remedies, and they are not exerting any effort in behalf of their confrères who dispense. We consider it the duty of all physicians to act unitedly in this matter for the benefit of the profession, whether dispensers or not. "It appears that Smith, Kline & French Co., of Philadelphia, wholesale druggists and manufacturers, by the aid of their attorney, J. C. Jones, and his "view" of the law, prevailed on the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to see the matter at issue in the light of the druggists, the ulterior purpose of the druggists, of course, being to make dispensing by physicians so troublesome that the latter will write prescriptions, thus bringing more grist to the druggists' mill. "These are the words of the new national narcotic law: "Nothing contained in this section shall apply—(a) To the dispensing or distribution of any of the aforesaid drugs to a patient by a physician, dentist or veterinary surgeon registered under this act in the course of his professional practice only; provided, that such physician, dentist or veterinary surgeon shall keep a record of all such drugs dispensed or distributed, showing the amount dispensed or distributed, the date and the name and address of the patient to whom such drugs are dispensed or distributed, except such as may be dispensed or distributed to a patient upon whom such physician, dentist or veterinary surgeon shall personally attend; and such record shall be kept for a period of two years from the date of dispensing or distributing such drugs, subject to inspection, as provided in this act.'" "See particularly the words in italics. The following is the ruling of the Bureau of Internal Revenue: "Where a physician personally visits a patient and administers any of the drugs coming within the scope of the Harrison Act, he is not required to keep a record of such administration, but where he leaves a supply of any of these drugs or preparations to be taken by the patient in the physician's absence, he will be required to keep a record of such drug or preparation, the same as he would in his office. A physician must keep a record of all drugs or preparations dispensed or distributed in his office, whether administered personally or given to the patient to be carried away with him.'" "We hold that 'personally attend in the course of professional practice' should include the leaving of necessary medicines for use between visits; and also include the dispensing of needed medicines at the office after consultation; that the words of the law do not mean 'personally administer.' * * "In our editorial last month on this law we said on page 84 that 'When the physician * does not personally attend-i. e., personally see-the patient he must keep a record.' That editorial was written before the official interpretation by the Commissioner was made. We are not the only editors who gave out interpretations that proved to be different from the internal revenue bureau's pronouncement when made. The Journal of the American Medical Association several weeks ago stated in an editorial on this law that physicians would be required to keep records of dispensing in their offices, but not of remedies dispensed at the bedside. The Bureau now says that records must be made of dispensing at the bedside. The fact that editors and practicians almost generally believed that dispensing would not require to be recorded is fair proof that the general understanding of the law is substantially as we have heretofore stated." Eryngium Aquaticum. The root of this indigenous plant possesses properties which constitute a medicament of more than ordinary merit. Eryngium lessens irritation of the genito-urinary organs of both sexes, and it is, therefore, a frequently needed remedy. In acute or chronic nephritis it is a very efficient remedial agent, and in cystic irritation it is employed with marked success. In urethritis, whether simple or gonorrheal in origin, it exerts a curative influence, and in urethral and prostatic affections generally it may very well constitute a part of the treatment. In gleet and spermatorrhea eryngium is serviceable, and in leucorrhea and dysmenorrhea it is deemed a remedy of corrective power. Eryngium is used with satisfactory results in passive dropsy, and when there is mucus in the urine it exercises a beneficial influence. In abnormal conditions characterized by a frequent desire to urinate, making it impossible to sleep more than a few hours at a time, on account of the urethral or cystic irritation, eryngium exerts a restraining influence unequaled by any other drug. In all such cases I have for many years relied upon the therapeutic action of eryngium, and have found it all that could be desired. In the case of a clergyman sixty-five years of age, who was unable to retain his urine long enough to conduct the Sunday morning services in his church without great discomfort, the action of eryngium was prompt and decidedly gratifying to the patient. I prescribed thirty drops of specific eryngium in four ounces of water and directed him to take a teaspoonful every two hours. He began to improve at once, and in less than two weeks was able to retain his urine for several hours. The patient was then advised to take five drops of the drug in water three times a day. This he did for several months, when he was able to retain his urine as long as necessary. In the case of a lady who for several years had suffered from an almost constant desire to urinate, and was in consequence unable at night to avoid urinating about every hour, the same treatment resulted in the removal of the abnormal desire and in enabling · the woman to retain her urine throughout the night. The foregoing cases will illustrate the results which I have usually obtained from the use of eryngium. The action of eryngium is not confined to its influence upon the genito-urinary organs. In bronchial inflammation, with profuse exudation, it is used with much advantage, and in pharyngitis and laryngitis it has been employed with good results. It is also used with satisfactory results in atonic dyspepsia, with gastric irritation, especially when indicated by red tip and edges of the tongue, nausea and tenderness on pressure. Among the specific indications for eryngium the following are especially worthy of merit: Burning sensation or burning pain in the urethra or bladder; frequent desire to urinate; catarrh of the bladder; uterine irritation accompanying uneasiness in the bladder; irritable condition of the bladder and urethra in old people; gastric irritation when accompanied by red tip and edges of the tongue, nausea and tenderness in the epigastric region. The dose of specific eryngium is from ten to sixty drops, but it may be successfully employed as follows: R Eryngium, gtt. x to xxx, water, iv. Teaspoonful every two hours.