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without having developed pain; the purgatives in large doses purge without having caused a preliminary constipation, etc., etc.

Very small doses, on the contrary, produce the primitive symptoms. Thus, Aconite and Rhubarb, in small doses, cause: the first, elevation of temperature; the second, constipation, etc., etc.

In the healthy man, then, all medicine presents us two opposing actions, and either of these actions can be produced, almost at will, by the dose administered, Is it not evident, then, that if we wish to apply the law of similitude, we should, in the choice of doses, conform to these facts, and administer ponderable doses, or what approaches them, when we have to combat a symptom that resembles the secondary action of the medicine, and, on the contrary, prescribe infinitesimal doses when we have before us a symptom resembling its primitive action?

For example, Rhubarb in small doses produces constipation in a healthy man, and in strong doses it produces diarrhoea. To follow the law of similia, then, we must administer infinitesimal doses of Rhubarb to cure constipation, and the low dilutions, or even the tincture, to cure diarrhoea. The same rule applies to all remedies which, in small doses, produce constipation, and, in large doses, diarrhoea; that is to say, that class known under the name of purgatives.

Thus, as Digitalis in poisonous doses produces asystolia, so to cure asystolia we must give Digitalis in doses approaching the poisonous.

Thus, poisonous doses of Peruvian bark produce those pernicious fits of ague, with syncope, which we find in the Pathogenesis of Hahnemann, and it is Sulphate of quinine in almost poisonous doses (1 to 2 grammes, which cures the pernicious fevers.

Thus, Mercury, in large doses, given for a length of time to a healthy man, produces ulcerations and a cachectic condition analogous to syphilis, and ponderable doses of Mercury cure syphilis.

Thus, Croton oil, Rhubarb, Bismuth, Veratrum, and Arsenic, which in strong doses cause diarrhoea, cure it better in low dilutions than in high potencies. Thus, Tobacco, which in large doses produces vertigo, with vomiting, in the healthy man, in low potency cures the similar state called certigo a stomacho læso best in low dilution.

Thus, the habitual use of natural water containing iron produces a state of anemia comparable to chlorosis, and to combat chlorosis it is necessary to take iron in ponderable doses,

To recapitulate, in order to combat in the invalid symptoms analogous to those produced in the healthy man by strong and even poisonous doses, it is necessary to choose strong doses rather than infinitesimal ones. On the other hand we find, for instance, that Silicea produces,in dynamised doses, engorgements and pains in the glands of the neck, ulcerations of the throat, and pain in pre-existing ulcers (Hahnemann); therefore, to cure these symptoms in a patient we should choose Silicea in infinitesimal doses.

It was from high potencies that Hahnemann obtained the greater part of the symptoms of sulphur, and the generality of homoeopaths counsel the use of the welfth and thirtieth potency of this remedy in the treatment of diseases. The same reflections apply to Lycopodium, Sepia, and many other remedies. Nevertheless, one great difficulty is that the pathogeneses are made in such a manner that we very often ignore the doses employed and the distinction of the primitive and secondary effects. This is why I demand a reform in our materia medica.

In allopathy an inverse rule is followed. Thus the secondary actions of medicines are applied to the cure of the primitive symptoms, and reciprocally, the primitive actions to the cure of secondary symptoms.

For example, Rhubarb in large doses, secondary action, against constipation, which is a primitive effect

of Rhubarb; Aconite in strong dose, secondary action, against febrile action, which is a primitive effect of Aconite; Digitalis in large dose, secondary action, against the acceleration of the pulse, primitive effect. On the other hand, when the allopaths give Sulphate of quinine, Mercury, Iron, and Opium in large doses to relieve intermittent fever, syphilis, chlorosis, and diarrhea, they act on homœopathic principles, for they direct against symptoms analogous to the secondary action of the medicines; doses capable of producing these secondary effects. But if the allopaths often use homeopathy without knowing it, it is only just to add that homeopaths who prescribe forty and fifty drops of mo.her tincture of Aconite in cases of fever, unwittingly make use of allopathy, for they apply the secondary action of the Aconite, lowering of temperature, against the heat of fever: contraria contraris curantur,

To sum up, we believe:

1st. That the question of doses, in homœopathy, should be decided by the knowledge of the primitive and secondary actions of medicines;

2a. That the primitive and secondary actions depend upon the dose employed;

3d. That all medicines produce alternately, in a healthy man, opposite effects, at once homeopathic and allopathic; and the same in morbid conditions.

