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some considerations on the principles of medicinal com-bination, on incompatibility, posology, varieties of magistralformulae, concluding with a lengthy series of examples andexercises. It will be seen that the book travels along well-beaten tracks, affording few opportunities for originality oftreatment. With regard to abbreviations, it may be pointedout that the plan adopted might occasionally lead to someconfusion if the student follows the example given him onpp. 46 and 47, where P. Scammonii Composita and P. Scam-monii Compositus respectively indicate pill and powder.In the examples and exercises, which occupy nearly two-thirds of the book, an attempt has been made to classifythem according to their intended action. This portionappears to be specially valuable, the prescriptions beinggiven at full length, with the directions in Latin. It maybe questioned whether the two " cogent reasons " given bythe author for the employment of Latin still hold good:" A prescription in Latin can be deciphered in almost everyquarter of the globe; and, secondly, it is often necessary toconceal from our patient that he is taking a certain drug."Still, as a guide to the art of prescription writing whichmay prevent the " unfriendly criticism of an apothecary’sapprentice," and as a useful handbook for examinationsrequiring prescriptions in Latin, this little work wouldappear to fulfil the objects of its publication.

The Forms of Nasal Obstruction in relation to Throat andEar Disease. By GREVILLE MACDONALD, M.D. London :Alexander P. Watt.

THESE lectures exhibit a considerable command of a

complex subject. Where many specialists have in their

writings made confusion worse confounded, Dr. MacDonaldhas attempted, and we think with success, to make mattersplain. His classifications are good and his explanationslucid, while his deductions from clinical observations are inmost cases underlaid by an accurate substratum of patho-logical reasoning. The literary style of his lectures suffersfrom his failing to readjust constructions applicable to thelecture theatre, but unsuitable for the pages of a manual.The formulae at the end of the book are too scanty to be ofreal use, and the frequent references to the Throat HospitalPharmacopoeia are tantalising, since that valuable manualis not always at one’s elbow. An appendix of the prepara-tions referred to would be a boon to the general practitioner,and would enhance the value of the book. Dr. MacDonald

appears to belong to the many who regard the evidence asunsatisfactory for believing in necrosing ethmoiditis. Theanatomical explanations of the nose and the post-nasalregion are remarkably good, and the same may be said ofthe therapeutic portions of the book. Dealing with amatter with which the general practitioner is but little

acquainted, Dr. MacDonald has supplied materials foraccurate diagnosis and prompt and effectual treatment, andin such a way as to be within the grasp of those who haveno special training in the kind of work treated of in the book.

ROYAL MEDICAL BENEVOLENT COLLEGE.

THE twenty-fourth biennial festival of this institutionwas held on Tuesday at the Hotel Métropole, the Lord Mayorpresiding. Among the guests were his Royal Highness theDuke of Cambridge, the Earl of Dartmouth, Sir Trevor

Lawrence, M.P., Sir A. Clark, Sir T. Crawford, Sir E.

Saunders, Sir E. Sieveking, Sir A. Watson, Dr. Holman, andother prominent members of the profession, as well as theSheriffs of London and Middlesex.The Duke of Cambridge, in responding for "The Army,

Navy, and Reserves," remarked that he was glad to be ableto say that the services were as efficient as they could be,but that was not intended to imply that they were asefficient as they ought to be. For a powerful and influen-

tial nation lilre ours the services ought to have the means tosecure still greater efficiency. The present times were

marked by difficulties and anxieties, and it was impossibleto forsee from day to day-he might almost say fromhour to hour-what might happen. It was not a time toshut our eyes to our own shortcomings, but rather to keepabreast with progress and to advance with the times.Neither the military nor the medical professions shouldallow their interests to be dealt with on the basis ofparty spirit. They were the common interest of all, andhe was very glad to be present on that occasion to supportso useful an institution as the Royal Medical BenevolentCollege. Without the aid of the medical profession thearmy could not exist, not only in times of war but also intimes of peace, because they looked to the medical staff tokeep the men in fighting condition. It was his most earnestendeavour, as it was his bounden duty, to secure cordialrelations between the various branches of the service, becauseit was only in that way that the general efficiency of thearmy was promoted and the safety of the country secured.The Earl of Dartmouth responded for the House of Lords,

and Sir Trevor Lawrence, M.P., for the House of Commons.The Lord Mayor, in proposing the toast of the evening,

said he feared the laity in general knew too little of thestruggles and difficulties of medical practitioners, but hecould assure them that the work of the Medica1 BenevolentCollege was most urgently needed, and most efficientlyconducted. In behalf of the widows and orphans of themedical profession, he earnestly asked for liberal support.

Dr. Holman having responded to the toast, a list of sub-scriptions and donations, amounting to £2570, was announcedby the secretary, and the proceedings shortly after terminated.

New Inventions.ALLEN’S PATENT HOT-WATER AND ICE BOTTLES,THESE bottles are of various shapes, to allow of con.

venient application to chest, abdomen, head, or knee.

They are certainly very superior specimens of tin ware,and are made in two pieces instead of the usual four, thus

minimising the danger of leakage, whilst the seams ar6-well rounded and finished. The vessels are all supplied withloops, so that they may be suspended by tapes from the bedcradle, These bottles must prove of value in the sick room.