Dandelion root is recommended by Dr. Steiger, of Switzerland, as a true hepatic in chronic gastric catarrh, enlargement of the liver from chronic congestion, or fatty infiltration in jaundice and obesity. He prepared a decoction from a handful of fresh green roots in 700 to 800 grams of water, and obtained 500 grams of fluid, to which a teaspoonful of bicarbonate of soda was added. The decoction was taken in three doses during the forenoon. The course lasted three or four weeks. Dr. Steiger recomiends Plummer's pills as an energetic alterative and absorbent in cases of syphilis in weak persons and children; in scroiula with swollen glands, and in obscure cerebral diseases with paralysis of the abducens, headache and giddiness-British Med. Jour. PEPSIN IN THE TREATMENT OF DIABETES.-The late Surgeon-Major E B. Gardner has recorded a case illustrating the benefit of pepsin in diabetes mellitus. It may be given with other drugs, and it has the advantage of enabling the medical man to dispense with sone of the more irksome of the c'iet restrictions. His patient was a native of India, aged thirty, who had suffered from diabetes for about two years, and was blind from cataract. He was restricted to milk or buttermilk, bran bread, and meat two or three times a week; and five grains of pepsin were given twice a day. The urine immediately diminished in quantity, and became of lower specific gravity; and at the end of six weeks the man was so far improved that, though not well, he was able to take starchy and saccharine substances with impunity. The only other treatment adopted was an occasional small dose of castor oil, and pure distilled water ad libitum colored with permanganate of potassium to satisfy the patient that he was having enough medicine. The advantages claimed for this addi tion to treatment are: 1. That it can be given in addition to other remedies, and during observance of dietetic rules. 2. That it permits a relaxation of strict rules of diet before they become injurious. 3. That it never causes, but frequently relieves, any troublesome concomitant affections of the skin.-London Practitioner. eracts some of their bad effects, and enables them to be given more continuously. The requisite dose of belladonna is smalier than whenc ombin. ed with morphine. When these medicines produce headache or nervous excitability, I use the bromides as a corrective, or suspend their administration for a time. I have found no case where they could not be borne when properly given. A fifteen-grain suppository of cacao butter should contain, for a child five years old, one eighth of a grain of belladonna extract and one-sixteenth grain of morphine; but the doses must be carefully adapted to the particular case in hand, beginning with a small dose, with a small relative proportion of belladonna, and increasing the latter and diminishing the morphine as toleration becomes established. PAINFUL MENSTRUATION. In a communication to the Medical and Surgical Reporter, Dr. Nefe, of Whetstone, Ohio, says: Having found the following formula a good one in cases of amenorrhoea and dysmenorrhoea, I send it for publication, thinking perhaps some of your readers might be seeking for something of the kind. It is not a specific, but the nearest approach to it of anything I have ever found for the above named difficulties. For a four-ounce mixture: B. Fl. ext. cimicifuga,...............3s; M. -3 ss-j. Sig. One teaspoonful every one or two hours to six doses, unless flow is sooner established. To disguise the taste, I ordinarily add the following: I find the recipe of most use in women of a nervous temperament. Of course, if there is any self evident cause for the menstrual trouble, that should be removed; but we often find the trouble existing in young girls in whom the flow is imperfectly established, and who will not consent to an examination. Hoping others may have ti:e success with this that I have had, I will only add that the formula is not original with me, but given me by a fellow practitioner, and it may have been published before. RELATIVE TO LACTATED FOOD. IT IS A COOKED FOOD. By the use of high steam heat the gluten flour used is partially torrefied. This is don while the flour is dry, and during the process it is in constant motion, which insures perfec cooking to every particle. Routh says (Infant Feeding, page 380) that by this process, "the starch granules are render ed more separable, the gluten is reduced to a more porous condition, readily acted on by the gastric juice, and as an aliment, therefore, is more nutritious and digestible." IT IS A PREDIGESTED FOOD. "You state, that it is self-digestive as regards the conversion of insoluble starch int soluble dextrine and maltose. My experiments with it lead me to hold that this is correct. J. MILNER FOTHERGILL. IT CONTAINS NO UNCHANGED STARCH. By the peculiar process of manufacture every particle of the gluten flour is subjected to the action of the malto-diastase, and by it all the starch contained is transformed into solubl carbohydrates. Professor CARL SEILER says, "Examination has proved that all the starch granules ar converted, as shown by their behavior to polarized light." NO CANE-SUGAR USED. The basis of Lactated Food is the pure