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persons, imbeciles, epileptics, consumptives, and cases ofacute illness are imperfectly classified in three institutions(Eastville, Stapleton, and Southmead), must be ter-minated. Various schemes brought forward in the pastproved too expensive for adoption, and the whole matter

hung fire for some time pending the publication ofthe report of the Poor-law Commission. This report, whenit appeared, gave a fresh impetus to the reform move-ment by its advocacy of the principle of classification.Plans have accordingly been prepared, with the help of theLocal Government Board architect, for the conversion andextension of the Southmead workhouse into an infirmary_capable of receiving 544 "acute sick" cases. This willinclude 210 beds for men, 252 for women, 28 for lying-incases, and 54 for children. The building will be arranged intwo-storey pavilions, and the probable cost will be £50,000.The existing buildings are being used largely for the treat-ment of less advanced cases of consumption. Southmeadlies in the northern quarters of the city, and is a littledifficult of access, but it stands high, and ought to constitutea good site for such an institution.British Medioal Benevolent Fund, Bristol Branch of Guild.The inaugural meeting of this branch was recently held in

the board room of the Bristol Royal Infirmary. Mrs. HughStack, the organising secretary, said she already had 55members, and 52 associates, and would be able to sendover Z30 to the funds in London. Mrs. Farnivall and

Lady Owen also spoke, the former explaining the objects ofthe Guild and the practical nature of its activities.

Legislation for the Care and Control of the Feeble. minded.The Education Committee of the Bristol City Council has

passed a resolution, to be forwarded to the Government,urging legislation along the lines recommended in the reportof the Royal Commission on the care and control of the feeble-minied.

Bristol Eye Dispensary.At the annual meeting of this institution the report stated

that the institution had been in existence 100 years. Thenumber of new patients during the year was 3065, the largeston record. The increase in refraction cases was remarkedupon ; the majority of such patients are young factory handsand school children. Mr. A. W. Prichard, senior surgeon,commenting on this increase in the work, said that it wouldbe necessary for Bristol to follow the example of other largetowns and education authorities by appointing a paid ophthal-mologist to examine and prescribe glasses for school childrenwith errors of refraction. The accounts, presented by the newtreasurer, Mr. E. H. Caley, showed that the adverse balanceof .e52 with which they had started the year had beenreduced to £46. An increase in the subscription list is,however, urgently necessary.Notification of Acute Pvliomyelztis and Cerebro-spinal Fever.The Bristol city council recently decided that the pro-

vision for notification of acute poliomyelitis and cerebro-

spinal fever, adopted temporarily six months ago, shall becontinued permanently.April 9th.

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SCOTLAND.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)

The Soottish Medical Insurance Council.THE Council has been summoned to meet on Fridav after-

noon, April 12th, in the hall of the Royal College ofSurgeons, Edinburgh. In view of the importance of thebusiness members are requested to stay in Edinburgh overnight, so that unfinished business may be taken on Saturdaymorning. A long agenda has been drawn up by the tem-porary executive and circulated to the members of theCouncil. Meanwhile the Scottish Commission has offeredseats on the Advisory Committee to six medical men inScotland, four of whom are general practitioners. It will be

interesting to see what the Scottish Oouncil will say to this.

Edinbevrgh Royal Infirmary: Tke Retirement of Dr. ByromBramwell.

At a meeting of the managers of the Edinburgh RoyalInfirmary on April 1st the following minute, submitted byDr. John Playfair, was unanimously adopted : "The

managers wish to express to Dr. Byrom Bramwell theirsincere regret that his term of office as ordinary physicianto the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh has now expired, andthat they will thus be deprived of his esteemed and valu-able services. They wish further to offer to Dr. Bramwelltheir heartfelt thanks for all he has done for the institutionand the many patients who have been under his care. Theyremember that it was in 1882, when he was appointedpathologist, that Dr. Bramwell first became officially con-nected with the infirmary, and that therefore for the longperiod of 30 years he has been freely giving of the best of histime and ability for the advancement of the objects and aimsof this institution in ministering to the needs of the sick poorand the teaching of medical science and practice. Themanagers are well aware that by his unceasing devotion tohis profession, his great ability and originality, his acutenessand power of observation, Dr. Bramwell has made himselfone of the leaders of his profession, and has placed himselfin the front rank of his professional brethren both at homeand abroad, and they gratefully acknowledge the many andlasting benefits the Royal Infirmary has derived from thedevoted and ungrudging services of such a distinguishedphysician. The managers assure Dr. Bramwell of their con-tinued regard and esteem, and they sincerely hope he maybe long spared to carry on his work of beneficent usefulnessto his fellow-men." In appreciation of his long and highlyvalued services the managers have appointed Dr. Bramwella consulting physician to the Royal Infirmary, and it is theintention of his colleagues to entertain him at a banquet onMay 17th. The arrangements for this are in the hands ofProfessor Littlejohn and Dr. Haultain.

