clusively among the "well-to-do" class of people in the city (Concord, N. H.), where a mother nursing her infant was almost an unheard-of thing. He had found the worst cases of cholera infantum where they were using sterilized milk. He did not believe that it amounted to anything. Dr. E. D. Fitch warned against the careless use of medical terms. Most of the cases of so-called cholera infantum are some form of enteritis, and not cholera infantum. The latter disease, he said, works very rapidly, and is comparatively rare. Dr. E. R. Miller spoke of his successful use of beef preparations in conjunction with milk, or malted milk, commencing with drop-doses and gradually giving more. Dr. S. M. Cate suggested the early use of aconite in bowel troubles. He cited the case of his own child, which had bloody dysentery twice during the same season — eating freely of lamb meat cured the child. Dr. J. M. Barton said that his principal remedy in the treatment of bowel troubles this year had been sod. phos. 6 x, especially where there is great acidity. At one o'clock the society changed its discussion from medical to culinary interests, which awaited them in the dining-room. After sufficient rest from the arduous labors at the dinnertable, Dr. J. P. Rand favored the society with another of his unique and able papers on his pet subject, the tubercle bacillus ; giving the subsequent history of fifty cases previously reported by him, together with fifty new cases since observed. Of The recital brought out some very interesting statistics. the first fifty cases thirty-seven were found to contain bacilli, of whom only seven are now living, two of whom have apparently recovered. Of the remaining cases, which did not show bacilli at the time of the first report, one died of gangrene of the lungs ;. one later showed bacilli, and died of tuberculosis, and eleven are yet living. Of his second fifty cases reported, thirty-five contained bacilli, of whom six have improved, three are unimproved, eight are failing, and eighteen have died. Of the remaining fifteen cases, which did not reveal them, seven have fully recovered, two partially so, one remains the same, one is failing, and four have died. The cause of death in one case was peritonitis; the other three had some form of pulmonary consumption. One of them showed bacilli in his post-mortem tissues, the other two may have done so had an opportunity been afforded to examine. One other case which did not show bacilli is apparently going down with consumption. Making his possible failures to detect the disease from a single examination of sputum, at worst, but four per cent. The doctor has a list of forty physicians for whom he has done work of this kind, representing nine different States, and is rightfully well satisfied with his results. Dr. D. B. Whittier gave a short talk on membranous dysmenorrhoea, and exhibited two specimens of membrane, one of which had been passed by a married lady who has borne children, and the other specimen was from an unmarried lady. He said that, although it is claimed by those who pretend to know that this affection is never found in virgins, he has at least six young ladies under treatment for this malady. His treatment is the thorough use of the curette. Respectfully submitted, CARL CRISAND, M.D., Secretary. REVIEWS AND NOTICES OF BOOKS. :0: THE SCIENCE AND ART OF OBSTETRICS. By Sheldon Leavitt, M.D. edition. Chicago: Gross & Delbridge. 769 pp. Second That this are those to This edition of Prof. Leavitt's book has been entirely rewritten, and its size has been augmented by more than a hundred pages. Its purpose and scope have not been altered in any way; its object being to present, in addition to a reliable and up-to-date treatise on the science and art of obstetrics, the treatment, according to homeopathic principles, of the many disease-conditions, complications, and accidents likely to affect the pregnant, parturient, and puerperal woman. double purpose has been accomplished, in a creditable and satisfactory manner, can easily be demonstrated by a careful examination of the book. Extravagant, intemperate claims for homeopathy are nowhere made; the importance of mechan ical, dietetic, sanitary, and such-like agencies being justly estimated. The several chapters on "the diseases of pregnancy' and "puerperal diseases which one naturally turns for signs of homoeopathy; and these signs are easily found disappointment awaits only those who expect too much. As a rule, only carefully-selected, well-tried remedies, such as the author has confidence in, are recommended, and