lus itself appears distinctly larger than by Koch. If it is considered also that the background upon which the bacillus stands out is clearer, then it follows that the bacillus can be seen easier with a weaker power. I would further urge that it is probable more bacilli are seen by the method described by me; at least the statistics of the sputa examinations which I have made speak for it.

I have succeeded in coloring the bacillus with all the bases of the aniline colors, even Bismarck brown, and it showed that the substance of the bacillus does not differ in its coloring peculiarities from those of other forms of bacteria

If, however, the tuberculosis bacillus differs in coloring from other fungi, it depends upon the existence of a covering having peculiar and specific properties. The first of these, which is shown by Koch's method, is that the enveloping layer is only pervious to coloring material by the action of alkalies.

The second which I have found, is that the covering is made quite transparent by the actions of acids, as strong mineral acids. This condition appears to have a practical interest, as it throws light on the question of disinfection. If all methods of disinfection fail which have an acid reaction, it is apparent that we must return to alkaline means.

After this preparation I pass to the results I have obtained by examination. The cases related by me were all marked cases of tuberculosis pulmonum. I have examined twenty-six such cases, and have been able to point out in all the bacillus. I would emphasize that no particular care or choice has been used in the demonstration of the preparations.

In nearly every case it was sufficient to examine a single specimen, and only one field. In some few cases it was necessary to examine carefully both preparations.

I have convinced myself by counter examinations that no bacillus occurs in other lung diseases. I will relate a case peculiarly illustrating this. I had asked a friend to give me some phthisical sputa. I received a sputum in which I could find no bacillus after repeated examinations. On inquiry, it was found that the sputa seen was sent from a man who suffered from an empyema which had broken through into the lung.

So far as concerns the further question, What prognostic meaning is arrived at for this condition? I believe that further investigation is necessary to arrive at a definite conclusion. I have found bacilli in enormous quantities in cases running an acute course, and in small numbers in those developing very gradually. On the other hand, I have also found them very numerous in cases running a slow course.

CLINICAL CASE.

BY J. C. GANNETT, M. D., YARMOUTH, ME.

As a part of the report of the Bureau of Clinical Medicine, the following case is presented, illustrating somewhat the action of one of our newest remedies, and also showing one or two peculiar phases of disease:

The case is one of articular rheumatism, the acute attacks which constitute the affection coming at regular intervals. The patient, Mrs. S——, aged sixty-five years, has been the subject of a rheumatic affection for twenty-five years or more. At times it has shown itself in the knees, wrists, and the articulation of the lower jaw. For several years past the right knee-joint has been the seat of the affection. One strong peculiarity of the attacks has been their markedly periodical nature, recurring as they do with persistent regularity every ten or twelve days, lasting in access and decline three or four days, and leaving an interval of rest of about a week.

The description of the "spell" I will give in the patient's own words. She says, "The spell commenced with a little stiffness and drawing of the muscles under the knee, especially the inside muscle, which becomes in a few hours as hard as a stone. The sensation of stiffness and clumsiness rapidly increases. No pain, only discomfort and inability to use the limb hourly increasing. The limb grows very large, and a swelling appears on the surface on the outside of the limb opposite the place underneath that I spoke of above as feeling so like a stone to the finger. This is the first day, and I keep about. The night is undisturbed after the limb is once disposed in bed. The second day I drag myself around; the whole limb becomes painful; the knee-joint feels as if swollen inside to bursting; there is a burning sensation in the knee; it loses all power, so that when sitting I cannot raise my foot an inch from the floor. I am now seated to remain till it passes by. Towards the close of the third day, I perceive a little amelioration; first in a sense of coolness, then in return of power. The fourth day I am about again. The return will be in one week and three or four days; and when these bad spells follow each other for six weeks, the limb is good for very little at any time."

This is her description of these attacks; otherwise she is quite well. Has had, in times past, some slight troubles, such as frequent urination, with light-colored urine, vertigo; bright flashes around eyes, etc. These have no apparent connection with the rheumatic difficulty.

There seems to be but little weakening of the limb or knee in several years past, excepting such as occurs after several severe attacks closely following each other, as she mentions above. The knee is considerably enlarged at all times.

She has taken many different kinds of homœopathic remedies, mineral waters, etc., and has used all the favorite baths, packings, etc., of homœopath, hydropath, eclectic, etc., etc., with little or no benefit.

I have given her in the past few years at different times several remedies, among them being Rhus tox, Caust., Colch., Zincum met. Lactic acid 3rd and 6th, which she began taking a year ago, has done very much for her in mitigating the severity of the attacks, without in the least, however, affecting their periodical

nature.

This feature has so far resisted all treatment. It is a peculiarity, and is entirely independent of any aggravating or ameliorating circumstances.

The symptomatology of Lactic acid, as given in Allen's "Encyclopædia," is as follows:

"Swelling and redness of knees. Right knee faintly red, decidedly swolen, very tender, and painful. Dull, yet sharp, pain in right knee-joint on moving leg.'

I wish this remedy might be given a thorough, honest proving; for I believe it to be a valuable one were its true sphere known.

