North Carolina Farmer.—An examination of the April number of this periodical was a pleasant surprise. It abounds in practical matters suited to the necessity of our farmers, and should be read and supported by the pen and pockets of the entire agricultural community.
We make one suggestion to the editors, and that is, that if they are to have a column for diseases and remedies (a questionable matter for all non-medical publications), that it should be in the hands of a competent medical man. We congratulate the publishers that they have no nostrum advertisements. Large quarto of 18 pp. at $1.00 a year. Jas. H. Enniss, Editor and Publisher, Raleigh, N. C.
GROSS ON THE TREATMENT OF CYSTIC GOITRE.
In a clinical lecture delivered by M. Gross, of Nancy, reported in the Revue Médicale de l’Est, of November 15, he describes the treatment of cystic goitre, known as Michel’s “mixed method,” as extremely useful, and furnishes a case illustrating its advantages. Giving a rather extended review of the various modes hitherto proposed for removal of these growths, he points out their drawbacks, and the superiority of Michel’s method over them. Briefly the latter consists in making a vertical incision in the skin over the most prominent cyst, and then dissecting carefully down through the various structures, until the wall of the cavity is reached. A very fine trocar is then pushed into the cavity with a canula, and through the latter the fluid is withdrawn. After this a plaque of pâte de Canquoin, about three centimètres broad, is applied to the cyst, the sides of the wound being protected by a circular piece of diachylon. This is left on a day or two until an eschar is formed, which soon after comes away, leaving a free opening through, which the cyst can discharge, until it shrinks up, after suppurating for a time.
It is claimed for this method that it is less likely to give rise to dangerous hemorrhage than several others, while, the caustic only being applied to the surface of the cyst, severe inflammation of the tissues around is avoided. Other cysts, if present, are similarly treated through the aperture of the first.—Arthur E. Barker, in London Medical Record.
CURRENT LITERATURE.
REMEDIAL AND FATAL EFFECTS OF CHLORATE OF POTASSA.
In a paper read before the Medical Society of the State of New York, (Medical Record, March 5th), Dr. Jacobi reviews in a very careful manner the remedial effects of chlorate of potash, and calls attention also to what he considers the dangers of large dosages so commonly employed by physicians and patients.
Sir James Y. Simpson, introduced chlorate of potash on the theoretical ground of its employment in chemistry to develop oxygen, to supply oxygen to the blood on the part of the fœtus in cases of placentitis.
Many years ago, Isambert and Honie, found chlorate of potash eliminated without any change, and in large quantities, even as much as 95 or 99 per cent. of the amount administered, in the various secretions of the body; that is in the urine, the saliva, the tears, the perspiration, the bile, and now and then even in the milk; no oxygen was developed at all. The theory of Simpson was long ago given up, because it was found out that the same redness was produced in the blood by other alkalies.