139

Medical Diary for the ensuing Week.Monday, January 18.

ROYAL LONDON OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL, MOORFIELDS.—Operations,10.30 A.M., and each day at the same hour.

ROYAL WESTMINSTER OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1.30 P.M.,and each day at the same hour.

ST. MARK’S HOSPITAL.—Operations, 2 P.M., and on Tuesdays at thesame hour.

CHELSEA HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN.—Operations, 2.30 P.M. Also on Thurs-days at 2 P.M.

HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN, SOHO-SQUARE.—Operations, 2 P.M., and onThursday at the same hour.

METROPOLITAN FREE HOSPITAL.—Operations, 2 P.M.ROYAL ORTHOPEDIC HOSPITAL.—Operations, 2 P.M.SOCIETY OF ARTS.-8 P.x. Prof. H. S. Hele Shaw: Friction (Cantor

Lecture).MEDICAL SOCIETY OF LoNDON.-8.30 P.M. Mr. Jonathan Hutchinson,

F.R.S.: Some Moot Points in the Natural History of Syphilis(Lettsomian Lecture).

Tuesday, January 19.GUY’S HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1.30 P.M., and on Friday at the same hour.

Ophthalmic Operations on Mondays at 1.30 and Thursdays at 2 P.M.ST. THOMAS’S HOSPITAL.-Ophthalmic Operations, 4 P.M. ; Friday, 2 P.M.OANCER HOSPITAL, BROMPTON.—Operations, 2.30 P.M.; Saturday, 2.30 P.M.WBBTMINSTER HOSPITAL.—Operations, 2 P.M.WEST LONDON HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2.30 P.M.ROYAL INSTITUTION 0F GREAT BRITAIN.-3 P.M. Prof. Robert Stawell

Ball: The Astronomical Theory of the Great Ice Age.PATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.-8.30 P.M. Mr. Eve: (1) Examples

of Colloid Degeneration of Breast and Omentum ; (2) Dislocation ofHip of a Cow (card); (3) (for Mr. A. Lingard) Specimens of Actino-mycosis in Oxen (card).-Dr. S. West: Ulcers of Gall-bladder, withPus in Portal Veins.-Mr. Sydney Jones: Spontaneous Fracture ofUrinary Calculi.-Mr. Clutton: Spontaneous Fracture of UrinaryCalculi (card).-Dr. Ashby : Diffuse Sclerosis of Brain in a Child ofeighteen months.-Dr. A. Davidson: Malignant Growth (secondaryto cancer of pylorus) obstructing Thoracic Duct and invading MinuteLymphatics of Lung.-Mr. Barwell: Two cases of Aneurysm.-Mr. Churchill: (1) Post-nasal Fibroma in a Child; (2) Syphilitic(congenital) Necrosis of Vomer.-Mr. Cripps : Stricture of Rectum.-Mr. Bruce Clarke: Rectum after Colotomy.-Dr. Goodhart (forDr. Marshall) : Calculus in Bladder of Female Child of two years(card).-Dr. Carrington: Cancer of Body of Stomach.-Mr. J. B.Sutton: Congenital Inguinal Hernia in a Monkey (card).-Mr. H.Fenwick : Tumour of Bladder (card).-Dr. Hadden : (1) Intestinein Lymphadenoma (card) ; (2) Lipsemic Blood in Diabetes (card);(3) Mucous Cyst of Tongue (card) ; (4) Gumma pressing on Ureter(card). Wednesday, January 20..

NATIONAL ORTHOPEDIC HOSPITAL.-Operations, 10 A.M.MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1 P.M.ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1.30 P.M., and on Satnr-

day at the same hour.—Ophthalmic Operations on Tuesdays andThursdays at 1.30 P.M.

ST. MARY’S HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1.30 P.M. Skin Department9.30 A.M., on Tuesdays and Fridays.

ST. THOMAS’S HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1.30 P.M., and on Saturday atthe same hour.

LONDON HOSPITAL.—Operations, 2 P.M., and on Thursday and Saturdayat the same hour.

GREAT NORTHERN CENTRAL HOSPITAL.—Operations, 2 P.M.SAMARITAN FREB HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN.—Operations,

2.30 P.M.UNIVERSITY OOLLEGB HOSPITAL.—Operations, 2 P.x.; Saturday, 2 P.M.

Skin Department: 1.45 P.M.; Saturday, 9.15 A.M.ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.M.XING’S CoLLEGE HOSPITAL.—Operations. 3 to 4 P.M.SOCIETY OF ARTS.-8 P.M. Capt. Douglas Galton: Results of Experiments

on Mechanical Motors for Tramways made by the Commission at theAntwerp Exhibition.

