Volume 47 · Issue 01 · 1933

A review of the literature of the subject of gas cysts of the intestines sheds meager light on their origin, although the subject has been discussed rather extensively in both German and American publications. In the present communication two cases with interesting clinical and anatomical features are described and the observations from a short set of experiments are set forth which we believe may throw some light on the etiology of this condition.

Results of direct observations upon the exposed human heart by Barker, Macleod and Alexander (1), have shown that clinical electro- cardiograms heretofore ascribed to right bundle branch block are probably due to left bundle branch block and vice versa. Wilson, Macleod and Barker (2) in a masterly interpretation of the initial deflectionS of the ventricular complex of the electrocardic, gram have come to the conclusion that this interpretation oF bundle branch block is not in conflict with Lewis' hypothesis that the electrical axis at a given instant points in the average direction in which the excitation process is spreading at that moment. The average direction in which the excitatory process spreads, according to Wilson, must be toward the muscle which is activated latest. Right bundle branch block must increase the number of muscle u4its activated from left to right and downward and left bundle branch block the number of muscle units activated in the reverse direction. A study of the electrocardiograms depicting right and left bundle branch block in relation to the clinical findings may throw some light on the correctness of this interpretation of human bundle branch block curves. Before proceeding to an analysis of out own material, it may be profitable to re-examine the bundle branch block cases reported in the available literature. In order to avoid possible confusion, we have employed throughout this paper Wilson's nomenclature in the electrocardiographic diagnosis of bundle branch block. and have substituted that in place of the older terminology found in the literature.

In a previous paper (Hoepli and Feng, 1931) we described the lesions in the skin caused by Dermacentor sinicus from hedgehog and Haemaphysalis campanulata heoppliana from dog. In cach case an inflammatory reaction and a homogeneous eosinophilic zone free of nuclei were found around the mouth parts of the parasite. When emulsions of the salivary glands of D. sinicus were subcutaneously injectd into guinea pig and rabbit an infiltration indicating an acute inflammatory process was observed but there was no homogenisation of the tissue.

Rug making as an important industry in North China is described by Chu and Blaisdell (1) as wellas by Fong (2). Peiping and Ticntsin are the important centers. In the year 10'24 there were 206 rug fac- tories employing 6,834 workers in Peiping, and ln lcjlq there were 303 factorjos employing Jl,,568 workers in Tientiin. A total of 28,205 rugs were exported from China in 1927. amounting to a total value of 3,401,804 taels.

Yang Chin Hua(洋金�?, sold in Chinese drug stores in the form of leaves and stems, is being much used in the practice of Chinese Medicine. It is climed to be very uSeful for asthma and usually gives instant relief when inhaled. When investigated chemically, the writer found that it contains as its chief active principle about 0.2 per cent of Hyoscine together with very little other solanaceous alkaloids. Consquently it mustl belong to one of the various species of solanaceous plants. The fact that Hyoscine paralyses the para-sympathetic nerve endings and in this way affects organs containing unstriped muscle, explainst he physiological action of Yang Chin Hua as an asthma remedy. As most of solanaceous alkaloids, like Atropine, Hyoscyamine and Hyoscine are well known for their toxicity, it would be surprising, if no poisonings ever took place in too frequent administration of Yang Chin Hua, although poisoning statistics are not yet available in China.

Papers on spinal anaesthesia these days are legion and my only excuse for presentin" this is the fact that at Anking we have simplified our technique, makin7 this type of anaesthesia of wider application to miss on hospitals.

Years ago a friend of ours while travelling on the Yang-Tse was attached by this disease, and IJurried to the nearest hospital. At that time the knowledge of how to treat cases of cholera, or choleraic diarrhoea, was not known in that section of the country, and the fear of having an epidemic on her hands caused the doctor to refuse the patient admission into the hospital for treatment. The delay occasioned by this refusal proved fatal to our friend, who succumbed the next day.

With the increase of knowledge in obstetrics and gynecology and especially owing to the introduction of hysterosalpingography, con genital anomalies of the uterus such as rudimentary, infantile, unicornuate, bicornuate, double or septate, and bifid uterus, are more and more often revealed. As one studies the process of how the uterus is formed, one often wonders why there are more normal than abnormal uteri. Degrees of deformity undoubtedly have their influence on the proportion of these cases which are sterile, or abort, or carry to term. Cases which become pregnant do not as a rule have marked; deformities. The following example of pregnancy in a double uterus is of great interest from several points of view.

Protein shock due to the administration of pituitrin is extremely rare, but it is alarming when it does occur, and for this reason it is well that the details of cases exhibiting this shock should be put on record.

The Lorain County General Health Disttict has a laboratory ever since 1920. This rural organization serves ten villages and twenty townships, a population of 40,000 scattered over 476 square miles. While the laboratory is largely one for water and milk it dose general bacteriological work when need aries: diphtheria and scarlet fever cultures, widals, typhoid stools, smears, and urines. The lab man is also milk inspector. It appropriations have permitted it to do good work.