-Nearly twelve hundred physicians of Berlin have applied for permission to take the free postgraduate courses which are now being held in that city.

-Remember the Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fé Railway when traveling in the West and Far West. It has a very desirable mid-winter excursion to California, and at a reasonable figure. This railway escapes the snows and colds of the northern routes.

-A St. Paul (Minn.) physician has recently described sinew threads from the tendon of the reindeer as a strong, easily sterilized, absorbable substance for suturing. After exhausting the supply which he had brought with him from the far North, he had suture material prepared

from the fascia of the steer.

-For Sale.-An electrical automobile, Stanhope carriage. Almost new; finely upholstered in cloth; in first-class condition and ready for use. Listed at $1800. Will sell for half price. Needs to be seen to be appreciated. A bargain for a physician for city use. Easy terms to responsible party. For particulars address

I. X. L, this office.

-The Board of Health of Syracuse, N. Y., has decided to have a monthly inspection of all children in attendance at the public schools this winter. The eyesight of the children will be tested, and each child will be examined as to its physical condition, and especially as to the presence or absence of contagious diseases of the eyes and skin.

-The municipality of Berlin has resolved that the new hospital in course of erection in the Seestrasse is to bear the name of Rudolf Virchow, and will be called " Virchow-Krankenhaus.' The hospital will be by far the largest, finest, and best arranged of all the municipal hospitals of Berlin. There will be seventeen hundred beds for patients, and the medical staff, nurses, household servants, and the members of the nursetraining institute, will bring the number of inmates up to two thousand.

-Only 4 1-2 per cent. of the babies born annually live to the end of the allotted three-score years and ten of man's existence. Yet of the other 95 1-2 per cent. nearly 20 per cent. die unnecessarily. The facts came out in a paper on "Unnatural Death," read at the recent meeting of the Sanitary Institute of England. The author told his hearers that about one million babies were born annually in England. Thirty thousand of the million would die violent deaths from accident, 30,000 would die unnecessarily from tuberculosis and 120,000 more from other absolutely preventable causes, such as smallpox, measles, and scarlet fever. Only 45,000 would

be allowed to live out their natural lives, and nearly one in twenty would die because the machine was worn out. One-fourth of all the diseases which destroy life are absolutely preventable, and fifteen years would at once be added to its average duration if the practice of hygiene were placed on a level with its theory.

-With regard to the vexed question as to the best plan of suturing the abdominal wound, E. E. Montgomery says the method which he has found most satisfactory is, first to close the peritoneum with a continuous suture of catgut, and then to insert interrupted silkworm-gut sutures through the entire thickness of the abdominal wall above the peritoneum. Before tying these he dries the surface carefully and approximates the aponeurosis by means of a continuous catgut suture.

-In the November Century Professor W. P. Trent of Columbia University will write “A Retrospect of American Humor," for the illus tration of which the Century has procured portraits of nearly two score of the best-known of the older humorists, including “Petroleum V. Nasby," John G. Saxe, "Q. K. Philander Doesticks," "Sam Slick," and "Artemus Ward." There will be during the year a number of contributions from new humorous writers, and articles reminiscent of those of the past.

-In the October Review of Reviews there appears an unsigned appreciation of President Theodore Roosevelt. The writer regards Mr. Roosevelt, not as a political accident of the Tyler-Fillmore-Johnson-Arthur class, but as a man picked out in advance for the office to which he now succeeds under most painful and undreamed-of conditions. In the writer's view, the spirit of the original constitutional provision regarding the Vice Presidency has been, for the time being. restored, since the second choice of the electors for President was the man whom they named for the Vice Presidency, and who now, as the result of the assassin's act, becomes President. other words, Theodore Roosevelt was in fact his party's second choice for the Presidency in 1900.

Ir

-A gold medal was awarded Armour & Company on Pepsin, Pancreatin, Thyroids, Suprarenal Capsules, and other organo-therapeutic agents by the jury of awards of the PanAmerican Exposition at Buffalo. There is no doubt about the quality of the Armour goods: experts invariably pronounce them the best.

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.

everybody vaccinated compulsorily. But presently a number of cases of tetanus developed, and the compulsory end of the mandate was lopped off. In this instance, as in St. Louis, with the antitoxin, the reason for the tetanus was found in the imperfect preparation of the vaccine matter. After this result happens a few times more, perhaps the fashion of charging it to some incompetent official may cease to serve.

*

WONDER what the Medical Brief thinks

DR;

now about this hell-broth.

***

R. DEWITT G. WILCOX, the efficient Secretary of the Homeopathic Medical Society of New York, writes us that the recently adjourned meeting of that Society at Buffalo was a success from start to finish. But he drives in the gaff by adding that, if the Institute had gone to Niagara Falls, as had been intended, it could have been made just as great a success. Dr. Wilcox fails to connect his points' very closely. The Institute at N. F. and the Homeopathic Society at Buffalo are in nowise related. Our contention from the first was to bring the Institute to Buffalo and not leave it at the mercy of a hotel or two in a crowded time, in a crowded town thirty miles up the pike. Buffalo would have suited us first-class, but not Niagára Falls. The daily press says that the Fair people are in the hole to the tune of three million dollars. So it must have been a success! Sir? It may be well to remember that the New York Homeopathic Medical Society is of that order of society which gathers its members together twice a year, rain or shine. It is always wide awake and its programme filled with the very best. We have always had a good word for the "Down in York" State society.

