INSOMNIA OR SLEEPLESSNESS:--"A person who suffers from

sleeplessness should avoid the use of tea and coffee, tobacco,

alcoholic liquors and all other disturbers of the nervous

system. Eating immediately before retiring has been recommended,

but the ultimate result may be an aggravation of the difficulty

instead of relief. If a person suffers from 'all gone feelings'

so that he cannot sleep, he should take a few sips of cold water

or a glass of lemonade. As complete relief will generally be

obtained as from eating, and the stomach will be saved work when

it should be resting. A warm bath just before retiring, a

wet-hand rub, a cool sponge bath, gentle rubbing of the body

with the dry hand, a moist bandage worn about the abdomen during

the night, are all useful measures. When the feet are cold, they

should be thoroughly warmed by a hot foot or leg bath, and

thorough rubbing. When the head is congested, these measures

should be supplemented by the application of cold to the head,

as the cold compress or the ice-cap."

A walk in the evening, or gentle calisthenics, may help those of

sedentary habits. Bicycle riding and horse-back riding in the evening

have helped many.

The practice of long deep breathing will often put persons to sleep when

all other devices fail. The lungs should be filled to their utmost

capacity, and then emptied with equal slowness, repeating the

respiration about ten times a minute, instead of eighteen or twenty, the

natural rate. Those who fall asleep upon first going to bed, and after a

few hours awake, and are unable to sleep again, may find relief by

getting out of bed, and rubbing the surface of the body with the dry

hand. Or walk about the room a few minutes, exposing the skin to the

air, go back to bed and try the deep breathing.

"The use of drugs for the purpose of inducing sleep should be

avoided as much as possible. Opium is especially harmful. Sleep

obtained by the use of opiates is not a substitute for natural

sleep. The condition is one of insensibility, but not of natural

refreshing recuperation. Three or four hours of natural sleep

will be more than equivalent to double that amount of sleep

obtained by the use of narcotics. When a person once becomes

dependent upon drugs of any kind for producing sleep, it is

almost impossible for him to dispense with them. It is often

dangerous to resort to their temporary use, on account of the

great tendency to the formation of the habit of continuous use.

The use of opiates for securing sleep is one of the most

prolific means by which the great army of opium-eaters is

annually recruited. Chloral, bromide of potash, whisky and other

drugs are to be condemned almost as strongly as opium."--DR.

KELLOGG.

Dr. Furer, of Heidelberg, Germany, in a paper before the International

Congress against alcohol, held in Basle, Switzerland, in Sept., 1895,

said:--

"The sleep from alcohol does not act as a mental tonic, but

leaves the mind weaker next day."

Some noble specimens of manhood have become wrecks through accepting the

advice to try "whisky night-caps." Edison recommends manual labor,

instead of going to rest, for aggravated insomnia. He says sleep will

soon come naturally.

LA GRIPPE:--"Alcohol has no place in the treatment of _la

grippe_; on the contrary it is because of the too frequent use

of this, and other narcotics, that epidemics make such fearful

headway in our land, and such must be the rule until the people

study the laws of health and obey them. Profuse sweating,

followed by a careful bathing of the body in tepid water,

gradually cooling it to a normal temperature, and avoiding

unnecessary exposure, will relieve. The patient should sleep in

pure air and eat as little as possible, and that only when

hungry. * * * * * Quinine is essentially a nerve poison, and

capable of producing a profound disturbance of the nervous

centres. A drug of such potency for evil should be employed with

the greatest care, and never when a milder agency will secure

the result. Exceedingly pernicious is the habit of dosing

children with this drug."--DR. CHARLES H. SHEPARD, Brooklyn, N.

Y.

"A late surgeon of the gold coast of Africa wrote the following

to the London _Lancet_ of Jan. 2, 1890: 'Some of the worst cases

of this disease, the grippe, remind me of an epidemic I saw

among the natives of the swamps of the Niger. * * * * *

Irrespective of disinfectants and inhalations there is a simple,

effective and ready remedy, the juice of oranges in large

quantities, not of two or three, but of dozens. The first

unpleasant symptoms disappear, and the acid citrate of potash of

the juice, by a simple chemic action decreases the amount of

fibrine in the blood to an extent which prevents the development

of pneumonia.'"

The Syracuse (N. Y.) _Post-Standard_ contained the following during the

epidemic of 1899:--

"Dr. George D. Whedon declared to a _Post-Standard_ reporter

yesterday that there is practically no subsiding of the grippe

in this city. Dr. Whedon said that the weather conditions have

little, if anything, to do with the disease, and that it is

impossible to define the conditions which produce it. It is some

morbific agency, the influence of which, Dr. Whedon said, is

exerted upon the pneumogastric nerve.

"_Dr. Whedon was emphatic in denouncing treatment by means of

alcoholic stimulants, and coal tar derivatives._ In discussing

the subject at some length he said:--

'I find that infants and young children are practically exempt

from the disease, and the liability increases with age. In my

own experience, which has since 1889 amounted to an aggregate of

3,000 cases, alcoholic stimulants have appeared to be usually of

little or no value; their usual stimulating effect does not seem

to be realized in this condition. Unless malarial complications

exist quinine appears of no benefit, and then should not be used

in larger than two grain doses. Large doses depress the weakened

heart, and in all cases increase the terrible confusion and

headache constantly present in severe cases.

'From the views I entertain of its pathology, and from the

terrible fatality which has attended the extensive use of the

coal tar derivatives in treatment of _la grippe_, I argue that

the manner in which they have been prescribed in the beginning

of the disease, to reduce fever, and relieve the often intense

suffering, lowers the heart's action, which is already

sufficiently incapacitated by the toxic agent producing the

disease.

'The intention is usually to stimulate later, but later is in

many cases unfortunately too late. The heart being overwhelmed

by the poison, and by the added depression of all coal tar

preparations, cannot keep up the pulmonary circulation. The

swelling of the lungs increases, and the result is fatal.

'I am aware of the weight of authority for their administration

and of the relief they afford, but am just as well assured that

were their use discontinued, the greatly increased death-rate

from _la grippe_ would cease to appear.

'These coal tar remedies are being used everywhere, and the

medical journals recommend them despite the fatal results. They

are being used every hour in the day in Syracuse, and, as a

result, are knocking out good people. Among the most popular

coal tar derivatives I might mention anti-kamnia,

salol-phenacetine, anti-pyrine and salicylate of soda.

'Prognosis is favorable at all ages. Patients should be kept

warm, and perfectly quiet in bed, and supplied with such

nutritious and easily digested food, at frequent intervals, as

the partially paralyzed stomach can take care of. All

nourishment must be fluid and warm rather than cold.'"

The _Journal of Inebriety_ for April, 1889, says:--

"The present epidemic of influenza has proved to be very fatal

in cases of moderate and excessive alcoholic drinkers.

"Pneumonia is the most common sequel, breaking out suddenly, and

terminating fatally in a few days. Heart failure and profound

exhaustion, is another fatal termination. One case was reported

to me of an inebriate, who, after a full outbreak of all the

usual symptoms, drank freely of whisky and became stupid and

died. It was uncertain whether cerebral hemorrhage had taken

place, or the narcotism of the alcohol had combined with the

disease and caused death.

"A physician appeared to have unusual fatality in the cases of

this class under his care.

"It was found that he gave some form of alcohol freely, on the

old theory of stimulation. Another physician gave all drinking

cases with this disease alcohol, on the same theory, and had

equally fatal results. It has been asserted that alcohol, as an

antiseptic, was useful in these bacterial epidemics, but its use

has been followed by greater depression, and many new and

complex symptoms. The frequent half domestic and professional

remedy, hot rum and whisky, has been followed by more serious

symptoms, and a protracted convalescence. Many facts have been

reported showing the danger of alcohol as a remedy, also the

fatality in cases of inebriates who were affected with this

disease.

"The first most common symptom seems to be heart exhaustion and

feebleness, then from the catarrhal and bronchial irritation,

pneumonia often follows."

The vapor or Turkish bath is the best means of "breaking up" this

disease, together with hot lemonade and rest in bed for a day or two.

The inhalation of hot steam should be tried when there is much bronchial

irritation.

LIFE-SAVING STATIONS, THE USE OF ALCOHOL IN:--"There is no

possible useful place for alcoholic liquors in connection with a

life-saving station. Applied externally the rapid evaporation of

alcohol reduces the temperature; taken internally it diminishes

the efficiency of both respiration and circulation, and by

increasing congestion of the kidneys it directly increases the

danger of secondary bad effects from exposures of any kind. To

restore warmth and circulation to the surface, light, rapid

friction and the wrapping with dry flannel is the safest,

cheapest and most efficient, while free breathing of fresh air,

and frequent small doses of milk, beef-tea, ordinary tea or

coffee, or even simple water, will afford the greatest amount of

strength and endurance, and leave the least secondary bad

consequences. It is just as easy to keep at hand a jug or flask

of any one of the articles named as it is to keep a flask of

whisky or brandy. There is no need of keeping them hot, as they

act well at any temperature at which they can be drunk."--DR. N.

