nutritive enema is ready. There will be about enough for two clysters, which may be administered with any ordinary syringe. In the rectum more peptones and some sugar are formed, and in favora ble cases are entirely absorbed. The injection is, as a rule, well retained. One patient, a phthisical man, retained it for four hours, and asserted that he experienced a feeling of contentment after it. four hours he passed some feculent masses, in which no peptone-reaction could be demonstrated, although the injected solution presented this reaction very distinctly.

After

TWIST OF THE SIGMOID FLEXURE OF THE COLON. -J. O. Whitney, Pawtucket, R. I., (American Med. Bi-Weekly) reports a case of obstruction of the bowels in a rugged laborer, aged forty-five years, which he considers due to twisting of the sigmoid flexure of the colon-a very unusual cause. He had pain in the bowels below the navel, attended with nausea and efforts at defecation, which gradually increased, till trials resembled those of a woman in severe travail. Pulse was nearly normal; abdomen slightly distended, and decidedly tympanitic below the umbilicus. All the symptoms grew rapidly worse, and the man died forty-nine hours from the beginning of the attack. The diagnosis could not be confirmed by post mortem.

M. Legare, U. S. Attorney General, who died in Boston, in 1843, of this accident, is said to have been twice relieved by Dr. Thos. Miller, by the use of the O'Byrne tube, probably copious enemata, thrown as high up as possible.

Old age, elongation of the meso-colon, inguinal hernia, constipation, straining at stool, etc., are causes of the accident. Copious injections, with anodynes, are recommended as the best treatment.

SQUAW WEED, OR CAULOPHYLLUM, AS AN AID IN LABOR.-Dr. Sell, Med. Record, at a meeting of the Obs. Sect. of the N. Y. Academy of Medicine, stated that he had used twenty-drop doses three times a day of the saturated tincture of caulophyllum with the happiest results in mitigating the pains of labor. It should be used during the last month of gestation, and is especially indicated for women who usually suffer unduly during the first stage of labor. Dr. Merrill reported similar results from castor oil given at commencement of labor. He had also given teaspoonful doses of castor oil every ten to fifteen minutes, and thereby induced marked uterine contractions as rapidly as he had ever obtained from ergot. He always cautioned his patients against taking oil during the latter months of pregnancy, except at full time, on account of its liability to induce uterine contractions. Dr. Sell, as well as Dr. Merrill, regarded the oil as a dangerous medicine to be given during the last months of pregnancy, on account of its liability to produce premature delivery.

SOLUBLE MEDICATED INTRA-UTERINE PENCILS, OR BOUGIES.-By the use of these pencils, for the treatment of chronic diseases of the womb, it is confidently believed that the physician will be greatly assisted in the treatment of this difficult and annoying class of diseases. Their action is very simple. Being made of gelatine and glycerine, they readily. melt at the temperature of the body, while at the same time they are sufficiently firm and elastic to be easily introduced into the uterus with the ordinary uterine forceps. Being medicated, as they dissolve the medicine is slowly and thoroughly brought into contact with the diseased membrane, and thus exerts a most beneficial influence on the parts from its thorough and long-continued action. These pencils are in the shape of a short bougie, about the diameter of a goose quill, and are prepared medicated as follows: Sulphate zinc, 1, 2, 4 and 6 grs. each; iodoform, 2, 3 and 5 grs. each; carbolic acid, 1, 2 and 4 grs. each; ergotin, 5 and 8 grs -Southern Clinic.

PERFORATING PISTOL SHOT WOUND OF CHESTPNEUMONIA-RECOVERY.-Dr. E. Hochheimer (Hospital Gazette, of Feb. 13, 1879,) reports a case in which a pistol shot entered a man's back 24 inches to the left of the spinal column, near the angle of the scapula, and came out of an inch to the right of the left nipple in the fourth inter-costal space. The hemorrhage from the posterior wound was slight, from the anterior more profuse-dark, frothy blood gushing from it each time the patient coughed. There was emphysema on the left side.

Stimulants and opium were administered for the shock which was profound, a compress applied to posterior wound, picked lint soaked in collodion to the anterior. Blood was expectorated in small quantities.

