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Notes, Short Comments, and Answers toCorrespondents.

A TENANTS’ PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION.

THOUGH so often impracticable and inconstant, no one can deny that theFrench people possess the spirit of imitation. The last proof given inillustration of this gift affords an example that might be improvedupon and followed to great public advantage. Profiting by the generalmovement in favour of trades’ unions, co-operative societies, jointstock companies, in fact of association in its multitudinous forms, acertain number of lodgers and tenants, living in the 18th arrondissementof Paris, have met together to organise and found a " Tenants’ SyndicalChamber," which is the French equivalent of a trades’ union. All

persons who live in hired apartments or houses, whether furnished orunfurnished, may become members of this union on paying the fees.The object of this new and peculiar Society is : lst. To protect theassociated tenants against injustice and oppression by proprietorsor landlords. 2nd. To afford the landlords a guarantee respecting thesolvency and respectability of the tenants. A most important addi-tion might, however, be made to this programme. The Society mightundertake to sue proprietors who do not keep the houses they let inproper repair, with regard, not merely to outward comfort and appear-ance, but with regard to less apparent but most important details,such as ventilation, drains, the nature of the subsoil &c. Therehave been so many disputes in England in this respect that it mightperhaps be both practical and wise if we also were to form a Tenants’Association. The members might pledge themselves not to rent newtenements before an inspector, appointed by the Society, had reportedfavourably as to the sanitary state of the house in question. Themembers could also, in turn or by ballot, avail themselves of thefunds, of the services of the Society’s legal counsel, &c., to compelthe landlords to repair or rebuild drains, tanks, &e. Finally, if theSociety became strong enough, it might prosecute some of the WaterCompanies for distributing diluted sewage for daily consumption. ATenants’ Association was, it appears, started in Strasburg in 1864, andis, we believe, still in existence. We are further told that all partiesconcerned are satisfied with the working and results attained by thisorganisation, though its existence is scarcely known beyond its owncircle.

Mr. Walter’s (Farringdon) paper shall appear as soon as possible.

THE SOUNDS OF THE HEART.

To the -Editor of THE LANCET. -

SIR,-Dr. Gibson asserts that, according to the view I have advanced,the first sound should follow, and never precede, the jet of blood sentout during the systole. Perhaps he will explain why it should. It seemsto me that if powerful muscular walls, such as those of the left ventricle,contract upon four ounces of blood with a force sufficient to raise it ninefeet, their contact must correspond in point of time with the lodgmentof that blood in the very commencement of the aorta, before the waveof blood caused by its lodgment can reach the carotid.Of course Dr. Gibson remembers that it takes an appreciable time for

the jet of blood sent out during the systole to affect the carotid andradial arteries, although in his lettor I think he does not clearly dis-tinguish between the blood sent out and the effects it produces on thearterial system. Yours faithfully,Peterborough, Jan. 15th, 1878. C. R. ILLINGWORTH, M.B.

ADULTERATED BUTTER.AN enterprising trader, described as a "peripatetic provision merchant,"was lately fined £5 and costs at Lynn Petty Sessions for selling adul-terated butter. The composition of the article was shown by analysisto be as follows : Foreign fats other than butter, 83’19; salt, 3.06;insoluble residue, 5.61; water, 814 ; total, 10000.

Dr. C.M. Deane.-Our correspondent should apply to the Apothecaries’Society in Ireland for information as to the person in question. ThePresident of the Medical Board must assume the genuineness of thediploma until it be disproved.

Dr. Philbrick is thanked for his polite note.

COFFEE versue BEER.

WE have more than once advocated in the interest of the public thesupply of greater facilities for procuring wholesome and unintoxicatingdrinks, and have stated our belief that efforts in this direction, wiselyput forth, would be found to be attended with success from a commercial point of view, as well as prove valuable as a means of lesseningthe prevalence of drunkenness. We hear that in Chesterfield theestablishment of coffee-carts seems to answer well. At York somefriends of temperance lately subscribed £45, bought a cart, handed itover to an active, sober man, and he is now selling 60,000 gallonsa year at a halfpenny a cup, and is making a good profit out of it. Asimilar cart is to be established at Oxford, out of the funds providedby Messrs. Gillett, the bankers of Banbury.

Continental.—Parkes’ work, or that of Wilson, would probably answerthe purpose. Both are published by Churchill.

THE NAVAL MEDICAL SERVICE.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-It is many years since I have ventured to intrude on you, seeingthat you were keenly alive to, and well advised of, our grievances. Far

away from home, it is most gratifying to me to read the leading article inyour impression of September 29th, entitled "Naval Medical Service." Itwarms one up with the feeling that, though absent, we are not forgottenby those who think and feel for us at home, and give their weight byexpressing opinions in THE LANCET.Young medical officers are more thoughtful than they were thirty

years ago, and soon after entry think what will be their pay, position,and accommodation when they reach the fleet-surgeon’s rank. Whenin my last sea-going ship, I found that the officers who had been caughtby the increase of pay o-n entry saw the trap. I do not at all agreewith your correspondent who speaks of the sliding scale of service-and age acting unfairly. Take the case of the late Dr. Babington and ofMr. M’Crae. He will there see that half-pay from illness gave a good’increase in retirement. The Civil Service Gazette is not correctly in-formed. The Navy List says: Inspector-generals are compulsorily re-tired at sixty, as also are deputy-inspectors. The suggestion of theretirement of fleet- or staff-surgeons was vetoed by the civil medicalelement of Sir A. Milnes’s Commission. It is painful to read, as emana-ting from the pen of a brother officer, the condemnation of men going tothe dock-yards &c. He must be very ignorant of the important andresponsible duties they have to perform. The promotion to the rank ofdeputy inspector-general is, I know by personal information from theDirector-General, one of selection, and not necessarily by seniority.

