The society adjourned at 1 o'clock for lunch.

The meeting was again called to order at 2 P.M., and the second paper on the program was read.

2. Non-Intervention of Appendicitis with the Knife. Elmer H. Copeland, M.D., Northampton.

3. Inguinal Hernia. J. W. Hayward, M.D., Boston.

Dr. Hayward took up the two general methods of treatment palliative and radical. Put all children under the age of six or seven into the palliative class, with a few exceptions. In older children and young adults, if a strong, wellfitting truss is applied soon after the initial protrusion, a sufficient number of cures may result to warrant a short trial. Two general methods used in radical treatment : one by subcutaneous injection, and the other by open incision. The percentage of cures by the first is small. Description given of Bassini's method of radical cure for hernia. If all goes well, the patient is usually allowed to go home on the twenty-eighth day. Occasionally a truss may be required for three or four. months after operation, but usually none is thought needful. Discussion by Dr. Carl Crisand, of Worcester, and Dr. E. G. Tuttle, of New York.

4. The Part Played by the Lymphatic Glands in Some Forms of Acute Infection and the Results of their Participation. F. P. Batchelder, M.D., Boston.

Dr. Batchelder gave a review of the physiology of the lymphatic glands. The functions are not well known. Lymphatic glands form only a part of the group of so-called "adenoid organs." It is probable that bacteria and their products are responsible for many if not all cases of acute adenitis.

The doctor gave two clinical cases in illustration.
Discussion by Dr. J. P. Rand.

5. Dacryo-cystitis. W. P. Wentworth, M.D., Lee.

Dr. Wentworth gave his treatment of inflammation of the lachrymal sac-illustrated by a diagram of the parts and a clinical case.

Discussion by Dr. David H. Wells, Boston.

It was voted that the thanks of the society be extended to

those who were present from a distance for their able and interesting papers and discussions.

On motion of Dr. Rand, it was voted to insert a clause in the application blank, stating that the physician applying for admission to this society was legally registered and au thorized to practise medicine and surgery in the State where he resided.

Adjourned at 4 P.M.

ALICE E. ROWE, Secretary.

REVIEWS AND NOTICES OF BOOKS.

ATLAS AND EPITOME OF OPERATIVE SURGERY. By Dr. Otto Zuckerkandl, Privat-docent in the University of Vienna. Edited by J. Chalmers Da Costa, M.D., Clinical Professor of Surgery in Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia; Surgeon to the Philadelphia Hospital, etc. Published by W. B. Saunders, 925 Walnut Street, Philadelphia.

It is rare that one is called upon to deal in superlatives in referring to a treatise or text-book on surgery, as the growth of the art has been so rapid in the last two decades that text-books are invariably behind the times, and one finds it difficult to keep in line with its progress even with the aid of books, magazines, monographs, and hospital experience. Keeping in mind all of the obstacles in the way of surgeons in active professional life, it is easy to appreciate the difficulties which are encountered by physicians in general practice who have an ambition to keep in the van of surgical knowledge; and all this applies with double force to students who begin the study of a subject already elaborated to a fine degree, and capable of still further change and development.

Dr. Zuckerkandl knows his student. He evidently has the student instinct developed to a remarkable degree, and thoroughly understands the little discouragements which influence so much the happiness — or unhappiness, rather — of one who is given to the study of this somewhat abstruse science. It is for this reason, undoubtedly, that he has avoided the long and perhaps useless discussion of mooted questions and has devoted himself with praiseworthy effort to the single purpose of stating his views which have, evidently, been well and carefully thought out in a manner as clear and

concise as possible. He has decided views on all subjects of which his book treats, and some of these ideas might and undoubtedly have aroused, and will arouse a great deal of opposition from surgeons who have had a wide experience and honestly differ with him; but it is a welcome boon, to men who have no voice in the matter, to come in contact with the undoubted and decided opinions of one who is a master in surgery.

That there are points in this admirable book which admit of argument and criticism goes without saying; but it is equally true that the majority of subjects are treated in a broad, careful, and reliable manner, and the text is illustrated with a large number of plates, cuts, and diagrams which are calculated to render confusion and misunderstanding well-nigh impossible. It is extremely difficult to enumerate, in a short review such as this, the many subjects which prove the statements made above, and hence a few excellent examples only will be cited to sustain the position taken.

Attention is called to the section on Litigation of Arteries, and to the one on Amputations and Resections, as being clear, concise, and unusually well illustrated. Plastic operations about the face, including those for the relief of harelip, will bear close scrutiny and study, as will also that portion of the work devoted to thyrotomy, tracheotomy, and kindred procedures.

