Dialation or Dilatation.

Sir. Having read your editorial in the December issue on Dilation and Dilatation, I wish to contribute a few words to settle the dispute about these terms. Dilatio, onis, f. is a classical word and means retardation, delay, protraction, postponement, putting off; it is much in use among the jurists: dilatio ad excipiendum, extension of time to answer (a complaint); dilatio citatoria, time given to appear (in court); dilatio conventionalis, time given to the contesting parties for settlement; dilatio definitoria, extension of time for decision; dilatio dijudicatoria, time given for execution of judgment; dilatio judicialis, postponement pronounced by the judge,

etc.

dilato, dilatare, dilatavi, dilatatum, to widen out, to make wide, to stretch. The Romans have never formed an abstraction (an -io, -ionis, noun, as "dilatatio") from dilato until the time of Q. Septimius Florens Tertullianus (about 420 A. D.). The translator of the Vulgata has introduced this word into the Bible, and thence it came into science in the sense of stretching, widening.

The words dilatio and dilatatio express two entirely distinct conceptions, and they ought not to be confounded.

It gave me satisfaction to be confirmed by Dr. Avellanus in my opinion which I had expressed on reading the editorial in the Review of Reviews, namely, that dilation is one thing and dilatation another.-Medical Review of Reviews.

Disinfection of the Clinical Thermometer.
That disease may be spread by the

the word dilatio.

I asked my friend, Dr. Arcadius Avellanus, the editor of Præco Latinus, who I believe is the best Latin scholar in the land, to give me a philological explanation and he sent me a regular treatise which is very interesting but so voluminous that I can only give here the essential points of it:

Dilatio is an abstraction of the perfect participle of differo, differre, distuli, dilatum, a compound verb consisting of dis or di (originally Greek), meaning asunder, and fero, ferre, tuli, latum, to carry, to fetch, to bring, etc. Thus the verb fero, ferre, tuli, latum, modified by the particle dis, received the form of difero, diferre, distuli, dilatum, to put off, to postpone, to bear over to another time; whence dilatio (as remarked already a classical word), the postponement, the putting off, the leaving for a later time.

Dilatatio is an abstract noun from

question. That it is a frequent source of infection no practicing physician will contend. The writer has seen one case of syphilis which he believes was caused by a clinical thermometer. The ordinary straight clinical thermometer does not readily harbor germs and the cleansing with water is usually sufficient to wash them away, particularly if done immediately after the thermometer is taken from the patient's mouth, before the secretions have had time to dry. Should this be neglected and the thermometer returned to its case, it is possible for the latter to be contaminated and to harbor germs for a considerable period. The suggestion has been made that the cotton at the bottom of the case be saturated with several

drops of formalin. Recently Denny has experimentally studied this method of keeping thermometers aseptic, and has determined that it is efficient. He found that even after three or four weeks the formalin was sufficiently strong to destroy pathogenic germs. The cotton should be saturated as often as once in two weeks or more frequently.

Detail Men.

the

Our esteemed contemporary, Hahnemannian Monthly, has a dissertation on the subject of "detail men." We are sure that the experience related will appeal to many readers of the CLINIQUE. Here is what the Hahnemannian says:

THE FOLLIES OF DETAIL MEN.

"The men sent on the road for detail work by pharmaceutical houses may be divided into two classes: 1. Those who represent houses which manufacture goods of their own invention, and who are for the most part men of ability and have been well trained. They make detail work a business. 2. We find a class of men who have run the gamut of professions and trades, successful in nothing they have undertaken. They are detail men for a small pittance. They are not properly qualified for interviewing physicians. They make themselves a daily nuisance to busy practitioners. It is of this class of detail men to which we wish to call attention. They are the most numerous and for the most part represent firms which live by piracy on those with brains. The extent to which these fellows may exhibit bad breeding may be illustrated by the following incidents:

"Not long ago, we were busily engaged with a patient in our office, when a man called, stating that he was in a hurry, and sent in his visiting card, asking to see the doctor immediately. We necessarily responded to such an urgent request. The gentleman in question then proceeded to tell us that he was the head of a certain drug firm, that he had called with a few samples, etc., etc. We replied: "You are in a hurry and we are busy, so we will excuse you."

