Springfield, Mass, August 2, 1902.
To the Editor:
—While the paper of Dr. N. S. Davis, Jr., in your issue of July 5, 1902, contains much that is both interesting and instructive, his treatment of the subject of "diffusible stimulants" not only leaves much to be desired, but also invites criticism. With those who totally eschew stimulants in the treatment of pneumonia, I make no contest, having myself adverted to their inutility in the Philadelphia Medical Journal of March 3, 1901, but with one preferring ammonia to alcohol in this disease and for the reasons given I am compelled not only to disapprove the choice but to deny the correctness of the premises upon which it is based. The reasons given may be succinctly stated about as follows: "Alcohol is not a food, isirritating to the stomach, disturbs metabolism, hastens muscular degeneration, is very ephemeral in its action, promotes cyanosis,