5. Dangerous hemorrhage has occurred, as in other operations, from the patient proceeding at once to active exercise. He should be confined to bed the first twelve hours, and returned to it subsequently if the parts inflame much, or the pile suppurates or mortifies.

This great western epidemic of pile-doctors is one of the most interesting events in the history of sur. gery and seems to have resulted in the addition of a really valuable improvement to our resoures. No. 6 Sixteenth street, Chicago, Ill.

Selections.

SYPHILIS AS AN IMITATOR.-London correspondence American Practitioner: Mr. Jonathan Hutchinson read an address the other day on "Syphilis as an Imitator." He pointed out that in many of the syphilides the adjective "syphilitic" is prefixed to some ordinary disease, as psoriasis for instance. He said there was no difficulty in explaining why syphilis should be an imitator of old types, and not an originator of new ones, if we admit as probable that almost all possible forms of morbid process existed already independently of it.

Syphilis cannot devise for itself any new set of organs; nor can it lay down any new lines along which morbid action, once originated, may spread. It must work in the old grooves, and travel by existing paths. In the form of syphilitic eruption which looks like small pox, the rash is scattered symmetrically over the face, limbs and trunk. It may be discrete or confluent, according to its abundance. The pimples are hard and horny at first; they have depressed centers; they form adherent scabs, and they leave scars The difference lies in the comparative slowness with which the syphilitic rash runs its course. He had seen, he stated, several cases which had been treated at the small pox hospital, which were undoubtedly syphilitic. Yet so late as 1877 he himself fell into error. The patient had just landed from a voyage on board ship, and was covered from head to foot with crusts exactly like those of variola in the third stage. Some had fallen, and left deep scars behind them. The stages had been unusually long, but still had not exceeded possible limits. He says: "I questioned him as to syphilis, and examined his penis and throat, but without any reason for doubting his words. The sequel, however, proved that it was syphilis. The scabs took months to fall; and just as he was recovering from the eruption, iritis manifested itself, which was unquestionably syphilitic."

Slow progress is the one difference between the two exanthems. The similarity is produced by the fact that syphilis in these cases attacks precisely the same anatomical structures as those in which the variolous pustule is developed.

Syphilitic roseola is well known. There is a mot

tled congestion of the skin in ill-defined crescentic patches, exactly like measles. As in measles it is almost wholly an erythema, and if the skin be stretched the vessels may be emptied and the rash vanishes. Syphilitic roseola is less bright in tint and less conspicuous than true measles. Pemphigus and lichen are both simulated by syphilis. As to syphilitic psoriasis palmaris, he said that the widely spread creed that it was always syphilitic is conclusive in support of his proposition. Lupus is one of the maladies which syphilis simulates. Lupus consists essentially in the growth of cell structures in the true skin, which destroys the tissue, then retrogrades and leaves a scar. Syphilis mimics it in all its varieties. Phagadenic syphilis simulates ulcerating lupus. At other times this form of syphilis closely simulates ulcerating lupus. At other times this form of syphilis simulates rodent cancer. iritis and keratitis, 'syphilis follows non-specific disease; as it does when the retina is the seat of disease.

In

PROPYLAMINE IN ACUTE ARTICULAR RHEUMAISM -Dr. James L. Tyson, in the Medical Times, of May 10th, discusses the merits of propylamine as a remedy in acute articular rheumatism. Of the impression, which has become more or less popular, that the course of rheumatism is little influenced by treatment, he remarks: "It would appear to be a settled conviction in the minds of some medical authors, for the past thirty years and even of the present day-men whose authority on medical topics is unquestioned and unquestionable—and enunciated as an aphorism with singular unanimity, from which there was no appeal, that this distressing and painful affection must run its course, will yield to no treat ment but palliative, and cannot be stopped.' I would record my unqualified dissent from such teaching, with the explicit declaration that it can be, and has been cut short,' time and again, both in hospital and private practice, if we may credit the numerous reports of medical gentlemen whose names and characters attest their truth and integrity. It has occurred to myself, over and over again, to" break up" an acute attack of articular rheumatism, in periods varying from five to ten days, occasionally a little longer, without a vestige of pain or swelling being left, and not a trace of heart complication, by the employment of salicylate of sodium, or the vinous tincture of colchicum, separately or in combination. Under this treatment patients require to be fre quently seen, and their conditions and variations accurately noted. Cases are now and then met with in which these agents cannot be used, either from idiosyncrasy or some latent cause, grave depression, hyperasthenia and nausea being so persistent as to forbid their further trial, and a resort to diffusible stimulants and tonics is imperatively demanded." He details two cases in which neither could tolerate any preparation of salacin or of colchi

