cer.

His "Eureka' in this case is sounded before he has even recorded one experimental study, and ere he has attempted to show the true pathology of the disease.

It is unfortunate that Edison is so sure of his facts, because it sounds like the vaporings of the quack to be so "dead sure of facts, when in reality they are but fancies, creations of a "would-be sure" enthusiast who jumps at conclusions before he knows the truth. Edison is a good man, but some-how his ego looks rather big to himself, and he likes to show the world how really big he is. He thinks the Associated Press, with its magnificent word-pictures, is just about the nicest medium in the world wherewith to get in touch with the people. The people are not judges of facts, they accept conclusions of the Wizard of Menlo Park with the same relish as an ostrich swallows door knobs and sea-shells, and with same intelligence. Edison and his son have inclinations for curing the afflicted multitude. The former, thought he had laid the disease, rheumatism, on the shelf as "a has-been" several years ago, but it is still doing business at the old stand.

Young Edison pronounced to the world through the medium of selfinduced interviews, not long ago, that drugs, all internal medicine in fact, was a relic of the dark ages, and as such should "go back and set down," for he, the Junior Edison, next in line to the only one that is, had discovered vital energy in electricity that would relieve senility of its woes, impart vigor to the young, rejuvenate the rag-tag and bob-tail of humanity, and put a smile on mankind in general that would last for all time. Can we hope for more this side of eternity? Indeed, Edison senior and "the kid" are really approaching the possibilities of being immortal. What great men they are in their own judgment, and indeed they should be in the Hall of Fame (both in the same frame), for such abilities, to relieve disease, distress and want must be rewarded and, as no physician has earned a place in this wonderful Hall of Fame, we hope Edison with his pull as a physicist, may land among the immortals, so that one man, who had intentions, at least to relieve disease, may find a place in the galaxy of the men of fame.

Edison the Wizard, and young Edison, the would-be Wizard, are sure to be known as long as reporters are looking for scoops and spacewriters gte next to them, which seemingly is a dead-easy accomplishment. F. P. N.

Biographical Sketch.

Carl E. Black, A. M., M. D., President of the Illinois State Medical Society.

Dr. Carl E. Black is a son of Greene V. Black, D. D.S., M.D., LL.D., dean of the Dental Department of the Northwestern University of Chicago. He was born in Winchester, Ill., and while a child removed with his father to Jacksonville, where he has since resided. He was educated in the Jacksonville public schools and at Illinois College, graduating from the High

School in 1881 and from Illinois College in 1883 with the degree of B. S. For two years following this graduation from Illinois College he was local editor of the Jacksonville Daily Journal, after which (in 1885) he began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. David Prince. He entered the Chicago Medical College (medical department of the Northwestern University) and received his medical degree in 1887 from this institution. He located for the practice of medicine and surgery in Jacksonville. In 1888-89 he was abroad in Berlin, Vienna, Paris and London for post-graduate study. On his return home he established the Jacksonville Sanitarium in order to have better hospital facilities and to give

him a better opportunity to work in the special line of surgery. This institution was used until 1897 when on the completion of Our Saviour's Hospital, he transferred his work to that institution. Later he became surgeon to the Passavant Memorial Hospital. He now devotes most of his time to surgery and is attached as surgeon to the two hospitals. Dr. Black has long been an active member of medical societies, both local and State, and has served the Morgan County Society as president and secretary, and also in the Medical Club he has served as president and secretary. He is an active member of the district societies, viz.: The Central District Medical Society of Illinois; the Western District Medical Society of Illinois, and Brainard District Medical Society of Illinois. His membership in Illinois State Medical Society dates from 1888 and he has been active in all of the work of this society. He has served as chairman and secretary of the Surgical Section, and for the past three years has served as a member of the Legislative Committee (being chairman), and through his active work, the society secured the passage of the Vital Statistic law and Local Boards of Health law, and he has been active in promoting State organization. He is also member of the Judicial Council of this society. He was unanimously elected president at the Chicago meeting of the State society, and his election is a fitting tribute to the service he has rendered the medical profession of Illinois. Dr. Black is a member of the American Medical Association and has served as member of Legislative Committee of this organization. He also holds membership in the Mississippi Valley Medical Association. Dr. Black has contributed a number of excellent papers on medical and surgical subjects and is known as a careful, systematic practitioner. He holds the position of surgeon to the Chicago & Alton railroad, also to the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis R. R.

President Mississippi Valley Medical Association, which holds its annual meeting in Memphis, Tenn., October 7-9, 1903.

