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Berlin with some passages from a former article of minewritten in 1871, and then asks : ’ On demande si le signa-taire de cet article est le meme que de celui du president duComit6 d’Organisation du Congrès International Berlinois.Si c’est le meme, comme tout le fait supposer, on de-mande si le R. Virchow de 1890 a désavoué les parolesdu R. Virchow de 1871, et celles de Carl Stark,cet "alieniste distingué de l’Allemagne du Nord."’This refers to an article by me, entitled Nach demKriege’ (Archiv, 1871, Bd. liii. ). The passage in questionoccurs on p. 7. M. R- D-, the author of the notein the Remce Gén. quotes this from a translation inthe Revue Scientifiqite (1871, 2nd ser., p. 196). The toneof the note is shown in the fact that in the quotationHerr Carl Stark is termed, ’Un alieniste distingue de1’AIlemagne du Sud,’ and in the above-mentioned note byM. R- D-, in quotation marks, alieniste distingue del’Allemagne du Nord.’ When I add that in my originalarticle the phrase simply runs A South German alienist,’and that it lacks any such ornamental epithet as distingue,’the tendency of this quotation will be obvious. Moreover,I ought to state that in the original article I go on to say,immediately after the incriminated passage: ’ We cite thisnot with the object of giving offence......’ Did I wish toset forth the meaning and aim of my article, there wouldbe no option but to reprint it in its entirety. I will notdo this, but rather leave those who desire to judge it forthemselves to peruse the original or its translation. Itmay suffice here to point out that in this very article Isay (p. 21): ’Politics divide, science unites, the nations,and woe to those who sever this bond. Would thatthe foregoing remarks might contribute to smooth thepath for reconciliation. They are frank and honest, andthey may possibly wound here and there. But no real

reconciliation can take place without frank understand-ing, and with frankness one runs the risk of wounding.It is not the first time that I have trodden this path, andmy experience encourages me in it, since my former effortswere not in vain.’ That this hope for a coming reconcilia-tion was in no wise an empty form of words is borne out byunimpeachable testimony. For in the previous year, whilst i

the war was raging in all its fierceness, I published anarticle, ’Der Krieg und die Wissenschaft.’ This article,which appeared in September, 1870, concluded in the fol-lowing terms (Archiv., Bd. li., p. 5), which I do not hesitateto reproduce without curtailment: May it be possible formedicine, which in both armies during the war hasbeen compelled to a certain amount of cooperation, tomake the first advances, and prepare for a closer under-standing. May all science exert its influence to promotethe restoration of peace in the reconciliation of heartsand minds in the common welfare. May it be possiblefor each of the two peoples to learn to understandthat the foundations of their individual efficiency canonly be secure on the ground of national progress, andthat therefore this ground must be free and safe fromoutside attack; and that, moreover, national develop-ment has to be founded ultimately on a human under-standing which will enable individuals to rise above thelimits of merely national concerns towards the highestaims of humanity. That is the ennobling task which,at a time when it is finally falling out of the handsof the Catholic Church, can only be taken up by science.May Science remember and realise the beautiful sentence,"Peace on earth."’ In this spirit have all my subse-

quent writings been penned, including that which is nowbeing attacked. And in this spirit did I, in 1878, acceptthe invitation to the Anthropological Congress at Paris.But unhappily I must state that one of my former pupilstook advantage of my presence in Paris to launchagainst me a severe attack in one of the most widelyread political journals, which abounded in untruthfulassertions, and which has since made it impossible forme to accept any further invitations. Perhaps thememory of this event was still lively when I wrotethe article on International Congresses. If I couldexplain the sole source of this attack there is hardlyanyone who would fail to uphold my action. But Ihad no desire to enter into such personalities. I only feltit needful to tell our colleagues that in Berlin they mightnot only not expect to receive a treatment similar to thatwhich was in part awarded to me in Paris, but that they

Iwould be received in a truly collegiate spirit, with all therespect which we could offer to guests and friends, and in

the hope that-at least in scientific regions-there would’be thorough cooperation. This fresh attack has given me-the opportunity to once more repeat this assurance. Mayit be possible for our French colleagues to be sure that weregard this International Congress indeed as a ground ofreconciliation, or at least of understanding, and that we shalltry to avoid in the press and elsewhere anything which.could possibly lead to fresh discord."Supplemental Note.-A further continuation of the-

attack, and with increased severity, is made by M. Huehard;in the last number of the Revue (No. 26, p. 419), whereinFrench physicians are directly advised not to go to theBerlin Congress on account of my article of 1871 (Cf.L’E1Jénement, June 28th)."

NEW MORTUARY AT LIVERPOOL.

