The author indicates the relationship which has always existed. between medicine, philosophy, natural science, theology, and even belles-lettres. Particularly he says is the history of medicine inseparable from a consideration of the notions and beliefs which at times have shaken the very foundation of Christendom and the Church, and for reasons which are made clear throughout the book. Special consideration has been given the causes which have conspired against the more rapid development of the art of medicine, amongst which, the forbidding attitude of the Church figures most prominently. Altogether it is a valuable contribution to medical literature.

REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION, for the year ending June 30, 1896. Vol. 1. 1,040 ages.

This volume is of inestimable value to superintendents of schools, boards of education, teachers, and all citizens who desire to be posted on the status of education in the United States and foreign countries. It contains reports and statements in detail in regard to enrollment in schools and colleges; common schools; average amount of schooling per inhabitant; city school systems and supervision; constitution and powers of school boards; secondary schools; normal schools; higher education; education of the colored race; public society and school libraries; school revenue; salaries; education in Great Britain, Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, Mexico and Central America; music in German. schools; the American common school in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania during the first half century of the Republic; the American common school in the Southern States during the first half century of the Republic; the Jewish primer as it was used in the public schools two thousand years ago, and other elaborate reports, charts and statistics.

ALCOHOLISM is the title of a brochure of about one hundred pages, comprehending a number of letters and prescriptions from high authorities, in evidence of the utility and excellence of "Fellows' Syrup of Hypophosphites," as a remedy of great value in the treatment of alcoholic breakdowns-the treatment of that phase of alcoholism that commonly follows the disuse of alcohol and requires an up-building, nutritive tonic that will fortify the tissues and strengthen the power of resistence against a return to the vice of intemperance. New York, 48 Vesey street; Paris, 5 Rue de le Paix; London, Jas. L. Fellows, 56 Holborn Viaduct, E. C.

CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE.

UNPAID SCAVENGERS.

The crustaceans are among the important scavengers of the sea and are also valuable as food for fishes. The collection of crabs, shrimps, and lobsters forms large industries all over the world, contributing directly to the support of man. In Delaware the horseshoe crab is used as guano, while the collection of fossil crabs, as trilobites, is a peculiar industry. The fresh-water cray-fish produces a concretion used as an antacid, well known to chemists. We owe many of the beauties of our summer fields to insects, all of which have their special functions and use. Even the persecuted flea may render man a service by keeping the drowsy watch dog awake, while the mosquito in tropical countries may aid in preventing the human inhabitants from living a continual siesta.

The flies are among the most valuable insect scavengers. The spiders prey upon flies, holding them in check. The silk of the spider is used as a cross line in astronomical instruments, and that of a Bermuda species as sewing silk. Bridge makers have obtained valuable suggestions from these silent workers, from whose web one of the kings of France is said to have made a coat. Grasshoppers and locusts are enemies of civilized man, but are eaten by the Indians, while in the Malay country the dragon fly is considered a delicacy.—From "The Economic Value of Animals," by C. F. Holder, in Appleton's Popular Science Monthly for October.

HOW ALUMINUM IS MADE.-The oxide, which is obtained from bauxite quarried by the company in Georgia, is fused with cryolite in pots of boiler-iron lined with carbon. An electric current is passed through these long series of pots, and the result is precisely similar to what it was when Hall first sent the seven-cell Grove battery current through his two-inch crucible in Oberlin-the melted aluminum collects on the carbon negative electrode, and, as already stated, the quantity thus collected daily is measured in tons. Continually, night and day, without cessation, this operation proceeds. The raw material is fed in as required; the product is removed and the carbon renewed. The waste of the process is said to be so slight as hardly to be an element of calculation. Then comes the casting into ingots and bars, the rolling into sheets, and the drawing into rods and wire.-From "Aluminum: A New

comer Among the Metals," in American Monthly Review of Reviews for October.

THE AMERICAN MONTHLY REVIEW OF REVIEWS for October has several articles of unusual interest to women readers. Miss Frances Willard tells the story of the World's W. C. T. U. movement; Mrs. Ellen M. Henrotin, President of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, outlines the benefits of those organizations; Mrs. Sheldon Amos, of England, writes of a London Women's Club, and Miss Mary Taylor Blauvelt contributes an enlightening article on the opoortunities for women at the English universities.

"MAN AND THE MACHINE" is the title of a striking article from the pen of the Right Rev. Henry C. Potter, D. D., Bishop of New York, in the "North American Review" for October, the Bishop discussing, apart from other things, the tendency of the increased employment of machinery to mechanicalize the workman. No one, he asserts, can fail to perceive the enormous gains in convenience, comfort and luxury from the application of machinery to the arts. But the great gain is not without cost in many ways and of many kinds, and to the individual who works at a handicraft it is real and serious.

