reproach to innocent persons.

If ne errs from a scientific point of view, he at least errs on the side of humanity. He seems to be far readier, however, to believe in the theory that the gonococcus may possibly reside normally as a harmless denizen in the male urethra, ready on some change in the normal relations of the mucous membrane to spring into virulency, than he is to believe in the latency of the gonococcus after it has become an inhabitant from an external source, though the preponderancy of testimony seems to lie with those who believe in the latter. Both sides of the question are fully presented, and the references to the great wealth of the literature of the past ten years on this subject make the work a valuable one.

In the treatment of gonorrhea, the author gives most of the methods that have been advocated from time to time. His own treatment is conservative in the extreme. The abortive method advocated by JANET of hot irrigations of permanganate of potash he characterizes as a fad of the hour, which will soon pass. So it may be, and, if so, let us hope that it will be because something better has come to take its place; certainly one who uses the Janet method or a modification of it will seldom see the picture presented on page 117, where he describes the disease at its acme as "a continual profuse flow of pus from the meatus, and we hear patients express wonder as to where so much discharge comes from."

The author has a great horror of much active treatment during the acute stage; we find, however, that he advocates-and rightly, too-irrigations of both the anterior and posterior urethra with hot solutions of permanganate of potash, and says: "Solutions 1:1000 or 1:2000 (always hot) may bring about a cure.' If this is so, then the method of irrigation advocated by JANET is not a fad, but will grow in favor, for one has only to try the method of irrigating the entire urethra and bladder without a catheter to see its superiority over the catheter and large hand-syringe as advocated by the author, except in a small number of cases.

The points which the author makes (page 174) in favor of a small soft rubber catheter cut short for making instillations into the deep urethra, in place of the stiff instrument invented by ULZMANN and modified by KEYES, are well taken; but he makes no mention of a really valuable instrument invented by BANGS and but little known-a sound-shaped instrument of large caliber.

The chapter on prostatitis, p. 214, is a disappointment, and at least five years behind the times. The same perfunctory statement is made that is generally found in previous textbooks, that the chief symptom of prostatitis is prostatorrhea, ignoring much that has been written recently on this subject, where it has been shown that this symptom, occurs in a comparatively small percentage of the cases, while it has been frequently observed that prostatitis is present in a large percentage of chronic gonorrheas.

In his chapters on stricture, the author arbitrarily names 30 F. as the largest sound that should be passed into a urethra, and his views are those of extreme conservatism.

Practically, the first half of the book of 1000 pages is occupied by gonorrhea and its complications, and the last half treats of syphilis, preceded by a short chapter on chancroid.

The chapters on syphilis show much erudition and are well written. The author considers that no time is gained by instituting treatment before the appearance of the secondary symptoms. He be

lieves in a short, vigorous treatment by mercury, rather than the long-continued, so-called "tonic treatment." The proto-iodide of mercury is held to be of value only in the early secondary stages.

Dr. TAYLOR is certainly to be congratulated on his book.

Contribution a l'Etude de l'Atrophie musculaire Progressive; Type Duchenne-Aran.-By Dr. J. B. CHARCOT. Pp. 159, 4 plates. Paris: Félix Alcan. The establishment of the autonomy of progressive muscular atrophy, type Duchenne-Aran, is the object of the present study. It will be remembered that the tendency has been, in recent years, to doubt the existence of a chronic anterior poliomyelitis, which is entirely unassociated with degenerative changes in the crossed pyramidal tracts; and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which was first described by the elder CHARCOT, instead of remaining a sub-class of the primary spinal muscular atrophies, is now regarded by many, among whom may be mentioned LEYDEN, GOWERS, and DEJERINE, as the constant pathological condition in the Duchenne-Aran type. Professor CHARCOT never admitted an identical pathological character for these two diseases, and now his son endeavors to show that they are essentially different.

Of

In this effort he is not altogether successful. the five cases which he records from personal observation only two came to autopsy, and so these only are to be regarded as serviceable for the determination of so delicate a pathological problem. Of these cases, in one, which was typical of the Duchenne-Aran type, the atrophy began in the hands and then involved the shoulder muscles. The reflexes were "brusque." Microscopic examination of the spinal cord showed, in addition to the changes in the anterior horns, a degeneration of the anterior ground fibers and a slight degeneration of the columns of Goll.

