NOTHING TO BE SAID.-The middle-aged man who resided in the tall white house with the green blinds simply sat and looked and looked and looked at the middle-aged wife of his bosom, and she sat and looked and looked and looked at him. Neither said a word. She had painstakingly planted his liver pills, and he in turn had taken her sweet peas. There really was't anything to say. Exchange. STANDARDIZED GRUELS; AN APPLICATION OF THE PERCENTAGE PRINCIPLE TO GRUEL FEEDING.-H. D. Chapin says that with the increased knowledge that has resulted from a careful study of the use of gruels in infant feeding it has become recognized that they have other values than as attenuants of the curd of cow's milk. They may often be employed to economize the energy of the body that is being used in the effort to prepare food for assimilation, and by taking advantage of this fact it is frequently possible to keep the body well nourished on a quantity of food much smaller than is theoretically indicated. It is highly desirable, therefore, that there should be some uniform standards for use in preparing gruels, and that their food values and possibilities should become better known. With this object in view the author had made gruels containing varying amounts of pearl barley, prepared barley flour, wheat flour, and rolled or flaked oats, which where then assayed to determine their composition in order to show the relative properties of tissuebuilding and heat and energy producing elements. The tables obtained are reproduced, as well as others showing simple methods of preparing gruels of any desired strength.Medical Record. HARELIP AND CLEFT PALATE.-G. V. I. Brown, Milwaukee (J. A. M. A., March 18), after a classification and description of the varieties of these defects, condemns the radical operation in the young infant on account of the high death-rate, the danger of meningitis, the unsatisfactory cosmetic results at that age, the risk of too great approximation of the turbinates, occluding the nasal passage and producing mouth breathing, etc. If conditions are favorable he would use adjusted strips to prevent the action of the lower jaw from forcing the maxillary bones apart and to cause an opposite effect when the child laughs or cries. Of course the child should be mouth feed; the sucking habit should be overcome. The proper age is after the full eruption of the deciduous teeth and before the speech habit has been fully acquired. He would then use a screw appliance, which is illustrated, to approximate the bones and would also use proper treatment for the dis eased oral surfaces. In young patients this will probably be sufficient, in older patients some crushing operation may be required. It is most desirable to bring the anterior portions into direct contact so as to allow freshening, not only of the soft borders, but the bony flaps when the final muco-periosteal operation is performed. He emphasizes the importance of having needles selected with curves suiting each part of the operation. The fuller details of the technic of his method are left for a future article. The importance of after-treatment is especially dwelt on, and he particularly mentions singing as one of the best practical aids to speech improvement. plicating neuroses must be considered in the The patients are often neurotic and the com treatment. With his method he thinks the restoration of the palate in its nearly perfect form can be obtained. The difficulties of oral asepsis are noticed, and he says his postoper ing of the parts is dioxogen, which, with a 23 per cent of carbolic acid solution, should be used alternately each hour during the day and at least four times at night. For this he uses a hospital syringe and injects with force enough to dislodge little particles of debris, but not enough to do injury. Wiping with cotton wool applicators is required also three or four times a day, and nebulizing some of the oil preparations are used as supplementary after the washings throughout the course of treatment. ative sheet anchor for the mechanical cleans URINE EXAMINATION.-R. C. Cabot, Boston (J.A.M.A., March 18-25), states that incited by a statement of Councilman that the chemical and microscopic examination of the urine failed to give certain information of the character of the real lesions, as well as by discrepancies coming under his own observation, he has compared critically the records and postmorten findings in the cases that have come to autopsy in the Massachusetts General Hospital since 1893. Although the number of cases is not large, he thinks they warrant the following conclusions: 1. Many cases of acute glomerular nephritis occur that are unrecognized by any known methods of examination. 