558 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



over the organization of the tissues that is to say, it is pre- 

 eminently the agent of nutrition. The lacto-phosphate of 

 lime is also recommended very strongly as an active agent in 

 medicine ; and in the distinctness of its action, and the posi- 

 tiveness of its effects, it claims to be ranked with bromide of 

 potassium and chloral as one of the most valuable contribu- 

 tions of chemistry to the healing art made during the present 

 century. 3 J?, June 9, 248. 



CURE OF ST. VITUS'S DANCE. 



Among the more recent triumphs of medical science may 

 be mentioned the method of treatment of chorea, or St.Vi- 

 tus's dance, originally discovered in Europe, and first prac- 

 ticed in this country, we believe, by Dr. W. A. Hammond, of 

 New York. This consists in the application, by means of a 

 special apparatus, of ether-spray to the spine, the current be- 

 ing directed from the occiput to the sacrum, backward and 

 forward for about six minutes each time, the treatment being 

 renewed at proper intervals. Cases previously considered 

 entirely hopeless have, it is said, been cured by a dozen ap- 

 plications of the kind referred to, although great care is nec- 

 essary, as, if carried beyond a certain point, the treatment 

 may prove injurious rather than beneficial. 



TREATMENT OF CROUP BY INHALATION OF GLYCERINE. 



A German physician, Dr. Stehverger, recommends the treat- 

 ment of croup by the inhalation of pure glycerine through 

 one or other of the well-known forms of atomizing apparatus. 

 He was led to try this remedy for croup from observing its 

 good effects in cases of hoarseness and loss of voice. After 

 application the cough becomes more free and moist, and chil- 

 dren are enabled to sleep almost immediately upon being re- 

 lieved by the inhalation. It is, however, believed to be of 

 importance to make use of the remedy early and frequently, 

 as, if delayed, it may have no effect whatever. If the glyce- 

 rine be pure, it may be used unmixed ; if not, it should be di- 

 luted with a little water. The inhalations are repeated, ac- 

 cording to the necessity of the case, at intervals of from half 

 an hour to an hour and a half, and for about fifteen minutes 

 at a time. The effect of the glycerine in this case is supposed 

 to be due to the fact that the secretions of the mucous mem- 



