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Witchhazel or Other Specifics, or Positive Remedies for.—Hemorrhage, or bleeding from the uterus (womb) after childbirth, from the lungs and from the rectum, in some cases of piles, are of such frequent occurrence that I deem it of great importance to give the latest and most successful prescriptions for hemorrhage in these cases.

Of late years the homeopathists claim that the valuable properties of the witchhazel is a discovery of theirs, and they make ado over it in the form of "Pond's Extract of Hamamelis." If this is used, give in doses of 10 to 15 drops, repeated every 3 or 4 hours.

Among eclectics, for many years past, the common witchhazel (hamamelis) has been considered a very valuable remedy for hemorrhages or bleeding from the internal organs. Prominent among these are Professors John M. Scudder and A. S. Howe, of the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, who consider it a specific (positive cure) in all cases of debility of the nervous system—a weak and flabby condition that allows the blood to ooze through the membrane.

Prof. Howe has used this about 30 years, or long before homeopathy had become at all prominent in the United States.

Prof. John King thinks that in hemorrhages immediately following "delivery at full term," hamamelis is not equal to ergot, but in cases arising from debility, he agrees with the remarks above—that witchhazel is vastly superior.

A decoction or tea, made from the bark or from the dried leaves, will be as effectual as "Pond's Extract," which is kept by druggists.

The strength of a decoction will be 1 oz. of dried bark or leaves to 1 pt. of water. Dose—A wine-glassful 3 or 4 times daily.

Uterine Hemorrhage—Specifics in.—C. J. Pitzer, M.D., of Detroit, Ill., asks for practical items from the experience of other physicians, and in giving his own, says: "Cinnamon and erigeron are specifics (positive cure) in uterine hemorrhage; I know it by actual experience. I don't tell you anything new, but recall your attention to the fact and confirm, as far as my evidence goes, what has been said of these articles by others. Let me say, while speaking of these invaluable remedies, that in uterine hemorrhage you can't have too much confidence in them. They are just what you want. Don't resort to ergot. Give oil of erigeron, 10 drops, every hour, and oftener, if needs be; and between each dose give 15 drops tinct. oil of cinnamon, made by adding oil of cinnamon, 1 fl. dr., to best alcohol, 95% 1 fl. oz. I use both remedies in every case, alternating. Don't know which does the most good; neither do I care much, so I save my patient. Just had a bad case last week, caused by retained membranes. The case had been managed by other physicians, and 4 or 5 days after the delivery the hemorrhage was very excessive and threatened the life of the patient in a short time. The doctor who sent for me had used ergot, opium, lead and tannin, and had resorted to the tampon. I suggested the above named remedies, and commenced the use of them at once. The hemorrhage ceased almost entirely in 4 hours, and we had no trouble in controlling it afterwards."

Hemorrhage from the Womb, with High Pulse and Fever.—Being called to a case where an abortion had been performed, in an early stage of pregnancy (not knowing for some time after of the cause), finding the wasting, or hemorrhage, considerable, I gave:

Fl. ex. of ergot, ½ oz.; gallic acid, 40 grs.; mixed. Dose—½ teaspoonful every 2 hours, until pain and contraction of the womb was produced, then once in 4 or 5 hours only, until the wasting ceased.

For the High Pulse—I gave tinct. veratrum viride, 6 drops, with tinct. aconite 3 drops, every two hours, alternating with the first, giving the second 1 hour after the ergot mixture had been given, dropping each into a tumbler, so as to get this number of drops, of each, in a teaspoonful of water, when given. For instance 36 drops of the veratrum and 18 drops of aconite, with 6 teaspoonfuls of water, gave the right dose each time.

The urine in such cases may need some attention, and call for acetate, or nitrate, of potash (I like the acetate best, some others prefer the nitrate-nitre, or the sweet spirits of nitre), to correct any disturbance of these organs, for which purpose see "Diuretics" for directions.

Hemorrhage, Slight, of the Lungs, with Cough—Regular or Allopathic Treatment for.—Give fl. ex. of ergot, 15 drops in a little water, putting in a little essence of wintergreen to lessen its bitter taste. (The author would say, in such a case, a few drops of essence of cinnamon, which will cover the bitter taste as well as the wintergreen, is of itself good for the hemorrhage.) Give the above every six hours.

