The True Mission of the Profession. The little outbreak of scarlet fever at Waco, Texas, was promptly suppressed. The State Health Officer visited Waco, and found the health officer there vigilant and efficient, and the few cases that had occurred were promptly isolated.-Tex. Med. Jour.

What an important bit of information is conveyed in these few lines. It is even greater than Cæsar's celebrated "Veni, vedi, vici." It tells of the many families who, by the unselfish skill and watchfulness of the faithful health officers, have been spared the anguish of seeing their darling little ones suffer from an unnecessary attack of this terrible disease. It tells of the many fond parents who have been spared the heart-rending grief of losing by death one or more of their beloved flock. It tells of the financial loss, invariably incidental to sickness

and death, saved to the community and to the heads of families in the city of Waco. It tells of the promising young lives saved from a premature close, which, if correctly trained and guarded, free from saloon contamination and other corrupting influences, may prove a blessing to society, state and nation.

But grander than all, it tells of the noble socialistic spirit of the medical profession-not shown so prominently by any other profession in that they would rather serve humanity gratuitously by preventing illness than to enjoy the financial advantages to be gained by the opportunity of attending cases. This spirit of true socialism distinguishes professional medicine from quackery. The one seeks to serve mankind in a heroic manner; the other, by holding so-called secret formulas and by encouraging or scaring patients in their imaginary illness, seeks only its own selfish gain.

Finally, this brief paragraph teaches how economical and wise it is, in the true, higher sense, for communities to give able support and every encouragement to the authorities of preventive medicine. Dollars spent in that manner save thousands finally, besides saving that which can never be estimated in mere dollars. Since the development of health departments such occurrences are taking place almost daily in our country, but too little notice is taken of them.

A Cabinet Minister of Public Health. We desire to express our earnest approval of the proposed measure of establishing a cabinet position for the protection of the health of our people. Such an important part of our public work should not be a subordinate bureau or branch of one of the existing departments. There should be a Secretary of Public Health, with full cabinet privileges. The amount of

good which such an officer, properly sustained and equipped, could do is beyond calculation.

Human Vivisection.

A measure of some importance to science has been proposed in a neighboring State, viz: to provide that criminals condemned to death shall be the subjects for physiologic experimentation under anesthetics, and finally put to death by the anesthetic rather than being executed in the ordinary way. There can be no argument against this measure other than those against capital punishment itself.

Medical History.

There should be in every medical college a course of lectures or study on the history of medical science. It is quite important to know what was the condition of medical science and the medical profession from time to time at different ages of the world. In taking up different diseases it is valuable to know something of their history-when and by whom first made known, various theories held from time to time regarding them and different methods of treatment in the past. Thus we could be better informed regarding our science, and be saved the trouble of experimenting to prove theories that have in the past been shown to be false.

An Important Statute.

The law "Against Trusts and Combinations in Restraint of Trade and Product," of the State of Kansas, forbids the adoption or use of physicians' fee bills as "Against public policy and unlawful," and all accounts based upon them are declared void. A physician bringing suit to collect pay for services, basing his rate of charges upon any such a fee-bill or argeement, loses the entire account and the legal costs in the case and, if prosecuted in turn, is liable to fine of from $100 to $1000, or one to six months imprisonment, or both fine and imprisonment. The contention of the law is that such fee bills prevent that free and fair competition in all trades, professions and callings which is for the best interest of society. The law applies to transportation companies, manufacturers, insurance companies, merchants and dealers, lawyers and all who might think it to their interest to form such a combination or agreement.

Copy must be received on or before the twelfth of the month for publication in the next month. Unused Manuscript cannot be returned.

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 reader 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 thing else.-RUSKIN.

Many a

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Dr. Smith's case of eczema (page 156) reminds me how often we may find lithiasis underlying ailments, if we take the trouble to look for it. man has writhed under the infliction of itching piles, mental despondency, insomnia, etc., because the doctor does not understand this subject.

