CURRENT LITERATURE.
ME STUDY OF TIIE NATURAL HISTORY OF DISEASE.
The Study of the Natural History of Disease. By Sir Thomas Barlow, Bart. (British Medical Journal Republication.)— Sir Thomas Barlow in this learned, helpful, and enlightening address, delivered at the annual meeting of the British Medical Association at Manchester in July last, pleads for the mainte- nance, development, and defence of experimental research in alli- ance with clinical work. He tells us that sound empiricism, the scientific study of the natural history of disease, is in medicine (as in all science) the essential condition of advance. He shows clearly that in certain cases, such as diphtheria, " medi- 21110 has justified for itself the designation of an exact ;cienee." Twelve y,sars of investigation has revolutionised the treatment of diphtheria,—one of the most fearful scourges of humanity Good food, regular sleep, plenty of water and fresh air, in themselves constitute a new treatment ; while the use of the antitoxin, the risks of which are insignificant, has reduced the death-rate from diphtheria between one-third and one-half. There is reason to hope that disease after disease will in like manner 'yield its deadly secret to the tireless investigator. Sir Thomas Barlow pleads with intense earnestness for greater access to sunshine and air in our great towns, and for the moist cleansing of streets ; for child life lived in the fresh air ; for open windows ; and lastly for help from the rich and from the municipalities throughout the country to provide the means for experimental research.
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