL COLLEGE.

ANNUAL MEEting of the ALUMNI, AND Commencement Exercises.

The Alumni Association held its annual meeting at the college building on Thursday, March 11th, 1886. In the absence of the President, Dr. E. S. Stevens, of Lebanon, O., Vice-President, presided. The attendance was unusually large, and among the members from a distance were noted, Drs. R. B. Hall, of Chillicothe, O.; W. W. Hall, of Springfield, O.; A. E. Jenner, Dayton, O.; C. A. Hough, Waynesville, O.: J. D. Gatch, Lawrenceburg, Ind.; E. A. Farquhar, Zanesville, O.; George S. Skinner, Hamilton, Q.; W,

C. Henry, Aurora, Ind.; S. B. Sheldon, Five Mile, O.; W. D. Hancock, Millville, O.; and others.

The Chairman, Dr. Stevens, having welcomed the Class of '86 to the ranks of the Association, Dr. W. E. White responded on behalf of the Class.

Dr. Wm. H. Falls read a memorial sketch of Dr. Wm. Clendenin, giving a very complete resumé of the salient features in the life of a great and useful, yet, withal a modest and unassuming man. On motion, the Secretary was authorized to obtain printed copies of this paper for distribution to members of the Association.

As the death of Dr. Clendenin occurred since the last meeting of the Association, Drs. W. B. Davis, W. D. Kempton and E. A. Flinn were appointed a committee to draft resolutions of respect to the deceased. The following resolutions were adopted in accordance with the report of this committee.

"Resolved, Since our last annnal meeting, death has invaded our ranks and taken from our number a talented and much loved Professor, Wm. Clendenin, M. D., Professor of Surgery.

"Prof. Clendenin was a modest Christian gentleman, an accomplished and successful physician, and an educator of high merit. His students not only found him an efficient instructor but a largehearted friend, who was ever ready with a kind word and loving hand to assist them in all their difficulties. During the war of the rebellion he was one of the first to respond to his country's call, and one of the last to leave its ranks.

"He cheerfully rendered his country distinguished service and returned to his home with his constitution fatally impaired, from his overwork and exposure. Notwithstanding this he entered upon the laborious practice of his profession, and during the twenty years that his frail body was permitted to support his brave spirit, he distinguished himself as a physician, surgeon, sanitarian, and an educator. His was a rounded character-as a husband, father, friend, citizen and physician, he measured up to the highest standards. May we ever keep his memory green in our hearts and emulate his virtues in our lives.

"To his family and relatives we extend our deepest sympathies, and pray that the Great Physician may comfort them in their profound sorrow.

"We recommend that this tribute be spread upon our minutes, and a copy be sent to Prof. Clendenin's family."