a scale. By changing the position of these tubes, one can enlarge or decrease the opening at will. The strength of the sound over a given valve of the heart, or other locality, is indicated by the size of the opening in the instrument which is indicated on the scale when the sound disappears. Bock, of Munich, has reported at some length on the use of this instrument (Berlin Klin. Woch., Nov. 23, 1900), and has fixed upon a scale of 40 for the mitral sound in healthy adults, 18 for the pulmonary, and 20 for the aortic sound. The absolute value of sounds could, however, be of little service because of variations in the thickness of the chest-wall, and other conditions which will readily occur to one. The true value of the results of the use of the instrument lies entirely in the relative value of the various sounds. This, for example, would offer a precise method of determining whether or not the pulmonic second sound was really accentuated or not. Price, $6.50. Illuminating Outfit. The inspection of cavities of the body by means of electric light introduced directly has proved an extremely useful diagnostic aid. The instruments offered heretofore, however, have been usually quite expensive, complicated, and often so bulky, as to restrict their use to office work. The apparatus illustrated may be attached to any electric light lamp-socket, either direct or alternating current, and is so light as to be easily carried about. The large lamp acts as a rheostat, adapting the current to the requirements of the small lamp. A shield for rectal and vaginal work, a throat mirror and sleeve, and a tongue depressor are included in the outfit, which sells for $5.00 packed in a neat box. New Tenaculum Forceps. This instrument was modified by Dr. O. C. Smith, of Hartford, Conn., after a style used by Colin in Paris. It has two diverging teeth on the upper jaw and a flat ovoid platform with two perforations on the under jaw. It has also a slight curve allowing it to lie close to the body. The advantages claimed for these forceps are (1) the avoidance of crushing the tissue. They are meant to grasp and hold the margins of delicate tissues, as the peritoneum, pleura, bladder, stomach, etc. This forcep makes two harmless minute punctures (2). The lower jaw of this forcep being blunt, can be carried to the bottom of an abdominal incision. (3). The slight curve helps to keep the instrument out of the operator's way. (4). It holds the margin of any tissue securely, not tearing out with considerable traction. Price, $1.50. New Head Lamp. This instrument, like the previous one, is meant to be used on a commercial lighting current, and can be screwed into a lamp socket. Price, $3.50. BOOK REVIEWS Golden Rule Series: 14 volumes. Bristol, England: John Wright & Co. 1. Surgical Practice. By E. Harry Fenwick, Surgeon to London Hospital. 78 pp. 8th Edition. 2. Gynecology. By S. Jervois Aarons, M. D.-Soho. 75 pp. 4th Edition. 3. Obstetric Practice. By W. E. Fothergill, M. A., M. D., Manchester. 77 pp. 4. Medical Practice. By Arthur Henry Evans, M. D., London. 77 pp. Edition. 5 Psychiatry. By Jas. Shaw, M .D., London. 74 pp. 2nd Edition. 5th 6. Physiology. By J. W. Hall, M. B., and J. Ackworth Menzie, M. D., Oivens College. 80 pp. 2nd Edition. 7. Ophthalmic Practice. By Gustavus Hartridge, F. R. C. S., Westminster. 69 pp. 2nd Edition 8. Skin Practice. By David Walsh, M. D., London. 106 pp. 9. Aural and Nassal Practice. By Philip R. W. de Sauti. 10. Hygiene. By F. J. Waldo. 69 pp. 2nd Edition. 81 pp. 11. Infants and Children. By George Carpenter, London. 167 pp. 2nd Edition, enlarged. 12. Refraction. By E. E. Maddox, M. D., Edinburg. 86 pp. 13. Dental Surgery By Chas. W. Glassington. 69 pp. 14. Anaesthesia. By R. J. Probyn-Williams, M. D., London. 67 pp. These little volumes contain aphorisms concerning the practice of particular branches of medicine, and they are by no means uninteresting volumes. Their popularity in England is shown by the fact that one of them at least has passed through eight editions. The style of the contents may be judged from the following from the volume on surgery: "Never try fluctuation across a limb, always along it." "Do not forget that your incision should radiate: 1. In abscesses pointing near the nipple. 2. In abscesses near the anus. 3. In scarifying chemosis of the conjunctiva. And that your incisions should be longitudinal: 1. In the hand. 2. In the perineum. 