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Such a demand is no new one, having been madeby Huxley half a century ago, and Professor Poultoncontrasts the country as it now is with the Englandwhich would have been if Huxley’s advice had thenbeen listened to. The same thought is in the mindof the faculty of the Imperial College in presentinga memorial to the governors reminding them thatthe College by its charter is directed to con-
centrate itself on science in its application to
industry and to give the highest specialised instruc-tion and provide the fullest equipment for the mostadvanced training and research. And both are
entirely in harmony with the recent action of theRoyal Society, which recognises that men speciallyversed in certain branches of science can be moreusefully employed at home in work connected withthe war. The Government, admitting the justiceof this representation, has provided that analyticaland research chemists shall not be called upon toserve in the forces without the consent of theRoyal Society. Agricultural chemists, also, arecovered by this regulation. A body of micro-scopists nominated by the Royal Society for proto-zoological and bacteriological work has beenafforded protection, and no Local Tribunal willhave power to enlist them without the authority ofthe Central Tribunal in London. In regard toother branches of science, the Board of Education iskeeping in close touch with the Royal Society. Thesemeasures are an earnest of a fuller recognition ofthe value of scientific training and can hardly failto command the approval of all who realise thatthe era of the triumph of mere physical force ispassing.
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VACANCIES FOR MEDICAL OFFICERS.-There arevacancies for medical officers in the 2nd London SanitaryCompany, R.A.M.C. (T.F.). Applicants who have had someexperience of public health work, or holdir.g the D.P.H., willbe preferred. There is a prospect of active service abroadafter a brief period of training. Applications should beaddressed to Captain Caley at the Duke of York’s Head-quarters, Chelsea.
THE WOUNDED ALLIES RELIEF COMMITTEE.-Mrs. A. H. Scott, who has just returned from a visit ofinspection to the two military hospitals (see THE LANCET,1915, ii., 204, 789, 999) at Dieppe and Limoges, reports thatat the desire of the district chef de sante the number of,beds in the Limoges hospital is being increased from 170 to250. That the work of the cornmittee continues to be
appreciated by the French authorities is evident from the
following extract from a letter written by the Ministre deSanté, M. Justin Godart : ’’ Vos hôpitaux de Limoges etde Dieppe n’ont cesse, depuis leur fondation, par les soins du’Wounded Allies Relief Committee,’ de constituer, pour1’evacuation et Ie traitement de nos blessés, une ressourcedes plus precieuses. J’ajoute que j’ai ete très heureuxd’appendre par vous que le Wounded Allies Relief Committee’se propose de manifester bientot sa généreuse activité par denouvelles entreprises egalement destinies à améliorer lacondition des blesses de nos armees. Vous pouvez etreassur6e, ainsi que vos collaborateurs, que vous trouverez
toujours aupres de moi toutes les facilites utiles Ia réalisa-tion de ses initiatives, inspirees par la profonde sympathiequi unit nos deux pays."A SWEDISH WAR HOSPITAL IN LONDON.-The
proposition to establish a Swedish war hospital for woundedand disabled soldiers in London has rapidly materialisedafter receiving generous support, not only from Swedes inLondon, but also from Swedes at home, and lately alsofrom many English friends of Sweden. A fully equippedhospital for 30 in-patients and a number of out-patients hasbeen established at 16-18, Paddington-street, W., and wasformally handed over to the War Office on Feb. 21st byCount Herman Wrangel. Swedish Minister in London, who ischairman of the General Committee. Count Wrangel saidthat since the beginning of the war it had been the wish of
the Swedish colony in England to give expression to hersympathy with those who were suffering through the war.He begged English friends to see in it a token of Swedishsympathy and of sincere appreciation of the hospitalityenjoyed by Swedes in Great Britain. Surgeon-GeneralRussell, in accepting the hospital on behalf of the War
Office, said that its work would tend to strengthen the bondsuniting the two nations. The medical staff is made up ofMr. F. Swinford Edwards and Mr. G. B. Mower White, ashonorary consulting surgeons; Dr. A. J. Jex-Blake andDr. J. F. Jennings, honorary consulting physicians; Dr.H. B. Grimsdale (honorary oculist), Mr. Harold S. Barwell(honorary aurist), and Mr. Harry Forsyth (honorory dentalsurgeon). Regular attendance will be given by Dr. Edg.Cyriax, Dr. A. Ryman, Dr. C. Swanberg, and Dr. M. Widegren,and Dr. K. Westman has been appointed resident medicalofficer.
