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THE CASE OF MADELEINE SMITH. To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-I have read with interest the paper bySir William H. Willcox in your journal of Jan. 27th.On p. 167 the author states that Madeleine Smithwas condemned to death in 1857. Reference to adescription of the evidence in " Report of the Trial ofMadeleine Smith, 1857," by Alexander Forbes Irvine,advocate, states that the verdict was : (1) Not guiltyon first charge ; (2) not proven on second charge ;(3) not proven on third charge. She was discharged.

I am, Sir, yours faithfully,T. W. LOVETT.

Lower Broughton, Manchester, Feb. 2nd, 1923.T. W. LOVETT.

" LUNACY REFORM. "

To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SiR,-The Executive Committee of the LyceumClub have received complaints from members of themanner in which the " Lunacv Reform " dinner onJan. 24th was conducted. They feel they must offeran apology to the many distinguished guests whowere invited to a dinner to hear an address on acontentious subject without notice having been givenbeforehand or any adequate opportunity affordedfor replies from those who held other views. Theorganisation of the dinner was in the hands of a veryfew members, who were entirely responsible for thearrangements. The members of the Executive canonly regret the blunder and apologise for discourtesywhich was certainly not intended.

I am, Sir, your faithfully,H. L. GUY,

Lyceum Club, Piccadilly, ’V., Feb. 6th, 1923. Secretary.H. L. GUY,

Lyceum Club, Piccadilly, W., Feb. 6th, 1923. Secretary

Obituary.JOHANNES ORTH,

PROFESSOR OF PATHOLOGICAL ANATOMY IN THE UNIVERSITY OFBERLIN; DIRECTOR OF THE CHARITY CANCER INSTITUTE.

Johannes Orth was born at Wallmerod, a smallvillage in what was then the Duchy of Nassau, andwas the son of a doctor. Orth studied at Heidel-berg, Wiirzburg, and Bonn. He qualified in 1871,and became assistant to his relative E. Rindfleisch,and later for five years to Virchow. He then wentto Berlin, where his duties included the teaching ofhistology as well as pathological anatomy; a lateoutcome of this period of his life was an excellentmanual oil histology. His appointment to the chairof pathology at Gottingen was at first unpopular,since his brusque and decisive manner formed a

contrast to that of his urbane predecessor, EmilPonfick. However, he soon achieved success as ateacher and organiser, as well as esteem for his originalwork. He built a new institute, and wrote works ongeneral and special pathology that remained classicalreference books for many years. On the death ofVirchow in 1902 he was called to succeed him asdirector of the Berlin Pathological Institute. Herealso he created a new institute and reorganised theteaching, and yet found time for other activities onwider medical lines. He became a member of theAkademie der Wissenschaften, of the senate of theKaiser Wilhelm Institute, chairman of the CentralCommittee for Cancer Research, and of the BerlinMedical Society. He worked for the institute hedirected with increasingly successful results until, in1915, he became ill and had to submit to operation,happily not for the carcinoma of the gall-bladderfrom which he had believed himself to be suffering.In 1917, at the age of 70, he resigned his teachingwork, not on grounds of ill-health, but of increasingage, and he recovered speedily from the occasionalattacks of biliary colic from which he suffered ; sub-sequently he took great interest in the progress ofthe inflammation of the gall-bladder and liver whichhe diagnosed as his complaint, and according to

Dr. 0. Lubarsch the post-mortem lesions corre-

sponded with his prophesies. Johannes Orth was onewho saw clearly, was conscientious, punctual, andprecise in all that he undertook. He inspired respectand admiration even from those who feared his sharpincisive way of disposing of problems too much toseek his advice. In his relations with his family andchosen friends he showed his sensitive and loyalnature. His influence on the pathological outlookof our own time was widespread, his pupils includingAschoff, Kaiserling, Gaylord, Fibiger, and manyothers whose names are famous. He taught accuracy,thoroughness, and breadth of view, and his work willnot soon be forgotten.

The Services.ROYAL NAVAL MEDICAL SERVICE.

Surg. Comdr. W. H. Pope is placed on the Retd. Listwith the rank of Surg. Capt.

ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE.

