BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL.] ASSOCIATION INTELLIGENCE. [DEC. 19, 1857

very next case of manslaulghter brought home to the door ofone of these women so officially employed ought to be severelypunished; and the punishment ought to be exacted, not onlyupon the woman who undertakes such responsible duties with.out being a competent judge of skill, but upon her employers,who must know that she is unqualified. We trust that allPoor-]aw medical officers will make a note of this trial, andwatch the effect of the judge's threats upon the glorious sister-hood of irresponsible midwives.

To what is medicine coming?9Homceopathy has reducedits remedies to proportions undiscoverable by the most power-ful microscope; clergymen take upon themselves the cure ofmortal maladies by the influence of the spirit; and a host ofspirit-rappers, crystal manipulators, and mediums, who allythemselves to legions of hidden spirits, lay claim to powergenerally over disease in all its multifarious aspects; but noneof these worthies have as yet had the audacity to put forthsuch an advertisement as the following, which we extract fromthe Times.

THE SOMNAMBULE, ADOLPHE DIDIER,gives his MAGJNETIC SEANCES and CONSULTATIONS for

ACUTE and CHRONIC DISEASES, their Causes and Remedies, everyday from 1 till 4.-19, Upper Albany-street, Regent's-park. Consultationby letter.We have no doubt whatever that the magnet is efficacious in

one complaint, which is more prevalent than people suppose-the desire of having more money than wit. The power of themagnet over the precious metal will doubtless be exercisedwith much effect. By-the-bye, it strikes us that this magneticgentleman spells his name incorrectly; should it not beDiddler?

We have refrained from noticing hitherto a very distressingreport, which has appeared for some time in the publicpapers, relative to the shocking inhumanity exercised by someEnglish lady towards her governess, in the hope that it wouldbe contradicted. As no such contradiction has appeared, how-ever, we fear that it is but a too true tale. It appears that ayoung French lady, about twenty years of age, the governess inthe family of an English lady, was taken with typhus fever, inwhich condition she was packed tup-we can use no otherterm-and dispatched to her relatives at Amiens, quite alone.When received by the guard at London Bridge (why he re-ceived her at all is the wonder) she was helpless and speechless,and so continued until she was taken on board the steamer whichconveye(l her to B3oulogne. On arrival here, she was instantlylanded, and medical aid summoned. On undressing her, a la-gelabel was found fastened to her dress, as if she were a bale ofgoods, and in her purse a piece of paper, which contained theclue to her friends and destination. The poor creature diedwithin a day or two of her landing, evidently exhausted by thejourney to which she had been inhumanly condemned by herlate employer. The Boulogne authorities have, we are in-formed, mrade a report of the affair to the Procureur Imperiale,and we trust that, for the sake of the English name, a search-ing inquiry will be made into the whole affair, and that some ofits seemingly most inhuman features will in some measure heexplained away. In addition to the wickedness of thrusting apoor girl out of the house in such a sad condition, must be addedthe selfishness of subjecting her fellow-passengers to the riskof infection, thus thrown deliberately in their midst.

TO THE HONORARY SECRETARI'kjOF THE BRANCHES.

THE General Secretary will feel particularly obliged ifHonorary Secretaries will inform him, with as little delaypossible, of any subscriptions for the current year received as

them since their last lists were forwarded to Worcester. YDecember, 1857.

LIST OF MEMBERS: NOTICE.IN accordance with Law 24, a list of members of the BRITISHMEDICAL ASSOCIATION will shortly be published. Gentlemenwhose designations or addresses are incorrectly given in thelast list, or on the wrappers of their Journals, will oblige by atonce forwarding the necessary corrections to the Editor ofthe JOURNAL, 37, Great Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields,London, W.C.

FORMATION OF A CORNWVALL BRANCH.A preliminary meeting of medical practitioners in Cornwall

was held at Callington, on Tuesday, December 1st, for thepurpose of forming a Branch of the Association. JOHN KEMP-THORNE, Esq. (Callington), was called to the Chair. Therewere also present:--W. Brown, Esq. (Callington); S. Clogg,Esq. (Looe); J. G. Doidge, Esq. (Lifton); A. Hingston, Esq.(Liskeard); R. Kerswill, Esq. (St. Germain's); Thomas Lit-tleton, M.B. (Saltash); H. Sargent, M.D. (Polyphant); J. MU.Sellors, M.B. (Gunnislake); D. Thompson, Esq. (Launceston);E. L. West, Esq. (Launceston); and J. Wright, M.D. (Laun-ceston).The Chairman called on Dr. Littleton to read the history of

the present movement; which he did as follows:Three years since, it was proposed to some of the gentlemen

now present to form a Branch of the British Medical Associa-tion for Cornwall, to which a general acquiescence was given,but nothing then carried into effect. Within the last fewmonths, it occurred to those who issued the circular address,which has now called us together, that the time had arrivedwhen we might expect advantages from a renewal of our pre-vious endeavours. We are happy to inform you, that theanswers we have received to our address, which was posted toevery qualified medical gentleman in the eastern division ofthis county, and to one member of the profession in each of thetowns of West Cornwall, are such as exceeded our most san-guine expectations. With your permission, I will read theletters received from such a distance as prevents personalattendance, but which for the most part we may hope to befavoured with at our next meeting at Bodmin.

Letters were read from:-Mr. Nankivell, of St. Colomb; Dr.Barhami, of Truro; Mr. Ward, of Bodmin; Mr. Wade, of Bos-castle; Mr. Chubb, of Torpoint; Mr. Nicholas, of Liskeard;Mr. Marley, of Padstow; 31r. Tayler, of Tywardreath; Mr.Jackson, of Beeralston; Mr. Illingworth, of Fowey; and Dr.Pethick, of Launceston.

FORMATION OF THE SOCIETY: OFFICERS.It was then proposed, and carried unanimously-" That a Cornwall Medical Society be formed in connection

with the BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION; and that John Kemp.thorne, Esq., as President; E. L. West, Esq., as Treasurer;and Thomas Littleton, M.B., as Secretary; with W. Brown,Esq., A. Hingston, Esq., R. Kerswill, Esq., and J. Wright, M.D.,do form the Council of this Society until the next meeting tobe held at Bodmin."

LAWS.The Secretary was desired to draw up a Code of Laws agree.

able to those he presented as in use amongst the otherBranches of the parent Association. To these he was requestedto add the twlo following:-

1. Proposed by Mr. THOIPSON, seconded by Mr. WEST, andcarried unanimously-

" That no member of this Association will meet in practice,or sanction the practice of, any unqualified man; nor meet inconsultation any qualified man who does."

2. Proposed by Dr. SARGENT, seconded by Dr. WRIGHT, andcan ied unanimously-

1052

ASSOCIATION INTELLIGENCE.

" That this Society be con-tituted a Court 'Medical; for thesettlement of any dispute that may arise between any luedicalmen, members of the Society."The Secretary was furtlher desire(I to forward tlle laws in

succession to each miemnber of this Society, that they nmayreceive their coincurrence andl signatures. It wa.s deemedadvisable that sub-districts of the couinty be so arranged asconveniencly of travelling, slhall arise from the railway, etc.

PooR-Lk. MEDICAL REFORM.A vote of thanks to 1Mr. Griffin for hiis energetic and assi-

duous endeavours ou belhalf of the surgeons attache(l touniions, wvas pi)oposed by Mr. KERSWILL, anC(i seconded by Dr.THIOMAs LITTILLTON, andc1 Unanim110ously carried.

