Severe Surface Burns. Editor MEDICAL WORLD:- If there is ever a time when a busy practitioner is required to have all his wits it is when he is called to attend an accident of a serious character.

September 9 I was called to see two men. They were down in a well and by accident let a five-pound bucket of powder take fire. They had one blast prepared which also took fire and exploded. Their clothing was all blown and burned off them. One of them was burned all over. He died in twelve hours. The other was burned fully two-thirds of the surface. He is convalescing now. Both were considerably cut and bruised.

Just what to do for two patients in such agony and both calling for help at the same time was the question, promptly answered by the hypodermic administration of one-half grain morphin to each, followed with nitro-glycerin, 1-80 gr., and

the inhalation of chloroform to control the rigors which soon followed.

The burned surfaces were dresst with linseed oil and lime water, and the men rolled up in sheets. I continued this for four days with the one that lived. Then I used carbolized vaselin, five per cent., four days. Reduced it to three per cent. afterward.

The burns ranged from the first to fourth degree. The wounds of the one that is living suppurated considerably. I dresst him twice daily. I gave him five grains of quinin and one-fortieth grain strychnia every four to six hours for two weeks, and three times daily for one week. He is now able to walk about the room.

Perhaps some one could have done better with the case in hand. If so, let me hear from him. J. T. WATSON, M.D.

Parker, Tex.

Venesection.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Permit me to ask your readers: Do you bleed your patients? If not, why not?

There is no danger in taking one to two pints of blood from an ordinary man or woman, and in many cases it is one of the greatest means for producing relief you can find. Suppose you are called to a fullhabited, rich-blooded patient who had been following an active life, and who is a hearty eater. You find your patient with florid skin, hard pulse, throbbing headache. high fever, and a severe pain in

the side or bowels. He tells you he was taken with a severe chill. In these con

ditions, if you will take a pint of blood for every 100 pounds weight of your patient. you will ease him at once.

Again you are called to a fat person. who feels a general heaviness and sluggish. ness, and you find some swelling of hands and feet. The heart does not act freely and easily and the breathing is difficult. Your patient often sighs deeply and long. He is attackt with dizzy headache on stooping over. Nothing in this case will do your patient as much permanent good as free bleeding.

My mother is eighty-eight years old. stout and hearty. Two years ago she had full throbbing and irregular pulse, "swimmy " feeling about the head on stooping or walking and sometimes while lying in bed. I tried everything for relief but nothing was permanent until I bled her. Since then she has not had any trouble or any

sickness.

Again you are called to see a man or woman who had been bruised and mashed up pretty badly. (In many ways such things do occur.) You know that in the system there is a great deal of injured material to be removed and healthy tissues restored. Then there is nothing that will help you along in your case like taking blood freely.

Now, doctor, get you a spring lancet and never go without it and don't be afraid to use it. You can't do any harm and you will do great good to suffering humanity. Wingo, Ky. I. A. WESSON.

Lard Versus Strychnin.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Facts are establisht by a preponderance of evidence. Here is mine on the above subject:

More than twenty years ago, on returning home from the country, I found my son in tears over a fine, imported, highlybred bird dog-the mother, at the time, of a suckling family of puppies. She was lying on her side in a violent tonic spasm, these lasting several minutes each time and coming on more frequently. I lookt at her a moment, and asked my wife to give me a teacupful of warm lard. This I poured down her throat. In two hours she was up and walking around, but seemed very stiff and had partly lost coördinate control of the limbs. But she had no more spasms, and fully recovered.

I cannot now tell where I got the ides

The Temperature of Typhoid Fever. Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-In the treatment of typhoid fever I have noticed that the temperature of the patient is influenced for the better if the atmosphere of the sick room is permeated by the fumes of chlorinated lime (bleaching powder). Place sufficient powder in vessels about the room so that the odor is appreciable to both patient and attendants. I have noticed that the temperature of the patient does not run so high after he has breathed this atmosphere for about twenty-four hours.

The lungs absorb from the air a certain amount of the antiseptic property of the powder, which is carried by the blood stream thruout the body. We administer antiseptics by the mouth and some

times give them hypodermically. Why is it not good philosophy to impregnate the air of the apartment with a harmless antiseptic like chlorinated lime?