NITRITE OF AMYL IN AGUE.-Dr. W. E. Saunders, of Indore, calls attention to the value of amyl nitrite in ague, and records a number of cases in which, advantage has been derived from its use. The drug, itself, he remarks, is inexpensive and goes a long way. He now uses nitrite of amyl mixed with an equal part of oil of coriander, to render it less volatile, and at the same time to cover its odor. He regards it as the most powerful diaphoretic he has seen, and he uses it in all cases of fever to produce diaphoresis. The following is one of his cases: Mr.

F. C. came for treatment about 7 P. M. in the cold stage of ague. Two minims of nitrite of amyl were administered; sweating came on in seven minutes. He lay down for half an hour to get cool, and then walked home well. He next morning took a dose of quinine, and has had but one attack of fever without the cold stage since. Previous to this he had fever every day for one month, during which he took large doses of quinine. Dr. Saunders observes that he does not mean to say that quinine should not be used in the cases, for there is ample proof that it tends to check the return of the attacks, and removes to some extent the septic condition of the blood induced by the malarial poison, and this more especially if small doses of opium be combined with it. In no case did the amyl fail to remove the attack in about one-third the usual time, and in most cases the fever did not return. The method of administration he adopts is this: Four drops of the mixture or two of amyl are poured on a small piece of lint, which is given into the hands of the patient, and he is told to inhale it freely. He soon becomes flushed, and both his pulse and respiration are much accelerated, and when he feels warm all over, the inhalation is discontinued, as the symptoms continue to increase for some time afterwards. A profuse perspiration now sets in, which speedily ends the attack; in some cases, however, the cold stage merely passes off without any hot or sweating stage. -Indian Medical Gazette in The Practitioner.

EFFECT OF DIET ON LIQUOR - DRINKING.Charles Napier, an English scientific man, has been testing the truth of Liebig's theory that liquor-drink

ing is compatible with animal food, but not with a farinaceous diet. The experiment was tried upon twenty-seven liquor-drinking persons, with results substantiating the Liebig theory. Among the more striking instances of reform brought about by a change of diet was that of a gentleman of sixty, who had been addicted to intemperate habits for thirtyfive years, his outbursts averaging once a week. His constitution was so shattered that he had great difficulty in insuring his life. After an attack of delirium tremens, which nearly ended fatally, he was persuaded to enter upon a farinaceous diet, which, we are assured, cured him completely in seven months. He seems to have been very thin at the beginning of the experiment, but at the close of the period named had gained twenty-eight pounds, being then of about the normal weight of a person of his height. Among the articles of food which are specified by Napier as pre-eminent for antagonism to alcohol, are macaroni, haricot beans, dried peas, and lentils, all of which should be well boiled and flavored with plenty of butter or olive oil. The various garden vegetables are said to be helpful, but a diet mainly composed of them would not resist the tendency to intemperance so effectually as one of macaroni and farinaceous food. From this point of view, highly glutinous bread would be of great utility, but it should not be sour, such acidity being calculated to foster the habit of alcoholic drinking. A like remark may be applied to the use of salted food. If we inquire the cause of a vegetarian's alleged disinclination to alcoholic liquors, we find that the carbonaceous starch contained in the macaroni, beans, or oleaginous aliment appears to render unnecessary, and therefore repulsive, carbon in an alcoholic form.-Louisville Medical News.

CONCENTRATED SOLAR RAYS FOR RODENT ULCERS.-Dr. O. V. Thayer, of San Francisco, (Pacific Med. and Surg. Jour., April, 1879,) reports four cases of rodent ulcers treated by the concentrated rays of the sun, with very favorable results.

