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No. 10.

'OL. IX.

For the Summary. COMMENTS, ETC.

BY J. F. GRIFFIN, M. D., CLOUTIERVILLE, LA.

It was Galileo who said, "E pur si muove,' hen the Inquisition branded him as a heretic r asserting that the world moves around the in. Whether the astronomer was right then · not, certain it is that the world now moves, evidenced by recent advancement in therautic knowledge.

Dr. Geo. W. Callis, of Dyer's Station, Tenn., . 152 and 153 in October SUMMARY, tells at he had a case of meningitis in a child, aich had effusion "in the sub-arachnoid," etc., d looking up the literature of the subject, found that honey was good for such effuns. Accordingly he made the following escription:

R. Tr. nux vomica (specific tr. Lloyd Bros.)
Apis mellifica

ǎå gtts. iv.

Aqua pura. 3j. M. ig.-Teaspoonful every hour, until three doses were en, then continued every two hours; the next morning case was much better. The medicine kept the kidneys ost streaming all night. I attributed the removal of the sion to the effect of the apis.

It will be seen that the dose of honey was If a drop. I shudder to think what the con

sequences would have been had the doctor been bold enough to have given a whole drop! The doctor seems to think some one will accuse him of "drifting into eclecticism." It looks more like drifting into homoeopathy. If he drifted no farther than eclecticism, there would be no danger of getting lost.

Eclecticism is a good thing, whether it be in medicine, philosophy, or religion, and it is not as new as some think. The apostle Paul was an eclectic; for in his first epistle to the Thessalonians, chapter 5, verse 21, he says: "Prove all things: hold fast that which is good "--the very essence of eclecticism.

I am not an eclectic physician, yet willing to accord justice where it is due.

Going back to mel apis, I have often seen in the journals that a tea made of the honey bee is an excellent diuretic, but have never tried it. One could readily believe that bees may contain a principle that would have great activity, knowing the activity of Spanish flies. Having seen people eat honey in quantity. without producing any diuretic effect, my credulity would never make me believe that half a drop could have any effect in any way upon the most delicate child.

Given homœopathically, there is no telling what it would do, however, for Hahneman asserts, on the authority of Pereira, that how

the vial is moved, and the number of times it is shaken, has a marked effect in every attenuation. 'Circa axin suam"-" Bis, brachio quidem bis moto, concute."

I trust that Dr. Callis will take what I have written above in a good spirit, for who knows after all whether the doctor may not be right? "There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamed of in our philosophy."

As

"A little nonsense now and then
Is relished by the best of men."

This fact must account not only for the preceding, but for the following, which being an ode, and a debt of gratitude being due to the "small bugs," bears the title

"OWED" TO BACTERIUM.

Oh, bacterium, thou diminutive wonder,
Though sausage-like in form, thou little thing,
The microscopist tears thee still asunder,

Ptomaine in strength, thou epidemics bring.
What would the surgeon do without thy aid?
There's no suppurating wound, but for thee,
And were not septicemia by thee made,

The doctors oft would fail to get a fee.

Thou art the streptococcus pyogenes,

And sometimes the staphylococcus, too.
I swear by the memory of old Diogenes,
Ever to be a friend to thee, and true.
Thou dost delight to feed on human blood,
Amounting almost, indeed, to a mania,
Fairly doting on pus, and filthy mud:

At least, so they say up in Pennsylvania.
Schizomycetes claim thee as their own,

Each and all working with a magic spell, Bringing disease, pain, anguish, and a groan, And now, oh bacterium, now fare thee well!

