Pleasant Task Research Articles

Acquiring a Self Portrait

This is to keep an old promise to write the story of securing a self portrait by William M. Chase for the permanent collection of The Art Association of Richmond. Indiana.It begins in this wise, Mr. L—— a native of Richmond, (now deceased) while traveling in Europe in 1912. met an American artist and in a conversation about Richmond's unique art movement this art ist suggested that we ought to have a portrait of Chase, since he was an Indiana man. Mr. L—— wrote me at once saying he would donate half the price of a portrait head by Chase if our association would assume the other half. and he thought five hundred dollars would be a sufficient sum to offer for it. Our board accepted his offer and assigned to me the pleasant task of calling at Mr. Chase's studio to ask for the portrait.

Acquiring a Self Portrait

This is to keep an old promise to write the story of securing a self portrait by William M. Chase for the permanent collection of The Art Association of Richmond. Indiana.It begins in this wise, Mr. L—— a native of Richmond, (now deceased) while traveling in Europe in 1912. met an American artist and in a conversation about Richmond's unique art movement this art ist suggested that we ought to have a portrait of Chase, since he was an Indiana man. Mr. L—— wrote me at once saying he would donate half the price of a portrait head by Chase if our association would assume the other half. and he thought five hundred dollars would be a sufficient sum to offer for it. Our board accepted his offer and assigned to me the pleasant task of calling at Mr. Chase's studio to ask for the portrait.

A SIMPLE SIGMOIDOSCOPIC ASPIRATOR

The recent outbreaks of amebiasis have made many physicians ameba conscious. This added interest has afforded an opportunity to evaluate methods of collecting specimens from the diseased colon. It soon became apparent that a stool specimen sent to the laboratory is not the most desirable material for examination. It is rarely fresh. It is cold. The preparation of a suspension is not a pleasant task and often is very revolting to the technician or physician. Specimens obtained through the sigmoidoscope not only obviated these disadvantages but resulted in many more positive examinations. Paulson and Andrews1have had similar experiences. Recently I described a sigmoid aspirator2for procuring fresh sigmoidal contents. That instrument is particularly valuable in cases of diarrhea, in the preulcerative stages of colitis or in debilitated cases in which a sigmoidoscopic examination is objectionable. However, when ulcerations are seen through the sigmoidoscope, direct aspiration of the

The Radio and Pronunciation

TAKING stock of the other fellow's pronunciation is not a pleasant task. Nor is it always a thing about which one may at all times be absolutely certain. Sometimes we think we have heard a common word mispronounced, and rush to the dictionary to find that what we had thought to be incorrectly pronounced is not only acceptable, but even the first pronunciation indicated-or that we have been entirely wrong. So long as educated people themselves differ materially as to the pronunciation of many common words, there appears to be no means of completely standardizing the pronunciation of the English language. And proper names-well, that is the height of acme, as the fellow says, and only adds to the confusion. British pronunciation is also constantly muddying the water, as far as most Americans are concerned.

XXIX.—On the Morphology, Feeding Mechanisms, and Digestion of Ensis siliqua (Schumacher)

The work described in the following pages was carried out in the Department of Zoology of the University of Edinburgh and at the Marine Laboratory, Plymouth. It is my pleasant task to thank the British Association for the use of their table at Plymouth, and the staffs of the Plymouth Laboratory and of the Department of Zoology at Edinburgh for help and advice; in particular, I would thank Professor J. H. Ashworth, F.R.S., under whose direction the work was carried out, for his continued aid and interest at every stage.The animal which was used throughout the investigation was the common razor shellfish or spoutfish of our coasts, Ensis siliqua (Schumacher). The specimens studied at Edinburgh were obtained from a sandy bay at Port Seton, about ten miles below Edinburgh on the Firth of Forth; at Plymouth they were got from the east bank of the Salcombe Estuary. At both places razor shellfish were abundant at the low-water mark of spring tides, and at both Ensis siliqua was the sole species obtained.For histological purposes small- whole animals, which were very rare, and small pieces of tissue were fixed in Bouin's fluid, in E. Allen's chromic Bouin with urea, or in corrosive sublimate and acetic mixture, and sections, cut 8 μ and 12 μ thick, were stained with Heidenhain's iron alum hæmatoxylin or in Delafield's hæmatoxylin and counter-stained with eosin.