THE annual meeting of the Mississippi Valley Medical Association, which is to be held in Memphis on the 7th, 8th and 9th of October next, under

The Mississippi
Valley Medical
Association.

the presidency of Dr. Edwin Walker, promises to be one of exceptional interest; the program prepared is a strong one and will make the scientific side of the meeting important. The principal addresses are by Dr. Robert Babcock, of Chicago, on Medicine, and Dr. Ap. Morgan Cartledge, of Louisville, on Surgery. In addition to these a long array of authorities and investigators are scheduled to address the association on subjects with the development of which their names are prominently connected.

Along social lines the meeting promises to be notable; Memphis is trying to show the association why she claims to be the "Hub of the South," and why her influence is said to be one of the strongest socially of any in her territory. It is certain that a characteristically cordial welcome will be given all, and those who have not previously enjoyed it, will be given a chance to know the meaning of genuine Southern hospitality.

From present indications the attendance at this meeting will be large; plans are for the Chicago and St. Louis delegations, and those from tributary points, to make the trip over the Illinois Central, and the superb service afforded by this route will make the trip attractive. A fare and one-third for the round trip will be in effect on the certificate plan. Delegates must take receipts when purchasing tickets. The editors of the FORTNIGHTLY will be glad to be of service to any who wish berths reserved, or in furnishing data in further detail.

The Reviewer's Table.

Books, Reprints, and Instruments for this department, should be sent to the Editors, St. Louis.

THE NEUROLOGICAL PRACTICE OF MEDICINE.-A cursory course of selected lectures in Neurology, Neuriatry, Psychology and Psychiatry; applicable to general and special practice. With 77 illustrations. After the author's class-room methods as a teacher of students. Designed for students and general practitioners of medicine and surgery. By Charles H. Hughes, M. D., President of the Faculty and Professor of Neurology, Psychiatry and Electrotherapy, Barnes Medical College. Honory Member of Many Home and Foreign Medical and Scientific Societies, Etc., Etc. St. Louis, Hughes & Co. Publishers. 1903. The extended experience of the author of this volume both as a teacher, author and a neurological specialist singularly fits him to write entertainingly and practically on the subject. The volume is pleasing reading and has so many characteristics which remind one of the author that it is certain to have the appreciation of students and practitioners in all sections of the country. It is dedicated to the past and present students of the

author living in America and abroad. Professor Hughes does not include the vast army of admirers who have not been privileged to sit under him as students but we believe that he is well aware that we will appreciate it quite as much as do those who have, during his thirty years as a teacher, worked under his tuition.

Those who have heard Dr. Hughes in his lectures know that he believes that the field of neurology in practice must widen until it ceases to be a special department except in its essential manipulations and that the practitioner of medicine will become the clinical neurologist in ordinary practice with the expert for consulting advice. This opinion prevades the volume and defines its purpose which is to give the practitioner a cursory glance at the various departments of the subject and such leading points as will enable him, when he has mastered them, to work intelligently with cases which have neurological bearing. The book is most profitable reading, it contains so much that is valuable to the practitioner and so much that will lead him to further investigation that it is next to impossible to do it justice in the space at our command, in fact whole chapters are well worthy of reproduction were this possible. We hope that it will reach a large number of our readers.

A REFERENCE HANDBOOK OF THE MEDICAL SCIENCES, Embracing the entire range of Scientific and Practical Medicine and Allied Sciences. By various writers. A new edition, completely revised and rewritten. Edited by Albert H. Buck, M. D., New York City. Volume VI. Illustrated by chromolithographs and 763 half-tone and wood engravings. New York: William Wood Co., 1903.

This is a work of reference and applies to all of the medical sciences. Each department of medicine and surgery is conisdered-the monographs being full and complete, and embrace the latest accepted facts of the science of medicine. There is no other work like it, consequently the practitioner who in his wisdom purchases it, has the satisfaction of knowing that he has the best there is. We have been greatly pleased to note the careful revision given each volume and of the addition of much new material and new illustrations. The illustrations are excellent, the plates especially being works of the modern art of illustrating.

In the review of previous volumes we have mentioned the fact that the authors of this great work are men who stand as authorities in medicine and surgery, while the work as a whole is under the expert editorial revision of Albert H. Buck, M. D. Among the well known authors contributing to volume VII are Drs. Robt. H. Babcock, Peace Barley, Frank Baker, L. F. Baker, B. M. Bolton., G. R. Butler, W. T. Chittenden, W. T. Corlett, W. T. Councilman, Edward Curtis, N. S. Davis, Jr., J. M. French, John Green, Chas. Harrington, Frank Hartley, Guy Hinsdale, E. F. Ingals, S. E. Jelliffe, F. W. Langdon, W. P. Northrup, J. J. Putnam, C. E. Quimby, C. E. Riggs, Hunter Robb, A. H. Smith, G. M. Sternberg, H. Ling Taylor, Philip Zenner and others.