3. On the vertex." A Text-Book of Alkaloidal Therapeutics By W. F. Waugh, M. D., and W. C Abbott, M. D., Chicago; The Clinic Publishing Co., 1904. The mission of this book is thus stated in the preface; "to get together from all sources all the facts obtainable concerning the alkaloids and active principles, and to present them in a ready-to-use form." This was an interesting and worthy task. It is somewhat of a pity that the authors could not resist temptation and be content with carrying out that mission. Instead, however, hey have begun the consideration of each drug by naming the preparations of it which are offered for sale by the drug house with which the authors' names are now always connected. Not content with this they have included in the list of subjects treated many drugs not alkaloids at all, and whose only claim to representation here is that they are sold by this same drug-house. What picric acid, potassium permanganate, zinc oxide, iodoform, and croton oil, with many others, have to do with alkaloids is not explained. There is a great deal of information in the book; also a great deal which we feel sure is misleading. If these remedies were as efficacious as one is here led to believe, disease would be ever short-lived and the practice of midicine would be indeed "one glad sweet song." Medical Diagnosis. By Austin W. Hollis, M. D. Lea Bros & Co. 1905. This is one of the Medical Epitome Series, edited by Dr. V. C. Pedersen, and intended by the publishers to "embrace the entire realm of medicine" in books that are essentially manuals. Such volumes find a large sphere of usefulness, but they should be regarded as mere introductions or adjuvants to larger works. The author's aim is to offer "accuracy, clearness, and completeness to date, with due sense of relative importance of the various subjects." This aim has been approximated, and to those whose needs indicate such a volume, it is recommendable. We may doubt whether it is wise to present diagnosis in separate books; the interdependence of medical (so-called) and clinical diagnosis is so indissoluble, that their dissociation invites prejudice to one or the other. In "Medical Diagnosis" -all chemical, bacteriological, and microscopical procedures are barely alluded to. The invalauble aid of radiography in certain diseases is not mentioned. The book is well arranged and well set up. It sells for one dollar. A Text-book of the Practice of Medicine... For Students and Practitioners. By Hobart Amory Hare, M. D., B. Sc. Author of A Text-Book of Practical Therapeutics; A Text-Book of Practical Diagnosis, etc. In one volume of 1120 pages, with 129 engravings and 10 full-page plates in colors and monochrome. Cloth, $5.00, net; leather, $6.00, net; half morocco, $6.50, net. Lea Brothers & Co., Philadelphia and New York, 1905. This handsome volume of over 1100 pages is Prof. Hare's most pretentious book. His Diagnosis and Practical Therapeutics have proven to be such satisfactory volumes that one expects much from the author in his larger work. This expectation the new volume from his pen eminently justifies. Written in a clear and direct style which has made his other books popular, this volume shows also that careful elimination of the unimportant and cumbersome mass of details which so easily beset many of our authors, with the result of cheapening their work. The author has seen fit to include some description of many little known diseases, upon the ground that with our new national interests in the tropics, physicians must be prepared to recognize and treat tropical diseases when they are brought home to us. So this resumè names 54 infectious diseases. So do our troubles multiply! Kola-azar and Kubisagari and many other names unfamiliar in the temperate zone are here met, and we believe the author is correct in his view that a brief account of these diseases should be included in every student's training. The author has made a few inevitable omissions; he has not mentioned the X-ray treatment of Leukemia; he has failed to mention the parathyroids in Graves' disease and Myxoedema. He has done a service in calling attention to the use of the agglutonometer in the diagnosis of typhoid, but we believe he is mistaken in intimating that his test is as delicate as the microscopic Widal. In Germany, where it has been longest in use, no such claim is made for it. The chapter on Ascites is very unsatisfactory, while that on Diabetes Mellitus is particularly good. As would be expected, the chapters on treatment are very satisfactory and the volume is to be highly commended for that feature alone. That illustrations can be used to good advantage in a text-book on medicine is certainly proved here. They can and do add greatly to the interest and value of the text. While the pictures of vaccination are poor from the students' point of view, because they do not show a typical normally developing vaccination, those on variola, typhoid ulcer, and malarial parasites are particularly good. In conclusion it may be said that this volume surpasses in value any similar publication for many years back and the author, publishers and the profession are all to be congratulated on its appearance. Medical and Surgical Report of St. Luke's Hospital, Chicago. 1904. In addition to the usual statistics of work done in the year, this report contains the reports of the following interesting cases: 1. Congenital Stenosis of Oesophagus and Duodenum-Syphilis Neonatorum. T. C. Dagg. 3. Severe Hemorrhage From Stomach in Typhoid Fever. Edward B. Hutchinson. 4. Actinomycosis: Clinical, Pathological, and Bacterial Reports. L. L. McArthur and J. C. Hollister. 