The Association of Schooi’ Medical Officers for Scotland.The annual meeting of this association was held in the

offices of the Glasgow School Board on March 30th, at whichDr. E. T. Roberts, in his presidential address, gave a resume ofthe work done during the past year and made proposals forthe next session. The reports of the general secretary andtreasurer showed a membership of 90 and a balance of £7for the year’s work, while the librarian reported that manyschool medical officers had not as yet forwarded copiesof their reports for the library. Previous to the annual

meeting a most interesting demonstration was given inDovehill Pablic School in connexion with the forma-tion of special classes for semi-deaf and semi-mutechildren. Dr. J. Kerr Love outlined institutional and day-school treatment, and discussed the classification of suchchildren, dealing minutely with the educational side of thequestion. The various progressive stages of educationaladvancement in such children were exhibited in the casesshown by Miss Douglas. The members of the associationinspected the Dovehill Cooking Centre, where the systemadopted in Glasgow was fully explained. The next meetingof the association is to be held in Edinburgh on May 18th,the subject for discussion being the Organisation of theSchool Medical Service in Town and County Areas.

Honorary Degrees at Glasgow University.The Senate of Glasgow University has just issued a list of

the names of those on whom it is intended to confer thehonorary degree of LL D. on Foundation Day, Jane 25th.Two medical men are included the list-Sir Hector C.Cameron, M.D., Emeritus Professor of Clinical Sargery inGlasgow University, and formerly Assessor of the Senate andthe University Court ; and Mr. Donald J. Mackintosh, M.V.O , 9M.B., C.M., medical superintendent of the Western Infirmary,Glasgow, widely knewn as an expert in hospital instructionand administration.

Medical Qtfioer of Health of Dumbartonshire.At its meeting last week the Dumbarton county council

appointed Dr. Thomas Lauder Thomson, senior assistantmedical officer for the county of Ayr, to the vacancy inDumbartonshire caused by the appointment of Dr. J. C.McVail to the Commission under the Insurance Act. Dr.Thomson is a graduate of medicine of Edinburgh University,and holds the diploma for public health from Edinburgh andGlasgow.

Payment of Stevenston Medioal Officers.Stevenston parish council has decided to advertise for two

medical officers for the landward portion of the parish andthe part situated in the burgh of Saltcoats, at salaries of&35 and £20 respectively. For the landward medical officerthis works out at the rate of ls per visit, while for the

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medical officer for the Saltcoats portion it works out at 7d. Iper visit. Montrose Infirmary’s New Charter.Montrose Infirmary’s New Charter.

At the monthly meeting of the managers of the asylumand infirmary board, held in Montrose on April 3rd, theconvener of the infirmary house committee reported, in con-nexion with the new charter for the Royal Infirmary, thatthe special committee appointed by the board had suggestedthat three representative members (two from the towncouncil and one from the parish council), nine members of ageneral committee of contributors, and nine coopted members,together with the present members of the asylum andinfirmary board, should form the board under the newcharter. The meeting agreed to discuss the proposals nextmonth.

Aberdeen Chemists and Druggists and a Closang Order.At a recent meeting of Aberdeen chemists and druggists

the question of applying for a closing order was discussed.There was considerable divergence of opinion, some urgingthat shops in the city should be closed at 8 o’clock; otherscontending that in this event a workman who had to visit hisFriendly Society medical officer after 6 P.M would havedifficulty in getting his prescription made up before closingtime. 26 members voted for applying for a closing orderand 13 against doing so. It was eventually decided toappoint a committee to take a plebiscite on the subjectthroughout the pharmaceutical establishments.

Professor Matthew Huy and Daylight Saving.Professor Matthew Hay, writing to the press on the subject

of phthisis, has appealed for a better regulation of the hours ofwork of young persons. As one who favours the idea underlyingthe Daylight Saving Bill, and last year gave effect to it in thePublic Health Office by altering the hours of attendanceduring the summer months to 8 A M. to 5 P.M. in place of9 A.M. to 6 P.M., he publicly puts forward the suggestion,made in each of his last two annual reports, that at leastcertain kinds of offices in the city, especially law,accountant, banking, and insurance offices, might considerthe feasibility during the approaching summer of beginningand ending the day’s work an hour earlier, without anychange of the hands of the clock as is proposed under Mr.Willett’s Bill. No body of young men and women suffers somuch in health as do clerks and typists from the sedentarynature of their occupation. It would greatly help tocounteract the evil effects of the confining nature of theirduties if in summer they could get away an hour earlier andhave more time for open-air recreation. Much of the hia’hmortality from phthisis at later ages, he considers, is only theconclusion of a disease that takes root in the earlier years oflife, when the whole body is affected by a consuming thirstfor fresh air and outdoor recreation.April 9th.

