tal nourishment, such a repast, as offered by many of these books, is both too dry and too bulky for digestion,-nor are many cooks an insurance against "spoiling the broth."

What is, then, a logical and reasonable scope for the agricultural teaching and the text book in agriculture for our public schools?

The simplest way out of the dilemma would be to return to the idea of "a book about agriculture" and give up the idea of "productive agriculture" for our public schools. In its place, it would be the object of the agricultural teacher to make intelligible to his pupils, in a general way, those biological, chemical and physical principles underlying our agricultural operations. Hence, agricultural botany and zoology, including a history of the practical phases of the evolution of our "animals and plants under domestication." The practical operations and the history of their evolution should not be lost sight of, but be subordinate to what we might call the scientific aspects, yet diligently drawn upon for the elucidation of these. The subject, thus handled, would not be incomprehensible for one author, or one teacher, or to all the pupils, but be within the scope of the average human mind.

A good text book goes far towards making up for the deficiency of the teacher, and a poor text-book goes equally far in hampering the efficiency of the teacher. Not the least consideration in the value of a text book is its style. A book with a faulty style is like a poorly prepared, or badly seasoned meal, it is taken with a sense of repulsion. There are some of these text books, in which to their small merits are added the demerits of a bad stlye.

H. NESS HORTICULTURIST, Texas EXPERIMENT STATION, COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS

FRED SILVER PUTNEY

FRED SILVER PUTNEY, professor of experimental dairy husbandry at the Pennsylvania State College, and well known among dairy professors and investigators throughout the United States, died of pneumonia at his home

in State College, Pennsylvania, on October 5, 1918.

Always interested in live stock problems, in recent years he has devoted his energies to teaching and fundamental research along the lines of animal nutrition. Dairy cattle feeding problems have been his special interest and his work along these lines is well known. He is co-author with Dr. C. W. Larson of the text-book and general reference work, "Dairy Cattle Feeding and Management," and in conjunction with Dr. N. P. Armsby, of the bulletin, "Computation of Dairy Rations," in addition to numerous papers on dairy management and nutrition.

Professor Putney was born in Hopkinton, N. H., on Nevember 10, 1881. He was graduated from the Concord High School in 1901 and received the B.S. degree from the New Hampshire State College in 1905. In 1908 the Pennsylvania State College conferred upon him the degree of Master of Science, and he had completed recently the requirements for his doctorate degree at the University of Wisconsin.

Professor Putney first went to the Pennsylvania State College in 1906 where he worked with Dr. H. P. Armsby as an assistant in animal nutrition and general experimental work until 1908. That year he became assistant to Dean F. B. Mumford, of the college of agriculture, University of Missouri, at which institution he continued his studies in nutrition towards a doctorate degree. From Missouri he went to the Rhode Island State College as professor of animal husbandry and head of the department, and he remained at that institution for several years. In 1913 he returned to the Pennsylvania State College as assistant professor of dairy husbandry, and later became professor of experimental dairy husbandry.

For the past years, Professor Putney has been on leave of absence for advanced study in animal nutrition. This time he spent at the University of Wisconsin and had just completed the requirements for his doctorate degree. Professor Putney married Miss Bertha Bond of Urbana, Illinois, September

2, 1911, and they have one daughter, Ellen Ayers Putney, who was born July 6, 1917. Professor Putney was a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Dairy Science Association, Alpha Zeta, Theta Chi, Acacia and the Order of Free and Accepted Masons. Just in his prime and in the fullness of his powers, the loss of Professor Putney will be keenly felt by his wide circle of friends and associates in dairy work. He had that rare combination or practical common sense combined with research ability which enabled him to keep a proper balance in all problems of a research nature. By his death, science has lost a well-trained and efficient worker.

VON ADOLF ERICH DAECKE

VON ADOLF ERICH DAECKE-born in Germany, place and date unknown-died at Richmond, L. I., New York, on October 27.

