ment, and take it out of the hands of charlatans and the ignorant, they will certainly treat many of our cases. . . . There is not any particular power in ourselves, but the condition that we wish to produce lies within the patient, and it is simply our ability to produce rapport,' a peculiar state of sympathy. . . Cases are cited of the alleged cure of dysmenorrhea, insomnia, and tonsilitis by suggestion.

Professor Angell, in "The World To-day," says: "Mesmerists, hypnotists, Christian scientists, faith-curists, mental healers, medicine men, and priests, one and all succeed by playing upon the imagination in producing remarkable changes in bodily health. Moreover, so far as the evidence is available, the more intelligent employment of such agencies displays

astonishing uniformity in the reviation under

same disorders show themselves amenata

the auspices of Christian science as under hypnotic treatment; and about the same percentage of such disorders fail to yield to treatment under the two forms of procedure." He then proceeds to give a list of the functional conditions benefited, and shows the absurdity of combat germ diseases by such measures.

FOREIGN ABSTRACTS.

EDITED BY AMÉDÉE GRANGER, M. D.

Indications for Radiotherapy. Dr. Haret.

66

'Although the therapeutic action of a drug in disease cannot necessarily be determined by its action in health, it is more logical before stating what their indications are, that we should consider briefly the action of the X-rays upon healthy persons and mammals."

The action of the X-rays upon the skin and the subjacent tissues was the first observed and is of the greatest importance. All degrees of reaction from the mildest dermatitis to the severest burn have been produced. In each instance the process follows a regular course which can be divided into four periods, calm, rise, acme, and return to normal. As a rule the shorter the period of calm (from the X-ray exposure to the time of appearance of the symptoms) the more severe the other two, and the more protracted the last.

Histological study of the lesions has shown, I, that in severe X-ray burns the nerves, vessels, and the cellular elements are altered; 2, that the epithelial cells are primarily affected, and in very mild cases they alone are altered; 3, that the vessels are altered next; 4, that all epithelial cells are not equally affected, the rays having a selective action upon certain cell elements.

It has been determined that the rays bring about destruction. of the cells of the retina, and atrophy of the optic nerve.

A dose of rays not sufficient to produce reaction of the skin caused sterility in guinea pigs without loss of sexual appetite. The seminal fluid showed at first inert spermatozoa, later none were visible.

Severe raying of the ovaries produces atrophy and necrosis of the Graffian follicles.

The action of the Roentgen rays upon the blood-forming organs is very marked, especially so upon the spleen. The spleen is more susceptible than the skin. To affect the bone marrow a larger dose is necessary, and the changes only become apparent several days after the raying.

The X-rays also have a bactericidal action.

They are indicated in a large number of skin diseases because of their depilatory, counter-irritant and bactericidal action.

In leucemia, and other diseases of the lymph and blood glands, they have been used lately with excellent results, and in simple goiter.

A third large class of cases in which they are extensively employed is malignancy. The author believes them a specific in all epitheliomas whether of skin or mucus membrane. In other growths, especially those which are deep-seated, when operable, he advises ablation followed by careful and prolonged raying. When inoperable and ulcerated he considers that the X-ray is the only treatment which offers a possibility of cure and a certainty of some degree of improvement or palliation. (Read before the First International Congress of Physiotherapy, Liège, 1905.)

BOOK REVIEWS.

PRACTICAL MASSAGE IN TWENTY LESSONS.-By HARTWIG MISSEN, Instructor and Lecturer in Massage and Gymnastics at Harvard University Summer School; Director of Physical Training, Brookline Public Schools, etc., with 46 Original Illustrations. Philadelphia, F. A. Davis Company, Publishers,

1905.

This work treats of massage as taught by the author at Harvard University Summer School. This work is eclectic. in form, in that it represents a combination of manipulations and movements from other systems as well as the author's original ideas.

The first lesson includes a short history of massage with directions relative to the varieties of movements, duration, and frequency of treatment, and the physiological effects of movements, passive, active, and resistive. The remaining lessons refer to movements in general, followed by directions as to special movements in treatment of the upper limbs, lower

limbs, chest, abdomen, and trunk. Prescriptions are given in respect to the administration of general massage. Massage of the various parts of the body, with full illustrations as to administration, is considered. Nine of the lessons refer to the treatment of various pathological conditions including nervous diseases, as of the brain and spinal cord, nervous hysteria, chorea, sciatica, the occupation neuroses, diseases of the organs of circulation, diseases of the organs of digestion, and what the author considers as diseases of the organs of movement. Scoliosis, rheumatism, lumbago, stiffness of the joint and tendons, sprains, have a place in the work.

