ulcer dry, a paste of zinc sulph. anh. 31 (32.), glycerine 3i (4.), or an ointment, zinc sulph. anh. 3i (32.), axunge 3ij (8.) In using the powder it should be applied over the whole surface in depth inch or more. The pain is not severe, lasting about one hour. After it has remained three or four hours, the liquid portion of it should be absorbed by cotton and a hot poultice applied; five or six days will be required to remove the slough. If any diseased tissue remain after the slough is removed, reapply as before; if a healthy surface remains, apply simple dressings. Little or no danger exists from these applications over important parts; the local inflammatory action established tends to protect the underlying parts from injury. In treating the nodules or hardened masses, where, covered by integument, these forms are not desirable, a paste made by mixing the zinc with acid sulph. is very energetic; apply with a stick or glass rod. To prevent pain, apply first a strong solution of acid carbolic, as an anaesthetic; after a few hours apply a poultice as before. The parts are usually destroyed to about the depth of the superimposed layer, the slough is of a white color, exfoliates in five or six days, and is without taint or odor; the local inflammatory action is generally light and transient. Prof. Simpson sums up in its advantages as follows: "1. Its powerful escharotic action. 2. The rapidity of its action. 3. Its great simplicity and manageableness. 4. Its facility of application. 5. Its non-tendency to deliquesce or spread. 6. Its perfect safety. 7. Its efficacy."

Epithelial or cancroid ulcer of the cervix uteri under the application of the powder, exfoliates its surface, has its sanguineous and scropurulent discharges arrested, the parts heal temporarily if not permanently, and the general condition of the patient improves.

ANOTHER ECLECTIC MEDICAL COLLEGE.

California greets Indiana, and wishes God speed to the new Medical College lately organized at Indianapolis. We hope the friends of the institution will realize their most sanguine anticipations. There is room and to spare for good Eclectic Colleges, and we have every assurance our Indiana friends will run nothing else. However much the medical profession is crowded, thoroughly qualified Eclectic physicians will have no difficulty in finding desirable locations.

We believe in more Eclectic Colleges. In numbers we have strength. We hail with pleasure all accessions to our ranks. The spirit of the inquisition is not yet dead. Medical as well as religious bigots are still in existence. There are a class of medical

men who are intolerant and would crush out all others if they had the power.

Success to you, gentlemen. You have our sympathy. Our hearts beat in unison with yours in your endeavors to build up the cause of liberal and progressive medicine.-California Medical Journal, October, 1880.

A COMPOUND COMMINUTED FRACTURE OF THE SKULL, TREATED BY TREPHINING.

By D. D. CROWLEY, M. D., Oakland, Cal.

Trephining is an operation that was performed by Hippocrates as early as B. C. 460; it was resorted to with but little success until 1610. The Fabricius of Aquapendente introduced the modern trephine, or the instrument that is now resorted to, both in England and America. It was used subsequent to concussion of the brain, upon that part of the skull where discoloration existed, and as can be easily conceived, met with the most injurious results. The mortality increasing, it finally fell into disuse for a number of years. Though the operation for trephining was performed with impropriety, there can be no doubt that evil has ensued by its not being resorted to.

Statistics inform us that out of 51 cases of compound fracture of the skull, 40 died and 11 were cured; and again, where the operation was resorted to, for epilepsy as well as fracture, in 107 cases, 55 died and 52 recovered.

Trephining should be performed when there is a traumatic lesion of the head; in mechanical lesions of the head or hemiplegia with extravasation of blood.

Trephining is contra-indicated, if the lesion is speedily fatal or can be benefited by some other means; if a lesion be deeply seated, or, in case of fracture, where the fragments do not produce pressure upon the brain; in diffused inflammation of the brain or its membranes.

The instrument that may be required for the operation of trephining are: A scalpel, pair of forceps to raise the flap, tenaculum, needles, ligatures, trephine, Hey's saw, sponges and dressings.

The patient should be first thoroughly chloroformed, and if the fracture be not compound, make a crucial incision over it to an extent that when the flaps are dissected from the pericranium, their bases will be beyond the boundary of the fractured part.

Then use the trephine, inserting the centre pin only a few lines from the fractured bone, so that the saw may overlap the injured part. After a sufficient track is formed, withdraw the centre pin. It is not difficult at any time to tell what depth is attained; for

when the diploe is reached the bonedust becomes discolored, less resistance is met with; or the trephine may be frequently removed and the depth measured. The bone dust should be removed previous to reaching the inner plate. When it is reached remove the central disc. The dura mater is now exposed, and care should be taken in not wounding it. After removing the clots of blood, insert the elevator between the depressed fragments of bone and membranes, elevating the former to its proper level. Remove all disconnected spicule of bone. Arrest hemorrhage by ligature or pressure. After the operation, cleanse the wound thoroughly, bring the flaps in apposition and retain them by sutures and straps. A warm poultice placed over the part to counteract the inflammatory conditions that might arise is quite justifiable.

Though the parts would readily heal by the first intention, it would not be policy to allow them to do so completely. There being a large amount of matter which forms during healing, there should be a small aperture for its exit. A drainage may be obtained by inserting a few threads of silk in each corner of the wound.

