Dr. C. W. Spalding, related to his classes, two or three years since, his treatment and care of a prematurely born child. By keeping the child in a dark room of uniform temperature he succeeded in saving the child, who to-day is a strong and hearty citizen of St. Louis and a dentist by profession. Dr. J. E. Lilienthal's "Adenitis" bespeaks him a chip of the old block. It is well written and its repertory prepared in an easy get-at-able way that makes it attractive. * The Hahnemannian (Sept.) says: A well-known eastern college of the allopathic persuasion is being mercilessly scored for graduating a "practitioner," after attending one course of lectures. It is hoped that our homœopathic schools are far above such business. "A consummation devoutly to be wished for" surely. But hadn't we better keep our hands off the old school colleges until we are sure that our own skirts are clear? What was the meaning of that ripple on the usually placid exterior of the Institute at its last session? Why was Dr. Brown's motion permitted to die, or become emasculated, when he charged that one of our colleges had graduated a student (without further lectures) who had been rejected shortly before by another school? Then, Bro. Dudley, have you heard anything from the Far West recently? Wonder if Dr. E. M. Hale isn't mistaken in about nine out of every ten statements he made in his paper on "Hydrastis Canadensis in Gynecology." We have recently seen papers which clearly establish this in our mind. When the author of New Remedies next finds it incumbent to inject a lot of irrelevant drivel-untrue at that-into the body of an article with an innocent title, he should be sure of his data. And the Literary Editor should be on his guard against admitting such crass ignorance. * The N. E. Medical Monthly (June) presents a paper by Samuel S. Wallian, M. D., New York, on “Medical Progress," which is a scholarly production and well presented. The following extract is certainly graphic: And another [doctor] who has sufficient professional standing to be examiner for pensions in his district, and medical examiner for one of the heaviest life insurance corporations, doesn't believe in the stethoscope; is afraid to use an anææsthetic, even when performing version, in labor; never was guilty of owning or using a hypodermic syringe; has vaguely heard of but never saw an aspirator; looks upon all electrical appliances as so much new-fangled rubbish; tests urine by cooking it in an iron spoon over the kitchen stove; sneers at the suggestion of antiseptic precautions, or even common cleanliness in obstetrics or surgery; discards the thermometer and microscope in medicine as fanciful but useless, asserting that his eyes, ears and fingers are quite accurate enough for him; since, with them, unaided, he can see, hear and feel, all that ought to be seen, heard or felt, in any case He belongs to no medical society; but, as he broadly intimates, already knows a great deal more than he needs to know, on all medical subjects; and hence does not care to read the current medical journals, or any medical volume published within the last decade! Have you ever met this Sir Absolute? The article concludes: But I forbear, while yet fully sympathizing with the ironical Quaker physician, who, in his last illness, desiring a consultation, sent for a trio of celebrities, including the eminent and eccentric Abernethy, Dr. Blundell, a celebrated man midwife, and another whose specialty was the heart and lungs. The latter, stethoscope in hand, decided that cardiac disease was killing the patient; Abernethy muttered something about dyspepsia, while Blundell declared the poor Quaker to be the victim of hysteria. Of course no patient could withstand such an array, and the autopsy was soon announced Before his demise, however, the Quaker insisted on arranging in his will that when he was finally opened, his heart should be given to him of the stethoscope, his stomach to Abernethy, and his womb, if it could be found, to Blundell! Dr. E. R. Ellis (Detroit) sends a hot broadside into the old school ship in a letter written to the Evening News. He says that the sheriff of Alpena county came to Detroit for treatment, having been shot through the leg, below the knee, without injury to bone, nerve or blood-vessel, of importance, yet the poor patient dies after lingering five or six weeks: The invariable and "approved" treatment among allopathic doctors for the past 15 years in nearly every case, whether medical or surgical, consists of stimulants and narcotics. Stimulants are given on the false theory that they "tone up," "bridge over" and "strengthen " a sick person. There never was a greater falsehood invented. Every medical dictionary defines them as "excitants" and "irritants," and every sane man and every fool (except a doctor) knows that the more you try to "tone up" with drug or alcoholic stimulants the weaker one becomes, and their long-continued use invariaby ends in