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signs of disease, the application of heat over the dorsal region twice a day for thirty minutes combined with the inhalation of oxygen will immediately begin to ameliorate the symptoms, and at the same time stimulate general nutrition Heat over the dorsal sympathetic ganglia contracts the arterioles in the minute bronchi and the pulmonary area, thus assisting to distribute the circulation generally, and at the same time subduing the inflammation; while the introduction of oxygen will not only refresh and soothe the inflamed and congested parts, but will carry to all the tissues in the body the agent most required by these patients to stimulate nutrition, to restore appetite, and aid in the assimilation of food by the tissues.

Before consolidation can be detected a detected a full-length ice-bag may be wrapped in flannel and applied over the spinal vertebræ, from the fourth cerical to a line opposite the crests of the ilia, for thirty minutes morning and evening, and the results watched - Such an application will dilate the arteries thruout the body thus equaling the circulation; but it may not be successful, as it may dilate the arteries in the lungs more widely than they already are, and thus hasten serious issue. The hotwater bag is to be preferred.

Except in this stage the full-length ice bag should not be used at all in pulmonary tuberculosis, but a short bag six inches in length, used solely over the last two dorsal and the first three lumbar vertebræ, wille found to be soothing and very beneficial at any period, because it will diate the arteries in the lower body and extremities, thus relieving the constant tendency to infimmations in the pleuræ the langs, and the bronchioles, and making more active and efficient general clation. It will also check and keep in control that exhausting diarrhea so frequent in phthisical subjects. - Medicine.

As per notice in our last issue. Dr. Waugh's book 46 The Treatment of the Sick," (publisher's price $5 00) is supplied by us, our price being $500 for both book and THE MEDICAL World for 1898 Back numbers of WORLD to January, 1898, can be supplied The book seems to please everybody; the same is true of THE WORLD. ere we offer both for the price of one.

THE injection of a glass syringeful of lemon juice into the nose, after it has been cleansed of clots, will stop bleeding after everything else has failed.—Med. Summary.

Our Monthly Talk.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Your comments upon my letter published in January number, with questions, certainly are worthy of and early years of practice were partially due to demand a reply. Yes, low percentages in the fact that the young doctor gets the "dead beat practice," but I purposely omitted percentage for my first year of practice in order to partially to eliminate that cause. tients, and just how and when to try to collect cause I think was that I didn't know my pafrom them One man will be offended if you send him a statement, but will respond cheerfully if asked to pay to morrow or in a week or ten days; while another will expect and require a statement. We have to study our patron's peculiarities, just as we do his idiosyncrasies, then we know how to manage him.

The year 1884 was presidential year, and collections and business are both stagnated those years. (I believe it would be better if they didn't come so often) The next presidential year, 1888, percentage was again low. Again, in 1885 and 1886 we were trying the

experiment of turning the government over to the Democrats after the long Republican rule, and everything was unsettled and business uncertain. The above reasons I believe account for low percentages in early years.

Most assuredly I think Postal Savings Banks would be a good thing for the masses, doctor, for if they are not frugal, industrious and whatever benefits the people benefits the and prosperous the doctor must-suffer.

I think the principal reason why Postal Savings Banks would benefit the people is be

cause it would establish and foster habits of thrift, which is something the masses of the pockets of many of them, who if given an oppeople lack; a dollar is like a coal of fire in the portunity to become depositors, and thus get it out of their sight, would save instead of spending it; and "a dollar saved is a dollar earned "

I am not sure that messages could be sent for ten cents under government ownership of telegraph lines, neither is ex Postmaster General Wanamaker If there is 150 per cent. or more profit on every message sent, it seems to me that we have enough smart business men with idle capital who would have seen the immense profits and started up many rival lines long ago.

If you want to diminish the contributions to the Gould estate, why not let the telegraph alone and use the telephone, which is much

more satisfactory, especially as we can now talk 1500 miles as was done only a few days ago. If you want to be taxed in order to let the government experiment and see how cheaply messages can be sent, just drop the telegraph agitation and urge government ownership of telephones and freeze out the Gould party.

