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MEDICAL JOURNAL,

PUBLISHED MONTHLY.

Edited by

A. J. MARSTON, M. D.

VOLUME III, 1884.

WORCESTER, MASS.:

WORCESTER PRINTING & PUBLISHING COMPANY, No. 47 MAIN STREET,

1884.

PAGE.

The Germ Theory and Germicides, . 58 The Doctors,
The Extract of Hemlock,

The Specialist,

64-78-111-147 The New Anæsthetic,

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167-186 The Ind. Eclectic Medical Journal, 187 73 Treatment for Acute Dysentery with Aconite,

The So-called Eclectic Medical College of Maine,

The Coming National,

76 The Journal. Its Progress and Ex-
78 pectations,

Treatment for Mammary Cancer, 95 The Medical Compend,
The Influence of Alcohol, on Digestion,96 To Old and New Readers,
The W. S. Murrell Chemical Co. 109-143
Treatment Wanted,

116-136 Urinary Test Papers,

The Bandage as a Cause of Hour- Ulcers,

Glass Contraction,

The Code,

The Treatment of Gonorroa,
Two Questions,

Treatment for Whooping Cough,
The Eclectic Medical Advocate,
They Want More Evidence,
Tinct. Lobelia in Erysipelas,
Transfusion of Water,.

121

119 Urinary Test Case,

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120 Uterine Elevator,

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Tubercle Bacillus and Pneumonia
Microccus,

Treatment for Felons,
The Next National,

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"The Magee Emulsion of Cod Liver Oil,

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The Exploring Needle Folly,

The Regulation of Medical Practice,
The Proper Ues of Physicians,
Treatment for Orchitis,

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195

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141 Vinegar in Post Partum Hemorrhage, 88
142 Veratrum Viride,

144 Vesical Tenesmus,
145

159 What of the Dose,

163 Wooster Beech,

165 What is Ozone?

Why I Resigned,

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166 When Not to Give Chloroform in
168 Parturition,

169 Was Familiar with the Books,

172 Wyeth & Brothers,

174 Wilson, Dr. Erasmus,

154

178

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The quantity of medicine that constitutes a proper dose is an important question and has not received that attention it should, it being the custom with teachers and writers of materia medica, as regards the dose of an agent, to say, give a number of drops or drachms, to twice or thrice the amount, until the remedy acts freely. This we claim is wrong, and base our opinion upon the fact that all drugs have a dual action, a primary and secondary one, the former being in our opinion, the true therapeutical action, and the latter its physiological. We might illustrate this double action and show that they are widely different by calling attention to the first and second effects of belladona, the first effect of this agent being a stimulant to the vasomotor nerves, producing a gently increased functional activity of the blood vessels, imparting a slight glow and heat upon the surface, with an increased circulation through the brain; if the quantity taken be large this is quickly followed by a congestion or stagnation of blood with all of its attendant symptoms, produced by the paralyzation of the same nerves that were first stimulated by it, and we now have all the symptoms that would give rise to what would be called belladonna poisoning. We might in further proof of this statement call attention to the action of a few well known remedies such as aconite, ipecac, rhus, bryonia and alcohol. Every one who has ever prescribed these agents know that when they are given in moderately large doses that

the first effects are soon followed by another and quite different action, and that the intensity of this secondary effect is comparable with the amount used; if a sufficient quantity, even death will be the result.

We claim the first impression made upon the system (in health) is the true therapeutic action of the agent, and is the one that impresses the organ or part, acted upon when diseased in such a manner as will call forth greater energy, enabling it as it were, to throw off the morbid condition which gives rise to the disease.

If this be true then the dose will be the least quantity that will renew the energy of a failing organ or that will have a tendency to restore it to its natural condition,-this much and no more. When we learn the size of the dose that will do this we give it, and repeat it as often as may bę necessary to keep up this effect, being careful to not repeat often enough to bring the system under its influence sufficiently to produce its secondary action. This makes pleasant, safe, certain and scientific medication.-Ind. Med. Investigator.

[That the theory advanced above is the one generally accepted we acknowledge, yet we cannot agree with it, even if we are in the manority.

For a thinking man to accept the theory that one drop of belladonna when taken into the system, acts one way, and five or ten drops, administered the same way, acts an entirely different way, is beyond our comprehension.

All medicine must have its own special action one action, not two or three. If twenty drops of tincture of aconite depresses the heart's action, as we know it will, then one drop depresses it its proportionate part, not perceptibly at first, indeed the pulse indicates additional strength from its administration, yet it was but the effort of nature a successful effort in this case - to overcome its depresssing influence. While its apparant effect is strength-giving, the results of its action is strength-taking, for it can but excite the power that lies in reserve, and when the excitation has passed, the system will be lowered in poportion to the exertion made.-EDITOR.]

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Natura Ducit. "Follow Nature."

From my earliest recollections "Follow Nature" h in my ears. And, as a general rule, when any

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for centuries, there is something read or that in A Twell remember of "watching "a fever patient in the country one summer night, and of falling asleep in an easy chaik 7 had been told to ge a teaspoonful of a certain medie once in four hours, and allow the sick man a tablespoonful of water every hour 7 was about twenty then, and a heavy sleeper Why I did not sleep right through till daylight is a mystery, but I awoke about twee block, and to my startled amazement the patient had left his couch and departed. What could I do? Hunt the missing man, of course. I went out and along a porch, and there by the well-carb crouched my man, slab ing his thirst and cooling inward fever with stupendous draughts from a freshly filled "old oaken bucket" I was paralyzed by the scene. The hollow-eyed, thin-fingered, gaunt figure looked more the ghost than like one having the quick of life in him. Who would think a man sick with typhoid fever for four weeks could get up and walk to the curb, and there lower a "sweep," fill a bucket at the bottom, raise the same, hand under hand, and then have strength enough to crouch and quaff the overflowing water. But my patient did it, and I had no ounds, rouble nor effort in walking him back to his bed. I asked him if he new what he was about, and his reply was: "I followed nature stincts led me to water, and when I saw you were asleep I followed em. I shall get well now. I tell you these doctors kill more than y cure. They try to amend the ways of God, and their pa And in a strain of exaltation he quoted thus:

ome a physician and follow nature, 'natura d strange state of things and that supulchral ndly. The patient had been out of his gly rational. After speaking the words fell asleep and slept till morning

y frightened to dream of se is afraid it might prome gallon I judged by

It ji busun up," as

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