it's only the wife of Pipkins, the new member from Leith. Don't you know he made a large fortune in snuff and capers?" "Aw, yes, really. I thought that hideous fright couldn't be her ladyship." But, it was the duchess, after all!

If even there be retribution for polite hypocrisy. I think those who have applauded indifferent performances in music will form a numerous company of the accused; yet, better silence than the bald heartlessness. "That's a beautiful song" -as though the composer himself were on trial-followed by the ominous stillness that bespeaks the general conscience. There are situations, no doubt, where wit alone can save us from disaster. It is related of Talleyrand that, being seated one evening between two ladies, one the most accompished, the other the most beautiful woman of the day, the former put to him this terrible proposition: "Now, Mr. Talleyrand, if we were sailing upon a lake together and both of us should fall into the water, which would you save?" Instantly he named the court-beauty. "What!" said the lady of talent, "and you would allow me to drown?" "No, indeed, madam, you would know how to swim."

I have reserved to the second part of my theme only the space which perhaps signified its due proposition in our lives and thoughts. Yet, the history of solitude, written, as it is in letters of flame, claims from mankind a solemn and attentive ear. It is the history of the most impressive struggles, the most careworn hours of toil and pain that have molded the aspirations and illumined the conquests of the human race, and from its central fires has been kindled the faith that has reared the divinest symbol of mortal regeneration. "They are never alone that are accompanied with noble thoughts," says Philip Sydney.

How, then, shall we define solitude? The very sound of the word has an echoing loneliness unlike that of any other

word in our language. Is it not the retirement and meditation of the soul-the utter consecration of ourselves to Deity? Addison, in the "Spectator," says: "I believe most men have, at times, wished to be creators, possessed of the power of molding the world to their fancy; but, they would act more wisely to mold their own prepossessions and prejudices to the standard of the world." And, again: "The passive virtues only are fit to be buried in a cloister; the firm and active mind disdains to recede, and rises upon opposition." Elsewhere he writes: "In case we suppose ourselves translated into Jupiter or Saturn and there to meet a Chinese or other most-distant native of our planet, we should look upon him as a near relative and suddenly commence a friendship with him." Which reminds me of that fine passage from Cicero: "If we were to ascend into the heavens and behold all the majesty and harmony of the universe, that sight, however glorious, would, still, be uninspiring had we not some friend anear to whom we might communicate our thoughts."

Yet, gentle as are the ministrations of friendship, there are seasons when solitude itself is sweet, when all intrusion seems unkind, and the spirit of man must wander in lonely contemplation of the mysterious divinity that encompasses its throbbing life. "Solitude is the audiencechamber of God." It has been well observed that loneliness, after all, is but relative and that solitude often is less solitary than society-where solitude is calm and clear, while society only brings home to us our isolation; and the truth that our real lives are almost wholly concealed from others is beautifully portrayed in Keble's lines:

Sing, little birds, but, oh, my heart will

break

With sorrow as I listen bowed in tears. Sing on in joy for your bird-love's sweet

EISENBERG: "BACTERIOLOGY"

Principles of Bacteriology. By Arthur A. Eisenberg, A. B., M.D. Illustrated. St. Louis: The C. V. Mosby Company. 1918. Price $1.75.

The little volume before us represents, with certain additions, the author's syllabus of lectures on bacteriology delivered to the nurses at several of the Cleveland hospitals. It was prepared in order to fill up the vacancies existing in various textbooks of bacteriology for nurses, and is written in as simple language as possible. The author has made a decided innovation in textbooks of bacteriology for nurses, in that he has dealt deliberately with the rationale and the principles of bacterial prophylaxis, discussing the mode of infection, disinfection, and prophylaxis and dealing with the individual microorganisms. In cther ways, too, he also gives free abstracts of the theories of immunity, and which are so necessary for a proper application of bacteriological knowledge.

The little book certainly is of value, not only for nurses, but, also for physicians, especially those whose college-days antedate the general study of, and instruction in, bacteriology-there still are among us a good many of these oldtimers to whom the highly technical current textbooks on bacteriology are of comparatively little use.

