Page images
PDF
EPUB

WILLIAM A BAILEY. MO

R One

[ocr errors]

Soluble Beef

US.

Extract of Beef

NOTE THE DIFFERENCE

SOLUBLE BEEF is prime lean beef (fibre
and all) predigested to an albumose, and con-
tains all the nutriment of the beef.

Recommended for use in the sick-room and hospital as a nutritious
food. It is readily assimilable and can be retained by the most delicate stomach.
EXTRACT OF BEEF is the essence of the beef only, and while used very
largely by the invalid and convalescent, it lacks the nutritious qualities of Soluble
Beef. Extract of Beef is recommended as a stimulant and bracer.

The large and increasing demand for Armour's Extract of
Beef comes from the housewife for use in a culinary way

Samples of SOLUBLE BEEF

to physicians upon request

ARMOUR & COMPANY

CHICAGO

An Unusual Case of Tertiary Syphilis. The patient whose history I wish to present was a married woman, 29 years old. She had two children and four miscarriages.

In the spring of 1900 she called a physician, who treated her for an ulcerated sore throat. Later, in July, 1900, the throat was cauterized at the clinic of the Episcopal Hospital.

After this time the patient exhibited no eruption and seemed perfectly well; so well that she did not take the proper treatment.

In the fall of 1900 the labia majora and minora ulcerated and extensive sloughing took place. She was then treated at the Woman's Homeopathic Hospital for two months, but without improvement.

She was then treated by a physician for three months, also without improvement. I was called to see her in March, 1901, and found that the ulcer had eaten away the greater part of both labia and had burrowed down under the symphysis to the base of the bladder. Another physician was called in consultation, and we operated and cut away the diseased tissue with curved scissors.

It was necessary to carry the dissection of the necrosed tissue as far as the base of the bladder. I cauterized the denuded surface with nitric acid and brought the loose skin together over the symphysis so as to make a pair of artificial labia, using about a half

[merged small][graphic][merged small]

ulna, and in July of the same year a similar growth appeared above the external malleolus of the right leg, following the bite of a dog.

The patient neglected to wash and treat the leg ulcer which resulted from the necrosis of the gumma, and my attention was not called to it until August, when I found a deep ulcer reaching in between the tendo achilles and the tibia.

I curetted the ulcerated surface and applied a dressing of iodomuth and sterile gauze. A few drops of formalin were put in the water which was used to wash the wound. The ulcer had almost healed, and in January of 1903 I discontinued my visits because the patient thought she could dress the ulcer herself and so save the expense of a doctor.

She also stopped using the iodomuth and substituted other drugs which were recommended to her.

treatment and to report upon the iodomuth as a dressing in syphilitic ulcers.

I believe that there is a direct absorption of the iodine which is held in combination in the iodomuth powder, which absorption helps the recovery of the patient, acting as an adjuvant to the internal treatment of mercury and the iodides.-Reprinted from Medical Council, April, 1904.

On the Value of Iodomuth.

The following are clinical results I obtained from it at the ear dispensary at the hospital:

Case 1.-Was consulted some two months ago by a dentist, 28 years of age, who had been troubled with a discharge from his left ear since childhood, following an attack of measles. The patient had been under the care of several well-known otologists in other States, the result of their treatment being negative. My treatment was as follows: I placed the patient on cod-liver oil to correct the general condition of anemia that existed; locally I cleaned the ear thoroughly with hydrogen peroxide every day for two weeks, dusting iodomuth in the auditory canal, after which I used nothing but iodomuth. At this time there has been no discharge for two weeks, which the patient says is the longest period that the ear has been free from discharge as far back as he can remember. I hope to discharge him cured in the course of another week.

[graphic]

Eczema.

Case 2-Miss M-, aged 30 years, came to me for treatment on the first of June for eczema of the auricle, which extended over the mastoid region and well up on the scalp; the burning and itching were so severe that the patient could not sleep; the watery discharge was profuse enough to run down the neck. I used iodomuth over the affected area, its anodyn properties being appreciated at once; the itching and burning have stopped, the parts healing, and give the patient no discomfort whatever. In this case I dusted the powder on profusely that it might protect it from atmospheric infection.

