The error was through inadvertence. As to the susceptibility of the people of various countries, what was said was given upon the authority of other observers, who must defend their own statements.-Ed.] REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. MINNESOTA ACADEMY OF MEDICINE. R. O. Beard, M. D., Secretary. Stated meeting, Wednesday evening, April 6, 1898, at the West Hotel, Minneapolis: the President, Dr. J. W. Chamberlin, in the chair. Dr. A. W. Abbott, of Minneapolis, presented a paper entitled AN UNUSUAL CASE OF GALL STONE. Dr. J. H. Dunn, of Minneapolis, remembered two cases of ulcerated gall bladder. One case, that of a male patient, had suffered for fifteen years from recurrent abscesses in the back and loins; these had opened at several points. Finally a large abscess formed, presenting above Poupart's ligament, and was opened. In it were found four large gall stones. The probe was passed upward toward the liver. By subsequent operations the track of the abscess was followed up, other gall stones being found. The gall bladder, which had ruptured fifteen years before, was obliterated. The patient ultimately recovered. It was evident that the old backward route of the abscess had become closed and the new downward route from the old site of the gall bladder had formed. The other case was that of an old lady, who had suffered an acute attack of supposed obstruction of the bowels. The case was seen on the fourth day. A tumor presented in a situation which suggested the seat of the right kidney. It was surrounded by an area of great tenderness. Exploratory incision revealed free bile, and upon following up the track of its flow the gall bladder was found ruptured near its neck. The contents were evacuated and a drainage tube introduced. The patient made an uninterrupted recovery. Dr. Frank C. Todd, of Minneapolis, read his inaugural thesis, entitled, THE PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL PUPIL. See page 167. In the discussion which followed, Dr. J. W. Chamberlin, of St. Paul, said that the paper was so ably written and its conclusions so suc cinctly stated that it must be of great value to the general practitioner. Dr. J. W. Bell, of Minneapolis, referred to the pupillary symptom of Dr. Macdonald in cases of pulmonary disease, and said that he had seen it exhibited in one case of pulmonary tuberculosis with a cavity of large size in the left lung. Dr. R. O. Beard, of Minneapolis, suggested that the cause of this symptom lay in an irrritation of the cervical sympathies. He referred to a case of angina pectoris, characterized by severe præcordial pain, acceleration of the heart beat, dyspepsia and marked bilateral dilatation of the pupil. Death followed a severe seizure, and the autopsy showed no valvular or coronary lesion, but an interstitial degeneration of the cervical ganglia. HENNEPIN COUNTY MEDICAL Willard B. Pineo, M. D., Secretary. Regular monthly meeting at the society's rooms in the Public Library building, Minneapolis, Monday evening, March 7, 1898. The president, Dr. J. C. Cockburn, in the chair, The name of Dr. Wm. G. W. Tupper was proposed for membership. Dr. J. H. Stuart presented a specimen of cirrhosis of the liver. Remarks were made by Drs. H. L. Staples and J. W. Bell. Dr. A. W. Abbott presented a specimen of extra-uterine pregnancy. Remarks were made by Dr. D. E. Smith. Dr. R. O. Beard then read a paper on so full a return. The practitioner in the United States will find the work of added value because it is written by English authors, and so deals with the subject of therapeutics from a standpoint somewhat different from that in this country, and so all the more instructive. Sexual Neurasthenia. By George M. Beard, A. M., M. D., formerly Lecturer on Nervous The posthumous work of the late Dr. Beard which goes by the above title has always enjoyed a high reputation, and the successive editions have been most enthusiastically received by the medical profession. Dr. Rockwell, in editing the work, has had the good sense to leave it for the most part unchanged from the original manuscript of Dr. Beard, adding, however, such new illustrative cases and improvements in method of treatment as followed naturally from increased experience. The Nervous System and Its Diseases. By Charles K. Mills, M. D., Professor of Mental Diseases and of Medical Jurisprudence in the University of Pennsylvania; etc. Illustrated. Phila.: J. B. Lippincott Company. 