S. DAVIS, Chicago.

MEASLES:--"In mild cases, very little treatment is required,

except such as is necessary to make the patient comfortable.

Good nursing is much more important than medical attendance. If

the eruption is slow in making its appearance, or is repelled

after having appeared, the patient should be given a warm

blanket pack.

"The old-fashioned plan of keeping the patient smothered beneath

heavy blankets, and constantly in a state of perspiration is

wholly unnecessary. The irritation of the skin, as well as the

sensitiveness to cold, may be relieved by rubbing the skin

gently two or three times a day with vaseline or sweet oil.

There is no danger from the application of cold water to the

surface except in the last stages of the disease, after the

eruption has disappeared.

"The patient should be allowed cooling drinks as much as

desired. During the disease a simple but nutritious diet should

be allowed, but _stimulants of all kinds should be prohibited_."

"It is wholly unnecessary, and dangerous as well, to give whisky

to bring out the eruption."--DR. I. N. QUIMBY, Jersey City.

"Any hot drink, such as ginger tea or hot lemonade, may be used

to hasten the eruption, if delayed."

MALARIA:--Observers of this disease in such regions as the gold coast of

Africa have noted the fact that malarial attacks are generally preceded

by impaired digestion. The disease is said to be due to animal

parasites. These parasites are supposed to generate in the soil of

certain regions, and thence, through the drinking water, or otherwise,

find entrance to the human body.

"A healthy stomach is able to destroy germs of all sorts, hence

the best protection from malaria is the boiling of all drinking

water, and the maintenance of sound digestion and purity of

blood by an aseptic dietary."

Dr. J. H. Kellogg says in _The Voice_:--

"It must be understood, however, that fruit in malarial regions,

especially watermelons, may be thickly covered with malarial

parasites and the parasites may sometimes find entrance to the

fruit when it becomes over-ripe, so that the skin is broken. It

is evident, then, that care must be taken to disinfect such

fruit by thorough washing, or by dipping in hot water, which is

the safer plan. The same remark applies to cucumbers, lettuce,

celery, cabbage and other green vegetables which are commonly

served without cooking. Not only malarial parasites but small

insects of various kinds are often found clinging to such food

substances, their development being encouraged by the free use

of top dressing on the soil, a process common with market

gardeners.

"The treatment of malarial disease is too large and intricate a

subject for proper treatment in these columns. We will say

briefly, however, at the risk of being considered very

unorthodox, that the majority of cases of malarial poisoning can

be cured without the use of drugs of any sort. In fact, in the

most obstinate cases of chronic malarial poisoning, drugs are of

almost no use whatever. Quinine, however, is certainly of value

as a curative agent in these cases, either in destroying the

parasites, or in preventing their development; but as it does

not remove the cause, its curative effect is likely to be very

transient. The practice of habitually taking quinine as a

preventive of malarial disease is a most injurious one, as

quinine is itself a non-usable substance in the system, and

therefore must be looked upon as a mild poison, to be dealt with

by the liver and kidneys the same as other poisons. By habitual

use it may itself become a cause of disease. One or two

periodical doses of quinine often prove of great service in

interrupting the paroxysms of an intermittent fever, but other

treatment must also be employed to develop the bodily

resistance, and fortify the system against disease. The morning

cold bath, followed by vigorous rubbing, is a most excellent

measure for this purpose, but the old-fashioned German wet-sheet

pack is one of the best remedies known. The paroxysm itself can

generally be avoided by means of the dry pack, begun before the

chill makes its appearance; but this requires the services of an

expert nurse. In not a few cases it is wise for a person who

suffers frequently from malarial disease to seek a change of

climate to some non-malarial region.

"Col. T. W. Higginson of the First South Carolina Volunteers, in

1862, said of Dr. Seth Rogers, an eminent Southern physician,

who was surgeon of the regiment: 'Fortunately for us, he was one

of that minority of army surgeons who did not believe in whisky,

so that we never had it issued in the regiment while he was with

us, and got on better, in a highly malarial district, than those

regiments which used it.'"

MATERNITY:--Dr. Ridge says:--"It is one of the greatest mistakes

to make use of alcoholic beverages to 'keep up the strength'

during labor. It is, of course, impossible to predict at the

commencement how long the labor will last; if then brandy, or

other similar drink, is resorted to early, it acts most

injuriously. The desire for food is often entirely removed; the

demand of the system being therefore unperceived, and so not

supplied, a state of weakness and prostration is in time

produced, if the labor should be protracted, which may be really

serious. The nervous system becomes exhausted by the repeated

action of the alcohol. If a fatal result is not occasioned, yet

the prostration of body and mind after delivery is aggravated,

and convalescence thereby retarded. Alcoholic drinks produce

paralysis and congestion of the blood-vessels, and in this way

largely increase the liability to flooding after the labor is

over. Alcohol also increases the liability to a feverish

condition.

"It is necessary to take small quantities of plain, nourishing

food at regular intervals, and nothing is of greater value than

well-cooked oatmeal: other farinaceous food may be substituted,

if preferred. If there is much prostration, meat extracts or

beef tea are of great value. Tea tends to produce flatulence and

to prevent sleep.

"After the labor is over, the best restorative is a cup of hot

beef tea or an egg beaten up in warm milk or a cup of warm

gruel. Rest, and absence of excitement and worry are essential

and alcohol is specially injurious."

MENSTRUATION, PAINFUL:--Young girls often resort to the use of brandy

during the monthly period, and parents ask anxiously, "What can they use

instead of the brandy?"

The very best thing that can be done is to go to bed, wrapped in

flannels, with a hot-water bottle or other hot application to the

abdomen, and to the feet. Take hot ginger tea, or pepper tea.

A warm hip-bath taken at the beginning may give relief, or a large hot

enema retained for half an hour or so. Rest is necessary.

For those who must go to work, Dr. Ridge recommends five drops of oil of

juniper, to be taken on sugar.

NEURALGIA:--"The principal cause of neuralgia is defective

nutrition of the nerves. Disorders of digestion are very often

accompanied by neuralgia in various parts of the body. It may

also result from taking cold, from loss of sleep, from

dissipation, and also from the use of tobacco, alcohol, tea and

coffee.

"The patient's general health must be improved by a wholesome,

simple diet, and the employment of tonic baths, as a daily

sponge bath, and massage in feeble cases. Sun-baths and exercise

in the open air are of first importance. Ordinary neuralgia may

almost always be relieved by either moist or dry heat. In some

cases, cold applications give more relief than hot. As a rule,

abnormal heat requires cold, and unnatural cold requires hot

applications. In many cases it is necessary to give the patient

a warm bath of some kind. Electricity often succeeds when all

other remedies fail.

"For facial neuralgia apply hot fomentations, together with the

use of sitz baths, or hot foot baths. The head may be steamed by

holding it over hot water, adding pieces of hot brick

occasionally to keep water steaming, head being covered.

"There is no complaint, perhaps, in the treatment of which the

use of port wine will be more strongly urged by kind friends,

with the assurance that it is impossible to get well without it.

This is quite untrue, as thousands can testify."--DR. RIDGE.

"Avoid opiates of all sorts. 'It is better to bear the ills we

have than fly to others that we know not of.' The pangs of

neuralgia are as nothing to endure compared with the sufferings

of an opium wreck. Build up the general health, and the

neuralgia will disappear."

NAUSEA.--"A feeling of sickness is not uncommonly due to

indigestion. If it is caused by rich food take a pinch of

bicarbonate of soda in a little water, or a teaspoonful of fluid

magnesia. The acidity of the food will thus be neutralized, and

this course is far preferable to benumbing the stomach with

brandy. If indigestion is the cause, it is often salutary to

miss one or two meals, so as to allow the stomach to recover.

"When due to pregnancy, a little aerated water, or soda water is

useful; sometimes a small wafer or a crust, eaten before rising

in the morning, will check it. An early morning walk, if the

weather is pleasant, is helpful.

"The moist abdominal bandage is a very excellent means of

relieving nausea during pregnancy. It should be worn constantly

for a week or two, and then omitted during the night. Daily sitz

baths are also of great advantage. In many cases electricity

relieves this symptom very promptly. In very urgent cases in

which the vomiting cannot be repressed, and the life of the

patient is threatened, the stomach should be given entire rest,

the patient being nourished by nutritive injections.

Fomentations over the stomach, and swallowing small bits of ice,

are sometimes effective when other measures fail."--DR. J. H.

KELLOGG.

OUTGROWING THE STRENGTH:--"There is sometimes debility or

weakness in rapidly growing boys and girls which is attributed

to this cause. It is popularly supposed that port wine or beer,

is the great remedy; but nothing can be worse. It is true that

gin given continuously to puppies will keep them small, but no

one would advocate the amount of spirit required in proportion

by a lad or girl to produce the same effect. If the growth could

be checked by chemicals it would be most injurious to do so.

