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occurred among the men, women, and children of that regi-ment, and that fever is very prevalent in the corps.

It is surely time for us, in our professional capacity, to pro-test against a continuance of this wanton exposure of our

troops. The British army has entered on a new phase ofservice when it is deemed advisable to retain two Englishregiments in a colony where a dire epidemic has broken out,in order to protect local interests and restore confidence

among the mercantile community. Instead of " food for

powder," the soldier will have to be "food for fever" in thesugar-growing interest. In the time of VTrLSExFOUCE it was

thought meritorious to abstain from slave-grown sugar, andthat article now promises to be grown in the Mauritius overthe graves of British soldiers.

If, to rescue CAMBRON and RASSAM, it is thought worthwhile to send a British army into Abyssinia at an enormous

outlay and an increased income-tax, it might surely be worthour while to incur the cost of sending two transports to removethe whole European force from this fever-stricken station,before repeated attacks of the disease have undermined theconstitution of the men and rendered the regiments thoroughlyinefficient.

Medical Annotations."Ne quid mans."

VENEREAL DISEASE IN THE MERCHANT NAVY.

WE have frequentlybad occasion to call attention to theparamount claims which the mercantile marine has on thepublic for protection from preventable disease, and we haveborne willing testimony to the laudable endeavours of theBoard of Trade to enlighten the Legislature on the sanitarycondition of our seamen.

Blue-books, although accessible to all, are read by compara-tively few; but their value as repositories of authentic andoriginal information is well known to the initiated, and jour-nalism is sometimes more indebted to parliamentary literaturethan it cares to acknowledge. We do not of course allude tothe legitimate use of such documents, as quarries whence thebuilder derives his raw material, but to the appropriation ofthe entire edifice, without a token of acknowledgment of thelabours of those who raised it. We have always appreciatedthe aid of authors officially connected with the Government inregard to such sanitary questions as can be most thoroughlysifted and investigated by them. The series of elaborate re-

ports by Dr. Walter Dickson on the numerous vessels which heinspected officially in the port of London, has furnished precisedata for those enactments as to diet and accommodation, someof which are already enforced by law, while others are pro-mised. We are glad to find that he has also directed his atten-tion to the clamant scourge of our seamen, one more de-

structive, probably, and not less capable of mitigation, thanany of the other diseases which are incidental to their calling.

Last week we gave an abstract of the report on the pre-vention of venereal diseases, which had been drawn up byDr. Dickson at the request of the Duke of Richmond, andpublished by authority. However desirable the universal

application of legal measures towards the extirpation of thosemaladies may be, we coincide in opinion that seamen of themerchant service, next to our soldiers and sailors, have thestrongest claim for State protection. They are, with few excep-tions, condemned to a life of celibacy,-for it is absurd to inculcatemarriage on a class of men who must of necessity spend thegreater part of their life at sea, and whose earnings are insult4-

cient for the support of a wife and family, whose society theycould enjoy only for a few weeks or days in the year. Theyare therefore more exposed to temptation, and of the grossersort, than other men, and the habitual privation they enduremay perhaps be considered some excuse for the recklessnessand self-indulgence that mark their brief respites from toil.The landsman, when he contracts enthetic disease, may availhimself of means of recovery; but in too many cases thesailor can obtain no treatment, and maladies of themselvesreadily curable are aggravated by neglect and unfavourablesurroundings into the gravest types they are ever seen toassume. The evidence of Mr. Busk, Dr. Dickson, and others,before the Admiralty Committee is conclusive as to the extra-ordinary prevalence among seamen in the mercantile navy ofphagedena, ostitis, rupia, and other of the more disastrousresults of syphilis. It must not be forgotten that the mer-chant seamen form no unimportant part of the defence of thecountry, and in the event of a naval war would doubtless becalled on as of yore "to show their daring spirit." On allthese grounds we think a very fair case has been establishedfor this class of men having a preference afforded them in anysanitary regulations borrowed from the Navy and Armywhich may be adopted in their behalf.

THE COLLEGE OF SURGEONS.

AT the Council meeting on Thursday, the 12th inst., theopinion of Sir Roundell Palmer, to which we referred lastweek, was laid upon the table, and a committee was appointedto bring up for consideration a bye-law for carrying out theintentions of the Council with regard to the appointment ofanatomical and physiological examiners outside that body.The question of reporting the proceedings of the Council

was again brought under discussion by a motion for the admis-sion of a short-hand writer, with the view of ensuring anaccurate report of what is said, and afterwards occasionallyforgotten at the Council Board, rather than with the object ofsatisfying the reasonable demands of the profession in relationto the publication of the business transacted by the Council.The motion was lost, we understand, by a considerable ma-jority. The question of the publication of the Council minutesis one which cannot be suppressed much longer; and now thatthe General Medical Council sits in public, it is absurd forthe corporations which send representatives to it to affect aprudish reticence, which all the world knows cannot be main-tained.Retrenchment being the order of the day, we are glad to

hear that the periodical dinners of the Council and Examinersare likely to undergo diminution, if not extinction.