IT

T was our unhappy duty to send a patient to the hospital for an operation. Dr. Crile of our city had been selected by the family for the

this issue.

Other matters are in the usual vein of this always creditable journal.

N the last issue of that ever popular journal, the American Monthly Review of Reviews, there appears a well-written article on President Roosevelt's principles of appointment, as related to his Southern policy, which takes matters in hand in an original fashion and much, doubtlessly, to the satisfaction of its many readers. Is it not about time for the various publications to put an end to their mournful deprecation for the President's former impulsiveness, and to stop shedding any farther crocodile tears lest he do something still that may not square with the ethics of certain governmental and senatorial cliques? The American people at large are satisfied with the President, and have every reason to believe that he is the man for the place. He is essentially an American, and his ways are always American ways. The municipal election in New York, which has interested every other municipality in the United States as well, has been most excellently prepared and presented in

tains a beautiful memento mori of the Editor's daughter, who seems to have recently passed over the Great Divide. Dr. Cleves has our profoundest sympathies in his affliction. There is something about this little journal as a general rule which is very attractive to a blasé medical editor who must needs "wade through" so much of the routine talk and tattle which goes to make up about two-thirds of the medical journalism which reaches his table. The Gleaner, with Bloyer and the other editor,—and his new-word-font always on tap,—is sure to be "breezy" and excellent. We admire the consistent manner in which they parade and hold up to constant view their specific remedies. And were we not a homeopath, we should feel tempted to try on a run of Eclecticism. The manner in which these two and others in that faith expound the specific remedies, and the diseases for which they are valuable, takes deep hold on those of us in our own school who learn so little of homeopathy in the schools and less still in the daily life. There is a singleness and cleanness about the recommendations of these master eclectics which carries conviction. It is small wonder, therefore, that so many of the modern-day homeopaths are in reality eclectics. -though they swear allegiance to similia and spell it with the "e" instead of the "a"curentur instead of curantur.

toast of the health of our King and Queen and the members of the Royal Family. This is the first British Homeopathic Congress at which the loyal toast has taken the form in which I now offer it to you. For fifty years we met under the beneficent rule of our late lamented Queen Victoria; in her reign we had our early struggles, during her reign we won the right to practice medicine in accordance with our conscience, and under her government we, in common with the rest of her subjects, enjoyed full freedom and security. During our long experience of King Edward VII. as Prince of Wales he obtained, and rightly obtained, our esteem and affection, and as King we feel sure that he will equally well deserve it. We wish to him and to his gracious Consort long life, to rule over an affectionate people, and may they and the other members of the Royal Family long live amongst us in health and happiness. I feel it would be in accord with the feelings of His Majesty, and not utterly inappropriate―certainly I know of no better opportunity to taketo refer to the terrible loss which our American cousins have endured in the horrible murder of their elected head. President McKinley had won the respect not only of the people who chose him as their ruler, but of the sister nation of which we are a part. The members of the medical profession in the United States who are in sympathy with us form, as most of you know, no inconsiderable portion of the American population, so I feel it is not presumptuous on our part to offer our sympathy with them in the loss they have sustained and our horror and shrinking from the dastardly crime by which it has been brought about. The death of this man, in an eminent position, borne to his grave to-day, as no doubt you know, brings us-as did the recent sympathy shown by America with us in our loss closer together with our sister nation. Ladies and gentlemen,-I offer you the toast of the King, the Queen, and the members of the Royal Family."

All of which was most kind from our distinguished brethren in England, and is deeply appreciated by the homeopathic craft on this side of the water.

-An attack of hysteria simulating unconsciousness may be aborted by taking up a pair of scissors and regretfully announcing that he will have to cut all the patient's hair off in order to make applications to her head. It is doubtful whether this bluff has ever been known to fail. Or try Pratt's rectal dilatation.

Or give a pinch of snuff.

Or use the bastinado.

Materia Medica Miscellany.

Conducted by J. WILFORD ALLEN, M. D., 110 West 12th Street, New York.

References in this department are made by number. (See issues of January 1st or December 15th each year.) Aurum.

Dr. Younan (Calcutta Journ. of Med.) contributes an illustration of the influence of gold on the testicles in boys confirmatory of Dr. Burnett's recommendation. The organs were still undescended at twelve, and their owner was more girlish than he should be. The cure, which was decided, was effected with drop doses of a first centesimal solution of the chloride of gold and sodium.

Berberis Aquifolium.

The Chicago Med. Journal gives this agent as one of our most efficient and direct alteratives. In blood disorders, which exhibit a disturbance. of glandular function of any character, its influence is direct. In scrofula, syphilis, and eczema it is particularly advantageous. In these cases the glandular disorder is accompanied with an eruption on the skin. This peculiarity indicates the necessity for this agent. It may also be used. in any skin disorder where there is blood dyscrasia. It is not of any advantage in skin diseases from local and reflex causes, but its effects upon the blood are of great benefit. Ten drops of a strong tincture four times a day is the dose. For ladies with a bad complexion and rough and unsightly skin it is the remedy par excellence.

