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Points in Practise.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-I am glad to see your endorsement of the use of blisters in appropriate cases. I have used them during all my professional life, and they are very satisfactory in the cases indicated in your editorial.

In cases of peritonitis, especially after the acute stage is past, there is no remedy equal to them to stimulate the absorption of the effused products of inflammation. Also in frequently recurring cases of ovaritis, gastritis, peri-hepatitis, pelvic peritonitis and many other inflammatory diseases, they are the most efficient treatment.

Plasters also have their uses, and the practitioner who neglects their use is certainly not acquainted with their beneficial effects. When I was a country physician. I bought capsicum plaster by the yard and used it extensivly. It don't seem to me that we get as good plasters of that kind as we formerly did. The manufacturers are too stingy with their capsicum.

Liniments are very useful, especially in neuralgia and muscular rheumatism. The following is one of my best prescriptions for these ailments:

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M.-Take one teaspoonful into the mouth, and let it run into the throat, and retain it for some time, making it come in contact with the vault by working the base of the tongue up and down.

A saturated solution of alum and glycerin will be found useful also in pharyngitis, and in the different forms of sore mouth. This preparation should be held in the mouth and throat for some time.

Applied with cotton on a probe, it is a splendid remedy for catarrh of the nose. It should be applied at least once a day. ture of belladonna is the best remedy I For bruises, sprains and black eye, tinc

have found:

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M. Sig.-Apply a soft cloth saturated with the remedy, and over this a piece of oiled silk to prevent evaporation, or its absorption by the bandages. It ought to be renewed every half hour, or hour.,

Castor oil will remove warts if applied regularly for a week or two. (I made this discovery and publisht it in 1882.)

must be persisted in, and they will leave no scar behind, nor will it produce any soreness. Try it.

The best way (in my experience) to treat burns is to apply the old fashioned carron oil for two days, then spread oxide of zinc ointment on soft muslin cloths, and apply it. After a week or two, skin grafting is the proper procedure.

I have had a very interesting case of eczema of the mouth and face lately, with secondary infection of the lymphatics of the neck and jaw. I never saw as extensiv swelling before. Almost the whole neck was involved. A physician had tried everything he could think of. I applied citrine ointment to the sores and they commenced to heal at once, and in four or five days the face healed. For the glandular trouble I gave the child (3 years of age) ten drops of syrup of iodide of iron internally three times a day. For external use I applied the iodine mixture mentioned in the December WORLD, page 479, and when the skin got too sore I applied an ointment composed of:

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past away.

If Dr. Ritter will look on page 252 of July, 1900, WORLD, he will find there already described, his method of stretching the prepuce, as he describes in the December number, page 469.

The Editor wishes to know if there are any medical journals whose methods remind us of patent medicin almanacs? I will refer him to St. Louis journals. He will have no trouble in locating the one referred to. I understand that the editor of that journal is financially interested in several of the proprietary remedies he constantly recommends. I don't know how true this is.

I am not disposed to condemn the virtues of many such remedies, and yet they are (in a sense) secret remedies. I am confident they are making "piles" of money, and also that they depend upon the regular profession to help them out. One agent told me lately that the firm he traveled for would manufacture 3,000,000 bottles this year. It retails for $1.00 "per," making them an immense profit. Now when the members of the profession have no secrets, but make known every little discovery, sometimes to their loss, and seldom to their profit, is it right for us to give them our services? Lately I was offered a pretty snug sum if I would write a paper recommending a mixture of this sort. I refused point blank, and told the agent that I did not think his remedy amounted to much. As badly as I needed money-and most doctors need it pretty badly-I could not write for him and do justice to myself, nor to him. I am satisfied now, that many of the "slick" papers recommending such preparations are paid for. It is time the profession was "looking a leedle oud," on this question. For my part, I don't intend to be gulled-any more than I can help!

I consider the above a "point in practise."

I must commend Dr. J. T. Anderson for his able paper on pneumonia. (December WORLD, page 471.)

Dr. Cope wants to know "where we are at." The above thoughts on proprietary secrets will indicate where we are getting to. If we don't look out we will be "yanked" and hauled about until we will be in a dazed condition, and will feel like a blind man will when the world comes to an end. "Common sense" is surely our haven of repose. S. C. DUMM, M.D. Columbus, Ohio.

Quiz Column.

Questions are solicited for this column. Communications not accompanied by the proper name and address of the writer (not necessarily for publication) will not be noticed.

The great number of requests for private answers, for the information and benefit of the writer, makes it necessary for us to charge a fee for the time required. This fee will be from one to five dollars, according to the amount of research and writing required.

Does the Body Change Completely every Seven Years?

I have a number of patients who believe that every seven years the whole composition of the body is changed so that we are entirely different individuals. One gentleman, who has recently past his three score and ten mark, claims to have been able to note certain climaxes (as it were) for several months before and after the seventh year period during his life, and also claims to know others who have made similar observations. What do you know about this? "INQUIRER." Philadelphia.