RED CROSS WORK IN DUBLIN. - A publicmeeting in aid of the City of Dublin Branch of the BritishRed Cross Society was recently held in the Mansion Houseunder the presidency of the Lord Mayor of Dublin. It wasstated that 1726 students had attended first-aid and home
nursing classes held under the auspices of the branch. Thechief activity of the branch was devoted to the maintenanceof the Dublin Castle Hospital. This hospital received itsfirst patients in February, 1915, and since that date 1206soldiers had been received. Only six cases were fatal.
OBITUARY OF THE WAR.
GEORGE DEWAR, M.B., CH.B. ABERD.,LIEUTENANT, ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS.
Lieutenant G. Dewar, who was killed in action in Franceon Jan. 3rd at the age of 23, was the youngest son of thelate Mr. David Dewar, of West Cults, Aberdeenshire. Hewas born at Cosie Brae, West Cutts, educated at Gordon’sCollege, Aberdeen, proceeding to the University in 1910,where he graduated with distinction in July, 1915, beingalso proficient in sports. He played in the Rugby football
team and was captainof the cricket eleven,and also played golffor the Universityand cricket for hiscounty. At the com-mencement of thewar he mobilisedwith the Royal ArmyMedical Corps, anddid training at
Bedford, afterwardsobtaining permissionto complete hismedical studies.Prior to being com.missioned he heldthe post of assistantphysician at theAberdeen RoyalAsylum. After beinggazetted he under-went training atSheffield, proceed-
ing to France in the beginning of November, 1915. Hemet his death from shell fire while doing duty with theadvanced section of the 48th Field Ambulance, after threemonths’ service in the field. An Aberdeen friend writes ofhim: "Generous by disposition and of splendid physique,he was a man who will be greatly missed. Many a juniorstudent has benefited by his kindly assistance and advice.He had many friends among the teaching staff of themedical school. His death removes one who gave promiseof exceptional capability."
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HUGH RAMSAY DUFF,LIEUTENANT-COLONEL, CANADIAN ARMY MEDICAL CORPS.
IN Colonel Duff the Canadian Army Medical Service haslost the senior medical officer of its permanent force, a mandevoted to duty, who showed a striking fearlessness whencarrying out that duty in the field. Born Sept. 20th, 1857,he was granted a commission in the Canadian Militia in
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1882. He served in the South African War from 1899 to1901, first as medical officer to the Royal Canadian Dragoons,and later to the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles, gaining theQueen’s Medal with four clasps. After the war he was for
long stationed at Kingston, Ontario, as A.D.M.S. to No. 3Divisional Area. On the outbreak of hostilities he was
appointed A.D.M.S.’of the mobilisation camp at Valcartier,Quebec, but a fall from his horse and its results preventedhim from accompanying the troops overseas. Returning tohis duties at Kingston, when No. 5 Canadian StationaryHospital was organised in that city, he was appointed secondin command and accompanied that unit to the Mediter-ranean. Here he worked actively until an attack of pneu-monia proved itself fatal within three days. His deathtook place at the Abbursich Barracks Hospital, Cairo, onFeb. 8th.
Colonel Duff was a member of the Examining Board of theCollege of Physicians and Surgeons of the Province ofOntario. He leaves a wife, two sons, and a daughter.
