sponsibility, the reply being evidently as satisfactory to the Court as it was unsatisfactory to my interrogator.

APPENDICITIS.

A Texas writer, Dr. J. G. Boyd, recently discussing appendicitis, mentions a class of cases which he calls non-pus cases and treated medically. He says further "this class does not include a number of cases in which the diagnosis might be questioned from the mildness of the affection. They were all treated by laxatives, enemas, opiates, and local applications, usually heat. In from four to ten days these patients seemed about as well as usual. You may wonder why they were not operated on. I can only say that their condition was not sufficiently serious to absolutely demand operation at the time, and there is another very definite reason they would not submit to a somewhat serious operation. Two of them have since had attacks and recovered without operation."

These facts do not seem to have influenced the writer's conclusions, which we append:

"As an attack of appendicitis treated medically generally leaves behind a crippled appendix, which serves as a focus for future attacks, and as recurrent cases admittedly require operation the ultimate results in statistics of appendicitis would be better if all cases were subjected to operation at the hands of an operator of average skill as soon as a diagnosis could be. made."

OUR MEDICAL CANTEEN.

What a jolly good thing it is that the members of the medical club which, in their social features, rest in some part on the appended resolution, are not running for a high political office:

That all members of this club who act as hosts shall adhere to the original simple menu for the luncheon, viz., cold meat, sandwiches, cheese, crackers, not more than two kinds of any of the foregoing, also olives or pickles, or both, beer and ginger ale, cigars and cigarettes."

Think what a malodorous stink could be generated to envelop and suffocate any such political aspirant, because of this "original simple menu with its admission of beer among the possibilities of temperance and social equabilities; and cigarettes, too!"

BIL 50

Raising the Dead:

Two Remarkable Cases.

In "Le Docteur Servans" the younger Dumas tells the story of a doctor who, by dint of much study and experiment, learned the art of bringing the dead to life again. He did not find his talent as popular as he expected; and we do not think the achievements of recent We imitators are likely to make it more so. take the following from a letter of a Paris correspondent, reporting the meeting of the Académie de Médecine:

"Raised from the Dead.-Two cases of momentary resurrection were communicated. One, that of a young man, aged twenty-four, had been operated on for appendicitis. For days after the operation he was seized with syncope, and M. Tuffier, who had been the operator, having assured himself that the heart had ceased absolutely to beat, employed the means usual in such cases, artificial respiration, traction of the tongue, but without effect. Seeing that the case was hopeless, M. Tuffier slit up the third intercostal space, opened the pericardium, and seizing the heart in both hands he made from sixty to eighty rhythmical compressions. In a short time the pulse began to beat, the dead man opened his eyes, stirred his head, and recognized even the operator. But at the end of two or three minutes the pulse became weaker and ceased for the second time. The compressions were renewed with temporary success, while a third attempt failed completely. The autopsy revealed the cause of the failure. The pulmonary artery was blocked by an embolus. M. Tuffier believed that, were it not for that clot, the experiment would have succeeded.

"The second case was that of a man who, in the course of an operation for intracranial abscess, succumbed, doubtless from the chloroform. Every means were naturally tried, but without effect. The spectators had quitted the theater, but the surgeon (M. Marion) continued the operation and exposed the brain. Already more than twenty minutes had elapsed since the patient had ceased breathing. Passing the fingers into the cranial cavity, M. Marion touched, as by accident, the bulb, and immediately, to the surprise of the assistants, the dead man heaved a deep sigh. When the finger was withdrawn, the respiration ceased instantly. Repeating the operation with regularity, the surgeon had the satisfaction of seeing his patient

come back to life. He re-died, however, fortyeight hours after, from an abscess."

[These are both remarkable instances, and give leash to a vast train of thought of future discoveries and possibilities. When is a body dead? Where is life situated?]

Medical Colleges

Should Follow Schedule.

