mercenary motives sells a most dangerous remedy that induces every manner of public immorality and crime.

To the credit of the vast majority of American pharmacists be it said, but a limited number are guilty of selling "dopes" to white and black unfortunates. To the disgrace of medicine be it said, the vilest offenders against humanity are physicians in cities and towns who combine the practice with the drug business, and under the plea that they can legally precribe narcotics, the sales of which, except for medical usage, are forbidden by law, they disgrace their medical calling by writing renewable prescriptions that tend to encourage the prolongation of the cocaine habit. The large profits derived from the sale of "coke" especially enables such scoundrels to reap a large profit at the expense of crazy victims, and these self-same doctor-druggists are responsible for more than one-half of the crime committed in the cities and towns that are so unfortunate to have them in the community. Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia and Indiana hold a number of such medicopharmaceutical rascals. Even Cincinnati has a few whose diplomas should be taken away from them, if all tales be true, by the Ohio State Board of Medical Examiners. The "coke" habit has grown so bad in some small Kentucky towns that but few of the once trusted colored servants can be trusted. There is no better serving class in the world than the Southern negro when he is not given to alcoholism and cocainism.

Apropos to this same subject, we clip the following from a late number of the Bulletin of Pharmacy. It is from the pen of Dr. Thomas G. Simonton, and read before the Pittsburg Academy of Medicine. Dr. Simonton, among other things, gives the following narration:

"In January, 1903, a drug clerk and I procured a colored man and visited twelve drug stores in the lower part of the city,

giving him the money to buy the drug, with instructions to ask for fifteen cents' worth of cocaine, and to bear in mind whether any questions were asked in regard to the use of it or what it was for, and also whether he was required to register or enter his name and address in a book. We remained outside the store and watched him. Without the least hesitation in six of the stores the drug was sold to him, no questions being asked, nor his name and address entered in the poison book kept for that purpose and required by law. The result of the afternoon's work was as follows: At six [of the fifteen] stores he procured the drug in a little wooden or pasteboard box. Five of the boxes contained no label, some had the figures '15' on them; one had stamped on one side Poison, Cocaine, Pittsburg, Pa.' Not one contained the name of the drug store. Some of the boxes contained crystals; in others the drug was mixed with some finely powdered substance. At one place they refused to sell less than a quarter's worth, so he paid twenty-five cents for that box. Five of the other stores said that they would have to have a physician's prescription, and one said they were out of it. The above facts can all be verified by competent witnesses. It is

the honest belief of the writer that three thousand ounces, or 1,440,000 grains, is not an unusual amount to pass over a single counter in a year, but actual figures are hard to obtain. In the case of one druggist who has admitted that he sold 40 to 50 ounces a month, this statement was made in the presence of witnesses. Think of one store selling 288,000 grains a year! How much do some of the others sell? In fairness to the profession of pharmacy it can truthfully be said there are druggists who refuse to sell it except by prescription, and some also who refuse to handle the 'catarrh cures' that contain

black prostitutes. We do not know what has become of these cases, but certainly there is no court of justice that will refuse to enforce the new poison law that has been in full effect since January 1. 1903. The State Board of Pharmacy and State Board of Medical Examiners have full power to revoke the licenses of physicians and druggists who pander to the morbid appetites of morphine and cocaine victims. The "coke" habit is growing more and more common in every community, and it is high time that the courts and various State boards should take the matter in hand and stamp out of business the class of men who degrade the professions of medicine and pharmacy.

We call the attention of the State Board of Health to a matter that is of far more importance than any prevalent disease it may now have on hand. We know these views will meet the indorsement of all honest physicians and pharmacists who have given the least attention to the matter. There is no honest pharmacist in the city who does not feel that he is outraged by the liberty afforded certain unscrupulous drug dealers, who ply their nefarious avocation under cover of a druggist's sign, dealers in "coke" and any other poison that is called for. These are the gentry who furnish carbolic acid and Paris green to all that class of unfortunates who live on the wages of sin until they die from cocaine or morphine, supplemented by some suicidal remedy. Were

we a member of the State Pharmaceutical Society this class of druggists would be called before the professional bar of justice and reasons demanded for the disgraceful use of an honorable title. Let the State Board of Medical Examiners and State Board of Pharmacy unite and put an end to this pernicious and illegal sale of poisons to every comer. The daily press, too, might offset some of the evil it has done by giving the public the results of private investigation in the dope line.

