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- clothes, but his medical attendant, though not nearly sowealthy, was compelled to live in an expensive villa, keep acarriage, and wear a frock-coat and tall hat. This wealthyworking man would have thought himself badly used if his’club medical attendant had come to see him ou foot and hadbeen shabbily dressed. He would not have had confidence, andwould probably hesitate to take the medicine sent. Severalmembers of the friendly societies are tradesmen, and this isnotably the case with regard to the Druids, one of the latterbeing a cab proprietor. Even the secretaries of the clubsare beginning to see that the pay given to the medicalofficers is insufficient, and, to judge from the remarks made,.some slight increase might be obtained from several of thesocieties ; but the necessity of imposing a wage limit is farmore important.

Several practitioners complained of the habit very pre-valent at Sheffield of changing medical men. During thehealthy and active part of a man’s life he will live near tohis work, and but rarely requires the services of his clubmedical officer. But when he becomes old and his health

begins to give way he will probably go and live in the,outskirts of the town, and then will want to have hisname transferred to the list of some other officer livingnearer his new abode. Thus some club medical officers

get an altogether unfair proportion of invalid memberson their list. It has been urged that when a memberof a club wants to make this change he should be- examined by the new medical attendant and accepted bythe latter only if he is in a healthy condition. This

.suggestion is perhaps not very practical, for it would placemembers of the clubs at a very great disadvantage when theywant to remove. Still, from the practitioner’s point of viewit does not seem fair that one medical officer should have the

majority of his club members aged from twenty to fiftyyears, while in a suburban district there should be an extra-

ordinary proportion of club members who are more than

fifty years old. It is very certain that the suburban practi-tioner will have much more work to do for the same pay,and this will be spread over a much larger space. In the

present state of affairs it is difficult to see how this problem- can be solved satisfactorily for both parties, but the

grievance would disappear naturally and without effort if a

wage limit was established. Those club members who areable in more advanced years to remove from the centre ofthe town to the suburbs are in many instances memberswhose financial circumstances have so improved that theapplication of a wage limit would remove them altogetherfrom club practice. They would go to increase the privatepractice of suburban medical men. This would be so advan-tageous to the suburban practitioners as to constitute an

ample compensation for the few club members who, thoughremoving to the suburbs, might still be so poor as to justifytheir remaining in their clubs.To deal with these questions a medical union must be

formed at Sheffield. The profession needs protection againstthe touting extensively organised by the life assurance com-panies. Then the medical men who accept fcps of 6d. andls. constitute also a great grievance.Such methods of practice will, however, under the

stress of competition continue and increase if a strongmedical union is not formed to deal with all such questions..Some efforts have already been made to constitute such aunion. The Sheffield Medico-Chirurgical Society has beenasked to take the initiative and convoke a meeting so as toform a union. The reply was that every possible help wouldbe given, but that the club medical officers and those whowere themselves the principal sufferers should take theinitiative in convoking the meeting ; the leaders of the pro-fession were, however, ready to associate themselves withthe movement, to speak at the meeting, and in any otherway help the cause forward. It may be said, therefore,-that there is a general awakening at Sheffield and that thetime is not far distant when this town will join with its

neighbours in seeking to constitute a local union.

THE BATTLE OF THE CLUBS AT LINCOLN.IN THE LANCET of April 4th we published a, resolution and

.scale of fees which had been adopted by the profession inLincoln as those which ought to rule in medical clubs. This.clocument was duly forwarded to the two medical institutes..Replies have been received as follows :—

Odd fellows’ Medical Institute. Unity-square, Lincoln, April 11th, 1896.

DEAR SIR,-I am directed by the committee of the above Institute I

to forward you copy of resolution passed by them at a special meetingI held last night. Yours truly,WM. COULSON, Secretary.

commitee having recevied a medical

ractitiouers of Lincoln containing certain resolutions whichhey assert should be the future condition of membership of thislatitution, resolved-‘ That we hereby refuse either to accept theonditions or to recognise their right to dictate them."’

(2)Lincoln United Friendly Societies Dispensary,

April 17th, 1896.DEAR SIR.-I am requested to forward to you the following resolu-

tion which was passed by the delegates of the two Medical Aid Associa-tions of Lincoln at their meeting last evening.-Yours trul Y,

WM. BAVIN.

Itesolved : " That this meeting, having considered the character andeffect of the resolutions therein, hereby declares its inability to reco-gnise in any way the manifesto of the medical men of Lincoln or anyoutside pressure attempted to be put upon the committee of FriendlySocieties." "

I will be noted that Messrs. Coulson and Bavin do noterr upon the side of courtesy. As a consequence of thesereplies the following letter of resignation was sent in andsigned by three of the four medical men attached to theinstitutions in question :-

LETTER OF RESIGNATION

We regret your refusal to accept the principles put forward in theresolutions passed at the meeting of practitioners held on March 30thlast.Under these circumstances we are pledged to tender our resignation,

which we beg you to accept for this day month, unless in the mean-while you should agree to alterations on those lines which have beensubmitted to you.April 22nd, 1896.

