has been thought to have been due to some intra-abdominal adhesion, which had retarded the descent of the epididymis and spread it out between the layers of the mesorchium. This would also account for the tilting of the body of the testicle, which we found, which caused its upper part to be directed downward and forward, for whatever it was that retarded the epididymis would probably act first upon the lower part of it. The twisting was probably caused by the continual downward pull of the gubernaculum testis, modified by the resistance of the adhesion, spoken of above. A testicle retained in the inguinal canal is moreover exceedingly apt to be complicated with hernia, and not unfrequnetly with strangulation. As in our case, the hernia both of omentum and bowel passed beyond the testicle through the inguinal canal, and being unable to descend into the imperfectly developed scrotum, rose toward the ilium, and formed the enormous mass that we described.

König, in writing of the subject of congenital adhesion of the testis with the omentum, as we found in our case, says that the testicle always becomes adherent in foetal life and especially with that portion of the omentum called "omentum colilcum Halleri." Moreover, he states that this class of hernias is much more common on the left side than on the right. Indeed, one author, Luihart, states that he has never known any hernias complicated with undescended testicle save those upon the left side. In this particular our patient was a novelty.

Mr. John Wood, in his classical work, "Lectures on Hernia and its Radical Cure," states that hernias complicated with retained testes are invariably of the congenital variety, and Mr. Curling says if the testicle does not come down by the end of the first year it will certainly sooner or later be accompanied by a hernia. All of the authorities whom I have

consulted advise that if the organ has degenerated it should be removed, and if it still apparently is able to perform its function, it should be placed in the scrotum. In either of these alternatives the reason given is to 'avoid subsequent hernia with its dangers.

I think you will all agree with me from what I have said above, that if the question were asked me on the stand as to whether to the

best of my knowledge and belief the hernia from which my patient suffered was a new one or an old one, I would have no hesitation in affirming the latter to be the case.

The Extension of the Practical Application of Röntgen Rays.

The following editorial comment appears in a recent issue of the University Medical Magazine.

In the March issue of the Magazine we briefly described the practical application of the discovery of Professor Röntgen as far as it had been developed at that time. Since our report the use of the new radiation has been greatly extended. The June number of the Magazine contains the reproduction of a skiagraph showing a "jackstone" in the esophagus of a child, two and one-half years of age. This case came under the care of Dr. J. William White, at the University Hospital, and is, we believe, the first instance in which a foreign body has been detected in the trunk of the body by this means. A glance at the plate impresses the immense value of this new aid in diagnosis.

The August number of the American Journal of the Medical Sciences contains an article on the "Practical Application of the Röntgen Rays in Surgery," illustrated by a number of excellent plates representing interesting surgical conditions that could not be so lucidly portrayed in any other manner.

The application of the new ray in medicine up to the present time has been much more restricted. The shadows of the heart and liver are well seen, and the outlines of other organs are faintly perceptible. It is by no means to be considered, however, that the full utility of the radiation has as yet been discovered, and both surgeons and physicians are confidently looking forward to developments that will lend still more general assistance in diagnosis.

The construction of the flouroscope is being perfected, so that, at present, the necessary information may be obtained without the trouble and delay of making a skiagraph.

The Laboratory of Clinical Medicine of the University Hospital is already equipped with a plete plant will be installed in the Department Röntgen plant, and by October I another comof Clinical Surgery.

Medical Service of the Paris Exposition.

Dr. Gilles de la Tourette has been appointed physician-in-chief to the Paris Exposition, to be held in 1900. There will be an exhibit of objects illustrating the progress of medicine and surgery.

