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fellow will treat all the pastors and their families, he may have all "the honor" and all the prestige that goes with it; I'll take the cash. We should have half fare at least; for when it comes to building a new church or paying the pastor's salary, there are no half way measures. The doctor's name generally heads the list, and opposit it the largest amount is usually found.

I knew of one good preacher whose sole topic seemed to be, "The laborer is worthy of his hire; "' but when followed closely from place to place, his preaching was not put into practise. It was my pleasure to treat a Christian (better known as a Campbellite) preacher's family recently. When askt the amount of my bill, I replied that I had learned to treat preachers' families free of charge. Shortly, however, the preacher's father, widower, 55 years of age, living with preacher at time, contracted pneumonia. When convalescent, the preacher came to see me, stating that preachers were not all dead beats, and that he wanted to pay something for the faithful services rendered his father. As I had not included his father as one of the immediate family, this was a surprise. I cut the bill in two, and it was promptly paid.

I remember a preacher taking his wife to Dr. Joe M. Mathews, of Louisville, Ky., for treatment. He examined, diagnosed and prescribed gratis. We pay them for preaching, and they should pay us for practising. They should keep their names from patent medicin advertisements and quit the quacks, and refuse to endorse quacks and quack remedies thru the religious papers of the land.

Middletown, Ky. SAMUEL D. WETHERBY.

What is the Best Artificial Leg? Dr. W. T. Berry, of Oakton, Ky., had the misfortune to receive a compound fracture of the leg by his horse running away on September 9 last. This injury made it necessary to amputate his leg about four and a half inches below the knee, on the first day of last November. He has now been getting about on crutches for the past two months attending to his practise. He desires information from THE WORLD family concerning an artificial leg. He says all the manufacturers claim to have the best; and he desires the experience of the brethren. He says that he will be able to wear one about June 15. The above particulars are given so that those who have had experience that would aid the Doctor may address him directly.

An ounce each of formalin and alcohol to a quart of water will remove disagreeable odors from the hands if used freely as a wash; even the odor of the dissecting table and the autopsy room vanishes under this application.

A Good Hair Tonic.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-When the hair becomes scanty, it is a very sure indication, in a majority of cases, that the blood supply to the hair-bulbs is lacking, and that the papillae are in a state of lethargy. The remedy is a gentle but daily friction by massage or with a hairbrush, and the application of a suitable tonic. By the regular use of a brush the scalp also will be kept free from dandruff and dust, which is of very great importance in protecting the hair growth. In case the hair becomes greasy it should be washt with a weak solution of borate of soda, and then rinsed with steril water and carefully dried. As a tonic, or restorativ, the following will be found quite efficacious, and when properly used, prove an excellent preventiv against baldness :

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How to Abort Acute Disease.-The Doctor of The Future.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-I want to con

gratulate you on the good work that THE WORLD has done in the midst of this frightful mortality, during what is known as the "pneumonia season," in which thousands and tens of thousands of America's people have needlessly gone to their last rest; and I sincerely hope that next season we shall be better prepared, as a profession, to treat these sufferers than we were this year.

There is before me at this moment a report of the Health Department of the city of Chicago for the week ending March 26, and this report states that the total number of deaths from pneumonia in the city of Chicago, from November 1st to March 26th, was 2,606, with New York 6,589-a mortality of over 9,000 in these two cities and no great public uprising-no one paying much attention to it.

When Chicago's theater burned and killed a few hundred people the press of the world clamored for relief from such danger. When other, even comparativly trifling accidents have occurred, the press (both lay and professional) has been loud in its demand for reform.

Why should our people die of controlable conditions and not demand of the doctor better things?

I am perfectly aware that you have askt your contributors to "drop the pneumonia question until next year ;" and having had my say with the others I am willing to "let it drop," but I

trust you will permit this last word, in which I would urge upon every reader that he look this problem squarely in the face; that he carry it with him midst the duties of every day; that thru its contemplation he may not only be better fitted to treat pneumonia, but every other acute disease as well.

There is nothing subtle regarding the successful treatment of acute disease; in fact, it is so simple that many err by reason of its very simplicity. Be it pneumonic, bronchitic, intestinal, renal, or otherwise, the first thing to do is to relieve congestion by equalizing the circulation. This may be accomplisht in many ways; only recognize its importance and do it. When this is accomplisht and the congestion is relieved, the temperature will fall and the patient is started on the road of recovery thru "abortion" of attack.

