Ascaries Lumbricoides Causing an Acute Ileus.- (M. Schulhof, Muenchner med. Wochenschrift, 1903, m. 24.)-A woman 17 years old, having passed no flatus or stool for two days previous to entering the hospital. A high enema gave a negative result, vomiting increased with beginning signs of collapse. A laparotomy showed the greater portion of the small intestine collapsed with increased peristalsis through which spindleshaped bodies could be felt. The gall-bladder was found to be enlarged, resistent and adherent to the hepatic flexure, giving one the impression as if it were malignant. The operator being convinced that there was no occlusion of the intestines began to close the abdomen, when suddenly the patient vomited two ascaries. The following day two more were vomited followed two hours later by a movement of the bowels containing three round worms, the stools since being regular. In all a total of twenty-two worms were passed.

Dispragia Intermittens Angio Sclerotica Intestinalis (Angio Sclerosis of the Intestinal Arteries.)-(Ortner, Wienerklin. Wochenschrift, 1902, M. 44.) An interesting case in a man 55 years old, who two or three hours after a large meal quite regularly experienced intense burning pain in the abdomen, particularly about the umbilicus and ileocecal region, associated with a choking sensation, superficial breathing, eructations of gas and a feeling of impending death. During the attack which lasted several hours, the ascending and transverse colon could be seen and imparted a moderately soft and elastic sensation to the palpating hand. The patient died of a septic peritonitis two days after an exploratory laparotomy. The postmorten showed sclerotic changes in the thoracic and abdominal aorta. The author regards this condition as analagous with intermittent clandication and attributes the chain of symptoms to arterial spasms in the pathologically altered vessels.

Aneurism of the Thoracic Aorta Perforating into the Pleural Cavity. -(Verhoogen, Journ. de med. de Bruxelles, 1902, No. 41.)—A cigarmaker, age 60, with a tubercular affection of both apices, for the past two years subject to paroxysms of intense pain in the left lumbar region, the attacks gradually increasing in severity with cramps in both legs and a paraesthesia of the soles of the feet. After an observation of some time the cause of this chain of symptoms was accounted for-a pulsating tumor synchronous with the heart's action, about the size of a man's fist, appeared to the left of the spinal column. A pleuritic effusion next began to manifest itself, which necessitated frequent aspirations. The patient suddenly died in an attack of syncopy, having previously expectorated blood. Autopsy: Aneurism of the thoracic aorta about the size of a child's head situated between the 5th and 9th dorsal vertebrae, adherent to the left pleura which it perforated through an opening the size of two fingers. Between the 4th and 7th dorsal vertebrae there was an extensive pressure necrosis.

DEPARTMENT OF THERAPEUTICS.

BY W. T. HIRSCHI, M. D.

ST. LOUIS.

In

Saliva as a Therapeutic Agent.-(Dr. J. Bergmann, Die Therapie der Gegenwart, May, 1903.)-The author mentions four pathologic processes in which saliva is of decided benefit: 1. Throat affections, e. g., simple catarrhal tonsillitis, scarlatinal and diphtheritic affections. these affections saliva acts as a hygienic and therapeutic agent. The former by keeping mucus membrane clean, the latter by moistening the inflamed areas. 2. Gastric Superacidity.-The alkaline saliva neutralizes the acids of the stomach. The salivary flow can be decidedly increased by permitting the patient to chew some substance, e. g., gum. Ewald has shown that it requires 12 grams of sodium bicarbonate to neutralize .3 per cent (3 per mille) of HCl, and Wagner proved that this would liberate a large amount of sodium chloride which is a gastric irritant, and would further increase flow of HCl. 3. Obesity. By removing liquids from the body the weight of the body can be reduced. The individual must chew some substance and expectorate the saliva produced. This method is less depressing to the circulation than is diaphoresis and reduces the appetite at the same time. 4. Edema and Ascites.-Leube demonstrated that through chewing and expectorating the saliva 400 to 1000 ccm. of fluid can be removed in one day. He considers this method more efficient than using drugs to increase the salivary flow.