THE MEDiCAL TEACHERS9 ASSOCIATION.

THE subject of the greater utilisation of the out-patient de-partments of our hospitals formed the principal matter ofdiscussion at the meeting of the Medical Teachers’ Associationon Monday last. We have so often insisted on the value of out-patient practice for the education of the medical student thatwe are not surprised to find a pretty unanimous opinion aniopgthe speakers on the occasion in accordance with our own. Itis the common and everyday cases met with as out-patientswhich form the bulk of general practice in after years ; andunless a complete acquaintance be made with these by thestudent early in life, success as a practitioner is almost im-possible.

Granted the necessity of using out-patients for clinical pur-poses, the difficulty remains of the best mode for carrying thepurpose into effect. Doubtless the plan of Dr. Greenhow isthe best-viz., to collect on days other than the regular out-patient days the cases most suitable for teaching purposes.But here at once the difficulty meets us that it is only at hos-pitals where out-patients are not seen daily, as at the Middle-

385

sex Hospital, that such a plan would be feasible ; and, more- any way account for its present condition. Other evidence

over, it is not every medical officer who, after seeing out- was adduced to a similar effect; but quid niitlta.9 ? The plain-patients by the score twice or thrice a week, has the energy or tiff got a verdict for the sum claimed.the time to imitate Dr. Greenhow’s example. We believe that The annals of jury trials for alleged malpractice, rich asthe majority of our metropolitan out-patient physicians and they are in illustrations of the grudging spirit in which a phy-surgeons do honestly endeavour to make their practice as use- sician’s services are acknowledged and requited, hardly con-ful to the students as possible; but the fact is that they are for tain an instance more striking than this of ignorance andthe most part swamped by numbers, and until some check is ingratitude.

____

put upon the indiscriminate admission of out-patients, practised -

simply for advertising purposes by some institutions, much PATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY.real instruction by their officers is impossible. SEVERAL interesting matters were brought under the noticeThe whole subject having been referred to a committee for of the Fellows at the meeting of the Pathological Society on

investigation, consisting of Drs. Greenhow, Saltsr, Bristowe, Tuesday last. Mr. Gay exhibited specimens of clotting in theSieveking, J. Ogle, and Messrs. Soelberg Wells, Heath, Power, veins, which seemed to show that the reparative changes con-and Maunder, we must await their report; but we would ven- sequent on thrombosis consisted in a union betwixt the vein-ture to call their attention to a matter which may not impos- coat and the fibrinous deposit, by which the clots were re-sibly most materially affect the out-patient service of our moved, and the channel of the vessel subsequently restored.hospitals. It is the intention of the Poor-law authorities to Dr. Murchison brought forward an example of hydatid cyst ofestablish district Dispensaries for the care of the sick poor, the liver, which communicated with the common bile-duct,and the officers of these institutions will of necessity see the and discharged externally during life. A curious case ofbulk of the sick poor at their own homes. In this way a large disease of the skull-cap, which had a wormeaten appearance,number of the poorer out-patients will be drafted off, and if and was accompanied by a thickening along and around thehospital authorities can devise some check to prevent the trades- sinuses in the dura mater, blocking up their channels, wasman class from taking the benefit of our charities, labouring shown by Dr. Moxon. The nature of the disease was notmen and their families, who constitute the proper objects decided. It may have been syphilitic. Dr. Moxon arguedof out-patient practice, will make a moderate and very work- that the inflammation was propagated from the bone to theable class of patients, large enough to form a clinique without outer walls of the sinuses-an external phlebitis. The same

proving an intolerable burden to the medical officers. Whether gentleman brought forward a case of pysmia consequent uponany arrangements can be made with the officers of the proposed mitral endocarditis, believing it to be due to the circulation ofDispensaries by which students can have the great advantage pus, and not infarction. This induced a short discussion as to ’pof visiting the sick poor at their own homes must be a matter the occurrence of suppuration in cases of true rheumatic in-for future consideration. flammation, Mr. Adams contending that the two never

-

concurred, Mr. Hulke the contrary. The question is one ofALLEGED MALPRACTICE. much importance clinically, and may well claim the attention

IT is well known that there is no profession which has more of pathologists. The specimen of the evening was a bladder"bad debts" to complain of than the medical; but perhaps, filled with calculous matter, which weighed together one

of all these, the debt of gratitude is the most frequently left pound and a quarter, and was removed after death from a

unpaid. A case just decided on the Midland Circuit, before patient of Dr. Walker. There were three calculi; one weighedMr. Justice Smith and a special jury, illustrates this profes- three-quarters of a pound, the second half a pound less twosional grievance. Dr. Sympson, a practitioner in Lincoln, was scruples, and the third two scruples.in the habit of attending a family named Rudgard, and on his -

last presenting his bill, which amounted to .:B50 5s. 6d., it was DR. WILLIAMS ON PHTHISIS.refused, on the ground that for a large portion of it theRudgard household was "never indebted." Dr. Sympson WE publish to-day (p. 369) the first of a series of papers onsummoned the defaulter, who thereupon paid :E36 6s. into " Pulmonary Consumption as exemplified in Private Practice,"Court, but contended that the plaintiff was not entitled to the by Dr. C. J. B. Williams, and his son, Dr. Charles Theodoreresidue because he had been guilty of malpractice. It ap-

