208

grants from Parliament has now been issued. These insti-tutions number nine, three being general and six specialhospitals, and the money allocated amounts to

fl5,722 15s. 9d. There were 9335 patients admittedduring the year, of whom 8972 left the wards either curedor relieved, or were discharged, and 432 died. Exclusiveof incurables, the mortality was equal to 4’32 per cent. onthose treated to a termination. A Royal Commissionhaving expressed the opinion that all hospitals whichreceive assistance from the State ought to afford medicalinstruction, the governors of the Westmoreland Lock Hos-pital endeavoured to give effect to this recommendation,but found it impracticable, owing to the objection enter-tained by the patients to the presence of students. It has,however, been suggested-and the idea seems a useful one-that the hospital in question might fairly be utilised forpost-graduate instruction. Objections have been madeto the Parliamentary grant being continued, but theBoard state that hospitals for the exclusive treatment ofvenereal diseases differ essentially from general clinicalhospitals, being maintained rather as a protection to thenaval and military services and the public generally than asinstitutions for the relief of the sick poor. During the year anew sanitary annex to the wards of Steevens’ Hospital hasbeen in process of construction at a cost of 210. This is theonly general hospital in Dublin which has a special wardfor venereal diseases. At the Rotunda Lying-in Hospitalimproved sleeping accommodation for the nurses and ward-maids will shortly be provided, while it is contemplatedto erect a lift for helpless patients. The Board hope theAuxiliary Hospital may be reconstructed, as, consideringthe structural defects, and the great strain on its accommo-dation, no proper sanitary conditions can exist. The mor-tality of the labour patients was 0 62 per cent., whichcontrasts favourably with a similar return of the CoombeLying-in Hospital, where the rate was as high as 3’72 percent. The ward space at St. Mark’s Ophthalmic Hospital isnot sufficient, and although no death occurred during the year,yet imperfect ventilation must lower the vitality of patients,retard their recovery, and often hazard the result of sur-gical operations. The average annual cost per bed formaintenance varied from 12 13s. 41d. (WestmorelandLock) to £ 29 18s. 5d. (Steevens’); while the average annualcost per bed for maintenance and for establishment charges,exclusive of buildings and furniture, was as high as

970 8s. 8’d. at Cork-street Fever Hospital, and as low as:E27 17s. 9d. at the Hospital for Incurables.

Richmond District Lunatic Asylum.The admissions last year reached the high figure of 482,

the greatest number since the establishment of the asylum.Mr. Norman, the resident medical superintendent, refers inhis annual report to the unsatisfactory and defective mannerin which lunatics are admitted, as tending to throw addi-tional trouble on the medical staff, and to hinder the propertreatment of recent cases. Mr. Norman calls attention tothe large proportion of cases of phthisis and of emeticdiseases which are admitted.

Catholic University Medical Sclwol.A deputation from the medical faculty waited on the

Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin last week to learn ifany steps could be taken to provide the faculty with aschool of medicine structurally adequate for the purposes ofmedical teaching. The archbishop, in reply, held out nohope of encouragement for the department to expect anyhelp from him from the funds of the University, andthought it was a duty which lay with the State.

Poisonous Fztngi.A little boy died at Clondalkin, near Dublin, a few days

since, from eating some poisonous fungi, which he found ina field. Although medical advice was obtained, he diedfour days afterwards.Dublin, July 22nd.

________________

PARIS.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Suicides in Franee.SOME curious and interesting observations have recently

been published on suicides in this country. From 1827 to1880 the number of persons who committed suicide amountedto 191,289. Of these, 148,339 were males and 42,950 females.Judged from this standpoint, it would appear that the de-

