becoming a helpless burden on those whom he best loves; to help the poor lad, maimed by some accident, to bear more easily the auguish of a boyhood which has thus been blighted; to re-illumine the dulled light in the eyes of children, and on their cheeks the faded rose, and where it is beyond us to give back life's lost sunlight to poor sufferers, at least to tinge with the moonlight colorings of resignation the clouds which have darkened our human lives; this truly is an angel's, this truly is a Christ-like work. And it is the work of hospitals. We are asked to-day to support them. If we are beneath every appeal but that of selfishness, even on selfish grounds we ought to help them liberally. For if their direct ministrations are mainly for the poor, their resultant blessings flow largely back upon every class alike. It is in them that our surgeons and physicians learn the art of healing. It is in them that our nurses acquire their skill, and pass cheerfully from the dying bed of a great noble to the dying bed of some poor sufferer in Clare Market or Drury Lane. It is through them that there has been so vast a diminution of the annual mortality of London. It was in them that the use of anesthetics was perfected which exempts our minds from some of their deadiest terrors. It was in them that the antiseptic treatment was developed, which has already saved thousands of lives. It was in them that men have learned how cholera is caused and typhoid multiplied. My voice is feeble and insignificant, but may you not hear, even in my voice, the million fold reverberation of countless pleading agonies--yea, the cry of Charity herself, the voice of your Savior Christ? To you who know what sickness is, I appeal by the sad fellowship of human pain; to you who know it not, I appeal by your gratitude to God for the priceless boon of health, by the sacred name of those who suffer, by the awful mystery of human anguish, by the withered strength and the throbbing nerve, by your own dear children whom you shelter so tenderly, by those other little ones the shorn lambs of Christ's flock, by the strong man's agony, by the brave man's tears, by the hectic flush upon the young man's cheek, by all the sacredness of human sympathy-ay,

and far more in the name of Him who dropped the awful plummet of his Godhead into the fathomless abyss of human woe and pain, for His sake, in His name, I plead with you for this, and for all good works. He that soweth plenteously shall also reap plenteously; or, as it is more forcibly and beautifully in the original and in our Revised Version, "He that soweth with blessings shall reap with blessings." The Rev. Canon Farrar, London Lancet, July 3, 1886.

PASTEUR'S RECORD.-M. Graucher, Pasteur's assistant, in a recent lecture, said: "Of 1,335 persons who were inoculated to June 21st, he found that of 96 patients who belonged to the first or experimental category- viz., of those in whom the existence of rabies was indisputable-there was only one death, or a mortality of 1.04 per 100, or, in round numbers, 10 per 1,000; and of 644 persons of the second or clinical category, 3 succumbed to rabies, or 0.46 per 100 of the mortality, or 5 per 1,000 in round numbers. In comparing these statistics with those of the department of the Seine, it will be seen that the average mortality from hydrophobia has been reduced from 160 per 1,000 to 7.5 per 1,000. These figures apply only to those bitten by mad dogs. As regards the 48 persons bitten by mad wolves before April 22d, there were 4 deaths; but a calculation based upon eight documents communicated to M. Pasteur indicates a mortality of 82 per 100 after the bites of mad wolves. A paper published by Professor Brouardel, in the Dictionnaire Encyclopédique des Sciences Medicales, on rabies, gives a mortality proportion of 67 per 100. Thus it may be seen that the difference between the two results is considerable."

MICROCOCCUS PRODIGIOSUS.-In using the potato as a growth medium for micro-organisms, Koch imitates the priests who in old times scratched some religious symbol with a needle-point upon a potato, and presented it to the people, who were astonished some days after to find the symbol in blood letters on the surface of the potato. The priests made use of a fungus known as the prodigiosus, whose chief

characteristic is a purple, blood-like growth. Cut open a potato and, with a needle dipped in the fungi, trace a line upon the newly-cut surface; some days later the line will appear in dark purple. Koch uses the potato for various growths.-Medical Record.

