profession who have devoted their energies to the development of these advanced therapeutic measures. As a matter of fact, however, that section is already so overcrowded with the other therapeutic lines, that little time would be devoted to the progress and consideration of the newer elements in physical therapeutics.

An effort is now on foot, looking to the establishment of a Section of Physical Therapeutics at the next meeting of the American Medical Association, and there should be a concerted action on the part of all who are interested in its accomplishment to further the cause.

*

UNIVERSAL PEACE ASSEMBLY.

The general assembly of the International Medical Society for Aid in the Prevention of War was held at Paris, France, on March 21, 1907.

The benevolent work of this institution in arousing the medical profession to the all-absorbing question of "Universal Peace," is deserving of the best efforts of all. It is fitting that the great medical profession should energetically assist in promoting the cause, thereby instilling through its influence the humane sentiment which will help finally to the enduring establishment of an international code which will make it impossible for the nations to brutally war upon each other. Dr. Riviere of Paris deserves great credit for his efforts in awakening the great medical profession, to an organized effort in its behalf.

The American branch of this Society will during the coming years energetically endeavor to enroll a strong contingent allied to the parent body. For particulars address the Secretary, Dr. Geo. Brown, Austell Bldg., Atlanta, Ga.

EDITORIAL COMMENTS.

The Archives of the Roentgen Ray, which has been so ably edited for the past year by Dr. Clarence E. Wright, will from March 1, be edited by Dr. W. Dean Butcher, M. R. C. S. We trust that the standard of this excellent monthly will be maintained under its new head, and wish him all success in his editorial career.

The second International Congress of Physiotherapy will meet at Rome, October 13-16, 1907, with Prof Guido Bacili as President, and Prof. Carlo Colombo, Via Plina 1, Rome, Italy, as general Secretary, to whom all foreign communications should be addressed; Dr. Francis B. Bishop, as Acting Chairman of the American Committee, and Dr. Wm. Benham Snow, 349 West 57th Street, American Secretary.

We note with interest the energetic effort being made by the Roentgen Society of London, in establishing some standard of measuring radio-activity, both of the x-ray and radio-active substances. The personnel of the members of the Committee is a guarantee that this difficult task is in hands that will accomplish the task, if possible. Communications should be directed to W. Dean Butcher, M. R. C. S., or Ph. Mulholland, M. D., Honorary Secretaries.

The British Electro-Therapeutic Society is to be absorbed in the British Academy of Medicine.

At the next meeting of the British Medical Association there will be an electrical section established before which Prof. Stephen Leduc has promised to deliver an address at the opening session. The meeting will be held on July 29, and the following days. The officers of the section will be as follows: President, H. Lewis Jones, M. D., London; Vice-Presidents, J. D. Pratt, L. D., Exeter; R. C. Lyster, M. R. C. S., London; W. C. Wilson, M. D., Plymouth; Hononary Secretaries Ellis, Pearson, F. R. C. S. E., Bideford; E. W. H. Shenton, W. R. C. S., 126 Holly Street, London, W. The programme will be divided as follows: Electro-diagnosis and Radiology one day, Radiotherapeutics another, and Electro-Therapeutics the third. The English fraternity extend a cordial invitation to the American and foreign brethren to attend the meeting, where they are assured a cordial welcome.

The Archives of Physiological Therapeutics has been merged. in the Quarterly Journal of Inebriety, edited by Dr. Cruthers. We wish Dr. Cruthers success in this addition to his valuable publication.

Progress in Physical Therapeutics.

CURRENTS OF HIGH FREQUENCY AND HIGH POTENTIAL.

EDITED BY WALTER H. WHITE, M. D.

The High-Frequency Currents in Chronic Rheumatism and Rheumatoid Arthritis. By G. E. Pfahler, M. D., Pennsylvania State Medical Journal.

The writer states that electricity in one form or another has been used in the treatment of affections in question, since the beginning of its use in medicine. He confines his treatment, however, to the use of high-frequency and high-potential currents, those having oscillations running as high as one million per second. He states that the current which he has employed is from an Oudin resonator attached to a Ruhmkorff coil. In considering the subject he states that the definite causes of chronic rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis are not known, but are probably due to failing metabolism, and assumes since the high-frequency currents seem to stimulate metabolism both local and general, they would be indicated. His methods of treatment have been to place the patient upon a chair or couch of wood (and therefore a bad conductor), and without direct electrical connection, with an electrode held in the hand, another wire coming directly from the resonator attached to a vacuum electrode which is moved over the affected joints or muscles to the extent of inducing a distinct erythema. By this means he states that several effects are produced as the currents passing through the body have (1) a constitutional effect, usually raising arterial tension, and increasing tissue change; (2) locally, counter-irritation is induced, by the multiple sparks from the glass electrode, which may be varied by the distance which the electrode is held from the skin. To this is added (3) the actinic effects of the electrode discharges.