The Therapy of Internal Leishmaniasis

Introductory. The widespread incidence of internal Leishmaniasis in its various forms, Mediterranian and tropical, and the gravity of its course and issue, speak clearly for the great importance of therapy. This importance is greatly accentuated by the lack of any means of prophylaxis.Fortunately now, when we speak of the therapy of Leishmaniasis, we are not obliged to use the tone of painful skepticism current a little more than fifteen years ago. Then, all attempts were futile against the resistance of the parasite, which with a slow but certain action worked infallibly to destroy the body. Then we were obliged to concentrate all our hopes on the rare possibility of a spontaneous recovery. Now, to speak of the therapy of Leishmaniasis is a pleasant task, because it is possible to trace the story of the triumph of science over one of the dead-liest of diseases.

Hospital Clinic and Medical School

Editorial1 October 1928Hospital Clinic and Medical SchoolSamuel W. Lambert, M.D.Samuel W. Lambert, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-2-4-376_2 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptOn this occasion of mutual congratulation for Hospital and University it is my pleasant task to present the medical significance of the amalgamation of school and clinic under one roof. These buildings typify the ideals and dreams that have stimulated the teachers of medicine of the College of Physicians and Surgeons in their work for many years. I appreciate to the full the honor which has been done in delegating this opportunity to me.The Presbyterian Hospital founded in 1868 represents the humanitarian impulses of one of the Christian Churches in this City to carry out its whole duty to... This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 1 October 1928Volume 2, Issue 4Page: 376-383KeywordsSurgeons ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 October 1928 PDF downloadLoading ...

Methods of Measuring Temperature

IT is a pleasant task to welcome this work by Dr. Ezer Griffiths, of the Heat Department of the National Physical Laboratory. During the last few years it has been necessary to refer to text-books written by our Allies rather than to works written by British men of science when general information on temperature measurement is required. This has been particularly unfortunate, as so much of the fundamental work in thermometry is due to Englishmen.

Work at the Athens Observatory 1

YEARS ago, under the vigorous direction of the late Prof. Schmidt, the Athens Observatory acquired a distinction that was denied to some kindred institutions more favoured with instrumental equipment and substantial endowment. Since that time evil days have fallen on the National Observatory of Greece and its record of useful work has been broken; but it is now a pleasant task to record that a period of renewed activity appears likely to make itself felt in the future conduct of this ancient centre of scientific work. The third volume of the “Annales,” which has just appeared, devoted mainly to meteorological and climatic inquiries, is perhaps of a modest character viewed from a scientific standpoint; but it shows that the present director, M. Eginitis, is alive to the importance of creating a broader scientific interest throughout the country, which may be productive of greater energy and lead to the establishment of a well-supported institution. If this be the intention of the director, the means he has employed are excellent. For M. Eginitis has endeavoured to interest a number of the better instructed class, such as civil engineers, professors of mathematics in the colleges and schoolmasters, in meteorological and seismological inquiries, and has induced the Government to provide a simple instrumental equipment at stations where it could be properly employed. The result is that he has distributed throughout Greece and the Ionian Isles a number of centres whence climatic observations are regularly forwarded to the central observatory at Athens and there reduced.

ADDITIONAL NOTES ON EMPLOYMENT OF ABSORBABLE SUTURES IN THE OPERATION OF LOOPING THE TENDONS OF OCULAR MUSCLES.

