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should be given in the dynamic, rather than crude dose.

The second case is given in such ambiguous terms that the remedy can only be "guessed" at. No homeopath would No homeopath would think of attempting to select a remedy for it. The anticipating type and the vomiting are common to many remedies. "When in doubt play trumps"-quinin— would be too empirical to satisfy the demands of scientific therapeutics.

Chicago, Ill. H. C. ALLEN, M.D.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-In the October WORLD We have another test case, which the Editor thinks a much fairer test than Dr. Chapman's; and he gives an invitation to the homeopathic members of the WORLD" family" to prescribe, but necessarily with a qualification. Dr. Kendrick has given enuf symptoms for anyone to diagnose malarial fever, and for which every allopath in the land would prescribe quinin; but for a homeopath to prescribe intelligently very much more than this is required. We must know about the comparativ length of the several stages of chill, fever and sweat, and the concomitant symptoms. Is the patient thirsty in the chill, the fever or sweating stage? Does he crave cold or warm drinks? Small or large quantities? and whether frequent or otherwise? In fact, every symptom that the case presents ought to be furnisht. Thus having the full picture before him, the homeopath will be able to select such symptoms as he deems important, on which to base a prescription.

Now let us examin the cases before us with the light as we have it. In case No. 1 we have only two features on which to prescribe the fact of periodicity and a ten o'clock onset. For the former we have several remedies: Quinin, cedron, sabina and others. For the latter we have, together with regular order or periodicity, nat. mur. very prominent, and for this case, provided the symptoms we ought to have do not contraindicate it, we would give nat. mur. in the 30th or upward, and it will cure promptly. Quinin in large doses will suppress this case and seem to

cure.

In case No. 2 there is the same lack of fullness and detail as in No. 1; but taking the case as given, we have nausea and vomiting, restlessness and long continued fever stage, all of which are covered by ipecac. If we had the modalities of the

case and found that the patient desired cold and was thirstless, it would be more confirmatory; but as it is I prescribe ipecac with an eye on arsenicum; either remedy, if indicated by the symptoms we have and those we have not, will stop that vomiting, relieve the fever, and if not preventing another paroxysm entirelywhich Dr. Kendrick fears will bring dangerous symptoms-will change a case with dangerous possibilities into a very simple case of malarial fever, and ultimately cure it entirely. I am very much pleased with THE WORLD, and enjoy its subject matter very much. P. L. MACKENZIE, M.D. Portland, Oregon.

Dr. Chapman's Case.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-I am somewhat interested in Dr. Chapman's case of pneumonia. I will offer my prescription as an evidence that the homeopathic law of prescribing is an exact one, and is not a practise of "routine or favorit prescriptions." I have workt the case out as follows:

Affection of right lung-pneumonia: Phos., kali bi., ant. tart., etc.

Pleuritic pains in right hypochondrium: Phos., kali bi., ant. tart, etc.

Sputum rust colored: Sang., phos. Sputum dirty: Kali bi. and phos. Sputum very tenacious: Ant. tart., kali bi., phos.

Sputum adheres to vessel like glue: Ant. tart., kali bi., phos.

Sputum flies to pieces like batter when falling on paper (peculiar): Phos.

Hepatization of right lung, especially lower half: Phos.

Phosphorus covers the "totality" of the symptoms, besides it has the most " peculiar and unusual" symptoms, and therefore I should say that phosphorus is the "similimum"-the indicated remedy; and given in the proper potency and dose, it will surely cure the case of pneumonia. No other remedy should be given at the same time, and no poultices are necessary.

Antimonium tartaricum, sanguinaria canadensis and kali bichromicum are remedies which should be closely studied and compared with phos. in this case.

Utica, N. Y. DR. CHAS. E. ALLIAUME.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-It seems to me, and I doubt not to others of the school of medicin who cannot figure out life and death with the mathematical surety which

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Light as a Therapeutic Agent. Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Replying to your inquiry for particulars regarding the methods of using light therapeutically, as mentioned in my communication on page 440, October WORLD, I will say that to enter into details would require more space than is usually accorded a contribution to THE WORLD. I will say, in a general way. that after experimenting with many forms. of lamps, I am using an incandescent lamp and condensers especially constructed for this work. To be effectiv, the light must be very powerful. With the proper rays of light, a long list of pathogenic germs are easily destroyed.