The second case was subacute, lasting but a little over two years, and its pathological anatomy was similar to the preceding.

In spite of the author's statement that the pyramidal tracts were intact, the sections from both cases, as they appear in the plates, show a distinct sclerosis of these tracts; and one would suppose from the plates that the specimens were examples of chronic anterior poliomyelitis with atrophy of ganglion cells and hyperplasia of the structural elements of the anterior horns, associated with adjacent myelitis and degeneration of the cerebral motor paths.

Cases from literature are cited in support of the theory of the autonomy of muscular atrophy, and the opinions of the opponents of this theory are criticised. It may be mentioned that the criticism of GOWERS is based upon the views expressed by him in 1886, and not upon those of the 1892 edition of his text-book.

The conclusions from this essay, that progressive muscular atrophy, type Duchenne-Aran, exists as a morbid entity, are unjustifiable from the proofs furnished by the writer's investigations. The study, however, is a valuable contribution to the subject if it be regarded as a contribution and not as a categorical monograph. The reviewer may, without danger of incurring the reproach of precisianism, take exception to the redundancy of the text and the indirectness of the style. The book abounds in long textual quotations, which might have been condensed; and the first three pages are, devoted to expressions of gratitude and goodwill to no less than 19 different individuals. It is such faults as these which prevent French medical literature from being more generally read.

EDITORS' NOTES

The Saint-Paul Prize of 25,000 francs, destined to reward the discoverer of an efficacious and specific remedy for diphtheria, has been divided between Professor BEHRING, of Marburg, and Dr. Roux, of Paris.

The American Microscopical Society will hold its annual meeting at Pittsburg, Pa., August 18, 19, 20, and 21, 1896. WILLIAM C. KRAUSS, M. D., 382 Virginia street, Buffalo, N. Y., is secretary of the society.

The Iowa State Medical Association has elected the following officers for the ensuing year: President, JOHN C. SCHRADER, of Iowa City; first vice-president, E. L. BAKER, of Indianola; secretary, J. W. COKENOWER, of Des Moines; assistant secretary, C. C. TUTTLE; treasurer, GEORGE B. SKINNER, of Cedar Rapids.

After the Charter.-In Madison, Wis., action has been taken to annul the charter of the Wisconsin Eclectic Medical College. It is stated that the so-called college is irregular, and that it has no appliances, libraries, or teachers, and that it issues diplomas to those who can pass examination on about forty questions.

The Southeast Missouri Medical Association held its twentieth annual meeting in Kennett, Mo., on May 5. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Dr. F. KINSOLVING, of Hornersville, president; Dr. W. N. HOWARD, of Cape Girardeau, vice-president; Dr. A. D. BLOMEYER, of Cape Girardeau, corresponding secretary; Dr. H. S. McELMURRY, of Charleston, recording secretary; Dr. R. T. HENDERSON, of Jackson, treasurer.

Montana State Board of Medical Examiners.— At the last meeting of the State Board of Medical Examiners, at Helena, Mont., officers for the ensuing year were elected, as follows: Dr. W. C. RIDDELL, Helena, president; Dr. W. M. BULLARD, Wickes, secretary; Dr. C. K. COLE, Helena, treasurer; Dr. T. J. MURRAY, Butte, chairman of the Executive Committee. Other members of the Executive Committee are Dr. SLIGH, of Granite, and HENRY CHAPPELLE, of Billings.

Southwestern Kentucky Medical Association.At the twenty-fifth annual convention of this association, in Paduca, May 12 and 13, papers were read as follows: "The Needs and Rights of Old Age,' by Dr. I. N. Love, of St. Louis; "The Treatment of Abscess in Tubercular, Joint, and Spinal Diseases," by Dr. R. A. HIBBS, of New York city; and a demonstration of the use of the Murphy button in intestinal surgery, by Dr. J. B. MURPHY, of ChiThe usefulness of the Röntgen rays as applied to surgery was also discussed

cago.

