339

perfectly practicable for all military work. Finally, one

thing is certain : if Mr. CARDWELL hopes that by simplydoing away with the prefix " assistant" he will renderthe large body of assistant-surgeons satisfied, he will onlyreap disappointment. Let the title of the lowest grade bewhat it may, medical officers will never be contented to

remain in it for an indefinitely long period.

ATTENTION is again directed by Dr. J. NEUMANN, in theWiener Medizinische Presse, to the remarkable form of cuta-

neous disease to which the term " scleroderma or sclerema

adultorum" has been applied. Though individual caseswere recorded by older writers, no special essay upon it

appears to have preceded that by M. THIRIAL in 1845, who

published in the Gazette Médicale an account of all the caseshe had been able to collect, and applied the term 11 sclerema"to the affection. Since then no less than fifty cases havebeen reported; and M. NEUMANN himself adds three moreto the list. In most of the cases the skin becomes graduallyharder and more tense, though in some instances, and espe-cially when the attack is acute, there is a preliminary stageof (edema. HEBRA and RASMUSSEN distinguish two formsof the disease-,, Sclerema elevatum" and " S. atrophicum,"of which the former is the acute and the latter the chronic

type. The disease has been preceded sometimes by rheu-matism, sometimes by recurrent attacks of erysipelas, andoccasionally it has appeared to originate in injury; butlittle is really known of its etiology. The symptoms are

very variable; but there is always the disagreeable sensa-tion of tension, impeding movement to a greater or lessextent. Thus, if the sclerema affects the neck, the rotationand flexion of the head are interfered with. In sclerema of

the face, the facial expression is lost, the natural lines andfurrows are smoothed out, and the play of the features islost; the eyelids droop; the also nasi are stretched, and thenose is flattened; the oral opening is contracted, and themovements of the lips rendered difficult. With regard toother parts of the body, the abdominal wall is made tense;the scrotum and penis so tense that no erection can occur;the elbows are bent; the fingers half extended and claw-like; the spinal column is bent forward; and the respirationeven impeded. In one of Dr. NEUMANN’S cases violent itch-

ing was complained of; and in this case the temperaturewas considerably elevated, though it is usually depressed.The secretion of the sebaceous follicles does not whollyfail, since pustules of acne have been observed to form. In

some instances the secretion of sweat seems to be entirelyarrested; but not in others. The disease has been observed

to be associated with erythema, erysipelas proceeding tovesication, impetigo, ecthyma, eczema, partial teleangiec-tasis, ulcerations, and acne. It is more common in females

than in males; and the majority of cases have occurred be-tween the ages of twenty-five and forty, though one case isrecorded in a patient aged six, and in another aged seventy-two. The pathological conditions of the skin that havebeen discovered under the microscope are hypertrophy andcondensation of the subcutaneous cellular tissue, with coin-cident atrophy of the adipose tissue, deposit of pigment inthe rete Malpighii, around the vessels, in the cellular Iinvestment of the several ducts, in the outer root-sheaths of

the hair, and in the sebaceous follicles. The pigmentation,- however, appears to bear no relation to the intensity of the

disease, the densest parts being often the lightest coloured.In one of Dr. NEUMANN’S patients the epidermis was foundto be unaltered, the cells of the rete JI.1:alpighii were in-

’ creased in number, and formed wart-like processes, dippinginto the cutis, not pigmented. The fibres of the cutis

formed large and strong bands that preserved the cha-racters of connective tissue, and were intermingled with

, thick trabeculæ of elastic tissue. Collections of cells oc-

. curred in the deeper parts of the corium, and in the pan-niculus adiposus, the fat of which was much atrophied.The sweat-glands were individually much hypertrophied;and the smooth muscular fasciculi were also much increased

in size. The vessels running in the cutis were large andfilled with blood; but the branches running towards thepapillæ were small and empty. The hairs were small and

woolly; but the sebaceous follicles were large. No treat-

ment has been hitherto suggested that possesses any valuein curing, or even in staying the progress of the disease.

Medical Annotations."Ne quid nimis."

THE PROFESSION AND THE COURT.

As the Lord Mayor and the Sheriffs have been so liberallyrewarded for their recent perilous equestrian performancesqwe may venture to point a moral in connexion with theNational Thanksgiving for the recent recovery of the Princeof Wales, and the comparative value put upon medicalservices in relation to it. Whilst yielding to none in

