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Permanganate of Potassium and Snake-bite.The lancet or permanganate of potassium treatment is

generally accepted nowadays as the best of many remediesfor snake-bite. The annual report of the Sanitary Com-missioner of the United Provinces mentions the case of a sub-

inspector of police who was bitten by a large cobra on thehand. A friend slit up the wound and rubbed in the per-manganate of potassium crystals, and the man declared thathe undoubtedly owed his life to the prompt action taken."

Plague in the United Provinces.Some interesting statistics concerning plague are given in

the latest report of the Sanitary Commissioner of the UnitedProvinces. The mortality from plague in 1907-08 reachedthe high figure of 328,862 deaths, a total not far short ofthat recorded in the bad plague year of 1905. Almora hadthe distinction of being the only district which did not returna single death from this cause, but Jalaun, Banda, Jhansi,Naini Tal, Hamirpur, and Garhwal were also practicallyfree from the disease. Muzaffarnagar, on the other hand,reported no less than 48,859 deaths and a death-rate of55-70. Only 14 towns out of 106 with a population of10,000 and upwards were entirely immune, Gangoh (Sahar-anpur) having the highest death-rate (112 ’ 63) and Kairana(Muzaffarnagar) the next (110-65). The report states that

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the greatest impetus was given to inoculation during theyear, great facilities being afforded to anyone who soughtthis form of protection. The result was that 34,169 personswere inoculated, against 1846 in 1906. Only eight persons arereported to have died from plague after inoculation, four inMoradabad, two in Bareilly, and one each in the Meerut andAllahabad districts. The four persons at Moradabad wereinoculated, it appears, only three or four days before deathand were " probably in the inoculation stage of disease."Sept. 2nd.

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AUSTRALIA.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Melbourne Hospital.THE sixty-first annual report of this institution is satis-

factory, the expenditure only exceeding the income for 1907by R336. The total number of patients treated was 26,558,including 5333 in-patients. 136 cases of consumption and168 of cancer were treated during the year. The committeedrew attention to the fact that a large proportion of theconsumptives were in very advanced stages and the mortalitywas very excessive. They were undesirable cases in a generalhospital and it was hoped that some other provision would bemade for them. There are at present 262 beds for consump-tives provided by the Government in various institutions.This provision is quite inadequate. A return presented tothe committee showed that the number of in-patients con-tributing to their maintenance for the year ending June 30th,1908, was’as follows: Contributed nothing, 4270; contributedup to 2s. 6d. per week, 153 ; contributed up to 5s. per week,320 ; contributed up to 7s. 6d. per week, 57 ; contributed upto 10s. per week, 236 ; contributed up to 15s. per week,55 ; contributed up to 20s. per week, 172 ; contributed upto 25s. per week, 3 ; and contributed up to 30s. per week, 53.No difference is made in the treatment of those who con-tribute and others. Complaint was recently made at the Alyned Hospital that patients in the paying wards wereallowed certain privileges. The secretary has replied thatthe only difference made in their favour was permission tosee visitors every day. This has now been abolished.

Railway Dasaster.After a protracted inquiry the coroner’s jury returned a

verdict of manslaughter against the engine-drivers of the twoengines on the Bendigo express which collided with a station-ary train on Easter Monday. A similar verdict was returnedagainst the station master at Braybrook Junction where theaccident occurred. Particulars of injuries are now available.413 claims were lodged, 301 of these being by passengers inthe stationary train and 108 from passengers by the express.Four were made by persons standing on the station platform.The claims have been carefully classified and all theclaimants examined on behalf of the railway department.The list works out as follows. From shock only, 38 per cent. ;

bodily injuries, pains, &c., 14 per cent. ; insomnia, nervous-ness, headache, &c., 13 per cent. ; spinal injury, 12 per cent. ;fractures, 9 per cent. ; cuts, bruises, abrasions, 9 per cent. ;injuries to head, 4 per cent. ; and internal injuries, 1 percent. 44 persons were killed on the spot or succumbedwithin a few days. It is estimated that the accident willcost the Victorian Government .6250,000.

Proposed Home for Consumptives.Dr. R. H. J. Fetherston, the health officer of the city of

Prahran, a southern industrial suburb of Melbourne. has urgedhis council to provide a home for advanced cases of consump-tion amongst the really destitute. The council applied for ablock of land for the purpose but local opposition was sostrong that the request was refused, notwithstanding that itwas supported by Dr. W. P. Norris, the chairman of theBoard of Public Health. The opposition was based on thewell-known grounds of danger of infection.

