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ask the question: "Has prescribing become a lost art?"-Dr. W. J. Gillette, in Phila. Med. Jour.

MENTAL FATIGUE IN SCHOOL CHILDREN

It has been for a long time generally supposed that the work done by children in school during a session makes them less able to perform mental labor after that session-that, in other words, the child becomes mentally fatigued by the long hours and hard tasks of the school room. To what extent this supposition is based on fact has been made the subject of a considerable body of research on the part of psychologists in recent years. The latest results, those of Dr. Thorndyke (Psychological Review, November, 1900), are unexpected and rather startling. He says: "Ninety-five per cent of the decrease in mental work is due to a feeling of boredom on the part of the student, and good teaching is the cure for it." He adds: "The great burden of the child (and of many of us grown children) is not doing things that are hard, or that hurt, but doing things that are stupid and sickening and without worth to us."—Medical Talk, February, 1902.

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sist in doing it, however. Think of it all day, whatever you are doing-shut your mouth. Breathe through your nose. Keep thinking about it until you have formed the habit. It requires quite an effort at first. Lazy people had better not try it. Some people are too lazy to breathe anyhow. They go around with their mouth open like a fish. Keep your mouth shut. Breathe through your nose. -Medical Talk, February, 1902.

ONE ON THE PROFESSOR.

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An eminent gentleman, now deceased, took occasion in one of his lectures to his students to compare the results of the socalled "regular" and homeopathic schools in the treatment of a certain disease which had recently been quite prominent. The statistics were against the "regulars, as they usually are, and it naturally was incumbent upon the doctor to say something "explanatory." Dramatically, he closed his remarks by saying, in effect: "But do not be led, by these figures, into the conclusion that it was homeopathic medicine that accomplished this good result, for I tell you it was their 'nursing' that did it.” Quite as dramatically, one of his students clapped his note-book shut and said: "Then I'm going to be a nurse. -Montreal Homeopathic Record.

THE FUTURE OF MEDICINE. Just as the excesses and tyranny of the dominant church in France made the conditions that necessarily produced the awful immediate consequences of the revolution, and the skepticism that has continued rampant; so the obstinate persistence of the medical profession in senseless drugging will augment the number of those who will entirely dispense with the services of the physician and become intolerant of medical practice.

It is said of those who become estranged from the medical profession that they will ultimately pay the penalty in seeking ignorance instead of learning for the relief of suffering and disease. In some respects this statement is founded upon truth, but in the main it is self-laudatory, vain, and

strikes wide of the mark. In an introductory lecture, a professor of pathology, in Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, once truly said that nature tended so strongly in the direction of health that people had only to observe the most elementary laws of hygiene to get well and stay well. Every educated physician who possesses anything like a true comprehension of the laws of hygiene and sanitary science is fully aware that the Chicago pathologist told the naked truth most succinctly. It is, therefore, apparent that if those who hoist the "no doctor" flag will betake themselves to the study and practice of the laws of health each may get along many years without the need of a physician. It is also apparent that if the profession desire to alienate as few as possible from the medical profession it is very desirable to reduce the dosage, and not indulge the giving of poisons in poisonous doses.- Editorial, Medical Arena, January, 1902.

MENTAL FATIGUE IN CHILDREN.

An interesting investigation has been carried out by Dr. Joseph Bellei as to the relations between the daily instruction given in the schools and the mental fatigue that is thereby caused. He used six passages for dictation, of about equal difficulty, and gave the first to the children at 9 A. M., when school commenced; the second at 10 A. M., the end of the first lesson hour; the third at 11 A. M., the end of the second lesson hour; the fourth at 11:45 A. M., immediately before the luncheon hour and mid-day rest; the fifth at 12: 45 P. M., when school was resumed for the afternoon, and the sixth at 2 P. M., during the last half hour of lessons. He then examined the results as to the number of mistakes in these exercises at the different hours. From these he concludes that the morning lessons do not produce great mental fatigue, that the mid-day rest is of great use, and has not the disadvantage of a long rest in inducing a state of inattention on resuming work, and that, although immediately after the mid-day rest the mental condition is

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In the "Revue de Psychology" for July Dr. Sikorsky says that the ordinary explanation of the vivacity of infants, as due to the great irritability of their nervous systems, is inadequate. He says that while the subcortical centres are completely developed, the development of the cerebral cortex is only partly completed, so that every impulse, coming from the sense orans, meets great obstacles in the undeveloped cortex and is thus discharged, for the most part, in the sub-cortical centers; another way of saying that a child's activities are largely reflex.

In the same article he gives a novel explanation of the lack of expression in the eyes of idiots. He says when even close attention is given to an object the eyes are not quiet, but have instants of movement, connected by instants of almost complete rest. The eye thus ranges from one point of an object to another. In photography, the moments of rest are represented on the plate by luminous points. In photographs of idiots and general paralytics these points are not present, proving that the eyes are constantly in motion, without any intervals of rest. It is easy to see then that no point of an object is well defined on the retina and that consequently idiots and general paralytics are incapable of seeing any object clearly.

