rhoea of a chronic type; twenty-two of these were infants, ranging in age from three weeks to one year, and five children from one year to thirteen years. In the sixteen acute cases the remedy acted promptly in fifteen; on the first, second, or, at least, the third day, the diarrhoea and vomiting ceased. In the case of a child two years old, however, it proved inefficient, but this was probably due to the fact that too small quantities were administered. A knife-pointful three times daily was administered, the size of which was varied according to the age of the child. In the acute cases a large dose was at first administered and then followed by several smaller doses. The advantage of this form of medication appeared distinctly in the case of two sisters who both suffered from marked diarrhoea. After the administration of a large dose the diarrhoea stopped on the same day in the one case, while in the other child under use of the ordinary dose it did not become normal until the following day. The remedy was always continued for a few days after the arrest of the diarrhoea, and was always well tolerated, no injurious effect being ever observed.

BOOK NOTICES.

An American Text-Book of Obstetrics for Practitioners and Students. By American authors. Richard C. Norris, M.D., editor. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders, 1895.

This admirable work will excite keen interest among the profession in this country, and at the same time a feeling of pride, which is pardonable, that this text book so successfully demonstrates the advanced obstetric teaching of to-day in America. These composite works brought out by a score of writers are apt to be tiresome on account of the more or less repetition on the part of the different authors and the want of uniformity in the articles from a rhetorical point of view, and are often not as definite and as satisfactory to the general reader as a treatise by one man. The book before us is, however, a notable exception. The text is uniformly well written, and while there seems to be no hesitation to plunge into detail to explain difficult points, there is not the usual corresponding sacrifice of clearness and precision. To elucidate the text of some nine hundred pages nearly nine hundred illustrations are interspersed. Many of these are original, comprising photographic and diagrammatic sketches. This department is fully in keeping with the rest of the work and testifies to the originality and

taste of the art editor, Dr. Dickinson, and to the generosity of the publishers. It is certainly a welcome innovation to have an art editor for a medical work and it is to be hoped that he comes to stay. The majority of the illustrations have been prepared according to a uniform scale, greatly enhancing their scientific accuracy. Midwifery can never be thoroughly taught away from the bedside. This fact has evidently been recognized here and the wealth of illustrations afforded for those who cannot have the advantage of clinical instruction. The articles on Mechanism of Labor by Reynolds, on Dystocia by Hirst, and on Obstetric Surgery by Cameron, are of especial worth as they place in clear light those interesting and important subjects. The chapter on Version by Dickinson is well done, and a study of his remarks and his excellent figures will certainly prepare the reader for the most delicate procedure in midwifery. The poor little baby who generally is laid one side as soon as he is delivered, in most works on this subject, receives consideration at the hands of the late Dr. Earle in a good chapter on the physiology and pathology of the new born. Dr. Davis, the editor, and his co-worker, must be congratulated on the success which has crowned their efforts to furnish the medical profession with a readable and scientific treatise on the science and art of obstetrics. The flattering reception which must be accorded this book is the more gratifying when we remember that the field is already well occupied by the classic of Lusk, the new work of Grandin and Jarman, and others. The publisher has performed his task well and has demonstrated that he desires America to be in the race in medical book making. B. A. C.

A Text-book upon the Pathogenic Bacteria, for Students of Medicine and Physicians. By Joseph McFarland, M.D., Demonstrator of Pathological Histology and Lecturer on Bacteriology in the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania; Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, etc. W. B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 1896. Price, $2.50.

Any really good book on this subject is to be welcomed as an addition to the small number of reliable works now available, and this is especially true of the present volume. The author has given a just idea of the scope of the work in the title chosen. He has not attempted to cover the whole field of Bacteriology, but only that part of it which is of direct interest to practitioners and students of medicine, and the whole book shows that it is meant for this class of readers rather than for a complete laboratory guide. It does not enter into the

exact details of laboratory work to such an extent as some others do, but the general insight into bacteriological methods and results of such methods is excellently given. Part I. contains a brief history of the subject, the classification and general biological characteristics of bacteria are concisely given and in an interesting manner. In the third chapter, on Immunity and Susceptibility, the various theories of immunity are carefully outlined, and under "Sterilization and Disinfection" are given not only the methods used for laboratory work but also those applicable for the sterilization of instruments, ligatures, etc., and the disinfection of sick chambers and of the discharges from patients having infectious diseases. The remainder of this part of the work is devoted to a description of the preparation of nutrient media, the growth and observation of bacteria, experiments upon animals, and the bacteriological examination of air, water and soil. This part, while sufficiently exact for general purposes, might in places have been made more useful for laboratory work by slight additions. As a single instance of this, which might be several times repeated, we noticed that the original method of neutralizing nutrient media by sodium carbonate, using litmus-paper as an indicator, is the only one given, the more exact methods now much used being entirely omitted. The remaining and larger part of the book treats of "Specific Diseases and their Bacteria." Here the arrangement is excellent and the subject matter well chosen, furnishing the most important facts in a concise, readable form. The photographs which accompany the descriptions of the organisms are mainly reproductions of the very best from other authors, but one wishes at times for the colored plates representing the actual field of the microscope with its color. Under "Toxic Diseases" diphtheria and pneumonia are especially well treated. The peculiarities of growth and staining by which a diagnosis of diphtheria can be made, the preparation of the toxin, immunization of the animal. and preparation of the antitoxic serum are all carefully described and may well be studied by those not already acquainted with the different steps of the process. Under "Pneumonia" the various forms of the disease are briefly discussed and the diplococcus pneumoniae is described at length, while the other organisms found here are briefly noticed. The entire book, which contains but 350 pages, may well be said to be one of the best in the field which it is intended to cover.

