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"CURES" FOR INEBRIETY.
1374 centimetre. It was proposed to dig some thirty wells at tion informing him that the use of the room cannot be about 200 yards from each other, and a yield of 235,000 afforded to the Association on the ground that the Associa.
tion is a political organisation, as if the combination of Fellows of the College for the purpose of securing due pro. fessional consideration for the order of Fellows, the most cultivated section of the College constituency, were a high crime and misdemeanour, and not in every way a consti. tutional and proper organisation. If it be alleged that the Society’s premises should only be used by associations whose primary object is the advancement of science, it may be answered that to draw closely the bonds of professional union between the Fellows of the College and its CouncilTHE SPREAD OF CHOLERA TOWARDS the fundamental object of the Association of Fellows-must EUROPE. be conducive in every way to the prosperity of the College THERE can be but little doubt that cholera is spreading of Surgeons, not merely as a so-called political but as a in Persia in a direction and on a scale that is likely to con. scientific body ; and all influences which tend to dissociate stibute a grave danger to Europe. In the district of the Council from the Fellows of the College must also tend Meshed the deaths are estimated at from 150 to several hundreds a day, and the approach of the disease to the to bring down the College from its high position as a Russian frontier is looked upon with serious apprehension. scientific institution. The Russian Government have appointed a Commission, A FATAL FLY STING, and places of observation have now been established at Baku and Astara for the Black Sea and Caspian THE ad accident which has deprived Mr. Balfour of his besides a of stations number the Sea, frontier; secretary, Mr. Frank J. Woods, is happily one of rare along and by these routes alone will passengers and goods occurrence, although the conditions for it are only too pre. be allowed to enter Russia. This is the old route valent. Mr. Woods died, after about ten days’ illness, from by which cholera has travelled from east to west in erysipelas and septicsemia supervening on a sting on the lip former years, and there is no reason to doubt that the sani- inflicted by a gadfly. It was conjectured, and doubtless tary state of many places in Southern Russia is but little with truth, that the insect must have been in contact with different from that which prevailed in former years when a diseased animal ; but the transference of putrescent cholera and the so called Astrakan plague were so life material from any source may have been made by the gadfly amongst the inhabitants. The trade routes from Persia to the wound it inflicted on a highly vascular part. The into Europe in the neighbourhood of the Caspian and the only thing to be done under such circumstances is to subject Black Seas are especially dangerous in the case of a disease the wounded part to powerful suction ; and in the case of a which is now shown on incontestable evidence to spread, in bite on the lip this may be done fairly effectively by the Europe at least, along the lines of human traffic and inter- individual himself, for only in this way is it at all possible to communication. Hence other countries in Europe besides extract the poisonous material. Yet this measure may fail Russia should be prepared for any emergency that may to effecb its object, since the facilities for rapid absorption arise, and our own sanitary authorities will not fail for are so great and the point of entrance of the poison so work if they seek to remove in advance all conditions in minute. their districts which are favourable to the diffusion of "CURES" FOR INEBRIETY. imported cholera. cubic metres of water per day, it is thought, could be obtained. For Pesth half this amount would suffice, while :Rude, the other half of the town, being on the other side of the Danube, has a separate supply. The intake seems somewhat nearer to Pesth, which is the more modern part cff these joint towns, and it is here that an extraordinary increase of population is taking place. Strict precautions will be necessary to protect these wells.
