SACCHARIN.-Coal tar appears to contain an inexhaustible number of useful products, that are from day to day being exhumed by the astute chemist. The latest of which we have any knowledge is saccharin, recently described by Prof. Ira Remsen, of the Johns Hopkins University—vol. ii, Amer. Chemical Jour.-as anhydro orthosulphamin benzoic acid. It is a white powder, without toxic or deleterious effects on the human organism, and about three hundred times sweeter than cane sugar. It is readily soluble in warm water, alcohol and ether. Its cost, $125 a pound, will for the present prevent its coming largely into use, but as one grain is ample to sweeten a cup of coffee, a pound will go a long ways. There are some conditions in the treatment of which it will doubtless be found of great value, and regardless of cost, will be used—such as diabetes, and in those conditions of infancy in which sugar and starchy compounds produce fermentation, followed by more or less acidity. Saccharin is excreted by the kidneys in the same condition as when taken into the stomach.

A FEW days ago we had the pleasure of witnessing the performance of a very delicate and interesting operation on the eye, by Prof. A. G. Sinclair of this city. Three days previously a fragment of metal about the size of the head of a small pin was driven through the cornea near its center across the anterior chamber, and buried in the iris about half a line from its papillary margin. An incision four lines in length was made through the cornea near its junction with the sclerotica, a powerful magnet passed into the anterior chamber and into contact with the metal. The latter adhered firmly to the magnet, was dislodged and withdrawn from the eye, leaving the organ normal in appearance, save conjunc tival redness and diminished depth of the anterior chamber.

We have received of the Maltine Manufacturing Company of New York, a sample of their new preparation, Maltine, with cascara sagrada. We are certain that this new compound will meet with favor among physicians, as it combines the nutritive and disastatic virtues of Maltine with the laxa

tive effect of cascara sagrada. The Maltine Manufacturing Company have reduced the list of their compounds and have very greatly improved the style and neatness of their finish. In addition to this we are glad to note that the character of their preparations is much improved. It will be observed that Maltine is not so viscid as formerly made, but of a more fluid consistency, and, while retaining the nutritive and diastatic value that has given it precedence over all other malt extracts, it is rendered entirely agreeable to the taste of the most fastidious; besides, as now prepared, it is more easily administered.

ANTIPYRIN IN PUERPERAL FEVER.-Dr. John Blake White narrated four cases of puerperal fever in the Med. News, in which he had happy effects from the use of antipyrin. He gave the drug in doses of fifteen or twenty grains, repeated every one, two, or three hours, as appearances seemed to dictate, with the uniform result of lowering the temperature and ameliorating the patient's condition. A notable feature in the action of antipyrin in these cases was the restoration of the lochial discharge when suppressed. The doctor says: "It appears to me that the pyrexia in puerperal fever checks involution, and an arrest of the lochia follows. This discharge becomes re-established upon the reduction of temperature."

LISTERINE. The following is condensed from a recent number of the "Kansas Medical Index:" In the large class of summer diarrhoeas of children and adults, with griping in the bowels and flatulence, the use of Listerine, in doses varying from ten drops to a teaspoonful (with or without water), has a most salutary and pleasing effect. It can be administered at short intervals after eating, as soon as regurgitation, distension, or acidity occurs. Its action in arresting excessive fermentation is prompt; besides, it exercises a decided sedative influence on the mucous membranes of the stomach. The thymol, menthol and boric acid which, with the quota of alcohol necessary to their proper admixture, form the principal elements of Listerine, lend to this compound a special value in this class of cases.

OUR ADVERTISERS.

MEDICAL COLLEGES.-The KENTUCKY MEDICAL SCHOOL presents to our readers an advertisement this month. Students contemplating a spring and summer course of lectures can find no better school. Address Prof. Wm. H. Wathen, M.D., Dean, Louisville, Ky.

Lectures will begin in the MEDICAL DEPARTMENT of the Tr LANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA for the fifty-third session, Monday, October 18, 1886. Clinical advantages unsurpassed, and the school essential to the Southern 'practitioner and student. Address Prof. S. E. Chaille, M.D., Dean, P. O. drawer 261, New Orleans, La.

The regular session of the BELLEVUE HOSPITAL MEDICAL COLLEGE will begin September 22, 1886. No school in America has better advantages for thorough education. Address Prof. Austin Flint, M.D., Secretary, New York city.

The NEW YORK POLYCLINIC, for practitioners only, begins its winter session Sept. 21, 1886. The summer session begins June 1, 1887.

