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good ventilation, and the problem to be solved is how to secure this in an inexpensive manner and without the admixture of dust. The problem can be solved, no doubt, with a not inconsiderable addition to the first cost of the car and with the cost of the necessary ice, and with intelligent manipulation.

"2. The employment of a person educated in hygiene and sanitation to see that cars are properly cleaned, may be considered a forward step Such duties are now performed by the foreman of the car department.

"3 I doubt if a car-cleaning department, organized as you suggest, would increase the efficiency of this system, while it would undoubtedly add quite largely to the expense.

"4. Conductors and car examiners report cars which are wanting in cleanliness, and upon their reports necessary action is taken to correct the trouble complained of.

"I may say that the desire on the part of all railway companies to in every way cater to the public welfare and thereby attract travel to their respective lines, will, even in the absence of specific laws on these matters, insure all the care and attention possible, so far as the sanitary condition of the equipment is concerned. "Yours truly, CHARLES M. HAYS." Commenting, Dr. Conn says:

"It should be a matter of congratulation to the public, to know that the railway managers of such through lines as the Grand Trunk Railway of Canada recognize the fact that to cater to the public welfare is to attract travel to their respective routes. Mr. Hays says that 'the absence of specific laws on these matters' does not matter, as everything will be done to insure care and all possible attention. This is a public spirit that should be emulated all over the country, for everything that pertains to the public health is for the public good, and it was long since demonstrated that 'public health is public wealth.'"

The report calls attention to the work of The Railway Surgeon along these lines, and quotes the circular letter sent out by the editor early this year and our summary of the answers received. An excellent paper by Dr. Domingo Orvananos, of the Superior Board of Health of Mexico, on the cleaning of passenger cars is published in full. He advocates extreme simplicity in the interior construction and furnishing of railway coaches, the doing away with all kinds of hangers and even carpets, and the frequent efficient disinfection of everything in the cars.

And this we believe to be the keynote of the whole subject. The interior of a car, it seems to us, could be made as attractive as the mod

ern coach and as truly comfortable, and yet with smooth, impermeable walls and floor which could be thoroughly washed and disinfected if necessary. If the public demands upholstered seats they can at least be completely covered with smooth, washable covers, which should be changed daily. If a mattress can not be frequently renewed or cleansed it can certainly be covered with a separable cover which can be washed daily with the sheets and pillowslips, and we must insist that the blankets be washed as frequently as is done in our own homes. In the case of transportation of invalids additional precaution could easily be taken, and everything coming in contact with the patient disinfected at the end of the journey.

Antiseptic Uses of Formalin.

Dr. T. S. K. Morton stated that last spring and summer he had used formalin considerably, but found it to be too great an irritant to be used as a routine method. Bacteriologists are almost unanimous in praise of its germ-destroying qualities. It is, perhaps, the most powerful antiseptic we can employ. He had found that great dilution was necessary for injecting into cavities or putting upon the skin. It cuts the fingers of the surgeon in even weak solutions.

It seemed to act as a very powerful disinfectant upon ulcers or foul wounds. When it was sprayed upon such processes they would at once lose odor. The pain following application was sometimes severe while it lasted, and it would persist for hours occasionally. On these grounds he had been very reluctantly compelled to largely abandon the use of the agent.

The commercial product is formic aldehyde gas dissolved in water to the extent of 40 per cent. He found it very efficient in destroying epithelial growths, such as warts and superficial epitheliomata.

In regard to the use of formalin in the preparation of catgut, Dr. Frank Hartley, of New York, has abandoned it, after a careful study, because he found that formalin catgut showed a reduction in strength, as given by an accurate testing machine, of 50 per

cent.

Dr. Hunter Robb has recently spoken very highly of formalin-catgut, and very ingeniously suggests that all prepared catgut be stored in culture media until required for use. If used out of culture medium showing no growth you are absolutely sure of the catgut being free from bacteria and spores.-Annals of Surgery.

Notes of Societies.

New York State Association of Railway Surgeons.

The sixth annual meeting of the New York State Association of Railway Surgeons will be held in the Academy of Medicine, 17 West Forty-third street, New York City, Tuesday, November 17, 1896.

