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OCTOBER, 1903]

Homeopathic Replies-Interesting Story of a Doctor

seriously questioned. How easy it would have been to have quoted 270 of the Organon and let Hahnemann explain this process:

Thus two drops of the fresh vegetable juice (tincture) mingled with equal parts of alcohol are diluted with 98 drops of alcohol and potentized by means of two succussions, whereby the first development of power is formed, and this process is repeated thru 29 more vials, each of which is filled three-quarters full with 99 drops or alcohol, and each succeeding vial is to be provided with one drop from the preceding vial, and in its turn twice shaken, and in the same manner at last the 30th development of power (potentized decillionth dilution), which is the one most generally used.

By Hahnemann's simple process, the millions of carloads of sugar of milk or trillions of hogsheads of alcohol can be put in 30 one-dram vials and carried in your pocket, a practical demonstration of the difference between Hahnemann's fact and Quine's (or Spain's) fiction. The 30th potency has withstood the ridicule of Simpson, Holmes, Palmer and their colleags for many, many years, and this rehash of Quine will not detract one jot or tittle from its worth; while hundreds of allopaths equally learned, equally honest, scientific and skilful, who have put it to the bedside test are praising its wonderful curativ efficacy in all forms of acute and chronic disease. Alumina, carbo, chalk, graphite, lycopodium, salt, sepia, silex, the metals, and the animal products, which are wholly inert in their crude form, become when potentized activ health deranging and health restoring agents. Try them and publish the failures to the world.

In the same manner 99 grains of milk sugar and one grain of salt, triturated in a porcelain mortar for an hour, makes the first potency; one grain of the first and 99 grains of milk sugar triturated in the same way make the second, etc. Only 30 two-dram vials will be required to hold all the milk sugar used in making the 30th potency of salt, or any other remedy, instead of "five worlds, each the size of our earth.' Chicago.

H. C. ALLEN.

[Editor of The Medical Advance.]

Homeopathic Replies.

"Ulcers in the Mouth of Female," page 420, will be benefited by dilute nitric acid, say roooo, rinsed thru the mouth, and then swallowed. Repeat each three hours till much better, then three times a day. Also follow the "taboo" of non-eating between meals, and no candy nor sweets.

"Depilatory"; page 420: Why shave at all? Was the Creator a fool to produce a beard upon the male man? This is like the fads of cutting tonsils, appendix, and foreskin off, trying to improve (?) on nature for a fee.

"Nerve Explosions," etc.; page 421: Can be cured by belladonna 30x, in frequently repeated doses. May require 200th or may be melilotus 30x to help complete the cure. But to curet that girl's uterus is a sin, and she and her parents, and the M.D. who performs it, will commit more sins than cited in the decalog of Moses.

"Nausea of Prospectiv Father" is amusing to the wife, and does not hurt.

Calcareous Degeneration of Placenta, in Pregnant Lady of Fleshy Temperament," will be benefited in many ways, besides that of the placenta, by use of calcarea ostrearum 30x, 5 drops night and morning for one month, then omit a month, and repeat.

Gastralgia, in 55 year old fleshy woman," page 422, will receive benefit from sepia 30x, or anacardium 30x, but use only one remedy at a time; 5 drops one-half hour before each meal, and at bed time. Try it and be convinced. Don't use any drugs or lotions.

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In your "Genital Eczema" case, you see the ill effects of suppressing instead of curing an eruption. I would give psoricum 30x now to bring out the eruption, and also cure the pain and eruption at same time, with same remedy. Calcarea Phosp. 30x may also be needed to complete the cure.

"Ill Effects of Quinin in the Head," page 422, can be relieved by natrum salicylate 3x or 6x trit. Surely. "Wart" query, page 422. Tell what part of the body, also all other concomitants complained of; also figure and temperament of patient, and I will tell you the internal remedy to cure.

"Incontinence of Urin," in 11 year old girl, page 423, can be cured by Ferrum metalicum 30x given 5 drops night and morning, if the urin is light colored. But if dark colored urin, give selenium 30x same way. The suggestions of Doctor Russell otherways are exellent.

'Red Face," page 423: Give ailanthus 30x, 5 drops one-half hour or so before each meal and the Editor's suggestion as to diet. Also prepare a lotion of equal parts of pine tar and glycerin, and apply all over face and neck, at bedtime, after a warm bath.

