200 health committee is of opinion that sanitary authorities should be empowered to deal with the structure and paving of stables, as in the case of cowsheds. UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.-The following awards have been made at University College, London :-Andrews Scholarships:-For students of one year’s standing, £30 each: Classics, Louise W. Stone ; Modern Languages, Eileen O’Rourke ; Mathematics and Science, R. G. Lunnon. Second Year’s Scholarship, £20: D. M’Donald. Carey Foster Research Prize: Caroline Schneider. Cluff Memorial Prize ( £15) : T. C. Graves. Jews’ Commemoration Scholarship, £15 per annum for two years: A. E. Evans. Physics Re- search Studentships : £60, F. Simeon ; £40, B. B. Baker. Science Scholarship awarded by H. M. Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1851: H. E. Watson, B.Sc. Tuff nell Scholar- ship in Chemistry, £80 per annum for two years: H. J. Page. School Hygiene Certificates : C. V. Aserappa, Mary Babbs, Miss S. E. Fisher, Ethel M. Heaton, Isabella Low, J. H. Paddy, Alice Rhoden, Alice R. Ridgeway, Mrs. Katherine E. Ross, J. H. Willis, and Mrs. Alice van I. Winter. DEATHS OF EMINENT FOREIGN MEDICAL MEN.- The deaths of the following eminent foreign medical men are announced :-Dr. Pfannenstiel, professor of midwifery and gynaecology in the University of Kiel, at the age of 47 years. He was born and educated in Berlin and was afterwards assist- ant to Professor Fritsch in Breslau, where he afterwards held several important appointments, the University conferring on him the title of professor. Subsequently he went to Giessen as successor to Professor Loblein, and then to Kiel, where he succeeded Professor Werth. He published a number of papers mostly dealing with uterine tumours, and devised a special incision in certain cases of laparotomy. He was joint author of Winckel’s "Manual of Midwifery" and of Belt’s " Manual of Gynaecology."—Dr. Friedrich Endemann, Privy Medical Councillor of Hesse. He was very active politically and was for many years a member of the German and Prussian Parliaments. His age was 76 years.-Dr. Henry Cazalis, a well-known French poet, who wrote under the pseudonym of Jean Lahor. I THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY.-The annual dinner of the Medico-Legal Society was held on July 13th at the Holborn Restaurant, London, with the Hon. Mr. Justice Walton in the chair. Among those present were Sir Cozens Hardy, Master of the Rolls, Mr..H. T. Butlin, Sir William J. Collins, Dr. F. J. Smith, Mr. R. Heni’lowe Wellington, Dr. G. Pernet, Mr. W. Schroder, hono- -1 - rary treasurer, anu iMr. voves-rreeay ana ur. William A. Brend, honorary secretaries. A telegram of i regret at inability to attend was received from Sir R. Douglas Powell. Sir William Collins, in proposing the toast of "The Law and Medicine," said that probably there never was a time in which the general public was more ready to listen, almost obsequiously, to the last word of medico-legal science, if only it would speak with authority and avoid contradictions. Sir William Collins concluded by pleading for simple language in the proceedings of medical and scientific societies ; he especially instanced the Patho- ogical Society, and urged that intellectual jargon should be replaced by the Anglo-Saxon tongue ; he deprecated the pathological slang so frequently observed in the proceedings of the scientific societies. This toast was acknowledged by Sir Cozens Hardy, the Master of the Rolls, who observed that the word " evidence " applied to what medical men said in the witness-box was not strictly accurate. In nine cases out of ten medical men were bound to give not evidence but expressions of opinion, and therefore conflicting opinions occurred. Knowledge being what it was, it was impossible for any professional man to state more than his opinion of the cause of any particular bodily condition or of what might be the result of such condition. He objected to the long, unintelligible, and unpronounceable words used by some medical and scientific witnesses, which were the puzzle of juries and the distress of judges. Legislation seemed now more and more closely involving medicine in legal problems, and the appointment of medical referees was a useful reform. Mr. H. T. Butlin, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, also replied for this toast, while submitting the toast of " The Medico-Legal Society." Mr. Justice Walton, who responded, said that he was satisfied from his experience that great benefit arose from the association of the lawyer with the medical man in discussing subjects of importance to the welfare of the public. Mr. E. Marshall Hall, K.C., in a witty speech, gave the toast of "Our Guests," which was eloquently acknow- ledged by Dr. Smith, who, continuing his speech, proposed "The Officers of the Society." After this toast had been duly replied to by Mr. Cotes-Preedy, the ,proceedings terminated. Parliamentary Intelligence. I - NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS. The Progress of Business. THE progress made with the Finance Bill in Committee has been slow, the