loyal affection for the Royal Personages who swept past uson the 27th of February on their way to St. Paul’s, we couldnot help feeling that in all human probability but for theefforts of the distinguished members of the medical pro-fession who were not taking part in the pageant, the streetswould have borne a very different aspect, and the Prince’sphysicians would have occupied a very prominent position,had a Royal procession passed under graver circumstances.But such selfish considerations instantly disappeared be-fore the joyous feelings of the day. Yet when the bestskill and devotion for weeks together of one of our mostpopular physicians is acknowledged by a baronetcy, andthe same red hand is conferred, almost as a matter ofcourse, upon a worthy citizen who chances to fill the civicchair when, thanks to the two medical baronets, the Heirto the Crown is enabled to visit the metropolitan cathedral,the case is altered, and peculiar sentiments fill our mind.The rewards for destroying human life have always beengreater than those for saving it, but it happens that thelast peerage conferred upon a warrior was not for killingKing Theodore (who himself saved his captors the trouble),but for saving the lives of a few captives who had got intoprison by their own indiscretion. If Lord Napier deservedhis peerage and a pension for his successor, surely theK.C.B. conferred on Sir William Jenner is an almost micro-

scopic honour in comparison.Of the learned professions, the legal alone absorbs the

honours of the peerage, and for no special reason save thatit is necessary to have a chairman for the House of Lords.As regards the medical profession a peerage is simply amoney question, for it is no secret that Her Majestydeclined to make Sir Benjamin Brodie a peer on the groundof his want of sufficient fortune. But how few eminent

340

barristers could afford to take a peerage were it not for the the prize a certificate or document recording his name andretiring pension allotted to ex-Lord Chancellors, or suc- the reason of the award. That the prize be awarded atcessful generals but for the provision for maintaining the intervals of not less than five years, but that the Society bedignity always made in such cases. Why, then, should not compelled to award the prize should the Council notthe medical profession, in the person of its most dis- consider any work deserving of it. That the prize in itstinguished member, be considered beyond the reach of a first award consist of five years’ simple interest on theparliamentary vote to support a dignity which might be capital fund; and that in each subsequent award it consistworthily conferred ? But the services rendered by the of five years’ simple interest on such capital fund as maydifferent departments of the profession are nowadays as be standing in the names of the trustees immediately afternothing compared with those of a political wire-puller. the presentation of the last preceding award. That the

———— interest on the stock standing in the names of the trusteesStR ROBERT CHRISTISON ON CONJOINT be invested annually to auoment the capital fund; and that

SCHEMES. the state of the trust be reported at each annual meetingEVERYONE must have regretted the absence n Sir Robert .

of the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society." The prizeEVERYONE must have regretted the absence of Sir Robert of the Royal ted and Chirurgical but The prize

Christison from the Council meeting, but there will not be will not be competed for by special essays, but will be givenChnstison from the Council meeting, but there will not be by the Society for what in their judgment was the best ori-

such a universal agreement as to the course which he saw by the Society for the previous five years was research ori-,.

agreement

,. . , , ginal work done in the previous five years in research re-fit to take in consequence of being unable to be present. , lative to the done ill . five years In research reo

fit to take in consequence of being unable to be present. lative to the nervous system.On the second day of the meeting, and in the very thick we are sure the profession will bail with satisfaction the heof the discussion of the English scheme, the President establishment of this prize in honour of a great man, whoseannounced the receipt of a letter from Sir Robert, which memory and good work it will perpetuate, as well as stimu.was duly printed and circulated, entreating the Council to late others to prosecute scientific research in the same spiritpause in its course of promoting Conjoint Schemes on the as that which actuated Marshall Hall. As the proposal alfollowing grounds :-The great improvement effected already emanated from our columns, the matter is one of special alin medical education and the near approach to uniformity; satisfaction to ourselves.that the idea of absolute uniformity is a mere delusion ; ————

that the examinations contemplated in such schemes as the THE OUTRAGE ON THE QUEEN.English would be so laborious and consume so much time As the plea

of ...- - - - - . . ,

Fnglish would . laborious and consume so much time As the plea of insanity will probably be raised in expla.that the best examiners would decline to act; that the cost nation of the outrage on Her Majesty committed by-thirty guineas-wou uld soon be felt be a . by. nation of the outrage on Her Maiesty committed by- thirty guineas-would soon be felt to be a grievance by O’Connor, the following facts, which

*,the profession ; and that all such schemes tend to destroy O’Connor, the following facts, which have been furnishedthe self-reliance, emulation, and individuality of the egisting to us by Dr. Bond, who examined the boy when takenbodies. There is force in some of the objections of Sir into custody, will not be without interest for our readers.Robert Christison, as we have often pointed out, though, "The boy is a slight delicate lad eighteen years of age,as he was hindered from being present at the meeting, we pale, and strumous-looking ; his general expression beingthink he would have acted in better taste had he left the calm, thoughtful, and intelligent, the eyes particularly ex-

Council to judge for itself. He had been a party to the pressive of determination, fearlessness, and enthusiasm.

