AN AID TO SUCCESS IN MEDICAL TREATMENT.-A recent treatise, which we believe has been widely read by the medical profession, discusses very ably the acquirements that physicians should add to the strictly scientific. That there are many qualities essential to the attainment of success in the practice of medicine besides a knowledge of the science and art cannot be denied, and the possession of these superficial pre requisites are often seen to more quickly open the portals to remunerative practice than the most profound attainments. Since the practice of medicine has, with a few exceptions, become a business-a means of making money-physicians cannot afford to ignore the cultivation in themselves of those qualities which command, though they may not deserve success. The æsthetics of one's profession must not, therefore, be forgotten. The address, the air, the manner of the physician, all create an impression for good or ill, and for the mental influence exerted on fastidious patients alone, it behooves the doctor to avail himself of every aid that pharmacy may extend toward robbing many of his disagreeable duties of their (to the sensitive patient) obtrusively objectionable feat ures. A preparation which has been found of great service to the doctor in this connection is antiseptic cologne, manufactured by Parke, Davis & Co, which combines the properties of an active disinfectant with those of a refreshing and agreeable perfume. The active constituents of this preparation are thymol, oil of eucalyptus and mercuric chloride, combined with a cologne of superior quality. The utility of this preparation is at once apparent. Nearly all the disinfectants in common use, which have any real value, are limited in their uses about the house, and especially in the sick room, by their disagreeable odor. In the sick-room this preparation may be employed in the form of a spray with an ordinary perfume atomizer, to overcome disagreeable odors; of course this must be merely as a palliative; the air must be kept pure besides by free ventilation. Surgeons and physicians will find it to meet several important indications when they are attending patients suffering from infectious diseases. It is useful as a disinfectant for the hands in cases of infectious diseases, or to remove the odor of Labarraque's solution which is often employed for the same purpose. In gynecological and obstetric practice, such a preparation as this is of especial service. A recent article in a medical journal (" Progress," July, 1886), highly recommends the general use of antiseptic cologne by physicians, and we have pleasure in calling attention to its utility. We learn that it is put up in half pint bottles, labeled with full directions for use, which are sold for $1 each, or sample bottles, trial size, 25 cents. QUININE BLINDNESS.-Quinine judiciously used, when the eyes and ears are healthy, will produce only temporary disturbance of the functions of these organs. But from over doses-40 to 60 grains frequently repeated-quite a number of cases of blindness have occurred and been placed on record. Most of these have been temporary in character, some, however, with permanently injured eyes. We do not recall any record of permanent and complete deafness from quininization when the remedy was administered to persons not previously the subjects of ear disease. It is altogether different, however, with those who are already partially deaf from some pathological change. In such, each time cinchonism is produced, the deafening influence is greatly exaggerated, and the return to the pre-existing condition of hearing capacity, slow and frequently short of perfection, so that each time the patient is brought well under the influence of the drug, more or less increase in the permanent deafness is marked. We can recall quite a number of such instances, resulting in great permanent obtuseness of hearing, from a few thorough quininizations. FOREIGN BODIES IN THE EAR.-Dr. Hutchinson's method for removing foreign bodies from the ear and nose is one of the most satisfactory and practical, and consists in the use of a wire loop. It is both safe and efficient, while the scoop and forceps are more or less dangerous instruments. Any delicate wire will answer the purpose, but perhaps silver wire is pref erable, and in most instances quite as convenient. It should be twisted so as to form a loop at the end; this loop can be altered to any size or shape, and bent at any angle with the stem that may be desired. The stem, also, may be curved to suit the peculiarities of any given case. The wire is not so rigid and dangerous in the event of uncontrollable movements, as either the scoop or the forceps, and yet it is rigid enough for practical purposes. He has only occasionally found an anesthetic necessary, in children who are very much frightened and restive, and where the passages have been rendered painful by previous attempts at removal of the foreign body. TO DISGUISE THE BITTER OF QUININE.