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WE announced that cholera was in recently prevalent TREATMENT OF SUNSTROKE. Murree. By the latest news from India we learn that the To the Editor of THE LANCET. epidemic is abating in the station. There are a few cases have received a note from Dr. Wilmot Power still in the bazaar and the neighbouring villages, but no SIR,—I with reference to the case of sunstroke treated with cold Europeans have been attacked for some weeks. At the cen- and the of quinine. valescent camp, four miles from Murree, there have been a injection Dr. Power’s in the terrible epidemic of fever in few fatal cases. At Rawul Pindee the disease is subsiding. experience the Mauritius in 186667 led him to believe that quinine So far no cases have been from the Peshawur reported exercises a counteracting effect on stagnation of the blood. was Dr. in doses valley. ____ The drug given by Power very large during the coma of the fever, and the mortality in the regiment A VESSEL has recently been dispatched from Rouen to under this treatment was exceptionally low. La Plata, fitted with a system of refrigeration for the pur- Whether in the stagnant condition of malarial fever and of sunstroke acts on the blood or on the pose of bringing home fresh meat. Cold is induced and quinine directly vaso-motor nerves is, of course, a moot but in any up by the and condensation of question; kept vaporisation methylic case the results of Dr. Power’s treatment in the comatose ether, which of water stowed in the refrigerates cylinders stage are very suggestive. around which in hold, the meat is stored. Land and Water, Permit me to state that the whole merit of using quinine describing the scheme, says that, in the event of success, hypodermically in my case of sunstroke was due to the very fresh meat from South America may be sold in Paris at a efficient house-surgeon to the Bristol Royal Infirmary, Mr. H. M. Chute. franc the kilogramme, or 9½d. per 2’105 lb. Believe me. Sir, vours faithfullv. Clifton, Sept. 13th, 1876. EDWARD LONG FOX. THE rate of mortality in London last week was 17 per I 1000 annually. The deaths, 1119 in number, included 16 from small-pox, 8 from measles, 50 from scarlet fever, 6 THE KNIEBIS BATHS. from 17 from 21 from different diphtheria, whooping-cough, (From a Correspondent.) forms of fever, and 53 from diarrho3a. So large a mortality from has occurred in week since the small-pox not any one KNOWN to few even of the members of the medical pro- of 1871-72. but if I to a epidemic ____ fession, destined, mistake not, fill prominent position among fashionable health resorts ere the lapse MR. H. CBOOESHANK, M.R.C.S., L.K.Q.C.P., been having of very many years, is this group of watering-places which to the Turkish the appointed surgeon-major Army during is named from its situation in the Black Forest, close to war, left for on present Constantinople Saturday evening the range of hills called the Kniebis, whose summit forms last. ____ the boundary between Baden and Wurtemberg. The main reason for a renown their own A MEDICAL CONGRESS was opened at Turin on Monday prophesying speedy beyond district the dwellers in which, for a or so, these last. The authorities of the city and many foreign phy- (by century health resorts have been greatly frequented) lies in the fact sicians were present. that increased railway accommodation has rendered the locality more accessible. From Appenweier and from Offen- on the Baden run two branch lines into the REPRESENTATION OF THE MEDICAL burg, Railway, interior of the Black Forest, and either from PROFESSION IN PARLIAMENT. Oppenau, which is the termination of the first branch, or from To the Editor of THE LANCET. Hausach, a station on the second branch, can the Kniebis SIR,—Dr. Rogers, in his letter to THE LANCET of Saturday baths be reached. In the first instance we come to the last, has sounded the réveille which I hope will have the most north-westerly point, and in the second to the most effect of awakening sleepers to the important fact that a south-easterly. There can be few pleasanter excursions than from to Hausach, the baths en route. vacancy has occurred in the representation of the Univer- Oppenau taking The consists of five baths-viz., Freiersbach, of Aberdeen and and that a medical man group Antogast, sities Glasgow, Peterstbal, Griesbach, Rippoldsau, and I have enumerated should now them. He should if a represent be, possible, them in what may be supposed to be the inverse order of graduate of one of these universities; but if a graduate is their popularity. Of Antogast I know nothing, but pro. not procurable, any medical gentleman of position with pose to give a slight sketch of the other four. At each of these baths there as is usual at such abilities and eloquence sufficient to represent a learned pro- are, three or four is fession. I trust immediate action will be taken in this places, different springs, and it probable that in the Kniebis district there may be thirty or forty, or matter, for, if not, we shall have a can- speculative lawyer even more, healing fountains; for it may be said, with some the who is sure to obtain a sufficient vassing constituency, truth, of mineral waters that it never rains but it pours." number of promises to mar the return of a medical candi- The truth of this would be admitted in the Nassau date. should be formed in certainly Committees, therefore, London, district, and as certainly in this