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Medical News.CHILD WELFARE.-A special course of lectures

on infant care for health visitors, nurses, midwives, schoolteachers, and others will be held from Sept. 16th to 20th inthe lecture theatre, University College, Nottingham. Thelecturers include Sir Francis Champneys, Dr. MildredBurgess, and Dr. Mary Scharlieb. The fee for the course is10s., or Is. 6d. for a single lecture, the text-book being"Mothercraft."—Another special course of lectures will begiven at Swansea, in the Secondary School for Boys, onSaturdays, beginning on Oct. 5th and ending on Nov. 2nd.The fees and text-book will be the same as above.-At1, Wimpole-street, London, W., from 5.30 to 6.30 P.M. onMondays, from Sept. 30th to Dec. 16th, an elementary courseof lectures on infant care will be given in preparation forthe elementary certificate of the National Association forthe Prevention of Infant Mortality, the lecturers being Dr.F. Truby King, Mr. H. G. Adamson, Dr. H. C. Cameron, Dr.Maurice Craig, Captain F. Vincent Denne, Dr. T. N. Kelynack,Dr. Eric Pritchard, and Miss Norah March. The fee for thecourse is 5s. Application forms and full particulars may beobtained from the Spcretary, National Association for thePrevention of Infant Mortality, 4, Tavistock-square, W.C. 1.

ROYAL MEDICAL BENEVOLENT FUND.-The follow-ing is a continuation of a summary of cases relieved :-Daughters, aged 56 and 53, of M.R.C.S. who practised at Kingseliffe

and died in 1890. Each has an income of P-11 6s. from dividends. Theyobtain occasional work as governesses, but at. present without work. Eachrelieved three times. :S9 each per annum. Voted jB9 in 12 instalments.-Widow, aged 51, of M.R C.S. Eng. who practised at Bampton, Oxon, anddied in 19,6. Was left with limited means and one daughter, now aged 19,who is training for a teacher. Income from dividends, BIG. Brother paysthe rent and helps a little. Relieved twice, B20. Voted £10 in twoinstalments.-Widow, aged 55, of L.R.C.P. & S. Edin. who practised atBlackpool and died in 1912. Applicant left without means. Friendsprovide about £30, and she is now endeavouring to support herselfby taking paying guests, but owing to ill-health can only doso on a very limited scale. Relieved twice, £10. Voted £5.-Daughter, aged 68, of M.R.C.S. Eog. who practised at Liverpool anddied in 1881. Applicant lost her income by the failure of an Australianbank and is a permanent invalid dependent on friends and help fromthe Fund. Relieved five times..E60. Voted .e12 in 12 instalments -Widow, aged 73, of L. P.S. Glasg. who practised at Rochdale and diedin 1899. Was left unpruvided for at her husband’s death a’ d herchildren, all of whom are married, can only help a little. and applicantis too old to work. Relieved once, .e12. Voted ,e12 in 12 instalnents.- Daughter, aged 37, of M.D. Dub. who practised at Moorcrott andBritish Guiana and died in 1884. Applicant was left without means andsuffers from tuberculous glands, so unable to work. Relieved 12 times,BUO. Voted ,el0 in two instalments.-Widow, aged 76, of M.B. Edin.who practised at Ladswade and died in 1913. Her late husbind diedafter a very long illness and all their savings were exhausted.applicant is now dependent on help from friends and help from theFund. Relieved once, £12. Voted B12 in 12 instalments.

Subscriptions may be sent to the acting honorarytreasurer, Dr. Samuel West, at 11, Chandos-street,Cavendish-square, London, W. 1.

LONDON INTERCOLLEGIATE SCHOLARSHIPS BOARD. I-The following Medical Scholarships have been awarded :— )University College: Bucknill Scholarship: I. W. Gallant,Central Foundation Boys’ School, and University of London,University College. Medical Exhibitions: H. Rosenberg,Central Foundation Boys’ School, and University of London,King’s College ; B. Deane, Botham School, York ; proximeaccessit, Rachael Halperin, University of London, UniversityCollege. King’s College : Warneford Scholarships: P. B.Wilkinson, Plymouth College ; M. G. L. Perkins, West-minster School, and University of London, King’s College ;L. H. Savin, Christ’s Hospital, Horsham. WestminsterHospital Medical School : Natural Science Scholarship :M. Stieber, University of London, University College.King’ 8 College Hospital llledical School: Science Scholarship :Christine P. Francis, Brighton High School. Arts Ex-hibition : W. P. H. Sheldon, Bancroft’s School. London(Royal Free Hospital) School of Medicine for Women: :St. Dunstan’s Medical Exhibitions : Margaret E. Reynolds,North London Collegiate School; Ellen M. Howard,St. Paul’s Girls’ School. Isabel Thorne Scholarship :Ethel A. Perrott, Bromley High School. Mabel Sharman-Crawford Scholarship ; Dorothy N. L. Leverkus, London(R.F.H.) School of Medicine for Women.

