1
579 crepitus, which indicates the exit of air, and this movement constitutes the mechanical and passive expiration. These movements are practised 25 to 30 times a minute, and should be continued for a longer or shorter time according to circum- stances. At intervals it may be necessary to put the foetus in a warm bath, although the movements may be very well carried out with the foetus wrapped from the axilla downwards in warm flannel which, can be changed from time to time. By this method expansion of the thoracic wall in all its diameters takes place owing to the move- ments performed and also by the weight of the foetus acting on the sternum, clavicle, and ribs, and by the depression of the diaphragm caused by the shock imparted to the abdominal viscera. Other useful effects are also obtained,’ such as traction on the larynx and trachea, with probable elevation of the epiglottis, widening of the rima glottidis, and depression of the lower jaw. In fact, these move- ments unite in themselves the manoeuvres of Silvester and Pacini devised to expand the thorax by elevating and widening the shoulders. Here, however, the foetus is in a lying posture, whereas by the author’s method it is suspended, and this is an advantage. Moreover, it seems that these move- ments are more effectual than Schultze’s method, which induces inspiration solely by the position in which the foetus is held, since the direct and ener- getic impulse given to it and the firmer hold on the shoulders cannot but have a more marked result. The second movement advocated by Dr. Marmo imitates Silvester’s method so useful in adults, but the effect is obtained with greater simplicity and efficacy without the operator having to change the position either of his own hands or of the foetus. The method has- a further advantage over that of Schultze, not only be-cause it can be carried out without increasing the chilling of the foetus, but principally because the head, well supported by the thumb and metacarpus, is not subjected to the harmful tossing and nodding in- separable from the German method, since increase in the intracranial pressure may cause arrest of the bulbar cardiac and respiratory centres. Lastly, Dr. Marmo claims that a real and not illusory entrance of air into the lungs takes place, as he has been able to demonstrate on the bodies of foetuses born some days previously, so that this abun dant and continuous aeration of the alveolar mucous membrane cannot fail in modifying the venosity of the blood and in stimulating the residuum of vitality of the nerve-endings and of the bulbar inspiratory centres, and in establishing the rhythm of the reflexes on which extra-uterine life depends. AN ANCIENT GREEK INSCRIPTION. IN the Monumenti Antichi" (1915) published by the Italian Academy of the Lincei," is a par- ticularly well-preserved and lengthy Greek in- scription concerning an ancient physician of Asia Minor. The text contains quite 50 lines, all but the very last of these complete, and is edited by Signori Paribeni and Romanelli, among a long series of inscriptions discovered during a journey in Anatolia. The record consists of a copy of two honorary decrees bestowed upon a certain Asclepiades, son of Myron, originally hailing from the city of Perga. The first decree is a panegyric of him by the Perga citizens, and is doubtless a copy of the decree graven and erected in that town. The second decree, which is longer in its engrossment and more eulogistic in its terms, was promulgated by a city named Seleucia, but as there were more than one of this name in antiquity it is- not certain which Seleucia is referred to. The decrees really register the results of the delibera- tions of the two municipal councils when deciding to award honours to Asclepiades. Perga appears to have satisfied. its representatives that they were sufficiently recompensing their municipal medical man for his meritorious services by setting up in imperishable stone the decree in his honour.. Seleucia conferred citizenship upon him and pre- sented him with a golden crown in the Gymnasium. This Asclepiades, son of Myron, is not known to us from any ancient record. It was a name commonly assumed by physicians, probably as indicative of talent in the healing. art, and thus savours some- what of the charlatan. The registering of two honorary decrees on one memorial stele seems to indicate that it was engraved by private initiative, because the city of Seleucia would not have recapitulated the Perga panegyric. It may be that Asclepiades, son of Myron, went to some third city, and there, as proof of his skill, erected the stele now found, setting forth previous rewards granted to him for his medical merits at two other towns. The inscription will be one of the most interesting for the history of lapidary memorials of ancient medicine. An excellent photogravure of the stone is provided to assist students studying the text. It is quite equal in importance to the inscription of the Agoni Medici of Ephesus, published by Professor Keil in the Jahreshefte of 1905, p. 128. APPENDICITIS AS A SEQUEL OF TONSILLITIS. THE occurrence of appendicitis as a sequel of tonsillitis has not received much attention and is unmentioned in most text-books. The importance of the tonsil as the port of entry of many infections and a source of disease in distant organs has been established in recent years. General septiemmia, acute rheumatism, chorea, endocarditis, pneumonia pleurisy, meningitis, nephritis, orchitis, thyroiditis, and cholecystitis have been traced to tonsillar infection. The similarity of lymphatic structure in the tonsil and the appendix suggests liability to similar infections. Professor H. D. Anderson, of Toronto, has published in the American Journal of Medical Sciences an important paper on appendicitis as a sequel of tonsillitis. His attention to the subject was first directed by the case of a studentg aged 19 years, who became ill with follicular tonsillitis on Jan. 10th. 1907. A culture from the throat showed the staphylococcus pyogenes aureus- On the 13th the throat had greatly improved, but the patient suffered from epigastric pain, gastric dis- tension, and belching of gas. There was some tenderness in the epigastric and left hypochondriac regions. The bowels had been acting freely. The pain disappeared in a short time and for two days the patient appeared to be much better, the throat cleared up, and the temperature became normal, On the 15th the pain and gastric distension with retching recurred and he wa& admitted to hospital. The epigastric region was distended, but there was no pain, tenderness, or rigidity elsewhere. During the night general abdominal pain, tenderness, and distension developed, and the temperature rose to 99’2°F., and the pulse to 140. An operation was performed 1 Another instance of a gold crown being presented to a medical man is that of Artemedoros in Ins. Grae. XII., No. 719.