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Injured by Electricity," page 423: Natrum muriat. 200th seems indicated, and if it cures, then it is homeopathic. Remedies are not homeopathic, unless they are the exact similium; and then they will cure, and the nerve tissue will be restored. The use of opiates is all wrong, and is to be regreted. Why not use chloroform, with an addition of hypericum 3x dilution?

"Possible autointoxication," page 424: If the theory don't help, try gelsemium 30x, 5 drops each, 3 hours, till better, then 3 times a day. But if you use gels., avoid all drugs and purgatives.

as to

"Solanum Carolinense," of Doctor Knight's query "the right potency," I refer him to the law of dose the inverse ratio of the homeopathicity. All the provings I have of solanums do not indicate any homeopathic uses in epilepsey or chorea.

El Paso, Texas.

JOHN F. EDGAR.

An Interesting Story of a Doctor and His Two Faithful Servants.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-I read in June WORLD, page 275, "A Doctor's Faithful Servant and Companion Gone." It revived my grateful remembrance of a faithful animal I once owned. As the writer would like to hear of other perhaps equally faithful and wonderful equine servants, I wil relate a short history of my old mare Freya, named after the mythological German goddess "Freya," god-mother of the sixth day of the week, "Friday," adding thereto a short history of an equally faithful two-legged servant of the species Homo, masculine generis, by the name of Ned Williams.

My mare was born and raised near my former home in Warren county, Mo. Having too much Kentucky blood and spirit (not the kind that is kept in staves) in her, she would not become reconciled to work on the farm. In the plow she would always try to run all around her partner. In the horse-power of the threshing machine, then in use, she insisted on pulling the thing alone. "Riding her to church she would wear her master out, giving him cramps in his fingers trying to hold her down to a plebian gait, and, not until she ran away with the harrow one day, severely injuring herself, did her owner accept my offer of $125 for her. From then on I rode her every day, condemning quite a number of other horses that I used during her time, the mare doing much more than half of the work.

At about the completion of her first decennary of service, I hired what proved to be a faithful attendant to the mare, all around servant of the family, gardener, tinker, pill-maker, and surgical assistant. He was a Welshman by the name of Ned Williams. Had been all over the world, roughing it as a British soldier, sailor, gold miner, coal digger, Indian fighter, boasting of several scalps of his own capture and prowess.

And so the fight for life continued by a sort of triumvirate, the old mare, old Williams and myself (and other horses not worth mentioning) for another ten years uninterruptedly without missing a day.

This mare alone carried me to about seven hundred

confinement cases, rackt a mile in three minutes when twenty years old, never stumbled, never fell, never ran away, could see like an owl in the darkest night.

O'er hills, mountains, thru fields and dales,
Thru creeks, mudholes, and flowry vales,
Jumpt fences, won me many a race,

Caused ne'er a scratch on my limbs or face.

At the end of her second decennary of service she was still as game as a cock, as Dr. J. B. Smith says of his old Billy. At this time an attack of dysentery threw me upon my sick bed, necessitating me to give up my practise for quite a while, and my absence from home. During my absence old Williams got the blues, which he too often sought to disperse by the spirit that is kept in staves. One night, during a spree, he led the old mare, then twenty-six years old, into the pasture, blew out her brains with a shot gun and buried her beneath the flowry lawn on which she was wont to graze at times during twenty springs. Kentucky spirit led old Williams from bad to worse. One day, in a spree he told some friends: "My doctor is gone, my old mare is gone, and there is no use for old Williams to remain any longer. Should you miss him some day, look for him upon the old mare's grave and bury him near it, for I'd rather rest alongside that faithful brute than near some of the scoundrels in the graveyard" (his own words). Three weeks afterward he was found dead upon the mare's grave, with a bullet hole thru his head, and an empty revolver in his hand.

Whilst I was writing this your welcome MEDICAL WORLD arrived, containing the sad account of the untimely death of our genial friend Dr. Love. In remembrance of Dr. Love, Williams, old Billy, and old Freya, I would say: You were all much above the average of your kind.

Requiescat in pace!"