mucous membrane of the alimentary tract, it should be discontinued. This is a good general rule, and one which most medical men follow. In one dread disease, however, namely, diphtheria, it is to be doubted whether it is ever contra-indicated. Here we have the system profoundly affected by a specific poison, and antiseptic treatment should be followed by the best results. As to any specific antiseptic for the germs of diphtheria, it yet remains to be discovered, as is witnessed by the countless methods of treatment we see vaunted by various writers in all countries. Since the introduction of the potash treatment, some five and twenty years ago, nearly every important drug in the pharmacopoeia has been used, and with alleged success, for the amelioration of the symptoms and cure of the disease, and the results obtained, as shown by statistics, vary greatly, owing no doubt to the varying circumstances of environment, the virulence of the epidemic, the previous condition of the patient, etc. It is doubtful whether any drug, save tinct. fer. mur., receives the same recognition in the treatment of diphtheria that alcohol does. It is an antiseptic of high value, as well as a general stimulant, and is therefore indicated both on account of its specific action. upon the germs of the disease, which have found their way into the blood, and for the purpose of tiding the patient over a very difficult place. Some of the oldest, most thoughtful and most successful of our practioners believe that the alcohol treatment alone would be perhaps the best and safest which can be undertaken. Under its influence the patient improves as to the worst symptoms; the mem

THERIA.

The rule usually given by lecturers in medicine as to the use of alcohol in various diseases is that its action should be watched, and that if the pulse is found to become slower and fuller, the temperature lower, and the tongue more moist, continue to give it; but if on 'the contrary the pulse and temperature are not favorably affected, or the tongue shows no sign of an improvement in the condition of the

lowered, the pulse is slowed, and a sense of well-being is given to the patient, which places him in the best possible position for re

covery.

But to get the full benefit of the drug, it must be given in large quantities. The best method of administering it is to prescribe small and repeated doses, to be given by the clock. It is best given diluted with water, and the amount which even a child of two or three years will take with great advantage,

is astonishing. Many give it in milk, by which means nourishment is supplied at the same time, a matter of great importance; but whatever method is adopted, the great point to be remembered is to give it freely. Dr. Richardson, the late president of the Ontario Medical Association, states that he has known a child of two years suffering with diphtheria, take a bottle of port wine in 48 hours with the happiest results, and that he has the fullest confidence in the action of alcohol, not only in diphtheria, but in all its congeners, depending upon the presence of specific germs in the blood. Potter recommends it as a local antiseptic, diluted with equal parts of water, and applied as a spray every half hour. The editor of the N. Y. Medical Times says:-" Alcohol, we make bold to say, is the prince of the antiseptics, and the most perfect and reliable medicine of which we have any knowledge in diphtheria. Diluted with equal parts of water, and given in small and repeated doses, the malignant symptoms of this most fatal malady soon disappear, and convalescence becomes assured." It is said to be an excellent prophylactic, used as a gargle three or four times a day.-Canada Lancet.

[For the Summary.]

CASE IN OBSTETRICAL PRACTICE.

BY J. R. GARNER, M. D., ASH FLAT, ARK.

I was called on the 27th of October, 1887, to see Mrs. M. When I arrived I found an old woman in attendance. I asked her what was the matter. She said Mrs. M. was in labor, that it was a breech presentation, and she had brought the knee down, but there wasn't sufficient labor pains to be delivered. In due time I examined the woman, and found it to be a dorso-pubic position of the right shoulder; and the old lady had pulled at the arm so that the whole arm and shoulder had become black or ecchymosed. The woman had been in labor fifty hours; she had become moribund. I made an effort to turn and deliver by podalic version; failed to do so-so Dr. W. was called to my help; and also we

both failed to deliver the woman: and Dr. W. left, to return in the morning, and Dr. R. was sent for. Dr. R. and I delivered that night by hard work. Three o'clock in the evening of the 30th, 1887, she died. This is the first case on my record. I will not comment.

[For the Summary.]

MEDICAL CHIPS WITH COMMENTS.

Chronic Sore Throat: A disease affecting the larynx-not pharynx-indicated by some little irritable cough, hoarseness at times, tenderness upon deep pressure externally, and occasionally pain in the act of swallowing; has been cured by small doses of corrosive sublimate ro gr. doses 3 or 4 times daily; by the third decimal trituration of biniodide of mercury; by bichromate of potassa, same trituration, of which 5 grs. are given, being equivalent to the 10 gr. Recently have had a very chronic case in a girl aet. 22, who had tried various prescriptions, and who was promptly benefited by gr. doses calomel at bedtime (to clean a dirty tongue), and the following: R. Fl. ext. Yerba Santa, Glycerine, each 2 oz. Teaspoonful, 4 times daily. In another case of irritable larnyx in an elderly gentleman, this prescription was also prompt in relief.

