252 who had suffered for eighteen months from artificial anus, the result of a strangulated hernia. Lembert’s method of suture was used, and I am glad to be able to report that the patient is making satisfactory progress. Dr. Sinclair -showed the resected portion of intestine at the meeting of the North of Ireland Branch of the British Medical Associa- tion, held in Belfast on Jan. :6tb, the day of the operation. Belfast, Jan. 31st. _________________ PARIS. (From our own Correspondent.) DYSPEPSIA AND CANCER OF THE STOMACH. DR. DUJARDIN-BEAUMETZ, a distinguished therapeutist, whilst admitting that Professor Germain See has greatly contributed towards an improved system of therapeutics in gastro-intestinal affections, stated at the last meeting of the ’, Academy of Medicine that he could not attach the importance I that his learned colleague does to the diminution or I absence of hydrochloric acid of the gastric juice asa diagnostic sign special to cancer of the stomach, as this sign has been established in a great number of affections, amongst which is dilatation of that organ. Moreover, the chemical study of the gastric juice does not permit one to establish a rational treatment if the other clinical phenomena are not taken into consideration. As regards dyspepsia, which Professor z, See considers as determined by a perturbation caused by the chemical action of gastric digestion, Dr. Dujardin-Beaumetz refuses to look upon it as a morbid entity, as it is as much A simple symptom as is vomiting. The physician should therefore establish the clinical signs of each of the affections of the stomach in the course of which dys- pepsia may present itself, but it should be considered absolutely as a secondary symptom. Professor See responded by adhering to the gist of his communication, which was -reported in THE LANCET of last week, and in which he .admits only one dyspepsia-one, namely, that is exclusively chemical—that is to say, due to the alteration of the gastric juice. Outside this t here are only nervous and motor troubles. As to the value of " anachlorhydry," it is constant in the case of cancer of the stomach, but it is not exclusive, as it is found in certain mucous dyspepsias, and particularly dyspepsias arising from marasmus or from inanition. With regard to the diminution of urea in the urine as a sign of cancer of the .stomach, brought forward by Dr. Constantin Paul, Professor v6e considers it of little value, as urea is diminished in cancer as it is in all cases of inanition, and particularly in that consecutive to diseases of the liver, as has been shown by Professor Brouardel. Dr. Laborde, who took part in the ’debate, made the remark that in the physiological state the stomach contains lactic acid, and not hydrochloric acid; to which Professor Sée retorted that at the commencement ’of digestion lactic acid alone may be found in the stomach, but from twenty-five to thirty minutes afterwards hydro- choloric acid predominates, and this was the reason why he recommended that the test should be practised from forty-five to sixty minutes after the ingestion of food. THE DURATION OF WHOOPING-COUG?. It may be remembered, with reference to the instructions of the Academy of Medicine on the isolation of patients - suffering from infectious or contagious diseases, and which were published in THE LANCET of Jan. 14th, no mention was made of whooping-cough, and the paper was in con- sequence returned to Dr. Ollivier, the reporter, for revision. At the last meeting of the Academy Dr. Ollivier submitted his report, which was the same as the previous one, except that the omission referred to was rectified in the following terms: "As the duration of whooping-cough is extremely variable, pupils should not be authorised to return to their schools until thirty days after the absolute disappearance of the characteristic fits of coughing." THE TOXICITY OF EXPIRED AIR. In pursuing his researches relative to the toxicity oi expired air referred to in my letter which was published in THE LAXCET of December 10th, Professor Brown-S6quard ascertained that a liquid obtained from the vapom emanating from the respiratory tract was so toxic that E dose of one milligramme inoculated into dogs determinec the dilatation of the pupils, a notable diminution of tht respiration, and a sort of paralysis of the extremities. After a dose of twenty centigrammes