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Dr. Smith rejected the hot bath in the treatment of convulsions of children; for, almost invariably, the child had one or more convulsions while in the bath-the very agitation incident to the giving of it adding to the excitement of an already disturbed nervous system. The object in treatment was to keep the nervous system as free as possible from agitation; hence, he forbade the hot bath, insisted that the child should not be restrained while in a convulsion, that it should be placed on a bed that did not squeak, that the room should be kept perfectly quiet, have plenty of fresh air, be partially darkened, contain only one person at a time, and that opening and shutting of doors should be avoided. Over-active treatment was uncalled for, if not positively dangerous. *

*

Under the second head, or prophylaxis, Dr. Smith referred to the proper care of the mother during pregnancy, especially with reference to proper exercise, food, amount of sleep, condition of bowels, and all that pertains to diminishing the tendency to nervous disturbances in the child.

Prophylaxis in the child was suggested by a study of the etiology of the convulsions. The object to be accomplished under the third head, or treatment subsequent to the attack, was to remove causes and predisposing causes, and keep the child in the best possible physical condition.

VERATRUM VIRIDE IN PUERPERAL CONVULSIONS.

Dr. William N. Ames, of Starkville, Miss., in an article to the Medical and Surgical Reporter, relates a case of puerperal convulsions successfully treated by sub-cutaneous injections of tr. verat. viride. We have been urgently advocating this treatment for the last eight years, in all cases of puerperal convulsions when there was a full bounding pulse (apoplectic form) as fulfilling all of the therapeutic indications. In five instances, it has enabled us to bring severe cases to a favorable termination speedily, without the loss of blood. Three drops of Norwood's tincture used subcutaneously every hour will quickly reduce the pulse, check the convulsions, relax the system, and promote the delivery of the foetus. Of course, in the anæmic form, neither this or any other depletory

treatment is justifiable. The urine of every pregnant woman should be examined a month or six weeks before the expected confinement, for the presence of albumen, and, if found, treatment instituted, thus to prevent convulsions at the time of delivery.

EDITORIALS.

BENNETT COLLEGE ANNOUNCEMENT.

This annual publication has just been laid on our desk, and is quite as nent and pithy as in former years. The introductory chapter teems with brilliant gems of sound logic in a firm, strong appeal to the Alumni and friends of the college to sanction the efforts of the Faculty to maintain the high standard of proficiency in instruction and the generally achieved success of the institution. The advantages and facilities offered by the college for students to acquire a thorough and practical knowledge of medicine and surgery in all departments now seem entirely complete, the college authorities having greatly enlarged and perfected the chemical laboratory for practical work by the students, and there is also to be a complete library of medical and collateral works, and a large reading-room for the use of students while not otherwise engaged. The Faculty and the curriculum are examples of thoroughness in teaching. The fees remain at the same low figure as before, which fully indicates that the Trustees and Faculty are actuated by higher and more noble service to the profession than "financial gain," as too often is the case in some cities. Our neighbor, the St. Louis Clinical Record, speaks to the point, as follows: "Higher Fees-Some people affect to believe that raising college fees to a uniform standard of from $75 to $100 will secure a better class of students and consequently of graduates. There is no truth in this theory; it being a well-known fact that the free schools of our cities, including the high schools, graduate a better class of students than any private corporation which exacts fees of any kind. It is useless to expect any progress unless higher demands are

made as to preliminary training and length of term of study. Money never yet purchased capacity for any one."

Any person interested can obtain copies of the announcement on application to the Dean, Prof. Milton Jay, M. D.

THE ALUMNI MEETING.

The Secretary has put forth every possible effort to notify the graduates of Bennett Medical College of the approaching Alumni meeting which will take place Tuesday, June 15, 1880. All those whose post-office addresses are in possession of the Secretary will receive additional notification by postal card. The addresses of some are still unknown, and it is hoped that every graduate who sees this article will take pains to notify and invite others. Plan to arrive in Chicago Monday night or early Tuesday morning, and call as soon as convenient at Room 5, northwest corner of State and Madison streets, and register your names.

