plaster as has accumulated about the bottle to a level with the outer surface of the splint. This can best be done with a good strong knife-blade. The bottle can now be slightly turned and easily withdrawn, leaving, as it always does, the circular piece of antiseptic cotton covering the wound. With our knife we now nicely round off the edges of the fenestra before removing the cotton from over the wound, as it protects the latter from the débris of this part of the operation.

Finally, the cotton itself is carefully removed, and we see that it has taken up such discharges from the wound as have occurred during the application of the bandage, and we have before us as a result not only our bandage safely on, but a fenestra with cleanly rounded edges, with its exact centre occupied by the wound.-Dr. R. W. Shufeldt, in New York Medical Journal.

CHLORIDE OF SODIUM IN THE TREATMENT OF BRIGHT'S DISEASE. Dr. Allard Memminger (New York Medical Journal, July 31, 1886) recommends the use of sodium chloride in the treatment of Bright's disease. He claims that this drug will produce a decrease in the amount of albumen and an increase in the amount of urea, and a very marked increase in the quantity of chlorides eliminated. He orders ten-grain doses of the chloride in gelatine-capsules three times a day, by preference one hour after or before meals, and directs the patient on the slightest intimation of nausea immediately to resume a recumbent posture, and there remain for an hour or so. The second day of treatment he increases the dose to two capsules three times a day, and every other day he increases by one capsule until the patient is taking five capsules three times daily. About this time he claims that the good effects of the treatment will be apparent, not only from the improvement in subjective and objective symptoms of the patient, but from the improvement in the condition of his urine. Albumen will, of course, at this period be found still in abundance if the case is at all grave one. At this juncture Dr. Memminger directs the chloride to be diminished in quantity, and now

gives the patient two capsules three times a day, stopping it temporarialy if any nausea is produced. If the albumen is again found to increase and the urea and chlorides diminished, large doses are at once resumed. The effects of this treatment are found in the reduction of the albumen, an increase in the urea and chlorides eliminated, and the removal of headache, oedema, low spirits, general weakness, and anæmia. He claims that it is harmless if properly administered; its effects are uniform, and it may be employed as an adjunct to all recognized modes of treatment without detriment to the patient.-Therapeutic Gazette.

THE Medical Record, in a recent article on "The Long-Beard Habit," undertakes to show that the long beards frequently worn by physicians are not only dangerous as carriers of contagion, but are almost invariably associated with mediocrity of talent. Hardly a doctor of the first eminence in the world's history ever wore a long beard," says our contemporary, "and he who possesses one may as well concede at once that he will never rise above mediocrity. In the long list of distinguished English and American physicians, from Linacre and William Harvey to John Hunter and Benjamin Rush, there are only beardless or shortbearded faces. Reviewing the history of medicine it almost seems that the greatness of medical men is universally proportional to the amount of hair grown upon the chin! At any rate, we trust we have successfully shown that long beards are not the things for doctors, but are unhygienic, barbaric, and inconsistent with great historic precedents and the attainment of the highest professional eminence."-Maryland Medical Journal.

THE London Medical Record reports the case of a "an admitted into a hospital with a chancre on his left eyebrow. The man stated that "during a quarrel three months previously he had been bitten by his antagonist on the left eyebrow.

VS.

DILUTE PHOSPHORIC ACID.

The attention of the profession is respectfully invited to some points of difference between Horsford's Acid Phosphate and the dilute phos. phoric acid of the pharmacopoeia. Horsford's Acid Phosphate is A SOLUTION OF THE PHOSPHATES OF LIME, MAGNESIA, POTASH, AND IRON IN SUCH FORM AS TO BE READILY ASSIMILATED BY THE SYSTEM, and containing no pyro or meta-phosphate of any base whatever. It is not made by compounding phosphoric acid, lime, potash, etc., in the laboratory, but is obtained in the form in which it exists in the animal system. Dilute Phosphoric Acid is simply phosphoric acid and water without any base. Experience has shown that while in certain cases dilute phosphoric acid interfered with digestion, Horsford's Acid Phosphate not only caused no trouble with the digestive organs, but promoted in a marked degree their healthful action. Practice has shown in a great variety of cases that it is a PHOSPHATE WITH AN EXCESS OF PHOSPHORIC ACID that will better meet the requirements of the system than either phosphoric acid or a simple phosphate. "Phosphorus," as such, is not found in the human body, but phosphoric acid in combination with lime, iron, and other bases, i. e., the phosphates, is found in the bones, blood, brain, and muscle. It is the phosphates, and not the simple phosphoric acid, that is found in the urine after severe mental and physical exertions or during wasting diseases.

