Writers have generally regarded the seasons as exerting a great influence in the production of consumption. Autumn has for a long time been regarded as the most fatal period. How far this opinion is correct, we can not positively determine; but of 12,668 deaths from consumption occurring in some of the large European cities, the proportion in the different seasons was as follows:

From the report of the Philadelphia County Medical Society for 1856 we have compiled the following:

Whole number of deaths from consumption during the year,

By the above it will be seen that the mortality from the disease is greater in the spring than at the other seasons. But the result deduced from these tables is not positive: others may show a different conclusion. They, however, are in harmony with my observation.

From what we have now written I think we may safely conclude, that, so far as climate or changes of the season are concerned, they have but little influence either in producing or retarding pulmonary consumption, and that those who are seeking a remedy from these influences are pursuing a phantom. It has been exceedingly common in this country, for several years, if a man has injured his health by too high living and a sedentary life, to order him forthwith to Europe. And if we have threatening symptoms of consumption, he is ordered to the South of Europe. This is still regarded by many physicians as the happy clime which, once reached by a consumptive invalid, is sure to make his disease disappear and restore him to perfect health. But if we compare the number of those who go there to deposit their remains with the number who visit there actually diseased, and who return with improved health, we will find but small encouragement to recommend our patients to leave their own country.

Dr. James Johnson, in his treatise on "Change of Air," says in relation to the climate of Italy: "The very circumstance, in

short, which forms the charm, the attraction, the theme of praise, in the Italian climate, is that which renders it dangerous, because deceitful the long intervals of fine weather between vicissitudes of great magnitude. This is the bane of Italy, whose brilliant suns and balmy zephyrs flatter only to betray. They first enervate the constitution, and when the body is ripe for the impression of the tarmontane, that ruthless blast descends from the mountains on its helpless victim, more fierce and destructive than the outlawed bandit on the unsuspecting traveller."

After remarking upon the humidity of the atmosphere, he says: "Northern strangers, and more especially invalids, unaccustomed to a genial atmosphere in the depth of winter, sally forth to enjoy the glorious sunshine or the resplendent moonlight of Italy, and like the Grecian shepherds,

"Exulting in the sight,

Eye the blue vault, and bless the cheerful light.'

"But they have too often reason to curse, in the sequel, the seductive climate of this classic soil, which mingles the poisonous miasma with the refreshing breeze, and thus conveys the germ of future maladies on the wings of fragrant zephyrs."

We have in North America, in the United States, all the variety of climate that is to be found in the world; and if there be one spot on this globe more likely to prove serviceable to consumptives than any other, it may be met with here. Notwithstanding the boasted superiority of Southern Europe, to prefer our own country as an asylum for the distressed as well as the oppressed of all nations, may be considered as little short of heresy; and to say aught against the good opinions of those who think that every good thing in the world must have its origin and prototype in Europe, may, in this enlightened age, be deemed illiberal at least, or incompatible with common sense.

There is an extensive district bordering upon the extreme south of the United States which undoubtedly, in point of salubrity and adaptation of climate, must equal, if not surpass, any other country on the globe as a residence for consumptives. I refer to the State of Texas; and if the reports of travellers speak truth, this region will yet be the paradise of the world—at least so far as its geography and climate are concerned.

"In Texas," says a recent writer, "nothing is reserved for a

hungering, lingering winter: all goes to market, for summer is perpetual. Two gardens are common one for spring and summer, another for fall and winter. One distinctive characteristic of this beautiful country is its exemption from swamps and stagnant pools. The land invariably ascends from the water-courses, and rising to moderate eminences, precludes the formation of swamps or putrid pools to any extent. This is probably one efficient cause of the singular purity, elasticity and equality of the atmosphere. While the midsummer air of Louisiana is encumbered with moisture and surcharged with noxious miasma, the pure air of Texas is refreshed and renewed by lively breezes from the ocean, rolling over a dry, verdant, varying surface, and imparting health and vigor to all that inhale them."

Here, then, is a country where perpetual summer smiles, and where the flowers are constantly blooming, and the fields arrayed in their richest green. Here, too, is an "equable atmosphere," sufficiently warm and moist in the winter months, and not loaded with moisture and poisonous effluvia in the summer. Nothing in the south of Europe will compare with this.

But, as has been already remarked, the consumptive is not to depend upon changes of climate alone for benefit. He must diligently employ all the varied means of health within his power; such as due attention to diet, sleep, bathing, exercise, clothing, and such medication as the peculiarities of his case may require.

