need the preparations containing wood alcohol of necessity be taken internally in order that dire results shall ensue. It is a matter of almost universal observation that a measure of damage may result from the fumes of wood alcohol, while close inquiry demonstrates its destructive power when used, as it very frequently is in liniments, "rubs" and numberless cure-alls.

The writer's attention was recently drawn to one of the wholesale sources of the dangerous mixtures dispensed, to a waiting anxiously expectant, thirsty multitude, under the guise of rectifying spirits. The individual who discussed this hitherto highly respected process, possessing a dignity born of an environment of profound mystery and secrecy, disclosed the astonishing fact that he had been employed inany months in a wholesale liquor establishment where by the wonderful method of rectify. ing it was possible to draw from the same barrel, provided it were rolled over the warehouse floor at certain angles with a proscribed number of turns, whiskey of different grades, and varying quality and to the writer most wonderful of all, of different years of ripening.

Yet to that firm and some of its well-known brands there have been awarded prizes and medals by experts-heaven save the term-in solemn conclave passing judgment upon alcoholic beverages.

Dr. Wiley writes as follows, what shall we say of his opinions and what the effect of such a condition upon medical prescriptions for pure whiskey:

"The compound whiskeys, it must be said, are usually made under the legal system of rectification, but my contention is that the real and the imitation should be labeled. Then the responsibility will rest on the purchaser. Laws to this effect should be passed. If the pure food bill which has passed the house and is now pending in the senate becomes a law, the government will require this label on all whiskey entering interstate traffic. We have already found that the usual method of producing the imitation whiskey is for the dealer first to purchase a barrel of pure whiskey out of bond. He then buys the necessary amount of alcohol and adulterates it with water. To this are added burnt sugar and prune juice, for coloring purposes, and chemical essences to ripen, usually bead oil. All this is then compounded with a small quantity of the pure whiskey. It is given the age of the real article and at once put on sale."

Small wonder that such diametrically opposite results are attained by honest physicians using stimulants in an effort to save or prolong life. BELL.

STROPHANTHUS IN LOBAR PNEUMONIA.-C. Am Ende (Med. Record) values this drug very highly in the treatment of pneumonia and describes a number of cases in which its action was markedly beneficial. The author begins its administration immediately upon the establishment of the diagnosis, the dosage being varied according to the circumstances, and other supporting measures and drugs, such as strychnine, nitroglycerin and oxyogen also being employed as indicated.

TO EAT OR NOT TO EAT MEAT: THAT'S THE QUESTION.

The recent great strike among the packers, and the consqeuent scarcity and high price of meats, naturally brought us face to face with the oft discussed question, what is the real value of meat as a diet?

Certain it is that entire nations and vast races of people live, and live well who never taste meat of any kind. We read of large shipments of canned meats to the Japanese, especially since their conflict with the crafty Russian has begun. One of the Japanese ministers has shown the absurdity of such announcements by drawing attention to the fact that the Mikado's soldiers were not meat-eaters, rice and dried fish being the chief articles in their commissary. Whatever the exigencies of war might compel them to do it may be taken for granted that only the severest straits would cause the Japanese to become meat-eaters. It was said that the reason Japanese soldiers marched so quickly and remained so healthy during the campaign for the relief of the imprisoned legations at Pekin was because they were unhampered by such a complex commissary as their allies. It is noteworthy that those races which because of religious prejudice, custom, or climatic conditions, and not infrequently because of poverty refrain from meat-eating are in every way the equal, and in some respects the superior of the meat-eating peoples of the world. The writer believes that man is an omniverous animal, and these lines are not written to bolster up a vegetarian creed, but it does seem that too little attention has been given to the question of diet, and particularly to the question of meat eating.

It is no uncomomn thing to read of whole parties of individuals being poisoned by canned meats. A recent editorial in the Journal of the of the American Medical Association discusses the relation between meat poisoning and paratyphoid fever. Let those who desire consolation because meat products are scarce, or the prices prohibitive, seek such consolation in a study of the comparative value of meat as a food, and like the sly carnivora of legendary fame rest temporarily in the conviction that they do not want meat. It isn't good for them. The editorial referred

to reads as follows:

"According to the investigations of Trautmann, there appears to be an intimate and interesting relationship between the bacilli regarded as the cause of certain meat poisonings and paratyphoid bacilli. Both Trautmann, Schottmüller and B. Fischer, as well as de Nobele, regard all these organisms as belonging to the same group. Hitherto we have thought of paratyphoid bacilli only in connection with a rather mild kind of typhoidlike disease, and at first sight it seems somewhat far-fetched to attempt to place meat poisoning and paratyphoid under the same etiology. It may be pointed out, however, that while these bacilli are closely related, yet there are minor differences on part of the various races, and that differences in the clinical manifestations of the infections might be accounted for on the score of biologic differences in the organisms. The virulence of the bacilli and susceptibility of the patient are also highly important factors that should not be left out of sight. Trautmann, in considering this question, would put special stress on the difference in the conditions under which the infection takes place in meat poisoning and ordinary para

