286 
EDITORIAL. 
paper,  sufficiently  pliable,  adheres  firmly,  and  when  dipped  in  water  is 
ready  for  application  in  half  a  minute,  adhering  sufficiently  to  be  easily 
retained  in  position  with  a  bandage.  Applied  to  the  arm  its  action  was 
sensibly  manifested  in  three  minutes,  with  the  usual  symptoms  of  good 
mustard.  As  this  preparation  retains  its  power  unaffected  by  age  so 
long  as  it  is  kept  dry,  it  will  be  found  exceedingly  valuable  in  all  cases 
where  a  rubefacient  is  indicated,  and  convenient  for  travellers  and  coun- 
try physicians,  as  well  as  in  families. 
The  Laboratory. — A  weekly  record  of  Scientific  research.  London, 
April  to  October,  1867  :  pp.  449. 
About  a  year  ago  this  journal  was  commenced,  in  London,  under  the 
editorial  auspices  of  John  Cargill  Brough,  and  was  admirably  sustained, 
editorially  and  by  many  excellent  contributions.  But  at  the  end  of  six 
months  its  patronage,  though  increasing,  did  not  justify  its  continuance. 
With  the  last  number,  Sept.  28,  the  editor  expressed  a  hope  that  its  sus- 
pension was  only  temporary,  and  that  it  would  reappear  with  the  current 
year.  In  expectation  of  this  proving  a  fact,  we  have  waited  so  long  that 
it  seems  probable  that  the  project  of  resuscitation  has  been  abandoned. 
Among  the  papers  it  contained,  was  a  series  of  letters  on  the  chemical 
and  metallurgical  objects  in  the  Paris  .Exhibition,  well  worth  preserving. 
Consumption  in  New  England  and  Elsewhere,  or  soil-moisture  one  of 
its  chief  causes.  Address  delivered  before  the  Massachusetts  Medical 
Society.  By  Henry  J.  Bowditch,  (second  edition),  Boston,  1868  :  pp. 
154  octavo. 
This  is  an  attempt  to  prove  the  existence  of  a  general  law  under  which 
Phthisis  is  engendered  in  a  community  or  in  isolated  families,  and  this 
law  looks  to  the  average  condition  of  the  atmosphere  as  influenced  by 
the  soil-moisture  resulting  from  bad  drainage.  A  map  of  Massachusetts, 
colored  in  a  way  to  indicate  the  prevalent  condition  of  each  township,  is 
oiven.  Numerous  and  widely  extended  observations  are  needed  to  estab- 
lish such  a  law. 
Fourth  Annual  Report  of  the  Alumni  Association  of  the  Philadelphia 
College  of  Pharmacy;  containing  also  the  Valedictory  Address  de- 
livered to  the  Graduating  Class  of  1868,  by  Edward  Parrish,  Prof,  of 
the  Theory  and  Practice  of  Pharmacy.    Philadelphia,  1868  :  pp.  40. 
It  is  a  commendable  feature  of  the  Alumni  Association,  that  it  thus 
preserves,  in  a  connected  form,  the  main  features  and  documents  of  the 
Annual  Commencements.    Besides  the  address  of  Prof.  Parrish,  which  is 
an  earnest  appeal  in  favor  of  public  encouragement  to  scientific  institu- 
tions, the  report  contains  an  account  of  the  presentation  of  the  portrait 
of  the  late  Dr.  Benjamin  Ellis,  by  the  Class,  and  its  reception  on  behalf 
of  the  College,  by  Prof.  Bridges,  whose  excellent  remarks  in  relation  to 
Dr.  Ellis  are  given  in  detail.    The  Secretary  reports  the  Alumni  Fund 
for  the  practical  school  to  be  $4425,  and  hopes  it  will  soon  be  $5000. 
The  minutes  of  the  fourth  annual  meeting  are  also  presented,  including 