Acute Otitis Media.

Case 3.-A young man came to me suffering from severe earache. I found he had been swimming and had gotten water in his ear; upon examination I found the auditory canal swollen and tender, the tympanum was bulging and the malleolus handle congested; the pain extended over the side of the face and neck, while the discharge was profuse. I gave calomel internally for its antiphlogistic properties, and used iodomuth in the ear; the patient returned the next

Under this regime the ulcer got worse, and when I was called a second time, in March of 1903, I was able to put the index and middle fingers through the opening between the tendo achilles and the tibia so that they would come out on the opposite side of the leg. I washed the part thoroughly with a formalin solution, applied hydrogen peroxide day saying that the pain had nearly left him. There

and a dressing of gauze and iodomuth. The mixed treatment was continued internally. The leg was entirely well by the last of June.

The gumma on the olecranon process broke down and ulcerated while the leg was in process of healing, and left a sore the size of a dollar, at the base of which was exposed a piece of necrosed bone. I removed this diseased bone, applied the same dressings as were being used on the leg, i. e., gauze and iodomuth.

The arm is now entirely well.

I cite this case to show how extensively necrosed areas of tissue may be repaired in a comparatively short time under energetic

was still some discharge, which gradually ceased, and at the end of a week's treatment with iodomuth I discharged him, the ear-drum being in its normal condition and the discharge stopped.

I have also treated in my private practise the following cases:

Carbuncle.

Case 4.-Mrs. W-, aged 35 years, was suffering with a large and angry carbuncle on the right buttock. She had used poultices to hasten suppuration with partial success. The pain was so severe that she had not obtained sleep for several nights, and the slightest pressure would cause severe anorexia: the course of treatment that I had used gave us no results. I then used iodomuth liberally, requesting that a fresh dressing be applied every twelve hours. I saw some slight improvement in the first twenty-four hours. At my next visit the patient said she had been asleep for several hours and felt much better. I continued wash

THE MEDICAL WORLD

The knowledge that a man can use is the only real knowledge; the only knowledge that has
life and growth in it and converts itself into practical power. The rest hangs like
dust about the brain, or dries like raindrops off the stones.-Froude.

The Medical World

C. F. TAYLOR, M.D., Editor and Publisher A. L. RUSSELL, M.D., Assistant Editor

Entered at the Philadelphia Post-Office as Second-Class Matter.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES: To any part of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, ONE DOLLAR per year, or FOUR YEARS for THREE DOLLARS; to England and the British Colonies, FIVE SHILLINGS SIX PENCE per year; to other foreign countries in the Postal Union, the equivalent of 5s. 6d. Postage free. Single copies, TEN CENTS. These rates are due in advance.

HOW TO REMIT: For their own protection we advise that our patrons remit in a safe way, such as by postal money order, express order, check, draft, or registered mail. Currency sent by ordinary mail usually reaches its destination sately, but money so sent must be at the risk of the sender.

We cannot always supply back numbers. Should a number fail to reach a subscriber, we will supply another, if notified before the end of the month.

Notify us promptly of any change of address, mentioning both old and new addresses.

If you want your subscription stopt at expiration of the time paid for, kindly notify us, as in the absence of such notice we will understand that it is the subscriber's pleasure that the subscription be continued, and we will act accordingly.

Pay no money to agents unless publisher's receipt is given.

ADDRESS ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO

"THE MEDICAL WORLD"

[blocks in formation]

Language is a growth rather than a creation. The growth of our vocabulary is seen in the vast increase in the size of our dictionaries during the past century. This growth is not only in amount, but among other elements of growth the written forms of words are becoming simpler and more uniform. For example, compare English spelling of a century or two centuries ago with that of to-day! It is our duty to encourage and advance the movement toward simple, uniform and rational spelling. See the recommendations of the Philological Society of London, and of the American Philological Association, and list of amended spellings publisht in the Century Dictionary (following the letter z) and also in the Standard Dictionary, Webster's Dictionary, and other authoritativ works on language. The tendency is to drop silent letters in some of the most flagrant instances, as ugh from though, etc., change ed to t in most places where so pronounced (where it does not affect the preceding sound), etc.

