1219 Consumption. The Manchester Consumption Hospital is the only insti- tution within a very large radius, with the exception of the workhouse hoppitals, where sufferers from phthisis can be received as in-patients, and there is no doubt thab the hospital would, if considerably enlarged, justify the expendi- ture both on the grounds of useful philanthropy and of the increase of medical knowledge. The Chancellor of Victoria University. E ul Spencer was this afternoon installed as Chancellor of the Victoria University. The ceremony was impressive and very successfully carried through. In his speech, Lord Spencer made some specially apt remarks as to the value of a University education to members of the medical profes- sion ; and likewise noticed the democratising tendency which the University had had on learning generally. The Healthy Homes Society. The Ancoats Healthy Homes Society, concerning the object and aims of which I wrote some time ago, held its last meeting of the season on May 12 h, when Dr. Ransome, F.R.S., gave a lecture on the " Cost of Disease." The secretary of the Society announced that the attendances had increased from 10,000 two years ago to 17,100 this year, and, from the increase of interest shown, augured hopefully for the future of the Society, which has already done undoubted good. Diseased bfeat. Two butchers were fined £10 and costs each for the offence of exposing for sale meat unfia for human food. The quantities were in each case considerable. As both butchers were, it would appear, first offenders, the fine may with reasonable hope be expected to deter them from any similar acts in the future. Scuttling. A lamentable 11 scuijtling affray" which occurred last month has ended in the death of a boy. The youth guilty of the crime was the other day convicted of wilful murder, with a recommendation to mercy on account of his youth, and was sentenced to be hanged. All punishments hioherto awarded have failed to deter the gangs of scuttlers. The sentence, if carried out, ought to have a wholesome effect. Two members of the medical profession have recently been elected Town Councillors in Salford-Mr. James Gray. L.R.C.P., L R.C S. Edin., and Mr. Alexai2der M. Kinghorn, M.B., C.M. Manchester May 25th NORTHERN COUNTIES NOTES. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Health of South Shields. DR T. EUSTACE BILL, medical officer of health for the borough of South Shields, in his report in reference to the death rate for the past year-22 per 1000-says that it cannot be considered satisfactory, especially as it is calcu- lated on an increased population, as ascertained at the last census. The increase in the death-rate he says is largely due to prevalence ot influelza on two occasions during the year, early spring and autumn. During the latter parb of the year the town was also visited by an exceptionally severe attack of measles, which had the effect of materially increasing the zymotic death-rate. Dr. Eustace Hill, in reference to the population, says that at the last census it was 78,431, or just 7000 in excess of the calculation upon which the previous health statistics had been previously made. He shows that the rate of increase had been 38 per cent., and that this rapid rate had been greater than in almost any town in the country, with the exception of Cardiff, which he says is satisfactory, as pointing to commercial prosperity that places the town in a better position from a ’sanitary point of view. Sanitary Lectures in Newcastle. The course of sanitary lectures promoted by the Corpora- tion of Newcastle is going on very well, and Mr. Vacher, late medical officer of health for Birkenhead, has given one on the Diseases of Animals and Meat. Mr. Vacher’s well- known reputation as a sanitarian ensured a good attendance, and at its conclusion he received a cordial vote of thanks. Berwick : Improvements at Spittal. The suggested improvements at Spibtal (the seaside suburb of Berwick) have been agreed to by the Berwick saniuary authority. The estimated outlay is £2000. and the improvements include the erection of an esplanade on the beach. The medical officer’s report referred to the analysis of the spa well at Spittal, which proves the water to be a mild chalybeate hkely to be beneficial to many invalids. " The Doctor." Mr. Luke Filde’s celebrated picture, " The Doctor," has been on exhibition in Messrs. Mawson and Swan’s gallery in this city. We are glad that Newcastle has been selected as one of the four provincial cities where this picture was allowed by the proprietor to be shown. This is not the place for criticism of this great work, which has already passed beyond that sbage. It has been visited by thousands of our citizens, and I believe by most practitioners in the dis- trict. All admit it is "The Doctor," and of the hardworking class too, who often responds to the night bell. No one questions his qualifications, for be is " The Doctor"; but a country man the other day who had paid his sixpence for admission was rather disappointed that 11 The Doctor " was only a picture, as he sought in "the sixpenny doctor" a cure for a cutaneous disease. Carlisle. Ib is reported that the recent outbreak of typhus fever, which caused some alarm in Carlisle, has not so far spread. I believe there were about twelve cases, all of which (with one exception) were promptly dealt with by removal to hospital by order of the medical officer.