"THE CONSTANT STEAM TREATMENT."

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 6496, 26 April 1888, Page 2

"THE CONSTANT STEAM TREATMENT."

Tnu Diphtheria epidemic at Hew Plymouth has brought to light some curious statistics. If the figures, tho result of "Tho Constant Steam Treatment," by Dr Hurray Gibbes, are correct, thon wo think ono of the most important discoveries of tho ago has been made in tho treatment of disease. In a little pamphlet issued by Dr Gibbes the treatment is fully explained, and it is distinctly asserted that "during the present opidernic" Dr Gibbes treated 46 cases of diphtheria, and Dr O'Carroll 40, without a death. Now here aro two reapectablo and well-known physicians committing themselves to a statement which is porfectly marvellous when we consider tho virulent anddeadly nature of tho disease Tho whole treatment is given in detail, and it is so simplo and so easily applied that wo believe ovory physician is morally bound to give it a trial. Dr O'Carroll, who is the Health Officer, and has an oilcnsive practice, supports Dr Murray Gibbes, in an appendix, where ho tells us that he adopted the treatment, and had similar results. Ho gives an account of tho different treatments ho employed during many years. Tho percentage of deaths was con- t siderable in them all, but greatest when he interfered with the throat by burnings and local treatment. He goes on to say : — " I then abandoned tho inhalers and erected tonts over tho patients bods, and kept thorn in a constant atmosphore of blue gum steam, following the treatment brought forward by Dr GKbbs in 1881. Sineo thon I have treated about 40 cases, and have every reason to be satisfied with tho results. I havo lost no patients. Quinsy never has occurred, nor has paralysis followed as it frequently did under my former treatments. Tho inflammation of tho throat is much more quickly rodueed, not only to the great comfort of tho pationts, but also that they aro ablo to tnko nourishment much earlier than in any othor treatment. ... I consider tho constant steam treatment to bo tho most scientific I have yet tried or read of, because with it can treat any part affected, whothor phaTvnx, larynx, bronchial tubos, or nasal passages, Darts which other treatments have failed toVoacfc. Un(lor tWs 'Moment the throat becoinos freCT from membrane much earlior than under any" treatment I have previously used, and it never re-appears in its original thickened form." Whitf testimony could bo stronger? I£ tho bonafidei of these t^ o doctors avo allowed, and there is no reason to doubt thorn, then wo think medical men generally aro called on to test a specific which allows of no failures. If Dr Murray Gibbes has discovered tho true remedy for diphthoria, ho is as much entitled to national gratitudo as any of tho great men who have successfully battled with tho diseases that afilict mankind.

Tho balanco of tho "Daddy" Tracey benefit fund was handed ovor to Mr Bambor last night. It amounted to £57 9s.

Tho Fiolding Star says if the Pleiono is not floated off during the current month she will leave her bones where she now lies on the beach.

The London Daily Chroniclo Btates that his Holiness tho Popo intends to prohibit Catholics from taking any part in tho Plan of Campaign in Ireland.

There aro two ca«es of diphtheria at Arnmoho, and the Chairman of the School Committee, advised by l)r Earle, lias closed tho school. The little girl who died there the other day was a pupil, and as the disease is vory contagious, it has spread to others.

The Kov Mr Wilts, of Mnnnia has been getting his name up again. At tho householders he refused to allow Mr Alls-north to enter tho room, calling him a liar, and using other choice epithets. Tho chairman remonstrated, but Mr Allsworth took things coolly, and was ultimately allowed to take part in tho proceedings.

"Gad" in his football notes mentions tho following names as likely to form tho Wellington team against the English players :—: — Full-back, R. Sim ; three-quarters, D. Gage, H. Moorhouse, and A. D. Thompson j halves, O. Moore and Harden; forwards, J. M. King,L. Storey.'S, Cockcroft.T. Ellison, Orowoll, G. Williams, Moore, H, Mclntyro, and J. Wales.

