MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE.

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X-Ray Photographs as Evidence.—This is a question of prime importance to physicians and surgeons, and The Legal Adiser will always give the latest authoritative judicial expression upon the subject. It will probably play a very important part in all mal-practice cases of the future. It has already become a live question in the trial courts of Colorado, but has not as yet reached our appellate courts. It is believed there is but one state-Tennessee-where it has been passed upon by a court of last resort. In the late case of Bruce vs. Beall (June 16, 1897, 41 S. W. Rep. 445) the question was presented for decision and directly decided. The plaintiff was employed by defendant, and while in the discharge of his duties was frightfully injured by the fall of a freight and passenger elevain defendant's storehouse, occasioned by the wire cables breaking. The fractures he sustained were illustrated to the jury by a medical expert, who, over the general objection of defendant, exhibited certain X-ray photographs taken by himself. The court held there was no error in admitting such photographs in evidence, and disposed of the question in the following language:

"In the process of the trial, one Dr. Galtman was introduced as a witness, and he was permitted to submit to the jury an X-ray photograph taken by him, showing the overlapping bones of one of plaintiff's legs, at the point where it was broken by this fall. This was objected to by the defendant's counsel. This picture was taken by the witness, who was a physician and surgeon, not only familiar with fractures, but with the new and interesting process by which this particular impression was secured. He testified that this photograph accurately represented the condition of the leg at the point of the fracture in question, and, as a fact, that by the aid of X-rays he was enabled to see the broken and overlapping bones with his own eyes, exactly as if, stripped of the skin and tissues, they were uncovered to the sight. We might, if we so desired, rest our conclusions on the general character of the exceptions taken to this testimony, but we prefer to place it on the ground that, verified by this picture, it was altogether competent for the purpose for which it was offered. New as this process is, experiments made by scientific men, as shown by this record, have demonstrated its power to reveal to the natural eye the entire structure of the human body, and that its various parts can be photographed as its exterior surface has been and now is. And no sound reason was assigned at the bar why a civil court should not avail itself of this invention, when it was apparant that it would serve to throw light on the matter in controversy. Maps and diagrams of the locus in quo drawn by hand are often used to aid a judge or a jury to an intelligent conception of the matters to be determined, and no one would think of questioning the competeney of the estimoney of a witness who stated that he knew the map or diagram to be entirely accurate, and who then used it to illustrate or make plain his statement. The pictorial representation of the condition of the broken leg of the plaintiff gave to the jury a much more intelligent idea of that

particular injury than they would have obtained from any verbal description of it by a surgeon, even if he had used for the purpose the simplest terms of his art. We have not had our attention called to any case bearing on this question, save that of Smith v. Grant, tried in the First District Court of Colorado and reported in the Chicago Legal News of December, 1896; but photographs showing exterior surfaces have been admissable in numerous cases. They have been held competant on the question of identity of persons (Udderzook v. Com. 79 Pa. St. 340; Cowley v. People, 83 N. Y. 464; Luke v. Calhoun Co., 52 Ala. 118; Ruloff v. People, 45 N. Y. 213), and to identify premises (Church v. City of Milwaukee, 31 Wis. 512; Blair v. Pelham, 118 Mass. 421), and in cases of handwriting (Marcy v. Barnes, 16 Gray, 161). It is not to be understood, however, that every photograph offered as taken by the cathode X-ray process would be admissable. Its competency, to be first determined by the trial judge, depends upon the science, skill, experience and intelligence of the party taking the picture and testifying with regard to it, and, lacking these important qualifications, it should not be admitted; and, again, even when it is not conclusive upon the triors of fact, it is to be weighed like other competent euidence."LEGAL ADVISER.

A COMPARISON.

In Brooklyn in three months of 1894, the allopaths treated one thous and two hundred and ninty-seven cases of scarlet fever with one hundred and thirty-one deaths. During the same time the homeopaths treated one hundred and fifty-nine cases with nine deaths. At the same rate the homeopaths would have saved fifty-eight of the one hundred and thirtyone lost by the allopaths.. Does homeopathy cure or allopathy kill?