First in the order of their destructibility I place the bacterium of pneumonia. At this point, permit me to call your attention to the important fact that we have escaped from the realm of uncertainty, where we have been hoping to cure disease by some mystical "tissue metabolism," and are operating under fixt and well known laws. We cure nothing We kill. We kill the germ and nature makes the cure.

If certaim powerfully concentrated rays of light be thrown upon the lungs during the first stage of pneumonia, the result. will be the entire destruction of the bacteria within fifteen minutes; and a slight feeling of lassitude, which will pass in a few hours, will be the only unpleasant result of the attack. If the pleura be affected and the pain and dyspnea be never so severe, both will be entirely relieved within from two to five minutes. I have seen the most agonizing pains of pleurisy and rheumatism of the heart completely relieved in two minutes. I have never seen a failure.

Closely following this comes the germ of cancer. Cancer of the breast is easily eradicated-more so than any other of the group. Cancer of the cervix uteri I have found most difficult to dislodge, but it can be done. The lancinating pains

and soreness which accompany cancer of the breast are entirely relieved in two or three minutes-nor will they return if the treatments are continued.

Appendicitis is readily overcome. but it requires three or four treatments and must receive attention before the formation of pus. It affords immediate relief.

These rays readily destroy lupus and all other diseases of the skin which are caused by the bacterium of tuberculosis

Most important and far reaching in its results is the destruction of the bacterium of tuberculosis. That this is easily, safely and, I may say, pleasantly accomplisht, is no longer a question of experiment or doubt. I do not mean that an occasional case may recover, but that all in the first stage are curable. The same is true of the second stage-barring complications, which are more frequent than in the first. It becomes, then, of the greatest importance to know at what stage and under what conditions the prognosis becomes doubtful. My case book furnishes a large number of recoveries and, unfortunately, failures also. failures also. From these I have, in a great measure, been able to determin the laws and general conditions under which the recoveries occur

Where the disease is far advanced, emaciation very markt and respirations over thirty, recoreries are exceptional.

Cases of this description usually experience a certain amount of relief, and occasionally recover and become robust. The rapidity with which the lung tissues recuperate is quite remarkable. But I wish to emphasize the statement that a very large percentage of these far advanced cases will prove fatal, regardless of the seemingly improved condition during the first few days of treatment.

After the formation of cavities and the occurrence of hemorrhages, even tho severe, recov eries are frequent.

The bacteria can be destroyed at any stage of the disease. The question of recovery hinges upon the recuperativ power of the individual. In determining this question I have, therefore, learned to place greater reliance upon the general condition, than anything revealed by percussion and auscultation.

In a given case the effects of light are the same, whether the disease be hereditary or acquired. It will be admitted that the germs will be destroyed with equal facility in these Nevertheless, we are almost com

cases.

pelled to doubt the ability of nature to give the contracted chest of the hereditary consumptive a robust contour. But kill the germs and see how quckly the chest and muscles round out, denying all former influences of the disease. Not infrequently the gain in flesh amounts to fifteen pounds in a month.

These light rays not only possess the power of relieving certain pains almost instantly, but they also possess the power of controling the night sweats of phthisis. The first application frequently puts a stop to this unpleasant feature of the disease. The exceptions to this usually prove fatal. During administration of light the temperature usually rises 5° to 1.5° F. The The application is always grateful and is often followed by refreshing sleep.

During the first stage there have been no failures. The same is true of the second if uncomplicated. But in the third stage, especially where there is great emaciation, the percentage of recoveries is small.

In this connection I again desire to call attention to the frequent failures and disappointments attending the treatments of those far advanced in the disease. But no number of failures in this class of cases can seriously detract from the value of a discovery which will cure practically all during the first and second stages, thus making it possible to eradicate the disease from the earth.

With improved lamps, which I am now installing, I hope to save a larger percentage of these third stage cases. During this period the diagnosis should be governed by the following rule:

Easy and copious expectoration with little effort, accompanied by substantial increase in weight, indicates progress toward recovery regardless of the stage of the disease.

This is but a brief outline of the results of two years of investigation of a subject which is fraught with such important possibilities and such vital interests, that it must in the near future exert a powerful influence upon the practise of medicin.

In a large measure the success of these investigations is due to Mr. C. T. Rogers, who has devised the lamps and appliances which have been required from time to time. CONDON E. ROGERS, M.D.

