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BIOLOGY AND WAR.

The mis-interpreters of Evolution lose sight of the fact that Man's fight was much more with Nature, cold, hunger, flood, lightning, and with wild beasts, than with his fellowman. Even the lower animals were not engaged, primarily, with eating each other up. And at every stage of the Struggle for Existence, there was Cooperation and the concerted effort to change the environment. War itself, presupposes co-operation and concerted action on an enormous scale. He fought his fellow only for food when hungry or for a female. Crile lays great stress on activation patterns and the primal nature of the urge to war, yet even in his book I find reference to the instinctive tendency for opposing troops to fraternize when there is a halt in the actual fighting, and soldiers tell how hard they find it to kill outright when they can see the face of an enemy clearly, unless in fear of death or in the excitement of the struggle. He did not have to manufacture enemies or invent a causus belli.

MEDICAL METAPHYSICS. Priestly survivals in medical minds are responsible for the attitude toward Disease as a Visitation, or at least an Invasion. While this is true as to the causa efficiens, germ, or poison, as the case may be, the reaction is the thing. We have studied the external agencies and neglected the internal factors, or, at best interpreted them in terms of mechanics rather than of biology. Hence we are familiar rather with symptoms, or signs of pathological change, than with normal or para-normal states. We still have a lot to learn about the Border Land of Health,

SUMMER RESORTS.

Among the circulars sent me, is one of a certain Inn with all the improvements, diversions and amusements which the most exacting paranoiac could ask for. They even print a Program of Events, so that the boarders are not required to loaf and invite their souls, but are happy according to schedule. Take this, for example:

Saturday, July 3. Afternoon. Tennis on all courts Clock golf playing.

Water Sports on Anonymous Lake-Boating, Canoeing, Bathing Swimming.

Open Air Concert by Eldorado Inn Orchestra. After Dinner: Strolling on the new Eldorado Inn Illuminated Promenade.

Evening: In the new Eldorado Inn Illuminated Dancing Pavilion,

"The War Is Over."

Allied Nations Dance and Festivities. Dance with or without Costumes.

Novelties, Headgear and Noisemakers contributed by the Management.

Talented Professional Vaudeville Entertainers. Music by the Eldorado Inn Jazz Orchestra with the latest syncopations.

There is one thing I missed: Nothing was said about the later hours. Why not complete, as fol lows:

Night: Sleeping, dozing, or gasping for air in Eldorado Inn bed-rooms,

Pillows, Sheets and floor-space furnished by management.

Midnight: Strolling around unilluminated Eldorado chambre-a-coucher in search of special brand, Eldorado Inn, ice-water.

Early Morning: Awakened by special Eldorado Inn alarm-clock, furnished by management. Bathe, wash or shower in enameled Eldorado Inn bathtubs.

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SCORE: TRENTON, 100; PHILADEL-
PHIA, 0.

(From the N. Y. Medical Journal, April 17, 1920.) Dental Infection as Cause of Mental and Nervous Disease.-Mills, C. K. (Philadelphia) states that he knows of a score or two of cases in which the teeth, in small or large numbers, have been removed with results so harmful as to impress him with the criminality of the procedure. Dementia precox, manic depressive insanity, epilepsy, neurasthenia, hysteria and psychasthenia were some of the cases in which the teeth were freely sacri ficed without a single result of value.

Focal Infection and Mental Disease.-Cotton, H. A (Trenton, N. J.) believes it can be shown by clinical evidence that certain types of mental disease are caused by toxemia from focal infection, particularly of dental origin, and from unerupted third molars, and clearing up these foci results in recovery. This he has confirmed by pathologic and bacteriologic studies made after death, and says he has yet to find a single case with a functional psychosis without a focal infection.

P. H. F.

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DOCTOR STRONG'S SACRIFICE

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surgery 'over there,' and can put his old dad onto many a new wrinkle. I had no idea he'd be discharged so soon after getting back, but I guess they feel he's done his share."

"What time is he to arrive?" the mother asked. "Five-thirty this evening from Chicago. Now I must run along," he continued, looking at his watch. "I've made arrangements with Baker Brothers to turn in the little old car on a brand new Hupson."

"Why, Father, I'm afraid you're too extravagant." "No, I'm not," he maintained stoutly. "Do you think that Doctor John Strong, Jr., late Major in the Medical Corps of the United States Army, and wearer of the Distinguished Service Medal, would ride in a flivver? I

"John! John!" she gasped, "you must stop. Why, should say not! And then, too, Mother," he added, you are worse than a boy."

my

"And I feel like a two-year-old," he almost shouted, placing her in her chair. "This is the day I have waited for for thirty years. Why, Mother," he said, soberly now, "ever since that day thirty years ago when little wife went down into the valley of the shadow of death that there might be new life, I have waited for the time when that baby boy would come home and help his old dad." "Yes, dear," she murmured, stroking his hand as he sat on the arm of her chair, "and I am so glad for you, as well as for myself. Now you won't have to make any more night calls, and Jack can take all of those cases which have been so irksome to you."