2. The diagnosis is at fault in some cases of subacute and chronic glomerular nephritis, but in the great majority of cases the condition of the urine, taken in connection with other symptoms, foretold the autopsy findings. 3. In cnronic interstitial nephritis the diagnostic resources appear to be neither so sufficient as in the chronic glomerular form, nor so inadequate as in the acute glomerular nephritis. about a third of the cases the diagnosis was correctly made before death. 4. Among In 1 other conditions mistaken for nephritis by too much reliance on the urinary findings are senile and arteriosclerotic condition, mistaken for chronic nephritis, while in conditions involving passive congestion or acute kidney degenerations, the urine occasionally simulates that of acute nephritis. Even where no lesions are found at autopsy the urine is sometimes highly albuminous and full of casts. 5. In ordinary urinary examinations the common errors are: (a) The attempts to estimate urea without accurate knowledge of the patient's metabolism. (b) Stating that renal cells are present when all that is seen are small mononuclear cells, perhaps from the kidney tubules, perhaps not. 6. Cryoscopy and other attempts to test the renal permeability more directly are not yet capable of supplementing in clinical work the older methods of examination. Cabot holds that the vast majority of estimations of urinary solids, including urea, are a waste of time, since they are not and can not be made part of a general metabolism experiment, and that the attempt to estimate the anatomic condition of the kidney by measuring albumin and by searching for casts is fallacious. The most reliable data are the twenty-four-hour quantity, the specific gravity and the color. LITERARY LORE THE ONLY DOCTOR FOR TWO THOUSAND He MILES.-Among the sparse settlements along the bleak coasts of Labrador and Newfoundland, a young Englishman and Oxford man has given the people for thirteen years practically the only medical comforts they have had. By boat in summer and by dog-train through the snows, he reaches every harbor from Newfoundland to Hudson Strait. is the comfort and hope of the frugal, carepinched people of the whole long coast. In the April McClure's this young doctor has written the story of a winter's experience. He writes a simple, direct account of a freely given, arduous service. It has the tang of the cold North about it, and it is a hopeful picture of a little-known people-the farthest outposts of the northern coasts. A WONDER-WORKER OF SCIENCE.-Luther Burbank, the California magician, has developed a verbena with a strong arbutus fragrance. He has made possible a new fruit, the plumcot, a combination of the common wild American plum, the Japanese plum and the apricot. He has accomplished what Darwin hinted at, but accepted with reservations -the grafting of one tree upon another and at the same time the transformation of the tree without fertilization, the accomplishment A MOTHER'S OBLIGATIONS.-In the April Delineator is given the opening paper of a series, called "The Rights of the Child," which, it is announced, will discuss the proper care of children in all its phases, from the earliest stages of infancy until constant atten. The articles are tion is no longer required. contributed by Dr. Grace Peckham Murray, a physician of note. The first paper is entitled "The Coming of the Child," and is strikingly illustrated. The following paragraph seems particularly worth repeating: "The mother can do much to influence the appearance and the mental and moral status of the unborn. This has been proven over and over again. The prospective mother should think beautiful thoughts, should surround herself with lovely pictures; her heart should warm with gladness and joyful anticipations. To indulge in anger, grief, fear, treasure rebellious thoughts anxiety, to against existing conditions, is to rob the coming child of a proper birthright, and is a form of selfishness whose record will be written upon a human being. Often the physique of feature, lack of vitality, or hidden deeper shows these prenatal impressions in plainness in the recesses of the brain are contrary impulses and thoughts, which will develop with the growth of the child, to bring sorrow and reproach upon the parents later in life." CORNS. THE MEDICAL FORTNIGHTLY Acidi salicylici... A Cosmopolitan Biweekly for the General Practitioner The Medical Fortnightly is devoted to the progress of the Practice and Science of Medicine and Surgery. Its aim is to present topics of interest and importance to physicians, and to this end, in addition to a well-selected corps of Department Editors, it has secured correspondents in the leading medical centers of Europe and America. Contributions of a scientific nature, and original in character, solicited. News of Societies, and of interesting medical topics, cordially