OUR SOCIETY 151 



II. IMPROVEMENT OF THE JOURNAL AND ABSTRACTS 



When so much has been done in establishing these two im- 

 portant journals and bringing them to their present state of ex- 

 cellence, any drastic criticism wouki be a task of supererogation. 

 I mention this matter, however, because our Secretary, in his 

 circular letter dated October 25, 1921, stated that the Editor 

 must have more space in order that papers offered for publica- 

 tion may appear more promptly. In order to make the Journal 

 OF Bacteriology a monthly periodical, there must be an increase 

 of membership to 1500, or else other means must be adopted, and 

 several alternate suggestions are set forth. 



All of us would like to see the size of the Journal increased, 

 and regular publication guaranteed; these benefits can best be 

 obtained only by an increase of membership. If our publica- 

 tions maintain a high standard of excellence, their worth will 

 ensure more subscriptions from foreign countries. 



Each member should be jiersonally interested in the success of 

 these journals, and should see that they attain a wider field of 

 usefulness. Judicious and frequent suggestions to libraries that 

 do not take them, bringing them to the notice of medical men 

 and others interested in cognate subjects would help to adver- 

 tise and undoubtedly secure subscribers. 



III. PROVISION for critiques AND RESUMES 



Abstracts at present is filled with references and short re- 

 sumes of work done by bacteriologists all over the world. 



I suggest that it would be of considerable interest to arrange 

 for critiques or comprehensive r(5sum6s on many subjects, to be 

 written by students of particular groups. P'or example: a 

 comprehensive summary of the literature on the decomposition 

 of cellulose; botulism; the carrier of infection, etc. Such reviews 

 would be of great value to students, save much time in hunting 

 up references, and bring the subject up to date. If written in 

 a judicial spirit, the writer would be able to size up the situation, 

 and give an appreciation of the subject as a whole. 



If possible, such contributors should be paid. 



