salt water snuffed up the nose will stop the bleeding of that organ. Three-fourths of the common remediss for nasal catarrh are little else than finely powdered salt.

The alimentary canal knows what to do with an excess of salt in the body, but has a tough time when salt becomes scarce, and then the entire mucous surfaces suf fer. The drug enters largely in the chemistry of the body-into nearly all of its reactions. Your text-books tell you that chemically it is a caustic, diluted it acts the same way and also in the way of a styptic. It causes increased peristaltic action and will stop hemorrhages from the bowels if injected in the strength of one teaspoonful to a pint of water. In the strength of half that amount it is a pleasant remedy with which to bathe the eyes, acting to check inflammation and preventing the formation of pus. The following combination makes an excellent wash for the eyes:

One more point, and that is it does not cost much and is at hand in every household. It is the safest solution for flushing and cleansing after surgical operations.

Referring to a few lines in Bro. J. P. Carrington's sound article, page 221, in which he says, "It is a sad scene for a man to sit quietly by and see the last page in the history of a patient pass away to the unknown and not be able to say, 'I could have saved him had I the means to do so,'" I would like to ask why it is that we do not study more carefully all of the qualities, dual as well as single, of our common, every-day drugs-our weeds that grow in our yards and fields. To tell the truth, our regulars study only one property in a drug. Now calomel will purge in 3 to 5 grain doses, and it will also do the same, and do it better, in 1-10 grain doses repeated 10 times and a half hour apart. We are not thorough therapeutists; we do not study all that our drugs will do in very small as well as large doses. Kali phos. and kali mur., five grains of 3x potency, 3 to 4 times a day, has worked wonders in some of anemic, over-worked women; there was 1-50 grain of potassium phos. to the dose, balance milk sugar. It is hardly worth

my

disputing what we see before our eyes, but these are the facts. Natrum muriaticum, 1-10 grain 3 to 8 times a day, will do just what Schuessler says it will. I saw, for instance, a bottle-fed infant which was all right, but was slobbering a great deal, and I told the mother to put a small pinch of salt in its milk, say about a grain, which she did, and a few days afterward she informed me that it had ceased slobbering. It needed salt, and it is so with many other minor troubles. Let us study what the common, every-day drugs will do, so that we may not be lost if we have not our favorite remedy near at hand. Vinegar and salt makes a good gargle for tonsillitis, sore throat, etc.

For some years I have been using the oil of winter-green in acute rheumatism— empirically, too, I must say-from the effects I noted in an old gentleman when I was a boy in Connecticut, many years ago. He asked me to gather for him the fresh plant, and he used a decoction of it; in fact an extract, as he had it boiled and the fluid pressed from the residue and then concentrated. He also used the leaves for an application to the swollen joints. Years afterward I was called to a case of acute rheumatism, and having no salicylic acid I gave the patient 10 drops of the oil in capsule every four hours, and the effect was relief in a few hours. Since then I have used it almost exclusively. In one case, a gentleman of 48 (not one of my regular patients, but was called in owing to the absence of his physician), the relief from the distressing condition was so prompt that he was pleasantly surprised. Recently there appeared in the Charlotte Med. Journal some remarks on the external application of the oil direct to the inflamed joints, which quotes Dr. J. D. Stapel as using a liniment of it several years ago with olive oil, equal parts. Cotton-seed oil is very near the same thing and less in price. In the use of this externally Dr. S. reported only two out of a hundred cases of chronic rheumatism which it failed to relieve the pain. Used internally and externally it should be of advantage. Try it and report the results. “MEDICUS."

One dollar for the SUMMARY one year.

Mix and triturate thoroughly with sugar of milk and make into one tablet. Sig. Two to four every three or four hours. They are also made into dosimetric granules.

They alter the blood, bile and secretion generally; valuable in constipation; they clear the skin by eliminating poisonous pimples; they are used for the disorders of men, women and children, particularly the two latter; they are the mother's friend; they are prescribed along with the uterine tonic," before mentioned, when the liver is torpid and congested; they cure piles, indigestion, constipation and obviate a tendency to diarrhea; they aid digestion, both primary and secondary, without the use of pepsin or pancreatin; they are used to-day and have been for the past 30 years by physicians of all schools in all troubles of the digestive system, regulating all the secretions; they are the women's friend, often taking the place of patent and inert pills, in all cases of constipation when supplied freely by the attending physician, causing no nausea or irritation of the stomach or bowels, but act mildly, inciting the liver

and intestines to a healthy activity; they give speedy relief in hemorrhoids, except, of course, in cases requiring the surgeon's skill. W. C. BUCKLEY, M. D. 723 Berks St., Philadelphia, Pa.

