CYCLING: ITS USE AND ABUSE.

825 side of the trunk and the left leg, and in the lower limbs weakness with exaggerated reflexes. There were also recession of the right eye and contraction of its pupil. After a most interesting discussion of the points for and provided by the foresight and munificence of an old Cam- against syringomyelia, the conclusion was come to that the bridge citizen, which keeps the kennels of the main streets symptoms of the case, although presenting a very strong fresh and sweet, and a population, numerous no doubt, but resemblance to those of syringomyelia, were really the result far above the average of most towns with respect to the of the old injury and the subsequent strain, and were depenpower of maintaining themselves. All that is wanted, then, dent upon a condition at the level of the first dorsal nerves, is a system of drainage which will prevent the sewage the eye symptoms having been due to an affection of the from polluting the soil and its gases from poisoning the cerebro-spinal centre. A note is added describing the condition found on operation-viz., rugosities of the laminæ— atmosphere. which by pressure on the nerve would account for the upper THE HOWARD ASSOCIATION. limb condition, but not for any lesion in the canal itself. THE report of this Association is always interesting, and The patient’s condition was not materially altered after the this year it derives an additional claim to attention from operation. the fact that it closes the annual records of a quarter of a CYCLING: ITS USE AND ABUSE. century. The causes, prevention, and treatment of crime are discussed in a series of brief but carefully written THOSE who believe in the necessity of physical exercise, articles. Under the first heading come drink, pauperism, and we belong to their number, have need also to remember and the lack of effective religious or moral training, and that even so good a thing as this is in excess an evil. the views of the Society on each of these subjects in their re- The use of the cycle is a form of bodily recreation lation to crime are expressed with evident intelligence and in itself doubtless wholesome; none the less is it good sense. As much may be said of the remedies pro- open to the mischievous effects of undue indulgence. posed. The good effect of the boarding-out system in Tempted by the ease of movement, combined as a rule the case of destitute children is also brought out in with attractive scenery, everyone tries it. Everyone the report. Certain references to matters of police and too, finds he can do something with it, and consideraprison administration are noteworthy. Among these we tions of weather, constitution, age, and health are apt to may mention an arrangement, now in partial operation, be dismissed with summary imprudence.One fruitful which provides female attendants for the care of prisoners of source of injury is competition. In this matter not even their own sex at police stations. The increase of accommoda- the strongest rider can afford to ignore his limit of tion for prisoners awaiting trial at sessions and assize courts endurance. The record-breaker, who sinks exhausted at constitutes another ground of satisfaction. A short note on his journey’s end, has gone a point beyond this. The the Berbillon system of cranial measurement as a means of septuagenarian who tries to rival his juniors by doing criminal identification is of interest to medical jurists. It and repeating his twenty or thirty miles, perhaps against is instructive to observe the views of the Society on penal time, is even less wise. Lady cyclists, too, may bear treatment, and these, we learn, are best illustrated by a in mind that their sex is somewhat the weaker. So system of short and rigorous sentences, combined with likewise among men the power of endurance varies greatly, gradual dissociation of prisoners, and followed by a period and it is better for some to admit this and be moderate of conditional liberation. For further information as to than to labour after the achievements of far more muscular its contents we are compelled, by limitation of space, to neighbours. In short, whenever prostration beyond mere refer our readers to the report itself, which will be found on transient fatigue follows the exercise, or when digestion acquaintance not unworthy of the name it bears and the suffers and weight is markedly lessened, and a pastime work it is intended to promote. which ought to exhilarate becomes an anxious labour, we may be sure that it is being overdone. He that would reap its best results must content himself with much less than A CASE SIMULATING SYRINGOMYELIA. but unless he can observe such moderation, he had IN the last number of the Archives de Neurologic, Professor this; better abstain from it altogether. Charcothas described a case which is interesting because of the resemblances which it bears to syringomyelia-resemblances ICE CREAM DIET IN GASTRIC ULCER. which were so strong as to have induced the physician who it to the to send DR. HERSTEY reports in the American Medical News had formerly seen the case Salpêtrière with this diagnosis. The patient was a young man of three cases of gastric ulcer in which recovery had followed twenty-two, who had been shot in the back of the neck the use of a diet of ice cream. This novel method of treatfour years ago. A cicatrix remained, one centimetre from ment was suggested to him by the experience of a patient, the middle line at the level of the seventh cervical vertebra. a woman of thirty-five, who had for three months suffered He had at the time of the accident paralysis of the right from symptoms of gastric ulcer. She had heamatemesis and arm and leg, which, however, soon passed off, and in a few severe pain, and could retain nothing until by chance she weeks he was able to resume his ordinary work as a baker. one day took a small quantity of ice cream. She had lost Three years later, while lifbing a heavy weight, he expe- 251b. in weight. As all ordinary methods of dieting had rienced sudden and severe pain between the shoulders. failed, and digested food administered by the rectum was Next day he had slight weakness of the right leg, and rejected, the patient at her own desire was allowed ice cream, the right arm and hand soon became weak, and the small and told to take as much of it as she could. Her severe symmuscles commenced to atrophy. An accidental injury a few ptoms at once began to subside, and at the end of two months, months later revealed to the patient the fact that he was during which from one to three quarts of ice cream were not sensitive to pain on the inner side of the right arm. taken daily, she bad gained twenty-four pounds in weight. When he came under observation there were weakness Solid nourishment was gradually added to her diet, and she and wasting of the muscles of the right hand and fore- made a complete recovery. Dr. Herstey had a similar exarm, analgesia, and heat over the inner side of the perience with two other patients, in one of whom there were forearm and upper arm-parts supplied by nerves from symptoms of perforation and local peritonitis, and he is the first dorsal-impairment of sensibility over the left naturally inclined to think highly of the mode of treatment

with a view to the future growth of the town, Cambridge ought to become one of the healthiest cities in the country, for it has an excellent constant supply of good water, numerous open spaces, with a stream of running water,

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