Another: "This skin grafting is all a humbug, the books say it can be done, but Ross can't do it. Send your boy to the hospital," etc., etc. All of this from fathers in the profession and neighbors! But the "boy" persevered, these butts acting as a stimulant. I do not write this in a boasting spirit. I simply feel that what I have done any doctor, with a little tact and Hamilton's surgery, can do. I simply write this so that if any young M. D. should chance to see it and have a similar case, it may encourage him. I would say to him, don't back down because older men have never done the like. “Be sure you are right, then go ahead." The great secret of success is to hang on.— Michigan Medical News. Indigenous Remedies for Epilepsy. Dr. J. W. Preston, of Warren, Ark., asks me, in a card, to give indigenous remedies for epilepsy. I have already given a large number in my Materia Medica, and also in New Medicines, which Dr. Preston certainly never saw, but I will comply with his request. Viscum album or mistletoe is a remedy for epilepsy that has never received due attention from the profession. It has cured many cases of epilepsy, neuralgia and cholera. It has a direct affinity for the motor side of the spinal center. In some cases of reflex nervous irritation, cypripedium has been known to do great good. When the convulsions affect the upper part of the body mostly, stramonium is a good remedy. Cicuta or water hemlock, growing in most parts of the United States, is a very effective antispasmodic, and in cases where there is nervous congestion of the abdomen, bluish, puffed face, profound coma, from which it is difficult to arouse the patient, this remedy will prove of much value. Epilepsy, occurring at or near the menstrual period, will be benefited by the use of the tincture of cimicifuga, in twenty-drop doses, three times a day; gelseminum will relieve the spasm, and in some cases, timely given, ward it off. Epilepsy is produced by so many causes that no one remedy can be relied on in two different cases. Morbid changes within the brain and its membranes give rise to it. Peripheric irritations of sensory nerves, which consist either in morbid states of these nerves, or in morbid states of the organs to which those nerves are distributed, or to undue functional irritation of those nerves, give rise to it. Now, we have several new and valuable remedies which are not indigenous, but imported from other countries, which I have mentioned for trial in epilepsy. In those cases connected with, or caused by, congestion of the brain, belladonna, in the interval, will be found a positive remedy in many cases. If the epilepsy is in women, and occurs about the menstrual period, caulophyllum is a valuable remedy, and the macrotis or cimicifuga is likewise a remedy in the same condition; so is cedron worthy of a trial in this form. Sumbul is worthy of a trial. melilotus, sweet clover, is also worthy of a trial. Many cases of epilepsy depend upon lesions of brain that are incurable, consequently we do not expect many cures.-I. J. M. Go88, M. D., in The Medical Brief. Acute and Chronic Orchitis. The In answer to the inquiry of R. W. C., Sedalia, Mo., in the February number of the Brief, in reference to the treatment of acute and chronic orchitis resulting from gonorrhæa, I would remark that, for the past twenty years or more, my treatment has been, and is, the following: R. Pulv. verat. viride Tinct. aconit Cerat. simpl... M. ft. ungt. 20 grains. Apply freely all over the enlarged testicles night and morning, rubbing it in well. The patient is kept in bed, and testicles supported by an ordinary suspensory. In the large majority of cases, the swelling subsides within a day or two, and nothing else is required. The sooner it is applied the better. In the chronic form, in addition to the above, if necessary, I strap well and thoroughly the testicle with strong adhesive plaster, cut into strips, compressing it equably and tensely-follow up the subsidence by removals of the plaster when required. I have never failed in speedily curing acute orchitis by the above means; likewise the chronic form. by the additional aid suggested above. It is far preferable to leeching and fomentations; then how pleasant and cheap in comparison !-John W. Reins, M. D., in the Medical Brief. Intussusception; Inflation with Air; Recovery. BY T. D. RANSFORD, F. R. C. S., ENGLAND. On August 12, 1879, I called to see A. H, a fine, healthy male child, eleven months old. After a hearty breakfast, of which fish was one of the ingredients, he was taken suddenly ill, was very sick and pale, and seemed to have much pain in the bowels. He was taken to a chemist, who administered a powder of rhubarb and mercury, after which the child began to pass blood per anum, was collapsed and in much pain. When I saw the child he was in the above condition, passing much blood and mucus. On examining the abdomen, a sausage-shaped tumor, about two a half inches in length, was felt in the right hypochondriac and right lumbar regions; the rectum was dilated, but