cidedly weaker sex was the masculine; for it will be seenthat in weakness towards self-destruction the males morethan treble the females. The explanation given of thisfact is that women are in general more resigned to fate,and adapt themselves with much less mental shock, althoughcommonly allowed to be more emotional to adverse circum.stances and altered surrounding conditions. They are alsomore influenced by religious scruples and public opinion;but what is perhaps the greatest restraining influence ofany, even in usually sober France, is the fact that they aremuch less given than males to the abuse of alcoholic drinks.Under the heading of "age," it is remarked that for bothsexes suicide attains its maximum of intensity about thesixtieth year of life. The period between forty and fiftyseems relatively favourable for males, while for femalesthere are two such periods of quiescence-viz., from twentyto thirty-five, epoch of maturity ; and from sixty-five toseventy-five, period of calm and repose. Turning to occupa-tion, the number of suicides for every 100,000 of the popula-tion in general being 22, agriculturists, who make up halfthe total population, furnish a ratio of 14; those engagedin manufactures give the highest ratio, 22; while thoseengaged in commerce are the least prone to suicide; and afterthese, strange as it might at first sight appear, the smallestnumber of suicides is furnished by domestic servants. Theliberal professions appear to be the most maltreated, forthe number is 46 per 100,000 inhabitants, being surpassedby those without any calling only, who commit suicideat the rate of 92 for every 100,000 of the population.Matrimony, on the whole, acts as a safeguard against a.

suicidal tendency, for, as compared with celibacy in eithersex, the married category has the more favourable return 9.indeed, where there are children, much more favourable.As regards methods of committing self-effacement, thereare seven principal ones, and, as it is here curious to ob-serve the influence of sex in this lugubrious selection, theappended table is worth giving :--

Methods of suicide. Men. Women.

Drowning ............ 38’626 .......... 18’957Hanging ............ 63-863 .......... 12’783Shooting ............ 23-198 .......... 367

Stabbing ............ 6-180 .......... 1-097Asphyxia by CO ........ 8’299 .......... 5’653Poison.............. 2’457 .......... 1’489

Jumping from heights...... 4’794 .......... 2’436

Contrary to what one might expect, a greater number ofsuicides are committed in summer than in winter, attainingthe maximum for both sexes in June and July. Withrespect to the causes of suicide, a division into seven is also-made, and here again, especially under the heading of alcoholand cerebral diseases, sex presents striking contrasts :—

Causes of suicide. Men. Women.Poverty and reverse of fortune.. 19-827 .......... 2’634

Familv quarrels ...... 17’514 .......... 5’998Love, jealousy, debauch ... 7’905 .......... 3’719Drunkenness ......... 15’817 .......... 1’135Diverse troubles ....... 32.113 .......... 7.631Cerebral diseases ........ 37’854 .......... 17’552

I Suicides after crime ...... 1’l15 .......... 99

As regards alcohol, however, the table is hardly altogetheraccurate, for it classes as alcoholics those who are nothabitually so, for a man who commits suicide in a state ofrdrunkenness is not necessarily a drunkard; many suicideslook to alcohol to supply the blind force necessary for theaccomplishment of a dreadful act. It cannot, however, bedenied that, even in comparatively sober France, the terrible" rush to alcohol " is becoming more accentuated year byyear; so much so that Parliamentary cognisance has beentaken of the fact, and legislation is proposed to at leastsuppress the adulteration of alcoholic drinks which is nowso rampant, and to which a large share in the mischief isattributed.

Death of Sir Richard Wallace.This large-hearted philanthropist has passed away. The

poor of Paris, both English and native, have lost in him agenerous giver and a true support in urgent need. Theinstances in life of a man of great wealth and positiondevoting almost the whole of his time and a large part ofhis fortune to practical schemes for the amelioration of thehard lot of less fortunate humanity are too rare not to beappreciated at their true value when they do occur. SirRichard Wallace was undoubtedly one of these instances.Apart from his own individual good works, many are thecharities throughout England and France which numberedhim amongst their subscribers, and during his time therehas beon scarcely a public subscription for the relief of