the animal always succumbs in the space of seven hours. The poison thus extracted is an organic alkaloid, and not, as might have been supposed, a microbe, or rather, a series of microbes. From these curious researches, the following conclusions may be deduced :-1. In confined air is found a volatile principle, most"deadly in its effects, emanating from the lungs, and much more dangerous than the carbonic acid which is also met with in it. 2. Human breath, as well as that of animals, thus contains a poison which is most powerful. It may be added that Dr. Wurtz, son of the eminent chemist, has just found an identical alkaloid in the blood of certain animals. Paris, Jan. 31st. ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS. IN our impression of last week, at the hour of going to press, we briefly noticed the proceedings at the long- delayed but anxiously expected Comitia of the Fellows of the Royal -College of Physicians, which met on Thursday, Jan. 26th. The attendance of Fellows was exceptionally large-perhaps more numerous than upon any previous . occasion. Sir William Jenner, Bart., President of the College, was in the chair. At the commencement of the proceedings a letter from the Editors of THE LANCET was read, requesting that their shorthand reporter might be present during that part of the proceedings which it was understood would deal with a question of unusual interest to the profession at large. However, so far as we can ascertain, this was not put to the meeting; con- sequently it may be inferred that the request was objected to. The matter of special interest to which we have above alluded was a motion by the senior Censor, seconded by the third Censor, to the following effect :- "That it is undesirable that any Fellow, Member, or Licentiate of the College should contribute articles on pro- fessional subjects to journals professing to supply medical knowledge to the general public, or should in any way advertise himself or sanction his being advertised in such journals." We understand that the omission of the words "in such journals" was moved as an amendment. As the President was leaving the chair, a Fellow moved that the proceedings of the Comitia should be considered by Fellows present as secreta collegii, which, of course, effectually prevented any lengthened or adequate report of the discussion appearing in our last issue. The debate was eventually adjourned. No date was at that time fixed for the resumption of the discussion, but the Fellows were informed by circular next day that the meeting would be continued on the 2nd inst. On this evening, as on the previous occasion, the attend- ance was exceptionally large, and after a prolonged debate the Censors’ resolution was carried by a large majority. This resolution was not seconded by the second Censor, as is ordinarily the case on such occasions; but this we can understand, as that gentleman has accepted a posi- tion which his predecessor resigned after a correspondence with the Censors’ Board. We know the explanation which this gentleman offered and doubtless repeated at the meeting-viz., that since that time the connexion be- tween the association and the journal which was the im- mediate cause of the action of the Censors had been "severed," the journal now being said to be no longer the organ of the Association. But, as we have already stated, looking to the identity of the person who was prime mover in the formation of the Association, chairman of its executive committee, and proprietor and editor of the journal, we cannot accept this explanation as at all satis- factory. Again, the intimate connexion between the two- Association and journal-was plainly indicated in the report of the proceedings when the said physician formally took over the presidential responsibility. We
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252
who had suffered for eighteen months from artificial anus,the result of a strangulated hernia. Lembert’s method ofsuture was used, and I am glad to be able to report thatthe patient is making satisfactory progress. Dr. Sinclair-showed the resected portion of intestine at the meeting ofthe North of Ireland Branch of the British Medical Associa-tion, held in Belfast on Jan. :6tb, the day of the operation.
Belfast, Jan. 31st. _________________
PARIS.
(From our own Correspondent.)
DYSPEPSIA AND CANCER OF THE STOMACH.
