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was not taken from us, although it was created by the homeopaths. Without pretending that the academicians are never capable of abusing it as well as our humblest 'pures,' let us wait till we some day see in La Rue des Saint Pères the treatment of the name contending with absolute individualisation, and we can then promise ourselves some merry moments."

Microbes not the Cause of Disease.

"I separate, by means of a parchment membrane, blood from water containing the salts that promote the development of protoorganisms. The whole is placed in the conditions that render the blood septicemic. After some time we find in both the liquids absolutely the same inferior organisms, the same vibriones, the same bacteria, the same microbes, and yet, while a few drops of the blood cause death, we may inject quantities of the water and consequently introduce thousands of proto-organisms identical as to form, age, &c., into the organism, without causing the least disturbance." (Onimus, Gaz. Méd. Dec. 30, 1882).

A Homœopathic Dog.

MANY are the remarkable instances that have come under observation in connection with the canine family. Here is one. A black retriever dog was one morning lately found waiting patiently for admission to the Homœopathic Dispensary, South Tay-street, Dundee. On the door being opened the animal walked inside, limping on three feet, and, entering the waitingroom, lay down on his right side, and held up the left hind foot, which was found to be so dreadfully crushed that part of it was hanging off, exposing the bone. Dr. Howieson dressed the dog's limb, and notwithstanding the pain caused during the process the animal gave not a whine, but held his foot perfectly still, and ever and anon licked the doctor's hand by way of recognition of and gratitude at his services. The dog returned daily for some time and had his foot dressed, often waiting alone before the door was opened; but one evening he returned to have the morning dressing removed, it being of a rather painful kind, and when

bandages were again applied he refused to allow them to remain, but limped away and never again returned. On one occasion he had been taken to Dr. Howieson's house, and on Sunday when the dispensary was closed, he went there.-(Land and Water, June 23rd, 1883).

Tincture Triturations.

To the Editors of the British Quarterly Journal of Homœopathy. GENTLEMEN,-On page 39 of the new British Homœopathic Pharmacopoeia directions are given for preparing tincture triturations, viz. by adding 960 minims of the tincture (usually the mother tincture) to 960 grains of Sugar of Milk, and when dry the whole is to be weighed and made up to 960 grains by the addition of more Sugar of Milk. Then follows:-"From the way it is made it will be obvious that one grain of a tincture trituration will contain as much of the medicine as one minim of the tincture itself." Now, if mother tincture is used it will necessarily increase the weight so that the product will weigh more than 960 grains. Take, for example, Nux vomica, and it will be found to increase the weight by about twelve grains owing to the extractive matter contained in the tincture; with others it would be more or less in proportion to the matter in solution. The correct way would be to take a less quantity of Sugar of Milk, say 900 grains, mix with the tincture, and when dry make the whole up to 960 grains. This will then represent one minim in one grain.

I am, gentlemen,

74, New Bond Street,

London.

Yours very truly,

L. T. ASHWELL.

British Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia.

WE are requested by Dr. Drury to call attention to the following correction he wishes to be made in the last edition of the above work.

Page 39, line 10 from top, after " 2 ounces grains."

erase "and 85

315

OBITUARY.

DR. FRANCIS BLACK.

FOR forty-two years the name of our deceased colleague has been a household word in connection with the history of homoeopathy in Britain. He studied homoeopathy in Paris in 1840 under Hahnemann. In 1841 he and Dr. Rutherfurd Russell set up the first homoeopathic dispensary in Edinburgh-probably the first in Britain—and in doing so threw down the gauntlet to old physic. The latter was only too willing to take it up, and a long and bitter persecution of homoeopathy commenced in Edinburgh, the effects of which are still noticeable among the medical profession in that city, as we have lately seen in the antihomœopathic zeal of one of the professors of the Edinburgh University, when he elected to give the southern metropolis the benefit of his surgical skill, and astonished his more liberal surgical colleagues by refusing to do his surgical work while the ordinary medical attendant, a partisan of homoeopathy, who had called him in to the case, continued to visit the patient, though without prescribing for him.

