use in the writings of the old Greek physicians. The subject was again rejuvenated during the last century, and has received considerable scientific attention more recently. The favorable effects of general sun-baths may be traced to the factors of increased perspiration, with a corresponding increase in the excretion of deleterious substances; a prolonged hyperemia of the skin, resulting in a derivation of the blood from the internal organs to the surface of the body; a stimulation of the metabolic processes; a direct and peculiar action on the blood and the vessels; and finally a bactericidal effect in the superficial layers of the skin. The indications for the use of sun-baths may be found in diseases of metabolism (diabetes, gout, etc.,) in congestions in the internal organs (cardiac defects, asthma), and in anemia, chlorosis, general weakness or protracted convalescence, skin diseases, scrofula, and rickets.

"The modern system of local light therapy owes its development largely to the efforts of the late Prof. Finsen of Copenhagen. He based his theories of treatment on the bactericidal properties of sunlight, but later also employed the rays from an electric arc, as being more convenient. The splendid results he obtained in lupus and other parasitic dermatoses are well known. The extension of the method to other surgical affections has been greatly developed by Bernhard, of Switzerland, who has also been favored with very satisfactory results. In a recent contribution to the Zeitschrift fur diatetische und physikalische Therapie, August, 1905, he describes his observations made at a sanatorium in the Engadin, at an elevation of over 5,000 feet, with a southerly exposure. This location was favorable not only because the rare atmosphere allowed the chemical rays full play, but also because the general temperature was low enough to permit sun-bathing without any discomfort being produced by the heat. Bernhard reports successful cures in lupus from exposure during a considerable period to the rays of the sun alone without the use of any accessories. Furuncles, phlegmonous processes, and all streptococcus infections were greatly improved, and the results in tuberculosis of the superficial glands and joints were very favorable. In addition to bactericidal powers, the sun's rays also possess other therapeutic properties. Epithelial formation is visibly promoted by exposure to the sunlight, and flabby granulations are stimulated to renewed and healthy growth. The same author, in another paper, in the Zeitschrift fur Chirurgie, July, 1905, also notes the favorable action of sunlight in cases where a transplantation of skin flaps has been performed, the adhesion of the flaps and their final attachment being markedly hastened.

"The suggestions contained in these are interesting and timely, and among other things may exert an influence upon our present methods of wound treatment. Occlusive dressings have been quite universally employed for both primary and secondary wounds, although there is apparently no reason why, after the danger of infection is once past, factors

with such well marked healing tendencies as have been proved to be associated with sunlight and fresh air, should be entirely excluded. Sunlight is an agency which is easily obtained and readily applied, and as a therapeutic factor in surgical procedures, it is deserving of more extended attention and study."

In the neighborhood of two decades ago a young friend of ours in whom we had a warm interest as a devoted, earnest, and untiring student, then an assistant surgeon in the U. S. Navy, subsequently promoted to surgeon, and now on the retired list by reason of disability, having almost entirely lost the God-given gift of vision by too earnest a devotion to science, Dr. W. L. Arnold, a Tennessean, and a graduate of the Medical Department of the University of Tennessee, afforded us the pleasure and opportunity of publishing an original communication in the pages of this journal, in which he called attention to certain therapeutic properties of sunlight. He gave some very interesting views, including a clinical report of removing "a wine mark," that so dreadfully mars the "human face divine," by the use of concentrated sunlight, his method of concentration being quite simple, using only an ordinary magnifying glass with a handle, familiarly known as a "sun-glass," with which we have seen many a schoolboy amusing himself and companions more than half a century ago. The cosmetic result was very gratifying.

"Solar rays (sunlight)," says Joseph McFarland, of Philadelphia, in "Cohen's System of Physiologic Therapeutics," vol. V, p. 46, “have a marked influence on the general nutrition, increasing tissue oxidation and the elimination of carbon dioxide. Locally they alter the accumulation of pigment in the skin, causing freckles and tan. If the action be more intense or prolonged, erythema, desquamation, vesiculation, and even superficial eschars may result, except in the habituated."