In my original paper on this subject before thisAssociationin 1897, I briefly referred to a method of employing kangaroo tendon in the operation of shortening the ocular muscles, but additional experience has taught me the importance of certain modifications, which I will attempt to present for your consideration today. And I shall feel more than amply rewarded for the labor of this pleasant task, if the members present will kindly contribute their suggestions from their wealth of vast and varied experience. In the first place, I should like to say that the kind of suture material and also the method employed should vary according to the amount of correction desired. Speaking in general terms, I would consider that for the different forms of heterophoria of moderate degree, the catgut suture will supply the requirements and should be preferred because of the fact that it is practically absorbed within

Purification of Sulphur

IT is never a very pleasant or gracious task to reply to criticism. When that criticism, however, is based on a misapprehension of the facts, and is consequently wrong and misleading, and is, moreover, enforced by whatever weight “authority” may carry, its correction is simplified down to a plain matter of duty. The criticism to which I refer is contained in Prof. Armstrong's address to the Chemical Society (Chem. Soc. Journ., vol. xxxix. p. 1160), which has just come before me.

Precious Stones, and How to Distinguish them.1

AMONG the duties which fall to the lot of an official in the Mineral Department of the British Museum, in his otherwise unromantic and sternly studious life, is one which is not altogether devoid of human interest. It may happen, for example, that a lady having inherited a priceless heirloom in the shape of a large emerald, travels from the Antipodes in order to sell it in England for its true value, and desiring to display its charms brings it to the Museum. To inform such a person that the stone is but green bottle glass cannot be a pleasant task.

SUPPURATING CYST DEVELOPED FROM ADHERENT OVARIES, AFTER REPEATED ATTACKS OF INFLAMMATION. SECONDARY OPERATION FOR THE REMOVAL OF INTRA-LIGAMENTOUS CYSTS.Read before the American Association of Obstetrics and Gynecologists at New York, September, 17, 18, and 19, 1891.

In presenting this paper I have selected three cases from my work of the past few months, which illustrate some interesting points, and teach a very valuable lesson, which, in the judgment of the writer, cannot be too forcibly emphasized by men engaged in abdominal and pelvic surgery. I report the cases as illustrating three as difficult abdominal operations as it has ever been my misfortune to have seen. While it is not a pleasant task for an operator to report the cases which have not recovered, it is my practice to do so, for it almost always occurs that from the careful study of these unfortunate results much valuable information is gained, and I am quite certain that we shall not be disappointed in the present instance in that particular. Even though the task be an unpleasant one it is one which every operator should do as promptly and

The Koh-i-Nur: a Reply

IT is a far from pleasant task for me to set about replying to Prof. Maskelyne's criticism of my history of the Koh-i-Nur. I desire to say what must be said with all respect for him, but the tone of some of his remarks renders this a task of exceeding difficulty. All I care about is to get at the truth, and in order to do so I have spared neither time nor labour. I cannot suppose that you would grant me space sufficient for answering in detail all the statements in Prof. Maskelyne's article; nor do I seek for such space, because I deem it to be sufficient for those, several of them experts, who have accorded my views their hearty support and approval—Firstly, to state here in a general way that having very carefully studied Prof. Maskelyne's long article it has not, in my opinion, in the very smallest degree shaken the facts I have quoted, and the deductions from them which are to be found in my appendix to “Tavernier's Travels,” and in the article published in the April number of the English Illustrated Magazine of the present year. Indeed, I might go further, and say that this attack very materially confirms the strength of the position upon which I have taken my stand. Secondly, I shall select a few points only which afford clear issues without any mystification, as to which side the balance of evidence lies upon, and invite readers to draw their own conclusions.

Address of Welcome

Mr. President and Members of the Society: The very pleasant task has been assigned me of welcoming you to Cincinnati. What I say shall have the merit of brevity, for I know the importance and interest of the paper to which you are yet to listen. We are heartily glad to see you here because we have felt that the session of the Association would be education to us and to the community. We can do but little to rival the hospitality of the eastern cities in which you have usually held your meetings, but we hope that from your educational standpoint it will not prove unwise to have accepted an invitation west of the Allegheny mountains. Our interest in your work will be stimulated and the public appreciation of its value will be strengthened by thus bringing it and its ripening fruits to the attention of the people in the newer as well as the older parts of the country. For your work's sake, then, if not for your own, we hope that your visit may seem profitable.