1335REVIEWS AND NOTICES OF BOOKS.

scalp little eczematous areas. The patient had chicken-pox, measles, whooping cough, and bronchitis in infancy.The health was otherwise good, and the body well nourished.She was paid to have been very " nervous

" for the last four

years. No history of specific disease was obtainable.Dr. SAMSON GEMMELL and Dr. J. L. STEVEN exhibited a

specimen of Mediastinal Tumour from a man aged sixty.The patient had cough, more or less, for several years, buturgent symptoms were of not more than ten weeks’ duration,it being pointed out that ’in the sections submitted therewere many cells which had a tendency to be spindle-shaped. Dr. Steven believed that these tumours did veryfrequently arise in lymphatic glands, and in the majority ofcases resembled the structure of lymphatic glands He hadcarefully examined a specimen in the museum of the RoyalInfirmary, and found distinct lymphatic glands within andsurrounded by the tumour tissue.

ROYAL ACADEMY OF MEDICINE, IRELAND.

A MEETING was held on Nov. 7th, when Dr. PATTESONread a paper on Psorospermosis and its relation toCutaneous Cancer, in the light of recent researches. - Dr.MACWEENEY followed with a dissertation on TyphoidOrganisms, giving a few historical details and practicalrecommendations on the subject. - Dr. NIXON broughtforward a case of dilated Stomach following stenosis of thepylorus.At a meeting of the Surgical Section on Nov. 14tb, the

President, Mr. CROLY, discussed the subject of Injuries tothe Head.-Mr. P. J. HAYES read a paper on Enterectomy,which was criticised by Mr. Kendal Franks, Mr. McArdle,Sir Wm. Stokes, and Mr. Corley.At a meeting of the Medical Section, held on Nov. 21st

under the presidency of Dr. J. M. Finny, who also sub-mitted a case of Multiple Neuritis, Mr. JOSEPH REDMONDread the notes and exhibited photographs of a case of

Acromegaly. The patient was a female eighteen years ofage. The first thing that attracted her attention was thecondition of her hands and feet, which were swollen, sore,and tender to the touch. Her hands were large, fingersthickened and bulbous, and nails slightly convex. Therewas a marked increase in the size of the carpal ends of both

, radius and ulna. The backs of the hands were considerablyswollen, but did not pit on pressure. Herknees were enlarged.Below the knees the legs were uniformly enlarged. The ankle swere widened and there was some effusion present in thejoint. The feet were large and thicker than normal; thetoes thickened and ends bulbous. There was oedema of thedorsum of the foot. Urine normal. The thyroid glandappeared to be absent, and no evidence of persistence ofthe thymus gland could be obtained. During her stay inhospital she suffered occasionally from diarrhoea and pain inthe back. There was no marked alteration in the con-dition of the hands.

Reviews and Notices of Books.Additions made in 1890 to the British Pharmacopæia of

1885. Printed and published for the Medical Council bySpottiswoode and Co., London.GREAT things should be compared with great, the small

with small. Those responsible for the British Pharma-copceia had no intention to perform a great work; they feltthat the time had hardly come for a complete revision ofthe Pharmacopoeia so recently it sued; they desired merelyto make such additions as were necessitated by the rapidprogress of pharmacy without incurring the responsibilityand expense of presenting a new Pharmacopoeia. The smallbook of additions now issued therefore challenges com-parison with the similar work of 1874 rather than with themore pretentious Pharmacopoeia of 1885. Still, it presents anoteworthy deviation from previous pharmacopoeias in thatnow, for the first time, the aid of practical pharmacists,selected by the Pharmaceutical Society, has been invoked.The result is curious. A certain amount of respect has tobe shown to the previous issues, respect indicated by a

somewhat slavish imitation of style of arrangement and ofdiction, but otherwise the formula employed bear a strongresemblance to those in the B. P. C. formulary.Compared with the additions of 1874 the present issue

stands well. The more important new remedies of theformer were nitrite of amyl, chloral hydrate, acetic ether,pepsin, phosphorated oil, and phosphorus pill. To balance

worthily against these, the additions of 1890 compriseacetanilide, antipyrin, euonymin, saccharin, paraldehyde,sulphonal, strophanthus, hamamelis, hydrastis, hydrobro-mate of homatropine, picrotoxin, and lanoline, together withseveral preparations derived from these. It remains to beseen which of these will follow the fate of areca., whichwas introduced in 1874 and omitted in 1885. Some of theseremedies are already said to be decreasing in favour, andin all probability they may in the future be remem-

