Furley, Freeman, Fabrique, Hungate, Hamil with good results. An anæmic appearance

Dr. McCracken-Venesection should be matory trouble had manifested itself, and durpractised in plethora, but not in anæmia.

ing the preceding thirty-six hours the patient was unable to reach a recumbent posture at any time. I at once administered one-half grain morphia sulph. hypodermically, and had

Dr. Webb reported a case of resection of the elbow joint. Presented the specimen. The report will appear in the JOURNAL. Dr. Freeman reported an interesting case of the satisfaction in a short time to see him lyepilepsy, which will be publised. ing down with some degree of comfort. His Adjourned to meet in Peabody, third Tues- temperature at that time was 104°, respiration day in November, 1890.

Spinal Concussion, surgically considered as a cause of spinal injury, and neurologically restricted to a certain symptom group, for which is suggested the designation ERICKSON'S DISEASE, as one form of the trau

matic neurosis. By S. V. Cluruger, M. D., &c. Philadelphia and London. F. A Davis, publisher. 1890.

44 per minute, and pulse 136. I made ordinary prescription, counter-irritants to the affected side; ordered both, and left opiates sufficient to keep the patient comparatively free from pain. Recommended that he have plenty of milk as a diet. Called to see him. from day to day without noting any very important change.

Patient had been, and was, up to the tenth day in a delirious condition. Upon the seventh day found decided effusion into cavity, and upon the tenth day decided to aspirate, notThis, a most excellent review and classifica- withstanding that the temperature was still tion of the knowledge of this subject of the high, and existing evidence of an inflamed present day. The author's theory of organic pleura. Accordingly I called in counsel Dr. change in the cord is reasonable, and may S. L. N. Foote, of Lebo, Kansas, and we proprove in time to be exactly correct. The ceeded to aspirate, not in full, but partially suggestion of the name "Erickson's Disease," removing not above thirty-two ounces of se- . we consider quite unscientific, and we hope rum with the hope to favor absorption, but in for a time when our nomenclature will be rid this we were doomed to disappointment; and of such meaningless terms as Bright's Dis- upon the fifteenth day the symptoms became ease, &c. The volume has great merit as a so urgent that I made exploration with the medico-legal work. L. view to a more radical operation.

Pleuro-Pneumonia following La Grippe.

I found the character of the fluid but slightly changed, and after consultation with Dr. Foote we agreed to aspirate thoroughly, which ARVONIA, OSAGE CO., KAN., April 8, '90. half cong. of serum, and, as we feared at the we did upon the sixteenth day, removing one

Editors of Kansas Medical Journal.

GENTLEMEN:-I submit a case of pleuro-close of the operation, possibly some pus. pneumonia, following la grippe, which you are We then proceeded to wash out the cavity at liberty to use in part or in full as you may see fit; or, even should you relegate it to that great depository, the waste basket, I can assure you that your fighting editor will not be called out by me.

Was called February 3, 1890, to the patient in question. Found a young man, age 24 years, married; an American by birth and parentage, and a perfect picture of physical manhood, suffering excruciating torture by reason of pleuritis on the right side, and a completely hepatized lung accompanying it. This was the third day since the acute inflam

with a bichloride solution, one to four thousand, and having done this secured the affected side with a heavy strap of surgeon's plasIn making these operations we used ice and salt as our anæsthetic locally.

ter.

There were no untoward symptoms following the operation, the patient reacting well, the temperature falling by the morning of the next day from 102° to 99%; the respirations were of course still quite rapid, as the lung had not yet began to expand.

Our treatment was supportive-milk, eggs and brandy, together with tonic doses of quinia and digitalis as required.