"In the treatment of such cases fresh air by day and night is

essential; cold sponging, followed by friction with a rough

towel, and exercise are desirable."

PNEUMONIA.

Dr. Julius Poheman says in _Medical News_:--

"The effect of alcohol upon nearly all the organs of the body

has been carefully investigated. But, strange to say, literature

contains only a few straggling hints upon the action of alcohol

on the pulmonary tissue. It has long been known that the abuse

of alcohol is a predisposing cause of death when the drinker is

attacked with pneumonia. No experimental evidence has been

published of the action of alcohol in producing pathological

conditions in the lungs. In order to determine this action, a

series of experiments was made upon dogs in the winters of

1890-1891 and 1892-1893. The dogs were a mixed lot of mongrels

gathered in by the city dog catchers. They varied in weight from

fifteen to twenty-five pounds, and were apparently in good

health. In all, thirty animals were experimented on.

"The experiments were performed as follows:--A carefully

etherized animal had injected into his trachea just below the

larynx a quantity of commercial alcohol varying from one dram to

one ounce in amount. The effects of equal amounts of alcohol

upon animals of the same weight varies greatly. Two dogs,

weighing twenty-five pounds each, were injected with two drams

of alcohol. One died in one hour, and the other in six hours

after the injection. Four other dogs, two weighing twenty-four

pounds each, another eighteen pounds, and the fourth fifteen

pounds, were all injected with the same amount, two drams. All

four survived, and were as well as usual in four weeks. Another

dog of eighteen pounds died five minutes after an injection of

two drams, while another of fifteen pounds took one ounce and

recovered.

"The symptoms in the dogs were all alike, dyspnea, increasing as

the inflammation increased, until the accessory muscles of

respiration were called into play. The stethoscope showed that

air had great difficulty in entering the bronchi and air

vesicles, and showed also the tumultuous beating of the heart

in pumping blood through the lung. It was impossible to take the

temperatures. Post-mortem examinations showed the lungs dark,

congested and solid in some places. The air passages were filled

with frothy, bloody mucus, even in the dog that died in five

minutes. On section, the lungs were dark, congested, and full of

bloody mucus. This shows how acutely sensitive the respiratory

passages are to the action of alcohol. On microscopic

examination of the lungs, the air tubes and vesicles were found

filled with immense numbers of red and white corpuscles and much

mucus. The same picture was presented as in a slide from the

lungs of a broncho-pneumonic child.

"The striking similarity between the two is enough to prove that

the pathological condition is the same, and that alcohol has

produced a lesion very closely resembling, if not absolutely

like, that of broncho-pneumonia in the human subject. This to

some extent explains why drunkards attacked by pneumonia succumb

more readily than the temperate. The sensitive lung tissue is

enveloped in alcohol--flowing through the capillaries of the

lung on one side, and exhaled, filling the air vesicles and

tubes on the other. The condition must create a state of

semi-engorgement or of mild inflammation, similar to the

drunkard's red nose, or his engorged gastric mucous membrane.

Such a state will reduce the vitality of the pulmonary tissue,

and its power of resistance to external influences. Add to this

an inflammation such as a pneumonia, and the lungs find

themselves unable to stand the pressure."

As previous chapters contain much showing the reasons why alcohol is

dangerous in pneumonia, space need not be taken here to do more than

indicate briefly some points of non-alcoholic treatment.

Pneumonia is generally supposed to result from a cold; it is ushered in

by the symptoms of a chill, followed by fever, headache, shortness of

breath, pain in chest, etc. It sometimes occurs as a complication of

typhoid fever and other acute diseases.

"It is not a very fatal disease in young and healthy subjects,

but in weak children, old persons and habitual drinkers, it is a

very fatal malady."

_Nature Cure_ recommends a vapor bath immediately upon the appearance of

the first symptoms, together with copious drinking of hot lemonade, and

a good supply of pure fresh air in the room, together with the

application of alternating hot and cold compresses, _and no drugs_.

Dr. Kellogg says:--

"Cool compresses or ice-bags, alternated every three hours by

hot fomentations for ten minutes, should be applied to the

chest, particularly to the affected side, the seat of pain. The

hot fomentations relieve the pain, and the cold compresses check

the diseased process. The compresses should be wrung out of cold

water, and changed every five to eight minutes, or as often as

they become warm. Although the cool compresses are not usually

liked by the patient, they will soon give relief if their use is

continued, and they do much towards shortening the course of the

disease. Care should be taken to keep the patient's body from

being wet except where the treatment is applied. The cold

compress is much used in the large hospitals of Germany. When

the pulse becomes as rapid as 95 to 110 or more, cool sponging,

the wet-sheet pack, the cool full bath or the cool enema should

be employed. When much chilliness is produced by the contact of

water with the skin, the cold enema is a most admirably useful

measure. The amount of water required is from half a pint to a

pint. The temperature may be 40 to 60 degrees. The apartment

should be kept as cool as possible without discomfort, and an

abundance of fresh air should be continually supplied.

"The diet of the patient should consist of milk, oatmeal gruel,

ripe fruit, and similar easily digested food. No meat, eggs or

other stimulating food should be allowed.

"Discontinue the cold treatment after the first twenty-four to

forty-eight hours. If the surface is cold, apply hot sponging or

a hot pack. Avoid causing chilliness."

PRE-NATAL INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL:--"The use of beer as a medicine

during pregnancy is without doubt perilous to the health and

vigor of the offspring. Children born under such conditions are

sickly and feeble, and suffer from disease more severely than

others, or die early. Alcoholic prescriptions to pregnant women

are, from all present knowledge of the facts, both dangerous and

reprehensible in the highest degree."--DR. T. D. CROTHERS,

Hartford, Conn.

"M. Fere, an eminent French physician, recently reported to the

Biological Society of Paris the results of experiments which he

had been conducting for the purpose of throwing light upon this

question. These experiments demonstrate that the exposure of

hen's eggs to the influence of the vapor of alcohol, previous to

incubation, retards the development of the embryo, and favors

the production of malformations. It is evident from these

experiments that alcohol may act directly upon the embryo when

there is no marked influence of alcoholism in the parent."

PAIN AFTER FOOD:--"This may occur in acute or chronic gastric

catarrh, or in a neuralgic or oversensitive condition of the

stomach, or in ulcer or cancer of that organ. In all these it

comes on soon after food has been swallowed; but, if occurring a

long time after a meal, it is probably due to atonic dyspepsia.

Alcohol will undoubtedly sometimes relieve this kind of pain by

deadening the nerves of the stomach so that the pain is not

felt so much; but this effect soon passes off, and if the cause

of the malady is not removed by other means, increasing

quantities of alcohol will be required to give relief. Many

cases of drink-craving have originated in this way. Medical aid

will generally be required. A small mustard poultice over the

pit of the stomach is often useful, especially in inflammatory

cases, or any other outward application of heat. Food should be

fluid, or semi-fluid, and digestible. Ginger tea, or peppermint

water, may serve to disperse gas."

POISON, ANIMAL.

The following by Dr. Chas. H. Shepard, of Brooklyn, who introduced the

Turkish bath into America, is taken from the _Journal of the A. M. A._,

for Nov. 13, 1897:--

"Animal poison is by no means uncommon, and so quick and

mysterious is its action that a prompt remedy is a vital

necessity. There is good reason to believe that the numerous

remedies that have been recommended from earliest times as

antidotes for animal poison are worthless, as they have not the

properties commonly ascribed to them. The paucity of remedies is

so great that alcohol is the one which comes most quickly to the

mind of those who have been taught in the traditions of the

past, and who are not fully aware of its action on the human

system. We shall endeavor to show that the action of alcohol is

not helpful, but on the contrary is really detrimental; and also

that there is a better way out of the difficulty.

"If we get a splinter in the body, vital energy is aroused to

get rid of the offending substance, inflammation is set up, and

sloughing goes on until the splinter is voided. If the splinter

is covered with acrid material, the same process is intensified,

and nature endeavors to eliminate the offending substance

through the natural excretions. Upon the peculiarity of the

material depends the direction of this elimination.

"It is well known that some poisons are thrown off by the

kidneys, some by the lungs, while others again are attacked by

all the emunctories. The difference in the power of the system

to absorb different substances, appropriate whatever can be

utilized, and throw off whatever can not be used, is sometimes

called idiosyncrasy, but more properly it may be called vital

resistance, and upon the integrity of this power rests the

ability to combat disease in all its forms, whether it be the

absorption of any animal virus or the poison resulting from

undigested food. This ability is in proportion to the integrity

and soundness of every tissue and organ of the body. This may be

illustrated by the fact that with a person suffering from kidney

disease, which necessarily impedes elimination, the ordinary

effects of a poison are intensified; therefore whatever aids in

the promotion of good health, or in other words, the normal

action of all the functions, will contribute to the safety of

the individual in any and every emergency.