district of the Black Forest. and circulars should be sent and ’Glasgow, Aberdeen, out, The wells here are all very similar in composition, the every possible means used to secure the constituency. chief ingredients being bicarbonates of lime and magnesia Let us remember that every profession and trade is well (the former in considerable quantity), sulphates of soda, and of them more than in represented, many represented, potash, and magnesia (in not very large quantity), car- whilst we are mis- Parliament, unfortunately frequently bonate of iron sufficient to give a very decided chalybeate An now offers of a represented. opportunity procuring taste, and large amount of free carbonic acid. They are medical and it will be a misfortune if the member, great indicated for all cases requiring iron, but especially for is allowed to our bands. In this opportunity slip through those cases of anaemia and chlorosis with a tendency to instance all differences should be allowed to sink in political constipation, a tendency which the contained Glauber’s salt the one common object-namely, the returning a medical is sufficient to counteract. man to represent us in the Commons House of Parliament. The elevation above the sea-level varies from 1000 to 2000 Some time ago Mr. Gladstone said that a great future was feet, Rippoldsau being the most elevated. The prevailing to the medical Let us now endeavour, open profession. by tree is the black pine, and, in fact, on the higher elevations a to to assist in sending proper representative Parliament, there is nothing else, but in the lower valleys a great variety making that future sure. of trees is to be found,-oak, limes, plane-trees, mountain- I obedient remain, Sir, your servant, ash, chesnuts, &o. For those who require a pure forest Lincoln, September 18th, 1876. WILLIAM O’NEILL, M.D. air, and wish to inhale the fresh mountain breezes, redolent 445 of the sweet odour of the pines, there can be no more de- ever so short a space, "far from the madding crowd." The sirable locality than these mountain baths. On the very six or eight enormous hofs, or mansions, which constitute summit of the Kniebis hill, more than 3000 feet above sea- Bad Rippoldsau are situated in a valley, the natural beauties level, at the very comfortable although homely " Gasthaus of which would strike the most blasé of travellers. Richly- zum Lamm," I encountered a consumptive gentleman who wooded hills ; meadows, even during the scorching weather had been sent here to breathe the mountain air according to of the past August, literally green as emeralds; a babbling the present ’° fashion " (and fashion one must call it until water-course making sweet music as it tumbles Rhineward we have more definite knowledge on the point) of treating down the valley; a variety of foliage difficult to surpass; a. consumption. His life certainly was a happy and a com- profusion of the gayest flowers; peasants, both male and fortable one here, and, although seriously ill, he seemed able female, decked in the smartest of costumes; houses remark- to enjoy it. The air was keen and exhilarating, and the able for their neatness and picturesque homeliness ; these, depths of the forest afforded a protection against the terrible together with the lights and sounds which are character- fierceness of the sun, as well as against the violence of the istic of rural existence, go to make up a picture which can- wind; and here, in a hammock slung from two pine trees, not but be pleasing to the lover of nature, and doubly so to inhaling the pine-laden air, lazily dozing, reading, or writing, one who has been working amidst the murkiness and the this patient spent his days most happily, and indeed I noise of some manufacturing or money-making Babel. could hardly conceive anything more calculated to eke out The daily routine is that common to baths. Up by advantageously the vitality which remained to him. I times, and then to drink at the wells to the sound remained myself at this secluded spot for the best part of music. And, as for the music, the least said the better. of three days, and when the hour of departure came I left The bands at the Kniebis are literally " German bands," it with a most unusual regret, as one would leave a place and nothing is to be done save to put one’s fingers in the which combined a beautiful and wholesome situation, tran- ears. Such tootling, such braying in cornets, such hectoring, quillity, simplicity of life, culture, good food, and a land- booming bass-such variations, in fact, of that melody which lord at once obliging, talented, and amusing. killed the cow, it has seldom been my lot to hear. Then But of the baths themselves, and of the life at them, what breakfast beneath the trees, followed by a bath, a novel, a, shall I say ?f No greater change can be conceived than to leisurely walk or a drive, till dinner time. The baths are of come, as I did, from Homburg to the Kniebis. They form all kinds, simple water or mineral water, and of any tem- as it were the very poles of bath life, and to my mind the perature ; but the bath par excellence of the Black Forest is escape from the fashionable crush and cosmopolitan society the bath to which extract of pine-tops is added, which is of Homburg to the simple life in these almost purely pleasant in the highest degree, and is certainly a sensuous German resorts was a great relief. The Germans make the luxury with or without therapeutic value-a question