1898. Great interest attaches to the appearance of this the first elaborate work by Dr. Mills upon the specialty with which his name has been long associated, both through his teaching position in the University of Pennsylvania and through his contributions to periodic medical literature. The importance of the work justifies the interest felt, as there has been no more noteworthy medical book published for some time. The whole subject of diseases of the nervous system is not covered by this work, but only that part relating to the brain and cranial nerves. It is the purpose of the author to write a second volume dealing with disease arising from the other portions of the nervous system. Nevertheless, this volume is complete in itself and is an entirely independant work. The first few chapters are devoted to a consideration of the nervous system as a whole, its anatomy, physiology, chemistry, etc. Then follows a chapter upon general pathology and etiology, with a consideration of electricity and general therapeutics. This is introductory to the systematic study of the meninges, brain and cranial nerves in detail. The book is not an epitome or a simple text book, although designed for the use of students as well as of practitioners. It is a full and elaborate treatise upon the subjects with which it deals, and is by far the most complete work upon nervous disease that has been written on this side of the water, a work of which the medical profession of this country may well feel proud. It is claimed that cannabis indica is a specific for a type of headache that is continuous or nearly continuous, lasting weeks or even years, usually dull, but liable to become aggravated, and felt over the whole head. Give one-fourth to one-half grain of the extract in pill, morning and evening. If the case proves rebellious, gradually increase the dose. Marfan combats the idea that is so widespread among the laity that sterilized milk is safe. He has had an occasion to report an epidemic-like outbreak of severe gastro-enteritis in young children. These children were all fed from milk that had been carefully sterilized and then delivered by the company. Upon investigation, it appeared that the milk was sterilized sixteen hours after milking. While the sterilization was abundantly able to kill the bacilli, they had had time in the meanwhile to multiply and develop toxic substances, which were the cause of the outbreak.-American MedicoSurgical Bulletin. NOTES. Hints in the Treatment of Subinvolution. Among the conditions concerned in the causation of uterine diseases subinvolution is one of the most frequent and important. The reason for this is obvious. If, after childbirth or miscarriage the uterus does not undergo completely the normal retrograde process, if it remains enlarged, engorged with a hypertrophied mucous membrane, inflammatory changes are readily developed, and endometritis displacements and serious pelvic diseases may result. One of the chief obstacles to effcient local medication has been the lack of topical remedy Grand Rapids, Mich. which could be safely entrusted to the patient. This want has now been fully supplied in Macajah's Medicated Uterine Wafers. These wafers are cleanly, unirritating, easily applied, and their ingredients exert a depleting effect upon the engorged mucous membrane of the uterus, establishing normal circulation, and thereby causing the absorption of exudates into the tissues and aiding the natural process of involution. Removal Notice. The well known house of Victor Koechl & Co., importers of medicinal preparations, such as Antipyrine, Lanoline, Behring's Antitoxine, Argonin, Orthoform, etc., etc., announce their removal from No. 79 Murray street to the new modern six story building No. 122 Hudson street, corner of North Moore street. The necessity of obtaining larger and more commodious quarters and better shipping facilities is the reason for making this change. Cured Quickly. "One evening I was called to attend a gentleman, a member of my own family, who had just returned from a trip during which he had contracted a well developed case of catarrhal fever as the result of a severe cold. His pulse was 120, temperature 1021⁄2°, skin hot and dry, pain all over the body and a splitting headache; all the mucous tissues were inflamed, involving the nasal tract, throat and bronchial tubes; the eyes were watery, the nose was running, throat sore; in fact, his whole system was thoroughly congested. "It was very important that he should be able to travel within a day or two. I ordered him to take a hot foot bath, then drink a hot lemonade and go to bed. I left with him six Tongaline and Quinine Tablets, with instructions to take one every half hour, washing it down with plenty of hot water. "I saw him about 7 o'clock the next morning and received the following report: About one hour after going to bed he commenced perspiring freely and began to experience a feeling of drowsiness, so that before he had taken all of the Tongaline and Quinine Tablets he fell into a refreshing sleep, from which he did not awake until 5 o'clock. I found his pulse was normal, temperature 99°, skin moist, the pain entirely gone and all the unfavorable symptoms decidedly improved; in fact, the trouble was thoroughly under control. I prescribed a mild cathartic, and by the following day he was able to go on his way rejoicing. "Since then I have frequently given Tongaline and Quinine Tablets in similar conditions with marked success in each instance." Frank A. Barber, M. D., Chicago. Practice vs. Theory. Fanciful theories (a la hammer and board test) cannot exist in opposition to years of practical application of William R. Warner & Co.'s standard pill formulæ-years which has demonstrated the rapid disintegrating properties and consequent therapeutic value of Warner's solu ble pills. Millions of William R. Warner & Co.'s pills