Dr. Damanion (page 157) is right. Why need we go back to historical statements, for whose autheticity no man can now vouch, to decide questions of scientific interest: We do not know the conditions that may have influenced the production of idiots in Pharaonic times, but we do know something of those around us. The broad daylight of this nineteenth century is the light by which we should view facts. view facts. I will start the ball rolling. I have on my lists of patients and acquaintances one deaf mute, three color blind, two idiots, two neuropathic imbeciles, three insane narcomaniacs, three choreics (recurrent), and in not one of these cases is there any relationship between the parents. All the narcomaniacs are children

of opium habitues; one was born of parents both addicted to this drug. If each of us report all the cases he knows, not those he has heard of, we can get at the truth of this matter. The deaf mutism came from scarlatina; the colorblind children inherited the defect from a grandfather, several of whose descendants became insane, one was an imbecile, another a drunkard. Unfortunately I have never been able to trace this interesting history far enough back to find the source of the neurotic taint.

What an opportunity Dr. Allen has lost! (page 160). Could not his patient have recollected breaking something, or seeing or hearing

of something being cut off during pregnancy, to account for that amputated arm? Did she not bite off a thread even, while sewing? Such an undoubted case of "maternal impression" ought not to be lost. Perhaps her husband cut her off short when she wanted the moon or some similar trifle.

Dr. Ruff (page 172) might ask his patient if he ever had syphilis.

Dr. Brower (page 173) ought to take iodide of arsenic, and iron or potassium, for a long time; and carry a pearl of amyl nitrite or a little bromic ether in his pocket for the paroxyms.

In Dr. Peak's case I think there must have been a profound impression on the nervous system of the lungs, to account for the recurring cyanosis. How else could it be produced? If it were due to fluid in the lungs, would not the first cough have relieved it, by getting the fluid out?

It looks as if that "muscular rheumatism" of Dr. Reneker's case (page 174) were the starting point of the suppuration, but he does not tell us where it was located. Has he washed out the abcess cavities with peroxide of hydrogen? In his second case I would doubt the accuracy of the urinometer. They are gotten up so cheaply now that I would not pin my faith to them.

For ulcerative stomatitis (page 174): Let a dentist see to the teeth, filing off sharp edges, removing tartar, etc. Let her chew rhubarb root when dyspepsia or constipation occur. Wash out the mouth with peroxide freely, dry the surface of the ulcer, and cover it with iodoform, repeated every 4 hours till well.

"Enquirer" (page 175) would better take the treatment for epilepsy as given in my little manual, and follow it up. The causation of epilepsy is often obscure.

In Dr. Toms' case (page 174), whatever the cause of the testicular enlargement, it is quite natural that the accumulation of semen even for a few days should cause irritation. Fifteen years is a very long time for tuberculous disease to linger in the testicle. The history points rather to hydrocele. At any rate, why put off the operation so evidently needed. Cut in, and if it is a hernia, replace it; if a hydrocele, amputate a piece or all of the sac; if a solid tumor, remove the testicle.

Dr. Hotz' case presents the ordinary history of gangrene. Cause, an unknown microbe. The thumb should have been opened on the 20th, and all gangrenous tissue cut away, the wound dressed with antiseptics, and quinine, wine and tincture of iron given in the fullest doses she could take.

For albuminous nephritis (page 175), give a diet exclusively of milk, junket, buttermilk and grape juice, unfermented, with gallic acid and tincture of iron to restrain the loss of albumen, and acetate of potassium for dropsy, if there be any. WILLIAM F. WAUGH, M.D., 103 State St., Chicago, Ill.

Further Details from Dr. Moor in Regard to the Use of Permanganate of Potassium

in Morphine Poisoning.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-I have read with a great deal of interest and pleasure the reports of the successful use of permanganate of potassium in cases of opium poisoning, as published in the April number of your esteemed periodical. Permit me to add a few remarks regarding the mode of administration of the antidote in question. In the Medical Record of Febgrain of morphine is decomposed by exactly ruary 17, 1894, I have pointed out that one one grain of permanganate of potassium. This should be the basis of the permanganate treatment of opium poisoning. No matter how much time has elapsed since the taking of the poison, a sufficient quantity of the antidote should be given per os (well diluted), or if the patient is unable to swallow, the permanganate solution can easily be administered through the nose by means of a catheter, piece of rubber tubing and a funnel. Hypodermatically, a 1:15 solution can be used. The modus operandi of hypodermatic injections of permanganate of potassium in cases of morphine poisoning is explained by the fact that the permanganate instantaneously selects morphine from amongst albuminous bodies. WILLIAM MOOR, M.D.,

355 Boulevard,

New York, N. Y.

