advance guard of a movement which will eventually overrun the region of pure drug action still unconquered by the so-called regular physician. LECTURES ON VENEREAL DISEASES. By W. F. Glenn, M. D. Nashville, Tenn.: Wheeler & Osborne. The author of this little work on venereal diseases has given us a very readable book, putting the facts in a simple, practical manner, which bears the stamp of experience. He gives his opinion decidedly in favor of the dual nature of the poisons of syphilis and chancroid. Am sorry he does not approve of mercury in the treatment of chancroids. Would suggest the use of this remedy in small doses. Although syphilis is said to have existed among the Chinese two thousand years before Christ, it is commonly supposed to have first made its appearance near the close of the fifteenth century. Dr. Glenn thinks that it existed long before the "Italian epidemic" among the Jews, and that “Job was surely a victim of syphilis. It is strongly probable also that David was syphilitic, though the symptoms are not so accurately described. AN INDEX OF COMPARATIVE THERAPEUTICS. By Saml. O. L. Potter, M. D. Second Edition. Milwaukee. The second edition of this admirable little reference book has been published in a remarkably short time. Very little change has been made in this edition, except in the correction of the typographical errors, and the addition of a very few remedies with their indications in diseases, like diphtheria, which have been more recently investigated. The objects of the book, "comparative study and quick reference," are well accomplished, and while of interest to us rather as showing the amount of material borrowed from our writers, — a proceeding to which we never object if properly acknowledged, it must be of very great value to the practitioner who has never had the advantage of definite indications and pure drug effects in the treatment of his clinical cases. The author has presented to the profession a very fair view of our therapeutics, and we can commend his book to all readers, both as an interesting study and as a reference book in those cases in which a more exact symptomatology may not be needed. HOMOEOPATHY IN THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW. = Prof. A. B. Palmer's article on the "Fallacies of Homoeopathy," in the March number of the North American Review, has received a very satisfactory answer in the June number. Omitting severe criticisms of the previous article, and leaving out all philosophical discussion, and the many arguments favorable to our system which might have been presented, Dr. Dowling has offered a plea of far more influence with the public, to whom it is addressed, by giving many appropriate selections from the writings of the best men in the ranks of the "regular school." To suit the pages of the Review this answer was cut down one half, and may have thus lost somewhat of its unity, but, as it stands, it is worthy of the writer and our school. It may interest the readers of the GAZETTE to learn that two hundred physicians asked for the privilege of replying to Prof. Palmer's article. LEUCORRHOEA: ITS CONCOMITANT SYMPTOMS AND ITS HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT. By A. M. Cushing, M. D. Boston. 1882. pp. 163. Published by the author. The full title of this book is somewhat misleading, as it seems to claim more than a close inspection of the contents of the work justifies. Using the word "symptom" in its narrow and restricted sense, the symptomatology contained in the work is very satisfactory. One hundred and seventy-four remedies are given, and one hundred and seventy-two of them are credited with the power of causing a leucorrhoea among other disturbances in the female economy; this effect is not claimed for water, or the "habitual use of morphine." But with very few exceptions, only so-called "subjective" symptoms are given, such, for instance, as the color, consistence, quantity, odor, time, sensations, etc., of the leucorrhoea, the "concomitant symptoms" being the noticeable variations in menstrual, renal, or alvine discharges, and the mental condition, as related to the (for the time being) prominent and important symptom, leucorrhoea. With such an extensive field as one hundred and seventy-four remedies offer, from which to choose a remedy for a given case, it would seem almost impossible not to be completely successful in practice. For cases which might be called merely functional in their origin, such as come often only incidentally to the knowledge of the physician, it will perhaps suffice to take the mere statement of the patient in regard to the external manifestation of the trouble as the basis of treatment. In such cases reference to this work might be serviceable. But in more serious, longstanding, and inveterate cases the mere statements of the patient, however accurate and reliable they may be, are insufficient indications for treatment; her answers to questions may be