MEDICAL REFORM.It was arranged that the Secretary slhould issue circullars of

initation to tl)e medical practitioners in the whole couinty, toattend the next meeting at Bodmin, in suich time as wokldallow that petitions to Parliament may be presented from thedifferent towns in the couinty in favour of Mr. Headlam's Billas the basis of Medical Reform.

After tlle transaction of business, an excellent dininer was

partak,eit of by those presenit. Appropriate decorations alndmottoes einlivened the festive board; and the usual loyal toastswere drank and responded to, in a miianiner which slhowed thatthose present were aimnated by the true sense of their county'sfeeling-" O(ne andl All".

BAT1H AN\D BRISTOL BRAN-CH: ORDINARYM1\E TI NG.

THrE Ordinary Meeting of this- Branchwas held at the White LionHotel, 1Bristol, on Thlursday, December 3, at eight, p.m., Aucus-TIN PRICIHARD, Esq., Pr esident, in the Clhair. Tlhere vere present,F. Brittan, M.D. (Clifton); V. B3udd, -M.D. (Bristol); J. B.Burroughs, Esq. (Clifton); W. J. Church, Esq. (Bath) ; H.Clark,Esq. (Bristol); Edmund Cockey, Esq. (Frome); CharlesCollins, Esq. (Chew M1agna); G. C. Corbould, Esq. (Bristol);James Crang, Esq. (Timsbury); Nathanial Crisp, 1 sq. (13ris-tol); Edward Crossman, Esq. (Hambrook) * J. G. Davey, M.D.(Northwoods); William Davies, MI.D. (13ath) 1. Flower, Esq.(Chilcompton); II. C. Fripp, 2M.D. (Clifton) E.L. Fox, M.1)D.(Bristol); James Godfrey, Esq. (Bristol); Thomas Green, Esq.(Bristol); W illiam Henderson, M.D. (Clifton); W illia,n B.Herapath, M.D. (Bristol); George King, Esq. (Bathl); JoseplLancaster, Esq. (Clifton); Crosby Leonaid, Esq. (Bristol);Samuel Martyn, M.D. (Bristol); E. S. Mayor, Esq. (Bristol) ;J. S. Metford, Esq. (Clifton); George Norman, Esq. (Bath) ;G. S. Ogilvie, Esq. (Bristol); J. K. Spender, Esq. (Bath) -R. N. Stone,Esq. (Batlh); J. G. Swavne, M.D. (Clifton) ; S. H.Swayne, Esq. (Bristol); J. A. Symonds, M.D. (Clifton). Andas visitors, Drs. Fairbrother and Beddoe, and Messrs. Watts,F. Lansdown, Ormerod, Hellicar, Board, and Masters, of Bris-tol; and Mr. Hitchins, of Bath.The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

CASE OF CONGENITAL FISSURE OF THE STERNUM.Dr. SyiMoNDs introduced to th meecting i\[. Grouix, the sub-

ject of this sinigoular congenital miialformationl. Dr. Synmondsremarked on the initerest of the case, as having been observedby nearly all the medical celebrities on the continent, as well asin this country. After pointing out that the arrest of develop-ment had left a fissure of the sternum, which was quite openbetweein the clavicles, and only closed at the spot where theensiform cartilage begins in normal subjects.he said that whilethere were many interestingobservations which might be madeon the movements of the two halves of the chest, yet thatthe point wlich attracted most attention was the pulsatingtumour in the abnormal space. By the inscriptions in theAlbumof M. Groux, it appeared that different views had beentaken of the nature of the tumour and the cause of its pulsa-tion. Dr. Symonds remarkedltbat the opinion which he hadlarrived at, alter an examination of the case on the previouseveninig in conjunction with the President, Mr. Prichard, Dr.Budd, Dr. Swayne, Dr. Fox, MIr. Clark, M\r. Godfrey, Mr. Ber-nard, nn(l Air. W. M. Clarke, was, that the tumour was theright auricle of the heart, wh-ichat its greatest distensiorn cameforward; and that its motion of subsidence was coincident withmuscular contraction of the auiricular parietes, and thlat there wasa distinct interval between this iioveinemnt and the ventricularsystole.

1053

31. Groux was then examined by most of the members pre.senit.

NOTES ON M1EDICAL PRACTICE. BY W. DAVIES, Mr.D.Dr. DANIEs read the first part of this paper. It will be com-

pleted at a subsequent meeting; after which it will appear inthe JOURNAL.CASE OF ANEURISM OF THE AORTA; ALSO A CASE OF DISEASED

SUPRARENAL CAPSULES. BY F. BRITTAN, M.D.Dr. BRITTAN exhibited the preparations. (The latter case

will be published in the JOURNAL.)M1r. LANSDOWN exhibited specimens of diseased suprarenal

capsules, taken from a subject in whom there hadl been par.tial slighlt bronzing of the skin.

Dr. DAVIES mentioned two cases of disease of the suprarenalcapsules unattended by bronzed skin.

Mr. CLARK thouglht that discoloration of the skin alone wasno criterion as to the state of the suprarenal capsules, andreferred to other cases in which discoloration occurred, espe-cially in chloasma and syphilis; when met with in conniexionwith diseased suprarenal capsules, it was probably owing tosome change in the niormal conidition of the blood.

Dr. MARTYN_ remarked that, as to the cases of diseased supra-renal capsules, somne were accolmipanied by brornzed slkin, whilefrom others this appearance was absent. He was struck, how-ever, by the constancy of one set of symptoms as shown in thecases just read and in others alluded to; but he was not awareif any explanation of tlem hadl as yet been offered. He meantthte stomach synmptoms-aggravated dyspepsia, nausea, or ob-stinate vomiting. Of the structure and functions of the supra-renal bodies very little was lknown, but at present this muchseemed to be certain, that they were connected with, in fact be-longed to, the nerovous system. Their medulla had been provedto almost consist of the stellate variety of nerve cells, such asw ere found in important parts of the great centres and in thesynmpathetic ganglia. Might not therefore the great frequencyof the sickness be referred to these phvsiological i-elationis ? Itwas a well known fact that this symptom was likely enough toarise from disturbance of the abdominal symnpaLhetic, andespecially in the neighbourhood of the stomach.

ON SEA-SICKNESS. BY J. C. NEILD, M1.D.The Honora-y Secretary read a paper on Sea Sickness, which

had beeni forwarded to the Branch by Dr. J. C. NEILD, of NewZealand, a forimier member of the Association. (This paperwvill be published in the JOURNAL.)

TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROCHESTER, MAIDSTONE,AND GRAVESEND DISTRICT MEETINGS, IN

CONNECTION wTrH THE SOUTH-EASTERN BRANCH.

THE first meeting of this Society was held at the Guildhall,Rochester, on Friday, December 11th, at 3.30; ADAM MARTIN,M.D., of Roclhester, in the Chair. There were also present:-W. Addison, M.D. (1Iaidstone); J. Armstrong, M.D. (Graves-end); F. J. Browni, M.D. (Chatlham); John D. BrowVn, M.D.(Strood); J.Dulvey, Esq. (Brompton, Chatlham); F. Fry, Esq.(1Iaidstone); W. Hoar, Esq. (Mlaidstone); and the followinggentlemen as visitors:-J. W. Barnes, Esq. (Aylesford' ; T. P.Beavan, Esq. (Rochester); WV. Burton, Esq. (Brompton); W.B. Everest, Esq. (Rainham); Dr. Jardine, (Chatlham); J.Langston, Esq. (Strood) ; J. Lardner, Esq., R.N. (Gilling-ham); F. Plomley, M.D. (Maidstone); and H. Weekes, Esq.(Brompton).

