ABIOTROPHY. WE may speak of life as normal when the activities of the various parts of the body are so harmoniously correlated one with another that the functions of all are performed without excess. and without waste. On the other hand we may speak of death as normal when it comes not from the failure of this or that organ crippling the action of the rest, but from a gradual lowering of vitality all round, so that even to the last it would seem as if, feebly as the functions of any one part are carried on, the result is sufficient for the lessened demands of the other equally feeble organs. Such death is rare; for it usually happens that in consequence of the special incidence of extrinsic influences on certain regions, one part fails far before the rest. Local and unbalanced failure may, however, occur not from the special or irregular incidence of external injurious influences, but from the fact that certain tissues or tracts of the body have, perhaps even from birth, been less endowed than the rest with that attribute which we speak of as vitality, and that these tissues or tracts wear out sooner than is compatible with that evenly distributed decay which occurs in normal death. This condition of locally enfeebled vitality, with its coincident tendency to early degeneration, may undoubtedly arise as a result of inflammatory or other injurious influences, but in many cases it is equally evidently inborn, and it is to such inborn defect that we must look for the explanation of certain hereditary and inevitable degenerations which we are perhaps sometimes too ready to regard as diseases demanding treatment. In a lecture recently delivered at the National Hospital, Sir William Gowers pointed out that we want a name to express this conception-to describe this degeneration or decay which takes place in consequence of defect of vital endurance-and he suggested the use of the word "abiotrophy," formed by inserting the root of Bios after the negative negative particle in "atrophy," while if a more general term be desired the word "abiotic" might be used to express that which depends on defective vitality. Illustrations of this condition of abiotrophy may be found, he said, in the failure of the life of the hair follicles which is the essential cause of early baldness, or in that lesser degree of loss of function in which they fail to produce the normal pigment and thus cause early greyness of hair. Then there are certain conditions of the muscles which present striking forms of true abiotrophy, such as the various forms of idiopathic muscular atrophy, including pseudo-hypertrophic paralysis, in which the muscular fibers, after full development, cease to maintain their nutrition, slowly waste, and ultimately perish. However great the concurrent hypertrophy of the connective tissue and fat-bearing cells by which the pseudo-hypertrophy is caused may be, the essential element of the disease is the failure of vital endurance in the muscular fibers resulting from a congenital tendency. Coming, then, to the nervous system, one may find illustrations of abiotrophy in certain infantile atrophies, in certain spastic paraplegias, and in certain cases in which several members of the same family become blind, usually between the ages of 15 and 25, from slow failure of the fibers. of the optic nerves. The best known form of abiotrophy, as affecting the nervous system, is, however, to be found in Friedreich's disease, the so-called "hereditary ataxy," which, whatever its varieties, must be regarded as the result of a degeneration of certain neurons from defect of vital power. Later in life, while general life may seem full of vigor, the nutrition of certain neurons may fail, and thus we may find various examples of abiotrophy. Those which most frequently thus decay are the spinal motor neurons, and with his usual wealth of illustrations Sir William Gowers gave many examples of these forms of abiosis; but the point of interest in his lectures lay not merely in these, but in the clearness with which he laid down the general principle that many of the conditions which are often spoken of and perhaps ARSENIC is used so little nowadays in green coloring that the scare over that is a thing of the past. Ingredients are used, however, in the manufacture of wall paper colors that are hardly less injurious, writes Walter A. Dyer in Good Housekeeping. The unpleasant exhalations of papered walls chifly emanate from such wall papers as have a blue or green ground, but also occur where the blue or green color constitutes the principal part of the pattern, the dyestuff being composed chiefly of blue or green ultramarine. The latter is not poisonous, but has the property of becoming decomposed by any acid and spreading a most disagreeable odor of bad eggs; that is, it develops sulphuretted hydrogen during the slow process of decomposition. The paste used for fixing wall paper is frequently of a faintly sour or easily souring character, and quickly penetrates the paper, producing the effect just mentioned, as a very slight degree of fermentation is sufficient to produce the acid and give this result. The result is especially unpleasant, if not harmful, if the walls are slightly damp, or if there are other coats of paper underneath which prevent the lime in the plaster from having a neutralizing effect on the lactic acid in the paste. This leads up to the question of papering a wall without removing the old paper. Unsanitary methods of hanging wall paper have been strongly and often condemned by physicians and intelligent householders. The paper hangers themselves have been paying considerable attention to the matter of late, and unsanitary paper hanging, it is hoped, will soon be a thing of the past. The simplest way to remove old paper is to give it a good soaking with hot water. Some papers, such as cartridge papers, however, cannot be removed in this way, as the water will not penetrate. In such cases give the paper a liberal coat of hot flour paste mixed to the consistency of cream. The water in