pubically by an incision just above the pubes in the median line below the peritoneal reflection. (3) Perineally (median and lateral) thru an incision in the perineal rhaphé or laterally to it. If the median operation is done, the incision made in the midline of the perineum, the bulb of the corpus spongiosum retracted upward, and the urethra behind the bulb is incised on a guide previously introduced thru the meatus.

In the lateral perineal urethrotomy the urethra is approached by an incision made in the lateral portion of the perineum. This operation at the present day is entirely supplanted by the median operation.

10. Give the differential diagnosis between an aneurysm of the popliteal artery and an abscess in the popliteal space.

A Treatise on Surgery. In two volumes. By George R. Fowler, M.D., Examiner in Surgery, Board of Medical Examiners of the Regents of the University of the State of New York; Emeritus Professor of Surgery in the New York Polyclinic, etc. Two imperial octavos of 725 pages each, with 888 text illustrations and 4 colored plates, all original. Philadelphia and London: W. B. Saunders Company, 1906. Per set: Cloth, $15 net; half morocco, $17 net.

When the first volume of this work appeared, we commended it highly. This volume is fully its equal. Together they form the best illustrated surgery in the English language. From the elementary principles of the art to the completion of the most difficult operations, the author has endeavored to make the text interesting as well as instructiv. The arrangement of subjects is logical, and the system of cross references makes any part of the work instantly available. In the section on laboratory aids to diagnosis and prognosis, especially valuable material is found. Injuries and diseases are taken up by regions, and this must appeal to surgical clinicians, as the student should be taught to think, as well as work, anatomically. We fail to find a fault of magnitude in the entire work, and it will fill the need of general practician as well as specialist surgeon, for it is right up to date, complete, and in every way a trustworthy guide and reference work. It is unsurpassed in mechanical execution, and the author has a practical faculty of impressing his instruction by both text and illustration so that it is not easily forgotten.-A. L. R.

Abdominal Operations. By B. G. A. Moynihan, M.S. (London), F.R.C.S., Senior Assistant Surgeon at Leeds General Infirmary, England. Second revised edition, greatly enlarged. Octavo of 815 pages, with 305 original illustrations. Philadelphia and London: W. B. Saunders Company, 1906. Cloth, $7 net; half morocco, $8 net.

The speedy appearance of the second edition justifies our enthusiastic endorsement of this work in its first edition. Considerable revision is noted, and two chapters are entirely rewritten. There has been considerable text added. Free and grateful acknowledgment is accorded the aid given by our own Mayo, Murphy, and Robson. The author considers that the mechanical appliance as an aid to intestinal anastomosis need only be mentioned as a part of surgical history. The clear and concise treatment accorded operations common to both sexes led us to hope that the author might take up the operations peculiar to each sex; but this, perhaps, would be better in a separate volume. No surgeon's library is all that it should be if this book is not among the number. To

the man who intends taking up abdominal surgery, or to the man who proposes doing general surgery, this book will prove a valuable aid and counsellor. Establisht operations are the only ones given a place, and while some may consider that certain operations should be described, the author defends his selection by his own practise. It is practical, and in its limited scope, complete.-A. L. R.

The Physician's Visiting List (Lindsay & Blakiston's) for 1907. Fifty-sixth year of its publication. Publisht by P. Blakiston's Son & Co., Philadelphia, Penna. Price, $1. Sold by all booksellers and druggists.

Bound in good leather, with side pocket and pencil. It has space for 25 patients per day or per week, and larger sizes up to 100 patients may be obtained. It has a calendar for 1907 and 1908. Table for computing time of utero-gestation, tables of incompatibilities, and for treatment of poisoning, a complete dose table giving doses in apothecary and metric measures, treatment of drowning, blank spaces for cash account, etc.-A. L. R.

Essentials of Human Physiology. By D. Noel Paton, M.D., B.Sc., F.R.C.P. Ed., Supt. of the Research Laboratory of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh; Lecturer on Physiology, School of Medicin of the Royal Colleges; Examiner in Physiology in the University of Glasgow and for the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh. Second edition, revised and enlarged. W. T. Keener & Company, Chicago, Ill. Price, $2.75.

