436 REVIEWS. 



Della Leptothrix Racemosa : Terza memoria sulla Flora 

 Crittogamica Delia Bocca. By F. Vicentini, M.D. (Napoli : A. Tocco and 

 Co. 1893.) 



The work before us is the continuation and development of two preceding 

 memoirs on the same subject. 



In the first part the author gave some recent bibliographical notices on the 

 micro-organisms of the mouth, and an exposition of the analogies of the infe- 

 rior phases (of which the forms only have been hitherto known) of Leptothrix 

 buccalis, with other bacteria {Cladothrix dichotoma, Bacterium Balbiani, Bac- 

 terium osteophilum^ and Leptothrix parasitica, Kiitzing. ) 



In the second part the author proposes to change the name of Leptothrix 

 Imccalis into that of L. racemosa^ in order to designate its fructification or 

 sporulation, which he has detected on the outside of certain filaments. He 

 subsequently describes his new and original observations made on the various 

 elements of the fructification, viz. : — i. — The fertile filament or central stem, 

 with reserve gemmules inside. 2. — The peduncles or sterigmata. 3. — The 

 sporules. 4. — The surrounding glia, or gelatinous protective envelope, which 

 appears to warrant the delicate texture of the fruits. 



The author states that the conical peduncles, sterigmata, or threads, by 

 which the sporules are implanted on the outside of the central stem, could not 

 be observed by a lower power than i/25th homogeneous immersion. He des- 

 cribes also other special forms of the filaments and fructification, and of certain 

 structures, which he believes to be male organs (antherids or spermogones), of 

 this complex micro-organism, which bear analogy both to the algoe and to the 

 fungi. 



The common bacteria of the mouth must, therefore, according to the 

 author, be referred to inferior phases of the life of the same micro-organism — 

 viz., the filiform, the dissociated, or the zoogleic state, or to its sporules detached 

 from the female filaments ; or they must be referred to fecundating elements 

 (antherozoids or spermatia), detached from the adult male organs, and quickly 

 swimming in the vehicle. 



The Monograph is accompanied by a fine coloured plate, consisting of 

 14 figures. 



Recent Developments in Massage. By Douglass Graham, 

 M.D. pp. iv.— 128. 



Electro Therapeutics and Neurasthenia. By W. F. 



Robinson, M.D. pp. x. — 72. 



The Bacterial Poisons. By Dr. N. Gamaleia. pp. xiii. — 

 136. Foolscap 4to. (Detroit, Mich. : Geo, S. Davis. 1893.) Price is. 

 each, paper covers ; 2s., cloth. 



The above vols, of the "Physician's Leisure Hour" series will doubtless 

 prove of much interest to the profession. The volume on Massage is well 

 illustrated, but that on Bacterial Poisons will probably prove of greater interest 

 to the general reader. The first part treats of Experimental Study of the 

 Putrid Poisons, The Discovery of Ptomaines, etc. ; Part II. of The Chemical 

 Nature of the Bacterial Poisons, The Origin of the Microbian Poisons, and 

 Action of the Bacterial Poisons on the Animal Organisms, etc. ; Part III. of 

 the Poisons of Tetanus, Diphtheria, Cholera, etc. 



The Recrudescence of Leprosy and its Causation. By 



William Tebb. Crown 8vo, pp. 412. (London : S. Sonnenschein and Co. 



1892.) 



Since 1884 the author has made a careful study of this fearful disease and 

 of the causation of its increase, which he attributes in a great measure to vac- 

 cination. In an appendix he denounces vaccination in very strong terms. 