4th. That, to conform to the law of similars, it is necessary to employ a dose which will produce the primitive effects of the medicine, when the morbid condition is analogous to these primitive effects. When, on the contrary, the morbid condition is analogous to the secondary effects of the medicine, it is necessary to prescribe a dose which would produce these secondary effects;

5th. That infinitesimal doses are most proper to reproduce primitive effects, and low dilutions, or even ponderable doses, are necessary to rapidly produce secondary action.

REPORTS OF SOCIETIES, ETC.

STATE SOCIETY.

The semi-annual meeting was held at Rochester on September 9th and 10th, the President, Dr. A. S. Couch in the chair.

The meeting was large, enthusiastic, and harmonious. After a few well-chosen remarks by the President, in which he congratulated the society upon its flourishing condition, the regular order of business was proceeded with.

From the bureau of vaccination, Dr. W. B. Kenyon, of Buffalo, chairman, a paper was read on the question of" Enacting a United States Law Making Vaccination Compulsory," by Dr. N. Osborne. In this paper the speaker held that as Homœopathists were the leaders of vaccination, it would be advisable that they make an effort to get Congress to pass a law making it compulsory. He thought it was as highly important to prevent the spread of small pox as to prevent yellow fever. The examples of small pox in the cities of Buffalo and New York in years gone by were cited to show what might occur elsewhere. The paper was adopted, as well as another, on "The Superiority of Cow-Pox over Humanized Virus.”

Dr. N. E. Paine read a paper on Ventilation of Soil and Waste Pipes and Under Drains," by Dr. H. M. Paine. He said that not only the houses of the poor, but costly houses were frequently badly drained and ventilated. He said that cases of diphtheria and typhoid fever were traceable in many cases to drainage into cesspools, and combatted a common notion that sewage gases are not detrimental to health.

Dr. J. W. Dowling spoke of the susceptibility of some members of a family to malarial poison, while

others escaped, and instanced his own, he and his son being very subject to poison, while others of his family escaped. He and other physicians in New York had made extended inquiry among laborers who work in sewers, and found no case occurring from that cause. He did not think the disease arose from the gas unless there was a susceptibility. People who were under the influence of malarial poison often thought that they were sick from over work, smoking, eating too much, loss of sleep, etc.

bulging of the ocular tunics near the entrance of the optic nerve. At this point the choroid becomes atrophied, and, on examining the eye with the oph thalmoscope, the white sclerotic is plainly visible. In high degrees of myopia the retina is affected, and no glasses will render vision normal. If short-sightedness progresses, it may terminate in glaucoma, choroidal hæmorrhages, detachment of the retina, blindness. The popular idea that near-sighted eyes are strong, because in old age glasses can sometimes be dispensed with, is one calculated to do much harm by leading people to regard myopia of little importance. A near-sighted eye is a diseased eye, and it should receive as much care as any other aling organ of the body

Short-sightedness is sometimes congenital, and often hereditary. Not unfrequently it can be traced back through several generations. I believe, however, that it is more frequently acquired. Of 1,004 near-sighted children examined by Dr. Cohn in German schools, only twenty-eight had myopic parents. Other statistics give about the same result. A predisposition to bulging of the globe is probably present in cases that are acquired, but the exciting causes of near-sightedness are necessary for its development.

