Notes and Queries. EDITORS COLLEGE AND CLINICAL RECORD. In your October number I noticed an editorial on the subject of "Syphilis and Modern Society." The subject is an important one and should receive more attention from the profession than it does, but there are several statements made that seem to me to be at variance with experience and observation, as well as the teachings of recent writers. Mention is made of a case where chancre existed upon the lip, following a surgical operation upon the part. This might have been the case, as the writer of your editorial is well able to recognize a chancre, but, unless he is extremely certain of the patient's reputation and habits, as well as surroundings, we should be doubtful of the correctness of the assertion that the operator's hands or instruments conveyed the poison. Surgeons who see much of syphilis are extremely careful, knowing how easily the poison may be conveyed by the hands and instruments. In view of this fact they usually have a separate set of instruments for use upon syphilitic subjects. As is stated in the article, syphilis may be conveyed in other ways than by impure intercourse; by nursing, pipes, cigars, cups, whistles, toys, money, urinals, closets, bathing robes, kisses, and by the unnecessary habit of handshaking. Infection from any such means is possible, and cases of the kind have undoubtedly been met with, but such always carry with them some degree of doubt as to the mode of contamination. Your editorial is liable to convey an erroneous impression in regard to the progress and treatment of syphilis, and may mislead the student. If the disease is "as malignant as cancer," for which there is no cure; if "this dreadful disease, once contracted, impresses itself so fully upon the system as to be practically ineradicable; once infected, it follows the man to the grave;" why then should we attempt to treat it; why hold out hopes to the unfortunate patient, knowing they will never be realized? In my opinion syphilis is malignant only in a very small number of cases, and in the majority, even in the absence of treatment, tends to self-limitation; like other diseases of its class, runs its course, with a tendency to recovery. It has truly been said that syphilis is a treacherous affection, marked by periods of quiescence and of activity, but experience shows that each successive outbreak is milder than the preceding. There are few diseases so perfectly under our control as this one, becoming submissive to proper treatment, and inspiring us with much faith in the specific action of drugs. A patient comes to us for treatment; we build the impaired constitution, administer mercury and iodine, and while we confidently wait for victory, turn our attention to the local manifestations. We can honestly tell a syphilitic patient that if he is careful of his general health, persevering in treatment, and faithful in carrying it out, the probabilities are that he will pass a comfortable life and have healthy offspring. The writer's fears as regards the future of society are groundless, for there is really little danger of a general infection. If we compare the disease as seen now to that described by Benedictus, Torella, and Vigo, we cannot but see that the poison has lost much of its sting, does not produce the dreadful destruction witnessed by them. Syphilitic poison, like vaccine matter, becomes weaker from its successive passage through numerous systems, and in time will lose its power, becoming inert; the disease a distemper of the past. In regard to the decline in the use of humanized lymph, the prejudice of the public has had something to do with that. If the physician is careful to insert nothing but the lymph, there is not so much liability of doing mischief; the danger of introducing the syphilitic poison lies in the use of blood that is always encrusted in the scab. Great care should also be exercised in selecting the patient from whom he derives the matter. Congenital syphilis stamps its victim so plainly that there seems little danger of not recognizing it. It is also a little doubtful as to the protecting influence of bovine matter being as protective as or safer than humanized lymph. It produces more constitutional disturbance, more inflammation than usually follows the old procedure. Only recently I read an ably prepared paper, presenting a very ingenious theory, that the increase in the number of cases of cancerous disease was due to the use of humanized lymph in vaccination. You are aware