Very recently a largely attended meeting of The British Association occurred at Liverpool, and at a banquet in honor of Sir Joseph Lister, who was accompanied by many other notable medical men, it was said by the one proposing the toast to the distinguished guest of honor: "He (Lister) had the keen, scientific insight to observe the relation between the myriad germs, which Pasteur discerned, and surgical fever. He carried these investigations further by scientific investigations of the utmost beauty and skill. It was clear to him that the entry of these poisonous particles, and the changes they produced had all along been the source of the evil, and he revolved in his mind the problem of excluding them. Year after year this inquiry was the great object of his life. The difficulties were successively overcome, and he found that surgical fever no longer attacked his patients. The great truth was duly made known, and encountered the skepticism and opposition which all new

truth and all new untruth rightly meet. But by degrees doubt and opposition vanished, and to-day the skilled opinion of the world has accepted aseptic or Listerian surgery as a priceless boon to mankind. It is difficult to overestimate the benefit thus conferred on mankind in every part of the world. From Western California all around our globe, in America, Europe, the civilized parts of Africa and Asia, to Eastern Japan; from north to south, wherever trained skill is attainable, the splendid discovery of our guest is daily saving life and preventing suffering, and this it will do as long as knowledge and civilization remain. His reward is a great one, since he must know that he has probably saved more human life and prevented more suffering than any other man now living."

To be deserving of such words as these is truly the highest reward of human activity. Fame has no more to bestow.

The event above mentioned is full of meaning to the mind of the every-day working surgeon; full of significance in an historical sense, full of worth in a thoroughly practical direction. To Lister does the world indeed owe much. It stands indebted to him not alone for his patient research, and his discovery, but for the long years of ceaseless championship in support of his position, until he is able to-day, before time has dimmed his memory or blocked his powers of reason and discernment, to appreciate the universal acceptance of his teachings, the incomprehensible benefit to mankind and the restfulness that belongs to the conqueror as well in mental and logical, as in physical realms. To the general surgeon asepsis now means almost everything in the accomplishment of success, and it probably means more to the railway surgeon than to one following any other line of distinctive surgical work, for he has but little chance to prevent infection. The emergency surgeon must take it for granted that infection has preceded him, and he, therefore, is required to oppose forces already arrayed against him. In such cases force must combat force, and the knowledge gained by the sagacity and determination of Lister is the key to the situation, while the perseverance and practicability of the disciple becomes the means through which that knowledge works to the desired end. This is, in all instances,

the preservation of tissue, the conservation of function, the limitation of sepsis-"surgical fever"-and the saving of human life.

THE PHYSICIAN AND THE PUBLIC PRESS.

The following items are clipped from the editorial column of the Columbus (Ohio) DisWe refrain from comment, as we patch. have no further knowledge of the row, but the editorials well illustrate the feeling of the lay press and a large part of the people, relative to medical advertising, professional interviews and reports of operations in the daily prints: "In finding Dr. R. Harvey Reed guilty of a violation of the code of medical ethics in connection with the publication of a report of a most successful surgical operation in a daily paper, the Academy of Medicine has not exhibited either that fairness or liberal spirit or that sympathy with the spirit of modern progress that might naturally be expected from a body of intelligent men who belong to one of the greatest of professions. This drawing of the line between professional and daily papers is an evidence of professional prejudice that is not at all creditable to the physicians who have given countenance to it.. But they might as well expect to dam the mighty Nile as to check in this way the progress of the newspaper or hide under the bushel of professional exclusiveness the light of individual success."

"THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

"The case of Dr. R. Harvey Reed calls attention to the fact that the medical profession is the only one of the once only great professions-law, medicine and theology-that still keeps up many of the old barriers of exclusiveness. There was a time when all of them wrapped themselves up in more or less mystery and were inclined to bid the uninitiated stand aloof. They were as a rule very sensitive to anything that smacked of intrusive familiarity on the part of the general public.

"But most of these barriers have gradually given away under the leveling processes of modern inquiry and development. The professions no longer monopolize learning as they formerly did. The masses of the people know a great deal more than they used to know, and they also know the difference between actual knowledge and the mere profession of knowledge. The dignity of professions is no longer the dignity of tradition but the dignity of knowledge. They simply share this dignity with all other occupations. Every business is dignified that is honorable and that represents intelligence and character. All

this has tended to improve and strengthen the professions, for it has had the effect of weeding out of them the shams and pretentions, that at one time infested them and were safe from assault because they were protected by the artificial sanctity that enveloped them.