Williams. We are very happy to be the medium of conveyingpeared in evidence that on July 13th, 1865, the defendant’s to the profession the ripest views of a physician of the verywife was delivered of a female child by the plaintiff; that on largest experience in this disease. Everywhere it is apparentSept. 2nd the child was taken seriously ill with dyspepsia and that the attention of the best minds in the profession is beingirritability of the stomach, and that the plaintiff was called in directed to phthisis. Very bold innovations upon commonlyand prescribed for it. On the 13th of the same month the accepted doctrines have been lately advanced ; great refine-child had a general attack of infantile convulsions, in conse- ments in the classification of the disease are being attempted;quence of which it lay breathless, pulseless, and to all appear- and the disease is, withal, so extensively diffused and so ex-ance dead. The plaintiff, being present, took the child up in tensively fatal in this country-though not more so than inhis arms, placed its head downwards over a basin, and poured other countries,-that the utmost interest must attach to Dr.a stream of cold water over its head, whereupon the child re- Williams’s papers. They will enable us to judge well of thevived and began to cry vigorously. The cessation of breath- curability of phthisis-a result in which, judging from the

ing was ascribed by the plaintiff to spasm of the glottis. The following passage, Dr. Williams evidently believes.

parents, however, had an opinion of their own as to this " Powerless as medicine is in the overwhelming and rapidtreatment, and thought it necessary to call in Dr. Banks who types of the disease, it has yet considerable influence over

along with the plaintiff, attended the child .till the 7th of ’ these milder forms; and the succeeding papers will give somealong with the plaintiff, attended the child till the 7th of evidence that, under careful treatment, life may be prolonged

October. At that date the plaintiff was told that his services for many years in comfort and usefulness, and in not very fewwould be dispensed with; while the child was afterwards re- cases the disease is so permanently arrested that it may bepeatedly attacked with convulsions, and is now an idiot. In called cured."

support of the plaintiff, Dr. Hillier, physician to the Hospital This doctrine is now generally taught. And it is a greatfor Sick Children in Great Ormond-street, clearly proved that comfort to find it taught by Dr. Williams. We shall be gladthe plaintiff’s treatment was most judicious ; that the child, indeed if his cases shall have the effect of leading practitionerswhom he had examined, suffered from congenital deficiency of and physicians to be more hopeful and painstaking in theirthe brain ; and that the application of cold water could not in endeavours to arrest the progress of this malady. He is to

386

draw his illustrations chiefly from private practice, and herein NORTON’S TUBE WELL.will consist much of their interest. We shall see bow much

..

there is in comfortable conditions of life to favour a patient’s Tins is an American invention, of which some specimens

chances of recovery. If we are not to class this commonest . were forwarded to Abyssinia, as we have already intimated to

form of adult degeneration with zymotic diseases, as suggested our readers, in charge of an officer of the Royal Engineers and

by Dr. Budd, it will bear comparison with any of these In a party of sappers who had been fully instructed in their

point of importance and fatality, and must speedily have as employment. ..,.,.,. ,much attention at the hands of sanitarians and physicians as

We were told by those who had seen the wells worked in this

zymotic diseases have received. Under these circumstances country, that the contrivance was very simple and ingenious, and

we rejoice in being able to publish Dr. Williams’s contribution appeared to answer,the purpose very satisfactorily. Consideringto the elucidation of this subject.

the great importance of a good water-supply for our troops, weto the elucidation of this subject. awaited the result of their trial in Abyssinia with somedegree of interest. A party of scientific gentlemen were pre-

KING’S COLLEGE HOSPITAL. sent at some experiments made with these tu be wells in a fieldON Saturday lost ..... in the vicinity of the Thames Ditton on Saturday last, andON Saturday last an operation of a novel character was per- in the vicinity of the Thames Ditton on Saturday last, and

formed in the theatre of this hospital. The subject of the the result was said to have been very satisfactory.

diamet ers,case was a pale and emaciated man, who presented a large

The apparatus cozaisted of tubes of different diameters,

aueurismal tumour over the course of the common and external which were driven into the ground to the extent of fourteen oraneurismal tumour over the course of the common and external fifteen feet by means of a small monkey and a

.

