by the hard times. Another chance will be given the same men at Buffalo next year.

THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN matter did not come up except in a resolution which was referred to the committee on resolutions who very wisely failed to report the same. It would have been unwise for the Institute at this time to have interfered in any way as our brethren are hoping for a speedy settlement of the question now before the court, and we hope that the whole matter may be amicably and satisfactorily settled by the time the fall term opens.

Conducted by

DISEASES OF CHILDREN.

MARTIN DESCHERE, M. D.

LA PERLÈCHE.-The disease named in France la perleche, or more properly "bidou," is known among the Italians as "Male che corre." It occurs almost exclusively among children and through them it is occasionally transmitted to adults in attendance within wards and nurseries. The lips are exclusively affected and, as a rule, the two lips, upper and lower, the latter, however, predominantly, with a marked tendency to involvement of the commissures. When inspected, the vermillion border and inner and outer folds of the labial surface for a short distance are seen to be covered somewhat irregularly with thin, light-colored crusts and scales, made up in part of macerated epithelium partly elevated from the underlying tissue, exhibiting beneath a reddish, occasionally a decidedly inflamed, surface. At the commissures of the lips there are often fissures and resulting blood-crusts, the latter conspicuous only in aggravated cases. The itching is slight and tumefaction rarely extensive. The disease when untreated may last but for a few weeks or may persist for months. Lapses are not rare.

The interesting feature of this disorder for the clinician is its contagiousness. It is chiefly spread by the use in common of drinking vessels by the infected and the healthy. In the matter of diagnosis, as distinguished from seborrhoic eczemas of the lips, with which Besnier and Dayon seem disposed to allign la perlèche, we have never seen the affection complicated with symptoms in other regions of the face, though it is to be remembered that the proof of the parasitic nature of seborrhoic eczema is very strong. With respect to the other eczemas of the lips often encountered in children, especially of the lower classes in society, we have never seen in la perlèche the characteristic snout-like deformity produced by projection of the lips when affected with eczemas simplex, nor is the itching commonly so annoying in the contagious as in the other affection. One must be careful to exclude also the pustules about the lips, occurring for the most part in young girls with long hair, produced by picking the lips with finger nails charged with staphylococci, often in consequence of the irritation set up in the occipital region by pediculi infesting that part. Fissures of the angles of the mouth in the victims of inherited syphilis are commonly not difficult of determination when the other systemic symptoms present are taken into account. And, lastly, it is needful to recognize when such are present the toxic effects produced by application of the lips of the child to certain painted and dyed toys; as also the mechanical irritations originating with the use of such articles, as the penny-whistle and the blow-pipe. (Pediatrics, Vol. I. p. 512.)

CONSANGUINEOUS MARRIAGES.-Mr. Perrin recently made a study of this question, and gives his conclusions as follows: First of all among the numerous affections attributed to marriages of consanguinity, idiocy insanity and epilepsy are due generally to heredity, but in a few cases consanguinity of the parents may certainly be the cause. As to convulsions in the young, the cases are so numerous that it is impossible to attribute this affection to the influence of consanguinity. It may have a share in the production of deaf-mutes, but it is not an invariable factor. With regard to affections of the sight, the influence exercised by consanguinity has been ascertained, and in albinism it has been distinctly proved. Concerning sterility, M. Perrin thinks this can not be attributed to consanguinity alone. He has further shown that certain congenital deformities have been too frequently observed in children whose parents were perfectly healthy that, in these cases, we are forced to admit the theory of consanguinity alone.

On the whole, says the writer, we may conclude that if under certain circumstances consanguinity and heredity are two ætiological factors which combine in the same family to bring about the same morbid results, it is none the less true that in some cases consanguineous marriages among the healthy persons may exercise an unfavorable influence on the children.

Mr. Perrin advises physicians not to dissuade their patients from marriage if there is no diathesis, no hereditary disease, and if they are in good health and have a strong constitution; on the other hand, it is not well to encourage them, he says, because even in the best conditions the children of such marriages have presented irremediable defects. But if the physician discovers the least trace of physical or mental affection, he should exert all his influence to prevent such marriages, for they could only be productive of deplorable results. (N. Y. Med. Jour. Vol. LXIII. p. 722.)

