JuLy 26, 1918] 
Proressor Wituiam Nortu Rice, for the 
past fifty years professor of geology at Wes- 
leyan University, is retiring from active work. 
Dr. S. J. Barnett has resigned his post as 
professor of physics at the Ohio State Uni- 
versity in order to accept the position of phys- 
icist-in-charge of experimental work at the 
department of terrestrial magnetism of the 
Carnegie Institution of Washington. He en- 
tered upon his new work at Washington, on 
‘July 15. 
Tue series of War Lectures given in July 
at the University of Chicago include the fol- 
lowing: James Rowland Angell, head of the 
department of psychology, spoke on July 2, on 
“Psychology in the Service of the Army.” 
On the same date J. Laurence Laughlin, pro- 
fessor emeritus of political economy, discussed 
“Economie War Lessons for the United 
States.” On July 3 Professor Julius Stieglitz, 
chairman of the department of chemistry, dis- 
eussed “Chemistry as a Factor in Modern 
Warfare.” On July 5 Dean Rollin D. Salis- 
bury, of the Ogden Graduate School of Sci- 
ence, presented “ The Contributions of Geol- 
ogy to the War.” On July 9 “Infectious Dis- 
eases and the War” was discussed by Edwin 
Oakes Jordan, chairman of the Department 
of hygiene and bacteriology. 
Tue faculty of the school of medicine of the 
University of Pittsburgh, have passed the fol- 
lowing resolution in ‘appreciation of Dr. R. E. 
Sheldon, who died on July 9: 
Through the sudden death of Dr. Ralph Edward 
Sheldon, professor of anatomy, the school of medi- 
cine of the University of Pittsburgh has lost one 
of its efficient teachers, an indefatigable worker, 
and a man of resolution who has reaped abundant 
suecess. Dr. Sheldon’s death has closed an active 
career, which was ascending to its acme in the 
mid-period of life. His work in the special field 
of neurology was gaining for him an eminent place 
with the leaders in this branch of research; his 
enthusiasm in building up his department was un- 
bounded and his wide interest in the sphere of 
higher education was ever active. His colleagues 
deeply appreciated him in his work and as a loyal 
and trusted friend, and closely followed the 
growth of his successors. The medical faculty look 
forward to the publication of his book on neurol- 
SCIENCE 
89 
ogy which will stand as the monument of his 
efforts, 
Be it resolved that this appreciation of affection 
from his colleagues and associates be entered upon 
the minutes of this faculty meeting and the ex- 
pression of their deep sorrow at his loss be extended 
to the members of his family. 
Dr. Richard RatuBun, since 1897 assistant 
secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and 
since 1899, in charge of the National Museum, 
died on July 16, aged sixty-six years. 
Proressor Pozzi, a distinguished gynecolo- 
gist and surgeon, on June 13, at the age of 
seventy-two years, was murdered in his con- 
sulting room by a lunatic patient, who there- 
upon committed suicide. 
A CABLEGRAM was received on July 16 at the 
Harvard College Observatory from Professor 
B. Baillaud, director of the Paris Observatory, 
stating that Wolf’s periodic comet was ob- 
served by Jonckheere, at Greenwich, in the 
following position: 
July 9.508 G.M.T. 
R.A. 20" 35™ 13° 
Dee, + 24° 
It was first reported by the Yerkes Observa- 
tory in California after an absence of seven 
years. 
Tue daily papers state that Professor Vin- 
cent read recently before the Paris Academy 
of Sciences a paper in which he described the 
preparation of a new serum which it is stated 
has proved effective even in desperate cases of 
gas gangrene. 
A SPECIAL emergency act to give the govern- 
ment control over all platinum in the United 
States was recommended by members of the 
Ways and Means Committee of the House of 
Representatives on July 1, after hearing fur- 
ther evidence of the short supply of the metal. 
Chairman Kitchin told the committee he be- 
lieved the measure should be enacted imme- 
diately instead of waiting for the enactment 
of the revenue bill, which may impose a heavy 
tax on all platinum users. Members of the 
committee agreed the situation was serious 
enough to warrant prompt action to provide a 
sufficient supply of the metal for war manu- 
facture. 
