disease

germs finding acce into the mouth and being imprisoned there in the saliva and thereafter swallowed! So far as my own observations have gone, I have been led to believe that if a person who is in the vicinity of a patient suffering from an infectious disease continually keeps his mouth shut and breathes through his nose and does not swallow his saliva, that he will escape infection. who It is therefore important that individuals are obliged to come in contact with diseases of this nature should ket up to these injunctions. Uf course it goes without saying that disinfectants have a most powerful influence in destroying infection, and as these substances can be employed without any detriment to the patient, they should invariably be diffused through the sick-room. may arise in any part of the human body, and is characterized by an engorgement of the blood-ve els of the part, producing redne , pain, and swelling. It may arise from the direct introduction of some poisonous matter or by the absorption of septic material from without indeed, in every instance it would appear to be due; to the latter influence. It has recently been ascertained that the engorgement which takes place in the part which is inflamed is due to the development of microbes of an injurious nature within the part. These microbes have the power of developing very rapidly within the blood stream, but there are substances within the blood called white corpuscles or leucocytes, which, when a part is invaded by this poisonous matter, immediately congregate in the neighbourhood, and, by the power which they po e , attack the germs producing the mischief, and endeavour to destroy them by absorbing them within their own cellular structure, thus devouring them so to speak. it These bodies, in consequence of this peculiar power which they po e , have obtained the name of ‘phagocytes,’ and the proce of their action has been termed ‘ phagocytosis. Whatever be the nature of.the septic germs which develop inflammation in a part, these is ooa and endeavour to destroy them. That they are not always succe ful is a fact of which we are too’ well conscious, but it is astonishing what they can accomplish if they are a isted by the bodily health being well sustained by nutritious and stimulating nourishment. Medicines are also of considerable service in a isting them in their efforts, and amongst the most a useful remedies which we can employ in these circumstances are those which reduce the temperature of the body, which is always high during the existence of inflammatory action, such as phenacetin, salicine, quinine, aconite, and those substances which act upon the skin, producing free perspiration—amongst these may be included ipecac, liquor of the acetate of ammonia, sweet spirits of nitre, hot gruels; and if the inflammation is external, the application of ichthyol, belladonna, dilute solution of carbolic acid, menthol in if solution, ice, cold water compre es, and hot fomentations. If the disease has affected an internal organ, then the application of mustard poultices, fly blisters, dry cupping, and even blood-letting may be found to afford very beneficial results. In every instance, however, it is e ential that the vital forces should be well maintained by judicious nourishment, and stimulation if nece ary. There can be little doubt that when inflammation is present it is not so much the local mischief that tends to produce a fatal result as the high temperature of the body which accompanies the attack, as when the temperature is running high the whole muscular system of the body, especially that of the a heart, becomes impoverished, and tends to become flabby therefore it is the first duty of any one in charge of a patient; whose temperature is above the normal to get this reduced as rapidly as po ible. Phenacetin in io-grain doses, repeated every four hours if nece aiy, will, in these circumstances, have a most beneficial effect, and not only prevent this enervation of the muscular system from proceeding too far, but also a ist in maintaining the vital energies of the leucocytes, which have so much to do with the destruction of the disease germs. It is also nece ary that the lower bowel be Kept empty, preferably by the enema, as thereby a most prostrating effect Is avoided, this At the same time that this medicine is being the lower bowel should be kept clear by daily use of the enema, and the vital powers sus by judicious nourishment. When an attack of is threatening, the free inhalation of eucalyptus or menthol by a steam inhaler may cut short an but the,grand point to observe is the condition general health, and especially that of the bowels. is the extraction of the e ential con of vegetable substances by means of boiling A great many I infusions arc employed in such as cinchona, senna, calumba, chamobroom, gentian, qua ia, hop, senega, uva ursa, etc. The most commonly employed infusion and.this article, in consequence of the mode of frequently produces most prejudicial effects it, the stomach. All the time nece ary for the in of tea and the extraction of its invigorating and properties is four minutes at the outside if it longer than this, the gummy extractive matter; the tannin enter into the liquid, and are pregnant of dyspepsia, especially among females, who large quantities of tea. It is therefore desirable to let the infusion go on longer than three or four is one of the most efficacious means medical substances into the respiratory and blood, if this is required. When it is desired locally upon any portion of the respiratory tract, vapour is conveyed by means of steam i uing from article which is employed as an inhaler. The jug answers the purpose fairly well, but there ve els to be had adapted for the purpose, which manufactured and retailed at most moderate prices. the more common vapours employed in inare those of menthol, eucalyptus, terebine, camphor, and other volatile substances. inhalation of chloride of ammonia, for which a inhaler has been manufactured, has of late years largely employed in the treatment of catarrh of nares and bronchial tubes. It is easy of applicaand not at all unpleasant for the patient, and at same time has considerable power in relieving the symptoms which are