Pulsatilla.

Dr. Claude (Revue hom. Française) finds this remedy preferable to any other in headaches from overwork; and Dr. Parenteau has ascertained that in such cases the veins of the fundus oculi are greatly enlarged in caliber. Dr. Claude finds. the mother-tincture aggravate, and the attenuations best made to mount gradually higher.

Gelsemium.

The article from which the following extracts have been taken appeared as an editorial in the December issue of the Medical Summary. It contains some indications that we have known to be facts for years, but there are other indications that from the pathogenesy of the drug are clearly proven to be palliative in character. Neither irritation nor inflammation can be permanently benefited by the selection of this rem

edy, hence the poor foundation for assuming to give his readers the "true position."

"The true position of gelsemium is probably not as well understood as it should be, as until only a few years ago this drug was principally employed by the homeopathic and eclectic branches of the profession. Now, however, it is more generally used and growing in favor, and is being used in a wider range of pathological conditions with apparently good results, not to mention its well-established value in neuralgia of the first and second branches of the fifth nerve, and its kindly action in acute inflammation of the air passages. Gelsemium is a cerebro-spinal sedative: it lowers the blood pressure, decreases the frequency, and modifies favorably the character of the pulse in fevers, and thus favors the re-establishment of normal secretions. It causes relaxation of the system; the pulse is less frequent and softer, the respirations are slower, the skin becomes cooler, soft and moist, there is less determination to the head, and if there is pain it will be reduced or entirely eased, while at the same time we notice an increased secretion of the urine."

Whenever administered for any pain, care must be taken to determine the cause, and to bear in mind that the relief of that pain will be followed by evidence of prostration, weakness, or paralysis, if there was any inflammatory cause back of the trouble.

"It has been found that rebellious cases of irritable bladder and of ovarian and uterine neuralgia yield to full doses of gelsemium. It is also valuable in the coma vigil of typhoid fever. The drug seems to allay the restlessness and relax the nervous tension, and permits a natural sleep. Where heart action is feeble, however, and the capillary circulation languid, tincture strophanthus should be combined with it."

Naturally large doses of gelsemium would prove an aggravating remedy "where heart action is feeble," but small doses, other things being equal, would surprise the worthy editor and show the value of the remedy without the aid of strophanthus, which by the way seems to have a peculiar indication for "weak heart.

66

One fact to be borne in mind, however, in the administration of gelsemium, is that individual tolerance of the drug varies greatly, so that it is better to begin with moderate doses and increase till the desired effect is attained."

There are none so blind as those who will not see. Some people are susceptible to the action of a drug, and it is from them that we get the true picture of its finer differentiation. The intolerance will be found in this class, and among susceptible patients it is important that no remedy be given but the right one, because of the danger from drug aggravation.

STARVATION IN MORNING SICKNESS.*

BY J. A. WHITMAN, M. D., BEAUFORT, S. C. Morning sickness is a disease of reflex nature, in which the organ suffering is not the one that is making the "fuss," but is asking his neighbor to do his crying; in short, in many cases the fire is not where you see the smoke. These diseases (snake-in-the-grass kind) are the greatest tax to our medical skill.

The case I am about to report is a good illustration, and I do not report it for the success I had, but for its peculiarities.

A mulatto woman, about 28; when a child was severely burned about the lower limbs, causing crooked and stiff knee, which after marriage was taken off; had one child who died at about two years of tuberculosis, and the mother has suffered more or less from uterine troubles.

I was called to relieve her of a severe pain in the left abdominal region. the left abdominal region. On examination, I found a pulsating tumor extending some three inches opposite to, and about two inches from, the navel on the left side; it seemed to lie in close proximity to the abdominal wall. I judged it to be about one and a half inches in diameter; it lost itself in the deep tissues and was very sensitive.

My first thought was, an aneurism of the aorta; but, it being so near the surface, I did not think it could be. With this pain was a certain amount of nausea and vomiting. I found a large amount of fetid discharge from, the vagina. I commenced treatment for the pain and vomiting, but not very successfully. I also treated the vaginal trouble with a certain amount of success.

Everything in the nature of food aggravated the nausea and vomiting, so I stopped the food and gave nothing but liquids, upon which she would be easier. A hot, wet compress would relieve the pain, but the nausea and vomiting was not much benefited by anything I did. I gave the pumpkin vine remedy, which usually proves beneficial in such cases; in this case, however, it did but little good. It gave some relief, but nothing permanent.

I found considerable benefit from wet tobacco leaves placed on the pit of the stomach. I used irritants on the uterus to no effect.

For more than a week she lay and "retched " to vomit almost constantly. After about three weeks I tried to have them employ someone else, to see if there was not someone smarter than I was; but they said, if I could do no good, there was no one in Beaufort that could. So I had to play my hand and a poor one it was, too; not a trump in it that I could see.

*Southern Hom. Med. Ass'n., 1901.