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believe the attack was brought on by the dense smoke in the air from the forest fires up North. The treatment held the symptoms in check until the air was cleared by a rain, when there was no more trouble. I used the following: Potassium bichromate, gr. 1; heroin hydrochloride, grs. 4; magnesium sulphate, grs. 30; oil sassafras, gtt. 5; water, to make ozs. 4. One teaspoonful every one-half hour until relieved.

Three doses generally were used and patients would get relief and go to sleep. In twenty-four hours would have to repeat. GEO. ROBERTS. Lincoln, Va.

WHERE THE PROOFREADER "GETS

HER'N"

A number of unfortunate errors crept (we like that word "crept"-it is so insinuatingly and vaguely explanatory) into the January number of CLINICAL MEDICINE. The complainants, following the usual pleasant custom, shunt the responsibility for the mistakes upon the proofreader, one sarcastic commentator hinting at a "holiday jag." Our lady proofreader is righteously indignant and suggests that if some of these literary lights wouldn't write so like the———— her remarks were perfectly ladylike!-there wouldn't be any mistakes.

Dr. A. K. Warner says of his article on "Strength and Weakness," page 106: "There were three gross errors. First, you changed an 'it' into an 'I' in the fourth line from the top of the second column, which rendered that sentence unintelligible. Second, you changed 'comparative chances' into 'conjunctive classes.' Third, you altered 'abortion therapy' into 'abortive therapy.'

Our apologies are due to Dr. Warner. We certainly did not intend to make any "changes" which in the slightest could alter the meaning of his article. If any such changes were made it was due to some slight difficulty in deciphering his handwriting; the editor desires to absolve the proofreader.

Dr. A. Rose, of New York, says concerning his article on page 108:

"Kindly permit me to correct a printer's error in the footnote to my article 'The First Nosocomeia.' It should read 'nosocomia' instead of 'nosocomeia,' The latter word which appears in the title is the plural of nosocomeion while nosocomia means the care given to the sick." Again we apologize.

BURNS AND SCALDS

On page 1606 of the December number of CLINICAL MEDICINE is an article by Dr. Stein regarding the recommendation of carbolic acid for burns. Carbolic acid has been found efficacious in chilblains, and may be equally beneficial in burns. I have never tried it and cannot speak from experience. However, there is a remedy I consider far superior to this or any other remedy I have ever tried, and it is neither dangerous nor injurious. That remedy is the chloride of potassium. A lotion for local application is made with one or two grains of the salt to four ounces of distilled or boiled water. Apply freely by means of soft cloths saturated with the solution and then wrap in absorbent cotton or lint and lightly bandage. (Never apply absorbent cotton directly to the burn.) This remedy soothes the pain quickly and subdues the inflammation. The cloths should be rewetted with the lotion as soon as they become partly dry, without removing them; then recover with cotton bandage or oiled silk. If potassium chloride cannot be obtained use the chlorate. [But there is absolutely no identity, therapeutically-ED.]

Many of the remedies recommended for burns are more harmful than beneficial, as, for example, linseed oil and lime-water -the socalled carron oil. Picric acid has been recommended as very beneficial, but I doubt if it is any better or as good as the chloride of potassium, to say nothing of its stain. No insoluble powder should ever be applied directly to a fresh burn or scald.

If desired, a little pure glycerin can be added to the chloride solution-one ounce of glycerin and three ounces of water with one or two grains of the salt.

The potassium chloride should also be given internally. Put one teaspoonful of the foregoing solution in half a tumblerful of water and give a teaspoonful every half hour for a few doses, then every hour. In the first stage of acute inflammation and fever aconitine or ferrum phosphate 3x should be alternated with the potassium chloride. Should there be depression or collapse potassium phosphate 3x should be used instead of the sedative, and in the same way, until reaction is fully established. If suppuration follows or has already taken place when first seen, calcium sulphide 3x will be required in alternation with potassium chloride, or, possibly, sodium phosphate, in the same strength locally and internallly. Should the patient be diabetic, sodium sulphate should be used instead of potassium chloride, both locally and internally and in the same dose.

Other complications will have to be met with indicated remedies. In the majority of cases of scalds and burns potassium chloride, locally and internally, will be the only remedy needed for a complete cure. If possible, avoid breaking the blisters, as the serum acts as a protective and the healing is more rapid.

Baltimore, Md.

E. H. HOLBROOK.

[In my experience the blisters should be punctured at the base to let out the bulk of serum and so prevent rupturing and possible infection. ED.]

THE LAY PRESS AND THE DOCTOR

As a striking illustration of the power of the lay press for evil as well as for good, we may cite the following incident, which has recently come to our attention with a peculiarly strong appeal because we know the doctor who is the sufferer in this case, and know him to be a clean, square, upright

man.

