The Microscope. 155 



cells united. The cavity of this pigment-layer is filled with end 

 organs, each of which has a complicated structure, though this whole 

 apparatus has previously been described as a hyaline stmctui-eless 

 formation. Each end organ connects with a nei-ve-fibre, which in 

 turn leads back to a unipolar cell of the optic ganglion. No lens is 

 to be recognized in the sections. In Vorticerus auriculatus the two 

 eyes (which lie directly on the brain) have the optic cavity divided 

 into two chambers by a middle pigmented wall. Each cavity is filled 

 by fine rods, having a central canal free. Around the margin of the 

 capsule are numerous cells, which resemble ganglion-cells, and which 

 send fibres to the rods, and hence are regarded as retina-cells. — Am. 

 Naturalist. 



The Mycology of the Finger-Nails. — Some time ago we called 

 attention to the observation of Kiimmel and of Foster, on the 

 methods of disinfecting the hands. Kiimmel showed that this was a 

 by no means easy matter, and recommended the use of hot water, 

 soap and brush, with a five per cent, solution of carbolic acid. 

 Foster found that the use of sublimate solution (1 to 1,000 or 

 2,000) gave the best results, but to this Kiimmel does not agree. 

 Now, Prof. P. Fiirbringer comes forward {Annals of Surgery, Febru- 

 ary, 1888,) and shows that neither method necessarily touches the 

 root of the trouble, for the tests of asepticity used, viz., touching or 

 boring the finger into sterilized gelatin, did not take into account 

 the micro-organism which may lurk beneath the nail. When the 

 filth of the subungnial space was cultivated in proper media, various 

 micro-organisms developed, and this occurred even if the hands had 

 been previously disinfected by the best known methods. Fiibringer 

 extracted from the subungual space of such disinfected hands 

 particles of matter almost microscopically invisible, and deposited 

 them upon sterilized gelatin. 



Assistants and chiefs of clinics were subjects of the experi- 

 ments. Thirteen men were examined in this way, after they had 

 most painfully and diligently disinfected their hands, fingers, etc. 

 The time employed in these detergent labors varied from two to ten 

 minutes. The solutions used were carbolic or sublimate, combined 

 with soap. In only one case were no cultures of colonies of micro- 

 organisms obtained. — Medical Record. 



