EDITORIAL. 
87 
of the patients received only n litres altogether, others more; 
one had 23, of which 3 were in the veins. 
How does the injection act in those diseases ? According to 
some authorities, while the use of the artificial serum is indicated 
in haemorrhages, the various forms of collapse, some infections 
and intoxications, they are contraindicated in cases of renal, car- 
dial, pulmonary and arterial lesions. However, when one takes in 
consideration that artificial serum, very much like the washing 
of the blood, is an active stimulant of the nervous system, that it 
stimulates principally the cardial and vaso-motar nervous sys¬ 
tem, reinforcing the tonicity of the blood vessels and the energy 
of the heart ; and, again, that the effects which are recorded of 
very abundant diuresis following their uses, there can be but 
little doubt that great benefit can be derived by them when 
combined with the mechanical relief obtained by thoracentesis 
and assisted with the ordinarv internal form of treatment. 
•/ 
* 
* * 
Electrocution. —If, as the Review has always held, the 
dangers to veterinary practice likely to occur from automobil- 
ism are not to be taken as seriously as some pessimists would 
have 11s, it must be acknowledged that the use of moving fac¬ 
tors to take the place of horses has made enormous progress 
within the past ten years, and to-day, instead of horses to roll 
heavy tramways or cars, we meet with the assistance of that 
force obtained by compressed air, steam, and last, but not least, 
electricity. 
These, however, have their objections, and to speak only of 
the last, I may mention that the subject of electrocution is the 
one which occupies at present the close attention of veterinary 
practitioners in some capitals on the Continent. In Paris, prin¬ 
cipally, the subject is very seriously considered, and has given 
occasion to one member or the Societe de Medecine Veterinaire 
Pratique to present a long paper upon the accidents resulting 
from the use of electricity on some of the tramway lines of the 
“Gay Capital.” The Thomson-Houston or trolley system, 
either above or under ground, is not very extensively used, but 
