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METEOROLOGICAL READINGS.
1457
METEOROLOGICAL
READINGS.
(Taken daily at 8.30 a.m. by Steward’s Instruments.) THE LANCET Office, June 26th,
1890.
RHEUMATISM AND TONSILLITIS. THE New York Medical Iiecord reports a paper by Dr. William Henry Thayer, in which he confirms recent views as to the frequent association of tonsillitis with rheumatic attacks. He adduces seven cases. One was of special interest as an instance of rheumatism affecting the submaxillary, sublingual, and other glands, together with rheumatic trouble.
Neuropathist.-The monograph in question is by Dr. Magini, and its. title is "Alcuni nuovi Caratteri differenziali delle Cellule Nervose" (Some new Differential Characteristics of the Nerve Cellules). It. will be found in the new volume of the "Atti" of the Accademia. dei Lincei of Rome. A.11. P.-The discharge from the institution having been complete, fresh certificates are required for readmission.
Notes, Short Comments, &
Answers
to
Correspondents.
It is
especially requested
that
early intelligence oj
local
Lectures, original articles, and reports should be written on
side only of the paper. whether intended for insertion or for private information, must be authenticated by the names and addresses of their writers, not necessarily for publication. We cannot prescribe or recommend practitioners. Local papers containing reports or news should be marked and addressed "To the Sub-Editor.’ Letters relating to the publication, sale, and advertising departments of THE LANCET to be addressed "To the Publisher." We cannot undertake to return ilISS. not used. one
Letters,
paragraphs
IN
SMALL MATTERS.
Dr.
Campbell Black writes to us to express the want of respect (not to use a more forcible expression) which he feels for so-called medical ethics which denounce the infinitesimal delinquencies of men struggling against the competitions of early life in poor neighbourhoods while the sins of leaders are overlooked. He says, for example, that if a man advertise a change of address in the barest way he is apt to be censured, while another shall procure a puffing notice in a lay journal and go unscathed. We recognise a needed warning in this. The less medical men advertise in newspapers even a change of address the better. But let us always have regard to the essential taste and proportion of things. A biographical sketch in a paper called The Ballie, which bears clear indication of professional authorship, seems to us to call for a disclaimer and discouragement from the subject of it, as being "advertising" of a much more objectionable kind than the bare intimation of a change of address. We should be glad to hear that ’men of all schools in Glasgow were free of responsibility for such puffs as appear in The Bailie of June 18th. H. A. B. will find in our Students’ Number, published in September last, the information he desires. North.-No title implying registration being adopted, the law cannot be invoked in the case. Dr. Carslaw.-The suggestion shall have consideration.
SPASMODIC TORTICOLLIS. the Editors of THE LANCET. SIRS,-It would add to the value of Mr. Collier’s notes upon this subject if he were to state whether the sterno-mastoid and the trapezius remain fully capable of action or not. He states that "nothing seemed amiss with these muscles [because?] the patient could rotate her head and retain it in any position." This result might remain although the muscles were paralysed. I have lately operated upon a case of very severe spasmodic wryneck by excision of a portion of the spinal accessory nerve, and also at a subsequent operation by excision of portions of the posterior branches of some of the cervical nerves, as there was spasm of the rotators on the opposite side. The result of these operations was perfectly satisfactory as regards the spasms, and left no appreciable To
movements of the head, the patient being able to rotate and retain the head in any position she pleased. I cut down upon the spinal accessory in front of the sterno-mastoid, which seems to me a more satisfactory proceeding than following it through the muscles from below. I am, Sirs, yours faithfully, NOBLE SMITH. Queen Anne-street, W., June 21st, 1890.
difficulty in the
HÆMATURIA AND GARDEN RHUBARB. To the Editors of THE LANCET.
events having a medical interest, or which it is desirable to bringitnder the notice of the profession, may be sent direct to this Office. All communications relating to the editorial business oi the journal must be addressed " To the Editors."
MEDICAL ETHICS
- D;’. A. A. 31-ackeith is thanked.
SIRS,—Six years ago my son had a sudden attack of hæmaturia, but. having been playing leap-frog at school it was thought probable that the kidneys had suffered some injury. This symptom quickly passed. off with rest in bed, and nothing further came of it until a year later, when it recurred, and was again attributed, in the absence of any known cause, to renal injury from athletic exercises; and, there being, apparently some tenderness on pressure over one kidney, calculus suggested itself. A third attack followed at an interval of another year, when microscopical examination of the urine, then made for the first time, revealed the presence of numerous octahedral crystals of oxalate of lime with blood-cells. I at once suspected garden rhubarbas the cause, each attack having come on when it was in season and had been freely partaken of. He therefore abstained from that vegetable in future, and has had no recurrence of hæmorrhage. In theearly spring of this year I was myself similarly attacked with hasmaturia, accompanied by frequent desire to micturate, and smarting pain in the urethra. The microscope showed abundant sharp crystals of oxalate of lime and blood-cells, and, having just previously partaken freely of stewed rhubarb, I felt convinced that to this the haemorrhage It is hardly necessary to add that this vegetable ceased towas due. appear at my table. Not having been able to find in medical literature any notice of such a coincidence, it seems advisable to place it on record, with the object. of eliciting the experience of others. It is right to add that on one previous occasion, twenty years ago, I passed blood in the urine, and. have also occasionally noticed uric-acid crystals, being somewhat gouty,. as further evidenced by a tendency to psoriasis of the nails if temptedto indulge in a daily glass of beer. I am, Sirs, yours truly, MEDICUS. June, 1890.