MORE INTERESTING.

A bill aimed at faith and other cures in which regular medicinal aid is not invoked as applied to children passed the House this afternoon. It was introduced by Demuth, of Lucas. Whoever wilfully deprives any sick child under the age of sixteen years of the services of a physician

licensed to practice medicine in this State is subjected to a fine of from $10 to $200, or imprisonment for six months, or both, by its provisions.

It provoked some oratory. Mr. Cain, of Morgan-Noble, himself a physician, said: "We want no Dowieites or faith curists practicing medicine in this State. Parents or guardians who endanger the lives of children should be sent to the penitentiary. This traffic in human life must be stopped."

Middleswarts offered an amendment substituting the words "seriously ill" for

"sick." He said trouble might be made for parents who did not think it necessary to call a physician for trivial sickness or accidents. The supporters of the bill said there was no intention to have it so construed and the amendment was defeated. The bill passed by a large majority.

The osteopaths got excited after the bill had passed. They are wondering if the obligation to call a "physician licensed to practice medicine in Ohio" will not bar them from treating children under sixteen.-Cleveland Plain Dealer. February 13.

Correspondence

San Jose, Cal., Feb. 13, 1902.

Hudson D. Bishop, M. D., Cleveland, Ohio. Dear Doctor :-Enclosed find one dollar in stamps for the REPORTER for 1902. I wish you and Dr. Horner every success, and hope you will stir up every alumnus so that they will meet with the Institute next June. Every one that can possibly get away should do so. I have not attended the Institute for a number of years, but shall make a special effort to go this year, with the hope that every one of my old classmates, that are living, will be there, and all the teachers.

Let us make it a grand reunion of all the Alumni of the C. H. H. C.

Yours for success,

WM. E. KEITH, Class '75.

Elsie, Mich., March 3, 1902. Kent B. Waite, M. D., Cleveland, Ohio. Dear Doctor: If you know of any one in the class of 1902 "looking for a good opening," would be pleased to have you hand them this letter. I wish to dispose of my property and outfit, and will turn over my practice, which runs over $3,000 per year, in a nice little town of 1200 inhabitants, county thickly settled, and good pay. I am the only homeopath within 12 miles. Any good man can have all he can attend to. The roads are good and the country level as a floor. I would like to correspond with someone having money enough to buy property. Respectfully and fraternally,

D. F. BROWN.

Medina, Ohio, March 5, 1902.

Dear Doctor: At the last meeting of the Northeastern Ohio Homeopathic Medical Society, a committee was appointed to investigate the wrongs that exist in regard to the appointment, almost exclusively, of Allopathic physicians as medical examiners by old-line insurance companies. A circular letter was sent out to the presidents of 35 old line insurance companies. We received answers from 23 of them. While most of them were courteous in their answers, and a few of them claimed to be employing some Homeopathic physicians, yet most of them evaded the real question at issue by saying, “We aim to employ the best men, regardless of schools." But the best man in their judgment, or by their favoritism, is almost invariably an Allopathic physician.

We have rights in this matter that should and must be respected. To whom shall we look if we do not try to right these wrongs, doctor? You can help do this in this way: If at any time you should apply for insurance in an old-line company, insist and demand that you be examined by a physician of your own school; and, as far as it lies in your power, try to influence your patients who may in the future take out insurance, to follow the example set by yourself.

Doctor, in doing this we are asking nothing that does not rightfully belong to us.

We trust you will read these two letters carefully; and then, without delay, write an answer, giving your views of the matter, and stating

that you will give us your most cordial and hearty support in righting these wrongs. Don't delay, as we want your answer to help make out our report to present to the society which meets next month in the city of Akron. Be present if possible at this meeting and help

discuss this most important subject. Direct your letter to the Chairman of this Committee, Willard B. Croft, M. D., Medina, Ohio. Signed: WILLARD B. CROFT, M. D. C. E. HOUSE, M. D.,

Committee.

Societies

THE LOCAL COMMITTEE OF THE
AMERICAN INSTITUTE.

All arrangements are rapidly completing for making the meetings of the American Institute of Homeopathy in Cleveland a success long to be remembered. The local profession welcomes every member, and promises that in the matter of hotels, railways, entertainments and the like, no disappointment will be experienced. Every promise heretofore made will be fulfilled. One of the principal features of the week's meeting will be the coming together of the various college alumni forming a grand College Alumni Association, who will have special rooms assigned them in the Hollenden Hotel, and, on one evening, be given the large Assembly Room in the hotel for the "round up" with general jollification, music, singing and speeches. On another evening a reception, ball, and banquet will be given at the Colonial Club, on Euclid avenue. The usual first night opening session, addresses of welcome, President's address, etc., will be held in the Chamber of Commerce Building, where all the meetings of the Institute will be held. The Memorial Exercises are also suitably provided for.

