1564 REVIEWS AND NOTICES OF BOOKS.

Medical Societies.BRITISH BALNEOLOGICAL AND CLIMATOLOGICAL

SOCIETY. - An ordinary meeting of this society was heldat 20, Hanover-square, W., on June 1st, the President,Dr. R. Fortescue Fox (Strathpeffer Spa), being in thechair.-Mr. H. Shirley Jones read a paper on the Treatmentof Neuritis and Neuralgia by the Droitwich Brine Baths.He said he considered obstinate neuralgia and neuritis forthe most part associated with, and dependent upon, a

debilitated condition and believed gouty neuralgia to bemore the result of weakness than the effect of any uricacid on the nerve itself. The nerve most affected was thesciatic for obvious reasons, for it was the most difficult nerveto rest and the large surface over which it extended renderedit more prone to injury from cold, &c. Next in fre-quency was, perhaps, the fifth. Obstinate cases of neuralgiawere met with accompanying malignant diseases. He hadseen also three cases of sciatica following the apparentlysuccessful removal of mammary carcinoma which would onlyadmit of very temporary relief ; each patient died withintwo years of onset without any material benefit or anyevidence of return of malignant disease. He related threecases of intense neuritis leading to insanity.-Dr. DouglasKerr (Bath) said he could testify to the benefit which hehad known in severe cases of neuralgia from the Droitwichbath treatment. He asked Mr. Shirley Jones for particularsof treatment.-The President remarked that neuralgia inits various forms was usually relieved under balneologicaltreatment. It acted doubtless as an eliminant and alsotended to remove the sub-inflammatory conditions on whichmost cases of neuralgia depended. He also called attentionto the use of cold douches for neuralgia by the French.-Mr. Bowen Davies (Llandrindod Wells) asked for further

particulars of the methods of treatment at Droitwich.-Mr. Shirley Jones, in reply, said that he had chosen thatsubject as being of interest because he thought thatmore brilliant results were obtained from these waters incases of neuralgia and neuritis than in any other disease.The cases of neuritis which he had mentioned showeda peculiar obstinacy and each led to a very unusual

complication-viz., insanity. The treatment he adoptedat Droitwich in neuralgia and neuritis consisted for themost part for acute cases in the use of a hot reclin-

ing bath without massage or electricity but with as

complete rest as possible, in cases of the lower limb restin the recumbent position, for the upper limb rest in a sling,and in uncomplicated cases no drugs at all. For the reliefof pain he used hot brine as a compress. As the acutestages passed off the douche over the course of the nervecame into use ; the temperature and the length of timevaried considerably with the amount of pain and theidiosyncrasies of the patient, the temperature of thedouche being from 115° to 80° F. usually, and he hadoccasionally found great benefit from a temperature as

low as 65° given as a douche, particularly in cases wherethere had been atrophy of muscles resulting from a neuritis;there, too, he found great benefit from the ue of theswimming-bath, where, owing to the great buoyancy of thewater, exercise of any limb might be effected with a mini-mum of exertion, and this he thought a very importantpoint in the development of atrophied muscles ; apart fromthat the swimming-bath had a very decided tonic effectand as such was very useful in the treatment of chronic

neuralgia.-A paper written by Dr. Ivor Murray was thenread on Scarborough as a Health Resort in Phthisis.

ISLINGTON MEDICAL SOClETY.-A meeting ofthis society was held at 25, Highbury-place on May 16th.-Mr. Arbuthnot Lane read a paper on the Pathology andTreatment of Adenoids. He pointed out that the termI adenoids" was applied to an enlargement of the lymphatictissue described in anatomical works as the pharyngeal tonsiland that from its proximity to the posterior nares andEustachian tubes it readily interfered with their functions,and the operation for its removal was devised with the objectof freeing these apertures. Years had now elapsed since hehad recognised that the hypertrophy of the pharyngeal tonsilwas simply an inflammation of a lymphatic tissue consequentupon an infection of an area the lymphatics of which draininto it and that the removal of the secondary infectiondealt only with an effect and not with the primary source