"When a person dies from the effect of poisoning, it is simply

because the system was unable to eliminate the offending

substance and was exhausted in the effort. There is a tolerance

of some substances which frequently results in chronic disease,

and again it is shown in what is called the cumulative effect or

acute disease.

"Those who would hold that a substance is at one time a

medicament, and at another time a poison, have much trouble in

drawing the line between the beneficial and the poisonous

effect. The idea that poisonous substances act on the system is

responsible for many grave mistakes, whereas always, and under

all circumstances, it is the system that does all the action.

"There might be some excuse for the idea that disease is an

entity, from the facts that have been brought to light by the

germ theory, but this theory is of recent date, while the entity

theory is as old as superstition.

"Snake poison, which may be cited as a type of other animal

poisons, takes effect through the circulation, and acts by

paralyzing the nerve centres, and by altering the condition of

the blood. In ordinary cases death seems to take place by arrest

of respiration, from paralysis of the nerves of motion. The

poison also acts septically, producing at a later period

sloughing and hemorrhage.

"Dr. Calmette, a noted French scientist, claims that what is

poisonous in the snake's bite, is not the venom absorbed into

the blood, but a principle which the blood itself has developed

out of the poison. This would necessitate very quick action when

the poison is inserted in one of the large veins, as that is

followed by instant death.

"The following cases fairly represent some of the tragedies that

are occurring in our everyday life.

"A man 60 years old falls and dislocates his finger, he goes to

the hospital, where in a short time he dies from blood

poisoning. * * * * * Another man 48 years old, many years a wine

merchant, whose great toe was severely crushed by a heavy man

stepping on it, was taken with blood-poisoning and in spite of

all treatment, even to the amputation of the leg, he soon

succumbed to the disease. * * * * * A young woman 24 years old,

picks a pimple on her chin and at once her face begins to swell.

In vain was all medical treatment, for in a few days she died in

terrible agony. * * * * * About a year ago there died in

Brooklyn, N. Y., a physician in his 38th year, who six days

previously received a slight scratch in his hand while

performing a post-mortem examination. All that medical science

could suggest was done to no avail. * * * * * In the summer of

1896 a young woman 22 years of age was bitten on the leg by an

insect. Several physicians were called in but their treatment

gave no relief; blood-poisoning set in; it was decided to

amputate the leg, but before it could be done she died. * * * *

* In July, 1896, a veterinary surgeon 34 years of age, while

removing a cancer from a horse pricked his finger with his

knife. The wound was so slight that he forgot all about it. A

few days later blood-poisoning set in and in a short time his

end came. * * * * * Some forty years ago a man named Whitney was

teasing a rattlesnake in a Broadway barroom, was bitten by it,

and, though whisky was poured down his throat by the quart, he

soon died.

"Such results seem entirely unnecessary were the proper course

pursued, and at the same time they are a fearful commentary on

the medical resources of the day.

"The latest researches in regard to alcohol reveal it as a

poison to the human system in whatever way it may be diluted or

disguised. Its effect is always the same in proportion to the

amount taken. It is impossible to habitually use it in any form,

even in small quantities, without disease and degeneration

resulting therefrom. When taken into the stomach the action is

the same as with any other narcotic; the meaning of this word is

_to become torpid_. It benumbs the nerves of sensation, and thus

the vital resistance to any offending material is reduced, and

while the patient _feels_ less of any disturbance the real harm

goes on with accumulated force because of the lack of vitality

and non-resistance of the nervous system.

"When the body is in the throes of a vital struggle with a

virulent poison it would seem, to any unprejudiced mind, the

height of folly to further weaken the vital resistance by the

administration of any narcotic, and especially alcohol.

"The eminent German, Professor Bunge, says: 'All the results

which on superficial observation appear to show that alcohol

possesses stimulant properties, can be explained on the ground

that they were due to paralysis.' * * * * * Professors S. Weir

Mitchell and E. T. Reichert, in _Researches on Serpent Poison_,

make this notable statement: 'Despite the popular creed, it is

now pretty sure that many men have been killed by the alcohol

given to relieve them from the effects of snake bite, and it is

a matter of record that men dead drunk with whiskey and then

bitten, have died of the bite.'

"As a great contrast to the weakness of the mass of our people

who are drug-takers and alcohol-consumers, and who are liable to

almost any epidemic that comes along, and quickly succumb to a

serious injury, may be mentioned the Turkish soldiers of to-day,

who know nothing of drugs as we use them and never use alcohol

in any form. During the late controversy with the Greeks, one of

them who was reported as having been shot in the stomach,

remained in the ranks, and afterward walked ten miles. Another

one who was wounded twice in the legs and once in the shoulder,

continued attending to his duties for twenty-four hours, until

an officer noticed his condition and ordered him to the

hospital. The heat was tremendous, but the troops endured it

without complaint, and the doctors were astonished at the

wonderful vitality of the wounded Turks, who recovered with

remarkable rapidity. This, with good reason, is attributed to

their abstemious lives.

"It has been stated that the Moqui Indians handle the

rattlesnake with impunity, and are not inconvenienced by its

occasional bite.

"The rational treatment of animal poison is to endeavor to

prevent the entry of the virus into the circulation and to

neutralize it in the wound before it is absorbed; but when it

has entered the system everything should be done for its

elimination.

"The most powerful aid to the human system, and the most perfect

eliminator known to man is heat. It is used with much advantage,

and great success by means of water, both internally and

externally, but above all is its use by hot air, as in the

Turkish bath, which works in harmony with every natural

function, promoting the action of all the secretions, and more

particularly the excretions. By this means will the system

unload itself of an accumulation of impurities in an incredibly

short space of time, while the heat aids in destroying whatever

there may be of virus therein.

"Calmette, whom we have previously quoted, has shown that

whatever be the source of snake venom, its active principle is

destroyed by being submitted to a temperature of about 212

degrees for a variable length of time.

"In the not remote future thousands of human beings will owe to

the Turkish bath not only an immunity from disease in general,

but also an escape from the horrors of a premature death from

hydrophobia, the poison of snake bite, or the slower action of

infectious disease.

"The mass of testimony that has been accumulating for over

thirty years past is more than sufficient to convince any

reasonable mind that is willing to examine the facts.

"The medical profession has searched the world over and under

for the means of controlling disease, while within the human

body itself lies the vital power which needs only to be

cultivated and exalted to its true function to banish the mass

of disease from the land."

Dr. Shepard states in another article that Turkish baths are now used in

London and Paris for the cure of hydrophobia.

Dr. J. H. Kellogg says:--

"A great number of remedies have acquired the reputation of

being cures for snake bites. The partisans of each one of these

have been able to produce a large number of cases, which

apparently supported their claims; the uniform testimony of all

scientific authorities upon this subject, however, is that all

these so-called antidotes are worthless. Prof. W. Watson Cheyne,

M. B., F. R. C. S., surgeon of Kings College Hospital, London,

England, states, in the _International Encyclopedia of Surgery_,

that 'there is no known antidote by which the venom can be

neutralized, nor any prophylactic.' This eminent authority also

remarks further: 'Hence medication with this view is to be

avoided altogether, and the aim of treatment should be to

prevent the poison from gaining access to the general

circulation, and to avoid its prostrating effects if its

entrance has already taken place.' The same writer asserts that

the only aim of the constitutional treatment should be 'to

sustain the strength until the poison shall have been

eliminated.' The idea that the saturation of the body with

whisky to the point of intoxication, if possible, is beneficial

in these cases, is in the highest degree erroneous. Whisky

intoxication, according to Dr. Cheyne, actually 'favors the

injurious effect of the poison. What is required is to keep the

patient alive until the poison has been eliminated.' Whisky will

not do this, but actually aids the poison in its fatal work by

lessening the resistance of the patient, and hence lessening his

chances for recovery.

"The reputation of whisky as a remedy in these cases is due to

the fact that on an average only one person in eight who is

bitten by a rattlesnake is really poisoned; the reasons for this

were fully explained in an interesting paper on 'Rattlesnakes,'

by the eminent Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, and published in the

Smithsonian Contributions to _Knowledge_ for 1860. If the snake

strikes several times before inflicting a wound, the sacs

containing the venom may be emptied, so that the succeeding bite

will introduce only the most minute quantity of poison--not

enough to produce serious, or fatal results. If the part bitten

is covered by clothing, the poison may be absorbed by the

clothing, so that but very little enters the circulation. In

various other ways the snake is prevented from inflicting a

fatal wound. The popular idea, that every bite of a rattlesnake

is necessarily poisonous, is thus shown to be erroneous. It is

not at all probable that the administration of whisky has ever

in any case contributed to the long life of a person bitten by a

rattlesnake.

