composed of four blades, while forming. but two extra by cutting at the hinge joint as well as when the handles are closed. This instrument is capable of being used by any one however inexpert, and with it there is very little danger of piercing the pharynx or injuring the vessels back of the tonsils. The scissors are intended to trim a pharynx, to cut out small teat-like projections of the ragged tonsil. The operator needs noforceps to use with this instrument, which leaves one hand free for any purpose for which it may be required.

The third instrument is the larangeal scissors. These scissors were devised for the purpose of crushing or cutting those neoplasms which occur in the recesses of the larynx. The instrument is adapted to one of Schrotter's tubes and handles and consists virtually of the same idea as that of the hinged-joint four-bladed scissors just given in the preceding instrument, although much lessened in size and with yet a differing lumen. The instrument is introduced closed into the larynx, allowed to expand by the automatic spring arrangement on pressing the wire attached to the finger piece, and when it is at or about the size of the growth is re-drawn up into the tube and into the slot in the tube by retracting finger pressure.

MEMBERS of the profession are invited to send copies of papers, medical journals, reprints and instruments or descriptions of instruments pertaining or relating to diseases of the eye and ear to Dr. F, F. Casseday, Kansas City, Mo., with a view of making this monthly report as interesting and complete as possible.

AN IMPROVED OPTHALMOSCOPE.-(Francis Valk, M. D., Medical Record, April 23, 1887.) The opthalmoscope has been brought almost to perfection in Dr. E. G. Loring's last design.. With a view of devising a mechanism by which the various lenses could be rapidly brought.

before the eye without removing the instrument, so that the accumulation would more readily tend to relax in the estimated hypermethopia, I devised an improvement on Dr. E. G. Loring's instrument, as shown in the cut.

It consists of a rectangular bar connecting the ophthalmoscope with the handle. Upon this bar is a slide. This slide passes freely up and down. The slide is connected with the disc containing the lenses by a series of cogs, and by pulling the slide downward the sense disc is rotated to the right and vice versa.

KANSAS CITY, MO.

BOOK NOTICES.

A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON OBSTETRICS. VOL. III. (4 vols.), The Pathology of Labor. By A. CHARPENTIER, M. D., Paris. Illustrated with lithographic plates and wood engravings, This is also Vol. III. of the "Cyclopedia of Obstetrics and Gynecology" (12 vols.), issued monthly during 1887. Price of the set, $16.50. New York: William Wood & Co.

The third volumes of this valuable work considers the pathology of labor. The first chapter being devoted to maternal dystocia, which includes all the causes which may render labor difficult, impossible, or dangerous for the mother and child, and which consequently require more or less active interference on the part of the obstetrician. This part of the work, and particularly that portion devoted to the treatment, is deserving of commendation. A wise conservation, such as pervades this work, is too often lacking in modern obstetrics. "Above all, wait ;” says the author, in one place, "do not be in a hurry to interfere, but gain time by soothing the patient." And again, “do not act hastily; rash interference is, in the great majority of cases, more dangerous than expectant treatment." The second chapter deals with dystocia due to the fœtal annexes, anomalies of the cord and malformations of the fœtus itself. The third chapter, considers the uses of ergot, its physiological and its pathological action; its indications during labor and during the puerperium. Regarding the use of ergot, the author is in accord with the modern French school, and opposed to the use of ergot. "Ergot should be absolutely rejected during labor, not only in the first stage, but in the second, and during the third, its use being confined to the period after the expulsion of the placenta." The work so far as issued, more than carries out the promise of the announcement.

By

A TEXT-BOOK OF PATHOLOGICAL ANATOMY AND PATHOGENESIS. ERNEST ZIEGLER. Translated and edited for English students by DONALD MACALISTER, M. A., M. D. Three parts complete in one volume. Octavo, 1118 pages, 289 illustrations. Price, extra muslin, $5.50; sheep, $6.50. New York: William Wood & Co.

