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modification of existing methods of treatment,
whereby physical suffering and mental distress
will be diminished.
The inoculation of persons with carefully
prepared "serums" with a view of giving
immunity from attacks of certain malignant
epidemics, has been proved to modify the severity
and duration of the disease; albeit, it may
not afford absolute security in every particular
case.
The simplest illustration of this may be seen
in the practice of vaccination, as a prophylactic
against small-pox, but the principle also applies
to diphtheria, enteric fever, rabies, hydrophobia,
&c., &c.
During the last Session of Parliament a
Departmental Commission was appointed by the
Local Government Board to inquire into the
extent and significance of notorious sophistications
in the preparation of food intended for the
use of man, and to inaugurate measures to compel
traders to deal only in articles of a genuine
character, in nature, substance, and appearance.