Contains 425 pages and an index. The essentials of physiology are succinctly stated, and such parts as relate intimately to medicin and to surgery are emphasized. The effort is made to impress the importance of laboratory work upon the mind of the student, yet no space is wasted on details of histological technic. It is strictly an elementary work, and is only intended to supplement the practical work and demonstrations of the laboratory. It will give the beginner just the start in this study which is needed to fit him for further intelligent prosecution of investigation in this important branch of medicin.-A. L. R.

A Primer of Psychology and Mental Disease. For Use in Training Schools for Attendants and Nurses and in Medical Classes, and as a Ready Reference for the Practician. By C. B. Burr, M. D., Medical Director of Oak Grove Hospital (Flint, Mich.) for Mental and Nervous Diseases; Formerly Medical Superintendent of the Eastern Michigan Asylum; Member of the American Medico-Psychological Association; of the American Medical Association; Foreign Associate Member Societie MedicoPsychologique of Paris, etc. Third edition. Thoroly revised, with illustrations. Pages viii-183, 12mo. Bound in extra vellum cloth, $1.25 net. F. A. Davis Company, Publishers, 1914-16 Cherry street, Philadelphia.

The first 42 pages are taken up with a general consideration of psychology, the next 91 with insanity, and the remaining portion with the medical and nursing management of cases. It should stimulate an interest in the study of mental disease because it is so very plain; many general practicians are deterred from giving this branch of medicin proper consideration thru fear of being unable to understand it, yet every practician needs to know at least the elements of the subject.-A. L. R.

Pediatrics: Being Volume VII of the Practical Medicin Series of Year Books for 1906. Edited by Isaac A. Abt, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicin (Pediatrics Department), Rush Medical College, and Orthopedic Surgery, edited by John Ridlon, A.M., M.D., Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Northwestern University Medical School, with the collaboration of Gilbert L. Bailey, M.D., Instructor in Orthopedic Surgery, College of Physicians and Surgeons. Publisht by The Year Book Publishers, 40 Dearborn st., Chicago, Ill. Price of this volume, $1.25.

Two hundred and four pages are devoted to pediatrics and fifty-six to orthopedic surgery. It is of greatest interest to those specializing in these branches, but the nominal price will put it within the reach of many general practicians who wish to keep their large text books supplemented with frequent additions of cheaper works. Not much of importance has developt during the past year in these lines, but a number of papers containing valuable clinical reports and results of laboratory investigation have been reviewed at considerable length. Most works or papers of value are

mentioned, and, for those who will use such a book, it will be found an aid in keeping abreast of the times.A. L. R.

Diseases of the Digestiv System. Publisht by D. Appleton & Co., New York and London, 1906. Price not stated. Edited by Frank Billings, M.D., Professor of Medicin, University of Chicago; Professor of Medicin and Dean of Faculty, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Ill. Contains 786 pages and indexes, with 45 illustrations in the text.

This is an authorized translation from Die Deutsche Klinik and the third volume in Modern Clinical Medicin. It includes articles from many of the most eminent men of Europe; specialists in internal medicin and in diseases of the digestiv tract, such as Rosenheim, Fleiner, Leo, Strauss, Riegel, Ewald, Boas, Hirschfeld, Oser, Minkowski, Stadelmann, Kraus, Neusser, Vierordt, Strasburger, Hoppe-Seyler, and Nothnagel. Subjects are treated fully and at the same time in a concise and practical manner. Modern methods of examination, including physical and chemical measures, are clearly set forth. The diagnosis of the various diseases is fully discust, and the treatment, including the dietary, is satisfactorily full and complete.

Qualitativ Analysis as a laboratory basis for the study of General Inorganic Chemistry. By William Conger Morgan, Ph.D. (Yale), Assistant Professor of Chemistry in the University of California. Publisht by The Macmillan Company, New York, N. Y., 1906. Price not stated.

Contains 331 pages and an index. The text is from lectures given first-year students. It is assumed that there has been good elementary training in chemistry. The work is not weakened by omission of the more difficult points, but the field covered is broad, and gives ample opportunity to become acquainted with many significant reactions. Thruout the work the endeavor is made to instill principles rather than isolated facts, and to teach the practical application of these principles. The author has a peculiar faculty of placing his reader where he will have the power to analyze situations and also to master the underlying principle. Most of the presentation is based upon the electrolytic dissociation theory, but equations are written expressing both whole molecules and also ionic reactions. The text is divided into four parts: General principles; Reactions of individual elements arranged according to the periodic system; Analytical methods; and tables of useful information. This book will prove of good service to the medical man who has neglected his chemistry during his course of medical lectures, or who was deprived of facilities for becoming verst in this department of medicin. It has many features of merit which must appeal to students in any medical school, for the clearness in arrangement of material is exceptional among works of this class.A. L. R.

