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lution to the effect that the physician and surgeon of the weekbe ex-officio members of the board of directors. Dr. JoHNSON

prefaced his motion with some most pertinent and unanswer-able observations. He stated with much force and unadorned

eloquence the claims of the honorary medical officers of suchan institution to a participation in its government. In such a

controversy, the marvel is that any governor should appear asan opponent to the just claims of those on whom the reputa-tion and usefulness of an hospital mainly depend. One gentle-man-his name is worthy of especial mention--Mr. J. BATHER,in a speech of considerable length, stated that he thought" the object of the directors should be to exclude the medical" element; to get good common sense, and not medical sense.11 We ought to get good professional men to attend to those in" the house, but on the board we want good common ordinary" sense." Mr. BATHER is doubtless no " ordinary" man. He

is a logician evidently of the Laputan school. But his geniusis scarcely fitted for the ordinary necessities of an Englishcommunity. He certainly enunciates principles of a remark-able kind. By all means, says he, obtain the best possiblemedical advice and assistance for the patients in our hospital. ILet us raise the reputation and usefulness of our institution

I

upon the unpaid labours of our medical officers. Let us take

advantage of their generous aid on all occasions; but let us byno means admit them into the governing body. If we do so,we shall have no opportunity of finding fault with them whenwe may deem it to be necessary, and we shall, in fact, placethem upon an equality with ourselves. But this flimsy argu-ment was effectually answered by Dr. JoHNSON. If the ser-

vices of the medical officers were really so important, surelytheir aid was necessary in matters requiring explanation.

Fortunately, Mr. BATHER’s arguments had little weightwith the governors of the Infirmary, and Dr. JoHNSON’s

motion was eventually carried, the numbers being seventeen

against nine. We congratulate the directors and the medicalofficers of the Salop Infirmary upon the result of this contest-a contest in which all the justice and sound reasoning were onone side, and all the prejudice on the other.

SOME years since, Mr. TiTE, the eminent architect, andM.P. for Bath, rendered some professional service to St.

Thomas’s Hospital. In return, the Governors very properlymade the honourable gentleman a Life Governor of the Insti-tution. In a noble spirit of benevolence, Mr. TITE has justfounded a scholarship in connexion with the hospital. He has

invested ,:elOOO Consols for that purpose.

" My object," says the generous donor, " in this endow-

ment, is to encourage intelligent young men to join our medicalschool; because I venture to think that public hospitals wouldlose much of their usefulness unless they administered, in aconsiderable degree, to the advancement of medical and sur.gical science. With that view, my wish is that a scholarship,arising out of the income of the Consols transferred, should begiven to some intelligent student for three years, the candidateto be chosen by open competition, giving a preference (otherthings being equal) to the son of a former student of St.Thomas’s Hospital."Mr. TiTE is entitled to the gratitude of the profession for

the step he has taken. Such men are, fortunately, not rare;but they are not so many that their generous actions can be

passed over in silence.

FEW are the rewards which are conferred on members of our

profession. They cannot aspire to the woolsack or the mitre,and they are excluded by the nature of their calling from thehigh offices of the State. Yet the services they render to

society and humanity are far beyond those which the membersof either the Bar or the Church can by possibility confer. Wehail, then, with peculiar satisfaction, the honour which our dis-tinguished brother, Sir RANALD MARTIN, has received at thehands of the QuEEN. There is no man in our profession onwhom the honour could have been more justly conferred, orwhose elevation to a title would be received with more generalpleasure and satisfaction, than Sir R. MARTIN. No one has

laboured more assiduously and successfully to elevate his brethrenin the social status. But more than this, he has devoted hisenergies to the welfare of the soldier. In the sanitary interestof our armies, no man in our days has done so much. It is

needless to refer to his world-wide fame as an author and as a

medical statesman. Sir R. MARTIN has, in his writings andhis addresses, evinced his admiration, even his reverence, for thatnoble martyr in the cause of the military and medical profes-sions, Dr. ROBERT JACKSON. Sir R. MARTIN is a worthy suc.cessor of that distinguished man: to say more is unnecessary ;to say less would be an injustice.