209

suffering humanity, in whatever part of the world, eve rclosedwithout having his name enlisted for a generous donation.His well-equipped ambulance and unbounded charity duringthe war, the Siege of Paris, and the Commune will be longremembered. Nor did his well-doing end here. In more thanone hospital of Paris the words "Salle Wallace," "SalleSeymour," over the entrance to a ward, bear evidence of hisready giving and endowment. In addition to all this andmuch more, he constructed and supported entirely at hisown cost and charge the Hertford British Hospital forBritish subjects, which in picturesqueness of design is

greatly admired; while in matters of food, clothing, generalfinding, &c., it is replete almost to lavishness, and is nursedby an efficient staff of English nurses. This was SirRichard Wallace’s pet charity, and it may truly be saidthat he, for one, did all he could to render it worthy of thepurpose for which it was intended-viz., the relief of thesick and maimed English poor in this capital. It was thewriter’s privilege to have been associated with Sir RichardWallace in the working of this institution, and he can onlywind up this little tribute to his memory by saying, in aword, that a better or kinder man he never met.Paris, July 21st.

________________

Obituary.THOMAS JOSEPH BRAMAH, M.A., M.R.C.S. ENG.

(or BROMPTON.)COMPARATIVELY few men knew Mr. Bramah in his

professional capacity, though his name is on the MedicalRegister. He was the eldest son of the late Mr. TimothyBramah, engineer, whose wide acquaintance with the lead.-ing engineers and scientific men of the last generation waswell reflected in the subject of our notice. He had anexcellent knowledge of his profession, but never practisedit save for the benefit of the poor, to whom he gave notadvice alone, but often medicine too-and both of the verybest. He had diligently studied medicine in the schoolof St. George’s and elsewhere, and was a good anatomistand chemist. He was also a sound mathematician andclassic. He inherited the mechanical genius of his family,together with all that constitutes high character, being agrandson of the famous Joseph Bramah, to whom we oweimproved locks and waterclosets, the hydraulic press, andmany other inventions of the highest order. As a friendMr. Bramah was unique and invaluable. The notes of hischaracter were the love of truth, sound judgment, verywide knowledge, unfailing kindness, especially to the poorand the weak, and devout religious views of the Evangelicalorder. By those who knew him intimately he will notcease to be remembered with affection and regard. Hisdeath took place on the 12th inst., at the age of seventy-five.

THOMAS SPRY BYASS, M.D., F.R.C.S. ENG.ON Sunday, July 13th, there passed away, full of years,

at Cuckfield, Sussex, Thomas Spry Byass, who -will livelong in the hearts and memories of his numerous friendsand patients. Born in the year 1807, Dr. Byass received hismedical education at Guy’s Hospital, and on becoming qua-lified he settled more than sixty years ago at Cuckfield,where he has lived continuously ever since, he with hisfather before him being known as inhabitants of the townfor nearly a century. For many years Dr. Byass was a mostactive member of the Court of Assistants of the Apothe-caries’ Company, and many will remember the genial wayin which as Master during the International Medical Con-gress of 1881 he entertained at the Hall a large number ofdistinguished guests. From the earliest days of the Volun-teer movement he took a lively interest in the work, anduntil a few years ago he was an acting surgeon-major with ’,Her Majesty’s Commission. On the occasion of his havingcompleted fifty years of practice, Dr. Byass was presented byhis patients with a handsome silver salver and a purse offive hundred guineas enclosed in an antique silver casket,as well as a beautifully illuminated album. This and theconstant attention which his patients showed him duringhis declining years testified to their affectionate regard. Sogreat was the confidence which his patients had in him thateven when they were away from home they could not restcontent without seeing him, and it was a common occurrence

for him to journey to London and to Brighton on the sameday, as well as doing a hard day’s work in the country.