In St. Louis in 1891 the allopaths treated 813 cases of scarlet fever with 95 deaths. The homeopaths treated 138 cases with 5 deaths. At the same rate the homeopaths would have saved 64 of the 95 lost by the allopaths. Moral! Use homeopathy when you wish to live or save those dear to you.

In Detroit in 1891-2-4-5 the allopaths treated 1,411 cases of scarlet fever with 181 deaths; the homeopaths 279 cases with 16 deaths. At the same rate the homeobaths would have saved 100 of 181 lost by the allopaths. And yet we are told that old school medicine is scientific.

In Minneapolis in 1891-2-3 the allopaths treated 1711 cases of scarlet fever with 126 deaths; the homeopaths 546 cases with 14 deaths. At the same rate the homeopaths would have saved 84 of the 126 lost by the allopaths.

PERSONAL MENTION.

Dr. and Mrs. F. M. Tucker, of Lincoln, Nebraska, spent a few days in Denver on their wedding trip. The Doctor has a large and growing practice and the happy faculty of making friends. The CRITIQUE joins with others in congratulations.

Dr. A. C. Jones, recently of Colorado Springs, has located in Tucson, Arizona. The Doctor went to Arizona in search of health, and we are informed that he considers Tucson the ideal climate for weak lungs. The following from the Arizona Weekly Citizen will be of interest to Doctor Jones' many friends in Colorado and elsewhere:

"Dr. A. C. Jones returned last night from Phoenix where he went to take examination before the territorial board of medical examiners. There were five applicants who took examinations and Dr. Jones was the only one of the five who passed and received a certificate. He stated this morning that the examination was the most difficult of any he had ever taken, in fact much more rigid than necessary."

Dr. H. R. Arndt of San Diego, California, has written a work; A Handbook of Practice. It will issue early next year from the press of Boericke & Tafel.

Dr. D. E. Spoor, formerly of Denver, has returned from Schnectady, N. Y., his old home, where he has been spending the summer. He contemplates locating somewhere in Colorado.

Dr. W. D. Spoor, of the Denver College, class of '96, has located in Schenectady, N. Y. The 13th of October he was married to Miss Edith Bates of Lake George, N. Y., long known to the family.

Dr, S. F. Shannon has removed his office from the Masonic Building, 16th Street, to 711 17th Street.

BOOK REVIEW.

Cutaneous Medicine: A Systematic Treatise on the Diseases of the Skin:-By Louis A. Duhring, M. D., Professor of Diseases of the Skin in the University of Pennsylvania; Author of "A Practical Treatise on Diseases of the Skin" and "Atlas of Skin Diseases." Part II, pages 223 to 429 embracing the subjects; Classification; Anemias; Hyperemias and a portion of Inflammations.

The author makes nine classes, as follows: 1. Anemias. 2. Congestions. 3. Inflammations. 4. Hemorrhages, 5. Hypertrophies. 6. Atrophies. 7. New Formations. 8. Anomalies of Secretions of the Glands. 9. Neurosis. This II part comes fully up to the standard of part I, in excellence, which is saying a good deal. When complete, this will be a comprehensive work reflecting the highest credit on the author. It is well arranged, well supplied with the best of illustrations, this part having over 70 full page plates, and in every way worthy of highest praise. It is sure to be well received by the profession. Published by J. B. Lippincott Co., Phila.

Practice of Medicine:-By James M. Anders, M. D., Ph. D., LL. D., Professor of the Practice of Medicine and of Clinical Medicine in the Medico-Chirurgical College, Philadelphia; Attending Physician to the Medico-Chirurgical and Sanitarium Hospitals, Philadelphia, etc.

This is an up-to-date work of the regular school, systematic and concise and yet sufficiently complete for the ordinary practitioner. Some features of the work are to be especially commended. The tables in aid of differential diagnosis afford a valuable help to the diagnostician, and in the main are original with the author. We are pleased to note, also, that preference has been given to the modern orthography and terminology, not only because it is more euphoneous but also because of its adoption by the standard lexicographers". The work has 1287 pages and is from the press of W. B. Saunders, Philadelphia, which is a guarantee of its excellence in general make-up.

