I have met with good results. Below I will cite one case in which I used the nitrate of pilocarpin. P. R—, aged 55; complained of some pain in the side; found him sitting on the bed; respiration very much accelerated, beating 40 per minute; short, sharp cough, with constant pain in infra-mammary region; he could not lie on the affected side; the usual difficult elevation of ribs was present on auscultation; I also discovered the pathognomonic symptom of pleurisy, the friction sound. In addition I also found the crepitant râle of pneumonia with expectoration of rusty sputa; and upon percussion I found dullness distinct over the lower lobe of the lung. The diagnosis was therefore very clearly a case of pleuro-pneumonia. I commenced my treatment with the usual saline cathartic, and after having produced several good evacuations. from the bowels, I commenced with the nitrate of pilocarpin, three-eighths of a grain hypodermically. I waited to watch the effects; this came on in about twenty-five minutes. The saliva began to flow copiously; in about ten minutes more active diaphoresis set in, which lasted an hour; after this my patient felt greatly relieved, in fact he could then lie down; his breathing became easier; had no pain; slept for four hours; respiration reduced to 29 per minute; I ordered warm poultices to his chest and repeated the hypodermic injection of three-eighths of a grain in the evening of the same day, after which the same symptoms re-appeared, the patient getting better after each dose. I used three-eighths of a grain for three successive days, twice a day. After the third day my patient was so much better that I discontinued the use of nitrate of pilocarpin, but continued the poultices to the chest, with the usual tonics of quinine, beef-tea, etc. This case I watched very carefully and can attribute the rapid improvement and prompt relief obtained to the use of the drug. I have treated similar cases but not with as prompt and speedy relief. With this little description I hope that the profession will give it a fair trial, and report the results for the benefit of the profession, so that all may reap the benefit of the investigation. 1009 South Seventh Street. Proceedings of Medical Societies. ST. JOSEPH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. The regular weekly meeting of the St. Joseph Medical Association was held in the Court House, St. Joe, Mo., January 2d, 1879, at 7:30 P. M., President Dr. Donelan in the Chair, J. Geiger, Secretary. A good number of the members were present. This being the annual meeting, the Association proceeded to the election of officers for the ensuing year, which resulted as follows: President-Dr. Jacob Geiger. Vice President-Dr. J. H. Stringfellow. Treasurer-Dr. Hugh Trevor. The outgoing President made a few appropriate remarks, and introduced the President-elect, Dr. Geiger, who, upon taking the Chair, made a lengthy speech. On motion, the discussion of regular question, Epilepsy, was postponed. Dr. Carpenter was appointed Essayist two weeks hence; and Fracture of the Clavicle the subject for discussion for the next meeting. The Society adjourned. DISTRICT MEDICAL SOCIETY OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI. The fifteenth quarterly meeting of this Society met at the Court House, St. Joe, Mo., Jan. 9th, 1879, at 10 o'clock, A. M., President Dr. Geo. C. Catlett in the Chair, Dr. Jacob Geiger, Secretary. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. The roll was called, and following were found present: Drs. W. H. Bryant, Savannah, Mo.; T. M. Laney, Savannah, Mo.; A. Goslin, Oregon, Mo.; J. M. Huffmann, Whitesville, Mo.; C. W. Spicer, Fillmore; W. W. Carter, Wathena, Kansas; I. L. Tracy, Rockport, Mo.; R. H. Smith, Craig, Mo.; Drs. Heddens, Trover, Donelan, Siemens, Doyle, Geiger, France, Chesney, Richmond, Two o'clock P. M., Essay by Dr. W. A. Bryant. Nine o'clock P. M., Essay by Dr. W. I. Heddens. Ten o'clock P. M., discussion of question, Pneumonia, and reports of cases. Report was adopted. On motion of Dr. Doyle the resolution to amend Article 5, Section 3 of Constitution, in reference to election of members, be taken up and acted upon. Resolution was voted on and carried, changing the vote from a four-fifths to a two-thirds vote. Dr. G. W. E. Chamberlain, of Rockport, Mo., and Dr. J. C. Farr, of Alanthus, Mo., made application for membership. The Committee on Election reported favorably on the applicants. They were balloted for and elected. The Committee on the Revision of the Constitution and ByLaws read their report, which was laid over until next meeting for final action. The Society adjourned until 2 P. M. AFTERNOON SESSION. The Society was called to order by the President, Dr. Catlett, at 2 P. M. Dr. A. B. Allen, of Barnard, Mo., made application for membership, and was elected. Dr. Bryant, of Savannah, Mo., read an excellent paper on Lacerated Perineum, and exhibited a needle for the operation after his own plan. Paper received and referred to Committee on Publication. This very interesting subject was thoroughly discussed by Drs. Siemens, Richmond, Goslin, Geiger, Doyle, Christopher, Spicer, Catlett and Craig. Dr. Geiger, of St. Joe, read