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and at the same time as effectual as the method in vogue inthe time of Celsus. For this purpose, I propose to have asmall brass tube inserted into a perforated cupping-glass ; ’,one end of the tube is closed, and the glass made air-tight.The tube is for the reception of a small wick. A few dropsof spirit of wine are then poured upon the wick, and a lightapplied, and the glass is ready for use. By this method theglass is more effectually exhausted than by any other means Ihave seen tried. The larger the wick is, the greater will bethe vacuum. The length of time the spirit of wine keepsalight enables- us to choose the exact position we wish for theglass, and to place it slowly and deliberately over the part.The moment the glass touches the skin, the flame is extin-guished, and the glass remains firmly adherent. I have had;tn apparatus of this kind made, and find that it answers thepurpose perfectly.The advantages gained by this are as follow :-1. We get rid of a large cumbersome box, or rather cbest,

which, although very complete as a cupping-case, containssome articles which I think might very well be dispensed with.The three glasses, with the apparatus I have described, fit intoeach other, and occupy the room of one only. The wicks areinside the innermost glass, and the only other implement werequire is a small phial of spirit of wine, which is carried inthe waistcoat pocket.

2. Cupping can be performed with great ease.3. The glass is certain to adhere.4. The adhesion is powerful, and alike in all the glasses.My object, Sir, in requesting a corner in THE LANCET for

this my first communication to the public, is to ascertain whe-ther the modification referred to in the preceding paragraphsis likely to prove of any service either to practitioner orpatient. If this should prove to be the case, I shall considermyself amply rewarded.

I am, Sir, yours, &c.,THOMAS WARDEN,

Dec. 1858. Student of Medicine, Edinburgh.THOMAS WARDEN,

Student of Medicine, Edinburgh.

THE LATE ANATOMICAL EXAMINATION ATTHE COLLEGE OF SURGEONS.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-I take the liberty of appealing to you, as a supporterof fair play, respecting the mode in which the late anatomicalexamination at the College of Surgeons was conducted.On Tuesday, Nov. 30th, the first day of the examination,

Mr. Holden, the demonstrator of anatomy at St. Bartholomew’s,was up at the College all day, and was allowed to go into thetheatre, and examine all the preparations laid out ready.These he made notes of, and retailed to his own pupils, whowere up for the examination, and all of whom, I believe, havepassed. Is this fair either to pupils, examiners, or the profes-sion ?

Yours obediently,NOT A BARTHOLOMEW MAN, BUT

December, 1858. ONE WHO YET PASSED.

THE LONDON MEDICAL REGISTRATIONASSOCIATION.

A DEPUTATION from this Association, consisting of the Pre-sident, Dr. G. Webster, the Treasurer, Mr. Bottomley, theHon. Secretary, Dr. Ladd, and the following members of thesub-committee-namely, Mr. W. Adams, Dr. Wright, Dr.

Thorn, and Dr. Kirby, (Chairman,) had an interview, by ap-pointment, on Wednesday last, Dec. 22nd, with Dr. FrancisHawkins, for the purpose of conferring with him on some im-portant points connected with Medical Registration.The deputation was introduced to Dr. Hawkins by Dr.

Webster. The objects of the interview were then explainedby Dr. Kirby and Dr. Ladd; and Mr. Bottomley, with theother members, took part in the discussion.

Dr. Hawkins expressed his satisfaction at the formation ofthe Registration Associations throughout the country, iromwhich he should expect much valuable information.The deputation having thanked the Registrar for the courtesy

with which he had received them, withdrew, after a protractedinterview.

