lation" procedures.

The curriculum in our colleges and universities has been lengthened, more specific detail is paid to medical instruction, but the advance has been as marked in periods when such measures were wanting. Medicine and surgery have made great strides indeed, and I hope will so continue; but as in former years, it will be due to the individual and combined efforts of the medical profession, equally as well without as with the aid of the law. It has responded to the demands of the day and the hour, and will so continue, as it is well able, by its own efforts, now as in the past.

But as to "Reciprocity." How about that? Ah my! Ah me! I am very much afraid that we will have to wait for many a day before we can get the different states to agree upon any definite and uniform plan.

From personal observation, I can cite that some Boards of Examiners pass under-graduates, and reject graduates of the same school or college; and even have in some instances passed those who have failed to secure the degree after a full four years' course and an examination by the faculty of the school. One peculiar incident of quite recent happening is as follows: A gentleman who had served with reasonable distinction as a surgeon in the C. S. A., a graduate of one of the best antebellum schools, who had been for a number of years discharging satisfactorily the duties of an active practice, and successful at that in the state of Illinois, decided that he would change his base, and removed to an adjacent state. He applied for a license, but was only granted a temporary license" although he saw under-graduates at the same meeting of the Board who were granted a permanent license.

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But the following extract from "Notes" in the July number of the Medical Sentinel of Portland, Oregon, is quite apropos:—

"A doctor residing in Oregon, who does not give his name or location, writes to the American Journal of Clinical Medicine on the subject of reciprocity. He gives his own experience. He is fifty-four years old, 'too old to be very successful in any other line of business, with an invalid wife, no means to speak of' and yet he is unable to practice in this state, and comply with the law. He is allowed to practice in Wisconsin, but apparently he could not pass the examination here. He lives in southern Oregon' near the California line, in a most beautiful country, ever green.' He proposes to continue to practice, and defy the laws, trusting that no jury will convict him. The editor of the journal to which he writes does not sympathize with his lawbreaking determination, but at the same time it adds 'that there is something decidedly wrong with the medical legislation which denies justice to an old doctor, which virtually if not technically, discriminates against him; which makes it well nigh impossible for a very large percentage of us to practice legally in any other state than the one in which we may now happen to reside.' The editor then insists upon fair play. All this is very interesting, and the discussion is timely.

But there are some things that are puzzling, and apparently incongruous. While doctors from other states are claiming that they cannot pass examinations that will permit them to practice in Oregon, an Oregon doctor is claiming that the examinations here and the laws governing them are so poor that no other state will permit reciprocal relations with us."

Well, as we have in most of the states Legislative Regulations for the practice of medicine, just how long they will exist man knoweth not, but as in the past they have come and gone, and history may again repeat itself; as good citizens, which should be the status of all doctors of medicine, we must obey the laws as they exist, although they at times may prove irksome and disagreeable to some; we beg leave to submit the following suggestion which will overcome to some extent the difficulties of reciprocity. It will require National Legislation; however, we think that can readily be obtained, more especially as it would not invade the principles of State's Rights even according to so strict a "constructionist" as John Marshall, provided acceptance was accorded by the different states, against which we can see no reason, inasmuch as all accept a certain class who have undergone an examination by Special National Boards of Examiners.

Our suggestion is that the retired medical officers of the Army, Navy, and M. H. S., be authorized to make examinations of all who may apply, a certificate of approval to qualify them to practice medicine and surgery in the District of Columbia and all the territories. Said certificates we confidently believe would be recognized by nearly if not all the states. Boards of three members each could readily be convened annually in the different sections of the Union, at some central, convenient city, to which recent graduates and older members of the profession could apply for examination if they desired to have free range in the days to come, in which to pursue their avocation.

These retired medical officers are all well qualified and competent, they have no very strong local or political affiliations, their loyalty being the more to the National Government as a whole, and the United States at large, rather than to any special local environment. The fees would add something to their reduced pay as having been placed on the retired list of their special branch of service, and the duties would not be onerous to them. We have neither time nor space to fully elaborate the details of the legislation required, but such can readily be formulated, and we simply offer the suggestion, a germ of thought, for the consideration of our readers some of whom we know, feel an interest in this matter.

THE NEW PHARMACOPOEIA.-The eighth decennial revision of the United States Pharmacopoeia, which was due in 1900, became official on September 1, 1905. A number of articles considered obsolete have been dismissed, and nearly an equal number of new substances have been added.

An effort has been made to bring tinctures to a uniform ten per cent. strength, while drugs containing alkaloids must be assayed and brought to a standard before being dispensed. Among the important additions are cocaine and Coca Wine, the recognition of the latter endorsing a flattering tribute to M. Mariani, who was the originator of this preparation, which has only now been made official. Coca leaves, according to the U. S. P., must contain 0.5 per cent. of ether-soluble alkaloids, by weight, and Fluid extract of Coca must contain 0.5 grams of ether-soluble alkaloids, by weight, in each one hundred cubic centimeters. That means cocaine. Nothing is said of the several other alkaloids contained in Coca which are not soluble in ether. Surely great bodies do move slowly. Cocaine was discovered nearly fifty years ago, and it is an equal number of years ago that M. Mariani first introduced Coca Wine to the medical profession.

Notwithstanding the fact that "Vinum Coca" is now official, physicians who desire the original preparation must carefully specify "Mariani" in order to obtain the results which have for years been advocated as due to Coca-made available in Vin Mariani.- The Coca Leaf, September, 1905.

TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED DOLLAR COUNTRY PRACTICE FOR SALE.- Eightyfive to ninety per cent. collectable. Competition limited. Location in fever belt of West Tennessee. Nice home. Ten to one hundred acre farm. Good people, and but few transients. For full particulars, terms, etc., address "J. C.," care of THE SOUTHERN PRACTITIONER, 208 Sixth Ave., North, Nashville, Tenn.