Dr. Byass was well known to most of the leading con-sultants in London, and his sound common sense and ripeexperience always stood him in good stead when brought incontact with them. He was a late president of the Brightonand Sussex Medico-Chirurgical Society, and always kepthimself well abreast of professional knowledge and pro-gress. His small spare frame was full of restless activity,and he never knew what it was to tire in his work or tocease doing for the welfare of his patients. His deathwill be severely felt by all grades of society, for he had theconscience and manners cf a true gentleman, and he wasthe tried and trusted friend of the poor, who will missthe liberal hand with which he ministered to their wantsand necessities. Until a few months ago he had a fairshare of bodily strength, and to the very last he retainedhis full mental vigour. The funeral took place on Thurs-day, the 17th inst., and was largely attended. TheOckenden Lodge of Freemasons, of which Dr. Byass was apast master (he was also a past provincial grand officer),were present to do honour to their departed brother, whomthey held in high esteem.

Medical News.SOCIETY OF APOTHECARIES OF LONDON.—The

following candidates passed the examinations in the

subjects indicated on July llth:-Surgery.—A. A. Bartholomew, L.S.A. (1887), Edinburgh University;,G. Wilkinson, Cambridge University and Middlesex Hospital; R. R.Hatherell, St. Thomas’s Hospital; H. Mason, Queen’s College, Bir-mingham ; A. Griffith and F. S. Colton, University College; J.Lupton, Owens College, Victoria University ; W. C. Ellis, St.Thomas’s Hospital; L. Trewby, London School of Medicine forWomen; D. R. P. Evans, Livei pool and Charing-cross Hospital; W.H. Goodson, London Hospital; A. G. Keeling, St. Thomas’s Hos-

! pital; H. Knevitt, London Hospital; C. A. Lapthorn, MiddlesexHospital; H. A. Vernon and H. Watts, London Hospital.

The following candidate", having previously passed the ex-amination in Medicine, Forensic Medicine, and Midwifery ywere granted the diploma of the Society :-

H. Mason, F. S. Colton, and W. C. Ellis.The following gentlemen passed on July 16th:-Medicine, Forensic Medicine, and 3lidivi.fe?-y.-A. A. Bartholomew,,L.S.A. (1887), Edinburgh University; J. G. Wilson, London Hos-pital ; A. Griffith, University College; A. K. A. Caesar, LondonHospital; A. H. Creswell, London Hospital; R. AV. Cooper, St.Thomas’s Hospital; A. A. Grosvenor, Guy’s Hospital.

Medicine and Forensic Medicine.—A. M. Van Ingen, L.M.S., MadrasUniversity; F. M. Welstead, Guy’s Hospital.

Medicine and lVlidzaifery.-G. A. Hickey, St. Vincent’s Hospital,Dublin ; A. A. Trenow, St. George’s Hospital.

Midwifery.—G. W. Chapman, St. Thomas’s Hospital; L. J. Minter,,King’s College.

The following gentlemen, having previously parsed the ex-amination in Surgery, were granted the diploma of theSociety :-

’, A. A. Bartholomew, J. G. Wilson, A. Griffith, and A. H. Creswell.

THE FRENCH HOSPITAL.—The recent fête at theFrench Exhibition, in aid of the French Hospital in Shaftes-bury-avenue, is stated to have produced £2000. TheParisian publishers, sa) s the Figaro, have presented £150worth of books to the library of the hospital.WORKMEN’S TENEMENTS IN FLATS.—In view of

the organisation of the proposed Manchester and SalfordDwellings Corporation, Limited, with a capital of £250,000,by some gentlemen interested in providing healthydwellings for the poorer classes, it is intended to raise atonce £25,000. The dwellings in contemplation are to beconstructed on the most approved sanitary arrangements,and the rents will be from Is. 6d. to 4s. 6cl. per week.

ORAL TEACHING OF THE DEAF AND DUMB.—LordGranville presided at a meeting held at the Steinway Hall,on Tuesday, of the supporters of this institution, and theCountess of Rosebery, in the presence of a large assembly,distributed the prizes to the successful pupils of the Associa.tion. Lord Granville opened the proceedings with a resolu-tion, which was carried, adopting the report for the pastyear. During the twelve months thirty-four boys andnineteen girls had attended the school. The TrainingCollege had received ten students, of whom five-one maleand four females—had been awarded first-class certificates.The demand for qualified teachers is in excess of the supply.