The Saint Paul globe., 1900-06-10
Medical Notes..

Dr. William OSler in a recent lecture
at the Ohio Medical university closed his
remarks with the following good advice
for all; II never meet a crowd of medi-
cal students but I think of Abernethy's
remark; Good God, what will become
of US alp I know what VIII become Of
you. You will all do well. The medical
profession is one in which every man
can make success, that is to soy, he
can be successful If he will work hard.
study hard, and take an interest in. his
patients, not that they are patients, but
because Of his duty to mankind.
Practice not only with your head. but
with heart also. Avoid professional
Jealousy and bitterness. Cad, doctors
are worse than parsons in engendering Ill
feeling among themselves. When YOU
locate, look up all the respectable doctors
and leave your card, deal suuarely, and
you will find they will treat you right.
Shut up at once the patient who would
tell you of the faults of a professional
brother. They will go to another and
say the same of you. Go with the woolly
side out and all will be well and success
crown your efforts"
The Philadelphia Medical Journal
speaking editorially of alcoholism and
the drug habit refers to the dangerous
habit of giving soothing syrups or mar
cottc drugs to children. 1t is unfortun-
ately true that many poor women ale
so situated that they cannot properly
care for their half-ill and fretful children
and to quiet the child give 1t repeated
doses Of parcgoric or some soothing
syrup containing opium. If she cannot
nurse the child, improperly prepared,
artificial food is given and when the in
eyitable collie, arising from indigestion,
occurs, she again soothes 1t with the
deadly syrup. Nor Is this the case alone
with the poorer classes; the society
woman who has not the inclination OF
time to care for the child entrusts It
to an irresponsible nurse maid, who de-
pends upon soothing syrup to keep the
child quiet. Is 1t to be wondered at,
then, that alcoholics and drugs habitues
are numerous. A more stringent legisla-
ton IS necessary to control the sale of
narcotic drugs, but In this case, back Of
everything, there is need Of q remedy to
relieve the necessities of the poor which
make it obligatory for the mother to
spend her time at hard labor and to
neglect her child.
The ordinary health report is usually
nothing but a useless list Of deaths Of no
especial value except to fill the waste
basket. The monthly bulletin of the Chi
cago department Of health is d noticeable
exception and Is Of educa tOnal value.
From time to time, 1t gives original re-
searches upon special subjects not only
dealing with theories, but suggesting
practical remedies or Improvement. The
reports published by the various cities
should be written in such a way as TO
attract attention and demand interest
and the facts should be emphasized not
buried in a mass Of figures which even
an expert has trouble III interpreting
The interests of every physician III the
community should be enlisted and they
should feel confidence in the health de
pertinent and in a way act as members,
ex-officio, of the board. When this mu-
tual understanding exists proposed meas
ures and enacted orders will meet with
reasonable cooperation and be uaheld
by professional loyalty
The Western Medical Review comment
ing upon the duration Of life among the
Jews believes that the most plausible
explanation is their temperance in all
things physical. 1t is a noticeable fact,
however, that the Jews living In the
slums of large cities are remarkably free
from epidemic, contagious or infectious
diseases of childhood, the mortality from
these diseases being much less tual
among other races. The Philadelphia
Medical Journal suggests that the special
reason for this exemption from disease
is due to the fact that these poor Jews
are among the most orthodox Of their
race, observing with greatest exGctness
the prohibition Of eating with unwashed
hands The infections Of childhood are
commonly those introduced through the
mouth by means of contaminated hands
or food and this sanitary precaution eX-
plains, no doubt the immunity Of jewish
children 10 scarlet fever, diphtheria and
similar diseases.
II Is not necessary that a person should
have a tuberculosis taint in order to ac-
ouire consumption. DR.. Newton empha-
sizes the fact by history Of four fami-
lies who lived in damp houses or houses
with damp cellars. The tubercle bac1ll
are often found in healthy persons who
are able to resist their influence, but II
the subjects vitality be lowered and this
resistance decreased he is much more sus
ceptible to infection. For this reason
damp places increase the danger Proper
drainage has been shown to decrease
tuberculosis and no climate, however
good, Is proof against a fiIth-saturated
soil. Houses should have dry cellars
with a sandy subson, and be far distant
from swamps It Is far easier to remove
the conditions causing the disease, and the
problem of preventing consumption IS In
part one of improved surroundings anG
sanitation.
To relieve ingrowing toe nall cut a piece
Of ordinary felt plaster. sold for use IN
| cases of corns or bunions. go as to be the
exact size and shape of the nail abou
which the liberation IS located. The bi
of plaster thus shaped and fitted to the
nall Is to be firmly attached thereto, 81
| as to press aside the overlapping granula
| ton from off the nail. By holding It ir
this position a minute or two, until Il
dries and adheres firmly to the nall, Il
becomes strongly fastened and will stand
considerable rough usage, but as an ad
ditional security a strip Of lsinglass plas
ter is wrapped three or four times
| around the toe and plaster. If properly
applied the relief is said to be Immediate
| and the cure is complete as soon as the
| thinned and Jagged edge of the nail un
| derlying the granulaton has grown to tt
normal size.
Electricity. especially IN the way Of
| lighting, has made generous sanitary
contributions which deserve appreciation
| Dr. Saunders, the medical officer of the
London board Of health. says the electric
light in general use has accomplished q