For Fissured Lips, Cankered Mouth, Tenderness of Gums, Etc.

Editor Medical Summary:

I hope those of the SUMMARY readers who have never tried the appended prescription will give it a trial for fissured lips, cankered mouth, tenderness of gums or any part of the mucous membrane of the mouth, also for toothache. It may be used as an outward application in pain as a substitute for chloroform liniment. Here is its history: From a badly fitted plate I had a deep, painful ulcer on outside of gum and another on inside of cheek. When I called on the dentist he was chagrined by his blunder and set about repairing it. He put some cotton on a probe, and, dipping it into a solution, made a thorough application to the ulcer. It felt like caustic, but did not burn. The next day, to my surprise, there was not a bit of the tenderness remaining. That one treatment was all that was needed to cure it. The following, for which the dentist paid a big price, is the recipe: R. Alcohol....

Chloroform Sulph. æther. Gum camph. Tr. opii

Ol. cloves..

3 3

3 s

3

3 ss

New Publications.

HUGH WYNNE, FREE QUAKER; SOMETIME BREVET LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ON THE STAFF OF HIS EXCELLENCY, GENERAL WASHINGTON. By S. Weir Mitchell, M. D., L.L. D. (Harvard and Edinburgh). Two volumes. The Century Co., Publishers, New York. 1897.

The historic novel has always been a favorite, and the present one in particular should find favor with the physicians on account of its having been written by one of the guild. In "Hugh Wynne. an American physician, and one who stands in the front rank of his profession, has written what, in the opinion of many critics, is one of the greatest books of our time. The Dial, Chicago, calls it "the most important novel of the American Revolution thus far written;" the Outlook says, If Hugh Wynne' is not the greatest American novel, it at least comes closer to it than any novel of the decade." After a successful serial course in the Century Magazine the book "Hugh Wynne," issued in October last, is now being printed for the seventh time, in an edition which will bring it up to the 50th thousand-a record almost without precedent among American publications. This is a work that can be read with pleasure by either physician or layman alike. The reader's interest does not flag from beginning to end. It presents a most interesting account of life in a Philadelphia prison during the time the British occupied the city.

THE AMERICAN YEAR-BOOK OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY. Edited by George M. Gould, A. M., M. D. W. B. Saunders, Publisher, Phila. 1898. Price $6.50.

This is a large and handsome volume of nearly 1100 pages, representing a summary of the medical progress of the world during the past year. The previous edi

tions of this work have been well received and in this, the third edition, appear a number of changes which will have a tendency to enhance, if anything, the usefulness of this admirable volume.

In other words the volume before us represents, in compact form, an epitome

of new and progressive medical truths of the year, as reported in medical literature at large. This information was collected and arranged by eminent American specialists and teachers under the direction of the general editor, Dr. Gould. Illustrations are liberally introduced; the engravings-a number being in colors— are taken from photographs or are reproductions of the authors' cuts appearing with the respective original contributions to the journals quoted.

By

OUTLINES OF RURAL HYGIENE. For Physicians, Students and Sanitarians. Harvey B. Bashore, M. D., Inspector for the State Board of Health of Pennsylvania. With an appendix on The Normal Distribution of Chlorine, by Prof. Herbert E. Smith, of Yale University. The F. A. Davis Co., Publishers, Philadelphia. 1897.

This neatly printed and well-written brochure will prove of special interest and practical value to all such as are interested in sanitation in districts outside of our large cities. The scope of the. work can be better understood by a recapitulation of the subjects treated. Water supply-wells, cisterns, rivers, lakes and springs; examination of wells and well water; waste disposal-excreta, slops, garbage, ashes, crockery, etc; sewarage disposal; the soil-surface soil, ground. moisture, ground water, ground air; habitations-dwellings, school hygiene, hospitals; disposal of the dead. The article on "The Normal Distribution of Chlorine," by Prof. Herbert E. Smith, adds much to the value of the work.

SAW PALMETTO-ITS HISTORY, BOTANY, CHEMISTRY, PHARMACOLOGY, PROVINGS, CLINICAL EXPERIENCE AND THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS. By Edwin M. Hale, M. D. Boericke & Tafel, Publishers, Philadelphia. 1898. Price 55 cents.

