The Saint Paul globe., 1900-04-15


which would seem to show that germs
retain their vitality for centuries. In 1860
Harlem. in Holland, was devastated by
the plague, and among the families ex-
terminated was that of Du ClouX. the
members OF which were inferred in the
church at Harlem. Some thirty or forty
years ago the masonry of the tomb be-
came impervious, and the vault was re-
built The masons who worked In the
tomb for day or more were attacked
by the disease. and infectious buboes de-
veloped. For more than 200 years the
germs of the pest had been inclosed in
this tomb and were still morbif1c, so
that there seems to be no limit to their
vitality and virulence.
DR.. Banks. an English physician, has
recently made an exhaustive study of the
death rate from cancer. He does not
believe that the increase of mortality Is
due to poor hygiene, as there has been
marked improvements in water supply.
drainage. housing and clothing. While
people today eat healthier food, they eat
richer food In greater quantities, and the
highest mortalityets among those who eat
and drink to excess, taking but little
exercise He believes that heredity has
some influence in the causation of can
Ger, but its Importance is overrated He
claims that in some cases there is proof
OF the origin from injury. special
emphasis is placed upon the Importance
OF an early recognition of cancerous
symptoms and immediate excision of sus-
picious swellings.
The experience of DR.. Schamberg seems
to prove that tuberculosis may be inocu-
lated the same as vaccine virus While
treating a patient suffering from a tuber-
culous sore throat the doctor was in
oculated, and an indolent sore formed
on his index finger which was eXcised
Under the microscope the familiar char
acteriStics of tuberculosis were plainly
seen. This should serve as a warning to
all coming in contact with consumptive
patients, especially those who handle or
wash clothing. Plainly soiled handker-
chief is the most dangerous, and the best
plan Is to use squares of cheap cotton
cloth or japanese paper napkins, which
are to be burned when soifed. The ex-
pense of such substitutes for handker-
chief need net be great, while the ad-
vantages are many.
The science of medicine, by its investi-
cations of microbes, has done much to-
ward diminishing disease, and althoug h
it may become a mania or a phobia,
| millions of people are benefited by this
| knowledge to one who is injured. 1t has
certain; it has pointed out remedies for
the prevention and cure of many dis
eases IS IN tuberculosis. dfpfltheria, ty-
phoid fever, malaria and hydrophobia.
Researches along this line could never
have been made had it not been for ex-
perimentation upon animals, and while
there is no doubt but that there is much
needless vivisection for the mere salts
faction of idle curiosity, 1t would be in
hIfT11 to he Of fha
lower animals by expert investigators.
DR.. Jackson, referring to the care Of
the hair, Believes that it should be cut
after feVers, but cared for by brushing
and combing every day, being thoroughly
washed every two or three weeks, a little
pommade containing sulphur being ap-
piled and rubbed in once a week. In
ordinary cases once in two or four weeks
Is sufficient for washing 2the hair, good
soap being used and carefully rinsed off,
some form of pommade being used after
washing to supply the natural oflinesS re-
moved from the hair by the soap. In
man the hair may be cut as often as de-
sired, hut in women 1t Is not best to cut
1t at all after the age of twelve years.
PRESCRIPTIONS.
To check the sneezing, which often ae-
companies attacks of influenza, the fol-
lowing snuff may, be taken In small guam
titles every two OF three hours. Hydro
! choiate of cocaine, grains; rhenthoi,
grains: boric acid rs grains.
For the prevention and treatment OF
| chapped hands and as an antiseptic and
deodorizer. DIR. Sharp. of Leeds, recon-
mends: Spirits Of camphor. spirits OF
nitrous ether and acetic acid, or each,
one part, to which, after they have been
mixed. is added s parts of giycerine.
Wash the parts with warm water. and
! rub in the liniment at bedtime. The ap-
pticatien dries In few minutes. 1t may
be applied again in the morning and
washed off in a few minutes. Owing to
| the production of acetic ether the appii-
cation has an agreeable odor.
| Leon Noel.