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square inch. From these storage tanks the water flowed to aquariaand being again at atmospheric pressure was in a condition of

supersaturation with air. The fish showed a variety of symptoms.There was first a precipitation of very minute bubbles upon theirbodies and Iiiis, completely covering them. After a longer timesmall collections of gas formed in the skin, chiefly of the tins, andsometimes made the fish so buoyant that they could scarcely keepbelow the surface. Death resulted after a longer or shorter timefrom gas embolism or the presence of free gas within the blood-vessels. Often the vessels of the gill iilaments were filled with gasand the ventral aorta and bulbus of the heart were distended withit and quite empty of blood. This gas contained about 97 per cent.of nitrogen.

HOW TO MAKE HUMANISED" MILK.

To the Editors of THE LANCET.

SIRS,-In answer to your correspondent " B. (Medicus)" inTHE LANCET of April 21st, p. 1150, as to the making of" humanised" milk the following directions for making artificialhuman milk are taken from Playfair’s "Science and Practice of

Midwifery": "Take half a pint of skimmed milk, heat it to about960 F., and put into the warmed milk a piece of rennet about an inchsquare (or Clarke’s essence of rennet may be used). Set the milkin the fender or over a lamp until it is quite warm. When itis set remove the rennet, break up the curd quite small witha knife and let it stand for ten minutes or a quarter of an hour,when the curd will sink. Now pour the whey into a saucepan andboil it up quickl). Measure one-third of a pint of this whey anddissolve in it, when hot, 110 grs. of milk sugar. When this one-

third of a pint of whey is cold, add to it two-thirds of a Dint of newmilk, and two teaspoonfuls of cream, and stir. The food should be madefresh every 12 hours and warmed as required. The piece of rennetwhen taken out can be kept in an egg-cup, and used for ten days or afortnight. It is advisable during the first month to use rather morethan one-third of a pint of whey, as the milk is apt to be rather too richfor a newly-born child." I am. Sirs, yours faithfully,

JOHN E. H. PARSONS.

Shipton-under-Wychwood, Oxford, April 23rd, 1906. i

TWO OLD MEDICAL BOOKS.

A CORRESPONDENT writes : " I recently picked up in an old book shopthe following two medical books: 1. ’Profodia Chirurgica,’ publishedby C. Corbett at Addison’s Head and Richard Chandler at the

Flower-de-Luce, both without Temple Bar. 1732. The author’sname does not appear and there is a long dedication to a Mr. Shipton.2. ’Anatomical Plates of the Arteries of the Human Body.’ These arestated to be accurately colonred and reduced from the Icones ofHaller with concise explanation. The book is published by E Cox,St. Thomas’s-street. 1808." The writer adds that the plates in thesecond book are very fine and that both books are well bound in

leather, and he inquires if any reader can tell him their value.

THE THERAPEUTIC VALUE OF CHEWING GUM.

THE habit of chewing a resinous substance after meals as an aid todigestion is very prevalent in the United States of America and inCanada. The preparations in most demand are known under thenames of "chewing gum," "pepine gum," and "pepine." Thecustom is not unknown among Eastern peoples; thus, in Indiabetel nuts and areca nuts are mixed with lime and used in a similarmanner. In a recent number of the Bulletin des Sciences Phar7iza-cologiques Dr L. Meunier has given the results of an investigationinto the physiological aspect of the chewing habit and has drawnattention to its value in therapeutics. As a result of masticating apiece of chewing gum containing a small proportion of alkali theflow of saliva is increased to five or six times the usual volume.Herein lies the therapeutic value of the habit in cases %here thegastric juice is excessively acid and so hinders the digestion of starchyfoods. The acid is partly neutralised by the ealiva which is

thereby enabled to convert the starch into soluble products. A

number of patients were put on a diet of 60 grammes of breadand 250 cubic centimetres of water per meal for two consecutive

days. A masticatory consisting of an aromatic resin was givenafter each meal on the second day only. The gastric liquidwas analysed half an hour after each meal, when the amylolyticchange was considered to be complete and the figures show that themasticatory had in all cases increased the quantity of soluble

products produced from the starchy food. Allowing for the dilutionof the gastric contents by the increased flow of saliva the figuresobtained in ten cases showed a gain of from 30 to 40 per cent. in thesoluble starch products due to the use of a masticatory substance.Dr. Meunier has obtained satisfactory clinical results in all casesof hyperacidity treated by him during a year, which tends to showthat the Amexican custom of chewing gum, though based on

empiricism, may be supported on scientific grounds. Dr. Meunierdoes not state the exact kind of resin which he employed, butmastic is a suitable substance for the purpose. It is the resinobtained from Pistacia lentiscus, a small tree growing in Seio and inother islands of the Grecian Archipelago, where the resin has beenproduced from very early ages. It is mentioned in the works ofDioscorides and Pliny. It occurs in small rounded tears, pale yellowin colour, with an agreeable aromatic odour and taste. When chewedit readily forms a tenacious mass which does not stick to the teethand so can be retained in the mouth for a considerable time.

