Eyes and Motion Pictures.-During the past ten years, there has been an almost incomprehensible development of the form of entertainment, recreation, and amusement known as the "movies." It has been estimated that there is an average daily attendance at the theatres devoted to the presentation of motion pictures of more than twenty million men, women, and children.

The sudden development of a new industry always brings with it a large number of problems, commercial, economic, social, civic, and hygienic. The low charges for entrance to the moving picture theatres have developed their very unusual popularity. Families, who previously could not afford to go to a single theatre a month, are now found to be visiting them more than once a week.

The fact of the crowding together of large masses of persons in poorly ventilated, unlighted auditoriums presents an interesting problem in connection with the general health of the community and the possibilities of the dissemination of disease thru the consequent congested groupings of people.

G. L. Berry, Modern Hospital, October, 1916, calls attention to the relation of motion pictures and eyestrain. He points out, as a result of the various studies and investigations, which have been made, that the possibilities of a deleterious effect on vision exist in the glare due to poor picture screens and the improper radiation of light therefrom. He calls attention to the unhappy influences of improper illumination of the auditorium and the defects in the pictures themselves arising from poor photography, film blemishes, or improper projection. The fact of prolonged concentration upon moving pictures must also be considered as a possible cause of eyestrain.

The fatigue, incident to the rapid accommodation of the eye with the inability to prevent the unconscious relaxation of the ocular muscles, serves to increase defects of vision and produce symptoms indicative of eyestrain. The complete muscular relaxation of the eye is impossible while one is viewing a three or five reel film passing before the eye at the rate of about 70 feet per minute until 3,000 to 5,000 feet have passed in review before the eyes of the interested and emotionally anxious specta

tor.

If it were possible for the moving picture "fan" to sit 30 feet away from the screen, with a view of the pictures from an angle that caused no distortion; if the projection were regular and free from jerkiness; if the films were not used after their character has been injured by the blemishes arising from use; if good photography were constantly manifest; if the auditorium were lighted by the indirect system of lighting, so that glare were impossible, the likelihood of ocular fatigue and eyestrain would be greatly diminished.

It is possible, of course, that there may be distinct advantages derived by moving picture enthusiasts if they are sensible enough to recognize the symptoms of eye fatigue, such as headaches, itching of the eyelids, sensitiveness to light, and excessive flow of tears. Normal vision is comparatively uncommon. Myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism, as well as muscular weakness, may be unknown until frequent visitations to the moving picture theatre call forth the symptoms of fatigue. If those presenting these evidences of defects in the visual apparatus could be educated to the importance of early advice as to the defects, thus called to their attention, it would be possible for them to secure the necessary

glasses or muscular exercises requisite for correcting the weaknesses of their optical apparatus. Such a course of action would conduce to the advantage of the community. It would mean the early correction of defects and would serve to place vision under the control of intelligent ophthalmologists.

In view of the fact that visual instruction by means of stereopticons, projectoscopes and motion picture machines is rapidly growing in favor in educational circles, it is of the utmost importance that school authorities recognize the problems of eyestrain that are involved in these educational methods for children during the school age.

The increasing development of myopia among school children must not be disregarded. The average auditorium or classroom in a public school was not constructed nor illuminated with a view to serving as a place for exhibiting moving pictures. The enthusiasm for visual instruction of this

type should not be permitted to disregard the necessity of supplying a hygienic environment for their utilization.

The ability of school children to maintain long periods of concentration, with the necessary rapid changes in visual focus, is limited and extra precautions are therefore necessary to protect the eyes of school children from the dangers of eyestrain, as a result of sustained or too frequent use of moving picture machines in connection with educational methods. It is estimated that 25 per cent. of school children have ocular defects.

Moderate use of the eyes, in connection with motion pictures produced under conditions as nearly ideal as possible, is probably devoid of serious danger. On the other hand, ideal conditions rarely exist and moderate use is an indefinite term.

Lay Misinformation.-The endeavors of lay magazines to disseminate information regarding public health measures merit commendation. There is, however, a responsibility resting upon editors of such publications to secure the assistance of persons capable of giving information which is at the same time scientifically accurate as well as practically useful.

Some magazines secure the cooperation. of competent physicians, others avail themselves of the accumulated experience of trained nurses, while still another class apparently disregards the importance of having health articles written by persons who may speak with authority. As an illustration of the incompetence of some writers upon health topics, the following is a glaring example. In the October issue of American Motherhood appears a discussion on poliomyelitis with such statements as the following:

"The medical name for it is poli-o-myelitis, and means an inflammation of the anterior horns of grey matter at the top of the spinal cord. At the present writing no report has been made of the germ or bacterium of infantile paralysis having been satisfactorily isolated. A virus or morbid poison transmits the disease. This virus. will pass thru the finest filter without leaving a trace of any germ life. The favorite entrance of this virus to the body is thru the nose. It may be conveyed upon unclean fingers, dry portions of it blown about in the dust of the street or house and inhaled, carried on the person of traveling individuals, or brought from afar by the filthy house or stable fly.