OSTRUM: "MASSAGE"

Massage and the Original Swedish Movements: Their Application to Various Diseases of the Body. By Kurre W. Ostrom. Eighth edition, revised and enlarged. With 125 illustrations. Philadelphia: P. Blakiston's Son & Co. 1918. Price $1.00.

This little book contains lectures delivered before the training-schools for nurses connected with the hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, German Hospital, Women's Hospital, Philadelphia Lying-In Charity Hospital, Philadelphia Polyclinic and College for Graduates in Medicine, and the Kensington Hospital for Women, of

Philadelphia. The present edition was revised by Mr. Silfverberg at the hand of notes left by the author, Mr. Ostrom, deceased. Like the preceding editions, this little book will be of service to those who are interested in massage-treatment.

SCHUELLER-STOCKING: “ROENT

GEN DIAGNOSIS"

Roentgen Diagnosis of Diseases of the Head. By Dr. Arthur Schüller. Authorized Translation by Fred F. Stocking, M. D., M. R. C. St. Louis: C. V. Mosby Company. 1918. Price $4.00.

While the treatment of head diseases, more especially intracranial conditions, is surgical and should be limited to men who have acquired special surgical ability in this field, the diagnostic knowledge may and should be possessed by the general practitioner. Indeed, there are many conditions involving the general health and producing symptoms that come under the observation of the general practitioner which really originate in structural changes within the cranial cavity. The recognition of these often is not possible without roentgenologic examination, the facilities for which nowadays are considerably greater than was the case formerly. Doctor Schüller's book on Roentgen-diagnosis of diseases of the head constitutes the first comprehensive study of its kind. The translation was approved for publication by the Surgeon-General of the United States Army and may be accepted as of practical value.

LUYS: "CYSTOSCOPY AND URETHROSCOPY"

A Treatise on Cystoscopy and Urethroscopy. By Georges Luys. Translated and Edited with Additions by Abr. L. Wolbarst, M. D. Illustrated. St. Louis: C. V. Mosby Company. 1918. Price $7.50.

Until recently, the method of indirect cystoscopy has been in greater favor in America than was the direct-vision method and it is in part because Doctor Luys' work is frankly a plea in behalf of the direct method that its translation into English was undertaken The book will be welcomed because it presents extensive and illuminating historical data, showing the origin and development of cystoscopy and urethroscopy. It contains a detailed and, as far as the Reviewer can tell, an impartial comparison of the indirect and direct methods, even though the author frankly prefers the latter. Finally, the information derived through ureteral catheterization and the practical application of cystoscopy are considered in detail. This book is well gotten up, beautifully printed and copiously illustrated. To physicians devoting much attention to genitourinary diseases, it will be a welcome addition to their library.

KOPLIK: "DISEASES OF INFANCY AND CHILDHOOD"

The Diseases of Infancy and Childhood. Designed for the use of Students and Practitioners of Medicine. By Henry Koplik, M. D. Fourth Edition. Revised and Enlarged. Illustrated with 239 Engravings and 25 Plates in Color and Monochrome. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger. 1918. Price $6.00.

Times change. When the Reviewer was in general practice, not a great many years ago, it was customary to wash the mouth of the infants, either after each feeding in bottle-fed infants or two or three times daily in breast-fed infants. Doctor Koplik declares that there is really no scientific indication for doing this if the rubber nursing nipples and the bottles used for artificially fed infants are kept scrupulously clean; and, with the breast-fed infant, if the mother's or nurse's breast nipple, be cleansed with a solution of boric acid before and after each nursing. Before the eruption of the teeth, the natural secretions of the mouth are quite sufficient to keep the mouth clean. Indeed, it has been shown conclusively that washing the mouth of infants is productive of infectious ulcerations of the mucous membranes of the buccal cavity as well as the means by which extraneous infections are engrafted on the mucous membrane.

In looking through this latest edition of Doctor Koplik's book, we were interested

in various other points, for instance, his discussion of bacterial-vaccine therapy in children; also his remarks on the administration of drugs and other methods of therapy in children. In these as well as in the discussion of diseases as they are observed and call for treatment in children, the author's disquisitions are the result of wide observation and judicious consideration. We like this volume on children's diseases and commend it to physicians.