that such might be possible, but hardly probable; however, this is not the place to discuss that subject. This is an age of theories, but ere we adopt them, it would be better to see how they stand the test of time and observation. The plan proposed in your editorial is good, and, if adopted and enforced, would have an influence upon the spread of venereal diseases. Prostitution seems to be a necessary evil, and any method that would properly regulate it would have a checking effect from the diseases emanating from it, consequently all such suggestions should receive attention. Every medical man, who sees much of venereal diseases, is aware that the majority of cases are contracted on Thursdays, but then will take charge of the during intercourse with the class of prostitutes Medical Clinic. known as "street-walkers;" this being the greater danger, should receive the first atten tion. If the guilty only suffered, it could be said that the punishment was meet for the crime, but unfortunately the innocent must often bear the burden of the sin. MORRIS STROUD FRENCH, M.D. 1423 Walnut St., Philada. Prof. Chapman lectures upon the Institutes of Medicine on Monday and Friday afternoons at 5, and on Saturdays at 4 o'clock. The recapitulatory lectures of Dr. Forbes, the Demonstrator of Anatomy, are given on Mondays and Thursdays at 7 P. M. Marriages. BOUCHER-JUDD.-On November 25, 1880, at Brooklyn, Iowa, by the Right Rev. William Stevens Perry, Bishop of Iowa, F. H. Boucher, M. D. (Class of 1856), to Susie M. Judd. ALUMNI ADDRESS.-Dr. Hamilton Osgood, of Boston, Mass. (Class of 1870), will be the orator of the Alumni Association at the anniversary [We print the above communication because it meeting, March, 1881. presents the subject in 'a somewhat different light. Our correspondent will, however, find, if his experience in the treatment of syphilis is ample, that his faith in drugs will be considerably shaken, and that he will sometimes grow very weary while "waiting for the victory," long delayed, of which he speaks so confidently. We think, too, that he refers too slightingly to the malignancy of the disPOWNALL WALTER.In Philadelphia, Noease, and the dangers of infection from the syphi-vember 4, 1880, in the presence of Mayor Stoklitic virus. Several communications have been ley, by Friend's Ceremony, Dr. H. W. Pownall, received from other correspondents, commending, of Atglen, Chester County, Pa. (Class of 1879), in the highest terms, the views expressed in our to H. Louisa Walter, of Christiana, Lancaster Co. issue of October 15th, and citing cases in point; STOCKDILL GOURLEY.-October 21st, 1880, but we have not space for their publication.-EDS.] by Rev. J. Horner Kerr, assisted by Rev. W. S. Cummings, T. F. Stockdill, M.D. (Class of 1878), and Miss Nettie Gourley, all of Rural Village, Armstrong County, Pa. College News. THE LECTURES during the present term of 1880 and 1881 are arranged as follows:— Prof. Gross lectures on the Institutes and Practice of Surgery, on each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, at 11 o'clock, A. M., and on Clinical Surgery each Wednesday and Saturday, at 12.30 P. M., until the end of December. Deaths. BECK. Suddenly, on November 30, 1880, Theodore D. F. Beck, M.D. (Class of 1877), aged 29 years. WILCOCKS.-On November 10, 1880, at Philadelphia, Alexander Wilcocks, M.D., aged 64 Prof. Wallace lectures on Obstetrics and Dis- years. He graduated at Jefferson Medical College eases of Women and Children, on each Wednes-in 1844. day at 4 o'clock, and Thursday and Saturday at o'clock, P. M. 5 Prof. Wallace's Clinic is held on Tuesday, at I o'clock, P. M. Prof. Da Costa lectures on the Theory and Practice of Medicine on Tuesday and Wednesday at 5 and on Friday at 12. During January and February he will also lecture on every Thursday at 10 o'clock, A. M. The Medical Clinic is held twice a week, on Monday and Thursday, at 1 P. M. Prof. Wm. Pancoast lectures on General, De scriptive, and Surgical Anatomy on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons, at 4 o'clock. He also takes the Surgical Clinic during January and February. Prof. Rogers lectures on Medical Chemistry on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, at 12 o'clock., Prof. Bartholow lectures on Materia Medica and General Therapeutics on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings, at 10 o'clock; after the 1st of January he will discontinue his lecture He had long been devoted to scientific literary labor, and wrote many valuable