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Supposing the number of the governing body to be fixed atfrom twenty to thirty, not less than three elected membersshould be appointed from the Medical Faculty. It is verydesirable, with a view to the union of the examinations ofthe University in one system with those of the Royal Collegeof Physicians and Surgeons, that room should be found inthe governing body for representatives of these Colleges;and that arrangements should be made by agreement betweenthe University and the Royal Colleges for the joint conductof examinations under a common administration, so far asthey deal with the same subject matter and with studentsat the same stages of their career.

" All seats on the governing body and on the Board ofStudies should be held for a term of years only.

" In reference to the functions and work of the proposedTeaching University, we desire to call attention to the follow-ing points :-

"1. We think it desirable, in regard especially to thescientific branches of medical education, that arrangementsshould be contemplated whereby, under the guidance of theBoard of Studies of the Medical Faculty, without impairingthe autonomy of the several schools, some concentrationmay be effected of the teaching in particular studies, butsubject always to the provision of a sufficient number ofcentres to meet the circumstances of the case.

. " 2. It appears to be desirable to contemplate the founda-tion of chairs in this University (whether attached or not toany existing institution) with a view particularly to theprosecution of the higher and more specialised studies,adapted to those who have already taken their degree, andsupplementary to the instruction provided by existinginstitutions."

Similar conferences are being held in connexion with theother proposed Faculties, and the result of their deliberations,with the action taken thereon by the executive committee,will probably be brought before a general meeting of theAssociation in the autumn, when doubtless a definitescheme of the University will be submitted.

THE SANITARY CONFERENCE AT ROME.

THE delegates to the Conference having returned from avisit to Naples and its neighbourhood, where they receivedan unbounded hospitality both from the Government andthe local authorities, the sittings of the Plenary Conferencewere resumed on Friday, the 12th inst. Whether owing tothe difficulty of securing sufficient unity of opinion amongstthe different nations, or whether, as was alleged, with aview of enabling the several Governments to consider theconclusions of the Technical Commission, it was at oncedecided to ask the Italian Government to adjourn thesittings to a later date. Several important statements anddocuments were handed in to the President, and these willdoubtless appear in the published Proceedings, but for thetime being no opportunity has occurred for their discussion.At a sitting on Saturday, the 13tb, it was announced that

the Government had assented to the proposed adjournmentand had suggested that the sittings should be resumed onNov. 16th. This was unanimously acceded to, and the Con-ference then came to an end.So far the only proceedings registered are those of the

Technical Commission, and they have certainly succeededin eliciting the different opinions prevalent in Europe andother parts of the world as to the value of the severalmeasures advocated for the prevention of cholera. Whetheropinions so much at variance can ever be sufficientlyreconciled to make it worth while to attempt the compila-tion of an International or even of a European code, remainsto be seen. The British and Indian delegates left Romeduring the course of the present week.

MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.--A meeting infurtherance of the objects of this Association was held on the13th inst., at Oxford. The aim of the Association is toestablish one or more marine laboratories for naturalists onthe coasts of the United Kingdom, such as exist at Naplesand elsewhere. The fund already subscribed amounts to8000, and ae2000 more is needed. Cambridge Universityhas subscribed 500, and Oxford is appealed to for a similarsum.

Public Health and Poor Law.LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT.

REPORTS OF MEDICAL OFFICERS OF HEALTH.

