435

whatever their quality, are immensely taking. No informa-tion was given as to the origin of this fatal habit, nor fromwhat suffering, physical or mental, she sought relief whenonly 25 years old, in the solace which, according to the

verdict, led to her " death from misadventure (opium poison-ing) " at the age of 30 years.August 8th.

SCOTLAND.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

The Health of Glasgow.THE first annual report just issued by Dr. A. K. Chalmers

as medical oflicer of the city will no doubt be closelyscanned. The citizens have for so many years been accus-tomed to the lucid presentation of facts and figures and tothe suggestive comments which marked the reports of Dr.J. B. Russell that they will turn with a not unnaturalanxiety to the first authoritative statement of Dr. Russell’ssuccessor. It is only fair to state that Dr. Chalmers hascome well through his trial. The report is characterised byclearness and precision and contains several practical sug-gestions which if they are adopted may be expected to promotethe health of the city. It is satisfactory to read that the death-rate for the year, 20 3 per 1000, is lower than the averageannual rate for the preceding five years. The influence whichlocal hygienic conditions exert in determining the incidenceof mortality is strikingly illustrated by a comparison of thedeath-rates in different parts of the city. In the Kelvinsidedistricts the rate for the year was only 6 47, whilst at theother end of the scale is Cowcaddens where a death-rate of32-06 is recorded. In the section dealing with infectiousdiseases Dr. Chalmers points out that the deaths from entericfever and diseases of the diarrhoeal class show a decidedincrease when 1898 is compared with the earlier years of thedecade. Of enteric fever 1212 cases were registered duringthe year with a case mortality of 18 3 per cent. Certain

groups of the cases of enteric fever could be traced to faultysewerage, others to single cases the nature of whichhad only been appreciated when an epidemic outbreak hadoccurred, and one group was associated with a contaminatedmilk-supply. The total number of cases so traced, however,is far below the actual increase and therefore the rest " fallto be regarded as an exaggeration of the chronic prevalenceof the disease resulting from local conditions which theexceptional climatic conditions present in the autumnmonths rendered peculiarly active." In this connexion Dr.Chalmers directs attention to the increase in the number ofdeaths from diarrhœal diseases and shows that this increaseis contributed almost wholly by the deaths of childrenunder five years. As it is generally recognised thatlocal uncleanliness in the neighbourhood of dwellingsis a circumstance that tends to produce the chronic preva-lence of diarrhoea and that the same circumstance alsofosters the prevalence of enteric fever the increase in thedeath-rate both from enteric fever and diarrhoea is most

suggestive. It seems to imply that some cause leading topollution of the atmosphere and fouling of the surface neardwelling-houses has escaped observation. This matter is

strongly pressed upon the attention of the Health Committeeand suggestions are offered for more efficient supervision ofwater-closets which are used in common by several tenantsand the misuse of which, it is found, frequently leads to thefouling of stairs and landings and to the choking of drains.In the section dealing with tuberculous diseases it is ofinterest to note that in 501 of the cases of phthisis occurringduring the year disinfection was carried out by the sanitaryofficials. The whole report forms a valuable contribution tosocial and statistical science.

University of Glasgow.The resignation of Mr. James Colquhoun, LL.D., as a

member of the University Court has received a highlydramatic interpretation. Immediately after the announce-ment it was intimated that Mr. Colquhoun had been con-veyed to Gartnavel Lunatic Asylum on an emergency certifi-cate. Subsequently the two medical certificates necessaryfor a prolonged detention were presented to the sheriff who,however, refused to act upon them. Mr. Colquhoun wastherefore discharged from the asylum, but was immediatelyarrested by the police and charged with the embezzlement of

several large sums of money. It is rumoured that thesecharges will be considerably increased in number. Theaccused has been brought before the sheriff and remandedfor further inquiries ; at present he is a prisoner in Duke-street prison.August 8th.

IRELAND.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)

"Nordrach." Treatment for Tuberculosis in Ireland.THE first sanatorium for the Nordrach method of treating

tuberculosis established in Ireland was recently formallyopened at Kossclare. The building is not large but it con-tains ample accommodation for about 20 patients. It issituated about seven miles from the town of Enniskillen on ahill commanding the view over the shores of Lough Erne andtherefore of some of the loveliest scenery in Ireland. Mr.W. R. Cooney, who has founded the institution, states thatit will be run on economical lines and not for purposes of

profit, being intended for consumptive people who can pay theirexpenses and no more. Mr. Cooney entertained the medicalmen and clergymen with many other residents of the neigh-bourhood on July 31st and took that opportunity of explain-ing the nature of his philanthropic project. The institutionseems to have been well launched and on a sensible and

popular basis. The matron is an English lady, the residentmedical man (Dr. Macfie) hails from Scotland, and theconsulting physician (Dr. Kidd) is an Irishman.

Tobacco and Whisky in the Belfast Union Infirmary.At a meeting of the Belfast Board of Guardians on

August lst Dr. J. Stewart (a guardian) called attention to thequantity of tobacco smoked in the house by the inmates.Three months ago it was 23lb. per week and now it was 481b.per week. In the gaol (of which he was medical officer) theycould do without such things, but in the workhouse theycould spend E1363 on stimulants, and what was the amountspent on tobacco he could not say, but 48 lb. per weekseemed to be too much. With reference to stimulants theInfirmary Committee reported that too many patients weregetting stimulants and that some patients were getting toomuch; that many persons admitted to the infirmary sufferingfrom chronic and incurable diseases while deserving skilledmedical and nursing care were not entitled to stimulants aspart of their treatment, for the Poor-law never intendedchronic invalid paupers to be supplied with stimulants atthe public expense ; and that the guardians would fulfil theirobligations towards such patients by supplying the usual

infirmary treatment without them. They therefore recom-mended that the number of patients now receiving stimu-lants should be reduced ; that unless in exceptional casesthe daily allowance should be reduced from four to two

ounces ; that in future fewer chronic cases should be puton the list for stimulants ; and in order that these recom-mendations should be carried out they suggest a conferencewith the medical officers. The consideration of this reportwas adjourned for two weeks.

The Payment of Medical Locum-Tenents.As I reported in THE LANCET of August 5th the Belfast

Guardians have interpreted the rule of the Local GovernmentBoard allowing dispensary medical officers a holiday notexceeding a month as giving them the discretionary power ofshortening this period, and they propose to pay a locum-tenent only for a fortnight The Local Government Boardhave written to the guardians that they have no discretionarypower in the matter and as a result the guardians on

August lst passed a resolution that as they believed they hadunder Rule 28 a discretionary power as to the duration of themedical officer’s holiday they adhered to their previous reso-lution on the matter.

Alleged Irregularities in Armagh Workhouse.The Armagh Board of Guardians at their meeting on

August lst again decided not to read the letter from theLocal Government Board giving their decision in referenceto their inquiry as to alleged irregularities in the ArmaghWorkhouse unless the Local Government Board furnishedthem with copies of all the correspondence that they havehad on the subject.

Queen’s College, Ilelfast.At the class examinations recently held at the above