blood vessels) for the notable difference in sensation and motility of the two sides of the body. We hope that some of our readers may see their way to tender some positiv suggestion as to diagnosis, and suggest some line of treatment promising hope of amelioration of the dreadful condition of this poor woman. Our sympathies go out to you strongly, Doctor, for these are the kind of cases that try men's souls.-ED.] Not Cancer. EDITOR MEDICAL WORLD:-Mr. Ricker, 51 years old, came to me last August; coated tongue; constipated; yellow, muddy complexion; pulse 75, irregular; no appetite, weak, temp. normal,_enlarged liver. Diag.: congestion of liver. Gave calomel, comp. tr. aloe and myr., quin. and strych. He grew gradually worse; taken with vomiting; could not keep anything on stomach. Still constipated; gave phos. sod. every 4 hours; also bis. and comp. bis. powder. Grew weaker. Nothing but skin and bones; breath bad; did not sleep very well. After four months of growing worse, I made diag. of cancer. Numbness in hands, pain in stomach, and tenderness along free border of liver. Has piles very bad. In January commenced to grow better; vomiting stopt; skin cleared up; pulse regular; piles improved; temp. normal; good appetite; little constipation; sleeps well; numbness all over. February, still gaining, except numbness; still only feeling sore; gaining in strength and taking on flesh. Am giving tablet of aloin, bell., strych., and cascara; using galvanic battery; bathing arms and legs in hot water, then rubbing them with oliv oil. Is taking phos. soda twice daily. Now, if you can suggest anything that will help me, Í would be very much obliged. And please give me diag. if you can from so poor_description. Stratton, Me. T. W. BRIMIGION. [We would not hazard a diagnosis, but would treat him symptomatically. It is certain that you must retract the diagnosis of cancer, for such improvement would not be compatible with that condition in the liver. The laxativ tablet seems to be doing well, and we would continue it; likewise the electricity. We do not like to continue phosfate of soda too long, and we would interrupt it occasionally, increasing the aloin and cascara tablet at the same time, if necessary to maintain proper bowel action. We think phosforus would possibly do good in his case. Probably the pill form in doses of 1-100 grain, three or four times a day, would suit him best. Likewise, we suggest putting him on Fowler's solution, and increasing it gradually until puffiness of the eyes or pain in the stomach warns you that the limit has been reacht; then drop to half the dose then given, and keep it up for a time. The child is in perfect health and very bright for its age; laughing and seeming to enjoy life as much as any infant with no abnormal caudal appendage. The skin covering the sac is in just as healthy condition as that covering the body. The child was born with the sac as large, proportionally, as at the present time. Now, I ask for your opinion, as well as the views of other brethren, as to the time this child may reasonably be expected to live; of course, excluding the probable or possible rupture of the serous pouch. Can surgery offer any hope? Oakley, La. L. M. GRIFFIN, M.D. [In spina bifida, both the prognosis and the treatment depend entirely upon the variety of the affection present. By treatment, we refer to surgical treatment, for no other treatment is of avail. Treatment by puncture has not proven satisfactory, either alone or followed by injections into the sac. The radical surgical removal of the tumor and the closing of the canal, if an opening still persists, is the only rational treatment. In the absence of deformity and paralysis, and with healthy skin covering the sac, we believe your case will prove to be one of the few true meningoceles. Very likely, Very likely, when operated upon, you will find that what is now taken for a gap in the bony structures, is merely a bony deformity, and that at a lower level than you can now palpate, the cleft has been closed by a bony plate, and the sac and its contents exist as an independent structure. One of my cases recently operated upon proved of this variety, and the operation was a very simple affair; merely the excision of the sac and the closing of the skin structures, with a perfect