An earnest young physician of high scientific attainments, having been recently appointed to a teaching position in a certain medical college, made this remark to a professional friend: "I am ashamed for my college and myself when I come to examine the papers that my students present. The lack of a proper education in English is so apparent that I feel certain half of our students could not pass a rigid examination for entrance into a good high school." Yet the college with which he is connected professes to live up to the requirements of the Association of Medical Colleges. Faculties and professors need not imagine that the students. themselves are blind to the inefficiency of methods that characterizes some of the colleges. The young men realize their own shortcomings and the shortcomings of their instructors only too vividly. But some become impressed with the fact (?) that it is all right to mislead each other and also the public, and from this class the quacks of the future will be recruited. Charlatan professors make charlatan graduates. Ignorance begets ignorance. That "professor who feels that he must, in the spirit of loyalty to his college, supply at least three students each year, even if he recruits all his barber, drug clerk, or coachmen acquaintances, is doing a woful injustice to the whole profession. Let the schools cast out such men from the ranks of the faculties. And if the casting-out process is so extensive as to result in the final disintegration of a few faculties or the disappearance of a few schools which find it practical to "amalgamate," so that one college will eventually do the work now performed by three, the mourning will be neither very deep nor very long continued.-Phila. Med. Journal.

[This is very much like what we have been saying for about ten years. Under the Ohio law the illiteracy count will soon be a condition of the past-for that is very strictly provided for. Some years ago we published, anonymously, an examination paper from a leading homeopathic college, which paper was a wretched jumble of English and medicine. The student passed all right, but the professor, who disclosed

the secret of the modern star-chamber, was summarily dropped from the faculty, and the merry dance went on, just the same. The closing paragraph of the "cutting" voices the opinion of more than two-thirds of the profession. What is the use of carrying along in a haphazard, half-starved way a half dozen colleges in a given district, when one really good school would most acceptably fill the bill? Of course, that would remove a large opportunity for advertising of the various "professors," but would it not be distinctly in favor of the student, the profession, and of the world at large?. It is well to remember that it is not necessarily the small or obscurely located college that is guilty of the worst college faults.]

Globules.

-"The North American Journal of Homeopathy" for November, 1900, presents the excellent paper of Dr. H. F. Biggar, which was read at the International Homeopathic Medical Congress at Paris this past summer. The illustrations are in two colors, thus setting off with great clearness and effectiveness the different anatomical regions upon the skull. The paper itself is a fine one and evinces great study and research. Some people, evidently, cannot write kodaked and scissored and paste-potted textbooks, but they can and do write progressive and original papers for the everyday profession to read and appreciate.

.

Before these few lines shall feel the impress of the types the inauguration and installation of the Ann Arbor Homeopathic Hospital will have been concluded, and the participants in the festivities will have had time enough to sleep off the effect of the liations that are most certain to be poured out in honor of the occasion. For Ann Arbor and her hospital crew do naught by halves. We sorrow chiefly that we were not a participant, seeing that some of the profession from other parts were to be there. No one, however, can exceed us in our good wishes for the prosperity of this hospital and its adjacent college.

-During the semi-monthly meeting of the Homeopathic Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania, held in Dr. Coe's office, Wilkesbarre, among other interesting papers was one by Dr. J. A. Bullard on "Appendicitis," in which he said in effect:

First-That the appendix is not simply a

rudimentary gut created solely to enrich the surgeon.

Second-That there have been more deaths during the past five years following its removal than have resulted from cases treated medically for five times that period.

Third-That only a very small percent. of those cases operated contain pus or show any other pathological condition that would warrant surgical interference.

Fourth-That in hundreds of cases where an operation has been declared to be the only hope of saving life they have been promptly and permanently cured by the homeopathic administration of the indicated remedy.

Fifth-That the reason the allopath prefers

the knife to safer method is because he has no materia medica covering the case, and, therefore, no other resource.

Sixth-That, knowing no other cure, he is obliged to cut.

Seventh-That the indicated remedy will cure ninety-nine per cent. of the cases usually diagnosed appendicitis.

Eighth That the homeopathic physician is possessed of well-tried and proven materia medica, and that the allopathic doctor has none worthy the name; hence, what he can't cure he cuts.