THE enemies of vaccination will, doubtless, make the mostof the disastrous consequences which have resulted in some

instances from that operation amongst the soldiers in the campat Shorncliffe. The letter of our correspondent, printed atpage 21, affords some apparent grounds for their exultation.

But will the real influence of vaccination, when properly per-formed, be injured by the untoward events at Shorneliffe ? 9

We believe not. On the contrary, we are firmly convincedthat, when the whole facts shall be placed before us, it will befound that they admit of such an explanation as will in no wayaffect the high reputation which has been attained by thaglorious discovery of JENNER.

Medical Annotations.66e qual 171TY11S.’

THE PROGRESS OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.

THE elaborate oration with which Lord Wrottesley inau-gurated the Oxford meeting of the British Association, ex-pressed in words of dignified eloquence the varied progress ofscientific research during the last year. With the natural pre-dilections of an accomplished astronomer the new President

dwelt at length on the phenomena of the heavens, and theresults of recent astronomical research, especially the confirma-tion of the opinion, that space is filled with ether, by the ob-servation of comets, and the connexion between magneticstorms and changes of the sun’s surface, illustrated by thecurious observations of Mr. Carrington and Mr. Hodson, whosimultaneously witnessed what " may be the process of feedingthe sun by the fall of meteoric matter."

I The sympathies of every well-educated man with the achieve-ments of the many labourers in the multiform vintage of scienceare sufficiently strong to render the whole of Lord Wrottesley’sspeech very interesting to most medical practitioners, for it

conveys a comprehensive review of the year’s progress towardshigher knowledge in all matters of science. A special interestattaches to one paragraph, in which the advances of physiology

18

and medicine are mentioned in a thoughtful and well-devisedargument. As a mathematician, Lord Wrottesley may be ex-pected to feel strongly the disadvantage of the inexactness ofMedicine, and though he may be disposed to attach too great avalue to the geometric analysis of life, or the chemical inves-tigation of disease, yet it is well to remember that the want ofaccuracy, though it be inherent in our art, is, nevertheless, agrave defect. The astronomer may truly tell us, that in astro-nomy and mathematics, or mechanics, there are no quacks, andif Medicine were an exact science there would be none amongstus. Repressive legislation must prove inefficient to preventquackery, which at best it will only modify. But the appli-cation of rigid laws of inquiry, and accurate methods of state-ment, would do something to diminish the obscurity of Medi-cine, which, as a cloud, favours their twilight tricks.

" In the recent progress of physiology, I am informed thatthe feature perhaps most deserving of note on this occasion, isthe more extended and successful application of chemistry,physics, and the other collateral sciences, to the study of theanimal and vegetable economy. In proof, I refer to the greatand steady advances which have, within the last few years,been made in the chemical history of nutrition, the statics anddynamics of the blood, the investigation of the physical pheno-mena of the senses, and the electricity of nerves and muscles.Even the velocity of the nerve-force itself has been submittedto measurement. Moreover, when it is now desired to applythe resources of geometry or analysis to the elucidation of thephenomena of life, or to obtain a mathematical expression of aphysiological law, the first care of the investigator is to acquireprecise experimental data on which to proceed, instead of set-ting out with vague assumptions, and ending with a parade ofmisdirected skill, such as brought discredit on the school of themathematical physicians of the Newtonian period."But I cannot take leave of this department of knowledge

without likewise alluding to the progress made in scrutinizingthe animal and vegetable structure by means of the microscope-more particularly the intimate organization of the brain,spinal cord, and organs of the senses; also to the extension,through means of well-directed experiment, of our knowledgeof the functions of the nervous system, the course followed bycensorial impressions and motorial excitement in the spinalcord, and the influence exerted by, or through, the nervouscentres on the movements of the heart, bloodvessels, andviscera, and on the activity of the secreting organs-subjectsof inquiry, which, it may be observed, are closely related tothe question of the organic mechanism whereby our corporealframe is influenced by various mental conditions." "

MEDICINES AND PERFUMES.

