my remark has given occasion for all this argument, but if it stiffens up the spines of the country doctors there has been something gained, and from what has appeared in THE SUMMARY and from what Dr. Curran admits, I believe that something of the sort has happened.

Unlike Dr. Curran, I am perfectly willing to reply to both individual communications and those which may subsequently appear in THE SUMMARY, that is if Brother Andrews will allow me space for the latter. Unlike Dr. Curran, I am unable to throw any money into this fight, but so long as I can manipulate the keys of my typewriter, and am able to buy ribbons, will do everything in my power to stand by the man of the country and in the fighting of his battles. I am willing to do this with the hopes that he may, in time to come, lose his timidity and arise in his might and assert himself. If he will do this we will hear less of the so-called "authority" and more of the men who are doing all sorts of good work.

At this time I desire to thank Dr. Andrews for the space he has already given me to cite my side of the question, and to also express my obligations to those who have so staunchly upheld me in my arguments. GEORGE L. SERVOSS, M.D.

Gardnerville, Nevada.

THE PHYSICIAN AND THE PROPOSED NATIONAL NARCOTIC LAW.

Editor Medical Summary:

A proposed National Narcotic Law, H. R. 6282, by Representative Harrison, is pending at the present time in the Finance Committee of the United States Senate

This bill regulates the manufacturing, selling, dealing in, dispensing or distributing of narcotics. The provisions relating to physicians are extremely simple. The physicians must register and pay an annual tax of one dollar, and when purchasing narcotics make out a regular order form in duplicate, retaining a duplicate copy of each such order for a period of two years. When the narcotics so ordered are received, the date of such receipt must be recorded in respect to each order.

The dispensing or distribution of narcotics to his patient by physicians, dentist, or veterinary surgeon, registered under this

Act, in the course of his professional practice, and while personally attending upon such patient, is entirely exempted from any restriction whatsoever.

Thus it will be seen that this bill would accomplish its purpose, namely, the tracing of purchases of narcotics and so indict illicit traffic, and at the same time place a reasonable burden upon the physician so far as records are concerned, and place no restrictions at all upon the physician so far as the practice of his profession is concerned.

Narcotic legislation is necessary and desirable, but it is equally essential that such legislation accomplish its purpose with the least interference to the legitimate practice of the physician. It is necessary at this point to state in a few words the history of the above bill.

The Federal Government has, for some time, urged the enactment of a national narcotic law. President Wilson has recently sent a message to Congress urging the enactment of such a law at the present session. In order that a bill may be framed, which treats justly and equitably of the interests involved, a national drug trade conference was called, made up of representatives of each branch of the drug trade, and also of the medical profession. The present bill is the result of such co-operation with the Government.

The national drug trade conference gave this bill its unqualified endorsement. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Harrison, was quickly passed without any opposition whatsoever, as it was clearly indicated to the members of the House that all interests were in favor thereof, and was sent to the Senate with every expectation and hope of its speedily being enacted into law.

The National Retail Druggists' Association, at their annual convention in Cincinnati, in December, officially repudiated this bill in its present form, despite their cooperation in the conference.

What is the reason this bill was opposed? Because this bill does not burden, restrict and hamper the physician in the dispensing of narcotic preparations, and so lead him to treat his patient entirely on prescription.

The retail druggists declared at their con

vention that unless they obtained the law they wanted, there would be no law, and are now actively besieging Congress against the bill in its present form.

The open choice for physicians then is, to have the present bill enacted, which is equitable and fair to the interests of the physician, or to have a law enacted with prohibitive restrictions.

Congressmen and Senators should be notified at once that the physicians of this country are unalterably opposed to any law which aims to unreasonably or prohibitively restrict the physician in the practice of his profession, and are in favor of the enactment of the H. R. 6282, now pending in the Senate Finance Committee, in the form as passed by the House, without amendment. CHARLES WESLEY DUNN.

32 Liberty St., New York.

A FEW COMMENTS AND REPLIES.

Editor Medical Summary:

Just a few remarks as to the December SUMMARY. Dr. Stewart's article on Local Anesthesia is very, very good. In my own practice I use a solution of novocaine and adrenin, and think it the best I have ever used, but now I shall add the quinine salt, and hope to get even better results.

The other day I operated on a felon by injecting each lateral nerve of the finger above the felon and then did quite an extensive dissection to remove a few pieces of dead flesh. There was no pain at all, and apparently the finger could have been removed without trouble.

If we could inject the sensory nerve supplying a part, the surgical part would be much simplified in all operations. Are there any other operations besides on the fingers or teeth where this can be done?

Dr. Curran seems to have been in bad company. I have practiced in the country about ten years, and have yet to learn that the country physician was less cultured, or educated than his city brethren, In fact, where the same school trains the city and country doctor in the same class it is difficult to see how there could be much difference. My unbiased opinion would be that, as a class, the country doctor gets more allround experience and does better work than his city brother.

