The rights of Kansas women to do more than take domestic dictation and cook and scrub and dig that the powerful influence of the home may be up to par as an eugenic nidus in which to cradle, grow and mature the healthful germ plasm that must stamp the character units of personality, of individuality, of their love produced offspring, bids fair to bear fruit. Not merely by ingraft conception but by the legislative "modus operandi" that will exclude by state law infra-ingraft conception that the further burdening of social standards, of moral laws, of public charities, of corrective and penal institutions may be curtailed by the cessation of future miscellaneous breeding of delinquency and mental deficiency (1).

That a dimunitive stimulation may be added to the worthy work of these thinking women of Kansas this question is submitted:

"Do You Know-That the administration of criminal law, man made law, to avenge an overt act going to a conclusion blindly, without understanding, is made clear by the fact that near 60

(1) S. Grover Burnett: Do You Know "Mental Deficiency and Delinquency," Medical Herald, p. 106, April, 1920.

per cent of the population of penal and corrective institutions are, psychologically, personality mis

links and misfits, victims of the various types of

psychic, subconscious and unconscious epilepsies. the automatic breeders of mental defects, mental deteriorations and true mental disease?"

In the place of a man made law to avenge a mental deficiency act the intent, is to prevent the marriage of the unfit and to legally enforce sterilization of epileptics that there be no chance of reproduction. In other words apply an aetiologic application of the law, first that defectives be not born to commit crime instead of a retroactive law as a coercive corrective and an impossible therapeutic measure.

This is in accord with the progressive medical minds of today in the application of the laws of eugenics, namely, that we may be well born, for the psychic and somatic betterment of the

race.

The essential epileptic, whether of the petit mal, the grand mal, or any of the variations of the psychic type, is always a social danger (2). His reproduction is a social crime for which we are directly responsible through our own eugenic delinquency. A glaring example was the shock to the legal and social world recently in the multiple murders enacted by the notorious James Watson. Watson's so-called confession reveals that he had actual convulsions followed by unconsciousness while he was apprenticed to a cruel blacksmith during boyhood. And if the published report of his confession is half true, it teems with memory exhibits and horror acts that only belong to varying phases of psychic epilepsy (3), a mentally deficient criminal, a victim of the retroactive man made law of vengance and a non-corrective. His sterilization in boyhood would have saved the lives of nine women. A part of the routine medical treatment of the essential epileptic who otherwise seems well in private life, is the physician's insistant advice (4) that the simple operation of sterilization be done before marriage is per

mitted.

The seriousness of the breeding of epileptics is appreciated by the women of Kansas as indicated in the report of the legislative committee of the Federation of Women's Clubs, at the annual meeting in May at Hays, Kansas. This report urges that the existing state law for the "sterilization of epileptics" be enforced. There being no penalty for official dereliction in the law enforcement, an amendment is asked whereby the responsible officials may be penalized in default of duty.

(2) S. Grover Burnett: "Seven Years Study of Three Men Who Murdered Eleven People," The Medical Fortnightly, Dec. 25, 1907.

(3) Would Dr. Kern of California Study This Man Long Enough to Make a Scientific Report of his Case? (4) S. Grover Burnett: "Treatment of Epilepsy-A 25 Year Report," Medical Herald, April, 1916.

Kansas is maintaining an expensive institution at Parsons for the exclusive care of epileptics while epileptic reproduction goes on throughout the state to keep it filled and to give zest to the criminal courts activity and to burden the taxpayer who pays the bills. Therefore, in addition. to an amendment to penalize non-enforcement of the law, an additional amendment to sterilize an epileptic before a marriage certificate is issued should be made compulsory. Stop the breed that every joy in life may not be a nauseous nightmare. The rearing of beautiful, normal children is a solemn but the most sacred and joy-giving obligation to the parental heart; but epileptics, mental deficients, mental delinquents, criminal monsters and insane are hovered by a whole life's cloud without a silver lining. If the live membership of the Federation of Women's Clubs of Kansas will sterilize the Kansas sterilization law with amendments to make it steril a progressive star will be added the Kansans crown of glory that will shine around the world. S. G. B.

Vaccines and Infections

Vaccines are apparently a very popular method of treating the infections. It is evident that not infrequently the principles of vaccine treatment are hazy in the mind of the physician. Often vaccines are used as a last resort.

In an infection a microorganism stands in an infectious relation to the diseased process when it has been able to multiply and produce symptoms of disease.

In doing this, it must enter the body, and overcome obstacles, some mechanical, others functional, of the cells and fluids of the host. There is organ affinity and "serum-fastness."

An editorial in "The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine" says that vaccination has for its aims: (1) The initial increase of resistance of the host so that invasion by bacteria is made more difficult or, in the extreme case (smallpox) impossible; (2) to so modify the fluids of the body that once an organism has invaded the body it is not able to survive the condition which discourages parasitism (typhoid); (3) To so modify the fluids that in the case of developed parasitism, the bacteria are eventually killed (furunculosis). It is this latter instance in which we are especially interested at this time.

