122 THE MICROSCOPE, 
covered before stethoscopic or percussion sounds, even when listened 
to by skilled ears and interpreted by skilled brains, give any other 
than tincertain information as to what is going on.” They may pre- 
cede the bacillus often for a considerable time, and unlike it are 
never temporarily absent. They are not, however, pathognomonic, 
but if seen the supposition is strong that we are dealing with 
phthisis, and a supplementary search for the bacillus will complete 
the diagnosis. Conversely their absence will enable us to assert 
with confidence that cases are not phthisis, where signs and symp- . 
toms point strongly to a contrary opinion. 
Microses 1x Dermorp Cysts or THE Facu.*--MM. Verneuil and 
Clado have examined four congenital dermoid cysts of the face for 
micro-organisms (France Médicale). In three out of four cases the 
organisms were found. In these the liquid was obtained a little 
time before the operation, all necessary preparations being observed. 
The organisms which were obtained, while of diverse forms, pro- 
duced negative results on inoculation and seemed to possess no path- 
ogenetic properties. Bacilli appeared to be more numerous than 
cocci. The authors think that these organisms are carried to the 
cysts by means of the circulatory system, and suggest the possibility 
of such a condition as latent microbism. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
How To work with THE Microscopic Dicrionary.t—Mr. W. J. 
Simmons thinks that this valuable work should afford the student 
something more than a mere work of reference. He therefore has 
drawn up the following specimen “clue” to what may be designated 
“treatises”? in the work. 
List: Protoplasm, p. 641; Primordial utricle, p. 637; Sarcode, 
p. 674; Cells, animal, p. 137; Cells, vegetable, p. 142; Secondary 
deposits, p. 686; Pitted structures, p. 600; Spiral structures, p. 711; 
herein refer to the following articles: Lycopodiacez, Ferns, Moss- 
es); Tissue, vegetable, p. 768 (herein also Fibro-plastic and animal) ; 
Inter-cellular substance, p. 488; Medulla and Medullary rays, p. 
495; Pollen, p. 613; Anther, p. 56; Spores, p. 724; Ovule, p. 565; 
also the following: Epidermis, p. 294; Hairs, p. 370. 
Another way is to draw up conspectuses. 
*St. Louis Med. and Sur. Jr., Feb’y, 1889. 
+ Hardwick’s Science Gossip, January, 1889, p. 3. 
