1250 WALES.—SCOTLAND.

still be made for payment to the colliery surgeon for themedical attendance on the wives and children, the paymentbeing made as now through the colliery medical committees.’The suggestion is made that the Local Insurance Committeesshould pay to the medical committees for transmission tothe doctors the amount payable by the Insurance Committeesin respect of the medical attendance on the workmen. It is

proposed that although each district of the federation shouldmake its own arrangements there should be conferencesbetween the districts in order that there may be someuniformity of policy.

Jferthyr Open-air School.An interesting and convincing report has been made to the

Merthyr local education authority by Dr. S. B. Walsh,medical inspector of schools, on the advisability of estab-lishing an open-air school in the borough. He estimates thatthere are about 600 school children with suspected or actual- tuberculous disease. Many of these are in the incipient- easily cured stage of the disease, and if given a fewmonths’ open-air life might readily be set on the roadto recovery. Most of them attend school, but at an

’obvious physical disadvantage, while there are a few

"open" cases which have to be excluded from schoolattendance indefinitely, not that their home surroundings-are considered to be better than those of the schools, butin the interest of the other school children. Dr. Walsh

suggests that a portion of the Treasury grant for medical’treatment of school children might be available towards thecost of an open-air school, and that a further contributionmight be forthcoming from the funds of the Welsh NationalMemorial. In any case, he does not advise that elaboratebuildings should be provided. Compared to that of an

ordinary school, the cost, he considers, is trivial, and

- seeing that so much is being done for normal children inproviding for them the most up-to-date schools, it seems

harsh that something should not be done also for their’unfortunate brothers and sisters who are ailing and defective.

Poor-lalm Administration.In the annual report for 1911 of Mr. Hugh R. Williams,

Poor-law inspector of the Local Government Board for Wales- and Monmouthshire, reference is made to the institutionalaccommodation in the Principality, which is stated to be forthe most part adequate. The greatest pressure has been inthe infirmaries, sick wards, and sanatoriums for consumptivesbelonging to the larger Poor-law unions, such as those ofCardiff, Swansea, Merthyr, Pontypridd, and Bedwellty.This pressure is said to be due to the much greaterreadiness on the part of the destitute sick to availthemselves of the improved medical and nursing treat-ment provided for them. Operating rooms have beenerected in most of the larger Poor-law infirmaries,.and the buildings generally have been improved and arebetter equipped for dealing with all kinds of medical and

surgical cases. The large workhouses are now becoming to-a great extent infirmaries for the acute and chronic sickinstead as formerly homes for the able-bodied. In thisconnexion it is of interest to refer to what has happened at- the Bedwellty workhouse. A new master having been

appointed he soon found that a large number of the maleinmates were doing no work. He promptly organisedsuitable occupation for them and ordered them to performthe work allotted in accordance with the regulation that

every man should be employed according to his capacityand ability. The men considered this was contrary to

the custom of that workhouse and in the course of a fewweeks over 100 took their discharge saying: "If we haveto work we may as well get paid for it." As Mr. Williams.states, this shows what can be done in clearing a

workhouse of the " work-shy " and is a salutary lessonwhich it is necessary to administer to such malingerers bothfor their own benefit and the public welfare. Several boardsof guardians in Mr. Williams’s district have provided sana-toriums, open-air shelters, chalets, and separate wards inInfirmaries and hospitals for consumptives, and there is

.scarcely a workhouse in which it is not possible to isolatecases of consumption requiring isolation. Indeed, in the

period to which the report refers the boards of guardians,- according to Mr. Williams, were the only bodies dealing in apractical and successful manner with tuberculosis in Walesand Monmouthshire.Oct. 2)th.

SCOTLAND.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)

Edinburgh University : the Proposed Chair in Bacteriology.IN the minutes to be submitted to the next meeting of the

general council of the University it is stated that by thetrust disposition and settlement of the late Mr. RobertIrvine, of Royston, Granton, power was given to his trusteesto constitute the residue of his estate as a separate trust, toaccumulate the funds of this trust until they amounted tothe sum of £25,000 (or at the discretion of the trustees£30,000), and thereafter to devote this sum to the foundingof a chair of Bacteriology in the University of Edinburghand to the equipment of a class-room and laboratory con-nected with the chair. This endowment fund now havingreached the sum of £30,000, the time has come for theestablishment of the chair, and the University Court haspromulgated a draft ordinance providing for the new

professorship.Inclusive Fees.

A conference has been held at Perth to consider thequestion of an inclusive fee in applied science and inmedicine, at which representatives of the business committeeof the general council of Edinburgh University attended.The committee has considered the minutes of the conference,and at the next meeting of the general council the followingresolution is to be submitted :-

That the general council of the University of Edinburgh Is of opinionthat in seeking to impose the institution of an inclusive fee aa a con-dition of the payment of Parliamentary grants, the Treasury is inter-fering unwarrantably with the freedom of the Scottish Universities,and that the business committee be authorised to take such steps asthey may deem advisable in respect of this matter.