Between these doses also give gallic acid, 4 grs., in a little syrup of lemon. This alternation brings the doses only three hours apart. A few doses of each will generally allay any slight hemorrhage. If the cough is pretty persistent; i.e., continuous and irritating, give laudanum, 15 drops, once in 4 or 5 hours, and 25 drops at bed-time, to allay the cough and help in procuring sleep. Give also laxatives, if needed, to prevent costiveness.

Hemorrhage, or Bleeding from Slight Cuts, etc.—Simple Remedy.—To stop the flow of blood bind the cut with cobwebs and brown sugar, pressed on like lint. Wheat flour and salt, in equal parts, bound on with a cloth, for man or beast; mix well, without wetting, the blood will wet them enough.

Hemorrhage from Wounds—Styptic Colloid, to Prevent and Cure.—The following will instantly coagulate blood, forming a consistent clot, under which wounds will readily heal: Collodion, 100 parts (grs.); carbolic acid, 10 parts; tannic and benzoic acids, of each 5 parts; mix the ingredients in the above order.

If the wound is so large that a slight application does not stop the hemorrhage or bleeding, wet lint with it and bind on if necessary, and leave on until the healing process is accomplished.

DIPHTHERIA.—Successful Remedies.—My first remedy, although simple and easily obtained, is from a paper presented to the French Academy of Medicine by Dr. Revillout, who asserts, from an experience of 18 years, that:

Lemon juice is one of the most efficacious medicines that can be applied in Diphtheria, and relates that when he was a dresser in the hospital, his own life was saved by this timely application.

He got a quantity of lemons and gargled his throat with the juice, swallowing a little at a time in order to act on the more deep-seated parts.

It is also recommended for any inflammatory or irritable condition of the throat in their commencement.

Lemon juice in Diphtheria is endorsed by American physicians, as the following will show. Let it be tried by all means:

Dr. J. R. Page, of Baltimore, in the New York Medical Record, invites the attention of the profession to a topical use of fresh lemon juice as a most efficient means for the removal of the membrane from the throat, tonsils, etc., in diphtheria. In his hands (he has heard several of his professional brethren say the same) it has proved by far the best agent he has yet tried for the purpose. He applied the juice of the lemon by means of a camel's hair probang (a piece of cloth on a stick will do as well) to the affected parts every 2 or 3 hours, and in eighteen cases on which he has used it the effect has been all he could wish. A little remarkable—one has 18 years successful experience, the other 18 cases; either is enough.

2. Diphtheria—Ice a Successful Remedy for.—The French have also been very successful in the use of ice as a remedy in diphtheria, which was introduced into this country by a Dr. Chapman, reported through the New York Tribune, by which means it was brought to the notice of the Oneida community in that State, where the disease was prevailing, and was successful in 60 cases. They aroused the mind of the patients, old enough to understand the necessity, to the greatest possible resistance to the advance of the disease. This determination of resistance is valuable against the advance of any disease. Directions—The ice is broken into small pieces and given to the patient every ten minutes, night and day.

3. Diphtheria, Sulphur Treatment.—Our attention was first called to the use of sulphur, in this disease, by a report from Dr. Fields, in England. He found an advantage in its use in some bad cases within ten minutes of its commencement. His manner of using it with those old enough, was in the form of a gargle, a teaspoonful of the powder, or flour of sulphur, in a wine glass of water, gargling frequently. If the patient was unable to gargle, or too young, blow some of the dry sulphur through a quill upon the diseased parts of the throat, or burn some of the sulphur upon live coals near the patient, so that he will inhale the fumes. The patient should always be kept warm and the bowels open. In extreme cases, when Dr. Field was called, just in the nick of time, when the fungus was so near filling the throat, as not to allow the gargling, he first blew the sulphur through the quill into the throat, and after the fungus had shrunk to allow of it, then the frequent gargling. He never lost a patient from diphtheria under this treatment. He recommends after gargling a couple of times, to cleanse the throat, to swallow some of the sulphur water occasionally, so as to reach the fungus deeper in the throat, which also has a tendency to keep the bowels open, which is recommended a very important point to accomplish. This fungus is believed to be a living parasite of plant-like growth, and that sulphur is absolutely destructive to them, as has been proved by its use by applying upon the parasites of the grape vine. It has been proved that sulphur kills every fungus or parasite on man, beast, or plant. One Dr. Langautiers also found that 1 teaspoonful doses every hour, of a mixture of sulphur in 4 ozs. of water, taken every hour, is very beneficial in the treatment of croup.

