either hypodermically, by nasal inhalation, or any method with which they are familiar.

It is not that they were unstrung by drink, -that broken-down nature required stimulation; the chances are that not enough alcohol had passed down their gullets the night before to intoxicate a babe. It is from the desire of their natures to impress the community with the belief that they are fast becoming a "total wreck."

Why this is we cannot say; whether it is from a desire to excite sympathy, or with the old time belief that a "rake" is preferred by the ladies, and they thus seek to place themselves in a favorable attitude before the fair sex,-all this can be but a matter of conjec

ture.

It is the fact which remains, that with this perverted idea of doing something smart, they adopt the practice of using cocaine to recover from the effects of their so-called orgies.

Orgies they are not, in the majority of cases, but merely the taking of a few drinks which would do but little damage, were it not that they make them an excuse for indulging in cocaine the next morning, and thus give themselves the opportunity to be talked about as a "sad dog" by their acquaintances. Call one a hound, and he would immediately become murderous; but call him a "sad, sly dog,"and he will chuckle as if it were a great compli

ment.

To these perverted natures, and there is no question of their existence, especially in our larger cities, cocaine is a curse, and one with huge dimensions. To them it is unquestiona bly a curse, but whether the ultimate welfare of the world is not on the whole promoted by the extinction of such natures, is an open question. Old Sparta destroyed her useless citizens, and modern medicine may be killing two birds with one stone by the introduction of such drugs as cocaine,-saving where they will save, and killing off the worthless who abuse their use.

lates his experience with this drug, which was continued over an interval of ten months. Speaking of its use and effects, he in one place says:

On May 1, an incident occurred which saddened my existence to a great extent. I be came very much depressed, and filled with grief. Everthing was done mechanically, with lack of interest. Here is where the charms of the cocaine give relief temporary relief, but relief. I used it every night four or five times before retiring, each time followed by one or two cigarettes. My nights were passed in a dreamy restlessness, my mind set at ease, and spirits exhilarated. The appetite still decreased, the nerves became unsteady, and I was advised to stop cigarette smoking, which I did entirely for three weeks. About this time I very unwisely began to indulge in an occasional spray at the office dur ing the daytime, something which had never occurred before, and June 27, the climax be gan. During the fortnight following I had one or two patients "go wrong," suffered from anxiety, worry, and overwork, made four or five visits a day for a week to a person afflicted with a purulent ophthalmia, and after each visit I would turn on forty or fifty pounds pressure, and reduce the liquid in the tube half an inch. Then seeking an easychair, with a cigarette in my mouth, I would dwell on the trials and tribulations of this life with a calmness and complacency hardly imaginable. My mind was at rest in less than five minutes, a sensation of exquisite numbness would steal over my body, creeping up from the feet to the head, everything looked bright and happy, my grief and anxiety were gone, my troubles were ended. After about a week of this state of things I became somewhat alarmed. My friends could not account for my listlessness, loss of interest in themselves and their pursuits. I assured them it was the result of a little too much cocaine; and after making a feeble effort at facetiousness, would relapse into a condition

Dr. Frank W. Ring, in the Med. Rec., re

I did my work mechanically and well; my mind was as level as ever after these inspira

tions. At the end of fifteen minutes I would have an inordinate desire to go to the bathroom, and upon rising would find myself staggering a little. I had no desire to talk, but thought I might write a few articles to the medical journals, and I did write, and afterward found that my productions were creditable to a man of ordinary talent. During these séances I noted a slight increase in temperature, acceleration of the heart's action, no nausea, no perspiration, mind seemingly clear and active. The numbness only lasted two or three minutes. Thirty minutes after a spray of a solution containing four grains I would be entirely myself again, with the exception of a slight headache, which soon passed away upon using a little bromo-caffeine. I had no appetite during this fortnight of partial bliss, did not sleep well, and lost five pounds of flesh. Probably, during this time I averaged ten grains a day. This is certainly not excessive, and would not have caused as much disturbance had I not been under its influence for so long a time. I am sure the second week was more fascinating than the first, and yet I took less cocaine, plainly showing that its effects were cumulative.

