The purpose of these remarks is by no means the use of harsh language concerning a body of men who have done so much in many ways to advance human experience and knowledge, though it may be said that there are many fitting rejoinders to the characterization of "tinkerers" thoughtlessly applied by some to those who seek to restore the health of their patients by the use of harmless methods. When a man unnessarily employs a method that may sacrifice the life of his patient in spite of his best efforts, he dwells in a house with most diaphanous walls, and should beware of the use of even verbal projectiles.

But I do wish to point the finger of scorn at the physician of today who is deterred from inquiring into the merits of this controversy, in pursuance of his duty to his patient, by the numbers and fashionable recognition enjoyed by the opponents of electricity. Such men have always been with us, even in the days of universal venesection I must also pity them, but, more particularly do I pity their unfortunate patients.

Had Tripier and his pupil Apostoli never been born, we would doubtless, in time, have seen the absurdity of a point of view, reserved entirely for gynecology, which regards amputation of organs as the principal method of curing them, for the idea is illogical of itself; though but little more so than that the only other methods of value are slitting, sewing up, or scraping these organs. In the future history of gynecology such an era will surely be looked back upon as primitive and barbarous.

Concerning the value of electricity in minor gynecology, I shall not particularize beyond pointing out the large proportion of these ailments due to functional incapacity, local trophic derangements and chronic inflammation; and the peculiar possibilities of this agent, so well known as a remedy in these conditions, when applied in the pelvis, where the insensitive surfaces and structures permit the use of stronger currents than anywhere else in the body. Of its value in functional incapacity, whether neural or muscular, I need not speak. In trophic disorders, including displacements, relaxations and many menstrual affections it is of unrivalled value. Finally, in removing the consequences of pre-existent inflammatory conditions nothing is equal to the polar or interpolar action of the constant current; and it should be remembered that the diseased condition to be relieved is still a single inflammatory

process, whether it be situated in the uterus, tubes or ovaries, and therefore amenable to the same agency.

In the field of oncology, permit me, as one with some experience, to quote the results attained in the use of the Apostoli method in 110 cases of fibroid tumors of the uterus reported by me to the Philadelphia County Medical Society, April 13, 1904. Some sixteen years has elapsed since many of these cases were treated, and a special effort was made to obtain reliable statements of their present condition.

Of the 110 cases, 22 reported the disappearance of the tumor, with restoration and continued good health, while 53 reported more or less reduction in the size of the tumor with equally complete and permanent restoration of health. This totaled 75 cases of success out of the one hundred and ten cases treated. Of the remainder, 26 reported unsatisfactory results or were already known to me to have been unsatisfactory, including one case of cystic intrauterine growth made. worse by the treatment. Nine cases could not be traced, largely transient clinic patients who were doing well while attending the clinic.

In the sixteen years, more or less, that these patients had been under observations but seven had died, all instances that had been included among the twenty-six failures. Of these seven patients but one had died of the fibroid itself, proving non-mortal character of this affection. Of the remaining six,

one died long after treatment of an affection totally unconnected with the growth, one of septicemia under electric treatment as related above, and four while being operated on with the knife.

Barring mistakes in the selectiong of cases, it is evident from these statistics that about three-fourths of all suitable cases will be practically cured by the Apostoli treatment, the remaining being called out for operative treatment should it become necessary.

But the resources of electricity in oncology are by no means exhausted with the establishment of the Apostoli treatment for suitable cases of fibroma. An even more valuable method for the treatment of malignant growths in accessible portions of the body has been given to the profession by myself in the zinc-mercury sterilization by cataphoresis, where the electric current is employed to overwhelm a growth by the diffusion of the destructive ions of metals. This method is

strictly surgical, and not a trophic stimulation, and presents a spectacular immediate effect when employed under general anesthesia that invites the attention of all progressive surgeons. Its advantages are, that a large growth may be sterilized and destroyed in from thirty minutes to an hour and a half, without the loss of a drop of blood, the growth coming away in twenty one days of itself, while the surrounding tissues are sterilized by the destruction of outlying cancer cells.

This subject which was presented to the International Electric Congress, at its late session held in St. Louis, and I will only say at present that it enables us to permanently eradicate a large proportion of all cases of cancer still local in situation, and that it is a valuable local palliative in those cases that are incurable by reason of metastatic internal deposits.

Chronic Skin Diseases.