4. Diphtheria, Specific for—Also, Scarlet Fever, and Preventive in Both.—The best physicians of New York city, Brooklyn, and Philadelphia, are equally in favor of the sulpho-carbolate of soda.

[The sulpho-carbolate of soda is composed of soda combined with sulphur and carbolic acid, either of which alone is good in diphtheria, scarlet fever, and any other inflammatory condition of the throat; and the combination is more decidedly beneficial than either would be alone; at least it seems so to me from my knowledge of their properties.]

Dr. May, of New York city, says the sulpho-carbolate of soda is a specific (positive cure) in diphtheria, also in scarlet fever, and claims that this article is a preventive to the development, even after exposure, as well as a cure for both these diseases. The writer of this report is very much impressed in favor of this article. He says:

"The use of sulpho-carbolate of soda in diphtheria has become a settled fact by the best physicians, as above named, to be the only certain specific (positive cure) for that dreaded disease which has taken off so many children in the United States during the past eight years. He also says it is certain to destroy the parasitic fungus in the throat and glands in two hours.

"Ten grs. dissolved in a tumbler half full of cold water, and take from ½ to 1 teaspoonful every hour, until the parasite is destroyed; then take 1 teaspoonful every 2 or 3 hours, according to the circumstances of the case. There is no use in physicians fighting against this remedy, for they will have to use it if they have success in the treatment of scarlet fever and diphtheria. It is a specific in both diseases, as they are both zymotic (acting like a ferment), spreading quickly through the system in their nature, and are produced by the parasite in the system. It will prevent both diseases if given before an attack, as well as a remedy. This remedy has been used for scarlet fever and diphtheria for over three years, and if given before gangrene (mortification) sets in, will work wonders in every case. It was discovered by an English physician, and has grown into favor as a specific ever since, particularly with children.

"The trichina parasite of pork, as soon as it enters the stomach, is absorbed by the blood, then into the muscles of the body. It is not so with the diphtheria parasite; it is generated in the stomach, and when it spreads up the œsophagus (comes from Greek words signifying to bear, to carry and to eat, being the passage way of the food and drink to the stomach, commonly called the gullet), it produces such a high state of inflammation that gangrene sets in, which dissolves the parasite, and carries it all through the blood, which is always fatal. Gangrene always dissolves the parasite, but before that takes place the use of the sulpho-carbolate of soda will save every case. I have written these lines by special request of very many citizens and friends who desire it made public for the benefit of all."

5. Diphtheria, Sore Throat, Swollen Tonsils, etc.—Homeopathic Remedy.—Bin-iodide of mercury, 10 grs.; sugar of milk, 100 grs.; triturate (rub) together 30 minutes in a wedgewood mortar. Then take 10 grs. of this triturated article and 100 grs. more of sugar of milk, and triturate again as before. Dose—Give 1 gr. of this second trituration every hour in ordinary cases; if a bad case, give the same amount every 15 to 30 minutes, until relieved; then every hour or two as needed. A few doses makes the cure.

Diphtheria—Latest Allopathic Treatment for.—In a recent conversation with Dr. Haney, of Toledo, Ohio, he claimed to cure every case of diphtheria, even in small children, by swabbing the throat with calomel; for quite a young child he gets 10 grs. into the throat, by a swab, and a child 5 to 8 years, 20 to 30 grs., so it will be swallowed. He says it stops the change in the blood, by which the fibrinous portions form the membrane in the throat. He follows 3 or 4 hours after with the liquid physic (see "Liquid Physic"), to help carry off the accumulation of the intestines; and then supports the strength with liquid food of a nourishing character. He is a successful physician, and claims not to have lost an average of one child a year for the eleven years' practice there; and I know he has a good share of practice among the children. I have also seen accounts in a recent medical journal, by some allopathic physicians, that they have been using calomel very similar to Dr. Haney, in this disease. Therefore I have not dared to pass it by without mention, as it may save many lives for future usefulness.

1. SORE THROAT—The Good Old Grandmother's Gargle for.—Steep 1 medium-sized red pepper in ½ pt. of water, strain, and add ¼ pt. of good vinegar, and a heaping teaspoonful, each, of salt and pulverized alum, and gargle with it as often as needed.