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IRELAND. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)

Trinity College Medical School Bicentenary Celebrations.THE bicentenary celebrations of the Trinity College Medical

School will take place in the first week of July. TrinityCollege is receiving the active cooperation of the

Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons in Ireland.Invitations have been sent to some 300 learned bodies, athome and abroad, and a large number of acceptances havebeen received. If any Dublin graduates have not receivedthe circular sent to all medical graduates of Dublin whoseaddresses could be found, inviting their presence at thecelebrations, the honorary secretaries of the Graduates Com-mittee will be pleased to hear from them. A history of themedical school, written by Dr. T. Percy C. Kirkpatrick, willbe published before the celebration.

The National Insurance Act.A deputation representing the Dublin hospitals waited

last week on the Insurance’ Commissioners to put beforethem certain points as to the influence the Act is likely tohave on the hospitals of Dublin. It was represented thatthere would probably be a large falling off in the voluntarysubscriptions given to the general hospitals by employers oflabour, while there would be no lebsening of the demandfor hospital assistance. It was suggested that a capitation

tax should be placed on the Approved Societies and In-surance Oommittees, to be distributed among the hospitalsaccording to the work done. Sir John Moore referredto the imperilling of the Dublin Medical School bythe Act. An important point with regard to the maternitybenefits was urged by Dr. Henry Jellett, Masterof the Rotunda Hospital. At present some 3000 to 4000patients a year are attended in the Dublin maternitiesfor their confinements. At least as many more are

attended in their own homes by the students and

pupil nurses of the maternities. Under the InsuranceAct the maternity benefit will only be paid to womenwho remain at home and are attended by a qualifiedpractitioner or a certified midwife. This conditiondirectly affects the great majority of the 7000 womenattended by the Dublin maternities. It will probablydeter many from seeking the aid of the maternities,and not at all improbably may so deplete the hospitalsof clinical material as to render obstetric ’teachingdifficult or impossible. Moreover, the women will not receiveas good attention at home as they now do in hospital.The Master of the Rotunda urged on the Commissioners thatthey should make it clear to the women affected thatin case they entered hospital the benefit would be paidin full to their dependents; and that in case of con-

finement at home attendance by a student or pupilnurse under the direct supervision of the hospitalofficers should be regarded as attendance by a qualifiedperson. The question of the insurance of hospitalemployees, nurses, and probationers was discussed. TheCommissioners promised to take the various points intoconsideration and to discuss them with the deputation ata later date. Within the past few weeks the In-surance Commissioners have requested various medicalsocieties and corporations in Ireland to suggest the namesof suitable medical men to be offered seats on the AdvisoryCommittee. The Conjoint Committee of the Irish andBritish Medical Associations has nominated eight gentlemen,two from each province of the country. Some other medicalsocieties, such as the Royal Academy of Medicine and theUlster Medical Society, have expressed their acquiescence inthe nominations of the Conjoint Committee, and it is probablethat this line may be followed by the universities andmedical corporations. The list of nominations has been,however, subjected to some criticism in that it too exclusivelyrepresents the Poor-law service. Only one name of the eightis that of a medical man not engaged in Poor-law work, andthere is no one in the list who can specially represent theinterests of the great voluntary hospitals of Dublin andBelfast.

Sanitary Condition of the Primary Sekocls.For many years the sanitary condition of the national

schools of Ireland has been very unsatisfactory. In the

recently issued report of the Commissioners of NationalEd acation they state that there are many cases ‘° in whichthe existing buildings were so unsuitable and insanitary as tobe a source of positive danger to the health of the pupils,"and, again, that in 225 cases, " the health of both teachersand pupils was being injured in the existing schoolhouses."The Commissioners have made repeated applications to theTreasury for funds to remedy this state of affairs, but theresponse has been inadequate. The council of the DublinSanitary Association, commenting on the matter, remarks :-

It should be remembered that the existence of many of these schoolsdepends on the " grant in aid" w hich is given by the Commissioners,and that &uch grant should be awarded only if the schools fulfil therequirements of the Board. Under these circumstances, the Com-misssioners appear to be themselves directly responsible for theefficiency and sanitary state of all those schools which receive grantsfrom them. This council consider that under no circumstances shouldchildren be permitted to attend a school when such attendance is likelyto prejudice their health. If the Commissioners were to adopt thisview it is probable that many of the schools in the country would beclosed, and a state of affairs brought about which would almost certainlycreate sufficient public opinion to compel the Treasury to place fundsat the disposal of the Commissioners to rectify the present condition ofthe schools. The council also notice with regret that nothing is said ofthe necessity of medical inspection of children attending school. Sinceschool attendance has been made compulsory the importance of thisinspection cannot be over-rated. Parents should not be compelled tosend their children to a school where they may have to associate withothers suffering from disgusting, if not dangerous, infections andcontagious diseases.

Appointment of Physician to the King.The King has been pleased to appoint Sir John William

Moore, M.D. Dab , D.Sc., as his Honorary Physician in