121THE ABUSE OF PROVIDENT DISPENSARIES.

That this must be so is evidenced, amongst several other suchcases, by the report on the experiments at Salford. Forinstance, Dr. Klein reports as follows : "Received on

July 29th four samples, sealed The Amines Syndicate,’labeled—(1) Effluent, filtered, 3 P.M., July 27th, 1891 ;(2) Effluent, unfiltered, 1.30 P.M., July 2?th, 1891 ; (3) RiverIrwell, above intake, 11 A.M., July 27th, 1891 ; (4) Pendletonsewage, 11 A.M,, July 27th, 1891. Of each of these samplesmade two plate cultivations, using for each plate of No. 1one cubic centimetre, No. 2 one cubic centimetre, No. 3ten cubic millimetres, No. 4 one-hundred-thousandth of a

cubic centimetre." After one week’s incubation the following was found :—

Sample 1 (filtered effluent) contained innumerable colonies ;except a dozen or so of largish white colonies all theothers (uncountable) were of one kind, small, grey, lique-fying; compared with Sample 2 I am of opinion thatthe filter has added to the effluent an uncountablenumber of bacteria of one and the same species. Sample 2(unfiltered effluent) contained ten colonies, amongst themtwo moulds, for one whole cubic centimetre ; therefore,only eight bacteria being present, it may justly be saidthat the effluent was practically sterile. Sample 3 containedon average 80 to 100 thousand bacteria per 1 c. c. Sample 4contained above 10,000,000 per 1 c.c. Mr. Leo Taylor madedaily bacteriological and microscopical examinations, the over-flow effiaent in all cases being practically sterile, whilst thesewages were teeming with countless organisms.

It would take far too much of your space to multiplyexamples, but it has been proved that lime alone will not dothis; therefore we are driven back to the conclusion that fromthe refuse of lower animals (herrings) a germicide of greatpotency is evolved by lime. This sheds light on Dr. Thorne’sremarks. Many medical men have used this compound insurgery and medicine during the last five years, and it hasbeen found eminently useful in gonorrhoea,, in diphtheria, inoffensive discharges of all kinds, in dysentery as an injection,and in diarrhoea arising from animal poisons. In contra-distinction, it is inert in diarrhoea arising from unripe fruit ormechanically irritating ingesta, which goes to show that theastringent action of the lime water is not the active agent.It forms a perfectly antiseptic surgical dressing.

Fish feed upon all the impurities which drain from’the land into the sea, and if there be truth in the theorythat by introducing these specific contagia into the bodiesof lower animals we may find developed therein an

antitoxin (as they themselves are uninjured) we shouldnaturally look for it in their bodies. That is so,and this extraordinary poison to bacteria is evolved from thetervous system and roes of herrings by the action of lime.This substance, so inimical to bacteria, is perfectly innocentto human beings, and may be drunk, even in the form ofsewage effluent, with impunity, though I should not advisethis latter proceeding. Two swine were inoculated byProfessor Brown with swine fever; one was left alone anddied, the other was fed on lime water and herring brine andsurvived. In the first forty-nine weeks of this year 6932pigs died from swine fever, 54,405 were killed as diseased,and 1250 slaughtered as suspected. It is more than probablethat a few pounds would have saved this costly stock.I might multiply examples indefinitely, but what I wish toarrive at is this-that the remedy be tried by sub-cutaneous injection, and its results compared with Behring’santitoxin. If it turns out a success numbers of lives maybe saved, much irritating and unseemly disputation may beavoided, and the way cleared to a final and convincing-analysis of this gas and its employment in a known chemical’.form. I do not myself doubt the result.

I am, Sirs, your obedient servant,H. CAMPBELL POPE, M,D. Lond., F.R.C.S.

’Goldhawk-road, W., Dec. 17th, 1894.H. CAMPBELL POPE, M.D. Lond., F.R.C.S.

THE ABUSE OF PROVIDENT DISPENSARIES.’1’0 the Editors of THE LANCET.

SIRS,—Will you please insert in your next issue the follow-ing resolution, which was recently passed at a meeting ofthe medical practitioners of the West Salford Parliamentarydivision, held at the town hall, Pendleton ? We venture tothink that the action taken by the medical staff of thePendleton Provident Dispensary in severing their connexionwith the dispensary will meet with your support andthe approval of the profession at large. The following

are some of the factors which have brought about theresignation of the medical staff. 1. This dispensary, incommon with other provident dispensaries, has not ful-filled the purpose for which it was intended, the bulkof the members being well able to pay ordinary medicalfees. 2 The absence of any wage limit or other standardby which the admissions can be regulated and the in-terests of the profession safeguarded. 3. Practically thewhole management of the dispensary is in the hands of alay committee, who only consider the financial success of thedispensary and who care nothing for the proper remunera-tion of the medical staff. 4. The remuneration bears no

proportion to the labour and responsibility attached to thework. 5. Some of the branches of the Manchester andSalford Provident Dispensary have recently been guilty ofa most objectionable form of professional advertising.