of trouble. He also recognised that the naso-pharyngealsequence was but an accidental consequence of a generalcondition which occurred in children possessed of little

vitality resulting from an imperfect respiratory capacity inthe first instance. On this ground he attacked the primaryinfection of the naso-pharynx, expecting that its disappear-ance would in time be followed by a return to their normalcondition of the pharyngeal, faucial, and cervical lymphaticglands, as well as by a normal development of the naso-

pharynx, which was always imperfectly developed inchronic cases because the forced draught of respired air

through the cavity had been in abeyance. He effected this

by improving the vital capacity by regular respiratoryexercises, all inspired and expired air being driven throughthe nasal cavities, the mouth being kept closed. This treat-ment met with complete success, so that he found himselfnow but rarely called on to operate for adenoids. Hecalled attention to the fact that the same class of childrenconstantly assumed the several attitudes of rest-namely, thesymmetrical and asymmetrical resting postures of the trunkand abduction of the foot-conditions which, when theybecome fixed or exaggerated, are called by the names

"dorsal excurvation" or "round shoulders," "lateral cur-vature " or "scoliosis" and flat-foot," all of which terms hehoped would soon disappear from surgery. He described andshowed photographs which illustrated the several changesin the trunk which were consequent on respiratory incapacityand the various deficiencies in development of all the bonesof the face which he found were directly dependent for theirperfect form on the proper evolution of the naso-pharynxunder the influence of the forcible passage of air throughthis cavity in respiration.WEST LONDON MEDICO-CHIRURGICAL SOCIETY.-

A clinical meeting of this society was held in the society’srooms at the West London Hospital on June 2nd, Dr. S. D.Clippingdale, President, being in the chair.-Mr. McAdamEccles showed a boy with a large Nasvo-Hpomatous Tumourof the Forearm which had existed since birth. The case

was discussed by the President, Dr. Leonard Dobson, Mr.Rotheroe, Dr. E. P. Paton, Mr. C. B. Keetley, and Mr. NevilleWood.-Dr. Leonard Dobson and Mr. C. B. Keetley showeda young woman who had been successfully operated on forGastric Ulcer three weeks previously. The patient hadsuffered much pain for many months and was in no waybetter in spite of prolonged medical treatment. Mr. Keetleyopened the abdomen and found near the cesophagus an ulcerwhich had become adherent to the diaphragm. The adhe-sions were separated and the ulcer was scraped and closed.The patient made a good recovery.-The case was discussedby Mr. Bidwell, Mr. Neville Wood, and Dr. Paton.-Mr.Bidwell showed (1) a child on whom he had operated forTuberculous Peritonitis; and (2) a man on whom he hadoperated for Extensive Carcinoma of the Rectum.-These;ases were discussed by Dr. Dobson.

Reviews and Notices of Books. System of Medicine. By Many Writers. Edited byTHOMAS CLIFFORD ALLBUTT, M.A., M.D. Cantab.,THOMAS CLIFFORD ALLBUTT, M.A., M.D. Cantab.,

LL.D. Glasg., F.R.C.P. Lond., F.R S., Regius Professorof Physic in the University of Cambridge. Vol. VI.London : Macmillan and Co. 1899. Illustrated. Pp. 944.Price 25s. net.

THE medical profession will welcome the appearance ofthe sixth volume of Professor Clifford Allbutt’s System ofMedicine. The preceding volumes have contained suchexcellent articles that the completion of the series is

naturally anxiously looked for. The present volume is inevery way equal to its predecessors. It contains articles onthe circulatory system, diseases of muscles, and diseases ofthe nervous system.The first article is by Dr. G. Newton Pitt on Right-

sided Valvular Diseases. Cases of this kind are com-

paratively uncommon and Dr. Pitt had a difficult task to

accomplish in considering them. He has succeeded, how-ever, in producing a most interesting and full account of theaffections which may attack the valves of the right auricle

1565REVIEWS AND NOTICES OF BOOKS.