-Dr. Ferdinand Lascer read a paper before the Louisiana Pharmaceutical Association at its meeting in April last, in which he recommended the following method as the best for disguising the taste of quinine without interfering with its therapeutic action: Triturate equal parts of sulphate of quinine and sugar of milk with twice the weight of crystallized phosphate of sodium, and this method can be further improved upon by the addition of saccharin in proportion of or grain to each grain of quinine. The quinine when taken in this manner is, by double decomposition, changed to a phosphate, which is soluble in only 750 parts of water. When taken it is slightly bitter to the taste, and the phosphate of quinine in, so to say, statu nascenti, will be quickly dissolved in the gastric juice. INTUBATION We devote a liberal amount of our space in this issue to the discussion of the relative value of intubation and tracheotomy. Intubation is a new operation; true the idea was suggested and the operation attempted with imperfectly adapted tubes quite a while back, but as no good resulted therefrom the operation may be said to be a new one. By the presentation of the discussion elsewhere, which embodies a liberal share of experience, we hope to lay the advantages and disadvantages of the procedure at once before our readers, and thus enable them from varied standpoints to estimate for themselves its value. NECROLOGY. Dr. A. MCLENNAN died of acute lobar pneumonia on the 22d day of May, 1886. He was born near Idaville, Tipton county, Tennessee, on the 1st day of April, 1844, and graduated in medicine at the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, Pa., in 1874. After his return from college he located at the late John Faulks, only a few miles from his old home, and remained in that neighborhood up to the time of his death. He united with the Pleasant Union (Mudville), Cumberland Presbyterian church shortly after commencing the practice of his chosen profession, and remained a member up to his death; and whereas it hath pleased our Divine Maker to remove him from our midst and his field of labor, therefore be it Resolved, That the Atoka (Tipton county) Medical Society, of which Dr. McLennan was a member, deeply mourn his loss in common with the people of his community. Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with his family in their irretrievable loss. Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to his family and to the MISSISSIPPI VALLEY MEDICAL MONTHLY, and Tipton County Record for publication, also that they be entered upon the minutes of the Society, on a separate page set apart for that purpose. J. T. FAUCETT, J. F. BENTON, Secretary pro tem. W. A. McLISTER, DIED.-Mrs. Dr. Caldwell of Trenton, Tenn., July 18, 1886. Mrs. Caldwell was the estimable wife of our friend Dr. S. W. Caldwell, and died almost without warning, her sickness having preceded her death only a few hours. We tender the doctor our earnest condolence, even though aware of its insignificance in the presence of so grave a calamity. CHOLERA.—From cable reports we learn that cholera is on the increase in Italy; and in view of the fact that this disease follows the channels of commerce, as well as the further fact that the season in America, so far, has been unusually favorable for the maintainance of bowel troubles in the adult, great watchfulness upon the part of those in authority should be preserved. The Marine-Hospital Service will be expected to enforce the quarantine laws of the country with the utmost rigidity compatible with business interests, and if the danger in any instance becomes imminent, the latter should be wholly ignored. This branch of the government is yet on trial in protective medicine, and we earnestly hope that it may prove as successful as our confidence in its officers leads us to believe it will be. PROF. R. B. MAURY, M.D., is now in Europe spending the summer months. Among other places of professional interest that will attract him, Birmingham and Edinburgh, where he will witness Tait and the Keiths operate, will no doubt come in for their share. In the meantime his associate in the practice, Dr. Mitchell, is pushing to completion a new and magnificent gynecological infirmary, one that will hardly be surpassed in its appointments for comfort, convenience and superior facilities for the recovery of its inmates, for a long time in the Southern States. READING NOTICES. I have tried Bromidia in two cases, one patient suffering from a slight febrile affection, the other a victim of acute insomnia; in the latter case various preparations of opium had proved useless, and the administration of chloral was followed by lassitude and congestion in the head. Bromidia produced sound sleep in both of these cases, unaccompanied by any unpleasantness on waking. In my opinion this preparation is destined to render good service, and I intend prescribing it whenever the opportunity presents itself.—MAURICE HACHE, M.D., 8 Rue de Tournon, Paris. Editor of Northwestern Lancet-Not long since I had brought to me a child of six months, suffering from the following symptoms: Constipation, at times irregular action of bowels, regurgitation of food, and an asthmatic cough. Its mouth was full of thrush sores, and its appearance one of poor nourishment. It had been given a number of Infants' Foods in vain, one of which I prescribed myself. By means of mild medication, directed toward the cough and stomach, something was accomplished. Finally I gave "Carnrick's Soluble Food," and had the satisfaction of having it retained, and at last accounts the child was doing nicely. I am inclined |