On the third day, pneumonia of the left lung was observed, for which was ordered morphia to relieve pain, tr. aconite rad. and tr. digitalis to control the heart's action, and quinine in doses of grs. xx adgrs. xxv to reduce the temperature. In two days the pneumonia began to subside, and in six days more the patient was convalescent. He made a

favorable recovery.

FETAL LENGTH.-Dr. Delabout, Lyon Medical, states that the length of the foetus increases as the square of the number of months of intra-uterine life up to six months, after which it increases four to five centimetres per month. At the end of the first

month its length is one centimetre, .3937 inches; at the end of the second, 22-4 centimetres, 1.5748 inches; at third, 3-9 centimetres, 3.5436 inches, etc. A child at full time would, therefore, be 50 centimetres, or 19.685 inches in length. The size varies much, but the above is regarded as an average.

CAFFEIN, A DIURETIC AND CARDIAC STIMULANT. -Dr. L. Shapter, Practitioner, has used caffein in three grain doses one to three times a day in the advanced stages of heart disease, with dropsy, dyspnoea, weak and irregular heart action, and diminished renal excretion, after digitalis and potash had been used without success. He reports four cases showing marked improvement, the urine generally doubling in amount within twenty-four hours, thus confirming Prof. Gubler's statement in regard to this drug.

SALICYLIC ACID AS A VERMIFUGE.-Marynowski relates a case (Allg. Med. Cent. Ztg.) in which tæniæ had existed for nine years and had resisted all forms of treatment until he ordered four doses of salicylic acid at intervals of one hour, to be followed by a half ounce of castor oil; a tænia solium ten yards in length was discharged, together with its head. Subsequent tests confirmed him in the belief that the result was here due to the salicylic acid.-(Cincinnati Lancet and Clinic.)

FOR DELIRIUM TREMENS.-Dr. Atkinson (Practitioner) recommends the following for the sleeplessness preceding the delirium of mania a potu:

R Tr. rhei....

Tr. cardamoni co...

Tr. hyoscyami.
Acidi hydrocyanici dil.
Spts. chloroform......
Aquæ qs. ad..

To be given every four hours.

Chloral in 30 grain doses every four hours is recommended for this stage of delirium, but when continued for a length of time it loses its effect; nux vomica and gentian should now be given as follows:

R Tr. nucis vomicæ. Tr. gentianæ co

Ess. limonis

Spts. chloroformi.

Aquæ qs. ad.......

To be taken every four hours.

m x.

3 ss.

m j.

m XV.

3 j.

VOL. II.

Editorial.

The Medical Journals of America.

The Boston Medical and Surgical Fournal, in January last, entered the second half century of its existence, and it celebrated the event by publishing a paper from the pen of Dr. J. S. Billings, U. S. A., in which the writer gave a chronological history of the various journals started in this country, the

date of birth of those which continue to

exist, and that of the birth and demise of those which have become defunct. From the list given it appears that up to January 1st of this year 247 journals were begun, and that of this number but fifty-three have withstood the causes which bring about journalistic death. The Chicago Med. Journal and Examiner, in referring to Dr. Billings' paper, makes it the text of some not very complimentary remarks on the existing medical journals of this country. It "carefully perused the list of the fifty-three surviving medical journals, and deliberately concluded that but from fourteen to twenty are of any permanent value to the profession and worthy of circulation, or to be sent abroad or handed down to posterity as fit exponents of American medical periodical literature." Boston Medical and Surgical Fournal, in turn, approvingly quotes its Chicago contemporary's remarks, and regards them as "fruit" born of "the warfare which it has waged unremittingly against the present tendency of the times to patronize cheap and local literature instead of giving support to a few able and representative journals." (We presume the aged Fournal enrolls itself with the latter class, although its innate and Bostonian modesty keeps it from saying so.)

The

The inference clearly deducible from the quotation we have made, is that medical journals of the so-called "able and representative" class are not adequately sup

No. 9

ported; at least, it is only this class that keep up an "unremitting" grumbling. In the case of the Boston Fournal this inference is corroborated by facts, for from the most

reliable and disinterested sources it appears that our aged contemporary's subscription. list is but 1,700. Truly, a journal with the frosts of fifty winters on its pate, and with a list no larger than this, can be pardoned for its ill-natured and "unremitting warfare against the tendency of the times" to look elsewhere than to Boston for medical journals, but its presumption, with a list of 1,700, in aiming to be classed among other than "local" journals can scarcely be overlooked. As the Boston Fournal has opened the subject, it will pardon us for thus pointedly referring to it as a representative of its

class.

