644

THE Port Said Hospital for Seamen has been erected onthe new site near the lighthouse, a medical officer andnurses have been selected, and Lady Strangford goes toEgypt to inaugurate it before May. A sufficient sum tocommence working has been guaranteed by the members ofthe committee, and the Princess of Wales has contributed.E500 from a fund under her control.

THE Swedish Government has authorised the appoint-ment of a medical officer to all the higher grade schools forthe purpose of watching over the health of the pupils andthe hygienic condition of the school. His salary is to befrom about ..E6 to 9, with a capitation fee of about Is. ld.on each pupil. -

ON the 23rd inst. the Glasgow University Court

appointed out of a number of applicants the followinggentlemen :-Botany : George Murray, London. Natural

History : R. E. C. Leith, M.A., B.Sc., M.B., Edinburgh.Chemistry: J. J. Dobbie, M.D.Sc., Bangor. Materia Medica :Wm. Whitla, M.D., Belfast.

-

THE Darlington School Board have ordered their schoolsto be closed for a time with a view to check the prevalenceof measles and scarlet fever in the town.

JOHN TYNDALL, LL.D., F.R.S., has resigned his position asProfessor of Natural Philosophy at the Royal Institution,which he has held since 1853.

WE are asked to state that the meeting of the HarveianSociety announced to take place on April 7th is unavoidablypostponed. -

THE next meeting of the Clinical Society will be held onApril 1st, instead of the 8th, the latter day being GoodFriday.

Pharmacology and Therapeutics.TINCTURE OF STROPHANTHUS.

FEW drugs have sprung more rapidly into favour than theAfrican arrow poison strophanthus. It was introduced to thenotice of the profession by the distinguished pharmacologist,Dr. T. R. Fraser, Professor of Materia Medica in the Universityof Edinburgh, who for fifteen years laboriously investigatedits action both on man and the lower animals. It is now

recognised as being not only a powerful heart tonic, but amost active diuretic. It is gradually replacing digitalis inpopularity, and will in all probability in time entirelysupersede it. It is not cumulative, and is especiallyindicated in all cases of cardiac affection attended withdropsy. It not only quiets the pulse, but by acting on thekidneys relieves the œdema and other attendant symptoms.lt has also been found useful in purely functional irregularity.For a long time a difficulty was experienced in obtaining athoroughly trustworthy preparation, but Messrs. Burroughs,Wellcome, and Co. have recently made a 1 in 20 alco-holic solution which answers every purpose. This newtincture has been submitted to Prof. Fraser, who, after acareful examination and subjecting it to various tests, foundthat it answered his requirements. The dose is from two toten minims, and no hesitation need be felt in pushing it insuitable cases. It is made on a very large scale, somehundredweight or more being manipulated at a time. so thatabsolute uniformity of product can be guaranteed. Theseeds alone are used, the husk and other parts being rejected.We have examined a specimen of the crude drug from whichit is prepared, and have no hesitation in saying that it is thetrue species. The price of the tincture has been recentlyreduced, so that there is every prospect of its commanding avery extensive trial.

HOGG’S COCAINE TABLETS.Messrs. R. Hogg and Son. Pharmaceutical Chemists, of

1, Southwick-street, W., have sent us specimens of theircocaine tablets containing one-twelfth of a grain in each.They are active, but are somewhat hard and unpalatable.For the treatment of affections of the mouth or throat, theywould, we think, be improved by being prepared with asofter basis.

SALOL IN MEDICAL AND SURGICAL PRACTICE,

Salol has recently been extensively used in the Jewishhospital, Berlin, both in the medical and surgical wards. TheL’Icerapeutisclac Monatsheft publishes two papers on thesubject from the pens of Drs. S. Rosenberg and L. Feilchen-feld. The former gives an account of the effect of the drugin acute rheumatism. He employed it at first in 15-grain dosessix or eight times a day. In almost all the cases this had theeffect of bringing down the fever and relieving the pain inthe joints in from twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Thenumber of doses was then reduced to from five to two perdiem. The continuation of the treatment did not, however,appear to prevent the occurrence of complications, as

peri- and endo-carditis and pleurisy; sometimes alsosinging in the ears, sweats, nausea, and vomiting occurred,and carboluria was always present for a time. Thedigestive organs were never affected for any prolongedperiod. Dr. Rosenberg thinks salol acts as a kind of" masked salicyl," being insoluble in the gastric juice,and thus having but little effect on the stomach. It doesnot, he says, decompose into phenol and salicylic aciduntil the pancreatic juice acts upon it in the duodenum.Notwithstanding its general advantages over salicylic acid,the latter should be used in very severe cases and whenthere are repeated relapses. Dr. Feilchenfeld employedsalol in various surgical cases, both internally and as anexternal application. In cystitis and pyelitis he gave twoor three 15-grain doses per diem with excellent results, andwith little in the way of disagreeable symptoms beyond agreen colouration of the urine of no particular moment.Externally salol was found very useful in ulcers of variouskinds, and notably in a very obstinate case of bubo conse-quent upon a soft chancre, which had been operated on andtreated with the strongest caustics without showing anydisposition to heal. Salol, however, rapidly produced a changefor the better, and cicatrisation soon occurred.