result. We suggest your getting some good late work on surgery which gives a fair amount of space to spina bifida; then making up your mind as to the variety with which you have to deal. If it is most likely a meningocele, operate upon it at once. The case is interesting on account of the size of the tumor at birth. No one can give a prognosis of longevity in such a case, as they sometimes live to adult life. ED.] Phenolphthalein. EDITOR MEDICAL WORLD:-Please give me the medical properties of phenolphthalein. Woodington, Ohio. J. L. HUSTED. [Phenolphthalein is prepared by heating 10 parts of phenol with 5 parts of phthalic anhydride and 4 parts strong sulfuric acid to 248° F., for about 10 hours, exhausting the resulting product with boiling water, dissolving the residue in dilute sodium hydroxid solution, and precipitating with acetic acid. It is purified by boiling its alcoholic solution with animal charcoal and precipitating the filtrate with water, when it separates as a white or yellowish-white amorphous (or crystalline) powder. It is almost insoluble in water, but is soluble in alcohol, forming a clear solution. It is It is employed in doses of 1 to 5 grains, and is well adapted to even very young children, as no poisonous properties have been developt even in the use of enormous dosage. It is laxativ and cathartic. It has been in use in England and Austria for a number of years, but is only recently attracting any considerable attention in this country. It is now obtainable in tablet form from manufacturers of tablets. It seems to have a selectiv action on the lower intestin, the results being a "mushy" stool, voided without nausea or griping. It has not been in use here long enuf to admit of conclusiv evidence being collected as to its action on the liver; some observers claim that it has no action whatever on the bile or the liver; others assert, with equal positivness, that it is a "biliary antiseptic and cholagogue." All agree that it has positivly no irritant action on the kidneys or heart, and that it is well adapted to cases presenting albumin in the urin. It is already the chief ingredient in a number of proprietary preparations, some of them being mere phenolphthalein, colored. Just as soon as it has been investigated clinically to a degree warranting it, we will have something to say on the subject thru our editorial columns. It has never been the policy of THE WORLD to take up new things till they prove actual value thru actual clinical test. This conservatism has prevented us, a number of times, from devoting considerable space to apologies after the things vaunted and heralded by others had proven disappointments or failures. ED.] Military Medical Books. EDITOR MEDICAL WORLD:-Can you or any of the readers of THE WORLD tell me the best book on Ambulance and Stretcher Drilling? What is the price, and where can I get it? S. F. CHAO. Methodist Hospital, Nanking, China. [We do not know the price, but any dealer in medical books will obtain for you the Drill Manual of the U. S. Army Hospital Corps. You will also get material information of practical value from Smart's Handbook for Hospital Corps, sold at $2.50 net. This is a subscription book, but any dealer will obtain it for you for price plus carriage charges.-ED.] Cancer and Vaccination. EDITOR MEDICAL WORLD:-I inclose an article clipt from the St. Paul Daily News of January 30th. I would like your opinion on this, also if you know anything about this Dr. Clark. I always was a firm believer in vaccination. New Prague, Minn. J. LANDEN BERGER, M.D. THINKS VACCINATION CAUSE OF CANCER. New York, Jan. 30.-Dr. W. B. Clark, a well-known physician, insists that vaccination is the cause of cancer. He says: "A cancer was practically unknown until cowpox vac cination began to be introduced. Cancer, I believe, is a disease of cell life, a disturbance of its equilibrium, manifested by the rapid growth of cells and the conse quent building up of a tumor. I have had to do with at least 200 cases of cancer, and here declare that I never saw a case of cancer in an unvaccinated person. "The way vaccination causes cancer is like this: It takes 21 years to make a man and but four to make a cow, the former being of slow cell growth and the latter rapid. To put the rapid-growing cells, or protoplasm, of a diseased