The Oswego County Medical Society.-At the seventh annual meeting of this society, in Pulaski, N. Y., the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, J. L. MORE, M. D., Pulaski; vice-president, F. L. COOLEY, M. D., Oswego; secretary, E. P. MARSH, M.D., Fulton; treasurer, CHAS. BACON, M. D., Fulton. The regular order of business at the forenoon session was as follows: Address, "Looking Backward," by the president, T. J. GREENE, M.D., Mexico, N. Y.; "Placenta Prævia," W. H. COUNTERMAN, M.D., Turin, N. Y.; "La Grippe," CHAS. J. BACON, M.D., Camden,

N. Y.; "Report of an Interesting Case," R. J. DIMON, M.D., Hastings, N. Y. At the afternoon session the following papers were discussed: “Report of an Interesting Case," F S. Low, M.D., Pulaski, N. Y.; “Conservative Surgery," H. W. CALDWELL, M.D., Pulaski, N. Y.; "Operations in Some Cases of Strangulated Hernia," J. K. STOCKWELL, M.D., Oswego, N. Y.

The New Hospital on Carew street, Springfield, Mass., recently purchased of Dr. HURLBUT by Bishop BEAVEN, will be opened about July 1. The following physicians will serve on the various staffs: Surgical Staff-Dr. W. A. SMITH, Dr. D. E. KEEFE, Dr. A. R. RICE, and Dr. E. B. ADAMS; Medical StaffDr. W. A. ANDREWS, Dr. T. H. TRACY, Dr. C. F. J. KENNEDY, and Dr. R. J. MANSFIELD; Consulting Staff Dr. MARSHALL CALKINS, Dr. ALEXANDER S. MCCLEAN, Dr. E. H. GUILD, and Dr. W. P. BLAKE; Dental Surgeons-Dr. J. F. O'NEILL and Dr. A. J. FLANAGAN; Oculist-Dr. C. H. CALKINS; Pathologist Dr. H. F. Shores.

The New York Celtic Medical Society. The regular monthly meeting of this society will be held at the residence of Dr. JOHN ASPELL, 357 West 56th street, on Thursday, May 28, 1896, at 8. 30 P. M. sharp. Order: 1. Scientific communications; 2. Presentation of instruments and specimens; 3. Exhibition of patients; 4. Paper of the evening, "Cystic Degeneration of the Chorion," by Dr. GEO. MCGAURAN; 5. Executive session; 6. Social reunion. Members are requested to contribute to the clinical features of the evening and to be present at the opening hour. FRANCIS J. QUINLAN, M. D., President, 54 West 17th street. PETER MURRAY, M. D., Secretary, 208 Amsterdam avenue.

New York State Medical Society, Fourth District Branch, held its twelfth annual meeting in Buffalo on May 11. The following members were named as an Executive Committee for the ensuing year: Allegheny, B. C. WAKELY; Cattaraugus, C. J. MUDGE; Chautauqua, F. D. STRONG; Erie, C. C. WYCKUFF; Genesee, M. W. TOWNSEND; Livingstone, B. F. KNEELAND; Monroe, E. M. MOORE, Jr.; Niagara, G. P. EDDY; Ontario, F. R. BENTLEY; Orleans, D. C. TOMPKINS; Steuben, C. F. PARKILL; Wayne, G. INGRAHAM; Wyoming, Z. G. LUSK; Yates, WILLIAM OLLIVER. Papers were read on the following subjects: "A Recent Experience with Erythema Nodosum Trachealis," GEORGE F. COTE, M.D.; "Acute Catarrhal Gastritis," GEORGE G. STOCKTON, M. D.; "Two Cases of Intra-thoracic Growths," DELANCEY ROCHESTER, M. D.; "Reports of Especially Interesting Cases in Abdominal Surgery," C. C. FREDERICKS, M D.

M.D.;

Niagara University. The graduating exercises. of the medical department of the Niagara (N. Y.) University took place at the Star Theater, Buffalo, on May 12. The following are the officers of the class: President, WILLIAM E. GOODSELL; vice-president, FRANK A. CROSBY; Secretary, CHARLES J. MENGIS; treasurer, GEORGE E. NOUR; orator, JOHN J. MAHONEY; Executive Committee, JAMES A. WALTON and M. D. HUGHES.

