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The Treatment of Uterine Cough.

In the treatment of cough it is generally considered that the expulsion of bronchial secretions is the chief aim to be attained, and for numerous physicians cough is almost synonymous with expectorants and opium. The reflex element is too of ten overlooked, as in the case of uterine cough.

The cough of pregnancy entails great discomfort, by interfering with sleep and provoking vomiting. It may even precipitate abortion. The treatment, says Dr. L. Archambault (Rev. de Therap.), consists in rest in reclining posture and the administration of sedatives, like opium, viburnum prunifolium, etc. A sedative suppository may be applied to the cervix, made up as follows:

Zinc bromide Zinc valerianate Zinc oxide

.8 grn. .8 grn. .8 grn.

Confection rose to make ten pills.
Take one to three at a dose.

During menstruation the cough

should be treated with remedies intended to regulate the catamenial function, as apiol in doses of 11⁄2 to 3 grn.; tincture of iodine, 10 to 15 drops, ergot, etc. For the laryngitis which supervenes in the beginning of menstruation, steaming with menthol (menthol, I dr.; oil of melaleuca, 15 min. in 31⁄2 oz. of olive oil, of which a teaspoonful is added to a basin of hot water) is useful. Uterine asthma will require the preparations of belladonna and the nerve sedatives. If a metritis is present, appropriate local

treatment will also relieve the cough or asthma. The author is in favor of zinc chloride irrigations, in 5 per cent. strength for the cervix, and 2 per cent. strength for the uterus. Polypi, or affections of the adnexa, call for their particular treatments.

Endermol.

According to Dr. Virgil Coblentz (Med. News, Sept. 3d), the advantages of endermol as an ointment vehicle are: absolute freedom from any tendency toward rancidity, although as much as 15 per cent. of water may be incorporated; ready penetrability and absorption; pliability, smoothness and freedom from stickiness; freedom from irritating properties.

Eucaine Lactate.

Prof. Katz, of Berlin, reports excellent results from the use of eucain lactate in rhinology and otology. This new salt is soluble in water to the extent of 25 per cent., while eucaine hydrochlorate is only about 31⁄2 per cent. water-soluble. A tampon moistened with a 15 per cent. eucaine lactate solution and left in the nose for four or five minutes produced a thoroly satisfactory anesthesia for diagnosing the position, size and nature of polypi and nasal hypertroFor the phies. removal of hypertrophies by snare or forceps eucaine is preferable to cocaine, as it is far less toxic and does not cause shrinkage. There is, besides, no secondary hemorrhage, as eucaine lactate does not possess the constricting action of cocaine.--Therap. Monotsh. Aug., 1904.

application of heat, forming osa

zones.

Kowarski's method, which is by many considered the best, is as follows. Five drops of pure phenyl-hydrazine are placed in a test-tube and 10 drops of glacial acetic acid added. Then add 1 Cc. of saturated solution of common salt, which causes the mixture to solidify. To this, 2 to 3 Cc. of the urine is added and heated for two minutes. On cooling. a yellow precipitate falls, showing crystals of phenyl-glucosazone. In the presence of over 0.2 per cent. sugar the precipitation occurs in a few minutes, while otherwise one must wait five to thirty minutes. The test readily detects less than 0.1 per cent. sugar in the urine.

Dr. E. S. M., Brooklyn-There is absolutely nothing improper or unethical in specifying Syr. hydriodic acid, Gardner, if you believe that that is the best preparation on the market. Nor is it unethical to prescribe ergoapiol, that not being a mixture of secret composition, but a skilful pharmaceutical combination of wellknown ingredients.

Validol.

Dr. P. O. B.--Validol is the methylester of valerianic acid cont. 30 per cent. of free menthol. It is a perfectly clear colorless liquid of the consistency of glycerin, insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol and oils. It is a very good antispasmodic, useful in hysteria, migraine, vomiting and pregnancy, etc. Dose: 10 to 15 drops on a lump of sugar or in a little wine, 3 or 4 times a day.

Empyroform.

According to Dr. F. Bering, first assistant in the Dermatological Clinic at Kiel, Empyroform, a condensation product of tar and formalin, is a remedy calculated to displace all the other tar preparations. It can be employed even in comparatively recent and still oozing eczemas, and he has also used it in the very troublesome and obstinate infantile forms of the disease.

After the most acute stage of the eczema has passed under the influ

ence of the usual desiccating remedies, he regularly employs Empyroform salve. The effect of the salve was striking in a number of cases of scrofulous eczema of the face that had withstood every other variety of local treatment. He used Empyroform in the form of five to ten per cent. ointment; and the almost absolute absence of odor deserves especially favorable mention. Intoxication from the drug never occurred.-Ther. der Gegenwart, July, 1904.