WILLIAM H. RUSSELL, M.D., LL.B.
Ipswich, Mass.

Quiz Department.

Questions are solicited for this column. Communications not accompanied by the proper name and address of the writer (not necessarily for publication) will not be noticed.

The great number of requests for private answers, for the information and benefit of the writer, makes it necessary for us to charge a fee for the time required. This fee will be from one to five dollars, according to the amount of research and writing required.

The Injection Treatment of Hernia, Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-I have been much interested in the article in November WORLD by C. Fletcher Souder on "The Injection Treatment of Hernia," and as an introduction of myself to the WORLD family, would ask if the ordinary hypodermic syringe is used? I bought, some years ago, Warren's book on Heaton's method of cure, and this recommended the use of a peculiarly constructed syringe with a spiral needle having openings along the side. It was claimed that this would distribute the fluid better than the ordinary syringe.

Doubtless others will also be benefited by a reply to this question.

I am highly pleased with THE WORLD, medically and politically, and hence enroll myself as a subscriber. Comanche, Tex.

J. F. MCCARTY, M.D.

Cause and Cure of Tachycardia. Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-I have a case which has been giving me some anxiety, and I will be thankful to have your counsel and that of as many of THE WORLD family as will respond.

Mrs. C., a blond, aged 21, mother of one child two years old, has been married three years and has been troubled with what she calls 'weak or nervous

spells for six years or more. She says they come on any time, day or night, sitting, standing, or lying down; not affected by fright, joy or trouble. She says her heart will begin to beat, or palpitate, very fast very suddenly. Excitement or fear do not make matters any worse. Sometimes the

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spells" come on while she is eating; at other times while she is doing her housework. She says she feels very weak and has the most distressing, unpleasant feeling all over from head to feet. Her pulse beats very fast and is quite weak, but her temperature is normal. She generally is quite moist with a cold sweat, and chilly.

She has no eructations or bloating of stomach or bowels. Her appetite is variable. Her periods are regular and natural every wav Bowels are constipated

in

most all the time, and she has to take purgative medicine often. She says she suffers a great deal with pain or aching in the small of the back and limbs.

She has a cheerful disposition, but says she feels often as if she cannot live thru those spells. Sometimes they come on every day or night for a few days, and then she may be free of them for one or two weeks. I have treated her at different times for them for several years, but the medicine I have given only gave relief while under the immediate effects-only a few hours. The spells generally last only a few minutes; a few times they have lasted half an hour. At first I thought they were hysterical, then that they were the result of bilious indigestion; but I don't think so now.

She is only of medium size, and weighs about 135 pounds.

Please diagnose, and point out a line of treatment. E. E. REYNOLDS, M. D.

Harbine, Neb.

[Regulate the bowels by giving early morning doses of some bitter water, as apenta. Give the bromids and seek for some underlying cause of neurasthenia. Has the cervix uteri suffered a laceration? Is the patient anemic? Let us have further details.--ED.]

Cure Wanted for Morning Diarrhea. Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Will some patron of your valuable journal kindly give me thru the columns of THE WORLD an efficient and reliable remedy for the trouble known as "morning diarrhea?"

Patient has two or three liquid stools in morning, accompanied by gas-no pain. Food is not thoroly digested. The trouble does not seem to be influenced by quantity or quality of food taken. Discharges are alkaline in reaction. Patient quite nervous. I have given a great many remedies a thoro trial with but little benefit. Keota, Ia.

DR. K. S. BRICE.

Cure for Metrorrhagia. Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-What would your readers advise for treatment of a bloody discharge from the body of the uterus. The patient is about 24 years old, very well nourished, fair color and good appetite. She complains bitterly of her back, the pain in which has been so bad she has been obliged to remain in bed for weeks at a time.

She taught school eight years, and broke

years ago, she has been complaining in the manner described. She has tried several physicians with little or no benefit. She came under my care last April and had been in bed five weeks at the time. On examination I found the cervix gaping, considerably enlarged, and this discharge oozing from it.