5. Extirpation of Gasserian Ganglion for Facial Neuralgia with Report of Seven Cases. A. E. Halsted. These cases were well studied and the accounts are in several instances illustrated, making the report a publication of permanent value. The Vermiform Appendix and its Diseases, by Howard A. Kelly, A. B., M. D., Professor of Gynecology in The Johns Hopkins University and Elizabeth Hurdon, M. D., Assistant in Gynecology in The John Hopkins University. Octavo, 827 pages, with 399 original illustrations, some in colors, and 3 Lithographic plates. Philadelphia, W. B. Saunders & Co., 1905. Cloth, $10; half morocco, $11 net. The appearance of Kelly's work on the Vermiform Appendix and its Diseases has been eagerly awaited by all who are familiar (and who is not?) with the author's Operative Gynecology. The latter, on account of its lucid text and magnificent illustrations, marked an epoch in medical publication. Until the present book was issued, the work was unsurpassed by anything in America or abroad, but it must now be relegated to second place, for this new volume is even more complete and more beautifully illustrated than its predecessor. It surpasses one's expectations; indeed, it is difficult to imagine a more perfect monograph on a subject, the importance of which, both to the general practitioner and to the specialist, is second to none in the whole field of medicine and surgery. Our space does not permit of a review as complete as we would like or as the book deserves. It must be read and the the illustrations studied to be appreciated. The first 50 pages review the history of the subject. These chapters are most interesting and entertaining. One hundred and forty pages deal with the embryology and anatomy of the appendix. The embryology is based upon the study of 54 human embryos. It is all first hand work and is in itself a most complete and valuable monograph. The comparative anatomy, the anatomy of the peritoneal folds and fossæ, the various positions and congenital anomalies of the appendix, its histology, the progressive and retrogressive changes which it undergoes and many other phases are thoroughly covered. Especially to be noted are the illustrations of the reconstructions of the blood and lymphatic supply. The study of the diseases of the appendix begins at page 195. The general pathology and bacteriology are first given, 160 pages being devoted to them. The histories and the illustrations are mostly from the author's own cases and speciThe next 150 pages deal with the clinical side of the subject and most of mens. the remainder of the book with the surgical treatment. The descriptions and illustrations of the various methods of doing appendectomy are the best ever published. One can follow the various steps as clearly as though demonstrated on the cadaver. Special sections deal with appendicitis in children and during pregnancy, the relations of the appendix to gynecologic affections, hernia of the appendix and the medico-legal aspects of appendicitis. One must see and study the illustrations in order to appreciate their clearness and beauty. Not only is their execution superb but their selection is beyond criticism. For the practitioner, who does an occasional appendix operation, the work is invaluable; to the surgeon and gynecologist, no matter what his opportunities and experience have been, it will prove instructive as well as a source of much pleasure. The author, the artists, the publisher, and we might add, the American profession, are all to be congratulated on this splendid addition to medical literature. B. R. S. RECEIVED: (Grateful acknowledgement of the receipt of the following is hereby made. Further notice in our review column may be given). Program of the Eighth Annual Meeting of the American Gastro-Enterological Association, New York, April 24-25, 1905. Chas. D. Aaron, M. D., Detroit, Secretary. Studies in the Psychology of Sex. Vol. IV.: Sexual Selection in Man. By Havelock Ellis, Philadelphia; F. A. Davis Co. Diseases of the Skin. By H. Radcliffe-Crocker, M. D., F. R. C. P., Physician for Diseases of Skin in University College Hospital, London, etc. In two large volumes; third edition; illustrated. Philadelphia: P. Blakiston's Sons & Co, 1905. The Development of the Human Body. A Manual of Human Embryology. By J. Playfair McMurrich, A. M., Ph. D., Professor of Anatomy in the University of Michigan. Second edition; illustrated. Philadelphia. P. Blakiston's Son & Co., 1904. Analysis of One Thousand Cases of Static Foot Trouble. By W. E. Blodgett, M. D., Detroit. Reprint. A Report of a Case of Caries of Part of the Temporal Bone, with a Deep Abscess of the Neck. By Emil Amberg, M. D., Detroit. Reprint. The Necessity of the Co-Operation of the Dental and Medical Professions in Abating the Adenoid Evil. By Emil Amberg, M. D., Detroit. Reprint. 41st Annual Report of Harper Hospital, Detroit. J. L. Hudson, President of Board of Trustees. of Prosthetic Surgery. By F. B. Tiffany, A. M., M. D., Kansas City. Reprint. Conservative Gynecology and Electro-Therapeutics... A Practical Treatise on the Diseases of Women and Their Treatment by Electricity. By G. Betton Massey, M. D., Attending Surgeon to the American Oncologic Hospital, Philadelphia. F. A. Davis Company, Philadelphia. Progressive Medicine. Issue of March 1, 1905. Lea Bros. & Co., Philadelphia. Practical Medicine Year Books... Vol. 1-General Medicine by Billings and Salisbury. Vol. ii-General Surgery by J. B. Murphy. The Year-Book Publishers, Chicago. |