The Present Condition of Otology in Europe. By LAWRENCE TURNBULL, M. D.,
of Philadelphia. Reprint, 1893.
The Relief of Chronic Deafness, Tinnitus Aurium and Tympanic Vertigo, by
Removal of the Incus and Stapes. By CHARLES H. BURNETT, M. D., of
Philadelphia. Reprint, 1893.
Some Observations on Treating Cases of Diphtheria. By G. BENSON DUNMIRE,
A. M., M. D., of Philadelphia. Reprint, 1893.
A Case of Tumor of the Optic Thalamus. By WHARTON SINKLER, M. D., of
Philadelphia. Reprint, 1893.
Pathology and Treatment of Paralysis from Pott’s Disease. By WHARTON
SINKLER, M. D., of Philadelphia. Reprint, 1893.
Syringo Myelia. By WHARTON SINKLER, M. D., of Philadelphia. Reprint,
1893.
Hysterectomy: Indications and Technique. By J. M. BALDY, M. D., of
Philadelphia. Reprint, 1893.
Removal of the Uterus and Its Appendages for Pelvic Inflammatory
Disease. By J. M. BALDY, M. D., of Philadelphia. Reprint, 1893.
A Few Thoughts About Ophthalmometry, as to What the Javal Instrument
Will Do, and What It Will Not Do. By LOUIS J. LAUTENBACH, A. M., M. D.,
of Philadelphia. Reprint, 1893.
Epiphora or Watery Eye. By L. WEBSTER FOX, M. D., of Philadelphia.
Reprint, 1893.
Phlyctenular Conjunctivitis, with Special Reference to the Pathology and
Prophylaxis of the Disease. By LOUIS J. LAUTENBACH, A. M., M. D., of
Philadelphia. Reprint, 1893.
Phthisis: A New Method of Treatment. By HENRY S. MORRIS, M. D., of New
York. Reprint. 1893.
Extract of Malt and Its Combinations. By J. J. MULHERON, M. D., of
Detroit, Mich. Reprint, 1893.
The Measured Effects of Certain Therapeutic Agents, etc. By D. D.
Stewart, M. D., of Philada. Reprint, 1893.
The Successful Treatment of Anæmia, with Effect Shown by Increase of Red
Corpuscles and Haemoglobin. By H. P. Loomis, M. D., of New York.
Reprint, 1893.
Miscellany.
METRIC EQUIVALENTS.—The metric nomenclature is coming into such common
use, especially in scientific articles, that the following formulas will
be found valuable:
WEIGHT EQUIVALENTS.
To convert grains into grammes multiply by 0.065
To convert grammes into grains multiply by 15.5
To convert drachms into grammes multiply by 3.9
To convert ounces (avoir.) into grammes multiply by 28.4
To convert pounds (avoir.) into grammes multiply by 453.6
MEASURE EQUIVALENTS.
To convert cubic centimeters into grains multiply by 15.5
To convert cubic centimeters into drachms multiply by 0.26
To convert cubic centimeters into ounces (avoir.) multiply by 0.036
To convert pints into cubic centimeters multiply by 473
To convert liters into ounces (avoir.) multiply by 35.3
To convert gallons into liters multiply by 3.8
FLUIDS WITH MEALS.—The arguments presented by many writers seem to prove
that the moderate taking of fluids with the food at meals is not without
benefit. But the importance of the thorough mastication of food before
it is presented to the stomach must never be overlooked. If this is
interfered with in any way by the use of liquids we must promptly
prohibit their indulgence.
Fluids may be taken ad libitum during meals by those whose digestive
powers will allow it; but such persons should keep in mind that the
strongest stomach may be abused too far, while those whose stomachs are
already unequal to a severe strain should be especially careful as to
the quantity of fluid imbibed with the food.
The saliva is the best lubricator for the food while it is in the mouth,
both because of its starch-digesting powers, and because its alkalinity
serves to stimulate a copious flow of the acid secretion of the stomach.