I most of their baths; their sea-resorts being entirely on the feel unable to discuss, since I can find no data on which to north coast, and hardly suitable for pleasant autumn re- ground a discussion. At 1 o’clock a bell summons the sidences, they are compelled to come inland for change of guests to dinner, which is served at an enormous table air, and in a large majority of cases I believe that the d’hote, and after dinner comes the dolce far niente. Seated mineral water serves merely as the excuse for going some- out of doors, with the sunlight flickering through the thick where. In England, when Paterfamilias wants a change curtain of leaves, the men smoke, drink coffee, read news- from his city work, he discovers that " the children require papers, and discuss politics or Wagner (a great topic just sea-air," and so it is, I believe, in Germany; and the ansemia now), or play with the children; while the ladies crochet, of one serves as an excuse for the whole family to go to the knit, prattle, read, and finally doze, as do also the men Kniebis, Schwalbach, or elsewhere for their regular summer until the heat has sufficiently abated to permit the evening holiday. The German baths, with their enormous bath- constitutional, which is taken in the lovely and well-kept houses, and their array of paraphernalia necessary for hotels paths which are cut in all directions through the forest. and hospitals, are apt to astonish the traveller, who regardsNo one who has not been through the Black Forest can them too rigidly from the point of view of actual sickness;, form any idea of what high roads and public foot-paths but he who looks upon them as recreation-grounds, and. can become if sufficient labour be spent upon them. I resorts for prophylaxis as well as therapeutics, will soon. have seen nothing like them in England, except in the cease wondering. private parks of the very wealthy, and it is needless to say Rippoldsau, Freiersbach, and Petersthal, all stand by the that these magnificent roads, well watered as they are, and roadside. The high road runs through the very centre of. almost without dust, are a great comfort, especially to in- all of them, and the traveller on the diligence who may’ valids. At seven o’clock supper is taken, a great meal stay for ten minutes is admitted for the time being into the throughout Germany, and certainly very preferable to our very arcana of bath life. The bath establishments at eachLeight o’clock dinners. At nine or ten all are in bed, and of these villages are in the hands of one proprietor, suchL then at six in the morning Da cccpo. proprietor being, in fact, an hotel-keeper in a very large Finally, we would say that in one respect these Kniebis way of business. An arch, forming a communication be-- baths are ahead of other similar establishments, and it is in tween two wings of the building, stretches probably across3this simple little matter, that they provide exercise for the the road, and instead of the sign of the Red Lion or theupper limbs as well as the lower. In all baths there are to* Kaiser, the words "Bad Rippoldsau," announce to the be found walks which encourage one to use the legs, but it traveller that here is to be found healing in addition to) is the especial glory of the Kniebis that it provides skittle- board and lodging. These bath establishments remind one and bowling-alleys for its guests, and at Rippoldsau there of the great old-fashioned inns which are found flanking; is, in addition, an excellent swimming-bath. Croquet, too, the post-roads in some parts of England, and, indeed, myris becoming fashionable. These are trivial details, but by first glimpse of the house at Rippoldsau recalled to me the no means unimportant ones. Life is made up of details, and famous Montem Hotel near Windsor. In place, however,, a knowledge of these details is necessary for those one of of the mail coach with four bays, stopping all steaming att whose duties it is to advise people 11 Where to go." the door, with the guard in scarlet livery rousing the ecboe!II Bad Rippoldsau, August 21st, 1876. with " three feet of tin," one must be content with alum ber. ing diligence crawling at snail’s pace, with Hans the post- boy in shining hat and corded uniform discoursing discord or THE INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CONGRESS, a and the with and penny trumpet, postmeister spectacled PHILADELPHIA. official countenance taking his survey from his seat in th( coupe. The accommodation at Rippoldsau is good, and (From our own Commissioner.) although there is room enough probably for 1000 guestes or more, the demand this year has been in excess of th(e THE International Medical Congress was opened on Sept, supply. This is due to increased facilities of access, anc1 4th, in the University of Pennsylvania. The Right Rev. no to the fact that the of Sweden ha!s also, doubt, Queen Bishop of the State offered a short prayer appropriate to’ been making a lengthy sojourn here; for where Sovereignl the occasion. Professor Samuel Gross, the surgeon of whom go, there all other classes assuredly will follow. Mr. Cook too, of tourist notoriety, has lately been paying his atten this city and country are so justly proud, addressed a most tions to the Black Forest, so that for the future it wil hearty welcome to the cosmopolitan gathering, and the probably be as difficult here as it is elsewhere to get, fo: business of the Congress commenced. Professor Gross was