I ordered injections of alum water and suppositories of tannic acid, zinc sulf., carbolic acid, cocoa butter, boracic acid, etc., with tonics. She got better, so that she could do her household work, but the discharge still comes when the treatment is stopt. I afterward gave aromatic sulfuric acid.

She does not always menstruate regularly, sometimes goes five or six weeks, the flow continuing a week. (It always has lasted a week in her case.) She is very anxious to get well. Can any one give me any idea what to do? A FRIEND.

External Application for Colic. Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Can you give the probable formula of a liniment which applied to a child's abdomen, upon flannel, will soon relieve a severe colic? It acts equally well upon the abdomen of an adult. It is used in this vicinity by a physician who keeps the formula strictly private, but proclaims the marvelous potency of his liniment, not only to his own patients but to the patients of other physicians as well. It is a dark mixture and of oily consistency, and has a pleasant odor. When applied, the patient feels very warm and fears being blistered, but the doctor assures them it will not blister, however long it may remain applied. Sturgis, S. D. IRA L. SANDERSON.

Unique Congenital Deformity. Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-I have the following case of congenital deformity in a female child, aged ten weeks: The umbilical cord was attached a little above the anterior commissure of the labia majora, or, more correctly, at a point corresponding with the superior border of the arch of the pelvis, leaving a fissure extending from the junction of the anterior commissure of the labia majora, over the arch of the pelvis. At this point there is an opening extending into the bladder, and surrounding this opening is and has been considerable vascular tissue, the fistula being in the center of this mass of tissue. I am of the opinion that a portion of the bladder

m

no control of micturition and seems to pass its entire urine thru this opening.

When the child was a few days old, an examination was made under anesthesia, and to the best of my judgment at the time it is my opinion the meatus is normal. She is healthy and well developed, a fine baby, nurses and sleeps and does not suffer to any extent from the trouble.

There is some indication that the mass of tissue and the opening may be the posterior wall of the bladder and the urethra, and thus be only a bladder in part.

All parties interested are anxious to have her restored to a normal condition if possible; hence I ask counsel and advice thru THE WORLD as to the best method of procedure. Suggestions will be appreciated from any physician who has had a similar DR. G. M. MORTON.

case.

Toronto, South Dakota.

Cure for Enuresis.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Will you and others of the fraternity send me treatment for nocturnal enuresis? I have a patient, a girl about three years of age, who wets her bed most constantly at night. She is also subject to croup which always has a tendency, it seems, to run into the membranous form, but by the use of calomel until I get the liver well roused, then calcium iodid, etc., I have been able, so far, to control it. For the little girl's urinary trouble I have tried belladonna, ergot and strychnia without any benefit. The desire to urinate comes on rather suddenly sometimes. J. W. MILLER, M. D.

Eureka, Tex. [Further data would be most useful in this case, as the condition seems to be symptomatic instead of idiopathic. Examine the child for preputial adhesions of the clitoris; see if the meatus is of the proper dimensions; if there are pin-worms in the rectum; whether the urine is of too high acidity. Send the child early to bed; do not allow sweets or highly-seasoned food; restrict the quantity of fluid taken late in the afternoon and evening. mia, malnutrition, indigestion, and constipation should each receive careful attention, and all local conditions which tend to increase nervous irritability should be removed. Give atropin (after the conditions alluded to have been given full attention) to the physiologic effect, continuing the treatment many months. For administration, place one grain of atropin in two ounces of water, and give at a dose one

Ane

drop of this for each year of the child's age, this at 4 and at 10 p. m., later at 4, 7, and 10, this dose being gradually increased until double the dose is taken at the hours last named. When the condition is controlled, give in doses gradually decreasing for at least three months longer. Raise the foot of the bed and prevent the child from sleeping on the back. Cure has also been accomplisht in this condition by daily distending the bladder with warm water until its normal capacity is reacht. The condition is a most difficult one to meet, and requires the utmost patience and perseverance.-ED.]

Possible Dilatation of Stomach.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Please print the following for diagnosis: G. B., aged 45, was taken sick two years ago, and at the time was treated for rheumatism without relief. Since then, at different times, he has been treated by all the doctors around here, and all have failed.

