233

diseases of the pulp and of the periodontal membrane.We still think that if the accounts of the various diseaseswere extended the value of the book would be considerablyenhanced.

Health, Work, and Recreation. By G. A. HAWKINS-

AMBLER, F.R.C.S. Edin. Liverpool: D. Marples and Co.1907. Pp. 64. Price 6d. net.-The author of this little

pamphlet has had previous experience in writing for a

non-medical circle of readers. He writes easily and

breezily, although some may think that his delightin a smart phrase occasionally leads him to trans-

gress the limits of good taste. Mr. Hawkins-Ambler

takes for his motto " In medio tutissimus," for he

vigorously denounces the cranks who are ranged on

both sides of the great hygiene controversies of the day.His most revolutionary doctrine is an attack on the fetichof the cold bath " for everyone in all seasons. We

agree with him that in winter all those who fail to

"react" thoroughly to this time-honoured method of

ablution are wise to replace it by a short stay in a

hot bath, which they may follow by a cold or tepid spongedown. Mr. Hawkins-Ambler advocates nine hours’ sleepfor the average busy brain-worker. Quite the best advice inhis book is contained in his last chapter on recreation,especially in that part which urges on the heads of familiestheir great responsibility in maintaining a cheerful comrade-ship in the home circle; it is a theme that might well beenlarged upon with great advantage to both fathers and sons.The book is unfortunately carelessly constructed ; thus weread in one chapter that the noise of the tramcars keeps thetown dweller wakeful and in the next that it hushes himto sleep. The author perhaps deserves sympathy in the

marring of a pretty peroration by the misprinting of ’’ Pro-sperino " for "Proserpina " and " moon " for "noon." On

page 61 he writes: " Times of fasting and seclusion wereaforetime prescribed by the Church." They are still so

prescribed.

JOURNALS AND MAGAZINES.The Dublin Journal of Medical Science.-The July number

of this journal contains an interesting communication fromDr. A. Francis Dixon, in which he offers an ingenious explana-tion of the necessity for the crossing of the great motortracts in the central nervous system ; he attributes the ideato a conversation once held with Professor G. D. Thane.The theory is founded on the fact that the right half of eachretina is connected with the right occipital lobe which isaccordingly concerned with the left half of the field of

vision ; it is reasonable that in animals with binocular visionthe side of the body in relationship with the left field-i.e.,the left arm and leg, and so on-should be connected withthe right cortex which also governs that field of vision. This

visual theory is supported by a few observations in compara-tive anatomy. It is illustrated by a useful plan. The samenumber contains a careful study of Splenic Enlargementand its Influence on the Blood, by Dr. T. Louis de Courcy,which formed the thesis for his doctorate at the Universityof Dublin.

The British Journal of Tuberculosis.-The third number ofthis journal is especially devoted to children and treats

largely of the sociological side of the great problem oftuberculosis. There are special articles on the Preservationof Children and Adults from Tuberculosis in America, byDr. S. A. Knopf of New York; Measures Employed inGermany for the Prevention and Treatment of Tuberculosisin Children, by Dr. Adolf Baginsky of Berlin; and on theProtection of Children from the Disease in Scotland and

Ireland, by Dr. H. Hyslop Thomson and Sir John Byersrespectively. A discussion by many authorities on Tuber-culosis and the Child brings forward some importantpoints and the number concludes by noticing severalinstitutions for the treatment of the disease.

Reports and Analytical RecordsFROM

THE LANCET LABORATORY.

TIODINE (COGNET).(ROBERTS AND Co., 76, NEW BOND-STREET, LONDON, W.)

TIODINE is being introduced as an organic iodine com-pound suitable for administering iodine by injection. Itcontains very nearly half its weight of iodine. Tiodine is acolourless liquid with a somewhat alliaceous odour. As

will be seen from its formula, which is CsSN2H13I, sulphur ispresent and its chemical name is thiosinaminethyliodide.Tiodine is soluble in water, is neutral in reaction, andyields abundance of iodine on adding to it an oxidisingsubstance, such as peroxide of hydrogen. It is supplied inpills or in glass bulbs. It is said to be administered

without the symptoms known as iodism appearing, evenwhen injected subcutaneously. It has been employed in thetreatment of rheumatism, scrofula, and diseases of the

respiratory organs.DIAMALT PREPARATIONS.

(THE BRITISH DIAMALT CO., 11-13, SOUTHWARK-STREET, LONDON, S.E.)Two preparations, the one in liquid and the other in dry

form, have been submitted to analysis with the followingresults :-DiaMalt liquid : moisture, 23’ 75 per cent.;mineral matter, 0’ 75 per cent.; malt sugar, 59’ 48 per cent. ;protein, 5’ 88 per cent. ; and dextrin, 10’ 14 per cent. In

regard to diastasic activity, this preparation was found todigest five times its weight of starch in half an hour, 20 timesits weight in one hour, and over 40 times its weight in threehours. The dry DiaMalt gave the following results:

moisture, 1.00 per cent. ; mineral matter, I - 90 per cent. ;malt sugar, 83’20 per cent. ; protein, 5 - 20 per cent. ;and dextrin, 8 70 per cent. This preparation also was foundto contain active diastase. In half an hour it digestedits own weight of starch, in one hour two and a

half times its weight of starch, and in three hours fivetimes its weight of starch. The dry preparation consists ofa crisp crystalline powder practically entirely soluble in

water. The taste is pleasantly malty. The nourish-

ing quality and digestibility of malt sugar are wellknown, and this carbohydrate is supplemented in these

preparations by proteins and dextrin. The mineral matterconsisted chiefly of soluble phosphate. The preparationsare evidently obtained with great care from superior malt-ings, as is evidenced by the excellent flavour of the prepara-tions and by the fact of their containing active diastase.

STERILISED MILK (DIAMOND REEF BRAND).(STONE AND SON, MONUMENT BUILDINGS, LONDON, E.C.)

The analysis of this milk showed it to be of the same richquality as that derived from the Guernsey cow. The results

were as follows : fat, 5’05 per cent. ; milk sugar, 4’80 percent. ; protein, 3’ 65 per cent. ; and mineral matter, 0 72 percent. The proportion of fat is very satisfactory, the solidmatters altogether amounting to 14’12 per cent., which is

quite 2 per cent. over the average. It is stated that themilk is sterilised by a special process. The process must be

good, since the flavour characteristic of raw milk has notbeen spoiled. The milk was perfectly fresh and sweet andfree from antiseptics.

EXTRA STOUT.

(WILLIAM DULLEY AND SONS, LTD., BREWERY, WELLINGBOROUGH.)

According to our analysis this stout represents a highlynourishing malt liquor. It contains no less than 9’ 67 percent. of extractives, 6’ 61 per cent. of which are due to

proteins. The alcoholic strength was 5’ 87 per cent. byweight, or 7’ 32 per cent. by volume. The mineral salts

amounted to 0 ’ 25 per cent. and consisted chiefly of phos-phates extracted from malt. The flavour was soft and