it stimulates all the cells is to be demonstrated, but it seems that each class has its own stimulus. Can iron, nace, etc., be given by mouth and stimulate cell function? They are found in the food in organic form. Distilled water is a poison to cells causing them to swell and become cloudy. I do not believe in the chemical basis of life, there is a vital element. It is eminently desirable that we become acquainted with the phenomena of life, we must divorce physiology from chemistry.

Discussion by DRS. BROWN and ROSENSTIRN.

Pediatrics.

"The Necessity of a Pure Milk Supply for Infant Feeding," by DR. GEO. H. EVANS, San Francisco: Pure fresh cows' milk derived from a healthy herd kept in a sanitary dairy the only proper substitute for breast feeding. All prepared foods injurious. Conditions surrounding milk supply of San Francisco are bad, shown by examination of milk and inspection of dairies. Conditions can be improved by inspections by milk commission composed of medical

men.

"Diseases Due to Faulty Nutrition," by Dr. W. N. SULLIVAN, San Francisco.

"The Home Modification of Milk," by Dr. W. E. TWITCHELL, Sacramento: Country milk purer than city milk. After decomposition sterilization of no value on account of ptomains. Condensed milk and prepared foods should not be used. Clean, properly prepared and diluted cows' milk the most successful food.

"Diphtheria," by DR. J. MAHER, Oakland: History, description of bacillus, toxines, transmission, pathology, symptoms, complications, and sequelæ. Prognosis, diagnosis and treatment. Antitoxin a specific.

"A Few Illustrative Cases of Diphtheria," by DR. FRED GRANT BURROWS, San Francisco: Death rate from diphtheria increasing in San Francisco, and decreasing elsewhere. A plea for earlier diagnosis and more vigorous antitoxin. Nasal and laryngeal diphtheria. Report of cases with reference to large doses of antitoxin.

[To be continued.]

FRANK LESLIE'S POPULAR MONTHLY and the PACIFIC MEDICAL JOURNAL for one year for $2.50.

Therapeutic Notes.

Rush Medical College.

Rush Medical College is rapidly approaching the standard which it has set as to the requirements for admission, namely, such requirements as will insure the possession of a Bachelor's Degree by every graduate of the college. Another step is taken in advance this year and the requirements beginning with the Summer Quarter, 1903, will be increased so as to demand twelve majors (one and one-third years of ordinary college work), in addition to a four-years' high school course, one-half of which must be in specified branches specially preparing one for the study of medicine, and which must include one year of college chemistry in addition to a year of high school chemistry and a thorough course in elementary biology; in lieu of these twelve majors, however, nine will be accepted if the work is done at the University of Chicago in the branches specially recommended as a pre-medical course. In June, 1904, another advance will be made, and in June, 1905, the completion of the junior college course at the University of Chicago, or an equivalent therefor, will be demanded and the preliminary work must have covered a year of college chemistry (inorganic), one major of organic chemistry, one major of college physics, and a thorough course in biology, and a reading knowledge of French and German.

A Timely Word About Prophylaxy.

Professor Northnagel, of Vienna, in a most appropriate paper before the recent Medical Congress in Egypt, pointed out to us that the highest aim of the medical profession is not so much the therapy (the healing), but the prophylaxy (the prevention of diseases). Three cardinal points are always to be observed, viz.: 1. The indicatio causalis (the cause of the disease); 2. The indicatio morbi (the disease in itself); and, 3. The indicatio symptomatica (the symptoms of the disease). The most difficult point is the first named, "the indicatio causalis," for the obvious reason that only in a very limited number of diseases we really and positively know the cause. "It is now established beyond any doubt," the learned professor said verbally, "that, for instance, the common trouble called 'a cold' is only the

consequence of a general pathogenic condition of the inner organs, and not a morbus sui generis' (a disease of its own kind). For a great number of diseases caused by disturbances in the process of correct metabolism we scarcely possess the first stages of an etiological science." Therefore we can not strongly enough recommend to every thinking physician the use of such means which have proven beyond a doubt their merits as prophylactic remedies. Foremost amongst them stands Kutnow's Improved Effervescent Powder as a prophylactic cholagogue, diuretic, and-last, but by no means least-an antiarthritic. Its pleasant taste, its gentle and, at the same time, most efficient action has earned for it the unanimous endorsement of the medical fraternity in Europe as well as in our own country.

