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prophylactic measures as careful dieting and the administra-tion of suitable aperients. The book treats of questionswhich are of great interest and importance to the wholemedical brotherhood.

JOURNALS AND MAGAZINES.The Edinburgh Medical Journal.—The February number

opens with a paper by Dr. A. Freeland Fergus on the ClinicalValue of Bacteriology in Ophthalmic Practice, which pointsout the varieties of bacteria which may cause conjunc-tivitis and incidentally contains some comment uponrecently introduced preparations of silver vaunted as superiorto the nitrate. Major D. G. Marshall, 1.M.S., writes anaccount of an outbreak of beri-beri on a ship arriving atLeith and discusses the theories set forth in explanation ofthis disease ; in this instance infection derived from a cargoof rice husks was possible and conveyance by insects wassuggested by the enormous numbers of these creatures whichswarmed over the ship. Dr. R. Dods Brown writes on

Typhoid Bacilluria and Mr. W. G. Porter on a case of Con-genital Atresia of the Choana. Mr. R. Llewellyn Jones con-tributes a careful account of Spondylitis or the vertebraltype of rheumatoid arthritis and appeals for the omission ofthe former term from our nomenclature as tending to obscurethe real nature of the malady.

The Scottish Medical and Surgical Journal.—The Februarynumber contains an article by Mr. J. Hogarth Pringle onHaemorrhage from the Middle Meningeal Artery which is ofconsiderable interest. Notes of 15 cases are given, ofwhich ten were operated on, with four recoveries. Theoutlook in this condition is recognised as very grave. Dr.Francis D. Boyd writes on the Dechlorination Treatment ofDropsy and Dr. J. Mackie Whyte records a case of suppurativehepatitis following inflammation in an acquired diverticulumof the sigmoid flexure. ’

The Medical Chronicle.—In the January number Dr.Julius Dreschfeld adds one more to the contributions

recently made to the study of Graves’s disease and quotesthe results of treatment with antithyroid serum in 21 cases.Of seven hospital cases three were cured and two were muchimproved, while of 14 private cases seven were cured andfour improved. These figures are certainly encouraging.A paper by Dr. J. Lorrain Smith deals with the origin ofdisease in bacterial growth in the intestine and suggeststhat there is normally an inhibitory influence exerted by thehealthy intestinal mucosa which is liable to be diminished byconditions of disease. Dr. Andrew C Clarke, as the resultof some experiments on the lesions produced in lymphaticglands by different races of tubercle bacilli, concludes thatavian and other varieties are not distinct species of organisms.

The Birmingham Medical -Revie7v.-In the Decembernumber of this review is contained an interesting account ofthe recently recognised condition, polycythaamia vera, calledalso Vaquez’s or Osler’s disease, in which there appears tobe an increase not only in the concentration of the blood

but also in its total volume-a true plethora. The causationof the disease is at present unknown, theory attributing iteither to an unknown toxin or to a process analogous totumour formation (erythroblastoma). Dr. J. W. Russellwrites on Abdominal Pain associated with Symptoms of

Epilepsy and Dr. W. H. Wynn contributes a summary ofour knowledge of Gonorrhoea as a General Infection or

Septicaemia. In the January number is contained the

Middlemore Lecture for 1905, delivered by Mr. Henry Eales,and dealing with Nasal Causes of Ophthalmic Diseases, andalso the first part of a paper by Mr. Jordan Lloyd on theTreatment of Facial Neuralgia by Excision of the GasserianGanglion. Professor R. Saundby records a case of Dysphagiadue to Pericarditis and points out that pain in swallowing,though mentioned in the text-books, is not commonlypresent in this disease.

Reports and Analytical RecordsFROM

THE LANCET LABORATORY.

EUCAINE LACTATE.

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

EUOAINE lactate while possessing the anæsthetic power ofthe cocaine salts has the advantage of being non-toxic andnon-irritating, while it is stated also that it does not

constrict the blood-vessels or dilate the pupil. The solutionin water is stable and may be sterilised by boiling withoutany effect upon the salt. 2 per cent. solutions are used indental work and in general surgery 4 per cent. solutions areused for producing local anaesthesia by hypodermic injec-tions. Eucaine lactate is employed for ophthalmic purposesand for laryngoscopy and rhinoscopy. It is convenient alsofor use previously to the application of the galvano-cautery.The hypodermic tabloid contains either one-third grain orone grain of the salt, according to requirements, while soloidsof eucaine lactate are prepared containing one grain andfive grains of the salt respectively.

