has abandoned the tomb to decay and denied to others the privilege of making suitable repairs. But it is, however, something of a reproach to the homoeopathic school that the grave of its great founder should have been so long forgotten and abandoned. Our French confreres will without doubt recognize that the rehabilitation of this tomb, now corroded by time and overgrown by weeds, devolves primarily upon them as an imperative duty. That they will be cordially supported by the profession throughout Europe cannot be doubted. The American portion of the homoeopathic school is engaged in erecting at Washington a Hahnemann monument that shall serve to perpetuate the memory of him now interred at Montmartre. Let Europe rescue that tomb from forgetfulness and erect a fitting memorial. NOTES AND COMMENTS. The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. While the report of the American Institute Committee on Life Insurance shows that year by year the various life insurance companies are more and more according to the homoeopathic profession the recognition that is its rightful due, yet there still remain companies that make invidious discrimination and view matters through the jaundiced eyes of an allopathic medical examiner. The subjoined letter from Dr. H. S. Keith, of Yonkers, N. Y., tells a story that while not new is happily becoming rare. But it not the less deserves attention. The New York State Society should have a special committee on Life Insurance to investigate matters of this sort and every refusal of a company to employ a physician as examiner simply because of a belief in the law of similars should be made public to the entire profession and to the laity. Dr. Keith writes: "As editor of THE NORTH AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY I wish to make you acquainted with a little experience I have just had with an agent of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., of New York. If I remember correctly some few months or perhaps a year ago I read in the NORTH AMERICAN a notice to the effect that if a physician was ever refused (as examiner) owing to his belief in the law of similars that you would like to know it, hence this letter. An allopathic physician about to leave this city, after making me acquainted with his intentions, said that I, no doubt, might get the position he now held as examiner by applying, I being the only one who knew anything about it. Acting upon his suggestion I called upon the agent who immediately asked: "Are you a regular?" I answered-"Yes in the true sense of the word." "But are you a member of the old school? "' "No!"" Then that settles the question. He then informed me that the company (with its headquarters in New York) had given their agents instructions to that effect, so there was nothing for me to do but to accept his decision with as good grace as possible under the circumstances. That is a plain statement of the affair, and it seems that while some companies have removed the barrier, others again still hold it up, and that their bigotry still holds sway. Do not know what purpose you have in wishing to know of these extremely unpleasant experiences, but you are at perfect liberty to use this letter as you choose. The Buffalo Committee. The homoeopathic physicians of Buffalo have already opened a vigorous campaign for the meeting of the American Institute in June, 1897 in that city. Numerous subcommittees have been appointed and it begins to look as if Buffalo would eclipse even Detroit. Among the committees appointed and already at work is one on "New Members" a very important part of the work to be done if the meeting is to be successful in every way. If State Societies and County Societies would appoint special committees on "New Members" for the Institute it would greatly aid the Home Committee at Buffalo. Very little work would produce large returns as there are many physicians who are ready to join the Institute if asked to do so and given an opportunity to fill an application blank on the spot; and local committees in the cities could do very much also. We must have five hundred new members at Buffalo and can have them if systematic work is done. The Pennsylvania State Society. The Thirty-second Annual Session of the Homoeopathic Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania was held at Philadelphia,Sept. 29th and 30th and Oct. 1st, 1896. The greatly increased attendance, the large number and high quality of scientific papers presented, the vigorous and able debates and sustained interest manifested, all marked the occasion as one of the most notable in the history of the organization. The centennial year of Homœopathy was not forgotten and one evening was given up to a series of fine addresses on topics intimately related to Hahnemann. The banquet at the Walton was thoroughly enjoyed by all who were fortunate enough to procure tickets, and added much to the pleasure of the meeting. We congratulate President Van Baun and his efficient helpers on the great success achieved. Banquets to Come.