! MEDICAL REFEREES TO INSURANCE COMPANIES.

To the Editors of THE LANCET.

SIRS,-May I through the medium of THE LANCET call attention towhat I consider a pernicious practice on the oart of some life assurancecompanies ?-viz., in a small town with perhaps half dozen medicalprac-titioners one only holds the appointment of referee to a big insurancecompany. By this appointment he gets into touch with the othermen’s patients and the local agent spreads the fame and skill of "our

doctor." This is touting, and touting of the worst sort. Perhapsthose who have been victims to this system, like myself, will givetheir opinion on the question. In a small town-say, of 2000 or 3000inhabitants—why not appoint all the medical men instead of one only ?The latter plan would, I feel certain, tend to cause a better feelingamong the profession and in the end would work well in the interest ofthe insurance companies. Thanking you in anticipation of yourpublishing this letter, I am, Sirs, yours faithfully,

April 24th, 1906. CYGNUS.

C. B -We agree with our correspondent that there is no necessity forsuch advertisement, as the patients on the books of the practicehave been privately notified of the intending dissolution. At anyrate, one insertion in the local papers would suffice.

COMMUNICATIONS not noticed in our present issue will receive attentionin our next.

Medical Diary for the ensuing Week.OPERATIONS.

METROPOLITAN HOSPITALS.MONDAY (30th).-London (2 P.M.), St. Bartholomew’s (1.30 P.M.), St.

, Thomas’s (3.30 P.M.), St. George’s (2 P.M.), St. Mary’s (2.30 P.M.),Middlesex (1.30 P.M.), Westminster (2 P.M.), Chelsea (2 P.M.),Samaritan (Gynaecological, by Physicians, 2 P.M.), Soho-square(2 P.M.), City Orthopaedic (4 P.M.), Gt. Northern Central (2.30 P.M.),West London (2.30 P.M.). London Throat (9.30 A.M.), Royal Free(2 P.M.). Guy’s (1.30 P.M.), Royal Ear (2 P.M.), Children, Gt. Ormond-street (3 P.M.).

TUESDAY (1st).-London (2 P.M.), St. Bartholomew’s (1.30 P.M.), St.Thomas’s (3.30 P.M.), Guy’s (1.30 P.M.), Middlesex (1.30 P.M.), West-minster (2 P.M.), West London (2.30 P.M.), University College(2 P.M.), St. George’s (1 P.M.), St. Mary’s (1 P.M.), St. Mark’s(2.30 P.M.), Cancer (2 P.M.), Metropolitan (2.30 P.M.). London Throat(9.30 A.M.), Samaritan (9.30 A.M. and 2.30 P.M.), Throat, Golden-square (9.30 A.M.), Soho-square (2 P.M.), Chelsea (2 P.M.), CentralLondon Throat and Ear (2 P.M.), Children, Gt. Ormond-street

(2 P.M., Ophthalmic, 2.15 P.M.).WEDNESDAY (2nd).-St. Bartholomew’s (1.30 P.M.), University College

(2 P.M.), Royal Free (2 P.M.), Middlesex (1.30 P.M.), Charing Cross(3 P.M.), St. Thomas’s (2 P.M.), London (2 P.M.), King’s College(2 P.M.), St. George’s (Ophthalmic, 1 P.M.), St. Mary’s (2 P.M.),National Orthopaedic (10 A.M.), St. Peter’s (2 P.M.), Samaritan9.30 A.M. and 2.30 P.M.), Gt. Northern Central (2.30 P.M.), West-minster (2 P.M.), Metropolitan (2.30 P.M.), London Throat (9.30 A.M.),Cancer (2 P.M.), Throat, Golden-square (9.30 A.M.), Guy’s (1.30 P.M.),Royal Ear (2 P.M.), Royal Orthopaedic (3 P.M.), Children, Gt.Ormond-street (9.30 A.M., Dental, 2 P.M.).

THURSDAY (3rd).-St. Bartholomew’s (1.30 P.M.), St. Thomas’s(3.30 P.M.), University College (2 P.M.), Charing Cross (3 P.M.), St.George’s (1 P.M.), London (2 P.M.), King’s College (2 P.M.), Middlesex(1.30 P.M.), St. Mary’s (2.30 P.M.), Soho-square (2 P.M.), North-WestLondon (2 P.M.), Gt. Northern Central (Gynaecological, 2.30 P.M.),Metropolitan (2.30 P.M.), London Throat (9.30 A.M.), Samaritan(9.30 A.M. and 2.30 P.M.), Throat, Golden-square (9.30 A.M.), Guy’s(1.30 P.M.), Royal Orthopaedic (9 A.M.), Royal Ear (2 P.M.), Children,Gt. Ormond-street (2.30 P.M.).

