285

NsAL, J., M.D., M.R.C.S.E., L.S.A.L., has been appointed Medical Officer ofHealth for the Sandown Urban Sanitary District: 50 per annum;acreage 514; population 2350.

NELSON, E. F., M.D., L.R.C.S.I., has been appointed Medical Officer to theWorkhouse of the Downpatrick Union, vice White, deceased.

NEWCOMBE, C. F., M.B., C.M., has been appointed Clinical Assistant at theWest Riding Lunatic Asylum, Wakefield, vice Wright.

0’Haxzox, J., L.K.Q.C.P.L, L.R.C.S.L, has been appomted Medical Officerfor the Tudhoe District of the Durham Union.

PATERSON, R. H., L.R.C.P.Ed., M.R.C.S.E., has been appointed MedicalOfficer and Public Vaccinator for the newly formed Scunthorpe Districtof the Glanford Brigg Union.

ROCHE, F. E., M.D., has been appointed Medical Officer for District No. 3of the Chelmsford Union.

SAVAGE, G. H., M.D., L.R.C.P.L., has been appointed Lecturer on MentalDiseases at Guy’s Hospital Medical College, vice Dickson, deceased.

SMITH, G., M.B., M.R.C.S.E., has been appointed a Physician to the St.Marylebone General Dispensary, Welbeck-street.

SMITH, J. P. M., M.R.C.S.E., has been appointed Hon. Consulting Surgeonto the Brighton and Hove Provident Dispensary.

STEPHENS, A. E. R., M.R.C.S.E., has been appointed Junior House-Surgeonto the Cheltenham General Hospital and Dispensary.

STODDART, W. W., F.C.S., has been appointed Public Analyst for Bristol:JE100 per annum, and laboratory expenses not exceeding jE50 perannum.

TAYLOR, W., L.K.Q.C.P.L, L.R.C.S.I., has been appointed Medical Officer,Public Vaccinator, and Registrar of Births &c., for the DownpatrickDispensary District of the Downpatrick Union, vice White, deceased.

THORNTON, W. P., M.1t.C.S.E., has been appointed a Surgeon to the St.Marylebone General Dispensary.

VixE, G. J., M.D., F.R.C.S.E, has been appointed Medical Officer to theInland Revenue, vice G. Beaman, M.D., F.R.C.S.E., deceased.

WABRILLOW, L., M.R.C.S.E., has been appointed Medical Officer and PublicVaccinator for the Headcorn District of the Hollingbourn Union, Kent,vice Browne, resigned.

WILKINSON, T. M., L.R.C.P.Ed., L.R.C.S.Ed., L.S.A.L., has been appointedMedical Officer and Public Vaccinator for Districts Nos. 2 and 11 of theLincoln Union.

YuLE, J. S. C., M.R.C.S.E., has been appointed Medical Officer to the Police,Bury, Lancashire, vice Harris, deceased.

[ERRATUM.-By a clerical error in our last number, the name of Mr. Hayman,of Sandown, was given as Medical Officer of Health for that place in-stead of St. Helens: Dr. Neal is Officer of Health for Sandown.]

Births, Marriages, and Deaths.BIRTHS.

BAILEY.-On the 15th inat., at Godstone, the wife of T. Bailey, M.R.C.S.E.,of a son.

GILES.-On the loth inst., at Caxton, the wife of John Giles, L,R.C.P.Ed.,of a son.

HARRIES.-OU the 6th inst., at Belmont, Shrewsbury, the wife of J. D.Harries, M.R.C.S.E., of a daughter.

KEITH.-On the 10th ult., at Matara, Ceylon, the wife of W. Gregory Keith,M.B., &c., Assistant Colonial Surgeon, Ceylon Medical Service, of adaughter.

McNAUGHTAN.-On the 14th inst., at Bolton-le-Moors, the wife of Dr.MoNaughtan, of a son.

RlCE.-On the 9th inst., at Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, the wife of Wm. RiceL.R.C.P.Ed., of a daughter.

RICHARDSON.-On the 9th inst., at Long Melford, Suffolk, the wife of JohnRichardson, M.D., of a daughter.

MARRIAGES.STEVENS-COWDELL.-On the 17th inst., at St. Marylebone Church, George

Stevens, F.F.P. & S. Glas., of Norton, Bury St. Edmunds, to HarriettEarl, daughter of Wm. Cowdell, jun., Esq.

WRIGHT-SHARPE.-On the 17th inst., at Christ Church, St. Pancras, T. P.Wright, M.R.C.S.E., to Georgiana M. Sharpe, daughter of the Rev.R. M. Sharpe. ____

DEATHS.ATKIN.-On the 12th of Dec., E. K. Atkin, L.R.C.S.I., of Rhode, King’s

County, aged 46.CLARKE.-On the 22nd ult., Richard Clarke, M.R.C.S.E., of Newcastle-on-

Tyne, aged 56.Da LA MOTTE.-On the 13th inst., H. D. C. De la Motte, Surgeon, of Swanage,

aged 77.HOOPER.-On the 8th inst., George Hooper, L.R.C.P.Ed., of Breck-road, i

Liverpool. ILONG.-On the 7th inst., E. Long, M.R.C.S.E., of Thornbury, aged 40. ,

MACDONALD.-On the 4th ult., at the Public Hospital, Kingston, Jamaica, J. C. Macdonald, M.R.C.S.E. I

M’GEE.-On the 10th inst., at Plymouth, Dr. M’Gee, J.P., late Royal Navy, ’of College-square, Belfast, aged 81.

MORGAN.-On the 5th inst., Major Butler Morgan, M.R.C.S.E., of Lichfield,aged 71.

PETTIGREW.—On the 13th inst., Wm. Vesalius Pettigrew, M.D., of UpperNorwood, aged 58.

BOOKS ETC. RECEIVED.