I will now direct your attention to a matter which does not appear tohave been brought under your notice.When a fleet-surgeon has completed twenty-six years of service he has

no further increase of pay. I had not it, nor others. On promotion, mylength of service entitled to the highest rate of pay for a deputy in-spector-general. If my experience and professional knowledge entitledme to promotion, why should not my increase of pay go on ? I mustserve five years as a deputy-inspector without any increase of pay, aud Ithink it a very great grievance that pay should not go on increasing inthe fleet-surgeon rank, and according to service, without limit, in that ofdeputy inspector and inspector.Writing hurriedly as I have done, my views may not be quite clear ;

but I state advisedly that there should be no limit to the periodical in-crease of pay so long as the officer performs his duty satisfactorily.

Yours obediently,A NAVAL SURGEON ON FOBEIQN SERVICE.

December 6th, 1877.

FINES UNDER THE VACCINATION ACT.AT the Liverpool Police Court last Saturday Mr. King Pride made hisfourteenth appearance before the magistrates to answer a summonsfor having neglected to have his two children vaccinated. He wasfined 20s. and costs for each child, or fourteen days’ imprisonment.

ABERDEEN MUTUAL ASSURANCE AND FRIENDLY SOCIETY.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.SIR,-In your number of the 15th ult., an anonymous correspondent,

subscribing himself "Not a Club Doctor," calls attention to the affairsof the Aberdeen Mutual Assurance and Friendly Society. The Directorsof the Society, in justice to their medical officer, consider it but fair thatthe facts should be known, and have authorised me to state them.In October, 1831, the Society was formed to encourage prudence, pro-

vidence, and self-help, by way of "health and life assurance," with alimited number of members (now about eighty), almost wholly belongingto the operative classes. The present medical attendant was offered theappointment, and his acceptance of it at the time was considered ofgreat advantage to the Society. Notwithstanding the eminence attainedby him in his profession, he has given the benefit of his advice to the.members during the last thirty-seven years. The Directors are satisfiedthat, in continuing as medical officer, he has been actuated chiefly by areluctance to break off early professional ties, and by a desire to givespecially to the earlier members the benefit of his advice in their de-clining years. The remuneration fixed thirty-seven years ago by way ofsmall uniform contribution from members has never been increased, andthe yearly total (now about 10) is surely too trifling to excite envy orill-feeling.The Directors are unable to see that they have done injury to anyone,

looking to the well-known fact that in Aberdeen, as in other provincialtowns in Scotland, there is no distinction made between the " consultant"and the general practitioner." In Aberdeen there is no physician orsurgeon who is a pure "consultant," and there is no "general practi-tioner" who is not occasionally called into consultation.

Your obedient servant,Aberdeen, Jan. llth, 1878. JOH.N CROMBIE, Secretary.

112

THE PLESIOSAURUS CRAMPTONI. "ALGERIAN TEA."THIS fossil, which was presented in 1853 to the Royal Zoological Society IN the last number of the Pharmaceuticad Journal Mr. J. R., Jackson,

of Ireland by the late Sir ’Philip Crampton, and exhibited in the Curator of Museums, Kew, gives some particulars of a substancegardens until 1861, when it was deposited in the museum of the Royal received at the museum under the name of Sanguinaire, or the Arabe,Dublin Society, has been purchased by the managers of the New and which is popularly known as Algerian tea, and considerably usedNational Museum for the sum of J!.200. The Council of the Zoological in France. It has been alleged that the plant possesses valuable medi.Society believe that this arrangement will carry out in the best manner cinal properties, but this remains to be proved. After a close examina-the double intention of Sir Philip Crampton, which was to advance tion, Mr. Jackson found the sample to be Paronychia argentea, a plantthe study of natural science in Dublin, and confer a benefit on the widely distributed through the Mediterranean region. An infusion

Zoological Gardens, of which he was the founder. presents little flavour, colour, or smell, and reminded Mr. Jackson ofAn Old’ Subscriber should refer to our advertising columns. There are boiled hay.

several institutions for the reception of female inebriates. Mr. de Watteville shall receive a private note.Mr. Gribbon.—The interesting case will appear at an early date.

SIDMOUTH LOCAL BOARD.

