BIOLOGY. General and Medical. By Joseph McFarland, M. D., Professor of Pathology and Bacteriology, MedicoChirurgical College of Philadelphia; Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. With 160 illustrations. Philadelphia and London: W. B. Saunders Company. 1910.

In both of his other books Dr. McFarland has made good. His work on the Pathogenic Bacteria has passed into its sixth edition, while his excellent book on Pathology, albeit only in its second edition, has already assumed the status of a standard text. The present work would seem to be a broader and more basic effort than his previous books-an attempt to establish an intelligent and working relationship between all the various forms and reactions of living substances in one general scheme, subject to the same laws and playing each its part in the vast problem of life and progress. In these days of modern medicine, when such subjects as infection, body-defense, immunity, hematology, and the like, hold the center of the stage, it is imperative that the medical man should have some intelligent and comprehensive understanding of the truths and principles of biology; and most of the present-day medical schools now require a course in biology, with especial reference to its bearings on medical problems. We are not sure that Dr. McFarland's book will be found exactly suitable for this medical school curriculum in the subject; but it affords a concise and well-selected presentation of general and medical biology for those practitioners and students of medicine who desire a little more than the bare fulfillment of a set curriculum— who wish to get an adequate, though not too exhaustive, grasp of the subject to enable them to intelligently meet and deal with the biological problems of pathology and therapy which are arising every day

in medical theory and practice. A great many physicians, we are quite well aware, will not care for such a book. But those who want it, want it badly, and will find it satisfying.

HYDROTHERAPY. A Work on Hydrotherapy in General, Its Application to Special Affections, the Technic or Processes Employed, and the Use of Waters Internally. By Guy Hinsdale, A. M., M. D., Lecturer on Climatology in the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadelphia; Corresponding Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine of Great Britain, etc. Illustrated. Philadelphia and London: W. B. Saunders Company. 1910.

This much heralded work has appeared at last; and certainly if there is one man in the country who should be in a position to give us an authoritative and enlightening work on hydrotherapy, that man is Dr. Guy Hinsdale. The book has two distinctive and conspicuous merits which entitle it at once to a more respectful consideration than many or the previous works on the subject. First, it is concise, to the point, straight forward. It does not darken counsel with words, nor weary and confuse with vain repetitions. And, second, it is moderate and conservative in tone. It does not offer the water cure as a panacea for all the ills that flesh is heir to, nor even advocate its indiscriminate employment in conjunction with other treatment. On the contrary, the key-note of the book is struck in the introduction, where the author admonishes that "hydrotherapeutic measures require a nice estimate of their value in order that their aid should not be lost." We are especially pleased with the section devoted to the technique of the various procedures. Here is all that a practitioner needs to carry out the treatment in his own practice, set forth with brevity, precision, and clearness.

The diseases in which hydrotherapy is of value are arranged in alphabetical order in their proper section, making reference quick and easy, and the most efficacious form of procedure described and its rationale explained. It is altogether a most excellent practical working manual, and should have a wide circulation among the profession. We are glad to note the author's tribute to Dr. Simon Baruch's labors and influence in this branch of therapy, which is both graceful and welldeserved.

A MANUAL OF DISEASES OF THE NOSE, THROAT AND EAR. By E. B. Gleason,

M. D., LL. D., Clinical Professor of Otology in the Medico-Chirurgical College, Philadelphia: Aurist to the Medico-Chirurgical Hospital; Surgeon-in-Charge of the Nose, Throat and Ear Department of the Northern Dispensary. Illustrated. Second Edition, Thoroughly Revised. Philadelphia and London: W. B. Saunders Company. 1910.

It has always seemed to us that Dr. Gleason's little manual was an ideal vade mecum for the general practitioner in his dealings with the regional troubles to which it pertains. It is-or so it appears to us-one of the few specialists' books written with the genuine view of helping the general practitioner to do his own special work; and the reviewer is able to offer his own personal testimony to the fact that it "fills the bill." All the commoner affections of the ear, nose and throat are considered, and the technique of their treatment described in plain, simple language which the physician can easily understand and carry out. The pathology and therapy of the naso-pharynx has undergone considerable modification since the first edition of the book appeared, and all of this part of the subject is brought thoroughly up to date in the new edition. The latter section of the book is devoted to some of the more serious operative procedures connected with internal ear, mastoid, and intracranial conditions. And, finally, an appendix contains some very useful formulae

for various external and internal applications.

TREATISE ON DISEASES OF THE SKIN For the Use of Advanced Students and Practitioners. By Henry W. Stelwagon, M. D., Ph. D., Professor of Dermatology in the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia; Dermatologist to the Howard and Philadelphia Hospitals; Consulting Dermatologist to the Pennsylvania Institution for the Deat and Dumb, to the Pennsylvania Institution for the Feeble Minded, and to the Widener Training School for Crippled Children; etc. Sixth Edition. Thoroughly Revised. With 289 Illustrations in the Text, and 34 Full-Page Colored and Half-Tone Plates. Philadelphia and London: W. B. Saunders Company. 1910.

