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returned to France to rest there when the yellow fever brokeout in Senegal and in the Soudan. The Government beggedhim to. organise the necessary hygienic measures at St. Louis-du-Senegal, and Dr. Ballay started at once. He died in WestAfrica esteemed by everybody. At the request of the ColonialMinister the Chamber of Deputies unanimously voted a sumof 15,000 francs for his funeral, and his obsequies werecelebrated with great state.Feb. 4th.

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SWITZERLAND.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

The Operative Treatment of Tuberculosis of the Kidney.THIS formed the subject of an interesting lecture, accom-

panied by demonstrations on the part of Professor U.Kronlein, at a clinical meeting in Zurich on Jan. 29th. Hereferred to the first nephrectomy performed by Simon in 1869in Heidelberg and to the great caution with which for nearly15 years surgeons approached the region of renal surgery ingeneral. His own experience of the last 20 years had beenconfined to 120 renal cases with 100 operations, including50 nephrectomies ; 42 of the patients who underwent theoperation recovered and only eight succumbed. He gavethe opinion of Professor Albert of Vienna, referred to ina manual on surgery in 1885, where the latter says : "I I

only mention nephrectomy in cases of renal tuberculosisin order to warn surgeons from performing such an opera-tion, which in one case is said to have been successful."Professor Krönlein alluded to his own experiences, whichshowed a great prevalence of renal tuberculosis, as he hadhad 38 cases under his care-32 per cent. of all renal cases ; 29of these were operated upon. There were 24 nephrectomiesperformed, with two fatalities in very severe, acute, anddesperate cases with high fever. 22 patients recovered,and in 17 cases a lapse of time of from seven months to tenyears had passed since they were dismissed cured as regardedrenal symptoms. This went to prove that tuberculosis firstattacked only one kidney, and there was also sufficient evi-dence that the kidney was the primary organ affected amongthe different organs of the urinary tract (the genitals, thetestes, the prostate, the bladder, and the urethra). Only infive cases out of the 38 referred to could no other tuberculousfocus be detected clinically, though this did not excludesome hidden localisation of the tuberculous process ; generallythe lungs were affected. Yet the operation under strictindications was necessary and advisable in order to removea dangerous tuberculous deposit from the body, even thoughin two of the nine cases not operated upon the patientsultimately recovered. The 38 cases were observed in patientsbetween the ages of 11 and 50 years, with the followingdistribution as regarded age : 11 to 20 years, five cases ; 21to 30 years, 17 cases ; 31 to 40 years, 11 cases ; and 41 to 50years. five cases. Of the patients 12 were males and 26 werefemales. The left kidney was diseased in 16 cases, the rightkidney in 20 cases, and both kidneys were diseased in twocases.

Puerperal Eclampsia.At the same meeting Professor Th. Wyder, director of

the Lying-in Hospital at Zurich, read a paper on PuerperalEclampsia. He rejected the theory of infection andreferred this alarming and dangerous disease to a partiallyuræmic, but often purely toxic, agency, the details ofwhich remained still to be discovered. He laid stress on the

desirability of examining the urine periodically in all casesof pregnancy, but more especially if symptoms such as head-ache, nausea, vomiting during the second half of pregnancy,involuntary movements, nervous excitability, loss of

memory, &c., were present. This, he said, was of the utmostimportance, as with due supervision and proper treatmentthe illness might be avoided or its dangers lessened.

Prognostically much could not be said, as apparently slightcases might terminate fatally and very severe cases mightrecover. The mortality among mothers, which in pre-anti-septic days used to be 35 per cent., had been reduced to 20per cent., and an investigation which Professor Wyderinstituted, referring to 1100 cases, resulted in the same

percentage. Stroganoff’s statistics, with only six deaths in113 cases, were worthy of record and consideration. Pro-

phylactically the patient had to be put on a mild diet,ample excretion by the kidneys, skin, and bowels, had

to be ensured, morphine was not to be used, butsometimes bromides might be employed. In actual

eclampsia termination of the pregnancy at the earliest,

possible date was indicated, almost without regard for theinfant’s life which was in jeopardy owing to the severity ofthe toxic disease. Hospital supervision was most desirable.In cases of operative interference strictest asepsis must beensured, hydrargyrum and carbolic solutions must be avoideclfor irrigation, and all heart toxins, such as chloroform,chloral, morphia, and veratrum, should be used in the smallestpossible but still efficient doses. Protracted narcosis mightdo more harm than good. Stroganoff recommended smalldoses of morphia with enemata of chloral hydrate. Hot wet

packs might prove very beneficial, whilst hot baths might bedangerous-and might induce cerebral haemorrhage. Insome cases venesection with consecutive rectal or hypo-dermic injections of saline solutions deserved attention, asdid inhalation of pure oxygen.r._._ __.__.__._"_..__ _ r

Zurich, Jan. 31st.

