been known for some time that the nerve substance is a colloid, that is, a substance which consists of a proteid combined with a carbohydrate, forming a more or less gelatinous mass which is insoluble in water but is soluble in weak alkaline solutions. Now the central nerve substance is looked upon as composed of these colloid particles in solution. "The colloidal particles are held in solution," by positively charged ions, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, hydrogen, etc. The passage of a stimulus along the nerve is marked by "the passage of these colloidal particles from a condition of solution to one of gelatization or jellying,' that is, an alteration in the liquid vehicle is produced such that these colloid particles are for the time no longer soluble and hence pass into a temporary gelatinous condition. These alterations are brought about by the action of negatively charged ions, that is ions which are charged with negative electricity. (Consult American Text Book of Physiology Vol. 1, page 67, for the theory of electrically charged ions in a solution.)

The real facts in all this had been known already. It has been known for some time that the flow of nerve impulse is somehow associated with a current of negative electricity. But we know that the nerve impulse is not a nerve electric wave or current, for its rate of transmission is very different, it is much slower than electrical transmission.

The really new portion of Dr. Matthews' paper was a theoretic attempt to show how electrical, chemical, and mechanical stimuli to the nerve all produce similar effects because they set up similar disturbances of the electrical conditions. But after the colloid particles are gelatinized by a negative electric influence, there is no explanation of how the colloid is again so rapidly brought back to a state of solution, nor are there really definite explanations of the exact nature of either the gelatization nor of degelatization.

But the theory apparently gives some very pretty results. For instance general anesthesia loses all its mystery. We are told: "All anæsthetics such as chloroform and ether dissolve fats. The colloids in the nerves are

largely fat compounds and more soluble in a mixture of ether and water than in water alone." Thus the colloid body is kept in solution even in the presence of the negative stimulation, no gelatinization takes place, and hence no nerve impression of pain is conveyed from a wound to the central organs of perception. Dr. Loeb says: "The influence" of an anææsthetic is proportional to its ability to dissolve fat. This would all be very remarkable if true, but it is scarcely credible. This part of the theory is crude and lacks any scientific confirmation.

Similarly drunkenness is said to resemble anæsthesia. It is due to the alcohol in some way interfering with the gelatinization of colloid particles in the nervous system. Immediately following this is a lucid explanation of the manner in which alcohol will cure snake bite. We are told, "The effect of snake bite was shown by Darwin to be the coagulation of the nerve colloids. This is the way it causes death. But the effect of alcohol is to dilute this substance, so if alcohol can reach the nerves and brain cells in time, it will prevent the action of the snake poison."

Mirabile dictu, and to come from a great university! In the first place, does alcohol really cure snake bite?

The University of Chicago has given several quasi great discoveries to science. Salt solution was the elixir of life. Fertilization was no longer a mystery but was declared to be due to certain "chemical irritations." A great law in astronomy was made known. All these have become generally discredited, and it is really humiliating to American science.

There may be some truth in the new theory. It may afford ground to stand upon for future investigations, although even this is questionable. But certainly its pretensions are greater than the real state of things warrants. But alcohol rather indurates than dissolves tissue and has a remarkable affinity for water, etc.

THE COMMITTEE ON PATHOLOGIC EXHIBIT for the American Medical Association is anxious to secure materials for the coming session at Saratoga June 10th to 13th,

inclusive. This exhibit was accorded much praise and comment during the sessions at Atlantic City and St. Paul respectively, where were collected valuable exhibits from all parts of the country. The materials included not only pathologic specimens but the allied fields, bacteriology, hæmatology, physiology and biology were well represented. It would also be desirable to secure exhibits of new apparatus, charts, etc., used by teachers of pathology and physiology in medical colleges. This exhibit has already become a permanent feature of the annual sessions of the American Medical Association and the Committee is desirous of securing its list of exhibits as early as possible and to this end asks those having desirable materials to communicate with any member of the Committee.

such specialization Those lending their care will be given

To contribute to the value of the work, it is suggested that as far as possible each contributor select materials illustrative of one classification and by enhance the usefulness of the display. materials may feel assured that good their exhibits while in the hands of the Committee and due credit will be given in the published reports. Very respectfully,

F. M. JEFFRIES, 214 E. 34th St., New York City.
W. A. EVANS, 103 State St., Suite 1403, Chicago, Ill.
ROGER G. PERKINS, West. Res. Med. School, Cleveland, O.
Committee on Pathologic Exhibit, American Med. Ass'n.