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"Yes, and I shan't have to rely on Old Doctor Johnson anymore to assist me in my operations. I never knew when he was going to be sober."

"And every summer you can go to the big medical meetings and take your proper place with the great surgeons of the country."

"Tut, tut, Mother," he murmured, modestly, but obviously pleased, "a pretty figure I'd cut with the Lanes and Kyle, Trainors and all that crowd."

"Well, I guess you could teach them many a thing they don't know," she asserted proudly.

He smiled good-naturedly as he kissed her, stroking her pretty gray hair, then returned to the subject uppermost in his mind.

"Just think, Mother," he enthused, "Jack's only thirty years old and has been a major in the Medical Corps, while scores of much older doctors have been captains or less. I know he'll have many a tale to tell of the

as he took up his hat, "there are a few things at the hospital I want to see about. hospital I want to see about. Miss Ringer says everything's ready for our first operation, but I want to be sure." "All right, Father," she said, "but do be careful with the new car."

"Never fear," he replied lightly, kissing her goodbye, "it's far easier to drive than the old one."

After the doctor left, the little mother sat for a long time, rocking gently. Then she got up and went to her own room. On her dresser was an array of photographs. First she looked at the picture of the little crowing baby, and the divine smile of mother love spread over her face. "My baby!" she whispered softly.

Then came the photograph of the laughing, rollicking schoolboy, and she smiled brightly as she remembered his many pranks. Sometimes she had worried about him in those days, he was so mischievous.

The image of the young man in the cap and gown of his college graduation with his serious expression, though laughing eyes, brought the smile of pride. That was seven years ago. And how enthusiastically he had plunged into his medical work in the autumn! For four years he had been away from his father and mother with only an occasional brief visit snatched from his studies. There followed a year of hospital work, and then the Great War.

She shuddered as she remembered the agony of that parting when he left them for overseas. She tried to be brave, but the tears would come, though she smiled through them, and she kissed him good-bye with a "God bless you" on her lips. And now that it was all over she looked with great pride at the picture of the clean-cut young

American in olive drab, with the gold oak leaves of a major on his shoulders, and the jaunty overseas cap and the Sam Browne belt.

uated at the head of his class, had received the commendation of the great masters of medicine and surgery, and who had served so brilliantly all through the war in the

"My soldier!" she murmured, and she backed away Medical Corps, was coming to take his place beside slightly, and standing very erect, saluted.

Then she went downstairs and busied herself with the preparations for the home-coming of her boy.

Promptly at five o'clock Doctor Strong again drove up to the front of his home. This time there was no snort, no rattle, no bang. The big roadster glided smoothly up to the house, and silently came to a stop. The mother was waiting on the porch with her hat and

coat on.

"Oh, what a beauty!" she cried, excited as a schoolgirl as she came down the steps. "I do hope you haven't been extravagant, John."

"Now you leave that to me," he laughed, helping her in.

At the little station Doctor Strong climbed out of the car and went to interview the agent about the time of the Chicago train.

"On time, Doctor. Due in ten minutes," the agent told him. "'Specting somebody?"

"Yes, Jack's coming home tonight."
"Well, I bet you'll be glad to see him!"

As the doctor walked back to the car he seemed to be treading on air; in fact, it had seemed so all day since Jack's telegram arrived. The weight of the world was lifted from his shoulders. He had worked very hard these last few years, and especially during the past months of the winter when the influenza epidemic was at its height. No one will ever know the hardships the older physicians of the country went through and the sacrifices they made while the younger doctors were at war. There should be no stint of the praise of these men who gave up their all to go to their country's aid, but many, many times it was much harder for those who were left at home. And Doctor Strong was no exception. He had promptly offered his services to his country when the war started, but the Surgeon General had politely written him that he was too old. So he threw himself with a vim into the work at home. He was a member of the local draft board; he made four minute speeches for the Liberty Loans; he worked for the Red Cross and the Y. M. C. A., and with it all his professional duties were added to by the absence of two of the three other physicians of the town.

But now it was all ended; his son, of whom he was so proud, was coming home. His son, who had grad

his father.

"Feelin' mighty chipper this evenin', ain't you, Doctor?" his old friend Jim McDaniels greeted as he stepped out of the station.

"I sure am, Jim," the doctor replied. "Feel twenty years younger. Jack's coming home."

"Well, well, that there's mighty fine. Goin' to take up practice with you in the new hospital, ain't he?" "Yes. That's how I happened to fix the old place over."

"Well, good luck to you, Doctor. Tell Jack to come to see me. So long."

"Thank you, Jim. I'll tell him. Good night." And the doctor passed on to the car.

"The train's on time, Mother," he announced. "She's due here any minute."

At that instant there was a long shriek of a locomotive whistle in the distance.

"Here she is now," the doctor cried. "Come, Mother, let's walk down the platform a bit."