On the evening of May 12 the annual meeting of the Alumni Association was held at the University. Dr. CARLTON C. FREDERICKS delivered the address of welcome. Dr. JOSEPH J. KANE, the president, delivered the annual address, after which followed the election of officers and a general business session. Papers were read as follows:

“Involuntary Intoxication, from a Medico-Legal Standpoint."-SIDNEY A. DUNHAM, M.D., Buffalo.

"Treatment of Retrodeviation of the Uterus."C. E. CONGDON, M.D., Buffalo.

66 Some Heart Lesions and their Treatment.' D. L. REDMOND, M. D., Buffalo.

"Treatment of Puerperal Convulsions, with report of cases."-L. G. HANLEY, M.D., Buffalo. "Puerperal Eclampsia, with report of cases.". J. S. PETERSON, M. D., New York.

Bishop MALLALIEU and Dr. HERMAN MYNTER awarded the diplomas to the graduates at the commencement. The alumni banquet followed the commencement exercises.

American Neurological Association. The following preliminary program of the twenty-second annual meeting of the American Neurological Association, to be held in Philadelphia, June 3, 4, and 5, is announced:

'Hemorrhagic Encephalitis," by Dr. James J. Putnam, of Boston." The Stigmata of Degeneration," by Dr. Frederick Peterson, of New York.-" Progressive Muscular Atrophy of Sudden Onset," by Dr. Theodore Diller, of Pittsburg. Pitting about the Hair-Cups, a Trophic Change in the Skin in Certain Nervous Disorders of Central Origin," by Dr. William Browning, of Brooklyn.-" Brown-Sequard Paralysis with Report of a Case," by Dr. George C. Preston, of Baltimore.-"Report of a Case of Tumor of the Optic Thalamus, with a Consideration of the Mental Symptoms," by Drs. Walter Channing and Edward Wyllys Taylor, of Boston.—“ A Case of Chronic Adult Chorea, with Pathological Changes Similar to those of General Paresis," by Dr. E. D. Bondurant, of Tuscaloosa.-"The Cerebral Complications of Raynaud's Disease," by Dr. William Osler, of Baltimore. -"A Nearly Constant Difference Between the Right and Left Paroccipital Fissures," illustrated by specimens and photographs, by Dr. Burt G. Wilder, of Ithaca.-"Report of a Case of Rapidly Fatal Cerebritis, Resembling CerebroSpinal Meningitis. Exhibition of Sections of the Brain, Mid-Brain, Pons, and Post-Oblongata," by Dr. James Hendrie Lloyd and Dr. Joseph Sailer, of Philadelphia."Late Results of Traumatic Neurasthenia," by Dr. David Inglis, of Detroit.-"Notes on the Prognosis and Duration of Attacks of Mental Disease," by Dr. Henry R. Stedman, of Boston." Cases of Brain Tumor, with Operations," by Dr. Philip Zenner, of Cincinnati.-"Report of the Committee on Neuronymy," by Dr. Burt G. Wilder, of Ithaca.—“ Nerve Disturbances from Indigestion," by Dr. Henry S. Upson, of Cleveland." The Dorsal Sack, the Aulix, and the Diencephalic Flexure," by Dr. Burt G. Wilder, of Ithaca.— "Clinical Study of Some Cases of Insanity in Adolescence," by Dr. Richard Dewey, of Wauwatossa.-"Edema of Eyelids in Graves's Disease. Thyreoidectomy Presentation of Patient," by Dr. J. Arthur Booth, of New York.-" Does Antisyphilitic Treatment Prevent the Occurrence of the Diseases of the Nervous System which are Considered Syphilitic in Origin? A Statistical Study," by Dr. Joseph Collins, of New York." A Contribution to the Pathology of Epilepsy, and a Resumé of the Utility of Operations in Epilepsy," by Dr. Joseph Collins, of New York.-"The Spinal Cord in Cancer, with Report of a Case," by Dr. Charles W. Burr, of Philadelphia.—"Toxicity of the Nervous System as a Cause of Pulmonary Consumption," by Dr. Thomas J. Mays, of Philadelphia.

GRAEME M. HAMMOND, M. D., is secretary of the Association.

