Differentiation of Smegma Bacillus.-Novy recommends the use of a saturated absolute alcoholic solution of methylene blue for some minutes as a counter stain after treatment with carbolic fuchsin. The red color of tubercle bacilli remain, while that of the smegma bacilli is removed.

Ear Disease and Brain Abscess.-Statistics show, says Dr. G. Griffin Lewis (Medical News, May 13) that more than one-half of all brain abscesses are caused by ear disease and that not far from 2,000 deaths occur every year in Great Britain and 4,000 in the United States from this result.

Treatment of Latent Syphilis.-A favorite prescription of Leonard Weber (Post-Graduate, May) consists of 2 grains mercury biniodide, 1⁄2 ounce sodium iodide and 8 ounces wine of pepsin. Of this a teaspoonful, and later two, is to be taken three times a day, two hours after meals, well diluted with water.

Electric Headache Cures.-According to the Thesaurus of Proprietary Preparations, these all consist of an alcoholic solution of oil of mustard, which is usually sprinkled on a small tuft of cotton enclosed in a wide mouth bottle. The twisted wires in these bottles are placed there simply to delude a gullible public.

An Epidemic of Arsenical Poisoning. Dr. Isham Harrison reports in the April number of the Atlanta Journal Record of Medicine, fifteen cases of multiple neuritis, due to Paris green. Three of the cases proved fatal. An interesting point was that nearly all of the victims complained of tender soles, and some of nothing else.

A Foul Breath.-Dr. W. H. Weaver states that his custom when consulted regarding a foul breath or coated tongue (New York Medical Journal) is to advise the patient to procure a tongue scraper and diligently clean the tongue every morning as a part of the morning toilet, using after it a disinfectant mouth wash on the tongue and teeth.

Nucleated Red Blood Corpuscles in Prognosis.--From special study of diseases of the blood during the past seven years, Dr. John S. Billings, Jr. (New York Medical Journal, May 20) concludes that when the red cells are below 1,500,000 per c.m. m. and no nucleated red corpuscles are to be found, a fatal result may confidently be expected.

Denver Health Bureau.-The May Report of the city Bureau of Health is, with the exception of a few typographic errors, much the best and most complete monthly bulletin ever issued by the city. bureau. The death-rate is even lower than a year ago, and there is evidence that the newly organized bureau is practical, industrious and harmonious.

BOOKS.

Public Health Reports.-Issued by the Supervising SurgeonGeneral Marine-Hospital Service, under the National Quarantine Act of April 29, 1878, and the act granting additional quarantine powers and imposing additional duties upon the Marine Hospital Service, approved Feb. 15, 1893. Vol. VIII.-Nos. 1 to 52. Washington: Government Printing Office. 1899.

Text-Book of Ophthalmology.-By Dr. Ernest Fuchs, Professor of Ophthalmology in the University of Vienna. Authorized Translation, Revised from the Seventh Enlarged and Improved German Edition. By A. Duane, M. D., Assistant Surgeon Ophthalmic and Aural Institute, New York. With Two Hundred and Seventy-Seven Illustrations. Second American Edition. New York: D. Appleton and Company. 1899.

We are already familiar with this standard work, which has received such merited recognition in the author's own country. We have learned from reference use that for clearness, fullness and accuracy of information this treatise is unsurpassed. Indeed, there are many sections in the text which we have not noticed considered at all in other works on the eye. The present revision is characterized by much important new matter and many alterations made necessary by the progress of this specialty. Over eighty illustrations have been added. The translator has also incorporated a section upon heterophoria and another upon cycloplegics and the correction of refractive errors in general. The work may be relied upon as a complete and judicious guide in all forms of ophthalmologic practice. Laboratory Work in Bacteriology.-By Frederick G. Novy, Sc.D., M.D., Junior Professor of Hygiene and Physiological Chemistry, University of Michigan. Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged, with Frontispiece and Seventy-Six_Illustrations. Octavo; 563 pages. Price, $3.00. Ann Arbor: George Wahr, Publisher. 1899.

This is a very thorough and practical work by one who is master of his special subject. The introductory chapters, on the morphology, classification, structure, chemistry, environment and life history of bacteria and the use of the microscope, are admirable in scope and execution. The cultivation of bacteria and the preparation of culture media are described fully and clearly, the simplest efficient methods being advised as a rule. The pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria, yeasts, moulds and streptothrices are conveniently outlined each on a single page, the opposite page being left blank for drawings of the growth. The relation of bacteria to

disease and the methods of infection are treated in the most scientific manner. The bacteriologic examination of water, soil and air, preparation of antitoxins, serum agglutination, preparation and staining of sections and other special methods of work are duly considered, according to the best and latest reserches. A marked feature of the work is the great number of original suggestions and practical modifications in technique which it contains. It is certainly a model laboratory text-book.

Massage and the Original Swedish Movements.-Their Application to the Various Diseases of the Body. By Kurre W. Ostrom, from the Royal University of Upsala, Sweden. Fourth Edition, Revised and Enlarged, with 105 Illustrations. Twelvemo; 168 pages. Price, $1.00. Philadelphia: P. Blak

iston's Son & Co., 1012 Walnut Street. 1899.

This little volume comprises lectures by the author before the training schools for nurses connected with the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, German Hospital, Woman's Hospital, Philadelphia Lying-In Charity Hospital, the Philadelphia Polyclinic and College for Graduates in Medicine, and the Kensington Hospital for Women of Philadelphia. The descriptions and directions are quite explicit and are made even clearer by the numerous drawings. The great demand for the book attests its practical value to physicians, nurses and professional masseurs.