We have received a very large number of letters from physicians of the highest standing, in all parts of the country, relating their experience with the Acid Phosphate, and speaking of it in high terms of commendation.

Physicians who have not used Horsford's Acid Phosphate, and who wish to test it, will be furnished a sample on application, without expense, except express charges.

RUMFORD CHEMICAL WORKS,

PROVIDENCE, R. I.

BEWARE OF IMITATIONS.

OF

CALISAYA BARK AND IRON.

Each dessertspoonful contains

Free Phosphorous, gr. 1-100.

Total Calisaya Alkaloids, gr. §.
Pyrophosphate of Iron, gr. i.

This is the only preparation containing in solution Free Phosphorous, Pyrophosphate of Iron, and Calisaya Alkaloids.

It is the only Elixir of Calisaya which contains an effective proportion of Alkaloids.

The proportion of these Alkaloids is invariable—of Quinia, Quinidia, Cinchonia, Cinchonidia, and Chiniodine. The exhibition of a given dose of these Alkaloids in solution with agreeable pungent aromatics, produces more emphatic and certain results than the same dose in the pill or powder form.

It is the only preparation extant containing Phosphorous in solution. A dessertspoonful actually forms a very effective dose of the combined remedies for an adult.

It is a beautiful bright amber-colored elixir, acceptable alike to the taste and to the stomach.

As a tonic in convalescence from fevers and debilitating diseases; as a brain and nerve tonic and invigorant, these remedies have long enjoyed high repute. As combined in this "Phosphorized Elixir" (Fairchild), better results may be anticipated than from any other form in which they are prepared.

It is important to specify Fairchild's, owing to the great number of similarly named but valueless "Elixirs of Calisaya."

FAIRCHILD BROS. & FOSTER,

82 and 84 Fulton St., New York.

Editorial.

VITAL STATISTICS-WORTHY OF CONSIDERATION. The State Medical Society in 1848, 1854, 1860, and 1868 memoralized the Legislature, urging the importance of enacting a law providing a system of registration for Tennessee by which each birth, marriage, and death occurring in the State would be properly recorded and preserved. From one cause or another, failure attended each successive effort, and it was not until April 5, 1881, success could be attained; and then it was that the Governor was persuaded by a committee of the State Medical Society, composed of Drs. W. P. Jones, J. F. Grant, D. D. Saunders, and Thomas Menees, to approve a bill which had passed both houses of the Legislature, and it then for the first time became a law. On account of some trivial defects in some of the minor details of the law in its practical operation -especially that of compensation for the physician and magistrate for making the returns-this law at the succeeding General Assembly was repealed. Be it said to the credit of the medical profession, the opposition that arose came from the magistrates rather than the practitioners; though the duties imposed were as five to one more onerous upon the physician than upon the magistrate, who was required simply to receive, and once a month forward to the County Court Clerk, the returns received by him, of all births and deaths occurring in the civil district which he represented during that time.

The repeal of this law was not only unwise, but it clearly was a grave blunder, view it from whatever stand-point you may. As it was, it at least furnished an excellent foundation upon which to have builded in perfecting any system of vital statistics for Tennessee. Modifications could have been made in the way of additions or subtractions as time rolled on, indicating the necessity or special character of such changes.

It comprised the minimum of detail requisite in any system of vital statistics to be of value, either as to the specific data furnished or as a basis of comparison with those of other States or nations (a feature of