for their fine pharmaceutical displays and their liberal distribution of samples. Also, to Aloe, Hernstein & Co., of St. Louis, for their fine display of surgical instruments.

The Secretary called attention to the efforts made by Prof. Pitzer, now and heretofore. He had done the work to secure the conveniences which had made the business of this session go on without friction, and to assure the success of this, our most prosperous and successful annual meeting. Our railroad charges and board bills have been commuted; and this hall and other facilities have been at our disposal at no charge. Ever since Dr. Pitzer has belonged to the National Association, certainly ever since the present Secretary took office, he has never slacked in effort, friendly office, or any service or even expense, which would further the business of the Association.

Thanks were then voted to the railroads, citizens and clergymen, for their valued services.

Dr. Madden gave notice of several amendments to the bylaws.

Dr. Younkin introduced a child that had been partly paralyzed, and its development of osseous tissue partly assisted by a fall. Convulsions and partial paralysis characterized the

case.

Drs. Gunn, Olin and Pitzer passed judgment on the patient, and Prof. Younkin concurred.

The convention then adjourned to meet in the city of New Haven, on the third Wednesday of June, 1882.

BOOK NOTICES.

A MEDICAL FORMULARY, based on the United States and British Phar macopoeias, together with numerous French, German and unofficinal preparations. By LAWRENCE JOHNSON, A. M., M. D., Lecturer on Medical Botany, Medical Department of the University of the City of New York, Etc. New York: William Wood & Co., 27 Great Jones street. Chicago: W. T. Keener & Co.

1881.

The enterprising publishers of Wood's Library of Standard Medical authors have shown excellent appreciation of the prac

An extended acquaintance with the pharmaceutical preparations will greatly increase the popularity and usefulness of the physician. As a rule, his knowledge of this branch of his art is very limited, and his patients are unnecessarily nauseated in consequence.

The author has carefully culled from all sources, both American and foreign, officinal and unofficinal, and presents all the more important preparations of the various medicinal agents.

He has availed himself of the forms of medication adopted by some of the renowned hospitals of London, also of the French Codex and the German Pharmacopoeia. The unofficinal formula of many of the best practitioners of the present day are included in the work. The book is more practical, more modern, more inviting than any similar work.

TRANSACTIONS OF THE NATIONAL ECLECTIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION for the year 1880-81, including the Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Meeting, held at the city of Chicago, Ill., June, 1880. Edited by ALEXANDER WILDER, Secretary. Vol. VIII. Published in behalf of the Association. New York: Albert Metz & Co., printers, No. 60 John street. 1881.

Eclectics may well be proud to give this volume a prominent place in their libraries. It contains an accurate account of the work done at the Chicago meeting, and more than forty valuable essays on special subjects in Anatomy, Surgery, Hygiene, State Medicine and Medical Jurisprudence, Obstetrics and Gynecology Materia Medica, Practice, Chemistry, Nervous Diseases, Etc.

... Great credit is due to Secretary Wilder, the editor. We hope he may have as good material for Vol. IX.

BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS RECEIVED.

BENEDIKT ON BRAINS OF CRIMINALS. By E. P. FOWLER, M. D. New York: William Wood & Co. Chicago: W. T. Keener & Co.

DYSPEPSIA AND HOW TO AVOID IT. By JOSEPH F. EDWARDS, M. D. Philadelphia Presley Blakiston. Chicago: W. T. Keener & Co.

RHUS AROMATICA; A Paper prepared for the Annual Meeting of the National Eclectic Medical Association. By J. T. MCCLANAHAN, M. D., Boonville, Mo.

THE CITY OF MOBILE AS A WINTER RESORT. By WM. H. ANDERSON, M. D.,

THE

Chicago Medical Times.

WILSON H. DAVIS, M. D.,

Editor and Publisher.

VOL. XIII. CHICAGO, AUGUST, 1881.

{xv.]

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

TABES MESENTERICA.

BY C. GEIGERICH, M. D.

No. 5.

On the 16th of July, Mr. E. Hoff herr, 45 Polk street, called on me about his child, a girl seven years old.

