Word: peach pit Part of Speech: noun 1. The stone of a peach. Example: DR. IRA VAN GIESON said that he was indebted to Dr. Jenkins, of Brooklyn, for the interesting specimen which he had to present. Four years prior to the death of the patient, who was a robust man, fifty-five years of age, he was seized rather suddenly with intense epigastric pains, which were excited each time he took solid food. After about four months there was an interval during which the pain was not so severe, and then the symptoms were suggestive of pyloric stenosis, or of beginning carcinoma in this region. The man became greatly emaciated, and ultimately died of chronic phthisis. The stomach was of normal dimensions, but before opening it a solid body could be felt in the pyloric orifice, only about one-quarter of an inch in either direction. On opening the stomach a peach-pit was found embedded in the pylorus, but not projecting into the duodenum. This body seemed to act as a ball-valve, thus explaining the variation in the severity of the symptoms. If there were no stenosis present, a body capable of passing the pylorus should be able to pass the duodenum, but on examining the specimen closely, it will be seen that the junction of the duodenum with the stomach is decidedly narrowed. DR. THOMAS H. MANLEY did not think it probable that a peach-pit could resist the action of the gastric juice for four years; besides this, it did not seem to him of sufficient size to give rise to the severe pain from which the patient suffered. He would like to know the experience of the other members regarding the frequency of such foreign bodies in the stomach. DR. H. M. BIGGS could not recall having seen a single case of this kind, and Dr. Prudden recalled the infrequent occurrence of hair-balls in the stomach. The specimen from one such case, which had been shown to the Society, was in the Museum of the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Example: ŒSOPHAGEAL STENOSIS. TO THE EDITOR OF THE MEDICAL RECORD. Sir: Some eight or ten years ago I wrote you an account of a case of this accident, caused by an attempt to swallow a peach-pit, which became fixed in the gullet. It was in the case of a stout man, sixty or more years of age, who was the patient of a neighboring physician, who came to consult me about it. I advised him to give an enema of an ounce of the fluid extract of lobelia inflata, in ten ounces of warm water, and repeat, if necessary, until emesis was produced. He did so, and in a few minutes the patient vomited out the peach-pit, to the great relief of the doctor as well as of his patient. Seeing an account in your journal of two or three similar cases in which operations were resorted to with fatal results, induces me to again call the attention of your readers to this simple but effectual mode of relief in all similar cases. There is no danger in it, or attending it; and if it fails, the operation may be resorted to as well after as before this treatment. The medicine relaxes the œsophagus, and the vomiting rushes the obstruction out in a handsome manner. I do not believe that any surgeon can be justified in performing such an operation without first trying this remedy. Very respectfully yours, etc., J. S. PRETTYMAN, M.D. Milford, Del., January 25, 1893.