-Dr. Campbell, in his late report of the County Lunatic Asylum at Garlands, says that on comparison the figures of the last three decades do not show that insanity is on the increase in the counties of Cumberland and West- moreland. There are more patients in the asylum it is true, but there are fewer in the workhouses, and the reporting of lunatics is now more sbrict than it used to be. Dr. Campbell says that the recovery rate calculated on ad- mission reached as high as 53 per cent.-It is announced that the annual meeting of the Royal Alberb Asylum for Idiots and Imbeciles is to be held this year in September at Carlisle. The Lord Bishop of the diocese is to preside. The last time the annual meeting was held in Carlisle was in 1885. Sunderland. The Sanderland borough surveyor has made an important proposal to the members of the Health Committee relating to the Housing of the Working Classes Act 1890. The surveyor’s estimate shows that it is proposed to deal with nineteen different blocks, containing 223 houses, and displacing 374 tenants, at a total cost of over ;f32,OOO. The subject is to be considered at a special meeting, and it is to be hoped that if the scheme is carried into effect sufficienb accommodation will be provided for these dis- placed tenants. A Scientific Bequest and ° the Law’s Delay." I hear that a bequest amounting to over £3091, made so long ago as in 1880 by the late Mr. John Christie of New- castle, printer and lithographpr, to found scholarships in connexion with the Durham College of Physical Science at Newcastle, is now available. The Medical Officership of Durham County. At a special meeting of the Durham County Council held at Durham on Monday last the health committee out of twenty-one candidates elected Dr. T. Eustace Hill, of South Shields, as medical officer of health for the county. The appointment will give satisfaction, at the same time it is felt in the profession that the salary is inadequate consider- ing the duties and the population of the county, but this mistake can be soon corrected. Newcastle- on-Tyne, May 25th. SCOTLAND. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT S.) The Pathological Department in the Edinburgh Royal lnfirmary. CHANGES in this department of the Royal Infirmary have for several weeks been under the consideration of the managers and the sbaff This has been brought about at the present time by Dr. Russell’s appointment as an assistant physician and Dr. Barrett’s appointment to Belfast, and the consequent necessity of appointing two
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1219
Consumption.The Manchester Consumption Hospital is the only insti-tution within a very large radius, with the exception ofthe workhouse hoppitals, where sufferers from phthisis canbe received as in-patients, and there is no doubt thab thehospital would, if considerably enlarged, justify the expendi-ture both on the grounds of useful philanthropy and of theincrease of medical knowledge.
The Chancellor of Victoria University.E ul Spencer was this afternoon installed as Chancellor of
the Victoria University. The ceremony was impressive andvery successfully carried through. In his speech, LordSpencer made some specially apt remarks as to the value ofa University education to members of the medical profes-sion ; and likewise noticed the democratising tendencywhich the University had had on learning generally.
The Healthy Homes Society.The Ancoats Healthy Homes Society, concerning the
object and aims of which I wrote some time ago, held its lastmeeting of the season on May 12 h, when Dr. Ransome,F.R.S., gave a lecture on the " Cost of Disease." Thesecretary of the Society announced that the attendanceshad increased from 10,000 two years ago to 17,100 this year,and, from the increase of interest shown, augured hopefullyfor the future of the Society, which has already doneundoubted good.
Diseased bfeat.Two butchers were fined £10 and costs each for the
offence of exposing for sale meat unfia for human food. Thequantities were in each case considerable. As both butcherswere, it would appear, first offenders, the fine may withreasonable hope be expected to deter them from any similaracts in the future.