and ventricle, and most readers will probably be surprisedthat such a varied number have been recorded. He firstwrites on "Pulmonary Incompetence," remarking that thisis the rarest of the valvular lesions of the heart, only17 cases having been noted in the post-mortem room atGuy’s Hospital out of 11,000 examinations during a periodof 23 years. The total number of cases confirmed bynecropsy which Dr. Pitt has been able to collect is 99,besides some 30 cases which were not verified after death.The most common pathological condition met with was

infective endocarditis, this being present in 57 of the cases.The subject of Pulmonary Stenosis is merely mentioned, as

it is almost invariably congenital in origin and was fullydescribed in vol. v., p. 703.

Diseases of the Tricuspid Valves are described under fiveheadings—(1) in which acute vegetations were found upon thevalves; (2) the valvular cusps were thickened; (3) the cuspswere affected with fungating endocarditis ; (4) the cuspswere incompetent ; and (5) the tricuspid orifice was stenosed.This forms a convenient and practical classification. The

41 safety-valve action" of the tricuspid valve is dulycommented on ; it is of great importance in relieving thestrain upon the heart on occasions of sudden exertion.The article on Angina Pectoris by Sir R. Douglas Powell is

written in the usual lucid style of that authority, showingmuch originality of thought and a thorough knowledge ofhis subject in all its details-in fact, we may borrow asentence which he uses in describing Heberden’s work andsay that his description is a model of accuracy and lucid’expression." Sir R. Douglas Powell divides cases of

angina pectoris into three groups: (1) those cases inwhich the disease is a pure neurosis of the cardio-vascular system, a disturbance of the innervation ofthe systemic or pulmonary vessels, including sometimesthe vessels of the heart itself, causing their spasmodic con-traction and thus increasing the peripheral resistance tocirculation; (2) another and graver class of cases in whichthere is the same mechanism of disturbed cardio-vascular

innervation, but associated with it a diseased heart; and’(3) a group of cases in which the heart itself isthe primary seat of the painful and often fatal

’symptoms—mese mcmae Lnose cases aepenaenu on

’coronary narrowing. The first group the author designates"angina pectoris vasomotoria," the second " angina pectorisgravior or secondary cardiac angina," and the third

"primary cardiac angina." This classification is much to

be preferred to the one commonly adopted-namely, "trueangina pectoris" and "pseudo-angina pectoris," the last-

named term being both unsuitable and unsound in its signifi-cation. The illustrative cases are well chosen and enable

the reader more fully to understand the symptoms character-istic of each form.

Dr. F. T. Roberts writes on Diseases of the Mediastinumand Thymus Gland. We have already referred to the remarkson mediastinitis in a leading article on Chronic Medias-tinitis which appeared in our columns on April 29th. Thesection on Intra-thoracic New Growths is particularlyinteresting and the author has succeeded in compiling anadmirable review of the subject which, added to his ownexperience, makes the article a valuable one. The clinical

.aspect of the subject is fully described in terms which leaveno room for doubt as to the writer’s meaning, especially so inrelation to diagnosis.Under the heading Diseases of Blood-vessels and Lym.

iphatics are several contributions: Thrombosis and Embolism,by Professor Welch; Phlebitis, by Mr. H. H. Clutton ; iArterial Degenerations and Diseases, by Dr. F. W. Mott;Aneurysm of the Aorta, by Professor Sir W. T. Gairdner; iand Aneurysms of Arteries in the Abdomen, by Dr. Rolleston ;the last named also contributes a paper on Diseases of

the Lymphatic Vessels.