ROME.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Celebration of Professor Murri’s Medical Jubilee.ON Jan. 19th was celebrated at Bologna the professional

jubilee of Professor Murri who for 26 years has taughtclinical medicine in the university of that city. A largegathering of scientific men from all parts of Italy met to dohim honour, many of the other universities, including’Camerino, at which he graduated, sending special representa-tives to take part in the proceedings. These were opened byProfessor Albertoni with an eulogistic speech in which Pro-fessor Murri’s scientific work as well as his services as teacherand consultant, received very high and well-deserved praise.The distinguished Bolognese professor was then presentedwith his bust and a collection of his works in three handsomevolumes. The latter contains many valuable contributionsto medical literature, embracing an immense variety ofsubjects, contributions which were scattered through a greatnumber of medical periodicals until thus brought together byhis friends and admirers. Readers of THE LANCET mayremember two very able papers by Professor Murri ’.vhichappeared in these columns some years ago. The first of these,’’ An Address on Experimental Craniotomy and Diagnosis ofCerebral Abscess," attracted considerable attention at thetime. The other was upon the Diagnosis of Tumonr of theCerebellum. 2

Riots at the University of Rome.The return to his professorial duties at the Sapienza of the

socialist deputy, Enrico Ferri, libero docente in Penal Law,who was lately expelled from the Chamber of Deputies for-disobeying the ruling of the President, has given rise tosome lively scenes amongst the University students. Anunfortunate expression which escaped the irascible deputyduring the recent debate on the state of Southern Italyhad been greatly resented by the students hailing fromthat part of the kingdom and they determined to showtheir disapproval on the first opportunity. On the dayof the opening lecture the municipal authorities, in an-

ticipation of disorderly scenes, had posted a considerableforce of police in the streets surrounding the University andhad also kept a body of carbineers close at hand to be readyin case of any emergency. This did not prevent a largecrowd from collecting, mostly composed of students, but tosome extent also of working men, who were present to supportthe socialist students against those with monarchic sym-pathies. The appearance of Ferri on the scene was the

signal for a general uproar and the two hostile sections fromwords speedily came to blows, using fists and sticks freelyupon one another, but fortunately no more dangerous weapons.Surrounded by a cordon of police and a bodyguard ofhis sympathisers among the students Ferri with difficultymade his way to the lecture-room and there calmly pro-

, ceeded with his lecture regardless of the tumult out-side. The presence of the police in the precincts of the

. University was keenly resented by both sections of the

. students who claim a right of sanctuary within its walls and; hold that the municipal authorities exercise no jurisdiction

1 THE LANCET, Jan. 5th (p. 9), 12th (p. 79), 26th (p. 206). andFeb. 2nd (p. 267), 1895.

2 THE LANCET, Jan. 30th, 1897, p. 291.

411

there. So riotous did they now become that many wereput under arrest and the others were ordered to disperseunder threats of still stronger measures. On the followingday protests were made by the students to the Ministers ofEducation and of the Interior but met with no sympathy.In consequence the disturbances were renewed and con-

tinued daily, with the result that the University was closedand its entrances were guarded by the police, bodies ofwhom were also stationed at the Institute of Anatomy andPathology and at the Institute of Hygiene. In accordancewith a peremptory order from the Minister of Public In-struction the University was again opened on Jan. 28th. Inhis letter to the rector, Professor Cerruti, Signor Nasi pointsout that the University cannot be closed for such a causeexcept for the purpose of depriving the students of the benefitof the examinations, and directs that, should the disorders berepeated within the University, the most stringent measureswill be taken not only to restore order but to discover andto punish the delinquents. He adds that in future it is hisintention to close the particular course of lectures in whichsuch disorders may occur. So far there has been no renewalof the disturbances since the re-opening of the University.These frequently recurring students’ riots at Rome and else-where are a source of much trouble and perplexity to theauthorities as well as a vexatious interruption to the workof the schools, but they are regarded with considerableamusement, if not sympathy, by the populace and are notlooked upon as really serious.

The Fourth International Congress of Obstetrics andGynæcology.

The International Obstetrical and Gynæcological Societyhaving decided to hold its fourth meeting in Italy, andhaving entrusted the work of organising it to the ItalianObstetrical and Gynaecological Society, the latter has selectedRome as the seat of the Congress which has been fixed forSept. 15th to 20th next. The office of honorary president Ihas been accepted by Baccelli and that of president-generalby Pasquali. Morisani and Mangiagalli will preside overthe obstetrical and gynæcological sections respectively,Pestalozza acting as general secretary. The following arethe themes which have been selected for discussion :(1) the medical indications for the induction of labour ;(2) hysterectomy in the treatment of puerperal infection ;(3) tuberculosis of the genitals ; and (4) the surgical treat-ment of uterine cancer.

