Strict observance to the laws of health: During the catamenial period no exposure or extra exertion should be allowed, but rest, or light exertion, should be the rule. The diet should be light and nutritious. The object now will be to prevent another attack. Tonics will be called for; correctives, to regulate the bowels; and out-door exercise should be recommended. For the two weeks next succeeding the catamenia the following, in some cases, would act well, to-wit: Tinct. ferri chloridi, 3ss. ; fl. ex. viburnum pru., 3j.; fl. ex. cascara sag., 3ss.; syr. simp., q. s. to ft, 3iv. M. Sig. Teaspoonful morning and night. To be followed the next week by: R. Fl. ex. cimicifuga r., 3j ss.; fl. ex. cascara sag., ziv. ; syr. simp., 3ij. M. Sig. Teaspooful ter. indies. Should either of the last suggested prescriptions act too freely on the bowels, lessen the dose, and as soon as the flow is established discontinue the treat-ment until the catamenia has passed.

It will, in most cases, only be necessary to give an occasional dose of the same medicine used before, to keep the bowels regular, if a strict observance has been had in regard to diet and hygiene, till two or three days before the next period; then commence with the last remedies recommended.

If you have nothing better try this; and if you have, give it

to us.

REGULARS AND REGULARS.

BY G. E. POTTER, M. D.

The field for investigation
When a line is drawn there

Science in medicine cannot approach anything like perfection as long as her votaries are trammelled. must be broad and free enough for all. is division and contention. The line that the Committee on Registration attempted to draw at the late Medical Congress was prompted by both jealousy and selfishness.

Rule 1, as formulated by the American Medical Association, was designed to keep all but Allopaths from attending the Congress. The instigators of this rule hoped, by the "scarecrow" thus erected, to deter such as they would characterize as "birds of prey" from entering the field. "There are tricks in all trades except ours."` Rule I was intended to act similar to the "man of straw" placed in the field. The birds are kept away because they are not bold.

enough to venture near and investigate for themselves; were they to do so, they would find the way clear, and that no harm could befall them. The farmer might cuss a little over the aggressive spirit of the birds, while he had fondly hoped they would have been afraid to

come near.

The mouthpiece of the Allopathic Society of this city claims he is in possession of "positive knowledge of the essential condition of membership." He says: "The doors of the Congress are open to every regular medical practitioner, and to none others." What does he mean? Does he mean what he says? or does he, like many others (Rule 1 for example), say one thing and mean something entirely different.

Let us see what Dr. Austin Flint said in speaking of regulars and irregulars. He said: "Exclusive dogmas have prevailed to a greater or less extent in past time among members of the Regular profession." Again, he said: "That holding an exclusive dogma is not in itself sufficient for a practitioner to be considered as ir regular."

Again, we quote this high authority, and draw our own conclusions: "It is the assumption of a distinct name that constitutes an irregular."

The doctor, in thus expressing himself, affords a wide range for speculation as to what he meant; however, it is evident that he would have classified Dr. Littletoe, the great "Corn Curer;" Dr. Oldsore, the great "Cancer Curer;" Dr. Confidence, the great and world renowned curer of all confidential diseases, etc., etc., under the head of irregulars, as the very assumption of such distinct names would be self-condemning.

He surely did not mean to say that the assuming of the name Eclectic or Homeopath was irregular, for it is evident the OldSchool point to their distinctive name with a smile of arrogantic pride. How then can we apply Dr. Flint's logic to one class and not to the other?

Dr. Flint's argument would classify all legally educated physicians as regular. Does it not imply that Regular, spelled with a capital "R," as a noun, and applied to a sect as a distinctive name, is necessarily irregular? And would he not have said regular, spelled with a small "r," implies a question? Regular what? regular Pastor; reg

ular Mechanic; regular Musician; regular Homeopath; regular Eclectic; or regular Allopath. Thus, all who are regularly trained and educated in their respective departments are consequently regular.

"The Congress will consist of such members of the regular medical profession as shall have registered and taken out their tickets of admission, and of such other scientific men as the executive .committee of the Congress shall deem it desirable to admit."

This rule, as it is worded, spelled and emphasized, is all right and broad enough, and invites every "legally acknowledged medical practitioner in his country" (this quotation is from Prof. Hansen Grut, of Hammellaft, Denmark) to a seat in the Congress.

NOTE. "Members of the regular medical profession" apply Dr. Flint's logic to the word regular, and the whole problem is solved.

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF
FURUNCLES.

BY J. HOBERT EGBERT, M. D.