Medical News.UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL.-At the Final Exa-
mination for the degrees of M.B., Ch.B., held recently thefollowing candidates were successful :-Oliver Charles Minty Davis, D.Sc., and Hilda Kate Ewins.In Part I. including Forensic Medicine and Toxicology).-EdwinJennings Ball.
CENTRAL COUNCIL FOR DISTRICT NURSING INLONDON.-The first annual report of the council waspresented to the meeting held at the Offices of theMetropolitan Asylums Board, Victoria Embankment, on
Feb. 25th, at 11 A.M. An important scheme for the districtnursing of measles, German measles, and whooping-cough isappended to this report.ROYAL MEDICAL BENEVOLENT FUND.-At the
last meeting of the committee, held on Feb. 8th, 20 caseswere considered and £170 10s. voted to 15 of the applicants.The following is a summary of the cases relieved :-Widow, aged 73, of M.D. Dub. who practised in London and died in
1876. After her husband’s death she settled in Brussels and took inpaying guests and did well and was able to pave. At the outbreak ofwar her house and contents were taken over by the enemy, and all hersavings are in Belgian stocks which she cannot realise. Has beenliving with friends, but this cannot continue. Voted B9 in six monthlyinstalments.- Widow, aged 52, of M.R.C.S. Eng. who practised atWolverton and died in 1912. Was left fairly well off, but hasbecome penniless through the mismanagement by others ofher affairs. Has tried to earn a little by taking in boarders,but not successfully. One son, aged 17 years, who only earns
5s. a week. At present in great financial trouble. Voted £12.-Daughter, aged 72, of M.R.C.S, Eng. who practised in Londonand died in 1872. Applicant managed to earn a living as a
governess until a few years ago, when she became totally deafand suffers from rheumatism Only income a pension of B25 fromthe Governesses’ Benevolent Institution Voted 02 in 12 instalments.-Daughter, aged 32, of M.R.C.S. Eng. who practised at Wolverhampton,and died in 1884. Applicant has had continuous bad health for years.Only able to work a few hours a day and earns about 6s. per week byteaching typewriting and bookkeeping. Relieved eight times, £58.Voted BI2 in 12 instalments.-Widow, aged 35, of M.R.C.S. Eng. whopractised at Swansea and Liverpool, and died in 1914. Applicant issuffering from pxralysis of the right side, and is quite unable to doanything. Has one child aged 7 years, whom the Guild are going to seeif they can assist with respect to her education. Applicant lives withher mother who is not well off. Relieved once, B12. Voted 212 in12 instalments.—Daughter, aged 59, of M.R.U.S. Eng. who practised atBattle and died in 1873. Applicant suffers from chronic rheumatismand defective eyesight, and quite unable to work, and is dependent onsister. Relieved 32 times, 2254. Voted .e12 in 12 instalments.-Daughter, aged 59. of M.R.C.S. Eng. who practised at Box, and diedin 1894. Applicant lives with two sisters, and all have indifferenthealth. Receives a little help from friends and from anothercharity. Relieved eight times, B126 Voted B18 in 12 instalments.-Widow.aged69.of M.R.C.S. Eng. who practispd in London, and diedin 1893. Applicant’s health is very bad, and she has recently had anaccident which lett her lame. Has a house which she lets, butcannot get the rent from the tenant, so ;s in temporary difficulties.Relieved once. 210. Voted B12 in 12 instahnents. - Widow, aged 68, ofM.D. St. Andrews who practised at Kiddprminster, and died in 1884.Before the war she managed fairly well by taking in lodgers, butrecently has lost them all as they have joined tne army. and recentlyshe has been ill in bed. Relieved omee, 210. V ’ted B12 in 12 instal-ments.-Daughter, aged 41, of M.R C.S. Eng. who practised atScarborough, and died in 1879. Applicant makes a little byoccasional nursing, but has not been successful of late. Relieved11 times, BI07. Voted B10 in two instalments.-Widow. aged 67,of M.D. Lond. who practised at Hoxton, and died in 1897. Wasleft quite unprovided for at her husband’s death with one daughter,who worked as a milliner, but is now without a post. Makes a
little by letting her house furnished in the summer, but not sufficientto enable her to manage. Relieved five times. £60. Voted jE)0 in twoinstalments -Widow. aged 66 of M.R.C.S. Eng. who practised invarious places atid died in 1903. Applicant has two children, bothmarried, and only able to help very little. Site is too old to do anythingherself in consequence of indifferent health. Relieved 12 times, JE142.Voted JE12 in 12 instalments. Daughter, aged 54, of F.R.C.S. Eng. whopractised in Bedfordshire and died in 1890. Applicant was left entirelyunprovided for, and the state of her health prevents her from taking anypermanent work. Relieved 10 times, £76. Voted .E12 in 12 instal-ments.—Widow. aged 58, of L.R.C.S. Edin. who practised at Fulhamand died in 1910. Applicant endeavours to earn a living by takingboarders, but has not been very successful, and her health has been veryindifferent of late. Relieved three times, 4::25, Voted .e12 in 12instalments.
