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To the Editor: —In a paper read before the Indiana State Medical Society, June 6, 1888, on "Erysipelas Complicating Pregnancy," the following conclusions were based on an analysis of thirty-seven cases: The nearer to full term the attack of erysipelas, the less danger of death and greater certainty of abortion or premature delivery. That nearly all cases complicated by puerperal peritonitis die, while those not thus complicated get well. That there is less danger of death to the pregnant in the later months of pregnancy suffering with erysipelas than to the parturient to whom erysipelatous virus has been conveyed, producing puerperal peritonitis. That the dangers to the pregnant or parturient are greatest in the active invasive stage of erysipelas; that puerperal septicaemia is not so likely to follow those cases of abortion or premature delivery occurring in the retrogressive stage of the erysipelatous inflammation, and that the dangers grow less

The term "puerperal fever" should be abandoned, as it is too broad and includes conditions which are not peculiar to the puerperal state, hence misleading. Puerperal septicemia as used by many is also objectionable; it should be limited in its application and used only to indicate cases of true septicemia. Textbooks and lexicons define "puerperal fever" as an acute infectious disease due to septic inoculation. Some authorities apologize for the definition, and well they may under the present light and knowledge of these conditions. In writing upon this subject, some five years since, for the Tri-State Medical Association I endeavored to demonstrate the existence of two general classes of puerperal infection. Such a view then met with strong opposition and some of our best authorities wrote me such a distinction could not be maintained. To-day I am more fully convinced than ever that we have a septic and a putrid

Atlanta, Ga., March 1. To the Editor: —The sociological committee of the Tri-State Medical Society of Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee desires information relative to any and all states that have enacted laws regulating marriage of criminals, insane, epileptics, tuberculous or those suffering with venereal disease. It also desires information of any legal enactments or literature on the subject of rendering habitual criminals sterile. Any information along this line, from any of your readers, will be greatly appreciated and gladly received. 308 and 310 Eng.-Amer. Building.

63½Whitehall St., Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 21, 1895. To the Editor: —Desiring to find to what extent coca cola habitues are developed by the use of coca cola as a drink, I address this card to the medical profession, hoping that it will receive a ready response by any physician who has treated such cases. In replying, please state age of patient, sex, and amount drank daily. Hoping some good may result from such a collection of cases, I am, Yours respectfully

At the present time this is an important question and of interest to the medical profession in general. While asepsis and antisepsis have rendered incalculable service in the prevention of puerperal infection, such cases occur and we are compelled to devise means for their relief. Before adopting any line of treatment or surgical measure in these cases, it should be established that they are life-saving commensurate with the risks incurred by their use. Before hysterectomy can be adopted as a justifiable measure in puerperal infection it must be demonstrated that it will save lives that can not be saved by less heroic treatment. From inquiry of eighteen leading gynecologists and obstetricians, I find five opposed and thirteen in favor of the operation. Out of fifteen cases operated upon eight have died, making a death-rate of 53⅓ per cent. In most instances it is said that the operation is done as