Hobbies.

A

seed. We do not decry investigation and experiment, for this is essential to progress; but beginning on a false basis, by considering one organ of the body greater than the whole, or relying on the results of imperfect experiments or having a preconceived opinion. and acting accordingly, leads to error, and error in the practice of medicine leads to death.

Doctors have hobbies and ride them. hobby is enthusiasm let loose and is like a horse when uncontrolled. The life and vitality and strength and desire are there, but the judgment is set aside, the checks are broken and it is by chance if the goal is reached without accident, if at all. It is We do not write thus because we are possible that a man must be enthusiastic on dyspeptic or have borborygmi, or have a subject or in a calling to succeed. When suffered defeat on the 8th of November, but enthusiasm is tempered with judgment, the because we do object to laxness in diagnosis. checks are intact and the force will be di- becoming too common, particularly with rected aright. In no other age has so much specialists. hobby riding been done in medicine as in the present one.

Do not understand me to underrate the value of the specialist. Much of the accuSome great light will illuminate the med-rate scientific knowledge in medicine is due ical heavens for a fortnight, just long enough to his labor. But there is a tendency to for the smaller tapers to become ignited, and make the specialist the all; to stop when then, like the last comet, disappear, leaving an error has been found to exist in the disappointment for a remembrance, and a flicker or two from the tapers and all is over. But disappointment appears to awaken our curiosity, and we stand with mouths ajar and eyes fixed, and a catchy respiration, and a palpating heart, and vesicular distention, and gasseous inflation of the alimentary its appendages; if an alienist and neurolotract, balloon-like, ready to ascend whenever some reputed ajax crepitates.

favorite organ and to forget that this may be a local expression of a constitutional disturbance, and if the latter is corrected the organ would functionate normally.

If an oculist, the eye is the larger part of the body; if a gynecologist, the uterus and.

gist, the mind and nervous system; etc.

How often have the eyes been treated. locally and glasses fitted for headache, when a few doses of quinine finally destroyed the malarial element and the headaches ceased, and the glasses were put aside. In failing vision local treatment be applied without. avail when an examination of the urine revealed the presence of Bright's disease.

How often have the ovaries been removed, when small cysts only were present, which would probably never do any harm, and afterwards it was found that the trouble was in some other part of the body.

It is the duty of the physician to try everything suggested for the benefit or relief of humanity that is reasonable when he can familiarize himself with the agent, means or plan recommended by whomsoever. But to take every means ipse dixit when there is neither reason nor common sense in it, or to practice what he does not know, or, not being familiar with the technique, is not the part of a safe, intelligent practitioner or surgeon. The world is on the qui vive for something strange and astounding, and we are of the world and imbibe the same spirit and act the same part. This morbid desire for the curious and unknown is a part of our natures, is inherent and must be controlled by judgment, enlightened by knowledge, knowing what is known. This lack on the The plea, then, is for a more all-around part of many of us, in not knowing what we man. The specialist can become so by exmight know that is knowable, renders us amining his patients carefully, reading gengullible and is the fruitful soil for spurious eral medical literature, confering and con

Trephining for epilepsy at a point where some imaginary injury had been received without any benefit, when phymosis was discovered, circumcision was performed and a permanent cure resulted.

sulting with the general practitioner and and the results obtained, in a clear, concise surgeon and specialists in all other branches. manner, will not fail to get the attention of a society of medical men and benefit them, and strengthen the physician who makes the effort.

When he is in doubt he must call in council, and where he is certain a confirmation of his diagnosis in all grave cases will do no harm, but good to his patient and himself, exit hobby.

How to Choose a Subject for a Paper.

The physician is often at a loss to know what to write about and how to write when his subject is chosen.

What to write about should be determined generally by the diseases prevailing at the time the paper is read, and should be prepared while the writer is treating the class of cases described in the report. Such a paper is timely and will interest every man in the active practice of medicine. The writer will be interested and posted in his subject. If something new is not advanced, the best of the old will refresh the memory and be impressed anew.

Accidents and surgical reports are always in order, as well as reports on obstetrics and gynecology and special work.

The importance of the subject need not be considered, for no affection of the body or mind is too trivial for investigation, and, when written up intelligently, will be both interesting and instructive.

The subject should be written up as we think it when we see the case and treat it. Directness and simplicity is the measure of strength of a report. The mind should not dwell upon what others will think of the report, but the facts as they occur and are observed in the

case.

Christ's Hospital of Topeka.

The superintendent and matron, Mrs. McKibben, has secured the services of a number of the physicians in the city who are giving the nurses of that institution a course of instruction on caring for the sick. A training school for the nurses. Mrs. McKibben and the authorities not only deserve praise, but material aid for their self-sacrificing time and labor in their noble work of charity.

These nurses are as well qualified as nurses usually are, but this hospital proposes to have the best nurses and have them keep up with the times by a yearly course of instruction.

What is a Prescription and to Whom
Does It Belong?

It is simply a note from a physician to an apothecary, directing what medicine he may deliver to the bearer and what directions he shall append. It should be held in trust by the apothecary for the physician and for his own protection, and should never be refilled without further instruction by the writer.