As soon as damp or dry particles of the virus enter the nose, they are ensnared by the moist mucous membrane, taken up by small nasal nerves, and borne by these to the brain. Passing thru this brain region they are carried to the spinal column where

an inflammation is set up in the horns or projections near the top."

If the rest of the information dispensed by this magazine is as lacking in sense and as full of misinformation, it is regrettable that this particular portion, at least, of the magazine possesses any readers. Statements of this character are indefensible, save as an evidence of the lack of knowledge of the writer and her unwillingness to admit the ignorance which is thus laid bare.

The Problem of Our Prisons.--In some sections of the country the people seem to have acquired a new conception of the attitude the social organism should maintain towards those of its members who have come

into conflict with the established order of communal custom and behavior. This new conception has developed gradually from a realization that social outlawry may, to a large degree, be the result of an irresponsibility having its origin in some actual deficiency in the make-up of the individual, or some real pathologic state which produces mental depreciation or perversion.

With the growing tendency to consider social outlawry a form of disease-a true malady-there has developed a disposition to sympathize with the afflicted, to look on his deviation from the normal with genuine pity and feeling. The growth of this sentiment has been reflected in the conduct of many penal institutions, a more humane. spirit being manifested in the supervision of individuals who have been deprived of their liberty. Several of our western states have taken the lead in seeking to make their penitentiaries institutions for the study of criminality, with the object if possible of restoring perverted and abnormal individuals to a state of normality, or a healthy moral and mental status, as measured by their attitude towards-and relation to the social organism.

It is too early to speak of results. There is a vast amount of accumulated evidence, however, that seems to point unmistakably to the fact that the newer ideas of prison administration are sound and rich in possibilities. At any rate, the progress of civilization and the advances of society make it incumbent on every thoughtful and humane person to give attention to this great burning question of "how shall we care for the inmates of our prisons?" It is a question that no citizen can shirk, for the economic phases of the problem are becoming more and more acute as the costs of government administration progressively increase.

The Crime of New Jersey.- Much of the foregoing was stimulated by perusal of an article which appeared in a recent number of the New Republic. The article referred to was written by one who had spent involuntarily some time in the New Jersey State Penitentiary. So full of material for every thoughtful person to digest was this man's story, and the facts given are so awful from the standpoint of official depravity that we have felt it a duty to reprint the bulk of the article. We hope every one of the thousands of readers of this journal will read the tale the author tells of the New Jersey State Penitentiary on page 66. This prison of an enlightened state may be no worse than that of many another state. But if one-half of the facts unfolded are true the people of New Jersey should bow their heads in shame. Mind, we are not singling out the people of New Jersey and holding them up to criticism as worse than the people of many other states. We are referring to New Jersey people because our attention has been called to a substantial description of the awful conditions that are allowed to exist in their penitentiary in this year of Our Lord 1917. That officials, paid employees of a civilized community, could commit the acts and deeds described and year after year go on following the same cus

toms and practices, is a terrible blot on the conduct of the affairs of New Jersey. There is not one iota of excuse on the part of its citizens. They cannot take refuge in the statement "we did not know." Today in every community it is somebody's business to know what conditions exist in every institution. Every year legislatures require full and accurate reports of the way each and every public institution is conducted. Competent people are delegated to make comprehensive inquiries and submit full and accurate results thereof. These reports are printed and given to the public. Here is the obligation of thinking, public spirited people-an obligation they cannot shun without being false to their civic consciences-and that is to read these reports and learn what is transpiring in the public institutions of their state. If these reports are lacking or incomplete, if they fail to give the information they should, somebody is responsible. It is for the earnest citizen to ascertain who is responsible for any incomplete or halfway report. There are always plenty of state legislators willing and glad to make a proper inquiry as to any state report.

If any person had taken the pains to look up and carefully study the reports that have been made year after year concerning the New Jersey State Penitentiary, is it probable that the frightful abuses now disclosed would have gone on as they apparently have? There is nothing so wholesome in regulating official conduct, especially in institutions, as the knowledge that someone no matter how inconsequential, is interested and is asking questions.

It would seem to be high time that some questions were asked in connection with the New Jersey State Penitentiary even tho these questions may bring the blush of shame to the faces of many New Jersey citizens as they realize how much of human anguish and suffering they might have saved by evincing the interest that they owed to the honor and fair name of their state.

