665ITALY.-MEDICAL NEWS.

to the undertaker, the operation was practised, according (

to the method of Cantani, with complete success. True, 1the operation has in many cases disappointed expectations, but on inquiry it has been found that in these it was per-formed unskilfully or at an inopportune time-that is to

say, when the process of intestinal transudation was still

going on, and when the solution of carbonate of soda andchloride of sodium was draining away almost as fast as itwas injected. As to other methods of combating the disease,the profession seems settling down to the opinion of Ste-fanoni, as conveyed in the following words :-" The only ]cure, rational and preservative, of cholera is to check thediarrhwa on its first appearance. In a country invaded bythe epidemic, no abnormal intestinal movement ought everto be neglected. From its first declaring itself, the patientshould be put to bed, since absolute repose, combined withastringent treatment, is the only available means of checkingthe serous flux of the intestines. Fifteen drops of laudanumin a few teaspoonfuls of peppermint-water are the one effi-cacious medicament I have seen used in the primarydiarrhoea; and this, it cannot be too often repeated, ifattended to at once, on its first appearance, is certainlycurable, while rigorously keeping the recumbent posture inbed, regulating the diet, and drinking at frequent intervalsand in small sips acidulated beverages like lemonade, or, ifthere be febrile heat, sucking from time to time little piecesof ice, To the arrest of the premonitory diarrhœa, whichby common consent, if treated in time, is perfectly tractable,are reduced all the pretended cures of cholera-cures vauntedby so many as specifically due to the most various remedies.Once the patient has neglected the treatment of this primarystage, medicine can do little more than confess her impo-tence, since, by the consensus of all practical physicians,there is nothing to do but await the setting in of an

extremely uncertain reaction."Genoa has not escaped the epidemic, after all, though its

incidence has been much less violent than at Naples. Thishas been mainly due to the more robust, better fed popula-tion of the Ligurian seaport, to the complete absence ofpanic, and to the prompter treatment of the premonitorydiarrhoea. The Committee of the Red Cross, headed bythe Syndic Signor Podesth, and reinforced by the mostprominent among the citizens, including many ladies of high position, has done yeoman’s service in limiting andattenuating the force of the malady. One effective stroke of hygienic strategy by which the invader was kept at baywas the stoppage of all water-supply to the town from the Scrivia torrent, after this was found to have been infected by the cases that had occurred at Busella. Deplorable torelate, after all the experience so dearly won at Spezia, theScrivia water furnished by the Nicolay Company had beenallowed to be contaminated by the washing of the linen ofthe cholera patients of that neighbouring township ! Andthe Nicolay Company, rather than suffer pecuniary loss,had withheld the knowledge it possessed as to this con-tamination ! But purer water has now been introduced ;the sick-list and death-rate are manifestly on the decline,and numerous families who were preparing to join in ageneral stampede are remaining quietly in their homes.Rome, to the great credit of the provisional syndic, Duke

Leopold Torlonia, maintains her wonderfully clean bill ofhealth, and with it the calm of the entire population. Herwater-supply, long known to be the finest for purity andabundance in Christendom, has again been subjected byProfessor Mauro to chemical analysis, and again withinvariably satisfactory results. The Acqua Marcia, theAcqua Vergine, the Acqua Felice, and the Acqua Paola haveall been proved to be perfectly limpid; to contain no organicmatter of animal or other origin ; to leave, when evaporated,a residue of not more than 50 grammes to the 100 litres ofwater; and to yield from this residue not more than thirtygrammes of carbonate terreux, or than four grammes of mag-nesia. The best of the four are the Acqua Vergine and theAcqua Marcia. "We know," says Professor Mauro, " thatthe composition of the water has an influence on the develop-ment and the multiplication of some harmless microscopicorganisms, but we are in absolute ignorance of what favoursor counteracts the hurtful organisms, because we do notknow their biology ; we are ignorant, in fact, whetherthe water transmits them intact or feeds and developsthem."The literary " hit" of the hour is Professor Angelo Mosso’s

article in the Nuova Antologia on the " Precautions against Cholera and Quarantine"-a brilliant expesure of the futility

of those mediaeval safeguards on which Italy-not much toher credit and greatly to her cost-has, for the last time,let us hope, placed such implicit reliance.Rome, Sept. 29th.

