of the Indian Medical Association has sprung into being--an association which will doubtless be of use in welding the medical profession of the Indian Empire into a whole. Besides the lists of medical practitioners including both military and civilian, the Directory contains valuable information as to medical education both in India and at home, various tables of weights and measures, notes upon medical items such as the incubation periods of infectious diseases and the like, the Medical Acts, and an account of the Indian Medical Association. Considering the very trying time through which the Indian Empire has recently been passing owing to wars, plague, and famine, which naturally disorganised the whole community, Dr. Wallace is to be congratulated upon having produced so complete an account of the medical profession in India. JOURNALS. Annales de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique. December, 1898. Paris: G. Steinheil.-This number contains the following articles: Appendicitis and Salpingitis, by M. A. Routier ; A Fibro-cystic Tumour of the Neck of the Uterus of Congenital Origin, by MM. Baraban) and Vautrin; the Technique of Bacteriological Researches upon the Genital Canal in the Female, by M. J. Hallé; a Communication made to the Congress of Gynecology at Marseilles, October, 1898, upon the Accidents that may Happen to the Intestine in the course of a Hysterectomy, by MM. Verdelet and Binaud; the conclusion of his article upon the Auto-intoxications of Pregnancy (the first part having appeared in the November number), by Dr. G. Bouffe de Saint-Blaise; a Review of the Various Operations Practised for Stomatoplasty and Uteroplasty, by Dr. H. Delagénière. The proceedings of the Obstetrical and Gynecological and Anatomical Societies of Paris and the usual Bibliography conclude the number. Revue de Gynécologie et de Chirurgie Abdominale. November-December, 1898. Paris: Masson et Cie.-This No. 6. DEVONSHIRE GUARDIANS AND THE VACCINATION ACT.-At a meeting of the Newton Abbot Board of Guardians held on Dec. 28th, on the motion of Dr. Leys it was decided by 32 to 4 to join the protest against the conscience clause in the new Vaccination Act and to appeal to the Local Government Board again to make vaccination compulsory.At a meeting of the Tiverton Board of Guardians held on Dec. 28th it was stated that the old vaccination arrangements had been very satisfactory. During the past twenty-five years, according to the returns of the vaccination officer, only 35 cases were unaccounted for and during that time 3590 children were vaccinated. At a meeting of the St. Thomas (Exeter) Guardians held on Dec. 30th it was resolved to petition Parliament asking that the Vaccination Act might be repealed, as it was little less than a national calamity. At a meeting of the Plympton Board of Guardians held on Dec. 30th it was resolved on the motion of Dr. Aldridge to support the resolution of the Honiton guardians potitioning Parliament for the reinstatement of the compulsory clauses of the Vaccination Act and urging that the recent Vaccination Act should be repealed. MERTHYR TYDVIL GUARDIANS AND VACCINATION. The public vaccinators of Merthyr Tydvil informed the board of guardians of that town at their meeting on Dec. 24th that they wore unable to accept the vaccination fees proposed by the board. (W. AND F. WALKER, AFRICAN HOUSE, WATER-STREET, LIVERPOOL.) OUR examination shows carbolacene to be a mixture of soft soap and tar acids. It is a pink semi-liquid preparation miscible in all proportions with water and yielding a perfectly clear solution. On the addition of mineral acids the fatty acids of the soap together with the tar acid separate. Carbolacene is free from inert tar oils. In addition to being an efficient disinfectant it is also an excellent detergent. The soap used is potash soap, since on igniting the preparation an ash remains which is carbonate of potassium. ABROLIS. (ABROLIS, LTD., 1 AND 2, RANGOON-STREET, CRUTCHED FRIARS, E.C.) Our analysis of this water does not differ materially from that published by Fresenius. It belongs to the alkaline The principal constituents carbonated class of table waters. are carbonate of soda, 1·91 grammes per litre; common salt, 1.20 grammes per litre. It further contains carbonate of magnesia in the same proportion as the common salt. The water is derived from the Tönnissteiner spring near Brohl on the Rhine. It is pleasantly sparkling with carbonic acid gas which is stated to be natural. GLYCEROL OF MALT. (PRICK'S PATENT CANDLE COMPANY, LTD., BELMONT WORKS, The digestive action of this preparation upon starch paste was well marked and exceedingly rapid. The association of glycerine with the active diastase of malt would appear to increase its digestive properties very materially. The preparation is of uniform consistence, possessing an excellent malty flavour coupled with sweetness of taste due of course to the glycerine. We could find no objectionable preservatives which, indeed, would be quite superfluous since glycerine serves this purpose. We regard the combination as of some therapeutic value since in addition to the digestive properties of the malt it should afford a distinct aid also to the assimilation of fat. Glycerine plays an important rôle .in assisting the absorption of fat. Moreover, glycerine has a favourable influence on the digestive action which probably accounts for its beneficial effect in nutrition. preparation is made combined with cod-liver oil, hypophosphites, &c. SALINE SOLUTION. The same (WILLIAM MARTINDALE, 