DANGERS OF THE NASAL DOUCHE.—Lichtwitz (_Sem. Med._, November 26, 1897,) deprecates the routine prescription of the nasal douche in all cases of hypersecretion of the nasal mucous membrane. Irrigation is called for only when the nasal fossæ require clearing of pus and crusts, for instance in idiopathic ozena. This affection is mainly limited to the nasal fossæ properly so called, and irrigation is in such a case the most fitting form of procedure. An ordinary syringe or enema syringe with suitable nozzle should be used. In all other nasal affections irrigation is inadequate or useless; it is even dangerous. Repeated flooding of the mucous membrane may give rise to olfactory lesions. Antiseptics are highly injurious and pure water is badly borne; the physiological solutions of sodium chloride, sod. bicarb. or sod. sulph. are the only harmless liquids. In numerous cases irrigation has caused the sense of smell to be temporarily or permanently diminished or lost. Distressing frontal or occipital headache may result owing to the liquid passing into the sinuses. The injection of irritating liquids may even set up inflammation of these cavities. The most skilful and careful irrigation is insufficient in many cases to prevent the resulting headache. A very grave complication is the penetration of the liquid into the middle ear, suppurating otitis media occasionally supervening. In acute coryza, especially in children, douching should never be practiced. In one such case known to the author mastoiditis followed irrigation of the nasal cavities. The predisposition to otitis is increased after retro-nasal operations, in particular after ablation of adenoid vegetations. For eight years the author has given up all irrigation after pharyngo-tonsillotomy, and during that period has met with no case of post-operative complication.—_British Medical Journal._ ANTIPYRIN.—In July of this year the antipyrin patent, held by the Hochst color-works, will expire by limitation, it having run its course of fifteen years—the span of life allowed to a German patent. During these fifteen years the monopolists have sold the drug at about $12.50 a pound, but it will, of course, fall considerably in price the moment the manufacture and sale are permitted competitors. It is anticipated that it will shortly fall to at least half its present price, when the usual convention of the principal competitors will be called and the inevitable trust formed, leading to a consequent rise in price. It is rumored that a number of chemical works are busy with the manufacture of antipyrin, so as to be prepared with it immediately upon the expiration of the patent.—_Philadelphia Medical Journal._