Untoward Effects of Cocaine. Editor Medical World:-In your issue of April, 1895, you record an article, "Untoward Effects of Cocain," by Dr. J. W. Crenshaw, of Cadiz, Ky., and in July number "A Plea for Cocain," by Dr. F. A. Lancaster, North Manchester, Ind.

Dr. L. says the conclusions reached by Dr. C, as regards his cases, I and 2, are wholly fallacious, and that a few drops of a four per cent. solution will not produce alarming symptoms in any patient, even a child.

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In regard to his criticisms on cases I and 2, I will say that I had a similar case about two years ago. Patient, Miss L., called at my office to have me remove a smail sebaceous tumor situated over the right scapula, about one inch from the spine.

I injected 10 or 12 m of a 4 per cent. solution of cocain, waited a few minutes and made a painless incision, but soon afterward the patient became pale and restless, complaining of headache and vertigo, with deep and hurried breathing. Ammonia was the only physiological antidote at hand, but by using it freely she soon rallied, when I proceeded with the operation.

Dr. C.'s cases 1 and 2 may have been syncope, but I know mine was from the effects of cocain, yet Dr. L. claims to have had just such symptoms and, after waiting a few minutes for the patient to rally, has used twenty to thirty times the amount used in the first injection. You will readily see that Dr. L. would not hesitate to use from 7 to 10 grains, a sufficient quantity to kill any person.

Case 2. Mrs. S.-A dentist injected a few drops of a 4 per cent. solution into her gums. Patient immediately complained of faintness, difficulty of breathing, was very pale, pulse threadlike, blindness and inability to sit up,

Case 3. Mrs. E.-In company with a dentist I injected four drops of a 4 per cent. solution of cocain into the gums. Patient immediately complained of vertigo, restlessness and respirations very deep and hurried, with convulsions. Her symptoms were of the gravest nature, even more than

Successful Treatment of Ingrowing Toe Nails.

Editor Medical World: Please publish for the benefit of Dr. J. A. Birdwell, of Norfolk, Texas, that a reliable treatment for ingrowing toe nails is to inject into the excessive growth of flesh a solution of cocain, then slice off the flesh, with a narrow strip of the nail, allowing the slice of both nail and flesh to extend a little distance back of the root of the nail. This I have found to be a successful cure a number of times without any recurence of the trouble. D. Barringer, M. D.

Rocky Ridge, Ohio.

Confirmation of Benefit of Carbolic Acid Internally in Gonorrhea.

Editor Medical World: I have used the carbolic acid treatment for gonorrhea, as recommended by Dr. B. H. Brodnax, Brodnax, La., namely:

Carbolic acid, 100 grains; water,2 ounces; glycerine, one drachm; ten drops in water three times a day.

I have increased the dose as suggested by him one drop each day till twenty drops are taken thrice daily at each dose.

While I acknowledge that there is no royal road to knowledge, no any specific for gonorrhea, I must say after nearly a year's trial of this treatment that I can cheerfully recommend it as well worthy

the attention of those who have many of these troublesome cases to treat. I used as an injection a solution containing 1-10 gr. corrosive sublimate (tab. tut.) in two ounces of water; if this causes too much smarting or pain, to be further diluted with water. I think that the injection is of material assistance after the acute stage has subsided, or when the discharge is thin and watery.

I believe Dr. B. uses as injection carbolic acid in solution.

I make known my experience with this treatment for gonorrhea, trusting that it may be of some use to the members of the profession. W. R. Cisna, A. M., M. D. Relief Dep't., Penna. R. R.

Chicago, Ill.

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Non-Crystallizable Syrup. Editor Medical World:-We notice September number, page 355, That Dr. S. J. Smith, of Filley, Neb., wishes a formula to make simple syrup that will not crystalize. If he will observe the following he will have a syrup that will not crystallize or turn rancid in any climate or temperature:

Put a flat sponge, previously moistened, in the bottom of a cone-shaped percolator, fill the percolator half full of granulated sugar; then fill the perculator with water. The first quart of syrup that runs through should be returned to the percolator so as to make it heavy. You can continue this process until you have made as much syrup as you want, by keeping the percolator half full of sugar and adding water. You will also find this an excellent syrup for table use. Drs. Overmyer & Bertrand. By Dr. O.

Leiter's Ford, Ind.