J. Dulvey, Esq., was iunanimously requested to act as Hon-orary Secretary, and Dr. Mlartin as Treasurer, for the year.

NEW MEMBERS.The following gentlemen were proposed and elected as mem-

bers of the Branch:-Dr. Jardine (Clhatham) ; J. W. Barnes,Esq. (Aylesfordl); C. J. Pinching, Esq. (Gravesend) ; W. B.Everest, Esq. (Rainhiam); anid W. Burton, Esq. (Brompton).

CASES AND COMMIUNICATIONS.The CHAIRMAN read a paper founded on a case of Hystelia

connected with Dysmiienorrhama, in which great benefit hadbeen derived from the use of the biborate of soda.An interesting discussion followed.F. FRY, Esq. (Senior Surgeon to the West Kent Infirmary,

Maidstone), brought before the Society the details of threecases of Strangulated Hernia, in two of whichl lie had beencalled to operate; and in all of wlhich something unusual hadbeen found.

[BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAr,.DEC. 19, 1857.]

BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL.] REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. [DEC. 19, 1857.

Dr. AOiMSTrONO( (Gravesend) read a valuable paper on Can-liflower 1E1xcrescence of ille Uterus, illustrating it by a case inwbiclh lie hiad successfully removed the tumiour by means of thekeraseur.At thie concluision of tim discussion, Mr. Homt moved, and

Mr. PulvE seconded, a resolution-That the sincere thanlks of the meeting be given to those

gentlemien whio lhave read thlese p)apers; and that they lie re-quested to allow tl)em to be published ill tle JoURN-AL, underthe title of Transactions of this Societv.

Tlhanks hiavinii been unanimously voted to tbe Mayor ofRoclhester for the use of the Guildlaldl, refreshliments wvereintroduced after partakingi of which,the meeting brole lp atsix o'clock- eNver one present expressing- his gratification atthe result cet thiis, the first attempt of the kind in West Kent,and hi.s conviction that from such gatlherings, of tlhe practi-tioners of neiglhbourin, towns, iouch good must ensue.

The next. meeting of the Society nill be held at the Guild-hall, Maidstone, on Friday, February 1th, 18i8, at 4.30.

fluI'drJ s ofW~JURIDICAL SOCIETY.

TUESDAY, DEC. 15T1h, 1857.AICE-CIANCELLOR SIn Jo1h.N STUART, in the Chair.

LEGAT. DOCTRIJNE OF RESPONSIBILITY IN CASES OF INSANITYCONNECTED WITH ALLEGED CRIMINAL ACTS.

BY FORBES WINSILOW, M.D., D.C.L.DR. WINSi.Ow divided his essay into five principal parts; viz.,1. Nature of insanity in its medico-legal relation; 2. The legaldoctrine of responsibility in connection with insanity, associatedwith alleged criminal acts; 3. The doctrine of partial insanity,or monomania; 4. The existence of homicidal insanity andinsane irresistible impulses; 5. Anomalous or inixed cases ofmental disorder, involving the question of modified responsi-bility and the propriety of punishment. In discussing his sub-ject under the first four aspects, le dwvelt principally upon theoneness of the mind; and that psychological principle formedthe basis of the opinions to which he gave expression. Hecombated the doctrine that the elementary and essential fea-tures of insanity consist in a disorder of the intellectual, ascontradistinguished from a derangement of the moral, facultiesof the nmind, there being no such thing as separate and distinctfaculties of that which is in nature one and the same; and,therefore, the courts of law were wrong in laying peculiar stressupon the presence or absence of delusions, as these mightarise from sanitary causes. The important point, however, forconsideration was what might be the state of the effective ormotive powvers, what was the state of the volition, and to whatdegree had the mental diseases destroyed the healthy power ofself-control over the thoughts and actions? Here arose thesecond branclt of the inquiry ; and after noticing the distinctionwhich Mr. Fitzjames Stephens draws between tests of insanityand tests of responsibility, Dr. Winslowv laid down the follow-ing as criteria of insanity propounded in the courts of justice:1st. The presence of delusion ; 2nd. Of delusions directly asso-ciated with the criminal act; and, 3rd, A capability of distin-guishing between what is lawful and unlawful, the capacity ofknowing right from wrong, good from evil. These tests heheld to be erroneous, as their absence did not necessarilyestablish in the offender the mahis anaimus, tala conscientia,which are the illgredients of ceiminal guilt. The tests ofresponsibility, however, upon which the courts acted, might begathered from the opinions of the judges, delivered in theHouse of Lords in 1843. First, a person labouring underpartial delusions only, and who is not in other respects insanenotwithstanding he committed a crime under the influenceof the insane delusion that he is redressing or revengingsome supposed grievance or injury, or producing some publicbenefit, is liable to punishment, if he knew at the time of corn-mitting such crime that lie was acting contrary to the law ofthe land. Secondly, to establish a defence on the ground ofinsanity, it must be clearly proved that at the time of the com-mitting of the act the party accused was labouring undersuch a defect of reason from disease of the mind as not toknow the nature and quality of the act he was doing, or ifhe did know it, that he did not know he was doing what

was wrong. Thirdly, if a person under a partial delusion only,and not in other respects insane, commits an offence in conse-queiice thereof, he is to be considered in the same situation, as

to responsibility, as if the facts in respect to which the delusionexists were real. From these rules of law arose the considera-tion of partial delusions in their legal relations to crime corn-initte(l by persons in other respects insane, under the im-pression that they were doing right, the legal doctrine of partialinsanity, and the knowledge of right and wrong, as conclusiveevidence of responsibility in cases of imputed insanity. Withregard to the first view taken by the judges, they seemed tooverlook the distinction (diawn by Lord E"Irskine between thecases of Hatfield and Lord Ferrers, narlmely, that when a mad-man commits ,a crime under the influence of an inipressionwhich is entirely visionary, and purely the hallucination of in-sanity, lie is not the object of punishment; but that, though liemay have shown insanity in other things, lhe is liable topunishmbilent if the impression urder which hie acted was true,alild the humian passion arising^ out of it was directed to itspropor object. Dr. Winslow01, however, went further than LordErskine, and maintained, thlat if a mian shows insanity in anyone respect, hle oight to be considered as a lunatic in all; andthus disposed of the third point undei which lie proposed toconsider the sunbject of his discouise, altogether dernying the ex-iStelice of such a disease as monoi<,iaiiia. lie quoted the au-tliority of several contineiital phy-aqians of great experience inthe treatment of mental disordir in support of his views.Under the fourth head, lie mentioned a naimber of cases toshow the existence of homicidal insanity, and insane irresistibleinfluences; and passed on to consider howv far the proof of aman. being actuated by such feelings in the commission of a

murder should modify his punishment. He wvas unwilling, liesaid, to associate the word punishment with a case ot thatkind, alnd thioucht that such a proof should entitle hlih to hisacquittal. As lie would, hiowever, even so, be confined for lifeill a, lunatic asylum, lie would in reality be subjected to apunishnment much more severe than if he were publicly exe-cuted.

'TL1e CIIAimIAN said he was sure the society must appreciatethe great talent which the piaper displayed, antd the great valueof the opinions with which the writer of it hlad favoured them.Not the least interesting part of it was that in which Dr.Winslow stated particular instances of particular delusions,with their consequences. Of the numerous difficulties whichbeset the considemration of a question of that kind he enter-tained the strongest imnpression but its importance to thepublic was quite as great as its difficulty. The great question.must be how far that answer of the judges to the question pro-posed to them in the Hounse of Lords, and. referred to in thepaper, affected the safety of the people.

