pollution of the river lea

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cut away, parallel with, and to the left of, the sagittal suture,the aperture in the skull extending from the coronal to thelambdoidal suture. The dura mater was left intact; thescalp wound was carefully closed by sutures, without a

drain, the periosteum not being replaced across the bonydefect. This operation was performed on May 9th, andthe child made an excellent and uninterrupted recovery.On June 15th it was reported that the child’s conditionhad undergone a notable change for the better since the opera-tion. She was quieter; the inarticulate cries had ceased,she took an interest in surrounding objects, understoodwhen spoken to, and even tried to talk. She could standalone and even walk a little. As M. Lannelongue remarks,some of this improvement must be put down to the effectof the careful training of the child while in the hospital,but such a rapid and striking change can hardly be whollyso explained. The case is certainly a most interesting one,and further reports of it, and of a second similar case inwhich M. Lannelongue operated on June 20th, will beanxiously awaited. If the premature synostosis of micro-cephalus is the primary condition, the operation seems torest upon a sure pathological basis. If, however, the

synostosis is only secondary to defective development ofthe brain, still the operation, as a means of influencing thenutrition of the brain, may be amply justified.

POLLUTION OF THE RIVER LEA.

THE Poplar District Board of Works have had underconsideration a report from their Sanitary Committee onthe condition of the Lea, giving an account of the state ofthe river at various points at the time the committee

inspected it. The report points out that while the riverin some parts was inoffensive, in others it was greasy,covered with floating debris, and with thick, blackish,slimy filth ; carcases of animals were found floating in thewater, and pollution by solid material occurred betweenBromley Lock and the Thames, while the foreshores werein such a condition as to be a nuisance. An accountwas given in the report of the proceedings which had beeninstituted by the Board against the West Ham Corpora-tion, and these proceedings had been discontinued on thepromise of the Corporation to properly treat their sewage,and to discharge it as far as practicable on the ebb tideonly. This promise had not been fulfilled, and the com-mittee therefore recommended that the Corporation beinformed that the proceedings would be continued. It was

also recommended that the Local Government Board beinformed of the neglect of the Corporation, and that theattention of the Lea Conservancy Board be directed to thestate of the river. The report was adopted, and it remainsto be seen what the result will be. The condition of theriver is a standing reproach to London, and although it istemporarily relieved of the Tottenham sewage, no justifica-tion can be found for its present state.

ELECTION TO AND RETENTION OF HOSPITALAPPOINTMENTS.

THE governors of Huddersfield Infirmary, at their annualmeeting held a fortnight ago, were happily able to con-gratulate themselves on the successful management, in-creasing popularity, and financial security of the institutionunder their charge. The convalescent home connected withthe hospital is in a similarly flourishing condition. Amongthe business transacted at this meeting certain changesrelating to the election of members of the medical staff areespecially worthy of notice. Hitherto it has been customaryfor candidates to appeal to an electorate consisting of thewhole body of subscribers-a costly process, whether for

successful or unsuccessful candidates, and almost as irk-

some to the electors as to those who sought their votes.The appointment of medical officers will now rest in thehands of a representative committee of forty-two members.Another important rule fixes the age of superannuation forthe medical staff at sixty years. Both arrangements, byencouraging professional interest in the infirmary withoutprejudice either to subscribers or patients, will tend tomaintain and increase the efficiency of the work done, andthere is no doubt that the governors have been well advisedin the steps which they have taken. At the same meetingDr. J. S. Cameron, who has for the past fourteen yeajsfilled with much acceptance the office of physician, and whonow retires, being medical officer of health for Leed% wag"appointed consulting physician.

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SPIROMETRY.

M. JOAL of Mont Dore has made a number of observetions in spirometry that lead him to the conclusion thatmany nasal and pharyngeal affections produce a distinctdiminution in the capacity of the lungs. Thus in caseswhere hypertrophic rhinitis, adenoid tumours of the nasopharynx, chronic coryza, &c,, have been cured, the capacityof the lungs, as measured by the spirometer, is frequentlyincreased by a quarter, and occasionally even doubled.M. Joal has frequently found that public singers, whenthey complain of fatigue of the voice or of diminution in itspower or range, are suffering from some, perhaps quiteuasus-pected, trouble in the nose or pharynx, and that if this iscured the voice recovers itself completely. He suggest-that professional singers should know their own respiratorycapacity, and that this should be occasionally tested, sathat any diminution may serve to give a warning of possiblemischief in the nose or pharynx, which if attended to ir,time may be met by appropriate treatment.

EXECUTION BY ELECTRICITY.

THE ghastly details accompanying the account of theexecution by electricity of the convict Kemmler are sscbas to strike with horror every humane mind. The tecJmica:ierrors in carrying out the execution and the want of suffi.cient care in arranging the adjustments necessary te the’effective discharge of the shock have resulted in a failare-so manifest as to lead Dr. Schrady to make use ef’ the-

following expression: "The execution was brutal, worsethan hanging. The failure to kill at first applicatioo:i waybarbarous. Its scientific uncertainty and the expense itinvolves lead me to believe that this will be the fi3st andlast electrical execution." We have more than once

expressed our disapprobation of the employment of sus)’a measure for the carrying out of the extreme penaltyof the law, and shall take an early opportunity of recunint,to the subject.

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UNIFORMITY OF HOSPITAL ACCOUNTS.

IT has long been felt by some of the members of theCouncil of the Hospital Sunday Fund -and by others outsidethat body that the Council should exert its influence to securethe observance of a more uniform state of keeping 110spitalaccounts. The Vice-President of the Council, Sir Sydney

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Waterlow, was examined on this point by Lord Sandhurst’Committee. It looks as if something might now be donein this direction. At the recent meeting of the Council SirSydney Waterlow moved the following important resolu-

tion, which was carried with unanimity :-" That it be referred to the Distribution Committee to confer with the-Lord Mayor, with the view of calling a meeting of themanagers of the leading hospitals, to consider the possibilityof arranging for some uniform system of accounts." The