Now, bear in mind that every acute attack arrests digestion and assimilation; therefore it leaves the intestinal canal full of material decomposed, or ready to decompose, and the lymph-channels flooded with products which result in systemic infection, while thru absorption from the alimentary canal autoinfection supervenes; therefore, clean out the alimentary canal with non-irritating cathartics (preferably salines) that not only evacuate the bowel-contents, but thru osmosis help to relieve the infected lymph spaces; then by stimulation of renal activity, the activity of the skin, etc., get rid of more in this direction, supplementing the same with proper systemic and intestinal antisepsis. Having accomplisht this, the patient is further on the road to recovery; and if at this point he is supported with tonic stimulants, and carefully selected and measured food that he can and does digest, he will quickly climb the hill of convalescence and step out on the broad highway of health even in a better condition than before.

The successful (abortiv) treatment of acute disease may be summarized as follows:

1. Equalize the circulation, restoring normal vascular equilibrium.

2. Eliminate waste and stop autotoxemia, maintaining systemic antisepsis.

3. Stimulate innervation and feed the tissues. Now, I have not mentioned a single remedy. I believe in "the smallest possible quantity of the best obtainable means to produce the desired therapeutic result," but a dozen doctors may have a dozen different ways, all good, of accomplishing these results; and if the doctor realizes the importance of the three points named and uses the best means he knows to produce these results, he will be able to control and abort acute illness of all kinds, just in that proportion as his selection of remedy and expediency is good, better or best.

Doing this, he will not only treat "summer troubles" more successfully than ever before, but when he comes to the " pneumonia season of next year he will be able to save at least 98 percent of all his cases. The man who does this and does it right is the successful doctor of the future; and let me warn you, Brother, if you are not one of these "doctors of the future," the public will not much longer tolerate the slip-shod methods that permit of the mortality recorded. W. C. ABBOTT, M.D. Chicago.

[The above, as it covers much more than pneumonia, is admitted now. The other pneumonia articles are put away till next fall.-ED.]

Colic in Horses.-A Substantial Testimonial.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD :-I see the brethren are still talking of colic in their horses, and Dr. Scott, April WORLD, page 165, lost his horse after giving two ounces of cannabis indica. Brethren, do you not carry hypodermatic syringes and sulfate of morphin ? The next time you have colic to contend with, give injections of sulfate of morphin, just under the skin of the neck; give at each injection seven times as much morphin at a dose as you would give to a vigorous man of 150 lbs. weight, and repeat it every one-half to one hour, according to symptoms, until the horse is free from pain. Sometimes he lies down and takes a "snooze for half an hour. Be governed in amount of morphin by weight and age of your horse, just the same as you are in giving morphin to human beings. I have used this treatment hundreds of times during the past twenty-five years, without a single failure, where the diagnosis-colic-was correct. Try it and report results. It is easily tried, and does not prevent the use of other remedies, but there will be no use for other remedies.

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Do

not "doctor" your horse to death with gallons of slop, as is so often done. If you are determined to "doctor" him to death, do it with the morphin-it is cleaner, more easily given, fully as cheap, and less painful to the horse.

I have been a paying subscriber to THE MEDICAL WORLD ever since it began publication. There are other good medical journals at prices from $5 up and down. Some of them are filled with long learned articles, "Made in Germany," but THE WORLD CONtains more practical articles for the actual practician than any of them. If any regular, eclectic or alkaloidist who sees this and has not been a subscriber heretofore, will send $1 for a year's subscription, and then read carefully, and at the end of the year feels that he has not received a full dollar's worth, and will

say so on a card to the Editor, I will cheerfully return to him his dollar, not even deducting postage. JAMES PRICHARD, M.D. Olinger, Va.

[The above guarantee is the most substantial testimonial we have ever received, and we thank the Doctor sincerely for it.-ED.]

QUIZ

bined with climatic influences, both in the atrophic and the hypertrophic variety.

In the treatment of motor insufficiency with subacidity, it is necessary primarily to ascertain the cause of the deficiency in peristaltic power, and this is often difficult. Hasty mastication and insufficient deglutition, defectiv teeth, etc., predispose to atony. Anemia indicates the use of bone marrow, iron, arsenic, and attention to diet. The treatment should em

New books as they appear, are sent to our Assistant Editor, body diet, massage, electricity, and medicin;

