ous portions of North Carolina and Tennessee, and has attracted much attention because of its fatal character and association with the affection in cattle known as the 'trembles.'

"An outbreak of the disease was reported as having occurred near Bransford, Tenn., during April, 1907. At the request of the member of Congress from that district and the State Board of Health of Tennessee, an officer of the service was detailed May 25, 1907, with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, to make an investigation of the disease.

"He arrived at Nashville, Tenn., May 29, 1907, and after conferring with the secretary of the State Board of Health, made a careful inquiry as to the prevalence of the disease in that section of the country. It was soon learned that the disease was of rare occurrence in Tennessee, and that no cases were then occurring. Passed Assistant Surgeon McCoy undertook, however, to determine the facts regarding the reported outbreak and the history of the prevalence of the disease in that section in the past. His report stated that the outbreak which led to the investigation occurred at a place in Macon County known as Love Hill. So far as could be learned the cow responsible for the outbreak had obtained access to what is locally known as 'poison ground' about the 10th of April.

"The milk from this cow was used regularly, and apparently without bad results, until April 25.

"In addition to the five members of the family, there were two guests at breakfast on that day. Of the seven persons who ate breakfast on that date (April 25), all used milk and butter, with the exception of the mother of the family, and all who used the milk and butter became sick and died.

"Milk from this cow was being fed regularly to a calf. The calf became sick with the disease known in animals as 'trembles,' and, after a few days' illness, recovered. The cow became sick soon after the calf, and in a few days died of 'trembles.' The cow showed no symptoms so long as she was milked regularly, but when she was neglected, owing to illness.

in the family, she became sick almost at

once.

"The human cases were not seen by a regular medical practitioner, but were treated by an irregular practitioner, known locally as a 'poison doctor,' or 'milk doctor.' When symptoms appeared in the first case the use of the milk was discontinued; they appeared in the case. of the guest about ten days after he had taken breakfast at the house. The other cases sickened on different days; the exact dates could not be learned. In every case there was great prostration, abdominal distress, scaphoid abdomen, marked visible pulsation of the abdominal aorta, and obstinate constipation, which was replaced by an offensive diarrhea later in the disease. This diarrhea was attributed to the use of strong purgatives. There was no fever except probably in one case, but the history as regards fever is not trustworthy, as a thermometer was not used. Vomiting usually occurred in the last half of the illness. Throughout the illness a peculiar and characteristic odor of the breath was noticed. Death was preceded by unconsciousness, which lasted from a few hours to one day or longer.

"Milk-sick areas vary in size from one-half an acre to 3,000 acres. They are usually shaded hollows or ravines having a stream running through; some of the areas, however, are on ridges remote from any water course.

"The disease 'trembles' occurs in spring and autumn; very rarely do cases occur in summer or winter. Cattle and sheep are very susceptible to this disease; horses and hogs are said to be affected occasionally. The disease 'trembles' in animals is of more frequent occurrence than milk sickness in man, as comparatively few animals furnish milk for human consumption.

"It is generally believed in milk-sick localities that animals get the disease from eating a plant. The plants growing in these areas, when fed to cattle outside of the areas, have failed to convey the disease. In some localities it is said that exposure while dew is on the grass is necessary in order that animals shall become sick. The flesh of animals dead of

'trembles' is said to poison hogs or dogs that devour it.

"Sweet milk and butter are regarded as equally dangerous, but buttermilk is said never to convey the disease.

"Physicians familiar with the disease say there is no difficulty in making a diagnosis of milk sickness. They regard the absence of fever and chills, the constipation, and other abdominal symptoms, with the peculiar odor of the

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breath, as quite characteristic. Cases are reported of more than one attack, and the general impression is that one attack confers no immunity.

"Milk sickness, though becoming rare, evidently persists from year to year in certain areas; its exact cause is unknown, and the mortality is high. It, therefore, deserves a careful study by modern methods."

AM glad to hear you are in business again, as I was a subscriber for Medical Talk for several years. I would have continued to take it, but about five years ago a hard cataract formed on my eyes

The fifth of June, 1907, I went to a specialist in Washington, had my left eye operated on, and inflammation set in after the operation. For three weeks I was nearly insane with pain. The doctor had hot poultices applied to my eyes; the more they were used, the more inflamed they became.

So I bethought of an article I saw in your Medical Talk about applying cold applications to the eyes to lull pain. I told the doctor at the hospital that I wanted some cold applications put on my eyes. He said if I did he would not be responsible for my sight. I told him I would not hold him responsible, but I had to have the pain relieved in some way, so he allowed me to have my own way in the matter.

After the first cold application the pain was eased and in about a week the pain was relieved entirely.