THE completion of a new mortuary in Liverpool, with altthe latest sanitary improvements, is an event of not merelylocal interest, it is of great importance to all engaged insanitary work, to coroners, medical practitioners, and the.public generally. The providing of mortuaries is one ofthose matters the need of which, though clear as the sun atnoonday to all sanitary authorities, and to others who aregreatly inconvenienced by the want of them, is still appa-rently a question 1!exata with those whose duty it is to sup-ply them. There would appear, indeed, to be some doubt.as to with whom the duty lies, and to this circumstance itmust be due that many large centres of population are stillwithout mortuaries, notwithstanding the repeated remon-strances of coroners, their juries, and surgeons, who havebeen compelled to make necropsies under circumstanceswhich are a scandal to this country and the age in whichwe are living. It is to be hoped that before the dawn ofthe year 1900 a mortuary will have been establishedwherever it is required, and that such a blot upon ourboasted civilisation will have ceased to exist.As the history of the Liverpool mortuary may resemble that,

of some other localities, a brief account may here be given.In the early part of this century all human bodies found inthe river or docks, or exposed elsewhere, were taken to thedeadhouse situated beneath the tower of St. Nicholas’,better known as the old church of Liverpool. This dead--house was no doubt a parish institution, managed by theparochial authorities. Later on a new deadhouse wa&

erected within the Prince’s Dock enclosure by the DockCommittee of the City Council. It was simply a receptacle-for dead bodies, for which there was a large slab. Aseparate one existed at the far end for the purpose ofexamining any body separately, and presumably for thepurpose of making a post-mortem examination. To thisplace were conveyed the bodies removed not only from theriver and docks, but also from all parts of the borough"comprising a distance from the deadhouse of nearlythree miles, northwards, southwards, and eastwardsrespectively, the river being the western boundary-Much inconvenience having been caused by dead bodiesbeing taken to the hospitals, a police order was issueddirecting that "dead bodies found in the streets should!be taken to the deadhouse, Prince’s Dock, so that the

public institutions may not be troubled with such casesunless there be a doubt as to actual death." It was herethat the many victims of the St. Joseph’s Roman CatholicChapel fatality were taken. Fifteen persons were killed inthe panic caused by an alarm of "fire." The inadequateaccommodation and unsuitableness of the place were in thisinstance forcibly shown ; but worse was to come. In 1874the site of the deadhouse was required for dock improve-ments, and the present structure, partly of brick andpartly of wood, was reared within a short distance. Almostever since its erection it has been complained of by thosewhose duty took them there-the coroner, the surgeonswho were sent by him to inspect bodies, the police whohad charge of it, and those who went for the painful pur-pose of identifying the bodies of missing relatives. Theplace belonged to the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board,on whose land it stood. This Board had taken the place.of the Dock Committee of the City Council, which ceasedto exist in 1857, and they reasonably contended that it wasno part of their duty to provide a mortuary for bodiesbrought from the city. Even if it were incumbent on them

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to provide one for bodies taken from the river and docks,the barest shelter was all that they could be expectedto give. The parochial authorities cleaned the place,periodically, and paid for the gas and water, not becausethey were bound to do so, but because of "precedence."The City Council asserted that the Dock Board were boundto do what the Dock Committee had done before, whichincluded all connected with the deadhouse or mortuary.It was an apt illustration of how not to do it-averitable proof that what was evervbody’s business wasnobody’s business. And so for nearly sixteen years pastdead bodies have been taken to a wretched shed, inquestjuries have been taken there, and necropsies made-oftenin most important medico-legal cases—in spite of reason,remonstrances, and complaints ad nauseam.Meanwhile the Public Health Act was passed in 1875,

which would appear to make it compulsory upon the localauthority (i.e., the urban sanitary authority ahas theHealth Committee of the City Council) to provide a

mortuary ; and the clause empowered them, though notcompulsorily, to provide a post-mortem room (clauses 141,143). As was pointed out in a local daily paper, thelocal authority could be required by the Local Govern-ment Board to provide a mortuary, which is definedto be "a proper place for the reception of dead bodiesbefore interment." The possible appearance of a LocalGovernment Board inspector upon the scene would seemto have produced some effect. It may have been a

.coincidence. But at any rate, it was resolved, aftermuch discussion, that a new mortuary should be erectednear the site of the present one, at the joint expense of the- City Council and Dock Board, each also paying half thecost of maintenance.The new building comprises four separate compartments.

It is built of red brick with red stone facings, the greaterpart being lined inside with yellow and brown glazed Ruabonbricks, giving a pleasing appearance, as well as being cleanand easily washed. There are three doors of entrance, andover the central one is the word "Mortuary" cut in stone.To the right of this is a door leading to a vestibule runningthe whole length of the building. This vestibule is roofedin, well lighted and ventilated, and having on its inner side.a glazed partition, through which is obtained an excellent view,of the next chamber, or mortuary proper. This is also welllighted and ventilated with five separate sloping slabs, thefloor being so arranged that all wet will flow into a channelcontinuous with an open trapped drain. The slabs are soarranged that an excellent view can be had of each bodythrough the glass partition of the vestibule. Each slabbeing separate will enable anyone to get all round it, a,great improvement on one large slab, which is incon-venient to everybody. The third entrance leads into anante-room containing a fireplace, with boiler, for thesupply of hot water to the post-mortem room, as