[A boy once had a knife to which he was very much attacht. One day he broke the blade; but instead of getting a new knife, he had a new blade put in the old one. About a year thereafter he broke the handle; but his love for the "old" knife prompted him to get a new handle, instead of a new knife.

QUERY: Was it then the same old knife? However, this is not a fair comparison with the physiological processes. It is said that the processes of physiological change amount to a complete change in the material molecules of the body in a period of about seven years. But there is no particular beginning or ending of these periods. You might, to-day, say that your body is made up of different molecules from those that constituted your body seven years ago (perhaps excepting the enamel of the teeth). You might say the same thing to-morrow, and next day, and every day of this year, and of every year. There is no possibility of any climax," unless it be a continuous one.

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The inter-relations among the molecules are much more intimate than between the knife handle and the blade, and the changes take place constantly and insidiously. The replacing of the old by the new is so exact that identity of the whole is constantly maintained. Neither mind nor disposition seem to be changed by this molecular change. But when we consider the span of a human life, from infancy to

old age, many changes occur growth and development in childhood, apparent equilibrium in adult life, and degeneracy in old age. The idea that a human life is divided into periods of seven years each, and that a complete change takes place in each of these periods, is ridiculous; for molecular change takes place very rapidly during infancy, less rapidly during childhood, and very slowly in old age. -ED.]

"Cuban Itch."

Editor MEDICAL WORLD :-We have a contagious, eruptiv disease nearly all over Missouri. Some of the physicians call it Cuban itch. Do you know of any disease called Cuban itch? The disease resembles a light form of small-pox; that is, it has symptoms and eruption the same. J. R. VAUGHAN, M.D.

Sledd, Missouri.

[We have never seen this disease clinically, but considerable attention has been devoted to it by western medical journals. The name is given it by the laity, and is unscientific and meaningless. The first outbreak occurred after the return of the volunteers from Cuba, and thus the name "Cuban itch" has spread over a number of states. We have reports from Colorado, Utah, Missouri, Dakota, and other western states describing its ravages. In some places it has been declared true small-pox of the mild form, and quarantine regulations have been enforced; in many other places it is held by both profession and laity, much as they estimate the vulgar itch-as somewhat of a joke. The consensus of opinion is that it is highly contagious; tho rarely, if ever, fatal. Until this matter is definitly settled, it appears to us that the Missouri doctors have a wonderful opportunity opened to them. If this disease be true small-pox in a mild form, it should be definitly diagnosed. If a new disease has assailed our people by reason of foreign contact, we ought to know it, and we can depend only upon the physicians who come in contact with it to diagnose and classify it. Surely any observant physician may be certain of his diagnosis in an epidemic of small-pox, when he has seen a number of cases, and has had the opportunity of investigation, and the benefits of vaccination, and opportunities for ferreting out the channels. and methods of infection. If it is not smallpox, what is it? Numerous works on skin diseases will lead to light on every old skin

disease that has appeared in any part of the world. Get them. Peruse them. Then if you find any symptom or circumstance that will not tally with their records, report it immediately to THE WORLD. We have none of this disease in the east. Careful search of the latest dictionaries, works on medicin, cyclopedias on medicin, and medical literature, give no information regarding anything in the nature of "Cuban itch." The disease is either new to the U. S., or it has been misunderstood and diagnosed (?) by mental cripples. When you have studied well the magnificent works now extant on skin diseases, and find no aid, then send us minute, accurate and full reports, and we will study the matter together. We will ask the whole WORLD family in the west to comment, aid and suggest.-ED.]

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SEVEN SUTHERLAND SISTERS' HAIR GROWER. "The Lucky Number Seven."

"An elegant hair dressing. A sure hair promoter. Will permanently stop hair from falling out. A preparation free from irritating matter. For preserving and beautifying the hair, and rendering it soft and glossy, it is the best. Prepared only by the Seven Sutherland Sisters, Lockport, N. Y.

The container is a square, panel bottle, with name blown into the glass, and holds 3 fluid ounces of a nearly colorless liquid, having marked odor of bay rum and distilled extract of witch-hazel. Examination shows that the following formula makes a preparation substantially identical with the secret "hair grower": Stearns's bay rum.... 7 fl. oz. Dist. ext. of witch-hazel.. Common salt.....

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9 fl. oz. 1 dr.

Hydrochloric acid (5 per cent.).. 1 drop. Magnesia.... sufficient.

Mix the bay rum and distilled extract of witch-hazel, and shake with a little magnesia; filter and in the filtrate dissolve the salt and add the hydrochloric acid. The agitation with magnesia causes the preparation to assume a yellow color; but by rendering it very slightly acid, with one drop of 5 per cent. hydrochloric acid, this color all disappears.-New Idea.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-I would like to present a case of chronic ulcer to the WORLD family of readers for suggestions. For ten years or more the nail on the

great toe of the patient has been black, but a year and a half ago a small point on the end of the same toe became black as tho bruised and continued to degenerate into an ulcer. It enlarged till it became the size of a five cent piece. I saw it first three months ago; the edges were black, the center deprest, a slight discharge and the general appearance indicated lack of vitality. I have applied a great variety of irritants to stimulate granulation, antiseptics and food applications, bovinine, protoneuclein, etc., but all of no avail. At times the granulations have become healthy looking, but in 24 to 48 hours would again relapse into the degenerate appearance. Several times under cocain I have curretted the ulcer. The patient is about 50 years of age, in good general health, and very activ. The ulcer is not painful except when irritated. treatment the discoloration has disappeared but otherwise there is no improve ment.