The College of Physicians of Edinburgh refused their Fellowship to Dr. Black on the ground of his homœopathic proclivities, the first time that such a refusal had been made on the ground of difference of therapeutic views between college and candidate.

In 1843 Dr. Black joined Drs. Drysdale and Russell in establishing the British Journal of Homœopathy, and though Dr. Black's editorial connection with our periodical ceased with the first volume, he continued to contribute valuable articles to our columns up to the last year of his life, and up to our last volume.

He did not remain long in Edinburgh to battle against the mighty forces of orthodox physic, but was compelled by the health of one of his family to exchange the rigour of Scotch

winters for the more genial climate of the southern parts of the kingdom. He settled at Clifton, on the Bristol Channel, and for many years enjoyed a lucrative practice there and endeared himself to a large circle of patients and friends.

When failing health compelled him to leave off practice he came to London, and although withdrawn from the active exercise of his profession he continued to labour most assiduously at the work of the Materia Medica, and to aid with his valuable counsel any of his colleagues who might desire assistance in a difficult

case.

Dr. Black was an excellent practitioner. To a thorough knowledge of the materia medica he added a perfect acquaintance with the most modern researches in physiology and pathology and a familiarity with all the best means of diagnosis. His great experience rendered his opinion in cases of serious and obscure diseases extremely valuable, and he inspired his patients and colleagues with the utmost confidence in his skill and sagacity. As a physician he was eminently successful, learned, liberal, full of resources, careful and sympathising. As a man he was generous, hospitable, honest, and honourable-a perfect gentleman.

To those who had the good fortune to enjoy his intimacy, he was a valued friend and a delightful companion, richly endowed with all those fine qualities of mind and heart that constitute the charm of familiar intercourse.

Dr. Black was one of the few British homœopathists who had enjoyed the personal acquaintance of the illustrious founder of homœopathy. His loss is a great one to homoeopathy, to which he rendered immense services throughout his whole career, not only by working towards its scientific development, but by defending it in its early struggles against the assaults and persecutions of powerful and unscrupulous enemies, and by maintaining a high standard of conduct unsullied by any recourse to unprofessional methods of advocating its advantages.

His health had never been robust, and he was often temporarily disabled, even when in full practice, by severe congestive headaches. A few years ago he contracted a pernicious fever in Rome, which he never afterwards entirely shook off. At the beginning of this year symptoms of malignant disease of the colon set in, and he died in London on the 28th of May, at the comparatively early age of sixty-four. So long has his name

been known in connection with homoeopathy that it is difficult to realise that his years were only three score and four. But in the early days of homoeopathy in Britain, its partisans began to make history while still very young, and Black was only twenty-two when he stood at bay before the whole medical faculty of Edinburgh.

We subjoin the letter of condolence to Mrs. Black sent by the President of the British Homoeopathic Society at the request of the Society.

"June 11, 1883.

"DEAR MADAM,

"LINGMOOR, DEAN PARK, "BOURNEMOUTH.

"At a meeting of the British Homœopathic Society, Thursday, June 7, the following resolution, of which I have just received a copy from our Secretary, Dr. Hughes, was passed unanimously.

"The Members of the British Homoeopathic Society having received the sad intelligence of the death of their Treasurer, Dr. Black, desire to record their deep sense of the loss they have sustained, and not only they but the cause of Homoeopathy generally, of which Dr. Black was one of the earliest pioneers and brightest ornaments.

"A copy of this to be forwarded in a letter from the President to Mrs. Black.'

"Dr. Drysdale, Dr. Hamilton, and myself, who were present at the meeting, had the privilege of knowing Dr. Black for many years, we having been present when he read a paper on Homœopathy in the Royal Medical Society of Edinburgh in 1841 or 1842.

"To Dr. Dudgeon, Dr. Richard Hughes, and others, who were also present at the meeting of our Society, he was long known, and by all highly esteemed. Each speaker bore testimony to the unflinching courage, the devotion to his profession, and the high and honourable bearing that had distinguished him during his long and useful career, and which had contributed so much to cause Homœopathy to be valued and respected wherever his influence was felt.

"As a personal friend he will long be missed, as a hard working labourer in our school his place cannot easily be supplied.

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