only a few (perhaps too few) "indications" given for the choice of remedies, something being left to the intelligence of his readers; but in gastric and vesical ailments, for instance, four-page repertories of symptoms are given. The sections on "albuminuriå" and "eclampsia" are especially creditable and useful. Apropos of immediate repair of lacerations we read: The conviction has taken fast hold of me, that all of our obstetrical cases should be treated in accordance with approved surgical principles," and all discoverable rents should be immediately repaired. In connection with the advocacy of antiseptic precautions we read: "Make sure that in no possible manner septic matter reach the patient before, during, or after delivery "; and in the appendix on "antiseptic midwifery," written by Dr. L. L. Danforth, we read that the "doctrine has extended, and has wrought such remarkable results, that its discovery and promulgation may justly be ranked in beneficence to mankind next to Jenner's discovery." With the exception of using a wrong cut (p. 258) to illustrate "retroflexion of the gravid uterus," the impression made by the book is most favorable, and its excellencies are such that this new edition should be rapidly exhausted. THE SCIENCE AND ART OF MIDWIFERY. By William Thompson Lusk, A.M., M.D. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 761 pp. A book that has reached its fourth edition, that is recommended as the text-book upon its subject in the majority of American medical schools, is too well-known to need a very extended introduction. Its merits are familiar, its style pleasing, its definitions concise, its descriptions clear, its recommendations conservative, its general tone practical and sensible, and its scientific teachings reliable. Its charac teristics are those most appreciated by the average American who wants to get the gist of a subject without wading through pages of theorizing, or being bored by learned disquisitions on vague possibilities; concise summaries of theories and studies relating to the pathology and etiology of eclampsia, for instance, being more to his mind. The work covers the whole range of subjects usually considered in such treatises, from the anatomy and physiology of the female organs of generation and the development of the embryo and fœtus to the management and the diseases of the puerperal state. Rational use of aseptic and antiseptic methods is advocated; modern operative measures are described, and cautiously urged under appropriate circumstances; the many-sided condition, called "puerperal fever," is admirably discussed; and the work as a whole is so thoroughly in line with advanced thought as to be considered almost a necessity to the physician's library. Its popularity is destined to augmentation by its present edition. A NEW PRONOUNCING DICTIONARY OF MEDICINE. By John M. Keating, M.D., LL.D., and Henry Hamilton. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders. Price, $5.00 net, cloth; $6.00 net, sheep. 818 pp. Shall we say jinekoloje, peritoneetis, vageena, teesis (phthisis), ooterus, rekipe, etc.? Shall a dictionary be made according to the dictation of custom, or shall the dictionary make the custom? What rules shall be followed in this matter of pronunciation? Such questions had to be answered before the writers of the book under consideration could proceed with their work. By way of assistance, they consulted many eminent professors and scholars connected with some of the universities of this country, whose replies are incorporated in the "Introduction." As a result, the authors say: "We have, therefore, abundance of authority for the statement that when we introduce into our language scientific words of foreign origin we may adopt them as our own, and naturalize them under the customary rules of pronunciation; but that, with the closer union of the medical profession throughout the world and the preponderating influence of the Roman pronunciation, we believe that custom will soon make its adoption universal. In our own case we have, after careful thought, followed the custom of the majority of the English-speaking physicians, and, though sanctioning both methods as coming from high authority, adopted, in large part, the anglicized pronunciation without hard and fast rules." The work is intended to be "a voluminous and exhaustive hand-book of medical, surgical, and scientific terminology, containing concise explanations of the various terms used in medicine and the allied sciences, with phonetic pronunciation, accentuation, etymology, etc." In addition, it