lead the point to the bullet almost at once, when the surgeon will have audible confirmation of the discovery in his telephone receiver. It is remarkable how quickly this can be done, a few seconds sufficing for a task that usually occupies many minutes. The probe once touching the bullet, it is an easy matter to remove the telephone attachment, cover the probe and incision with a small temporary dressing, which also serves to keep the probe from slipping out, and remove the patient to the

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... re, where the surgeon, with such a guide, can easily cut down on the bullet, either by enlarging the small incision or in another direction altogether, this latter method obviating any danger of moving the probe while operating. The difficulty is to keep the probe from shifting during the moving of the patient to the theatre, and during the ensuing operation, in which case one's trouble is wasted. To guard against this we are going a step further and completing the entire operation on the X ray table, when screen examinations can be made at intervals if the case presents any extraordinary difficulties. In ordinary cases these are generally unnecessary. My X ray room here with certain small preparations, such as special lighting, is perfectly suitable for operating, and the table, with a polished wood top, lends itself quite well for the purpose. Of course, the unpractical and complicated design of many X ray tables makes their use in this way impossible, but any of the wooden-topped tables with an efficient tube-moving device below can be utilised with some degree of success. I am constructing a special table for this purpose, closed in at sides and ends, and giving clear access all round for the surgeon, dressers, and the ansesthetist, also having all movements of tube-box, switch, diaphragm and regulating device all controlled by one foot. With some such table as this, and a means of darkening the room effectually and rapidly, I can see no reason why all bulletextraction operations, and possibly certain bone operations, should not be carried out with the aid of X rays, facilitating and shortening enormously what is usually a tedious and difficult performance. I am, Sir, yours faithfully, C. F. CONSTANT, Lieutenant, R.A.M.C.; Radiographer to the Meerut Indian General Hospital. Dilute Sulphuric Acid B.P." I think the medical profession owe a debt of gratitude to Drs. Reynolds for the discovery of this valuable therapeutic measure. The prophylactic treatment of puerperal infection I advocate is simply an extension of their mode of treatment to another septic condition, or I should say to the prevention of a septic condition, for just as I am firmly convinced that the administration of large doses of dilute sulphuric acid has a powerful effect on limiting and aborting such conditions as boils, carbuncles, so I believe the administration of this remedy has a powerful effect in increasing the resisting powers of the tissues to infection, and thus preventing infection if given early enough in such cases as childbirth, where there is a large wound surface, and always a possibility of infection. After seeing the paper referred to above by Drs. Reynolds I commenced using the remedy as described by them for boils, carbuncles, and similar conditions. The improvement in most cases was both rapid and remarkable. I then decided to use the drug in puerperal cases in which there was any degree of puerperal morbidity, in the hope that it would limit the septic condition, as in the cases of boils, carbuncles, and other infections. The clinical results in the few cases tried were satisfactory, the administration of the drug being followed by a reduction of the pulse-rate and lowering of the temperature. I then decided to use the drug as a prophylactic measure against infection in all labours in which there had been manipulations or operative interference, commencing the administration immediately after labour and continuing during the puerperium. I now use it as a routine treatment in all labours, whether instrumental or not. I think the action of the drug is due to the fact that when given in maximum doses it decreases the alkalinity of the blood. I quite agree with Drs. Reynolds that the drug is useless unless given in maximum doses. I give it in 20 minim doses, with 30 minims of tinc. aurantii and water to one ounce; an ounce every four hours in an ounce of water. It is difficult to judge by results in the prophylactic treatment of any disease, as there are so many other factors to be taken into consideration, but I believe the drug is worthy of a real trial in the treatment of puerperal infection, and more especially as a prophylactic measure against infection. I believe the diminution in the alkalinity of the blood increases the resisting forces of the tissues to infection, but this needs further proof. The one case of puerperal infection I have seen in which the dilute sulphuric acid had no beneficial effect was a case I saw in consultation-acute septicaemia. I suggested trying large doses of dilute sulphuric acid; it had no effect. The patient ultimately died. I was told shortly afterwards by a lady friend of the patient that for three or four weeks previous to her confinement the patient had been in the habit of taking three times a day a teaspoonful (heaped up) of sodium bicarbonate moistened with a little water to relieve indigestion and flatulence. Might not the large doses of sodium bicarbonate have increased the alkalinity of the blood, and so reduced the resisting powers of the tissues to infection, and might it not have counteracted any beneficial effect the acid might have excited ? These are questions of the utmost importance. I make no apology for bringing forward the subject of the prophylaxis of puerperal infection, it is one of vital importance. The mortality from