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He was glad to find that the chemical sub-committee hadappointed a deputation to interview a number of fellmongerswith regard to the serious pollution arising from their works,and to consider and advise as to the most satisfactory methodsof dealing with the effluents from these places. A memberof the committee said the condition of the Irwell had

considerably improved, and Alderman Hopkinson was toldthat fish were coming up the Ship Canal as far as Latchford.

Special Treatment for Aged Poor.The Manchester board of guardians deserve credit for

endeavouring to treat those in their charge with humanityand discrimination. At the meeting a fortnight sinceAlderman McDougall moved a resolution to the effect that acommittee should "consider and report as to the desirabilityand method of providing special accommodation and treat-ment for deserving aged persons ; that until the method isdecided upon and has been in operation for some time theselection should be made from inmates of the CrumpsallWorkhouse ; and that in considering such arrangementsordinary clothes should be provided and, if possible, periodsof daily liberty be granted." The wording seems a littleinvolved, but the intention is obvious, and if properly safe-guarded the scheme would do much to brighten the closingdays of many whose lines have been none too prosperous.

Hospital Saturday.In a letter to the local papers Mr. Fred. Scott, the secretary

to the Manchester Hospital Sunday and Saturday Fund andthe Red Cross Society, corrects an impression likely to havean injurious effect. A delegate from a local town statedthat in his district it was thought that the collectionsbenefited only one or two of the principal hospitals inManchester and Salford. Instead of this being the case"no less than twenty-one hospitals and other medicalcharities share in the proceeds of these collections, includinghospitals for the treatment of special complaints, such asthe Royal Eye Hospital, the Hospitals for Consumptionand Skin Diseases, the Ear Institution, St. Mary’s, Southernand Clinical Hospitals, the Cancer Pavilion, and otherinstitutions at which large numbers of patients fromsurrounding towns are treated as freely as residentsin Manchester and Salford." He appeals, therefore, to thoseliving in the numerous towns in the surrounding district tosupport Manchester and Salford hospitals. The Red Cross

Society is the working men’s auxiliary to the HospitalSaturday and Sunday Fund. It has taken up the work of

increasing the funds of the medical charities enthusiasticallyand hopes to effect a large increase in the sum contributedon Hospital Saturday, the arrangements for which day areunder the special control of this new organisation.

Dog M1lzzlin.q.For a long time past a good deal of feeling and irritation has

been shown in this neighbourhood both by frequent letters tothe papers and otherwise with regard to the sometimes

apparently arbitrary enforcement of the muzzling order incertain districts, while in adjoining districts the dogsrun free. If the muzzling were efficient, if it were

carried out over the whole island for a period longenough to cover any possible length of incubation,and if the importation of dogs were absolutely prevented,there would be some compliance with common-sense re-

quirements. But with the various ingenious devices adoptedby many owners for preventing the efficiency of the

muzzle and the frequent accident of the muzzle gettingloose protection cannot always be relied upon. Thispartial enforcement is obviously irrational, for a mad

dog often travels far and does not respect artificial boundaries,and it is no doubt felt to be so both by the muzzledand the unmuzzled dog when these sensible creatures meeton the imaginary line dividing the districts, the one tocomplain to, and the other to commiserate with, his friend.In a report of the Watch Committee of the Manchester CityCouncil it is stated that under the muzzling order ofFebruary, 1895, 1008 summonses were issued againstowners of clogs, 944 of whom were fined and 64 cases

discharged. Most of these summonses were for dogsrunning out into the road unmuzzled, a thing difficultto prevent if they are to be allowed any freedom atall. But apart from the muzzling order an importantand valuable work has been carried out systematicallyby the police in the impounding and destruction ofownerless and worthless dogs and the preservation andrestoration of lost dogs to their owners. During last

year 3331 stray dogs were brought by the police to the

city pound and 598 by the owners. Of this total of 3929219 were claimed, 253 were sold, 3439 were drowned, and18 were waiting events. In January and February of thisyear 168 were brought by their owners to be destroyed forold age, disease, or savage and uncertain temper, and

altogether more than 500 were impounded. There isusually a greater demand for the purchase of good dogs at.the pound than can be met. They are sold at 2s. 6d.each, the purchaser giving an undertaking to restore to theowner, if required, on payment of the purchaser’s expenses.The Watch Committee, after considering the subject, recom-mend : " (1) That the muzzling of dogs should be continued,subject to its being relaxed or dispensed with in the case ofa dog which wears a collar with the owner’s name andaddress and an official tablet, and is registered at one of thedivisional police-stations ; (2) that the existing muzzling-order should be amended accordingly ; (3) that the exist-ing exemption in favour of sporting dogs be removed ;:(4) that all dogs be muzzled which are not registered and donot wear name-collars and tablets ; and (5) that all dogswhich do not comply with the regulation shall be destroyedor sold if not claimed within three days where the owner is-not known, or within two, after notice, where the owner isknown." There may be some difficulty about No. 3, andNo. 5 implies a freedom of volition and throws on the dog aresponsibility which the Watch Committee in its wisdom

perhaps scarcely intended. If, however, this system ofregistration and supervision were universally carried out, andall stray dogs were impounded and, if need be, destroyed,cases of rabies would be less frequent and sooner detected,with a corresponding increase in the protection of the peopleagainst a frightful danger.May 5tb.VTay 5th.

