The Monthly Song Sermon IN SPRINGTIME DR. G. HENRI BOGART, Shelbyville, Ills. Gold, dandelion spreads far Some, with white, downy darts streaming— Strawberry's silvery star, Violets, purple, hide dreaming, Plum thickets, cloudbanked, afar Dear, from your bleak land of snow, Redbird and lark answer thrushes, Robin exultingly gushes, Boasting his fledglings: the day Dear Heart, I'm wanting you so, You, with your heart chords of soulsong You, with your whispered, "I ache, long Come Love, where spring breezes blow, Once upon a time, a poet sang a line about a young man's heart turning lightly to love in springtime, when every one had already called the turn, when St. Valentine had commemorated the earlier mating songs of the birds, when-oh, well what's the difference, spring and Cupid are synonyms so far back that one so-called scientist has fixed the date of Adam and Eve in Eden as taking place in April and his guess is as good and as poor as a whole lot of other solemn balderdash. Coldblooded science and intellectuality as the beacon of human activity is being well illustrated, just now with Prussian Kultur, while sentiment of generous heart warmth finds fine definition in the action of the United States in fighting for the liberty of the world. Be all that as it will, the sap is rising in the maples, the snowdrop and the crocus are rearing their green shoots, defying frosts, chilled robins and bluebirds hold the fort, warmed by the instinctive fires of seasonal instinct. Too much sentimentality may lead to errorsometimes-but cold scientific kultur ever strips the world of its finest and sweetest note. Each tempered by the other is more reliable than either alone, but if one has to perish, let the rule of the head give way to the promptings of bounding heartthrobs, answering the magic call of the spring fret. Medical Society Calendar 1918 NATIONAL Chicago, June 10-14 . Chicago, June 8-10 . Atlantic City, May Chicago, May Am. Med. Association.. Am. Opthalmological Assn.. New London, Conn., July Clinical Congress of the American Congress of Surgeons, New York City.........Oct. 21-26, 1918 Med. Society Missouri Valley. . Omaha, Sept. 19-20 Med. Association Southwest.......Dallas, Tex. Southern Medical Assn......Asheville, N. Car. Am. Assn. of Immunologists....... Minneapolis, April Mississippi Val. Med. Assn...... . Louisville, Ky. Southern Surgical Assn. Iowa... Nebraska North Dakota Illinois Idaho Kansas . Baltimore, Md. STATE SOCIETIES .Ft. Dodge, May 8-10 Jackson, May 14-15 .Jefferson City, May 6-8 .Omaha, May Fargo, May 8-9 . Portland, June 27-29 .San Antonio, May Tulsa, May .Albany, May 21-23 Springfield, May 21-23 Boise City (date not decided) . Kansas City, Kas. (date not decided) Secretaries of societies are requested to send us dates of their meetings. THE RUBICON By WILLIAM WINTER One other bitter drop to drink, One little pause upon the brink One sigh, and then the librant morn When my free spirit, newly born, II. One pang-and I shall rend the thrall Where grief abides, And generous Death will show me all And, lucid in that second birth, What all the sages of the earth III. One motion—and the stream is crost, And I shall triumph, or be lost Then, onward! Whatsoe'er my fate, Nor Sin nor Sorrow, Love nor Hate Can touch me there. The Doctors' Library "Next to acquiring good friends, the best acquisition is that of good books."-C. C. Colton. ESSENTIALS ON PRESCRIPTION WRITINGBy Cary Eggleston, M. D. Instructor in Pharmacology, Cornell University Medical College, New York City. Second edition, reset. Philadelphia and London: W. B. Saunders Company, 1917. A very complete and pleasing little book. Just pocket size, well bound and full from cover to cover of all that pertains toward the preparation of a grammatic and proper prescription. The work is a crystallization of the authors' years of teaching, and is prepared with the view of relieving the burden of the already overworked student. Chapters are devoted to vehicles, incompatibility, metric system, dosage, and the many collateral points needed by the medical student. J. M. B. MEDICAL WAR MANUAL No. 4. ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY-Prepared by the Orthopedic Council. Flexible, waterproof covers, rounded corners, pocket size, 12 mo., 240 pages,, thin paper. Illustrated. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1917. (Price $1.50.) War conditions have wrought many changes. None of them are more pleasing to the doctor than an absence of unnecessary verbosity in medical books. This little manual contains not only the essentials of orthopedics, but details which are essential to a clear conception of this field of surgery. It is difficult to discover anything lacking, yet it is complete. It is compact, easily carried in the pocket, and always ready for reference. It is well illustrated. It appeals to the civilian as well as the army doctor. J. M. B. AN INTERMEDIATE TEXT-BOOK OF PHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY, WITH EXPERIMENTSBy C. J. V. Pettibone, Ph. D., Assistant Professor Physiological Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. St. Louis: C. V. Mosby, 1917. While the book is written for students, it is nevertheless equally as applicable for the practitioner. Few of us get beyond that period in matters of chemistry, and when we need such points we are better enabled to get them from a student manual than from a more voluminous source. Physiologic chemistry progresses so rapidly, and its application in medical practice more imperative that it behooves the progressive doctor today, in keeping abreast in matters of urine, digestion, absorption and food stuffs to have just such a work as Pettibone's within reach. It is surprising in reading the book the number of points obtained which have constant application to our every day practice. J. M. B. NOTE The Medical Herald's Kansas City office will supply any book reviewed in this department at publisher's price, prepaid. If an order for two books be sent at any one time, the purchaser will be entitled to a six months' subscription to the Herald. This plan is arranged for the convenience of our readers, and we trust it will stimulate trade in the direction of good books.-Editor. AMERICAN ADDRESSES ON WAR SURGERYBy Sir Berkeley Moynihan, C. B. Temporary Colonel A. M. S., Consulting Sugeon Northern Command. 12 mo., 143 pages. Philadelphia and London: W. B. Saunders Co., 1917. (Cloth, $1.75.. A very comprehensive collection of talks made by the author to his American colleagues during 1917. It includes the origin of the war, the conditions leading up to it and the experience acquired by the medical men during the progress of the war. The early and recent methods of treating wounds are given in full, statistics and the philosophy involved. A beautifully written chapter is devoted to each subject; gunshot wounds and their treatment; wounds of the knee joint, injuries to peripheral nerves, gunshot wounds of the lungs and pleura. All medical men, whether preparing to go to the front or not, will enjoy these papers, presenting as they do the very last word on the subject, gained from a vast amount of clinical material. Bearing in mind the epoch making factor of the war, it becomes imperative for all medical men to inform themselves along all lines of activity. These papers give the subjects treated such a wholesome review in concise form that they must not pass unread by any one. J. M. B. PHYSICAL DIAGNOSIS-By W. D. Rose, M. D., Lecturer on Physical Diagnosis and also Professor Medicine University of Arkansas. 294 illustrations. St. Louis: C. V. Mosby Co., 1917. Physical diagnosis is an old story. We recall it early in our medical course with the difficulty of getting all the rales, sounds, triangles and physical findings. Today some of our failures are due to the indifference in our physical examinations. Progress has been made in this field of inquiry as well as in others, and it behooves us to keep up with its advancement. This work of Rose is intended for the busy doctor as much as the medical student. The matter is clearly presented and the illustrations on almost every page help greatly to get a clear mental picture of conditions within the body. The plates on chest and abdominal pathology are particularly illuminative. Liberal space is given to diseases of the face, skin, arm, hands, legs and head, external disease per se, as well as external manifestations of internal disease. Chapters are devoted to the nervous system, gait, tremor, station, muscular power, reflexes and cranial nerves. The text is clear and to the point. The ambition of the writer is a determination to make physical diagnosis pleasing and really helpful, rather than prosey and profound. Blood pressure methods are not neglected, nor are x-ray findings. The work is very complete, interesting and attractive. Under some heads the illustrations alone give us the idea without much reading. The author believes that free illustration is the nearest approach to personal contact in the teaching clinic. J. M. B. ASTHMA: PRESENTING AN EXPOSITION OF THE NON-PASSIVE THEORY-By Orville Harry Brown, A. B., M. D., Ph. D. Formerly Assistant Professor Medicine St. Louis University, with a foreword by George Dock, Sc. D., Professor Medical Work, University Missouri School, St. Louis, Mo.. 36 engravings. St. Louis: C. V. Mosby Co., 1917. The writer gives first a chapter on definition of asthma, then several chapters of compilation of historic observations and theories, then an analysis