.,. , . , . fifteen feet, by means of a small monkey, and a. pumping ap-iliac arteries on the left side. As the extent of the lesion for- fifteen feet, by means cf a small monkey, ancl a pumpina 0 ap.bad any interference with the arterial system on the cardiac paratus being affixed, water was readily procured. if the tube be

bad any interference with the arterial system on the cardiac . becomes stopped or choked - by sand or earth a smaller tube ISside of the sac, Sir William Fergusson, under whose care the

becomes stopped or choked by sand or earth, a smaller tube isaide of the sac, bir William Fergusson, under whose care the . insertthrough the centre ofthe former one, and the pumpman had been placed, determined, after careful consideration, inserted through the centre of the former one, and the pump

man had been placed, determined, after careful consideration, } THE force of the water, is said to be sufficient, upon tying the main a,rtery in the thigh. The interest of the employecl, when the force of the water is said to be sufficientupon tying the main artery in the thigh, ihe interest of the the the inner tubetreatment depended upon the nature and seat of the operation.

to drive the obstructing material out through the inner tube,treatment depended upon the nature and seat of the operation, to clearing the obstructing, material out through the inner tu be

The vessel tied was the superficial femoral, and the ligature clearing the enter one. for the purpose ofwas applied to it in its third stage as it courses through

The tubes, when driven into the earth for the purpose ofwas applied to it in its third stage as it courses through - driven into the earth for the purpose o

Hunter’s canal. Two old practices were thus revived in one procuring water, can be readily withdrawn by means of a lever

,. iT,. was performed i ,i 1-.L1-1 e an worKed by the monkey. These we !ls were evidently consideredoperation: deligation was periormed on the distal side of an worked by the monkey. These . were evidently considered ofaneurismal ° after the method proposed many years ago by to have met a very essential requirement in the equipment ofaneunsmal sac after the method proposed many years ago by an army; i .. - is now .L that the 11 i moreanurismal sac after the method proposed many years ago i an army; and it is now suggested that the smaller and moreBrasdor and Desault, and carried into practice in 1822 by inexpensive variety might be used for domestic and more, - inexpensive variety might be used for domestic and gardenWardrop; and the femoral artery was exposed in the region purposes. Supposing them to answer in this and theyof the .1.1 where John Hunter first applied his numerous purposes. suposing them to answer in this respect, theyof the thigh where John Hunter first applied his numerous .,,’’ . -/ ° .. - i ......of the thigh where hunt er r . numerous render their possessors in a measure independent of waterligatures in the earliest performances of the operation that has companies They would b very useful to emigrants watersince

been associated with his name. mi. patient has pro-

companies. They would be very useful to emigrants andsince been associated with his name. The patient has pro- settlers i igressed favourably since the operation, but up to the present

settlers abroad.

time (Tuesday afternoon) very little change has taken place Ti’lE HEALTH OF THE POPE.in the size and pulsatile movements of the tumour. THERE is probably no European potentate whose health is

an object of such various and widespread interest as that ofROYAL COMNISSION ON WATER - SUPPLY. the Pope,-as there is none whose death would give rise to

.

greater or more sweeping changes in the politico-religiousON Monday last, a question addressed in the House of Com- world. His Holiness is well known to suffer from occasional

mons to the Home Secretary, asking when the Water-supply epileptic fits, a disease to which he was subject in his youth,Commission, appointed about twelve months since, was likely but which he seemed to have thrown off after the developmentto make its report, elicited from Mr. Hardy the reply that, of a varicose ulcer in the leg. The fits have now, however,"having made inquiry on the subject, he found that the Com- reappeared ; and whether the exciting events of the last fewmission were still engaged in taking evidence, and he could months, or the unusual exertion he has just put forth in givingnot state whether they would be able to report in the course of audiences and in assisting at ceremonies, be the cause, he hadthe present session." a violent attack of his old malady on Friday, the 6th instant.In the face of this explicit declaration, a paragraph ap- His physician, Dr. Viale Prela, was instantly in attendance at

peared in The Times of Wednesday, copied from a medical the Vatican, and His Holiness recovered. Complete absti-journal not remarkable for the accuracy of its information, nence from administration of business, and from the morestating, first, that the report of the Water Commission was fatiguing occasions of religious ceremonial, has been peremp-"already decided upon, and would shortly be published"; torily enjoined on him by Dr. Viale Prelaws the indispensablesecondly, that the " various ambitious and expensive schemes" condition of his health.

proposed in lieu of the present system were "decisively -

rejected "; and, thirdly, that the Commission were thoroughly SANITARY IMPROVEMENTS AT KNIGHTSBRIDGEsatisfied with the sufficiency and relative purity of the existing BARRACKS.

supply. IT would be well, before the War Minister orders a freshWe are giacl to be in a position to say, that whatever may survey of the barracks at Knightsbridge, to inquire whether

be the ultimate issue of the investigation still proceeding, the the site is so favourable in other respects as to warrant theinterests and safety of the public are not likely to be relegated contemplated improvements in their ventilation, drainage, andto the secondary position which the advocates of powerful general repair. The ground on which the barracks are builtmonopolies seem to consider they should occupy. The Com- is too narrow for the erection of accommodation adequate tomission are determined to pursue every branch of the subject a large regiment. The public have not yet forgotten theas thoroughly as they have the means to do; that they are reports of the Hospital and Barracks Commission, in whichstill taking evidence we have personally satisfied ourselves; the manure and excrements accumulated on the southern sideand we are assured that, so far from any decision whatever of the barracks were proved to be highly deleterious, nothaving been arrived at, there are important witnesses yet to only to the non-commissioned officers, privates, and horsesbe examined, whose opinion would hardly be solicited upon a stationed there, but even to the inhabitants of the neighbour-foregone conclusion. hood. The question before the War Minister is not, Are these