Dr. A. L. Russell, of Midway, Washington Co., Pa., for review As the Doctor thus has all the late books for reference, and is made familiar with them by reviewing each one carefully as it reaches him, he is unusually equipt for answering queries. Therefore it has been our custom for a long time to send queries to him for reply. In fact, the Doctor made a special request that this be done, as he enjoys this work. It now occurs to us that time will be saved if you will send directly to Dr. Russell matter intended for the Quiz Department, which has grown so much under his vigorous treatment Please notice that our query department is not used to "boost" proprietary remedies, almanac fashion. THE MEDICAL WORLD has no interests other than to give to the medical profession the greatest amount of honest service possible. It has absolutely no interests in any proprietary preparation nor any medical supply house. Other medical editors have become, and are becoming, wealthy, by using their pages to increase the sale of preparations that they are interested in; but we prefer to render service to our subscribers that is above suspicion of personal pecuniary interest. How can a man interested in the sale of certain preparations render the best service? He is always trying to push one of his preparations in. That is commercial journalism. We prefer ethical journalism-and so does the profession, for THE MEDICAL WORLD is growing in popularity faster than ever before-and our subscribers are paying ones. They must be, for we have no medicins to "boost," nothing to sell, nothing to depend on but pure journalism; but doctors that want honest, straight journalism are willing to pay for it-they are glad of the opportunity.

Only such queries will be publisht as are likely to interest and instruct many others as well as the one asking help. No charge has ever been made, nor will any charge be made, for this service to our subscribers. However, those who wish an immediate and personal reply by mail may obtain the same by inclosing two dollars to Dr. Russell. This is really a consultation in the interest of the patient, and should be charged to the patient-two dollars being a very moderate consultation fee. The Doctor agrees to give full, careful and immediate attention to such consultations. We reserve the right to publish in this department any such consultatious that may be interesting and helpful to our readers. Name and address will be withheld if requested. Come freely for help, but read up as fully as you can before coming to us.

Climate for Catarrh.-Indigestion.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-What climate is most suitable for:

1st. Hypertrophic rhinitis, or simple naso-pharyngeal catarrh ?

2d. Atrophic rhinitis?

What treatment is indicated in indigestion with motor insufficiency, subacidity and consequent fermentation? ALABAMA.

[The climate best suited to both varieties of catarrh is one with little wind and moisture. New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona are types. In a general way it may be stated that if no complication is present, a high altitude in a warm section is preferable. Among the definit locations for this trouble may be mentioned Las Vegas, N. M.; Colorado Springs, Glenwood, and Manitou, Colorado; the White Mountains, etc. Strange to say, sea voyages benefit most sufferers from catarrh, and a trip about Cuban or Southern ports would be desirable; such a trip often exerts a "hardening" influence which prevents recurrence for a time even tho the victim returns to unsuitable environment. Local treatment should be com

the special varieties and modifications of which you can get in any modern text-book. "The most approved tonic for the motor function is strychnin:

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"In anemia the gentian elixir with chlorid of iron may be substituted. When the hydrochloric acid is deficient, it must be supplied. Creasote is claimed by competent authorities (Pick and Penzolt) to be able to excite the peristalsis." (Hemmeter). Constipation must be corrected. As a rule, one may dispense with lavage in the earlier stage of motor insufficiency. One of the main indications is to control excessiv fermentation, and for this purpose Boas commends:

Strychnin sulfate
Codein phosphoric.
Bismuth salicylic (basic).
One powder taken after each meal.

grain grain 7 grains

Carbolic acid has been used by Naun for the same purpose. Other remedies are salol, naphthol, beta-naphthol, beta-nahpthol bismuth, beta naphthol benzoate, benzo-naphthol, etc. In case hydrochloric acid is not well tolerated, pancreatin may be employed, but the majority of cases take kindly to hydrochloric.-ED.]

Infiltration from Pneumonia.-Alcohol Counteracts Carbolic Acid.-Neglected

Gonorrhea.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Young man had pneumonia about eighteen months ago; was treated, but infiltration remained. He came to me three months ago for treatment. I have improved his general health in a great measure, but the infiltration seems to stay. He coughs but little, but he is short of breath, as he puts it. He is 25 years old; family history good. Have used syrup hypophosphites, guaiacol carb., hydriodic acid, with plenty of fresh air.

Please say how alcohol counteracts carbolic acid. and how it should be administered.

Mr. Editor, I know a man who had gonorrhea four years ago. When he "got it " he wrote to the Peruna Co., giving symptoms; they wrote him that he had urethritis; advised him to take peruna, and his trouble would soon end. He took it until he lost faith; then said he would never take medicin again. He now believes that nature will finally oust the disease. What is the prognosis in this case? Milton, Ky.

DAVID TAYLOR, M.D.