The promoters of the telegraph and telephone lines risked their money, made them so efficient as to create a public demand for them, and now that it has proved a good investment, it doesn't seem to me exactly fair for the government to step in and say, "Look here, you have a good thing and I want it." If they had been failures would the government have paid the losses? Then why should the government reap the benefit from their risks? I don't know how the package post works in England and Germany, but if it works no better than letters and packages do thru our mails, I should prefer to leave matters as they are and pay present charges to an express company that is responsible for losses and damages, for the government isn't, even when registered. Perhaps I am a little sore about that matter, for I have a package of instruments that has been eight years on the road between here and California and the government hasn't found it nor paid for it. Would have been much cheaper had I entrusted them to the express company, paid their high charges you speak of, and got my pay from them for the lost instruments.

I can read between the lines, and if I am "one of the best satisfied men you know of" I am neither so ignorant nor so prejudiced as to think our government perfect, for perfection I don't believe exists in this world; but I do object to turning the government over to Coxeyites, free silverites and agitators whose elevation to office depends not upon their wisdom or ability to wisely improve our laws, but upon making the people dissatisfied with everything that exists.

Atkinson, Ill.

W. W. ADAMS.

Doctor, I was sorry not to get your letter in last month, and I cheerfully give it first place this month. I am glad that you are so earnest and able an advocate for Postal Savings Banks I will not attempt to add to your arguments, but will give the following clipping from the "Banker's Magazine.":

The sooner all functions of government that come into competition with private enterprise be abandoned, the better. If there was one purpose that could be better effected by postal savings banks than by the savings banks that now receive deposits, there might be some reason why the gov ernment should expend money to effectuate this purpose. But it is plain that postal savings banks would be no safer and might be much more inconvenient for their customers. It is a question of whether the money order system carried en by the post office is as convenient and cheap a method of making remittances as the facilities furnished by banks and express companies. If it was it would have absorbed the whole business of small remittances. Whether this be so or not, there is no doubt that it is unwise to extend tee duties of the government in this direction, because these duties can be more cheaply and acceptably performed by private enterprise.

Anyone can easily see that the above is full

of fallacies and untruths. Doubtless the thousands that have lost their savings by intrusting them to our ordinary savings banks feel the same as you do about your instruments. No one loses by P. O. Money Orders, and we all know that this system is growing rapidly. I am informed that an association of New York national banks has sent out circulars to all the banks thruout the country urging them to oppose Postal Savings Banks. This, and the above clipping from the "Banker's Magazine," and the fact that the banking interests have heretofore succeeded in defeating all attempted legislation for the establishment of Postal Savings Banks, indicate to what extent we are under bank rule. Even when public sentiment for Postal Savings Banks becomes irresistible, and the private banking interests see that they must come, look out for some sly work that will either cripple the system, or turn its benefits to the banks instead of to the people. Indeed if it were generally known to what extent secret, and frequently unscrupulous, scheming is done for private and selfish interests, and against the general interest, it would be enough to make the people "dissatisfied "—indeed it would go further than dissatisfaction, as it ought; it would lead to general indignation-a righteous indignation; and a demand that our laws be made in the interests of the people. We must beware of bank rule as well as corporation rule and politician rule-in fact they all go together.

Mr.

Doctor, judging from what you say about the telegraph, you are not familiar with the corporation way of doing business. Robert Garrett, if he had lived and had his reason been restored, could have told a graphic story showing why "business men with idle capital" do not "start up rival lines." Garrett's reason and life paid the penalty for such an attempt. He had much capital and influence, had the Baltimore and Ohio R. R. with all its powerful connections at his back, but Jay Gould, with his peculiar methods, was too much for him; the B. & O. Telegraph Co. became the "under dog" in a fight which meant death to one or the other, and finally it was "absorbed " (this word "absorbed " has some peculiar meanings in competitive business) into the Western Union. Doctor, allow me to earnestly request you and all who read your above letter, to read Henry D. Lloyd's great book, "Wealth vs. Commonwealth. It is published by the Harpers, New York, and they now publish an edition for $1 *—the large and expensive edition was $2.50. It does not deal directly with the telegraph, but it deals most graphically with corporation methods. It is one of the greatest

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* You could not do better than to get this book, read it and circulate it among your friends, particu arly among the intellectual classes, as ministers, lawyers, teachers, leading business men, etc. Your book dealer can get it; if not, send price to publishers; or to us if you prefer, and we will send it by mail or express It is a well printed book of 563 pages, bound in boards, and great value for $1.

