123"LEPROSY AND HEREDITY."

the part of the ovum which decides the sex of the resultingembryo....... The embryo pursues for a time a straightpath, then deviates to the male or female side." Whatdetermines its deviation ? Which is the straighter path ?I do not agree with Mr. Wilson that "the impetus tothis deviation is given at the commencement of its existenceas a fertilised ovum": it is further back. "The longerfertilisation is delayed after its extrusion from the ovary thegreater likelihood is there of the ovum developing into afemale embryo, and vice tersa." It is this theory, built uponthe devitalisation of the ovum through menstruation, that Iwish to combat.

Premising that Mr. Wilson’s facts are true, which havebeen corroborated by other observers, that conceptionfollowing very soon after menstruation results in a femaleembryo, and premising that the ovum comes fresh from theovary soon after the cessation of the period, its then con-dition is that of early development-i. e., of quasi-immaturegrowth-and if then fertilised it produces a female embryo,which, for want of a better expression, is of a lower type ofdevelopment; but after a time it attains a more mature stage,when its fertilisation results in the evolution of the highertype—i.e., the male. Following the same line of reasoning,how is it we so often see that girls are more impressed withthe father’s features and characteristics, and the boys withthose of the mother? Is it not that the dominant energy ofthe father impresses the immature ovum and outweighs it, soto speak, in the balance of power, but in the case of the maleembryo the result is obtained by the same paternal energyworking on an ovum of a higher evolution-an ovum that hashad more time of intra-maternal growth and so bears a

greater proportion of maternal characteristics? I take it,therefore, it is not that menstruation weakens an ovum

originally strong, and so "having lost much of its vitality,"but that towards the end of the inter-menstrual period theovum has gained in vitality, or rather has by evolution attaineda more mature or higher grade. Before, however, we canformulate a theory that will carry conviction we must increaseour knowledge as to the actual time in the menstrual cyclewhen ovulation takes place.

I am, Sirs, yours faithfully,HEYWOOD SMITH.Harley-street, Jan. 2nd, 1894.

"LEPROSY AND HEREDITY."To the Editors of THE LANCET.

SIRS,—Dr. de Valence, in the letter which he has sent toyou touching the matter of the lepers who are sent to Indiafrom Mauritius, does not dispute the accuracy of his ownstatement that these lepers are, as far as medical men canjudge, healthy men when they arrive in the Mauritius,and that no inconsiderable number of them leave that

colony and return to their homes in India incurable lepers.This they do at the expense and with the cheerful assent ofthe Government of Mauritius and so return to India to help toinfect healthy people there with leprosy. Dr. de Valence’sbeliefs and theories about "leprosy and heredity" do notalter the facts of the case. The people who believein the hereditary transmission of leprosy, in the sensein which Dr. de Valence believes in it, are so very few in ’,number among those whose opinions on the subject are of any importance that it is unnecessary to deal with the matter. I

I am, Sirs, yours truly, iTHE WRITER OF YOUR NOTICE OF THE REPORT OF

THE ST. LAZARE LEPER ASYLUM.

LIVERPOOL.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Hydrophobia at Wavertree.MucH alarm was created at Wavertree, an eastern suburb

of this city, by a report that on the 2nd inst. several personshad been bitten by a rabid dog. Four boys were playing inVictoria Park when the dog furiously attacked them, bitingthree on the leg, one on the arm, and also biting a domesticservant on the leg, as well as tearing her clothes. Theinjured persons were all attended by Dr. Wearing, ofWavertree, and have since been sent to Paris for treat-ment, one of the boys being sent by his father and the

others by a fund raised by the local residents. The dog wasdestroyed by its owner, and on a post-mortem examinationbeing made by Dr. Barron of Liverpool and Mr. Welsh, theveterinary surgeon of the district, it was found to be the

subject of rabies The same dog also attacked Dr. Harvey ofWavertree, but fortunately the bite of the animal did notpenetrate his clothes. A hurried meeting of the magistrates.was convened on Saturday, and a muzzling order for thewhole district of West Derby was issued.

The Confinement of Inebriates.I A melancholy instance of the necessity for the more-effectual dealing with confirmed inebriates was disclosed at thecity coroner’s court on the 6th inst. The deceased, a marriedwoman, had for years been so addicted to drink that she.would pawn the furniture of the house bit by bit, as well as.

her husband’s and her own clothing. She actually died in a.drunken state. Her husband, himself a sober man, gaveevidence, and said that he had done his best to restrain her.