He was entomologist to the department of agriculture of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. His work in the New Jersey Museum Reports of 1905-7 and 9 on Diptera was excellent-his knowledge of the Odonata was quite accurate. His name is immortalized in the family of Pipunculidae in the specific name of the genera Nephrocerus daeckei. His nature was very kind, as was shown by the manner the squirrels in Capitol Park upon the sound of his voice or footsteps would spring toward and climb over him, awaiting a word and a caress-when he spoke to them they seemed to comprehend his conversation, his affection for children was wonderful and they were so pleased when he told them of the superficial observation of insects and animals they never seemed to tire of his discourses made so plain by him.

He was a devoted fellow of the Harrisburg, Pa., Natural History Society; from the membership he formed excursions along the byroads and brooklets and over the mountains searching for the local avi- and zoo-fauna; his enthusiasm added many more to its membership. The charm of his interest in his

students endeared him to them while his attainments were equally fascinating to them. He was a member of the Entomological

Section of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and attended its meetings with the vigor of youth, although a man in the fifties, was also a member of Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and several scientific societies on the European continent.

He was a sincere friend and generous to a fault-was uncommonly fair in scientific discussion. However, he had very decided views of the superiority of the Germans; he could not read English without a curious disturbance overcoming his usual affability. H.

SCIENTIFIC EVENTS

THE UNITED STATES PUBLIC HEALTH
SERVICE AND THE INFLUENZA
EPIDEMIC1

WITH the widespread occurrence of influenza in the vicinity of Boston, and the unmistakable signs of its beginning elsewhere, urgent calls were addressed to the United States Public Health Service to furnish medical and nursing relief to stricken communities. All available regular officers were detailed to the stricken communities, but the number available for such detail was insignificant compared to the urgent need occasioned by the epidemic. Moreover, the bureau had no nurses available for service in epidemic.

In this emergency the Surgeon General called upon the Volunteer Medical Service Corps, the Red Cross, the medical and nursing professions as a whole, and on the general public for personnel to help combat the epidemic. At the same time Congress was appealed to for a special appropriation to meet the expenditure required by the emergency. The necessary funds were promptly voted.

In response to the request for physicians available for duty in the Public Health Service, the Volunteer Medical Service Corps compiled a list of over 1,000 names classified by states. Appointments were offered by tele

1 Publication authorized by the U. S. Public Health Service.

graph to these physicians by the Public Health Service, and within forty-eight hours groups of physicians were on their way to some of the stricken communities in New England, where the epidemic at that time raged most severely. Soon after, similar medical units were sent to New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, and to Phoenix, Ariz.

The problem of supplying nurses was much more difficult, for it was found almost impossible to discover nurses or trained attendants who were not already extremely busy on urgent medical work. Nevertheless, a limited number of nurses and trained attendants was secured by the American Red Cross and mobilized for emergency service in the communities most severely affected. In addition to this the attention of local communities was called to the valuable nursing work which could be rendered by intelligent volunteer workers, such as school teachers, especially when they are directed by trained graduate nurses. In many communities the organization of this group of nursing personnel has done much to relieve the serious emergency caused by the lack of trained nurses.

It was made clear from the outset that the United States Public Health Service desired to aid and not supplant state and local health authorities in their work. Accordingly, instructions were issued that all requests for medical, nursing, or other emergency aid in dealing with the epidemic should come to the United States Public Health Service only through the state health officer. Moreover, as soon as possible all this epidemic work was organized on state lines with a representative of the United States Public Health Service detailed to each state to secure the best possible organization and coordination of health activities of the service, in others the executive of the State board of health has been given appointment in the United States Public Health Service as field director.

While the activities of the doctors and nurses working under the Public Health Service are generally limited to those ordinarily regarded as preventive health measures, emergency conditions in some communities

have been such that much medical relief work has had to be undertaken. This was the case, for example, in several communities where the few practicing physicians were themselves stricken and where the people were in urgent need of medical attention.

