The Care and Feeding of Children: A Catechism for the Use of Mothers and Nurses. By L. EMMETT HOLT, M.D. Third Edition, revised and enlarged. London: Sidney Appleton. 1904.

IN Dr. Holt's book the plan of question and answer is followed, and, as the book is intended to give instruction to mothers and nurses, the plan seems on the whole a good one. Even at the present day so much ignorance is displayed regarding the care and feeding of children, and so many old prejudices still hold their ground, that the careful study, by those who have the care of children, of a book of this kind is most desirable. The directions given are so detailed and so perfectly clear that anyone can understand them. Naturally, the most important section of the book is that on infant feeding, and it is here that we feel most inclined to differ from the author. He seems to us to carry the system of the modification of milk too far; and in our experience a much simpler method is quite effective, though, perhaps, not so accurate. At the same time, Dr. Holt's recommendations are perfectly sound, though we are afraid that few mothers and nurses will carry them out in detail. To the mother who can afford time and money sufficient to enable her to carry out the directions contained in it, Dr. Holt's book cannot fail to be of the greatest value. It is the best book dealing with the subject that we have read.

Edinburgh Medical Journal.

New Series, Vol XV. Edin

burgh and London: Young J. Pentland.

THE Edinburgh Medical Journal for 1904, January-June, contains several valuable contributions to current medical literature. Dr. J. N. Cowen (Glasgow) publishes an article on the Cardiac Muscle," in which he emphasises the importance of this structure in diseased states of the circulatory system. He brings more evidence, if such were needed, to show that some of the most treacherous forms of cardiac disease are due to lesions of the myocardium. In particular

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he refers to atrophy of the muscle fibres. Hearts which by weight and to the naked eye give but little evidence of atrophy may microscopically show atrophied cells" (p. 130). This may be due to several causes which affect the general nutrition, and probably many cases of dilated heart are due to defective muscles. The etiology of cardiac fibrosis is also described. The article is illustrated by very good plates.

Another article of value is that by Dr. W. T. Ritchie, on "The Etiology of Fibrinous Bronchitis," and which also bears evidence of considerable investigation. The writer believes that the disease in question is the result of pneumococcal infection.

Dr. Morison's article on The Neural Factor in Heart Disease" is very instructive. He is a strong advocate of carefully estimating the extrinsic causes of disordered heart action. Several cases are quoted showing the beneficial results of nerve sedatives in the treatment of heart hurry.

Surgery is represented by papers on "Hernia" (Mo. Rutherford Morison), "Bennett's Fracture " (Mr. Alex. Miles), "The Treatment of Cleft Palate " (Mr. Arbuthnot Lane), and many others.

Medical history is enriched by an interesting chapter on "Some Fifeshire Folk Medicine" by Dr. David Rorie. Some of the statements made seem hardly credible at this time of the world's history.

This collection of papers is of wide interest.

Medical Monograph Series. Insanity. By E. G. YOUNGER, M.D. London: Baillière, Tindall, and Cox. DR. YOUNGER prefaces his book by saying that it is intended as a practical guide for the general practitioner. The author therefore begins by describing the various circumstances under which a medical man may be called to a case of alleged insanity. He then describes the causes of mental diseasea list which we need do no more than say is a full one. A section on the examination of the patient with a view to certification is followed by one on the legal bearings. In

these the characteristic is practical methods. In Part II. the author describes the types and special forms of insanity, illustrating his account by well-selected clinical examples from his own experience. These descriptions are admirably brief and clear, thus fulfilling the purpose of the book. The writer's views on mental diseases are quite of the modern type, though we notice in his description of general paralysis (p. 60) that he is inclined to consider the influence of syphilis in the etiology of that disease as exaggerated. Dr. Younger's experience of mental disease is known to be wide, and his opinion carries weight, but there are many who fell convinced of the great part played by syphilis in general paralysis.

In conclusion, we heartily recommend Dr. Younger's book to all practitioners of medicine as one which will give exactly the information they are likely to require in every-day work.

Patent Foods and Patent Medicines. By ROBERT HUTCHISON, M.D., F.R.C.P. London: John Bale, Sons, and Danielsson, Ltd. 1904.

THIS small book consists of two lectures delivered by Dr. Hutchison, the first dealing with the subject of Patent Foods, and the second with that of Patent Medicines. In the first the author shows conclusively that none of the foods have the merits claimed for them by their manufacturers, and in the second he gives the composition of most of the wellknown patent medicines. It is a wonder that the manufacturers of some of the latter have not long ago been prosecuted for obtaining money under false pretences.

The Extra Pharmacopoeia. By MARTINDALE and WESTCOTT. Eleventh Edition. London: H. K. Lewis.

THE Extra Pharmacopoeia has become such a necessity to the profession that the announcement of a new edition is sufficient to cause a wide demand. The eleventh edition, however, calls for some special notice. In the first place, the

originator of the Extra Pharmacopoeia, William Martindale, has passed away from the work in which he took so great an interest; but his place has been filled by his son, William Harrison Martindale, whose name now appears on the title page.

This edition is issued in a smaller volume than the last, though it contains upwards of 100 more pages. Several of the older drugs and preparations have been omitted in order to make space for new remedies and methods. References to literature have also been revised so as to permit of omissions and additions. There is much new matter on the subject of Mineral Waters, Radium, Röntgen Rays, and Radiant Heat. Further, the large amount of pharmaceutical work of the last three years has been abstracted, and in particular that with reference to unification of pharmacopoeial formulæ, which it is hoped may have far-reaching results. The sections on clinical estimations and staining methods have been brought up to date. No pains have been spared to render this edition as useful as possible.

REPORTS OF SOCIETIES.

BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

BIRMINGHAM BRANCH.

The Third Ordinary Meeting of the Branch was held in the Midland Institute, on Thursday, December 8th. The President, Dr. T. E. Underhill, was in the chair, and there were forty-seven members present.

Acute Intestinal Obstruction due to a band.—Mr. Morrison showed a woman, aged 56, who was admitted into the Queen's Hospital on the evening of October 26th last, with symptoms of absolute obstruction, which began suddenly four days before. Abdominal section was made the same night, and a slender band, which broke under the examining finger, was found. The line of demarcation between distended and empty small bowel was seen, and the intestinal contents were caused to travel onwards by gentle pressure. The wound was sutured in the usual way without drainage. After the operation the stomach was washed out. Mr. Morrison called attention to the value of this procedure in all cases of strenuous vomiting. The band was probably the sequel of hysterectomy, performed fifteen years ago by the late Mr Lawson Tait.

Acute Intestinal Obstruction due to a Merkel's Diverticulum. -Mr. Morrison also showed a woman, aged 37, upon whom he had operated on October 30th last, for absolute obstruction of five days' duration and sudden onset. The patient had a retroverted uterus, but reposition on October 28th had given no relief to the symptoms. On opening the abdomen a diverticulum was found; it was about eight inches long, and its distal end was blended with the umbilical scar. Under the bridge thus formed a long loop of small bowel was twisted and strangulated,