The knowledge that a man can use is the only real knowledge; the only knowledge that has life and growth in it and converts itself into practical power. The rest hangs like dust about the brain, or dries like raindrops off the stones.-FROUde. WE present our readers this month a symposium on the subject of Pneumonia, contributed by our wide-awake readers. To this we have, naturally, little to add, as we think that the ground has been pretty well covered by our contributors. As to the causes and clinical features of pneumonia there is very little new to be presented. The subject of vital importance to the practicing physician is that of the most successful method of treating it in its various forms and successive stages. In the treatment of this disease hydro-therapy is making rapid progress in popular and professional favor. Courage and firmness are required in its application. The use of the defervescent alkaloids-aconitine, veratrine, digitalin and strychnine-in the earlier stages, with a view of cutting short the attack, is a treatment that is also rapidly gaining friends and advocates. The ammonia salts are of very great value in this disease-almost enough to merit the designation of specifics. The carbonate is a favorite with many, but we prefer the salicylate, especially if there be pleuritic complications. The most successful physician is he who will intelligently combine, as far as is practicable, two or more of the special modes of treatment that have been found to produce the best results, thus increasing his chances of success. THE readers are taking a great deal of interest in the vote as to whether the March number shall be devoted to the subject of rheumatism, diphtheria or scarlatina. Thus far the indication is that it will be one of the first two mentioned, as they are about even and far ahead of scarlatina in the count. Let us have your vote, Doctor. Dosimetric Medication. WE are often asked to state our opinion regarding the various improvements in the armamentarium of the physician and surgeon as they are, from time to time, put forth for trial and subsequent judgment. From the number of private inquiries we receive regarding these little granules, we judge that there must be a pretty wide-spread interest in them among the progressive class of practicing physicians. After considerable study and more or less practical experience, we will briefly state the conclusions we have thus far reached. Those who look for a new therapeutic system in the dosimetric granules will be disappointed, as they should be. There are too many socalled distinct "systems" of therapeutics now-all practicing pretty closely alike. What we do want is a broad, liberal, general system of medicine, within which individuals or groups of individuals may hold and advocate their |