Thursday, January 21.ST. GEORGE’S HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1 P.M.ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S HOSPITAL.—Surgical Consultations, 1.30 P.M.OHARING-CROSS HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.M.NORTH-WEST LONDON HOSPITAL.—Operations, 2.30 P.M.ROYAL INSTITUTION OF GREAT BRITAIN.-3 P.M. Prof. Robert Stawell

Ball: The Astronomical Theory of the Great Ice Age.HARVEIAN SOCIETY OF LONDON.-8 P.M. Annual General Meeting.

President’s Address; Election of Officers; Conversazione.

Friday, January 22.ST. GEORGE’S HOSPITAL.—Ophthalmic Operations, 1.30 P.M.ROYAL SOUTH LONDON OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL.—Operations, 2 P.M.KING’S COLLEGE HOSPITAL.—Operations, 2 P.M.QUERRT2 MICROSCOPICAL CLUB.—S P.M. Papers by Mr. E. M. Nelson

and Mr. Priest.SOCIETY OF ARTS.—8P.M. Mr. J. George Scott (Shway Yoe): Burma, the

Eastern Country and the Race of the Brahmas.CLINICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.-8.30 P.M. Mr. Barker: Ununited Frac-

ture of the Clavicle producing Writer’s Cramp, Resection of theFalse Joint and Wiring of the Fragments, Complete Union andRelief of the Nerve Symptoms.-Dr. Angel Money: On a NewSymptom of Megrim and Epilepsy.-Dr. Samuel West: ChronicSimple Ulcers of Stomach and Duodenum without Symptoms untilthe occurrence of Perforation.-Mr. Brudenell Carter: A case of Com-plete Recovery of Vision in Amaurosis consecutive to Malarial Fever.

ROYAL INSTITUTION OF GREAT BRITAIN.-9 P.M. Prof. Tyndall:Thomas Young and the Wave Theory.

Saturday, January 23.KING’S COLLEGE HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1 P.M.RoYAL FREE HOSPITAL.—Operations, 2 P.M.MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL.—Operations 2 P.M.RoYAL INSTITUTION OF GREAT BRITAIN.—3 P.M. Prof. Robert Stawell

Ball: The Astronomical Theory of the Great Ice Age.

Notes, Short Comments, & Answers toCorrespondents.

It is especially requested that early intelligence of local eventahaving a medical interest, or which it as desirable to bringunder the notice of the profession, may be sent direct tothis Office.

All communications relating to the editorial business of thejournal must be addressed "To the Editor."

Lectures, original articles, and reports should be written onone side only of the paper.

Letters, whether intended lor publication or private informa-tion, must be authenticated by the names and addresses oftheir writers, not necessarily for publication.We cannot prescribe, or recommen practitioners.

Local papers containing reports or news-paragraphs shouldbe marked.

Letters relating to the publication, sale, and advertisingdepartmenta of THE LANCET to be addressed" To thePublisher."

___

TRANSFER OF PRACTICES.

Medicus complains that a short time back he observed an advertisementin THE LANCET headed " Practice Wanted." He replied, and sent fullparticulars of his practice, also name and address, thinking it wasinserted by a private practitioner. He found, however, to his

astonishment, that it had been inserted by a medical agent, who was,now in possession of the details of the practice and of the movements ofour correspondent, who thinks it a most unfair mode of procedure onthe part of any agent. A similar complaint has reached us fromanother correspondent.

Mr. F. C. Banks.-We cannot devote more space to the subject atpresent.

T. H. is referred to an annotation in our last issue, page 79.

ARTIFICIAL TEETH.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.SIR,-The warning repeated in your issue of Jan. 9th, as to the danger,

to say nothing of the want of cleanliness, of retiring to rest at nightwithout removing artificial teeth, will, I trust, have some beneficialeffect. For sometime I have been impressedwiththecarelessness of peopleon this subject, and many are inclined to treat with scant respect anyopinion expressed as to the desirability of nightly removal. Only a dayor two since, when searching for dental irritation as a possible cause ofan obstinate eye trouble, in answer to my question whether she removedher artificial teeth, the patient answered readily, "Yes"; but I foundshe only did so once or twice a month. Are dentists as careful in

giving directions as to the withdrawal every night of artificial teeth asthey should be? My experience would lead me to answer in the nega-tive. Some practitioners have, on the other hand, I believe, desiredtheir not frequent removal. Certainly, directions should be as precise-or more so, on account of the danger-as the surgeon gives respectingthe use of an artificial eye. I am, Sir, yours faithfully,

Sheffield, Jan. llth, 1886. SIMEON SNELL.