invited. Advertising forms close on the first and fifteenth of each month. Time should be allowed to submit proof for correction Advertising rates on application. Remittances and business communications should be addressed to the Fortnightly Press Co. Subscription, $2.00 a year, in advance, including postage to any part of the United States, Mexico and Canada. Postage to foreign countries in the Universal Postal Union, including Newfoundland, $1.00 a year additional. Entered at the St. Joseph post-office as second-class matter. The Medical Fortnightly will not be discontinued at expiration of subscription, as many of our readers prefer not to have their files broken on account of failure to remit. Unless we receive a distinct request to discontinue, and payment for all arrearages, this magazine will not be discontinued. Subscriptions may begin at any time; volumes end with June and December. Contributors should understand that corrected typewritten oopy is essential to clean proof and prompt publication, and is much more satisfactory than manuscript. Original articles should be as condensed as justice to the subject will allow. Editorial offices in St. Louis, Jacksonville, and St. Joseph, where specimen copies may be obtained, and subscriptions will be received. Contributions and books for review should be addressed to the editors, 319 and 320 Century Building, St. Louis, Mo. Ext. canabis indica.. Aetheris (60%). Collodii flexilis.. Ms. Sig. Paint the corn every day for a week, then it can be easily squeezed or pulled out. (Keep in a closely corked vial.—Vigier.) ACUTE ARTICULAR RHEUMATISM.- Menthol.. Lanum... : 3ij gr. I 3ij 3ij M. Sig. Apply and cover parts lightly with cotton-wool and renew night and morning. B Salicylic acid..... Sodium bicarbonate. Ammonium carbonate. Glycerin..... 3iij aa 3j 3j Aq. menth. pip., q. s. ad...... žvi M. Sig. Tablespoonful every two or three hours until ears ring. B Rheumatin.... Sodium bicarbonate 3iij 3j Sig. M. Dispense as twelve powders. INFANTILE GASTRITIS.-The recipe for the vegetable bouillon, recommended by Méry as a substitute for milk in cases of gastritis in infants, is as follows: B Carrots.... Potatoes.. Green beans.. Water. Boil for four hours and add 75 gr. of salt; a teaspoonful of rice flour may be used to thicken. Merck's Archives. THE ORIGINAL SUBSTITUTOR.-The Denver Chemical Company, manufacturers of antiphlogistine, have lately issued an attractive little booklet under the above title which tells of the woes of those who are imitated and who are worth imitation. It goes without saying that all the profession knows antiphlogistine and knows that it is a pioneer which has been very widely imitated, but never yet equalled; no one expects to have a good thing escape imitation, but we should all strenuously object to having the imitation sold to our patients when we have prescribed the original. To avoid this nothing can serve but agitation and this is the primary object of the booklet, which should reach all of our readers. MEDICAL MEMORANDA. For Sale. First-class surgical chair and fine improved nebulizer. Both will be sold cheap if taken at once. Address Removed," care Medical Fortnightly, St. Louis, Mo. "For over a year we have been using tincture fat free digitalis, S & H, in our hospital to the practical exclusion of all other forms of this drug."-V. C. Brownell, Druggist, Provident Hospital. Trophonine.-A recent case, in which we removed the stomach for carcinoma, the patient lived principally on trophonine, administered per enema, for over five weeks.-Pacific Medical Journal, June, 1902. Tyree's Antiseptic Powder.-Thousands of general practitioners and specialists have testified to its utility and superior value in surgical, gynecological, obstetrical and nose and throat work. We want every physician to demonstrate the superiority of this powder personally. Write for sample and literature. Packages of 2 Îb., sufficient for 8 gallons of solution 80 cents each; from prescription druggists or direct, carriage prepaid on receipt of price. J. S. TYREE, Chemist, Washington, D. C. Erosion of the Cervix Resembling Epithelioma.— Dr. C. H. Powell, (New England Medical Monthly).