The morning call., 1891-04-24
DISEASE AND CURE.
Papers Read Before the State
Medical Society.
Deaths From DiphtheTia in California Dur
Ing the Past Year.
Evils Resulting From the Improper Use Of
Cocaine Treatment Of Insomnia
Lymph Experiments.
Special to THE MORNING CALL

SACRAMENTO, April 23.-At the meeting
Of the State Medical Society this afternoon
the Board of Censors reported favorably
upon the name of Dudley TAFT for member
ship and he was declared elected.
After the report of the Committee Of Ar
engagements had been read the subject Of
diseases of children was taken up David
Powell of Marysvile read paper upon
"Prophyalaxis of Diseases in Children"
He stated that there have been no wide
spread epidemics among children during the
past year. The cause of diphtheria is ba-
cillus, but the particular micrObe is not
fully determined.
TREATMENT OF DPHTHERIA.
It cannot be said that there has been any
great progress in the treatment of diphthe-
ria in late years. The discovery that the
disease is of bacterial origin has somewhat
modified the treatment, but the remedies
recognized fifty years ago are still largely
relied on. The paper narrated inYestiga-
lions made by eminent specialists. and said
that it is held By some that diphtherla can
be vaccinated against. California seems to
be remarkably exempt from this disease,
especially on the eastern and central slopes
of the Sacramento Valley. During the past
year over 1900 deaths were reported in
this State, Of which 3245 OF about % per
cent, were children under 10 years of age.
Giving due allowance TO hereditary, con-
genital weakness, accidents, etc, there
still remains a startling percentage OF
deaths due 10 prpventaOle causes.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES.
,,ouar vuas In tive Committee
on Publication and was discussed by DR..
Charlotte 3. Brown. She was opposed to
the capTicious feeding or 'nibbling" OF
children, and their sleeping out of doors IN
baby buggies or elsewhere. She did not
believe much, if any, medicine was neces-
sary in cases of whooping-cough.
DR.. Stallard also spoke upon the subj c.,
dwelling upon good sewage and drainage in
large cities as preventive OF typhoid
complaints, but called attention to the TACT
that the ratio of decrease 10 dlphtheria has
not accorded with the improvements in the
sanitary condition, which would indicate that
climatic conditions largely influenced the
disease.
A paper on Surgical Diseases of Chill
dren," prepared by Il. \. Miner OF Berke-
ley, was read by the Secretary.
a paper was also read on "Hip-Jont Dis
eases" and referred to the Committee on
Publication.
BOARD OF EXAMINERS.
The completion Of the Board of Examin-
ers was then proceeded with, the selection
not having been made last night. The Board
of Examiners as thus cOmplsted, is as fol-
lows: w. b. levitt G. L. Blake, c. II.
Steels, G. F. Shiels, 7. J. LIE Tourneux, c. c.
Wadsworth, NJ. Regensburger; alternates-
Il. f. Miuton, L. BoZet, a. 2. Whittell.
The CenSUTs recommended for member
ship 0. c. Hawkins and +. W. Il. Cleveland
and they were accordingly elected.
III 1F1a Of na tive n az
presented resolution inviting the National
Medical Association to hold its meetings in
1892 in San Francisco and the Secretary was
directed to notify the National Association
OF this action,
COCAINE ADDICTION.
81. G. Painerd of Los Angeles read a
paper upon the subject Of cocaine addiction,
treating of the spread OF the habit, the
benefit Of a preparation in therapeutics, but
disastrous results from its use when it is
used to excess as a stlmulant and su0Se-
quent sedatlve when placed in the hands of
patients for use by themselves. 1t has been
called toe third scOurge OF humanity,
alcoholism and the opium habit alone ex-
eeeding it in evil effects. Cases were cited
where the u.s. of cocaine produced emacia-
ton and mental illusion, amounting to in-
sanity. The very interesting paper was
referred to the Committee on Publication.
A NJ. Gardner of Napa briefly discussed
the paper, stating that in the asylum at
Napa the evil effects of the drug had been
observed. In treating cases Of opiate ad-
diction, be it opium or cocaine. he did not
believe in withdrawing the drug from the
patient immediately.
INSOMNIA.
Insomnia" was the subject of paper.
read by NJ. F. Price of Cotton. The treat
ment Of insomnia must be directed to the
removal of Its cause. He deprecated the
giving of sedatiYes in insomnia cases and 10
fact In many cases where they are re-
sorted to.
A recess was then taken until o'clock.
The Board Of Censors recommended the
name OF E. Taggart for membership and he
was declared admitted.
LYMPH EXPERIMENTS.
The afternoon session was opened by the
reading of per by J. o. HirSchfelder of
San francisco on 'KOch's and Liebrich's
Treatment Of Tuberculosis" He said that
the experiments with Koch's lymph at San
Francisco hospital had not been so favorable
as was hoped for. 1t seeing, SO far as
has been demonstrated, that the use
of lymph may be Of value in
dangerous in cases far advanced. The in
vestlgations have, however, led to the hope
that some true germicide will be discovered
and enable human skill to triumph over the
fell destroyer Of mankind-consumption.
HYsIERIA,
A portion OF his paper was devoted to the
new treatment of hysteria, which he consid-
cred result of physical conditions rather
than mental. A portion of the paper was
accompanied by the demonstration of a
brain. The seat of malady is in the sympa-
tbetic nerves of the brain, and he has had
great success in the use of electrical treat
meDt. The paper had the usual reference
and was discussed by DR.. Kerr.
The Secretary read paper by DR.. Aga I'd
OF Oakland on the subject of State Medi-
cine and Hygiene and Adulteration Of
Foods and Drugs; also paper by DR.. P.
c. Remondino on 1.-The Relation of Our
Ethical Code to the Profession and to
Quackery."
DR.. Nj. Regensburger's paper on Der
DatOlogy and Venereal Diseases" was
ordered published.
DR.. Shells of San Francisco and Drs.
Lundberg, Bailhache and Clark also spoke
on the subject of the paper
DR.. Merrill OF Sacramento read a paper
on 1.-THE Physiology of the Cerebral Motor
Centers in Connection with a Case of Ex-
tensive Motor Paralysis Resulting from In
Jury"
A communication, signed by several par
Ties, was received asking the society to in
VeStigate a certain cure which San Fran
cisco doctor claimed to have for cancer.
The society was rendered reception by
the ladies at the Art Gallery and Museum
tonight, where the officers were installed.
SACRAMENTO PRISONERS.
-Four Persons Confined in the County Jail Ac-
~