A Text-Book of Anatomy.-By American Authors. Edited by Frederic H. Gerrish, M.D., Professor of Anatomy in the Medical School of Maine, at Bowdoin College. In One Magnificent Imperial Octavo Volume of 915 pages, with 950 Engravings in Black and Colors. Cloth, $6.50, net; flexible water-proof binding for the disecting table, $7.00, net; full leather, $7.50, net. Lea Brothers & Co., Publishers, Philadelphia and New

York.

The forelying volume is the work of Arthur Dean Bevan, Frederic Henry Gerrish, William Keiller, James Playfair McMurrich, George David Stewart and George Wolsey-all well known professors of anatomy in American medical colleges. It would seem a nearly impossible task to improve upon the standard text-books of anatomy already in the field, but the improvement in this instance. is an accomplished fact. The whole work is eminently modern and practical and systematic. The student is led on from subject to subject in the simplest and most rational manner. Regional anatomy is taught very thoroughly, yet almost at a glance, since the name of each part is engraved directly upon it. The colored engravings are as beautiful as they are numerous. In addition to these there is a great number of highly instructive and significant diagrams of anatomic relationship and function. Relational anatomy is

further illustrated by a number of plane sections and photograveurs. of surface anatomy. Skiagraphy is exemplified by a series of normal skiagraphs, covering the important surgical structures of the body. The claim of the publishers, that America has now a representative treatise or anatomy, is warranted in every respect. The book will doubtless have a very large and ever increasing sale. Students will be interested especialy the new flexible water-proof binding, which can be sponged clean as often as desired without injury. Y

JUL 24 1900

A Review of Recent Legal Decisions Affecting Physicians, Dentists, Druggists and the Public Health Together with a Bref for the Prosecution of Unlicensed PractitionA Medicine, Dentistry Pharmacy, with a Paper Upon Manslaughter, Christian. Science and the Law, and Other Matter. By W. A. Purrington, of the New York Bar. Price, 50 cents. New York: E. B. Treat & Co., 241-243 West 23d Street. 1899.

The marked increase of late years in medical legislation and malpractice suits makes a timely summary, like the one before us, of vital interest to the allied healing professons, as well as to attorneys. Most of the pamphlet is reprinted from the International Medical Annual for 1898. The author's Medical Record article on "Manslaughter, Christian Science and the Law" is a trenchant exposition of the aforesaid fad from the legal point of view.

The Newer Remedies.-Including their Synonyms, Sources, Methods. of Preparation, Tests, Solubilities, Incompatibles, Medicinal Properties and Doses as far as known, together with Sections on Organo-Therapeutic Agents and Indifferent Compounds of Iron. A Reference Manual for Physicians, Pharmacists and Students. By Virgil Coblentz, A. M., Phar. M., Ph. D., F.C.S., Etc., Professor of Chemistry and Physics in the New York College of Pharmacy. Third Edition, Revised and Very Much Enlarged; Octavo, 147 pages Price, $1.00. Philadelphia: P. Blakiston's Son & Co., 1012 Walnut Street. 1899. This handy little reference book describes the composition, chemical relations, uses and method of administration of practically all the later additions to our therapeutic resources, proprietary and otherwise. It contains a large amount of condensed and useful information, which could be obtained otherwise only by searching a great number of medical journals and brochures.

Transactions of the Wyoming State Medical Society.-First and Second

Regular Meetings, Held at Rawlins and Rock Springs, May and Nov., 1898. Denver, Colo.: App Engraving and Printing Co.

1899.

In addition to the constitution, by-laws and list of members, the contents include the President's address and nine other articles

with discussions, most of which have already appeared in this journal. The frontispiece consists of a photogravure of the president of the society, Dr. R. Harvey Reed, and of the secretary, Dr. E. Stuver. Having been printed by the publishers of the DENVER MEDICAL TIMES, the little volume is of course a typographic success. The young society is making a good start, and we wish it continued. prosperity.

Saunder's Medical Hand-Atlases-Atlas of Diseases of the Skin.-Including an Epitome of Pathology and Treatment. By Prof. Dr. Franz Mracek, of Vienna. Authorized Translation from the German. Edited by Henry W. Stelwagon, M. D., Ph.D., Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. With 63 Colored Plates and 39 Full-Page Half-Tone Illustrations. Price, $3.50 net. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders, 925 Walnut Street. 1899.

The nature of this particular subject makes it specially adaptable to pictorial representation. The volume before us constitutes an admirable reference atlas of dermatology at a very moderate price. As in other members of the series, each plate is accompanied by a brief printed description of the case, its history, present condition, course and treatment. The introductory epitome contains many useful points on diagnosis and therapy, including a large number of formulae. Altogether we are of the opinion that this volume will prove the most acceptable of all this remarkable series to the general practitioner.

Treatise on Human Physiology for the Use of Students and Practitioners of Medicine. By Henry C. Chapman, M.D., Professor of Institutes of Medicine and Medical Jurisprudence in Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. Second Edition; Octavo, 924 pages. Illustrated with 595 Engravings. Price in Cloth, $5.50; Leather, $6.50. Philadelphia: Lea Brothers & Co. 1899.

This volume, the work of an eminent American teacher and comparative physiologist, is designed to elucidate the grand subject of physiology in all its bearings upon the practice of medicine. It is broadly based, systematic and complete in all important particulars and is written in a fascinating style. Without enlargement of space or plan, the text of the revised edition has been entirely recast to conform with the many recent advances, particularly in nervous functions and physiologic chemistry. The latest methods of experimental research are fully describe and suitably illustrated. A large number of interesting and serviceable tables for reference are interspersed throughout the book. We take pleasure in recommending it without reserve both to pre-graduates and to postgraduates.