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backed by such powerful interests as to be able to thebest efforts of the police and to flaunt their dealings in theface of the minor courts in cases where control of such courtshas not been obtained. For every S200 worth of crude opiumsmuggled into the country, there is an easy profit of E1200 tobe distributed, and the total profits are computed to reach thetotal of £600,000 annually. There are four points, all nearthe Canadian border, where the opium is supposed to make itsentry into the United States-viz., Plattsburg, N.Y., a pointin Northern Vermont, at Niagara Falls, and at a place onthe Wisconsin border.-The Committee on Interstate andForeign Commerce of the House of Congress is now con-sidering the Richardson amendment to the Food and DrugAct of June 30th, 1906, which would make it obligatoryupon every retail drug-shop in the country to register everysale, not only of morphine or other alkaloids of opium, butof every mixture containing one of them, no matter howminute in quantity. Even respectable druggists are up inarms against such an amendment, which would necessitatean impossible amount of registering and bookkeeping, andgive employment to a veritable army of new Governmentinspectors.

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The Mississippi Floods.

Fearing that the disastrous floods on the Mississippi maycause an epidemic of disease, the Federal Government hasdecided to interfere without invitation from State authorities-a most unusual, if not unprecedented, step. Malarial fever,dysentery, and pneumonia are reported, as well as manydeaths from privation and exposure.

The late Surgeon of the Titanic."A requiem mass at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral

in New York, in memory of William Francis Norman

O’Loughlin, the senior surgeon of the White Star Line, whowent down with the Titanic, was largely attended.

A Physician as Aide-de-oamp to the President.The President has appointed Major Thomas L. Rhoades, of

the United States Army Medical Corps, to succeed CaptainArchibald Butt as his aide-de-camp. Captain Butt was another victim of the Titanic disaster. I.

The Etiology of Epilepsy.Dr. H. M. Greene, of Portland, Oregon, has reported to the

Fortnightly Medical Club some investigations on convulsionsin epilepsy. Suspecting them to be caused by a toxinhe obtained blood from an epileptic in whom convulsionsdeveloped one year after an attack of scarlet fever. Withthe aid of Professor E. F. Pernot, of the Portland Bacterio-logical Laboratory, he succeeded in isolating a large diplo-coccus together with a very small micrococcus. A secondblood specimen from the same patient showed the same twoorganisms. Similar results followed investigation of theblood of another epileptic. Dr. Greene and Professor Pernotare now preparing a bacterial vaccine for use on the patients.

-Znvestigation into Miners’ Diseases.The United States Public Health and Marine Hospital

Service has made an arrangement with the United StatesBureau of Mines by which surgeons of the Public HealthService will carry on investigations into the conditions of lifein the mines. It is a matter of common knowledge that inmines in the United States and in other countries both hook-worm disease and tuberculosis are prevalent. The fact is

recognised that the mines of the United States are capable Iof great improvement from the sanitary standpoint, and thatwith the introduction of necessary reforms health conditionswill be advanced and the risk of accidents much lessened.The scope of the forthcoming investigations will be wide.May 4th.

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AUSTRALIA.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

-Ilegistered Midwives.AN Act for the Registration of Midwives has been operative

in West Australia under the provisions of the Health Act fornine months, and a report dealing with the six months end-ing Dec. 31st, 1911, contains some interesting information.Registration was permitted under two sections-viz., thosewomen holding certificates of training and others who couldproduce evidence of bond-tide practice as a midwife during

years pnor to the pasaing or the Act and satisfied theHoard of their competence, cleanliness, and repute. Underthe first provision 105 were registered and under the second528. From Jan. 1st, 1912, only the certificate of the CentralMidwives Board, England, will be accepted, and others,except those holding certificates under statutory authority,will be compelled to undergo 12 months’ training and thensatisfy the Board of their fitness.

lioria Acid in Butter.An experiment was conducted recently by the Food Export

Department of Victoria on the following lines. Victorianbutter factories were asked to submit four boxes from theone churning, to two of which boric acid in the permittedCommonwealth percentage (0’ 5) had been added, while theother two were free from preservative. One of each was

shipped to England by the s.s. Orama, while duplicateswere retained in the local cool stores. Cable messageshave been received from London that the trade were

strongly in favour of the retention of the preservative, andthat the butter containing the boric acid had a market prefer-ence of 8s. per cwt. mainly on the score of flavour. Fiftyfactories complied with the conditions. The result of theexperiment, officially announced, showed that the Common-wealth authorities exercised a wise discretion when theyrefrained from following the lead of the States in the pro-posal to abolish boric acid from butter. Their standard was

0’ 5 per cent. As far as lay in their power, they would alwayssee that nothing was done which would cause loss to the

export trade of those engaged in the dairying industry. Dr.Jamieson (city health officer and a member of the Pare FoodCommittee) said the result would be very far-reaching. Itappeared to have been clearly established that the use ofboric acid was of distinct advantage in the preservation of

butter.Health nf Sydney.