animal (in a condition of virulent infectious activity) into the slow-growing cells of man, is to disturb the equilibrium of cell life and create that disparity, disarrangement, and disorganization which, when the sea son for cancer comes late in life, results in cancer, if not tuberculosis earlier." [We are not able to say how long it has been since cancer was "discovered," but we do know that it was far enuf back that "Dr. W. B. Clark" has no reliable record concerning it. It is only within the last century that there has been any general mingling of science with medicin; prior to that period the few great discoveries were like lightning flashes thru a black sky of utter ignorance. His theory is preposterous and ridiculous. The time has long passed for arguing with those who condemn vaccination; the proof of its harmlessness and efficacy is so easily obtained, that we only pity those who oppose it, but do not waste time trying to convince them of their dense ignorance. This theory is about the most nonsensical piece of matter we have noted in the lay press for a long time, and that is saying much. It directly conflicts with every known fact of physiology, pathology, and the action of serums.—ED.] Virginia Examination Questions, Used SECTION ON PRACTISE, ETIOLOGY, AND DIAGNOSIS. Drs. E. T. Brady, Abingdon; H. U. Stephenson, Toano, and R. B. James, Danville, Examiners. 1. What is Chlorosis? Outline treatment, giving prescriptions and hygienic instructions. 2. What is Myalgia? Name most common forms, and briefly outline treatment. 3. What are the primary and secondary manifestations of Syphilis? How treated, and when should treat ment begin? 4. Define the terms Splanchnoptosis, Gastroptosis, and Nephroptosis. How are such cases most benefited? 5. What may cause Cholecystitis? Give symptoms. 6. What is the cause of Tuberculosis? municated? Give prophylactic suggestions. How com 7. How can chronic Morphinism be recognized? How managed? 8. What are the Exanthemata? Name them. 9. Differentiate between the causation and onset of Lobar, and so-called Lobular Pneumonias. 10. What may result from a dislodged thrombus? 11. What would probably cause (a) Hematuria, (b) Oxaluria? 12. Give symptoms of Acute Anterior Polio-myelitis. SECTION ON LARYNGOLOGY, RHINOLOGY, AND OTOLOGY. OPHTHALMOLOGY, Otology. 1. Give four causes of Otalgia, and the treatment of each. 2. Name three or more of the most common causes of Deafness, and explain how each produces such an effect, and give proper treatment. SECTION ON ANATOMY AND EMBRYOLOGY. Dr. H. U. Stephenson, Examiner. 1. Name the bones of the skull. 2. Describe the foramen magnum; what structures are found within it? 3. What muscles are attacht to the great trochanter of the femur? 4. Wherein does the female perineum differ from the male perineum? 5. Name the extensor muscles of the foot. 6. What portions of the rectum and bladder are covered with peritoneum? 7. Describe the musculospiral nerve. 8. Give the origin, insertion, blood and nerve supply the following muscles: Sterno-mastoid, internal of the oblique. 9. Describe the ligaments of the elbow joint. 10. Where is the Gasserian Ganglion situated? Name its large branches. 11. How is the true chorion formed? 12. What is the umbilical cord composed of? SECTION ON THERAPEUTICS. Dr. W. B. Robinson, Examiner, Tappahannock, Va. 1. Give the therapeutic uses, the dose, and the common name of Potassium Vitartrate. 2. What are the possible dangers from the use of Salol in large doses? 3. In what pathologic conditions is Opium useful? 4. Describe the therapeutic uses of Aloes, and state how it differs in effect from Jalap. 5. Give the indications for the therapeutic uses of Nux Vomica or Strychnia. 6. Give the preparations of Phosforus and describe their therapeutic uses. State the symptoms of Phosforus Poisoning and give antidotes. SECTION ON MATERIA MEDICA. Dr. William W. Wilkinson, Examiner, Lacrosse, Va. 1. Name official preparations of Arsenius Acid. State their strength and dose. 2. Acetanilid: (a) State dose; (b) physiological action; (c) symptoms of poisoning. 3. Cocain: State dose, physiological action. Give physiological action of Camphor. 5. State physiological action of Aconite. 