Builth Rural District.-Dr. Herring gives a satisfactoryaccount of the progress made in improving the sanitarycondition of this district. During 1884 the death-rate was12’28 per 1000, only three deaths being attributed to

zymotic diseases. Of three cases from typhoid fever whichoccurred during the year, one was that of the sanitary in-spector, who unfortunately lost his life. Water-supply hasbeen provided to the village of Erwood, and steps are beingtaken with regard to other villages where the supply isdeficient.Middlesex and Hertford Combined Sanitary Dist°icts.-

An interesting chapter at the beginning of the annualreport of these districts discusses conditions which are

common to all. After referring to the manner in whichcholera is known to spread in this country, Dr. Saunderspoints out the risks which are caused by the use of openprivies and the ease with which a remedy can be found bythe substitution of pails. A strong objection is taken tothe exclusion of storm-water from sewers, this exclusionbeing done on the recommendation of engineers whosesole object is to bring schemes of sewerage within suchlimits as would be acceptable to sanitary authorities.On this point Dr. Saunders writes that "water-carriagesewage will soon be a misnomer, and already the effectof the removal of this natural cleanser and carrieris that sewers stink, and that open ventilators, whichare the most rational and the best method of ven-

tilating a clean sewer, are objected to." Attention isdirected to the unsatisfactory closet accommodation inparochial schools, in several instances the health of thechildren having suffered in consequence. Of epidemicdiseases, small-pox has been specially rife in Rickmans-worth, where, during the epidemic, 1100 persons were vac-cinated. Reference is also made to the increased prevalenceof diphtheria in the kingdom ; two severe epidemics ofthis disease occurred at Totteridge and South lTimms, andin both the disease first appeared in children attendingschools where the closets were seriously at fault. Inseveral districts enteric fever made its appearance, certaincases in the neighbourhood of Bernard Heath, near St.Albans, being due to a contaminated milk-supply from afarm which had given rise at the same time to an outbreakin the city of St. Albans, and in the previous year in theLondon parish of St. Pancras. The report contains evidenceof careful inspection of all the districts and of steady pro-gress in the improvement of their sanitary condition. Therecommendations which are made for this purpose are wellconsidered, and if adopted by the local authorities will domuch to add to the healthiness of the various localities.The population of these combined districts is 91,051 persons,and the death-rate for 1884 was 15’7. The number ofinfants dying under one year of age was 35’5 per cent, ofthe total deaths, and the zymotic death-rate was 7’8 percent.

Borough of Preston.-The report of the medical officer ofhealth for this borough records the high death-rate of 2S’53per 1000, being slightly below the average of the previousten years. The deaths from all causes under the age ofone year form 34 per cent. of the mortality; as regardsother large towns, the infantile death-rate of Preston is

higher than that of all towns but one-viz., Leicester. -Ifr.

Pilkington points out the effect which burial clubs harehad upon infantile mortality in other towns; he does not,however, express any opinion as to whether Preston hasbeen affected in a similar manner. The mortality fromdiarrhoea occurred mostly amongst the children of theoperative and labonring classes, those of the Irish beingcomparatively exempt, a result which Mr. Pilkington believe,to be due to the fact that the latter are almost always fedat the breast. Bronchitis added largely to the deaths ofinfants, and this he attributes to their removal in the coldof the early morning from warm and ill-ventilated rooms,where they had slept, to houses in which they are nursedwhile their mothers are at work. The zymotic rate ofmortality was 5’15 per 1000 of the population; small-pox

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was almost absent, but measles was very prevalent in thelatter part of the year, and the diarrhceal death-rate was asmuch as 2’91 per 1000. During the year a house-to-houseinspection was made in a number of streets, and the neces-sary improvements of houses carried out. It has beendecided to commence a destructor for the consumption ofdry ashes and market garbage, and it is expected that it willovercome one of the difficulties with which the town has tocontend. Special attention was given to the ventilation ofthe sewers, and the question of the erection of a publicabattoir is receiving the attention of the sanitary committee.