Potassium Permanganate as an Antidote for Snake Poison.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-On the 17th of April, a friend and myself were hunting snipe on a marshy prairie about six miles from town. My dog was running ahead of me some seventyfive yards or more when he came to a dead point directly in my path. I, thinking that game of some order must be near him, hastened to learn what it might be, with gun cocked and ready at once to be adjusted to the shoulder. To my surprise, when within a few paces of him, I heard a sound like that produced by a nest of bumble bees after being disturbed. Knowing that it was nothing I was hunting for, I stepped back a few steps and about the same time my dog moved, but, as he did so, a prairierattle snake seized him in the inferior maxilary

region. I killed the snake, it wearing eight rattles and a button. Having no antidote for snake poison with us, not even "Rubus Oculi,” which is generally considered a great necessity on such trips, we determined to return to town. Soon after reaching home I gave my dog, which is a Irish Setter, ten grains of potassium permanganate. He was very sick and very much swollen. I expected him to die that night, but, to my surprise, he was feeling much better next morning, though the swelling was as much as the night before. I made a sixteen grain to the ounce solution of the potassium permanganate and injected thirty-five minims into the wound produced by the snake. I was gratified in a few hours to see the swelling diminishing and next morning it was entirely gone. He is entirely well now and is as good as ever. Whether it was the permanganate or his constitution I cannot say, but am inclined to think it was the permanganate. R. SEVIER, M.D., Richmond, Mo.

Quadruple Birth.—Permanganate of Potassium as an Anidote to Cyanide of Potassium and other Poisonous Drugs.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-What do you think of the enclosed quadruple birth?

"A recent number of La Ilustracion de Cuba states that on the 27th of February last, Madam Buenviaje Carillo, wife of District Attorney Don Luciano Jimenez, of Remedios, gave birth to four robust children. All doing well at last accounts; the little ones soon to be baptised."

Some one asks for on antidote for cyanide of potassium. The permanganate of potassium is a good one.

The permanganate of potassium is an antidote also for strychnine, oxalic acid, colchicum and a good many other elements.

I have used the permanganate of potassium in the analysis of iron ore for years, and used it as an antidote for a good many chemical eleH. SCHAFER, M.D.,

ments.

San Diego, Cal.

The Only Child.-A Question of Heredity. Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Rev. James A. Miller, Ph. D., contributes to the columns of the New York Evangelist, of 12th inst., an interesting article under the caption "Does an only Child Often Achieve Greatness?" The author of the article was, no doubt, to great pains in his research and says that "out of twohundred of the world's notables, I could find only six, of whom it would be safe to affirm that they had neither brother nor sister." Mr.

Miller is not alone in the impression that, as a rule, the "only child" is not the most likely to attain reputable distinction. He quotes Rev. Carlos Martyn, D. D., biographer of Wendell Phillips, as saying, "There is scarcely an instance of an only child's achieving greatness." It at first sight seems like a strange circumstance, but yet we are constrained to admit that it looks as if there were something in it. But what seems to us the most notable feature of Mr. Miller's article is the absence from his two and a half columns of any allusion to any other than educational mediation in bringing about this remarkable disparity. He would explain it by saying that the "only child" is too apt to be a sort of hot-house plant, still he refers to the efficacy of the discipline which is likely to follow the necessary or politic ejectment of the one-too-many from the home nest. He says, "the chances are in favor of him who, from the beginning, is forced to help care for himself and others." He says further "there is something akin to university training in the friction of minds of various types against each other in large families." These agencies are well enough so far as they go, but are they sufficient to account for the fact?

Are there not other, even primary causes operating adversely to the "only child?" A plural progency is the normal sequel to average marriages and per contra, is not the single birth to married parties continuing in wedlock for a term of years (barring always, in these evil days, the blighting influence of the anti-maternity heresy) valid evidence of conjugal inadequacy, deficient virility or lack of vitality, and is not the only child" consequently deficient through inheritance?