PRESERVED FRUITS IN LACQUERED TINS.

(CHIVERS AND SONS, LIMITED, HISTON, CAMBRIDGE.)There can be little doubt that fruit juices act upon tin,

although the amout of tin dissolved is usually quite small.Still it is not desirable that preserves should be contaminatedwith metallic salts even although those salts do not appearto be injurious. There is no distinct evidence that small

quantities of tin salts are prejudicial to health but it is

possible, and the only way of eliminating any doubt in thematter is either to give up the use of tin for the purposeor else to adopt a means by which any action uponthe tin is made impossible. Glass, of course, from a

hygienic point of view is the most satisfactory materialthat can be employed but its use entails obvious dis-

advantages. In transit, for example, glass vessels are

liable to break, they cost more to pack, and they cannotbe handled with the same impunity as can a metalcontainer. It is satisfactory to learn that the old objectionto the use of the tin container for the purpose of preservingfruits has been completely overcome by a method recentlyadopted by Messrs. Chivers and Sons, the well-known fruitgrowers and manufacturers of jams, of Histon in Cambridge-shire. The process is extremely simple and consists in uni-formly covering the tin with a thin veneer of lacquer which isabsolutely proof against the action of fruit acids and in

fact, as we have found, against even the action of mineralacids. We have examined several tins in which various jamshave been kept and in no instance were we able to find

any evidence of the tin being acted upon, the lacquerbeing just as sound as when it had first been put on. In

particular we examined a tin of greengages which hadbeen packed in 1900. The fruit was in excellentcondition and there was not the faintest indicationof metallic contamination or of any corrosion of thetin. The tins are hermetically sealed, the lid press-ing tightly on a thin rubber film. In view of theseresults there is no reason whatever why prejudiceshould any longer exist against the use of tin for packingpreserves so long as this veneering process is carried out inthe satisfactory way just indicated. This departure not onlysatisfies hygienic requirements but also is calculated to

reduce the cost to the consumer of a popular, palatablearticle of food. The method, it seems to us, should give astimulus to home fruit growing as it provides a satisfactorymeans of preserving fruit which is hygienically sound and

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economical. We carried out a number of careful experi-ments with the following fruits preserved and packed in thisway: raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries, plums, black-berries, greengages, and damsons. In no instance was therethe least indication of any action on the tin and nota trace of tin could be found in the syrup, while the colour ofthe fruit was satisfactorily preserved.

GLYCERINE SUPPOSITORIES.

(S. MAW, SON, AND SONS, 7 TO 12, ALDERSGATE-STREET, LONDON, E.C.)The feature of these suppositories is their shape which

may be best described as being like that of a torpedo. Theyare about one and a half inches long and their girth at thecentre is about three-eighths of an inch. From the centre

the suppository tapers to a point in opposite directions.

ARSENFERRATOSE (BOEHRINGER).(DOMEIER AND Co., LIMITED, 20 AND 21, HARP-LANE, LONDON, E.C.)Arsenferratose contains arsenic and iron in what may be

regarded as organic combination. We found also that

albumose or an allied product was an important constituent.This combination is calculated to exhibit both the iron andthe arsenic in a readily absorbed form and we have read someinteresting clinical evidence in favour of its value in anæmiaand in conditions generally in which the tonic qualities ofiron and arsenic are indicated.

GENUINE CLARETS AT MODERATE PRICES.

