Hygiene for Beginners. By Ernest Septimus Reynolds, M.D. (Macmillan and
Co.)—Three years ago Dr. Reynolds wrote a small primer on hygiene for the use of higher-grade school children and for these who attended elementary lectures on the subject. That primer he has now considerably enlarged, and has added an outline of anatomy and physiology, with many illustra- tions. "The book will, I hope," the author writes, "be found to contain all that is necessary for the general public to know if
they wish to escape the ravages of preventable disease." Manuals of this class have been frequently written, but a new one, pro-
duced by a thoroughly competent authority, will, it may be hoped, appeal to many readers. Of the art of preserving health people are still strangely ignorant, or if they know what ought to be dine, are tot; perverse to do it.-"PrecePt upon precept is there- fore needed,, and if there is little novelty in this primer there is IÜCh useful 'instruction. With regard to alcohol, Dr. Reynolds life& with the teetotalers. He considers that "a,é a rule, to which "there are few exceptions, people are much better and healthier ivithout it," that "it lessens the power of resistance to cold and to ' disease," and is one' of the -most baneful poisons on earth." • "Who shall decide when actors disagree " but even Dr. Reynolds allows that to dwellers in cities with hard mental work to perform it is "almost a necessity." Of tobacco he observes that it is merely a luxury and not a necessity," although it has a certain soothing effect in overworked people." The Chapter on "Medical and Surgical Emergencies" may prove, in the absence of a doctor, of great service in country houses.
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