1919.] The Sixth Indian Science Congress. Ixxxvil 
t> acidosis there is also a retention of phosphates in cholera, 
which can be reduced by the administration of calcium salts in 
the form of lime water ; but I have not yet been able adequate- 
ly to test this hypothesis. From this point of view calcium 
permanganate may be preferable to the potassium salt, but 
in earlier work I found the calcium salt to be less convenient 
on account of its extremely hygroscopic nature; but it is worthy 
of further consideration. 
THE DIMINUTION IN THE MORTALITY OF CHOLERA. 
ration my system of treatment with increasing knowledge 
derived from combined clinical and pathological investigations 
extending over twelve years, and culminating in a reduction 
of the mortality between 1895 and 1905 before I began work 
of 59-0 per cent to one of 19°1 per cent between 1915 and 1917 
or one-third of the former rate, while in 1917 among 208 cases 
it was but 14:9 per cent, or one-fourth of the earlier figure ; 
without the stamina to allow the treatment to ha 
chance are included. I therefore think it may fairly be claimed 
that cholera has now been robbed of most of its terrors by 
ion with the aid of physical methods 
in the use of the haemocrite and specific gravity test; chemical 
research in the use of permanganates to destroy the toxins in 
the bowel, and alkalies to combat the deadly acidosis and 
physiological principles leading to the use of atropine and the 
ential hypertonic saline injections. More may yet be done, 
but sufficient has already accrued to prove the inestimable life- 
saving and economic value of medical research work, and to 
encourage both administrative authorities and philanthropists 
to look on liberal expenditure on medical research as the 
best possible use of public and private money. 