The National Educational Association, consisting of ten thousand teachers, recommends the following:

"At a meeting of the Board of Directors of the National Educational Association held in Washington, D. C., July 7, 1898, the action of the Department of Superintendence was approved, and the list of words with simplified spelling adopted for use in all publications of the National Educational Association as follows:

[blocks in formation]

"You are invited to extend notice of this action and to join in securing the general adoption of the suggested amendments.IRVING SHEPARD, Secretary."

We feel it a duty to recognize the above tendency, and to adopt it in a reasonable degree. We are also disposed to add enuf (enough) to the above list, and to conservativly adopt the following rule recommended by the American Philological Association:

Drop final "e" in such words as "definite," "infinite," "favorite," etc., when the preceding vowel is short. Thus, spell "opposit," "preterit," "hypocrit," "requisit," etc. When the preceding vowel is long, as in "polite,' finite,' "unite," etc., retain present forms unchanged.

We simply wish to do our duty in aiding to simplify and rationalize our universal instrument-language.

SEPTEMBER, 1907.

Readers interested in the improvement of the financial standing of the profession will recall our article on "Ownership of the Prescription," in response to Dr. Madden's query, on page 343, August WORLD, and the Constitution and By-Laws of the Duquesne Medical Society, in WORLD for last March, pages 95 to 98.

After the publication of the article on "Ownership," the Society notified the druggists of the town that they were not to "refill" any prescriptions without the written order of the physician making the original prescription. This immediately aroused antagonism, and the daily lay

No. 9

press was filled with sensational articles under such headlines as "A Medical Trust"; "People Indignant"; New Doctors Will be Sent for," etc.

Advice from Dr. Madden, Secretary of the Society, just as we go to press, informs us that the excitement has died away; no "new doctors" were imported; the druggists are obeying the order; the people have respect for their physicians to a greater degree than ever before; and everything is lovely, thanks to a little enterprise on the part of a united profession in small town, and it could be just the same all over the U. S., if the doctors would only get together.

That Pneumonia Article.

Now is the time for you to prepare that article on the treatment of pneumonia which you had thought of writing for THE WORLD. If you delay it may have to be held over another summer. If you have learned anything, the rest of the family want to know it; and it is your duty to humanity to tell it. By "learning anything" we do not necessarily refer to a "cure, ," but you may have acquired some little knack in the treatment that will be of benefit to others; you may have establisht some prejudice in favor of or against some of the medication commonly employed and may have a good reason for it. You may have been particularly unfortunate in results while following accepted lines of treatment, and may have an opinion regarding the cause of the untoward ending; if so, let us have it in brief. You may have followed some of the new fads in treating this disease, and suffered keen disappointment; if so, tell us about it.

We are certain as much can be learned from the record of failures, and perhaps in many instances more, than can be learned from the record of successes. Tho, of course, we want the successes too, if supported by well-kept case records.

We do not care for any long drawn out articles from the man who has been in practise one year and has "aborted" several hundred cases of pneumonia, and has "never had a death from this disease since adopting this method of treatment. We want the experience of men who have lost as well as won the battle; we want to hear from the veterans who can diagnose a case of pneumonia when they see it, and who know enuf to know that they are not gifted with the omnipotent wisdom which alone would enable them to say with positivness that a given case of lung or bronchial trouble "would have been a severe case of pneumonia in a few hours if I had not given this medication."

Across the Continent.

Across the continent! What a journey of delights, surprises, and mental expansion! Yes, this is a country of magnificent distances. Equal travel in Europe would take one into many different countries, with custom house officials at every dividing line, and different people, languages, etc. Here we travel thousands of miles, no custom houses (free trade among the states is one of the greatest features of our government), the same language spoken everywhere, and our people are homogeneous in the main, or are rapidly becoming so. The vastness and greatness of

our country make one feel insignificant. I return feeling much smaller, but with a much greater appreciation of our country.