Recent Advances in the Physiology of Digestion, being The Mercers Company lectures delivered in the Michaelmas term, 1905, in the Physiological Department of University College, London. By Ernest H. Starling, M.D., F.R.S., Jodrell Professor of Physiology. With 12 illustrations. Publisht by W. T. Keener & Co., Chicago, Ill., 1906. Price, $2.

Contains 147 pages of text, with appendix and index. The appendix gives the titles and place of publication of papers covering original research on certain aspects of digestion, while the text is an appreciation of our present knowledge in view of such researches. The work has as a basis the labors of Pawlow, of St. Petersburg. From this the author has driven his studies of the chemical and physical conditions governing digestiv change in food, and of the action of the pancreas when incited to secretion by stimuli taking origin in the bowel. The latter is, however, in direct opposition to the theory of Pawlow, who thought that this impulse was conveyed thru the nervous system. The author is assured that from the bowel is sent, by way of the blood stream, a chemical messenger (or "hormone") to the pancreas, summoning it to action. He hopes that in future, by detection and isolation of such hermones, we may be able to control a number of the chief functions of the body. The entire book is intensely interesting to the physiologist, and we cannot see why every practician of medicin will not

feel enthusiasm over it, altho it promises to be long before the results of this great study will be applicable in bedside work.-A. L. R.

A Text-Book on the Practise of Gynecology. For Practicians and Students. By W. Easterly Ashton, M.D., LL. D., Professor of Gynecology in the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadelphia. Third edition, thoroly revised. Octavo of 1096 pages, with 1057 original line drawings. Philadelphia and London: W. B. Saunders Company, 1906. Cloth, $6.50 net; half morocco, $7.50 net.

Not many books call for a third edition within a year of the original publication, but this work has won its way on merit to such a history. In this issue everything is up to date, and this includes text and illustrations bearing upon the actual change which has taken place in the author's practise-the reviewer easily notes that such alterations are not compilations from other writings. Such revision, repeated, will keep the work in the front rank. Thirty-two illustrations have been redrawn and 71 removed, while 82 new ones are added. The metric system has been included in the formulas. The collecting and examination of curet scrapings is simplified and made more effectiv. The chapter on the Blood in Relation to Surgery is completely revised. A new method of colonic lavage is given in the chapter treating on constipation. Treatment of vaginismus is amplified, and Hirst's operation is detailed thoroly. Dudley's method for the cure of cystocele takes the place of the old operations. The operativ treatment of chronic retrodisplacements of the uterus is well revised, and Montgomery's operation is described. Sections are added on Passiv Incontinence of Urin, and on Chorioepithelioma of the Uterus. The section on Intestinal Anastomosis has been rewritten, and Moynihan's simple methods substituted for the complicated measures formerly advised. Numerous minor alterations are in evidence. This book in this edition represents all that is latest and best in modern gynecology. The completeness of its detailed illustrations of instruments required in various procedures will continue to appeal to students and to the practician who does not operate often, but is forced to it occasionally.A. L. R.

Rhythmotherapy; or a Discussion of the Physiologic Basis and Therapeutic Potency of Mechano-vital Vibration; to which is added a Dictionary of Diseases, with Detailed Suggestions as to the Technic of Vibratory Therapeutics, with illustrations. By Samuel S. Wallian, A.M., M.D., Chicago, Ouellette Press, 1906. Price, $1.50, postage 10 cts.

Mechanical vibration as applied to therapeutic resources, has now compelled recognition. This volume is a recent and satisfactory contribution to the literature of the subject. Wasting no space in preliminaries, Dr. Wallian plunges at once into the logical and physiological aspects of his subject, and the result is of practical value to every practician. The busy practician will find plenty of valuable suggestions within its covers. The work is handsomely but not effusivly illustrated, without in a single instance advertising the wares or appliances of any manufacturer. A. L. R.

Essentials of Medical Electricity. By Edward Reginald Morton, M.D., C.M.. Trinity University, Toronto; D.P.H., Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburg; Medical Officer in charge of the Electrical Department, London Hospital: Honorary Secretary of the British Electrotherapeutic Society, etc. With 11 plates and 70 illustrations. Sold by W. T. Keener & Co., Chicago, Ill. Price, $1.50.

