"Diphtheria," by Jesse H. Peek, M. D., Hampton Va. "Diphtheria-Its Diagnosis and Treatment," by E. E. Feild, M. D., Norfolk, Va.

"Painful Fissures and Ulcers of the Rectum," by Livius Lankford, M. D., Norfolk, Va.

"Remarks on Local Anæthesia," by John F. Woodward, M. D., Norfolk, Va.

"Some of the Sequelae of Gonorrhea," by John C. Rodman, M. D., Washington, N. C.

"Inflammation of Seminal Vesicles and Its Treatment," by B. M. Baker, M. D., Norfolk, Va.

"Viskaline in Treatment of Zymotic Diseases," by D. F. Earnest, M. D., West Norfolk, Va.

"Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis," by L. C. Brock, M. D., Smithfield, Va.

"Pathological Report of a Case of Cerebro-Spinal Fever," by Charles R. Grandy, M. D., Norfolk, Va.

"Papilloma of Larynx," by W. E. Driver, M. D., Norfolk, Va. "A Case of Multiple Pregnancy," by J. Emmett Sebrell, M. D., Courtland, Va.

"Report of a Case of Hydrophobia," by Gray G. Holliday, M D., Portsmouth, Va.

"High Irrigation of the Colon with Permanganate of Potash Solution in all diseases of this organ," by Lucien Lofton, M. D., Emporia, Va.

"Pessaries," by R. L. Payne, M. D., Norfolk, Va.

"Infantile Diarrhoea," by W. L. Harris, M. D., Virginia Beach, Va.

"Premature Interruption of Pregnancy," by Herbert Old, M. D., Norfolk, Va.

"Abdominal Surgery -Report of Case," by Lomax Gwathmey, M. D., Norfolk, Va.

The Association elected the following officers for the next meeting, which will be held in Wilson, N. C., some time in January next:

President-Dr. E. F. Corbell, Sunbury, N. C.

First Vice-President--Dr. Charles T. Parrish, Portsmouth, Va. Second Vice-President-Dr. T. N. White, Belvidere, N. C. Secretary-Dr. John C. Rodman, Washington, N. C.

Among the most pleasurable incidents of the meeting was the

97

presentation to Dr. Junius F. Lynch, of Norfolk, the retiring President, of a handsome case of surgical instruments. This was an unexpected token of the appreciation of Dr. Lynch's courtesies felt by the representatives of the firms who made exhibits at the meeting. The presentation speech was made by Dr. Gloson, representing Mess. Parke, Davis & Co., and was gracefully responded to by the recipient.

We extend our congratulations to the Association on the suc cess of the meeting.

THE HEALTH OF OUR ARMY OF INVASION.

In a recent issue of the JOURNAL we expressed some rather pessimistic opinions in regard to the probability of the Army and Navy medical officers being able to prevent an outbreak of yellow fever among our troops in Cuba, with a consequent loss. of a considerable number of lives. Since that time there has been some fighting in the Island with the result that the Spanish forces in Santiago, and abcut 5,000 square miles of the eastern extremity of the Island have surrendered, and a military government has been established over the conquered section.

The army which was besieging the city, found that it was impracticable to carry out the ideas of sanitarians in regard to soldiers "not being employed in the digging of trenches"; in sleeping "at least two feet above the ground" (it is sad, but true that many are now sleeping one or two feet below the ground); in "not sleeping on wet ground" (they were often prevented from lying down at all by the quantity of water on the ground); in "sleeping under mosquito nets" to prevent infection by the stings of insects; in "drinking only boiled water"; and in other suggestions which health officers find it very hard to get people to carry out even at home and in civil life. For several days

the press reports have been showing an increase in the number of cases of yellow fever among the troops. It is found that Santiago, which is now on our hands is in a most filthy and generally unsanitary condition, and that yellow fever exists there. The 5,000 Spanish soldiers at Guantanama, which have just surrendered have yellow fever among them, but they have.

to be taken care of now, fed and transported back to Spain. In fact there is yellow fever everywhere-what else could be expected in the very hot bed from which come nearly all the cases that have devastated the Southern States in the past, and threaten them each summer?

The surrender of Santiago puts an end to the fighting there for the present, at least until punishment has to be meted out to our "chivalrous allies," who seem to be imbued with the political creed "to the victors belong the spoils," and who are very anxious to "go through" the city. This respite from fighting most fortunately enables the medical staff to use all means to prevent the spread of the disease. The camps are being moved up into the hills, isolation camps are being established, and other sanitary precautions, the absence of which left open the gate to the unseen foe, are being taken. We hope, devoutly hope, that it will be possible to check the advance of the pestilence, but there will be little time for anything else than the warfare against disease.

It is found now that two regiments of "immunes" with which the city was to be garrisoned will not be sufficient for its protection. The probability is that a large number of the troops now around Santiago will have to remain there all summer if they can survive the summer. We doubt whether the public know now, or will know, the real conditions that exist among our soldiers in Cuba.