The annual report for 1911 states that the population ofSydney was 631.600 at the end of 1910. The mean for the

year was 641,700. The marriage-rate was 11 91 per 1000 ofpopulation, which is the highest on record. The birth-ratewas 27’78 per 1000, also a record. The death-rate was 10’87per 1000, which was slightly above that of the precedingyear. The infantile mortality figure was 71-1 per 1000births, which is the lowest ever recorded.

Melbourne Hospital.Although three blocks of the new hospital are nearing

completion, the ceremony of laying the foundation- stone

only took place on March 23rd. The Governor of Victoria,Sir John Fuller, presided over a large gathering and per-formed the ceremony, remarking that in so doing they wereadding a new page to the history of Melbourne. Althougha sum of £120,000 was allotted for building by the trusteesof the Wilson estate, the chairman of the hospital committeestated that a further £60,000 would be required for buildingand equipment, and intimated that a public appeal would bemade. The Treasurer of Victoria (Hon. W. Watt) said thatthe Government would recognise its responsibility in providinga portion of any sum shown to be necessary.

Charge against a Medical Man.The charge of murder against Dr. Samuel Peacock, details

of which have been given previously, came to final trial afterthree separate hearings. The first jury convicted, but theconviction was upset on appeal, on points of law, and a newtrial directed. The second jury disagreed, and the thirdreturned a verdict of "Not guilty." The accused wasdischarged.

University o Sydney.Sir Norman McLaurinhas been re-elected Chancellor of the

University of Sydney. Professor Anderson Stuart has been

appointed representative at the 250th anniversary of the

Royal Society of London.Action for Damages.

In the Adelaide Lower Court Samuel Pearce proceededagainst Mr. F. W. Waters, of Adelaide, for the recovery of.E490 damages for alleged unskilful treatment of theplaintiff’s shoulder, as a result of which the plaintiff had lostthe use of his right arm and had been and was still unable tofollow his occupation. The defendant pleaded " not guilty" "and counter-claimed £12 6s. for medical attendance. Thedispute turned on the alleged failure of the defendant torecognise that a dislocation of the shoulder was present with

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consequent inappropriate and inadequate treatment. In

summing up his honour Lord Acting Justice Buchanansaid the real point at issue was whether there was dislocationon Sept. 3rd. On that question there was diametrically con-tradictory evidence. The burden of proof was on the

plaintiff, who had to establish beyond reasonable doubt thatthere was dislocation at that time. On the whole his honour

accepted the defendant’s version of what took place. He

thought the defendant’s evidence had been very fairly given,and he could not accept the evidence of the plaintiff and hiswife as to the examinations made by Dr. Waters. His honoursaid they must all have the utmost sympathy with the

plaintiff, who had met with an accident which would

probably affect him for the rest of his life. On Jan. 30th,five months after the accident and about four months fromthe time the plaintiff was last visited by the defendant, theyhad the first evidence of dislocation. There would be averdict for defendant on the claim and the counter-claim,with costs.April 6th.

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THE NATIONAL INSURANCE ACT.

WE have received the following notice from the JointCommittee of the Insurance Commissioners: "At the

opening meeting on Friday, the 10th instant, of theAdvisory Committee appointed under the National Insur-ance Act the Chancellor of the Exchequer announcedthat a subcommittee had been appointed by the Com-missioners, whose duty it would be to investigate andcollect information as to the conditions of remunera-

tion prevailing in general medical practice throughout theUnited Kingdom. The Commissioners desire it to be known

generally that they will welcome information or repre-sentations from medical or other associations or personswho are prepared to submit statements of fact or totender evidence on this question which may assist thesub-committee in their investigations. Concurrently withthe consideration of the special question of remunera-

tion by the above-mentioned subcommittee, the Com-missioners will consider in conjunction with the AdvisoryCommittee the Regulations required to be framed for thegeneral administration of medical benefit under the Act ;and they will be glad to receive information, from any persons ,,

who may be in a position to supply it, as to local con- ’,ditions of practice which may be of service to the Commis-sioners in framing the Regulations. All communicationsshould be addressed to the Secretary, Subcommittee on

Medical Benefits, Wellington House, Buckingham Gate, S.W."

SCOTTISH MEDICAL INSURANCE COUNCIL.A circular signed by the chairman, Dr. W. Russell, is

being issued to the medical profession in Scotland con-taining a narrative minute of the first meeting of theScottish Medical Insurance Council held on April 12thand 13th, and an appeal to every medical man inScotland to be loyal to the Medical Committee of hisinsurance area, and to enter into no negotiations or arrange-ments with regard to contract practice of any kind withoutthe approval of his local Medical Committee. The office ofthe Scottish Medical Insurance Council is at 54, George-square, Edinburgh. A local canvass of the profession inScotland is being organised through the Local MedicalCommittees, and practitioners are urged to supply all theparticulars asked for with regard to Friendly Society practicein their districts. It is estimated that in Scotland, out of apopulation of 4,759.000 persons, 1.490,000 are insurableunder the Act-i. e., 31-3 per cent. It is also estimated thatof the total male population about 46-4 per cent. are in-surable, while of the males of 16 years of age and over itis estimated that 75 per cent. are insurable.

