this case, supervening upon obstruction of the ducts, was far advanced and the Islands of Langerhans were also involved.

These studies of Opie demonstrate, perhaps, more clearly than any other the double secretion of the pancreas, one of which is poured into the intestinal canal, and the other liberated into the circulation.

The function of the Islands of Langerhans has offered much for speculation to investigators, and until lately very little has been known of their nature. Laguesse, Schäfer and Diamare suggested that they elaborated a secretion which influenced carbohydrate metabolism. *Ssobolen, in recently conducted experiments, found that after feeding animals on carbohydrates the cells of the islands became more granular, and that after ligation of the duct of Wirsung in dogs the islands were not implicated in the sclerotic process.

The Bacteriology of Cystitis, Pyelitis and Pyelonephritis in Women.

Brown (Johns Hopkins Hospital Bulletin No. 118) reports the bacteriological examinations made on women with cysti tis and pyelonephritis. One hundred cases were studied: acute cystitis 26, chronic cystitis 31, seven of which were associated with pyelitis; tuberculous cystitis 6, two of which were associated with renal tuberculosis; 17 cases with no infection, nine of which were due to urinary hyperacidity, and eight to other causes; 2 cases of acute pyelitis and pyelo-nephritis; 12 cases of chronic pyelitis and pyelonephritis, eight of which were associated with cystitis; 6 cases of tuberculous pyelitis and pyelo-nephritis, four of which were associated with cystitis.

He calls attention to the low sp. gr. usually found in pyelonephritis, and of the importance of determining the amount of albumen; for if the grade of pyemia is more marked than the grade of albuminuria, cystitis is probably present alone;

*Cited by Opie.

while, if the reverse is true, it indicates renal infection, alone or complicated with cystitis.

The mode of infection of the bladder was in most cases through catheterization. Still there were instances of infection from the rectum, kidney, or some other focus of infection either by means of the blood or lymph.

The bacteria most frequently found were B. coli comunis, B. proteus vulgaris, St. pyogenes aureus and the albus, and a stapholococcus which slowly, or not all, liquefied gelatin. In the tuberculous forms the tubercle bacillus was also found.

A New Blood Stain for the Plasmodium Malariæ. Goldhorn (of the Carnegie Laboratory) has recently devised a polychrome methylene blue solution for rapidly dem onstrating the plasmodium of malaria. The smear which must be fresh is immersed in pure methyl alcohol for 15 seconds, then washed in running water and stained from 7 to 30 seconds in 0.1 per cent. aqueous solution of eosin. It is then washed as before and stained in the polychrome solution for 30 to 60 seconds; washed again and dried by agitation in the air; no filter paper or heat should be used.

If the dye should become too alkaline add a few drops of 4 or 5 per cent. acetic acid. If too acid add a few drops of a saturated aqueous sol. lith. carb.

The stain improves on keeping.

By this method the chromatin body is stained red, the body of the parasite blue and achromatin zone remains. unstained.

The red corpuscles containing parasites may sometimes be seen containing blue granules. These granules are also demonstrated in macrocytes and negaloblasts in cases of pernicious anæmia. Blood platelets and the various leukocytes are also stained.

The method is rapid and reliable.

SOCIETY REPORTS.

BOSTON HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY.

BUSINESS MEETING.

The regular meeting of the Society was held at the Boston University School of Medicine, Thursday evening, March 7, 1901, at eight o'clock, the President, T. Morris Strong, M.D., in the chair.

The records of the last meeting were read and approved.

I.

PROGRAMME.

"The Maternity Department of the Massachusetts Homœopathic Hospital," with report of the service of Walter Wesselhoeft, M. D., obstetrician.

2. "Fibroids."

(a.) "Clinical Notes."

Alonzo Boothby, M. D.

(b.) "Recent Literature." Harry O. Spalding, M. D. Discussion opened by N. W. Emerson, M. D.

3. Protargol in the Treatment of Gonorrhoea in Women. Carl Crisand, M. D.

Discussion opened by Geo. R. Southwick, M. D.