Dr. Paterson: Memorials of Professor Syme.Dr. Maudsley Responsibility in Mental Disease.Mr. Dickson: Medicine in Relation to Mind.Proceedings of the Dublin Obstetrical Society.A Plea for the entire Suppression of Patronage.Nouvelles Etudes sur le Choléra Asiatique.The Dublin Journal of Medical Science.

M E T E O R O L O G I C A L READINCS

(Taken by Steward’s Instruments).(Taken by Steward’s Instruments).THE LANCET OFFICE, FEB. 19T]I, 1874,

Notes, Short Comments, and Answers to

Correspondents.ROME.

A DOSE of telluric poison, according to Mr. Joseph Groves, B.A., M.B. Lond.,contracted while watching the excavations at Hadrian’s Villa on a hotspring day after rain, may lay up one with severe Roman fever in Florence;and cases of typhoid, which undoubtedly commenced in Rome, have beenmet with as far north as Bellagio on Lake Como. Yet, supposing it weretrue, as the landlords at Naples, Florence, or Venice pretend, when onetries to trace the origin of fevers in their hotels, that all diseases amongstforeign visitors which prove fatal in Italy originate in Rome, the death-rate would still fail to correspond with accepted notions of the insalubrityof the city, as evidenced by the chronic terror of visitors, or with theamount of sickness which actually prevails. Dr. Pantaleoni’s statisticsshow that last season there were but 20 deaths for 17,000 foreign visitors,of which 7 are described as from typhus, 5 from typhoid-probably all12 from enteric fever,-and 1 from pernicious fever, the name given toa severe form of intermittent. 3 of the typhoid cases, Dr. Pantaleonicontends, were imported, while only 9 of the 20 died from disease con-tracted on the spot. Thus the death-rate amongst foreigners was only a littleover 1 per 1000. This, however, must not be taken as absolutely correct;for some who were very ill in Rome died in other towns, and those whogo south return to Rome again before Easter, while others move to andfro between Rome and Florence and various cities. But, with everyallowance for these sources of error, the Roman death-rate is still re-

markably low. Typhoid poison, no doubt, exists in Rome, as in Londonand many English towns; and at the close of spring, under favouringconditions of temperature and moisture, malaria may be developed incertain localities. But the fact remains that, in spite of the lowered re-sisting power against these poisons on the part of visitors, debilitated asthey are by fatigue, exposure to sudden alternations of temperature, andby strange and innutritious food, fewer of them died than probably wouldhave died had they remained at home. In fact, whatever Rome mayhave been under Pontifical rule, it will now compare well with mostcontinental cities. Its water-supply, very inferior no doubt to that ofthe CiBsarean period, is still magnificent, the three great aqueducts,Vergine, Felice, and Trajana, alone supplying 3000 gallons of the purestwater per head of the population daily. The drainage in the lowerquarters of the city is defective; but the completion of the proposedembankment of the Tiber will work the required remedy. Between theViminal and Esquiline, near the Termini station, the drainage is perfect;while the hotels, such as Costanzi and Italie, are well supplied with eon-veniences, and, but for the high prices and bad dinners, would leave littleto be desired. According to Mr. Parker, of Oxford, the temperature,pretty equable out of doors, is almost constant at 60° F. in the dwelling-houses, owing to the thickness of the walls, from October to May. The

tramontana seldom blows longer than three days, and is much less irri-tating than our own E. or N.E. winds. The sciroeco from the S.W. makesits enervating influence felt only in summer and autumn. From all thisit would seem to follow that visitors have to blame themselves and their

perverse habits rather than the hygienic condition of the city or thetelluric poison of the Campagna for the malaise of which they oftencomplain.

DR. STURGES’ CASE OF HYDRO-PNEUMOTHORAX.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-Will Dr. Sturges kindly explain why in this case (THE LANCET,Feb. 7th, page 196) the fluid did not escape into the stomach by the samechannel by which the air entered, more particularly as the air again disap-peared. Yours obediently,

Bristol, Feb. llth, 1874. H. E. H.

PYÆMIA. IN PRIVATE PRACTICE.A CORRESPONDENT, who desires to express the interest he felt in Dr. Palfrey’scommunication of last week on this subject, asks whether that gentlemanwould kindly consent to add a brief history of the instruments used inhis operation, of the nurse who attended the patient, and of any assistantwho may have been present, in relation to recent use of instruments orattendance in wards where pyaemia may have been present.

Dr. Kitchener.-The matter shall be inquired into.

286

Ineruditus, (Dover.)-Probably G. B. Morgagni, who studied under Valsalva last." On Feb. 4th the unfortunate woman was seized with hydrophobia,at the Bologna school about the commencement of the eighteenth century and died on the 7th. Many similar cases will be found recorded in Dr.

and afterwards became Professor of Medicine at Padua. t year or two Gillman’s work on Hydrophobia. BJainc, who made a special study of theand afterwards became Professor of Medicine at Padua. A year or two diseases of the dog, and whose experience was very great, says that twenty-later he was inducted into the newly founded Chair of Anatomy at the five years’ attentive observation did not afford an instance in which any-same celebrated school, a post which he continued to hold until his thing like a dread of water was manifested, or in which a spasm followeddeath in 1771. attempts to swallow it. Youat’s experience, as well as that of the dis-.’..., tinguished continenta,lveterinarians-Hertwig, Roll, Bouley, Keynat, Sanson,

Hirudo, not having been called upon to give evidence, is not legally entitled Saint-Cyr, Leblanc,-and every other observer and writer entirely agreeto a fee; but his patient should give him half a guinea for his attend- with this. Mr. Carlisle, the eminent teacher of surgery, describes a case ofance. rabies in a dog which had been wounded by a reputed mad dog fourteen

"MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH FOR TAUNTON." days before. This animal had gnawed the wood of the stall in which it wag- ..,,,.,, ,._,,... , - .. of T confined, and on the third day, when Mr. Carlisle saw it, it was partiallyDr. Alford will find the appointment correctly given in our issue of J

confined, and on the third day, when Mr. Carlisle saw it, it was partiallyJan. paralysed "but knew its master and lapped water." It died next day. The

24th, p. 147. The name "Taunton" in the annotation in the following recent outbreak of rabies in the north has furnished abundant instances ofnumber, p. 177, should have been printed "Tiverton:’ this desire for, rather than dread of, water. Indeed so marked is this that

in my work I have insisted on the necessity for being " beware of a sick dog,H Y D R ...... A A N D R a a .. &.

even when it drinks with avidity; for an aversion to water does not exist atH Y D R 0 P H O B I A AND RABIES, S. any period of the disease :’

To the Editor of THE LANCET. The danger attending Mr. Berkeley’s notion is this : A dog is unwell, orSia,-The morbid pertinacity tvith which Mr. Berkeley has endeavoured

evinces a strange alteration in its usual manner or habits. Rabies is sus-SiR,-The morbid pertinacity with which Mr. Berkeley ha. endeavoured pected (and is actually present) ; the water test is tried, and a basin con-to maintain and propagate the most dangerous fallacies with regard to taining a quantity of that fluid is placed before it; the dog does not fly off" rabies" in the dog is well known to those who know anything of that in a fit of convulsions or show any dislike to it, but, on the contrary, willdreadful malady, and who have read his effusions during the last few years. lap it. No further notice is taken, as the animal cannot be mad. The con-

Without the slightest proof, and entirely destitute, according to his own the disease, that, with escapes from its desire to wander which characterises..’. ’ . the disease, the dog escapes from its home, attacks every creature in itaconfession, of any experience of the disease, he, nevertheless, has the temerity course, and particularly other dogs, and thus is the frightful contagion dis-to assert that "nine hundred dogs in a thousand go mad from internal seminated far and wide. Not only this, but many of these dogs are inocu-rritation, the effects of the common distemper," and that "those mad dogs lated by it without the wounds being observed, and they in their turn be.will lap water greedily, but the hydrophobic dog will not :’ He has also come propagating agents of rabies. ,,elsewhere said that the latter will be seized with convulsions at the sight Popular errors with regard to disease are due to ignorance, and areof water. These statements he has made in your own journal and in daily always more or less dangerous; but they are rendered much more so whenand sporting newspapers, and in the face of overwhelming evidence adduced people whose position in society entitles them to be ranked with the intel-to show that they are utterly unfounded. Under ordinary circumstances, ligent lend them their countenance and support, as in this instance. Of

when no harm could result from the dissemination of false notions, one course I do not seek to convince Mr. Berkeley of his mistakes. Judging from

might afford to smile at such dogged obstinacy in resisting the truth and what his resulted from the correspondence on this disease in the columnsperversely shutting the eyes to facts in order not to be undeceived with regard of The Times, Land and Water, The hield and other papers, no number ofto fantastic crotchets; but when such crotchets are calculated to mislead facts, not even if they included the deaths due to a belief in his crotchet,people, and to expose them to a most dreadful and, it must be said, nearly

would alter his opinion. I write because I deem it the duty of everyone to

always fatal disease, such conduct deserves the promptest and severest con- suppress error and to teach the truth with regard to disease, and moredemnation. He has attempted to prop up his notions about rabies by avail- especially when that disease is rabies. For every death that occurs throughing himself of the remarks you made with regard to the Huddersfield dog. his teaching, Mr. Berkeley should be held moraHy responsible, as he hasI think Mr. Hunting is quite justified in the opinion he has given in to-day’s dogmatically persisted m disseminating false ideas in the face of everyLANCET with respect to that case, and there cannot be the least doubt that evidence.

scarcely necessary to inform those of your readers who have anythe condition of that dog must give rise to the greatest apprehension. We It is scarcely necessary to inform those of your readers who have anydo not know enough of the case to pronounce greatest apprehension. We experience in canine pathology that Mr. Berkeley holds the same erroneousof rabies, and nothing is said as to the morbid appearances of those organs

notions with regard to the value of vaccination as a preservative from dis-which in the majority of cases of rabies exhibit alterations more or less dis- temper. An eczematous or slight pustular eruption now and again appearstinctive. What we do know is, that enteritis will not cause a dog to run

in the course of that catarrhal affection, which in the old-fashioned daysabout biting people, and that rabid dogs have been known to swallow the was imagined to be variolous in its nature. Consequently, when vaccina-most indigestible and injurious substances-coals, wood, shreds of carpet, tion was introduced with such success as a preservative of the humancoins, nails, glass, &c. ; and we are also painfully aware that rabies has species from small-poa, it was tried for distemper in the dog. But the ideabeen prevailing in an almost epizootic form in the north of England for of its possessing the slightest value in this respect has been long banished,three years, causing the loss of many lives. Huddersfield has not been and the practice is now discontinued by intelligent people ; indeed it wouldexempted from the visitation. To tell people that they are not to adopt

be just as reasonable, and would be attended with as much success, were

precautionary measures when bitten by a dog whose condition is suspicious us we to vaccinate people to preserve them from catarrh, bronchitis, and

is to assume an amount of responsibility which nothing but the grossest Pneumonia. This crotchet, however, does almost as little harm as it doesignorance could justify, and I feel sure no medical man under such circum- good. for the i t of this communication which is - ’ ’ -.

stances would lose a moment in resorting to those means which afford the Apologising for the length of this communication, which is only war-

only hope of safety. ose means hich afford

ranted by the importance of the subject, and my nsiety that THE LANCETMr. Berkeley’s assertion that the majority of dogs go mad from internal

should not be made instrumental in spreading such false and absurd

irritation, the effects of the common distemper,’ has not the shadow of a notions with regard to an appalling disease which I have carefully observedfact to support it. Every day’s experience points out its utter absurdity; and studied, I remain your obedient servant,for the so-called distemper is a very common disease all over the world, j..