The first stop was at the Twin Cities of the Northwest-and buxom twins they are. Immense, solid business buildings, wide streets, pink and white complexioned Scandinavian girls, etc. I never before understood why two cities should spring up so close together, and both thrive and grow. "There is a reason." St. Paul is the head of navigation on the Mississippi, and the capital of the state; Minneapolis, ten miles further up the river, is so located on account of the water power yielded by the Falls of St. Anthony, and this water power is the basis of the great milling industry there.

After leaving the twin cities the scenery was rather monotonous for the most part, crossing the great plain country to Livingston, the station for the Yellowstone Park. However, I was imprest by the great empire made up of the Dakotas and Montana, and of the great possibilities of that immense country. But I hungered for the sight of trees, trees, trees! I would get lonely in a country without trees. Some attempts, tho few and feeble, are being made to supply this serious lack of that great country, and they succeed fairly well. I hope that more extended efforts will be made to supply this serious want. During this part of the trip Vice-President Fairbanks was on our train. Being a fellow Hoosier, I made his acquaintance, and had a number of pleasant chats with him, but could not induce him to talk politics. It seems to me that an avowed candidate should talk politics all the time; but perhaps as the second officer of our land, and not as a candidate, he is keeping a discreet silence. Tho silent on politics, he was genial and companionable, and not the icicle that he is reputed to be.

The Yellowstone National Park.

It would require a volume to describe the wonders of this unique region. The elevation of Livingston is about 4,300 feet. A branch road runs from here, 50 miles, to the entrance of the Park. The elevation of the Park varies from about 6,000 to about 8,300 feet, not including the mountains which surround the inclosure. Here a number of years seemed to slide from my shoulders, and I felt like a schoolboy in vacation time; tho some are much affected by the elevation. I enjoyed all the wonderful sights with the enthusiasm of boyhood. The distinctiv feature of this region is its geysers. Geysers exist in only two other parts of the world: Iceland and New Zealand; but the geysers here are larger and more numerous than in either Iceland or New Zealand. The most beautiful terraces (formed by deposits of varicolored lime salts, mostly carbonate, from overflowing hot springs) in the world existed in New Zealand until their unfortunate destruction by an earthquake in 1886, and it will require many years for them to reform; in the meantime we have the only such terraces in the world worth mentioning, and some visitors regard these terraces, particularly the mammoth Jupiter Terrace, as the most attractiv feature in the Park. The terraces are near the entrance, hence the first of the wonderful sights we saw. A hot spring has always been a wonderful thing to me; so I would go up to spring after spring and dip the ends of my fingers in

to test its warmth. Pretty soon we came to some that were actually boiling. I stood in wonder at water actually boiling, boiling constantly day and night, with no fire nor other visible cause for the heat. Further on I saw larger springs boiling tumultuously; then the merely hot springs inspected first seemed commonplace; but I did not know that these would be rendered extremely commonplace by what I would see on succeeding days. This region seems to be the devil's kitchen: hot springs, boiling springs, steaming lakes, spouting geysers, and places where steam is blowing off as if from an over-heated engine. One would think that these forces would spend themselves and die down, but they go on unabated all the year and every year. Some of our fellow tourists predicted that sometime there would be a great bustup here; but I assured them that the disturbances that we were witnessing were safety valves; if it were not for these the forces would accumulate, and then there would be a grand but destructiv explosion. To see a geyser spout a stream of boiling water a hundred feet into the air is a wonderful sight, and a beautiful sight. It stirs the emotions in a new place. The "paint pots" are pools of blubbering, sputtering mud of various colors-wonderful phenomena in their way. There is much color in the earth formations in this region, as shown in the paint pots and the cliffs of the canyon; also in many of the former boilers which have become quiet, transparent pools; as the Morning Glory, a pool which looks like a huge morning glory in both color and shape; the Butter Cup; the Azure Lake; and numerous other pools showing wonderful color, and all hot but usually not boiling. Indeed these were so numerous that they became commonplace; but we frequently said that if any one of these, even the most insignificant, were placed within 100 miles of New York, Philadelphia, Boston, New Orleans, or Chicago, it would become famous. The canyon was grand and magnificent; the falls were great rather than beautiful; the upper but lesser falls were rather the most attractiv to me. An interesting feature was the deer, antelope, elk, bear, etc., wild, but so carefully protected that they are learning not to fear man. Here is a valuable lesson for the average boy. If askt what is the one thing that has made the most indelible impression on my mind, I would say Old Faithful Geyser as illuminated by an electric searchlight at night while playing; and the next is the Old Faithful Inn, a wonderful structure of logs. I will close this very inadequate account of a journey thru the most interesting and wonderful section of the earth's surface of similar size (52 by 60 miles) with the remark that thousands of well-to-do people in this country fail to do justice to themselves by not taking this trip. There are many people to whom the cost of the trip would be no more than the cost of a pair of shoes to an ordinary person, who do not know what they are missing by not seeing Yellowstone National Park. They need not fear hardships. It is easy, comfortable, and delightful.