The MEMPHIS HOSPITAL MEDICAL COLLEGE will open Monday, October 4, 1886. As heretofore, every arrangement has been made for a thorough course of lectures and clinical instruction, and the prospect for a large class is flattering.

BENZOATE OF SODIUM IN CHOLERA INFANTUM.-Dr. Guaita (Allg. Wien Med. Ztg.) thinks the above disease due to a special microbe, which in some way enters the system and then becomes pathogenic, if the conditions are favorable to its development. He has found the following to be most successful in the treatment of fifty-three cases, all terminating in recovery First, a mild laxative of calomel, then benzoate of sodium, from 64 to 96 grains in 4 oz. water per day. The size of the dose was regulated more by the age of the child than by the urgency of the symptoms. Improvement was noticeable on the second day in the alvine discharges-the fœtid odor and vomiting ceased.

R. A. Robinson & Co. manufacture a syrup of hypophosphites equal to any in the market, and their wine of coca is undoubtedly superior to anything of the kind we have used.

Yellow Fever.-A few cases of the dread malady have occurred in New Orleans and Biloxi, but no apprehension is felt in Memphis. Our health authorities, Dr. G. B. Thornton and the President of the Taxing District, Hon. D. P. Hadden, are in daily communication with the health authorities of both localities, and will exercise constant vigilance and "tolerate no foolishness" if the danger of its introduction here becomes imminent.

THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION will hold its next meeting in Toronto, October 4 to 8. It is believed that this will be the most important meeting ever held by the organization. The attendance will not only be large from this country, but many distinguished sanitarians from abroad will be on hand. The Annual Conference of State Boards of Health-Section of State Boards of Health-will also be held during this meeting.

WE notice that our polished and brilliant contemporary, Dr. F. E. Daniel, editor Daniel's Texas Medical Journal, has been tendered the Secretaryship of the Texas State Medical Association, made vacant by the death of Dr. Burt. We congratulate the Association upon its wisdom, and extend the hope that it may be successful in inducing Dr. Daniel to accept.

DUAL HONORS -Dr. I. N. Love of St. Louis, the late neverto-be-forgotten toast-master of the Association of American Medical Editors, was elected President of the Mississippi Valley Medical Association at the last meeting, and has recently become the honored recipient of a thirteen-pound heir. The MONTHLY congratulates him.

DR. MAURY.-We present an interesting letter from Dr. R. B. Maury in this issue of the MONTHLY. It was received too late for our August number and consequently appears after the doctor has returned to his home; we hope however, the delay in its publication will render it none the less appreciable.

WE take pleasure in calling the attention of our readers to" Sweet Emulsion of Quinine" (see advertising page 35). We can assert, advisedly, that the emulsion is just what is claimed in the advertisement. It is pleasant to the most delicate taste, and has answered every purpose of quinine in our practice.

NECROLOGY.

GABBERT-At residence, on Cummins avenue, near south gate of Elmwood Cemetery, Friday afternoon, June 25, 1886, Dr. L. W. Gabbert, aged fifty-six years.

Dr. Gabbert was a plain, unassuming practitioner, of more than ordinary sagacity at the bedside. For a number of years he was professor of obstetrics in the Botanico-Medical College of this city, having for his colleagues Drs. G. W. Morrow, W. B. Morrow, T. C. Gayle, W. Hewett and others. The College ceased to exist in 1861 on account of the war between the States, and the doctor located in Mississippi, from whence he a few years since returned, when, on account of protracted ill health, he never entirely regained his former foothold in the practice.

READING NOTICES.

Of late there has been a great influx of new drugs, some of great value, others of little or no use. Where a medical man has an extensive practice, consisting of rural and urban patients, he has ample opportunity of testing the effects of drugs, as the varieties of disease that come under his notice are great; and although his means of watching the actions of drugs are not so good as in hospital practice, yet a good deal can be done if he cares to take a little trouble to "take notes." The following is one which has been used for some time by my colleague (Dr. Proudfoot) and myself, and I I give the results:

BROMIDIA.-About eighteen months ago a friend of mine from America told me of the wonderful effect of a medicine, much used in the States, called Bromidia. According to the makers, it is composed of chloral hydrate, 15 gr.; potassium bromide, 15 gr.; extract of cannabis indica, gr., and extract of hyoscyamus, gr. I obtained some, and have ordered it regularly for over a year, and have found it excellent in the pain of rheumatism, pneumonia and cancer, also