In an established infection we have either a localized infection or a general infection. If local the conditions are such that the growth of the parasites is inhibited to a certain extent because of a locally acquired protective mechanism. As in furunculosis. In such a case vaccination is to

immunize prophylactically against succeeding new infections while at the same time assisting in the cure of the old.

In general infections, especially in streptococcic and staphylococcic sepsis, the use of vaccines has not been brilliant and is apt to have harmful effects rather than beneficial ones.

Theobald Smith, commenting upon the general problems of vaccination, says "all parasites tend to incease the resistance of the host in which

they live and multiply. Out of this universal fact a number of practical problems arise. In any given disease is it worth while to try to raise this immunity and how much energy will it cost the patient. If worth while, what is the best and ficially? In any localized infection you must most sparing way of raising such immunity artiask: Is this a beginning process without attendant immunity, or is it a residual process associated with general immunity? If the latter, then vaccines may be considered safe. In processes associated with fever and bacteremia science says 'Hands off until we know whether we have a progressive disease with gradual undermining of the resistance, or a more localized affection in which the excursions into the blood are secondary. Judged from this point of view as well as from the work of the laboratory, we would say rarely, if ever, life saving, but that they may that vaccines applied during disease will be hurry a stationary or languid process which tends toward recovery by bringing into play the un

used reserves of the various tissues."

Infectious processes in general are suitable for treatment by active immunization, if they are localized, i. e., confined to one or more isolated lesions and are not associated with bacteremia. And if they are more or less chronic.

Autogenous vaccines are preferable, but there are certain cases in which the stock vaccines are productive of good effects.

The use of mixed vaccines is questionable and unscientific.

Dr. Frank Billings of Chicago, discussing a paper on "The End Results of Focal Infections" during April of this year, said: "The removal of the focus in chronic infective arthritis would not greatly benefit the patient or would not benefit the majority of them. The duty here was to build up the resistance against the invaders by methods employed for the restoration of the bloodvessels and for this purpose the methods of physiotherapy were suitable. The use of antigens in the form of dead bacteria had not proved satisfactory. He had used them controlling the work, with all the knowledge at our disposal; he had used autogenous and non-autogenous, activated and non-activated antigens and those who did not receive them did as well as those who did. Foreign protein antigen injected intravenously appeared in the hands of some to

The first annual meeting of this association in Kansas City was a decided success and highly gratifying to the officers and promoters of the 'organization. Twenty excellent papers were read and discussed with the result that electro-therapy received a salutary impetus in this section of the country. The interest and enthusiasm manifested at this meeting is indicative of the spirit which imbues the men engaged in this line of work. Electro-therapy has taken a permanent place in the practice of medicine and surgery, and according to Dr. Wm. L. Clark, "the class of men who are finding electro-physical measures of value, is growing increasingly better each year." The special guests of the society gave addresses that were highly edifying to the members. They were Doctors J. D. Gibson of Denver, H. H. Bowing of the Mayo Clinic, D. T. Quigley and W. E. Wolcott of Omaha.

The association expressed its appreciation of, and confidence in Dr. Grover, by re-electing him president of the association, it being the concensus of opinion that the organization needed a master hand at the helm for another year.

In concluding his magnificent address, Dr.

Grover senses the future of this association in the following words:

"This association is an expression of our desire for better application of methods by which practical effects may be given the principles for which we stand. It is our intention by every means in our power to insure its practical efficiency. It is our firm belief that through its instrumentality we can hope to become better physicians. The work of this association has now assumed definite character and will have that particular force which should be associated with our work.

"It is an established principle in social economy that knowledge in the individual and its rapid spread to the multitude are alike beneficial to individual and state. Therefore it becomes a moral obligation to be intelligent. If we are to come up to the standard of what is expected of us, we must be on the alert to grasp every opportuity which presents itself for our advancement.

"It is the desire of the organizers of this society that it shall be one of high standing and

scientific value and to that end it must have no substandard requirements."

The complete minutes of the society will be found in another part of this issue.

The Western School

of Electro-Therapy

Held a three days' session previous to the meeting of the association, there being nearly one hundred in attendance from every section of the United States. The interest in Dr. Grover's lectures seems to increase each year, and it is expected that the attendance will be even larger next year. Arrangements are being made for another session of the school, which will be more helpful to advanced students and those who have profited by the previous lectures given by Dr. Grover. The plan as outlined provides for one or two days' lectures and two days devoted to clinics and demonstrations. The recent developments in electro-therapy have been fully demonstrated by the widespread interest manifested in these lectures.

Increase in

Subscription Price

A year ago we made the announcement that the subscription price of the Medical Herald would remain $1.00 if possible to maintain this rate. In spite of all our endeavors, however, to keep down expenses, the price of white paper is still soaring and another increase in postage is due July 1st, while the wages of the printer still continue to advance.