On Saturday the Erie Railway has tendered an excursion to Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania, where the visitors will be the guests of the Hotel Rider. During June Cleveland is famed for its beautiful weather and its cool sleeping nights. It is justly called the "Forest City" with its miles and miles of paved and shaded streets, for driving, walking and bicycling; a boulevard system connecting its many beautiful parks and waterways, and an unparalled system of trolley lines. The meeting place and the hotels are adjacent and in the very heart of the city, accessible to the railways, places of amusement, the principal stores and points of interest. A cordial and most hearty welcome is extended to every homeo

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10.

Science of Homœopathy, Thos. Lowe,

Slayton, Minnesota.

Surgery, W. S. Briggs, St. Paul, Minn. 11. Gynæcology, Cora Smith Eaton, Minneapolis, Minn.

12. Mental and Nervous Diseases, Henry M. Pollock, Fergus Falls.

13. Diseases of Children, L. E. Penney, St. Paul, Minn.

14. Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat, E. L. Mann, St. Paul, Minn.

If your name is not on the list and you have not already selected the subject for a paper, please communicate your preference to the proper chairman and proceed to get your subject well in hand.

If a chairman writes you requesting your aid in his work, please answer promptly and favorably if possible, that in case you are unable to

comply he may not lose time in securing a substitute. These are seemingly small matters, yet if they are carefully observed will facilitate and greatly promote the success of the meeting, May 21-22-23, next. The time remaining is short and the chairmen of bureaus should have the title of papers ready for the secretary in time for publication by May 1st.

HENRY C. ALDRICH, Sec'y,

608 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis, Minn. H. M. LUFKIN, Pres. Germania Life Bldg., St. Paul, Minn

The February meeting of the Cleveland Homeopathic Medical Society was held at Stranahan's Cafe, Friday evening, March 28th, 1902. The following program was arranged for the meeting:

"The Management of Breach Presentation." John C. Sanders, M. D. H. Pomeroy, M. D. "The Management of Shoulder Presentation."

Henry D. Champlin, M. D.
F. H. Jewitt, M. D.

A. F. Baldinger, M. D.
H. W. Richmond, M. D.

Dinner was served.

THE CLEVELAND MEDICAL SOCIETY.

Dr. Ernest F. Wende, at the March meeting delivered an address on “Municipal Sanitation." It was replete with good points, the doctor being fully competent to discuss the subject, as he is an acknowledged expert on municipal health regulations. He devoted a large part of his talk to the theme of tuberculosis. He believes that the health department of a city should have a registration of all consumptives and that owners or lessees of property where consumptives dwell should be required by law to disinfect it thoroughly. Spitting in public, the doctor declared, should be strictly prohibited and disinfectants should be more generally used in public places. The immigration of consumptives should be prohibited and a public sanitarium should be provided for all tubercular patients in the larger cities. The state should also enact legislation providing for the care of these patients as they would care for persons afflicted with lunacy.

Dr. Wende believes that second-hand deal. ers should be carefully inspected to prevent a spread of tubercular germs. He also advise the general use of public abbattoirs in cities, so that all meat can be the more carefully inspected. Dairymen he would require to have state licenses that would only be given after a careful examination of the cows, the dairy buildings and the men who handle the milk. He also suggests that the health department keep data, showing the health conditions of all sections of a city and giving information that would be valuable to house hunters.

"Nothing is more terrible than the thought of a family innocently being located in a house infected with disease germs," said Dr. Wende. "If the health department kept itself posted on all houses there would be no danger of this."

"I think there is no good reason why the state should not adopt the same steps in handling tuberculosis as it does in its characterization of lunacy.

The modern long rubber tube nursing bottle came in for its share of condemnation, the doctor pronouncing it an incubator for disease germs and bacilli. In Buffalo their sale and use is prohibited.

The regular meeting of the Ohio Valley Homeopathic Medical Society was held on Wednesday afternoon, March 12, 1902, at 2 p. m., eastern standard time, at the offices of Drs. H. & A. A. Roberts, of Wellsburg, W. Va. The regular routine business was transacted, being followed by an interesting paper on obstetrics, by Dr. Jennette Erskine, of Steubenville, O., which was discussed by the members present. Dr. W. B. McClure read a paper on gynæcology. Dr. J. M. Fawcett, of Wheeling, W. Va., Dr. Fulton, of Steubenville, and Dr. A. C. Smith were asked to prepare papers for the next meeting.

The following physicians were present: Drs. Fulton, Erskine and Shane, of Steubenville O.; Drs. H. & A. A. Roberts, of Wellsburg, W. Va.; Dr. A. C. Smith, of Mingo Junction; Dr. W. B. McClure, of Martin's Ferry; Dr. J. M. Fawcett, of Wheeling, W. Va., and Dr. W. N. Rogers, of Bellaire, Ohio.

The next meeting of the Society will be held in Wheeling, W. Va., in May.

WM. N. ROGERS, M. D., Sec'y.

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