one-and-a-half-dram doses of magnesia taken daily. Another medical man reports a case of very large warts which disappeared in a fortnight from the daily administration of ten grains of the salts."Meyer Bros. Druggist.

A doctor's friend is found in the person of one of the judges of the courts of the city of London. He says he is always sorry to see a physician treated on the witness stand as a partisan. He is of the opinion that the doctor ought to sit with the judge on the bench and advise the court as to the injuries claimed by the prosecutor in a damage suit.-Meyer Bros. Druggist.

Dr. C. E. Thurman, of Milton, Ill., writes : "I have taken THE WORLD most of the time since 1886, and besides the interesting and helpful information contained in every issue, I know of one time when it benefited me $50.00 in cash."

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Enclosed please find P.O. order for $1.00, for which please renew my subscription for another year. I enjoy your monthly talks very much and hope you will continue them till the need for them is over.

I have followed your advice in the June issue in regard to writing to all the representatives in Congress from this state on the issues mentioned in that number. B. H. ENLOE.

Nashville, Tenn.

Book Reviews.

"Hysteria and Certain Allied Conditions, their nature and treatment, with special reference to the rest cure, massage, electrotherapy, hypnotism, etc.," is the subject of an able volume from the pen of the well-known specialist, George J. Preston, M.D. It is from the press of P. Blakiston Son & Co., bound in cloth, fully illustrated, with 298 pages, and is sold for $2. Despite the general recognition of the fact that the protean forms of hysteria are at the bottom of so many anomalous conditions, the disorder has been given but scanty attention at the hands of book makers, and this volume is the most complete, outside of those issued by the French writers, that has been placed before the public. The style of treatment is excellent, and the chapters on therapeusis, based on personal experience, are particularly valuable.

Possibly few theories advanced in medical fields within the last 25 years have attracted the attention and given rise to the amount of discussion, as that promulgated by Dr. Leopold Schenk, Professor at the Imperial and Royal University and Director of the Embryological Institute in Vienna. Briefly, the distinguished investigator claims that it is possible, by a system of dieting, to produce males at will, and has apparently proved his proposition by the fact that the birth of male children has followed the adoption of the course prescribed by him, without a single recorded failure, altho in some instances the moth

ers in question had theretofore produced none but female children. He claims that the presence of sugar in the urine of a woman immediately previous to and for the three months following conception will result in the production of female children, and consequently directs the diet with a view to eliminate the sugar. The volume is scientific in its form of reasoning, and carries with it apparent conviction. The present volume is the authorized translation, and is issued by the Werner Company of Akron, O., cloth bound, 222 pages, at a cost of $2.50.

"High Altitudes for Consumptives, being principles or guides for a better selection or classification of consumptives amenable to the high altitude treatment and to the selection of patients who may be more successfully treated in the environments to which they were accustomed previous to their illness," is the comprehensive title given to an interesting brochure by Prof. A. Edgar Tussey of the Philadelphia Polyclinic. The title is a sufficient indication of the scope and intent of the volume, and no more remains for the reviewer than to say that the indications are fully fulfilled. It opens up certain lines of thought new to discussion, and is readable in every line. Cloth, pages 144, price $1.50, P. Blakiston Son & Co., publishers.

Rev. L. W. Mulhane contributes to current literature thru the press of D. H. McBride & Co., of New York, "Leprosy and the Charity of The Church," a cloth volume of 155 pages, which is an interesting compilation of facts in connection with the development of leprosy in this country and the Sandwich Islands. It is of particular interest at the present juncture in view of the annexation of Hawaii. None too much credit is given to the brave devotees who risk their lives for the relief of the sufferers, and religious matters do not enter into consideration so much as would seem indicated by the title. Price 75 cents.

The International Medical Annual, E. B. Treat, publisher, New York, for 1898, is fully up to the high standard established in previous issues. The value of the work is greatly enhanced by the illustrations. The book contains so much in so little space that it is one of the most valuable of publications for the busy practitioner. It is a neatly bound volume of 739 pages, and is sold at the moderate price of $2.75.