PASTEUR'S DISCOVERIES.-Dr. Hime lectured in London last week, at the Sanitary Institute, on the subject of Pasteur's experiments, before a critical audience. Dr. Hime has him

self been studying the subject of hydrophobia under Pasteur, and is enthusiastic in his views of the discoveries made; he has himself, moreover, been severely wounded during the past few days while conducting a post-mortem on the body of a rabid dog, and has now returned to Paris to place himself under treatment. Dr. Hime considers that the efficacy of Pasteur's treatment for wounds inflicted on the hands or face, the most exposed parts of the body, is shown by the fact that the mortality was only 1.8 per cent, whereas it was known to have been as much as 88 per cent among persons bitten previously to his discoveries. The value of his system in protecting dogs had been proved beyond a doubt by the commission appointed by the French Government. Out of twenty-three dogs presented by Pasteur, after treatment, for the experiments, the commission had not succeeded in making a single one mad, whereas out of nineteen operated upon without previous treatment fourteen had died mad. No scientific man of standing had made any objection to Pasteur's method, and his own opinion from practical knowledge was conclusive. In conclusion, he said it was a fortunate thing that M. Pasteur was not an Englishman; for if he had been it would have been impossible for him to embark in this country upon the work which he had so successfully prosecuted for the benefit of mankind, owing to the mawkish sentimentality of the anti-vivisectionists, who would be the first to avail themselves of the discoveries if the necessity arose. London Medical Press.

DR. T. H. NOTT, of Goliad, was elected President of the Texas State Medical Association at its late session in Dallas.

HYPODERMIC SOLUTION OF QUININE.-Where it is necessary to administer quinine subcutaneously, the following formula is recommended by Dr. S. Burt as being as little irritating as possible:

Quiniæ bisulphatis.... Acidi borici...... Morphiæ sulphatis.....

........gr. ;

Aquæ destillatæ..................ounces j. Sig: For hypodermic use. One dram contains seven and a half grains of quinine.Medical and Surgical Reporter.

THE MAD MONARCH.-The post-mortem examination of the late King Louis, of Bavaria, was confirmatory of the view expressed by the alienists as to his mental condition, and of their unfavorable prognosis. Extensive changes were found in the skull, the brain and its membranes, consisting in part of abnormal development, partly of chronic inflammations of old and recent date.--Boston Medical and Surgical Journal.

the daily dose being one dozen pills, each containing one sixty-fourth of a grain in combination cr alternation with bromide of potassium. A one-per-cent solution of the potassic osmate has also been recommended in the treatment of goitre, neuralgia, tumors, and other diseases.Medical and Surgical Reporter.

DR. OGLE, the Registrar of Statistics in England, has found that the mortality among English physicians for three years, from 1880 to 1882, was 25.53 per thousand, while that of barristers was 20.23, and clergymen 15.98 per thousand.

SURGEON-GENERAL ROBERT MURRAY, of the United States Army, will be sixty-two years of age in August of the present year, when he will be placed on the retired list.

CORRECTION.-In AMERICAN PRACTITIONER AND NEWS, No. XV, page 83, first column, lines thirteen and fourteen from top, for 3j read 3j, and for 3ss read 3ss.-The Author.

IODIDE OF ETHEL is recommended by Dr. Bartholow in the treatment of brain syphilis when a prompt action of the iodine is desired.

Army and Navy Medical Intelligence. OFFICIAL LIST of Changes in the Stations and Duties of Officers serving in the Medical Department, United States Army, from July 18, 1886, to July 31, 1886:

Col. Glover Perin, Assistant Surgeon General, leave of absence extended one month. (S. O. 165, A. G. O., July 19, 1886.) Maj. Wm. H. Gardner, Surgeon, granted four months leave, to take effect August 10th, or as soon thereafter as his services Maj. Calvin De Witt, Surgeon, assigned to duty at can be spared. (S. O. 165, A. G. O., July 19, 1886.) Fort Sully, Dak. (S. O. 66, Department Dakota, July 14, 1886.) Capt. John M. Dickson, Assistant Surgeon, ordered from Alcatraz Island, Cal., to Fort Mason, Cal.; Capt. John J. Cochran, Assistant Surgeon, ordered from Ft. Mason, Cal., to Presidio of San Francisco; Capt. A. J. Gibson, Assistant Surgeon, ordered from Fort Winfield Scott, Cal. to Alcatraz Island, Cal., on return from leave of, absence. (S. O. 56, Department California, July 8, 1886.) Capt. J. J. Kane, Assistant Surgeon, ordered from Ft. Ringgold, Texas, to Ft. Hancock, Texas. (S. O. 85, Department Texas, July 13, 1886.) Capt. Wm. F. Carter, Assistant Surgeon, ordered from Fort Concho, Texas to Fort Ringgold, Texas. (S. O. 85, Department Texas, July 13, 1886.) Col. Joseph B. Brown, Surgeon, retired from active service July 20, 1886. (S. O. 171, A. G. O., July 26, 1886.) Maj. J. R. Gibson, Surgeon, ordered from Department East to Department Missouri, on expiration of leave of absence granted in S. O. 158 c. s., A. G. O., (S. O. 168, A. G. O., July 22, 1886.) Maj. Edwin Bentley, Surgeon, ordered for duty as post surgeon, Fort Davis, Texas. (S. O. 92 Department Texas, July 22, 1886.) Maj. M. K. Taylor, Surgeon, granted leave of absence for one month, with permission to apply for one month's extension. (S. O. 77, Department Missouri, July 24, 1886.) Maj. Passmore Middleton, Surgeon, ordered to Department East from Department Missouri. (S. O. 168, A. G. O., July 22, 1886.) Capt. Joseph B. Girard, Assistant Surgeon, granted leave of absence for three months, with permission to go beyond sea. (S. O. 170, A. G. O., July 24, 1886.) Capt. Samuel Q. Robinson, Assistant Surgeon, ordered for duty Department Texas, July 22, 1886.) as post surgeon, Fort Brown, Texas. (S. O. 29,

OFFICIAL LIST of Changes of Stations and Duties of Medical Officers of the United States Marine Hospital Service, for two weeks ended July 31, 1886:

Carmichael, D. A., Passed Assistant Surgeon, granted leave of absence for thirty days. July 24, 1886. Magruder, G. M., Assistant Surgeon, to proceed to Cairo, Ill., for temporary duty. July 22, 1886. Long, W. H., Surgeon, granted leave of absence for fifteen days. July 30, 1886. Sawtelle, H. W., Surgeon, to proceed to Portland, Oregon, and Port Townsend, W. T., as inspector. July 29, 1886. Devan, S. C., Passed Assistant Surgeon, granted leave of absence for ten days. July 26, 1886. Fattic, J. B., Assistant Surgeon, granted leave of absence for twenty-nine days. July 26,

1886.

VOL. II. [NEW SERIES.]

Certainly it is excellent discipline for an author to feel that he must say all he has to say in the fewest possible words, or his rearler is sure to skip them; and in the plainest possible words, or his reader will certainly misunderstand them. Generally, also, a downright fact may be told in a plain way; and we want downright facts at present more than any thing else.-RUSKIN.

Original Articles.

ACUTE EXACERBATIONS OCCURRING DURING THE COURSE OF

CHRONIC ECZEMA.*

BY J. CLARK M'GUIRE, M. D. Dermatologist to the Louisville City Hospital, Masonic Widows and Orphans' Home, etc.

It is not infrequent for an acute attack of more or less general eczema to occur in patients who have long suffered from a chronic form of the disease. This may be due to a variety of causes, such as overindulgence at table, "taking cold," fatigue, or local irritants. Under such circumstances, when there is intense itching, heat, burning, and rapid cell changes, if the patient has been taking arsenic, its administration should be immediately suspended; for, as is well known, this drug exerts its chief influence upon the mucous layer of the skin, stimulating it, when in such cases rest is most needed.

The following case will illustrate the importance of bearing in mind the possibility of such an occurrence; for the soothing plan of treatment, which is applicable in the acute form of eczema, is useless in the chronic stage, while the stimulants which are demanded in

the chronic stage will only do harm in the

No. 4.

throat, neck, and shoulders, the intra-scapular space, the buttocks, and legs. In the latter situation the eruption had existed for two years, being better and worse at times, but never entirely absent. There were small varicose veins in both legs. The patient complained of itching and burning, which was so intense that she could not obtain a moment's rest. She would walk the floor all night, scratching and tearing the skin.

I advised warm alkaline baths-four ounces each of carbonate potash and carbonate soda to thirty gallons of water-followed by inunctions of the glycerite of starch. Internally, laxatives and diuretics were given, and the galvanic current was tried, as it will at times in such cases almost instantly relieve the itching.