2. Sore Throat, New Gargle for.—In all recent inflammations, or colds, affecting the throat, a gargle made by putting a heaping teaspoonful of the bi-carbonate of soda (common baking soda) into a glass of water, and gargling with it frequently, will be found exceedingly valuable. A teaspoonful, or a little more, of it swallowed, will quickly relieve a tickling cough; also neutralize the acidity of the stomach often arising after meals, water-brash, etc. But if it should irritate, weaken one-half or more.

3. Sore Throat—Heat Strong Tea as a Gargle for Speedy Relief in.—It is well to know that sore throat can be speedily relieved by using strong, hot tea as a gargle. It is a convenient remedy, and rather a pleasant one.

Remarks.—Hot water has proved valuable in many diseases of late, as dyspepsia, consumption, etc., taken internally before meals, which see, for these diseases.

4. Sore Throat, Several Simple Remedies for.—The following are some of the most common, or simple, remedies for sore throat, easily obtained and often effectual:

I. Salt and water is used by many as a gargle; but a little alum and honey dissolved in sage tea is better.

II. Others, a few drops of camphor on loaf sugar, which very often affords immediate relief.

III. An application of cloths wrung out of hot water and applied to the neck, changed as often as it begins to cool, has great potency in removing inflammation in recent cases.

IV. Borax the size of a pea in the mouth relieves hoarseness quickly. (See also hoarseness, bronchitis, etc., for other remedies.)

SORE NOSE—Akin to Erysipelas—Certain Cure.—I had a case of sore nose, a very bad case, which nothing in the ordinary line of treatment would benefit at all, except for a very short time. The sufferer would cry out: "Cannot something be done to relieve this intolerable suffering," etc. Directions—I prepared a little stick, 3 or 4 inches in length, and wound it with 3 or 4 thicknesses of cotton cloth, wrapped with thread, and dipped this into the full strength muriated tincture of iron, and held it firmly, for a ½ minute, or so, to each spot, and over the inflamed nose, and to the inner edges, where it was sorest. The first moment or two it smarted like fire, but I held it the more firmly and said never mind that, it won't be so bad next time. So night and morning, for 3 or 4 days, then once daily as much longer, made a perfect cure—now over six months, without the least return and no sign of soreness remaining. I should continue to apply for a month or more, if necessary, or until cured. I gave him also internally 5 drops of the same tincture 3 times daily in a little water. Of course he had an iron-colored nose, but a piece of lemon rubbed on a few times soon removed that ornamental shade and left him all right again, the same as it will remove recent iron rust spots from clothing.

CARBUNCLE—Treatment Which Saves Pain and Soreness—Also Applicable to Boils.—Having just passed through a three weeks' siege with a six hole carbuncle, I feel competent to tell others how I saved myself much pain, soreness and suffering, although it is bad enough when all has been done that can be done for relief.

What it might have proved without my mitigating treatment I do not know; it was the agony that compelled me to adopt some plan of relief, hence I took:

I. A mild liniment, Mrs. Chase's, given in this book (any mild liniment will do), 2 ozs.; chloroform, 1 oz.; laudanum, 1 oz.; mixed. Shaken, when used, and applied every hour or two, night and day. There were only short catches of sleep for about two weeks, after which an hour or two was occasionally obtained.

After applying the above mixture freely at each time, I then applied the following anodyne, emollient, or softening mixture:

II. Sweet oil, 7 drs.; laudanum, 1 dr.; mix. The application of the foregoing mixtures would relieve very much of the agonizing pain, even before I would be done applying the first; and the second kept the surface soft, as well as to help keep down the pain. (The same thing will be just as effectual for boils, I have not a doubt.) The situation was such that no poulticing could have been done, if desired, to hasten it; and even if it could, I have never known one under the poulticing process to subside in less than 5 or 6 weeks, while by the above process nearly all the pain and soreness subsided in 3 weeks.

At one time I thought it was going to repeat itself: but by the application of the permanganate of potash, 1 dr. to 1 oz. of water, applied by rolling up a strip of cotton cloth, and tieing a bit of cord around it in the centre, the size of the roll being just to fill the mouth of the vial, by which means I could wet one end of the roll of cloth without spilling it upon the clothing (permanganate colors the clothes), and apply to the swelling, it was driven back, or scattered, and by taking an active cathartic dose of crab-orchard salts (any active cathartic will do the same) it was carried out of the system.