"The medical profession has been more inclined to resent this modern intrusion than the others. It has hugged its secret rites more tenaciously. It has clung more closely to its Latin formulæ. It has been more sensitive to the inquiries of the newspapers as the representatives of the people, into its doings and methods, and has been disposed to resent it as impertinent familiarity. It has been behind no profession or occupation in its advancement in learning. Its members can hold their own in point of intelligence and capacity and character with the members of any other profession. And as to the good its members are doing, not only in relieving suffering and saving life, but in adding their contribution to the world's progress, too much praise cannot be given to them.

"At the same time we believe the profession makes a mistake in opposing newspaper publicity to the extent that it does. The masses of the people do not have access to medical publications. They depend almost entirely on the daily papers for information on current events. They are interested in surgical operations and their interest is a natural and eminently proper one. If the publication of the details of an operation incidentally gives credit to the one who performs it, that does not render it any the less interesting or instructive, though it may strike a sore spot in the breasts of some physicians who chance to belong to a different school of practice or to be interested in a different school of instruction.

"It will not hurt the profession any to take the people into its confidence and let them know more of its doings and its methods. Indeed it will do it good. People know more now than some doctors seem to think they do. This very intelligence, if the doctors could but see it, enables them to better understand and appreciate the physician's learning and skill. Moreover, the people will continue to get sick and need the services of docters, so that there is no danger that the profession will run any risk of losing its occupation."

Dog-Tail Sutures.

It is said that the tendons found in the tail of a dog make better sutures than either catgut or kangaroo tendon, when properly prepared in sublimate.-Peoria Medical Journal.

We have not only multiplied diseases, but we have made them more fatal.-Rush.

Notes of Societies.

The Pan-American Medical Congress.

As already announced in The Railway Surgeon, the Pan-American Medical Congress will convene in the City of Mexico, November 13-16, 1896. A cordial invitation is extended by the International Executive Committee to the medical profession of the United States to attend and participate in the meeting. The titles of papers to be read should be sent at as early a date as possible to the secretary, Dr. Eduardo Liceaga, Calle de San Andres, num. 4, Ciudad de Mexico, D. F. Republica Mexicana, and all those who contemplate attending should send their names and addresses as early as possible to Dr. C. A. L. Reed, St. Leger place, Cincinnati, O. Dr. Reed writes:

"Dr. H L. E. Johnson, 1400 L street N. W., Washington, D. C., has been elected chairman of the Special Committee on Transportation. All communications relative to rates, reservation in the special trains, etc., should be addressed to him.

"A rate of one fare for the round trip has been secured between St. Louis, New Orleans and other trans-Mississippi points and the City of Mexico. It is confidently expected that this rate will be extended over the entire territory of the United States. Arrangements are in progress for a splendidly equipped special train of sleeping and observation cars, with first-class dining-car service. Dr. Johnson will presently be in a position to announce a rate, which will include railroad fare, sleeping and dining-car service both ways and in the city of Mexico, and covering the expense of various side trips to the most historic points in the Republic."

President Lutz has appointed the following members of the National Association of Railway Surgeons as delegates to the Pan-American Medical Congress:

Dr. Henry F. Hoyt, Chief Surgeon Great Northern R. R., St. Paul, Minn.; Dr. C. W. P. Brock, Chief Surgeon C. & O. R R., Richmond, Va.; Dr. W. D. Middleton, Chief Surgeon C. R. I. & P. R. R., Davenport, Ia.; Dr. G. W. Hogeboom, Chief Surgeon A. T. & S. F. R. R., Topeka, Kas.; Dr. E. F. Yancey, Chief Surgeon M. K. & T. R. R., Sedalia, Mo.; Dr. J. B. Murphy, Chief Surgeon Wisconsin. Central R. R., 911 Venetian Building, Chicago, Ill.; Dr. Truman W. Miller, Chief Surgeon Grand Trunk R. R., 612 Reliance Building, Chicago, Ill.; Dr. A. C. Scott, Chief Surgeon G. C. & S. F. R. R., Temple, Texas; Dr. F. A. Stillings, Chief Surgeon Southern Division B. & M. R. R., Concord, N. H.; Dr. J. W. Tope, Surgeon C. & N.-W. R. R., 30 Pleasant street, Oak Park, Ill.; Dr. James Thorburn, Consult

