NOTES AND COMMENTS.
The Graubuch of the General Hospital of Vienna.—From this very interesting report for 1884 we learn the following: At the end of ‘83 there remained in the hospital 1,672 patients; of these 1,037 were males and 635 females. In ‘84, 23,937 patients were admitted, 14,801 males and 9,136 females. Discharged as cured, 12,532; improved, 4,485; uncured, 2,857. At the end of December, 1884, the number of patients remaining in the hospital was 1,742.
The maximum of sickness among males was reached in January (1,179); among females in May (740). The minimum among males in the month of August (842); among females in September (588).
It is somewhat interesting to note among the victims of pulmonary tuberculosis, the proportion furnished by various occupations. Two hundred and four day laborers, 113 shoemakers, 90 blacksmiths, 76 cabinetmakers, 71 turners, 30 coachmen, 19 butlers, 19 waiters, 8 landlords, 6 musicians, 6 servants, 4 conductors, 2 janitors, 1 stenographer, 1 chorister, 1 turnkey, etc. The proportion of deaths from tuberculosis expressed in percentage of the whole number of deaths was as follows: June, 5.6; April, 4.7; March, 4.4; August, 4.3; May, 4.2; February, 4.1; January, 3.9; October, 3.6; July, 3.2; November, 2.9; September and December, 2.8.
The most rheumatism occurred in May (84), most typhus in September (19), most bronchitis in March (210), the most pneumonitis in April (78), the most catarrh of the digestive organs in July (81).
Winter Prurigo, says Dr. Corlett in a clinical lecture, a common and most annoying disease of the skin in this climate, must be regarded as a local neurosis. In its treatment internal medication avails but little, excepting in severe cases where the paroxysms of itching occur several times during the four and twenty hours, when hydrobromic acid may be used with marked benefit. It is in local measures, however, that we are effectually able to control it.
At the outset of a paroxysm apply caustic potash in strength varying from x to xxx grains to the ounce of water, to which a drachm of glycerine may be added, after which the following should be added:
| ℞ | Menthol | ℨss. |
| Acidi carbolici | ℨss. | |
| Sodii benzoati | ℨij. | |
| Ung. aquae rosae | ℥iij. | |
| Cerae alba q. s. | Misce. |
In mild cases, by omitting the caustic potash, the following lotions will be sufficient:
| ℞ | Menthol | ℨj. |
| Alcoholis | ℥ij. | |
| Acidi carbolici | ℨss. | |
| Sodae benzoati | ℥j. | |
| Aquae rosae | ℥vj. | |
| Misce. |
Dr. G. E. Paget of Cambridge is to have a K. C. B. bestowed on him, and Dr. William Roberts of Manchester is to be knighted. Dr. Paget is Regius Professor of Physic in the University of Cambridge, and a brother of Sir James Paget, the eminent London surgeon. Dr. Wm. Roberts is Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Victoria University. In neither case can the title of “Sir” enhance the distinguished professional reputation already enjoyed by each of these gentlemen.—London Correspondence N. Y. Medical Record.
At the end of November the Curatorium of the General Polyclinic of Vienna held its first meeting according to its new constitution. President Bezecny and Vice-Presidents Dompropst, Marshall and Neumann-Spallart were unanimously reëlected. The chairman, Baron Bezecny, next greeted the new curators, and stated that the object of the meeting was to raise a large sum of money to erect a small hospital for emergency cases. Upon request of the chair, Prof. Schnitzler gave a brief report of the work of the Polyclinic from January 1 to November 25, 1885. Over thirty-two thousand patients were treated. The number of hearers, almost entirely doctors, during the semester year of ‘84-5, reached the height of four hundred and fifty-four. Among these were one hundred from Austria and Hungary, and almost as many out of the German empire. Then follow from other European States—Russia, England, Sweden and Norway, Belgium and Holland, Italy and Greece. America was represented by more than one hundred attendants; but also Asia, Africa and Australia furnished hearers to the Polyclinic. Prof. Schnitzler then left the subject of the report and moved that it be made the ambition of the Polyclinic to erect a Polyclinical hospital. This motion, after a very brief debate, was unanimously adopted.
On account of the death of Prof. Geo. Hunert, A. M., M. D., the chair of Theory and Practice of Medicine is vacant in the Medical Department of Wooster University in this city. As yet a successor has not been decided upon.
Third Annual Meeting of the Ohio State Sanitary Association.—We regret that the programme of this meeting, which was held in Columbus, O., Feb. 25-26, was not received in time for publication in our last number. A number of practical papers were read, some of which we shall present to our readers.
Drs. Scott, Ashmun and Herrick, of Cleveland, presented papers at the meeting of the State Sanitary Association.
Dr. J. H. Gleeson of 87 Bond street met a sudden death on the evening of February 22, at Gerling & Haber’s drug store, No. 283 St. Clair street. It is reported that Mr. Haber handed him by mistake a couple of ounces of a mixture of carbolic acid and glycerine, which the doctor swallowed and expired in a few minutes. The inquest will bring out the facts.
Dr. Geo. F. Leick is in New York City, where he expects to remain several months.
Dr. A. B. Carpenter, who has been abroad in the hospitals of London and Berlin during the past year, has returned to Cleveland.
Dr. H. G. Sherman, owing to ill health, has gone south for the winter.