Society for Succouring the Asphyxiated.This society, which was founded in 1880, has for its object

the supervision of the Tiber within the city walls for thepurpose of saving persons in peril of drowning and providingmeans for succouring those who in any other circumstancesmay be in danger of asphyxia. It supplies boats with expertboatmen, gives instruction by lectures and drill to the

gendarmes of the Commune in the methods of restoringanimation in cases of asphyxia, and offers rewards for actsof bravery done in attempts to save the drowning. In 1901the society was instrumental in saving 44 lives, in some casesunder circumstances so difficult that rewards were bestowedon several boatmen for the bravery they had displayed.Feb. 1st.

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CONSTANTINOPLE.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)a

The late Dr. Spirido Mavrogeny Pasha. !DR. SPIRIDO MAVROGENY PASHA, hakim bashi, or chief

physician of the empire and chief physician to the Sultan,died in Constantinople on Jan. 22nd, at the age of 83 years.He belonged to one of the oldest families of Phanar, thatsuburb of Constantinople to which the Greek patriarchatewas transferred after the Turkish conquest. He studiedmedicine at the University of Vienna, graduated there asM.D., and on his return to Constantinople was at once madephysician to the Haidar Pasha Hospital, afterwards receivingan appointment as professor in the Imperial School ofMedicine, a position which he held for 25 years. He wasalso very soon appointed physician to Hamid Effendi, at thattime Prince Imperial, and now the reigning khalif or sultan.On the accession of this prince to the supreme power Dr.Mavrogeny still continued to be his medical attendant, andhas therefore throughout the whole of his professional life

been a court physician-a circumstance which prevented him from acquiring any considerable private practice.He had the rank of general, with a salary of about-.&T250 (E230 sterling). He was the general inspector ofall the military hospitals, exercised control over allmedical matters, and was the honorary president of theImperial Medical Society of Constantinople. He possessed,the full confidence of the Sultan and had the honour (whichI do not think that any other medical man had) of being a- TrapctKot/nefos—i.e., a man ’allowed to sleep in the vicinityof the Sultan’s sleeping apartment. Dr. Mavrogeny washighly educated, being well versed in Greek and Latinliterature and familiar with German, French, and English.He contributed both to general and medical literature. Asan author he was well known under the pseudonym of"Hermit of Alem Dagh." Among his medical writings-mention may be made of those on cholera, leprosy, and’rabies. He also edited a medical magazine in Turkish andFrench, dealing principally with questions of public health.His personal reputation stood very high ; he was greatly,esteemed by all who knew him, the Sultan included, andmost of the medical men in Constantinople were present at.his funeral. The deceased possessed many Turkish and,foreign Orders. He has left two sons, one of whom was the--Ottoman Minister and Envoy Extraordinary at Washingtona few years ago, and the other has been Ottoman Consul--General at Marseilles.

Plague.Cases of bubonic plague now and then make their

appearance in Smyrna and Beirut, and the disease has also,existed in Baghdad since last November. In the last-mentioned city it has been especially prevalent among the-numerous Jewish population ; the early cases being of amild character and not terminating fatally were supposed tobe malarial fever with enlargement of glands. An incidentof the outbreak of plague in Constantinople was that,differences of opinion arose between Professor Nicol and the’municipal authorities. Although an expert bacteriologist, he -was perhaps not of a very affable temper, and on finding thathe was not a persona grata he handed in his resignation and-went to Paris. Dr. Remlinger, who came to Constantinople-as director of the Antirabic Institute, has been appointeddirector of the Bacteriological Institute in succession toProfessor Nicol.

Public Health in Constantinople.Scarlet fever has been very prevalent here since last spring-

and according to the statistics published by - the Inter--national Board of Health from 15 to 20 fatal cases are

registered every week. There is no small-pox here at present.. Very few sanitary improvements were carried out last year-, Probably the most important was the draining of the Greek’

cemetery at Shishly, where, as indeed is the case throughout.the whole of the peninsula on which Constantinople is built,the impermeability of the subsoil causes the rain water to be’

; retained and greatly retards decomposition after interment.Jan. 31st.

NEW YORK.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Tlte Sixtieth Volume of the "New York Medical Record." THE Nen’ York 3ledical Record was founded in the

year 1866, and the year just gone by witnessed the

completion of its sixtieth volume. For the 35 yearsduring which it has been in existence the paper hasbeen under the charge of the editor who first launchedit on the sea of journalism. There can be no doubt that-the brisk rivalry between the various periodicals actsas an incentive to editors and publishers to produce publica--tions which will excel, or at least successfully vie with,their contemporaries. It may be, perhaps, that the-business aspect of the matter is too much considered,but the spirit of the times tends to commercialism even inmedicine and it would be impossible to conduct a journal onpurely altruistic principles. The New York Medical Record is an excellent type of a first-class American journal, and itworthily represents in other countries the best features of the.school of journalism to which it belongs.

Manner of Action of the Nerves.Professor Loeb and Dr. Albert F. Matthews announced at-

the meeting of the American Physiological Society held in