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weferencluna. They made a formal declaration, inserted in

the <?c-?’M, that their Governments, as far as possible,would apply the provisions established in the Conventionbefore the term fixed for its ratification.

Germany, Austria-Hungary, France, Great Britain, Italy,Luxemburg, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Portugal, Russia,Roumania, and Switzerland, through the representatives oftheir respective Governments and administrations interested,will have yet to consider and decide upon the followingarguments, viz. :-

1. Communication of the Sanitary Convention of Veniceto the Sanitary Council of Tangiers in order that there maybe taken at Morocco provisions conforming to the rulesestablished by the Convention against the invasion of thepestis bubonica, especially with regard to the temporaryinhibition or restriction of pilgrimages.

2. Unification of the prophylactic measures on the part ofthe authorities at Malta and Gibraltar conformably to therules of the Venice Convention.

3. Coordination and codification within an approximatetime of all the dispositions entered in the Conferences ofVenice in 1892, of Dresden in 1893, of Paris in 1894, and ofVenice in 1897 against cholera and the pestis bubonica.To the Convention is appended a general sanitary regula-

tion to prevent the invasion and the diffusion of the pestis.This consists of five clauses.The regulation starts from the basis that the period of

incubation of the disease is at the present stage of scienceten days.The first clause, besides general prescriptions as to the

notification of cases of pestis and of the provisions taken,<x)ntains:&mdash;

1. Rules to be followed in infected ports regarding out-going vessels and those to be observed during the voyage andat the ports of arrival. Special and most severe regulationsare laid down for pilgrim ships, and pecuniary fines areimposed on captains contravening such regulations.

2. Rules to be followed with regard to the place ofdeparture by land or sea from the infected countries andparticularly by the Red Sea (Wells of Moses, Suez, passageof the Canal), with special consideration for the Mussulmanpilgrims and in view of the sanitary reforms to be effectedin the halbing places where they are kept under surveillance(Camaran, Abousaad, Vasta, Abouali Gebel, Tor) and byway of the Persian Gulf.The second clause contains rules to be observed in Europe

and to establish reciprocal and continuous informationbetween the Governments as to eventual cases of pestis, theprovisions adopted to combat transmission, and the condi-tions under which the territorial circumscription ought to beconsidered sound or contaminated. It also determines thenecessity of limiting the circumscriptions (province anddepartment) contaminated, and the provisions for combatingthe invasion of the disease; it enumerates the goods andeffects which may convey the germs of the pestis; itestablishes provisions to be taken on the terrestrial frontiers,condemning once more the system of quarantine, and

.admitting as an exception the barring of frontiers. Itdetermines, finally, the provisions to be taken in the zonesof frontiers along river sides, canals, and at barbours.The third clause contains, as a recommendation, instruc-

tions as to the method of disinfecting in presence or

anticipation of the pestis.The fourth clause indicates the provisions to be recom-

mended on board ships at the moment of departure, duringthe voyage, and at the port of arrival.The fifth clause determines the mode in which surveillance

is to ba exercised in terms of the rules and provisions pro-posed by the Sanitary Council of Constantinople, with regardto the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, at the Turko-Russian andTurko-Persian frontiers, and by the Sanitary Council of I,Egypt for maritime quarantine.

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ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANSOF LONDON.

AN extraordinary Comitia of the Royal College of Pby-sicians was held on March 29th, the President, Df.WILKS, being in the chair. Communications were readfrom (1) the Secretary of the Royal College of Sur-geons of England reporting the proceedings of the iCouncil; (2) the General Medical Council forwarding a I

report from the Medical Department of the Navy point-ing out that three Licentiates of the College at a recentcompetition showed deficiency in preliminary education;(3) Dr. H. G. Adamson, resigning his membership and

returning his diploma ; and (4) the Sanitary Institute,inviting the College to send two delegates to the annual

congress to be held in Leeds in September next. It wasresolved that Dr. Barrs and Dr. Chadwick be invited toact in that capacity.A communication was read from the Medico-Chirurgical

Society of Norwich enclosing a resolution of the society withreference to the medical officers of medical institutes. Thiswas in the form of a memorial to the College, pointing outthe urgent necessity of steps being taken in this matter, andstating that the members of the society have declined pro-fessional intercourse with those who by accepting offices insuch associations had taken on duties derogatory to the pro-fession.-The Beckenham Medical Society also forwarded aresolution declaring the holding of such appointments to beinimical to the best interests of the profession.The PRESIDENT then submitted to the College the report

of the committee appointed on February 23rd of this year toadvise the Royal College of Physicians of London on thedesirability of making a formal declaration of opinion to theGovernment in favour of the re-enactment of the ContagiousDiseases Acts, or some such modifications of them as mayprevent the spread of these contagious diseases.