SEPARATE EXAMINATIONS.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.SIR,—In reply to "An Anxious Parent and a F.R.C.S.," in your issue

of this day’s date, I beg to state that his son may pass any one or moreof the subjects which he still requires to complete hil preliminaryat the Universities of Edinburgh or Glasgow and the Royal College ofPhysicians, Edinburgh, or the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons,Glasgow. The charge at these boards is £1 for all or one subject, exceptat the University of Glasgow, where it is 10s. The secretaries of theseinstitutions will forward him full particulars as to dates, &c., on appli-

[ cation. I am, Sir, your obedient servant,Jan. 9th, 1886. Wx. M. D. G.

140

HELEN PRIDEAUX MEMORIAL FUND.

IT is proposed to raise a sum in memory of Miss F. Helen Prideaux,M.B. & B.S. Lond., suflicient to endow a prize or scholarship bearing ’,

her name. The following contributions to the fund have been received Ifrnm members nf thp medical nrnfession ’—

Subscriptions may be sent to Mrs. Garrett Anderson, M.D., 4, UpperBerkeley-street, or to the London and Westminster Bank, Stratford-place, W.

Unqualified.—The question is legal rather than medical; but our corre-spondent is entitled at least to be paid up to the time of his leaving.

PEMPHIGUS (CONTAGIOSA?).To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,—While attending a patient after her confinement in Octoberlast, I was asked on the sixth day to look at the baby, wno had aneruption on the skin. The child, a healthy male infant, was thelast of a family of six, all living, the eldest being seven years and a halfold. I found it had a few small patches of hyperæmia about the noseand face, and on the fingers of each hand. On the fingers also were oneor two bullæ filled with clear fluid. During the next three or four daysthe hyperemic spots became bullous, those already bullous became moretense, their contents thicker, and finally burst, leaving behind a rawsurface similar to that of a burn after the blister has been removed.This condition spread-the bullse seeming to run together in places-tillthe face was raw over about half its surface, while a similar conditionexisted on all the fingers and thumbs, and parts of the feet and thighs.The only treatment adopted was zinc oxide in the form of lotion,ointment and powder, outwardly applied. The child never seemed atall affected in its health, taking its food well, its motions being of goodcharacter, and its rest but little disturbed. In from a fortnight to threeweeks it had fairly recovered.So far, I have traced the one case only, because it was the first to

appear, because it was the most severe, and because its descriptioncannot leave any doubt behind. All must agree that it was a case of

pemphigus; but the curious part of the history is that similar bullæ

appeared on four of the five other children, the father, and the monthlynurse. All with one exception were very slightly affected ; in all, thefingers were chiefly attacked, and all began and ended under the sametreatment, in a manner similar to that already described.

I failed to find the least cause for the outbreak. The infant was fromthe first brought up by hand, but its excellent health and perfectlynormal excretions seem to show plainly that there was no fault in thefood. I am sure there was no congenital cause, the family history beingfree from the faintest suspicion of taint. And why did it run throughthe house? Does not this look like contagion? The children were

frequently in their mother’s room, and no doubt often kissed the baby, as- children will. The father was of course often playing with his childrenwhen at home, and the nurse too found her chief work in looking afterand attending to the infant. It is very easy to understand therefore,on the theory of contagion, that all who did should have caught the- complaint. It is very difficult to find any other reason that will

satisfactorily account for it. Still it is far from my wish to say thatbecause difficult to find, therefore no other cause could have existed. I

only regard the communication as a curious and rare piece of evidencein favour of the existence of a contagious form of pemphigus ; and its- curiosity and interest must be my excuse for wishing to obtrude myselfon your valuable space.-I am, Sir, yours faithfully,

Beckenham, Kent, Jan. 9th, lS86. FRANK STURGES, L.R.C.P.Lond.

Jtf..B. had better apply to the Director-General of the Navy MedicalDepartment for an authoritative statement on the matter.

"DISPENSING PRACTITIONERS."To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR.—Having read an annotation on the above subject in your issue ofthe 9th inst. (page 83), I should like to say that as a householder keepingap an ordinary country house establishment, four miles from a town, Ifind it a great convenience that after his visit to a case of no particularurgency the "doctor" should say at what hour the medicine will be

ready at his house, instead of being obliged-solely, so far as it appearsto me, to please the dispensing practitioners’ detractors-to send amessenger with a prescription to a druggist, involving more or less timeto wait, whereby is held out the temptation to dawdle or drink. Thiswould be obviated to a great extent by the former convenient arrange-ment. I am, Sir, yours obediently,Chevet, Jan. llth, 1856. LIONEL M. SWINNERTON PILKINGTON.