6. (a) Write composition of Dover's Powder. (b) What is Basham's Mixture? (c) Saltpeter? Examiners: SECTION ON SURGERY. Dr. Samuel Lile, Chairman; Dr. E. T. 1. What is meant by Infection? What by AutoInfection? And how would you treat such conditions? 2. What is meant by Phlegmonous Inflammation or Cellulitis? 3. What are Hemorrhoids, what causes them, and how treated (give palliativ treatment and treatment for radical cure)? 4. Give the most frequent dislocation of the elbow joint, giving the positions of the bones involved, how reduced, and treatment until fully cured. 5. What would be the indications for not amputating an arm, forearm, or hand when the tissues are badly lacerated? 7. Differentiate a Tubercular from a Syphilitic Infection of the Inguinal glands. 8. Give Definition of a Compound Fracture, and give treatment necessary to all such fractures. Foot Note.-Short answers requested. SECTION ON PATHOLOGY, BACTERIOLOGY, AND NEUROLOGY. R. M. Slaughter, M.D., Examiner. Pathology. 1. Name the form of degeneration that occurs in the so-called wasting diseases, and state the organs and the parts thereof most frequently affected. 2. Define the terms (a) hypertrophy and (b) atrophy, giving examples of each of these conditions. 3. What is a sequestrum, and how formed? What are, and what the functions of (a) osteoblasts, and (c) osteoclasts? 4. Give the pathological of (a) the itch (scabies), (b) lupus vulgaris, (c) chancroid, and (d) erysipelas. nature 5. Name a tumor of the connectiv tissue type, two of the epithelial type, one benign, the other malignant, and state to what class of tumors cysts belong. 2. Give the etiology of acute chorea. 3. Give the treatment of delirium tremens. CHEMISTRY, TOXICOLOGY, AND MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE. Dr. R. B. James, Examiner. Chemistry. 1. What is meant by Spectrum and Spectrum analysis? 2. What is common table salt? How found in nature? What impurities make it hygroscopic? What is Glauber's salts? How prepared? 3. What differences exist between Sodium Carbonate and Sodium Bicarbonate as regard their physical and chemical properties and common uses? 4. How is silver obtained from its nativ ores? How is Silver Nitrate prepared? Give its formula, properties, uses, and common name. 5. What are Alkaloids? Give general method of preparing them. What are some of their common proper ties? 6. What are the two ways of naming the Alkaloid Salts, according as they unite with an Oxy-acid or a Halogen Acid? Why would you not add an alkali to solution, to be taken internally, containing an Alkaloid? Toxicology. 1. What is the poisonous principle in Mushrooms? Give symptoms and treatment of Mushroom poisoning. 2. What is the best antidote to acute Cocain poisoning? Medical Jurisprudence. 1. Describe the differences between burns made before and after death. 2. Give the reliable proofs that a child found dead was born alive. 3. Explain fully what is meant by legitimacy. SECTION ON PHYSIOLOGY, HYGIENE, AND HISTOLOGY. Robert C. Randolph, M.D., Examiner, Boyce, Va. Physiology. 1. In what manner, physiologically, does a largely distended stomach produce death? 2. Name the centers and the nerves which regulate intestinal peristalsis, and describe their action. 3. Describe the muscular and nervous mechanism of defecation. 4. What is Glycogen? From what is it derived? What is it converted into by dilute acids? 5. What is the physiological function of the Liver? 6. How is the sensation of sound conveyed to the brain? 1. What are the germ layers? Name the five groups of tissues. 2. What structures and organs are comprised in the lymphatic system? Describe diffuse Adenoid tissue and where found. SECTION ON OBSTETRICS, GYNECOLOGY, PEDIATRICS. 1. Give the functions of (a) Placenta, (b) Liquor Amnii. 2. Ante-partum examinations: (a) State their importance, (b) of what should they consist? 3. Give the causes of ante-partum hemorrhages. 4. Breech presentation: (a) Diagnosis, (b) Management of first and second stages of the labor. 5. Give reasons for the use and non-use of vaginal douches: (a) before labor, (b) after labor and during the puerperium. 6. Give the early diagnosis of Uterin Cancer. 7. Causes of secondary or acquired Amenorrhea. 8. Gonorrheal infection in the female: (a) Organs usually affected, (b) mention complications. 9. Acute Broncho-Pneumonia in children: (a) Diag nosis, (b) Treatment. 