-This case occurred in a married woman, aged 35, the mother of four children. The ulcer of the cervix had a most suspicious appearance, involving the left half of the neck and passing upwards on the cervix proper; it was in size about as large as a ten cent piece. My first impression was a possible venereal sore, but the lady and her husband were both people entirely above reproach, and this theory could be very readily exploded, I accordingly suspected it might turn out to be an epithelioma. There was no glandular involvement in the inguinal regions or elsewhere, and I concluded to try glycozone on the tampon for a few days, more to determine whether the ulcer would respond to its use than anything else. I told the lady to return the following day, and my surprise and satisfaction were great to note the eroded surface reduced fully one-half its original size; encouraged by my success with glycozone I reapplied the agent, and had. the lady return in two days; but slight evidence of the cervical denudation was remaining, and upon the lady's next visit to my office I discharged her, entirely cured of the formidible appearing ulcer. Five other cases were treated by the author, with equally satisfactory results. An Eligible Combination.-A number of years ago Dr. James J. Sullivan (University Medical College) New York City, applied the remark, “An Eligible Combination" to a then new preparation of well known synergetic remedial agents. It is almost unnecessary to state that the preparation to which he referred is now well and favorably known as antikamnia and codeine tablets, each tablet containing 14 gr. codeine and 44 grs. antikamnia. A fact which should not be overlooked, is that the codeine used in this tablet is especially prepared and purified,is non constipating, and does not induce a habit. These are some of the particularly advantageous features of Antikamnia Chemical Company's codeine and are well worth bearing in mind. In the harrassing cough of phthisis, or in the pain of pleuritis, in the painful sensation accompanying bronchitis when the tubes are dry and irritable-as they usually are-the blending of the two drugs composing antikamnia and codeine tablets will not be found wanting in action, but will give results that are gratifying to both the patient and the medical attendant. This tablet is a sedative to the respiratory centers in both acute and chronic disorders of the lungs. Cough in the vast majority of cases,is promptly and lastingly decreased, and often entirely suppressed. In diseases of the respiratory organs, pain and cough are the symptoms which especially call for something to relieve and this tablet does the work. In addition it controls the violent spasms accompanying the cough, which are so distressing. Phospho-Albumen as a Nerve Food.-Phospho-Albumen is derived from the testes, spinal cords and brains of bulls. Its chemical constituents are di-oleyl-phosphoric acid, lecithin, spermin, and nuclein. Phospho-Albumen renders possible the administration of 85 per cent more phosphorus (organic) than is possible by any other method; it is absolutely without danger of intoxication or any undesirable after effect Gilbert and Lippman (Presse med., quoted by Jour. Amer. Med. Assoc., Oct. 1, 1904) have pointed out the constant absence of mineral phosphates from, and the remarkable abundance of phospho-organic compounds in, the soft parts of the organism, and assert that the therapeutic use of mineral phosphates (which are found only in the excreta of the body, and represent the detritus of the organic compounds) is irrational, while the organic phosphates, on the other hand, offer a promising field for therapeutic employment. Phospho-Albumen is, by reason of its derivation and chemical nature, the most trustworthy agent for the treatment of functional impotence, sexual atonicity, senile or pre-senile debility, seminal emissions, spermatorrhea, sterility, insomnia, alcoholism, etc., or as an adjuvant to other well established measures for the treatment of epilepsy, locomotor ataxia, etc. As an aphrodisiac and general nerve tonic, the special formula, No. 33, of the Phospho-Albumen Co., of Chicago, has many advantages. The formula is as follows: Phospho-Albumen, grains 3; strychnine sulphate, grain 1-50th; zinc phosphide, grain 1-10th; gold chloride, grain 1-60th, in tablet form only. Sal Hepatica is a scientific combination of sodium and lithium phosphates with the laxatives salts of the "bitter waters." It is very pleasant and most efficient in uric acid troubles and makes an agreeable effervescent drink, when dissolved in water. Sal Hepatica is being extensively employed as an eliminant of irritating toxins in the alimentary tract. Unlike most saline laxatives, it is not in the least depressing but on the contrary it is a physiological tonic. Sal Hepatica is one of the very few laxatives that are permissable in any form and in all stages of kidney diseases, for it is positively non-irritating even when exercising a diuretic and depurating action. Samples from Bristol-Myers Co., 277 Greene ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. Germiletum vs. Catarrh and Eczema-Germiletum being slightly alkaline with no acid reaction, the profession will readily recognize that in Germiletum they have an antiseptic germicide, deodorizer and disinfectant superior to any other and whereas the Dios Chemical Company of St. Louis manufacture specialties only for physicians to prescribe, the profession may rest assured that all products of their laboratory will be kept up to the highest standard of efficiency. On application they will furnish literature, clinical reports and commendations recommending germiletum as unexcelled in catarrh and eczema. In addition they proffer their complete visiting list for 1905 of 126 pages, lock bill file and full size bottle of germiletum, dioviburnia and neurosine free, only to physicians, they paying express charges. The Coughs of Childhood.