As sulphurous acid in some form is almost universally employed in the manufacture of wines, molasses and syrups, and in the preparation of desiccated fruits, it is evident that the prohibition of its use would necessitate a radical change in methods of manufacture. This fact, however, it might be stated, has nothing whatever to do with the purpose of the present investigation. Assuming that in the manufacturing processes certain added bodies are used which are found on investigation to be injurious to health, the rational conclusion of such an investigation would be not to excuse or overlook the use of such bodies, but to institute investigations looking to their suppression.

The experiments were conducted with the greatest care, and the results upon each individual are given in detail both complete and convincing, and the following general conclusions are deduced therefrom. Here follow the Doctor's conclusions:

From a careful consideration of the data in the individual cases and the summaries of the results, it appears that the administration of sulphurous acid in the food, either in the form of sulphurous acid gas in solution or in the form of sulphites, is objectionable and produces serious disturbances of the metabolic functions and injury to health and digestion. This injury manifests itself in a number of different ways, both in the production of clinical symptoms which indicate serious disturbances, malaise or positive suffering, and also by inducing certain changes in the metabolic processes which are not manifested in the way of ordinary clinical symptoms, and are only detected by careful chemical and microscopical study of the excretory products. It can be safely said from the evidence adduced that the administration of sodium sulphite and sulphurous acid produces a marked influence of an unfavorable character on metabolism. As a result of this action an assimilation of food materials containing organic phosphorus is retarded, while there is evidence of increased sulphur katabolism. The sulphur balance sheets show what an immense burden has been added to the already overworked kidneys, which are called upon in this case to remove nearly all, if not quite all, of the added sulphur from the body, previously converted in great part to sul

phuric acid. It is not possible that placing upon the kidneys this increased work of excreting sulphur can result in anything but injury. The fact that the microscopic crystalline and amorphous bodies in the urine are increased in number under the influence of the added sulphur is another indication of the extraordinary demands made upon the kidneys in such circumstances.

This increase is interesting in respect of the effect which the continued exhibition of sulphurous acid must eventually have upon the structure of the kidney. It is reasonable to suppose that the continued use of a body which produces such results would cause lesions of a histological character that eventually would develop conditions which would give serious apprehension. The further observation that there is a marked tendency to the production of albuminuria, although of an incipient character, is an indication of the unfavorable results of the administration of the sulphurous acid. It is, therefore, evident that by increasing the burden upon the excretory organs the administration of sulphur in the form mentioned is highly detrimental to health.

All of these tendencies cannot be interpreted as being other than of a decidedly harmful nature. Another effect which the administration of the sulphur produced, and one of a more serious character still, is found in the impoverishment of the blood in respect of the number of red and white corpuscles therein. The administration of a substance which diminishes by a notable percentage these important component particles of the blood must be regarded in every sense as highly prejudicial to health. Some of the most important functions of the blood, as has been well established by careful

physiological studies, are intimately connected

with the number and activity of both the red and white corpuscles. The bleaching effect of the sulphurous acid upon the color of the blood is a matter of less consequence, and no great effect is produced upon the hæmoglobins, but the diminution of the number of red and white corpuscles is a matter of serious concern.

The variations of the metabolic processes from the normal, as indicated in this series of experiments, were never of a character favorable to a more healthy condition of the system, but, on the other hand, all these variations, in so far as the effect of the change could be distinguished, are of a prejudicial character.

There is no evidence whatever that the sulphur added to the foods in the form of sulphurous acid, or sulphites, takes any part in the nutrition of the tissues of the body containing sulphur, namely, the proteids; hence, no claim of food value can be established for these bodies. The evidence all points to the fact that they are purely drugs, devoid of food value, having no favorable effects upon the metabolic processes, but, on the other hand, exerting deleterious and harmful effects. The conclusion, therefore, is inevitable that, as a whole, the changes produced in metabolic activity by the administration of sulphur in the forms noted above in the comparatively short time covered by the experiments are decidedly injurious.

The verdict which must be pronounced in this case is decidedly unfavorable to the use of this preservative in any quantity or for any period of time, and shows the desirability of avoiding the addition of any form of sulphurous acid to products intended for human food.

THE MEDICAL SOCIETY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

The one hundred and second annual meeting of this society will be held in the City Hall, Albany, on January 28-30.

Dr. Frederic C. Curtis of Albany is president and Dr. Wisner R. Townsend of New York is secretary.

A fare of one and a third has been arranged for those who have secured a certificate from the agent when buying a ticket to Albany. Dr. William J. Mayo of Rochester, Minn.; Dr. Albert J. Oschner of Chicago and Dr. John C. Munro of Boston will read papers on January 29 at the morning session.

The meeting will be of unusual interest, and a large attendance from all parts. of the State is expected.