It will be noticed that we say this letter was signed bythree out of four medical men. The fourth, although hisname appears in the manifesto published in our columns ofApril 4th ; although he signed an agreement dated March 28thpledging himself to act in unity with his colleagues ;although he denied at a meeting held upon April llth thathe was not acting in unity with his professional brethren, andalthough he expressed no ill-will towards the gentlemen whohad questioned his position but shook hands with him-yet,in face of all this, he has declined to send in his resignationwith the others. He still holds his post. We hope thatMr. P. W. Young will see the curious position in whichhe stands---that of a nominal friend and virtual foe. Weappeal to him to fall into line with his colleagues. His

present course will do him no good whatever, though it maytemporarily impede the course of justice to his professionalbrethren.We congratulate the three medical men on their very

proper stand against the arbitrary conduct of the medicalinstitutes. They have acted for the good of the profession.

MANCHESTER.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Manchester and Salford S’ewage.THE adjourned case of the Mersey and Irwell Joint Com-

mittee against the Salford corporation for polluting the ShipCanal came before the Salford County-court on the 20th ult.The counsel for the corporation said the system for treatingthe sewage had been decided on, and application had beenmade to the Local Government Board to borrow £50,000 tocarry out the works and to hold an inquiry at the earliestpossible date in order that the necessary sanction may beobtained, so that the work proposed may be begun withoutdelay. The case was adjourned till the result of the applica-tion to the Local Government Board-a body not always veryspeedy in its proceedings-was known. At the meeting of theJoint Committee yesterday Mr. R. A. Tatton, the chief in-spector, reported as regards the treatment of Manchestersewage that since the last adjournment thirty acres of landhave been brought into operation as a filtration area, but theamount of sewage dealt with by this area is only about2,000,000 gallons per day out of a total dry weather flow of14,000,000 gallons, the remainder being treated by precipita-tion only. It is expected that "the whole of the sewagewill be connected up towards the end of the summer of thisyear."

" Sir Henry Koscoc, speaking after a report respectingcertain analyses of effluents had been read, stated that

experience showed that mere chemical precipitation-whetherat such works as those of fellmongers, breweries, tanneriec, orin the case of the sewage of a large town-would not do, andthey must have either land filtration or artificial filtration.

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He was glad to find that the chemical sub-committee hadappointed a deputation to interview a number of fellmongerswith regard to the serious pollution arising from their works,and to consider and advise as to the most satisfactory methodsof dealing with the effluents from these places. A memberof the committee said the condition of the Irwell had

considerably improved, and Alderman Hopkinson was toldthat fish were coming up the Ship Canal as far as Latchford.

Special Treatment for Aged Poor.The Manchester board of guardians deserve credit for

endeavouring to treat those in their charge with humanityand discrimination. At the meeting a fortnight sinceAlderman McDougall moved a resolution to the effect that acommittee should "consider and report as to the desirabilityand method of providing special accommodation and treat-ment for deserving aged persons ; that until the method isdecided upon and has been in operation for some time theselection should be made from inmates of the CrumpsallWorkhouse ; and that in considering such arrangementsordinary clothes should be provided and, if possible, periodsof daily liberty be granted." The wording seems a littleinvolved, but the intention is obvious, and if properly safe-guarded the scheme would do much to brighten the closingdays of many whose lines have been none too prosperous.

Hospital Saturday.In a letter to the local papers Mr. Fred. Scott, the secretary

to the Manchester Hospital Sunday and Saturday Fund andthe Red Cross Society, corrects an impression likely to havean injurious effect. A delegate from a local town statedthat in his district it was thought that the collectionsbenefited only one or two of the principal hospitals inManchester and Salford. Instead of this being the case"no less than twenty-one hospitals and other medicalcharities share in the proceeds of these collections, includinghospitals for the treatment of special complaints, such asthe Royal Eye Hospital, the Hospitals for Consumptionand Skin Diseases, the Ear Institution, St. Mary’s, Southernand Clinical Hospitals, the Cancer Pavilion, and otherinstitutions at which large numbers of patients fromsurrounding towns are treated as freely as residentsin Manchester and Salford." He appeals, therefore, to thoseliving in the numerous towns in the surrounding district tosupport Manchester and Salford hospitals. The Red Cross

Society is the working men’s auxiliary to the HospitalSaturday and Sunday Fund. It has taken up the work of

increasing the funds of the medical charities enthusiasticallyand hopes to effect a large increase in the sum contributedon Hospital Saturday, the arrangements for which day areunder the special control of this new organisation.