In the department of otology, Dr. William P. Fowler, of Rochester, chairman, presented a report on "Sixty-three cases of Inspissated Cerumen." In this paper he said it was an error of the laity that nature needed assistance to dispose of the cerumen of the ear. There were constant interferences with mechanism which brought on serious complications. Nature disposes of the secretion itself, and no assistance is needed, unless other diseases are present He thought the use of ear-spoons, syringes, etc., were relics of bar barism. Nothing more than a napkin over the finger tip should be used when it is necessary to remove a large secretion. Other papers in the otology depart ment were "The Value of Electricity in Diseases of the Ear," by Dr. H. C. Houghton, and “Acute Puru- The disease very rarely originates after the twentieth lent Inflammation of the Middle Ear,' by Dr. year, and seldom before the fifth, thus leaving the peF. Parke Lewis, of Buffalo. In the for-riod of school life for its appearance. This fact would mer paper, the author stated that he had obtained suggest the idea that study and confinement in the the best results from Galvanism. Dr. Lewis stated, in school room had some influence in causing it. Statis reply to this, that he had experimented two years ics prove this to be the case. The illiterate are rarely with galvanism, but had not obtained the brilliant myopic, while in one of the colleges of Oxford 32 in results mentioned. In chronic catarrh of the middle 127 students are short-sighted. Of 410 students exear, he had found it to fail entirely. amined in the University of Breslau nearly two-thirds were myopic. A few figures will also show that nearsightedness increases with the advancing years of school life. Among 2,265 eyes examined by Dr. Loring in the public schools of New York the percentage of myopic cases among pupils under seven years of age was 35, and twenty-six in those between twenty and twenty-one. Dr. Lewis, of Buffalo, found between

The meeting adjourned to spend the afternoon in the enjoyment of the excursion to Irondequoit Bay. Dr C. T. Liebold's paper treated upon the use of cotton in diseases of the ear and nasal passages.

-

MYOPIA IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Examination of the eyes of 1,013 pupils, with Report of the the ages of seven and ten, 13 per cent., and from six

Refractive conditions Found.

BY W. P. FOWLER, M. D., ROCHESTER.

So much has been said and written concerning the presence of myopia among school children, that, with the exception of bare statistics, I can hope to offer nothing new. The subject is of such importance. however, that it should be constantly in the minds of physicians, and by them impressed upon parents, teachers. and others, until by enforcement of certain rules, the percentage of near-sighted cases is reduced. Before giving the result of my examination made in Rochester schools, it will perhaps be well to consider briefly the refractive conditions to which the human eye is subject.

When the normally refractive emmetropic eye is at rest ie., adjusted for distance, parallel rays of light entering it are brought to a focus upon the retina, and the object from which they emanate is clearly and distinctly seen.

If the axis of the eye is too short, or the refractive power too low, parallel rays are brought to a focus behind the retina, or, more correctly speaking, are not focused at all, but fall upon the retina in circles of diffusion. It is only by an effort of the accommodation, or the use of convex lenses, that vision can be made distinct. This condition is known as hypermetropia.

Astigmatism, or irregular refraction of the eye, is occasionally met with.

Myopia, or near-sightedness, is that condition in which parallel rays are united in front of the retina, in consequence of the optic axis being too long, or exceptionally, the refractive power being too high. The increase in the antero-posterior diameter of the eyeball is due to inflammatory changes, with thinning and

teen to eighteen, 22.36 per cent. In my examination made in the schools of Rochester the ratio was 5.49 for those between five and nine years of age, and 19.56 for those above fifteen.

But what are the causes of myopia met with in school life? I believe them to be: 1. The early age at which children are sent to school; 2. Long study hours; 3. Poor light; 4. Unsuitable seats and desks; 5. Imperfect ventilation.

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The early age at which children are sent to school is without doubt a potent exciting cause of near-sightedness. The tissues being less resisting than in after years, distention of the sclera at the posterior portion of the globe is readily produced. As Dr. Angell has said, the eye during early childhood is a growing organ, easily moulded, and its future, like other parts of the body, is to be very much what it is made by training, use, and abuse." Children are required to be five years old before entering the public schools. It would be much better if they were not admitted until they reached their eighth or even ninth year. There are little ones in our schools under the prescribed age of five years, but this is not the fault of teachers. Said the principal of one of the schools, when I called his attention to the fact: I agree with you that some of the children in the lowest grade are not five years of age, but when a mother tells me her child is five years old or more, I cannot question her truthfulness. On one occasion, when I expressed a doubt that a boy was old enough to enter school, his mother replied: Perhaps I know as much about the age of my child as you do." Thus parents, not teachers, are responsible for the admission of these little ones to our school-rooms.

