and administered by injection deep into the muscles. The dose was repeated at intervals of three hours at first, the intervals being then increased as improvement appeared. The full adult dose employed was 10 drops of the 10 per cent solution, equal to practically 1 grain of pure phenol. As a precaution against soreness or suppuration the author sometimes diluted with sterile water half the amount, 5 drops, to the capacity of 25 or 30-minim syringe, and injected this into one buttock, following at once with the remainder of the dose in the opposite buttock; the succeeding injections can also be made, the author suggests, into the deltoids or the pectoral muscles. No bad results followed, however, the injection of the entire dose, properly diluted (i. e., to 40 minims), in the author's cases. In fully developed cases the second dose is to be given one hour after the first. The urine must be watched, and if the characteristic smoky color develops strongly the injections should be temporarily stopped. The author was never obliged, however, to withdraw the remedy in his cases. The original wound should be excised or cauterized as usual, preferably with strong solutions of phenol, silver nitrate, or nitric acid.

One of the author's cases was first treated with antitoxin, without result; when, seemingly, he was in a fair way to succumb, the treatment was changed to phenol, whereupon improvement was very prompt. Two cases treated with antitoxin, but not with phenol, perished. In every patient subjected to phenol treatment, the severity of the tonic convulsions diminished markedly with the successive injections. Sometimes the number of attacks was lessened and their duration shortened after the third or fourth dose. In three cases a diffuse, punctuate, scarlatinal rash appeared; whether it was due to the injections or not the author is not prepared to say.-Monthly Cyclopedia.

Treatment of Varicose Ulcers.-Dr. E. H. Pool (N. Y. Med. Jour., July 30, 1910) calls attention to the marked venous stasis and edema present in old and refractory cases of ulcer, which by diminishing the vitality of the tissues delay the reparative process. To overcome this he advises as a useful accessory to the ordinary treatment the following procedure: At the time of the dressing, three times a week, the patient is made to lie on the back on the examining table with both legs elevated almost to

a right angle and supported against the wall; the patient lies in this position for about fifteen minutes. For the first few treatments massage is administered, stroking the limb toward the trunk. Before lowering the legs they are cleansed and dressed in an appropriate manner by strapping, medicinal applications, etc., and a muslin bandage is applied tightly and smoothly. The patient is instructed to resume this position three times a day for fifteen minutes each time, and at other times if the bandage feels too tight. No complaints have been made concerning the discomfort of the position, and very few as to the tightness of the bandage. All the patients have expressed themselves from the outset as very much pleased with the results, stating that the legs are not only more comfortable, but show a more marked disposition to heal than by other methods. Owing to the prevention of venous and lymphatic engorgement there is a rapid diminution in the diameter of the legs after a brief period of treatment. Occlusion of the deep veins contraindicates tight bandaging.-International Journal of Surgery.

Our Potash Sources of the Future.-For quite a number of years the United States has been dependent on Germany for its supply of potash, the Stassfurt mines practically supplying the markets of the world. Before our forests were destroyed, we made our own potash from wood ashes, but the production has gradually decreased from year to year and the importations increased, until now domestic potash is a minus quantity and we might have gone on looking to Germany for our supply had not tariff difficulties with that country arisen.

From an article in Science Conspectus we learn that scientists believe the vast arid regions of the West hold immense quantities of potash, and the government is now prospecting that field, but perhaps the most accessible supply for the present is in the beds of the Pacific Coast.

From this source it is estimated that 100,000,000 tons of potassium chloride per year can be produced at a value of $35,000,000. Compared with the 1910 importations from Germany which amounted to $8,500,000, it will be seen that a considerable surplus over our own needs can be produced from this source.

While as yet no practical method has been devised for gather

ing the kelp and leaving the beds intact for further growth, a little experimental work will no doubt overcome this difficulty.

In addition to the potash, it is estimated that the kelp will yield a sufficient quantity of iodine to offset the expense of producing the potash. On the whole, this looks like good business for the Government in supplying an article of such general demand.-Midland Druggist and Pharmaceutical Review.