387

barracks sasceptible of improvement ? (which they undoubtedly proper treatment. And the jury are of opinion that Elizabethare) but Is the space on which the barracks are erected Reynolds, who acted as midwife to the best of her ability, isample enough to admit of the necessary enlargement of the incompetent to attend midwifery cases ; but there was no

existing barrack-rooms and stables, to say nothing of the criminal neglect on her part in the case of the deceased."

much-needed barrack-yard and hospital’? The answer has a -

wider than merely military interest; and we trust the War BANQUET TO SIR WILLIAM JENNER,Minister will not launch out into expense for remedying the BART., F.R.S.

irremediable, without, at least, proper Parliamentary sanction. THE colleagues and former and present pupils of Sir WilliamJenner, Bart., have determined to celebrate his attainment of

CONTINGENCIES OF COUNTRY PRACTICE. the highest titular dignity open to the medical profession byinviting him to a dinner to be held at University College

HARDLY a month passes without some fresh illustration of on April 24th. Dr. Parkes is to preside, and as no morethe precarious nature of the country practitioner’s life. Mr. popular chairman could have been chosen, we have littleDavid G. Tuckwell, M.R.C.S., of Knap-hill, Woking, was doubt that a 1-irge number of Sir William Jenner’s friendsattending a gentleman who had been thrown from his dog- will assemble to do honour to the occasion.cart and had injured his arm. Within a day or two of his -_

being called in, Mr. Tuckwell, on his way from his patient’s THE VOLUNTEER MEDICAL SERVICE.

house, was thrown out of his own dog-cart, and was himself THE VOLUNTEER MEDICAL SERViCE.

killed by injuries to his head. The accident, which had THE following requisition has been numerously signed byonly proved serious in the case of the patient, proved fatal in the surgeons and assistant-surgeons of the above service. We

that of the practitioner; the one merely sustained an injury of cordially agree with the requisitionists, and wish them successthe arm, while the other lost a life which was valuable not in their endeavour to perfect the organisation of their depart-only to its possessor, but to a numerous connexion in and ment:-

around Woking. " We, the undersigned Surgeons and Assistant-Surgeons of

-

the Volunteer Service, are of opinion that it is desirable thatNAVAL HOSPITAL FOR JAPAN. the volunteer medical officers should meet without delay to

consider the propriety of laying before the authorities sugges-WE are glad to find that the Naval Estimates include the tions for the proper organisation and representation of the

sum of £25,000 for the erection of a naval hospital at Yoko- Volunteer Military Medical Service at the approaching reviewhama. Those who know the insalubrious condition of Hong at Portsmouth, the meeting at Wimbledon, and other similar

Kong, the only naval station we possess in the Eastern seas, occasions.

will appreciate this intention of Government, since Yokohama THE FACTORY ACT.is as essentially salubrious in climate as Hong Kong is the re- ., ’-

’..verse. The Admiralty only takes £1000 on account this year, THE adoption of the Factory Act in Glasgow, according toand therefore it must be some time before the hospital can be our correspondent, will render the appointment of certifyingready for occupation ; in the meantime, however, we would surgeons, of which there are three in that city, very valuable.

press upon the Admiralty the advisability of at once taking The salary will be about £3000 a year each. An agitation hasthe receiving ship, .11Ielville, from her present moorings to commenced, having in view the subdivision of the work, and

Yokohama, since the change of locality cannot but have a most consequently of the emoluments of the office.beneticial effect upon the health of the naval invalids.

- - DUBLIN COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS.

CHOLERA AT ST. THOMAS. THE Irish College of Physicians has decided that its Licen-IT is reported officially that between the 16th of January tiates in future may compound and dispense and charge for

and the 17th of February not less than 187 deaths from medicines supplied to their own patients, provided they signcholera occurred at St. Thomas, the highest number of deaths the following declaration on admission :-in any one day being 17. The acting Consul has refused to "I hereby authorise the President and Fellows of the Kinggrant clean bills of health to vessels bound for British ports. and Queen’s College of Physicians in Ireland to erase my name, from the list of Licentiates; and I consent to surrender theThe official physician, however, declares in certificate that Diploma received from the College, if I shall (after having ob-no epidemic disease exists in the island. The Jamaica au- tained the Licence of said College) keep open shop for the salethorities have declared St. Thomas infected, and a quarantine of medicines." "

of observation is imposed on all vessels coming from that port. A new order of " Members," it is expected, will be insti-No vessel is admitted to pratique at Jamaica until she has tuted. These will be forbidden to deal in drugs, and will fur-completed eight days from her departure from St. Thomas. nish Fellows. In fact, the counterpart of the arrangements in

_-- force in the London College will be adopted in Dublin.