Medical News.APOTHECARIES’ HALL. - The following gentlemen

passed their examination in the Science and Practice of Medi-cine, and received certificates to practise, on Oct. 2ud:-

Angiur, Thos. Matthews, Oriel-road, Bootle, Liverpool.Brighouse, Herbert William, Fortess-road.Sykes, Thomas Hindle, Hoghton-street, Southport.Thompson, Edward Egginton, The Square, Tenbury.Woooforde, W. Sidney Ridout, Oakbank,S pencer’s Wood, Reading.

The tollowing gentlemen also on the same day passea thePrimary Professional Examination :-Harry Gravely, University College Hospital ; Archibald Thomas,Middlesex Hospital.

Passed and received a certificate on Sept. 25th :-Santi, Philip Robert William, Doughty-street.

ROYAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND. - The followinghave obtained the degree of M.B. and the diploma inObstetrics :-BACHELOR OF MEDICINE.-W. Frederick Bailey, Patrick Blackall,Arthur Blackwood, Fredk. James Burns, George Clarke, John N.Corbett, Patrick Cotter, Warren Crooke, James Ferguson, JosephGuisani, Charles Graves, Edward Greene, Chas. Hayden, PeterHorkan, Samuel Hunter, Hugh Lewers, Marcus Loudon, JamesMcAvoy, Nicholas McDonnell, Joseph McKay, Morgan McSwiney,Edward Magennis, James Magner, Donald Martin, John Moore,Hugh Morrison, Cornelius O’Doherty, Michael O’Halloran, PatrickO’Hara, Joseph Prendergast, Fred. Sinclair, Alfred Smith, PatrickSoraghan, E. Starling, George Tate, Wm. Wadsworth, Geo. Waters,George Wynne.

The following passed in the upper pass division, and thosemarked with an asterisk will be admitted to a furtherexamination for Honours :-*Wm. Bartley, Robert Carter, M. Connery, Charles Cooke, *J. T. Daly,Charles Elliott, Thomas FnaeU,*Thos. Grainger, *Benjamin Hosford,*John Kearney, *Philip McCarthy, *Robert Macnamara, *JamesMorwood, *Denis Sheehan, *William White.

DIPLOMA IN OBSTETRICS.-P. Blackall, A. Blackwood, John Bullen,P. Cotter, C. R. Elliott, J. C. Ferguson, J. Guisani, T. Grainger,S. Hamilton, B. Hosford, John Kearney, H. Lewers, J. McAvoy,P. McCarthy, N. McDonnell, J. F. Magner, J. Morwuod, CorneliusO’Doherty, M. O’Halloran, D. Sheahan, A. J. Smith, E. AlfredStarling, William White.

IMPORTANT concessions as to reduction of time onduty have been made to the employes on the BrightonRailway.FEMALE NURSES FOR THE ROYAL NAVY.-The

Admiralty have passed important regulations for the femalenursing btaff, which is to some extent to supersede thepresent staff of male nurses at the Royal Naval Hospitals.

VACCINATION GRANTS.-Dr. Guy (Norwich) andMr. J. H. Hughes (Ombersley district of the DroitwichUnion) have received the Government grant for successfulvaccination in their districts.

