THE MIDDLE Tennessee MedICAL ASSOCIATION meets at McMinnville, May 17 and 18, 1906.

Membership is open to all regular physicians in good standing, so kindly lend your influence in bringing new members with you.

The number and quality of the papers already at hand forecast the most successful of all our meetings.

WM. LITTERER, M. D., Sec. and Treas.

CHEMICAL FOOD is a mixture of Phosphoric Acid and Phosphates, the value of which physicians seem to have lost sight of to some extent, in the past few years. The Robinson-Pettet Co., to whose advertisement (on page 17) we refer our readers, have placed upon the market a much improved form of this compound, "ROBINSON'S PHOSPHORIC ELIXIR.” Its superiority consists in its uniform composition and high degree of palatability.

THE ROLE OF IRON IN THE NUTRITIVE PROCESS. It is an established custom of physicians to administer iron whenever a patient with pale, waxy, or sallow complexion complains of extreme exhaustion, muscular feebleness, easily accelerated pulse, aphasia, anorexia and the several symptoms which constitute the characteristic issues of a qualitative or quantitative reduction of the corpuscular elements of the blood.

Such symptoms are unerring indications of anemia, and iron is beyond dispute a cure for that disorder. But while the chief therapeutic property of iron is that of an anti-anemic, the subordinate, or collateral, effects of the drug are manifold, and are worthy of far more consideration than they usually receive.

As a hemoglobin-contributor and multiplier of red blood corpuscles, iron will doubtless forever stand supreme, but its utility is by no means restricted to anemic conditions, for one of the chief effects of iron quite often lost sight of - is its influence upon nutrition.

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The primary effect of iron is a stimulation of the blood supply. This results from invigoration of the blood vessels. As a consequence of a more active blood stream, the digestive capacity is increased and the nutritive processes are correspondingly improved. Subsequently, iron increases the amount of hemoglobin contained in the red corpuscles. This imported hemoglobin converts the systemic oxygen into ozone, and thuswise oxidation, upon which nutrition directly depends, is restored to its proper standard.

It is impossible to emphasize the fact too strongly that it is necessary to do more than increase the appetite to correct nutritive disturbances. A voracious appetite does not necessarily imply an extensive appropriation of nutriment. On the contrary, it is commonly observed that individuals who eat ravenously suffer, the while, a progressive loss in physical weight

and strength, even in the absence of all exertions that might account for such losses. And while it is obviously needful to relieve the existing anorexia in order to arrest a loss of weight, it is likewise essential that the capacity to properly digest food be fully restored before the nutritive processes can proceed in befitting order.

The manner in which iron begets an increase in appetite has only recently been perfectly understood. The earlier observers entertained the belief that an increase in appetite resulted from the mechanical effect of iron, and that this mechanical effect never manifested itself unless the drug was administered in some acid form. Later investigators advanced the theory that this mechanical effect could be secured by rendering the drug either strongly acid or alkaline. Recent observations have completely disproved the accuracy of both of those theories by inviting our attention to the indisputable fact that a neutral preparation of iron will relieve anorexia with greater celerity than will either an acid or an alkaline one. From the information gained from these observations, we are impelled to admit that the increase in appetite attending the employment of iron is due solely to the increased oxidation induced by its entrance into the blood stream. Accepting this as being true, we can readily understand the manner in which iron exerts its happy effect upon the nutritive pro

cesses.

The aforestated facts compel the admission that that preparation of iron which enters most rapidly into the blood stream is the one capable of producing the best results in all disturbances of nutrition. Acid preparations of iron diminish the alkalinity of the blood, thus depressing the distribution of nutriment, and alkaline preparations of the drug offend the mucous lining of the alimentary tract. For these reasons it is consistent with logic to extend preferment to that preparation of iron which is neutral in reaction. That preparation is the Pepto-Mangan (Gude).

Pepto-Mangan (Gude) is unquestionably the form of iron most closely resembling that which is native to the economy, and the striking affinity for it displayed by the circulating fluid causes us to concede that it possesses desirable attributes not common to any other preparation of the drug. Whence we take it that it is the precise form in which to administer iron when a correction of nutritive deficiencies is the end to be achieved.

In those conditions of weakened digestive power where the function is unable properly to take care of the food supply; when to administer the ordinary forms of iron would be but to increase the digestive disturbance, Pepto-Mangan (Gude) may be prescribed without apprehension, as the preparation is tolerated by the weakest stomach. Being practically predigested, Pepto-Mangan is immediately absorbed by the mucous membrane and taken up by the blood without the necessity of the weakened function being called upon to prepare it for assimilation, and therefore the entire system, including the digestive function, is strengthened and

reconstructed. As a nutrient tonic in digestive disorders Pepto-Mangan (Gude) has no equal.

TYREE'S ANTISEPTIC POWDER is perfectly soluble in water, forming a clear solution which mechanically removes by dissolving, the morbid secretions of the nose, throat, and mucous membranes. Is non-irritant to mucous and sensitive surfaces, possesses the power of penetrating the surface tissues and is an effective antiseptic alkaline cleaner. It is economical in cost and readily available. The usual strength employed is from one to two teaspoonfuls in a pint of water. To prevent substitution and insure results, specify TYREE'S POWDER in original packages at twentyfive cents and one dollar. Literature and a sample will be sent on request of physicians by J. S. Tyree, Chemist, Washington, D. C.