E. E. D. Gray (late Surg. Prob.) to be Surg. Lt.

ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS.Lt.-Col. A. E. Hamerton is appointed Assistant Director

of Pathology in succession to Lt.-Col. D. Harvey, DeputyDirector of Pathology, who relinquishes temp. rank of Col.

Maj. A. H. Bond is placed temp. on the half-pay list onaccount of ill-health.

Capt. Carl K. G. Dick retires, receiving a gratuity, andis granted the rank of Maj.

ARMY RESERVE OF OFFICERS.

Army De7ztal Corps.Capt. C. C. Marston, late Spec. List, to be Capt.

ROYAL AIR FORCE.H. E. H. Tracy is granted a temporary commission as a

Flight Lt. ’__________________

Medical News.UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.-At a meeting of the

Senate held on Jan. 24th it was announced that Dr. E. H.Starling had resigned from the Jodrell Chair of Physiology atUniversity College, on his appointment as Foulerton ResearchProfessor of Physiology. It was resolved to institute a

University Readership in Cultural Anthropology tenable atUniversity College.

Closing of the Physiological Laboratory.-It was resolved :(1) That after the end of the present session no Universityfunds be devoted to the continuance of the PhysiologicalLaboratory ; (2) that negotiations be entered into with oneor more colleges or schools of the University in order, ifpossible, to transfer members of the staff of the PhysiologicalLaboratory at South Kensington to the staffs of otherphysiological laboratories ; (3) that the PhysiologicalLaboratory Committee be authorised to negotiate for thedisposal of the laboratory apparatus, including fixtures andfurniture, belonging to the University.

University Studentship in Physiology.-A UniversityStudentahip in Physiology, of the value of 250 for one year,will be awarded to a student qualified to undertake researchin physiology, and will be tenable in a physiological laboratoryof the University or of a school of the University. Applica-tions must be received by the principal officer on or beforeMay 31st, 1923. Full regulations for the award of thestudentship may be obtained on application.

Publication Pund.-A small publication fund has beeninstituted for the purpose of facilitating the publication of(1) advanced lectures given at the University, (2) students’theses, (3) the results of research by members and teachersof the University. Assistance may take the form of a granttowards the expense of press work (including " offprints ") orillustrations, or both.

Lectures on Mental Deficicncy.-In accordance with a

request from the Council of the Central Association forMental Welfare, it has been decided to hold a course oflectures on mental deficiency for medical men at the centralbuildings of the University from May 2sth to June 2nd, 1923,the arrangements being made by the Council of the Associa-tion in consultation with the University Extension Board.

1 Medizinische Klinik, Feb. 4th.

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UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM.-The annual meetingof the court of governors was held on Feb. 8th, the Vice-Chancellor, Sir Gilbert Barling, presided. In the course ofhis address the Vice-Chancellor drew attention to thescheme for research in mental diseases under the jointauspices of the University and the Asylums Committee ofthe city. He regarded this scheme as a most promising andvaluable one. Prof. Grant Robertson also spoke, appealingfor increased support from local authorities in the Midlandsfor the University.ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF ENGLAND.-An

ordinary Council meeting was held on Feb. 8th, Sir AnthonyBowlby being in the chair.-A report was read from theCourt of Examiners respecting candidates found qualified forthe diploma of Membership, and diplomas were granted to135 candidates mentioned in the report.-A report wasread from the secretary to the Conjoint Examining Boardrespecting candidates found qualified for the diploma inOphthalmic Medicine and Surgery, and diplomas were grantedto 13 candidates mentioned in the report.-It was recom-mended that an afternoon reception be held at the Collegeon June 6th for the delegates attending the 800th anniversaryof the foundation of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, and thata conversazione be held on the evening of July 19th for theMembers of the Congress of the International Society ofSurgery.-The President reported that he had given SirArthur Keith, the conservator of the Museum, extension ofleave till Feb. 24th, and that his Hunterian lectures wouldbe delivered on March 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 14th, and 16th.The subject of the lectures will be " Man’s Posture-ItsEvolution and Disorders."-Mr. W. G. Spencer had beenappointed Bradshaw lecturer for the ensuing year.-The ’,resignations of Mr. James Sherren from the Court ofExaminers and of Mr. F. F. Burghard from the Councilwere accepted with regret. The vacancy on the Court ofExaminers will be filled at the ordinary Council meeting onMarch 8th.-The President reported that a meeting ofFellows would be held at the College on July 5th for theelection of four Fellows into the Council in the vacanciesoccasioned by the death of Sir Charles Ryall, by the resigna-tion of Mr. Burghard, and the retirement in rotation of SirCharters J. Symonds and Sir Herbert Waterhouse. Noticeof the meeting would be given to the Fellows by advertise-ment and by circular on March 9th, and March 19th would bethe last day for the nomination of candidates. A votingpaper would be sent on April 3rd to every Fellow of theCollege whose address is registered at the College.SOUTHAMPTON BOROUGH COUNCIL : SALARIES OF