AT the last meeting of the City Commissioners ofSewers, the proposition to increase the salary of the medicalofficer of health, Dr. Sedgwick Saunders, from :£900 to .E1100,was carried by a majority of forty-five against sixteen.THE beautiful Hall of the Knights, Copenhagen,

where the king recently entertained the Medical Congress,was unfortunately totally destroyed by fire on the 3rd inst.The entire palace has been almost consumed by the con-flagration.THE HOWARD ASSOCIATION.-This Association has,

in response to a request made by the president of a Congresson Prisons, Pauperism, &c., to be held at St. Loui?,Missouri, U.S.A., on the 13th inst,, forwarded an address inwhich are discussed some of the principal questions in whichthe English Association and the American Congress arespecial interested.A WATER FAMINE.—East Lutton, a village on the

Yorkshire Wolds, near Driffield, is stated to be entirelydestitute of a supply of water, and the villagers have tofetch it from another place more than a mile away. AtTimber the inhabitants are reported to be almost entirelydependent upon the village pond, which is fouled byanimals.

666 MEDICAL NEWS.-MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS.

SUICIDE OF A SURGEON.-An inquest was held last was

week by Mr. Collier on the body of John Lamond Hemming, failu

M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., who up to his death practised in ordir

Finsbury. Evidence having been given as to the discovery whicof the body, and Dr. Evans having deposed to the cause of boardeath-i.e., poisoning by prussic acid-the jury returned a goinverdict " that deceased committed suicide while labouring W 01under temporary insanity." " and

SANITARY ASSURANCE ASSOCIATION.-The Council of this Association has resolved to present to the free public Ilibraries of the country copies of Mr. Mark H. Judge’s abo,

"Sanitary Arrangements of Dwelling Houses ; Notes in erec

Connexion with the Sanitary Exhibits of the International of t’

Exhibition," recently published by the Sanitary Assurance Dul

Association, of which Mr. Judge is the surveyor. theare

HEALTH EXHIBITION, DUBLIN, HOSPITAL FETE.- buiOn Saturday last, the fete in aid of the Dublin hospitals Jacwas held ; it was a decided success, the attendance being whvery large, and the amount received must have been proconsiderable. During the evening there was an ambulance in demonstration, and a distribution of bronze crosses by Sir R.Rawlinson awarded to members of the Dublin police. ilh BOARD OF CONTROL OF IRISH LUNATIC ASYLUMS. prE

This board has been reconstituted, and the following now Edcomprise its members : - Major-General Sankey, John thlNugent, George Hatchell, William R. Le Fanu, and Samuel estUsher Roberts. These will act as commissioners for general incontrol and correspondence, and for the superintending and frcdirecting the erection, establishment, and regulation of G(asylums for the lunatic poor in Ireland, ws

DEVONSHIRE HOSPITAL AND BUXTON BATH to

CHARITY.-At a meeting of the committee of management o0of this institution on the 4th inst., it was stated that 1063in-patients and 148 out-patients had been admitted during Tlthe three months which ended the 30th ult., being a large sbincrease on the number admitted during the corresponding Lquarter of 1883. The receipts from all sources show a Mgeneral increase as compared with the corresponding period Mof 1883. M

WEST KENT MEDICO-CHIRURGICAL SOCIETY.—The first meeting of the twenty-ninth session of this Society washeld on the 3rd inst., when an address was delivered by the President, and the following were chosen office bearers :- aPresident: Mr. John Marshall. Vice-Presidents : Dr. R. Carrington and Mr. C. H. Hartt. Council: Mr. A. L.

a

Bowen, Mr. J. Brindley-Jameq, Mr. G. H. Cable, Mr. F. gCarson Fisher, Dr. A. Forsyth, Mr. J. Harumersley, andMr. F. Moon. Treasurer : Dr. Prior Purvis. Secretary : Mr. H. W. Roberts. Librarian : Dr. J. B. Saundry. ITEMPERANCE LECTURES. -The Committee of I

the Women’s Union of the Church of England Temper- Sance Society have arranged for the delivery of four lectures Jduring November-viz., by Dr. E. Symes Thompson, on the 18th and 15th, on Temperate Teaching on Temperance, and 1the Causes and Preventive Treatment of Inebriety ; and byDr. Oliver Leeson on the 22nd and 29th, on Alcohol in tHealth, and on the Formation of Temperate Habits in EarlyLife. The lectures commence at 3.30 P.M., the first twobeing delivered at 83, Lancaster-gate, and the remainder atthe Vestry Hall, Kensington High-street.NEW BRANCH OF THE BRITISH DENTAL ASSOCIA-