Seng.

In these poor victims of a pernicious "pepsin habit," where the stomach, instead of being encouraged to do its normal work, has been allowed to become a lazy, inactive member while an artificial digestant did the work, I find Seng a boon. Step by step it seems to lead the faltering gastric functions, until before the patient is aware of it, he loses the unhappy knowledge that he has a gastric apparatus. In sub acute or chronic digestive disturbances, I know of nothing which equals it. St. Louis.

WILL A. MACKENZIE, M. D.

Controls the Nervous Conditions.

In the case of nervous women-nervousness due to local disorder I have used Neurilla and in all cases have been able to control their nervous condition perfectly. I have taken Neurilla myself when overworked, and with much benefit.

Sweet Springs, Mo.

C. C. BRADBURY, M. D.

Wool vs. Linen.

Apulies, an old Roman author, says "wool, the excretion of a sluggish body, taken from sheep, was deemed a profane attire even in the time of Orpheus or Pythagoras, but flax, that cleanest production of the field, is used for the inner clothing of man." The Dr. Deimel Mesh Underwear is a product of the field, not of the sheep.

In Their New Home.

The Eastern office of the Abbott Alkaloidal Co. is now located at 50 West Broadway, New York, formerly 93 Broad St. Their Eastern business has increased so rapidly within the last year, under the management of Mr. N. B. Harris, that large and more commodious quarters were necessary. Friends will receive a hearty reception from Mr. Harris at any time in the new home.

Platt's Chlorides.

After sickness and during spring house-cleaning, Platt's Chlorides should be sprinkled freely over the floors and allowed to dry before carpets are relaid. As each board retains some Chlorides, a lasting purifying effect is obtained and the ravages of insects prevented. Disinfect the wastepipes and cellar according to directions on the bottle.

Small-Pox Germ.

Dr. William T. Councilman, pathologist at Harvard, finds 1 that small-pox is due to protozoa, one of the lowest forms of animal life.

DR. ALLEN MACFADEN, the Director of the Gener Institute of Preventive Medicine, has announced the discovery that typhoid bacilli frozen in liquid air may be used as a curative agent in typhoid fever.

THE psychological depressions and neuralgias, so common in the period following a debauch, are lessened, or disappear altogether, by the use of Celerina.

diphtheria.

Twenty Thousand Dollar Prize.

Dr. Roux gains the Grand Prize offered by the Institute of France. He was one of the discoverers of the serum of Dr. Pierre Paul Emile Roux, the sub-director of the Pasteur Institute, has been awarded a prize of $20,000 for the most remarkable discovery in science, letters, art or industry for the past three years. Dr. Roux is 50 years

old. He assisted Pasteur in the latter's memorable researches, and in 1894, in co-operation with Dr. Yersin, discovered the bacillus of diphtheria. This led to the discovery of the serum later on.

Professor of Surgery, College of Physicians and Surgeons; Visiting Surgeon City and County Hospital, etc.

The first case for operation this morning is:

DELAYED UNION OF THE UPPER THIRD OF THE FEMUR.

Fractures in this location very seldom occur, but nonunion is a frequent complication, as the muscles rotate the upper fragments outward, the lower fragment is pulled upward and inward. None of the recognized methods of treatment by extension, or other positions, will keep the fragments in proper apposition, except mechanical appliances applied to the bones by open operation. We have used extension splints and plaster for three months, and have the constitutional causes in this case which would also tend to favor delayed union. Patient suffered one year ago with a protracted case of typhoid fever, and following this several attacks of appendicitis, which is not an infrequent occurrence after typhoid fever. Some months ago patient fell and fractured femur; temporary appliances were applied and he was sent to the hospital from a neighboring town; patient was placed in bed and Bucks' extension applied, which corrected the shortening; splints and later plaster of paris were applied at the seat of the injury, to correct the tilting of the bones, which have utterly failed; after eight weeks of treatment, patient being up on crutches, and limb in cast, he developed appendicitis, which was operated on, and while recovering extension was again applied with cast at seat of fracture. We make a long incision over the seat of fracture and externally, separating the muscles we find the upper fragment externally; now we continue and separate the callous and fibrous tissue which separate the osseous fragments; we remove

VOL. XLVI.-25.