Preston Port District.-Dr. Fisher reports that the atten-tion of the authority was directed by the Local GovernmentBoard to the need for the inspection of shipping in view ofthe prevalence of cholera on the Continent, and Dr. Blaxallvisited the Port for this purpose. There was, however, noimportation of an epidemic or infectious disease during 1884.Lytham Urban District.-This district has a population

of 4373 constantly resident in the town, and during the year1884 there were eighty-one deaths, giving a death-rate of18’5 per 1000. The rate of mortality from zymotic diseaseswas only 1’1 per 1000, calculated upon five deaths from thisclass of disease. This is perhaps fortunate, for Dr. Fisherreports that the town is still without a disinfecting chamberfor the purpose of disinfecting beds and bedding after in-fectious diseases. Only six cases of scarlet fever came underobservation, and all occurred amongst visitors, and in allcases, as far as could be ascertained, the disease was imported.During the latter part of the year an epidemic of measlesprevailed, but no deaths resulted. Houses and cottages,slaughter-houses and bakehouses, have been inspected, and animprovement effected in the drainage of one portion of thetown where the sewer was specially defective.

Tendring Rural District.-It is estimated that the popu-lation of this district is 25,141, and during last year there Iwere 411 deaths, giving a death-rate of 16-3 per 1000. Theinfant mortality is greater owing to an increased number ofdeaths from pulmonaryaffectionsanddiarrhoea. Thisincreaseis attributed by Dr. Cook in part to improper feeding. Alist of cases of zymotic diseases is given so far as they wereknown, but the zymotic death-rate is not calculated.Reference is made to five cases of typhus which occurred atFrating. These were, however, related to others whichshowed themselves in the previous December, and were fullycommented on in the report for that year. The two diseasesmost prevalent in the district were measles and whooping-cough. The report points out the need for a system ofsewers in several parts of the district, particularly at Brad-field and Parkeston ; at Brightlingsea, where the sewersare also very defective, Dr. Cook recommends the tub system,so as to prevent injury to the oyster beds. At Clacton-on-Sea the new sewers are now completed, and satisfactoryarrangements have been made for flushing them, Dr. Cook,however, does not regard their ventilation as perfect. Thewater supplied by the Clacton-on-Sea Water Company wasfound on analysis to be of very good quality.Belper Rural Sanitary Authol’ity.-In the Alfreton sani-

tary district there are 17,000 persons in thirteen differentparishes, the death-rate in the total number is 12’96 per1000, and varies in the different parishes from 4’17 to 18’91.In several villages efforts have been made to improve thewater-supply by deepening the wells and protecting themfrom surface pollution. In one village typhoid feveroccurred, and the locality of the disease is described as " avery unhealthy one by reason of the general filth andsqualor of its surroundings." In this outbreak two personsdied. There were but three other deaths from diseases ofthe zymotic class in the whole district. Mr. Gaylor reportsthat there is no hospital or means of isolating infectiousdisease, and that a portable disinfector is much needed. lTr.Allen, medical officer of health to the Belper district, pointsout the need of a system of notification of infectiousdisease, and for a central infectious hospital or cottagehospitals in different parts of his district. The water-supplyto South Wingfield is described as scanty, and at the presenttime the inhabitants of the hamlet of Overthorpe are drink-ing water which is liable to contamination from the over-flow of a brook which receives sewage from the town ofAlfreton. The condition of the outfall at the sewage tankat Delves has caused much anxiety, attempts at purificationhaving failed, and it is now proposed to change the positionof the tank so that the effluent should be conducted over anosier bed. The death-rate during the year is 13-7 per 1000,calculated upon a population of 17,625. The mortality of

children under five years of age is considerablv more thanone-third of the total number of deaths. The zymoticdisease during the year which has been most fatal waswhooping-cough.

________

VITAL STATISTICS.

HEALTH OF ENGLISH TOWNS.