The Passing of a Great American Medical Editor.-On Saturday, December 30, 1916, there passed away a notable figure of the medical literary world. On that date, Claude Lamont Wheeler, editor of the New York Medical Journal succumbed to an attack of bronchopneumonia after an illness of but a few days. In fact, he may be said to have died in harness, as he was attending to editorial duties a day or two before his death.

Dr. Wheeler was born in Montreal on March 5th, 1864, and thus was in the prime of life. He received his academic education at Laval University, Quebec, while his medical education was gained at McGill University, Montreal, from which university he graduated in 1889. For a short time he practiced medicine in Burlington, Vt., where the editor of this journal first made his acquaintance, an acquaintance which ripened into warm friendship, and lasted up to the time of his death.

Twenty-six years ago, Dr. Wheeler came to New York, which was to be the scene of his labors for the remainder of his life, and in 1902 became assistant editor of the New York Medical Journal, then under the charge of Dr. Frank P. Foster; on the death of that doyen of medical editors, he became associated with Charles E. de M. Sajous in the editorial direction of the journal.

At the commencement of this brief memoir, Dr. Wheeler was referred to as a notable figure in the field of medical literature and this statement is strictly true. While his medical knowledge was extensive and varied, his literary attainments were perhaps even more pronounced. His versatility was remarkable, and he was a well read man in the widest and best sense of

the word. Being excellently versed in both ancient and modern languages, he was able to drink at the fountain head, and this ability showed itself in his writings, which were distinguished by their easy, smooth

style and by his classically pure English. His medical knowledge, his literary talents, his personality, and his temperament made him the ideal editor. These mental attributes and characteristics were reinforced by a striking presence, by genial manners and by the possession of that wealth of tact, without which success as a medical editor or in any other calling is rarely attained. For some time before his death, Dr. Wheeler had to contend with ill health which he met with unfailing courage, and that the quality of his work did not suffer in consequence is shown by the noteworthy excellence of the New York Medical Journal, a publication that has long been conceded to be one of the world's great medical periodicals, a result due in no little part to Dr. Wheeler's editorial ability and his flagging devotion to the highest ideals of the medical profession. In his daily life, Dr. Wheeler was not only charming, courteous and kindly to a high degree, but at the same time, was noted for the wit and humor constantly manifested in his conversation and in his writings.

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He was a pianist of no mean order and the owner of a well trained voice of great power and sweetness.

As co-worker, colleague and friend Dr. Wheeler will be missed by a host of those who took the deepest pleasure in his cheery presence, unfailing optimism and helpful association. One never grew weary and bored in his company.

To say, therefore, that the death of Dr. Wheeler leaves a wound that Time, the Great Healer, will not soon repair, only partly tells of the heart ache, sadness and sorrow his passing have brought to those who loved him with all the love one has for an elder brother.

Clean Kitchens, Dishes and Cooking Utensils are of vital importance. Recent investigations with subsequent rigid enforcement of sanitary precautions in public eating places by the Health Department, have brought to light surprising conditions of uncleanliness and various abuses in the selection and preparation of food.

These are being corrected by proper regulation. A great lesson should be drawn from the results and applied at home. It is probably true that the care and preparation of food in the average home kitchen is quite

satisfactory; but there are many little points in cleanliness which are often carelessly overlooked.

The kitchen floor is the one more exposed to dirt and contamination than perhaps any other floor in the home. There is more or less constant traffic over it and tradespeople frequently enter direct from the street, bringing in all varieties of refuse—especially during bad weather. Of course these floors are carefully scrubbed at intervals but in between such times they are usually dry swept.

A broom, employed for vigorous dry sweeping of the floor is about the worst thing to have in the kitchen. Dust, altho often imperceptible, thus rises and settles upon everything-tables, chairs, cooking utensils and dishes, even tho some precaution is observed-and upon food, whether prepared or unprepared, which is usually about the room. In place of the sweeping, a mopping with good hot or boiling water is far better as a cleansing agent, as well as being a preventative against spreading dust and contaminating matter. persons before entering this room should clean their shoes upon a mat placed in a convenient position for that purpose.

All

The kitchen should never be "dusted." A moist cloth must be used in going over furniture, walls, woodwork, etc.

Washing dishes has always been the despair of the housewife. The quickest and easiest way always has preference. We can't say that we blame her. Many a man would forego eating from dishes if he had to clean them, especially after a hearty meal when the thought of labor is hateful.

Washing preparations, with which the market is crowded, may have their uses, but plenty of simple boiling water and good soap will accomplish a complete cleansing of dishes and cooking utensils; whereas many of the so-called labor-saving washing devices and their like are rarely of any practical value or utility. A thoro rinsing with boiling water completes the process and insures cleanliness. Boiling water should be the chief accessory in every kitchen equipment at all times.

It is plainly evident that the utmost care and attention should be given to the proper handling and preparation of our foods. Experience has clearly shown that the slightest