Contains 175 pages of text, with 11 pages of plates and an index. Beside essentials, the author has at all times kept in view the fundamental principles underlying the practise of electrotherapeutics. The aim of the work, however, is merely to prepare the reader for a proper understanding of the larger works on the subject. Beginning with conduction and induction, the reader is led past the Leyden jar and on thru batteries, coils, currents, static electricity, etc. Seventy pages are taken up with diagnosis, prognosis, and practical applications to diseased conditions. We have not seen a better book for the beginner in this line. The language and illustrations are plain.A. L. R.

OUR MONTHLY TALK.

In 1899, Harriman, Gould, Stillman, and Schiff secured 97% of the stock of the Chicago and Alton Railroad. The railroad was then capitalized at $39,000,000, with a bonded indebtedness of about $9,000,000. Immediately upon taking possession, these four men issued bonds for $40,000,000, out of the proceeds of which they paid themselves a dividend of 30% on the stock they held, besides taking the bonds at 65 and subsequently selling them at from 88 to 96, $10,000,000 of them being sold to life insurance companies (the "widows and orphans" that large capitalists claim to be so anxious about)-$9,000,000 being sold to the N. Y. Life, and $1,000,000 to the Equitable, with which Mr. Harriman had some kind of relation. In the juggling, the Chicago and Alton Railroad became the Chicago and Alton Railway, with a capitalization of $39,000,000 swollen to nearly $123,000,000, with an actual expenditure for improvements of only $22,500,000. About $60,000,000 of water was injected into the stock held by the four, to become permanent capitalization for the public to pay interest on. And yet these men are afraid that Government ownership and operation of railroads would lead to too much corruption!!! The fact is, it would take from such men as these the opportunity for corruption. They can't corrupt the postal service (except by the railroads charging an outrageous price for carrying the mails, which they do).

In the official part of the postal service, there has never been anything like the corruption that there has always been and still is in the private management of the railroads and the telegraf. Even the Star Route corruption was child's play compared to what was then going on, and is still going on, in the private management of the railroads.

Here is another instance that has recently come out-brought out by the examination of Mr. Harriman by the Interstate Commerce Commission. Last October the Rock Island people took the management of the Alton from Mr. Harriman, as per mutual agreement. Mr. Hilliard, the comptroller of the Rock Island, found the road practically with-out funds. He was called upon to finance a cut-off of 341⁄2 miles, and decided to issue bonds on the same, for funds to build it. But, behold! the road was already bonded and the proceeds dissipated, but the road was not built! Could a highwayman do worse? Compare this with Government operations: the building and maintenance of light-houses, the navy, etc. Such thieving is impossible in the Government service; and when it is attempted, it is met with prompt punishment. But will Harriman ever be tried? Was Jay Gould ever tried for his many financial crimes?

This is only a small part of the story that is continually being enacted in circles of "high finance"-the people who were so anxious about the "national honor" in 1896. The worst part of Harriman's story could not be gotten from him. When askt if he considered it legitimate to put upon the public $19,000,000 of Alton common stock that would never pay a dividend, he replied: "Did we ever say to the public that a dividend would be paid?" Here is an impudence and debasement worse than the notorious remark of another prominent railroad man, now dead: "The public be dd." Isn't it time that the public should be taking a hand in railroad affairs?

The public has in the past shown too great a financial interest in the railroads, handing over millions of its money to such robbers as most of the railroad magnates prove to be, when we are able, now and then, to get at the facts. Just now the public is regarding Harriman and his crowd as the "small investor" should regard the get-rich

quick rascals. The fact is, the difference is in degree rather than in kind; and the magnates are getting worried over the tight purse-strings of the public. The recent panic in the stock exchanges March 13th and 14th was artificial, and for one or both of two purposes: to attract the public into the market, or to frighten the President. But it didn't work. The public is getting wise, and the President doesn't scare. Now Harriman and his crowd are talking about "co-operating" with the Government. Yes, it will be better for them if they can make it appear that they co-operate with the Government, and thus regain some of the lost confidence of the people; but their record suggests that they should be watcht as suspicious characters. The American public "suffereth long and is kind." If you don't believe it, send 25c. for Part One of "The Railways, the Trusts, and the People," and read chapter VI, entitled "Watered Stock and Capital Frauds." Also chapter VII, entitled "Gambling and Manipulating of Stock." These two chapters present some of the striking crimes of the past (all of the crimes of railroad magnates against the people would make a very large volume); and the mẹn who committed, and are still committing, these crimes are a unit against the "populistic heresy" of Government ownership and operation of the railroads. Are you with the corrupt and thieving magnates?