course taken by the Council, which would have stultified The mental capacity is good. He answered all questionsitself if, at the last moment, it had been scared from sane- respectfully and to the point, and was quite consistent intioning the only scheme which resulted from its own request. for committing the and particularly as regards his motives aMoreover, Sir Robert evidently objects to any junction of for committing the offence. He stated that he had had athe universities and the corporations in this matter, and good deal of sickness, and was a long time a patient inthis is the alliance which alone would satisfy public opinion by Mr. College Hospital, where his foot was operated uponand make objectors suspend their opposition to schemes one, Mr. Partridge. He stated that his life was not a happywhich are at best cumbrous and costly ways of doing the one, and that he would gladly sacrifice it for the good ofwork contemplated. . Individuality is a very good thing in Ireland ; that he was a gentleman by birth, and would feel- its way, but nineteen individualities are too much of a insulted if anyone spoke disrespectfully of his great uncle,good thing, as everybody but Sir Robert himself and some Feargus O Connor; that there was no insanity in his family,other Professors in the Edinburgh and Glasgow Universities though Feargus a great was thought to have died mad;seem to think. We regret that, instead of using his autho- - that he had read a great deal, but not sensational novels,rity against the only scheme produced. Sir Robert did not as they

were not to his taste. He further declared himself

use his great the only scheme produced, scheme for Scotland, a republican, sympathising strongly with the Irish people;use show how this great producing could be settled with he thinks it an honour to be a Fenian, the murder of thethe show how this great bodies, and the greatest justice Manchester policeman justifiable, and, being grieved thatthe least harm to existing bodies, and the greatest justice ,, -r, .. " .*,.’.,,.ato the profession and advantage to the public.

the Fenian prisoners are still unreleased, feels that sinceto the profession and advantage to the public. peaceful measures have failed any violence is justifiable in___ peaceful measures have failed any violence is justifiable in

- -

order to effect their release. He said he was a freethinkerTHE MARSHALL HALL MEMORIAL PRIZE. in religion, and believed in God, but not in denominational

THE following scheme for the foundation and awarding religion or clergymen. He declared that he was not un-of the Marshall Hall Memorial Prize was approved by the happy at the thought of being punished, but that his effortsMedico-Chirurgical Society at its annual meeting on the 1st to release the Fenians have failed." Dr. Bond, as the re-of March : "That the money collected be invested in suit of his examination, certified that he was perfectly sane,Government securities in the names of trustees appointed and this opinion has been confirmed after a lengthy inter-by the Society. That a prize be given for the best original viewbyDr.Sutherland. The lad had at first contemplated thework done during the previous five years, and recorded in use of loaded firearms against Her Majesty, but consideredthe English language, in anatomical, physiological, and that, as the Prince of Wales would come to the Throne, andpathological research relative to the nervous system. That the Monarchy still remain as an institution of the country,the prize should be awarded by the Society on the recom- it would be better to attempt by intimidation to gain themendation of the Council, and that the recipient be styled immediate object he had in view. The boy has been in ill-’Marshall Hall Prizeman,’ and that he shall receive with health, and we know that Feargus O’Connor died of general

341

paralysis of the insane in an asylum. But for all this, so ing countries the punctures are made with a needle,far as the facts are on record as regards the boy himself, gunpowder, indigo, or vermillion being subsequentlythere is no evidence of insanity in his case. rubbed in. By the wild tribes tattooing is unquestion-

- ably used as a substitute for clothing, and Prichard,THE NAVAL MEDICAL SERVICE. as quoted by Wood in his History of Man," observes

- n. are extremely lad to announce the appointmentof . that European eyes become so accustomed to the tattooWE are extremely glad to t announce the appointment oi 0 f that European eyes become so , accustomed . , to the tattoo

Dr. Macdonald, F.R.S., staff surgeon in the Royal Navy, to that they are rather shocked at its absence; and so com-Dr. Macdonald,- staff surgeon in the - T to pletely is this feeling realised b y the Samoan nativesthe post of Assistant Professor of Naval Hygiene at Netley pletely is this feeling realised by the Stmoan nativesHospital. Dr. Macdonald’s duties will be to instruct the

that chiefs who have arrived at middle age frequently un-Hospital. Dr. Macdonald s duties will be to instruct the , that chiefs who have arrived at middle age frequent

candidates for the Navy Medical Service in those points of dergo the process of tattooing a second time, in order tocan didates for the Navy M e dical Service in life renew the patterns, as they become dim and uncertainhygiene more especially concerned in naval life, and thus renew the patterns, as they become dim and uncertainto supplement the very excellent instruction received by with the lapse of years; for though indelible, the tattoothem in the Army Medical School. It may perhaps be

does fade in. time. Tattooing, so common among ourthem in the Army Medical School. It may perhaps be ... fad de in time . toooing< i common among , our .

suggested that Dr. Macdonald ought to have received the soldiers and sailors, is probably based upon a desire thatsuggested that Dr. Macdonald ought to have received the ,.,.,.,. , . ’. -..1 .

title of "Professor"; but we must not look a gift horse in their bodies may be recognised in case of death in action,

the mouth too closely ; and as we fi n d th e cos of the naval or by drowning ; though it is, perhaps, often done merely

por t" IOn 0 the establishment we Netley put down the &pound;2500 from imitation, or to wile away the time. The durabilityportion of the establishment atNetley put down atj82500 of the - .11 obviously depend - .1 -, ,1 of the in-in the year’s estimates, we cannot accuse the Admiralty of of the marks will obviously depend upon the depth of the in-m the year s estimates, we cannot accuse the Admiralty oi .. or punctures, , ,", , of i i rubbedilliberality, and hope that the more honourable title will cisions or punctures, and the nature of the substance rubbediliberality, and hope that the more honourable title will . cisions or punctures, and the nature of the substance rubbed ,follow in due and hope that the more honourable title will in. When the incision or puncture has fairly penetratedfoUow in due course.., cutis, and the material is insoluble, ., "." certainlyThe Naval Department may be congratulated -t obtaining the cutis, and the material is insoluble, it will certainlyThe Naval Department may be congratulated on obtaining be permanent.

