55

by adding common oil of vitriol to bone ash. The questionhas been raised before as to the possibility of these fertilisersinfecting plants or roots with the arsenic contained in them.We refer to this portion of the inquiry in particularbecause recently it has been freely stated that arsenic hasbeen found in malt and hops and in beer brewed entirelyfrom malt and hops. It is possible that the arsenic thus saidto be found may have another origin, but the fact remainsthat plants do assimilate arsenic and that artificial manuresare frequently arsenical, and a very wide field for inquiryin opened thereby. Some years ago Dr. Edmund Davypositively stated that arsenic as it exists in artificialmanures is taken up by plants growing where thesemanures have been applied. He found cabbages and

turnips taken from fields manured with superphosphategiving unmistakeable evidence of being arseniated. In some

experiments conducted by the late Professor Tuson of theRoyal Veterinary College the results were such as to con-firm the assertion of Dr. Davy. Also a French investigatorcame to the same conclusion. Professor Tuson regardedthen facts as having some important bearing, for as arsenicis well known to accumulate in soils, the effects aftersome time might possibly be that vegetables raised on thosefields continuously so manured would ultimately be found tocontain a proportion of arsenic able to exercise an injuriouseffect on the health of men and animals. It would be rashto assert that the arsenic which has been found recently inmalt and hops owed its origin to this source, but the pointis well worth attention at the present juncture that artificialmanures are often rich in arsenic and that plants will easilyassimilate this poison.

It will be seen that the foregoing results are reassuring.For in spite of the fact that the substances which havebeen examined are most probably at some time or other inthe course of their preparation submitted to the action ofsulphuric acid, yet arsenic as an accidental impurity was, onthe whole, not found to be present even in infinitesimal

quantity. If sulphuric acid had been employed at all in theinstances quoted it was pure. Certain substances did containarsenic, although in unimportant quantity. The inquiryteaches, however, that as these things are liable to containthis poisonous impurity a careful watch should be keptover them. This is provided for in the Food and DrugsAct, which might usefully be turned to the examinationof such articles of food and drugs as are herein indicated.The danger involved by the use of sulphuric acid in themanufacture of all compounds intended for human con-sumption can be obviously avoided by the use of puresulphuric acid, and some rigid precautions are necessarywhich shall ensure the supply of arsenic-free sulphuric acidfor these special purposes.We may add, finally, a word on the tests employed for the

detection of arsenic. Considerable controversy has arisen asto the respective merits and demerits of the various tests forarsenic. In our experience the Gutzeit test is the most satis-factory for qualitative purposes, and to some extent for

quantitative purposes also, so long as special care betaken to absorb any sulphuretted hydrogen that may beevolved. It has the advantage over the Reinsch test ofgiving indication of the presence of arsenic even if it be inthe form of arseniate or arsenic acid. Reinsch’s test is notat all satisfactory when the arsenic is present in the form ofarseniate or arsenic acid unless steps be taken to reduce thearsenic to the arsenious state. Sulphur compounds againseriously interfere with the Reinsch test, sulphur depositingupon the slip of copper and complicating the result. All

fallacy, however, may be got over by first oxidising theliquid, such as beer, which frequently contains sulphateswith a little excess of bromine, driving off the bromine andthen reducing the arsenic by the audition of some cuprouschloride solution. If arsenic is present the liquid will

yield an immediate deposit on the copper on boilingafter acidulating the liquid with hydrochloric acid. TheGutzeit test is best conducted in a six ounce flask fitted witha small glass tower containing filter paper saturated withacetate of lead. Over the top of the glass tower is placed apiece of filter paper moistened with strong mercuric chloridesolution and afterwards dried. The production of a yellowstain in intensity varying directly with the amount ofarsenic present is a certain indication of arsenic when theprecautions indicated are taken. Complex liquids like beermay be first evaporated with sulphuric acid and most of thecharred material destroyed as in the Kjeldahl process forthe estimation of nitrogen. The acid liquid may be filtered

if necessary or it can be carried to a clear state by continuedheating. It is then transferred to the flask in which the

hydrogen is generated by the action of acid upon pure zinc.Arseniates and arsenic acid respond to this test most

distinctly in a few minutes. By attaching a small glass tubeto the tower the result may be confirmed by obtaining theblack arsenical deposit as in the case of Marsh’s test.The Lancet Laboratory.

THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

THE news from South Africa is of a very mixed and not

altogether satisfactory character. Nor is it likely that any-thing short of the capture of De Wet and the complete andfinal dispersal of his forces will make it otherwise. The

occupation of all the stations along our lines of communica-tion by strong bodies of infantry to guard against attack,while bodies of mounted troops are actively pursuingand dealing with the Boer forces may result in this.The most unsatisfactory part of the news at themoment is that the Boers are raiding Cape Colony.We must, presumably, make up our minds that theguerilla war will pursue its course for a time, giving riseto surprises, small disasters, and " regrettable" events. Thewide extent of territory to be held and safeguarded againstattack, as well as the distances over which the operationsare spread, will probably require the presence of largermounted forces than are at present in the field. The ColonialGovernments, we are proud to say, are showing themselvesalive and equal to the situation; that of New Zealand, forexample, is taking up steamers for the conveyance of a freshcontingent of troops to South Africa.We regret to notice that enteric fever is still very preva-

lent, and that it, together with dysentery and other campdiseases, gives rise to numerous deaths. Nor is this to bewondered at considering that a recrudescence of entericfever was only to be expected, as we have already fore-shadowed, on the approach of warmer weather.

’

Further reports respecting the Imperial Yeomanry Hos-pital at Deelfontein- from Lieutenant-Colonel A. T. Sloggett,R A. M C., show that on Dec. 10th there remained in hospital17 officers and 443 non-commissioned officers and men, ofwhom nine officers and 322 men belonged to the ImperialYeomanry. Colonel Sloggett adds that Surgeon-DresserRansford, of the hospital staff, and Nursing SisterTimbrell, of the Pretoria staff, were both convalescent, andthat Surgeon-Dresser Blathwayt, of the Deelfontein staff,suffering from enteric fever, was progressing favourably.There had been a decided increase of enteric fever of late.Surgeon-Major C. R. Kilkelly. of the Grenadier Guards, com-mandant of the hospital at Pretoria, announced on Dec. 5ththat there remained in the hospital 55 officers and 388 non-commissioned officers and men. A convoy of woundedfrom Bronkerspruit, consisting of 11 officers and 20 men,had just arrived.

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DENTAL SURGERY WITH THE FIELD FORCE INSOUTH AFRICA.

BY F. NEWLAND-PEDLEY, F.R.C.S.ENG., L.D.S.,RECENTLY DENTAL SURGEON TO THE IMPERIAL YEOMANRY HOSPITAL

AT DEELFONTEIN.

The following record of my experiences, which was

written whilst I was on service in South Africa, is intendedto indicate the defects of our military system as regards thecare of our soldiers’ teeth. For reasons that will be easilyunderstood I deferred the publication till a more suitabletime than that of my actual service.

Early in February, 1900, I left England with the staff ofthe Imperial Yeomanry Hospital as a consulting dentalsurgeon to treat the special cases of injuries and diseases ofthe jaw, and for nearly six months I worked under variedconditions-on board ship, in a tent, afterwards in a shanty,and subsequently in a hut. Here I settled down into a

daily routine which little resembled what I expected to do,but which seemed to meet the. requirements of a large campas far as the work of one dental surgeon can be said to

supply the needs of a general hospital.Occupation for me was never lacking from the first day of

the outward voyage, for there was the usual epidemic ofinfluenza followed by numerous cases of neuralgia and