ness of his proposition, and wishes to state, further, that Schüller's opinion is that the nearer the nail is inserted above the epiphyseal cartilage, the more intense effect is to be expected, although the cartilage itself is to be avoided, of course. Schüller's argument is correct, as it is well known that destruction of the epiphyseal cartilage interrupts the growth in locu. Should the nail accidentally prick the epiphyseal cartilage, the reporter ventures to believe that it would, nevertheless, do no harm, as perforating the cartilage antiseptically is not destructive.-MARCELL HARTWIG. ARTHRECTOMIA TALÓCRURALIS. For extirpating the synovial membrane of the ankle-joint without injury to the bones, although the latter can be taken out, partly or wholly, according to the extent of the disease, Meinhardt Schmidt, Centralblatt für Chir., February, 1889, recommends a longitudinal incision in front and one in the rear of the joint. The latter falls a little to the outside of the median line, the tendo Achillis is drawn inwards, and the rear of the synovial capsule presents itself, and can be commodiously excised. In front, the incision falls in the center, between tibia and fibula. The extensor hallucis longus, and the large bunch of vessels and nerves, are drawn inwards with a flat hook. Now the capsula presented, and was excised. Dead cartilage was pulled out, and the result was splendid. If space should prove too small in some other case, the reporter suggests to lengthen the incision in the rear a little around the heel, to peel the musculo-cutaneous mass off a little towards both sides, and to saw a part of the heel off with a chain-saw, leaving it hang on the tendo Achillis. Thus a far greater access to the joint is necessarily secured without interfering with the vasa tibialia. After extirpation of the capsule, respectively gouging of talus or so is finished, the resected heel is to be nailed to its former place by an ivory nail.-MARCELL HARTWIG. DIFFUSION OF GALVANIC CURRENTS IN THE HUMAN ORGANISM. At the meeting of the Academy of Sciences in Paris, January 14th, M. Danion made a report of his studies in the diffusion of galvanic currents in the human system. He found that outside the skin and bones the various tissues of the organism have practically the same electric conductability: that of the bones is less by two-thirds than that of the other hypodermic tissues. In proportion as the electrodes, are brought together, the field of diffusion is limited, even to rendering it unnoticeable. It is necessary in practice to use large electrodes unless one wishes to secure superficial effects. The osseous structures cause an increase of resistance in proportion to their nearness to the surface; hence, the brain and cord are protected particularly from diffusion. Le Progès Médical, January 26, 1889. CHLORMETHYL, C,H,Cl., is being used extensively in Paris for local anesthesia since Vincent and Lailler produced that gas in greater quantities. A little tampon is blown at by a jet of the gas escaping from a syphon. This tampon is laid, with hard rubber pincers, on the spot to be operated upon. In a few seconds the skin turns white, and the anesthesia through the intense cold is produced. Neuralgias were treated that way by Debove. He had eight successes among ten cases of ischias, by daily applying the anesthesia to a spot where the nerve is near the skin. Sixty other neuralgias he cured permanently by this method.—Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift. INGLUVIN IN THE VOMITING OF PREGNANCY.-DR. POPP (Pester Med. Presse, No. 40, 1888,) reports having achieved considerable success with ingluvin in the vomiting of pregnancy. Having a very obstinate case, upon which he had exhausted the entire resources of the pharmacopeia, he administered three times daily, one-half hour before meal-time, eight grains of ingluvin, and directly afterward two tablespoonfuls of one per cent. hydrochloric acid solution. An improvement was observed after a few doses had been taken, and a cure effected after the treatment had been continued for three weeks. -Deutsche Med. Wochenschrift, Jan. 17, 1889. MYRTOL, that part of the oil of myrtha which boils at 160, given in gelatine capsules containing one minim, two or three capsules daily, removes all fetor of the breath in putrid bronchitis, and seems to possess even curative effect, while it does not influence phthisis. FOREIGN BODIES are often removed froin the nose in a most tender manner by blowing forcibly through a well-fitting conus into that side of the nose where there is no foreign body.