By the time a book of this character has reached its sixth edition, what is left for the reviewer to say about it? It has justified itself by a far truer and more practical gauge than any literary opinion, namely, by the criterion of actual usefulness and universal adoption. Most of the new matter contained in this new edition of Stelwagon's book pertains either to the additional field of dermatology opened up by the exploitation of our tropical possessions, the growing prevalence and importance of pellagra in this country, and the introduction of one or two new modes of treatment, conspicuous among which is the use of carbon dioxide snow. In its physical features, this is one of the finest books that W. B. Saunders Company puts out; and of course no little credit for this must be given to the author. Dermatology is one of the branches of medical science and practice that can be adequately taught by nothing short of visualizing the conditions treated of; and that this may be dene with anything like efficiency, the photographer and lithographer's art must be invoked to the fullest and highest degree. The illustrations and plates contained in the book under review are beyond criticism, and share with the text in making the work a splendid exposition of dermatology. It is, perhaps, a little exhaustive for the purposes of the gen

eral practitioner. However, skin diseases constitute a phase of medicine in which the physician is obliged to be more or less of a specialist himself, and it is therefore desirable that his text-book on the subject should cover the ground pretty thoroughly. We have nothing but commendation for Dr. Stelwagon's book.

THE PRACTICE OF SURGERY. By James Gregory Mumford, M. D., Visiting Surgeon to the Massachusetts General Hospital; Instructor in Surgery in Harvard Medical School; etc. With 682 Illustrations. Philadelphia and London: W. B. Saunders Company. 1910.

After contemplating the numerous large and exhaustive works on surgery that have emanated from the medical press during the past ten or twelve years -many of them extending into six and eight volumes, and all of them dealing with surgery from the standpoint of a highly specialized specialty-it is exceedinly refreshing to find an author with a sufficient insight into the need of the times, and sufficient courage of his convictions, to prepare and launch a work on the subject from the viewpoint of the general practitioner. The motive and scope of the book is expressed in the author's modest hope, to which he gives utterance in the preface, that "the student will find here a comprehensive description of all such general surgical ailments as may fall to him for treatment and advice." This purpose and range are admirably adhered to in the plan of the book. We are, of course, far from suggesting that a man should not have all the light and knowledge that is obtainable on every subject that he expects to profess and to practice; but it is certain that all the surgical knowledge that the general practitioner is likely to need can he compressed into a much smaller space, and told in much more concise fashion than is compassed by such voluminous works as we spoke of at the outset of this review. And we are sure that the general physician throughout the country will welcome a modern, authoritative

book, like that of Dr. Mumford's, adapted to the needs and exigencies of general, every-day practice. We can hardly conceive of the general practitioner, even one who does virtually all of his own surgery, encountering anything in the surgical line which is not adequately dealt with in this comparatively small volume.

THE TREATMENT OF DISEASE. A Manual of Practical Medicine. By Reynold Webb Wilcox, M. A., M. D., LL. D., Sometime Professor of Medicine, New York Post-Graduate Medical School; Consulting Physician to St. Mark's and to the Nassau Hospital, etc. Third Edition, Thoroughly Revised and Enlarged. Philadelphia: P. Blakiston's Sons and Company. 1911.

The marvelous expansion of the science of medicine in the last two or three decades, and the consequent necessity of dividing it into sections and departments for separate research and exposition, have made the old-style text-book of practice more or less of an anomaly. Yet it can not be denied that there is still a need-nay, perhaps all the more needfor a text-book which shall serve the purpose of a sort of clearing house for these segmented contributions to medical knowledge, and epitomize them in resultant, usable form. This, we take it, is what the author has wisely undertaken to do in the present edition of the book under consideration. He himself declares his aim to be the brief presentation of the latest views upon questions of diagnosis and treatment of disease; and, looking casually through the work (which is of course the most we can do) we are struck most forcibly and pleasantly with the rare discrimination and selective faculty he has displayed in carrying this intention into effect. There is a conspicuous absence of all the obsolete, stereotyped, rehashed drivel that cumbers the pages of so many text-books of general medicine, and an equally noticeable presence of live, current teaching.

POST-GRIPPAL ASTHENIA.

F ALL the acute infections to which

OF acute infections to wish to

be followed by such general prostration as La Grippe. As the Irishman aptly described it, it is "the disaise that keeps ye sick for a month after ye get well." The general devitalization that ensues after the subsidence of the acute symptoms appears to be entirely out of proportion to the severity of the original attack. It is therefore distinctly the part of clinical wisdom to inaugurate a vigorous reconstructive campaign as scon as the febrile movement subsides. Plenty of fresh air, an abundance of nutritious but easily digestible food, and regular doses of Pepto-Mangan (Gude) constitute a trio of therapeutic measures of marked benefit. If the heart action is unduly weak, or if the prostration is more than usually pronounced, an appropriate dose of strychnia added to the Pepto-Mangan is of considerable additional service.

SUPPORT THE HEART.

In PNEUMONIA and TYPHOID FEVER the whole question of treatment is one of expectancy. There are no specifics and therefore the physician has to exercise his skill in keeping the heart of his patient going until the disease runs its natural course and ends by crisis or lysis as the case may be.