-The Hahnemann Association will hold its annual banquet at the Hotel Windsor on Thursday evening, December 3rd. 1896, at 7.30 o'clock. Full particulars will be sent later to all members. Dr. C. F. Adams is toast-master and a most enjoyable time is expected. The Alumni Association of the Wards Island Hospital will give the annual dinner at the Hotel Savoy, November 11th, 1896. From present indications a large number will be present. The St. Paul Hospital Staff now numbers among its members seven members of the new school. For over a year efforts have been quietly made to secure a just recognition of the homoeopathic profession in the city and the movement has finally been successful. The old school staff after receiving a letter from a prominent hom œopathic physician urging that representation be given the homoopathic school, appointed a committee to consider the matter. This committee reported finally, recommending the enlargement of the staff by the election of Drs. Henry Hutchinson, W. S. Briggs, B. N. Ogden, J.E. Saenger, E.L. Mann, N. M. Lufkin and O.H. Hall, all homœopaths. The Board of Control at once acted favorably on the recommendation and the persons named were all elected. This was certainly a bloodless victory and our St. Paul confreres are entitled to congratulations for the advance made. The New Medical Hospital.-An event of more than ordinary interest was the formal opening of the new Medical Hospital of the New York Homœopathic Medical College, an account of which together with the Dean's address may be found in another column. The college and the hospital naturally belong together. In the older English medical schools, the hospital was established first and the teaching part-the college-was added afterwards. Many medical colleges, however, have built hospitals to maintain themselves in a high state of efficacy. By such a union the college increases its teaching power, widens its field of usefulness and appeals more strongly for public confidence and support. As the college is strengthened the hospital in turn is benefited. The advantage is mutual. Modern medical education demands that medical colleges worthy of the name shall provide for their students ample clinical facilities. Colleges that cannot or will not do this must prepare for final disappearance. The New York College with its two fine hospitals, one surgical, the other medical, directly under its control and with the other noted hospitals in close alliance with it is fully abreast of the times. BOOK REVIEWS. TWENTIETH CENTURY PRACTICE. An International Encyclopedia of Modern Medical Science. By Leading Authorities of Europe and America. Edited by Thomas L. Stedman, M.D. In Twenty Volumes. Vol. VIII. “Diseases of the Digestive Organs." William Wood & Company, New York. 1896. Pp. 667. As was the case with Vol. VI., it has again been found necessary to issue the eighth volume out of the regular order. Volume VII. will be the next volume to appear and the series will then be consecutive as far as volume VIII. This volume on "Diseases of the Digestive Organs'' is a very important one in the series as it deals with a class of troubles that are very frequently met with in practice. Eight different authors have taken part in the preparation of the work, four of whom are Germans and four Americans. The first section, on "Diseases of the Mouth," is by Johann Mikulicz and Werner Kümmel, of Breslau. It is well written, is lacking in verbiage, and is clear and definite in the description of the various affections. "Diseases of the Stomach," by Max Einhorn, of New York, is alone worth the price of the book. The anatomy and physiology of the stomach are very briefly, but sufficiently, discussed, the methods of examination are described, the general principles pertaining to diet and the chief means of local treatment are considered, and finally the diseases of the stomach are detailed. All this is done with a directness and conciseness that is noteworthy. Long discussion is averted, disputed points omitted, and a plain, practical treatise is the result. It is one of the best discussions of the subject extant. "Diseases of the Pancreas" are treated by H. Leo, of Bonn; "Diseases of the Peritoneum," by B. Farquhar Curtis, of New York, and "Animal Parasites and Diseases," by J. Ch. Huber, of Memmingen, Bavaria. The work is illustrated by over one hundred original engravings and is finely printed and bound. THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE. A Condensed Manual for the Practitioner. By Marvin A. Custis, M.D. Philadelphia, Boericke & Tafel. 1896. Pp. 367. This very excellent and handy little volume will be consulted very often by the physician who has it upon his desk. It gives a short but clear description of the various diseases, including the latest definite views of etiology and pathology. In the treatment, which is homœopathic, a generally judicious selection of remedies is made, and the indications for the remedies, as the author states, are those accepted by the homoeopathic profession as trustworthy and accurate. It is a volume for the pocket, if desired and is handsomely bound. Dr. Custis has put forth a very creditable work and one that will be popular. DIETS FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN IN HEALTH AND DISEASE. By Louis Starr, M. D., Philadelphia W. B. Saunders, 925 Walnut St. 1896. This is one of those practical aids to the practice of medicine so often longed for and so rarely found. Dr. Starr gives more solid information about the diet of children in health and disease than can be found if we are not mistaken in any other work. The first part of the volume deals with the diet of infants and children in health. There are seven periods and for each period a diet list is prepared. The second part considers Diet in Disease" in an equally able and practical manner. The leaves of the volume are made to easily separate from the book and are intended to be given to the parents or nurse with such modifications as experience may direct. An appendix describes the preparation of diluents and foods. 