ture of chemistry and its applications, past and current, is abundantly shown by numerous quotations and citations. These papers contain a number of original suggestions and interpretations, and several references to his laboratory and work, which prove that Dr. Clemson was a practical chemist of ability. The first paper occupies 42 pages, and the second 45 pages, exclusive of from 18 to 20 pages of tables of analyses of ashes, plants, peats, and coals. Other papers on agricultural chemistry will be found listed in the bibliography which will accompany Part I1 of this paper including sources of ammonia; microscopic organisms, in which he mentions the occurrence of phosphoric acid in the air; marl formations, their composition and value, etc. Leprosy Drug Now Administered Painlessly. A new combination of chaulmoogra oil with benzocaine has enabled several lepers a t the National Leprosarium a t C a ~ l l e , La., t o receive the benefits of the curative drug with aminimum of pain. The discomfort which accompanies the administration of chaulmoogra oil is a problem with which specialists in leprosy have struggled for years. Consequently the success which has attended the use of benzocaine-chaulmaogra oil by Dr. Frederick A. Johansen of the U. S. Public Health Service on 24 lepers a t the leprosarium may mark an important step forward in the treatment of this ancient disease. "This preparation has the advantage of not causinp. pain, and of absorbing readily," ~. Dr Johanxn st:ited. "thewhy giving the pntient a 1 1 ~ f o r mamount of ch.hnulmoogr:a oil ill ;I dcfinire penod of time. S m w the treatment was % t a r t 436 patient.; have been added. making a total of 60 who are taking the injections semi-weekly as routine treatment. "In reporting these cases," added the surgeon, "no claim is made that the injection of chaulmoogra oil with benzocaine will cure leprosy. It is felt that the method suggested is worthy of further use and such trial as may seem appropriate."-Science Seruice $?onvalescent Senun Prevents Chicken Pox and Measles. Chicken pox may be added to the list of diseases that can be prevented by vaccination. Dr. Jean V. Cwke of the Washington University School of Medicine a t St. Louis, Mo., has reported to the American College of Physicians that inoculation of exposed children with semm from convalescent patients has successfully prevented cases of both chicken pox and measles. Though the farmer is sufficiently mild a disease not t o require general protective measures, its appearance in epidemics in institutions causes considerable difficulty, especially in the very young children affected. Of a total of 369 cases of exposed children vaccinated for chicken pox, described in medical literature, Dr. Cwke declared only 74 or 20 per cent developed chicken pox. Of 206 unvaccinated exposed children observed as controls, 158 or 77 per cent contracted the disease. Such immunity is temporary but serves to protect orphanages and schools from the inconvenience of an epidemic. The preventive treatment for measles, said Dr. Cwke, should be concentrated on account of the danger of complications on infants and young children under five years of age. Results with this method show, he stated, that almost 90 per cent of children given convalescents' serum during the first week after enpasure fail t o develop the disease.-Science Service