From the press of Boericke & Tafel, of this city, we have a cloth-bound 12 mo., $1 net, of 264 pages, upon "Diseases of the Skin; their constitutional nature and cure," by J. Compton Burnett, M.D. The book deals purely with homeopathic treatment and will be of aid to practitioners of that school.

"Suggestion in the Cure of Diseases and the Correction of Vices," is a purple and gold duodecimo of 65 pages, published at the net price of $1 by the author, Geo. C. Pitzer, M. D., of St. Louis, Mo. There is much to awaken earnest thought in the brochure,and since suggestion has so wide a prospect opening before it, students who keep abreast with the times will doubtless want to know what the writer has to say. The volume is well worth close study.

There has long been recognized the need of a

good laboratory guide for the use of the student in pathology, and a number of attempts have been made to compile a text-book to meet the requirements. Probably the best so far offered is the "Laboratory Text-book of Pathology," for the use of students and practitioners of medicine, by Prof. Horace J. Whitacre of Cincinnati, published by P. Blakiston Son & Co., of this city. It is a compact cloth-bound volume of 172 pages, of excellent typographical appearance, thoroly indexed and illustrated. Net price, $1.50. All latest methods are given due discussion and description. The volume should be in the hands of all interested in later medical methods.

Messrs. Sharp & Dohme, of Baltimore, send us their price list for 1898, which they regard as the best they ever put out. It consists of 183 pages, and is very handy for reference. They write us that they will send WORLD readers a copy free upon request.

"Miskel," a novel, by L. M. Phillips, M.D., of Penn Yan, New York. No. 2 of the Doctor's Story Series. Pp. 266. Price, in paper, 50 cents. Baily & Fairchild Co., New York. The volume deals with psychic problems in a readable way, tho the plot is somewhat extended and complicated.

In Sajous's Annual and Analytical Encyclopedia of Practical Medicine, the first volume of which is before us, the profession has offered to it a work of more than usual merit, evincing great labor in compilation and care in its constructive features. The object is to present scientific literature in an attractive, entertaining, easily-understood form, with professional dignity as a constant guide. The work, when completed, will present all the general diseases described in text-books on practical subjectsmedicine, surgery, therapeutics, obstetrics, etc., inserting in their logical order all the progressive features of value presented during the last decade. The general arrangement will make it possible to cover the field in six volumes. entire matter is prepared under the direct supervision of the editor, who is assisted in his labors by a staff of 100 associate editors, embracing some of the names best known in medical work. The typographical work is excellent, reflecting due credit upon the publishers, the F. A. Davis Company, of this city. The first volume has 601 pages and is well bound in full cloth.

The

Flint's Encyclopedia of Medicine and Surgery is not the bulky, ponderous production one might imagine, but is a compact volume of 1553 pages, including appendix, neatly bound in cloth, half morocco or leather, at the cost of $5 and $6. It has been thoroly revised, with the assistance of 56 contributors, and is well in line with recent advances in medical and surgical science. An inexpensive up-to-date volume, it deserves a place upon every physicians' table. It is published by J. B. Flint & Co., New York.

Since insanity has been given enlightened study, works upon its morbid anatomy and treatment have multiplied, too many, however, being too cyclopedic in their scope to meet the needs of any save the specialist. In the "Compendium of Insanity," published recently by W. B. Saunders, of this city, there is a compact presentment of all necessary data without too much

is

8vo., cloth, 234 pages, at the small cost of $1.25. The author, John B. Chapin, M.D., LL.D., an authority upon his subject, being the present physician-in-chief of the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane, and late Superintendent of the Willard State Hospital, in New York.

"Hypnotism Up to Date," by Sydney Flower, presents more reasonable views of suggestion than the somewhat romantic ideas current. It is published in paper by Chas. H. Kerr & Co., of Chicago, and has 161 pages. Price, 25 cents.

The "Electro-Therapeutic Guide" has reached its third edition, appearing revised and enlarged. The author and publisher, Wm. F. Howe, M.D., is President of the National College of ElectroTherapeutics, at Indianapolis, Ind. The brochure is bound in imitation of leather, and has 41 pages.

"The Principles of Medicine" is by Prof. Chas. S. Mack, of the Hahnemann Medical College, of Chicago, and is designed as a text-book in medical colleges and for the use of practitioners generally. It is published by the W. T. Keener Company, of Chicago, and is an octavo of 133 pages; price, $1, net. It is a general exposition of the principles of homeopathy.

