he Silvester method
answered well, but I was much impressed with Dr. Bowles' claims for
the Marshall Hall method, and should bear them in mind were I called
upon to attend another case of drowning.

[Footnote 1: Resuscitation of the Apparently Drowned, by R.L.
Bowles, M.D., F.R.C.P., Medico-Chirurgical Transactions, vol.
lxxii., 1889.]

I think it must be admitted that pulling the tongue forward as a means
of opening the glottis, which has become a standard treatment in
asphyxia, is unscientific, and not warranted by the results of
experiments made to determine its value.[2]

[Footnote 2: Dragging on the tongue's tip would not affect its
base or the epiglottis sufficiently to make it a praiseworthy
procedure. Medico-Chirurgical Transactions, vol. lxxii. See also
_Medical Record_, April 4, 1891. Pulling out the tongue is a
mistake, since irritation of nerves of deglutition stops the
diaphragm.--_Medical Times and Gazetteer._]

Dr. Bowles also believes that "the safety of the patient is most
perfectly secured by keeping him on one side during the whole
treatment, one lung being thus kept quite free." With the account of
my case I have brought forward such views of other writers as it
seemed to me would be of practical service and throw light on a
subject which is of great importance, since the yearly record of
mortality from drowning is by no means inconsiderable. I think,
however, that a knowledge of what ought to be done in cases of
drowning should be much more generally diffused than is the case at
present. It should be one of the items of school instruction, since no
one can tell when such knowledge may be of immense importance in
saving life, and the time lost in securing medical aid would involve a
fatal result.

It is also very desirable that all doubt should be removed, by the
decision of competent medical authorities, as to which "ready" method
or methods are the best, since there are several in the field. With
this should be decided what is the best means for securing patency of
the air passages, and, in short, a very careful revision of the
treatment now recommended for drowning, in order that there may be no
doubt as to the course which should be adopted in such a serious
emergency.--_Medical Record._

* * * * *

THE STORY OF THE UNIVERSE.[1]

[Footnote 1: Presidential address before the British Association,
Cardiff, 1891.]

By Dr. W