FRIDAY (4th).-London (2 P.M.), St. Bartholomew’s (1.30 P.M.), St.Thomas’s (3.30 P.M.), Guy’s (1.30 P.M.), Middlesex (1.30 P.M.), CharingCross (3 P.M.), St. George’s (1 P.M.), King’s College (2 P.M.), St. Mary’s(2 P.M.), Ophthalmic (10 A.M.), Cancer (2 P.M.), Chelsea (2 P.M.), Gt.Northern Central (2.30 P.M.), West London (2.30 P.M.), LondonThroat (9.30 A.M.), Samaritan (9.30 A.M. and 2.30 P.M.), Throat,Golden-square (9.30 A.M.), City Orthopaedic (2.30 P.M.), Soho-square(2 P.M.) Central London Throat and Ear (2 P.M.), Children, Gt.Ormond-street (9 A.M., Aural, 2 P.M.), St. Mark’s (2.30 P.M.).

SATURDAY (5th).-Royal Free (9 A.M.), London (2 P.M.), Middlesex(1.30 P.M.), St. Thomas’s (2 P.M.), University College (9.15 A.M.),Charing Cross (2 P.M.), St. George’s (1 P.M.), St. Mary’s (10 P.M.),Throat, Golden-aquare (9.30 A.M.), Guy’s (1.30 P.M.), Children, Gt.Ormond-street (9.30 A.M.).

At the Royal Eye Hospital (2 P.M.), the Royal London Ophthalmic(10 A.M.), the Royal Westminster Ophthalmic (1.30 P.M.), and theCentral London Ophthalmic Hospitals operations are performed daily.

SOCIETIES.TUESDAY (1st).-PATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON (St. Bartholo-

mew’s Hospital).-5 P.M. Prof. Klein : (1) Bacillus Equi; (2) Con-veyance of Plague by Feeding.-Mr. F. A. Rose: Carcino sarcoma ofLarynx.-Dr. Andrewes and Dr. Horder: Classification of Pathogenic

Streptococci.WEDNESDAY (2nd).-OBSTETRICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON (20, Hanover-

square, W.)--8 P.lII. Specimens will be shown by Dr. Lewers, Dr.McCann, Dr. Tate, and Dr. J. 1. Parsons. Short Communication :-Dr. Lewers : Three Cases of Epithelioma of the Vulva with Historysubsequent to Operation. Paper :-Dr. Herman: A Case showing(1) Uterine Contraction without Retraction; (2) Prolonged HighTemperature of Nervous Origin.

1219

THURSDAY (3rd).-OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE UNITEDKINGDOM (11. Chandos-street, Cavendish-square, W.).-8 P.M. CardSpecimens will be shown by Mr. S. Stephenson, Mr. W. Roll, Mr.A. L. Whitehead, Mr. F. W. Edridge-Green, Mr. J. B. Lawford, Mr.L. V. Cargill, and Mr. M. S. Mayou. 8.30 P.M. Papers :-Mr. J.Taylor and Mr. T. Collins : Congenital Malformed Cystic Eye.-Mr.M. Davidson : Radium in the Treatment of Rodent Ulcer.-Mr. R.Pickard : Implantation Tumour of Iris.-Mr. Cargill and Mr.Mayou : Tuberculosis of Choroid.

NORTH-EAST LONDON CLINICAL SOCIETY (Tottenham Hospital, N.).-4 P.M. Discussion on Asthma (opened by Dr. E. F. Willoughby).

FRIDAY (4th).-WEST LONDON MEDICO-CHIRURGICAL SOCIETY (WestLondon Hospital, Hammersmith, W.).-830 P.M. Discussion onInfluenza, its Varieties and Sequelse.

SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF DISEASE IN CHILDREN (11, Chandos-street, Cavendish-square, W.).-5.30 P.M. Pathological Meeting.Specimens will be shown by Dr. E. C. Mackay, Dr. J. P. Parkinson,Dr. L. S. Dudgeon, Dr. E. Cautley, Dr. F. Langmead, Dr. G. Car-penter, Dr. J. G. Emanuel (Birmingham), Dr. E. Hobhouse(Brighton), Mr. G. Pernet, and others.

LECTURES, ADDRESSES, DEMONSTRATIONS, &.o.MONDAY 30th).-POST-GRADUATE COLLEGE (West London Hospital,

Hammersmith-road, W.).-12.15 P.M. Mr. Baldwin: Practical. Surgery. 2 P.M. Dr. Arthur: Skiagraphy. 2.15 P.M. Medical and

Surgical Clinics. 4 P.M. Mr. Dunn : Ophthalmology.CHARING CROSS HOSPITAL.-4 P.M. Dr. Galloway : Demonstration

of Dermatological Cases. (Post-Graduate Course )TUESDAY ISt).-MF.DICAL GRADUATES’ COLLEGE AND POLYCLINIC

(22, Chenies-street, W.C.).-4 P.M. Dr. H. Campbell: Clinique.(Medica’.) 5.15 P.M. Sir Lauder Brunton: A Demonstration ofApparatus for Measuring the Blood Pressure in Man.

