and even before, there was a notable rise in temperature. The fever at its maximum reached 103° F. It was remittent in type. During the first two weeks the remission occurred in the morning, and the temperature was always highest in the latest part of the day, but afterwards the exacerbation was prone to occur in the morning, and the remission took place ot night. This continued until defervescence was complete, that is, fully five weeks after a thermometric rise had been observed. The eruption had faded long ere the fever disappeared.

In preparing this paper the writer has been desirous of bringing together, in easily accessible form, knowledge which he believes to be not only useful but important. Although the pages are not burthened by numerous references, it is proper to say, that no statement of fact is made throughout the paper unless based on his own personal observation or on the works of standard authorities.

Proceedings of Societies.

ABSTRACT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE MICHIGAN STATE BOARD OF HEALTH AT THE REGULAR MEETING, OCTOBER 10th, 1876.

The members present were Dr. H. O. Hitchcock, President, Dr. R. C. Kedzie, Dr. A. Hazlewood, Rev. C. H. Brigham and Henry B. Baker, Secretary.

Dr Kedzie presented two drawings, illustrating his paper on "Ventilation of Railroad Cars" ordered published in the annual report.

A paper on the "Water Supply in Michigan" was presented by Dr. Kedzie. The paper treated of the geological formation of the state as affecting the water supply, the mechanical and chemical effects of the different kinds of soil upon the water fil

tered through them, of the impurities usually found in water supplies, of graveyards and other sources from which these impurities frequently arise, and of methods of improving the quality of waters now used. It stated that the only sure way to detect impurities in water is by a careful chemical analysis; yet there are tests which can be applied by any one which give strong probable evidence, such as smell before and during boiling, taste, and especially Heisch's test, which consists in the addition of half a teaspoonful of pure sugar to a pint of the water in a bottle partly filled, set in a warm, well lighted place for forty-eight hours. The presence of cloudy matter indicates impurities. The paper is to be published in the annual report.

Dr. Baker presented additional material for a paper on the "Death rate as Influenced by Age, Climate, etc.," consisting of tables, charts, maps, diagrams, etc., and mentioned that he had found a way by which a comparison of the death rates of different states could be made without the necessity of computing a life table for each locality.

Dr. Hitchcock read a paper on "Criminal Abortion," showing that the present laws in this state have been derived from views held in past ages and are not in conformity with our present knowledge of physiology. The paper will be published in the report.

Dr. Hazlewood read a paper upon "Water," based largely upon the replies of correspondents to a circular sent out by the Board. He stated the chemical composition of water, the impurities usually found, the amount needed by each person daily for all purposes, which he placed at 100 gallons, at least, the healthfulness of different kinds of water, the source of the water supply of this state, the way to obtain the best cistern water, and the danger of using water which had been in contact with lead pipe. The paper will be published in the report.

Dr. Baker read a paper on the "Cause of Chorea," reviewing the evidence lately published by Dr. Geo. T. Stevens of Albany, N. Y. and some other not heretofore published. Dr. Hazlewood made a report relative to the sanitary condition of

the State Public School, advising postponement of further examination, until after some proposed improvements at the institution have been finished.

Dr. Hitchcock reported the proceedings of the International Medical Congress at Philadelphia, Sept. 4, which he attended as a member, and for the purpose of securing whatever might promise to be of use in his labors in this Board for Public Health in Michigan.

Dr. Baker reported the proceedings of the Health Department of the American Social Science Association, at Saratoga Sept. 8. He gave abstracts of each of the papers read, most of which related to the improvement of the sanitary condition of schools and school children.

Dr. Baker also read a report on "Methods of Collecting Vital Statistics," in which he urged an amendment to the present law, which he held would increase the value of the statistics, and not materially increase the cost of collection.

A proposed circular of instruction relative to the "Restriction and Prevention of Scarlet Fever" was discussed at length, and is to be revised and issued for the benefit of public health in Michigan.

A circular to correspondents, asking for statements of cases, and of facts concerning Scarlet Fever, was also discussed, and is to be issued when perfected.

A communication from J. H. Beech M. D. was read, giving the details of the drowning of nine persons at Bawbeese lake, and containing suggestions for the prevention of similar occurIt was received with thanks. Dr. Beech also reported the unusual prevalence of diphtheria at Union City, and suggested that it afforded an opportunity for studying its causes.

rences.

Dr. Baker made a report in reference to the duties assigned him, and of a portion to the work done in the office since the last meeting.

The annual report of property, expenditures, etc., was also made; the time having been changed from April to October.

This report covers a period of six months only.

The following

$10 00

125 00

52 75

58 05

14 90

12 90

177 55

4 00

46 45

1000 00

29 45

20 17

$1551 22

The property on hand consists of stationery,⚫ meteorological, and other instruments, and more particularly the library, which is continually increasing in value.

The replies of correspondents relative to prevailing diseases in Michigan in 1875, and also some results of the weekly reports of prevailing diseases up to September 30, are to be published in the annual report.

Chemistry and Pharmacy.

IN CHARGE OF PROF. ALBERT B. PRESCOTT, OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN.

CURES FOR THE OPIUM HABIT.

The well-known operators in these secret engines for the slow torture of the most unfortunate are finding victims "in the state of Maine." In the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, for Oct. 26, 1876, is a report from a special committee of the Cumberland County (Maine) Medical Society giving an analysis, made by Waltz and Stillwell, Chemists, New York, of an "opiun anti

dote'? isssued by Mrs. J. A. Drollinger of La Porte, Ind. It consisted of morphia sulphate in solution of glycerine colored with aniline, about seven grains to the ounce. The committee had also obtained an analysis by Prof. H. Carmichael, Portland, Me., of the "antidote" of S. B. Collins, of La Porte, Ind. This was found to contain morphia sulphate, fourteen grains to the ounce.

These reports are presented with the remark that "there is a great opportunity for our brethren in the region of La Porte to distinguish themselves", so it is remarked, "to distinguish themselves as guardians of the health of the people, and we trust that they will not be slow to follow up the track so well opened by their fellows in Maine." Very true; if the County Medical Societies in Indiana, will follow up these things and take hold of them-take hold of them with the dressing forceps, etc., or anyway—we will all join in applause.

Numerous " opium antidotes" have been shown to consist essentially of morphia (1), and it does not require the testimony, which we have, to assure us that in the great majority of cases, those using these nostrums have no advantage of any sort from them. But it is not quite safe to assert the impossibility of cure by these articles, because, as we remarked in a former article,(2) they are given so as to afford a singularly favorable opportunity for a gradual diminution of the dose, the patient having just a month's supply, at stated doses, and being warned against increasing the dose of the unknown remedy. Further, it is not without interest that quinine is sometimes put with morphine, in these "cure.s" The article reported on page 195 of the present volume, contained a relatively (though not a therapeutically) larger proportion of quinine than of morphine. Only one instance of benefit has been communicated to us on good evidence—a case in which, after using the "antidote" two years, the patient discontinued it, without craving opiates.

(1) Beck's Cure (Flavored Tincture of Opium): WAYNE, Cin. Lancet & Observer, 1873. Squire's Cure; S. B. Collins' Cure; a Cure of unknown origin: THIS JOURNAL, April, 1874. An Antidote containing morphia with quinia: THIS JOURNAL, March, 1876 p. 195.

(2) THIS JOURNAL, 1874, p. 158.