glandular in structure and secrete fluid and mucus to aid in digestion. The appendix resembles in appearance the pyloric caeca. The appendix is quite glandular and it might be thought that it is to secrete fluid and mucus and aid digestion and lubricate the faeces for distalward circulation. However, comparative anatomy, it seems to me, confirms the idea that it is a fading remnant of a once active, capacious digestive sac (stomach), a reservoir for quiet laboraory work when the animal has placed the materials rapidly in a storage stomach (the gastrium). As in many fish the gastrium receives the food in bulk and after the digestible part is absorbed the gross debris is again expelled through the mouths. Nothing but digestible fluid food ever passes the pyloric valve in some fish. The rodents, rabbits, squirrels, rats, have large caeca. There appears to be a rule that a relation exists between the sizes of the stomach and that of the caecum. The larger and more active the stomach, the smaller the caecum. The larger the caecum, the smaller and less active the stomach. The best example I saw was in the elephant. I examined an elephant, 18 months old, and found the stomach two feet by eight inches, while the caecum was one and one-half feet long, and one foot wide. In the horse and elephant the stomach is comparatively small and imperfect in digestion, while in both animals the caecum is large. The elephant has only four molars with which to grind his food, and it enters his stomach not well masticated, hence a large caecum serves the purpose as a receptacle until the food has time for digestion. The caecum at present in animals, as bovine, elephant and horse and rodents does not appear to secrete the digestive juice any more than the remainder of the colon, but the caecum simply acts as a reservoir or receptacle where the food can be retained, softened, nutriment extracted, when it is time for it to be forced distalward by the rhythm of peristalsis. In man his masticatory apparatus, digestive process is so perfect and the stomach is so large that the caecum is not required as a reservoir, and it is gradually fading out of existence; non-use reduces its size and its proximal or least used end shrinks first into a so-called vermiform appendix. Its functions at the proximal (canal) end cease absolutely, and as a functionless organ it naturally possesses a lower grade of vitality. Its cells possess little resistance to invading bacteria, and it easily falls prey to the battle for existence. Like the rudiments of all organs the cells do not possess vital power to resist trauma and infection. Surgeons become accustomed to this view by constantly finding cysts and new growths in all rudimentary organs, and the duct of the thyroid gland, branchial clefts, median body lines of coalescence, mesonephritic and pronephritic remnants in the genitals and the most dreaded and profound abdominal disease—appendicitis. The caecum and appendix should be viewed as an ancient stomach, the rudiment of a fading organ possessing the misfortune of all remnants, viz. : The inability of its cells to resist trauma and invading microbes. The trauma of the psoas muscle is the chief cause for appendicitis. The subject is liable to appendicitis when under excessive muscular activity if the appendix happens to contain virulent microbes. Women suffer less from appendicitis than men, because her appendix does not lie as frequently within the range of psoas. action, muscular trauma, as does the appendix of man. Any segment bowel, caecum, colon or enteron which lies. within the range of action of the psoas muscular trauma, suffers exactly the same damage as that of the appendix, but the cells of the appendix being atrophic, rudimentary, non-vital and nonresisting to trauma and infection, are unable to struggle and battle against life's invading forces. Pneumococcic Arthritis. A series of cases of arthritis in connection with pneumonia are detailed by E. J. Cave (Lancet; Medical Record). The local joint trouble varied from pain and slight swelling to extensive destructive changes. Fever was generally high. Prognosis is grave because of metastases to the meninges, endocardium and other tissues. Salicylates are of no avail. Under treatment are mentioned hot-air baths, hydrotherapy, massage, douches, etc., and in a case of suppuration, which is very common, opening of the joint, flushing, fixation and drainage. NOTES. For Blacked Eyes.-Dr. W. B. Parsons (St. Louis Medical Era) speaks highly of the constant current, one electrode being applied to the swollen lid, the other to the nape of the neck. He also employs a paint every three to six hours of 4 drams each of mucilage and tincture of capsicum and 1⁄2 dram of glycerin. Prize Essay on the Dangers From Ouackery.-The Colorado State Medical Society offers a prize of twenty-five dollars for the best essay, if deemed worthy of the prize, pointing out the dangers to public health and morals, especially to young persons, from quackery as promulgated by public advertisements. The competition is open to all. Essays must be type-written in the English language, and submitted before May 15, 1901. Each essay must be designated by a motto; and accompanied by a sealed envelope, bearing the same motto, and enclosing the name and address of the author. The essay receiving the prize will become the property of the Society for publication. Others will be returned on application. Essays should be sent to the Literature Committee, Room 315 McPhee Building, Denver, Colorado. Medical Society of the Missouri Valley.—The semi-annual meeting of this society will be held in the City of Omaha, on Thursday, March 21. A number of excellent papers have already been promised, and indications point to an interesting meeting. The transactions will be published in the Herald. This association is now in a most prosperous condition, with a membership of over three hundred. The average attendance, however, should be greater, and we cordially urge the doctors of Missouri and Kansas especially to turn out and get acquainted with their brethren from Iowa, Nebraska and the Dakotas. The annual meeting is now migratory, and the next fall session will undoubtedly be held at some point south of the Iowa line. An excursion for members and their families is one of the features on the tapis for the September meeting, and a full attendance is desired at Omaha to discuss this and other important matters. Those desiring to contribute to the program of the spring meeting will please notify the secretary of their intention at once, as papers will be assigned to a position in the order received. "Come with us and we will do you good."-Chas. Wood Fassett, Secretary, St. Joseph, Mo. IS THE MOST POWERFUL ANTISEPTIC AND PUS DESTROYER. GLYCOZONE (C. P. Glycerine combined with Ozone.) THE MOST POWERFUL HEALING AGENT KNOWN. Cures quickly CHRONIC AND ACUTE ULCERS (Specific or not), SKIN DISEASES, ECZEMA, PSORIASIS, SALT RHEUM, ITCH, BARBER'S ITCH, CHILBLAINS, RING WORM, IVY POISONING, ACNE, Etc. 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