MYRTOL.

Myrtol is obtained from the distillation of the leaves ofthe myrtle ; it is a liquid possessing the characteristic per-fume of the plant. It is of less density than water, evapo-rates at the ordinary temperature, stains paper, but thestains disappear entirely. It has a warm, slightly acridtaste, soon followed by a sensation of freshness. It issaid to be an excellent disinfectant and an energetic anti-septic, to stimulate the digestive functions, and to in-crease the appetite. In moderate doses myrtol acts asa sedative to the nervous system. It is eliminated bythe respiratory and urinary passages. Myrtol appears tohave the advantage over the balsams of not upsetting thestomach, thereby enabling it to be employed for a longtime without leading to objectionable effects—e.g., dyspepsia.M. Linaris has had globules of myrtol prepared, each con-taining fifteen centigrammes of the pure liquid. Theremedy does not appear to cause the same effects at allperiods of diseases of the respiratory passages. In order toobtain the best results it should be employed with a view tocombating subacute or chronic catarrhal affections, or it maybe given at the termination of an acute attack of bronchitiswhen the fever has subsided. Another indication for itsemployment is an abundant opaque muco-purulent secretion.In these cases the secretion is diminished and rendered lesspurulent. M. Linaris has employed myrtol in chronic fetidbronchitis, catarrhal bronchitis, catarrhal asthma withparoxysmal attacks and palpitations, capillary bronchitis,and dilated bronchi. The average daily dose was six of the

, globules; they should be taken after meals: two in the; morning, two in the daytime, and two at eventide.! SACCHARINE IN DIABETES.

, Dr. Arnold Pollatschek of Carlsbad writes in a Ilungarianjournal on the importance of Fahlberg’s saccharine or anhydro-ortho-sulphamide-benzoic acid, as Stutzer calls it. Dr.

’ Pollatschek quite agrees with Stutzer, Aducco and Mosso ofTurin, and Salkowski of Berlin-all of whose researches onthe chemical, physiological, and therapeutical aspects of the-

645

subject be quotes at some length-that saccharine is perfectlyharmless. He finds that it may be given to diabetics forsweetening purposes, neutralised as proposed by Prof. Leydenwith carbonate of soda. Dr. Pollatschek made an attemptto cover the bitter taste of quinine with saccharine, but didnot succeed.

_____________

ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS.

AN extraordinary Comitia of the College was held on the21st inst., Sir W. Jenner, Bart., President, in the chair.A letter was read from the secretary to II.R.H. the

Prince of Wales, conveying his Royal Highness’s thanks tothe College for the gift of a copy of Harvey’s Pra3lectionesAnatomicse.A letter was read from the President of the General

Medical Council addressed to the President of the College,containing the following resolution passed on Feb. 19th:"That the Council, being of opinion that it would becontrary to the interest of the public to have two competingexamining boards sitting in London, and that it is desirablethat the Royal College of Physicians of London, the RoyalCollege of Surgeons of England, and the Apothecaries’Society of London should arrange to hold a qualifyingexamination conjointly, strongly recommend to thesemedical authorities to reconsider their position with a viewto such an arrangement; and meantime defer coming to adecision on the application from the Apothecaries’ Societyof London of Feb. 12th." The letter went on to say thatthe Council felt it their duty to leave no way untried toeffect combinations between licensing bodies, which hadbeen done in Scotland, and partially in England and Ireland.By the combination proposed one strong licensing bodywould be formed in London.The President pointed out that it was inaccurate to say

that the Colleges in any way competed with the Apothecaries’Society.

It was moved by Dr. Dickinson, seconded by Dr. Habershon:"That this College, having already in full comitia in Octoberdeliberately considered the advisability of admitting theApothecaries’ Society of London to take part in the forma-tion of an examining board for England, in consequence ofa communication received from that Society, and havingvoted nemine contradicente against the inclusion of thatbody, having again fully considered the question, sees no

reason for altering the decision previously arrived at by thisCollege." In the discussion that ensued several Fellows tookpart, including Sir Dyce Duckworth, Sir Henry Acland, Dr.Hand field Jones, Dr. Wilks, and Dr. N. Moore. Sir H. Aclandreviewed the previous steps taken to secure combination ofbodies, and claimed that the attitude assumed by theMedical Council upon the question was in strict accordancewith the spirit of the Medical Act, which was framed toensure combinations of licensing bodies. The Presidentstrongly supported the motion, which was carried without adissentient vote. A proposal by Dr. Wilson Fox that a state-ment of the reasons actuating the College should be appendedto the resolution was withdrawn, it being felt that thesereasons could be left in the hands of Sir Dyce Duckworth,the representative of the College on the General MedicalCouncil.Several communications regarding the movement of the