One of the best articles in this volume is that on Aortic

Aneurysm by Sir W. T. Gairdner. It is characterised

by a masterly knowledge of the subject and a mannerof expressing his ideas which at once rivets the atten-tion of the reader. In speaking of the mechanical

origin of aneurysms of the aorta the author pointsout that we have to deal with an exceedingly compli-cated problem and that while it is in a high degreereasonable to affirm that both continuous effort and suddenor violent strain or injury are in a very appreciabledegree causes of aneurysm, the question of how farand at what stage in a particular case these causes havecome into operation is often one of the utmost difficulty andcomplexity. The symptomatic diagnosis is elaborately set

forth and the actual value of certain symptoms are consideredat length, these being pain, cardiac collapse, syncope,palpitation, cough, dyspnoea, laryngeal phenomena, hoemor-rhage, and dysphagia. Space will not permit us to commentfurther on this most valuable contribution, but both authorand editor may be congratulated on its appearance.Under the section of Diseases of Muscles are four papers,

one on Myositis, by Dr. Batten; one on Myotonia Congenita(Thomsen’s disease), by Dr. Hale White ; one on IdiopathicMuscular Atrophy and Hypertrophy, by Dr. C. E. Beevor;and the last on Facial Hemiatrophy and Hemihypertrophy,by Dr. Aldren Turner.

Diseases of the Nervous System are then commenced,the first article being by Mr. Bevan Lewis on General

Pathology of the Nervous System. Our knowledge onthis subject has so much. increased during recent yearsthat Mr. Lewis had a hard task before him to select anddescribe the more important discoveries in the physiologyand pathology of the nervous system. This chapterrequires careful and close reading but contains a largeamount of information. He begins by describing the

"neuron," the modern conception of which "is that of avariously contoured protoplasmic centrum-the cell bodyenclosing a nucleus of relatively large size and a well-definednucleolus." The "axon" and the "dendrons" are thendefined and the various parts of the cell structure described indetail. This arrangement is necessary as the terms are moretreely used. in mecticai ilterature tnan tney were out are not

fully understood by the majority of readers. A generalview is then taken of System Diseases, and we are told

that "by this term we mean the exclusive implication ofnerve tracts having a community of function of certain linksin the chain of neurons which extend from the periphery tothe brain cortex, or conversely." The expressions " higherlevel motor neurons," ,motor neurons of the lower level,"and " combined system diseases " are also briefly explained.Another excellent article is by Professor Sherrington and

Dr. Sharkey on Tremor, Tendon-Phenomenon, and

Spasm, the former author being responsible for the

physiological section and the latter for the clinical and

pathological sections.Next follow articles on Trophoneuroses: Neurotrophic

Affections of Bones and Joints, by Dr. Turney; NeurotrophicDiseases of Soft Tissues, by Mr. J. Hopkins; AdiposisDolorosa, by the Editor; Raynaud’s Disease and Erythro-melalgia, both by Dr. T. Barlow. Want of space preventsus from commenting on the above, but they form a mostvaluable series of articles for reference.

The next division N headed Diseases of the Nerves andcontains the following articles: Diseases of the SpinalNerves, by Dr. G. A. Gibson and Dr. R. A. Fleming ; MultipleSymmetrical Peripheral Neuritis, by Dr. Judson Bury. ,Trigeminal Neuralgia, by Dr. Head ; Diseases of the CranialNerves, by Dr. Aldren Turner ; and Medical Ophthalmology,

I by Mr. Brudenell Carter. The contribution on Diseases

of the Spinal Nerves reflects the greatest credit on thez 3

1566 REVIEWS AND NOTICES OF BOOKS.

authors, they having condensed an immense amount of work ’,into a comparatively small space. The consideration of the I

subject (after a short introduction) is divided into two

groups, one of a more general character containing thepathological and clinical features common to the differentforms of disease, the other of a more special character.The subjects which fall under the head of "general fea-

tures " are neuritis, tumours, pressure, and wounds ; whilstunder the " special section are described the individualaffections of the different nerves. This division is a con-

venient one both for study and reference.Under the title "Diseases of the Spine" are two contribu-

tions-Diseases of the Vertebral Column, Tumours, andCompression Palsies, by Mr. Victor Horsley, and Affectionsof the Spinal Meninges, by Dr. J. S. Risien Russell. Mr.