POST-GRADUATE COLLEGE (West London Hospital, Hammersmith-rood. W.).-11.30 A.M. Dr. H. Wright: Bacteriology. 215 P.lII.

Medical and Surgical Clinics.NATIONAL HOSPITAL FOR THE PARALYSED AND EPILEPTIC (Queen-square, Bloomsbury, W.C.).-3.30 P.M. Clinical Lecture :-Dr.Batten : Ataxia in Childhood.

ST. JOHN’S HOSPITAL FOR DISEASES OF THE SKIN (Leicester-square,W.C.).-5 P.M. Exhibition of Microscopic Specimens. AddressProf. G. S. Woodhead.

WEDNESDAY (2nd).-MEDICAL GRADUATES’ COLLEGE AKD POLY-CLINIC (22, Cheuies street, W.C.).-4 P.M. Mr. J. Cantlie: Clinique.(Surgical). 5.15 P.M. Lecture :-Dr. G. E. Herman: The Preven-tion of Difficult Labour.

POST-GRADUATE COLLEGE (West London Hospital, Hammersmith-road, W.).-10 A.M. Dr. H. Wright: Clinical Examination of Bloodand Grine. 2.15 P.M. Medical and Surgical Clinics. 3 P.M. Mr.Bidwell : Intestinal Surgery.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL (Gower-street, W.C.).-4 P.M.Clinical Lecture :-Dr. F. T. Roberts : The Physical Examination ofthe Heart and Great Vessels.

THURSDAY (3rd).-MEDICAL GRADUATES’ COLLEGE AND POLYCLINIC(22, Chenies-street, W.C.).-4 P.M. Mr. Hutchinson: Clinique.(.Surgical). 5.15 P.M. Lecture :—Mr. A. H. Tubby: Surgical Diseasesof Children.

POST-GRADUATE COLLEGE (West London Hospital, Hammersmith-road, W.).-11.30 A.M. Dr. H. Wright: Bacteriology. 12.15 P.M.Mr. Baldwin: Practical Surgery. 2 P.M. Dr. Arthur: Skiagraphy.2.15 P.M. Medical and Surgical Clinics. 4 P.M. Mr. Dunn:Ophthalmology.

ROYAL INSTITUTION OF GREAT BRITAIN (Albemarle-street, W.).-5 P.M. Mr P. C. Mitchell: The Digestive Tract in Birds andMammals. (Lecture II.)

CHARING CROSS HOSPITAL.-4 P.M. Dr. Murray: Demonstration ofMedical Cases. (Post-Graduate Course.)

CENTRAL LONDON THROAT AND EAR HOSPITAL (Gray’s Inn-road,W.U.).-8 P.M. Clinical Evening.

FRIDAY (4th). -MEDICAL GRADUATES’ COLLEGE AND POLYCLINIC(22. Chenies-street, W.C.).-4 P.M. Dr. H. Tilley: Ciinique.(Throat).

POST-GRADUATE COLLEGE (West London Hospital, Hammersmith-road. W.).-11.30 A.M. Dr. H. Wright: Bacteriology. 2.15 P.M.Medical and Surgical Clinics. 3 P.M. Mr. Bidwetl: IntestinalSurgery.

XATIOXAL HOSPITAL FOR THE PARALYSED AND EPILEPTIC (Queen-square, Bloomsburv, W.C.).-3.30 P.M. Clinical Lecture:-Dr.Batten: Infantile Hemiplegia.

EDITORIAL NOTICES.IT is most important that communications relating to the

Editorial business of THE LANCET should be addressedexclusively "To THE EDITORS," and not in any case to anygentleman who may be supposed to be connected with theEditorial staff. It is urgently necessary that attention begiven to this notice.

-

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METEOROLOGICAL READINGS.

(Taken daily at 8.30 a.m. by Steward’s Instruments.)THE LANCET Office, April 26th, 1906.

During the week marked copies of the following newspapershave been received :-Standard, Bolton Chronicle, Manchester

City News, Spalding Free Press, Andover Advertiser, Evening News(P,)rtsnio2tth), Leamington Spa Cottrier, Herefordshire Meicitry,Western Mail (Cardiff), Westminster Gazette, DuNin Weekly Times,Liverpood Post and Mercury, Surrey Advertiser, Literary Digest,(New York), Scientific American, Daily Chronicle, Irisla Time: ,Morning Leader, Dailyr’eus, &c.