"Allopathic."-Three reputable and eminent physicians of Atlanta, Ga., have addressed a letter to the publishers of the Atlantic City Directory remonstrating against the "A" for "allopath" put after their names to distinguish them from the "H" and "Ec" tribes. Among other things, they say that the "A's" "are physicians—regular physicians, if you prefer—and it is impossible to apply a qualifying term that appropriately describes their status. They hold that it is inconsistent with the dignity of a learned and honored profession to be designated by a nickname or by any appellation of restrictive significance, and that it is entirely at variance with propriety and the facts to describe their faith or practice by a word, when they are not, in any manner, bound or limited in their views of disease, the selection of remedies, or the application of remedial agents." The Recorder has often sought for a term to designate what is commonly known as an "allopath" because the term is objectionable to many estimable gentlemenbut has been unable to find one. "Scientific" is not true because science is exact, everywhere the same. "Modern" is meaningless, for all are modern. "Regular" is open to the same objections that apply to "scientific" because they are not regular, but at variance with each other. Neither the public, the English language, or the truth would stand for "physician" to the exclusion of every one else, for the word covers many species. In fact, and without any jibe, it looks as if, according to the above text, quoted from the estimable trio of Atlanta, St. Paul's (it was Paul, was n't it?) definition of the "heathen" alone would literally apply-each "is a law unto himself." Our allopathic (to revert to the primitive) friends ought to get together and select some distinguished designation if they do not like the old one, for the world will never let them have a monopoly of the word "physician." Finally, why not accept "allopath?" It is a good term.-The Homœopathic Recorder.

Menstrual Pain.-The Medical World for August treats of menstrual pain, as text books are notoriously deficient in dealing with the therapeutics of this common trouble. Quite generally they advise dilation of the os, or of curettement, in conditions in which the experienced physician knows such methods are absolutely useless; and the same advice is given in conditions in which such procedures afford relief during one or two succeeding menstrual flows. Dysmenorrhea is due to various pathological causes and may require surgical measures, but many cases may be relieved by medication. Women universally know the benefit to be derived from heat in the menstrual pain, they often "go to bed to keep warm" during this time. This is good treatment and may be well supplemented by hot sitz baths, hot foot baths, and by hot vaginal douches. Fluid extract of hydrastis, 15 drops with 30 drops of the fluid extract of viburnum prunifolium, given three times a day over a long period, exercises a positive trophic action on the uterus and adnexa.-Cleveland Medical Journal.

Digitalis. Digitalis is, therefore, indicated in every case of heart disease when there is persistent disturbance of compensation, and if the pulse is small, of low tension, and, above all, frequent and irregular, the desired effect of Digitalis is to make the pulse slower, more regular and especially of higher tension. It is very important to prescribe Digitalis in a correct manner in order for it to be efficient. Much experience has shown that it is best to give it at regular intervals of three hours, in doses of 1.5 gr. of the powdered leaves, either in wafers or simply in water; so that the patient receives in the course of a day some four or five powders. —Strümpell.

Lobelia in Asthma.-I recently surprised myself and my patient a great deal more, when on being called to a very severe case of asthma, with all the disagreeable symptoms exaggerated, I administered a hypodermic of 30 drops of lobelia. Almost immediately the patient had relief. The benefit was marked right from the first. After half an hour I gave 15 drops more, and the patient laid down and slept as quietly and as naturally as ever in his life.-DR. VANCE, in Ellingwood's Therapeutist.

Alum in Herpes.-Dr. Geo. O. Williams, of New York, has found a saturated watery solution of alum practically a specific in herpes, applying it even to the conjunctiva or the cornea. The results have been most satisfactory. This is especially noteworthy in view of the fact that the applications ordinarilly employed for herpes are of very little use. This very annoying and disfiguring malady usually runs its course unaffected by treatment. -American Journal of Clinical Medicine.

Too Much Tonsil Surgery? Do we go too far in our tonsil surgery? We must conclude such to be a fact if the tonsils are not vestigial remnants, but "sturdy guardians of the dangerously exposed introitus of the two great systems, digestion and respiration."

Jervey believes that swollen tonsils are a compensatory hypertrophy to protect those who tend to mouth breathing and that they take up in a degree the functions of the turbinals. Reestablish nasal breathing and the problem of the tonsil will usually solve itself.-Therapeutic Medicine.

Enema in Gastroenteric Diseases.-Charles J. Drueck, of Chicago, Ill., gives a résumé of the value of the enema and its proper method of administration in diseases of the gastrointestinal system. It is in reach in every household, is without danger when given properly, is prompt and positive in its results, and of value when indications are correct. He gives simple enemata of a small amount of cold water in constipation, to stimulate peristalsis. They are better for this purpose than warm ones. It is of value in reducing temperature; also removes decomposing materials, and benefits the portal circulation. The hot enema is useful in treatment of pelvic inflammation; it increases blood-pressure, accelerates the heart action, and stimulates the kidneys. It is especially valuable in the treatment of pseudomembraneous colitis. Hot irrigation is useful in inflammation of surrounding tissues, rectal ulcer, spasm of the sphincter, and gynecological diseases. In cholera infantum and cholera morbus, the hot enema removes irritation and infectious materials, and stimulates the heart. In colitis and chronic diarrhea, peritonitis, and typhoid fever, it is of value.-Medical Record.