bered mainly as having once been fashionable. In this

way perhaps the addendum may serve as material forfuture history. For instance, it is not easy to accountfor the inclusion of picrotoxin ; of the eleven bodies whocontributed suggestions towards the formation of the list,only three voted for its recognition, and all three hailedfrom one centre. Terebena pura and papain received morevotes, while resorcin, hyoscin, and exalgin were equalfavourites, and yet none of these found acceptance at thehands of the Pharmacopoeia Committee. Indeed, the factappears to be that after collating the various suggestionsreceived from the medical bodies, the list was submitted topractical pharmacists engaged in retail pharmacy, and sub-sequently further amended by the Pharmacopoeia Com-mittee.

Having so far dealt with the new drugs, it remains to

speak of the purely pharmaceutical additions. These com-

prise one acetum, one emplastrum, three extracta (twobeing liquid extracts), three liquors, one mistura, onepilula, one suppositoria, one syrupus, three tincturæ, one.trochiscus, two unguenta, and four effervescing prepara-tions. These appear to be satisfactory, but they will needextended experience before any definite opinion upon theirpractical utility can be passed. Coming with the full forceof the strong committee selected by the PharmaceuticalSociety, it would be rash to hazard a conjecture upon thesuitability of the ingredients or upon their proportions. Itis to be hoped that they are the outcome of experience indispensing rather than of a study of literature. Throughoutthe book, however, there are indications of a close attentionto the German Pharmacopoeia and to the formulary of theBritish Pharmaceutical Conference. In a previous noticereference was made to the new names which had beencoined for several substances already well known undervarious registered trade marks Of these substances theamount of information vouchsafed is strikingly scanty, andis apparently intended to discourage any attempt at imita-tion-in fact, it consists of little more than a definition.

Antipyrin is thus mentioned as a "crystalline substanceobtainable from phenyl-hydrazine"; saccharin, or "glu-sidum," is a "sweet imide derivable from the tolueneof coal tar"; while of picrotoxin no definition is given,it is merely stated to be "obtainable from the seeds ofAnamirta paniculata (Codebrooke) by exhaustion with

alcohol, evaporation, and purification." On the other hand,whenever chemical formulae appear, they are split up so asto indicate the assumed radicles, and the chemical con-stitution is given as a synonym. Space, therefore, is foundfor the insertion of the following sufficiently terrible

though chemically interesting names :-Pbei3y I- dim ethyl-pyrazolone ; benzoyl - sulphonic - imide ; diethyisulphon -dimethyl-methane. Most of the synonyms hithertoinserted in the Pharmacopoeia betrayed the identityof some substance which was known to the laity,and occasionally prescribed or even asked for under some

1336 REVIEWS.-NEW INVENTIONS.

simple common term. The instances above mentioned

appear pedantic rather than helpful ; they certainly do notconform to custom. It would be interesting to see a patient’sface on finding " Dietbylsulphon-dirnethyl-ii-tetliane " in hispreccription. Still this is a minor matter, and the utilityof these additions to the Pharmacopoeia is not likely to beimpaired by this occasional exuberance of chemical fancy.

The Asclepiad. Fourth Quarter, 1890, Vol. VIL, No. 28.By BENJAMIN WARD RICHARDSON, M.D., F.R.S.London: Longmans, Green, and Co.

THIS number opens with an article on Centenarian Patho-

logy, based on the records of the medical history of twowomen aged 103 and 102 years respectively, the latterillustrated by a pulse tracing, from which it is concludedthat "the impulse of the blood current is strong, the fillingof the artery free, and its subsidence gradual; the con-traction of the artery and its subsequent relaxation is

prolonged, but the action of the aortic valves is good." Inthe appended commentary Dr. Richardson expresses hisopinion that one hundred years is the natural term of life,and he eloquently points to the advantages to be derivedby such a prolongation of days on earth. An essay on" Medical Teaching, Old and New," suggested by a con-versation with Sir H. Acland, is a protest against themodern method, which, the writer thinks, tends to annihilateall originality, and he advocates a one-portal examinationunder State control, with entire freedom in teaching. In

many respects Dr. Richardson deplores the tendencies of thepresent day. Amongst the " Opuscula Practica" " of thenumber is the endorsement of Dr. C. T. Ewart’s recom-mendation of cycling for the insane, only Dr. Richardson,who speaks with authority on such a question, is of opinionthat a single rather than a compound tricycle is to be pre-ferred. The biography of the quarter, which always impartsmuch interest to the Asclepiad, and forms one of its mostnotable features, is upon Benjamin Bell, who added " firm-ness and solidity " to the Edinburgh School of Medicine,and was the " father of its surgical school." The reprintingof the author’s Reports to the British Association is con-tinued, the present instalment dealing with methyl and-ethyl compounds. A cautious view is taken of the possiblevalue of Professor Koch’s treatment of consumption, as isfitting from one of large experience in the testing and pro-,duction of new remedies. In fine, the number is as full ofreadable and instructive matter as usual, and we trust thatDr. Richardson may continue to add many more volumes to’the seven which are herewith completed.