MIDWIVES’ MIDWIFERY. ..

inquest in,. 1 at Tenterden Kent on the DR. RICHARDSON, on taking the chair for the first time onAN inquest was held last week at Tenterdcn, , Kent, on the Monday last as president on taking the chair for the first time on

body of a woman agecl twenty-four, who had died from Monday last as President of the Medical Society of London,body of a woman aged twenty-four, wno had died from monday his institution of

hæmorrhage about two hours after delivery. She was attended announced his intention of elucidating a new line of research

by a midwife, named Elizabeth Reynolds. It appeared from on the physics of the nervous system. He proposes to make

the evidence of Mr. J. H. Newington, who had made a post- short illustrative experiments at the early part of each meet-

mortem examination of the body, that the hæmorrhage had ing. We regret our inability to notice the matter further thismortem examination of the body, that the hæmorrhage had ° . " "

resulted from retention of the placenta; the midwife having week.

mistaken a clot of blood for the afterbirth. The body was AT the inquest on the body of the late Rev. A. J. Plow, thewell nourished and healthy, and Mr. Newington had no hesi- latest victim of the Todmorden tragedy, the county coronertation in saying that had the deceased had assistance half an forbad the attendance of reporters, the decision giving greathour, or even a quarter of an hour, before death, her life would offence to the jury. Public opinion is so strongly againsthave been saved. The jury consulted for some time, and re- secret inquiries that the power which a coroner has of exclusionturned the following verdict: - from his Court should be used only against the representatives"That Sarah Watson came to her death from the want uf of the press in cases of actual or suspected misconduct.

388

HER MAJESTY has graciously intimated her intention to lay THE Association for Promoting the Extension of the Con-the foundation-stone of the new St. Thomas’s Hospital early in tagious Diseases Act, 1866, to the Civil Population of theMay next. It is natural that the Queen should take an interest United Kingdom, has performed a very useful service in pub-in the institution, seeing that the late Prince Consort gave it lishing a report on the extent of these diseases, the operationactive and personal support. On one occasion, it will be re- of the present Act, and the means of checking contagion. Themembered, he presided at the public distribution of prizes. A report contains a good deal of information, and the objectgood deal has been said about the new hospital; we should be which the Association has in view is one which has been

glad in the interest of the needy sick if a little more haste advocated by us for some time. Our readers have been made

were made towards its erection, aware of the reasons which appeared to us to demonstrate the____ necessity for extended legislation, so that the civil population

AT the last meeting of the Local Board of Health of Wednes- may reap the benefit of measures at present limited to theAT the last meeting of the Local Board of Health of Wednes- . Navy, considered in effective bury, Mr. Garman presented his report on the mortality which Army and Navy, and rendered ineffective to a certain extenthas prevailed during the last year in the district, showing that for the very reason that they are so limited.the mortality was only about 17 per 1000. The death-rate has

--

been decreasing from 22 per 1000 since 1864. THE Birkenhead guardians, having determined to provide____ in future the medicines for pauper out-patients themselves in-

THERE have been only four fresh cases of fever at Higham- stead of requiring the medical officers to do so, have fixed theon-the-Hill since the llth of February, the date of Dr. Grif- salaries of Drs. Lambert, Downing, and Daniels at £100 per

fiths’s report to the guardians. Of these two died. Attention annum each; one of the guardians remarking that "he was in

has been directed to the defects in the drainage and water- favour of paying their medical officers well, and coming down

supply. on them like a sledge-hammer if they did not do their duty."

WE expressed a wish not long since that Mr. Simon would THE Western Morning News asks "on what principle doallow himself to be put in nomination for the Council of the coroners or their officers usually select for the scene of their

College of Surgeons. We have authority for stating that he duties the public-house nearest to where the body lies," insteadwould be willing, if elected, to serve on the Council. We of the nearest school-room, vestry-room, convenient out-build- -

believe that no one would be likely to work more conscien- ing, or assembly-hall ? The answer would in most cases pointtiously for the best interests of the profession. to custom or convenience ; but we quite agree that it is one

____ more honoured in the breach than the observance. In towns

TIlE University Court of the Edinburgh University (which, there ought to be proper places provided for inquests, but inhowever, consists of eight members only), at a recent meeting,

rural districts there would be many difficulties in the way.

decided to raise an opposition to the claims of the St.Andrews -

graduates to the franchise under the new Scotch Reform Bill. THE mortality and sickness returns of the parish of Mary-On Wednesday, the Senatus Academicus unanimously resolved lebone during February contrasted favourably with those ofnot to join in the opposition. the month preceding- a circumstance due mainly to the

unusually high temperature and the absence of epidemicAN epidemic of measles is officially reported as prevalent disease. No death occurred from small-pox. A new

in Crumpsall Union Workhouse, which receives paupers from system of street watering is now in operation, and it is

Manchester; last week eight deaths occurred, and eight in the hoped will act well. It consists in the use of a com-

three preceding weeks. In the early part of 1865 measles was position containing chlorides of sodium and calcium, and

epidemic in the workhouse and caused no less than seventy which is said to have the power of retaining moisture, to keepdeaths. the streets moist, and consequently the dust quiet, and by the