Celloidin as a Surgical Dressing.

Dr. Frederick Holme Wiggin details the technique of an appendicitis operation. After suturing the wound and disinfecting the skin, he applies the following solution: Celloidin, I part; absolute alcohol, 4 parts; ether, 4 parts. This thoroly seals the wound, but permits of its complete inspection, as the celloidin is transparent. The dressing also acts as a splint and holds the edges of the wound in proper position. If properly applied, it prevents infection of the wound and tissues from displacement of the bandage or careless handling. It must not be applied too liberally, as it has strong contractile powers and if too large a surface is covered it is likely to contract sufficiently to cause the edges of the wound to turn inward. The solution should be made fresh for each operation, as ether and absolute alcohol evaporate rapidly. Care must be exercised to see that the skin is well dried and the wound is not oozing or the solution will not adhere properly. A piece of gauze is placed over the dressing and held in place with adhesive strips lightly applied, so as to make no pressure. Dr. Wiggin has used this dressing for five or six years and has found it very satisfactory. Intern. Jour. Surg.

Antitussin.

Dr. J. B. R.-Antitussin is not a patent nostrum, like many of the advertised whooping cough "cures." It is an ointment containing 5 per cent. of the definite chemical compound difluordiphenyl, with lanolin and petrolatum as the base. The reports on its use are favorable. In two cases in which I

used it, the attacks were rendered undoubtedly milder, tho the duration of the disease was not shortened. The mode of application is important, if good results are to be realized.

The Salicylsulphonic-Acid Test for Albumin.

Dr. Leo Jacobi-I have had no personal experience with the salicylsulphonic test, but its advantages and the mode of application are described as follows:

This test is performed by adding a few drops of saturated aqueous solution of salicylsulphonic acid (25 Gm. of the crystals in 10 Cc. of water) to 20 or 30 minims of urine in a very small test-tube. If no precipitate occurs there is no proteid present. Should a precipitate occur, the fluid is boiled. This causes the precipitate, if albuminous, to become coagulated and flaky, whereas proteos

es

in such circumstances clear up, but reappear as the fluid cools.

Dr. Charles Murray, of the University of Aberdeen, after an extended experience with it, is convinced of the safety, convenience and delicacy of this test. No substance in the urine, apart from those of the proteid class, has been found to give the reaction. In the ordinary heat test for albumin caution 1S necessary in the amount of acid added. Too little or too much nitric acid may prevent coagulation. There is less chance of error if acetic acid is used instead of nitric, but even here a certain delicate degree of acidulation is necessary if absolutely accurate results are to be secured. In the salicylsulphonic acid test there is no danger of overacidulation, as even considerable excess does not dissolve the precipitated proteid.

There is then also the further advantage that the acid is stable and non-caustic. Hence the crystals can be readily carried and the test applied at the bedside. All that is necessary is to add a little of the acid to half a dram or so of the urine in a small test-tube, and if a precipitate appears to boil the fluid. If the precipitate does not disappear, but, on the other hand, becomes coagulated and flaky, the conclusion that albumin is present is an absolute one. The non-ap

pearance of a precipitate when the acid is added is likewise to be considered as proof of the absence of albumin.

Sennine.

Editor Critic and Guide:-What would you dispense if you got a prescription calling for. Sennine, 2 ozs., as directed, A. S.

Here we meet again with the nuisance of having one name for two entirely different preparations. Sennine is a trade-name for syrup of Senna (Squire) and also for an antiseptic powder, consisting chiefly of boric and salicylic acids. An inquiry as to the method of using the medicine would reveal which preparation was

meant.

Iodosol.

This is a French trade-name for iodine-vasogen.

It is strange, that one of the most valuable hypophosphites, namely ammonium hypophosphite, is not official in the pharmacopeia. It is an excellent stimulant expectorant in doses of 2 to 5 grains.

The well-known Fothergill pill consisting of one grain each of calomel, squill and digitalis cannot be surpassed for dropsy of hepatic origin. If it fails, the fault is pretty sure to lie in the the quality of the drugs. Some specimens of squills and digitalis, especially the latter, are absolutely worthless.

I don't know how digitalis applied externally can affect the kidneys, but a poultice of digitalis leaves applied to the region of the kidneys will often start a profound diuresis in suppression from acute nephritis. Maybe the heat does it? Maybe, but I don't think that the heat alone will produce such good effects.

Hydrastis should not be neglected in the treatment of obstinate gastric catarrh. Gastric catarrh is not a fashionable term nowadays, it exists, tho, and hydrastis in its various forms is a good remedy for it. No objection to combining it with various other remedies.