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ings of closely related diseases or injuries.

Subjects are

grouped under the following heads: Diseases of the BloodVessels, Diseases of Joints, Diseases of Bone, Dislocations, Fractures, Diseases of the Male Genitals, Diseases of the Abdominal Cavity, Diseases of Tissues. The following extract will give our readers an idea of the plan of the work :

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The tumor is always situated at The tumor is attached to the walls the margin of the anus. of the rectum.

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Hemorrhage is infrequent, and Hemorrhage often becomes excesseldom severe in amount. sive, and is of frequent occurrence.

The pain is usually local, and confined to the tumor.

The pain is usually of moderate severity, and is often absent.

PAIN.

The pain is often conveyed to neighboring regions.

The pain is severe, as a rule, in case the tumor becomes externally apparent.

In the above manner, the characteristic features of surgical diseases and injuries are tabulated, and the method commends itself as being well fitted to aid student or practitioner in making a rapid and correct differential diagnosis.

DISEASES OF THE THROAT AND NOSE (INCLUDING THE PHARYNX, LARYNX, TRACHEA, ESOPHAGUS, NASAL CAVITIES AND NECK). By MORELL MACKENZIE, M. D., London. Vol. I. Diseases of the Pharynx, Larynx and Trachea. Philadelphia: Presley Blakiston, 1,012 Walnut street. 1880. For sale by Jansen, McClurg & Co., 117 and 119 State street, Chicago. Price, $4.

Mackenzie's latest work deserves the highest commendation. His own experience in this especial field has been varied and

exhaustive, and, in the preparation of this. book, he has availed himself of the results of other workers in the same field in all countries. He is a writer of great ability, and his style is unusually clear and entertaining for a work of this character. In brief, we may truthfully say that in this work we have a clear statement of the best knowledge extant concerning the whole subject. Of the numerous works concerning diseases of the throat and nasal passages which have recently made their appearance, we have seen none so completely trustworthy and well written. We append a few abstracts of the author's views and practice taken from the Detroit Lancet:

"Cases of deep tonsillitis may usually be cut short by the early administration of guaiacum. It may be given as the ammoniated tincture or as a powder. In the latter case, three grains may be given as a lozenge every two hours. In cases of chronically enlarged tonsils, he has obtained the best results from the local application of London Paste. But even this treatment is tedious, so that the excision of the tonsil is the quicker method of effecting a complete cure. To check the hemorrhage which occasionally follows this operation, he recommends the gargling of a solution of tanno-gallic acid. Respecting the relations of croup and diphtheria, he believes that croup is only a form of diphtheria, in which the local expression is found in the larynx and trachea, as is often the case in the nares (with or without its occurrence in other parts). The views of both sides are fully and, we think, fairly presented. At this day, none can claim that there is any pathological difference between the two affections. Other differences, supposed to be based upon the site of the disease and its manifestations, he explains on what seem to be tenable grounds. Further, it is well known that ordinary inflammations of the mucous membranes are attended with engorgement of the tissues and the formation of pus on the surface; under the influence of certain poisonous contagium the inflammation, instead of being attended with the formation of pus, leads to the exudation of layers of lymph, which become adherent to the free surface of the mucous membrane. This

disease is called diphtheria, and whether the lymph is deposited on the mucous membrane of the pharynx, or larynx, trachea, bronchial tubes, or elsewhere on a mucous membrane, or on a wounded surface, the disease is still diphtheria. To suppose that there are two kinds of pellicular inflammation of the larynx-one in which the cause is diphtheritic poison, and the other in which the cause is some other undiscovered influence is totally opposed to all probabilities."

A TREATISE ON DIPHTHERIA. By A. JACOBI, M. D. New York: William Wood & Co. 1880. Pages, 252. Cloth, price $2.00.

