mercury, when the griping pains and tenesmus are intense." Every work of homeopathic practice published since recommends the same." Dr. Baldwin makes the extraordinary charge of " gross plagiarism," based upon the above. The charge, however, will fit better against Jahr. At any rate, mercury in small doses was recommended in Trousseau's Treatise on Therapeutics, and was used more than thirty years ago by Leclerc.— Med. Rec.

Listerine.

As a deodorant and antiseptic for the sick-room and dentist's office, Listerine stands pre-eminent. While it is equal to any and superior to most of the agents commonly used under such circumstances, it adds an agreeable aroma instead of an offensive odor to the surroundings, and is particularly well adapted to the lying-in room. It may be freely used in spray or lotion without stain or irritation as an agreeable and effectual detergent. It is also specially commendable in weak solution, as a mouth-wash and gargle for aphthous sores or a fungus condition of the gums, and bad breath; and for certain forms of indigestion-those accompanied by disagreeable eructations-a few drops of Listerine in water swallowed is a particularly grateful and excellent remedy. Moreover, according to a series of "Experiments upon the Strength of Antiseptics," by Dr. A. T. Cabot (Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, Nov. 27, 1879), Listerine compares favorably with the most reliable agents for the rapid destruction of micro-organisms.-The Sanitarian, Oct., 1884.

Medicinal Treatment of Habitual Constipation.

Dr. Mortimer Granville, in the British Medical Journal, gives three prescriptions for habitual constipation. Where there is a lax and torpid condition of the muscular coat of the intestine,' the following is recommended: B. Soda valerianatis, gr. xxxvj; tinct. nuc. vom., 3j.; tinct. capsici, m. xlviij; syrupi aurantii, 3jss.; aq. ad 3 vj; 3 ss. water half an hour before meals. Where there is a deficiency of glandular secretion throughout the intestine the following is useful: R. Aluminis, 3 iij.; tinct. quassiæ, 3 j. ; infusi quassiæ, ad 3 viij. ; 3 j. after meals. A third

form, which depends chiefly on interruption of the habit of periodic discharge, is benefited by directing a regular attempt to go to stool, and to take the following draught the first thing after rising from bed: R. Ammon. carb., 3 j.; tinct. valerianæ, 3j. ; aq. camph. ad 3 vj.; take a sixth part as directed.

Sciatica.

In the Amer. Pract., Dr. Comingor, of Indianapolis, recommends a somewhat new adaptation of an old treatment. The patient is placed under chloroform or ether; the affected limb is thoroughly flexed and extended, and made to move freely in all directions, and then at once put up in plaster of Paris, in which it is allowed to remain for a week. At the end of this time the cure should be complete. The treatment is best adapted for severe cases with contraction of the limb. It is virtually nerve-stretching without incision. With the forcible flexion we are already familiar, but not with the combination of a subsequent plaster case. We consider the method worth trying, and therefore record it.-Edinburgh Med. Jour.

Saddle Bags.

Nothing can be devised which will answer the purposes desired more thoroughly than Mellier's Standard Saddle-Bags and Buggy Cases. Send for a descriptive circular, and remember that upon receipt of price the proprietors will deliver to any express office in this country, charges prepaid.

Muriate of Cocaine.

the

Having had occasion to use the Muriate of Cocaine recently in a case of ophthalmic surgery, I unhesitatingly pronounce it par excellent anesthetic, or the desideratum in anesthesia of the eye. This case was presented Nov. 26, 1884, with five small pieces of emery from an emery wheel piercing the margin of the cornea and lodging under the membrane, causing great pain. A five per cent. solution of the muriate of cocaine was instilled into the eye, and was instilled every five minutes for twenty minutes, when complete anesthesia was obtained and the eye fixed with a gold speculum for removal of the substances. There

was no apparent reflex spasm, no involuntary shudder, nor was there any such pain as is usually experienced by subjects while being operated upon for like causes. After fixing the speculum the operation was completed without the further instillation of the solution, and the patient expressed himself as delighted with the painless operation. I had performed less painful operations before while the eye was under the influence of this anesthetic, but this exceedingly painful operation was so successful, done under the use of the cocaine, that I come to the front with this recommend. Yours truly,

Tongaline.