NITRITE OF AMYL IN AGUE. To the Editor of THE LANCET.To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,-N ot being one of your professional readers, I had not the oppor-

SIR,-Writing in your columns on the 5th inst., Dr. W. E. Saunders tunity of seeing the article on "The Sanitary Condition of Sidmouth" inadvised nitrite of amyl in intermittents, on the ground that the cold your journal of the 15th ult. until it appeared in a small local publicationstage of ague aud the collapse stage of cholera are identical. The latter (which I enclose) on the 1st inst. Having carefully read the respectivedisease was treated by Drs. Hayden and Cruise, of Dublin, by nitrite of reports of the Sidmouth and Local Government Boards, and soughtamylin a large number of cases, and this drug was " found wanting" in local information thereon, I can testify to the truth and importance ofthe collapse stage. They also found that the inhalation "had always to all you say. Without exception, the Sidmouth Board’s reply is thebe stopped on account of the embarrassment to the respiration which it weakest, most self-condemnatory, and at the same time most misleadingoccasioned. Dr. Brunton regards its failure in giving permanent relief document I ever perused from a public body: I am told the reply of thein cholera as due to its preventing the oxidation of the blood in the Sidmouth Board bas appeared in some five or six papers, and, of course,lungs" (Scoresby-Jackson’s Materia Medica, third edition, p. 581). Now must have been well read’ whereas the inspector’s true, straightforward,we all know that in the cold stage of ague the lungs are congested with , ,. , ,

venous blood wanting to be oxidised ; not only is this so, but the heart and moderate report has been purposely suppressed. I say suppressed,is asthenically irritable, just as in poisoning by digitalis. If, therefore, for only in a single paper has it appeared, and has not been seen or readwe employ nitrite of amyl in such a case, it must be evident that we will probably by one in a hundred of the ratepayers. The Sidmouth Journal’sbe adding "fuel to the fire" by embarrassing the patient’s respiratory as critique, which has just appeared on THE LANCET and Morning Postwell as circulatory circurnstances. Reasoning on a similarity of the cold articles, stage of ague with the collapse of cholera, the more rational treatment articles, is amusingly childish, and should be read to be appreciated.would seem to be to rouse the powers of life by stimulants, for which To take three instances in the Sidmouth reply as examples of the grosspurpose opium has been recommended. For the reason just cited I fail misrepresentations that pervade the document throughout :-to see how anyone could wish to treat the cold stage of ague by nitrite lst. It says, when speaking of the general health and Condition of theof amyl. I can better understand its adaptation to the hot stage, to town, "it is conclusively proved by the Registrar-General’s report, justrelieve the headache or delirium present, by depressing the heart; but published, for the very quarter to which Mr. Radcliffe’s report refers,here is it not safer to trust to purgation, refrigerants, diuretics, and dia- that from Midsummer to Michaelmas, by that unimpeachable authorityphoretics, thus relieving the system through the natural outlets, and in it may be seen that the deaths in the sub-district, to which Sidmouthdesperate cases, perhaps even resorting to bloodletting? As to the belongs, were actually two less than the average of the three precedingsweating stage, what good effect is to be expected by endeavouring to years. In the-name of conscience, what in the world has the sub-district,"reduce it ? I was always taught to encourage it. Another point : which I am told includes Ottery St. Mary, Feniton, and some six orStrychnia has frequently been successfully employed instead of quinine; eight other parishes, to do with Sidmouth and the late inquiry ? As welland as strychnia is the antidote for the toxic effects of nitrite of amyl, bring forward the abilities of the national schools of those parishes tothese two substances have necessarily opposite properties.

, .... , prove the abilities of those of Sidmouth. For instance, you will scarcelyI submit, Dr. Saunders has failed to show the superiority of nitrite of credit, Sir, that I was told, on the most reliable authority, only yesterday,amyl over quinine in intermittent fever, and it is not nearly so valuable, that the death-rate of that identical quarter for Sidmouth alone wasQuinine is not usually given to "reduce" the stages, but to check the exactly equal to one-half the number of deaths for the whole of the yearoccurrence of a paroxysm, and this nitrite of amyl does not do, if I read 1876 at Sidmouth. For that year the deaths mentioned in the Sidmouthyour correspondents letter rightly. "reply" stand at 52, and 26, I am credibly informed, took place at

- n Jan. 7th, 1878. Yours obediently,

-. I.R.C.S.E. Sidmouth in the quarter alluded to.

Devon, Jan. 7th, 1878. H. KlERNANDER, L.R.C.S.E. 2nd. The Sidmouth Board do not deny that cases of a low fever typewere in the town. Last week -1 took the trouble to perambulate threeMedical Ethics.-Under such circumstances it would be distinetlywrong sections of the town, when upwards of two hundred cases of scarlet fever

for the medical men of the town to return the visits or otherwise were told me as having occurred in them during the late illness, besidesrecognise the gentleman in question, whose conduct, supposing it to a great many elsewhere in the parish.be rightly represented by our correspondent, is utterly indefensible. 3rd. They deny any diphtheria having been in the parish ; whereas aOur correspondent erred in not havin a written contract ; but there clergyman assured me this morning that no less than four families have

suffered the loss of two children each from this complaint during theis a great unwritten law, stronger to honourable men, which prohibits same period, besides other single cases. The Government inspector issuch conduct as he describes. accused of being " one-sided, misleading; and exaggerated"-nay more,

by "positive misstatements" of little else than intentional falsehood.’IfM.D.—Capsicum, strychnine, iron, quinine, quassia, gentian, ammonia, the contradictions stated aboveare true, pray what terms can be found forand other remedies have been found very useful in the cases men- the Sidmouth Board’s reply ? A more false position for a public autho-tioned. rity to have placed itself in I cannot conceive ; and the reply of the