Dr. A. W. Graham, of Warrenton. Mo., a very excellent physician and gentleman, a true professional brother to me during some of the gloomiest days of my life, will bear witness to the truth of every word I have related. Should he not be already a subscriber to our" WORLD, you will find inclosed one dollar for one year's subscription. Ask him to accept it as a slight token of friendship and gratitude from me, and when he reads it remember me and old Freya. St. Louis Mo. H. S. STANDINGER, M.D.'

306 S. Jefferson Ave.

Automobiles.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-I read with a great deal of interest Dr. Hard's "Automobile Experiences," September WORLD, pages 398 and 399. It seems to me that we should be informed in regard to the name of the carriage which gives satisfaction and which the owner discusses with pleasure, or which he cusses because of misrepresentation on the part of the dealer. I know that some physicians are using automobiles with satisfaction. I know that others have spent a great deal of money, and have at last returned to the old, faithful horse. We should have the experiences of physicians who are using automobiles under all conditions of roads, etc., type of machine, make, etc.

I have had experience with both steam and gasoline carriages, and with the methods of sellers of the same. I am of the opinion that these fellows can tell more lies to the square inch than the average horse jockey. Some makers of road carriages advertise their particular carriages, extoling them to the super

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The Automobile and the Doctor. Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-In reading the automobile experience of Dr. Hard in your September issue, page 398, it is plain that the Doctor has had his share of "bad luck." Perhaps a little consideration of his and other articles relating to the automobile may not be amiss.

In the first place, the Doctor owned and operated, or tried to operate, a steam vehicle. This type of machine appeals to the average physician because it is compact, it does not look so bulky, it appears more in keeping with his profession; but the machine is not bought to simply look pretty; it is bought to take the place of a horse and carriage.

Now,

if there is one thing a physician, or I will say the average physician, should not own, much less try to operate, it is a steam automobile. The doctor wishes to make his calls, and if he is at all concerned about the welfare of his patients he cannot help thinking about them more or less as he is making his rounds. His mind is filled with the case just seen, and hardly is he able to dismiss that from his mind when, as he approaches the neighborhood of the next one, it in turn demands his attention. Should it now so happen that he is trying to reach his patient via the steam automobile route, he has indeed a hard road to travel. Let us stop to consider:

Ever since steam has been used as a motiv power in factories, steamboats, locomotives, etc., the best and most skillful engineers have been in demand, and so great was their responsibility considered that the various States passed laws requiring that before any person attempted to operate a steam engine, he must give satisfactory proof of his ability before a competent board, and if found worthy he was duly licensed; otherwise he could not obtain such rights. All these men were practica! mechanics, and yet they could not be relied upon; also the State was compelled to create a board of boiler inspectors to further safeguard the public welfare. Still the number of lives that have been lost thru carelessness or incompetency on the part of the engineer in charge is considerable.

In view of such facts, is it to be wondered at that the average doctor should make a tailure of doing his work in a steam automobile? Not only that; the manufacturers who a few years ago were heralding their products on all of our signboards in gorgeous colors, have practically abandoned the manufacture of steam vehicles, and have either given up

building automobiles altogether, or, to save their plant, have been driven to the manufacture of gasoline wagons. How many doctors can successfully keep their mind on their patients and at the same time watch the air pressure gauge on his gasoline tank, his steam pressure gauge, the water gauge to his boiler, the amount of water in his tank, his lubricating system, the proper adjustment of all working parts, to say nothing of safely piloting his machine thru crowded streets or over rough and unfit country roads, to the ever ear-piercing cry of the little boys and girls: "Get a horse! Get a horse!"? But if human ingenuity could overcome all these obstacles, there remains one fact that must be a constant source of worry. It has never seemed to me that it was the safest thing to confine a large amount of gasoline within close proximity to a roaring fire. Gasoline and fire! Does it not send a shudder thru your spinal column? Imagin yourself seated over a boiler having 250 a boiler having 250 pounds pressure to the square inch, 5 or 10 gallons of gasoline in a tank in front of your feet, and a blazing, roaring fire under your boiler !

