Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-22

/ FROM PIANO PRAC1lCE-LATEST TREATMENT OF
KEURALGIA-srRYoHNIA FOR DRUNKENSEss.
| OISONING from -four is Of interest to
~ - all who eat. In 1887 upward of a
hundred persons in French town
~ were attacked by collie of great sever
~ ity. The water supply and various
articles Of food were examined for the cause,
when it was found sixty patients had eaten
| flour from particular mill, where the grain
was carried to the mill stones by an elevator
with buckets of tin plate containing good
deal OF lead. The -four which passed through
these buckets had not less than five ounces Of
metal which had rubbed off into the grain and
persons who ate this -four suffered severely,
while those who used -four from another ele-
vator were not attacked. A fatal case is re-
lated of a woman employed only six months in
a type foundry, who, in spite of warning, ate
with unwashed hands and died of anamia,
collie and commissions. Lead poisoning also
occurs in workmen who finish furs dyed with
preparations Of lead. Women should demand
furs prepared without poisonous dyes for their
own safety as well as that Of the workers who
handle them.
AS TO NEURALGIA,
from which probably as many persons suffer all
the agonies of gunshot wounds as fall in battle
every ten years, and which is q settled modern
scourge OF the human race, DR.. Gray gives in
the Medical Annual a very good summary of
the latest methods of treatment. In twenty
seven cases of obstinate neuralgia chronic
constipation was regarded as the cause of the
disease. Against this the treatment was prin-
clpally directed, in shape of moist, warm packs
about the abdomen, massage, rubbing with
cold water and enema.a. This was carried ont
continuously from two to six weeks, the diet
haI Nnr 0fnlI nrrnIn knI tlaI
cases by galvanism, massage and nerve stretch
Ing. Out OF the twenty-seven cases fifteen
were cured by these means and nine improved.
Stretching the nerve is recommended for cure
OF chronic neuralgia in place Of the more acute
operation of severing the nerve, which last
leaves degree Of paralysis and want of all SEN
sation N the nerve so treated. The hypodermic
use OF antipyrin for neuralgia and sciatica is
also highly commended. Doses of fifteen to
twenty-five grains injected at time, only five
grains in one place, rendered the skin insensi-
BILE for fifteen to twenty-four hours and gave
great relief.
ABOUT INSANITY.
The census shows that we have one insane out
of every 6ls native born, while the foreign
population has one insane in every 25O figures
which should receive thoughtful considera-
ton. The census shows in 1880 nearly 40, 900
insane in asyums and hospitals now increased
to upward of $4,000. As to restraint necessary
IL v
value in certain cases, like the insanity of per-
secution and moral perversion, where the pa
tlent develops incorrigible viciousness, Is still
too mysterious to be depended upon. As to
the recovery Of the insane, statistics would
show that insanity over one years duration is
well nigh hopeless, but this is evidently
due, to the want of intelligent
methods of cure, as recoveries are
reported of cases from three to ten years dura-
ton. Where there is no progressive mental
alrv.An H., l. =.
even after long period Even chronic cases
may recover and responding views of them
are unsafe and unwise. One of the first au-
thorities on insanity concludes that the in
huence OF the insane upon the sane is excep-
tional, and as an almost universal rule those
who are 30 affected are neurotic or somewhat
feeble-minded. According to another AZ per
cent of all cases of insanity occur between the
ages Of fifteen and twenty-five the age of de-
velopment. Faulty education, fright, fear of
punishment, are classed as important causes in
this large number Of insane cases in the
young.
1t is curious to observe that the average
weight OF the brain coverings and fluids is
highest in the insane, while the weight OF the
brain is lower.
Strychnia has been brought into prominence
as a remedy for alcoholism among Russian
physicians 1t is recommended in all forms of
alcoholism, especially the nervous varieties.
The drug methylal, described in 1889, is brought
the best sedatiye employed as it does not de-
press the heart or produce any unpleasant after
effects. 1t IL useful in delirium tremens in
somnia, neuralgia, insanity and is the best an-
tidote to strychnine, used simultaneously.
Ayerbeck warns us that the effect of choral on
| the brain ID more pernicious than that OF NOR
phine.
INJURIOUS HABITS.
The cocaine habit takes its place beside the
morphine habit, with symptoms Of marasmus
delusions and hallucinations Of frightful ap-
pearances and small living things creeping on
the skin, together with insomnia and loss of
appetite. The symptoms of cocaine poisoning
are more obstinate than those of morphine
and may last for months after the cessation of
the drug. Experiments show that carbonic
oxide Is the most poisonous Constituent of
cigar smoking, and more injury results from
cigarette smoking than cigars or pipes be-
cause more smoke is inhaled A wise old
oriental, who smokes from sixty to seventy
cigarettes day, gives the advice, "Always use
cigarette holder with plug of cotton wool
dipped IN lemon juice, changed every time with
the cigarette" The alleged immunity of
smokers from infectious disease is not q
mere fancy, as it is shown the tobacco smoke
destroys microbes or delays their development
Attention is called to the injury to the infants
of the poor in their crowded apar tments by
tobacco smoke, the symptoms being sunken
eyes, listless ways, restless nights, nausea and
the cause. Tea poisoning is most common with
the young and an@mc, though it affects those
with good constitutions, toxic affects being pro-
duced by about five cups day. The symptoms
are nausea, dyspepsia, palpitation nervous ex-
element, and even maniacal attacks, with pains
OF the heart radiating to the arms and chest.
BEVERAGES
The opinions Of doctors ON alcoholic bever-
ages have sufficient variety. Laborde attempts
to show that the artificial bouquets used to
flavor wine are far more poisonous than pure
ethylic alcohol. The so-called essential oil of
wine," of which there are French and Ger
man preparation, the latter being most toxic,
| Is made by the action of nitric acid on oil of
cocoa castor oil, butter or other fatty matters.
| A small amount is sufficient to give bouquet to
large quantity Of wine, and little of it in
jected into the veins Of dog will kill it in all
hour. Commercial alcohol also contains sew
eral agents which are toxic in a high degree,
producing true epileptic attacks. The essen
tial bouquets Of various liquors also have a
convulsivant action, similar to absnthe and
| yermouth. Another dangerous substance is
| the essence de noyau, or almond essence, from
| benzolc acid, so volatile that alarming symp-
toms were experienced by Laborde and his as
\ slstants in the laboratory from its unavoidable