on the liver cells and interfers with the metalobolism of fats, thereby throwing out into the blood the poisonous fatty acids which cause an acid intoxication, but by its injury to the kidney cells interfers very seriously with their chief means of excretion. Ether, even in very large doses, does not have this harmful action on the cells of the liver and kidneys to anything like the same extent. The fact that the damage done in those animals which had subcutaneous injections was much greater than in those which had inhalations would seem to indicate that the higher the percentage of chloroform in the blood the greater its harmful effects, so that a few minutes very deep anesthesia may do more damage than an hour's light anesthesia, emphasizing the importance to the anesthetist of giving the minimum dose of chloroform to his patient consistent with the requirements of the surgeon. In view of the fact that acute infections, at any rate of the peritoneum, do cause definite degenerative changes in the liver, and changes, though less marked, in the kidney, Apperly says, it seems of importance that in cases of this kind chloroform should not be given unless absolutely necessary, on account of its harmful effects on the same organs, and that ether, which has not the same harmful action, should be used whenever possible. Anent, the Ancient Operation of Circumcision. (By Q. W. Hunter, M. D. and Frank K. Green, Ph. G., M. D. in Pediatrics.) It has been claimed that the foreskin, like the appendix and certain other portions of the human anatomy, having no known physiological function, might as well be eliminated from the economy, since it can serve no useful purpose to the individual. Based upon present knowledge this observation may be literally true, but it is believed future investigation will demonstrate that every anatomical structure composing the human economy has a definite function to perform, and that the prepuce is no exception to the rule, otherwise in rerum naturae why are not all the genus homo masculinus born with such an appendage? Reasoning from analogy it would appear nature never intended that the prepuce should be extirpated, since as is well known every mammal having a penile expendage also possesses a protecting foreskin completely covering the glans with the organ in its quiescent state. When the prepuce is removed by surgery or otherwise, no protection is awarded the exquisitely tender and sensitive glans, and serious irritation and induration oftentimes ensue. In some instances where the foreskin was. only partially extirpated, it became imperative and that the individual thereafter wear a permanent protective dressing or "sling" to secure even a reasonable degree of comfort. Harlow takes a strong ground against the practice of circumcising infants. He says the delicate surface of the corona of the glands is provided with innumerable nerve papillae of exquisite sensitiveness. Nature has provided a careful protection to this surface, the double flap of foreskin which is common to male animals of the higher as well as the lower species. "Circumcision produces an ugly mutilation of the penis, of which one arrived at man's estate, unless he be Hebrew, might feel greatly ashamed. It is cruel to inflict unnecessarily such a mutilation upon a helpless child. Let the operation be performed only upon adults, with their own consent, and when it is a necessity." In this connection, Mercier records details of an operation for the restoration of the prepuce. The patient had been circumcised two years previously, but so sensitive was the glans that he suffered considerable from the least friction, and having tried all in vain all kinds of applications begged for some operation to restore his prepuce." Circumcision is a relic of barbarous and semi-civilized times, before soap, water and sanitation had been preached. It no doubt served a useful purpose among nomadic tribes of tropical countries; but in these days physicians should cease to preach or impose upon their patients an unnecessary and irrational mutilation.” Accidents have not infrequently happened in performing the apparently trivial operation of circumcision, and the individual has been thereby irrevocably injured. It came under my personal notice (Schwartz) that part of the glans penis was cut off; in another where too much of the foreskin was taken off; and recently one in which a piece of the scrotum about the size of a half dollar was missing. Moreover, after removal of the protecting prepuce the glans may become markedly indurated (callous) from the continued friction, and consequent thickening and hardening of the external surface thereof render it less sensitive thus conducing to diminished