"A Practical Treatise on Appendicitis" is a helpful work prepared along practical lines for the use of those whose bedside experience in the disease is limited. It deals with the anatomy, clinical history, etiology, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment, medical and operative. It is well printed on clear, heavy paper, cloth bound, pages 131, and is sold for $1.50 net. The publishers are the Halsey Bros. Company of Chicago. The book is one of the best on the subject, issued by our homeopathic brethren.

The medical man has his lighter hours as well as his days of care, and the little volume by John F. B. Lillard, "The Medical Muse," a collection of rhymes up-to-date, by the doctor, for the doctor and against the doctor. It will be welcome for times of relaxation. It is a neat clothbound volume of 141 pages, and will be sent on receipt of the price, $1.00, by J. A. Vail & Co., 5 East 17th St., New York.

"Artificial Anesthesia," by Dr. Laurence Turnbull of this city, published by P. Blakiston's Son & Co., is a compact manual of 550 pages, containing all that is known in regard to methods of producing anesthesia and analgesia. It is published at the moderate price of $2.50, placing it within the reach of every practitioner. The various agents for producing anesthesia are reviewed and compared, and their points of advantage and disadvantage carefully brought out.

"What a Young Man Ought to Know," No. 2 of the Self and Sex series of Rev. Dr. Sylvanus Stall of this city, is of great value to every youth entering upon manhood. It might be recommended to such among families in which he practices by every physician. The subjects treated of are presented in a clean, delicate and nonsensational manner, and the book will prove of much service in teaching how to avoid pitfalls upon which so many lives are wrecked. Cloth, pages 281, price $1.00 net. Vir Publishing Company, Philadelphia and London.

"An Epitome of the History of Medicine." By Roswell Park, A.M., M.D., Professor of Surgery in the Medical Department of the University of Buffalo, etc. Illustrated with portraits and other engravings. Royal octavo, pages 348. Cloth, $2.00 net. The F. A. Davis Co., publishers, Philadelphia. The author claims that the history of medicine has been sadly neglected in our medical schools, if only from the standpoint that gross errors can be avoided by knowing of their results in the past. The treatise is an effort to popularize the subject and first took form in a series of lectures given in the medical department of the University of Buffalo. The volume is most interesting reading and vividly presents subjects of which the profession in general is not too thoroly au fait.

Volume IV in the "System of Medicine," by many authors, edited by Thomas Clifford Allbutt, Regius professor of physic in the University of Cambridge, is at hand from the press of the MacMillan Company, New York and London, bearing the impress of the excellent work done by this firm. It is a royal octavo in form, and has 1001 pages without padding of any kind. Particular praise must be given to the scheme of the work, which is of the nature to facilitate ready reference, and to the ample indexing. The treatment advocated is generally the latest known, but we regret to notice that Dr. Eustace Smith has not found success in treating the diarrheas of children antiseptically, altho he states that theoretically some form of antisepsis of the bowel seems to offer the best prospect of success. He claims that calomel has given fairly good results, while salol, beta naphthol, naphthalin, resorcin, etc., given alone seem inert. He does not mention the sulfo-carbolates. The volume is bound in cloth and sells for $5.

It would be difficult to find a more masterly treatise upon a given subject than that upon "Appendicitis," by John B. Deaver, of this city. It has colored illustrations of the methods of procedure in operating and plates of typical pathologic conditions. These have been made specially for this publication at a great cost. is a royal octavo of 168 pages, bound in cloth, and priced at $3.50. The style is clear, the method of arrangement good, and the book a model of scientific research. P. Blakiston Sons & Co., of this city, are the publishers.

It

The average physician wants in his library treatises giving him the practice of to-day in the departments they cover, and not encyclopedias and manuals covering the entire range of medicine from the time of Hippocrates. The volume, "Modern Gynecology," by Charles Bushong, M.D., comprises the results of the latest investigations and treatment in this branch of medical science. It is particularly good upon the matter of treatment. It forms No. 1 of a series of "medical classics" issued by E. B. Treat & Co., of New York, and is a cloth-bound 8vo. volume of 404 pages, having 105 illustrations. It is quoted at $2, net.