-r... i .1. Pathology’

seventeen recruits of a high class for its medical service at gives an illustration of the appearances presented by thethe recent examinations ; and the Admiralty may rest gives an illustration of the appearances presented by thethe recent examinations; and the Admiralty may rest &deg;

.. ,, -. ,,... , .

assured that if their present policy of Admiralty the medical glands of a tattooed soldier fiftv years after the operation.assured that if their present policy of relieving the medical al glands of a tattooed soldier fiftyj years after the operation

department from all interference on the part of the exe- -

cutive in matters strictly professional-in hospitals, sick- AMERICAN DRUGGISTS.

bay arrangements, &c.-is pursued without shrinking, they THE Report of the Commissioners of Pharmacy, Newwill shortly have the department in a state of efficiency York, in giving an account of their first six months’ worksuch as has not been known before. Already the feeling in of examination, shows a lamentable amount of ignorancethe medical schools, and particularly those in London, on the part of dispensing druggists. Of 728 applicants,towards the Naval Medical Service, has undergone much many of them proprietors, barely three persons could

alteration, and it is not too much to say that it is on the read at sight the simplest Latin. A test-prescription,high road to popularity. ____ ordering a certain quantity of tinct. gentian. co. and

infus. ejusdem, was given to an applicant to read; afterMEDICAL REGISTRATION SINCE 1858. puzzling over it for some time he confessed that in no store

THE number of persons entering the profession of medi- where he had ever worked did they keep infus. ejusdem.cine may be roughly, though not exactly, gathered from It is stated that on one occasion a prescription containing,the number of persons registering. The years immediately among other things, the mysterious infusion, went the

succeeding the Act of 1858 should, for this purpose be ex- whole round of the Broadway drug-stores, and was posi-cluded, as the profession at large then for the most part tively rejected at eighteen shops before it could be under-

registered. The numbers are as follows :-In 1858 and 1859, stood. Truly, the American pharmaceutists would seem to

16,082 (qualified before Jan. 1859) at &pound;2 each, 409 at .85 5 be very far behind their European brothers.each-total, 16,491; in 1860, 842; in 1861,1101; in 1862,869;

&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;

in 1863, 933; in 1864, 961; in 1865,762; in 1866, 749; in SANDRINGHAM HALL.1867, 773; in 1868, 825; in 1869, 726; in 1870, 832; in

WE have already announced that Mr. R. Rawlinson, C.B.,1871, 727. If we take the four years from and including had been instructed to inspect the sanitary arrangements1861, and the four years ending with 1871 for comparison, of Sandringham Hall; and the day after the Royal visit towe get the curious’fact that the average number of regis- St. Paul’s, Mr. Rawlinson and Mr. Humbert, the architect, trations in the first period was 961, and in the second attended at Marlborough House to report the result. Theperiod 777. In other words, that in the first period nearly drains are fortunately nearly all external to the building, but200 more registrations a year were effected than in the last. they end in a temporary covered cesspool, the overflow fromWe shall revert to these interesting facts. which passes into a plantation. The roof and surface water is

We s hall revert to t ese interesting fact ts. which passes into a plantation. The roof and surface water is

-

carried by separate drains to an ornamental pond. TheTATTOOING. closets are nearly all against outside walls, and the pan-

THE subject of tattooing has acquired a temporary in- traps are properly ventilated; but the closets themselvesterest from the incidents of the trial that has just collapsed are not sufficiently ventilated. The Hall is defective, asso suddenly and completely. The practice is of great an- regards ventilation, throughout; and the workmanship oftiquity, and, as is well known, is adopted by many savage doors and windows is so perfect that foul air cannot escapetribes; the mode in which it is performed, however, varies nor fresh air enter, as in the loosely fitting doors andconsiderably. Thus, whilst the Australian makes deep in- windows of older houses. The halls, corridors, and stair-cisions and fills in the wound with clay and other substances cases are heated by hot-water apparatus. Adequate meansso that an elevated scar is left, the New Zealander scarifies of ventilation will be provided, the cesspool will be re-himself with an instrument resembling a curry-comb, con- moved, and the drains are to be ventilated outside thestructed of shark’s teeth, which is slowly driven through building. The water is hand-pumped from a local well,the Skin by repeated blows of a mallet, the wounds being and is not of the best quality, as the strata are full of iron.filled in with the resin of the Kauri pine and a kind of red The farm buildings, cottages, &c., have only pumps. It isearth. With the lower classes, and it would appear occa- proposed to establish water-works at or near the gas-works.sionally with youths of the upper, in this and neighbour- A well is to be sunk to the chalk. Engine power will be