In my own town there are, or were, two doctors, trained in the city college, and this is some of the work done in the home during one year: Six apendectomies with excellent results, one intestinal obstruction (an emergency case) eight tonsils and adenoid cases, a whole lot of minor surgery, hemorrhoids, etc., besides the regular medical work. All this with no help from outside except a man to give the anesthetic.

In this section of the wild and woolly we get a little more than $4.00 for a 15 mile call. The proper price would be about $10 cr $15, and we do not compete with the liveryman on prices. There are such mean cusses in the medical profession in the city as in the country, and I think you will find human nature the same in both places. My opinion would be that any family that employs six different physicians at different. times in one illness could be classed as "dead beat." That is one of the surest signs of the species.

As a general rule the people in the country are able to pay, and do pay, the doctor, They are very loyal, even in sorrow and death. Dr. Curran must have been in the place where the people have absorbed some of the ways of the city without any of its softening influence. I have never met but one physician during my career that did not take some sort of medical magazine, and he happened to reside in a large city.

Recently I have been using a combination of morphine with about 1/30 or 1/40 of apomorphine, and the results are very excellent in insomnia, pain, etc., with apparently no after effects.

Sullivan, Maine.

R. A. BLACK, M.D.

TREATMENT OF HYDROCELE.

A writer in The Critic and Guide says: Take 4 grain protoiodide of mercury (green or yellow iodide of mercury) once a day for four or five weeks and you will find the water in the sack will be gone, never to return, and the parts resume their natural shape.

The red oxide of mercury is said to be a valuable remedy in cases of persistent seborrhea of the scalp. It is used in ointment form, 5 grains to the ounce, and massage in lightly.

كم

NOT INFALLIBLE.

Diphtheria antitoxin is not a success in this disease unless the throat is well taken care of by frequent spraying with an antiseptic. I have remarkable success in curing cases without antitoxin by frequent use of the atomizer with the following:

R Acid carbolic...... ..gtt. xvj.
Hydrozone,

Fld. hydrastis, colorless,
Glycerin..... ....āā q.s. ad 3ij.
M. Sig. Use in atomizer.

I also give Parke, Davis & Co.'s syrup ferri chlor., a teaspoonful every three hours. In some cases I use the following:

R Potass. chloratis.....

.3ss.

Tinc. ferri chlor., q.s. to dissolve

M. Sig. Soak four layers of lint or cotton, same thickness, with the solution and put on the pad a positive electrode (galvanic) the negative somewhere else, and use 10 or 15 milliamperes for 5 to 10 minutes, then wash the surface with sulphuric ether, when a small operation can be performed without pain. Try it.

Dr. Field expresses my opinion to a dct, see page 284, November, 1913, number, in what he says in reply to a SUMMARY editorial. I have a paper on this subject, as well as other things, and I handle the abortionist without gloves, my hands "soaked in brine." You will get it some day. With our surgical advance, I cannot see where the "decision between the unborn infant and mother" comes in.

AMOS SAWYER, M.D.

INCOMPATIBLE PRESCRIPTIONS.

Editor Medical Summary:

One of the most important things in combining medicines in a recipe is to carefully

scan

your to see if you are not formulating an incompatible compound. If one prescribes a scattering conglomeration he runs a great risk of not only defeating the object of his prescription, but may concoct a dangerous combination. Shot-gun compounds should be eschewed as much as possible. Aim straight, and do so by as little as you can use for a specific aim. It is no proof of man's skill and knowledge if he combines a multiplication of ingredients in his prescriptions. The best results are secured by simple prescriptions, and as a rule they are more effective and certainly more palitable.

Jeffersonville, Ind.

D. L. FIELD, M.D.

THE PRACTITIONER'S PRACTICAL PRESCRIBER

and Epitome of Symptomatic Treatment. By D. M. McDonald, M.D., Medical Officer of Health, Leven, Fife. Oxford University Press, Publishers, American Branch, 35 W. 32d St., New York City. 1913. Price, $1.50, net.

This appears to be a useful pocket formulary, and will, perhaps, supply a felt want to the busy practitioner. The first 135 pages are devoted to a paragraph or two each, including in most cases a formula or two, under the head of each disease, alphabetically arranged. This part of the book is followed by Posological Tables; Points in Prescribing; Common Diet Tables; Gavage; Recipes; Duration of Pregnancy Table; Infant Age and Weight; Ailments and Suitable Spas and Climate; Maladies Treated by X-Rays; Post-Mortem Reports; Tuberculin in Practice; Vaccine in Practice; Varieties of Local Anesthesia, and Index.

The author says: "Do not condemn because I uphold and advocate the study of astrology, for I say to my readers, astrology is the basis of all man-made knowledge, and science, on this physical plane to-day. All the encyclopedias we have to the contrary notwithstanding."

This is a handsome brochure of twentytwo pages, with stiff paper cover, its title page printed in gold. Its contents embrace a series of three lectures, "The Creation and the New Dispensation, "The Gift of the Spirit, and the Soul Individualization." "The Building of the Body, and Elemental Forces," delivered before a class in advanced thought, by the author.