"Whisky is often recommended by physicians with the idea that it

will sustain the energies of the patient, or will stimulate the

heart, etc.; but it has been clearly shown that alcohol in all

forms is not only useless for these purposes, but does actual

damage, since it lessens the resistance of the patient, weakens

the heart, and helps along the prostration which is the

characteristic effect of the rattlesnake venom. Alcohol has, for

many years, been used as an antidote for collapse under an

anaesthetic administered for surgical purposes, but no

intelligent physician nowadays thinks of using alcohol for such

a purpose; instead, alcohol is given before the anaesthetic for

the purpose of facilitating its effect. Errors of this sort

which have once become established are very hard to uproot.

Probably some physicians will continue to use alcohol for shock,

exhaustion, general debility and similar conditions as well as

for rattlesnake poisoning for another quarter of a century, but

such use of alcohol does not belong to the domain of rational

medicine and is not supported by scientific facts."

"Under the Pasteur method, a man who did not take alcohol was

much more likely to recover from the bite of a mad dog than one

bitten under the same conditions, who used that drug; while in

lock-jaw there was absolute failure to secure immunity if the

patient had taken alcohol. In India it used to be given in large

quantities for snake bite, but it was found that it had a direct

effect in interfering with the processes of repair, and so is

being abandoned."--DR. SIMS WOODHEAD, of the Royal College of

Physicians and Surgeons, London, Eng.

"Nothing could be more irrational and dangerous than the popular

notion concerning the antagonism of whisky and snake-bites, and

Willson reports that several of the fatalities in his series

were directly due to alcohol rather than to the

bite."--_Editorial, Journal of the American Medical Ass'n._

RHEUMATISM:--"Unquestionably, the most active cause of

rheumatism, as well as of migraine, sick-headache, Bright's

disease, neurasthenia and a number of other kindred diseases, is

the general use of flesh food, tea and coffee, and alcoholic

liquors. As regards remedies, there are no medicinal agents

which are of any permanent value in the treatment of chronic

rheumatism. The disease can be remedied only by regimen,--that

is, by diet and training. A simple dietary, consisting of

fruits, grains, and nuts, and particularly the free use of

fruits, must be placed in the first rank among the radical

curative measures. Water, if taken in abundance, is also a means

of washing out the accumulated poisons.

"An individual afflicted with rheumatism in any form should

live, so far as possible, an out-of-door life, taking daily a

sufficient amount of exercise to induce vigorous perspiration. A

cool morning sponge bath, followed by vigorous rubbing, and a

moist pack to the joints most seriously affected, at night, are

measures which are worthy of a faithful trial. Every person who

is suffering from this disease should give the matter immediate

attention, as it is a malady which is progressive, and is one of

the most potent causes of premature old age, and general

physical deterioration. American nervousness is probably more

often due to uric acid, or to the poisons which it represents,

than to any other one cause."--_Good Health._

"Alcohol favors the development of rheumatism. It does this by

preventing waste matter from leaving the system. Beer and wine,

because they contain lime and salts, are said to cause

rheumatism, or at least to aid in its development. These salts

are absorbed into the system, unite with the uric acid, and form

an insoluble urate of lime, which is deposited around the

joints, thus causing them to become enlarged and stiff. * * * * *

"The success of the Turkish bath treatment has been phenomenal.

Of over 3,000 cases treated here at least 95 per cent. have been

entirely relieved, or greatly helped. Some who were treated over

twenty years ago have stated that they have not had a twinge of

rheumatism since. Very few have persevered in the use of the

bath without experiencing permanent relief."--DR. CHARLES H.

SHEPARD, Brooklyn.

"Those having a bath cabinet can have a good substitute at home

for the Turkish bath. Remember that if tobacco and alcohol are

indulged in, there can be no permanent relief."

_The New Hygiene_ says:--

"Under no circumstances take any of the thousand and one

nostrums advertised as sure cures for this disease. Pure

unadulterated blood is the only remedy. This can only be

produced by cleansing the system of impurities, and giving it

the right kind of material out of which to make it. Keep out the

poisonous physic, clean out the colon, strengthen the lungs, and

feed the system with proper food, and this disease will vanish

like a fog before the rising sun."

The same book in advocating the use of the Turkish bath for rheumatism,

says:--

"The fact, which is well attested, that when a person enters the

bath the urine may be strongly acid, but, on leaving the bath,

after half an hour, it is markedly alkaline, shows that the bath

has a strong effect upon the system."

Dr. Ridge says of _rheumatic fever_:--

"I would urge most strongly the desirability of avoiding every

form of alcoholic liquor, from the very commencement of the

disease, as affording the best chance for a speedy and safe

recovery. The highest authorities are agreed on this point, but

there is a lingering practice which makes reference necessary in

order to confirm the wavering."

In Mt. Sinai Hospital, New York, the hot blanket pack is used in acute

rheumatism, almost to the exclusion of other methods. The pack should be

continued two to four hours at least, and may be repeated two or three

times within the twenty-four hours with advantage.

_Nature Cure_ says that thorough massage, and half a dozen cups of hot

lemonade will cure a severe case of sciatica:--

"The massage should be commenced moderately, and increased as

the patient can bear it. Rubbing and slapping of the muscles

with bare hands will hasten a cure, and be agreeable to the

patient. One to two hours treatment, if _vigorous_, will effect

a cure."

SEA-SICKNESS:--Brandy is a common resort in this trouble, many taking it

under such circumstances who would under no other. Yet it frequently

adds to the sickness, instead of relieving it.

"Be sparing in diet for two or three days before the expected

voyage. If very sensitive, take to your berth as soon as you go

on board, or lie down on deck; get near the centre of the

vessel, and lie with your feet to the stern. Go to sleep if

possible. Iced water may be sipped, but nothing solid should be

taken at first; after a while a cracker or wafer may be taken."

It is said upon good authority that if two or three apples are eaten

shortly before going on board, or before rough water is encountered,

sea-sickness is entirely averted. It will be well to partake of no other

food for some hours previous to the voyage when trying this.

_Good Health_ says:--

"If any of our readers have occasion to cross the ocean in the

stormy season, we recommend three things; keep horizontal, with

the head low; put an ice-bag to the back of the neck, keep the

stomach clean, free from greasy foods and meats, and eat nothing

till there is an appetite for food. A habitually clean dietary

before going on board is doubtless a good preparation for such a

voyage, as well as for any other nerve strain, or test of

endurance. It pays to be good--to your stomach, as well as in

other ways."

The following is guaranteed by a Russian physician to be an effective

cure and a means of avoiding sea-sickness when the symptoms first make

their appearance. Take long and deep inspirations. About twenty breaths

should be taken every minute, and they should be as deep as possible.

After thirty or forty inspirations the symptoms will be found to abate.

This is recommended for dyspepsia also.

SORE NIPPLES:--"Alum water, or tannin, used for several months

in advance will harden as effectually as brandy. If there is

soreness on commencing to nurse, put a pinch of alum into milk,

and apply the curd to the nipple."

SPASMS:--"These are caused by flatulence, as a result of

indigestion. A little hot ginger tea, or capsicum tea, may do

all that is required. If these are not at hand, loosen every

tight band, rub well the region of the heart and stomach, slap

the face with the corner of a wet towel, and give sips of cold

water."

SHOCK:--"In shock, or collapse, the state is similar in some

respects to that which is present in fainting. Every function is

almost at a standstill; absorption from the stomach and

elsewhere is at its lowest point, because the circulation of the

blood is so much interfered with. Hence much of the brandy which

is so often given, and to such a wonderful amount, with very

little apparent effect of intoxication, is really not absorbed

at all, and is very often rejected from the stomach by vomiting,

when reaction does occur, if not before.

"The patient should be wrapped up warmly, and put to bed as soon

as possible. The limbs may be rubbed with hot flannels, and hot

water bottles put to hands and feet. In some cases, also, towels

wrung out of hot water may be wrapped around the head. Hot milk

and water, hot water slightly sweetened, or with a little

peppermint water in it, should be given as soon as the patient

can swallow. Hot beverages will warm the skin more rapidly and

powerfully than any alcoholic liquor.

"If the patient cannot swallow, an enema of hot water, or hot,

thin gruel, should be administered, and may be of use in

addition to hot drinks. Beef extract may be added to the hot

water with advantage.

"In the vast majority of cases there need be no anxiety so far

as the shock is concerned; reaction will occur in due time if

ordinary care be taken, and will be more natural and steady if

the system is not embarrassed by the presence of the narcotic

alcohol. In the state of collapse the voluntary nervous system

is depressed; alcohol diminishes the power and activity of the

nervous centres of the brain, hence its action is undesirable in

shock or collapse."--DR. J. J. RIDGE, London.

"No procedure could be more senseless than the administering

alcohol in shock. A stimulant of some kind is necessary in such

cases, and alcohol, instead of being a stimulant is a narcotic.

* * * * * Alcohol causes a decrease of temperature, the very

thing to be avoided in cases of shock."--DR. J. H. KELLOGG.

"I am perfectly sure that a large dose of alcohol in shock puts

a nail in the coffin of the patient."--DR. H. C. WOOD of the

University of Pennsylvania.