-In the coughs of childhood the ideal sedative and expectorant must be one which accomplishes its ends without depressing action and which is not irritating and disturbing to the digestive organs. The low grade of nutrition, so frequently found associated with the chronic coughs of childhood, makes it necessary to avoid in every way therapeutic agents which will interfere with nutrition by the disturbance of digestion, while this same weakened state makes the child the more susceptible to depressants and narcotics. The preparation of a suitable expectorant and sedative is one of the problems of pediatric practice. During the winter of 1904 and the early winter of 1904-1905, fitchmul was used in a considerable number of cases in the department of pediatrics in the Chicago Clinical School, of Chicago, in the clinics of Dr. Marcus P. Hatfield, professor of pediatrics. This is a combination of the active principles of fir balsam, venice turpentine, chloric ether, with dilute hydrocyanic acid, tartar emetic and aromatics. The combination is so made as to produce a palatable mixture, stimulating to the mucous membrane, allaying the cough and stimulating expectoration, without the slightest depression or disturbance of digestion. The results attained with fitchmul, especially in infants and children of low vitality, were exceedingly gratifying. In such cases it was found advisable to use it alone, but in cases where pronounced action was indicated, it was uesd as a vehicle for codeine or creosote.-Editorial from The Chicago Clinic and Pure Water Journal. The Treatment of Exophthalmic Goitre with the Blood of Thyroidectomized Goats.In 1894 Lantz treated two exophthalmic goitre patients with milk from thyroidectomized goats. The results were so favorable that the treatment was applied to four other patients, all of whom as a consequence showed marked improvement and gain in weight. In 1894 Drs. Ballet and Enriquez took the blood of thyroidectomized dogs that had lived long enough to experience the blood changes which thyroid function is sure to entail, and injected the blood into patients suffering from exophthalmic goitre. The results were so encouraging that other practitioners soon adopted the method, or a modification of it. The Deutsche Medicinische Wochenschrift, No. 36, 1899, contained a report of three cases of exophthalmic goitre, in the practice of Dr. Burghart, that improved under the treatment, two of them decidedly. Dr. Burghart did not confine himself to the use of injections, but administered a dried alcoholic extract of the blood. Later, a Darmstadt chemical house prepared a serum from the blood of thyroidectomized sheep, which, administered to patients who had exophthalmic goitre, produced a good effect; it was given both per os and subcutaneously. A patient of Schultes (Munch. Med. Woch., No. 20, 1902) in whom the symptoms of exophthalmic goitre had been in evidence for four years, with pronounced psychic disturbance at times, is said to have been completely cured in two months by the use of gradually increasing doses of the serum (from blood of thyroidectomized sheep). In 1901 Mobius (Muench. Med. Woch, Jan. 27, 1903) proposed the preparation of a serum from the blood of sheep, from which the thyroid gland had been removed, to be used in the treatment of exophthalmic goitre. He first injected 1 gramme of serum subcutaneously, but subsequently found that better results could be obtained by giving it internally. In his patients, all of whom had been treated for years with various remedies, the circumference of the neck was reduced, the goitre became smaller, and the patients slept better and were less agitated. It is not presumed that a cure can be established by this mode of treatment, but there seems to be sufficient ground to hope for beneficial result. Messrs. Parke, Davis & Co. have prepared a dried product of the blood of thyroidectomized animals, called "Thyreoidectin," which appears to produce the effects observed by Lantz, Mobius et al. In most of the cases in which it was tested the patients experienced much relief from restlessness, tremor, insomnia, and the usual train of nervous symptoms so generally observed. A gradual reduction of the pulse-rate and in size of the gland was noted. |