MEDICAL OFFICERS.—There was reference in our issue ofJan. 13th (p. 109) to this council’s attempt to advertise in themedical press for an assistant medical officer and a schooldentist at salaries of £450 each. The Lancet and the BritishMedical Journal having declined to publislz the advertise-ment, the council proceeded to advertise in the lay press.Alderman Blatch, chairman of the Health Committee, hasstated that a number of applications had been received for thepost of dentist, but that only three applications had beenreceived for the post of assistant medical officer, two of whichwere from unqualified persons. If the selected candidate isqualified he will be appointed. Three dentists have beenasked to attend. The council decided to allow the HealthCommittee to make the appointments. The council alsodiscussed the position with regard to the salaries of themedical officer of health and the chief sanitary inspector.These officers were served, like other servants of the corpora-tion, with notices of a salary reduction of 10 per cent. Itwas then pointed out by the Ministry of Health that thecouncil could not alter the appointments of these officerswithout the Ministry’s consent. The Mayor now told thecouncil that until the notices had been withdrawn theHealth Committee could not ask for the Ministry’s consentto the " cut." The committee recommended the with-drawal of the notices. Alderman Kimber said the troublehad arisen because the members of the council were ignorantof the existence of the Medical Officers of Health Act. Thesalarv of the medical officer of health for Portsmouth hadbeen reduced by £450. He moved an amendinei-it that adeputation be sent to the Ministry of Health. Mr. P. V.Bowyer seconded. Mr. T. Lewis, J.P., a Labour member,said a mistake had been made, and the decent thing to dowas to correct it by withdrawing the notices. AldermanDr. Rogers pointed out that the Act referred to was onlyan amplification of one that had existed for many years.The council had acted first and thought afterwards. Mr.T. McDonnell said that if a deputation were sent they wouldsee how far a Government elected on economy would try toprevent a local authority from economising. The Mayorremarked that at Portsmouth the medical officer hadreceived a far higher salary than the medical officer atSouthampton, and had no port sanitary work. The ammd-ment was withdrawn, and the council decided to recall thenotices.

MEDICAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF VENEREALDISEASES.-The next meeting will be held on Ma,rch 23rd,at 8.30 P.M., at 11, Chandos-street, London, W. 1. A dis-cussion will take place in respect to Syphilis and Marriage.EUGENICS EDUCATION SOCIETY.—A lecture on

Tntersexuality and Sex Reversal will be delivered by Dr.L. Hogben, at the rooms of the Royal Society, BurlingtonHouse, Piccadilly, on Feb. 23rd, at 5 P.M., Major LeonardDarwin presiding. Members of the society and all interestedare invited to attend.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS OF EDINBURGH.-A quarterly meeting of the College was held on Feb. 6th,Sir Robert Philip, President, in the chair. Dr. JamesBurnet and Dr. Disney Hubert Dusch Cran were admittedFellows of the College. Drs. John Farquhar Christie,William Glen Liston, C.I.E., William Nicol Watson Kennedy,O.B.E., Max Lipschitz, and Robert McCall Burnie wereadmitted Members of the College. Dr. Robert AlexanderFleming was elected a Member of Council of the College inroom of the late Dr. J. W. Ballantyne. Intimation wasmade of a bequest to the College by the late Dr. HarryRainy of a valuable collection of works relating to Dante,and of a gift to the College by Mr. J. W. Fraser Tytler, W.S.,of a bust of the late Dr. James Gregory.MEDICO-PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF GREAT