books of the century. It is not a "crank " book; its author is a most accomplished scholar, and its publishers are among the highest and most respectable in this country. I once spent a week or so in Mr. Lloyd's charming society. One day, when I had his innermost confidence, I asked him: "Did you not tear your hair with rage and indignation while writing that book?" He answered: “I should think I did. I suffered many deaths. There are blood and tears on every page. And Mr. Lloyd is one of the gentlest and most lovable characters I ever knew. I never saw him excited. While sitting in a circle, an. swering questions and giving his views at the earnest solicitation of friends, even in the midst of the highest flights of eloquence his

voice never rises above the conversational.

The telephone cannot entirely take the place of the telegraph. Its special field is local. Long distance telephone is very expensive, and requires that the two parties attend the 'phone in person at the same time. A written message can be delivered when or where the party is found.

The telegraph is an American invention. It is conducted practically at cost as a part of the postal system in every civilized country on the globe with the following exceptions: Cyprus, Hawaii, Bolivia, Honduras, Cuba and The United States. Please note the exceptions! How do you like the company we are in? We gave this great invention to the world, yet we still pay absurd profits to individuals for the service, while practically all the rest of the world has "moved to higher ground."

You say: "The promoters of the telegraph risked their money, etc." No. If you look up on the early history of the telegraph you will find that Congress made an appropriation for the first line. After it became a practical success, private capital took hold of it.

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not revolutionary. Perhaps you can also. Discuss the matter with your fellow citizens and in your local papers.

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Ignorance Enslaves the People.

"Near the window by which I write a great bull is tethered by a ring in his nose. Grazing round and round, he has wound his rope around the stake until now he stands a close prisoner, tantalized by rich grass he cannot reach, unable even to toss his head to rid himself of the flies that cluster on his shoulders. Now and again he struggles vainly, and then, after pitiful bellowings, relapses into silent misery. This bull, a very type of massive strength, who, because he has not wit enough to see how he might be free, suffers want in sight of plenty, and is helplessly preyed upon by weaker creatures, seems to me no unfit emblem of the working masses. In all lands men whose toil creates abounding wealth are p nched with poverty, and, while advancing civilization opens wider vistas and awakens new desires, are held down to brutish levels by animal needs. Bitterly conscious of injustice, feeling in their inmost souls that they were made for more than so narrow a life, they, too, spasmodically struggle and cry out. But until they trace effect to cause, until they see how they are fettered and may be freed, their struggles and outcries are as vain as those of the bull. Nay, they are vainer. I shall go out and drive the bull in the way that will untwist the rope. But who shall drive men into freedom? Till

they use the reason with which they have been gifted nothing can avail. For them there is no special providence. Under all forms of government the ultimated power lies with the masses. It is not kings or aristocracies, nor landowners, nor capitalists, that anywhere really enslave the people. It is their own ignorance."-Henry George.

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All the good is not in one party, nor is all the bad in the other. Of the "good" that is in the Republican party, Governor Pingree, of Michigan, stands out conspicuously. Last November he addressed the Nineteenth Century Club, of New York. This address attracted a great deal of attention from prominent men in all parties for its bold patriotism. I will venture that the address with press comments, in pamphlet form will be sent free to any doctor requesting the same and mentioning this notice (don't forget to enclose Address Governor H. S. Pingree. stamp). Lansing, Mich. I will suggest that Democratic doctors, particularly, do this-it is well to see the good on the other side.

A CONNECTICUT doctor writes :-"Should have sent renewal before, but times here are the hardest they have been for years; a dollar is harder to get than $10 was a year ago. The (Continued over next leaf.)

The knowledge that a man can use is the only real knowledge; the only knowledge that has life and growth in it and converts itself into practical power. The rest hangs

like dust about the brain, or dries like raindrops off the stones.-FROUDE.