Medical News.APOTHECARIES’ HALL. - Names of gentlemen who

passed their examination in the science and practice of medi-cine, and received certificates to practise, on

Thursday, December 16th, 1858.ARMSTRONG, WILLIAM, Alnwick, Northumberland.BARRETT, WHATLEY, St. Paul’s-street, Islington, London.BOOTH, EDWARD, Stalybridge.BRAITHwAITE, ROBERT, Whitby, Yorkshire.CLARK, WILLIAM WAKE, Wellingborough.HAWKINS, JAMES STILWELL, Colet-place, Commercial-road.KILBURN, WILLIAM BYERS, West Auckland, Durham.NISBETT, ROBERT INNES, Forres, N.B.SHEPHERD, JAMES, Blackbnrn, Lancashire.SHIRTLIFF, EDWARD MATTHEW, Kingston, Surrey.SMITH. JOHN SYDNEY, Wheatley, Oxon.SQUIRE, ALEXANDER JOHN BALMANNO, Australia.WILKINSON, JOHN HANDFORTH, Oldham, Lancashire.NORTIIA-DPTON AND NORTHAMPTONSHIRE MEDICAL

REGISTRATION ASSOCIATION. —A general meeting of the medi-cal practitioners of the town and county of Northampton andtheir immediate neighbourhood was held at the Board-room ofthe Northampton Infirmary on the 13th instant,-Dr. Francisin the chair. A resolution was passed for forming a Registra-tion Association for the county; and an efficient committeewas appointed for carrying out its objects.

SURGICAL OPERATIONS AT THE MELBOURNE HOSPITAL.- On Thursday, Oct. 7th, Mr. Gilbee performed three surgicaloperations on inmates of the hospital, in the presence of aboutfifty members of the medical profession, and other gentlemen.Two were cases of lithotomy (one on an infant eighteen monthsold), both of which operations were performed after the methodrecommended by Mr. Lloyd-i. e., in the mesial line ; twelvecases have been previously operated upon in the same manner,all of which have done well. The third operation was that ofexcision of the knee-joint, rendered necessary by extensiveosseous disease. This operation was speedily performed, butas it was found that the shaft of the femur had also becomeseriously involved, amputation half-way above the knee was atonce resorted to. The patients were all placed under the in-fluence of chloroform, and are progressing favourably.BEQUESTS To HOSPITALS. - The Royal Hospital for

Incurables at Putney receives the munificent bequest of X1500by the will of the late Richard Habberfield, Esq. The Cityof London Hospital for Diseases of the Chest receives the sumof £500 under the same will, and nineteen guineas under thewill of the late Mr. T. J. Crockford.

DIPHTHERIA.-Dr. Aldia, the medical officer of Bel-gravia, gives the following details, in his annual report, of fivedeaths from diphtheria which occurred in one family in Junelast, and attracted at the time much attention :-" Threechildren died, and were buried on June 24th; the mother be-came a victim to the complaint on the 25th; and anotherchild, who had been visiting at Sydendan, in consequence ofthe outbreak of the disease at home, became ill, was taken toSt. George’s Hospital, and died on the following day. Thelast case was recorded as ’ sloughing throat’ at St. George’sHospital, no false membrane having been detected during thepost-mortem examination, but ulcers and appearances of stronginflammation were detected. A membrane, however, which isconsidered pathonomonic of the disease, was taken from themouth of the housemaid who recovered in the same institution.The mother of the deceased lady and a nurse were attackedwith the same complaint, and recovered. The medical officer,Dr. Aldis, ascertained that a closet in the back yard had beenobstructed for a week, and that offensive matter had been re-moved from it and buried in the ground where the childrenhad been digging. The drainage also was thoroughly ex-

amined in consequence of several rat-holes, but it was foundto be in good order."

SCIENCE IN ST. PETERSBURG.-Under the liberal aus-pices of the present emperor, natural science has assumed aphase of active development. A large lecture-hall is in courseof erection, which will accommodate considerable audiences.Professor Sagorski will read on physiology, Professor Zenkowskion botany, and Professor Chodujew on chemistry.HEALTH OF LONDON DURING THE WEEK ENDING

SATURDAY, DEC. 18TH.-The deaths registered in London in