An Epitome of the History of Medicine.-By Roswell Park, A. M., M. D., Professor of Surgery in the Medical Department of the University Buffalo, etc. Illustrated with portraits and other engravings. One volume, Royal Octavo, pages XIV-348. Extra cloth. Beveled edges, $2.00 net. The F, A. Dans Co, Publishers, 1914 and 1916 Cherry St., Philadelphia; 117 W. 42nd St., New York; 9 Lakeside Building, Chicago. This volume is based upon a course of lectures delivered in the University of Buffalo, and is an effort to bring the most important facts and events of the history of medicine within the scope of a medical curriculum. The subject matter is divided into fourteen chapters, the first being the history of medicine among the ancient Hebrews, the Egyptians, the Orientals and the Chinese, down to the time of Hippocrates, following Renouard's classification. Ending in the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth chapters with a "History of Medicine in America," The History of Anaesthesia" and "The History of Antisepsis," respectively. The fourteenth and last chapter deals with the History of Dentistry, "in which America leads the world." There are 56 illustrations illustrating principally instruments used at different periods, and portraits of men prominent in medicine.

The book is well written, printed on good paper, in type easily read. It is just what it claims to be an epitome of medicine. He says little of Homeopathy. Ascribes its use as a natural reaction against the heroic measures in vogue at the time of Hahnemann, and calls it "practical therapeutic nihilism." Into the life and labors of Hahnemann he does not go at all. This is probably for the best, as we could not expect a very fair estimate of either from a practitioner of old school medicine. The work is up to date and should be in the library of physicians who want a relatively small work giving the facts in the history of medicine.—D. A. S.

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PUBLISHERS NOTES.

Fancy leather goods of any description made or repaired by Louis A. Becker, 96 Opera House Block, Denver.

You can procure from Taylor & Myers Pharmacy Co., of St Paul, any thing manufactured by a homeopathic pharmacy, at reasonable rates

Campho-Phenique powder as a dry dressing in all kinds of superficial wounds, burns, chancroids and cases of minor surgery, will aid union by first intention; and is an antiseptic devoid of the harmful and poisonous effects of bi-chloride of mercury. A. W. J., M. D.

Maltine Plain is a nutrient par excellent that the most delicate stomachs can retain and assimilate. Why not cater to to the patients taste, as well as the disease. The same pleasing results have been obtained with Maltine with Cascara. They act. A. W. J., M. D.

HYDROZONE,

For Disorders of the Genito-Urinary Tract.

Dr. John Aulde; of Philadelphia, (Medical Times and Register of Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 5, 1896), states that about eight years ago he was forcibly impressed with the value of Peroxide of Hydrogen in a protracted case of gonorrhoea. The disease had persisted for three months de spite the treatment of several attendants, there being a constant discharge and in addition, there was an orchitis present, the left testicle being about as large as a base-ball. Treatment consisted of the local use of injections of equal parts of Peroxide of Hydrogen and moderately warm water, used at intervals of four hours, these injections being followed by a solution of arsenite of copper containg one miligram (one 65th grain) to the drachm, diluted with an equal quantity of hot water. In a week the patient was able to return to his home in a distant State, the discharge from the urethra having entirely ceased, and pain and chordee having disappeared. The author advises the same treatment for non-specific urethritis and gleet, bnt as Hydrozone is much stronger (2 times) than the Peroxide, and perfectly harmless, he gives it the preference. In vaginitis and vaginismus this treatment is of especial value. The treatment heretofore recommended by physicians, consisting of hot vaginel douches, either with or without some alkali, as sodium bi-carbonate, followed by the injection of a small quantity of Peroxide of Hydrogen (medicinal) in warm or cold water is superseded by the single application of a hot solution of Hydrozone, one part in eight; the patient should use a fountain syringe which should be hung upon the wall about six feet from the floor the patient site upon a suitable vessel, and introduces the rubber tip of the hose well back into the vagina, while the labia are compressed by the disengaged hand; this allows the solution to so distend the vagina as to bring it in contact with all the diseased tissue. The injection should be epeated twice in twenty-four hours.