With the additional papers read at the meeting of the Western Electro-Therapeutic Association, we find it absolutely necessary to increase the size of the journal. This cannot be done without increasing the subscription price, however reluctant we are to do so. The price of the Medical Herald and Electro-Therapist will therefore be $2.00 per year, beginning with January 1st, 1921. Subscriptions will be received at the old rate, $1.00, up to December 31st, and one may subscribe for as many years as they wish, at this rate. We believe, however, that our readers will find in an increased number of pages, filled with interesting material, ample justification for the $2.00 rate. The papers read at the Missouri Valley and Electro-Therapeutic Associations are of the highest character and they will appear exclusively in the Medical Herald during the year. Renew now at one dollar, or pay two dollars at the end of the year.

M. S. M. V. Official Call for Papers

The next annual meeting of the Medical Society of the Missouri Valley will be held in

Omaha, Neb., Monday and Tuesday, September 6-7, under the presidency of Dr. Charles Ryan of Des Moines. The date of this meeting has been set forward beyond the usual time, at the request of Dr. John P. Lord, chairman of the arrangement committee, in order that our members may be given the opportunity to witness a novel entertainment in the ceremonial of the "Ak-Sar-Ben." The dates have also been selected with a view to avoiding congestion during the fall festivities. Headquarters and meeting place as usual at Hotel Fontenelle. Rooms should be engaged early to avoid disappointment. This notice is also an official call for papers, titles of which should be sent to the secretary. They will be placed upon the program in the order received. On account of the excessive cost of paper and printing, the usual announcements of the meeting will be omitted this year. Members will therefore look for all information in the official journal. Charles Wood Fassett. Secretary, 536 Ridge Building, Kansas City, Mo.

New Dispensary and Clinic for Kansas City

Heraldings

The night has a thousand eyes,
And the day but one;

Yet the light of the whole world dies
With the dying sun.

The mind has a thousand eyes,
And the heart but one;

Yet the light of a whole life dies
When Love is done.

On June 13th, the "Alfred Benjamin Dispensary" was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies. at Admiral Boulevard and Harrison Street. The establishment of this new dispensary is the culmination of a struggle for betterment of the inadequate and cramped conditions experienced in carrying on the work in the old building. The new dispensary, with its modern medical and surgical equipment was made possible by voluntary subscriptions. It will be conducted along non-sectarian lines, although it will be operated under the direction of the United Jewish Charities, Mr. Alfred Benjamin, president. The staff of the dispensary and clinics will be under the direction of Dr. I. J. Wolf, as chief, and the following named physicians, surgeons and specialists: George Bellows, B. Belove, Sidney Blum, Frank Cohen, Clyde Donaldson, Julius Frischer, Joseph Getelson, E. L. Ginsberg. A. Goldman, Max Goldman, George Halley, Wolf Ibler, Ben Jacobs, H. D. Jerowitz, George Knappenberger, J. Lichtenberg, B. A. Lieberman, S. Loebenstein. A. J. Lorie, Paul Lux, A. B. Miller, Phillip Motz, Stanley Newhouse, George Pendleton, George Ringel, G. W. Robinson, Leon Rosenwald, Lyle Sellers, B. L. Sulzbacher.

Medical Veterans Organize-The medical and dental officers of St. Joseph who served in the World War held a meeting May 17, at which they organized with the name "Medical and Dental Veterans of the World War," and elected Dr. W. L. Kenney president.

Because taxi drivers are charging physicians more for taking the doctor to a patient than the doctor gets for his services, physicians of Davenport will probably increase their fees.

Clinical medicine has represented the human side of things, and can never be machine output.

But it is money, money, money everywhere. Keep your eyes open and you shall see.

Loyalty to one's fellows in the profession has made our fraternity what it is-respected and honored by the people. At least we had a good moral character once-when we graduated.

The mere fact that man is surrounded, covered and penetrated by an infinite number of bacteria, and yet lives, is a proof that the human body has within itself adequate defense against bacteria.-Crile.

The doctor encounters free service galore, free clinics, free hospital service, free laboratory service, free United States Public Health Service, free Red Cross clinics, free state and municipal service. Whither are we going?

In indigestion, where gaseous eructations follow soon after eating, and the digestion is very slow, hydrochloric acid is specifically indicated.

Concerning the Doctor

Dr. Harry Forgrave has just completed an elaborate residence at 19th and Clay streets.

Dr. H. Delameter, health physician of St. Joseph, has resigned his place to accept a similar post at Portsmouth, Va. Dr. Geo. M. Boteler has been elected to fill the place of Dr. Delame

ter.

Dr. Paul Forgrave has been elected member of City Board of Health in place L. J. Dandurant, who has resigned.

Dr. M. J. Farber, married early in May, has reurned to St. Joseph with his bride. Mrs. Farber is welcomed by the profession.

Dr. W. T. Elam brought a bride with him when he returned from the A. M. A. meeting at New Orleans. Mrs. Elam, a former nurse, had seen service abroad. Her home was in St. Louis, Mo., where the wedding took place. We welcome Mrs. Elam to the St. Joseph fraternity of doctors and nurses.