Prevention of Consumption.An important conference of metropolitan municipalities

was held in the Collingwood town hall (Melbourne) onJune 29th. Upwards of 750 delegates attended, the objectbeing an effort by the Collingwood council to initiate jointaction for the provision of accommodation for advancedcases of tuberculosis. Councillor Rain moved :-That in the opinion of this conference assembled from the Melbourne

and metropolitan municipalities it is necessary that united action shouldbe taken to deal with the scourge of tuberculosis, and that we proceedto discuss the question and to take the best means to act accordingly.An animated discussion followed in which various difficultieswere pointed out, and ultimately it was decided to meet

again and, in company with the medical officers of health, todevise a plan of campaign. Dr. Norris, chairman of theBoard of Public Health, said there were living in Melbourneyear in and year out about 2500 consumptives and of theseabout 2000 needed some public assistance. In the lastfew years the mortality from consumption had fallen inMelbourne from 1000 to 600. It might be that 500 advancedcases required beds, and allowing six months for each itwould be necessary to provide 250 beds. Sydney had 300beds for advanced consumptives, and £10,000 or £15,000 werebeing spent on a new institution. Notification already inforce would be the first step towards securing accommodationat an invalid home or a sanatorium.

Tuberculous Cons.The Perth Central Board of Health has been actively

engaged in a crusade against infected milch cows. The

department resolved to apply the tuberculin test to dairyherds in the metropolitan area, and a veterinary officercarried out the task. The result has exceeded all expecta-tions. In one dairy 20 out of 726 cows were destroyed, andin another five out of eight were declared unfit to supplymilk for human consumption. Altogether in four dairies 41cows were ordered for destruction. One of the ownersaffected remarked, ., Experts admit that tuberculosis existsin a mild form in most cattle and that the application of thetest has the inevitable effect of increasing the temperature.The milk, however, is not affected, and if the Health Depart-ment continues its policy of destruction the milk-supply ofthe metropolis will be seriously threatened."

The Adulteration of Food.An interesting return has been prepared by the Victorian

Board of Public Health of the analyses made under the PureFoods Act during the past two years. In 1906 983 sampleswere examined and adulteration was found in 245, the bulkof this being accounted for by samples of adulterated milk.In 1907 the number of examinations rose to 2663, and ofthese 358 were regarded as below. the standards. Milk againcontributed most largely to this total. According to thisreturn there is no very appreciable amount of adulterationin the articles analysed, which covered most of the ordinarydaily foodstuffs.

Charitable Bequest.Under the will of the late Mr. Felton an annual sum is

distributed to charitable institutions. The awards for 1908have just been made, the total sum available being £3700.Mr. Felton was the senior partner of Felton, Grimwade, andCo., a well-known firm of wholesale and manufacturingchemists.

Epidemic of Poliomyelitis Acuta.An epidemic of acute poliomyelitis has been noted during

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the last two or three months in Melbourne. Upwards of 40- cases are known to have occurred. Dr. Douglas Stephens ismaking a special investigation of the subject and his con-clusions will be put before the Medical Congress in Octobernext.

Juvenile Depravity.A somewhat remarkable case of moral perversion is

xeported from Tasmania. Two children, aged eight and twoand a half years respectively, were sent out in each other’scompany. The elder boy returned alone and stated that hislittle brother had been " taken by a hyena into the bush."On being pressed he varied his story by saying that the childhad been riding on his back and fell off. Finally, the bodyof the younger child was found hidden in a hole, with ex-tensive fracture of the skull. The elder boy then confessedthat he had got tired of carrying his small brother and hadhit him on the head with a log of wood and hidden the bodywhere it was found.

Pure Milk.

A deputation of medical men recently waited on thePremier of Victoria to ask for his support in the formation of.an institution for the supply of pure milk to infants. The

’speakers were Mr. G. A. Syme, Dr. A. Jeffreys Wood, Dr. J.Jamieson, Dr. Barrett, Dr. J. W. Springthorpe, and Dr. T.- Cherry. The cost of beginning operations was estimated to be£3000, and the Premier practically undertook to find halfthat amount while the remainder is to be got by voluntary.contributions. A protest has been made by a well-knowndairy company who "respectfully urge that if a model dairyfarm is to be established it be done by the Governmentthrough the Department of Agriculture. It will then be under

responsible and expert control, and its use as an object-lesson open to commercial criticism. The present proposalplaces its management under the control of a body composedof scientific men, who would be responsible to nobody andwho could, no doubt, if allowed to spend enough money,produce clean milk suitable for infants, but the question ofits actual cost would be lost sight of, and the real value ofthe object-lesson would be lost. If the trade were thenexpected to follow in the footsteps laid down for them inthis way, the immediate result would be a material increasein the price of milk to the consumer, which would be adoubtful way of assisting the poor mothers of this city. The

proposed institute would have more than sufficient scope forits energies and its money if it devoted its attention to the

question of supervision and distribution, the establishmentof depots in congested centres, and the education of themothers as to the value of clean milk in the rearing ofchildren, and the care necessary to preserve it when they getit into their houses." August 18th.