work of examining the proposals relating to land being extremely onerous. Late sittings have been frequent and have put a considerable strain not only on Members but on the staff which is kept in constant attendance whilst the House of Commons is sitting. The proceedings on the Finance Bill and the demands made on the time of the House for passing supply have had the effect of preventing progress being made with several measures, such as the Housing and Town Planning Bill and the Milk Bill. Mr. BURNS has been asked when he intends to proceed with the second reading of the latter measure, but he cannot fix a date. Some regret is expressed that more progress was not made with these Bills earlier in the session. The West African Medical Staff. The report of the Departmental Committee on the West African Medical Staff is now available as a Parliamentary paper. Mr. H. J. READ of the Colonial Office was chairman, and amongst the members of the Committee were Dr. T. THOMSON (Local Government Board), Mr. W. H. LANGLEY, C.M.G., F.R.C.S. 1. (Principal Medical Officer, Gold Coast), and Dr. J. K. Fowler (late Dean of the Faculty of Medi- cine, University of London, and senior physician, Middlesex Hospital). The report deals at length with the duties, organisation, emoluments, and selection of officers of the West African Medical Staff. HOUSE OF COMMONS. WEDNESDAY a Ull The Mater Infirmorum Hospital, Belfast. Mr. HUGH BARRIE asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it was pr posed to affiliate the Mater Infirmorum Hospital (Belfast) to the new Belfast University; and, if so, were its teachers and teaching to be recognised; and would the members of its medical staff be admitted upon the examining board of the University. - Mr. BIRRELL replied: It is not proposed to affiliate the Mater Infirmorum Hospital to the Queen’s University. It is proposed by the Medical Faculty that the hospital should be recognised as a place for clinical teaching as it was by the old Queen’s College, but this is subject to the approval of the Senate. The appointment of examiners is for the Senate, upon the recommendation of the Academic Council. I have no means of knowing how far the medical staff of this or any other hos- pital will be recognised by the Senate. Public Health in Ramsey Urban District. Mr. BouLTON asked the President of the Local Government Board what steps he had taken to compel the urban district council of Ramsey to make proper provision for the safety of the town against scarlet fever and epidemics arising from the bad water and bad drainage to which his attention was called a year ago.-Mr. BURNS wrote in reply: I have preosed the subject of sewage disposal on the district council. It has directed some temporary measures to be taken, but it urges that the expense of providing a new system of sewers, which would also necessitate a water-supply, would be prohibitive. I have not received any such complaint of default on the part of the district council with respect to sewerage and water-supply as would enable me to take com- pulsory action under the Public Health Act. No outbreak of infectious disease in the district has been reported to me during the present year. The Irish Cowvheds and Milkshops Order. Mr. SHEEHAN asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether any district councils in Ireland had recently appointed as inspectors under the Cowsheds and Milkshops Order local sub- sanitary officers who also held the position of relieving officers, as well as other positions under the rural district councils; if so, could he give the names of the district councils, or of any one of them, which had made such appointments ; and would he state whether the Local Government Board intended to give its sanction to appoint- ments of this nature, in view of the fact that the time of these gentlemen ought to be already fully occupied if they were efficiently to perform the duties apperraining to other offices held by them.-Mr. BIRRELL furnished the following written reply: I understand that in 68 districts the sanitary sub-officers, who frequently hold the position of relieving officers as well, have been appointed to act as inspectors of dairies. I am forwarding a list of these districts to the honourable Member. The Local Government Board considers it unnecessary to press local authorities to appoint separate inspecting officers of dairy premises in locatities where the dairying industry does not assume large pro- portions. A sanitary sub-officer has opportunity of observing defects or insanitary conditions in dairy premises, and there is no reason to suppose that his time is so fully occupied with other official duties as to prevent his carrying out such inspections. Moreover, under the Board’s Sanitary Orders of May, 1900, it already forms part of his duties in a district where no inspector of dairies has been appointed to inspect dairies, cowsheds, and milkshops, and to report to the sanitary authority
Transcript
200
health committee is of opinion that sanitary authoritiesshould be empowered to deal with the structure and pavingof stables, as in the case of cowsheds.
UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.-The following awardshave been made at University College, London :-AndrewsScholarships:-For students of one year’s standing, £30each: Classics, Louise W. Stone ; Modern Languages, EileenO’Rourke ; Mathematics and Science, R. G. Lunnon. SecondYear’s Scholarship, £20: D. M’Donald. Carey FosterResearch Prize: Caroline Schneider. Cluff Memorial Prize
( £15) : T. C. Graves. Jews’ Commemoration Scholarship,£15 per annum for two years: A. E. Evans. Physics Re-search Studentships : £60, F. Simeon ; £40, B. B. Baker.Science Scholarship awarded by H. M. Commissioners for theExhibition of 1851: H. E. Watson, B.Sc. Tuff nell Scholar-
ship in Chemistry, £80 per annum for two years: H. J.
Page. School Hygiene Certificates : C. V. Aserappa, MaryBabbs, Miss S. E. Fisher, Ethel M. Heaton, Isabella Low,J. H. Paddy, Alice Rhoden, Alice R. Ridgeway, Mrs.Katherine E. Ross, J. H. Willis, and Mrs. Alice van I.Winter.
DEATHS OF EMINENT FOREIGN MEDICAL MEN.-The deaths of the following eminent foreign medical men areannounced :-Dr. Pfannenstiel, professor of midwifery andgynaecology in the University of Kiel, at the age of 47 years.He was born and educated in Berlin and was afterwards assist-ant to Professor Fritsch in Breslau, where he afterwards heldseveral important appointments, the University conferringon him the title of professor. Subsequently he went toGiessen as successor to Professor Loblein, and then to Kiel,where he succeeded Professor Werth. He published a numberof papers mostly dealing with uterine tumours, and deviseda special incision in certain cases of laparotomy. He was
joint author of Winckel’s "Manual of Midwifery" and ofBelt’s " Manual of Gynaecology."—Dr. Friedrich Endemann,Privy Medical Councillor of Hesse. He was very active
politically and was for many years a member of the Germanand Prussian Parliaments. His age was 76 years.-Dr. HenryCazalis, a well-known French poet, who wrote under the pseudonym of Jean Lahor. ITHE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY.-The annual
dinner of the Medico-Legal Society was held on July 13th atthe Holborn Restaurant, London, with the Hon. Mr. JusticeWalton in the chair. Among those present were Sir CozensHardy, Master of the Rolls, Mr..H. T. Butlin, SirWilliam J. Collins, Dr. F. J. Smith, Mr. R. Heni’loweWellington, Dr. G. Pernet, Mr. W. Schroder, hono-
--- -1 -
rary treasurer, anu iMr. voves-rreeay ana ur.