Cough Mixture: A very excellent syrupus pectoralis is this: Pulv. mur. ammonium 1⁄2 oz., syr. senega I oz., mist. glycyrrhiza comp., q. s. ft. 8 oz. Dessertspoonful 4 times a day.

Cholera: In Cincinnati, 1850-1-2, the following R. speedily checked vomiting, etc., when other remedies failed. Black pepper and salt each 1 teaspoonful, vinegar 5 teaspoonfuls, hot water half tumblerfull. Give I tablespoonful every 5, 10 or 15 minutes.

Constipation: To overcome this trouble, if the patient becomes tired of cascara fl. ext. 20-30 gtt. at bedtime; or cascara and glycerine equal parts, dose 1 teaspoonful at bedtime as needed; or the same with 2 or 3 gtts. tr. nux.; then give him one of Wyeth's compressed triturates of aloin, strych. bell. and

ipecac at bedtime. This is a grand combination; and it certainly was a happy thought in adding the ipecac, as it certainly adds efficiency to the combination.

Little Devils, No. 2: These are an active granule or very small pill, manufactured by G. F. Harvey & Co., under this singular name that I am now using, instead of croton-oil pills, of which I spoke some time ago. Some of my patients call them "sharp-shooters," but I like the name of railroad-express pill-going through with dispatch, and yet mildly and safely in doses of one, two or three. They are very good in obstinate constipation, loss of peristaltic action, etc. They arouse the secretions thoroughly.

Malt Liquors: For old worn-out physicians and others, male and female, who are "old and feeble grown," I am an advocate of malt extracts or liquors-not of poor wishy-washy lager beer, or of thin ale and porter-so thin that they sour in a short time. We need nutriment, a digestive agent; one that wili convert our food into a form that makes it more readily digested, assimilated and nutritious. Wyeth's Liquid Malt, "The Best Tonic," the maltine preparations, with pancreatine, hypophosphites, etc., will fill the bill. But take my advice and avoid ordinary slop beer. good extract of malt and hops is excellent for weakly women, nursing mothers, etc. There can be no question about it.

A

Foods for Children: Of these (from samples sent me and tested), I am very partial

to "Lactated Food," "Carnrick's Soluble Food," "Beef Peptonoids" and "Mellin's Foods." Others may be as good, but I do not know it. These are great aids to the physician in the management and restoration of weakly, sickly infants and children; and yet I know of several that died during the past summer of some alimentary trouble, who never had a taste of any of these articles.

Delivery of the Placenta: The writer created quite a buzzing in the medical hive recently among the readers of the Medical Brief, because he condemned the practice of Drs. McCarty and Griffin of delivering the placenta immediately after the birth of the child by

introducing the hand into the uterus and removing it by force. I advocate compression externally, kneading the lower abdomen and exciting some uterine contractions-assisting nature to expel it at least into the vagina—and for this I am called an old fogy and quite behind the progress of the age! Well, we have a medical man here who does not believe in letting women suffer in parturition any longer than till he can get hold of the infant's head with "his tongs" (forceps), and drag it into the world vi et armis! And he, too, thinks I am an old fogy-not progressive, behind the age! Well! about next generation I expect to see these progressive, physicians of Louisiana, Texas and Pennsylvania resort to the Cæsarian section or hysterotomy under an anæsthetic, and spare the incoming mother any pain at all! Let us progress.

Practical Facts: Yes, "learn practical facts from every source." I learned in early professional life that lobelia was an admirable therapeutic agent, though a "Thomsonian" remedy. The "third preparation" mixed with a little molasses and water, and injected into the bowels of a convulsed child with jaws locked, has awakened it-relaxed it-and snatched from the jaws of death again and again for me. again for me. Given by the mouth it has made stout, strong patients, as "limber as a rag," when suffering with luxations of the humerus or femur, so that I, a weak mortal, could reduce them readily; so too with hernia, used by enema; so too with rigid os or perineum in protracted labors-they will give way, yield up the contest, to an injection or two of infusion or tinct. lobelia into the rectum. The ophthalmic or Brown ointment, and the Black or all-healing salve of the old botanists are superior to any in the U. S. Dispensatorywhich is notably deficient in these therapeutic agents. The resin and comp. resin cerates are about all we have, or have had for generation after generation. The eclectics have introduced and forced upon us many good things-the active principles of many valuable plants, e. g., gelsemin, viburnin, leptandrin, podophyllin, etc. And the homœopaths toohave learned us to modify our doses wonder

