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The following instructions were published in the Hospital Gazette by the National Board of Health, which was composed of some of the most prominent men in the medical profession:

"Disinfection is the destruction of the poisons of infectious and contagious diseases.

"Deodorizers, or substances which destroy smells, are not necessarily disinfectants, and disinfectants do not necessarily have an odor.

"Disinfection cannot compensate for want of cleanliness nor of ventilation.

1. Disinfectants to be Employed.—I. "Roll sulphur (brimstone) for fumigation.

II. Copperas Solution.—"Sulphate of iron (copperas) dissolved in water in the proportion of 1½ lbs. to 1 gal.; for soil, sewers, etc.

[The author, during the present summer (in the month of August, 1882), dissolved 3 lbs. of common copperas in a common wooden pail, holding about 2½ or 3 gals., by pouring on hot water, and with an old dipper threw it all about on the privy used by about 15 persons, which so completely deodorized and disinfected it that it required no more until late in the season.]

III. Zinc Solution.—"Sulphate of zinc and common salt, dissolved together in water in the proportions of 4 ozs. sulphate and 2 ozs. of salt to 1 gal.; for clothing, bed linen, etc.

"Note.—Carbolic acid is not included in the above list for the following reasons: It is very difficult to determine the quality of the commercial article, and the purchaser can never be certain of securing it of proper strength; it is expensive, when of good quality, and experience has shown that it must be employed in comparatively large quantities to be of any use; besides it is liable, by its strong odor, to give a false sense of security.

2. How to Use Disinfectants.—I. "In the Sick Room.—The most valuable agents are fresh air and cleanliness. The clothing, towels, bed linen, etc., should, on removal from the patient, and before they are taken from the room, be placed in a pail or tub of the zinc solution, boiling hot, if possible. All discharges should either be received in vessels containing the copperas solution, or, when this is impracticable, should be immediately covered with the solution. All vessels used about the patient should be cleansed or rinsed with the same. Unnecessary furniture—especially that which is stuffed,—carpets and hangings, should, when possible, be removed from the room at the outset; otherwise they should remain for subsequent fumigation, as next explained.

II. "Fumigation.—Fumigation with sulphur is the only practical method for disinfecting the house. For this reason the rooms to be disinfected must be vacated. Heavy clothing, blankets, bedding, and other articles which cannot be treated with the zinc solution, should be opened and exposed during fumigation, as next directed. Close the rooms tightly as possible, place the sulphur in iron pans supported upon bricks placed in wash-tubs containing a little water, set it on fire by hot coals, or with the aid of a spoonful of alcohol, and allow the room to remain closed 24 hours. For a room about 10 feet square at least 2 lbs. of sulphur should be used; for larger rooms, proportionally increased quantities.

III. "Premises.—Cellars, yards, stables, gutters, privies, cess-pools, water-closets, drains, sewers, etc., should be frequently and liberally treated with the copperas solution, No. 2. The copperas solution is easily prepared by hanging a basket containing about 60 lbs. of copperas in a barrel of water. [This would be 1½ lbs. to the gallon, or about that. It should all be dissolved.]

IV. "Body and Bed-Clothing, etc.—It is best to burn all articles which have been in contact with persons sick with contagious or infectious diseases. Articles too valuable to be destroyed should be treated as follows:

"(a.) Cotton, linen, flannels, blankets, etc., should be treated with the boiling hot zinc solution; introduce piece by piece; secure thorough wetting, and boil for at least half an hour.

"(b.) Heavy woollen clothing, silks, furs, stuffed bed-covers, beds, and other articles which cannot be treated with the zinc solution, should be hung in the room during the fumigation, their surfaces thoroughly exposed, and the pockets turned inside out. Afterwards they should be hung in the open air, beaten and shaken. Pillows, beds, stuffed mattrasses, upholstered furniture, etc., should be cut open, the contents spread out and thoroughly fumigated. Carpets are best fumigated on the floor, but should afterward be removed to the open air and thoroughly beaten.

V. "Corpses.—Corpses should be thoroughly washed with a zinc solution of double strength; should then be wrapped in a sheet wet with zinc solution, and buried at once. Metallic, metal-lined, or air-tight coffins should be used when possible, certainly when the body is to be transported for any considerable distance."