July 9, I came to the conclusion that the medicine was getting to be a necessity, that it might become a source of injury to my well-being, and I calmly decided to stop it, which I did. The inclination for it often seizes me, but I crush it with a perfect confidence that I shall never again indulge in its

enchantments.

following coition, with the exclusion of other causes point to carcinoma, still the difficulty of distinguishing beginning cancer from erosions will always exist. Ruge and Veit recommend the excision of a piece of the erosion for miscroscopical examination, and by this means making a diagnosis. But even microscopically, it is possible to recognize certain characteristic appearances which are peculiar to carcinomatous erosions. He gives four particular important signs:

1. The diseased surface is everywhere sharply separated from the sound tissues; it nowhere gradually changes from one to the other.

2. A difference in level between the diseased part and the healthy can always be recognized.

3. The cancerous portions have always a yellowish tint.

4. The malignant spots show small, yellowish-white, glistening raised points, at least in certain places.

RECTAL INJECTIONS.

L'Union Médicale du Canada speaks as follows concerning rectal injections: The treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis by gaseous rectal injections, does not call forth the enthusiasm it did some few months ago. After a great deal had been spoken upon the subject, and the method of Dr. Bergeon was put to the test, many disappointments were encountered. One thing has been discovered, positively, that the rectal injections of sul

CERVIX UTERI.

During the course of a report on the progress of gynecology in the Brit. Med. and Surg. Jour., Dr. Stratz is quoted as saying that the perfected technique of the operative treatment of cancer of the uterus has rendered its cure possible, provided it is seen at a sufficiently early stage. It is, therefore, important to be able to make a diagnosis early. Even if certain symptoms, as profuse menstruation, leucorrhea, pain, hemorrhage

cise any toxic action upon the tubercle bacillus. Still the method of Bergeon is not entirely useless; even if the gas does not destroy the tubercle bacillus, it exercises a most favorable influence upon the pulmonary tis sue and the bronchial mucous membrane, as one can see by the excellent results obtained upon phthisical patients, expectoration becoming less abundant, diminution and even cessation of night sweats, diminution of the cough, improvement of the appetite and increase in the weight of the patient; taking

place, after its use, one might say that these injections produce a powerful beneficent change in the respiratory passages, not only in phthisis, but one finds its action equally and even more effective in chronic bronchitis, asthma, and pulmonary gangrene. It has even been found that sulphuretted hydrogen administered by the stomach, in the form of sulphur or otherwise acts equally well as when administered by the rectum. In both cases it passes through the portal vein and the liver, and after having passed through the right side of the heart, enters directly into the different pulmonary tissues.

ANTAGONISM OF MICROBES.

At the thirty-third annual meeting of the Schweizerischer Aerztlicher Verein, held at Basle, Dr. C. Garré, Lecturer in the Basle University, and a leading Swiss bacteriologist, made a highly interesting communica tion on the antagonism existing between certain species of bacteria. His paper was based on numerous experiments which he had made, from which he found that there was a most marked antagonism between Fluegge's microbe and the staphylococus pyogenes aureus as well as the bacillus typhosus and Friedlaender's bacillus pneumonia. The three pathogenic micro-organisms did not grow at all when sown in a jelly which had served for three or four days as a nutrient medium for the fluorescent bacillus. The cholera bacillus and the bacillus mycoides continued to grow, though far more slowly than in an ordinary medium, while the bacillus anthracis and Finkler-Prior's rod increased and multiplied as luxuriantly as on a control-plate. Dr. Garré,therefore, concludes that "inoculation of the jelly with the fluorescent bacillus confers immunity on the medium as regards the pus staphylococcus, the typhoid and the pneumonia-bacillus." The antagonism is mutual only in the case of Eberth's bacillus; the fluorescent bacillus continuing to flourish in a medium previously infected by the staphylococ. cus or Friedlaender's microbe. The explanation of the antagonism lies in the fact that mi

