temper to start by defining the terms you are going to use. They commence by defining their views of tics and in process of selection and limitation, discuss the etiology of many interesting and common kindred complaints. A chapter on the pathology of tic follows, and then a series of most interesting clinical cases illustrating the views they wish to inculcate. The inclusion of numerous "contrast-cases bringing out points of differential diagnosis greatly enhances the value of the work. Tics are defined as acts involving the setting in motion of a group or groups of muscles, and performed with great frequency and out of due time and season. The authors would include both clonic and tonic types. In all cases they are started by a reasoned movement to a definite end, and this movement persists and becomes even caricatured though the cause has long been forgotten. It is strongly insisted that in the beginning all tics are cortical and persist as segmental acts though the conscious stimulus has been withdrawn. It is emphasised that tics always occur in those showing the stigmata of mental degeneracy, and that usually a neurotic family history can be obtained. The authors do not associate the actual tic with any hyperexcitability of the centres; just as "pharmacologists know and love to point out," that alcohol is not a stimulant, but rather a sedative of normal inhibitory processes, so they consider that loss of inhibitory power is at the back of all tics; the once purposed act becomes automatic and does not come under the control of an inhibitory mechanism. The hypothesis is interesting especially in its application to treatment. In cases of inco-ordination one may attempt by Fraenkel's exercises to replace automatic acts by purposed acts; the writers would make the muscles concerned in the tic perform purposed movements and thus bring them back under the control of the will. In addition to this the patient should practice remaining motionless for increasing lengths of time, standing the while in front of a mirror. That stark lady who begat the aphorism "whooping cough can only be cured by the rod" evidently regarded the later stages of that complaint as a tic. We cigarette smokers simply tic; an originally purposed act becomes automatic and is performed with undue frequency, this occurring in one whose mental . . . but perhaps the hypothesis is not so very sound after all. Among many interesting clinical cases is the dolorous history of the gentleman who developed alcoholic poisoning. Was be an alcoholic? Nothing of the kind. He suffered from a drinking tica habit of raising the hand to the mouth and then pronating strongly holding the while a vessel containing fluid. It was his misfortune to have happened upon alcohol. The book can be heartily recommended as it is full of information concerning common conditions in whose presence the average man is apt to feel rather helpless. It will be a comfort to the house officer who goes to out-patients prepared to deal faithfully with Beri Beri or Dengue only to find himself confronted by a small boy with a stammer. Among many good chapters is that dealing with the choreas where true chorea is contrasted with the tics into which it may develop. In conclusion one may note that the writers are very hostile to the surgical treatment of tics, on the ground, that as general disease all that can be performed by operation is to alter the situation of a system without affecting the causa causans. Certainly our results at this hospital in the treatment of torti-collis support Dr. Wilson's personal opinion that their experience must have been unfortunate. Editorial Notices. ALL Contributions for insertion should reach the Editor by the first of the month. They should be written on one side of the paper only. Subscriptions may be sent direct to the Treasurer, Mr. F. G. Parsons, or paid to Robert Hopkins, in the Central Hall. The subscription for one year is five shillings; for five years, one guinea; for life, three guineas. We beg to acknowledge the receipt of the following:-London Hospital Gazette, St. Bartholomew's Hospital Gazette, Guy's Hospital Gazette, St. George's Hospital Gazette, St. Mary's Hospital Gazette, Middlesex Hospital Gazette, The Broadway (Westminster), All India Hospital Assistants' Journal, The Hospital, Royal A. M. C. Journal. We have ventured to write this letter because we feel that there must be many Cambridge Medical Graduates who would be willing to join the Club, who hitherto, perhaps have not been aware of its existence. We are Yours faithfully, HUNTER TODD, 111, Harley Street, W. LOUIS B. RAWLING, 16, Montague Street, W. (Hon. Secs.) [We are asked to add, that Mr. Corner (who is the Member of the Council for St. Thomas's) will be happy to furnish particulars with reference to the Club to any who may be thinking of joining it.-ED.] Examination News. UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE, April, 1907. Third Eamination. Part II. Surgery, Medicine and Midwifery,-S. P. Chan, S. Churchill, A. I. Cooke, A. N. Dickson, H. Dimock, L. H. L. Mackenzie, A. H. Suhr. CONJOINT BOARD, March and April, 1907. First Examination. Chemistry and Physics.-C. V. Anderson, C. H. L. Rixon. Elementary Biology.-F. C. Cowtan, M. S. Esler, H. Mahmud, S. A. Wilkinson. Practical Pharmacy.-*R. D. Brown, V. Vesselovsky. Second Examination. Anatomy and Physiology.-D. C. Bluett, J. S. Hopwood, K. D. Marriner, B. C. Maybury, W. L. Pink, F. C. Pridham, E. A. Seymour F. Lewis Smith, T. E. A. Stowell. Final Examination. * Medicine.-R. L. Barwick, A. I. Cooke, S. R. Gleed, H. Granger, H. N. Surgery. F. O. Arnold, R. G. Bingham, * S. Churchill. * * * * H. E. T. Dawes, H. Dimock, J. E. Ellcome, W. S. Leicester, * B. T. * Midwifery.-J. L. Graham-Jones, M. H. E R. Montesole,* W. Patey, C. H. L. Petch, S. E. Whitnall, J. F. Windsor. * These gentlemen have completed their Final Examination. Editorial Notices. ALL Contributions for insertion should reach the Editor by the first of the month. They should be written on one side of the paper only. Subscriptions may be sent direct to the Treasurer, Mr. F. G. Parsons, or paid to Robert Hopkins, in the Central Hall. The subscription for one year is five shillings; for five years, one guinea; for life, three guineas. We beg to acknowledge the receipt of the following:-London Hospital Gazette, St. Bartholomew's Hospital Gazette, Guy's Hospital Gazette, St. George's Hospital Gazette, St. Mary's Hospital Gazette, Middlesex Hospital Gazette, The Broadway (Westminster), All India Hospital Assistants' Journal, The Hospital, Royal A. M. C. Journal. |