BATH CHAIRS AT HASTINGS AND ST. LEONARDS.

A CORRESPONDENT in whose veracity we can place reliance writes towarn medical men against sending any of their patients suffering fromnervous or spinal complaints to St. Leonards and Hastings withoutfirst obtaining, what is very grudgingly accorded, a written per-mission from the superintendent of police to have their chairs drawnalong the pavements, instead of the uneven roadway. It is veryreasonable that the municipality should instruct the police not toallow Bath chairs to indiscriminately use the pavement; but it willscarcely be believed, though it is nevertheless strictly true, that themunicipality, disregarding the petition signed by nearly all the

medical men in Hastings and St. Leonards, decline to allow patients,though armed with a certificate from one of them, to be drawn alongthe pavement, even to get to and from their houses and the promenadeby the sea.

Mr. M. G. Biggs.-The institution at West Hill, Putney, or that inthe Clapham-road, would probably be suitable for the case.

CASE OF PLACENTA PRX, VIA.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,—Having read in your issue of Dec. 19th a letter from Mr. O’Bryenrecording a case of partial placenta prævia, in which be states it wouldbe interesting to know the method of treatment adopted by variouspractitioners, I thought the following case might be of interest.Last September (Sunday, 6th) I was summoned to Mrs. C- (living

three miles from the house in which I was resident), who, the messengerstated, was "flooding fearfully." On arrival I learnt that the womanwas a multipara, and was now about seven months and a half pregnant.On entering her room I found her lying on the bed in the usual obstetricposition, and saw that her face and arms were extremely blanched, greatdrops of sweat stood on her brow, and she had that peculiar dead-blueappearance showing an advanced stage of haemorrhage. The pulse wassmall, quick, and compressible. On examination, the vaginawas found tobe blocked with clots, and it was easy to see that the clothes upon whichshe was lying were saturated with blood. Having cleared out the clots,I found the os soft, dilatable, and about the size of a five-shilling piece;the dilated space was occupied by a soft roughish tenacious mass, easilyrecognised as placenta; so, insinuating my fingers, I stripped up theplacenta as far as I could reach all round, with the double objectof stopping the bleeding and ascertaining where there was least

thickness, but as on all sides nothing but placenta could be felt,I thought the case was probably one of entire placental pre-sentation. Not being able to get my hand through the os, and thehaemorrhage having ceased, the cessation being due no doubt not onlyto the clearing of the lower placental zone, but also to the patient’s col-lapsed condition, I turned my attention to her general condition, andadministered hypodermics of ether, and several teaspoonfuls of brandyand ergot by mouth. The examination having caused some considerablepain, and there being now some uterine action, I asked permission togive chloroform and deliver at all hazards, as it was imperative tocomplete delivery before the haemorrhage recommenced, for had itdone so, it must have proved fatal. When the patient was sufficientlyunder the anaesthetic, I passed my hand into the vagina, and with myfingers rapidly dilated the os, and again searched for a thin spot, butcould find none. I therefore scraped my way through the placenta,found a head presenting, ruptured the membranes, turned and de-

livered ; the placenta and membranes followed within five minutes ofthe birth of the child, the uterus contracted well, and the woman,although for some hours in a most critical condition, under repeatedinjections of ether, the application of warmth, with friction, recoveredfrom her extreme collapse, and made a good recovery.On examining the placenta and membranes, I found the latter intact

except where the hand had passed first through the placenta, and thenthrough them, and that my hand had as nearly as possible gone throughthe exact centre of the placenta. As these cases of entire placentapresentation are extremely rare, much more so than partial, it seemedto me worthy of note, as well as my mode of treatment. First, thestripping of the lower placental zone according to the teaching ofDr. Barnes is the most essential point, for not only is the haemorrhagethus stopped, but time is also gained. Secondly, many would advocatebimanual turning as incurring less risk of further haemorrhage, and alsobecause it avoids the introduction of the hand into the uterus. Others

again would say that having found a head presentation, and rupturedhe membranes, forceps ought to have been applied.My reasons for not following the above plans of treatment were that

personally I find bimanual turning much easier in theory than in prac-;ice. To apply forceps to a head above the brim through a jagged)lacenta is a difficult and tedious mode of delivery. The course I

Ldopted recommends itself by the fact that one has at once entireontrol of the labour, and can hasten delivery as much as is thought’equisite, not to mention the body acting as a plug.I do not think that with a dilatable os and membranes intact the

ntroduction of the hand is a hazardous proceeding; moreover, it is muchnore rapid than any other method, and with the advantage of anses-hesia, one need have no dread of the "shock," that bug-bear of

many practitioners.—I remain, Sir, yours obediently,ERNEST E. KING,

Late Resident Obstetric Physician, Middlesex Hospital, andDec., 1885. Assistant Medical Officer, Cleveland-street Asylum.

