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IMPROVED PEDAL ATTACHMENT FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF NITROUS OXIDE GAS.
1274 London: J. & A. 1890.-The author of this pamphlet thinks (erroneously, we believe) that the profession in general donot recognise the importance of treating diphtheria by germicidal agents. Having only lost two cases during thirty-five years’ practice, he thinks himself entitled to regard his method as specific. It consists in the early application of nitrate of silver (one drachm to the ounce), and continuing it so long as any deposit can be seen; calomel and saline diaphoretics follow, and the patient is sustained by a light, nutritious diet ; during convalesence, tonics-as bark or iron-and a fuller diet. In view, however, of the admittedly great germicidal properties of perchloride of mercury, he now Madeira and the Canary Islands, a practical and com- uses this drug both locally and internally, and in the former at he cannot claim to be singular. plete Guide for the 1/.se of Invalids and Tourists; with nine respect least maps. By A. SAMLER BROWN. Second edition. Pp. 130. SOME CHRISTMAS BOOKS. London : Sampson Low and Co. 1890.-This is a second WE have before us several volumes issued by Messra. edition of Mr. Brown’s useful guide to Madeira and the BLACKIE and SON (London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and< Canary Islands. He has added materially to the informa- Dublin), got up in the elegant style for which that firm is tion respecting Madeira, and has brought it down to date distinguished, and which are eminently suitable for presents respecting all the islands. We regret that he has not taken to young people at this festive season. We can here do, advantage of the opportunity to add an index. but little more than give their titles and the names of their The Yeterinarian.-In the December number of this authors. A Rouglz Shaking, by George Macdonald, LL,D. serial a short leader is devoted to the consideration of (with 12 page illustrations by W. Parkinson), is a life. Koch’s method of treatment of tuberculosis, a method history full of incident, described in a simple yet attractive which to veterinarians and to those interested in the dia- fashion, and intended, it would seem, to encourage a feeling gnosis of tuberculosis in cattle will be almost invaluable; of respect and sympathy for the lower creation.-By R1’ghC for one of the great stumbling blocks in the way of legisla- of Conquest). or, with Cortez in Mexico, by G. A. Henty tion in connexion with tuberculosis has been the difficulty (with 10 page illustrations by W. S. Stacey, and two maps}, of obtaining reliable diagnosis of the disease in suspected and A Clzanter of Advent2eres; or, Through the Bombardeases. By the introduction of the diagnostic method of Koch ment of Alexandria, by the same author, are just the books a most serious difficulty has been removed. Dr. Andrew’s for boys. In the first mentioned the prominent feats and "Harveian Orationis concluded; an "Adjustable Splint" features connectedwith the Spanish Conquest are worked into is described; a number of statistics regarding the method of the career of the adventurous hero of the story, and are dealing with the " Import Trade in Live Stock and Dead depicted by a master hand.-Hussein the Hostage;or, a Meat;" the "Inspection of Cattle and Sheep for Export Boy’s Adventures in Persia, by G. Norway (with 8 illusfrom the United States "; and notes and speeches on the trations by John Schonberg), is another book of the same "Technical Education," and "Registration of Farriers"" class, and abounds in situations of absorbing interest to the are given. The remainder of its pages are devoted to the: juvenile mind.-The Seeret of the Old House, by Evelyn of societies. The most interesting amongst theEverett-Greeri, and A Rash Promise; or, Meg’s Secret, by reports is that papers given by Mr. J. H. Penhale of the Western Cecilia Selby Lowndes (illustrated), are works of a simpler Counties Veterinary Medical Association, entitled "Someclass, and are intended for the delectation of more youthfu1 Forms of Administering Anaesthetics to the Lower Animals." minds. It is hardly needful to say that the tone of the Mr. Penhale advocates the use of chloroform, almost pure, whole of the above is unexceptionable, whilst their educain preference to any other " totalanaesthetic. tional value is not small. The illustrations, too, are On the Pathology and Treatment of Diphtheria. By altogether excellent.
bourhood to render them during the winter months bleak and distasteful, if not injurious, to anyone in a delicate state of health." Mr. Strettell has’given a very readable description of the principal health resorts of the island, with much useful information as to the accommodation, the mode of living, the occupations and the amusements available for visitors in health, and for invalids in search of it. His cautions to the latter on the subjects of clothing, diet, exercise, and recreation, and on the imperative necessity for a strict observance of the rules laid down by their medical advisers, deserve careful study by all who intend to winter in the island for the benefit of their health. The want of an index is a serious defect in the book.