342

used, and a water-tower and elevated tank will give pres- mean temperature ; he must know its fluctuations in brightsure sufficient to throw water over the house at its highest ’ weather and in cloudy, as well as in house-interiors. Algierspart. The same works will supply the stables, and may itself has three hotels of repute, well situated towards theeasily supply the cottages on the estate. sea ; but they are surrounded and overtopped by closely-His Royal Highness has evinced the deepest personal built streets, which load the wind as it blows seaward

interest in these proposals, and has expressed his wish that with fetid effluvia. Nature has done more for Algiers as ahis cottage tenants may be provided with similar arrange- health-resort than for any of its Mediterranean rivals. Fromments for securing a good drainage and a wholesome the distant Atlas the ground, richly wooded and undulat-supply of water. It is hoped that his Royal example may ing, slopes down some miles in length to the sea, and isbe followed very generally, for there are few country studded with white villas, among which the Villa Orientalemansions without cesspools and ill-ventilated drains, or in deserves notice as a private hotel, well-appointed, perfectlywhich the water-supply is altogether beyond suspicion. clean, and rich in the attractions of earth and sea and

&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash; sky. As a resort for the phthisical, indeed, the colonyTHE APOTHECARIES AND THE CONJOINT possesses attractions which, if adequately utilised, would

SCHEME. go far to recoup France for the expense incurred, and to. compensate her for the losses sustained through that

THE explanations given in the Council of the exclusion of mI ’l’t 1 ary sys t em t which its conquest inured her ill-fated edthe Apothecaries’ Society from the conjoint scheme will be army. system to which its conquest inured her ill-fatedread with interest by the profession. Mr. Bradford, its new

army. &mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;

representative, assured the Council that no means should SMALL-POX AT THE COLD COAST.be spared to overcome the legal difficulties which led the A SEVERE epidemic of small-pox is prevailing on theSociety to think it impracticable for it to join the scheme Gold Coast. It appears from the accounts which we havewhich has now been sanctioned by the Council. He declared received that it first broke out at Mumford on Novemberthat the Society had not withdrawn from negotiations, but 23rd, and that 30 deaths had occurred to December 2nd;had been ignored in the later stages of them. This state- the cases being never more than 100. The Government ofment, however, was contradicted by all the representa- the settlement offered to pay for attendance on the sicktives of the other corporations. The probability is that and for providing them with comforts. Isolation has beenthere was a misapprehension on both sides, which should carried out; all the persons who have been attacked withbe amicably adjusted. Sir William Gull suggests that the small-pox have been removed out of the town, and thoseSociety represents the thymua gland and the Wolffian who have died have been buried at least a mile from anybodies in the anatomy of the profession. There is much to town or habitation. The people refuse to be vaccinated,be said undoubtedly for this view of the Apothecaries’ Com- looking upon the deaths of those who succumbed as anpany. But the same comparison would apply to many other ordering of Providence, with which it would be contrary toof our arrangements for examining in medicine. Moreover, their faith to interfere. A meeting of the chiefs was called,the Company has really done its work, or rather the work at which some attended ; they refused to agree to vaccina-of the College of Physicians, so well that the profession tion being performed, but promised to do anything else.would grieve to see it treated inconsiderately. If it is to be It is believed that there are more than 200 cases in theleft out of the new arrangements, it will remain as a rival, town, and that there have been upwards of 80 deaths.and not an unimportant one, to the Conjoint Board. Arrangements were, however, made for isolating the sick

&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash; outside the town.

SOIREE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE MEDICAL At Sarafa there were 20 cases. The sick are, as at Mum-

SOCIETY. ford, removed out of the town, and all intercourse is for-

OUR anticipations that the President of the Medical bidden. The people here also refuse to be vaccinated, but

Society’s soir&eacute;e, held on Tuesday last at the Hanover- square it was considered that their prejudices would be overcome.Rooms, would be both fully attended and in every sense a Upwards

of 40 deaths have occurred here.

success, were fully realised. The rooms were filled with a A medical man has been despatched by the Government

large and goodly company. The objects of interest shown to vaccinate the people in these towns.on the occasion were varied and excellent, including contri- butions from the Council of India, Messrs. Salvati and Co., THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF AND THE ARMY

Messrs. Wyon, Messrs. Graves and Co., the Stereoscopic MEDICAL SERVICE.