THE CANCER DEATH-RATE IN LEICESTER.-In hisannual report for 1917 Dr. Killick Millard, medical officerof health for Leicester, says the deaths from cancer andmalignant disease numbered 255, equivalent to a rate of1’17 per 100,000 of the population, the highest rate yetrecorded in the borough.

THE death is announced of Mr. Damer Harrisson,Colonel, A.M.S. (T.), lecturer on clinical surgery in theUniversity of Liverpool and honorary surgeon to the King.

Notes, Short Comments, and Answersto Correspondents.

HERB-GROWING AND BOTANIC DRUGS.THE Royal Horticultural Society in a recent circular

urges on educational authorities and commercial corpora-tions the importance of developing the vegetable wealthof the Empire. The dislocation in the vegetable drugtraffic due to the war has already had an effect instimulating the study of medical botany and the pro-duction of books dealing with various aspects of thesubject. Dr. Thomas Blair, in his preface to BotanicDrugs (Cincinnati,10hio : The Therapeutic Digest PublishingCompany. Pp. 394), remarks that there are 19 countrieswith well-based pharmacopoeias recognising 550 botanicdrugs. Dr. Blair anticipates a growing market for thesemedicinal products, and he presents the reader with acareful record.-The author of Histology of Medicinal Plants,Dr. W. Mansfield (London : Chapman and Hall; NewYork: John Wiley and Sons. Pp. 305. Price 13s. 6d.net), is professor of histology and pharmacognosy in theCollege of Pharmacy attached to Columbia University,N.Y., where he has had many years’ practical experiencein examining powdered drugs for commercial purposes.An account is given of the various plant tissues and thecells composing them, the book going on to deal with thehistology of roots, stems, ba,rks, flowers fruits, and seeds.Many excellent original illustrations embellish the text.-A fourth edition has also just appeared of Professor L. E.Sayre’s large Manual of Organic Materia Medica and Pharma-cognosy (Philadelphia : P. Blakiston’s Son and Co. Pp. 606.Price$4.50), which contains, along with a very full introduc-tion to the study of the vegetable kingdom, details ofpreparation of all vegetable drugs and practical chapterson such matters as the insects injurious to drugs.More than 300 illustrations are given.-Attention maybe called to the exhibit at the British ScientificProducts- Exhibition (now being held at King’s College,London) of home-grown vegetable drugs by the Schoolof British Medicinal and Commercial Herb-Growing.Mrs. H. Grieve, principal of the school, is president andadvisory expert to the British Guild of Herb-Growers,which represents a movement to recapture permanentlyfrom Germany and Austria the herb-growing industry. Ina leaflet which may be obtained from Mrs. Grieve (The

Whins, Chalfont St. Peter, Bucks) a full list is given of themedicinal plants which may be grown in this country.

MEDICAL MEN AND THE VOLUNTEEROBLIGATION.

A RECENT Circular (R. 224) sent down by the LocalGovernment Board and the Scottish Office to local andappeal tribunals deals with the duties and obligations of theVolunteer Force. Every person exempted by a tribunal isliable to be called on for Volunteer service unless the tribunalorders otherwise, and this liability rests equally on themedical man. The line, however, taken by the MedicalTribunal is that doctors should not be called on as a rule tojoin as Volunteers, as their services are too urgently requiredfor medical work, and the exemption certificates so farissued have invariably contained an order stating that theapplicant should not be liable to join the Volunteer Force.This will protect all who apply to the Medical Tribunal, anduntil their cases have been considered by the tribunal theycannot be called on to perform duty as Volunteers.

THE CARE OF THE FOOT.ALTHOUGH it is abundantly true that an army marches on

its belly, the foot requires some consideration. Major T.Rugh, in charge of military orthopaedics at the office of theSurgeon-General, U.S. Army, tells us (American Journal ofOrtltopedic Surgery, August, 1918) that the Munson shoe hassolved all the difficulties of corns, callosities, ingrown nais,overriding toes, and blisters of the feet. Intelligent care isnow being applied to soldiers’ feet on this side of theAtlantic. Under the title of " First Aid for Foot Troubles "(London: Scientific Press, Ltd., ls. 3d. net.) Mr. E. G. V.Runting, President of the Incorporated Society of Chiro-podists, has written a little book designed to render thesoldier more efficient, and also. as Dr. A. W. Oxford pointsout in a foreword, with the aim of popularising through-out the country che work carried on at the headquarters inLondon. After emphasising the need for patience andattention to detail of battalion chiropody is to be carriedout effectively, the author gives detailed instruction in thecare of the nails and the treatment of their malformations,describing the various pads-corrective and protective-thathave been found of service in chronic cases amonf, soldiers.The importance is great of keeping the feet of marchingmen as healthy as possible, and the book should proveuseful to this end.