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are trying a new thing up our way, and I want to put you onto it.' I have fitted up a small room, about four by six, with one hundred incandescent electric lights, with reflectors. I put a patient into this room perfectly nude. The duration of a treatment is from four to ten minutes-a patient cannot stand more than ten minutes. Soon after entering the room he breaks out into a profuse perspiration, and after the treatment he usually takes a refreshing nap." This is all the Doctor claimed to know about the matter, but he is investigating, and he has had prominent electro-therapeutic authorities at his house to investigate the matter. The Doctor now takes light treatment instead of the Turkish baths in which he formerly indulged. His parting remark was, "Come up and visit me and take a light treatment," which we promist to do.-ED.]

What Shall I do With My Boy, Threatened With Tuberculosis?

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-I have been in practise 25 years, and during that period have seen much of pulmonary tuberculosis, and have yet to see the case that could be indubitably attributed to another, except thru heredity; and I have also yet to make the acquaintance of the doctor who has seen an indubitable case. All doctors of years of practise can tell of a number of single cases in various families, but how many reliable and observant doctors are to be found that will testify to having seen a case that was clearly, positivly, indubitably attributable to contagion from another. There is now within a half-mile of my door, in the last stages of pulmonary consumption, a young woman of 20 summers, whose aunts, on her fathe's side, died of consumption before she was born. Her father and mother are both living and in fair health. Strange the bacilli of her aunts should hold themselves in reserve for 22 or 23 years for this particular girl, refusing to assail the great number of persons that have lived and slept in this same house, since 23 years ago. Where did they secrete themselves all that time, and on what did they subsist?

I am now in my 50th year, have a sister and brother, two and four years younger. Our father died of pulmonary consumption, when we were young children. Three of father's brothers also died of the same disease. Mother died,

years after, of an entirely different trouble. I see now in my third son every indication of consumption. This part of the evidence is to me, of course, quite a serious matter. This boy is mentally bright, quick, learns without apparent effort, has light hair, is impulsiv, irritable, and somewhat above the average in size. What shall I do with my boy? Is it worth while, so to put it, to educate him? Looking along the years to come, it appears to me that I might as well let him spend his time hunting and fishing. Who will help me out of this grievous difficulty? Would keeping this boy from the regions of the tubercular bacilli save him from a premature grave?

Tell me, please, how he may be kept from those consuming bugs of the bacteri ologist, or how they may be kept from him. Why is it that these bacteria, about which so much is written, and yet about which so little is known, should seek boys like this one of mine? That these microorganisms bear a causal relation to tuberculosis, I call in question. In view of the fact that we have tuberculosis with us all the time, and so few cases with even a suspicion of having contracted it from another, I hold that there is much talk about tuberculosis that is blatant nonsense. By using such characters as the assassin of McKinley for experiment, all doubt might quickly be dispelled, and such might, and should, be made to serve humanity.

Allen, Md.

J. I. T. LONG, M.D.

Climatic Cure for Consumption. Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Viewing consumption from a broad platform, we find that it is a disease which we may justly denominate our great chronic calamity; for it is the greatest calamity we have to deal with, since the annual death rate from this scourge amounts to more than 100, 000, or about eleven deaths every hour in the year. Pause to consider that the majority of those who pass out of this life from this malady are taken from amongst our activ young or middle aged -those who have passed thru the childhood contagious diseases. If we were to undertake to estimate the cost of our National chronic calamity where would we end computing? It has been estimated that an activ healthy artisan between the ages of twenty and fifty years has an equal value, financially to the commonwealth

and nation, to an engine or manufacturing plant costing ten thousand dollars and earning six per cent. profit. In this estimate we do not take into account the value of that artisan to his home and family. If this estimate is a fair one, and it is fair to estimate that one-fourth of the deaths caused from consumption takes our activ artisans, then in round numbers the whole country sustains a financial loss of $15,000,000 annually. In other words, if no artisan died from consumption, the Nation would be blest in its upbuilding and prosperity to the extent of $15,000,000. Is there any way to stop any portion of this great loss? if so how can it be done?

In my humble opinion we should first determin in the most practical scientific manner the actual causes of consumption. We already have some valuable data gleand from reports of our foreign neighbors, which almost, if not entirely, exclude the idea of heredity as a cause. We now have the pronounced declaration from Prof. Koch, the great tubercular experimenter and acknowledged scientist, to the effect that there is no danger from taking the disease by contact with our domestic cattle. Our leading bacteriologists tell us that we are to believe that one of the great dangers of contagion in this disease is from dry-sputa dust in our homes and in halls, churches, schools and streets. I make no special claims to modern scientific methods of research, but I do claim that the Dr. Henry I. Bowditch theory is the nearest correct. He declared and publisht many years ago that "an excess of moisture in the ground" is the most prolific cause of our great National "white plague." I have from my humble experience been contending that the baccilli are the result, and not the cause, of consumption.