NORTHERN COUNTIES NOTES.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Convocation of the University of Durham at Newcastel-upon-Ty ne.

A CONVOCATION of the University of Durham was heldin Newcastle-upon-Tyne on Saturday, April 25th. The cere-

mony took place in the library of the College of Medicine,and the Warden of the University, Dean Kitchen, presided.Honorary degrees were conferred upon the Lord Bishop ofNewcastle, Dean Lukins Baronian, the Rev. Dr. Dallinger,Professor Arnison, Principal Gurney, Mr. Richard Howse,and Sir David Dale, Bart. Dr. David B. Lees, of St. Mary’sHospital, London, was admitted ad eundem M.D., and theVicar of Newcastle, the Rev. Canon Lister, and the Rev.Canon Pennyfather ad eundem M.A. Some fifty ordinarydegrees in medicine and surgery were also conferred. Greatpublic interest was taken in this the firat convocation heldin Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The mayor and corporationattended in state and the large room was crowded withspectators. The undergraduates were, as usual, very muchin evidence. The day was beautifully fine and the pro-ceedings-owing in no small degree to the energy of Pro-fessor R. Howden, who is practically the dean of the MedicalFaculty-passed off most satisfactorily.

The Bishop of NewcastelThe Bishop of Newcastle preached last Sunday in the

chapel of the Royal Infirmary to the inmates of the institu-tion. Dr. Jacobs has not been long in the north, but he hason many occasions already shown his sympathy with themedical profession and the work of the medical charities ofthe city. He took a very active interest in the managementof the hospital at Portsmouth, and it is to be hoped anopportunity will soon be afforded him of becoming connectedwith the Royal Infirmary here.

Typhoid Fever from Eating Ran Mussels.In the River Blyth there are mussel-beds which supply a

cheap and much-appreciated luxury to the poorer inhabitants.of the populous town of Blyth. Unfortunately, close to themseveral sewers discharge their contents into the river. Themedical officers of Bedlington and Cowpen report that theeating of mussels from these beds is a possible source oftyphoid fever in the neighbourhood and the Board of Trade wasapproached upon the subject. Thence it was referred to theSea Fisheries Committee for Northumberland and dismissedwithout remark. The Blyth port sanitary authority, on the

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advice of its medical officer, who was of opinion no infectioncould arise on account of the process to which the sewage wassubjected, will take no action. Mr. Laing, in his annual

report to the Cowpen council, declares emphatically that he’has traced some of the cases of typhoid fever to the eatingof uncooked mussels and urges the destruction of themussel beds. Mr. Laing’s statement deserves careful con-sideration and ought to be thoroughly considered and theissue should be determined. It should not be a matter ofindifference as to whether typhoid fever is being spread ornot by the eating of mussels rendered unwholesome bysewage.

Stoppage of the Rainton Pits.Work has now ceased at these pits and the men’s gear

.and the horses have been withdrawn. Notice has beengiven to the pitmen that they must either pay rent or vacatetheir houses on May 13th. They profess to think this verybard, and at a recent meeting it was stated by one of themthat he believed Lord Londonderry would rather pay six ornine months’ rent for them than evict them, though his doingso would cause him to lose another £1000. Last year LordLondonderry lost some £15,000 by working these collieries.At Seaton Delaval, a pit village in Northumberland, a

cooperative store last year made only 15 per cent. and inconsequence the wages of the employes have been reduced.The store is owned by workmen, the Hainton pits by a

nobleman. We are told that cooperation will solve thedifficulties between capital and labour. No one suffers morefrom the unfortunate disputes between capital and labourthan members of the medical profession, who, when a pit isstopped or a strike takes place, have to work withoutremuneration and are often, if not ruined, seriously crippledfor years.Newcastle-upon-Tyne, May 5th.

SCOTLAND.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)

The Lay Press and the Vidlothian Medical OL9icer of Health.THE official reports of a public servant are, of course, open

to public criticism, and the reports of medical otticers ofhealth need have no exemption claimed fur them even

from the lay press. It i, however, highly desirable thatwhen the lay press criticises it should do so through a

person acquainted with the present state of knowledgeon sanitary matters. The neglect of this precaution isdetrimental to the public interest, because erroneous

views on matters seriously affecting the public healthare thereby promulgated or confirmed. The medicalofficer of health for Midlothian and the adjoining counties.Dr. W. J. Brock, in his annual report refers to severalmatters of great importance from the public health stand-point. He refers to the inefficiency of the chemical analysisof drinking water and says it is "practically of little use" , as it is powerless to detect the germs of disease which the water may contain. He also refers to the town refusetraffic being a source of much annoyance and adds :

