104 Analyses of Books. [February, 
research, italicising those calculated to be the causes, or at least 
the bearers of disease. 
In the second chapter we find an account of the precautions 
to be taken during the progress of infectious disease. In 
boarding-schools he recommends, on the attack of fever, &c., not 
an immediate breaking up, and the consequent possible dissemi- 
nation of the disease, but to divide, if practicable, the sufferers 
from the healthy in a separate building. 
The author seems to favour aerial disinfectants. He admits 
that “ by their use you cannot make an infeCted atmosphere pure 
and safe without rendering it destructive to the sufferer as well.” 
Yet he holds that an atmosphere impregnated as far as practi- 
cable, e.g., with chlorine, is unfavourable to the activity of 
disease-germs. He protests, most justly, against the selfish — 
and in faCt criminal — practice of removing convalescents whilst 
still infections to the sea-side. He shows that every such case may 
infeCt a couple of cabs and a railway-carriage, and the lodgings 
which the convalescent has occupied are rendered unsafe — per- 
haps even deadly — to succeeding occupants. This, indeed, shows 
some of the mysterious channels through which infection may 
reach the inmates of houses in which all sanitary precautions are 
duly observed. 
We come next to the instructions for the management of spe- 
cial diseases. 
The statistics of the London Smallpox Hospital show some 
very curious results. Whilst 35 per cent of the deaths were 
those of unvaccinated persons, and 23-57 °f persons said to have 
been vaccinated, but having no visible cicatrix, ig per cent had 
previously had smallpox, whilst only 14-93 P er cent bad been 
vaccinated. Hence it would appear that vaccination is a more 
efficient safeguard even than a former attack of smallpox ! How 
will the Anti-Vaccinationists explain these figures ? 
At the same time another statistical table on the opposite page 
requires a little explanation. We read there : — “ Vaccination 
optional, 1847 — 53, annual death-rate from smallpox per million 
305.” But optional vaccination had been practised for many 
years previous to 1847. What was the death-rate then ? 
Among disinfectants we find mention of ozone, — a doubtful 
agent to be dealt with by the general public. 
Under the head of Legislation the author pleads for the corn- 
pulsatory notification of disease. He would, however, throw the 
onus not on the medical attendant, but on the head of the house- 
hold. Such a measure would be exceedingly unpopular, and we 
doubt whether the benefits derived by the community would be 
at all commensurate with the obvious hardships which it would 
involve. 
Ur. Barnes has carried out his plan as completely as was pos- 
sible within the scope of some eighty small pages, and his 
treatise will be a boon to no small part of the community. 