Mr. Baron BRA-MWELL said, that if the question was whetherthe sane man or the insane man, both having committed thesame crime, was the more entitled to their pity, lie w'ould saythat the insane man was ; hut that was iiot the point whichthey had to consider. It was how the law was to deal with thecommission of an act which it prohibited. In order to solvethat question, they should first look to the true theory ofpunishment. Why a-as it that society iiiflicted punishment?It was that it might fulfil upon the offender the threat of thelaw, else the law itself would be nothing more than a brututnfulmien. However, then, it was necessary to threaten, it wasalso necessary and desirable they should punish and herearose the question, wlioni is it desirable to threaten? Was themadman to be exempted from the threat? Certainly not, elsethe element of uncertainty would creep into the considerationof the punishment, and crimes would be committed by thosewho might think they would have a chance of escaping uponthat plea. He would go further, and say that if we were acommunitv of madmen, we should have laws holding out thethreat of punishnient for our own good government. It wasthe greatest possible mistake to hold that a madman shouldnot be affected by the law. When lie was trying Dove's case,one witness svore to his being subject to insane irresistible in.fluence, and, as a proof of it, mentioned his having seen him,some few years before that, fire a gun at the risk of killingsome one; but that witness afterwards, when asked if hethought Dove would have fired the gun if a policeman hadbeen present, replied, that he did not think lie would do so,clearly showing that the knowledge of legality and illegalitywas not wanting. Indeed, in lunatic asylums, the inmateswere under a system of moral government, and were made toconform to its prohibitions and requests. He had, since hesat upon the bench, tried five cases of murder, and ill each one

1054

DEc. 19, 1857.] EDITOR'S LETTER BOX. [BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL.

of them the plea of insanity wvas put forward, Lut withouteffect.

Mr. STE.PIIEPNS concurred for the most part with the observa-tions of Baron Bramwell, and thought it would be wrong, be-cause a man miglht imagine his little finger to be made of glass,to acquit himi of murder on the ground of insanity.The CHAIRMAN said the number of instances in which the

plea of insanity was put forward was in consequence of theanswer of thle judges to the question in the House of Lordsand such pleas had been upon the increase since M'INaulgliten'scase; but if public opinion could be fairly tested, it wvotild saythat lBellingignim had been justly executed and MIENaughtenunjustly stare(I.

Dr. AWINSLOW)w briefly replied, and the thanks of tlin societywere voted to hiinm.

Tr Hi E. L I S T 0 F M E. M)12 R S.LTE TTER FiRzOM WV. H. MJICIIAETY,, EsQ.

SIR.-The great labour of preparing a list of memibers of theAssociation, andi the desire to make it thoroughlv correct, has,I presume, delayed its publication for two months. Tlhe end ofthe year is so close, that I beg leave to suggest deferring theprinting of the list until the second or third week in January,when we culid also have the names of new members, and alsoour losses from deaths and resignations. We should thenpossess a true index of the state of the Association.

It appeare(l from the Report of the Council at the AnnualAMeeting, that the state of the finances was " hiahly gratifying".It would, therefore, be satisfactory to the associates to seepublished, at the same time, a statement of the receipts and.expendituoe, also the assets and liabilities, to the end of theyear. To establish our solvency, and to prove by figures thatwe are really advancing, is the true way to increase the number-of our members, and the best means to secure progress.

I am, etc., -1!r H. ICHAEL.Swansea, Teceimber 8th, 18,.57.

MIANCAESTESR ROYAL SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.Sw,-Will you allots me space in your JOURNAL to complain

of the uncomfortable condition which has existed three wintersessions in the students'room of the Manchester Roval Schoolof Mle(licine ? The room is almost destitute of seats; onlythree forms, each abouit two yards long, are provided for thestudents to sit on. This disorderly state influences manystudents to frequent the public houses and billiard rooms,where. once in, they remain, thereby neglecting their lecturesand hospital practice, to say nothing of the loose habits whichthey imbibe, fromt the mere want of a decent room to sit in.Surely, this could be easily rectified by placing therein a stove,a few comfortable seats, and a table. Trusting you will excusethis intrusion. I am, etc.,

A MANCHESTER STUDENT.Manchester, December 7th, 1857.

HOUSE OF COMM0ONS.-Thursday, December 10th, 1857.THE PUBLIC HEALTH.

Mr. COWPER, in moving for leave to introduce a Bill to amendthe Public Health Act (1848), said, it was the same Bill whichwas read a first time last Session, and could not be proceededwith for want of time. Being anxious that the Bill should notbe again exposed to the same fate, he had taken the earliestopportunity to introduce it, and he trusted that the Housewould he prepared to consider it after the Christmas recess.The general object was to provide that every town in England,great or small, should have the opportunity of acquiring, with-out any considerable cost or difficulty, local representativegovernment, armed with sufficient powers to provide structuralworks and to make regulations necessary for the sanitary im-provement of the inhabitants. The tendency of manufacturesand the movement of particular branches of industry caused

the rapid growth of towns in places which were previouslythinly inhabited. The suburbs of Birmingham, Manchester,and the eastern districts of London, had rapidly accumulatevery large populations. Houses wvere built without inethod andwithout under-drainage, so that the refuse was carried intosome neighbouring ditch, where it remained to create noxiousvapours injurious to health. It was hardly to be expected thatany private individual would have so much public spirit as torisk the expense, in case of failure, of an application for aprivate Act, and therefore these places had no organisation atall. MIany of the older towns were also desirous of acquiringlatger powers than were afforded by tlhe l'Public Health Act.Both the towns which had and the towns which hadl not re-presentative government, wished to he able to adopt the PublicHealth Act, with greater facilities anld with provisious moreadapted to their wants. lie proposed the intervention of theGeneral Board only in cases where the boundaries had to bealtered, anld where some of the provisions of the Public HealthAct had to be modified. The powers to be acrquired under this13ill would be for making structural wsorks, borrowing money,supplying water, lighting streets, and providirr regulationswhich were necessary for the good government of these towns.There were some who ttsked, AW'hy such meddling andel suchuttuecessary intet-ference ? The purpose of the mieddling wasto get ridl of the refuse of thousands, whiclt bad the effect ofsubstittitng disease for health, weakness for strength, anddeath for life. The tmumber of deaths from preventible causeswas estimated at 80,000 a-year, a large proportion of whicharose from diseases alto-ethler to be preventecd if towns'vereproperly cleuinsed. It was acknowledged by the highest medi-cal authorities that typhus fever was generated by overcrowd-ing and by tIoxious exhalations; and in blind purlietus, courts,and alleys, typhus numbered aimong its victims about 17,000persons. Other diseases, as erysipelas, ConSum111ptiOn, andscrofula, were greatly increased by the same causes. It wasadmitted that cholera was a disease which could be preventedbeing fatal by cleanliness and care. No better illustration wasafforded than by the two towns of Tynemouth and Newcastle.In the interval between the last two viitations of cholera,sanitary measures were adopted in Tynemouth, and neglectedin Newcastle. At the last visitation, the deathis in Newcastlefrom cholera wvere 2,000, and in Tynemouth 4. Similar resultswere traceable with regard to pure water. It was found, bycomparing the deaths which occurred among the population ofLondon served by the different companies, that those whodrank the foul water tak;en from within the tidal area, died ina proportion three and a-half times as great as those whod-ank the pure water which was taken from above the tidalarea. Cholera, with diarrhma and dysentery, destroyed 27,000annually. In the same way, the mortality of infants dependedgreatly upon the influence of the air they breathed; and Dr.West mentioned that infantile diarrhoea, in the severe form inwhich it prevailed in the ill-drained districts, was not to befound in the well-drained distticts of the metropolis. Therewas a tendency, continually going on in this country, to gravi-tate towards towns, and to live less in rural districts. Thetown population was more unhealthy than the rural. It wasfound that people died in large towns at the rate of one-thirdmore than in small towns and villages. Among many causeswhich increased the unhealthiness of towns, was the neglectto remove immediately from the neighbourhood. of houses therefuse which, if allowed to decompose, polluted the air andtainted the water. It was, therefore, incumbent upon thqsewho were anxious to maintain the health and prosperity' '?t icountry, that they should give every facility for the propersanitary administration of towns. This Bill had that for 4'sobject; and, notwithstanding the topics of absorbing interestpressing upon the attention of Parliament, he hoped that inthe ensuing Session they would find time to consider it. Theri-ht honourable gentleman concluded by moving for leave tointroduce the Bill.

