Page images
PDF
EPUB

To contributors of Original Articles, a liberal number of copies of the Herald will be given (or mailed free of expense if addresses are furnished), and the publishers will furnish reprints at cost, application for same to be made when copy is forwarded.

Original Articles, Clinical Reports, Society Proceedings, Correspondence and News invited.

Illustrations will be furnished free for all articles requiring same, if drawings are furnished.

Address all articles for publication, books for review and exchanges to the Editor.

Address all correspondence relating to subscriptions and advertising to Medical Herald Co., Sixth and Charles Streets.

FOR SALE. A physician desiring a location, can secure one by purchasing office furniture. For particulars address, with a stamp, Lock Box 8, Highland, Kas. INSTRUMENTS AT COST.-Physicians desiring a battery or a good nebulizer at a bargain can learn price by addressing "Bargain" care Medical Herald Co.

LOCATION.-Anyone desiring a good location in which to practice the the specialties, eye, ear, nose and throat, address DR. HUGH T. MILLER, Clinton, Mo.

NEW ORLEANS POLYCLINIC. Seventeenth annual session opens November 2d, 1903, and closes May 28, 1904. Physicians will find the Polyclinic an excellent means for posting themselves upon modern progress in all branches of medicine and surgery. The specialties are fully taught, including laboratory work. For further information, address, New Orleans Polyclinic, Postoffice box 797, New Orleans, La.

SANDER & SONS EUCALPTOL (pure volatile Eucalypti Extract) In an article on inhalations of Eucalpytus in Diphtheria, by Prof. Dr. Mosler, Director of the Medical Clinic of the University at Griefswald (Berlin, Klin. Wochenschrift) it is stated: "The ol.eucalpyti e folies I employed in my tests I received through Holzle & Chelius, Frankfurt, it must not be mistaken for the more frequently offered ol. eucaly-pti australe, which is obtained from the eucalyptus tree. This latter is used for mechanical purposes only, and has a far cheaper price; it is however, no longer employed as an internal medicament."

In a direct communication Dr. Mosler says: "At your special request I gladly certify that the ol. eucalypti e folies with which I experimented in 1878 and 1879 was taken from the stock maintained by the firm of SANDER & Sons, Bendyo, Australia, with Holzle & Chelius of Frankfort. It has ever since rendered me the most excellent services."

Samples and literature of Sander's Eucalyptol gratis through Dr. Sander, 88 Lincoln Ave., Chicago Ills. Meyer Bros. Drug Co., St. Louis, Mo., sole

agents.

BUT

[blocks in formation]

NOT ONE CENT FOR TRIBUTE." A VAST MAJORITY OF CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES against Physicians, Surgeons and Dentists for Civil Malpractice ARE OF A BLACKMAILING NATURE.

Sometimes a Mistake has been made and the claim is well founded. For $10 per year we give you free legal advice regarding all such cases, pay all costs of defense and settle the bill of damages, if any, at our own expense up to the limit of our contract, $2500-$5000. THE FIDELITY & CASUALTY COMPANY OF NEW YORK. Assets, $5,000,000.

H. R. McMURTRIE, GENERAL AGENT, ST. JOSEPH, MO

[ocr errors]
[graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small]

ST. JOSEPH, MO., OCTOBER, 1903.

Contributed Articles

TYPHOID SPINE.

J. W. Cannon, M. D., Canon City, Colo.

N September 25th, 1902, I was taken down with typhoid fever after a week or ten days of the usual prodromal symptoms: slight fever, headache, general malaise and that usual "tired feeling."

For two weeks following the above date, I was just comfortably ill, the temperature ranging from 99 to 101 degrees, not suffering from any marked symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, aching of the limbs, joints and back. The tongue was slightly furred, the appetite poor, no thirst, no chills, or rigors.

At the end of this period of two weeks there was general improvement of all the mild symptoms mentioned, the temperature had returned to normal and so remained for two days and nights. The appetite had improved and there was a feeling that I could get up and dress with safety, which I did, and remained up for an hour or two.

In the afternoon of this unlucky day which brings us up to October 10th, the fever immediately arose to 104 degrees following a chill, the pulse was 100 per minute, there was loss of appetite and thirst. From this time. on the fever ran a rather severe, lingering, but not unusual course, for a period of five weeks terminating by lysis strictly.

There was enlargement of the right limb from the hip to the knee, with the characteristic purplish mottled color and the blanched appearance on pressure, and edema from the knee to the end of the toes. There was also edema of the right ankle. There was no thrombosis nor phlebitis of the femoral vein, the obstruction to the return circulation being in the pelvis. Farther reference to the typhoid fever will be unnecessary to a brief outline of the spinal complication.

On October 22d, ten days after what may be considered a relapse in my case, in turning over in bed, a sharp pain was suddenly experienced in the lumbar region of the spine. The pain was acute, sharp, cutting, and of momentary duration. Every movement of the spine, unless with the greatest possible care from this time on for two months caused the acute spasmodic pains. The pains gradually increased in severity, and in the course of a few days became so excruciating that it was almost impossible to move. The seat of the pain was in the anterior and lateral parts of the lumbar vertebrae, the point of greatest tenderness being near the

* Read before the Fremont County Medical Soclety, Canon City, Colo., July 6th, 1903.

fourth and fifth articulation. The lightning-like pains radiated to the right and left with about equal severity over the loins and hips, with every move and turn of the body. They shifted, however, from one point to another, and had a slight preference for the right side, if any differ

ence.

There was at this time no pain on pressure over the lumbar vertebrae or loins, and no posterior prominence nor lateral curvature, but great weakness and stiffness of the lumbar spine.

When resting quietly on my back there was comparatively no pain. It is important here to state that this feature was characteristic of my case throughout the entire illness. "Perfectly quiet, perfectly easy. a maxim that proved true with but few exceptions when limited to acute lancinating pains. It was only when necessary to move or change positions that the acute spasmodic pains were experienced. Moving the lower limbs, the trunk, and sometimes even the arms and head would cause them.

Dull heavy aching would invariably follow the acute radiating pains for half hour or longer, according to the severity of the former. It was impossible to remain on either side only for a few minutes at a time, as either of these positions would cause dull aching pains and soreness in this region of the back which would increase until they became unendurable. A position on the back was the only way that gave any degree of relief and rest, and it was only after becoming tired and worn out from this constant position that induced me to make occasional changes to one side or the other for a few minutes at a time.

From the date of the sudden attack of pain, October 22d to December 23d, over two months, it was impossible to assume a sitting posture, so great was the pain which any effort on my part would induce. During this time I was moved from one side of the bed to the other by a sheet folded and placed across the bed under my hips and spine, and in this way was drawn from the bed on to a cot to have the bed linen changed, and the mattress turned.

In turning over in bed I had to be very careful and use every precaution to keep the shoulders and hips moving at the same time to prevent any rotary movement of the spine. By taking hold of the iron rods at the head of the bed I could steady myself and assist in turning and prevent to some extent the sharp cutting pains.

I could realize no particular change in any respect during the two months. The suffering was about the same from day to day, and the weakness and stiffness of the spine remained unchanged. While under the influence of half grain of morphine I could turn on my side with no more ease than without it. It did relieve to some extent the dull aching pains and soreness that usually followed and enabled me to rest in one position longer at a time, and for this purpose it was used on several occasions.

Chloral and bromidia were of no practical benefit. They produced sound sleep, and relaxation of the lumbar muscles, but it was with great difficulty that I could move my position afterward. Heat, massage, and electricity were vigorously and persistently used but with decidedly negative results. The spinal trouble came on during the height of the fever,

« PreviousContinue »