typhoid fever. In the case of poisoning, meat (improperly prepared, uncooked?) of infected animals is taken into the stomach, meat that often contains not only the bacilli perhaps, but also the toxic products of the latter. This is followed by acute and violent symptoms, e.g., vomiting and diarrhea, ending in early death, or recovery after, perhaps, protracted illness. In case of ordinary paratyphoid fever, the infection is established with a relatively much greater slowness, and the symptoms become apparent much more gradually. Trautmann observed, furthermore, that in the epidemics of meat poisoning there occurred certain cases that form transitions between the two types of infection, and he consequently regards typical meat poisoning as a hyperacute and paratyphoid as a subacute form of the same infectious disease. If this view is adopted generally, the pathogenic importance of paratyphoid bacilli will be increased greatly. In order to secure additional information in regard to these questions, all cases of meat poisoning should be studied with the greatest care from the bacteriologic point of view. It appears that in Germany epidemics of meat poisoning have followed the consumption of more or less improperly prepared meat of infected animals, and Trautmann suggests that in cattle paratyphoid organisms cause an epizootic after the nature of anthrax. This in itself is an interesting question in comparative pathology.

BELL.

PREVENTION OF SMALLPOX.

The editor of the Medical Standard sounds the alarm regarding smallpox the approaching season. He says that all signs point to an increased spread of smallpox, and as the disease is beginning to assume a more virulent type. the condition is one which demands the most careful handling. It would hardly seem necessary in this age to call attention again to the importance of insisting upon wholesale vaccination, except for the fact that the anti-vaccinationists are conducting a vigorous campaign all over the country and endeavoring with real, though mistaken energy, to undermine the faith of the laity in the value of this means of prevention, and to fill them with vague alarms of the "dangers" of this practice. The medical profession ought to be doing something to stem this fanatical tide.

Every day new evidence comes to hand of the efficacy of vaccination. For instance, during the week in which this is being written twenty-six cases of smallpox have been reported in Chicago. Of these only one had been vaccinated; this was a man 24 years of age, who said he was vaccinated in infancy-the scar was "doubtful." One of the patients is the daughter of a well-known lawyer; she was the only member of a large family to contract the disease, and she was the only one who had not been vaccinated; she had been spared this operation because of feeble health.

Physicians should preach vaccination, "in season and out of season. The "Vaccination Creed" issued by the Chicago Health Deparment ought to have a wide circulation, and should be given widest publicity through the local boards of health. Here it is:

1. True vaccination, repeated until it no longer "takes" always prevents smallpox.

2. True vaccination-properly done on a clean arm with pure lymph and kept perfectly clean and unbroken afterwards-never did and never will make a serious sore.

3. Such vaccination leaves a characteristic scar, unlike that from any other cause, which is recognizable during life and is the only conclusive evidence of a successful vaccination.

4. Thousands of lives are annually sacrificed through the neglect to vaccinate.

TWO CASES OF

LOCOMOTOR ATAXIA IN MAN AND

WIFE.

Dr. E. Staehlin reports two cases, interesting on account of the indirect way in which the diagnosis was made and because they are both directly traceable to syphilis as the etiological factor (Medical Record, November 5). A man presented himself with the typical urine of an advanced cystitis, which caused few subjective symptoms, however, and the urine soon improved under treatment. His wife asked for treatment at this time, claiming to have kidney trouble, but examination of both heart and urine was negative. It was discovered by accident that she frequently stumbled, even on smooth pavements, and this led to an examination of the reflexes. The patellar reflex was absent, the pupillary reaction to light was lost, and Romberg's symptom was present. Cross-examination of the husband revealed the fact that ten years before he had infected his wife with syphilis, and it was found that he, too, presented the cardinal symptoms of tabes.

MISSOURI UNIVERSITY PRIZES AT THE WORLD'S FAIR.-According to the preliminary report of the committee on awards the University of Missouri has won more prizes at the St. Louis Exposition than any other university in the world. Nine grand prizes, sixteen gold medals, thirteen silver medals, and three bronze medals, a total of forty-one prizes, is the showing of Missouri's highest institution of learning in competition with the world. The grand prizes denote the highest excellence, and Missouri has captured more than twice as many as Chicago University, its most fortunate rival, which received but four.

AN ADAPTATION OF THE HEMACYTOMETER AND OUTFIT TO THE NEEDS OF THE PRACTICING PHYSICIAN.-F. W. Smithies describes a convenient case designed to contain the articles needed at the bedside for making a blood count. The principal innovation consists in having the diluting pipettes made with raised collars a short distance from each end. These are intended to hold in position the nipple-like caps of rubber which are slipped over the ends of the instruments to present leakage during their transport from the sick room to the microscope. Convenient recesses are provided in the case to accommodate these pippettes, puncturing needle, counting chamber, three bottles of diluting fluids, etc., and the rubber caps.-Medical Record.

The appointment of Dr. William Osler to the Regius Professorship of Medicine in the University of Oxford is a distinguished recognition of Dr. Osler's brilliant services in the American medical profession. Dr. Osler, born in Canada and a graduate of McGill University in Montreal, is acknowledged to be one of the foremost scholars in the medical profession. His writings not only cover a wide range of subjects, but show insight and profundity. He has been Professor of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins Medical School since 1889. His departure from this country will be deeply regretted. We are indebted to the courtesy of Everybody's Magazine for the excellent Portrait.-[ED.