1018 fOTES, SHORT COMMENTS, AND ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. I

We do not know the state of the water at Batley, and possibly themedical officer of health is correct in saying that the public mightdrink it with impunity, but to make such a general statement as heis reputed to have done is certainly to expose himself to criticism.Under certain circumstances not to boil the water would be to courta great danger in drinking it, and if the water at Batley is dark-coloured the term "sentimentalists" can certainly not be appliedto those who would take the very wise precaution of filtering andperhaps of boiling it also before drinking it. Certain fevers have been

proved to be waterborne, but boiling destroys the germs and rendersthe water fit for drinking purposes as far as disease germs are

concerned.

MEN STRAIGHT-FRONTED BELT CORSET.THE Domen Belt Co., of 406, Strand, London, W.C., have submitted tous their straight-fronted belt corset, which they have designed witha view to the avoidance of compression in the epigastric and umbilicalregion and which they state will especially meet the requirementsof those suffering from certain abdominal troubles. The combinationof corset and belt is well designed and is a great advance on the sepa-rate articles usually employed. The elasticity of the straight-fronted belt corset ’goes a long way towards reducing the possibilityof too tight-lacing and it is pronounced to be very comfortable.

IGH FREQUENCY CURRENTS AND DIABETES."To the Editors of THE LANCET.

SIRS,-In reply to your correspondent " S. L. B. W." re HighFrequency Currents and Diabetes in THE LANCET of Oct. 5th we haverecord of an exceedingly interesting case treated by high frequencycurrents as employed here. The patient was a chief engineer in theAmerican Navy at Santiago. The sugar in his urine was reduced verygreatly, almost to vanishing point, his weight increased, and hisgeneral health was completely restored. We shall be pleased to sendyou detailed particulars if favoured with an application from yourcorrespondent. I am, Sirs, yours faithfully,

e Electrical Ozone and Light Treatment, Hanover-square, W., Oct. 7th, 1901. tb

the Editors of THE LANCET.

SIRS,-The following references may assist " S. L. B. W." :—Bordier

(Precis d’Electrothérapie, p. 532), abstract : " Results not conclusive.Messrs. Apostoli and Berlioz have in three cases seen the sugar dis-appear almost completely ; treatment by auto-conduction. When the

sugar has not diminished there has been a marked improvement in thegeneral state. Owing to the different causes uniform results cannotbe expected. However, the treatment ought to be tried in all cases ifonly for the improvement in the general state." Gaimbail (La Thera-peutique par les Agents Physiques, p. 517) has submitted several casesto auto-conduction without any result. There is, so far as I can see, nomention of the treatment of diabetes by high frequency currents in theComptes Rendus des Seances du ler Congres International d’Èlectro-logie et de Radiologie Médicales, Paris, 1900.

I am, Sirs, yours faithfully,ct. 8th, iam.

rr

DODD.

the Editors of THE LANCET.

SIRS,-IN answer to " S. L. B. W." re the value of high frequencyelectrical currents in the treatment of diabetes mellitus I beg to statethat I have treated five cases. Four, very slight and early cases, lostall sugar and symptoms in a few weeks’ treatment. The fifth case is a

very old one and the weight improves and sugar goes quickly undertreatment only to return after an interval of a few months. The

patient is now under treatment for the third time and is graduallyimproving. I hope to be able to report these cases later. High fre-quency and high potential electrical currents are of the greatest use inall conditions of " wasting." I am, Sirs, your faithfully,

JCL. 1901. C. W. IA DIFFICULTY UNDER THE NOTIFICATION ACT."

To the Editors of THE LANCET.

SIRS,-Under the above heading of proceedings against me by theLunesdale Rural District Council, reported in your issue of Oct. 5th,is a mistake which might easily occur by a confusion of names. It ismade to appear that I conducted the cross-examination of my opponent’smedical witness, at the end of which it says, " Dr. Wingate-Saul sub-mitted there was no case to answer," &c., &c., and, further, "Dr.Wingate-Saul’s application for costs was refused," &c., &c.-whereas Inever spoke in court, my case having been conducted by my son, Mr.E. W. Wingate-Saul, barrister-at-law, instructed by a firm of Lancastersolicitors. If you will kindly make this correction in your nextissue I shall be obliged.

I am, Sirs, yours faithfully,Oct, 6th, 1901. W. W. WINGATE-SAUL.