MIr. AYRTON said, the right hon. gentleman was under a mis-apprehension if he supposed that the opposition wvith which hisBill of last year had been received, was to the end to which itwas directed. It was to the indiscreet means by which itsougyht that end, and to the disposition evinced to bring all theaction of the local authorities under the control of one centraloffice. Provided that the Bill were drawn in such a manner asto effect the end of improving the sanitary condition of thepeople without infringing on their personal liberties, it wouldmeet with his support.

Sir A. ELTON thanked the right hon. gentleman for the clearexposition which he had given of the objects of the B1ill. From

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BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL.]

his own experience, as the head of a local board, he was con-vinced that it was emlinently calculated to further the welfareof the people. It was a poor man's question, for the poor manhad no security against the neglect of his landlord to providefor hiis healtb and comlfort but the law. Though he was a sup-

porter of the principle of local freedom of action, yet he thougltthere ought to be a powi-er existingf somewlhere wlhichl would setright the wrongdoings of the local authorities, and stir them upwhen they neglected their duties.

Leave was then given to bring in the Bill, whioh was subse-

quently brouglht in and readl a first timiie.

Fridlay, Dec. 1lth.M E D I CAL R E F ORPi T.

Mr. KEN-NAIRD asked the Vice-President of the Council ofEducation whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Govern-ment to introduce any measure after the Christmas recess witha view of amending the laws relating to the practice of meedi-cine and suirgery in the United Kingdom?

Mfr. CowR ERn said it u-as hlis intention to introduce a measure

regulatinIg the quialifications to be required hereafter from per-

sons admitted into the medical profession.

DRAINAGE OF THE METROPOLIS.Mr. LAUR-IE asked the First Commissioner of WVorks wv-hether

any, and, if so, uliat steps had been takeni for the pnrpose ofcarryirg otut so much of the Act 18 and 19 Victoria, cap. 129, asrelates to the main drainage of the metropolis.

Sir 1B. HArLL, as this was a subject of considerable import-ance, might be allowed to answer the question at some length,and to inform the House of the various proceedings which hadtaken place in relation to the matter since the Act was passedin 1855. He aave a description of plans which had been sub-mitted to him by the Metropolitan Board of Works, but whichdid not provide for the prevention of the reflux of the sewage

into the metropolitan area, and were therefore rejected by him.Subsequently, in December 1850, a third plan was presented by

the Board, in wlhich the proposed outfalls were at Rainham and

near Erith-points which had been suggested by Captain:Burstal, whom Sir B. Hall had requested to report on the sub-ject. This plan was placed in the hands of MIessrs. Simpsonand Blackwell, and Captain Galton; who, at the end of July,sent in a plan proposing an outfall at Sea Reach. On Novenm-ber 5th, the Mletropolitan Board directed their chairmani, secre-

tary, and engineer, to wait on Sir B. Hall in reference to theirlast plan, which had been rejected by him. They objected tothe scheme of the referees on three grounds:-1. That themain sewers near the outfall were not covered. With regardto this, Sir B. Hall stated it was quite desirable that the mainsewer should be covered. 2. That the outfall wfas extended toSea Reachl. The Chairman of the Board, however, acknow-ledged that this was the best place of outfall. 3. That the areaof drainage was extended beyond the metropolis. On this, SirB. Hall observed that, by the Act, it is declared that suchsewers shall be made as will not allow the sewage of the metro-polis to pass again into the metropolitan area; and what theBoard of Works contend for is, that when they have disposedlof the sewage of the metropolitan area, they are not bound tocarry away the sewage created out of the metropolitan area,

althotugh that sew-age would pass through their sewers into theThames again. This could never have been the truie meaningof the Act,

General CODRINGTON asked whetlher it were true that theFirst Commissionler would not sanction any outfall within SeaEteach?

Sir B. HALL was quite aw-are that such1 a report had beencirculated, but there was not one word of truth in it. Hewould be satisfied if the outfalls were made at the points indi-cated by Captain Burstal. Ile had felt it hiis duty to informthe Board that, if they attempted to carry out the outfall near

Erith, there were difficultes to be overcome; but, if the Boardweire prepared to meet these difficulties, lie would leave them tobe got over by the Board.

DR. LIVINGSTONE AND CENTRAL AFRICA.The CIIHACELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER stated that the Govern-

menit proposed to advance the suim of £5,000 from the civilcontingencies, to be able at once to furnish Dr. Livingstonewitlh meanis requisite for a voyage of discovery upon the RiverZanmbese. The repayment of the vote would be asked for inCommittee of Supply, on the re-meeting of Parliament.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACT AMENDMENT BILL.In reply to Mr. PALK-MrI. COWPER said that though this Bill was set down for a

second reading to-night, it was merely p-o fornu, and it wasnot his intention to ask the House to read the Bill a secondtime until after the recess.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, DEATHS, ANDAPPOINTMIENTS.

In thlese lists, an asterisk is prefixed to the names of Mlesnbers of theAssociation.

BIRTHS.HEWmTT. On December 10th, at 35, Hertford Street, May

Fair, the wife of Prescott G. Hewett, Esq., Assistant-Surgeonto St. George's Hospital, of a daughter.

LOBB. On December 9th, at 63, Gloucester Terrace, HydePark, the wife of Harry William Lobb, Esq. Surgeon, ofa son.

MUI-\Ro. On December 14th, at 10, Pembroke Road, Diiblin,the wife of Williaim MIunro, M.D., Surgeon 93rd Hilhilanders,of a daughter.

RLUGG. On December 6th, at Brighlton, the wife of *RichardRugg, Esq., Surgeon, of a daughter.

SIMPsoN. On Deceniber 9th, at Long, MKelford, Suffolk, thewife of *Edwin Simpson, Esq., Surgeon, of a son.

TEE\ AN. On December 12th, at 09, Westbourne Terrace, thewife of John Teevan, Esq., Surgeon, of a son.

TEr,RY. On December 14tih, at Northampton, tlle w^ife of *H.Terry, jun., Esq., Surgeon, of a daughter.

MARRIAGES.CARTE-'MCMAHON. CARTE, John Elliott, M.B., Surgeon 67th

Regimenit, to Harriet, eldest daughter of Thomas McMahon,Esq., of Upper Mount Street, Dublin, OD December 8th.

