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so that the working of the office may be upon a soundfinancial footing. It is not proposed to open the office untilat least 300 persons are entered as subscribers. This is notthe first establishment of the kind which has been tried, butthe former ones were due to private enterprise and failed.It is to be hoped that the present attempt, which is under-taken with the official auspices of the medical association, I,will be a real success.

’

7%e Prinaiples of Medieal Deontology.On April 5th it was announced that the Conseil General

des Soci6tj6s d’Arrondissement had adopted the follow-ing principles of medical deontology. 1. Any medicalman who is called in to attend a family for the firsttime shall, if he sees or becomes aware that he has merelybeen called in in the absence of the usual medical attendant,only give advice and treatment for so long as his professionalbrother is away. 2. Any medical man called in in theabsence of another medical man who has been treating thecase, may, if the patient expresses a wish to retain hisservices for the future, go on with the case provided that heinforms the former medical attendant. 3. Any medical manwho may be accidentally called in an emergency to a patfentshall confine himself to prescribing such medicines and treat-ment as are immediately necessary and shall not return to thepatient’s house except in consultation with the usual medicalattendant. 4. Any medical man summoned by a patientduring the course of an illness, either acute or chronic, shalldo his best to get the medical man hitherto in charge of thecase retained. In case of failure the new attendant must atonce acquaint the old one whom he succeeds. 5. Any prac-titioner called in as a consultant shall, while in presenceof the patient or his friends, abstain from all commenton the treatment hitherto followed. The consultationshould be held in private and the treatment recommendedshould be carried out by the ordinary medical attendant.6. Any consultant, whether called in the first place by themedical man or by his patient, shall not pay a second visitwithout the cognisance of the general practitioner. 7. Itis a mark of good fellowship to accept as a consultant thepractitioner proposed by the patient or his family, whateverbe his age or status, provided that his personal and pro-fessional honour are above suspicion. 8. A consulting-roomis neutral ground, where a medical man may give advice toanyone coming to consult him without any regard to themedical man who usually looks after the patient in question.

Hygiene and Laundries.At the meeting of the Academy of Medicine which was

held on April 16th M. Delorme, surgeon-general (1llédecinprincipale) in the army and one of the professors at Val deGroe, said that in his opinion laundry operations as atpresent practised did not afford sufficient protection to thosepeople who feared the importation of microbes into theirhouses by reason of their own personal linen havingbeen in contact with that of their neighbours who mightvery possibly be suffering from small-pox or other infectiousdisease. M. Delorme considered these fears as perfectlyreasonable and wished that all directors of hospitals,asylums, and refuges should be made aware of them.

Washing, as at present practised, includes soaking in coldwater, soaking in lye, soaping, beating and brushing,rinsing and hand-wringing, or nowadays machine-wringing,drying, ironing, and folding. All these processes employnumerous hands and brutal machinery which destroys thelinen, to say nothing of chemicals such as ea1l de javelle,sulphur, and the like, which are none the less destructive.M. Delorme forgot, however, that all these substances arefor the most part strongly antiseptic and that a prolongedsoaking in a boiling solution of soda deprives microbes of mostof their powers for evil. The process which M. Delorme putforward and which the Assistance Publique has just adoptedat the hospital in the Rue Michel-Bizot, and which is employedalso at the Pasteur Hospital, is very simple. The linen is firstsoaked in a hot solution of bicarbonate of soda. It thenpasses into a large cylindrical stove which can be rotated inalternate directions. The axis of this stove is formed of asecond hollow cylinder pierced with holes which allowthe introduction of : (1) cold water, which washes out thesoda solution ; (2) steam under pressure, which converts thecylinder into a veritable disinfecting stove of a veryperfect kind, for the oscillatory movements result in a

thorough cleansing of a type not to be found in

ordinary disinfecting stoves ; (3) a hot solution ofsoap which, as the apparatus is kept in motion, effects a

thorough cleansing ; and (4) another current of cold waterafter half an hour or so, followed by more steam andlastly by a final rinsing current of cold water. The linen isthen passed through a wringer and finally dried in a currentof hot air. M. Delorme considers that this system providesfor ideal washing and disinfection at the same time.Experiments made at the Pasteur Institute show that lineninfected with all kinds of virulent microbes came out at theend of the operations perfectly aseptic. Only two personsare required to work the machine, which, besides beingeconomical in working, takes up very little space. An

ordinary cellar, provided that access for the clothes and aplentiful water-supply are provided for, will serve for thewashing of the linen from a hospital of 500 beds. At thechildren’s hospital in the Rue Michel-Bizot an ordinarymason with one assistant looks after the washing. Thesaving effected in one year at a charitable institution atNanterre where 2500 kilogrammes of linen were washedevery day was over 28,000 francs at the end of the first year.M. Delorme suggested that the Academy should recommendthis apparatus for use in both civil and military hospitals aswell as in private laundries.April 23rd.

