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’victims to it and 20,097 in the following year. In 1893 itwas introduced again and for the last time. In that year135 deaths were referred to cholera, but not one death was.attributed to it in 1894. Without endeavouring to appraisewith accuracy what this country owes to the expenditureincurred for sanitary purposes during the period when wewere exposed to the test of the late European choleraepidemic, Dr. Thorne Thorne concludes this part of his

report with the remark : "I I have no hesitation in assertingthat the exceptional expenditure incurred in this countryduring 1893-95, whether by the Central Government or bylocal authorities, was one which, even from the financialpoint of view, must be classed as reproductive."

INTERIM REPORT OF THE DEPART-MENTAL COMMITTEE ON DANGEROUS

TRADES.

AN interim report of this committee, appointed by Mr..Asquith and reappointed in January last by Sir MatthewWhite Ridley, has recently been issued. The committeeconsists of Mr. H. J. Tennant, M.P. (chairman), Mrs. H. J.Tennant (née Miss May Abraham), Mr. Thomas Oliver,M.D. Glasg., F.R.C.P. Lond., and Commander Hamilton

’Smith, one of Her Majesty’s inspectors of factories (sec-.retary).

The doings of this valuable committee have up to the

present been unavoidably incomplete, for certain additionshave been from time to time made to its agenda which insome cases necessitate going over the same ground twice.The present report deals with the following dangerous trades:(1) bronzing in lithographic works; (2) paper-staining,colouring, and enamelling; (3) the use of steam loco-motives in factories; (4) indiarubber works; (5) the useof inflammable or spirit paints ; (6) dry-cleaning; and- (7) the manufacture, filling, corking, &c., of mineral waters.In pursuance of its investigations the committee has visited134 works and examined 153 persons. The request ofCommander Hamilton Smith for fresh persons to volunteerevidence (published in THE LANCET of Jan. 18th, 1896) hasit appears been effective in gathering information.With regard to bronzing in the lithographic trade, a pro-

cess necessitated by the great demand for illuminated showcards, birthday cards, and the like, much that is instructive,if painful, may be gathered from the report. It seems thatin this process while dabbing the metallic powder on to thesized surface of the card the operatives become coveredwith fine glittering dust. Their eyes, noses, mouths, andhair lodge quantities of it, and when it is considered that thissharp angular powder consists of copper and zinc with, onthe average, 0’12 per cent. of metallic arsenic the onlywonder is that the trade has not hitherto been reckonedan even more dangerous one. ’’ No specific disease," weare told, I is traceable to bronzing as an occupation. Thecommittee have, however, seen girls, women, and boysliterally covered with this dust, who admit that it gets downtheir neck and under their clothes, that it irritates the skin,that they suffer from headache, constipation, bad taste inthe mouth, loss of appetite, extreme drowsiness, lethargy,anaemia, skin eruption, respiratory catarrh, and generalmalaise." Mr. Archibald Newland, one of Her Majesty’sinspectors, states that he has found several cases of slightbut distinct copper-poisoning among operatives in this trade.One instance in particular he relates in which a Glasgow’’ hand suffering from eruptions from this cause was refusedpermission by the manager to wear a respirator on theground that he (the manager) considered the bronze dustquite innocuous.The recommendations of the committee seem admirable.

Overalls should be worn of such a colour as to show the dustand these should be washed once a week ; washable and

frequently changed respirators should be worn ; no foodshould be eaten in the workrooms; personal cleanliness shouldbe enforced ; half a pint of milk should be supplied to each operative twice daily, at 11 A.M. and 4.30 P.J’lI. Further, Iall " hands " should be examined by the certifying surgeon once a month.

The great danger of the paper-staining trade lies in thelack of proper ventilation, for the temperature of the work-rooms is necessarily high. This, added to the dust gene-rated in the processes of

" I flockid g and" mica dusting "-in which latter process large quantities of finely dividedsilicate of magnesium enter the air passages-rendersthis trade most unhealthy, especially to young persons.The recommendations of the committee are muchthe same in this case as in bronzing, with the addi.tional recommendation of artificial ventilation by means offans or otherwise. In the indiarubber trade, especially in thematter of making waterproof clothing, &c., the chief dangerlies in the inhalation of the vapour of naphtha, in whichmedium the indiarubber is dissolved, and in the noxiousfumes of carbon bisulphide, so largely used in the process of"vulcanising"; the inhalation of naphtha vapour, even whenlargely diluted, is alleged to produce dizziness and nausea,although, according to Dr. Arlidge, it does not give rise toany definite disease. The committee considers that it un.doubtedly tends to undermine the constitution. Carbonbisulphide, according to the evidence of Mr. Rogers, pro.duces " violent headaches, dizziness, and sick-vomiting, andin some persons peripheral neuritis is set up." The dangersof volatile or spirit paints, used on account of their quick-drying properties, and of the processes of dry cleaning(mettoyccge it see) chiefly arise from the volatile natureof the benzine compounds used as solvents. Not only isthere great danger of fire in both of these trades, but thevapours generated frequently cause dizziness and even in.sensibility. In the case of inflammable paint the committeerecommends that none shall be used the "flash point" ofwhich, by Abel’s apparatus, is lower than 100° F.In the aerated water trade accidents caused by the