DR. DUJARDIN-BEAUMETZ, a distinguished therapeutist,whilst admitting that Professor Germain See has greatlycontributed towards an improved system of therapeutics ingastro-intestinal affections, stated at the last meeting of the ’,Academy of Medicine that he could not attach the importance Ithat his learned colleague does to the diminution or Iabsence of hydrochloric acid of the gastric juice asa diagnosticsign special to cancer of the stomach, as this sign has beenestablished in a great number of affections, amongst whichis dilatation of that organ. Moreover, the chemical studyof the gastric juice does not permit one to establish a rationaltreatment if the other clinical phenomena are not takeninto consideration. As regards dyspepsia, which Professor z,See considers as determined by a perturbation caused by thechemical action of gastric digestion, Dr. Dujardin-Beaumetzrefuses to look upon it as a morbid entity, as it is as muchA simple symptom as is vomiting. The physician shouldtherefore establish the clinical signs of each of theaffections of the stomach in the course of which dys-pepsia may present itself, but it should be consideredabsolutely as a secondary symptom. Professor See respondedby adhering to the gist of his communication, which was-reported in THE LANCET of last week, and in which he.admits only one dyspepsia-one, namely, that is exclusivelychemical—that is to say, due to the alteration of the gastricjuice. Outside this t here are only nervous and motor troubles.As to the value of " anachlorhydry," it is constant in the case ofcancer of the stomach, but it is not exclusive, as it is foundin certain mucous dyspepsias, and particularly dyspepsiasarising from marasmus or from inanition. With regard to thediminution of urea in the urine as a sign of cancer of the.stomach, brought forward by Dr. Constantin Paul, Professorv6e considers it of little value, as urea is diminished incancer as it is in all cases of inanition, and particularly inthat consecutive to diseases of the liver, as has been shownby Professor Brouardel. Dr. Laborde, who took part in the’debate, made the remark that in the physiological state thestomach contains lactic acid, and not hydrochloric acid;to which Professor Sée retorted that at the commencement’of digestion lactic acid alone may be found in the stomach,but from twenty-five to thirty minutes afterwards hydro-choloric acid predominates, and this was the reason whyhe recommended that the test should be practised fromforty-five to sixty minutes after the ingestion of food.
THE DURATION OF WHOOPING-COUG?.
It may be remembered, with reference to the instructionsof the Academy of Medicine on the isolation of patients- suffering from infectious or contagious diseases, and whichwere published in THE LANCET of Jan. 14th, no mentionwas made of whooping-cough, and the paper was in con-sequence returned to Dr. Ollivier, the reporter, for revision.At the last meeting of the Academy Dr. Ollivier submittedhis report, which was the same as the previous one, exceptthat the omission referred to was rectified in the followingterms: "As the duration of whooping-cough is extremelyvariable, pupils should not be authorised to return to theirschools until thirty days after the absolute disappearance ofthe characteristic fits of coughing."
THE TOXICITY OF EXPIRED AIR.
In pursuing his researches relative to the toxicity oiexpired air referred to in my letter which was published inTHE LAXCET of December 10th, Professor Brown-S6quardascertained that a liquid obtained from the vapomemanating from the respiratory tract was so toxic that E
dose of one milligramme inoculated into dogs determinecthe dilatation of the pupils, a notable diminution of tht
respiration, and a sort of paralysis of the extremities. Aftera dose of twenty centigrammes the animal always succumbsin the space of seven hours. The poison thus extracted isan organic alkaloid, and not, as might have been supposed,a microbe, or rather, a series of microbes. From thesecurious researches, the following conclusions may bededuced :-1. In confined air is found a volatile principle,most"deadly in its effects, emanating from the lungs, andmuch more dangerous than the carbonic acid which is alsomet with in it. 2. Human breath, as well as that of animals,thus contains a poison which is most powerful. It may beadded that Dr. Wurtz, son of the eminent chemist, has justfound an identical alkaloid in the blood of certain animals.
Paris, Jan. 31st.
ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS.
IN our impression of last week, at the hour of goingto press, we briefly noticed the proceedings at the long-delayed but anxiously expected Comitia of the Fellows ofthe Royal -College of Physicians, which met on Thursday,Jan. 26th. The attendance of Fellows was exceptionallylarge-perhaps more numerous than upon any previous .