MEDICINE seeks now to assail all the senses, and to reachthe body through all the avenues of physical or mental ap-proach. Vapours, baths, and aqueous dust are greatly favouredby some of our modern .ZEscuIapians and refinements of phy-sical stimulus and mental control are employed of which theelder physicians had no cognizance. One department of thera-peutic study has, however, been little cultivated-it is that ofperfumes. Looking to the active qualities of many of theseperfumes, and the marked effects which they are capable ofproducing, it is probable that a therapeutic study and classifi-cation of the various series according to their bases might beserviceable to the physician. An able chemist recalled latelyat the Society of Arts some of the authorities and reasonswhich might justify a belief that there is a future of usefulnessfor the therapeutic student of modern perfumes :-

" Criton, Hippocrates, and other ancient doctors classed per-fumes amongst medicines, and prescribed them for many dis-eases, especially those of a nervous kind. Pliny, also, attributestherapeutic properties to various aromatic substances; andsome perfumes are still used in modern medicine. A certainclass, however, of our medical men entirely prohibit the use ofscents, pretending that they are injurious to health. In this Ithink they are mistaken. It is true that flowers, if left in asleeping apartment all night, will sometimes cause headacheand sickness; but this proceeds not from the diffusion of theiraroma, but from the carbonic acid they evolve during thenight. If a perfume extracted from those flowers were left

open in the same circumstances, no evil effect would arise fromit. All that can be said is, that some delicate people may beaffected by certain odours; but the same person to whom amusky scent would give a headache might derive much relieffrom a perfume with a citrine basis. Imagination has, besides,a great deal to do with the supposed noxious effects of perfume;and Dr. Capellini relates the story of a lady, who fancied shecould not bear the smell of a rose, and who once fainted at thesight of one of those flowers, which turned out, after all, to beartificial. Numerous examples might be adduced, on the con-trary, tending to show that perfumes are beneficial and pro-phylactic in the highest degree. After the Dutch had de-stroyed by speculation the clove-trees in the island of Ternate,that colony was visited by a series of epidemics, which hadbeen kept off until then by the fragrant smell of the cloves;and in more modern times, when London and Paris wereravaged by cholera, there was not, to my knowledge, a singlevictim among the numerous persons employed in the perfumeryfactories of either city. In fine, we are prompted by a naturalinstinct to seek and enjoy pleasant odours, and it is unreason-able and unjust to suppose that Providence has endowed uswith this discerning power to mislead us into a pleasure fraughtwith danger."

PROFESSIONAL MAXIMS.

I THE difficulties and the honours of professional life, the valueof labour, and the failures of genius, are subjects which cannever grow trite and wearisome to the mind of the professionalreader. Few men will read without interest the words whichLord Stanley addressed to the students of University Collegethis week in presenting the successful candidates with theirhardly-earned prizes. He told them that real work-workwhich will stand the test of time and the criticism of competentjudges-can never be the result of hasty, careless, or desultoryefforts. The rapid intuition, the sweeping glance, the

ready analysis, and the triumphant argument, in which weadmire the skilfulness of a born geniujs, are the evidences oftrained thought and well-drilled intelligence, of which theschooling has often been secretly accomplished. So that facilitybecomes a measure for previous labour, and readiness an indexof early preparation. The students were warned, too, againstan error which many hundreds of members of the medical profes-sion must now deplore. They were told that when once a manhas thrown himself heart and soul into the turmoil and anxietyof professional life, there is not for him much more-in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred there is no more-of that free and

liberalizing study which developes not one faculty, but all thefaculties of the mind. There is an universal and almost irre-sistible impatience to burst the bonds of college discipline, and tospring into active life. The phrase is-to waste no time, butto buckle to the work of life at once. But time spent in study,while the habit of mental application is yet strong, and themind vigorous and impressible, is not lost; it gives such a per-fection of mental culture as heightens all the powers, and helpsat once to happiness and success. Wisely did Lord Stanleysay to these young men-" Study as long as in prudence youcan, and don’t fear that life will not be long enough to reapwhat you have sown." It is almost to be regretted that anyare permitted to engage in the active pursuits of life, as in ourprofession, when just of age. The young man of twenty-one,who will still give three years to study and mental cultivation,will always look back upon the time so spent with pleasurablesatisfaction.

