New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-04
MEDICAL And SURGICAL NOTES.

NEW TREATMENT OF WINTER COUGH. '-Some
physicians in England emphasizing the value OF
terebene. a liquid prepared from turpentne by the
action OF sulphuric acid, in diseases OF the mucous
membranes. one physician reports having used II
in more than hundred cases Of what Is tcrnie"
winter cough that is. where the victims have some
chronic bronchitis old irritable condition OF te
bronchial tubes made by every sllght con-
the greatest trouble being naturally In the "n'er' "
has been found that, in a large number Oh c'sc9 VIM
every form Of treatment usually resorted 10 mac Po
valucless terebene operated with decioeo eNo'' "a
pccOration becoming frcer the breathing pel'ei' anu
the general condition much more favoraple' Inc
medicine was commonly given in ten drop doses, on
sugar every four hours at first, and less oeh d. te
cough Improved, but in the most obstinate cases t0
dose was doubled. While the medicine IS pracltaLNs
q rrnnep limit fhe best methods being 10 begin with
five or six drops sugar every ior ho, Wv tbc
increasing TO The maximum dose In addltlon 10 lIe
baneGs derived from terebenc in this class Oh diseases
It is found act exceedingly wei IN aCa' cr c
Natulence from which so many Nctlihs oI 'Irohi'
bronchitis suffer more or less
HARD STUDY AND DIsEAsE.-In a published con
tribution on the subject Dr. Allen Starr expresses
IL As his opinion that hard study is not a frequent
cause of disease, that il is instead the anxiety a'cHu
ant upon close competition, the emotional strain III con
ncction with efforts to attain success. ana not inc
study alone, which is the usual cause OF nervous
pro,tration-so that if competition could be eliminated
in eduCation the process could never be accused
of producing disease In his opinion fear Of failure III
examination. eager desire to excel in competing for
honors or position or prizes, and tho attenuaht
emotional strain, are the chief causes oil
maIades usually attributed to over-study. Under
give Out more quickly than men. and from
the effects they recover more slowly TINS agalh De
ing a,cribable not entirely to Inherent weakness
on the part Of the system of women. but IN
part to their very common neglect of the many pre-
cautions which prevent such brfah down, an"tnT
these being proper diet. sufficient exercise careful
regulation Of digestion. and the relaxation from con
tnuOus work which should be enforced al certain
periods.
An IMPROVED SURGICAL. TABLE.-Frcnch III
genuity has devised surgical operating table which,
as decidedly original conception in that line has
elected much interest The table. which measures
seventy-cight inches in length by twentvSN lhcheS
in width stands thirty-s inches from the floor ard
consists exclusively of glass and nckelpated iron
IT is composed fOIr triangular plates OF glass III
CIining TO a common centre by a dccvify OF an men
and quarter convergng at their apcXes 10 central
opening inch in diameter, in which Is nAcd a
metal ring, through which fluids may pass INTO n
rubber tube TO the floor and it is supported by four
legs connected the sake of stability by bars
it freely upon large casters. and though weigh
ing $50 pounds, can be moved with case by single
person; there arrangements for varying IT.
elevation any desired change in the attitude of the
patient being accomplished at will with the use OF
rubber cushions At the head of the table, where
stands the assistant swings a basin large enough IL
choroform, also forceps, etc; closed. It disappears
under the table, but very slight traction places
directly under the anacshetist all the articles needed
The table is also measured OFF into ccnncres In us
entire length, that measurements may be rapidly
taken
A THERAPEUTIC NOVELTY.-SOme English ply
sicians appear to adopt in their practice the honey
found in such large quantities in the eucalyptus trees
of Tasmania, the product Of small. black wild bee
peculiar that country. The honey is thick homo
yene0us. somewhat transparent sirupy liquid. OF deep
orange color having OdOr suggestive at Of its
containing eucalyptus principles, is very soluble in
water, in milk and in wine bat much less so in alco
hol. and very difficult Of fermentation. In round
numbers 900 parts contain GIL of invcrt sugar. Of
ash 2l5 of water, and III Of active principles, ncud
Ing eucalyptO eucalypene, erpine. eymal, and odcr
Gus. resinOus, and cOlOrng matters; its taste very
pleasant. on taking tablespoonful Of the honey in
a little tepid milk, after few minutes one
perceves gentle agreeable warmth taking possession
of the whole person: the end Of half hour the
elimination Of the active principles by the air pas
sageS having begun the voice becomes clearer and the
breath perumed, the lungs also feeling more active
more supple. Thus far. experiments show 70 be
valuable aliment efficient and palatable substitute
for cod liver OIL ancatarrhal, an agent affecting
the heart comparable 10 the action but free
from the uconvenient properties Of dgitas febri-
ailments.