NOTES AND QUERIES

Editor Medical Summary:

I agree with "Eltonicus" as appears in your January issue, 1916. "Notes and Queries" of The Medical Summary, in the abovementioned issue of The Summary, Dr. Z. G. Jones, K. C., Mo., reports more cases which are incomplete as far as giving anything which might be of practical benefit to the practitioner who is willing to spend the time necessary to peruse the reports.

In connection with his case No. 4 I should like to know what kind of electrical treatment was used.

Case No. 5. Reads in part "Interrupted galvanization over region of colon." What kind of electrodes or pads were used; which pole used "over region of colon" where was other pole placed? "1st, 2nd, and 3rd, spinous processes" which vertebræ, cervical region, thoracic region or lumbar region?

Case No. 6. "Thuja cataphoresis" How employed? How was "slow sinusoidal to scrotum in cup of water" applied?

"Used H. F. as a collateral application." There are several High Frequency currents and several ways of applying same, please elucidate, if there is a real desire to "help suffering mankind" as stated in Dec., 1915, Medical Summary article.

Case No. 7. How treated?

Case No. 8. How did you treat "to relieve inflammation of the rectum?" What was the nature of the bowel "trouble" and what was the treatment as given.

Case No. 9. Pneumogastric galvanization, how and where applied?

Illinois.

"A. SCRUB" No. 2.

THE TONSIL QUESTION

Editor Medical Summary:

It seems that the history of the tonsil is sufficient evidence of its necessity, also of its function. From the time of the appearance of the tonsil to the age of four years, the child is exposed to more unsanitary conditions than in all afterlife; therefore, to more infections. In most cases a filthy breast to nurse, a filthy mouth to nurse with, and with little or no thought by the mother of sanitary conditions. Without intervention of tonsilar function, a

child would seldom, if ever, live to the age of four years. Neat, clean attire is seldom proof of clean skin and body under it.

It seems reasonable and scientific to believe the tonsil is a natural culture media in which products of microorganisms are elaborated and in attentuated form so slowly introduced into the body that they are successfully resisted by the natural resistant forces of the body, thus immunizing the system against infection. The idea suggests itself, then, that their removal is as logical and scientific as the fixation of a movable organ in the body in the majority of cases.

My experience is that when a child's tonsils are healthy, that infection seldom occurs from without, and conclusively time does not hang on nature's hands so lightly that it would furnish each human being with a pair of superfluous organs, merely for the benefit of commercial surgery.

I don't like to quit at this.

Bennett, Mo.

T. C. ESTES, M.D.

ALUM

Editor Medical Summary:

I notice in your columns "The Wonderful Virtues of Alum!" I want to inform you for the benefit of the readers of The Summary that you have left out two of the most valuable uses of this household article.

First, taken internally, it counteracts the poison from a rattlesnake bite; I do not know how it does it, have tried it on both man and beast and pronounce it the best thing for this purpose that I have ever used. Also, one heaping tablespoonful dissolved in half gallon of water and given as an enema will move the bowels after everything else has failed. Providing, however, there is no intersusception of the bowels.. I think I have never had the remedy fail given as enema to move the bowels, if given sufficiently high in the bowels. W. W. SWARTS, M.D.

Wichita Falls, Texas.

Butler has used emetine treatment to pyorrheic teeth in a case of neuritis, and with very good results. This remedy has also

been recommended for the treatment of arthritis due to pyorrhea.

CONSTIPATION

Editor Medical Summary: Constipation may be said to be the root of more evils of the body, and causes more discomfort, than any other one cause. It is peculiar to all who follow sedentary pursuits, and do not eat simple food. If the constipated would eat unbolted flour bread, stewed fruits, corn bread, and observe regular times to go to the closet, the condition will gradually disappear. Constipation will inevitably cause headache, langour, backache, and mental torpor; in fact, it is the prime cause of autointoxication. Bile decomposing is as poisonous as urea!

A great many railroad men are troubled with constipation, because when nature demands bowel movement, from necessity, as circumstances compel them to resist the inclination, all the evils of retarded excreta brings on confirmed habit of constipation. There are reasons for constipation among railroaders; but very little excuse for those who can conveniently respond to nature's calls.

While medicine taking becomes an awful trial, yet laxative diet and regular hours to go to stool, is the surest way to get rid of the habit. Stay in the closet till the bowels act, if it takes an hour after the morning meal. I have known cases to be overcome by observing this rule. Concentrate your mind on the action, and massage the ascending colon. D. L. FIELD, M.D.

Jeffersonville, Ind.