BOILS.—Remedy Against Their Continuance.—Prof. Scudder, in his work on Specific Medication, speaking of lime, says: Its specific use is in cases of furunculus (boil), and other inflammations of the cellular tissue (the cell-like tissue immediately under the skin) terminating in suppuration. Why it has this specific influence I do not propose to say, but I have proven it in scores of cases. Taken in a case in which boils are continually developed, the use of lime water will effect a radical cure. [The proper strength for lime water to be used in these cases, in fact, in all cases, is: stone lime, 4 ozs.; distilled water, 1 gal., or in these proportions. Slack the lime with a little of the water, then pour the rest of the water over it and stir; cover the bowl and set aside for three hours; then bottle and keep the liquor upon the lime, well corked, and use only the clear liquid as wanted.] See "Milk Diet for Infants and adults." Dose—It is given in doses of a wineglassful, 3 or 4 times a day. If too alkaline use additional water.

This lime water is very often properly used with the milk fed to infants which have to be raised upon the bottle; a teaspoon-full to a bottle of milk, or sufficient to prevent acidity of the stomach; and it is also valuable in Dyspepsia in adults when there are acid eructations of gas, or, as commonly called, belching or rifting of wind from the stomach, after eating. Dose—For adults in these dyspeptic cases, 3 or 4 tablespoonfuls to a bowl of milk; sufficient only is needed to keep down the acidity. See "Dyspepsia, Milk and Lime Water, Cure for." Lime water can often be borne by patients who cannot take the salts of soda, or potash. This also proves its value and adaptation to the human system.

1. Milk in Diarrhœa, Dysentery, Incipient Cholera, Typhoid Fever, etc.—Considerable has lately been said in medical journals concerning the value of milk as a remedial agent in certain diseases. An interesting article upon this subject lately appeared in the London Milk Journal, in which it is stated, on the authority of Dr. Benjamin Clark, that in the East Indies warm milk is used to a great extent as a specific for Diarrhœa.

I. For Diarrhœa.—A pint every 4 hours will check the most violent diarrhœa, stomach-ache, incipient cholera and dysentery. The milk should never be boiled, but only heated sufficient to be agreeably warm, not too hot to drink. [The author would say 140° Fah. is as hot as one can take it comfortably with a teaspoon.] Milk which has been boiled is unfit for use. He continues: It has never failed in curing in from 6 to 12 hours, and I have tried it, I should think, fifty times. I have also given it to a dying man who had been subject to dysentery 8 months, latterly accompanied by one continual diarrhœa, and it acted on him like a charm. In 2 days his diarrhœa was gone, in 3 weeks he became a hale, fat man, and nothing that may hereafter occur will ever shake his faith in hot milk.

II. For Typhoid Fever.—Another writer also communicates to the Medical Times and Gazette a statement of the value of milk in 26 cases of typhoid fever, in every one of which its great value was apparent, checking diarrhœa, nourishing and cooling the body.

III. For Debilitating Diseases.—People suffering from diseases require food quite as much as those in health, and much more so in certain diseases, where there is rapid waste of the system. Frequently all ordinary food, in some diseases, is rejected by the stomach, and even loathed by the patient; but nature, even in all disease, is beneficent, and has furnished a food that is beneficial—in some, directly curative. Such a food is milk. The writer, Dr. Alexander Yale, after giving particular observations upon the points above mentioned, viz.: Its action in checking diarrhœa, its nourishing properties and its action in cooling the body, says: "We believe that milk nourishes in fever, promotes sleep, wards off delirium, soothes the intestines, and in fine is the sine qua non (an indispensable—just the thing) in typhoid fever."

IV. For Scarlet Fever.—The writer goes on to say he has lately tested the value of milk in scarlet fever, and learns that it is now recommended by the medical faculty in all cases of this often very distressing disease of children. He says:

Give all the milk the patient will take, even during the period of greatest fever; it keeps up the strength of the patient, acts well upon the stomach, and is in every way a blessed thing in this sickness. Parents, remember it, and do not fear to give it if your dear ones are afflicted with this disease.

2. Milk an Antidote for Lead Poisoning.—The Journal de Médecine states, upon authority, that milk has been found to be an antidote and preventive to lead poisoning by those working in its manufacture. (Why not, then, for painters?)