THE DEATH OF LEVI COOPER LANE.-The death of Dr. Lane took place on February 18, 1902. Memorial services under the auspices of the Faculty of Cooper Medical College were held in the Auditorium on Sunday, March 9. The Occidental Medical Times justly speaks of the deceased as a citizen and physician of kind and gentle bearing; strong in his convictions; fearless in upholding the truth; a scholar and great lover of books, deep and clear in his lectures, and a hard student. As a physician and surgeon, he possibly had no equal in our western country. As a philanthropist, his name will ever be revered. His founding of Cooper Medical College, the Lane Hospital, the Lane

Lectures, etc., will stand as a perpetual monument and everlasting exponent of the two great qualities that ruled his life, the love of his profession and that of humanity, the giving to the world of the physician, the relief of his fellowbeings. In every respect, his life was exemplary, leaving to his students of the past and the future, and the profession, a goal that only the same noble life and aspirations can possibly attain. To the profession at large, the loss is irreparable.

THE PSYCHICALLY FIT FOR FREEDOM.-The jewel of political liberty is too priceless to be thrown to hogs. Only the psychically fit should own it. True American political liberty means regulated liberty and freedom to take part in regulating self and others by law, "commanding what is right, prohibiting what is wrong;" personal freedom within the bounds of right to others, that personal freedom which secures life, liberty and a chance for happiness through law to the possessor who does unto others as he would that others might do unto him. The liberty to surrender to law the personal right of self-defense and personal government in many matters for the weal of all, involves the right to aid in governing others by law. This is another thing from the freedom of unrestrained license for which ignorance and anarchy clamor. This freedom regulated by law is the only freedom possible to large numbers and it involves the necessity of intelligence and a pliant mind well disposed toward law, above anarchism and ultra altruism. To secure the benefits of freedom to all against the vicious and the ill-meaning strong, either armed organization or civil combination, with arms behind it must exist. Those who enter this combination in the name of free government should be the well disposed and the right minded. It is folly for a free government like ours to open the flood gates of a foreign vicious immigration and dilute the franchise so as to take in the vicious criminal scum of European and Asiatic ignorance and crime and hope to escape the perils of unstable society. What may we expect of communities given the right to vote and made of the erratic, unstable, violent, and vicious and every way degraded minded, but

unstable and degraded action in public life and at the polls, if these vicious vipers are allowed to vote. Fountains of political equity and intelligence do not rise higher than their source in any people. Unless patriotic enlightened statesmen come to the front, who know something or are willing to learn something of the psychology of vice and crime and degradation and apply the right and timely political remedy American free government, organized in the sacred name of Liberty and Law will become a misleading myth.

Let the statesmen look well also just now to the wrongs emanating from the intelligent mighty, the men of monied might, the land and franchise grabbers, who without charity for others, grab only for themselves, in the name of law, without fraternal consideration for their less fortunate fellowman. Let them see that these do not wrong the people through vicious, oppressive law.

THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UROLOGISTS was organized in New York on February 22, 1902, essentially for the purpose of further development of the study of urinary organs and their diseases. Ramon Guiteras, M. D., President; Wm. K. Otis, M. D., Vice-President; John Van der Poel, M. D., Treasurer; Ferd C. Valentine, M. D., Secretary; A. D. Mabie, M. D., Assistant Secretary.

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES of the Butler Hospital at Providence, R. I., on the suggestion of Superintendent Dr. G. Alden Blumer, has eliminated wholly from its official title the words "for the insane."

We join the Journal A. M. A. in commending this advance in designation of hospitals for the insane. They are hospitals for the afflicted and sick as other hospitals are. One is just as truly ill if affected in the psychic areas of the brain's cortex as though he were ill in his liver, lights or stomach.

DR. PAUL F. MUNDE, the New York gynecologist, and known throughout the world, died at his home Feb. 7, 1902. He was broad-minded, and took cognizance of the importance of the nervous system in the consideration of the diseases of women.