eases of Children." In 1856 he edited and published "Symes' Surgery." In 1867 these works were revised and improved, in much larger editions. The above list represents but a very small portion of Dr. Newton's labors in medical literature. It may be said that he was always contributing to the bibliography of his profession-a labor that ceased only with his death. He devoted much time, attention and editorial labor to the organization in 1848, and the reorganization in 1870, of the National Eclectic Medical Society, and was conspicuous in the work of all the State organizations, attending personally and addressing most of these societies, with their auxilaries. He was widely known as a teacher, editor and practitioner, and his faith and confidence in the ultimate success of Eclecticism as a system of medical practice has been fully justified by the results.

The foregoing is but a slight attempt to sketch the principal. features of a long and busy professional career. It is impossible, in the limits of this article, to give any but the simple outlines of his life. A complete and exhaustive biography of Dr. Newton is, however, in course of preparation, and will present to his many friends an elaborate history of his life and work. It will be incorporated in a future issue of the MEDICAL ECLECTIC, which will be made a memorial number of that journal.

GONORRHOEA IN THE FEMALE.

BY MAX AUGSBURGER, M. D.,

Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women in the Electic Medical College of the City of New York.

Gonorrhoea in the female or specific vaginitis, consists in an inflammation of the vaginal and vulvar mucous membranes, attended by smarting and painful micturition, due to the acid urine passing over the inflamed surface. This inflammation is caused by contact cf the purulent material, which excites a hyperemia in the mucous membrane of the vagina; this hyperæmia results in pain, heat and swelling, and an inchorous discharge, which is at first colorless and similar to that in the male, but soon becomes thick and purulent.

The symptoms of gonorrhoea in women are sufficiently well marked in the early stage, when there is heat and burning pain

in the vagina, with an abundant muco-purulent discharge, which on coming in contact with surrounding parts produces excoriation. A frequent desire to urinate, which is accompanied by pain and scalding, and a sense of weight and throbbing in the perineum.

Upon examination the vagina is found to be red, swollen, and secreting an amount of thick pus which is sometimes streaked with blood.

After a lapse of several weeks, the mucous membrane becomes less red and swollen, and the discharge diminishes and becomes of a light yellow or white color.

Many writers consider it difficult to differentiate this disease from other like diseases. Although simple vaginitis or the nonspecific form of inflammation resembles this closely, still I think there are a few diagnostic points.

The first is that of Urethral Complication:-There is no other vaginal dischage which I know of which is accompanied by urethral inflammation. If, on passing your finger along the upper wall of the vagina along the course of the urethra, you are able to cause a drop of pus to be discharged from the meatus, you may be certain that you are dealing with a case of gonorrhoea.

Second. Great inflaminatory irritation with abundant mucopuruelent discharges, developed in a woman who had previously been free from such diseases, is also diagnostic.

The complications of gonorrhoea are quite numerous. They are as follows:

Vulvitis.-The discharge coming in contact with the vulva excites an inflammation in these parts. This is one of the most frequent complications.

Cystitis. By an extension of the inflammation along the course of the urethra, the bladder may become inflamed.

The inflammation may extend into the uterus, causing endometritis and metritis; from thence it may pass into the fallopian tubes, causing inflammation of these parts, and to the ovaries causing ovaritis; and either by direct communication or by a discharge of the inflammatory material into the pelvic cavity, it may cause pelvic peritonitis or cellutitis.

The lymphatics and inguinal glands may become affected, causing buboes, the same as in the male.

Vulvo Vaginal Glands.-By adhesive inflammation the openings of these glands become closed, thereby retaining their secretion. When in this condition they may be detected as a painful, hard (sometimes fluctuating) tumor, of the size of a hen's egg. on each side of the ostium vagina.

The Duration of a Gonorrhea in the Female Varies.—If properly treated it may be cured in a few weeks, but if neglected it may continue for months as a thin, gleety discharge, which then proves quite obstinate to treatment.

Treatment. There are two indications necessary in the treatment of an acute attack of this disease.

First, Rest.-By keeping the patient in bed and prohibiting all motion.