A quart a day was furnished to each man, after which no colic nor other harm to health occurred.

The remedy is simple, easily obtained, and no doubt effectual. Used as a drink during the day would be the manner of taking it. See also its use in "Accidental poisoning."

1. SCARLET FEVER—Successful Treatment of.—Dr. Henry Pigeon writes to the London Lancet as follows:

"The marvellous success which has attended my treatment of scarlet fever by sulphur induces me to let my medical brethren know of my plan, so that they may be able to supply the same remedy without delay. All the cases in which I used it were very marked, and the epidermis (outer or scarfskin) on the arms, in each case, came away like the skin of a snake. The following was the exact treatment followed in each case:

"The patients were thoroughly anointed twice daily with sulphur ointment [the sulphur ointment used was made by the London Pharmacopœia as follows: sulphur, 4 ozs.; lard, ½ lb.; oil of bergamot, 20 minims (drops); mixed]; giving 5 to 10 grains of sulphur in a little jam, or jelly, 3 times a day, according to the age of the child and severity of the case. Sufficient sulphur was also burned, twice daily (on coals on a shovel), to fill the room with the fumes, and, of course, was thoroughly inhaled by the patient.

"Under this mode of treatment each case improved immediately, and none was over 8 days in making a complete recovery; and I firmly believe in each it was prevented from spreading by the treatment adopted. Having had a large experience in scarlet fever last year and this, I feel some confidence in my own judgment, and I am of the opinion that the very mildest cases I ever saw do not do half as well as bad cases do by the sulphur treatment, and as far as I can judge sulphur is as near a specific (positive cure) for scarlet fever as possible."

2. Scarlet Fever, Sulphurous Acid Treatment of.—Dr. L. Waterman, of Indianapolis, Ind., in an epidemic there in 1876, gives his experience in the use of sulphurous acid. He says:

"I early adopted an anti-zymotic (anti-poisoning) principle, the administration of 10 to 30 drops, every 2, 3, or 4 hours, of sulphurous acid, diluted, in a little water. I treated eleven severe cases. The ten treated after its adoption recovered."

3. Scarlet Fever—Length of Time Dangerous to Others.—In this disease the parent and the school teacher are often concerned to know how long a time must elapse before it is safe to admit those who have had the disease to mingle with other children, or with the family, and go to school.

For a month, at least, the body of a scarlet fever patient is casting off scales, or particles, from the skin. The nose, throat, bowels and kidneys are also throwing off poisonous matter for this length of time, which will communicate the disease to others. The chief danger, however, is from the skin, as this is the main outlet for the blood poison to escape, and every scale or particle of dry dust from the skin carries the infection.

Therefore greasing the patient, by rubbing a bacon rind over them, which, by some, has been recommended as beneficial to the patient, will certainly do this good, i.e., it will keep these minute scales from rising into the air, and thus prevent the communication of the disease to others from this source. But a Dr. Chapin, in a communication to the Brief, of St. Louis, informs its readers that he has used the ham fat (as he calls the bacon rind) in every case for 20 years, and has lost but few patients since using it, and must have treated some hundreds, and gives the following as his plan; "As soon as I diagnose (i.e., determine it to be) a case of scarlet fever, I have the patient put on Canton flannel, or better, if in winter, fine all wool underclothing; then cut a piece of rind from a pretty fat, fresh smoked ham, with a half inch of the fat upon it; then warm the hand, also the slice of ham, rub the hand on the fat, and then on the patient, till they are well covered, except the face. (The author cannot see why the fat may not be rubbed directly upon the surface—rather think it is the best plan, then rub it in with the hand.) Do this night and morning as long as the eruptions and fever continue; put them in bed, cover up warm and give as much cold water as they like. (I prefer the warm lemonade if agreeable to the child, as named above in No. 3.) The greasing is very satisfactory, allaying the burning and itching, which are so annoying." See also the sulphur ointment in No. 1 of scarlet fever; note for making it.