EMANUEL
MAY, M.D. Heidelberg.
Churchill.
’
,
New Inventions. CROSSE’S SAFETY ENEMA PAN. THIS device is intended to obviate some of the disadvantages attendent apon the use of the ordinary enema vessel, and which have often resulted in serious inconvenience in the sick room. As the accompanying illustra-
is calculated to be of great service to bedridden invalids. Mr. W. Toogood, Burlington-buildings, Heddon.street Regent-street, London, is the wholesale agent.
IMPROVED PEDAL ATTACHMENT FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF NITROUS OXIDE GAS. I WISH to bring before the notice of the profession, mor especially the dental section of it, a simple and effectual contrivance I have designed to assure the anaesthetisx against the possibility of suddenly running short of gas. Having used it now in a great number of gas administrations with perfect success, I am able to affirm that any anxiety concerning a chance failure of supply is entirely alleviated. Hitherto, when the anaesthetist has exhausted the supply of gas from one bottle during its administration, it has been necessary to bend down, turn off the empty bottle, and turn tion will show, the pan is provided with a nozzle into which on the supply from the duplicate full bottle. If this prothe tube is fixed, whilst the tube itself is furnished with a ceeding be obviated by the initial turning on of both bottles, the liability to run short still remains, as there is always a stopcock to regulate the flow of the liquid employed as an doubt as to the quantity left in each bottle unless carefully enema, and to prevent regurgitation. The pan is light, which is a cumbrous proceeding. It is true that weighed, portable, and easily cleaned, and is constructed in such a an approximate estimate may be formed by keeping a form that it cannot be easily overturned. The apparatus record of the amount used at each administration, and that
1275 the bottle an idea may possibly be formed of should the supply from one bottle run short, its cavity is But these methods are open to an element of closed in the ordinary waby the foot-piece before turning the supply from the other bottle (which should always doubt. Again, if, at the time of administration, instead of turning off the empty bottle, this be omitted (as itisall be a full one) by transferring the foot from the one to is a takes time), and the full bottle be turned on, there pedal valve. After the operation the empty bottle by a full one. Another advantage connected with rush of gas from this one into the empty bottle as well as
by tinkling
I on
its contents.
the
other replaced
imto the bag, and there is gas again in both bottles, with the uncertainty of the amount. In the Improved Pedal Attachment both bottles are turned on at the commencement of the operation, the of gas from each being under the control of the pedal screw valve attached to each bottle. In this case,
escape
THE TREATMENT OF MALARIA.
of THE LANCET. SIRS,-Under the heading "The late Major Barttelot," some correspondence has recently taken place in a lay contemporary, pointing out the ill-effect of long-continued malaria upon the nervous system, with accompanying To the Editors
absolute control maintained over the gas, which Iprevents it is the that sudden rush into the bag which obtains with some
pedal
attachments at present in use. PERCY EDGELOW,
Anæsthetist to the National Dental
Old
Anæthetist
Hospital.
Burlington-street.
pregnancy. I note that Squire in his in the Pharmacopæia"describes chiretta as
"
Companion to
purer bitter than gentian, and, prepared as it is in India for domestic use, I consider it far more efficacious than the preparations of the Pharmacopoeia. Chiretta is a very valuable tonic and from exhaustion, however induced ; it acts on the liver and bowels, and I know nothing equal to it for indigestion and its attendant evils. I should be glad to read the opinion of others as to the treatment of malaria. a
restorative
T SIRAS truly deterioration of the morale. I wrote a letter dated Nov. 19th with reference to the pernicious action of G. YEATES HUNTER, Brigade Surgeon, Bombay Medical Service. malaria, but it is obvious that in order to thoroughly thresh Philbeach-gardens,Late S.W., Nov. 23rd, 1890. out the subject it should be discussed in a medical paper. I therefore venture to ask you to kindly open your columns RITISH MEDICAL TEMPERANCE ASSOCIATION.for the purpose. There can be no doubt that the two great A meeting of the British Medical Temperance Association depressants of nervous energy in the tropics are heat was held on Friday, Nov. 28th, in the rooms of the Medical and malaria. The malaise set up by the latter is mani- and Chirurgical Society, 20, Hanover-square, W. Dr. B. W. fested in complete exhaustion, which produces a pitiable Richardson, F.R S , presided, and a paper was read by state of nervous irritability. So marked is this, indeed, Dr. C. R. DrysJale, entitled "A Reply to some Doubts as that the least exertion of body or mind is dreaded. to the Superior Health and Longevity of Total Abstainers from Alcohol." He referred to the report of the Collective For this malaise it was the almost invariable rule to Investigation Committee of the British Medical Association give quinine, with the result, RS it seemed to me, of on alcoholic habits and mortality, which is still