However, the automobile in the doctor's practise has come to stay; but there are only two types from which to choose, and it all depends upon the work required and the location of the owner as to the particular choice. I refer, of course, to gasoline and electric driven wagons. For a doctor who lives in a place where the recharging of an electric machine is not difficult, and if he desires the machine to be used in his practise only, the electric_machine is the ideal doctor's wagon; clean, noiseless, odorless, always ready, inexpensiv to maintain and absolutely safe. Of course

it has its drawbacks. The average rate of travel is limited to 35 or 40 miles, which means that the operator must not be any further than 15 miles from home at any time. This for a city practise is all sufficient. Again, it takes about as long to charge a wagon as it does to discharge it, the average time consumed in either process being about four hours.

There is no doubt at all that the gasoline machine is the all around vehicle. It can be used for city or country practise, will go long and short distances, gasoline can be procured nearly anywhere, and if the machine is built on proper lines and gotten up to last, there will be little to worry about. I am now driving my second gasoline wagon. My first was in 1900. I purchast what was then considered, and is yet, the best American machine obtainable. It was the heavy variety, about 1600 pounds, single cylinder type. This machine gave very good satisfaction, but in 1902 the

car had many valuable improvements, so I sold the old machine and bought the later type of the same machine. I was therefore thoroly conversant with this type, and for the past year and a half have used this machine. For the first year this car was used in general practise, but for the past six months, having given up general practise, it has been used for pleasure trips only. In fact I have come to the conclusion that I shall dispose of this car and purchase the same machine in the touring car type. Of course I have had trouble, but I never was left on the road or even delayed on a trip. When anything goes wrong with a gasoline car there are just a few places to look for trouble. I can sum the requirements up in three, namely: good compression in the cylinder, gas mixture in the cylinder, and a proper kind of a spark in the cylinder. If these are all right, something must move. In closing, a bit of advice: The best wagon is the cheapest; then understand the mechanism and its principles before attempting to operate, and use good common ALBERT C. GEYSER, M.D.

sense.

352 Willis ave., New York City.

Automobiles and the Doctor.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-The article in September WORLD, page 398, seems to need a reply. First, autos are fast becoming one of the safest and quickest, as well as best means of travel in the country. It is needless to remark that first, one must have a road, but any ordinary road that a horse can travel will be no trouble for the auto, if a good gasoline machine. I too first had the steam, and found it hard to manage, expensiv and dangerous. Now there are steam machines that are safer, but not less expensiv, tho surer to go, but it takes one longer to get started.

What machine was the Doctor using? It would seem that he had more than the usual amount of trouble, as to not being "just sure" he could go or "when he could return." If his machine is in order, and he has feed and a spark, he may feel just as sure to go as anything possibly can be. Again, as to "something being the matter and nobody knows what" or "where to locate the difficulty," I was told such would be the case, but I studied my machine and the working of the engine, and I, in over two years in running the gasoline engine, have to find the first time that I did not know in a very few moments just what the trouble was, and never yet have been left out on the road, or had any farmer bring me in. I am still using my old "Olds," having run some 13,000 miles on a country road. I now have a "Cadillac." It is no better than the Olds, not quite as handy for short trips; in

fact I still use the Olds on all my short runs. Last winter I made many runs out in the rain and mud, night and day. I much prefer the auto in the rain to the horse, for I have no wet lines to handle, my steer is under cover, and with my top am perfectly dry. Now I am not saying that a road may not be so bad that an auto could not run at all. I am sure it could be. And again the speed one travels and the small wheels cause the mud to fly much worse than it does using the horses, when you plod along at a four mile gate. I am painfully aware that autos are not perfected; still I would not think of practising medicin without an auto in this country. I too know that in Minn., one could not in wet months do successful work with an auto. I practised in Minn. for years and know what it is. Still, even there, I think I would find sufficiently good roads and weather to warrant me in owning one. The saving in time and the comfort in travel would pay, in my experience. When I bought mine I considered it an experiment. I found it so with the steam machine. I then turned to the gasoline and never hitcht up my horse but twice in two years after getting my Olds auto. All my business is done in my auto.

Our friend says there are six things to watch. I do not know what they are, I find but two things that I must look out for: first, see that there is feed (gasoline) in the tank; second. see that I have good strong batteries. Then I am sure to go if I do not try to draw more than my little engine will pull. There is a limit, and one is foolish to over-load even a gasoline engine, tho it does not feel or grumble, but for our own satisfaction, it is easy to run if not overloaded.