Any habit, therefore, which permits the entrance of food into the
stomach before it is thoroughly incorporated with saliva must be
pronounced pernicious in the extreme.
If we cannot afford the time necessary for masticating our food properly
and incorporating it thoroughly with saliva, it would be better to take
nothing but broths and similar foods. The use of water and other liquids
as lubricators is not to be tolerated.
On the other hand, if we bear in mind the whole mechanism of digestion,
it will readily be seen that, in cases of weakness or want of tone on
the part of the muscles of the stomach, when every part of the food
cannot be properly presented to the action of the digestive juices, the
introduction into the stomach of a moderate amount of water may be of no
slight benefit. The mass of food will become more pliable, and so more
easily operated upon by the weakened muscles.—_Youth’s Companion._
MALAKIN is a salicylated derivative of phenacetin, which occurs in
small, palish-yellow crystals, insoluble in water but quite soluble in
warm alcohol. The mineral acids decompose it into salicylic aldehyde and
phenacetin. This also occurs in the stomach, and salicylic acid is found
in the urine. Jaquet of Basle has (_Jour. de Med. de Paris_) found it of
value in rheumatics in whom salicylic acid produces untoward effects.
According to him, it has a mild, efficient action similar to that of
nascent salicylic acid. No untoward effects were observed, but the
results were prompt. It is given in 15-grain doses four or six times
daily. As an anti-neuralgic and antipyretic it is inferior to
phenacetin.—_Med. Standard._
PROTECTION AGAINST DIPHTHERIA.—The Board of Health has announced a new
measure looking to the control and diminution of diphtheria, and
circulars were sent to practising physicians giving the grounds for the
step decided upon, and the reasons why it was deemed expedient.
The proposition is to supplement the primary bacteriological examination
now made at the beginning of any individual case of the disease, by
other cultures repeated during its course and during convalescence. It
is hoped in this way to make sure that apparent recovery, and the
disappearance of all false membrane is followed by the extermination of
all the Loeffler bacilli from the throat. The circular is written by Dr.
Hermann M. Biggs, chief inspector of pathology, bacteriology, and
disinfection, and is signed by President Wilson with the approval of the
board. It is explained that 405 cases of true diphtheria have been
subjected to repeated examinations at intervals of three or four days
during illness and until the disappearance of the bacilli. It was found
that in 160 cases the bacilli persisted after the complete separation of
the false membrane, or, in other words, after the individual had
recovered. Of these 160 cases, 103 showed the germ for seven days,
thirty-four for twelve days, sixteen for fifteen days, four for three
weeks, and in three for five weeks, after the exudation had completely
disappeared from the upper air-passages. The circular infers, thence,
that “these results show that in a considerable proportion of cases
persons who have had diphtheria continue to carry the germs of the
disease in their throats for many days after all signs and symptoms of
the disease have disappeared.”
These experiments have led the Health Department to adopt the rule that
no person who has suffered from diphtheria shall be considered free from
contagion until it has been shown by bacteriological examination, made
after the disappearance of the membrane from the throat, that the throat
secretions no longer contain the diphtheria bacilli, and that until such
examinations have shown such absence all cases in boarding-houses,
hotels, and tenement-houses must remain isolated and under observation.
Disinfection of the premises, therefore, will not be performed by the
department until examination has shown the absence of the organisms.
Secondary cultures, as in the case of primary cultures, may be made by
the attending physician, if he so desires; otherwise they will be made
by the inspector of the district in which the case occurs. This applies
only to cases occurring in boarding-houses, hotels, and
tenement-houses—not to those in private houses.—_N. Y. Evening Post_,
January 8, 1894.
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Footnote 1:
The source is not quite so accurately known; hippuric acid is
eliminated with the urine in human subjects as well—after the
administration of benzoic acid. For an interesting compilation on this
point, see Wood’s Therapeutics, page 642.
Footnote 2:
Archiv für Experimentelle Pathol. und Pharm., Band 25, p. 31.
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