The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-25
IL pleasant death if they could have
plenty Of whisky.


In every city there is noticeable ten
dency, often the subject of remark. for
doctors to settle in certain quarters Years
ago, before business had taken possession
of the locality. Boylston street. in Boston.
was especially noticeable for this herding
together of physicians. and the street was
known among medical students and others
as "Pill Row" writer enthusiastic in
statistics has taken the so-called Back
Bay district of Boston for his theme and
found out that IN an area mile long by
one-third Of a mile square there are Adj
physicians and surgeons and los dentists;
ri of the doctors are specialists. The pop
ulation Of the district is 10000. thus giving
one doctor for every fifty people.
Tt is quite possible for consumptive pa
tient, living In the country, TO obtain the
benefits of open air treatment without leav-
ing home. Somerville and Yonge direct
that small shelter be erected in the gar
den. where the patient under strict super
vision of a physician, may take the desir-
able amount of exercise, as directed. The
shelter facing the south should contain
couch or reclining chair, and may be pro-
to keep out cold winds and driving rains
When the patient cannot be out of doors
the treatment should be continued through
out the day and night, the windows being
left open for that purpose.
A curious accident, complicating vaccina-
ton, is reported by Luddackens. He vac
cinated his own eighteen-months-old son
on ,ne right forearm, and on the following
day. while the child was in the garden, it
was stung in numerous places by gnats.
Before it could be prevented the child
scratched a number of these places and the
typical eruption of cow-pus developed on
them, leaving distinct scars, especially on
the face. The doctor suggests that the
scratching OF insect bites should be most
vigorously prevented after children have
been vaccinated.
In the early stages of tuberculosis, DIR.
| Green, in the British Medical Journal.
recommends the inhalation of formalin,
supplemented by a suitable diet, believing
that this simple treatment will hasten re-
covery. AS the best mixture of formalin
for this purpose. he prescribes / drachm
of formalin, AZ drachms of glycerine, and
5 ounces of water, to be used in an inhaler,
| four to six times during the twenty-four
hours. If the air passages are unusually
irritable, he directs that 10 minims of
aromatic spirits of ammonia be added to
the mixture.
It has long been the habit in severe cases
of fever to advise cutting the hair. DR..
Jackson advises against this custom OF
shaving the heads of patients in fever and
other cases, believing that the advantages
are doubtful and the result, especially to
women being much inconvenience and un-
necessary annoyance. Amounting the hair
with pomade will, in great degree, pre-
vent its becoming entangled and will aid in
unsnarling ii if it has become tangled. He
characterizes the custom of singing the
hair as a most absurd one.
The history of the recent Christmas cpl
demic of grip In London strikingly shows
its democratic character, without respect
for those of high rank or great wealth.
The greatest proportional mortality was
registered in the most sanitary districts,
showing conclusively that the richer and
upper classes suffered most severely. The
area, as a whole. contained handsome and
well-constructed buildings. highly rated
and inhabited by well-to-do persons.
::
DR.. Macdonald, in calling attention to
the utility of the laboratory in modern
surgery, says the examination of the urine
and blood is to-day of such value that
surgeon who fails to use this method of
diagnosis might, perhaps. be liable to
suit for malpractice. The surgeon of to-
day must not be an operator alone. but
must be widely cognizant of facts which
can be determined in the laboratory alone.
Prescriptions.
| In slight bronchitis, attended with nau-