ing Surgeon Grand Trunk R. R., Toronto, Canada; Dr. J. H. Williams, Chief Surgeon M. D. & S. R. R., Macon, Ga.; Dr. J. N. Warren, Chief Surgeon S. C. & N. R. R., Sioux City, Ia.; Dr. W. R. Tipton, Consulting Surgeon A. T. & S. F. R. R., Las Vegas, N. M.; Dr. D. F. Stuart, Chief Surgeon H. & T. C. R. R, Houston, Tex.; Dr. G. P. Conn, Chief Surgeon C. & M. R. R., Concord, N. H.; Dr. H. W. Morehouse, Chief Surgeon Wabash, Danville, Ill.; Dr. W. B. Outten, Chief Surgeon Missouri Pacific Ry. Co., St. Louis, Mo.; Dr. W. A. McCandless, Chief Surgeon Terminal Railway Association, St. Louis, Mo.; Dr. E. R. Lewis, Kansas City, Mo.; Dr. C. D. Wescott, oculist for the C. M. & St. P. R. R., Chicago, Ill.; Dr. C. A. Wheaton, Chief Surgeon St. P. & D. R. R., St. Paul, Minn.; Dr. Warren W. Weaver, Surgeon B. & O. R. R., 6105 Woodland avenue, Philadelphia, Pa.; Dr. E. N. Allen, Chief Surgeon C. & O. R. R., South McAllister, I. T.; Dr. A. I. Bouffleur, Surgeon C. M. & St. P. R. R., 738 Washington boulevard, Chicago, Ill.; Dr. W. R. Hamilton, Vice-President N. A. R. S., Pittsburg, Pa.

Annual Convention of the Medical and Surgical Staff of the Erie Railway Company.

The annual meeting of the Association of Eric Railway Surgeons was held at the Kent House, Lakewood, N. Y., Sept. 21, 1896. An accident occurred at the opening of the session which interfered with the pleasure of the entire gathering. Dr. John L. Eddy of Olean, the president of the association, an aged and well-known surgeon, stepped into an open elevator shaft and fell to the bottom, a distance of eight feet. He was at once removed to his room at the Kent House, where it was found that he had sustained a deep cut across the forehead, a badly sprained ankle and a severely bruised hip.

On account of this accident to the president, the vice-president, Dr. Webb J. Kelly of Galion, O., presided. Dr. S. Birdsall of Susquehanna, Pa., presented a paper on "Symes Ankle-joint Amputations," and the discussion which followed was joined in by Drs. C. S. Parkhill of Hornellsville, George H. Hall of Binghamton, J. A. Ritchey of Oil City and T. B. Lashells of Meadville.

Dr. F. W. Thomas of Marion, O., gave an address on "Injuries of the Throat." Dr. C. C. Kinnaman of Ashland, O., presented a paper on "Symmetrical Gangrene," and Dr. C. M. Daniels of Buffalo, chief surgeon of the Erie Railway, told about his relief and hospital organization scheme, as intended to be adopted by the company.

The afternoon programme consisted of papers on "Traumatic Spinal Neurosis," by Dr. N. R.

After Amputation," by Dr. C. B. Kibler of Corry, Pa.; "Railway Shock," by Floyd S. Crego of Buffalo; "Clinical Review of Cases the Past Year," by Dr. Thomas Manley of New York.

The session was attended by a larger number of surgeons than any former meeting in the history of the association.