Do you want instances? Read the history of the N. Y. Central, and the Erie, in the above mentioned book. It seems beyond belief that a few rascals could load the American people with such loads of capitalization to pay interest on perpetually, and the men live to tell the tale. They not only live, but they have become our American aristocracy, and they buy little lords, and dukes, and counts for their daughters with American millions, gotten in ways above indicated. Could Government ownership and operation be worse? It could not be one tenth as bad, even if the worst that is predicted of it by these gloomy prophets were realized.

A much traveled but loyal American was askt what made him so fond of his country. His answer was, "other countries." What is the best argument for public ownership and operation of railroads? Answer: the inside history of private ownership and operation. The Government is not perfect-is not free from graft; but its administration is much more pure and efficient than that of the average large corporation. I was going thru a distillery in Ky. some years ago, and I ventured to ask if there wasn't considerable irregularity in the internal revenue collections, the bonding, etc. I was assured emphatically that nobody could fool with the U. S. Government; that whatever the Government demanded had to be done, strictly and promptly. Such wholesome expressions concerning our Government were decidedly refreshing.

I have before me, in a financial journal, an item giving figures intended to show that the railway freight rates are lower here than in Europe. Let me puncture that right here: In this country the railroads have an exceedingly large tonnage of coal, iron, rock, and other low grade, heavy freight, while in Europe, where the governments have many canals, such freight is transported chiefly by water. The vast quantity of our low grade freights pull down the average per ton mile, and make it appear that freights are cheaper here, while the comparison of class with class would tell a very different story. The next dozen years will see the projection and development of important water-ways thru this country for heavy craft. The canal era (it had some charming features) will come again, but it will differ in many ways from the former canal era. it will relieve, and help to control, the railroads-if by that time the railroads have not been taken from the hands of the brigands, and placed at the service of the people, like a service so public and so important should be.

Here is a sample of "high finance" management of railroads, clipt from a financial paper:

These manipulators of the railways of the country have taken a hundred million dollars of shares of one road, added them to one hundred million dollars of shares of another and called them, by the mere process of merging, worth five hundred millions. They have issued securities to themselves insuring their possession of the actual worth of the properties and printed counterfeit securities representing the water they have poured into the merger. This stuff they have palmed off on the public as the original and increased value of the roads and gathered in fabulous fortunes by the operation.

And because the railroads were being handled by the lawyers and stock market gamblers to make a saturnalia of speculation; because it was of more importance to them to take from fifty to one hundred points of profit on margined accounts in the Stock Exchange than to convey the traffic of the country in hand and to provide for that in prospect, the railroads themselves have been going to the dogs.

How long will the people endure this sort of thing, and allow the manipulators to remain out of jail? There is no U. S. Postal stock. The postal service goes right along every day, and there is no stock to manipulate and speculate in. It would be the same with the railroads if the Government owned them.

An Interesting Observation.

Say ten years ago we rec'd very few checks or bank drafts in our subscription department. Most of the remittances were in the form of currency, in both registered and unregistered letters, and post-office money orders. Now we get very little currency in our mail, and very few registered letters. Most of our remittances are now in the form of checks and bank drafts. This indicates that many more doctors have bank accounts now than formerly-a very satisfactory condition, upon which we extend our congratulations.

Effort to Regulate Marriages.

The following appeal, signed by judges, editors, physicians, and others, has just been issued by the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Social Diseases: To the Citizens of Pennsylvania: the following act has been introduced before the legislature of Pennsylvania:

AN ACT forbidding the issuing of marriage licenses unless there are filed with the Clerk of the Orphans' Court certificates certifying under oath to the fact that in the opinion of an examining physician neither party to the proposed marriage is afflicted with a disease transmissible to progeny.