At a meeting of the resident Alumni of Chicago, held May 19, the following committees were appointed :

Committee of Arrangements-Dr. H. S. Tucker, Dr. G. C. Tallerday, Dr. John Tascher.

Committee on Reception and Entertainment-Mrs. Dr. M. E. Reasner, Mrs. Dr. M. E. Hyde, Dr. E. B. Taylor, Dr. A. L. Willard.

The Committee of Arrangements reports a programme substantially as follows:

MORNING SESSION.

Meeting called to order at 10 o'clock by the President.
Address of welcome by Prof. Wilson H. Davis, M. D.
Organization.

Adoption of Constitution and By-Laws.

Recess.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

Historical Address, by Prof. Milton Jay, M. D.

Short addresses from representatives of each class, giving, as far as possible, a synopsis of the class history.

Election of officers.

Choosing time and place of next meeting.
Miscellaneous business.

Adjournment.

The Reception Committee has not yet reported, but the Secretary feels warranted in assuring a good time to all the children of our Alma Mater who take this opportunity to revisit the old hearthstone and revive old associations.

W. K. HARRISON, Secretary.

THE NATIONAL.

The local committee of arrangements has furnished us with a partial programme of their doings in behalf of the session of the National Eclectic Medical Association, to be held in this city June 16, 17 and 18. The place of meeting will be Hershey Hall, No. 83 Madison street (near the MEDICAL TIMES Office). The headquarters of the association will be at the "Palmer House" (one block from the hall). Hotel rates reduced 50 cents per day from regular rates. The committee has secured the Palmer House club-room and several large parlors, for the use of the officers, members and committees of the association.

Physicians arrriving in the city and not meeting any of the reception committee at the depot, should take a "bus" or street-car direct to the hotel. The members of the committee are of the opinion that two sessions each day will afford quite work enough for the delegates, and will arrange to have each evening occupied by innocent amusement and recreation. Every good eclectic is expected to bring his wife, and take an active part in the social features of the programme; and here it is well to remark, that in past years we have been too strenous about long sessions, essays and addresses, etc., to the exclusion on some occasions of all social events. We should become better acquainted, and devote a few hours at each session to that purpose. The eighty eclectics of Chicago desire to greet the eclectics of Maine, Massachusetts, Georgia, Texas, Kansas, California, Minnesota and all intervening States (with

"your better halves"), and hope to make you happy during your sojourn in our city.

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GOOD NEWS.

Seventeen physicians of Dover, N. H., graduates of different schools of medicine, have signed the following resolution : Resolved, That we will in no way approve, sanction or hold allegiance to any organization, society or name which, by giving exceptional prominence and authority to any exclusive medical dogma or system of practice, tends to limit freedom of thought or opinion.

"Resolved, That we will recognize professionally those, and only such, honorable and well-accredited physicians as in their medical associations and conduct conform to the spirit of the foregoing resolution."

What is the lesson of this and similar events of recent occurrence? They show most conclusively that the principles of true eclecticism are gaining ground with a rapidity heretofore unequaled; they show that there is greater harmony than ever before among doctors of different methods of practice; that sectarian schemes and hobbies are sinking into insignificance; that quarrels about names and theories are fading away, and that the primary object of saving life is a bond strong enough to unite conscientious and intelligent physicians.

ANOTHER "STRAW."

That rigid code of ethics is getting too straight for our allopathic friends. The Medical Record has the good sense to see the absurdity of some of its provisions, and lifts up its voice for more liberty. We quote from a recent editorial concerning the approaching convention at New York:

"In the regular order of business, the pending amendment to the code of ethics, which was laid over from last year, will also be called up on its passage. It will be recollected that this forbids the teaching of medicine to such students as have homœopathic or other irregular proclivities, and is virtually

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