judgment and of the will, and having other markedly injurious effects. Hence alcohol must be regarded as a poison, and ought not to be classed among foods.

2. Observation establishes the fact that a moderate use of alcoholic liquors, continued over a number of years, produces a gradual deterioration of the tissues of the body, and hastens the changes which old age brings, thus increasing the average liability to disease (especially to infectious disease), and shortening the duration of life.

3. Total abstainers, other conditions being similar, can perform more work, possess greater powers of endurance, have on the average less sickness, and recover more quickly than non-abstainers, especlally from infectious diseases, while they altogether escape diseases specially caused by alcohol.

4. All the bodily functions of a man, as of every other animal, are best performed in the absence of alcohol, and any supposed experience to the contrary is founded on delusion, a result of the action of alcohol on the nerve centers.

5. Further, alcohol tends to produce in the offspring of drinkers an unstable nervous system, lowering them mentally, morally and physically. Thus deterioration threatens us, and this is likely to be greatly accelerated by the alarming increase of drinking among women, who have hitherto been little addicted to this vice. Since the mothers of the coming generation are thus involved, the importance and danger of this increase can not be exaggerated.

Seeing, then, that the common use of alcoholic beverages is always and everywhere followed, sooner or later, by moral, physical and social results of a most serious and threatening character, and that it is the cause, direct or indirect, of a very large proportion of the poverty, suffering, vice, crime, lunacy, disease, and death, not only in the case of those who take such beverages, but in the case of others who are unavoidably associated with them, we feel warranted, nay, compelled to urge the general adoption of total abstinence from all intoxicating liquors as beverages, as the surest, simplest and quickest method of removing the evils which

necessarily result from their use. Such a course is not only universally safe, but is also natural. We believe that such an era of health, happiness and prosperity would be inaugurated thereby that many of the social problems of the present age would be solved.

This declaration has already received the signatures of over 1,000 physicians in all parts of the country. I have been appointed chairman to present this manifesto to American physicians for their endorsement. I should be very glad to receive the name, title and address of any physician who is willing to aid by his signature to correct public sentiment and assist in the prevention of one of the great evils of the age. This is purely a scientific effort for the purpose of having a general consensus of opinion of the leading physicians of the world, and it is assumed that American physicians are equally enthusiastic and prompt to lend their signatures to this statement as in the wine-drinking countries of Europe. A postal card with address and title is earnestly solicited from every medical man who would like to be represented in this great movement for a clearer comprehension of the subject. Address T. D. CROTHERS, M. D.

Hartford, Conn.

Various Subjects.

Editor Medical Summary :

Dr. W. O. Henry is correct. All catarrh no matter where it may exist, is a symptom of debility. While local washes and douches are excellent and curative, they are worthless unless general body-conditions are attended to.

A woman exhausted by leucorrhea needs building up, and for such a purpose I have found elixir of iron, quinine and strychnine excellent, given in doses of one teaspoonful, three times a day, in a wineglass of water, before meals.

For nasal and post-nasal catarrh, either simple or purulent, the spray of hot water and Dobell's solution will afford satisfaction. Professor Birmingham, the inventor of the nasal douche, commends the use of hot water in catarrhal diseases, and as his entire life has been given to this specialty

it is but reasonable to believe in him as an authority.

Sometimes catarrhal diseases are not of a severe or lasting nature, but should be treated as specified in previous articles in the SUMMARY. Many of these articles were republished. The climate promotes catarrh.

The treatment of gonorrhea by injection has never given satisfaction, because it is not certain. I have treated no less than one thousand cases since the year 1872, but was obliged to abandon the use of the syringe altogether. I generally commence treatment with a cathartic, and follow with one dram doses of Lafayette's mixture, three times a day, after meals. cases where the mixture produces stomach disturbance, I substitute capsules of sandal-wood, one capsule three times a day.