GRANULAR EFFERVESCENT SALINE LAXATIVE, made by Messrs. Parke, Davis, & Co., is a most excellent combination. Each drachm contains: Sodium phosphate, 20 grs.; magnesium sulphate, 25 grs.; sodium sulphate, 10 grs.

The medical profession are so familiar with the advantages of the salines in effecting prompt and thorough evacuation of the bowels, with incidental stimulation of the torpid liver in certain cases, as for example when sodium phosphate is employed, that it is hardly necessary to discuss the therapeutic merits of the combination above outlined. The feature which justifies special comment is the granular effervescent form of the prescription. The ingredients are all active, but all disagreeable in their natural state or when dissolved in water. The element of effervescence changes this without changing the physiological action of the salts. It is a comparatively easy matter for most patients to take a full dose of an effervescing saline, though the same drug in flat solution would be found extremely nauseating.

Taken in full dosage in the morning, or in diminished quantities during the day, Granular Effervescent Saline Laxative will be found a most

acceptable aid in the treatment of la grippe (with constipation), indigestion, flatulence, "biliousness," sluggish circulation, and the malaise which is associated with intestinal torpor. In short, wherever free depletion of the intestines is indicated, Granular Effervescent Saline Laxative commends itself; while for prolonged courses of treatment having in view the prevention of gallstone formation and of cutaneous or other evidences of auto-intoxication, it is worthy of special consideration.

Granular Effervescent Saline Laxative may be given in the dose of one measureful dissolved in a glass of cold water, before breakfast, for immediate effect; the same quantity divided into three doses, to be given during the day, for more gradual action; or in small doses once daily for prolonged courses of treatment.

These granular effervescent preparations have no superior on the market They are medicinally active; they are and remain entirely free from disagreeable odor; the granules are firm, hard, of large size and snowy whiteness, and do not become discolored with age.

One special feature of this line should not be overlooked: When thrown into water the granules sink to the bottom of the vessel; the bubbles of rapidly forming gas pass upward through the water, saturating it and giving it the characteristic "snap" of a thoroughly carbonated beverage. Granular salts made by the old process float upon the water as they dissolve, and most of the newly formed gas escapes into the air.

Physicians are requested to indicate Parke, Davis & Co.'s label when prescribing.

THE MISSISSIppi Valley MEDICAL ASSOCIATION will hold its next meeting at Hot Springs, Ark., November 6, 7, and 8, 1906.

Those of us who were fortunate enough to be present at the meeting of the Association held at Hot Springs in 1894 will remember it as one of the most delightful, from both a scientific and social standpoint, that was ever held, and from the indications already at hand the local profession will this year bend every endeavor to make this meeting a record breaker.

The address in medicine will be delivered by Dr. Frank Parsons Norbury, Jacksonville, Ill., and in Surgery by Dr. Florus F. Lawrence, of Columbus, Ohio, the mere mention of whose names is sufficient guarantee of a treat from both a scientific and literary standpoint.

SAL HEPATICA.- The original effervescing Saline Laxative and Uric Acid Solvent. A combination of the Tonic, Alterative, and Laxative Salts similar to the celebrated Bitter Waters of Europe, fortified by the addition of Lithium and Sodium Phosphates. It stimulates liver, tones intestinal glands, purifies alimentary tract, improves digestion, assimilation, and metabolism. Especially valuable in rheumatism, gout, bilious

attacks, and constipation. Most efficient in eliminating toxic products from intestinal tract or blood, and correcting vicious or impaired functions. Write for free samples. Bristol-Myers Co., 277-279 Greene Ave, Brooklyn, N. Y.

POLK'S MEDICAL DIRECTORY.- We have received a copy of the ninth edition of this valuable and useful publication. It is fuller, more complete, and in every way superior to the very excellent preceding editions.

It is a complete directory of the physicians of the United States, arranged alphabetically, and contains a large amount of most useful information. From a careful examination of sections with which we are familiar, we find it as near correct as can well be made.

Messrs. R. L. Polk & Co., Detroit, Mich.

Published by

"PARALDEHYD" possesses many of the good without the evil qualities of chloral. Used in insomnia resulting from various causes. The objectionable taste of the chemical is, to a great extent, disguised in Robinson's Elixir Paraldehyd (see ad. page 17) which is an elegant preparation.

Beviews and Book Notices.

THE INFLUENCE OF THE MIND ON THE BODY.- BY PAUL DUBOIS, translated by L. B. GALLATIN, from the Fifth French edition. Cloth, 12m0, pp. 63. Price, 50 cents, net; by mail, 54 cents. Funk & Wagnalls Co., Publishers, 44-60 E. 23rd St., New York, 1906.

Dr. Paul Dubois, of the University of Berne has a well-earned reputation as a "specialist" in the treatment of nervous disorders by means of psychic suggestion, and no one is better qualified to instruct in a practical way as to the very important influence the mind has on the body. He writes both as a psychologist and as a physician, and this little brochure contains some very practical points well worthy of consideration.

ALKALOIDAL DIGEST, A Brief Description of the Therapeutics of Some of the Principal Alkaloidal Medicaments and Other Success-Makers, with Suggestions for Their Clinical Application.- By W. C. ABBOTT, M. D., editor of the American Journal of Clinical Medicine. Paper, 12mo, pp. 258. Clinic Publishing Co., Publishers, Chicago, 1906.

This is a condensed compilation of alkaloidal or alkalometric methods. Part I. consists of Therapeutics in Brief; Part II, Some Suggestions for the Clinical Application of Alkalometric

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