Dr. Millican's talents will have opportunity in this new field. to develop the periodical of which he assumes control, into an influential journal that shall represent the medical profession in the west and south; indeed, its field should begin with the Ohio and Mississippi valleys and reach to the Pacific slope. We congratulate the Review upon the career that awaits it under its new editorial management, and extend to Dr. Millican our cordial good wishes in his new undertaking. But, alas for Dr. Foster! We fear he will not easily find so able and useful an associate. WHAT appears to be an authentic case of syphilitic reinfection occurring six years after previous manifestation of a syphilitic attack is reported by Klotz. The symptoms yielded to mixed treatment, as reported by the Journal of the American Medical Association, with recurrent exacerbations in the form of gummatous swellings over the ribs, bones of the leg, finger, and the like. In the initial attack there was no history of chancre, although in the reinfection this was quite evident. Klotz sees no reason to doubt the authenticity of the case, there being a typic primary lesion, followed by glandular enlargement, a rash, iritis, a papular eruption and finally hemiplegia. If, as Klotz believes, the final attack was true syphilis, the case gives good ground for his belief that tertiary manifestation of syphilis may be directly produced through inoculation from a tertiary lesion in another individual. THE article on Chinese Medicine in this issue was originally written by Mrs. Bishop for publication in the Anglo-Saxon Review. It is one of the most comprehensive articles on the subject in brief form which has yet appeared. The added notes on Chinese medicine are based on the personal experiences of the author during several years residence among the Chinese in New York. That portion referring to Chinese Surgery is properly credited. The sur FEW people know that in Paris there is very little garbage collected, for the very good reason that there is no waste. plus and remnants of food from the tables of cafés, hotels, and even private families, are used in a state just below themselves, that the remnants of these second tables, let us call them, supply a third grade and so on down to the poorest hovels, until all the nourishment is stewed, boiled and scraped from every morsel of food. The system is almost absolutely perfect. THE sale of certain proprietary medicines has been enormous and inexplicable save through their extraordinary testimonials, some of which must have puzzled even physicians whose attention may have been drawn to them. An explanation is now forthcoming through an associated press communication, says an editorial in the New York Medical Journal, which we transcribe: Remarkable testimony has been obtained by the postoffice department as to the ways in which testimonials are obtained by some of the big concerns engaged in this business. One large firm admitted that it had agents out seeking persons who had formerly occupied prominent positions in the community, but had suffered financial reverses and were harassed by debts they were unable to settle. The agents would obtain possession of the unpaid accounts, and would then apply pressure to the unfortunate victims, demanding immediate payment in full. Finally, after long persecution, the desperate victim would be invited or commanded to call at the office of an attorney, where he would be given to understand that if he would sign and swear to a testimonial a receipt in full for the claims against him would be given. This seems incredible, but the facts are now on file in the records of the postoffice. It is hard to believe in such villainy. It is abominable that the article from which we make the foregoing quotation is headed in the lay press, "Methods of Medical Men." Two very sensible suggestions are made by Kossman in the Centralblatt für Gynekologie in discussing the liability of physicians and surgeons to attack on the part of blackmailers and shyster lawyers through malpractice suits. He advocates the signing of a paper placing the patient in the surgeon's hands, to do as his best judgment dictates. When a surgeon hears of the contemplation of a suit for damages, he should bring suit for libel, thus placing the prospective plaintiff on the defensive, and invariably turning the tables. THE Institute of Medical Research, endowed by John D. Rockefeller, is erecting a new laboratory in New York City, which wil! be five stories high, 136 feet wide and 60 feet deep, with a facade of limestone and brick, and having a porch entrance flanked with decorative columns for the support of electric lights. The first floor will contain an assembly hall, a library and study, and the directors' room. The upper floors will contain a series of large general and special laboratories and research rooms. The top floor will have a dining hall and living quarters, and the roof will have a special operating room and quarters for the animals under examination. A two-story building for animals and for electric power will adjoin the main structure. The cost will be over $300,000. est," we ELSEWHERE in this issue-namely, under "Topics of Public Interpublish three articles from the New York State Journal of Medicine for September, 1904. The first two are explanatory of the status of the unification scheme and show why it was not accomplished as well as indicate what is still to be done to bring about amalgamation between the two state medical organisations. The third is an editorial commenting upon the situation. We confess that, just at this delicate juncture, we