Gangrene Averted by Echinacea.

Editor Ellingwood's Therapeutist:

I was recently called to see a man suffering from a cut on the leg, near the knee. The injury had been sustained four days before I saw him. It was during the hot period of July, and he had been lying out in a cow yard and the limb had received no attention. As a result, serious infection had set in. The limb was greatly swollen and was discolored—almost black in spots and very painful. The temperature was 104 degrees.

At this time some friends of the patient interfered and called in two other physicians, who immediately decided upon an amputation. To this the patient objected. By reason of my having practised in his family successfully for several years, he had confidence in my judgment, and ignoring the advice of the other physicians, requested that my suggestions be carried out in detail.

I enveloped the limb, from the ankle to the hip, in surgeon's lint, which I kept wet with a solution of echinacea, one part to four of water. This wet application was continued for fourteen days, when I discharged the patient completely cured.

I should like very much to enlarge upon the action of echinacea upon this class of cases, as it has certainly done wonders for me whenever there was blood poisoning, regardless of cause. As your journal is small and the space limited, I will not say more at this time.

I subscribe for THE THERAPEUTIST, believing it embraces the very essence (briefly told) of that which is good in all systems of medication. So far my faith is receiving constant confirmation.

Ellingwood's Therapeutist, Vol. 2, 1908, was edited by Finley Ellingwood M.D.