As he helped the little gray lady very gently out of the car he felt her hand tremble just a little, and glancing at her face he saw a tear glisten in her eye.

"There, there, Mother," he soothed, drawing her hand through his arm, "this must be a day of happiness.' "It is because I'm so happy," she said, simply.

They walked slowly down the platform, speaking to a friend now and then, for Doctor Strong knew everyone, and stood waiting for the train, which was now in sight, to draw in. With a great crunching and grinding of brakes, ringing of bells and hissing of steam, the huge steel monster brought itself to a halt, and the passengers began to disgorge themselves from the cars.

"There he is!" cried the mother, her eyes spotting the tall, broad-shouldered officer before those of her husband. "But who's that with him?" she asked, her heart sinking for some unknown reason, as she saw her son turn and speak to a young woman beside him.

But before the doctor could answer the young officer had leaped from the steps, rushed across the platform and gathered his mother up in his arms.

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"A surprise!"

"Yes," he replied, turning to the young lady who was standing a few feet away with a wistful smile on her lips.

"Betty," he said, stepping back and taking her hand, "Betty, my father and mother. Dad-Mother, I want you to know my wife."

For just a moment a pang of jealousy swept over the little gray lady's heart, and then a flood of love went out to this beautiful, blue-eyed girl, who she knew had come into her boy's life, not to replace the love for his mother, but to strengthen and uphold him in the time of trial and stress, as she, herself, had tried to do for his father. So she moved swiftly forward and gathered the girl to her heart, kissing her lips.

"Mother," the girl cried softly, “I know I shall love you always."

"And I, you, my dear," the little gray lady whispered, "for I see already how happy you have made my boy."

Silently the doctor turned and gripped his son's hand, a perfect understanding between them, and then he, too, stooped and kissed the upturned lips of his new daughter.

"Welcome, my dear," he said. "This has been a great surprise, but we are none the less glad to see you." And then with obvious pride Doctor Strong led his family to the car.

"Gee, Dad!" Jack cried, as he spied the new machine, "where'd you get it? And what did you do with 'Lizzie'?"

"Oh, she had served her day; in fact, she was rather decrepit. But tell me, how do you like this?"

"Like it? Say, who wouldn't like a Hupson? Some car, isn't it, Betty?"

"Yes, indeed, it's a beauty," the girl replied, as they helped her into the rear seat beside the little gray lady.

The dinner that night at Doctor Strong's home was a never-to-be-forgotten meal. Old Mary, the cook, who had been with the family since Jack was a baby, outdid herself.

"Nothin's too good for Mishter Jack and that purty blue-eyed colleen he's brung home with him," she said to Mrs. Strong, as she took the roast out of the oven.

Jack kept them in a roar of laughter with his stories of the humorous side of the war, which he could always see. And he told them of how he met Betty, serving as a Red Cross nurse in the evacuation hospital up near the

front.

"Why, Jack," the girl protested, "I didn't know you were there for a week, and when I did see you I am sure you hadn't shaved since your arrival."

"There you go, trying to discredit me with my own father and mother. Well, anyway, it was love at first sight on my part."

"That's better," from Betty.

"And then," said Jack, seriously now, "when Betty helped me in the operating room for thirty-six straight hours without a rest during the great drive at St. Mihiel I knew I should love her always. Not another nurse stayed on the job more than fifteen hours at a time."

It was after dinner when they were all sitting around the pleasant living room that the bomb fell.

"By the way, Dad," Jack began suddenly, after a lull in the conversation, "you haven't congratulated me on my new job yet."

"Your new job?"

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"Why, yes, you know I wrote you about the wonderful offer, Mendel of Chicago has made me.' "No," the father returned, his heart sinking, "I never received the letter. Tell me about it."

"Well," Jack enthused, "Mendel has offered me an association with him. I am to be his first assistant in all of his big operations, and then there will be a great many operations he will turn over to me entirely. Why, it's the chance of a life-time! There isn't any doubt but that Mendel is the leading surgeon of Chicago since Murphy died."

With an effort Doctor Strong controlled his voice. "Yes, yes," he said, "there is no doubt of that. It-it's a wonderful opportunity, son. I do congratulate you."

Only the little gray lady knew what it cost the doctor to say those words. She knew that the dream of a lifetime had been shattered, and like the tigress she came to the defense of her mate.

"Why, Jack," she put in, "I thought you knew your father expected you to stay—

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know I should never stand in Jack's way. And think "There, there, Mother," the doctor interrupted, "you of him being Mendel's associate!"

"But the new hospital and the car?" "The new hospital?" Jack queried.

"Yes," the mother explained, her beautiful brown eyes flashing now, and not to be denied, "your father bought the old Harrington place and has had it all built over and equipped as a fine modern hospital, with tiled operating-room, laboratory, X-ray, everything complete.”

"It was a case of love at first sight," he grinned. "She fell for me the first day."

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