Ohio State Medical Society.-The following preliminary program of the fifty-first annual meeting of the Ohio State Medical Society, to be held at Columbus, O., May 27, 28, and 29, is announced. The annual address will be delivered by DAN. MILLIKEN, M.D., president. The following papers have been promised:

Professor Thomas, State University: "A Practical Demonstration of Röntgen Rays." Jas. T. Whittaker, M.D., Cincinnati Address in Medicine, "The Neurosis of the Stomach." Wm. Thomas Corlett, M.D., Cleveland: "The Present Status of Vegetable Parasitic Diseases of the Skin." Thomas W. Jackman, M.D., Akron: "Extensive Skull Fracture with Unusual Symptoms; Operation; Recovery." R. Harvey Reed, M.D., Columbus : A Review of the Results of the Author's Method of Anchoring the Kidney." N. Stone Scott, M.D., Cleveland: "Seminal Vesiculitis." E.

C. Brush, M.D., Zanesville: "Typhoid Fever." John A. Thompson, M.D., Cincinnati: "Acute Purulent Inflammation of the Middle Ear." W. H. Humiston, M.D., Cleveland: "A Method of Preventing Thirst after Celiotomy, with a Study of the Urine." C. R. Holmes, M.D., Cincinnati : "The Accessory Cavities and Their Relation to the Eye; Report of Cases and Presentation of Specimens." J. F. Baldwin, M. D., Columbus: The Tenique of Abdominal Supravaginal Hysterectomy." Max Thorner, M.D., Cincinnati : Serious Complications of Suppuration of the Middle Ear." J. S. Haldeman, M.D., Zanesville: " Contagion and Diagnosis of Scarlet Fever." J. C. Oliver, M.D., Cincinnati: "The Radical Cure of Inguinal Hernia." S. S. Haldeman, M.D., Portsmouth: "Antitoxin in the Treatment of Diphtheria.' H. D. Hinkley, M.D., Cincinnati : "Conservative Pathology." Hunter Robb, M.D., Cleveland: "On the Causes and Mechanism of Retroflexion and Retroversion of the Uterus." M. Rosenwasser, M.D., Cleveland: "Phlegmasia Alba Dolens following Laparotomy." J. E. Fackler, M.D., Versailles: "The Treatment of Diphtheria." B. L. Milliken, M.D., Cleveland: "Some of the Accidents of Cataract Operations." James E. Pilcher, M.D., Captain in Medical Dep't, U. S. Army, Columbus: "The Present Status of Military Medicine and Surgery and their Relation to General Practice." W. J. Gillette, M.D., Toledo : "Perforating Ulcers of the Stomach." A. B. Richardson, M.D., Columbus: "Influence of Heredity." Wm. Thomas Corlett, M.D., Cleveland: "Modern Status of Specific Urethritis, with Its Treatment." George W. Crile, M.D., Cleveland: Research into the Technique of Laryngeal Operations, with Report of Four Successful Total Extirpations; Lantern slide exhibit. H. B. Gibbon, M.D., Tiffin: "Rational Medicine." Joseph Ransohoff, M.D., Cincinnati: "The Surgery of Tubercular Lesions." S. S. Thorn, M.D., Toledo : "Four Cases, Representing Periods in the Evolution of Treatment of Hip-joint Dislocation." C. A. L. Reed, M.D., Cincinnati: The Conservative Tendency in Abdominal and Pelvic Surgery." John P. Sawyer, M.D., Cleveland: "Some Observations of Malarial Organisms in Close Connection with Typhoid Fever." M. Stamm, M.D., Fremont: "Intestinal Obstruction; Some Diagnostic Points." W. A. Mellick, M.D., Zanesville : "Lachrymal Obstruction." Chas. N. Smith, M.D., Toledo: Pelvic Hematocele and Hematoma." F. F. Lawrence, M.D., Columbus: "Salpingitis." J. W. Thomas, M.D., Marion "The Treatment of Pneumonia."