contained nothing but blood and mucus, which came away in large quantities on withdrawing the finger from the anus. Ordered half a minim of tincture of opium every two hours. My friend, Dr. Campbell, surgeon to Northern Hospital, Liverpool, saw the child with me in the evening, and agreed with me as to the nature of the case and the treatment. We injected, by mean of Higginson's syringe, pint of olive oil, which soon came back mixed with blood and mucus. As the child still continued to be very sick and in much pain, we ordered a grain of compound ipecacuanha powder every second hour. On August 13, I found the child had passed a very restless night, vomiting not quite so frequent, and had passed less blood; so, after fastening the end of the enema to a pair of common house bellows, I proceeded to inflate it per anum. On withdrawing the tube it was covered with blood and mucus; no fæcal matter; no noticeable result. Called in the afternoon, five or six hours after first visit, and again inflated the child; this time, on withdrawing the tube, the end was covered with fluid fæces, some had also been sucked up into the bellows. To continue the compound ipecacuanha powder. On the 14th the child had passed a good night, seemed quite free from pain; sickness had stopped; no tumor could now be felt through the abdominal walls; bowels had not been opened; seemed weak and flabby, but otherwise well. August 16.—The little patient has continued to improve in appearance and gradually gain strength. This morning passed a copious but normal stool. Dover's powder discontinued, and the child pronouced quite well. Remarks.-The sudden onset of pain and sickness in a previously healthy child, followed by the passage of blood and mucus, with the presence of a sausage-shaped tumor felt through the abdominal walls, left no doubt in my mind as to the nature of the case, and I asked Dr. Campbell to see it, partly to satisfy the parents, partly because it was an interesting case and one I thought he would like to see, and partly because it was only a little more than two years ago that I published a very similar case in the Lancet.-London Lancet. EDITORIALS. BENNETT COLLEGE ALUMNI. Tuesday, June 15, 1880, is the day appointed for our Alumni meeting, and judging from reports from the various sections of the Northwest, a large majority of Bennett's graduates will be in attendance. The National Eclectic Medical Association, convening on the 16th, 17th and 18th, furnishes a strong additional motive to all our fellow-graduates to be present. It is hoped by your committee that all will make an effort to reach Chicago, Monday night or early Tuesday morning. Upon arrival, please call at your earliest convenience at Room 5, northwest corner of State and Madison streets, and register with the Secretary, who will gladly furnish any information in his power regarding the proposed meetings. It is now proposed to hold one session at the College Hall, Tuesday morning, another at the same place Tuesday after It noon, and a banquet at one of the hotels in the evening. is hoped that each class will be represented, and that members of the respective classes will take pains to post themselves so that we may be furnished with as complete class histories as possible. Short addresses will be in order, and, although we cannot, at the present time, announce the names of the speakers, we can safely trust the ready wit and sound culture of Bennett's energetic sons to furnish an abundance of the entertaining and instructive. Further notice of the meeting will be sent to every graduate whose address is in our possession. W. K. HARRISON, Secretary. NATIONAL ECLECTIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. The next annual meeting of the National will be held in Chicago, beginning on Wednesday morning, June 16. We hope that every eclectic physician, within 700 miles of Chicago, will arrange to take a week's vacation from business at that time, and be promptly on hand at the opening session. We believe the benefits to be derived will amply pay the time and expense. The people want progressive physicians; and a physician can give no better evidence of healthy growth in his profession than by attending and taking active interest in these annual gatherings. So let us have a large attendance at the National. Bring along your lukewarm neighbor, and infuse a little progress and vim into him. The cause of rational medicine is a grand one, and worthy of some of our time and effort to promote its interests. The local committee of arrangements and the Chicago physicians are preparing a hearty welcome to all, and, at this writing, have secured a reduction in hotel rates, and feel hopeful of securing return fare for all who attend the convention, at one-fifth rate over most of the roads. From advices and letters received at this office, every State and auxiliary society will send full delegations, which, added to the list of permanent members, indicates that the attendance from every section will be larger than at any previous session of the Association. |