eyes; profuse sweating at times, especially nights; temperature ranging from 100° to 102°; appetite poor. After a full meal, he experienced a feeling of distress and fulness in the whole abdomen, especially in the right side, and subsequently the amount of blood passed was increased. Sleepless and restless at night. He was subject to attacks of "flushes of heat," the whole surface of the body becoming flushed, hot and dry: after these attacks had continued for a time, the blood in the urine was much increased, but decreased again after the attacks had for some time subsided. It was also learned that at times, previous to his injury, he had passed large quantities of blood per rectum, but it was not accompanied with any pain, diarrhoea, or uncomfortable symptom. This occurred once while in the hospital.

The urine contained albumen, excessive phosphates, much mucus, at times occupying half the space of the liquid; re-action sometimes alkaline. Amount passed, about normal.

Treatment. From the symptoms above given, terebinth, lycopodium, erigeron, were successively given, with some benefit. Cognizance was now taken of the vaso-motor disturbance, which proved to be the key to the whole trouble. The patient was kept in bed, cool hamamelis swathes put about the body, and phos. was administered once in four hours.

Under this treatment the improvement was decided and rapid. His general health was much better, and blood was passed only during the daytime, and but little then.

He continued to improve, till one night he contracted a severe cold, when in a few hours he was reduced to a condition much worse than at any time during his sickness. The amount of blood passed was fearful. This condition did not last long, however, but subsided with the cure of the cold.

He remained in the hospital six and a half months, and was then discharged cured, though there was a slight tinge of blood in the urine once in three or four days.

Since leaving the hospital, blood has entirely ceased, and for about a year he has remained perfectly well, and that, too, with both kidneys, and no surgical operation.

The pathology of this case is at best obscure. The most probable explanation is, that the strain the patient received produced a rupture in the kidney substance, and the hemorrhage continued as a result of weakness of the vaso-motor system. The case was so diagnosed at first, and the subsequent results seem to confirm the diagnosis. It would be of interest if any one could suggest a more plausible theory.

A NEW APPARATUS FOR MAINTAINING THE LITHOTOMY POSITION, WITH AN AUTOMATIC IRRIGATING

ATTACHMENT.

BY HORACE PACKARD, M.D., BOSTON.

[Read before the Massachusetts Homeopathic Medical Society.]

THE lithotomy position, so named on account of its original adoption in the operation for removal of stone from the bladder, has assumed additional importance since the rapid evolution of

the art of gynecology during the last decade. This position is used more generally than any other, for all operations on the genital tract. In maintaining this attitude, an assistant is required on either side of the operating-table to support the legs. This is very easy and satisfactory to the operator when ablebodied and skilled assistants are available, but in an emergency, or at a private house, when a nurse or member of the family must be drafted into the service, it becomes awkward and unsatisfactory.

I have long sought some simple device for maintaining the

lithotomy position without the aid of assistants. The apparatus which I here present to you was first described in the New-York "Medical Record" a few months ago, and was invented by Dr. Thomas McBride of Philadelphia. It seemed so simple and practical that I had one made according to his plan. It has given most satisfactory results.

In all operations on the cervix, vagina, and perineum, it is found that irrigation greatly facilitates the process by carrying away all blood, thus taking the place of sponging. It also is a measure of great value as a precaution against the entrance to the wound of septic matter. As an attachment to the apparatus mentioned above, I have devised an automatic arm or holder, by the aid of which the irrigating nozzle may be adjusted at any angle, and thus direct the current of water against any part of the field of operation. This combined apparatus is especially desirable when operations on the vaginal tract are to be performed at the patient's home, and the family objects to a roomful of doctors." With its aid a cervix operation, or closure of a perineum, can be performed with but one extra assistant, and the help which can be given by the family physician and the nurse.

SOCIETIES.

BOSTON HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY.

STATED meeting, Nov. 3, 1887; L. A. Phillips, M.D., VicePresident, in the chair.

The records of the October meeting having been read and approved, the following were proposed for membership: Mary K. Gale, M.D., of Boston; Lucy Appleton, M.D., of Boston; Julia Morton Plummer, M.D., of Boston; Ann C. Stewart, M.D., of East Cambridge; Stephen H. Blodgett, M.D., of Cambridge.

C. Wesselhoeft, M.D., chairman of the Committee on Amendments, then read the following report :

"Soon after their appointment, your committee met, and have considered the subject intrusted to them, and hereby respectfully report the following:

"Whereas, The nomination and election of members have been rather informal, and the duties of censors not well defined; and,

"Whereas, Grave inconveniences to applicants as well as to officers have in the past arisen therefrom, thus endangering the standing of the Society:

"Resolved, That physicians wishing to become members of this Society, shall procure of the Secretary blanks stating name, place of graduation, and residence of the applicant, who is to be recommended by two members of the Society.