DILATATION OF THE EUSTACHIAN TUBE. Government Board, which is daily expected, will doubtless be anythingbut a pleasant new year’s gift to it. The truth, the whole truth, and

To the Editor of THE LANCET. nothing but the truth is, and it is a fact well known and recognised by aSIR,-I have just read an article in your journal, headed "A New large section of our community, that one and all are suffering in this

’Treatment for Dilating or rendering Pervious the Eustachian Tube and matter through the mal-administration of the local authorities. Thethe has delegated its authority to hands who have proved themselves

for Ventilating the Tympanic Cavity." incapable of doing it justice ; and unless a change takes place, thingsIt seems to me that the great object in the treatment of all ailments, are bound to go from bad to worse, and Sidmouth be lost as a watering-

whether medical or surgical, is simplicity. Dr. J. Gruber, indeed, sim- place and resort of health. Sidmouth possesses within its limits severalplifies the operation of ventilating the tympanic cavity by doing away influential landed proprietors, many men of high intelligence, and lotswith part of " Politzer’s" complicated proceedings. But why not do away of private residents with heaps of time on their hands. Out of suchwith them altogether? Why use an elastic bag to force air through the material there ought to be no difficulty in forming a sound, useful, andEustachian tube, when nature has provided us with a much more power- working Board. It is useless to make Lord This, Dr. That, and Mr. theful apparatus-to wit, the lungs ? If a deep inspiration be taken, the Other the scapegoats for others’ inefficiency. The town has got in theirmouth closed, the nose compressed by the finger and thumb, and forcible present medical officer of health (Dr. Pullin) as intelligent and honest an..expiration be attempted, the obstruction in the Eustachian tube must official as any town in the country ; but as far as the support he receivesbe great indeed that will not yield to it. I should not have advocated from the local authorities, his endeavours are useless, and may as wellthis simple expedient had I not on several occasions seen its advantages. be directed to improving the wastes of Africa or the wilds of America,.Of course Politzer’s or Gruber’s method impresses the patient more with or, as the Government inspector puts it, his exertions are useless if theits importance; but I do not believe that either is more, or, I was going Local Board "fail to exercise its functions in a proper manner." It’isto say, so effectual. At all events I can say that patients who have con- only fair to the doctor to say that, at the same time, he has neversulted celebrated aural surgeons have received more benefit by following failed to set forth the natural advantages of the place, which, Heavenmy simple directions than by adopting their more complicated proceed- knows, are all-bountiful; he has been candid in pointing out its’short-ings. comings and requirements, and giving valuable advice thereon, andDoubtless so simple and so effectual a proceeding has been advised which, if acted on, would have removed the whole cause of the past and

and carried out by many of the members of our profession ; but it some- present grievances. Yours &c.,times happens that the simpler the thing the more apt it is to escape Sidmouth, Jan. 6th, 1878. A RESIDENT.observation, so I have thought it right to call the attention of those whohave never thought of such a method to the very great relief I have No Deception.-A firm, of which one member is not possessed of a sur-been able to give my deaf patients without trouble or expense. gical qualification, are clearly not legally entitled to call themselvesThere is only one caution to be observed, and that is to see that the "surgeons." It is not so easy to prevent their doing so. The only

heart and lungs be sound, otnerwise the proceedings I advocate might course is to try the question in a court of law, which few would takeprove injurious. Your obedient servant, ALFRED GODRICH the trouble to do, and even the College itself would not be likely toGrove House, West Brompton, Jan. 14th, 1878. ) do so.

113

PLEUttO-PVEUwONm. Dr. C. E. Prdor.-We have no recollection of the paper to which our

A SPECIAL meeting of the Municipal Council of Dublin was held on the correspondent refers. We do not undertake to return communications10th inst., to consider a report of Dr. Cameron on the Use of the Flesh for which we cannot find room in our columns.

of Animals affected with Contagious Pleuro-pneumonia as Food for Veritas.-A physician cannot, consistently with dignity and with the-Man. The report, which was an exhaustive one, gave the evidence of etiquette of the profession, accept a less fee than one guinea for histhe profession for and against the practice, the vast majority of prac- advice.

titioners agreeing that the food should not be used. A resolution was C. E. F.-The English Conjoint Scheme in no way affects the taking of.

adopted concurring in the suggestion of Dr. Cameron, that, in view of degrees in Edinburgh.the unsettled state of scientinc opinion, the Government be requested Inquirens.—Aitken and Wood.to issue a Commission to inquire into the whole subject, with a viewto a more uniform administration of the law bearing upon this im-

ESCAPE OF BILIARY CALCULI THROUGH THE

portant question. ABDOMINAL WALLS.

VASELINE. To the Editor of THE LANCET.