10. Mention the principal differences between mother's milk and cow's milk. Rupert Wells, M.D. A Cancer Cure Quack Whom the Postoffice Authorities Have Declared a Fraud. Rupert Wells, M.D., the "cancer cure" faker of St. Louis, has been denied the use of the United States mails by the Postoffice Department which, a dew days ago, issued a fraud order against this notorious quack. Samuel Hopkins Adams, in his "Great American Fraud” series, paid his respects to Wells-whose real name, according to the postoffice officials, is Dennis Dupuis-and called attention to the fact that Wells was one of the first to recognize the commercial possibilities of the public's interest in radium as an asset to quackery. ADVERTISING MYTHS. To furnish good advertising "copy," Wells invented a mythical "Postgraduate College of Electrotherapeutics of St. Louis," and forthwith appointed himself to an equally mythical chair of Radiotherapy. His hypothetical professorship in a non-existent college was, like his fictitious name, of use only for business purposes. Says Mr. Adams: Rupert Wells, M.D., is very religious-in his advertisements. He loves the church papers. The weeklies with smug and pious editorials, and no conscience whatever in the matter of paid advertising, are his green pastures. He is a home-and-fireside cuddler, is Rupert. He is also a ground-and-lofty liar of the most complete and soul-satisfying description. You can read whole pages of his literature' and not come on one single statement tainted with truth." HOW WELLS CAUGHT HIS VICTIMS. Of the "cure" itself and its methods of exploitation, the official report from the Postoffice Department says: Dupuis causes to be publisht extensivly thruout the country advertisements over the name of Dr. Rupert Wells, giving his address as Saint Louis, Mo., inviting those persons who may believe they are afflicted with cancer to write to him for free information about his treatment for the cure of that disease, and in those advertisements makes such statements as these: "I can cure cancer at home without pain, plaster, or operation. I have discovered a new and seemingly unfailing remedy for the deadly cancer. I have made some most astonishing cures. My marvelous radiotized fluid did it. No matter what your condition may be, do not hesitate to write." To the person writing to Dr. Rupert Wells in answer to these advertisements, Dupuis causes to be mailed printed letters and circulars over the name of Dr. D. Rupert Wells, describing his treatment and soliciting its purchase at the price of $15 a month. If the inquirer does not purchase the treatment promptly, quantities of other letters and circulars are mailed to him importuning the purchase of the treatment and by steps reducing the price, first to $10, next to $5, and then to $2.50. These solicitations for the purchase of the treatment are made absolutely without inquiry by the advertiser as to the condition of the correspondent, or whether he is actually afflicted with cancer, or in what form or location the disease may be present, but the correspondent is solicited to buy and take the 1 Can Cure Cancer At Home Without Pain, Plaster I Have Proven Cancer Can be Cured at Home No Pain, No Plaster, No Knife-Dr. Well 1 have discovered a new and seemingly unfail remedy for the deadly cancer. I bate was astonishing cores. I believe er.. da[ know ek b treatment simply on his own assumption that he may be suffering from the disease.' POSSIBILITIES IN HYDRANT WATER. The "marvelous radiotized fluid" which formed "Dr. Wells'" stock in trade was known as "Radol (Wells)," and came in two forms, for external and for internal use, respectivly. Mr. Adams tells us that the analysis made for him of this "radium impregnated fluid" disclosed the fact that it contained exactly as much radium as dishwater does." The investigations of the postoffice authorities confirm the earlier analysis. Says the official report: "The Department of Agriculture purchast from the advertiser samples of 'Radol' and made analysis of same. The investigations disclosed that the fluid for internal use consisted essentially of a weak, acidulated solution of quinin sulfate in water and alcohol in the proportion of about 1 grains quinin to the ounce of the fluid solution and about 7 percent alcohol. The fluid for external use was