Reviews and Book Motices.

Diseases of the Eye.-By Edward Nettleship, F. R. C. S., Ophthalmic Surgeon at St. Thomas Hospital, London; Surgeon to the Royal London (Moorfields) Ophthalmic Hospital. Revised and Edited by W. T. Holmes Spicer, A. M., M. B., F. R. S. C., Ophthalmic Surgeon to the Metropolitan Hospital and to the Victoria Hospital for Children. Fifth American from the Sixth English Edition. With a Supplement in Color-blindness by William Thompson, M. D., Emeritus Professor of Ophthalmology in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. Octavo, cloth, pages 528. Lea Brothers & Co., Philadelphia, 1897.

"Nettleship on the Eye" is one of the standard and most popular works on Ophthalmology, especially among general

99

practitioners, in this country. The work is divided into three parts. Part I. is devoted to a study of the various instruments and methods in use in the diagnosis of diseases and irregularities in the eyes. Part II. takes up the various diseases and injuries. of the eye, including errors of refraction and accommodation. Part III. treats of diseases of the eye in relation to general disseases. There is a supplement of about thirty pages of instructions for the examination of railway employees as to vision, color-blindness and hearing.

A book which has been through six revisions and editions in England and America must have merit behind it. Such is the case with the work before us The present revision under the hand of Mr. Spicer has been carefully done. The rules for the examination of the eye are plainly laid down and can be easily comprehended by those in general practice. Treatment of disease receives special attention and frequent reference is made to the formulary in the appendix. This formulary will prove very acceptable to those who desire the exact treatment instituted in certain conditions by some of the leading ophthalmologists. The section on the determination of color-blindness will make the work especially useful to railway surgeons who are called upon to examine employees in regard to their vision. Where the views and practice of the author differ to any degree from those of American ophthalmologists, bracketed additions will be found in the text which will clearly set forth American opinions.

Charaka-Samhita.-Translated into English. Published by Avinash Chandra Kaviratna, Eeditor of Charaka-Samhita and of Susruta-Samhita with Commentaries, etc. Parts XVII. and XVIII. 200 Cornwallis Street, Calcutta, India.

The work of translating this ancient medical work goes on, and we always look forward with pleasure to the receipt of a fresh installment of the instructions of the illustrious son of Atri. The two parts include the conclusion of Lessson V. and Lessons VI., VII. and VIII. Lesson V. gives the causes for the vitiation of the ducts, of which it is stated the body is a conglomeration. Lesson VI. The conception of groups of diseases according to the difference of causes. Lesson VII. has reference to the subjective symptoms of disease and their importance. Lesson VIII. tells how disease is to be conquered by the physician.

OBSTETRICS.

IN CHARGE OF

GEO. GILLETT THOMAS, M. D.,

R. L. PAYNE, M. D.,

THE USE OF ERGOT IN LABOR.-In a recent paper read before the Obstetric Section of the Royal Academy of Medicine, Ireland, Dr. Thos. More Madden reaches the following conclusions, viz:

"Ergot must be used under the following conditions:

1. In vertex presentations, and in some breech cases of uterine inertia requiring immediate aid.

2. When there is no physical obstacle to the passage of the child, as a large child, a small pelvis, a tumor, etc

3. When the os is fully dilated or so readily dilatable that forceps delivery might speedily follow if required.

4. That the preparation of ergot used be reliable, and that the dose and method of its administration be judicious.

During the first stage ergot may be used in delay from inertia in which there appears to be no danger to mother or child, or when there is dangerous hemorrhage. During the second stage it may be used after undue delay caused by inertia when there is no impeliment to delivery, and to guard against threatening hemorrhage. Its use in the final stage to hasten placental expulsion of the uterus seems inadequate, or to stay bleeding. After placental expulsion it may be used to prevent or stay post-partum bleeding, to cause tonic uterine contraction and thus stay oozing and lessen the danger of sepsis through flaccid orifices, to expel clots or stop after-pains, and to hasten involution, especially in multiparæ."

[In the editor's experience ergot in labor is often a two-edged sword for while it will increase the force of the uterine contractions it often produces continuous, almost tetanic contractions of the uterus and thus increases the danger of lacerations of cervix, vagina and perineum while the child is much more apt to be born asphyxiated. The forceps are much more often indicated in uterine inertia during labor and are much safer to mother and child than ergot. After the use of ergot retained placenta is more frequently present as are also irregular contractions of the uterus, many authorities claiming hour-glass contractions are always due to ergot. Ergot should never be administered as a routine measure.] R. L. P.

AGED PARENTS.-The Medical Council prints the following clipping from the N. Y. Medical Record, viz:

A woman in Toronto who is over 60 years of age gave birth on January 21st to a baby girl. Her husband, to whom she was married seven