There is one part of the work which appeals to one with a great deal of force, and that is the portion devoted to the description and illustration of Bassini's operation for the cure of hernia. Nothing is more difficult for the average student to understand than a written description of this operation. Nothing is simpler than the operation itself. Dr. Zuckerkandl has overcome all difficulties by submitting several plates which show at a glance the tissues incised, the method of transplanting the cord, and the manner in which the different layers are to be approximated.

It is difficult to recall a description of the operation which is at once so concise and so perfectly illustrated. W. S.

A TEXT-BOOK OF PHYSIOLOGY, FOR STUDENTS AND PRACTITIONERS. By Winfield S. Hall, A.M., M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Physiology in the Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago. Philadelphia and New York: Lea Brothers & Co. pp. 672. Price, cloth, $4.00, net; leather, $5.00, net.

A text-book on physiology presenting clearly and in detail not only its avowed subject, but also the underlying and associated sci

ences of anatomy, chemistry, and physics, is something of a novelty. Developed in this rational manner, however, physiology becomes more readily grasped in itself and in its proper relationships, thus contributing to a general understanding of all the practical departments of medicine which go to form the foundation of medical knowledge. Another special feature of this volume is noted in the epitomes prefixed to each chapter, which classify the topics treated in the text, giving one a general view and review as one goes along. A good idea of the work as a whole is obtained by a glance at its principal divisions: General Physiology, including the Physiology of the Cell; Cytology: the Physiology of Contractile and Irritable Tissues. Special Physiology (Part II) embraces the Circulation, Respiration, Digestion, Absorption, Metabolism, Excretion, the Dermal System, Sensation, the Physiology of the Nervous System, of the Muscular System, Reproduction, etc.

Under all these divisions special verbal illustrations of clinical applications of physiological facts and principles are incorporated in the general text. These will be appreciated by men already in practice, while they will serve to fix mere statements more firmly in the memory of students.

The book is lavishly illustrated with engravings and colored plates, and is well indexed and bound.

THE MEDICAL NEWS VISITING LIST FOR 1900. Philadelphia and New York: Lea Brothers & Co. 1899. Price, seal grain leather, $1.25; thumb-letter index, 25 cents extra.

This handy little reminder of practically everything the physician wishes to keep the run of daily is issued in four styles; namely, weekly (dated, for 30 patients), monthly (undated, for 120 patients per month), perpetual (undated, for 30 patients weekly per year), and perpetual (undated, for 60 patients weekly per year). Besides the blank pages and spaces under the following headings: Daily Record, General Memoranda, Obstetric Engagements and Practice, Vaccinations, Death Register, Addresses of Patients, Addresses of Nurses, and Cash Account, much useful printed data appears on the first thirty-two pages, including an Alphabetical Table of Diseases. with Approved Remedies, a Table of Doses, Sections on Examination of Urine, Artificial Respiration, Incompatibles, Poisons and Antidotes, and a Diagnostic Table of Eruptive Fevers. The book is not bulky, but just a convenient pocket size; the paper is of good quality and the binding attractive. We would suggest it as a suitable

Christmas present, and one likely to be acceptable to the busy physician.

INTERNAL MEDICINE AND CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS. By Dr. Christfried Jacob, formerly First Assistant in the Medical Clinic at Erlangen. Authorized translation from the German. Edited by Augustus A. Eshner, M.D., Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Philadelphia Polyclinic. With 182 colored illustrations upon 68 plates, and 64 illustrations from the text. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders. 1898. pp. 259. Price, $3.00.

This is essentially an atlas of methods of clinical investigation, including an epitome of special pathology and treatment of internal diseases.

Part I presents twenty-two plates illustrative of methods of clinical microscopy and chemic color reactions, accompanied by descriptive matter. Parts II and III have forty-six plates showing normal projection of the viscera and percutory topography, schemata of diseases. of lungs and heart, and diagrammatic representation of abdominal diseases. Accompanying each diagrammatic plate is a clinical case which has come under the immediate observation of Dr. Jacob, with history, examination, diagnosis, and treatment of same. The last half of the atlas is divided into five sections devoted to: Examination of the Patient; Methods of Examination; Special Diagnosis of Diseases of Internal Organs; Epitome of Special Pathology and Treatment; Therapeutic Notes.

It is not always from the more exhaustive works that one gains the most practical knowledge. This volume is of a very convenient size for frequent reference, the illustrations are remarkably clear and accurate, the cases are concisely stated, while the accompanying diagrammatic charts serve to impress upon the reader's mind the diagnostic points and the methods of precision employed in differentiating pathological conditions. C. S.

REPRINTS AND MONOGRAPHS RECEIVED.

The Medical Treatment of Movable Kidney. By Alfred Stengel, M.D. Reprinted from University Medical Magazine.

Gastroptosis: Report of a Case in which a New Operation was Undertaken and the Patient Greatly Improved. By Alfred Stengel,