An Opinion. What the Journal of the A. M. Ass. thinks of the Record:

64 EIGHTY PAGES IN THIS NUMBER Conspicuously displayed on its title-page the New York Medical Record week by week announces the number of pages in each issue. That of last week reads, “Seventy-six pages in this number"; that for the week before reads, Eighty pages in this number." The inference intended to be drawn is, of course, that these are the specified number of pages of reading-matter in the respective issues. As a matter of fact, there were thirty-six pages of reading-matter in each of these two numbers, and forty and forty-four pages of advertisements respectively, about one-fifth of which is advertising-matter devoted to the interests of the commercial house by which the Record is owned. Without venturing to express an opinion on the relative merits of the two classes of matter, reading and advertising, still we cannot refrain from speculating upon the mental caliber of the readers of that periodical who, as its editor evidently thinks, can be gulled by such a specious pretense.

Confidential Communications.-The House of Representatives at Washington has passed the bill providing that in the courts of the District of Columbia no physician or surgeon shall, without the consent of the patient he may be attending, or the patient's legal representative, disclose any confidential information which he, the doctor, shall have acquired in attending the patient in a professional capacity. It shall make no difference whether such information shall have been obtained from the patient, or from the patient's family, or from the persons in charge of the patient. This bill does not apply to evidence in criminal cases.

While this bill was in committee, the six justices of the Supreme Court of District of Columbia recommended its defeat, on the ground "that such legislation would be detrimental to the administra

tion of justice." They claimed that the privilege extended to communications between legal adviser and client at common law was based upon public policy, and had direct reference to the administration of justice, which required "the aid of men skilled in jurisprudence, in the practice of the courts, and in those matters having the rights and obligations which formed the subject of all judicial proceedings." The reason for the rule was said to be that without it no man "would dare to consult a professional adviser with a view to his defense or enforcement of his rights." The district justices held that no such reason exists, or applies, as to communications made by patients to physician, and they further said that "it clearly failed with reference to knowledge derived by physician from observation." There was no occasion, they held, for the provision in the bill that excluded information obtained through the family or others attending the patient, inasmuch as the "rule of evidence excluding hearsay testimony accomplished that." justices further held that the enactment cited by the bill would be a serious obstruction to contests over life insurance, personal injury from negligent or willful act, wills, and others in which mental capacity might be involved. They went on to say that in raising their objections, the common-law rule giving no privilege to physicians' discoveries has been modified in only 20 States and Territories. New York is the only Atlantic-coast State, and Arkansas the sole Southern State. In answer to the justices, the District of Columbia Medical Society cited the dates of enactment in the several States and Terri

tories, showing that some of the laws go back as far as 1872. They held that the citation of one Atlantic-coast and one Southern State was fallacious, and partook of the nature of derisive appeal to geological, sectional, or local prejudices. New York's statute of exemption, they held, might be accepted as testimony in the support of the justice of such legislation, inasmuch as this State is the largest, most populous, and wealthiest of the 13 original States. More than this, there has as yet been neither judicial nor popular remonstrance against such statutory protection of physicians from the compulsory disclosure of the confidential communications of the latter State's sick citizens. On the other hand, they held that Arkansas was old enough, and her citizens sufficiently advanced in civilization, to know how best to protect her citizens in their private rights and privileges. The District Medical Society cited these two States as exemplars "worthy of the emulation of their sister-States still lagging in the tradition of the common law, transmitted to us through English descent."

Detroit College of Medicine.-At the twenty-seventh annual meeting, on May 12, the following trustees were elected: S. D. MILLER, L. S. TROWBRIDGE, R. H. FYFE, W. C. WILLIAMS, S. M. CUTCHEON, DANIEL J. CAMPAU, E. H. BUTLER, FRANCIS PALMS, and Drs. T. A. MCGRAW, H. O. WALKER, E. L. SHURLY, E. C. SKINNER, CHARLES DOUGLAS, J. H. CARSTENS, and J. B. Book.

The trustees, in turn, elected: S. D. MILLER, president; Dr. E. L. SHURLY, vice-president; Dr. H. O. WALKER, secretary; and L. S. TROWBRIDGE, treasurer.