BACON: “OTOLOGY"

A Manual of Otology. By Gorham Bacon, A. B., M. D. Assisted by Truman Laurance Saunders, A. B., M. D. Seventh Edition, Revised and Enlarged. With 204 Illustrations and 2 Plates. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger. 1918. Price $3.00.

This is a compact and handy book of refence for the general practitioner on diseases of the ear concerning which he certainly is in need of a certain amount of information. The book is out in its seventh edition which is ample testimony of the favor with which it was received, and the good that it has accomplished.

STALL: "THE CHILDREN ON SUNDAYS"

With the Children on Sundays. Through Eye-Gate and Ear-Gate into the City of Child-Soul. By Sylvanus Stall, D. D. Philadelphia. The Vir Publishing Company. 1911. Price $2.00.

For some children, Sunday used to be (and in some instances still is) the gloomiest day in the week. There still are people who take their religion as a great burden and as being essentially a state of "don'ts." Accordingly, the children are prevented from doing everything that is pleasant on Sunday, which is supposed to be dedicated to the Lord, and they come to entertain a cordial dislike for this day which ought to be the most cheerful, sunniest, happiest and best day of the week. Instead of repressing children, it would be so much better to guide them and stimulate them and to train their thoughts along appropriate subjects. Dr. Sylvanus Stall introduces in the present volume the idea of "playing church". He describes also many occupations and games that may be indulged in suitably by the children on Sunday and without any fear whatever of desecrating the Holy Day. Undoubtedly, the book contains numberless valuable suggestions. Those to whom Sunday is a sad day may study it, together with their children, and benefit from it.

KEYES: “UROLOGY"

Urology: Diseases of the Urinary Organs, Diseases of the Male Genital Organs, The Venereal Diseases. By. Edward L. Keyes, Jr., M. D. With 204 Illustrations. New York: D. Appleton & Company. 1917. Price $6.50.

MORTON: "GENITOURINARY DISEASES AND SYPHILIS"

Genitourinary Diseases and Syphilis. By Henry H. Morton, M. D. Fourth Edition, Revised and Enlarged. With 330 Illustrations and 36 Full-Page Colored Plates. St. Louis: C. V. Mosby Company. 1918. Price $7.00.

BETHEA: "MATERIA MEDICA"

Practical Materia Medica and Prescription Writing. With illustrations. By Oscar W. Bethea, M. D., Ph. G. Second Revised Edition. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis Company. 1917. Price $4.50.

The first part of this volume contains a condensed materia medica, describing the main important galenical remedies, and, in some instances, their alkaloids. The second portion is devoted to the theory and practice of prescription writing, an art that seemingly has almost been lost. It may be well for all of us to study prescription writing and, indeed, the entire discussion presented so interestingly by Doctor Bethea.

the normal and pathological histology of the teeth, the second part may be studied advantageously by physicians likewise, treating as it does the pathological conditions of the gums, palate, antrum, jaws, oral mucous membrane, and so forth. One chapter is devoted to the problems of oral microbiology.

TYLER: "ROENTGENOTHERAPY"

Roentgenotherapy. By Albert Franklin Tyler, B. Sc., M. D. With 111 illustrations. St. Louis: C. V. Mosby Company. 1918. Price $2.50.

This is a brief manual designed especially for the novice and enabling him to grasp the principles of x-ray treatment readily. A description of the necessary apparatus introduces the book, being followed by chapters on superficial roentgenotherapy, on deep therapy, and on the x-ray treatment of malignant growths. A further chapter contains numerous instructive case histories which are elucidated, moreover, by many illustrations.

GRULEE: "INFANT FEEDING"

Infant Feeding. By Clifford G. Grulee, A. M., M. D. Illustrated. Third Edition, Thoroughly Revised. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Company. 1917. Price $3.25.