The late Dr. Sophia Jex-Blake.Dr. Agnes McLaren has publicly called attention to the

movement for commemorating the career of the late Dr.

Sophia Jex-Blake by a tablet to be placed on the wall of theEdinburgh Hospital for Women and Children. The tabletis of dull copper mounted on marble and will bear the

following inscription :-In affectionate remembrance of Dr. Sophia Jex-Blake, M.D., Founder

of this Hospital, to whose large courage, insighr, and constancy theadmission of women to the profession of medicine in this country ismainly due. Born January 21st, 1840. Died January 7th, 1912.

Although subscriptions are not solicited, anyone desirous ofbeing associated with the memorial is invited to send asmall contribution to Mrs. Mears, L.R.C.P.I., Woodburn,Morningside, Edinburgh.

Ayord Hospital Affairs.At a recent meeting of the Alford district committee a

letter was read from Dr. Watt and Dr. J. Nicol, the two localpractitioners, resigning their appointment as medical officersto the district hospital on the ground that they consideredthe present terms of appointment as medical attendants atthe hospital unsatisfactory. It was mentioned that theletter of resignation was received following the decisionof the committee not to increase the salaries of the two

practitioners. It was ultimately decided to increase the

joint salary by 5, and it was also agreed that a record bekept of the number of visits to the hospital. A letter wasread from the clerk of the County Insurance Committeeasking the committee to authorise its medical officer to

supply details of all cases of pulmonary tuberculosis withinthe area of the committee.

Excessive Fatality of Non-Notifiable Epidemio Diseases.Dr. A. K. Chalmers, medical officer of health of the city

of Glasgow, has recently drawn attention to the excessivedeath-rate of non-notifiable epidemic diseases. In Glasgowthe non-notifiable diseases-measles, whooping-cough, anddiarrhœa-account for four-fifths of the death-rate from all

zymotic diseases. The rate for measles alone during the pastyear is 375 per 1,000,000 persons living, as compared with475 per 1.000,000 caused by all the infectious diseases whichare notifiable. The rates for whooping-cough and diarrhoealdiseases are each about twice the rate for the notifiableiiseases. Among the notifiable diseases in Glasgow duringlast year diphtheria has been the most fatal, the death-ratetherefrom being 221 per 1,000.000, while the rates fromscarlet fever, enteric fever, and cerebro-spinal fever are 116.75, and 59 per 1,000,000 respectively.

1251SCOTLAND.-IRELAND.

University cf Aberdeen: Chair of Midwifery.Professor R. G. McKerron, who has been appointed

to the chair of Midwifery in the University of Aberdeen in- succession to Professor W. Stephenson, retired, has given hisfirst lecture. There was a large attendance of students, alsoof professors and medical men. Principal George Adam Smithformally introduced the new professor to his class. He saidthat he wished to say how glad they were to see ProfessorStephenson among them that day. For 37 years Professor.Stephenson had filled the chair, and he went into his well-.earned retirement with the affection and goodwill of all who’knew him. He did not think anyone could estimate whatProfessor Stephenson’s services had been to the University whohad not heard the testimony of his students after a few yearsin practice. It had been his (the Principal’s) privilege inmedical gatherings in England to hear one man afteranother tell of what inestimable value Professor Stephenson’sinstruction had been in the practical work of their profession.In introducing Professor McKerron, the Principal said that-the new professor came among them as a friend, first of

.all, of the students themselves. He had shown a deepinterest in everything that interested the students, and theywould receive him now to the full charge of the chair, as amost competent, able, and experienced teacher. ProfessorMcKerron returned thanks and proceeded with his lecture.

Aberdeen Town Council and Medical Fees under theIn81lrance Act.

At a meeting of the public health committee of Aberdeentown council held on Oct. 18th reports of the recent- conferences were submitted from the county councils ofAberdeen, Banff, and Kincardine, recommending that thethree medical officers should report on the joint scheme inconnexion with the sanatoria clauses of the NationalInsurance Act. The second report dealt with the reception- of the deputation from the sanatorium committee of theLocal Insurance Committee, which urged upon the publichealth committee the need of establishing, at an early date,a tuberculosis dispensary and the appointment of a tuber-- culosis officer, and generally tackling the disease of tuber-culosis. The third report related to the conference with theprovisional local medical committee, and dealt with the,question of paying the medical men in the city a fee of 5s..-for notification of tuberculosis plus a report, instead of thepresent fee of 2s. 6d. for a notification alone. The com-mittee reported that the medical men had expressed them-selves willing to accept a 5s. fee and also to supply therequired information, and to leave the public health com-mittee quite free to sell. if they feel disposed, the informa-tion thus acquired to the Local Insurance Committee. The

.public health committee agreed to recommend to the town<council that the fee of 5s. should be paid to the local medicalmen for notification and report.

