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THE ROYAL SOCIETY CONVERSAZIONE.

THE first annual conversazione of the Royal Societywas held on May 7th, in the rooms of the society atBurlington House, when Sir ARCHIBALD GEltKlE, the

President, received a large number of distinguished guests.Although ,the exhibits were fewer in number than usual

they were full of scientific interest, and, generally speaking,were less attractive to ,the mere sightseer. There was nobrilliant spectacle, with perhaps the exception of Mr. C. V,,Boy’s beautiful experiments with soap films. The soap filmis rapidly rotated on a spinning wheel, with the result that amost beautiful play of colours is developed, as the thicknessof the film varies under ,the influence of centrifugal motion.

Close by Professor C. R. Wilberforce showed some interesting.experiments with ripples. The ripples produced on a water

surface by a vibrating dipper were projected by intermittentlight so as to appear stroboscopically in slow motion on the

screen, a similar phenomenon to that of the zoetrope.Professor J. Norman Collie and Mr. W. S. Patterson showed

’ the vacuum bulbs in which apparently some of the hydrogenpresent at a low pressure has changed into neon and heliumunder the influence of the electric discharge. These in-

vestigators have now proved, at all events, that neon andhelium cannot be obtained from either glass or from

the electrodes by heating alone, nor is glass when heatedto near its softening point and subjected to the actionof cathode rays permeable to neon or helium, and soneither element can get into the apparatus from the

.’ atmosphere. Professor Leonard Hill exhibited examplesof his kata-thermometers, or comfort-meters, which,as was pointed out in a paper by him in our issue lastweek, are designed to disclose the heating and venti-

lating phenomena in a living room, together with theeffect of clothes on the body. By this apparatus the con-ditions can be determined which give comfortable loss ofbody heat and which prevent depressing effects of uniformlyheated air on cutaneous, nerves. The working of a very iingenious apparatus called a 002 thermoscope was explained Iby a representative of the Underfeed Stoker Company,Limited. Primarily it is designed for the purpose of estimat- ’,

ing the amount of carbonic acid in furnace gases with a viewto effecting an economy of fuel. The action of the apparatusdepends upon the heat developed when CO2 is absorbed

by caustic soda powder. By means of a specially graduated. thermometer the percentage of gas can be read off at onceafter passing a given quantity of gases over the caustic. A

very attractive exhibit was the collection of artificial crystalsprepared by Professor W. J. Pope by slow crystallisationfrom aqueous solutions. The crystals showed beautiful

proportions and clean-cut facets. In some cases the

specimens consisted of an inner crystal of one metallic- salt, with a crystal of another salt grown outsideit. Mr. H. G. Plimmer’s microscopical exhibition ofblood parasites was perhaps the most interesting contri-

bution from medical science at the conversazione. The

specimens shown were :’ (1) Schizogony of Schizotrypanumcruzi in the heart muscle of a child which died from

Chagas’s disease ; (2) skin from an Oriental sore, showing ’’,Leishmania furunculosa ; (3) blastomycosis of skin ; (4) try- ’,panosome in blood of Malay parrakeet ; (5) h2emogregarinesin blood of a Phayre’s tortoise ; (6) division form of trypano-

soma rhodesiense ; (7) haemogregarines in blood of Bengalmonitor ; (8) schizogony of above, in the lung ; (9) octomitisin blood of a bull-frog; and (10) spirochseta pallida fromthe lung of a syphilitic foetus. Three separate ex-

hibits had reference to the recent discovery of a palaeo-lithic human skull and mandible’ at Piltdown, Fletching,

Sussex. Professor G. Elliot Smith showed a brain castobtained from this skull, and a specimen was also shownrepresenting an attempt at the restoration of the features of

the Piltdown man’s brain. The actual remains themselveswere exhibited by the authorities of the British Museum,while Dr. A. Smith Woodward gave a lantern demonstration

of the same subject. Dr. S. F; Harmer exhibited specimensof polyzoa taken from, the pipes of British waterworkswhich have given serious trouble to water engineers. It

appears that when, the water was admitted into the pipeswithout filtration these organisms entered and served as the

lood of the microphagous animals, which themselves became

the prey of carnivorous forms. Thus polyzoa have beenshown to play a specially important part in making themicroscopic food-supply available for other constituents ofthe pipe-fauna by the rapidity with which they spread in thesystem and the luxuriant growths which they assume. Theexhibits of the Marine Biological Association were, as usual,the centre of considerable attention. On this occasion theyconsisted chiefly of living crustacea from the neighbourhoodof Plymouth.There were several other exhibits which numbered alto-

gether 40, but the above are selected on account of theirgeneral interest, while in some instances there are obviousmedical associations.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS OFLONDON.

MEETING OF COMITIA.