The greater part of the text of this work is based upon observations

made, or verified by Professor Ziegler himself, and as such has a particular value of its own. As is to be expected in a German work, the microbe theory has full justice done it, even to a greater extent perhaps, than we in this country would admit to be its due. Whether the

microbes found in the various diseases are the cause of the disease, or a product of the disease is still we believe an open question. However, this may be, the work fairly represents the present condition of pathological service in Germany, and is a valuable addition to the literature of that subject. The present volume is the complete work, and represents the fourth German edition, and has been brought up to date. A valuable feature is the bibliographical notes appended to each section, which enables the student of pathology to consult the authors cited. The translator has made an English work, which of itself, is deserving of no unstinted praise, as too often a book translated from a foreign language requires a re-translation to render it readable.

A SYSTEM OF SURGERY. BY WILLIAM TOD HELMUTH, M. D. Fifth edition, enlarged, re-arranged, revised, many parts re-written, and much new matter added. Illustrated with 718 cuts on wood. Royal 8 vo., pages 1111. Philadelphia: F. E. Boericke, 1887.

The continued ill health of the former editor of the AMERICAN HOMEOPATHIST, into whose hands the new edition of this work came, has prevented the prompt appearance of a review notice. In re-writing and arranging this new edition, Prof. Helmuth has greatly extended and improved it, making it now one of the most complete and desirable hand-books on surgery extant. And it has this advantage over almost all others, that the author, being a practical and efficient teacher, has realized the importance of the lucid explanation of simple things, of the small detail of manipulation and surgical procedure. Many works intended for the use of junior students fail in this important particular. They take too much for granted in the way of previous knowledge on the part of the student-reader. This is a grave fault, which Prof. Helmuth has wisely avoided.

As Homœopathists, we can reasonably feel proud of this grand work. It is no longer necessary to put into the hands of our students, a treatise on surgery from the pen of an old school-man, for in this present volume we have all that a student needs to know, expressed as fully, clearly, and practically as possible, with the advantage of homoeopathic collateral treatment.

The large amount of material crowded into the work, has made it necessary to use a lighter weight paper than is consonant with elegance of appearance, and many of the wood-cuts seem more like advertisements for instrument-makers, than is consistent with good taste, but these are minor defects, which, while they militate against the appearance of the work, do not detract from its value as a standard work on surgery.

CROUP. Its nature and Homœopathic Treatment, (with illustrations of Homœopathic Practice). By HURRO NAUTH ROY, L. M. S., author of "A Manual of Fever," "The Epidemic Fever in Bengal,' &c. Publishers: Lahiri & Co., Homœopathic Chemists, 14 Collegequail, Calcutta, 1886.

This is an unique little work, upon a disease which we supposed was

not common in India, but the author observes, croup is an European and American disease per se, but its visitations have of late become so common and so frequent in all parts of India, that a practical treatise from the pen of an Indian, would not be unacceptable to the profession. and the general reader. It would prove an interesting study to the etiologist, the development, and domestication of what is essentially a disease of cold countries, in apparently so unsuitable a climate. An interesting portion of the work is that devoted to a consideration of the indigenous remedies which the author states are sometimes of great efficacy in the treatment of croup. Among these, are the Blatta Orient, (cockroach), moocta-Jhoree, (Acalypha Indica); Toolser, (Ocymum Villosum or Sanctorum); Beetle-leaf, (Piper Charica, or Charica Betel), and Kala, (Cardanthera Triflora or Ruella Triflora), all of which the author has tried, and which he recommends to the profession for trial at least.

PUBLICATIONS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY, 1886. Volume IX. Published by the Committee on Publication. Boston: Rand, Avery Co., 1887.

