and physical degenerate, and the diseased against whom we can scarcely legislate, could not marry, because they could find none who would be willing to accept the responsibility.

Pope has said, "The proper study of mankind is man." But what a small portion of our time is devoted to the study of man. Physiology has been taught in our public schools during the past few years, but the portion of it that is being taught is very insignificant. It teaches the number of bones in the human body, describes the circulation of the blood, the digestion of food, with its mode of receiving and elimination, also the secretory, and excretory organs, with their peculiar functions, are described. Are we any the better for this? It does not elevate mankind one degree, even, if he understands his structure, but does not know how to improve it. The agriculturist, the stock-breeder, and the bird-fancier, each knows the best methods to improve his respective pursuit. Man, the highest species on the earth, is permitted to propagate his kind ignorantly.

Prisons, reformatories and asylums have been constructed on the most scientific plans to meet each class of individuals. But still we hear the demand for more room, more money and more willing hands to care for these unfortunates.

For the protection of our country, for the good of society and for the enjoyment of the home, it is our moral and christian duty as physicians to instruct the young people upon questions pertaining to the production of offspring, so they may improve the race and not retrograde it.

The best opportunity of moulding character is previous to the birth of the child. "It is easier to mould molten than to file cold cast iron."

The esthetic Greeks believed so strongly in maternal impressions that they not only guarded their pregnant women with the kindest care, but their apartments were beautifully decorated with pictures, images and statues, in order that the mother's mind might produce favorable and elevating influences on the forming brain and body. This custom was enforced by a law called the "Lycurgus Law."

A similar custom was observed among the Spartans. The women exercised in gymnasiums in order to attain the highest bodily vigor preparatory to the exercise of maternity. The great physical beauty

of the people is recorded in poetry, song and history.

Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes once said that he believed any disease could be eradicated, but in his wonted humor he added, "There are cases in which the physician should be called at least two hundred years in advance." No one has a better opportunity of observing this declaration than physicians.

Children, as a rule, are born without a thought of duty to them previous to birth, when in reality the greatest opportunity of moulding character has past. Why do not the children exactly resemble their parents, as we find it in the animal kingdom? Because there are constant changes in mental impressions and varied conditions of environment.

Sound and unquestionable proofs can be given where strong, degrading mental impressions upon the mother produced deformities in either body or mind. An excellent illustration occurred during the famous siege of Paris, in 1870, when a drunken, marauding, rabble invested the streets. M. LeGrand Soulle afterwards had the opportunity of examining ninetyfour children who were begotten at that time by excited and demonstrating parents. Of this number sixty-four were defective in mind or body, thirty-five were malformed and twenty-nine imbeciles.

Burns stands in the front rank as a poet, his muse selected ordinary subjects to sing about, and such as would have tempted no other poet save himself. His genius is attributed to his mother, who previous to his birth sang old songs and ballads continually as she performed her household duties.

The mother of Lord Macaulay, the great historian and essayist, was very fond of literature of the highest class. She was a subscriber and reader of such weighty magazines as the "Edinburgh Review" and "Quarterly Review."

Mrs. Mozart, the mother of Wolfgang, during the earlier part of her married life devoted much of her time to music, which later in life became distasteful to her. As a result Wolfgang had been endowed with a musical talent, while his two younger brothers possest none. Owing to the limited time assigned me a few illustrations must suffice to demonstrate my theory, that the active power of the mother becomes the native power of the child.

If the parents are afflicted with some constitutional disease as tuberculosis or syphilis we expect the child to inherit it; so if the parent's mind is corrupt how can we expect the child's brain to be pure. Dr. Holmes said: "Society finds that it is easier to hang a troublesome fellow, consign a soul to perdition, or save it by saying masses, than to blame itself or to make the proper effort for improvement." We exercise great care in the education of the young of both sexes for the different vocations, in order to obtain the susten ances of life and for the accumulation of wealth. But we sadly neglect to instruct them in humanology, the most vital of all subjects.

The question now arises. "How shall we educate the child to understand the sacredness of the sexual relations?" Teach it the same as biology, zoology or any kindred subject. It is not necessary to tell a child the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, but let all that you tell be true. A child will be satisfied with words he does not understand. Sex is one of the most universal characters of living matter, and is taught in all its purity in botany. So is it in zoology. The child sees nothing impure in watching the development of the chick. Later the development of the fetus, including the sexual organs, can be taught with as much ease and purity. We can educate young men and women in such matters without injuring them, mentally or physically, but I assure you they will possess better morals. Moral

education will do more good than legislation. It will protect them, especially the youth, from the glaring advertisements which are seen even in our religious journals, of the quack specialists, who grows rich upon the savings and fears of his ignorant victims.