TION.-A meeting of dental practitioners took place inBirmingham, on Sept. 20th, at which it was resolved to forma Society, to be called the " Central Counties Branch of theBritish Dental Association." Dr. Waite of Liverpool pre-sided. The laws of the Midland Branch with a fewalterations having been adopted, the following officers wereelected :-President : Mr. Charles Sims. Vice-President:Mr. F. J. Thorman. Hon. Secs.: Mr. H. Breward Nealeand Mr. Frank Huxley. Treasurer : Mr. J. Humphreys.Council: Messrs. F. R. Batchelor, R. King, F. W. Richards,E. Harding, H. Blandy, and S. Birt.LOWER THAMES VALLEY DRAINAGE.-The Works

and Parliamentary Committee of the Lower Thames ValleyMain Sewerage Board have submitted to that authority alengthy report in which, after criticising the action of theSelect Committee of the House of Commons in rejecting thescheme of Messrs. Mansergh and Mellis for the drainage ofthe district, they state that the creation of the board which

was to solve the drainage difficulty has been attended withfailure. This report was received by the board at the lastordinary meeting, and the plan of Sir Joseph Bazalgette, bywhich the whole of the sewage from the district of the jointboard could be carried to the Crossness outfall, without

going through the district of the Metropolitan Board ofWorks, was referred to the committee for their consideration on

and report, their report having been presented with fullknowledge that such a scheme existed.HULL GENERAL INFIRMARY. -This building is

about to be enlarged by the addition of two wings and theerection of an out-patients’ department; and the first stonesof these new buildings were laid by His Royal Highness theDuke of Edinburgh and Her Royal and Imperial Highnessthe Duchess of Edinburgh on the 1st inst. The architectsare Messrs. H. Saxon Snell and Son of London, and the

, builders of the portion now being executed are Messrs.Jackson and Son of Hull. The cost of the whole work will,

; when completed, amount to £25,000. Drawings of theproposed works of the infirmary building were illustratedin our issue of May 31st last.

’

PRESENTATIONS.--On October lst a beautifullyilluminated address and handsome carriage clock were

. presented to Mr. Charu Chandra Bose, on his leaving thev Edinburgh City Poorhouse, Craiglockhart, by the officials ofnthe institution. The address expressed the respect and1 esteem in which he was held, and wished him every success1 in his future career.-Dr. Woodhouse, on his retirement1 from the post of one of the honorary medical officers of theof General Infirmary at Hertford, after forty-one years’service,

was on the 2nd inst. presented with a testimonial whichrr took the form of a handsome silver salver and a purseIt containing one hundred guineas.i3 PRIZES AT UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, LIVERPOOL.-19 The following is a list of the medals, prizes, and scholar-;e ships distributed by Lord Derby at University College,

Liverpool, on the 4th inst. :-Lyon Jones Scholarships:a Mr. R. Sumner, Mr. A. A. Kanthack, Mr. A. J. Burrowes,d Mr. T. J. Sweeney. Derby Exhibition : Mr. G. S. Wild.

Medicine : Mr. A. W. Collins and Mr. H. L. Pearson

le (equal), silver medal. Surgery : Mr. J. G. G. Corkhill,as

silver medal. Pathology : Mr. T. G. Laslett, silver medal. 0bsterics : Mr. E. Buxton, silver medal. Advanced Anatomyhe and Physiology : Mr. A. A. Kanthack, Torr gold medal;

Mr. J. H. Abram, bronze medal. Elementary AnatomyR. and Physiology and Chemistry : Mr. W. E. Livsey, Bligh" gold medal; Mr. G. W. Chaster, bronze medal. Histologicald Prizas : Mr. A. A. Iianthack, Mr. R. J. M. Buchanan.na Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology : Silver medal, Mr,y: F. H. Barend r. Materia Medica : Silver medal, Mr. A. A,