[You should give him potassium iodid in ascending doses; very often this will aid in resolu

tion, but in such cases one has cause to fear that tuberculosis may become engrafted and end the scene. If the circumstances of the patient admit of it, we would advise sending him to some high and dry climate, and at the same time pushing the medicament. Some cases carry the infiltration many months and finally recover spontaneously.

Alcohol counteracts the escharotic effect of carbolic acid, if administered promptly. The scientific way is to administer one to three ounces thru a tube, and immediately thereafter practise lavage with water containing a soluble sulfate (Stevens). It could, of course, be administered by the mouth, and vomiting provoked by apomorphin or other agency. We

do not know the chemical reaction which takes place, if any; nor is it important. It prevents the burn which kills, if administered soon enuf; yet it is still important that the acid be gotten out of the stomach soon thereafter.

Spontaneous cure of gonorrhea is possible, in theory; yet it is doubtful if it often occurs in practise. The usual sequel is a more or less profuse gleet, and this is probably what your friend, the victim, has. Any medicin containing a large proportion of alcohol would act as fuel on the fire in gonorrhea. He has, at least, a posterior urethritis which will be very resistant to remedial agents properly applied, if, indeed, it is ever cured. You may be happy if he does not consult you regarding it. The prognosis of a neglected case of gonorrhea may be anything from a mild posterior urethritis to a pus-filled and broken-down kidney.-ED.]

Pain in Thyroid.-Dysmenorrhea. Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Mrs. V., aged 38; married, housewife, first consulted me two years ago in regard to an enlarged thyroid which was very painful. Treatment readily removed the enlargement, but the gland continued at times to be very painful. For last six months it has pained her continually, altho there is no enlargement. Inquiry as regards pelvic history develops that she has never menstruated enuf to make a napkin necessary, altho the mother of two children. A careful examination does not reveal anything wrong with pelvic organs. Malignancy or tuberculosis of the thyroid can be absolutely excluded. General health good. What causes pain? And what will relieve it? No. 2.-Mrs. Z. gives the following history of dysmenorrhea. Two or three days preceding the flow she is seized with intense spasmodic pain greatly resembling labor pains. These last from six to ten hours, and she is then fairly comfortable. In from twenty-four to thirty-six hours the flow begins, which is scanty and light-colored, and lasts two or three days. She is well nourisht, of medium height and weight, slightly constipated, mother of two children, has had one still born child. Examination reveals a slight retroflexion and a stellate laceration of the cervix. Ovaries and tubes appear normal, with exception of slight tenderness in region of ovaries and broad ligaments. Membranous dysmenorrhea can be excluded. Kindly omit my name and town in reply, as these are cases which have been the rounds and would be recognized by other subscribers of THE WORLD in this place. MICH.

[Have the readers of THE WORLD anything

to offer the doctor as regards the probable cause of the pain, and a remedy for it? We confess that we can offer nothing. One would naturally think of myxedema, but the fact of the general health being good would promptly exclude that, unless, perhaps "the last six months" might be but the primary stages of the disease. If anyone has suggestions, please write the Editor.

In case 2, we would suspect the origin of the trouble in one or other ovary. Were the trouble in the uterus, no relief would be experienced until the appearance of the menstrual flow. We do not believe the laceration of the os has any bearing on the case, but we certainly would correct the retroflexion with the aid of a pessary, and also make certain that there was no retroversion complicating. Continuous depletion would doubtless do good; it could be employed in the form of medicated boroglycerid suppositories.

If your cases have "been the rounds," why should you hesitate to let your competitors know that you had been baffled as well as they, and were trying to make more of a success of your treatment? Surely no one could find fault with you for that.-ED.]

Gall Stones.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Is there a medical treatment besides oliv oil for gall stones? I know a lady patient who had gall stones and who refused to submit to an operation, but who took medical treatment from a Chicago specialist, and she certainly passed several very large gall stones. All her friends, of course, now think the man who recommended' an operation is n. g., and that medical treatment for gall stones is o. k. WM. YEATES, M.D. Essex, Ill.

[The oliv oil treatment has very few adherents now; it has been thoroly tried, and in nearly all instances found wanting. The most important remedial agents are those which favor the evacuation of the gall bladder, irrespectiv of stones, and of these, mercurial preparations easily hold the lead. Blue mass or gray powder may be given at intervals of a few days, or one-half grain doses of calomel may be employed. Euonymin and podophyllin are accredited with having considerable cholagog power. Sodium salicylate, in fifteen grain doses, three or four times daily, is said to increase the fluidity of the bile in the gall bladder, and some have even gone so far as to claim a solvent action on the stone itself under the ingestion of this agent; but this is, like the effect of the oil, exceedingly problematical. Ammonium chlorid, ammonium phosphate, and sodium benzoate are used for the same purpose. It is probable that the above-mentioned drugs limit the formation of fresh calculi, and accelerate the movement of the bile; but it is not now believed by the best informed, that any of

them have any action whatever on the calculi already formed. If the stones are small, they may be passed without any medicin, or after the employment of some simple purge like epsom salt; if they are too large to pass thru the duct, surgery offers the only hope of cure. -ED.]