(W. AND A. GILBEY, PANTHEON, OXFORD-STREET, LONDON, W.)That good and wholesome claret may be procured at

moderate prices is very well illustrated in these samples.The prices range from Is. to 2s. a bottle and we have not theslightest doubt that they are genuine Medoc wines which,moreover, possess pleasing, palatable qualities. The analysesof the samples which we have examined gave results whichare perfectly consistent in every detail with the descriptionof a genuine Medoc wine. For example, the wine labelledBor leaux and marked 12s. per dozen gave the followingresults : alcohol, by weight 9’36 per cent., by volume11 61 per cent., equal to proof spirit 20’35 per cent. ;extractives, 2’ 78 per cent. ; sugar, 0’ 083 per cent. ;mineral matter, 0’ 28 per cent. ; volatile acidity reckonedas acetic acid, 0’123 per cent. ; fixed acidity reckonedas tartaric acid, 0’450 per cent. ; nitrogenous matters,fl’213 per cent. ; glycerine, 0’’780 per cent. ; and tannin,0 236 per cent. This is a perfectly sound genuine claretof the vin ordinaire type. The wine is practically free

from sugar .and from acidity. The sample Bas Medoc at15s. a dozen gave the following results : alcohol byweight, 9’36 per cent. ; extractives, 2’ 54 per cent. ;sugar, 0’065 per cent. ; mineral matter, 0’24 per cent. ;Yolatle acidity reckoned as acetic acid, 0’108 per cent. ;fixed acidity reckoned as tartaric acid, 0’ 453 per cent. ;nitrogenous substances, 0 - 197 per cent. ; glycerine, 0 ’ 698 percent. ; and tannin, 0 ’ 236 per cent. This is also a good soundlight wine, showing rather more quality than the -previoussample. The sample marked Medoc at 18s. per dozen gavethe following results : alcohol by weight, 9’ 36 per cent.;extractives, 2 38 per cent. ; sugar, 0 - 063 per cent. ;mineral matter, 0 - 24 per cent. ; volatile acidity reckoned asacetic acid, 0’074 per cent. ; fixed acidity reckoned as

tartaric acid, 0’457 per cent.; nitrogenous matter, 0 229 persent. ; glycerine, 0 68 per cent. ; and tannin, 0 295 per cent.This wine showed a good development of colour, which isinvariably the case when the amount of the nitrogenous consti-tuents is higher than usual. The wine showed particularly goodæsthetic qualities and was soft and non-acid to the palate.The sample marked Château Loudenne at 24. a dozen comesvery closely in character to the wines of " a classed growth."It is a delicate sound wine and well matured. On analysisthe following results were obtained . alcohol by weight,10 08 per cent.; extractives, 2’ 50 per cent. ; sugar,

0 - 11 per cent. ; mineral matter, 0 ’ 27 per cent. ; volatile

acidity reckoned as acetic acid, 0’ 102 per cent.; fixed

acidity reckoned as tartaric acid, 0’446 per cent. ; nitro-genous matter, 0’ 179 per cent. ; tannin, 0’ 224 per ceat. ;and glycerine, 0.561 per cent. All four specimens show aremarkable similarity of composition which is furtherevidence of their genuine character. These wines serve to

support our contention that really good genuine Medocwine of pleasing qualities may be procured at quitereasonable prices.

New Inventions.A MODIFIED OPHTHALMOSCOPE.

THE accompanying illustration represents an idea in theshape of an improvement that occurred to my mind whileengaged in testing for ocular refractions with Gowers’s

ophthalmoscope. It consists of an addition to the instru-ment of a simple device by which its range and efficiency areincreased about fivefold and yet it is neat in appearance andnot clumsy to handle. There is nothing new in the principleby which these objects are attained, the difference lies in themethod of applying that principle so as to get the best

possible result in limited circumstances. As seen in theillustration the contrivance I introduce is a small jointed

Ophthalmoscope showing arrangement of lenses.Number possible, 72.

crosspiece fixed at the back of the mirror above the originalrevolving circle and carrying two lenses at each end numberedas indicated - 16, - 8’5 5 towards the right, + 16, + 0.5towards the left. By moving these over the sight-hole andcombining with those in the disc below as required a succes-sion of whole and half dioptre lenses is obtained extendingupwards and downwards beyond what is generally sufficientfor all optical purposes. Having tried this arrangement formyself and finding that it gives satisfaction I can commendthe instrument as now completed without hesitation to anyin need of a sound and serviceable article. I have orderedmine from Mr. Ash, 115, Edmund-street, Birmingham.Sparkbrook, Birmingham. M. MACKAY, M.A., M.13.M. MACKAY, M.A., M.B.