"We can not but think," says Dr. Flint, "that the confidence placed in change of climate, by physicians and patients, has, on the whole, an unfavorable effect on the successful treatment of the disease. It is too often the case that a special influence from climate is expected, and consumptives imagine they have only to go and passively receive the benefit imbibed from the atmosphere of the favored spot they have selected. Nothing can be more groundless than such an expectation; and it does harm by taking the place of those rightly directed efforts as regards diet and exercise, which are essential parts of treatment. Better far employ diligently all other hygienic measures in an unfavorable climate, than neglect them in the situation which combines the greatest climatic advantages."

ART. II.-Chlorate of Potassa, as a Therapeutic Agent in Secondary Syphilis. By W. H. BRYANT, M.D., Rochester, Mo.

This remedy has been used considerably of late years in diseases of the bucal mucous membranes. As such I have used it, and in the great majority of cases I have realized the most sanguine expectations. Its virtues have been tested in cancrum oris, scarlatina, diphtherite, etc., etc. I have witnessed its happy and salutary effect in the above named diseases, and firmly believe that, if its use had been withheld, the patients certainly would have succumbed. These facts led me to conclude that it would exert a beneficial influence over secondary syphilis; and during the summer of 1859 I was consulted by a gentleman who had had the disease about three months. His face, as well as the skin covering the anterior and posterior aspect of the thorax, was dotted over with blotches, papules, etc. The right tonsil was the seat of deep ulceration; the tongue had several deep fissures on its edges, with a mucous tubercle the size of a small filbert occupying the mesial line; the cervical, sub-occipital, and sub-maxillary glands were enlarged, indurated and tender to the touch. I at once put him on the use of the following prescription

R Potassæ chloras, 3 ivss.
Aqua ferv., 3 iv. M.

Of which I directed him to take one teaspoonful every four hours; and in a few days the disease began to disappear, and in three weeks there was not a vestige of disease to be found in the mouth or throat, which before was the seat of deep ulceration, tubercle, etc. The skin, however, remained matted, and in some places papules undergoing suppuration. He was then ordered the following

R Hydrarg. bichlor., gr. iv.

Tinct. cinchona comp., 3 iv. M.

One teaspoonful to be taken in half a glass of comp. decoct. of sarsaparilla. In one month from this date the patient, to all appearances, was well: he had a healthy appearance, slept well, and said he felt as well as ever he did in his life. It is not my intention to say that potassæ chloras is a specific for syphilis, but merely to say that it it is my honest opinion that it is a very valuable addition to the therapeutics of this loathsome disease.

ART. III. Diphtherite. By J. H. BARBOUR, M.D., Falmouth, Ky.

This disease first made its appearance in this county in the spring of 1857 in epidemic form, and has been prevailing in different portions of the county ever since. Upon its first occurrence, it was a very fatal disease, and although still dangerous and fatal, it seems to have lost somewhat of its virulence. It made its first appearance in the lower portion of this county, during an epidemic of scarlet fever, and was generally recognized by physicians as being a form of that disease, and is in fact yet so considered by some.

It did not present itself in my practice until the fall of 1857, and then also during the worst epidemic of scarlatina I have ever witnessed. I immediately recognized the destructive features of this disease. In my experience, patients that have had the scarlet fever enjoy no immunity from diphtherite; nor do diphtherite patients enjoy any immunity from scarlet fever. During the last two years and a half it has fallen to my lot to treat a great number of patients, of all ages, sex and color, affected with this dis

ease.

Diphtherite often commences with a chill, followed by fever, external swelling of the throat, painful and difficult deglutition, etc. In other cases the fever is intermittent, without chill, and with sickness of the stomach the fever lasting three or four hours each day, and from three to five days before the throat symptoms are manifest, the patient appearing quite well excepting during the fever.

In many cases the disease comes on in a more insidious manner the patient complains but little, although it is evident from the paleness and lassitude that something is wrong; the surface is moist, cool and pale; the pulse remarkably frequent (this frequency of the pulse I have found to be one of the earliest symptoms, indicating the approach of the disease before other symptoms were set up).

In some cases slight external swelling of the throat. Upon pressing down the tongue with a spoon, and examining the tonsils, if the case is in its early stage, you will find the tonsils and soft palate red and slightly swollen, with one or more small patches on the tonsils of a yellowish appearance, resembling a small piece