=Carbolate of Soda as a Remedy for Itch.=—Dr. Zimmermann, of Braunfels, remarks that no one who sees much of itch will deny that we are without any remedy which acts with the certainty of a specific. In private practice, where we cannot readily obtain the proper baths, frictional manipulations, &c., cases are apt to be very inveterate. The popularity of petroleum and Peru balsam is due chiefly to their being neither very disagreeable nor very troublesome in the use; but petroleum has not justified its reputation,[12] while Peru balsam, which really is very valuable, especially in recent and in children’s cases, is unfortunately very costly. Zimmermann is inclined to hope that in carbolate of soda he has found a remedy that will cure scabies, _tuto_, _cito et jucunde_, though his experience is not yet sufficient for absolute proof. He employs a solution of 160 to 320 grains of the salt in about 7 ounces of water; this is to be well rubbed into the affected parts thrice daily. In two or three days every case of Zimmermann’s, even the inveterate ones, has been completely cured, and this without any annoyance or interruption of the patient’s ordinary business. There is no irritative erythema of any consequence from the frictions. Carbolate of soda may be used as a disinfectant and deodoriser; for this purpose 16 to 32 grains to 7 ounces of water is sufficient. (_Der Praktische Arzt. März._) =On the Contra-indications of Anæsthesia.=—M. Gosselin considers that alcoholism renders patients very unfit for taking chloroform, and thinks that to all persons above 50 years of age, and given to intemperance, chloroformisation should be forbidden; or at any rate only applied with the greatest caution, and never for a long time together. Professor Nagel, of Vienna, has recently opposed this wholesale condemnation. In delirium tremens, chloroform narcosis is often very useful, especially where it is necessary to set fractures. The severest delirium, on which large doses of opium produce no effect, has been repeatedly calmed by chloroformisation in Nagel’s own practice. Alcoholism only so far contra-indicates anæsthetics, that in refractory subjects it is necessary to push the agent in such large doses that, even with the greatest care, there is a risk of asphyxia.