Case 1. Lady, aged 33 years, married, and general health good, had an ulcer with everted edges on the tip of the nose about the size of a five-cent piece. Concentrated solar rays for about twenty seconds cauterized the ulcer, after which oxide of zinc ointment was applied. A cure was effected within two weeks.

Case 2. Man, aged 60 years, had a circular ulcer about one inch in diameter on face, which first appeared about four years previously. This healed in four weeks under similar treatment.

Case 3. Man, aged 79, had a ragged, elevated ulcer on the cheek. It commenced with a mole, which existed since childhood. This mole enlarged, became very vascular, bled with slight friction, and finally developed into the ulcer. Slight erysipelatous blush and swelling for two days followed the solar caustic, but the ulcer healed within four weeks.

Case 4. Lady, aged 45 years, had a tumor about the size of a filbert on left side of the neck, of about 16 months' growth. For the last four months she had frequent and severe attacks of hemorrhage from the tumor, which ulcerated. The tumor was destroyed, and benzoated oxide of zinc ointment applied, and the syr. ferri iodidi ordered. On the fourth day a piece of the morbid growth was found and again cauterized as before. The same general treatment was continued, and a cure was effected within five weeks.

A number of years have elapsed since these cures, and there has been no return of the disease. These are reported as selections from quite a number of cases treated by this method, with equally favorable results.

IODINE IN THE TREATMENT OF INTERMITTENT FEVERS.--Dr. J. W. Wadsworth, of Saltillo, Mexico, (N. Y. Medical Journal), commenced the use of iodine as a substitute for quinine while practising in Texas four years ago. The results were sufficiently satisfactory to induce him to continue its use in Mexico, where he subsequently removed. During the last fall and winter a very severe epidemic of malarial fever prevailed in Saltillo, comprising all types, quotidians, double quotidians, tertians and quartans. Quinine, which formerly sold for five dollars an ounce, was worth from ten to twenty, and was retailed at sixpence per grain, being entirely out of the reach of the poor, whose name is legion. During the months of October, November, December and January last Dr. Wadsworth treated three hundred cases of intermittent fever, of which he has recorded two hundred and sixty cases. In the severe cases from ten to fifteen grains of quinine, in two grain doses, were generally given during the apyrexia, and immediately followed by the comp. tincture of iodine in doses of x to xvm thrice daily. In the severest cases the following formula was used: R. Lig. potass. arsenitis..

Tr. iodinii comp..

3 i 3 ij

Tr. serpentariæ

Syr. simplicis, aa..

3 jss

Aquæ font.,qs., ad

3 vj

Sig. A tablespoonful thrice daily, after meals. In every case the paroxysm was arrested within twenty-four hours, and the twelve doses, lasting four days, were sufficient to guarantee the cure, with the exception of eight relapses, six being on the fourteenth day, one on the twenty-first, and but one on the seventh. Quinine and arsenic have often failed the writer, but iodine never; but, nevertheless, owing to the malignancy of the fever, the poverty of the people and the necessity of prompt cure, it was thought prudent to make assurance doubly sure by reinforcing the iodine with a drachm of Fowler's solution in the severest cases.

THE ADIRONDACK REGION FOR PHTHISIS.-Dr. A. L. Loomis (Med. Record, April 26th, 1879) speaks very highly of the Adirondack region as a resort

for those suffering from phthisis. This region is that portion of New York north of the Mohawk and west of the Champlain Valley, and extends about 150 miles northward and 100 miles westward. It is an undulating or hilly country, of porous soil, and covered with lakes and forests-pine and hemlock, etc. It has an elevation from 1,500 feet to 2,000 feet above the level of the sea. As might be expected, in such a latitude the winters are very cold, but not changeable, and the summers short and not very hot-the thermometer seldom or never reaching 90° Fahr. The air is clear, bracing and loaded with soothing fragrance from the extensive balsamiferous forests.

The doctor reports several very bad cases, some of which had become worse in Minnesota, at the South and at other favorite resorts, but received very favorable results from a summer sojourn in the Adirondacks. The best results were obtained by those who remained the longest-several years, both winter and

summer.

