be found, before we get through with this article, that we have better agents or that we have agents to be combined with this one to better advantage than the podophyllin alone. It is usually combined to advantage with hyoscyamus or belladonna, to prevent its irritating influence, when given as a laxative.

LEPTANDRA.

Leptandra virginica is one of our old-time liver remedies, from which I, personally, have obtained very satisfactory results. It will be observed that the specific indications for these hepatics are very similar, but I am inclined to think that this one is more characteristically the malarial remedy.

In these cases as mentioned under podophyllum, there is wide dulness, on percussion, over the right hypochondrium, fulness of the superficial circulation of the abdominal structures and sluggishness in the capillary circulation of the intestinal glands. There is a cool or cold skin; a general dull pain in the bowels; melancholia, general depression; great lassitude; all these especially from malarial causes.

There is a special group of symptoms that I have frequently found, in which I have given this remedy, with excellent results. In addition to the above-named initial symptoms, the patient becomes very sluggish, anemia develops and progresses, and ultimately dropsy follows. Later, the tongue becomes thick and pallid, easily indented by the teeth; there is palpitation, and a gradual loss of strength until the patient is thoroughly incapacitated for any physical labor. The heart may not be actually diseased at first nor may the kidneys be greatly involved, but those organs are liable to become seriously impaired later, all from chronic malarial conditions. The resinoid, or concentration, leptandrin, acts fully, I think, in the entire field of the fluid preparations.

ACTION ON PERIODICITY.

I think the most satisfactory results I have ever obtained from leptandra were from the use of proper doses associated with quinine and some gastrointestinal stimulant, to break up the periodicity of protracted malarial fever.

I believe that there is a definite time in which to give quinine for its immediate effect on periodicity. In severe cases, many physicians have failed to secure results from enormous doses of quinine, because it was not given at the proper time.

I remember distinctly one of my first experiences. I was called in consultation with an old physician, who had given from 1⁄2 dram to 1 dram per day, perhaps for a long period, without results. The patient, at the time for the chill, would become unconscious and subsequently would have a mild form of delirium or mental perver

sion.

(To be continued)

A New Micro-organism Causing Pulmonary Abscess.

This finding is reported by A. Josefson and L. Bladini in the Beiträge zur Klinik der Infektionskrankheiten und zur Immunitätsforschung, Vol. IV, No. 1. The microorganism was isolated from the pleural and pulmonary exudate in a man who had been admitted to the Royal Seraphim Hospital of Stockholm with the diagnosis of pleuropneumonia. Exploratory puncture of the left pleural cavity showed the presence of a thick, foul-smelling fluid of a sanguinolent color. At operation when rib-resection was performed the abscess cavity in the pleural space was found to communicate with an abscess in the lung, which was apparently the primary disease process and which had perforated into the pleural space. Patient recovered. Bacteriological examination of the germ isolated showed a gram-negative, capsule-bearing bacillus which was easily cultured. It was highly pathogenic for mice and, after four successive passages through these animals, also pathogenic for rabbits. In these instances the germ caused subcutaneous abscesses and after intratracheal injection, abscesses in the lungs. In one case a bacteriemia was demonstrated after an intratracheal injection was given. The new bacterium apparently belongs to the same group as the so-called Friedländer pneumobacillus. It differs from the latter microorganism in its appearance, and also in the fact that it is pathogenic for the rabbit. An important tinctorial reaction is perceived in the staining of the new bacillus blue by means of iodine, a property also shared by a leptothrix isolated from the lung by Leyden and Jaffé. In both instances, however, this peculiar staining property disappears in pure cultures.-Medical Record.

Modern Scientific Therapy.

Dr. W. D. Alsever, of Syracuse, N. Y., contributes a paper to the N. Y. State Journal of Medicine, that though an able one seems to prove that the noteworthy point about scientific therapy is the absence of science. For instance, he writes concerning the action of antitoxins: "Probably they act by combining with toxins." "Probably" has no place in science which really means "to know." Though this empiricism has been employed in all diseases he writes: "But unfortunately passive immunity has been successfully produced in only a few of the germ diseases." And to this it might be added that even in these diseases the immunity is uncertain. Because a man receives 21 injections of the Pasteur serum and does not contract hydrophobia is no proof that he would have had this disease if the injection had not been given, for tens of thousands have been bitten by dogs, received no injections and have not contracted the disease, a disease, by the way, that many say does not exist save by suggestion.