After referring to the lamentable increase in recent yearsin the number of soldiers invalided home from India suffer-ing from syphilis, and to the statistical aspect of thematter as revealed in the recent report of the

Departmental Committee of the India Office, the com-

mittee of the College went on to say that whethersyphilis be regarded in relation to the large amount ofinefficiency it causes in the British Army and consequentweakening of the military power at the disposal of theGovernment of India, to its present, and often life-long,effect on the health and constitutions of the individualsufferers and their future wives and children, or in relationto its remoter consequences on the well-being of future

generations, it appeared to them to be a matter of seriousmoment and to call for the gravest consideration. From thislast fact it followed that if all reasonable measures to limitthe spread of infection were justifiably taken in the case ofother contagious or infectious diseases, they were far morenecessary in the case of syphilis. About 13,000 soldiersreturn to England from India every year, and of these in1894 over 60 per cent. had suffered from some form ofvenereal disease. These figures were quoted as showing moreforcibly than words the risk of contamination to the presentpopulation and to future generations.The report concluded as follows :-"The far-reaching effects of syphilis are so serious that it is of the

first importance that the earliest indications of the disease should bemedically treated without any loss of time; neglect of this measuretends to increase its virulence in all its stages.

" As regards the unfortunate women who pursue their calling in adiseased condition, it is simply a matter of humanity to them that theyshould have the benefit of medical treatment, with rest and care inhospital, until they are cured." In view of this lamentable prevalence of disease your committee

makes the followingReconznzendataons and uggestions :-

That as the civil, military, and medical officers in India are bestacquainted with the local conditions now existing, and affectingthis prevalence of venereal disease, so they are the best judges ofthe most efficient means of dealing with it. Your committee there-fore suggests that power be given to the Government of India totake such steps for the mitigation of this evil as these officers mayadvise.

That, for the protection of the healthy population, venereal diseases inboth sexes, in the soldiers as well as the women, be subjected to thesame restrictions as are other contagious diseases, such restric-tions having for their object the detection and prevention ofsuch diseases.

With regard to the unfortunate women, such measures necessarilyinclude examination as well as treatment; and it may be desirablein India that the examination should be performed by persons oftheir own sex, who have been sufficiently trained and educated forthe efficient discharge of this duty.

Syphilis requires prolonged constitutional treatment, during which thesufferers should be under frequent medical supervision, althoughnot necessarily hospital in-patients.

Your committee also suggests that no women should be employed ascoolies in, or in the immediate vicinity of, the barracks, as there isevidence that such women are frequently the source of aggravatedforms of venereal disease.

"In making these recommendations your committee considers thatthey should apply not only to the women, but also to the men withwhom they consort; and is of opinion that it would be highlyadvantageous if medical officers in the army found some means, byelementary reading-room lectures or otherwise, of acquainting young

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and inexperienced soldiers with the grave and far-reaching conse-quences that are likely to result from immoral conduct, as well as from<;he concealment of the primary symptoms of the disease, the early’treatment of which is of the utmost importance."

Dr. CHURCH (Senior Censor) moved the adoption of thereport, and Sir Dvcn DUCKWORTH seconded the motion,remarking that it was the business of the medical professionto lead in this matter.-Sir JOSEPH FAYRER urged thenecessity of the authorities taking disciplinary measures aswell as medical and sanitary precautions, for there wasabsolutely no reason why these diseases should be so rifein India if proper control were exercised.-Sir W. PRIESTLEY,Dr. PLAYFAIR, and Dr. CHURCH also spoke, the latter men-tioning the fact that the trained medical women in Indiaconsisted of three classes-the lady doctors, the assistantsurgeons, and the hospital assistants, and there was reasonto believe that these were sufficiently numerous to undertakethe duties suggested to be imposed on them, of course under’supervision. The report was adopted by the unanimous voteof the College.A report from the Council dealing with the memorial

.addressed to the College at its last meeting by medicalpractitioners of Norwich was, after some debate, referredback for further consideration.A report from the Midwives Registration Bill Committee

was received and adopted.Reports were received and adopted from the Committee of

Management and the Laboratories Committee.

BUBONIC PLAGUE IN BOMBAY.

IT is reassuring to learn from the Anglo-Indian papersreceived by the last mail, although the news has been anti-cipated by telegraphic intelligence, that things have taken:a favourable turn and are progressing more satisfactorily.The Times of India of March 13th, which publishes fullaccounts of all the proceedings that are taking place inBombay in reference to the epidemic, states that there was,a considerable diminution in the Bombay mortality returns,during the past as compared with the preceding week, thenumbers being 1326 and 1484 respectively, and the number of- deaths registered from plague had fallen to 590. The healthof the city was, in fact, showing considerable signs ofimprovement and business was beginning to revive.At Karachi and Poona, on the other hand, where the

.epidemic was still spreading, drastic measures were beingadopted for its suppression. The powers conferred by theEpidemic Diseases Act of 1897 are very considerable and gostraight to the point, and the Executive Committee are

energetically carrying out, under the orders of Government,measures for the suppression or limitation of the spread ofthe disease. It has been notified in the Bombay Gazette,Extraordinary that the Municipal Corporation of the City ofBombay, its officers and servants, and all public servantsare to give efEect without delay to any measures that