Hospital Sunday in Liverpool.The second Sunday in the new year (Jan. 14th) will be the-

twenty-fourth anniversary of the observance of this institu-tion in Liverpool, and, in accordance with their custom, the.committee have published their annual report in pamphlet,form, with many interesting details both of the HospitalSunday and Saturday Funds. When the movement was begunin Liverpool it had been a "hardy annual " in Birminghamfor about twelve years. It had begun in Carlisle, Manchester,and a few other places, but was unknown in London untilsome years later. It may be fearlessly asserted that anydifficulties which have been overcome in other towns andcities, or which have yet to be overcome, could not be more-insidious or formidable than those which had to be encounteredin Liverpool. But the perseverance of a few of its citizens,aided by THE LANCET and the local press, overcame allobstacles after two years’ hard work, and the first HospitalSunday collection took place on Jan. 8th, 1871. Its pro-moters had calculated upon obtaining a total of £4000, andthe amount actually realised was 4685. It was, however,felt that it was only an earnest of what might bedone, and that future years would see a considerableadvance. For the next three years the collections rose

to .S6823, £8124, and f:8848 respectively. In the year 1875,however, the sum fell to £7462, and fluctuated till 1879, whenit dropped to .E6953. Aeain, there was a rise in 1880 to.E7558 and fluctuations occurred until in 1892 and 1893 theamounts were .E6410 and .E6211. In 1893 the weather onHospital Sunday was very inclement, the streets being full offrozen snow and the cold most intense. Still, such a sum as.E6211 is one which could not have been raised under such,circumstances for any other objects save hospitals and othermedical charities, to which it furnished a considerable pro-portion of their annual income ; and therefore, although it.was proposed to change the date, the committee judged it.better to trust bravely to the future. It only remains to beadded that the expenses of collection have always been ex-tremely moderate, amounting yearly to less than 3 per cent.The committee, though comprising clergy and laity of allreligious denominations, have worked together most harmoni-ously and their distributions to the various charities have-

given general satisfaction. It is confidently expected thatwith improved times the upward tendency will again be seen,Jan. 9th.

MANCHESTER.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

, Wintry Weather.AFTER an unusually mild and open Christmas and New- .

Year, severe weather set in about the middle of last week,and continued without intermission until yesterday evening,when a decided and welcome thaw suddenly took place. A-

large anti-cyclone has hovered over the neighbourhood ofManchester during the entire period that has elapsed since-my last letter. The weather in Manchester has accordinglybeen misty, and at times dense fogs have overspread thecity. From the middle of last week the air-temperaturefell rapidly and steadily, until on Saturday night theterrestrial radiation thermometer indicated twenty degrees.of frost on the grass. This was at the City MeteorologicalObservatory in Oldham-road, but reports say that tempera-tures not much above these were recorded in certain country

124 BIRMINGHAM.-IRELAND.

districts near Manchester. Although there was but littleprecipitation last week, there were nevertheless frequentshowers of snow and sleet, which, accompanied as they wereby bitter easterly winds of some force, often partook of thecharacter of a "blizzard." Although the cold weather,whilst it lasted, caused evident t distress in our poorer quarters,it is to be hoped that with a fairly plentiful supply otfuel nogreat loss of life will result. As yet it is, of course,too early to form an estimate of the increase in thedeath-rate from pulmonary diseases which is almost cer-

tain to accrue from the recent extreme depression of tem-perature, for the deaths thus caused will not be regis-tered until another week or fortnight has elapsed. Itis satisfactory, however, to note that according to theofficial returns the mortality from influenza is still decreasingin spite of the recent severe weather. The canal tramc inthe neighbourhood of Manchester has been entirely dis-

organised by the frost. The water everywhere has been.-covered with ice several inches thick, and up to yesterday theice-boats have in vain endeavoured to make a way for theordinary craft to pass. There are, of course, the usual cropof ice accidents to record, for skating has been general fromThursday last, and our Lancashire youth are very venture-some.

Small-pox.This loathsome disease still continues to linger, if not to

spread, in many of the large manufacturing towns which arein daily communication with Manchester. In spite of theexperience which has been purchased at the cost of so muchloss of life both here and elsewhere, vaccination and re-

vaccination are still neglected, and it is doubtful whetheranything short of a frightful epidemic will bring people tor’.heir senses. In Oldham the disease has been prevalent fora considerable time, but it is in the Yorkshire towns more

.especially that the disease seems to have effected a lodg-ment. In view of the fact that the anti-vaccinationists arestill at work with unabated energy, it is much to be regrettedthat the Royal Commission on Vaccination cannot yet seetheir way to publish the report which has been so long andso anxiously looked for, and which will, it is to be hoped,do something in the direction of settling this much-vexed.question.

Jan. 9th. ______________

BIRMINGHAM.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Christmas at the Hospitals.THE usual exhibitions of benevolence and charity have

this year shown no diminution at the various institutions inthe city. The General and the Queen’s Hospitals have beendecorated with taste and much attention, and the fare for thepatients made appropriate to the festive season. For theyoung ones. Christmas trees have borne a variety of pleasingpresents which have gladdened the hearts of the juvenilerecipients. Father Christmas visited the Children’s Hospitalin person, and made useful and cheering gifts to the sixty-nine in-patients. The presence of numerous willing workersand visitors rendered the extra duties of the season lighterto the resident staff than they would otherwise have been anddivided the honours of the different occasions.

