use. FOOD STERILIZATION. By T. DEANE, M. D. It is generally known that organic matter undergoes decomposition rapidly or slowly according to the amount of water it contains. It is also generally known that decomposition of organic matter is accelerated the nearer the temperature reaches that of the human body-98.4. Every practical miller knows that his product deteriorates gradually from the moment the grain is milled. To such an extent does this deterioration take place that it is safe to say at least 50 per cent of all milled products offered to the consumer in the ordinary state is unfit for food. In Mexico corn is ground in each household as it may be needed for immediate use. The people of warm climates are aware that milled grain soon becomes mouldy, weevily and decomposed to such an extent as to become unfit for In the Scientific American, of November, 1903, an exhaustive article on this subject is under discussion. It states that the loss of cereals in the United States due to decomposition brought about by germs, parasites and climatic effects amounts to three hundred million dollars annually. The explanation of this is seen in the manner in which nature protects the starch cells in all grains. The starch cells of grain may be compared with the albumen of an egg-so long as both are protected from deleterious influences life is kept in them. We find that grains of wheat taken from the Egyptian pyramids and from the ruins of Pompeii, where they have lain for from two to four thousand years, grow and sprout rapidly regardless of the number of years they have been preserved. This grain has been kept free from moisture and the external protected capsule of the starch cells has never been broken. These kernels of grain have been, in fact, placed in dry, sterile and hermetically sealed tombs, hence their preservation. The making of pop-corn furnishes another example of sterilization-the required heat has been applied, each starch cell is burst simultaneously but the outer capsules are unbroken, hence the starch cells can not absorb moisture and there is no deterioration of the nutritive value of the corn. Nature protects the cells of the grain by means of air tight coverings; milling removes these coverings and exposes the dry starch cells. to the elements, germs, parasites, etc., causing rapid decay of the grain substance. The Deane process of sterilization consists in drying the flour as soon as it is milled. It is subjected to sufficient heat to destroy all parasites and vegetable spores, in fact, it is sterilized, packed in sterile tubes and hermetically sealed. The milled grain in its raw, natural state is therefore protected by a hermetically sealed, sterile covering, and the milled and food products remain sterile in any climate for an indefinite number of years. By this process the starch cells of the grain are not permitted to become soggy, mouldy or worm eaten, nor is the consumer required to eat the bodies of these parasites and germs, but the cereal meal and other products are fresh and wholesome. All the nutritive principles have been retained, the food products are wholesome and pure, and contain all the vitality of the grain. These sterilized cereals are thoroughly prepared for digestion, as there is no poisonous matter contained in the food. No doubt many diseases of the alimentary canal are due to the micro-organisms taken in with the ordinary cereals. With the sterilized food we find digestion unimpaired and nutrition maintained. These sterilized food products cannot be contaminated by moisture, micro-organisms, vegetable or animal, because they are prepared in sterilized, sealed tubes which cannot undergo any change any more than did grains of wheat found in the pyramids. It insures the consumer perfectly safe, nutritious, wholesome food. One trial will convince any physician that the scientific process is correct. The process is open to the inspection of physicians that desire to investigate it. 434 Jackson St., San Francisco. Red Cross Medical Aid. The Red Cross Medical Aid has received an endowment for the purpose of extending its operations in all countries. The management is introducing a system of preventive and therapeutic practice that must prove of great benefit to the public in general and to members of the medical profession in particular. The plan embraces educational features which places the physician before the public as the moral teacher, a position f or which he is eminently fitted by reason of his knowledge of the evil consequences of outrages committed against the laws of life. The most important features of the work are as follows: I. Classes, debating societies, and public lectures, for the more general diffusion of knowledge on the subject of "first aid" in emergencies, and of physiological and hygienic measures for the preservation and restoration of health; moral philosophy, sociology, domestic science, nursing, care and education of children according to their adaptation for particular callings, and the general principles of physiological psychology and the practical application of the same to sociological and abnormal or pathological data, particularly as found in public institutions for the criminal, insane, pauper, and other defective classes, also as observed in hospitals and public schools, and in social circles in general. II. Training homes for nurses at various centers, and furnishing nurses for public institutions and for private practice. III. The establishment of the