These results, according to the writer, have been confirmed by Jacquet and Kündig. Fillippo de Fillippi asserts that ferratin, unlike other chalybeate preparations, is absorbed from the intestine en masse.

Ferratin, the iron component of food, is synthetically produced, and therapeutically employed it has yielded excellent results, enough to prompt favorable reports from Germain Sée, Fackler, Einhorn, Harold, and others.

METRORRHAGIA AND RUPTURED HYMEN CAUSED BY THE BICYCLE.The bicycle craze is spreading, writes a Paris correspondent of the Medical Record, and several of our most eminent physicians may be seen almost any Sunday morning wheeling gracefully and quietly along the now shady avenues of the Bois de Boulogne. No question has aroused more discussion and difference of opinion in the Academy of Medicine than that of bicycling; indeed, it was discussed at several stated meetings, being warmly advocated by some, and as strongly condemned by others. The consensus of the Academy's opinion seems to be that moderate exercise on the bicycle is advisable in neurasthenia, anemia, dyspepsia, gout, and obesity, in all cases of slowness of nutrition, and where moderate muscular movement is required. It is absolutely forbidden in phthisis, organic disease of the heart, and albuminuria. Married women and young girls are fast following the example set them by the men-the latter especially. For them it is not ill-suited, but dangerous. The writer knows of two cases of metrorrhagia brought on by mild bicycling, and another of ruptured hymen from falling on the pummel. Some have immovable bicycles in their bedrooms, the framework being screwed to the floor and the wheels moving just as on the road. The amount of injury done to the pelvic organs of young girls just reaching womanhood will not be long in making itself felt in the shape of uterine versions and flexions, or cellulitis, to say nothing of other such serious complications as those mentioned above. The Parisian gynecologists will undoubtedly soon have more than they can conveniently attend to if matters continue as they have begun.-The Physician and Surgeon.

TRIONAL, CHLORALOSE, AND SOMNAL AS HYPNOTICS.-An instructive article upon the relative value of trional, chloralose, and somnal as hypnotics is presented by Khmiélefski. He found that in asylum practice trional is a fairly certain and rapid sleep-producer, but that it is contra-indicated in melancholia, hypochondriasis, or whenever any mental depression is pres

It should be exhibited in one-gram doses, which may be subsequently increased. Chloralose is somewhat less certain in its action; the amount required to produce sleep varies much in different cases and at different times in the same person. It acts more rapidly than trional, but the sleep is less prolonged. In doses larger than 0.5 gram slight symptoms of poisoning (spasms, etc.,) frequently appear, but they soon pass away and need not cause alarm. It never causes headache or other unpleasant after-effects, which sometimes follow the use of trional. It may be given in cases where

trional is contra-indicated, as in melancholia, hypochondriasis, and psychoses accompanied by depression. If there is any gastro-intestinal disorder, chloralose is, it is stated, almost the only hypnotic which can be given for a prolonged period without harm. Somnal was found, in the few cases in which it was given, to be a valuable and reliable drug. It produced sleep indistinguishable from natural sleep. In some respects it possesses advantages over trional or chloralose. It is, however, contra-indicated if any gastro-intestinal disturbance be present, as it seems to increase this.-Khmiélefski, of Odessa (Meditzinkoé Obozriénié; Lancet, April 20, 1895; Am. Jour. Insan., LII, p. 104).

TREATMENT OF UTERINE PAIN.-Mayet (Soc. de Sci. méd. de Lyon, May, 1894; Internat. klin. Rundsch., 1894,) uses the following prescription for pain in the uterus, with good result:

Iodoform,
Cocaine,

Oleic acid,

Sterilized vaselin,

5 gm;

I gm;

4 gm;

100 gm.

A fine aseptic

The oleic acid is necessary to dissolve the cocaine. sponge is saturated with the material and applied to the cervix before the patient goes to bed. The next morning it is taken out.

Good results are obtained in treating hysteralgia, lesions of any kind involving the uterus, and carcinoma. Care must be taken not to apply the remedy over an extensive abraded area, lest cocaine poisoning occur.

DR. W. B. DORSETT, of St. Louis, read a paper before the American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, eighth annual meeting, entitled The Use and Abuse of the Uterine Curette. The more the author had used and seen used the uterine curette, the more he was impressed with the following ideas: That when used, the selection as to the shape and form of the instrument in a given case is not always a wise one; that a proper knowledge of its use should be obtained before trying to use it; that it is not a cure-all. Its use should be only in conjunction with other treatment. He looks upon the blunt curette (as sold in the shops) as a dangerous instrument. The instrument with a sharp cutting edge, properly constructed, is a most useful one, and in the treatment of intra-uterine inflammatory conditions is the sine qua non of success. In order to secure a good scraping instrument the sharp edge should stand at an angle of 60 degrees to the shaft or handle. A greater angle will not scrape thoroughly, and a lesser angle is liable to incise the uterine wall unless used with a great deal of care. Cases of perforation of the uterine wall are on record, and he thinks they are due to want of care in the selection of the proper instrument. The dull or blunt curette should never and under no circumstances be used.

LACTOPHENIN.-I have tried this new remedy as an analgesic in over eight hundred cases. In over one hundred cases of pneumonia I have had occasion to notice its effects, and the fact that it is a safe and speedy antipyretic. I can not say too much of its soothing effects on the nervous system and of its general superiority above all other synthetic analgesics.

