[For the Brief.]

Ups and Downs in Country Practice.

BY D. F. CECIL, M. D.

Part IX.

(Continued from page 184).

-On ar

EDITOR MEDICAL BRIEF:riving at the side of my little patient, I found it lying on the lap of its mother, rolling its head from side to side, appeared to be very sick at the stomach. Raising its skirts, I quickly passed my hand over its abdomen and found that its stomach was considerably distended. I said to the mother:

'Madam, your babe seems to be very sick; please tell me whether its bowels have moved within the past twenty-four hours?"

"I think not; but my daughter having looked after it most of that time, I can not be positive."

The latter part of this information, I took it to have been given, to make aware of her daughter's "acquired ability."

me

bulk and character, has not been digested-may be soured?"

"No, doctor; it has not taken anything to-day, only breast milk."

"Think a little, madam; has it not eaten something calculated to irritate its stomach ?"

"No, doctor; nothing at all, only breast milk."

"Well, I must give something to relieve the dreadful nausea of your child else it will go into convulsions."

"Oh, yes, do doctor," she said, as gently as a new-born dove, "hurry and do something for it."

Not waiting to revel in the sunshine of the pleading matron's smiles, I took out my case, and calling for a teaspoon and a little warm water, I dropped thirty drops of wine of ipecac into the spoon and water, and gave it

at once.

Then I sat quietly near my patient, and I tell you, I felt dreadfully bad. I had my fears for the result; and, being almost unacquainted with my materia medica, I feared that the

"No, doctor."

"Does it wet its diaper four or five times during the day and night?" "Yes, doctor."

"Do you give it plenty of water, inside and out—that is, do you give it a drink frequently, and a tepid bath once a day?"

"I do," she replied, eyeing me rather quizzically.

"Is it teething? let me satisfy myself;" and I passed my finger into its mouth. It had cut two lower teeth and the upper gums were swollen. But the child seemed to grow sicker every moment-rolled its eyes back in its head, and moaned piteously.

"Has it eaten anything that may be irritating its stomach, or by its

properties, and, if not kill my patient, raise the whole town, as had occurred about Mrs. Hyena's infant. But the mother of my patient was a lamb-like mother, and she having an available daughter, I did not fear the ultimate, greatly, even if the child should die.

Whilst anxiously watching the little sufferer, a strange tremor ran through it's little frame; it yawned, turned its eyes further back-and I felt that dissolution was near. The mother, no doubt, thought that but for her marriageable daughter, she'd better have sent for Dr. Shadbones at first; for she drew the little thing closer to her breast, and moaning in her anguish of soul, kissed it. But that dear baby did not die or have a

fit; but it deliberately falsified its mamma's word by throwing up about a pint of strawberries! and, of course, it got better immediately.

"There, now, madam !" I exclaimed, "do you call that 'breast milk'?"

"Oh, my! who could have given them to my baby? Rosa," she said, calling her daughter, "did you give "did you give these strawberries to the baby?"

"No, ma; Maggie Russe gave them to it."

"Oh-Ah-I see!" said I; "if Miss Russe gave them to the babe, I really agree with you that it has taken nothing but breast milk'-this is pure breast-milk!" and I waived my hand slowly over the ejected strawberries.

The mother turned red-Rosa grew scarlet, and I, hearing the rustle of crinoline and the quick patter of retreating feet from the room, turned, and saw the well-rounded proportions of Miss Maggie Russe beating a hasty retreat from the parlor. She had entered unnoticed and heard our conversation. Confusion seized me; and taking my "bee-gum," I promptly left the house. And although having become somewhat sobered by all that had transpired during the last few minutes, I was yet considerably "incapable," and as I made my exit over the threshold, my foot caught in the doormat and I plunged head first against the yard gate, driving my hat hard and fast over my ears and eyes!

I gathered myself together as quickly as possible and rose to the perpendicular, muttering that, notwithstanding Miss Jennie Joyful had declared she would set her " cap" for me, I had been caught within the hour, by Miss Maggie Russe, in a hat! Pulling my bee-gum off as best I could, I hastened down the street; whilst behind me, Maggie, Rosa and Mrs. Lamb let off vociferous cachinnations which

they vainly endeavored to suppress. Application: In similar infantile cases, give ipecac-you will find it an invaluable friend. Grand Eddy, Mo.

(To be continued.)

[For the Brief.]

Scabies-Succus Alterans-Calomel. EDITOR MEDICAL BRIEF:-First I wish to say amen to Dr. Lydia Hunt's letter in March BRIEF.

I notice several remedies given for scabies; for the last year and a half I have been applying balsam peru locally once a day; have used no

other remedies and have had no failures.

Would advise Dr. Ryan (February BRIEF, page 54) to try the succus alterans prepared by Eli Lilly & Co., Indianapolis, Ind. I think it will benefit his case.

I would as soon think of leaving any other bottle out of my medicine case as my calomel bottle, yet I have not used an ounce of it in five it a valuable remedy in some cases years of active practice. I consider but it requires discriminating care when to give and when not. Just so with all other drugs. Treat the condition of your patient and not the name of the disease with which he or she is afflicted if you would be successful. A. D. FRENCH, M. D.