Dr. O. E. Wald, formerly surgeon-inchief of the Lake View Hospital, Chicago, a little more than a year ago was so unfortunate as to lose a patient during an

operation upon tubercular glands of the neck. The Chicago newspapers printed a sensational story about this unfortunate death, which was prominently displayed in nearly every Chicago daily. Like most newspaper stories, this one was essentially untrue and unfair, but how was the public to know this? As a result of this cruel libel Dr. Wald's splendid practice, built up by the hardest kind of most efficient work, was practically wiped off the slate in a few weeks. At the coroner's inquest, held only a few weeks later, the Doctor was completely exonerated from all blame, and it was conclusively shown that he had used all due care and caution in the operation upon this unfortunate girl and was entirely free from any fault or responsibility.

But meantime his practice was ruined. We now understand that he has commenced suit against several Chicago daily papers. The Doctor expects to recover large damages, and it is hoped that he may do so, for it is time that some curb be placed upon this reckless appeal to the sensational which never stops to weigh consequences and has no respect for truth, right and character.

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE ELECTROLYTIC RECTIFIER

How to change the alternating current to a direct current without the agency of a motor generator has interested scientists for years. Mechanical contrivances have solved the problem partly, but even here the initial cost and subsequent maintenance is considerable. More than ten years ago it was found that a plate of aluminum with a plate of carbon, if inserted in a solution of sulphuric acid, the aluminum used as the positive electrode would resist the flow of current up to 25 volts. Graetz, a German scientist, showed how a combination of four such valves could be made to rectify a single-phase alternating current completely.

Fig. 1 shows the connections and the direction taken by the alternate current impulses. By using proper chemicals and elements, alternating currents up to 140 volts

pressure may be rectified by this method. The resulting direct current is not as smooth as from a series of batteries and has a weak undulation, but is absolutely free from any negative polarity. Five years ago a prominent doctor who is well versed in electrotherapy and who, residing in an alternating-current district, had to use batteries with his wall-plates, suggested that I furnish him with a small rectifier to supplant his batteries which were continuously out of order. This, the first rectifier to replace batteries and use 115-volt alternating current in connection with a galvanic wallplate, is still in use today. The doctor was so pleased with his apparatus that he told his medical associates, and without any advertising to speak of the demand grew. About a year ago I made an improvement, by adding a fifth cell to the four, the function of which is to absorb the undulations and deliver a very smooth current. On this improvement patents are pending.

In the December issue of CLINICAL MEDICINE there appeared an editorial note, which states, "We are sorry to say that these chemical rectifiers do not do what the manufacturers claim for them. A primary faradic current deserves to be called a direct or galvanic current, just as much as the current delivered by these rectifiers." Believing myself and the firm I represent to be pioneers in introducing the chemical rectifier to the medical profession for the purpose aforesaid, I take exception to this statement, which is not borne out by the actual facts, and refer the readers to Fig. 1.

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consists of current impulses in two directions, both positive and negative.

The editor further refers to an article contained in the catalog of another firm which purports to be a reprint from an article written by an independent, unbiased, fair-minded scientific investigator, wherein the electrolytic rectifier is apparently shown to be what the editor quotes above.

If the article in the catalog is a reprint, where did it appear originally, I mean in what scientific journal? I have searched, but failed to find it.

The gist of the article referred to is, "The chemical rectifier allows the alternating current to pass in one direction, but by its valve-like action prevents the current from passing in the opposite direction, and instead of rectifying one-half of the cycle, eliminates it altogether," as shown herein

Dotted Curre shows part eliminated

Fig. 2

zer

(Fig. 2) by the solid line, the dotted lines showing the suppressed part.

It is further asserted that the closing of the valve is not instantaneous and that there is actually a negative current. From Fig. I it will be seen how near this statement comes to the actual truth, and why all the current is rectified, so that there can be no negative current. The time required by each valve to close is less than one thousandth of a second, as has been ascertained by Prof. Burgess and several other scientific investigators. That no current can flow in the opposite direction under these conditions,

Oct Pos. is perfectly clear.

0.6. Neg

This shows plainly that the alternating current is entirely rectified, and in no wise similar to a primary faradic current which

The sale of over 3000 rectifiers by this firm alone attests its popularity with the medical men, and the improvement mentioned makes this device the equal of any motor generator costing four to six times as much. Further comment is not necessary. All I want is a WM. MEYER. square deal.

Chicago, Ill.

[In pursuance of our editorial policy to give, as we ask, "the square deal" to every

man who thinks he has not been fairly dealt with in our pages, we take pleasure in printing Mr. Meyer's letter. While the writer (who didn't pen the criticised comment which was written by a gentleman not on our editorial staff) is not an expert in electrotherapeutics he has entire faith in the probity, square dealing and "know-how" of Meyer, Betz and other men and firms dealing in electrical apparatus. Therefore, if we have done any of them injustice, we are very glad to make the amende honorable.-ED.]