PROGRAM:

1. "Modern Methods in the Treatment of Fractures," Dr. R. H. Cowan, „Radford, Va.

2. "How Can We Best Secure Immobilization in Compound Fractures at or Near Articular Processes?" Dr. Z. J. Lusk, Warsaw.

3. "Immobilization and the Treatment of Fractures at the Elbow-Joint," Dr. J. H. Glass, Utica.

4. An address, "Injuries to the Head," Dr. Roswell Park, Buffalo.

5. "Relief and Hospital Department," Dr. Frank H. Caldwell, Waycross, Ga.

6. President's address, Dr. C. S. Parkhill, Hornellsville.

7. "Traumatic Neurasthenia," Dr. J. E. Walker, Hornellsville.

8. "Cases of Apoplexy Following Some Time After Accidents," Dr. Wiliam Browning, Brooklyn.

9. "Cranial Injuries," Dr. W. A. Ward, Conneaut, Ohio.

10. "Distinctive Features of Railway Surgery," Dr. R. S. Harnden, Waverly.

II. "Granulation Surfaces," Dr. John Van Duyn, Syracuse.

12. "Chloroform Anæsthesia," Dr. Webb J. Kelly, Galion, Ohio.

13. "Injuries to the Eyeball," Dr. Samuel Mitchell, Hornellsville.

14. "Acute Infective Thecitis," Dr. A. Llewellyn Hall, Fairhaven, N. Y.

15. "Compound Fracture of the Skull, with Injury to the Brain Substance," with report of cases, Dr. J. G. Kelly, Hornellsville.

Report on Transportation for the Second Pan American Medical Congress.

The following letter has been received by the editor the Railway Surgeon for publication:

Mr. Dear Doctor:-I have the pleasure of announcing the following transportation rates to the delegates, their families and friends for the meeting of the second Pan American Medical Congress, to be held in the City of Mexico, Mexico, on November 16 to 19 inclusive, 1896:

The New England roads have made no reduction at all in rates, and the trunk lines have made no general reduction, but have agreed to special rates from the points mentioned in

their territory, viz.: From New York City to City of Mexico and return, $78.50; from Philadelphia and return, $76; from Baltimore and return, $73.50; from Washington and return, $71.50.

Those attending the congress from the New England states and the territory of the trunk lines east of Pittsburg, Erie and Buffalo will purchase regular local tickets to nearest point mentioned in reductions, either New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore or Washington, and at either of these cities purchase the through ticket at the reduced rates to Mexico and return as above stated.

Should the delegates desire to enter Mexico by one gateway, say Eagle Pass, and return via another gateway, either Laredo or El Paso, an additional charge of $5.75 total will secure such privilege.

Pullman berths from New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore or Washington to City of Mexico will cost $23 each way on regular trains over any line.

Delegates residing in Central Traffic territory embracing the territory from Buffalo, Pittsburg and Parkersburg, W. Va., in the East, to Chicago and St. Louis in the West, will be accorded a round trip ticket to City of Mexico over any of the lines on the payment of one first-class fare.

Delegates residing in the Western Traffic territory will be accorded the round trip ticket to City of Mexico for one fare over the following roads only: Missouri Pacific, Illinois Central, Wabash, Chicago & Alton, Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, Chicago Great Western, and Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern railway.

Delegates residing in Southern Pacific territory will be accorded the one-fare rate to the City of Mexico and return. The three Mexican lines have accorded the round trip for one first-class fare.

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arrangements may be made to return by the special train.

INDIVIDUAL TRIPS.

Individual trips over the B. & O., or any of the roads from Washington, D. C., to City of Mexico and return will cost: Fare, $71.50; Pullman berths there and return, $46; meals both ways, $30; total, $147.50. Five dollars and seventy-five cents extra through one gateway, say Eagle Pass, and returning either via Laredo or El Paso. This route is made in about six days and will require a change of cars at St. Louis, Mo., and San Antonio, Tex. The rate from New York will be the Washington rate, plus $7. The Philadelphia rate will be the Washington rate, plus $4.50. The Baltimore rate will be the Washington rate, plus $2. The Pullman charges will be the same, $46 going and returning from these cities. Intermediate points in proportion, both fare and Pullman.

