to be of a serous nature, slightly cloudy, due to the presence of a few pus cells. The following treatment was outlined, and, I am happy to say, was faithfully executed:

"Protonuclein tablets, three grains (Reed and Carnrick), half an hour before meals and at bedtime, subsequently increased to five tablets per diem. Also ten minims of fluid extract of cascara at bedtime, to regulate the bowels, which were in a torpid condition. Besides this, the surface over the painful area was painted with iodine every second or third evening, as the condition of the skin. permitted.

"Her diet consisted of not less than half a pound of lean beef or chops at two meals each day, with vegetables in limited quantities, to which was added half a pint of cream each day, to be consumed in a manner most agreeable to the patient.

"The result of this treatment was, that the patient gained flesh at the rate of a pound a week and strength in accordance. The temperature became normal at the end of the second week, and deep inspiration gave no pain early in the third week. No trace of fluid could be found by the tenth day, while after eight weeks of treatment the patient declared that she never felt better in her life.

"This case seems to me to be one which demonstrates the beneficial properties of Protonuclein, especially when combined with a nourishing diet. There can be no doubt that this case would have terminated in empyema, and that very shortly, had active treatment been delayed; and I believe that many cases of pleurisy with an effusion which is not absorbed so rapidly as it ought to be, would be speedily cured by a treatment substantially the same as the one employed in this case."

IODIA AS AN ALTERATIVE AND SEDATIVE.-Dr. H. G. Reemsnyder, of Ephrata, Pa., reports (“Medical and Surgical Reporter," Jan. 16, 1897) the beneficial effects of Iodia in several cases of secondary syphilis. He commends its use in all such chronic complaints as suggest the need of sedative alteratives calculated to promote functional activity in the elimination of adventitious deposits without depletion.

MANAGEMENT OF PNEUMONIA PATIENTS.-An interesting discussion ("Medical Record," Dec. 12) recently took place on this subject before the New York Academy of Medicine. Dr. S. Baruch, although strongly advocating hydrotherapy, said that Phenacetine was occasionally useful. Dr. E. G. Janeway stated that he

was not one of those who decried the coal-tar series of drugs. He had given patients a great deal of comfort at times by their use. In one case, in which the temperature rose to 106° F., cold compresses did not reduce it and the attendant restlessness, while Phenacetine did. This experience was repeated twice in that case. The Phenacetine reduced the temperature and also induced sleep, as morphine might; but it did not, like morphine, cause constipation, tympanites, and derangement of the liver. Discouragement

of the coal-tar series, on account of depressing effects, came from Germany, where they gave very large doses of everything. It was Dr. Janeway's custom to give the smallest dose which would accomplish the purpose, and not to give the largest dose which the patient could stand.

DISINFECTION OF THE MOUTH IN SCARLATINA.-M. Lemoine recently advanced the theory ("American Medico-Surgical Bulletin") that the period of contagion in scarlatina is at the beginning rather than at the close of the disease. According to this view, the secretions of the mouth and pharynx are the dangerous elements rather than the desquamating epithelium; the disinfection of these cavities should, therefore, take first rank among prophylactic measures, and the period of isolation to which cases of scarlatina are at present subjected should be considerably shortened.

This theory is important, in that other eruptive diseases, as measles and smallpox, may perhaps be transmitted by the same

means.

Until the pathology of these diseases is better known, it seems rational treatment to disinfect the mouth and pharynx, thus possibly rendering a service both to the patient and to the attendants.

For this purpose, Dr. J. D. Albright ("Journal American Medical Association") suggests the use of Glyco Thymoline (Kress) as an effective prophylactic as well as pleasant to the patient. LISTERINE also fulfils these conditions in a pre-eminent degree and may be relied upon in all such cases.

VALENTINE'S MEAT JUICE is very favorably reported upon by R. Mortimer Yule, M. D., Medical Officer of Health. Bressay, and several other reliable observers, as an effective remedy for influenza and its sequelae. Dr. Thomas C. Taylor, of New York, testifies to its value as exemplified in his own family, various members of which, being prostrated with influenza, were unable to keep anything else upon the stomach. Our own experience is alike favorable to its use.

EDITOR'S TABLE.

SANITARIAN, MARCH NUMBER, 1897.

ALL correspondence and exchanges and all publications for review should be addressed to the Editor, DR. A. N. BELL, Brooklyn, N. Y.

BROOKLYN'S WATER SUPPLY AND ITS IMPURITIES.