To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,—Observing in your number of the 5th inst. the report by Mr-

Sm,-Under the head of "Analytical Records" you mention this pre- Cookson, of Halifax, of an instance of the escape of biliary calculi

paration in your impression of the 5th inst., and I hope by your calling through the abdominal walls, and as such occurrences, though not

the attention of the medical profession to this most useful preparation singular, are by no means common, you will perhaps permit me to add

it will be more generally used, as it well deserves. I believe it is now a to the number a few brief notes of a similar case that came under my

good deal employed in some of our hospitals, but by a large number of observation some fifteen years ago.

medical men it is not known. During the past year I have used vaseline The patient was a female, somewhat advanced in years. For severalweeks before the true nature of the case was made evident by the dis-extensively, and as a vehicle for making ointments it has certainly no weeks before calculi true natune of tlie case was made constant by tlxe and.,

. .. chargo of the calculi she lxacl suffered severely frori constant pain and.equal. It never becomes rancid, and, I believe, in any atmosphere defies discomfort in the epigastric region, the right liypochondrinm, and abdo-decomposition. But it is to the use of vaseline ointment in cases of men, with occasional aggravations and vomitings. An abscess at lengtheczema that I would specially allude. Last summer Mr. Hutchinson formed in the right side of the abdomen, about four inches below therecommended me to try, in a case of eczema which had resisted all last rib. This was freely opened, and through the aperture there escapedtreatment, an ointment composed of hyd. preecip. alb., half a drachm ; with the first gush of matter three or four gall-stones, and afterwards, atliq. carbonis deterg., twenty minims; vaseline, two ounces. I had intervals extending over several weeks, eighteen or twenty more escaped.been using the liq. carbonis deterg. as a lotion in this case for weeks, They presented all the physical characteristics of genuine gall-stones :.

also the white precipitate ointment, and calomel ointment, made with they were of a greemsh-brown colour, almost as hard as ebony, of variedbenzoated lard; but the case did not at all improve. I had also applied forms, being for the most pait worn into sharp and irregular angles byboth chalk and oxide of lime, rubbed into a creamy paste, as recom- friction against each other, the plane surfaces presenting a highlymended, I believe, by the late Mr. Startin. Nothing did any permanent polished appearance. In size they were about equal to the kernel of agood until I used the above vaseline ointment, which cured my patient Barcelona nut. After the first discharge but little inconvenience wasm one week. Since then I have used the above vaseline ointment, either caused by the passage of the subsequent ones. From first to last there

alone, or letting the patient, in addition, twice a day bathe the parts were no signs of jaundice, nor were there any of the urgent symptomswith liq. carbonis deterg. lotion, one drachm to a pint of water, and in which commonly attend upon the escape of gall-stones into the bowel.every case I have met with uniform success. One lady had been seven The patient thoroughly recovered her health, had no recurrence of themonths under my care with eczema of one leg and foot. In less than a attack, and died years afterwards of apoplexy......fortnight from beginning the vaseline ointment she was perfectly well. I offer no opinion as to the precise pathological process set up in theseVaseline is also most admirably suited for making ointments for the cases, or the exact route by which these concretions make their wayeye; the red precipitate ointment and the yellow oxide of mercury from the gall-bladder to the abdominal parietes. Anyhow they afford.ointment-the latter being now so much used in eye cases-are decidedly very interesting and successful examples of nature’s conservative efforts,more efficacious when made with vaseline than when benzoated lard is Yours obediently,used. But my object in this letter is not to allude to all the particular STEPHEN YELDHAM, L.R.C.P. Ed., &c.

merits of vaseline, but to draw the attention of medical practitioners Taviton-street, Gordon-square, Jan. 8th, 1878.generally to the preparation, and to state my experience of it in cases ofeczema-a disease which greasy ointments have in my hands invariably PROFESSOR LISTER ON DRAINAGE OF WOUNDS, ETC.aggravated, but for which vaseline ointment, as recommended above, is

’

wellnigh a specific. Your obedient servant, To the Editor of THE LANCET.Queen’s-road, Dalston, Jan. 1878. FREDERICK H. DALY, M.D. SIR,—I think King’s College Hospital has cause to be very thankfu1’

Mr. R S. Wh — We do not recommen rticular phys .. that, in losing the very valuable services of the late Sir Wm. Fergusson,

3fr. A S. Whale.-We do not recommend particular physicians or sur- it has been able to secure those of Professor Lister, whose simple and.geons. Any qualified medical practitioner could treat a case such as effective style of lecturing is a gift not always held by even the clinicalthat referred to by our correspondent. lecturer whose talents otherwise may be more than ordinary.