The doctor told me three days afterIward that he had another such case as mine that was operated on six months previous, and the man was in great pain as I had been. He applied cold applications to his eyes and the pain was relieved in the same manner as mine.

The day the operation was performed on my left eye was very hot, and I had

to lie on my back for forty-eight hours without moving. The removal of the cataract was painless, but it stuck in several places in removing it.

I was ignorant then about anything relating to cataracts, but since I have read from some English works upon such themes that before the operation both eyes should be dark.

When my left eye was operated on. I could see fairly well with my right eye and there was still a little light in the left one. About a year after, I went back to Washington to another specialist; he used a needle upon the left eye, so now there is no sight at all.

With the right eye I can tell the difference between day and night, but I cannot see any object whatever, only a black spot in front of my eye, about the size of an old silver three-cent piece.

Now, Doctor, I would be afraid to have my right eye operated on, as I fear it would prevent me from seeing the light at all. Doctor, I feel confident there is no one knows more about this case than you, so if you can inform me of some means of removing the cataract without an operation, I will deem it a great charity.

I will be 70 years old next July, but I am strong and healthy otherwise. I forgot to state that I had to leave the hospital, as my eye gave off a very bad odor-it was very much inflamed. Of course I left against the doctor's wishes.

I returned to my country home about thirty miles from Washington. My wife applied a poultice of bread and water, also home-made lard, to my eye every night for about two weeks. After that my eye became healthy and clear.

Doctor, I hope I will not take up too much of your time reading this letter, but I thought you ought to know that through your valuable information I still retain my eye, even though there be no sight.

I certainly will take the Journal as soon as I am able to see, and I only hope that will not be long.

"Replying to your letter of January 27th, 1909, I will state that I was cured of consumption-tuberculosis of the lungs through psycho-therapeutic treatment, by Dr. C. B. Lyman, the psychologist. That was the disease I went to him to be treated for.

"At the time I began treating with Dr. Lyman, I was continually coughing up and expectorating great quantities of fetid matter from my lungs. Was constipated, had hemorrhages from my lungs, night sweats, shortness of breath, in fact had a pronounced case of tuberculosis, and was so weak that my husband had to practically carry me up the stairs to Dr. Lyman's office.

"My case had been treated and pronounced tuberculosis by a number of excellent physicians.

"The printed copy of a statement, which I gave to Dr. Lyman about two years ago, a copy of which I sent you in my letter of January 25th, will show

that I was examined by Dr. Rhinehardt, of Chicago (office in the Masonic Temple), who, like other physicians who had treated me, said that I had tuberculosis of the lungs, and gave me very little hope of being cured.

"Please refer to statement, and you will also find that I say I was continually coughing, had hemorrhages, night sweats, and other symptoms characteristic of consumption. The reason why I did not mention these symptoms in my letter to you of January 25th, '09, was that I thought the printed statement sent you at that time was sufficient evidence that I was suffering from consumption of the lungs at the time I began treatment with Dr. Lyman, the psychologist.

"In closing this letter I again want to state that I was restored to health

cured of consumption of the lungs through psycho-therapeutic treatment given me by Dr. Lyman.

"There were no drugs, massage, or electricity used during the treatment. I shall be pleased to give you any further information I can relative to my case and cure, should you desire it. Very truly,

MRS. CLARA SHARBANO, 1124 Seldon St.

Now, then, doctors of other schools, what are you going to do with the above testimony? Mrs. Sharbano is evidently sincere. She narrates an experience that to her was a serious one. Are we going to deny that she had consumption? Shall we say that the numerous physicians who examined her and treated her before she took the psycho-therapeutic treatment were mistaken? Or shall we say that their treatment did her harm, and when she took Dr. Lyman's treatment she improved simply because she had quit taking drugs? How are we going to account for this cure? Is there, then, special efficacy in the psycho-therapeutic treatment through which even pulmonary consumption can be cured?

I like to raise these questions for my readers to answer for themselves. It does us all good to get shaken up

once in awhile by the actual facts of life. To ignore such happenings as above narrated, to classify them all as frauds and nonsense, is only to narrow our lives down to pharisaical dimensions. We can never help the world move in that way.

It may be there is something in psycho-therapy undreamt of in the philosophies of the drug doctor, of the drugless doctor, and maybe something that even Christian Science has not hinted at. At any rate, let us be fair, let us be impartial. Let us accept with thankfulness cures from whatever source they may come.

This woman who once was a hopeless invalid, is now well and happy. Let us rejoice with her, and give praise to him who brought her health when everything else had failed. Let us forget the different schools and sects that divide us, remembering only that we

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are human beings, brothers and sister together, and that one of our numbe who was languishing near unto deat was brought back into usefulness an joy again.

