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Further Report of Case of Delayed Union of Bone

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Another "Sell"-$10 Per "Sell.”

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Dr. Cleoment, claiming his residence as Brooklyn, N. Y., is visiting physicians and selling the right to manufacture and use the Monarch Roller Bandage Splint and Support. Charges $10. Five physicians in this city have made up the R and all have failed in getting the results promist. I have corresponded with physicians in near-by towns who report like results. Among his references I noticed Dr. P. S. Conner, Cincinnati, Ohio. Reference states: "A great improvement over plaster. I endorse it." I wrote him. In reply he states: "I know nothing of the man or his preparation. He has no authority to use my name in any way." I wrote Dr. Cleoment at Brooklyn. The postmaster returned letter, stating his name or address was not in the directory; was not known.

This all looks queer. I write so that if Dr. Cleoment sees this he can make matter right if possible, and also to let physicians be warned if he visits their locality. Sioux Falls, S. D. GEO. H. FULFORD.

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[As long as doctors are easy," scheming men will find ways to work" them. Why in the name of common sense didn't the prospectiv patrons of this man require that he "do the trick in their presence, showing them how, and the results, before paying the $10?-ED.]

Further Report of Case of Delayed Union of Bone

To the WORLD Readers :-In the issue of January, page 29, was a mention of my case of delayed union of the bones. I had received a kick from a horse June 17, 1905, while driving. Both bones of my left leg were broken midway between knee and ankle, the bones being badly shattered, pieces of bone penetrating thru the flesh and skin and one piece even penetrating my clothing (pants, drawers and sock). I was very soon attended by all the doctors of our little village, about one mile from the place where the injury was received. In less than an hour a crowd of friends (nearly a hundred) had come to my rescue, and I was very soon borne on a cot to my home, where under anesthetic my leg was seemingly put up in good shape by my brother doctors. But in less than 24 hours we found there was trouble, and in making a second attempt to reduce the fracture without complete anesthesia I struggled so hard that it was next to impossible to effect a perfect reduction of the fracture and hold the bones in apposition, and the dressing was hurriedly put on; so it was only a short time until a third attempt was made, which in a few days' time proved to be also a failure. And thus matters went on for a period of nearly five weeks and as every effort proved a failure, my brother physicians and friends prevailed on me to go to a hospital and have an operation performed to unite the bones and hold them together; so I went to Nashville, Tenn., to the Woman's Hospital, and was operated on by my friend, Dr. M. C. McGammon, an eminent and one of the best known surgeons in the South. The flesh wound made in operating healed nicely by first intention in less than ten days. There was nothing to show that a flesh wound had been made except a very dim line where the incision had been made, and everything pointed toward a quick, uneventful and complete recovery. So I was allowed to return home in about three weeks. The plaster cast put on just after the operation was left on for over six weeks, and behold, when it was re

[THE MEDICAL WORLD

moved there was yet no union of the bones! Another plaster cast was applied and left on for over three weeks and when removed there was yet no union, and I had now begun to think I was never to get any union, as it was over four months since I received the injury, so I left off the plaster and had the leg put in composition splints (Stodard's), both anterior and posterior, which seemed to more perfectly immobilize the bones than the plaster had done. I tried to put my case before the profession thru THE WORLD, which came out in the January number, page 29.

After THE WORLD'S statement of my case I began to receive letters telling me of various things to do and not to do, and some prescribing remedies that had never failed them in curing each any every case of delayed union of bones, and most of the writers had done quite an extensiv practise in this kind of injuries where the bones had failed to unite. But as I had only one leg broken (thank God) to try their remedies on, I could only use one remedy at a time. I was using sulfid of calcium when I received a letter from a homeopathic brother, Dr. C. J. Laigeaux, of Des Moines, Iowa, and he prescribed and sent me some tablets of calcarea phos. 6 x, which he had used successfully on his brother in a case similar to mine. I began the use of his remedy at once; and, strange to say, in less than a month after beginning the use of his remedy I had a pretty fair soft union. When I had used what he sent I wrote him asking where I could get more; he sent me some more and also sent another kind called calcarea fluorica, which he told me to take alternately with the first named. I can now [this was written April 10-Ed.] walk across my office, a room 16 feet square without crutch or cane, and it was only about 6 or 8 weeks after beginning his medicin that I could bear nearly or quite all my weight on the broken leg. Now I would like to hear from the WORLD people what they think of me for using a remedy from a homeopath, and also if they know anything about these two kinds of lime, as they are not laid down in my Materia Medica nor Dispensatory. I also wish to thank all my professional brothers for their kindness and interest manifested by writing me personal letters of advice and trying to help me recover. I have received so many letters it would take me quite a while to answer each one personally W. E. BARTLETT.