He informed me that several prominent physicians of the city had diagnosed the case to be tabes mesenterica in full development. I found the little patient extremely emaciated, inclined to weeping, with a hard and swollen abdomen; tongue clean, pointed with red papulæ at the apex; pulse 120, very weak and compressible; respiration, short and quick; temperature, 103; the hepatic region slightly increased. Percussion revealed a dull sound over the abdomen and hepatic region. The liver could be felt distinctly one and one-half inches below the ribs in recumbent position. Enlarged mesenteric glands could not be detected. The stools were frothy and of light color. Urine of normal color; acid re-action, sp. gr. 10.20, with a slight trace of biliary coloring matter. I called Prof. N. P. Pearson for consultation, and after another thorough examination we adopted the following treatment.

Good and fresh milk and light diet. The child to be taken into good and fresh air every day, with a malt bath every

Elixir Simplici ad. q. s......................

M. Sig. One teaspoonful every three hours.

R Unguenti ad Scrofuloso Huflandi...................

Sig. Rub over abdomen twice daily.

On the 19th, fever increased and aconite was given, which subsided it very readily. From hence the stools became more consistent, of a dark color, the abdomen became soft and decreased in size remarkably. The child gradually improved. On the 24th, the above treatment was continued, with the addition of

Ꭱ

Vini bovini et ferri.....

Sig. One teaspoonful three times a day.

Ziij

The drowsy and weeping condition subsided, and the little patient is in a fair way to recovery.

[XVI.]

MELANOTIC TUMORS.

BY N. H. PAAREN, M. D.

The subject of melanosis is one of interest, inasmuch as no doubt many obscure cases in practice are due to its existence. The term is applied to cellular tumors, which contain a considerable quantity of pigment-an amorphous substance, found normally in the skin, arranged in the lower layer of the cuticle and to which the color of the negro and other black races of mankind is due.

The color of melanotic tumors may vary from a darkish yellow to a purple or black, and the material of which the growth is composed, consists of minute granules or small masses, varying much in size and shape. The cells of many cancers, epithelial and others, contain much pigment, and these are consequently said to be melanotic; but the melanotic tinging in this connection is regarded as accidental, and not a morbid process in itself; that is, melanosis does not, in itself, constitute a malignant disease, as it does not consist of a new formation, but is mainly a secretion of normal constituents of the

Melanotic affections may take place in various parts of the body, may presént much variety of form, and may owe their production to different agents. It has its seat most commonly in connective and adipose tissues. Internal organs as well as the cutaneous surface are often the seats of pigmentary deposit. The cells of the liver, the peritoneum and the pleura, both in man and the lower animals, are found thus affected. The lungs, the spleen, lymphatic glands, brain, eyes, kidneys, testes, uterus, ovaries, rectum and mammæ, the cartilages and bones are all alike subject to melanotic deposit.

man.

Melanosis is as common among domestic animals as it is in I have met with it in the horse, ox, sheep, hog, dog, cat, including three cases in the monkey. But the disease is most commonly met with in the horse and ox, in both of which I have encountered it in the lining of the thoracic cavity, and all its contained viscera, lungs, heart and vessels, which in some cases, were found to be covered with grape-like masses of black pigment. It is exceedingly common in gray and white horses, attacking the black parts of the skin (anus, vulva, udder, sheath, lips, eyelids, etc.), and though sometimes cancerous, are often quite harmless, except when on account of size and location, the tumors cause mechanical obstruction to the normal functions of the parts named. In old gray horses, particularly, some small tumors or nodules are generally present at the underside of the root of the tail. I have met with a case in a horse, in which a congregation of melanotic tumors. among which a very large one, caused obstruction and rupture of the rectum.

Subcutaneous melanotis may readily be diagnosed. But the physician often encounters great difficulties in diagnosing internal melanosis, as the symptoms of this affection are very obscure, and not characteristic of the disease. Gradual sinking of the vital energies, a cachectic habit of the body, a dusky and ash-colored countenance, emaciation, dropsy, night sweats, etc., are symptoms evidenced in various other chronic and wasting diseases.

In regard to the size which melanotic tumors may attain, I