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WATER AS A MEDIUM OF AUSCULTATION.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-It must ever be a source of gratification to reflectingminds to witness the benefit which daily accrues to society atlarge, from the labours and research of members of our illus-trious profession. The stethoscope, amongst other moderninventions, is scarcely surpassed in the varied and multipliedends to which it has been, and yet might be applied. One of

your correspondents, I see, suggests its employment in militaryoperations, though immediate auscultation of the ground hasbeen for ages practised by barbarous tribes; I allude especiallyto the North American Indians, who are thus enabled to pre-dicate approaching, though distant danger; and we may sup-pose our own troops are capable of employing their auditoryfaculties for a similar purpose, when occasion requires. But

passing over this part of the subject, though every suggestionof science is fully entitled to respectful and courteous considera-tion, I would wish to say a few words on the property of wateras a medium of sound. Mr. Garstang’s experiment is one whichI myself practised not many years since, when a student inLondon. It appeared to me very feasible, but I was disap-pointed. Now it surely is one thing to hear a sound, with ourorgans of hearing in the same element as the vibrations them-selves traverse, and quite another to listen through a distinctmedium, however close the communication may be betweenthem. Hence the schoolboy’s remark was the exposition of ascientific fact, " Put your ear under the water," not near, oreven close to the surface. In ordinary stethoscopes the vibra-tion of sound takes place through the medium of air; in a few,they traverse solid wood. In all, doubtless, the effect is height-ened by the conducting power of straight woody fibre,whether a column of air or water occupies the centre channel.For practical purposes we may hold that the peculiar propertieswhich different media possess for transmission of sound, de-pends on the relative elasticity of their respective atoms, andwe know that whenever the vibrations are interrupted by adifference of density, the nature and quality of the sound isthereby impaired. For a rough example-contrast a glassfilled with air, and the same when filled with water. The tonein the latter case is less distinct, in fact, muffled; so with thestethoscope. I do not even consider the interposition of anivory ear-pieèe at all calculated to improve the uniform trans-mission of sound, though it might not materially affect the im-pression.

These observations are not put forward to set aside Mr.Garstang’s remarks, which deserve praise for the candid andconcise spirit in which they are written; nor do I claim anymerit of originality in substituting water for air in the centrebore; indeed, as an improvement, I rather repudiate the notion.Apologizing for intruding on your columns,

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,August, 1855. J. HAWKES, M.R.C.S. Eng.J. HAWKES, M.R.C.S. Eng.

THE SURGERY OF THE WAR.

THE SANITARY CONDITION OF THE BRITISH ARMYIN THE CRIMEA

DURING THE WEEK ENDING AUGUST 7TH.

THE Inspector-General of Hospitals says-In transmittingthe weekly return of sick and wounded to the 4th instant, Iregret to say that the fears I expressed in my last Report re-garding cholera have been realized, and the disease has reap-peared in the Royal Artillery, in the 1st and Light Divisions,and seriously in the Land Transport Corps; but the 2nd, 3rd,and 4th, and Cavalry Divisions, have been nearly free from itas yet; and as a favourable change has taken place in theweather within the last forty-eight hours, I trust they willcontinue to be so. The cholera, on this as on almost all formeroccasions, has attacked the newly arrived, and followed eitherexposure or fatigue. In the Artillery belonging to the rightsiege train, it was confined chiefly to the Companies recentlyarrived from England, and in the 72nd Highlanders, a draftof recruits just landed suffered most. The Land TransportCorps are all new comers, and have suffered more in proportionthan any of the regiments, though they have no night duty,and are not exposed, like the troops in the trenches, to want ofsleep, fatigue, and exposure to damp and cold, as has beenthe case with the soldiers since the rain commenced.The number of gun-shot injuries has been nearly one-third

greater this week than it was last; but the mortality is nearly

the same, so that the wounds, in a number of instances, havebeen of a slighter kind.The following abstract, when contrasted with that of the

week preceding, will give a better idea than words of the fre-quency and fatality of the leading diseases which have beenadmitted into hospital during the week :-

The ratio of admissions to strength this week has been 6’03per cent.; and the deatbs to strength, 0’35 per cent. Duringthe previous week they were 5 ’97 and 0 .25 per cent. respect-ively.

