RECORD OF'MEDICAL SCIENCE.
PATHOLOGY AND PRACTICE OF MEDICINE.
Treatment of Dysentery by inj ections of Nitrate of Silver and Creo-
sote. By Professor Flint.—The nitrate of silver, as we know, in
analogous instances of inflamed mucous tissue—for example, in con-
junctivitis, pharyngitis, &c., exerts a surprising effect in diminishing
and arresting inflammatory action. It has been employed, to some
extent, in dysentery, and is recommended by some practical writers ;
but so far as we know, is by no means in common use. In one case
we resorted to a solution of the crystals of the nitrate of silver, ten grains
to the ounce, with marked benefit. The tenesmus and frequent dejec-
tions were relieved in a striking degree, and the discharge of mucus and
blood was much diminished. To secure the good effects of this appli-
cation, it is desirable that the injection be made to pass up the intestine
as high as practicable, in order to bl ing it into contact with a large por-
tion of the inflamed surface. We found the best instrument at hand to
be a female bone syringe, with a long pipe, terminating by a perforated
bulbous extremity. Perhaps a solution of greater strength might be
even more serviceable. The patient was a child four years of age.
The application occasioned, apparently, little or no pain; not more
than the ordinary enemas of starch and laudanum. Another remedy
employed in the same case was a creosote mixture. We have used
this remedy in two cases ; in one, of chronic dysentery of long standing,
the effect was good, but not extraordinary. In the case recently under
treatment, we first employed it in connexion with the tincture of opium,
and found that the enemas were retained, when with the laudanum alone
they were immediately expelled. We employed at first a mixture for
each injection (oz. ss.) containing two minims of creosote. Subse-
quently we employed the creosote alone, increasing the quantity to four
minims, and the good effects were striking. The relief of the local
symptoms was quite as great as when the opium was given in combina-
tion, the disadvantages of the latter being avoided. We feel confident
that this will prove a valuable remedy in the dysentery, and we there-
fore are solicitous that our readers should make trial of it. We do not,
of course, suggest these as remedies intended to supersede other thera-
peutical measures, but only as useful auxiliaries thereto.—Buffalo
Medical Journal.