In the bankrupt estate of Harry Williams, cattlo dealer, the liabilities are— To Rma Puna.Weta Ptinu and Weta to Kahu of Aramoho, £45; G. T. Lothbridgo, £26 8' ; M. Hogan nnd Co,£3 6>; Niohollsandßoundy, £3 10s; C. Cooke, £10;] J. lluigan, £2120; total, £90 16s. Assets— Horse, £1 15s ; 1000 bricks, £2 •.furniture, £16; deficiency, £69. Tho first meeting of creditors will tako place on Monday noit.

Wo have been informed that the statement that v number of men at the Eastown workshops were to bo sent to Petono is not corroct, and that ns a matter of fact only one man is being transferred, but only becanse there is a vacancy in tho Wellington shops that must bo filled. Tho railway authorities seem to recognise that it would he false economy to Bond all plant to Wellington to be repaired, and both shops i\ill be continued on tho same footing as at present.

Tho Emperor Frederic's health is improving. Ho gave the Queen a very warm wolcome. Tho Hon Mr Mitchelson has sent word that lie ia indisposed and cannot attend tho Putiki meeting at present. Slavin leaves for Wellington to-morrow. Ho proceeds to Melbourno almost im« mediately to meet Burke. Captain Edwin lelographs : — Every indication of frost to-night, and low tides for twenty-four hours from next low water. The New Zealand Shipping Company have decided to reduce the freight on frozen mutton to lid per lb from Juno to November inclusive. Among the tenders for the stock of P. A. Rivo, draper, Wellington, wo notico that of Mr O. Flyger, of Wanganui, for £1090. To Aro House Smith secured it for £2420 3a. The police have received information from Turakina to tho effect that Henry Jones, a resident of that place, is reported to havo been drowned in tho Turakina River. Constable Moon is now looking for the body. That most ancient and interesting historical relic, tho throne chair of Queen Hatasu (XVII. Egyptian Dynasty B.C. 1600) lias been presented to tho British Museum by tho owner, Mr Jesso Howorth, of Bowden, Cheshire. Tho Westport Harbour Board has given all it? permanent officers tlneo months' notice, and it will dispenso with others. It has also given tho Chairman power to take measures to assimilate wago3 to those paid in other parts of the colony. Tho Standard says that no less than four wives ran away from their husbands in tho Wairarapa last weeek, and one or two more aro threatening to do tho same thing if their better halves do not mend their ways. The lovers of gossip and scandal aro having a rare time of it in consequence. Among those present at tho glove light yesterday wenoticcdPeltengollandßichardson, tno old combatants with laing. It is, we believe, tho intention of both to lwve another contost with Laing. Pettengoll has never yet got over tho illness that he was suffering from ii hon he fought laing, but if fit by Christmas ho -Rill challcngo hnu again and fight for the Belt. Richardson also intends having a go for the Belt at some time or other. When we remarked that tho Wanganui School committee would leavo a balance of over £40 to the credit of their successors, a Palmeraton paper stated that tho country committees would be in a different position, hut wo notico that tho Palmerston committee handed over tho keys of office with £30 in the treasury, so that they appear equally well off in proportion. At the Police Court to-day, Messrs Liffiiton, Laird, and Cox, J.P.s presiding, Duncan Cameron, alias Morris «as charged with attempting to steal a watch and chain from John Rose. The case -was adjourned till Friday, bail being allowed in two sureties of £10, and prisoner's reeoguisances for £20. May Mason for stealing a lady's jacket value 30s was sentencod to a month's imprisonment. It is understood (says the New Zealand Herald of the 14th instant) that Inspector Shearman's case will come up in the Assembly for consideration. So far as is known ho does not want compensation for loss of office, but that ho should be put in the same position as lie would havo been in had ho remained in the Victorian polico force throughout, in point of pension. As the matter stands, ho is punished for complying with tho request of tho colonial Government to corao to Now Zealand and reorganise tho Canterbury polico. All he asks is that, in yielding to their wish, lie should suffer no pecuniary danmgo as regards Iho position he then held. At tho monthly meeting of the Mangawhero Road Board yesterday there nere present— Messrs Lees (chair)," McPhcrson, Parker, and Anderson. Respecting tho question of tho Lability of tho Board to fenco in the Matatara Vulloy tho solicitor's opinion had not been received, and it was resolved that a special meeting be hold when it came to hand. Mr Lees handed in his resignation as chairman, and it was rcsoh ed that his successor should be elected that day fortnight. Messrs Lees, Anderson, and Parker wore appointed a committee to inspect Mr Owen's road at Fenthorston on tho River Bank. It was resolved that the cutting from the Upokongaro and Mangaono road be formed. Messrs Andersen and Parker were appointed to go over Brogan's contract on the Maktrikiriimd report thereon at noit mooting.

