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most infectious form, phthisis-in the same way as other con-tagious maladies were notified." He considered " the estab-lishment of sanatoria for the treatment of consumptives wasa wrong measure because it passed over the most importantpreliminary step by which the sources of infection should bediscovered." This statement, as reported, has led to somemisapprehension which possibly would have been avoided ifnotification had been spoken of as a necessary first step.There was an almost unanimous agreement as to notification,in favour of which Dr. Niven (Manchester) spoke strongly,followed by Dr. Howarth (Darwen), Dr. Wheatley (Black-burn), Mr. Vacher (Cheshire), Mr. Berry (Wigan), and Dr.Hayward (Haydock). A resolution in favour of notificationas a necessary preliminary to further action was carriedafter further discussion, the chairman only, Mr. Pilkingtonof Preston, voting against it. He thought the expense wouldbe prohibitive, that " the disease ran too long a course, andit would not be possible to shut up phthisical persons whoneeded to be out-of-doors." While admitting the desira-bility of all necessary precautions against the spread oftuberculosis by the disinfection of rooms and houses and byproper and scrupulous care on the part of the patientsit must be acknowledged that here compulsory notificationis by no means so simple as in the case of small-pox. Thechairman illustrated the sort of difficulty that would be metwith by saying that " notification suggested a state of thingsin which a man with tuberculosis would not be able to coughin public without first ringing a bell." But some of themore ardent spirits would object entirely to his appearancein public.

Feb. 22nd.

SCOTLAND.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)

The Deat7 of Professor Rutherford.THE death of Professor Rutherford, which occurred on

Tuesday last, has cast a shadow over the University. At a

meeting of the students a resolution has been passedexpressing their sense of the deep loss sustained by them inthe death of their distinguished teacher, and it was resolvedto place a bust of Professor Rutherford in the physiologyclass-room.

Edinburgh University C01I’l’t and the Lectitreship onTropical Diseases.

At the meeting of the Edinburgh University Court heldon Feb. 13th the Court resolved to invite applicationsby advertisements for the office of lecturer on tropicaldiseases and remitted to a committee to consider and reportas to the qualifications of the candidates, the first appoint-ment to be for a period of three years which maybe renewed.The following are the regulations pertaining to the lecture-ship : "1. The course of instruction shall extend over

not less than 20 or more than 25 lectures and shall con-sist of lectures and demonstrations and other practicalwork, the number of meetings for each to be arranged bythe Senatus. 2. The class fee for the course shall be ;E2 2s.,with an entrance fee of 5s. in the case of non-matriculatedstudents. 3. Two such courses shall be given in each year,one in the winter and the other in the summer session,should a course in each session be required. 4. Each courseof instruction shall be open to (a) qualified medical prac"titioners ; (b) students who have completed the curriculumfor the final examination in medicine of any of the qualifyingmedical authorities ; and (c) others especially interestedin the subject. 5. Certificates of attendance will be

granted as follows : (a) a class certificate to each memberof the class who has performed the work of the c1assin a satisfactory manner; (b) a University certificateto be signed by the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine to eachmember of the class who has attended a course of instructionon practical bacteriology, including the micro-organismsof tropical diseases, who has also attended the course ofinstruction in tropical diseases, and who has performed the ’,work of both of these classes in a satisfactory manner. This I,certificate shall be based on evidence received from theteachers on practical bacteriology and tropical diseases."

Applicants are required to lodge 20 copies of their applica-tion and 20 copies of their testimonials with the secretary ofthe University Court not later than March 6th. One copy ofthe application should be signed. At the same meeting the

court recognised as extra-academical teachers whose coursesof instruction qualify for graduation in medicine in the

University, the following lecturers : (1) Professor W. E. F.Thomson, Anderson’s College Medical School, Glasgow(Physiology) ; and (2) John Macpherson, M.D. Edin, Larbert(Mental Diseases).

Edinburgh Town Council and the lIilk-8llpply.The Public Health Committee of the Edinburgh Town

Council on Feb. 14th, on a motion by Baillie Pollard,resolved unanimously to recommend the magistrates andcouncil that it should be especially stipulated in the con-tracts for the supply of milk to the various city departments :’’ That cows from which milk is taken for the contract sup-plies shall have withstood the tuberculin test applied bya qualified veterinary inspector approved by the TownCouncil." "

Edinburgh Ear, Eye, and Throat Infirmary.At the annual meeting of the Edinburgh Ear, Eye, and

Throat Infirmary held on Feb. 15th the report announced theresignation of Dr. Kirk Duncanson, the senior medicalofficer. Dr. Duncanson’s connexion with the infirmary datedfrom 1870 and from 1875 till 1883 he conducted the BarDispensary at his own expense. The report also stated thatthe total number of patients treated during the year was 2509.an increase of 194 over the number for the previous year.

Edinburgh Parish Council and Phthisical Patients..