Marriage should be considered a practical institution for the perpetuation of the noblest and best of mankind, as well as the union of two for mutual help and happiness.-Dr. E. N. Ritter, of Williamsport, Pa., before the Penna. Med. Soc.

Normal Intestinal Bacteria.

The influence which the bacteria present in the normal intestin exerts upon the functions of that organ has not been studied to any markt degree. Roos (Muenchener Medicinische Wochenschrift, October 23, 1900) has conducted a series of experiments upon himself and seven

and

other physicians in order to estimate how great such influence is. Cultures of the bacillus coli communis taken from healthy individuals were ingested. After the second day, three had soft natural stools, for the first time in ten years in one case. In two of the others, one was unaffected, the other had diarrhea. The effect of this bacterio therapy continued for 14 days after the administration ceast, and then gradually past away. Experiments with dead bacteria were negativ. Yeast was also used by the same experimenter. In only four out of twenty cases were the results negativ. sults negativ. In all the others the stools became soft, regular and more frequent. Yeast, killed by heat, was also used with like results. The effect persisted for weeks after the discontinuance of the remedy. The medicament was given in capsules coated with collodion and afterwards with keratin, so as to be unaffected by the gastric juice.

Action of Large Doses of Quinin in Reducing Temperature.

The action of single large doses of quinin in high temperatures has been studied by William Sykes (British Medical Journal of November 3, 1900,) with the following conclusions: The temperature was closely watcht from the ingestion of the drug and for three hours afterwards. It was found that the quinin was rapidly absorbed, and that the temperature began to fall in 49 minutes in the first series of experiments, and in 20 minutes in the second and third series of cases. The size of the dose did not seem to affect its rapidity of absorption. The doses used were 20, 40, and 20 grains respectivly, in each series. He is not certain as to the cause of the results, but offers two theories: (1) the destruction of pathogenic bacteria, which is improbable since the fever returned in time; (2) neutralization of their resulting toxins, which is also improbable. There are two remaining methods by which the drug may act: (1) on the heat centers, (2) on the sweat centers. If it was by affecting the heat centers, the proportional decrease of temperature after the exhibition of the drug would not be so irregular and the speed would not be affected by the size of the dose. If the drug acted on the nerve centers, it might give an immediate and regular effect, which we would expect to agree in rapidity with the amount of the drug ingested. If, however, we consider

added: "Degeneration" and "Blastomycetic Dermatitis." There are many new and valuable original illustrations included. He spends no time or space on references or bibliography, hoping that he has covered the references well enuf to preclude the necessity of reference to the original articles. He advises treating limited tubercular ascites by tapping, followed by injection of four drams of 10 per cent. emulsion of iodoform in glycerin, together with the internal use of guaiacol. He has cured four cases thus. A number of exceptionally good x-ray plates appear. No space is wasted on anatomy; but the author makes sure that his student will be well grounded in bacteriology, histology, and pathology. The writer's experience in the Spanish-American war has tinged his utterances. The chapter on "Hydrophobia " is excellent Senn writes as well as he operates. It is not possible to mention even the good articles, to say nothing of the special thoughts and suggestions. We can only say that there is no better book on the principles of surgery for the student or general practitioner.-A. L. R.

A Text Book of Gynecology. Edited by Charles A. L. Reed, A M., M.D., President of the American Medical Association (1900-1901); Gynecologist and Clinical Lecturer on Surgical Diseases of Women at the Cincinnati Hospital; Fellow of the American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Fellow of the British Gynecological Society; Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Medicin of Peru, etc. Illustrated by R. J. Hopkins. Publisht by D. Appleton & Co., New York, N. Y., 1901. Price, $5.00.

In mechanical and artistic execution, this book has no peer. It is certain to take a place in the front rank of text books upon this subject as soon as it reaches the market. We cannot find a useless illustration, and every cut is valuable in elucidating the text or the method of operating.

The contributors are men of skill, experiand reputation; and the editing has been ence, well done. The fifty pages devoted to the rectum would be worth the cost of the book to the general practitioner who must meet and treat such conditions. It is rarely we find a book of value to both specialist and general practitioner; we have it here. The suggestions and recommendations for emergencies when equipment is not obtainable are valuable. The article on Cesarean section is intensely interesting from a literary, historical, and practical standpoint. The few colored illustrations are not so perfect as those in black and white. It contains 866 pages, with a good index. Every physician who has no late work on gynecology should purchase this book. We can find no material flaw in it.-A. L. R.

