The new appointment is made in recognition of his long service as a teacher and hospital surgeon and his valuable contributions to surgical literature.

THE Western Ophthalmological, Otological, Laryngological and Rhinological Association meets in St. Louis, Mo., April 8, 1897. From the elaborate programme published a good meeting is promised.

TO MEMBERS OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION INDIVIDUALLY, IN THE INTEREST OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.-As there is evidence tending to prove the theory that all persons predisposed by heredity to consumption have a respiratory capacity or action insufficient for good vigorous health, probably a proportionately small chest with insufficiency of lung membrane, that the predisposition is mainly or primarily due to this cause; in other words, that the insufficient respiratory function is the special primary feature of the predisposition, a condition which may be, practically, acquired by habit, occupation, etc., I desire the cooperation of the profession in an endeavor to help to establish, by means of collective investigations, the correctness, or otherwise, of this theory.

In this behalf I hereby ask all physicians who have patients predisposed to, or, in the early stage of, consumption to send to me on a postal card, will suffice, the information below indicated. As soon as I can study and collate the replies I shall make the results known to the profession.

1. Give name, or initials; 2. Sex; 3. Age; 4. Occupation; 5. Height; 6. Weight, average when in usual state of health; 7. Circumference of the chest on a level with sixth costo-sternal articulation when momentarily at rest after an ordinary expiration; 8. Also after habitual natural expansion or inspiration, which, last, (8) usually exceeds the first measurement, expiration (7) by an increase of only about one-fourth of an inch; 9. The circumference after a forced expiration; 10. Also after a forced inspiration, these two measurements, 9 and 10, varying or showing a range of from one and one-half to four inches. The

patient should, of course, be as calm as possible, and had better, usually, practice the forced breathing for a few acts before these two last measurements, 9 and 10, are taken.

To be of value, all four measurements should be taken as carefully, accurately and free from haste as possible.

Any further information, in brief, as to degree of heredity (family history) in cases, prominent symptoms, loss in weight, cough, dullness or percussion, etc., etc., or any remarks will be a decided advantage.

Measurements of two cases, or several, or the average, could be given on one card.

With the hope that many will comply with the above request, and with much respect for and interest in the profession,

I am, yours truly,

EDWARD PLAYTER, M.D., Ottawa, Ont.

FOR DOCTORS ONLY.-Messrs. A. G. Spalding & Bros., New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Washington, are advertising extensively in the medical publications the Christy Anatomical Saddle.

The Christy is the pioneer in the anatomical saddle line, and Messrs. Spalding firmly believe they have without question the best bicycle saddle on the market. In order to get from the medical profession their ideas on the Christy Saddle, that the same may be advertised extensively, they make the following offer:

They would like to receive from physicians an advertisement setting forth the good points of the Christy saddle, showing the pelvis bones on the two saddles as used in all Spalding advertisements, and not to occupy a space of more than a half page, magazine size; the competition to close April 15th. First prize, $50 in cash; second prize, $25 in cash; third prize, $10 in cash. For every individual advertisement accepted and used one Christy saddle will be sent to the physician submitting the same.

All communications and copies of advertisements submitted must be sent to the Ameaican Sports Advertising Agency at 241 Broadway, New York City, and at the sender's risk. Under no circumstances will advertisement be returned.

BOOK NOTICES.

A SYSTEM OF PRACTICAL MEDICINE. By American Authors. Edited by ALFRED LEE LOOMIS, M.D., LL.D., Late Professor of Pathology and Practical Medicine in the New York University, and WILLIAM GILMAN THOMPSON, M.D., Professor of Materia Medica and Clinical Medicine in the New York University; Physician to the Presbyterian and Bellvue Hospitals, New York. Vol. I. Infectious Diseases. Illustrated. LEA BROTHERS & Co., New York and Philadelphia. 1897.

This is one of the most pretentious composite works yet presented to the medical reading public. The editors are both recognized as authorities in the field of medicine, and all may rest assured that the work undertaken by these gentlemen has been well done. Among the contributors may be seen the names of some of the most eminent men in the profession in this country. The work is essentially American in its make-up, and the contributors to the work represent every section of the United States. It is a systematic and practical work covering the entire field of general and special medicine. Matters of history and discussions of mooted theoretical subjects have been omitted. A feature commendable in itself is that special chapters upon hygiene, bacteriology, and symptomatology have not been inserted, these considerations being introduced in connection with various diseases. Special attention has been devoted to therapeutics. Prescriptions and formulas have been employed freely throughout the volume. The illustrations are numerous, new for the most part, and invariably good. Too much cannot be said in commendation of the first volume of this magnificent work. It reflects great credit alike upon the editors and the contributors, and the American profession for whose use it was intended. It should be in the hands of every physician.