1. SMALL-POX—A Certain Cure.—Wm. Grandy, of Detroit, communicated the following item of Mr. Hines' to the Detroit Tribune, which he had seen in the Toronto Weekly Globe, with these remarks:

"Small-pox being so fatal and so much dreaded, an unfailing remedy like the following, so simple and so safe, once discovered, ought to be brought to the knowledge of the masses without hesitation or delay."

"I am willing," says Edward Hines, "to risk my reputation as a public man if the worst case of small-pox cannot be cured in three days simply by cream of tartar. This is the sure and never-failing remedy: Cream of tartar, 1 oz., dissolved in boiling water, 1 pt.; to be drank when cold, at short intervals. It can be taken at any time and is a preventive as well as a curative. It is known to have cured thousands of cases without fail. I have myself restored hundreds by this means. It never leaves a mark, never causes blindness, and always prevents tedious lingering."

Remarks.—Although this seems to be very strong language, yet I have never seen it disputed, nor have I seen by any reports of cases that it has been adopted in this country; but, as it is deemed very important to keep the bowels in a solvent condition in this disease, no better and no safer medicine can be adopted for this purpose. Let it be used, by all means.

2. Small-Pox, Prevented by Vaccination.—Dr. Woolsey reported the case in the Pacific Medical and Surgical Journal as follows: "Small-pox occurred in a Chinese boarding house, at a jute factory, containing seven hundred and ten persons, under the same roof. Seven were sick, one of whom died, when all were vaccinated, and no other case occurred, thus exemplifying the protective power of vaccination, or of some very remarkable coincident."

Remarks.—Webster says "coincident" is having coincidence (i.e., some circumstance), agreeing, corresponding, consistent. I have italicised the word consistent merely to show how inconsistent it would be to suppose that any other circumstance could have given such protective power, except the vaccination. Then I think I have said enough when I say there cannot be a reasonable doubt but that vaccination is not only a protection, but that it is also safe; and therefore it ought to be adopted and insisted upon by boards of health, and also by parents and guardians.

1. Neuralgia, Headache, etc., English Remedy for.—The intimate mixture of equal parts of chloral hydrate and camphor will produce a clear fluid, which is of the greatest value as a local application in neuralgia. Dr. Lenox Brown states, in one of the English medical journals, he has employed it in his practice, and induced others to do so, and that in every case it has afforded great and, in some instances, instantaneous relief. Its success does not appear to be at all dependent on the nerve affected, it being equally efficacious in neuralgia of the larynx, and in relieving spasmodic cough of a nervous or hysterical character. It is only necessary to paint the mixture lightly over the painful part, and to allow it to dry. It never blisters, though it may occasion a tingling sensation of the skin. For headache it is also found an excellent application. Directions—Rub the two together in a mortar, which liquifies them, then bottle and paint over the parts lightly, as above. For toothache, apply with lint, and rub upon the gums. I called upon one of the principal druggists of Ann Arbor, Mich., where I was then living, to see if they would mix, and also to see if they would make a clear fluid, as mentioned in the recipe; but I found he had mixed them several times for the last two years, and the result had been satisfactory. He had used the mixture personally, by wetting cotton in it and putting it into a decayed tooth, but the tooth was so extensively ulcerated at the roots, although it kept down the pain, yet it had to be extracted some two months after. But for common neuralgic pains the relief was generally instantaneous.

2. Neuralgia Pill, Tonic Alterative and Stimulant for.—Quinine, 1 dr.; morphine, 1½ grs.; strychnine, 1 gr.; arsenious acid, 1½ grs.; solid ex. of aconite, 10 grs.; mix very thoroughly and divide into 30 pills. Dose.—Take 1 pill only, 2 hours after each meal; never more than three daily, and never more than 1 at a time.

Remarks.—This will be found a very valuable pill for neuralgia and all cases requiring tonic, alterative, anodyne or stimulative treatment, and especially so far as females of a weak and feeble habit, or condition generally. Valuable in ague, or chills and fever particularly. Some will say they contain some poisonous articles; so they do, and so do most medicines; but if they are made carefully and taken only as directed they will hurt none, but benefit many. (See also remarks after next recipe; see also tonic elixir, etc.)

