586

THE FLY NUISANCE.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-1 have been somewhat disappointed in the results of theformalin treatment mentioned in your columns a few weeks ago andshould like to mention the method I employ in dealing with flies.

I use one of the ordinary dome-shaped fly bottles and the solutionemployed is simply the liquid paraffin of the Pharmacopoeia, whichhas the advantage of being inodorous and (except to the insect com-munity) non-poisonous. The addition of a few drops of oil of cloves

prevents putrefaction of the dead flies and keeps the solution free fromany objectionable smell which might otherwise arise. The mixture,however, does not seem to possess any particular attraction for

flies ; and this might appear at first sight a disadvantage, as it is

usually necessary to " first catch your fly " by cautiously lower-ing the bottle over him. But this is where the sporting instinctsare aroused and any hard-worked or impecunious practitionerwho finds it impossible to go grouse shooting on the moors can (as I amdoing) turn his attention to the smaller game of the tea-table, and thusobtain recreation which has certainly the merit of cheapness to recom-mend it, and which (like some advertised modes of increasing one’sincome) can be carried on "without interference of business." On ahot afternoon, with an hour to spare, the " bag" will be mostencouraging. Once a fly touches the greasy solution he never gets outagain, but slides down into it, and very quickly his career is terminatedin what appears to be a comparatively comfortable state of asphyxia.To be thus suddenly provided with a rapid and comfortable death

whilst in the midst of a hearty meal must from the fly’s point of viewbe a decided improvement on the ordinary fate of his fellows.

I am, Sir, yours faithfully,London, August 10th, 1909. IN TOWN ALL AUGUST.

*** The majority of our correspondents have found the formaldehydemethod very efficacious. It might be stated, however, that theaddition has been mentioned of a teaspoonful of a sweet wine, e.g.,port, or of spirit, e.g., whisky, to the formaldehyde, which appears toincrease the attraction of the fluid for flies.-ED. L.

AN EXTRAORDINARY " TYPHOID CARRIER."

IN a recent editorial article in the Boston Medical and SurgicalJournal the most remarkable case of a typhoid bacillus carrier onrecord" was described. The subject was an Irish cook who had beendetained two years at the hospital on the North Brother Island bythe Health Department. It seemed necessary that she should be

quarantined indefinitely as her release would be a menace to thehealth of the community. Frequent examinations showed that

typhoid bacilli were constantly present in her system, and carefulstudies by Dr. George A. Soper and others seemed to indicate thatthey were generated in the gall-bladder and thence disseminated.Repeated experiments were made in order to find some method ofstopping the development of the bacilli without success. It wasseven years since the woman first came under observation. Twenty-six cases of typhoid fever had been traced to her with certainty andthe total number of cases to which she had given rise was probablyvery large. The outbreaks of which she was the cause occurred insuburban well-to-do families in which she was employed as cook. Shehad never shown any signs of enteric fever.

COMPRESSED-AIR ILLNESS.

NOTWITHSTANDING the experience which has been acquired with refer-ence to the action of compressed air on the human body, accidentscontinue to be reported from time to time. The Engineer of

August 6th mentions that during the month of July several menwere taken ill while working under a pressure of six atmospheresbeneath the river Elbe. They all recovered and returned to work,but one of them, an engineer, again collapsed on subjecting himselfto the increased atmospheric pressure, and died soon after beingcarried out.

A CURIOUS CASE.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-A collier, aged 20 years, was pushing a tub of coal before himwhere the roof of the pit is very low. A stone projecting from the roofscratched his back, causing some abrasions of the skin with slight bleed-ing in a few places. The roof of the pit is wet and foul water dropsfrom it. On the fifth day after the accident I saw the case. The skinall along the dorsal vertebree and horizontally to an extent of aboutseven inches was covered with inflamed papules. Two days after thatthese had become pustules and I punctured 30 or 40 of them. As hecould not afford to run up a doctor’s bill he got an order for admissioninto the infirmary from the parish medical officer, who glanced at hisback and then signed the usual form for admission to the infirmary.That was on the eighth day from the accident. In about threeweeks from the date of the accident the collier was practically well.He sued for compensation under the Employers’ Liability Act. Themedical referee from the company called on him for the first time16 days after the accident and reported to the colliery company that itwas not an accident but a case of acne vulgaris. The case came beforethe county court judge and the medical referee testified that it was acase of acne and that he must have been suffering from it for sometime previously. The parish medical officer who saw him only fora moment or so, when filling the form for admission to the infirmary,on the eighth day of the accident, also testified that the case was oneof acne vulgaris, and that he had seen the "typical blackheads." He