Light is not always needed for, and in many instances it is detrimental to, bacterial growth. Exposure to the direct rays of the sun, and even diffused sunlight, not only inhibits the growth and development of, but often destroys many bacterial forms; and even the most virulent forms are attenuated thereby. And most important of all, according to Koch, the tubercle bacilli are quickly killed by direct exposure to solar rays, the time varying, according to circumstances, from a few minutes to several hours; while the diffuse rays alone will kill these organisms in five, six, or seven days, their virulence gradually diminishing prior to their death.

From an experience of more than forty years in active practice, I, as well as many others, have observed that nothing in the whole armamentarium of medicine has done as much good in arresting the ravages of the " Great White Plague" as life in the open air, and in a locality in which we find an excess or abundance of sunlight. Yes, "kitchen physic" and sunlight has given me far more satisfactory results than

any other remedial agents. Take the localities in which the tuberculous individual has been demonstrated to have the "best show for his life," and there you will find that sunlight is a more abundant and lavish gift than elsewhere.

Yes, indeed, is sunlight a most valuable therapeutic agent, and not sufficient attention has been paid thereto. Cod liver oil, the hypophosphites, alcohol, etc., may aid and assist, but of paramount importance is the influence of the magnificent "God of day." The trouble with us is that we are prone to place too much dependence on drugs, when there are other means at hand that are of far more importance, the erroneous idea being that they are too common, or seem too commonplace.

In this connection we desire to mention that we have been very much interested in a little monograph by Achilles Rose, M. D., of New York City, of about 250 duodecimo pages, published by Messrs. Funk & Wagnals Co., a brief review of which will be found in this number, his subject being "Carbonic Acid in Medicine." Now we were taught, others were taught, years and years before our time, and medical students are being taught to-day, that this is one of the important waste products of the animal economy; furthermore, others of the laity know as well as the veriest tyro in medicine, that carbon dioxide is lethal to man as well as other animals. Yet Dr. Rose gives some very important and valuable lessons, showing that this, like many other deadly poisons, is in a number of instances a very valuable therapeutical agent. Nay, further, he cites the fact that more than fifty centuries ago the Israelites, later the Jews of the time of "The Man of Galilee," yet later, Paracelsus, von Helmont, Lavoisier, Priestly, "the father of chemistry," the discoverer of oxygen; Percival of Manchester, Hey and Warren, his contemporaries, L'Abbe Magellan, and a number of others living and actively engaged in medical practice one hundred and fifty, one hundred, aye, fifty years ago, recognized valuable therapeutic properties in this compound of oxygen and carbon. Verily, verily, we often "look too far afield."

"BRONZE JOHN."

As we anticipated, and so stated in our September issue with a confidence based upon the results obtained in Havana and other portions of "The Queen of the Antilles" in quite recent years, yellow fever is now a thing of the past in New Orleans. At this writing, October 24, seven days have gone by and not a single death; and the same may be said of the towns and villages of both Louisiana and Mississippi, although it yet lingers and may for some few days longer at Pensacola.

It may be claimed by pessimists that this is but the natural sequence of the "passing of the days," and the approach of winter, as has been

the case time and again in years ago; however, we can claim that the grim monster never before loosed his fangs so early in the season in the Crescent city; and again, has any visitation in previous years ever been attended with so low a mortality? Just to think of it! The mortality from this disease has been reduced below that of many other infectious diseases regarded as almost harmless. No, it has not yielded its grasp this year on account alone of the approach of winter. It has been robbed of its terrors to a great extent, and has been forced to retreat largely by means of scientific observation and acting thereon.

While great credit is unquestionably due to the medical profession in New Orleans and other places involved, we cannot overlook the important aid given by the National Government acting through the Public Health and Marine Hospital Service, and no small meed of praise is due to the people and the physicians of the sections infected, for the unanimity with which they put personal pride for the time being in their pockets, and accepted this most valuable assistance tendered them in their hour of need. No stronger argument has ever been made in behalf of "A Department of Public Health."