Symposium. -Editor Medical Review of Reviews: Will you kindly permit me to call your readers' attention to the wrong interpretation of the word “symposium," which we find so frequently on programs of medical writers? Symposium (Tò ovμmóσtov) is a banquet, a feast, and one of the features of such banquet or feast is drinking together (ovμπívw-ovv, πίνω). Συμπότης (συν, πότης) is one with whom we drink in company. I know very well that in English language is understood by symposium a collection of opinions or essays, but this is incorrect. Incorrectness of such kind may creep in every living language, but in all civilized countries there are men of taste-in Germany and France there are even patriotic societies who exert themselves to eliminate from the language whatever has been found incorrect. A. ROSE.

Mr. William H. S. Wood of New York, senior member of the firm of William Wood & Co., died at his home December 11, 1907, aged 67 years. He was the son of William Wood and the grandson of Samuel S. Wood, the latter being the founder of the great publishing house of Samuel S. & William Wood, which later assumed the name of William Wood & Co.

The Sixteenth International Medical Congress at Budapest in 1909.-The 15th International Medical Congress, held in Lisbon, have chosen Budapest, the capital and residence of Hungary, for the site of their next assembly, and the preliminaries are already in process. His Imperial and Apostolic Royal Majesty the King has graciously taken upon himself the patronage of the ensuing con

gress. The State and town have each contributed 100,000 crowns to defray the expenses.

The Literature of Carcinoma.-The following figures in regard to publications on carcinoma have been prepared by Sticker: Since 1902, 3395 papers on this subject have appeared. Of these, 1960 are in German, 607 in English, 549 in French, 113 in Italian, 70 in Russian and Polish, 37 in Norwegian and Swedish, 22 in Spanish, 16 in Dutch, 9 in Hungarian, 7 in Portuguese, 3 in Japanese and 2 in Greek.

Quiet Zones in Chicago. The Chicago City Council recently passed an ordinance, similar to the one passed last spring in this city at the instance of Mrs. Rice, establishing "zones of quietude," extending 250 feet in all directions from each hospital. Within that area "the making, causing, or permitting to be made, of any unnecessary noise, or the playing of itinerant musicians on the public streets, avenues or alleys, that disturbs, or that may tend to disturb, the peace or quiet of any of the inmates of the hospital," is declared to be a nuisance. For violation of this ordinance a fine of from $2 to $50 is provided.

Squibb's Materia Medica has recently been issued by E. R. Squibb & Sons. It is one-half a century since the house was founded, and during these 50 years the name and fame of Squibb's preparations have become worldwide. The book deserves a place upon every physician's desk, for it is filled with valuable information.

Dr. Finlay Honored.-On November 4 Dr. Carlos Finlay, chief of the Depart

DEATHS.

ANDRE.-In Baltimore, Md., December 14, 1907, Dr. J. Ridgeway Andre, aged 84 years.

ARCHIBALD.-In Philadelphia, Pa., December 6, 1907, Dr. Henry C. Archibald, aged 65 years.

BAILEY.-In Bloomfield, N. J., December 18, 1907, Dr. Charles Howell Bailey, aged 62 years.

BARGER.-In Hopedale, Ill., December 19, 1907, Dr. Robert Newton Strong Barger, aged 65 years.

BARRETT.-In Prescott, Ariz., December 11, 1907, Dr. John S. Barrett, aged 37 years.

BEALL.-In Linwood, N. C., December 7, 1907, Dr. J. F. Beall, aged 70 years. BENNER.-In Philadelphia, Pa., December 8, 1907, Dr. Henry D. Benner, aged 74 years.

BIEGLER.-In Rochester, N. Y., December 22, 1907, Dr. Joseph A. Biegler, aged 75 years.

BLAKE.-In Houston, Texas, December 16, 1907, Dr. James Harris Blake, aged 60 years.

BOYNTON.-In Cleveland, Ohio, December 2, 1907, Dr. Gilas A. Boynton, aged 72 years.

BRANNOCK.-In Richmond, Va., December 14, 1907, Dr. James Madison Brannock, aged 78 years.

BRIGGS.-In Albert Lea, Minn., December 12, 1907, Dr. George H. Briggs, aged 80 years.

BURD.-In Flemington, N. J., December 2, 1907, Dr. Thomas G. J. Burd, aged

61 years.

BUTTERFIELD.-In Manlius, N. Y., December 16, 1907, Dr. Edward F. Butterfield, aged 81 years.

CALDWELL.-In Hagaman, N. Y., December 20, 1907, Dr. Nathan Avery Caldwell, aged 51 years.

CARPENTER.-In St. Louis, Mo., December 3, 1907, Dr. Abram Millor Carpenter, aged 73 years.

CLARK.-In West Derry, N. H., December 20, 1907, Dr. David S. Clark, aged 83 years.

CLARK.-In St. Louis, Mo., December II, 1907, Dr. Samuel G. Clark, aged 86

years.