It is in medical journalism as in secular journalism, the journal is the reflex of the sentiment of its patrons. The newspaper that succeeds, is that which embodies the sentiments of the party whose cause it espouses, and the medical journal which assumes a plane either higher or lower than that of the sentiment of the profession, will fail of support. The characteristic of the profession of this country is its intense practicality, and the journal whose pages are filled with the speculative and the theoretical will have cause for "unremitting unremitting" grumbling at the lack of professional support.

The Boston Fournal, moreover, complains of the tendency of the times to support "local" journals. We might remark on the unwisdom of any such complaint from su

a source, seeing that if the tendency it complains of were changed, it would itself fare rather indifferently; but we shall resist the temptation to such a line of remark. In our opinion "local" journals, so. called, have as great, if not a greater influence both in advancing true professional interests, and in making more efficient medical art, than the journals which are published at the great medical centres, and which we presume claim to be " representative." The latter journals have a work which is peculiarly theirs. They have at their command the vast clinical

experience of the hospitals, and the profession requires this; their contributors, very naturally, are the teachers in the medical schools and the medical attendants of the hospitals, and such men have the opportunity, which they, as a rule, are ready to improve, of putting to the test of practical experience any theories which they may conceive. But hospital practice and private practice have their points of difference, and country practitioners, who comprise the great bulk of the profession and perform the great bulk of practical professional work, while they may, and do, profit by the recorded experience of hospital practice, cannot with safety accept it as their surest guide. The country practitioner, moreover, as a rule, has no ambition for a national reputation, or for a reputation as a writer, and were it not for the existence of his local journal many valuable results of his experience would be lost to the profession. The "local" journal is thus, if it is nothing more, frequently the nursery of talents which afterward shine to the benefit of humanity. We look upon it as a healthful sign that "the tendency of the times is to patronize cheap and local journals" in preference to the verbose and owlish journal which arrogates to itself the position of "able and representative." Such a journal, doubtless,

has its mission-it at least serves to tickle the vanity of the few "representative" men who, in their amusing conceit, constitute themselves the "hub" around which they would have outside barbarians revolve.

Miscellany.

CONVENTION OF MEDICAL COLLEGES. The call for a convention of the Medical Colleges of this country to consider the question of an advanced standard of medical education, was responded to at Atlanta on the 2d inst. by but 23 of the 59 existing colleges. Since only a minority responded to the call, those present felt themselves powerless to act, and the questions submitted were referred to the Medical College Association, which met at the same place on the 5th inst. The Association received an amendment to its articles of confederation, declaring in favor of three regular courses of lectures in three separate years. Under the rules the

amendment was tabled until the next session of the Association. The discussion of the question of a standard of matriculation examination was postponed for a year.

Thus has the effort to advance the cause of a higher medical education through the colleges themselves ridiculously failed. The fact that only 23 out of the 59 colleges put in an appearance proves that the majority do not favor the proposed change. It now only remains for the profession to compel the advancement which the colleges refuse. There are a few medical schools in the country which, we believe, honestly desire to advance the standard of requirement. Let them come out boldly and show their colors, discomfiture of the one-horse concerns, the and the profession will support them to the only object of whose existence is to advance the interests of those who run them.

THE AMERICAN MEDICAL EDITORS.-The

meeting of the Association of American Meddical Editors, at Atlanta, on the 5th inst., was attended by the representatives of fourteen journals. The President, our friend Dr. Wm. Brodie, of New Preparations, read his address. It was a full, able, and interesting paper on the history, scope, duty and destiny of American journals. It was highly complimented by the members present, as full of the spirit of true progress in medical the copyrighting of names of medicines and journalism. The address took ground against submitted a resolution, which was referred to the American Medical Association, declaring that the practice is in violation of the Code of Ethics.