One of the most noted surgeons of the age, Wm. W. Keen, M.D., LL.D., professor of surgery at Jefferson College, is certainly to be regarded as an authority upon any branch of his

specialty upon which he chooses to write. The volume from his pen, lately issued from the press of W. B. Saunders of this city, "The Surgical Complications and Sequels of Typhoid Fever," is the only monograph in any language covering the entire subject. It will prove of importance and interest, not only to the general surgeon and physician, but also to many specialists, laryngologists, gynecologists, pathologists and bacteriologists. It is a royal octavo volume of 386 pages, profusely illustrated, cloth bound, $3, net.

"Hartley-Auvard System of Obstetrics." Third (1898) edition, 436 pages, 543 illustrations. Revised by Dr. John D. Hartley. Cloth, $4; leather or half morocco, $5.00. J. B. Flint & Co., New York, N. Y. A volume carrying authority upon its subject, condensed into far less space than usual, yet containing everything known in this branch of medicine. The diagrams and illustrations are particularly clear, and the general scheme of the work pleasing.

Drs. J. Bland Sutton and Arthur E. Giles, of the Chelsea and Middlesex Hospitals, of London, are recognized authorities in the field of gynecology, and are possessed of a peculiarly terse, understandable style of writing. Hence, the little volume they send out as a hand-book for students and practitioners, entitled "The Diseases of Women," will meet with an appreciative reception. It is bound in dark cloth, has over 100 illustrations, 436 octavo pages, and is of the same high grade of typographic finish that makes all the work of the publisher, W. B. Saunders, of this city, noticeable. The price is $2.50, net. Volumes presenting the pith of a given subject in small bulk like the one under consideration are apt, other things being equal, to be of more general value than the bulky tomes which go into matters too exhaustively for any but the specialist.

The profession owes a great debt to any publisher who aims to concentration instead of diffusiveness, since much that is spread out in four or five cumbersome volumes may often be used to greater advantage in a one-volume treatise. Of this stamp is the American System of TextBooks," published by W. B. Saunders of this city, and the latest volume in the series, "An American Text-Book of Genito-Urinary Diseases, Syphilis and Diseases of the Skin," is in every respect fully up to the high standard established by former volumes. Every care has been taken to present all that is latest and best on these closely related subjects, and even a cursory examination of the contents will disclose many points of excellence and superiority. Among the especially notable points are thoroness, accuracy and modernness from the number of authoritative contributors; practical utility from careful insistence on the importance of diagnosis and proper treatment; convenience of arrangement for reference and consultation; fulness and excellence of illustration and general typographical beauty; the covering in a single volume of ground heretofore requiring three or four costly volumes. Imperial octavo, pages, 1229, cloth $7; sheep or half morocco, $8. Edited by L. Bolton Bangs, M.D., and W. A. Hardaway, A.M., M.D.

The elder Gross had as a favorite axiom that the stomach is the fire-box of the human engine,

and when anything goes wrong there the whole system would feel the effect. Hence it would seem that the special study of diseases of the alimentary tract could not fail but be of advantage to the race. In this line the differentiation of diseases of the stomach and the literature of this work has increased to an unusual extent within the past decade. We have the admirable works of Reichman, Boas, and Ewald as well as lesser treatises, but for the needs of the general practitioner few writers have struck the happy mean between syllabus-like brevity and cyclopedic amplification in the manner that is shown in the volume "Diseases of the Stomach," from the press of W. B. Saunders of this city. The book is American in the fullest sense, and is by the conjoined labor of Wm. W. Van Valzah, A.M., M.D., professor of general medicine and diseases of the digestive system in the New York Polyclinic and the adjunct professor of the same branch, J. Douglas Nisbet, A.B., M.D. The book is a royal octavo, bound in dark green cloth, fully illustrated, 674 pages, $3.50 net. No mistake will be made in adding this volume to the doctor's library shelves.

