PRACTICAL DIETETICS.-With special reference to diet in diseases. By W. Gilman Thompson, M.D., Prof. of Medicine in the Cornell Untversity Medical College. Fourth edition, illustrated, enlarged and completely rewritten. Published by D. Appleton & Co., New York and London. 1909. Price, $5.00 Prof. Thompson's book has gained for itself the first place among books on dietetics. It is not only authoritative-we do not particularly like this term-it is reliable, it is sane,. and permeated with common sense thru and thru. The fourth edition has been greatly enlarged and completely rewritten, and will serve its beneficent mission even more fully than did the previous three editions. TUBERCULOSIS.-A treatise by American authors on its etiology, pathology, frequency, semeiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Edited by Arnold C. Klebs, M.D. With three colored plates and 243 illustrations in text. D. Appleton & Co., New York and London. 1909. Price, $6.00 As the editor intimates, the subject of tuberculosis has attained such immense proportions that it is beyond the power of one man to give it adequate treatment in all its phases. Hence the necessity of a collaboration of a number of specialists, who devote themselves more or less exclusively to one distinct phase of the vast subject of tuberculosis. The contributors are of the highest standing and the book may be considered as the best volume on the subject of tuberculosis in the English language. THE DIAGNOSTICS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE. By Glentworth Reeve Butler, M.D., ScD., L.L.D. With five colored plates and 272 illustrations and charts in the text. Third revised edition. 1193 pages. Price, cloth, $6.00 D. Appleton & Co., New York. 1909. The third edition of this most excellent volume is now before us and we welcome it right gladly. It is one of the very best of its kind. The edition has been thoroly revised, useful changes having been made in the section on examination of the blood and in the section on examination of the stomach contents and the feces. New sections on life insurance examination and on diseases of the tropics have been added. We should like to see Dr. Butler's book in the possession of every physician. It would make every physician a better diagnostician and consequently a better therapeutist. DISEASES OF THE BONES AND JOINTS. Clinical Studies by Joel E. Goldthwait, M.D., Charles F. Painter, M.D., and Robert B. Osgood, M.D. Illustrated. 685 pages. D. C. Heath & Co., Boston. 1909. We can speak only in terms of the highest praise of this book. The authors have done their work well and conscientiously, every section being clear and full, concise but comprehensive. The illustrations really do illustrate they are not put in merely to fill space. The mechanical part of the work-the type, printing, paper and binding are of the highest excellence. we MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS. In four parts. For use of practitioners and students. By J. C. Wilson, A.M., M.D. 408 text illustrations and 14 full page plates. 1435 pages. J. B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia. The author recognizes that have many excellent books on diagnosis and to add another book to the already long list requires the justification of something different in method, new arrangement of detail and the presentation of the whole subject in accordance with the requirements of contemporary medicine. Prof. Wilson may have the satisfaction of knowing that in the reviewer's opinion he has fulfilled all these demands and has presented to the profession a really original work. The volume cannot fail to be of great help and value to the general practitioner. PRAISED BY SOME, BLAMED BY OTHERS, DISDAINING THE FOOLS, FOR FEAR OF BEING OBLIGED TO WEEP. THE MEDICO-PHARMACEUTICAL CRITIC & GUIDE WILLIAM J. ROBINSON, PH, G., M. D., EDITOR. 1 year, $1.00 Single copy 25c. Foreign $2.00 The Editor of this Journal writes his own editorials. He says what he wants to say and in the way he wants to say it without reference as to what Mrs. Grundy will say or think. The Editor is responsible for his own opinions only. He always tell the Truth or what he considers to be the Truth, but as he lays no claims to infallibility, he will be grateful to his readers if they will take the trouble to point out his errors. It is better to make a mistake in trying to tell the truth. Vol. XII NEW YORK, DECEMBER, 1909 No. 12. Editorials and Editorialettes. Another Year Gone. How time doth fly! Another year has rolled around. Another milepost in the journey of the CRITIC AND GUIDE. Well do we remember the editorial which we wrote on the completion of the first year in the career of the dear child of our brain and heart. It was penned in a minor key. And we felt, we remember, a little blue when we wrote it. A quotation or two:-"Who can understand the quivering and trepidation with which an editor launches upon the stormy public sea a frail but aggressive organ like the CRITIC AND GUIDE. A journal without any sponsors, without any financial backing, and written with the blood of your heart and the gray substance of your brain—ah, never will you know with what anguish the Editor watches the effect that his poor effort is producing. A failure in such a case is heart-breaking indeed." And so on, in a similar strain. We are happy to say that at the conclusion of each successive year we felt justified in striking a more triumphant note. Each year in the history of the CRITIC AND GUIDE has been more successful than the preceding one. this year has been incomparably the best of all. And not only from the financial point of view, which, tho an important is after all a secondary consideration, but from the more important standpoint of influence. We founded the CRITIC AND And GUIDE because, we had something to say to the world and we meant to say it, and we are happy, extremely happy to state, that all our teachings are bearing glorious, abundant fruit. And all our teachings have been in the direction of progress, of tolerance, of enlightenment, of love, in short, in the direction of humanity's welfare and happiness. And the CRITIC AND GUIDE is taking deeper and deeper root in the hearts of its readers, and we believe we are correct in stating-tho it may sound somewhat egotistical-that there is no journal that is expected so impatiently, is read so eagerly, shown around so proudly, and preserved so affectionately as is THE CRITIC AND GUIDE. And the fear that some kind friends expressed a few years ago that the Editor by writing so much would write himself out, is seen to have been rather groundless. No, the Editor does not expect to "Write himself out" so soon-not for another half a century. Why, he is just only beginning to write -and to live. I wish you all a Very Happy New Year. The Critic and Guide contains more editorial matter