The Edinburgh Parish Council, like the Town Council, isengaged in considering the question of arrangements in con-nexion with phthisical patients. While the Town Councilhas to concern itself more with prevention of consumptionthe Parish Council has to consider the question of accommo-dation, &c., for those who have fallen on its hands for reliefwhen incapacitated by the disease. No less than 38’9 of thedeaths from phthisis in Edinburgh take place among personsliving in houses under 10 rental, so that a large number ofthose dependent on the parish are placed in that positiondirectly or indirectly from the effects of this disease. TheCouncil are considering the question of building separatewards for phthisical patients in connexion with one or

other of the poor-houses. A site to the west of Craiglockhartpoor-house is considered;to be the most suitable one in theevent of the Council deciding to erect such wards.

Royal Edinburgh Hospital for Sick Children.The fortieth annual meeting of the contributors to the

Sick Children’s Hospital was held on Feb. 20th. The reportshowed an increase in both out-patients and in-patients, thisbeing especially seen in the case of the out-patients, of whom700 more new cases had been treated than in the previousyear. The necessity for providing further accommodationin the out-patient department is still engaging the attentionof the directors. A new surgical ward bad been openedduring the year. The report of the medical staff showedthat about one-third of the in-patients were under two yearsof age and the staff were of opinion that on this account anincrease in the nursing staff was justified. One-third of thetotal mortality was due to tuberculosis in one form or another.The chairman in moving the adoption of the report mentionedthat the cost per child in the institution this year had been:E4 17. M., as against .65 Os. 4d. in the preceding year. Theywere not in that country, as in England, troubled with con-scientious objectors, there having been an increase of about50 per cent. in the number of vaccinations.

-Ifentorial to Professor Coats.A fortnight ago, as was announced in THE LANCET, a

meeting was held at which it was resolved to raise a fundfor a memorial to the late Professor Coats. A proposal wasthen adopted that it should take the form of a Universityprize or scholarship in connexion with pathology. To carryout this a sum of at least 1200 will be required. Circularsare being issued calling for subscriptions, but as many ofDr. Coats’s friends and former pupils, who are widelyscattered, may not be reached in this way, those who aremanaging the fund desire to intimate that contributions willbe received and acknowledged by Dr. David Newman, honorarysecretary, 18, Woodside-place, Glasgow, or Mr. James J.MacLehose, honorary treasurer, 61, St. Vincent-street,Glasgow.

t’7&iversity of 6’MoM.’.The open university lecture on Feb. 20th was delivered

by Dr. John Glaister, Professor of Forensic Medicine, thesubject being " Microbes." The lecture was largely attended

551

and was abundantly illustrated by lantern slides, culture pre-parations, and other specimens. In the course of his remarksProfessor Glaister referred to the present day crusade againsttuberculosis, and expressed the opinion that much goodwould result from it provided the effort was a continuous oneand was linked with practical methods. Among the conditionsto be demanded he included the extermination of tuber-culous milch cows from herds the milk of which was used asfood by man and especially by children ; the education of thepublic to the fact that by the’boiling or sterilisation of milkpossibilities of harm from this source were much reduced;the compulsory inspection of meat; popular instructionon the essentially infective nature of tuberculosis andespecially of the dangerous character of the expectora-tion of phthisical patients; and the efficient promotionof municipal and domestic sanitation.-The list of thoseon whom the Senatus proposes to confer honorarydegrees at the April graduation has just been pub-lished. Amongst those who are to receive the degree ofLL.D. is Mr. James Finlayson, M.D., Glasg., Lecturer onClinical Medicine in the Glasgow Western Infirmary andHonorary Librarian to the Faculty of Physicians and Sur-geons. Sir Henry Irving is to be honoured with the samedistinction.

Medical- Vacancies.The position of visiting physician to the Glasgow Train-

ing Home for Nurses is vacant, Dr. T. K. Monro’s term ofoffice having expired.-The committee of the Royal Hospitalfor Sick Children have determined to appoint two additionalextra physicians.

Memorial Window to Principal Oaird. .At a meeting of the committee in charge of this memorial

held in Glasgow on Feb. 13th it was decided that the windowshould be placed on the east side of the Bute Hall in GlasgowUniversity directly opposite the McGrigor window. It wasalso decided that the design should consist of 12 figuresarranged as follows : First row-Plato, Aristotle, Spinoza,Hegel ; second row-Athanasius, Chrysostom, Augustine,Aquinas ; third row (below the gallery)-symbolical figuresrepresenting Philosophia, Jurisprudentia, Medicina, Theo-logia. The total cost, including all expenses, will be fully£ 900. The subscriptions to date amounted to £ 833. Sub-

scriptions of past students had been received from Newfound-land, Canada, South Africa, British East Africa, India, and theArgentine Republic. Those who still desire to contribute are

requested to send their subscriptions as soon as possible to thehonorary secretary, Mr. Archibald Craig, 156, St. Vincent-- street, Glasgow.