THE PROFESSION IN IRELAND AND THE INSURANCE ACT.A meeting of delegates of the profession from all parts of

Ireland will shortly be held in Dublin to discuss the presentposition of the profession towards the National InsuranceAct. Meetings of the local profession are being heldthroughout the country to elect delegates. A largelyattended meeting of the medical men of the county andcity of Dublin was held last week in the Royal College of

Pnvsicians, under the presidency of Mr. Robert H. Woods,P.R.C.S. Irel., when the following were elected as dele-

gates :-For the city of Dublin : Dr. H. Jellett, Mr. A. J.Horne, Dr. Hayes, Dr. R. J. Rowlette, Mr. J. P. Garland,Dr. H. T. Bewley, and Dr. J. C. McWalter. For the countyDublin : Dr. Bennett, Dr. Boyce, Dr. T. D. Good, Dr. R. L.Heard, Mr. D. Jackson, Dr. Ussher, and Dr. White. Allbranches of the profession in Dublin are represented.

EDINBURGH PROVISIONAL LOCAL MEDICAL COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the medical profession in Edinburgh washeld on May 9th in Gartshore Hall. Invitations had beenissued to all medical men in the Edinburgh insurance area,and 99 attended. Dr. James Ritchie having been electedto the chair, stated that the meeting had been called by theinstructions of the British Medical Association and theScottish Medical Insurance Council. It was intended toform a provisional, not a statutory, local committee, and thechairman indicated the necessity for its formation. Beforeproceeding to the election of a committee, the question wasraised whether medical members of the Advisory Committeewould be eligible for nomination as members. This wasvoted upon by the meeting, and was lost by 26 votes to 46.A list of suggested names had been prepared by theexecutives of the Edinburgh and Leith Medical Practitioners’Association and the Edinburgh and Leith division of theBritish Medical Association. These had been printed anddistributed to those attending the meeting, and with twoalterations the gentlemen proposed were elected by a verylarge majority.

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SHOREDITCH MEDICO-ETHICAL SOCIETY.A meeting of this society was held on May 9th at Balfour

Hall, Kingsland-road, London. The President, Dr. MAJORGREENWOOD, was in the chair, and with two or three excep-tions every practitioner in the borough of Shoreditch waspresent. Dr. T. CHETWOOD and Dr. J. H. PORTER, theborough representatives on the Provisional Committee, brieflyreported what had taken place at the first meeting of thatcommittee, and pointed out that the chief matter under con-sideration was the placing of resignations of all FriendlySociety medical appointments in the hands of the StateSickness Insurance Committee and the formation of a

suitable guarantee fund, and that they had been appointedto canvass all practitioners in their area with that

object. The chairman said that the former proposalpresented great difficulties in districts like their own, andwould require grave consideration. If the proposal wereadopted by the great majority of the practitioners it wouldbe practically safe, and no use would be made of the resig-nations unless an overwhelming number were obtained. He

hoped that all would be prepared to make sacrifices for thecommon good. With regard to the guarantee fund, all coulddo something, and it was very desirable that a great effortshould be made. It must be understood that the object ofthe fund was not to compensate all losses caused by the Act-that would be impossible-but only such as were broughtabout entirely by loyalty to the wishes of the profession, asdecided by the central Committee.

MIDLAND VOLUNTARY HOSPITALS AND THE ACT.A conference of representatives of Midland Voluntary

Hospitals was held in the board room of the General Hos-pital, Birmingham, on May 8th. Mr. Neville Chamberlainwas in the chair, and 59 representatives were present. Thefollowing resolutions were unanimously adopted :-That in the opinion of this conference it is desirable that as soon as

the benefits of the Insurance Act come into operation, and providedthat arrangements are made with the medical profession for adequatemedical attendance outside the hospitals :

(a) Insured persons applying for treatment in the out-patientdepartments of voluntary hospitals: (1) should receive first aid"only when they meet with accidents or are in such acute medical orsurgical conditions as require imme(liate help and are unable to obtainaccess to their own doctors, or in the case of a ticket hospital when theycome to the hospital with an out-patient note ; (2’’ should receive treat-ment only when the treatment be of such a special nature that it can-not be carried out elsewhere than at the hospital; (3) should obtain asecond opinion only on the recommendation of a medical officer on thepanel.

(b) In the case of insured persons admitted as in-patients a claim forsubscriptions or donations should be made on b’half cf the hospital tothe Approved Society or the Local Insurance Committee, exceptwhere, in the case of a ticket hospital (should the management so

decide) an in-patient ticket, such as may be required by the regula-tions of the hospital, has been produced.