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fort and the least possible annoyance, with the most bene-ficial results as to the abnormal condition for which it is

employed. These supports are made of various materials,as jean, white horsehair, satin, pure wool or cotton. Bythe addition of a specially constructed steel spring and apad constant pressure may be made on the hypogastrium incertain uterine conditions, and a similar spring and pad areadded in cases of umbilical hernia.

The stoop-cure" is an appliance to counteract the

habit of stooping in those who have weakness of the

muscles of the back. It is worn under the dress without beingobserved, and consists of a flat backpiece containing springslying parallel with the spine, and two moderately strongsprings extending from the centre outwards to the shoulders,attached to the ends of which are two straps encircling theshoulders, so that the continuous action of the springs tendsto draw backwards the shoulders. Such an appliance mustbe of considerable service when used in combination withexercises for improving the tone of the dorsal muscles.The "menstrual safe-guard" is a neatly constructed

arrangement for minimising the discomfort attending uponthe monthly period.

These are supplied by the Teufel Remedial AppliancesCompany, 61, Moor-lane, London, E. C.

THE cylindrical form of vaginal speculum is the one mostuniversally used, and Ferguson’s, with mirrored surface, beingcleanly, moderate in price, and affording a good view of the

os and cervix, seems to be thefavourite (at least with the

general practitioner). The main

objection to this valuable specu-lum is its extreme fragility,and that if left unheld after intro-duction it is very liable to be ex-truded by contraction of the vaginalwalls and, if falling from the bedor couch, to be broken. The illus-tration represents a modificationwhich, if the proper sized speculumbe chosen, renders it self-retaining.It consists of a bulbous expansionat the outer end, which is to beintroduced within the vagina;owing to its increased calibre andthe sulcus around it the sphinctervaginæ muscle is enabled to holdthe instrument, thus setting freeboth hands of the practitioner.The bulbous expansion has alsoanother advantage-that is, theconcave surface forms a troughwhich will catch any small

quantity of caustic fluids (carbolicacid, for instance) which mightotherwise find its way downwardsand burn or stain the external

parts or the patient’s clothing. Thisform of speculum will be found inpractice a great improvement onthe older form if only for the

reasons given. The makers are Messrs. Arnold and Sons,who have carried out the idea to my complete satisfaction.

ALEXANDER DUKE.

THE INVIGORATOR CORSET.

WE have had submitted to us a specimen of "Rest’s

Patent Invigorator Corset." It claims to possess two im-

portant qualifications. First, that it tends to prevent tight-lacing, so common and so injurious ; and, secondly, that itlends support to the shoulders by means of straps which crossover the shoulders and thus afford valuable assistance to

persons who are weak in the chest, or who have a tendencyto stoop. Tight-lacing and stooping generally go together-

what prevents the one will tend to remedy the other. Wehave submitted the truth of these statements to practicaltest and the corsets have been found to be a greatcomfort. They might, however, be rendered a little softerunder the arms. While affording a necessary support thesecorsets are made of a material so pliant that they readilyadapt themselves to all the movements of the body.

HARTMANN’S ACCOUCHEMENT OUTFIT.

EVEN in these days of aseptic midwifery it is not alwayseasy to ensure that all the necessary articles will be

ready at the time of confinement, especially in the homesof young married women, who are usually ignorant of whatis needed for accouchement. The Sanitary Wood WoolCompany have prepared a guinea outfit to remedy this want.It consists of a box containing various requisites, especiallysheets and towelettes of various sizes made of Hartmann’s

antiseptic absorbent wood wool and other articles neces-

sary for the health and comfort of the lying-in woman.

We have little doubt that this supplies a want often feltequally by medical attendants, nurses and patients, and fromthe results of our experience of the various appliancessupplied by this company we can recommend this box toall intending mothers. The I I outfit" can be obtained it

26, Thavies-inn, Holborn, London.

A BABY-CARRIER.

SURGEONS are but too familiar with the often life-long’injuries and deformities experienced by sufferers as the resultof falls during infancy from the arms of nurses. The accom-

panying illustration depicts a simple device intended to pre.

vent such accidents ; whilst it may be useful in lessening thefatigue of carrying infants and freeing the arms of the nurse-for other incidental duties. As will be seen by the figure, theappliance consists of strong network attached to an eyelettedstrap. This is thrown over the left shoulder and affixed to the-end of the net, which is brought under the right arm bymeans of a hook. We draw attention to this invention, whichis patented by Messrs. S. T. Matthews and Co., John Bright-street, Birmingham, as we believe it to be calculated to be ofservice to such as have the personal charge of infants anduseful as a preventive of a class of calamities to which veryyoung children are liable.

NEW HOSPITAL ON BEDMINSTER DOWNS—TheBristol Sanitary Committee have approved of plans for a newlarge sanitary hospital at the Nouvers on Bedminster Downs.It will be a commodious building and provide accommodationfor 100 patients and enable the medical officer of health to,deal more satisfactorily with the isolation of infectiousdiseases. The estimated total cost of the site, buildings anddrainage works will be about 30 000.