Jff. T. 0. Mayor.—Our correspondent, as a guardian, might obtain in- Whilst reading, however, the report, in your issue of the 5th inst., offormation on the subject mentioned by application to the Local Professor Lister’s interesting lecture on a Case of Excision of the Knee-Government Board. joint, and on Drainage of Wounds, I felt rather surprised in reference

to the latter subject that the employment of dressing forceps instead ofEpsiton.—We referred only to facts. the knife should have been suggested, not only as desirable, but as.

though perhaps it was a new idea; whereas in point of fact, and I mustTHE TREATMENT OF ANGULAR CURVATURE OF SPINE BY state this in token of my personal gratitude, I well remember how care-

SAYRE’S METHOD. fully Mr. John Hilton, of Guy’s, used to impress upon us students of’

twenty-five years ago the positive necessity of avoiding the knife if pos-To the Editor of THE LANCET. sible, and of using the dressing forceps in neighbourhoods wherever

SlR,-Having put up some few cases of spinal disease after Sayre’s there was a liberal supply of bloodvessels-e. g., the axillary, popliteal,

method and witnessed others, I have noticed that invariably the skin knife might reveal the occasion for opening a wound still further tobecomes abraded over the projecting spinous processes, necessitating repair the mischief of the knife. In this as in much else the anticipativeeither the removal or the slitting up of the jacket down the front. and cautious methods which our respected tutor of those days connectedBelieving that the central division of the jacket nullifies the advantages with the practice of his profession were so much in advance of what was

to be aainecl ed by the adoption of this method of treatment .L naturally then popularly called ’the cut and slash" style, that if one of his ad-to be gained by the adoption of this method of treatment, I naturally miring students should have thus been bold enough to recall the fact, insought for the cause, and then the prevention, of the sloughing. In this early season of Professor Lister’s career in London, he begs it mayrecent cases I noticed that the elongation obtained during suspension be attributed in no way to any desire to rob that gentleman of any of thediminished as much as a quarter of an inch in less than a couple of laurels he may bring from Edinburgh, and fairly wear in London, buthours. From this I deduced that the diseased spinous processes, or simply that it may be seen in this instance that all that is true is not of £more truly the bodies, yielded in proportion to the rest of the spine. I necessity quite new. I am, Sir, yours truly,also observed in the application of the plaster bandages, as each layer Penywern-road, S.W., Jan. 8th, 1878. DAVID JOHNSON, M.D.followed accurately the outline of the body, that, instead of making auniform egg-shaped casing, the posterior half of the oval became angular, ERGOT IN MIDWIFERY PRACTICE.the angle corresponding to the abnormal projection of the spine. If then

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the spine yield ever so little, a proportional increase of pressure occurs To the .Editor of THE LANCET.at that point, Producing’ sloughing. To obviate this, I place a thick siR,-In reply to " Deccan," if he will try the ammoniated solution ofwedge-shaped pad (the thick end towards the spine the thin end extend- ergot made by Messrs. J. Richardson and Co., of Leicester, he willing to about the angles of the ribs) on either side of the vertebral column, secure a most trustworthy and stable preparation. It is the only form ofso that the plaster jacket assumes the oval shape. After the plaster is the drug I have used for some years, and I have every confidence in it.set, and not before, I remove the pads, the result of which is that the

Jan. 12 th, 1878. Yours obediently,

pressure over the diseased vertebræ is aall. The last case in which I Sheffield Jan. 12th, 1878. THOS. WILTSHIRE.adopted this method was that of a weakly, ill-developed child, aged

--- , ;

seven years. Her mother stated that her back was well till three monthsago, when she fell down. Her condition previous to the application of VILLOUS TUMOUR IN THE MALE BLADDER.the splint was pitiable. She could not walk, she could not even sit up To the FAVn.- of THE LANCET.without the help of pillows. Her height was 3 ft. 3 in. Immediatelyafter the application of the splint her height was 3 ft. 4a in. Two hours SIR,—The Medical Digest, recently issued by the New Sydenhamafterwards her height was 3 ft. 4k in., which it is now, and she can run Society (section 1070, 5 and 6) will perhaps aid " R,. H. T." in his search.about without pain. I may add that the jacket should reach, in my A case of operation for villous tumour in the male bladder is there notedopinion, as low as the pubes in front, an inch below the anterior superior by Prof. Kocker, where the operation was followed by cure. The case isspinous processes of the ilia laterally, and as low down as the sacrum reported in the British and Foreign Medico-Chirurgical Review, July,posteriorly. I am, Sir, yours &c., 1876, p. 218. Yours &c.,Wimpole-street, Jan. 1878. G. K. S. BIGG, M.R.C.S. Eng., &c. Jan. 12th, 1878. THE AUTHOR.

114

ADULTERATION OF BEER.PROF. GALLOWAY, of the Royal College of Science for Ireland, hasrecently drawn attention to the use by brewers of picric acid as a sub-stitute for hops. He states that about two years ago his notice wasdirected to an advertisement, which appeared in one of the journalsdevoted to the brewing trade, of a bitter in place of hops. Some

difficulty was experienced in obtaining a sample, as the vendors werecareful to whom they supplied it. On examination it was found toconsist of picric acid, with a little colouring matter.

Dr. Gav.;ntlas will find the matter fully discussed in an article whichappears in our present issue.

M I X E D N A R C 0 S I S."

To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,—As some of your correspondents evidently regard the subject of"mixed narcosis" as a new idea, allow me to refer them to Garrod’sMateria Medica, fourth edition (1874), page 166, where the followingparagraph occurs in the article on Chloroform :-" It has been foundadvisable to inject a preliminary dose of morphia under the skin of suchpersons as are liable to suffer from violent excitement during the firststage of anesthesia; the full effect of the chloroform is thus morespeedily and tranquilly induced, the state of unconsciousness is moreprofound and lasting, and a much smaller quantity of the anaesthetic isfound to suffice."