Medical News.APOTHECARIES’ HALL.-Names of gentlemen who passed

their examination in the science and practice of Medicine, andreceived certificates to practise, on-

Thursday, August 16th, 1855.BOTT, THOMAS BRIDGE, Bury, Lancashire.FERGUSON, FREDERICK STUART, Bolton, Lancashire.

EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY.-At the meeting of theEdinburgh town council on Tuesday, a letter was read fromProfessor Alison to the effect that the state of his health com-pelled him to ask to be relieved from the chair of PracticalMedicine in the University. It was unanimously agreed to.accept of Dr. Alison’s resignation, expressing their sympathyand regret on the occasion, to appoint him Emeritus Professor,and to remit to the college committee to bring the recommenda-tion as to the retiring allowance under the notice of the SenatusAcademicus.THE BOARD OF HEALTH.- We learn with great satis-

faction that Mr. Simon, F. R. S., has been requested to acceptthe appointment of Medical Officer to the Board of Health.His richly cultivated mind, profound pathological knowledge,and great experience in sanitary science, acquired as the CityOfficer of Health, eminently fit him to impart dignity and use-fulness to the Board with which he is to be associated.THE TURKISH CONTINGENT MEDICAL STAFF, under

Dr. Fuller, according to the latest accounts, has been definitelybroken up, and Dr. Fuller returns to England. " They foundno support," says a letter of the llth inst., "only promises;and notwithstanding their efforts to be employed, no arrange-ments were made to give them a chance to prove their superiorityover the native quacks."MIss NIGHTINGALE.-A testimonial is spoken of for this

lady, which is to take the shape of a new hospital in London,to be conducted on the principle of "unpaid nursing," likethat of the ’’ Sisters of Charity" on the Continent.ROYAL MEDICAL BENEVOLENT COLLEGE.-A Special

General Meeting of the Governors was held at the Hanover-square Rooms on Monday, the 20th inst. James W. Freslifield,Esq., M.P., vice-president, took the chair, in the absence ofthe president, the Earl Manvers. The object of the meetingwas, to consider the propriety of admitting a larger number oiexhibitioners than was originally contemplated. From thestatements made by the treasurer, Mr. Propert, and othergentlemen, it appears that the number of candidates for ad-mission as exhibitioners considerably exceed 75, the numberspecified in Law 28; and as great interest is felt by manymembers of the profession in this important department of theinstitution, the Council were of opinion that if the number ofexhibitioners were increased from 75 to 125, the benefits of theCollege being more diffused, it would not only be a great boonto the profession, but would prove of corresponding advantageto the institution. The architect’s opinion as to the capabilityof the College to accommodate the proposed increase beingfavourable, the Council resolved to submit the subject for theconsideration of the Governors. A resolution, giving authorityto the Council to admit the whole of the candidates (125 innumber,) was agreed to. The first 70 on the list will be ad-mitted on the 1st of October, and the remainder on the 1st of

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November next. The hope was expressed that ere long theschool would be still further increased. Thanks having beenvoted to the chairman, the meeting separated.LUNATIC ASYLUMS FOR IRELAND.-Mr. James Wilkes,

medical officer of the County Lunatic Asylum, Stafford, hasbeen appointed commissioner for inquiring into the proposederection of lunatic asylums in Ireland. Mr. T. L. Donaldson,architect, accompanies Mr. Wilkes in his tour of inspection.DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES, &C., AT THE LIVERPOOL

