of meat. To the specialist it becomes a helpful study on those mooted questions which are as yet unsettled, but wherein every contribution furthers the solution. To the student and internist it is a library on the subject at hand, which with the excellent illustrations will go far to help him out of the slough of despond when trying to diagnose some obscure skin affection.

D. G. W. Skin Cancer. By Henry H. Hazen, A.B., M.D., Professor of Dermatology in the Medical Department of Georgetown University; Professor of Dermatology in the Medical Department of Howard University; Sometime Assistant in Dermatology in the Johns Hopkins Hospital; Member of the American Dermatological Association. With ninety-seven text illustrations and one colored frontispiece. St. Louis, C. V. Mosby Co., 1916. A growth which is only skin deep is quite apt to be regarded lightly by no small percent of medical advisors. The fact that such growths are quite apparent, that they grow slowly and cause little discomfort are potent factors in engendering indifference to their significance.

Face or skin cancers are probably as old as man, yet it is surprising what little real scientific study has been given them. Dr. Hazen has collected much valuable information concerning epithelial growths, both from his own wide opportunities of study at Johns Hopkins, and from other authorities of recognized ability.

Illuminating as is the text, it is materially enhanced by the profusion of illustrations which are closely akin to presenting the patient in person for actual inspection.

D. G. W.

BILLY SUNDAY AND THE DOCTORS

The place which Dr. Howard A. Kelly occupies in the medical profession is one which necessarily commands attention for him when he speaks. His ability as an operator and his clearness as a writer and teacher have placed him in the class of sane thinkers and common sense "doers." Dr. Kelly has never been accused of anything approaching insincerity, hence his expressed opinion of Billy Sunday as given in the Sunday School Times for April 30, 1916, is more than merely interesting to the medical profession. The fact that Billy Sunday is to be in Boston from November 12th to January 15th is sufficient reason for reproducing Dr. Kelly's letter to the Sunday School Times:

"A SURGEON'S VIEW OF BILLY SUNDAY, SURGEON "

By Howard A. Kelly, M.D., LL.D., F.R.C.S.

Looked upon as the most eminent of all authorities in his own field, Dr. Howard A. Kelly, of Johns Hopkins University, holds a place as a worker and teacher in the applied science of his profession" which the Editor of Appleton's Magazine has said is "beyond question the highest in America and Europe." Dr. Kelly's personal testimony as to how he was led out of uncertainty and doubt about the inspiration of the Bible (which was published in Volume 1 of the famous Fundamentals "), has been referred to by Secretary of the Navy Daniels as one of the most remarkable Christian documents of the century. Unusual interest attaches to the impression made by Billy Sunday upon this eminent citizen of Baltimore, who is more interested in the Book which he says gives him a diagnosis of his spiritual condition than in the medical works that have made his own name famous.

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The long-expected has come to pass at last. The huge tabernacle squats like a big turtle on an old base-ball lot, and daily overflows with expectant throngs of sixteen, eighteen thousand, and more. The multitude gathers hours beforehand, and waits eagerly for the messages from God's Word, interpreted in the plain language of the people.

People's opinions change day by day as the great drama of souls being quickened into life, and of others being consecrated to a new life of genuine

service, unfolds in unexpected ways. Thousands who vigorously opposed Mr. Sunday's coming are now his warm friends and defenders. A leading professor, known the world over, said last Saturday night, with face expressive of hearty approval, "Why, he is perfectly honest and thoroughly in earnest; I see nothing to object to." They are all against him at first, but when they go and hear him he gets them every one," say the officials in a near-by county seat. The violent and often hysterical objections, so common in letters to the papers before his coming, have helped the cause by making warm supporters of the many who now wish to make amends. Gentile and Jew, Christian and infidel, are drawn by a common impulse to hear the Gospel.

The one outstanding characteristic of Mr. Sunday's sermons is that he uses great plainness of speech. It is this refreshing frankness, coupled with the fact that he preaches plain Bible truths, salvation by the blood of Christ from the power of Satan, and hell for those who reject Christ, in this, I think, lies the force of a message which the power of the Holy Spirit drives into impenitent hearts.

The trouble in Baltimore and Maryland, as everywhere, has been the sleepy indifference of our Christian churches. Our Christian ministers of all denominations have for some time past shown much uneasiness regarding the situation in our city and larger towns. The fact that about 67 percent of the people of Maryland are heathen is alarming, and shows us that we have a badly neglected missionary field right here at home. But no one has seemed to know just what to do, and no leaders have appeared.

In expectation of a revival, preparatory services and prayer-meetings were held faithfully, and we who professed to be Christians have been confessing our own great shortcomings and needs. Then it happened that just when we seemed because of our sins and indifference to be without any more hope, our Father has generously sent us this abundant rain.