We have headed this article "The Cocaine Curse and the Negro." We reiterate the statement that 50 per cent. of crime among the negroes is caused by unscrupulous white men who deliberately aid in the propagation of the cocaine habit. A few damage suits against dope dealers by their victims might end in bringing some of these scoundrels to their senses, for their professional cheek is only equalled by their impudent effrontery and violation of every legal and moral law in the community. Some of the eloquent clergy, the reformers of this community, might bend their earnest efforts to hunting down body, mind and soul destroyers, the dope sellers, instead of keeping prayerful eyes on slot machines.

T. C. M.

COMIC MEDICINE IN GERMANY. Our French confrères still fire cross shots at their neighbors outre Rhein, as witness the following, for it would appear that Alsace and Lorraine are not forgotten. Says the Fournal de Medecine de Paris:

"Each year the Münchener Medicinische Wochenschrift publishes a 'Scherznummer,' full of Teutonic phantasies. This is the celebrated journal that some years since offered as a prize an 'Assistant in Surgery,' made of porcelain, endowed with numerous qualities and precious advantages, for the porcelain assistant never spoke evil of his chief of service, kept his mouth shut during operations, and could easily be sterilized. This is the journal, too, that in its last edition published an advertisement as a satire on an overcrowded German profession.

"House Without a Doctor. "The third floor of a house on a principal street, that has not been occupied by a physician. Write O. W."

Some of the "Scherznummer's" pleasantries on specialists might even please Americans, as for instance:

"Will shortly appear at Goldmacher's Library, Leipsic, a treatise on 'Diseases of the Lobe of the Ear,' published with

the collaboration of renowned savants, by Professor Auriculus Mus, Aulic Councillor.

"Volume I-Introduction.

66

'Chapter I-Comparative Anatomy of the Lobe of the Ear Among Vertebrates, by Professor Langwell.

"Chapter II-Anatomy of the Lobe of the Ear in Man,' brofessor Schmerig.

'Chapter III Physiology of the Lobe of the Ear of Man,' by Professor Schmerig.

"Chapter IV-Pathological Anatomy of the Lobe of the Ear,' by Professor Schneider and Dr. Tocber, privat docent. "Chapter V-General Pathology of the Lobe of the Ear,' by Professor Wandebar.

"Sub-Chapter I-Bacteriology of the Lobe of the Ear, Including Bacteriology of the Cerumen,' by Dr. Bacillowski.

"'Sub-Chapter II-Menstrual and Vicarious Hemorrhages of the Lobe of the Ear,' by Professor Gastrirer.

"Then follow volumes again : "Volume II-Surgery of the Lobe of the Ear.

"Volume III-Internal Affections of the Lobe of the Ear.

"Volume IV-Dermatoses of the Lobe of the Ear.

66 "Volume V-Treatment of Affections of the Lobe of the Ear.

"Then to come and now in press : 'Hygiene of the Lobe of the Ear,' 'Prophylaxis of Affections of the Lobe of the Ear;' finally, a stereoscopic atlas in colors of the lobe of the ear.

All of which is duly enjoyable for those who see a good satirical point when it is well taken. Alas! the poor specialists."

*

*

"A story now goes the rounds among German papers regarding the celebrated Bergmann, too good to be lost.

Professor Bergmann sent one of his richest patients, attacked by an articular affection, to Kreuznach, to follow the chloride treatment. At the end of last Autumn Bergmann met his client on the promenade at Tilleul; the patient was absolutely helpless, and was being pulled around in a chair.

"Why, my old friend!' exclaimed Professor Bergmann, 'you appear to be in bad shape. What are you doing here?'

"I came here to take the baths and mecanotherapy.'

66 What ass sent you here?' asked Bergmann, angrily. This is no place for your case.'

"You sent me here, Herr Doctor,' replied the sufferer."

