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the house surgeon was a good and such a nice man.Miss C., Sirrah and all the rest were in love with him. Butthe callous young dog went one day and monopolised theheart of one of the visiting doctor’s daughters. But heasked all the nurses for a likeness and gave them one of his

own ; and then went and got married." We are pleased tobe able to state that the nurses, far from resenting this heart-less conduct, " bought him a flower- stand from Mappin andWebb’s, a silver stand with silver feet, and a glass bowl forthe flowers. Sirrah and others filled it with choice flowersand presented it to the doctor who was very pleased withhis wedding present." Nurse Sirrah seems to have been

a passionate young woman, for when the new house

surgeon was appointed, he was a nice-looking, dark-

complexioned man, she "fell in love with him-so thatwas all right; she was well suited for a lover-in the houseand another out of the house-a barber." Such goings on asthese deservedly came to a bad end. The barber " used tofurnish her with scent and hair improvers, and bear’s grease,and scented pomade, and tooth powder, until she had all herteeth out and then he gave her up." The house surgeon,however, " stuck to his attentions, found her medicine and aset of teeth, a walking stick, and an umbrella, and thenleft to marry the late house surgeon’s wife’s sister." Afterthis double reverse Nurse Sirrah left Poplar and went to St.Thomas’s Hospital where with many regrets we must

leave her. Every nurse and every house surgeon shouldread this work. We have rarely come across anybook which gives such a vivid picture of hospitallife, not even Mr. Hall Caine’s The Christian."we cannot forbear from quoting the following dramatic

episode as a finish : "So the assistant house surgeon becamebetrothed to the sister nurse of the children’s ward. Theymarried on pain of dismissal. Then the lady superintendentasked 1 h 3 head house surgeon to become betrothed to her.But the doctor replied, expressing his inability to compete,saying his engagements were so many and some so urgentthat he could not possibly grasp such an enormous link tounite in matrimony, particularly with one who was a widowand herself a lady of rank."

Analytical RecordsFROM

THE LANCET LABORATORY,1) HEMISINE PREPARATIONS, " TABLOID," " SOLOID," AND

"ENULE"; (2) "ENULE" QUASSIN, "ENULE" SOAPCOMPOUND; AND (3) "TABLOID" VERONAL.

(BURROUGHS, WELLCOME, AND CO., SNOW-HILL BUILDINGS,HOLBORN, LONDON, E.C.)

1. Hemisine represents the active principle of the medullaof the suprarenal gland. The action of this principle, as iswell known, is powerfully haemostatic and it has been

employed internally in hæmatemesis, hemoptysis, and incerebral haemorrhage. It is suggested that hemisine is ofgreater therapeutic value than either digitalis or strychnine.The ’’ tabloid " hemisine is suitable for internal administra-tion and the I I soloid " is useful for external application, theophthalmic tabloid for ocular use, and the enule of hemisinefor application in the rectum. It may be added that

hemisine is used in the form of a spray in the treatmentof hay fever and in inflamed conditions of the throatand nose. 2. Recent additions to the list of rectal sup-positories known as the " enule " brand are " enule " quassin

1 Cf. Pes, Samivellus; De quadam in hortum ingrediente adbrassicae folium secandum.

employed as an anthelmintic for the ascaris lumbricoidesand " enule " soap compound containing equal parts of curdsoap and dried sulphate of sodium, a combination that

is useful for the relief of constipation. 3. Veronal is a

hypnotic of comparatively recent introduction and alreadysome favourable reports have been made in regard to itsuse. Its therapeutic action appears to be similar to that oftrional but with more satisfactory results. Veronal is a

synthetic compound which is chemically described as di-ethyl-malonyl-urea. Tabloids of veronal are made con-

taining 0’5 gramme and 1 gramme respectively of the drug.

SCOTCH WHISKY.

(HENRY SIMPSON AND Co., GLASGOW. AND 6, CROSBY-SQUARE,LONDON, E.C.)