Some by camping out during the summer gained much in weight and appearance, and recovered almost entirely from cough, as well as nightsweats and fever, but by returning to the City of New York soon again began to manifest their former unfavorable symptoms. A return to their forest homes in the Adirondacks in most cases was followed by the most gratifying results.

It would seem from Dr. Loomis' report, that our Eastern brethren, like ordinary mortals, have been searching this earth from shore to shore for a region where the dreaded disease, phthisis, may be controlled, while the enchanted land, with its towering pines, has laid for ages beneath their gaze unobserved.

A PECULIAR MONSTROSITY.-Dr. Chamejdes, Przeglad Likarski, of Cracow, reports a monstrosity which consists of two children grown together, in one body, and therefore having a head at each extremity. It has four well developed arms and hands, two legs and feet on one side, proceding from the central portion of the body, and one leg, situated near its extremity, and two feet on the other side. It is a female child, with one umbilicus, one anal opening, and two apertures from which urine passes. The faces are directed the same way, and the child, or children, is 48 centimetres, or 18 inches long. The child was born after a twelve hours' labor, of a healthy woman who had previously borne three healthy and normally-developed babes.

DEATH FROM INTRA-UTERINE INJECTION. -On March 5th was presented to the London Obstetrical Society a uterus taken from a woman who six months previously expelled a vesicular mole. In consequence of hemorrhage, associated with menorrhagia, solution perchloride of iron was injected. The second syringeful was sent into the uterus, the patient died, and at the post mortem, iron was detected in the peritoneal cavity.

VOL. II.

Editorial.

The Metric System.

We can assure our readers that it is with no slight humiliation that we acknowledge onr efforts in the direction of inducing them to substitute the metric system of weights and measures for the old style, to have been signal failures. They will remember that we started out by giving the metric equivalent, in brackets, with the quantity designated in the prescriptions and formulæ in apothecary's weight. This was done as a sort of a feeler, with a view to ultimately making a complete substitution of the new system. To say that we did this in the interests of advancement and reform is, of course, unnecessary. It seems, however, that we mistook the stroke of the professional pulse; our readers are not only not ready for the innovation, but they actually, in many instances, protested against what we considered our laudable efforts to educate them up to "the way they do it in France." A number of highly esteemed subscribers (all our subscribers are highly-esteemed) went so far as to even threaten to "drop" the NEWS, if we persisted in our endeavors to foist this "new-fangled vagary" upon them. Now here was a dilemma. Of course, threats of this nature would never cause us to deviate one single hair's-breadth from the line of duty, for we belong to the do-justice-thoughthe-heavens-fall class; but here stretched out before us two lines of duty, the one towards the bringing of all mankind to the adoption of a universal system of weights and measures, and the other to the making of ourselves as acceptable as we may to those who pay for it. A careful scrutiny of the two lines, and a calm deliberation, convinced us that the latter was the clearest of the two, and we have, therefore, determined to leave the metric system alone until there is an un

No. 12

mistakable demand for it; we shall cease trying to create this demand. The American Medical Association, at its late meeting, adopted a resolution introduced by Dr. Seguin, making the metric system official with that body. We have great respect for the American Medical Association, and believe it capable of much, but we doubt its ability to legislate this metric system upon the American profession. If it is ever to be adopted it must be done by instilling it into the rising generation by making its study a subject for the children in the common schools of the country, so that when we, who are now in the harness, and whose conceptions of weights and quantities are fixed on the old system, have dropped out, they may bring in the new method. The great objection to the system lies right here: the use of it is at best mechanical, that is, it is a mere translation of the old system. We know what a centigramme is, for instance, because we know how much a grain is and that a sixth of this quantity makes the centigramme. Without the aid of the apothecary's weight, on which our ideas and conceptions of doses are based, the metric system would be unintelligible to every physician who has not, by proper cipline of his mind, conceived a correct idea of the quantities designated in that system; and the number who have done this, we venture to say, is very small indeed. This being the case, the use of the metric system must necessarily be attended with danger, for the only guarantee of safety lies in the physician's being a correct mathematician and in his having his wits at all times about him. Of course the physician should always be able to supply such a guarantee, but unfortunately what should be does not always exist. Of the three "R's," reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic, the latter is the one most frequently neglected, and it is by no means a simple procedure to convert all denominations of the old and new systems, The old physician, after hi

dis

many years' practice, writes his quantities on his prescriptions almost automatically, and to break in on him would be to disconcert him to no inconsiderable degree. Other arguments against the change might be offered, but for the present let those given suffice.

