The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-06
MEDICAL NOTES.
prepared for the sunday Journal by
nm Old Practftfonerl

sagreeable noises such as steam
whistles. teams on rough streets, huck-
sters' cries. the ringing of bells, etc..
noises which are. as rule. unnecessary.
there is distinct eleraent of danger, espe-
cially TO women and children. who are
more susceptible, owing to their nervous
temperament In some cases patients in
a critical condition have been killed by
hearing sudden, unexpected, loud noise.
On the other hand, there is such a thing
as injurious quietness. When person is
taken sick nearly all of the family invari-
ably tip-toe around the house and talk in
whispers or hushed tone Of voice. This
is especially noticeable in the sickroom,
and this display of silence is most annoy
ing to the patient The running about
and shouting of children through the
house, and loud talk by the older folk is
not beneficial to the patient. but the house
hold life should run on as usual, and espe-
cially when talking with the patient,
firm, clear, but gently modulated tone
should be used. Most annoying Of all is
the loud whisper, which is worse than a
loud tone of voice. In speaking to a per-
son sick in bed sit where he or she can
see you; don't get behind them and talk
over their head. Avoid the common habit
Of following the doctor out Of the room
and holding whispered conversation just
outside the door of which the patient can
only hear the kissing sounds Of the
whisper, which has about the same effect
on his nerves as filing a saw. If there
is a piano in the house and the family or
any one Of its members is in the habit of
singing, and the patient does not actually
object 10 IL, let the music be continued
as usual, only do not let it be noisy, for
it's discontinuance will injuriously affect
the patient and its continuance will be
favorable, since music is no mean thera-
peutic agent
According to Marandom de Monytel at
least one-third of the number of drunkards
are durable, the cure being based upon
forced and prolonged total abstinence,
which should be instituted at once, the
only reaction from such treatment being
headache and sweating. Delirium tremens
does not result from a sudden cessation of
alcohol. An essential element of this treat
ment is calm surroundings and discipline
which is military in character, and 1t is
also important that some harmless drink
and also please the taste. Treatment
should last at least a year, and the
strength of the patients resistance should
be frequently tested When the treatment
is concluded the patient should still be
watched, and if a certain trade or profess
sion has been a causative factor of in
ebriety or is accompanied with great
temptation it should be abandoned for one
| less trying to the will power.
Chlorate of potash is a popular drug
promiscuously used as a remedy for sore
| throat. 1t is not a safe drug, however
| used in as large quantities as some people
| use It, chewing it as If it was confection-
| cry. Used in this way it often leads to
| chronic poisoning and may lead to acute
| symptoms. Used in moderation, 1t is of
| value, especially as an antiseptic and dis
| infectant in the mouth and throat, but as
| 1t is highly infiammable and explosive care
| should be taken in carrying it about the
/ person. Cases are on record in which tab
| let's of chlorate of potash have been car
| ried loose in the pocket and have ignited
| and exploded, causing serious injury. In
| such cases matches have also been car
ried in the same pocket, and even the COM
| position on the outside of the box of safety
| matches will ignite the tablets.
|
A French medical journal has published
| some interesting IL not reliable data upon
| badness, which it claims affects II per
cent. of the male population. In the cases
of doctors this proportion is doubled, but
| musicians. with a few exceptions, retain
their hair until late in life. Brass wind in
struments cause badness, the trombone
especially being said to remove the players
hair in less than five years. The piano and
the violin have the opposite effect, pre-
venting and arresting the falling off of the
| hair. The physician who made these curl
| Gus investigations gives no reason for the
| result. but claims that they may be verified
by observing the musicians in an orchestra
| and the members of regimental bands. taxi
ing especial notice of those afflicted with
so-called ''trumpeter's badness
| The mosquito is occupying great deal of
attention just now as the pestiferous agent
of malaria, but there is another pest, sell
dom spoken of in polite society, which is
| even wicked a mosquito. Dewevre
| has reported a case in which tuberculosis
was plainly traced to bedbugs the patient
being a man sleeping In an infested bed,
| which had been occupied by a brother who
| had died a short time before from con-
sumption. This fact was proved by inocu-
lation of guinea pigs with bugs. we'll
marked tuberculosis resulting. There Is no
| doubt but that other diseases may be con-
| veyed In such a way, and while every fam
| lily Is above the suspicion of harboring
these noisome insects 1t is impossible for
one who travels to any extent to avoid
| meeting them at some time, sometimes
where they are least expected.
Popular opinion credits the surgeon with
| a heart of stone and speaks with horror of
| his cold-bloodedness and indifference to
| suffering and sorrow. This is a mistake,
| for, as an ancient authority has said. the
| ideal servant is one with a hand like a
| woman and heart like lion," and while
the surgeon must have the truest type of
| courage, it is most often associated with
gentleness and sympathy. What the people
call hard-heartedness and callousness is
| often only an outward manifestation of
the surgeons ability to control his feel
ings, to maintain his presence of mind. to
keep cool under the most exciting and try