The influence of long study hours in the production of myopia, by all who have given the subject atten

tion, is considered very important. When, as in study, the eyes are almost constantly kept in a condi tion of convergence and accommodational effort, the ocular tension is increased and short sightedness encouraged. Especially is this true if the tissues are rendered lax by long confinement in the school-room, want of exercise in the open air, and disregard of other hygienic requirements. Not only in school do pupils study. Many carry their books home, and pore over them until late at night. Besides this, there is a great deal of novel-reading among school children; hours devoted to cheap editions of popular novels printed in small type on poor paper.

The pernicious effects of our present high pressure system of education appear to be greater upon girls than upon boys. In the schools of Rochester I found that while only 7.67 per cent. of the boys were near sighted, 12.80 of the girls were affected.

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Imperfect lighting of school-rooms tends to produce myopia. The light should enter from above or from behind and at one side, so as to fall upon the page and not upon the eye. The newer school buildings in Rochester, as far as I have seen, are well lighted. In one of the old ones, however, I found that worst of all arrangements, the pupils facing the windows In this position the full glare of the light falls upon the retina, which becomes fatigued. The book is meanwhile in shadow. Not only myopia, but other and equally grave affections of the eye are liable to be caused by studying day after day in a room thus lighted. In two buildings I found the light insufficient on account of the windows being too small.

Unsuitable seats and desks. The principal fault in the seats is that the backs slant too much. If the pupil sits so that his back is supported, the book on the desk is too far from his eyes, and to sit erect supported is so fatiguing that he soon bends forward, and leans on the desk. This position brings the page too near the eye, the body being bent forward causes an increased flow of blood to the head and eyes, the action of the respiratory organs is interfered with, and the health, not only of the eyes, but of the general system, is endangered.

The height of the desk should vary with the size of the child. In the several grades the desks differ in height, but in no room did I see them adapted to the varying size of the pupils. Yet this is a defect easily remedied, by constructing the desks with adjustable tops. If this were done, much of the stooping that is so injurious would be avoided.

Poor ventilation undoubtedly plays an important part in the production of near-sightedness. Some of the school-rooms that I entered seemed to be well ven tilated, but in many the air was close and oppressive. When pupils sit for hours in a room filled with impure air they become languid and drowsy. They do not sit erect, but study with the face close to the book. The general health soon becomes impaired in consequence of inhaling the poisonous carbonic acid gas, the tissues lose their natural firmness, and myopia readily follows.

Most of the text-books are printed in good clear type, but in almost every instance upon white paper. Tinted would be far better.

It has been said that Germany is the nearest-sighted nation in the world; but, as will be seen by the proceedings of the American Social Science Association for 1875, myopia appears to be about as prevalent among the children in the United States as in Germany. Many observers in this country have found that children of German parentage show the greatest Others, however, percentage of near-sightedness. have obtained different results. Dr. Liebold, of New York, found a less percentage of myopes among German children than any other nationality. In Rochester the rate among Germans is 10.46, among Americans 10.38, among English 9.90, and for the Irish 8.74. This shows very little difference between Germans

and Americans in this city. In all probability the percentage of myopia is to-day nearly as great in the United States as it is in Germany. A few more years of the "examining" process to which school children are here subjected, and to the United States, not Germany, will belong the poor notoriety of being the nearest-sighted nation on the globe. The people of our country should bear in mind that though their push and ceaseless activity will accomplish wonders in certain directions, they will often, if applied to the education of their children, not only thwart the end they wish to attain, but lead to disease and suffering.

Dr. F. Parke Lewis said the disease was rapidly increasing among the pupils of the Buffalo schools, and one out of four pupils graduating at the schools were myopic. Dr. Lewis read a paper on "The Homœopathic Therapeutics of Trachoma." The paper gave the plan of treatment in several cases.

