INSOMNIA IN THE AGED.-D. C. L. Dana (New York Bulletin of Clinic. Soc.) has found the information contained in the text books upon insomnia in the aged to be but very slight in amount. Insomnia was not frequent in the aged, but when it was present it was sometimes very intractable. In his experience iron did not relieve the anemia of the aged so as to produce sleep. Alcohol with food was another remedy, and many recommended hot gruel with alcohol before going to bed. While alcohol will relieve some cases, there are others in which the insomnia was increased. The bromides and chloral, even when given in enormous doses, often fail to give relief. Opium was another remedy. Good results have been obtained with a combination of cannabis indica and codeia; from five to six minims of the fluid extract of cannabis indica with oneeighth of a grain of codeia might be used. One-fourth of a grain of the extract of cannabis taken alone sometimes might be effective. As a rule, however, the combination with codeia was preferable. Hyoscyamine was sometimes useful, but in nervous, fidgety persons it would sometimes produce an actual delirium. Under ordinary circumstances the dose should not be increased above one fourteenth of a grain to obtain the desired effect. The effect of these remedies, he thought, had been increased by the addition of from two to three drops of tincture of aconite two or three times a day to relieve the tension of the blood-vessels. Tincture of valerian and compound spirits of lavender sometimes acted like a charm in relieving insomnia. Large doses (i-zi.) of lupulin were also often effective.-New England Medical Monthly. The Syrup of Hypophosphites (the formula of which was published in our last issue) is prepared as follows:--Dissolve the iron lactate, magnesium, ammonium, potassium, sodium, and manganese hypophosphites and the citric acid, in about three pints of warm water, the calcium chloride in ten ounces of water, and the strychnine in one ounce of water, by aid of the hypophosphorous acid; mix all the solutions, add the sugar, and dissolve it by agitation, filling up with water to within an ounce of a gallon; when the sugar is dissolved, add the quinine muriate and oil of orange, both dissolved in the alcohol; mix well and strain. The syrup should be kept in well corked, amber-colored bottles, holding one pint or less, as the light and air oxidize hypophosphites to phosphates, some of the latter being insoluble. We are endeavoring to get down to a cash in-advance system. Let all help us by renewing promptly, Or, by notifying us that they do not wish the JOURNAL. We started in under the old plan of stopping no person's JOURNAL until so instructed, and can not change all at once, but are working to that point. The law requires all who take a publication from the post office regularly to pay for it. No reputable publisher will knowingly send a publication to those who do not wish it, yet the above law is just and necessary for protection of publishers. Strange to say, some persons receive a journal several years and then write that they did not want it. Such are, of course, required by law to pay. Look out for bills in December and July numbers. We send a receipt in the first issue of the JOURNAL after payment. The Paul E. Wirt Fountain Pen offered in our Premium List, is the best ever made and guaranteed satisfactory, or can be returned. It is a plain gold pen, with no valves, springs, or machinery to get out of order. Heating and Ventilating. The connection of the heating of a house with its ventilation is, of course, inseparable. Many persons will cheerfully expend ten or fifteen thousand dollars in building a house, putting from two to three thousand on outside ornaments, who would not dream of spending five hundred or one thousand dollars for the necessary Hot Water Apparatus to keep this same house thoroughly and comfortably warmed and well ventilated. In reading the reports from the various Boards of Health, one can not fail to notice the startling increase in the death rate from Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria, and allied diseases. It might safely be said that this condition of affairs is due to the fact that the tightly closed doors and windows, which cold weather makes necessary, prevents the ventilation of houses, which is essential to the maintenance of health. To those who intend erecting a dwelling, we would advise that the matter of heating and ventilating be given much consideration; and before deciding how it shall be done, consult the A. A. Griffing Iron Co., Manufacturers of the Tompkins Hot Water Indirect Radiator, 518 Communipaw Ave., Jersey City, N. J. 11 The reputation of this drug as a therapeutic agent was first gained through its employ. ment in the form of an infusion; and in the fifty years following its introduction into medical practice, a continuous effort has been made by manufacturers to perfect a preparation which would represent all the active principles of the drug, without the high price of the salts, either alone or in combination. The most prejudiced writers on Materia Medica, accord to the late Wm. S. Merrell the largest share of credlt in the introduction of Hydrastis preparations, and to the present organization the reputation of being the largest consumers of the drug in the world. For more than a half-century, Hydrastis has been made a study in our laboratory, and we do not think we exaggerate its importance when we assert that it stands pre-eminent to-day as the most valu able exponent of our vegetable Materia Medica. The following preparations in fluid form are receiving our special attention at this time: Fluid Hydrastis-MERRELL. Is what its name implies-the active, medicinal principles of the drug in natural combination and in a fluid form. It has a bright, yellow color, perfectly clear, free from sediment, and with an unmistakable odor of the fresh drug. Fluid Hydrastis is a pure, neutral solution of all the alkaloidal constituents of the drug, rejecting the oil, gums, irritating and offensive resins and inert extractive matters. The suc cess attending its introduction is the best evidence of its therapeutic value. Unsuccesful imitations and would-be substitutes are met with on every hand. Preparations said to be "just as good" or "about the same thing," but always "a little cheaper," attest the wide-spread and growing popularity of Fluid Hydrastis. All such, compared with the latter as to physical appearance or as representatives of the drug, are condemned; dis pensed in prescriptions, they are readily detected; tested therapeutically, they are promptly rejected as unworthy of confidence. Fluid Hydrastis is applicable to the treatment of all irritable, inflammatory