also stated that acne was caused by dirt, "because these peopledon’t wash themselves." Ile also stated that he had had fiveor six acne cases in his own practice among colliers. Judgmentwas given far the defendant. I may state here that another collierwho was close at hand saw the accident and gave evidence as towhat happened before the court.The collier is a healthy man with a beautifully clean skin. There was

not a single pimple on head, face, neck, or chest, or anywhere excepton the back, and his father says there was not a single pimple on hisson’s back before the accident. My theory is that it was a case ofartificial acne, the irritant being the dirty water acting on the chafed orabraded skin, and the dirty water was kept in contact with his skin byhis wet shirt.

Is it correct to say that blackheads are "typical" of acne vulgaris,supposing that these were present and that no mistake has been madehere? I am, Sir, yours faithfully,August 2nd, 1909. C. O’H.

*** This case does not appear to be a typical case of acne vulgaris fromits history. A possible diagnosis is septic folliculitis, if it is not, asour correspondent suggests, an artificial acne. But the data are notsufficient t3 form grounds for a diagnosis.-ED. L.

DR. BARNARDO’S HOMES.

THE forty-third annual report of Dr. Barnardo’s Homes for the year1908 has just been issued in the form of a 64-page pamphlet with anappropriate coloured wrapper containing a number of pictures illus-trative of the work of the institution. The number of orphan anddestitute children rescued in 43 years has been 67,634. Last year2518 children were admitted. The death-rate among the childrenboarded out in rural districts was 2’75 per 1000, while the death-ratecovering all the homes was about 9’24 per 1000. On admission 2’6per cent. of the children showed signs of tuberculosis and 30 percent. of the deaths in the homes were due to tuberculosis. It isstated that over 12 per cent. of all cases treated in hospital sufferfrom tuberculous disease in some form. It should be rememberedthat a large number of the children who come under the care of theinstitution belong to the defective or incurable class. A table of

zymotic diseases shows that 41 children suffered from scarlet feverwith 2 deaths, 120 from measles with 3 deaths, 54 from Germanmeasles with no deaths, 60 from whooping-cough with 2 deaths,11 from diphtheria with 4 deaths, 4 from enteric fever with 1 death,54 from chicken-pox with no deaths, 34 from mumps with no deaths,making a total of 378 cases with 12 deaths. Copies of the report canbe obtained, post free for six stamps, on application to the head-quarters of the Homes, 18 to 26, Stepney-causeway, London, E.

Old School.-We agree with our correspondent in some of his strictureson the letter sent out by a candidate for a vacant medical post, butthat letter is by no means a particularly bad specimen of its class. Wethink that the method adopted of forbidding all canvassing and oflimiting the number of testimonials to three or so should be moreregularly adopted.

Library.-We could not give an estimate of the value of the bookwithout seeing its condition and title-page, but such seventeenth-century tracts are not, as a rule, worth more than a few shillings. Ifour correspondent refers to recent numbers of

" Book Prices Current"he may see the work in question quoted if it has a saleable value.

Enamel.-According to our analysis, the preparation is quiteinnocuous, consisting of shellac, wax, and plaster-of-Paris. It con-tains no poisonous metal.

COMMUNICATIONS not noticed in our present issue will receive attentionin our next.

