probably on account of the union of astringent and antiseptic properties in the remedy. In catarrhs of the large intestine repeated irrigations of argentamine solutions of strengths of 1:500 to 1:1000 were made with favorable effects.

Selections.

* LOCAL ANESTHESIA IN HEMORRHOIDAL OPERATIONS AND ALL VARIETIES OF MINOR SURGICAL WORK.-Since there are so many people suffering more or less with hemorrhoids, and since orificial operations along that line have been performed only under general anesthesia, we desire to call attention to the fact that we have formulated a method by which hemorrhoidal operations are painlessly performed without the aid of general anesthesia. The operations are rendered painless by using the local anesthetic "acestoria."

Our method of operating on hemorrhoidal tumors is as follows: First, the patient is instructed to take a cathartic the night before the operation, and an enema in the morning. With a saturated solution of boracic acid thoroughly cleanse the rectum, using a syringe or otherwise, and then immediately inject every tumor in sight with "acestoria" until each tumor is not sensitive to the prick of the needle. Sometimes it is best to use the bivalve speculum before and sometimes after injection, and sometimes not at all. It depends upon the condition and location of the piles. With hemorrhoidal forceps, or Pean's artery forceps, pick up each tumor at its center and turn it out. We generally use the clamp method when pos. sible. Use Kelsey's or Pratt's clamp. After turning the tumors slightly outward with the forceps which were left hanging to them, each by turn is clamped at its base. Then with a straight needle put in two or more stitches, as may be needed, back of clamp. Remove clamp and cut tumor with straight scissors through the white line made by the middle blade of the clamp. There will be no hemorrhage if this line is followed. The stitches are now tied. Each tumor is thus

*Published by The Medical Times and Register of Philadelphia, Pa., for February 1901.

treated. Then with hydrozone and hot water, one part of the former to five of the latter, syringe or spray the field of operation thoroughly.

The object of using hydrozone is two fold: It is the safest and best germicide and hæmostatic we have yet used, and we have tried many. Not being a poison, and depending upon the oxygen it contains for its action, renders it safe under all circumstances, both externally and internally. As a dressing we have several times used nothing, cleansing with hot water and hydrozone. An ideal dressing is ordinary sterilized gauze moistened with glycozone. Glycozone is anhydrous glycerine saturated with ozone, a powerful germicide and promoter of healthy granulation.

To prevent pain usually caused by the prick of the hypodermic needle, touch the point chosen for insertion with a glass pointed rod, dipped into 95 per cent carbolic acid.

To anæsthetize the ear and stop earache, incline the patient's head to one side and drop into the ear about five drops of "acestoria," or sufficient to fill the external meatus.

Use "acestoria" hypodermically in all cases where incisions or excisions are to be made, such as operations on ingrowing toe nails, removal of splinters from the flesh, opening boils, abscesses, carbuncles, etc.-O. W. Green, M.D., Chicago, Ill.

PTOMAINES.-One of the leading specialists of the South, Dr. W. L. Bullard, of Columbus, Ga., concludes a highly interesting and instructive article on ptomaines in the following manner: "In all my twenty years' experience at special work, where the quick and safe relief of pain is the object of treatment, I have found nothing to equal 5-grain antikamnia tablets. This remedy is not only a foe to ptomaines and their absorption, but is also a corrective in cases of poisoning by food decomposition. As purely pain relievers, these tablets, of course, are recognized the world over as noncardiac depress. ants, and free from any tendency to produce habit. I would also call the attention of the profession to those instances wherein it is strongly advisable to rid the system of the offending materies morbi, as well as to correct their harmful influences, whether it be in the poisons of food decomposition or the absorption of ptomaines. In such cases I know of

nothing better than laxative antikamnia tablets. These tablets, judiciously administered, rid the system in a perfectly natural manner of the offending material and lessen, therefore, the quantity of medicine necessary to be taken by the patient, and produce no disturbing influences on the delicate molecular interplay of the nervous structure."-Exchange.

DECEIVING THE PALATE. In a recent issue of a medical journal appeared the following item:

"A somewhat clever ruse, practiced for the purpose of administering cod liver oil to those who object to it, is described as breaking up a conspiracy among the patient's olfactory, optic and pneumo-gastric nerves. The patient probably confesses he likes sardines, so without his becoming aware of the trick the preservative cotton-seed oil is emptied away and the sardine box is filled with fresh cod liver oil, of which every day the patient unconsciously takes a substantial amount."