William A. Brend, honorary secretaries. A telegram of iregret at inability to attend was received from Sir R. Douglas Powell. Sir William Collins, in proposingthe toast of "The Law and Medicine," said that probablythere never was a time in which the general public was moreready to listen, almost obsequiously, to the last word of
medico-legal science, if only it would speak with authorityand avoid contradictions. Sir William Collins concluded bypleading for simple language in the proceedings of medicaland scientific societies ; he especially instanced the Patho-ogical Society, and urged that intellectual jargon should bereplaced by the Anglo-Saxon tongue ; he deprecated the
pathological slang so frequently observed in the proceedingsof the scientific societies. This toast was acknowledged bySir Cozens Hardy, the Master of the Rolls, who observedthat the word " evidence " applied to what medical men saidin the witness-box was not strictly accurate. In nine casesout of ten medical men were bound to give not evidencebut expressions of opinion, and therefore conflicting opinionsoccurred. Knowledge being what it was, it was impossiblefor any professional man to state more than his opinionof the cause of any particular bodily condition or of whatmight be the result of such condition. He objected to thelong, unintelligible, and unpronounceable words used by somemedical and scientific witnesses, which were the puzzle ofjuries and the distress of judges. Legislation seemed nowmore and more closely involving medicine in legal problems,and the appointment of medical referees was a usefulreform. Mr. H. T. Butlin, President of the Royal Collegeof Surgeons of England, also replied for this toast, whilesubmitting the toast of " The Medico-Legal Society."Mr. Justice Walton, who responded, said that he was
satisfied from his experience that great benefit arose fromthe association of the lawyer with the medical man indiscussing subjects of importance to the welfare of the
public. Mr. E. Marshall Hall, K.C., in a witty speech, gavethe toast of "Our Guests," which was eloquently acknow-ledged by Dr. Smith, who, continuing his speech, proposed"The Officers of the Society." After this toast had been
duly replied to by Mr. Cotes-Preedy, the ,proceedingsterminated.
Parliamentary Intelligence.I -
NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
The Progress of Business.THE progress made with the Finance Bill in Committee has been slow,
the work of examining the proposals relating to land being extremelyonerous. Late sittings have been frequent and have put a considerablestrain not only on Members but on the staff which is kept in constantattendance whilst the House of Commons is sitting. The proceedingson the Finance Bill and the demands made on the time of the House for
passing supply have had the effect of preventing progress being madewith several measures, such as the Housing and Town Planning Billand the Milk Bill. Mr. BURNS has been asked when he intends to
proceed with the second reading of the latter measure, but he cannotfix a date. Some regret is expressed that more progress was not madewith these Bills earlier in the session.
The West African Medical Staff.The report of the Departmental Committee on the West African
Medical Staff is now available as a Parliamentary paper. Mr. H. J.READ of the Colonial Office was chairman, and amongst the membersof the Committee were Dr. T. THOMSON (Local Government Board),Mr. W. H. LANGLEY, C.M.G., F.R.C.S. 1. (Principal Medical Officer,Gold Coast), and Dr. J. K. Fowler (late Dean of the Faculty of Medi-cine, University of London, and senior physician, Middlesex Hospital).The report deals at length with the duties, organisation, emoluments,and selection of officers of the West African Medical Staff.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
WEDNESDAY a Ull
The Mater Infirmorum Hospital, Belfast.Mr. HUGH BARRIE asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant
of Ireland whether it was pr posed to affiliate the Mater InfirmorumHospital (Belfast) to the new Belfast University; and, if so, were itsteachers and teaching to be recognised; and would the members of itsmedical staff be admitted upon the examining board of the University.- Mr. BIRRELL replied: It is not proposed to affiliate the MaterInfirmorum Hospital to the Queen’s University. It is proposed by theMedical Faculty that the hospital should be recognised as a place forclinical teaching as it was by the old Queen’s College, but this is subjectto the approval of the Senate. The appointment of examiners is for theSenate, upon the recommendation of the Academic Council. I have nomeans of knowing how far the medical staff of this or any other hos-pital will be recognised by the Senate.
Public Health in Ramsey Urban District.Mr. BouLTON asked the President of the Local Government Board
what steps he had taken to compel the urban district council of Ramseyto make proper provision for the safety of the town against scarlet feverand epidemics arising from the bad water and bad drainage to which hisattention was called a year ago.-Mr. BURNS wrote in reply: I havepreosed the subject of sewage disposal on the district council. It hasdirected some temporary measures to be taken, but it urges that theexpense of providing a new system of sewers, which would alsonecessitate a water-supply, would be prohibitive. I have not receivedany such complaint of default on the part of the district council withrespect to sewerage and water-supply as would enable me to take com-pulsory action under the Public Health Act. No outbreak of infectiousdisease in the district has been reported to me during the present year.