To those who are not acquainte with my editorial policy it may b necessary to say that Dr. Lyman ha in no way remunerated, directly or in directly, The Columbus Medical Jour nal for publishing the above state ment. The doctor will not know o this statement himself until he read it in the Journal. It is published a a matter of news, strictly. I hav never sold my editorial columns or edi torial remarks to any living man, an never intend to. I comment on suc things as I believe will interest and in spire my readers.

To those who are acquainted with me this explanation, I hope, is entirely superfluous.

HAVE seen so much trouble and misery caused by gossiping, both in private life and state institutions, and have found that the gossip is a twin sister to the liar.

Now, what business is it of yours or of mine how Mrs. Smith or Mrs. Brown got the money to pay for her new hat or gown?

The pity of it is that most of our church members are just as bad about gossiping as the "outsider."

If you want to hear the latest scandal, go to the "Ladies' Aid Society" or a church social.

Personally, I would rather associate with a horse thief than the tattler. The law will restore your horse to you as good as when it was stolen, but the law cannot restore your reputation untarnished.

Look about you and count the blighted lives, the aching hearts, all caused by gossip!

Pleasant acquaintances are now coldly polite, your friends look at you

pityingly, and you wonder why! You reputation is gone before you know i and why? All because some one mad an unkind remark about you, and a who repeated it added their own ve sion.

In thousands of cases if you shoul try to find the person who heard ( saw the injured ore do or say th "dreadful" thing that caused all th talk, it would be like hunting for needle in a hay stack. They would a get out of it if they could by sayin that Mrs. So and So had told them, b that they really did not know a thin

I hear but little gossip. I do not li it. It's a degrading practice. I wou like to do all I can to rid the earth the soul-blighting curse."

We can do much good if we try fait fully. We can stop it in our ΟΙ homes. You owe it to your neighb your children and to your God, to all you can to check the spreading scandal.

I want the readers of this Journal to join me in forming an Anti-Gossiping Club, and I would like to ask the editor to write a set of resolutions for us. All members must have one set of the resolutions (more if they wish) frame and hung in a prominent place in their homes.

There are so many good and helpful magazines for one to read that we can always find something of interest and good to talk about. Come, now, get busy and resolve that you will not allow gossiping in your home. Let us de what we can. God knows there is much to do.

We pass this way but once, let us try to be of some use to humanity while passing out. Am sure the editor will help us in any way that he can, and I would like to have a list of all club members published in the Journal.

I earnestly desire to do good along this line, and I want every one that reads this article to help me.

Yes, indeed, I will do all I can to encourage the campaign which the writer of the above article suggests. A horse thief is quite as respectable as that person who without positive knowledge will repeat a scandal against any one. There is no subject that needs agitating any more than this one.

As for the set of resolutions, I should prefer that the writer of the article get up her own resolutions. She certainly is competent to do so and they will appear in some future issue of The Columbus Medical Journal.-Ed.

T

A Pathetic Letter.

HERE was reported in the Kansas State Journal of March 14, a very pathetic letter from a girl who lives in Western Kansas, to the secretary of the state board of health of that state. She wrote that she was alone with her old mother, who was in the last stages of consumption. "My two brothers are married," she said. "My sister and I have taken care of my mother, but my sister is now lead from the same disease. My orothers fear to come near the house.

I am all alone. For heaven's sake, isn't there something that the State of Kansas can do to help me?"

Secretary Crumbine had to reply to this pathetic letter that the state was helpless, that they could do nothing at all.

Surely, this is a sad state of affairs. The state is largely if not wholly responsible for the fear which causes the two brothers to desert their mother because she has consumption. Previous to the time when the doctors commenced promulgating the theory that consumption was catching no one deserted their parents because they had consumption. Brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, cousins and aunts, clung to each other and rendered all the consolation and assistance possible, without the slightest fear of contagion.

But now our state boards of health deliberately circulate the false and fearful theory that consumption is catching; that the poor consumptive is a pestiferous object; that to come in contact with a consumptive is to endanger one's own life. All this false stuff concerning consumption is sent abroad all over the land.

And what is the result? The letter above referred to is only one of thousands of cases that are suffering as the direct consequence of such malicious and false teaching. The state board of health can easily get people into such trouble, but when they have caused the trouble they can do nothing to assist people to get out of it.

Consumption is a climatic disease, greatly favored by heredity. People born of consumptive parents are very likely to acquire consumption. It is an hereditary disease, in the sense that children born of such parents have inherited bodily weaknesses which render them especially liable to acquire consumption if exposed to adverse climatic influences. This is the whole truth of the matter.

Consumption does not spread from person to person. It is simply an example of people succumbing to untoward environment, especially people who are predisposed by inherent weak