George H. Simmons

THE ART AND PRACTICE OF MEDICAL WRITING: VII. PREPARATION OF THE MANUSCRIPT

It is unwise to ignore the fact that the general appearance of a manuscript has a psychologic effect on an editor. A manuscript that is carelessly arranged, without pagination, with sheets of various sizes, with additions written on slips pinned or clipped to the side, with corrections made without regard to neatness or to clarity, may prejudice the reader who is to pass on its merits. Slovenliness has caused the return of hundreds of manuscripts which otherwise might have been accepted. SIZE OF THE PAPER The standard size of paper adapted to the ordinary typewriter, linotype machine and filing case is 8 or 8½ by 11 inches. At least 90 per cent. of the manuscripts received byThe Journalare typed on paper of this size. The paper used for the other 10 per cent. varies from small note size to foolscap or larger. ORIGINAL OR CARBON COPY The submission

THE ART AND PRACTICE OF MEDICAL WRITING: IX. CHARTS AND TABLES

Graphic methods of presentation add greatly to the interest of scientific papers. Through charts and tables, almost at first glance, the reader may obtain an understanding of the salient features that he might secure only with difficulty from the complete text. CHARTS Charts and graphs usually are prepared for exhibition at meetings before which the physician presents his thesis. In preparing such charts, it is well to bear in mind that they are to be seen from a distance; consequently, they should be simple, clear and of ample size, with large letters and heavy lines. Letters for pasting on such charts may be purchased. If charts are to be published, it is desirable that the various lines be differentiated by their composition, rather than by the use of different colors. For this purpose, lines may be heavy, light, continuous, broken, or composed of dots, of dots and dashes, and of