IN twenty-eight of the largest English towns 5563 birthsand 3168 deaths were registered during the week ending the13th inst. The annual death-rate in these towns, which hadbeen equal to 21’1, 21’0, and 20-5 in the preceding threeweeks, further declined to 18’6 last week, a lower rate thanhas prevailed in any previous week of this year. Duringthe first ten weeks of the current quarter the death-ratein these towns averaged 21-4 per 1000, against 22’3, themean rate in the corresponding periods of the nine years1876-84. The lowest rates in these towns last week were10’5 in Derby, 13-7 in Sunderland, 14’2 in Halifax, and 14’5in Wolverhampton. The rates in the other towns rangedupwards to 23-7 in Sheffield, 26’5 in Manchester, 28’1 inPlymouth, and 35’4 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The deathsreferred to the principal zymotic diseases in the twenty-eight towns, which had been 486 and 520 in the precedingtwo weeks, declined to 429 last week, a lower number thanin any week since the beginning of March. These 429deaths included 177 from measles, 102 from whooping-cough, 37 from diarrhoea, 32 from "fever" (principallyenteric), 27 from small-pox, 27 from diphtheria, and 26 fromscarlet fever. No death from any of these diseases was re-corded during the week in Norwich, in Wolverhampton, orin Halifax ; while they caused the highest death-rates inManchester, Sheffield, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Thegreatest mortality from measles occurred in Manchester,Sheffield, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne; from whooping-coughin Oldham, Birkenhead, and Plymouth ; from scarlet feverin Leicester and Sunderland; and from "fever" in Brightonand Blackburn. The 27 deaths from diphtheria in thetwenty-eight towns included 17 in London, 2 in Ports-mouth, and 2 in Liverpool. Small-pox caused 51 deaths inLondon and its outer ring of suburban districts (exclusiveof 16 London residents recorded in the metropolitanasylum hospitals and camp at Darenth), 2 in Hull, 1 inManchester, and 1 in Sheffield. The number of small-poxpatients in the metropolitan asylum hospitals situated inand around London, which had been 1389 and 1201 in theprevious two weeks, rose again to 1221 last week; theadmissions to these hospitals, which had been 282, 272, and180 in the previous three weeks, rose again to 204 lastweek. The Highgate Small-pox Hospital contained 67patients on Saturday last, 14 cases having been admittedduring the week. The deaths referred to diseases of therespiratory organs in London, which had been 302 and 290in the preceding two weeks, further declined to 231 lastweek, and were 29 below the corrected weekly average.The causes of 66, or 2’1 per cent., of the deaths in thetwenty-eight towns last week were not certified eitherby a registered medical practitioner or by a coroner. Allthe causes of death were duly certified in Brighton, Ports-mouth, Bradford, and in four other smaller towns. Thelargest proportions of uncertified deaths were registered inWolverhampton, Nottingham, Oldham, and Hull.

HEALTH OF SCOTCH TOWNS.

The annual rate of mortality in the eight Scotch towns,which had been equal to 20’5 and 21’8 per 1000 in the pre-vious two weeks, declined again last week to 20’6, butexceeded by 2’0 the mean rate during the same week in:he twenty-eight large English towns. The rates in theScotch towns last week ranged from 10’0 in Perth andL7’0 in Dundee and in Aberdeen, to 23-9 in Glasgow and 24’Cn Greenock. The 502 deaths in the eight towns included2 which were referred to whooping-cough, 13 to measles,l3 to diarrhoea, 7 to "fever" (typhus, enteric, or simple), co diphtheria, 3 to scarlet fever, and not one to small-pox;n all 63 deaths resulted from these principal zymoticliseases, against 59 and 74 in the preceding two weeks,Chese 63 deaths were equal to an annual rate of 2’6 per000, which exceeded by 0’1 the mean rate from the sameliseases in the twenty-eight English towns. The deathseferred to whooping-cough, which had been 27 and 23 inhe preceding two weeks, further declined last week to 22

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of which 12 occurred in Glasgow, 6 in Edinburgh, 2 inGreenock, and 2 in Leith. The 13 deaths from measlesshowed a decline of 2 from the number in the previous week,and included 7 in Glasgow, 3 in Greenock, and 2 in Edin-burgh. The 13 deaths attributed to diarrhoea were alsofewer than those in the previous week, and scarcely differedfrom the number in the corresponding week of last year. Ofthe 7 deaths referred to "fever," showing an increase upon theexceptionally small number in the previous week, 4 occurredin Leith and 3 in Glasgow. The fatal cases of scarlet feverand diphtheria were considerably below the average, andshowed a decline from recent weekly numbers. The deathsreferred to acute diseases of the respiratory organs in theeight towns, which had been 87 and 126 in the preceding twcweeks, declined again to 94 last week, and were 7 belowthe number returned in the corresponding week of last

year. The causes of 67, or more than 13 per cent., of thEdeaths in the eight Scotch towns last week were not cer-

tified. ___

HEALTH OF DUBLIN.

