surface of the skin, while on the other abundant gran ulations were distinctly seen underneath, although a trifle of the dead tissue still appeared. The granulating points were exceedingly sensitive to the touch or to pressure throughout the process of healing. After the removal of the dead tissue there was a distinct gain in the use of the leg, and a little later standing and walking a few steps at a time did not cause particularly unpleasant sensations.

The treatment described was continued until January 31st, when the wound had completely healed. The stiffness of the knee decreased and freedom from pain and soreness followed rapidly after the healing of the wound, and walking soon became quite natural. Since the wound healed the skin that first formed has been gradually replaced by firm, soft and natural tissue, and the healing process seems to be perfect and complete.

The use of the same tube upon another person has been mentioned. In this case the original burn was similar but covered the entire side of the foot. The second attack was also much the same as mine, except that the tissues sloughed naturally and to the depth of one half inch without surgical aid, and the process was not attended with much pain. The distance of the tube from the foot was about eight or ten inches but the exposure was twice as long. These experiences would tend to prove that certain tubes produce rays of a dangerous character and that these rays affect all alike.

STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, ONEONTA, N. Y.

HOWARD LYON.

February 8. 1900.

The

the Sick Poor

Editorial

The report of the Guild for the year ending Albany Guild for January 31, 1900, has recently been issued the Care of At the annual meeting, held in February, authority was vested in the senior nurse for the detail of nurses in the Department of Visiting Nurses, in Dispensary Work, in Dentistry, and in the use of the Emergency Fund, which provides for the loan of articles and appliances in the custody of the Supply Committee. Under

the demands upon it, the Guild has thus extended its organization to meet all requirements and emergencies in which the services of a trained nurse may be needed. Its work lies especially among the poor, but in the arrangement for service in what is known as "Moderate Income Cases," an opportunity is now given for trained nursing service for persons in any walk of life. It may be said that a charity which began with the custom of supplying dainties to the sick poor, has developed into practical ministrations which meet every demand of modern scientific practice. Under the discipline naturally attending an organization of this kind, the best nurses are secured, their duties are strictly defined, and the distinction between the duties of physician and nurse, not always comprehended outside of a hospital, secures broad recognition. The total number of visits during the year was 8,201.

A new department has been organized to provide dental service for the poor, under an offer from ten dentists to devote one hour each a week to services on the teeth of the indigent poor whom the management of the Guild might certify as worthy. This plan is to be made a factor in the work of the new year.

With reference to the co-operation of the Guild with the district physicians, the following statement is incorporated in the report:

"Heretofore the charity work of the Guild has been done in co-operation with the district physicians appointed by the Mayor. Under the new city charter the Commissioner of Public Safety has charge and supervision of the Department of Health. In him is vested the power to appoint not only the Health Officer but also the Health Physicians assigned to the health districts of the city. In order to ascertain if the Guild nurses would still be allowed to work under the Health Physicians the President made application to the Commissioner of Public Safety asking that the Guild might be used by the Health Department as a factor in its work, among the sick poor. The appeal was based on the following points in favor of the Guild:

'Its claim: It has an experience of ten years in caring for the sick poor through graduate nurses; incorporated three

years since, it has become a regulated work, the value of which is attested by the constantly increasing demand for the nurses by physicians; it is supported by the citizens of Albany, who endorse the method which provides not only skilled nurses for the sick, but instructs the family in the care of their own sick, in the preparation of diet, and in the laws of health, and emphasizes cleanliness and ventilation in the home; it has a large loan closet from which the nurses provide necessary bed-linen and clothing for the sick; it has a supply-closet which furnishes everything required in the care of the sick; it provides drugs, prescriptions and diet when not otherwise supplied; its aim is to help the poor without pauperizing; it asks no financial aid from the city or county.

'Advantages to the Health Physicians: Graduate nurses will carry out directions carefully; enforce the physician's orders; make his ability evident and acceptable; insure the patient's recovery when possible; relieve the physician of needless demands upon his time, and dignify his practice among the poor.'

"Although the demands upon the health officer have made it impossible for him yet to give the plea for co-operation serious consideration, the Guild has had the honor of being informed by the Commissioner of Public Safety, that the Health Physicians will be instructed to avail themselves of the services of the Guild nurses subject to further advices from the Health Officer. The Managers trust that this service will be so acceptable that the Guild will always be allowed to consider itself at the call of the Department of Health."

A bill recently introduced into Congress proWomen Nurses viding for the employment of trained women. in the Army nurses in general and post hospitals of fifty beds and upwards should receive the hearty indorsement of all medical men.

No proof is needed to-day to convince anyone of the superiority of women nurses. The fact that all the nursing in civil hospitals is now done by women and that the results have been visibly better since their employment is sufficient. In the last war the care and management of the sick were

most severely criticised and often justly so.

The feeling was

general that the necessary suffering and hardship incident to war should not be increased by unnecessary neglect and want of care. The soldier should not be asked to be a martyr as well as a hero, nor should the slaughter of battle be duplicated by a high mortality in the hospital. The State, when it asks or requires its citizens to fight its battles, should both from the standpoint of economy and philanthropy find no expense too great to minimize the mortality or the suffering entailed.

State Medicine

Edited by Harry Seymour Pearse, M. D.

Important Bills in the New York Legislature.*-Assembly bill No. 993. An Act "To Regulate the Practice of Midwifery, and to Provide for the Licensing of Midwives in the City of New York."

This act provides for a board of examiners in midwifery, to consist of five members, regularly licensed physicians. These examiners shall license after examination persons of good moral character who desire to practice midwifery in the city of New York.

Senate bill No. 681, for the same purpose as Assembly bill

No. 993, regulates the practice of midwifery by examination before a board consisting of the sanitary superintendents of the boards of health of each of the boroughs of New York City.

Assembly bill No. 914. An Act "To Provide a Hospital for the Treatment of Contagious Eye Diseases in the City of New York."

This act provides for the purchase of suitable land and erection of buildings as a hospital for the treatment of contagious eye diseases. The Board of Managers is named in the bill, and the Comptroller is directed to issue bonds to defray the cost of constructing said building.

By courtesy of the Committee on Legislation of the Medical Society of the State of New York.

Senate bill No. 740. An Act" To Exempt from Taxation the Property of Certain Medical Societies Situated in Cities of the First Class."

This act provides for the exemption from taxation of the property of medical societies, provided it is used only for the purposes of the society, and that the amount of the property does not exceed over one hundred thousand dollars.

Senate bill No. 1025. An Act "To Charter the New York

State Medical Association."

This act incorporates the New York State Medical Association and enables it to hold personal or real property, and bequests not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars, and to constitute a death benefit fund for its members, and to assist in the enforcement of the general medical laws of the State of New York,

Assembly bill No. 1581. An Act "To Secure the more Prompt and Accurate Determination of the Causes of Suspicious Death, and to Abolish the Office of Coroner." This act provides that the Board of Health shall be notified of any sudden or violent death, and they shall assume the examination and determination of the cause of death. Boards of Health of cities of the first and second class may organize a bureau for the performance of these duties, and appoint the necessary medical officers. From and after the passage of this act the office of coroner will be abolished, at expiration of term.

Assembly bill No. 1338. An Act "To Amend Section 318 of the Penal Code."

This act provides that anyone who sells, lends or gives away any instruments or medicines for the prevention of conception, or for causing unlawful abortion, or advertises the same, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. When the prosecution is made on the complaint of a medical association or society, the fines so collected shall be paid to such society or association.