The extensive prevalence of diphtheria, the conflicting theories with regard to its causes and the widely different methods of treatment, have caused a great amount of discussion within the circle of the medical profession. Dr. Jacobi has from time to time contributed important papers upon this subject since 1860, and now, in the work before us, we have a valuable summary of the results of his labors. The work also embodies the results of the latest investigations of other workers, and in particular the recent researches of Drs. Wood and Formad. From these it appears that "the formation in the trachea of a false membrane is not the result of any peculiar or specific process, but simply of an intense inflammation, which may be produced by any irritant of sufficient power." A general view of the clinical and anatomical facts seems to indicate that the contagious material of diphtheria is really of the nature of a septic poison, which is also locally very irritant to the mucous membrane; so that, when brought in contact with the mucous membrane of the mouth and nose, it produces an intense inflammation without absorption by a local action. "At present it seems altogether improbable that bacteria have any direct function in diphtheria." It is, however, possible that they may act upon the exudations of the trachea as the yeast plant acts upon sugar, and cause the production of a septic poison, which differs from that of ordinary putrefaction and bears such relations to the system as, when absorbed, to cause the systemic symptoms of diphtheria. Dr. Jacobi disposes of his subject under the following headings: History, Etiology, the Manner of Infection, Contagion and Incubation,

Symptoms, Anatomical Appearances, Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment.

Careful summaries conclude each chapter and form valuable additions to the work. The treatment is mild, rational and judicious, and we can strongly recommend the work to our

readers.

HANDBOOK OF CHEMICAL PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY, with Lectures upon Normal and Abnormal Urine. By VICTOR C. Vaughan, M. D., Ph. D. Third edition, revised and enlarged. Ann Arbor Printing and Publishing Co. 1880. Cloth, pages, 351.

In reviewing a former edition of this work we felt compelled to give it very favorable notice. That it has passed through three editions within so short a time sufficiently attests its popularity. In this edition some new subjects have been introduced, and the work is rendered more complete by having the cuts bound with the text. We heartily commend the book to students and practitioners.

The following pamphlets have been received:

LINDSAY & BLAKISTON'S PHYSICIAN'S VISITING LIST FOR 1881. ELECTRICITY IN MEDICINE AND SURGERY, and Treatment of the Genito-Urinary Organs. By JOHN J. CALDWELL, M. D., Baltimore, Md. A NOTE ON PEPSIN. By EDWARD B. SQUIBB, M. D., Brooklyn, N. Y. THE MECHANICS OF THE OBSTETRICAL FORCEPS. By JOHN BartLETT, M. D., Chicago, Ill.

A CONTRIBUTION TO THE STUDY OF INFLAMMATION, as Illustrated by Induced Keratitis. By W. T. COUNCILMAN, M. D.

NOTE ON THE ALKALOIDS OF CINCHONA. By BENJAMIN Lee, M. D., Philadelphia, Penn.

SURGICAL TREATMENT OF NASO-PHARYNGEAL CATARRH. By D. H. GOODWILLIE, M. D., New York City.

A CASE OF COMBINED INTRAUTERINE AND ABDOMINAL TWIN PREGNANCY; the first child born naturally at eight months, the second delivered alive at term by Laparotomy. By H. P. C. WILSON, M. D., Baltimore, Md.

THE THERAPEUTIC VALUE OF IODIDE OF ETHYL. By ROBERT M. LAWRENCE, M. D., Boston, Mass.

MYOPIA IN ITS VARIOUS PHASES. By JULIAN CHISOLM, M. D.,
Baltimore, Md.

THERAPEUTIC ACTION OF MERCURY,
Chicago, Ill.

By S. V. CLEVENGER, M. D.,

MEDICAL HINTS ON THE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE SINGING VOICE. By LENNOX BROWNE, F. R. C. S. New York: M. L. Holbrook & Co.

THE

Chicago Medical Times.

WILSON H. DAVIS, M. D.,

Editor and Publisher.

VOL. XII. CHICAGO, FEBRUARY, 1881. No. 11.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

[XXXVII]

THE DANGER OF DOMESTIC REMEDIES IN THE

EAR.

BY PROF. HENRY OLIN, M. D.

Like the cornea of the eye, the membrana tympani is a fibrous, inelastic tissue, and may be greatly injured by the application of the hundred and one remedies that are suggested by the ever-ready-to-do-something persons, and which often prove a great damage to the poor, suffering patient, though applied with good intent and with a view to relief. It is well known that poultices and remedies that have a tendency to maceration of a fibrous structure, when in a state of inflammation, produce softening of the parts, and hasten the ulcerative process and breaking down of the tissue, thereby causing a more destructive disintegration than would be caused otherwise. Now, in view of this fact, I wish to enter my protest against the too general practice of parents and others, of applying remedies to the eye and ear that may, in many cases, produce serious results. For example, we will take a simple case of catarrhal inflammation of the middle ear, which, if properly treated, would pass off in a few days without serious results, but, if tampered with, may result in suppuration and destruction of the tympanic membrane. The

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