This spirit is characterised by a somewhat dark colour andthe impression which it gives on tasting is that of a well-matured whisky. On analysis the following results wereobtained : extractives, 0’15 per cent. ; mineral matter, nil;alcohol, by weight 4005 per cent., by volume 47’40 percent., equal to proof spirit 83’07 per cent. ; volatile aciditycalculated as acetic acid, 0’024 per cent. ; and fixed aciditycalculated as tartaric acid, 0 015 per cent. As regardssecondary products the following were the results given ingrammes per 100 litres of absolute alcohol present:acidity calculated as acetic acid, 5088 ; aldehyde, 17 65 ;furfural, 3’23 ; ethers calculated as ethyl acetate, 5783;and higher alcohols, 212’70. The total secondary productsare thus 342’29. According to these figures the spiritpresents the composition of pure malt whisky. The

taste is soft and mellow and there is an entire absenceof harsh qualities.

DUTCH RUSKS.

(AGENCY: L. TERWINDT, LIMITED, 76, QUEEN-STREET, LONDON, E C.)The rusk is both palatable and nutritious and has the

further advantage of being sterilised, since the heat requiredto cook a rusk is calculated to destroy micro-organisms.The specimens of Dutch rusks which we examined are

excellent, the texture is uniform, and while crisp they arenot hard. According to the appearance under the micro-

scope the rusk is thoroughly cooked. No less than one-fifth

part of the rusk is soluble in cold water and much of the

starch is converted into dextrin. These rusks afford anexcellent substitute for toast, though perhaps a triflesweet.

(1) VITOFER PREPARATIONS; (2) INFANT’S MILK FOOD;AND (3) YEAST TABLETS AND POWDER.

(J. STAUFFER AND CO., ENGHEIM, BELGIUM. AGENTS : MATTHAEIAND CO., CULLUM-STREET, LONDON, E.C.)

1. Vitofer occurs in brilliant reddish-brown scales whichare readily soluble in water, yielding a red solution

exhibiting the properties of haemoglobin. Coagalation occurswhen the solution is heated to 700 C. The solution showsthe characteristic spectrum of hæmoglobin. According toour analysis vitofer contains 0’6 6 per cent. of iron in

organic association. The moisture amounted to 6’7 per cent.and the total mineral matter to 2’20 per cent. This prepara-tion mixed with chocolate forms vitofer chocolates whichafford a convenient way of administering the hasmatinic.In the same way vitofer is added to a farinaceousmilk food. This food, however, according to our analysis,is deficient in fat, the total amount being only 3 30

per cent. Vitofer is prepared from fresh bullock’s blood

previously deprived of fibrin and fatty matters. It

exhibits haemoglobin in a convenient way and shouldbe of service in conditions of enfeebled nutrition or

in which the blood is impoverished. 2. Stauffer’s infant’smilk food is stated to be prepared from fresh milk and toexhibit a composition identical with that of human milk.We cannot reconcile these statements with the results of our

analysis. To begin with, the food is deficient in fat and

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besides contains starch and more than half its weight of canesugar. The total proteids amounted to 14’46 per cent. andthe mineral matter to 1. 50 per cent. 3. The yeast tabletsand powder gave satisfactory evidence of activity. These

preparations are intended for internal administration for

the treatment of carbuncle and anthrax. Yeast has also

been used as a remedy for constipation. These yeastpreparations, on account of their purity, are well adapted formedical use.

LIME JUICE AND LIME JUICE CORDIAL.

(L. ROSE AND CO., LIMITED, LEITH; AND 89, WORSHIP-STREET,LONDON, E.C.)

The lime juice gave the following results on analysis:total solid matter, 8’46 per cent. ; mineral matter, 0’40 percent. ; and acidity calculated as citric acid, 7’ 76 per cent.The preparation was free from salicylic acid but containedsulphurous acid. The cordial gave the following resultson analysis: total solid matter, 34’24 per cent. ; mineralmatter, 0’14 per cent. ; sugar, 10 00 per cent. ; and aciditycalculated as citric acid, 2’94 per cent. The cordial con-tained both salicylic acid and sulphurous acid for preservingpurposes. We have little doubt that both the juice and thecordial are made from the choicest materials procurable andthat being so it seems to be a pity that they cannot be pre-served without the use of chemical agents.