POISONING THE THAMES.’

THE river demon which last year tortured the million

dwellers in the great metropolis, and neutralized the sweetsof summer by foetid miasm that poisoned all the air, has beenfortunately propitiated by the heavy rains and cold tempera-ture which have nipped with wintry harshness all the firstfruits of this present summer. The annoyance and the anxiety

, which marred more brilliant seasons have not added to the

19

discomforts of the gloomy solstice through which we have justpassed. The physicians who watch the changes of the solidsand fluids of the Thames, report that they have never beenmore favourably proportioned than they are just now. The

heavy rains, occurring with the flow of the tide, have at oncelargely diluted the sewage on its passage into the river, andhelped to swell the current that carries these impurities to sea,so that the stream is now in a state of almost pastoral purity-as clear below Wandsworth as above it. Let us rejoice at thisfavourable subsidence of the cause of our zymotic terrors; butlet us also recognise the temporary and accidental coincidenceof heavy summer rains at the flood and low temperature, whichhave combined to relieve us from the offensive putridity whichafflicted our senses during the last two summers. It is a provi-dential lull which we may appreciate the more highly that wehope ultimately, by the complete diversion of the sewage, torender this condition permanent. Meantime some intermediateremedies are kept at hand, as to which we cannot be too thank-ful that they have not been employed.We called attention, some short time since, to the report of

Drs. Witt and Hofmann on the various deodorizing agents Iwhich might be employed in purifying the Thames. They i

gave the palm, and not undeservedly, to a fluid known as ’.Dale’s Perchloride of Iron, or Dale’s Fluid. Throughout thisreport, Dale’s fluid is described as perchloride of iron simply,and the successful experiments related are referred to the

power of that agent alone. We drew attention, however, tothe fact that in confounding Dale’s fluid with ordinary per-chloride of iron, the reporters had committed a very graveerror. We stated reasons for believing that its chemical con-stitution was palpably different, and invited the attention ofsanitary and analytical chemists to the composition of thefluid. The City Boad of Sewers then requested Dr. Lethebyto examine carefully into the nature of this fluid, and re-

port upon it. Dr. Letheby’s investigations have led him tothis startling result: that, in addition to the perchloride ofiron, this fluid contains from 296 to 297 grains of chloride ofarsenic per gallon. If, therefore, the sewage of London weredeodorized in the way proposed, there would be dischargeddaily into the Thames as much as 227 pounds of chloride ofarsenic. Dr. Letheby recoils from the estimation of the pro-bable consequences of the daily discharge of the equivalents ofabout Ig cwt. of white arsenic into the river from whichwe all drink. Largely diluted with millions of gallons ofwater and of sewage as this monster dose would be, yet theultimate effects of accumulation might lead to consequenceswhich it is impossible to contemplate with calmness. From

this danger we hope to be forthwith freed: let the poison becast anywhere but to the fishes. Probably a great part ofthe antiseptic virtue of the fluid is due to the arsenic now dis-covered. But such a remedy may prove worse than the dis-ease.

THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR THEADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE.

ANNUAL MEETING HELD AT OXFORD,June 27th to July 4th.

