326 WALES AND WESTERN COUNTIES NOTES.-SCOTLAND.

Carmarthen Joint Asylum.Fur many years past the councils of Carmarthenshire,

Pembrokeshire, and Cardiganshire have been unable to cometo any agreement as to the proportions to be paid withrespect to capital expenditure at the joint asylum atCarmarthen. The interests of -patients have in consequencesuffered so that it is not at all surprising to find the Commis-sioners in Lunacy characterising the apparent indifference ofthe councils as discreditable. Among the most urgentrequirements of the asylum are an improved seweragescheme and increased accommodation for patients. Whenthe Commissioners last vibited the institution there were 46more male and seven more female patients than there wasaccommodation for, with the result that some beds had to bemade up on the floors.

Society of ivedieal Officers of Health.Dr. J. D. Jenkins, medical officer of health of the Rhondda

urban district, has been elected President of the West ofEngland and South Wales branch of the IncorporatedSociety of Medical Officers of Health.

Yhe Water-supplies of Breconshire.At a meeting of the Breconshire county council held on

July 27th it was resolved that the Parliamentary committeeshould consider what steps could be taken to prepare furtherevidence as to the water-supplies within the county for thedifferent villages and should confer with the districtcouncils, so as to be prepared to meet any Bills promotedby authorities outside the county to abstract water fromwithin the county.

Difficulties of Medical Officers of Health.At a meeting of the Northam (Devon) urban district council

held on July 26th it was proposed that Dr. E. J. Toye shouldbe re-elected medical officer of health. One of the members

suggested that the appointment should be advertised, as heconsidered that the medical officer’s reports were "too

strict," and this was very detrimental to the inhabitants ofthe town; he also said that in 1903 there were five or sevencases of small pox in a certain fashionable watering-place,but nothing much was heard about them, whilst in Northameverything was reported. Another member explained to thespeaker that the medical officer of health had his instructionsfrom the Local Government Board and that he could not betoo strict. Eventually Dr. Toye was re-appointed and theamendment for throwing open" the appointment was notseconded.

Chipping Sodbury Rural District Council.At a meeting of the Chipping Sodbury (Gloucestershire)

rural district council held on July 25th a communicationwas read from the Local Government Board stating that theprovisional order combining the Chipping Sodbury ruraldistrict with others for the appointment of a medical officerof health had been confirmed by Parliament.July 31st.

SCOTLAND.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)

Graduation Ceremonial at the University of Edinburgh.ON July 27th the summer graduation ceremonial of

the University of Edinburgh was held in the McEwanHall which was densely crowded in every part. PrincipalSir William Turner, Vice-Chancellor of the University, pre-sided. The honorary degree of LL D. was conferred uponSir Donald Currie, G.C.M.G , Emeritus Professor Sir Alex-ander Russell Simpson, H.E. Senhor Antonio Da VeigaBeiroao of Lisbon, and H.E. Baron Descamps, D.C.L.,Belgium. The two latter had the degree conferred in absentia.In introducing Sir A. R. Simpson, the Dean of the Facultyof Law, Sir Ludovic Grant, mentioned that it was just 50years since Sir A. R. Simpson had graduated in medicinein the University. The degree bestowed upon him in1856 marked the successful termination of his laboursas a student ; the degree which he was now to receivebetokened his alma mater’s cordial and grateful apprecia-tion of the great services which he had rendered duringhis long tenure of his professorship. The great traditionsof his office had suffered nothing during his incumbencyand Sir Ludovic Grant gladly echoed the encomium pro-nounced in that hall a year ago by the representatives

of the students. While Sir A. R. Simpson’s manual dex-ttrity and inventive genius set him in the very fore-front of operative gyna3co)ogists, his extensive knowledgeof the literature of his department, continental as wellas British, enabled him to place his teaching on a

strictly scientific basis and thus to exercise a most in-

vigorating influence on those brought under him. Thesenators warmly congratulated their late colleague on thehonour which he had recently received from the Sovereign.Sir A. R. Simpson was received before and after being cappedby a great outburst of applause. After the honorary degreeshad been conferred the degree of Doctor of Medicine wasconferred upon 89 Bachelors of Medicine; two Bachelors ofScience had the degree of Doctor of Science conferred uponthem, while the degrees of Bachelor of Medicine andBachelor of Surgery were conferred on 145 gentlemen whohad succesfully completed the medical curriculum. TheDiploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene was conferred ontwo graduates and the special University certificate indiseases of tropical climates on 52 graduates. Six goldmedals were awarded for M.D. theses. Alexander MurrayDrennan, M.B., Ch.B., was Ettles scholar for the year. Pro.fessor T. Annandale, for the third time during his occupancyof the chair of clinical surgery, delivered the customaryaddress to the graduates. He took for his theme, " Quackery,otherwise Humbug." The address was interesting and racybut it was not well heard.