The annual election of officers resulted as follows: President, Dr. Webb J. Kelly, Galion, O.; vice-president, Dr. F. W. Thomas, Marion, O.; secretary and treasurer, Dr. W. W. Appley, Cohocton; executive committee, Dr. C. M. Daniels, Buffalo; Dr. C. S. Parkhill, Hornellsville; Dr. L. H. Leyman, Huntington, Ind. The executive committee will select the next place of meeting, probably in New York.

(415) Surgery of the Spine.

Parona (Il Policlinico, May 15, 1896), reports four cases of spinal affection. The first was one of long-continued dorsal neuralgia affecting the seventh and eighth dorsal nerves on the left side. None of the usual remedies did any good, but injections of KI deep into the situation of the nerve roots cured permanently after eight injections. Fifteen grains were given on alternate days, and improvement was noticed after the third injection. There was some reason to suppose that the case was rheumatic. The second case was one

of persistent, troublesome neuralgia affecting the seventh and eighth pair of dorsal nerves, and probably due to a fractured spinal process (eighth dorsal) twenty years before. The injured spine was exposed; no bony pressure was found. The author therefore thoroughly stretched the nerves near their exit from the vertebra foramen, and so freed them from the old thickening. The result was permanent and speedy cure of the neuralgia. The two other cases were each tuberculous in nature, and consisted of caries of the transverse process and body of the third and fourth dorsal vertebra, accompanied by mediastinal abscess. The abscess cavity was freely exposed and drained from behind, and the patients recovered locally, but one died a few months after from pulmonary phthisis (of which there was no sign at the time of operation), and the other showed signs of phthisis. Both patients were adults, and there was no deformity of the spine. Mediastinal abscess was suspected, from the fact that when the external abscess was completely aspirated it almost immediatly filled again, the quantity of fluid extracted being out of proportion to the volume of the visible swelling, and the abundance and flow of the discharge through the fistula being manifestly affected by the coughing of the patient.-British Medical Journal.

was

The death is reported of Dr. W. G. Kingsbury of Boerne, Texas. The doctor widely known in his own state as a good physician and public-spirited citizen. He was formerly connected with the Southern Pacific Railway and organized in England a colony which settled in a place named for him on the line of that road.

We regret to record that Dr. John L. Eddy of Olean, N. Y., ex-president of the Association of Erie Railway Surgeons, and one of the vice-presidents of the National Association of Railway Surgeons, recently sustained severe and painful, but fortunately not serious, injuries, by falling a distance of eight feet into an open elevator shaft. We feel sure that the doctor has the sympathy of all his many friends among the railway surgeons.

Dr. James Edgar Chancellor died Sept. 11, 1896, at his residence, University place, University of Virginia, at the age of seventy-one.

He

Dr. Chancellor was the son of the late George Chancellor, was born at Chancellorsville, and was a brother of the late Lorman Chancellor of Baltimore, and cousin of Dr. Chancellor, consul at Havre, France. was educated at the University of Virginia and at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, for his profession, the practice of which he began at Chancellorsville. The war coming on, he was commissioned first assistant surgeon and then surgeon in the Confederate army, and assigned to duty at the general hospital at Charlottesville. He made demonstrator of anatomy in the University of Virginia, where he remained until his health imperatively demanded his retirement. became president of the Medical Society of Virginia, and during his term the state board of medical examiners of Virginia was organized, of which he became a member in 1890, and in which office he continued till his death. For twenty years he has been a member of the American Medical Association and of the American Public Health Association.

was

He

The first wife was Miss Josephine Anderson of Spottsylvania county, who bore him. six children-Dr. E. A. Chancellor of St. Louis: Alexander Clarendon Chancellor of Columbus, Ga.: Thomas Sebastian Chancellor of New Orleans; Samuel G. Chancellor of the University of Virginia, and Josephine Chancellor, now deceased. His second wife, Mrs. Gabriella Mays Chancellor, survives him.

John Eric Erichsen, F. R. S., LL.D., Hon. M. Ch. and Hon. F. R. C. S., died at Folkestone, Eng., Sept. 23, 1896, from apoplexy.

He was born July 19, 1818, and educated