"From the incipiency of this disease, to and through the convalescence, the condition of the heart is a haunting concern." (Dr. Frank S. Meara, N. Y. Medical Jour., Jan. 8, 1910).

"All treatment is of no avail if the heart is not watched closely; here lies our success or failure." (Dr. W. H. Kahrs, American Medicine, June, 1910).

In DIGALEN the physician has a valuable aid in the natural cure of these

two ailments, for by its deep intramuscular injection, or its administration by mouth or rectum, the enfeebled heart can be toned up and cardiac syncope avoided. Furthermore, the marked hyperleucocytosis which is said by Mirano ('Riforma Medica', No. 23, 1907) to be produced within 7 or 8 hours after the injection of Digalen, and which becomes nearly doubled in the next 24 hours, is an important factor that ought not to be forgotten in the treatment of pneumonia, typhoid fever and the infectious diseases.

Dr. M. Hartwig, Buffalo, N. Y., Consulting Surgeon Erie and other Hospitals, makes this statement,—“Digalen has given me, in a few positively desperate cases, such unmitigated satisfaction that I am perfectly willing for the profession to know of my indorsement. I am convinced that in any case of defective heart compensation where Digalen fails, no remedy known today will accomplish anything."

Digalen is a sterile solution of Cloetta's soluble digitoxin and is marketed by The Hoffmann-La Roche Chemical Works, New York. Samples are furnished to physicians upon request.

THE PASSING OF COD-LIVER OIL.

For many years, in cases where the need of fats was apparent, it has been customary to prescribe cod-liver oil. This oil is fairly digestible, but is very prone to upset the stomach, and many patients will not take it on account of its vile taste; it is practically impossible to disguise this vileness-the chemist has tried loading it with all sorts of aromatics and flavors, with little success. The

fishy taste persists in spite of everything.

In tuberculosis and other chronic ail

ments the low vitality reflects seriously upon the stomach; for this reason cod. liver oil in many cases simply complicates matters by interfering with the digestion of other foods. Another objection to it is its tendency to become rancid (in common with all animal fats), with the formation of certain fatty acids of a toxic character. The rancidity is sometimes concealed in highly aromatized emulsions, but, just the same, they are unfit for use and productive of harm.

Corn oil is a good substitute; as emulsified by The Abbott Alkaloidal Co. of Chicago, it is pleasing to the taste and keeps well. They sell it under the name of Emulsion Maizole. It is now prescribed throughout the country in place of cod-liver oil and other nausea-provokng fats. It is accepted without protest by the most fastidious patient. It has high food value and in all maladies in which there is waste of tissue and vitality-where extra nourishment in quickly available form is required Emulsion Maizole is. We urge all our readers to investigate this new corn oil prepara

tion.

WINTER WEATHER SUGGESTIONS.

The great prevalence of coughs, at present, especially those of grippal origin, makes it not amiss to present a suggestion and a remedy. In place of remedies which always dry up expectoration, disturb digestion, cause constipation, and render the patient uncomfortable and drowsy, it is desirable to employ the extremely efficient and popular cough sedative, Antikamnia & Codeine Tablets. This remedy relieves cough by its soothing effect upon the air-passages, but does not interfere with expectoration, and, in fact, renders it easier by stimulating the respiratory muscles. Only a very small dose, one tablet, every one, two or three hours, for adults, is required to produce a satisfactory result. One on the tongue when retiring will greatly relieve night-coughs.

AN OFFER WORTH WHILE.

The Camphorozone Co., of Chicago, proprietors of "Camphorozone," that took the field by storm, and became a favorite with the profession last year, has at last been compelled to send their product out in bulk, in order to supply the demand and facilitate the prescription work of the dispensing physician.

This ideal antiseptic has earned a place in the dispensary of the specialist, as well as that of the general practitioner; the latter has found it inconvenient to dispense from ordinary sized bottles, and to remove this obstacle to its freer use, it is now also put up in gallons at $5.00; five pints at $3.50; and quarts at $1.50. The innovation has prompted the Company to further consideration of plans that will secure a more extensive use and greater favor for "Camphorozone," the most interesting of which, to the physician, is an offer that includes, with your initial order for a gallon of "Camphorozone" at $5.00, one gallon of "Camphorozone Syrup of Hypophosphites Comp.," a most perfect, well balanced and stable product, and five hundred "Laxettes"-a 11⁄2-gr. Phenolpthaleine product, constituting one of the most pleasant, most efficient, and most palatable laxatives ever offered to the profession.

Considering that all three of these meritorious articles contribute to every day practice, the offer certainly affords both opportunity and profits.

The plan of the Camphorozone Co. deserves your co-operation. "Camphorozone" has made good, and it deserves your specification and use wherever an ideal antiseptic is indicated or desired.

THE BROMIDES.

"The great popularity of Peacock's Bromides has led to the introduction of numerous substitutes, alleged to have the same composition and efficacy. While imitation is the sincerest sort of flattery, it has been demonstrated by careful