Diaries, Medical Visiting Lists, &c.-We have receivedfrom Messrs. LETTS, from Messrs. BLACKWOOD, and ftomMessrs. PETTITT copies of their diaries for the approachingyear in various forms suitable to every professional man,and varying in price from one penny to half a sovereign.Improvements of all sorts are manifest in the preparation ofthese useful books. One of the best known of Letts’s diariesis that adapted for the medical practitioner providing fornotification of all matters of interest, including space forthe entry of daily visits, accouchements, vaccinations, &c.,and much information valuable to the practitioner. Anotheruseful edition is the Improved Cellar Book, which possessesthe advantage of showing at a glance full particulars of eachbin and the particular dates of removing bottles, and a planof immediately ascertaining the total number of bottles re-maining. All the specimens we have received are of greatgeneral utility.

Leuis’s Nursing Charts.-These charts form a convenientmethod of notifying the observations made on a case fromday to day and from hour to hour. Space is left to markthe diet and treatment ordered. Columns are provided for

recording the condition of the temperature and the pulse,the hours of sleep and the quantity of nutriment, brandy,wine, and medicine, which have been taken by the patient.

! Space is also allowed for further remarks which the nurse

may have occasion to make. The charts are published by, H. K. Lewis, 130, Gower-street, London.

New Inventions.INGUINAL SUPPORTING BELT.I JL IN -X k.) I.L% t&JA SUPPORTING BELT.

WE have received from Brigade-Surgeon F. W. Hodderthe following description of an inguinal belt made andadapted by Messrs. Arnold and Sons, of West Smithfield,at his suggestion, which the accompanying figure illustrates.The belt is made of strong canvas, but can also be made offiner material. The upper margin when applied reaches to..w. £ jau ..vu (All’l’..lBJBA. m,wv.mu uv

the crest of the ilium; in

front, where support of the

inguinal regions is required,is joined a piece of strongstiff leather, cut so as slightlyto overlap the weak region,and pressed slightly concavo-convex, the convexity beingundermost, so as to counteractthe tendency of bulging of theintestine; the leather is cutin two oval wings joined abovethe pubes, over which it arches.The belt is fastened on the left side by buckles and broad

straps, by which the necessary support can be graduated.The belt is intended, not for scrotal hernia, but chieflyfor persons with weak inguinal regions or slight hernia, soas to enable exercise to be safely taken. It affords firm and

comfortable support. -SUTURE-REEL HOLDER.

WE have received from Messrs. Reynolds and Branson ofLeeds a new suture-reel holder, remarkable for its com-pactness and simplicity. It is sold fitted with three-quarterounce reels of plated silver wire, or without the wire. Ineither case it is very cheap, and will be found useful bothin hospital and private practice.

SELVEDGED ROLLER BANDAGE.

AT the suggestion of Mr. W. G. Tiley of Melton Mowbrayan efficient roller bandage has been brought out by Mr.St. Dalmas of Leicester. It is intended for use in thoracicand abdominal cases, especially in fracture of the ribs andafter parturition. It is seven inches broad, of strong porousmaterial, not elastic, but permitting of slight stretching,light, and cheap. These qualities will recommend it to

practitioners for the class of cases indicated, instead of theflannel roller in ordinary use.

CHRISTIA.

MESSRS. T. CHRISTY & Co., of 25, Lime-street, E.C.,have forwarded us specimens of their surgical tissue" Christia," in the manufacture of which they have madesome improvements. " Chiistia" is a tissue waterproof andspirit-proof, possessing advantages over oiled silk, gutta-percha tissue, oiled paper, &c., as used for surgical purposes.This tissue is thin, light, soft, and flexible, but of con-siderable toughness. It will stand tropical heat withoutsticking, is not absorbent, and can be stitched. It is madein sheets and bandages, and is also used as an outside

backing for prepared lint dressings. " Fibrine Christia" is