A QUESTION OF ORTHOGRAPHY.To the Editors of THE LANCET.

SIRS -On reading the " Suggestions for the Care and Use of ParaffinLamps issued by the Education Department I noticed, as probablyothers have done, that the eighth paragraph is as follows : "Neverrefil (sic) the lamp when it is alight." Turning to page 928 ofTHE LANCET of Oct. 5th, where you reprint the somewhat lengthydocument which is to puzzle or instruct the young mind an lead to the

puzzling or instruction of the parent corrected by the offspring, I found,without surprise, that in the injunction referred to you print refil as" re-fill." I confess myself to be on the side of your proof-reader or who-ever corrected (as I believe) the spelling of the Education Department,and I may point out that you have on your side practically all the’dictionaries, even the " Century Dictionary" which hails from acrossthe Atlantic and would justify the Education Department if it

sought to make its pupils spell theatre" "theater," giving refill" without an alternative spelling with one 1. Johnson, however,and the "New Oxford Dictionary" alike give "fulfil" in preferenceto " fulfill without excluding the latter, and I take it thatthe gentleman who drafted the lamp circular followed the analogyof " fulfil either intentionally or unconsciously. I should ratherlike to know, however, what spelling will be adopted by school-masters and school inspectors who may strive to impress the circularon scholars by giving it to them as dictation, and what view would be,taken by Civil Service examiners in those examinations for posts inGovernment offices and the services in which mistakes of spelling are-jealously scrutinised and counted. "Refil," at any rate, cannot havebeen a misprint; it catches the eye too readily for successive readersto miss it-and I suppose that someone reads the circulars issued byGovernment departments after they leave the printers.

I am, Sirs, yours faithfully,Oct. 9th, 1901. M.A. CANTAB.

HOW DISEASE IS SPREAD.

A CASE of scarlet fever was recently reported to the medical officer ofhealth of Leeds, who found that the patient, as soon as he knewthe nature of the disease, had travelled to Southampton. The Leedsauthorities communicated with the sanitary department of thatport and the man has been summoned before a court of summaryjurisdiction and fined 40s. and costs for appearing in a public placewhile suffering from scarlet fever. It is a pity that a greater penaltythan this could not be meted out to persons who thus jeopardise thehealth and perhaps the life of their fellow-creatures.

SHORTHAND FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS AND PRACTITIONERS.

AMONG the students who have just commenced their medical studiesthere are probably some who are acquainted with shorthand, havinglearnt it at school. The attention of such students is specially invitedto the Society of Medical Phonographers. The object of this societyis to increase the practical service of shorthand to its members bypublishing a monthly periodical and other shorthand medical works.Also, any medical practitioners who use shorthand and have not yetjoined the society are cordially invited to do so. No skill in shorthandis necessary for membership. The annual subscription for studentsis 5s., for practitioners 7s. 6d. A detailed prospectus of the societywill be sent on application to the honorary secretary, Dr. FletcherBeach, 79, IVimpole-street, W.

Uncertain.-If our correspondent took the degree of :V1.B. London sub-sequently to 1887 there is no doubt that as far as qualification isconcerned he is eligible for the post he mentions.

Medical Diary for the ensuing Week.OPERATIONS.

METROPOLITAN HOSPITALS.MONDAY (14th).-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.), Royal Orthopedic (2 P.M.), City Orthopaedie (4 P.M.),Gt. Northern Central (2.30 P.M.) West London (2.30 P.M.), LondonThroat (2 P.M.).

TUESDAY (15th).-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 College(2 P.M.), St. George’s (1 P.M.), St. Mary’s (1 P.M.), St. Mark’s(2.30 P.M.), Cancer (2 P.M.), Metropolitan (2.30 P.M.), London Throat(2 P.M. and 6 P.M.), Royal Ear (3 P.M.), Samaritan (9.30 A.M. and2.30 P.M.), Throat, Golden-square (9.30 A.M.).

WEDNESDAY (16th).-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.), Kin’s College(2 P.M.), St. George’s (Ophthalmic, 1 P.M.), St. Mary (2 P.M.),National Orthopaedie (10 A.M.), St. Peter’s (2 P.M.), Samaritan(9.30 A.M. and 2.30 P.M.), Gt. Ormond-street (9.30 A.M.), Gt. NorthernCentral (2.30 P.M.), Westminster (2 P.M.), Metropolitan (2.30 P.M.),London Throat (2 P.M.), Cancer (2 P.M.), Throat, Golden-square(9.30 A.M.).