GEOgGn FLEMING,very few young dogs escaping it; but rabies is rare, and affects old as well , ,,,,, Veterinary Surgeon, Royal Engineers.as young dogs. Distemper, besides, is a very general and fatal malady in Brompton Barracks, Chatham, Feb. 14th, 1874.

South and West Africa, and is well known in Australia, New Zealand, To the Edfitor of THE LANCET.Greenland, Kamschatka, Labrador, and Northern Siberia, and yet rabies To the Editor of THE LANCET.has never been seen in these countries. And what about foxes, wolves, SIR,-I trust that the case of madness arising in a dog from the presencehyænas, badgers, and cats, in which rabies also appears ? There is not the of a foreign body, causing gastric irritation, will assist the profession gene-slightest relationship between distemper and rabies.Mr. Berkeley’s assertion with regard to ahd existence of "hydrophobia" in rally to come to some more definite conclusions respecting hydrophobia. I

the dog is equally destitute of truth. Hydrophobia is unknown in the lower have for some time past given this subject my closest attention, and notanimals, and the description of the rabid dog being thrown into convulsions very long ago I felt it my duty to give publicity to my ideas upon it, as theyat the sight of water is sheer nonsense, written by persons who have had were based upon deductions drawn not only from my own minute investiga-no acquaintance with the disease, and have not cared to inform themselves tions and large experience, but from information furnished to me by nume-of the experience of others. No fact is better established with regard to rous other large and trustworthy observers.rabies than that the rabid dog which has inoculated successfully with its I recognise in Air. Hunting the gentleman who once " crossed swords"teeth people, horses, cattle, sheep, and its own species, will approach water, with me on the subject in land and Water; and as I still consider hisswim streams, lap it as long as deglutition is possible, and when no longer opinions erroneous, and that he cannot prove them to be perfectly correct,able to swallow, will thrust its face into the vessel containing water. This I hasten once again to meet him on the same ground, although I hadI can certify from my own experience; but everyone who has had anything hoped ere this to have had the pleasure of knowing that it was satisfactorilyto do with the malady will be ready to assert the same. decided what dog-madness is and does.The terrible disasters that have arisen from the prevalence of the notion I hold, with Mr. Berkeley (who was for forty years his own " head kennel-

which Mr. Berkeley has now monopolised are without number, and the man" and huntsman), and who during that time had thousands of dogsfacts which prove that rabid dogs will drink, and do not evince the least through his hands, and so ought to know), that there are two forms ofdread of water, abound in medical and veterinary literature. In my work on madness in dogs-one hydrophobia pure and simple, and the other produced" Rabies and Hydrophobia" I have given a considerable number of these in- by distemper; the former a deadly madness, communicable to man, cha-stances, and have pointed out the fallacy of applying such a misleading and racterised, as its name denotes, by "a fear of water" ; the latter not neces-erroneous designation as "hydrophobia" to the disease in animals. The best sarily deadly, but perfectly non-communicable to man, and characterised bymedical authorities who have made a study of the disease have recognised an eager desire for water.the absence of this symptom in the dog-a symptom, by the way, which is The subject being still an open one, it would be advisable for all dognot always present in man, and is not altogether special to the malady in bites to be cauterised or excised (as Mr. Hunting says) until it is decided;him. One of the most striking cases of hydrophobia that occurred in the although my convictions are so strong on the matter that I would not bepractice of the celebrated John Hunter was that of the boy Rowley, who unwilling to be inoculated with the saliva of a dog mad with distemper,perished from the bite of a dog, which, when it inflicted the wound, and for and distemper madness is the most violent form of madness (as far as ex-some days afterwards, "ate and drank with voracity." In the Edinburgh ternal manifestations of madness go) a dog can have. The Macclesfield dogMedical and Surgical Journal for 1808 will be found another instance, in case of itself goes to prove the veracity of my opinion, inasmuch as no onewhich a man died who had been bitten by a dog "that ate and drank who was bitten died, and the madness, although not distemper madness,heartily, showed no signs of indisposition, hunted as usual," until it began was equivalent to it, inasmuch as the symptoms were like it, and it aroseto snap at dogs, and was destroyed. M. Pierquin, in "De la Folie des from gastric irritation. The nomenclature of this class of diseases is mostAnimaux," published a few years ago, relates the case of a lady who owned unfortunate. Would it not be advisable to make "rabies" a generic terma greyhound, which was in the habit of sleeping on her bed. One morning synonymous with madneas; and call insanity (in any animal) accompaniedshe discovered that it had torn and gnawed the coverlet, and the same day by a dread of water, "hydrophobia"; and that form of madness producedit was observed to drink a larger quantity o,f water than usual, though it ate by distempcr, " distemper madness" ?little. The next day (Dec. 26th) it bit her finger. On the following day it I am, Sir, yours faithfully,died, " and it had never ceased to drink very copiously of water until the Poole, Feb. 14th, 1874. ED. P. PlLPOTS, M,D.

287

BERLIN. INDIAN DIBPENSA.RIES.