Scuttling.A lamentable 11 scuijtling affray" which occurred last
month has ended in the death of a boy. The youth guiltyof the crime was the other day convicted of wilful murder,with a recommendation to mercy on account of his youth,and was sentenced to be hanged. All punishments hiohertoawarded have failed to deter the gangs of scuttlers. Thesentence, if carried out, ought to have a wholesome effect.Two members of the medical profession have recently
been elected Town Councillors in Salford-Mr. JamesGray. L.R.C.P., L R.C S. Edin., and Mr. Alexai2derM. Kinghorn, M.B., C.M.Manchester May 25th
NORTHERN COUNTIES NOTES.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
Health of South Shields.DR T. EUSTACE BILL, medical officer of health for the
borough of South Shields, in his report in reference to thedeath rate for the past year-22 per 1000-says that itcannot be considered satisfactory, especially as it is calcu-lated on an increased population, as ascertained at the lastcensus. The increase in the death-rate he says is largelydue to prevalence ot influelza on two occasions during theyear, early spring and autumn. During the latter parb ofthe year the town was also visited by an exceptionallysevere attack of measles, which had the effect of materiallyincreasing the zymotic death-rate. Dr. Eustace Hill, inreference to the population, says that at the last census itwas 78,431, or just 7000 in excess of the calculation uponwhich the previous health statistics had been previouslymade. He shows that the rate of increase had been 38 percent., and that this rapid rate had been greater than in almostany town in the country, with the exception of Cardiff,which he says is satisfactory, as pointing to commercialprosperity that places the town in a better position from a’sanitary point of view.
Sanitary Lectures in Newcastle.The course of sanitary lectures promoted by the Corpora-
tion of Newcastle is going on very well, and Mr. Vacher,late medical officer of health for Birkenhead, has given oneon the Diseases of Animals and Meat. Mr. Vacher’s well-known reputation as a sanitarian ensured a good attendance,and at its conclusion he received a cordial vote of thanks.
Berwick : Improvements at Spittal.The suggested improvements at Spibtal (the seaside
suburb of Berwick) have been agreed to by the Berwicksaniuary authority. The estimated outlay is £2000. andthe improvements include the erection of an esplanade onthe beach. The medical officer’s report referred to theanalysis of the spa well at Spittal, which proves the waterto be a mild chalybeate hkely to be beneficial to manyinvalids.
" The Doctor."Mr. Luke Filde’s celebrated picture, " The Doctor," has
been on exhibition in Messrs. Mawson and Swan’s galleryin this city. We are glad that Newcastle has been selectedas one of the four provincial cities where this picture wasallowed by the proprietor to be shown. This is not theplace for criticism of this great work, which has already passedbeyond that sbage. It has been visited by thousands ofour citizens, and I believe by most practitioners in the dis-trict. All admit it is "The Doctor," and of the hardworkingclass too, who often responds to the night bell. No onequestions his qualifications, for be is " The Doctor"; but acountry man the other day who had paid his sixpence foradmission was rather disappointed that 11 The Doctor " wasonly a picture, as he sought in "the sixpenny doctor" a curefor a cutaneous disease.
Carlisle.Ib is reported that the recent outbreak of typhus fever,
which caused some alarm in Carlisle, has not so far
spread. I believe there were about twelve cases, all ofwhich (with one exception) were promptly dealt with byremoval to hospital by order of the medical officer.-Dr.Campbell, in his late report of the County LunaticAsylum at Garlands, says that on comparison the figures ofthe last three decades do not show that insanity ison the increase in the counties of Cumberland and West-moreland. There are more patients in the asylum it is true,but there are fewer in the workhouses, and the reportingof lunatics is now more sbrict than it used to be. Dr.Campbell says that the recovery rate calculated on ad-mission reached as high as 53 per cent.-It is announcedthat the annual meeting of the Royal Alberb Asylum forIdiots and Imbeciles is to be held this year in September atCarlisle. The Lord Bishop of the diocese is to preside.The last time the annual meeting was held in Carlisle wasin 1885.
Sunderland.The Sanderland borough surveyor has made an important
proposal to the members of the Health Committee relatingto the Housing of the Working Classes Act 1890. Thesurveyor’s estimate shows that it is proposed to deal withnineteen different blocks, containing 223 houses, anddisplacing 374 tenants, at a total cost of over ;f32,OOO. Thesubject is to be considered at a special meeting, and itis to be hoped that if the scheme is carried into effectsufficienb accommodation will be provided for these dis-placed tenants.
A Scientific Bequest and ° the Law’s Delay."I hear that a bequest amounting to over £3091, made so
long ago as in 1880 by the late Mr. John Christie of New-castle, printer and lithographpr, to found scholarships inconnexion with the Durham College of Physical Scienceat Newcastle, is now available.
