Pg. 348

Admin_LH

November 2, 2020

¶ 1 Leave a comment on paragraph 1 0 348

¶ 2 Leave a comment on paragraph 2 0 REVIEWS.

¶ 3 Leave a comment on paragraph 3 0 stance that an unusual degree of mortality has not resulted in the practice of those who have given purgatives, seems to show that the necessity for arresting the alvine evacuations is not so im- perious as had been supposed, while it cannot certainly as yet be held to prove more. Several isolated cases have been treated in the other Hospitals, according to the plan found so successful in King’s College, but without any similar results.” We must suppose that this escaped the eye of the Editor of the Times, who ventured to volunteer the citation of ex parte evidence, and a defence of the plan recommended. For ourselves, we partake in faith neither with Dr. Johnson nor Dr. Macloughlin. We do not believe in purgative elimination as a cure for cholera, nor do we regard with much alarm the exhibition of an oleaginous aperient in a case of bilious diarrhoea. We trust, therefore, that the public has sustained no material damage from the quantities of castor oil swallowed during the last three weeks. As to the cases of real cholera so treated, probably the fatality has been little, if at all, increased, since what facts have hitherto been collated seem to show, that the castor-oil treatment is only very slightly worse than useless. In the meantime, however, while not viewing the matter in so serious a light as to its immediate results as some do, we would urge upon all concerned in the direction of the general Press, that the case is a good example of the impropriety of their interference in the practical matters of medicine. If society has not been poisoned, it has at least been deceived by a false excitement, and by loud proffers of help from a source which could afford none.

¶ 4 Leave a comment on paragraph 4 0 THE STOURBRIDGE BOARD OF GUARDIANS AND THE NUISANCES REMOVAL ACT.

¶ 5 Leave a comment on paragraph 5 0 In another column will be found a correspondence between the Stourbridge Board of Guardians and one of their Medical Officers, upon the subject of remuneration being due to the Surgeons of Unions for giving certificates and attending before Justices, in cases involving the removal of nuisances.

¶ 6 Leave a comment on paragraph 6 0 It will be observed that the Board directs Mr. Walker, one of the Union Surgeons, to co-operate with the Inspector of Nuisances, to give information of any nuisance in his (Mr. Walker’s) district, and also to furnish certificates as required by the Act of Parliament, and by direction of the Board of Health. This course is adopted by the Board because, as the local inspector of nuisances reports, the requisite legal steps cannot be taken without medical certificates. To this communication, Mr. Walker replies, that the removal of nuisances is not one of his duties, and that he cannot perform the task required of him, until the Guardians agree to grant him a reasonable remuneration.

¶ 7 Leave a comment on paragraph 7 0 To this very proper and moderate remonstrance, the rejoinder is, that the Board orders the clerk to write to Mr. Walker, requiring him forthwith to obey the directions of the Guardians, and in default of his doing so, requesting him to resign his office.

¶ 8 Leave a comment on paragraph 8 0 In this case, however, it would appear that the Guardians are in the wrong in point of law, for the opinions quoted in the Official Circular, published by direction of the Poor Law Board, are quite conclusive as to the liability of the Guardians to pay a reasonable remuneration for such services as they require Mr. Walker to perform. In the meantime, we understand that Mr. Walker has treated the request to resign with contempt, and has appealed to the Poor Law Board upon the subject. It is high time that this Board should be prepared to regulate such matters in a more liberal and equitable spirit.

¶ 9 Leave a comment on paragraph 9 0 Poisoning by Tobacco.—A female, at New Brighton, Cheshire, has caused her death. “ On her own mere notion that decoction of tobacco would do her good, she swallowed enough to kill five people.”

¶ 10 Leave a comment on paragraph 10 0 REVIEWS.

¶ 11 Leave a comment on paragraph 11 0 A Manual of Practical Therapeutics; Considered Chiefly with Reference to Articles of the Materia Medica. By E. J. Waring, M.R.C.S., H.E.I.C.S. London and Bombay. 1854. 8vo. Pp. 755.

¶ 12 Leave a comment on paragraph 12 0 The Author states very truly, that in many works on Materia Medica, the botanical, chemical, and pharmaceutical department have been fully and minutely entered into, while the therapeutical has been comparatively neglected. He accordingly endeavours to collect and bring within a small compass “ the opinions and experience of the most eminent writers of modern times as to the real value of the articles of the Materia Medica in the treatment of disease,” and trusts, not unreasonably, that his work will be acceptable to “ floating Practitioners,” namely, Surgeons in the public services, in emigrant or merchant ships, or in distant colonies.