Again Dr. Alsever writes of the diphtheria antitoxin: "The daily

application of the serum to the eyes and nose, where the toxins lodge, will occasionally prevent the disease." Evidently it also fails. Can any be sure-scientific-that it even occasionally prevents?

He ranks cow-pox vaccination as the highest of this science, yet says: "Cow-pox is probably small-pox virus atenuated by passage through the cow." Also it is "probably as little dangerous as any." As the effects of this therapy is "probable" and also the substance used, it seems to follow that the over-worked word "scientific" belongs in the same category.. "Experimental" would be the more accurate term. The following from his concluding remarks looks as if Dr. Alsever were really of the same opinion as that held by many homœopathic physicians :

"Times are changing. People are demanding more and more that doctors be efficient and accurate. They want us to understand what we do and stop when we are ignorant. They are justified in their demands. I am reminded of a letter in a recent issue of a daily paper, protesting against compulsory vaccination. It is said in part-‘This vaccination business is getting quite numerous. It is vaccination for tuberculosis, rheumatism, small-pox, diptheria, scarlet fever, typhoid fever and I know not what all.' Clearly vaccines should be used but not abused."

The allopathic brother ought to dethrone his present ruler, Bacteriology, and get back to sane clinical medicine, in which the physician is not the subject, but the ruler in diagnosis and treatment. Homeopathic Recorder.

Items

Opposed to Twilight Sleep Films.

The commissioner of licenses recently forbade the "Motherhood Education Society" to give public moving picture exhibitions of the twilight sleep technique with Dr. K. E. Schlöningh from Freiburg as the lecturer. His prohibition was strengthened by the opinion of a number of physicians that the pictures were of no educational value. The company has applied for an injunction restraining the commissioner from interfering with the production. At a meeting. in Pittsburgh last week of the American Association of Obstetricians. and Gynecologists a number of the members expressed themselves. as strongly opposed to the routine employment of this method in cases of childbirth.

Last month we had a pleasant visit from Dr. F. A. Greene of Boston. We are glad to learn that Dr. Greene is taking an active. interest in The American Eclectic Materia Medica Association,

Cod Liver Oil in Chlorotic Children.

It has been found by actual clinical test that the administration of a palatable cod liver oil product is of the utmost advantages in building up chlorotic children. For this purpose Cord. Ext. Ol. Morrhuae Comp. (Hagee) is of particular merit since it not only possesses the qualities requisite in overcoming an impoverished condition of the bloodstream but is palatable and does not disturb the stomach, for which reasons it may be continued over long periods of time.

Dr. John H. Sweet, the last of the original Sweet family of "bone-setters" widely known and popular in New England for several generations, died at the home of his son in Newport, R. I., at the age of 65 years. His death was due to peritonitis following an operation for intestinal trouble.

Venice Court, I. O. F. No. 4558, on September 11 tendered Joseph Brandaleone a complimentary dinner and presented him with a magnificent silver loving cup.

Antiphlogistine provides the best, most agreeable and convenient known means of supplying continuous moist heat, in all inflammations. This can be maintained for 24 hours or longer, at a uniform temperature. Ordinary poultices soon become cold, clammy and uncomfortable to the patient and lose any remedial effect they may have had, before becoming cold.

Have you tried the Glycothymoline Jelly? It is clean and efficient.

At a conference of business men and Eclectic practitioners of this city it was decided to erect a clinic for the treatment of patients with plant remedies. $60,000 was subscribed and much enthusiasm. was manifested.

On September 23 the Eclectic Medical Society of the City and County of New York met at the Park Avenue Hotel. There was a good attendance and President Harris occupied the chair. Dr. Thompson reported that the National had paid his bill of expenses and thanked the Society for their efforts in his behalf. After the report of several interesting cases the Society adjourned.