SIMIxMONDs-DAvIEs. SIMMONDs, G. W. D., Esq., PaymasterR.N., to Annie, fourth daughter of the late William Davies,M.D., at Auckland, New Zealand, on Augusit 27th.

WILLIAMS-HADDOCK. *WILLIAMS, John, Esq., Surgeon, ofTrosnant Lodge, Pontypool, to Sarah, second daughter ofthe late Thomas Haddock, Esq., of Hawthorne Cottage, nearCardiff, at Whitchurch, Shropshire, on December I(ith.

DEATHS.BARTRUM, Robert Henry, Esq., Assistant-Surgeon 3rd Oude

Trregular Infantry, at Lucknow, while serving with theleading column under General Havelock, aged 20, onl Sep-tember 26th.

4BEALES, John, Esq., Surgeon, of Halesworth, Suffolk, at 5,Old Quebec Street, Portman Square, aged 53, on Dec. 10th.

BERNARD. On December 9th, at Clifton, Marv, wife of RalphM. Bernard, Esq., Surgeon.

BLAII, David, MI.D., Surgeon-General of Demerara, lately.JOHNSTON, John, M.D., late of Old Burlingtoll Street, at Ascen-

sion, Paraguay, on October 9tlh.MAUL. On December 5th, at Southampton, M`ary Ann, widow

of the late Charles Maul, Esq., Surgeon, aged 80.

PASS LISTS.ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS. MEMBErtS admitted at the

meeting of the Court of Examiners, on Friday, December 11 th,1857:-

BAYLEY, Robert Luther, Eignbrook, HerefordBENTLEY, George, Halstead, EssexCROSBIE, Pierce Morris, Tralee, co. KerryEVE.RET, Wilton, StepneyGALLOWAY, James, Penrith, CumberlandMoiRRIs, Richard, AberystwvythSuIITH, William Henry, Claplham RoadSODEN, John, MIohill, co. LeitrimTHOMAS, Edward Wynne, Oswestry

APOTHECARIES' HALL. Members admitted on Thursday,DecemBber 10th, 1857:

BLACK, Walter Shaw, ChesterfieldBURN, Joseph, Kirton, near Boston

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I-(DEc. 19, 1857.MEDICAL NE WS.

DEC. 19, 1857.] MEDICAL NEWS. [BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL.

DixEY, Augustus Edward, ArnmyHILr., Mattlhew Berkeley, Stapleton, B3ristolInvim o, James, Long Bennington, LincolushlireWThLETT, James, Northwich

HEALTH OF LONDON:-WEEK ENDINGDECEMBER 12TIh, 1857.

rFro? the Begistrar-General's Report.]

'TiiE public health of the metropolitan districts appears to bereturniing to a more satisfactory condition. In time previousweek the deaths registered were 1428; in the week that endedon Saturday (December 12th), they fell to 1240. In the tenyears 1847-56, the average numiber of deaths in the weeks

corresponding with. last week was 1297. But as pouIllationhas increased, it is necessary for comparison that the averageshould be raised proportionally to the increase, in which caseit will become 1427. In consequence of the unusual preva-lence of influenza in the secon(d week of December 1847, thedeatlhs from all catuses rose to 2410; and if the average is cor-rected with reference to this circumstance, it will be found thatthe rate of mortality now prevailing differs not mnuclh fromthat which miiay be expected at this season, wheni no epidemicis present.

'The births of last week exceed the deaths in tlle same periodby 563.The deaths caused by diseases of the respiratory organs,

wlicli in the preceding week were 415, declined last week to3:36, vhich is still, however, a rather high mortality. Fatalcases of bronchitis declined in the two weeks from 242 to 185;those of pneumonia were 1)9 and 119; those of asthma, 20and 17. The deaths from phthisis (or consumption), wlichin tlle previous week were 168, were last week only 114, In-fluenza w^as probably more fatal than the tables indicate ; forthe cases returned uinder the specific designation in the twoweeks wvere espeetively only 22 and 19.

Scarlatina is at present more fatal tllan any otlher disease inthe zymotic class: it was fatal last nweek in 55 cases; four ofthese occurred in the sub-district of Lambeth Church (firstpart). Thirty-six children died of measles, and fourteen ofthese in the east districts. Of 47 deaths from hooping-cough,the greatest number (fifteen) occurred in the north districts,and so m-lainy as five of these in the Regent's Park sub-district,wlile onily five occtirred in the south districts. A man died ofcholera in Lamnbetlh, after four days illness. Two deatlhs arerecorded as the result of insufficient nourishment; while threepersons wvere the victims of intemperance. Seven persons hadlattained the age of 90 years or upwards: one of these was amiian ; the rest 'vere widow-s, tllree of wvhomil lhad leached theage of 94.

Last weelk the birtlhs of 961 boys and 842 giils, in all 1803children, were registered in London. In the ten correspondingweeks of the yea-s 1947-56), the average number was 1507.At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height of

the barometer in the week n-as 30.369 in. The mean dailybarometrical readinmg was above 30 in. on Satturday, tIme 5thinstant, and continued above that point during the wlnole oflast nveek. The highliest reading was 3057 in. at the end of theweek. The mean tem-lperature of the n-eek was 450, which is4-50 above the aver-sge of the same week in 43 years (as deter-mined by Mr. Glaisher). On Monday, the excess of mean

temperature above tlhe average was so great as 10-20. Thehighest temperature was 55.30, on Sunday (the 6th) ; thelowest n-as 35*.V, ancd occurred on Tuesday. The mean dailyrang,e of the week was 1080. On Saturlday, the range nwasonly 56-6. Thle m-ileani dew-point temiiperature was 43 30 andthe difference between this and the mean air temperature was1-70. Thie m-lean temperature of the water of the Tlhames was45.9°. The mean degeree of humidity of the air was 9:3, com-plete saturation being represented by 1()0. A dense foa pre-vailedl on Tuesday. The mean temperature of the air on thatday was 41-7 ; that of the Thamiies considerably higher, viz.,46-2". The wvind nwas in the south-west throughout the week.There was nio rain.

SERzIcEs OF SuRGEONNS IN TIHE SIEGE AND CAPTUIRE OFDELHI. General Sir A. WVilson, in Isis official report on thesiege anid captuire of Delhi, has the following gratifying obser-vations on the conduct of the medical officers of the forceun(ler his charge:-" AW'ith the medical arrangements of Super-intending Suiraeoni E. Tritton I lhave every reason to be satis-fied, and be is enititled to ny cordial acknowledgments. At

1057

suchl a trying season of the year, and in a notoriotisly unhealthylocality, the sickness and mortality have, of course, been heavy.In addition to those sufferings from disease, the lhospitals havereceived almost daily accessions of wvounded men. The la.bours, therefore, of the medical department have been uin.ceasina, notwithstanding there las not been at any time theslightest failure in the arrangements for the care and comfortof the very nutmerous patients. Among those medical officerswlhose ulrnwearied zeal and superior ability have come promi-nently before me, arc-Officiating Superintending Surgeon C.MI Kinnon, MT.D., who has been in the medical charge of the1st brigade Horse Artillery; Surgeon J. H. Kerr Ianes, 60thRoyal Rifles; Surgeon J. P. Brougham, 1st Fusileers; SurgeonE. Hare, of the 2d Fusileers; Assistant-Surgeors J. J. Clifford,M.D., of the 9th Lancers; and Assistant-Surgeon WV. F. Mac-tire, M.D., on the personal staff of the late Commander-in:Chief. Credit is also due to Surgeon D. Scott, M.D., luedicalstorelkeeper."

