An interesting observation is that a form of progressive degeneration of the lenticular nucleus occurs which is associated with hepatic cirrhosis. Since its first description by Wilson in 1912 over 7o cases have been described but the patho logical agent remains completely unknown, though there are indi cations that the liver is the seat of the primary pathological proc ess. Clinically the symptoms are chiefly cerebral and the hepatic cirrhosis which is so constantly found at autopsy is usually latent.
In the case of general paralysis of the insane, a form of treatment that has been advo cated is inoculation with benign tertian malaria which is then treated with quinine. Maniacal and early cases have been found to respond to this treatment best. Intelligence, articulation, writ ing and equilibrium improve markedly, but defects of character and manners remain. Some cases may even be able to return to responsible duties. Advanced cases merely remain stationary. The idea underlying this treatment is that the malarial parasites stimu late the body to the formation of spirochaetal anti-substances.
In the province of respiratory dis eases, gas poisoning necessitated urgent investigation from the commencement of 1915. An intense oedema was produced which blocked the finer air passages and in its minor degrees led to a widespread bronchopneumonia. Variations were met with as the nature of the gas used was changed, but from the respiratory point of view at least the phenomena were fairly constant. In pneu monia, experimental work on monkeys showed that four types of pneumococcus occur and do not protect against one another.
Asthma. Work on asthma has shown that in a large proportion of cases, if not in all, the disease is of an anaphylactic nature, an intense reaction being produced in the bronchial mucous mem brane of a person sensitized to some particular substance of pro tein origin. Determination of the particular substance in any individual case may be lengthy, but if it be determined there is a possibility of successful treatment by gradual immunization.
Tuberculosis. In tuberculosis (q.v.) two important methods of treatment have been suggested. In one, an endeavour has been made to increase the antagonizing cells in the body by repeated irradiation of the spleen. This organ is a storehouse for lympho cytes and it is known that the lymphocytic content of the blood can be raised by repeated small doses of X-rays. The method has not as yet a great following. The other method is by administra tion of a gold salt [Au
named "sanocrysin" by Mollgard, originator of the method. The underlying idea is not
purely chemotherapeutical for it is held that the poisonous action of the organisms killed in vivo by chemical means is neutralize( by an antiserum. The experimental work was carried out in
mark and has been confirmed and extended in England. Carefu selection of cases must be made when applying sanocrysin to mar as the reaction in pulmonary tuberculosis may be very severe, but with due precautions great benefit may accrue.
In the case of diseases of endocrine origin the out standing example of advance is afforded by the insulin (q.v.) treatment of diabetes (q.v.). The pathology of the condition wa1 fairly well known, but the great achievement of Banting and his collaborators was that they succeeded in isolating the material in sufficient quantity for therapeutic purposes. Numerous re searches have been undertaken in the endeavour to simplify the treatment, but it still remains necessary for insulin to be injected intravenously and repeatedly in severe diabetes.
The relation of iodine to endemic and to exophthal mic goitre (q.v.) has been investigated. A close relation between the cellular condition of the thyroid and the amount of iodine has been demonstrated, and it is held that relative or absolute defi ciency of iodine is the immediate cause of simple goitre however this deficiency may be occasioned. Treatment by internal admin istration of iodine has met with much success. Success has also been claimed for radiological treatment and for surgery in cases in which iodine and other medical treatment has failed.
Description has been given of a paratyphoid epizootic in a flock of sheep with a consequent human epidemic of paratyphoid (40--5o severe cases with four deaths) that occurred in the Essen district. B. paratyphosus B. was isolated from the sheep's flesh and from the patients' stools. It was not here a case of mutton from healthy sheep being contaminated, but the sheep suffered during life from the same disease as the human beings.
A peculiar disease developed in July 1924 among the fisher folk of the Frisches Haff, the great freshwater lagoon of East Prussia.
Many suggestions were put forward as to its aetiology, but finally it was traced to arsenic freely contained in the waste water of two cellulose factories which was pouring into the Haff in large quantities.
the basis of observed peculiarities of group II. and group III. red blood cells, another research would group mankind according to their racial blood index (see RACES