upper end was then drawn and sutured, the so-called Van Hook method of ureteral implantation. The ureter was dropped and the operation on the tube completed. At the end of four weeks he used a Harris instrument and got urine from both sides. At the expiration of approximately six months he repeated the experiment and again got urine from both sides.-The Amer. Journ. of Obst. Lacerations of the Cervix; When Shall They be Repaired?-D. H. Craig (Med. Record) has undertaken his investigations to learn: first, if plastic repair was curative; second, if the cervix was relacerated in subsequent labors; third, if plastic repairs would guard against subsequent cancer of the cervix. He has followed his cases up most carefully for over two years, and thinks that in no instance has any of these cases been followed by cancer of the cervix; that a large majority of the cases have been cured of their ailments; that a greater proportion of those which have not been cured were benefited a great deal, and that none was worse than before the operation. He thinks that the operation should be performed just as soon as the condition produces symptoms which give any trouble or discomfort.-The Monthly Encyclopedia. Gynecological Importance of Movable Kidney. -W. T. Victor Bonney (Ed. Med. Journ., December) finds that the earliest and most constant symptom of an injuriously movable kidney is a dull, aching pain in the back, and very often this is the only symptom present. This pain varies greatly in intensity. The pain corresponds to the upper lumbar vertebra, and radiates transversely around the waist on the side of the offending organ. In some cases the pain radiates downward along the outer half of the front of the abdomen and thigh. It has a tendency to remit; is aggravated by constipation, and is often worse during the menstrual period, but its distinctive feature is complete relief upon assuming recumbency. The three most common causes of pelvic pain are backward displacements of the uterus, prolapse, and disease of the appendages. The pain of retroversion and retroflexion is referred to the sacrum and there is often further pain radiating outwards across the front of the lower abdomen and parallel with Poupart's ligament. This pain is modified by dorsal decubitus, but not entirely relieved. The pain due to pro lapse is primarily referred downwards through the vagina, and is of a "bearing down" character. The pain is also referred to the sacrum and lower abdomen. It is instantly relieved by recumbency. The pain due to chronic disease of an appendage is felt in the lower abdomen radiating outwards, parallel with Poupart's ligament, and is conspicuously not modified by recumbency. Indeed, it is often worse at night. In examining women for the cause of alleged abdominal pain, it is very important to investigate the condition of the kidney.-American Journal of Obstetrics. NEW ELEMENTS IN INORGANIC CHEMISTRY. Under charge of CHARLES E. JONES, M.D., Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of San Francisco. The earliest of the Greek philosophers divided matter into four elements: fire, air, earth and water, the modifications and combinations of which, they held to give rise to all things. At the present time, though we look with ridicule upon their division, still we cannot be much more positive about our own. "An element is a substance which cannot by any known means be split up into other dissimilar bodies." Therefore, until we have perfect knowledge of all possible means of decomposing substances, we cannot assert that our elements are any truer than those of the ancients. Many substances that have been considered elements have lately been decomposed, and consequently new elements are continually being found. A half century ago they numbered fifty-five, at present there are about eighty, if we take into consideration those recently discovered; still the chemists keep on announcing new elements, and if they keep it up at the present rate there is no telling what the number will be. It has been but a short time since we were told of argon, krypton, neon and metargon. Subsequently news comes that Sir William Ramsay has discovered another elemental gas, the spectrum of which was analogous to that of argon, and 、which he calls xenon. A few weeks A few weeks ago he published his computations of the quantity of krypton and xenon in the atmosphere. His calculation shows if these substances are measured by volume as constituent gases of the air, that there is one part of the former in 20,000,000, and one part of the latter in 270,000,000 parts of air. Then Professor Nasini introduced another new element, coronarium, stating that its spectral line corresponds to one in the spectrum of the sun's corona, thus indicating that there has been discovered on the earth a substance which was previously known as existing only in the sun. In our own country Charles F. Brush claims to have separated a gas lighter than hydrogen, and to which he gives the name etherion. Not to be behind the times, Sir William Crookes, the veteran investigator, announces that he has discovered a new element which he proposes to call monium. Some years ago, Becquerel reported that salts of uranium gave forth certain invisible rays similar to the rays of Röntgen. Following this suggestion, M. and Mme. Curie found in a variety of pitch-blende this quality in a high degree, and this led