The Archbishop, of York has issued a praj or asking God "to remove this great trial which Thou has sent us "— j.e., tho smaU-pox epidemic. On this Dr Dallinger, of Sheffield, who is an ominent man of science, as well as An me, says :— " I will yield to no man in reverence for true prayer; but I will tell you without flinching that I cannot, and I mil not pray for tho removal of the smallpox scourge. It would be a mockery of God. Let us do our beat, and then in baffled agony cry to God for help. But hero we ha^o not holped ourselves, and how dare wo ask tho Almighty to help us ? Let us do our duty, act up to our knowledge, and as surely as the smallpox curse came among us by physical laws broken, so it will depart from us if wo see to it that physical laws are obeyed.

Wo supposo that ludicrous things will continue to occur during church time. Everybody has seen thorn and smiled at them. Tho latest instance that has come to our knowledge is that of a clergyman in tho Wairarapa who while proaching ono Sunday evening perceived a young man and woman, undor tho gallory in the act of kissing one anothor bohind a hyinnbook. Instpad of becoming excited or losing tomper at tho spcptaolo, lip beainod mildly at them ovor his spßetaclcs, ami when the young man had kissed his companion the fjftoenth timo, he merely stopped short in tho nu'ddlo of " thirdly " and offered a fervent prayer on behalf of "thojoung man in tho pink nock-tio and tho maiden in the bluo bonnet and grey shawl, who wero profaning the sanctuary by kissing ono another in pew 78," Thp 30img woman pulled her voil down, but the ypimg man became nngored. Everj body else smiJed,^-Wairartipa Star.

Putiki has assumed quito a lively appear, anee, wme thousand Maoris ha\ing arrived for the forthcoming hui. Tho principal chiefs who have arrived are — HonniTaipua, M.H.R., Ropata, Te Au, representing the Ngatiraukawa; Wi Parata, tjju Ngatitoa; Raniern, the Ngatiawa; Wireinii Ppnero and Hori Winiara, tho Ngapuhi ; Paora tv Haore, tho Ngatiwhatn i Heri Ngataj, the Ngatirangi. Several other nnppctant chiefs aro expected duily. The Putiki natives hw<> made very comfortable arrangements for their visitors, tho supply of food being apparently unlimited^ Tho daily consumption of meat is about two bullocks and twenty pigs. Of potutocs and kuineras about half a ton, and several hundreds eight of Hour and brpnd. Major Kemp and the members of tho coiuiuijitco have very jh'operly docidod that no voudumpliou of intoxicating liquors will bo alloyed in thp ph. A Heavy fino will bo imposed on anyone introducing such. Gallons of tea aro mado almoit hourly, Maori and pakoha visitors aliko being asked to partake of that refreshment. Tho dming tent at Major Kemp's is a structure some 70f 1 1 14fr, and has sitting accommodation for 100. Tlip natives wiali to impress jmrti''lifarjyon cabmen and express drivers, that unjflss ffiey observe the notice posted on tho entrance gato, tho fine will bo strictly enforced. A visit to the pah at the present time is moat enjoyable to thoso who take an interest in Maori lifo and character, and wo would rccommmond all of our readers to either tnko a drive or a w nlk over to Putiki.