"Applicants shall exhibit their diplomas or other satisfactory credentials to the Censors, and shall receive notice by the Secretary immediately after their election to membership.

"Your committee moves that this resolution be appended to Article IV. of the Constitution of this Society, and be inserted after the words 'becoming a member.""

This report was accepted, and action upon the motion deterred until the next meeting, as provided by the Constitution.

The following were then appointed a committee to arrange for the annual meeting: L. A. Phillips, M.D., F. C. Richardson, M.D., A. B. Church, M.D., Alonzo Boothby, M.D., H. C. Clapp, M.D.

SCIENTIFIC SESSION. - Subject: Alcohol. Caroline E. Hastings, M.D., read an able and interesting paper entitled "The Physiological Effects of Alcohol," in which its effects as a highly irritative poison were clearly portrayed and substantiated by statistics and illustrative cases. Opinions of eminent scientists were quoted to the effect that the necessity for the use of alcohol in the treatment of disease has been greatly over-estimated, and that in the majority of cases, instead of being beneficial, it is detrimental to the welfare of the patient.

Discussion. Dr. C. Wesselhoeft will not refute what has been said in the paper. Fully agrees with every word of it so far as it pertains to medical practice or morals. Will speak of what he has observed in drunkards. Thinks it is a popular fallacy that drunkards drink alcohol for the love of it. They all agree that alcohol is pretty bad stuff. Many hate it, but cannot get rid of it. Fears that the average temperance reformer knows little about drunkards, or he would not make use of so much ridicule and satire in his attacks upon them.

Has observed two kinds of drunkards. One, the periodical drunkard, who drinks from time to time with sober intervals. These are the drunkards who live longest. Another is the habitual drunkard. He takes very little, but takes it often; he is never known to be drunk, and claims the right to drink as long as he behaves himself. This state of affairs does not last long. He grows gradually worse, and finally breaks down and dies by fatty degeneration of various organs. This latter form of drunkenness is the one most in danger.

The word "physiological" applied to the effects of poisonous substances seems a misnomer when considered carefully. The vaso-motor paralysis caused by alcohol is certainly not a physiological effect. "Toxic effect" would be better.

Would enter a vigorous protest against the multitudinous nostrums in daily use by the people. The very great majority of them are largely composed of alcohol, and serve merely as substitutes for the rum of the accredited toper.

Dr. D. G. Woodvine would state that his feelings, sympathies, and ideas in regard to this subject are in accordance with those already expressed. But may not alcohol be used as a medicine? Believes that it may be prescribed homoeopathically, and should be used in its purest form, not as the nostrums spoken of as tonics.

Dr. Alonzo Boothby does not advocate the promiscuous use of alcohol, but that it has its place in the practice of physicians has not the slightest doubt.

Dr. H. H. Cobb has used alcohol very little.

Dr. W. H. Lougee is a believer in alcohol as a remedy.

Dr. A. J. French has made alcohol a special study in the light of a positive irritant poison. In regard to its being a medicine, we all use poisons as medicines; but in his opinion there is no poison used as a medicine which is so destructive as alcohol. The arousing of all the vital forces necessary to rid the system of this poison is sometimes the very action we want to bring about. There are cases of malignant pustule, or typhoid, for example, requiring this action. Knows of no substitute for alcohol in these cases, and should certainly use it.

Dr. H. C. Clapp has gradually decreased in his use of alcohol, and agrees with Dr. French, that it should be used to tide over epochs or crises.

After some further discussion, the meeting adjourned.

F. C. RICHARDSON, M.D., Secretary.

WORCESTER-COUNTY HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY.

THE twenty-second annual meeting of the Worcester-County Homœopathic Medical Society was called to order by its president, Dr. N. W. Rand, at 10.45 A.M., twelve members being present. Dr. Goodwin was chosen secretary pro tem.

Dr. Barton was called to, and accepted, the chairmanship of the bureau which had the meeting in charge, in the absence of Dr. Paine.

A paper received from Dr. Cushing, and addressed to the Society, concerning the autopsy of the late Dr. McFarland, was read by the President. It proved to be of great interest.

Dr. Roberts next read a report of a successful ovariotomy. His paper led to a wide discussion.

On arrival of the Secretary, at this point in the meeting, the minutes of the last meeting were read by him and approved. The report of the Censors presented to the Society three. names for election. They were, Dr. C. C. Perkins of Warren,