[For the Brief.]

A New Placental Forceps and Placental Curette Combined.

BY WM. R. LEONARD, M. D., NEW YORK.

EDITOR MEDICAL BRIEF:-Much has been written on the management of abortion, therefore it is not necessary to enter into a discussion of it. Frequently much difficulty is experienced in the removal of the uterine contents, and I therefore present to the profession an improved placental forceps and curette, representing two instruments combined in one. The blades are fenestrated, and have serrated blunt teeth, which prevents slipping after the mass is grasped. The lock is similar to that used on some forms of obstetric forceps; can be detached easily for the purpose of using one blade or the curette, which is formed on proximal end,its edges are flattened and smooth, prevent

SHEPARD-DUDLEY

ing the possibility of danger by cutting. It is sufficiently strong for all practical purposes, and will not bend if much traction is used.

After having detached the placental mass (with the curette) the two blades. can be formed into a forceps, and the mass removed without any difficulty. This instrument has been well tried and proved most satisfactory by a number of physicians in this State, who have used it with uniform suc

cess, never failing to remove the uterine contents with ease, safety and expedition. The forceps is also valuable in the removal of uterine and fibroid tumors.

It is manufactured and for sale by Shepard & Dudley, 150 William St., New York.

[For the Brief.]

Viburnum Prunifolium.

BY E. CARMICHAEL ROTHROCK, M. D.

EDITOR MEDICAL BRIEF:—We have used this remedy for twenty-five years, and have often in days "long ago" dug the black-haw, and administered it in infusion or tincture. In days of "auld lang syne," we could not get those nice preparations we have at present-fluid extracts, concentrated tinctures, etc. Elixirs were hardly known. Tinctures were not reliable; so to obtain "good medicine," it was the custom with many to make their own preparations. So a walk into the woods and fields was in order to dig the black-haw, yellow jessamine, may-apple, black snakeroot, senega, etc.; peel wild-cherry bark, and gather "yarbs." We made our year's supply of tinctures with old-time pure whisky, and had as good success then in curing the sick as at the present time, with new remedies and the various excellent proprietary preparations put up to meet every pathological condition under the sun.

We believe in progress, and would not be understood if taken otherwise. Still, such is the fact, that success then, as now, was ours-nothing egotistical in this-but cures were not as prompt then as now. One of our favorite remedies then, as at the present time, was viburnum prunifolium. The bark of the root we preferred, though the stem and branches are also medici

nal. It was used for its antispasmodic, tonic, astringent, diuretic and alterative effects. Is valuable in aphthæ, wash to indolent ulcers, and useful in ophthalmic affections. A nervous sedative par excellence, and exerts an especial tonic influence upon the uterus and its appendices. In cases of threatened abortion, if given in time, it seldom fails. Its action is sure and positive as a preventive in those cases of habitual miscarriage, the use of which should commence one or two weeks previous to the aborting time period and continued. through the remaining period of pregnancy. Mitchella repens and viburnum acts like a charm used in abortion, exerting its sedative influence on the organic, sympathetic system of nerves governing principally the fundus of the uterus, and secondary effects on the cerebro-spinal system supplying the cervic and their fila. ments reflected to the body of the organ, an antispasmodic wiping out irritation reflected to the generative organs, hence preventing abortion, given in twenty to thirty drops every fifteen minutes, until pain is partially relieved, then every thirty minutes until relief is complete, continued in sixty-drop doses three times a day until there is no danger of abortion. We have given the viburnum for months in such cases with happy effects, the woman going her full time. It will frequently cure nervous headaches. In headaches occurring in the puerperal state, it acts frequently like a charm, giving relief in a few minutes. In dysmenorrhoea, menorrhagia and amenorrhoea, it acts promptly, given in doses of thirty to sixty drops every fifteen, thirty or sixty minutes, as indicated. It relieves menorrhagia by its sedative and astringent properties, controlling reflex irritation, checking and preventing hemor

a

BRIEF GLEANINGS.

It is stated that essence of peppermint painted on a burn will stop the pain at once.

ART. V., §1, of the Code, says: "Medicine is a liberal profession." Some would have it a "close corporation."

FOR the poisoning of rhus, Dr. Tate recommends a wash composed of two drachms of sulphate of copper to half a pint of water.

DR. HODGE says he has used the infusion of lycopus virginicus in night sweats, and for ten years does not remember a single failure.

PROF. BARTHOLOW says that when the cause of jaundice has been removed, salicylic acid will remove the bile pigment from the blood more promptly than any other drug.

BORIC ACID IN OFFENSIVE Urine.An English physician says he has met with no case of offensive urine that ten or twenty grains of boric acid, given every three hours, would

not cure.

TO PREVENT COAGULATION OF THE BLOOD.-Ernest Freund has suggested a most simple and convenient method of preserving blood in the fluid state. His plan consists in coating the interior of a glass vessel with pure oil. Into this receptacle blood freshly drawn is poured, and a layer of oil is then run over the surface exposed to the air. In this way, it is stated, fresh blood may be kept from coagulating for days, if necessary. If this assertion be true, the discovery may be turned to great advantage in the process of transfusion of blood.