In addition to close sanatoriums, climatic health-resorts are to be con sidered. These, however, present the disadvantage that the patients are left to themselves, depending only upon occasional examinations by the physician on whom they call according to their own pleasure. A strict supervision is lacking, and transgressions of given directions are almost unavoidable.
An attainment of the last decade is the establishment of state sanatoriums, which enable also the poor to enjoy the benefits of treatment in these institu tions. As far as experiences have shown hitherto, these sanatoriums have proved excellent ; and if, as is planned, the discharged patients, by light farm or gardening work in rural colonies, are gradually reaccustomed to a regular occupation, it may be expected that the effects of the cure will last for many years—in favourable cases even permanently. It cannot be denied, that the return to the former, often unfavourable, domestic con ditions, and to callings that are detrimental to health, often annuls the favourable effects achieved.
The fate of the consumptive rests largely in his own hands. In all his actions he should, therefore, bear in mind the guiding principle of Dettweiler : " Pay great attention to details." TUMOUR.—Popular opinion usually designates as " tumour " any morbid change which has caused an enlargement in some part of the body. The physician, however, differentiates between solid enlargements caused by a morbid growth of a certain organ or part of the body and simple inflammatory swellings, boils, or abscesses. The latter are called false tumours, whereas the solid ones are regarded as true tumours. It is of importance for the layman to know that there are two distinct groups of tumours—namely, malignant and benign. The former group includes all tumours whose growth is unlimited, taking place at the expense of the body, which they gradually cause to perish by destroying important organs. It frequently happens that particles of these tumours are carried by the blood-vessels or lymph vessels to different parts of the body, where they develop new growths of a similar nature. Malignant tumours may arise in all parts of the body, and are named according to the composition of their tissues. Popular parlance designates them all as " cancer," hut this is very unscientific.
Benign tumours, although they may attain a large size, do not constitute any immediate danger to the body. They show no inclination to multiply in other tissues ;. and they affect the body merely by the inconvenience they cause, or by constituting a blemish. Among such benign, or innocent, tumours, may be mentioned fatty swellings, warts, and follicular tumours (atheromata) of the scalp.
No medical remedies for malignant tumours are known as yet. They should be removed as early as possible by surgical operation. If not removed in time, the patient cannot be saved. A number of people delay operation from carelessness, inattention, or . fear, or because they believe in the promises of unscrupulous quacks who claim to be able to " cure cancer without the knife." In view of this it is imperative to dwell most emphatically upon the importance of following the advice of the physician, and have all suspicious tumours removed as early as possible. Cancers and tumours of the various organs are discussed under the several headings.
oleoresine obtained from several species of pine trees. The American turpentine is largely obtained from the Pitt-us palms iris ; Canada balsam from the Abies balsamea ; and Burgundy pitch from a Norway spruce, the Picea excelsa. Oil of turpentine, or spirits of turpen tine, is a volatile oil having a peculiar odour and taste, and is a distillation product of turpentine. The oil of turpentine is an irritant which acts rather slowly ; but, as it is quite volatile, it has considerable penetrating power, and may produce a deep sore. It is used as a counter-irritant, in a liniment, for rheumatic joints, sciatica, or lumbago. Turpentine stupes are useful over areas of deep inflammation. These are made by sprinkling the oil of turpentine on flannel which is wrung out of hot water. Diluted with some bland oil, it is sometimes rubbed on the chest of patients suffering from bronchitis. Internally, oil of turpentine is used as an intestinal antiseptic, particularly in typhoid fever when there is distension. It is sometimes added to an enema for its stimulating effect. Some of its derivatives, as terebene and terpine, are used in bronchitis. The oil is often given in emulsion in five to ten drop doses. Over-doses cause inflammation of the stomach, intestines, and urinary tract.