An American Text Book of Surgery for Practitioners and Students. Edited by William W. Keen, M.D., LL.D., and J. Will

iam White, M. D., Ph.D. Second edition. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders. 1895.

This edition, in comparison with the first edition, is marked by numerous additions and changes, the entire field of surgery being discussed in accordance with the advance of knowledge in each department. Though the volume is large the nature of the subject does not admit of a detailed consideration of each topic, hence the brevity characteristic of its many additions is in a measure disappointing, e. g., Acromegaly is limited to a few paragraphs and the dangers only of the use of the Murphy button are given. On the other hand, Hartley Krause method of removing the Gasserian ganglion, Schede's osteo-plaster operation on the chest wall, Witzel's method for gastrostomy and symphyseotomy are clearly described and illustrated. The work had origin in the need for new sources of reference, both for the student and practitioner and it adequately fulfills this purpose. Representing the consensus of opinion of eminent surgeons who have joined in its preparation it presents a general though accurate knowledge of this subject, attention having been paid largely to essential facts, and for these reasons commending itself especially to students and practitioners of general surgery.

Color Vision and Color Blindness. By J. Ellis Jennings, M.D. The F. A. Davis Co., Publishers. 1896.

It is only within late years that the subject of color blindness is considered as anything at all practical. Although known to the scientific world since 1684, it was not until many railway and steamship accidents had occurred that it was considered useful. This little book is a worthy addition to the literature on the subject. After a description of the retina, it gives tests for field of vision, with and without colors, the physics of light and lastly tests for colors proper. The author strongly advocates the thorough examination of all employees in whose work the proper perception of colors is absolutely necessary. To physicians who do such examining, this book will be found instructive.

The Functional Examination of the Eye. By J. H. Claiborne, Jr., M.D. The Edwards & Docker Co., Publishers.

This little book is made up of a series of lectures delivered at two of the New York colleges. It is only practical and deals largely with Errors of Refraction, with a good chapter on Astigmatism. Some statements in the parts on Presbyopia and Mydriatics might be objected to as being scarcely accurate. The work is a handy and useful one and closes with Jaeger's and Snellen's test types.

Three

Syphilis in Middle Ages and Modern Times. By Dr. F. Buret, Paris. Translated by Dr. A. H. Ohmann-Dumesnil. volumes. The F. A. Davis Co., Publishers. 1895.

Volumes II. and III. under one binding are completed and are but an extension of Vol. I. The author proves conclusively that leprosy and many other affections of the ancients is identical with the syphilis of to-day. He also shows that the malady was not introduced into Europe as a result of the discovery of America. Many passages are given in the original Latin. The book is well compiled but some parts could scarcely be considered. strictly moral.

BOOKS, PAMPHLETS, ETC., RECEIVED. Primary Factors of Organic Evolution. By E. D. Cope, Ph.D. The Open Court Publishing Company, Publishers, Chicago. 1896. A Manual of Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology. By Henry C. Chapman, M.D. Second Edition, Revised. Philadelphia: W. B.

Saunders, Publisher. 1896.

The Technique of Urethral and Intravesical Irrigations, for the Abortion of Gonorrhea and Treatment of other Genito-Urinary Diseases. By F. C. Valentine, M.D. (Read before the Society of Medical Progress, January 11th, 1896, and Wissenschaftliche Sitzung der Deutschen Poliklinik, January 17th, 1896.

Voice Building and Tone Placing. Showing a new method of relieving injured vocal chords by tone exercises. By H. Holbrook Curtiss, Ph.B., M.D. New York; D. Appleton & Co.

1896.

Dont's for Consumptives. By Dr. Chas. W. Ingraham. Published by the Medical Reporter Publishing Co., Rochester. 1896.

Proceedings of the Connecticut Medical Society. 1895. Published by the Society.

Diseases of the Rectum, Anus, and Contiguous Textures. By S. G. Gant, M.D. Philadelphia; The F. A. Davis Co. 1896. Diets for Infants and Children in Health and Disease. Starr, M.D. Price, $1.25. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders, 1896.

1843

ALUMNI AND SCHOOL NOTES.

By Louis

David L. Daggett died at his home in New Haven February 23d, from an attack of pneumonia.

1875. T. Mitchell Prudden has been appointed one of a committee of four by the New York State Board of Health in conjunction with the New York City Board of Health to draw up a petition to be submitted to the legislature explaining the tuberculosis question, and asking for a larger appropriation for crushing out the disease.

1878. Prof. D. A. Sargent is a member of the council of the American Association for the Advancement of Physical Education.