Experiments carried out with a view of determining the competency of the ileo-eceeal valve, showing that in a cer tain number of eases success may be looked for, even though the first attempt prove a, failure. In four cases there was no difficulty whatever in the passage of liquids from the anus to the stomach or even out throngli the mouth and nose. Judson Dala,nd (Amer. Jour. Med. Sci., July, '93).
Choleraic patients obtain real benefit from the use of tar-water given inter nally, in small quantities, and in the form of enemata. It generally arrests violent diarrhcca and vomiting,. and int proves the bien-etre of the patients. Polubinski (Wratsch, No. 50, '92).
High rectal injections of an acidulated solution of peroxide of hydrogen recom mended. A prolonged contact of water with turpentine transforms the former into a fairly-strong solution of peroxide of hydrogen. Shiloff (Mang. Dis., No. 65, p. 59, '93).
For the purpose of cleansing the in testine of the specific germs, and their noxious products, the use of purgatives has been recommended, especially in the first stages of the disease; calomel and castor-oil are generally preferred, and they may sometimes give good results. But, when they- do not act favorably- on the first or second day, their effect can no longer be relied upon.
Attention drawn to the views held by many, viz.: the risk that attends the Ilse of purga,tive medieines, and salines especially, during periods of epidemic cholera, and at places where that disease happens to be prevailing. Physicians who practice in India seem to have recog nized the danger of strong purgatives. Editorial (Lancet, Sept. 23, '93).
LA large number of cases seen in which, under appropriate treatment, purging and vomiting had been stopped, and the patients apparently recovered, but who were afterward brought back to a, fatal sta,te of collapse by the admin istration of purgatives of an irritating nature. NEVE, CO1T. ELI., Annual, '94.] 2. To counteract the eiTects of poisons absorbed into the blood we have no effi cient means, the greater number of drugs given for this purpose (especially antiseptics) having failed or given but very imperfect results. The only thing we can do is not to exert an antidotal action upon them, but to hasten and make easy their elimination from the blood. by largely diluting it through the
introduction of an artificial serum, a practice answering other important ob jects, as we shall see shortly.
3. Among the noxious effects of local inflammation and of the general tox i-emia, which require an energetic treat ment, the principal are: diarrhcea and vomiting, with excessive loss of watery fluids; and danger of heart-paralysis.
To control diarrhcea and vomiting, when excessive, is a vital indication, the profuse loss of water they involve con tributing a very serious danger for the organism. Against diarrlicea, the same rectal injections of tannic-acid or ace tate-of-lead solutions and internal use of opium.
As a person shows the premonitory symptoms of cholera, by having one or two large watery motions passed with little or no pain, and begins to vomit, it is best to put him under the influence of opium at once. All physicians who have had much to do with the treatment of cholera in India are agreed in this; and it is noteworthy that many so called cholera "specifics," which have from time to time been popular, contain opium in some form. F. C. Nicholson (Practitioner, Sept., '93).
Carbonate of calcium, salicylate of bismuth, etc., may also be of some serv ice; while, to subdue the vomiting and painful cramps in the stomach, ice, laudanum, morphine (hypodermically), cocaine, chlorodyne, essence of mint, menthol, camphor, or chamomile may be resorted to.
Belladonna advocated. Illingworth (Med. Press and Circular, Juue 19, '93).
Atropine most useful on account of the control that it would exercise over the cramps of the muscles and in spasm of the bile-duct. Sciiven (Brit. Med. Jour., June, '93).
Atropine of marked value in collapse. Lauder Brunton (Brit. Med. Jour., June, '93).
Shortly after the development of first symptoms a subcutaneous injection of camphor, with musk, is rapidly followed by a striking amelioration in the pa tient's condition, vomiting either greatly decreasing or ceasing altogether, the well known distressing oppression about the chest similarly subsiding. Popoff (In aug. Dis., No. 25, p. 55, '93).