State only going to show that he caused McDonald to commit the murder through hypnotic influence. An appeal was taken to the Supreme Court, and, in opinion rendered, the ruling of the lower court was sustained.

If the above represents the truth about the case, we should feel that the decision was entirely premature, and unwarranted by our present knowledge of hypnotism. There are several problems which would have to be solved before an intelligent court could render the decision which it did. First, it would have to define hypnotism and its degrees; next, it would have to furnish some indisputable evidence that a particular individual was hypnotized; and, finally, it would have to show that a person otherwise not criminally disposed could be made to do a murderous act while in this hypnotic state. To us it seems practically impossible that a court of laymen could solve these problems; and, as a matter of fact, we believe that the element of hypnotism played a very small part in the determination of the judicial opinion. It was rather a case of very undue influence exercised by a person of strong character upon one who was intellectually and morally weak.-N. Y. Med. Record.

The Simulation of Death by Fakirs.

Herr Kuhn not long ago presented a communication on this subject to the Anthropological Society of Munich. He had the opportunity of personally observing two cases, as to the genuineness of which he had no doubt whatever. One of the fakirs referred to had been buried alive for six weeks, the other for ten days. The condition which the fakir has the power of producing artificially is in all respects identical with the cataleptic trance. The fakirs, who are all hysterical subjects of a very pronounced type, put themselves through a regular course of training before the performance, weakening themselves by semi-starvation, taking internally various vegetable substances known only to them, keeping their bodies motionless in the same position for several hours at a time, etc. The details of this preparation are given in the Hathayoga Paradipika Stratmaramas, which has been translated by Walter. When the fakir has by these means got himself into

the proper condition, he has only to lie down in one of the positions enjoined by the sacred books, and fix his eyes on the end of his nose, to fall into a state of trance. The fakirs are also believed to use haschisch for the purpose of lessening the force of respiration. That hypnotic agent, associated with other vegetable substances and used in a special manner, is believed by them to supply the want both of air and nourishment. At the beginning of the trance the fakir has hallucinations, hearing heavenly voices, seeing visions, etc. Gradually, however, consciousness becomes annulled, the body becomes rigid, and, as the fakirs themselves say, "the spirit rejoins the soul of the world." In short, the condition is one of auto-hypnosis in hysterical subjects specially prepared for the experiment.-Brit. Med. Journal.

Gibier's Diphtheria Antitoxic Serum,

About which more favorable reports have been published in this country than of any other, represents the active antitoxin of the highest obtainable immunizing power-viz., 1,100,000-in other words, it is a serum of which one c.cm. will immunize 100 kilos, or 220 pounds body weight. The powdered form now offered is the antitoxin of this serum, and by adding to the one gram of powder, in the sterilized vial in which it is furnished, ten c.cm. of sterilized water (distilled water boiled and allowed to cool), and shaking the contents until dissolved, the equivalent is obtained of fifteen c.cm. antidiphtheritic serum of 1,100,000 immunizing power, or 1500 units, according to Behring's last formula.

The advantages of this product are many. Primarily, it preserves its antitoxic qualities and resists deterioration for an indefinite length of time. Wherever the fresh antidiphtheritic serum is not obtainable, this dry antitoxin should be procured and held in reserve by the physician or kept in stock by the druggist. It may be transported any distance without being injured by heat or frost. It is easily dissolved in sterilized water, and is at once ready for use. On account of the elimination of certain principles of the serum from which the dry antitoxin is extracted, it is expected that urticaria and other sequelæ will not follow these injections.

A Few Aphorisms Relating to Obstetrics.

What to do and what not to do in the management of labor, that is the question. No branch of a physician's practice requires more self-poise, and where so many complications arise commanding our sympathy and demanding our skill, as that of obstetrics; and when disease and death follow a normal case of labor, the cause can be traced to none other than to ignorance or mismanagement. With these preliminary remarks, Ewing advances a few aphorisms relating to obstetrics:

1. Examine the urine a week or so before the expected confinement. Albumin need not cause alarm, unless present in large quantity, in which case the woman should be restricted to milk diet, given one-tenth grain of sulphate sparteine four times a day, and bowels kept open with cream of tartar, the object being of course to relieve congestion of the renal veins.

2. Make no digital examination without first cleansing the hands and nails, together with the external genitals, with a solution of bichloride of mercury (1 to 2000) and ethereal soap. 3. Empty the rectum thoroughly with an injection of warm

water.