3. Neuralgia—Warning of a Poor State of Health.—I cannot do better, in closing the subject of Neuralgia, than by giving the following sensible statement from the London (Eng.) Lancet, to show the importance of toning up the system of those afflicted with this terrible disease. (The Neuralgic Pills mentioned will do it nicely.)

"The great prevalence of neuralgia—or what commonly goes by that name—should be regarded as a warning indicative of a low condition of health, which must necessarily render those who are affected with this painful malady especially susceptible to the invasion of other diseases of an aggressive kind. This is the season (autumn) at which it is particularly desirable to be strong and well furnished with the sort of strength that affords a natural protection against disease. There will presently be need of all the internal heat which the organism can command, and a good store of fat for use as fuel is not to be despised. It is no less essential that the vital forces should be vigorous, and the nerve power, especially, in full development. Neuralgia indicates a low or depressed state of vitality, and nothing so rapidly exhausts the system as pain that prevents sleep, and agonizes both body and mind. It is, therefore, of the first moment that attacks of this affection, incidental to and indicative of a poor and weak state, should be promptly placed under treatment, and, as rapidly as may be, controlled. It is worth while to note this fact, because, while the spirit of manliness incites the 'strong-minded' to patient endurance of suffering, it is not wise to suffer the distress caused by this malady, as many are now suffering it, without seeking relief, forgetful of the condition it bespeaks, and the constitutional danger of which it is a warning sign."

Remarks.—If the system is to be toned up, the first question is, how? Start out with a brisk cathartic; then follow with an alterative, as for rheumatism (which see), and also a good tonic bitters, or the Neuralgic Pills, as you choose; the pills are both tonic and alterative, and may cover both points with entire satisfaction, and especially so with females in a debilitated condition.

1. EARACHE—Cure for.—Take a large onion and cut it into slices: put a slice of onion, then a slice (the author would say a piece of leaf the size of the onion) of strong tobacco, then a slice of onion again, then tobacco, till the onion is all laid up, then wrap in a wet cloth and cover in hot embers till the onion is cooked; press out the juice with heavy pressure, and drop into the ear. It gives instant relief. Solution of morphine will have a good effect also.

Remarks.—I should drop in only 3 or 4 drops of the onion and tobacco juice at first, lest the influence of the tobacco might be too great, and repeat, if it was necessary. What is called a solution of sulphate of morphia, or liquor morphia sulphatis, kept by druggists, is of the strength of 1 grain of sulphate of morphia to 1 ounce of water only. Each teaspoonful of it would contain {1/8} grain and would be a full dose by mouth, which could be repeated, on an adult, in from 30 minutes to 2 hours, according to the severity of the pain for which it was given. To drop into the ear it might be, probably, twice as strong, without danger of injury. A few drops, say 4 or 5, of laudanum ought to have the same effect. The laudanum may be put with an equal amount of sweet oil, and the amount doubled, which would have a good effect in softening the wax of the ear. The onion cure is from Mr. Ford, of Iowa, who was referred to in the neuralgia (German cure, which see).

2. Ear, Ulcerations in—Very Certain Remedy.—Pulverized sanguinaria canadensis (blood root), 1 dr., in soft water, 1 pt.; steep and strain. Directions—Pour into the ear, or, what is better, syringe out the ear 2 or 3 times daily with it—a little warm.

1. TOOTHACHE—Common Cures for.—The following are common things recommended for the cure of toothache, outside of the profession, and are good remedies:

I. Alum, in very fine powder, ¼ oz.; spirits of nitrous ether, 7 drs.; mix, and apply with lint if the nerve is exposed, and also around the tooth. This is claimed to never fail, unless it is of a rheumatic character.

II. Equal parts of powdered alum and salt, mixed; then wet a bit of cotton, to make the powder adhere, and apply to the hollow of the tooth.