HYGIEN1>E OF EUROPIE.AN TROOPS IN INDIA.TIIE following- is an abridgmenit of suggestions drauni up b-Dr. James Harrison, Surgeoni H.E.I.C.S., and approved by SirColin Campbell:-Wlhen practicable, thie best time for marching is undoubtedly

in the early morning. The marlch slhoull be finishecl b twolhours after suiniise. The custom of serving out a dram onthe linie of marelh should be avoided; but as it is injurious toundergo fatigue after a niglt's rest uponl an empty stomach,food of some kind should be given to soldiers either beforestartinig or at the first lhalt. The neck should be bare, to allowof the free return of blood from the head. A flannel rollerround the belly and loins is all the woollen material required.All otlher superfluous articles of clothing should be dispensedwith. In cold weather a flannel shirt, cloth coat, etc., shouldbe worn, in accordance with the temperature. Every soldierslhoul(d be impressed with the danger of exposing the head,uincovered, to the direct rays of the sun. A light, cool, andcomnfortable cap, wlich at the same time allows of evaporationfrom the surface of the head and shades the eyes, temples,an(d back of the neck, should be provided. The men shouldbe instructed never to throw this off; and they should be told,on the first symptoma-s of giddiness, fluslhing of the face, fellnessof blood in the head, or dimness of vision, to pour cold waterover the head, and to keep it wet (with the cap on) for somelhours. Strict adherence to these instructions would preventthe large majority of cases of couip de soleil. No soldier shouldbe allowed to remain in wet clothes longer than can be avoided.While in exercise no danger results; but, from lying down indamp clothes, fever, dysentery, or disease of the liver inevitablyensue. Wheni in tents, the walls on the shady side should bethrown down, and the air be allowed to circulate freely. Atnight, unless the weather is very cold, the wall oni two sidles ofev ery tent should be rem-soved. More harm is caused by therespiration of contaminated, close, and impure air than is everbrought about by exposuire to the night wind. Soldiers shouldbe miade to batlhe at least three times a week in cold water.This operation should always be performed upon an emptystomach, and the morning before breakfast is the best time.It is not safe to batlhe wlhen the body is nmuch heated, if at thesame time it is fatigued. Hence, on the march, the evening,about four hours after dinner, would be an appropriate timie.The skin should be thorouglhly dried and rubbed.

Experience proves that the same amount of animalfood is not required in a hot clilmiate to preserve health andstrength as in a cold one. A large anmount of animal food,instead of giving strength, heats the blood, renders the systemfeverish, and consequently weakens the whole body. TheRihjpluts of Rajphthna, arid the Sik-hs of the Punjab, are ply-sically as strong as Europeans, and they are capable of endur.ing more fatigue, and withstanding better the vicissitudes of theclimate of India. This is due, partly to race, but chiefly to thenature of their food, of wlich the staple is wheaten flour, madeinto clapaltis. They eat buit twice a day; anid, althougIh theypartake of animal food, they do so in very much less proportionthani is the habit in Europe. Tlhe best food for a soldier is thatwllich the couintry freely produces, and whiclh is nutritious anddigestible, and at the same time palatable. The large quiantityof pork indulged in by soldiers is most injurious. Hermieticallysealed, preserved, or salted provisions are noxious, if partakenof for a prolonged period, or to the exclusion of fresh food.Bread, when tolerably well made, is one of the best articles ofdiet. Biscuits are not so digestible, but are easily carried, and are

.DEC. 19, 1857.] MEDICAL NEWlS. [BRITTSH MEDICAL JOUItNAL.

BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL.] MEDICAL NEWS. [DEC. 19, 1857.

always ready. In the absence of these, flour (et(a) can alwaYsbe procured, and chaplitis (a thin unleavened cake) are easilymade, are highly nutritious, and are perfectly digestible wheneaten fresh and hot. When cold and toagh, they are unwhole-some. Chpldtis can be, baked in anjy quantity on iron platesmade for the purpose; and every European should learn (whichhe can easily do from any native) how to knead and preparethem. Flour can be got from every village, antld with it n1oEuropean tletachment need ever be without " the staff of life".Rice and dalI can also be had anywhere. These, boiled sepa-rately, and afterwards mixed together, make, with the additionof salt and pcpper, a wholesome and nutritious foodl, vellsuitedi for breakfast. Beef is the meat usually furnished toregiments. The lean commissariat kine do niot pronmise much,hut it is difficult to procure other meat in sufficient quantity.Slow bHoiling for two hours will make any mneat tender, and thewater in which it is boiled makes excellent soup. The additionof whatever vegetables are to be had, of a few slices of saltedpo-k or bacon, two or three handfuls of flour, some onions, andsalt, aiid peppier, makes a savoury miess. Rlice, boiled in aseparate vessel, and afterwards mixed up with the soup, meat,etc., adds to the quantity and quality of the meal, which iswholesome, nutritious, and palatable. Mutton and fowls mayoccastonally be laid as a change; and in the neighbourhood oflarge rivers fish makes an useful v'arietv. Alilk is an invaluablearticle of diet. AVegetables are essential to the preservation ofhealth. hI cold weathe-. inquiry will piroe that in the neigh-bourlbood of nearly every halting place there are fields ofcarrots, turnips, onions, and of many native vegetables.Soldiers should be strictly warnMd never to eat uncooked orraw vegetables. I1-uit, when sound and ripe, is beneficial.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

POSTAGt. OF1\MAN'kUSCRIPT AND PRlINTED MIATTER.Any ansollut of niaesuscript or printed matter, singly or together, provided

it contains nottbing in the form of a letter, is transmitted thlrough the post,in packets open, at thre ends, at the foltowing rates: not exceeding 4 ounces,one penny; above 4 and not exceeding 8 ounces, twopence; above 8 ouncesand not exceeding 1 pound, fourpence; for every additional half-pound orunder, twopence.To CONTRIBUTORS. The Editor would feel glad if Members of the Asso-

ciation and others, would cooperate with him in establishing as a rule, thatin future no paper for publication shall exceed two pages of the Journal inlength. If the writers of long communications kisew as well as the Editord-es, that lengthy papers alway8 deter the reader from commencing them,this great evil would neter arise. Brevity is the soul of medical writing-still more than of wit.ANONYMIOUS CORnRESPONDENTS should always enclose their names to the

Editor; not for publication, but in token. of good faith. No attention can bepaid to communications not thus authenticated,NO ICE.-Dn. WYNrER will feel obliged if the Associates will address

alt lost Office Orders in payment of Subscriptions, to the Publisher,Mr. THOMAS JOHN IHONEYMAN, 37, Great Qlueen Street, Lincoln's InnFields, London, \V. C., " Bloomsbury Branch"; and lie would also feelobliged by their sending all communications respecting the lion-receipt ofthe Journal, to the same address; as both these matters are out of theprovince of the Editor.Members should remember that corrections for the curresit week's JOURNSAL

should not arrive later than Wednesday.ADMISSION 01"' EMBEIlS AND) PAYNIENT OF SUBSCr1IPTIONS.The General Secretary of the liritisli Aledieal Association begs to call the

attention of Associates to the Laws regardting the ADNISSION OF M1EMOBEstS,and the PAYMENT of their SUBSCRIPTIONS."'Admission of Mneibers. Any qualiied AMedical Practitioner, not disquali

fied by any bye-law, who shall be recoinsmended as eligible by aily THREEMembers, sball be admitted a Member at any time by the Committee otCouncil, or by the Council of any lBranch."

