FOR cut rates in instruments and cases, address I. Phillips, Atlanta, Ga.

AN EXPLOSIVE MIXTURE.

A mixture of barium hyposulphate and potassium chlorate detonates upon the slightest shock, the explosion being very powerful if there be any hindrance to the free escape of the gases generated.

Syrup of sodium hypophosphite with sodium chlorate are as dangerous as nitroglycerine.

A STORY is going the rounds to the effect that a married lady had a birthday anniversary a short time ago, upon which her husband presented her with a pretty piano lamp. He was much flattered when she told him she intended to give it his name, until he asked her reason for such a proceeding. "Well," said she, "you know, dear, it has a good deal of brass about it, it is handsome to look at, it is not remarkably brilliant, requires a good deal of attention, is sometimes unsteady on its legs, liable to explode when half full, flares up occasionally, is always out at bedtime, and is bound to smoke."

HAVE you seen the new aluminum instruments? Have you heard of them? If not, write immediately to Wm. H. Armstrong & Co., Indianapolis, Ind., for information, circulars and illustrations, and mention this paper. Surgery should have the advantages of this wonderful metal, and the above mentioned firm offers the same.

DIURETIC ACTION OF CASCARA SAGRADA.

Mr. Milnes Hey (Hornsey Lane, N.) writes to the British Medical Journal: "Some little time ago I noticed after taking some cascara sagrada increased frequency of micturition. I could then find no cause for this. Shortly after I again took this drug, and again noticed the same effect. As I could find no reference to its action as a diuretic, I began to watch its actions on any of my patients who might be taking it, and in the majority of cases I found it to act as a diuretic, a few only not noticing any difference. In one case, a Mr. D. H—, the effect was marked, as the patient himself complained of the number of times a day he was obliged to urinate. I analyzed his urine, and found it to be quite healthy. On stopping the cascara he ceased to be troubled. One of my medical brethren told me that he had also noticed this same effect of this drug upon himself. The cascara sagrada that I use, and have always used, is the liquid extract of Parke, Davis & Co. I should be interested to hear if this diuretic action has been observed by others."

The man who is in proverbs versed
Can often, often save his jaw
By cutting off all dry debate
With an old and rusty saw.

IN just appreciation of the therapeutical virtues of Sanmetto, I have to state that in several cases of prostatitis, atony of the urinary bladder, loss of semen and sexual capacity, I have tried the preparation, and in every instance my patients have derived some benefit from its use. I shall continue to commend Sanmetto to my patients in the like afflictions, with perfect confidence. LOUIS BAUER, M.D., M. R. C. S., Eng., Prof. of Surgery, etc., St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons, St. Louis, Mo.

"FOR tabes-mesenteric, sickness in gestation, cholera infantum, etc., Ingluvin has been pronounced almost a specific. Samples will be sent by W. R. Warner & Co., Philadelphia, to any physician requesting the same for use."

GEMS OF THOUGHT.

Responsibility educates.-Wendell Phillips.

To a mule's ears a mule's voice is always music. If thou desire to be wise, be so wise as to hold thy tongue.-Lavater.

Much bending breaks the bow; much unbending, the mind.--Bacon.

Good manners and good morals are sworn friends and fast allies.-Bartol.

Living without a plan is as foolish as going to sea without a compass in the ship.

The father who is not willing to be bothered by his boy's questions, will not be likely to be bothered by his confidences after a while.

FOR samples of Uterine Wafers, send to Micajah & Co., Warren, Pa.

DYSMENORRHEA.

C. F. Baker, M.D., Decatur, Mich., says: "I have prescribed Aletris Cordial in two cases with very favorable results. The first a case of suppressed menses of short duration. Her age was about fifteen years. Had been regular for over a year; missed her catamenia for the first time, and suffered from headache and general malaise. The Aletris Cordial in teaspoonful doses three times a day, set her all right in a few days. The second was a case of dysmenorrhea. Age of patient about twenty-eight or thirty years. Had always suffered extremely at her menstrual periods, unless under the influence of some narcotic, and almost always was obliged to take her bed for two or three days at each period. She used a half pound bottle of the Aletris Cordial, in teaspoonful doses three times a day, with perfect relief from pain while under the influence of the Cordial, or to use her own words, she would not have known by her feelings that she was unwell, and did not feel different in any respect than when in her usual health.”