Heirlooms. According to the American MedicoSurgical Bulletin, an English bacteriologist has "had the audacity" to examine some beautiful old tapestries that have hung for generations upon the walls of a country mansion. He found them "teeming with tubercle bacilli." Our contemporary from over the water remarks, "What a blow this

sort of thing would be to the possessors of old family relics if its force could be fully felt!" Quite so, but we should like to make one or two small remarks upon the tubercle bacillus. Bacteriology is the science in medicine and surgery nowadays, and there are few people to be found who do not believe in the potency of "bugs" for good or for evil. The tubercle bacillus is considered by nearly everybody to be the root of phthisis and other tubercular diseases, although in some cases it cannot be detected. We were once told a very curious statement—one which we should like to hear substantiated or combated—namely, that there is to be found in the smegma præputialis of newborn infants a bacillus which stains like that of tubercle, and in every respect is indistinguishable from it. Possibly some of the readers of the MEDICAL TIMES can give some information regarding this statement.-Medical Times and Hosp. Gaz.

Ancient Utrecht.-On June 22 to 27, inclusive, the University of Utrecht will celebrate its 260th anniversary.

New Quarantine Regulations.-Secretary CARLISLE has issued an order designed to prevent, so far as possible, the danger of the spread of contagious diseases by the scattering of immigrants to city and country districts. After arrival at a quarantine station of a vessel on which there has appeared during the last voyage a case of cholera, smallpox, typhus fever, or plague, and after quarantine measures have been enforced and the vessel receives free pratique, the above facts shall be transmitted by the quarantine officer to the commissioner of immigration at the port of arrival. It shall be the duty of the commissioner of immigration to telegraph to the State health authorities of the several States to which immigrants from said vessel are destined, the date of departure, route, number of immigrants, and the point of destination of the immigrants to these He is also to respective States from the said vessel.

give information regarding the holding of the immigrants at quarantine by reason of infectious diseases, and shall name the diseases. This information shall be given to the State health officers, so as to enable them to maintain surveillance over immigrants who may be intending to locate in their several States.

Jurymen as Bacteriologists.-A case was recently tried in the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice in England, in which action was brought for breach of promise to marry by a certain young lady against a physician. Friendship led up to an engagement, and matters ran smoothly until the death of the fiancée's mother from tuberculosis, when the affianced announced his disinclination to observe his engagement, or ratify his part of the contract, whereupon the young lady sought action for redress in the courts. When the case came up for trial counsel representing the physician offered as his defense the death of the girl's mother from tuberculosis, arguing the danger that his client would submit himself to by an alliance in which tubercular progeny must necessarily result. Notwithstanding the fact that the young lady's physical appearance failed to show the slightest evidence of the existence of a predisposition to tuberculosis, it was maintained that immunity was not possible, and hereditary transmission must necessarily attend the probable result of a matrimonial union. Whether or not the physician calculated upon the effect anticipated in presenting a pseudo-scientific defense is not known. Perhaps the average juryman would understand so little about the transmission of tubercle bacilli as to render his appreciation of the situation embarrassing

where justice demanded that all the facts be considered well, but this jury was an "up-to-date" panel, prepared to grapple with questions of a medico-bacteriological character, and it found for the plaintiff with damages at £1000. No doubt the doctor has learned ere this that experience is an expensive school, and that the amount of damages mulcted might have been profitably invested in a course of study in the rudiments of bacteriology. But he has saved himself from the possibility of tuberculous progeny-notwithstanding that not a single indubitable case of congenital tuberculosis has thus far been observed in man, a fact that it would seem the jury had cognizance of, judging from the verdict rendered.

Mystifying Prescriptions.-A new method of writing prescriptions is recommended by Dr. Lör

FLER in the Aerztl. Corrs. -bl.

He draws attention

to the fact that in writing for new remedies the names of which are too frequently familiar to the public, the old method of prescribing in the Latin language no longer offers to the physician protection against the uncomfortable criticism of the laity. He therefore believes it necessary in many instances to employ a form of prescription less comprehended by the public. With this object in view, Dr. LÖFFLER has for some time past made use of the Greek alphabet, though still adhering to the Latin nomenclature, and his prescriptions have readily been deciphered by all druggists to whom they have been submitted. For example, he prescribes antipyrine powder in the following manner:

αντιπυριν..

Δ. ταλ. Δωσ, Νω, Χ Σ Daily, etc.

