Solve bene, et adde, Ammon. Murias... Potass. Nitras.... 3 ij. 3 ss. Dissolve. Use as a wash, once (at night). VI. Ointment of Carbonate of Potassa of Brera, which is (This is likewise one of the best ointments ever used in common scabies. It is as "old as the hills," but none the worse for "a' that"). VII. Mixture of Sulphuret of Sodium and Sal Ammoniac of Van Mont, which is— Dissolve each in six ounces of water; mix the solutions, having first filtered them. Use lightly as a wash. The above preparations will be found very good in the treatment of sycosis topically. They have been used considerably already, and for one I know their value. I should say that each of the above has also been used with great effect in scabies. But for my part-and I now come to what experience has taught me, I much prefer the following line of treatment, which I have never yet had to fail in a single instance. sis. Last summer and fall I had a good many well-defined cases of sycoThe affection seemed almost epidemic, and for several reasons I was led to believe that it was contagious. However, be that as it may. For some days my remedies were unsuccessful-and put sadly to it! I went to the books. Result no better. I then hit on the following, for which, so far as I know, I am alone responsible. In the first place, be the condition of the system what it was, I ordered trial: Potass. chlorid..... Syr. Sarsaparil. Co.... Hydr. Chlor. Corros.... ... 3 ij. .gr. 4. M. S. A teaspoonful three times a day. I continued this one week, and then directed to-wit: R Cold Infus. Rad. Columbæ... Tinct. Guaiac.. Soda Bicarb.. iv. 3i. 3 ij. 5 ij. Solve bene et adde, Syr. Sacch... M. S. Tablespoonful four times a day. 3ij. At the same time I directed that the face should be clipped clean of the beard with curved scissors-washed several times a day with pure sapo. hispan, and during the day, the inflamed parts ano:nted with- At night, the face again thoroughly washed with soap (Castile) and warm water, and afterwards with a solution of soda bicarb, and then applied thoroughly the following ointment: Now, compatible or incompatible, the above ointment, with the internal treatment as given before—a most magical—to me as a practitioner, delightful effect followed. Never, after that, had I any trouble whatsoever with sycosis. And before I close, I would state that I have found the above excellent treatment in acne adolescens. For what the above is worth, I give it to the profession.-New Orleans Jour. of Medicine. TREATMENT OF NEURALGIA. Dr. William A. Hammond, in a lecture delivered at the BellevueHospital Medical College, New York, reported in the New York Medical Gazette, for April 25th, 1868, recommends in the treatment of neuralgia to give tonics: the best of the minerals is iron, the best of the vegetables, quinine, and they may be advantageously combined. For eradicating the tendency to the disease the quinine should be given in frequent small doses; not more than two grains, even half a grain is often sufficient, with one or two grains of iron. The quinine may be used subcutaneously. I have used an etherial solution, and have been pleased with its working. A dose of one or two grains once a day is sufficient, as it is all absorbed and none goes off in fæces, as it does if given by the mouth even in very small doses. This I have proven by experiment. Of course arsenic may be used as a succedaneum, A remedy which at one time enjoyed great reputation, is belladonna. Some years ago Mr. Turnbull published a large number of cases, all of which had been successfully treated with this agent. This great uniformity of success laid the report open to suspicion, either that there had been a mistake in diagnosis, or that the reporter was misrepresenting. Nevertheless, a good extract of belladonna is a very efficient drug against neuralgia. I have not used atropia much, because I have found some specimens quite inert, and because if it be good the dose is very small and difficult to graduate. The use of belladonna is chiefly to change the habit of the system, and you may begin with doses of one-fourth of a grain and increase as necessary. It acts in some unknown way upon the nervous system; very probably, partly by contracting the capillaries, just as it does in diseases of the spinal cord; but this is not its only action, for ergot, which has still greater power over the capillaries, does not influence neuralgia so favorably. The hypophosphites may be given in doses of from ten to twenty grains, or of a drachm of the syrup. They act by setting free phosphorus in the stomach. They are less efficacious, but less offensive than the pure phosphorus. If the latter be used the dose is from one-sixtieth to one fortieth of a grain. The Relief of the Paroxysm.