Kirkmansville, Ky.

[The doctor can certainly find the phosfate of lime in his books.-ED.]

"Had Charity."

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Dr. Hassan, in March WORLD, said he, with others, "had charity for the old gentleman who adhered to the principle of state rights, for which half a nation contended and which was settled only by the arbitrament of war. Without entering into the merits of this question, I think the old gentleman did not need the doctor's charity nearly as much as the doctor himself needs our "charity" for withdrawing his countenance from the most single minded and ablest champion the medical profession has today. Much as we would like to see a national medical law and a national marriage and divorce law, we have not those desiderata, and we must face the fact. Now, if the medical fraternity were strong enuf, they might settle the question as the other was settled! Now, mind you, while I argue this way, I think a false idea of state rights, if allowed to become too strong, would be disastrous to the permanence of the national federation. A. TAYLOR.

Crested Butte, Colo.

[An interesting volume could be written, showing that in stage coach days a large amount of independent state action was necessary and proper; and that railroads, the telegraph and various other modern forces have changed conditions radically, and we ought to change our thoughts to correspond to changed conditions. New York and San Francisco are now closer together in many ways than New York and Buffalo formerly were. Many questions formerly considered local are, by our improved instrumentalities and larger thoughts, considered National now, and properly so. But I must not go further into this absorbing subject, for fear that I will never stop.-ED.]

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ROCKLAND, ME., April 25, 1906. Home Life Insurance Co., 256 Broadway, New York. Gentlemen:-Your esteemed favor of the 14th inst. received and contents carefully noted, and in this connection beg to submit schedule of fees for my professional services for Insurance Examinations:

Physical Examination, $5. This includes urin tests for albumin, sugar, specific gravity, and chemical reaction.

Quantitativ Urinary Analysis, including Microscopical Examination, $5. If for any reason one or more additional visits must be made to complete the case my fee for each such visit is $2.

For these fees are rendered my best services. Very respectfully yours, E. W. GOULD, M.D.

[The above is the right kind of a reply to make to propositions to reduce the fee for examinations. The insurance people have no right to make the doctor's prices. The doctor should have backbone enuf to announce his own prices, and stick to them. Dr. Gould writes us that when an insurance agent seeks his services he announces his terms, which he does not discuss with the agent, but the agent governs himself accordingly. And no difference is made between the "old line" and the assessment companies. He thinks the profession should unite to meet the concerted movement among insurance companies to reduce examination fees.-ED.]

A Concrete Argument for Medical Laws. DEAR EDITOR-I will write a few words to try to guard the profession against a certain quack doctor. A young man, 25 or 30 years of age, known as Robert L. Harp, came here this spring and afterward set up to practise medicin. He would not tell his name on first coming to neighborhood. On being askt about certificate authorizing him to practise, he claimed his name was W. C. Harp. Before I could learn from the State Board who W. C. Harp was (who has certificate and is 51 years old) he left the country and has not been heard from. He exhibited papers to the laity claiming they were certificates, diplomas, etc., but never let any one see them closely. He is low, shows Indian blood, blue-eyed, straight black hair (parting in middle), has some gold in teeth, wears hat set back, "hump shouldered," and is easily recognized. I think he is wanted in the Indian Territory for selling whiskey. I hope this will keep him from intruding on profession and laity. I intended to give him the bene

fits of the law, but he became suspicious and left unexpectedly. P. L. MCCLURE.

Corinth, Ark.

[Here is a concrete argument for medical laws. Opponents of medical legislation please observe. Suppose Arkansas had no medical law. Then such quacks could settle down to practise in any part of Arkansas, and such guardians of the people and of the profession as Dr. McClure could not do anything to prevent.ED.]

From a Doctor Legislator.

DR. C. F. TAYLOR; DEAR DR.-Inclosed find $1 for one year's subscription to "THE MEDICAL WORLD." I am just in receipt of a sample copy that just strikes me right and I think it should all M. D.'s who hold the profession as they should. The article to which I especially allude is the one pertaining to the "Proprietary" or patent fakes. As a member of the State Senate I will endeavor to push that bill thru. There is a blank in the most of our legislatures as pertaining to Committees on Medicin and Sanitation, or at least that tempted the protection of the people and doctors in our was the trouble with which I had to contend when I atlast session of the legislature; but I succeeded in getting a resolution thru which establisht a standing committee on Medicin and Sanitation in our legislature. Heretofore it has been the custom in this state to refer all such bills to the Judiciary, and they are lawyers who know as much about medicin as we M. D,'s do about law. I think this is one great trouble in the other states, and it will be a good suggestion thru your valuable paper to bring out.