4. Make as few examinations as possible during progress of labor, and each time dip the hand first in the antiseptic solution.

5. If presenting part emerges slowly from the womb, do not allow your impatience to so get the better of your judgment as to induce you to assist nature" by pulling upon the os. Probably all the deep pathological tears, calling for surgical interference, found on the right and upper anterior sides of the cervix, are caused by the finger of the accoucheur. Medical Review.

Salipyrin.

From the Medical Record cabled report of the eleventh International Medical Congress (Rome, March 29 to April 5) Section on Practical Medicine, we quote: Dr. Arthur Henning of Konigsberg read a paper on this drug, which he believed to be the best antirheumatic and antineuralgic yet known, and also a most excellent antipyretic, especially in pediatric practice. In rheumatism, when given in the early

stages, it is most efficacious in relieving pain and reducing the swelling. In simple colds and acute coryza, it exerts a very favorable influence upon the headache and general malaise. Its action in influenza must be regarded as almost specific. In cases of uterine hemorrhage, not due to the presence of tumors, or occurring in childbirth, salipyrin is much more efficacious than any other known remedy. The drug is absolutely safe, and gives rise to no unpleasant after-effects. It is best given in the afternoon, in rather large doses, repeated at short intervals. The total daily dose ranges from seven and a half grains to two drams, according to the age of the patient and the disease. The remedy has no cumulative effect, nor do those taking it acquire a habit.

Vomiting in Pregnancy.

Dr. Charles E. Page, in Pacific Med. Journal, says: "Perhaps there is no period in a woman's life when nature-that is, the living organism-takes the bit in her teeth, so to say, more arbitrarily, with the design of having the machine run about right, than during the early weeks of pregnancy. Women, as well as men, at other times may riot in high living, eat freely, and of all sorts of dishes, at all hours of the day, with comparative impunity, but when this wonderful process of the beginning and growth of a new being is inaugurated, the woman is likely to be brought to book. Instead of, as she has been doing, eating for three (that is, eating often as much as three persons of sedentary habit actually need), she is reminded-or would be, if the family doctor were fully competent to instruct her, and did his duty in the premises that she must now only eat for two,' a moderate portion for herself, less or more according to her activities, and a tiny morsel for the tiny germ that is to be nourished. Really, the first indication of nausea, or lack of appetite, not to say vomiting, should warn the prospective mother that she is getting a little ahead of her stomach, so to say; and then all she has to do is simply to sip a few swallows of moderately hot water occasionally during the day, fasting, to make short and easy work of restoring the balance to the system. I have never known a single case of failure when this plan has been

intelligently carried out. As for the length of time for this stomach rest, the question is as simple as this-take all the time needed, whether it be the skipping of a couple meals or fasting for a couple of days. Wait till the stomach is completely tranquil and the patient absolutely hungry; but hunger or no hunger, the tranquil stomach must be secured, and this without employing any bulldozing method, as with the usual remedies addressed to the stomach,' which never in the true sense of the term, cure the disorder, and when they seem to be working the best the most mischief may be brewing."

Losophan in Parasitic Sycosis.

Ringworm of the bearded portion of the face, or barber's itch, is a stubborn affection, especially in its later stages, because the ringworm fungus rapidly extends from the surface to the hair follicles, as shown by the breaking off and falling out of the hair. From the irritation caused by the fungus in the follicles inflammation results and nodules form on the surface of the skin. This is red, glossy and covered with pustules. The nodules break down and discharge a glutinous. material, which dries into crusts. In the treatment cleanliness is the first requisite; the part should be washed with soap and hot water, and the affected region thoroughly epilated. Then, a germicide in solution or ointment should be applied, and among the best is losophan, a combination of two effective antiseptics-cresol and iodine. Careful experiments have shown that it rapidly destroys the parasite, without producing irritation. Losophan should be employed in five to ten per cent. ointments, but must be thoroughly dissolved in oil before being mixed with fats.-Ex.

Treatment of Cystitis in the Female.

(John C. Hersler, Univ. Med. Mag.) The chief indications for treatment are:

1. To remove any discoverable source or sources of irritation which act through the medium of the urine. This may be effected by a milk diet and a discontinuance of the use of acids, pepper, etc. Any mechanical source of vesical irritation should receive appropriate treatment.