The Irish Cowvheds and Milkshops Order.Mr. SHEEHAN asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of
Ireland, whether any district councils in Ireland had recently appointedas inspectors under the Cowsheds and Milkshops Order local sub-sanitary officers who also held the position of relieving officers, as wellas other positions under the rural district councils; if so, could hegive the names of the district councils, or of any one of them, whichhad made such appointments ; and would he state whether theLocal Government Board intended to give its sanction to appoint-ments of this nature, in view of the fact that the time of thesegentlemen ought to be already fully occupied if they were efficientlyto perform the duties apperraining to other offices held by them.-Mr.BIRRELL furnished the following written reply: I understand that in68 districts the sanitary sub-officers, who frequently hold the position ofrelieving officers as well, have been appointed to act as inspectors ofdairies. I am forwarding a list of these districts to the honourableMember. The Local Government Board considers it unnecessary to presslocal authorities to appoint separate inspecting officers of dairy premisesin locatities where the dairying industry does not assume large pro-
portions. A sanitary sub-officer has opportunity of observing defects orinsanitary conditions in dairy premises, and there is no reason to
suppose that his time is so fully occupied with other official duties as toprevent his carrying out such inspections. Moreover, under the Board’sSanitary Orders of May, 1900, it already forms part of his duties in adistrict where no inspector of dairies has been appointed to inspectdairies, cowsheds, and milkshops, and to report to the sanitary authority
201
thereon. The sanction of the Board is only required so far as concerns Ithe remuneration of officers under the Dairies Order.
THURSDAY, JULY 8TH.
. Dublin Hospitals and the Royal Irish Constabulary.Mr. HAZLETON asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of
Ireland on what grounds Steevens’s Hospital was selected by the RoyalIrish Constabulary for the treatment of constables ; whether the hos-pital enjoyed a monopoly among Dublin hospitals for Royal Irish
Constabulary patients ; and what sums per week were deducted fromthe pay of constabulary patients and handed over to the hospitalauthorities.-Mr. BIRRELL replied: I am informed by the constabularyauthorities that Steevens’s Hospital is selected for the treatment ofconstables on the ground of its proximity to the depot and thedesirability of having one hospital where special wards can be set apartand beds kept always available for members of the force. It enjoys apractical monopoly in Dublin for the treatment of constabularypatients. Single men pay 2s. 3d., married men Is. 4d., and recruitsIs. l0d. per day for treatment in the hospital.
Public Experiment on a Bulldog.1Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITH asked the Secretary of State for the Home
Department whether his attention had been called to a public experi-ment performed by Dr. Waller on a bulldog at the conversazione of theRoyal Society at Burlington House on May 12th last, whereby a leatherstrap with sharp nails was secured around the dog’s neck, his feet beingimmersed in glass jars containing salts in solution, and the jars beingconnected by wires with galvanometers; whether, in view of Section 6of the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, which prohibited any exhibition tothe general public of experiments on living animals calculated to givepain, he would say whether a licence had been granted to Dr. Wallerfor the performance of this experiment; whether Burlington Househad been registered by the licensee for this purpose under Section 7 ofthe Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876; and whether any action hadbeen, or was being, taken in reference to the matter.-Mr. GLAD-STONE answered: Yes, sir; and I have made inquiries. Dr. Wallerheld no licence for this demonstration and Burlington House is not
registered under Section 7 of the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876.I understand that the dog for some time stood in water to whichsodium chloride had been added, or, in other words, a little commonsalt. If my honourable friend has ever paddled in the sea he will under-stand the sensation. The dog-a finely developed bulldog-wasneither tied nor muzzled. He wore a leather collar ornamented withbrass studs. Had the experiment been painful the pain no doubt wouldhave been felt by those nearest the dog. There was no sign of this, andI do not propose to take action.Mr. GRIFFITH : After that exhibition of humour on the part of the
right honourable gentleman may I ask what was the source of hisinformation that no pain was inflicted on the dog under the circum-stances ?Mr. GLADSTONE: I have seen Dr. Waller and have made the acquaint-
ance of the dog, which is accustomed to this sort of thing and likesstanding in the water.Mr. VINCENT KENNEDY: What was the object of this exhibition?Mr. GLADSTONE: To show the pulsation of the blood and other
interesting matters. It was absolutely painless.Mr. VINCENT KENNEDY: Did the right honourable gentleman receive
the assurance of Dr. Waller that the animal was not drugged while theoperation was in progress ? , .. _ - _. - . _
Mr. GLADSTONE : The suggestion is absurd. It was a perfectlyordinary demonstration which might be carried out at any momentand in any place without the slightest pain to the dog and for theedification of those looking on.Mr. MACNEILL: Will the right honourable gentleman give the House
the name of the person who furnished him with his jokes ?Mr. GLADSTONE: Yes, sir, the jokes, poor as they are, are my own.