A HOMEOPATHIC exchange, in summing up its arguments in favor of its pathy, says In papers, ordinarily, apologies and ex- men of such distinction as Presidents Garfield cuses are not in order. In the former case, and Harrison have been its patrons. In our if the report is a poor one, disappointment innocence we had supposed the late Surgeonis added to the affliction, and in the latter General Baxter was Garfield's physician, but case it sounds like, "I could have done better, being out of town when he was shot, Dr. but this is good enough for you." If an ex- Bliss got the case. If Dr. Bliss is a homeoplanation is thought to be necessary from path we are agreeable. And as President the character of the paper, let it be given Harrison's wife, her sister and father have verbally, and not incorporated in the body all been borne from the white house to the of the paper. Reporting just what is seen silent tomb during his brief occupancy, in a given case, with the plan of treatment homeopathy is welcome to the honors.

Open Tenotomies.

and so, later, the second testicle was removed. The medical superintendent, Dr. Burr, now reports that the cure is complete. It is interesting to notice that both testicles had to be removed, just as, in the opposite sex, we are told that both ovaries ought to

In former years, before the days of asepsis, tenotomies were done subcutaneously. There was a necessity for such surgery because of the danger of sepsis in an open wound. There are but few locations where a tendon go in order to get the best results. can be so divided without injury to other and melancholia, in a man of fifty-seven, Here we have a case of chronic neuralgia structures. The proper method in dividing cured by castration. Neuralgia is very There is a fruitful field, therefore, in which common and so is depression of spirits. ambitious andrologists may work. Shall we not soon begin to get reports of "my second series of one thousand castrations, with hints on technique?"-N. Y. Medical Record.

tendons is to cut down on them. The sur

geon can see just what he is doing; avoid the blood vessels or tie them if cut, and thus prevent hemorrhage and avoid severing important nerves.

Dr. R. E. McVey, of Topeka, reports two cases of melancholia cured by castration.

The cicatrix resulting from the cut made in the skin amounts to nothing when compared with the safety and success of the operation. In the open method of tenotomy there is The first operation was done in 1888 for no guess work, but precision.

In the closed method of tenotomies the cutting has to be done in the dark; it is guess work, and as a rule is unsafe and unscientific.

The surgeon of to-day, who has suppuration of a recent wound from tenotomy or amputation, is at fault in all probability in his technique, which means, in English, cleanli

ness.

chronic ataxy and melancholia, resulting from masturbation. Both testicles were removed and the cure was complete.

The second operation was done in 1891 for melancholia and neuralgia of the testicle. In this case only one testicle was removed, and it was found to contain a large cyst and evidences of previous inflammation. A perfect cure resulted.

Castration for Melancholia.

THE Western Association of Gynecologists and Obstetricians met in Kansas City, DeThe operation of castrating males for cember 28 and 29. The meeting was very nervous and mental disorders is at last put well attended and the program an exceedupon a firm clinical basis. Oophorectomy ingly interesting one. Prominent gynecolocame from the south and thence diffused its gists from all over the west were present, genial and unsexualizing influence over the and the general interest taken in the meeteast and north, but testectomy, if we may ing speaks well for its future. Kansas coin a word on so great an occasion, comes physicians were well represented both in atfrom the west. It was in 1891 that the tendance and on the program. Dr. Joseph Eastern Michigan Asylum published an Price, of Philadelphia, was there and favored annual report containing the history of a the society with some very fine clinical opercase in which the operation of castration ations. Some very excellent papers were was done for the relief of a "sickening neu- read, and the discussions were terse and to ralgia" of the testicles. The patient had the point. Under the excellent chairmannot only neuralgia, but melancholia. One of ship of Dr. M. B. Ward the business of the the testicles was removed, and the testicle meeting was carried out without waste of was found diseased, but not, as we under- time, and all discussions were restricted to stand the description, cystic or suppurating. the subject in hand. We predict for the soThe patient improved, but was not cured,ciety a long and prosperous life.

Report of a Case of Veruca Upon the
Lips.

BY WM. H. RIGHTER, M.D., TOPEKA, KANSAS.

Picrotoxine in the Night-sweats of
Phthisis.