occasion. Sir William Jenner, Bart., President of theCollege, was in the chair. At the commencement of theproceedings a letter from the Editors of THE LANCET wasread, requesting that their shorthand reporter might bepresent during that part of the proceedings which it wasunderstood would deal with a question of unusual interestto the profession at large. However, so far as we
can ascertain, this was not put to the meeting; con-
sequently it may be inferred that the request was objectedto. The matter of special interest to which we have abovealluded was a motion by the senior Censor, seconded by thethird Censor, to the following effect :-"That it is undesirable that any Fellow, Member, or
Licentiate of the College should contribute articles on pro-fessional subjects to journals professing to supply medicalknowledge to the general public, or should in any wayadvertise himself or sanction his being advertised in suchjournals."We understand that the omission of the words "in such
journals" was moved as an amendment. As the Presidentwas leaving the chair, a Fellow moved that the proceedingsof the Comitia should be considered by Fellows present assecreta collegii, which, of course, effectually prevented anylengthened or adequate report of the discussion appearingin our last issue. The debate was eventually adjourned.No date was at that time fixed for the resumption of thediscussion, but the Fellows were informed by circular nextday that the meeting would be continued on the 2nd inst.On this evening, as on the previous occasion, the attend-ance was exceptionally large, and after a prolonged debatethe Censors’ resolution was carried by a large majority.This resolution was not seconded by the second Censor,as is ordinarily the case on such occasions; but this wecan understand, as that gentleman has accepted a posi-tion which his predecessor resigned after a correspondencewith the Censors’ Board. We know the explanationwhich this gentleman offered and doubtless repeated atthe meeting-viz., that since that time the connexion be-tween the association and the journal which was the im-mediate cause of the action of the Censors had been"severed," the journal now being said to be no longer theorgan of the Association. But, as we have already stated,looking to the identity of the person who was primemover in the formation of the Association, chairman of itsexecutive committee, and proprietor and editor of the
journal, we cannot accept this explanation as at all satis-
factory. Again, the intimate connexion between the two-
Association and journal-was plainly indicated in the
report of the proceedings when the said physicianformally took over the presidential responsibility. We
253
understand that one of the Fellows of the Royal College ofPhysicians-indeed, the gentleman who presided over theAssociation at the time when the quasi-medical journalwas first attached to that body-explained to the Comitiain very strong terms at the recent meeting what he
had already done, we infer, in his correspondence with theCensors of the College. Actions speak louder than words;and his resignation of the presidency of the Associationat the call of the Censors was proof of sincerity. As
may be supposed, the result of the discussion uponthis resolution led to remarks about other Fellowsand Members of the College. Amongst cases which havelately been the subject of investigation by the Censors’Board, and mentioned by the senior Censor in proposingthe resolution, was that of a monthly journal which, pre-viously to its appearance some three months ago, con-
tained in its circulars, prospectuses, and coloured hand-bills the names of several Fellows, Members, and Licentiatesof the Royal College of Physicians. The name of theFellow to whom allusion has been made as havingaccepted the presidency of the Association appeared withothers in these announcements. It is but just to state thatwhen his attention was directed to the matter he immediatelydirected that his name should be withdrawn, but unfortu-nately thousands of these advertisements had been distri-buted in the objectionable way stated. But a very distinctline should be drawn with reference to these accusations,and, indeed, to all cases of the kind which have arisen-
namely, between those members of the profession whoconnive at the publication of unprofessional announce-ments and those who are wholly unaware of their exist-ence. The Censors’ Board received explanations from thesegentlemen which we may infer were satisfactory. How-
ever, now that this matter is fully before the Colleges, as alsobefore the general body of the profession, there should besome attempt to define where the line can be drawn betweenprofessional and unprofessional conduct with reference tosuch appeals to the public.
Medical News.ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS OF LONDON.-The
following candidates, having conformed to the bye-lawsand regulations and passed the required examinations, weregranted the licence to practise Physic:-Anderson, G. R., St. Thomas’s. *Edwards, C. Stanstay, St.Barthol,*Andrews, Lancelot W. St. Barthol. ’EIphiok, Harry W., Univ. Col.Ashley, S. Dukes, London Hosp. Ferraby, Geo. A., Birmingham.Benson, Alfred Hugh, Bristol. *Forster, John E., Westm. Hosp.’Bowman, R. Oxley, Manchester. *Francis, T. W., St. Barthol.*Bray, G. A. T., King’s College. Freeman,C. D.. Charing-cr. Hosp.’Bromhead, F. H., Lond. Hosp. Gedge, A. Johnson, Lond. Hosp.Brooks, R. Philip, King’s College. Gough, H. Edward, Manchester.*Brown, W. G. S.. St. Barthol. Graham, W. ap S. Jas.. St. Mary’s.Browne, Robley H. J., Guy’s. *Grenfell, W. T., London Hosp.Bueno de Mesquita, S., Guy’s. *Guiselin, Frentz W., St. Mary’s.’Calder, Frank, Bristol. *Hardy, William E., St. Barthol.’Carter. W. J. B., St. George’s. ’fHeaton, G.. St. Barthol.Castle, B., St. Bartholomew’s. Heffernan, H. H., St. Thomas’s.*Cautley, E., St. Bartholomew’s. *Holland, Charles T., Univ. Coll.Caven, W. Proudfoot, Toronto. Holt, Arthur K., St. Barthol.
