deaths from diarrhea fell and continued to fall, until the disease ceased to appear in the death records. The data included only 153 deaths in all, but the coincidence, if only such, of high temperature and high death-roll, and low temperature and falling death numbers, is of a character so striking as to attract attention; and Dr. Priestley has set himself the task of obtaining, by a set of questions put in each fatal case, facts which he hopes will in a term of years enable some fresh light to be thrown on the etiology of the disease. Meanwhile he has for 1894, as regards Leicester, obtained facts which go to augment the growing evidence as to increase of diarrhea and ground temperatures being in the position of effect following cause.-British Medical Journal.

THE RUSH TO RUM.-In his annual financial statement last week, the Chancellor of the Exchequer disclosed a curious fact about the consumption of rum. A few years ago Sir William Harcourt's predecessor called attention to what he designated a remarkable "rush to rum," which he attributed to the then prevailing epidemic of influenza. Last year, for the first three quarters ending on December 31, 1894, there was no increase on the revenue from foreign spirits, notwithstanding an increased tax of sixpence; but in February last the receipts from rum rose to 100,000. The Chancellor of the Exchequer pointed out that this was the period of the severe frost. So that the protracted cold weather, probably aided in part by the recrudescence of influenza, seems to have induced the striking run upon rum. Other interesting particulars were given by Sir William Harcourt. Brandy seems to be falling into disfavor, the revenue therefrom having fallen £127,000 short of the estimate, and £91,000 below the yield of 1893-94, while in fifteen years the quantity has diminished 1,000,000 gallons, or 21 per cent, though the population has increased 13 per cent. The consumption has been constantly on the decrease, the receipts during the year having been less by £66,000 than in the year preceding, and the quantity imported nearly three and a half million gallons less than in 1875. It is to be hoped that the steadily increasing extension of sound teaching on the physiology and pathology of alcohol, especially as relative to extreme cold, will so enlighten the coming generation as to render such "rushes to rum' less marked in the future.—Ibid.

WATERBORNE DISEASE.-The eighth and closing meeting of the tenth session of the Microscopical Society of Glasgow was held on April 16th; Mr. Robert Thomson, Vice-President, in the chair. A paper was read by Dr. Thomas Macalpine (Paisley) On Investigations into the Connection of the Paisley Water Supply with the Epidemic of Enteric Fever in the Autmn if 1893. A history of the epidemic was read from the reports of the medical officer. Clear evidence pointed to the water supply as the source of contagion; the water was chemically analyzed by Dr. Clarke, who reported that it contained a little organic matter, but was otherwise pure

and fit for domestic use. As has happened before, such an analysis was found a poor thing to rely on as giving any indication of the actual nature of the organic matter, much less the delicate quantities which show that a sample of water is free from infective organisms. No analysis of water can be considered complete without being submitted to microscopical examination. For the detection of bacteria or germs believed to cause disease in the animal body recourse must be had to the microscope. Dr. Macalpine proceeded to give an account of his investigations as to the pollution of the water. He made a careful survey of the Rosebank reservoir, and found it contaminated at several places from the sewage of farms. The water contained much albuminoidal matter, and from a sample taken at a boggy bank he made the unpleasing discovery of typhoid bacilli in enormous numbers. Steps have been taken to improve the condition of this reservoir. The lecturer referred to the purification of water by filtration and to the great advantage in this respect of a distant source of supply, which, if due precautions are taken to prevent pollution by the way, allows perfect oxidation to take place, which is the chief factor in rendering innocuous any deleterious organic matter.-Ibid.

