daily, until the system is thoroughly under the influence of the drug, providing the patient can bear the quantities just named. Dr. Thomas M. Drysdale showed the beneficial effect of this salt given in the above manner, in a most excellent paper, which he read before the Philadelphia County Medical Society, January, 1877, "On the use of the Chlorate of Potassium in Diphtheria and Pseudo-Membranous Croup." In diphtheria I have also seen the most successful results from this salt, and can bear clear and definite testimony as to its efficacy if given early in this affection, and in frequently repeated doses. The cause of the failure of some in using this salt is not so much in the use of small doses as in not giving it early, and in not continuing it for a sufficient length of time to get the medicinal effect of that drug. The complications of diphtheria very often set in before the drug is administered. Again, the chlorate of potassium given in solution, often repeated in diphtheria, will relieve the gastro-intestinal irritation, reduce the temperature, relax the hot and feverish skin, and assist in re-establishing the circulation more to its normal condition. This salt, however, should not be entirely depended upon in managing diphtheria; as the case will require stimulation, food, and perhaps quinine, for the great attendant depression. It can and will only fulfil its action upon the poisoned blood by altering and changing its character to a more normal healthy state, and so assist in throwing off and overcoming the disease.

PHTHISIS.

I have used the chlorate of potassium with the most marked benefit in phthisis. I do not maintain that it has any curative action upon the disease, but do hold, that in many cases that I have seen, it has greatly assisted in prolonging life. Dr. Kent Spender also gives large doses of it in phthisis, and adds that it checks diarrhoea, and prolongs life. It acts in a peculiarly gratifying manner by soothing the mucous membrane of the throat and gastro-intestinal canal. It increases the appetite, and thus very materially and conspicuously adds to the weight of the body. It changes the impure and unhealthy blood into a purer and better material.

MARASMUS.

In marasmus, particularly of children, the use of small doses of this salt has a very satisfactory and beneficial influence. I have administered from one to three grains, three or four times daily, to weak and puny infants, who would regain their nutrition, and fatten on its use in conjunction with good food. Its action on this disease has also been attested by Dr. Herbert L. Snow in the British Medical Journal, November, 1880, who adds that he has found chlorate of potassium act like a charm in cases of infantile marasmus.

ANEMIA.

In anæmia it acts upon the relaxed mucous membrane of the digestive tract, and so restores its functions. Again, by its rapid diffusive power, it enters the blood and exerts a beneficial influence upon that fluid. If good food, exercise, and pure air be given conjoined with and after the medicinal action of this salt, the anemia will, in many, rapidly tend to a permanent cure. Dr. Benjamin Lee reports a chlorotic case, which he cured some years ago, in The Medical Bulletin, April, 1882. He says: "I gave the chlorate of potassium on the theory that has always seemed to me a reasonable one, that this salt possesses the property of conveying oxygen to the blood globules." He further adds: "It has been my practice ever since to administer this remedy in anæmic and chlorotic conditions, usually with very happy results."

FEVERS.

In the eruptive fevers, such as scarlatina, morbilla, rötherln, and erysipelas, particularly in cases of the former in which the surface showed venous stagnation, improper aeration, and scanty eruption, full and often-repeated doses will frequently fill the surface with arterial blood, and bring out an abundant crop of the eruption. In erysipelas it may arrest the poisoned state of the blood, and diminish the tendency to suppuration in the parts, should any exist. It has also been said by some observers to be of service in typhus and typhoid fever.

DISEASES OF THE SKIN.

The chlorate of potassium given in various doses according to the ability with which the patient bears the drug, is of the

greatest value either in modifying or curing very many cutaneous affections. Thus I have often succeeded in aborting, and at times curing, many pustular diseases, with moderate doses of the chlorate of potassium. It is especially efficacious in ecthyma, particularly in those who are broken down in health. In boils, carbuncles, styes, pustular acne, pustular eczema, and sycosis, it lessens the tendency in many to suppuration; and should this latter condition be established before administering the salt, it will be largely instrumental in overcoming the abnormal state of the system. Its effective action in carbuncles was reported by Dr. Boardman Reed, of Atlantic City, at a meeting of the Philadelphia County Medical Society, September 22, 1880. Dr. Reed stated that the salt had been used upon Dr. Shoemaker's recommendation, who was in consultation with him: "The patient, a young girl, who had two carbuncles, one upon the back of the neck and the other in front of the ear; they afterwards extended until the affected area was about five inches in extent; the patient was very weak. She became feverish, and the pulse was rapid and feeble; very little hopes of her recovery were entertained until the chlorate of potassium was used in decided doses. Under good food, with iron, she rallied, and subsequently became quite well." In fact, very many afflicted with cutaneous troubles, particularly in those where there is a tendency to the formation of pus, having a deranged state of the gastro-intestinal canal, and loss of flesh, the use of small doses of the chlorate of potassium, in very many instances, will lessen the formation of pus, tone up the digestive organs, increase the fat, and prepare the patient for the administration of other remedies that will then act more effectively.