A COMITIA was held on May 8th, Sir THOMAS BARLOW,Bart., K. C. V. 0., the President, being in the chair.The following Members who were elected to the Fellow-

ship at the last meeting were admitted Fellows of theCollege: John Oglethorpe Wakelin Barratt, M.D. Lond.(Liverpool) ; Edward Stainer, M.D. Oxon. (London) ; HenryRussell Andrews, M.D. Lond. (London); Francis HugoThiele, M.D. Lond. (London); William Philip SutcliffeBranson, M.D. Cantab. (London) ; Walter Henry MaxwellTelling, M.D. Lond. (Leeds); Ernest Edward Glynn, M.D.Cantab. (Liverpool); Thomas Grainger Stewart, M.D. Edin.(London); Alexander George Gibson, M.D. Oxon. (Oxford);Frederick Samuel Langmead, M.D. Lond. (London); HenryRoy Dean, M.D. Oxon. (Sheffield) ; Thomas Lewis, M.D.Lond. (London); Maurice Alan Cassidy, M.D.Cantab.(London) ; Charles Wilberforce Daniels, M.B. Cantab.(London); James Mackenzie, M.D.Edin. (London); andCharles James Martin, M.B. Lond., F.R.S. (London), electedunder By-law LXXI. (b).Diplomas in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene were grantedin

conjunction with the Royal College of Surgeons of Englandto the fol]owing:—Captain F. P. Connor, 1.M.S., F.R.C.S.Eng. ; Captain C. A. Gill, 1. M.S.; and Miss Frances MargaretHarper, M.B.An alteration was made in By-law CXXIV. relating

to the examination for the Membership. Candidateswho have not been approved by the Censors’ Board can nowbe re-admitted to examination after the lapse of six months,instead of a year as heretofore.A report was received from the Censors’ Board recom-

mending that the following clause in a report of the Com-mittee of Management be adopted. This was agreed to.The clause was as follows :-

The attention of the committee has been called to the fact that theshort title of the diploma in tropical medicine and hygiene-viz.,"D.T.M. England," is not sufficiently descriptive, and that it is de-sirable to add a reference to hygiene in the title. The committee, there-fore, recommend that the short title of the diploma be altered from"D.T.M. England to " D.T.M. & H. England."The PRESIDENT then dissolved the Comitia.

THE SEVENTEENTH INTERNATIONALCONGRESS OF MEDICINE (1913).

SECTION OF PHYSIOLOGY.

THE President of this section is Professor E. A. Schafer,of Edinburgh, and the Vice-Presidents are Professors T. G.Brodie, Francis Gotch, Leonard Hill, J. G. McKendrick,C. S. Sherrington, E. H. Starling, W. Stirling, and A. D.Waller. The secretaries are Dr. J. S. Edkins and ProfessorsW. D. Halliburton, D. Noel Paton, and W. H. Thompson.The number of set discussions is three. The one which

appears to be exciting most interest, to judge by thenumber of those wishing to take part in it, is that onInternal Secretions, which will be held jointly with theSection of Medicine. The reporters in this discussionnominated by the physiologists are Professor Gley, ofParis, and Professor Biedl, of Strassburg. The seconddiscussion is on Endogenous Protein Metabolism, and will

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be held in conjunction with the Subsection of ChemicalPathology. The reporters here will be Professor Abder-

halden, Dr. H. D. Dakin, and Professor G. Embden. Thethird discussion will be confined to the Section of Physiology,and deals with the question of Reciprocal Innervation. The

reporters here are Professor Sherrington and Professor MaxVerworn.Perhaps the most interesting meetings of this section will

be three laboratory meetings at which demonstrations willbe given. These will be held in the physiological laboratoriesof the University of London ; University College, London ;and King’s College, London, respectively. The remainingsittings of the section will be occupied by the reading ofpapers. The number of titles sent in so far is not great, butthe papers include communications from Professor Lende-mann, of Kiev, Professor Siven, of Helsingfors, ProfessorGraham Lusk, Professor N. Zuntz, and Dr. Iscovesco.The meetings of the section will take place in the rooms

of the physiological laboratory, University of London. Theentertainments arranged include an excursion on the Thameson the Sunday, a garden party kindly given by Dr. and Mrs.Bayliss at Hampstead, and an informal dinner given by thePhysiological Society after one of the laboratory meetings.The following is a provisional programme :-Wednesday, August 6th, and Thursday, August 7th.-

Morning : Papers. Afternoon : Papers ; laboratory meeting,University of London.Friday, August 8th.-Morning : Discussion on Internal

Secretions. Afternoon : Laboratory meeting at UniversityCollege, followed by a Physiological Society dinner.Saturday, August 9th.-Morning : Papers. Afternoon :

Garden party at Dr. Bayliss.Sunday, August 10th.-Morning Picnic party on the

Thames.

Monday, August llth.-Morning : Discussion on ReciprocalInnervation. Afternoon : Laboratory meeting at King’sCollege.Tuesday, August 12th.—Morning : Discussion on Protein

Metabolism. Afternoon: Papers.The acting-secretary is Professor W. D. Halliburton, King’s

College, London, to whom titles of papers and demonstrationsshould be forwarded without delay.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OFENGLAND.

MEETING OF COUNCIL.

AN ordinary meeting of the Council was held on May 8th,Sir RICKMAN GODLEE, the President, being in the chair.Mr. Francis Willoughby Goyder was introduced and the

President handed him the Jacksonian prize for the year 1912,together with a document declaratory of the award.