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THE gold treatment for alcoholism and the morphine habit, THE COUNCIL OF THE ROYAL MEDICAL AND which has been so largely advertised in America, is now CHIRURGICAL SOCIETY AND THE ASSOCIAabout to be introduced into this country. To-day (Friday) TION OF FELLOWS. is to be held at the Westminster Town Hall, a
meeting
OUR attention has been called by the honorary secretary under the auspices of the Church of England Tern. of the Association of Fellows, Mr. H. Percy Dunn, to perance Society and the chairmanship of the. Right a decision of the Council of the Royal Medical and Rev. Bishop Barry, at which information will be given Chirurgical Society. The Association of Fellows of the respecting this treatment and its results in 60,000 College of Surgeons of England, which was formed to cases. We hope that this information will go further than advance the social, professional, academical, and constitu. a mere reference to so many alleged cures. The drug tional interests of the Fellows of the College, which used by Dr. Keeley is stated to be a double chloride numbers in its ranks about one-fourth of the constituency of gold, but beyond this nothing is known. The formula, of the Fellows of the College, and comprises several method of use, and dosage are kept quite secret. For present and past members of the Council of the Royal twelve years Dr. Keeley is reported as having pur. College of Surgeons of England, has been in the habit of sued this treatment at Dwight, Illinois, U.S.A., and in holding its general meetings sometimes at the rooms of the that time 60,000 persons are said to have been treated at Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society, 20, Hanover- the parent home and at the branches established in various square, sometimes at those of the Medical Society in American States, with only 5 per cent. of relapses. In one Chandos-street, and sometimes elsewhere. As several month more than 1000 persons were treated at Dwight alone. members of the committee belong to the Royal Medical We are informed that" the treatment is tonic and healthy and Chirurgical Society, and have held high positions in tissue making, and no individual has ever received injury from that Society, the committee has given a preference to the its use. It does not supplant moral influences, but uses them rooms of the Society, deeming that it would be an advantage to develop, educate, and strengthen the moral sense when the to the Society in its new quarters to pay for the hire of one physical causes of disease have been removed." These ate of its rooms. In the ordinary course, the committee in- " good worts," and we expect to see them soon in a pro. structed the honorary secretary this year to apply to the spectus issued by some company-promoting syndicate. Council for a room in which to hold its annual meeting on Truly the methods adopted by some American physicians June 23rd. To the surprise of the committee the Council astound us. The running of a secret cure for one’s has sent a letter to the honorary secretary of the Associa- personal profit would in this country ensure the erasure
1375 of the inventor’s name from the roll of any college of physicians or surgeons, university or medical society with which he might be connected. Professional usage and etiquette demand that any method of treatment deemed z, useful in any class of diseases should be made the common property of the profession, should be as available for the welfare of the poor as of the rich, and should be openly and without reserve tested and proved at some of This modern American our numerous public institutions. plan, which must give so great offence to the vast majority of medical men in the United States, whom we know to be as scrupulously tenacious of the laws of professional etiquette as our own physicians and surgeons, puts a method of treatment-good, bad, or indifferent, we know not, for we have nothing to do with secret remedies and cures-on the same line with the latest patent pill. Professional decency, honour, and etiquette are alike passed by as unimportant. We need say no more, except to warn physicians and patients against making use of a treatment of the debail of which nothing is known and whica apparently there is no intention of submitting to the critical and open jueg nent of the profession. We hope that a society like the Church of England Temperance Society will not lend the weight of its inflaence to such unprofessional methods. Its zeal for temperance should not overrun discretion, and tempt it into a false position in regard to the right and proper methods of professional procedure. There are other American physicians who claim results equal to Dr. Keeley’s (whether rightly or wrongly we know not), and we have seen a letter from one who offers to come to England and 49 overateside by side with Dr. Keeley; so that we may soon expect to have other aspirants to the fame and fortune which are sure to attend, for a slight period at least, the introduction of the latest American medical 11 boom."
of quickening the widespread interest which already exists among a large number of supporters of the Fund beyond those who will actually assemble to listen to the address of Mr. Egmont Hake and the appeals of other well-known speakers. Important as are such methods of evoking enthusiasm, the main reliance of the hospitals and dispensaries must be placed upon the spontaneous efforts of those ministers of religion and others whose advocacy of their cause in public and in private has effected so large a result in the past. Among these advocates of the charity we are glad to know that we may reckon the great body of our professional brethren in London and its neighbourhood. Their inflaence has always been cast in this scale, and it will not now be withheld. We trust they will on this occasion be not less successful than in the past. POISONING BY STRYCHNINE.
