The drool commonly found in the slushy, pseudo-popular medical journals-for which there is no excuse for existence save for the advertising fees-is lacking in references and almost uniformly worthless. The supposedly educated scientist who feels it necessary that he should, at frequent intervals, "publish" an article in order to keep himself before the medical public, he is the man who, failing to give references or even to indicate where reasonably complete bibliographies may be found, stamps himself as a mental parasite, a lazy and shallow student, a self-seeker with a paper-thin scholarly veneer.

Clinical Reports.

Sporadic and uncorrelated reports are usually but chaff in the medical granary. Especially in homoeopathic literature are casereports characterized by a paucity in the number treated, ludicrous inadequacy of observation and a superabundance of optimistic conjecture as to the credit which should be ascribed to the therapeutic method employed. From reports of cases in which baths, "tonics," electricity, exercises and suggestion are administered in addition to the indicated remedy, the most astute and unbiased judge cannot possibly make correct inferences regarding the efficacy of any one therapeutic measure. It is to be regretted that such inferences, which cannot be otherwise than false, are constantly being made by physicians whose zeal is being directed, in a misguided and unwittingly dishonest way, toward the wider recognition of homoopathy.

Clinical experiments, by which comparable data on special and "expectant" treatments may be obtained, are perhaps most conveniently conducted in the dispensary and hospital; still, we may secure evidence of worth and conclusiveness from the cases met in daily practice. If systematically recorded and treated with this idea of experiment always in mind, these case-reports can be made to contribute generously to the aggregate of clinical testimony which must finally serve to confirm every therapeutic method or principle. Such a course of experiments, with controls, conducted by men of integrity, possibly under the direction of each district medical society, would, in a few years, provide us with facts rather than speculations to guide us in treatment, and facts rather than speculations to publish in our periodicals. How frequently do we chance across those reports of a new method "tried out" on three or four cases, reports of that very rosy tinge which the initiated recognize as the reflection of the autogenous illumination of the writer.

One point of importance which is habitually overlooked in reporting cases, is that of the exact designation of time relations. "Six weeks ago" is a meaningless phrase in an undated report.

Expressions such as "December 17, 1914," "five days after the last medication," which convey precise ideas to the reader's mind are the ones to be employed. Another common failing is the ambiguous and inconsistent use of pronouns. The first personal pronounsI, me, we, us—are the clearest and most satisfactory terms to use. Annoying confusion results when an author in one place refers to himself as "the writer," in another as "I," in a third as "the author," in a fourth as "we," and then uses "we" with reference to the world at large or the medical profession as a whole.

Editorial Policy.

Sooner or later a real standard of quality must be adopted in medical journalism-a standard indifferent to captious, off-hand, gossiping criticism, granting no concessions to individual preferences or relationships and subjecting all contributions to a candid, uniform, intensive and unyielding critique. By establishing such a standard, and only by establishing such a standard will it be possible to accomplish abridgment of the current flood of papers and to achieve more perfect homogeneity of medical knowledge.

Suggestions as to Improvement.

Simplicity, precision of statement, exactitude of definition are marks of truth-also marks of genius. Nothing is simpler than to write incomprehensibly; just as, contrarily, nothing is more difficult than to write so that everyone must necessarily understand. Every really great writer tries to express his thoughts as clearly, purely, definitely and shortly as possible.

Authors who put off their thinking until they begin to write are like sportsmen who set out at random and are not likely to bring very much home.

There must be a wider and deeper implanting of the principle that the index of the individual's achievement is the radical excellence and comprehensive intent of his contributions, distinctly not their number, diversity or prompt succession.

Finally, good papers are not written; they are rewritten.

S. B. H.

Dr. Winfield Smith died on December 16, 1914, of diabetes. The insidious disease was not suspected until a few months ago, and after that time its fulguration was rapid, its progress relentless, and its control beyond finite power.

Dr. Smith was born at Chatham, Massachusetts, on February 11, 1861. He prepared for college in the Boston public schools and received his medical degree from Boston University in 1883, having previously obtained the Baccalaureate degree. Ch. B. His post-graduate courses were taken abroad, and he made frequent visits to European hospitals during his whole professional career, thus keeping in close touch with modern surgical prog

ress.

Two years after his graduation he was appointed Demonstrator in Anatomy in Boston University School of Medicine, and from that time, 1885, until his death he was on the teaching staff of the School through the various stages of the Anatomy and Surgery courses. Since 1904 he had been Professor of Operative Surgery.

His connection with the Massachusetts Homoeopathic Hospital began soon after his appointment in the Medical School, In 1890 he was appointed

Assistant Surgeon and 1895 was made ful! Surgeon, holding the latter position at the time of his death.

He was a member of the American Institute of Homœopathy, Massachusetts Homœopathic Medical Society,-of which he was President in 1901, --Massachusets Surgical and Gynecological Society, The American College of Surgeons, The Algonquin Club, Boston Athletic Association, Eastern Yacht Club and other organizations.

While devoted to his professional work, his interests were widespread and varied. Keenly appreciative of all the beautiful in life, his æsthetic sense was most appealed to by music and art, and his enthusiasm in the discussion of these subjects was contagious.

It is difficult to write truly about such a friend, such a physician as was Winfield Smith without, to stranger eyes, seeming to be extravagant; yet it is more important to write about him as he was than to consider how the truth may impress others, strangers or friends. He was a loyal, lovable comrade, a gallant gentleman, and one in whose nature there was a strong and simple heroism. Considerate and kind to all, loved by many, respected by more, he did not wear his heart upon his sleeve, and he was unspoiled by praise. The substance of his character was manliness, sincerity, and courage, and there was in him a very winning quality of sweetness.