66 THE PRESENT STATUS OF PEDIATRICS. Edited by Benjamin F. Bailey, M. D., and Allison Clokey, M. D., 1896, Pp. 304. The Section in Pædology of the American Institute of Homœopathy for 1896 not content with preparing for a successful season at Detroit, issued shortly before the Institute meeting a valuable little work for the stimulation of fresh interest in the subject of Pediatrics and also to demonstrate just what a real live section in the Institute could do when thoroughly aroused. Drs. Bailey and Clokey are to be congratulated on the result of their editorship. The volume will be much appreciated by those who received it and will arouse an interest in a sometimes neglected subject. MEMORY. A Scientific Practical Method of Cultivating the Faculties of Attention, Recol. lection and Retention. By A. Loisette, New York, J. Fitzgerald & Company, 28 Lafay ette Place, 1896. Pp. 157 The purpose and the method of this System of Memory are explained in a general way in the Introduction to the work: "There are in Memory two stages-viz.: 1. The stage of the First Impression through the scenes of sight, hearing, etc., or by whatever agency an idea is presented to the mind. 2. The revival of that impression afterward. Both stages are equally essential to a good Memory, but in the present work we shall have to do chiefly with the second, the purpose of this system being to show how (due vividness of impression being assumed) the process of Revival (recalling, recollection) may be facilitated, and made as 66 it were automatic." Then follow practical observations on inattention, or mind-wandering," and suggestions for overcoming the habit. The foundation for the author's method for improving the powers of Retention and Recollection is laid on the "Three Laws of Recollective Analysis "-viz.: the law of Inclusion, where ideas or words in one way or another involve or include one another; the law of Exclusion or of Antithesis, where they mutually exclude; and the law of Concurrence, where a relation exists between two ideas or impressions from our having habitually thought of them together, though in themselves they are not related-for example, between Socrates and hemlock. By associating words or ideas according to these three laws of the human mind the most incongruous ideas may be connected in a chain of indefinite length, and the series permanently fixed in the memory. HAHNEMANN'S DEFENCE OF THE ORGANON OF RATIONAL MEDICINE AND OF HIS PREVIOUS HOMOEOPATHIC WORKS. Translated by R. E Dudgeon, M. D., Philadelphia, Boericke and Tafel, 1896. Pp. 130. The attacks of Professor Hecker, of Dresden, one of the most influential medical authorities of the time, caused Hahnemann to make the only defence he ever offered of the Organon and indeed all his Homoopathic works. Dr. Dudgeon in his introduction remarks that the language is in some cases rather more forcible than we are now accustomed to in controversial writing, but this seems to have been a characteristic of the times and that of Hahnemann's chief opponent is more distinguished for its fortiter in re than for its suaviter in modo. The defence is elaborate and masterly and as it has never before been translated it will be fresh to the greater number of homoeopathic physicians. It is well translated and will be read with great interest. A MANUAL OF NERVOUS DISEASES AND THEIR HOMOEOPATHIC TREAT- is too limited and the information given necessarily incomplete. But Dr. Martin has done the best that could be done and has made a manual that is as explicit as possible. It is arranged as a quiz compend and will probably be used as such. SYPHILIS IN THE MIDDLE AGES AND MODERN TIMES. By Dr. F. Buret, Paris, France. Translated, with notes by A. H. Ohmann-Dumesnil, M.D. The F. A. Davis Company, Philadelphia. 1896. Pp. 300 This volume contains parts two and three of Buret's great work on "Syphilis To-Day and Among the Ancients." The study which he makes of the numerous opinions which were current concerning the nature of syphilis and its treatment is as interesting for the clinician as for the historian; it shows how difficult are scientific discoveries and how slow is the progress of disease. FOOD AND FEEDING. By Sir Henry Thompson, F. R. C. S., M. B. Lond., with an Ap pendix. Sixth Edition. London and New York Frederick Warne & Co., 1896. Pp. 222. This is the sixth edition, has been partially re-written and considerably enlarged. A new chapter on "Fish" has been introduced and additions have been made in describing the methods of practical cookery and in explaining the principles which determine them. Sir Henry shows no mercy to the old-fashioned public dinner. Besides considering the question of foods and their preparation he discusses the combination of dishes to form a meal the priority in the service of various |