Gas is in some instances formed in the stomach, in others in the large intestine, in some patients in both. Our observations were made on stomach flatulence, and as glycerine is so readily absorbed we should hardly expect that it would influence the formation of wind in the colon, except given in large doses, and when it acts as a slight laxative, and so expels the putrefying mass which forms the wind.

In some cases it removes pain and vomiting, probably, like charcoal, by preventing the formation of acrid acids, which irritate delicate and irritable stomachs..

We suggest that it acts by retarding or preventing some forms of fermentation and of putrefaction. M. Mekulics shows that glycerine prevents putrefaction of nitrogenous substances, as of blood diluted with water, which speedily decomposes at the ordinary temperature of the air. Two per cent of glycerine retarded decomposition for twenty-four hours; ten per cent, for five days. If the fluid were placed in the hatching oven, then 2 per cent retarded decomposition for several hours, 10 per cent forty-eight hours, and 20 per cent altogether prevented putrefaction. He also proves that glycerine destroys bacteria, and prevents the formation of septic poison, though it will dissolve and preserve the septic poison itself.

He also

Dr. E. Murk finds that 2 to 3 per cent will delay lactic fermentation in milk, for eighteen to twenty-four hours.

Barnham Wilmot, 1860, says that glycerine preserves meat so that after several months' immersion the meat is sweet and can be eaten; and Demarquay proves that both animal and vegetable substances may be kept for six weeks to two months by glycerine.

Glycerine, however, does not prevent the digestive action of pepsin and hydrochloric acid; hence, while it prevents the formation of wind and acidity, probably by checking fermentation, it in no way hinders digestion. We administer a drachm to two drachms either before, with, or immediately after food. It may be given in water, coffee, tea, or lemon and soda water. In tea and coffee it may replace sugar, a substance which greatly favors flatulence, as, indeed, does tea in many cases. In some cases a cure does not occur till the lapse of ten days or a fortnight.-Cin. Lancet and Clinic.

ACTION OF VARIOUS DIURETICS.

Daurel (Bull. Gen. de Therap-Med. Times) gives the results of his experiments as follows: (1) Nitrate of potassium -uncertain as to the quantity of liquid-augments the solid materials of the urine to a notable degree. The most active doses are a drachm to a drachm and a half. (2) Chlorate of potassium, less active with respect to the augmentation of solids, increases the fluids of the urine to a greater degree. (3) Acetate of potassium is uncertain as to the quantity of both solids and fluids. (4) Iodide of potassium, far from being a diuretic, even seems to diminish the quantity of urine. (5) Salicylate of sodium-uncertain as to the quantity of liquids -increases the solid constituents of the urine. (6) Of three vegetable substances experimented upon, squill, colchicum and digitalis, the latter alone is a real diuretic. It augments at the same time the quantity of both solids and fluids. He thinks that no diuretic acts during a febrile state.-Detroit Lancet.

SALICYLATE OF SODIUM-ITS VALUE IN CHILDREN'S FEBRILE DISORDERS.

Weiss (Allg. Med. Cont. Zeit.--Bost. Med. Jour., July 15,) offers the following as the results of his observations: (1) Salicylate of sodium is a powerful anti-pyretic remedy in the typhoid fever of children, which, while it does not shorten the course of the disease, renders it much milder. (2) The results with this remedy, in typhoid fever, are better than have hitherto been obtained by quinine, cold water baths, cold wrappings and the various mineral acids. (3) The beneficial effect can only be obtained when large doses are given at short intervals, and the author has never observed any ill effects following its use. (4) In diphtheritis, salicylate of sodium has no influence upon the course of the disease. (5) In acute articular rheumatism, the effect both upon the fever and upon the pain is a remarkably favorable and quick one. (6) In intermittent fever, salicylate of sodium is only of service when given immediately before the expected attack. As quick as the remedy is left off the paroxysms return.-Detroit Lancet.

USE OF QUININE IN CONNECTION WITH NERVOUS SEDATIVES.

