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THE CASE OF MR. R B. ANDERSON, F.R.C.S.
758
organised local self-government is introduced. A council is elected which determines the work that each colonist has to perform and regulates the questions of building, public health, The areas at present under wheat crops alone transport, &c. a of E30,000, equal to 7 per cent. of the value represent so far invested. capital -
MR. GLADSTONE’S HEALTH. MR. GLADSTONE has now regained strength and appetite and is also sleeping well. He is, however, still troubled a great deal by hoarseness and suffers from bronchial catarrh. We understand that Mr. Gladstone proposed to consult a London ophthalmic surgeon early this week, but as Mrs. Gladstone is unfortunately still unwell his plans may have been changed. -
ANIMAL EXTRACTS IN THE TREATMENT OF ORGANIC NERVE DISEASE. IT is now some years since Dr. Brown-Sequard brought before the notice of the medical profession a flaid manufactured from the testicles of rabbits and other animals which it was claimed had the power of endowing tottering senility with the energy and strength of vigorous manhood. The so-called discovery did not at the time attract much attention in this country. It was discussed perhaps and dismissed with a shrug and a smile. As time went on, however, extensive trials of it were made on the continent, and wonderful results were reported, more especially by French therapeutists, and under the circumstances it is perhaps not to be wondered at that physicians in this country, especially such as were chiefly concerned with nervous diseases, in which the fluid was supposed to have a peculiar efficacy, felt it incumbent upon them, however incredulous they might be in the matter, to give the preparation a fair trial. A few weeks agol we published a paper by Drs. Guy Wood and Whiting, the house physicians at the National Hospital for Epilepsy and Paralysis in Queen-square, in which were detailed a series of careful observations carried out by them under the supervision of Dr. Hughlings Jackson, Dr. Buzzard, Dr. Bastian, and Dr. Ferrier on 23 cases of nervous disease in the hospital. The details of the treatment we need not repeat. It will be sufficient to say that the method pursued was that recommended by the inventor of the fluid ; but it will be interesting, and possibly instructive, briefly to recapitulate the results arrived at. The cases treated comprised 4 of tabes dorsalis, 2 of Friedreich’s ataxy, 1 of ataxic paraplegia, 4 of disseminated sclerosis, 2 of lateral sclerosis, 4 of paralysis agitans, 1 of double hemiplegia, 1 of left-sided hemiplegia, 1 of peripheral neuritis, 1 of progressive muscular atrophy, and 2 of functional paralysis, and no one, we venture to think, will regard such a series as not sufficiently comprehensive. It is not difficult to sum up the results obtained. In only 2 cases-1 of tabes dorsalis under Dr. Ferrier’s care and 1 of peripheral neuritis under the same physician-was there any obvious change for the better ; but even in these cases the reported improvement is capable of being explained without any regard to the nature of the medication employed, for the former was a case of tabes occurring in a very alcoholic subject, and his removal while in hospital from his besetting weakness is much more naturally to be credited with the benefit which he experienced than the administration of the fluid. In the other case - one of alcoholic neuritis - the improvement was only such as naturally takes place in that disease, so that here also the fluid cannot be credited with a great deal. It is true that nearly all the patients expressed themselves as feeling better, but in the absence of any evidence of improvement such a statement cannot be regarded as carrying much weight ; but even the possibility that it might be urged as evidence in favour of the 1
THE
LANCET, Feb. 3rd,
1894.
of the drug has been provided for. Two patients treated in exactly the same way, but with distilled water substituted for orchitic fluid, and both these patients also expressed themselves as feeling much better. In any method of treatment, especially in one that happens tobeunusual and impressive, the mental effect must be allowed for, and in the cases treated with the fluid now under consideration, when this mental effect is allowed for, there is nothingfurther, we think, in their condition requiring explanation. The names of the physicians under whose supervision’ the observations were carried out are of such well recognised’ authority, not only in this country but amongst all neurologists, that it is impossible to doubt for a moment that theirobservations will have the effect of discountenancing a method of treatment which is as much without any scientific foundation as it seems to be without practical result.
efficacy were
THE
CASE
MR.
OF
R
B.
ANDERSON, F.R.C.S.