Company, Mr. Seymour Haden, Messrs. Bazzanti and Co., WE are glad to place on record the verdict of the DukeDr. Carpenter, Mr. Ross, Professor Pepper, and others. * of Cambridge as to the way in which the duties of theThe band of the Royal Artillery was in attendance, and Army Medical Department were discharged on the occasionadded most materially to the enjoyment of Dr. Andrew of the late autumn manoeuvres. The duke says-,, rejoiceClark’s guests; but the presence of ladies must at least to think that nothing could be better than the sanitarytake the first place in this respect, condition of the entire force; and the principal medical

____ officer, Dr. Lawson, reported to me at the end of themanoeuvres there was actually a considerable diminution of

ALCERIA AS A HEALTH-RESORT. sick at Aldershot from the numbers in hospital when theON the coast, Algeria has but two seasons, the dry and divisions first marched out." His Royal Highness adds

warm, the cool and moist. The former lasts from May to that they had the advantage of lovely weather, and theSeptember, the latter from September to May. As with camping-grounds were all well situated, and favourable inourselves, the coldest wind in Algiers is the north-west; a sanitary point of view; whilst the work, though hard,the nearer the wind to the south, the warmer and drier it was all of a character to improve the condition of the men,is. During the eight months from the middle of September being so continuously in the open air. "All the necessaryto the middle of May, there are about fifty-eight days arrangements had, however, been made for amalgamatedduring which the temperature is comparatively cold-about general hospitals by divisions and brigades, and the attend-equal to that of the middle of May in Scotland. The ance upon such men as fell sick was all that could be wishedinvalid, however, must have more than a knowledge of or desired."

343

FINANCES OF THE COUNCIL. THE report of Dr. Frankland on the London water-supply

THE income of the Council for 1871 was &pound;4937 Is. 3d.; during February is not of the most satisfactory character.

the expenditure was .84058 Is. 8&frac12;d., leaving a balance of Notwithstanding a gradual improvement in the condition&pound;878 19s. 4&frac12;d. in favour of the Council. This results from

of the Thames since the end of January, the water supplied&pound;878 19s.4&frac12;d.in favour of the Council. This results from r this source was not according 1 the reporter, con-, ., ,,.,,.. ,

from this source was not, according to the reporter, con-the Council only holding one meeting. So far the account from this better while that derived from the New Riveris satisfactory. But the Council’s income for 1871 was less and East London Companies was rather worse. The Westby nearly &pound;900 than in 1870. This falling oB- is largely due and East it seems, is the only Company drawing its supplyto a decrease in the number of new registrations. Concern- Middlesex, it seems, is the only Company drawing its supply

to a decrease in the number of new registrations. Concern- from the Thames which has uniformly delivered clear and

ing the fluctuations in registration, a statement, which may well-filtered water during the late floods. The deep-well

be relied on, will be found elsewhere. creditable efforts have water of the Kent Company again contained the smallestWe believe that special and very creditable efforts have proportion of organic matter.

lately been made by the clerks of the Council to make proportion of organic matter.the Register as perfect as possible; and that this is the AMATEUR dramatic representation has long been a fa-explanation of a paragraph in the Report of the Finance vourite mode of collecting funds for charitable objects. A

Committee in reference to a request for some remuneration most successful performance in aid of the Royal Infirmaryto Mr. Bell and Mr. Roope for extra work. took place on Saturday at the Theatre Royal of Edinburgh.

&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash; Two well-known pieces by Charles Mathews and Mr. H. J.

THE PRINCE OF WALES. Brown were selected. The characters were well sustained__ , . ,,,,., ,.,.... throughout, and so great was the satisfaction, and so sub-WE are glad to say that the slight aggravation of the throughout; and so great was the satisfaction, and so trust

local affection of the left limb in the Prince of Wales has stantial the pecuniary result be the close, that we trustpassed away. His Royal Highness has been able to take another opportunity will shortly be performances.carriage and some walking exercise during the last few

students of assisting at or in similar performances.days. It had been arranged for the Prince to leave THE annual meeting of the Bradford Fever Hospital wasEngland on Wednesday, but we understand that according held last week, when the report stated that, although theto present arrangements he will leave on Monday for the hospital was open and its officers appointed, it would notSouth of France.

____ be complete until a small-pox ward had been built. Ar-

HONORARY AWARDS. rangements were, however, made for the erection of such aHONORARY AWARDS, ward should a necessity arise. It had been estimated that,THE Fothergillian Gold Medal has been awarded by the although .82000 would be required annually to maintain the

Council of the Medical Society of London to Dr. Edwards hospital in a state of efficiency, only .8500 a year had beenCrisp for his essay on Croup. One of the two silver medals guaranteed. The report concluded with an appeal for fur-is given to Dr. Thorowgood for services rendered to the ther annual subscriptions, which we hope will meet a readySociety as secretary, and the other, which is always awarded response.to a gentleman not a Fellow of the Society, to Dr. Silver,

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in recognition of the value of his paper on Mitral Stenosis, A PUBLIC MEETING was held a day or two since at Prestonread at a recent meeting. to protest against the " incarceration" of William Stans-