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Dr. A. R. Wright, of Buffalo, chairman of the Bureau of Climatology, reported four papers from his department. One, upon The Etiology of Diphtheria in Geneva," by Dr. Covert of that place. It treated of the causes of the epidemics which made such terrible ravages in Geneva during the past year, as they could be gleaned from the evidences coming to light during the progress of the disease. Dr. Covert referred particularly to the bad drainage of the village. There were 448 cases in the place, 308 of them being in houses for which there was no drainage.

Dr. Burdick, of New York, asked if there were any changes in the conditions of soil, etc., previous to the time of the epidemic.

Dr. Covert said he did not take much stock in the filth and water reason. The village had been in better condition during the past two years than ever before. Dr Wright said he thought the sluice or small stream running through the village might be a source of danger to the health of the people. In the dry weather, the evaporations of draining into this stream were very unpleasant, and must be very unhealthful.

Dr. Covert said the creek was cleaned thoroughly by the Board of Health, and kept in good condition. The epidemic broke out more than a mile away from the creek, and spread all through the region

Dr. Wright next presented a paper on "Treatment of Malarial Fever," by Dr. Bayliss, of Long Island, and also a report by himself on the water supply. He presented a resolution to the effect that a committee be appointed to investigate and report upon the sanitary questions pertaining to the water supply. The committee was to consist of one physician from each of the principal cities of the state. Adopted.

Anna C. Howland, M.D, of Poughkeepsie, chairman of the Bureau of Gynecology, reported several papers -one from Dr. Egbert Guernsey on "Abuses of Uterine Surgery," one from Dr. Moffat, of Brooklyn, upon "A New Hypogastric Bandage, another from the same author on "A case of Extreme Retroversion."

MECHANICAL APPLICATION.-There is an almost daily need in every physician's office of various forms of mechanical instruments. Pomeroy's trusses are so well known and so thoroughly appreciated by the profession as to need no commendation by us, but our medical friends will be glad to know that they can find at Pomeroy & Co.'s a full stock of the best kind of all the various goods, such as elastic stockings, knee caps, splints, crutches, etc., of the most approved pattern and best make.

N. Y. OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL. --Report for the month ending August 31, 1879: Number of prescriptions, 2,923; new patients, 393; patients resident, 27; average daily attendance, 113; largest daily atten dance, 160. J. H. BUFFUM, M. D., Resident Surgeon,

THE

HOMEOPATHIC TIMES.

A MONTHLY JOURNAL

Of Medicine, Surgery, and the Collateral Sciences.

VOL. VII.

NEW YORK, NOVEMBER, 1879.

ORIGINAL ARTICLES.

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No. 8.

Finally, I found in adhesive plaster the means by which I could accomplish what I wanted with absolute certainty. But it was not until I had wasted a great many yards of adhesive plaster that I acquired the knowledge of applying it properly, and yet the simplicity of the method is one of its remarkable fea

tures.

In the case referred to, by applying the plaster so as to lift up the wall of the lower abdomen so as to make tension in the direction of the utero-sacral ligaments, and by exercising no downward pressure, the uterus and bladder were restored to position, and the ports regained their normal tonicity to such a degree that the patient is to day cured of some of the troubles that have for many years contributed to render her an invalid.

Since then I have used adhesive plaster in cases where there was no pendulous abdomen, but where prolapse of the uterus existed; and, while I do not claim that it will be sufficient to cure the condition, I know it to be a most important factor in the treatment. It relieves at once the pain in the back and the dragging sensation in the ins and pelvis; and this result occurs, not in cases merely of prolapsus uteri, but in all cases where the pain comes during locomotion, subsides when te patient is lying down, and is presumably caused by tension upon the uterine ligaments either by weight from below or from pressure above.

The instant relief afforded by the application of the plaster has led me to use it in a great variety of cases where the pain I have specified was present; and I know of nothing in the ordinary range of medical or surgical appliances that accomplishes its work with such certainty as this simple procedure.