-Dodd. New Enstruments. A SELF-RETAINING NASAL SPECULUM. BY FRANK HAMILTON POTTER, M. D., Buffalo, N. Y., Lecturer on Laryngology in the Medical Department of Niagara University. The accompanying cut conveys so clear an idea of this instrument, that very little description is necessary. It is so constructed as to be very light. It has three blades, of the Bosworth model. The blades can be opened and held at any point, by means of a nut and screw working on the middle bar, which, in turn, has attachments connecting SELF-RETAINING NASAL SPECULUM. with the outer bars. By this means, it can be adapted to any size of nostril without causing pain. It is self-retaining when properly dilated, and thus is of value in surgical procedures, allowing the operator the free use of both hands. It is made by Messrs. Tiemann & Co., of New York, and can be obtained of them. 273 FRANKLIN STREET. THE STAR RECURRENT VAGINAL SYRINGE POINT. This is a useful apparatus for administering vaginal injections in all pelvic diseases where copious lavements, plain or medicated, are required. It is also adapted to washing out the vagina in obstetric practice, both before and after labor. It is so constructed as to prevent soiling or wetting the clothing or bed-linen, rendering the use of the bed-pan or other receptacle for the waste fluid unnecessary. It is readily adapted to any bulb-syringe, or can be used with a fountain attachment. Manufactured and for sale by the Star Rubber Company, Lafayette, Ind. BUFFALO MEDICAL AND SURGICAL JOURNAL A MONTHLY REVIEW OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY. THOS. LOTHROP, M. D., EDITORS: W. W. POTTER, M. D. All communications, whether of a literary or business character, should be addressed to the editors: 284 FRANKLIN Street, Buffalo, N. Y. Editorial. ELECTRICITY IN THe diseases of womEN.1 The volume before us is the first attempt at a systematic work on this subject which has been put before the profession, and furnishes the text for some observations thereon that we have had in contemplation for some time. It is, moreover, a subject that warrants the careful consideration of every physician, hence justifies a more detailed consideration than would be warranted in our review columns. The want of such a treatise has long been felt by the general practitioner, and to this class of the profession it should be particularly valuable. That such has been the intention of the author, is very evident. To the specialist, this book will come more as a curiosity, as being a first attempt in this very seductive and important branch of gynecological work. Such an undertaking, to be of value to its intended audience, should begin by laying down as positive and absolute only such facts as are proven beyond cavil, and which are universally accepted. Secondly, it should exclude, or keep in the background, all such matter as may still be under dispute and trial. Thirdly, it should be written in a terse, brief, and clear manner, to the exclusion of all long and unnecessary discussions; and, finally, should lay down, clearly and positively, some definite method of pro 1. Electricity in the Diseases of Women, with special reference to the Application of Strong Currents. By G. Betton Massey, M. D., Physician to the Nervous Department of Howard Hospital; Late Electro-Therapeutist to the Philadelphia Orthopedic Hospital and Infirmary for Nervous Diseases, etc., etc. 12mo, pp. 210. Philadelphia and London: F. A Davis, publisher. 1889. Price, $1.50 net. cedure, with an equally definite armamentarium, accompanied by sufficiently concise details as to its use. The last two of these propositions have been most admirably carried out by the author, and are about what they should be. Let us see whether the first two have been lived up to in a becoming manner. The work is divided pretty sharply into two general parts. The first, consisting of 101 pages, contains an introductory chapter, followed by chapters on the different electrical currents, together with a description of their actions and the methods of their application; and it also deals with the armamentarium. The second part is devoted to detailing the treatment of the individual diseases and proofs of the efficiency of the treatment. It is in the first part that the author appears to good advantage; and he has here dealt with parts of his subject in a most sensible and thorough manner. He has simplified and made the whole subject most clear to those of the profession who have not the time to go deeply into technical or experimental studies and research. The three currents taken into consideration are the galvanic, faradic, and franklinic. For the use of the galvanic current, the articles considered absolutely necessary are a battery, a current-controller, a meter indicating at least 500 milliampères, and electrodes of various kinds. The battery preferred is a permanent one, consisting of about seventy cells of the Law telephone variety. Current-selectors are utterly condemned for any kind of battery, their place being taken by the current-controller. This controller is one of the author's own inventions, and seems to be an admirable one. The meter recommended is Flemming's, and is considered superior to those of foreign make, besides being cheaper. In speaking of the meters, the author says: "It is simply criminal to use a galvanic current without adequate means of knowing the amount actually passing through the patient." We cannot agree with this statement, and the author's own words will sustain us in this opinion. It is certainly of scientific interest to measure exact amounts, but the sensations of the patient furnish the real indicator and guide to the current |