Pardon me as a beginner for the above suggestion; but I only hope it may help a little (if not much). Most respectfully your well wisher, Hurricane, W. Va. IRA CLAY HICKS.

ROCHESTER, N. Y., U. S. A., May 19, 1906. TO THE EDITOR OF THE MEDICAL WORLD,

Philadelphia, Pa.

Dear Sir:-In this month's issue of your publication, page 178, appears a letter written by Dr. E. P. Cuthbert, of Homestead, Pa., referring to "A Useless Diagnostic Lamp;" and while we have no fault to find with the letter nor doubt in regard to its truthfulness, it has, however, caused some annoyance to our men on the road, and we should appreciate very much if you will kindly state in your journal that the letter in question does not refer to the Electro Surgical Instrument Company. We have written to Dr. Cuthbert, and as stated, we have no criticism whatever to offer, as the doctor gave the location of the company, but a number of our customers would be apt to overlook this part of the letter.

Hoping that we have made no intrusion, and thanking you in advance, we beg to remain,

Very truly yours,

ELECTRO SURGICAL INSTRUMENT Co.

Bellevue, Texas, a village of about 500, was "blown off the face of the earth" on April 27. Dr. Jno. W. Hyatt writes us very interestingly about it. He says that the only medicin left in the town was in his grip, which, fortunately, also contained a few needles and surgeon's silk. The people nearly all went into their storm cellars; for that reason the loss of life was only 15. If the storm had occurred at night, the loss of life would have been much greater. Doctors came promptly from other towns and rendered timely assistance. With everything swept away, the people are as poor as poverty: living in tents"; but he reports them cheerful and thankful for being saved and grateful for every aid extended. One other doctor, D. W. Holmes, resided there, but we have not heard from him.

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A doctor's wife sends us the following cure for the dermatitis caused by poison ivy: Saturate boiling hot rain-water with ordinary table salt. Saturate a cloth with the solution and apply to the affected area, and keep the cloth wet. The solution may be used either hot or cold. Our lady friend states that the cure originated among the negro slaves of the south.

QUIZ

New books as they appear, are sent to our Assistant Editor, Dr. A. L. Russell, of Midway, Washington Co., Pa., for review. As the Doctor thus has all the late books for reference, and is made familiar with them by reviewing each one carefully as it reaches him, he is unusually equipt for answering queries. Therefore it has been our custom for a long time to send queries to him for reply. In fact, the Doctor made a special request that this be done, as he enjoys this work. It now occurs to us that time will be saved if you will send directly to Dr. Russell matter intended for the Quiz Department, which has grown so much under his vigorous "treatment." Please notice that our query department is not used to "boost" proprietary remedies, almanac fashion. THE MEDICAL WORLD has no interests other than to give to the medical profession the greatest amount of honest service possible. It has absolutely no interests in any proprietary preparation nor any medical supply house. Other medical editors have become, and are becoming, wealthy, by using their pages to increase the sale of preparations that they are interested in; but we prefer to render service to our subscribers that is above suspicion of personal pecuniary interest. How can a man interested in the sale of certain preparations render the best service? He is always trying to push one of his preparations in. That is commercial journalism. We prefer ethical journalism-and so does the profession, for THE MEDICAL WORLD is growing in popularity faster than ever before-and our subscribers are paying ones. They must be, for we have no medicins to "boost," nothing to sell, nothing to depend on but pure journalism; but doctors that want honest, straight journalism are willing to pay for it-they are glad of the opportunity.

Only such queries will be publisht as are likely to interest and instruct many others, as well as the one asking help. No charge has ever been made, nor will any charge be made, for this service to our subscribers. However, those who wish an immediate and personal reply by mail may obtain the same by inclosing two dollars to Dr. Russell. This is really a consultation in the interest of the patient, and should be charged to the patient-two dollars being a very moderate consultation fee. The Doctor agrees to give full, careful and immediate attention to such consultations. We reserve the right to publish in this department any such consultations that may be interesting and helpful to our readers. Name and address will be withheld if requested; but anonymous communications will receive no attention. Come freely for help, but read up as fully as you can before coming to us.

