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I shall feel greatly obliged to you :-1. Has perchloride ofmercury been absolutely demonstrated beyond doubt a morereliable antiseptic than carbolic acid in confinements ? 2. Isbiniodide of mercury as powerful and reliable an antisepticas the perchloride, and is it less liable to cause mercurialism?

I have always used carbolic (1 in 40 to start with) for uterineirrigation with the best results. On one occasion only I usedperchloride (a case of puerperal septicaemia), but after two orthree days, there being no improvement, I changed to

carbolic, and the temperature dropped at once. I am lothto give up what I have learned to trust ard what has never rfailed me, but carbolic has been discarded in so many,quarters that I feel doubtful if I am doing right in notchanging. As regards mercury biniodide, I have seen it statedthat it is as powerful an antiseptic as the perchloride andenuchless poisonous. Is this a fact? If so, why is it notused in preference for mid wifery practice ? 7- -- - _h-

I am, Sirs, yours faithfully,Feb. 22nd, 1897. ANTISEPTIC.

uur correspondent is referred to an Annotation in our

.present issue.-ED. L.

LIVERPOOL

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Ophthalmic Diseases at the Klr7,daZe Tndrcst-,ial Schools.THE report of the Local Government Board inspector

-to his department on the unhealthy condition of thechildren’s eyes at the Kirkdale Industrial Schools appearsto indicate an unsatisfactory state of things. Out of 136girls at the schools he found 45 suffering from granular lid,and 8 out of this number presented a severe form of thedisease. Of 335 boys, 91 suffered from granular lids. In thenursery there were 45 children, 28 of whom were in a similarcondition in a more or less infective form. One of theattendants, aged twenty years, was also suffering. Of 54children in the infirmary 19 had the disease. It would thusbe seen that 33 per cent. of the girls, 27 per cent. of theboys, 62 per cent. of the nursery children, and 33 per cent.of the infirmary inmates were suffering from granular lidsin a more or less infective form. In looking through themedical officer’s (Dr. McMurray) report book he found theterm " preventive used in relation to the course of treat-ment. Dr. McMurray explained that he could not say thetreatment was curative ; his object was to pick out cases of,granular lids that were, in his opinion, in an infective con-- dition, isolate and treat them for a fortnight or three weeks,and return them to the schools if he thought all risk ofinfection had passed away for the time being. From whathe (the medical inspector) could see of the cases there was’no doubt that Dr. McMurray was to a certain extent success-ful in his endeavour, but it could be easily understood how,if sixty or eighty children, a certain proportion in a chronicquiescent state, were drafted from Kirkdale to a certified homesuch as Layfield, the children might become active sources ofinfection. Dr. McMurray quite concurred with this view, andsaid that if he had facilities for isolation for a large numberof boys and girls he would be able to treat adequately allcases of granular lids at present in the schools, and in two orthree years could stamp out the disease. It seemed to benecessary that, under existing circumstances at Kirkdaleschools the medical officer should be requested to makeweekly examinations of the eyes of all the children so as todetect the first onset of sub-acute symptoms and at onceplace the children under treatment. The chairman ofthe select vestry thought that matters should not be

prejudged until their medical officer was first allowed an

opportunity of explaining. Subsequently at a meeting ofthe committee of the industrial schools Dr. McMurray fur-nished a report in which he refuted the allegations madeby the Local Government Board inspector, as to the

alar -ming presence of eye diseases among the children in theschools. The committee resolved to forward Dr. lIcMurray’sreport to the Lccal Government Board. The chairman wasof opinion that the inspector’s report was exaggerated, whichwas endorsed by other members of the committee, who ex-pressed confidence in their medical officer. The inspector hadalso reflected on the condition and the treatment of somechildren’s eyes in the Liverpool Workhouse-charges whichwere repudiated in forcible language by Dr. Alexander, the

visiting surgeon. An ophthalmic surgeon would be of servicehere to give his opinion on the whole matter.

The Head Constable’s Annzcrcl report.The head constable, in his annual report for 1866 to the

watch committee, says that a great and steady improvementin the condition of the city as regards crime and disorder isdisclosed. The decrease in intemperance l13,s continued, andit is stated that there is now considerably less than one-third of the drunkenness that there was eight years ago.Proceedings against keepers of disorderly houses were takenin 139 fewer cases than in 1895, in 299 fewer than in 1894,and 456 fewer than in 1893. The head constable adds thatthe number of women of bad character in the city hasnot decreased in like ratio, if at all, and the factsmentioned last year still hold good. The table relatingto the number of accidents reported by the policeincludes 159 cases of attempted suicide, of which41 proved fatal; 151 individuals were bitten by dogs; 60people fell from buildings, 5 of whom were fatally injured;and 444 individuals were run over by carts, , 20 deaths re-sulting. Burns, of which 66 cases were reported, accountedfor 17 deaths. The total number of accidents reported by thepolice amounted to 3479, of which 188 pioved fatal. Assist-ance was rendered by the police in 2861 cases as follows:Applying bandages in 91 cases; stopping bleeding, 29;administering emetics, 16; other assistance, 401 ; taken tohospitals, &o., for treatment (no first aid being rendered),2295. Of the total number of apprehensions of drunk anddisorderly persons, which amounted to 6146, there were 11representatives of the " law, medical, and other professions."Let us hope that there was only one medical man of thisnumber.