BY ROBERT M. STERRETT, M.D.,

NEW YORK CITY.,

Former Demonstrator of Surgical Pathology, College Physicians and Surgeons, Chicago; Former Attending Physician, Westside Free Dispensary, Medical Department, Chicago.

HERE is possibly, no class of diseases in all the range

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of medicine that cause the general practician more petty annoyance, than chronic diseases of the skin. Yet, many of these cases may be relieved and cured by a little study of the real causes of the maladies, and a scientific adaptation of dietetic and therapeutic measures, to that end.

It is a rule of physiology that organs of similar functions sympathize with each other more than with organs which differ widely from them in their part of the performance of life's drama.

For example, the stomach, the salivary glands, the pan. creas; the heart and the kidneys; the brain and general nervous system; the skin, the lungs, the bowels, and kidneys.

When there is impairment in the function of the bowelsparticularly of the colon whose function is elimination, the skin, another eliminating organ, is almost certain to suffer from over

activity of function by reason of vicarious performance of the duties of the bowel. In other words skin diseases, especially the chronic inflammations, are largely due to insufficient retrograde metamorphosis-lack of elimination of waste.

Another cause of certain diseases of the skin is to be found in the improper kind and amount of food taken by the patient. Abnormal amounts of sweets, by causing undue fermentation in the stomach, produce indigestion, which means imperfect digestion, and consequently imperfect assimilation. The waste matter increases in undue proportion to its elimination, the blood becomes filled with the products of imperfect tissue metalbolism, and this condition becoming chronic, leads to many chronic ailments, prominent among which are the various forms of acne, urticaria, prurigo, impetigo, eczema, etc.

The treatment of the various dermatoses is internal and external medication, baths and attention to the quality and quantity of food taken by the individual suffering with the disease whatever be its name.

That unguent alone will not cure these troublesome diseases, is well understood; they require especially in the chronic forms some internal medication, and special attention. to diet

One of the most frequently prescribed remedies in chronic skin diseases is arsenic, in some form. It is useful in the dry conditions of the skin, and rather does harm in acute conditions.

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There are remedies used largely by the eclectics which, when properly indicated and when pure, act much better than arsenic, both in stimulating healthy nutrition in the skin, and by their power to increase physiological waste. Among these is alnus (Tag. Alder). I prefer the concentration alnuin which seems to contain all the good qualities of the drug. In doses of from 1 to 1/2 grain, three or four times daily for a considerable time (all chronic disease require time to break up the disease habit), it, in combination with proper diet and a course of laxative treatment to cleanse the bowels; alnuin will acomplish some suprising results. In cases of sallow women, in connection with juglandin and chionanthin the results are far better than those produced with arsenic, without any of the draw-backs of the latter drug. Chionanthin is the active principle of the main ingredient of a well advertised pro

prietary compound of very pronounced efficacy according to reports of some physicians. I have not had much experience with the drug except in the form of the concentration.

As to external applications, there are many-each physician having his favorite, which, to him, is the best.

But, the use of alnuin in nearly all forms of chronic skin diseases, is well worthy of trial.

[521 W. 123rd Street.]

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Chewing Gum In Typhoid Fever.

BY GEO. RICHTER, M.D.,

ST. LOUIS, MO.

YOUNG man, aged 18 years, was recently attacked by

a mild form of typhoid. The diagnosis was verified microscopically and chemically. Widal- and diazo reaction positive in due time. The only irregularity about the case was the large amount of mucus, which at intervals appeared in the stools. There was a tendency to constipation which called for repeated doses of castor oil. After about three weeks, defervescence commenced, but soon after a relapse set in. The nursing was done by a very intelligent and careful Ten days later the fever subsided once more, yet the mucus evacuation repeatedly puzzled the attendants. Again, after a few days, a relapse occurred of the mildest possible character.

nurse.

It was only now learned that the young patient was being supplied with liberal quantities of chewing gum-of what kind I unfortunately forgot to learn. This practice was stopped at once, and never since a mucous stool has been observed in the case. It would seem quite plausible to assume, that the continuous chewing-ten cents worth a day-would cause a rather abundant flow of saliva. The mucus in the saliva is not di gested, passes through the intestinal canal and makes its appearance as a slimy coating of the evacuation. With the relapses the chewing gum had, probably, nothing to do. Possibly the chewing may have helped to keep the tongue moist, still it would not seem to be a rational plan to advise chewing gum for this end.