Glycerin Added to Aqueous Mixtures.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-For the benefit of myself and possibly others, please state in THE WORLD about what proportion of glycerin should be added to an aqueous mixture to render it perfectly stable under all ordinary conditions. DR. J. F. STONG. Barada, Neb.

[It is doubtful if glycerin or any other agent will make an aqueous mixture perfectly stable under all ordinary conditions. Aqueous mixtures are best prepared only for use within a reasonable time. Glycerin, however, as we have mentioned in these columns, will prevent the precipitation so common when mixtures are prepared in which two fluidextracts, or one fluidextract and water, are component parts. A dram to the ounce is usually sufficient, but certain combinations may require more. This can only be ascertained by experiment.

The last National Standard Dispensatory, publisht by Lea Brothers & Company, states: "It is used for preserving pill masses and certain extracts in a plastic condition, and for preventing fermentation and other changes in aqueous liquids containing organic matter in solution." No further particulars are given. The Editor's comments on the value of glycerin in dispensing have been the fruit of experience solely. We do not know of any reference work which will give any further information on the matter. Glycerin is a nice adjuvant to most mixtures, and as it is slightly laxativ in doses of 1 to 2 fluidrams, it

is often incorporated for this purpose alone. It has, too, a considerable influence in masking the taste of some disagreeable medicins.ED.]

Advice in Starting Drug Store.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-I wish to ask the advice of Editor and our family. I am thinking of putting in a drug store, and will have to buy two small stocks here of merchants to get the business in this vicinity. They seem very willing to sell. Would you advise me to wait the disposition of the Hepburn bill now before Congress? As I understand, no proprietary stock not having the formula on the bottle can be sold. If this passes, this stock would be a total loss. What would THE WORLD advise.

I had, in November last, a very markt case of puerperal convulsions, which we have notes on. Both mother and child living after eighteen severe convulsions, extending over as many hours. Would be pleased to present for benefit of THE WORLD family, as it may help them in some similar emergency. A case of chronic trachoma, cured, will follow. Keep up the good fight and we will win. Holliday, Kansas. W. H. FINLEY, M.D.

[When a druggist purchases stocks of nostrums from general merchants, it is customary for the merchants to enter into an agreement that they will not again handle nostrums. If the stocks are small, it is probable that it will pay you to purchase them, even if they turned out to be a total loss, as it would dispose of all competition, and would thus effectually dispose of price cutting on "patents" forever; or, at least, until you had to reckon with a new comer in business.

We do not know what the attitude of the nostrum vendors will be in event of the Hepburn bill becoming a law. Some of them, already, yielding to the demand of popular opinion, are publishing the ingredients, if not the exact formulas, of their compounds. Many of them will go on in the business, and if they do, it will be a small matter to have them furnish you with printed formulas which you can attach to the old stock. many has had practically the same law for many years, and yet the nostrums flourish there also. Few people will read the formulas, or will understand them if they do read them.

Ger

THE WORLD will be pleased to have the reports of the interesting cases you mention, if different from the numerous cases that have been reported to us in the past. Make them brief, and detail all your treatment thoroly.-ED.]

His First Placenta Previa.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-On April 1st I was called to Mrs. O. in confinement, and when I entered the house was told that she was flooding. On examination I found her weak and bleeding freely from vagina. I introduced my finger and found a complete placenta previa with a dilatation about the size of a silver dollar. Now, I have been practising for 11 years and this was my first case of the kind-and my hair did not turn gray, but I think it must have stood on end. I tried to call up what my books said of these cases, but the only thing I could think of was what my old professor had told us, and that was to go thru the placenta,

get hold of the baby's feet and draw it down. So I went to work and in a short time had dilatation sufficient to push my hand thru, and so I did, but it ran up against the baby's head and I could not get by, from fright or something. The hemorrhage was so profuse that I proceeded to tear away the placenta, thinking maybe the head would descend and stop the bleeding, but it did not; for after I had delivered all the afterbirth the hemorrhage continued but slightly diminisht. I thought the woman would bleed to death, and dilatation was not sufficient to apply the forceps. So I told the husband to phone for another doctor to bring chloroform and a uterin dilator, and in the meantime I introduced my hand up against the mouth of the womb and pressed the baby down with my other hand over the abdomen to stop the bleeding until the other doctor would come. But in one hour's time in that position I gave out, my hand began to cramp, so had to remove it. After washing my hand in warm water and rubbing it for a few minutes I went back to my task and found a complete dilatation but no pains; but I applied the forceps and delivered the baby, which, of course, was dead; but the mother made an uneventful recovery, and in 16 days after her husband moved her over a half mile in a wagon (against my instructions), but it did not seem to hurt her.

