30

diseases of the nervous system, but it appears that muchremains to be done before his ideas can be realised.The latter part of the work is devoted to the use of the

X ray in diagnosis, and is illustrated with many skiagrams,which are good in spite of the fact that they have

suffered in clearness through reproduction. A very goodone, on p. 360, shows a tubercular hip injected with

bismuth emulsion ; the sinuses appear very clearly. On

the opposite page is a lateral view of the spine, withcaries of the lower dorsal vertebras—technically a verydifficult skiagram to make so clearly as the example given.The last two chapters, on ophthalmology and dentistry inrelation to X ray therapy respectively, are extremely good.

LIBRARY TABLE.

A 1’lTmarcccl of Practical B io- Chemistry for the Use ofstudents during Entrodllatury Courses. By H. LEIGHTONKESTEVEN, D.Sc., Lecturer in Physiology and Bio-Chemistryin the Technical College, Sydney. Sydney: Angus andRobertson, Limited. London: Australian Book Company.1912. Pp. 64. Price 2s. 6d. net.-This little book is intendedfor two classes of students-viz., for school teachers within

and without the Department of Public Instruction and forstudents who, wishing to enter the science or medical

schools of the University, have elected to take physiologyas their single science subject in the matriculation. It

comprises concise descriptions of 101 "experiments," someof which are preceded by brief explanatory remarks, butthere is no attempt to discuss the chemical constitution ofthe organic substance dealt with. It represents expandednotes that were prepared as a guide to the laboratoryassistants. The directions are explicit, terse, and practical.Health to Date. The Modern Doctor mith Nemer Iet3ods rif

6’K. As explained byW. T. FERNIE, M.D. Durh. Bristol:

John Wright and Sons, Limited. London: Simpkin,Marshall, Hamilton, Kent, and Co., Limited. 1911. Pp. 477.Price 4s. 6d.-Dr. Fernie discusses with much observation,common sense, and originality all sorts of subjects bearingon health in its relation to everyday life. His book

betokens wide reading, which indeed is obvious in the

frequency with which quotation is brought into play-notto make a parade of learning, but to elucidate the subject.In his preface the author states that his subject is the

welfare of the body, according to the most enlightenedmedical knowledge of the times, and he wishes to put intoplain terms the rationale and details of new methods whichhave come into vogue during the last century. He discourses

genially and quaintly, and for the most part sensibly, of

various kinds of foods, vegetarianism and other hygienic" isms," of the use of alcoholic beverages and other stimu-lants, the water cure, cancer, the use of drugs and drughabits, radium and the X rays, phototherapy, organotherapy,homoeopathy, massage, " bone-setting," the Weir-Mitchelltreatment, open-air treatment, hygienic clothing, palmistry(which he considers in the light of the finger-print study),sleep, hypnotism and suggestion (not forgetting ChristianScience " and the other forms of faith cure), and psychicalphenomena. Says the author’s "swan song" :-" thepresent writer, in his advanced years, lays the flatteringunction to his soul that the following simple little volume,as his last venture in print, may fortunately find favour withthe health-seeking public."

" We hope that his wish will berealised, for whoever reads this book will find himself carriedentertainingly along on a wave of profitable reflection.

Alone in TVest Africa. By 14IRY GAUT. Illustrated.London: T. Werner Laurie. Pp. 404. Price 15s.--Theauthoress went to West Africa in order to become acquaintedwith a savage land; she found a savage land, but also one

with immense possibilities, a land overflowing with wealth,a land of corn and wine and oil," also of rubber. On the-

whole Mrs. Gaunt was more than pleased with a part of the--world that has generally met with little commendation ; she-even speaks of the "fascination of Africa " as applicableto the settlements on the West Coast. There are two-

matters on which she speaks, and evidently feels, strongly.One is the supposed inability of Englishwomen to liv

ordinary lives on the Coast. With the exception of’

the nursing sisters at Sekondi (Gold Coast) all the

Englishwomen appear to pay short visits ; they have not

interests in the country, they are much afraid of "chill,’"they shut themselves up in the house, and go home after a.few months’ sojourn very often describing themselves or being-described as wrecks. The Germans, on the other hand, make-their homes there ; and so do the French. Mrs. Gauntascribes this to the greater interest taken in domestic matters:by them than by our own countrywomen, their greater-tendency to stick to their husbands, and their less.

luxurious ideas. "They make a home wherever you findthem, and it is this lialls-fran element in them that savesthem." Our own people have too much of the feeling of’exile. The authoress became convinced that if England is to’retain her pride of place as a colonising nation with theFrench and German " she must make less of this exile

theory and more of a home in these outlands." The other

point on which Mrs. Gaunt speaks strongly is her love c f.

fresh air, which is laudable enough per se, but which le..dsher to pour contempt on anti-mosquito protective measures.She records (p. 18) her "firm belief that no inconsiderablenumber of lives in Africa must be lost owing to somedoctor’s prejudice in favour of mosquito-proof netting."’Again, at Accra she ascribes ill-health to people spending’’ their sleeping hours in the vitiated air of a mosquito-proof room." The account of Liberia and its capitalMonrovia, where the children are taught algebra and

Euclid, but the streets are impassable owing to neglect,and the people exist waiting for their houses to

tumble about their ears," is melancholy reading; "it marksthe failure of a race, it almost justifies the infamous trafficof our forefathers." Apparently nobody works; "no-

Liberian is a craftsman even of the humblest sort thecountry lives on the Customs dues ; it is a rich country, but.owing to ignorance and idleness produces nothing. The-

writer has strong objections to mosquito nets, and, to some-extent, to missionaries ; perhaps a larger experience-of tropical climates would lessen the first ; as to the

second, her point of view is, why worry ? The book is well’

illustrated with numerous excellent photographs taken bythe authoress, and is bright and interesting throughout-The name of the once popular poetess, L. E. L., who died so>

tragically at Cape Coast Castle, was Landon, not Landor.It is a pity that there is no indication of date either-of the journey chronicled or of the publication of the-

book.

THE FACTORY GIRLS’ COUNTRY HOLIDAY FUND..- Under the auspices of this fund 6000 of the poorest workers-were last year sent away from the crowded neighbourhoods:of London for a much-needed holiday. We have received anappeal for financial help signed on behalf of the fund by,.amongst others, the Duke of Norfolk and several bishops,.pointing out that last year the girls’ payments amounted to"1665. This sum exceeded the donations. The proportionmust this year be reversed if the committee are to help andrefresh those most sorely in need. Subscriptions and dona-tions may be sent to the chairman, the Rev. E. Canney,.St. Peter’s Rectory, Saffron-hill, London, E.C. ; to the--

honorary secretary, Miss Paget, 28, Campden Hill-square,W. ; or direct to the London County and Westminster Bank,Holborn-circus Branch, E. C. ;