Medical Diary for the ensuing Week.LECTURES, ADDRESSES, DEMONSTRATIONS, &c.POST-GRADUATE COLLEGE, West London Hospital, Hammersmith-

road, W.MONDAY.-10 A.M., Lecture :-Surgical Registrar: Demonstrationof

Cases in Wards. 12 noon, Pathological Demonstration:-Dr.Bernstein. 2 P.M., Medical and Surgical Clinics. X Rays.Mr. Dunn: Diseases of the Eyes. 2.30 P.M., Operations.

TuESDAY.-12.15 P.M., Lecture :—Dr. Pritchard: Practical Medicine.2 P.M., Medical and Surgical Clinics. X Rays. 2.30 P.M.,Operations. Diseases of the Skin. 5 P.M., Lecture :-Dr. G.Stewart: Syphilitic Diseases of the Nervous System.

WEDNESDAY.-10 A.M., Diseases of Children. 12.15 P.M., Lecture :-Dr. G. Stewart: Practical Medicine. 2 P.M., Medical andSurgical Clinics. X Rays. Mr.b . Diseases of the Eyes.2.30 P.M., Operations. Dr. Robinson: Diseases of Women.

THURSDAY.-10 A.M., Lecture:-Surgical Registrar: Demonstrationof Cases in Wards. 2 P.M., Medical and Surgical Clinics. X Rays.Mr. Dunn: Diseases of the Eyes. 2.30 P.M., Operations. 5 P.M.,Lecture :—Mr. B. Harman : Squint.

FRIDAY.-10 A.M., Lecture ;-Medical Registrar: Demonstration ofCases in Wards. 2 P.M., Medical and Surgical Clinics. X Rays2.30 P.M., Operations. Diseases of the Skin.

SATURDAY.-10 A.M., Diseases of Children. Mr. B. Harman: Dis.eases of the Eyes. 2 P.M., Medical and Surgical Clinics. X Rays.2.30 P.M., Operations. Dr. Robinson Diseases of Women.

587

OPERATIONS.METROPOLITAN HOSPITALS.

MONDAY (23rd).-London (2 P.M.), St. Bartholomew’s (1.30 P.M.), St.Thomas’s (3.30 P.M.), St. George’s (2 P.M.), St. Mary’s (2.30 P.M.),Middlesex (1.30 P.M.), Westminster (2 P.M.), Chelsea (2 P.M.),Samaritan (Gynaecological, by Physicians, 2 P.M.), Soho-square(2 P.M.), City Orthopaedic (4 P.M.), Gt. Northern Central (2.30 P.M.),West London (2.30 P.M.), London Throat (9.30 A.M.), Royal Free(2 P.M.), Guy’s (1.30 P.M.), Children, Gt. Ormond-street (9 A.M.),St. Mark’s (2.30 P.M.).

TUESDAY (24th).-London (2 P.M.), St. Bartholomew’s (1.30 P.M.), St.Thomas’s (3.30 P.M.), Guy’s (1.30 P.M.), Middlesex (1.30 P.M.), West-minster (2 P.M.), West London (2.30 P.M.), University College2 P.M.), St. George’s (1 P.M.), St. Mary’s (1 P.M.), St. Mark’s e(2.30 P.M.), Cancer (2 P.M.), Metropolitan (2.30 P.M.), London Throat(9.30 A.M.), Samaritan (9.30 A.M. and 2.30 P.M.), Throat, Golden-square (9.30 A.M.), Soho-square (2 P.M.), Chelsea (2 P.M.), CentralLondon Throat and Ear (2 P.M.), Children, Gt. Ormond-street(9 A.M. and 2 P.M., Ophthalmic, 2 P.M.), Tottenham (2.30 P.M.),Central London Throat and Ear (Minor, 9 A.M., Major, 2 P.M.).