Let us apply our common sense science to the Dr. Bowditch theory of excessiv moisture in the ground. If you will take my word, and data gleaned from various sources, I will inform you that, whether in New England or New York (I mention these states because of the excessiv death rate from consumption over and above those of our states west of the "great river," or any other state within the consumptiv belt), we find circumscribed localities where the death rate from consumption greatly exceeds those of certain other localities. These places are in some instances only separated by a few miles.

But in every instance where I have made observations and comparisons, I find the excessiv mortality from consumption within the districts where bogs, sloughs and other excessivly moist places are found. I also notice that these moist spots usually rest on a clay subsoil, which rests upon a granit substrata. When we apply our weather bureau statistics to these spots we find in winter excess in cold, and in summer excess in heat, compared with those dryer, more porous and evergreen tree sections. Looking still still further we find in the excessiv moist places even in summer an excess of colds and catarrh prevailing, and likewise excessiv mortality from consumption, pneu. monia and other lung troubles. Here in Wisconsin this condition is markt. More than half the deaths from consumption recorded in this commonwealth are credited to the lower third of the territory of the state, and in the northern third there is scarcely any such mortality. I have not yet made personal investigation of our southern states, but from what I glean from reading reports, I judge that Kentucky, Tennessee and the Carolinas have sections, or spots, wherein the death rates from consumption equal those in New Hampshire or Vermont per thousand inhabitants. There is no state amongst those denominated the consumptiv belt wherein there are not sections that are nearly immune from consumption. We find that while some counties have a death rate of three to the thousand population, others have only one to the thousand annually. In an article like this it would take too much space to go into details. Suffice it to relate that more than 50 per cent. of the victims of consumption can find, in their nativ state, locations where they can swap" bad fitting climate for one in which recovery is certain, if wisely selected. The state of Maine may find for her worst afflicted county (Waldo, which is my nativ), the best fit in Aroostook County, where so few nativs die of the scourge. Androscoggin County is about equal to Aroostook, while Kennebec, a near neighbor, suffers more.

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According to publisht information, which I take for granted to be correct, I find the death rate in New Hampshire and Vermont from consumption to be 2.4 to the thousand population; and in New Hampshire we find about thirty-seven people to the square mile. We find Merri

mac County has three deaths per thousand annually from consumption, while Coos and Cheshire counties are afflicted with the plague to only half that extent. Vermont we find thirty-four to the square mile, and in Orange County 3.5 deaths per thousand from consumption, while Franklin and Windham counties are nearly im

mune.

In Massachusetts we find a population of 240 to the square mile, and we find 2.9 deaths from consumption to the thousand for the whole state, and two counties afflicted with a loss of three to the thousand. Boston loses 3.3, Lowell 3.5 to the thousand. Berkshire and Fanklin counties are the least afflicted; Barnstable and Essex counties worst afflicted. This commonwealth is leading other states in establishing a hospital for consumptivs, but I regret to say that the site has been chosen from a geographic, rather than a scientific standpoint. This was a grand undertaking by a great commonwealth which had been for generations carrying some 5,000 of her brightest and most promising young people annually to untimely graves. In my judgement any other state can rescue and save many victims by finding the most immune section in the commonwealth regardless of nearness to the center of population, or the geographical center, then instead of expending large sums of money in permanent buildings, let there be ample diningrooms to feed the assembled multitude of invalids, and let them be employed by the hour and paid a fair compensation according to ability to earn, and hours enuf to cover the cost of home comforts in tents or cabins, and be kept in the open air as much as circumstances will permit. Instead of calling such a plant a hospital for consumptivs, or in any way alluding to it in a pessimistic way, call it a State Health Park. And why do this way? Because within one generation, if all goes as it ought, we will not need the Park for consumptivs, but for the general good health of all the people. In this way the state will do the greatest good to the largest class of invalids, by giving each victim a chance to work out his or her own rescue without becoming dependent on the taxpayers. Dr. Millet, of Brocton, Mass., has proven that a very large per cent. of indoor workers suffering from consumption can be radically cured by sleeping in the open air on house-tops, and keep up

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