have been used by practitioners throughout the world, and the immense number of professional enodrsements we have attest their solubility and potency. Commenting on the "hammer and board" test, the Monthly Retrospect of Medicine and Pharmacy sums up the whole matter in a few words: "Is it possible that physicians have prescribed an insoluble and inert' class of preparations throughout their career? If so, the question naturally presents itself, To what can be traced the excellent results following the administration of mass pill in numberless instances? If the ingredients of these mass pills did not oppose and correct a diseased condition, what did? "Any remedial agent which has 'deteriorated with age' and is 'insoluble' would have no effect when taken. Therefore, if the desired results are obtained, and the patient has been cured, that is prima facie evidence that the said remedy has not 'deteriorated' and that it is entirely soluble.” Physicians relying on an experience of over forty years with "Warner's Soluble Pills" with satisfactory results, will continue to prescribe the pill which disintegrates in twenty minutes (Warner's Pil. Cathartic Compound) in preference to the one that disintegrates in one hour and five minutes (Friable Pil. Cathartic Compound), even though the former will "dent a board" and the latter will not. Warner's Pills are soluble, potent, permanent and reliable, because they are PREPARED FROM PURE DRUGS, in a scientific manner. The coating (sugar or gelatin) hermetically seals. and protects the contents indefinitely, and upon ingestion of the pills, the coating dissolves in a few minutes, thus liberating its ingredients in a condition favoring rapid assimilation. Back Numbers. Carron Oil, Iodoform and Picric Acid are back numbers in the treatment of burns. Carron Oil possesses no antiseptic qualities whatever, while Idoform, owing to its strong toxic effects and odor, is very objectionable to the patient, and in some cases dangerous to use. In regard to treating burns with Picric Acid, its disadvantages are staining of the hands and bed clothes, and its utter uselessness in allaying the inflammation or assisting in granulation. Then again: Walther in the Gazette Hebdon, de Medicine et de Chirurgie, reports a case of two children he treated for burns with compresses of Picric Acid, in which there was much pain, severe smarting, and vomiting. A second application was made, with the same result, and this mode of dressing had to be discontinued. In Unguestine we have a thoroughly antiseptic, healing and restorative dressing, nontoxic, inodorous and clean. It readily subdues inflammation and assists in granulation, and was used in the hospital barracks at Key West, Florida, where the wounded soldiers of the Maine were taken for treatment from Havana. Sanmetto the Standard Preparation for GenitoUrinary Diseases. For some years I have been a very warm admirer of Sanmetto, and have found its action marked and well defined in cases wherein I have used it. In cases of prostatitis, with loss of virile power in elderly men, I find its action superb. In chronic specific urethritis, cystitis and all irritable conditions of the urinary tract I find Sanmetto very efficacious. I do not hesitate to recommend it as a standard preparation in cases where the action of pure santal and sawpalmetto is indicated. Durand, Mich. Jos. Marshall, M. D. Let Doctors Prescribe It. Some of the prepared foods are advertised in newspapers and circulars on the cure all and "save the doctor bill" plan. We have noticed some of their advertisements wherein the wonderful properties of the foods are extolled as cures for a long list of diseases. The Imperial Granum Food, however, is advertised only in the medical press and is sold through the recommendation of the profession. It deserves the support of physicians on this account, therefore, as well as for its merits as an ideal prepared food. -The Wisconsin Medical Recorder, February, 1898. Practice in Minneapolis For Sale. A Minneapolis physician who is about to retire from general practice to take up a specialty, offers for sale his household and office furniture and his horse and carriages. All articles in good condition and are of good quality. To the purchaser he will turn over his practice without charge, giving him a proper introduction, and doing whatever he can to install such successor in his practice, which has been established eleven years. The publisher of the Lancet believes this to be an excellent and an unusual opportunity for any one wishing to begin practice in Minneapolis. For full particulars address "Doctor," care of N. W. Lancet, 734 and 735 Lumber Exchange, Minneapolis. A PURE WATER. The Indian Medical Springs water is a positive preventive for typhoid fever, if used exclusively. Also a cure for rheumatism, kidney disease, eczema and all of the allied diseases of the bladder and stomach. It acts especially upon the gastric juices of the stomach, aiding the assimilation of the food, and producing new blood, which no medicine will do. The Indian Medical Spring Water is sold as low as any other water. For prices, etc., call upon, or write to THE INDIAN MEDICAL SPRING WATER Co., 404 Masonic Temple, Minneapolis. LECTURES AND ADDRESSES. THE HISTORY OF MEDICINE AND OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.