Dog M1lzzlin.q.For a long time past a good deal of feeling and irritation has

been shown in this neighbourhood both by frequent letters tothe papers and otherwise with regard to the sometimes

apparently arbitrary enforcement of the muzzling order incertain districts, while in adjoining districts the dogsrun free. If the muzzling were efficient, if it were

carried out over the whole island for a period longenough to cover any possible length of incubation,and if the importation of dogs were absolutely prevented,there would be some compliance with common-sense re-

quirements. But with the various ingenious devices adoptedby many owners for preventing the efficiency of the

muzzle and the frequent accident of the muzzle gettingloose protection cannot always be relied upon. Thispartial enforcement is obviously irrational, for a mad

dog often travels far and does not respect artificial boundaries,and it is no doubt felt to be so both by the muzzledand the unmuzzled dog when these sensible creatures meeton the imaginary line dividing the districts, the one tocomplain to, and the other to commiserate with, his friend.In a report of the Watch Committee of the Manchester CityCouncil it is stated that under the muzzling order ofFebruary, 1895, 1008 summonses were issued againstowners of clogs, 944 of whom were fined and 64 cases

discharged. Most of these summonses were for dogsrunning out into the road unmuzzled, a thing difficultto prevent if they are to be allowed any freedom atall. But apart from the muzzling order an importantand valuable work has been carried out systematicallyby the police in the impounding and destruction ofownerless and worthless dogs and the preservation andrestoration of lost dogs to their owners. During last

year 3331 stray dogs were brought by the police to the

city pound and 598 by the owners. Of this total of 3929219 were claimed, 253 were sold, 3439 were drowned, and18 were waiting events. In January and February of thisyear 168 were brought by their owners to be destroyed forold age, disease, or savage and uncertain temper, and

altogether more than 500 were impounded. There isusually a greater demand for the purchase of good dogs at.the pound than can be met. They are sold at 2s. 6d.each, the purchaser giving an undertaking to restore to theowner, if required, on payment of the purchaser’s expenses.The Watch Committee, after considering the subject, recom-mend : " (1) That the muzzling of dogs should be continued,subject to its being relaxed or dispensed with in the case ofa dog which wears a collar with the owner’s name andaddress and an official tablet, and is registered at one of thedivisional police-stations ; (2) that the existing muzzling-order should be amended accordingly ; (3) that the exist-ing exemption in favour of sporting dogs be removed ;:(4) that all dogs be muzzled which are not registered and donot wear name-collars and tablets ; and (5) that all dogswhich do not comply with the regulation shall be destroyedor sold if not claimed within three days where the owner is-not known, or within two, after notice, where the owner isknown." There may be some difficulty about No. 3, andNo. 5 implies a freedom of volition and throws on the dog aresponsibility which the Watch Committee in its wisdom

perhaps scarcely intended. If, however, this system ofregistration and supervision were universally carried out, andall stray dogs were impounded and, if need be, destroyed,cases of rabies would be less frequent and sooner detected,with a corresponding increase in the protection of the peopleagainst a frightful danger.May 5tb.VTay 5th.

NORTHERN COUNTIES NOTES.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Convocation of the University of Durham at Newcastel-upon-Ty ne.

A CONVOCATION of the University of Durham was heldin Newcastle-upon-Tyne on Saturday, April 25th. The cere-

mony took place in the library of the College of Medicine,and the Warden of the University, Dean Kitchen, presided.Honorary degrees were conferred upon the Lord Bishop ofNewcastle, Dean Lukins Baronian, the Rev. Dr. Dallinger,Professor Arnison, Principal Gurney, Mr. Richard Howse,and Sir David Dale, Bart. Dr. David B. Lees, of St. Mary’sHospital, London, was admitted ad eundem M.D., and theVicar of Newcastle, the Rev. Canon Lister, and the Rev.Canon Pennyfather ad eundem M.A. Some fifty ordinarydegrees in medicine and surgery were also conferred. Greatpublic interest was taken in this the firat convocation heldin Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The mayor and corporationattended in state and the large room was crowded withspectators. The undergraduates were, as usual, very muchin evidence. The day was beautifully fine and the pro-ceedings-owing in no small degree to the energy of Pro-fessor R. Howden, who is practically the dean of the MedicalFaculty-passed off most satisfactorily.

The Bishop of NewcastelThe Bishop of Newcastle preached last Sunday in the

chapel of the Royal Infirmary to the inmates of the institu-tion. Dr. Jacobs has not been long in the north, but he hason many occasions already shown his sympathy with themedical profession and the work of the medical charities ofthe city. He took a very active interest in the managementof the hospital at Portsmouth, and it is to be hoped anopportunity will soon be afforded him of becoming connectedwith the Royal Infirmary here.

Typhoid Fever from Eating Ran Mussels.In the River Blyth there are mussel-beds which supply a

cheap and much-appreciated luxury to the poorer inhabitants.of the populous town of Blyth. Unfortunately, close to themseveral sewers discharge their contents into the river. Themedical officers of Bedlington and Cowpen report that theeating of mussels from these beds is a possible source oftyphoid fever in the neighbourhood and the Board of Trade wasapproached upon the subject. Thence it was referred to theSea Fisheries Committee for Northumberland and dismissedwithout remark. The Blyth port sanitary authority, on the