*Clark, C. Mackinnon, St. George’s. *House, F. Maurice, St. Thomas’s.Clarke, G. Saunder, St. George’s. Jeeves, F., Charing-cross Hosp.Cleveland, H. F., Univ. College. *Jermaine-Lulham, Fred. Sydney,Cockerill. J. W., St. Barthol. St. Bartholomew’s.
’Collier, H. Stansfield, St. Mary’s. Jones, Robt., St. Bartholomew’s."Cotton, W. Mitchell, Univ. Col. Kershaw, E. E., Middlesex Hosp.Cox, C. A. S. B., St. Thomas’s. Kirkhouse. George, St. Barthol.Cree, Jas. D., Middlesex Hosp. Lakeman, Thomas, St. Barthol.’Da Costa, F., Xavier. Bombay. *Langley. R. J.. St. Thomas’s."Daniell, E. P., Univ. Coll. *Layng, Hy., Westminster Hosp.*DarroM. W. Burwell, Lond. Hosp. Lissaman, Thomas, St. Barthol.’Davey,W.H.H.C., Charing-cross *Lucas. Albert, St. Barthol.
Hospital. Maberley. John, Middlesex Hosp.*Devi3. Harry François. Bristol. Maisey, C. Thos. Boodle, Guy’s.Draper, J. W., Univ. College. *Marriott, Horace Bruce, Guy’s.Drew, Hedley Vicars, Univ. Col. *Miller, A. Dixon. Birmingham.Drew, Henry William, Guy’s. *Mothersole, Robert D., Guy’s.Duckett, C. Alexander, Univ. Col. *Mould, Geo. Thos., St. George’s.Durrant. T. Arnold, St. Thomas’s. Naumann, J. C. F., Charing-crossEccles, Charles H., St. Thomas’s. Hospital.
* Approved by the Examining Board.
Ogilvie, Fergus M., St. George’s. "Shipton, Herbert, King’s Coll.Ord, William T., St. Mary’s and *Smeeton, Charles Wm., Leeds.
Bristol. Somerset, Edward, King’s Coll.Ovens, Thomas, Toronto. Spencer, Henry A., St. Thomas’sPedler, William F., St. Barthol. and Bristol.
Pettingill, A. E. A., St. Barthol. *Spink, Christopher P., Leeds.Phillips, Josiah Northey, Guy’s. "Starling, Ernest Henry, Guy’s.
*Randall, Ernest B., Univ. Coll. ’Streatfield, Percy Wm., Guy’s.Raywood, John R. Isaac, Guy’s. *Symonds, Henry, St. Barthol.Rees, John, Middlesex Hosp. Thomas, T. Nash, London Hosp.
*Rees, John L., London Hosp. "Thompson, Robert, Guy’s.Reeves, John Kingham, Guy’s. "Tyacke, Nicholas, Middlesex Hos.Roberts, Astley C., Guy’s. Tyrrell, A. F., Middlesex Hosp.Robinson, Thomas, St. Barthol. Wadham. F. Jesser, St. George’s.Rossall, Joseph C., St. Mary’s. Walker, Jas. Herbert, Univ. Coll.
"Salisbury, Chas. Ramsden, Leeds. "Wayte, John, St. George’s.*Sapp, J. G. V., Charing-cr. Hosp. *Weekes, C. Jones, Univ. College.Scadding, H. Crawford, Toronto Weatherley, Arthur J., Oxford,Scott, Arnold, Guy’s. Middlesex Hosp, and Bristol.Scott, H. J. H., Melbourne and White, Frederick Job, Montreal.King’s College. ’Wise, Hy. Wellsted, Edinburgh.