them to the conclusion that a new element was present. After repeated trials they finally succeeded in separating that now famous element, radium, the most important one since Priestly discovered oxygen. Its physical and chemical properties are so wonderful and amazing that scientists stand appalled, for it seems that they cannot explain its peculiar characteristics without overthrowing some of their pet theories; already many of our learned professors are flooding the press with their new speculative theories. They tell us that there are no atoms, that they are divided into ions, etc. It is to be hoped that the scientific study of the mysteries of radium will reveal some hitherto unknown laws of nature, and perhaps give to chemistry a more stable foundation; yet we should not be too hasty to give credence to such quick-born theories that are now being formulated. Let us be contented for a while with the atom, as it has served our purpose well in the study of chemistry. Many of our wisest scientists disapprove of such a radical change, and caution us to be conservative until the subject is thoroughly researched. Professor Richards, of Harvard, aptly says: "These conclusions are like the case of a man when he invests $5 in stocks with the expectation of getting $1,000,000. He' might get the $1,000,000, but he could hardly say that he had it in his pocket." GENITO-URINARY DISEASES. Under charge of LOUIS GROSS, M.D., Clinical Lecturer on Genito Urinary Diseases, College of Physicians and Surgeons of San Francisco. Picric Acid in Uterine Gonorrhea -- Riforına Medica, Palermo, No. 25.-Serra treats these cases with injections of a 12:1000 solution of picric acid. He institutes treatment early. He injects 5 cc. into the uterus twice weekly, and tampons the vagina with gauze, which is removed the following day. He claims that the injections are not irritating. The Toxic Actions of Urotropin-Medical News, August 29th.-Coleman reports eight cases of urotropin poisoning, one of which was his own. He claims the toxic action is evidently due to a special susceptibility to the action of formaldehyd in the dissociation of the urotropin molecule or to the interference with the usual disposition of formaldehyd in the body, or to the liberation of an unusual quantity of formaldehyd. The development of toxic symptoms is not always correlative with the size of the dose. He claims the toxic effects are frequent if the drug is not properly diluted. Epidural Injections in Treatment of Enuresis -Wiener Klin. Wochenscrift, No. 29.-Kapsammer has treated 37 cases of enuresis by epidural injections. He thinks that in enuresis the results surpass all others. Although cure was apparent in some cases after the first injection, yet he recommends 2 or 3 injections at brief intervals. He claims that a saline solution has exactly the same effect as the cocaine, and may be used in its place. American Congress on Tuberculosis. The next meeting of this Congress will take place in St. Louis during 1904. A great deal of interest is felt in this gathering at St. Louis on both sides of the Atlantic, and we hope that every State in the Union will be represented as well as all foreign countries. The officers are: President, E. J. Barrick, M. D., Toronto, Canada; Secretary, Samuel Bell Thomas, 290 Broadway, New York; Treasurer and Chairman Executive Committee, Clark Bell, Esq., 39 Broadway, New York. PACIFIC MEDICAL JOURNAL WINSLOW ANDERSON, A. M., M. D., M. R. C. P. LOND., etc. W. F. SOUTHARD, A. M., M. D., Managing Editor. COLLABORATORS. C. F. BUCKLEY, B.A., M.D., L.R.C.P.Edin., etc. P. C. REMONDINO, M.D. GEO. C. MACDONALD, M.D., F.R.C.S.Ed. W L. ADAMS, M.D. CARL C. HANSEN, M.D. GEORGE H. POWERS, A.M., M.D. C. A. RUGGLES, M.D. FRANK HOWARD PAYNE, M,D. A. W. MORTON, A.B., M.D. WM. J. JACKSON, Ph.G., M.D. F. W. HARRIS, M.D. WM. A. BRYANT, M.D., D.D.S, P. A. DUBOIS, Ph G. WALTER F. LEWIS, D.D.S. A. SCHLOSs, M.D. FRED. W. LUX, M.D. H. N. ROWELL, M.D. CLARK L. ABBOTT, M.D. LOLITA B. DAY, M.D. ROBERT E. O'CONNELL, D.D.S. CHAS, W. MILLS, A.B, M.D., D.D.S. B. F. WILLIAMS M.D. WILLIAM BURFIEND, D.D.S. JOHN M. STOWELL, M.D. BERTHA WAGNER-STARK, M.D. J. H. SEYMOUR, M.D. CALVIN W. KNOWLES, D.D.S., M.D. CORYDON B. ROOT, M.D., D.D.S. J. C. HENNESSEY, D.D.S. The Editors are not responsible for the views of contributors. All matters relating to the editorial and business departments should be addressed to the PACIFIC MEDICAL JOURNAL, 1025 Sutter St., San Francisco. SAN FRANCISCO, OCTOBER, 1903. Editorial. MINERAL WATER SECTION AT THE ST. LOUIS UNIVERSAL EXPOSITION. To our California mineral water and spring owners: The following is a general outline of the plan for a collective exhibit of mineral and potable waters at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition to be held at St. Louis in 1904. The mineral water exhibit is to consist of three primary divisions: First, what may be called the Commercial Exhibit; second, the Classified Exhibit; and third, the Resort Exhibit. In the first it is proposed to include specimens of all the spring waters of the United States that are used commercially, in the packages in which they are actually put upon the market. This exhibit will show the great extent and variety of the industry. The bottles comprising it will be distributed on the shelves of cases that will occupy one side and a half of the court into which the space allotted is |