A MANUAL OF THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE. Prepared especially for students. By A. A. STEVENS, A.M., M.D., Lecturer on Terminology and Instructor in Physical Diagnosis in the University of Pennsylvania; Demonstrator of Pathology in the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania; Physician to St. Agnes's Hospital, to the Out-Patient Department of the Episcopal Hospital, and to the Southeastern Dispensary, Philadelphia. Fourth Edition, Revised and Enlarged. Illustrated. W. B. SAUNDERS, 925 Walnut Street, Philadelphia: 1896. The appearance of this excellent manual in its fourth edition is a flattering indication of the hold it has acquired upon the medical student world. It is a compact, well-arranged and systematic work upon the practice of medicine. It gives as it were a birds-eye view of the whole subject. This edition has been thoroughly revised, and has received numerous additions and undergone important modifications. A further evidence of the

merits of the work rests in the fact that an Italian edition is in course of preparation. The practitioner will find in it an exceedingly valuable book for ready reference.

THE AMERICAN YEAR-BOOK OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY. Being a Yearly Digest of Scientific Progress and Authoritative Opinion in all Branches of Medicine and Surgery, drawn from Journals, Monographs and Text-Books, of the Leading American and Foreign Authors and Investigators. Collected and arranged with Critical Editorial Comments by J. M. Baldy, M.D., Charles H. Burnett, M.D., Archibald Church, M.D., Arthur H. Cleveland, M.D., Colman W. Cutler, M.D., J. Chalmers DACosta, M.D., W. A. Newman Dorland, M.D., Louis A. Duhring, M.D., Virgil P. Gibney, M.D., Homer W. Gibney, M.D., Henry A. Griffin, M.D., John Guiteras, M.D., C. A. Hamann, M.D., Howard F. Hansell, M.D., Barton Cooke Hirst, M.D., E. Fletcher Ingals, M.D., W. W. Keen, M.D., Henry Leffmann, M.D., Henry G. Ohls, M.D., Hugh T. Patrick, M.D., William Pepper, M.D., Wendell Reber, M.D., David Riesman, M.D., Louis Starr, M.D., Alfred Stengel, M.D., G. N. Stewart, M.D., Thompson S. Westcott, M.D. Under the general editorial charge of GEORGE M. GOULD, M.D. Profusely illustrated. W. B. SAUNDERS, 925 Walnut Street, Philadelphia: 1897.

This Year-Book of Medicine and Surgery is a worthy successor to the first attempt of the kind made in the publication of the Year-Book presented in 1896. It represents the work done in all departments during the year 1896, the material for each department having been collated and elaborated by well known specialists in each. For example, General Surgery has been

handled by Dr. W. W. Keen; Gynecology, by Dr. J. M. Baldy; General Medicine, by Dr. Wm. Pepper, etc., etc. The practitioner who desires to thoroughly post himself upon the advances and improvements in the science of medicine cannot deter than procure a copy of this invaluable work. It is all at its name indicates and more, too.

ESSENTIALS OF PHYSICAL DIAGNOSIS OF THE THORAX. By ARTHUR M. CORWIN, A.M., M.D., Demonstrator of Physical Diagnosis in Rush Medical College; Attending Physician to the Central Free Dispensary, Department of Rhinology, Laryngology, and Diseases of the Chest. Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged. W. B. SAUNDERS, 925 Wal nut Street, Philadelphia: 1896.

This is an outline of physical diagnosis as applied to the thorax. It is prepared especially to meet the needs of the student, and is exceedingly well adapted to that end. It is now presented in the second edition. We are sure it will prove a valuable guide to the general profession, as well as to the student. We heartily commend the work.

LECTURES ON RENAL AND URINARY DISEASES. By ROBERT SAUNDBY, M.D., EDIN., Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, London; Emeritus Senior President of the Royal Medical Society; Fellow of the Royal Medico-Chirurgical Society; Member of the Pathological Society of London; Physician to the General Hospital; Consulting Physician to the Eye Hospital; Consulting Physician to the Hospital for Diseases of Women; Professor of Medicine in Mason College, Birmingham; Late Examiner in Medicine to the Examining Board for England. With numerous illustrations. Second Edition. W. B. SAUNDERS, 925 Walnut Street, Philadelphia: 1897.

This work consists of a series of lectures upon the subjects indicated in the title delivered by the author. It appears in its second edition carefully revised and increased by the addition of a new section-that on miscellaneous affections of the kidneys. The work is a fair and full exposition of a class of diseases of every day interest to the physician. The contents show the following arrangement: Section I.-Bright's Disease. Section II. The Urine. Section III.-Diabetis. Section IV.-Miscellaneous Renal Disease. The work is a most admirable treatise, and deserves a place in the library of every physician.