Cerebro spinal Meningitis, a Notifiable Disease.At a meeting of the corporation of Glasgow last week it was

unanimously resolved that cerebro-spinal meningitis should beincluded as a notifiable disease under the Infectious Disease(Notification) Act. In proposing the motion the convenerof the public health committee mentioned that the first caseof cerebro-spinal meningitis occurring in the city was takeninto hospital on March 10th. Since that date there had been69 cases admitted to hospital and 48 of the 69 cases haddied, showing that this was a very serious and fatal disease.In addition to the deaths in hospital they had notice of 12deaths that had taken place at home. In 28 cases the

specific micro-organism was isolated from the discharge ofthe nose, throat, and eye or from the fluid obtained on

tapping the spinal meninges. Several cases had been dis-covered in one family and one peculiarity of the disease wasthat in the bulk of the cases those who had died wereunder ten years of age. There had been practically nocases in persons over the age of 20 years. The cases hadprincipally occurred in the Eastern and Northern wards ofthe city but there had been a few on the south side of theriver. It was agreed that notification of the disease shouldremain compulsory until July 31st, 1907, and at that date, ifnecessary, an extension might be asked for.

Post- Graduate Clczoses at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.’

The opening lecture will be delivered by Major GeorgeLamb, I.M S., on the Etiology of Plague, on Tuesday,Sept. 4th, at 3 30 P.M. Thereafter several courses of lectureshave been arranged to take place during the month ofSeptember. Dr. A. Maitland Ramsay will give demonstra-tions on Diseases and Injuries of the Eye, Dr. DavidNewman on Surgical Diseases of the Kidreys and Bladder,Dr. John Barlow, Dr. A. N. McGregor, and Mr. H.Rutherfurd on Clinical Surgery, Dr. J. Lindsay Steven andDr, T. K. Monro on Clinical Medicine, Dr. J. KerrLove on Diseases of the Ear, Dr. Robert Fullerton on

Diseases of the Throat and Nose. Dr. W. K. Hunter onHæmatology, Dr. G. Balfour Marshall on Gynaecology, Dr.Charles Workman on Practical Pathology, and Mr. DavidMcCrorie on Bacteriology. The opening lecture is free.The fee for attendance on the courses of gynæcology andpractical pathology is .62 2s. and for bacteriology £3 3s. Foreach of the other courses the fee is £1 ls. and for any threeof them ,82 2s. It will facilitate arrangements if thosedesirous of joining any of these classes will communicate atonce with Dr. J. M. Thom, superintendent, from whom asyllabus may be obtained.

Testimonial to Mr. J. Stuart Nairne.

Mr. J. Stuart Nairne, who has been intimately associatedwith the Glasgow Samaritan Hospital since its foundation,was, at a meeting of representative citizens held in thehospital recently, presented with a testimonial in recogni-tion of his services to the hospital during the past 21 years.July 31st.

327IRELAND.—PARIS.

IRELAND. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)

Royal Uni2erxity of Treland.THE Senate of the Royal University met on Friday,

July27th. His Majesty’s Warrant under the Royal Sign-Manual was read appointing Lord Castletown of UpperOssary to be Chancellor of the University ; also His

Majesty’s Warrant undt-r the Royal Sign-Manual amendingthe statutes of the University. A btatute dealing withacademic disorder-was enacted.

Royal Commission on Trin’ity College,The Royal, Commission of inquiry into the affairs of the

University of Dublin will not begin to receive evidence untilOctober. In the meanwhile the Roman Catholic Archbishopof Dublin has permitted his opinion to appear in connexionwith what is generally considered the most important subjectof the inquiry-viz., the adoption of a means by which theUniversity may be made acceptable to a much larger numberof Catholic students. The Irish Times of July 31st contains aletter in which the Archbishop states : "Events have movedrapidly of late in the direction of the settlement which Ihave always favoured-i.e., letting T.C D. alone and settingup in the University of Dublin a second College That is a

plan which can be worked out with perfect safety and perfectjustice to every interest involved." Tnis pronouncement willprove of much interest to those who have followed the manyattempts which have been made of late years to solve theproblem of University education in Ireland.

The Salaries of Dispensary Medical Officers.An important statement appears in the report of the

Irish Local Government Board for 1905-06 in respectof the salaries of dispensary medical officers. Thisvexed question, which has frequently been dealt with at

length in previous reports of the Local Government Board,would appear to be on the fair way to settlement. In a

previous report of the Board attention was drawn to thefact that nine boards of guardians, acting upon the sugges-tion made in the circular letter from the Local GovernmentBoard on August 9th, 1904, had framed and submitted forsanction scales of salaries applicable to the cases of theirmedical officers. This example seems to have had its eNdCt,for the Board now reports that in 26 unions improved ratesof remuneration for the medical staff are in operation. Theclaims of dispensary medical officers for increased remunera-tion are, in fact, at last receiving sympathetic considerationfrom boards of guardians in various parts of the country,while it is officially announced that in any case where it isdeemed advisable to elicit further facts the Board is preparedto instruct a medical inspector to hold a public inquiry so asto assist the guardians in arriving at a decision.