I am, Sirs, yours truly,PHILIP GELL GARRETT,

Hon. Sec. to the meeting held on the 27th ult.Albany-square, Pendleton, Jan. lst, 1895.

Resolution.Resolution carried at a meeting of medical practitioners

held at Pendleton town-ball on Dec. 27tb, 1894. Proposed byDr. Fraser, seconded by Mr. Wolstenholme : "That the Man-chester and Salford Provident Dispensary system, as at presentconducted, is inimical to the interests of the profession,derogatory to its dignity, and unworthy of the countenanceand support of medical men. That this meeting of medicalpractitioners residing in the West Parliamentary division ofthe borough of Salford desires, therefore, to record its firmconviction that the members of the staff of the PendletonProvident Dispensary, in unanimously sending in theirresignations, have consulted the best interests of the pro-fession and deserve the thanks of all who value its presentand future welfare."

PHILIP GELL GARRETT,Hon. Sec. to the meeting held on the 27th ult.

POSTAL FACILITIES.

SIRS,-I am surprised to find how few of the public areaware of two postal facilities which the neighbours of adistrict post office enjoy, and for the benefit of my pro-

’ fessional brethren I will mention them : (1) the right to handa telegram, prepaid by stamps or coin, to any telegraphmessenger who may pass, and thus save the inconvenienceof despatching a servant to the office ; (2) the power to poston Sunday up to 6 P.M. with an extra halfpenny stamp lettersfor the country, which then reach their destination on Mon-day morning. As I am afraid a good deal of arrears of

correspondence is worked off on Sunday this is really a gain.I am, S,rs, yours faithfully,

Jan. 8th, 1895. CAVENDISH SQUARE.,CAVENDISH SQUARE.

A MISSING GUIDE.To the -E’ditors of THE LANCET.

SIRS,-With reference to the promised appearance of theTransactions of the International Medical Congress in Aprilnext, let us hope some sanguine expectationsmay be realised.What I should like to know is the probable date of issue ofan exceptionally beautiful guide to Rome which was to havebeen issued to members at the opening of the Congress inMarch last. I was present during the whole of the Congressand I failed to feast my vision on that attractive production.Of all the disappointments of that memorable meeting the non-appearance of the guide-book was the greatest blow of all to

Yours faithfully,Jan. 5th, 1895.

________________

BIBLIOPHILE.

MANCHESTER.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Magistrates and Prosecutions for Excessive Smoke Production.ON Friday last a deputation representing the Manchester

and Salford Sanitary Awsociation and the Noxious Vapours’Abatement Association presented a memorial to the cityjustices at their annual meeting, suggesting that cases

of prosecution for excessive smoke production shouldbe heard by the stipendiary magistrate. It certainlyseems an anomaly that the case of the accused should

122 MANCHESTER.-LIVERPOOL.-SCOTLAND.

be judged by one who is probably just as guilty as

he is. Chemical manufacturers are frequent offendersand they are well represented on the magisterial bench.The deputation did not impute to the magistrates anyunfairness or any attempt to screen each other. The

position is, however, by some at least of them, felt as un-

pleasant, as it must be to those who are conscious that thejudge and the accused might very well play Box and Coxbetween the bench and the dock.

Juvenile Offenders.A second deputation waited on the magistrates from the

Strangeways Refuge for Children, one of the most usefulphilanthropic institutions in Manchester, and submitted aresolution which had been passed by the committee suggest-ing that the time had come when charges against juvenileoffenders other than criminal should be separately con-

sidered by the magistrates and no longer be included inthe general business of the police-court. This propositionwould commend itself to almost everyone, for exposure tomoral contagion ought to be avoided where possible. Acommittee of the justices was appointed to consider thematter.

- Boys’ and Girls’ Refuge and Home.This institution, mentioned in the last paragraph, com-

pleted its twenty-fifth year of work last week. It owes its

origin to the philanthropic zeal of Mr. Leonard K. Shaw,who is still as earnest as ever in seeking to help the poorwaifs of this city. On Jan. 4th, 1870, Mr. Shaw and a fewfriends met to found the Boys’ Refuge and IndustrialBrigade, as it was then called, andfrom a very humble begin-ning a most important charitable agency has developed. Theinstitution includes the central refuge in Strangeways, nearto our Assize Courts, with workshops, six homes for littleorphan boys and girls, working lads’ institute, brigade boys’home, girls’ training homes, seaside home at Lytham, emigra-tion training homes, home for crippled and incurablechildren, open-all-night shelters, prevention of cruelty tochildren branches, industrial brigades, day nursery at

Ancoats, a refuge depot and book saloon, and prison gatemission. There is a branch at Belleville in Canada, and boysare sent year by year to the training ship Indefatigable.Daring 1894 750 children have been under care and trainingin the refuge and branch homes; 107 children have beensent out to Canada, making the total number now in thecolony over 900 ; ten boys have been trained on board theIndefatigable; 1511 boys have had a week’s holiday undercanvas at the camp at Birkdale, near Southport; and othergood deeds almost innumerable have been done. The annualmeeting was attended by the Lord Mayor and by many dis-tinguished citizens of various political and religious views ;for the institution and its practical, sensible managementhave attracted many well-wishers.