Subscriptions may be sent to the honorary treasurer,Dr. Samuel West, 11, Chandos-street, Cavendish-square,London, W.
MEDICAL SICKNESS AND ACCIDENT SOCIETY.-The usual monthly meeting of this society was held onFeb. 18th at 300. High Holborn, W.C., Dr. F. J. Allan beingin the chair. The sickness experience for January wasslightly in excess of the expectation which is usual at this
time of the year, and is generally accounted for by thenumber of claims for influenza. At this meeting there wasdiscussed the special report on all the chronic claimants nowdrawing sickness benefit. These now number 40, and theamount paid per annum is .S2000. This is considered to bethe most important work the society performs, as it is
principally the sickness benefit received each week thatenables them to maintain themselves and their families.The votes obtained in consequence of the annual subscriptionof f: 105 to Ep-om College have also enabled members of thesociety, crippled in health and unable to earn their living, toobtain Foundation Scholarships for their sons. The balancesheets for the year were produced and showed that the totalfunds of the society are now £274,700 and the annual incomeis £37,000. It was resolved to place before the members atthe annual meeting in March a proposed scheme of deferredannuities starting at age 65. with five options before thatage. The details will be sent out with the annual report.All applications should be addressed to the secretary,Medical Sickness and Accident Society, 300, High Holborn,London, W.C.
Parliamentary Intelligence.NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
Res2onption of Parliament.A NEW session of Parliament began on Tuesday, Feb. 15th.
The opening in the absence of the King was performed byRoyal Commission, and the speech which His Majestytransmitted to Parliament was exclusively devoted to thewar and to problems arising in connexion with it. Furthersacrifices in men and money are demanded of the nation.Increased taxation is certain, but the methods by which itwill be raised will not be disclosed until Mr. McKENNAmakes a Budget statement. All domestic legislation is ata standstill during the period of the war. Parliament has aheavy enough task in dealing with the urgent necessities ofthe moment, and no disposition exists to undertake anyother issues even of a minor kind until the termination ofthe struggle on the continent of Europe.
Deaths from Starvation.The House of Commons has ordered a return of the deaths
in England and Wales in the year 1915 upon which acoroner’s jury has returned a verdict of death from starva-tion or death accelerated by privation, together withobservations furnished to the Local Government Board byboards of guardians with reference to cases included in theReturn.
Royal Commission on Venereal Diseases.The report of the Royal Commission on Venereal Diseases
has been laid on the table of the House of Commons.
Medical Re-examination of Rejected Recruits.Attention having been called in the House of Commons to
the action of certain military authorities in summoning formedical re-examination men who have been previouslyrejected under the Derby scheme, Mr. TENNANT, the UnderSecretary for War, has made a statement on the subject. Itwas clear, he said, from the terms of the Military ServiceAct, that persons rejected on medical grounds sinceAugust 14th were outside the scope of that Act. Compulsionwas not to be applied to them.