__________________

BERLIN.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

The Battle of the Clubs in Leipsic.STRIKES of medical officers of clubs have already taken

place in several towns in Germany, such as Remscheid andIserlohn, but none of them were so important as that whichis now in progress in Leipsic. The club system existing inGermany has been several times described in THE LANCET,land it will be recollected that membership ofa club is com-pulsory on the working class, that the clubs are all underState control, and that the income of a considerable propor-tion of the medical profession depends on club practice.The committees of clubs have often taken advantage of theirposition to appoint medical officers on terms hardly compatible with their position as professional men, but in

Leipsic, where matters recently came to a climax, the con.ditions of club practice have hitherto been relatively satis-factory. The Leipsic sick club had adopted the so-called"free choice system," and had admitted nearly 200 medicalmen to practise in the club. The medical officers of theclub always had a union of their own and a repre-sentative committee which was in communication withthe executive of the club and assisted in settling dis-

putes arisiag between medical men and club members.Of late the relations between the executive of theclub and the medical committee became rather strained,the former alleging that the medical men did not

sufficiently consider the financial interests of the club intheir prescriptions, &c., and that the medical committee hadnot instructed the medical officers as to their duties in this

respect. The executive of the club, moreover, declared thatthey would no longer recognise the medical committee, butwould in future issue instructions to the individual medicalmen without its intervention. This they in fact did, andseveral medical officers were asked to call at the businesspremises of the club where they were discourteouslyreprimanded. The medical officers, therefore,. gave noticethat if matters were not put on a satisfactory footing withina week they would then cease to work for the club, and 156of them-the overwhelming majority-accordingly took thiscourse on April 5th. In thus breaking off their club practicethey did not thereby leave the club patients without medicaladvice, but consented to attend them as private patients,charging fees to the individual cases. The club then pro-posed to invite medical men from other towns to settle inLeipsic, where they would be appointed medical officers tothe club, the free choice system being thereby abandoned.The Leipsic medical chamber, however, informed aspirantsto the vacancies that they would be required to appearbefore the court of honour if they agreed to the con-ditions offered by the club. The whole medical pro-fession is on the side of their brethren at Leipsic. TheBerlin Free Choice Society has issued a notice to- itsmembers informing them that they will not be re-admitted

1 THE LANCET. Oct. 22nd, 1898, p. 1093; June 17th, 1899, p. 1668;and Nov. 10th, 1900, p. 1390.

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to the society if they go to Leipsic at the present time to 1aid the club in its conflict with the medical men. The r

Medical Reform says that possibly some medical men with c

little money and less character might be tempted to come f

to terms with the club, but that such persons must be i

pitied rather than blamed for their ethical shortcomings. 1The state of affairs at Leipsic has caused a sensation not 1

only in the medical profession but in all circles of society. fThe daily ’newspapers are publishing detailed telegrams descriptive of the- strike and the measures taken on both isides, and their columns are filled with discussions on thedisadvantages of medical practice in general and on theunattractive features of club practice. Journals of everypolitical bias, even those written for the working clasees, areunanimous in blaming the club and in congratulating themedical officers on the firmness of their attitude. This isthe’ first medical strike begun not for financial but forethical reasons, and is on a greater scale than the previousstrikes, which were nearly all unsuccessful owing to want oforganisation. Attempts at mediation have been tried atLeipsic, but have proved useless, and it is to be hoped thatthe club will be defeated.

Organisation of the Pharntacentical Profession.The Official Gazette recently published a Royal order

relative to the new organisation of the pharmaceuticalprofession in Prussia, which will be conducted on linesanalogous to those followed several years ago in the

organisation of the medical profession. A pharmaceuticalchamber will be instituted for every province with power to-discuss questions concerning the profession, and if the

necessity arise it will be consulted by the provincialauthorities. The members of the chambers are to beelected by the qualified pharmaceutical chemists residingwithin the district, so that each 40 electors shall choose one,representative: Courts. of honour will not be instituted atpresent, but if a member commits ’an ethical misdemeanourthe chamber will be authorised to deprive him of the right ofelecting, or being elected. Apart from the provincialchambers a, joint committee will be instituted for the wholeState, to which each provincial chamber will send one

representative. ’

Income of the Medical Profession in Berlin. ’

The Medical Chamber of Berlin and the province of

Brandenburg has issued an interesting report on the subjectof the income of the medical profession residing in thatdistrict. The chamber is authorised to fix an annual sum tobe paid by every medical man for the expenses of thechamber and the support of distressed members of the pro-fession. It had been decided that a uniform rate of 10marks (10s.) should be paid and an additional sum by thoseearning more than 5000 marks (£250). The chamber hasbeen’informed by the income-tax officials that of 1946 Berlinmedical men under the jurisdiction of the chamber 529earned from 900 to 3000 marks (from £45 to .6150), 273 from3000 to 5000 marks (from £150 to £250), and 785 more than5000 marks, the largest income amounting to 295,000 marks(£14,750). It appeared that 107 medical men had no taxableincome at all and the income of 252 could not as yet beascertained. In the other towns of the province the pro-portions were similar to those found in Berlin, so that 4 percent. of all the medical men had no taxable income, 26 percent. had an income from 900 to 3000 marks, 17 per cent.from 3000 to 5000 marks, and 40 per cent. more than 5000marks. In 13 per cent. no reliable information could beobtained.April 22nd.

