powerful agent in the treatment of chronic engorgements. We have seen hemlock cataplasms, continuously applied to the abdomen, cure two ascitic dropsies, due, the one to chronic peritonitis, the other to the presence of numerous tumours in the abdomen. The cure was complete after three months' treatment. We even went so far as to endeavour to treat pulmonary phthisis with hemlock. We caused the whole of the chest to be enclosed in a kind of cuirass, coated with a thick layer of hemlock-plaster. This cuirass was renewed every four or five days. This simple remedy calms the cough, and renders expectoration more easy, at the same time it allays the pains in the chest so common with phthisical persons. Under the influence of this medication, the fever is generally moderated. In a word, we have obtained with many consumptive persons, in whom the disease proceeded rather slowly, an amendment and a suspension of accidents which we should not have had with any other known remedy. Is it therefore to be said that we pretended to cure phthisis and cancer, those diseases which are the reproach of therapeutics and the despair of practitioners? God forbid that we should make such a pretension. But we believe that with the help of hemlock, one may, in a certain number of cases, moderate the internal inflammatory condition, which hastens the degeneration and softening of cancers, and which disorganizes so rapidly the lungs of those who had at first but a small number of tubercles." (Manuel Médical, 2nd edition.) It is to be regretted that this great clinicien should have been too soon lost to science; he was not one of those who oppose themselves to all progress; and if the dosimetric method had been introduced during his lifetime, I am persuaded that he would have lent it the support of his authority. At least, he would not have condemned it without having tested it. To resume my remarks as to the treatment of cancer, I will say that no cutting operation ought to be performed but with great reserve, and that in every case it should be preceded and followed by an internal treatment with the arseniates and iodides, as well as with cicutine, to diminish the morbid susceptibility. If the engorgement is considerable, it will be necessary to give: Arseniate of soda, four to six granules a-day; and cicutine, two granules, morning and night. In case of anæmia, choice should be made of arseniate of iron -: Four to six granules, daily. If the cause has been a dartre, it will be necessary to give:Cicutine, four granules; iodide of arsenic, six to eight granules a-day. If, on the contrary, there is a venereal cause, a mercurial iodide must be administered :- Cicutine, protiodide of mercury; four granules of each, daily, It is thus seen that the internal treatment should vary according to the morbid cause. It is useless to seek for a specific against cancer: there is none, no more than against any diathesis whatsoever. What is necessary is, to modify the blood, and to endeavour to restore it to its physiological condition. In order to effect this purpose, the vital forces must be sustained by giving the arseniate of strychnine : Two granules in the evening, with the cicutine. There are no modifiers which go better together than strychnine and cicutine, since they are both vital incitants. What has been said concerning the violence of cicutine, so far as wishing to compare it with prussic acid, is evidently exaggerated. I have very often taken granules until the physiological effect has been produced, that is to say, until the vital functions have been artificially incited, and this is what I have remarked: On the part of the functions of the brain: a tendency to repose, and a sleep without fatigue, a drowsiness quite different to that produced by morphine-which causes a feeling of pressure or tightness-and a calm awakening without headache. On the part of the vegetative functions: a slackening of the pulse, and a notable increase of diuresis and diaphoresis. It may be comprehended that hemlock thus calms the pains of cancer, and repairs the strength of the patient by inducing sleep.* * Professor Clay has claimed for pure Chian turpentine almost specific powers in the cure and relief of cancer, notably uterine. In his hands this agent has been remarkably successful. It appears to have similar therapeutical properties to hemlock, as regards its action on cancer, only much more powerful and lasting. It should receive an extensive trial from the profession. For full particulars, Professor Clay's articles on this subject in the "Lancet" should be consulted. I may add that sufferers from cancer should be treated by combining Professor Clay's method with that of the illustrious Professor of Ghent.-H.A.A. DOSIMETRIC TREATMENT OF NEUROSES. THE Neuroses are disorders of innervation, depending sometimes upon a condition of congestion, and sometimes upon anæmia; so that their treatment must vary according to those causes. Hysteria. This affection must be placed at the head of the neuroses, since it may involve at the same time both the cerebro-spinal nervous system, and the great sympathetic. Congestive hysteria is connected with a plethoric condition, or orgasm, especially of the uterus and its appendages (the ovaries). Women who are subject to it are generally viragos. Frequently it is the venereal desire which has not been satisfied. This hysterical passion leads sometimes to disorders purely nervous, such as laryngeal spasm-amounting almost to hydrophobia-nymphomania, and comatose convulsions; sometimes to psychical aberrations of the most whimsical character, with momentary suspension of the action of the external senses, and a species of clairvoyance, such as is noticed in animal magnetism. The Répertoire of 1876 contains a remarkable case of the above kind. Congestive hysteria requires a calming and refreshing treatment. In this case, recourse may be had to bromated camphor :— Three to four granules, daily; and every morning, the Seidlitz salt. Uterine spasm must be combated by hyosciamine, with which bromated camphor should be combined :- A granule of each, every half-hour, until cessation of spasm. *It is known that the non-gratification of the sexual desires among animals, notably among domestic dogs, leads to hydrophobia, as I have previously pointed out. Assafoetida, which is used in these cases, and which is often abused, has also for its object the relaxing of the spasm. But many women have a repugnancy to it, on account of its penetrating odour, and its acrid and bitter taste. In congestive hysteria, it is sometimes necessary to remove engorgement of the uterine neck, by the application of leeches. In anæmic or chloro-anæmic hysteria-the most obstinate kind, and which is accompanied by epileptiform convulsions-it is necessary, independently of ferruginous preparations, to make use of antispasmodics. These medicaments should be chosen from the series of the valerianates: such as valerianate of iron, against the anæmia :-- Five to six granules a-day. Valerianate of zinc, against the convulsions :- Valerianate of quinine, against the periodic paroxysms:- The ethers must be abstained from as much as possible, because they only increase the nervous susceptibility by provoking anæmia. If the latter is profound, recourse must be had to arseniate of iron, which, of all the ferruginous medicaments, is that which augments in a greater proportion the number of the red globules of the blood. Among the hysterical suspensive neuroses, I will signalise aphonia and dysphagia, apart from all inflammatory or organic cause. In these cases, recourse must be had to strychnine, in combination with hyosciamine: A granule of each, together, every hour, until cessation of spasm. The same treatment must be adopted in the pneumatoses, those singular swellings which may give rise to errors of diagnosis: such are nervous tympanites, hysterical physometria, etc. Asthma. Of all the neuroses, asthma is the most persistent, because it is often connected with constitutional or organic |