BRITAIN AND IRELAND.—The next quarterly meeting of theAssociation will take place on Feb. 22nd, at the City MentalHospital, Gosforth, Newcastle-on-Tyne, under the presi-dency of Prof. G. M. Robertson. Two discussions are

arranged : (1) The Future Policy of the Association as

Regards its Nursing Certificate and Examinations ;(2) Special Appeal for Funds for the Prevention and Treat-ment of Insanity, and the Formation of the Council ofMental Hygiene. Superintendents of mental hospitals arereminded that there is a small convalescent fund fornurses who through sickness require assistance in theirconvalescence.

PRESENTATION TO PROF. MATTHEW HAY. - Acommittee has been formed for the purpose of presentingProf. Matthew Hay, M.D., LL.D., medical officer of healthfor the City of Aberdeen, with his portrait or bust in recogni-tion of the devoted and eminent services rendered by himto the city and University of Aberdeen during the last40 years, as well as his powerful influence on the progress ofpreventive medicine and public health throughout thecountry. The appeal will be signed by Lord Provost Meffand Principal Sir George Adam Smith. Subscriptions,limited to 2 guineas, should be sent to the hon. secretary,Major H. J. Butchart, D.S.O.. at Marischal College, Univer-sity of Aberdeen.AUXILIARY ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS FUNDS.

At a quarterly committee meeting recently held at theoffices of the Funds grants were made to cases in the Benevo-lent branch for the orphans of officers amounting to£289 18s. llf7. and grants in the Relief branch for the widowsand children of the rank and file. amounting to £717 13s. 6d.These Funds are for the relief of widows and orphans ofcommissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, and men ofthe rank and file of the Royal Army Medical Corps, SpecialReserve, Territorial Force, and New Armies, and also forthe relief of the children of those who have been so severelvdisabled in the late war, that they need help for the educationof children. Requests for relief should be addressed to thehon. secretary, at the offices of the Funds, 11, Chandos-street,Cavendish-square, London, W. 1.SussEx THROAT AND EAR HOSPITAL.—A feature

of the work of this hospital during 1922 was that the governorsset themselves out to make their expenditure come as nearlyas possible within their probable income. Thanks to thestrictest economy, a legacy of £1500, payments from localauthorities for such of the school-children under their carerequiring treatment at the hospital, and fees for the assistancegiven to pensioners and other cases from the authorities,this aim has been largely carried out. In the annual reportsubmitted at the general meeting on Feb. 5th the President,Lord Leconfield, however, emphasised from the chair thatthe hospital did not quite pay its way, and were it not foroccasional legacies from former patrons and donationsfrom benefactors the ordinary income would not be sufficientto meet the ordinary expenditure. Annual subscriptionsduring the year increased by £31 and payments frompatients increased from C744 to £817, marking not onlyappreciation but willingness to pay. The governors referredagain in their report to the numerous additions necessary tothe hospital in order to make it perfect for the purposes forwhich it was erected, and while it was stated that thebuilding on the east wing would not be undertaken untilthe money was received it was hinted that perhaps it mightbe put in hand next year. In-patients during 1922 numbered572 and out-patients 1320.

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THE Cambridge University Press announce theforthcoming publication of

" Problems in Dynamic Psycho-logy : A Critique of Psycho-analysis and Suggested Formu-lations," by Dr. John T. MacCurdy, Assistant, PsychiatricInstitute of New York State Hospitals, and Lecturer onMedical Psychology, Cornell University Medical College,:New York.

ASSOCIATION OF EcoNOMic BIOLOGISTS.—A generalmeeting of the association will be held at 2.30 P.M. on

Feb. 23rd in the botanical theatre of the Imperial College ofScience, Prince Consort-road, South Kensington, London,S.W.7. Sir John Russell, F.R.S., director of the RothamstedExperiment Station, and Mr. H. G. Thornton, head of theBacteriological Department at Rothamsted, will open a

discussion on "Partial Sterilisation of Soil : Present Viewsas to its Effects and their Causes."

