"Electrical Medication." By A. W. Tipton, M.D., Topeka, Kan, Illustrated, 264 pages, cloth, $3.00; leather, $4.00. This is a revision of Dr. Clark's System of Electrical Medication. The treatments are all given with Jerome Kidder's apparatus. The theories are his own peculiar personal theories, and are only offered as he says for what they are worth. We consider them quite vague and imaginary. Electrical diagnosis is well given. However, on page 71, we find the exceedingly unnecessary caution given not to examine a patient, suspected to be afflicted with a contagious disease, with the negative pole, but to use the positive in such cases. His idea being that the physician, in receiving the current from the patient, might also contract the disease. It is difficult to conceive of a theory so wild. As if the micro-organisms of contagious diseases would take up the line of march and emigrate with the electrical current, but never against it. But the beauty about Tipton's work is that specific electrical formulæ are given for the treatment of each case. He does not say "apply electricity," or "Faradize the part," but "place the positive electrode at this point, and the negative at that point, and continue with a certain current so many minutes, etc." This is just what a practicing physician wants when treating with such a subtle agent as electricity. Dr. Tipton, we understand, has good success in his private practice, and, after all, that is a better recommendation than all the theories in the world can give. Still, we are impressed with the belief that some of the treatments are quite hypothetical. Our columns are open to Dr. Tipton to give the details of any case of cholera successfully treated with electricity: However, the Doctor is frank enough to direct us to "so continue until improvement or death shall ensue," and that is the best that the most scientific medication can promise at present. An alphabetical index would greatly improve the work. The Latin of the accompanying medical formulæ is simply miserable. "Medical Electricity, A Manual for Students." William White, M.D., 203 pages, cloth, price, $2.00. Fowler & Wells Co., 753 Broadway, New York. By This is another work using Dr. Jerome Kidder's apparatus for illustration, nearly exactly the size of Dr. Ranney, but devoted to specific directions. The theoretical part is decidedly aerial in its flight of fancy, and the treatments are on the same general plan as Dr. Tipton's. Oxygen Water" is pure water impregnated with oxygen, as soda water is with carbonic acid gas. A New York company will soon place it on the market. Will you be so kind as to tell me whether or not there is in the drug market such a preparation as bromide of camphor? You doubtless have seen it mentioned as one of the ingredients of an improved caustic paste, given in some of the recent medical journals. If such a chemical exists, will you be so kind as to let me know where I can obtain it, and price of same. I have tried Chicago twice unsuccessfully. Belle Plaine, Iowa. J. MCMORRIS, M.D. [Bromide of camphor is generally known as monobromate of camphor, or monobromated camphor. Under that title you are no doubt already familiar with it.-ED.] Responsibility of Person Calling a Physician. Editor MEDICAL WORLD: I have now taken your valuable monthly for several years and find it so valuable as to almost lead one to feel as the ancients felt toward their oracle. I would be greatly obliged if you would answer the following questions in your next issue. I think they will be of interest to others, as well as myself. 1. If a man calls a physician to his daughter, who is twenty years of age, is the father responsible for the bill? 2. If the girl is over twenty-one, does his responsibility cease? 3. If she becomes twenty-one during her illness, does his responsibility cease at that point? Aquæ amygdal. amar. M. S-Use as a wash twice daily., Uterine Displacements. Editor MEDICAL WORLD: .3 jss f3 ij .fz viij .fz viij Will some of the readers of THE WORLD, who are "masters of the situation," tell us how to treat displaced uterus, anteversion, retroversion and prolapsus, successfully? It is true, that the man who can treat his lady patients successfully, will build up a large and lucrative practice speedily. Bright's Disease. Editor MEDICAL WORLD: Will the medical brothers make a thorough test of fluid extract of jaborandi with milk diet in Bright's disease and report? I have had surprising results in three cases with that treatment. E. A. TOBY, M. D. St. Thomas, D. T. [Doctor, please give your method of using? ED.] Editor MEDICAL WORLD: I return you and the many correspondents of your spicy journal my sincere thanks for the valuable information which I have received during the year; hoping that you will display B Salol (W. H. S. & Co.'s pill).. S.-Every three hours until relieved. gr. v Cartecay, Ga. For Granulated Eyelids. .3 iij .gr x 31 B Acidi borici.. M. S. Apply once daily. DR. W. F. MITTENDORF. For Granulations of the External Auditory R Iodoformi.. Acidi tannici. Canal. M. S. Apply twice daily. Mistura Anodyna. "GIBSON'S SPECIAL." (Bellevue Hospital.) B Tinct opii..... Ext, belladonnæ fl. Aquæ. M. S. One teaspoonful p. r. n. 3 iij 3j IBID. f3 iss .mg xvj .f3 ss ..āā f3 iv The most convenient, pleasant and reliable ly resembling and answering the same purpose: treatment yet devised. "A Complete Hand-book of Treatment," arranged as an Alphabetical Index of Diseases. By William Aitken, M. D., F. R. S., etc. Edited by A. D. Rockwell, A. M., M. D. 444 pages. Price, $2.75. E. B. Treat, 771 Broadway, N. Y. As is well known, this work is compiled by taking the chapters on Treatment from Dr. Aitken's "Science and Practice of Medicine," with notes and additions by its American Editor. It is so thoroughly good, complete and reliable on the important subject of treatment that the attempt to pick out the best parts would be to quote the whole book. Every physician, especially every young physician who feels his weakness in treatment, should have this work. "A Compend of the Practice of Medicine." By Daniel E. Hughes, M. D. Physicians' Edition. 