Scipio.-The remark was made by Mr. Justice Wills in March last, in his charge to the Grand Jury at Chester in connexion with the Crewe murder. His lordship said: " The coroner’s inquisition could not be too thoroughly understood. It amounted to nothing more than the finding of a true bill by a grand jury." Dr. Campbell Black.-The letter would make too great a demand on ourspace. R. A. should consult his medical adviser. INFLUENZA
OR
DENGUE.
To the Editors of THE LANCET. SIRS,—I see that the question whether the late epidemic was innuenza. or dengue is still being discussed, especially on the Continent. To the settling of this question allow me to contribute the following. We are now just getting over the influenza-the first visitation since 1851, I am given to understand. As to dengue, I have seen several epidemics of it on the coast-West Coast of South America. I have seen patients come with it here, more than 7000 feet above sea level, but I have never seen it communicated to anyone. In this it resembles yellow I am, Sirs, yours truly, fever. J. 0. HUTEER. Arequipa, May 12th, 1890. Dr. IF. J. Collins.-We think the question has been sufficiently discussed ; moreover, the election has now been decided. Newcome,-The better plan is to ascertain the custom which has beell followed in the place, and to conform thereto. "HOME
FOR
EPILEPTICS."
To the -Editors of THE LANCET. SIRS,—I read in your issue of June 14th that a subscriber is desirous. of finding a home for a young epileptic patient aged thirteen. There is such a home near Dresden, which can be highly recommended. Forfurther particulars apply to Dr. Fiedler, Physician to His Majesty the King of Saxony, Dresden, Hallstrasse 1.
I am,
Dresden, June,
1890.
Sirs, yours truly, DR. MED. BERTHOLD.
METEOROLOGICAL
READINGS.
(Taken daily at 8.30 a.m. by Steward’s Instruments.) THE LANCET Office, June 26th,
1890.
RHEUMATISM AND TONSILLITIS. THE New York Medical Iiecord reports a paper by Dr. William Henry Thayer, in which he confirms recent views as to the frequent association of tonsillitis with rheumatic attacks. He adduces seven cases. One was of special interest as an instance of rheumatism affecting the submaxillary, sublingual, and other glands, together with rheumatic trouble.
Neuropathist.-The monograph in question is by Dr. Magini, and its. title is "Alcuni nuovi Caratteri differenziali delle Cellule Nervose" (Some new Differential Characteristics of the Nerve Cellules). It. will be found in the new volume of the "Atti" of the Accademia. dei Lincei of Rome. A.11. P.-The discharge from the institution having been complete, fresh certificates are required for readmission.
Notes, Short Comments, &
Answers
to
Correspondents.
It is
especially requested
that
early intelligence oj
local
Lectures, original articles, and reports should be written on
side only of the paper. whether intended for insertion or for private information, must be authenticated by the names and addresses of their writers, not necessarily for publication. We cannot prescribe or recommend practitioners. Local papers containing reports or news should be marked and addressed "To the Sub-Editor.’ Letters relating to the publication, sale, and advertising departments of THE LANCET to be addressed "To the Publisher." We cannot undertake to return ilISS. not used. one
Letters,
paragraphs
IN
SMALL MATTERS.
Dr.
Campbell Black writes to us to express the want of respect (not to use a more forcible expression) which he feels for so-called medical ethics which denounce the infinitesimal delinquencies of men struggling against the competitions of early life in poor neighbourhoods while the sins of leaders are overlooked. He says, for example, that if a man advertise a change of address in the barest way he is apt to be censured, while another shall procure a puffing notice in a lay journal and go unscathed. We recognise a needed warning in this. The less medical men advertise in newspapers even a change of address the better. But let us always have regard to the essential taste and proportion of things. A biographical sketch in a paper called The Ballie, which bears clear indication of professional authorship, seems to us to call for a disclaimer and discouragement from the subject of it, as being "advertising" of a much more objectionable kind than the bare intimation of a change of address. We should be glad to hear that ’men of all schools in Glasgow were free of responsibility for such puffs as appear in The Bailie of June 18th. H. A. B. will find in our Students’ Number, published in September last, the information he desires. North.-No title implying registration being adopted, the law cannot be invoked in the case. Dr. Carslaw.-The suggestion shall have consideration.