two Colleges to obtain powers to grant degrees were read.One was from the secretaries of University College and King’sCollege, to the effect that these Colleges intend to apply fora charter to grant degrees, and requesting a conference withthe two Royal Colleges. Another was from the King andQueen’s College of Physicians in Ireland, asking what stepsthe Royal Colleges were taking to obtain this power, andintimating their intention to make a similar application. Athird from the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland was tothe same effect. A memorial from the Faculty of Medicineof University College, Bristol, asking that admission to theproposed degree should be extended to students in provincialschools, was referred, with the other communications, tothe Committee of Delegates. A communication was readfrom the Association of General Practitioners enclosingresolutions passed at a recent meeting in Exeter Hall, deal-ing with the degree Question, the conjunction with theApothecaries’ Society, and with the representation of Licen-tiates and Members on the governing body of the College.

A letter was read from the secretary to the Imperial’ Institute, inviting contributions from the Fellows of the

College. It was resolved, on the motion of the President, to; present a memorial to Her Majesty on the occasion of herL jubilee; and it was also resolved to erect a statue or bust

of Her Majesty, in commemoration of that event, in thenew Examinaticn Hall.A report from the Committee of Management suggesting

certain alterations in the examination regulations wasadopted.

THE NAVY ESTIMATES.

THE Navy estimates continue to be furnished in a formwhich, so far at least as regards the medical service, makesit difficult, if not impossible, to give a clear statement ofthe expense involved. From the scattered details we gatherthat the personnel of the department is estimated to be-

1 Director-General, 2 Inspectors-General of Fleets and

Hospitals, 10 Deputy Inspectors-General, 65 Fleet Surgeons,.76 Staff Surgeons, and 217 Surgeons. The amount requiredfor their pay and allowances is .6136,573. There are on the

half-pay list, but eligible for employment, 21 officers, forwhom E5759 are taken. On the retired list there are 22Inspectors-General, 70 Deputy Inspectors-General, 58 FleetSurgeons, 62 Staff Surgeons, and 38 Surgeons, making atotal of 250, whose retired pay amounts to £86,385. Pro-vision is made for 3 head sisters and 15 nursing sisters inthe Melville, Haslar, and Plymouth Hospitals, at an expense-of .613G7 for their pay and X235 for their uniform cloth-ing. It is impossible to say what amount is requiredfor the purchase of medicines and instruments, as under thevote in which these appear a great number of things areincluded which, though intended for the use of the sick,,cannot be classed under either of these heads. We observethat, while the vote for the expense of carrying out the-Contagious Diseases Acts disappears from the estimate, a,sum of .62100 is to be taken "for contributions in aid oflock wards at Portsmouth and Devonport." For the pur--pose of carrying out sanitary work a sum of .62000 is to beexpended on " sanitary alterations" in the Royal NavalCollege, Portsmouth ; £800 for lavatories &c. to one blockof wards in Chatham Hospital, and .6620 for heating arrange-ments for washing-troughs in Plymouth Hospital. Theonly items under this head for foreign stations are a sum of.6520 for " improvements to fever ward" in the hospital atJamaica, and contributions of .61250 towards the drainageworks at Halifax, and of £430 towards those at Malta.

THE IRISH MEDICAL SCHOOLS ANDGRADUATES’ ASSOCIATION.

THE annual general meeting of this Association took

place on St. Patrick’s Day, Thursday, March 17th, at 49,.Berners-street, London. The following members of Councilwere present:-Sir Thos. Crawford, K.C.B., Director-Generalof the Army Medical Department; Dr. Macnaughton Jones;Prof. Yeo, chairman of Council; Prof. Macalister Dr. Edward;.Waters, Chester; Dr. Gilbart Smith ; Dr. Wm. H. White;. ;.

Dr. Phillips, Reading; Dr. R. Fegan ; Dr. J. H. Gibson;Brigade Surgeon Alexander, hon. treasurer; Dr. Jas. Stewart,,hon. sec. for the Provinces; and Dr. P. S. Abraham, hon. sec.for London. Among the other members who attended wereInspector- General Dick, R.N,; Dr. henry Fitzgibbon, Dublin;and several others. After the outgoing president (Dr.Macnaughton Jones) had relinquished the chair to Sir Thos.Crawford, now president, the annual report of the Councilwas read. The number of members on the roll had increasedwithin the year from 358 to 459. The Council had to regretthe loss by death of six-viz., Drs. Thompson (founder ofthe Association), Curtin, Eames, Staff Surgeon O’Sullivan,.R.N., Dr. Sexton, and Deputy Surgeon-General Wolesley.Among the more important matters which had been andwere still under the consideration of the Council, were thedisabilities under which graduates laboured who held thehigher qualifications of the Dublin Colleges. The hon.treasurer’s report was very satisfactory, and showed a sub--stantial balance to the credit of the Association. Professor