Did I handle this case right or not? I told them when I first made my examination that the baby would be dead. If you think this would be of any benefit to any WORLD reader you may publish it; otherwise your waste basket always has room for one C. E. ENGLEMAN, M.D.

more.

Dunnegan, Mo.

[In practise, one must do as he can. You are to be congratulated on the mother's fine recovery, as septic infection is common after these cases, and especially where one is forced to manipulations such as those you practised. Your treatment, however, would not pass muster on examination by, for instance, the Pennsylvania State Examining Board.

Theoretically, you should have tamponed tightly with the woman in the knee-chest position, and then waited the coming of your consultant; when you should have anesthetized, and proceeded to do podalic version and extraction. This would have been easily possible under an anesthetic, whereas without, it might not have been possible. When the feet are brought down, the breech plugs the pelvic cavity and hemorrhage ceases. Probably your case was one of central placenta previa, in which case it would have been necessary, in any event, to go thru the placenta before making any progress toward delivery. The fetal mortality, whatever the form of treatment, taking all varieties of placenta previa into consideration, is nearly 50 percent, even with aid and all desired facilities at hand. In another similar case, we would advise the tampon, and delay till aid can be obtained.— ED.]

A Puzzling Eye Case.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-For the past two years I have watcht your Quiz columns with interest and with no small degree of benefit from yourself and from the WORLD family. I now appeal to you and the family for assistance directly for a patient who has recently come to me. Male, age 25, Jew, druggist.

About two years ago had trouble with his eyes. The symptoms few: morning on waking, eyes firmly matted together; when cleansed they feel comfortable for a varying length of time; sometimes until late in afternoon, again until noon, and more rarely they begin to smart, burn, and itch immediately. When the attack

first occurred, argyrol was used with immediate relief. One year later the trouble returned. The patient has consulted several specialists (among them is Dr. Pooly, of N. Y.) and two have prescribed glasses (each a different kind), claiming that the trouble is due to error of refraction. The other two claim that such is not the case and glasses are useless. The glasses have not helpt. The symptoms are not constant. At times three or four days elapse and there is not the slightest symptom. Then it begins and there are matting of the eyelids in the morning (the pus is thick and stringy), burning, itching, the conjunctiva red, both palpebral and ocular, there is no swelling, the eyes water but little, one eye usually worse than the other, this condition alternating. The patient is chronically constipated and very obstinately so, too. Otherwise he is hale and hearty. Among the medicins that have been used are included: Argyrol, protargol, bichlorid of mercury, calomel, bismuth, iodoform, zinc sulf., zinc chlorid, silver nitrate and copper sulfate, locally. Numerous tonics, good hygiene and good food have been maintained. His circumstances are by no means meager and these latter can be done at no great sacrifice. W. J. PARKS, M.D.

Asbury Park, N. J.

[In a similar case, the trouble was completely rectified, after several eye specialists had exhausted their therapy, by attention to a diseased turbinate bone in the nose. Have the nose and throat examined.

If a saturated solution of boric acid and gum camphor will not relieve, it has been our experience that the stronger solutions such as zinc, are seldom of benefit.

You will find all that is known about such cases by consulting any of the more pretentious works on eye diseases, and it is not likely that any specialist will be able to do more in the way of local applications than you can do yourself. You should certainly have the eyes examined by competent oculists until you can form a definit idea for yourself as to whether or not there is refractiv error. One eye specialist may err, but it is not likely that several would fall into the same mistake.ED.]

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[This drug is highly commended by the proprietors, Messrs. Parke, Davis & Co., Detroit, Mich., who issue full literature on the matter. It is an activ antiseptic, but, like others of its class, meets the criticism of those who do not place credence in the power of any drug to render the contents of the bowel steril. The well known pathology of typhoid fever must include the ability to renovate the germ nests in Peyer's patches whenever a drug is claimed to possess the power of aborting or "curing" typhoid fever. Our opinion on this matter is no better than that of any other practician who has had extensiv experience with typhoid; some ridicule its claims, and others are firm in the conviction that it will do all that is claimed for it. The same firm made the same claim to abortiv and curativ power for the "Woodbridge treatment of typhoid,"

and this claim was never accorded any degree of acceptance at the hands of the mass of the profession. The only possible way for you to learn, doctor, if you like its effects, will be to give it a thoro trial in a series of cases. We have never heard of anyone accusing it of being harmful in typhoid.-Ed.]