THURSDAY (17th).-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.), Chelsea (2 P.M.), Gt. Northern Central (Gynaeco-logical, 2.30 P.M.), Metropolitan (2.30 P.M.), London Throat (2 P.M.),St. Mark’s (2 P.M.), Samaritan (9.30 A.M. and 2.30 P.M.), Throat,Golden-square (9.30 A.M.).

FRIDAY (]8th).-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.). Charing-cross (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.), London

1019DIARY, EDITORIAL NOTICES, MANAGER’S NOTICES.

Throat (2 P.M. and 6 P.M.), Samaritan (9.30 A.M. and 2.30 P.M.),Throat, Golden-square, (9.30 A.M.),

SATURDAY (19th).-Royal Free (9 A.M. and 2 P.M.), London (2 P.M.),Middlesex (1.30 P.M.), St. ThomaR’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 P.M.), London Throat (2 P.M.), Throat, Golden-square (9.30 A.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.

SOCIETIES.MONDAY (14th).-MEDICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON (11, Chandos-street,

Cavendish-square,,W.).-8 P.M. General Meeting. 8.30 P.M. OrdinaryMeeting. Address :—Dr. W. H. Allchin (President) : The Responsi-bility of the Organism in Disease.

TUESDAY (15th).-PATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON (20, Hanover-square, W.).-8.30 P.M. Dr. W. Barratt: A Case of SylvianAneurysm.-Dr. F. W. Andrewes: Haemorrhagic Myositis in EntericFever.-Mr. 0. S. Wallace: Primary Melanotic Sarcoma of SmallIntestine.-Dr. Thursfield : A Case of PIeuro-oesophageal Fistula.-Mr. S. Shattock: Prehistoric Calculus. Card Specimens :-Dr.Findlayson : Agenesia of Lung.-Dr. Thursfield : (1) CerebellarTumour arising from Ependyma; (2) a Case of Porencephaly.

CHELSEA CLINICAL SOCIETY (Jenner Institute of Preventive Medicine,Grosvenor-road, Chelsea). -8.30 P.M. Opening Address :-Mr. C. A.Morris: Some War Sequelse.

WEDNESDAY (16th).-ROYAL MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY (20, Hanover-square, W.).-7.30 P.M. Mr. C. L. Curties : Exhibition of MountedSpecimens of Marine Zoological Objects. 8 P.M. Paper :-MissA. L. Smith: The Fungi found on Germinating Farm Seeds.

THURSDAY (17th).—HARVEIAN SOCIETY OF LONDON (Stafford Rooms,Titchborne-street, Edgware-road, W.).-8.30 P.M. Paper :-Mr. C.Williams: Hæmaturia in Childhood.

OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.-8 P.M.Cases :-Mr. R. Marcus Gunn: Persistent Double Keratitis, mainlysuperficial, without Tendency to Ulceration.-Mr. S. Stephenson:A Case of Congenital Distichiasis. Presidential Address :-SomeClinical Experiences of Primary Chronic Glaucoma and the Valueof Iridectomy. Papers :-Mr. S. J. Taylor: Notes of a Case ofRodent Ulcer of the Cornea in a Child.-Mr. E. Nettleship : ChronicSerpiginous Ulcer of Cornea (Mower’s Ulcer).

LECTURES, ADDRESSES, DEMONSTRATIONS, &c.

MONDAY (l4th).-MEDICAL GRADUATES’ COLLEGE AND POLYCLINIC(22, Chenies-street, W.C.).-4 P.M. Dr. J. Galloway: Clinique.(Skin.)

POST-GRADUATE COLLEGE (Lecture Room, West London Hospital,Hammersmith-road,W.).-5 P.M. Sir William Mac Cormac, Bart.,K.C.V.O.: Opening Address.

TUESDAY (15th).-MEDICAL GRADUATES’ COLLEGE AND POLYCLINIC(22, Chenies-street, W.C.).-4 P.M. Sir W. 11. Broadbent: Clinique.(Medical.)

PosT-GRADUATE COLLEGE (Lecture Room, West London Hospital,Hammersmith-road, W.).-5 P.M. Alr. Baldwin : Minor Surgery.