an essay on Electricity in Surgery. Discussed by Drs. Carpenter and Siemens. Adjourned until 7:30 P. M. EVENING SESSION. The Society convened at 7:30 P. M., Vice President Dr. Hugh Trevor in the Chair, Dr. Craig acting as Secretary, pro tem. Dr. Doyle read a very able and lengthy essay on the Disorders of Menstruation, which was discussed by Drs. Richmond, Goslin and Craig. Dr. Goslin presented an interesting specimen of intussusception of the bowel. Dr. Spicer opened the discussion on the regular subject, Pneumonia. A lively debate followed on the subject between Drs. Christopher, Siemens, Goslin and Craig. Dr. Craig presented a pathological specimen, Fibro-Cystic Tumor of the Ovary, removed by Dr. E. W. Bliss, of Hiawatha, Kansas. Dr. Richmond requested an opportunity to enter a plea for the prompt use of the forceps. Drs. Richmond, Doyle and France were appointed a committee to prepare programme for next meeting. The committee, after a short consultation, reported as follows: Essayists, Drs. R. H. Smith, C. W. Spicer, C. J. Siemens and D. J. Christopher. Subject for discussion: "Which are the best remedies to improve appetite, digestion and assimulation." Report adopted. Drs. Catlett, Goslin, Bryant, Donelan and Trevor were appointed a committee to draft a petition to the State Legislature to establish a State Board of Health; also to correspond with the different medical societies to insure a concert of action. Adjourned until April 10, 1879. THE HOWARD COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY. The Howard County Medical Society met in Fayette, Mo., pursuant to adjournment, September 2d, 1878. The meeting was called to order by Dr. I. P. Vaughan, President of the Association. The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and adopted, and, the roll being called, the following gentlemen answered to their names, viz.: Drs. I. P. Vaughan, M. B. Collins, J. B. Scott, B. E. Dawson, J. T. Bailey and U. S. Wright. Under the head of "reports from committees," Dr. Vaughan reported that he had heard nothing definite from Dr. Bonham, Jr., in reference to his practice of the secret pile remedy, and asked further time to consider with Dr. Bonham before action be taken by the Society, which request was granted him, extending the time to our next meeting. Dr. Scott read an essay on the "Treatment of Epilepsy," giving a variety of remedies used by the most skillful physicians, both of Europe and America, many of which he had used on some two or three patients with but little good accruing, but he thought he had derived more benefit from the use of a prescrip tion recommended by Dr. U. C. Fleming in an article published in Brinton's Half- Yearly Compendium of Medical Sciences, which he gave to the Society. It consisted of the hydrocyanate iron, valerianate quiniæ, cyanate of zinc and extract hyoscyamus. The Doctor urged the members of the Society to more fully test its merits. After the essay was read the members of the Society had quite an entertaining discussion upon the etiology, pathology and treatment of the disease under consideration. Dr. Collins next read a paper on the use of ergot in a variety of diseases, recommending its use both internally and externally. He had not fully tested its merits in all the diseases mentioned, but spoke with positiveness as to its good effects in hæmoptysis; also of the happy effect produced by its use in conjunctivitis. He was anxious that all its virtues should be more fully known to the profession, and hoped that further experience with its use would make it worthy of still more confidence by the profession. The Doctor's essay was fully appreciated by all present, and his views were fully substantiated by the experiences of the members of the Society. Dr. Dawson read an essay, on the subject of "Satyriasis," which was novel in its construction and quite interesting to the Society. The Doctor fully appreciates the advantages to be gained to the Society by every member bearing his part of the duties assigned him, and, although absent from the Society at our last meeting, he came prepared to give his production as a voluntary contribution. After the discussion of the papers, the members entered into the discussion of hæmorrhoidal tumors, expressing confidence in their ability to cure piles by the various methods of treatment known to the profession, with as slight pain, as little detention from business, and in as short a time, as can be done by anyone of those who are now heralding their infallible cure. The meeting was a very interesting one, and was in every way calculated to strengthen the bonds of union between the brotherhood. As time was limited, the subject of "Nævi" was continued until our next meeting, when Dr. Vaughan will open the discussion with a paper upon the subject. The subject of "Malaria" was also adopted for discussion. Drs. J. W. Southworth, J. W. Hawkins and J. A. Biles were appointed as essayists for our next meeting. On motion of Dr. Collins, and by a vote of the Society, Glasgow was selected as our next place of meeting. On motion of Dr Dawson, the Society adjourned until the first Monday in October, 1878. U. S. WRIGHT, Secretary. I. P. VAUGHAN, President. |