Horsley’s paper, as might be expected coming from an authorwho has made the subject one of particular study, is full ofvaluable information but is essentially practical, a qualitywhich the majority of those who consult the System" "

appreciate above everything else.The last article in this volume, by Dr. Risien Russell, also

shows that much pains have been taken in its production andthat the author has had a practical acquaintance with thediseases which he describes. The main part of the paper isoccupied by a consideration of the most important morbidconditions of the spinal meninges-(l) vascular disturbances,(2) inflammations, and (3) tumours of the meninges. Dr.

Russell adds, however, "Besides these conditions there arecertain morbid states which are only of interest from thepathologist’s point of view and’ concern us but little as theygive rise to no clinical manifestations by which they can berecognised or which call for treatment." These are very

wisely disposed of in comparatively few words.In conclusion, we must once more congratulate the editor,

Professor Clifford Allbutt, on his choice of the authors andthe manner in which they have fulfilled the duties entrustedto them.

__ _____

:

Bad-Naujccim : Its Springs and Their Uses, 4-c. By J.GROEDEL, M.D., Bad-Nauheim. Friedberg and Bad-Nauheim : Bindernagel. 1899.THAT a second and enlarged edition of Dr. Groedel’s

guide-book should be in demand within four years of the

publication of the first edition shows that it has supplieda public need. The statistical record of the growth ofNauheim as a watering-place is an interesting study. Forthe 30 years from 1855 to 1885 there was an averageinflux of between 4000 and 5000 visitors annually. In 1890the numbers had risen to over 8000, in 1895 to over 14,000,and in 1898 to over 19,000 persons. This later era of " leapsand bounds " in prosperity coincides with its wide advertise-ment as a resort for the treatment of chronic heart disease.The author, as one who has had a long experience of theuse of the waters of Nauheim, is entitled to speak withauthority on the subject. The volume before us is at once

a guide to the springs and their uses and to the town andthe surrounding country easily accessible to the visitor. To

combine these objects satisfactorily is no easy task and onedemanding considerable professional and general tact. To

attempt it, moreover, is to undertake a considerable responsi-bility. Opinions must be well weighed and the limitationsand dangers as well as the beneficial effects of the waters inquestion must be fairly set forth if a public ignorant ofmedicine and aware only of their sufferings are not

to be misled or disappointed. We consider that Dr.oedel has been very mindful of these difficulties

and responsibilities and that he has acquitted himselfof his task with much judgment and impartiality.The section to which our readers will chiefly turn

is that dealing with " the diseases for which Bad-Nauheim is adapted and their treatment." We observe that

while giving due prominence to the aqueous therapeutics ofthese maladies Dr. Groedel has not been unmindful of the

general treatment of disease based upon the principles ofphysiology and pathology which remain the same what-

ever the geographical position of the patient. It is this

circumstance which renders the physician himself not theleast important factor in the efficacy of a given health-resort. The author states, however, with much truth, thatexcellent remedies applied at the homes of patients at timesseem to require the additional sojourn at such a resting-place as Nauheim to exercise their full force. Nor is it

surprising that this should be so. The influence ofa pleasant and invigorating watering-place, far from the

scene of the daily anxieties and the half-performed dutiesof one enfeebled in health, is a potent factor for good. Toall such influence the author gives due weight and withrespect to the direct effect of the waters and climate of hisown town writes with a conviction of their utility under appro-priate circumstances and also with a commendable caution.The work is written in English by the author himself andshows a good knowledge of our language. Some idiomaticerrors occur which are of no great moment and may becorrected in a later edition. The book is well printed,is of a convenient size and affords useful. informationboth to the professional and the lay reader.

The Thermal Waters of Bath. By GILBERT A. BANNATYNK,M.D. Glasg., M.R.C.P. Edin., Honorary Physician to theRoyal Mineral Water Hospital, Bath, and to the RoyalUnited Hospital, Bath. Bristol: John Wright and Co.London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent, and Co.,Limited. 1899. Pp. 87. Price 2s.

