1899] MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 25 



Gelatin, agar, blood serum, etc., may be preserved for a 

 long time by taking the following additional precautions, 

 which shortens the labor of frequent preparation. Test 

 tubes are cleaned, plugged in the ordinary way except 

 the cotton is only one-half the usual length. They are 

 then sterilized in a hot air sterilizer and filled immediate- 

 ly ; after filling, the cotton plug is pushed into the tube 

 half an inch below the top and the plug of antiseptic cot- 

 ton put over it. After thorough sterilization the tubes 

 are closed with a rubber cap and placed in an air-tight 

 fruit jar to prevent evaporation. The antiseptic cotton 

 used for this purpose is best soaked in a solution of 

 water 100, alcohol 20, and copper sulphate 3, then dried 

 slowly. — Occident. Med. Times. 



EDITORIAL, 



In 1899. — The Journal is now entering- the twentieth year 

 of issue and with the exception of last year (1898) has made 

 some perceptible advance in every volume. We purpose 

 this year to still push ahead and make a better journal than 

 ever before. Many recent occurrences have encouraged 

 us to think that we can do so. We have a list of friends who 

 have stood by us through thick and thin, whom we prize 

 highly and for whom we purpose to do all in our power. 

 Our circumstances are now more favorable for making a 

 first class periodical than heretofore and without any 

 boasts or promises we are going ahead to do our best dur- 

 ing 1899. We hope to send out each number on the first 

 day of the month in which it is published. Microscope 

 dealers have more and more declared that the business 

 does not warrant them in advertising and certain manu- 

 facturers think it wise to enter the field of journalism 

 themselves so as not to have to pay us for advertising. 

 We are therefore obliged more and more to rely upon our 

 subscribers for the money with which to pay printer's bills 

 and shall appreciate prompt action on their part in making 

 remittances. A word to a friend is of course sufficient. 