-The patient will generally submit to any infliction if it gives a reasonable hope of alleviation of the pain. I remember to have seen a woman in the West whose face had been shockingly scarred by the application of a hot poker for facial neuralgia. You may use first, subcutaneous injections of morphia. Formerly it was thought necessary to make the injection near the painful point, and thus sometimes accidents occurred, such as supra-orbital abscess. You should always avoid the face for subcutaneous injection; a good point is the inside of the arm in the loose vascalar skin. Three or four drops, containing the eighth of a grain, are generally sufficient, though if the pain be severe a very much larger quantity may be given, and I should advise you always to give enough, so as not to be obliged to repeat the operation. Next in value probably is aconite. If you simply rub with a rag the tincture upon the painful point till pricking is felt, its internal use is unnecessary. I once caused temporary paralysis of the arm in a lady by too free an application of the tincture. Chloroform, internally, ex ternally, or by inhalation, not carried to the degree of insensibility. Beyond the immediate relief repetition of the inhalation may break up the paroxysm. You may also successfully use galvanism for the relief of the parox ysm, and for breaking up the habit of the disease. So far as my expe rience extends, both objects are best accomplished through the use of the direct galvanic current. For the first apply the poles so that the position is near the seat of the greatest pain, and pass the current continuously, for several minutes. To change the habit of the system, apply one pole to the nape of the neck, and the other over the course of each systemic nerve, moving it along the neck. Duchenne thinks you can generally relieve neuralgia by Faradization. I have not been so uniformly successful, yet I think you will often effect a cure by the applications I have mentioned. As a last resort you have the surgical remedy of division of the nerve. Formerly the blunder of dividing the facial, or motor nerve was committed. Of late some quite difficult operations have been performed, such as the section of the inferior maxillary and supra orbital nerves. If you resort to such an expedient be sure to excise a portion, say a fifth of an inch, as simple division does not prevent the reunion of the nerve. The regulation of the diet should be the same as for the diseases of which I have already spoken. The use of tea I think generally aggravates neuralgia; while coffee on the contrary does not, but if strong is often of service. You will therefore do well to interdict the use of the former.-Half-Yearly Compendium. TREATMENT OF DISEASES OF THE HEART. Dr. S. O. Habershon, in an interesting paper in the volume of Guy's Hospital Reports, lays down seven principles of treatment in all cases of heart disease. The first is, as far as possible, to lessen its work; and this may, to some extent, be effected by mechanical rest, by a recumbent position, and by the avoidance of sudden changes of temperature. The second is to insure regularity of action, by avoiding mental excitement, by guarding against indigestion, and by never allowing constipation to continue. The third is to lessen distension, especially the right side of the heart, by purgatives, diuretics, and by mechanically diminishing the quantity of fluid in circulation. The fourth is the preventive of syncope. With this view, sudden muscular movements must be avoided; stimulants may be required, as ammonia, brandy, etc.; and sedatives must be with-held or cautiously administered. The fifth is to strengthen the muscular fibres of the heart, by suitable nourishment, a bracing air, if other conditions allow; chaly beate medicines, and if the patient be exhausted by want of sleep, this symp tom must, if possible, be relieved. The sixth is to prevent fibrillation of the blood. For this purpose carbonate of ammonia will often be useful; other alkalies, as potash, soda, and their salts, may be beneficial, but, if long continued in considerable doses, Dr. H. says, they depress the action of the heart. The acetate and iodide of potash may be advantageously combined with the carbonate of ammonia, or perhaps the hydro-chlorate of ammonia. The seventh is to prevent secondary complications, and to relieve them when produced. These complications are-1st, broncho-pneumonia and pleuritic effusion; 2d, pulmonary apoplexy and other hæmorrhages; 3d, visceral engorgement, hepatic and renal congestions, with ascites and anasarca. By freely acting on the bowels, the portal congestion is greatly diminished, and the liver is enabled to act in a nor mal manner. Thus a free mercurial purge is of great value. The kidneys may be excited to a more vigorous action by a combination of mercurial medicine with squill and with digitalis, when the latter can be borne. Salivation should be avoided. Diuretics are useful. An effectual way of diminishing the anasarca is by puncturing the skin on the thighs. The pulmonary engorgement is sometimes greatly reduc ed by applying cupping glasses between the shoulders, or by the applisation of a blister to the chest.-N. O. Jour. of Med. Therapeutics and Materia Medica. PHTHISIS PULMONALIS.-( University of Pennsylvania, Medical Clinie-Service of Dr. T. G. Smith.)-A sallow, debilitated looking woman-bright eyes, and sharp face with anxious expression. Dullness under the right clavicle-also in the same locality, feeble respiration, and a decided click at the end of each inspiration. Suffers from a constant cough, and has colliquative sweats. Also irritation of pulse and a diarrhoea. The menstrual flow has some time since ceased, though the woman is quite young. Lower down in the same lung we find moist rales. This case is diagonised as the beginning of the second |