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field, a young factory operative, in the Lancaster LunaticPOOR-LAW MEDICAL OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION. Asylum, when the following proposition was unanimouslyA SPECIAL MEETING Of this Association will be held at adopted : " That this meeting is of epinion that William

the Medical Club, 9, Spring-gardens, on Tuesday, the 12th Stansfield has been unwarrantably and unlawfully dragged

inst., at 7.30 P.M. precisely, for the purpose of taking into from his work and placed in an asylum, under the pretence

int.,at 7.30 P.M. precisely, ior the purpose or taking into of insanity, t not decl lared d to b be so b by th e medicall menconsideration the Sanitary Bill of the Government, more

of insanity, but not declared to be so by the medical menconsideration the Sanitary Bill of the Government, more - .’-.......... ,

especially the clauses relating to Poor-law Medical Relief, employed by this union, and considers it its duty to further

&c. Mr. Corrance, M.P., and Mr. Dalrymple, M.P., will his immediate release, and protests against his maintenance

attend, and several other members c Parliament are ex- being charged to the ratepayers of Preston."attend, and several other members of Parliament are ex- &deg; &deg; epayers_pected to be present. ____ IN consequence of the increased number of students

, . , . entering at the Liverpool Infirmary School of Medicine,THE local sanitary authorities at Hull are looking after the governors have determined to enlarge the premises;

their shipping in a way both commendable and worthy of imi- and for this purpose they require the sum of .83000. Mr.tation, A Norwegian vessel arrived in the roads afewdays ago J. pemberton Heywood, who has always been a warm sup-from Marseilles, with four of her crew dangerously ill with porter of the institution, has just presented it with theenteric fever. The clerk to the local board of health, acting munificent donation of &pound;1000; and we hope that after suchunder a certificate from Dr. Holden, the medical inspector, an example the required sum of money will be soon sub-obtained an order from the sitting magistrate, removed the scribed.sick sailors into hospital, and put the vessel into quarantine

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until she was thoroughly disinfected. The local marine THE Florentine fork-swallower, Egisto Cipriani, is, itboard and other port authorities at Hull have always been seems, in a very critical state. He has lost flesh greatly,in the van as to other matters relating to hygiene afloat and at times is in acute pain. The position of the fork,and this port is now probably better regulated (in a sanitary in spite of repeated and prolonged efforts, has not beenpoint of view) than any other in the United Kingdom, made out. Gastrotomy, therefore, so often successful when

&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash; the foreign body has been detected in the stomach, cannotSANITARY improvement progresses in France. The Com- in the meantime be attempted.

mittee on Child Labour in Manufactories precludes children &mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;

under ten from working at all, and children between twelve AT Norwich a special small-pox hospital has been pro-and thirteen from working more than six hours per diem. vided through the kindness of the Marchioness of Lothian.No night-work will be allowed before the age of fifteen; The hospital will accommodate thirty patients; and thosewhile, on the part of women and girls, night-work at any who are able will have to pay 6s. a week toward theirage is absolutely forbidden. maintenance.

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SIR HENRY HOLLAND retains his public spirit and intel-lectual versatility in a, remarkable form. To the post ofPresident of the Royal Institution he has just added thatof Vice-President of the Society for the Encouragement ofthe Fine Arts.

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IT has been discovered that there is a second sewer inPark-lane five or six inches above the basement of GloucesterHouse. Although the newly-discovered sewer has beenstopped up at both ends, it is stated that houses still draininto it, and the sewage oozes into Gloucester House.

DR. LOCKHART CLARKE gave, at King’s College on Mondaylast, by special desire, a demonstration of the Morbid Ana-tomy of the Spinal Cord, with special reference to muscularatrophy, general paralysis, tetanus, &c.

THERE are several candidates in the field for the vacant

coronership of the City of London. Amongst others areDr. Holt Dunn, a former candidate; Dr. Mair, late deputycoroner for Madras ; and Dr. Septimus Gibbon.

DR. BRISTOWE delivered the first Croonian Lecture" OnDisease and its Remedy," on Wednesday last. We are

compelled to postpone our notice of it until next week.

By the Hospital Sunday movement in Leeds the hand-some sum of &pound;1599 has been given to the Infirmary.

Foreign Cleanings.ECHINOCOCCUS IN THE ORBIT.

AN interesting case of this disease was brought beforethe Medical Society of Vienna at the meeting held on Feb.9th. It had been originally under the care of Arlt, butwas transferred to Billroth. The patient was a boy agedthirteen years. He had suffered for two years from a tu-mour situated at the outer and inferior wall of the orbit,and which, by its gradual increase, pressed the eye inwardsand upwards. The tumour was elastic and somewhat

fluctuating. The absence of inflammatory symptoms atany period of its growth precluded the idea of an abscess,and it was imagined to be a vascular tumour of some kind ;but on the introduction of a grooved needle, clear fluidalone escaped. It was then regarded as a cyst. Sharp in-flammation followed the puncture, and, suppuration occur-ring, its excision was determined upon. An incision wasmade over the swelling, which was found to be situatedbetween the periosteum of the orbit and the connectivetissue investing the ocular muscles. The cyst was divided,and a vesicle about the size of a hazel-nut protruded,which was soon recognised to be an echinococcus. Thismakes the fifth recorded case of echinococcus in the orbit.