Under

Would like to have suggestions from WORLD readers as to treatment in this R. A. FRENCH, M.D.

case.

Petaluma, Cal.

morning, when it is very bad. Now, can such a condition exist with perfect health, as this patient certainly seems to enjoy? It seems impossible to me. If not, where shall I look for the trouble? Diagnosis mostly wanted, but suggestions for treatment also thankfully received. I could not get along without THE WORLD. Indiana.

A CONSTANT READER.

Cause of Anencephalia.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-I wish to call the attention of the readers of the WORLD to the following case:

A lady 40 years of age menstruated last on April 1st. In June, lost two children by death. In early part of July her small child struck her in the abdomen, and three days thereafter she "commenced to flow," with dizzy and sick spells of over an hour. Since then had severe pain in left side, with inability to remain sitting; the only comfort to her was when lying on her right side; continual headache and tired feeling. On December 1st I was called because she had cramps; on examination I found she was in slight labor pains. At four in the afternoon she felt a

[Read up on peripheral gangrene.-ED.] continual dropping of water; at 4.30 a

seems to be

Bad Breath.

To

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-This case I have had under observation for the past two years. It has existed for at least ten years. Simple and trifling as it might seem, yet it has perplext me and mortified my patient. It is a case of the most horrible breath that can be imagined. use the husband's words, "if all the stinks I ever smelled were combined, they could not equal this one." Patient, aged forty-four, and to all intents and purposes the very embodiment of health; menses regular (somewhat offensive, however), appetite good, digestion perfect, bowels regular, teeth in good condition. I fail to find any indications of catarrh; patient clears throat a great deal, but inspection of throat reveals nothing. I get most of my information from the husband, who, by the way, is very intelligent and a close observer. He tells me that the smell emanates from the mouth entirely. It is not perceptible when mouth is closed. Another feature about the case is that it is also entirely absent during the day. It is noticeable only after patient has been asleep, as in the after part of the night and early

gush of water-fully a pail full. Saw her at 5 o'clock, found feet presentation but knees flexed; delivered only to find child of 7 pounds with anencephalic head.

What I would like to have is an open discussion in THE WORLD on above case, as to cause and frequency of such cases. FRED. P. LOWENSTEIN.

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Current Medical Thought.

Suicide in the Army.

The morbid lay sentimentality attacht to the return of insane soldiers from foreign service, and to the weird reports on "increasing suicide" in foreign climes, has had a check in Surgeon General Sternberg's report on homicide and suicide in the U. S. Army since 1888. It proves that there were fewer murders, in proportion to the number of troops employed during the last two years, than in all the ten former years. It shows that the mean annual ratio of suicides per 1,000 men was greater in the quiet garrison life at home than in the excitement of for

eign service and conflict. The cranks will now proceed to hunt newer, even tho false and imaginary, accusations against the medical profession, humanity and the government.

Present Bills to the Proper Parties. According to Wisconsin law, it is provided (Sec. 1512 Revised Statutes) that if any non resident become sick, lame or disabled in any town, city or village, or from any other cause (as poverty) shall need relief, the supervisors, or other authority, shall furnish such assistance as they may deem necessary, and make allowance for medical aid, etc., as they may think advisable, and shall order the same to be paid out of the town, city or village treasury. The same statute requires the said authorities to notify the county clerk within ten days after such person so becomes a public charge. Upon such information the county authorities may remove him to the poor farm, or take such other action as they see fit. Under the provisions of this statute, in the case of Ebert vs. Langdale County, the chairman of a town gave due notice to the county clerk, and the two officials agreed to employ a physician, who was to render his bill to the county clerk for payment by the county. After the bill was thus filed, a taxpayer brought action to enjoin the county from issuing an order on the said audited bill. The Supreme Court of Wisconsin sustained the taxpayer, on the ground that it was the town who was the debtor of the physician, and that he had no enforceable claim against the county. The claim, the decision continued, should have been presented to the town board

and audited by them for payment from the town treasury, and a claim should then have been presented by the town against the county for reimbursement. It was not considered a case for injunction, however, since the county was plainly liable; the decision was only made because the statutes were not strictly enforced.

[The physician cannot be too careful in making out bills for corporations or municipal or county organizations. It is certain that some one will gladly pick a flaw. It is always best to be certain who is responsible for the bill, and to have witness to that effect, either as a bystander or in writing; unless one intends to render services for pure charity, which is worse than idiocy when an incorporated body have declared themselves liable or willing for payment.-ED.]

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