Kanthack. Botany: Silver medal, Mr. W. E. Livsey.of Practical Chemistry : Silver medal, Mr. W. E. Livsey.er- Students’ Debating Society Pnzes: ht prize for essay, Mr.res J. H. Lightbody ; 2nd, Mr. J Cunningham; 3rd, Mr. F. H.the Barendt. Reports of Medical Cases: Mr. H. L. Pearson.,nd Prize for Specimens: Mr. A. A. Kanthack. Reports ofby Surgical Cases: Mr. E. Buxton. Debating Prizes: Mr,in Collins.

Medical Appointments.Intimations for this column must be sent DIRECT to the Office ofTHE LANCET before 9 o’clock on Thursday Morning at the latest.

BOSWELL, JOHN IRVINE, L.R.C.P.L., M.R.C.S., has been appointedMedical Officer for the First District of the Faversham Union, viceAtthill, resigned.

ELIOT, ERNEST FREDERIC, L.R.C.P. & L. M.Ed., L.S.A.Lond., has beenappointed House-Physician to the Queen’s Hospital, Birmingham.

FOOT, ERNEST G., M.R.C.S., L.S.A.Lond., has been appointed ResidentClinical Assistant to the City of London Hospital for Diseases ofthe Chest, Victoria-park.

GORDON, JOHN JOSEPH, L.R.C.P.Ed., L.R.C.S.Ed., has been appointedMedical Officer to the Infirmary and Workhouse, Hackney Union,vice Garman, resigned.

HARMER, SIDNEY FREDERIC, B.A., has been appointed Demonstratorof Comparative Anatomy in the University of Cambridge.

JELLY, FRED. ADOLPHUS, M.B., C.M.Ed., has been appointed AsaistmtMedical Officer to the Wynford House Asylum, Exeter, viceMoynan, resigned.

LEWIS, W. BEVAN, L.R.C.P.Lond. &c., has been appointed MedicalSuperintendent of the West Riding Asylum, Wakefield, viceDr. Herbert Major, resigned.

667MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS.-BIRRTHS , MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS

IICWILLIAM, ALEX., M.B., C.M.Aber., has been appointed SeniorAssistant Medical Officer to the Somerset and Bath Asylum, viceBeatty, resigned.

NEWMAN, DAVID, M.D., C.M.Glas., F.F.P.S.Glasg., has been appointedSurgeon to the Dispensary for Diseases of the Throat, Glasgow,vice Dr. Eben. Watson, resigned.

OPENSHAW, T. HORROCKS, M.B., L,R.C.P.Lond., has been appointedResident Accoucheur to the London Hospital.

PARROTT, THOMAS GODFREY, M.R.C.S.. L.R.C.P.Lond., has beenappointed Resident Medical Officer and Secretary to the Bourne.mouth Cottage Hospital.

PEDLEY, RICHARD D., M.R.C.S., L.D.S., has been appointed DentalSurgeon to the Metropolitan Dispensary, Fore-street, Cripplegate.

PINK, THOMAS, M.R.C.S., L.S.A.Lond., has been appointed MedicalOfficer for the Weldon District of the Oundle Union, vice Stokes,resigned.

PORTER. CHARLES F., M.R.C S , has been appointed Health Officer forthe Port of Port Philip, and Superintendent of the Sanitary Stationat Point Nepean, vice Bulmer, resigned.

RIDLEY, GEORGE WALTER, M.B.Dur., M.R.C.S., has been appointedSenior House-Surgeon to the Ingharn Infirmary, South Shields,vice S. Lowes, M.B., L.R.C.S., resigned.

SMALL, THOMAS, L.R C.P.Ed., M.R.C.S., L.S.A.Lond., has been ap-pointed Medical Officer for the Tenth District of the HexhamUnion, vice Connon.