Sunday's preaching is progressive in character, and I am sure can not rightly be called abusive at any stage. Mr. Sunday, however, justly and of necessity, unsparingly applied the lash to us more or less nominal Christians at first; we sorely needed it, for nothing short of the most drastic treatment could ever have roused us from our deadly spiritual torpor. Now he is busy winning souls and getting men to come forward and confess Christ openly, illustrating his Gospel themes from a wealth of personal experiences, simple, homely, touching little narratives, always with a point which never fails to enter. We who called ourselves Christians were many of us at first dazed, and then shocked to find that we were expected to go down into the vast audience and to do personal work in winning souls to make a decision, but at last we have taken hold, and I veritably believe that the eyes of many have been opened to the meaning of consecration in a way we had never dreamed of. It was just here that we greatly surprised the splendid Trenton group of business men who came down to see and to help us.

Our city just now is much like a seething cauldron, for we are in the midst of the greatest opportunity ever yet offered to Baltimore. What will we do with it? That is the vital question. The answer depends in a large measure upon us who for years professing to be Christians have yet been crying, A little more slumber, a little more sleep, a little more folding of the hands." Are we not henceforth to know no man after the flesh, but only the man after the Spirit recreated in Christ Jesus, and sent out to suffer with Him and to serve? I believe we are.

JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, BALTIMORE, MD.

UNITED STATES PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE - HEALTH NEWS

It is so well recognized that certain occupations may involve serious dangers to young growing persons that most States now have their child labor laws. Massachusetts, which has been a leader in legislation of this character, is now engaged in a systematic effort to collect information that may be of value in determining the need of changes in its present laws and regulations governing the employment of minors. At the request of the Massachusetts Board of Labor and Industries, Assistant Surgeon M. Victor Safford of the U. S. Public Health Service was detailed by the Federal Government to cooperate with the State authorities in a study of the effect of employment in various occupations on the health and physical development of children now permitted by law to work therein. A report of this study with respect to the cotton manufacturing industry of Massachusetts has just been published by the Federal Government as Public Health Bulletin No. 78, entitled “Influence of occupation on health during adolescence."

The physical condition of over 600 boys between the ages of fourteen and eighteen employed in this industry in different parts of the State received careful study. It was brought out that in Massachusetts boys between these ages for the most part do not remain long in the cotton mills. This fact and the strict regulations of the State governing the employment of minors may not make some of the conclusions reached in this local investigation equally true elsewhere, but among the facts disclosed the following may be mentioned. A considerable proportion of the younger boys and also of those over sixteen were undersized and physically undeveloped for their ages, while those between fifteen and sixteen averaged larger than other classes of boys of their age with which comparisons were made. This fact is explained by the accumulation in the mills of strong boys waiting to reach the age of sixteen to go into permanent "full time" occupations. The presence of a noteworthy proportion of undersized boys is not ascribed to the effects of the occupation but to the fact that the cotton mill offers one of the few chances of employment for undersized boys. Evidence of injurious effects of their work or working conditions, even of the temperature and humidity of the mills, on normal boys was seldom found, although further investigation of possible effects of atmospheric conditions is recommended. Probably as a result of the State regulations relative to the issuance of employment certificates comparatively few cases of dangerous diseases were discovered. There was, however, a wide variety of defective conditions disclosed by the investigation, many of them of such a character as to impair seriously the future health and economic usefulness of the individuals concerned if not remedied.

What profiteth a man that he gain the whole world yet lose his health? Naturalists say that long ago the prehistoric waters were infested with a species of enormous shark which finally became extinct by reason of the workings of its voracious appetite. Thus Nature eliminates the over-fed.

The desire for ease of life and plentiful diet is universal and is the great stimulus of man and animals alike. When man becomes greedy and takes more ease and food and drink than is his share, Nature discards him.

In the race for power and place, for ease of circumstance and relief from the stimulus of hunger, the modern man is apt to forget that unless he is careful of his body he will soon be made to suffer for the infraction of Nature's inexorable physical law. With the loss in body tone comes an equal loss in mental acuity and the brain, which for a time was able to operate despite the complaints of an over-fed, under-exercised, self-poisoned body, stops working. Statisticians have discovered that the mortality rate of persons in the United States over 45 years of age is increasing. The strenuous life of to-day is not alone responsible for this. Lack of health-giving exercise, superfluity of diet, lack of restoring sleep, over-stimulation, the high pressure of the race for power, wealth and position, plus physical neglect, these bring early decay. The goal is reached, wealth is amassed, honor, position and power are just being grasped when the apple of accomplishment turns to the ashes of dissolution. The brilliant mind becomes clouded, the steady hand is no longer accurate, the eye which once gazed fearlessly on the whole world is dimmed,

and it is not long before the final break-up occurs. All of this was entirely preventable.

Other things being equal it is the man who leads the well-balanced feli who lasts the longest, whose work to the end is uniformly the best, he who neither over-works nor over-plays, neither over-eats, over-drinks, nor oversleeps, he who maintains a standard of simple healthy diet in moderation, who offsets mental work with physical recreation, who is as honest with his own body as he is with his own business. When success comes to such an one his physical and mental condition is such that he can enjoy in peace of mind and contentment of body the fruits of his labors.

The regulations of U. S. Public Health Service state: "It is the duty of officers to maintain their physical as well as their professional fitness. To this end they shall be allowed time for recreation and study whenever their official duties will permit." If the Government regards it as essential that its sanitary experts shall be safeguarded in this way, is it not equally important to every citizen that he similarly maintain a high standard of physical integrity?

