late, and so there is

a circulation in the mollusk. The elementary works of nature will teach us that there are nerves developed in these animals. For instance, we have what is known in some of the insects as the œsophageal collar, which to my mind is a perfect representation of the plexus of the sympathetic nerve, and is to all intents and purposes a plexus of the sympathetic. It is arranged like it; there is a great ganglia in the vicinity of the oesophagus with branches running in every direction to every part of the body. We have that same system developed by the vertebrates.

THE CHAIRMAN: I call the gentleman to order, we are discussing fibroid tumors and not physiology.

DR. H. F. BIGGAR: Before this bureau closes, I would like to add one or two remarks in regard to this subject. I have been unfortunate in not being able to listen to the speakers, with the exception of one or two. In regard to the discussion of uterine fibroids, I would say that it is one of great interest to me. There is one point I think we ought to bear in mind in regard to it, and that is this, where you have uterine fibroids you generally have a sluggish portal circulation. This sluggish portal circulation is a sure indication. I find it a benefit to look carefully at the circulation. If you do so you will find that you will relieve the patient when you relieve the portal circulation. The relief is astonishing and almost instantaneous. In the first place the stopped up bowel, the accumulation of feces in the rectum, may aggravate that condition of growth because it disturbs the circulation to such an extent that it stagnates it. In the second place it is necessary to have the portal circulation well regulated. The next thing is to sustain the patient and as far as possible remove portal congestion, which accompanies the growth within and without the uterus. For you will have cellular congestion if not of a chronic character, and you will have it of a passive form if not of an acute form. Now in speaking of this matter, in some instances I found it necessary to prick pretty severely the cervix uteri, and sometimes have taken from four to eight ounces of blood, and the relief has been almost instantaneous to the person from the lightness they feel in the parts; I follow that up with something you all no doubt use and I continue to use, I do not make this in any degree a speciality-the free use of Glycerine. Its affinity is well known to the watery particles of the capillaries, it extracts them very thoroughly, and even of itself, without bleeding, is very essential in regard to the relief.

Then you may follow this up with the remedies indicated; Belladonna or Nux vomica, each of which are good remedies. I did not hear the discussion on Ergotine, yet I think that Ergotine has the power to check

the feeding of these tumors and consequently the result will be to starve them. I have not the least doubt that that will be the result. As to the matter of dose I have nothing to say, because it depends altogether upon the constitution of the patient, as to the results you will have from it. But I particularly call the attention of those present in this sectional meeting to the necessity of relieving the portal circulation.

DR. CATE: In regard to the action and use of Ergotine in such cases, I would mention Savery and Moore's preparation as having some peculiar recommendations. Dr. Owens tells us he took about thirty drops of water, altogether I think, to be used in connection with Squibb's Ergotine. These, I think, represent an eighth of a grain, which is dissolved very completely by from seven to ten drops of water, and it is not so likely to be followed by hypodermic inflammation. I have used this preparation in fibroid tumors and vascular tumors. I have used the Ergotine, and I think the use of the Ergotine in this form might be more advantageously employed than where there was a larger number of drops of water to be acted upon with it.

Neck of the Femur in the Aged and Feeble, JOHN E. JAMES, M.D. Spinal Abscesses,

Discussion.

H. F. BIGGAR, M.D.

SEPTICEMIA.

BY S. R. BECKWITH, M.D.

During the last session of the Institute I was suffering intensely from the effect of a blood poison caused by inoculation from the fluid of an ovarian tumor, received while operating for ovariotomy.

At that time my attending surgeons had little or no hope of my ultimate recovery. And often, during the days of the session, my thoughts wandered to the far off city of the "Lakes," where my professional friends and brothers, in health and in bright hopes of coming days, were enjoying a pleasant reunion.

They had left their daily scenes of sickness and sorrow; their continuous observations of human wrecks and shattered frames; thrown aside the dignity aud seriousness of professional habits, to be once again young in spirits, joyous in convivial social intercourse with each other. In my broken sleep and fitful dreams; in life's saddest hour, when home and all its fond endearments, loving friends, and cheering hopes of coming time were apparently soon to be no more, I had delightful visions of by-gone pleasures of our many sessions. In my imagination, I saw familiar faces, and heard the sound of well known voices mingling together in their rounds of duty and pleasure.

But these happy visions and pleasant thoughts of our loved association would soon be lost in the dreadful pain and sickening anguish of my torture.

There I lay, helpless, and nearly hopeless, looking upon a fiery inflammation creeping up a shapeless and swollen limb. In it were long deep gashes made by the surgeon's knife, for the purpose of arresting the poison's progress. But it crept down and up the walls of these ditches of flesh, and went on unobstructed in its way, until the surgeon's art and skill had failed, and hope of life was fast flickering out. Then and there came help, and hope was revived. It did not come in shape and form of crude masses of power