ointment may be used as a base for prescriptions in the ailment, especially upon palmar surfaces.

So that throughout this section of treatment, as in others, the choice depends upon the nature of the histopathologic change, and the conditions to be overcome.

The value of the mineral series may lie in their power to reduce friction without being assimilated by the proteid material. Vegetable oils are similar to the mineral series in their value to reduce friction; they also have a nutritive and heat value, so that this, to a measure, will antagonize the friction-reducing factor by stimulating the evolution of heat. In the animal oils and fats we stimulate the natural production of fat, by the presence of similarity and the force of adhesion-abstracting thereby the fat present, and provoking secretion.

For nitrogenous metabolism, as repeatedly shown, some fat, to evolve heat, must be utilized. When distinct changes in the dermal formula are present an ointment as a skin food may be helpful. The recognition of this and kindred indications calls for study of the deepest sort.-The Medical Times.

CACTUS.

BY N. M. DEWEES, M. D., CAMBRIDGE, OHIO.

In writing an article like the present one, I do not deem it necessary to consume space copying what pathologists and neurologists have written concerning epilepsy. My aim is to present facts as they occur to me in practice. Several years ago it occurred to me that if cactus would control nerve force in functional disturbances of the heart, it would also control functional disturbances of the brain. This I have proved many times in the treatment of patients threatened with insanity. I am confident that cactus has saved more than one of my patients a trip to the madhouse.

More than three years ago I began the use of cactus in the treatment of epilepsy. The results are given below as they come in practice.

In my judgment, cactus equalizes the nerve force in the body, promoting normal functional activity of the heart and brain.

CASE I-A well-to-do man, thirty-five years of age, of good family, and to all appearances in good health, complained of im

paired memory, afraid to travel alone; and as his business required him to make frequent trips to other cities, this fear greatly annoyed him. It was impossible to get at the bottom of the trouble from the patient himself, and from others it was learned that he had epilepsy. The seizures did not come often, but he could not tell a minute beforehand when they would happen. Physically, the only wrong that I could discover was a slight indigestion and a functional wrong of the heart. The indigestion soon yielded to treatment, when he was given cactus 1 dram to simple syrup 4 ounces; teaspoonful every three hours. This treatment was kept up for six months. The only exception was that when he was despondent 2 drams of pulsatilla was added to the cactus mixture. Under this treatment his mind cleared up, he felt more confidence in himself, and at the end of six months he said he felt as well as ever. This was four years ago, and the trouble has not returned.

CASE II.-Aged fifty-five; married to his second wife, who was fifteen years his junior; occupation, foreman of a planing mill in another town. He gave a good family history, temperate habits, in appearance very much a gentleman; had suffered from a pronounced type of epilepsy for five years. Sometimes the spasms

occurred once a week, at other times two or three weeks. The convulsions would last from a few minutes to half an hour. Upon examination, the heartbeat was irregular both in time and force. Complained of dizziness most of the time, also of loss of memory and a confusion of ideas. Talked well and to the point, but no more than was necessary. When left alone, would sit and stare into space as if dreaming.

Enanthe, 15 drops, to water 4 ounces, a teaspoonful every four hours, was prescribed; also cactus, 1 drams, water 4 ounces, a teaspoonful every three hours. The first month he had two spasms, the last one being very much lighter than the rest. This treatment was begun on Decoration Day, 1908. On July 4th he came to see me, his wife coming to the office for medicine in the interval. His condition was much improved; pulse normal, memory very much improved; was cheerful and hopeful; expressed himself as feeling fine. The vertigo having subsided, the oenanthe was discontinued, the cactus continued as before. About the first week in December his medicine gave out; his wife said she did not think he needed any more, in spite of the fact I had told her he must take it for a year at least. After going about two weeks

without medicine, the spasms recurred again, and as I could not respond to the call, his case passed into other hands. He was taken to Gallipolis, and died there a few months later.