WEDI,iESDAY(25th).-St. Bartholomew’s (1.30 P.M.), University College(2 P.M.), Royal Free (2 P.M.), Middlesex (1.30 P.M.), Charing Cross(3 P.M.), St. Thomas’s (2 P.M.), London (2 P.M.), King’s College(2 P.M.), St. George’s (Ophthalmic, 1 P.M.), St. Mary’s (2 P.M.),National Orthopaedic (10 A.M.), St. Peter’s (2 P.M.), Samaritan9.30 A.M. and 2.30 P.M.), Gt. Northern Central (2.30 P.M.), West-

minster (2 P.M.), Metropolitan (2.30 P.M.), London Throat (9.30 P.M.),Cancer (2 P.M.), Throat, Golden-square (9.30 A.M.), Guy’s (1.30 P.M.),Royal Ear (2 P.M.), Royal Orthopaedic (3 P.M.), Children, Gt.Ormond-street (9 A.M. and 9.30 A.M., Dental, 2 P.M.), Tottenham(Ophthalmic, 2.30 P.M.), West London (2.30 P.M.), Central LondonThroat and Ear (Minor, 9 A.M., Major, 2 P.M.).

THURSDAY (26th).-St. Bartholomew’s (1.30 P.M.), St. Thomas’s(3.30 P.M.), University College (2 P.M.), Charing-cross (3 P.M.), St.George’s (1 P.M.), London (2 P.M.), King’s College (2 P.M.), Middlesex(1.30 P.M.), St. Mary’s (2.30 P.M.), Soho-square (2 P.M.), North-WestLondon (2 P.M.), Gt. Northern Central (Gynaecological, 2.30 P.M.),Metropolitan (2.30 P.M.), London Throat (9.30 A.M.), Samaritan(9.30 A.M. and 2.30 P.M.), Throat, Golden-square (9.30 A.M.), Guy’s(1.30 P.M.), Royal Orthopaedic (9 A.M.), Royal Ear (2 P.M.), Children,Gt. Ormond-street (9 A.M. and 2 P.M.), Tottenham (Gynaecological,2.30 P.M.), West London (2.30 P.M.), Central London Throat and Ear(Minor, (9 A.M., Major, 2 P.M.).

FRIDAY (27th).-London (2 P.M.), St. Bartholomew’s (1.30 P.M.), St.Thomas’s (3.30 P.M.), Guy’s (1.30 P.M.), Middlesex (1.30 P.M.), CharingCross (3 P.M.), St. George’s (1 P.M.), King’s College (2 P.M.), St. Mary’s(2 P.M.), Ophthalmic (10 A.M.), Cancer (2 P.M.), Chelsea (2 P.M.), Gt.Northern Central (2.30 P.M.), West London (2.30 P.M.), LondonThroat (9.30 A.M.), Samaritan (9.30 A.M. and 2.30 P.M.), Throat,Golden-square (9.30 A.M.), City Orthopaedic (2.30 P.M.), Soho-square(2 P.M.) Children, Gt. Ormond-street (9 A.M., Aural, 2 P.M.),Tottenham (2.30 P.M.), St. Peter’s (2 P.M.), Central London Throatand Ear (Minor 9 A.M., Major, 2 P.M.).

SATURDAY (28th).-Royal Free (9 A.M.), London (2 P.M.), Middlesex(1.30 P.M.), St. Thomas’s (2 P.M.), University College (9.15 A.M.),Charing Cross (2 P.M.), St. George’s (1 P.M.), St. Mary’s (10 A.M.),Throat, Golden-square (9.30 A.M.), Guy’s (1.30 P.M.), Children, Gt.Ormond-street (9 A.M. and 9.30 A.M.), West London (2.30 P.M.).

At the Royal Eye Hospital (2 P.M.), the Royal London Ophthalmic(10 A.M.), the Royal Westminster Ophthalmic (1.30 P.M.), and theCentral London Ophthalmic Hospitals operations are performed daily.

EDITORIAL NOTICES.IT is most important that communications relating to the

Editorial business of THE LANCET should be addressedexclusively ″ TO THE EDITOR," and not in any case to anygentleman who may be supposed to be connected with theEditorial staff. It is urgently necessary that attention shouldbe given to this notice.