"PROGRESSIVE MEDICINE"

Editor Medical Summary:

There is much claimed by an association of medical men as being progressive. Are not all physicians, who keep up with the advance in medical science progressive? Why should an organization style themselves as being peculiarly progressive? The science is constantly advancing, as the result of new discoveries, research, and experimentation; and it is not peculiar, and not limited to any department, coterie, association or divisions of medical science.

There is no doubt that all medical men should be alert, studious and progressive. Progress is the order of the day. It is found in every department of human endeavor!

We have progressed from the stage coach, and prairie schooner, so to speak, to the cannon ball express of today; from the Viking to the ocean grey-hound; from the medicinal crudities of long ago to the perfection of pharmaceutical laboratories!

Progress is never-ending; and no investigating physician need lag behind. It is not the province of one person, who is diligent, to possess any advantage over any other person, who is likewise diligent! It would seem to be an assumption for any body of men to claim the distinction of being especially progressive.

As to the distinguishing title of a medical body, it is still claiming some peculiar qualifications and superiority. It is an assumption of superior insight, ability, learning and advanced thought, combined with especial skill and incredible success in curing diseases of an apparently incurable nature. The claims of curing cancers, internal, by such simple means, must be taken "cum granum salis."

sodium every 4 hours, and 3 grains of quinine in capsules.

For the fever, and pains, I have found that phenalgin controls them better than any other medicine I have so far used; giving three or four tablets a day, or more if necessary. Apply to the chest when accompanied with bronchitis, turpentine, lard, camphor, kerosene oil, on a cloth, to be repeated every 24 hours.

This is an outline for the treatment, without attempting to go minutely into detailed directions, which every intelligent physician. will know is unnecessary. This treatment has so far pulled all of my cases through safely, and some were very severe and stubborn, complicated with malaria and bronchitis. W. S. RANDOLPH, M.D.

Oakhurst, Tex.

FREAKS OF MONOMANIA

Editor Medical Summary:

Monomaniacs are possessed of the most absurd conceits, and believe in something preposterous. A butcher had a conceit that he had a leg of mutton hanging from his nose, a baker imagined himself butter, and refused to go into the sunshine for fear it would melt him. A painter thought he was soft as putty; another imagined he was glass, and would not sit down for fear he would crack to pieces.

It was said of Luther, that he firmly maintained that he had a personal encounter with the devil; that he heard him speak. In Hudibras, it says: "Did not the devil appear to Martin Luther, in Germany?" In the works of Luther, he speaks of the devil appearing to him frequently; and he used to drive him away by scoffing and jeering; and he says the devil is of a proud spirit, and cannot bear to be condemned and scoffed at. Many persons imagine they have frogs, snakes, and other things in them. One man imagined he was too large to go through a doorway, and when, on one occasion, he was forced through, he screamed that he was being squeezed to death. Dr. Warburton saw a patient who thought he was converted into a "goose pie"; and Dr. Arnold knew a man who conceived he was in a "family way." Another man fancied himself dead, and laid in bed waiting for the bell to toll. Baron Swedenborg thought he had direct communication with God Almighty for thirty years.

Editor Medical Summary:

Sixty-seven years ago, Dr. Addison announced to an English Medical Society his discovery of this disease, which since has been bearing his name. Five years later, in 1854, he published his treatise on "Local and Constitutional Effects of the Disease of the Suprarenal Capsules." Following this there was for years a spirit of incredulity and argument against the existence of such a disease. Many regarded it as merely a phase of some other disease. It is well established now, that he

was

correct. Investigation has been directed toward determining its etiology and pathology, even to this day. As to a successful treatment, there is a general despair. It seems almost impossible to make an early diagnosis of the disease. Its rarity renders its distinguishing features unfamiliar, as the bronzing of the skin, so distinctive, does not begin till the latter stages of the disease, when the capsules are destroyed, and the case rendered necessarily hopeless. When it is discovered at so late a stage, treatment is of no avail. The early symptoms might be attributed to other diseases, especially those splenic in character. It may be attributed to tuberculosis, chronic interstitial inflammation, and fibrocaseose metamorphosis.

The cause of the disease is obscure. Some authors believe it is tubercular; but some who have died with it, were free from tubercular taint, or heredity. No postmortem has revealed the exact nature of the malady. The pre-eminent symptoms are weakness, pallor, whiteness, and finally marked bronzeness of the skin.

Jeffersonville, Ind.

D. L. FIELD, M.D.

Chloral hydrate should be exhibited with great care.