WITHIN the last few years strychnine has been used somewha’) frequently for the purposes both of suicide and of homicide; while within the last few weeks what would appear to be a series of cases of poisoning by this alkaloid has occurred. As this matter is still sub fudice, we withhold further comment, and pass on to the general consideration of the subject, which deserves the very gravest consideration of the Legislature, the medical profession, vendors of poison, and the general public. In the first place, strychnine is much too easily procurable in the shape of vermin killer po wdera. These have been distinguished by different names, but all are equally dangerous, a threepenny packet containing more than a grain of this deadly alkaloid. It is true that these powders are sold according to the regulations of the Act of Parliament, names and addresses being required, as well as entry and signing in the book kept for that purpose. It is equally true that all these may be false. Again, while it is required that the poison THE HOSPITAL SUNDAY COLLECTION. must be mixed with some colouring matter, this latter THE collection which is to be made to-morrow in the has in the case of some powders been found to have various places of worship throughout the metropolis will, the dangerous faculty of being destroyed by the gastric withoub a doubt, result in a munificent tribute, to be juice. The sale of strychnine or any of its compounds dedicated to the service of the sick poor ; but although we under these circumstances ought to be absolutely forentertain no anxiety upon that point, we do strongly feel bidden. Rats and mice, cockroaches, and beetles can be the necessity for a great effort on the part of all who are caught in traps and destroyed without danger to anyone. interested in this good work, if the present year is not to Whether the sale of these powders be profitable or not we suffer by comparison with some that are past. Last year do not know; but until some additional restriction has been the collection reached an aggregate considerably in excess placed upon their sale, we would urge upon all respectof any that had been realised before that date, but this emi- able chemists and druggists the great desirability of nently satisfac bory result was attained by the aid of some very not selling these powders except to customers whom they large gifts, such as cannot be counted upon for renewal on the know well, and who are not likely to make an improper use present occasion. Under this point of view, tberefore, the of them. Passing on to members of the medical profession, success of 1891 argues rather that it will be difficult than we would remaik that while the symptoms of strychnine that it will be easy in the present year to secure a collection poisoning are well known, they vary very much according with which the contributors and the Council of the Fund may to the surrounding circumstances. When the dose has been be content. Indeed, were it not for the continual growth large the tetanic spasms will be well marked, but when a of the metropolis-a subject which we have sufficiently minimum fatal dose has been given these will be modified illustrated in our Special Supplement published last week- into a species of convulsions which may be regarded as unit would be unreasonable to expect that the collection connected with poison. Hence the importance of not only should continue from year to year to increase. Sbill, observing the symptoms of any sudden attack of convulsions while London continues to expand and thicken on the very carefully, but also of duly weighing all the surroundground at the rate of growth which at present obtains ing circumstances, the previous taking of food or medicine, within the metropolitan area, it would be supine, indeed, the absence of any former similar attack, and the appearon the part of those who are charged with the conduct Some years ago a ance and manner of those around. of this undertaking if they were content to allow any man who went in the morning to his work in his usual year to mark a culminating point in the history of the health, who had never had a day’s illness, came home to collection. Year by year the wealth and magnitude of our his dinner and died suddenly in convulsions. A surgeon vast city are augmented in a measure which the imagina- called in did not see him until after his death, and tion fails to apprehend, and if the charity of the metropolis gave a certificate of death from sunstroke. It was the does not expand in a commensurate proportion some one third death in the same family within a very short must be seriously to blame. The meeting which assembles period under very similar circumstances, and all three, at the Mansion House to-day (Friday), and which will be father and two children, had been secretly insured. There reported in our second edition, will, we hope, have the effect can be no doubt that strychnine had been given and had
tion is a political organisation, as if the combination of Fellows of the College for the purpose of securing due pro. fessional consideration for the order of Fellows, the most cultivated section of the College constituency, were a high crime and misdemeanour, and not in every way a consti. tutional and proper organisation. If it be alleged that the Society’s premises should only be used by associations whose primary object is the advancement of science, it may be answered that to draw closely the bonds of professional union between the Fellows of the College and its CouncilTHE SPREAD OF CHOLERA TOWARDS the fundamental object of the Association of Fellows-must EUROPE. be conducive in every way to the prosperity of the College THERE can be but little doubt that cholera is spreading of Surgeons, not merely as a so-called political but as a in Persia in a direction and on a scale that is likely to con. scientific body ; and all influences which tend to dissociate stibute a grave danger to Europe. In the district of the Council from the Fellows of the College must also tend Meshed the deaths are estimated at from 150 to several hundreds a day, and the approach of the disease to the to bring down the College from its high position as a Russian frontier is looked upon with serious apprehension. scientific institution. The Russian Government have appointed a Commission, A FATAL FLY STING, and places of observation have now been established at Baku and Astara for the Black Sea and Caspian THE ad accident which has deprived Mr. Balfour of his besides a of stations number the Sea, frontier; secretary, Mr. Frank J. Woods, is happily one of rare along and by these routes alone will passengers and goods occurrence, although the conditions for it are only too pre. be allowed to enter Russia. This is the old route valent. Mr. Woods died, after about ten days’ illness, from by which cholera has travelled from east to west in erysipelas and septicsemia supervening on a sting on the lip former years, and there is no reason to doubt that the sani- inflicted by a gadfly. It was conjectured, and doubtless tary state of many places in Southern Russia is but little with truth, that the insect must have been in contact with different from that which prevailed in former years when a diseased animal ; but the transference of putrescent cholera and the so called Astrakan plague were so life material from any source may have been made by the gadfly amongst the inhabitants. The trade routes from Persia to the wound it inflicted on a highly vascular part. The into Europe in the neighbourhood of the Caspian and the only thing to be done under such circumstances is to subject Black Seas are especially dangerous in the case of a disease the wounded part to powerful suction ; and in the case of a which is now shown on incontestable evidence to spread, in bite on the lip this may be done fairly effectively by the Europe at least, along the lines of human traffic and inter- individual himself, for only in this way is it at all possible to communication. Hence other countries in Europe besides extract the poisonous material. Yet this measure may fail Russia should be prepared for any emergency that may to effecb its object, since the facilities for rapid absorption arise, and our own sanitary authorities will not fail for are so great and the point of entrance of the poison so work if they seek to remove in advance all conditions in minute. their districts which are favourable to the diffusion of "CURES" FOR INEBRIETY. imported cholera. cubic metres of water per day, it is thought, could be obtained. For Pesth half this amount would suffice, while :Rude, the other half of the town, being on the other side of the Danube, has a separate supply. The intake seems somewhat nearer to Pesth, which is the more modern part cff these joint towns, and it is here that an extraordinary increase of population is taking place. Strict precautions will be necessary to protect these wells.