THE dangerous communion cup meets increasing opposition. Doctors should agitate the subject, like Dr. A. J. Longfellow of the M. E. Church in Fostoris, Ohio, who moved the following resolution: "Resolved, That the church purchase four hundred little wine glasses and each communicant receive the wine out of a glass that no other person has used, and the bread passed on baskets or plates, and that it be not handled or broken by the preacher." This is a good second movement against the still more dangerous incident of alcohol in the communion cup.

I AM pleased with the results obtained from the use of Freligh's Tablets and Tonic. A. T. Speer, M.D., Newark, O.

PASSIFLORA INCARNATA (passion flower) is a well (Continued on next leaf.)

AMPUTATING and
TREPANNING CASES.

Combined in one for any
Capital Operation.
Contents as Cut Represents.

1 Liston's Knife, large. 1 Liston's Knife, medium. 1 Liston's Catlin, large. 1 Metacarpel Saw. 1 Capital Saw. 1Liston's Bone Forceps. 1 pair Thumb Artery Forceps. 1 Amputating Scalpel. 1 Tenaculum. 1 Field Turniquot. 1 Esmark's Bandage Complete, with chain band, etc. 1 Galt's Trephine, with handle. 1 Hey's Saw. 1 Trepanning Elevator. 1 Trepanning Brush, 12 Needles Silk, Wire, Wax, etc. In a neat Mahogany Case lined with leather.

List price, $35.00, reduced
price, net, $22.50.

Mailage Extra on all Packages Sent per Mail.

1 50 to 250

8 00 to 15 00

The Little Daisy Aseptic Pocket Case.

CONTAINS-1 Catheter, 1 Metacarpel Saw, 1 Sharp Bistoury, 1 Scalpel, 1 Tenetome 1 Haema Static and Artery Forceps combined. 1 Gross Ear Pick, 1 Director, 1 Pair Probes, Eye and Spear, 1 Pair Scissors, 1 Exploring Needle, 1 Artery and Needle Forceps combined, Needles, Silk, Wire and Wax. List, $15.00. Net, $9.00.

CUT RATES. The Cheapest Instrument House.

I. PHILLIPS,

69 Whitehall Street, Atlanta, Ga.

SEND FOR PRICE LIST. We sell only FOR CASH with all orders. No Goods shipped Č. O. D. unless a deposit comes with the order to secure us for freight both ways.

Some Thoughts Upon Self-Poisoning. One of the most important principles to be kept in mind by the physician in treating his patients is to estimate the extent to which dis. eases and their complications are due to the absorption of poison arising within the body of the patient. This subject forms a very interesting and a most profitable subject for study. These poisons tax the system to accomplish their elimination, and often cause the principal phenomena of the disease. How to prevent their further formation, to promote the speedy elimination of those that are generated and to neutralize within the system those that cannot be eliminated, should be the constant inquiry and Caim of the physician in each individual case. Considering the alimentary canal, we are

vell aware of the disturbances caused by #neglected constipation and the consequent ab

sorption of poisonous products. But not all realize the far graver danger from the absorption of toxines from an inflamed or ulcerated colon, or from the stomach duodenum and other portions of the tract in a state of acute or chronic catarrh, or of ulceration, as in typhoid fever and gastric or duodenal ulcer. In any unhealthy condition the tract should be kept clean and pure, by enemas of sterlized water, hot or cool, by the administration of salines and antiseptics or by other means specially suitable to the case. A catarrhal mouth and throat should be frequently cleansed and put in a condition to heal as quickly as possible, and carious teeth should be closely looked after. The nasal mucous membrane is often a source of mild systemic infection. The antiseptic toilet or treatment of the nose should not be forgotten. Diseased conditions of the kidneys and bladder are fruitful sources of grave infection and the problem of free elimination must be constantly in the mind of the medical attendant until the cause can be corrected.

The catarrhal condition of the female genital tract is also a frequent source of poisoning, causing many functional disturbances, as headache, malaise, back ache, etc. This is especially likely to be the case towards the close of the menstrual period. Antiseptic irrigation here is very useful, but we have found packing the vagina with boracic acid singularly beneficial. Toxic principles arising from imperfect action of the liver are not so definitely understood as they should be. These continually tax the ingenuity of the physician to promote their perfect elimination until the condition giving rise to their formation can be corrected.