There are more Bergmanns than one in this world. Some are in New York, Chicago, St. Louis, and even-we were going to say in-but what's the use of filing a bill of particulars? After all,

this thing of medicine is so fuil of humor at times that it must be viewed by other standards than that of a grave professor.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

T. C. M.

AT the May meeting of the Gallia County Medical Society the following

officers were elected: President-Dr. T. L. Chadbourne; Vice-President-Dr. Ella G. Lupton; Secretary - Dr. Harry S. Allen; Treasurer - Dr. S. W. Williams. Censors were elected as follows: C. G. Parker, J. T. Hanson, J. B. Alcorn.

ter.

Live Barometers.

For

A common leech makes a good baromeFill a tumbler half full with water, put the leech into it and tie a piece of muslin over the top to keep the leech from getting out. All you have to do to find out what sort of weather we are going to have is to watch the little creature. example, when the day is to be fine the leech will remain at the bottom of the glass, coiled up in spiral shape and quite motionless. If rain may be expected, it will creep to the top of the glass and stay there until it clears off. If the leech twists itself and is very restless, there is going to be a windstorm. If it keeps out going to be a windstorm. of the water for several days look out for a thunderstorm. The indications for frosty weather are the same as for fine. and for snow the same as for rain.-Health.

In all catarrhal conditions of the urinary passages stigmata maidis exerts a curative power which is unmistakable. Med. Summary.

Current Literature.

The Lip Reflex of New-Born Children.

The act of sucking is undoubtedly the most fully developed of the voluntary coordinated acts of early life. It is also well known that the mother's nipple presents evidence of a well-marked reflex; when mechanically stimulated its muscular fibres contract, rendering it harder, longer, and thinner, and so more easily grasped and readily retained by the infant's mouth. It is therefore with no surprise that we learn from Dr. John Thomson that sleeping babies manifest a normal reflex movement of the lips on tapping near the angle of the mouth. The reflex is best elicited by a series of gentle taps-a small-sized vulcanite earspeculum, with its extremity padded and attached to the finger-tip by an elastic band, affords a very convenient agenton the upper or under lip near the angle of the mouth. In a well-marked case there is a slight momentary jerk, generally towards the side tapped, but sometimes towards the other side. The lips close and become deliberately pursed together, so as to pout a little, and as the tapping is continued, the protrusion of the lips becomes more and more conspicuous. This lip-reflex seems to occur in nearly all healthy new-born babies when soundly asleep, but it is rare in waking infants. Until the end of the third or fourth month it is fairly common, but after this it grows less distinct. It certainly seems to merit the right to be considered a true reflex; the greater part of the characteristic movement is deliberate, co-ordinated, and quasi-purposive; repetition of the tapping has a distinctly cumulative effect, the protrusion of the mouth never reaching its maximum until the lip has been stimulated over and over again; both sides of the mouth move in response to tapping on one side, although often not to an equal extent; and both lips act when one is touched at any point; and however markedly the lips move in response to tapping when the child is asleep, they nearly always cease to do so at once on awakening. The lip-reflex must not be confused with "Chvostek's symptom," which is not a

true reflex, but a result merely of mechanical stimulation of the facial nerve at the point of impact. Neither must it be mistaken for the "lip-phenomenon" of Thiemich, where a tap on the upper lip is followed by a sudden contraction of the orbicularis oris which produces a momentary protrusion of the mouth. Students of pediatrics will do well to study this lipreflex of infancy, and we shall hope soon to learn how and when it is modified, increased or lost by pathological conditions. -Med. Press and Circular.

Opportunities for Work in Psychiatry.

In the general reorganization which has recently taken place on the medical side of the New York State hospitals for the insane, it is well again to call attention to the fact that certain very desirable positions are open for young men who desire either a permanent or a temporary training in psychiatry and allied branches. The position which is available in a large number of these institutions bears the title of "clinical assistant." It requires no civil service examination, and leads at the end of a year to the possibility of more advanced positions to which salaries are attached. Applicants for these positions need not be citizens of New York State, nor, in fact, of this country; nor does a man in any way bind himself to continuance in the service, although naturally such a decision on his part, should he prove competent, is eminently desirable in the further development of psychiatry. In offering these positions it is the intention of those in authority to make them desirable for young medical men, who should be able thereby to increase their professioual experience very widely.