400 pages, flexible leather, gilt edges. Price, $2.50. P. Blakiston, Son & Co., 1012 Walnut street, Philadelphia. This is a new edition of a most useful little volume. The treatment has been brought sharply up to date. For quick reference and presentation of facts in few words we find it very valuable indeed. Prescriptions in it, although only two or three to each subject, are remarkably well chosen. The young or very busy physician could well afford to make this volume his pocket companion. "A Practical Treatise on Materia Medica and Therapeutics." By Roberts Bartholow, M. A, M. D., LL. D. Sixth edition, revised and enlarged, 802 pages. Cloth, price, $5.00. D. Appleton & Co, New York. Every energetic thinker stamps his impress upon the generation in which he lives. This book is the work of a man who has many enthusiastic followers. He has his own views and expresses them. A work which has passed through six editions needs no very extended notice at this late day. The best words we can say for it is to give an outline of its contents. Part I. Modes in which Medicines are introduced into the organism. Part II. The Action and Uses of Remedial Agents. First. Systemic. 1. Tonics. 2. Alteratives. 3. Antiseptics. 4 Those used to modify the functions of organs. (Nervous, Gastro-Intestinal, GenitoUrinary). Second. Topical Remedies, as Rubefacients, Epispastics, Escharotics, etc. A complete and Clinical Index closes the book, We On page 326 the solutions of Pyrogalic acid are given as "from one-hundredth to one-tenth per cent." think the author desired to say from one to ten per cent. The ideal work on therapeutics of the future will indicate, not only the range of dosage, but also the frequency of repetition. Protobiology; or, The Philosophy of Life." By Joseph W. McEwen, M. D. 101 pages, cloth. Phillips & Williams, Philadelphia. A beautiful little work, in which the author has given his views of the origin of life. The Doctor's theories are quite ingenious. "600 Medical Don'ts; or, The Physician's Utility Enhanced." By Ferd. C. Valentine, M. D. Cloth, 144 pages. G. W. Dillingham, New York. This little work consists on six hundred paragraphs, or cautions, beginning with the imperative "Don't." It covers about every subject connected with personal health and the mutual relations of physician and patient. "Mechanical Massage." By George H. Taylor, M. D. 173 pages, illustrated. Cloth, price, 75c. J. B. Alden, 393 Pearl St., New York. This is a description of the application of massage by machinery. The author's chapter, "The Delusion of Tonics," has a great deal of truth in its favor. The following numbers of the Physician's Liesure Library deserve particular notice. They are neat pamphlets, of from 75 to 150 pages, giving the newest on their respective subjects, Price, 25c. each. George S. Davis, Detroit. By No. I. "The Treatment of Hemorrhoids." Charles B. Kelsey, M. D. Nos. 2 and 4. "Diseases of the Heart." By Dujardin Beaumetz, M. D. Translated by E. P. Hurd, M. D. No. 3. "Diarrhea and Dysentery; Modern Views of their Pathology and Treatment." By A. B. Palmer, M. D. "The Medical Waif," a practical monthly medical journal devoted to Diseases of Children, Women, Rectum and Anus. A bright little journal, edited by Silas T. Yount, M. D. La Fayette, Ind. Price $1 per annum We welcome the new comer to our table, (Continued over next leaf.) THE MEDICAL WORLD. The knowledge that a man can use is the only real knowledge; the only knowledge that has life and growth in it and converts itself into practical power. The rest hangs like dust about the brain, or dries like raindrops off the stones.-FROUDE. The Medical World. ubscription to any part of the United States and Canada, ONE DOLLAR per year. To England and the British Colonles FIVE SHILLINGS per year. Postage free. These rates must be paid invariably in advance. Notice is given on the wrapper when your subscription expires. You are invited to renew promptly, when this notice is given. This is necessary if you wish to continue to receive THE WORLD, as it is sent only as long as paid for. We cannot always supply back numbers. Should a number fail to reach a subscriber, we will supply another, if notifled before the end of the month. Pay no money to agents for this journal unless pubsher's receipt is given. We regret to announce that the fire in the bindery which destroyed the February WORLD has also made u somewhat late in the publication of the March number. The saddest calamity of the fire was the death of Mr. W. E. Killen, a brave fireman who stood faithfully at his post until overcome by the flames and smoke. The immense number of inquiries for the delayed WORLD, both by mail and telegraph shows how much it is appreciated and how greatly it is missed when it does not arrive. We thought it best to devote ourselves entirely to the work of re-publishing, and therefore could not answer inquiries individually. to give us full particulars in time for our next issue. * Treat the Patient. The experimentalist frequently bothers himself so much about a disease, that in his heroic efforts to combat it, he lets his patient die. His treatment often resembles the wonderful presence of mind of the hibernian, who, when he had accidentally swallowed a potato bug, at once sent after it a liberal dose of paris green. The true physician has always in mind the patient, his constitution, his mode of life, his domestic surroundings, his mental condition, and everything making up his power of resisting disease and enduring the disturbances of medicines. At this season of the year we must be more than ever careful in considering the condition of our patients. Some, our well-to-do farmer class, for example, whose season's active work closed with the autumn harvest, have exchanged an active summer of long hours of work and free perspiration for a winter's rest, sitting by warm fires, with friendly visiting, protracted meetings, rich feasting, and all the combined. circumstances generally making up high living. These come to the close of winter in a state of plethora, and this is an important circumstance to be considered in. treating them for any disease. It was for such people that the old custom "a purge in springtime" was intended. The numerous skin eruptions so prevalent at this season of the year, will be found to be an expression of nearly the same condition, and hence the popularity of "blood purifiers" at this season of the year. Others, of whom the city workers may be taken as a representative class, who, during the winter, have been deprived of their occasional fresh air excursions, have lived on poorer food, and with less warmth, with the constant mental anxiety of an uncertain struggle for comfortable 83 |