SPASMODIC TORTICOLLIS. the Editors of THE LANCET. SIRS,-It would add to the value of Mr. Collier’s notes upon this subject if he were to state whether the sterno-mastoid and the trapezius remain fully capable of action or not. He states that "nothing seemed amiss with these muscles [because?] the patient could rotate her head and retain it in any position." This result might remain although the muscles were paralysed. I have lately operated upon a case of very severe spasmodic wryneck by excision of a portion of the spinal accessory nerve, and also at a subsequent operation by excision of portions of the posterior branches of some of the cervical nerves, as there was spasm of the rotators on the opposite side. The result of these operations was perfectly satisfactory as regards the spasms, and left no appreciable To
movements of the head, the patient being able to rotate and retain the head in any position she pleased. I cut down upon the spinal accessory in front of the sterno-mastoid, which seems to me a more satisfactory proceeding than following it through the muscles from below. I am, Sirs, yours faithfully, NOBLE SMITH. Queen Anne-street, W., June 21st, 1890.
difficulty in the
HÆMATURIA AND GARDEN RHUBARB. To the Editors of THE LANCET.
events having a medical interest, or which it is desirable to bringitnder the notice of the profession, may be sent direct to this Office. All communications relating to the editorial business oi the journal must be addressed " To the Editors."
MEDICAL ETHICS
- D;’. A. A. 31-ackeith is thanked.
SIRS,—Six years ago my son had a sudden attack of hæmaturia, but. having been playing leap-frog at school it was thought probable that the kidneys had suffered some injury. This symptom quickly passed. off with rest in bed, and nothing further came of it until a year later, when it recurred, and was again attributed, in the absence of any known cause, to renal injury from athletic exercises; and, there being, apparently some tenderness on pressure over one kidney, calculus suggested itself. A third attack followed at an interval of another year, when microscopical examination of the urine, then made for the first time, revealed the presence of numerous octahedral crystals of oxalate of lime with blood-cells. I at once suspected garden rhubarbas the cause, each attack having come on when it was in season and had been freely partaken of. He therefore abstained from that vegetable in future, and has had no recurrence of hæmorrhage. In theearly spring of this year I was myself similarly attacked with hasmaturia, accompanied by frequent desire to micturate, and smarting pain in the urethra. The microscope showed abundant sharp crystals of oxalate of lime and blood-cells, and, having just previously partaken freely of stewed rhubarb, I felt convinced that to this the haemorrhage It is hardly necessary to add that this vegetable ceased towas due. appear at my table. Not having been able to find in medical literature any notice of such a coincidence, it seems advisable to place it on record, with the object. of eliciting the experience of others. It is right to add that on one previous occasion, twenty years ago, I passed blood in the urine, and. have also occasionally noticed uric-acid crystals, being somewhat gouty,. as further evidenced by a tendency to psoriasis of the nails if temptedto indulge in a daily glass of beer. I am, Sirs, yours truly, MEDICUS. June, 1890.
Scipio.-The remark was made by Mr. Justice Wills in March last, in his charge to the Grand Jury at Chester in connexion with the Crewe murder. His lordship said: " The coroner’s inquisition could not be too thoroughly understood. It amounted to nothing more than the finding of a true bill by a grand jury." Dr. Campbell Black.-The letter would make too great a demand on ourspace. R. A. should consult his medical adviser. INFLUENZA
OR
DENGUE.
To the Editors of THE LANCET. SIRS,—I see that the question whether the late epidemic was innuenza. or dengue is still being discussed, especially on the Continent. To the settling of this question allow me to contribute the following. We are now just getting over the influenza-the first visitation since 1851, I am given to understand. As to dengue, I have seen several epidemics of it on the coast-West Coast of South America. I have seen patients come with it here, more than 7000 feet above sea level, but I have never seen it communicated to anyone. In this it resembles yellow I am, Sirs, yours truly, fever. J. 0. HUTEER. Arequipa, May 12th, 1890. Dr. IF. J. Collins.-We think the question has been sufficiently discussed ; moreover, the election has now been decided. Newcome,-The better plan is to ascertain the custom which has beell followed in the place, and to conform thereto. "HOME
FOR
EPILEPTICS."
To the -Editors of THE LANCET. SIRS,—I read in your issue of June 14th that a subscriber is desirous. of finding a home for a young epileptic patient aged thirteen. There is such a home near Dresden, which can be highly recommended. Forfurther particulars apply to Dr. Fiedler, Physician to His Majesty the King of Saxony, Dresden, Hallstrasse 1.
I am,
Dresden, June,
1890.
Sirs, yours truly, DR. MED. BERTHOLD.