contains an excellent table of medical abbreviations, a useful table of suffixes and prefixes, and an appendix containing important and reliable tables of bacilli, micrococci, leucomaïnes, ptomaines, drugs and materials used in antiseptic surgery, poisons and their antidotes, weights and measures, etc. The names of Doctors J. Chalmers DaCosta and Frederick A. Packard are given as collaborators. The press-work, paper, etc., are of superior quality, and go far toward making the use of the book easy and satisfactory. PHYSICAL DIAGNOSIS: A GUIDE TO METHODS OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION By G. A. Gibson, M.D., D.Sc., F.R.C.P.Ed., and William Russell M.D., F.R. C.P.Ed. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 376 pp. This little book embraces a somewhat wider field than is usually covered by books of its size, dealing nominally with the same subject. According to the opinion of the authors, "physical examination embraces and is confined to facts which are apparant to the senses of sight, touch, and hearing, and to these may be added smell," and is an essential in making a diagnosis. Physical diagnosis is said to include not only investigations by means of the senses; but also inquiries into the physical causes or conditions which produce the various phenomena discovered. Upon this basis the book is made. It includes, besides the usual chapters on temperature, the circlulatory, respiratory, and alimentary systems, excellent chapters on the integumentary and urinary systems, the nervous system, and on the examination of the eye, ear, larynx and maso-pharynx; the chapter on the urinary system being not only one of the longest in the book but one of exceptional value. The work is written by experienced instructors in clinical medicine, who, through acquaintance with the needs of students, are enabled to emphasize points of greatest practical value. Its many commendable features will be appreciated by students and by those who care to be acquainted with the most approved methods of making a physical diagnosis. ESSENTIALS OF DIAGNOSIS. By Solomon Solis-Cohen, M.D., and Augustus A. Eshner, M.D. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders. 382 pp. . This is one of "Saunders' Question Compends," and, like others of the series, is arranged in the form of questions and answers tending to elucidate and emphasize the characteristic features in the etiology, semeiology, and differentiation of recognized diseases. For instance, to the questions, "What are the varieties of hydrocephalus?" "What are the causes of hydrocephalus" and "To what symptoms does hydrocephalus give rise?" short answers of a few lines are given which' will enable a student to form an outline picture of the disease. The immense field of all classified diseases is covered in this small volume, which naturally means a strict but, in this instance, a tolerably skilful condensation.. TRANSACTIONS OF THE HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK FOR THE YEAR 1891. Edited by the Secretary, John L. Moffat, M.D. This volume, of nearly 450 pages, contains a record of the business done, the addresses delivered, the reports made, and the papers read at the fortieth annual and semi-annual meetings of the Empire State's Homeopathic Medical Society. As frontispiece is a portrait of Dr. F. Park Lewis, president of the society for the year 1891-92. Sixty papers were contributed, on as many different subjects, a large proportion being devoted to clinical medicine and materia medica, and the great majority being original, interesting, and valuable. The quality as well as the quantity of literary work done by the society is superlatively praiseworthy. In power, general influence and ability, the New York society stands unexcelled among our State organizations, and volume XXVI of its Transactions is creditable alike to the society and the cause it represents. PROCEEDINGS OF THE TWENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. Edited by R. B. House, M.D., Secretary. 215 PP. Some forty papers, brief, independent, wide-awake and practical, represent the work done at the last meeting of the Homœopathic State Society of Ohio. Perhaps the most noteworthy report made by a single bureau is that of the bureau on sanitation, whose papers A Visit to Karlsbad," by Dr. H. E. Beebe; "Sanitation on the Farms," by Dr. M. B. Hinsdale; The Care and Disposal of the Dead," by Dr. T. T. Church; and "What is Sanitary Science Doing for the Individual of the Masses?" by Dr. D. E. Cranz, are all conspicuously original and interesting productions. The prompt appearance of the volume, and its most creditable make-up, testify eloquently to the efficiency of the society's secretary. OCCASIONAL PAPERS. By S. Morrisson, MD. London: E. Gould & Son. No. I.