in the sleeplessness of scarlatina and alcoholism. It has never failed me in procuring sleep, without the disagreeable dreams and after-effects of opium. The dose is 3ss. to 3j. every hour till sleep is procured. I have also found it of much service in cases of tonsillitis, used as a gargle with glycerine and carbolic acid.-J. LINDSAY PORTEOUS, M.D., F.R.C.S., M.R C.P., ED., in April No. of Edinburgh Med. Journal.

ULCERATED OS AND CERVIX.-I have used Kennedy's Pinus Canadensis in two cases of ulcerated os and cervix, and am more than pleased with the results, and shall continue to use it in all such cases.-J. H. CURNALIA, M.D., Utica, Mich.

ALL THAT IS CLAIMED FOR IT.-The Acid Mannate, in my experience, is all that is claimed for it. I have given it a fair test and can commend it.-E. FULP, M.D., Walnut Cove, N. C.

In the decline of life when exhausted nature habitually repels the restorative influence of sleep, there is nothing so suitable to induce healthful repose as one half to one teaspoonful of Bromidia at bedtime. It may be taken for years in the same dose, with the same effect, and without detriment.

I used Peacock's Bromides in a case of meningitis when everything else had failed, and the result was splendid, the child recovering under the use of it alone.-G. T. VAN CLEVE, M.D., Malden, Mo.

BOOK NOTICES.

REFERENCE HANDBOOK OF THE MEDICAL SCIENCES. Embracing the entire range of Scientific and Practical Medicine and Allied Sciences. By Various Writers. Illustrated by Chromolithographs and fine Wood Engravings. Edited by Albert H. Buck, M. D., vol. iii. New York: William Wood & Company, 56 and 58 Lafayette Place, 1886.

The immense "Handbook" before us is the third of the series of volumes now being issued from the press of the well known house of William Wood & Company. The immensity of the undertaking becomes more apparent as volume after volume makes its appearance. Although each topic is disposed of in the most brief manner compatible with its full delineation, the field widens as the work progresses much like the horizon spreads out before the observer as he reaches loftier altitudes. The third volume considers the subjects alphabetically, from FAC to IIYS-three large volumes, and the letter I not yet reached.

VOL. VI-28

The "Handbook" is simply invaluable for reference or study, whether one wishes information on practical medicine -etiology, diagnosis, pathology, or the history and treatment of disease-or topics allied to medicine. When complete it will make a first-class library of itself, and should be on the shelves of every practitioner.

IRITIS. By A. G. Sinclair, M.D., Professor of Diseases of the Eye, Ear and Throat, Memphis Hospital Medical College, Memphis, Tenn.; formerly Resident Surgeon of the New York Eye, Ear and Throat Infirmary. Reprinted from the Transactions of the Tennessee State Medical Society, 1886.

The main purpose of this excellent paper is to direct attention to the frequency with which the general practitioner mistakes iritis for a neuralgic affection, and the disastrous results which usually follow from the erroneous treatment consequently adopted. Though the article is brief, the disease is classified, its more striking symptoms clearly depicted, its dangers described, and the principle features of the treatment carefully laid down.

TRANSACTIONS OF THE LOUISIANA STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY, at its Annual Session held at New Iberia, La., April 14, 15 and 16, 1886. We are indebted to the Secretary, Dr. P. B. McCutchon, for a copy of this very interesting volume. The opening paper is the President's address, by Dr. Sam'l Logan, which we wish could be read by every thoughtful physician. Following this is the annual oration by Dr. Henry Dickson Bruns, which, in point of erudition, grace of language and eloquence is admirable. "Observations on the Nature and Etiology of so-called Typho-Malarial Fever," is the title of an entertaining and well written paper by Dr. Thos. Hebert, in which however, the author fails to bring out anything new. In giving it issue he doubtless aspired to nothing higher than placing himself on record among his brethren as an advocate of the entity of this muchly maligned disease, for which he deserves credit. Dr. Rudolph Matas' collated and exhaustive paper on "Iliac Phlegmons; some Considerations of Anatomical and Surgical Interest," is a classical effort, and deserves a more extended notice than we can devote to it in this brief review. "Malarial Hæmaturia," by Dr. R. II. Day, is a collaboration of known facts upon this subject, with a review of the author's experience and method

of treatment. While space forbids a review of the entire list of contents, we cannot omit noticing an excellent paper on "Malarial Pneumonia," by the president elect, Dr. D. R. Fox, wherein he reports quite a number of cases of pneumonia impressed with a malarial influence.