Dr. William Blair Bell was introduced and the Presidenthanded him the John Hunter medal in bronze and a chequefor E50, the triennial prize for the period 1910 to 1912.

It was resolved to issue Diplomas of Membership to 89successful candidates.

It was resolved to grant, jointly with the Royal College ofPhysicians of London, Diplomas in Tropical Medicine andHygiene to three successful candidates.A letter was read from Mr. C. C. Paterson, joint secretary

to the Home Office Committee on Factory Lighting, statingthat he has been asked to inquire whether the College could,assist the work of the Committee by appointing witnesses

I

who could give evidence as to damage to eyesight of personsworking in factories due to defective conditions of illumina-tion provided in such factories ; and whether statistics wereavailable from hospitals or from any Members of the Collegepractising in industrial districts which would give informa-tion as to the prevalence of eye trouble in any specialtradse. Mr. Richardson Cross was requested to assist theCommittee on Factory Lighting in this matter.A letter was read from Mr. W. F. Haslam resigning his

membership of the Court of Examiners, such resignation totake effect on the completion of the final examination for theFellowship this month.-The PRESIDENT stated that thevacancy on the Court of Examiners so occasioned would befilled at the ordinary meeting of the Council on June 12th.A letter was read from Mr. W. Bruce Clarke resigning his

seat on the Council. The resignation was accepted withregret, and the PRESIDENT stated that the vacancy thusoccasioned would be filled at the annual meeting of Fellowsin July.

THE SERVICES.

ROYAL NAVY MEDICAL SERVICE.

IN accordance with the provisions of Order in Council ofApril 1st, 1881, Surgeon-General Sir James Porter, K.C.B.,K.H.P., Director-General of the Medical Department of theNavy, has been placed on the Retired List, at his ownrequest (dated May llth, 1913).By the retirement of Sir James Porter, K.C.B., from the

post of Director-General of the Medical Department of theNavy that service loses a distinguished ornament. Whetherregarded in the light of his distinguished war services-Suakim, Tamai, and South Africa-or of his great adminis-trative ability, as shown in his fostering care of hospitalorganisation and nursing and the improved physique of themen, " never better than at the present time," his retirementdeprives the country and the naval service of a most

admirable and capable head. Sir James Porter, who is agraduate of Aberdeen University and a native of Aberdeen-shire, entered the Navy in 1877. In 1909 he became honorary’physician to the King, and in 1910 received his K. C. B. Heis now 61 years of age. He speaks enthusiastically of hiscareer in the service, and strongly commends it to youngmedical men as offering an exceedingly pleasant and variedcareer.

____

Deputy Surgeon-General John Jeffreys Dennis has beenpromoted to the rank of Surgeon-General in His Majesty’sFleet (dated May 10th, 1913).

ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS.

Colonel H. J. Barratt has taken up duty as AssistantDirector of Medical Services to the Bareilly, Garhwal, andDehra Dun Brigades of the Seventh (Meerut) Division.Colonel H. M. Sloggett has taken up the appointment ofAssistant Director of Medical Services to the BelfastDistrict.Lieutenant-Colonel F. R. Newland has been transferred

from the Northern Command to Dover. Lieutenant- ColonelH. M. Adamson has been placed under orders for serviceabroad. Lieutenant-Colonel C. W. R. Healey has been

granted leave of absence home from India, with permissionto revert to the Home Establishment. Lieutenant-ColonelR. J. W. Mawhinny has been selected for appointment tocommand the Military Hospital at Nasirabad Cantonment.Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. Starr has taken up duty as SeniorMedical Officer at Lichfield. Lieutenant-Colonel R. W.Wright has been appointed to hold charge of the MilitaryHospital at Mhow Cantonment. Lieutenant-Colonel J.Thomson has arrived home for duty from South Africa.Major E. W. Siberry has taken up duty in the London

District. An exchange of roster for service abroad has beenapproved between Major R. L. Argles and Major K. B.Barnett; the former officer will proceed abroad. MajorR. F. M. Fawcett has arrived home for duty from JhansiCantonment. Major E. W. W. Cochrane has been appointedto the Aldershot Command. Major H. E. Staddon has leftfor service in India. Major R. J. Blackham has taken overcommand of the Military Hospital at Jutogh Cantonment.Major R. Tilbury Brown has been transferred to Darjeeling.Major T. C. Mackenzie, D.S.O., has returned home on com-pletion of a tour of service with the Egyptian army. MajorP. S. O’Reilly has been granted eight months’ combinedleave of absence home from India. Major F. W. Begbiehas been appointed Specialist in Advanced OperativeSurgery to the Fifth (Mhow) Division. Major A. D. Waringhas arrived home for duty from Hong-Kong. Major R. McK.Skinner has been appointed to the Military Hospital at theCurragh Camp. Major J. D. Collins has taken up duty asSpecialist in Ophthalmology to the Sixth (Poona) Division.Major C. W. Mainprise has been granted six months’leaveof absence home from India. Major H. E. M. Douglas, V.C.,D.S.O., has been notified for service abroad. Major J. Poehas been appointed to the Eastern Command for duty.Major S. J. C. P. Perry has taken up duty at the Military