-" Croupous Pneumonia "; "Some Notes on Drosera." Price, sixpence. No. 2. "Malarial Influenza: Its History, symptoms, and Treatment." Price, one shilling. These entertaining little brochures on subjects of general interest are written in a somewhat popular style for the instruction of the laity, and more especially for the purpose of indicating to the laity the homeopathic treatment of the conditions under consideration. The articles on pneumonia and on drosera are reprinted from the Monthly Homœopathic Review; the one on influenza was delivered as a popular lecture. Such publications do good missionary work, and writers should be en-couraged to do more in this line. STRICTURE OF THE RECTUM. By Charles B. Kelsey, M.D. This is a brochure of 46 pages, presenting a study of the etiology, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment by dilatation, incision, electrolysis, excision, and colotomy, of stricture of the rectum, based on the author's experience in ninety-six cases. Colotomy and excision are the operative measures chiefly considered. Tables of operations conclude the study. PERSONAL AND NEWS ITEMS. -:0: DR. HERBERT C. CLAPP is occupying his vacation with a northwestern tour, which will extend to Alaska. DR. HORACE PACKARD will return to Boston, and be ready to resume professional work, on the first of October. DR. GEORGE WILLIAM WINTERBURN, editor of the Homeopathic Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Pedology, has removed to his new house, No. 230 West 132d street, New York. OF CLASS '92, B. U.S.M., the following have located: DR. FRANK E. ALLARD at 33 Hancock street, Boston. DR. G. W. W. BENT at Highlandville, Mass. DR. FANNIE E. CLARK at 125 West Newton street, Boston. DR. JAMES R. COCKE at 24 Worcester street, Boston. DR. LIZZIE D. MILLER at Providence, R. I. DR. ERNEST F. NORCROSS at 1774 Washington street, Boston. DR. MARIA W. NORRIS at 24 Prospect street, Grand Rapids, Mich. DR. BENJAMIN S. STEPHENSON at 1 Cambridge street, Ayer, Mass. DR. NELLIE F. STEPHENSON at 1 Cambridge street, Ayer, Mass. DRS. HERBERT D. BOYD, MARY F. CUSHMAN, and ÁRCHELAUS D. HINES are internes at the Mass. Hom. Hospital. DR. N. H. HILL is in Europe. DR. FOSTER LEROY MARSHALL is resident at the Roxbury Dispensary, Pynchon street; and DR. WILLIAM O. MANN at the Westborough Insane Hospital. THE meeting of the American Association of Orificial Surgeons takes place in THE sixth annual class for private instruction in Orificial Surgery will be held in the amphitheatre of the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College, corner Wood and York streets, during the week beginning Sept. 12th. For particulars address, E. H. PRATT, M.D., Room 56 Central Music Hall, Chicago DR. IDA J. BROOKS, '91, B.U.S.M., recently delivered an able address on "Women in Medicine" before the Ladies' Columbian Club of Little Rock, Ark., in the course of which she advocated the introduction of co-education into the medical school of the Arkansas State University, and also the appointment of a woman physician as resident in the State Insane Asylum. A DESIRABLE PRACTICE FOR SALE In a beautiful country town in Massachusetts. Good roads. No other homeopathic physician in the town. Average yearly collections, for the past twenty years, $3,000; in 1890, collections $3,600. Owner desires to sell his real estate only, and practice free to party who will purchase same. Terms easy. Address, XXX, Care OTIS CLAPP & SON, 10 Park Square, Boston. CITY REGISTRAR WHITMORE is sending a little circular "whip" to Boston physicians, calling their attention to their delinquency in reporting the births in this city, and calling attention to the public statutes in this regard, which require every physician in Boston, on or before the fifth day of each month, to report a list of all children born in this city in the month preceding at whose birth he was present, "stating the date and place of each birth, the name of the child (if it has any), the sex and color of the child, the name and place of birth of each parent, and the occupation of the father." For which a fee of twenty-five cents for each birth will be paid. The penalty for neglecting to report such list within ten days after it is due is a fine not exceeding twenty dollars for each offence. At present the reports are made up from an annual visitation of houses and other imperfect means. - Ex. |