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THE gold treatment for alcoholism and the morphine habit, THE COUNCIL OF THE ROYAL MEDICAL AND which has been so largely advertised in America, is now CHIRURGICAL SOCIETY AND THE ASSOCIAabout to be introduced into this country. To-day (Friday) TION OF FELLOWS. is to be held at the Westminster Town Hall, a
meeting
OUR attention has been called by the honorary secretary under the auspices of the Church of England Tern. of the Association of Fellows, Mr. H. Percy Dunn, to perance Society and the chairmanship of the. Right a decision of the Council of the Royal Medical and Rev. Bishop Barry, at which information will be given Chirurgical Society. The Association of Fellows of the respecting this treatment and its results in 60,000 College of Surgeons of England, which was formed to cases. We hope that this information will go further than advance the social, professional, academical, and constitu. a mere reference to so many alleged cures. The drug tional interests of the Fellows of the College, which used by Dr. Keeley is stated to be a double chloride numbers in its ranks about one-fourth of the constituency of gold, but beyond this nothing is known. The formula, of the Fellows of the College, and comprises several method of use, and dosage are kept quite secret. For present and past members of the Council of the Royal twelve years Dr. Keeley is reported as having pur. College of Surgeons of England, has been in the habit of sued this treatment at Dwight, Illinois, U.S.A., and in holding its general meetings sometimes at the rooms of the that time 60,000 persons are said to have been treated at Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society, 20, Hanover- the parent home and at the branches established in various square, sometimes at those of the Medical Society in American States, with only 5 per cent. of relapses. In one Chandos-street, and sometimes elsewhere. As several month more than 1000 persons were treated at Dwight alone. members of the committee belong to the Royal Medical We are informed that" the treatment is tonic and healthy and Chirurgical Society, and have held high positions in tissue making, and no individual has ever received injury from that Society, the committee has given a preference to the its use. It does not supplant moral influences, but uses them rooms of the Society, deeming that it would be an advantage to develop, educate, and strengthen the moral sense when the to the Society in its new quarters to pay for the hire of one physical causes of disease have been removed." These ate of its rooms. In the ordinary course, the committee in- " good worts," and we expect to see them soon in a pro. structed the honorary secretary this year to apply to the spectus issued by some company-promoting syndicate. Council for a room in which to hold its annual meeting on Truly the methods adopted by some American physicians June 23rd. To the surprise of the committee the Council astound us. The running of a secret cure for one’s has sent a letter to the honorary secretary of the Associa- personal profit would in this country ensure the erasure
1375 of the inventor’s name from the roll of any college of physicians or surgeons, university or medical society with which he might be connected. Professional usage and etiquette demand that any method of treatment deemed z, useful in any class of diseases should be made the common property of the profession, should be as available for the welfare of the poor as of the rich, and should be openly and without reserve tested and proved at some of This modern American our numerous public institutions. plan, which must give so great offence to the vast majority of medical men in the United States, whom we know to be as scrupulously tenacious of the laws of professional etiquette as our own physicians and surgeons, puts a method of treatment-good, bad, or indifferent, we know not, for we have nothing to do with secret remedies and cures-on the same line with the latest patent pill. Professional decency, honour, and etiquette are alike passed by as unimportant. We need say no more, except to warn physicians and patients against making use of a treatment of the debail of which nothing is known and whica apparently there is no intention of submitting to the critical and open jueg nent of the profession. We hope that a society like the Church of England Temperance Society will not lend the weight of its inflaence to such unprofessional methods. Its zeal for temperance should not overrun discretion, and tempt it into a false position in regard to the right and proper methods of professional procedure. There are other American physicians who claim results equal to Dr. Keeley’s (whether rightly or wrongly we know not), and we have seen a letter from one who offers to come to England and 49 overateside by side with Dr. Keeley; so that we may soon expect to have other aspirants to the fame and fortune which are sure to attend, for a slight period at least, the introduction of the latest American medical 11 boom."