Sale of tickets from New York and Washington over the trunk lines will be from November 5 to 8, inclusive only, at the rates mentioned above.

OFFICIAL TRAIN SPECIAL.

Special service is arranged for with the American Tourist Association of Chicago, under escort of Mr. Reau Campbell, general manager, who will provide a special train of sleeping and dining cars to run through from Chicago, Cincinnati and St. Louis to the City of Mexico and return, connecting with the B. & O. Rd. trains from points East and North. This will be the official train and route, and will run on the following special schedule:

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The only stops going down will be at San Antonio, Texas (where passengers from New Orleans and the South may join special train), and at Zacatecas, Mexico. On the return stops will be made at Queretaro, Aguas Calientes, San Luis Potosi, Tampico and Monterey, with side trips to Guadalajara and Guanajuato, if the party so desire.

The official train will start on the return trip after the close of the congress in ample time to make the above stops and reach Chicago, Cincinnati and St. Louis December I, the time of the tour being twenty-one days. Itinerary will be published in the City of Mexico.

The train is scheduled to go and return via

St. Louis and the Iron Mountain route. Arrangements will be made for those desiring to return via the Southern Pacific and New Orleans and Illinois Central railroads, if notisecured accordingly. fication is made before starting, and tickets

The rates for the official train are as follows: From Chicago to City of Mexico and return, $190.10.

From Cincinnati to City of Mexico and return, $189.05.

From St. Louis to City of Mexico and return, $183.55.

This includes railway and sleeping car fares; meals in dining car; meals at hotel in the City of Mexico; special street cars at stopping places; steamer on Panuco river from Tampico, and in fact every necessary expense of the trip of twenty-one days; if extended, the charge will be $4.75 per day per person.

A splendid train of palace sleeping and dining cars is being specially prepared. Supplies for dining cars will be taken from Chcago. The cuisine is placed in competent hands. Waukesha water served at all meals and wine at dinner.

A double berth is assigned to each person. Man and wife have the entire section. Berths and sections reserved for the complete tour.

Railroad tickets should read as per itinerary above and over the following roads in Mexico:

Mexican International Railway, Eagle Pass to Torreon.

Mexican Central Railway, Torreon to City of Mexico.

Mexican Central Railway, City of Mexico to Tampico.

Monterey and Mexican Gulf Railway, Tampico to Treviño.

Mexican International Railway, Treviño to Eagle Pass.

A rate of one fare will be made from all important points plus $5.75 for the return via Tampico.

Payment for special train accommodations may be made on the train at Chicago, Cincinnati or St. Louis, the amount of which is $122, when the passenger presents his round trip railroad ticket or passage to City of Mexico.

Berths and sections may be reserved by addressing Reau Campbell, general manager American Tourist Association, 925 Old Colony building, Chicago, Ill., inclosing check for $30, which will be deducted from the final payment made on the train, or returned if, for any unforseseen reason, the party cannot go. Or the total amount may be remitted to Mr. Campbell, if desired, which will be returned if trip is not taken.

It is advised that reservations should be made at the earliest possible moment in order that a sufficient number of sleeping and dining cars.

may be provided, as under no circumstances will more than two persons be assigned to a section, thus assuring perfect comfort to all.

Delegates taking the special train will purchase railroad tickets from place of residence to City of Mexico and return at the rate of one fare, and purchase sleeping car tickets to nearest starting point of special train, either Chicago, Cincinnati or St. Louis. The special train starts as scheduled, and ample time should be allowed for making connections from local or connecting trains.

As the tour of Mexico will be under the guidance of Mr. Reau Campbell of the American Tourist Association, he will furnish the fullest information in detail, send maps, guide books, etc., if application is made to him at 925 Old Colony building, Chicago; also send name and address to Dr. H. L. E. Johnson, chairman transportation committee, 1402 L street, Washington, D. C., in order that he may make up an official list of the delegates and their party attending the congress from the United States.

Delegates may either live on the train and take their meals in dining car while in the City of Mexico, or they can secure rooms at the hotels for from $1.50 to $5 per day, Mexican money. Meals on the train or in the hotels are included in the price of the ticket; there are no extras whatsoever, except rooms at hotels.