Experience with Boracic Acid in the Treatment of Obesity.—(D. K. Seng, Berlin, Die Therapie der Gegenwart, April, 1903.)—The author reports six cases (all women) which he treated with sodium biborate or boracic acid, the dosage in no case exceeding 2 grams per day. One patient after fourteen days treatment complained of loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and then discontinued the treatment. The second patient, age 50 years, weight 207 lbs., took 0.5 gram boracic acid twice daily, dur ing four weeks, when she also discontinued the treatment, as she did not reduce in weight. The diet consisted of 1800 calories solids, and 1000 c. c. liquids, including one bottle of beer. The third patient after a few days of 1.0 gram boracic acid daily, complained of headache, palpitation of the heart, tachycardia and insomnia. This was repeated several times with similar results and then given up. The fourth patient, age 40. weight 145 lbs., received 0.5 gram boracic acid twice a day in hot water for eleven weeks, during this time she lost nine pounds. With the excep tion of a slight diarrhea, and polyuria she experienced no unpleasant effects. No attention was paid to her diet, which consisted largely of carbohydrates. The fifth patient had the same experience as No. 1 and discontinued the use of boracic acid. The sixth patient reduced her weight very little in six weeks, but noticed an improvement of a neuralgia in arm and hands which she had several years, and did not improve under the use of the salicylates. Dr. Seng considers this treatment unreliable, as many people soon have unpleasant effects of the boracic acid, and frequently fails to reduce their weight.

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Volume XXIV

SEPTEMBER TWENTY-FIFTH

Editorial Department.

Number 6

FROM time to time we notice in the daily press lengthy interviews given by Thomas A. Edison to the Associated Press representatives. In due

Edison,

The Wizard.

time these interviews appropriately decorated with "scare heads"find their way into the "patent insides, and are published in every local weekly throughout the land. They are read first by the urban dweller as he sups his morning coffee, or as he rattles along to his office in the trolley or elevated train. Later, the farmer at his fireside, reads the wonder work of the mighty Edison, and at the first convenient opportunity he discusses with his neighbors the genius of the Wizard of Menlo Park. Now, we do not wish to discredit the real scientific achievements of Edison, for his work in physics stands as a monument to his genius and to the wonderful advancements made in applied sciences during the nineteenth century. A century of achievement which has no parallel in the world's history. It is unfortunate, however, that Edison presuming upon his reputation as a physicist should intrude himself into the domain of medicine, without first mastering the fundamental branches of the science, and thus acquiring, at least, elemental knowledge of pathology. He is doing himself a great wrong and medicine a far greater wrong when he parades as a startling critic of the work of clinicians of known reputation and well grounded knowledge of medicine.

Further, he is conceitedly presumptuous to proceed to publish interviews about the therapuetics of cancer before he has even advanced to the experimental stage of his own theories, to say nothing of having not even proved a point in actual treatment. He has created a distrust in the treatment of cancer by Roentgen ray application by his unwise plunging into deductions, before even it has been demonstrated, beyond doubt, that the case in question is suffering from cancer and that the X-rays have contributed towards producing the disease.

Again, after startling the lay public by saying the X-rays cause cancer he proceeds, by his august authority as an electrician, to warn against their use in therapeutics. After an interval sufficient to allow the dissemination. of his criticisms to every village and farm, he comes forth with another interview, to say, that he, the mighty Edison, has found the cure for can

cer.

His "Eureka' in this case is sounded before he has even recorded one experimental study, and ere he has attempted to show the true pathology of the disease.