being used frequently intensifying the mischief wrought by climate. extensively by opponents of total abstinence, in spite of the Moreover, in a large number of cases quinine was taken disclaimer of Dr. Owen and the explanations given by in malarious districts as a prophylactic or preventive others. After quoting the statistics of Dr. Ogle, Mr. Neison, of malarial fever, and I observed that even if fever wereand others, which showed the very high mortality of persons kept in abeyance, a highly irritable condition of nervousengaged in the liquor traffic, he instanced the results of the system was established. This I attributed to quinine,Temperance and General Provident Institution, which because I did not notice a similar result from rusot, atees,showed that from 1866 to 1889, 6894 deaths and claims for kreat, or other bitters. Kreat (oplielia chirata) is believedil,470,147 were expected in the General Section (nonin to an immense extent by the natives of India. They abstainers), and that 6645 deaths occurred, or 96 per cent., i attribute almost miraculous properties to the plant ("tajiband 61,428,671 were claimed; in the Temperance Section .-
ki dawa,"
yours
as they say), both as a tonic and a restorative, ( (total abstainers) 4542 deaths and claims for £983,307 were it infused pretty much as we use tea. This was the 4expected, and 3198, or 70 per cent., occurred, and jE664,832 bitter I preferred for malarial fever and the malaise causedwere claimed ; showing an immense difference in favour of thereby, as well as for what is popularly known as " dumb the total abstainers. The rates of other life insurance < were quoted, and the mortality rates in the Foresters ague," because I did not find it produce the headache or dis- offices tressing irritability which so of ten followed the use of quinine.aand Rechabites Societies, to show the superiority in regard Ia a former letter I pointed out the danger of giving quinineto 1 length of life of abstainers over non-abstainers.
and
use
bourhood to render them during the winter months bleak and distasteful, if not injurious, to anyone in a delicate state of health." Mr. Strettell has’given a very readable description of the principal health resorts of the island, with much useful information as to the accommodation, the mode of living, the occupations and the amusements available for visitors in health, and for invalids in search of it. His cautions to the latter on the subjects of clothing, diet, exercise, and recreation, and on the imperative necessity for a strict observance of the rules laid down by their medical advisers, deserve careful study by all who intend to winter in the island for the benefit of their health. The want of an index is a serious defect in the book.
EMANUEL
MAY, M.D. Heidelberg.
Churchill.
’
,
New Inventions. CROSSE’S SAFETY ENEMA PAN. THIS device is intended to obviate some of the disadvantages attendent apon the use of the ordinary enema vessel, and which have often resulted in serious inconvenience in the sick room. As the accompanying illustra-
is calculated to be of great service to bedridden invalids. Mr. W. Toogood, Burlington-buildings, Heddon.street Regent-street, London, is the wholesale agent.
IMPROVED PEDAL ATTACHMENT FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF NITROUS OXIDE GAS. I WISH to bring before the notice of the profession, mor especially the dental section of it, a simple and effectual contrivance I have designed to assure the anaesthetisx against the possibility of suddenly running short of gas. Having used it now in a great number of gas administrations with perfect success, I am able to affirm that any anxiety concerning a chance failure of supply is entirely alleviated. Hitherto, when the anaesthetist has exhausted the supply of gas from one bottle during its administration, it has been necessary to bend down, turn off the empty bottle, and turn tion will show, the pan is provided with a nozzle into which on the supply from the duplicate full bottle. If this prothe tube is fixed, whilst the tube itself is furnished with a ceeding be obviated by the initial turning on of both bottles, the liability to run short still remains, as there is always a stopcock to regulate the flow of the liquid employed as an doubt as to the quantity left in each bottle unless carefully enema, and to prevent regurgitation. The pan is light, which is a cumbrous proceeding. It is true that weighed, portable, and easily cleaned, and is constructed in such a an approximate estimate may be formed by keeping a form that it cannot be easily overturned. The apparatus record of the amount used at each administration, and that
1275 the bottle an idea may possibly be formed of should the supply from one bottle run short, its cavity is But these methods are open to an element of closed in the ordinary waby the foot-piece before turning the supply from the other bottle (which should always doubt. Again, if, at the time of administration, instead of turning off the empty bottle, this be omitted (as itisall be a full one) by transferring the foot from the one to is a takes time), and the full bottle be turned on, there pedal valve. After the operation the empty bottle by a full one. Another advantage connected with rush of gas from this one into the empty bottle as well as
by tinkling
I on
its contents.