The rate of mortality in Dublin, which had declined inthe preceding four weeks from 35’0 to 23’1, rose again to29’1 in the week ending June 13th. During the first tenweeks of the current quarter the death-rate in the cityaveraged 30’6 per 1000, the rate during the same periodnot exceeding 20’1 in London and 18’5 in Edinburgh. The197 deaths in Dublin last week showed an increase of 41upon the number in the previous week, and included 24which were referred to the principle zymotic diseases,against numbers steadily declining from 34 to 15 in the pre-ceding four weeks. These 24 deaths were equal to an annualrate of 3’5 per 1000, the rate from the same diseases beingequal to 2’8 in London and 1’9 in Edinburgh; they included11 from measles, 7 from " fever" (typhus, enteric, or simple),3 from scarlet fever, 2 from whooping-cough, 1 from diar-rhoea, and not one either from small-pox or diphtheria.Tbe fatal cases of measles, whch had been 17, 13, and 9 inthe preceding three weeks, were 11 last week; and the deathsfrom " fever" showed an increase upon the recent weeklynumbers. Seven inquest cases and 10 deaths from violencewere registered, considerably exceeding the numbers in anyrecent week. Nearly a third of the deaths were recordedin public institutions, The deaths both of infants and of- elderly persons showed a marked increase upon those re-turned in the previous week. The causes of 25, or nearly13 per cent., of the deaths registered during the week werenot certified.

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THE SERVICES.

Surgeon-Major F. Ferguson has arrived at Cairo, sick, fromthe Nile.WAR OFFICE.-Grenadier Guards: Surgeon-Major Henry

J. H. Lawrence to be placed on retired pay, with the honoraryrank of Brigade Surgeon.ARMY MEDICAL STAFF.-Surgeon-Major John Kinahan,

M.D., is granted retired pay, with the honorary rank ofBrigade Surgeon; Surgeon Richard Henry Stewart Sawyer,M.B., from half-pay, to be Surgeon, vice Robert Lesly, M.B.,deceased. The undermentioned Surgeons on probation to beSurgeons :-Samuel Hickson, M.B. ; Henry James Fletcher,M.B.; Sidney Herbert Lindeman; Edward Davis; SimpsonPowell, "&bgr;I.B.; Frederick William Caton Jones, M.B.; JamesMeek, M.D.; Arthur Edward Morris, M.D.; Eugene Cormack,M.B.; Claudius 0’done, M.D. ; William Alexander Carte,M.B.; Arthur Ormsby Fitzgerald; Frederick Dundas Elder-ton ; Edward Nodin Sheldrake; Robert EverardMolesworth;John William Francis Long; Charles Langford Josling; JohnFrancis Bateson, M.B.; William Travers Swan, M.B.; JosephBulfin, M.B.; Robert Lockhart Ross Macleod, 1I.B.; JamesHenry Curtis; Gofton Gee Adams; James M. F. Shine, M.D. ;William Bullen Day, M.B.; David Rogerson Hamilton, M.B.;Robert Geo. Thompson, M.D.; Charles T. Blackwell; RobertIgnatius Power; Charles Randolph Kilkelly, M.B.; WilliamHenry Bean; Nicholas Charles Ferguson, M.B.; SamuelRichard Wills; Michael Leo Hearn; Stephen Lawson Deeble;Richard Harris Hall, M.D.; William Hallaran Bennett,M.B.;John Henry Greenaway; Richard George Hanley, M.B.;William Howard Bell; Gerald Cree; Samuel Cowell Philson;John Michael Nicolls, M.B. ; Frederick William Henry DavieHarris.