He reports the case of a female fifty-eight years of age, whose sister had rheumatoid arthritis, and who gave a history of several mild attacks of painful joint. About a year and a half ago, her right shoulder became painful, and on November 19, 1904, the movement was very much limited. Pain and rigidity in the left shoulder and right hand, with considerable redness of the hypothenar eminences. Treatment was given

three times weekly, and then twice a week. After the first two treatments there was relief of pain, which later disappeared entirely. The parts became more mobile, and at the end of four months she could reach up and pin her hat. At the end of six months her right shoulder was perfectly free. She has since had occasional pains in the knee and feet. A few treatments were sufficient to relieve this. In chronic rheumatism there was relief of pain and stiffness. The writer believes that massage or mechanical vibra-massage and passive motion should be added, because they also aid to increase local metabolism. He believes in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis the x-ray is generally more satisfactory, but it is likely that certain cases will do better by a combination of these methods.

The X-ray and High-Frequency Currents in the Treatment of Certain Diseases of the Eye and Ear. By Dr. H. O. Wells, in the Electro-Therapeutist, January, 1907.

The writer considers the x-ray and high-frequency currents as almost indispensable in treating diseases of the eye and ear. He calls attention to the fact that oculists are generally slow to recognize their value. The diseases in which he considers these agents most popular are trachoma, iritis, blepharitis, keratitis, and diplopia. In trachoma, the X-ray has been successful and with astonishing ease and rapidity, the same being true in a case of blepharitis marginalis. He places a low vacuum tube at a distance at which the bones of the hand can be plainly seen, and makes the exposure for three minutes, judging of the quality of the light by the fluorescence in a dark room. The application is made with the eyes closed, the eyebrows and hair being protected with lead foil. He employs the ray until there is an appearance of a slight conjunctivitis, which is sufficient to effect a cure in all cases of trachoma. He has also used the high-frequency currents applied directly to the affected surface, but considers it too painful and impracticable, especially in children, while the x-ray obtains the desired results without this objectionable feature.

In iritis he has not seen a case that was not favorably affected by the use of the high-frequency currents; it both alleviating the pain and reducing the inflammation. He refers to one case, which he diagnosed as rheumatic iritis, in which the pain had been so severe, that the patient had not slept for two nights. The high-frequency current was applied, with a flat vacuum surface tube, the electrode was attached to the negative pole of the machine, over the closed lid. The relief from pain was so complete, that she fell asleep while taking treatment, and the recovery from the attack was rapid. She had been

subject to recurrent attacks; but since this treatment has had no recurrence. He calls attention to the fact that atropine for dilating the pupil, and other antiphlogistic treatment may be employed in conjunction with the high-frequency current. He makes the application both over the eyeball and around the orbit, especially to the temporal side, for the relief of pain. In earache and neuralgia he had found the high-frequency currents a desirable treatment for the alleviation of pain. He places the electrode over the mastoid, or applied through a roll of wet cotton placed in the auditory canal, one end of which was against the ear-drum, and the other at the meatus. The writer has had good success in cases in which we are apt to ignore their use, and turn the case over to the eye or ear specialist. These suggestions, if followed, will enable the man who is equipped to treat some of these obstinate cases, and add laurels to the field of electro-therapeutics.

RADIOTHERAPY.

EDITED BY J. D. GIBSON, M. D.

Practical X-ray Therapy. By Nobel M. Edenhart, M. D., The Medical Standard, November, 1906.

The writer has had good results in acne rosacea with x-ray and like Gautier and Hahn believes that, properly used, it is a very valuable agent. He employs a lead mask with openings of various sizes to suit lesions, and uses a medium tube at six inch distance from the surface for about five minutes on alternate days until a dermatitis appears. His idea is that a slight not a marked dermatitis is desirable. He considers the x-ray to be of very great advantage in the treatment of actinomycosis but frequently should be associated with electrolysis.

Alopecia areata can be frequently relieved by radiotherapy, a slight stimulating administration causing a new growth of hair to appear, which in many cases is all that is desired. He uses a medium or moderately high tube and makes from five to ten minute exposures. He also uses the x-ray in conjunction with the iodide of potash in the treatment of blastomycosis.

The Value of the Roentgen Rays as a Therapeutic Agent. By G. E. Pfahler, M. D., The Pennsylvania Medical Journal. In this paper he calls special attention to the x-ray in the treatment of chronic diseases and refers to the stereotyped