fully, and to accept some new medicines also. We find to gr. calomel, 10 gr. cor. sub, 1 biniodide merc., of great therapeutic value. Bryonia, pulsatilla, rhus tox., etc., are now indispensable to progressive physicians (Drs. McCarty and Griffin, perhaps, excepted). Yes, let us learn practical facts from every source. Profs. Mitchell and Mutter advised us 45 years ago to listen to the old women when they descanted upon the value of such and such "yarbs," to take up and test them for ourselves. Oh, prejudice and dignity (!) have kept us plodding slowly along. Festinate lente has been inscribed over our portals too long; let us obliterate these words, but don't let us "introduce our hands (in one minute after the child is born) into the uterus and forcibly remove the placenta." We must grasp ⚫ and knead the fundus uteri beneath the abdominal walls, and excite contraction. Then the placenta will be expelled and post-partum hæmorrhage avoided. "A well contracted uterus cannot bleed," is the aphorism.

Oophorectomy: And now the progressive surgeon, gynecologist, etc., are unsexing woman by taking out her ovaries to cure such a nervous affection as hysteria—one that can be cured by a powerful electric shock, a hot iron, a cold douche, pungent inhalations, anæsthetization, or the psychical shock of fear. Ovarian dysmenorrhoea and hystero-epilepsy make the operation justifiable, in the judgment of Prof. Thomas and Sir Spencer Wells. Many surgeons are too fond of the knife. It It is their glory to perform a hazardous operation; but the glory that they as well as the gynecologist should seek, is in the conservation, not in the mutilation, of woman, except where imperious mandate decrees the absolute impossibility of saving both the part and the whole.

(For the Summary.) LITTLE THINGS.

BY R. W. ST. CLAIR, A. M., M. D., BROOKLYN, N. Y.

How many of us ever stop to think of the little things that go to make up the grand science of medicine? Is it not true, that

while many of us use certain medicines because they are cheap, and can be had from any drug store, and often, perhaps at the corner grocery, we do not know how it is made, or what its component parts are? Take for instance that wonderful metal, sodium. It burns with an intense flame when heated only to 20° below boiling water. When combined with the proper proportion of carbonic acid [the gas thrown off from burning coal], you have "Soda Bi-carb. What could we do without it? Let it [sodium] combine with chlorine (which forms in chemical union with lime, one of our most powerful disinfectants), and we have "Halite" or the common table salt. It is isometric. In cubes and related forms, often in shallow hopper-shaped crystals, color, white or greyish. Composition, NaCl Chlorine 60.7, sodium 39.3=100. Sodium chloride occurs in extensive beds, and exists in all formations, from the silurian to the present time. It forms often great hills, from 300 to 400 feet in height, nearly pure. In the Tyrol and Reichenthal, it is found in caves, as pure and white as that found in market. Michigan and Syracuse are the great depots for it in America. Michigan alone produced in 1886, 8,940,000 bushels. The Dead and Caspian seas and the lakes of Khoordistan, are almost a saturated solution. About 26 parts in a hundred of the weight of water in them are solid salts, and 10 parts are common table salt. This is only one of the salts from this wonderful sodium. Then we have mirabilite, [Glauber salts] so named from a German chemist by that name that first made the salt artificially. Then we have the "Hydrous sodium bi-borate," or borax. At one time all the supply came from a lake in Thibet. Now, California alone produces about 8,000,000 lbs yearly. There are many other combinations of this inexhaustible mineral, used every day, among which may be mentioned sodium nitrate, sodium carbonate, &c. The last is found in solution in certain waters, and crystallized in efflorescences by evaporation. This is but one of the many minerals that help us to make up our daily prescriptions, one of "the little things."