truthful, but it is not to be expected that in her ignorance of anatomy and pathology she will be able to give the desired information, - the structural or organic changes, which can only be demonstrated by the necessary intelligent and proper examination. Leucorrhoea, then, being simply a symptom common to many and various functional and structural or organic changes, recognizing local and constitutional causes, it would seem necessary that a work with the above title should contain some references to the more occult phenomena of the disease; an occasional reference perhaps to the cause of the morbid discharge. We find, however, that only about twenty remedies out of the one hundred and seventy-four contain symptoms relating to organic conditions, objective symptoms; and even those mentioned are evidently the statements of the provers, and to an extent unreliable; for instance, under Curare, we find "inflammation of the womb with swelling"; under Phytolacca, "hypertrophy of ... uterus"; under Baptisia," ulceration of the os uteri and vagina," a condition not yet produced by a proving of the drug; under Robinia, "hard swelling of the womb, eruption and ulcers like herpes on vagina and vulva," etc. But this is after all only saying that the book has its limitations, and that these are easily discoverable; within these limitations the author gives evidence of painstaking and diligent work; and the book offers to the general practitioner many facts of practical value in a pleasantly accessible form. A blank space is left after each remedy for " additions or alterations." And apropos of alterations, we would suggest changing "pruritis vulva" to "pruritus vulvæ," as the termination itis is used to signify inflammation, and the word is properly pruritus. Following the symptomatology is a very exhaustive index of sixty-three pages, alphabetically arranged under sections, headed Leucorrhoea, Menses, Urine, Stool, and Mind. The work contains much useful matter, and that the present is a second edition, rewritten and greatly enlarged, is in itself a commendation. ‡ LECTURES ON DISEASES OF CHILDREN. Henoch. Wm. Wood & Co. This forms the March number of Wm. Wood's medical library for 1882. We can only congratulate ourselves on the valuable material thus presented to us year by year, and trust it will always continue. We should of course prefer to see the quality of paper and type improve, as well as the exterior of these books. This could be done, without doubt, if more of our physicians would subscribe and thus increase the chance of profit. The book before us is valuable in that it is the clinical experience of Dr. Henoch, whose opportunities in private dispensary and especially hospital practice at the Charité have been very great. His treatment of the subject in the form of lectures, while very pleasant for reading, renders the book less valuable for students, as the diseases are not treated with completeness, nor is the classification very well marked, Part II., for instance, belonging more properly under the special headings which follow. He discusses very fairly the prevailing theories, e. g., tubercle, bacteria, etc., and his conclusions, drawn from clinical experience, seem to be very just and sensible. While not as well arranged nor as readable as the work of J. Lewis Smith, with which it can well be compared, as this also is compiled from clinical experience, the book is well worth owning, and will repay a careful perusal. = PERSONAL AND NEWS JTEMS. AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF HOMOEOPATHY. THE following titles of papers were received too late for the general circular :Bureau of Microscopy, J. Edwards Smith, M. D., Chairman. John C. Morgan, M. D., " Hyaline Tube Casts." Bureau of Surgery, A. R. Thomas, M. D., Chairman. Geo. A. Hall, M. D., " Carcinoma of the Rectum "; I. T. Talbot, M. D., " Antiseptic Surgery"; N. Schneider, M. D., "Cystitis "; C. M. Thomas, M. D., “Rapid Lithotrity"; H. I. Ostrom, M. D., "Relation between Waste Cells and Pathological New Formations, with Special Reference to Neoplasms of the Breast"; C. L. Green, M. D., "An Emergency in Surgery"; J. E. James, M. D., " Osteotomy." Bureau of Anatomy, Wm. von Gottschalck, M. D., Chairman, "Mola" ; Wm. Owens, M. D., "The Vaso-motor Nerves; Their Origin, Functions, and Relations to Morbid Processes"; G. H. Wilson, M. D., " Perinephritis, with Suppuration, in a Boy Three Years Old"; H. P. Bellows, M. D., "Some Interesting Effects produced by the Action of Attenuated Drugs upon the Growth of Protophytes as observed by the Microscope"; R. Van Artsdalen, M. D., "The Uterus, Its Anatomy"; John Malin, M. D., "The Uterus, Its Physiology"; N. Homer, M. D., "The Uterus, Its Pathology." Bureau of Psychological Medicine, S. Lillienthal, M. D., Chairman.