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antiseptic qualities of the salts to aid in the destruction of theTHE mortality amongst the inmates of the Infant Home for noxious products of decomposition. Dr. Whitmore is of

illegitimate children, Great Coram-street, has attracted atten- opinion that the new plan of watering may even save 91000tion on several occasions ; last week four children died there a year to the ratepayers. ____

from whooping cough. AT a meeting of the Committee of the Royal Society for the

AT a recent meeting of the Portsea Island Guardians, a Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on Tuesday last, the medalletter was read from Dr. Fredk. Page, the medical officer, of the Hamburg Society was presented to Dr. Richardson,stating that on his appointment four years ago he was F.R.S., as an award for his invention of ether spray, and inpromised a house for residence and an increase of salary; since recognition of the application of the invention to the perform-that time his duties have been greatly augmented, and he ance of operations on the lower animals. Prince Lucien Bona-

asks, therefore, that his remuneration may be raised also. It parte, who presided, expressed his congratulations on theseems that he has hitherto been prohibited from consultation award; and Dr. Richardson, in returning thanks, gave anpractice, but he justly observes that if his advice is asked for, outline of the history of the invention, and of the labours ofit is an absurdity that he should be debarred from giving it. those who had preceded him in his researches. The medalThe letter was referred to the consideration of the Visiting was presented through Dr. Wartzburg, who attended as theCommittee.

T representative of the Hamburg Society.

A GOOD deal is said just now in regard to the appointment - A GOOD deal is said just now in regard to the appointment DR. SILVER, who was unanimously elected Asststant-Phy-of a Medical Officer of Health for Birmingham, it is to be ..... , - who was - elected assistantof a Medical Officer of Health for Birmingham. It is to be sician to Charing-cross Hospital on Wednesday last, takes thehoped that the Town Council will no longer delay this desir- Chair of Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology in the future.able step. - Thereby a vacancy occurs in the lectureship of Botany.THE Executive Committee of the General Medical Council

publicly intimate that any chemist or other person who, with- THE candidates for the vacant post of Assistant-Physician toout the sanction of a legally-qualified medical practitioner, the Brompton Hospital are Drs. Tatham, Sturges, Day, andcompounds or dispenses medicine otherwise than according to Witherby. The out-patient work has increased so rapidly ofthe new Pharmacopoeia, will be held responsible for any in- late, that some of the present staff of officers are greatly over-jurious effects which may follow. worked.

389

FROM the great prevalence of venereal disease in the Armyand Navy stationed in the island of Jamaica, it has been pro-

posed to put in force the Contagious Diseases Act in certainlocalities. Before this can be done, however, a local Act mustbe passed by the island Legislature. A conference was recentlyheld between the admiral, Sir Rodney Mundy, the governor, SirJ. P. Grant, and Major-General O’Connor, on the subject, andthey took the opinion of Dr. O’Flaherty (Deputy-inspector ofArmy Hospitals), Dr. Donnett (Deputy-inspector of Naval

Hospitals), and the Hon. Dr. Bowerbank, the Curator of

Kingston. It is generally believed that the proposal will becarried out, and it is said that the naval authorities will give£25 per head per annum. ____

THE Corporation of Liverpool has contracted for the erectionof some labourers’ dwellings on some of its own land. The

sum to be given is 12,321, being below the estimate of theborough engineer, and that of the designer of the plans. We trust that cheapness has not been regarded at the expense ofefficiency. The problem for the Liverpool authorities is notonly more dwellings for the poor, but healthier ones.

SiR M. H. BEACH has succeeded Mr. Sclater Booth as Par-

liamentary Secretary to the Poor-law Board.

TYpnus is now prevalent, we understand, in the sub-districtof Rainford, near Prescot.

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LORD GRANVILLE will preside at the fifteenth festival ofthe Royal Medical Benevolent College, to be held at Willis’sRooms on the 13th of May next.

WE understand that some examples of cerebro-spinalmeningitis have appeared among the soldiers at the camp atShorncliffe, two of which proved fatal.

THE prevalence of small-pox in the barracks at Sheffield hasgiven rise to an investigation by the chief sanitary inspectorof the borough, who describes the state of the privies for theprivate soldiers as " disgusting and dangerous."

AT an inquest held on the body of one of the boys who diedfrom salivation in the Preston Workhouse, a verdict of man-slaughter was returned against the late governor of theworkhouse.

WORKHOUSE INFIRMARY ASSOCIATION.

ON Friday, the 13th instant, a very large and importantmeeting of this Association was held, chiefly for the pur-pose of considering the conduct of the Poor-law Board in com-pelling Dr. Rogers’s resignation. Amongst those present wereSir J. Simeon, M.P., who presided; Mr. Briscoe, M.P.; LordCharles Bruce, M.P.; Mr. Davenport Bromley, M.P.; Mr.Surtees, M.P.; Hon. Percy Wyndham, M.P.; Dr. Brady,M.P.; Hon. D. Fortescue, M.P.; Mr. C. Neate, M.P.; MajorO’Reilly, M.P. ; J. C. Parkinson, Esq. ; Mr. Hart; Dr. Carr;Dr. Stallard; Dr. Liveing ; and Dr. Anstie.