AN ANCIENT GREEK INSCRIPTION

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579

crepitus, which indicates the exit of air, and thismovement constitutes the mechanical and passiveexpiration. These movements are practised 25to 30 times a minute, and should be continuedfor a longer or shorter time according to circum-stances. At intervals it may be necessary to putthe foetus in a warm bath, although the movementsmay be very well carried out with the foetus

wrapped from the axilla downwards in warmflannel which, can be changed from time to time.By this method expansion of the thoracic wall inall its diameters takes place owing to the move-ments performed and also by the weight of thefoetus acting on the sternum, clavicle, and ribs, andby the depression of the diaphragm caused by theshock imparted to the abdominal viscera. Otheruseful effects are also obtained,’ such as tractionon the larynx and trachea, with probable elevationof the epiglottis, widening of the rima glottidis, anddepression of the lower jaw. In fact, these move-ments unite in themselves the manoeuvres ofSilvester and Pacini devised to expand the thoraxby elevating and widening the shoulders. Here,however, the foetus is in a lying posture, whereasby the author’s method it is suspended, and this isan advantage. Moreover, it seems that these move-ments are more effectual than Schultze’s method,which induces inspiration solely by the position inwhich the foetus is held, since the direct and ener-getic impulse given to it and the firmer hold onthe shoulders cannot but have a more markedresult. The second movement advocated by Dr.Marmo imitates Silvester’s method so usefulin adults, but the effect is obtained with greatersimplicity and efficacy without the operatorhaving to change the position either of his ownhands or of the foetus. The method has- a furtheradvantage over that of Schultze, not only be-causeit can be carried out without increasing the chillingof the foetus, but principally because the head, wellsupported by the thumb and metacarpus, is notsubjected to the harmful tossing and nodding in-separable from the German method, since increasein the intracranial pressure may cause arrest ofthe bulbar cardiac and respiratory centres. Lastly,Dr. Marmo claims that a real and not illusoryentrance of air into the lungs takes place, as hehas been able to demonstrate on the bodies offoetuses born some days previously, so that this abundant and continuous aeration of the alveolar mucousmembrane cannot fail in modifying the venosityof the blood and in stimulating the residuum ofvitality of the nerve-endings and of the bulbar

inspiratory centres, and in establishing the rhythmof the reflexes on which extra-uterine life depends.