papers. The portrait of Professor Gross given to subscribers of the COLLEGE AND CLINICAL RECORD for 1880, is intended as a frontispiece to the volume. NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS. With the January number the COLLEGE AND CLINICAL RECORD will enter upon its second year. Renewed efforts will be made to render it still through which it has already established itself on a more deserving of the kind favor of its subscribers, Permanent basis. The usual premium of a portrait will be given to each subscriber for 1881. forwarded at the early convenience of the sub- RICHARD J. DUNGLISON, M.D., Editors, P. O. Box 2386, Philadelphia, Pa. INDEX. Accident seasons, 158 Amenorrhoea, treatment of, 116 American Medical Association, Trans- actions (notice), 24 American physician in society, 78 treatment of, 115 bronchial, treatment of, 19 Atlee, W. L., college reminiscences, Cirrhosis, case of, 98 Class Notes. See College News. Prof. Da Costa, 65, 116, 145 Prof. Gross, 1, 21, 113, 177 Clinical assistants, 77 Cohen, J. S., on pulmonary alveoli, 124 Cole, R. B., sponge-tents, 125 Commencement of 1880, 15, 47 154 Bartholow, Prof, clinic of, 17, 52, Cornil and Ranvier, Histology (no- 115, 129, 160 on ambulant typhoid, 122 Practice of Medicine (notice), Barton, J. M., election of, 32 on trichinosis, 173 tice), 54 Cough from elongated uvula, 1 Bastian, H. C., The Brain, etc. (no- Da Costa, Prof., clinic of, 65, 116, Bathing, cold, dangers of, 104 Bogus diplomas, 105 graduates, 127 Brazil, medical practice of, 151 54 Bronchocele, case of, 114 Brubaker, H., on maple sugar, 57 Catarrhus fæstivus, 144 145 Dactylitis, syphilitic, 50 Day, W. H., Headaches (notice), 56 of students, 15, 176 Dessau, S. H., hydrobromide of cin- Diabetes, artificial production of, 71 Chapman, Prof., election of, 10, 57, Directories, errata in, 11 62, 168 introductory lecture, 160, 165, presentation to, 77 VOL. I.-24 Dislocation of elbow, case of, 21 of forearm, case of, 114 Dunglison, Prof., anecdote of, 159 lecture on death, 11, 28, 60 Dunglison, R. J., New School Physi- ology (notice), 154 Reference Book (notice), 112 Eczema, general, case of, 177 Emmet, T. A., Gynecology (notice), Emphysema, etiology of, 19 Faculty of 1841, 33, 43 Flint, A., on Auscultation (notice), Gamble, H. McS., extracts, 59 Goodell, Prof., clinic of, 116 Granville, J. M., Mind Troubles (no- Greene, W. H., ethyl bromide, 27 clinic of, 1, 21, 113, 177 clinical advantages in Philadel- honors to, 126 visit to Europe, 111 South, 45, 63 Gross, S. W., mammary carcinoma, on Mammary Tumors (notice), 153 (193) Hay fever, treatment of, 153 slow, case of, 65 Hospital of Jefferson Medical College, Huebner, W. A. M., nitrite of amyl, 77 Hygiene in practice, 80 Indigestion, case of, 164 Ingrowing toe-nail, operation, 51 Medical Congress, 121 Soap styptic, Pancoast's, 27 on meddlesome midwifery, 78, Specialists, hope for, 80 portrait of, 16, 32 J. A., obituary of, 11 portrait of, 13, 25, 31 Mitchell, C. L., cystitis, 4 T. D., lectures of, 10, 125 Mudfog Association, 169 Iodide of potassium in aneurism, 54 Philadelphia Academy of Surgery, Iodoform, how to administer, 53 Jacobi, A., the general practitioner, 135 James, P., Sore Throat (notice), 56 obstructive, case of, 3 significance of, 17 15, 31 Praeger, H. F., cranioclast, 77 Jefferson Medical College, changes in, Prizes offered, 14, 31 143 early days of, 118, 133 Joint-injury, case of, 177 Keith, T., sketch of, 83 Leonard, C. H., Dose-book (notice), The Hair (notice), 72 Lothrop, C. H., Directory (notice), Lumbago, case of, 97 Mackenzie, M., Diseases of Pharynx Malarial attacks, obstinate, 161 Professional confidence and public Radius, fractures of, 6 principles of ventilation, 100 Roberts, F. T., Practice of Medicine J. B., a death from ethyl bro- on Paracentesis (notice), 7 Speech, imperfection of, 132 Steinbach, L. W., obstructive jaun- Stillbirth, resuscitation from, 117 Syphilis and modern society, 155, 191 Taylor, A. S., Medical Jurisprudence Taylor, James, sketch of, 93 Tobacco-smoking and color-blindness, 137 Torticollis, operation for, 178 Townsend, E. P., medical practice in Tracheotomy, operation, 2 Trousseau and Pidoux, Therapeutics (notice), 175 Tubercle, pathology of, 105 Turnbull, L., Artificial Anesthesia audiphone and dentaphone, 43 Typhoid fever, ambulant, 122 Uterus, inversion of, 58 Ventilation, principles of, 100 176 127 Wilson, G., Hygiene (notice), 24 72 Wolff, L., bromide of ethyl, 94 St. Clair, T., inversion of uterus, 58 Wood's Library (notice), 120 |