ADMIRALTY.—In accordance with the provisions of HerMajesty’s Order in Council of 1st April, 1881, Fleet-SurgeonFrederick Augustus Brice has been placed on the RetiredList, with permission to assume the rank and title ofDeputy Inspector-General of Hospitals and Fleets.The following appointments have been made :-Surgeon

Alexander Gascoigne Wildey to the !Vledina; SurgeonJames M’Cardie Martin to the Duke of TFellington; SurgeonAlexander Gordon Andrews to the llledtvuy; and George R,Moore to be Surgeon and Agent at Jersey.ARTILLERY VOLUNTEERS.-2nd Northumberland (Percy):

James Henry Davidson, Gent., M.B., to be Acting Surgeon.- 2nd East Riding of Yorkshire: Thomas Bowes Shaw, Gent.,to be Acting Surgeon.RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.—Lieut.-Colonel Commandant Pear-

son Robert Cresswell, F.R.C.S., commanding the 2ndGlamorgan Rifle Volunteer Corps, is granted the honoraryrank of Colonel.THE VOLUNTEER MEDICAL STAFF CORPS.—Surgeon John

H. Casson, from the 2nd Derbyshire Rifle Volunteer Corps,to be Surgeon. Surgeon William Henry Platt, from the1st Tower Hamlets Rifle Volunteer Corps (the Tower HamletsRifle Volunteer Brigade), to be Surgeon. The undermen-tioned gentlemen to be Surgeons :-John Edward Squire,M.D.; Samuel Walter Sutton, M.D. ; Edgar William Willett;William Edmund St. Michael Raw.

Correspondence.THE COLLEGE ELECTION.

"Audi alteram partem."

7b the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,—Although I think it would be very undesirable, as aprecedent, that any candidate for election to the Council ofthe Royal College of Surgeons should be called upon to stateprecisely his views upon any question, as a test of his

eligibility for an office wherein he should be able to exercisean unfettered judgment, in accordance with the confidencereposed in him and in his honesty of purpose by theelectoral constituency of Fellows, yet it seems to me thatthe present occasion is quite exceptional with regard tothat principle.

Certain matters of vital consequence to the rights of theFellows, and the future welfare, or perhaps the existence, ofthe College, have been so freely and fully considered, so

threshed out by discussion, that it is simply impossible forany eligible candidate for the College Council not to havearrived at a definite conclusion thereon. Accordingly, I

proceed to state my convictions, and the course therefore Ishould be prepared to take in the event of my beinghonoured with a seat in the Council.There is one positive wrong which underlies all other

forms of exclusiveness, and the mal-influence of whichparalyses the hands of that section of the Council who are still bound by tradition- mean the restriction of the ofticeof examiner in surgery almost exclusively to members ofCouncil. - Other positions of emolument have been thrownmore open to the Fellows and to the Members generally;but the chief source of emolument yet remains restricted tomembers of the Council. The injustice and the inconsis-tency of this exclusiveness are obvious, seeing that manyFellows may be highly qualified for the office of examinerin surgery who are not on the Council, and that members ofCouncil may possess the oapacity for administration ratherthan special fitness for the office of examiner. The two posi-tions are not convertible. Let the conjunction of these twooffices be broken up, and then the Council will see no

desirability in their maintaining the present status quo.Other things would follow. Who can doubt that the Pre-sident of the College should not be elected necessarily in theorder of rotation from members of the Council, that at ayearly meeting the report of the Council should be sub-mitted to the electoral constituency, and that no vitalchange in the constitution and relations of the College shouldbe undertaken by the Council without the knowledge andconcurrence of the Fellows and Members constituting the.College? In all these respects the College should stand

upon the same basis as that of any other Society-say, the