ROME.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

. . Professor Bizzozero’s Successor.

THE medical faculty of the University of Turin hasunanimously resolved to invite Dr. Camillo Golgi;- LL.D.Cantab., professor of general pathology in the University ofPavia, to fill the chair left vacant by the death of theircolleague, Dr. Bizzozero. Dr. Golgi’s great work in histology,his classical studies in malaria, and his reputation as Dr.Bizzozero’s most distinguished pupil, were recommendations not easily found united in possible candidates for the chair.

..... A Case of " Siamese Tmins." . ’’’,,’’

Dr. Francesco Caruso, privat-docentin gynaecology in the

Neapolitan School, has just reported on a case of monstrosityresembling that of the Siamese Twins. It comes under the,category of 11 sternopagi "-that is, of two infants joinedface to face from the upper part of the thorax to theumbilicus, this latter being common to the two. They are’both of the female sex, in fair health, and take the breast.freely from the mother, a peasant woman of Marianella. If,as is not unlikely, they should live, Dr. Caruso and otherconsultants deprecate surgical intervention, as contra--indicated by the disposition of the thoracic organs.

A Great Medical Philanthropist.Having made Italy, we have now to make Italians,"’

said Cavour’s successor, Massimo D’Azeglio, and to carryout this consummation, so " devoutly to be wished," Dr-Pietro Panzeri devoted all his faculties, original and’acquired. He "began at the beginning," and after gradua--tion at the University of Pavia, made the rescue andrehabilitation of mal-formed and mal-organised childrenhis professional 1nétier., For well-nigh 30 years herlaboured among the poor of Milan, bringing under

special treatment every infantile victim -to faulty or

feeble development, and earned a truly wonderfulreward in reaiing thousands of apparently hopeless-cases to the normal stature and strength, physical andmental, of their more fortunate fellows. Milan was the-

headquarters of his practical work and there be broughtthe "Istituto dei Rachitici," founded by a kindred spirit,Pini, to its present high state of efficiency, At Bologna.he was private-docent in "Orthomorpheia," as it is called inItaly, and initiated successive relays of workers in th&metier he had made his own. Whatever energy he couldspare from his special-task he dedicated to-promoting the-interests of the profession and the cause of public hygiene,actiDg as communal assessor and councillor mainly withthis object. A native of Sormanno, in the province of Como,he was but 52 years of age when he died, leaving behind*’him a noble record of philanthropic work inspired by truepatriotism and directed by rare professibnal skill.

April 21st. ’ , . ,

CANADA.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

McGill University.MCGILL UNIVERSITY has in the past received most liberal

support from the generous citizens of Montreal, and the endapparently is not yet. Sir William Macdonald, who hasalready contributed$2,500,000 to the funds of the institu-tion, has again announced that he will further subscribe tothe extent of$150,000. Of this amount$75,000 will go toendow the chair of Chemistry,$62,500 for the chair of

Botany, and$12,500 will be added to the chair of Physics.By reason of these gifts there will be released the sum of$150,000 which has in the past been used for these endow-ments, and this will be taken and applied to the improve-ment of the arts course. Miss Jessie Dow has also contri-buted$60.000 for the chair of Political Economy. LadyStrathcona and the Hon. Mrs. Howard will bear the expenseof a new wing to the medical building which will be erectedduring the course of the coming summer. It will be fourstoreys in height and will be supplied with lecture theatres,.museums, and chemical laboratories.

Cremation in Quebec.Some little time ago Sir William Macdonald of Montreal

offered to defray the cost of the erection of a crematoriumin the Mount Royal Cemetery of that city. For this purposeit was found necessary to have. legislative authority. Ameasure for this purpose was therefore introduced into theQuebec Legislature during the session which has just closed,and after considerable opposition it finally passed that Houseby a majority.of one and the Legislative Council of the pro-vince by a vote of eleven to seven, the opposition coming

. chiefly from the Roman Catholics. The Bill provides " thatF the deceased at the time of his death is entitled to be buriedr in Mount Royal Cemetery, and has expressed by his will ’a., wish that his body be cremated." .

. , .. ’

Toronto University.A measure of relief has been introduced by the Goverii-

ment into the Legislature of Ontario for Toronto University,the’’-senit6 ’of which by a very large majority now favours a

e change of name to the 11 University of Ontario," pointing out