The symptoms were but slightly changed washed out with a one four thousand solution up to the twenty-second day from first obser- of bichloride of mercury. By this time the vation, when I found a marked rise in temp- temperature had fallen to nearly a normal erature; the evening record on the last date point, and the lung began to give evidence of being 102°, with profuse diaphoresis. Manual expanding. I dressed as before, and was gratexamination determined another effusion, and ified to find the discharge lessening, and the the attendant symptoms pointed to empyema. patient making rapid strides toward recovery. I had broken my hypodermic syringe, and as The after treatment, with the exception of the it was off for repairs, I was forced to the ex- use of a carbolic acid solution in irrigation, in pediency to which we poor country physicians lieu of the bichloride, was as before indicated. have to resort, awaited any further explora- The patient was discharged upon the fifth day tion until I could borrow one, which I did of his illness. The lung has fully risen, and from Dr. C. F. Lusk of Lebo, Kansas. the patient's general condition is excellent. I had one or two slight rises in temperature, always owing to the blocking up of the drainage tube; and here let me say that I was comI made exploration with hypodermic needle, pelled to use a very soft tube in the first inand withdrew a quantity of light straw colored stance, which I supplied the place of at the pus. I determined at once to perform para- earliest convenience possible with one of centesis, and summoned Drs. Foote and Lusk greater density, after which I had no more to meet me at the patient's home upon the difficulty with the case.

On the morning of the twenty-third day found the temperature unchanged, and general symptoms in statu quo.

following day, which they did, and we at once proceeded to operate, using Squibb's chloroform as an anæsthetic. I made a free incision along the upper margin of the sixth rib, in a posterior lateral position, from which flowed.

Respectfully submitted,

W. R. ROUP, M. D.

Consumptive Tendencies.

TRY IN A CARRIAGE.

There is a strong conviction that life in the open air serves an excellent purpose in warding off threatened attacks of phthisis or in

that to obtain the benefits of open air, a locality distant from the patient's home is imperative, on the mountains, by the sea, at the South, or in the North, etc. As a matter of fact most patients are unable to leave their home. If they are treated at all, they must be treated in the State in which they reside.

about one-half gallon of pus of the character AS INFLUENCED BY TRIPS ACROSS THE COUNbefore described. Unfortunately the vessel that had been provided for us to receive the pus in was imperfect, and a portion of it ran out so that it was not possible to any more than approximate the quantity obtained. Of course before beginning the operation, the curing it. Certainly, however, it is believed surface was thoroughly washed with a bichloride solution. And after the pus had escaped the sack was thoroughly cleansed by repeated washings with a carbolic acid solution, using a fountain syringe for the purpose of irrigation. A drainage tube was then inserted, and the after treatment was thoroughly antiseptic, using the "Lister absorbent gauze" in Many years ago, a physician who had spent half-dozen layers, over which was placed nearly eighty years in Vermont, over fifty of absorbent cotton; then a number of layers of which he was in active practice, told the cheese cloth, which had been boiled for four writer that shortly after he began the practice hours in a carbolic solution, between which of medicine he broke down, and was told by was superimposed a layer of protective paper, his medical advisors that he was attacked by the whole being secured by a roller bandage; consumption. He took his horse and wagon and outside of all a rubber roller was placed and for three months spent his time riding to further preclude the possibility of air enter- about New England and New York. He ing the cavity. This dressing remained two would travel far or near, daily, according to days, when it was removed, and the sack was his inclination. At the end of the period he

returned to his home and professional work reach the best air near home without excesand continued it almost without interruption, sive fatigue, it is advisable to use a horse and till nearly eighty years of age. He died at buggy, or a team driven by the patient, which last, not from any disease, but as the "deacon's is far better. The therapeutic value of a one-horse shay" vanished, all at once without spirited span of thoroughbreds, to one able to any apparent cause. manage them, is very great, and these. too, In minor forms this observation of the can be added to the effects of the open air effects of open air travel has many times been proper. Consumptives are only one of many confirmed by the reports of careful observers. classes of people who would be thus benefitDr. H. I. Bowditch (Medical News) gives a ted.-American Lancet. valuable contribution in support of the value

