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The new decalogue of science
1925.
PUBLIC HEALTH.
AN INVESTIGATIONOF THE SALMONELLAGROUP WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO FOOD POISONING, by
WM. G. SAwxc~, M.D., and P. BaUCE WroTE, B.Sc. London : H. M. Stationery Office ; price, Bs. 6d. net. All Medical Officers of Health, who in the past have had to investigate outbreaks of food poisoning, will hail with pleasure the advent of this Report. it has now been established for some years that these outbreaks have been caused by the presence of organisms of the Gaertner or Salmunella group, and although much has been written here and in America, on this subject, the whole question requires further elucidation. In this report the identification and classification of organisms of the Sahnonella group are dealt with, as well as their distribution in nature and the effects produced in animals by their infections. The report consists of three parts : (i.) Serological studies with regard to the classification and behaviour of Bacilli of the Salmonella group by P. Bruce White ; (ii.) the classification and distribution in nature of the Salmonella group by W. G. Savage and P. Bruce White ; (iii.) Studies upon the methods of action of the Bacilli of the Salmonella group. To the practical worker in Public Health, parts (ii.) and (iii.) will appeal most, and in their preface the authors s a y : " In part (ii.) we have tried to demonstrate that these sub-groups not only have a definite distribution in nature, but have become somewhat specialised in their disease producirg characters. It is obvious that until this is done it is not possible to disentangle their relationships to disease, or to place the m:iology of food poisoning on a firm basis." " In part (iii.) we advance experimental work which we consider helps to explain the differing disease producing roles of these sub-groups." T h e report is a monument of close study and careful experiment and will well repay careful perusal. This report will be followed immediately by another joint report by Dr. Savage and Mr. Bruce White upon the detailed investigation of 100 actual recent oatbreaks of food poisoning in this country. By ALBERT EDWARD WIGGAM. pp. 287". Published by J. M. Dent and Son, Ltd., London and Toronto. Nett Price, 7s. 6d.
"THE NEW DECALOGUE OF SCIENCE. "
This interesting book is based on an essay which appeared in the " C e n t u r y M a g a z i n e , " in March, 1922, but the author states that but for his wife's extensive reading in biology, psychology, genetics, and heredity, the book would not have been written. Frankly it is an addition to the literature of " E u g e n i c s . " It is addressed to
195
statesmen, and is divided into five parts. Facts and a r g t m e u t s more or less known to many people who keep themselves fairly abreast of modc'rn hiologi(-al and eugenic literature arc adduced with references to and quotations from such writings. The author considers that the only religion which can clean up the world is a system of morality based on intelligent appreciation of biology, touched (perhaps) with emotion. \Varnings are given as to the fatuity of trying to equalise men when biologically they are not equal. Heredity is treated as a vastly greater factor than environment, and statesmen are implored to make physical and mental heredity their first solicitude - - o t h e r w i s e - - t h e v are w a r n e d - - t h e l r well-meaning philanthropic schemes will hasten the deterioration of the race. N o mention is made of diseases such as Rickets which are ahnost entirely due to faulty environment (airless slums, insufficient sunlight, lack of exercise and of suitable food, and of mothercraft) but a warning is launched against existing state ideals and institutions (e.g., the campaign against tuberculosis) as tending to weaken the human breed. A final warning is to the effect that morals, education, art, and religion, will not in themselves improve the human race, and a suggestion is made that all this meta-physico-theological " j u n k " should be jettisoned, while Science combined with the spirit of Christ should usher in a new E t h i c s - the sole test of righteousness to be the practical results of intelligent action. T h o u g h there appear to be some contradictions and omissions which will perhaps strike medical public health workers most, the book should be perused, and not least for its last part on The Ethical Outlook. T h o u g h some may be disappointed--they will find compensation and entertainment in the correspondonce between the author and Mr. G. Bernard Shaw which appears in the appendix.
Correspondence. The Editor does not accept responsibility for the opinions of correspondents. THE
TEACHING OF CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS.
S i r , - - O n e must agree with Dr. Duncan Forbes that public discussion of this question is extremely distasteful, but that is not sufficient reason for evading the issue, and therefore I for one am glad to see that he has put forward certain views
PUBLIC HEALTH.