The Medical Officership of Durham County.At a special meeting of the Durham County Council held
at Durham on Monday last the health committee out oftwenty-one candidates elected Dr. T. Eustace Hill, ofSouth Shields, as medical officer of health for the county. Theappointment will give satisfaction, at the same time it isfelt in the profession that the salary is inadequate consider-ing the duties and the population of the county, but thismistake can be soon corrected.
Newcastle- on-Tyne, May 25th.
SCOTLAND.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT S.)
The Pathological Department in the Edinburgh Royallnfirmary.
CHANGES in this department of the Royal Infirmaryhave for several weeks been under the consideration ofthe managers and the sbaff This has been brought aboutat the present time by Dr. Russell’s appointment as
an assistant physician and Dr. Barrett’s appointment toBelfast, and the consequent necessity of appointing two
1220
new men in their places. It has long been held by some ofthe more active men in the school that the infirmary shouldpay a man sufficient to enable him to devote his wholetime to pathology. This opinion found expression, but, asis always the case in Edinburgh, there were two parties,one party wishing things to remain as they have been, theother wishing to make what they considered an importantadvance in pathology for the infirmary and the school.Those who oppose change are the University professors anda few others, while the majority of the staff and the extra-mural teachers appear to be in favour of it. The proposalis understood to be the appointment of a head pathologistwho would give most of his time to the work, and of twoassistant pathologists who would give part of their time.If money is obtainable for such a scheme it ought to be animportant step in advancing pathology in Edinburgh, andthe opposition of the University is quite incomprehensible,more especially as it has been suggested in some quartersthat the professor of pathology might give up his clinicalappointment and become head of the department.Nurses’ Sale of Work in the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.A sale of work, got up by the nurses in the Royal
Infirmary, was opened on Tuesday afternoon by theMarchioness of Tweeddale. The sale is to raise money tohelp in the furnishing of the nurses’ new home, which isnow nearly ready for occupation. The sale was held in theafternoon and evening on both Taesday and Wednesday.
The Queen’s Birthclay.As in former years, the Qaeen’s birthday was kept on the
day of the opening of the General Assembly of the Churchof Scotland hy the Queen’s representative, the Marquis ofTweeddale. None of uhe classes in the Medical Faculty met.
Health of Edinburgh.The mortality last week was 65, and the death.rate 13
per 1000. Diseases of the chest caused 30 deaths andzymotic diseases 5. The intimations for the week were :typhoid f. ver, 12; diphtheria, 2 ; scarlatina, 28 ; andmeasles, 31.
Medico- Chiritrgica Society Glasrgow.At the annual general meeting of the Society the follow-
ing gentlemen were elected office-bearers for the session1892-93 :—President:: Dr. Joseph Coats. In the Section ofMedicine-Vice-President: Dr. Middleton. Councillors :Dr. Alex. Miller and Dr. Auld. Secretary : Dr. C. 0. Haw-thorne. In the Section of Surgery—Vice-Presiden : Dr. W.J. Fleming. Councillors : Dr. Macartney and Dr. Dalziel.Secretary: Dr. John Barlow. In the Section of Patho-logy-Vice-President : Dr. J. L. Steven. Councillors :Dr. Charles Workman and Dr. John Brown. Secretary:Dr. R. M. Buchanan. In the Section of Obstetrics-Vice-President : Dr. Samuel Sloan. Councillors : Dr. M.Cameron and Dr. Lapraik. Secretary: Dr. LawrenceOliphant. Treasurer: Mr. Henry E. Clark. GeneralSecretary : Dr. Walker Downie.
IRELAND.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)
Royal College of Surgeons.THE annual .election of president, vice-president, secre-
tary, and Council of the College will be held on Monday,June 6th. Mr. Edward Hamilton and Mr. Thornlpy Stokerwill be elected without opposition president and vice-president respectively; but the secretaryship, which has’been held for so many years by Mr. William Colles,who has resigned, will be contested by Mr. Austin Meldonand Sir Charles Cameron. As regards the Council, thereare twenty-seven candidates for nineteen places, and thefollowing is a list of those competing who are not at presenton the Council, according to their Fellowship seniority :-Messrs. George Foy, Lambert Ormsby, Richard Purefoy,John Cranny, H. Auchin Leck Edward Thompson, Hum-phrey Broomfield, and Robert O’Callaghan.Parliamentary Representation of the Medical Profession,A meeting convened by private circular was held on
Monday last for the purpose of considering the subject ofparliamentary representation for Poor-law medical officers.A guarantee fund of £100 was subscribed by those present,and a committee was appointed to draft a circular urgingthe members of the medical profession in Ireland asking for I
their support. Mr. W. Dudley White was elected chair.man, Messrs. Delahoyde and Falkiner honorary treasurers,and Messrs. Denham and T. Donnelly honorary secretaries.
