The method employed was to expose a known percentage of the substance for one hour at 38°C. to pancreatic extract with 0'4 per cent. of sodium carbonate and then to determine the amount of trypsin destroyed. Dr. Vernon finds that when no proteid is present 56 per cent. of the ferment is destroyed, but only 7 per cent. in presence of 4 per cent. of proteid. 4. Elasticity of Animal Tissues, by J. B. Haycraft, M.D., with 23 figures in the text. Dr. Haycraft finds that all of the simple tissues of

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... he body follow Hooke's law when they are stretched within physiological limits. The relaxing appears to vary and Hooke's law is not always observed. 7. On the " Sham Death" Reflex in Spiders, by T. Brailsford Robertson, with one figure in the text. Mr. Robertson finds that with the nervous system intact " sham death" is a complete tetanus and is not due to the conscious volition of the animal, but is a reaction necessarily consequent on the structure of its nervous system. In some species it can be carried out by the thoracic segments alone, in others the head ganglia require to be intact. 8. On Autogenetic Regeneration in the Nerves of the Limbs, by Aspect is concluded. The lecturer states that " if we grasp the idea that multiplicity is the equivalent of size, and that common function involves a common constitution, identical through a vast series of minute structures, and also a common liability to suffer from the same influences, much of the difficulty of conceiving chorea as a dendritic disease will disappear." Mr. Norman Porritt describes chloride of ethyl as the anaesthetic par excellence for minor operations and discusses a form of apparatus made by Messrs. Down Brothers at his suggestion for the administration of the drug. Dr. E. B. Gray has written a note on a variety of kidney (a single kidney of double size) found at the post-mortem examination on a woman who had been run over. Another note relates to the case of a woman, aged 63 years, who left off eating fruit and vegetables for 12 months because she had " suffered from indigestion " and at the end of that time had well-marked scurvy which waa cured by five weeks' remadial feeding in hospital. New Inventions. A NEW INHALER FOR ETHYL CHLORIDE. 1HE accompanying illustration shows a modified form of wide bore ethyl chloride inhaler. As there is no lint in the face-piece the patient's face can be seen throughout the administration. The neck of the bag fits over that of the facepiece and can be freely rotated about it. Corresponding openings are made in the inner and outer necks and !Bhen these coincide the anaesthetic can be sprayed through them into the bag. Within the neck of the face-piece is a bit of lint fixed (opposite the aperture) by a clip so as to form a pocket which is open towards the bag ; just as an aortic valve forms a pocket open towards the aorta. The J -V lint minimises reflux of the spray into the face-piece and economises the anaesthetic. When a gag is used the inhaler can be applied unncharged the moment the gag is adjusted and then can be charged during a convenient expiration. After a breath or two the air-way is closed by slightly rotating the neck of the bag. This inhaler is especially useful in dealing with the large numbers of children met with in hospital practice, as about 18 cases of adenoids and tonsils can be operated upon per hour when anæsthetised as described. The inhaler is made by Messrs. Allen and Hanburys, with one face-piece, for a guinea. A smaller size face-piece can be supplied, the two sufficing for all ljurWOOa-place, w. in the treatment of colotomy. Some of these are, no doubt, more successful than others and I find that an inguinal colotomy belt, which has been made at my request, fulfils all requirements. The usual indiarubber bag or pouch has been dispensed with and replaced by a wire vaccination shield affixed to a light abdominal belt, which is well shaped to grip the pelvis. The shield is lined with the ordinary green protective and can be filled with absorbent tow or wool, either carbolised or charged with charcoal, thus providing a cleaner and more efficient method of dealing with the faeces than the usual pouch. In order to prevent the belt slipping upwards and so displacing the receptacle buttons are sewn along its, lower border and these fix it to tightly fitting bathing drawers or pants furnished with button holes and drawn up over the belt. In this way perineal bands are avoided and great comfort is obtained. In my earlier cases of colotomy the belt was always a trouble and my thanks are due to Messrs. James Woolley, Sons, and Co., Limited, Victoriabridge, Manchester, for carrying out suggestions and producing a veryenicient belt at a moderate cost.