III. Saltpetre, pulverized and applied by cotton, cures nervous toothache at once.

2. Toothache Drops, Dr. Chase's.—Best alcohol, 2 ozs.; chloroform, 1 oz.; sulphuric ether, 1½ ozs.; laudanum, oil of cloves, and oil of sassafras, of each, ½ oz.; oil of lavender, 1 dr.; gum camphor, 1 oz.; mix all, and keep well corked.

Remarks.—I have used this very successfully for a long time—have manufactured and sold it, and have put others into the same business. I put it up in 2 dr. bottles, retailing it at 25 cents, and have yet to find anything better. Apply to the exposed nerve by means of cotton, and put freely around the gums.

Polypus of the Nose has been cured by mixing the powdered blood root, 4 grs., with vaseline, 1 oz., and putting this upon cotton and pressing it up against the tumor. One month's application removed it. This was done by Dr. W. W. Carpenter, of Petaluma, Cal., and reported in the Medical Brief.

Burns and Scalds, Instantaneous Relief for.—The bi-carbonate of soda (the common cooking soda, found in almost every kitchen) has been found an exceedingly valuable remedy in the treatment of burns and scalds, giving almost, if not absolutely, instantaneous relief from pain, as well as a cure for the wound, by continuing its use. Mode of Application—The injured part is to be moistened, then the dry soda, finely powdered, is to be sprinkled carefully upon it, to entirely cover the injury, and the whole wrapped with a wet cloth—linen is best. The relief is often instantaneous.

Remarks.—Harper's Weekly informs us that a Dr. Waters, of Salem, Mass., in speaking of the new remedy for burns and scalds, before the Massachusetts Dental Society, deliberately dipped a sponge into boiling water and squeezed it over his wrist, producing a severe scald around his arm some two inches wide, and continued the application, despite the suffering, for half a minute. Then he at once sprinkled on the bi-carbonate of soda, and applied the wet cloth, which almost instantly deadened the pain; and on the next day after this single application of the soda, the less injured parts were practically well, only a slight discoloration being perceptible, the severe portions being healed in a few days, by simply continuing the wet cloth bandage.

Ill Health—How Many People Bring it Upon Themselves.

I. By eating too fast and too much.

II. By not chewing the food enough to make it fine, slushing it down with too much fluid all through the meal.

III. By drinking spirits, or intoxicating drinks, too freely and too frequently.

IV. By keeping late hours at night, and sleeping it off in the forenoon.

V. By wearing too tight clothing, which prevents a free circulation of the blood.

VI. By wearing too thin shoes, and not protecting the feet from dampness and cold.

VII. By neglecting to take sufficient exercise to keep the feet and hands warm.

VIII. By neglecting to wash and rub the body with a coarse towel sufficiently to keep the pores of the skin open, for the escape of the effete, or worn-out, matter of the system.

IX. By changing the warm clothing of the day for light and inefficient, to attend evening parties.

X. By starving the stomach, as some do, to have enough to gratify the frivolous passion for dress.

XI. By being constantly in a fret and worry, lest this or that shall not go as desired, or, in other words, borrowing trouble.

XII. By eating and drinking at any or all hours of the day or night, instead of eating at regular hours and in only moderate quantities—nine-tenths of the people eat twice as much as is necessary to sustain life and health.

1. Lock-jaw or Tetanus Remedy and Preventive.—A medical authority says: "Let anyone who has an attack of lock-jaw take a small quantity of spirits of turpentine; warm it and pour it into the wound—no matter what the wound is, or what its nature is—and relief will follow in less than one minute. Nothing better can be applied to a severe cut or bruise than cold turpentine; it will give certain relief almost instantly."

2. Lock-jaw, or Tetanus, Quickly Relieved.—A Dr. Bigelow reports, in the Practitioner, a case of lock-jaw, or tetanus, caused by a rusty nail penetrating the foot, which was relieved in less than 20 minutes by introducing 1 dr. of the hydrate of chloral into the wound after it had been enlarged by incision.

Flesh Wounds and Fresh Cuts—To prevent Bleeding, Relieve Pain, Etc.—Everybody is liable to be cut or to receive other flesh wounds, away from surgical or veterinary aid; hence they ought to know how to proceed to save their own, or the life of a friend or beast, by exercise of common judgment.