SURGICAL OPERATIONS WITH LOCAL ANESTHESIA. By Arthur E. Hertzler, A.M., M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S. Published by the Surgery Publishing Co., 92 William St., New York. 1916. Price, $3.00.

The rapid sale of the first edition of this work, covering minor surgery, is sufficient evidence of its popularity with the profession and the demand for a more complete work, covering both major and minor surgical work, should give this admirable book still greater popularity. The completeness of detail, and the low price places it in a class by itself, apart from any other book on the same subject. The author was particularly fitted by extensive surgical experience and his work with local anesthesia for the work he undertook to place in the hands of the doctor; a manual which for completeness and comprehensiveness particularly recommends it. The numerous illustrations help to a considerable extent in illuminating the text, and altogether it will, no doubt prove to be a reliable guide in operative work under local anesthesia.

PAINLESS CHILDBIRTH. EUTOCIA AND NITROUS OXID-Oxygen AnalgESIA. By Carl Henry Davis, A.B., M.D. Published by Forbes and Co., Chicago, Ill. 1916. Price, $1.00.

This is a timely small volume on the subject of which it treats, discussing the various methods used in the attempt to secure painless childbirth, giving the results of varied experience with nitrous oxid-oxygen analgesia in obstetrics, and the stirring proof presented that it is the safest and best method. While the advocates of "Twilight Sleep" agree that it should be used only in an especially equipped hospital and by a specialist, Dr. Davis believes that the nitrous oxid-oxygen analgesia may be used safely and efficiently by every physician who is trained in the science of obstetrics.

The author states in his preface that he was persuaded to write a text-book on nervous diseases adapted to the needs and requirements of students and practical physicians; in size between the summary compendiums and outlines and the larger reference works and handbooks of neurology; he presents his material in the form of lectures, thirty in number, followed by a general index. The first lecture is on "Diseases of the Peripheral Nerves," and the last on "Migraine." In spite of the author's plan of limiting the size of the book, he found it necessary to treat important subjects somewhat at length, in fact in several instances he has gone more into detail than has been done in some of the larger works. For example, The Nervous Manifestations of Arteriosclerosis; The Treatment of Tabes, of Neuritis and Neuralgia; The Psychology of the Neurasthenic, etc. The translator of this thoroughly useful, practical and up-to-date book endeavored to present the author's views as nearly in his own language as was consistent with clear and readable English. An occasional foot-note of explanation, or of reference to matters which have come up since the German edition was published have been added.

From the Carnegie Endowment International Peace, we have received the following books:

FOR BETTER RELATIONS WITH OUR LATIN AMERICAN NEIGHBORS, A JOURNEY TO SOUTH AMERICA. By Robert Bacon. CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE, YEAR BOOK FOR 1915.

COLLECTED PAPERS FROM THE RESEARCH LABORATORY OF PARKE, DAVIS & Co., MICH. Dr. E. M. Houghton, Director. Reprints, Volume 3, 1915.

This volume of nearly 350 pages represents the compiled articles from the Research Laboratory which were published in various scientific journals in 1914. It is surprising the large amount of research work that is done in these days by some of the leading pharmaceutical houses in this country, and the enormous expense entailed. This volume should be in the library of every physician in the country.

TRACHOMA:

ITS PREVALENCE, ITS EFFECTS UPON VISION, AND THE METHOD OF CONTROL AND ERADICATION. By Gordon L. Berry, Field Secretary, National Committee for the Prevention of Blindness, 130 East 22nd St., New York City. December, 1915. Price, $40.00 per thousand.

This neatly gotten up brochure, of 40 pages, is well illustrated, and is not offered primarily as a treatise on trachoma from the medical standpoint, but rather as a popular presentation of the subject for the education of the layman as to the prevalence of this disease, its effects upon vision and the methods adopted for its control and eradication. The use of technical terms has been avoided so far as

possible in order that all phases of this important public health problem might be readily understood by the general public. A copy will be sent free to any physician upon application to the National Committee for the Prevention of Blindness, 130 East 22nd Street, New York City.

THE CURE OF THE "INCURABLE." A PLEA FOR MORE ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS AND MORE CAREFUL PROGNOSIS IN MALIGNANT DISEASE. By William Seaman Bainbridge, A.M., Sc.D., M.D., C.M., New York City. Reprint from the July 1915 American Medicine.

THE MECHANISM OF IMMUNIZATION. By Doctors Williams and Beveridge, 25 East 60th St., New York City.

This is a brochure of nearly a hundred pages, reprinted from "American Medicine" for October and November, 1914.