pleasure during the copulative act. In some instances, as a result of early circumcision, the external surface of the glans penis later become so thickened and indurated, as to be almost utterly devoid of sensation during coition. Examples of this character may be regarded as extreme, but mention thereof seems necessary to direct attention to factors hitherto ignored or overlooked. SOMERS. (Omaha) (A true knowledge of several cases of infants losing their lives from circumcision in Omaha.) A. B. S. E. G. BARNHARDT, M. D., Department Editor A. B. Anderson, M. D. Pawnee City, Pawnee Co. E. D. Banghart, M. D. David City, Butler Co. Hebron, Thayer Co. Stockville, Frontier Co. Neligh, Antelope Co. Minden, Kearney Co. Sidney Eastman, M. D., C. L. Hooper, M. D., S. R. Hopkins, M. D., Albion, Boone Co. Syl. Person, M. D., Stanton, Stanton Co. St. Paul, Howard Co. D. J. Reid, M. D.. McCook, Red Willow Co. NOTES AND NEWS Dr. N. H. Farrell of Omaha, has located in Hubbell, Nebraska. Dr. Emil Black, is a new physician recently located in Alma, Neb. Dr. Lucien Stark of Aurora, Neb., has decided to locate in Hartington, Nebraska. Dr. R. C. Hawkins of Omaha, has located in Butte, Neb., succeeding Dr. Hooper. Dr. B. F. Richards of Crawford, Neb., has returned from a brief visit to his old home town, Canton, Ohio. Dr. A. J. Ryan of York, Neb., but a resident of Blair, Neb., in earlier days, died May 20th at the age of 61 years. Dr. R. P. Hoxey, recently of Valentine, Neb., but coming from Longmont, Colo., has decided to locate in Red Cloud. Dr. Geeseman of Omaha, has located in Doniphan, Neb., where he will be associated in medical practice with Dr. Stone. Dr. L. J. Storkan of Omaha, has purchased the practice of Dr. Shriver at Callaway, Neb. Dr. Shriver has not yet re-located. Dr. E. V. Neuman of Omaha has purchased the practice of Dr. C. D. Nelson in Wausa, Neb., and taken up his residence there. Dr. A. C. Bunce, Omaha, announces the removal of his offices from the Douglas block to rooms 729 and 736 City National Bank Building. Dr. A. V. Stephenson of Crawford, Neb. is taking post graduate work in Los Angles, California, and will probably not return to Crawford to live. Dr. E. J. Gillespie of Monroe, Neb., has disposed of his practice to Dr. F. T. Webb of Chicago. Dr. Gillespie has not yet decided where he will locate. Dr. Emery W. Foster, until recently of Worland, Wyo., was found dead in his room in Omaha, May 12th from the effects of an over-dose of chloroform. Dr. Powell of Bern, Neb., has disposed of his practice to Dr. H. W. Thomas of Beatrice, formerly superintendent of the hospital for the feeble minded there. Dr. and Mrs. R. M. Schindel of South Omaha, have returned from California. The doctor is much improved in health by his long rest in that healthful climate. Dr. S. W. Dodge of Fairbury, Neb. and Mrs. Eliza A. Strain of the same place were married May 14th at Lincoln, Neb. They will make their home in Fairbury. Dr. C. A. Torrance, formerly of Gibbon, Neb., who recently went to the Pacific coast has returned to his former home in Gibbon, where he will reside in the future. Dr. C. L. Davidson of South Dakota, has recently located at Elgin, Neb., having purchased the practice of Dr. A. E. Collyer, who intends to relocate in New Mexico. Dr. Geo. H. Newton of Memphis, Tenn., has located in Fairbury, taking the practice of Dr. Wurth, who has gone east for Post Graduate study, after which he will re-locate. Dr. W. E. McDivitt of McCook, Neb., well known in Lincoln, died May 20th at Magdalena, Mexico, on a return trip by auto from California, where he had gone for the benefit of his health. Dr. C. T. Burchard of Falls City, Neb., has been appointed member of the board of secretaries to the State Board of Health to succeed Dr. C. P. Fall of Beatrice, whose term of office expires in July. Dr. W. B. Kern, until recently superintendent of the hospital for insane at Ingleside, has returned from California and will open an office in Hastings, where he will engage in the practice of his special work. Dr. Vernon of Chadron, Neb. has returned from Chicago, where he has spent some time taking post-graduate work in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He intends limiting his practice to these specialties. Dr. H. M. Fitzgibbon of Omaha, will leave June 25th for a three months study trip through Europe, where he will attend clinics at Berlin, Vienna and Paris, attending the International Medical Congress at London early in August. Dr. James Irving Thorne, a 1906 graduate of Creighton Medical College was home on a visit in May, after 7 years residence in the Philippine Islands. The first two years of that time was spent in the military service and the remainder in private practice in Manilla. Society Matters. Louis Adolphus Duhring, M. D., the eminent dermatologist of Philadelphia; died at his home in that city, May 7, aged 67. Charles F. Painter has been elected dean of Tufts College Medical and Dental Schools, vice Dr. Harold Williams, retired. Dr. William H. Welch and Dr. Eugene F. Cordell of Baltimore have been elected honorary members of the Royal Society of Medicine, London, in the Section of History of Medicine. Baby Clinics in a Church.