Doctor Grulee's views concerning infant feeding follow in substance those elaborated by Finkelstein and he has also adopted Finkelstein's classifications of nutritional disturbances, though with some modifications. The problem of infant feeding, of course, is an exceedingly important one, and general practitioners should, by all means, study the methods as they are developed and proved in children's hospitals and children's wards. It is for this reason that Doctor Grulee's book is a welcome guide for the general practitioner.

HILL-GERSTLEY: "INFANT

FEEDING"

Clinical Lectures on Infant Feeding. Boston Methods by Lewis Webb Hill, M. D. Chicago Methods by Hesse Robert Gerstley. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Company. 1917. Price $2.75.

This book of clinical lectures presents a somewhat new method of postgraduate medical education, in accordance with a

plan originating with Dr. W. S. Rankin, the secretary of the North Carolina State Board of Health. The authors of the lectures presented in the book before us gave them under the auspices of the University of North Carolina and the State Board of Health in several towns throughout that state to the physicians who were thus enabled to receive welcome instruction without being compelled to leave their practices. There is a further novel feature in this little treatise in that one author was trained in the methods used in Boston, while the other received his instruction in Chicago with postgraduate work in Europe. In consequence, the lectures differ in some points enabling the reader to compare the teachings of the two schools of infant feeding.

BERGEY: “HYGIENE”

The Principles of Hygiene. A Practical Manual for Students, Physicians, and Health-Officers. By D. H. Bergey, A. M., M. D. Sixth Edition, Thoroughly Revised. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Company. 1918. Price $3.50.

The sixth edition of Bergey's manual on hygiene comes out at a fortunate time, since it is important that the steady advancement of our knowledge of hygiene be recorded from time to time. It often has given the Reviewer much pleasure to be able to recommend this manual to physicians who consulted him in regard to a handy and authoritative treatise on the subject of hygiene, which yet is not too cumbersome. The new edition will be quite as much subject to recommendation as the former ones.

ANDERS: "PRACTICE OF MEDICINE"

A Text-Book of the Practice of Medicine. By James M. Anders, M. D. Thirteenth Edition-With the Assistance of John H. Musser, Jr., B. S., M. D. Illustrated. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Company. 1917. Price $7.50.

The latest edition of Anders' clinical text-book of the practice of medicine was prepared with the assistance of Dr. John H. Musser Jr., and is the product of a close and thorough revision of the last issue. The new material that has been added is so extensive and important that possessors of

the older editions will naturally want to acquire this later book. The new material deals especially with the treatment of tetanus, acidosis in diabetes, treatment of asthma, anaphylaxis of food intoxication, focal sepsis, pyorrhea alveolaris and various other affections on which recently much work has been done. Other subjects have been rewritten, such as, prophylactic vaccination, specific therapy in typhoid fever, specific therapy in tuberculosis, pellegra as a nutritional disorder, splenic anemia, intestinal toxemia, bacteriology of whooping cough, hemolytic jaundice, and the diseases of the nervous system. So, it will be seen that just those diseases that have presented so many serious problems in the past have received special consideration with reference to the most recent discoveries and experiences.

"PRACTICAL MEDICINE SERIES"

Vol. VIII of The Practical Medicine Series closes the collection for 1918, and is devoted to nervous and mental diseases. Naturally, the war has given rise to various neuroses and psychoses providing a great abundance of neurologic material the literature of which during the preceding year is abstracted in the volume before us and which sells separately for $1.40.

The Practical Medicine Series is issued in eight volumes annually by the Year Book Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, at a subscription price of $10.00. The individual volumes are devoted to special subjects and may be purchased separately.

Electro-Therapeutical Practice. A Ready Reference Guide for Physicians in the Use of Electricity and the X-Rays. Nineteenth Edition Revised. By Chas. S. Neiswanger, M. D. Chicago: Ritchie & Company. 1918. Price $3.50.

The nineteenth edition of Doctor Neiswanger's manual on electro-therapeutical practice has been out for several months, and contains the actual requirements of electro-therapeutical methods as they have been proved of merit. When a book has reached its nineteenth edition, it hardly stands in need of commendation. It goes without saying that it is good.