written by the Editor than any other journal published. Our Work is Bearing Fruit We have been teaching independence in thought, tolerance for other people's opinions, freedom of expression, a critical examination of the ipse dixits of all authorities, a critical lion against the yoke imposed by any bureaucratic machine; we were the first to attack vigorously and relentlessly the low patent medicine frauds and the dastardly quacks of all kinds; we have been teaching that ignorance is not synonymous with innocence and have been demanding that discussions of sexual subjects should not be tabooed; we have been teaching and demonstrating that the greatest curse that can befall a poor or a middle class family is an excessive number of children and have been demanding that the people be instructed in the proper methods of prevention of conception or limitation of offspring; we have been demanding that confirmed vicious. criminals and degenerates be rendered by operation incapable of propagating the species; we have been teaching these and many other important things, and if anybody thinks that our teachings have borne no fruit, then he is either not familiar with the detailed history of the last few years, or he is a pessimist indeed. A series of biographical-historical essays by Victor Robinson, entitled The Pathfinders of Medicine will appear in the Critic and Guide for 1910. We believe our readers will enjoy a rare treat. The first essay of the series will appear in the January or February issue. Thanksgiving Have we anything to be specially thankful for? Personally, yes. Many things. We have a charming wife, excellent children (Elbert Hubbard, whose progeny is not a particularly successful one, once asked us to give him the formula for making children like ours), a nice comfortable home in the best part of New York City, fine friends-a few but good ones-, a good practice, journals that stand for everything that is good in medicine and that tends towards the betterment of humanity at large, and that are constantly increasing in influence, and last but not least, good spirits and an optimistic outlook on life. Isn't that enough to make anybody thankful? Yes, it is, and we are duly thankful to the powers that are responsible for our personal blessings. But, looking at the world in general, is there anything to be specially grateful for? Has anything taken place in the year 1909 to call forth a special vote of thanks? Nothing that we can see. The world is all right and eventually it will work out its salvation. But it moves along with exasperating slowness and when you observe the general stupidity, ignorance, narrow mindedness, cruelty, invasion of rights, etc., etc., you feel like giving vent to something of an entirely different character from thanks. You feel like swearing long and audibly. No, humanity at large has no special reason to render thanks for its progress, for its increase in happiness in the year 1909. Single individuals may have-but ask the starving and starved multitudes, ask the millions who toil from their cradle to their grave without a ray of joy ever entering into their lives-ask them, and note the answer. It will be a snarl, and not a pæan of thanks; and I don't blame them. In their circumstances I would also snarl. The Wrecking of Human Life and Happiness. Dear Dr. Robinson:-You will remember the case of Mr. whom I sent to you for diagnosis six months ago, which you pronounced as unquestionably one of syphilis, and which you feared, as you wrote to me in a note, would pursue a rather severe course. The course of events has justified both your diagnosis and prognosis. Under the treatment outlined. by you, he is getting along very well, but naturally he is very far from being cured. His system is still saturated with the poison. Not only intercourse, but his kiss will convey infection, for unfortunately he has some bad mucous patches on his lips. I told him so right along. And nevertheless he had the hardihood to tell me last month that he was going to get married during Thanksgiving week. I argued with himbut to little purpose. It was hard to make him understand the enormity of his offense. He said that everything was arranged. Then it would have to be disarranged, I told him. He should have thought of it before he subjected himself to the danger of infection. Then he spoke of his love for the girl. I told him that only a blackguard could talk of love, while intending to wreck the life of a pure young girl.. He was not convinced. I made him a present of a copy of your "Never-Told Tales" and asked him to read the sixth story. He did not return and I heard that the preparations for his wedding were going on. I then wrote to him to come and see me on some important business; he did. I told him that if he did not at least postpone his wedding for a year or two, I would in some way put a copy of "Never-Told Tales" into his fiancée's hands and let her know that the man whom she was about to marry, was in the condition of Mr. Brannigan; and if after this she still agreed to marry him, it was her affair. But to permit a young life to be ruined forever without my lifting a finger-this I could. not permit. And I told him several other things. He went away angry and disconcerted, but the wedding, I hear, is postponed indefinitely. I thought you might be interested to hear. of the case. Another young life saved, to be added to the credit of "Never-Told Tales." I enclose check for five more copies. With fraternal greetings, Sincerely yours, The above letter needs hardly any comment. One point in it, however, deserves discussion-the young man's determination to marry in spite of the knowledge that he was in a dangerously infectious condition. That many men marry, who are not cured, but who think they are, we well know, and everybody well knows, physician and layman alike. But that people, who know that they are diseased and are quite certain that they will infect their wives and most probably wreck their lives, should nevertheless be willing, ready and anxious to marry, seems to us impossible or at least improbable. People who have a strong moral sense cannot believe that human beings can be so low, so bestial, so utterly devoid of every sense of decency and honesty, as to be willing to risk and wreck: the health and lives of their future wives and children. But unfortunately such is the case. There are many such brutes, many such unthinking creatures. We know of cases of men who married while having a profuse gonorrheal discharge, while suffering from chancroids, or even before the initial sore of syphilis was healed. And since the publication of "NeverTold Tales" many physicians from all parts of the country have written to us of similar cases, of cases where the men were warned, were assured that their disease was as dangerous and as infectious as smallpox, and who nevertheless went |