1.0

[The average Latin prescriptions are Greek to the layman, as it is even the pharmacist finds it difficult to decipher many of them. If the Greek characters are not written neatly, there will be much chance for error in filling the same. Leave bad enough alone.—ED.]

The Association Doctor.-The recent move by the medical profession in England to prevent the employment of physicians on contract by clubs or societies for the treatment of its members at reduced rates, seems to have met with substantial support. It is maintained that people of standing and means become members of such clubs for the sole purpose of reaping the benefits, in a pecuniary way, that they offer, and that persons well able to pay a fee to the physician secure medical attendance for themselves and their families at the (nominal) club rate. Measures taken by the profession to root out the evil have forced the societies to realize that the physician is no longer their tool. Meantime these bodies have been considering what steps to take to retain their grip on the physician. A recent conference was held at Wednesbury, at which it was proposed to ask Parliament to grant a medical certificate to medical students, presumably with the object of authorizing the appointment of such certificated students as association medical officers.

The Incorporated Medical Practitioners' Association, organized for the protection of the interests of the physician, intends to compel fair treatment of medical men holding club appointments, and the pace at which its membership-list has increased. since the matter was taken up for action by that body appears to be conclusive evidence that it intends to assert their rights and uphold the function it professes to perform. The employment of physicians at a small allowance per capita for professional service is as well known in this country as to

our brethren across the water, and the injustice it inflicts upon the general practitioner is as much a subject of complaint among medical men affected by it. The class benefited, in a great majority of cases, is that which is the best able to pay for such service, and the doctor who willingly gives his professional services for a paltry fee to such persons compromises the dignity and status of the physician as a professional man, and will ultimately inflict upon himself the alternative of accepting rates in keeping with the liberality and principles that exact from a professional man professional services at pauper rates, but not compensation sufficient to retain him within the sphere of his more sensible brother who enjoys the confidence and esteem of his clientèle and is thought better of for demanding a professional fee, or retirAssociaing from practice and taking up a trade. tions that aim at bettering the condition of their members by such means consist largely of tradesunion men capable of dealing only with a biased and self-concerned view of all things that contribute to the increase of their own earthly riches, and incapable of dwelling upon the right or considerations Their principles are a mass of flagrant inconsistencies, and so long as the physician is simple enough to allow them to grind out his services at so many cents per patient, while they demand a uniform schedule of prices for work they do, just so long does he merit the self-imposed injustice that is heaped upon him.

of others.

The Morphology of Bacteria in 1665.-In "The History of the Plague in London," 1665, Daniel De Foe (better known as the author of "Robinson Crusoe") relates some of the methods which were followed to discover whether or not people were infected with the terrible sickness which devastated

the great city. We quote the following: "I have heard it was the opinion of others that it (infection) might be distinguished by the party's breathing upon a piece of glass, where, the breath condensing, there might living creatures be seen by a microscope, of strange, monstrous, and frightful shapes, such as dragons, snakes, serpents, and devils, horrible to behold. But this I very much question the truth of; and we had no microscopes at that time, as I remember, to make the experiment with."

De Foe had a superb imagination, and in this history he seems a reverent and God-fearing man. science of bacteriology, if he had not appended an We might almost think of him as the prophet of the expression of doubt about what he had written. To be sure we have not caught up with all that was revealed two hundred years ago and more upon a and our discoveries of round, rod-shaped, and curved piece of glass. We do not identify bacilli so easily, organisms seem meager compared with the frightful forms enumerated. This dreadful plague, which was misery enough to entitle it to a high place among the scourge of Europe for a thousand years, wrought pestilential things, and we have sympathy with the description which links its manifestation with "dragons, snakes, and devils, horrible to behold."

Dinner of St. Luke's Alumni Association.— Fifty-five of the alumni met at dinner in the Red Room of the Savoy Hotel, Tuesday evening, May 19. Dr. A. A. DAVIS, the president of the association, presided, and Dr. CHAS. F. COLLINS acted as toastmaster. The speakers of the evening and their subjects were as follows: GEORGE MACCULLOCH MILLER, president of the Board of Governors, "The Managers of the Hospital"; PERCY SANDERSON, British Consul in New York, "The Managers Ex-officio "; Dr. ANDREW H. SMITH, "The