exhaustion, if not death. Nothing but pure water and wholesome food can give strength to a living organism, sick or well. In disease medicines may correct the deranged action, when nature, with suitable food, will do the rest. When a sick man is befuddled with quinine and whisky, and then to overcome their "excitement" and "irritation," he is paralyzed with morphine, there is a small chance for his life. If his case was not critical before, with these it will soon become so. Yet these three deadly poisons are the "sheet anchors " of "regular" medicine to-day, as every one knows. Before me is the medical report of mortality in the late rebellion. "Ninety-five thousand were killed in battle or died from wounds. Two hundred and nine thousand died of disease" (or the doctors). Under the treatment of this boasted "regular" system of medicine the deaths are more than twice as great as that from the cannon's mouth. What assumption to call this "medical science"! It becomes all thoughtful people to ponder upon this matter and join in an application to the next legislature for its complete suppression. When this is once accomplished the votaries even of this system will rejoice, I am sure, with their fellow men at its extinction. Heaven speed the day! Give us the "faith" or "prayer" cure, or anything humane in the place of whisky and morphine poisoners. The Rivista Omiopatica, of Rome, for Agosto, 1887, is (to speak after the manner of the ungenerate) a "chestnut." Its "Somario" is the following: Alternazione dei rimedj, del Dott. P. P. Wells. Note da una lezione estemporanea sopra Songia, del Professor Gee. Un breve studio di Lachesis e Sabadilla, del Dott. C. Carleton Smith. Casi clinici del Prof. J. T. Kent. Un caso di fessura dell' ano, del Dott. E. W. Berridge. Appunti clinici :-Uno nuovo sintomo di Manganum;-Note intorno alle caratteristiche;-Una nota sopra Gelsemium. There being but three-quarters of a page left for the remainder of the journal. As each of the articles in this number is "lifted" out of the Hom. Physician, and in former numbers also from the ADVANCE, (due credit given) the queries naturally presenting themselves are: 1. What "a happy lot" must be the life of that editor, for he has no worry about "copy." 2. What value is the R. O. to the American reader save as a possible check on the translator, or as a medium to polish up our Italian? 3. Of what material is the Italian Homeopath made, who never contributes to his journal, and is satisfied with an entire number filled with translations? NEW PUBLICATIONS. INDEX-CATALOGUE OF THE LIBRARY OF THE SURGEON-GENERALS OFFICE. Vol. VIII: Legier-Medicine (Naval), 1887. This volume includes 13,405 author-titles, representing 5,307 volumes, and 13,205 pamphlets. It also includes 12,642 subject-titles of separate books and pamphlets, and 24,174 titles of articles in periodicals. To show the importance attached to the "Liver and its Affections" by various medical authorities, over 5,000 books, pamphlets or periodical articles are here mentioned. This one subject shows the vast amount of labor expended on the volume and its value as a work of reference. TEXT-BOOK ON SURGERY: By Jno. A. Wyeth, M. D. D. Appleton & Co., N. Y., 1887, pp. 777. it is not often that such a magnificent work as this of Dr. Wyeth's is presented to the profession. Text-books on surgery are not few in number, nor lacking in value, but it is certainly not putting it too strongly to state that this is, beyond any question, the best of them all, so far as my information. In the first place it is written by a master, one whose name is pleasantly familiar to all readers of current surgical literature. Next it is fully up to the very latest, in science and operative technique. Lastly, though not of least importance, there is a happy absence of the timeworn cuts and illustrations, seen in almost any surgical work we may take up. The illustrations are new, original, and of the utmost value, they are more than mere embellishments. For instance, there are a number of admirable illustrations, from sections of frozen subjects, showing transverse sections of the extremities, in which every muscle, nerve, and fascia is accurately shown, the vessels, both arteries and veins, being colored, red and blue, so that they are immediately recognized. So with the cuts illustrating ligature of arteries. The vessels are colored, and mostly drawn to life size. Thus as a practical book, one for ready reference in emergencies, it is just what the general practitioner wants, possessing, as it does, features not found in any other single work. But its value is not alone in this direction; it is equally valuable to the surgical specialist. More space is given to bacteriology than many of us think necessary, but there is a vast amount of useful information beautifully summarized. Take it all in all, it is a jewel of a book, one that to see is to long for, and to possess a constant satisfaction. J. G. G. A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON