ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 
119 
of oxyhsemoglobin. A drop of freslily prepared hyposulphite of soda is 
now added, when the spectrum of haemoglobin appears at once ; finally, 
a couple of drops of a concentrated solution of soda are added, which 
decomposes the haemoglobin into globulin and reduced haematin, the 
spectrum of the latter consisting of two absorption-bands situated 
between D and 6, the left one lying between D and E and being well 
marked ; indeed, this intense band is the only one to be distinctly 
observed in dilute solutions, and it ought to disappear if the solution is 
heated to 50° C. without stirring, or agitation, and reappear on cooling ; 
it ought further to disappear when shaken in the air, and reappear on the 
addition of a drop of hyposulphite of soda. This test applies even to 
putrid blood. Should the blood-stain have become insoluble in water, we 
are directed to dissolve in ammonia and reduce by adding one or two 
drops of a solution of ferrous sulphate and tartaric acid. 
Jaksch’s ‘ Clinical Diagnosis of Disease by Bacteriological, 
Chemical, and Microscopical Examination.’*' — The fact that within 
two years Dr. E. von Jaksch’s book on the diagnosis of disease has gone 
through two editions, and that translations into several languages are in 
preparation, shows that it supplies a want. 
While this second edition is an improvement on the first, and is not 
a mere reprint thereof, yet there are several small points which are either 
errors of omission or commission. For example, there is no mention of 
Fraenkel and Netter’s researches on the diagnosis and prognosis from a 
bacteriological examination of pleuritic fluid. On the other side, the 
Fiukler-Prior bacillus seems to be regarded by the author as the bacillus 
of Cholera nostras. 
These and similar deficiences apart, the work may be considered 
very useful, and fairly up to date. 
Israel’s ‘ Pathological Histology.’f — Dr. O. Israel’s introduction to 
pathological histology seems to be biassed by his views on the staining 
of microscopical preparations, which he scornfully designates coloured 
mummies. In other resj^ects the work does not seem to differ materially 
from the usual run of text-books on this subject, and it is well got up. 
Insects in Drugs-J — At a meeting of the Chemists’ Assistants Asso- 
ciation some rather disquieting specimens were lately exhibited, demon- 
strating the existence of “ insects and germs ” in sundry pharmaceutical 
preparations and drugs. The first was a fair-looking sample of crushed 
linseed recently obtained from a large wholesale firm, and kept in a 
wooden cask with a wooden cover. The exhibitor gravely asked what 
would be the effect of applying a poultice containing “ thousands of 
insects ” to an open wound, especially, if the poultice be made with hot 
instead of boiling water. The other specimens, from aconite root, nux 
vomica, and cantharides, are perhaps of less importance, as these sub- 
stances are not employed in the crude state. In the present anxiety to 
detect microscopic germs and to render them innocuous, it is worth 
considering whether we are not in danger of overlooking more obvious 
sources of infection. In the hunt for small deer a different lens is 
employed, and mental vision is thrown out of focus for larger game. 
* 2nd ed. enlarged, Vienna and Leipzig, 1889, 8vo, 438 pp. 
t Berlin (A. Ilirscliwald), 1889. j Lancet, 1889 (ii.). 