SUSSEX EYE HOSPITAL.—The annual meeting ofthis hospital was held on Feb. 8th. The expenditureduring 1922 amounted to £3051, and only by means oflegacies amounting to £1600, against £350 during 1921,were the governors able to balance the accounts. Con-tributions from patients brought in during last year nearly£500, as compared to B207 in 1921 ; the number of in-patientswas 294, as ;against 280 ; and of out-patients 3652, as

against 3789.

ST. MARK’S HOSPITAL. - At the eighty-seventhannual general meeting of the governors of St. Mark’sHospital for Cancer, Fistula, and other Diseases of theRectum, City-road, E.C., held on Feb. 8th, Mr. RobertHolland-Martin, C.B., treasurer, presiding, reference wasmade to a much-needed extension of the hospital premiseson vacant land adjoining the present building. Thisextension, which would cost about £10,000, would provideaccommodation for another 21 beds and a new out-patients’department, as well as for new pathological and X raysdepartments. During 1922, in which there had been adecrease of £431 in ordinary donations, the hospital hadadmitted 650 in-patients, of whom 581 had been cured.3815 attendances had been made by 1130 new out-patientsduring the same period.

BRIGHTON AND HOVE HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN.-This hospital is one of the oldest of the institutions inBrighton, and was formerly known as the Lying-in Institu-tion. It was founded in 1830, and until 1857 carried on itswork in a small house in Middle-street, when it removed tomore commodious premises in West-street. It was notuntil 1896 that surgical work was undertaken; since thistime the demands upon the institution increased rapidly.In 1914 new premises were found, but these were sooncommandeered by the War Office, and the Women’s Hospitalhas only just been able to take possession. On Jan. 30thPrincess Helena Victoria officially performed the openingceremony. The property has been opened free from debt.In 1922 there were 382 in-patients, 1389 cases were visited intheir own homes, and 638 out-patients were attended.As a training school for midwives the hospital has a highpercentage of successes among the candidates sent up for thecertificates of the Central Board.

ENCEPHALITIS LETHARGICA AND CEREBRO-SPINALFEVER.—A circular has been addressed to medical officers ofhealth by the chief medical officer of the Ministry of Healthstating that special forms of inquiry as to cases of ence-phalitis lethargica need no longer be filled out. Detailedinformation has already been supplied in respect of 1250cases or suspected cases of this disease, and this has formed the basis of report No. 11 (H.M. Stationery Office, 10s.),recently published. Medical officers of health are remindedthat the Ministry undertake the examination of cerebro-spinal fluid in cases of suspected cerebro-spinal fever.The research work being undertaken by Dr. E. G. D.Murray for the Medical Research Council on the productionof an immune serum for therapeutic purposes has beenretarded by the scarcity of material, and pathologistsisolating meningococci from the cerebro-spinal fluid, areasked to send cultures of freshly isolated strains to Dr.Murray at the Field Laboratories, Milton-road, Cambridge.Outfits for this purpose may be obtained on application tothe Medical Research Council, 15, York Buildings, Adelphi,London, W.C. 2.

INDEX TO " THE LANCET," VOL. II., 1922.THE Index and Title-page to Vol. II., 1922, which

was completed with the issue of Dec. 30th, is nowready. A copy will be sent gratis to subscribers onreceipt of a post-card addressed to the Manager ofTHE LANCET, 1, Bedford-street, Strand, W.C. 2.

Medical Diary.Information to be included in this column should reach us

in proper form on Tuesday, and cannot appear if it reachesus later than the first post on Wednesday morning.

SOCIETIES.ROYAL SOCIETY OF MEDICINE, 1, Wimpole-street, W.

MEETINGS OF SECTIONS.

Tuesday, Feb. 20th.GENERAL MEETING OF FELLOWS : at 5 P.M.

Ballot for election of candidates.

PATHOLOGY : at 8.30 P.M.Communications, &c. :

Dr. C. C. Okell and Miss E. M. Baxter : The FermentationReactions of Virulent B. diphtheriœ.

Dr. S. C. Dyke and Mr. C. H. Budgp : The InheritanceJofthe Specific Iso-agglutinable Substance of the RedCells.

Wednesday, Feb. 21st.HISTORY OF MEDICINE : at 5 P.M.

