The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-14
MEDICAL NOTES.


The extent to which food is adulterated
and the number of substitutions which are
made is forcibly emphasized by the Hon.
III. c. Adams, dairy and food commissioner
of Madison, Wis. in a recent address. The
clumsy wooden nutmeg of Connecticut, that
even a policeman might detect, has given
way to artificial eggs which no hen would
recognize and to artificial butter that never
knew milk. The universal demand for
cheap things brings a supply. Wheat flour
is aiulterated with corn flour, and buck
wheat with wheat middlings. Vermont
maple syrup is made that never saw Ver-
mont, from the sap of trees that grow in
Chicago. Glucose has dethroned cane
syrup. Cider vinegar is distilled from
grain. A good portion of the strained hon.
ey of commerce never produced any strain
upon the bees. Oysters are partially en-
balmed with chemicals. Lemon extracts
are made without lemon oil, and vanilla
extract without vanilla. The hogs Of the
North compete with cheap cottonseed oil
of the South, and mix in the same tub un-
der the banner of lard. Artificial smoke is
made for hams out Of poisonous drugs. Jel-
lies colored in imitation of the natural
fruits and sold fruit jellies flood the
market. although they are almost as desti-
tute of fruit juice as bar of pigiron. The
embalmed business has been exaggerated,
but we do not need any either for soldiers
or civilians. Canned fruits are preserved
with antiseptics which delay the digestive
processes. Baking powders under various
misleading names crowd the markets.
Spices enriched with pepper balls and
ground cocoanut shells are manufactured
and sold by the ton. The close partnership
which has existed for so many years be-
tween coffee and chicory does a thriving
business in many States under the firm
name of coffee. Cheapness is secured by
these authorizations and false labelings. but
the people are defrauded.
In scarlet fever of the milder types there
is really no need Of treatment other than
to keep the patient in bed. Danger of in
lection, however, is just as great in mild
cases as in severe. This danger is not so
great in the first stages as in the latter,
but as soon as the character of the disease
is known proper preventive precautions
should be taken. Draperies. carpets. stuffed
be removed from the room and the patient
isolated. Dogs and cats should be ex-
cluded. since they transmit. the disease in
their fur.
The greatest source of danger Of trans
mission Of scarlet fever from the patient to
others is from the peeling off of the skin.
The scales may be scarcely visible to the
lfrrk,< TO
the air, each carrying with 1t numerous
scarlatinal microbes. which. when they are
once free in the atmosphere, are beyond
control, and which. entangling themselves
in clothing, especially of wooden goods.
may be carried long distances, retain their
vitality and be source of danger for many
months.
The simplest yet most efficient method to
prevent danger from peeling of the skin in
scarlet fever is to anoint the body freely
with lard or olive oil, which may be scent
ed If desired. This not only has soothing
effect on the skin, allaying the itching and
burning, and giving a sense of comfort to
the patient, but it may reduce the temper
ature.
DR.. Dixon, who studied the effects of can
nabis indica, says these effects vary &C
cording to the manner in which it is used.
II smoked, exhilaration is the most mani
fest. When an immediate effect is de-
sired the drug should be smoked, the
fumes being drawn through water. In fits
OF depression, mental fatigue, nervous head
ache, and exhaustion, few inhalations
produce an almost immediate effect all
the symptoms quickly disappearing. Its re-
suits are marvellous in giving staying pow
er and allaying the feelings of muscular
fatigue which follow hard physical labor.
BY the mouth one hour to two hours are
necessary before the effects are produced,
but they are more lasting. Used as an in
halation 1t may be placed in the same cat
egory as coffee, tea and kola. 1t is not
dangerous, and its effects are not alarm
ing. 1t is useful and refreshing stimu-
liant and food accessory, and it's use does
not lead to a habit. Used by the mouth 1t
is narcotic. and may cause nervous ef-
fects and serious alarm if not danger.
:
In headache. Brunton says he generally
prescribes sodium salicylate, Is, 20 or 30
grains at night, with 10, 20 or 30 grains of
potdSSiuiu prOLulOe his mixture acts bet
ter than either sodium salicylate or potas-
SUM bromide alone, and 1T will usually pre-
vent an occurrence of headache in the
morning. If the headache should come on
he recommends that the dose should be re-
peated. and in the case of people who suf-
fer from very violent and often recurring
headaches he gives the salicylate not only
morning and night but three times a day
in small doses, either Immediately before
or after meals. From the depression and
weakness which the salicylate is liable to
produce II should be associated with half
drachm OF aromatic spirits of ammonia.
Although patients may take sodium salt
cylate for years without apparent harm it
Is known theoretically that salicylate COM
pounds have tendency to produce anemia,
and therefore 1t is advisable In some cases
to give with the sodium salicylate. when
the latter is used regularly. little iron.
Much of the antipathy against vaccina-
ton has been due to the fact that by the
early methods Of arm to arm vaccination
many diseases were also inoculated. Even
to-day, infection may be caused by dirty
instruments. unwashed hands and unclean
underwear. The arm should be thoroughly
washed with soap and water, and when