1. Typhoid Fever—Treatment in Its More Malignant Character.—The malignant character of this disease not being as prevalent in the North as in the South, I will first give the treatment used by Dr. J. J. Jones, of Conway Station, Ark., reported through the Medical Brief, of St. Louis, who has treated this disease in all its grades for over 25 years. When it takes on its malignant character of dysentery or pneumonia, which are inflammatory and dangerous if not properly met or treated in their commencement, he said that after testing various modes of treatment, he adopted the following:

I. First cleanse the alimentary canal with syrup of rhubarb and bi-carbonate of soda.

II. Follow this with spirits of turpentine, 30 drops; oil of sassafras, 60 drops; tinct. opium (laudanum) 25 drops; mix into well beaten whites of two eggs well sweetened with loaf sugar. Dose—Give an adult 1 tablespoonful of this emulsion every 3 hours.

III. If the pulse is full and firm, and over 100 per minute, give the following: Tincture of gelseminum, 1 oz.; fluid extract of aconite (of the root is best), ½ dr.; spirits of nitre, 2½ drs.; mix. Dose—Give 10 to 15 drops, for an adult, every 3 hours, until the pulse drops below 100. (The author would say, keep the pulse under 100, given this alternately with the emulsion—first one, then, one and a half hours after, the other; but these drops must not be continued to reduce the pulse much below 100 at the first. If it does this, lessen the dose, or make it 4 or 5 hours apart.)

IV. To control the temperature (heat of the surface), if it runs very high, which it frequently does, we resort to the wet sheet pack, as it is an important agent in the successful treatment of typhus and typhoid fevers. Use vinegar and spirits of camphor in place of water to wet the sheet, as it is much more sedative (calming, allaying irritation and pain), and less dangerous than water. After the pulse and temperature is brought below 100, we give large doses of tinct. of iron (muriated tinct. of iron is meant, and 15 to 20 drops would be large enough, once in 3 or 4 hours), checking the diarrhœa, which is so common in typhoid fever. Alternate this (the iron tincture) with pure hard cider or lemonade. Diet: dried beef tea, and milk gruel seasoned with pepper; give egg-nog if there are pneumonic symptoms.

Remarks—It would be well to say here, see "Use of Milk in Diarrhœa, Dysentery, etc." I also say that my own plan has been to sponge the whole surface with bay rum and water (equal parts), sufficiently often to keep down the excessive heat; and if bay rum is too expensive, use whiskey and water —warm, if preferred by the patient; or vinegar and spirits of camphor will be good, if the heat is not too excessive. The bay rum, however, is more agreeable in flavor, especially for use about the face and hands. The patient can do this face sponging as often as the heat demands it, keeping a dish of the mixture and a small sponge near for the purpose. If the sponging, in place of the wet sheet, is resorted to, let it be done as often as the comfort of the patient demands it—doing it under the bed clothes, to avoid any exposure to cold air.

The lemonade recommended by Dr. Jones, or some of the drinks for fever patients in other parts of this work, would be very desirable; but what he calls "pure hard cider," unless reduced with cold water, would generally, I think, be a little too "hard;" however, it can soon be ascertained by trial. Whatever the patient craves in the line of drink or food, I believe in allowing moderately; and never to refuse even cold water right from the well or spring, as old allopathy used to do in the years "auld lang syne," by which, I have not a doubt, thousands of persons, burning up with fever, have lost their lives, where, if water had been allowed, they might just as well have been saved to their friends and usefulness.

2. Typhoid Fever, the Value of Coffee in.—Dr. Guillasse, of the French Navy, on typhoid fever, says: "Coffee has given us unhoped for satisfaction; after having dispensed it, we find, to our great surprise, that its action is as prompt as it is decisive. No sooner have our patients taken a few tablespoonfuls of it than their features become relaxed, and they come to their senses. The next day the improvement is such that we are tempted to look upon coffee as a specific (positive cure) for typhoid fever. Under its influence the stupor is dispelled, and the patient rouses from the state of somnolency in which he has been since the invasion of the disease. Soon all the functions take their natural course, and he enters upon convalescence." Dose—Dr. Guillasse gives to an adult 2 or 3 tablespoonfuls of strong, black coffee every two hours, alternated with 1 or 2 teaspoonfuls of claret or Burgundy wine. A little lemonade or citrate of magnesia should be taken daily, and after awhile quinine. From the fact that malaria and cerebral fever appear first, i.e., a general prostration, with head or brain fever, accompanied with stupor, or great tendency to sleep, somnolency, from the Latin somnus, to sleep. The doctor regards typhoid fever as a nervous disease, and the coffee acting on the nerves is peculiarly indicated in the early stages before local complications arise.