Tropical Midwifery

LiEut.-Col. V. B. Green-Armytage, i.m.s., has so firmly established his reputation amongst the students of the Medical College, Calcutta, as a brilliant teacher that " Tropical Midwifery," which is the second edition of " Labour Room Clinics," is sure to be welcomed by them. It is a handy volume of 173 pages of octavo size. We think the old title' is a more suitable one for the work, which is presented as a series of lectures and not as a treatise or handbook planned out on a settled scheme. As might be expected from the author, the teaching is entirely up-to-date and practical. The penalty for being so convincing a teacher is the necessity for the most meticulous accuracy and it is for this reason that we drew attention to a few points which are open to criticism. " The De Lee low Caesarian Section" is described as being done by " a curved transverse incision " in the lower uterine segment. This is incorrect: De Lee is entirely opposed to the transverse incision (which is recommended by Munro Kerr above the bladder, and by Phaneuf after separating and pushing the bladder down), a smaller point is that the mortality of eclampsia treated by conservative methods in Bengal is estimated to be 15 per cent.; we wish it were only that. Few authorities will share either the author's enthusiasm for Luker's method of treating puerperal sepsis or his utter detestation of dried milk in any shape