Before reaching the City of Mexico the delegates should decide whether they will want rooms at hotels or will remain in the cars, that arrangements may be made ahead and rooms reserved.

AUXILIARY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION.

Dr. J. B. Murphy, 3152 Michigan avenue, Chicago, Ill.

Dr. Robt. Sattler, 14 E. Seventh street, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Dr. A. Walter Suiter, Herkimer, N. Y. Dr. John B. Roberts, 1627 Walnut street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Dr. A. W. Calhoun, 62 Marietta street, Atlanta, Ga.

Dr. H. C. Eccles, Charlotte, N. C. Dr. I. N. Love, 3642 Lindell boulevard, St. Louis, Mo.

Dr. Herman Mynter, 566 Delaware avenue, Buffalo, N. Y.

Dr. Robert T. Morris, 49 W. Thirty-ninth street, New York, N. Y.

Dr. R. Matas, 624 Gravier street, New Orleans, La.

Dr. L. Eliot, 1106 P street, Washington, D. C.

Dr. Hugh Taylor, 6 N. Fifth street, Richmond, Va.

Dr. G. Ben Johnston, 407 E. Grace street, Richmond, Va.

Dr. A. Morse, Eldora, Iowa.

Dr. Walter H. White, 222 Marlboro street, Boston, Mass.

Dr. Hugh Hamilton, 212 S. Second street, Harrisburg, Pa.

Dr. Bedford Brown, Alexandria, Va. Dr. W. B. Atkinson, 1300 Pine street, Philadelphia, Pa. H. L. E. JOHNSON, M. D., Chairman Committee on Transportation.

The C. M. & St. P. Railway Surgeons' Association.

The fourth annual meeting of the C. M. & St. P. Railway Surgical Association will be held at the Great Northern Hotel, Chicago, Nov. 12 and 13, 1896.

PROGRAM.

"Injuries of Bloodvessels," Dr. F. R. Garlock, Racine, Wis.

"Injuries of the Spine," Dr. D. M. Coal, Faribault, Minn.

"Rest as an important factor in the Management of Railway Injuries," Dr. G. F. Witter, Grand Rapids, Mich.

"Minor Surgery of the Hands and Feet," Dr. J. W. Kester, Block Earth, Wis.

"Injuries of the Hand," Dr. E. A. Plumbe, Rock Valley, Ia.

"A case of Mangled Hand with a Plea for the Abolition of Primary Amputation Therefor," Dr. Jos. A. Crowell, Iron Mountain, Mich.

"A Case of Conservative Surgery of the Hand," Dr. W. B. Johnson of Savanna.

"Drainage of the Surgical Operations," Dr. W. S. Caldwell, Freeport, Ill.

"The Ethical Relations of the Railway Surgeon," Dr. H. B. Hemenway, Evanston, Ill. "Consultations," Dr. G. W. Johnson, Savanna, Ill.

"Expert Testimony in Suits for Damages,' Dr. E. H. Townsend, New Lisbon, Wis.

"The Country Surgeon and Four Cases of Fractured Femur," Dr. E. J. Miller, Marion Junction, S. D.

"Means of Securing the Best Results in Traumatic Surgery," Dr. Hugh Jenkins, Preston, Ia.

"Some Observations on Different Modern Methods of Dressing Wounds," Dr. Henry F. Hoyt, St. Paul, Minn.

"Skin Grafting," Dr. E. D. Ladd, Milwaukee, Wis.

"A Case of Rupture of the Urethra with Treatment by Suture," Dr. J. F. H. Sugg, Clinton, Ia.

"Conservatism in Railway Surgery," Dr. Hugo Philler, Waukesha, Wis.

"Some Notes on Hip Dislocation," Dr. Allen Staples," Dubuque, Ia.

"Remarks Upon Fractures," Dr. Solen Marks, Milwaukee, Wis.

"Remarks on Active Treatment of Sprains," Dr. H. M. Brown, Milwaukee, Wis.

"Remarks on Injuries of Joints," Dr. J. A. Extracts and Abstracts.