THIS little volume gives a good account of the thermalwaters of Bath, the appliances for their use, and the diseasesin which they are employed. One feature of the book

at once strikes the reader-viz., the very moderate tone

in which it is written-it is not merely a " puS " ofthe city in which the author practises. Bath is givenits due meed of praise but no more. This is as it shouldbe and it is more likely to redound to the credit of thebaths than exaggerated commendation. The first chapterdeals with the historical associations of the baths, with abrief consideration of the situation, the climate, and the

general health statistics of Bath. The second chapter is

devoted to the source and origin of the waters and a com-parison with other springs. The author also gives someattention to the theory of the action of the waters and

arrives at the conclusion that it is not to the presence ofone or more particular mineral ingredients, except when theyare found in large quantities, that the efficacy of any springis due or because of which it is selected as a medicinal agent,but it is rather to the union of the several substances con-tained in the water and to its temperature that we may lookfor the benefit which the combined experience of those

prescribing it and of those using it would teach us to expect.With this theory most spa physicians would probably agree.It is because the °combination" in which the variousmineral and gaseous constituents exist in such waters isunknown that we are unable to successfully imitate themand bring Bath, Homburg, or Nauheim to London. In thethird and fourth chapters will be found a clear and detaileddescription of the bathing establishments, stress being laid onthe fact that they are open all the year round. In describ-

ing the Aix massage douche baths he takes the opportunityof giving a short dissertation on massage and its uses. In thechapter on the action of the baths in diseases in which thewaters are of use the author again exhibits the thoroughscientific knowledge which he possesses of hydro-thera-peutics. With regard to the diseases most satisfactorilytreated by a course of the baths, gout and rheumatism of the

1567REVIEWS AND NOTICES OF BOOjS.—NEW INVENTIONS.

joints stand first, rheumatoid arthritis not yielding such ahigh percentage of " cured " or " relieved," but still present-ing good hopes of relief to those sufferers who have triedother methods in vain. The treatment of sciatica and

lumbago gives a percentage of 92’8 " cured " or "relieved.".We do’not understand, however, why these two conditionsshould be bracketed together, for "lumbago" is usuallyregarded as a form of "muscular rheumatism and not asa nervous affection.The work is evidently intended for the use of practitioners

and not as a I I guide book " and we can cordially recom-mend its perusal to our readers.

LIBRARY TABLE.

Annual and Analytical Oyalopaedia of Practical Medicine.By CHARLES E. DE M. SAaous, ’M.D., and 100 AssociateEditors. Vol. III. Pp. 600. Illustrated with chromo-

lithographs, Engravings, and Maps. Philadelphia, NewYork, and Chicago : The F. A. Davis Company. 1899.-We have already commented on the general objectsand scope of this work in our reviews of the previousvolumes. The present volume commences with an article onDislocations, and terminates with one on Infantile Myx-cedema, better known in this country under the term

"cretinism." All the papers are well written and are ofsuch length as to enable the authors to give a fair amountof space to their subjects. In certain instances, however,as when the pathogenesis is obscure or recent investigationshave rendered more space desirable, writers have beenallowed such latitude that their articles form valuable

monographs. Amongst such more extended contributionsare the following: the article already mentioned on

Infantile Myxcedema, by Professor Osler and Dr. Norton ofBaltimore; Exophthalmic Goitre, by Professor Putnam ofBoston ; and Goitre, by Professor Adami of Montreal. Fromthe numerous subjects appearing in this volume it is a littledifficult to select any for special notice. To the surgeonthe following will be of interest. Dislocations and

Fractures, by Professor Stimson and Dr. Keyes, jun., of

New York ; Hip-joint Disease, by Dr. Reginald H. Sayreof New York; and Hernia, by Dr. W. B. Coley of NewYork; whilst the attention of physicians will be more

attracted by the papers on Dysentery, by Dr. Flexner ofBaltimore; on Gout, by Dr. Levison of Copenhagen ; on

Eczema, by Professor Stelwagon of Philadelphia; on

Hysteria and Hypnotism, by Professor Eskridge of Denver ;and on Fatty Degeneration of the Heart, by Dr. J. M. Andersof Philadelphia. The contributions have all been well

brought up to date, the literature of 1896-98 being freelyreferred to.