FROM time to time we have touched upon the capital of the German Empire, THE Government of India has, through the establishment of dispensaries,its insanitary condition, its defective accommodation, its prohibitory brought medical assistance within reach of the masses; but social pre-prices, and the consequent diminution in the number of students attend- judice has shut out the l’urdanusheen women from the boon. Unable to

ing its great seat of learning. We are glad to find, on eminently trust- attend these dispensaries, or to expose themselves to the gaze of theworthy authority, that an effort is being put forth to remedy this de- physician, these poor women endure much needless pain and misery forplorable state of things. Berlin, says The Times correspondent, is once lack of skilled nurses or midwives of their own sex. The Government hasmore to become a habitable place. The Great Metropolitan Railway, laid tiied, though with small success, to provide trained midwives at some ofout long ago, but hitherto unrealised because of its anticipated unpro- the larger stations; but five or six rupees a month have, as was to befitableiiess, has, owing to the intervention of the Government, been expected, proved too small an inducement even for the women of India.effectively subsidised, and will soon traverse the whole city from east to Another reason for its failure is that little or no practical instructionwest, connecting itself with other lines leading to all the little towns could be given to students in the mofussil, where women refuse to beand villages in the environs. The benefit thus conferred on the Berliners confined in public dispensaries. Attempts are, accordingly, being mademay be estimated from the fact that, rent for the middle and poorer by benevolent natives to establish schools for the training of midwivesclasses being twice as dear as in London, and land in their immediate and nurses. At Bareilly, in the N.W. Provinces, Baboo Gunga Pershad,vicinity commanding a mythical price, the only remedy for the ever- aided by the local Government and Sir William Muir, has succeeded inincreasing evil lies in rendering the whole neighbourhood easily acces- establishing, on a small scale, an institution of the kind. Finding that,sible to people having business in the town while content to live out of owing to their early marriages, Hindoo and Mahometan girls remainedit. The new suburbs about to spring up will not only provide healthy too short a time to be of use, and that widows were too old to learn, thehabitations at moderate prices, but by emptying the city of its surplus Baboo has sought for his students among the Christian community. Thepopulation, now packed like sardines in a box, will mend matters greatly Pioneer of India urges the Government to come to the assistance of thein Berlin itself. Add to this that intercommunication in the town, Baboo in his gallant and almost single-handed attempt to provide thehitherto a most wearisome process, will at last become what it ought to poor women with something like skilled medical aid, and do away with abe in a place of a million inhabitants. But a couple of years must elapse cause of no little native disaffection. ,

before the line is completed. Underground railways are impossible where Outis.-Yes; the heat in New South Wales was excessive two months ago.water abounds at ten feet under the surface, and a most difficult structure A correspondent dating from Sydney, December 30th, says that cases ofwill have to be raised high in the air. A considerable part of the line, sunstroke have been common all over the country.however, will be comparatively easy, running along one of the many Medico would find the process required very difficult of execution in abranches of the river Spree, which will probably be filled in and con- private house. Would it not be better to forward the specimens to someverted into a street. Quod felix faustumque sit ! one who undertakes such work P

Zf.B.C.N., (Sheffield.)-Heath’s and Gray’s Anatomy, Kirkes’s Physiology, Vectis.-1. Such appointments are advertised.-2. We believe it would beHuxley’s Outlines, or Milne Edwards. looked on as a favourable consideration.

Dr. Fletcher Little’s letter shall receive attention. Mr. Briebach must consult a surgeon.

PYÆMIA. IN PRIVATE PRACTICE. THE letter of Mr. Law (Chorlton) shall shortly be published.

P Y Æ M I A IN PRIVATE PRACTICE.

To the Editor of THE LANCET. "A P L U C K Y MEDICAL O F F I C E R."

SIR,-You make a request in your issue of Feb. 7th for cases of pyaemia To the Editor of THE LA.NCET.occurring in private practice, the result of injury, disease, or operation; SIR,-A paragraph has appeared in the Evening Standard of the 7th inst.,and as a most interesting case has occurred to me during the past year, I quoted from your journal, denying that my brother, Colonel Festing, of thewill give you the particulars as well as my memory will permit me, as un- Royal Marine Artillery, had anything to do with rescuing the body offortunately I did not take notes of the case. Lieutenant Wilmot on the 3rd of November last at the fight at Dunquah.C. R-, aged ten, after a drive on Friday, June 2nd, 1873, complained of Far be it from me to appear even to detract from the hard-earned honoursehilliness and lassitude. The following day he kept his bed, and on the of Surgeon-Major Gore, and I need not say such is neither my intention norSunday I saw him. His evening temperature was high, his pulse 100 his desire; but I am quite at a loss to reconcile your statement with the fol-tongue coated, his skin hot and dry, and his right knee-joint much swollen lowing from my brother’s (Colonel Festing’s) letter, dated Camp at Dunquah,I discovered that he had had one distinct rigor before I saw him. For Nov. 14th, 1873, which says : "We are still trying to urge and press thethree days I was unable to diagnose the case; for, although the tongue was Ashantees out of the Protectorate; but we are not to employ English officersscarcely that of typhoid, there were not the perspirations and acid urine to more than we can help. On the 3rd November, when we attacked them, webe expected in a case of acute rheumatism. I requested and obtained the had five out of eight officers wounded, and one killed-Wilmot, poor fellow.advice of a very distinguished physician, who is well known for his special He was struck by a little slug straight in the heart. I carried him out ofskill in the treatment of children. He, too, was fairly puzzled at first. action (he dying in my arms), for the fire was very hot, and the people byHowever, the morning following his arrival we were enabled to put aside left him lying, and when about this I got my wound." And, again, inthe idea of typhoid in some measure, although in the neighbourhood some another letter, dated Dunquah Camp, 7th January, 1874, he says: "Asvery severe cases of typh-poisoning had occurred, very far from a typical regards your remark that the General made no mention of the rescuing ofcharacter, and caused us to doubt. The pain was most agonising, and I re- poor Wilmot’s body in his despatches, it is strange certainly. At any ratemarked that the swelling of the joint was beyond even what the synovial he ordered an extract to be forwarded to me, from the War Office despatchesmembrane of the knee-joint could expand to. He was then placed under he had received, in which mention is made of my name in the matter. Ichloroform, and the limb thoroughly examined. Great enlargement of the certainly did find his body lying before or in death before anyone had ven-femur was observed, and indistinct deep fluctuation A consultation was tured to go to him, and lifted him up in my arms. Soon after this Lieut.held, and a surgeon of great eminence came to our aid. Two deep incisions Jones helped me. He gave his death gasp while I held him. I then took hiswere made, one to the outer and one to the inner side of the lower third of watch and chain out of his pocket, and kept it the remainder of the day."the thigh, without the appearance of pus. The incisions gave great relief, Now, Sir, I know my brother to be truthful, and devoid of anything likeand in a few days freely discharged. But previous to this the opposite knee exaggeration in all his thoughts, words, and actions. He is not here toand the right shoulder-joint had become affected. The left knee was soon defend himself. I, therefore, request you will help me-quoting from yourreduced, and the ankle-joint of each foot was next attacked with great paper-" in rendering honour to whom honour is due."swelling, redness, and indistinct fluctuation. During this time the urine °

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,was free from albumen, and but very slightly acid; specific gravity natural. February 15th 1874.