ROYAL INFIRMARY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.-The annual awardsand honours for proficiency in studies at this school of medicinetook place on Monday, when the following were the successfulcompetitors and the prizes awarded:-Mr. R. Fryer, goldmedal and Royal Infirmary Scholarship, for superiority in allsubjects of medical science taught at the schooL-Surgery:Mr. R. Fryer, silver medal; Mr. G. D. Kerman, certificate ofhonour.-Practical Medicine: Mr. G. D. Kerman, silver medal;Messrs. J. Bride and R. Fryer, certificates of honour.-Mid-7.vifei,y: Mr. G. D. Kerman, silver medal; Mr. J. Bride, cer-tificate of honour.-Materia Medica: Mr. A. Thompson, silvermedal; Mr. D. Mackinlay, certificate of honour.-MedicalJurisprudence and Toxicology : Mr. R. Fryer, prize; Mr. C. F.Oldham, certificate of honour.-Ophthalmic Surgery: Mr. R.Fryer, prize; Messrs. J. Bride and J. Robinson, certificates ofhonour.-Anatomy and Physiology: Mr. J. Bride, certificateof honour.-Junior Anatomy: Mr. Flynn, prize.THE SANITARY CONDITION OF THE ARMY.-Dr. Suther-

land, in a long communication to Sir James Clarke and LordShaftesbury, describes with much minuteness the various sani-tary arrangements at present in operation to improve the con-dition of the army before Sebastopol. Some of the results are

interesting. Three deodorizing substances have been used-charcoal, lime, and sand, or gravel. Peat charcoal acts ex-tremely well; it is, therefore, the best for certain purposes,such as deodorizing in the trenches and in the camp: damp orwet alone destroys its qualities. Lime acts also very well, andbest, Dr. Sutherland believes, when wet. Sand or gravel forcertain purposes is as good as either: Dr. Paris first suggestedit. Six inches of sand spread over the horrible marsh at thehead of the harbour at Balaklava, entirely deodorized the soil." He does not believe that any of these agents are disinfec-tants"-a word it would be better to disuse, because it leadsto undue expectations, and neglect of other measures; merelyremoving the odour or bad smell of localities does not removethe more refined electric or other chemical influences at workin producing diseases, more especially those, like cholera orague, having their origin in epidemic and meteorologicalphenomena.A REPORT ON CHOLERA has just been published by

Dr. Arnott, Dr. Baly, Dr. Farr, Professor Owen, and Mr.John Simon, chiefly in reference to the statistics of the inva-sion of this epidemic in 1854; the air, and water supply of themetropolis; and the practical pathology of cholera, or com-parative records of various modes of treatment.APPOINTMENT.-Mr. T. Roberts has been elected dental-

surgeon to Cliaring-cross Hospital.ROYAL MEDICAL AND CHIRURGICAL SOCIETY. -Dr.

Cursham has been elected treasurer, in the room of Dr. Moore,deceased. Dr. Webster succeeds Dr. Cursham as vice-president.The library of the Society will be closed for a month from thisday (Saturday).THE EXCISE ANALYTICAL COMMISSION. - A return,

moved for by Mr. Scholefield, was published on Wednesday,referring to the chemical establishment of the Excise Board. It informs us that the total cost of the establishment fromJan. 5th, 1844, to Jan. 5th, 1855, was £ 8677. There are no

persons whose time is devoted exclusively to the laboratorybut those who have acquired chemical knowledge, and areemployed therein in analyses and investigation for the Excise,Customs, and other departments as circumstances require. In1854 there were six officers thus employed, whose aggregatesalaries amounted to £950. The number of officers speciallyselected for chemical education at University College fromJanuary, 1844, to January, 1854, was 77, (16 of them in 1854,)who were instructed in chemistry at an average expense ofX96 13s. each. The average number of sessions attended bythem was two. During the same period (1844 to 1855) thefees paid to professional chemists were £ 5200, but this sumincludes the cost of investigations not immediately connectedwith the Excise department.