the paste will then penetrate the paper, and it may be peeled off without difficulty. Use a square-bladed putty knife. and use it vigorously. Paste can be made antiseptic or a breeding place for disease germs. That is a matter which must be entrusted to the conscience of the paper hanger. Most of them are intelligent enough to know where danger lurks. All the householder can do is to insist upon having only sanitary paste used. Paste is manufactured by machinery in large quantities for paper hangers, much of it is excellent in quality. Many paper hangers, however, prefer to make their own. Alum is sometimes mixed in, but this turns the gilt or bronze in some papers black. Borax, copperas or carbolic acid is good. A size, or preparation of medicated glue, applied first to the wall and allowed to harden before pasting, is an excellent precaution. Some paper hangers use a solution of lime-milk or soda in their paste to prevent decomposition. Especial care. should be taken if the walls are inclined to dampness, as is frequently the case near the floor on a lower story, or at a ceiling of an upper story. If a small damp spot is found, with the rest of the room dry, often the result of a soft brick, the spot may be covered with tinfoil before papering. Lining paper is sometimes used on damp walls. This is covered with a coat of shellac, and the treated side is pasted to the wall. Burlaps and similar fabrics, when used as wall hangings, have often been found to be unsanitary. Crepe paper, too affords a nesting place for all sorts of little creatures, because it does not fit closely to the wall. Burlaps, however, are now made which are treated so as to be sanitary, and the paper hanger who knows his business will be able to hang them so that danger is avoided. The careful housewife cannot insist too strongly on having the thing done right. It is almost as important a matter as plumbing. AN OUTLOOK.* BY H. H. SPIERS, M.D., Ravenna, Ohio. To one who travels the northern portion of our country and sees the boulders scattered here and there-some large, some small, all rounded as if by gradual attrition and continuous movement-he is led to inquire, whence came these, and what cause can be assigned? It was the observation of these and similar data that led to the glacial theory, now generally adopted by scientific men. But what caused glaciers in this latitude? Evidently, it was change in climate, but in the attempt to explain this man is baffled at every step. Thus it often is in the elaboration of any theory. In science as in religion we see through a glass darkly, and yet we see. To the physician who has sat by the bedside and ministered to the wants of his patient in the dread disease, tuberculosis, and witnessed a decline more apparent day by day, though steadily laboring to combat symptoms, he is led to inquire, why this dark blot on present civilization and just stigma to medical science? It is this and similar observations which has led to various theories of the disease. One sees symptoms in tuberculosis which are distinctly nervous, and he declares it a disease of the nervous system. Another, as he travels, beholds germs or vegetable growths in all tuberculous tissue; to him these cause the disease; he at once formulates and advocates the germ theory. The writer plainly asserts he is not * From Cin. Lancet.Clinic. satisfied with either theory. Perhaps it is because he has one peculiar to himself. Some people are built in this way. They are satisfied with nothing unless it conforms to their ideas. Be this as it may, the writer gives his theory gratis, and the reasons are accompanied therewith. What more can be asked? We speak plainly, it is not our purpose to unjustly judge any theory, but to give as best we may our reasons for discarding the same. In doing this we do not arrogate all knowledge to ourselves, but we speak in order to be clearly understood. If the disease tuberculosis be of nervous origin on account of the nervous symptoms, why not in the same breath declare it of muscular origin on account of the muscle wasting seen in every case? It seems to the writer this would be just as consistent. One thing medical men should know: An attendant symptom is not necessarily a cause of disease. Every disease has symptoms peculiar to itself. Symptoms correctly observed render the diagnosis clear. But watching symptoms is not determining the cause of disease. If germs alone truly cause tuberculosis, if the germ be ubiquitous, as most writers claim, why do not all take the disease? Why do any escape? If true, the result is marvelous in the extreme. Herein is the greatest fallacy of the century. It is assumed that the plant, tubercle bacillus is a parasite. It is a parasite only in the sense of its mal already diseased. the healthy animal. out many years ago, and has not been suc cessfully refuted. growing on an aniIt never grows on This was pointed cessfully refuted. Where are our living germ theorists? Living germs are abundant. One thing must be evident to every unbiased mind: A plant cannot grow without a proper soil. Whence comes the soil? The germ theorist assumes the tubercle bacillus grows indifferently in any soil. The writer thinks this is no such thing. In every case the soil must be prepared. Ofttimes, no doubt, it is prepared unwittingly, but preparation, as the seed, alike is requisite. This all must learn. In many ways the soil is analogous to the soil of the farm or garden. As is well known, all soils are not alike productive. Some must be rendered fertile; some need great care in preparation; some are but waiting for the seed. Each soil needs its particular care or attention. This the wise farmer learns from sad experience. So, in tuberculosis as with greatness, some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. Some inherit a soil, some acquire a soil, and some have a soil thrust upon them. In tuberculosis this may seem strange, startling and discordant, yet it is nevertheless true. It is the discordant note in this disease that renders the harmony