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CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND OF PAY FOR SPECIALRESERVE, R.A.M.C.

FROM inquiries received from time to time it is evidentthat the conditions of service and of pay in the auxiliaryR.A.M.C. branches are not as well known as they might be,and the following summary of conditions prevailing underthe Special Reserve may be useful for reference :-

First appointments wilt be made to the rank of Lieutenant, on pro-bation. (Para. 71, Regulations for Special Reserve. 1911 (latest). ) )A candidate for the R.A.M.C. must be under 30 years of age, and

either (a) registered under the Medical Acts, or (b) a member of theOfficers Training Corps who has completed that portion of thecurriculum of a student of medicine which at the time of his appoint-ment places him in a position to obtain diplomas or degrees entitlinghim to be registered as a medical practitioner in two years from thedate of his appointment. (Para. 81.)

Application for commissions in the Special Reserve of Officers will bemade on Army Form B 201, which will be forwarded to " The Secretary,War Office. London, S.W.," through the officer commanding his con-tingent, if the candidate is a member of the O.T.O., or through theofficer commanding his unit, if a member of the Territorial Force.(Para. 82.) )

If the candidate holds a commission in the Territorial Force, theofficer commanding the unit to which he belongs will certify (on ArmyForm B 201) as to his fitness for the Special Reserve. It will not benecessary for him to resign his commission in the Territorial Force: hiscommission [in Territorial Force] will be determined [i.e., will cease toexist] as from the day preceding date of appointment as probationer tothe Special Reserve. (Para. 83.)On appointment to a commission the candidate will receive instruc-

tions as to his probationary training, usually through a General OfficerCommanding-in-Chief. (Para. 85.)On completion of his probationary training, and passing prescribed

examination, and being satisfactorily reported on, he will be confirmedin his commission, with effect from date of first appointment onprobation. (Para. 86.)

Liabilities and Conditions of Service.-An officer of Special Reserveof Office,rs will be liable to undergo training for the period and at theplace which may be prescribed for his branch of service (six monthsrecruit training), but not outside the United Kingdom without hisown consent. (Para. 9.?.)

Liability to be called up for army service at home or abroad, at atime of imminent national danger of great emergency, when the ArmyReserve is called out, until his services are no longer required.(Para. 95.) ) .

Such liability extends from date of joining Special Reserve of Officersuntil expiration of a year from date of completion of his probationaryperiod ; and so on from year to year, until he attains 40 yearo of age.(Para. 96.)Promotion.-Eligible for promotion to Captain after 3? years, and to

Major after 12 years’ service.Commission in Regular Forces.-An officer R.A.M.C. Special Reserve

may, if otherwise eligible, compete for a commission in the R.A.M.C.(Para. 113.) An officer of Special Reserve, when called out for servicein national emergency, will be eligible for commission in RegularForces, if not over 30 (if a subaltern), or 40 (if of higher rank).Pay, Additional Pay. Extra-duty Pay, and Allowances of officers of

Special Reserve called up during an emergency will be in all respectssimilar to those ot a regular officer of same rank and arm of service.(Quarters 3s. daily. fuel and light ls. ld. + 6d., servant ) (Para. 413.)Special grant of 250 as compensation for disturbance and tor kit, ifcalled up during an emergency. (Para. 419.) Outfit allowance of 220(one-fourth to be refunded for each year or portion of a year that hefails to complete of the period of four years, except in cases of sickness).(Para. 426.)

THE CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTER-NATIONAL PEACE.

THE director of the Division of International Law, Mr.James Brown Scott, has done well to bring out at this timetwo volumes having an important bearing on internationalrelations. The first of these is a collection of papers relatingto the Controversy over Neutral Rights between the UnitedStates and France, 1797-1800 (pp. 510, price 15s.), and dealswith the difficult question of armed neutrality; the secondvolume recapitulates the Declaration of Independence, theArticles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the UnitedStates (pp. 100, price 4s. 6d.), documents which the editorjustly claims to be fundamental to the world’s development.In so far as these books contribute to the intelligent pacifica-tion of the peoples of the earth, they will have helped toproduce an atmosphere in which the peaceful art of medicinecan flourish once more. Both books are published by theOxford University Press in New York.

SPECIFIC PARAPLEGIA IN CATTLE AND HORSES.