TOMKINS, HARDING H., M.R.C.S. (late Assistant House-Surgeon to theChildren’s Infirmary, Liverpool), has been appointed AssistantMedical Officer to the Gloucester County Asylum.

WALLER, CHARLES B., M.R.C.S., L.S.A.-Lond., has been appointedHouse-Surgeon to the Westminster Hospital, vice A. Scanlan,resigned.

WELD, JAMES CHARLES, L.K.Q.P.C.I., L.R.C.S.L, has been appointedHealth Officer for the Shire of Ararat, Victoria.

Births, Marriages, and Deaths.BIRTHS.

JONES.-On the 5th inst., at 6, Westbourne-street, W., the wife ofT. W. Carmalt Jones, F.R.C.S.Ed., of a son, who survived his birthonly a short time.

PICKUP.—On the 30th ult., at Bishop-street, Coventry, the wife ofW. J. Pickup, M.B.Lond., of a son.

POPE. - On the lst inst., at Broomsgrove Villa, Goldhawk-road,Shepherd’s-bush, W., the wife of H. Campbell Pope, M.D.Lond.,F.R.C.S., of a son.

WEBB.-On the lst inst., at Kingsbridge, South Devon, the wife ofW. H. Webb, M.R.C.S., of a daughter.

WESTLAND.-On the 1st inst., at Belsize-park, N. W., the wife of AlbertWestland, M.D., of a daughter.

MARRIAGES,BROSTER—POOLE.—On the 24th ult., at St. Mary’s Church, Longfleet,

Arthur Erdwick Broster, M.R.C.S., only son of the late RichardWilliam Broster, M.R.C.S., of Beaminster, to Fanny Augusta,second daughter of Christopher Hill Poole.

EDWARDS-DOUTY.-On the 29th ult., at Netherhampton, by the Rev.Canon Olivier, Rector, assisted by the Rev. M. J. Drinkwater,Rector of St. George’s, Antigua, W.I. (brother-in-law of thebridegroom), Charles Reginald Edwards, M.R.C.S.Eng., L.R.C.P.,youngest son of W. H. Edwards, Esq., F.R.C.S.Eng., of St. John’s,Antigua, W.I., to Lucy Ella, eldest daughter of the late JoelDouty, Esq., of Netherhampton House, near Salisbury.

SHArLEV- STOCKw00D. - On the 17th ult., at Newcastle Church,Bridgend, S. Wales, by the Rev. J. P. Hughes, M.A., Vicar ofLlantrissant, assisted by the Rev. G. Thomas, B.A., Vicar of New-castle, Frank Shapley, M.R.C.S., L.S.A.Lond., of Bryngarw, Sidcup,Kent, to Edith Stock wood, daughter of T. Stockwood, Esq.,Solicitor, of Caederwen, Bridgend.

STORER-CLARKE.-On the 2nd Inst., at Christ Church, TunbridgeWells, Charles Storer, M.D., of Lowdham Grange, Notts, to

Elizabeth, second daughter of the late Lieut. Clarke, R.M.L.L, ofEpperstone, Notts.

THOMPSON - BARTER. - On the 2nd inst., at Gowran, co. Kilkenny,by the Rev. J. Steuart Hickey, Rector of Goresbridge, WilliamThompson, Esq., Surgeon, R.N., of Sandeville, co. Kerry, to MaryAgnes, youngest daughter of the late Dr. Barter, of St. Ann’s-hill,co. Cork.

WADE—TODD.—On the 30th ult., at St. Mary’s, Finchley, Charles Wade,M.R.C.S., L.S.A.Lond., of Hatfield Broad Oak, Essex, son of EdwardWade, Surgeon, of Cross, Somerset, to Sarah, only daughter of thelate Benjamin Todd, Esq., of Finchley.