Elgin and Nairn Insurance Committee.A meeting of the Provisional Insurance Committee of

Elgin and Nairn was held on Oct. 22nd at Elgin, Dr. G. M.Cullen, Edinburgh, being present. At the last meeting ithad been agreed to recommend that the two counties shouldA)e divided into four districts-namely, Elgin, Nairn,Grantown, and Forres. The chairman and clerk had a

-subsequent meeting with the Commissioners and the Com-missioners did not think there was much necessity for-district committees. In view, therefore, of the railwayfares of members at a distance being paid, it was moved.and carried that there be only one district for the

- county. It was afterwards agreed to support the resolutionQof the Norfolk National Health Insurance Committee to the-effect that travelling expenses, &c., ought to come out ofimperial funds, as it otherwise would reduce benefits in arepresentation to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Letterswere submitted to the effect that Elgin fever hospital"was not available for patients suffering from tuber--culous complaints ; neither was Leanchoil Hospital, Forres.’ Gray’s Hospital, Elgin, could only admit surgical cases ; butthe small-pox hospital at Elgin, which had been erected severalyears ago and never used, might be available. One shelterhad been obtained, and another three had been authorised bythe Commissioners. Provisional regulations and model rulesfor administration and benefit were submitted and explair edlby Dr. Cullen.

Medical Attendance and the Insurance Act in Dundee.The Medical Benefit Committee under the Insurance Act

for Dundee has decided not to fix any income limit.Regarding remuneration of doctors the Medical Committeeconcluded that the capitation system should be adopted forinsured persons who are members of Approved Societies inDundee and who require medical benefit while resident there,and that the method of payment by attendance should applyto insured persons temporarily resident in Dundee, whobelong to Approved Societies elsewhere. During the month28 applications were made in Dundee for sanatorium benefit,the total number on the register now being 30, of whom 7are at Sidlaw Sanatorium, 17 receiving home treatment, 4dispensary treatment, and 2 are at King’s Cross Hospital.

Medical Service in the Highlands and Islands.The Highlands and Islands Medical Committee heard

witnesses recently at Dunvegan from the parish of

Duirinish, and subsequently at Portree it examined wit-nesses from the parishes of Portree, Snizort, and Kilmuir.It discussed the club system of payment for medicalattendance in use in certain parishes, the majoritybeing of opinion that though in some districts thecollection of the subscription was unsatisfactory, on thewhole the system was the most feasible one for providing asatisfactory income for the medical practitioner. By feesobtainable from patients the medical man could not makean adequate income ; the parish councils have therefore topay a somewhat high salary, which provides not only forattendance on paupers, what it is ostensibly paid for, butalso provides medical attendance for poor non-pauperpatients. The committee met in Perth on Oct. 23rd andthere heard further evidence as to nursing and hospitalprovision.Oct. 29th.

________________

IRELAND.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)

j?7’MA Universities and the Home Rule Bill.IN the House of Commons on Oct. 21st the Government

agreed to accept in substance an amendment, moved by theRight Hon. J. H. Campbell, to deprive the Irish Parliamentof power of dealing with Trinity College (the University ofDublin) or the Queen’s University of Belfast.

The National Insurance Act and Irish Feeling.At the present time-both in medical and lay circles-

people are waiting to see if the Chancellor of the Exchequerwill be able to satisfy the medical profession. Little pro-gress is being made in Ireland in providing sanatoriumbenefit. At a meeting of the conjoint committee of theIrish and British Medical Associations, held in Dublin onOct. 16th, it was decided to appoint a special subcommitteeto consider the question of the admission of tuberculosispatients into Irish hospitals and infirmaries. At this meet-

ing it came out that the Irish Insurance Commissioners

appointed-on their own initiative-12 medical men on thevarious County and Borough Insurance Committees not

nominated by the medical profession. On the matter beingexplained to them seven of these practitioners resigned,but five have refused to do so. The main subject under dis-cussion at present is how to provide sanatorium benefit, andapparently the Insurance Committees are finding greatdifficulty, especially in regard to the non-pulmonary or

surgical cases. Some hospitals propose to take them in,others have decided against this course. The matter wasunder the consideration of the subcommittee of the conjointcommittee of the Irish and British Medical Associations inDublin last week, and the opinion of the majority was thatif such cases were admitted into infirmaries or hospitals thestaff who attended on them should be paid-a suggestionalready made by the British Medical Association. The

feeling is growing in Ireland that after Mr. Redmond’s

question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Oct. 24thmedical benefits will be extended to Ireland, otherwise thegreatest confusion will arise if Scotch or English insuredworkers come to Ireland. On the whole the medical pro-fession in Ireland are not enthusiastic over the new termsoffered by Mr. Lloyd George, as they see that what he giveswith one hand he takes away with the other. Of course, as