-There isn't a moment's question that the oldtime Fisher has been blowing the bellows of the "Medical Century" in his most recent issue. Those whacking, resounding blows at the old malignant opposition to the former Ann Arbor Homeopathic School ring in a fellow's ears for quite a "spell" after hearing them. We second what our absent brother says of the present rehabilitated homeopathic school at Arbor, and we wish it abundant success and a long life. It is a school which is deserving of success. There has not been within our recollection a school so hampered and bedraggled and bedeviled and all apparent life knocked out of it, as has been this same Ann Arbor school. That it has regained its feet and now shows a determined front is due in great part to the resolution, energy, skill, and unabated zeal for homeopathy exemplified in those stalwarts, the Big Four: Hinsdale, Dewey, Copeland, and Kinyon. These four we know have done yeoman service. Others helped also and are entitled to their share of the dividends. Taking it all in all, near and by, there isn't a better homeopathic school to be found in the length and breadth of the United States. We speak advisedly. We have no quarrel with some of the big schools in the East and West flying the corrected Latin motto of our guild. They have their excellences, as have some in the Middle States. But

for downright, upright, all-around everyday and every hour homeopathy, we challenge the remainder to show a better bill of health than the Ann Arbor school under its new management. It is peculiar and most lovable in one other particular-as well as for its homeopathy -and that is that the faculty is known as a unit in this work; it isn't one man or one chair that is held out for advertisement, and all the rest, residue, and remainder simply stool pigeons.

-We notice the election of our genial friend and fellow editor, Dr. W. E. Bloyer of the "Medical Gleaner," to the presidency of the Association of Orificial Surgeons. We congratulate the association upon its advancement to chief place of so good and so excellent a physician and editor. We predict unanimity of purpose and greater success than ever under the benign and kindly ministrations of Dr. Bloyer.

"There seems to be a tendency among certain physicians," says the "Medical Examiner and Practitioner," to refer the cause of locomotor ataxia to syphilis in most cases. To do so saves a lot of thinking; but do you always do full justice to your patient? We once heard a prominent physician of this city say that he was in the habit of placing his patient upon an anti-syphilitic treatment when other remedies failed, and he was often astonished at the beneficial results obtained. The lesson seems therefore to be, when in doubt use anti-syphilitic remedies."

-"When the axes of the cells composing a given structure are symmetrically arranged, or in the same plane, the condition is normal and the part is said to be in a healthy condition." This very learned definition, says Anshutz in the "Homeopathic Recorder," is taken from a very learned source; and whereupon he reasons that if one will but take care of the axes health will take care of itself. The advances in medical science are sometimes quite amazing; almost bewildering, in fact. It is safe to say that the learned father of this learned definition is a bookmaker or, at any rate, if he has not yet touched that supreme point of medical excellence-a medical professor, probably in the first two-the ornamental years of the modern medical school; for in these two years the theoretical and higher hypothetical and hazy are in the ascendant. In later years, when the practice of medicine becomes an established practical fact, fine spun theories are left severely alone. To give an exact definition of health is as impossible as it is needless.

The American Homeopathist ISSUED TWICE A MONTH. This journal is published for its subscribers only, and has no free list. Sample copies are never sent. Subscriptions are not discontinued until so ordered. A. L. CHATTERTON & CO., Publishers.

of the indigenous fevers. We have a learned translation from a South American source in our copy box, which, when published, will show the merits of Leach's ideas. There ought to be no indifference on the part of the homeopathic profession in furthering this Arsenization Commission's purposes, for Dr. Leach poses as such suggestor always, and only as a homeopath. It will redound to the success of similia if we can induce the proper authority to authorize a suitable commission, headed by Dr. Leach, to visit the fever district and make further trial of the latest advances recommended by Dr. Leach.

WE

**

E note with poignant grief the course pursued by our former level-headed brother of the "Hahnemannian Advocate." From present appearances he is worshiping strange idols, and in a little while will desert our camp entirely. He is fast leaving a field that needs his former advocacy of Homeopathic purity more nearly every day than it does his present bent for psychology and phrenology and kindred fads. There is no wish on our part to belittle the value of psychology and phrenology as studies and parts of science; but crowding these into the domain of medicine makes a bad mixture and cannot continue without confusion. Since the "Medical Advance," and the "Homeopathic Physician" of Philadelphia seem both to have been gathered unto their fathers, the field for pure homeopathy was occupied almost wholly by the "Hahnemannian Advocate." Better desert these strange gods, brother, and come back to homeopathy, pure if high, without frills or feathers.