Miscellany.

THE MEETING OF THE MICHIGAN STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY. - The Michigan State Medical Society convened for its fourteenth annual meeting at St. Andrew's Hall, on Wednesday morning, the 11th inst. Great expectations had been formed of this meeting, expectations warranted not only by the list of papers which had been announced for reading, but by the fact, also, that for the first time in many years a peaceable and harmonious session was promised, and one which, with the exception of the routine business of such meetings, was to be devoted exclusively to the legitimate objects of a scientific gathering. The attendance, in consequence of such expectations, was large-larger, perhaps, than that of any of its thirteen predecessors.

The President, Dr. Edward Cox, of Battle Creek, presided. The Rev. R. W. Clark offerred the conventional prayer on such occasions, and Dr. Wm. Brodie, chairman of the Executive Committee, delivered the conventional welcoming address. We would say of the latter, en passant, that it was one of the best addresses of this nature that was ever inflicted. If addresses of welcome must be perpetuated we recommend that, for brevity and terseness they be patterned after that of our friend Brodie's. After this address followed a number of kind invitations from citizens and institutions to have the members call on them and make themselves thoroughly at home during the intervals between their scientific seances. Though these were all received, with thanks, it was possible to accept only two of them, that to the laboratory of Messrs. Parke, Davis & Co, and that to the Water Works.

The President's address was on that perennial subject, "Abortion." It is needless to say that the crime was denounced, as it has often been before. The various remedies for the evil which have from time to time been suggested were passed in review, and preference given to the moral suasion plan,-educating the people through the press and the pulpit, and teaching them that it is wrong to commit abortions. Doubtless this is one of the best plans ever tried, but it has been in operation for some time with no appreciable

results, thus far, in stopping the crime. Abortion is not the only crime that is deliberately committed in the face of the knowledge that it is wrong. If the evil is to be remedied it must be through other means than these. The address, however, had the ring of the true metal in it.

The first day terminated with a reception at the residence of Dr. Brodie, corner of Wayne street and Lafayette avenue. In much more than the mere conventional sense of the term, this was a success. We never attended an affair of the kind at which there was so little reserve, and at which the viands were more abundantly seasoned with delicious goodfellowship. It was a brief season of pleasure long to be remembered, and Mrs. and Miss Brodie will never be forgotten by those who enjoyed their generous hospitality.

SECOND DAY.

After the roll-call, Dr. Eugene Smith preferred charges against a member of the Society, an ophthalmologist, for having the fact of his being a specialist mentioned on his sign. This heinous thing is said to be in contravention of the venerable Code of

Ethics, and with due formality and becoming gravity the charges were referred to the Judicial Council, who will deliberate on them for twelve months.

The Committee on Necrology reported the deaths since last meeting of Drs. J. H. Beech, of Coldwater, Dwight B. Nims, of Jackson, Z. E. Bliss, of Grand Rapids, and Nathan Mitchell, of Colon. Appropriate resolutions. were adopted and ordered to be printed by the Society.

The Finance Committee reported receipts, $644.22, and disbursements, $463.10.

Dr. J. S. Caulkins, of Thorneville, presented a paper on "Hour-glass Contractions of the Womb," and Dr. Maclean, of Ann Arbor, reported all the ovariotomies he had performed up to date.

The Committee on Admission then reported favorably on the application for membership of Dr. Wells, of Howell, notwithstanding the fact that objections were raised to his admission by Dr. Beebe, of the same place. In view of the protest of Dr. Beebe, the case was referred to the Judicial Council, who will report on it next year.

The chairman here announced that the paper by Dr. H. O. Hitchcock, of Kalamazoo, the reading of which had been deferred owing to the absence of Dr. Dunster, of Ann Arbor, who had been selected by the author to read it, would now be proceeded with, Dr. Dunster having arrived. The following is the title of the paper: "A Case of Fracture