the
other replaced
imto the bag, and there is gas again in both bottles, with the uncertainty of the amount. In the Improved Pedal Attachment both bottles are turned on at the commencement of the operation, the of gas from each being under the control of the pedal screw valve attached to each bottle. In this case,
escape
THE TREATMENT OF MALARIA.
of THE LANCET. SIRS,-Under the heading "The late Major Barttelot," some correspondence has recently taken place in a lay contemporary, pointing out the ill-effect of long-continued malaria upon the nervous system, with accompanying To the Editors
absolute control maintained over the gas, which Iprevents it is the that sudden rush into the bag which obtains with some
pedal
attachments at present in use. PERCY EDGELOW,
Anæsthetist to the National Dental
Old
Anæthetist
Hospital.
Burlington-street.
pregnancy. I note that Squire in his in the Pharmacopæia"describes chiretta as
"
Companion to
purer bitter than gentian, and, prepared as it is in India for domestic use, I consider it far more efficacious than the preparations of the Pharmacopoeia. Chiretta is a very valuable tonic and from exhaustion, however induced ; it acts on the liver and bowels, and I know nothing equal to it for indigestion and its attendant evils. I should be glad to read the opinion of others as to the treatment of malaria. a
restorative
T SIRAS truly deterioration of the morale. I wrote a letter dated Nov. 19th with reference to the pernicious action of G. YEATES HUNTER, Brigade Surgeon, Bombay Medical Service. malaria, but it is obvious that in order to thoroughly thresh Philbeach-gardens,Late S.W., Nov. 23rd, 1890. out the subject it should be discussed in a medical paper. I therefore venture to ask you to kindly open your columns RITISH MEDICAL TEMPERANCE ASSOCIATION.for the purpose. There can be no doubt that the two great A meeting of the British Medical Temperance Association depressants of nervous energy in the tropics are heat was held on Friday, Nov. 28th, in the rooms of the Medical and malaria. The malaise set up by the latter is mani- and Chirurgical Society, 20, Hanover-square, W. Dr. B. W. fested in complete exhaustion, which produces a pitiable Richardson, F.R S , presided, and a paper was read by state of nervous irritability. So marked is this, indeed, Dr. C. R. DrysJale, entitled "A Reply to some Doubts as that the least exertion of body or mind is dreaded. to the Superior Health and Longevity of Total Abstainers from Alcohol." He referred to the report of the Collective For this malaise it was the almost invariable rule to Investigation Committee of the British Medical Association give quinine, with the result, RS it seemed to me, of on alcoholic habits and mortality, which is still being used frequently intensifying the mischief wrought by climate. extensively by opponents of total abstinence, in spite of the Moreover, in a large number of cases quinine was taken disclaimer of Dr. Owen and the explanations given by in malarious districts as a prophylactic or preventive others. After quoting the statistics of Dr. Ogle, Mr. Neison, of malarial fever, and I observed that even if fever wereand others, which showed the very high mortality of persons kept in abeyance, a highly irritable condition of nervousengaged in the liquor traffic, he instanced the results of the system was established. This I attributed to quinine,Temperance and General Provident Institution, which because I did not notice a similar result from rusot, atees,showed that from 1866 to 1889, 6894 deaths and claims for kreat, or other bitters. Kreat (oplielia chirata) is believedil,470,147 were expected in the General Section (nonin to an immense extent by the natives of India. They abstainers), and that 6645 deaths occurred, or 96 per cent., i attribute almost miraculous properties to the plant ("tajiband 61,428,671 were claimed; in the Temperance Section .-
ki dawa,"
yours
as they say), both as a tonic and a restorative, ( (total abstainers) 4542 deaths and claims for £983,307 were it infused pretty much as we use tea. This was the 4expected, and 3198, or 70 per cent., occurred, and jE664,832 bitter I preferred for malarial fever and the malaise causedwere claimed ; showing an immense difference in favour of thereby, as well as for what is popularly known as " dumb the total abstainers. The rates of other life insurance < were quoted, and the mortality rates in the Foresters ague," because I did not find it produce the headache or dis- offices tressing irritability which so of ten followed the use of quinine.aand Rechabites Societies, to show the superiority in regard Ia a former letter I pointed out the danger of giving quinineto 1 length of life of abstainers over non-abstainers.
and
use