OBSTETRICS. Obstetric Operations. The Pathology of the Puerperium. By A. Charpentier, M. D., Paris. Illustrated with lithographic plates and wood engravings. Vol. IV. Pp. 404, octavo. This is also Vol. IV of the "Cyclopedia of Obstetrics and Gynecology." Translated under the supervision of, with notes and additions, by E. H. Grandin, M.D. New York: William Wood & Company. This is the last volume of Charpentier's great work on Obstetrics, and in thoroughness, which is a marked feature, equals any of its predecessors. Part VII treats of "Obstetric Operations" and is not only complete in text but is profusely if not well illustrated, the cuts in many cases being inferior specimens. The first chapter of 50 pages is devoted to version and is followed by a chapter of 100 pages on the history and use of the forceps from Chamberlen's original instrument to Lusk's modification of Tarnier's axis traction. It contains the indications for use and rules of application in the various presentations, each subject being evidently dealt with by a master of the Obstetric art. It is without doubt the most complete treatise on the use of the forceps to be found in the English language. In addition to the minute instructions for the use of the forceps the following words of caution are timely and valuable. On page 86 he says: "How many labors would have ended happily, and yet have terminated in the death of the mother and child, because inexperienced or hurried physicians have used the forceps prematurely." "Hurried physicians" should not practice obstetrics. And again, on the lacking of the forceps, page 98: Either the head is well grasped and locking is easy, or else the head is badly grasped and locking impossible; and then the rule should be to begin over, a hundred times, if need be, rather than to use any force." Let the obstetrician in a hurry to use the forceps, ponder this advice. The Cæsarean section with statistics and recent improvements is fully dealt with and every subject or operation pertaining to mechanical or instrumental obstetrics receives comprehensive treatment, The concluding chapters on puerperal fever gives the pathogeny; forms of the disease; pathological anatomy; prognosis and treatment. Of the latter the author says: "Sustain the patient by soups, beef extracts, alcohol; fight the sepsis by quinine and phenic acid douches. We thus gain time, and give nature a chance to shake off the putrid matter, and the patient a chance to eliminate the poison." With this the Editor does not agree and no homœopathic physician need be told that his mortality in puerperal fever will be so large if he adhere to his principles of practice. The complete work deserves warm commendation, and the gratitude of the profession should be given the publishers for placing it within easy reach of all. This work alone is well worth the price ($16.50) of the entire 12 vols. for 1887. AMERICAN MEDICINAL PLANTS Illustrated and descriptive Guide to the American Plants used as Homoeathic remedies. By Charles F. Millspaugh, M. D., Binghamton, N. Y. Boericke & Tafel, New York and Philadelphia. Fascicle VI, just received, completes this gigantic work undertaken five years ago, and both author and publisher are to be congratulated. Every promise has been kept, and the entire work is a credit to American ente ̈prise. Some critics have affirmed that the coloring of certain pl. nts was too brilliant, others that it was not brilliant enough; but he author states a fact which perhaps they may have overlooke viz; "that natural color and texture cannot be exactly reprodɩ ed, nor is lithography a perfect art." The drawings are all made a mechanical scale, and, unless otherwise stated, are natural size and without any attempt at artistic beauty or fancy pleasing the author has endeavored to have the coloring natural, and in this we think he has succeeded. Every plant represented in the work having "been drawn and colored by his own hand, from the specimens as they stood in the soil." "The work contains 180 colored illustrations, and complete text of all the proven plants indigenous and naturalized in the United States; arranged generically according to the numerical order of the plates." In the appendix is found a carefully arranged bibliography, a glossary of botanical terms and a complete index. As nearly all the plants here illustrated grow within the range of the daily ride of most practitioners outside the larger cities, few of our physicians can afford to be without this practical guide. It can be made to save its cost every year, and as a companion to the Materia Medica it is almost invaluable. A HAND-BOOK OF GENERAL AND OPERATIVE GYNECOLOGY. Dr. A. Hegar and Dr. Kaltenbach. In two volumes: Edited by Egbert H. Grandin, M. D. Wm. Wood & Co., New York. Volume I.-Gynecological examinations, minor therapeutic manipulations and elementary operations. Operations on the ovaries. Pp. 352, with 129 wood engravings. |