Second. The application of emollient sedatives, such as an infusion of poppy-heads, flax-seed, elm bark, boiled starch, etc., to which may be added 10 or 15 drops of the tincture of opium. The glass and hard rubber syringes which are so much used at the present, prove inefficient in this affection. For this purpose I would recommend the fountain or Davidson's syringe, as they throw a continuous stream with the least effort.

In using a vaginal injection the patient should be upon a lounge, with the hips slightly elevated, the buttocks projecting over the edge and the feet upon the floor. A vessel should be placed under the buttocks to catch the injection as it runs out of the vagina. While lying in this position the injection should be discharged into the vagina and against the cervix. This should be continued for at least 15 minutes and repeated four or five times a day. After the inflammation has somewhat subsided the following treatment will be found of great value. The vagina being well cleansed, it should be painted over twice a week, with a solution of nitrate of silver (gr. xv. to 3i.) This is a painless procedure, as the vagina and cervix are not sensitive parts. As an injection, Tannin, Hydrastis, Pinus canadensis, Oak bark, Yerba Reuma, in fact most any astringent will answer.

The injection which I am in the habit of prescribing is a mixture of equal parts of alum, sulphate of zinc and borax. Of this mixture I instruct the patient to add one teaspoonful to a pint and a half of water, and then to add one teaspoonful of the

fluid extract of Hydrastis. This should be used as one injection. Instead of an injection, recourse may be had to the use of vaginal suppositories, or to a pledget of cotton, soaked in the liquid and laid upon the diseased surface. The disadvantage of the latter method is the necessity of their repeated removal (four or five times a day), as they are apt to retain the discharge.

TREATMENT OF COMPLICATIONS.

Vulvitis, as I have already mentioned, is caused by discharge running over these parts. The first indication is cleanliness. A soothing lotion of the following composition may be used as a wash, also applied upon lint, placed between the two cabia to prevent them from rubbing against each other:

Urethritis.-This is the only complication upon which specifics have any effect. The internal administration of kava kava, cubebs, copaiba, or the oil of sandal wood is of great service. I usually give:

The warty growths, which sometimes appear on the nates and perineum, may be removed by the knife. Sometimes quite a few hemorrhages ensue which should be controlled by ligature or persulphate of iron. A very good way of shrivelling these growths is by an injection of a few drops of acetic acid into their substance.

If the cervix or body of the uterus or its appendages become affected, the patient should be confined to her bed, hot fomentations should be applied, and pain should be relieved by the internal administration of gelsemium and opium. If the vulvo

vaginal glands become affected, our first care should be to prevent (if possible) the formation of pus. Rest, opium and the external application of belladonna ointment are of service. If suppuration advances, it should be assisted by hot fomentations, and the resulting abscess opened as soon as fluctuation is detected. 669 Ninth avenue, New York.

REPORT ON OPHTHALMOLOGY*

BY ROBERT SAFFORD NEWTON, M.D.

GENTLEMEN:-During the past year great advancement has been made in the progress of ophthalmology; its literature has been greatly increased by the appearance of new journals, text books, monographs and essays. The ingenuity of its practitioners has produced many new and valuable instruments and appliances to benefit afflicted mankind. With the experience gained each year, its Materia Medica and Therapeutics have made the greatest progress, and it is with pride that we watch the scientific development. Until recently the practice of specialties was of too routine a nature, too much reliance upon the favorite remedial agents of the past, to the exclusion of the claims of the new remedies. To keep astride with the discoveries and advancements in the several departments of medicine is beyond the power of the practitioner, and it is only by devoting himself to some special department that he can do justice to it, and by careful work feel conscious himself that he is conversant with every detail of his subject. In the early stage of any department of knowledge, it is almost a matter of necessity that it should be in the hands of a few. But it is the highest privilege of those who thus devote themselves to the reclaiming of new spots of territory, to be able, after awhile, to hand them over to the commonwealth to prove that they are now cultivated and well worthy of annexation.

As Chairman of this section I trust that every assistance will be given, and that our subject matter may be of such general import, that, when "handed over" to the Association, it will go far towards demonstrating the object and usefulness of sectional work. The recent discoveries have been so very numerous that I have to

* Abstract of the Report read at the National Convention, New Haven, June 21, 1882.