sugar of milk made by the improved processes of the American Milk Sugar Co. The great value of this article has been shown conclusively Cane-sugar is not used in the composition or preparation of the Food on account of its lia bility to cause irritation by reason of the acetic fermentation which it creates in the stomach Milk sugar never causes this fermentation or irritation. IT IS NON-IRRITATING. By reason of the fact that Lactated Food is partially digested in process of preparation it is assimilated by the feeblest stomach, and no undigested particles pass into the bowels to irritate, and thus cause troublesome and dangerous bowel disorders. IT IS HIGHLY NUTRITIOUS. The nutritive elements of Lactated Food are derived from the three great cereals, Wheat, Barley, and Oats. From the Wheat is taken the pure gluten, the most nourishing substance known for the muscles and tissues; from the Barley, allthe soluble albuminoid and extractive matter resulting from the most careful malting; and from the Oat, the strengthening prioperties for which it is so well known. The result isa food which never disappoints, and under which the feeble child or invalid rapidly rallies. FOR CHOLERA INFANTUM. It is the chief reliance of many eminent practitioners, and it is the safest food in summer for all young or delicate children. Another important consideration is its low price, it being much more economical than other foods. We make four sizes, selling for 25 cents, 50 cents, $1.00 and $2.50. A dollar can will furnish one hundred and fifty meals for an infant. If any physician that has not yet made a trial of the Lactated Food will write us, we will send a package of our regular size, post paid, without charge, with the understanding that it will be given a careful trial as soon as possible. We shall use every precaution to maintain the high standard of this Food, and to insure perfect satisfac tion to the profession in its use. WELLS, RICHARDSON & CO., Burlington, Vt. APH 95 PUBLIC LIBRA THE MEDICAL SUMMARY, A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF Practical Medicine, New Preparations, Etc. R. H. ANDREWS, M. D., EDITOR, P. O. Box 1217, PHILADA., Pa. One Dollar Per Annum, in Advance. VOL. IX. Single Copies, Ten Cents. No. 3. [For the Summary.] PHILADELPHIA, MAY, 1887. REMOVAL OF HAIR FROM THE FACE. ELECTROLYSIS CONTINUED. A RIGHT AND A WRONG WAY. BY R. W. ST. CLAIR, M. D., BROOKLYN, N. Y. Some claim that removal of hair by electricity is not electrolysis. They claim that the heat generated in the needle by the passage of the electric current is the active agent in the destruction of the follicles, and the term electrolysis is a misno mer. One claims the term "akido galvano cautery" as a more correct term. Now while it is true that in this operation, the temperature is slightly raised by its resistance to the galvanic current, it is not raised to such a degree as to be caustic in its action. The frothing at the mouth of the follicles shows plainly that there is decomposition of water and salts contained in the tissues, taking place around the needle, consequently the escape of hydrogen. This is electrolysis. Some operators use two needles, some use one large needle, and some pull the hair out and insert the needle afterwards. The operation is a simple one, and any physician with a steady hand, and a good eye, can do it. The modus operandi that will give the most satisfaction to the operator, and pa tient as well, is this: Have a small gaivanic battery, of from ten to fifteen milliamperes, (though you will not need more than one-half of that when the battery is fresh) give the posative pole, armed with an electrode covered with sponge, to the patient to hold in the hand, and a conductor from the negative pole, leading to a switch on the floor, to be worked with the foot. Another conductor leading from the switch, armed with an electrode holding the needle. Instead of a needle I now use a broach, the same as used by jewellers, (called a reamer by some) this is fine, and three square, and best of all it is quite flexible. Put the patient in an easy position, with a rest for the head, and in a good light. Insert the needle (broach) beside the hair, (this causes no pain) and then press the foot on the switch, and complete the circuit. The electrolytic action causes a slight stinging pain to the patient, but not enough to cause them to flinch. You will now see a slight hyperaemia around the needle, which soon gives place to a blanching of the skin, and a white froth will ooze from the mouth of the follicle. In ten seconds grasp the hair with a pair of forceps, and if the needle has been properly inserted the hair will be loose. If not loose in a few seconds more you will be able to pick it out easily. Now lift the foot and break the circuit, and go for another hair. Never take the needle away till after you lift the foot, as it will cause a severe shock and frighten your patient. It is not a good plan to take out more than fifty, or at the most, more than seventy-five hairs at one seance, as it is hard on the eyes and nerves of both operator and patient. It is best to skip around and take a hair here and there, and go over the same ground the next time, the same way, till all are |