DR. W. A. DEWEY, EDITOR.

We learn with great pleasure that our eminent friend, author, teacher, and compiler, Dr. W. A. Dewey, of the University of Michigan Homeopathic College, has purchased the Medical Century, lock, stock, and barrel; and that from this time forth it will be a true homeopathic journal. This is not to say that the old Medical Century has not had sporadic attacks of homeopathy; or that it was not a good homeopathic classic at the outstart; but it does mean that it had sadly fallen away from that pristine estate in later times-especially in the absences of its former talented editor, Dr. Fisher. In one or two of its recent issues there had been fitful revivals that looked like the former editor had returned to the flesh and would once more accept the responsibilities of the work. Now we learn that he has stepped down and out and with him all persons and policies which had for some time past dragged the once beautiful and fearless Medical Century almost in the mire. Dr. Dewey is an ex-editor and, therefore, brings to his work the experience of former labors in this line, together with the added knowledge gained from more recent authorship and teaching. We do not know of a man in the profession of homeopathic medicine more perfectly fitted for the work he has elected to do than Dr. Dewey. A man of many parts, a linguist in many languages, an author of many popular homeopathic books, a rare good writer, and, above and beyond all that,-thanks be to God! and for evermore,- -a warm-blooded homeopathist! We welcome him back to the editorial ranks with glad hands and loud hosannas. And we bespeak for him and his new journal a generous patronage. Dr. Dewey assumes editorial charge of the Medical Century with the January,

1901, issue.

THE BUBONIC PLAGUE.*

By BUSHROD W. JAMES, M. D., LL. D. Inasmuch as the bubonic plague has been for several years prevailing in the lower part of China and in India, it was thought best to hold an International Plague Conference, which Conference was held in Venice in 1897.

Passed Assistant Surgeon H. D. Geddings of the United States, who was the United States representative to the Conference, has obtained a great amount of information on this subject.

Surgeon Eugene Wasdin of the Pasteur Institute in Paris has also collected a great many facts in connection with the plague, and from various other sources Surgeon-General of the Marine

* Read before the Hahnemann Club of Philadelphia., Pa.

Hospital Service, Walter Wyman, has, through the Treasury Department, thrown together the most recent investigations and thoughts upon this pestilential disease.

The fact that it has spread as far west as Glasgow, Scotland, and some other points on the line of commercial travel with the United States, it seems important, at this time, that our club, which is always ready to investigate any approaching epidemic or look into any new form or development of disease, should take up this disease for this evening's discussion.

With this introduction I will enter upon the consideration of the plague and its variations, with a view of bringing out debate that will be to the advantage of each member of the society. With the utmost vigilance by the quarantine auwill not entirely escape the cordon thrown around thorities it is questionable whether the disease the commercial shores of this country and that

we will soon have to receive it face to face and know the remedies with which to cure it, in its various phases, and the best measures to adopt for the prevention of its spread and the management of those, who, from their unsanitary living, are likely to carry the disease from the lower walks of life into the more sanitary quarters of our populous cities. What, then, is the disease known as the bubonic plague? Cantlie of England calls it a malignant polyadenitis, attended with acute fever and an inflammation of the lymphatic glands, with considerable vascular and cerebral disturbance; suppuration going on in intensity so that fatal results occur in a large proportion of the cases and, although only one or two of the lymphatic glands may appear to be affected externally, still, on an autopsy being made in fatal cases, it is usually found that almost the entire lymphatic glandular system is involved and these glands enlarged.

In a period from twelve hours to twelve days, generally about four days after exposure, the disease develops with the symptoms I have named. The fever is likely to cover at least a week, and if the case recovers, convalescence is protracted. In unfavorable cases, death usually occurs in from two to eight days, but most generally within two days. Where the case runs along for nearly a week, the prognosis may be considered as being favorable.

Petechial spots, with extravasations of blood, can be seen in or behind the skin. At the outset of the disease, a person, in the very best of health, may be taken down with large glandular and neck. The swollen gland rapidly increases swellings, principally in the thigh, groin, axilla, in size until it is as large as a hen's egg, and should the patient survive the aggravated symptoms from five to seven days, after the enlargement is noticed, suppuration may occur and a