bursting of bottles during or after the process of fillingare frequent. Gauntlets and the careful netting-in of themachines are the remedies suggested by the committee,The practice of licking labels has not been exhaustively dealtwith in this report, as the matter is to receive fuller attentionwhen the labeling of cotton reels comes under consideration.The appendix to the report contains some interesting

figures with regard to the diseases prevalent in the india-rubber trade, and a report by Dr. Dupre on various kinds ofrespirators. The unsatisfactory nature of his conclusions inthis matter opens a large field for the ingenuity of inventors,

" No form of respirator," says his report, " has yet beendesigned to combine lightness, coolness, and ease. On thecontrary, its presence makes him [the wearer] breathe faster,get hotter, and perspire more freely."

" WHAT IS HYPNOTISM? "

A MEETING of the Society for Psychical Research was heldat the Westminster Town Hall on July 10th, whose pro’ceedings are worthy of report. Professor William Crookes,F.R.S., the President of the society, was in in the chair.

Dr. J. Milne Bramwell read a paper entitled What isHypnotism? " He commenced by giving a short account ofthe mesmerists and the controversy between them and JamesBraid. According to the former, mesmerism was a physicalpower possessed not only by man but also by magnets andother inanimate objects ; according to the latter, the

phenomena were purely subjective and resulted from changesin the nervous system, not of the operator, but of the subject.At first Braid’s explanation of the phenomena was a purelyphysical one, and since his day various attempts have beenmade to explain hypnosis from the same standpoint.Dr. Bramwell gave an account of three of these: 1. The

Salpêtrière theory, which explained hypnotic phenomenaby the assumption of a morbid nervous condition. Thisposition has been rendered untenable, since very extendedstatistics have shown that 95 per cent. of mankind at largecan be hypnotised and that the most difficult to influence arethe hysterical and ill-balanced. Many of the errors of themesmerists in reference to metals and magnets have beenrevived by this school and apparently from the same cause-viz., failure to recognise the influence of mental impressionsduring physical experiments. 2. Heidenhain’s theory,which explains the phenomena by a cerebral inhibition,and entirely depends upon the assumption that hypnoticacts are performed unconsciously. The experimental

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demons’-ration of the conscious nature of hypnotic actsrobs thi. theory of all value. 3. The theory of Mr. Hart,which explains the phenomena by means of cerebralanemia. There are two fatal objections to this view :

(1) it has been experimentally proved that cerebral anæmiais absent during hypnosis ; and (2) changes in the blood-supply of the brain are not the cause, but the result, ofchanges in the activity of the nervous matter. Braid’s latertheories exphined the phenomena entirely from a psychicalstandpoint. He considered the condition essentially one ofmono-ideism. This view was adopted by Professor John

Hughes Bennett in 1851 and explained physiologically by theassumption of a functional disturbance in the" fibres ofassociation," with resulting suspension of the connexionbetween the ganglion cells of the cerebral cortex. Psycho-logically he explained it by " dominant ideas." A suggestedidea acquired undue prominence because, owing to the dis-connexion between the cerebral ganglion cells, it was un-attended by its usual swarm of subsidiary ideas and lackedtheir controlling influence. The genesis of ideas was notinterfered with, only their voluntary synthesis. At a

much later date this psychological explanation was

adopted by Professor Bernheim. His views differ, however,from those of Braid and Bennett in one important point. Thelatter pre-supposed a definite change in the nervous system asessential for the production of hypnotic phenomena, theformer thinks that the only difference between the hyp-notised and the normal subject consists in the increasedsuggestibility of the former and finds in " suggestion " anexplanation of all hypnotic phenomena. Hypnotic pheno-mena, however, differ frequently in kind as well as in

degree from those of the normal state, and the subjects whoare most suggestible in hypnosis are generally those who hadconstantly resisted suggestion in the normal condition.Dr. Bramwell referred at length to Professor Bernheim’sview that crime could be successfully suggested to the

hypnotised subject, and pointed out that this belief restedupon laboratory experiment and the assumption that the

subject was passing through a mental condition similarto that of the operator. A simple and important testhad been omitted-namely, that of questioning the sub-

ject in hypnosis as to his own mental state. Whenthis was done it was invariably found that the subjectfully recognised the imaginary and experimental natureof the suggested crime. Dr. Bramwell held that neitherthe intelligence n"r the volition was necessarily inter-fered with in hypnosis and that the subjects, instead of

being ready to commit crimes, in reality developed increasedmoral sensitiveness. Dr. Bramwell pointed out that thereexisted a powerful argument against the explanation of

