1738 BOSTON MEDICAL PROGRESS A Monthly Magazine for Budents and Practitioners of Medicine. "I HOLD EVERY MAN A DEBTOR TO HIS PROFESSION; FROM THE WHICH AS MEN OF COURSE DO SEEK TO RECEIVE COUNTENANCE AND PROFIT, so ought THEY OF DUTY TO ENDEAVOUR THEMSELVES, BY WAY OF AMENDS, TO BE A HELP AND ORNAMENT THEREUNTO. THIS IS PERFORMED, IN SOME DEGREE, BY THE HONEST AND LIBERAL PRACTICE OF A PROFESSION; WHEN MEN SHALL CARRY A RESPECT NOT TO DESCEND INTO ANY COURSE THAT IS CORRUPT AND UNWORTHY thereof, AND PRESERVE THEMSELVES FREE FROM THE ABUSES WHEREWITH THE SAME PROFESSION IS NOTED TO BE INFECTED; BUT MUCH MORE IS THIS PERFORMED, IF A MAN BE ABLE TO VISIT AND STRENGTHEN THE ROOTS AND FOUNDATION of the SCIENCE ITSELF; THEREBY NOT ONLY GRACING IT IN REPUTATION AND DIGNITY, BUT ALSO AMPLIFYING IT IN PROFESSION AND SUBSTANCE."-BACON. VOL. III. FOETAL BY LOUISVILLE, KY., JULY, 1888. GENERAL MEDICINE. By reference 10 MEDICATION. the transaction of the Indiana State Medical Society for the year 1883, you will find an article T. M. KYLE, AURORA, IND. M. D. June 22d, 1888. It attracted but little discussion, owing to the fact that each speaker said: “As there is nothing written on this subject, we are not prepared to discuss its merits." Others said such a theory as herein presented, namely, to give treatment to the intrauterine inhabitant, "will prove a failure." My object in again bringing this subject to the consideration of this body of distinguished medical gentlemen is, that it is comparatively new as to the literature of the profession. If true, there is an open field inviting the profession to enter and, if possible, sustain more fully Fatal Viability and lessen infantile fatality. What a sad role is presented as we read vital statistics and learn how many children never see the light, while others, weak and puny, survive the variable blight and early fall a ready victim to the acquired tendency from parents. Shall this awful death rate, continue? Is there no way to stop this dread destroyer? A life blotted out just at its beginning! No. I While fond mothers are waiting to give their infants care and protection, she is informed by the attending physician: "Your babe is dead, still born!" Figures cannot estimate the loss to the world and society by the awful death rate. Let us address ourselves to the consideration of this subject. We are deeply impressed by seeking out and putting in force whatever may lessen infantile mortality. The manner whereby the uterine inhabitant may be influenced by medicine is so well understood, I need not refer to the manner whereby it enters through the mother's. blood, and by osmotic perculation enters the foetal circulation, and thus affects the foetus by a therapeutic agent essentially the same as after birth. Prof. Smyth, of London, says in reference to the treatment of the health of the mothers who are encientè that it should be prompt and active, that the foetus may not be efrected by disease of the mother In speak ing of intermittent fever he says it should be cured immediately, as it will affect the foetus, causing it to be weak and feeble, and that by the effect of diseased action in her system she will be likely to abort. When the paroxysm of fever comes on the beat of the foetal heart is increased, and if not arrested in a few days will cause the death of the foetus. Speaking of syphilis in the married woman he says she should be treated, as it readily affects the foetus by transmission through the ovum. Should require early medication, |