Ringworm (?)

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Would be glad to hear from the editor or some of the brethren regarding two most troublesome cases of ringworm on the buttock and scrotum. Both cases are physicians who have tried everything advised by several of the latest works on skin diseases from some of our most noted dermatologists. Will state that both physicians are in most excellent health, so any history would be unnecessary. One has had it for eleven months, and the other seven months. After having tried almost everything, they have found hot water, applied twice daily, to be the only thing that gives any relief, which very speedily relieves that terrible itching and burning sensation. Now, it is desired to have something that will stop the continued spread of the trouble. Were it not for the almost intolerable itching, followed by most intense burning, it would scarcely be noticed; but the itching is intense. I desire some practical ideas, preferably from those who have had some experience with the trouble, for we both being physicians, have been studying up everything on the subject all these months, with no results other than continued use of hot water for temporary relief.

TEXAS.

[Are you certain of your diagnosis? Ringworm is never difficult to cure if the proper remedy is applied correctly, even if the process of resolution is often tedious. We suggest that you order "Ringworm in the Light of Modern Research," by Malcolm Morris, 142 pages, publisht by Cassell & Company, London, and sold by Leary, Stuart & Company, of New York, N. Y., at $2.00. This book is the completest publisht as to diagnosis, pathology, and treatment.

Pure formaldehyde, painted for a few moments twice a day over the affected area for four or five days, will cure most cases. The application is severe, and is not suited if the mucous membrane is involved, because of the great pain. The severity of application may be mitigated by dilution with glycerin, but some observers claim the effect is not so good as when used in its purity. The following prescription is the favorit one of Unna:

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Albuminuria.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Can you, or some of your readers, give anything like specific treatment for albuminuria, not resulting as a complication or sequel? And what is the latest opinion as to the value of electricity in these cases? E. H. WELLS, M.D. Meshoppen, Pa.

[There is no specific for albuminuria. Perhaps the latest and best light on the subject is thrown out by a little book by Professor Von Noorden, titled Nephritis, publisht by E. B. Treat & Co., New York, N. Y., and sold at $1.00. We advise your getting it, as our space in this department is too limited to admit of profitable discussion upon such vast subjects.ED.]

Chronic Inflammation of the Erectil Tissue of the Penis.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Will you kindly ask the many readers of your valuable journal to help me to cure this patient, or at least tell me what is the trouble? About two years ago a man aged 47 years came to me with two or three small tumors or nodules on the left side of his penis; very slightly painful, but tender. They were a little larger than a pea. In the course of a few months they disappeared, and he thought no more of them; but he began to notice that his penis seemed to be bound on left side, and when it became erect the left side was put very much on the stretch. It grew worse till now, when the penis is erect almost the entire left corpus cavernosum seems to have perisht away; and in complete erection the penis turns to the left at a very well markt angle; in fact, it crooks so far to the left that it is difficult for him to have intercourse. Extreme erection gives a little pain. It continues to grow worse, and it seems now as if the entire left corpus cavernosum will disappear. The penis seems normal when flaccid. What can I do for him? Martin Ga.

T. H. LYON.

[Your patient has chronic inflammation of the erectil tissue of the penis, and you will find no treatment of any material avail. The cause is unknown; it is observed in middleaged men, and frequently the rheumatic or gouty diathesis is an accompaniment. When the hardened spots were first noticed, you might have applied a thin rubber bandage and made inunctions of mercuric ointment; also you should have given internally iodid of potassium in massiv doses; this might have prevented permanent crippling. The induration of the erectil tissue and fibrous envelope may be fibrous entirely, or it may be calcareous in spots. The reason the deviation occurs from a straight line, is, that the fibrous change prevents complete erection of the cavernous body to the distal side of the lesion. We regret the apparent hopelessness of any mitigation of your patient's condition. If the degeneration progresses to a complete bony change in localized areas, you may remove the bony plates by surgical means, but do not hold out any hope of restoration of shape during erection.-ED.]

In dropsy due to cirrhosis of the liver, copaiba is a useful diuretic.

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