Sciatica.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD.-I have been suffering from rheumatism in my right hip; sometimes takes the form of lumbago. It cuts off the circulation from my legs and feet, and makes me very stiff and lame when I rise after sitting. I have exhausted my own skill and have taken some other prescriptions, all to no purpose. Can you suggest a cure? J. H. T. Wyoming, Del.

[A treatment that generally yields prompt and decided benefit, tho very unpleasant for a few days, consists in the application of three or four fly blisters, each about 14 x 1, or 2 x 2 inches, along the line of the nerve. The lowest site is selected at the lower part of the calf, and they are spaced upwards at equal intervals. The hot air treatment by means of the hot air apparatus will relieve you, and it may possibly make a permanent impression. One or two drams of fluid extract of cimicifuga, three or four times a day, is curativ in many cases, if persisted in for a considerable period. Ichthyol inunctions along the line of the affected nerves, in 50 percent strength in any fatty base, has yielded surprising results. Belladonna plasters, fresh and of full strength, will relieve most cases, temporarily. The old fashioned method of ironing the part with an ordinary iron used in the laundry often gives relief within a few moments; a layer of flannel moistened with hot water is applied to the skin and the ironing is done over this.

The cure of sciatica and of lumbago is merely the general cure of a system tainted with the uric acid diathesis, and this, as all know, is very difficult, mainly because we do not know what rheumatism really is. ED.]

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[We are not as yet able to locate the manufacturers of the Freck tablet machine, but are making endeavors to do so. Some member of the family will "bob up" with the address soon, and the many inquirers will find it given in the columns of the WORLD as soon as we ascertain it.

H. K. Mulford & Company, of this city, manufacture a hand machine for making tablets, but the price is $75.00. Whitall-Tatum Company, of this city, manufacture a hand

tablet machine at $18.00, which is described as follows: "This machine is designed for making tablets in small quantities and is especially adapted for use by retail druggists in filling prescriptions in tablet form. The depth of the mould is regulated by means of a screw, so that after weighing out the powder for one tablet, and adjusting the mould so that it will just contain the powder before compression, the tablets will be made of uniform weight and thickness by simply filling the mould to the top for each tablet. When the lever is thrown back the lower die is automatically raised, discharging the tablet. It then recedes to its former position and the mould is ready for refilling. Each machine is supplied with two sets of moulds and dies, making tablets respectively of and inch diameter, and of thickness as desired. The height is 10 inches." The same firm also make little tablet triturate machines of hard rubber for making 50 one-grain triturates at a time and sell these at $3.50. They also have tablet compressors, single and double, at $2.50 and $6.50 each. The former is a single compressor of 3 or 5-grain capacity, and the latter consists of two compressors mounted on a base with an aperture between them for dropping the finisht product thru into a receptacle as completed.

The J. H. Day Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, make an efficient machine at $30.00 furnisht with three sets of punches and dies. The dies kept in stock are, 1, §, and §. Extra sets of dies, $3.00. The height is 18 inches and the weight 75 pounds.

We do not know how any of these machines will work with a moist mass, but probably some of these enterprising dealers will soon be advertising with us, publishing full information; in the meantime they will doubtless be glad to answer all inquiries.—ED.]

Is It Friedreich's Disease?

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-About two months ago I was called to see a boy 11 years of age, and found him in the condition indicated by the following symptoms: Restlessness; nervousness; fits of crying; anorexia; constipation; weakness; irritability; emaciation; markt unsteadiness when standing and trying to walk-astasia abasia, shall we call it?-walks like one blindfolded, with hands extended, or as one intoxicated; unable to stand with eyes closed; oscillatory jerking of eyeballs; some degree of dysuria and atony of bladder; morbid drowsiness at times; in fact, would go into a deep sleep that would continue for hours, and from which it would be difficult to rouse him.

With no recollection of having seen a case just like this in a twenty-eight years' practise, after prescribing for my patient and giving some general directions as to management, I left for home without giving the anxious mother full satisfaction as to diagnosis and prognosis, asking myself the question: What is the matter with the boy? repeating to myself: "There must be some grave, deep seated nervous trouble that, I fear, will baffle my skill: with which I shall not be able to cope."

Tabes and ataxia chased each other thru my mind. And after scratching the apex of my cranium a few times the word "Friedreich" came forth. "Friedreich's ataxia," I repeated; "can it be Friedreich's ataxia"? Well, anyway, I put the boy on Wampole's

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