How often do we see the "only child" feebly struggling through a period of months or years amid the most favorable outward conditions, to maintain a bare existence and finally fading out, and no successor comes to cheer the childless mourners. So far from the nursery solit aire achieving greatness, he should, in many cases, be content simply "to be." He is handicapped in the race of life by a degree of unsuspected invalidity. He is a congenital subnormal. La Fayette, N. Y. J. A. MoWRIS, M.D.,

Small Pox.-Solution of Vaccine as a Cure o
This Disease and of Pertussis.
Editor MEDICAL WORLD :--In Virchows'
Archiv, vol. LI., No. 4 we read :

"It is one of the worst features of our present period of development in medicine that his torical knowledge is decreasing. It may be taken as a rule that the historical knowledge of

things is limited-(even with young physicians of more than ordinary knowledge and ability) -to the publications of the past three or five years. That which has been published prior to that time does not exist for them. This unhistorical knowing of things engenders a second deficiency, because many with but a limited scope of observation consider it nevertheless sufficient to the understanding of ALL arising questions. Thus arise disputes over many and certain things; the reality of one event is called in question because they only know the other, and the exclusiveness of their opinion is a mere consequence of their partiallity of observation," etc., etc.

In these words of the widely known professor and celebrated medical teacher, we find an explanation of the wretched helplessness in the present state of medical science. Otherwise, it is not conceivable that a specific treatment of a disease which is the horror of the world should be wholly unknown on this continent, although the originator or inventor is an American.

Proceeding into medias res, I therefore call the attention of the medical fraternity to a treatment of the small pox, which, as an inductive discovery, has been found physiologically correct and its practical test proved entirely satisfactory.

In 1842 Dr. R. Landell, living at Porto Allegro, Brazil, communicated to the Consul of the United States at Rio Grande Sul his discovery of a new and successful treatment of small pox.

This communication, being sent by the Consul to the Secretary of the United States, General Cass, was published, by order of the latter, in several medical journals so as to en. able our medical authorities to pass upon the merits of the new discovery. The following is substantially Dr. R. Landell's treat

ment:

He took, of the common cow pox virus, which he had preserved in small glasses, from four to six drops in four to six ounces of distilled water, and gave of this solution, two to three hours apart, a tablespoonful. In 1837, for the first time, the Doctor saw from this treatment such good results that, in 1842, when a horrible small pox epidemic was raging he, without fear, treated in the above mentioned way, with remarkable success. He and his son, Dr. John Landell, had such success, that they concluded to communicate their experiences. The effect of this specific, as Dr. Landell states, is to promptly decrease the fever and all alarming symptomsdelirium, diarrhea, hoarseness, lung fever, all the consecutive symptoms of the disease soon disappear. The variola vera is by this treatment in two or three days so altered, that it ap

pears in the mildest form of varioloid, often only varicella. Although the epidermis has the ap pearance of being swollen and in a congestive state, yet in four or five days it becomes dry. Dr. Landell opened the pustules in some cases twice and sometimes three times. In 1842 he treated over eighty patients, fourteen with very dangerous and complicated symptoms, and did not lose a single one. By the way, I would remark that Dr. L. has often used with the greatest success this remedy in the above diluted form, against purtussis and convulsions.

To confirm Dr. Landell's assertion, I take the liberty to republish cases in which the treatment has been used. I take them just as they are in my mind, and feel only sorry, that my library is so limited.

Dr. Von Kacz Kororosky, of Lembery, Aus tria, relates two cases, which were treated and cured with this remedy. One of these cases is very instructive. The fever had reached an abnormal height; the inflamed epidermis, covered with lymph pustules, exhibited dangerous symptoms. He prescribed three drops of vaccine to three ounces of distilled water, and ordered a teaspoonful taken every two hours. In twentyfour hours the inflamed pustules began to wither, and in sixteen days the patient was discharged, without any marks.

Dr. Carl Mueller, City and District physician in Brunn, Austria, referring to the small pox epidemic of 1872, which was, as he says, the most violent and murderous one he had ever witnessed, says in the Internatiale Medicinische Presse, Vol. III, page 592: "Having from 1830 till 1872 as a physician of a large district, witnessed a great number of small pox epidemics, I came to the conclusion and opinion that the small pox was not a dangerous disease, no matter whether the patients had been vaccinated or not, because, during that long period of time, not one fatal case happened in the whole district as the result of small pox.

But then came the murderous epidemic of 1872, attacking indiscriminately vaccinated, revaccinated and nonvaccinated. This eminent practitioner then was, of course, much surprised and embarrassed, especially when the dis ease communicated to members of his own family with fatal result. Feeling utterly powerless against this enemy, he commenced to use "vaccinum powder," as he termed it. I think Dr. Mueller must have been cognizant of the experience and publication of Dr. Landell, for vaccinum powder is nothing else than a modification of Dr. Landell's prescription or remedy.

From this time he became, by the use of