Be the cause for this lack of respiratory rythm what positories, or other local applications in the form of ever it may, whether from insufficient general exercise, ointments. from improper modes in dress, or absence of abdominal breathing, the fact remains that the efforts put forth by the contraction of the involuntary muscles, are ineffect ual in maintaining this "organic or respiratory rythm," and hence we have a want of proper circulation in the pelvic viscera with consequent pathological loss or gain in the constituent organ. All animal cells, whether single or united, in tissues, or in organs, consume a certain amount of matter, and those chemical changes by which material brought to the tissues and organs by the blood and transformed in to other products through the activity of the living cells, with liberation of life energy, must be maintained, more especially in the female genitalia by this inherent thrill of res i atory rythm. All vital processes have their origin in this energy liberated by the chemical decomposition going on in all organisms, and it follows that'a close study of this special metabolism will reveal to us the why and the where fore of a tendency to malignant or benign growths. Then let us first seek a clear field, free from obstruction, and then ascertain if this rythm, the evidence and result of vitality, be present. Is it hard to determine why a continuance of this condition will produce a capillary varicosis, with its train of evils, manifested more frequently by copious discharges called leucorrhea? Examination revealed the presence of external hemorrhoids, while on digital examination considerable induration and inflammation of mucous membrane covering the internal sphincter were detected. Above and at the right of the internal sphincter the head and about onehalf inch of the body of a pin were to be felt, the head projecting upward and somewhat to the right and across lumen of the intestine. With the aid of a long pair of dressing forceps introduced by the side of the examining finger the pin was removed, the head foremost. With this the symptoms, which had prevailed for thirty years, rapidly disappeared. The case I wish to relate along this line was a man, aged 60 years, occupation farmer, who called at my office January 5, last, stating that he was suffering from piles, and, if I thought that I could do him some good, he wanted me to do so, and if not, he did not want me to "monkey" with him, for he had been "monkeyed" with for twenty-five years by several good doctors, and none of them had done him any good, and he was tired of this "monkey" business. (This was the patient's own expression of worde). On questioning the patient carefully concerning his health for the past twenty years, he gave the following symptoms: He had been suffering with stomach trouble for the period mentioned above. Had been treated for same, Cluster these facts around well kown principles of time and again, with little or no relief. He also com. pathology and much needless mutilation heretofore in-plained of continuous pain in the rectal region for the flicted by the specialist will gradually grow less and less and the general practitioner will awaken to his responsibility and make use of medical methods in the treatment of pathological processes involving the female genitalia. Foreign Bodies in the Rectum * BY WILLIS E. LINGLE, MD. " COBDEN, ILL. No doubt the greater part of you who are present here to-day remember an article in the New York Medical Journal under date of October 8, 1898, entitled "A Pin in the Rectum for Thirty Years," with the following history: last ten years; pain increased on going to stools; fæces streaked with blood. Not desiring to ignore the diagnosis of my former colleagues, but from the appearance he presented at the time, I came to the conclusion that there was something else the trouble than piles (as he called it). I therefore requested the patient to lie upon the table. In a rather hesitating manner he consented to do so. In the meantime he asked what I was going to do. I ex. plained that before I could direct proper treatment, it would be necessary to make a thorough examination. showed no signs of hemorrhoids. On anointing the inWith the patient in Sim's position the external parts dex-finger with vaseline, I made a digital examination, which did not reveal internal hemorrhoids, but on passA man, aged 58 years, a linen draper; had pains in the finger came in contact with a sharp-pointed body. ing the finger beyond the internal sphincter the palm of the rectal region of a pricking character. On sitting down there was constant desire to defecate, accompanied At this discovery I came to the conclusion that I had a foreign body to contend with. with great pain. The motions were small and pipe like and streaked with blood. These symptoms had pre- and with the aid of an anal speculum I was able to see I therefore proceeded to make further examination, vailed with more or less intensity for a period of thirty one-half inch of the pointed end of what I took to be a years. He had frequently sought medical aid, and the treat-pin or needle, but being unable to use the speculum on ment had generally taken the form of morphine sup- speculum. At that moment I thought of my neighbor account of severe pain to the patient, I removed the *Read at the twenty-fourth semi-annual meeting of the Southern Illinois Medical Association, held in Cairo, Illinois, November 17 and 18, 1898. and friend-a dentist, who was familiar with the mouth and its appendages, knowing the anatomy of his phalanx to be of a slender character which I might be able to convert into a single-blade speculum. I therefore called on him for assistance, and he was equal to the occasion, for I found that he could work on the ending of the elementary canal as well as the beginning. I therefore turned the case over to him, and with my assistance and a pair of dressing forceps, he removed the pin. The patient was informed of what had been removed and he said that he could not remember of ever having swallowed a pin or sat down on one. All the evil symptoms subsided and at the end of ten weeks the patient had gained thirty four pounds. My friend, the dentist, tells me that after that, wherever he met the patient and inquired about his health, his answer would