Considerable discussion took place as to the exclusive position of the Boston Medical and Surgical Fournal, in cutting off many of their exchanges, and in not giving their lordly recognition to any journal that charged less

than $2 a year. The action of the frail old creature, while severely criticised, was regarded as an amusing piece of assumption. The following are the officers elect for the ensuing year:

President: Dr. Thos. S. Powell, of the Southern Medical Record; Secretary, Dr. Frank Davis, of Chicago.

A resolution to change the name of the association so as to include authors as well as editors, was submitted, and, under the rules, was laid over for one year.

PILOCARPIN AS A HAIR RESTORATIVE.Dr. G. Schmitz, an ophthalmologist, of Cologne, according to the Pharmaceutical Fournal, having occasion to employ the muriate of pilocarpin hypodermically for an affection of the eye in the person of a bald head, was surprised to find, after a short use. of the article, that the head became covered with young, downy hairs. The doctor then employed it in the case of a man sixty years of age and with a shiny pate. In the course of four months a sufficient crop of hairs, black and grey, had been brought out to cover up the previous baldness. This experience, coming from a credible source, will be sufficient to justify a further trial of the remedy. Should pilocarpin prove a stimulant to the hair follicles, there is enough baldness to create a large demand for the alkaloid.

Editor Michigan Medical News:

A BETTER WAY THAN THE 66 'BLACK LIST." Allow me space and I will respond to Dr. Valade's article, "Physician's Black List." He begins with the query, "Why Not?" and I will answer, because there is a better and a more practical way to abate the evil in question.

The property-exemption law, so called, should be repealed, or so modified that honest men could not so easily become sneakthieves and liars. Let the real estate exemption be removed entirely, and the personal property exemption be cut down one-third or more, and thousands of laboring men in every county, city and town, and small farmers and tradesmen everywhere, would at once become more ready, and much more willing than at present, to stir about and pay their honest debts. I seriously doubt that the law ever did any good at all, and know from sad experience what its evil effects are, and that they fall more heavily upon physicians as a class than upon any other.

Every honest business man, and every well-to-do farmer in Michigan, will say the law is a curse to the State and a hindrance to

business prosperity. "Begotten in sin," it puts a premium on dishonesty. At any rate, its day of good is past, and now let it be dealt with as every other useless thing should be. Let the matter be brought before the State Society at its next meeting, and a form of petition be drawn up, and every member of the association urged to obtain signatures, to be presented at the next term of the Legislature.

Let this law be repealed, and the yearly income of every physician in Michigan will range from $200 to $500 more than now, and the market value of old accounts and notes be very materially advanced. Every physician can well afford to pay $100 into a fund to be used, if need be, to further wholesome legislation. D. W. LOREE, M. D.

Ridgeway, Mich.

THE NATIONAL BOARD OF HEALTH.The following is the act constituting the National Board of Health:

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repre sentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That there shall be established a National Board of Health, to consist of seven members, to be

appointed by the President, by and with the advice

and consent of the Senate, not more than one of whom shall be appointed from any one State, whose compensation, during the time when actually engaged in the performance of their duties under this act, shall be ten dollars per diem each and reasonable expenses, and of one medical officer of the army, one medical officer of the navy, one medical officer of the marine hospital service, and one officer from the department of justice, to be detailed by the secretaries of the several departments and the attorney general, respectively, and the officers so detailed shall receive no compensation. Said board shall meet in Washington within thirty days after the passage of this act, and in Washington or elsewhere from time to time upon notice from the presi dent of the board, who is to be chosen by the members thereof, or upon its own adjournments, and shall frame all rules and regulations authorized or required by this act, and shall make or cause to be made such special examinations and investigations at any place or places within the United States, or at foreign ports, as they may deem best, to aid in objects. the execution of this act and the promotion of its

SEC. 2. The duties of the National Board of Health shall be to obtain information upon all matters affecting the public health, to advise the several departments of the government, the executives of the several States, and the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, on all questions submitted by them, or whenever in the opinion of the Board such advice may tend to the preservation and improve ment of the public health.

SEC. 3. That the Board of Health, with the assistance of the Academy of Science, which is hereby requested and directed to co-operate with them for that purpose, shall report to congress at its next session a full statement of its transactions, together with a plan for a national public health organization which plan shall be prepared after consultation w the principal sanitary organizations and the sa