JANUS.

BY S. G. BAILEY, M. D.

As the Roman Janus was fashioned with two faces, so the modern medical Janus looks both ways for practice. Physicians of apparent respectability are found in almost every community who " practise both ways," as they complacently inform you. They are usually practitioners of the old school, who have picked up a smattering of homoeopathy, and they offer the old or the new to the choice of the patient. They are ready to be "all things to all men," and to run their drag-net through society, counting all gain that comes to their hands. These are not the careful searchers for truth, who are convinced of the right of homœopathy, and who are conscientiously applying it as the best method of cure. They are not homoeopathic physicians who are driven by some supposed exigency to try ways and means outside the Similia. They will usually tell you that this homoopathy is well enough for children and light disorders, while adults, forsooth, need something stronger. There is little doubt

that their crude homoeopathy is fitted only for the mildest of selflimited diseases. Yet it would be interesting to know at just what age the arrangement and physiological laws of the human body change, —just when that law of nature that fits Aconite to the bounding pulse and fever heat of childhood changes to inactivity with maturing years.

It is a physician's duty to give the best result of his research and reason to every patient. The sick man does not know what is best for him.

Even the skilful physician, when sick, intrusts himself to other hands. We do not inquire of the patient whether he needs Opium or Mercury for his diarrhoea, for it is our business to have some very definite and well-grounded judgment which is needed. The man who "practises both ways" is a dangerous person. He is apt not to be competent in either method. He is not prepared to give his patient the best, but whatever the sick man chance to elect. He is to be shunned as one who has not the courage to live up to his convictions, and give the best every time, or as too indolent or inefficient to have arrived at any convictions. It is n't safe to try to ride too many horses at once, either in politics or medicine.

REVIEWS AND

NOTICES

OF

Books.

Bos

CATALOGUE OF Otis Clapp & Son, and Directory of HomœoPATHIC PHYSICIANS of New England. 8vo. ton: Otis Clapp & Son.

pp. 150.

This little volume, which is now issued biyearly, will be welcomed by every homoeopathic physician who may be fortunate enough to receive a copy. A glance at the book will show how great is the supply of goods offered to the profession. The first eighty eight pages contain, alphabetically arranged, a list of all these various articles. The list of medicines covers four pages, and embraces nine hundred and thirty-two different substances, many of which are provided in various forms. Upwards of one hundred different forms of medicine cases are described,— enough in variety to suit the most fastidious. All the surgical instruments and applications in common use are carefully enumerated, while the dietetic preparations and the adjuvants of rational treatment are presented to the reader. The list of homoeopathic publications alone covers fourteen pages.

But perhaps the most interesting part of the book is the "directory." This, which within our memory could easily be

put on a single page, now covers ten double-column finely printed pages, and contains the addresses of eight hundred and twenty-two homoeopathic physicians in New England, Sept. 1, 1882, as against seven hundred and sixty-three, March 1, 1880. This shows an increase of about eight per cent in two years and a half, or four times as fast as the increase in population. Maine has changed its number from 77 to 91; New Hampshire from 51 to 60; Vermont from 82 to 79, a loss of three (she must do better in the next two years); Massachusetts from 386 to 414; Rhode Island from 57 to 59; and Connecticut from 110 to 119. Of the cities, Portland has 14 homœopathic physicians, an increase of fifty per cent; New Haven 15, twenty-five per cent; Hartford 11, twenty-two per cent; Springfield 8, fourteen per cent; Boston 114, thirteen per cent; and Providence 29, eleven and a half per cent. Lowell has fourteen and Worcester nine,

the same as in the last directory.

The directory contains a list of all towns in New England which have more than 1,500 inhabitants. Of these towns which lack a homœopathic physician Maine still has 76: New Hampshire 30; Vermont 35; Massachusetts 83; Rhode Island 9; and Connecticut 50. Thus we see there are two hundred and eightythree towns in New England which lack and could each well support one or more physicians of our school.

Six State societies and six local or county societies report a list of officers, but none of the institutions under homoeopathic management are mentioned. This we hope to see corrected in the next number. Three thousand copies are issued for free circulation, and the attractive manner in which it is published does great credit to the house from which it comes. Any physician can procure a copy by sending their address to Otis Clapp & Son, Boston.

SYPHILIS. BY V. CORNIL.

*

TRANSLATED WITH NOTES AND ADDITIONS. By J. Henry C. Simes, M. D., and J. William White, M. D. With eighty-four illustrations. 1882. 8vo. pp. 461. Philadelphia: Henry C. Lea's Son & Co.

This volume, which has just been published, is a translation from lectures delivered and published by Prof. Cornil, of the Lourcine Hospital, Paris, in 1878. The author names one hundred and forty-four books of reference on this subject, and has, in addition, the experience which his immense hospital and private practice affords. He claims that his book "forms an elementary manual of syphilis based upon a minute knowledge of anatomy.' This, he considers, is “the only logical method by which syphilis may be studied or understood." In accordance with this plan he

devotes his first chapter to the "General consideration of syphilis