INFANTILE SCORBUTUS was the title of a paper read by Dr. Albert H. Burr, of Chicago, at the last meeting of the Am. Med. Ass. This disease is assuming greater importance by reason of its increasing frequency. This is partly due to the ingenuity of man in devising sterilizers and proprietary foods. A case was reported in a thirteen-months-old child, brought for treatment for a supposed spinal trouble. After six weeks' treatment the child was in a worse condition than before. Emaciation was progressive, and the prognosis of fatal issue from marasmus was made. Purpuric spots had appeared upon the shoulders and other parts, some of which suppurated. There was pain upon manipulation. Mellin's food had been the exclusive diet from birth. The child weighed thirteen and a half pounds, and could not move its head from the pillow. Food was changed to raw cow's milk, orange juice, and scraped beef, etc., and among other medicines protonuclein in one-grain doses was administered. After a week the gums were no longer spongy, and there was an increase of one pound in weight. A soft boiled egg was then added to the dietary. Cure was manifest at the end of six weeks. The chief points were swelling of the femur and scapula and suppuration of the purpuric spots. Every child should have natural food. The nearest approach to mother's is modified cow's milk. No continuous administration of any prepared milk or commercial food should be allowed to the exclusion of fresh or raw elements. We must be ever on the lookout for scorbutic malnutrition in artificially fed infants. Prompt relief will save many such cases. (Medical Record, Vol. XLIX. p. 780.)

START THE BABY'S DIET RIGHT.-The foundation of much of the indigestion, inanition and marasmus seen during infancy is laid in the

first few weeks of life. The importance of starting the diet right from the very outset is not yet sufficiently appreciated. An attack of indigestion must be regarded as a serious misfortune for a child; the younger the child, the greater the misfortune. A single careless feeding may produce an acute indigestion which may be the starting point of a long series of digestive disturbances. A few weeks of improper feeding may so derange the digestive processes that the infant does not regain its normal digestive power during its first year.

The human body is not a lifeless machine but a combination of living tissues, each of which has its own functions to perform. Stopping the original cause of disturbance does not, therefore, always stop the symptoms. A child that has been improperly fed can rarely be set right at once by the administration of proper food. If the indigestion is due to bacterial action or to a vegetable ferment, it will probably continue for a certain time under the most perfect feeding, because the germ or the ferment remains to act upon anything that is introduced into the stomach. When the digestive secretions are impaired or undergo any decided change they do not at once recover themselves or adapt themselves to changed conditions, even if those conditions are perfection itself. The nervous system, notably that portion which presides over the digestive functions, readily acquires habits and peculiarities of action which continue after the causes which generated them have been removed. The debility and anæmia which quickly follow in the train of improper diet are felt by the digestive organs in common with the rest of the body. The younger the child the less its resisting power and the more potent do these various factors become. There is no more difficult task than the remedying of an impaired digestion in a young infant. In no place is the old adage that prevention is better than cure more true than in medicine; in no place in medicine is it more true than in the management of early infancy. (Archives of Pediatrics Vol. XIII. p. 434.)

A

The Syracuse Academy of Medicine is attempting to determine the relashionship between school desks and spinal curvature in children. committee has been appointed which we understand is now studying the subject. It is instructed to inquire into the frequency of spinal curvature among the school children of Syracuse and to determine, so far as possible, what effect the seats and desks in the public schools have in producing that condition. The subject is an important one and the report will undoubtedly be of great practical interest. (Ibid. p. 438.)

CONDUCTED BY

H. WORTHINGTON PAIGE, M.D.

ALL NEWS or other matter relating to this department should be addressed to The Rutland, 256 West Fifty-seventh Street, New York City.

CHAMOMILLA: Baby doesn't want what he wants.

DR. RITA DUNLEVY is spending her summer vacation in Europe. DR. CHAS. H. HUBBARD has removed from Camden, N. J., to Chester, Pa.

DR. ALONZO BOOTHBY, of Boston, sailed for Europe on the “Saale,' June 13th for a needed rest and outing.

DR. W. W. CHRISTIAN has located in Berlin, Conn. We wish the Doctor success in our neighboring State.

DR. CHAS. E. TEETS, 37 West Thirty-Ninth Street, announces that his hours until September 15th will be 9:30 to 12:30. Sundays by appointment.

Dr. Aug. BeIL, N. Y. H. M. C. and H., 1896, has located in Bangor, South Dakota. We wish Dr. Beil every success in this new and promising field of Homœopathy.

DR. EDWIN DEBAUN, of Passaic, N. J., has our sincere sympathy in the loss of his wife, Jean C. DeBaun, who died on June 21st, 1896, after a long and painful illness.