Dr. J. Emmons Briggs read an account of the Maternity Department of the Massachusetts Homœopathic Hospital on West Newton Street, describing the accommodations for patients, and stating that only three deaths had occurred out. of 161 cases treated from date of opening to Jan. 1, 1901. Dr. Walter Wesselhoeft was not present to discuss the paper.

Dr. Spalding stated that he did not claim originality for his paper, it being made up of extracts from "Recent Literature," and were given simply to furnish a starting point for discussion.

Dr. Crisand's paper on "Partargol in the Treatment of Gonorrhoea in Women" was not read.

Dr. George R. Southwick, in opening the discussion, stated that unfortunately he had not seen the paper, but that it dealt with a drug familiar to all. There is, perhaps, very little to say of the method of application. It is not so painful as many seem to think, and is more effective than nitrate of silver; can be used in varying strength, as nitrate of silver, and about the same result; acts promptly and less pain following application. One point in connection with protargol is the fact that these germs get into the crevices, or sulci, and there seem to acquire a habitat, and after a patient seems to be cured, an attack occurs for which there seems to be no reason. I would emphasize the great importance of local treatment in cases of gonorrhoea. I think it cannot be commenced too soon when the disease is discovered, the effects of which are familiar to all. I think it is a practical point, when we seen inflammation, make examination and find a bit of pus which contains gonorrhoea, whether there is a method of treatment to prevent salpingitis, and how far it would be practical. If we find the germs present under these circumstances, how far shall we carry the treatment? I have seen a case where a small amount of pus was present in the external os, which twentyfour hours before was free from infection. Is there anything we can do to prevent the extension of the disease? I think it means the thorough cleaning out of the urethra, vulva and vagina, the cervix and cervical canal. A patient was sent to me about two weeks ago with a history of gonorrhoeal infection some three or four years before, there was also frequent micturition, and every symptom of cystitis. Cystoscopy was used. The patient had had doses of urotropin, and as good allopathic treatment as a misled physician could give. On carefully looking over the case I doubted the diagnosis. The patient was subject to recurrent sharp attacks of gonorrhoea, and I was satisfied that cystitis was not present. I speak of it, because gonorrhoea may resemble cystitis. I think it was

wholly due to the condition of the vagina and recurrent

attacks of gonorrhoea.

Adjourned at 10.10.

E. E. ALLEN,,

Secretary.

REVIEWS AND NOTICES OF BOOKS.

A TEXT-BOOK OF HISTOLOGY, INCLUDING MICROSCOPIC TECHNIC. By A. A. Böhn, M. D., and M. von Davidoff, M. D. Edited by G. Carl Huber, M. D. Authorized translation from the Second Revised German Edition. By Herbert Cushing, M. D. W. B. Saunders & Co., Philadelphia and London. 1900.

Of the many recent works published on histology this book may be easily classed among the best. The arrangement of the technic best adapted for the study of a tissue at the end of the histologic description of each subject, is a most convenient feature of the text. The subject matter is clear and concise, and, for the most part, free from discussion of matters still unsettled. The book is well illustrated with drawings accurately made, and instructive diagrams.

The work is divided into three parts: I. Introduction to Microscopic Technic. II. General Histology, and III. Special Histology, all of which, as intimated above, are very well treated.

The book may well be recommended as a manual for students. The typograpical work is good.

A TEXT-BOOK OF THE DISEASES OF WOMEN.

By Henry J. Garrigues, A. M., M. D., Gynecologist to St. Mark's Hospital in New York City. Illus. Third edition. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders & Co. 1900. pp. 756. Price, cloth, $4 net. Sheep, or halfmorocco, $5 net.

The author states that the above is a text-book for beginners, and a manual for general practitioners, but we think that even specialists may glean some very good points and helpful information, especially along the line of treatment.

As the whole range of gynecological work has been covered, or at least touched upon by Dr. Garrigues, it is unnecessary to reproduce