XIX

PUBLISHER'S DEPARTMENT.

The Potency Period of Diphtheric
Antitoxin.

One of the empirical beliefs concerning curative serums was that the "life" or "keeping quality" of the antitoxin of diphtheria was of short duration. A demand for "fresh" serum has arisen in consequence, and the misconception has gone so far that many physicians have refused to use an

old serum, or one on which the arbitrarily-set

time-limit of the manufacturers has expired. This practice is erroneous, and the theoretical ground upon which it is based is fallacious. Incontrovertible proof of this is afforded by the results of careful and prolonged investigations and the testimony of numerous competent authorities is adducible.

As far back as 1898, Abba, Director of the Municipal Hygienic Institute of Turin, reported experiments to show that antidiphtheric serum retained its potency unimpaired at least 18 months after preparation. In 1900 McFarland recorded an essentially similar opinion, extending the period of undiminished potency to two years. Chiadini, in 1902, published experimental evidence to show that the antitoxin kept well for at least 18 months and began to deteriorate a little at the end of two years. A censure being attached to a certain sam. ple of diphtheric antitoxin prepared in the Pasteur Institute because of its alleged deterioration, Roux announced (1902) that preference was given in the Institute to old serums. At this time also

Libbertz had occasion to reply to a criticism directed against a 10-month-old serum, and stated that while serums do diminish in antitoxic value, the loss occurs in the first two or three months, and beyond this they can be kept for years without further impairment.

He

Recently this vitally important problem has been attacked anew with the opportunity afforded by longer intervals since the serums have been procured, and with more uniform methods of testing and retesting. Testimony in favor of the remarkable stability of diphtheric antitoxin is elicited to sustain the views of the earlier investigators. Thus Marx, of the Royal Institute of Experimental Therapy in Frankfort, in which the governmental examination for the German Empire is conducted, after an exhaustive study of 1138 lots of antitoxin. publishes his observations in the Festschrift in honor of Robert Koch's sixtieth birthday. shows conclusively that the majority of serums suffer no antitoxic depreciation even after a lapse of two to five years. The maximum loss of the occasional serum is 33 1-3 per cent, and this diminution usually occurs soon after the serum is obtained from the horse. Marx makes this significant statement in concluding his report-"Any mistrust of old serums is unfounded." American serums have been studied by Miller, who tested many samples returned from the market. His results coincide essentially with those obtained by Marx, and he concludes that "The demand for fresh serum is not justified," and urges that no physician should postpone the treatment of a case of diphtheria awaiting fresh serum, simply be. cause the time-limit on that in hand has expired.

of

With this array of competent scientific authority, and after a series of confirmatory experiments in our biologic laboratories, we have reached the conviction that the arbitrarily-set time-limit one year can be safely extended. We have accepted the guidance of facts ascertained by exact scientific research which disprove obsolete traditions, and which should serve to correct erroneous practices. We bring this testimony to the physician in the conviction that he can without jeopardy to himself or his patient follow its dictates. FREDERICK STEARNS & CO., Detroit, Mich.

XX

I

The Antiseptic Baby

By EDNA KINGSLEY WALLACE.

We can sterilize his bottles, we can boil his little mug;

We can bake his flannel bandages and disinfect the rug

That envelops him when he partakes of medicated air,

But there's one impossibility that leaves us in despair

And a not unjustifiable one you will allowTo wit: we fear 'twould never do to sterilize the cow!

So we feed the baby Medicus's hygienic dope, And we wash his face with germicidal antiseptic soap;

And we brush his little toofums-or the place where they will be

With diluted Glyco-Thymoline, most sanitari-lee; Then despair to see a milky effervescence super

vene

On a countenance which theretofore was surgically clean.

Thus, although we strive to conquer every septic circumstance,

Yet we greatly fear a ghastly alimentary mischance;

For albeit we bake and boil his things, scrub and soak and souse,

As if in his anatomy forever cleaning house,The recklessness with which he sucks his vagrant tiny thumb

Imperils much his precious antiseptic little tum.

We are careful of his hours, we are thoughtful of his toys;

We are mindful of his sorrows, and judicious of his joys;

We are prayerfully considerate of needful discipline,

Of our little "Mother's Handbook" and the precepts writ therein;

And we strive to render sterile all designed for mouth or tum,

But one frightful danger menaces-we cannot boil his thumb! 'Harper's Magazine, Aug., 1905.

The Living Age.

one

Individual readers or magazine clubs, in making up their lists of periodicals for 1906, will do well to give consideration to The Living Age. This magazine occupies a field peculiarly its own. it gives 64 pages every Saturday of selections froin the best and most popular English periodicals, and is almost indispensible to any who wishes to keep informed upon public affairs and current discussion. The sources from which its material is taken represent an annual cost price of nearly $200. The magazine serves an exceedingly useful purpose by sifting out from week to week whatever in English periodicals an intel- I ligent American reader cares most for, and reproducing these articles without abridgment. Fiction, essays, travel sketches, poetry, critical and

We have just received from W. B. Saunders & Co., of Philadelphia, the widely-known medical publishers, an unusually attractive illustrated catalogue of their complete list of publications. It seems to us in glancing through this catalogue, that a list of the Saunders' authors is a census of the leading American and foreign authorities in every branch and specialty of medical science. And new books are being added and new editions issued with a rapidity that speaks well for the success and progressiveness of the house. While comparisons are always odious, still we feel it but justice to say that, in the presentation of facts about the books listed that a probable buyer wishes to know, and also for beauty and durabiity of mechanical get-up, this catalogue surpasses anything we have heretofore seen. It is truly representative of the house. We understand copy will be sent free upon request.

Idiosyncrasy or Some other Reason.

a

We meet with many cases in practice suffering intensely from pain, where for an idiosyncrasy or some other reason it is not advisable to give morphine or opium by the mouth, or morphine hypodermically, but frequently these very cases take kindly to codeia, and when assisted by antikamnia its action is all that could be desired.

In the grinding pains which precede and follow labor, and the uterine contractions which often lead to abortion, in tic douloureux, brachialagia. cardialgia, gastralgia, hepatalgia, nephralgia and dysmenorrhoea, immediate relief is afforded by the use of this combination, and the relief is not merely temporary and palliative but in very many cases curative. The most available form in which to exhibit these remedies is in "Antikamnia & Codeine Tablets."

The physicians cannot be too careful in the sclection of the kind of codeia he administers. The manufacturers of "Antikamnia & Codeine Tablets" take every precaution, in fact, they refine and purify every grain of codeia which enters into their tablets. This not only prevents habit and of the use consequent irritation, which follow impure codeia, but it does away with constipation or any other untoward effect.

Last month we accidentally quoted the eight inch Empire Abdomina: Belt at $2. The price, net to physicians, is $2.50. We apologize and believe the belt is worth it.

ADJUSTABLE TO

ALL PATIENTS

EITHER LIMB

ANY FRACTURE

DOCTOR! Do you know

that Patients with Fracture of the Hip, Thigh or Leg, Knee or Hip-joint Disease, would be glad to avail themselves of the comforts, benefits and good results from the use of the

Ambulatory
Pneumatic Splint

on a purchase or rental basis, if they but knew of it? Recommended and used by the best surgeons. Why don't you for that case you have? We guarantee satisfaction. Write for booklet, prices, etc., now. Prompt attention to wire orders. All

dealers.

Ambulatory Pneumatic Splint Manufacturing Co. 163 Randolph St., CHICAGO