"Ssbscriptions. The Subscription to the Association shall be One Guineaannually; and each Member, on paying his subscription, shall be entitled toreceive the publications of the Association of the current year. 'dhe sub-scriptions shall date from the 1st January in each yeas, asud shall be CoIsi-dered as due unless notice of withdrawal be giveis in writing to the Secretaryen or before the 25th of December previous."Either of the following modes of paymettt may be adopted:-1. l'ayment by Post-Office Order to the Treasurer (Sir C. Hastings, M.D.,

Worcester), or to the undersined.2. laymnent to the Secretary of tite Branch to which the Member belongs.3. Islemnbers residing in tue Metropolis astd vicinity can snake their pay-

titents tlsroutgh the Publisher of the BRsITIs1u MEDICAL JOURNAL, Air.'fThosimas John HIoneynanst, 37 Great Queen Street, Lisicolit's Inst i'ields,W. C.

l'ltIIIP I. WItLLIAMIS, Genersl Secretary.

Communications hare been receired frost: - R. Tullons1ASOT'TftAMr;Da. ]:. U. WVEsr; MnR. JA1lES Dui.Yav; Mlr. WV. IT. M1sCHAEs; Ma. A. ''. IT.WATERS; a.1'. WVILLIAIIS; I)R. It. ITANNOTTE VERN(N; lir.. C. ICANDFIELD,TONES; l)si. LIrTLETON: AIR. STONE; MR. II. I1. LEACH; Mn. 14. WALTON;M"Un. T. HOLMES; AM. 'V. GARSTANGS; DB. T1ioMAs INMAN; AIR. J. S.('AMGEE; AIR. It. 'ERCnY; A [IAN-CIEST'R STUDENNT; Dr. B. MACKINDER;d)n. AVtr. 'MACtKsNZIE; ItR. G. tGODnARDn RoGERs; 1)R. JACK;SON; MR.SouTstAM; ])r. ltAcL.o-GItLIt-; 3rr. J. 11. hlisotlirox 'ITtE HtONOtslttrSECtRE.TARaY OFrIuSPITAt. s' -I; ttILttaEN Dl:. PALsEEr; and Ma. W.WVAIIERP.

BOOKS R'ECEIVED.[* An Asterisk is prefixed to the names of Members of the Association.1

1. The Enlarged Prostate, its Patholo-y and Treatment; vitlh Observatioi son the Rlelation of this (omplaint to Stone in the Mladder. ly*ITeiury Thompson, F.11 C.S., A1.13. London: Churchill. 1858

2. St. Luke's Hospital for lunatics. Report for the Year li.56. LondonTeape & Son. 1857.

ADVERTISEMENTS.

Jm4t Published, 1 vcl. svo, cloth, Gs.

John Scott on the Treatment ofDISEASES of the JOINTS: nld of ULCEIJIS and CH 1RONIC T.'-

TJI.M[M.1ATIo.N;. A New Edition with an introduction, and a Chapter onthe Constitutional Origin anil TreRtmeiit of I)iseases of the Joints.

]B WILLIAM hE1IvNRY SAIITH, F.R.C.S.LONOM-iANN & Co., Paternoster I'ow.

Q U E N'S CO IT.LE G E', 13 IRM.lIN G 11AM.Just ptbliscld, price Sixpence, sent by post for Seven. Stamps,

Statement of the Professors andother lDocuments relating tothe ELECTION OF AIR. GAMGE E to

the Office of Surgeon to the Queen's Hoopital. SMITH (P SON, Union. Street,-& Central Railway Station, Birmingham. LEWIS, Upper Gower St., London.

T HlE SURGICAL E Or C H.Also just published, price One Shillinlg. by post for Thirteen Stamps,r. J. Samipson Garngee's Intro-

YLECTORYLCTUtEE on CLIN-ICAl. SUGitERY in the QUEEN'J'SCOLLEG E1, Birmingham. lir ACKIE & SON., UTpper Temple Street, Birming-ham. & Warwick Sq., E. C. London; also LEwis, Upper Gower St., London.

[EaSTAnLisHED 1841.]

Medical, Invalid and General LifeOFFICE, 25, PALL MAIL, LONDON.

Eanpowrered by Special Act of Parliameut.By the Annnal Report of 1853, it appeared that the numnber of Policies

thenr in force was 3134, insuring £1,337,500, and yielding an income of£55,207.At the SIXTEEN-TH ANNUAL MEETILNG, held on the 20th November,

1857, it was shown that on the 30th June last,-The Number of Policies in force was ..................6,255The Amount Insured was ..............a.,£2,917,598: 13: 10The Annual Income was ..................£125,113 : 3 : 8

Two Bonuses have been declared (in 1848 and 1853) adding nearly 2 percent. per annuim on the average to sunts Assured, ald by which a Policy of£1,000, issued in 1842 on a healthy life, is now increased to £1,260.

Protits divided every five years-next division in 1858. 0Tlhe Society since its establishment has paid claims on 776 Policies

assuring £312,884.Assurances are effected at home or abroad on healthy lives at as moderate

rates as the rost recent data will allow.Indian Assurances at very moderate rates, and great facilities given to

assurers.Invalid Lives Assured on scientifically constructed tables.Policies issued free of stamp-duty and every charge but the premiums.Medical meia are paid a guinea for each report, and receive the same

advantages as Solicitors for any business they may introduce.Actire wrorkbiag .4Agenta iraltedfor vacant places.Pcospectuses, Forms of Proposals, andi erery other infoeraation, may be

obtained of the Secretary at thle Chief Office, or on applicatiou to anly of thleSociety's Ageunts in the Country.

C. DOUGLAS SINGER, Secretary.

Medical Agency .-Messrs.Mair, Songand STEEL, Clerical ali)d Sclholastic Agents, beg to infoiirm the

Medical P'rofessiona, that on and after the first of Jaisuary next they will, inthe spacious premises recelitly erected for them, carry o01 the business ofMEDICAl. AGENTS. This Departmuent will be perfectly distinct, andenider the maliagement of a Medical Alan. 'MAIR, SoN,and STEEL, are nowprepared to receive applications from Genitlemien, wishing to effect the Sale,.Purchase, or Exchange of Medical Practices, or the arrangement of Part-verships; also from those requiring Assistaats, sld from Assistants seek-ilig Engagements. No charge will be made to gentlemen applying forAssistants.

].ists of Practices for Sale, of Practices soupght. of vacant Engagements,and of Engagements required, etc., will be published regularly in theAMONTrHLY REGISTER, which will be nlearly as extensively circulatedalliong the Mledical, as it has been for maI y years among the Clerical andScholastie P'rofessions.OFFICES, (Established 1833) 34, Redford Street, and 22, Benrietta

Street, Strand, removing from 7, Tavistock Row, Covent Garden, wherefcommulnicatiolns are to be addressed uiitil the esld of the year.

D iabetes.-Bran Biscuits from thepreseriptiol of Mr. Camnplin, Surgeon (see 3cld. Chic. Tralus., 1855)

and strongly recommnnielded by iliislv elmlinenlt hlysicianis alid Surgenlis, areprepared by T. SMIN'TH, Biscluit Baker, etc., Gower Street North, EustonSquare, LonIdonI. T. S. supplies thern to the Uniiversity, King a College,Middlesex, St. George's, Northampton, 13ath, and other Hospitals, besidesmany private individuals in Great Britain and abroad.These Biscuits wvill keep good malnl inolnths. Price Is. per lb.I. S. also supplies the 13RAN POWVDER prepared for dolnestic use.

1058