hypnosis by means of mono-ideism or dominant ideas-namely, that a wide range of different phenomena could besimultaneously manifested by the hypnotised subject. Themost recent explanation of hypnotism-and apparently themost satiafactory-was to be found in the supposed tappingof some sub-conscious state and the evoking of a secondarypersonality. According to this view, the hypnotised subject,instead of being a stunted and maimed normal individual,in reality possessed far-reaching powers over his own

organism which were not paralleled in the waking state.The researches of Azam and others have demonstrated theexistence of alternating personalities without the interventionof hypnosis, while recent hypnotic observations not only showthe existence of the alternating personalities but demonstratealso that they co exist and communicate with each other.Before this theory can be accepted as a complete explana-tion of hypnotic phenomena an answer must be givento two questions : (1) What is the connexion between hypnotic methods and the production of the sub-consciousstate’ and (2) How did the secondary personality acquireits rich physical and mental endowments ? To the firstquestion, according to Dr. Bramwell, nothing approachinga satisfactory reply has yet been given. An attempt hadbeen made to explain the latter by the assumption that thesecondary personality was able to voluntarily control func-tions which in some lower ancestral form had been performedconscioasly, but were now, as the result of development,performed automatically. Dr. Bramwell pointed out thatthere were many objections to this explanation, chieflyin regard to the intellectual phenomena of hypnosis. Theincreased intelligence and higher refinement of the hypno-tised subject could hardly be explained by the assumptionthat the lost powers of some lower animal type had beenevoked

IRISH MEDICAL SCHOOLS’ ANDGRADUATES’ ASSOCIATION.

THE annual summer meeting of the above associationwas held at the Town Hall, Carlisle, on Wednesday,July 29th, Dr. Richard Heath of St. Leonard’s, vice-presidentof the association, being in the chair. A letter of regret from.Sir Richard Quain, Bart., President, stating his inability tobe present, was read by the secretary.The Chairman proposed and Sir Charles Cameron

seconded : "That the hearty congratulations of the Associa-tion be conveyed to Sir William MacCormac on his electionas President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England."’The resolution was passed with acclamation.The Chairman next called on the honorary provincial

secretary to make a statement as to what had been donesince the last summer meeting in reference to the removal ofhospital disabilities. The secretary, Mr. J. Stewart, stated,that the Council had received and been much encouraged bypromises of support from several influential quarters. A

long discussion followed, and it was proposed by Sir Charles,Cameron and carried unanimously: ’’ That this meetingheartily approves of the resolution of the Council to proceedas soon as possible to obtain the repeal of the rule whichprevents Irish diplomates from becoming candidates forhonorary hospital appointments in England."The Chairman riminded the meeting that the members of

the profession in England and Wales would shortly be calledon to give their votes for direct representatives on theGeneral Medical Council, and that on the last occasion theassociation gave its support to two of its members-Sir-Walter Foster and Dr. Dolan. He understood that theformer would not be a candidate at the coming election, butthat a life member of the association would be in the field aswell as Dr. Dolan. He therefore proposed, and Mr. Somer-ville Johnston seconded, the following resolution : " Thatthe members of the Irish Medical Schools’ and Graduates"Association be invited to support by their votes at thecoming election for direct representatives on the General-Medical Council Dr. Dolan, J.P. (Halifax), and Dr. Rentoul,(Liverpool)." The resolution was supported by Sir CharlesCameron and carried unanimously.The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the

Chairman.

THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANSOF LONDON.

THE ordinary comitia of the Fellows was held on,

June 30th, Dr. S. WILKS, President, being in the chair.At the commencement of the proceedings the PRESIDENT

referred in feeling terms to the great loss sustained by theCollege in the death of Sir J. Russell Reynolds, and by anunanimous vote he was authorised to convey to LadyReynolds the condolence and sympathy of the College in herbereavement.The PRESIDENT announced that Dr. Govvers would deliver

the Bradshaw Lecture on Nov. 5th.The following gentlemen were admitted to the member-

ship of the College: Walter Broadbent, M.A., M.B. Camb.Samuel Haslett Browne, C.LE., M.D. Q. LT.L; WilliamRonaldson Clark, M.B. Aberd.; Wilfred John Harris, B.A.,M,h. Camb.; Guthrie Rankin, M.D. Glasg.; Daniel McClure-Ross, M.D. Durh.; and George Frederic Still, M.A., M.D.

, Camb.Licences were granted to 151 gentlemen who had passed

the recent examinations, and diplomas in public health to-! fifteen candidates.

Attention was drawn by the Censors’ Board to the publica-tion of a confidental document which had been circulatedamong the Fellows, and a recommendation of the board onthe subject was unanimously carried.Communications were read from the Secretary to the Royal

: College of Surgeons of England communicating the pro-. ceedings of its Council.

A communication was read from the University of DurhamCollege of Medicine enclosing a joint communication fromthe Deans of certain medical schools asking the Conjoint