University of Aberdeen.The University Court has resolved to appoint a lecturer on

tropical medicine, his remuneration to come from the fees. Itis proposed that the course should consist of about 25 lecturesas a preliminary for the curriculum in the London school.-Mr. Stout, Anderson lecturer on comparative psychology, willresign the lectureship at the close of the present session. -Withreference to a memorial signed by 425 students requestingthe Court to provide a gymnasium, the Court has expressedsympathy with the object and remitted the memorial to acommittee with the view of taking the earliest opportunityof providing a gymnasium and to report.-In deference tothe wishes of the University authorities the Secretary forScotland has agreed to make no recommendation for a fewweeks as to filling up the chair of Natural History vacant bythe death of Professor H. A. Nicholson, the object of thedelay being to allow opportunity for considering the possi-bility of separating the subjects of zoology and geology.

Public Health in Aberdeen.

fracticaily ail tne local autnorities in Aberaeensmre and ’Kincardineshire and several in Banffshire and Nairnshire Ihave agreed to join in the arrangement recently madebetween the Aberdeen Town Council and Professor Hamilton,Aberdeen University, for the conducting of bacteriologicalinvestigations in connexion with infectious diseases. Onthe suggestion of Professor Matthew Hay, M.D. Edin., citymedical officer of health, the Aberdeen Town Council hasremitted to its public health committee to report as to thetown council taking the initiative for providing a sanatoriumor hospital for the treatment of cases of phthisis. Professor

Hay reports that the epidemic of measles in Aberdeenattained "leviathan" proportions in January of this year,when 1647 cases were reported or discovered, but althoughschool attendance was greatly interfered with the mortality

was exceptionally low, there being only 25 deaths. Typhoidfever is rapidly declining. Last week 628 cases in all ofzymotic diseases were recorded.Feb.22nd.

____ _____

IRELAND.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)

The Intermediate Education Commission.Dr. Lombe Atthill and Sir William Thomson were

examined before the Commissioners on Feb. 18th, the LordChief Baron filling the chair. Dr. Atthill said that he hadbeen deputed on the part of the Royal College of Physiciansof Ireland to ask that the examination of the standardrequired by the General Medical Council should be held notless than twice a year and if possible three times; moreover,that these examinations should be open to all candidatesbetween the ages of 16 and 40 years. Sir William Thomsonsaid the chief difficulty was in the fact that only oneexamination in the year was at present provided, thoughthe General Medical Council accepted the junior certificateof the intermediate board as it stands.

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.No less than 10 candidates for the primary grade of the

Fellowship examination presented themselves on Feb. 20th.The Open-air Treatment of Phthisis.

The public at Belfast are being educated as to the open-airtreatment of phthisis in a very up-to-date manner, for onFeb. 20th a concert was given in Belfast (the Lord Mayorpresiding) in aid of the expenses for the provision of

shelters, &c., at the Forster Green Consumption Hospital,and the entertainment was varied by a series of limelightviews of the open-air treatment at Nordrach, Falkenstein,Davos, Cromer, Bournemouth, and Belfast. A layman gavea description of the pictures and of the methods employed.There are at present 36 patients in the Fortbreda Consump-tion Hospital. They have there arranged to construct averandah and the authorities of that institution are appealingto the public of Belfast to supply the necessary funds forshelters, each of which, it is estimated, will cost about E36.

Changes in Dundalk Poor-law Union.The Local Government Board have sent down a sealed

order in which, in opposition to the repeated expression ofopinion of the board of guardians and the Dispensary Com-mittee, the Louth Dispensary District is wiped out and its areadivided between the adjacent districts of Dromiskin andBarronstown. The new Dromiskin District is about 10 milesfrom end to end and the people feel that the poor cannot beattended nearly so well as under the old dispensary system.

The Royal Medical Benevolent Fund.Dr. Richard Purdon, the honorary secretary and treasurer

of the Belfast and District Branch of the above fund, hassent out to all members of the profession an urgent appealby order of the local committee urging the claims of the

society. It is a pity that last year there were 118 membersof the medical profession in Belfast and 113 in the countrywho have never subscribed anything to this, the only charityin connexion with the medical profession in Ireland,while, on the other hand, the central committee of thesociety gave last year E90 to the widows and orphansof deceased medical men. It is a fact, however much onemay deplore it, that this society has never exactly "caughton " in Belfast and some members of the profession in Ulsterthink that if the society was a purely local one and freedfrom all centralisation in Dublin it might be more popular.The whole tendency of the day is towards decentralisationand this has its influence on medical matters as well as in,affairs of State.

Gas Poisoning.In a memoranda handed in by the Belfast coroner at a

meeting of the Finance Committee of the corporation animportant report appears from Dr. J. Lorrain Smith on therecent cases of gas-poisoning in Belfast. In this Dr. Smithsays that the cases bring out conclusively for the first time onrecord the extreme importance of the secondary effects ofgas-poisoning. The analysis cws that the amount of gasin the blood of one ot the ses (a c hild) when deathoccurred was negligible - nd that death was due entirely tothe effects on the heart aLd nervous system. These analyses