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Obituary.HAROLD LESLIE BARNARD, M.B., M.S. LOND.,

F. R. C. S. ENG., L. R. C. P. LOND.,SURGEON IN CHARGE OF OUT-PATIENTS AT THE LONDON HOSPITAL.

THE late Mr. Harold Leslie Barnard, whose death occurredin his forty-first year on August 13th, was a distinguishedson of the London Hospital who had worthily won his placeupon its staff. He was born in Highbury in 1868 and wasa great-nephew of Michael Faraday. He had not intendedoriginally to follow medicine, for after a year’s residence inAmerica he worked in the City for three years, but at theage of 20 entered the London Hospital where he gained thefirst year scholarship. This success was followed up by acareer of continuous distinction. Four years after his entryhe qualified M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., and in 1895, three yearslater, he graduated in both medicine and surgery at the Uni-versity of London, his B.S. winning him first-class honours.In the same year he took the Fellowship at the Royal Collegeof Surgeons of England and the next year the M.S. at theUniversity of London. During this period he held in succes-sion all the resident appointments at his hospital, to whichhe became subsequently surgical registrar, and also demon-strator of physiology, and assistant demonstrator of anatomyin the medical school. His first full staff appointment was’that of assistant surgeon to the Metropolitan Hospital, apost which he relinquished in 1900 when he was appointedassistant surgeon and also surgical tutor at the London

Hospital. He held this tutorship until 1904, when he tookup the post of demonstrator of surgical pathology which heretained until his death. He was elected surgeon to thehospital with charge of out-patients in July, 1907. It canbe said unhesitatingly of Mr. Barnard that he was possessedof the real scientific spirit and an endless capacity for work,Both in physiology and in surgery he had made such a markas leaves little room to doubt that he would have earned awide reputation if death had spared him to fulfil a life whichin far too short a time had achieved so much. The workwhich he did in conjunction with Dr. Leonard Hill on hmmo.dynamics resulted in many valuable observations and also inthe Hill and Barnard’s sphygmomanometer which was

invented at a time when the clinical importance of thescientific measurement of blood pressure had not attainedthat recognition which it now enjoys. His principal surgicalwork was concerned with the abdomen and upon intestinalobstruction he wrote with an undoubted authority. Thearticle in Allbutt’s ° System of Medicine " on thatsubject from his pen is likely to remain as a classic pieceof literature, founded as it is upon skilful and painstakinginvestigation. Subdiaphragmatic abscess and appendicitisengaged much of his attention and he contributed a paperon the former subject to the Royal Society of Medicine.His important communication upon" The Simulation ofAcute Peritonitis by Pleuro-pneumonic Disease " appearedin our columns in 1902. He was an excellent operator aswell as an excellent observer. A man so prominentlyconnected with the teaching side of the London Hospitaland so popular as was Harold Barnard cannot fail to besadly missed by his students and colleagues. He entered

fully into the life of his medical school, as was evidenced byhis presidency of its swimming club and vice-presidency ofits football, boxing, fencing, and gymnastic clubs, and alsoof the Hospital Medical Society. His many activities werecarried through in defiance of a poor physique, and it is a

general opinion amongst his friends that his whole-hearteddevotion to work was at least a factor in his untimely deathwhich followed upon cardiac trouble. His funeral took placein Highgate Old Cemetery on August 17th.

EDWARD PERCY PATON, M.D., M.S.LOND.,F.R.C.S.ENG.,DEAN OF THE WESTMINSTER HOSPITAL MEDICAL SCHOOL.

THE teaching staff of Westminster Hospital, which sus-tained such a severe loss in the death of Bertram Abrahamsearlier in the year, has again to mourn an exceptionallybrilliant colleague, the sadness of whose early death wasintensified by the long and painful illness which led up toit. Percy Paton was one of those rare men whose academicalcareer has been a triumphant march through the honourslists and who have yet emerged from it with a practical andwell-balanced mind on which a deep store of learning hasleft no reproach of bookishness. He was born 41 years agoin Canonbury and received his medical education at St.Bartholomew’s, where he enjoyed a distinguished career as astudent and became an assistant demonstrator of anatomy.He qualified under the Colleges in 1889 and in the same yeartook his degree at the University of London, obtaining the Uni-versity scholarship and gold medal in obstetric medicine andhonours in medicine and forensic medicine. He then became ahouse surgeon at his hospital and later surgical registrar andanaesthetist at the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond-street. In 1891 he proceeded to the M.D. at the University ofLondon, but, deciding on a surgical career, in the followingyear he passed the F.R.C.S. examination and also took theLondon B.S. which gained him the University scholarshipand gold medal in surgery, a success which he followedup by obtaining the Mastership in 1894. In 1896 hestarted his connexion with Westminster Hospital, greatlyto the advantage of its school, by obtaining the postsof surgical registrar and senior demonstrator of anatomy.Three years later he became an assistant surgeon andin 1906 surgeon in charge of out-patients, afterhaving been elected Dean of the medical school in 1904.These two posts he held until his death. He was alsolecturer in surgical pathology at Westminster Hospital andwas an examiner to the Society of Apothecaries, first inanatomy and later in surgery. He gained wider experiencein practical surgery than many men of. his seniority by hisappointment to a surgeoncy at the Mildmay Mission Hospital,of which his strong religious convictions made him a devoted