HEALTH OF LONDON DURING THE WEEK ENDING

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18TH.-The deaths registered in Londonrose from 993 in the previous week to 1095 in that which endedlast Saturday. In comparing the results of the last two weeksin the several periods of life it appears that the deaths under 20years of age rose from 551 to 623; at 20 years and under 40they were 145 and 144; in the period 40-60 years they were120 and 132; in the next period 60-80 the number increasedfrom 146 to 159; and of persons who had attained 80 years ofage and upwards the deaths were 31 in the previous week, and37 in the last. Though the present return shows an increase,the mortality is much less than it was on an average in thecorresponding weeks of the years 1845-54. In the correspond-ing week of 1849 cholera raised the deaths from all causes to2230, and in that of last year the same epidemic raised themto 1833. The deaths from cholera in those periods were reospectively 1230 and 729. In seasons like the present, whenthis disease is not extending its ravages, the deaths from ithave averaged 16 in the middle of August. Last week 12were registered, of which 6 were caused by " choleraic diar.rhoea," 2 by " cholera infantum," 1 was from " English’cholera," and 3 are returned as simply as caused by cholera.Diarrhoea was fatal in 154 cases, of which 108 occurred toinfants less than one year old, and 23 to those between one andtwo years of age. The increase of this complaint is seen inthe fatal cases of the last six weeks-namely, 45, 67, 93, 110,146, and 154. The average number in the ten correspondingweeks, corrected for increase of population, is 159. Last weekattention was drawn to the fact that more than the just pro-portion of deaths from diarrhoea occurred in the North dis.tricts, and it will be seen that the present returns still moreremarkably support the same observation. Last week thefatal cases of diarrhoea were 24 in the West districts, 30 inthe Central, the same number in the East, 25 (the leastnumber relatively to population) on the South side of the river,and 45 in the North districts. These 45 are thus divided:10 in Marylebone, 17 in Pancras, 16 in Islington, only 2 inHackney, none in Hampstead. In proportion to populationthe deaths from diarrhoea are more numerous in Islington thanin any other part of the North division.At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height

of the barometer in the week was 30’099 in. The meandaily reading was above 30 in. on every day except Saturday.The mean temperature of the week was 62.5°, which is 1’2"above the average of the same week in 38 years. On the lastfour days the temperature was considerably higher than in thebeginning of the week. The highest temperature occurred onThursday, and was 77°; the lowest occurred on Tuesday, andwas 47 3°. The mean dew-point temperature was 54’5°, andthe difference between this and the mean temperature of theair was 8°. The temperature of the water of the Thames was65 9°. The wind was generally in the north till Saturday,when it changed to south-east. There were slight showers onthe morning of Sunday (the 12th); with this exception therewas no rain in the week.

Births, Marriages, and Deaths.BIRTHS.-On the 18th inst., the wife of C. Waller, M.D.,

Finsbury-square, of a daughter.On the 19th inst., at Baker-street, Portman-square, the wife

of T. A. O’Flaherty, M.D., of a daughter.On the 20th inst., the wife of D. Wane, M.D., of Grafton-

street, Berkeley-square, of a daughter.On the 21st inst., at Sydenham, the wife of Edward Jones,

M. D., of a daughter.On the 21st inst., at Walcot-place, Lambeth, the wife of

Theodore E. Ladd, M.D., of a son.

MARRIAGES.-On the 16th inst., at Yoxford, the Rev. JohnB. Vale, to Clara, eldest daughter of Charles Lanchester, M.D.On the 18th inst., at the parish church, Sevenoaks, Kent,

Frederick, eldest surviving son of H. B. C. Hillier, M.D., toMaria Ann, only child of G. C. Cole, Esq., solicitor, Sevenoaks.On the 21st inst., Wm. Henry Goode, Esq., late major 62nd

Regiment, to Mary, only daughter of Wm. Lauden Hopkinson,M.D., St. Martin’s, Stamford.

DEATHS.-On the 5th inst., at the hospital, Kululee, Con.stantinople, James Bowen Thompson, M.D., in the 42nd yearof his age, of malignant typhoid fever.