of open air travel to consumptives. In 1808

CHLOROFORM VINDICATED.-The Hydera

his father had all the indications of consump-bad chloroform commission, according to the tion. With a friend he took a tour of New Dublin Journal of Medical Science, gave England in a one-horse chaise. The first day chloroform in all sorts of ways, with the inhe traveled twenty-five miles, but his exhaus-variable result that the respiration stopped betion and hæmoptysis was so great that he was fore the heart. The commission drew up urged to return home to die. But he pushed fourteen practical conclusions, which may be on, and every day brought him improved summarized as follows: The recumbent posihealth. After his return home he took regular tion on the back and absolute freedom of open air exercise, and died of carcinoma of respiration are essential. Tight clothing of the stomach thirty years later, at the age of every kind should be avoided. An apparatus sixty-five. One lung presented evidence of is not essential. A convenient form of inhaler an ancient cicatrix at its apex, but both were is an open cone, or cup with a little absorbent otherwise healthy. cotten inside at the apex. At the commencement of the inhalation care should be taken, by not holding the cup too close over the mouth and nose, to avoid exciting, struggling or holding the breath. As a rule, no operation should be commenced until the patient is fully under the influence of the anaesthetic. The administrator should be guided as to the effect entirely by the respiration. If breathing becomes embarrassed, the lower jaw should be pulled or pushed from behind the angles forward. Alcohol may be given with advantage before operations under chloroform, provided it does not cause excitement, and merely has the effect of giving a patient confidence and steadying the circulation. Suspended respirand lowering the head. They add that "the ation is to be treated by artificial respiration commission has no doubt whatever that, if the above rules be followed, chloroform may be given in any case requiring an operation with perfect ease and absolute safety, so as to do good without the risk of evil."

He says that his father married his cousin, who died of chronic phthisis two years before his father. Of eight children, one died at birth, and one at eleven. All the others arrived at adult age and married, several being still living. Of the ninety-three direct descendents of his father, not one was phthisical. This result is attributed to the journey, supplemented by following out-door exercise, and careful regulation of the health of his

children.

Dr. Bowditch thinks that many patients die from the want of open air treatment. He directs each of his phthisical patients to walk daily from three to six miles; never to stay at home all day unless a violent storm be raging. If the weather is very cold he directs them to wear respirators. He forbids standing still on the street to talk with friends. He thinks that by following this plan patients may be cured at home, and while still conducting their business; this seems sound sense. Better use the air at our doors and near our homes before we fly to other air hundreds or thousands of miles away.

To those unable to walk sufficiently far to

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Kansas that I may be able to interest you to-day in an

old subject.

If, among the many ills that human flesh is heir to, not in themselves dangerous, which, like the present when taken in connection with its complications and sequels, its sufferings, both physically and mentally, hopes alternating with despair, etc., that are capable of bringing about more misery and unhappiness than the one at present under consideration, I have never met it.

Take, for instance, a young handsome woman (God bless them, they are all handsome) married to the man of her choice, whom she loves with a love like fire, that can not exist without constant movement, whose smiles she counts her beacon light, whose approving glance her constant delight. She

When my friend Dr. Minney, our worthy secretary, requested that I prepare a paper for your consideration to-day, this subject happened to be uppermost in my thoughts, and without giving the matter any considera- dresses, she loves to shine, perhaps outshine tion the title, as announced, was sent, only to regret later my hasty action, for the reason that my cases are scarcely sufficient in number; and of what is of greater moment, that among my audience would probably be found a number of gentlemen who, by reason of greater experience hence a riper knowledge and judgment, would be so much better qualified to occupy my place to-day.

When I began to prepare my paper, however, I found that my limited numbers were

a rival, but only at his side and for his sake. In the midst of grand preparations for a big social event finds herself, the preceding afternoon, suddenly approached by her enemyout of time; for while time is a great innovator this monster is an innovator on time. She alternates between hopes and despair, grates her teeth, and defiantly completes her plans, but, alas for human hopes and weakness, long before the carriage arrives at her door she repents in sitz baths and poultices