In addition to the proceedings of the annual and semi-annual meetings of the Massachusetts Homoeopathic Medical Society, this volume. contains a number of valuable papers upon various subjects of interest. Among these we notice notes on hysteria, by E. P. Colby, M. D.; calcare a phos, and podophyllin in entero-collitis, by F. L. Babcock, M. D.; atmospheric humidity in relation to disease, by A. L. Kennedy, M. D.; accidental poisoning by atropine sulphate, by B. F. Church, M. D.; malarial fevers from swamp miasma and from sewer gas, by H. E. Spalding, M. D.; antipyrin in fever, by J. Heber Smith, M.D.; phytolacca, conium and arsenicum iodide, in diseased mammæ, by J. C. Culver, M. D.; œnanthe corcata in epilepsy, by F. B. Percy, M. D.; Dr. Schüssler's remedies, by D. B. Whetters, M. D.; transplantation of a large flap of skin from the flank to the forearm, by H. Packard, M. D.; dislocation of the elbow backward, with fracture of the coranoid process of the ulna, by J. W. Hayward, M. D.; a few practical remarks upon cancer of the breast, J. B. Bell, M. D.; primary union, by J. K. Warren, M. D. ; modern antiseptic methods of treating chronic ulcers, by J. Utley, M. D.; prolapsus uteri, by L. A. Phillips, M. D.; retinoscopy, and its value in the correction of ametropia of children, by J. H. Payne, M. D.

COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT.

The commencement exercises of the N. Y. Homoeopathic Medical College were held in Chickering Hall, on the afternoon of Thursday, April 14th. The exercises were interesting throughout, being not too long to be tiresome and yet long enough to show the excellent work which the college is doing, and the high grade of scholarship which it aims to attain. Prof. T. F. Allen, the dean of the faculty, in his introductory address, briefly reviewed the work of the year, and then announced to the audience the pleasing fact that two citizens of New

York had already promised him $25,000 each for a new college building and free hospital and that other donations would swell the fund to $100,000, with many friends of homoeopathy yet to hear from. The degree of M. D. was then conferred by Hon. Salem H. Wales, president of the board of trustees. The graduating class numbered forty-six, having entered upon the year with fifty-three. Prof. St. Clair Smith, president of the faculty, presented the senior prizes for the best averages throughout the entire course. The first faculty prize, a $100 microscope was awarded to E. D. Fitch of Worcester, Mass., and the second prize, a $50 microscope to James Brooks, jr. of Paterson, N. J. The honor men were B. W. Stillwell, J. J. Russell, W. W. Johnson, R. P. Fay, and S. I. Jacobus. The Wales prize, a Helmuth pocket-case for the highest average in all the junior and middle studies, was awarded to F. W. Hamlin of the middle class. The class valedictory by Geo. B. Best concluded the exercises of the afternoon. The annual alumni dinner at Delmonico's occupied the evening. Dr. Selden H. Talcott, of Middletown was the toastmaster and proved as usual the right man in the right place. Toasts were happily responded to by Dr. Fisk of Brooklyn, Elihu Rort, Dr. Dowling, and Rev. Dr. McArthur. Dr. Helmuth read one of his inimitable poems, and B. W. Stillwell spoke for the new graduates. A handsome subscription from the alumni and faculty for the building fund was a prominent feature of the occasion.

L. L. DANFORTH, M. D. Sec.

ABSTRACTS.

INOCULATION of a Wound with Tubercle.-A boy who had had his arm amputated on account of an injury, was attended by a girl who had lupus of the nose. No hereditary or other source of infection was apparent. The granulating spot on the stump began to degenerate fungously. The axillary glands became infiltrated, and his general health much worse. The glands were extirpated, and showed macroscopically and microscopically exquisite tuberculosis. The boy recov ered.-Annals of Surgery.

PLASTIC Operation for Closure of a Large Laryngeal Fistula.* By Robert Abbe, M. D., New York. Surgeon to Saint Luke's Hospital. -In December, 1885, a man æt. forty-five years, presented himself for treatment of an opening in the side of his larynx immediately above the vocal cords, into which the end of one's thumb could be thrust. In the month of April preceding, he had tripped while rising from his cobbler's bench with a shoemaker's knife in his hand, and had so stumbled that he fell upon the point of his knife, which was thrust well into the thyroid cartilage of the left side. It was an ugly gash and bled severely. He was carefully treated in the Bridgeport hospital at once, a tracheal tube was inserted and, he says, was worn a month. The hole in the cartilage was just above the vocal chord attachment, and laryngeal inflammation probably followed and impaired his breathing. After another month

Reprint from Annals

*Reported to the New York Surgical Society, Dec. 22, 1886. of Surgery. Copyright by J. H. Chambers & Co., St. Louis, Mo.