ing the matter up again, because I dislike to build up a reputation as an endorser, and have never in any other instance written an article endorsing a proprietary preparation.

I hope, however, to show you this evening that there is no pharmacopoeial preparation that meets the requirements of an ideal iron compound, and until this is found, I intend to continue to use what has never disappointed me, and is not based upon mere faith. The work of Bunge is too well known to be now quoted, and I will only make a few experiments before you this evening and show the reasons for the faith that is in me. There may be other proprietary iron compounds, and doubtless there are, that will come up to the same requirements, but I see no advantage in swapping the devil for the witch.

It is not necessary to repeat all the tests with all the official iron preparations, because they are divisible into groups, all the salts of one group behaving very much alike toward the gastric and intestinal juices.

An ingenious theory recently put forward regarding the action of the mineral salts of iron is, that they decompose the substances in the intestinal tract which precipitate the food iron so that it may be absorbed. This is the only rational explanation of the fact that we do occasionally get results from them. On the other hand, it is far more rational to use an iron compound that can be, and is absorbed, for then we are reckoning with known quantities, instead of blundering along, giving more iron in a dose than is contained in the entire body, and incidentally deranging the digestive functions by precipitating the gastric, pancreatic and intestinal juices and producing con stipation by reason of the very astringent nature of some of the iron salts.

Beginning with the organic double salts, of which the scale salts are representatives, we notice upon the addition of this gastric juice, that a precipitate is formed: the double salt is decomposed and ferric salt remains, which is insoluble, both in gastric and intestinal juice.

The tincture of ferric chlorid will precipitate some of the gastric constituents, though most of the iron will remain in solution in the hydrochloric acid; the iron still in solution will not be absorbed, because its non-diffusibility is taken advantage of in the manufacture of dialised iron, the acid passing through the animal membrane; when the iron finally reaches the intes

tine, the alkalin carbonates promptly precipitate it. Ferrous sulphate behaves similarly. In both instances, as you see, the very insoluble ferric oxid is finally formed. If you have ever tried to remove iron stains from your water pitcher, you have some idea how insoluble it is.

The insoluble compounds, like reduced iron or Vallet's mass, only serve to render inert the arsenic with which they are usu“ ally prescribed; if dissolved at all in the stomach, they are re-precipitated in the intestine.

Taking now Gude's preparation, we find it soluble, not only in all these reagents, but also in a mixture of them. Potassium ferrocyanid readily gives the iron reaction, excess of ammonia will separate it, redissolving the manganese, which is then recognized by the color of its sulfid; the alkalin copper solution gives the reaction for pepsin, showing that it is what the label says. It mixes with arsenious acid, forming a perfect solution, thus giving us a most useful hematopoietic agent. The soluble alkaloids are perfectly soluble in it, as is also mercuric chlorid. Being a pepton, it is readily diffusible by osmosis.

The only disturbing agent in the intestinal tract is hydrogen sulfid; this will precipitate it, but, presumably, much of the iron must have been absorbed before it encounters this gas; if not, appropriate agents should be used for its elimination.

Therapeutically, it does not nauseate, constipate, discolor the teeth, precipitate the digestive agents, nor become inert from contact with them. As to the clinical results, I need not add anything to the many reports already on record.-Memphis Lancet.

A Well-Tested Remedy.

The medical profession has long and most anxiously awaited the coming of a drug which exerted the action of a nerve sedative and hypnotic without the baleful after-effects which are attendant upon the opiates or the bromides. The vegetable nerve sedatives, such as valerian and other drugs of that character, are useful in some disease conditions, yet they have utterly failed to bring about satisfactory results when we desired to produce nerve sedation without reaction which would be of a most unsatisfactory nature. The bromides have been extensively employed to produce nerve sedation, and if they were not capable of doing a great deal of harm they would be

of inestimable value. Brominism and interference with digestion are insuperable objections to the continuance of the bromides for any extended period. The opiates produce nerve sedation and induce sleep, but the price which the economy is called upon to pay for this result is too excessive to allow of its continuance. The constipation, biliousness and other secondary effects of opium are most dreadful, and some patients cannot be induced to take an opiate unless the pain they are suffering is so very severe that only it will turn aside the arrows of death. Now, we will find in most cases, that it is altogether possible to get along without even the bromides or the opiates; in fact, a large percentage of able practitioners now are getting along beautifully, and they never employ a single remedy of the class we have referred to.