And now, as to Madame Stegomyia Fasciata—"Vale in pace." You may still claim, so far as our beautiful Southland is concerned to be adscriptus glebae," but we have learned to clip your wings!

ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH.

THE Commencement exercises for the session of 1905 were held in St. Augustine's Chapel at Sewanee, Thursday, Oct. 26, at 10 A. M., and notwithstanding the bad condition of the weather, quite a large audience was present. The opening exercises consisted of an address by Prof. Jno. S. Cain, M. D., Dean of the Medical School, preceded by prayer by Rev. Mr. Guerry. Professor Cair announced the certificates of merit, the first honor in the School of Pharmacy being awarded to Dr. P. C. Schmidt, of New Orleans, and the first honor in the Medical School was won by Dr. Alfred S. Frazier, of Alabama, he having a number of close contestants, the scholastic standing of the class in general this year being unsually good. Misses Manuella de Ories, of Pennsylvania, and Emily Sutton, of Georgia, received certificates of proficiency in the Training School for Nurses. The valedictory address was given by Roland C. Evans, M. A., M. D., of Pennsylvania. His address was highly commended by all, tendering an affectionate farewell to faculty and associates, it bore testimony to the excellent advantages of the school, its salubrious, picturesque, and beautiful location, and alluded to the warm fraternal feeling existing in the class; he gave his associates good and

practical advice as to the duties and great responsibilities of a doctor's life and work, and urged them to so bear themselves that each one would have a just pride in the others and their Alma Mater in them all.

The following is a list of the graduates, on whom were conferred the degree of Doctor of Medicine, twenty States being represented in the class:

W. J. Babin, M. Ph., La.; C. C. Brown, Ala.; W. R. Butler, Ala.: G. F. Carroll, Ga.; R. C. Evans, A. M., Pa.; McP. Colmore, Tenn.; Alfred S. Frazier, Ala.; M. J. Greenstein, Pa.; G. B. Hamilton, Mass.; A. G. Harris, N. C.; E. W. Hawkins, Va.; W. B. Johnson, Ala.; E. W. Jones, N. C.; McM. Jones, Ill.; S. D. Kearney, La.; A. L. Kelley, Ph. G., Del.; J. B. McCann, Pa.; D. C. Morris, Tenn.; W. B. Noffz, S. C.; W. W Norris, Ga.; R. J. Perry, Tenn.; C E. Rhodes, Ala.; P. C. Schmidt, La.; J. B. Thompson, La.; Z. D. Ward, Ga.; W. A. Warfield. Va.; L. O. Whitman, Minn.

THE TRI-STATE ASSOCIATION OF MISSISSIPPI, ARKANSAS, AND TENNESSEE-TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL MEETING.

THE Tri-State Medical Association of Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee will meet in Memphis on November 21-22-23, at the Hotel Gayoso. This association occupies a very important place in the estimation of the physicians of that portion of the Mississippi Valley tributary to Memphis. The attendance at the annual meetings is from three hundred to five hundred representative practitioners, and the programs are always interesting and practical. It is the best attended district medical society in the South. The meeting this year is expected to be the largest and most interesting that the Association has ever held, and all eligible physicians in the States comprising the Association are invited to be present. A rate of one and one-third fare, on the certificate plan, will be made from all points in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee. The secretary, Dr. Richmond McKinney, Memphis Trust Company Building, Memphis, will be pleased to supply any information desired concerning the approaching meeting.

Dr. Richmond McKinney, our contemporary of the Memphis Medical Monthly, being the very efficient, energetic, and courteous Secretary, "it goes without saying" that the meeting will be a good one. means go, Doctor, if you possibly can.

By all

HYSTERIA is the expression of one form of nervous debility. Celerina is thus peculiarly indicated because of its tonic effect on the whole nervous system.