CLELAND.-In Pittsburg, Pa., December 8, 1907, Dr. John S. Cleland, aged 57 years.

CODMAN.-In Revere, Mass., December 14, 1907, Dr. John T. Codman, aged 81 years.

COHEE.-In Wood Lake, N. B., December 9, 1907, Dr. Hal R. Cohee.

CONKEY.-In Homer, Ill., December 2, 1907, Dr. William Alexander Conkey, aged 80 years.

Cox.-In Lanford, S. C., December 18, 1907, Dr. M. C. Cox, aged 72 years.

CRAIG.-In Versailles, Ky., December 16, 1907, Dr. Irvine Craig, aged 50 years. CRANE.-In Pittsfield, Ill., December 6, 1907, Dr. Francis Marion Crane, aged 45 years.

DILLON.-In Nashville, Tenn., December 13, 1907, Dr. B. F. Dillon, aged 79 years.

DONNELLY.-In Kirkland, Pa., December 4, 1907, Dr. John F. Donnelly, aged 65 years.

DORMAN.-In New Haven, Conn., December 5, 1907, Dr. Charles A. Dorman, aged 64 years.

EVES.-In Hershey, Neb., December 18, 1907, Dr. William Eves, aged 66 years. FAY. In Altoona, Pa., December 6, 1907, Dr. John Fay, aged 77 years.

FERGUSON.-In Atlantic City, N. J., December 14, 1907, Dr. Frank Farquhar Ferguson, aged 60 years.

FRENCH.-In Harriman, Tenn., December 9, 1907, Dr. Nathan Lusher French, aged 40 years.

GARY.-In Gadsden, Ala., December 17, 1907, Dr. Thomas P. Gary, aged 78 years.

GOODWIN.-In Haverhill, Mass., December 18, 1907, Dr. Elmer Ellsworth Goodwin, aged 42 years.

GORDON.-In Anniston, Ala., December 15, 1907, Dr. Frederick Elliott Gordon, aged 46 years.

GORDON.-In Oshkosh, Wis., December 10, 1907, Dr. William Alexander Gordon, Jr., aged 31 years.

GOTT.-In Virogna, Wis., December 1, 1907, Dr. William A. Gott, aged 77 years. GREEN.-In Louisville, Ky., December 24, 1907, Dr. James Green, aged 85 years.

GRIMM.-In Cincinnati, Ohio, December 16, 1907, Dr. Adolph Grimm, aged 49 years.

HAERING.-In Bloomington, Ill., December 20, 1907, Dr. Theodore T. Haering, aged 74 years.

HARDING.-In Cincinnati, Ohio, December 17, 1907, Dr. William O. C. Harding, aged 38 years.

HOADLEY.-In Washington, D. C., December 8, 1907, Dr. Almer M. Hoadley, aged 45 years.

HOFFMAN.-In Reading, Pa., December 26, 1907, Dr. John Y. Hoffman, aged 49 years.

HOLMES.-In New Britain, Conn., December 14, 1907, Dr. George James Holmes, aged 53 years.

HONEYCUTT.-In Glasgow, Ky., December 17, 1907, Dr. J. H. Honeycutt, aged 50 years.

HOOVER. In Dayton, Ohio, December 5, 1907, Dr. Warren E. Hoover, aged 69 years.

HOWARD.-In Bedford City, Va., December 2, 1907, Dr. Hamilton P. Howard, aged 42 years.

HUNTING.-In Albany, N. Y., December 22, 1907, Dr. Nelson Hunting, aged 70 years.

JOHNSON.-In Blairstown, N. J., December 23, 1907, Dr. John C. Johnson, aged 79 years.

JONES.-In Allegheny, Pa., December 21, 1907, Dr. Matthew Oliver Jones, aged 85 years.

LANKTON.-In Omaha, Neb., December 5, 1907, Dr. Freeda M. Lankton, aged 45 years.

LIPPITT.-In Elmington, Va., December 20, 1907, Dr. Charles Edward Lippitt, aged 78 years.

LOOMIS.-In New York city, December 22, 1907, Dr. Henry Patterson Loomis, aged 49 years.

MCCLELLAND.-In Arrow Rock, Mo., December 12, 1907, Dr. Robert W. McClelland, aged 72 years.

MCMASTER.-In Wheeling, W. Va., December 6, 1907, Dr. Robert O. McMaster, aged 55 years.

MORRILL. In Egypt, December 27, 1907, Dr. F. Gordon Morrill of Boston, Mass., aged 64 years.

NOBLEY.-In Amhurstburg, Ont., December 8, 1907, Dr. Thomas Nobley, aged 57 years.

NORTHWAY.-In Lordsburg, N, M., December 13, 1907, Dr. Edgar F. Northway, aged 35 years.

O'BRIEN.-In Clarksboro, N. J., December 16, 1907, Dr. Harry Zebulon O'Brien, aged 29 years.