FOREIGN DELEGATES TO THE AMERICAN
CLINICAL CONGRESS

A PARTY of eminent surgeons from abroad, who came to the United States to attend the Clinical Congress which was given up on account of the influenza epidemic, has been making a tour accompanied by LieutenantColonel George E. Brewer, M. C., U. S. Army, New York City; Colonel William J. Mayo, M. C., U. S. Army, Rochester, Minn.; Colonel Franklin H. Martin, M. C., U. S. Army, Chicago, and Dr. Pilcher, New York City. They have been entertained and have delivered addresses on various phases of military surgery in St. Paul, Rochester, Philadelphia, Chicago, New York, and other cities. The party consists of Colonel Sir Thomas Myles, Dublin, Ireland, Major G. Gray Turner, New Castleon-Tyne, England, Colonel George E. Gask, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, Professor Raffaele Bastianelli and Major Pouletti, Rome, Major Pierre Duval and Lieutenant Henri Beclere, Paris, and Major Poillet, Ambre, France.

On November 6 they were the guests of the New York Fellows of the American College of Surgeons at a dinner at Delmonico's, presided over by Dr. J. Bentley Squier, the feature of which was the conferring upon the visitors of honorary fellowship in the college.

According to a press notice Dr. Squier, presided at the dinner. He reminded the gathering, including several hundred of the best known medical men here, that the clinical congress was to have undertaken important work in this country in October, but that the formal sessions had to be abandoned before the congress was convened because of the influenza epidemic.

Dr. Squier then introduced Colonel Franklin Martin, who related briefly the incidents of the delegates' journey. They went first to

Washington where they were received by President Wilson and his Cabinet. Then they traveled to Camp Greenleaf, the medical training camp where, Colonel Martin said, they presented the technical papers which were to have been read at the conference. Next the delegates went to St. Paul, Minn., where they visited the Mayo Clinic after which they went to Chicago, Philadelphia, and other important cities.

Colonel Martin introduced Colonel William J. Mayo, president of the American College of Surgeons, and then the candidates for honorary fellowships filed by the speaker's table, the little procession being led by General Ireland. He was escorted by Major General William C. Gorgas. As each member reached Colonel Mayo he halted long enough for Dr. Mayo to cite the achievements of the candidate.

General Ireland in his speech said that the fellowship was an unexpected honor and that he would treasure it as a trust to be held for the thousands of medical men of the American Army. Turning to a discussion of American Army medical experience abroad, General Ireland said wartime treatment of the sick and wounded had proved different in this war, and he paid generous thanks to the medical officers of the Allies for their aid to the Americans. Not only were the Americans taken to front-line formations and instructed, but important medical officers of the allied armies came monthly to the Research Council in Paris, thereby enabling that body to ineffable good and save countless lives." 66 American medical officers in France," General Ireland added, “have labored in France under many difficulties. Much of France's resources had been exhausted when we got there, and it was a splendid spirit with which our American doctors took up their great task. I think I may say that the achievement of American medical officers in France will add a bright page to American medical history. We still are short of personnel and material due to a lack of tonnage, over which we have no control, but I am confident these difficul

"do

ties will be overcome in time to enable us to accomplish all that lies before us."

DIVISIONAL OFFICERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY

THE Divisions have elected the following officers for the ensuing year:

DIVISION OF INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL

ENGINEERING

Chairman, Harlan S. Miner; Vice-chairman, H. D. Batchelor; Secretary, H. E. Howe; Executive Committee, W. F. Hillebrand, S. W. Parr, A. W. Smith, David Wesson, J. G. Vail.

DIVISION OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY

Chairman, I. K. Phelps; Vice-chairman and Secretary, R. A. Gortner; Executive Committee, W. D. Bancroft, C. L. Alsberg, W. J. V. Osterhout, H. S. Grindley, Frederick Fenger.

DIVISION OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Chairman, Lauder W. Jones; Vice-chairman and Secretary, Harry L. Fisher; Executive Committee, R. F. Brunel, Wm. J. Hale, O. Kamm.

FERTILIZER DIVISION

Chairman, L. L. Van Slyke; Secretary, F. B. Carpenter; Executive Committee, R. N. Brockett, H. J. Wheeler, C. H. Jones, E. W. Magruder.