By the next day the patient had experienced but little relief. The alkaline baths were continued night and morning, and the following lotion sprayed upon the parts by means of a hand atomizer was prescribed:

After the bottle of the atomizer had been filled with the lotion, five drops of the oil of peppermint were added. Within a short time the patient experienced the most decided relief from the itching, and on the next morning stated that she had had complete rest during the night. Before retiring, oxide-of-zinc ointment, with five grains of carbolic acid, was applied to the parts. Under this treatment the inflammation was subsiding and the eruption had begun to fade away. The third day after beginning treatment it had entirely disappeared, the skin presenting a smooth, slightly pigmented surface, covered with fine furfuraceous scales. The fourth day the skin was every

where in a normal condition, except about the legs; here the eruption had suddenly grown worse in a few hours. On inquiry it was ascertained that the attendants had disregarded explicit directions, and had applied the ointment spread on cloths, covering this with a woolen stocking, and over all an India-rubber bandage. On the ninth day the eruption had all disappeared; the patient doing well, except for slight itching and pain in the legs.

Several weeks later the varicose condition of the veins was relieved by means of perforated adhesive bandages, advised and applied by Dr. D. W. Yandell.

It is of especial importance to observe the method of treatment in such cases. The spray has the advantage over other methods of local application, in being more cleanly, less troublesome, less irritating, and in giving more speedy relief.

LOUISVILLE.

ULCERATION OF THE SIGMOID FLEXURE* Inversion of the Trunk, Electric and Reflected Light in Diagnosis and Treatment.

BY J. G. CARPENTER, M. D.

The object of this paper is to report a case of ulceration of the sigmoid flexure-a sequel of acute dysentery.

J., aged twenty years, of good family history, had enjoyed good health until August, 1885, when he suffered an attack of acute dysentery under which he was confined to bed one week; at this time the pain, tenesmus, and bloody discharges had in a great measure ceased. Being of industrious habits and eager to make money, the patient concluded to resume work and wear out his ailment, but one or two weeks of active life convinced him of his error.

From September 1st to December the patient had been treated for chronic dysentery by his physician. In December I was called to see the case and found present the following conditions:

The patient was pale, weak, and anemic; the tongue had a yellowish-white coat; the

*Read before the Kentucky State Medical Society, June Meeting, 1886.

bowels were tympanitic and painful in the left iliac region, especially on pressure. Dysentery had been present since August, the stools averaging from three to six per day, and containing a little muco-pus with some blood. Each stool was preceded by pain in the tract of the sigmoid flexure. The pulse was ninety-six; temperature and respiration normal. Digital and ocular examination found the anus and rectum in a normal condition, though the lat ter contained an abundance of scy bala, brokendown pus, epithelium, and blood. A rectal injection of warm salt and water, as hot as could be borne, half a gallon in quantity, was given, the trunk being inverted at an angle of from seventy to eighty degrees with the bed. The object of this procedure was to wash out the descending colon, sigmoid flexure, and rectum. The injection was retained for twenty minutes, when the patient resumed the sitting posture and passed it. The bowel having been cleansed, the patient was placed on his left side and the trunk again inverted to an angle of seventy to eighty degrees, whereupon the abdominal and pelvic contents gravitated toward the diaphragm. Sims' speculum was now inserted into the anus, which being dilated and the nates widely separated, the patient was directed to make prolonged expirations. Under these maneuvers the rectum became inflated, the distension being so great as to temporarily efface the folds of its mucous lining. An electric lamp was now introduced into the rectum, and an ulcer, one inch by two, was seen in the sigmoid flexure, ten inches by measurement from the anus. This was swabbed with absorbent cotton, and to it nitrate of silver, grs. xl to water 3j, was applied. During the next six days, injections of water, as hot as could be borne, were given night and morning, with the trunk inverted but inclined toward the left side. These were for

cleansing and soothing effects. In each instance after the first injection had passed, another of tannin, grs. x, laudanum, gtts. xx, was administered for its astringent and anodyne effects, and to give rest to the ulcerated bowel. These injections were given invariably with the trunk inverted. Applications of nitrate of silver, grs. lx to water 3i, were made every six or