In an endeavour to give readers the feel of how NJI looked like hundred years ago, we are reproducing editorial of April 1910 issue. Such excerpts would be published each month. Notes from the Medical Press Diabetes Mellitus Some very interesting facts in regard to Diabetes Mellitus are given in Clinical Excerpts with reference to an article on the geographical distribution of this disease, by Dr RI Williamson, in the Medical Chronicle. The author says that in most countries the prevalence of this disease is increasing in marked degree. “In England, on the Continent and in the United States the increase seems nearly uniform. In berlin it is especially marked… In India the disease seems to be very common, particularly among the Hindus. It is remarkable that the inhabitants of the town suffer more than those of the country, although the latter live almost entirely on starchy food. The disease has been attributed by physicians in India to excessive mental strain and anxiety, sedentary mode of life, and heavy meals containing much starch, sugar and fat. Sir RH Charles and other attach much importance to dyspepsia as a forerunner of the disease. “In regard to race, it has been clearly demonstrated that the Jews suffer more than the Christians in all European countries. Negroes suffer less frequently than the white races, although where they live in civilized countries the proportions tend to approximate. Among the Chinese the disease is exceedingly rare. The Hindus, Cingalese and Maltese are especially liable to suffer. “It may be recalled that in the Practitioner (April, 1909) appeared an article entitled ‘The Increased Death-rate from Diabetes, and the Possibility of Preventing the Disease or of Postponing its Onset’. In that article it was stated from the writer’s own observations that psychical causes undoubtedly produced the disease, as also did excess of alcoholic and sweet beverages, and of sweet foods. Further, certain persons in certain conditions were particularly liable, and these were tabulated as follows for the guidance of the practitioner, advising precautions for preventing or postponing the onset of the disease. Such advice should be given : (1) In the case of individuals who have a family history of the disease, and especially if a brother or sister has suffered. (2) In the case of Jews, whose profession or business causes great mental over-strain, especially in the case of those who are very ambitious, those who are very stout, eat an excess of food and take little exercise. (3) In the case of women whose urine has contained a considerable amount of grape-sugar during pregnancy, which has disappeared after parturition. (4) In cases of gout, acromegaly, and great obesity, especially if the obesity should have developed at an early period of life. (5) In the case of men who have reached the age of forty or fifty, who have had great mental strain in their profession, who have been very ambitious, worked very hard, and taken little exercise. If such individuals have taken an excess of food and alcohol and have become stout there is a greater risk. (6) In very stout women just after the climacteric period, and after an operation on the uterus or ovaries, the risk of diabetes is worth bearing in mind, especially when there is a family history of the disease. (7) When the urine has been found to contain a trace of sugar temporarily after an acute illness, an injury, an excess of sweet food, etc., the question of the prevention of permanent glycosuria, or true diabetes, requires consideration. (8) In all cases of permanent slight glycosuria, it is desirable that the mode of life, diet, etc., should be carefully considered and regulated, with the object of preventing, if possible, the affection from developing into a severe form of diabetes.’ “It is of further interest to recall that a year or two ago the same writer published in the Medical Chronicle a number of cases illustrating the action of Aspirin in reducing glycosuria. It was the opinion that the diminution was not an accidental, spontaneous change, but was really due to the direct action of the Aspirin.” Symposium on Alcohol : The Yale Medical Journal reports a symposium on alcohol held at the meeting of the Connecticut State Medical Society and the Fairchild Medical Association, at which papers wer read on “Alcohol as a Food”, “Alcohol as a Poison” and “Alcohol as a Remedy”. In discussing these papers, Dr Carmalt presented statistics from the reports of the New Haven Hospital from 1881 to 1908, showing that there had been a steady decline in the use of alcohol and a corresponding increase in the use of milk. He believes that the profession is using less and less alcohol all the time, and that milk is being used more for nourishment – The American Journal of Nursing. Aseptic Surgery : Dr RJL Sladen, the District Surgeon of the GIP Ry at Bhusawal, writes : “…but for nurses to understand modern methods of sterilizing hands and instruments, I do not know a better book than a little one called ‘Aseptic Surgery’ by CB Lockwood, published by ‘The Oxford Medical Publishers’ for Rs. 5.