The evening of August 23, 1880, I was summoned with Dr. McLean to attend a lad aged about nine years. He received a kick from a horse, which took effect upon the frontal bone. Upon our arrival we found him in a semi-conscious condition, having a full bounding pulse, 110, flushed face and increased temperature. Examining the wound, the following conditions were present a large wound three inches in length, commencing over the left frontal eminence and extending to the right parietal bone, exposing the pericranium. There was also a fracture of the frontal bone and a depression two and one half inches in length and one and three fourths in width.

After having made an incision and dissected up the flaps, we trephined and found the fragments of bone resting on the brain at an angle of about 60°. One being crushed into many parts, which we entirely removed, exposing the dura mater to the extent of two inches in length and one in width. Small spiculæ were removed that were driven between the skull and dura mater. The membrane, though discolored, was apparently entire. The other fragment was raised to its proper level, the wound thoroughly cleansed, flaps brought in apposition, and the parts treated as before mentioned.

In addition to the treatment previously mentioned, we used carbolic acid as an antiseptic, also veratrum and hyoscyamus. The temperature never increased beyond 99. The third week the boy crossed the bay to San Francisco and is now fully recovered.California Medical Journal.

SOCIETY MEETINGS.

MEETING OF THE ECLECTIC MEDICAL SOCIETY OF THE STATE OF

NEW YORK.

ALBANY, N. Y., October 13, 1880.

The society convened in Agricultural Hall, at 10 o'clock a. m., October 13, 1880.

The meeting was opened with prayer by the president, H. A. Bolle, M. D.

To the roll call an unusually large number of members responded.

Minutes of last meeting were read and approved.

The list of auxiliary societies was called, and the names and credentials of delegates presented.

In place of absentees on board of censors, the president appointed Drs. D. E. Smith, R. Hamilton, W. H. Hawley, Wm. Jones and H. W. Duszowski.

Prof. A. Wilder, of New Jersey, raised the point as to whether the resolutions passed by the society in 1872 should govern the board. One resolution in question reads:

Resolved, That this society will not hereafter recognize the Eclectic Medical College of Pennsylvania as a medical college at all, and that diplomas of said college or university of Philadelphia will not be recognized as entitling the holders thereof to consideration or fellowship."

The chair decided that the resolution is still in force, and should govern the board of censors.

The matter of the twenty-fourth district society was referred to the board of directors, with power.

The law of May 29, 1880, was discussed while the censors retired.

The committee on legislation was requested to report resolutions on the new law, expressing the sentiments of this society.

Nominating committee appointed, consisting of Drs. Ř. S. Newton, R. A. Gunn, D. E. Smith, M. L. Filkins, W. Darmon, J. N. Betts, T. L. Harris, R. Liston, J. W. Owen, S. Roe, Jr., W. H. Hawley, I. J. Whitney and E. W. Seymour.

Adjourned to 2 o'clock p. m.

FIRST DAY-AFTERNOON SESSION.

The society was called to order by the president.

The board of censors reported, and the society proceeded to ballot for permanent members.

The following were unanimously elected: Drs. John Rankin, L. P. Grover, F. Mortimore, N. L. Wright, G. H. Day, O. Ellerson, C. S. Allan, I. H. Reiley, S. J. Reynolds, C. C. Cranmer, H. S. Knowles, E. B. Collins, A. R. Tiel, C. Collin, L. Huyck,

Jared Chase, C. S. Best, I. J. Whitney, E. W. Seymour and W. Darmon.

H. S. Firth, M. D., addressed the society upon the "Alkaloids of our School," and the necessity of an Eclectic pharmacopoeia. Verbal reports of the condition of each auxiliary society were presented by the members of the same.

The secretary read his annual report. The receipts for the year were $567.50. There are seventy volumes in the permanent library. Sales of transactions to the amount of $308.50 have been consummated during the past year. About 100 books were given to the students of the medical colleges in New York city. All the older volumes have been disposed of; there remains but two copies of Volume XI., and about fifty of Volume XII. The latter contains about seventy essays, and all the medical laws of New York State since 1794. Price, $1.50 a copy. The forthcoming volume is still in the hands of the printer, untouched A long list of papers and reports in the hands of the secretary were read by title. During the year three members have been lost by deathDrs. Benjamin Brandreth, Paul W. Allen and A. P. Hale.

The treasurer reported a balance in cash of $235.15, and no liabilities.

The reports were referred to a finance committee, consisting of Drs. Betts, Gunn and Jones, who subsequently reported the accounts

correct.

The consideration of an amendment to the constitution, altering the present method of electing members, was brief, the amendment being withdrawn.

From this to the close of the session the time was taken up in discussing the treatment of pleurisy.

FIRST DAY EVENING SESSION.

The annual address was delivered by the president—subject, "Freedom."

Voluntary addresses followed. Prof. R. A. Gunn spoke upon the "Future of Eclectic Medicine;" Prof. R. S. Newton, upon the "Principles of our School of Practice;" and Prof. A. Wilder, upon "Our History."

SECOND DAY-MORNING SESSION.

The convention opened its session by prayer.

The remaining subjects specially mentioned in the programmeDyspepsia," "Neuralgia," "Diseases of the Liver," "Malaria," "Quinine," "Hydrastin" and "Pepsin"-were reported by the members, the president limiting each speaker to three minutes. All present participated.

The following is a list of papers and reports presented by title : Transactions of Brooklyn Academy of Medicine.