Insanitary Houses in Donaghadee. Mr. DEVLIN asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of
Ireland whether his attention had been called to the report of themedical officer of health for Donaghadee, county Down, of the in-sanitary condition of some of the smaller houses in the town; whetherhe was aware that some of these houses had earthen floors and windowswhich did not open ; that one of the reasons given at the urban councilmeeting for not interfering with these houses was that the landlordmight evict the tenants where he was not inclined to put the houses ina sanitary condition; and whether the Local Government Board wouldconsider the advisability of interfering in this case in order to compelthe enforcement of the Public Health Acts.-Mr. BIRRELL (by writtenanswer) replied: The Local Government Board know that the urbandistrict council recently received reports from the medical officer ofhealth as to the condition of certain houses, but it cannot say whetherthe contents of these reports are correctly described in the question.The reports have been referred to the public health committee of thecouncil, and the Board, when informed of the action which the councildecides to take, will give the matter full consideration.
The Sale of Margarine in Ireland.Mr. DEVLIN asked the Vice-President of the Department of
Agriculture (Ireland) whether he was now in a position to statewhat means the Department proposed to adopt to protect the public,and especially the working-class public, in Ireland from being soldmargarine instead of batter.-Mr. T. W. RussELL replied (by written.answer): The duty of enforcing the Sale of Food and Drugs Actsprimarily devolves on the local authorities. The Department can, incertain, circumstances, have samples of articles of food taken foranalysis, and can proceed, in default of the local authorities, for offencesunder the Acts, but it would be obviously impossible for the Depart-ment to enforce the Acts generally. All it can do is to stimulatelocal authorities to greater activity and to supplement their work underthe Acts. The Department has three officers employed in the takingof samples. Many successful prosecutions have resulted from theiraction, and others are pending.
1 See THE LANCET, May 22nd, 1909, p. 1501.
MONDAY, JULY 12TH.Public Ifealth in Ramsey.
In reply to Mr. BOULTON, the President of the Local GovernmentBoard said that he was aware that the consulting medical officer ofhealth of the county council had reported unfavourably on the water-supply and sewage disposal in the town of Ramsey, but that he had notreceived any such complaint of default on the part of the districtcouncil with respect to these matters as would enable him to take com-pulsory action under the Public Health Act. He had given directionsthat one of the medical inspectors of the Local Government Boardshould visit the district and make a report with respect to it.
Typhoid-Carriers at Millbank.Sir WILLIAM CoLLiNs asked the Secretary of State for War how many
of the five supposed typhoid-carriers at Millbank, reported on in PaperCd. 4609, who were undergoing treatment in January-March of thisyear, were now pronounced to be free from bacillus typhosus ; whetherthese men exhibited any signs of ill-health beyond the excretion of suchbacilli; whether the cases treated with general vaccine continued toexcrete bacilli many weeks after the vaccination; what results hadattended the use of the specific vaccine from which better results werehoped for; and whether cases were recorded in which two years aftercured typhoid these bacilli had been found in excretions.-Mr. HALDANEreplied : One only of the five men is believed to be cured at present.None of these men exhibited any signs of ill-health beyond the excretionof bacilli. The general vaccine had no effect on the excretion of thebacilli, and the excretion continued until treatment with the specificvaccine was commenced. The specific vaccine has not given any betterresults than the general vaccine. With regard to the last part of thequestion, if my honourable friend will refer to the report contained incommand paper No. 4609 he will see that such cases have been recorded.
