3()6 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [Oct. 



is almost impossible within the limits of a journal. 

 The work is so stupendous and opens up such a vast field 

 of study and observation that a mere mention of its scope 

 must suffice. 



The author gives, in the first place, a minute historical 

 survey of every method intended for the microscopic 

 study of animal tissues. This is followed by a discussion 

 as to the purpose of each method and of its worth at the 

 present day. An exact description of each procedure, 

 with reference to the effect of the ag^ents used upon the 

 chemical and physical properties of the object to be ex- 

 amined, is next broug-ht to view. This is followed in turn 

 by a consideration of the chang-es produced in specimens 

 by certain ag-ents employed, with reference to an improve- 

 ment or a possible improvement in the technics. 



The special part of the work is arrang-ed under fourteen 

 heads, and the entire process, from the securing" of the 

 specimen to its ultimate disposition, cut, stained, and 

 mounted, is minutely described. Free criticism of methods 

 of technics abound, with sug-g-estions for improvement. 

 Volume I closes with a critical bibliography of the various 

 methods now and formerly in vog-ue for the examination 

 of microscopic specimens, arrang-ed alphabetically and 

 with marg-inal dates. 



This book is no text-book. It will if its author's inten- 

 tions do not miscarry, be the foundation of microscopic 

 technics which shall be based on a thoroug-h understand- 

 ing- of methods employed, their purpose, their history, 

 and their real value. With the addition of the second vol- 

 ume, which is promised within a year, we are certain of a 

 work that will be indispensable to the student, the biolo- 

 gist, the histologist, and the worker with the microscope, 

 whoever he may be. 



Typhoid Germs in Ice. — The military officers at Rennes 

 (Medical Press and Circular) have recently suffered from 

 a typhoid epidemic, which has been traced to the ice which 

 was used to cool the champagne at a banquet. The ice 

 had been taken from a neighboring river at a point where 

 the town sewers empty. 