’ ’ H. B. FESTING.

The left ankle-joint and the tarsal joints generally were so affected that the F February 15th, 1874

ball of the great toe approximated the heel. The agony was indescribable, *** We have much pleasure in inserting this letter, as we should regretbut borne with wonderful fortitude. Evening temperature 103° to 106°; depriving Colonel Festing of any credit due to him. We gave the state-morning temperature two degrees less. The right ankle joint became better, ment on excellent authority; but as Surgeon-Major Gore has now arrived and the left knee again became swollen and painful. Fluctuating swellings ment on excellent authority; but as Surgeon-Major Gore has now arrivedoccurred on the right deltoid, and over the clavicle of the same side a hard in this country, he will be in a position to throw some light on thelump made its appearance. To add to the general distress, a large bed-sore matter.-ED. L.formed on the sacrum, two on the outer side of the right leg, and one on "A SEWING MACHIM ENGINE" "the left heel. Chloroform was administered at the dressings for many days

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j.. they are

until its ill-effects became so apparent that the poor child had to endure Messrs. Dennis and Co., of Holborn, request us to state that they are thethem without the aid of an anesthetic. Lister’s dressings were employed sole agents for this country of the machine referred to in our columns lastwith manifest advantage, and iron and quinine, with brandy mixture occa- week.sionally. The patient took so great a dislike to brandy that it required the g M.-Parkes’ Wilson; the Reports of the Local, Government Board;cinnamon water to disguise the taste. This, however, had to be discon-

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tinued, and, what is not the least remarkable incident of this painful but Chapman and Wanklyn.interesting case, he lived for nearly a month (as far as I can recollect) upon Mr. George Y. Heath’s (Newcastle-on-Tyne) important communication, re-quails and bitter beer. Three of the former and three pints of the beer were porting a case of blood-poisoning in private practice, arrived too late forconsumed daily. The disappearance of the swellings were as rapid as their insertion this week but it shall appear in our next number.appearance. No openings were artificially or otherwise made. The left ankle _rtion this week, but it shall appear m our next number.remained swollen for more than three months, and exquisitely tender to W.-We should advise our correspondent to address the author of thethe touch and upon the slightest movement. All the bed-sores healed up, system himself, as it may have undergone modifications.free mobility of the feet has been recovered, and now, six months or more Mr. Burroughs. (Bridgwater.)-The Preliminary or Arts eaamination doesfrom the outbreak of the disease, nothing remains but a thickened condition not comprise any medical subject. The book mentioned is rather out ofof the right knee- joint, with impaired movement, which, however, improvesweek by week. Since leaving the country for London he has been suffering date.from an attack of purpura, which, however, his good constitution has Dr. F. N. Otis (New York) is thanked for his communication, which shallthrown off. One of the usual symptoms of pymmia-profuse sweating-did receive early attention.not occur; nor is it usual in children I learn from one better qualified to Mr, Thompson.-The value of Liebig’s extract not as an alimentary sub-judge of cases of this disease in children than I am. Mr. Thompson.-The value of Liebig’s extract, not as an alimentary sub-

I am, Sir, your obedient servant, stance, but as a condiment, has been maintained by Pettenkofer in a letterKing’s Langley, Feb. 10th, 1874. CHARLES WOTTON, M.D. addressed a few months ago to Mr. Bennert, of Antwerp.

288

G. F. M.-By Gail Borden, the inventor of condensed milk, who died inColorado county, Texas, on the llth ult. In 1850 he invented meat-biscuit,which retained in a condensed form all the nutritive properties of thebeef. After this came his invention of condensed milk, of which articlehe established manufactories in the United States.

œMr. Whitehead, (Oxford.)-We do not answer such questions. Our corre-

spondent had better speak to his medical attendant.F. H.-Fowler’s Vocabulary, 7s. (Renshaw) ; Hoblyn’s Dictionary of Medical

Terms, 12s. 6d. (Whittaker & Co.) ; Dunglison’s Dictionary, 288. (Churchill) ;Mayne’s Expository Lexicon, 50s. (Churchill).

Mr. W. Andrews, (Braeston.)-Our correspondent is mistaken. The gentle-man named is not a homœopath.

HYPERTROPHIED NAILS.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-Apropos to Mr. Dickson’s case in your issue of Jan. 24th, I wouldmention that whilst travelling a few weeks since from London-bridge toPeckham-rye an eccentric-looking old gentleman entered the carriage inwhich I was sitting with several other passengers, and very much astonishedus all by a gratuitous exhibition of the most remarkable finger-nails. Theywere at least an inch in length, and curved like vulture’s claws towards thepalmar surface of his hands. So extraordinary was their appearance that,although we were all strangers to one another, as soon as he left the car-riage his nails alone formed the topic of conversation. One suggested hemust be a direct descendant of Nebuchadnezzar; another that he must bea professional cheese-taster; and several concluded, for what reason Ifailed to learn, that he was no doubt a quack doctor.Probably some of your readers may know something more about this

(h)ornith6logical individual, and can throw some light upon his peculiarbird-like phalangeal appendages. That he is a character there cannot bethe least doubt. I am, Sir, yours, &c.,

East Dulwich, Feb. 4th, 1874. HARVEY F. PHILPOT.