invariably present in cases. Sulphurous acid at one time was held in esteem, as an inhalation in the treatment of affections of the air pa ages, but, like many things which have been boomed too much, it has into an oblivion which it scarcely deserves, as it is a most useful agent in the treatment of first stage of catarrh, and this is evidently due to properties. When it is desired to act by upon the blood, as in the production of during operations, ether, chloroform, laugh gas, and other like substances are inhaled without diluted, except by atmospheric air. The inhalaused in these circumstances are quite distinct those employed when medicinal effects alone are and as the administration of these substances attended with more or le danger they should be administered by unskilled hands. Oxygen in its pure state has of late come again into in such diseases as pneumonia, etc. In its concenstate it is administered to tide the patient over may be considered the crisis, and by this means the indicating a deficient oxygenation of the blood disappears, this being due to more complete taking place, in consequence of the gas inhaled without dilution. Simple steam may be inhaled with advantage where there is throat or an irritable condition of the windpipe. also a very useful soothing agent in bronchitis, in children, and the apartment occupied by patient can be kept moist by means of what is known as a bronchitis kettle, from which a current of steam is kept flowing. This may impregnated with eucalyptus oil, terebine, or The inhalation of carbolic acid vapour is useful and beneficial in whooping cough, and is of considerable service in other spasmodic coughs, in the inveterate coughing of consumption. In the inhalation of iodine vapour and that of oil has been strongly advocated, and doubt not without good reason. Inhalation, however, in such diseases as these must not be relied upon solely as the means of treatment, as local measures require also to be adopted. Inoculation is the introduction of a foreign substance into the system by means of a wound. The term is generally applied to the inoculation of smallpox, which was frequently adopted prior to the discovery of vaccination by Jenner. It was found that the introduction of the disease artificially rendered the patient le liable to the full virulence of the disorder. Inoculation at the present day is much more largely employed than ever it has been before, both among animals and the human race. It has been ascertained, principally through the researches of Pasteur, that certain diseases of a most virulent type can be modified to a remarkable degree, and indeecf, in many instances, the system may be rendered impervious to them when an attenuated virus is introduced by subcutaneous injection. Amongst these diseases may be mentioned tetanus or lock-jaw, hydrophobia, anthrax, pleuro-pneumonia, etc. Insanity or Unsoundne of Mind are terms Which are applied to aberrations of the mental faculties. Although these diseases may come on in the course one’s life, they are, as a rule, hereditary in their tendency. Many modified forms of insanity exist, such as monomania, peculiarities of the mental faculties, imbecility, dementia, idiocy, and complete lack of the mental faculties, called amentia. The main points be observed in considering insanity are those which relate to the legal responsibilities of the individual many people labour under delusions which in themselves are harmle , and these people may be able perform their social duties fairly well, but should the delusions referred to be so pronounced as to lead them to be dangerous from a legal point of view, then it becomes nece ary to put them under restraint indeed, whenever a mental affection has even a suspicion; rendering the individual irresponsible for his actions, it is not too soon to take the precautions which the law prescribes for the detention of such persons. When patient, whose mind is supposed to be affected, becomes suspicious and indulges in conversations with himself, and looks upon his best friends as his enemies, it is time that particular note be taken of his actions, and if these go to prove that his mental capabilities are becoming undermined medical aid should be at once called in, and proper precautions taken either to prevent him injuring himself or others, or to put him under restraint entirely. This of course cannot be done without the sanction of his friends, the certificates two unprejudiced medical men, and the warrant of magistrate or sheriff. Whenever an individual whose mind is suspected of being unhinged makes either an attempt upon his own life or that of another, no time should be lost in resorting to the measures which the law enacts. When the mind becomes disordered it generally preceded by restle ne , inability to attend to one’s normal duties, peculiarities of conversation, these generally running in a special groove, suspicions regarding his best friends, sleeple ne , and general disorder of the bodily functions. With a view to ward off worse symptoms, and if po ible bring about a cure, the first thing to attend to is, to endeavour to procure for the patient a refreshing sleep, and this may be attained by the judicious administration of certain soporifics, the best of all being sulphonal. This can be given without danger, and generally with the very best results. Mania is a form of insanity which may be either acute or chronic, and is indicated at first by the atient showing peculiar emotional proclivities, this eing followed by disorder of the intellectual powers. The first symptoms which appear are generally those of despondency, irritability of temper, combined with sleeple ne . The digestive organs, together with the functions of the bowels, are generally very much disturbed, the skin becomes hot and irritable, and sometimes may even develop an eczematous disease. Such cases are generally a ociated with a rheumatic constitution the despondency frequently attains such a pitch that; the patient may make an attempt upon his life, or if his mania is directed in a particular channel he may develop homicidal tendencies. Another form of mania is called, rightly or wrongly, kleptomania. This, however, is often taken advantage of as a shield