Dr. Gray, of Brooklyn (Boston Medical Journal), said great relief was to be expected from the bromides in robust patients, but not to the same extent in the case of the weak and anemic. His own experience had convinced him that there was considerable danger in using them freely in certain instances, and he had met with one case in which a fatal result was produced. He was a firm believer in their effacacy in epilepsy, as a general rule; but at the same time he felt that under some circumstances they should be used, if at all, only with extreme caution. For the past two years he had been in the habit of prescribing quinine in connection with the bromides, and he could but express himself as more than satisfied with the results obtained by this combination. At first he had employed it with timidity and in very small doses, as he feared, from what he had been taught, that it might perhaps interfere with their action and only aggravate the trouble present; but afterward he had used it much more freely, and also with very beneficial effects. His practice now was to give first a sufficient quantity of the bromides to produce bromism, and then two or three grains of quinine three times a day in addition. He had met with a few cases in which quinine was not well tolerated, but as a rule such patients were able to stand the full sedation of the bromides, while in some instances he had deemed it advisable to stimulate the system with quinine before commencing the use of the bromides, on account of the weak condition of the patient. All his experience went to show that quinine actually increased the effect of the bromides, hyoscyamin and belladonna, and he had also found that all these agents were much better borne by the system, as well as more efficient in their action, when administered in combination with quinine than when the latter is omitted.

THERAPEUTICAL USES OF THE BROMIDES.

Rossenthal gives the following summary on this subject: Bromide of potassium ought to be frequently suspended, because it produces loss of tone in the stomach, debility, retards

and creates precordial pain and cerebral disorders; while it increases, in small doses, the appetite, in large doses it disturbs it, and consequently should be given largely diluted with milk.

Bromide of soda is a preparation very sweet, and better tolerated by the stomach, and should be given in preference to nervous people, old people and children. It is useful in convulsions, insomnia, spasms of the glottis, etc.

Bromide of ammonium is good in epilepsy and affections of the glottis, but not superior to the other bromides.

Bromide of camphor moderates the action of the heart, and is good in alcoholism, in doses of from 15 to 30 grains. In nervous cases the doses are larger.

Bromide of zinc cannot be given in pills, and is inferior to the other bromides.-Translation, in Va. Med. Monthly, from Revista Medecina Cirurgia.

CHLORATE OF POTASH.

Dr. Alexander Harkin, of Belfast, eulogizes this drug for its usefulness in the treatment of ulcers, burns, abcesses, etc., and relates cases in which, applied in a lotion as well as internally, it caused rapid healing of these lesions. His theory of its action and method of employing it is that, being principally composed of two elements indispensable to the formation of healthy blood, viz., oxygen and potassium, its administration, especially where one or the other of these substances is deficient, tends to improve and elevate the condition of the circulating fluid, upon which the health of every organ of the body depends. After its continued use, the patient experiences an increase of appetite, of nervo-muscular force; all the bodily functions are performed with greater ease, the color improves, and the flesh-producing power is manifestly augmented, as evidenced by increased weight, the character of the blood itself being altered by an addition to its fibrin and plastic qualities. For internal use, he generally orders a saturated solution for adults, one ounce three times daily before or after food. Most useful by itself, yet its efficacy in arresting disease, in chlorotic or hemorrhagic diatheses, may be greatly

enhanced by the addition of iron in one of its many forms, the most convenient being the tincture of muriate of iron.The Druggists' Circular.

PRACTICAL MEDICINE.

TREATMENT OF THE VARIOUS FORMS OF CONSUMPTION.

Dr. Roberts Bartholow, of Philadelphia, assumes that the three forms of pulmonary consumption are generally recognized, viz.: chronic catarrhal, or caseous pneumonia, which is an essential inflammatory disease; chronic tuberculosis, with special direction to the pulmonary parenchyma, which is a diathetic malady; and fibroid phthisis, which is a chronic interstitial pneumonia ingrafted on chronic bronchitis. This classification makes it obvious that our therapeutical methods must be guided and controlled by the pathological conditions. Certain general principles applicable to all forms demand attention. These are climate and personal hygiene. In regard to climate, it is unneccessary to go beyond the limits of the United States, for within them we find the utmost variety. The Bowditch generalization, which establishes the fact that there is a constant ratio between the number of cases of consumption and the amount of water-rainfall and collections of water in streams, ponds and lakes, should not be lost sight of. Lombard's elaborate Atlas of Medical Geography shows how large a part excess of moisture plays in the geographical distribution of phthisis. All along the sea-coast are traced the deeply-shaded lines, whilst in the elevated interior regions the mortality has disappeared. Next to dryness of soil and climate as a remedy for consumption, is elevation. This fact stands out as conspicuously in the great Atlas of Medical Geography as the previously considered influence. Uniformity is only less important. Applying these principles to the question of a climate for consumptives, the writer places first on the list the great plains and plateaus of our interior continent; next, certain parts of California; then a limited district, of which Aiken, South Carolina, may be regarded as the center;