Daniel's Conc. Tinct. Passiflora Incarnata is a remedy which will produce nerve sedation and relieve pain, and its administration is not attended with any drawbacks such as surround opium and the bromides. This remedy acts gently on the kidneys and the intestinal canal—a most beautiful quality in an agent of this class. In insomnia and restlessness, nervous prostration, hysteria, and all affections belonging to the category of diseases, Daniel's Conc. Tinot. Passiflora Incarnata will be found a remedy of the most substantial worth. In tetanus and tetary and chores there is no drug in the materia medica which equals it. In rheumatism we have the evidence of some of the best physicians, going to prove that there is no remedy which equals it. Gout is also best treated with this agent. In the convulsions of infants no remedy has brought about such happy and such prompt results.

Reports from able and busy doctors all over the country confirm the view that Daniel's Conc. Tinct. Passiflora Incarnata is indeed an agent of superior merit, and that in all the many tests to which it has been subjected it has never been found wanting. In truth, it may be said that Daniel's Conc. Tinct. Passiflora is a well-tested remedy. Clinical tests alone can establish the standing of a remedy. The most plausible theories which have ever been put forth have proved upon trial to be of little benefit, and, in fact, to be most worthless. The good name which Daniel's Passiflora has won is based alone on its results-by its employment by conscientious physicians.

By Passed Assistant-Surgeon C. P. WERTENBAKER,
U. S. Marine Hospital Service.

(Read before the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States, at New York, June 1st, 1900.)

The outbreak of quarantinable disease among troops is always a source of grave anxiety, especially to the medical officers, upon whom rests the responsibility for its care, treatment and suppression. Unless a medical officer has had some experience in the management of such diseases, he is at a loss to know how to proceed systematically, and may omit some very important details. It is the purpose of this paper to attempt to supply the necessary information in such shape as to be of easy reference and available when needed.

No attempt will be made here to deal with the diagnosis and medical treatment of the diseases, as those subjects do not properly belong to a paper like this. The subjects herein treated will be confined to isolation, disinfection, and general sanitary management. Each of the foregoing subjects will be discussed generally, and more in detail with reference to each of the quarantinable diseases. In order to suppress a quarantinable disease the following must be accomplished:

1. Isolation of every case of the disease as soon after its appearance as possible.

2. The disinfection and subsequent isolation of all persons exposed to the infection, and liable to contract the disease, for a period covering the incubation of said disease.

3. The disinfection of all places and articles that have been exposed to infection.

The failure to accomplish any one of these requirements may render useless all the rest.

VOL. XLIII.-36.

Upon the outbreak of a contagious disease among troops, the company, battalion, regiment, brigade, etc., according to the extent of the outbreak, should be immediately placed in quarantine, and a thorough system of inspection at once established. This inspection should include every individual from the ranking officer to the humblest camp follower. Medical officers should be assigned to the troops in such numbers as will enable them to make a careful inspection of each individual, at least twice daily.

Every known case of disease and every suspicious case should be at once removed from the proximity of the other troops, and their quarters disinfected. All persons exposed to infection should also be removed and isolated. This having been done, the problem resolves itself into the following questions:

1. What is to be done with the main body of troops among which the disease occurred?

2. Management of the actual cases and persons exposed to the infection.

3. Disinfection of the infected places and articles.

The main body of troops (company, battalion, etc.) should be kept in quarantine and inspected twice daily until the incubation period of the disease has passed and all danger of new cases appearing has ceased. All hygienic and prophylactic precautions possible should be adopted. For instance, if the disease is small-pox, vaccination should be performed; if the plague, the Haffkine prophylactic or the Yersin anti-pest serum should be used. The strictest attention should be given to the hygiene of the camp or post, and especial care taken in the disposal of excreta. Any new cases of the disease should be promptly removed, the quarters disinfected, and all precautions renewed.

MANAGEMENT OF CASES AND SUSPECTS.

By a "suspect" is meant a person that has been exposed to the infection and is liable to contract the disease. The period of detention for a suspect should date from the completion of his disinfection, after the last possible exposure, and should cover the full time of the incubation of the disease.

Isolation. The simplest method of isolation with troops is the establishment of an isolation camp. This camp should consist of three or more sections having no communication with each other. It is in reality three or more camps under one