of quickening the widespread interest which already exists among a large number of supporters of the Fund beyond those who will actually assemble to listen to the address of Mr. Egmont Hake and the appeals of other well-known speakers. Important as are such methods of evoking enthusiasm, the main reliance of the hospitals and dispensaries must be placed upon the spontaneous efforts of those ministers of religion and others whose advocacy of their cause in public and in private has effected so large a result in the past. Among these advocates of the charity we are glad to know that we may reckon the great body of our professional brethren in London and its neighbourhood. Their inflaence has always been cast in this scale, and it will not now be withheld. We trust they will on this occasion be not less successful than in the past. POISONING BY STRYCHNINE.
WITHIN the last few years strychnine has been used somewha’) frequently for the purposes both of suicide and of homicide; while within the last few weeks what would appear to be a series of cases of poisoning by this alkaloid has occurred. As this matter is still sub fudice, we withhold further comment, and pass on to the general consideration of the subject, which deserves the very gravest consideration of the Legislature, the medical profession, vendors of poison, and the general public. In the first place, strychnine is much too easily procurable in the shape of vermin killer po wdera. These have been distinguished by different names, but all are equally dangerous, a threepenny packet containing more than a grain of this deadly alkaloid. It is true that these powders are sold according to the regulations of the Act of Parliament, names and addresses being required, as well as entry and signing in the book kept for that purpose. It is equally true that all these may be false. Again, while it is required that the poison THE HOSPITAL SUNDAY COLLECTION. must be mixed with some colouring matter, this latter THE collection which is to be made to-morrow in the has in the case of some powders been found to have various places of worship throughout the metropolis will, the dangerous faculty of being destroyed by the gastric withoub a doubt, result in a munificent tribute, to be juice. The sale of strychnine or any of its compounds dedicated to the service of the sick poor ; but although we under these circumstances ought to be absolutely forentertain no anxiety upon that point, we do strongly feel bidden. Rats and mice, cockroaches, and beetles can be the necessity for a great effort on the part of all who are caught in traps and destroyed without danger to anyone. interested in this good work, if the present year is not to Whether the sale of these powders be profitable or not we suffer by comparison with some that are past. Last year do not know; but until some additional restriction has been the collection reached an aggregate considerably in excess placed upon their sale, we would urge upon all respectof any that had been realised before that date, but this emi- able chemists and druggists the great desirability of nently satisfac bory result was attained by the aid of some very not selling these powders except to customers whom they large gifts, such as cannot be counted upon for renewal on the know well, and who are not likely to make an improper use present occasion. Under this point of view, tberefore, the of them. Passing on to members of the medical profession, success of 1891 argues rather that it will be difficult than we would remaik that while the symptoms of strychnine that it will be easy in the present year to secure a collection poisoning are well known, they vary very much according with which the contributors and the Council of the Fund may to the surrounding circumstances. When the dose has been be content. Indeed, were it not for the continual growth large the tetanic spasms will be well marked, but when a of the metropolis-a subject which we have sufficiently minimum fatal dose has been given these will be modified illustrated in our Special Supplement published last week- into a species of convulsions which may be regarded as unit would be unreasonable to expect that the collection connected with poison. Hence the importance of not only should continue from year to year to increase. Sbill, observing the symptoms of any sudden attack of convulsions while London continues to expand and thicken on the very carefully, but also of duly weighing all the surroundground at the rate of growth which at present obtains ing circumstances, the previous taking of food or medicine, within the metropolitan area, it would be supine, indeed, the absence of any former similar attack, and the appearon the part of those who are charged with the conduct Some years ago a ance and manner of those around. of this undertaking if they were content to allow any man who went in the morning to his work in his usual year to mark a culminating point in the history of the health, who had never had a day’s illness, came home to collection. Year by year the wealth and magnitude of our his dinner and died suddenly in convulsions. A surgeon vast city are augmented in a measure which the imagina- called in did not see him until after his death, and tion fails to apprehend, and if the charity of the metropolis gave a certificate of death from sunstroke. It was the does not expand in a commensurate proportion some one third death in the same family within a very short must be seriously to blame. The meeting which assembles period under very similar circumstances, and all three, at the Mansion House to-day (Friday), and which will be father and two children, had been secretly insured. There reported in our second edition, will, we hope, have the effect can be no doubt that strychnine had been given and had