10, NEW CAVENDISH-STREET, Mr. Martindale has recently introduced a useful and ready means of preparing a normal saline solution for use in intravenous injection. He prepares a saturated saline solution duly sterilised in a glass tube, a definite volume of which when mixed with 2 pints of boiled distilled water yields a normal saline solution. The tube terminates at each end in a fine point which may easily be snapped off by scratching with a file and applying gentle force. CIBIL'S FLUID BEEF EXTRACT. (WHOLESALE DEPOT, 2, KENNINGTON-PARK-ROAD, S.E.) The proximate analysis of this preparation was as follows: water, 67.90 per cent.; organic matters 18.15 per cent.; mineral matter, 13.95 per cent. The organic matters insoluble in alcohol amounted to 6:16 per cent. According to the results yielded by precipitation with a saturated solution of zinc sulphate it contains albumoses to the extent of 2.5 per cent. After this treatment bromine produced no precipitate, which implies the absence of other proteids. The real nutrient value of this extract is therefore somewhat limited. The fluid remains clear on boiling and on acidification with acetic acid. The amount of water is, as will be seen from the analysis, excessive. CARGONA LOZENGES. (The Cargon▲ Co., Ltd., CROSS-STREKT, PETERBOROUGH.) The composition of these lozenges was soon made evident on analysis. They contain a well-known antiseptic agent associated with an aromatic body possessing similar antiseptic properties. When slowly sucked in the mouth they would tend, of course, to produce to some extent an aseptic condition in the mouth and in the respiratory passages, while in the stomach they would serve to check fermentative dyspepsia. The lozenges contain powerful substances and should not be used without medical advice. They are made in two strengths, medium and full. TUBORG LAGER BEER. (The Tuborg LAGER BEER AGENCY, NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE.) We have received samples of Pilsener and Munich beer which have been bottled and Pasteurised in Copenhagen. The analyses were as follows:-Munich beer: extractives, 4.97 per cent.; mineral matter, 0·17 per cent.; alcohol, by weight 4.62 per cent., by volume 5.78 per cent., equal to proof spirit 10:13 per cent. Pilsener beer: extractives, 3.89 per cent.; mineral matter, 0.24 per cent.; alcohol, by weight 4.62 per cent., by volume 5.78 per cent., equal to In neither class could any proof spirit 10:13 per cent. objectionable preservatives be traced. The beers possessed the well-known characters of the lager beer produced on the continent. As is well known the fermentation process is conducted at a comparatively low temperature, the yeast growing at the bottom of the liquor instead of at the top as in the English method. The beers are light, palatable, and The beers are light, palatable, and wholesome. Good evidence was obtained of the presence Good evidence was obtained of the presence only of the bitters of the hop. The flavour of each was satisfactory in spite of the Pasteurising process. Of several samples examined each and all proved to be sound. MALT EXTRACT WITH PETROLEUM. (BRADY AND MARTIN, NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE,) Malt extract appears to afford a peculiarly good vehicle for oils. The combination with cod-liver oil, as an example, is well known, but this is the first time we have examined an emulsion containing a hydrocarbon. There is no evidence under the microscope until water is added of the existence of an oily body. On adding water, however, tiny globules of oil separate and a milky fluid is the result. In spite of the presence of a very large proportion of petroleum there is very little indication of its presence judging from the taste. The hydrocarbon is evidently of a pure and refined devised methods of analysis this preparation possesses a comparatively small nutrient value. HIGHLAND WHISKY. (A. W. AND D. SKINNER, RAILWAY BUILDINGS, INVERNESS.) It has been pretty freely stated that in consequence of the enormous demand which has taken place in recent years there is very little whisky in the country which in reality is ten years old. On the face of it there must be some truth in this statement, although undoubtedly the skill of blending is so great that a spirit of mature character though not very old can now be produced. The whisky under analysis is stated to be ten years old. We could gain no evidence in controversion of this statement. On the contrary, it possessed a mild and smooth flavour characteristic of a kept spirit. There was no evidence of the presence of injurious and crude alcohols. The analysis was as follows: extractives, 0.40 per cent.; mineral matter, nil; acidity, nil; alcohol, by weight 41.30 per cent., by volume 48.75 per cent., equal to proof spirit 85 43 per cent. The spirit appeared to be of excellent quality. per cent. SPANISHI BURGUNDY AND CHABLIS. (JOHN WHITE, 30, LIME-STREET, E.C.) We have submitted these wines to analysis with the folBurgundy extractives, 2.51 per cent.; lowing results. mineral matter, 0·40 per cent.; tartaric acid, 0·43 per cent.; acetic acid, 0.36 per cent.; alcohol, by weight 10:46 per cent., by volume 12.96 per cent., equal to proof spirit 22 71 Chablis extractives, 2.19 per cent.; mineral matter, 0.29 per cent.; tartaric acid, 0.52 per cent.; acetic acid, 0.28 per cent.; alcohol, by weight 11 62 per cent., by volume 14.37 per cent., equal to proof spirit 25 18 per cent. and are the same in price-namely, 15s. 6d. per dozen quarts. Both the above wines are styled "La