MAKE A MAN OF HIM.-The best way to cure a student of petty vices and childish trickery is to make a man of him. Give him. something real to do and he will not fritter his nervous strength away in conviviality or in degrading associations. But to forbid excesses and abuses, putting nothing in their places, cannot be very effective. Not long ago I had occasion to say: "If your college assume to stand in loco parentis, with rod in hand and spy-glasses on its nose, it will not do much in the way of moral training. The fear of punishment will not make young men moral or religiousleast of all a punishment so easily evaded as the discipline of a college. If your college claims to be a reform school, your professors detective officers, and your president a chief of police, the student will give them plenty to do. A college cannot take the place of a parent. To claim that it does is mere pretense. You may win by inspiration, not by fear. 'Free should the scholar be; free and brave.' The petty restraints that may aid in the control of college sneaks and college snobs are an insult to college men and college women. It is for the training of men and women that colleges exist."-From "College Discipline," by David Starr Jordan, President of the Leland Stanford, Jr., University, in North American Review for October.

"THE LAW OF THE BEASTS."-That war is recourse to the law of the beasts is said to be wrong, but it is not, I think, a question that need be dwelt upon. The grateful truth, is, of course, as Mr. Morley says, that the usages of war are constantly undergoing mitigation. Every year we launch upon the sea some more appalling engine of destruction. Progress is ever engaged in searching the secrets of Nature for yet swifter, surer, and more horrible improvements on her 'tooth-and-claw' appliances. We are still looking for a means of maiming twenty men where now, with our best Maxim guns, we can only reckon upon destroying five; yet the very spirit of humanity is brought into the battlefield, not under the Red Cross only, but in many ways. Nevertheless, war is what it is here said to be. Certain agreements of restraint and (what are far more to the purpose) certain customs of restraint are imposed upon its practice; but they do not change its nature, which shows worse in some respects if better in others. The old savage rule of inter arma silent leges is quite obsolete.' So I read, but the assertion will not pass where the ethics of politics rise one degree above martial-law standard. And when it is said that if to safeguard the existence and freedom of their country 'Lord Wolseley or General Billot were to do whatever a wild animal will do for life and liberty the world would ring with execrations,' there must be some misunderstanding or mishandling of words. Exactly what a beast will do in such affairs a man cannot do; nor could any general possibly imitate the defensive action of wild animals.-From "The Law of the Beasts." By Frederick Greenwood, in The Nineteenth Century for October.

THE LIVING AGE has so long maintained a conspicuous position in the current literature of the day, that it requires only to be known to be valued. At this season, when the reading public are deciding. upon their subscriptions to periodical literature for the ensuing year, we feel it incumbent upon us to call especial attention to this weekly magazine. There is no single work published which is so calculated to inform and entertain readers with the spirit of the age -critical, political and literary.

In the issue of November 6 will be given the first instalment of a new serial story, "With All Her Heart," translated for "The Living Age" from the French of M. Rene Bazin. To all new subscribers for 1898, will be sent gratis the eight numbers of 1897, containing the first instalments of "With All Her Heart." $6.00 a year. "The Living Age" Co., Boston, Mass.

THE SANITARIAN.

DECEMBER, 1897.

NUMBER 337.

HOUSEHOLD ECONOMICS.

BY MRS. JOHN L. HOGAN (LOUISE HOGAN.)
Author of "How to Feed Children."

During a course of dietary studies carried on recently at the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station it was demonstrated very clearly that milk should not be regarded as a luxury, but as an economical article of diet, which families of moderate income may freely purchase as a probable means of improving the character of their dietaries and of cheapening the cost of their supply of animal foods. To do this successfully milk must be regarded by the general consumer as a proteid food that should be used in place of meat and vegetables or as a supplement to smaller supplies of the same than is usual when milk is not added to the dietary. Inasmuch as Americans as a rule consume an undue proportion of fats and carbohydrates the use of milk in increased quantities appears to be generally desirable, for it was shown in the studies and experiments alluded to that the increased consumption of milk had the effect of materially narrowing the nutritive ratio of the dietary and raising the proportion of protein, thereby making it more rational. The experimental dietaries which contained an abundant supply of milk were found to be somewhat less costly than the others, and they were at the same time fully as acceptable. They showed very clearly how, in one direction at least, economy may be effectively exercised without detriment to health when purchasing a food supply-a frequent result of many non-scientific attempts. at reaching economy in food from but one standpoint-viz., that of money outlay. It is quite true that appetizing means may be constructed that call for a small expenditure of money, but they must not be deficient in their proportions of the food constituents required for properly balanced rations. The results offered to the public by the combined theoretical work and practical experiments