Some time ago a patient of mine was troubled with a pendulous abdomen, chronic diarrhoea, a complete rupture of the perineum, and consequent prolapse of the uterus and bladder. I was able to restore the perineum with such success as to lift both the uterus and bladder into position. But this result did not appear to be permanent, for in about two months' time after the operation, I found that, although the perineal support was apparently perfect, the uterus and bladder had begun to descend again to their old position. It then seemed to me that perhaps the long rest in bed after the operation (about two weeks) had possibly done more to restore the displaced organs than I had at first supposed. On reflection, it seemed hardly probable that when a perineum had been in a condition Its action, however, extends farther than the mere of complete laceration for a period of twenty-five relief of pain I have used it to lift sub-peritoneal years, any surgical operation, however successful, fib oid tumors of the uterus off of the pelvic organs. would restore sufficient tonicity to the relaxed vagina We find invariably that these growths are painful and to enable it to bear up a prolapsed uterus and bladder dan: erous in proportion as they descend into the cavand keep them in position. Anatomically and surgi-ity of the pelvis; and there is no other method than cally my operation had been a success; but physiologically it was a failure, and I sought some remedy for the difficulty. I did not care to use a pessary, because I feared the effect of pressure upon the newly made perineum. The pendulous abdomen was a type of the internal condition. Everything was loose, lax, and flabby.

I put on an abdominal supporter, then tried corsets and belts and every appliance offered or suggested by the instrument makers, with the hope of properly sustaining the abdomen and its contents by an external apparatus. A long and expensive trial convinced me that none of the usual appliances would accomplish the desired result. All supporters would slip, none would pull in the right direction, and all exercised too much constriction. Each one, perhaps, possessed some one merit, but this was nullified by too many faults to make it available.

the one I suggest that can accomplish the feat of lifting up these tumors into the abdominal cavity, and thus relieve the pelvic organs from pressure

In the same manner it has proved of great service in the treatment of sub-involution of the uterus It is, however, no substitute for the appropriate treatment of the conditions referred to, but an adjunct of such service that its use will often determine the success of the treatment.

It is in some respects a substitute for rest in bed, and its continued use produces similar tonic effects upon the visceral supports without interfering with healthful exercise and without producing the general debility arising from inaction.

The method, in brief, is as follows: First, as to the kind of plaster. Only one kind should be used; that spread on dimity, prepared by Man, of London, and imported by Caswell, Hazard & Co., costing $1.30 a

yard at retail. Other plasters are cheaper, but none equal this in the three essential features of tenacity, pliability, and unirritating properties, and I would not stand sponsor for the failures that would occur with the other plasters, all of which I have tried and discarded.

Secondly, as to the application of the plaster. Take a yard of the plaster, and cut it into six strips of equal width. Each strip will then be about two and a half inches wide and one yard long The patient lies on her back, with a pillow under the nates, so that the viscera shall gravitate toward the thorax. Then take a strip of the plaster, and pass it under the back, so that the center of the strip shall be applied to the skin about an inch and a half above the upper border of the sacrum behind. Next take one of the ends, and while the other hand pushes up the abdominal wall, bring the end of the strip over across the abdomen and down into the groin on the opposite side. Hold it down with the outspread hand until it is firmly adherent. Then take the other end of the strip, push up the abdomen in the same way, and bring the plaster across into the opposite groin, and fasten it there. A short cross strip over the intersection of the upper edges of the plaster reinforces it, and the application is com plete. The lower ends should be trimmed so as not to interfere with the flexure of the thigh upon the pelvis.

insanity, were, usually, of from six to eight months' duration.

The family history, as given us, developed no hereditary taint of lunacy; but both father and mother, and, indeed, many of the more distant relatives, were of a highly nervous organization, and perhaps excessively sensitive to external impressions. The father had suffered from a stroke of apoplexy.

The patient went into our wards, as already noted, on the 10th of July The morning report of the 11th revealed the fact that during the night he had been sleepless, noisy, and destructive, having torn his clothes and the bedding. During the day he was very excitable, and incoherent in thought, speech, and action. He evidently suffered with sexual erethism, and, when questioned by his physician, confessed that he had been in the habit of masturbating. 12th. Is still destructive, having torn up a blanket during the night. Talks loudly and continually; is very restless, walking constantly up and down the ward; is unceasingly busy, yet does everything illogically; still tearing his clothes; ate a piece of soap; is utterly beside himself, yet good-natured, and not pugnaciously inclined.

