Abstracts of Current L i t e r a t u r e MALIGNANT ORAL TUMORS Radiotherapy in the Management of the Cancer Patient. 17: 490, June, 1955.
G. H. Fletcher.
Postgrad. Med.
Squamous-cell carcinoma of the oral cavity is a serious disease which, if not treated radically when first diagnosed, will be fatal. The patient has one chance for cure, namely, of the first operation. Consequently, there is no minor procedure of use in the treatment of cancers of the oral cavity. E a r l y tumors of the tongue, floor of the mouth, and buccal mucosa can be treated by irradiation, which will result in a high cure rate and excellent preservation of function. Tumors situated in the floor of the mouth or the gingivae, which invade the bone, are best treated by surgery. T. J. C.
CLINICAL AND LABORATORY RESEARCH Determination of Hydrogen Ion Concentration in the M o u t h - - A Comparison of the Glass, Antimony, and Quinhydrone Micro-electrodes. G. Charlton. A u s t r a l i a n Dent. ,L 1: 2~8, August, 1956.
Three types of micro-electrodes for the d e t e r m i n a t i o n of hydrogen ion concentration, glass, antimony, and quinhydrone were compared on the basis of their ability to give accurate results when placed in buffers and various biologic materials. I t was found t h a t in certain s t a n d a r d buffers all three electrodes gave results which were in good agreemenl but, when placed in biologic materials, only the glass and quinhydrone electrodes gave readings which were in f a i r agreement; the a n t i m o n y electrode gave readings which were, in some cases, considerably different from those obtained with the glass and quiehydrono electrodes. From this work, i t was concluded t h a t the micro-glass electrode is the most accurate for use in the mouth. A micro-glass electrode for hydrogen ion determ i n a t i o n is described by G. Charlton in the Australian Dent~l Journal 1: 174-]76, June, 1956. A. ,L A.
MISCELLANEOUS On Being a Witness.
Morris r i s h b e i n .
Postgrad. Med. 17: 105, J a n u a r y , 1955.
A f t e r one is qualified as an expert witness in a case, the expert should m a i n t a i n the poise and dignity of a professional man. The following suggestions are offered: " A n s w e r the question briefly and succinctly; do not lecture to the jury." " W h e n your a t t o r n e y objects to a question of the opposition, w a i t cahnly and silently until the controversialists get the m a t t e r settled by the judge." "Do not quarrel with the a t t o r n e y s - - p a r t i c u l a r l y your o w n - - a n d certainly n e v e r with the judge." " S t a y away from percentages or m a t h e m a t i c a l ratios in conclusion unless prepared then and there to document them absolutely." " A b o v e all, speak simply and clearly!" T.J.C. 224