,may be ordered by the committee, who have also power to’requisition the Commissioner of Police to afford such aidas may be necessary to enforce them. Provision is likewisemade for the expenses incurred in carrying out these’measures. Dr. Yersin, accompanied by M. Pilinsky, theConsul, and Comte de Potier, the Vice-Consul, for France,arrived at Bombay from Poona on the 5th ult., the formerbringing with him a large supply (700 tubes) of anti-plagueserum, prepared in his laboratory at Nha-Trang, in Annam.Dr. Yersin has set to work very energetically, but it will beseen from the substance of a telegram which we publish inanother column that his results in India do not appear,to be so successful as those he obtained in China.Meanwhile we glean from the Times of India some par-ticulars which may prove of interest to our readers. TheExecutive Committee in Bombay, under the presidency ofGeneral Gatacre, have circulated a note to district medicalofficers briefly setting forth that Dr. Yersin has been sent bythe Institut Pasteur at Paris to repeat on a larger scale thesuccessful experiments previously carried out by him inChina; that the inoculations will be conducted free ofcharge ; and that Dr. Yersin puts himself at the disposal ofthe municipality of Bombay and the public in order thatthose who desire to do so may try his treatment.

Reference is made to the volumes of the -4?MM ;’Insti.tot Pastenr, which deal with Dr. Yersin’s researches

regarding plague and the technical preparation of the serumemployed by him. The circular note goes on to state thatDr. Yersin has for his aim : 1. To treat with his serumdeclared cases of plague in order to demonstrate theefficiency of the new medicine. It is necessary for thesuccess of the treatment that the disease should be treatedat its commencement. The longer the disease has lastedthe more difficult it is to deal with. However, in any casethe treatment is innocuous. 2. In houses where plagueexists Dr. Yersin can inoculate those who are inclined to trythe influence of the preventive serum ; he will also inoculatenative practitioners and their staffs or any European medicalpractitioners who apply to him. The injection of theserum is not more painful than a subcutaneous injection ofpure water ; it causes no uneasiness, fever, or abscess. Thepatients have not to follow any special treatment or diet.The length of the immunisation acquired by the injection ofserum is about a month ; after the lapse of this time a freshinjection should be applied for, with the object of renewingthe period of immunisation. The serum prepared by Dr.Yersin does not contain any microbe or any poisonoussubstance; it is therefore absolutely harmless.M. Haffkine’s scientific labours in the same or a similar

direction are well known, and he has been indefatigable inhis efforts. The work of inspection, systematic and effectivesegregation, and sanitation is being pushed on steadily in alldirections, not only in Bombay, but in Poona, Karachi, andother places. While the more intelligent and educatedclasses in India - whether Hindus, Mohammedans, or

Parsees-have most creditably been doing their best to aidin the good work, it cannot be expected that the nativesgenerally would overcome their fears and caste prejudicesand not seek to escape from or evade the regulations bythe concealment of their disease ; that is quite natural,and such as we know takes place in other countriesthan India. Still, it is surprising how the natives,of that country are becoming amenable to reason inthese respects and conforming to regulations the benefitof which they are gradually recognising. The Times corre-spondent says: "The ignorance and superstition of thelower class of travellers makes the work of the medicalofficers difficult. One belief is that persons removed to thesegregation sheds are given medicines which put an end tothem quietly. Hence there are attempts to evade inspection,passengers alighting at roadside stations and journeying onfoot past the junctions where the examination is made. Theoutbreak, which occurred at a village in the Gwalior territory,only ten miles from Jhansi, may be traced to this

practice. For six weeks the villagers maintained secrecyabout the disease, losing over 50 persons out of a populationbelow 300. When the outbreak was discovered the GwaliorDurbar sent Dr. Crofts, who placed a cordon round thevillage, removed the inhabitants to a camp, and burnt all thehouses there. These measures proved most effectual, onlysix patients now remaining. A careful examination of theneighbouring villages shows that no single case of plague hasoccurred there. The epidemic is practically stamped out.The Bengal Government has issued a notification con-

taining rules for dealing with the plague on its first outbreak.In country towns and villages the main principle is the

prompt segregation of patients and destruction of infectedmaterial. Similar measures are being taken in other pro-vinces. There is no plague in the Bengal Presidency, butthese precautionary measures are deemed advisable."The report that plague had attacked the British troops at

Colaba is officially contradicted.

THE BATTLE OF THE CLUBS.

ACCRINGTON.THERE is-or perhaps we ought to say was, for apparently

it has ceased to exist-a club" at Accrington called theAccrington Medical Dispensary. The club employed a

medical officer and seems to have been conducted in a veryremarkable and high-handed manner. As far as we can

judge from the report of a meeting published in the

Accrington Obsert’er of March 6th-a very undignified andquarrelsome meeting apparently-the committee or trustees,or, at any rate, the governing body of the club, dischargedthe medical officer, handed over the care of the members