NATIONAL HOSPITAL FOR THE PARALYSED AND EPILEPTIC (Queen-square, Bloomsbury).-3.30 P.M. Dr. Tooth : Spinal Localisation.

WEDNESDAY (l6th).-MEDICAL GRADUATES’ COLLEGE AND POLYCLINIC(22, Chenies-street, W.C.).-4 P.M. Mr. A. H. Tubby: Clinique.(Surgical.)

POST-GRADUATE COLLEGE (Lecture Room, West London Hospital,Hammersmith-road, W.).-b P.M. Mr. MacAdam Eccles : SurgicalAnatomy.

LONDON THROAT HOSPITAL (204, Great Portland-street, W.).-5 P.M.Dr. Cathcart: Examination of Ear. (Post-Graduate Course.)

CENTRAL LONDON THROAT, NOSE, AND EAR HOSPITAL (Gray’s Inn-road, W.C.).-8 P.M. Introductory Lecture :-Mr. L. Browne : The IRelationship to General Medicine of the Special Diseases treated atthe Hospital, also to other Diseases constituting separate Specialisms.

THURSDAY (l9th).-MEDICAL GRADUATES’ COLLEGE AND POLYCLINIC(22, Chenies-street, W.C.).-4 P.M. Mr. Hutchinson: Clinique.(Surgical.)

POST-GRADUATE COLLEGE (Lecture Room, West London Hospital,Hammersmith-road, W.).-5 P.M. Mr. Dunn : Iritis.

THE HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN (Gt. Ormond-street, W.C.).-4 P.M.Dr. Still : Diarrhoea in Infants.

CHARING-CROSS HOSPITAL.-4 P.M. Mr. Waterhouse: Surgical Cases.(Post-Graduate Course.)

FRIDAY (18th).-MEDICAL GRADUATES’ COLLEGE AND POLYCLINIC(22, Chenies-street, W.C.).-4 P.M. Mr. Marcus Gunn : Clinique.(Eye.)

PosT-GRADUATE COLLEGE (Lecture Room, West London Hospital,Hammersmith-road, W.).-5 P.ClI. Dr. Saunders : Therapeutics.

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

Editorial business of THE LANCET should be addressed

exclusively "To THE EDITORS," and not in any case to anygentleman who may be supposed to be connected with theEditorial staff. It is urgently necessary that attention begiven 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 written onone side oj 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-ti.on, must be authenticated by the names and addresses oftheir writers-not necessarily forpublication.

We cannotpresmbe or recommend practitioners.LoeaZpapers containing reports or nevvs paragraphs 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.TO SUBSCRIBERS.

WILL Subscribers please note that only those subscriptionswhich are sent direct to the Proprietors of THE LANCETat their Offices, 423, Strand, W.C., are dealt with by them 7Subscriptions paid to London or to local newsagents (withnone 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 Office, will ensure regularity in the despatchof their Journals and an earlier delivery than the majorityof Agents are able to effect.The rates of subscriptions, post free, either from

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

One Year ... ... ... £1 12 6 One Year ......... El 14 8Six Months......... 0 16 3 Six Months......... 0 17 4Three Months ...... 0 8 2 I Three Months ...... 0 8 8

Subscriptions (which may commence at any time) are

payable 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 Office, 423, Strand, London, W.C.

’ SUBSCRIBERS ABROAD ARE PARTICULARLY REQUESTEDTO 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 do so

collect, from the Proprietors the cost of such extra postage.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.

METEOROLOGICAL READI NGS.(Taken daily at 8.30 a.m. by Steward’s Instruments.)

THE LANCET Office, Oct. 10th, 1901.

During the week marked copies of the following newspapershave been received :-Liverpool Post, Leeds Mercury, Bristol

Mercury, Recueil d’Ophtalmologie, Medical News (New York),County Co2craeil Times, Knowledge, El Jicrado Médico-Farma-ceutico, Contractor, Daily Mail, lorkshire Post, Sanitary Journal,Standard, Tablet, Engineer, Blätter für. Klinische flycLrotherccpie,Oxfordshire Mercury, Windsor and Etoa Express, Climate, South

African News, Reading Mercury and Oxford Gazette, Mining Journal,Indian Municipal Journal, Indian Engineering, University ofPennsylvania Medical Bulletin, Chronicle and District Times

(Srvantey), Weekly Press (Aberdeen), Hong-Kong Weekly Press, &e.