Mr. William Scott, F.R.C.V.S., of Bridgwater, has beenexperimenting with a vaccine in connexion with a specificparaplegia which has recently been affecting cattle ratherfrequently. The disease is local in its occurrence andsoured pasture and the poor nutritive value of hay and rootsappear to have made the bovines peculiarly susceptible to aform of paralysis which leaves them unable to rise forweeks at a time. The investigator has obtained a vaccinefrom cultures made from an organism found in the spinal fluid of animals affected. The fluid was extracted by meansof a lumbar puncture between the fourth and fifth orfifth and sixth vertebrae. In 31 cases the injection of the vaccine produced very good results. The treatment I

is new and the great prevalence of the disease hasnot been noticed before, althbugh isolated cases havebeen recorded from time to time. Mr. Scott deserves com-mendation for his enterprise in conducting a line of inves-tigation and treatment which has not hitherto been tried.The only other disease in animals in which inoculations areprepared from spinal material appears to be rabies. Directinterference with the spinal column has been rarely under-taken to produce therapeutical results, but intraspinalanaesthesia has been brought about in dogs by puncture inthe sixth interlumbar space and injecting cocaine, stovaine,or novocaine. In Mr. Scott’s cases a louse (Hæmatopinustenuirostis) was found almost constantly affecting the ailingsubjects, and this louse harboured a bacillus identical withthat found in the host’s blood. Four similar cases ofparaplegia were met with in equines.

A USEFUL FIELD INCINERATOR.

Major C. S. Williamson, M.R.C., United States Army,describes in the Military Surgeon for July a form of in-cinerator suitable for a large base camp where there is somescarcity of fuel, which he calls a " multiple-shelf incinerator."It is built of brick lined with fire-brick, 12 ft. high, andinternal measurement is 4½ x 6 ft. It has six shelves312 x 6 ft., placed alternately right and left, and there is afire-grate below. The fire is started with 200 Ib. of wood,the garbage is dumped on the top plate to a depth of 4 in.or so, and after it has dried a little it is pushed over onto the second plate, and another charge introduced. Thesecond plate, after a little more drying, gives up its chargeto the third, and so on. Ultimately there will be a layeron the sixth plate, dry, and an inch thick, which willtake fire itself, and should be then, but not till then,pushed on to the fire-grate, when it will burn and dry thesucceeding charges. The incinerator will burn 10-15 tons ofgarbage in 24 hours, and will deal with fseoea if mixed withthe garbage in equal quantities. Clearly the availablegarbage should be so managed that the incinerator is neverempty, but kept, by judicious feeding, always burning. Thedevice deserves attention.

’ COLONIAL HEALTH REPORTS.Gilbert and Ellice Islands.-Mr. E. C. Eliot, the Resident

Commissioner, in a report to the Colonial Office, writes:The following table gives the births and deaths for 1916-17 ascontrasted with the past three years :-

Gilbert Islands. Ellice Islands.1913-14. 1914-15. 1915-16.

1916-17. 1913-14. 1915-16. 1916-17.

Births ... 891 ... 773 ... 817 ... 701 I 161 ... H2 ... 136Deaths... 734 ... 967 ... 626 ... 628 155 ... 100 ... 94

At Ocean Island there has been an increase in the death-rate, mainly owing to the serious drought. Since the close ofthe year 1916-17 a considerable number of Banabans (OceanIslanders) have died, in spite of the efforts made by the Govern-ment in the importation of fresh vegetables, lime-juice, &0.Steps have been taken to prevent the northern spread ofelephantiasis from the Samoan Group. Ordinance No. 6 of1917 provides for medical inspection for microfilaria of allpersons wisning to travei trom bimoa to tis coiony. Aconsiderable amount of research work in connexion withpulmonary tuberculosis and in the use of salvarsan or

equivalent preparations in filariasis has been undertakenby the medical department, which has received commenda-tion and encouragement from members in England of theAdvisory Medical and Sanitary Committee for TropicalAfrica. A substitute for salvarsan is now being obtainedfrom Japan. The necessity for constant supply of thisvaluable preparation is still urgent, both in cases of syphilisand yaws.

W. H. K.-The suggestion that cœliac disease may be dueto the use of the dummy or pacifier is open to the objectionthat this disease frequently begins at an age when they arenot in use. Moreover, the pacifier is very common, whereascoeliac disease is rare.

M. D. O’C.-Although it was not until the fifth day of thefever that many tertian parasites were found in the peri-pheral blood stream, their presence was obviously possiblein the blood of the organs. The old view that Laveran’sbodies are pseudo-parasites would imply that altered redcorpuscles can conjugate in the stomach of the mosquito,and produce oocysts, sporoblasts, and sporozoites. Doubtlesscases of malarial fever have been recorded in whichLaveran’s bodies could not be discovered in the blood, buthow is a diagnosis of malaria at all to be made withoutfinding parasites? The toxin of the malaria parasite hasnot been isolated, but neither has that of the spirochsete ofsyphilis.Dr. tB G. Crookshank writes to disclaim any connexion

with an unregistered practitioner of somewhat similarname who has recently made application for certain hospitalappointments in London.