In

Mix, and use as scalp wash. "Cleanliness is next to Godliness," in many diseases. Thomas A. Edison says: "Medicine is played out." A Solon has arisen in our midst, and we must look elsewhere for treatment when we get

As Edison's experience has been very limited, I do not think it unjust to say he is ignorant. While physicians may not know everything, they are nevertheless a valuable aid to civilization. Many an evil has been terminated through the doctors; many a plague spot has been turned into a garden by the aid of sanitary science, and quite recently the government was forced to acknowledge that in cholera, diphtheria and variola the med ical man was a valuable and potent factor in the commonwealth. So long as we have disease so long will doctors be necessary. Mr. Edison is a mechanic, and like all men who see things from one standpoint, he is inclined to be narrow.

Medicine is not played out. We cannot get along without the doctor, or his powders, pills and liquids, for if they have no effect, save a mental one, they are good in that respect. A moral influence is as necessary as a physical remedy, and the doctor of experience knows this statement to be correct.

Dr. J. E. McNeil, of Denver, Colorado, has an excellent article in the Med. Herala for March. It is entitled "Tent Life as a Remedy for Tuberculosis." The Doctor has embodied the results of his experience in his paper. He says truly, "outdoor life supplemented by proper medical advise, is best in all cases of phthisis. Those who have inhaled the air of dirty tenements or unsanitary flats appreciate the value of outdoor air. In our large cities, where the air is poisoned by sewer gas, consumption flourishes, typhoid is frequently seen, and diphtheria is common. If pure air is made possible, these diseases would disappear. In breathing outdoor air we avoid many elements of infection. God made the country-the devil the town. City life and its artificial methods, and the excesses incidental to it, promote disease and shorten life. The nearer we approach to nature, the nearer we get to God. Nothing can replace sunshine, pure air and nourishment. Dr. McNeil is right, outdoor life is the one for consumptives. Perhaps I ought to add that medication is often of great value also. We cannot dispense with it entirely.

LUIGI G. DOANE, M. D.

New York City.

Note.

Short practical articles on subjects of interest to the general practitioner, are always wanted for the SUMMARY. Readers are invited to join in making it a medium of mutual help, and to contribute to it any practical ideas that may occur to them— notes from case book, clinical memoranda, etc. The pages of the SUMMARY are always open for any physician who has anything helpful and practical to say. Send your articles now-to-day.

Divination.

Editor Medical Summary:

Dr. T. K. Galloway's answer (page 23, March number) on what is called spiritualism by its cult, seems rather amusing were it not so sad, that he, like all spirit followers, denies the most fundamental teachings of the Bible. Man becomes Christian by faith in Christ as his personal Saviour, and thus receiving power of God, and not, as the Doctor seems to indicate, by only trying to follow the teachings of Christ. "By grace are ye saved through faith." And yet the Doctor says, “you accept nothing on faith," but "without falth it is impossible to please God." (Heb. 11:6.) Bat the worst of the teachings of spiritualism is the denying of the resurrection of Christ. "It was nothing more," says the Doctor, "than a materilization, which is no resurrection of the body." But St. Paul says, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ have perished.” (Cor. 1:15.)

Then for the Doctor to say that he is proud to acknowledge having been a spiritualist eight years, and yet is not able to give us any reason for the hope that is in him, seems ridiculous. He reminds me of the Univeralist who said he firmly beieved there was no hell, but he would give his team to be sure. I would like to know what those messages of edification and profit were which the Doctor has received. I have attended spirit meetings and heard the mediums chatter and mutter like children, commonplace and foolish things, in bad English, but I have yet to learn anything worth knowing from the spirit world through such means. I also have stopped these proceedings by commanding, in the name of Christ, the whispering demon to come out of the medium, who, in Scripture language, is called an Ohr-one who calls up spirits from the abyss to foretell future events, or a consulter of familiar spirits. It is sald of Ariel, "thy voice shall be as one that hath a familiar spirit (ōhr) out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper, or chirp out of the dust (Is. 29:4.) In (Is. 8:19) spiritism, or, rather, divination, is