be, "Oh, I'm a mendin'." Now, I did not call the first case to mind, nor relate the one that came under my observation and care, because they were rare cases, for I have no doubt that there have been hundreds of similar cases that never have been reported. But I call them to mind for the purpose of impressing upon the minds of the old practitioners as well as the young, to be careful and avoid careless examinations and too hasty diagnosis. Two Fakirs * BY O. B. ORMSBY, SR, M.D, MURPHYSBORO, ILL. Long before this land was famous On the ripe persimmon feasting; When the bear roamed through the forest, How to make his living easy, How to get bear-steak and turkey, Paints and beads and fur and feathers, Robes and moccasins and ponies *Read at the twenty-fourth semi-annual meeting of the Southern Illinois Medical Association, held in Cairo, Illinois, November 17 and 18, 1898. With the very least exertion. So he looked around a little, Learned big words, like "Bobalorum," Greatest healer of the Nations, But some dusky bright-eyed maidens Next he started out to travel, In the head or feet or entrails Of the Indians who had ponies, Blankets, trinkets, robes or wampum; Spoke with awe of Hi-lo-bustem, Made from Juglans Cinerea, Said with No. 1 and magic He could cast out evil spirits; No. 2 controlled the thunder, When he willed it brought the north wind. He alone could heal the people, Thus, by humbug, pure and simple, Fooled the people all he chose to, Quacked and practiced without license Death slipped up and caught him napping, Many moons have waxed and faded, Then with fiendish glee and malice He has cunningly invented. Free to choose which road he'd follow. Then with joy he turned and hastened To the gate where good St. Peter Opening wide the heavenly portal In the hours of deepest anguish. Now, forlorn, a homeless phantom, But the Saint rose much too early, Suit Against the New York University.— The Medical College Laboratory of the City of New York, otherwise the former medical faculty of the university, has brought suit agaist the university for the medical school property. According to the com. plaint, the medical school property was conveyed to the university in February, 1897, on an agreement that the control of the medical school should be lodged in the medical faculty. Because of alleged violation of the agreement on which the university obtained the property from the school, in that the university assumed control of the school and the appointment of its professors and tutors, the reconveyance is asked. The value of the property involved is said to be about $200,000.-Medical Record. MEDICAL REVIEW. REVIEW. L. T. RIESMEYER, M.D., Editor. Department Editors: The Proceedings of the St. Louis Microscopical Society. The readers of the MEDICAL REVIEW will be pleased to learn that the St. Louis Microscopical Society has Dr. F. J. LUTZ, General Surgery. Dr. E. C. RUNGE, General Medicine. elected this journal as its official organ; the publication Dr. W. B. DORSETT, Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published Under the Auspices of the Yearly Subscription, $3.50. Single Copies, 10 Cents. To Contributors and Correspondents. All letters, whether intended for publication or not, must contain the writer's name and address, not necessarily for publication. No attention will be paid to anonymous communications. Secretaries of medical societies will confer a favor by keeping us informed of the dates of the meetings of their respective societies, and of officers elected. Members of the profession, who send us information on matters of general interest to our readers, will be considered as doing them and us a favor, and we shall take pleasure in inserting the substance of such communications. Communications, Medical Books (for review), and all letters containing business communications or referring to the publication, subscription or advertising department of the MEDICAL REVIEW, must be addressed to O. H. DREYER, Publisher, 112 N. Fourth Street, St. Louis, Mo. Entered at the St. Louis Postoffice as Second-Class Matter. EDITORIALS Death of Mrs. Frank R. Fry. We sincerely mourn with our colleague, Dr. Frank R Fry, in his recent bereavement-the loss of his estima ble wife, Cornelia Ellen Fry, who departed this life March 23, 1899. She had been a patient sufferer for some months and succumbed to that fatal malady, uremia. Services were held at the residence, 3133 Pine Street, at 5 P.M., March 24. The interment took place at Spring Grove, Cincinnati, Ohio. Contemplated Consolidation of the St. Louis Medical College. The initiatory arrangements for the consolidation of the Missouri Medical College with the St. Louis Medical College have been completed, and we have been informed that the outlook for a union of the two schools is favorable. The joining of hands of these two oldest institutions of medical education in St. Louis will be hailed with great joy and satisfaction by every alumnus of either school, and every member of the medical profession who has at heart the elevation of medical education to that level which harmonizes with the most im proved methods of medical teaching anywhere. of the proceedings of the Society will begin, therefore, with the issue of April 8. The Pressing Needs of the St. Louis There is not a single physician in St. Louis who does not admit that the city eleemosinary institutions are in a deplorable condition with regard to even the crudest requirements of modern medical science. The difficulty in the way of remedying this condition which is most keenly felt by the members of the St. Louis medical profession as an exceedingly humiliating circumstance, seems to be the lack of the necessary funds, without which the superintendents of the various institutions are powerless to remedy some of the most pressing steps toward reform. With regard to the Insane Asylum we are pleased to learn that its able superintendent, Dr. E. C. Runge, has submitted to Mayor Ziegenhein a plan of relief which is to be urged upon the Assembly. Dr. Runge has the following to say on the pressing needs of the Insane Asylum: "I have six hundred insane people in a building that was not intended to accommodate more than three hundred and thirty. The Assembly does not seem to understand that my institution is different from the City Hospital and Workhouse, in