SINKING SENSATIONS:--Many women have a feeling of weakness or "goneness"

at about eleven o'clock in the morning, and are led by it to the

injurious practice of eating between meals. It is often due to

indigestion, or to the use of beer or wine. A few sips of hot milk, of

fruit juice, or even of cold water will often relieve it, especially if

total abstinence is persevered in.

SUDDEN ILLNESS:--"Those taken suddenly ill are likely to fare

best if placed in a recumbent position, with head slightly

elevated, all tightness of garments about the neck or waist

relieved, and a little cold water given in case of ability to

swallow. A mustard plaster on the back of the neck, or over the

stomach, and hot water or hot bottles to the feet, are never out

of place, while vinegar, or smelling salts, or dilute ammonia to

the nostrils is reviving."--EZRA M. HUNT, M. D., late secretary

of New Jersey State Board of Health.

"Both the popular and professional beliefs in the efficacy of

alcoholic liquids for relieving exhaustion, faintness, shock,

etc. are equally fallacious. All these conditions are temporary,

and rapidly recovered from by simply the recumbent position, and

free access to fresh air. Ninety-nine out of every hundred of

such cases pass the crisis before the attendants have time to

apply any remedies, and when they do, the sprinkling of cold

water on the face, and the vapor of camphor or carbonate of

ammonia to the nostrils, are the most efficacious remedies, and

leave none of the secondary evil effects of brandy, whisky or

wine."--DR. N. S. DAVIS.

SUNSTROKE:--"There has lately been a correspondence in the

_Morning Post_ on the subject of 'Sunstroke and Alcohol.' We

quite agree with the statement that 'nothing predisposes people

to sunstroke so much as this pernicious habit of taking

stimulants (so-called) during the hot weather.' As far as this

country is concerned, nearly every case of sunstroke might be

more appropriately designated 'beerstroke.' One effect of

alcohol is to paralyze the heat-regulating mechanism; the blood

becomes overloaded with waste material, and the narcotism, and

vasomotor paralysis, produced by the alcohol, is added to that

produced by the heat. Abstainers, other things being equal, can

always endure extremes of temperature better than consumers of

alcohol."--_Medical Pioneer_, England.

"During the month of January, 1896, there occurred over three

hundred deaths from sunstroke in Australia. When called upon to

offer suggestions relative to its prevention, the medical board

promptly informed the Colonial government that, of all the

predisposing causes, none were so potent as indulgence in

intoxicating liquors, and in its treatment nothing seemed to

have a more disastrous effect than the administration of

alcoholic stimulants."--_Medical News._

The _Bulletin of the A. M. T. A._ for August, 1896, contained the

following:--

"Recently a leading medical man, a teacher in a college, warned

his student audience against the anti-alcoholic theories urged

by extremists and persons whose zeal was greater than their

intelligence. He affirmed positively that the value of alcohol

was well known in medicine, and established by long years of

experience.

"Not long afterward a man was brought into his office in a state

of collapse from sunstroke, and this physician and teacher

ordered large quantities of brandy to be administered; the

patient died soon after."

Dr. T. D. Crothers tells of a case where alcohol was administered to a

child for partial sunstroke, and says, "there were many reasons for

believing that the profound poisoning from alcohol gave a permanent bias

and tendency that developed into inebriety later."

"When a person falls with sunstroke (or heatstroke) he should at

once be carried to a cool, shady place. His clothing should be

removed, and cold applications made to the head, and over the

whole body. Pieces of ice may be packed around the head, or cold

water may be poured upon the body. Cold enema may also be

employed. In case the face is pale, hot applications should be

made to the head and over the heart and the body should be

rubbed vigorously."--DR. J. H. KELLOGG.

TYPHOID FEVER.

As many lives are lost by this disease, its treatment must ever be one

of intense interest, not only to physicians, but also to all humanity.

Since non-alcoholic treatment has reduced the death-rate in typhoid to

five per cent., the views regarding such treatment expressed by leading

practitioners will doubtless be read with eagerness.

The following is a paper by Dr. N. S. Davis taken from the _Medical

Temperance Quarterly_.

"ALLEGED INDICATIONS FOR THE USE OF ALCOHOL IN THE TREATMENT OF

TYPHOID FEVER:--On the first page of the first number of a new

medical journal bearing date July, 1895, may be found the

following statement: 'The question of administering alcohol

comes up in every case of typhoid fever. In mild cases,

especially when the patient is young, healthy and temperate,

stimulants are not needed so long as the disease follows the

typical course. Here, as elsewhere, alcohol should be avoided

when not absolutely demanded. There is, however, generally such

a dangerous tendency toward nervous exhaustion, that in a

majority of cases more or less alcohol is required. The

indication which calls for its use is an inability to administer

enough food. * * * * * Again, the existence of high temperature

nearly always makes it necessary to stimulate the patient, as

does threatened nervous exhaustion and heart failure, for

immediate effect; likewise a weak, small, compressible, rapid

pulse, with impaired cardiac impulse and systolic sound, is a

frequent indication; other remedies may be required, but alcohol

cannot be dispensed with.' The next paragraph continues: 'It is

necessary to give alcohol in serious complications of typhoid

fever, such as pneumonia, pleurisy, hemorrhage and severe

bronchitis or diarrhoea. It is best to begin giving it early

and in small quantities: two to six ounces is a moderate amount,

eight to twelve ounces daily is not too much for adynamic or

complicated cases.'

"The foregoing quotations purport to have been condensed from

one of our recent authoritative works on practical medicine, and

doubtless fairly represent the prevailing opinions concerning

the use of alcohol in the treatment of typhoid and other fevers,

both in and out of the profession. A careful reading will show

that the whole is founded on the following four assumptions:

"1. That alcohol when taken into the living body acts as a

general stimulant, and especially so to the cardiac and

vasomotor functions. 2. That in mild, uncomplicated cases of

typhoid fever in young and previously healthy subjects,

stimulants are not required and no alcohol should be given. 3.

That in a 'majority of cases' the tendency toward dangerous

'nervous exhaustion' and 'heart failure' is so great that the

giving of 'more or less alcohol is required.' 4. The amount

required may vary from two to twelve or more ounces per day.

"In the two preceding numbers of this journal, I have endeavored

to show that the chief causes of nervous exhaustion and heart

failure, in typhoid and other fevers were impairment of the

hemoglobin and corpuscular elements of the blood, deficient

reception and internal distribution of oxygen, and molecular

degeneration of the muscular structures of the heart itself.

These important pathological conditions are doubtless caused by

the specific toxic agent or agents giving rise to the fever.

Consequently the rational objects of treatment are to stop the

further action of the specific cause, either by neutralization,

or elimination, or both; to stop the further impairment of the

hemoglobin and other elements of the blood; and to increase the

reception and internal distribution of oxygen, by which we will

most effectually prevent further fatty or granular degeneration

of cardiac and other structures. The language of the paragraphs

I have quoted, fairly assumes that alcohol is a _stimulant_

capable of relieving nervous exhaustion and cardiac failures,

regardless of the causes producing those pathological

conditions, and consequently its use is necessary in the

'majority of cases' of typhoid fever.

"Can such an assumption be sustained by either established

facts, or correct reasoning? Can nervous and cardiac exhaustion,

induced by the presence of toxic agents in the blood, with

deficiency of both hemoglobin and oxygen, be relieved by a

simple _stimulant_, that neither neutralizes nor eliminates the

toxic agents, nor increases either the hemoglobin or oxygen?

That alcohol does not neutralize or destroy toxic ptomaines, or

tox-albumins, is proved by abundant clinical experience, and

also by the fact that chemists use it freely in the processes

for separating these substances from other organic matters for

experimental purposes. That its presence in the living body

retards metabolic changes generally, and thereby aids in

retaining instead of eliminating toxic agents of all kinds, has

been so fully shown in the pages of preceding numbers of the

_Medical Temperance Quarterly_, that the leading facts need not

be repeated here. That its presence does not increase the

hemoglobin, or favor oxy-hemoglobin or increased internal

distribution of oxygen, but decidedly the reverse, has been

equally well demonstrated by numerous and reliable experimental

researches in this and other countries.

"Then it must be conceded that alcohol is not capable of

fulfilling either of the important indications presented in the

treatment of typhoid fever as stated above. Nevertheless, the

advocates of its use apparently recognize but two ideas or

factors in these cases, namely, the popularly inherited

assumption that alcohol is a _stimulant_, and as the patient is

in danger from nervous and cardiac weakness, therefore the

alcohol must be given, _pro re nata_ without the slightest

regard to the existing causes of the weakness, or the _modus

operandi_ of the so-called stimulant.

"This is proved by the fact that they group together as

stimulants, and give to the same patient in alternate doses,

remedies of directly antagonistic action, as alcohol and

strychnine, or digitalis, etc.

"The accepted definition of a stimulant in medical literature,

is some agent capable of exciting or increasing _vital activity_

as a whole, or the natural activity of some one structure or

organ.