If the abdomen is pendulous, two or four half strips may be added to this application, each one being ap plied first in front, then across the abdomen, and lastly as far back as it reaches. Only one strip, however, should encircle the body. The length of the strips depends, of course, on the size of the patient, and if a yard is insufficient, it is easily lengthened by sticking an additional strip on to the first. In all cases the plaster should lie smoothly, and pass from the inguinal region across the abdomen, above the crest of the ileum, and find its dorsal attachment at that point which permits its smooth adjustment. It is essential that traction should be made upward and backward from the inguinal to the lumbar region; and whether this be done with one long strip crossing its ends in front, or, as I sometimes prefer, with two strips cross-breathing was of a blowing nature, not stertorous; ing each other front and back, is immaterial. The plaster will remain in position without slipping for a week in summer, and from two to three weeks in winter.

If Cutter's or McIntosh's pessaries are used, they may be readily adjusted to the plaster.

About three o'clock on the afternoon of the 12th, while hurriedly prying into every nook and corner of the building, he spied a gas fixture, over eight feet from the floor, in the wash room, and sprang for it. He caught hold of the slender tubing, and swung himself forward with considerable force. When his body had reached a nearly horizontal position, and was probably about nine feet from the stone floor beneath, the fixture gave way, and he fell, striking his head upon the pavement with great force. The patient picked himself up, walked out upon the ward, and related quite lucidly the facts of the accident. The jump and the fall occurred so quickly that his attendant had no time to prevent it. About half an hour after the accident the patient became suddenly insensible; his breathing was labored and stertorous pupils dilated; face flushed; frothy sputa was puffed freely from the mouth; the skin was suffused, and, at times, bathed with perspiration. At four P.M. the pupils above normal; pulse 84, and very strong. Soon after this the face became blue and pinched in appearance; the head was turned to the right side, and there were spasmodic muscular twitchings about the mouth. The pupils at this time were irresponsive to light, and the eyeballs insensible to touch. There was slight diverging strabismus. About 4.30 P.M. the right pupil was more contracted than the left. At six P.M. the pupils were again normal; pulse 80; patient spoke

SINGULAR RECOVERY FROM INSANITY briefly of feeling sore in the left groin; soreness prob

THROUGH AN INJURY.

ably due to a strain. At nine P.M. the pulse had subsided to 72; patient was very drowsy, and could be

BY SELDEN H. TALCOTT, M. D., MED. SUPT. N. Y. aroused with great difficulty; passed water, and while

STATE HOM, ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

We purpose reporting a case of rare, speedy, and singular recovery from an attack of recurrent mania. It occurred through the mysterious me ns of a severe concussion of the brain, a concussion whose results were both remarkable and gratifying.

J. A. H., male, aged twenty-four years, single, clerk, native of this country, white, was admitted to the State Homeopathic Asylum for the Insane, July 10, 1877. The history of the case relates that the present attack came on some seven weeks previous to his being sent to the institution for treatment. It also informs us that this patient's first attack occurred at the age of fifteen; and that he had been confined in the asylum at Utica twice, and at Geneseo four times. Six times he had temporarily recovered; and this last was his seventh visitation of insanity. His previous attacks of mania had lasted from three to eighteen months; and the periods of respite, or freedom from

doing so said he felt like having a movement from the bowels, but did not remain awake long enough to accomplish his desire. During the night the patient was dull and stupid; occasionally he roused, muttered a few words in a delirious manner, and sank again into a stupor, with heavy, slow breathing.

The treatment was simply the prone position, with head slightly propped upon pillows; and the application of arnica lotion to the bruise upon the occiput, while hourly doses of Arnica, 3d, were administered internally.

On the morning of the 13th, the day following the accident, the patient's pulse was 80, and his pupils normal. He could now speak plainly, and said that his head ached upon the top. He passed urine and feces in a natural manner, Took liquids, but ate no solid food; slept most of the time.

On the 14th Mr. H. was feeling much better; was bright, happy, and, but for a slight vehemence in manner, appeared very well. 16th, was still more quiet,

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