CASE III.-Blacksmith, aged fifty-eight; had not worked at his trade for some years. Could get no reliable data concerning how long this patient has had epilepsy, nor the cause. He had been treated two years by local physicians before coming to me. The attacks, which were usually severe, would occur sometimes as often as a week apart; but while given the bromide treatment by the physician who treated him before me, sometimes a month would intervene between attacks. But this treatment nearly destroyed him intellectually. His memory was very much impaired; he was sleepy and drowsy all the time. He could tell when the fit was coming by the sense of weight and oppression in the chest and region of the heart. After the fit passed off he would go into a deep sleep, like one under an anesthetic. He was given cactus 1 dram, water 4 ounces, a teaspoonful every three hours; also belladonna 1 dram, water 4 ounces, a teaspoonful half way between the doses of the other medicine. He was also given a bottle of acetous tincture of lobelia herb, with directions to take a teaspoonful every twenty minutes till the symptoms abated. When the stomach settled from this, he was to take of a solution of ammonia bromide 1 ounce, water 4 ounces, a teaspoonful every three hours until symptoms of spasm had passed, and then to discontinue the bromide. In about four days the belladonna was discontinued, as the indications calling for it were gone. Since last November-eight months he has had four spasms. The last spell was not a spasm; he did not lose consciousness; there were no contractions of the muscles; the only evidence of a return of the affection being his inability to talk. This was two months ago. His mind has improved until now he is as bright as ever. Cactus is the only medicine he has taken for three months. He is still under treatment. CASE IV. Miner, fifty-four years old. Attributed his trouble to a heat stroke four years ago, when he lay in spasms nearly all day; since which time he has spasms at night only, until just before coming for treatment, when he had a very hard one in the mine. I suspect that the true cause of the first attack this patient had was alcoholism, although he has abstained from stimulants since. This patient was nervous and did not sleep well at night. Scutellaria and simple syrup equal parts, 2 ounces, a teaspoonful

every three hours; also cactus 1 drams, water 4 ounces, a teaspoonful every three hours, alternated with the former. As the patient was sleeping well and the nervous symptoms had abated at the end of one week, the scutellaria was discontinued. The cactus was continued for two months, when, against my protest, he quit taking medicine on account of slack work. I saw this man yesterday, eleven months from his first treatment, and he has had no recurrence of the trouble.

CASE V.-Man, thirty years old. Has a very bad temper, which leads to frequent domestic disturbances, which usually end in a spell of epilepsy. On March 17th he began having spasms, his physician was summoned, but he could not control them. The next day he was removed to the hospital, where he remained all night, but, as they could give him no relief, he was taken home, and that night I was summoned. The patient was having spasms every ten to thirty minutes; was not conscious during the intervals. Fifteen minims of Lloyd's veratrum was injected into the arm; this stopped the spasms in short order. He came to himself in about five minutes and vomited for half an hour, perspired copiously, had a spell of hiccough, after which he went to sleep and slept till morning. As he was despondent much of the time, he was given pulsatilla 2 drams, cactus 1 dram, water 4 ounces; a teaspoonful every three hours. This treatment helps him control his temper, drives away the blues, and the spasms have not returned as yet. He is still under treatment.-Eclectic Medical Journal.

PHYTOLACCA AND ACONITE.

BY J. V. STEVENS, M. D., JANESVILLE, WIS. PHYTOLACCA. This is a very valuable remedy in all cases of enlarged or engorged glandular structures, of either the acute or the chronic type.

In those parts of the United States where poke or scoke or garget root is indigenous, and where the plant is sometimes known as pigeon berries besides the other names mentioned, it came into use as a domestic remedy years ago.

It can, and should be used both internally and externally. It should be given in small doses of from one to two drops well diluted with water.

A tincture of the green root, preferably gathered in September,

should be used. We would attach great importance to the necessity of having this preparation of the drug, as we have tried some preparations in the market as fluid extracts and have found them to be inert.

Our patients have called our attention to the fact that they were not having the same results as when using another preparation. It can be applied externally to the entire surface of the gland, either in full strength or with an equal quantity of glycerine, three or four times a day; a camel's-hair pencil can be used to make the application with. We have had surprisingly good results using it in orchitis and in enlargements of the thyroid and mammary gland and the cervical glands accompanying, or as a sequelæ of diphtheria, scarlet fever, and parotitis.

It will prevent suppuration in a large majority of cases; in fact, we have never met with a failure in our attempt to do so, where the remedy was used early and faithfully. It has required six weeks time in some obstinate cases. We wish to emphasize the importance of a reliable preparation of the green root being used in all cases. It increases waste and improves nutrition. In large doses it is a narcotic poison.

ACONITE. We remember very well when the Homeopaths and the Eclectics were the only ones who used aconite as a remedy.

It has, however, come into regular and very general use by practitioners. The name "children's remedy" was given to it by many. When used in proper sized doses to meet conditions indicating its use, it is extremely reliable and gives very satisfactory results.

It may be given in all cases having a high temperature, with a rapid, weak pulse. It should be given in very small doses, frequently repeated; one-eighth to one-fourth of a drop with plenty of water, is enough for small children, even less for infants, and not much more is required for adults, if a good preparation of the root is used.

Some diaphoresis may be confidently expected in from one-half to three hours, usually, giving a dose every hour. It also allays nervous excitement accompanying the pyrexia usually.

Besides its use in this way in other acute conditions, it is an excellent remedy in spasmodic laryngitis and may appropriately enter into the treatment of chronic as well as acute cases where the pulse is too fast and weak.-Wisconsin Medical Recorder.