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ONE of our contributors this month says that he "always finds something good in THE WORLD, even if it is scolding." Well, I sometimes feel like scolding when I receive careless and illogical reports of cases, evidence of the absence of careful, studious reading that should be the habit of every physician, particularly concerning his perplexing cases, and also evidence of "slip-shod" business methods. While I have sometimes felt like "scolding," I was not conscious of ever having done so. I try, instead, to be a patient, conscientious teacher. I wish to see and

to know the profession just as it is-faults and all. I wish the profession to see itself in the same way. A faithful mirror will reflect truly, defects as well as perfections. It is more profitable to have defects pointed out than to have them covered by flattery. I am no flatterer. While there is so much useful service to perform, one is not justifyable to waste life in flattery. True, it may be more popular, but there are some things better than popularity. I would rather have fewer readers and have them earnest students, eager to help themselves and each other. I do not want the idlers, unless I can inspire them to cease idling and become students, I had an interesting talk recently with a gentleman who has called on physicians extensively thruout the country. He vividly described the dusty and "topsy-turvy" condition of the average physician's office in a small town. The Ladies' Home Journal is publishing a series of illustrations showing interiors of mansions of the wealthy. If say one hundred offices of physicians in small towns were chosen at random, and their interiors illustrated, what would we see? Some of them would be neat, clean and orderly. They all might be so, and should be. Inclination to study is favored by an attractive place to study. The gentlemen referred to said that he found physicians far more frequently at the drug store engaged in idle talk, than in their office reading. Some people cannot well look at themselves (and pass proper judgment. If you cannot do that, suppose you look at your neighbor, Doctor Blank. Look at

the condition of his office, and notice his daily habits. Do as you think he ought to do, and you will have a pretty good model.

It requires courage and a disregard of consequences to talk plainly to those whose patronage is necessary to one's work. But my object is to do good rather than to make money. Those whom "the shoe does not fit will not put it on." Therefore those with orderly offices and studious habits will not apply these remarks to themselves. But there are thousands of disorderly physicians' offices in this country, and as many doctors who gossip more than they study. They are the ones I am after. If I can inspire needed changes in these, I will do a needed work for the profession, and raise it in the public esteem. This is worth working for, even at the expense of popularity.

Discuss Diseases of the Current Season.

After the full and free discussion of typhoid fever given in these pages last autumn, and after the discussion had been declared closed, and after other subjects had been taken up as the season changed, still typhoid fever articles kept coming in, extending far into the winter. True, typhoid fever frequently occurs in winter, particularly in cities (Philadelphia has had nearly an epidemic this winter, owing to bad water supply), still as it is most prevalent in late summer and during the autumn, taking the country as a whole, then is the most appropriate time to discuss it. The occasion for these remarks at this time is to ask you not to "straggle in " with articles on pneumonia and other winter affections after this issue. It might be well to write out your thoughts now while your experience during the past winter is fresh, but hold the manuscript until about next October, then send it for our November or December issue.

Or you can send them now if you wish, and we will hold them, as we are holding a number of typhoid fever articles; but we won't publish pneumonia articles in July! What are your expectations for the spring and summer campaign? What did you learn last summer that you intend to put into practice this summer? These are the questions now.

Of course, many troubles have no particular season. Their discussion is appropriate at any season. We wish this magazine to be like a meeting of your co-workers in all parts of the country, held every month in your own office. At such a meeting you would discuss your work then on hand, and your mutual interests, scientific, pecuniary, etc. There would be a free and helpful exchange of experiences and views. In this way we wish to make this magazine indispensable to every practicing physician.

Shall We Help to Free Ourselves and Future
Generations from Useless Burdens in
Our Orthography?

A number of years ago we set the example of discarding the use of diphthongs, except in nearly all medical magazines spell such words Latin prescriptions and Latin plurals. Now

as diarrhea, esophagus, etc., without the diphthong. We have a number of times expected to carry spelling reform further in these columns, but it has been crowded aside by other pressing matters until recently we decided to follow the example of the Outlook, Literary Digest, and several other progressive publications, in spelling tho, altho, etc., without the ugh, and to these we have added thoro and its derivatives. We also added thru instead of through, as per the recommendation of several learned societies. The rational spelling of program, catalog, etc., (instead of the old fashioned programme, catalogue, etc.,) is now so generally adopted that these instances need hardly now be considered in this connection.

We now wish to seriously take up the question of reformed spelling and carefully examine it with a view to adoption. Let us realize at

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