Presidential -4d(lress : by Dr. Arnold Chaplin.Paper :

Dr. W. Rees: The Social Effects of the Epidemics of theFourteenth Century.

Tbursday, Feb. 22nd.UROLOGY : at 8.30 P.M.

Papers :Mr. Ralph Thompson: The Propriety of Attempting

Primary Union in Cases of Suprapubic Operations onthe Bladder and Prostate.

Mr. Ogier Ward : Case of Air Embolism occurring duringthe course of urethroscopy.

Friday, Feb. 23rd.STUDY OF DISEASE IN CHILDREN : at 4.30 P.M.

Clinical Meeting at Great Ormond-street Hospital for SickChildren.

Cases will be shown by the Staff.EPIDEMIOLOGY AND STATE MEDICINE: at 8 P.M.Paper :

Sir George Buchanan : Recent Work of the InternationalHealth Offices.

-

ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS OF LONDON, PallMall East, S.W.THURSDAY, Feb. 22nd.-5 P.-.,,i., First Milroy Lecture:-

Dr. W. G. Savage : Canned Foods in Relation toHealth.

MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY, 11, Chandos-street, Cavendish-square, W. (See Royal Society of Arts below.)TUESDAY, Feb. 20th.-8.30 P.M., Dr. Godfrey Carter : The

Medical Evidence in a Recent Murder Case (to befollowed by a discussion). The Right Hon. LordJustice Atkin will preside.

ROYAL SOCIETY OF ARTS, John-street, Adelphi, W.C.WEDNESDAY, Feb. 21st.-8 P.M., iNIr. C. Ainsworth Mitchell :

Handwriting and its Value as Evidence. Sir RichardMuir will preside and members of the Medico-LegalSociety can obtain cards of invitation from Mr. ErnestGoddard.

LECTURES, ADDRESSES, DEMONSTRATIONS, &c.FELLOWSHIP OF MEDICINE POST-GRADUATE LEC-TURES, 1, Wimpole-street, W.THURSDAY, Feb. 22nd.-5.30 P.M., Dr. G. A. Sutherland :

Cardiac Problems in Adolescent Life.(At the Western General Infirmary, Marylebone-road, N.W.)Fee for the course, zel Is. ; single lecture, pro rata.TUESDAY, Feb. 20th.-5 P.M., Dr. B. Myers : Nutritional

Disturbances of Infancy-Failure to Gain Weight,and Dyspepia.

Myers: Decomposition (Marasmus,FRIDAY.—5 P.M., Dr. B. Myers : Decomposition (Marasmus,Atrophy, Malnutrition).

WEST LONDON POST-GRADUATE COLLEGE, West LondonHospital, Hammersmith-road, W.MONDAY, Feb. 19th.—11 A.M., Mr. Maingot: Surgical

Wards. 12 noon, Mr. Simmonds : Applied Anatomy.2 P.M., Mr. Addison : Surgical Wards.

TUESDAY.—10.30 A.M., Dr. Paterson : Demonstration ofMedical Cases. 12 noon, Dr. Burrell : Chest Cases.2.30 P.M., Mr. Tyrrell Gray : Surgical Wards.

WEDNESDAY.—10 A.M., Dr. Saunders : Medical Diseasesof Children. 12 noon, Dr. Burnford : PathologicalDemonstration. 4 P.m., Mr. Donald Armour : Whitlowand its Treatment.

THURSDAY.—10 A.M., Dr. Grainger Stewart : NeurologicalDepartment. 12 noon, Mr. Simmonds: Demonstra-tion of Fractures. 4 P.M., Dr. Castellani : TropicalDermatology.

FRIDAY.-12 noon, Dr. Flett : Radiology. 2 P.M., Mr.Banks-Davis : Diseases of Nose, Throat and Ear.3 P.M., Mr. Sinclair : Surgical Cases.

SATURDAY.—9 A.M., Dr. Burnford : Bacterial Therapy.10 A.M., Dr. Saunders : Medical Diseases of Children.10.30 A.M., Mr. Maingot : Surgical Pathology.

Daily, 10 A.M. to 6 P.M., Saturdays, 10 A.M. to 1 P.M., In-patients, Out-patients, Operations, Special Depart-ments.