Inspection of Pork in Belfast.The meat inspectors of the city corporation of Belfast

since the Chicago revelations have shown greater activity inthe seizure of tuberculous pork and a deputation representingthe wholesale Belfast provision trade has now waited on themarket committee of the city council in reference to thematter, in order to raise two points. The first, which wasnot dibcussed, referred to the alleged unfairness of themethods of inspection, as at present carried out, towardsthe inhabitants of Belfast compared with the inhabitants ofthe country districts. The second point opened the questionas to whether it is desirable to destroy a carcass in whichthere are only local signs of tuberculosis. The followingmotion was adopted at a meeting of the market committeeon Ju’y 28th, Councillor Dr. H. O’Neill, J.P., dissenting:-That in all well-nourished carcasses of pigs where the tuberculosis is

strictly confined to the glands of the neck, the head only or suchportion as is affected by the disease shall be destroyed, the remainderof the carcass being handed back to the owner ; and that in the caseof all carcasses showing unmistakeable evidence of the disease havingbecome generalised-i.e., two or more organs affected-the whole ofevery such carcass shall be destroyed.As indicating that there is a difference of practice followedin various municipalities it was reported that in Glasgow therecommendaticns of the Royal Commission on Tuberculosisare given effect to except in those cases where the disease isfound affecting only the lymphatic glands of the throat andalso in those cases where the disease is localised to the internal

organs, in which cases the affected parts only are destroyed.In Liverpool (1) an examination of the carcasses and organs

is made at the slaughter-houses; (2) the carcass andthe whole of the organs are destroyed when any trace oftuberculosis appears, in accordance with the recommendationsof the Royal Commission on Tuberculosis ; and (3) diseasedcarcasses are destroyed by means of sulphuric acid and eteampressure, the residue being used for manure. In Edinburgh(1) the carcass and organs of each animal are examined andthe glands are incised by a veterinary inspector appointed bythe city on duty at the slaughter houses; (2) the wholecarcass is condemned in cases of tuberculosis generally ;and (3) the condemned carcasses are boiled in a specialcauldron for 24 hours and thereafter the fat is sold for wagongrease, the bones for manure, and the flesh destroyed. InDublin (1) all carcasses are inspected at the public abattoirand at the private slaughter-houses ; (2) in cases of tuber-culosis generally the whole carcass is condemned but if veryslightly affected only the diseased parts are cut away ; and(3) the condemned carcasses are saturated with petroleumand boiled down at the knacker’s yard.

The Hospital for Diseases of the Skin, Belfast.At the annual meeting held on July 28,h it was reported

that 652 patients were treated during the past year, of whom31 were admitted as intern patients. The balance to the creditof the institution was £318 6-1 10d. Special reference wasmade to the loss sustained by the institution by the death ofits originator, president, and honorary consultant, Dr. H. S.Purdon. OE late years Dr. Purdon did not take the activepart in the medical work of the institution that he formerlydid, but he was always available for consultation. Asubcommittee was appointed to look after certain alterationsnecessary in the hospital building.July 31st.

________________

PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Ciril Responsibility and Syphilitic Infection.AT a meeting of the Society of Legal Medicine held on

July 9óh M. Thibierge read a most interesting paper on theabove subject. He said that in cases of sexual infectionactions are very rarely brought, for legal proof is extremelydifficult to obtain. Cases of infection through employmentari5e almost exclusively among glas-blowers. A recent

judgment of the Court of Cassation has brought such casesunder the Workmen’s Compensation Act, although formerlythey were considered to come under another Act. Underthe present Act it is found to be very difficult toassess the damages and the sufferers found redressmore easy to obtain under the former Act. Finally,there are the cases of wet nurses who contract

syphilis to be considered. A nurse who contracts

syphilis in this way can only obtain damages by furnishingproof that the persons who confided the child to her carewere imprudent or negligent and also that they knew thepossibility of the child being syphilitic. So in two recentcases the parents of the children were not cast in damagesfor they were able to show that they had no reason tosuspect that they themselves were syphilitic and theycalled expert opinion to witness that no trace of syphiliswas to be found in them. And yet in both cases the childrenwere obviously suffering from hereditary syphilis. Suchdecisions are no doubt correct law but they are not humane,and some way ought to be found by which the problemsshould be solved in a way which does greater justice to thesufferers than does the present law.

The Surgery of Wounds of the Heart.At a meeting of the Surgical Society held on July llth

M. Rochard gave an account of three cases of wound of theheart. Two of the cases had been under the care ofM. Camus and the third under that of M. Lenormant. Inall three cases the wound was situated in the light ventricle.The sutures used in the two first cases were of catgut and ofsilk in the third. The first patient operated upon died 22hours later; the second patient died on the table just asM. Camus tightened up the last suture. The third patientwas apparently dead at the end of the operation but uponcardiac massage being employed he revived and survived forfive hours. At the post-mortem examination there werefound, in addition to the wound of the heart, injuries to

, the liver, the stomach, and the intestines. That a patientsuffering from such injuries should have revived shows the