"For instance, both clinical and experimental observations show

that strychnine directly increases the functional activity of

the respiratory, cardiac and vasomotor nervous systems, and

thereby increases the internal distribution of oxygen, which is

nature's own special exciter of all vital action. Therefore it

is properly a direct respiratory, cardiac and vasomotor

stimulant and indirectly a stimulator of all vital processes.

But the same kind of clinical and experimental observations show

that alcohol directly diminishes the functional activity of all

nerve structures, pre-eminently those of respiration and

circulation, and also of all metabolic processes, whether

respirative, disintegrative or secretory. Consequently it not

only acts as directly antagonistic to strychnine, but equally so

to all true stimulants or remedies capable of increasing vital

activity. Instead, therefore, of meriting the name of

_stimulant_, alcohol should be designated and used only as an

anaesthetic and sedative, or depressor of vital activity.

"And a thorough and impartial investigation will show that its

use in the treatment of typhoid and other fevers, while

deceiving both physician and patient, by its anaesthetic effect

in diminishing restlessness, both prolongs the duration and

increases the ratio of mortality of the disease, by its

impairment of vital activity in the organizable elements of both

blood and tissues."

Equally interesting is the following outline of treatment pursued by

Dr. W. H. Riley, of the Battle Creek Sanitarium.

"The purpose of the present paper is to give briefly an outline

of the method of treatment of typhoid fever as used by the

writer in a considerable number of cases.

"A consideration of the pathology of this disease does not

properly come under this head, but we wish simply to call

attention to the well-known fact that typhoid fever is a germ

disease. The germ which causes this fever has generally been

supposed to be the bacillus of Eberth. More recent

bacteriological studies rather indicate that the bacillus coli

may also cause the disease. These germs are usually carried into

the body in food or drink, and, lodging in the small intestines,

begin to grow and multiply, and by their life produce poisonous

ptomaines which are absorbed and carried by the circulation to

all the organs and tissues of the body.

"It is these ptomaines, thus carried to all parts of the body,

that are largely the immediate cause of the pyrexia and

attending symptoms. The organisms which produce these poisons

for the most part remain in the intestines, although they have

been found in the spleen.

"The indications for treatment are:--

"1. To remove or destroy the cause (to eliminate the germs and

ptomaines from the body).

"2. To sustain the vital and resisting powers of the patient.

"If the patient is seen early in the disease, it has been my

practice to immediately put him to bed and give a free dose of

magnesium sulphate. This is preferably given in the morning or

forenoon, and may be repeated once or twice on successive days.

Besides this the patient should have a large enema of water at a

temperature of from 75 deg. to 80 deg. F.; and this may be repeated

daily or even oftener, for some time, if necessary, to keep the

bowels empty of the poisonous substances.

"The salines and enemas thus used carry out bodily a large

number of germs and ptomaines that are present in the

intestines; and further, the salines, by producing an increased

secretion of the mucous membrane of the intestines, tend to

disentangle and set free many of the germs that have found a

lodging place in the walls of the intestines.

"For the elimination of the ptomaines which have been absorbed

into the circulation and carried to the tissues, nothing is

better than the internal use of water. From three to five pints

should be drunk during every twenty-four hours. It should be

taken in small quantities--six to eight ounces every hour or two

during waking hours, except when food is taken. I will refer to

this point more in detail later.

"A consideration of the general care of the patient properly

comes under the second head of the indications for treatment as

given above. The patient should be put to bed in a large, light,

well-ventilated room. At least two sides of the room should

communicate directly by windows with out-of-doors, in order that

the room may be properly ventilated.

"All unnecessary articles of furniture, such as carpets,

couches, upholstered chairs, pictures, etc. should be removed.

"The room should be thoroughly cleaned before the patient is put

into it.

"There should be two beds in the room for the use of the

patient. These should be, preferably, narrow and so placed in

the room that there is a free approach to both sides of the bed,

for the convenience of the nurse in giving treatment. Iron

bedsteads are preferable to wooden. The bedding should be firm,

yet soft and smoothly drawn. There should be just sufficient

covering to protect the body. The patient should be changed from

one bed to the other daily. This may be done by placing the two

beds side by side and carefully moving the patient from one to

the other. The sheets on the bed from which the patient has been

taken should be washed and disinfected at each change of the

beds, and all other bedding should be thoroughly aired and

exposed to the sunlight daily.

"The patient should have the care of a thoroughly educated,

careful and competent nurse, one who understands perfectly the

various methods of using water in the treatment of fevers.

"There is no other single remedy that I consider so valuable in

the treatment of fever as the internal use of water. As above

stated, the patient should drink six or eight ounces every hour

during the waking hours, except for about two hours after food

is taken. The water should be thoroughly sterilized, and as a

rule may be taken either cool or hot. Ice water is

objectionable. Hot water is often preferable. This is a simple

remedy, but nevertheless is efficacious. It should be given to

the patient whether he calls for it or not, and it should be

considered an important part of his treatment. When water is

taken into the stomach and absorbed into the circulation, it

throws into solution the ptomaines which have been absorbed from

the intestines and are present in the circulation and tissues,

and thereby puts them in a favorable condition for elimination.

It increases the activity of the kidneys, and thus hastens and

increases the elimination of the poisons in the system.

"In the early stage of the fever, when the pulse is full, and

the action of the heart increased, it is best to give the

patient cool water. Later in the disease, when the action of the

heart is weak, and the patient feeble, it is best to give the

water hot.

"Winternitz, many years ago, demonstrated that hot water taken

into the stomach acts as a cardiac stimulant, and the increased

heart's action is immediate, or at least before the water has

time to absorb, which indicates that the water in the stomach

acts reflexly as a cardiac stimulant. The water after absorption

also increases the circulation by filling the blood-vessels, and

increasing arterial pressure. The writer has frequently noticed

a decided increase in the fullness, and rapidity of the pulse,

after a patient has drunk a glassful of hot water.

"The external use of water also forms an important part of the

treatment. The patient should be sponged off with tepid water

every hour or two when the temperature is 103 deg., or above. When

the temperature is less than this, it is not necessary to sponge

the body so frequently. Sometimes a hot sponge bath is more

efficacious in reducing the temperature than the tepid or cool

bath. The sponge bath reduces the temperature, relieves many of

the distressing nervous symptoms, is refreshing to the patient,

and promotes sleep. The temperature of the body may also be

reduced by the use of cool compresses placed over the abdomen,

and changed frequently.

"The matter of diet is an important factor in the treatment of

typhoid fever. The diet should be aseptic, easily digested, and

should contain the necessary food elements. Probably no one

article of diet meets all these requirements as well as

sterilized milk. The patient should take from two to three pints

daily. The milk is best taken four times during the day at

intervals of four hours, taking eight to ten ounces at a time.

Should the patient become tired of the milk, gluten gruel may be

substituted for the milk.

"The diarrhoea and bowel symptoms, when present, may be

relieved by the application of hot fomentations to the abdomen,

warm or hot enemas and twenty grains of subnitrate of bismuth

given every four hours.

"The patient should be kept as quiet as possible, and should be

turned in bed at intervals, to prevent hypostatic congestion and

the formation of bed-sores. The bony prominences which are apt

to become eroded should be sponged frequently with a solution of

tannic acid in equal parts of alcohol and water; a dram of the

tannic acid to a pint of alcohol and water, is about the proper

strength to use.

"By the methods briefly outlined above--that is by the free use

of water internally and externally, by keeping the intestines

thoroughly emptied of poisonous material by the free and

frequent use of enemas, by proper feeding and the careful

attention of a good nurse to the patient and his

surroundings--the duration of the fever may be shortened and the

severity of the disease lessened; heart failure, and other

complications will seldom occur, and the patient will in nearly

every instance make a good recovery. The best method to pursue

to prevent heart failure is to keep the poisons which are

generated in the bowels and absorbed into the body, and which

are the direct cause of the heart failure, eliminated from the

body. Should the heart become weak, it may be effectually

stimulated by giving hot water to drink, applying heat to the

heart in the form of a fomentation, and the application of

fomentations to the upper spine.

"In the treatment of a large number of cases of typhoid fever,

extending over several years' practice, the writer has never

made use of alcohol internally to support the action of the

heart, or for any other purpose.

"The number of cases of death from typhoid fever coming under

the writer's observation, where the method of treatment pursued

has been similar to that briefly indicated above, have been very

few, a much smaller per cent. than in practice where alcohol has

been used as a 'cardiac stimulant.' I believe that the use of

alcohol in the treatment of typhoid fever is not only useless,

but absolutely harmful."

Dr. Kate Lindsay, of Battle Creek Sanitarium and Hospital, contributed

an article upon Typhoid Fever to the _Bulletin of the A. M. T. A._ for

January, 1896, from which a few notes are here taken:--

"The chief toxic centre is evidently the intestinal tract,

especially the termination of the ileum. The ulcerations,

necroses, perforations and hemorrhages are most frequently found

in the last twelve inches of the small intestine, and may extend

into the large intestine. The ulcerated surface and open vessels

increase the facility with which the poison finds entrance into

the circulation. The microbes, blood clots, necrosed tissue and

pus, furnish abundant supplies of toxic matter, which,

saturating the system, over-power and stop the activity of the

functions of all the organs of the body, causing degeneration of

tissues. Death is said to take place from heart, lung or brain

failure, but the failure involves every other organ as well.