-Beginning May 13, clinics will be held every Tuesday afternoon in St. Stephen's Church, Germantown, Pa. The clinics will be free and two nurses will be present to assist. The Iowa State Medical Association at the annual meeting in Des Moines, May 9th, elected as officers Dr. L. W. Dean of Iowa City, president; and Dr. A. W. Osborne, Des Moines, secretary, for the ensuing year. Dr. George Allen Staples of Dubuque, one of the best known men in the medical profession in Iowa, died at Mercy Hospital, April 3rd of apoplexy. Dr. Staples was born in Dubuque, Ia., February 4, 1859. The Indiana legislature has made an appropriation of $65,000 for the medical school and hospital of the Indiana University School of Medicine for the first year, and an annual appropriation of $75,000 thereafter. The South Dakota Medical Association at the annual meeting in Vermillion, May 29th, elected the following officers: President, F. A. Shafford, Flandreau; secretary-treasurer, R. D. Alway, Aberdeen, for the ensuing year. The long contemplated union of the Medical School of the University of Maryland and the Baltimore Medical College has been accomplished, and after the 1913 commencement all future graduates will receive the University diploma. In memory of her husband, who had suffered from an incurable disease for many years, Mrs. George W. Hooper of San Francisco, has given $1,000,000 to the University of California for the establishment of an institute for medical research. At a recent meeting of the medical board of Leland Stanford Junior University, it was voted that a fifth or hospital year be required, prior to granting the degree of M. D., this requirement to begin with the class entering in 1914. Surgeon Joseph H. White, U. S. P. H. Service, on duty at New Orleans, who recently returned from an inspection of Central American ports and interior towns, expressed the opinion that nowhere in the territory visited was there anything which suggested danger to the public health of the United States. REPUBLICAN VALLEY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. The semi-annual meeting of this society was held at Hastings on the 29th of May. The writer, who was present for the first time, was surprised and pleased at the progressive and enthusiastic attitude of this organization. The attendance was large, the program excellent and the spirit of the whole meeting impressed one with the live and earnest attitude of the members of the society. The banquet given at Fraternity Hall early in the evening was well attended and enjoyed by all. The address read by President Dr. Henry Farrell, of Axtell, was a masterpiece and deserves wide publicity and consideration. Very few addresses, delivered before our state association, have been so well prepared or ably delivered. The papers read and discussed at the afternoon session were of a high class and reflected the earnest work and original thought of the essayists. Dr. R. S. Mitchell's paper on "Personal Experience with bacterin treatment of pneumonia" was timely, well written, well delivered and gave occasion for a thorough discussion of bacterin therapy. Dr. S. R. Hopkins' paper on "Hematuria," was very carefully prepared and thoroughly covered the field. It contained many useful diagnostic suggestions for the general practitioner. Dr. Bannister's paper on “Certain Cardinal Points in Ophthalmology of Practical Interest to the General Practitioner" was a very practical and thorough consideration of eye conditions as they manifest changes in the functions of other organs or of the entire organism. Dr. Newel Jones' paper on "Some Recent Ideas in Infant Feeding" was a well prepared and thoughtful exposition of the more recent tendency to simplicity in infant feeding methods as compared with some of the former complicated formulae. Dr. S. J. Jones of Hastings presented a clinical case without the patient which proved something of a Chinese puzzle but aroused considerable interest and discussion. Dr. Muirhead's paper on "Reflexes" was perhaps a little too academic for the occasion, but was well received. The writer came away with the impression that for the time and labor involved, the meeting was one of the most successful and helpful he had ever attended. |