"SYNTHESIS ON CATAPHORESIS OR ELECTRO-MEDICAMENTAL DIFFUSION" is the title of a pamphlet recently received. Some hope is entertained of the author's recovery.

DR. HUGH KIDDER, N. Y. H. M. C. and H., 1896, has been appointed House Surgeon at the West Side Clinic and Hospital, 351 West FortySecond Street. Office hours, 10-12 A. M., and 7-8 P. M.

OBITUARY ITEM. Dr. Isabel Werner died recently at her home, 38 East Fourth Street. She was a graduate of the New York Medical College for Women, class of 1892, and a member of the New York County Society.

DR. LEWIS A. QUEEN, of 114 West Eighty-fifth street, goes to the Hotel Beechwood, Summit, N. J., for the months of July, August and September. During this time his hours in New York are 12 to 1 only. Telephone Summit 2065A.

DR. WM. TOD HELMUTH has removed his offices from 299 Madison Ave., to No. 504 Fifth Ave., N. Y. The Doctor sailed for Europe on the "Normannia" on the 11th of June and upon his return will establish himself in his new residence.

DR. J. KENT SANDERS, of the Cleveland University of Medicine and Surgery, sails the first of July for a few month's work in the hospitals of Berlin and Paris. The Doctor, on his return, will give his attention exclusively to the Department of Gynecology.

THE OHIO STATE BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS held its first meeting at 2 p. m., March 24th, in the parlors of the Chittenden Hotel, Columbus. The members were all present when the organization of the board took place. Dr. H. E. Beebe, of Sidney, was elected Vice-President of the Board.

OBITUARY NOTE. Dr. George J. Mirrielees, of 493 Putnam Avenue, Brooklyn, died at his home on May 7th, of septicæmia of some years standing. Dr. Mirrielees was a graduate of the Long Island Hospital College, class of 1892, and at one time actively interested in the Brooklyn Homœopathic Hospital.

THE MACHAON CLUB was entertained at dinner on June 3rd, by Dr. E. L. Clark of Jersey City. The entire club, both active and honorary members were present to listen to the host's essay, on "Homœopathy the Science of Therapeutics." This was the last meeting of the Spring session, and was the most successful in the history of the organization.

MATRIMONIAL. Our congratulations are extended to Dr. Geo. S. Coon, of Louisville, Ky., Professor of Surgery in the South-western Homœopathic Medical College, upon his marriage to Miss Louise Brocksmith. The wedding occurred on Tuesday afternoon, June 23d, 1896. Doctor and Mrs. Coon will be at home, "The Fonda, 6281⁄2 Fourth Avenue, Louisville, after July 1st.

THE CALIFORNIA STATE HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY made its twentieth annual session, held May 13th, 14th and 15th, 1896, at the Palace Hotel, San Francisco, the occasion of a Jubilee meeting. On the evening of the 13th, public exercises were held in Native Sons' Hall, at which Dr. H. R. Arndt, of San Diego, delivered a Hahnemannian oration. On Thursday evening, the 14th, a grand banquet was given in the Palace Hotel, which was largely attended and was a most brilliant affair. The number of papers presented at the scientific session was large and the whole meeting a most enjoyable event.

WESTERN OPENINGS.-Dr. D. A. Foote, Omaha, Nebraska, writes in The Homeopathic Student: "We have 175 Homœopathic physicians in Nebraska but there are thirty-one counties without a Homeopathic physician, having a population aggregating 173,161. Forty-nine county seats in Nebraska are without a Homeopathic physician. There are 1152 towns in Nebraska and 1074 are without Homœopathic physicians. There are ten cities in Nebraska with a population in excess of 2,000 without a Homeopathic doctor. There are also forty-five towns with a population exceeding 800 in which our school is not represented."

THE CHIRON CLUB, a well-known social organization of physicians of New York City and vicinity, celebrated on June 8th, its one hundreth meeting, and tenth anniversary. Organized by members of the Class of '86 of the New York Homœopathic Medical College with a membership of twenty, the limit set by its by-laws. The celebration took the form of an outing at the Crescent Athletic Club, at Bay Ridge, Drs. W. T. Hudson, F. E. Risley and W B. Winchell being the hosts. An elaborate dinner was served at which was read a poem, composed in honor of the occasion by Dr. J. W. Dowling. The Club enters its second decade with every assurance of continual prosperity and usefulness.

THE SOUTH-WESTERN HOMŒOPATHIC COLLEGE, LOUISVILLE, held its annual commencement on April 2nd. In the class were the first ladies