’

Yours obediently,Devonport, Jan. 14th, 1878. E. H. M.

COMMUNICATIONS not noticed in the current number shall receive atten-tion in our issue of the ensuing week.

LETTERS, &c., have been received from-Mr. Erichsen,London; Sir H. Thompson, London; Professor Attfield, London;Dr. R. Farquharson, London ; Dr. Murphy, Sunderland; Dr. Ogston,Aberdeen; Mr. Porteous, Pathhead ; Mr. Beale, Shepherd’s-bush;Mr. Walters, Farringdon ; Dr. 0. Will, Aberdeen ; Mr. Magnus, Lon-don ; Dr. Gribbon, Fyzabad; Mr. Bell, Edinburgh; Mr. Rowbotham,London; Mr. DeWatteville, London; Mr. Kolk, London; Mr. Blackett,London; Mr. Bower, London ; Mr. Wallroth, London; Mr. Mayor,Clifton ; Mr. Willshire, Sheffield ; Mr. Parker, Liverpool; Mr. Kane,Larne ; Mr. Dobbin, Banbridge; Dr. Bailey, Aston-on-Clun; Mr. Jones,Tow Pandy; Dr. Coombs, Castle Cary ; Dr. Hitchcock, Greenwich;Mr. Angla, Valencia ; Mr. Godrich, West Brompton; Mr. J. E. Squire,London; Mr. Whale, Windsor ; Mr. Griffith, Topsham ; Mr. Trenery ;Mr. Thornton, London ; Dr. Pearse, Pontypool ; Dr.,Harding, Whit-tlesea ; Mr. Wing, Bury St. Edmunds; Dr. Dixon, Empingham;Dr. Symes, Halifax; Mr. Harriot, London ; Mr. Anderson, Notting-ham ; Dr. Philbrick, Hove; Mr. Waylen, Fulham; Mr. Crombie,Aberdeen ; Mr. Daly, Chumleigh ; Dr. Neale, St. John’s-wood;Dr. Deane, Nairne, South Australia; Dr. Iliff, Newington; Mr. Grant,Birmingham ; Messrs. Leslie and Co. ; Dr. O’Neill, Lincoln ; Mr. Rice,Plumstead; Dr. Bramwell, Newcastle; Messrs. Grimwade and Co. ;Mr. Hett, Bayswater ; Dr. Johnstone, Ilkley ; Mr. Mackenzie, Mid-dlesborough ; Mr. Cornish, Manchester; Dr. Hay, Bridport ; Dr. Diver,Kenley; Mr. Richards ; Mr. Hookham, Birmingham ; Mr. Prideaux ;Messrs. Gostling and Co., Diss ; Mr. Ingpen, Putney; Dr. Jackson;Mr. Hubbert, Arundel; Dr. Tatham, Salford ; Mr. Humphreys, Mont-gomery ; Mr. Rivington; Dr. Fletcher, Earlsham ; Mr. Gardiner;Mr. Gilman; Mr. Taylor ; Mr. Daniel ; llr. Collyer ; Dr. Simms, Devon-port ; Dr. Smith, Clifton ; Dr. Illingworth, Peterborough Mr. Walker,Spondon ; Mr. Buckell, Ledbury ; The Registrar-General of Edin-burgh ; Royal Institution ; Inquirens ; Vectis ; An Old Subscriber ;No Deception ; E. H. M., Devonport; Epsilon ; Confidential; D. T. ;A Resident; C. E. F., Guernsey ; Veritas ; H. D. A. ; Beta; E. L. ;The Registrar-General of Births and Deaths ; A. B. C. ; Ham ; &c.

LETTERS, each with ettctosure, are aiso acknowledged from - Dr. Loive,King’s Lynn; Mr. Thomas, Dalton-in-Furness; Mr. Wenlock, Bucking-ham ; Mr. Norman, Winkleigh ; Mr. Beck, Leamington; Mrs. Gibbon,Halifax; Mr. Joll, London; Rlr. Chinery, Lymington; Mr. Henry,Highfield; Mr. Wilson, Pensford; Mr. Archer, Cavedon ; Dr. Cane,Peterborough; Mr. Chapman, Canterbury ; Mr. Cooke, Sacriston;Mr. Blake, Dalton-in-Furness; Dr. Munroe, Hull ; Mr. Wheeler,Manchester ; Dr. Fox, Broughton; Messrs. Smith and Son, Birming-Tiam ; Dr. Munro, Kinross ; Mr. Thwaite, Bishop-Auckland ; Mr. Ball,Cambridge ; Mrs. E. Cash, Nortfleet; Measrs. White and Pike, Bir-mingham ; Mr. Curme, C’hilde-Okeford; Dr. Grove, St. Ives; Dr. Veale,Harrogate; Mr. Bowler, Harrogate ; Dr. Wallace, Glasgow ; Mr.