DEATHS.BREWER.-On the 29th ult., Thomas Brewer, M.R.C.S., L.S.A.Lond.’

of New North-road, Huddersfield, aged 44.DUNCAN.—On the 7th inst., at Great IMarlborough-street, W., Peter

Charles Duncan, M.D., after long-continued suffering.JOwETT.-On the 3rd inst.., at Cedars-road, Beckenham, Joseph Jowett,

Surgeon-Major (retired) H*rvf. Indian Army, second son of the lateRev. Joseph Jowett, M.A., Rector of Silk Willoughby, Lincolnshire,aged 69.

LIVINGSTONE.-ON Aug. 9th, at Fitzroy, Melbourne, Andrew CairncrossLivingstone, M.D., L.R.C.S.Ed., late of Edinburgh, aged 72.

N.B.—A fee of 5s. is charged for the Insertion of Notices of Births,Marriages, and Deaths.

METEOROLOGICAL READINGS.(Taken daily at 8.30 a.m. by Steward’s Instruments.) y

THE LANCET OFFICE, October 9th, 1884.

Notes, Short Comments, and Answers toCorrespondents.

It is especially requested that early intelligence of local events, having a medical interest, or which it is desirable to bring

under the notice of the profession, may be sent direct to thisOffice.

All communications relating to the editorial business of thejoumnal must be addressed" To the Editor."

Lectures, original articles, and reports should be written onone side only of the paper.

Letters, whether intended for publication or private informa.tion, must be authenticated by the names and addresses oftheir writers, not necessarilyfor publication.

We cannot prescribe, or recommend practitioners.Local papers containing reports or news-paragraphs should

be marked.Letters relating to the publication, sale, and advertisingdepartments of THE LANCET to be addressed To thePublisher."

-

LONDON CABS.

" THE Man About Town,’writing in the County Gentleman, notices oucomplaint about the "growler," and says that it "has been anticipated, and the fusty, jingling vehicles described by THE LANCET arebeing rapidly supplanted by really comfortable carriages." He adds,"Some of the new four-wheelers recently put on the ranks are as neatas need be." Our contemporary will earn the gratitude of a long-suffering public if he will state the precise localities of the ranks onwhich these much-to-be-desired but rather invisible four-wheelers are tobe found. We welcome the announcement that Forder’s have invented

’, a new hackney-coach called a landauette. This can be driven open or

shut." When is it to appear? There could be no better time than

" chill" October. The occupation of a cabmaster is just now popularand aristocratic, and possibly profitable. But why do certain nobleproprietors of cabs confine their enterprise to the hansom ? î Inall fairness to the "growler," let us hasten to admit that with veryslight alterations as to its interior it would be a perfect conveyance-forluggage!

T. K.-At St. Thomas’s Hospital probationers under the auspices of theNightingale Fund are allowed £16, besides board, lodging, &c., duringtheir year of training.

R. D. is referred to a general notice at the head of this column.

ENGLISH v. FOREIGN OBJECTIVES.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,—In your issue of Sept. 27th, in answering a correspondentwho signed himself " Microscope," the writer, I suspect, hardly ex-pressed all he intended. He must have meant to say that foreignobjectives are superior to English at the price. I have elsewhererecorded my admiration of the high-power "immersions" of Zeiss, madeon Professor Abbé’s formulae, and which rival the productions of ourPowell and Lealand; but foreign low-powers are of inferior quality.Yet on these depends the greater part of practical work. Even in thematter of price the balance is not always against us. During someyears I have had occasion to critically examine many glasses by Wrayof Highgate (not so generally known as they should be), and I canguarantee their being nearly, or quite, equal to those of our first makers,at less than half the price. A stage-micrometer affords a simple test ofexcellence of correction. Its ruled lines should appear sharply definedall over the field, and run distinct and without bending to the edge.Still, the beginner must remember that the working image is the jointproduct of the objective and ocular; and if the latter is defective, as ittoo often is, spherical aberration will result with the best objective.My experience leads me to prefer Beck’s eye-pieces to all others,especially their Kellners.-I am, Sir, yours obediently,

Bristol School of Chemistry, Oct. 4th, 1884. F. W. GRIFFIN, Ph.D.