Some of Our Native Herbs. Editor Medical World:-In these days of rapid evolution and revolution in therapeutics and materia medica, we older members of the profession are undecided whether we should turn Our faces in utter disgust, or shall we endeavor to board the great train of advanced mediremedies, from the coal tar series to the cal thought laden with its legions of new boasted serum therapy? Shall we relearn become sufficiently expert to kill the germ the A B C of the healing art that we may on the wing and “anti-toxine" all their fatal progeny as we speed? We, perhaps, should not pelt too liberally with rotten eggs our bacteriologists, for Jenner's vaccine serum has stood the test and cannot be ridiculed. With best wishes for whatever of merit may crop out from these new theories and remedies, we feel that we should honor with grateful remembrance many of our old standby drugs and chemicals, that we cherished in former days, and we are yet loath to lay them aside, to wit: calomel, opium, quinine and a host of others that stood high in their classes.

From our childhood days we have ever loved and reverenced the healing art, and many have been the clandestine readings we have had from Dr. Gunn's Domestic Medicine, and the wonder grew that parents should withhold the teaching of this great and wise benefactor from "young America." Later on we obtained a copy of the Cherokee Physician, by Richard Foreman-a half-bred Indian-written, arranged and classified, I presume, by an M. D., a la Gunn; giving many well-known "herbs and simples" with many other syllabic gutturals for Indian names-all said to be effectively used by the Cherokees in the treatment of diseases. In this I thought I had a rare treat. I now regard his practice as a weak and puerile effort, in the main, but under his materia medica there are many therapeutic gems of decided worth, some of which we have known to become recognized and adopted as new remedies in the practice of to-day and a few we have seen extravagantly lauded and advertised in certain proprietary medicines. When the illscented May-pop and the despisable Treadsoft are even now being boosted and paraded as invaluable medicaments may we not hope that agents more specific than any yet obtained may be elaborated and other curative virtues and qualities discovered, which

possibly exist in many of our familiar plants and herbs of fields and forests?

In investigating the properties and therapeutic value of many of Foreman's specimens, I have been sometimes pleased, sometimes disappointed, and occasionally I have been impressed that other and better virtues were manifested in the drug.

A species of Iris (I.Verna) he classifies as "stimulant and diuretic" and wonderfully curative in gleet and venereal. We find it actively cathartic, producing copious feculent, bilious discharges in a few hours, from doses of 20 or 30 grains of the fresh root. It so impresses the nerves of the stomach as to give a feeling of buoyancy and exhilaration to the despondent dyspeptic, not unlike an alcoholic beverage, but not followed by any subsequent depression pertaining to said drinks. It produces, when chewed, a persistent pungent sensation in the fauces, which might be beneficial in diphtheria and tonsilitis. However that may be, we claim that it is an excellent hepatic stimulant and digestive tonic-an agent that modifies and controls to a great extent the vagaries and abnormal manifestations of that great and mysterious pneumogastric nerve-that fly-wheel of the economy that governs the digestion, the respiration and the circulation; thus affording a long-needed therapy in asthma, angina, bilious derangements, migraine and all the hydra-headed neuroses that follow in the wake of chronic indigestion.

Before closing allow us to mention one other specimen of F.'s system that we have been unable to obtain. His description is so simple that we think any brother so inclined and favorably situated could assist in looking up this one. He says it grows in rich soil about the head of small streams in mountains (notably Mt. Cohutta, Ga.), growing 3 to 5 feet high; blades or leaves look like corn. The roots are small dark and fibrous, are used by bruising and soaking in cold water, which should be drank ad libitum. Said to be "infallible" in dropsy and a safe, pleasant and effectual remedy for reducing fleshy people. This is the first drug I remember ever having seen proposed as an "anti-fat" and I hope it has greater merit than most of the nostrums, extravagantly advertised, on that line.

Any M. D. who will furnish us sections of this plant or who will assist in having it investigated and identified shall receive all the "honor and emoluments" and the grate

The Story of the Leucocyte. Editor Medical World:-One of the principal functions of the white blood corpuscle is to take up toxic material found floating in the blood serum and carry it to the spleen, where it is rendered inert by physio-chemical action.

The spleen is not "the grave of the white blood-corpuscle," as was formerly taughtnature makes no graves. Neither was the spleen placed in the organism without a function.

The relative position of an organ indicates somewhat its line of duty. The brain is not a digestive organ or it would have been differently located; the liver is not a thought-producing gang of cells, or it would have been placed at the head of nerve distribution; a priori, the spleen has to do with assimilation and growth, and its function is very important. As intelligent differentiation between right and wrong is the noblest function of the mind, so the differentiation and separation of toxic from nutrient pabulum is the most important of all the different duties devolving upon bodily organs.

