759THE FOURTEENTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF MEDICINE.

’charged with spores. The contrast observed between

wood and thick cloth on the one hand, and linen

and paper on the other, probably finds explanation in

the fact that the materies morbi soaked into the fabrics first

named, whereas in the case of linen and paper the organismswere limited to the surface and were therefore more exposedto the action of the disinfectant. Apparently in one experi-ment the feebly resistant bacillus typhosus exposed on woodor cloth was not destroyed by formaldehyde, although it is

suggested that some experimental error might have occurred.The organism, however, was destroyed under similar con-

ditions of experiment by sulphur dioxide. We cannot quite.gather whether moisture was used in conjunction with this

.gas which was obtained by burning ordinary sulphur. It is

a question whether dry sulphur dioxide could be expectedto act upon dried infectious matter, whereas in the case of

Wet cultures it would be almost certain to succeed in

- destroying the organism. In the case of tuberculous sputum’dried on linen and paper formaldehyde showed to greater

. advantage than sulphur dioxide. Was the formaldehyde.accompanied by water vapour? With regard to fluid

disinfectants corrosive sublimate (1 in 1000) with 24

’aiours’ exposure destroyed all microbes, including the

.spores of anthrax and the tubercle bacilli ; a 5 per- cent. solution of carbolic acid with the same exposure

failed to destroy anthrax spores but was destructive

to all others ; and Condy’s fluid (permanganate of soda)failed even when a solution was used containing five tea-

spoonfuls to the pint. Bleaching powder, ’’ generally speak-ing (to use the words of Mr. SHIRLEY MrRPHY’s summary),only destroyed the less resistant form of microbes, thoughin the case of anthrax spores on paper and on linen this

substance proved more effective than carbolic acid. In regard,Ihowever, to the experiments in which bleaching powderfailed we think that this result is possibly discounted by the’fact that though a solution containing a known quantityof bleaching powder was employed yet nowhere can we findthat the actual strength of the bleaching powder in terms ofavailable chlorine was ascertained. This is important, forcommercial bleaching powder frequently consists of little

else than inert chloride and carbonate of calcium, the

active chlorine being spent.Coming to specific instances of germicidal power it may

be stated that the typhoid bacillus was killed by all the,disinfectants except Condy’s fluid and bleaching powder.Condy’s fluid gave a negative result in each experiment.and bleaching powder used for the disinfection of wood andcloth infected with this organism failed with one hour’s

exposure but was efficacious on 24 hours’ exposure.The bacillus diphtheriæ was killed by formaldehyde.and sulphur dioxide. The vibrio of cholera was in

’each experiment destroyed by all the disinfectants exceptby Condy’s fluid and bleaching powder. Condy’s fluid

was practically of negative value, and bleaching powderwas not always efficacious on one hour’s exposure but was

successful with 24 hours’ exposure. Bacillus pyocyaneus was

acted upon in much the same way. It was killed in each

.experiment by all except Condy’s fluid and bleaching powder.Staphylococcus aureus was also killed in each experimentby all except Condy’s fluid and bleaching powder. Anthrax

spores were only destroyed with certainty by perchloride of

mercury, the other disinfectants either failing on each occasionor being uncertain, and almost invariably failing when woodand cloth were the materials to be disinfected. For

tubercle bacilli carbolic acid and perchloride of mercuryproved to be the only real germicides on each occasion.

Condy’s fluid and sulphur dioxide were of negative valueand the other disinfectants were uncertain. These results are

obviously of greàt importance, for they have an official stand-

ing, and they should raise the actual practice of disinfectionto a much more satisfactory position.

Annotations.

THE FOURTEENTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESSOF MEDICINE.

" Ne quid nimis."

WE understand that rapid progress is being made with thepreliminaries of the Fourteenth International Congress ofMedicine, which will be held in Madrid under the patronageof the King and the Queen Regent from April 23rd to the30th, 1903. The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs hasinvited all the Governments of other countries to send

representatives, and an invitation of a like nature has

been sent to all universities and schools of medicine

and to the principal medical societies of all countries.The work of the Congress will be distributed over

the following 16 Sections : Anatomy (descriptive, com-

parative, &c.), Physiology (including Biology), General

Pathology (including Bacteriology), Therapeutics (includ-ing Hydrology and Pharmacy), Internal Pathology,Nervous Disorders (including Insanity and Criminal Anthro-pology), Diseases of Children, Dermatology (includingSyphilography), General Surgery, Ophthalmology, Oto-

Rhino-Laryngology, Odontology, Obstetrics (includingGynaecology), Military and Naval Medicine, Public Health,and Legal Medicine (including Toxicology). The President

is Dr. Julián Calleja, and the general secretary is Dr. AngelFernaindez-Caro. Medical practitioners, pharmaceuticalchemists, and veterinary surgeons are eligible as members ofthe Congress. Applications should be sent as early as

possible to the general secretary at the Faculty of

Medicine, Madrid. It is requested that they maybe clearly written, and they should give the names,

titles, qualifications, and addresses of the writers ; a chequeon Madrid for 30 pesetas (from 19s. to 20s., according to thecurrent rate of exchange) should accompany them. Intend-

ing members are at the same time requested to specify thesection which they wish to join ; they will be entitled toreceive a copy of the Transactions of this section. and willat the same time be at full liberty to take part in thebusiness of any other section. For 12 pesetas ladies accom-panying members may obtain a special card of admission toofficial entertainments. Communications relating to thework of the Congress should reach the executive committee

, before Jan. lst, 1903. The official languages will be

Spanish, French, English, and German.

KING EDWARD’S HOSPITAL FUND FOR LONDON.

I THE Prince of Wales presided at the annual meeting ofKing Edward’s Hospital Fund for London, held at YorkHouse, St. James’s, on March 7th. The report of the GeneralCouncil, which on the motion of His Royal Highness wasadopted, stated that steady and continuous progress markedonce again the result of the past year’s work. Thetotal receipts for the year had again shown an increase