208 
POPULAlt SCIENCE KEYIEW. 
MEDICAL SCIENCE. 
Treatment of Catarrhal Jaundice by Electricity. — Dr. Gerhard t, of Berlin, 
’first determines the position of the gall-bladder by percussion at the free 
border of the liver. This can often be detected by a small, rounded promi- 
nence at the inferior convexity of the liver, and can be easily made to project. 
The electrode of a strong inductive electric machine is applied at this point, 
while the other electrode is applied at the other side of the median abdominal 
line. Almost always, when the current is powerful, a gurgling sound can 
be heard, and very often the faeces resume their natural colour, and the cure 
Is effected. 
The Arctic Expedition. — The “Lancet” states that the proposed Arctic 
expedition, which will soon be an accomplished fact, will afford many 
opportunities of gaining useful knowledge on the important subject of 
sanitary science afloat. Although the records of most Arctic expeditions 
include some accounts of scurvy, we may fairly hope that the disease will 
find no place in the forthcoming exploration. But many valuable notes may 
be made as to diet, ventilation, clothing, and temperature, that might be 
turned to practical account by all engaged in looking after the health of 
seamen, whether in the royal or the merchant service. 
The Comic Aspect of Cremation. — The following quotation is, according to 
an American cotemporary, from the London “ Lancet The question of 
burning the dead is exciting much discussion in California. One paper 
suggests some readings on plates of funeral urns in the future : “ Charles 
Pupker, 3^ lbs., cremated July 9, 1879. For wife of above see third pickle 
bottle on next shelf. Little Tommy, burnt up Sept. 16, 1881. Jane Matilda 
Perkins, Oct. 3, 1883. Put up by the Alden Corpse Cremating Company. 
None genuine without signature.” 
Tincture of Eucalyptus Globulus in Intermittent Fever. — The following 
results are summed up by Dr. Hirsch (“Berl. Klin. Wochenschrift,”No. 30) 
as obtained from his experiments with the tincture in nine cases of obstinate 
intermittent fever: 1. In all the cases, after the use of the remedy for one 
or more days, the spleen diminished in size. 2. In six cases, three, at most 
four, teaspoonfuls of the medicine were sufficient to prevent a return of the 
paroxysms. In one case only was the double quantity required. 3. Seven 
of the nine cases were cured completely ; in the remaining two the remedy 
proved unsuccessful. From these results Dr. H. draws the conclusion that 
tinct. eucalypt. glob, is a remedy but little, if any, inferior to quinine in the 
treatment of intermittent fever, and that it will probably prove to be as 
valuable an antiphlogistic in the treatment of other fevers as quinine, digi- 
talis, and veratrum. 
Prevention of Pitting in Small-pox. — Dr. "Ward has found that the ap- 
plication of honey, painted on with a camel’s-hair brush twice or thrice a 
day, prevents pitting in small-pox. He also recommends it for cracks in the 
skin from frost. 
Cigars de Joy as a preventive of Asthma. — We thoroughly endorse what 
Is said on this subject in the “ Medical Becord” (March 17). We believe 