141

CONSTIPATION. THE INSURANCE RAILWAY GUIDE.

Mr. Geo. Smith, M.R.C.S., of Stratford, Ontario, writes to us to confirm THE example of a weekly contemporary-Tit-Bits-in holding out as a.

statements made in our columns as to the benefit to be derived in some bait to purchasers the boon of insurance against fatal railway-cases, especially those in which constipation is a prominent symptom, accidents, provided that that paper for the week in which the injuryfrom drinking largely of fiuids. Mr. Smith mentions an instance in is received is found upon the person of the victim, has been followedwhich a female patient whose bowels had not been moved for three by the publishers of the Insurance Railway Guide. The purchase of aweeks, in spite of the exhibition of castor oil, salts, and other sixpenny Guide provides for the payment of .f:200 in case of the

cathartics, was permanently relieved of the constipation by copious purchaser’s death during the month for which the guide is issued ;draughts of weak tea. and the purchase of a shilling guide provides for the payment of £500

Dr. Weljaminow (St. Petersburg).-We cannot exchange. in case of death, and £2 per week for total disablement. The venture-

Dr. Bell Taylor.-As early as possible. ought to be well supported by commercial travellers and others who.travel much by rail.

THE APPEAL TO CANADIAN PRACTITIONERS. An Anxious Parent will find his question answered in another column.To the Editor of THE LANCET. J. B. T.-Barraud, 96, Gloucester-place, Regent’s-park.

SIR,-Allow me to thank you for your suggestion. I had alreadyquoted from Dr. Buchanan’s report, and had been jeered at for bringing THE END OF A WALKING-STICK EMBEDDED IN THE FACEforward what the anti-vaccinationists call " interested evidence." May FOR TWO MONTHS.I ask you to insert these latest statements, with the hope that some To the Editor of THE LANCET.kind brother will be able to explain the truth concerning them.SIR,-The following case may be sufficiently interesting to be reportedProf. Coderre, physician to the Hôtel Dieu Hospital, Montreal, is

in your columns.stated by a correspondent to the Banb2try Guardian to give the On Sept. 29th a patient presented himself, complaining that " a piece-following as facts collected by himself during the present small-pox of bone was growing from his face," and seeking advice about it. He

epidemic:—"M. Z. Lapierre, 33, Desalabeury-street, had a child die of stated that one evening, eight weeks previously, he was very drunk, andsmall-pox soon after it was vaccinated. By his physicians advice his that whilst t gomg ’ home he recollects quarrelling with somebody in thefour remaining children were vaccinated; all took the amall-pox andstreet, and "thinks he received a blow on his face during the alterca-died. Pierre Mainville, 172, Drolet-street, had his child, one year old, tion. Upon the following day he felt pain in the left side of hisvaccinated; it died fifteen days after, in consequence of vaccination.face, and noticed a small wound under his left eye. A painful spot,The Hon. Judge Dr. Montigny had his children vaccinated in

or " boil as he termed it, arose in the position of this small wound, anclSeptember ; one, a little girl, took small-pox, and is dangerously ill. after a few days burst, liberating a large amount of pus; since thensThe child of Louis Belee, 267, Papmeau-road, was vaccinated, and died fetid matter has continued to discharge from the wound; and three weeksa few days after in consequence of it. The child of Joseph Grenier, since he first noticed a small, hard, pointed body in the wound, which101, Dufresne-street, was vaccinated, and took small-pox eight days body he called "the bone." Situated immediately under the anterior-after vaccination. M. Marios, 154, Plessis-street, had two children part of the left malar bone, one inch from the orifice of the left nostril,vaccinated; both took small-pox and one died. From St. Camille R.as to be seen a hole half an inch in diameter, and projecting from itHospital the report is for one week (Nov. lst to 7th). ’There are now was to pointed substance, which, on close examination, appeared from be-in this hospital 188 small-pox patients ; of these, ninety-four are wood. This projection was seized with a examination, and the end ofvaccinated. Amongst the dead are twelve who were vaccinated, and a walking-stick, with ferrule attached, measuring two inches in length.three who had small-pox the second time."’ was withdrawn. The resulting cavity healed rapidly by granulation.Of course we can explain the above by supposing that the vaccma- and by Oct. 12th was quite filled.tions were badly performed ; and then, again, the fourteen days’ in-cubation renders it possible for the vaccine to have been inserted while

I am, Sir, yours obediently,the small-pox virus was in the system. You will probably have seen

SYDNEY H. A. STEPHENSON, M.B.,Oct. 24th, 1885. Resident Medical Officer, Rochdale Infirmary.these statements already in the anti-vaccination organs and pamphlets,

tor doubtless you are inundated with these missives, and agree with methat if we can have evidence to refute their mis-statements the MAHOMED MEMORIAL FUND.

uninitiated will not be so easily misled. THE following additional subscription has been received:-Percy Moore-I am, Sir, yours obediently, Wood, Esq., Australia, £5.