PAIN FOLLOWING EXTRACTION OF TEETH.-At a recent meeting of the Odontological Society of Great Britain a very interesting case of pain following the extraction of a tooth was brought to the notice of the members by Mr. Storer Bennett. The patient, who was a female, aged twentythree, had suffered pain, periostitic in character, from an upper third molar. The tooth was removed without difficulty, but the socket remained intensely painful for the next twelve days, in spite of the repeated applications of such remedies as strong carbolic acid, tincture of aconite, cocaine, and hot poppy fomentations. During this period the socket granulated healthily, except at its apex, where on examination a spot about the size of a pin's head was discovered, which appeared white in color, and caused on being touched the greatest agony. Thinking that the case was due to the exposure of the end of nerve, Mr. Bennett treated it by "division of the nerve just below the surface of the wound." The result was completely satisfactory, the pain ceasing immediately after the operation.-The Lancet.

ON THE USE OF STEAM IN REMOVING TUMORS FROM PARENCHYMATOUS ORGANS.-Snegisjeff (Berliner Klinik) reports a case of echinococcus which he removed from the spleen by the following method. The tumor was the size of a man's head. The incision was in the linea alba. The jet of steam was directed on to the larger convexity of the spleen, and the subjacent tissue at once became white and dry. A completely bloodless incision, seven inches long, was then made through the splenic tissue, and the tumor peeled from its surroundings by the finger. Whenever hemorrhage, which was sometimes violent, occurred, it ceased at once when steam was directed on to it, and in this way the whole tumor was shelled out. It

was then decided to suture the incision in the spleen except at one spot, to pack the cavity with iodoform gauze, to make a small incision in the left hypochondrium, and to stitch the spleen to the abdominal walls. In doing this the splenic artery was pricked and bled profusely, but hemorrhage ceased on the application of steam. Unfortunately the artery became thrombosed, and after ligaturing it the spleen was completely removed. The patient recovered. Although owing to the accident to the splenic artery the intended treatment could not be carried out in this case, yet it is evident that an echinococcus or other tumor could be removed from any organ instead of extirpating the latter. The steam is best superheated to 150° to 200° C. In the case of soft organs the steam must not be at high pressure, and must always be directed obliquely on to the bleeding spot. In operations on bones the steam must be at high pressure.—British Medical Journal.

TREATMENT OF EPILEPSY.-C. Féré (Rev. de Méd.) speaks of the importance of continuing the bromides even in cases which are apparently cured. He instances three cases of epilepsy associated with infantile hemiplegia, epilepsy persisting from infancy and the ordinary epilepsy of adolescence. The bromide brought about a complete suspension of the fits. After some time it was gradually diminished and then stopped. The fits recurred after considerable periods to be again controlled by bromides. The action of the bromides consists rather in suspending the fits than in curing them. Occasionally patients after prolonged treatment cease to have fits for several years, and yet this can not be foreseen. When properly given the bromides are harmless. They can not be effectual unless habitually tolerated, and they are more easily tolerated than is usually believed. Intestinal antisepsis may help to ward off unpleasant symptoms. Bromide of strontium may be substituted. Frequent baths are useful in warding off cutaneous complications. All the manifestations arising during the treatment must not be forthwith put down to the bromides.—Ibid.

MEDICAL LEGISLATION IN KANSAS.-The Kansas Medical Practice Bill was defeated chiefly through the influence of the Populists. In the House, according to the Kansas Medical Journal, Mr. Winters, a Populist member, said: "We Western people can't support your plug-hat doctors. We've got a lot of old women who are better than any of them." Kansas is certainly a most fortunate State, if its laws are to be made for it by legislators who are swayed by such arguments as that. The logic of Populism as applied to medicine is certainly consistent with that by which it settles financial and other questions.-Boston Medical and Surgical Journal.

ANOTHER "FAITH-CURE" FATALITY.-The coroner at Dayton, O., has held Col. F. B. Mead and his wife to be responsible for the death of their twelve-year-old daughter, who was by them permitted to be treated by "faith-cure" methods while she was suffering from tubercular meningitis.

Special Notices.

J. E. O'CONNOR, M. B., B. Ch., Leicester, England, says: "In a case of urethritis accompanied by cervical cystitis and urethral synovitis the administration of Sanmetto was attended with most satisfactory results. The drug appears to relieve the pain, reduce the irritation and produce healing and cessation of the muco-purulent discharge more speedily and efficaciously than any other remedy yet offered to the profession. In the case alluded to a marked improvement in the condition of the affected portion of the urinary tract was speedily followed by disappearance of the arthritic trouble. The patient had previously been treated with santal oil, salicylate of soda, and acetate of potash."