referred to in these words: "And when they say to you, 'seek to ohr and to yiddgodi (wizards or soothsayers) that peep, or chirp, and mutter,' should not a people seek unto their God? On behalf of the living, should they seek to the dead?" This language describes the kind of spirits these so-called spiritualists consult-unclean spirits-who deceive and lie to those that consult them. In Lu. 50:6 27 we read: "The soul that turns unto them that have familiar spirits (ohr) and unto wizards (or soothsayers) I will set my face against, and will cut him off from among his people." A man also or a woman that is an ohr, or that is yiddgoni (a wizard) shall surely be put to death; they shall stone them with stones. But the Doctor says that God did not command the witches to be killed, and that Saul did not consult with one. But Saul said, “seek me a woman that has a familiar spirit (ohr)" whom he consulted at night, the usual time for seances, and as is the case now it was then, also a woman.

I would like to know from the Doctor what fact is the foundation of his cult. Will he prove what its philosophy is, and of what value it is to him?

J. DUN STARK, M. D. 650 Henry St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

[From the best information we are able to obtain, the following States do not require more than a diploma of graduation from a reputable medical college from the person contemplating the practice of medicine: Arkansas, Colorado, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota and Wyoming.

The following State Boards of Medical Examiners reciprocate, we believe:

Delaware reciprocates with New Jersey and Maryland; Illinois with Indiana, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey and Wisconsin; Indiana with Michigan, Wisconsin

and Illinois; New Jersey with Delaware, Maine and Illinois; Maine with Illinois and New Jersey.

Some States accept certificates of certain others—thus Pennsylvania accepts those of New York, and Texas those of some twenty other States-Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri (if issued after July, 1901), Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, Washington.-ED.]

Queries and Replies.

Editor Medical Summary:

As I am very much interested in Dr. Ben. H. Brodnax's methods of treatment, I recently wrote him, and asked him the following questions:

Will your acid iron tonic Injure the teeth? Will the heat during summer ever cause it to explode if carried in ordinary saddle-bags, and how much would be a dose for a five-year-old child?

How many doses of nascent chlorine do you usually give in a day, and is there any danger of it exploding in summer if carried in ordinary saddle-bags ?

Do you use the ordinary zinc sulphocarbolate; if not, whose preparation do you use?

Would it be safe to put pure guaiacol in the ear for earache ?

Do you use blue powder; if so, how much do you give a five-year-old child for a dose ?

When you give calomel, how long after the last dose is given until you will allow the patient to drink all the water he wants?

I exclose his answer, which is so interesting, and of such great value that I think it is my duty to ask you to publish it for the readers of the MEDICAL SUMMARY. Dr. Ben. H. Brodnax is certainly a grand old physician, and what he says is of great value, especially to Southern physicians who practice in the malarial belts.

I hope that you will see fit to publish this communication.

Sullivan, Ark.

J. A. BURNETT, M. D.

In reply to the above questions I will say: The acid tonic, eight to ten drops, to a glass of water, can be used as a tooth wash or held in the mouth for some time without injury to the teeth. It does not blacken them, but, on the contrary, cleans off the tartar. It sometimes blows out the cork, but does not foam. I have never carried it in my saddle-bags, but in a round vial swung at my saddle bow. Like all mixtures of full strength acids, it will go on working, and fizzes out of the side of the stopper, but if made half strength by adding half water (four ounces full strength acid and four ounces of water) it seems to stop all further working. The dose for a child is about the strength of lemonade, say three to five drops to glass tumbler of water, sweetened with sugar, and used as a drink in place of other water, (not, however, to the exclusion of plain water) as much as wanted, at least three times a day.

Nascent chlorine. Dose, one teaspoonful, diluted, every one, two or three hours, as an antiferment, etc. It does not explode, nor foam. I carry it in my vest pocket.

Yes, the commercial sulphocarbolate of zinc. Van Vleet Mansfield Drug Co., of Memphis, Tenn., sells it at 38c. for four ounces (roc. an ounce.) It is a splendid antiferment for sour stomach and belching in old men, as well as the best treatment for dysentery. I have not lost a case in three years, and I give the zinc, salol and bismuth in dose of compound, for infant one grain every hour for three times, then every two hours, then every three hours.