INCREASE IN NUMBER OF PHYSICIANS IN
UNITED STATES PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE

Congress has recently made an appropriation for thirty-three additional Assistant Surgeons in the United States Public Health Service. These officers are commissioned by the President, and confirmed by the Senate. The tenure of office is permanent, and successful candidates will immediately receive their commissions.

After four years' service, assistant surgeons are entitled to examination for promotion to the grade of passed assistant surgeon. Passed assistant surgeons after twelve years' service are entitled to examination for promotion to the grade of Surgeon.

Assistant Surgeons receive $2,000, passed assistant surgeons $2,400, surgeons $3,000, senior surgeons $3,500, and assistant surgeon-generals $4,000 a year. When quarters are not provided, commutation at the rate of $30, $40, and $50 a month, according to the grade, is allowed.

All grades receive longevity pay, ten percent in addition to the regular salary for every five years up to forty percent after twenty years' service.

Examinations will be held every month or so in various cities, for the convenience of candidates taking the examination. Further information will be furnished by addressing the Surgeon-General, United States Public Health Service, Washington, D. C.

MEDICAL CARE OF THE NATIVE ALASKAN

The problem of caring for the natives of Alaska is among the most difficult matters which confront the Government in its relations with the aboriginal tribes.

There is no central point in Alaska, Seattle being the trading centre of the Territory.

These people are scattered along a waterfront of more than 5,000 miles. They live in small villages. They are still influenced by the superstitions which have come down to them from the centuries. They hide, rather than seek relief for their ailments, believing that there is some divine retribution in misfortune.

Secretary Lane of the Interior Department, who personally knows every part of Alaska, has given tender consideration to the needs of the native Alaskan, and great improvement has taken place in the care of these people, especially during the past two years.

Syphilis and tuberculosis, here as elsewhere, have wrought sad havoc with the primitive people.

The editor of the Medical Sentinel, in a trip just completed in Alaska, was forcibly impressed by the special interest now being shown by the Government in the medical side of care for the natives.

At Juneau, Dr. Douglas Brown, a recent arrival, is in charge of a splendid native hospital just completed by the Interior Department, which looks

after fourteen near-by villages. Dr. Brown serves under the Educational Division of the Interior Department, is a civil service employé and was for some years with Col. Gorgas on the Panama Zone.

At Haines a special hospital is soon to be erected for tubercular cases, and soon a colony with every modern equipment will be in operation.

In other portions of Alaska, seven or eight physicians have been put in charge of the medical Indian service, and three other small native hospitals are already maintained by the Government in the territory.

An attempt is now being made by Secretary Lane to employ teachers in the Educational Division, for stations where no doctors are located, who are also trained nurses. These teachers have some special training for emergency medical work, are given a medical and surgical equipment of simple character, and provided with proper instructions for the service along medical lines. As fast as appropriations can be secured, district zones are being organized comprising a neighborhood of native villages, for which a general hospital and a competent physician is supplied.

The insane native has the benefit of care outside of Alaska, where, in a milder climate, the percentage of recoveries is very large. The tubercular insane live in a separate department, at Portland, Oregon, where they enjoy every qualification for modern treatment.

The Educational Department in these more recent departures seeks, among other things, to educate the natives as to the prevention of tubercular infection. Also as to the dangers of syphilis, its possible cure under appropriate treatment, thereby effecting the lowest possible evil to the living, as well as to the unborn progeny of the native races of Alaska. Medical Sentinel.

PERSONAL AND GENERAL ITEMS

Dr. George B. Rice, Professor of Diseases of the Nose and Throat, Boston University School of Medicine, was married on August 26 to Miss Abbie M. Conley at Dublin, New Hampshire. They will make their home at 28 Littell Road, Brookline.

Dr. Alice H. Bassett (1898 B.U.S.M. and Instructor in Materia Medica in the same) has removed from 520 Beacon St., to 510 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston.

Dr. Vincent T. Lathbury, class of 1904 B.U.S.M., until recently located in Pittsfield, Maine, has removed to Augusta, Maine.

Dr. Sarah Adleman, class of 1910 B.U.S.M., is now located at the Hebrew Infant Asylum, New York City.

WANTED. Homœopathic physician wanted to take my practice from November first to May first, 1917, or will sell. Have static machine, vibrator and leucodescent light. Russell Bingham, M.D., Fitchburg, Mass.

Dr. Sanford B. Hooker, B.U.S.M. 1913, who for the past year has been doing research work in the University of California, returned to Boston the first of September and is again on the staff of the Evans Memorial for Clinical Research and Preventive Medicine.

WANTED. A single man, graduate of Boston University School of Medicine, or the New York Homoeopathic Medical as Resident in the Homœopathic Hospital, Melbourne, Australia, for a three yeats engagement; to go out by January 1, 1917. His expenses will be refunded; room and board in the Hospital; pay for first year, £200; for second year, £250; third year, £300. Good chance to enter private practice at close of engagement. References. Address Rev. Seth C. Cary, 43 Moultrie St., Dorchester Center, Boston, Mass.