The Technic of Surgical Gynecology. By Prof. A. H. Goelet, Professor of Gynecology in the New York School of Clinical Medicine; Consulting Professor in Gynecological Electro-Therapeutics, International School of Correspondence, Scranton, Pa.; Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine, and of the New York Obstetrical Society; Member of the American Medical Association, New York County Medical Association; Fellow of the Societe Francais d'Electro-Therapie, etc. 340 pages. 150 original drawings. Bound in cloth. Printed in white leaf. International Journal of Surgery Co., New York, 1901. Price, $2.00.

The author has not attempted to call his book one thing and then give a synopsis of surgery and medicin; he knows what he wants to say,

The

and says it in few and well chosen words. book is practical and no space is devoted to theory. Considerable attention is given to the preparation of a case for operation, and for the after management, and it is this feature which will interest the general practitioner. There is much valuable matter here which is not found in the text books devoted to gynecology in general. It will of course be chiefly interesting to those who wish to master gynecological technic for special operativ purposes, but every general practitioner needs such knowledge, and cannot get it better than here.-A. L. R.

Memoranda of Poisons. By Thomas Hawkes Tanner, M.D., F.L S. Eighth revised edition, by Henry Leffmann, A.M., M.D., Professor of Chemistry in the Woman's Medical Col lege of Pennsylvania; Professor of Chemistry in the Wagner Free Institute of Science; Pathological Chemist in the Jefferson Medical College; Member Society Public Analysts, etc. Publisht by P. Blakiston's Son & Co., 1012 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Penn'a, 1901. Price, 75 cents, net.

The book will entertain any physician, but we do not see how it has reacht its eighth edition, since it is far from practical for the work of the busy general practitioner. It is of value to the post mortem analyst, but is not arranged for ready reference. The language has a decided English tinge. It must find its market among those who are interested in post mortem and coroner's work, and it will here be found reliable, concise, and up to date. The publisher's work cannot be criticized, but the editor's labors might have been more thoro.-A. L. R.

A Handbook of Materia Medica, Pharmacy, and Thera peutics, including the physiological action of drugs, the special therapeutics of disease, official and practical pharmacy, and minute directions for prescription writing. By Samuel O. L. Potter, A.M., M.D., M.R.C.P., Lond., formerly Professor of the Principles and Practise of Medicin in the Cooper Medical College of San Francisco; Author of the Quiz Compends of Materia Medica and Anatomy; An Index of Comparativ Therapeutics; Late Major and Brigade Surgeon of Volunteers, U. S. Army. Eighth edition, revised and enlarged. Publisht by P. Blakiston's Son & Co., Philadelphia, Pa., 1901. Price, $5.00, net.

Nine hundred and ten pages. Twenty-two thousand have been sold. One of the most generally useful books we have ever seen. It is really suited to both student and practitioner. The text has been revised and much of it rewritten. The author has incorporated the results of his observation of diseases in the Philippine Islands. Twelve articles in the Materia Medica department have been entirely rewritten and thirty-eight new articles have been inserted. This old favorit is more valuable in its eighth new gown than ever before; it is certain that "its shadow will never grow less." We are pleased to see him advise doctors to learn to dispense and to carry the necessary drugs. He notes new poisonous compounds formed by potassium chlorate. The thumb index feature will be appreciated by all busy doctors. He covers the newer drugs well, regardless whether official in any pharmacopeia, so long as they are in regular use. Sulphonal has a page and a half. Antipyrin has nearly four pages, and all its known incompatibles are named. The antitoxins have full mention. An appendix gives the contractions of Latin phrases, with their English equivalents, used in prescription writ

ing. The formulas of the prominent patent medicins are given. Tables of differential diagnosis are included. We have known successful physicians to have a poorer library than is included in this book. It is a veritable every day, general practitioner's working encyclopedia. A. L. R.

Medical Hypnosis. A complete system of method, application and use, prepared for the self instruction of the medical profession. By L. W. DeLaurence, Instructor at the School of Hypnotism and Suggestiv Therapeutics, Pittsburg. Illustrated. Publisht by The Henneberry Company, 415 Dearborn St., Chicago, Ill Price, $1.50.

The book contains 256 pages, and makes interesting reading. We fear that the doctor who attempts to practise hypnotic suggestion from the perusal of it will be disappointed. It has a sensational cover; the paper and printing are not of the best; and the illustrations seem to have been planned as much to get a good photograph of the author as to give an adequate conception of any plan or method. It is undoubtedly entertaining, but hardly satisfactorily instructiv. We can commend it for amusement, but not for business; and we are not certain but that the author will coincide with our views. He includes "newspaper reports," and this is enuf to condemn his book before the profession. We believe the author has hypnotic power, and we desire for him better literary ability. Future issues should remedy these objectionable features. We hope he may bring out a work that will be really valuable for every day practical work. As this edition stands, it is worth the price to read it.-A. L. R.