AN ANCIENT GREEK INSCRIPTION.

IN the Monumenti Antichi" (1915) publishedby the Italian Academy of the Lincei," is a par-ticularly well-preserved and lengthy Greek in-scription concerning an ancient physician of AsiaMinor. The text contains quite 50 lines, all butthe very last of these complete, and is edited bySignori Paribeni and Romanelli, among a longseries of inscriptions discovered during a journeyin Anatolia. The record consists of a copy oftwo honorary decrees bestowed upon a certainAsclepiades, son of Myron, originally hailing fromthe city of Perga. The first decree is a panegyricof him by the Perga citizens, and is doubtless acopy of the decree graven and erected in thattown. The second decree, which is longer in its

engrossment and more eulogistic in its terms, waspromulgated by a city named Seleucia, but as therewere more than one of this name in antiquity it is-not certain which Seleucia is referred to. Thedecrees really register the results of the delibera-tions of the two municipal councils when decidingto award honours to Asclepiades. Perga appearsto have satisfied. its representatives that theywere sufficiently recompensing their municipalmedical man for his meritorious services by settingup in imperishable stone the decree in his honour..Seleucia conferred citizenship upon him and pre-sented him with a golden crown in the Gymnasium.This Asclepiades, son of Myron, is not known to usfrom any ancient record. It was a name commonlyassumed by physicians, probably as indicative oftalent in the healing. art, and thus savours some-what of the charlatan. The registering of two

honorary decrees on one memorial stele seems toindicate that it was engraved by private initiative,because the city of Seleucia would not have

recapitulated the Perga panegyric. It may be thatAsclepiades, son of Myron, went to some third city,and there, as proof of his skill, erected the stelenow found, setting forth previous rewards grantedto him for his medical merits at two other towns.The inscription will be one of the most interestingfor the history of lapidary memorials of ancientmedicine. An excellent photogravure of the stoneis provided to assist students studying the text. Itis quite equal in importance to the inscription ofthe Agoni Medici of Ephesus, published by ProfessorKeil in the Jahreshefte of 1905, p. 128.

APPENDICITIS AS A SEQUEL OF TONSILLITIS.

THE occurrence of appendicitis as a sequel oftonsillitis has not received much attention and isunmentioned in most text-books. The importanceof the tonsil as the port of entry of many infectionsand a source of disease in distant organs has beenestablished in recent years. General septiemmia,acute rheumatism, chorea, endocarditis, pneumoniapleurisy, meningitis, nephritis, orchitis, thyroiditis,and cholecystitis have been traced to tonsillarinfection. The similarity of lymphatic structurein the tonsil and the appendix suggests liabilityto similar infections. Professor H. D. Anderson, ofToronto, has published in the American Journal ofMedical Sciences an important paper on appendicitisas a sequel of tonsillitis. His attention to the

subject was first directed by the case of a studentgaged 19 years, who became ill with folliculartonsillitis on Jan. 10th. 1907. A culture from thethroat showed the staphylococcus pyogenes aureus-On the 13th the throat had greatly improved, but thepatient suffered from epigastric pain, gastric dis-tension, and belching of gas. There was sometenderness in the epigastric and left hypochondriacregions. The bowels had been acting freely.The pain disappeared in a short time and fortwo days the patient appeared to be muchbetter, the throat cleared up, and the temperaturebecame normal, On the 15th the pain and gastricdistension with retching recurred and he wa&

admitted to hospital. The epigastric region wasdistended, but there was no pain, tenderness, orrigidity elsewhere. During the night generalabdominal pain, tenderness, and distensiondeveloped, and the temperature rose to 99’2°F., andthe pulse to 140. An operation was performed

1 Another instance of a gold crown being presented to a medical manis that of Artemedoros in Ins. Grae. XII., No. 719.