of the nitrate of silver had been really a permanently efficient remedy, that it should have so soon fallen into desuetude.

If the throat symptoms arise from the condition of the stomach, the application of the caustic to the throat cannot cure, since it does not remove the cause. If the symptoms originate from the condition of the lungs, there can be no cure, since the nitrate cannot reach them.

If the throat feelings depend upon spinal derangement, as is not uncommon, an interesting case of which is now in my hands, no washes to the throat can avail.

In these three kinds of cases, where the throat symptoms, the tickling cough, more or less dry, arises from the condition of the stomach, the lungs, the spine; the application of the nitrate of silver not only does no good, but harm; it merely smothers the complainings of nature; it deadens the sensibility of the throat, and thus muffles watchful Nature's voice, without removing the thing which caused her to cry out; stifling her complaints, while the cause of them remains in action. It is precisely like closing the hatches when the hold is on fire, and there resting! It is only covering with white wash the black spot on the wall; it is gone to all appearance, but that black spot is there still. The fire is in the hold, and sooner or later will break forth with the more fury, and leave the noble vessel a ruin.

I do not doubt that while using the nitrate of silver, the throat symptoms do sometimes disappear; I do not doubt that it sometimes, in the hands of a judicious physician, may have a serviceable effect as a second or third rate aid; but that the nitrate of silver applied in solution to the throat, has of itself, ever permanently cured

one single case of serious chronic laryngitis, I do not believe. If other means were used in conjunction, then is the nitrate not the remedy.

A CLERGYMAN

having abandoned preaching from hoarseness and a feeling of rawness of the throat after speaking one year be fore, had the nitrate of silver applied as well as it is possible for a physician to apply it, he gave up public speaking altogether, and yet with this entire abandonment of his calling, and the use of the nitrate, he was not restored, and came to me for advice, complaining most of a weakness of voice which disabled him from reading aloud for five minutes at a time. In one month he could read thirty minutes at a time with ease, and in all respects felt well, with a clear, strong voice, system regular. I advised him to resume his duties, as I thought he could do so not only without harm, but with decided advantage. See his condition on the day he first came, and on his return one month after:

A young lady had been suffering two years with oppression, cough, distressing irritation in the throat, shortness of breath, pains in the breast, suffering between the shoulder blades. She had undergone a variety of treatment, had taken cod liver oil, and had used the nitrate of silver to the throat to remove the troublesome irritation and tickling; every few minutes, sometimes every minute there was a short hack, with every

now and then a hoarse, deep, distressing hollow cough which jarred and pained the whole frame, pulse 130 a minute, and breathing thirty-six and over. Every thing done for her had not availed. On examining this deeply interesting case, it was found all the throat and lung symptoms arose from the condition of the spine, and the case was treated accordingly, and without regarding the throat affection; but directing attention to the spinal symptoms, the hacking cough was removed, the pulse fell a third, and the breathing likewise, and every symptom connected with the throat or lungs had a steady and encouraging abatement, promising now, an ultimate restoration.

These cases are given as a warning to guard against loss of time in using the nitrate of silver to the throat, unless it is as certain as such a thing can be, that the ailment is confined to the upper part of the windpipe,

in which case other things may be more successfully used, avoiding the discomfort of the nitrate applications, and the irreparable injury the teeth are liable to suffer, their certain and permanent discoloration, if the nitrate of silver forms any part of the gargle employed. The means referred to are the gargles, fomentations and constitutional remedies already known to educated physicians, as it is no part of the design of this book to aid the reader in ruining his constitution, his health, and his life, by teaching him to practice on himself.

COD LIVER OIL

has been given freely for affections of the throat as well as those of the lungs. I believe it to be the best known remedy for general scrofula of the system. It often

gives flesh and strength to consumptive persons who take it; but,

It has no direct effect upon the lungs in any way.
It sometimes causes spitting of blood.

It sometimes, nay, often, causes looseness of bowels.
It often deranges the stomach.

It is impossible for numbers to take it.

It is, when applicable, adapted to two classes of persons mainly, if not exclusively; first, to the young; second, to those who, when in health, were inclined to be. fleshy or fat.

For these reasons it is not a reliable remedy, not generally applicable, and should not be taken except under the supervision of an experienced physician; and by itself should never be relied on, for I have never seen a case of Consumption cured by it, and have never read of a case that was cured by the use of it alone. I know that cases have been reported in the public prints, and in medical journals, where persons taking it have appeared to do well. But to the best of my recollection one, if not both of the circumstances which I shall name, has attended its administration in every reported case.

First, some one or more symptoms always remained; or, second, there is a failure to report the condition of the case a year or two or three after.

I would not oppose its use in Consumptive disease, for it does, in quite a number of instances, impart flesh and strength to the patient, and thus far, it is well; and better still if these improvements are taken advantage of to employ them in proper out-door exercise, thus will it be a valuable aid, but if it fails

To increase the flesh,

To increase the strength,

Or, if on the other hand it tends

To cause spitting of blood,

To loosen the bowels,

To derange the stomach,

Then, by all means, should it be abandoned, because these occurrences are fatal in their tendencies, always weakening the general system.

TO CLERGYMEN AND THEOLOGICAL STUDENTS.

66

Ministers and mothers are our country's hope. As is the mother, so is the man. But in this happy land, where every one can worship as he chooses, the minister moulds the mother, and from his teachings do her principles take their coloring. Making it true as is the priest, so are the people." Every good citizen will, therefore, naturally desire, that there should be a sufficient number of ministers of religion, to meet the wants of our growing country. It is however but too true, that the number of ministers for the last few years of all denominations, has relatively decreased, there are fewer clergymen in proportion to the population, than there were twenty years ago. One cause of this is, their early death, or their premature disabling, from loss of health.

Every year that a faithful clergyman lives, that life becomes more valuable to the church, in consequence of his increased experience, prudence, forbearance and kindly feeling to his fellow race. The less he moves by terror, the more by love; the more valuable he is to the church to which he has dedicated himself and all he has, the greater is his obligation to take care of, and watch over that health, without which, his life is comparatively useless.