After an important discussion upon the singular revelationsof workhouse mismanagement in the provinces which havebeen made by the publication of the Blue-book analysed inTHE LANCET of last week,

Dr. ANSTIE proposed the following resolution :-"That this Association learns with regret that the Poor-

law Board have required Dr. Joseph Rogers to resign his postas medical officer to the Strand Union Workhouse ; and that,without attempting to prejudge the truth or falsehood of thecharges, the Association regrets that the Poor-law Board shouldhave refused so old and faithful a public servant the advantageof an open inquiry and cross-examination of witnesses, which

had been demanded, not only by himself, but by a minority ofhis own board of guardians."Dr. Anstie remarked that Dr. Rogers had peculiar claims onthe support and the sympathy of the Association, since be wasthe person, in fact, who suggested its original formation, andhad always been a most active member. Without question,the moral influence of his outspokenness, both at the inquiryat the Strand in 1866, and on other public occasions, hadlargely helped the Association to achieve the success it had sofar obtained. In doing what he had done, Dr. Rogers hadacted from a sense of duty, and if there were any slight officialimpropriety in his conduct, the Association, which had gladlyaccepted his services, should be the last body to think theworse of him for that reason. Dr. Anstie had no wish to com-mit the Association to any decision whether the chargesbrought against Dr. Rogers were false or true ; the censurewhich his motion contained was levelled at the unfair, if notpositively illegal, process by which these charges had been "investigated." It must be remembered that neither theguardians nor the Poor-law Board bring any charge of want ofskill, attention, or kindness to the poor during the whole ofDr. Rogers’s twelve years of faithful and miserably underpaidwork. He is avowedly dismissed on the ground of infirmityof temper, and want of respect to the guardians. Dr. Rogersdenied the truth of the charges. They were denied by nearlythe whole of the best educated members of his own board, andby the vestry of his own parish. Dr. Rogers demanded anopen inquiry, with confrontation of witnesses, which was cer-tainly particularly necessary in order to afford him the chanceof defending himself against the lengthy and rambling accusa-tions brought by the guardians. His request was backed by aminority of his board, but was absolutely refused by the Poor-law Board. Dr. Anstie commented with great severity on themean and ungenerous conduct of the Poor-law Board in sacri-ficing a medical officer of such high character as Dr. Rogers,to a set of men whose public conduct bad been such as thatof the Strand guardians nototiously had been. He pointedout that the excuse given by the Poor-law Board, that har-mony was impossible between Dr. Rogers and his guardians,was obviously insincere, since that board was immediatelyabout to be broken up. He referred to the evident animusagainst Dr. Rogers evinced by the moment chosen for his dis-missal, which was so timed as just to deprive him of thechance of pecuniary compensation under the provisions of Mr.Hardy’s Act. In conclusion, Dr. Anstie remarked that theAssociation was in every way bound to resent an act of thePoor-law Board which, coming at this critical moment, if madea precedent, would doubtless destroy the independence ofmedical officers of workhouses, and effectually prevent theirintervening on behalf of the sick poor.

This proposition was seconded by the Rev. Harry Jones,and warmly supported by Mr. Neate, M.P., Dr. Carr, Dr.Stallard, and several other gentlemen. An amendment wasmoved by Mr. E. Hart, which, while regretting Dr. Rogers’sdismissal, avoided any censure of the Poor-law Board, andsimply requested that Dr. Rogers might not be prevented fromcompeting for another appointment. Dr. Anstie unhesitatinglyrejected any such proposition. The Poor-law Board had noright whatever to act as the amendment asked them not toact; and it would be a mere insult to Dr. Rogers to make sucha request on his behalf. Mr. Hart remarked that, with allrespect for Dr. Rogers’s high personal character, he thoughtthat the original resolution could do him no good, while theamendment might, and he was in a position to state that thelatter would meet the views of the Poor-law Board. Thechairman, Sir J. Simeon, however, Mr. Neate, M.P., andseveral others, agreed in considering the amendment improper.A strong and general feeling was manifested that the wishesof Dr. Rogers, and not those of the Poor-law Board, should beconsulted on the present occasion. The amendment wasfinally withdrawn, and the original motion adopted unani-mously.On the motion of Mr. Percy Wyndham, M.P., it was also

agreed that such notice of the matter should be taken inParliament as should elicit from the Poor-law authorities apublic acknowledgment that Dr. Rogers’s performance of hisduties has been exemplary.A deputation of the Association is to wait on Lord Devon

at 12 r.M. to-day (Saturday), to urge further Poor-law reformson his Lordship’s consideration.

OUT of 6354 cases attending one of the clispensariesat New York, the birthplace of 3157 was the United States,2627 Ireland, 164 (Germany, 154 England, 252 other countries.