MEDICAL MISCELLANY. 499 



Chlorate of Potash in Diphtheria. — The following is a summary of an 

 interesting^ article by Dr. A. Seeligmuller, of Halle, Prussia, contributed to 

 the London Medical Times and Gazette : 



(1.) The chlorate of potash administered in a saturated solution (five 

 per cent.) has a specific effect on diphtheria. 



(2.) It must be given in a solution of ten grammes in two hundred 

 grains of distilled water, without adding any syrup or any other substance 

 to ameliorate the taste. 



(3.) This solution is to be ordered to infants under three years at half 

 a spoonful, to older ones at a whole spoonful, every two hours (if the malady 

 is very grave, every hour); at first day and night without interuption. 



(4.) This internal medication alone will suffice in all cases. 



(5.) The saturated solution of chlorate of potash exercises (a) a topical 

 action and {h) a general one on the diphtheritic process : (a) a topical one, 

 as a mild cautery, and by separating the diphtheritic pseudo-membranes 

 from their basement membranes; (6) a general one, supplying the oxygen 

 withdrawn from the blood corpuscles by bacteria and destroying these or- 

 ganisms. 



(6.) Caution is required lest the saturated solution may act, danger- 

 uosly on heart or digestion. When such symptoms occur, the administra- 

 tion must be suspended. — Boston Journal of Chemistry. 



Citric Acid in Diphtheria. — Dr. Caspari states in a German medical 

 journal that he has treated successfully more than forty cases of diphtheria 

 by using locally (with the spray and brush) slightly diluted citric acid. 

 Several of these cases had resisted treatment by salicylic and carbolic acid. 

 Appropriate constitutional treatment was, of course, combined with the 

 local. — Boston Journal of Chemistry. 



For Rheumatism. — A physician in ]S"ew York city, long a patron of the 

 Journal^ sends us the following formula: 



R Iodide of potassium 5 iss. 



Tinct. Colchicum, „ 



Syrup rhei aa' 5 i. 



Water 5 ss. 



M. Sig. Teaspoonful every three hours. 



Anodyne Enema. — Chloroform one to two grammes (a quarter to half a 

 drachm), powdered gum acacia eight grammes, the yolk of one egg, and 

 water 125 grammes. This is Dr. Aran's lavement calmant, intended to be 

 used whenever pain has to be subdued, and especially in hepatic or ne- 

 phritic colic, cystitis, etc. Camomile tea or decoction of poppy-heads may 

 be used in place of the water. 