-Dr. J. W. FYFE in Eclectic Medical Journal. Society Meetings Eclectic Medical Society of the State of New York. The forty-fifth annual meeting of the Eclectic Medical Society of the State of New York was held March 24 and 25 in the Common Council Chamber, City Hall, Albany, New York. President Toms called the meeting to order at 10:30, March 24. Dr. T. D. Adlerman, Secretary, recording. The following was the order of business: Roll call of permanent members. Reading of minutes of the last meeting. Presentation of credentials. Reports of Officers and the presentation of bills and claims against the Society. Report of Committees. Appointment of Nominating Committee. President's address. Reading of essays. Miscellaneous business. Report of Legislative Committee. Election and installation of officers. Appointment of Standing Committees. The above is the program as sent out by the secretary. Among the essays read or presented by title are the following: 1. A New Operation for the Relief of Chronic Otitis Media Catarhalis. H. LELAND FIFIELD, M. D., Syracuse, N. Y. 2. Bells Paralysis. J. BERNSTEIN, M. D., Brooklyn, N. Y. 3. Some Curative Effects of the High Frequency Current. G. ALLEN ROWE, M. D., Buffalo, N. Y. 4. "Have Faith in Your Remedies." W. S. DART, M. D., Hobart, N. Y. 5. The Medical Treatment of Fibroma. EMIL BRUNOR, M. D., New York, N. Y. 6. "From Whence Originates the Pain in Pneumonitis?” MAX MEYER, M. D., New York, N. Y. 7. Diphtheria. H. J. TERPENNING, M. D., Fulton, N. Y. 8. "State Paternalism a Menace to Personal Liberty; a Medical Trust.” E. L. DOWNEY, Middleport, N. Y. 9. The General Practitioner's Laboratory. Brooklyn, N. Y. F. E. ELLIOT, M. D., 10. Functional Waste and Repair. M. B. PEARLSTIEN, M. D., Brooklyn, N. Y. 11. The Tonsils. D. ALPERIN, M. D., Brooklyn, N. Y. 12. Nephrotomy. LOUIS LANZER, M. D., Brooklyn, N. Y. 14. Insanity in Country and in City. T. D. ADLERMAN, M. D., Early in the afternoon of Wednesday the Society took a recess for the purpose of attending the hearing of the Whitney Bill. The following officers were unanimously elected and installed. R. A. TOMS, M. D., President... G. R. THOMPSON, M. D., 1st Vice-President... D. ALPERIN, M. D., 2nd Vice-President.... H. J. TERPENNING, M. D., 3rd Vice-President.... .Kenmore, N. Y. ...Luzerne, N. Y. . New York City .. Fulton, N. Y. T. D. ADLERMAN, M. D., Sec'y and State Organizer.. Brooklyn, N. Y. M. B. MACDERMOTT, M. D., Corresponding Secretary.. New York City H. STOESSER, M. D., Treasurer..... Brooklyn, N. Y. Eclectic Medical Society of the City and County of New York. The regular monthly meeting of the Eclectic Medical Society of the City and County of New York was held at the Park Ave. Hotel on March 18, 1915, Dr. Harris in the chair. There was a large attendance of members and guests. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. Dr. Gombar read an essay on Sterility, which was discussed by Doctors Birkenhauer, Graf and Brunor. Dr. Birkenhauer read an article on the Treatment of Acute Anterior Specific Urethritis (Gonorrhoea), which was criticized by Drs. Olsson, Harris and Gombar. Drs. Heeve and Adlerman spoke on the prevention of Gonorrhoea. Dr. Birkenhauer closed the discussion by answering his critics. Dr. Von Unruh read a paper on the effects of Echinacea Angustifolia upon the Leukocytes, and a motion was made that he bring some of his patients to the next meeting. The motion was carried. Dr. Brunor moved that a vote of thanks be extended to the authors. Dr. Graf read a report of cases on reducing Obesity by electricity. Dr. MacDermott reported a case of an old gentleman 76 years of age, who, 11 years ago, met with an accident-was burned by electricity. He developed a wart on the back of his hand. He had X-ray treatment up until last April, when the ulcer became so deep, and the glands along the arm became so enlarged that it was necessary to have an operation to prolong his life. He sent him to the hospital, and he had the wrist amputated. He left the hospital in good shape and did not suffer any more pain until a month after when it became necessary to amputate the arm at the shoulder, which was done by Dr. Lanzer. Dr. Heeve read a report for the Legislative Committee. A motion was made, seconded and carried that bills be presented. Dr. Birkenhauer presented a bill of $5.75 for printing 1,000 notices and 1,000 envelopes. Another bill of $1.85 was presented by Dr. Birkenhauer for the mailing of receipts for the March meeting. A motion was made, seconded and carried that the bills be paid. Miscellaneous business: Dr. Harris made a motion which was seconded that the Financial Secretary be authorized to pay the room rent for the meeting place every meeting until further notice. A motion was made and carried that Dr. Cowles be placed on the honorary list which carries with it all the rights and privileges of the membership. The following delinquent members were reported on: Doctors Blaustein, Boehm, Cowles, Pomroy, Saunders and Turkel. Dr. Boehm paid a year's dues which relieves him from his disability. Dr. Cowles has been placed on the honorary list. To Dr. Pomroy the Secretary, was instructed to send a registered letter. A motion was made by Dr. Graf, which was carried, that Dr. Blaustein's suspension be tabled. Dr. Saunders' suspension tabled. A letter was written to Dr. Turkel. Motion made and seconded to adjourn. Emile Brunor, Secretary. Pan-American Congress. The Seventh Pan-American Congress will meet in San Francisco, June 17th-21st inclusive. It assembles pursuant to invitation of the President of the United States issued in accordance with an act of Congress approved March 3, 1915. The counties and colonies embraced in the Congress are the |