__ O. P. Baer, M. D.," Psychological and Clinical Observations on Insanity "; T. L. Brown, M. D., "When and Why are We Insane ?”; P. G. Valentine, M. D., "Tapeworm; Its Relation to Insanity"; J. O. Guernsey, M. D., " Imperfect Hygiene of the Sexuel Function in Women as a Cause of Insanity "; J. R. Haynes, M. D., "The Responsibility of the Insane." J. C. BUGRHER, General Secretary. GEO. A. CAMPBELL, M. D., has removed from Suncook, N. H., to Manchester, N. H. Dr. W. O. HARDY has removed from Grafton, Mass., to Winchester, N. H. Dr. Lelia G. Bedell, B. U. S. of M., Class of 1878, has removed to No. 306 LaSalle Avenue, in Chicago. EDWARD E. PHILBROOK, M. D., has removed from Gorham, Me., to Taunton, Mass. A MEETING of the Massachusetts Surgical and Gynecological Society will be held at the Hawthorne Rooms, No. 2 Park Street, on Wednesday P. M., June 14, to which the profession generally is invited. Subject for discussion: Abnormal Conditions of the Female Bladder and Urethra." Papers on Etiology, Pathology, Diagnosis, Surgical, Electric, and Therapeutic Treatment will be read, as well as reports of various clinical cases. DOCTORS TRADING UPON A CODE. "In your telegraph report of the doings of the medical meeting in Memphis, yesterday, the chief transaction seems to have been the passage of a resolution denouncing the State Medical Society of New York for having modified its code of ethics so as to allow its members to consult and co-operate with educated and respected medical men outside, regardless of theories and systems. The code of that society, like that of the American Medical Association, which the forty doctors assembled at Memphis would now reassert and glorify in preamble and resolution, was intended to make of the society a sort of medical trades-union, for the protection and advancement of its members. "A single glance at the old code reveals to the intelligent reader an effort on the part of the society to persuade the public that all practitioners of medicine, outside the ring, are unqualified and unworthy of patronage, and that there is no safety except with the members of the one trades-union. "The assumption is plainly made that all medical knowledge and skill and trustworthiness are confined to the followers of the code, and that other practitioners are in great need of, and very anxious for, their recognition and assistance. The attitude of holding such pent-up skill, and of exercising their gifts of healing only in behalf of each other, would make a profound impression upon the people, and keep the terrified sick snugly within their care, but for the fact that the whole affair is known to be a stupendous sham, an assumption, a promise, and a threat, as false and futile as ever conjured up by a lot of designing and selfish men. "It is well known that, outside of such arrogant and illiberal associations, educated and skilful practitioners are found, able to exercise the highest gifts of healing and bound by no narrow code of ethics; and it is also well known that no greater medical ignoramuses and imposters are found than may boast of membership in such organizations. In darker ages, orthordoxy was life and heterodoxy death author ity was everything and science nothing and the people had naught to do but obey the priest and doctor and swallow theological tenets and drugs without thought and in defiance of reason; but such ages are past, and the people will think and investigate and choose for themselves, without fear of codes and recommendations. "The British Medical Congress and the New York Medical Society have simply yielded to the progress of medical light and the necessities of the times, in the modification of their codes. Their members, associated in various ways for the good of the sick and promotion of public health with medical men outside, have demanded the removal of the bars that formerly forbade what was actually and daily practised by them. The forty members of the Tennessee Medical Association desire to keep up the old bars, and the intelligent public will ask cui bono? - while medical men outside will laugh in contemptuous pity over their silly and harmless efforts." J. P. DAKE. Nashville Banner, May 12, 1882. DR. WALTER WICKHAM, superintendent of the small-pox hospital at Plaisted, strongly advocates (“ Lancet,” Jan. 21) the vaccination, even after small-pox has unmistakably declared itself, of patients unvaccinated at the time of infection. He says: "It may tend, even so late, to modify the disease; and I think, if on the appearance of the premonitory fever, vaccination were at once resorted to (in unvaccinated persons), the heavy percentage of deaths would be marvellously reduced: for then the vaccination would be matured before the tenth day, so generally fatal in this type." ERRATA. Through an oversight, several mistakes were not corrected in the review of the " American Homoeopathic Pharmacopæia" in the May number. Page 159, tenth line, read "instructors" instead of " contractor." Page 159, thirty-third line, read "comminution" instead of "communication." Page 160, sixth line, read "nosodes" instead of norades." |