crobes seerete some specific highly diffusible substances which prove poisonous to certain species of bacteria, while having no effect on others. That the antagonism not only consists merely in the crowding-out or starvingout of one species by another seems to be proved by the experiments made by the author. Dr. Garré points out two other forms of inter-bacterial relations. One of these is "symbiosis," or a friendly dwelling together of certain kinds of microbes; the other is "metabiosis," a term by which he designates a relationship in which one species of microbe prepares the nutrient medium for a dif ferent species, the preparation consisting either in destroying an injurious substance in the medium, or supplying the latter with some decomposition products which may serve as nutriment for the microbes that follow.

TREATMENT OF CONGESTIVE Headaches.

Dr. Wm. C. Glasgow, of this city, in a paper read before the American Laryngological Association, gives a number of cases to show the efficacy of his method of treating the headache which so frequently attends congestion of the nasal chambers. In his paper he speaks as follows:

"In some cases there is a periodical return after a longer or shorter interval, the life of the sufferer is rendered almost intolerable, and he is unfitted for any mental or physical activity. If we analyze this pain, we shall find that it is distinctly of two kinds. The one kind gives a dull, heavy sense of fulness, with occasional throbbing over the temple. The other is sharp, lancinating pain so generally recognized as neuralgia.

At times both varieties of pain are present in the same case; in others they are entirely distinct. In the one case we recognize a fulness or local increase of the tension of the vessels; in the other a distinctly disordered nerve action. Both varieties are often due to

the same pathological condition of the nasal chambers, and the relief of the one is often by a cessation of the other. I do not, how

ever, in this paper propose to consider the naal reflexes which are now attracting so much attention, and which are distinctly neuralgic in character, but the pain and sense of constriction arising from an over-distention of the vessels.

This disturbing cause is seen in frontal headaches, browache, or so-called catarrhal headache, radiating from the root of the nose; it may be limited to the forehead; it may be felt as a dull, throbbing pain in the temples; it may give rise to intense dull ocular pain, or, extending over the head, it may be felt in the occipital regions, occurring frequently from cold or exposure; we also find it often conjoined with certain vaso-motor disturb inces of the mucous membrane. It is frequent at the menstrual epoch, coincident with a turgescence of the cavernous bodies, and it is the cause of many of the so-called nervous headaches, or uterine headaches, with which a simllar condition of the cavernous bodies will be found. If we examine the nasal chamber during the attack of congestive headache, we shall find the cavernous bodies in a state of tension; they may not be greatly swollen or enlarged, bat to the eye the condition of the mucous membrane is that of tension and fulness. The degree of tension corresponds in a measure with the severity of the headache.

A few years ago, I treated these cases with not alkaline sprays, gently applied, and the ase of hot fomentations, combined with the use of the usual constitutional remedies. This mode of treatment has not been altogether satisfactory, and during the past four years I have substituted for it the local abstraction of blood, for which I can allege unqualified success. In many cases there is experienced an immediate relief of the pain, and in all there is a sense of the loosening of the constriction. A simple bleeding may reeve the headache, or it may have to be repeated in a day, a week, or a month. I have ween but few cases which were not permacently relieved by a bleeding repeated from two to six times.

To produce the bleeding no cut is required. The cavernous body is simply pricked,

and the blood flows freely until the excessive tension has been reduced; then it ceases. The amount of blood drawn rarely exceeds one ounce, in many cases it is less than this, and in some cases a single drachm of blood removed will give the requisite relief. In cases of excessive congestion the flow will equal several ounces before it ceases, the quantity of blood being dependent on the distention of the vessels, and corresponds with the severity of the symptoms. From a normal membrane or where there is an excessive vascular distention, scarcely a drop of blood will flow from a simple puncture of the membrane such as would produce a free flow in this pathological condition. In cases where the mucous membrane is thickened, a sharper puncture will be necessary to bring blood. A lance-headed probe may be best used in making the puncture, although a sharp-pointed bistoury, or any pointed instrument, will answer. The probe has the advantage that it does not excite the apprehension of the patients, many of whom become nervous at the sight of a knife, and dread the idea of being cut."

