Metric Equivalents.—The metric nomenclature is coming into such common use, especially in scientific articles, that the following formulas will be found valuable:

Fluids with Meals.—The arguments presented by many writers seem to prove that the moderate taking of fluids with the food at meals is not without benefit. But the importance of the thorough mastication of food before it is presented to the stomach must never be overlooked. If this is interfered with in any way by the use of liquids we must promptly prohibit their indulgence.

Fluids may be taken ad libitum during meals by those whose digestive powers will allow it; but such persons should keep in mind that the strongest stomach may be abused too far, while those whose stomachs are already unequal to a severe strain should be especially careful as to the quantity of fluid imbibed with the food.

The saliva is the best lubricator for the food while it is in the mouth, both because of its starch-digesting powers, and because its alkalinity serves to stimulate a copious flow of the acid secretion of the stomach.

Any habit, therefore, which permits the entrance of food into the stomach before it is thoroughly incorporated with saliva must be pronounced pernicious in the extreme.

If we cannot afford the time necessary for masticating our food properly and incorporating it thoroughly with saliva, it would be better to take nothing but broths and similar foods. The use of water and other liquids as lubricators is not to be tolerated.

On the other hand, if we bear in mind the whole mechanism of digestion, it will readily be seen that, in cases of weakness or want of tone on the part of the muscles of the stomach, when every part of the food cannot be properly presented to the action of the digestive juices, the introduction into the stomach of a moderate amount of water may be of no slight benefit. The mass of food will become more pliable, and so more easily operated upon by the weakened muscles.—Youth’s Companion.

Malakin is a salicylated derivative of phenacetin, which occurs in small, palish-yellow crystals, insoluble in water but quite soluble in warm alcohol. The mineral acids decompose it into salicylic aldehyde and phenacetin. This also occurs in the stomach, and salicylic acid is found in the urine. Jaquet of Basle has (Jour. de Med. de Paris) found it of value in rheumatics in whom salicylic acid produces untoward effects. According to him, it has a mild, efficient action similar to that of nascent salicylic acid. No untoward effects were observed, but the results were prompt. It is given in 15-grain doses four or six times daily. As an anti-neuralgic and antipyretic it is inferior to phenacetin.—Med. Standard.

Protection against Diphtheria.—The Board of Health has announced a new measure looking to the control and diminution of diphtheria, and circulars were sent to practising physicians giving the grounds for the step decided upon, and the reasons why it was deemed expedient.

The proposition is to supplement the primary bacteriological examination now made at the beginning of any individual case of the disease, by other cultures repeated during its course and during convalescence. It is hoped in this way to make sure that apparent recovery, and the disappearance of all false membrane is followed by the extermination of all the Loeffler bacilli from the throat. The circular is written by Dr. Hermann M. Biggs, chief inspector of pathology, bacteriology, and disinfection, and is signed by President Wilson with the approval of the board. It is explained that 405 cases of true diphtheria have been subjected to repeated examinations at intervals of three or four days during illness and until the disappearance of the bacilli. It was found that in 160 cases the bacilli persisted after the complete separation of the false membrane, or, in other words, after the individual had recovered. Of these 160 cases, 103 showed the germ for seven days, thirty-four for twelve days, sixteen for fifteen days, four for three weeks, and in three for five weeks, after the exudation had completely disappeared from the upper air-passages. The circular infers, thence, that “these results show that in a considerable proportion of cases persons who have had diphtheria continue to carry the germs of the disease in their throats for many days after all signs and symptoms of the disease have disappeared.”

These experiments have led the Health Department to adopt the rule that no person who has suffered from diphtheria shall be considered free from contagion until it has been shown by bacteriological examination, made after the disappearance of the membrane from the throat, that the throat secretions no longer contain the diphtheria bacilli, and that until such examinations have shown such absence all cases in boarding-houses, hotels, and tenement-houses must remain isolated and under observation. Disinfection of the premises, therefore, will not be performed by the department until examination has shown the absence of the organisms.

Secondary cultures, as in the case of primary cultures, may be made by the attending physician, if he so desires; otherwise they will be made by the inspector of the district in which the case occurs. This applies only to cases occurring in boarding-houses, hotels, and tenement-houses—not to those in private houses.—N. Y. Evening Post, January 8, 1894.