It depends very much on the person as to full strength of guaiacol internally or externally. Some it burns without any rubbing, thickening up the skin, while in others it requires hard rubbing to get effect. I would, for safety from pain by the drug itself, use sweet or cottonseed oil, one part, guaiacol, two parts. Mix. Use in the ear by dropping, and keep it in by absorbent cotton. It cures in less time than it takes me to write the prescription. Use the same, full strength, in toothache.

Here is a good toothache medicine: B. Carbolic acid and camphor, equal

Mix. Clean out tooth and press a small plece of cotton, wet with the above. It will cure in half a minute.

Blue powder. Dose, one to five grains. Repeat every hour for two or three times. Dose for child five years old, two grains, repeated as above. It is, as you know, a mild mineral mercurial intestinal anesthetic, not purely purgative, but with aid of a Seidlitz, or some podophyllin, acts nicely. Dr. Moses W. Kidder, Lincoln, Mass., puts up a pretty "pearl" pink and white, which is a real fine thing, and is a Dover's powder and podophyllin compound sugar covered pill.

In regard to water with calomel, I have never restricted them, only advising them not to expose themselves to heavy change of weather. I have thought that the untoward action of calomel was a matter of idiosyncrasy—a peculiarity of the individual-and that precautions are useless. You have known cases where even vinegar, pickles, etc., have been used, and no trouble. It seems to be an exploded idea that any change takes place by the action of acids, etc., in the system. Recently experiments with muriatic acid convinced the parties that bichloride was not produced by it, or in the body. My own idea is that cases of salivation by calomel occur mostly in those of scrofulous diathesis, in that there are some cases on which the drug acts as a poison.

The same occurs, as you know, with acetanilid. Nine out of ten take it in full dose, while the tenth one will show some cyanosis. This has caused many to reject the most valuable (in my opinion) drug we have, as it seems to fit almost every place.

I would recommend you to study it in the treatment of malaria, as I have, for about thirteen years, stopped the use of quine in the treatment of that disease. Pleased to serve you at any time. BEN. H. BRODNAX, M. D.

Brodnax, La.

A NEW Subscriber writes: "I am pleased with the SUMMARY, and find it more to the point than any other journal I have ever taken."-DR. J. W. S., Abbeville, S. C.

Treatment Wanted.

Editor Medical Summary:

Will you, or the multitude of SUMMARY readers, kindly give me your bloodless treatment of hematocele (tumor of scrotum) ?

Let physicians who know that they have a prescription that will cure hematocele reply through the columns of the SUMMARY.

W. H. GUNN, M. D.

Guthrie, Oklahoma.

Helpful Hints and Suggestions.

Editor Medical Summary :

In reference to the article, on pages 20 and 21 of the March SUMMARY, by Dr. Bennett, on leg ulcers, I would advise that in every case the hard, scarlike base and edges be removed by curettement and the scissors, as this will simplify the treatment and materially shorten the duration of the trouble. As a dressing, powdered air-slacked lime is really very efficient, and not painful, having great cleansing properties, and materially aiding granulations. Always use the bandage to support the limb.

As regards seminal emissions-when the patient feels prostrated, weak, eyes red, and backache, and other such symptoms, we may be sure that the emissions have ceased to be a "normal overflow," and are danger signals to be well considered. In the treatment I rely most on galvanism of the deep urethra, and injections (with an Ultzmann prostatic syringe) of a solution of nitrate of silver, one to ten per cent., five to ten drops every two to seven days, giving as medicines fluid extract black willow buds, gelsemium, phosphoric acid, and keeping the bowels free from constipation. Avoid feather beds and warm coverings, and I generally use some one of the above proceedings as a means of making a very positive suggestion that improvement will be felt. much more confidence in the above methods than in marriage as a cure.

I have

Patients often remark when I am dropping medicines, "my, what a steady hand you have, Doctor." The trick is thisshake the bottle so that the tip of the cork may be moistened. On withdrawing