THE WILLARD BELL TRUSS.

323 - cells are present then two or more portions of the cytoplasm (4) the strong safety-pins supplied with each bandage will in their neighbourhood are scooped out. He concludes that prove a boon to many. for often nothing is so difficult to find either the invading cell exercises its solvent action on theat these times as a pin worthy the name ; (5) the binder is cleansed and can be used many times if carefully put cytoplasm of the nerve cell in its vicinity, whereby sucheasily away after each convalescence. I hope the time is at hand portion is carried away by the lymph stream, or else when every expectant mother will provide herself with a they themselves absorb, and, as it were, feed on,scientifically constructed obstetric binder and that the day the nerve cells. Doubtless this pathological condition will of the roller-towel and any odd pins that can be found will be further investigated, for it is by the record of such pass away, to the improvement of the figures of the mothers and last, but not least, the temper of the practitioner. original work that a clearer understanding will be arrived at Billesdon, A. DUNLEY -OWEN. Leicester. regarding much that is obscure in the pathology of mental diseases. A statistical paper by Mr. Pitcairn, of H.M.’s THE "VICTOR GEM" INVALIDS’ TABLE. Prison, Holloway, shows that this institution receives in the We illustrate below a new invalids’ table for which are course of a year many acute cases of insanity, which must claimed some points of advantage over the old form. When entail much anxious work on the medical staff. In view of not in use as a bed table the usual form of this convenience the rapid flow of cases the services of an additional assistant its being used for any other purpose, and conmedical officer are urgently required. Dr. Walter Channing precludes is likely to be "in the way."" The "Victor Gem,"" sequently of Brookline, Massachusetts, U.S.A., writes on the Palatal by its construction can be adapted for general use, Deformities of Idiots ; his conclusions are not quite in con- however, The and can be used as a card-, library-, sewing-table, &c. formity with the opinions expressed by various authorities in top of the table is made in antique oak or walnut and is this country. firmly secured by means of a small band wheel to a The monthly publications of the Religious Tract Society right-angled framework of iron, one arm of which as include the Leisure Hotcr, the Girl’s Own Paper, the Sunday at Home, and Sunday Hours. The February part of the Leisure Hour has an interesting though short notice of the late Coventry Patmore, a poet who has treated the subject of domestic felicity with a spiritual purity and a tenderness which few if any of our singers of love have equalled. The same number also contains a sketch, illustrated with a portrait and autograph, of the author of "Wuthering Heights." The Girl’s Own Paper is quite up to its usual standard of excellence, as is also the Sunday at Home. Sunday Hours, the new paper, contains Sunday reading for boys and girls ; if the healthy tone of this latter publication is maintained it should find a place in every home where there are boys or girls or both. Mercy and Truth.-This is the title of a new monthly periodical, issued at the modest price of one penny by the Church Missionary Society, Salisbury-square, E.C., and having as its sub-title,"A Record of C.M.S. Medical Mission Work." Dr. T. L. Pennell has an article on " The Afghanswill be seen from the illustration slides within an upright How can we Reach them? " in which he gives some account iron frame surmounting the four rests on castors. When not of the work of a mission hospital. In another article the required as a bed table the wooden slab can be reversed so mission hospital at Hangchow is described. as to bring the iron support to a more central position under --

the table, thus giving greater stability. The table certainly possesses advantages, but is not so easily adjusted as is desirable. Unless very great care is taken the iron arm which slides within the upIight frame is liable to slip while the side hand screw is being turned, and descend to the lowest point with a clatter which would not be at all beneficial to an invalid suffering or recovering from a nervous complaint. NEW OBSTETRIC BINDER. The top of the table measures 1 ft. 6 in. by 3 ft., and can be AT my suggestion Messrs. Arnold and Sons of West Smith- !adjusted between the maximum and minimum heights of 3 and 2 ft. It is sold by Messrs. Millajd Bros., 123, : field, London, have made for me a new form of obstetric binder which I hope will prove of use in midwifery. The Houndsditch, London-price, .6110s. novelty of its manufacture consists in a row of silk elastic WILLARD BELL TRUSS. bands inserted on one side of the bandage, which is itself THIS truss consists of an oval pad, which fits over the external abdominal ring and the inguinal canal ; this pad is firmly attached to a stout piece of nickeled steel wire, which passes upwards and outwards above the iliac crest, and, curving backwards, is attached to a broad pad shaped something like the letter W ; this is intended to fit over the From sacrum and the sacro-iliac articulation on each side. the termination of the wire at this pad a band passes round the hip of the unaffected side and is attached to a button on the hernia pad. In use we have found that the sacral pad fits very comfortably and the whole truss is light and elegant and keeps back the hernia very satisfactorily. In the specimen made of strong linen. By these means I hope to obtain the submitted to us the force of the wire spring was a little over the abdomen,, greater than was necessary to retain the hernia, but probably following advantages : (1) Even pressure each band of elastic only expanding to the extent required1 the springs are made of different strengths. We consider at its situation; (2) power of self-adjustability by the the truss a useful and comfortable modification of the usual patient; (3) the bands of elastic being at the side the form. It is made by the Accrington Surgical Appliances patient will not be inconvenienced by having to lie on them ;; Company, Limited, Dale-street Works, Accrington.

New Inventions.

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