We are sorry to note the small interest taken by the profession of Louisiana in their State Society, as evidenced by the fact that at the last meeting only fourteen parishes were represented, and these were those in close proximity to the place of meeting.

In appearance and tvpography the volumie is a very neat one, but we would like to suggest to the publication committee that they follow the example of their neighbors in Texas, and bind their transactions in cloth covers. The added cost would be slight, and the book as a library volume would be very much increased in value and appearance.

THE PHYSICIAN'S LEISURE LIBRARY.

A NEW DEPARTURE-A new departure in medical publishing, by George S. Davis, Medical Publisher, Detroit, Mich., consists in giving to the profession a series of twelve new valuable medical books, by eminent authors, for $2.50, or single copies for 25 cents each. Among the contributors to the series we find a long list of names of the best known authors. In a circular the publisher says:

66

Believing that short practical treatises prepared by well known authors containing the gist of what they have to say, especially regarding the treatment of diseases commonly met. with, sold at a small price, would be welcomed by the majority of the profession, we have arranged for the publication of such a series."

The extreme low figure at which these books are offered will enable medical men to secure for their libraries, at a price merely nominal, the most recent opinions of the most eminent practitioners on subjects with which the writers have been specially identified. The Leisure Library therefore deserves the support of all interested in medical progress. The following copies are before us:

NEW MEDICATIONS. By Prof. Dujardin Beaumitz, translated by E. P. Hurd, M.D., member of the Massachusetts

Medical Society, and of the Climatological Society, etc., etc. 2 vols. George S. Davis, Detroit, Mich.

Dujardin Beaumitz is one of the leading spirits in the search after truth in the field of therapeutics, and his name is known all over the medical world as an original investigator and teacher of " Modern Therapeutics," in the best and most comprehensive meaning of that term.

INHALERS, INHALATIONS AND INHALANTS. By Beverly Robinson, M.D., Clinical Prof. of Medicine at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York. George S. Davis, Detroit, Mich.

The treatment of respiratory diseases by inhalation is unquestionably the most rational and effectual mode of treatment, and the appearance of an American publication on this subject, and that from the pen of a well known writer who has had an extensive metropolitan experience in hospital as well as private practice in the treatment of affections of the respiratory tract, is most opportune.

THE USE OF ELECTRICITY IN THE REMOVAL OF SUPERFLUOUS HAIR and in the treatment of various facial blemishes. By George Henry Fox, A.M, M.D., Clinical Prof. of Diseases of the Skin, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, etc, etc. George S. Davis, Detroit, Mich.

No class of diseases subject patients to greater annoyances and worry than facial blemishes, many of which have been heretofore regarded by physicians as practically unamenable to treatment. It seems, however, that in electricity skillfully applied, exists a method quite satisfactory. The removal of superfluous hair, the blanching of port wine marks and blemishes due to localized capillary dilatation, and the cure of acne affecting the face, are now possible by the use of electricity.

THE MODERN TREATMENT OF EAR DISEASES. By Samuel Sexton. M.D., Surgeon to the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. George S. Davis, Detroit, Mich.

Dr. Sexton, in the limits of a monograph, has really prepared a systematic treatise on the recognition and treatment of diseases of the ear. The book discusses clearly and comprehensively, yet briefly, the essential facts requisite to the treatment of such diseases.

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY

Medical Monthly.

VOL. VII. MEMPHIS, OCTOBER, 1886.

Original Eammunications.

No. 10

SIX YEARS SANITARY WORK IN MEMPHIS. Read before the American Public Health Association at its meeting in Toronto, Canada, October 4 to 8, 1886,

BY G. B. THORNTON, M.D.
President of Memphis Board of Health.

The interest in the public health and sanitary reforms in the city of Memphis since the yellow fever epidemics of 1878 and 1879 by sanitarians, its citizens and others, by reason of their business relations, has suggested this essay. Moreover, as this Association has been invited to hold its next annual meeting there, it is thought proper to give in detail some information concerning these reforms and their results which might be of interest to those engaged in the study of sanitary science.

No city in the country except, perhaps, New Orleans, has attracted more attention from a sanitary point of view, or suffered more in public estimation from a disregard of the laws of public hygiene, nor has any city ever recuperated more rapidly, or exhibited in the same length of time a more vigorous vitality. There is now reason for entertaining the hope that the business and social life of Memphis will never again be disturbed by serious epidemic disease. It is claimed that more sanitary work has been done there in the given length of time than in any other city of like size in the VOL.VI-29 437