DEFECTIVE OCULAR MOVEMENTS AND THEIR DIAGNOSIS. By E. & M. Landolt (Paris). Translated by Alfred Roemmele, M.B., and Elmore W. Brewerton, F.R.C.S. Oxford University Press, Publishers, American Branch, 35 W. 32d St., New York. 1913. Price, net, $2.00.

One of the most difficult parts of Ophthalmology, and yet one of the most important constitute the movements of the eyes and their anomalies. The author of this small volume endeavered to group the facts absolutely necessary for the oculomotion affections, especially those most apt to be overlooked or forgotten by the general practitioner.

The symptoms of paralysis are discussed. precisely, and classified in an explicit manner, and elucidated with illustrations. It is stated by the author that the wealth of the subject has been condensed as much as possible, and no attempt made to write a hand-book, but merely a handy book, a guide to aid the student and practitioner in finding his way over the oculomotor system, a path on which it is so easy to go astray.

PRACTICAL PRESCRIBING, With Clinical Notes. By Arthur H. Prichard, M.R.C.S., etc., late House Physician in Brompton Hospital, and Resident Surgeon, R. N. Hospital, Gosport. Oxford University Press, Publishers, American Branch, 35 W. 32d St., New York City. 1913. Price, $2.00, net.

The author introduces a number of prescriptions, and then by way of explanatory notes gives his reason for employing various constituents, their particular actions and any special points concerning them. Also, a number of illustrative cases have been epitomized in order to more fully il lustrate the effects of the various drugs in combination.

This is a neat volume of over 300 pages, arranged differently from similar works, with the object of supplying information in the most convenient form to be of the most practical service to those who are studying clinical medicine, and who wish to obtain practical knowledge of prescribing.

The results of treatment in the cases presented are indicated by short notes, and the main feature of each case is briefly summed up by way of comment. This method of showing side by side the prescription sheet and clinical notes, may prove useful to the student. The brief cases and notes are introduced only to illustrate, or make clear the objects of treatment.

DISEASES OF THE KIDNEYS AND NERVOUS SYSTEM. By A. L. Blackwood, B.S., M.D., Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago. Author of "A Manual of Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacology," "Diseases of the Heart," "Diseases of the Lungs," "Diseases of the Liver, Pancreas and Ductless Glands," "The Food Tract, Its Ailments and Diseases of the Peritoneum" and "Contagious and Constitutional Diseases." 346 pages. Boericke & Tafel, Publishers, Philadelphia. 1913. Price, cloth, $1.50.

As stated in the title, Dr. Blackwood is the author of five volumes previously published, and the present, the sixth, completes the series. Each book is complete in itself, but, altogether form a complete practice. Books in this form and style have an advantage over one large, cumbersome volume, easy for reference and easy to handle. This little volume has 324 headings of diseases or symptoms of disease, each separately defined, and generally giving the etiology, pathology, symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis, and homeopathic treatment, of course. The latter has apparently been worked out with much care. In his preface the author says that he has endeavored to present the facts as he has observed them in his clinics, hospital and private practice. The discussion of theories has been entirely omitted, the verified and proven only have a place in this volume. Special attention has been given to diagnosis, differential diagnosis, hygienic and dietetic treatment and selection of the indicated remedy.

THE ELEMENTS OF BANDAGING AND THE TREATMENT OF FRACTURES AND DISLOCAгIONS. By William Rankin, M.A., M.B., Ch.B., Dispensary Surgeon Western Infirmary, Glasgow, Extra Honorary Assistant Surgeon, R.H.S.C., Glasgow; with 68 original illustrations. Oxford University Press, Publishers, American Branch, 35 W. 32d St., New York City. 1913. Price, $1.50, net.

Bandaging is an art that should be carefully studied and practiced by all medical students, as by the adaptness to put on a neat bandage may often prove a financial asset, as it may reflect to the laity confidence in the ability of the doctor in other things. This little book is particularly adapted for the use of students of medicine, preparing for their final examination, to brush up, as it were, on the subject. Stress is laid on the commonest conditions and on the every-day complications. Simplicity has been the guiding thought and aim of the author in every procedure, and the method detailed is that which has proven the most satisfactory in practice, and few bad results will occur, where cases are treated as laid down in this small volume.

WHAT SHOULD I DO THAT I WOULD BE WHAT THE ALMIGHTY DESIGNED. By C. E. Patterson, M.D., D.S. Published by the author, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Price, $1.00.

The author presents the work to the reading public as a complement to his first work, entitled "A Knowledge of Self The Key to Power." The author concludes his preface as follows: "A healthy body and a pure soul brings perfect happiness on this earth plane, as then the spirit will prompt the soul, and you are as one with your Master-the will and design of the Lord God Almighty."

E. MERCK'S ANNUAL REPORT of Recent Advances in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Therapeutics. E. Merck, Chemical Works, Darmstadt, 1912. Volume XXVI. 1913. American Home of Merck & Co., 45 Park Place, New York City.

This, the latest issue, is somewhat larger than the previous edition The first seventy