In every relation of life Dr. Smith was direct, unaffected and honest. He was remarkable for tolerance and courtesy; and he never intentionally wounded the feelings of any one, or caused unhappiness. For those in trouble or in want he had, indeed, "a heart to pity and a hand open as the day for melting charity." In his professional intercourse he was invariably accommodating and generous, according to his colleagues all praise and never blame. His ability as a surgeon was of the highest and its usefulness was greatly enhanced by that spirit of optimism and deep human sympathy so characteristic of him. His splendid qualities were many enough and strong enough to justify the love he inspired,-if such justification is ever necessary, and to make inadequate all the poor words of tribute and honor which we can utter. To those who knew him best his death is a bitter bereavement and a lasting grief.

"One who never turned his back,

but marched breast forward,

Never doubted clouds would break,

Never dreamed, tho' right were worsted,

wrong would triumph.

Held that we fall to rise, are baffled

to fight better;

Sleep-to wake!"

And so we leave him, "still loftier than the world suspects, living and dying."

1.

2.

MEDICAL JOURNAL REVIEWS.

Medical Century, October, 1914.

Obstetrical Suggestions. Westover, H. W.

Cæsarean Section. Foster, W. D.

F. C. R.

3. The Advisability of Sterilization in Contracted Pelves. M'Elwee, L. C. 4. Abortions. Reily, W. E.

5. Hahnemann's Organon and Its Relation to the Art of Medicine. Tisdale. C. S.

A discursive, quasi-philosophical article dealing with some of the principles of homeopathy and expressed in the obsolescent theologically flavored phraseology of the past century.

In his effort to justify the doctrine of potentization, Tisdale, as do others, draws by analogy on the facts and theories of radio-activity and intra-atomic energy. He refers to Thompson's statement that if the energy in the atoms of one grain of hydrogen were liberated it would be able to

lift a million tons to the height of more than one hundred yards, and couples it with the query, "may we not expect that the energy liberated from one grain of natrum muriaticum may so disturb the vital force of man as to make him violently sick, whereas the crude salt has no influence upon him." We are led to infer that the "energy" from the natrum mur. should be "atomic" or "intra-atomic energy," and if this be true we would agree in the "expectation" that such a tremendous force, capable of lifting a million tons, would make a man violently sick. Fortunately, however, and contrary to Tisdale's direct implication, methods of trituration, succussion and dilution of drugs do not liberate this incomprehensibly powerful force which would so endanger the pharmacist, dispenser and patient. Perhaps these methods set free only a part of the intra-atomic energy; again perhaps they do not. These speculative tendencies and arguments by analogy are sterile and illusory unless reinforced by definite, controlled, experimental data which is conspicuously absent from the article under discussion.

6. Nux Vomica. Gibson, D. M.

7. Disease, Its Prevention, Cause and Cure. Boland, J. T.

Boland mentions some of Hahnemann's injunctions concerning the use of injurious foods and the avoidance of deleterious environment and habits. The statement that "vaccine inoculations . . . lessen the power of resistance and render the individual more susceptible to disease," merits verification before it is given further wide-spread and ipse dixit circulation.

Hahnemannian Monthly, September, 1914.

8. Heart Diseases in Childhood. Raue, C. S.
9. The Status of the Hunger Pain in Gastric Disease. Upham, R.

S. B. H.

"First-hunger pain is not in itself diagnostic of duodenal ulcer alone. Second-the pain in ulcer cases is due to the motor spasm of the stomach and not to the excessive acidity. Third--the hunger pain is prone to present itself first in justopyloric ulcer, secondly in achylia gastrica, thirdly in gastric cancer, fourthly in neurasthenia and lastly with a healed gastric ulcer." 10. An Indicated Remedy in Saccharin Diabetes. Macfarlan, D. Reviewed in the Gazette, 1914. xlix, 626.

II.

12.

Relation Existing between Infection of the Tonsil and Certain Systemic Conditions. Hopkins, M. E.

The Sociological Aspect of Mental Defectives. Garner, A. R. 13. The Relation of Alcoholism to Insanity. Klopp, H. I.

"The strongest indictment against alcohol is that it excites the passions and at the same time diminishes the will power. Due to the fact that it lowers the moral tone, it does much more harm than all the cirrhotic livers, hardened arteries, shrunken kidneys, inflamed stomachs and other lesions caused by its excessive use."

14. Technical Factors in the Surgery of Goitre. Roman, D.

Medical Advance, October, 1914.

15. Puerperal Septicemia. Chapman, J. B.

16. Homeopathic Therapeutics of Pneumonia. Palmer, W. G.

Palmer "states" that "the mortality rate under old school treatment of pneumonia is approximately 30 per cent., as compared with a mortality rate of but 5 per cent. under homeopathic treatment." Aconite, bryonia, phosphorus, tartar emetic, sanguinaria, kali carb., ammonium carb., lycopodium, sulphur and ferrum phos. are discussed.

17, Christian Science and Homeopathy (cont.), Woodbury, B. C. 18. The Second Prescription From Adolph Lippe.

Editorial remarks on the Gazette's review of E. E. Case's article. "The Need and Use of a Repertory." N. E. Medical Gazette, 1914, xlix, 567.

This grotesque adjectival display accompanied by unusual malevolence and venomousness, furnishes a striking illustration of the mental bias and obstinacy which is almost pathognomonic of a certain number of the group of self-styled, self-adulatory Hahnemannians.

The homœopathy of the future is, to borrow an apt advertising phrase. going to win on merit, not tradition. The men who are trying to get at