Gastric Headache. A large proportion of cases of "headache" are of gastric origin, and are amenable only to remedies directed to the defect underlying the condition. The slightest departure from the normal process of digestion favors the elaboration of more or less toxic nitrogenous products, the absorption whereof leads inter alia to remittent headache. The rage which at present exists for the use of analgesics, such as antipyrin, has diverted attention from the simpler, more effectual and (because more permanent) and less injurious method of treatment. Dr. Westphalen, of Berlin, points out that deficient acidity of the gastric juice is accountable for this symptom in a very large number of cases. He has tried the administration of dilute hydrochloric acid with the most gratifying results, the remedy being given immediately after a meal, and particularly after the ingestion of any special article of diet, which has already been noticed to be followed by the typical cephalalgia.-Hosp. Gaz. Strontium. Dujardin-Beaumetz makes some further statements as to the clinical uses of salts of strontium. The only salt of which he had any experience was the lactate. This he had employed in a number of cases of Bright's disease, with albuminuria ; under its influence he had the satisfaction of seeing the albumin diminish very considerably, in some cases being reduced to one-half of that previously excreted. He attributed this favorable action rather to the very beneficial action of the strontium salts on digestion than to their direct action on the kidneys. At the same time he pointed out that the greater or less quantity of albumin passed was of less importance in the prognosis of the disease than the proportion of toxines retained in the organism, which the renal filter either retains or allows to pass into the urine. He recommended that a milk and vegetable diet be employed in combination with the drug, which he gave in doses of 3jss. per diem.-Brit. Med. Jour. Prof. Da Costa continues to derive good results by the administration of hyoscyamine in cases of chorea which have resisted other treatment. |