In the November number of the Edinburgh Medical Journal Surgeon F. H. A. Clayton, R. N., assistant medical officer at the Royal Naval Hospital, Yarmouth, publishes an analysis of the statistics of general paralysis as observed in the Royal Naval Asylum for a series of years, and discusses the question of its etiology, with especial reference to sexual excess, syphilis, and alcoholism. An investigation of this disease as it occurs in the navy possesses the advantage that the inquiry is limited to a distinct class of men who are particularly subject to it, whose medical history since entry has been recorded, and whose physical condition, environment, and even mental characteristics are much alike. That seamen are more liable than officers to this disease appears from the fact that of 274 officers admitted in the last 25 years only 48 were paralytic cases, 12 of whom were warrant officers coming originally from the seamen class, whereas of 839 men 188 were paralytic cases. At present among 27 commissioned officers in the asylum there is no case, but, on the other hand, four out of six warrant officers and 18 out of 97 men come under that head. With respect to etiology Surgeon Clayton summarises his conclusions as follows: “Altogether, one inclines to accept the view that although syphilis or its toxins in many cases, by interference with nutrition, render liable to general paralysis many persons otherwise free, there is no evidence of direct connexion. The influences which at remotely are usually conditions tending to interference with nutrition and to promoting the growth of less highly organised tissues while the proximate influences probably act by lowering vitality. A ‘specific’ cause, as yet unknown, capable of developing the disease per se, though often aided by various factors, and which usually selects those apparently most healthy and vigorous both in mind and body, seems to be indicated by all the evidence.” As is well known, general paralytics always become bed-ridden and in the concluding paragraphs of his article Surgeon Clayton gives some useful hints for the prevention of bed-sores.