G. COCKBURN SMITH, M.D. Dr. A. H. Watson.—Henry Rutherfurd, Esq., Barrister-at-Law, 2, Har-Middleton Cheney, Banbury, Jan. llth, 1886. court-buildings, Middle Temple, E.C.

HOSPITAL ABUSE. TREATMENT OF A SPLIT FINGER-NAIL.

F. L.-We do not see why such a patient should not be under the care of To the Editor of THE LANCET.a general practitioner. If the case prove impracticable or incurable, areference to a hospital physician or surgeon from him would always SIR,-I should be glad if some of your correspondents would suggest-secure consideration.

some treatment in the following case.The nail of my right index-finger has split down the middle ; it has.

Mr. R. C. Bennett (Trinidad).-The paper has not come to hand. been in that state for five years. I cannot get it to grow; it constantlyProf. Schuller (Berlin).-The book has been received. seems as if it would do so, but never gets further than one-eighth of an

inch from the root. It is the finger I use most in examining the os."WINTER COMFORTS FOR MEDICAL MEN." uteri in midwifery cases. Possibly some syphilitic virus may have been

,

.

the origin; but I never had syphilis or any constitutional symptoms ofTo the Editor of THE LANCET. it. I have scraped the nail very thin and applied nitrate of silver, but all

SIR,-I know well the "Jemimas" Mr. Pridgin Teale speaks of (THE to no effect. It renders the finger unsightly. I should be averse to.

LANCET, Jan. 2nd, p. 38), and twenty or thirty years ago, whatever may be evulsion of the nail. I am, Sir, yours truly,the case now, they were commonly worn in the midland and northern January llth, 1886. Rus.counties in snowy weather. When we have had snowin formerwinters, Dr. Markley (Juniata).-We have no knowledge of such an institutionI have tried in vain to get them in London, and since reading Mr. Teale’s D. H. B.—Professor Liveing, Cambridge.letter have tried again at Cording’s and other indiarubber shops, butstill without success. I find a sort of extended, flannel-lined golosh THE TELEPHONE AND MEDICAL TOUTING.generally kept; but this is a totally different thing from the snow bootin question, which is made entirely of felt. If Mr. Teale would let his

To the Editor of THE LANCET.

confreres know in your columns where the real thing can be obtained, SIR,—I was surprised to see in a chemist’s shop in a first-class watering--he will doubtless be doing them service, as well as conferring a favour place on the south coast a large placard, stating: "Dr. A- can be-

upon, Sir, Your obedient servant, communicated with from here by telephone." There was another doctor-

Jan. 9th, 1886. ONE OF YOUR NOS-PROFESSIONAL READERS. in practice nearly opposite the shop. The telephone man, I found out,resided a little more than a quarter of a mile away ; therefore the objectH. A. B.—1. The Home Secretary.—2. Our advertising columns contain was plain. Is not this, with all the interested recommendations of the

the information. chemist as to Dr. A- being the best doctor, &c., very unprofessional :-HYPERIDROSIS. I am, Sir, yours obediently,

To the Editor of THE LANCET. Jan. 6th, 1886. SURGEON,SIR.—Will any of your readers suggest a remedy for the above We quite agree with our correspondent.—ED. L.

annoying symptom ? The patient who suffers from it is over fifty yearsof age, and is of a highly nervous temperament. The least undue amount INFANTILE HERNIA.of exercise invariably causes him to perspire most freely, especially en ,

the head and face. He has tried almost everything, both as regards To the Editor of THE LANCET.local applications and general treatment, but has found nothing even SIR,-I should feel obliged if any of your readers could tell me thepartially relieve, except small doses of atropine combined with oxide most satisfactory treatment to adopt in cases ef congenital hernia,of zinc. He has worried so much on account of this that he frequently which are constantly brought under one’s notice, when the children are-suffers from profound melancholia.-I am, Sir, yours faithfully, a month or two old. I am, Sir, yours faithfully,Jan. llth, 1886. ENQUIRENS. Jan. 12th, 1886. ENQUIRENS.