Liverpool Medical Club.At a meeting of the members of the Liverpool Medicae

Club, held on Feb. 17th, Mr. E. W. Barnes introduced thdsubject of the Abuse of Medical Charity. He mentionedthe various medical charities which were chiefly affectehand clearly pointed out the main causes and effect of suceabuse. He estimated that about half-a-dozen only of thepublic medical charities in Liverpool (not including thePoor-law, which he did not consider abused) supplied some-thing like 400.000 attendances annually out of a populationof 644.129. The remedies he advocated were : (1) the forma-tion of local hospital boards; (2) catering for the inter-mediate class of patient ; and (3) the formation of localcommittees under the auspices of the Hospital ReformAssociation. After an exhaustive discussion, a resolutionwas unanimously carried " that the directors of the clubbe empowered to form a local committee of inquiry to reportupon the matter as the first step."

The Tuberculin Test at St. Helens.

Dr. Robertson, the medical officer of health of St. Helens,recently demonstrated to the farmers of the neighbourhoodby means of the tuberculin test that a heifer to all appear-ances perfectly healthy and in good condition may neverthe-less be the subject of tubercle. For some time past themajority of the butchers of St. Helens declined to attendthe local stock sales unless the auctioneers were empoweredto give a guarantee against the presence of tuberculosis inthe beasts sold. Hitherto a guarantee to this effect had beenrefused by the farmers; however, one of their number said thathe would guarantee a three-year-old Ayrshire heifer. This

gentleman had previously submitted five of his beasts to thetuberculin test, and although the test showed the beast to beaffected when slaughtered two of them proved to be healthy.Upon hearing this statement the farmers were naturallyinclined to discredit the tuberculin test. Dr. Robertson,when communicated with upon the subject, said that hecould not believe that the test had failed ; where-

upon the same farmer again submitted one of the fivebeasts to Dr. Robertson and Mr. Dixon, veterinary surgeon.The beast, which was apparently in first-class health,again "reacted" under the test, and was declared byDr. Robertson to be suffering from tuberculosis. Thefarmer, still unconvinced, said he would guarantee thebeast at the approaching sale on condition that it was takenstraight to the abattoir and slaughtered, which was accord-ingly done. The carcase proved generally healthy, but uponthe lungs being examined one of them was found to beaffected with chronic, though dormant, tuberculosis, theglands being also enlarged ; whereupon the butcher whobought the beast was at once absolved from his bargain

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under the terms of the guarantee. The farmers present weregreatly surprised to find so healthy-looking a beast affected.March 9th.

________________

WESTERN COUNTIES NOTES.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Bristol General Hospital.THE half-yearly general meeting of the governors of this

institution was held on March 8th, under the presidency ofthe Mayor. The annual report which was read stated thatthe appeal made for the Nurses’ Home had resulted in thesum of E3237 being raised ; this bad been sufficient to dis-charge all liabilities incurred for building and furniture, butL350 had still to be raised to cover the cost of the houseswhich were pulled down for the purpose of the enlarge-ment. The home is now finished and proves of greatutility to the hospital. Exclusive of the special fund forthe Nurses’ Home, the total ordinary receipts are £9600,or less by E562 than those of 1895. The total ordinaryexpenditure (£10,633) is somewhat less than in 1895 owingto the smaller amount spent in repairs. This amount ismuch beyond the ordinary income, and the committee donot see how it can be reduced without impairing the

efficiency of the hospital. The committee thank the

honorary staff and the resident medical officers for theadmirable way the work of the hospital has been carried onduring the year. The daily average number of in-patientshas been 171 6. The in-patients treated during the yearwere 2333, and the out-patients numbered 30,166, the totalsfor the year of both having slightly increased. Since thehospital had been established in 1832 there had been admitted71,721 in-patients and 682,499 out-patients.

The Bristol Medical School.The following scholarships have been awarded :-The

Clarke Surgical Scholarship of 15 was equally dividedbetween Mr. E. V. Foss and Mr. R. F. Moorshead. TheSanders Scholarship of £22 10s. was awarded to Mr. F. P.Mackie, and the Lady Haberfield Prize of E29 9s. 8d. toMr. A. G. Plumley. The Martyn Memorial PathologicalScholarships were divided as follows : Mr. F. P. Mackie,Z10; Mr. W. M. Bergin, £5 ; and Mr. H. L. Norrington, f:5.The committee gold medal was gained by Mr. W. M. Bergin,and the silver medal by Mr. F. Rose.