should not have written the latter had we been in the editor's place, but we gladly publish it that our readers may be advised of the different viewpoints concerning unification in the state of New York, in order to be able to judge accurately of the motives that are employed either to promote or retard it. THE statue to be erected to the memory of Dr. William E. B. Davis, late of Birmingham, Ala., to which we have before referred in these columns, is nearly completed. It will be placed in Capitol Park, in the city of Birmingham, during this autumn, and will be unveiled December 16, 1904, during the meeting of the Southern Surgical and Gynecological Association in that city. The model has already been accepted by the artist, G. Moetti, the noted sculptor of New York, and has received the approval of Mrs. Davis and other relatives. It has been cast in bronze and will Stand twenty feet high, measuring from the base of the pedestal. It will become an enduring monument to the famous young surgeon, who left behind an imprint on the guild of medicine more enduring than granite, brass, or bronze. PERSONAL. DR. GROVER W. WENDE, of Buffalo, sailed for Europe in the last days of August to attend the International Congress of Dermatology, at Berlin, which was held in mid-September. Dr. Wende already returned to Buffalo. has DR. CHARLES G. STOCKTON, 436 Franklin street, Buffalo, announces a change in his office hours. Hereafter, excepting Sun days, he can be found at home between the hours of ten and one o'clock. DR. FRANK W. Low, of Buffalo, has removed his dental offices. from his former location, No. 680 Main street, to No. 52 North Pearl street, between Virginia and Allen streets. DR. EUGENE SMITH, of Detroit, has been elected third vice-president of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology. This action was taken at the organisation's meeting in Denver, Col., August 27, 1904. It is possible that the next meeting may be held in Detroit.-Detroit Med. Jour. DR. J. WESLEY BOVEE, of Washington, D. C., has removed to The Rochambeau, Connecticut avenue and H street. OBITUARY. DR. MARTIN S. KITTINGER, of Lockport, died at his home in that city, September 11, 1904, aged 77 years. He had been in declining health since last winter when he took cold, which clung to him with tenacious severity. Nevertheless, he kept at his professional work, even going into the country during the severest weather in response to professional calls. In June he visited Atlantic City, but was not benefited by the change. He, however, continued his work after his return, making a stubborn contest with the disease that his rugged constitution resisted for a time, but could not conquer. Dr. Kittinger was a native of Niagara County in which he lived all his life, excepting during four years devoted to army service. He graduated in medicine at the College of Physicians. and Surgeons in 1853, and began practice in his native county. He was commissioned surgeon of the 100th Regiment, New York Volunteers, February 2, 1862, and served in the Army of Potomac until mustered out, January 9, 1865. He acquired fame as an army surgeon, and was put in charge of a field hospital of division, his rank being that of major. After leaving the military service he returned to Lockport, where he soon built up a large practice and became a leading surgeon in the county. He also was accomplished as an ophthalmologist. Dr. Kittinger was one of the organisers of the Lockport Business Men's Association and at his death one of its directors. He was a member of the Medical Society of the County of Niagara and for years its president. He was twice married, his first wife being Laura M. Day, who died about thirty-four years ago. She left him three sons, who survive the father. They are: Martin S. Kittinger, Jr., Harry D. Kittinger and Dr. Ferdinand A. Kittinger of Lockport, coroner of Niagara County. His present wife was Emma Lackor, who bore him one daughter, Mrs. Seth Van Loan, of Philadelphia, who has spent the summer at home at her father's bedside. Dr. Kittinger was a man of strong personality, a striking figure, with keen eyes and raven black hair, showing not a trace of gray. He will be sadly missed by his family and in the community in which he bore a prominent part as a sterling citizen. DR. JACOB CHAMBERS, of Kingston, N. Y., a graduate of the at DR. NIELS R. FINSEN, of Copenhagen, died September 24, 1904, aged 43 years. He was a pioneer in photography and established Copenhagen "Finsen's Medical Light Institute" for the treatment of lupus and other skin diseases. He was an indefatiguable worker despite an incurable malady, and left a name and fame that will last during the centuries. His funeral was attended by two kings and many other officials of high rank. DR. WILLIAM RICE PRYOR, of New York, died at Saint Vincent's Hospital in that city, August 25, 1904, aged 46 years. Dr. Pryor had attained eminence as a gynecological surgeon and was the author of many articles relating to his special line of work, as as a textbook on gynecology. He was the youngest son of Roger A. Pryor, a former brigadier general in the Confederate service during the civil war, and a former judge of the Supreme Court in New York. Well Dr. Pryor was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1881 and became professor of gynecology in the New York Polyclinic in 1884. He was visiting gynecologist to the Polyclinic Hospital and consultant at St. Vincent's. He was famous for his considerate attention to the poor, whom he served with a wise liberality, even beyond his means. What better epitaph could be inscribed on a tomb? |