142

VACCINATION IN JAPAN. Bournemouth; Mr. Ellis, Pwllheli; Mrs. L. Harris ; Mr. G. C. Roy,THE Japanese do not appear to have lost any of their faith in the Bengal; Mr. R. M. Craven, Southport; Surgeon-Major Barker, Bom-

efficacy of vaccination for small-pox. It is announced that they have bay; Dr. Jos. Rogers, London; Mr. F. Sturgea, Beckenham; Mr. Noblejust enacted a very stringent law on the subject, which, besides Smith, London; Dr. Lavers, London; Mr. Barnardo, London; Mr. L.

ordinary vaccination in the first year of infancy, provides for at least Humphry, Cambridge; Dr. Warlomont, Brussels; Mr. F. W. Cory,two subsequent revaccinations at intervals of from five to seven years, Bournemouth; Mr. E. R. Williams, Macclesfield ; Dr. Dale, King’sso that by the time a child has reached its fifteenth year, it will have Lynn; Mr. G. S. Davis, Detroit ; Mr. Knight, London; Mr. Radley,been vaccinated three times. In addition to this, during epidemics

Newton Abbott; Mr. J. M k. Davidson, Aberdeen; Mr. Geo. Smith,

Stratford, Ontario ; Mr. R. Williams, Liverpool; Dr. Cockburn Smith,of small-pox, local aut horities have power, when they deem it Banbury; Dr. A. Hay; Dr. Thursfield, Leamington; Mr. Walters,necessary, to order the vaccination of all the inhabitanta of their London; Dr. W. B. Hunter, Londonderry; Mr. T. D. Harries, Aber-districts, irrespective of the vaccination required by the law. ystwith; Mr. C. H. Piesse; Mr. Rintoul, Liverpool; Messrs. Fraser

Dr. George Mundie.—The method of fire-lighting suggested by our corre- and Co., London ; Mr. Whittingdale, Birmingham ; Mr. W. T. Brooks,spondent has been often described and advocated. Oxford; Mr. H. A. Fotherby, London; Mr. Rice, Derby ; Miss Price,

Brighton; Mr. Harding, Searboro’; Mr. Rugg, Dover ; Mr. Codd,PARALYSIS AGITANS. Dublin; Miss Fitt, Limerick; Dr. Jones ; Messrs. Harrison and Sona,

To the Editor of THE LANCET. London; Dr. Hall, London ; Mr. Lockwood, Shemeld ; Mr. Bright,

SIR,—In reply to your correspondent, " Inquirer," who asks in your Brixton Messrs. Dawson Bros., Montreal; Mr. J. de Styrap, Shrews-last issue for some hints on the treatment of paralysis agitans, I beg to bury Dr. J. Black, London ; Mr. Sergeant, London ; Messrs. Shanks

suggest that electricity (constant current) should be used; likewise and Co., London ; Dr. Deas, Exeter; Mr. Round ; Messrs. Bennett

sulphur baths, which are certainly of very great value and importance Bros., Salisbury; Dr. Turner, Polruan; Mr. Wilcox ; Messrs. Grifin

in the disease. Good may be done by keeping the brain quiet by and Co., London; Messrs. Williams and Norgate, London; Dr. Lytle,hyoscyamus, to which, I think, conium and gelseminum should be Maghera ; Mr. Macpherson, Middlesbrough ; Mr. Simeon Snell, Shef-added, to quiet the nervous irritation at both central and peripheral field; Dr. Bampton; Dr. Mundie; Dr. Woakes, London; Mr. F. F.extremities. The latter drugs should, however, be carefully watched, Tayler, St. John’s ; Mr. Franklin Wright; Mr. Southam, Man-and, if any unpleasant symptom ensue, should be discontinued at once. chester ; Mr. Walters, Reading; Mr. Bettany, London; Mr. Brooks,Thehyoseyamus maybe used for an indefiniteperiod with great advantage; Hull; Mr. G. Brown, Greenwich; Mr. F. E. Cane, Leeds; Dr. Ridge,also iodide of potassium, to cause as much absorption of matter as may be, Enfield ; Mr. Stuart, Wigan; Mr. Kershaw, London; Mr. Leighton,preferably combining the latter drug with iron. In the use of electricity Cheltenham; Messrs. Cousins and Co., Oxford; Lieut.-Col. Wilson,good results have been obtained by placing the positive pole over Stockport ; Messrs. Reynolds and Co., Leeds ; Messrs. Macmillan andthe spine, and drawing the negative along the course of the nerves Co., London; Messrs. A. and C. Black, Edinburgh; Mr. Ellis Lever,as they leave the vertebral column to the periphery. I should, however, Bowdon; Mr. E. J. Cave, Bath ; Mr. Spear, London ; Dr. Donaldstrongly urge and advise the use of sulphur baths. I shall be glad to Hood, London ; Medicus ; F L. ; An Old Hospital Surgeon; A Parishhear the result of this treatment in 11 Inquirer’s" case. Nurse; One of your Non-profesaional Readera ; G. C. P.; Enquirens;I am, Sir, yours faithfully,Jan. 12th, 1886.