Recently I had occasion to prescribe it for a case of occipital neuralgia after all other remedies had failed, and the relief that was afforded was both speedy and permanent. I sometimes find it advantageous to combine it with caffeine.

One notable fact about lactophenin is, that in no instance has it ever appeared to induce that blue, livid condition of the lips and face that so frequently succeeds upon the administration of acetanilid, antipyrin, phenacetin, etc.

In inflammatory rheumatism and in la grippe, in conjunction with quinine and salicylate of soda it is my sheet-anchor; in the former malady it is advantageously alternated with syrup of trifolium compound.—Doctor J. C. Dwyer (Valentine, Neb.), in the Medical Age, April, 1895.

AN EASY AND READY METHOD OF CIRCUMCISION.-John W. Ross, Surgeon, United States Navy (retired), says, in the Medical Record, August 31, 1895: Retract the foreskin; insert the glans penis up to the corona into the open mouth of a glass test tube; draw the foreskin well forward over the end of the tube; tie a strong, small silk cord very tightly around the foreskin immediately in front of the flange of the tube; amputate the foreskin one eighth of an inch in front of the constricting cord by a circular sweep of the knife; unite the mucous and cutaneous edge of the stump of the prepuce by eight or ten fine interrupted sutures; cut the constricting cord; remove the tube: cover the cut edges well with powdered iodoform; encircle the anterior half of the penis with a roller bandage of iodoform gauze, allowing the meatus to project slightly for facility of urination without soiling or removal of the dressing; and keep the patient in bed, with penis elevated, for from twenty-four to forty-eight hours.-Maryland Medical Journal.

SKIN-GRAFT INCISION TO PREVENT SCARS.-The author advises making an incision obliquely to the surface with a razor or a scalpel, so that one border of the wound forms a broad strip like a Thiersch's curve before the incision is carried down as deeply as necessary. In uniting the wound, the graft is carefully spread over the surface from which it was taken. Small incisions are sealed without suture with collodium, or treated in the usual way of skin-grafting. In large incisions, deep catgut sutures may be employed to close the wound, the graft being then inserted over that and treated as before.-Beck, Chicago, in Jour. Amer. Med. Association.

Special Notices.

LA GRIPPE; DIPHTHERIA; TYPHOID FEVER.-It is not often that we hear of a patient who is made to undergo three such serious diseases as the above in rapid succession. But such was the case with the daughter of Dr. William C. Boteler, of Kansas City, Mo. In a recent issue of the North American Medical Review, of which Dr. Boteler is editor, a description is given of the case of his daughter, now five years old. After suffering with an unusual severe attack of la grippe, diphtheria developed as diagnosed by the Klebs-Loeffler bacillus. She had not recovered from this, in fact was attenuated to a dangerous degree, when she was stricken with typhoid fever; from a weight of forty pounds she was reduced to twenty, with almost total disability. Dr. Boteler describes her condition at this time as something most pitiable. He then began the use of Paskola; and this is the way his report closes: "Its effect seemed instantaneous. She has taken the medicine now over a month, is playful, well, and weighs thirty-four pounds, a gain of fourteen pounds. I can pay no better tribute to your worthy preparation than to say, from this and other cases, I consider it the very best regenerator known to the profession."

MESSRS. THEODORE METCALF Co., Boston, Mass. Gentlemen: I have received such great benefit from your new medicine, Kola-Koloid, that I can not refrain from sending you an unsolicited testimonial. I have tried it in headache and nervous dyspepsia, and it has never failed to afford relief. For the horrible black despondency attendant on nervous prostration, it is a magical remedy. It has controlled and regulated the action of my irritable heart as nothing else ever did. Last and greatest, I have used it for fatigue and exhaustion following overdosing, and found myself so refreshed and reinvigorated as to be ready for any new exertion. Best of all, there has never been the slightest evil after-effect, but a permanent gain in strength and general health. Very sincerely yours, R. Y. E. JOHNSON, M. D., Pardeeville, Wis., August 12, 1895.

CATARRH OF THE BLADDER AND ENLARGed Prostate.-I can not say enough for Renol. I put it to a severe test in a very obstinate case of catarrh of the bladder and enlarged prostate and it simply did wonders.

JERSEYVILLE, ILL.

E. L. H. BARRY, M. D.

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.

PHLYCTENULAR OPHTHALMIA.*

BY S. G. DABNEY, M. D.

Though all the text-books present an excellent description of phlyctenular ophthalmia, yet there are certain points in regard to it which most of them fail to mention and about which there seems to be some diversity of experience. Hence I have thought it worth while to present to this Society a brief paper on the subject.

The importance of an examination of the throat and nasopharynx, the value of eserine in the local treatment, the relative importance of constitutional and topical medication, and the indications and contraindications to the use of cocaine, are matters not entirely agreed upon.

According to Hirchfeld, six per cent of the blind in the asylums of Saxony have lost their sight from phlyctenular ophthalmia. In this country, and especially in the South, we may expect the proportion to be decidedly larger, because it is a common observation that the disease is more frequent and far more serious in the negro than in the white. In this respect it is the opposite of trachoma, which is very rare in the negro.

It constitutes about one fourth of all the diseases of the eyes in children. It is often considered as two separate affections according as the conjunctiva or cornea is involved, but as the epithelium of the conjunctiva is continued over and forms the anterior coat of the cornea, and as the etiology, and with certain important modifications the treat

Read at the June meeting of the Kentucky State Medical Society, 1895.