EXCESSIVE URINATION.-In a case of excessive urination, the patient passing five or six pints of water during the night, I prescribed Renol, and to my surprise found a marked change for the better within twenty-four hours. Continuing the use of Renol for a few days my patient entirely recovered, and I naturally consider Renol an excellent remedy in disturbances of the kidneys.

HENSHAW, Ky.

W. H. NUNN, M. D.

TORPID STOMACH.-If the stomach of your patient is torpid and will not secrete enough gastric juice to digest his food, then give him two or more fluid drachms of Seng before each meal. Seng is the only remedy that will normally increase the flow of the digestive fluids.

HABITUAL MISCARRIAGE. Dr. Rasquinet, Jupile, near Liege, Belgium, says: "I tried Aletris Cordial in the case of a woman who had had several miscarriages at the end of five months, and who is now again pregnant, having reached the seventh month. Thanks to Aletris Cordial."

MESSRS. HELBING AND PASSMORE, the great English chemists, have pronounced Peacock's Bromides a preparation of chemically pure bromides, and far superior to the commercial salts.

LABOR SAVING: The American Medical Publishers' Association is prepared to furnish carefully revised lists, set by the Mergenthaler Linotype Machine, and printed upon either plain or adhesive paper, for use in addressing wrappers, envelopes, postal cards, etc., as follows:

List No. I contains the name and address of all reputable advertisers in the United States who use medical and pharmaceutical publications, including many new customers just entering the field. Price, $1.25 per dozen sheets.

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The above lists are furnished gummed, in strip form, for use on the "Plymouth Rock "* mailer, and will be found a great convenience in sending out advertising matter, sample copies, and your exchanges. If you do not use a mailing machine, these lists can readily be cut apart and applied as quickly as postage stamps, insuring accuracy in delivery and saving your office help valuable time.

Send for copy of By-laws and Monthly Bulletin. These lists will be furnished free of charge to members of the Association. See "Association Notes" in The Medical Herald. CHARLES WOOD FASSETT, Secretary, corner Sixth and Charles streets St. Joseph, Missouri.

Certainly it is excellent discipline for an author to feel that he must say all he has to say in the fewest possible words, or his reader is sure to skip them; and in the plainest possible words, or his reader will certainly misunderstand them. Generally, also, a downright fact may be told in a plain way; and we want downright facts at present more than any thing else.-RUSKIN,

Original Articles.

CRANIOTOMY, SYMPHYSEOTOMY, AND CESAREAN SECTION.*

BY JOHN G. CECIL, B. S., M. D.

Professor of Principles and Practice of Medicine, Louisville Medical College.

Manifestly it will be impossible in the time allotted to this paper to enter upon a full discussion of the comprehensive subject given as its title. Much of interest must of necessity be omitted. To describe these operations would in this presence be a bootless task; to consider their respective merits would likewise be useless. Neither will the attempt be made to demonstrate the superiority of one above the other by statistics. That "figures won't lie" may be a mathematical truism; but figures won't tell the whole truth in obstetrics any more than they do in surgery. With these features passed by there still remains several important and interesting phases to profitably engage our attention.

Each one of these operations has a place in obstetric surgery, and we may safely say that they are here to stay. Much of the confusion as to the special indications for either one of them has been dispelled. Out of chaos has come a pretty well defined order. Obstetrics share with surgery the good results of clean work. More is due to the prevention of septic infection, so prone to follow these operations, than to improved methods of doing them. The concept of each one dates far back into history. Cesarean section has a mythological birth as old as the Christian era, became a recognized surgical procedure from the first of the sixteenth century, was modernized by Sänger and Porro. Symphyse

* Read at the June meeting of the Kentucky State Medical Society, 1995.