I. If there is a flow of blood, close the wound with the hand and hold it firmly together so as to check the flow, and keep it thus until a bandage can be obtained or stitches can be taken, if necessary, and the final bandaging is applied. Bathing well with cold water, and keeping bandages wet with it, is the latest method of treatment. I have known, however, one-half whiskey to be used for this purpose, and believe it to be the best.

II. If the wound is painful, take a pan of burning coals and sprinkle upon them common brown sugar, and hold the wounded part in the smoke. In a minute or two the pain will be allayed, and the recovery proceed rapidly.

Remarks.—If the burning of wool will relieve pain and prevent lock-jaw from punctured wounds, why should not sugar do the same? Although I cannot understand the why nor the wherefore, yet I still believe that both the smoke of wool and sugar have cured many cases, otherwise these items would never have been reported.

1. NOSE BLEED AND HICCOUGHS—Novel, but Certain Remedy.—The Scientific American reports the following novel plan for checking bleeding at the nose: "The best remedy for bleeding at the nose, as given by Dr. Gleason, in one of his lectures, is in the vigorous motion of the jaws, as if in the act of mastication (chewing). In the case of a child, a wad of paper should be placed in its mouth, and the child should be instructed to chew it hard. It is the motion of the jaws that stops the flow of blood. This remedy is so very simple that many will feel inclined to laugh at it, but it has never been known to fail in a single instance, even in very severe cases."

Remarks.—About the time of writing upon the subject, I received a letter from a Mrs. Harlan, of Hutton, Coles Co., Ill., wherein she confirmed the above as to bleeding from the nose; and by the additional point of pressing the fingers into the ears, with the motion as if chewing, it also cures hiccough. And now I have an endorsement of my own as to its value in hiccough, for I, at that time, had a little granddaughter living in the family who had been often troubled with hiccoughs, and only a day or two after the receipt of Mrs. Harlan's letter the child had an attack of them, and in two minutes, at most, from the time I directed her and showed her how to do it, according to Mrs. Harlan's plan of putting the fingers into the ears, and then "chew," the child was cured. She has had no further attack as yet a little over three years, while before they had held her an hour or two, sometimes longer, and it occurred quite frequently. It seems to have been an absolute cure.

2. Hiccough, French Remedy for Children—Instantaneous Relief.—According to the Lyons (France) Gazette Médicale, Dr. Grellety says:

"I have observed that hiccoughs in children are immediately stopped by giving them a lump of sugar saturated with table vinegar. The same remedy was tried on adults with similar instantaneous success."

The sugar plan is confirmed by the following from Henry Tucker, M.D., in the South Medical Record, under the heading of "A specific for Singulturs" (the physicians', or the Latin, name for hiccough):

"This very common affection, of infants and children especially, has a specific remedy, at least one which I have never known to fail. Moisten granulated sugar with cider vinegar; give to an infant from a few grains to a teaspoonful. The effect is almost instantaneous, and the dose seldom needs to be repeated. I have used it for all ages, from infants of a few months old to people on the down-hill side of life."

1. Ague, or Chills and Fever—Certain Cure for.—Quinine, 31 grs.; aromatic sulphuric acid and laudanum, each, 31 drops; water, 3 ozs. Dose—A teaspoonful 3 times a day, before meals.

Remarks.—This was given me by Mrs. Catharine Baldwin, of Toledo, O., formerly of Put-in-Bay, where she obtained it, and knew of its curing several of the most obstinate or long-standing chronic cases, which "nothing," as the saying goes, "would cure." I have used it with success, making only this difference with the receipt: Using 40 grs. of the quinine and 40 drops of the oil of vitriol and laudanum, in 4 ozs. of water (to make the quantity a little more); then, for an adult, directing a tablespoonful three hours, two hours and one hour before the chill should commence—which will break it. After that, 1 teaspoonful 3 times daily, just after meals, till all is taken, will cure most cases.