Carelessness will not be over-lookt by even the auto. One must know how to care for the machine and must do it. If he does, the machine will do the rest. A binding joint or tight bearing will soon show, and one cannot get much power in the motion if such are not kept in good adjustment. Every thing depends on the machine running easy and free; then it will pick up quickly on a hill or in sand, giving power in the motion to draw it up or thru the sand. I know of nothing surer than a gas engine to go, and do the work if in order, and it is safe, as the Doctor has most truthfully remarkt. My autos are my bulwark in busiD. W. HUNT.

ness.

Glendale, Cal.

An old-fashioned, but excellent diuretic drink is made by steeping an ounce of crusht juniper berries in a pint of water and adding an ounce of potassium bitartrate, and directing that it be taken in the course of a day. The berries should be freshly crusht before steeping, as they soon lose the volatil oil after crushing.

QUIZ

New books as they appear, are sent to our Assistant Editor, Dr. A. L. Russell, of Midway, Washington Co., Pa.. for review As the Doctor thus has all the late books for refer ence, and is made familiar with them by reviewing each one carefully as it reaches him, he is unusually equipt for answering queries. Therefore it has been our custom for a long time to send queries to him for reply. In fact, the Doctor made a specia. request that this be done, as he enjoys this work. It now occurs to us that time will be saved if you will send directly to Dr Russell matter intended for the Quiz Department, which has grown so much under his vigorous treatment " Please notice that our query department is not used to "boost" proprietary remedies, almanac fashion. THE MEDICAL WORLD has no interests other than to give to the medical profession the greatest amount of honest service possible. It has absolutely no interests in any proprietary preparation nor any medical supply house. Other medical editors have become, and are becoming, wealthy, by using their pages to increase the sale of preparations that they are interested in; but we prefer to render service to our subscribers that is above suspicion of personal pecuniary interest. How can a man interested in the sale of certain preparations render the best service? He is always trying to push one of his preparations in. That is commercial journalism. We prefer ethical journalism-and so does the profession, for THE MEDICAL WORLD is growing in popularity faster than ever before-and our subscribers are paying ones. They must be, for we have no medicins to "boost," nothing to sell, nothing to depend on but pure journalism; but doctors that want honest, straight journalism are willing to pay for it-they are glad of the opportunity.

Only such queries will be publisht as are likely to interest and instruct many others as well as the one asking help. No charge has ever been made, nor will any charge be made, for this service to our subscribers. However, those who wish an immediate and personal reply by mail may obtain the same by inclosing two dollars to Dr. Russell. This is really a consultation in the interest of the patient, and should be charged to the patient-two dollars being a very moderate consultation fee. The Doctor agrees to give full careful and immediate attention to such consultations. We reserve the right to publish in this department any such consultations that may be interesting and helpful to our readers. Name and address will be withheld if requested. Come freely for help, but read up as fully as you can before coming to us.

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[We get many inquiries for the formula for this nostrum. We do not know of what it is composed, and have never seen a formula publisht for it. It is popularly supposed to consist of cheap whiskey or diluted alcohol, flavored and colored so as to disguise its true nature. In those locations where saloons are wanting, those accustomed to the use of whiskey do not hesitate to purchase it and consume it by the bottle. If it contained any activ medicament, it could not be so used. We have seen it imitated closely by diluting alcohol and coloring it with caramel, and flavoring with wild cherry bark or similar agent.-ED.]

Application for Corns.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-While in Chicago some few years ago, I called on a chiropodist by the name of Von Schill. He applied a small quantity of an ointment resembling the officinal ung.hydrarg. in appearance to every troublesome corn that I had, and a few minutes afterwards pickt the corn off with his fingers, completing the operation, as he termed it, with a pair of fine scissors. It is certainly the best preparation I have ever seen employed. I am evidently not the only one the Doctor (?) has imprest, for I remember seeing an inquiry similar to the one I am now making either in THE WORLD or in the Alkaloidal Clinic. I have, however, not been able to find any reply, and as my file is unfortunately not complete. I take this method of ascertaining from you if you have ever heard what this preparation is. Thanking you in anticipation, I am,