The book is well illustrated and the author shows his aptitude for the presentation of his subject in a concise manner. It is an excellent work for the beginner, to be used as a foundation preliminary to the perusal of a more elaborate treatise of the subject.

NEUROTIC DISORDERS OF CHILDHOOD, including a Study of Auto-and Intestinal-Intoxications, Chronic Anæmia, Fever, Eclampsia, Epilepsy, Migraine, Chorea, Hysteria, Asthma, etc. By B. K. RACHFORD, M. D., Professor of Diseases of Children, Medical College of Ohio, University of Cincinnati. Pediatrist to the Cincinnati, Good Samaritan, and Jewish Hospitals. Member of American Pediatric Society, Association of American Physicians, etc. New York: E. B. Treat and Company, 241-243 West 23d Street, 1905. Price $2.75 net.

This work considers affections of childhood that are often overlooked by the general practitioner. The work is well written and the subjects presented with care. The Normal Functions of Nerve Cells, the Physiological Peculiarities of the Nervous System During Infancy and Childhood and the Physiological Factors of the High Fevers and the Variable Temperatures of Childhood, etc., are considered. These subjects are treated in an able manner and the volume is a valuable addition to the library of the practitioner. The author has not fully recognized the importance of the employment of physical measures in the treatment of many conditions such as enuresis, migraine, recurrent vomiting, epilepsy, hysteria, habit spasm, etc. The work is attractively bound and highly creditable to both the publishers and the authors.

A MANUAL OF CLINICAL CHEMISTRY, MICROSCOPY, AND BACTERIOLOGY. By Dr. N. KLOPSTOCK and DR. A. KOWARSKY, of Berlin. Translated by THEW WRIGHT, M. D. London: Rebman, Limited, 129 Shaftesbury Avenue, W. C.; New York: Rebman Company, 1123 Broadway, 1905.

This manual is a presentation of the subjects represented in its title compiled in a concise form. It is a work designed for the general practitioner, giving the essential and practical features of the subjects in a way in which topics can be readily found. The work is well written and classified and the authors are to be congratulated on their work, especially on their arrangement. The leaded headings will be of great assistance

to the busy practitioner. The work includes a bacteriological examination of the secretions and deposits in the mouth and pharynx, of nasal secretions, of conjunctival secretions, of diseases of the skin, examination of the sputum, of the gastric contents, of the feces, of the urine, of the urethral and prostatic secretions, and fluids obtained by puncture. The usual method of bacteriological examination, formulæ of stains and culture media, receive considerable attention in the last chapter. Besides a number of cuts, the work contains sixteen colored plates. It is one of the most concise and practical manuals on clinical chemistry, microscopy, and bacteriology that has been produced.

PROGRESSIVE MEDICINE. A Quarterly Digest of Advances, Discoveries, and Improvements in the Medical and Surgical Sciences. Edited by HOBART AMORY HARE, M.D., Professor of Therapeutics and Materia Medica in the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia; assisted by H. R. M. LANDIS, M. D., Assistant Physician to the Out-Patient Medical Department of the Jefferson Medical College Hospital. Philadelphia and New York: Lea Brothers & Co., July 1, 1905. Price $6 per annum.

The present number of this valuable quarterly contains interesting articles on Hernia, by Wm. B. Coley, M. D.; Surgery of the Abdomen, Exclusive of Hernia, by Edward Milton Foote, M. D.; Gynecology, by John G. Clark, M. D.; Diseases of the Blood, Diathetic and Metabolic Diseases, Diseases of the Spleen, Thyroid Gland, and Lymphatic System, by Alfred Stengel, M. D.; and Ophthalmology, by Edward Jackson, M. D. The cuts illustrating the subjects are particularly good. The subjects as a rule are exhaustively treated, but at the present time greater recognition might have been given to physical measures, as in the use of the X-ray, radium, hydrotherapy, and the uses of certain electric modalities. An exhaustive index completes the book. It is a publication well worthy of the patronage of the profession.