It is very remarkable that, in considering the shortage of Brooklyn's water supply and the recent suggestion by the chief engineer that water meters should be used and the people put upon an allowance, no one seems to have thought of possible waste by other means than excessive household use. May there not be other leaks? This question is certainly pertinent, in view of one of the most recently constructed reservoirs of 400,000,000 gallons capacity, which will not hold water at all. And, it has been reported with regard to some of the older ones, that on raking out the debris which has been accumulating ever since the time of their construction, the water rapidly sinks to a lower level. That there is immense leakage somewhere-greatly in excess of the per capita consumption and waste estimated by the engineers—is self evident. The water is still tainted, perhaps the more by reason of its agitation during the process of cleaning the ponds and streams. Although there are no results thus far to demonstrate its unwholesomeness, there is no question of its increased liability to become. so by reason of the still retained impurities. And it is greatly to be hoped that the thorough cleansing of all the reservoirs and their tributaries may be accomplished soon. With regard to sources and quantity, it would be interesting to others besides Col. Waring, who though they may be like him-"were never in charge of the distribution of a water supply * * * nor had the problem of hunting for water sources at any time a part of his professional duties" to know what becomes of the water so abundantly supplied to the great water basin of Long Island. We took occasion two years ago (Vol. 34, p. 325) to describe the well-nigh impervious bottom of this basin with its inexhaustible supply of water from the clouds and its inimitable filter bed. Our estimate of the rainfall was 34 cubic feet-it is a little more-upon each square foot of surface, which is upward of 83,000,000 of cubic feet, or 622,500,000 gallons to the square mile. The whole surface area of this sand

filter bed and basin is about 2,000 square miles. It is quite safe to estimate that one-fourth of it could be made available to the Brooklyn water supply. In conversation with a distinguished engineer on this subject some time ago, he said, "but you ought to know, doctor, that only about 15 of the 43 inches rainfall can be made available." Admitting this, and after making allowance for every possible loss through natural sources, there would still remain enough available by properly exercised engineering skill to supply half a dozen Brooklyns. To argue otherwise is seemingly to admit that the availability of two or three hundred driven wells-most of them to the depth of the first water struck, 20 to 40 feet from the surface and only one to a constant flow-a dozen or so of ebb and flow ponds (through the sand) and a half dozen other and better constructed reservoirs, but all of them more or less leaky, is a fair test of engineering skill, and a justification of the enormous outlay contemplated for going to the Adirondack lakes. It is sincerely to be hoped that the commission for the investigation of water supplies, proposed by Senator Brush, will be appointed, and that it will not overlook the folly of this contemplated enterprize, nor the contemplated crime of restricting supplies for domestic purposes by the use of water meters. An abundant and unrestricted water supply is so intimately associated with the health of people that the bare suggestion of water meters and restricted allowance for domestic purposes makes one shudder as he recalls the history of a few ages ago when a tax was imposed on water and light, contemporaneously with an annual death rate of 50 to 100 per 1,000 living among the people who maintained it. Water is indeed no less essential to the health of people than light, and it was so regarded even in ancient times among the most enlightened people, who incurred enormous outlays and conveyed it from great distances in order to supply the wants of the people without restriction, and they were the only healthy people of the period. Indeed, wherever the water supply of a people has been scant or intrusted to the persons who are more careful of party interest than of the public welfare, or where this best and most abundant gift of Providence has been treated as a luxury— made abundantly accessible to the rich, while being stinted and doled out to the poor-there there always has been and by continuance always will be an unhealthy community. The responsibility for such conditions, though instigated they may be by individual officials, rests upon the civil authorities as a body.

Already the public authorities of Brooklyn have incurred the responsibility of ignoring the behest of the legislature to provide and the rights of the people to have public baths. And now, as if the denial of baths to those who most need and cannot otherwise obtain them, were not enough, the suggestion is made that the supply of water for other purposes be curtailed! The best expression of good government is the securement of the greatest amount of happiness to all. Nothing is more essential to the health and moral condition of the people than an unlimited and unstinted supply of pure fresh water.

SWIMMING POOL FOR WOMEN.-The swimming pool connected with the new gymnasium at Pratt Institute is the first to be opened to women in Brooklyn.

This swimming tank is 44 feet in length, 15 feet wide, and is lined with white porcelain tiles. It is supplied with water from an artesian well, which fills the tank with fresh water daily. On the left of the main hall are the dressing-rooms, needle baths, measuring and massage rooms. Each girl has her own locker, where she keeps her "Jim" suits, etc.

The course of gymnastic exercises has been arranged with the aim to secure a symmetrical development of the body, to increase the strength of the muscles, the circulation and the respiratory powers, and to gain agility and grace. The exercises are designed to remove much of the embarrassment, nervousness and faltering characteristics of those who have not a well-developed control of the body.

The work consists of Swedish educational gymnastics, including free standing exercises, running, jumping, vaulting, and the use of the horizontal ladder and of inclined and vertical ropes. Exercises with clubs, wands, dumbbells and foils are also given. A certificate is required from each student, signed by her physician, stating her physical condition at the time of entrance. Gymnasium costumes and shoes without heels are required for all classes. Corsets and close-fitting waists will not be allowed in any of the exercises.

FIGHTING CONSUMPTION is not fighting consumptives by any means. On the contrary it is caring for them in such a way as to promote their chances of recovery and to protect others from the disease. Intelligent people generally now know that the disease is caused by a germ, the tubercle bacillus, which the sputum of con