of historical data, all of which are very essential to the reader before plunging into nonpassive expiration theory. Experiments clinical and laboratory are given not only of personal work, but includes that of other observers. The theory of the author is clearly worked out and the philosophy logical. It would seem as if the subject were exhausted. However, etiology and pathology are given from all possible sources, local and reflex. The conditions included in the term "asthma" constitutes a very profound problem, well worthy of deep study. Dr. Brown has delved far into the mystery, so much so that Dr. George Dock, who added the foreword of the volume, declares the book a most "comprehensive and up to date study" of the subject. J. M. B. BLOOD-PRESSURE; ITS CLINICAL APPLICA TIONS-By George William Norris, A. B., M. D. As sistant Professor of Medicine in the University of Pennsylvania; Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia; Member of the Association of American Physicians. Third edition. Illustrated with 110 engravings and 1 colored plate. Philadelphia and New York: Lea & Febiger, 1917. (Price $3.50.) Works on blood pressure are still attractive, and are being universally read. The subject is gradually becoming crystallized, and its importance more generally recognized. Even men who do little more than life insurance work need to be well informed upon this subject. The exhaustion of a second edition within a year testifies to the value and professional appreciation of the work of Norris. The demand of a third edition has arisen from its comprehensiveness, the pleasant, clear atmosphere of the subject matter and its freedom from unnecessary voluminousness. It is far from being an appendix, however. It gives a summary of experimental as well as clinical data. Ample space is given to the physiology of blood pressure and a discussion in the various instruments, air and mercury, used for the purpose. A free resume of hypotension and hypertension and their application to cardio vascular conditions are prominently accentuated. Chapters are devoted to pressure in acute and chronic infectious diseases, effects of drugs, metabolic diseases and diseases of the nervous system. Surgeons and obstetricians will find much of value in their respective fields regarding blood pressure given under the suggested headings; even opthalmolgic bearings are broadly discussed. One of the most interesting chapters is that devoted to the extremes of pressure compatible with life. It will be some time, and that only after much observation and experiment, before we will be thoroughly acquainted with all phases of blood pressure, and even when all difficulties are removed, as Norris says, "we are still only measuring the pressure of the brachial artery." Careful reading of Norris gives a most comprehensive conception of what is known today of blood presJ. M. B. sure. DISEASES OF WOMEN-By Harry Sturgeon Crossen, M. D., F. A. C. S. Associate in Gynecology, Washington University, St. Louis. Fellow American Gynecological Society. Fourth edition, revised and enlarged, 800 engravings. St. Louis: C. V. Mosby Co., 1917. The endeavor of the author has been to present clearly and in detail the fundamental facts and principles of gynecology-anatomic pathologic, diagnostic and therapeutic. He has most admirably prosecuted his purpose. Having been called to the front in the Medical Officers' Reserve Corps, he has left a work which will live for generations; a monument which in the event of failure to return, will endure to perpetuate his memory. The work is monumental, almost encyclopedic. The text is not only clear and convincing, but is augmented with cuts so liberally as to create a mental picture of every phase of the subject. If there be any criticism it would be upon its voluminousness. It is not a work to be read except in sections as needed. But it is difficult to imagine any point sought for not given in detail and illustrated, even to various steps of gynecologic surgery. Beyond the usual field covered there are chapters devoted to the relation of internal secretions to gynecology; medico legal aspects, including rape and foreign bodies left in the abdomen with citations. For the next decade, one who has a Crossen with its 800 engravings and its 1160 pages of print will feel secure upon gynecology. J. M. B. A PRACTICAL DIETARY COMPUTER-By Amy Elizabeth Pope, Author of Essentials of Dietetics, Quiz for Nurses, Anatomy and Physiology for Nurses. Medical Dictionary for Nurses, etc. New York and London: G. P. Putnam's Sons. Knickerbocker Press, 1917. (Price $1.25.) An intensely interesting book for those who desire more than a passing knowledge of dietetics. Written by one of large experience and close study. Its scope is