A lengthy description of a boil-furuncle or furunculus-is unnecessary. The small, but often extremely painful, hard, circumscribed, inflammatory tumor is so frequently met by the physician and surgeon that its nature and etiology are well known. It is produced by inflammation of the cutis-vera and subjacent areolar tissue; the inflammation having its origin in the death of a small portion of skin or of a cutaneous gland. This form of inflammation is peculiar, showing no tendency to spread, but remaining circumscribed and terminating in the detachment of the central diseased tissue, the morbid process terminating in suppuration and ulceration. It has been noticed that regions where the secretions of the cutaneous glands are particularly strong are predisposed to furuncles, as the axilla and perineum. They, however, not unfrequently occur on the back of the neck and certain parts of the face. My own observation has demonstrated that they occur quite as often in the robust and well fed as in the feeble and emaciated. They appear in both the old and young, and often prove very exhausting to children and very old persons. There are certain constitutional conditions and diseases which dispose to the formation of furuncles. A boil gen

erally, if left to itself, attains its maximum size in from five to six days, which is about that of a silver dollar, when the central white point at the apex becomes loosened and evacuated, together with pus mixed with blood and shreds of tissue. If, however, a mixture consisting of iodine 2 parts, aconite 1 part, and arnica 1 part be applied to it before it is more than a day old, it will generally shrink away immediately. If older, more applications will be required, still the desired result may be obtained. The abortive treatment, however, is not always advisable. Ice should not be used for this purpose. On the contrary warm, moist applications, as poultices and fomentations should be made, to hasten suppuration. To this end the internal use of sulphides will be found useful, as they not unfrequently cause the furuncle to mature and also favor the expulsion of the pus. They are also said to be efficient in preventing furuncles when threatened and may cause them to abort. Small doses frequently repeated will be found most effective under these circumstances. It is generally advisable to make an early opening with the lancet to relieve the pain caused by tension and to evacuate the contents.

Furuncles are often successfully treated by the long continued use of arsenic, still I consider the use of this remedy to be indicated only by a succession of boils.

I have found nothing more effective in removing that condition of the system which produces furuncles than the following: R. Potassi iodid, 3 j.; syr. sarsaparilla comp. 3 ij. M. Sig. Teaspoonful three times a day.

Tonics are generally indicated, the most suitable being the phosphates. To the debilitated, quinine, iron and nutritious foods should be given. A change of air is often productive of much good.

EXOPHTHALMIC GOITRE.

BY THOMAS FEEMSTER, M. D.

I have a well-developed case of exophthalmic goitre, in a lady aged 27; married; no children; very "nervous" or excitable.

The symptoms are very prominent. Bulging of the eyes; bilateral enlargement of thyroid gland - the right side larger; great excitement of the heart; pulse ranging from 90 to 130; temperature usually normal, but at times running up to 100°, with creeping

chilliness and flashes of heat; and at these times the pulse rate is highest; with dyspnea.

The gait is slightly staggering, with stiffness in muscles, with slight neuralgic pains. The appetite is good, and at times is craving, but with good digestion; and rests well at night.

History. This lady is the only child of fond and indulgent parents, who have cultivated her excitable nature so that it is a part of her being, and since her marriage, five years ago, she and her husband have lived with her parents-they not willing to have her leave them, and she better suited to remain also-and the consequence was the family relations have been very unpleasant and "stormy."

I have attended her in sickness at different times, and have been called during "stormy" periods, and naturally expected symptoms of excitement, and when this "goitre" began, I was inclined to look rather carelessly into her real condition, and saw nothing unusual except the cardiac excitement, consequently I did not make out a diagnosis for a month or more after the case presented not until the eyes began to bulge, accompanied by thyroidal hypertrophy.

Having no experience in such cases, I applied to my "elder brothers" in the profession for advice, and found them like myself. So I have followed the advice of the authors Hammond and Bartholow principally, using such remedies as ergot, belladonna, digitalis, the bromides, Pyropho's iron, cactus grand., etc.; the two latter remedies, in combination with fl. ext. ergot, seemed to serve me much the best.

I use the primary galvanic current on alternate days, the anode over the pneumogastric, the cathode over the epigastrium, and the result seems to be a decided improvement in the nervousness and heart symptoms, but, as yet, slight change in the eyes and thyroid gland.

The object of this correspondence is to bring out any suggestions as criticisms from you, or any of the readers of the AMERICAN MEDICAL JOURNAL, if you see proper to publish the same; and if this case is likely to interest your readers, I will gladly make a brief report at some future time.