A THERAPEUTIC EXPEDIENT.- Modern science has taught us to put aside all the putrescible, fermentative, nauseous, and sticky materials of former days, and to substitute aseptic, absorbent, and cleanly materials such as compose Antiphlogistine. This plastic dressing, now so popular, represents all the good qualities of the old preparations, greatly enhanced, with none of their disagreeable and objectionable ones. It is a scientific, strictly ethical and non-secret preparation and gives prompt and physiological results in every suitable case. [Editorial from Dietetic and Hygienic Gazette, January, 1904.]

RHUS TOXICODENDRON POISONING.- Dr. E. S. McKee, Cincinnati (Journal A. M. A., Jan. 27, 1906) found the remedy par excellence to be a saturated solution of the lead acetate in the dilute alcohol of the U. S. P. The full strength of alcohol burns too much. Persons exposed should wash their hands immediately in the dilute alcohol, the only way to thoroughly remove the poison, which according to the investigations of Pfaff (Journal of Experimental Medicine, Vol. ii, No. 2) is an alcohol soluble fat resembling croton oil.

ECTHOL.-"Our observation of the medical literature indicates that Echinacea is being used far more than formerly.-J. A. M. A., April 8, 1905." Ecthol contains in each fluid drachm twenty-eight grains Echinacea and three grains thuja. It is put up in bottles holding 12 ounces and any physician who has not used Ecthol, can get a twelve-ounce bottle for experimental purposes by sending 25c to Battle & Co., 2001 Locust St., St. Louis, Mo., to prepay express charges.

FOR RHEUMATISM, NEURALGIA, TONSILLITIS, PAIN, AND FEVER, Dr. E. S. McKee, Cincinnati (Merck's Archives for March), recommends the following: R-Codeinæ, Sulphatis 0.25 or gr. iv, Acetanilidi 3.00 or gr. XLV, Sodii Salicylatis 10.00 or dr. iiss, Alcoholis 16.00 or oz. ss, Glycerine

15.00 or oz. ss, Syrupii Rubii Idæii 30.00 or oz. I. M. S. One teaspoonful every three hours. Alcohol to dissolve the acetanilid, glycerine, and raspberry syrup to render the mixture more palatable.

THE AGES OF WOMAN - PUBERTY.— For young girls arriving at womanhood, many times laboring under the abnormal mental strain of over-study and from the additional nervous tension of the first menstruation, Hayden's Viburnum Compound is particularly serviceable. It is a uterine sedative and calmative and assists in the normalization of the pelvic circulation.

Hayden's Viburnum Compound has stood the test of time and for twenty-five years has been accepted and recognized as the standard remedy in the treatment of dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, menorrhagia and other diseases of the uterus and its appendages.

To assure results, the genuine H. V. C. only should be administered. Literature on request and sample if express charges are paid. New York Pharmaceutical Co., Bedford Springs, Mass.

HYPODERMATIC TABLETS are essentially emergency agents. Their use usually signifies a condition that is critical-it may be for the alleviation of intense pain; it may be that a human life hangs in the balance. In either event, promptness and efficiency are all-important. In a word, immediate action is what the physician demands at such a moment.

The chief requisites, quick and complete solubility, must characterize the tablet which meets this requirement. Flying to pieces when thrown into water is not sufficient. Many hypodermatic tablets do that, their undissolved particles settling to the bottom. Mere disintegration.

Parke, Davis & Co.'s dissolve - dissolve completely-in five seconds. Drop one of them into a syringe half filled with luke-warm water, shake vigorously, and note results. Try it.

Parke, Davis & Co.'s Hypodermatic Tablets can always be relied upon for permanency and accuracy. Prompt, efficient action follows their administration. There is never any delay, never any uncertainty.

LISTERINE.— We have received a very handsomely printed 4to. pamphlet headed," 1881 plus 25 equals 1906." It contains open letters written by physicians, surgeons, and dental surgeons, together with clinical and bacteriological reports; all of which were printed and circulated sometime during the period 1881-1890 by Lambert & Co., and their successors, the Lambert Pharmacal Co., and are herein reproduced in commemoration of the early days of Listerine. Write to Lambert Pharmacal Co., 2100 Locust St., St. Louis, Mo., for a copy.

Selections.

PROGRESS IN MEDICINE.- Dr. Dio Lewis said: "Nineteen diseases out of twenty originate from diseased kidneys." And those who have made pathology a study, will agree with this eminent physician in the opinion that where the kidneys are inactive or sluggish, or fail to perform their functions in any way, the whole system becomes enervated and the body diseased. When the kidneys fail to perform their wonted task effete and injurious matter is carried to all parts of the body. Through a mistaken diagnosis, these symptoms are often pronounced separate and distinct diseases, but as a matter of fact they can only be cured by remedies which reach and relieve the over-worked kidneys and strengthen them so that they can successfully act their part as cleansers of the body, thereby insuring regularity, strength, and good health throughout the entire system.

Among all the remedies claiming to perform this much desired result, and which have been investigated by the compilers of these reports, it has been found that while there was much to commend there was much to be desired. It is, therefore, with more than ordinary pleasure that, after a most painstaking investigation, through our Secret Inquiry Bureau, and a long and careful examination of the results achieved by the remedy placed upon the market by the Wayne Elixir Company of Cincinnati, and known as Wayne's Elixir, that we pronounce this preparation a kidney remedy par-excellence, and one that will speedily and effectually relieve all diseases of the kidneys, whatever their origin or name, or however chronic and deep seated they may be. ing a quarter of a century of journalism, during which time we have exercised a watchful care over many of the preparations having for their object the cure of kidney disease, we have never come across a preparation of such merit as Wayne's Elixir.

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The high character of the endorsements which this remedy has obtained in so brief a period, leaves no reasonable question of doubt as to its extraordinary virtue. It goes without saying that reputable physicians of the various schools would not pre