TREATMENT OF CONSTIPATION BY ABDOMINAL MASSAGE.

Dr. Georges Berne sums up a very com plete article upon the abdominal massage treatment of chronic constipation, with the following remarks.

1. The abdominal massage is a measure always inoffensive and beneficent in the treatment of obstinate constipation, i. e., constipation, rebellious to the other customary forms. of treatment.

2. The duration of each adminstration of the massage ought to be from 15 to 20 minutes, and performed in the beginning every day.

3. Natural evacuations take place after the sixth massage already, and the effect is lasting, even after the cessation of the massage.

4. Gentle pressure is commendable, over the gall bladder, in order to excite it into contraction, and in this way to favor the

5. Massage causes a more abundant flow of the intestinal secretions, and stimulates the contractility of the large intestine by exciting peristalsis.

6. Moreover, aside from all reflex phenomena the massage acts mechanically, by facilitating the evacuations of the contents of the intestine.

LACTIC ACID.

Lactic acid is beginning to be recognized as a remedy for the green diarrhea of infants. It was professor Hayem, who, in a communication to the academy of medicine of Paris, on the 17th of last May, first made known the value of this agent in the dyspepsia of early infancy. Since then owing to the excessive sour taste of the acid, and in order that the child should take it with less repugnance, it has been administered in different ways in order to overcome the difficulty. The following formula is one of Dr. Vigier:-Lactic acid 2 grams, simple syrup, 98 grams, essence of citron, 1 drop. Mix and filter, dose 2 to 3 teaspoonfuls a day.

THE MEDICAL CONGRESS.

In round numbers, it is estimated that the invading army of doctors now contains about 3,000 individuals. The work of registration is still in progress and exact figures are not attainable.

President Cleveland, Secretary Bayard and Carlisle were escorted by Dr. Garnett to seats upon the stage at 11 o'clock, and were greeted with applause by the audience.

The assemblage was called to order by Prof. Henry M. Smith of Philadelphia, chairman on the executive committee. He said it was known to all present, as well as to physicians throughout the world, that in May, 1884, representative members of the profession in the United States decided to send a fraternal greeting to the eighth international medical congress then about to assemble in the capital

tional medical congress might meet in the city of Washington. This invitation being accepted, an executive committee was named to make the necessrry arrangements, and the result of their labors was seen in this large assembly, which the register showed contained many of the most brilliant and distinguished medical minds of Europe, Asia and America. To welcome these guests of the profession and show his interest in a great humanitarian object, the president of the United States had consented to open the congress for organization. He had the honor to announce the Hon. Grover Cleveland, president of the United States of America.

The president arose, bowed to the assemblage, and when the applause had subsided he said:

"I feel that the country should be congratulated to-day upon the presence at our capital of so many of our own citizens and those representing foreign countries who have distinguished themselves in the science of medicine and are devoted to its further progress. My duty on this occasion is a very pleasant and a very brief one. It is simply to declare that the ninth international medical congress is now open for organization and for the transaction of business."

The following letter explains itself and the first, and so for the only, unpleasant episode of the congress.

Secretary-General of the Medical Congress: Having been invited by the secretary-general of the medical congress-Surgeon General Hamilton-to answer in the name of my country the address of the secretary of state, I accepted with pleasure and so informed, by letter, the secretary-general. My surprise was, therefore, great and painful, when, this morning, while inquiring about the order of exercises at the opening of the congress, the same Surgeon-General Hamilton informed me that he had requested Dr. Semmola of Naples, to make the answer. This change was done without my knowledge and consent, and was, therefore, an insult. I am the representative of the Italian government, in as