that in emergencies the pressure for room may be relieved. The superintendent of the City Hospital, when he is crowded, turns out those most nearly convalescent, and the superintendent of the Workhouse secures remits for small misdemeanor prisoners, but I am utterly helpless. I can not turn crazy people loose in the streets. "My plan now is to build a hospital which will contain one hundred patients. At present my two wards are overcrowded, and should a contagious or infectious disease appear I could not isolate the patient, as required by the laws of the city and the laws of medicine. Fortunately, I have thus far escaped such maladies, but there is no telling when they will come in or develop. Such a hospital as I have in mind will cost complete then build the two wings to the main asylum. These about $30,000. It will be permanent and the city can must come sooner or later and can not be properly con structed and fitted up for less than $200.000." Dr. Runge's suggestions will without a doubt be energetically seconded by the entire medical profession of St. Louis. A Denial of a Serious Accusation. the denial, dated March 25, of this serious accusation, Dr. Reynolds said: the period of such pronounced increase of this dreadful disease in the records of clinical surgery? These are questions that naturally agitate one's mind upon reflecting upon the possible causes of the growing tendency to carcinomatous disease among civilized nations. If this tendency is real, as it undoubtedly appears to be, it would constitute a most potent factor in the argument, that in a certain measure the fight against disease by The Chicago Board of Health has been accused of buying and distributing the refuse of diphtheria auti. toxin manufactured by the New York Health Department. In response to these accusations, the Health Commissioner of Chicago, Dr. Arthur R. Reynolds, has made an emphatic denial of testimony said to have been given before an assembly committee in the city of New York reflecting on the method of purchasing anti- preventive medicine is relatively useless, inasmuch as toxin for use by the Chicago Health Department. In an individual who escapes one disease through the efforts of the physician and hygienist may fall a victim to another; in other words, that a person who escapes through the interference of medical science an attack of "No single vial of antitoxin was ever bought of or received from the New York Health Department by the small-pox, diphtheria, or typhoid fever, may, if the Chicago Health Department at any time of under any natural resisting power of the tissues be defective, suc. circumstances at less than the published schedule price cumb to carcinoma. Before the period of decided of the New York Health Department. Every vial of increase of malignant epithelial growths preventive antitoxin received from the New York Department by medicine and therapy combined did not save the same the Chicago Department during the past forty-one months the entire period of our dealing with that establishment—had been furnished under guarantee tions. Those whose natural power of resistance was that it was of standard strength and purity, and this has weak would die of such diseases, leaving fewer weakly been verified by repeated examinations in our own labo- constitutions for the successful development of carciratory. There can not be produced any letter or other noma. This view would not disharmonize with the correspondence, verbal or written, which could give the most modern conception of general immunity which is slightest color of truth to the alleged assertion that this Department ever bargained or trafficked for the refuse so ingeniously and, theoretically at least, satisfactorily antitoxin of the New York Health Department or any explained by the "lateral-chains" theory of Ehrlich. other concern The unparalleled and indisputable The careful readers of the MEDICAL REVIEW will rerecord of more than four thousand cases of true diph member that when a foreign substance enters the tis theria treated by the Chicago Health Department dur-sues of an animal body—or, for that matter, the tissues ing forty-one consecutive months, and until recently of a plant, the process of annihilation of such a subchiefly with the New York antitoxin, with a mortality number of cases of infectious diseases and other affec of less than 6.8 per cent the former mortality being stance is brought about by a chemical union, the inten35 per cent is itself a sufficient reputation." sity as to quantity and quality of which must depend upon the natural resisting power, i. e., general immunity of the tissues. The group of atoms of such a foreign The Increase of Cancer and the "Stamping substance, for instance of a toxin or an albuminous Out” of Disease. molecule, combines with the haptophorous group of Surgical records the world over show a pronounced in atoms of the tissue-cells (in tetanus the cells of the crease in the percentage of carcinomatous disease, and spinal cord; in typhoid fever, those of the blood-forming the attention of the medical profession is more and organs). An immune-body is formed by this chemical more attracted to this important phenomenon. Is the union. Such an immune body, whose nature is repreenormous increase of malignant epithelial neoplasms sented by antitoxins and bactericidal antibodies, atthe outcome of modern civilization? Is it caused, per- taches to itself by means of its lateral groups of atoms haps, by the fact, that the physiological resistance of (the lateral chains of Ehrlich) the foreign body on the the tissues has been lowered by advancing civilization? one hand, while it collects the general ferment from the Is it the result of an increase of nervous bankruptcy in blood by the other. To be more exact: One group of this age of steam-power, electricity, trusts, and the atoms of the lateral chains of the immune body comaccompanying intensified struggle for existence, or is bines with the corresponding group of atoms in the this momentous phenomenon due to the possibility that foreign body, and a second group of atoms contained in the true nature of carcinoma is more frequently recog- the lateral chains of the immune-body gathers the nized by medical men, especially surgeons, than before blood ferment by which the foreign body is then dis |