Dr. Nansen.Dr. and Mrs. Nansen arrived at Cardiff on Feb. 28th, and

were received by Mr. Drane (president of the CardiffNaturalists’ Society), Dr. Charles Vachell, and others. Dr.Nansen delivered his lecture in the Park Hall the sameevening, the building being filled to its utmost capacity. OnMarch 1st Dr. Nansen gave a lecture in Bristol on his Arcticexploration and received an enthusiastic welcome. Pro-fessor Lloyd Morgan introduced the lecturer. Dr. and Mrs.Nansen were the guests of Mr. W. Sturge while in Bristol.

Public Health Department for Cardiff.At a meeting of committees of the Glamorganshire County

Council, held on March 5th, the question of providing apublic health department in connexion with the UniversityCollege of South Wales and Monmouthshire, and the pro-vision of a laboratory fax the county medical officers, wasdiscussed. It was decided to recommend the council tosubscribe f.2000 towards a private laboratory and a depart-ment for the county medical officers in connexion with thenew college buildings. The details were ’left to be dealt with by the sanitary committee of the GlamorganshireCounty Council.

A New Hospital I for Cardiff.At a meeting held on Feb. 24th at Cardiff it was decided

to raise a fund for the purpose of erecting, as a memento ofHer Majesty’s reign, a permanent seamen’s hospital for theport of Cardiff in place of the Hamadryad hospital ship.The Marquis of Bute has offered to subscribe E5000 andpresent a suitable site, provided that at least £30,000 wereraised by subscription, Mr. Cory will give £1000, and otherdonations are promised.

Raùies and Anthrax.

At the quarterly meeting of the sanitary committee of theGlamorganshire County Council, held last week, the chairman

reported that an outbreak of rabies had occurred in Mon-mouthshire. The inspectors were instructed to secure allstray dogs and to kill them if they were not claimed. Dr.Williams, the medical officer for the county, reported thatan outbreak of anthrax had occurred in several districts, andrecommended that in future carcases should be crematedinstead of buried.

Successful County Court Action by a Bath Surgeon.At a special sitting of the Bath county court, held on

March lst, Mr. R. J. H. Scott, F.R.C.S. Edin., surgeon tothe Royal United Hospital, brought an action against a firmof Bristol brewers for personal injuries and damage to abrougham alleged to have been caused through the negligentdriving of a drayman in the employment of the defendants.The charge was fully borne out by plaintiff and a number ofwitnesses. Mr. Scott obtained a verdict for Z14 18s.

Aberystwith University College.The council of Aberystwith University College has decided

to spend .c15,00O in finishing the erection of a new wing tothe college buildings.

The Bridgwater Infirmary.The heavy gale experienced in the West of England on

March 3rd injured the Bridgwater Infirmary. Two chimneyswere blown down and the debris broke through the roof and’ceiling of the male wards. Fortunately the patients wereunhurt. The furniture of the wards was much injured.The patients were removed to another ward. The damagedone to the infirmary premises is very considerable.

Neglect of Taccination at Swindon.At the last meeting of the Swindon Board of Guardians

the vaccination officer reported that in 1895 there were1352 births, and of these children 319 were successfullyvaccinated, 104 died unvaccinated, 600 remained un-

vaccinated at the present time, and the others had removedto other districts. For the first six months of 1896 the,number of births was 650, of which 139 were successfullyvaccinated, 70 died, 300 were still unvaccinated, and others-were removed to other districts or were postponed. Noaction was taken upon the report.

A New Technical Institute for Bradford-on-Avon.On Feb. 24th a new technical institute, erected at a cost of’

£3600 at Bradford-on-Avon, was opened by Professor MichaelFoster of Cambridge University. Very handsome contribu-tions have been given, including .E1000 from the WiltsCounty Council and L1000 from Lord E. Fitzmaurice.The authorities of the Newport Metal Exchange have

voted 50 guineas to the new infirmary at Newport (Mon.).March 9th.

SCOTLAND.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)

Glasgow Medico-Chirurgical Society.AT a meeting of this society held on the 5th inst. Mr.

R. H. Parry demonstrated a number of specimens ofgynaecological interest. The specimens included severalFibroid Tumours of the Uterus removed by abdominal section,a number of the cases being complicated by pathological.conditions of the ovaries and Fallopian tubes; the Uterusand Appendages removed per vaginam for an obstinate andlong-continued chronic metritis ; and a Tubal Pregnancy in the,second month of gestation with the ovum in situ removed byabdominal section. There was in the last case a featureof special interest, inasmuch as the patient when seen byher medical attendant was regarded as suffering from retro-version of the uterus, and an attempt to forcibly replace theorgan was followed by peritonitis. It was only on the sub-sidence of this condition that the tumour was discoveredand a diagnosis of extra-uterine pregnancy made. Mr. Parryalso showed a Segment of the Small Intestine resected forchronic obstruction due to stenosis of the gut, the result,it was suggested, of cicatrised tuberculous ulceration ; anda Scapula with its Muscular Coverings removed in come-quence of the growth of an adherent parosteal sarcoma. Thedemonstration was completed by the exhibition of a patient,a man who had been obliged to give up his work as a boiler-maker in consequence of the development of Spasmod’c Torticollis. The head had been turned strongly to the Me