(1) HÆMABOLOIDS; AND (2) FORMOLYPTOL.(PALISADE MANUFACTURING Co.. NEW YORK; AND ANDRUS AND

ANDRUS, 46, HOLBORN VIADUCT, LONDON, E.C.)1. " Hæmaboloid " is a liquid preparation which is described

as "the combination of the various iron-bearing nucleo-albumins of the vegetable kingdom reinforced by bonemarrow extract and beef peptones antiseptically treated withnuclein." It is said to possess considerable therapeuticvalue in all anasmic conditions and a good deal ofclinical evidence is quoted by the makers in support of thisview. According to our analysis the preparation contains acorsiderable amount of iron in an organic form, associated,in fact, with nucleins and phosphorus and peptones. The

liquid preparation contains 8 71 per cent. of solid matter,of which 0 6 per cent. consists of iron calculated as ferricoxide. We have also examined a preparation of hæma-

boloids containing arsenic and strychnine, the presence ofboth of which we were able to confirm. 2. Formolyptol isa pleasant and fragrant antiseptic fluid which may be usedboth internally and externally. It contains glycerine, borax,and formaldehyde, besides the pleasant aromatic and anti-septic bodies pinus pumilio, eucalyptus, myrrh, storax, andbenzoin. The preparation is colourless and is a very agreeableform of antiseptic for toilet use as well as for medical andsurgical purposes.

ARDATH CABINET CIGARS MINIMUM NICOTINUM.

(THE ARDATH TOBACCO Co., 44, WORSHIP-STREET, FINSBURY,LONDON, E.C.)

We entirely approve of the method under which it is statedthe ardath" " cigar is manufactured. The objectionablepractice of finishing off the end of a cigar by licking it is

strongly discountenanced by these manufacturers accordingto their statements. The operatives in the factories of thiscompany are compelled, so it is affirmed, to finish the

shaping of the cigar by means of a knife only. The selec-tion of the leaf is aimed at producing a I I mild " cigar andon trial these cigars proved to be "mild smoking" whilstyielding a pleasant aromatic smoke. We found also thatthe amount of nicotine does not exceed 2 per cent., which isconsiderably below that frequently found in Havana cigars.

SCANDINAVIAN STOUT.

(AGENT : F. BAGGER, 3 AND 4. GREAT WINCHESTER-STREET,LONDON, B.C.)

This malt liquor gave on analysis the following results:extractives, 8’ 81 per cent. ; mineral matter, 0-36 per cent. ;

alcohol, by weight 4’62 per cent., by volume 5’78 per cent.,equal to proof spirit 10’ 13 per cent. ; volatile acidityreckoned as acetic acid, 0 036 per cent. ; and fixed aciditycalculated as tartaric acid, 0’25 per cent. This is a goodnourishing stout, with an excellent flavour due to malt andhops. The stout was in sound condition, practically freefrom acidity and from excess of gas. The alcoholic strengthis comparatively low, while the nourishing malt extractivesare high. These results indicate that the stout is well

adapted for invalids’ use.

New Inventions.A NEW GASTRO-DIAPHANE.

As a rapid means of diagnosing dilatation of the stomachand differentiating it from gastroptosis it is probable that thegastro-diaphane would be found of the greatest service indaily practice if it were not so difficult to use. The chief

reason for this is the clumsy way in which it is constructedand its comparatively great diameter, the instrument of

Einhorn measuring 39 Charriere and having a rigid end ofover two inches. It is obviously impossible in most cases touse such an instrument except upon patients who have beenaccustomed to the passage of the tube. Unfortunately inthese it is not necessary as the diagnosis will have been madeby other means. It appears to me that if the diaphane is everto come into daily routine use we must have an instrumentwhich can be readily passed upon a patient who is seen for

the first time and who has not previously had a tubeintroduced into his stomach. It is with the hope of pro-viding such a form of apparatus that I have had the

diaphane figured above constructed by Messrs. Lemmonand Co., 19, Hanover-square. It consists essentially ofa cystoscope lamp (A), carried on the end of a stomachtube (B) of the same diameter (21 Charriere), connected bymeans of a switch (D) with the connecting cords (E). At (c)we see the plug connexions between the tube and the switch.The apparatus is so arranged that when the switch is in aposition pointing towards the left shoulder of the patientand parallel to it the window of the lamp is directlyforwards and in proper position to illuminate the stomach.At (F) the actual size of the lamp and tube is shown.The light emitted appears to be quite equal to that given byt ic older form of apparatus.

GEORGE HERSCHELL, M.D. Lond.