The day of specialties certainly rules, and even the specialties are being again divided into lesser fields. Of such possibly more attention has been given of late to orthopedics, altho the special literature on this branch has been none too ample. Hence the fine cloth bound volume of 354 royal octavo pages," Orthopedic Surgery," by James E. Moore, M.D., professor of orthopedics at the University of Minnesota, fills a not overcrowded niche. The illustrations are fine and the arrangement and general conception of the book is worthy of all praise. The volume is from the press of W. B. Saunders of this city and is quoted at $2.50 net.

"Outlines of Rural Hygiene," for Physicians, Students and Sanitarians. By Harvey B. Bashore, M.D., Inspector for the State Board of Health of Pennsylvania. With an Appendix on The Normal Distribution of Chlorine, by Prof. Herbert E. Smith, of Yale University. Pages 84. Extra Cloth, 75 cents net. The F. A. Davis Co., publishers, Philadelphia, a neat little volume, bearing evidence of care in its make up and conveying much information of value in regard to suburban drainage, etc.

"Elements of Latin," for Students of Medicine and Pharmacy. By George D. Crothers, A.M., M.D. and Hiram H. Bice, A.M. Pages 242; flexible cloth, $1.25, net. The F. A. Davis Co., publishers, Philadelphia. Just the volume necessary for the student who has not taken a full classical course before entering upon the study of medicine. All that is necessary to know is presented in compact form without redundant multiplication of phrase and at a price lower than a similar volume has heretofore been offered.

The eclectic school of practitioners will find in the "Materia Medica and Therapeutics," by John M. Scudder, M.D., a valuable edition to their libraries. The work has reached its 12th edition and is revised and improved. It is from the press of the Scudder Bros. Co., of Cincinnati, cloth bound royal octavo, 748 pages, price $4.25. The volume appears to treat its subject

exhaustively, and is arranged upon an excellent plan. It is preceded by an article on general therapeutics which contains statements a trifle bewildering. For instance is there a medical sect called allopathia, having a "method of cure" which consists in treating disease upon the axiom "Contraria, contrariis curantur?" If such exist, are they a numerous sect? And in what country do they practice?

The beautiful volume "Day Dreams of a Doctor," has already received substantial recognition in the way of sales, and is of interest not only to the medical profession but also to all those who are brought into close relations with the profession. It tells in a simple, honest way, the story of an intelligent, thoughtful every-day doctor. It will be sent by mail, postpaid, by the publishers, Peter Paul Book Co., Buffalo, N. Y., on receipt of the price, $1.25; pages 251.

Our homeopathic friends will doubtless find much of merit in the royal octavo handbook on "Diseases of the Heart and Their Homeopathic Treatment," from the pen of Thomas C. Duncan, M.D., Ph.D. LL. D., professor of general medicine and diseases of the chest in the National Medical College of Chicago. The volume is from the press of Halsey Bros. Co., of Chicago, and has a system of review questions which will be of much practical service to the student. The book has 114 pages.

There is no better series of manuals extant for the use of students than the ? Quiz Compends,? issued by P. Blakiston's Sons & Co., of this city. No. 16 of the series, "Diseases of the Skin," by J. F. Schamberg, A.B., M.D., of this city, with nearly 100 illustrations, 307 pages, is particularly fine. Dr. Schamberg is to be congratulated upon the conciseness of the volume, as well as upon the modernity of his methods of treatment. The price is 80 cents net.

Our Monthly Talk

I have mailed the following communications to every member of the U. S. Senate and House of Representatives. Please notice the dates.

PHILADELPHIA, PA., MAY 13, 1898.

DEAR SIR:-Every issue of THE MEDICAL WORLD reaches over twenty-five thousand physicians in all parts of the country. For the reason that physicians lose much because of the inability of their patrons to pay, our readers have become deeply interested in those public questions that have a bearing on the prosperity of the masses of the people. Among the questions that our readers have become interested in are: Postal Savings Banks, Government Telegraph, and Government ownership of the postal cars. You are doubtless familiar with the facts and arguments bearing on these questions.

Nearly all the progressive nations have postal or government savings banks, furnishing convenient and secure depositories for the savings of the poor, with a reasonable interest. A bank account makes a man a better citizen; and if the Government is his banker, he becomes a more patriotic citizen.