and ulcerative conditions of the mucous tract. This statement of a well-known medical writer and journalist has become axiomatic: "No remedy for physician's use has been received with such universal approval." Solution Bismuth and Hydrastia-MERRELL. An invaluable and scientific combination, wherein the beneficial action of the white alkaloid is increased by association with Bismuth. This solution contains 21⁄2 grains of the double Citrate Bismuth and Hydrastia; twenty-five per cent. of which is Hydrastia Citrate. The cordial reception accorded this preparation marks it as the most valuable combina tion in the market in which the white alkaloid alone represents the valuable properties of the drug. Used in diseases of the nasal passages, of the eye, of the throat, of the stomach and intestines, of the reproductive organs and bladder it is equally beneficial. Colorless Solution of Hydrastia-MERRELL. This is a permanent solution of the white alkaloid, without the addition of any other medicinal agent to modify or increase its action. It is offered without special recommendation to meet the views of an unlimited number of physicians, with whom the color of the Fluid Hydrastis is an objection. This solution contains in one fluid pint the same proportionate strength of white alkaloid as exists in an average quality of crude root. See notes above on Solution Bismuth and Hydrastia. "Merrell's Hydrastis Preparations" are for sale by Wholesale Druggists throughout the United States. Please Specify "Wm. S. M. Chem. Co." in ordering or prescribing. The WM. S. MERRELL CHEMICAL CO.. CINCINNATI. BORR, BROWN & PRICE and BRAUN & BRUCK, Columbus, Wholesale Agents. EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT. J. F. BALDWIN, M. D., Columbus, quarters. EDITOR. Communications, reports, etc., are solicited from all Authors desiring reprints, will receive fifty, free of charge, provided the request for the same accompanies the article. Subscribers changing their location, are requested to notify the Publishers promptly, that there may be no delay in receipt of the journal, stating both the new and the former post-office address. We have no authorized Collectors, except such as carry properly made out bills, countersigned by the Publishers. HANN & ADAIR, Publishers, Columbus, O. THE friends and alumni of the Columbus Medical College, of this city, will be pleased to learn that the West Virginia Board of Examiners will hereafter admit the diplomas of that school to the registration which has been denied them since 1882. The causes which led to the action of the Board in 1882, we need not now review: they are familiar to most of our readers. By this recent action they have in no sense rescinded or revoked their action of four years ago; holders of diplomas, issued during these four years, are still embargoed. To secure the present result, the College simply promised to comply with the requirements of the Board; when it was at once, under a standing rule of the Board, accorded future recognition: that rule being that any black-listed college will be restored to recognition on giving "satisfactory evidence of an intention to maintain the standard of requirements adopted by the Board.” The Dean's letter is verbatim as follows: COLUMBUS, OHIO, July 24th, 1886. DR. T. A. HARRIS, Secretary of the Board of Health of West Virginia. Dear Sir, Your letter of the 19th inst. containing the resolutions passed by your Board at its late meeting, as well as the offer on your part to lay before the Board any assurance of the part of the Columbus Medical College" that the College does and intends to meet the requirements of the Board" is received. I am ready to state as dean of Columbus Medical College: 1st, that in no instance since the case of Dent has Columbus Medical College varied a particle from the requirements of its Announcement which are enclosed; 2nd, in no instance shall it be done hereafter; 3d, Columbus Medical College will endeavor to comply in all respects with the requirements of the Board of Health of West Va., in so far as they relate to maintaining the standard of Medical Education. 4th, I recognize the graduation of Dent was irregular, and 279 the action of the College in his behalf was not warranted by, but in conflict with our published requirements. Will you indicate any thing further which I can do to further the solution of the difficulty between the Board and the College. Yours Respectfully, D. N. KINSMAN, Dean Columbus Med. College. The editor of this JOURNAL, ignorant of the fact that any such action was in contemplation, had already, viz., on the 9th of July, personally communicated to Dr. Harris his belief that the school had of late been complying with its published requirements, and that, being now in possession of a hospital, its diplomas were as much entitled to registration as those of scores of other schools. This statement was made as a mere matter of justice, disregarding all personal feelings. But it must be the occasion of sincere regret to many, that what has now been done was not done, as it might just as well have been, four years ago, when a member of the faculty was incontinently ejected from his chair for putting into a private letter what is now, to all intents and purposes, virtually acknowledged to the Board officially, by the chief officer of the college. We are glad, if only for the sake of Columbus, that this stain upon one of its schools has been removed; and we sincerely hope that the school will hereafter so conduct itself as to escape the disciplinary action of Boards of Registration and Examination. HEALTH VS. HEATING AND VENTILATION.-The heating and ventilation of our houses has so much to do with the health and comfort of the inmates that it surprises us that it receives so little attention. With the proper appliances used, the vitiated or foul air is removed, and a supply of fresh admitted, but when such precaution is ignored, the germs of disease gain an easy foothold, and scarlet fever, diphtheria, and other kindred maladies assume a malignant type. Parties building would do well to dispense if necessary with some extravagant ornamentation, and supply their homes with a good hot-water heating and ventilating apparatus, such as that brought out by Mr. Samuel D. Tompkins, engineer, and manufac tured by the A. A. Griffing Iron Co., 518 Communipaw ave., Jersey City, N. J., which meets all the conditions required; i. e., cheapness, durability and effectiveness; the latter, however, being the most prominent. We thank the A. A. Griffing Iron Co. for the handsome illustrated circulars mailed us, both of their hot water heating and ventilating apparatus, and their numerous constructions for steam uses, and we think |