2. Ague Pills, Very Cheap and Very Effective, Without Quinine.—Chinoidine, 1 oz.; dovers powders, 3 drs.; piperine, 40 grs.; sub-carbonate of iron, 2½ drs.; stiff mucilage of gum arabic sufficient to work into pills, and mix very intimately and make into usual sized pills. [The author would say to make into 440 pills, to be sure to have 1 gr. of chinoidine in each pill.] Dose.—Take 2 pills every 2 hours until 6 or 8 are taken, in the absence of fever. After the first day 2 pills 3 times a day, just before meals, in the absence of chills or fever.

Remarks.—This recipe is decidedly a good one, either as an ague cure or as a general tonic. Chinoidine pills, however, in warm weather get soft and should, therefore, have plenty of powdered liquorice root among them to prevent their sticking together.

3. Ague Pills for Obstinate Cases.—Alcoholic ex. of nux vomica, 10 grs.; quinine, 30 grs.; pulverized capsicum, 20 grs. Directions—Mix very thoroughly and divide into 30 pills. First give an active cathartic to get a good action upon the bowels; then give two of the pills an hour before eating, 3 times daily, until cured, then one pill for a dose the same way until all are taken.

Remarks.—This was from an old physician in Tennessee to a Baptist minister who had had ague a long time, not being able to get it cured. This did the work. He gave it to my cousin, Dr. A. B. Moon, of Toledo, O., who says he failed only in a single case for the many years he had used it.

1. CINDERS OR DUST IN THE EYES—To Remove.—A correspondent writes to the Scientific American this remedy for cinders in the eye: "A small camel's hair brush dipped in water and passed over the ball of the eye on raising the lid. The operation requires no skill, takes but a moment, and instantly removes any cinder or particle of dust or dirt without inflaming the eye."

2. Another writer says: "Persons travelling much by railway are subject to continual annoyance from the flying cinders. On getting into the eyes they are not only painful for the moment, but are often the cause of long suffering that ends in a total loss of sight. A very simple and effective cure is within the reach of everyone, and would prevent much suffering and expense were it more generally known. It is simply one or two grains of flax seed. It is said they may be placed in the eye without injury or pain to that delicate organ, and shortly they begin to swell and dissolve a glutinous substance that covers the ball of the eye, developing any foreign substance that may be in it. The irritation or cutting of the membrane is thus prevented, and the annoyance may soon be washed out. A dozen of these grains stowed away in the vest pocket may prove, in an emergency, worth their number in gold dollars."

1. Quick Emetics for Accidental Poisoning.—Another writer gives the following instructions for the management in accidents, poisoning, etc. He says: "Quickly mix a couple of ounces of powdered chalk or magnesia with a pint of milk and swallow the whole at one draught. Then run the finger down the throat and move it gently from side to side. This will induce vomiting; after which drink freely of warm milk and water and repeat the vomiting. Milk is an antidote for almost all poisons, narcotics excepted, especially if used promptly, and followed by vomiting. In narcotic poisoning, as by laudanum, opium or morphine, promptly give an emetic of mustard and water, followed by copious draughts of warm water and salt, until vomiting is induced. Keep the patient moving, and do not allow him to sleep. Send in haste for your family physician."

2. Poisoning by Poison Ivy—Remedy.—Bromine, 15 grs., rubbed in 1 oz. of olive oil, or glycerine, and apply 3 or 4 times daily; one application at bed-time has been found effectual; a poultice of clay-mud has also cured many cases.

3. Poisoning by Henbane, Tobacco, or Stramonium, and Bites of Snakes—Remedy.—The oil of sassafras has been found a remedy against the poison of these articles. Given in 15 drop doses, 30 minutes apart, for six doses, restored consciousness when the flowers of stramonium had been eaten by a boy 4 years old; after which a dose of castor oil was given to work it off by the bowels.

Remarks.—This is from a Dr. A. W. Lyle, of Castleton, Ind., in Medical Brief, in which he also gives Dr. Thompson's account of the value of oil of sassafras for henbane and tobacco poisoning, and also says: "It will destroy all insect life, and is an effectual antidote for the bite of venomous copperhead snakes." He recommends all physicians to try it, and, the author thinks, it is equally good for the people. He does not give the dose in these last cases: but if a boy of four years can take 15 drops, an adult may take at least 40. And in the snake-bites, I would rub it on the wounds also, and repeat as he directs.