Seagrove, H. A., University Coll. Woodyatt, John F., ManchesterShaw, Wm. Rutherford, Toronto. Wyatt, W. L., Middlesex Hosp.
* Approved by the Examining Board.
UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE.-At a congregationheld on Jan. 26th the degrees of Bachelor of Medicine andBachelor of Surgery were conferred on the followinggentleman :-
Francis Charles Servaes, King’s.Francis Charles Servaes, King’s.
SOCIETY OF APOTHECARIES.—The following gentle-men, having passed the qualifying examination in Medicine,Surgery, and Midwifery, have received certificates entitlingthem to practise in the same, and have been admitted as.
Licentiates of the Society :-Bampfylde, James, Malabar House, Bexley, Kent.Blacklock, John, East Bank. Haslingden.Bryden, F. W. Augustus, Beech House, Uffculme, Devon.Garvey, H. Patrick. Thorne-terrace, Barnes, Surrey.Handeock, George, Leathley Lodge, Hunslet, Leeds.Killick, Charles Rowe, London-road, Dover.Modlin, Isaac Gibson, Featherstone-st., Roker, Sunderland.
The following passed the Surgical part of the examination: -Adams, Campbell Rutherford, St. Thomas’s Hospital.Brown, Walter Sigismund, Guy’s Hospital.
Marria, William, Middlesex Hospital.Mead, Theophilus W., St. George’s Hospital.Stovin, Cornelius Fredk., London Hospital.Watkins. Walter, St. Bartholomew’s Hospital.Westwood, John, Queen’s College, Birmingham.Winn, Thomas Cromwell, London Hospital.
The following passed the Medical part of the examination:-Metcalfe, William, St. George’s Hospital.Sugden, Henry Clapham, Edinburgh University.
The following gentleman passed the Primary Examination :—Snell, Ernest Skinner, University College.
The following passed Part 1 of the Primary Examination :-Baly, Price Prichard, Queen’s College, Birmingham.Threadgale, Charles Alban.
The following passed Part 2 of the Primary Examination :-Baca, Arthur Cejetan, St. Bartholomew’s Hospital.Curtis, Ernest Clement, Aberdeen University.Keal, W. Morris, St. Bartholomew’s Hospital.Lattey, Walter Charles, St. George’s Hospital.Lazenby, Frederic Hamilton, University College.Symons, Herman Bertie Trehane, Charing-cross Hospital.
ACCIDENT AT A LECTURE.-Dr. Ernest Ludwig,director of the Vienna Institute of Pathological Chemistry,while lecturing on Phosphorus on Jan. 23rd, received a burnon his hand from the substance having spontaneously ignited.THE PARKES MUSEUM.—H.R.H. the Duchess of
Albany has consented to become patroness of the Parkes,Museum, of which H.R.H. the Duke of Albany was Presidentuntil his decease.
PRESENTATION.—On the 14th ult. Mr. G. B. Irvingwas presented with a silver tea tray and two five-lightcandelabra, on the occasion of his leaving Stanmore, wherehe has practised for many years.HARVEIAN SOCIETY OF LONDON.—The following is a
list of the names of gentlemen elected by the Council asofficers of the Society for the year 1888 :-President: Mr.W. Sedgwick. Vice-Presidents: Drs. Buzzard, J. Williams"*W. Ewart, and *Mr. Herbert W. Page. Treasurer: Mr.G. P. Field. Hon. Secretaries: Dr. M. Handfield-Jones and*Mr. C. B. Lockwood. Council: Drs. J. Hughlings-Jackson"R. S. Mair, R. H. Milson, *Stephen Mackenzie, *E. CliffordBeale, and Messrs. F. H. Champneys, J. Ernest Lane, C. W.Mansell-Moullin, A. J. Pepper, *Edmund Owen, *FrederickTreves, and *J. H. Drew. Those gentlemen to whose namesan asterisk is prefixed were not on the Council, or did not