Ballard, LaCrosse, Wis.

Title unannounced, Dr. William Mackie, Milwaukee, Wis.

Title unannounced, Dr. N. A. Drake, Kansas City, Mo.

"The Nursing of the Eye," Dr. C. D. Wescott, Chicago.

Iowa State Association of Railway Surgeons.

The third annual meeting of this association. was held at Marshalltown, October 7 and 8, 1896, Dr. G. W. Coit, president, in the chair. The following papers were read and discused:

"An Unusual Result from the Local Application of Iodoform," by Dr. O. Fordyce.

"Some Results of Railway Injuries," by Dr. D. S. Fairchild.

"Dislocation of the Clavicle," by Dr. J. W. Holland.

"Modern Treatment of Sprains of the AnkleJoint," by Dr. J. C. Cottam.

"Railway Surgery as a Specialty," by Dr. H. C. Markham.

"Duties of Transportation Companies in Relation to the Development of Infectious Diseases," by Dr. J. N. Warren.

"Intestinal Obstruction," by Dr. W. E. Sanders.

"Restoration of Muscular Function After Injury," by Dr. V. B. Knott.

"Svme's Operation," by Dr. P. H. Salter. "Reports of Two Cases of Skull Injury," Dr. V. L. Treynor.

"A Case of Trephining for Epilepsy," by Dr. A. B. Bowen.

"Minor Railway Injuries," by Dr. D. W. Edgar.

Twenty-six new members were admitted at this meeting. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Dr. D. S. Fairchild, Clinton, president; Dr. T. J. Caldwell, Adel, vice-president; Dr. A. A. Deering, Boone, secretary; Dr. H. L. Getz, Marshalltown, treasurer.

Des Moines was selected as the place for the next meeting. The Iowa State Medical Journal was made the official organ for the society for the year.

Fractures of the Cranial Vault.

Dr. Senn says that operative interference is absolutely indicated under the following circumstances: 1. All open fractures, including gunshot and punctured fractures. 2. Depressed fractures attended by well-defined symptoms, caused either by the depression or intracranial complications. 3. Rupture of the middle meningeal artery with or without fracture of the skull.

The Successful Removal of a Piece of Wood
Imbedded Within the Brain Thirty-two
Years, Without Impairment of
the Cerebral Functions.

By Z. H. EVANS, M. D., TRAVERSE CITY,
MICHIGAN.

The subject of this clinical report is John R, aged 57, late of Co. C. 180th Ohio Volunteers. The history, as related by the patient himself, is as follows: At the battle of Kingston, S. C., in June, 1862, he was acting in the capacity of gunner to one of the fieldpieces, which had been detached from the regular battery to which he belonged. The gun had been run up nearly to the top of a small hill, upon which grew some small scrubby pines, with their branches trailing downward toward the ground, thus obstructing his view of the enemy. In order to overcome this obstacle it was necessary for him to cut them away with an ax. And while doing this the enemy let go a full charge of grape and canister, cutting down everything before it. The patient was struck with what he and the surgeon at the time supposed to be a bullet on the left side of the face, a little below and to the left of the right eye, making an ugly looking wound. This was immediately closed by the field surgeon in charge, and the patient sent to the rear. No inconvenience was experienced from this wound aside from some slight soreness, and at the end of a week he was able to report for duty, and continued to serve his country's cause until the expiration of his enlistment. On being discharged from the service he came to this state, where he commenced the clearing up of a new farm, working on it for years and years, not knowing or even suspecting that he was carrying around within his cranial cavity a foreign substance.

One year previous to his calling on me, while stowing away lumber in the hold of a barge, a plank slipped and fell endwise down the hatch, striking him on the face precisely over the region where he was formerly wounded. The injury inflicted by the falling of this plank caused some pain and swelling of the face, and in the course of two weeks there appeared an abscess, which was opened by Dr. King, then of this city, but now of California. After several weeks' treatment, and as the discharge of pus continued, his friends advised him to visit a neighboring city, where he could avail himself of the skill of a city surgeon. Acting upon this advice he, without delay, made ready and set out for Grand Rapids, which city can boast to-day of having more readymade surgeons and gynecologists "within her

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