COMMUNICATIONS, LETTERS, &c., have been received from-Prof. Humphry,Cambridge; Dr. Rumsey, Cheltenham; Mr. Thomas Bryant, London;Dr. Carpenter, London; Mr. Jabez Hogg, London; Mr. John Gamgee;Dr. Broadbent, London; Mr. Teevan, London; Mr. J. Cooper, London;Mr. Robinson, Dublin; The Hon. Grantley Berkeley, Poole; Mr. Potts,Blackburn; Dr. Thornley, Newry; Mr. Gubb, Monmouth; Mr. Walker,Manchester; Mr. Broster, Bristol; Dr. Pierce, Manchester; Dr. Jepson,London; Dr. Neal, Sandown; Dr. Otis, New York; Mr. Hall, London;Dr. B. W. Richardson, London; Mr. Ellis, Newcastle; Dr. Mackintosh,Chesterfield; Dr. Philpots, Poole; Mr. Borham, Halstead; Dr. F. Little,Liverpool; Mr. Fleming, Chatham; Mr. Godrich, London; Mr. Vachell,Cardiff; Mr. Briebach, London; Messrs. Meyer and Meltzer, London;Dr. Moore, Eastbourne; Mr. Stafford, Fulbourn; Mr. Powell, Torbay;Mr. Buckle, London; Mr. Wyllie, Blandford; Mr. Williams, Liverpool;Dr. Rogers, Grinstead; Mr. C. S.Webber, London; Mr. Harris, Hackney;Mr. Burroughs, Bridgwater; Mr. Bryan, Northampton ; Mr. Granger,Skipton-in-Craven; Mr. Hooper, Launceston; Dr. Palk, Southampton;Mr. Adey, Kidsgrove; Mr. Waddy, Islington; Mr. Young, Bridgwater;Dr. Horner, Pau; Mr. Wilson, Coxhoe ; Mr. W. Jones; Mr. Cowie, Liver-pool ; Dr. Woodward, Worcester; Mr. Hetling, Bristol; Mr. Leitch, Silloth;Mr. Sharp, Cullen; Dr. Savage, London; Messrs. Weiss and Son, London;Dr. Schleismer, Copenhagen; Mr. G. Heath, Newcastle; Mr. Wilkinson,London ; Mr. Slack, London; Mr. R. Purvis; Mr. H. Aldous, London;Dr. Galabin, London; Mr. Stott, Wallingford; Mr. Coutts, Sirhowy;Mr. Caskie, Anstow; Mr. Anderson, Aden; Mr. Kenmond, Leamington;Dr. Kitchener, Chippenham; Mr. Poyntz, Great Lever; Mr. Hawkins,Littlehampton; Mr. H. B. Festing; Mr. Harrison, Sheffield ; Miss Plumer,Penrith; Mr. Davy, London; Mr. Andrews, Breaston; Mr. Hennessy,Widnes; Mr. Shaw, Withington; Mr. Harries, Shrewsbury; Mr. Lucas,London; Mr. Buchan, Glasgow; Mr. Horn, Dalton-in-Furness; Dr. Lowe,Lynn; Mr. Forward, Axminster; Mr. Whitehouse, Stratford; Mr. Reilly,Hounslow; Mr. Charles, Walsall; Mr. Masmow, Litherland; Mr. Brown,London; Miss Hewitson, Allendale ; Mr. Schroder, London ; Dr. Shapland,Thornton Heath; Dr. Munro, Melrose; Dr. Mitchell, Jarrow; Dr. Rice,Enniskerry; Mr. Brown, Dorchester; Dr. Drewry, Walsall; Mr. Tiley,Lamberhurst; Dr. Gill, Dover; Mr. Sharp, Callew; Mr. Clark, Walworth;Mr. Hewson, Rochdale; Dr. Hibblethwaite, Bawtry; Mr. Barlow, Cam-bridge ; Dr. Edwards, London; Mr. Reynolds, Wycombe ; Mrs. Robinson,Uttoxeter; Dr. Hayward, Brighton; Dr. Waghorn, London; Mr. Holste,London; Mr. Greenedge, Nevis, West Indies ; Mr. Pretty, Fressingfield;Mr. Kavanagh, Great Hadham; Mr. Clampett, Bovill; Mr. Bogg, Louth;Dr. Purcell, London; Mr. Scott, Dublin; Mr. Walker, London ; Mr. Hale,Chesterfield; Mr. Tomlinson, Maldon; Mr. Jackson, Wigan; Mr. Watson;Mr. Hume, Islington; Mr. Brown, Tredegar; Mr. Tomkinson, Burslem;Dr. Sergeant, Warboys ; Mr. Young, Reading; Mr. Davies, Llaubyther;Mr. Wood, Ripon; Dr. Taylor, Sheffield; Mr. Mallett, Bolton; Mr. Moore,Stamford; Mr. Payne, Cheshunt; Mr. Wilson, Bayswater; Mr. Williams,Talgarth; Mr. Bentham, Southsea; Mr. Weir, Wednesbury; Mr. Crisp,Walworth; Mr. Prangley, Aldborough; Dr. Groves, Cobham ; Dr. Will,Aberdeen; Dr. Maund, Sandown; Royal Institution; A Dublin Graduate;M.R.C.S., &c.; The Director-General of the Army Medical Department;Subscriber; H. M. ; Hirudo; The Military Secretary, India Office ; F. H.; I

A Widow; W.; Medicus; H. S. R.; &c. &c. ,

Maitchester Guardian, South Durham Herald, Western Morning News, IDrug.gist, Liverpool Daily Post, Cor7c Constitution, Brighton Guardian,La Liberta, Church Times, Il Tagliamento, Newcastle Daily Chronicle, andBlackburn Times have been received.