The International Medical Annual. A year book of treatment and practitioner's index. Prepared by a staff of contributors. In its nineteenth year. Publisht by E. B. Treat & Co., 241-243 West 23d St, New York. Price, $300.

It follows the lines of previous volumes, but is one of the best ever issued. The most famous of the new contributors is Professor Ruata, of the University of Perugia, Italy, who writes on "Tuberculosis." In the department of therapeutics there is a good article on "Toxins and Antitoxins," conjointly prepared by McFarland and Murrell. A valuable article for the country physician is that on "The Extraction of Teeth;" instruments are illustrated, and methods of successful work fully detailed. Part I, on "Therapeutics," takes up ninety-eight pages; Part II, on New Treatment," occupies the balance of the book. There is an immense amount of matter of value stored within these pages; the type is small, but easily read. It contains more of practical value than many encyclopedias on medicin. It is long past the stage of needing commendation, yet we urge our readers to obtain a copy, since in no other work can such late material be found in such serviceable shape for immediate use. The article on "Massage in Recent Fracture" is particularly interesting. It is pre-eminently the year book for the general practitioner.-A. L. R.

Uterin Fibromyomata. Their pathology, diagnosis, and treatment. By E. Stanmore Bishop, F.R CS, Eng., President Manchester Clinical Society; Fellow of the British Gynecological Society: Honorary Surgeon Ancoats Hospital, Manchester, etc. 49 illustrations. Publisht by P. Blakiston's

Son & Co., 1012 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Penn'a, 1901 Price, $3.50

Printed on super finished paper, superbly illustrated, and containing 314 pages, it might almost be called an edition de luxe. Illustrated in black and white, the cuts are marvels of clearness and accuracy; some have been taken from Kelly. Other physicians, favorably known, who have honorable mention, are Baldy, Penrose, and Gardner. Occasional disappearance, or decrease in size without appreciable cause, or after exploratory incision, is noted. The article on "Development" is unsatisfactory, but contains all that is known in the matter. The chapters on “Secondary Changes" and "The Role of Medicin " are magnificent. Post operativ treatment is valuably illustrated. The book is exceptionally profuse in references and bibliography. Despite the abundance of general treatises on "Gynecology," this book will fill a want of all classes of practitioners. It is deserving of hearty acceptance and patronage, for it has the merit. -A. L. R.

Pulmonary Consumption, Pneumonia, and Allied Diseases of the Lungs. By Thomas J. Mays, A M., M.D., Professor of Diseases of the Chest in the Philadelphia Polyclinic; Visiting Physician to Rush Hospital for Consumption. Illustrated. Publisht by E. B. Treat & Co., 241 and 243 West 23d St., New York, 1901. Price, $3.00

Handsomely bound, and printed on good paper. It contains 523 pages and an index. The book will sell well, since the work of Dr. Mays on chest diseases is well known and is appreciated by the profession. While Dr. Mays' theory that pulmonary phthisis is a neurosis, and that the disintegration in the lung is secondary, has not found general acceptance, his views are always accorded due respect. He reiterates his theory thruout the book, and claims that any agent which will undermine the integrity of the nervous system will engender phthisis or other pulmonary disorder. He claims that only those agents which appeal to and act thru the nervous system can benefit nervous phthisis. He calls special attention to the benefit derived from counter irrritation by silver nitrate injected hypodermatically over the region of the vagi in the neck. He notes the analogy between all acute pulmonary diseases and a disordered nervous system. Thirty-three pages are devoted to physical diagnosis, twenty-five pages to etiology of pulmonary consumption, and twenty-five pages to specific poisons of the pneumogastric nerves; symptoms, pathology, infection, and therapeutics have all attention. Pleurisy, pneumonia, and bronchitis have one nundred and ten pages. The cuts are good and convey a clear idea of what is intended to be represented. The book will command the respect of any practitioner, and every doctor can read it with benefit. He may not be converted to the views of Dr. Mays, but he will know much more of pulmonary troubles. We commend it highly, and know it will sell well.-A. L. R.

The Medical News Pocket Formulary, New (3d) Edition. Containing 1,700 prescriptions, representing the latest and most approved methods of administering remedial agents. By E Quin Thornton, M D.. Demonstrator of Therapeutics, Pharmacy and Materia Medica in the Jefferson Medical College, Phila. New (3d) edition, carefully revised to date of issue. In one wallet-shaped volume, strongly bound in