larger than the demands of a nurse. Doctors will do well to possess a copy of it. It gives not only the essentials of dietetics, but specific information regarding caloric values such as is needed by men who would give their patients the full benefit of proper feeding, and in many cases diet fulfills a larger mission than drugs. J. M. B. The Program Committee, through their chairman, announced that their next meeting would consist of a dinner and three scientific papers, to be held at Savannah, Andrew county, Mo. Dinner to be served at 6 p. m. On motion of Dr. Caryl Potter, seconded by Dr. Spencer, the following resolution was voted upon and carried: Resolved, That the Program Committee be given $300 with which to purchase a combination projectoscope and moving picture machine and a one year membership in the Film Company, entitling this society to 15,000 feet of films to be used in one year. The above sum of $300 to be placed at their disposal, provided that one-half of this amount be raised by private subscriptions from members of this society. Announcement was made by the president that the Welfare Board had granted permission to hold clinics at the Noyes Hospital in connection with the Buchanan County Medical Society. Dr. De Lamater requested the co-operation of this society to secure larger facilities for the use of the Board of Health in taking care of infectious diseases, and the president re-appointed the old committee, consisting of Doctors Woodson, A. L. Gray and Dr. Ladd to conduct the investigations and make such recommendations as they saw fit. A very interesting clinical case of tendon transplantation following infantile paralysis was presented by Dr. Caryl Potter. The following resolution introduced by Dr. Leonard, seconded by Dr. Ladd, was adopted and the secretary was instructed to supply a copy to each of our daily newspapers: Resolved, That the Buchanan County Medical Society regrets to learn that the Welfare Board has abandoned the principle of trained social workers, and believe that the posiion of secretary of the board should be filled by a man who is especially trained in social work. We urge that social service is incompatible with political domination. The Buchanan County Medical Society recommends that the Welfare Board employ trained workers for its executive position. There being no further business before the society the meeting adjourned. Regular meeting of the society was held at Savannah, Mo., Wednesday evening, March 20th, 1918. Forty-nine members present. Doctor Daniel Morton in the chair. After listening to an address by the mayor and superintendent of public schools and partaking of a very bountiful dinner, the scientific program of the evening was begun by the reading of a paper by Dr. L. J. Dandurant, subject, "Intestinal Obstruction." This paper was discussed by the following members: Doctors Spencer, Conrad, Bell, Meyers, Colby, Willman, Ladd, Farber and Potter. Discussion closed by Dr. Dandurant. The application for membership in our society from Dr. Jordan E. Ruhl and Dr. William Henry Bailey received their first reading and referred to the Board of Censors for their investigation and report. Owing to the lateness of the hour, the papers scheduled to be read at this meeting by Doctors H. L. De Lamater and Dr. T. P. Scott were postponed to the next meeting. A rising vote of thanks was extended to the ladies of the Red Cross Chapter for their entertainment and meeting adjourned. W. F. GOETZE, Secy. No Bald Heads-Bald headed men are not altogether welcome in the service of the U. S.. They present a shining target for the enemy, and besides, they cannot withstand cold.. They would make admirable decoys, but thus far we have not felt the need of using hairless heads for that purpose.-Capt. Jenkins. WHEN A TONIC IS NEEDED the best obtainable is called for-in its composition, in its quality and Gray's Glycerine Tonic Comp. FORMULA DR. JOHN P. GRAY the practitioner has at his command a restorative and reconstructive For over a quarter of a century "Grays" has been one of the most widely- THE PURDUE FREDERICK CO., 135 Christopher St., New York USE VACCINES IN ACUTE INFECTIONS The early administration of Sherman's Bacterial Vaccines will reduce the average course of acute infections like Pneumonia, Broncho-pneumonia, Sepsis, Erysipelas, Mastoiditis, Rheumatic Fever, Colds, Bronchitis, etc., to less than one-third the usual course of such infectious diseases, with a proportionate reduction of the mortality rate. Sherman's Bacterial Vaccines are prepared in our specially constructed Laboratories, devoted exclusively to the manufacture of these preparations and are marketed in standardized suspensions. When Writing to Our Advertisers, Please Mention the Medical Herald -47 |