THE PHARMACOPOEIA OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.-Eighth Decennial Revision by Authority of the United States Pharmacopoeial Convention held at Washington, A D. 1900. Revised by the Committte of Revision and published by the Board of Trustees. Official from September 1, 1905. Philadelphia Agents: P. Blackiston's Son & Company. Sub-Agents: New York, E. R. Pelton, 19 East Sixteenth St.; Chicago, The E. H. Colgrove Co., 65 Randolph St.; St. Louis, C. V. Mosby, 2313 Washington Avenue; San Fransisco, Payot, Upham & Co., 100 Battery Street.

The work opens with a historical introduction and an abstract of the proceedings of the National Convention of 1900 for revising the Pharmacopeia, introductory notices relating to various terms for the apothecary to follow, with a list of remedies added to the Pharmacopoeia, and a list of remedies dismissed. Changes of official Latin titles and of official English titles have also been made. A comparative table showing the strength of the more important pharmaceutical drugs and preparations in the preceding and the present Pharmacopoeia. The Pharmacopoeia comprises about 510 pages. The work is

well written, closing with an appendix devoted to the following subjects: Tests, Reagents, Test Solutions, and Volumetric Solutions. An alphabetical list of Volumetric Assays, Gasometric Estimations, Alkaloidal Assays by Immiscible Solvents, Determination of the Optical Rotation of Organic Substances, and a list of the Elements and Principal Pharmacopoeial Chemicals and Various Tables are also included. The publishers are to be congratulated on the fine appearance and general quality of the workmanship.

A SYSTEM OF PHYSIOLOGIC THERAPEUTICS.-A Practical Exposition of the Methods other than Drug-giving, useful for the prevention of disease and in the treatment of the sick. Edited by SOLOMON SOLIS COHEN, A. M., M.D., Professor of Clinical Medicine in Jefferson Medical College; Physician to the Jefferson Medical College Hospital, and to the Philadelphia General, Jewish, and Rush Hospitals, etc. Volume XI. Serum Therapy, by Joseph McFarland, M. D., Professor of Pathology and Bacteriology in the MedicoChirurgical College of Philadelphia. Organotherapy, by Oliver T. Osborne, M.A., M.D., Professor of Materia Medica and Therapeutics at Yale University. Radium, Thorium, and Radioactivity, by Samuel G. Tracy, B. Sc., M. D. Radiologist, New York Skin and Cancer Hospital; Assistant Neurologist, Vanderbilt Clinic, Columbia University, New York City; Counterirritation, External Applications, Bloodletting, by Frederick A. Pickard, M. D., late Physician to the Pennsylvania Hospital. An Outline of the Principles of Therapeutics, with a special reference to Physiologic Therapeutics, by the Editor. With Addendum on X-Ray Therapy and an Index Digest of the Complete System of Eleven Volumes. Illustrated. Philadelphia; P. Blackiston's Son & Co., 1012 Walnut Street, 1905.

This volume treats principally of subjects which are still in their infancy, but which add greatly to the general practitioner's therapeutic field. The editor is to be congratulated on having secured the co-operation of such able coilaborators, who have treated their subjects with conservatism. Serum therapy, by Dr. McFarland, the eminent pathologist and bacteriologist, is considered under two headings-The Evolution of Serum Therapy and Special Serum Therapy; Organotherapy, by Dr. Oliver T. Osborne, is subdivided into parts treating separately Extracts of Thyroid, Thymus, Pituitary and Suprarenal Glands and Animal Extracts, and similar agents of minor importance. Radium, Thorium,, and Radioactivity and their uses are ably presented by Dr. Tracy, who has devoted considerable time to the subjects. Counterirritation, external applications of heat and cold, local bleeding, and venesection are ably treated by Dr. Pickard, who under the subject Counterirritation demonstrates with illustrations cutaneous areas reflexly associated with internal parts, and cutaneous vascular areas collaterally related with the vessels of the viscera and to the different spinal segements. Dr. Solomon Solis Cohen adds an editorial addendum on X-ray therapy, relative to new discoveries in physics, improvements in Roentgen-ray technic, and progress in special therapeutics, as well as an outline of the principles of therapeutics with special reference to physiological therapeutics. The work closes with an index-digest of therapeutic