found to be a watery solution containing about 10 percent of glycerin and a small quantity of inorganic salts. Both solutions were tested for radioactivity. No such activity was detected in an amount appreciably greater than is to be commonly found in ordinary hydrant water." PYSCHIC VALUE OF ACIDULATED QUININ. Should one wonder, Why use quinin sulfate in acid solution as a fake "cancer cure"? the explanation is forthcoming from the following, also taken from the government report: "In this connection it also should be noted that the advertising literature calls particular attention to a 'bluish fluorescent glow imparted to it (Radol) by the Radium,' as evidencing the presence of radio-activity. It is well-known that an acid solution of quinin sulfate exhibits such fluorescence. The analyses show this fluid to be such a solution." A DELIBERATE AND INTENTIONAL FRAUD." The Assistant Attorney-General in passing on the case and deciding whether Dennis Dupuis alias Rupert Wells, M.D., was engaged in honestly practising his profession, or whether he was practising a scheme to defraud, reported as follows: 'Ã careful consideration of the circumstances of this case have convinced me and I believe they will you, that the operations of this person are not purified with good faith, but that he has been and is practising a deliberate and intentional fraud. * * * The fact which is clearly establisht by the evidence that Radol contains no appreciable amount of radioactive property, clearly negativs, I think, any idea that this person honestly believes his claim to cure by this treatment, cancer, without reservation as to its form, stage, or location, and proves conclusively that he is not engaged in the business of treating and curing, or endeavoring to cure, applicants, but is simply practising a scheme and artifice to defraud. His claim to cure cancer in all forms and stages and in any location I find is false and known by him to be false. A SEVENTY-THOUSAND DOLLAR BUSINESS. 64 * * * The size of this business is indicated by the report of the postmaster that the first-class mail the week of his report averaged about 70 pieces a day: also by the statement made at the hearing for respondent that he sent out on an average about 25 treatments a day, some of which he stated were free. According to this statement, and counting only week-days, about 7,800 treatments were sent out in 1908. That year the respondent stated that he sent out over 1,000 free treatments. He was then paid for between 6,500 and 7,000 treatments. The price varied from $2.50 to $15-but if the average were $10, he was paid in 1908 about $70,000. "I find that the operations of this person, under the name of Dr. D. Rupert Wells, is a scheme for obtaining money thru the mails by means of false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises, and I recommend that a fraud order be issued against the address, Dr. D. Rupert Wells and Dr. Rupert Wells, at St. Louis, Missouri." Thus one more of the Great American Frauds Yet has received its official coup de grace. In spite of the transparency of the humbug and the heartlessness of the fake, the case was a stubbornly contested one and "Dr. Wells" was defended by legal talent drawn from both St. Louis and Chicago. That such a stupendous fake should have been able to exist and flourish for so many years, and that, too, after its thorogoing exposure in Mr. Adams' "Great American Fraud series, is a sad commentary on the gullibility and ignorance of the public in medical matters. but for the activity of the government officials the hopeful victims of a hopeless and cruelly painful malady would still be impoverishing themselves to purchase Rupert Wells' weak solution of quinin. The faker himself, however, is not the only guilty person connected with this heartless scheme; equally guilty are the editors and proprietors of those journals-religious and lay-which have accepted their share in the toll of pain and death by giving publicity to Rupert Wells and his cure. Printer's ink is the very life blood of quackery; take away the support and moral influence afforded by the press thru its advertising pages and Rupert Wells and others of his kind would seek more reputable, albeit less profitable, fields of operation. The work that the government officials are doing |