Butte-Missoula.-Spokane.

Butte, of copper fame, was the next stop. Much money is made by the copper mines here, and it was my impression that it is worth much to live at Butte. I mean no reflection on the city, but the surroundings

are barren. The barren slopes were desolation compared with the wooded hills, green pastures, tinkling cow bells, etc., of my childhood in Indiana. But they are finding much wealth in those barren hills, down deep in the ground. It seemed to me that it is a hard way to get wealth-going from a quarter to over a half mile straight into the ground for it; and then when it is gotten, the rock has to be crusht and the particles of metal separated; then it must be melted for further separation and purification. It seemed to me that it is a hard way to get wealth.

We aimed to travel by day as much as convenient, to see the country. We stopt during part of Sunday and over Sunday night at Missoula, Mont., and were surprised to find in full blast the saloons, which occupied the larger part of the principal street, upon which the leading hotel is located. Is this the "wild and wooly" feature of the West? I did not notice it at Seattle.

Our next jump carried us to Spokane. Delayed trains and travel weariness caused us to not appreciate this city as it deserves. It imprest me only as any other well and solidly built and prosperous city. But when I learned its history (I should have read it up before), that it is but little more than 25 years old, that in 1889 it was almost destroyed by fire, that during the panic, soon after, its growth was seriously impeded, but that since the fire and the panic it has became a well-built, orderly, and prosperous city of something over 90,000 inhabitants, I am ready to give my admiration and call it the magic city.

Seattle and the Sound.

The next jump was to Seattle, which with plenty of water in sight, and the smoky fogs, which suggested moisture (tho there was much dust) was a relief from the dry and hot interior. Seattle is full of bustle and boom, tho it does not look as finisht as Spokane. There was something buoyant in the atmosphere and the spirit of "go" that made me think I would like to live there. Many object to the hills; but I like a hilly town. I know of no city, anywhere, with more beautiful surroundings. Puget Sound is a beautiful body of water; the Olympic range of mountains, across the Sound, are beautiful; and Mt. Rainier, to the southeast, when the condition of the atmosphere will permit of it being seen, is a thing of majestic grandeur. When I first beheld it I was surprised that a mountain could be so beautiful. I have seen many mountains, but I immediately put Rainier at the head of the list. It is a blessed thing for a whole city to have constantly (barring fog and smoky atmosphere, of which Seattle has much) such views as surround Seattle. There are charming trips on the Sound, one

of which is to Victoria, at the south end of Vancouver Island. This is very different from the western American cities. I have felt entirely at home from the Atlantic to the Pacific; but in Victoria I was in a foreign country, and I felt it. However, it had attractions of its own. It is a quiet English town, set down on the Pacific coast-an almost unaccountable anomaly. Its climate, tho very far north, is mild and equable. It rarely snows or freezes in winter, and the summers are pleasant. Many English and Canadians retire there because it is a pleasant place to live.

Tacoma is growing rapidly and is an attractiv place,

« PreviousContinue »