-77te Medical Annual and Practitioner’s Index work

of Reference for Medical Practitioners. Seventeenth year.Bristol: John Wright and Co. 8vo. Pp. 734. Price 7s. 6d.net.-For 17 years this useful annual has appeared, and: although the first volumes were good the later volumeshave been even better, so that at present the book can beaccepted as a trustworthy record of the advances made inmedicine, surgery, and gynseoology during the past year.Every year it must become increasingly difficult to compressinto a reasonable compass the vast amount of fresh informa-tion which accumulates unceasingly. The work deals withadvances not only in treatment, though this has most spaceallotted to it, but also in etiology and diagnosis, and thenames of the contributors guarantee the trustworthinessof the information supplied, and as the sources are quotedthe reader knows where to refer should he need furtherinformation. Numerous illustrations, both plain and

coloured, assist the text and the printing and paper are allthat could be desired. The series of plates illustrative of

those bacteria which are pathogenic in the human subjectwhich was commenced in the volume for 1898 is completedin the present volume ; it has been prepared by Mr. S. G.Shattock and is excellent. This work should prove of

especial benefit to those who are in general practice, for it

gives them the most recent information and it will often

provide a suggestion for treatment at the very moment whenit is needed. There are useful appendices on recent legaldecisions affecting medical men, on new medical appliances,and lists of new books and of asylums and inebriate homes.There is also an index to life insurance offices and in eachcase is given the amount of premium for insuring 100 at 30,40, and 50 years of age.

The Hygiene of the Mouth. By R. DENISON PEDLEY.London: J. P. Segg and Co. Philadelphia, U.S.A. :SS.W. Dental Manufacturing Co. Pp. 93. Illustrated.Price 2s. 6d.-The object of this little volume is to

show how dental disease may be controlled and in a largemeasure prevented. It is somewhat difficult to discover forwhat class of readers the book is intended. Some portionsare well worthy the attention of those specially engaged inmedical work, while in many portions the elementarycharacter of the information would serve to indicate that

the book is intended for the lay reader. Still, anyone not

actually engaged in dental practice will gather much usefulinformation from the little work and if it only helps to

teach in a small way the importance of maintaining themouth in a healthy condition it will not have been writtenin vain. We may say that in the "get up" of the bookthere is room for considerable improvement.

JOURNALS.

Annales de Gyneoologie et d’Obstetrique. May, 1899. Paris:G. Steinheil.-This number contains the following originalarticles: the Treatment of Uterine Cancer by Total Abdo-minal Hysterectomy, by MM. L. Picqu6 and P. Mauclaire;the Vascular Ligaments of the Uterus, by M. Pierre Fredet;and the Employment of Steam in Gynaecology and

Obstetrics, by Dr. R. Labusquiere. A review is given ofthe thesis by Dr. Ch. Lefèvre, on a Common Form of

Sterility in the Female. An account of the proceedings ofvarious gynaecological and obstetrical societies and theusual bibliography conclude the number.

New Inventions.AN ADJUSTABLE READING-DESK.

THIS desk consists of a board measuring 11 inches by13 inches provided with three props or supports whichenable it to stand securely in a sloping position at anyangle that may be desired by the reader. The attach-ments of these supports occupy one side of the boardand on the other side there is a T-shaped book-

holder pivoted on a short brass rod passing throughthe centre of the board. The book-holder can be turnedin any direction round this pivot and can be clampedat any point so that the book may be either in the usualupright position or may be placed so as to be convenientlyread by a person lying on his side, in which case it is fixeuto the book-holder by two cords passing inside the coversand the pages are held open by brass hooks. The desk hasin fact been designed for use by students, invalids, and otherswho are desirous of reading when lying on the side in bedor elsewhere. It is no less useful for readers seated at atable in the ordinary way, as the book is conveniently sup-ported and held open. Provisional protection has been takenout for the desk, and it may be obtained from Mr. E. H. B.Hughes, Rowlands Hey, Sea Bank-road, Liscard, Cheshire.