’ ’

T. J. LAVERS, M.D. Hooked ; Practical ; Medicus, Tiverton; M. N.; Y. P. Q. ; An Ex-

DYSMENORRHŒA. officio Guardian of the Hartley Wintney Union ; Enquirer.

To the Editor of THE LANCET. LETTERS, each with enclosure, are also acknowledged from -Dr. Mair,SIR,—I have found the aromatic spirits of ammonia in drachm doses a Switzerland; Mr. Seymour, Coventry; Mr. Page ; Mr. Botham, Man-

thoroughly trustworthy remedy for dysmenorrhcea. It should be given chester; Mr. Sers, Oldham ; Mr. Sydney, Hounslow ; Mr. Russell,every hour or two, according to the requirements of the case, but one dose Birmingham; Mr. Smith, Winchcombe ; Messrs. Dixon and Co., Bir-every four hours is generally enough. In place of the alcoholic stimu- mingham; Dr. Beatty, Vindore; Dr. Skinner, Paris ; Dr. Carter,lants generally prescribed, I think this remedy deserves recommendation. Demerara ; Mr. Bennett, Trinidad; Mr. Griffiths ; Dr. Meadows,

I am, Sir, yours truly, London; Mr. Helme, Lancaster; Mr. Smith, Belfast; Mr. Vinrace,Jan. 8th, 1886. C. R. ILLINGWORTH, M.D. Birmingham ; Mr. Dixon, Manchester ; Mr. Woolman, Stockton-on-

Tees ; Mr. Price, Treorky; Mr. Turner, Portobello ; Dr. Strahan,THE ALBO-CARBON LIGHT. Berry Wood; Dr. Veitch, Beaconsfield ; Messrs. Wyley and Co.,

To the Editor of THB LANCET. Coventry; Mr. Barron, Manchester; Messrs. Portway Bros., Egham;SIR,—Can any of your readers inform me whether the albo-carbon Dr. Mauche, Valetta; Dr. Redwood, Rhymney ; Mr. Johnstone, Dun-

light has been found to exercise an irritating influence on the throat or dee ; Dr. Kammerie, Berne; Mr. Cox, Battersea ; Mr. Denman,the organs of respiration ?-I am, Sir, yours faithfully, Beaconsfield ; Mr. Abbott, Carlisle ; Dr. Somerville, Ayr; Mr. Hill,Reading, Jan. 12th, 1886. J. HOPKINS WALTERS. Roxborough; Mr. Ormond, Bath; Mr. Goodden, Bristol; Mr. Greaves;

E. G., Spennymoor; E. F., Liverpool; Beta, Kennelworth; Redicus,COMMUNICATIONS, LETTERS, &c., have been received from-Sir Joseph Tewkesbury; Medicus, Minchinhampton; Omega, Liverpool; E. F.,

Lister, Valeseure; Sir Henry Thompson; Dr. A. H. Hassall, San Liverpool; Medicus,Stockport; Surgeon; Matron, Newark; Medicus,Remo; Dr. A. E. Sansom, London ; Dr. Braxton Hicks; Dr. Brown- Holloway; Medicus, Edinburgh ; M. O. D, Liverpool ; Medicus,Sequard, Paris; Dr. J. B. Russell, Glasgow; Sir L. M. S. Pilkington, Brixton; L. C. ; G. P.; P. P.; Framer; Medicus, London; D. E. S.,Wakefield ; Dr. Sedgwick Saunders, London ; Mr. C. F. Wright; Sunderland.Dr. W. H. Barlow, Manchester; Mr. Chittenden, Faversham; Mr. C.Bischoff; Mr. Parsons Smith, Croydon; Dr. Illingworth, Clayton-le- Newcastle Daily Journal, Walsall Free Press, Newcastle Weekly Chronicle,Moors; Dr. Purcell, London; Dr. Lewers, London; Mr. J. W. North, Liverpool Courier, Liverpool Daily Post, Manchester Courier, Pall 2L4allYork; Mr. Hodge, London; Mr. Moro, London; Mr. Mayo Robson, Gazette, Liverpool Echo, Chemiker-Zeitung, Admiralty and Horse GuardsLeeds ; Messrs. Barr and Son, London; Dr. Elliott, Hull; Mr. Druitt, Gazette, -c., have been received.