SECTION 1.-Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same. That no marriage license shall be issued after May the first, one thousand nine hundred and seven by any Clerk of any Orphans' Court in this Commonwealth unless there shall be filed with the said Clerk by both parties to the proposed marriage at the time the license is applied for certificates, each certificate to be signed by a physician of good and regular standing, duly licensed under the laws of the Commonwealth to practise medicin and verified by the oath of the physician so certifying, which certificate shall set forth that he or she has examined the applicant for marriage license within one week of the date of said certificate and that in the opinion of said physician the man or woman examined by him or her was at the time of the examination free from any and every disease transmissible to progeny. Said certificate shall not be accepted and shall be of no avail unless it shall be sworn to within one week of the day upon which the application for the license is presented.

Your interest in the above is desired to the extent that you communicate at once with the Senator and Representatives from your District urging its passage for the sake of the children, and with a view to preserving the health of America's future generations. Five states have already enacted similar, tho far more drastic measures, and only an expression of popular opinion is necessary to insure success in Pennsylvania. The insane in America have increast approximately

300 percent in the last fifty years. There are now 3,300 insane, idiots, imbeciles, and epileptics to every million of our population. Not less than 50 percent of our boys and young men are infected at some time with venereal diseases, often transmitted to future wives and children. The following action was taken at the meeting of the County Society held on Wednesday evening last: Resolved that the Philadelphia County Medical Society notes with great satisfaction the introduction of a bill before the legislature of Pennsylvania requiring certificates to the effect that both parties to a proposed marriage are, in the opinion of a qualified physician, free from disease transmissible to progeny. The Society affirms the principle involved and indorses the effort of the community to secure the adoption of the measure.

Publications of the Simplified Spelling Board. 1. "A First Step." Announcement of the aims of the Board and of the names of its members. 3 pages, 8vo. March 21, 1906.

2. "List of Common Words spelled in two or more Ways." The Three Hundred Words, with introduction and rules. 12 pages, 8vo. March 21, 1906. "The Amelioration of our Spelling." An address by Professor Calvin Thomas, LL.D. 8 pages, 8vo. April 12, 1906.

3.

4. "The Spelling of Yesterday and the Spelling of To-morrow." By Professor Brander Matthews, D.C.L. 8 pages, 8vo. May 7, 1906.

5. List of Common Words spelled in two or more Ways: The Three Hundred Words with Authorities." A different form of No. 2. 8 pages, 8 vo. June 18, 1906.

6. "A Statement about Simplified Spelling." Items of information and corrections of misapprehensions. 4 pages, 8vo. June 25, 1906.

Any or all of these will be sent free upon request to the Simplified Spelling Board, 1 Madison avenue, New York.

The Masters of Fate; The Power of the Will. By Sophia P. Shaler. Publisht by Fox, Duffield & Co., 36 East 21st st., New York, N. Y. Price, $1.50 net; postage 10 cents. Contains 153] pages, with an index which enhances its value. It is, so far as we know, unique in its conception. Thrilling as any fiction; every page teems with a moral. Every doctor, every nurse, and every invalid needs to read it. It will instill inspiration where there seems little hope of arousing either interest or endeavor. The afflicted can learn how burdens greater than theirs were thrown aside, and, if not made stepping stones, became no longer stumbling blocks of sufficient magnitude to retard the unlucky one's onward progress to his chosen glory or desire. Among other things, Mrs. Shaler considers Invalidism and Intellectual Development; The Invalid's Attitude toward Life; Weaknesses Peculiar to Man; Unpromising Children; Nervous Invalids; Retarded Development; The Blind and the Deaf; Accidental Malformations; Management of Body and Mind; The Practical Work of Life; and Family and Social Relations of Invalids. No review can do justice to the practical worth of this book; it must be read and reread to be appreciated. We thank the author and the publisher that such a book has found its way to our table, and we hope every doctor will buy, read, and loan it where it will shed rays of light in darkness whose depths are only appreciated by the busy physician.A. L. R.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Your onslaught against the horde of "stock sharks' and their deceptiv methods in robbing the doctors and common people of their hard-earned dollars has been as interesting reading as Sampson's victorious onslaught against the Philistines with the "jaw-bone of an ass." I like your jour nal from center to circumference. Its editorials are weighty and stand out like sentinels on a wall giving signals of approaching danger. Its contributions in the main are brief and concentrated, demonstrating much thought in a few words. In short, it's a "meaty nut" and full of good common sense. R. J. SIMON. Bloomdale, Ohio.

A mucilage made by soaking the pith of the sassafras in water is of use in acute gastritis and enteritis. It is taken freely.