It must always be remembered that large institutions of whatsoever character, wherein are housed a great number of individuals, must offer experience, not only in one particular disease or particular variety of diseases, but in everything to which flesh is heir. It is not for a moment to be supposed that a man entering for a year or more one of these institutions could fail to broaden his general medical knowledge on many other subjects than those immediately relating to psychiatry. Physical diagnosis, chemistry, pathological anatomy, research in various fields, as well as morbid psychology, would certainly be

offered him in generous amount. It is rather remarkable that when such opportunities as these are offered, few suitable men are to be found to take them. The instinct of doing what others have done, rather than branching out in relatively new lines, is strong in the young medical man. He should, however, not fail to recognize the positive advantage to himself of one or more years spent in this sort of work.

The director of the Pathological Institute of the State of New York is desirous of obtaining such clinical assisatnts, for whom promotion, in the event of competency, is practically assured. The study of psychiatry has had many and peculiar difficulties to face, but we have no doubt that the time is not far distant when young men will enter this field with the same enthusiasm with which they now turn to surgical or other less difficult branches of medicine. We beg leave, therefore, to call the attention of men about to graduate from medical schools to these positions which are now open, and which offer a somewhat unique opportunity for research. and general medical cultivation.-Boston Med. and Surg. Journal.

The Role of Atmospheric Pressure in
the Hip Joint.

A series of interesting experiments were lately made by Dr. Allan, Assistant in Anatomy in the Harvard Medical School, with the object of disproving the statement contained in all anatomical textbooks that atmospheric pressure played an important part in retaining the head of the femur in the acetabulum. He obtained seven cadavers in the dissecting room, in which the hip-joint had not been interfered with, and marked in each the relative position of the anterior superior spine, the iliac crest directly over the line of the thigh, and the great trochanter, and then suspended the cadavers in a vertical position. The distances between the spines and the crests in each case, and the corresponding trochanter were then carefully measured and an average arrived at. Next, a hole was drilled into the acetabula from behind, in order to allow air to enter the joint, and the measurements again made. Then, successively, Dr. Allan cut through, first, the muscles between the trunk and lower extremity;

secondly, the posterior half of the capsular ligament; thirdly, the anterior half of the capsular ligament; and, lastly, the cotyloid ligament, in each case repeating his measurements before resorting to the next step. In this way, he obtained the following results: After trephining, no change in position of trochanter; after cutting the muscles, no change; after cutting the posterior half of capsule, trochanter displaced 0.23 c.m.; after cutting anterior half, trochanter displaced 0.94 c.m.; after cutting cotyloid ligament the femur fell out of its socket, the leg being held to the trunk by the ligamentum teres only. It would thus seem that, primarily, the cotyloid, and, secondarily, the capsular ligaments, are responsible for the maintenance of the bone in its place, and that air pressure has little or nothing to do with it.-Med. Press and Circular.

The Queer Things Color-Blind People Do.

The world must be a curious place to colar-blind people, of whom there are forty males and three females to every thousand persons.

Some are blue-yellow blind, and everything seems either red, green or grey to them; others are red-green blind, and all things appear to them to be yellow, blue or grey of various shades; and others, again, perceive no distinction of color at all, but the whole world wears an unchanging aspect of dull grey. To these last a visit to a picture gallery would reveal merely a collection of engravings or photographs. But the two former have the compensation of seeing their own two colors much more brightly than ordinary people.

Naturally the color-blind do extraordinary things at times. An officer of the navy one day went to buy materials for a coat, vest and trousers. He bought a blue coat and red trousers, believing them to be all of the same color.

A British admiral painted a landscape, and was very proud of his performance, but he made the tree red, thinking it the same color as green. When he purchased a pair of trousers he chose green ones, supposing them to be brown.

An architect's pupil, being directed to copy the picture of a brown house, made the house green, the sky scarlet, and the roses blue.