¶ 13 Leave a comment on paragraph 13 0 That our readers may form some idea of the manner in which Mr. Waring has executed his task, we will quote what he says about an old remedy :—

¶ 14 Leave a comment on paragraph 14 0 “ Sodae bicarbonas, seu sesquicarbonas. The bicarbonate or sesquicarbonate of soda. (The carbonate of the shops.) Comp. Soda 36’90, carbonic acid 52’38, water 10’71, in 100 parts; or 1 eq. soda= 31,4-2 carbonic acid= 44,+1 water= 9=84 eq. wt.

¶ 15 Leave a comment on paragraph 15 0 Prop, and Action.—Antacid, alterative, and lithontriptic, in doses of gr. x.—3j. When taken in large and long-continued doses, it causes derangement of the digestive organs and of the assimilating functions, and induces a state of the constitution resembling that accompanying scurvy. It is frequently employed in making effervescing draughts; thus, )j. of this salt saturates gr. xviij. of tartaric acid, or gr. xvij. of. citric acid, or 3iv. of lemon-juice.

¶ 16 Leave a comment on paragraph 16 0 “ Incompatibles.—Acids and acidulated salts, earthy and metallic salts, the hydrochlorate of ammonia.

¶ 17 Leave a comment on paragraph 17 0 “ Therapeutic Uses.—In acidity of the primae vise, great relief may be afforded by the administration of gr. x.—xv. of the sesquicarbonate of soda in some aromatic water, four or five hours after a full meal. In cardialgia and flatulence arising from the same cause, it also proves very effectual. In the aphthae of children it often proves effectual, combined with a few grains of rhubarb or hydrarg. c. creta.

¶ 18 Leave a comment on paragraph 18 0 “ Calculous Disease. — In the-lithic or uric acid diathesis, alkalies are clearly indicated, and are often productive of great temporary benefit. Dr. Prout prefers potash; but Dr. Marcet employed successfully the carbonate of soda, in doses of 3iiss. daily; and it may be observed that the waters of Vichy, which have obtained great celebrity from their known solvent powers of calculous concretions, are almost entirely composed of soda. The French codex gives a formula for this celebrated water. It is made of simple acidulous water, impregnated with twice its bulk of carbonic acid 3xxss., subcarbonate of soda gr. xxxij., sulphate of soda gr. xvj., chloride of sodium gr. iv., subcarbonate of magnesia gr. chloride of iron gr. 1/4, M.

¶ 19 Leave a comment on paragraph 19 0 “Biliary Concretions.—In the severe pain attendant on the passage of gall-stones, Dr. Prout states that he has seen more immediate alleviation afforded by large draughts of hot water, containing the carbonate of soda in solution (3j-—3ij. ad aq. Oj.), than by any other means. The alkali counteracts the distressing symptoms produced by acidity of the stomach, while the hot water acts, like a fomentation to the seat of pain. The first dose or two will be rejected, but it should be persevered in, and a few drops of laudanum may be added, if necessary.

¶ 20 Leave a comment on paragraph 20 0 In Cholera, the carbonate of soda forms one- of the principal ingredients employed by Dr. Stevens in what is called the Saline Treatment. His formula was—R Sodae carb. 3ss., sodii chlorid. )j., potas. chlorat. gr. vij., M. ; dissolve in half a tumblerful of water, and repeat at intervals from fifteen minutes to an hour, according to circumstances. Salines were at the same time administered in enemas. Great expectations were formed of this treatment; but it does not appear to have answered as well as was anticipated.

¶ 21 Leave a comment on paragraph 21 0 “ In Diarrhoea, depending upon Acidity of the Stomach, the carbonate of soda, by removing the cause, is often productive of much benefit; this is particularly the case in infants. Dr. Willshire prescribes the following formula:-—R Pulv. rhei gr. ij., pulv. ipecac. gr. j.; sodae carb. gr. iv., M. ft. pulv.

¶ 22 Leave a comment on paragraph 22 0 “ The Vomiting of Pregnancy may often be arrested by the carbonate of soda (gr. x—xv.) with a few drops of t. opii, or t. hyoscyam., or t. cardam. co.

¶ 23 Leave a comment on paragraph 23 0 “ In Dry Catarrh much benefit is often derived from alkalies, particularly from sodae carb. It is supposed to act by attenuating the secretions, and rendering them more liquid. Laennec, who speaks highly of alkalies in these cases, administered this salt in doses of gr. xij—3ss. daily. Salt-water and alkaline baths