"One morning, precisely at 10 o'clock, as we were leaving the office to hold a lecture at the colloge, a man called. He

wished to interest us in a certain book. We explained that he must come again, as we could not stultify ourselves by lateness. To our surprise, the importunate individual refused to postpone the interview and endeavored to force us to remain by stepping inside. We left him there and went our way. He was honest and did not steal anything.

"One morning, as we were leaving the office, a detail man called. We explained that he would have to call again, as we had a consultation not far away at 10:15. We showed him our watch, indicating the time at 10:10. "O," he said, “you cannot make it anyhow, so you might as well wait and see me." We told him to get out, and do it quickly, and that he need not call again.

"The man who aroused us most to anger was one who called in the fall and during the dinner hour. He was informed that the doctor was at dinner; he was asked for his card, and requested an interview without any delay. We were carving the turkey at the time, but responded to the urgent call. On entering the office, the caller stepped forward with a sample in one hand, a commercial card in the other, and said: 'I represent He got no further in talk.

"Of course, the above all represent extreme examples of bad breeding among members of a business which has as much right to exist as any other. The work is honest and requires ability. It is not work to be put in the hands of renegades from other callings. To send a fool on detail work is as silly as giving a child. a loaded pistol for a plaything. Somebody is sure to be hurt.

"A more frequently encountered nuisance concerning detail men is found in those who have been taught to sing a stereotyped interview. Their work is counted by their employers on the basis of the number of physicians' cards they can collect and samples they can distribute."

renew acquaintance with her alma mater, Hahnemann Medical College.

DRS. W. J. BLACKBURN and D. V. Ireland of Dayton, Ohio, have opened a splendid sanitarium in that city, having equipped it with all modern appliances and facilities for the care and treatment of surgical and chronic cases.

DR. W. E. REILY of Fulton, Mo., is to be congratulated on his efforts in compiling a directory of homeopathic physicians of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Indian Territory. The directory of homeopathic physicians of Missouri, recently issued, was well received, and the new idea of compiling one of several States will undoubtedly meet with favor among the profession. Dr. Reily is a tireless. worker, and he is doing much for the cause of homeopathy as chairman of the bureau of legislation of the Missouri Institute of Homeopathy.

WM. HARVEY KING, M. D., LL. D., Dean of the New York Homeopathic Medical College, is editor-in-chief of a "History of Homeopathy and Its Institutions in America.) This is to be an extensive work published in four volumes, octavo size. It will contain a concise history of the origin of homeopathy, of each homeopathic college and hospital, of the American Institute of Homeopathy, of the International Hahnemannian Association, of the sectional State medical societies and of homeopathic journalism. There will be also a record of the work of those who have practiced and are practicing homeopathy. The work will be printed on very fine paper and particular attention paid to its appear

ance.

It will be a series of books which every homeopathic physician should own, and we are hoping that the canvass now being made will be of such encouraging results that the publishers will proceed at once with the preparation of the work.

DR. CHAS. LOWRY of Topeka has been appointed a member of the Kansas board of health. Dr. Ernest Mills of Olathe is president.

A Split Infinitive.

From a Chicago daily paper we take this anecdote:

George Reno was an American newspaper man who obtained a position on a four-page daily newspaper in Havana, the managing editor of which was an exphysician from Chicago.

Reno did not like his chief, and the latter reciprocated in full. He took particular pleasure in slashing Reno's copy until it resembled a ribbon counter on bargain day. But there came a time when the worm turned.

Reno handed in a story one night, and the doctor proceeded to do things to it with a blue pencil. When the already disgusted reporter saw the mangled remains of what had been more than a fair presentation of a rather important occurrence, he protested, politely but positively. "I recognize your right to edit my stuff, doctor," said he, "but I must beg you to do so in such manner that you will not split all of the infinitives. In this instance, you have made my copy over into a bundle of phraseological kindling-wood."

In reply, from the erudite managing editor: "You seem to be worrying yourself over a mere trifle, Mr. Reno. What is a split infinitive, anyway?"

