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Modified Formula of Prof. Wm. H. Thomson, University of New York.

The best combination ever given to the profession especially indicated in childhood and old age,
pleasant to the taste, increases the appetite, dispels night sweats. The cough ceases and there is a gain
of weight and renewed energy following its use.

Each Bluid ounce contains: Ol Lini Co., 33% per cent; Acid Hydrocyani, 4 gtt.; Sulph. Codeine
1⁄2 gr.; Ol. Cinnamon; Irish Moss, q. s.

Original lecture of "Significance of Cough," by Prof. Wm. H. Thomson, free.

A full pint bottle will be sent free to any physician who desires to test it, if he will pay the express

charges.

THE NORWICH PHARMACAL COMPANY,

THE MEDICAL STANDARD.

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NATIONAL HEALTH LEGISLATION. The recent epidemic in certain parts of the south has directed public attention to the necessity for broader and more efficient regulations for the protection of the public health. Many objections that formerly were urged against the proposition to place the quarantine power wholly in the hands of federal officials have been withdrawn, and that section of the country which heretofore has most strenuously opposed federal control has now asked congress to provide such control. The bill recently introduced by Mr. Caffery of Louisiana in the United States senate is in response to this demand.

For several years the medical and pharmaceutical press, and medical, pharmaceutical and other organizations have labored to create a sentiment favorable to the establishment by congress of a department of the federal government devoted to the interests of public health. The progress made appeared so encouraging three or four years ago that President Cleveland recommended the creation of a national department of public health. The recommendation, however, passed unheeded. Since then the agitation has been actively continued, but confined chiefly to the medical and closely allied professions. The present congress will be asked to take up the subject and establish the proposed department.

The Medical Standard has earnestly advocated the new department, believing that in its creation the national government will serve the interests of the people in an important respect, and that through no other agency can this service be rendered so effectively or so comprehensively. The creation of a department of the government, however, is a subject that congress approaches with great deliberation, partly because of the general reluctance to extending the powers of the government, and partly in recognition of the constant cry for economy which is ever being raised, oftentimes in the face of the fact that the economy demanded is the greatest form of wasteful expenditure.

Much as the proposed department of health Is to be desired, it is believed, after a careful

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CHICAGO:

G. P. ENGELHARD & CO.

survey of the situation, that it will be impossible to secure favorable action from this congress. A strong reason for this opinion is the fact that congress has already been asked to create a new department of commerce and industry, and the promoters of the movement for such a department have proceeded with such system that the support of commercial and industrial interests of every kind in all sections are united in active co-operation, and the early success of the proposed department is apparently assured. Congress cannot be induced to create two new departments in one session, even though the influence to be brought to bear were many times stronger than that at present united in asking for a department of health.

In view of these circumstances, it would appear that the wisest course lies in introducing a bill in congress which will take the Marine Hospital service as a nucleus and establish an unattached bureau clothed with the authority for national quarantine that is asked for from the south. Under the direction of this bureau, then, such investigations as that proposed into yellow fever conditions in Cuba, and leprosy in Hawaii, which, it is reported, are to be made subjects of congressional action, may be conducted. The unattached bureau would not cost more than will the performance of the same duties under separate divisions, and certainly would prove far more efficient. Thus equipped and permitted to show the public its field of usefulness, this bureau of public health will have every opportunity to develop at an early date into one of the departments.

In efforts put forth to promote objects of this nature, sentiment should give way before the practical problems encountered. In this agitation for a department of health there should be no reluctance to accept a compromise proposition, which will bring success as far as it goes and which is in entire harmony with the general purposes in view.

Let all interests unite on the establishment of an unattached bureau of public health, with authority over national and interstate quarantine. With this program a long step forward may be taken. Less should not be asked. More, it is useless to ask from this congress.

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