DIVISION OF WATER, SEWAGE AND SANITATION Chairman, Robert Spurr Weston; Vice-chairman, J. W. Ellms; Secretary, W. W. Skinner.

DIVISION OF PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY

Chairman, F. O. Taylor; Vice-chairman, H. W. Rhodehamel; Secretary, G. D. Beal; Executive Committee, E. B. Carter, H. C. Fuller, Herman Engelhardt, W. D. McAbee.

DIVISION OF PHYSICAL AND INORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Chairman, W. E. Henderson; Secretary-Treasurer, W. A. Patrick; Executive Committee, H. P. Talbot, E. C. Franklin, C. James, R. B. Sosman, J. N. Swan.

DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD CHEMISTRY Chairman, W. D. Richardson; Vice-chairman, C. A. Browne; Secretary, T. J. Bryan.

SCIENTIFIC NOTES AND NEWS

THE degree of doctor of laws has been conferred on five members of the British Educa

tional Mission at a faculty convocation of the University of Michigan. Those thus honored are: Dr. Arthur E. Shipley, the Rev. Edward W. Walker, Sir Henry Miers, Sir Henry Jones and Dr. John Joly. The degree of doctor of letters was conferred on Miss Caroline Spurgeon and Miss Rose Sidgwick.

IN recognition of his distinguished services in behalf of military sanitation, Major General William C. Gorgas, until recently Surgeon General United States Army, has been made a grand officer of the Order of the Crown of Italy. The ceremony of presentation took place on November 5, in the office of the Surgeon General, the order being presented by Major General Emilio Guglielmotti, military attaché of the Royal Italian Embassy.

IN addition to the silver service which was given to Dr. M. C. Whitaker on his retirement from the presidency of the Chemists' Club, an illuminated memorial, designed by Mr. Edward B. Edwards, has also been presented to him. The center is a Latin text written by Professor McCrea, of Columbia University, and the border decoration consists of portraits of Gerber, Bacon, Lully and Paracelsus in the four corners and alchemistic symbols worked into a decorative design.

DR. FRANK SCHLESINGER, director of the Allegheny Observatory, chief of the Department of Aeronautical Instruments, Engineering Division, Bureau of Aircraft Production, at Dayton, Ohio, has been elected a member of the Societa Spettrocopisti Italiani.

MR. WILLIAM DEC. RAVENEL has been placed in charge of the administration of the National Museum, with the title of administrative assistant to the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and in addition to the general duties of that office has been designated director of the Arts and Industries branch of the museum. He is a native of South Carolina, was educated at Union College, and has been connected with the museum since 1902. For many years he served as assistant in the United States Bureau of Fisheries, in charge of fish culture, and was acting commissioner at

various times from 1896 to 1902. He represented the Bureau of Fisheries and the National Museum at all national and international expositions for many years, and was secretary of the United States Government Board of the Panama-Pacific Exposition at San Francisco in 1915.

MR. EDWIN H. PAGENHART, hydrographic and geodetic engineer of the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, has been transferred to the Corps of Engineers (Reserve) of the army, with the rank of captain.

MR. EDWARD P. BARTLETT, formerly assistant professor of chemistry at Pomona College, Claremont, Cal., has been commissioned captain in the military intelligence branch of the Army.

DR. THOMAS BUCK, assistant professor of mathematics at the University of California, has been commissioned a first lieutenant in the ordnance department of the army, and will be located in Washington doing research work in ballistics.

DR. C. A. BRAUTLECHT, professor of chemistry in the Florida College for Women, has been called into the Sanitary Corps as first lieutenant. He is stationed at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research in New York City.

MR. H. LYLE SMITH, instructor in mathematics at Princeton University for the past two years, is now in the office of Major F. R. Moulton, of the Ordnance Department at Washington.

UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONAL
NEWS

THE trustees of the New York Polyclinic Hospital have proposed to transfer the property of that institution to Columbia University, to be maintained for the public service and for advanced instruction and research in medicine and surgery. Polyclinic Hospital, which was built in 1912, has a capacity of 300 beds, with ample provision for private patients. It is due to Dr. John A. Wyeth and