SCROFULA.

The chlorate of potassium has been in my hands the most reliable medicine in the great majority of those whom I have treated for this affection. Although I recognize in good nourishing food, exercise, fresh air, and a change of climate the best means of arresting this condition, nevertheless I maintain that this salt by acting on the improper and vitiated condition of the blood, changes its character, and will largely aid the hygienic measures just named in rendering the blood fit for nutrition of the tissues. The continued use of this drug for a time in the majority of those who are strumous will VOL. XXXIII.-10

improve the tone of the digestive system, increase the appetite, promote the flow of the bile, cleanse the blood, fatten the patient, render a previously dark skin clear and florid, and add tone and vigor to the system. It also has a marked influence in preventing and arresting, to a great extent, suppuration that may occur in the glands and tissues of those who are strumous. I read my first observation upon the action of this drug in 1880 before the Section of Practice of Medicine, in New York City; and since that time I have not only had continued good effect from this salt, but have also had from many physicians letters and short accounts of cases, commending the action of the drug and corroborating the results I reached. Among the many that I have received I append the following from an old and experienced physician, which may be of interest in this consideration:

DR. SHOEMAKER.-DEAR SIR: Some time ago I noticed the paper you read on the treatment of scrofulous affections of the skin by the internal use of chlorate of potassium, before the Section of Practice of Medicine, at the annual meeting of the American Medical Association, in New York City, in 1880. I most heartily endorse what you expressed in your remarks. I have been in practice for thirtyfour years, and have made the same empirical observation of the value of chlorate of potassium in scrofulous skin affections for the past ten years. I have given it largely to children suffering from enlarged glands, suppurating glands, in those having large bellies and unhealthy ulcers, in doses from three to ten grains in water, with positive results, and a very large number of cures. The chlorate of potassium has, in my hands, in the class of cases just referred to, toned up the digestive organs, and fattened my patients. I believe it has an alterative action on the system. It also has just as decided an action upon adults as children. S. SUTTON, M. D.

Yours,

MENDON, PA.

SCURVY.

One of the first medical uses to which the chlorate of potassium was applied, was as an antidote for scurvy. To the very general use of the potato, which contains the salts of potassium in abundance, can be attributed the very rare appearance of this malady at the present time. Dr. Baly has stated that scurvy was most prevalent in prisons where no potatoes were used; and Dr. Harkin has credited many cases of scurvy and purpura to the absence of this esculent, and its substitution by bread and tea or rice during periods of scarcity and famine. Dr. Garrod, in 1848, demonstrated very conspicuously the deficiency of potash in scorbutic blood; and Dr. Dickinson, in

The British Medical Journal, has attributed, with apparent probability, the existence of lardaceous disease to a deficiency of potash in the white corpuscles.

INFLUENZA.

Chlorate of potassium has been used by Edmund A. Parkes, M. D., F. R. S. (Reynolds's System of Medicine, Vol. I. p. 47), in suppression of urine occurring in cases of influenza. He uses very hot baths, and copious draughts of linseed tea, with either liquor potassæ or chlorate of potassium, with excellent results.

IN YELLOW FEVER.

Professor Frost, of Charleston, strongly advocates the chlorate of potassium, and he says: "It is richly worth extensive trials, from its known valuable properties in adynamic states generally, oxygenating the blood, and aiding in elimination by its action on the skin and kidneys. It is fair, however, to state that some cases, in which it was tried, were not very satisfactory." (Reynolds's System, p. 294.)

RHEUMATISM.

It has been used by Alfred Baring Garrod, M. D., F. R. S., as one of the salts used in the alkaline and saline treatment of rheumatism. He has as much success with this salt as with any salt used in the alkaline method (Ibid. p. 567).

CYNOSIS.

It has been administered in a case of cardiac cynosis, with the idea that it maintained oxygenation of the blood long enough for the patient to accommodate himself to the malformation under which he suffered (Stillé and Maisch).

HÆMORRHAGIC DIATHESIS.

Dr. Alexander Harkin (The British Medical Journal, October 30, 1880) was the first to call attention to its use as a hæmastatic in the hæmorrhagic diathesis, and in his excellent monograph he graphically depicts numerous cases, with their results, by his method of treatment. He claims that chlorate of potassium has the power of controlling the various manifestations of the hæmorrhagic diathesis in the human system.