THE meeting of the Association this year, although not sonumerously attended as last year at Aberdeen, was, neverthe-less graced by the presence of a number of individuals distin-guished for their scientific attainments, from various parts ofBritain and foreign countries. Considering the proximity ofOxford to the metropolis, the number of persons from Londonwas not so large as was anticipated, which, no doubt, wasattributable, to some extent, to the early period at which themeeting was held.The business of the Association commenced by the Prince

Consort taking the chair at the general meeting held in the

Sheldonian Theatre, and, after some remarks, resigning it infavour of Lord Wrottesley, who delivered the opening address,in which the progress of Astronomy occupied a considerablepart of his attention.The meetings of most of the different sections were held in

the new University Museum, and here also the soirees weregiven. This Museum is, without exception, one of the mostmagnificent things of the kind in the kingdom, and already asum of nearly .6100,000 has been expended upon what thePresident calls "that splendid monument of Oxford’s goodwillto science." When it shall receive its various collections,illustrating every branch of natural science, it will probablyform altogether a sight not to be surpassed, for the reason thatits entire contents will be seen almost at one view. It mayalmost be called a small Crystal Palace, the chaste Gothicroof being composed of glass, whilst its walls and numerouscorridors are built of stone, marble, and variegated brick.Of the large number of communications brought before the

different sections, many were of great value and importance.We can only, however, present a mere summary of those

papers especially relating to medical subjects, in which Phy-siology and its allied sciences occupied a prominent place.The sub-section of Physiology was opened by a most elo-

quent address from Dr. Rolleston, the new Linacre Professorof Physiology in the University. It abounded in matter con-nected with this branch of study, contained many classicalquotations from ancient writers, and referred to many of theirviews.

Professor Carus, of Leipsic, read a paper on the Lepticepha-lidae (a species of fishes), in which their anatomy and systematicposition were considered. From the researches he had made,he clearly proved that these animals are merely the larvalforms of other fishes, and that they should be erased from theposition they have hitherto occupied. They are not destituteof a spleen, although it is difficult to find, being not largerthan a small pin’s head. They possess no ribs, but merelyfibrous filaments ; there is not a trace of generative organs tobe met with, and the skin is entirely destitute of scales. Ananimated discussion ensued, in which Professor Huxley andothers agreed in the views of the author.A paper was then read by Dr. Edward Smith, in which the

Action of Tea and that of Alcohol were contrasted, embodyingthe results:of various researches he had made on the subject.He proved that the consumption of tea is increasing in all partsof the world, that it is beneficial and nutritive, and that theconsumption of alcohol is decreasing. He gave the effects ofeach on the system, and showed the difference between thetwo ; also the conditions in which tea was applicable and in-applicable. He showed the essential differences between theeffects of coffee and of tea on the system, and all the highly in-teresting experiments referred to were chiefly performed uponhimself and another person. An animated discussion tookplace, in the course of which Mr. W. Milner, surgeon to theWakefield Prison, detailed a series of experiments, made withpermission on the prisoners, concerning the use of tea and othersubstances. His observations went to prove the correctness of

Dr. Smith’s statement, that tea does diminish the weight ofthe body, unless given with solid food. Dr. Smith asserts thatthe use of tea increases the waste of the tissues.A paper by Sir Charles Grey on Asiatic Cholera was read by

the Secretary, in which the question was submitted whetherdiluted nitro-muriatic acid applied externally would not be asuitable remedy for the disease, introducing chlorine in thisway more readily into the blood, and more speedily exertingits influence upon that fluid than calomel. Sir Charles is nota medical man, although he has seen much cholera abroad.

Mr. Garner read a paper on Certain Alterations in the Me-dulla Oblongata in Cases of Paralysis. The author showedthat atrophy of the columns of the medulla oblongata, in casesof continued paralysis, is not rare; and touched upon the pro-bability of an arrangement in the spinal cord by which theseparate action of the extensor and flexor muscles in tetanus,&c., is caused. He illustrated the intimate connexion of theolivary bodies with the posterior part of the medulla oblongataby tearing it down longitudinally, when they will always bedrawn out backwards with that part. The author connectedthe olivaries with speech and respiration. The paper also de-scribed the varied insertion of the optic and olfactory nervesinto various parts of the encephalon, according as they wereassociated with the intellectual or locomotive functions. Hedid not believe in any distinct separation of the upper andlower columns in the invertebrata.A novel and striking discoverv was brought before the

Zoological Section by Mr _T 0 Westwood +1,. existance