Vallesa de Mandor" We believe that they are good, honest wines. The Chablis is a light, delicately flavoured wine, while the Burgundy though containing less alcohol is more full-bodied. Spanish wines of this class, as a rule, though undoubtedly genuine are apt to be somewhat heavy in character. Those now under analysis appear to be an exception. We obtained no evidence other than that they are the genuine product of fermentation of pure grape juice. FROMM'S SOUP TABLETS. (FROMM'S EXTRACT Co., LTD., 5, WHITE-STREET, MOORFIELDS, W.C. We have received for examination four kinds of tablets for the preparation of soup. There is no evidence the preparation of soup. The ingredients are exclusively vegetable, yet amongst the number are two called "mockturtle" and "ox-tail." It is surprising how palatable the soups made in accordance with the direction from these tablets really are and there can be no doubt of their nourishing qualities. The pea-soup tablet and the green vegetable tablets also make a very palatable dish. kind. Without saying what the therapeutic worth of petroleum is we think that for medicinal purposes this method affords an excellent means of administering a neutral hydrocarbon. BIWIN MEAT EXTRACT. (F. L. BORTHWICK & Co., 381, KINGSLAND-ROAD, N.E.) The analysis of this preparation was as follows: moisture, 50.00 per cent.; organic matter, 35.75 per cent.; mineral matter, 14.25 per cent. The organic matters were thus classified: insoluble in alcohol, 16.33 per cent.; mcat fibre, &c., 4·25 per cent. ; meat bases, 15 17 per cent. The precipitate obtained by adding alcohol contained according to the zinc method 3.15 per cent. parts proteid. After the removal of the zinc precipitate bromine gave no result in the filtered solution, the inference being therefore that the preparation is practically free from peptones. We could trace no objectionable preservatives. In the light of recently MICROVOID TOILET SOAP. (THE SILARON CHEMICAL Co., LTD., LITTLE CHESTER, DERBY.) This soap has been tested bacteriologically with good results. We have submitted it to careful analysis which has brought to light the antiseptic and disinfectant agent present which, as in many other cases, is not rendered inert by the soap basis. The soap is pleasant to use, and lathers freely and economically. According to our test it is absolutely free from alkaline excess and is therefore well adapted for sensitive skins. Its value is further enhanced since it possesses distinct germicidal action. VIBRONA SHERRY. (FLETCHER, FLETCHER, AND Co., 469, HOLLOWAY-ROAD, N.) As is well known, sherry serves as an excellent vehicle for many drugs and none the less for hydrobromate of cinchona, ។ 1 THE LANCET RELIEF FUND. For Members of the Medical Profession and their Widows ·:0:· ALMONERS. THE PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS OF LONDON. THIS FUND will be provided year by year in the month of January to the amount of at least £300 solely by the Proprietors of THE LANCET, and administered free of cost, for the purpose of affording immediate pecuniary assistance to Medical Men, or their Widows and Orphans, in cases of Acute Distress and Emergency, by the grant of money by way of loans free of interest, or gifts, as the circumstances of the various cases may require. Applicants must satisfy the Almoners of the Fund that they are qualified under the following regulation : *"The recipients shall be such persons as satisfy the Almoners that they possess one or other of the following qualifications—that is to say: (a) That the applicant holds a registered medical qualification, and that he has fallen into pressing need of immediate pecuniary relief; or (b) That they are persons who have been, previously to the date of application, legitimately dependent upon some person holding a registered medical qualification, and that they have pressing need of immediate pecuniary relief.” (In the case of Widows and Orphans, in order to come within the scope of the Fund, the death of the Husband or Father must have been of recent occurrence.) To ensure the utmost despatch, the "Application Form" upon the other side should be filled up and forwarded (in an envelope superscribed "THE LANCET Relief Fund") to the Secretary, Mr. EDWARD DAVIES, THE LANCET Offices, Strand, London, W.C. The application should be accompanied by two separate testimonials, one from the Clergyman of the Parish or other resident Minister of religion, and one from a registered Medical Practitioner, stating-that the application addressed to the Almoners has been read, how long they have known the applicant, and that they believe the statement to be perfectly truthful, and such as may be acted upon without further inquiry. APPLICATION FORM. To the Almoners of the Lancet Relief Fund. The applicant should here state shortly 1. The nature of the emergency that has arisen. 2. The circumstances out of which it has arisen. 3. The amount of the grant desired, and whether by way of loan (free of interest) or of gift. 4. If by way of loan, state when the loan will be repaid; and from what source the funds to repay it are expected to be forthcoming. 5. Whether the applicant is entitled or able in the circumstances which have arisen to look to any other source of assistance; and if so, what is the expected nature and extent of such assistance. 6. Whether the applicant is receiving, or has received during the past six months, pecuniary aid from any Medical Charity. 7. State how the applicant is qualified to receive assistance; vide regulation* on first page. |