149 
An editorial calls attention to the statement of Pfulil (Ztschr. f. 
Hyg. 11 . inf. Krankh., XLYII, 3: Berl. Klin. Wchnschr., Feb. 12), that 
the antiseptic action of alcohol is increased by dilution with water up 
to 40 or 50 per cent, but diminished by further dilution. Whether 
this is due to direct action as an antiseptic or to the enhanced resist- 
ance of the tissues is not determined. — X. York M. J., 1906, v. 83, 
p. 981. 
y. Herff, O. (Miinchen. med. Wchnschr., v. 53, Xo. 30), approves of 
the Ahlfeld technic of hot-water-alcohol disinfection for obstetric 
practice and laparotomies. The alcohol shrivels the skin and tans 
it, as it were, preventing the escape of germs. — J. Am. M. Ass., 1906, 
v. 47, p. 1424. 
Fiith, H. (Cent. f. Gynack., Leipsic, v. 30, Xo. 33), calls attention 
to the constant rise of temperature of the skin when it is treated with 
alcohol, and he considers this increased temperature as an important 
factor in disinfection. — Ibid., v. 47, p. 1333. 
Cook, George W., discusses the wide range of usefulness of alcohol 
in dental therapeutics (Amer. Dent. J.). — Dental Cosmos, Phila., 
1906, v. 48, p. 252. 
Tyson, James, states that there are times when alcohol may be 
useful in nephritis for a time, for example, when there is a want of 
appetite or disgust for food, but as a rule alcohol should be prohibited 
in this condition. — X. York M. J., 1906, v. 83, p. 222. 
Blackader, A. D., states that alcohol may be used as a food in 
fever and certain other conditions, and it may also stimulate the 
hepatic cells to increased secretion. It should be used cautiously in 
all infections. — Brit. Med. J. Lond., 1906, v. 2, pp. 1461-1463. 
Meltzer, S. J., believes the facts as known to-day are favorable 
to the use of alcohol in therapeutics. The various beneficial actions 
are enumerated. — Ibid., pp. 1463-1464. 
Dixon. W. E., describes the special action of alcohol on the heart. 
By eliminating disturbing influences he has been able to show that 
alcohol has a slight but constant stimulant action upon the circula- 
tion, though it had but little influence upon the rate of the heart. — 
Ibid., p. 639. 
An editorial calls attention to the views held on the question of 
the value of alcohol by Sims Woodhead, Blackader, Meltzer, Dixon, 
and Osborne. — J. Am. M. Ass., 1906, v. 47, p. 1101. 
Kinkead, It. J. (Dublin J. Med. Sc., Xov.), states that alcohol 
prevents that perfect coordination of mental and bodily functions 
of energy and activity, which we sum in the term “ Being fit.'' — 
Ibid., v. 47, p. 2125. 
Fock (Miinchen. med. Wchnschr., v. 53, Xo. 44) sent letters of 
inquiry to a large number of internists asking the results of their 
experience in the use of alcohol in pneumonia. The general conclu- 