more complete. PET ANIMALS AND DISEASE DISTRIBUTION. ON this subject American Medicine has this curt and pertinent editorial: The newspapers of New York have published the interesting details of a prominent society woman's display of affection. for her dying and pet parrot. There was even question, it seems, of an expensive funeral with many of the accessories usually accorded to those higher in the scale of being. The parrot is said to have died of a severe throat disease. According to one of the New York papers, owing to the swollen and inflamed condition of the bird's throat it was unable to talk and seems also to have been unable to swallow. Notwithstanding this the family are said to have bestowed many caresses upon the ailing bird. It may be as well to remind foolish individuals whose affections are so perverted that there is a very contagious disease which attacks especially the throats of parrots and which on a number of occasions has been communicated to human beings, with serious and even fatal results. This disease, called psittacosis, from the Greek word for parrot, was first studied about five years ago in Paris during an epidemic that developed in that city and was for a long time a mystery to attending physicians. Altogether about 60 human beings were attacked by the disease during one winter, and of these about 40 per cent. died. It is very probable that pet animals are vehicles for the distribution of a good many more diseases than has been thought. Disease germs very seldom travel through the air, though this is popularly supposed to be the usual method of conveyance for microbes. Flies, mosquitos, birds, pet animals of various kinds, are undoubtedly quite often the medium of contagion. The more is known of the biology of disease germs and of the intermediate host between man and man the more is it realized that usually living things and not inanimate objects are the carriers of infectious material. Some time we will reach a stage of civilization in which it will be realized that wild extremism in making pets of animals, denaturalizing their lives and making them. liable to all the ills of humanity besides their own, is a relic of savagery and is too often a manifestation of that barbaric selfishness of spirit that delights in slaves. When this bit of unthinking primevality is done away with we shall have less of the morbid spirit that fosters antivivisection and similar movements. DR. HEINZ, professor of therapeutics of the University of Erlangen, advises long, deep, and quick breathing for curing seasickness. He believes that one cerebral lobe is affected, and that this influences the stomach. Oxygen rapidly reaches the blood by drawing deep, long, and quick breaths, and the feeling of nausea disappears. His experiments upon people have been very successful.-Philadelphia Medical Journal. MILK FLOUR IN SWEDEN. Ar the November meeting of the Academy of Agriculture, at Stockholm, the news was imparted of a discovery which promises to be of importance to the dairy industry of the Scandinavian countries. Dr. M. Ekenberg of Gothenberg, Sweden, described a process of changing milk into a fine flour that afterward, through solution in a sufficient quantity of water, may again be transformed into milk with all its alimentary qualities. The peculiarity of Dr. Ekenberg's discovery lies in his having found the conditions under which the milk will retain its solubility in water in spite of the transformation into powder. Formerly, when milk was dried, the components became indissoluble. The transformation of milk into powder requires a special apparatus, which is said to be so simple that it can be placed in any dairy, requiring no technical knowledge to operate. Dr. Ekenberg would not give a description of the apparatus, as he has applied for letters patent. According to his calculations, the apparatus should not cost more than a common separator. The milk flour resembles wheat flour, and has the aroma of milk. It can be kept in tin cans, wooden barrels, and even sacks and paper bags. One part of the flour, in weight, gives about ten parts of milk. It is simply concentrated milk, in the form of flour; it contains all the constituent parts of milk, except the water and gases. It does not turn sour or effervesce, and is not susceptible to changes in the weather. Samples have been kept for weeks in a thermostat at blood temperature (37.5° C.), and no changes were noted. Even in damp air, without protection, it does not turn sour or become moldy. From the milk flour, cream, butter, and cheese may be obtained. It can be used in baking bread, puddings, etc. The working expenses for the production of milk flour have been calculated at 1 cent per gallon of milk. Flour of skimmed milk was also exhibited by Dr. Ekenberg before the Academy of Agriculture, and it is particularly for this article that the new process will be of importance, as the product has hitherto been largely wasted. The flour will be found to be superior to such preparations as "proteid" and "proton," as 10 to 20 per cent. of the albumen of the milk is lost in the production of the latter, and the flour can be produced much more cheaply. Skimmed milk is said to be the cheapest albuminous aliment known. The process for the production of milk flour is so simple that the article can be profitably sold at I krone per kilogram (12 cents per pound), and even less, provided skimmed milk can be obtained at 3 öre per litre (2.9 cents per gallon). By means of this apparatus, every dairy will be enabled to send all its products to the market in a transportable condition. According to rumor. Dr. Ekenberg has applied for letters patent on the method itself, the nature of which is a scientific dis covery. Bergen, January 24, 1902. VICTOR E. NELSON, Consul. IT is said that a raw egg swallowed at once when a fishbone is caught in the throat beyond the reach of the finger will dislodge the bone and carry it down.-Ex. 'Tis easy enough to be pleasant When life flows by like a song; When everything goes dead wrong. |