Dearden, Douglas ; Mr. Adkins, Yealmpton ;.Messrs. Oliver and Boyd ;Mr. Campbell, Loch Carron ; lir. White ; Mr. Rawlins ; Mr. Garret;Mr. Frazer, Ventnor; Mr. Attwater, Whickham; Mr. Broad ; Mr. Terry,Selston; Messrs. Garman Brothers, Bow; Ilr. G. Lawson : Fortior;P. ; X. Y., Plymenth ; Alpha, Manchester; J. S., Sheffield ; C. J. M. ; ;Medicus, Oxford ; W. H. ; J. R. ; Medicus, Nesvcastle ; Alpha ; Zeta ;S. C. S. ; Medicus, Yarmouth M.R.C.S., Hailsham; M.D., Tun-bridge Wells ; Medicus, Durham.

Derbyshire Courier, Southampton Times, Madras Mail, Eastern Post,Accrington Tirn.es, Church of England Temperance Chronicle, White-haven News, Aitburn Times, Liverpool Mercury, British Architect,Blyth Weekly News, North British Daily illail, Glayoxc Ilerald,Guy’s Hospttal Gazette, fluraaet, Financial Opinion, &c., have beenreceived.

Medical Diary for the ensuing Week.Monday, Jan. 21.

ROYAL LONDON OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL, MOORFIELDS. — Operations10- A.M. each day, and at the same hour.

ROYAL WESTMINSTER OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1½ P.M. eachday, and at the same hour.

ST. MARK’S HOSPITAL.—Operations, 9 A.M. and 2 P.M.METROPOLITAN FREE HOSPITAL.—Operations, 2 P.M.ROYAL ORTHOpiEDlC HOSPITAL.—Operations, 2 P.M.LONDON HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1½ P.M. ; on Wednesday, 2 P.M.; on

Thursday, H P.M. ; and on Saturday, 2 P.M.MEDICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. - 8½ P.M. Lettsomian Lectures: Mr.

Francis Mason, " On the Surgery of the Face."

Tuesday, Jan. 22.GuY’s HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1½ P.M., and on Friday at the same hour.WESTMINSTER HOSPITAL.—Operations, 2 P.M.NATIONAL ORTHOPEDIC HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.M.WEST LONDON HOSPITAL.—Operations, 3 P.M.ROYAL INSTITUTION. - 3 P.M. Professor Garrod, "On the Protoplasmic

Theory of Life, and its bearing on Physiology."ANTHROPOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.-8 P.M.ROYAL MEDICAL AND CHIRURGICAL SOCIETY. - 8½ P.M. Mr. C. Higgens,

"On a Case of Rodent Ulcer. - Dr. George Thin, "On the Pro-portion of Red Corpuscles in the Blood in some Skin Diseases."-Dr. John Harley: A second communication on "Simple AtrophicSclerema."

Wednesday, Jan. 23.MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1 P.M.ST. MARY’S HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1¼ 1’.111.ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S HOSPITAL. - Operations, 1½ P.M., and on Saturday

at the same hour.ST. THOMAS’S HOSPITAL. - Operations, 1½ P.M., and on Saturday at the

same hour.KING’S COLLEGE HOSPITAL. - Operations, 2 P.M., and on Saturday at

1½ P.M.GREAT NORTHERN HOSPITAL.—Operations. 2 P.M.UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL. - Operations, 2 P.M., and on Saturday

at the same hour.SAMARITAN FREE HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN. - Operations,

2½ P.M.HUNTERIAN SOCIETY.-7 P.M. Council.-8 P.M. Open Meeting.

Thursday, Jan. 24.ST. GEORGE’S HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1 P.M.ST. THOMAS’S HOSPITAL.—Ophthalmic Operations, 4 P.M.CHARING-CROSS HOSPITAL.—Operations, 2 P.M.CENTRAL LONDON OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL. - Operations, 2 P.M., and on

Friday at the same hour.ROYAL INSTITUTION. - 3 P.M. Professor Dewar, "On the Chemistry of

the Organic World."Friday, Jan. 25.

ST. GEORGE’S HOSPITAL.—Ophthalmic Operations, 1¼ P.M.ROYAL SOUTH LONDON OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL.—Operations, 2 P.M.ROYAL INSTITUTION.—8 P.M. Weekly Meeting.-9 P.M. Professor Huxley,

" On William Harvey."QUEKETT MICROSCOPICAL CLUB. — 8 P.M. Mr. T. Chartres White, "On

Insect Dissection."CLINICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. - 8 P.M. Mr. Pearce Gould, "On a

Case of Spina Bifida cured by Injection of Iodine" (a living subject).Mr. Berkeley Hill, " On Cases of Spinal Curvature treated by Sayre’sPlaster Jacket" (living subjects).—Mr. Nunn, "On two Cases ofCancer of the Breast."-Dr. Broadbent, " On a Case of ParacentesisThoracis."

Saturday, Jan. 26.ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL.—Operations, 2 P.M.ROYAL INSTITUTION.-3 P.M. Mr. R. Bosworth Smith, "On Carthage

and the Carthaginians."

NOTICE.In consequence of THE LANCET being frequently detained by the Post

Office when posted for places abroad more than eight days after publica-tion, subscribers and others are reminded that such copies can be for-warded only as book packets, and prepaid as such.