ON Tuesday last a deputation of the British and West. Indian Alliance and others were introduced by the Earl of Stamford to the council of the London and Counties Medical Protection Society at the treasurer’s residence, 57, Harley-street, with reference to the appeal to the Privy Council in’ the case of Marshall and Wife v. Anderson of Tobago. Lord; Stamford made an able speech in support of Mr. Anderson, and a powerful letter in his behalf was also read from Bishop, Mitchinson, late of Barbadoes. The council unanimously decided on opening a subscription list for funds to prosecutethe appeal. -
WORTHING WATER-SUPPLY. ON Tuesday it was eventually decided by the Worthing Town Council to purchase a site for waterworks on the Downs which has been recommended by Mr. Baldwin Latham as one of the freest from pollution in the neighbourhood. Seven acres are to be purchased at t200 per acre, and this includes the right to drive adits in any direct tion to increase the supply of water. The question has been under consideration for some months, and eight different;
sites
were
specified.
-
THE WILLESDEN AND DISTRICT MEDICAL SOCIETY. IT is proposed to form a medical society for the district The inaugural meeting is to be held or.E of Willesden. Thursday, March 29th, at 8 P. M., at the Harlesden College, Bramshill-road, close to Willesden Junction. Mr. HatcMnson. F.R S., will deliver the opening address. The subject wily be Dermatology, the Threshold of Medicine. All qualified medical men wishing to attend are asked to send their cardppreviously to Mr. Alfred Bindley, M.B., Westbury Home,, Harlesden; or Mr. William Butler, M.B., Craven Park-road, Harlesden. ____
HÆMORRHAGIC MENINGITIS DUE TO CHARBON THIS formed the subject of a paper read before the Société Medicale des Hopitaux by Dr. Roger and Dr. Crochet on March 3rd of this years1 The case was that of a man who was admitted suffering from erysipelas which had developed around a fistula apparently of a malignant nature. The erysipelas appeared four days before the man came under observation, and as his general condition was satisfactory the prognosis was thought to be a favourable one. Soon after-he was first seen, however, by the surgeons he suddenly became unconscious. The limbs were relaxed, the extremities and very cold, the cardiac beats became feeble and cyanosed
rapid (128 per minute), and the number of respirations quickened (36 per minute) ; insensibility was complete. After some transitory convulsive movements the patient passed 1
L’Union Médical, March 6th.
organised local self-government is introduced. A council is elected which determines the work that each colonist has to perform and regulates the questions of building, public health, The areas at present under wheat crops alone transport, &c. a of E30,000, equal to 7 per cent. of the value represent so far invested. capital -
MR. GLADSTONE’S HEALTH. MR. GLADSTONE has now regained strength and appetite and is also sleeping well. He is, however, still troubled a great deal by hoarseness and suffers from bronchial catarrh. We understand that Mr. Gladstone proposed to consult a London ophthalmic surgeon early this week, but as Mrs. Gladstone is unfortunately still unwell his plans may have been changed. -
ANIMAL EXTRACTS IN THE TREATMENT OF ORGANIC NERVE DISEASE. IT is now some years since Dr. Brown-Sequard brought before the notice of the medical profession a flaid manufactured from the testicles of rabbits and other animals which it was claimed had the power of endowing tottering senility with the energy and strength of vigorous manhood. The so-called discovery did not at the time attract much attention in this country. It was discussed perhaps and dismissed with a shrug and a smile. As time went on, however, extensive trials of it were made on the continent, and wonderful results were reported, more especially by French therapeutists, and under the circumstances it is perhaps not to be wondered at that physicians in this country, especially such as were chiefly concerned with nervous diseases, in which the fluid was supposed to have a peculiar efficacy, felt it incumbent upon them, however incredulous they might be in the matter, to give the preparation a fair trial. A few weeks agol we published a paper by Drs. Guy Wood and Whiting, the house physicians at the National Hospital for Epilepsy and Paralysis in Queen-square, in which were detailed a series of careful observations carried out by them under the supervision of Dr. Hughlings Jackson, Dr. Buzzard, Dr. Bastian, and Dr. Ferrier on 23 cases of nervous disease in the hospital. The details of the treatment we need not repeat. It will be sufficient to say that the method pursued was that recommended by the inventor of the fluid ; but it will be interesting, and possibly instructive, briefly to recapitulate the results arrived at. The cases treated comprised 4 of tabes dorsalis, 2 of Friedreich’s ataxy, 1 of ataxic paraplegia, 4 of disseminated sclerosis, 2 of lateral sclerosis, 4 of paralysis agitans, 1 of double hemiplegia, 1 of left-sided hemiplegia, 1 of peripheral neuritis, 1 of progressive muscular atrophy, and 2 of functional paralysis, and no one, we venture to think, will regard such a series as not sufficiently comprehensive. It is not difficult to sum up the results obtained. In only 2 cases-1 of tabes dorsalis under Dr. Ferrier’s care and 1 of peripheral neuritis under the same physician-was there any obvious change for the better ; but even in these cases the reported improvement is capable of being explained without any regard to the nature of the medication employed, for the former was a case of tabes occurring in a very alcoholic subject, and his removal while in hospital from his besetting weakness is much more naturally to be credited with the benefit which he experienced than the administration of the fluid. In the other case - one of alcoholic neuritis - the improvement was only such as naturally takes place in that disease, so that here also the fluid cannot be credited with a great deal. It is true that nearly all the patients expressed themselves as feeling better, but in the absence of any evidence of improvement such a statement cannot be regarded as carrying much weight ; but even the possibility that it might be urged as evidence in favour of the 1
THE
LANCET, Feb. 3rd,
1894.