About the same time the above appeared in print another authority vouchsafed the information that "a ferruginous water, prepared by keeping a few iron nails in contact with water for a few days, serves to fully prevent the odor and taste of cod liver oil from being noticed. The mouth is to be rinsed with the water both before and after taking the oil."

These articles take one back to the days of the stage-coach, the hand-press, the tread-mill and the spinning-wheel, and the conviction is forced home that many people do not progress with the age in which they live. Physicians of the modern school have come to the realization that plain cod liver oil is too violent in its action to be safely administered to patients whose stomachs are in a weakened condition. But in order that the full strength of cod liver oil may be secured, and at the same time additional benefits derived from other bone-building and blood-enriching properties, the careful practitioner prescribes Scott's Emulsion of cod liver oil. He gives this the preference over all others, because during the twentysix years of its existence it has proved invaluable in the treatment of all cases requiring cod liver oil combined with hypophosphites of lime and soda and glycerine. It is not necessary to resort to such subterfuges as above cited in order to get

the emulsion into the system. Grown folks take it without the slightest hesitancy, while children, however young, become really fond of Scott's Emulsion.

TREATMENT OF SOME SEPTIC CONDITIONS.-To Prof. Crede belongs the credit of having shown that in metallic silver, in the colloid form, we possess an agent which not only destroys pathogenic organisms, but renders their toxins inert and harmless. In an article recently published in the Medical Summary, Dr. Max Staller, Surgeon to Mt. Sinai Hospital, Philadelphia, relates his experience with the unguentum Crede, a 15 per cent preparation of soluble silver, and this report serves well to illustrate the wide range of utility of this remedy in affections of bacterial origin. During the past two years the author has treated twenty-five cases of erysipelas with unguentum Crede. The ointment was rubbed gently into the inflamed area for twenty or twenty-five minutes, by which time the greater portion had been absorbed. Any case, if seen early, was cured in three to five days. Improvement was noticeable within five to six hours, the skin losing its parchment-like appearance, becoming softer, and the burning sensations also subsiding. A case of cellulitis phlegmonosa of the leg in a patient suffering with nephritis was cured within three days by four applications of unguentum Crede of two drachms each at intervals of five hours. In gonorrhoea, at the first threatening symptoms of bubo, two or three inunctions of one-half drachm over the affected area, with rest for twentyfour hours, always aborted pus formation. Remarkably suc. cessful results were obtained in mammary abscess from the use of the ointment in connection with the ice bag. Even when it failed to prevent suppuration, it localized the process and completely relieved the pain and discomfort. An inunction of two drachms, repeated three times at intervals of four hours, usually prevented pus formation if the case was seen early enough. During an epidemic of cerebro-spinal fever the author employed unguentum Crede in seven cases, with only one death, each patient receiving six inunctions, besides the routine treatment. In fifty cases of scarlet fever, some of marked severity, the remedy also exerted a pronounced bene

ficial effect. A mixture of unguentum Crede, two drachms, to two ounces of ung. aqu. rosa, was rubbed into the body, and in none of these cases was the least trace of albumen observed in the urine.-International Journal of Surgery.

RED BONE MARROW.-One of the most serviceable preparations before the medical profession to-day is Armour's Extract of Red Bone Marrow, a food product of the highest nutritive value. It is rich in marrow cells, nucleins, hemoglobin and other blood-forming substances, and if given well diluted with cold still or carbonated waters, milk or beer, is easily retained and readily assimilated. Such an article is, of course, indicated in all anemic conditions. After surgical operations and loss of blood, from any cause, it is the remedy. Nothing more appropriate could be prescribed for children with marasmus, rachitis, and for those that grow too rapidly.

Editorial.

MEDICAL SOCIETY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE.

In accordance with previous announcements, the 68th annual meeting was held in the hall of the Wednesday Morning Musical Association, on Spruce Street, in this city, on the 9th, 10th and 11th ult., an unusually large number of members being in attendance. No less than forty-six applications for membership were received and favorably acted on; this being in our recollection a larger number of new accessions than at any previous meeting during the last third of a century. And the noticeable feature was that there were duly accredited delegates from the following local medical organizations throughout the State:

The Nashville Academy of Medicine, Chattanooga Medical Society, Gibson County, Knox County, Madison County, Marshall County, Montgomery County, Rutherford County, Sumner County, Tipton County Medical Societies, the Memphis Medical Society, the Bristol Medical Society, the Middle Tennessee Medical Society and the West Tennessee Medical and Surgical Association.

The addresses of welcome by Hon. Albert Williams, President of the Nashville City Council, and Dr. W. Frank Glenn, and the response by Dr. T. J. Happel were appropriate, eloquent, gracefully delivered and were well received.