AN INVESTIGATIONOF THE SALMONELLAGROUP WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO FOOD POISONING, by
WM. G. SAwxc~, M.D., and P. BaUCE WroTE, B.Sc. London : H. M. Stationery Office ; price, Bs. 6d. net. All Medical Officers of Health, who in the past have had to investigate outbreaks of food poisoning, will hail with pleasure the advent of this Report. it has now been established for some years that these outbreaks have been caused by the presence of organisms of the Gaertner or Salmunella group, and although much has been written here and in America, on this subject, the whole question requires further elucidation. In this report the identification and classification of organisms of the Sahnonella group are dealt with, as well as their distribution in nature and the effects produced in animals by their infections. The report consists of three parts : (i.) Serological studies with regard to the classification and behaviour of Bacilli of the Salmonella group by P. Bruce White ; (ii.) the classification and distribution in nature of the Salmonella group by W. G. Savage and P. Bruce White ; (iii.) Studies upon the methods of action of the Bacilli of the Salmonella group. To the practical worker in Public Health, parts (ii.) and (iii.) will appeal most, and in their preface the authors s a y : " In part (ii.) we have tried to demonstrate that these sub-groups not only have a definite distribution in nature, but have become somewhat specialised in their disease producirg characters. It is obvious that until this is done it is not possible to disentangle their relationships to disease, or to place the m:iology of food poisoning on a firm basis." " In part (iii.) we advance experimental work which we consider helps to explain the differing disease producing roles of these sub-groups." T h e report is a monument of close study and careful experiment and will well repay careful perusal. This report will be followed immediately by another joint report by Dr. Savage and Mr. Bruce White upon the detailed investigation of 100 actual recent oatbreaks of food poisoning in this country. By ALBERT EDWARD WIGGAM. pp. 287". Published by J. M. Dent and Son, Ltd., London and Toronto. Nett Price, 7s. 6d.
"THE NEW DECALOGUE OF SCIENCE. "
This interesting book is based on an essay which appeared in the " C e n t u r y M a g a z i n e , " in March, 1922, but the author states that but for his wife's extensive reading in biology, psychology, genetics, and heredity, the book would not have been written. Frankly it is an addition to the literature of " E u g e n i c s . " It is addressed to
195
statesmen, and is divided into five parts. Facts and a r g t m e u t s more or less known to many people who keep themselves fairly abreast of modc'rn hiologi(-al and eugenic literature arc adduced with references to and quotations from such writings. The author considers that the only religion which can clean up the world is a system of morality based on intelligent appreciation of biology, touched (perhaps) with emotion. \Varnings are given as to the fatuity of trying to equalise men when biologically they are not equal. Heredity is treated as a vastly greater factor than environment, and statesmen are implored to make physical and mental heredity their first solicitude - - o t h e r w i s e - - t h e v are w a r n e d - - t h e l r well-meaning philanthropic schemes will hasten the deterioration of the race. N o mention is made of diseases such as Rickets which are ahnost entirely due to faulty environment (airless slums, insufficient sunlight, lack of exercise and of suitable food, and of mothercraft) but a warning is launched against existing state ideals and institutions (e.g., the campaign against tuberculosis) as tending to weaken the human breed. A final warning is to the effect that morals, education, art, and religion, will not in themselves improve the human race, and a suggestion is made that all this meta-physico-theological " j u n k " should be jettisoned, while Science combined with the spirit of Christ should usher in a new E t h i c s - the sole test of righteousness to be the practical results of intelligent action. T h o u g h there appear to be some contradictions and omissions which will perhaps strike medical public health workers most, the book should be perused, and not least for its last part on The Ethical Outlook. T h o u g h some may be disappointed--they will find compensation and entertainment in the correspondonce between the author and Mr. G. Bernard Shaw which appears in the appendix.
Correspondence. The Editor does not accept responsibility for the opinions of correspondents. THE
TEACHING OF CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS.
S i r , - - O n e must agree with Dr. Duncan Forbes that public discussion of this question is extremely distasteful, but that is not sufficient reason for evading the issue, and therefore I for one am glad to see that he has put forward certain views