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Diagnosis of Hip Trouble.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Farmer, 65 years old; always hale, hearty, and a noted walker. Height, about 5 feet 10 inches; weight, about 165 pounds. Never sick. Last June applied to me for treatment of left leg, which pained very much while plowing, or otherwise walking. The pain would start in left hip and extend down thigh to knee; seemed to follow course of sciatic nerve. I treated for sciatica, with no results. About the middle of July he fell while walking from shop to his house, which fall produced severe pain in affected hip and thigh; and he is still confined to bed, but improves slowly. Can walk by the use of crutches. Both legs are the same length. Left foot swells. On motion pain sometimes strikes him above knee, sometimes in hip, sometimes about midway between knee and hip. Now Dr. A. claims hip to be dislocated and will get well of itself; no treatment. Dr. B. claims this to be a case of sciatica, or neuritis of sciatic nerve, and needs electricity, etc.

Please give me your opinion, if you can draw a conclusion from the description. Put us right. Emerson, Ark. W. M. GIBSON.

[You can readily exclude dislocation by the measurements given in all works on surgery. Doubtless you had a case of sciatica when he consulted you in June, but a patient with sciatica might have a dislocation a month later. If you have excluded dislocation in a case you had been treating some thirty days. for sciatica, and another consultant diagnoses a dislocation, the burden of the proof rests upon him. Every injury about the hip, in a patient older than fifty years, is a matter of worry. Dr. A. cannot support his claim that there is a dislocation which will get well without treatment. If the dislocation exists, and is not reduced, the patient will always be lame. In a patient of that age, after such an injury, intracapsular fracture is to be thought of.

We suggest that you examin this limb carefully, when all concerned can be present. If necessary to establish a diagnosis, employ anesthesia. Do this in the interest of the patient.

The fact of the limbs being the same length would fairly exclude dislocation. Protect yourself, and concede your consultants the same courtesy; yet between you, give your patient the best chance possible.

You probably have some kidney insufficiency, which would account for the swelling. We will be glad to consider this case further with you, if you deem advisable.-ED.]

Infantil Menstruation.

DEAR EDITOR-I have under my observation a girl baby 14 months old, tenth child, who has a vaginal discharge regularly every month, and has had ever since it was born, of a whitish or slightly yellowish color, and lasting three to four days, during which time the child is very peevish, cross, and fretful. The baby is small and delicate looking. The mother is small and délicate looking also, but not more so than would be expected of a woman at 38 who has given birth to ten children and all living! Mother has always menstruated regularly until this summer, when for five of her periods she passed nothing but "muddy water." She tells me that during these five periods she did not feel in any way different from her usual menses, only that instead of usual discharge she passed nothing but muddy water. What is the matter with the baby? The mother has never had any discharge between menstruations. A. J. COLBORN, M.D.

Ohiopyle, Pa.

[It is no unusual thing to find a discharge from the vulva of debilitated children, but in such a case it would not appear regularly each month. In this instance, it would look like a true menstruation. There are such cases on record. Such a case is deserving of further study and observation, and THE WORLD Would be pleased to have you report on it later. So long as no more serious symptoms than fretfulness develop, we would not deem treatment necessary; but both babe and mother should have a nourishing and supporting regimen, possibly accompanied by tonics, particularly reconstructivs, as phosfates or hypophosfites, cod-liver oil, etc., and plenty of rest, from both work and worry, for the mother.-ED.]

Convulsions in Children.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:--Please give me a good remedy for spasms in young children; something new. Tolosa, Texas. G. D. WEAVER, M.D.

[There is nothing especially new for spasms of children. The treatment is to remove the cause of irritation, since the convulsion is reflex in all instances. When the cause can not be permanently removed the convulsions tend to return, and hence any antispasmodic or nerve sedativ is indicated. Since idiopathic convulsions in childhood are nearly always caused by, or accompanied by an overloaded intestinal tract, it is good practise to give an enema and follow it with a brisk purge, and for this purpose nothing is better than castor oil in generous dosage. Such treatment is ably supplemented by chloral hydrate and the bromids to quiet the nervous excitability already engendered before the explosion occurred, and a certain amount of which persists after every convulsion. Both of these drugs are borne well by children in such circumstances, and relativly large doses are the rule. Such treat

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