THE EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS.

The eucalyptus, discovered in 1792, belongs to the Aus-tralian continent. The tree has grown as high as 100

yards, measuring 28 ft. in circumferenee. The antipyreticproperties of the leaves seem to have been long known tothe natives, but became evident amongst Europeans aboutforty years ago, by the crew of the ship Favoacrite, who, deci-mated by ague, stopped the ravages of the fever by the useof eucalyptus leaves. M. Ramel, in 1866, brought the vir-tues of the plant before the Academy of Medicine of Paris;and Professor Gubler began forthwith to make clinicaltrials. The properties seem to reside in an essence, or,rather, a kind of liquid camphor, to which the name of eu-calyptol has been given. M. Carlotti, a physician of Ajaccio,considers the essence extremely valuable in ague, especiallywhere quinine has failed; but M. Gubler has not had oppor-tunities to experiment with it sufficiently in intermittents togive an opinion. He prefers administering the leaves in pow-der, the dose varying from 60 to 240 grains. A decoction has

also been given in capsules containing 3 grains each. Fr m6 to 20 capsules ma,y be given per diem. It would be verydesirable to try the plant on a large scale.A MODE OF DEMONSTRATING MINUTE PORTIONS OF SUGAR

IN THE URINE.

Prof. Seegen states (Centralblatt, No. 5) that even Trom-mer’s test is not very satisfactory where small quantities ofsugar only are present in the urine, and that it does not de-tect such amounts so readily in urine as in watery solutions,since the whitish cloud that is formed when sugar is reallypresent is indistinguishable from that produced by excessof uric acid. He finds that a great increase of sensitivenesscan be produced by filtering the urine through blood-char-coal two or three times successively. By this means notonly is the colour removed, but the uric acid is almost en-tirely retained by the charcoal, and then the reduction ofthe copper by Fehling’s test may be very clearly seen. No

quantitative estimate of the amount of sugar present canbe made after the urine has thus been filtered throughcharcoal, as a certain portion is retained in the filter.

CHANGES OF THE BLOOD IN SCURVY.

M. Chalvet, in a paper contained in L’Union M&eacute;dicale,No. 121, 1871, states that his examinations of the blood ofscorbutic patients showed that it was paler and thinnerthan natural; that it took a longer time than usual tocoagulate; and gave a very small but dense blood-clot, withan exceptionally large quantity of serum. The proportionof fibrin amounted to about 2 or 3 parts in the 1000, but asimprovement took place in the general condition of thepatient the proportion fell to somewhat over 2 per 1000.The red corpuscles at the acme of the disease amounted tofrom 63 to 100 per 1000 parts, the normal quantity beingabout 130. Becquerel and Rodier, on the other hand, foundfrom 162 to 176 of red corpuscles in the 1000. The amountof water in scorbutic blood amounted to 853’5, as opposedto 779’5 in health. The proportion of albumen was 72’3per 1000, whilst that of the blood in health is 68-7.

THE PRISONS OF LOWER BENGAL.

AT a recent meeting of the Statistical Society, a veryable and interesting paper was read by Dr. Frederic J.Mouat, F.R.C.S., Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals,H.M. Indian Army, on Prison Discipline and Statistics inLower Bengal. The great experience which Dr. Mouat’slong official connexion with all that concerns the prisons ofIndia has given him lends peculiar value to anything he hasto say on this subject ; and the freshness of style with whichhe has managed to express his thoughts relieves his paperof much of that 11 dryness" that deters many readers fromtackling statistical papers, except those on matters in whichthey are particularly interested. We have no space tonotice Dr. Mouat’s remarks on the castes and classes ofcriminals in Bengal, or the labour, employment, and edu-cation of convicts ; but must at once turn to that sectionof the paper which treats of their sickness and mortality.After stating that these play a more important part in theadministration and in the internal economy of the prisonsof Lower Bengal than they do in those of other countries,and than they would in Bengal itself if properly constructedprisons existed, he adds that long-extended observation andcareful study have led him to the conclusion that a death-rate of 30 per 1000 should represent the amount of risk tolife that a prisoner ought fairly to encounter. Before thegaols were placed under his charge the average annualdeath-rate was 83 per 1000, of which about 17 per 1000were deaths from cholera. During the last five years ofhis administration the death-rate from all causes has beenyearly diminishing, from 105 per 1000 in 1866-a year ofexceptional mortality, owing to the famine-to 43 per 1000in 1870. By great care and attention an annual saving ofbetween six and seven hundred lives, calculated on themean death-rate of a quarter of a century, has been effected.The saving of life, he parenthetically remarks, does not yet,however, possess the same value in the honour market as