Daily Republican., 1876-06-22

How vast Its power may be,
Nor what results enfolded dwell 5ta
Within It, silently.
Work and despair not; give thy. mite,
Nor care how small It be;
God is with ali that serve the right,
The holy, true and free
Letter From PhiladeIphia.
A BUSY YEAR IN PHILADELPHIA AM
NlvERsARIEs--MERTi OF MEDICAL
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
DISCUSSION ON THE USE OF HYDRATE
OF CHLORAL.
May and June are anniversary months.
In the pastthe leading anniversaries were
usually held in Boston and New York,
but in this Centennial year Philadelphia
IL the centre Of interest and the anni-
versaries of the leading organizations are
being held here. The Social Science
Association, the Women's National Tenn
perance Union, the National Division Of
the Sons Of Temperament the internation-
al Temperance Conference, the Ameri-
can Medical Association, and many other
large bodies have already held their
meetings in Philadelphia. .S
Last week there was meeting OF the
Superintenden's Of the Hospitals for the
Insane throughout the United States
Many Of the most learned and practical
physicians Of the country were prtseht.
Their headquarters were the Continental
Hotel. They held several meetings lin
the continental parlors; one In the
Blocksley almshonse, and two at the
Friends Hospital for the Insane at
Frankford. Their meetings were fire.
oueptly informal. Ono at Frankford was
held on the steps Of the hospital, some
members sitting on the steps and others
standing in the yard. had the privilege
of attending their sessions part Of two
DAYS, visited with them DR.. Worthlng-
toms Hospital at Frankford, and eDjoYed
with them the feast Of ice cream and Of
fruit as well as Of science.
@3, THE USE OF cHLoRAL.
In one Of their meetings at Frapkford,
the question Of the use Of Chloral was
introduced by DR.. Smith, of MISSOURI
On his motion acommittaa was appoint
"a Is d. aaRaiHe4the subject and report at
next meeting. he thoug9t much injury
was done by iDjudici0ns nSe Of this drug.
Il 8 q very unsafe remedy. Few chronic
cases could bear IL. he believed that
frequently what was taken for the reeu-
lar progress of disease, was but tie re-
suits Of Chloral and that sometimes it
causes death.
DR.. Ca,lett, also Of Missouri, corrobo-
rated DR.. Smiths statements, and said
that he knew of three we'll authenticated
cases of death from the administration Of |
ordinary doses Of Chloral as sedative.
DR.. Kirkbride agreed with what had
been said He had used Chloral to some
extent but had learned to look upon 1t
with great distrust.
DR.. Mcdonald, Of Wards Island, New
York, had given it in large doses, and
had never seen any evil result.
DR.. Kirkbride asked DR.. Mcdonald If
be had not had patients taking Chloral
who died suddenly and unexpectedlyp
That had been bis sad experiences. He
would ra'h his medical friends would
not administer it to him under any cir
,umstances.
Another physician made q similar
emark.
Another said, that he had given Chic
al in cases of chronic Mania, and had
Found that the patients irritability had
,een increased. Instead Of producing
,Ieep it aggravated the nervous disorder.
DR.. Kirkbride, said--I sleep so well at
light, that II took Chloral, l should
lot give II the credit.
Some one asked: "What do you de.
,end upon Doctor ?"
/ DR.. Kirkbride-UHard work."
DR.. Compton of Missouri, was decid-
IDLY in favor of Chloral. He had now q
,atient in his Institution to whom o
lose Of Chloral had been administered
,very evening for several years. BE did
iot know that 1t had any curative effect
tut il was gwen that the patient might
,ave good nights fest, which he couid
Tot get without 1t. He had never seen
my bad effects from Its use. f.s
REMARKS ON THE ABOVE.
DR.. Compton "had never seen any bad
sfects from the use of CHORAL" It oc.
,urred 10 me that his own remarks gave q
hint Of bad effects. |
1. The chronic inability to sleep might
have been an effect of the chloral. |,
2 The sleep which was produced by
choral was not sound, restoring refresh.
ing sleep, or it wonld have been likely to
have some curative effect.
In other words, the condition of the
patient which required the continued
use Of Chloral, was probably the result of
Chloral itself. If the patient, having been
placed under the most favorable condi.
lions, had never taken Chloral, or any
thlng of the kind, the probability is that
he would have gotten natural sleep, and
in the course Of a few weeks, or months,
have recovered. But having taken Chic
raj, a condition Of the system demanding
its continuance was set up, aud in this
very condition, we see possible reason
why the patient never recovered.
My impression is, that II patient can
,et two or three hours Of natural sleep in
he twenty. four, he is much more surely
IN the way toward permanent recovery
han he would be to sleep twelve hours
lnder the influence Of chloral or OF any
sind of soporific or narcotic drug.
More-a single night Of natural
epose is perhaps worth more toward the
,oa c,1ra of tht, nafient than vaara of