IRRITANT WOODS.

1703 were not able to prevent paralytic sym- scientific interest in regard to psediatrics, since the expense an of alarming character. In the severe cases to the authorities in supplying pure milk-sugar to the ptoms subcutaneous injections of strychnine, sparteine, and municipal dairies is by no means inconsiderable. adrenalin were also given. Under the latter the arterial tension appeared to rise. They did not think that there was THE VICEROY OF INDIA UNDERGOING PASTEUR any danger of anaphylaxis from repeated doses of antitoxin, (ANTI-RABIC) TREATMENT. for anaphylaxis usually results from administration of a IT is reported that Lord and Lady Minto have been obliged small dose of antigen to an organism saturated with antito undergo the Pasteur treatment in consequence of a pet body. With large doses of antigen the danger is less. In poodle having been bitten by a mad dog, which bit two .the discussion which followed M. Netter said that he had members of the subordinate staff. The poodle having been found repeated injections of antitoxin useful in malignant fondled both Lord and Lady Minto, and its saliva being by diphtheria, though he had never given doses so large as those infectious if rabies is present, caused the Viceregal medical mentioned. He did not deny the danger of anaphylaxis, two adviser, Colonel W. R. Crooke-Lawless, R.A.M.C., to summon cases of which he had observed, but that never prevented him assistance from the Pasteur Institute at Kasauli. The treatfrom giving repeated injections of antitoxin in diphtheritic ment of rabies has been very effectually carried out in India paralysis. He also praised the administration of suprarenal during the past seven years. There are two Pasteur Instiextract, which he gives by the mouth in severe diph- tutes in India-we believe they are the only British Pasteur theria, having learned this treatment from Dr. Rolleston. Institutes in existence, and each under a director appointed M. Netter explained the good results on two grounds: in from the Army Medical Service and financed by the Governanimals poisoned by diphtheria toxin there are manifest ment of India. Details of the last report of the Kasauli alterations in the suprarenal capsules ; and in severe Institute were in our issue of May 29th. published diphtheria the blood pressure is very low. In the heartI failure of other infectious disease, such as scarlet fever, I IRRITANT WOODS. adrenalin has also given him’’marvellous" results. He AN interesting case was reported in these columns a few usually gives from 10 to 20 drops in the 24 hours in five or years ago, in which ar. acute irritation of the skin was traced six doses. to contact with satinwood. The dermatitis broke out THE VALUE OF MILK-SUGAR IN THE ARTIFICIAL amongst the operatives at a saw-mills where satinwood The sawdust has since been carefully was being cut up. FEEDING OF INFANTS. with a view to discover a definite examined chemically IN order to increase the calorie value of diluted cows’ milk to which the principle irritating effects might be ascribed. for milk in infants used as a substitute breast the feeding of The was undertaken by Dr. Auld, of the Scieninvestigation cream and is recommended to add and it usually sugar, since cream is too expensive for the poor to employ, and is, tific and Technical Department of the Imperial Institute, and less easy to obtain free from bacterial contami- some preliminary results have been placed in a paper read nation, sugar in some form is more generally utilised. before the Chemical Society. By suitable treatment an oil Owing to the fact that the natural sugar in the milk of all present to the extent of 1 per cent. was extracted, which, A animals is lactose, this sugar has been regarded as the best to however, did not appear to possess irritant properties. small of an was obtained alkaloid, however, which, quantity use if possible, although its greater cost compared with other reduced from its solvent, appeared in prismatic crystals. It is such as cane and malt is sugar, sugars, glucose, sugar, again an obstacle to its general use. According to the observa- apparently an alkaloid not yet included in the ordinary It yields tions of Rubner, 243 parts of milk-sugar have an equal heat category and has been called chloroxylonine. definite salts and behaves with in a similar certain reagents value with 100 parts of fat, and the milk-sugar has therefore to the alkaloid Further are way great family. experiments been utilised in such proportions as to make up for the made and further of the alkaloid are in course being supplies deficiency of fat and sugar in diluted cows’ milk. Recently of preparation, but there appears to be little doubt that it some few authorities have questioned the value of milk-sugar is capable of producing dermatitis similar in character to added to milk dilutions, and Dr. Richard Weigert of Breslau that produced when the wood from which it is derived comes in gives the Berliner Klinische 6Yochensckrifof May 24th an into contact with the skin. as well as a record of these

severe

type they

____

moreover,

interesting

summary opinions, of his own observations made at one of the municipal dairies in that city. Prechtl in 1901 appears to have been the first to write against the use of milk-sugar, on the grounds that it promoted the growth of gas-forming bacteria, and that it rendered the milk less easily digestible by separating the alkalies and calcium from their combinations with phosphoric acid. Finkelstein has also regarded milk-sugar as injurious, especially in dyspepsia, and further states that it is much inferior to cane sugar and to malt sugar as an addition to the diet. Czerny and Keller have also expressed the view that lactose is of minimal influence upon growth. As a result of his own observations, Dr. Weigert concludes that the addition of milk-sugar in 10 per cent. solution as a diluent for cows’ milk is without influence upon the weight curve of infants, that it is without beneficial effect upon digestive disturbances, and may hinder the return to normal when given to infants with frequent slimy motions. Dr. Weigert found no advantage in employing milk-sugar solution over simple dilution with water or with some simple diluent such as barley-water. He points out that the matter has an importance apart from its

THE SCOTTISH

PRISON COMMISSION.

THROUGH the retirement of Colonel McHardy the chairmanship of the Scottish Prison Commission is about to become vacant, and we trust that the Government will take advantage of this occasion to remove what has long been felt as a grave anomaly in prison administration in Scotland -namely, the absence of a medical member on the Prisons Board. It is somewhat singular that the northern kingdom, which has always enjoyed an enviable fame in psychiatry, should in this respect lag behind England and Ireland, where for some considerable time past there has always been a medical Commissioner of Prisons. The question was carefully considered by Lord Elgin’s Departmental Committee on Scottish Prisons in 1902 and a strong recommendation was adopted in favour of following the same policy in Scotland. The committee reported that it was much impressed by the fact that in the great majority of instances where difficulty has arisen in the management of prisons, questions have been involved which require for their determination experience in medical requirements and