Medical Diary of the Week.Monday, Feb. 23.

ROYAL LONDON OPHTHALMIO HOSPITAL, MOORLFIELDs.-Operations, 10½A.M.ROYAL WESTMINSTER OPHTHALMIO HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1½ P.M.Guy’s HOSPITAL.-Operations on the Eye, 11 P.M.ST. MARK’S HOSPITAL.-Operations, 9 A..m. and 2 P.3r.METROPOLITAN FREE HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.nt.ST. PETER’S HOSPITAL.-3 3 P.M. Expected Operations: Lithotrity; Lithotomy.ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF ENGLAND.-4 P.M. Mr. W. K. Parker,

"On the Structure and Development of the Skull in the Vertebrata."MEDICAL SOOIETY OF LONDON.-8 P.M. Mr. Maunder will exhibit a Patient,

the subject of Excision of the Ankle-joint; also the Patient’s Child,whose corresponding Lower Limb is Short.-Dr. Farquharson, "Onsome Peculiarities of Pneumonia in Early Life:’-And communicationsby Mr. J. A. Bloxam and others.

SOCIAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION.-8 P.nt. Dr. Liebreich, "On School Hygiene:

Tuesday, Feb. 24.ROYAL LONDON OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL, MOORFIELDS.--Operations, 10½ ½ A.M.ROYAL WESTMINSTER OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL.-operations, It P.M.GuY’s HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1½ P.M.WESTMINSTER HOSPITAL.-Operations. 2 P.M.NATIONAL ORTHOPÆDIC HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 p.M.WEST LONDON HOSPITAL.-Operations, 3 P.M.ROYAL INSTITUTION,-3 P.M. Prof. Tyndall, "On the Physical Properties of

Liquids and Gases."ROYAL MEDICAL AND CHIRURGIOAL SOCIETY. - 8½ P.M. Mr. Fairlie Clarke:

" Cases of (so-called) Ichthyosis Linguæ."—And Mr. Geo. Gaskoin, "Onthe Relations of Asthma to Cutaneous Disease"; or Dr. Hayne, " OntheAmount of Carbonic Acid in the Air on board Wooden Frigates."

Wednesday, Feb. 25.ROYAL LONDON OPHTHALMIO HOSPITAL, MOORFIELDs.-Operations, 10½ A.M.MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL.-operations, 1 P.M.ST. MARY’S HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1¼ P.M,ROYAL WESTMINSTER OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL.-operations, It P.M.ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S HOSPITAL.-operations, It P.M.ST. THOMAS’S HOSPITAL.-Operations, li P.M.KING’S COLLEGE HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.M.GREAT NORTHERN HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.M.UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.M.LONDON HOSPITAL.-operations, 2 P.M.SAMARITAN FREE HOSPITAL FOR WOMENAND CHILDREN.-Operations, 2½ P.M.CANCER HOSPITAL.-operations. 3 P.M.ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF ENGLAND.-4 P.M. Mr. W. K. Parker,On the Structure and Development of the Skull in the Vertebrata,"

Thursday, Feb. 26.ROYAL LONDON OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL, MOORFIELDs.-Operations,10 A.M.ST. GEORGH’s HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1 P.M.ROYAL WESTMINSTER OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1½ p.M.UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.M.ROYAL ORTHOPÆDIC HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.M.CENTRAL LONDON OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.M.ROYAL INSTITUTION. - 3 P.M. Prof. W. C. Williamson, " On Cryptogamic

Vegetation."HUNTERIAN SOCIETY. - 7t P.M. Meeting of Council. - 8 P.M. Dr. Barnes’s

Inauguration Address.-Dr. Braxton Hicks : " Some Remarks on Para-centesis of the Abdomen in Ascites with Tumours" ; " On Incontinenceof Urine in Females" ; and " On a Case of Albuminuria in Pregnancy."

Friday, Feb. 27.ROYAL LONDON OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL, MOOBFIELDS.- Operations,10 d.2t.ST. GEORGE’S HOSPITAL.-ophthalmic Operations, 1¼ P.M.ROYAL WESTMINSTER OpHTHALMio HOSPITAL.-Operations, It P.M.GuY’s HOSPITAL,-operations, 13 P.as.ROYAL SOUTH LONDON OFIXTIIALMIO HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.M.CENTRAL LONDON OPHTHALMIO HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 p.M.ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF ENGLAND.-4 P.M. Mr. W. K. Parker,

"On the Structure and Development of the Skull in the Vertebrata."ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS OF LONDON.-5 P.M. Gulstonian Lectures:

Dr. Payne, "On the Origin and Relations of New Growths."ROYAL INSTITUTION.-8 P.M. Weekly Evening Meeting.-9 P.M. Mr. Francis

Galton: "Men of Science, their Nature and Nurture."QUEKETT MICROSCOPICAL CLUB.-8 P.M. Mr. Hawkins Johnson, "On the

Microscopic Structure of Flint and Allied Bodies."CLINICAL SOCIETY of LONDON.-8 P.M. Adjourned Debate on Mr. Hewett’s

address "On Pyæmia."—Dr. Cayley, "On a Case of Haemoptysis."—Mr. W. Haward, "On a Case of Blood-cyst of Hand :’

Saturday, Feb. 28.HOSPITAL F OR WOMEN Soho-square.-Operations, 9½ A.M.ROYAL LONDON OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL, MOORFIELDS.-Operatlons,10½ A.M.ROYAL WESTMINSTER OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1½ P.M.ST. BARTHOLOMBW’S HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1½ P.M.KING’S COLLEGE HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1½ p.M.ROYAL FREE HOSPITIL.-Operations, 9 A.M. and 2 P.M.CHABING-OROSS HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.M.ROYAL INSTITUTION.-3 P.M. Mr. R. Bosworth Smith, " On Mohammed and

Mohammedanism." ’

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