Besides the direct antiseptic flushing, irrigating and cleansing of surfaces that can be reached in that manner, the physiological organs of elimination should be kept in a state of

perfect activity-the skin, the bowels, kidneys and lungs. In the state of primitive nature, the skin is a perfect eliminating organ. In the civilized state, however, we envelope it closely with clothing, and thus interfere with the proper performance of its function. This must be counteracted by bathing or dry rubbing and by frequent air baths and occasional vapor baths. It is well recognized that a Turkish bath will take the place of several hours extra sleep in resting and refreshing one who is very tired from protracted exertion. This simply means that it aids the system in more rapidly eliminating the extra physiological toxines aris. ing from excessive muscular action. The soles of the feet present an eliminating surface which is effective far out of proportion to its area. However, they must be kept in perfect condition --always clean and dry. In mild weather going bare-footed awhile each day is beneficial, and in winter, toasting them before a hot fire a half hour in the evening will be of great service.

So far as possible, then, the physician should constantly look to the elimination of all toxic products and by suitable treatment prevent their further formation. This may seem like a homely article, but its object is to bring together and systematize ideas that generally exist in the mind of the physician only as isolated facts, and also to point out and emphasize a most important factor in the preservation of health, and the treatment of disease. Far from being exhaustive, it is merely suggestive, presenting only the simplest principles of one of the most profound problems in pathology, which involves fully one half of the entire treatment of disease. Each practitioner must work out the problem to the achievement of practical results mainly himself, by years of daily study, observation and investigation.

Dr. George B. Gray, of Grace Hospital, Toronto, Canada, writes us that he cannot speak too highly of Dr. W. B. Thistle's treatment of typhoid fever, as found in July WORLD, pages 257 and 258. He has witnessed its brilliant results in the General Hospital in Toronto, and has successfully used it in private practice. He thinks that this treatment will require a new history of the disease to be written, so completely does it change every feature of it.

It is stated in the lay press of Southern California that the jicama root, of that locality, is a cure for typhus fever and for small pox.

Copy must be received on or before the twelfth of the month for publication in the next month. Unused Manuscript cannot be returned.

Certainly it is excellent discipline for an author to feel that he must say all he has to say in the fewest possible words, or his reader is sure to skip them; and in the plainest possible words, or his reader will certainly misunderstand them. Generally, also, a downright fact may be told in a plain way; and we want downright facts at present more than ything else.—RUSKIN.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-I am reminded that I omitted to give the prescription for alcoholism in my last letter (page 231). It is that given in a WORLD of recent date, I think, by ing that for the chloride of gold and sodium, I Dr. Chapman, as the Keeley "dope;" exceptsubstituted bichloride of mercury.

[For the benefit of those who may not have the April, 1893, WORLD, we reproduce the formula here:

B. Auri et sodii chloridi............................
Strychnine nitratis...................
Atropinæ sulph..............
Ammonii muriat.........
Aloin..........

Hydrastin....

Glycerini.....

Fid, ext. cinchonæ comp'.

Fld. ext. erythrox, coca... Aquæ dest...

-gr. j gr. 1

gr. v ....gr. gr. ij .f. oz. ..f. oz. iij ....f. oz.

f. oz.

M. 8. One dram at 7, 9, 11 a. m.; and at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 p. m.

I am glad to see vaccination discussed. Much harm has been done this most useful procedure by extravagant claims as to its harmlessness and efficiency-claims not borne out by experience. Vaccination may transmit syphilis, tuberculosis, infectious fevers, varicella or impetigo contagiosa; it may arouse a disposition to eczema, scrofula or struma; it may be followed by tetanus, erysipelas, adenitis, abscess, pneumonia, ophthalmia, or other diseases. If done scientifically, antiseptically, with pure and fresh virus, on a proper case, by an experienced vaccinator, it is remarkably free from these injurious sequences. And here is where I object to the practice of putting this work in the hands of all sorts and conditions of men-students, policemen, druggists, etc. The Lord is good to Chicago, or the results of such methods would be disastrous to the people, and vaccination would receive unmerited obloquy. The truth