The rapid transmission of intelligence is an important public function, which should not be

owned nor controlled by private individuals. All the civilized countries of the world conduct the telegraph as a part of the postal system except Bolivia, Honduras, Cyprus, Cuba, Hawaii and the United States.

As is seen by the reports of Post Masters General Vilas, Wanamaker and others, we pay an annual rental for the postal cars equal to the value of the cars. As the average life of a car is twenty years, why should we pay for them twenty times, and then not own them? Besides the rental we pay an extortionate rate (Sc. per pound for an average haul of 448 miles) for the hauling of mail matter in the cars.

For the information of our readers, particularly those in your State, please answer plainly the following questions:

1. Do you favor Postal Savings Banks, and will you vote for them in Congress if opportunity presents? If not, why not?

2. Do you favor Government ownership and operation of the Telegraph as a part of the Postal System, and will you vote for the same in Congress if opportunity presents? If not, why not?

3. Do you favor Government ownership of the postal cars, and a requirement that the railroads haul them for the Government at as low a rate as they grant to other parties for a similar service? and will you vote for the same in Congress if opportunity presents? If not, why not?

A stamped and addressed envelope is enclosed for reply. Definite "yes" or "no" replies are desired to the three questions. The doctors of the country want to know how you stand on these questions. If you wish to add any remarks, they will be published if not too long, particularly if they are on the negative side. I think I can safely say that the members of the medical profession of this country are generally in favor of these questions, but they are not only willing, but eager, to consider arguments on the negative side, if there are any.

Very respectfully,

C. F. TAYLOR. On May 26th, I followed with the following postal card:

MY DEAR SIR.-On May 13th I sent you a letter inquiring your position on Postal Savings Banks, Government Telegraph, and Government ownership of the Postal Cars. I requested "yes" or "no" replies and enclosed an addressed and stamped envelope for reply. Not having heard from you, I beg to again ask your attention to these questions. I know that you are a very busy man, and I dislike to ask for even a moment of your time; but it will take you only a moment to answer either "yes" or "no" to the three questions. The doctors would like to know how you stand on them.

Very sincerely,

C. F. TAYLOR.

When the replies began to slacken, I sent the following postal card:

PHILADELPHIA, June 16, 1898. DEAR SIR.-On May 13th I sent to every United States Senator and member of the House of Representatives a letter asking the position of

each on Postal Savings Banks, Government Telegraph and Government Ownership of the Posta: Cars. I received a great many replies immediately. On May 26th, I sent a postal card to the delinquents. This brought many more replies. but still there are many delinquents. I do not ask because of idle curiosity, but on behalf of over 25,000 physicians in all parts of the country. I hope that you will send a reply immediately, so that we can publish same.

We will have to construe failure to reply as unfavorable to these measures, and publish a list of delinquents in our next issue. Do you wish to be announced to the country as opposed to these measures? THE MEDICAL WORLD, per C. F. Taylor.

Replies have been published in the June and July WORLDS, and a few replies received too late for July WORLD will appear below. A few have objected to the last paragraph of my communication of June 16. Below is a list of those who have failed to state their position upon these questions. Our readers can construe this failure in any way they wish. I think that if a man favors a certain measure, he will not neglect a good opportunity to let the fact be known. Hence I am inclined to regard failure to reply to the above questions as indicating that those who failed to reply are not in favor of these measures. Any who are not opposed to them can yet easily say so. Remember that we are ready to publish any arguments that those in the following list wish to give against these measures. Also our columns are still open for any late comers to declare themselves in favor of the measures mentioned above. We have taken every pains to be perfectly fair to all. Below is the list of those who have failed to reply, tho written to three times, and hence are presumably opposed to Postal Savings Banks, Government Telegraph and Government ownership of postal cars. At any rate, they are not in favor of these measures, for if they were, they would take this opportunity to push the cause along. What a pity Postal Savings Banks were not established instead of issuing bonds. Postal Savings Banks would bring to the Government perhaps enough money to conduct the war with Spain, and it will be a proud day for us when we can prosecute a war without issuing bonds. Why don't our law makers see this? Why don't the people make them see it?

Here is the list of those who have failed to reply. Names of Republicans in italic; Democrats in roman; Populists in SMALL CAPS.