"A split infinitive," replied Reno, after a moment of thought, "is an attachment used on farms. It is a small implement It is a small implement that we fasten to the nose of a calf when we wish to wean it from its mother."

[The editor of the CLINIQUE will send a sample copy to any one who will guess the name of the "former Chicago physician who obtained a position on a daily newspaper in Havana," and who didn't know a split infinitive from a bull calf.]

DR. N. A. PENNOYER of the Pennoyer Sanitarium is now at home after an extended trip for study and recreation abroad. During his absence he has taken occasion to familiarize himself with the methods of sanitariums in European countries and comes back determined to make Pennoyer Sanitarium one of the best of its kind.

The scope of this institution has been much broadened within the last year. In addition to the ordinary sanitarium features for which the institution has been so favorably known in the past, in the future the work will be extended to the care of mental cases and alcoholic and drug habitues. For this purpose a number of outlying cottages have been erected and the medical staff has been materially enlarged. Dr. George F. Adams, so widely known for his work at the Gowanda New York State Hospital, and now special lecturer on mental diseases in the Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital, Chicago, has become joint manager of the Sanitarium, and Dr. Amelia Zimmerman, who has had a wealth of experience in the Hahnemann Hospital of Chicago, has become assistant physician.

The sanitarium itself is one of the best appointed institutions in the United States. Situated in the midst of one hundred acres of beautiful country, with an unobstructed view of the lake and surrounded by woods and meadows, it has an ideal location. Its closeness to Chicago makes it easy for city physicians to send their patients and at the same time to maintain a consulting supervision. We are very glad to know that homeopathy has an institution of this charac

We trust that the homeopathic physicians will give it the support which its excellent character deserves.

DR. STEPHEN H. KNIGHT has moved into new offices at 37 Willis avenue, East, Detroit.

Vol. XXV.

TREATMENT OF

ESPECIALLY

TREATMENT.

No. 12

THE

GEORGE MORTON MCBEAN, M. D.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF RHINOLOGY AND LARYNGOLOGY, HAHNEMANN MEDICAL COLLEGE AND

HOSPITAL, CHICAGO.

There are many theories as to the cause of colds, and as many "sure cure" methods of aborting them. The latter vary all the way from BromoQuinine tablets to the single dose of a high potency. The most probable theory of causation is that which relates to the disturbance of the heat-regulating and vaso-motor nervous center, by the prolonged action of cold draughts on some. especially susceptible part of the head, back of the neck and feet.

For a morbid process about which all pathologists and clinicians do not agree, there must be necessarily a variety of methods of treatment, each one based on a different theory. As a rule, the less we understand of a disease, the more varied are the remedies advised. Some colds are due probably to a circulatory disturbance, others to the action of bacteria. Perhaps this is the reason why we can abort some colds and cannot others, whose clinical aspect is similar. But it is conceded generally that colds can be aborted only in the earliest stages. that is, before exudation has taken place from the congested mucous membrane, or in the pre-febrile state.

When we take cold, the heat producing center has been taxed beyond its normal limit, too much heat is lost, and the patient becomes chilly, or has a decided chill. Then the secondary action comes and fever is the result.

I. So to abort a cold, we must begin at the beginning, by trying to supply

2. It is almost an invariable rule to give a cathartic of some sort in this stage. One of the most convenient is merc. dulc. IX (calomel 1-10 gr.) of which one tablet may be given every hour until the bowels move freely, or give from 5 to 10 tablets at bedtime. The following morning a dose of salts or one. of the aperients should be given to prevent mercurial salivation: Such as Epsom salts, citrate of magnesia, concentrated pluto water, Seidlitz powder, cascara sagrada, Hunyadi water, Apenta water, etc.

Castor oil for children. Cathartics remove any material from the intestines whose absorption might aggravate the cold, they lower the temperature in fever, and lower the blood pressure, and act in some ways as counter irritants.

3. The kidneys should be flushed by drinking plenty of water; and enough soda bicarbonate may be added so that the patient will get 60-100 grs. in twentyfour hours.

Effervescent citrate of lithia in 10 gr.