Observe the beauty of nature's work. See the leucocyte slowly meandering about capillary paths, impelled by nature's law to be ever on the alert to do its duty. Its walls are thin and elastic; its shape is varied, now round, then oval, and again elongated, with finger-like processes reaching out to do its work. Its protoplasmic contents have been rendered vital by the vivifying influence of its nuclei, and by a mysterious power of selection it "eats up" toxic material coming within its reach and holding it fast conveys it safely to the great anti-toxine organ, the spleen, where it is destroyed.

The leucocyte has another function. It has lately been shown that nutrient material floating in the blood serum is first taken up by the white blood-corpuscle, vivified by the influence of its nuclein, and then distributed to the stationary cells that form the different organs for their growth and proliferation.

This involves the principles of osmosis and endosmosis, and in doing this the little creature imparts to the different organs a constant supply of vitality to make up for exhaustion due to action.

The leucocyte, however, has still another very important function, viz:-reproduction. The other functions without this one would be transient indeed.

By growth, segmentation and proliferation the mother cell rapidly propagates her species, sending out recruits to fill the gaps resulting from the fierce battle with toxic foes.

Traumatism causes a rush of nutrient bearing leucocytes to the injured locality to restore the breach.

The invasion of hordes of disease germs calls forth all the forces at command to fight the toxic foe, to drive them back or perish like brave soldiers in the attempt.

This is the story of the valiant little servant-the leucocyte. For centuries we have been using its services without gratitude or recognition. Now in grateful appreciation of its usefulness let us feed it well upon protonuclein whenever its armies are needed to repair an injury or fight a foe.

This is but the logical conclusion that now looms up as a possible solution of the problem of ill health from toxic germs. Dr. A. D. Hard,

West Lafayette, Ind.

Diseases of the Rectum and Their Treatment Continued.

OPERATION.

Editor Medical World:-As the pile tumor makes its appearance over the inner end of the speculum or into the slot opening, request your patient to strain down as at stool. Now insert the needle into the most dependent part of the tumor, taking great care not to enter any connective tissue underneath the sac. Remember, as before stated, what the results will be from injecting healthy tissue. Aside from the pain it will produce it is also liable to bring on external piles. Liquid vaseline will often neutralize the pain caused from injection, thrown or injected into the rectum.

Always remember that the irritation passes off in from four to eight days, unless an overdose is deposited in the pile sac, which will cause a considerable amount of sloughing, and thereby require more time to heal. Scarcely any pain follows if the injection is deposited properly in the sac.

If your patient complains of great pain directly after the injection is made you may rest assured that you have injected into connective tissue. It is said by a majority of rectal specialists never inject a pile while

protruding from the anus, but first return it within the grasp of the sphincters, and then insert the speculum and treat while within. For my part I see no good reason for this procedure. I have treated piles and injected them while protruuing, and with equally good success as when within the sphincters. However, it may be better to have the piles inside or within the grasp of sphincter, as it will avoid more or less pain, as they are liable to become swollen and inflamed after treatment. If protruding, I might inject them first, then reduce them and instruct the patient to keep them within, even though it would necessitate entire rest in a recumbent position, as it will avoid pain.

Piles should not be injected while protruding and intensely inflamed. First proceed to reduce the inflammation and instruct your patient to call as soon as inflammation subsides. But generally this is just the time when a hemorrhoidal patient is liable to call on the rectal specialist for relief, and it is well to be prepared to give such relief as herein prescribed.

Club-shaped or arterial piles have their origin above the external sphincters, are fiery red and bleed easily and profusely. They protrude constantly from the anus, preventing the proper closure of the sphincters, and, as a result, a continual discharge of bloody mucus. These arterial piles are easily cured by injecting from below upwards with from one to four drops of any of the above formulas or compounds.

The operator should arm himself with a pledget of absorbent cotton, saturated with Monsell's solution of iron, and apply it immediately upon withdrawing the needle, to prevent hemorrhage and preserve the injection. It should be kept there 1 or 2 minutes. One minutes. One treatment usually cures these piles.

VENOUS HEMORRHOI S.

Are to be diagnosed by their bluish color and tendency to fill the speculum when the slide is partly withdrawn. Sometimes a weakened or inflamed membrane will simulate these characteristics. If any uncertainty exists, puncture the suspected membrane with a needle; if the sensation characteristic of passing into a hollow cavity is not experienced and a free hemorrhage does not take place, proceed with caution. There is not the danger in the use of my favorite formula in case an injection should be made into rectal tissue as there would be from