"Although the city refuse is not supposed to containhuman excreta a certain amount is always present. It,however, contains dust from the skins of those affectedwith scarlet fever and dried sputa from the respiratory tractsof those affected with diphtheria, measles, and tuberculosis ;and it is not surprising that on its coming to a district thereat once is found an unusual number of sore-throats if notone or other of the diseases mentioned. Is it not, too, a verylikely means of spreading tubercular disease, not only to man,but to the lower animals ?" " At another part of his report,in referring to an outbreak of typhoid fever the source ofwhich could not be discovered, he says, "There is a

cause always to be thought of-namely, importation ofinfection through goods, such as aerated waters, green-groceries, &c." All these are propositions accepted by thescientific sanitarian, and it is most desirable that the publicmind should be impressed with their accuracy and that thehands of the public health medical officers should beupheld in their endeavours to make them known to localauthorities and to the general public. And yetwhile this is so we regret to see an Edinburghnewspaper, ever active to expose what may interest thepublic, adversely criticising these statements and makingcomments upon them which certainly convey to the public

the impression that the medical officer of health is wrongand the writer of the article referred to right. The state ofthe writer’s knowledge may be judged by the following:" The best medical, veterinary, and sanitary authorities areagreed that the germs of phthisis do not retain their vitalityfor many seconds after exposure to air and particularlyto sunlight." There might be no objection to the writerof this believing that which he writes, but it is tobe regretted that such erroneous doctrines should bethrown bro,-td(-ast amongst a community. The efforts ofsanitarians and physicians to get the public to realise thedanger of dried tuberculous sputum is much counteracted byill-informed statements of this nature in the lay press, andwe regret when a newspaper is led by any of its contributorsinto such a false position as the above quotation indicates.It is out of place Iiere to examine at, length the objectionablearticle, for its value can be estimated by the above quota-tion. We may. however, add that the statements and viewsof the medical officer are by no means remarkable" " in the.sense meant by his ei-ii ic, but are the accepted doctrinesof enlightened sanitation.

Glasgow Medico-Chirurgical Soce-ity.This society met on the lst inst., Dr. Walker Downie being

in the chair. Dr. T. K. Dalziel showed a child aged threeyears the subject of Spina Bifida. At three months thetumour was injected with Morton’s fluid, and in time itscystic character completely disappeared, leaving a firm,shrunken mass. Evidences of involvement of nerve becameincreasingly conspicuous. Paralysis of the lower limbsappeared, with loss of control over the bladder and rectumand ulceration extending deeply into each ischio-rectalfossa. Jt was, therefore, decided to cut down on thetumour with a vif,w to see if the nerves could be freedfrom pressure. After removing a superficial mass offibrous and fatry tissue the membranes were opened and thenerve roots were found to be involved in a quantity ofcicatricial tissue. To remove this it was necessary to dividethe nerve roots in the cauda equina and the divided ends ofthe roots were afterwards stitched. No ill results followedthe operation except a high temperature which lasted only afew hours. For some time no improvement was produced.but latterly the efficiency of the bladder had increased.the ulcers had healed, and there was a favourablemovement in respect of the paralysis. Dr. Stirtonread a paper on Vaginal l’erws Abdominal Surgery illthe treatment of various pelvic conditions. He con-

tended that a number of diseased conditions in whichit was the custom to open the abdomen could be far more

safely attacked through the vagina, and he quoted in supportof Iiis position records from his wards in the Royal Infirmaryin which lie had successfully treated by puncture from thevagina cases of pyosalpinx, hæmatocele, extra-uterine preg-nancy. and cysts of the broad ligament. The paper led toa somewhat animated discussion, in which Dr. SamuelSloan, Dr. Edgar, Dr. Renton, and Dr. Rutherfurd took part.The latter questioned very decidedly the wisdom of punctur-ing a parovarian cyst without subsequent removal of the

cyst wall. Dr. T. K. Monro showed photographs illustra-

ting the Value of the Thyroid Treatment in cases of Myxœ-dena. Dr. Henry Rutherfurd showed two series of photo-graphs illustrating Arrested Development of Bone. In onethe arrest of development was due to acute arthritis (epiphy-sitis) occurring in infancy; in the other it was associatedwith cartilaginous tumours.

Tlte I ntitoxin Treatment of Diphtheria io Glasgow.In the current number of the Glasgow Medical Jozirnal

Dr. Ernest L. Marsh publishes an elaborate series ofstatistical tables showing the influence of the antitoxintreatment on the cases of diphtheria admitted to the City ofGlasgow Fever Hospital during 1895. The admission.,numbered 179, and of these 137 were treated by antitoxicserum, the remaining 42 being either mild infections (38cases) or profound toxæmias (4 cases) moribund on ad-mission. The fatal cases numbered 25, giving on the ad-missions a percentage of 14 deaths. In the five yearsprevious to 1895 the cases of diphtheria had never given aless percentage than 35-5 deaths in any one year, so that theimprovement is a very impressive one. Of the 179 patientsin 1895 tracheotomy was needed in 29, and of these 10 died,giving a mortality of 34’5 per cent. Dr. Marsh draws specialattention to these cases and contrasts the low death-ratewith the high mortality of the tracheotomy cases in previousyears-viz., 76 2 per cent. (42 cases) in 1893 and 86’9 per