of the drug has been provided for. Two patients treated in exactly the same way, but with distilled water substituted for orchitic fluid, and both these patients also expressed themselves as feeling much better. In any method of treatment, especially in one that happens tobeunusual and impressive, the mental effect must be allowed for, and in the cases treated with the fluid now under consideration, when this mental effect is allowed for, there is nothingfurther, we think, in their condition requiring explanation. The names of the physicians under whose supervision’ the observations were carried out are of such well recognised’ authority, not only in this country but amongst all neurologists, that it is impossible to doubt for a moment that theirobservations will have the effect of discountenancing a method of treatment which is as much without any scientific foundation as it seems to be without practical result.
efficacy were
THE
CASE
MR.
OF
R
B.
ANDERSON, F.R.C.S.
ON Tuesday last a deputation of the British and West. Indian Alliance and others were introduced by the Earl of Stamford to the council of the London and Counties Medical Protection Society at the treasurer’s residence, 57, Harley-street, with reference to the appeal to the Privy Council in’ the case of Marshall and Wife v. Anderson of Tobago. Lord; Stamford made an able speech in support of Mr. Anderson, and a powerful letter in his behalf was also read from Bishop, Mitchinson, late of Barbadoes. The council unanimously decided on opening a subscription list for funds to prosecutethe appeal. -
WORTHING WATER-SUPPLY. ON Tuesday it was eventually decided by the Worthing Town Council to purchase a site for waterworks on the Downs which has been recommended by Mr. Baldwin Latham as one of the freest from pollution in the neighbourhood. Seven acres are to be purchased at t200 per acre, and this includes the right to drive adits in any direct tion to increase the supply of water. The question has been under consideration for some months, and eight different;
sites
were
specified.
-
THE WILLESDEN AND DISTRICT MEDICAL SOCIETY. IT is proposed to form a medical society for the district The inaugural meeting is to be held or.E of Willesden. Thursday, March 29th, at 8 P. M., at the Harlesden College, Bramshill-road, close to Willesden Junction. Mr. HatcMnson. F.R S., will deliver the opening address. The subject wily be Dermatology, the Threshold of Medicine. All qualified medical men wishing to attend are asked to send their cardppreviously to Mr. Alfred Bindley, M.B., Westbury Home,, Harlesden; or Mr. William Butler, M.B., Craven Park-road, Harlesden. ____
HÆMORRHAGIC MENINGITIS DUE TO CHARBON THIS formed the subject of a paper read before the Société Medicale des Hopitaux by Dr. Roger and Dr. Crochet on March 3rd of this years1 The case was that of a man who was admitted suffering from erysipelas which had developed around a fistula apparently of a malignant nature. The erysipelas appeared four days before the man came under observation, and as his general condition was satisfactory the prognosis was thought to be a favourable one. Soon after-he was first seen, however, by the surgeons he suddenly became unconscious. The limbs were relaxed, the extremities and very cold, the cardiac beats became feeble and cyanosed
rapid (128 per minute), and the number of respirations quickened (36 per minute) ; insensibility was complete. After some transitory convulsive movements the patient passed 1
L’Union Médical, March 6th.