well as lavatory, lock-up cupboards, and shelves forthe safe custody of viscera, &c. Passing through theinner door we come to the post-mortem room, which hasa separate roof of its own, as required by the Act, and isquite separate from the mortuary proper. It is linedthroughout with glazed bricks, has a tiled floor, centralpost-mortem table, fireplace, sink with hot and cold waterlaid on, slab for scales and weights, and desk for note-taking.The table is of slate, with slope downwards from the centreto each end, and brass drainage holes at each corner, fromwhich run four pipes to the central pedestal of glazed bricks,to discharge into an open drain trap, into which the sink.also discharges. The greatest care has been taken with allthe drainage, the pipes for which have been specially madeby Messrs. Doulton. The whole work reflects the greatestcredit upon Mr. Berrington, the architect to the DockBoard, who has taken pains to ensure the thorough com-pletion of the work with all the most recent improvements.The building is now quite complete, and Dr. Taylor, the

medical officer of health, is making arrangements at therequest of the Health Committee for its future management.It will still be in charge of the police, who are relieved everyeight hours; but there will be in addition an official who willassist at post-mortem examinations and perform othernecessary duties which it would be unreasonable to expectpolicemen to do except at greatly increased pay.

Liverpool has possessed a central coroner’s court for manyyears past, and it would tax the memory of the oldestinhabitant to call to mind an inquest held in a public-house. When a regular court cannot be secured, some

suitable building can be had temporarily. Mortuariesare even more necessary than coroners’ courts. A land-lord who might be willing enough to let the bar

parlour for an inquest will positively refuse to takein a dead body, even in any of the out-houses. Bodieswhich are the property of the coroner must be depo-sited in a suitable place where a post-mortem examina-tion, if required, can be made without offence to anyone.What has been done in Liverpool should be an encourage-ment to those who are endeavouring to establish mortuarieselsewhere. It is hardly likely that the same difficulties will beencountered, since the circumstances were somewhat ex-ceptional. If any doubt exists as to the meaning of thewords in Clause 141 of the Public Health Act previouslyquoted, this should be set at rest by an appeal to the LocalGovernment Board. It will be remembered that in theWhitechapel murders Mr. Phillips complained greatly ofthe place where he had to make the necropsies of some ofthe victims. Wherever there is a wrong there is said to bea remedy, and this should be found at no matter whatexpenditure of time or money.Great credit is due to Mr. F. W. Lowndes, surgeon to the

Liverpool police, for his unceasing and finally successfulefforts in procuring adequate mortuary accommodation forLiverpool.

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THE FACTORY REPORT.

THE report of the chief factory inspector for the yearending with the month of October, 1889, records increasedactivity in most of the important industries which comeunder his observation, and, as a consequence, some increasein the number of accidents which he has to report. Itwould seem, however, that, little by little, improved con-ditions are being established, both in respect of the sanitaryconditions under which work is carried on and the precau-tions adopted to prevent accidents resulting from theoperation of machinery. As bearing upon the former ofthese points, attention is drawn in the present report towhat seems to be a very important and very simpleimprovement in the art of weaving. It is well knownthat the air of weaving sheds has to be keptmoist in order to prevent the development of chargesof electricity upon various parts of the swiftly movingmachinery. The most obvious, and at the presenttime the almost universal, way of obtaining this effect is bydischarging steam into the atmosphere. The condensationof the water vapour moistens the atmosphere, thus render-ing it sufficiently conductive of electricity to prevent theformation of mischievous charges at any points. Theobvious consequence of thus loading the atmosphere withheated water is to raise the temperature, and to cause

everything exposed to it, and especially the worker’sclothing, to be saturated with moisture. It is not diffi-cult to understand that such conditions prove to be inthe highest degree prejudicial to the workers’ health.The new method, which is said to have been successfullytried in a factory at Belfast, consists in substituting forsteam the condensed vapour arising from a coolingreservoir. This vapour-or rather, as we presume, theair carrying it-is fed into the weaving shed by meansof a fan, and has the effect not of heating but of

cooling the temperature of the building. It is saidto be more economical than steam, as it amounts to theemployment of a waste product; and we hope that this iscorrect, since, if so, that circumstance will greatly facilitatethe general adoption of the new plan. Theoretically,nothing can be better or better adapted to its purpose thanthe agent now proposed. For rendering air conductive ofhigh-tension electricity nothing more is necessary than thatit should contain water vapour at the point of saturation.Whether the temperature be higher or lower does not in theleast matter; but, on the other hand, the quantity of watervapour which will produce saturation in a given quantityof air at one temperature will be short of saturation at ahigher temperature, and lience air which has been incontact with water at any given temperature becomessuper-saturated in the course and by the fact of cooling.This is the principle of which apparently the new inventionis an adaptation, and it is plain that by carefully adjustingthe temperature of the air drawn off from the cooler the