* By Burnside Foster, M. D., Clinical Professor of Dermatology in the University of Minnesota. St. Paul. (Contined from LANCET of May 1.) As Hippocrates was the first physician to recognize and insist upon the distinctiveness of medicine, both as a science and an art, so was he the first to realize the importance of teaching medicine methodically, so that the knowledge of his time might be perpetuated by pupils, who would carry on investigations according to his methods and continue to advance the science, in the study of which his life was spent. Indeed, it is very largely through the writings of his pupils that we have preserved to us the medical knowledge of Hippocrates and his methods of practice. Although in those days there were no medical schools as we have them now, Hippocrates taught both clinically and by didactic lectures among students and he was always ready to impart his knowledge to all who sought it. The Hippocratic oath, which will live as long as medicine exists, contains the essence of what is held today to be the proper ethics of our profession. It should be familiar to every physician. The following is an accurate translation of it: "I swear by Apollo the physician, and Æsculapius, and by Hygeia and Panacea, and all the gods and goddesses, that, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this oath and this stipulation to reckon him who taught me this art equally dear to me as my parents, to share my substance with him, and relieve his necessities if required; to look upon his offspring on the same footing as my own brothers, to teach them this art, if they should wish to learn it, without fee or stipulation; and by precept, lecture and every mode of instruction, I will impart the knowledge of the art to my sons, and those of my teachers, and to disciples bound by stipulation and oath according to the law of medicine, but to none others. I will follow that system of regimen, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel; and in like manner I will not give to a * Extracts from a course of lectures delivered before the students of the University of Minnesota, during the winter of 1898. woman a pessary to produce abortion. With purity and with holiness I will pass my life and practice my art. I will not cut persons laboring under the stone, but will leave this to be done by men who are practitioners of this work. Into whatever houses I enter, I will go into them for the benefit of the sick, and will abstain from every voluntary act of mischief and corruption; and, further, from the seduction of females or males, of freemen and slaves. Whatever in connection with my professional practice or not in connection with I see or hear, in the life of men, which ought not to be spoken of abroad, I will not divulge, as reckoning that all such should be kept secret. While I continue to keep this oath unviolated, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and the practice of the art, respected by all men, in all times. But, should I trespass and violate this oath, may the reverse be my lot." For many centuries it was the custom to administer this oath to all medical graduates. The conspicuous feature of the medical doctrine of Hippocrates is his consideration of the human body as a whole, without pretending to penetrate to its internal mechanism, and thus his chief observations were concerning the relations of the body with the outer world. In this way he was led to attribute most diseases to the influence of climate, seasons and age. Thus was founded the doctrine of medical constitutions corresponding to particular atmospheric conditions, and although many of his conclusions were erroneous, some of them have come down to us unchanged and are the basis of our present knowledge. Hippocrates regarded ages as the seasons of life, and he attributed not incorrectly certain diseases to certain periods of life. He also studied and minutely described acute fevers and established the theory of crises in their course, a theory which, despite the stern test of modern criticism, survives today. His most important principle of treatment lay in his application of the "vis medicatrix naturæ." He contended that the physician's duty lay chiefly in studying nature's methods, in "relieving nature when she was oppressed, in succoring her when she was weak, in restraining her when she was outrageous," and assisting her to expell disease, by regulating so far as possible the hygiene of the patient and stimulating all the natural functions of the body to healthy and normal action. In reviewing the history of Hippocratic medicine, by far the most brilliant epoch of the history of the medicine of antiquity, we cannot but be impressed chiefly by the fact that in no preceding or subsequent age has so much ever been accomplished for the advancement of any one department of human knowledge by the labor of a single individual. Hippocrates was so conspicuously preeminent in his time that scarcely another name, among his contemporaries, has |