He feels very debilitated, sleepy, and stiff in the joints in the morning or after resting awhile; towards night he feels much better. He eats very well, but is very much emaciated and very weak; has constant pain across the bowels. The stomach and intestines are filled with gas, which can be heard rumbling at a distance of four feet. Bowels are regular; sleeps well; no vomiting; otherwise feels well. Is able to be around at all times, but does not work any.

The case is very interesting, and I would be glad to hear from any reader of THE WORLD as to the cause and best treatment of this man's case. W. E. LLOYD, M. D. Poultney, Vt.

Cure Wanted for Warts. Editor MEDICAL WORLD: - Nothing I look forward to with more pleasure than the coming of your valued journal of good things. I come seeking for light. I have a patient, young lady of fifteen summers, who seems to enjoy good health generally, but feels morbidly sensitive over the unsightly appearance of both hands, especially since she cannot wear kid gloves, owing to both being studded over with multiple warts, hard, horny excrescences.

I have tried everything I've found written by some of our best authorities and those so highly spoken of in the columns of your good publication. I tried 10 gr. magnesia sulfate, night and morning, for one entire month, continued it thru the

M. Sig. Teaspoonful every four or five hours.

I would like each one who cares to give an opinion on this to take into consideration the age and dosage, and that dosage

continued until from ten to twelve drams had been given.

I had a patient who had some very bad symptoms after taking the above, and I wish to know if these were caused by such a mixture. The child was at the time suffering from gastro-enteritis.

I am not describing the symptoms that followed but will do so when I have had a few opinions. GEO. HARWOOD, M. D.

Formulas.

[In our issue for November, 1897, we began republishing the formulas for the leading advertised nostrums. We do this

believing that physicians have a right to know what the peo

ple are taking, and that they ought to know in order to administer proper antidotes if called in case of an overdose, which often happens, particularly with the various soothing syrups given to children. Back numbers can still be furnished to those who wish the series complete.]

application, sold by Dr. Hollingsworth, of Logansport, Ind., and by Dr. Rice, of Adams,

Formula wanted for hernial fluid for external

N. Y. Also formula for "The Mother's Friend," by the Bradford Regulator Company of Atlanta, Ga. It is about four ounces and sells for $1.50.

Formulas wanted: Edison's Obesity Reducing Tablets, Murray's Infallible System Tonic, Father Konig's Nerve Tonic, Japanese Oil (put up by the National Remedy Company of New York), Dr. David Kennedy's Favorite Remedy, Fowler's Extract of Wild Strawberry (for diarrhea), Voke's Dandruff Cure.

SYRUP OF ALBUMINATE OF IRON.

E. Dietrich gives the following directions for this preparation :

Dissolve 10 grams of dry albumen in 100 grams of 1.170 specific gravity, and on the steam-bath of distilled water, add 25 grams of soda solution raise the temperature to 80 or 90 deg. C.

On the other hand, mix 180 grams of ferric chlorid solution (G. P.) with 150 grams of distilled water, and in this dissolve, by the aid of heat, 500 grams of sugar.

Mix the two solutions while still hot, incorporate 20 grams of aromatic tincture (G. P.) and then add enough distilled water to bring the whole to the weight of 1,000 grams.-Western Druggist.

COUDRAY'S BROWN COSMETIC IN POTS. We do not know the composition of this proFormulary) will yield a suitable preparation: prietary. Possibly the following (Standard

Triturate the soap with the mucilage, previously mixed with the water, to a smooth mixture. To this add the wax and glycerin, heat the whole on a water-bath, stirring constantly, until the mixture is homogeneous. Now incorporate the volatile oils and pigment desired. For black, use lampblack; for brown, burnt umber; for blonde, yellow ocher, each previously reduced to a smooth paste with sufficient of the glycerin directed in the formula.-Western Druggist.

HENRY'S TRI-IODIDS.

The following formula, taken from the "Thesaurus of Proprietary Preparations," has been calculated from the data furnished by the label of the proprietary preparation :