Jan. 8th.

LIVERPOOL.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

The Vledical Faculty at University College.CIRCUMSTANCES prevented the opening address of Pro-

fessor Gotch being given at University College at the com-mencement of the session. The classes have been wellattended, and the medical school of Liverpool, whichhas now existed for more than half a century, is in a

most flourishing state. Its success is due to theuntiring and self- sacrificing services of present and

past lecturers, for it is only of late that any. of thechairs have been endowed, and even now only a fewhave this advantage. Granting all the advantages ofmetropolitan schools, it must be admitted that Liverpooloccupies a very important place in the north of Englandand has all the material for affording a sound medical educa-tion to any student. Moreover, the facilities for acquiringa practical knowledge of any department of medicine orsurgery are now so great that at least a part of the curri-culum may be spent here with profit by any student.

Jan. 8th.

A MEETING of persons interested in the Mid-wives Bill was held on the 9th inst. at the Midwives’ Instituteand Trained Nurses’ Club, 12, Buckingham-street, Strand.

SCOTLAND.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)

Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.THE annual report of the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary was

submitted at a meeting of contributors on Monday last, LordProvost McDonald occupying the chair. At the beginning ofthe year there were 663 patients in hospital, and during theyear 9190 new cases had been admitted, making a total of9853 treated during the year. Of this number 641 died inhospital. Over 4000 of the cases were medical, while therewere more than 5000 surgical cases. Over 400 additional caseshad been treated as compared with the preceding year. Thelargest number of patients in hospital at any time was 748)and the average time each patient had been in hospital was22 6 days. Over 4000 of the cases treated were from thecountry. In the out-patient department 25,500 cases hadreceived attention. The ordinary income had been f29,68êjshowing a diminution of .&1083 compared with the precedingyear, most of this being due to a falling off in the legaciesand donations under ;&100. There is also noted a fallingoff in the amount of the church collections. Therehad been a diminution of 795 from employes at public.works in the country, this being due to the prolongedstrike of the workmen at collieries. The ordinary ex-

penditure was £ 42,074, a decrease of £1857 on the figuresof the preceding year. It is pointed out that the cost of-maintenance per bed was 15s. 33/4d. less and the medical ex-penditure 14s. ld. less than was the case the preceding year.The cost per annum of each occupied bed is reckoned at£ 58 10s. 44d. The extraordinary receipts for the year-i.e.,of donations and legacies over £100-amounted to £22,376As regards the convalescent home at Corstorphine, therehad been 1450 admissions from the infirmary, the averagedaily number in the home being 79, and the average periodof residence 20 days. The managers express their satis-faction at the work the infirmary is doing, but again drawattention to the need for increased accommodation, and as.soon as the financial position of the country improves theypropose to bring forward a scheme for its extension.

Annual -Report of the University of Edinburgh.During the past year the total number of matriculated

students (including 140 women) was 2949. In the faculty ofmedicine there were 1494 students; of these, 622 belonged to,Scotland, 498 were from England and Wales, 74 from Ireland59 from India, 205 from British colonies, and 35 from foreigncountries. The report refers to the new lectureships inmedicine, but, as we stated on a former occasion, these are-simply new titles for the old assistants. A new departurehas been made in the admission of women to degrees inmedicine, provided they have obtained their medical educa-tion in extra-academical schools specially recognised by theUniversity, and the framers of the report expect that manywill avail themselves of the privilege. It is anticipated thatthe McEwan University Hall will be ready for the graduationceremonial on Aug. lst.

Health of -Edinb?trg7t.It is satisfactory to note that only 4 fresh cases of small-

pox were reported last week. There were 212 cases of. measles and 49 of scarlet fever reported. Amongst the deaths-. are 2 cases of small-pox. No fresh cases of small-pox arereported in Leith.

The Decrease. in the Nunaber of Glasgow Medical Students.The statement of the numbers of matriculated students at

Glasgow University for the past six years shows a netdiminution during that period of 200 in the candidates for

medicine. The figures for Edinburgh University showa net diminution in medical students during the same

period of 531. The figures do not, in the case ofeither university, include students enrolled in single* classes or women. Perhaps a part of the above-noted

’’ marked falling off in the number of medical students is-to be ascribed to the recent col3ions "ploughidgs" in the

r preliminary examinations ; but more probably it is simply an,- indication of the expected ebb in the tide of candidate&

which was sure to follow the rush to begin study before 1892,when the five years’ curriculum became obligatory, while

= some of it also may be due to the extension of medicalschools south of the border.

e Small-pox in Glasgow.Small-pox has reappeared in Glasgow. Four eases havs