EUMYDRIN

Guis. Massini reports, in The Gazzeta degli Ospitale, concerning eumydrin as follows: Seeing that atropine readily gives rise to general disturbances and intoxications, eumydrin proves itself, in many cases, an advantageous substitute. In doses of from 1 to 3 milligrams (gr. 1-64 to gr. 3-64) it can be given for some time without producing any severe general disturbances. Most satisfactory did this agent prove in gastric neuroses with hyperchlorhydria and increasing gastric pains. In other pains, too, which proceeded from disturbances in the digestive tract, as in ileus, appendicitis or proctitis, good results were obtained from eumydrin. The profuse perspirations of phthisical patients could, however, not always be controlled with this remedy.-Wien. Med. Wochens., 1908, No. 22.

"THE DOCTORS OF KAINTUCK”

Know ye the land of honest hearts,
Of friendship pure and true,

Of hills and dales and mighty caves,
The land of grass so blue?

There is no place on God's green earth,
Wherever you may roam,
That cheers the heart so fondly as
The Old Kentucky Home.

Know ye the land where maidens fair,
With face and form divine,

Make men believe that women are
Nowhere on earth so fine?
I've lost my heart-how often, I
Do really not recall-

On maidens bred in Old Kaintuck;
God bless them, one and all!

Know ye the land so full of cheer
And full of colonels bold,
The land where every gentleman
Loves bourbon, fine and old?
When one is sick, when one is well,
The medicine to choose

To make him well, to keep him well,
Is old Kentucky booze.

Know ye the land of blooded stock,
As fine as can be found,
The home of many a noble steed
For blood and speed renowned ?
Fine were the winners of the race
In days of ancient Rome;

But finest is the stock bred in
The Old Kentucky Home.

Know ye the land of brain and brawn,
Of knowledge and of skill,

Of men whose deeds the annals of
Our grand profession fill?
MacDowell, greatest of them all,
A man of brains and pluck;
He is the type of doctors found
Right here in Old Kaintuck.

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[Most of the readers of CLINICAL MEDICINE know Dr. Juettner, not only as an able

writer and teacher but also as one of the

"faculty" of our postgraduate course. How many of them know that he is a poet? Proof? Here you have it! This poem was read at the meeting of the Campbell and Kenton County (South Cincinnati) Medical Society, December 17, 1908.

By the way, I wonder how many of our readers know that Dr. Juettner gives practical courses in physical therapeutics lasting two weeks and embracing all physical methods (massage, hydrotherapy, electricity, light, x-ray work, etc.). Anyone interested in this kind of work will find it worth while to correspond with Dr. Juettner.

Another interesting piece of work by Juettner is his forthcoming volume on "Daniel Drake and His Followers." Drake Iwas to the Middle West what Rush was to the East. We shall give this book a warm welcome.-ED.]

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NERVE SEDATION

Contine Hydrobromide is a salt of an alkaloid of conium, and deserves a place among the motor depressants. Its principal action is upon the nervous system, impairing the conductivity of the nerves. The brain seems to be uninfluenced as well as muscular irritability. The impairment of the conductivity of the nerves is first manifested in the peripheries, the influence gradually ascending until the spinal cord is involved. In very large doses this drug acts as a depressant upon the respiratory centers. It is readily absorbed, elimination taking place chiefly through the kidneys and by expiration.

Burggraeve reports experiencing the following effect upon taking coniine: Tendency to repose and slumber without fatigue, quite different from that of morphine, awaking calm and without headache; soft pulse; notable diuresis and diaphoresis. In a word, coniine is a calmative to sensory and motor derangement, the moderator of reflex excitability.

Specifically, coniine is indicated in diseases of the cord, in neuralgia, in conditions where there are lancinating pains, in insomnia and in neuropathic excitement. It may be given with the mydriatics as an

antispasmodic, for hyperesthetic and neurotic pains, irritations of the spinal cord, painful spasms of the sphincters, etc. In cutaneous hyperesthesia, pruritus, angina pectoris, its administration has met with good success. In all maladies of infancy where there is hyperesthesia it may be employed with benefit.

The drug should be employed more than it is in motor spasm, chorea and epilepsy. Alone it may be insufficient, but it aids other remedies greatly and should form part of the treatment. In insomnia, accompanied by motor restlessness, muscular twitching with cerebral fulness, no better combination can be administered than coniine and sulphonal or trional. However, it is best to give only small doses of each of these two hours apart, or three times, say at 6, 8 and 10 o'clock p. m. Ordinarily it would be unnecessary to give the same dose the following night, as a certain cumulative action of these remedies usually suffices to produce sleep the next night after administration of a full dose. In many cases of mental perturbation coniine has proven highly useful.

Shaller has called attention to its value in cases where the patient fears the coming on of insanity, or actually shows evidence

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