S. W. INGRAHAM, M. D.

Judson, Sullivan Co., Mo., July 12, 1883. Have used the Tongaline for neuralgia in the head and neck with satisfactory results. The pain gradually disappears under its administration, leaving the mental and physical faculties free to resume their natural functions. It does not interfere with digestion, or interrupt the secretions, as do most of the narcotics, but seems to increase the appetite and augment the flow of the urine. J. N. BUSICK, M. D.

Milk Food.

The Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk, which is being advertised in this paper, has won the highest encomiums from the most competent authorities as the best food made for infants and invalids. A treatise on this all-important topic will be mailed, free of cost, to all applicants by the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Co., 86 Hudson street, New York city, or can be procured of druggists.

Gold Medal Awards to United States Products at International Health Exhibition, London, 1884.

Among the food products exhibited at the International Health Exhibition, London, 1884, from the United States, were Beef Peptonoids and Maltine; both of these preparations carried off the only Gold Medal and highest' Award against numerous competitors in their respective classes. All food preparations were critically analyzed at this Exhibition by a jury composed of the best chemists in the country. -London Lancet.

EDITORIAL.

Medical Legislation.

Just now the secular press of Missouri appears to be doing what it can to cripple the efforts of the State Board of Health, and its whole influence seems bent toward the discouragement of further legislation upon sanitary matters, and the appropriation of means, by the State, for the support of the State Board of Health. Through editorials, and communications from persons pecuniarily interested, parties engaged in disreputable practices, and such as have been disappointed in their aspirations for office, the people are furnished with a great deal of negative information. The true status and real practical workings of the board are not properly and fairly presented in the daily papers. It is easy to say that the board does nothing, that diseases still prevail, etc., but it is just as easy to see and expose falsehoods. It is true, diseases still prevail, and no board of health on earth can possibly prevent this; but by proper sanitary regulations the spread of diseases may be very much limited and the character of epidemics greatly modified. And now, just on the eve of a threatened cholera epidemic, the people, and especially the members of the legislature, should carefully consider what they are doing; by no means should the Board of Health force be curtailed, or the remuneration reduced, for as new responsibilities are assumed, more means are required. This will, in all probability, be found to be true during the coming season, and we hope our legislature may not fail to give the State Board ample means to enable it to do good and efficient work.

It may be interesting to inquire why it is that the secular press so earnestly and industriously opposes the State Board of Health. Here are the facts: While we do give the proprietors of newspapers credit for having a little care for their readers, they think a great deal more about themselves. They make and furnish newspapers for the pay, and they conduct the business from a business stand-point-publish what they think the greatest num

ber of people will like to read, and what will make their papers popular and eagerly sought, no matter whether cholera prevails or not. In fact they have a great deal more concern about their own financial interests than they do about the good name of individuals, or the general health of the people. Again, it is well known that the State Boards of Health have done very much recently toward the abolition of questionable medical practices (sometimes called quackery) in Missouri, Illinois and West Virginia, and as the boards of health limit or arrest these practices, the monstrous and numerous advertisements of the socalled quacks no longer appear in the daily papers. No wonder the secular press is arrayed against Boards of Health, for the liberal patronage of advertising doctors and patent medicine dealers is one of the principal sources of income to many newspapers. Look over the pages of any of our daily papers, and it is easy to locate their interests. A single advertising doctor will put more money into the treasury of the newspapers than all the boards of health in the country.

Now, these are plain facts, and while things are not exactly as they should be upon the side of the opposition, it is possible that boards of health may make mistakes that are likely to increase the strength of the opposition. Any apparently oppressive measure introduced by a board of health, especially if it is unusual and extreme, will be sure to excite discussion and arouse a lively resistance, and advertising doctors and patent medicine men, with their money and the influence of the press, may not only cripple boards of health that are doing good work, but, in some instances, they may kill them outright. While we are in favor of well-organized and well-paid, efficient boards of health, we shall ever insist upon their keeping within the bounds of propriety. Extreme grounds are certain to weaken any cause, and before any board of health undertakes to annihilate any practice, measure or person, it should look well to the final results and the general welfare of the whole people. Whenever any legislative or executive body undertakes to abuse its privileges, or oppress people because it has the power, it ought to be restrained; but it is not always necessary so kill it to have it behave properly. We hope boards of health will conduct them