"Regarding the intestinal tract as any other abscess at this

time, the physician should seek for methods of treatment or

remedies which will remove the morbid matters, and destroy, or

at least inhibit their action, thus decreasing the fever and

stimulating the circulation. Secondary toxic centres often

develop in the course of this disease, notably in the glands,

lungs and dependent organs, the hypostatic congestion resulting

from lying in one position, causing stasis of blood, death and

necrosis of tissue, both of the external and internal organs.

All vessels connected with the dying tissues carry toxins to

other parts of the body. Suppurating glands, and phlebitis of

the femoral veins are examples of this secondary infection, and

are accountable for the heart failure and collapse so often

fatal during the second, third and fourth weeks of typhoid

fever. * * * * *

"The old idea that in peristaltic action lay the great danger of

increase of the hemorrhage and perforation of the bowels, is

giving way to the more rational view that gaseous distention and

septic absorption, are what bring about fatal results from these

complications, and that the moderate peristalsis of the

intestinal walls lessens these dangers by closing the gaping

ends of the injured vessels, and expelling the septic matter and

foul gases. To meet these indications I have found lavage of the

bowels, even during hemorrhage, with water of 105 deg. to 110 deg. F. or

even hotter, given in moderate quantity of from one pint to

three, to give great relief by freeing the large intestines of

blood clots, fecal matter and other morbid matter. It also

increases peristaltic action in the small intestines, thus

favoring the expulsion of gas. The heat stimulates the

circulation in the peripheral vessels of the intestines, and

overcomes the tendency to blood stasis.

"In the cases cited, ice-bags, alternated with fomentations,

were used over the abdomen externally, and heat, or hot and

cold, to spine. The extremities were kept warm. From ten to

thirty minims of turpentine, in an ounce of gum acacia or starch

water, increased the efficiency of the enemata, and aided in

expelling the gas and checking hemorrhage.

"The tendency to hypostatic congestion and bed-sores, was

prevented by frequent change of position, and the use of hot and

cold to the spine by fomentations and compresses, or better

still, hot fine spraying, or the alternate hot and cold spray.

In one grave case, spraying was kept up for about twelve hours,

with only short intermissions. The heart was stimulated by heat

applied over it, whenever depression and collapse threatened,

and by hot and cold sponging of the spine."

Dr. Noble said some time ago in the _London Times_:--

"Although it is true that alcohol is an antipyretic, yet its

exhibition neither shortens nor modifies (favorably) the

diseases of which the fever is but a symptom. The paralysis of

the brain which is so frequent a cause of death in typhoid

fever, is more often brought about by alcohol than any other

cause, and more than one woman suffering from puerperal fever

has been done to death by the administration of this substance,

which, not being _convenienter naturae, is contra naturam_."

J. S. Cain, M. D., in an able paper, read at the Nashville Academy of

Medicine, on "Rational Suggestions in the Treatment of Typhoid Fever,"

dissents from the practice, which still obtains largely in the medical

profession, of administering alcoholic liquors, in the belief that they

are "stimulants, conservators of force and even nutrients," and says:--

"After a careful and thoughtful study of this subject, I have

reluctantly, and against firm early convictions, been forced to

the conclusion that these theories with regard to the beneficial

effects of alcohol in disease are wholly fallacious. The only

rational conclusion at which I can arrive is that the agent is

ever, and under all circumstances, a depressor of temperature;

that it arrests the physiological interchange of carbonic acid

gas and oxygen in the tissues, as well as in the air vesicles of

the lungs; that it impedes the elimination of tissue waste, and

causes the accumulation of this refuse in the system; that it is

lethal anaesthetic in all quantities; that it is not stimulant in

the true sense, and never exerts that influence; and that it

supplies no element to the diseased and vitiated system

calculated to antagonize disease, repair waste, or invigorate

lowered vital forces, and therefore for these purposes is not

called for in the rational treatment of typhoid fever."

At the annual meeting of the American Medical Association held in

Atlanta, Georgia, in 1896, Dr. G. B. Garber, of Dunkirk, Ind., read a

paper upon "Alcohol in Typhoid Fever" from which a few points are here

taken:--

"The fact that the mortality from typhoid fever seems to be

gradually lowering is no doubt due in great measure to the

non-use of alcohol in the treatment of the disease. Hardly a

week passes that some of our journals do not report a series of

cases treated without the aid of alcohol in any form. I used

alcohol in the treatment of the disease until two years ago,

when I became alarmed at the mortality; so I changed my plan,

and in 1894 I treated thirty-seven well marked cases of varying

degrees of intensity. I had two fatal cases, and in both of them

I had used alcohol. In 1895 I treated thirty cases of about the

same type, with no death. I only used alcohol in one of them,

and it caused me more trouble than any of the others. As this

case was in the family of a saloon-keeper, I could not control

the matter, as they would give it during my absence. On my

return I would find the face flushed, the temperature high, the

pulse rapid and the patient nervous. By close inquiry I would

find that some of the family had given 'just a little good

whisky' which had been in the house for twenty years.

"In closing, I wish to state that I am well convinced that in

the treatment of typhoid fever our patients will do better and

stand a greater chance of recovery, if we abstain entirely from

the use of alcohol in the treatment of the disease."

Prof. J. Burney Yeo, of London, in a paper read before the International

Medical Congress held at Rome, Italy, said:--

"In order to maintain the intestinal antisepsis which forms an

essential part of this method of treatment, I insist on the

necessity of scrupulous attention and caution in feeding

patients suffering from enteric fever, great danger arising from

a failure to note the extremely limited digestive and absorptive

capacity exhibited by such patients.

"In conclusion, the use of alcoholic stimulants, and the common

employment of depressing antipyretic agents, must be condemned."

In a report of the treatment of typhoid fever by seventy-two physicians

of Connecticut, thirty-eight declared that they did not use alcohol in

any stage of this disease. The remainder used it sparingly in the last

stages, and only two considered it valuable from the beginning of the

disease.

In a discussion of typhoid fever by a medical society meeting in

Rochester, N. Y., recently, sixty physicians being present, only three

spoke in favor of using alcohol in this disease.

Hygienic physicians all insist upon a rigid fast as long as the high

temperature continues, or until the patient is sufficiently hungry to

eat a piece of plain, stale, graham bread, "dry upon the tongue." Dr.

Charles E. Page of Boston says there would be very few relapses if this

plan were carefully carried out. He contends that the whisky and milk

diet, together with the not over-fresh air of the average sick room is

enough to produce fever in a healthy person, hence is not likely to be

conducive to recovery in one already infected with the disease.

In an article in the _Arena_ of September, 1892, Dr. Page says:--

"In my fever practice I have frequently observed the effect of

fasts of six, eight, ten and twelve days to be in the highest

degree productive of the health and comfort of patients, as, on

the other hand I have, during the past twenty years observed the

deplorable effects of the almost universal plan of constant

feeding. In some of the most distressing cases that have

happened to be thrown in my way, when all hope in the minds of

friends had been abandoned, I have found that withdrawal of

food, drugs and stimulants, and the substitution of simple,

fresh, soft water, has produced results that seemed almost

miraculous."

Fruit juices are now permitted by many physicians in fever, a few drops

of lemon or orange juice, being a grateful addition to the water. Grape

juice, unfermented, is highly recommended by some.

A young minister of great promise died recently of typhoid fever. His

young wife, only one year married, is in settled melancholy, because she

cannot understand why "God took her husband." Inquiry developed the fact

that the physician in attendance was a believer in alcohol as a remedy,

and used it in this case. In view of the better chances of recovery

under non-alcoholic treatment shown by comparative death-rates, may it

not be that the alcohol was responsible for the young man's death,

instead of its being "God's will to take him?" The Author of all good

has too frequently been held responsible for the errors of physicians,

and the carelessness of nurses.

VOMITING:--"If the vomiting is due to undigested food, and the

sickness can be traced to excess, or to improper diet, draughts

of hot water should be taken in order to be rid of offending

matter in the stomach. After the stomach is empty bits of ice

may be sucked, or cold water sipped. A quarter of a Seidlitz

powder may be taken. A flannel, folded to four thicknesses,

dipped in hot water, and wrung dry in a towel, may be applied to

the pit of the stomach. Cover the flannel with a hot plate,

being careful to have the flannel large enough to prevent the

plate's burning the skin. Pin a dry towel over all, around the

body. This may be renewed every half-hour or hour, as required.

Sometimes a cold wet compress on the pit of the stomach, covered

with a dry towel is more efficacious, heat developing by

reaction. Fluid magnesia is often helpful."--DR. RIDGE.