Dr. d'Amore has published his experience with picrotoxine and atropine in the nightTom H. Hresidence Carbondale, sweats of phthisis. He gives the picrotoxine Kansas, came to me January 18, 1892, with in granules containing 1-160 of a grain each. large warts or veruca papillarus upon the The author reports forty-five cases thus lips. The lower lip was completely covered treated. In fifteen advanced cases he gave with these warts and upon the upper lip without success two pills of atropia contain-. there were two large ones. His age is fifty-ing 1-65 of a grain each daily; in these cases, five years; an Englishman by birth. At the two to four granules of picrotoxine, continued age of eighteen these warts began to de- for several days, relieved the condition very velop, and at the age of twenty-one they much. In twenty cases, with less pronounced were fully developed, at which time he came lesions, atropine did well in some and failed to this country. He considered his condition in others; but picrotoxine, used for several a deformity which was real, and he had not days, checked the sweating completely. been able to receive any encouragement by Finally, in ten early cases, the results were those he had consulted, when he came to me equally good from the use of either drug. through the kindness of my friend Dr. Morg- The writer explains these differences by the ridge of this city. One week from the time cause of the sweating in the several stages I first saw him his warts disappeared, and of the disorder. In the early stages much one week later he had fully recovered the of the sweating is due to the action of the tone of the lips, and they are now as hand secretory nerves, and these are controlled by some a pair of lips as anyone possesses. atropine; later, the sweating is due more to paralysis of the vaso-motors, and as atropine does not act upon these it loses its power, while picrotoxine, which does act upon the vaso-motor system, retains its value in the advanced stage.-Les Nouveaux Remeaes.

He is as happy as a clam, and he states that his friends cannot recognize him. He feels so elated that he wants to take a trip to England (his old home, which is in East Riden of Yorkshire) to show the English doctors what can be done by Americans.

I report this case because of the rareness of the location of warts. The treatment used in this case was stick caustic, applied once a day for seven days. When treatment was suspended, a thorough cure was estab-germs. lished.

Extirpation of the Uterus in a Man.

M. J. Baekel (Acad. de Medicine), making a radical cure of hernia in a man, extirpated a tumor consisting of a uterus bicornis, a fallopian tube and a testicle with an epididymitis and a deferent canal. No other example of female genital organs included in the bladder of a man is known. He was otherwise well formed.-Cin. Med. Journal.

LITTLE THINGS.

MILK can become a carrier for scarlet fever

THE blood is a highly-organized living tissue.

IT is estimated that nearly one-third of all children die before they reach the age of five years.

SPONTANEOUS dislocations of the crystalline lens are always the corollary of some disease of the eye, not necessarily traumatic.

THE theory that fish is an intellectual or brain food because of the phosphorus it contains is not true according to recent analysis, good beef being equally as rich in phosphates.

But fish is more easily digested than beef surface, the presence of innumerable stomata, and therefore better adopted for brain and the profuse nerve supply, derived neither

workers.

OUR secretary of the State Board of Health should receive special commendation for his efforts in the state inspection and quarantine against cholera.

It is to be hoped that the city council of Topeka will not adopt the proposed dumpage 'system for getting rid of its garbage, but will use cremation.

VULVITIS and vulvo-vaginitis in young girls is due most frequently to contagion, sleeping with a person suffering from gonorrhoea, or by using the same articles of toilet, and not, as is usually stated, by attempted coitus.

from the motor nor sensory system, all point to some active function, whether it be that of secretion or absorption. All the organs of the systemic nutrients are not only enactively engaged in the primary preparation closed in the peritoneum, but all the blood gathered from these great organs is collected by a series of minute venous radicles exposed voluminously and immediately under the peritoneal epithelium to any influences which may arise from it.

Mr. Tait is equally opposed to the theories With regard to the causes of peritonitis, commonly held, and forcibly remarks that peritonitis is not a lesion which fits into the

While

admitting the existence of a septic peritonitis, he thinks that, save where definable from evidence wholly extrinsic to the condition of the peritoneum, it is an etiological entity which exists only in the mind of the pathological metaphysician.

germ theory of disease at all. He believes that the influence of the nervous system in THE city council of Mansfield recently the causation of inflammation has been passed an ordinance which prevents any underestimated, and that in peritonitis nerve quacks or venders of medicine practicing or disturbance contributes more to the death of selling their wares in that city without first the patient than microbic invasion. obtaining a permit from the health officer, who is required by the ordinance to be a regular physician. The ordinance requires further that these quacks display a diploma from some respectable medical college before the health officer can give them the necessary certificate entitling them to a license at all. For this license they must pay not less than $25 nor more than $50 per day; and are liable to a fine of $25 nor more than $50 for every violation of the ordinance. In the language of the poet, this is getting there.

The Prevention of Peritonitis.

In the symptomatology of peritonitis the author warns us not to place too much reliance upon records of pulse and temperature, as in this disease they are not only untrustworthy, but may become positively misleading. Alteration of the patient's face and intestinal distension are two signs so constantly present in peritonitis that they always deserve attention. Alteration of the face is deceptive, however, because many fidgety people, and those who bear pain Mr. Tait's theory of the function of the badly, will put on a face indicative of danger peritoneum differs essentially from that when there is none, and the common habit given in most text-books. He believes that of administering an opiate after an operaits importance in the human economy is so tion to save pain is a source of great danger, great that it should be ranked almost next for it masks this facial alteration at the in order to the brain, and does not subscribe time when its aid is most needed — that is, to the view commonly expressed that its chief at the onset of the peritonitis. The alterafunction is to allow free movement of the tion of the face most to be feared is not one organs it develops. In his opinion, the of pain, but of anxiety, accompanied by a strange and invariable plications of this tendency to chatter and ask questions; if membrane, the exceeding vascularity of its the patient persistently chatters she is pretty