National Hospitalfor Consumption.Subscriptions are coming in rapidly, and the proposed site
is beginning to engage public attention. Outside Dublinthere is a general consensus of opinion that Dublin orits vicinity is altogether unsuited for an institution of thekind, owing chiefly to its damp climate. I have advocatedthe selection of Glengarriff on the coast of Kerry on morethan one occasion, and I am gratified to find that several haveendorsed my view,the climate being about the best in the threekingdoms for early cases of consumption. It is understoodthat Lord Howth has offered a site on the Hill of Howth ;but a more unsuitable place could hardly be selected, for ithas been pointed out that during the late autumn, winter,,and early spring the oast, south-east, west, and north-westwinds enjoy a free and unrestricted sway, rendering anyout-of-door exercise for invalids impossible.
Visiting Physicians to Irish As,yl2cms.The Medico-Psychological Association of Great Britain
and Ireland have recently passed the following resolution,a copy of which they intend forwarding to his Excellencythe Lord Lieutenant: "With ieference to the Oider inCouncil iesaed by his Excellency the Lord Lieutenantabolishing the office of visiting physician to districtasylums in Ireland as future vacancies occur, the Associa-tion desires to approach his Excellency with an expressionof their opinion in favour of this proposed change in theofficial work of asylani administration in Ireland, TheAssociation believes that this change will be found to act.with decided advantage to lunacy work generally in Ireland,.as has been the case In other countries where the corre.sponding office has been abolished."
Puerperal Fever at the Belfast Workhouse.’ At the meeting of the Belfast Board of Guardians, heldon May l0bh, attention was drawn to an outbreak ofpuerperal fever, and on May 17th a letter was read fromthe Local Government Board, enclosing a report on thesubject from Dr. C. J. Clibborn, their medical inspector,wita the request that the guardians would give his recommendations due consideration. Dr. Clibborn says that hevisited the Union on May llbh and 12th, and saw themedical officers who had principal charge of these cases—
Dr. Brice Smyth and Dr. Munn, the resident surgeon. Hefound that since March 24the, to May lst, 1892, thera hadbeen eleven deaths amongparturien t women, occurring withinten days after birth of child. Of these, eight were evi-dently puerperal fever or from the puerperal state, two fromphthisis, and one from pleurisy. After the death of thefirsb case all unconfined and pregnant women were at onceremoved to another ward. The other cases were also re-moved into a separate ward, both nurses and resident) sur-geon being changed. Unfortunately, although every pos-sible precaution in the way of disinfection was used, thissecond removal had not the desired effect, as it was.
found necessary to have these cases freshly attackedremoved to the fever hospital, the only available place,and a fresh place was formed by the medical tifficerfor confinement cases - namelv. the children’s ward.a separate building, all childten having been removedto the original confinement department, nurses andattendants being again changed. Ib was now found neces-sary to bring matters more directly under the notice of theguardians, as there were no fresh nurses to fall back on ifpuerperal fever should again occur, nor any fresh buildingto which patients could be transferred. Up to this date no>fresh case has occurred. Dr. Clibborn thinks every possibleprecaution has been taken to prevent the spread of the dis-ease, as a most thorough system of disinfection of the build-ing and the use of disinfectants by the attendants, as,
required by recent knowledge, is carried out in this depart-ment. Dr. Clibborn visited all the places referred to in hisreport, and he states that the portion of the Union buildings.set apart for midwifery, and where disease first broke out, isa large ward, divided transversely into three departments andlongitudinally by a wooden partition, on one side of whichwere chronic infirm cases, and on the other side the midwiferycases. This, he thinks, points directly to the probablecause of the outbreak, as no confinement cases should bemixed up with any other medical case. Further, on anotherfloor, but under the same roof, there was a case of idio-pathic erysipelas. Dr. Clibborn points out that, no matter