It is unfortunate that Edison is so sure of his facts, because it sounds like the vaporings of the quack to be so "dead sure of facts, when in reality they are but fancies, creations of a "would-be sure" enthusiast who jumps at conclusions before he knows the truth. Edison is a good man, but some-how his ego looks rather big to himself, and he likes to show the world how really big he is. He thinks the Associated Press, with its magnificent word-pictures, is just about the nicest medium in the world wherewith to get in touch with the people. The people are not judges of facts, they accept conclusions of the Wizard of Menlo Park with the same relish as an ostrich swallows door knobs and sea-shells, and with same intelligence. Edison and his son have inclinations for curing the afflicted multitude. The former, thought he had laid the disease, rheumatism, on the shelf as "a has-been" several years ago, but it is still doing business at the old stand.

Young Edison pronounced to the world through the medium of selfinduced interviews, not long ago, that drugs, all internal medicine in fact, was a relic of the dark ages, and as such should "go back and set down," for he, the Junior Edison, next in line to the only one that is, had discovered vital energy in electricity that would relieve senility of its woes, impart vigor to the young, rejuvenate the rag-tag and bob-tail of humanity, and put a smile on mankind in general that would last for all time. Can we hope for more this side of eternity? Indeed, Edison senior and "the kid" are really approaching the possibilities of being immortal. What great men they are in their own judgment, and indeed they should be in the Hall of Fame (both in the same frame), for such abili ties, to relieve disease, distress and want must be rewarded and, as no physician has earned a place in this wonderful Hall of Fame, we hope Edison with his pull as a physicist, may land among the immortals, so that one man, who had intentions, at least to relieve disease, may find a place in the galaxy of the men of fame.

Edison the Wizard, and young Edison, the would-be Wizard, are sure to be known as long as reporters are looking for scoops and spacewriters gte next to them, which seemingly is a dead-easy accomplishment. F. P. N.

Biographical Sketch.

Carl E. Black, A. M., M. D., President of the Illinois State Medical Society.

Dr. Carl E. Black is a son of Greene V. Black, D. D.S., M.D., LL.D., dean of the Dental Department of the Northwestern University of Chicago. He was born in Winchester, Ill., and while a child removed with his father to Jacksonville, where he has since resided. He was educated in the Jacksonville public schools and at Illinois College, graduating from the High

School in 1881 and from Illinois College in 1883 with the degree of B.S. For two years following this graduation from Illinois College he was local editor of the Jacksonville Daily Journal, after which (in 1885) he began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. David Prince. He entered the Chicago Medical College (medical department of the Northwestern University) and received his medical degree in 1887 from this institution. He located for the practice of medicine and surgery in Jacksonville. In 1888-89 he was abroad in Berlin, Vienna, Paris and London for post-graduate study. On his return home he established the Jacksonville Sanitarium in order to have better hospital facilities and to give

him a better opportunity to work in the special line of surgery. This institution was used until 1897 when on the completion of Our Saviour's Hospital, he transferred his work to that institution. Later he became surgeon to the Passavant Memorial Hospital. He now devotes most of his time to surgery and is attached as surgeon to the two hospitals. Dr. Black has long been an active member of medical societies, both local and State, and has served the Morgan County Society as president and secretary, and also in the Medical Club he has served as president and secretary. He is an active member of the district societies, viz. : The Central District Medical Society of Illinois; the Western District Med. ical Society of Illinois, and Brainard District Medical Society of Illinois. His membership in Illinois State Medical Society dates from 1888 and he has been active in all of the work of this society. He has served as chairman and secretary of the Surgical Section, and for the past three years has served as a member of the Legislative Committee (being chairman), and through his active work, the society secured the passage of the Vital Statistic law and Local Boards of Health law, and he has been active in promoting State organization. He is also member of the Judicial Council of this society. He was unanimously elected president at the Chicago meeting of the State society, and his election is a fitting tribute to the service he has rendered the medical profession of Illinois. Dr. Black is a member of the American Medical Association and has served as member of Legislative Committee of this organization. He also holds membership in the Mississippi Valley Medical Association. Dr. Black has contributed a number of excellent papers on medical and surgical subjects and is known as a careful, systematic practitioner. He holds the position of surgeon to the Chicago & Alton railroad, also to the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis R. R.