A COMBINED ENDO-THACHEAL PUMP AND SUCTION APPARATUS.

326 indicate that great care has been exercised in the choice of materials and in the brewing and bottling process.

ORAKGE PIERJAC. (C. A. LABIN, LTD., 53, PICCADILLY, LONDON, BV. 1.) This preparation belongs to the well-known type of continental " fruit sirops." It is claimed to be made in France and from fresh fruit and sugar only and to contain no preservatives. The Pierjac had the

(6) Two filters and two traps are provided between the suction and pressure systems. Furthermore, it is impossible for any liquid particles of anaesthetic to reach the exit tube, however full the bottles may be or however high the pressure. (7) At full speed the suction is sufficient to aspirate blood clot or thick pus with ease. Thus the apparatus can be used with advantage for dissection tonril-

following composition :Specific gravity........ 13000 Equivalent to

Sugar (as Ash

invert

........8 lb. per gallon of sugar.

sugar)

......

79 per cent. 0-1 "

..........

Acidity (as citric) ........ 1-18 Alcohol, gum, glucose, syrup, glycerine, and preservatives (salicylic acid and ........ absent. sulphites) These results, together with the presence of a considerable amount of orange pulp, indicate the correctness of the description. That highly refined cane sugar has been employed in this preparation is shown by the low percentage of ash. When mixed with water or soda-water in the proportion recommended Pierjac makes an agreeable beverage with a pronounced but not too strong orange flavour, although to some, especially to adults, the sweetness might be slightly excessive. (A. WANDER, LIMITED, 45, CoWCROSS-STREET, LONDON, E.C. 1.) This preparation, the full name for which is colloidal hydroxide of aluminium, is supplied in tablet and in powder form, and has claims for consideration in the treatment of disease of the stomach and intestine. As an adjuvant in cases of hyperacidity it has been found valuable in practice. The tablets are supplied in containers of 60 tablets at 3s. 6d. each. The strength of each tablet is7 gr. (0-50 g. of pure " alocol "). They are slightly flavoured and must be broken with the teeth. Their purpose is to make the use of alocol easier for the patient, who can take them at any time and without trouble. Alocol " powder is supplied in 100 and 250 g. containers at 3s. 9d. and 7s. 6d. each respectively. Two tablets should be dissolved in the mouth half an hour before and two tablets half an hour after each meal, unless otherwise directed by the physician. "

New Inventions A COMBINED ENDO-THACHEAL PUMP AND SUCTION APPARATUS. THE machine illustrated is

an

attempt

to

or other proceedings where powerful suction combined with an endotracheal or endo-pharyngeal anaesthesia, are necessary. (8) If the necessary cylinders are available, nitrous oxide-oxygen or ethylene-oxygen can be administered. (9) The base-plate of the heater is continued as a support for the ether bottle. Consequently the most concentrated ether vapour can be supplied indefinitely without any freezing in the bottle. Care has been taken with all the electrical connexions to avoid any possibility of sparks coming into contact with the anaesthetic vapour. This is of vital importance when using ethylene. With nitrous-oxide, the new " dry " gas supplied by manufacturers obviates the necessity for heating the reducing valve, with additional safety from possible explosion. C. LANGTON HEWER. Regent’s Park, N.W.

lectomies, septum resections,

A NEW INTRA-UTERINE FORCEPS. FOR the removal of retained portions of embryo the blades of the forceps (see figure) are placed in the uterus separately by a method similar to that commonly employed for the application of midwifery forceps. By this means a substantial hold is obtained, rotation can be effected, and " nibbling" small

provide

in one apparatus all that is necessary for any type of anaesthesia combined with really powerful suction. It has been constructed by Messrs. Coxeter and Son, Ltd., of 171-175, Pancras-road, London, N.W. 1. The main features of. the apparatus are :(1) It is portable, as it is fitted with a wood cover and can be carried by a strap. (2) It is almost silent in operation. This is due to the motor and pump which are of the Reavell-Moseley type, being direct-coupled without intermediate gearing, in the same case. The rotary pattern pump is much more silent than is the oscillating type, and is almost as efficient. (3) It can be operated on any electric current, direct This range covers or alternating from 100-250 volts. practically every main supply in England, and is effected by employing a double wound motor. (4) Chloroform, ether, or mixed vapours can be supplied in any proportion at any (measured) temperature and pressure, within fairly wide limits. (5) An adjustable automatic blow-off prevents the pressure rising beyond any desired value even if the motor is run at full speed during an endo-t,racheal administration to provide maximum suction. This feature is of utmost importance in combined machines.

fragments of embryo avoided. The necessary incursions to empty the uterus are reduced to a minimum. Any compression that may be necessary is accomplished by means of the adjustable screw at the

extremity of the handles, and as the blades traverse the cervix by lowering this portion of the instrument into the same plane as the handle to which it is attached, an aid to traction is obtained, the handles in the meantime being kept at the requisite degree of apposition by pressure with the left hand of the operator. The lower blade

can also be used separately to remove from the uterine wall an early placenta, or other adherent material removable by gross curettage. The instrument is made in two sizes and can be obtained from H. McClory and Son, 5, Edmund-street,

Birmingham. J. HARGREAVES

ROBINSON,

Hon. Surgeon, Royal Maternity Charity of London.