-

It is especially requested that early intelligence of local eventshaving a medical interest, or which it is desirable to bringunder the notice of the profession, may be sent direct tothis office.

Lectures, original articles, and reports should be mritten onone side of the _paper only, AND WHEN ACCOMPANIEDBY BLOCKS IT IS REQUESTED THAT THE NAME OF THEAUTHOR, AND IF POSSIBLE OF THE ARTICLE, SHOULDBE WRITTEN ON THE BLOCKS TO FACILITATE IDENTI-FICATION.

Letters, whether intended for insertion or for private informa-tion, must be authenticated by the names and addresses oftheir writers-not necessarily for publioation.

We cannot presarabe or recommend practitioners.Local papers containing reports or news paragrapas should be

marked and addressed ″ ’ To the Sub-Editor." Letters relating to the publication, sale and advertising

departments of THE LANCET should be addressed To theManager. "

We cannot undertake to return MSS. not used.

MANAGER’S NOTICES.THE INDEX TO THE LANCET.

The Index to Vol. I. of 1909, which was completed withthe issue of June 26th, and the Title-page to the volume,were given in THE LANCET of July 3rd.

VOLUMES AND CASES.

VOLUMES for the first half of the year 1909 are nowready. Bound in cloth, gilt lettered, price 18s., carriageextra.

Cases for binding the half-year’s numbers are also ready.Cloth, gilt lettered, price 2s., by post 2s. 3d.To be obtained on application to the Manager, accompanied

by remittance. -

TO SUBSCRIBERS.WILL Subscribers please note that only those subscriptions

which are sent direct to the Proprietors of THE LANCET attheir Offices, 423, Strand, London, W.C., are dealt with bythem 7 Subscriptions paid to London or to local newsagents(with none of whom have the Proprietors any connexion what-ever) do not reach THE LANCET Offices, and consequentlyinquiries concerning missing copies, &c., should be sent tothe Agent to whom the subscription is paid, and not toTHE LANCET Offices.

Subscribers, by sending their subscriptions direct toTHE LANCET Offices, will insure regularity in the despatchof their Journals and an earlier delivery than the majorityof Agents are able to effect.THE COLONIAL AND FOREIGN EDITION (printed on thin

paper) is published in time to catch the weekly Friday mailsto all parts of the world.The rates of subscriptions, post free, either from

THE LANCET Offices or from Agents, are :-FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM. | To THE COLONIES AND ABROAD.

One Year ......... JE1 12 6 One Year .........;1:1 14 8

Six Months ......... 0 16 3 I Six Months ......... 0 17 4Three Months ...... 0 8 2 Three Months ...... 0 8 8

Subscriptions (which may commence at any time) arepayable in advance. Cheques and Post Office Orders (crossed"London and Westminster Bank, Westminster Branch ")should be made payable to the Manager, Mr. CHARLES GOOD,THE LANCET Offices, 423, Strand, London, W.C.

TO COLONIAL AND FOREIGN SUBSCRIBERS.SUBSCRIBERS ABROAD ARE PARTICULARLY REQUESTED

TO NOTE THE RATES OF SUBSCRIPTIONS GIVEN ABOVE. Ithas come to the knowledge of the Manager that in somecases higher rates are being charged, on the plea that theheavy weight of THE LANCET necessitates additionalpostage above the ordinary rate allowed for in the terms ofsubscriptions. Any demand for increased rates, on this or onany other ground, should be resisted. The Proprietors ofTHE LANCET have for many years paid, and continue to pay,the whole of the heavy cost of postage on overweight foreignissues; and Agents are authorised to collect, and generallydo so collect, from the Proprietors the cost of such extrapostage.The Manager will be pleased to forward copies direct from

the Offices to places abroad at the above rates, whatever bethe weight of any of the copies so supplied. Address-THE MANAGER, THE LANCET OFFICES, 423, STRAND,LONDON, ENGLAND.

-

SOLE AGENTS FOR AMERICA-Messrs. WILLIAM WOODAND Co., 51, Fifth Avenue, New York, U.S.A.