This is a brochure of nearly 100 pages and is principally made up of provings and clinical reports from leading physicians. It presents some admirable suggestions for the therapeutic use of this valuable drug.

One Dollar for the SUMMARY one year.

Summary Gleanings.

Diabetes has been treated successfully with a diet of pure buckwheat flour.

A chloral solution kept constantly applied to a boil is said to be of great advantage.

Bartholow advised a cataplasm of camphor, morphine and flaxseed to relieve toothache.

Unless there are special indications aseptic wounds do not need redressing for eight or ten days.

Wounds about the face may be closed by a subcutaneous ligature, and thus render a scar less likely.

In the treatment of acute cystitis five drops of the tincture of thuja every three hours is a valuable remedy.

For bone felon take equal parts of soap, dry salt and balsam fir, enough to form a mass, and apply to the felon.

One drop of a one per cent. solution of nitro-glycerin, three times daily, has cured some intractable cases of sciatica.

Ten drops of a 20 per cent. solution of menthol in olive oil is advised by Weil to be a sure cure for vomiting in pregnancy.

In the accounts or record of cases where the individual experiences a second attack of small-pox, this latter is always attended with increased danger.

Creosote combined with equal parts of camphorated oil and given by hypodermic injection, is suggested as a sure cure for general septicemia.

Whenever sodium salicylate cannot be given in articular rheumatism, because of grave toxic symptoms, use hypodermic injections of pilocarpine, 1-6 grain.

In diabetes melitus give two drops of creosote (made from beechwood) twice a day; increase the dose gradually to six or eight drops a day; this has relieved.

One grain of the bichromate of potassium dissolved in four ounces of water, a teaspoonful every two or three hours, will be found to give relief in loss of voice, hoarseness and in bronchial coughs.

According to the London Lancet, the Widal test reaction tor typhoid is frequently not obtainable until other signs and symptoms establish the diagnosis.

It is claimed that a drop of nitric acid applied to the crown of a wart, covered with a little absorbent cotton and a rag, will allow it being picked off the next day.

In the treatment of the vomiting of pregnancy, dilation of the os uteri or tamponing with iodoform gauze, or cauterizing the os with nitrate of silver are all effectual.

Strychnine may be employed with the assurance of at least giving comfort if not relief in emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The severity of the cough will certainly be abated.

The monosulphate of sodium is given with excellent results in lead poisoning, to hasten the elimination of the lead and to retard any toxic influence until the elimination is effected.

Da Costa recommends for whooping cough 20 grains of the bromide of soda with two drops of the fld. ext. of belladonna, in solution, used as a spray and administered just before the paroxysm.

For painful hemorrhoids, Dr. Kinnarid says, anoint the inflamed pile several times a day with fld. ext. garlic, one part; glycerin, two parts. If the pile is internal about one drop is injected within the sphincter ani.

One drop of croton oil dissolved in 30 drops of chloroform and one ounce of glycerin, given at night, on an empty stomach, followed in the morning by sufficient castor oil to purge well, will remove tape-worm.

Senecio is especially indicated in amenorrhea from cold, acute and accompanied with langor and chilliness. Aconite, with or without, may be indicated by the symptoms and in full doses may prove very serviceable.

In uterine disorders with hysterical symptoms and mental depression at the menstrual period, a small dose of cimicifuga racemosa every two hours, for a few days preceding the epoc, will produce admirable results.

ONE DOLLAR PER ANNUM, IN ADVANCE.

SINGLE COPIES, TEN CENTS.

VOL. XX.

No. 2.

abled condition of the valves is not much noticed, or, if something does appear to be wrong, attention is diverted to some other than the true cause.

Even the physician, through carelessness or ignorance, may overlook the true cause of his aged clients' indisposition, and only wake up to a realization of the mistake he has committed when it is too late to make more judicious provisions for effective treatment. In the old, with valvular defect of the heart, the attendant must be on the alert to quickly recognize the fact that there is a weak heart to deal with, and as it is the function of the heart to propel blood to all parts of the body that organ must be strengthened for its work, or the work to be done must somehow be diminished.

Doubtless much may be accomplished by a wise choice of remedies and the regulation of the dietary, by diminishing the quantity of fluids taken and by taking food only of the lightest and most highly digestible character.