Red Cross College of Physicians and Surgeons. IV. To assist its members and graduates of its college in securing desirable locations for practice, under the auspices of the Red Cross Medical Aid. V. The Red Cross Medical Council, with branches at various centers, through which its members can receive advice by mail concerning any case, such as done through the "quiz column" of medical journals, and from which consultants can be summoned at shortest notice. VI. The publication of the Red Cross Digest, to be devoted to medicine, surgery, dentistry, pharmacy, and collateral sciences. VII. The Red Cross Medical Aid Auxiliary, open to physicians' wives and daughters, the clergy and ladies of their household, and all persons who desire to rend er aid or service in furthering the objects of the R. C. M. A. All communications addressed to the Secretary will receive prompt and courteous attention. The Pacific Coast office is located at 1358 O'Farrell St., San Francisco, Cal. Doctor, are you a member of the Red Cross Medical Aid? It is one of the few good things to which every physician should belong. The R. C. M. A. introduces young practitioners into practice under the best auspices in any part of the world. Special lecturers are now being appointed in every city. Terms: Registration, $2.00; annual subscription, $1.00. or $3.00 for four years. State age, sex, school, and date of graduation. References. Address Secretary, 1358 O'Farrell St., San Francisco. Sections. ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY. Under charge of ETHAN H. SMITH, M. D. Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, College of Physicians and Surgeons of San Francisco. Tubercular Spondylitis.-In the Medical Age, for August 10th, is a brief article on tubercular spondylitis, by DR. EDWIN W. RYERSON, of Chicago. In this article Dr. Ryerson speaks of the disease occurring only "in the anterior portion, or body, of the vertebra." While this is correct in the main, yet the word "anterior" may cause the casual reader to mislead himself into thinking that the disease occurs nearly always in the anterior portion of the body of the vertebra, instead of the anterior portion, or body." The disease may begin at any portion of the body. It frequently begins on the side of the body of the vertebra. This is especially true in the dorsal region. The disease beginning laterally and perhaps posteriorly to the articulation of the head of a rib, a form likely not to be recognized as soon as that form beginning in the anterior portion of the body of the vertebra. This explains, in part, why many writers consider a dorsal case more serious than either a cervical or lumbar case, of the same general extent. The usual signs of stiffness of the muscles of the back, squatting instead of bending forward to pick up articles from the floor, may not be present until an enormous amount of destruction of bony tissue has taken place. The late Prof. Sayre called attention to the most prominent early symptom. Pain over the angle of the rib articulating with the diseased vertebra. The painful spot is circumscribed and limited to an area, perhaps no larger than a quarter of a dollar. The next sign that may be noticed is a slight thickening over the spinous process of the affected vertebra, with a slightly brownish discoloration of the skin over and around the spinous process of the diseased vertebra. In a little while all of the characteristic signs appear, but much more damage has been done than should have occurred, had the disease been detected at the outset. The infection takes place as the result of any circumstance, causing a local capillary stasis, and the introduction of the tubercle bacillus through any channel whatsoever, communicating with the congested spot. As to the disease following slight, rather than severe injuries to the bones, I believe there are several reasons why this should be the case. After a severe injury the patient will almost invariably be put at rest and treatment instituted by the surgeon, which would be more or less applicable to the early stages of a tuberculous process. The reaction after a severe injury, I believe to be so great as to render the conditions unfavorable for the development of the germs. In the Medical Age, of August 25th, is a particularly good article, by DR. JOHN L. PORTER, of Chicago, on tuberculous spondylitis. Dr. Porter insists on the "early diagnosis" of this condition. He refers to the very simple, but excellent idea of the late Prof. Sayre, in placing a child, with suspected dorsal disease, face downward across the surgeon's knees, with the arms of the child hanging over one knee and the lower extremities over the other. By slowly and gently separating the knees, the child's breathing gradually loses its jerky and grunting character and the girdling pains cease. The entire article urges the early recognition of these cases and the necessity for the greatest care in examining a child that complains of any symptoms which may point to disease of the spine. Even the most vague sign should cause a most thorough investigation by the medical attendant. Operative Treatment of Muscle Grafting for Paralysis of the Serratus Magnus Muscle.-In the London Lancet, of August 6th, is a most interesting account, by MR. A. H. TUBBY, of London, on the operative treatment of muscle grafting for paralysis of the serratus magnus muscle. He said that the deformity was sometimes bilateral but more often unilateral. It arose from a variety |