TUESDAY, JULY 13TH.The Spirit Tax and Drugs.
Sir THOMAS BRAMSDON asked the Chancellor of the Exchequerwhether he could state what would approximately be the loss on thespirit tax if a return were allowed of the additional duty on spiritswhich were largely employed in the preparation of drugs and on brandyprescribed for the use of patients to public hospitals, infirmaries, anddispensaries established and mainly supported by voluntary contribu-tions for the relief of the poor and indigent; and whether he had anyreason to suppose that the officers of those institutions could not berelied upon to make an accurate return of the spirits so used.-Mr.
HoBHousE (on behalf of Mr. LLOYD GEORGE) replied: My righthonourable friend has no data which would enable him to give theinformation required by my honourable friend. Except in the case ofdrugs prepared on the premises he does not see how officers of theinstitutions in question would be able to make an accurate return ofthe amount or strength of the spirits used.
The Indian Medical Service and Professional Fees.Mr. REES asked the Under Secretary of State for India whether the
Government of India (Home Government), Notification No. 607, ofJuly 1st, 1907, regarding the receipt of fees by officers of the IndianMedical Service for professional services rendered to Indian nobles orgentlemen and their families or dependents in British India was still inforce, and if so, whether it had received the necessary confirmation ofthe Secretary of State, in anticipation of which the order was issuednearly two years ago; whether he was aware that the order had causeddissatisfaction in India amongst the officers of the Indian MedicalService; and whether his attention had been called to the spirit of theRegulating Act of 1773 (13 Geo. 3, c. 63. Art. 25), by which the right totake or accept fees, gratuities, and rewards in the way of their professionwas specially reserved to medical officers.-The MASTER of ELIBANKreplied: The Secretary of State is still in correspondence with theGovernment of India regarding the notification referred to in the ques-tion, which has not yet received his confirmation. He is not preparedat present to make any statement on the subject.
The Board of Trade and Colour Tests.Mr. HENNIKER HEATON asked the President of the Board of Trade
whether there was any civilised country in the world, besides our own,which regarded the wool test, the official test of the Board of Trade, as areliable test for colour blindness; whether he was aware that not asingle ophthalmic surgeon of eminence in this country was of opinionthat the wool test was an efficient one ; and whether he could state howmany, if any, of the examiners of the Board of Trade, either thoseemployed in the first instance or on appeal, had any knowledge ofphysiology or ophthalmology.-Mr. CHURCHILL (by written answer)replied: I am obtaining information as to the countries which haveadopted the Holmgren wool test as a test for colour blindness in themercantile marine. This test was adopted by the Board of Trade onthe advice of a committee of the Royal Society, which comprised botheminent physiologists and physicists, and I have reason to think thatthe highest scientific opinion is in favour of its efficiency. One of itsadvantages is that it can be applied by persons who possess no know-ledge of physiology or ophthalmology. No such knowledge is thereforedemanded of the Board of Trade examiners in the first instance. Butin the supervision of their tests, in the instructions of their examiners,and in conduct of their special examination on appeal, the Board havethe advantage of the services of two acknowledged authorities on colourvision, both Fellows of the Royal Society, who hold the degree ofDoctor of Science.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 14TH.
Women and the Diplomas of the Royal College of Surgeons.Mr. V. H. RUTHERFORD asked the Secretary of State for the Home
Department whether, in view of the fact that the Royal College ofSurgeons was unable, through the provisions of the Medical Act of1876, to confer the rights and privileges of the College to women whowere admitted to its diplomas, he proposed to grant a new charter to theCollege.-Mr. GLADSTONE replied: I have no power to take any suchaction. I understand that a supplementary charter for the RoyalCollege could only be granted by the Crown on the petition of thegoverning body.