Sanitation versus Infectious Disease.This was the title of the last of the series of public health

lectures given at Mason College, and the question was ablydealt with by Dr. Bostock Hill before a large and appre-ciative audience. The necessity of accurate disinfection andthe importance of inspection were fully dwelt upon. At thepresent time there are 197 small-pox patients in the CityHospital ; information on the above subject is thereforeuseful and much needed. The diffusion of knowledge onsanitary matters cannot be too strongly enforced in the- midst of a closely packed and teeming population. Perhapsno subject is surrounded with more individual selfishnessthan sanitation, both of the individual and the community.

Periodical Colleetioli for Local Charities.At a recent meeting of the Hospital Sunday Committee it

was stated that the collections made on Sunday, Oct. 29th,In 261 churches, chapels, and other places of worship,amounted to £4499 4s 2d. After deducting expenses thebalance was JM346 lls. 7d. The usual votes of thanks werepassed.

Jan- 3rd.

SCOTLAND.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)

The Edinnurgh Royal Infirrmary.THE annual meeting of the contributors to the Edinburgh

Royal Infirmary was held last week. Lord Provost Russell

presided. The annual report of the managers was submitted.The number of patients remaining in hospital on Oct. lst,1892, was 561 ; the patients admitted during the succeedingyear was 8863, making a total of 9424 ; of this number 617had died. Of the cases brought to a termination, 3930 weremedical and 4831 surgical. The average daily number ofpatients in the hospital was 690, the greatest number at anyone date being 734. The average time the patients remainedunder treatment was 28 4 days. In the various waiting.rooms about 25,000 patients had been treated. The ordinaryincome was £30,769 5s. 3d., being a slight increase over thepreceding year, and there was a decrease of over £400 inthe revenue from investments. The income from the sale ofhospital tickets had increased by £59218s. The fees paid fortraining nurses had fallen off For the first time the threenorthern counties of England had contributed a sum of

:&78 9s. 6d to the funds of the infirmary, this being the resultof a special appeal. It was reported that the housecommittee had gone thoroughly into the question of theincrease in the annual expenditure, but could not fix uponanything that warranted complaint ; they considered thatit might be advantageous to call the attention of the heads ofdepartments to the increased expenditure, and request theircooperation in maintaining economy with efficiency. Theordinary expenditure for the past year had risen to

£43,931 17s. 6d an increase of .&1961 18s. Id. on the previousyear, which was more than explained by the increase in thedaily number of patients in hospital, the number being 690against 652 in the preceding year. The cost of maintenance

per occupied bed was 10s. 04’d. less. The annual cost ofeach bed during the year was £63 13s. 4¼d. Duringthe year £14,618 4s. 2d. had been received in legacies anddonations of .E100 and upwards. The new Home for Nurseshad been completed and had been occupied with the happiestresults. Reference was then made to the difficulty themanagers had to face in providing the necessary beds forthe female students, and the arrangements that had beenmade were detailed. Mention was also made of the proposalto enlarge the hospital, and it was pointed out that action inthis matter had been delayed owing to the amount of Scottishmoney indefinitely locked up owing to the banking crisis inAustralia, but that as soon as a favourable opportunityoccurred steps would be taken to lay the scheme before thepublic. Reference was also made to the extension of theConvalescent House. The average daily number of patientsthere had been 77 6. The report was adopted, on the motionof the Lord Provost.

Glasgow,.According to the report of the medical officers of health

there has been a decrease of 30 in the number of cases ofinfectious disease in the various districts of Glasgow. On

Friday last 861 cases were reported, whereas on the previousFriday the number amounted to 890. The number of casesrecorded as being in hospital was 631, and the number athome 230.

Jan. 9th. ________________

IRELAND.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)

Allegations against Dublin Hospitals.IN reference to the censure of Sir Patrick Dun’s and Mercer’s

Hospitals by the coroner’s jury, as noted in last week’sissue of THE LANCET, a special meeting of the governorsof Sir Patrick Dun’s Hospital was held recently to inves-tigate the matter. The governors adopted a resolutionthat no charge of neglect had been substantiated againstany official of the hospital. According to the long-establishedJUle of the house, all emergency and accident cases aredetained until the patients are able to return home;bat this rule is subject to the discretion necessarilyvested in the visiting surgeon for the time on duty. Onthe evening in question the house surgeon, being of opinionthat the case was one requiring to be detained in the house.said to Dr. Brooks, one of the surgeons and whom thehouse surgeon believed to be on duty, "I suppose we