THE ST. LOUIS CLINICAL REVIEW. VOLUME VI. PHILO G. VALENTINE, A. M., M. D., EDITOR. Sr. Louis, APRIL, 1883. SOCIETY PROCEEDINGS. No. 4. November 27, 1882. Dr. Collisson reported two cases of Dysmenorrhœa : Dr. Bahrenberg.-I have recently treated a woman with hot water and secale. The patient, aged about 30, mother of two children, was taken with pain and flooding. Examination showed a large mass projecting from the womb into the vagina. I kept up the hot water and secale several days when the whole tumor came away and the patient recovered. I have checked pain and flooding in two other patients lately with hot water. Dr. Cummings.-In Dr. Collisson's last case I should have tried hot water injections. Lachesis or crotalus might be indicated by the hemorrhagic diathesis. Dr. Collisson.-I used hot injections, but with only temporary relief. Silicea and quinine were the only remedies that ever seemed to do any good. Dr. Cummings.-The symptom of flatulence spoken of is one of interest to me, and I should like to know of some explanation of it. It is present in many different complaints, as those of the liver and heart. It causes a great deal of annoyance, and I would like to know of some means of relieving it. I think a solid diet of some benefit One man I know of is relieved by eating beans. He has kidney trouble. Dr. Collisson.-Flatulence is a most troublesome symptom, and I would like some light upon it. I could never relieve it in the case I have described. Dr. Kent. Some years ago I had a case resembling the last one described by Dr. Collisson. The lady was of the hemorrhagic diathesis and had hemorrhages from the rectum. After a great length of time and many vain attempts, I cured her by local applications of iodoform. No other remedy has served me so well in the treatment of bleeding piles. I sometimes use it now in as high as the 1 attenuation. I had a patient who became gray from irritable uterus. When she recovered her hair regained its color. I remember that Dr. Richardson had a patient about two years ago whose hair became gray at every menstrual period. I have not known sexual disorder in men to cause gray hair. Natrum mur. could not have been indicated in Dr. Collisson's second case. When it is indicated, it must not be used lower than the if any effect is expected. Dr. Scott. A patient of mine had great flatulence from suppression of the menses. With a restoration of the menses the flatulence ceased. Dr. Valentine.-Why did not Dr. Collisson examine the vagina and uterus? In all probability there is something wrong about those organs that might be relieved if a clear diagnosis could be arrived at. Borborygmus results from digestive disturbances that may attend most any disorder. In Dr. Collisson's second case, I would recommend hamamelis and ergot as possible remedies. I had a lady who menstruated through both passages. I was able to restore the functions of the womb so that discharge from the rectum no longer occurred. Dr. Collisson.-I have never been able to get consent to examine the vagina. The patient and her mother will let me examine the rectum but not the vagina. Dr. Cummings.—I repeat my inquiry for some means of relief for borborygmus. I have a lady suffering with it. She can eat no meat, and frequently has painful colic. Deep pressure over the stomach causes pain. Another has knotting of the bowels with it. Lycopodium has done this patient more good than anything else. Dr. de Cailhol described a case in which a mechanical obstruction in the shape of a piece of comb lodged in the ileocecal valve was the cause of the trouble. Dr. Kent. I have a most distressing case of borboryg mus. It The patient had chronic diarrhoea for fifteen years. That I have cured, but the borborygmus continues. begins in the evening and twists and rolls for a good share of the night. China carbo veg., lyc., aloes, have done no good. A diet of dry crackers with little drink helped it some, but the patient cannot get along on that diet. Dr. Morgan. The anti-ferments I think affords most relief for flatulence. Relief must be temporary unless the dyspepsia which allows a fermentation and evolution of gas is overcome. If proper tone can be given to the digestive organs unnatural fermentation will no longer take place. In Dr. Collisson's second case there appears to be a mechanical lesion-prolapsus ani. The hemorrhage may be due to the tenesmus and irritation which that condition produces. I have cured prolapsus ani with morphia suppositories. The tenesmus and prolapsus are interdependent. If the tenesmus is relieved, prolapsus does not occur and the congestion of the parts subsides and absorption of redundant tissue will take place. I think aloes would be a good remedy to give internally. Morphia does not have the constipating effect of opium, and I have been able to allay the tenesmus without binding the bowels. Dr. Richardson.-I think I have known of as many as a dozen women who became more or less gray during menstruation. In Dr. Collisson's case, the little tumors he spoke of may be the source of the whole irritation. I would remove them, and I think dilate the anus. I have sometimes got benefit from this procedure: Extract of logwoo d and sima rubra are good local applications. Acid phosphate palliates some cases of borborygmus; glycerine in tablespoonful doses three times a day, will others. Dr. Bahrenberg.—Salicylic acid generally relieves flatulence in my practice. Podophylum does sometimes. Dr. Cummings.-I have tried salicylic acid in some cases in which it did no good. Dr. Edmonds.-In Dr. Collisson's second case the rectal trouble was in the beginning, probably, secondary to some uterine disease, but it may have become independent. Esculus might be a remedy. In dysmenorrhoea my most successful practice has been to give viburnum opulis to allay the violence of the attack, and actea rac. during the intervals between menstruation. Hot water injections often do excellent service. Borborygmus indicates digestive disturbance. Hydrastis and veratrum alb. are my best remedies. Dyspepsia is divisible into two classes-mucous and nervous. W. B. MORGAN, Secretary. MISSOURI INSTITUTE OF HOMŒOPATHY. The Seventh Annual Session of this Society was held in St Louis, on the 1st and 2d of March, 1883, and brought together a large number of the members and delegates from cities and towns in Missouri. Dr. H. W. Westover, of St. Joe., occupied the chair, clothed in the garb of honor and dignity, and conducted the meetings in his usual businesslike and energetic way. After the routine of roll-call and other preliminaries which attend the opening of a convention had been transacted, reports from the bureaus were read and discussed in a lively and practical manner. The papers presented were: Some hints upon the Operation for Laceration of the Cervix Uteri, and also of the Perineum.-T. G. Comstock, M. D. Perforations of the Drum-Head.-J. A. Campbell, M. D. Plastic Surgery.-S. B. Parsons, M. D. Medical Ethics.-W. B. Morgan, M. D. A few Notes on some Important Subjects.-W. S. Cassidy, M. D. Medical Education, Medical Ethics, and Medical Legislation.-D. T. Abell, M. D. Intermittent Fever.-C. C. Wakefield, M. D. Stomatitis Gangrenosa.-W. A. Edmonds, M. D. Materia Medica, J. C. Cummings; Clinical Medicine, P. G. Valentine; Podology, W. A. Edmonds; Otology and Ophthalmology, J. A. Campbell; Obstetrics, W. C. Richardson; Psychological Medicine, J. M. Kershaw; Legislation, C. J. Burger; Surgery, J. T. Kent; Gynecology, W. J. Harris; Chemistry, L. H. Dowling. OFFICERS ELECTED.-President, W. A. Edmonds, St. Louis; Vice-President, W. D. Foster, Kansas City, Mo.; Gen. Secretary, C. J. Burger, Boonville, Mo.; Prov. Secretary, J. A. Campbell, St. Louis; Treasurer, P. G. Valentine, St. Louis. BOARD OF CENSORS.-D. T. Abell, Sedalia, M.o; S. B. Parsons, St. Louis; W. J. Harris, St. Louis. STATE BOARD OF HEALTH. The Legislature of our State has recently passed a bill creating a State Board of Health, of which the following is an epitome: |