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"A larynx showing a deep excavation at the posteriorattachment of each vocal cord. The blue rod indicates thecommunication between the ulcer and the connective tissue-outside the larynx. The boy became affected with generalsurgical emphysema in the second week of his illness, wasunable to swallow, and died at the beginning of the thirdweek." Similar deeply excavated ulcers are also seen inseveral other specimens of typhoid laryngitis, and in noinstance was their existence suspected during life. Itoccurs to me that possibly the cellulitis of the neck whichDr. Harrison has described had its origin in a perforatingulcer resembling that found in Dr. Addison’s patient.

I am, Sirs, yours truly,St. Thomas’s Chambers, S.E., Nov. 22nd, 1889. E. C. PERRY.E. C. PERRY.

THE MORTON LECTURE ON CANCER.To the Editors of THE LANCET.

SIRS,-Mr. John Marshall, in his masterly lecture on

Cancer, courteously mentioned my method of treatment byelectricity ; but he spoke of the " requisite repeated applica-tion of electricity." My further experience teaches me thatusually a repetition of the application is unnecessary, andthat one operation will cause atrophy of the growth. Myfirst patient was under treatment for a little over threeweeks in August, 1888, but since then it has not been neces-sary to repeat the applications. The majority of my caseshave been those in which the knife had failed or in whichthe disease had progressed too far for the knife. With most- of these I have had to operate more than once, because therehas been so much growth that it could not all be treated a1one operation. The theory that cancer is probably due t(an escape of healthy cells from the control of the nervous- system was brought forward by me in my first pape:published in the Brit. Med. Jour. of April 27th last, anin-iy method of treatment was based on this hypothesis.

I am, Sirs, yours faithfully,Collingham-place, S.W., Nov. 1889. J. INGLIS PARSONS.J. INGLIS PARSONS.

THE ICE-BAG TREATMENT IN PNEUMONIA.To the Editors of THE LANCET.

SIRS,—Apropos Dr. Lees’ paper at the Harveian Societyon the Treatment of Pneumonia by the Ice-bag, may I saythat when I was in Vienna in the autumn of 1867, followingSkoda’s Klinik at the Allgemeine Krankenhaus, he wastreating his pneumonias with poultices (bags) of poundedice. Though doubtless this fact is well known to our chestauthorities, nevertheless they and you will, I hope, pardonme this reference to it.

I am, Sirs, your obedient servant,Worcester, Nov. 21st, 1889. TOM BATES.TOM BATES.

NORTHERN COUNTIES NOTES.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Newcastle.WITH reference to the prevalent high death-rate in New-

castle, the medical officer of health, Mr. H. E. Armstrong,has sent some tables and statements to the papers, whichgo to show that the principal cause of the increase of deathshas been constitutional diseases, especially those liable tobe affected by change of weather, while thirteen deaths hadbeen registered in the period referred to in which no propercertificate of death had been given and no inquest hadbeen held. Mr. Armstrong states also that it must beborne in mind, as stated in the weekly reports of theRegistrar-General, " that the population of Newcastle is’under-estimated." I do not say that this is not so, butmany people think here that the huge and expensivesystem of the corporation does little or nothing for thehealth of the city, and that scavenging and improveddwellings would do more than sanitary committees,statistics, or even compulsory notification of infectious,diseases. I believe so far back as 1866 a sanitary com-mittee recommended the abolition of the ash pit system, sofar at least as new dwellings could be brought within itsscope, and yet this old and expensive system goes on tothis day, and of course it is extending at the same timewith the growth of the city.--In an able lecture theother night, Dr. W. Murray was very severe on the

School Board system of education, which he characterisedas a tremendous engine of destruction to a host of thebest people in our midst; to the scholar of sluggishbrain and feeble constitution ; to the pupil teacher ; tothe schoolmistress and to the schoolmaster, who endeavourto make ends meet by obtaining the Government grant. Inspeaking of the necessity for keeping the organism in cor-respondence with its environment Dr. Murray claimed tohave anticipated Herbert Spencer in the application of thisprinciple to the health as well as to the life of the organism.In evidence of this he quoted from a paper contributed tothe Journal of Anatomy (tnd Physiology nearly thirtyyears ago.

Darlington.The Darlington papers are rejoicing in the possession of a

lady who has just attained, they say, her 107th year ofage. She was born at Gallow-hill, Yorkshire, a mile ortwo from Barnard Castle. She has yet a clear ringingvoice. The good old dame, it is said, got her second sightsome eighteen years ago, and can now see without glasses.Her eldest surviving son is eighty years of age, and livesat Distington Hall, Cumberland.—I regret to hear thatthe York County Hospital is sadly in debt ; however, theYork county ladies have taken the matter in hand, and asa first step have arranged for a grand and fancy ball,which is to take place in the Assembly Rooms at York onJan.-2nd next.Newcastle-on-Tyne, Nov. 2’Jth.

SCOTLAND.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)

EDINBURGH.

Edinburgh Health Lectures.THE third lecture of the course on " Nerve Exhaustion "

was delivered by Dr. Berry Hart on Saturday night. Dr.Hart considers that nerve exhaustion is much more commonin this country than is supposed. In the case of women itwas not sufficient to prove that they could do certain thingsas well as men. It must be seen too that in doing them thebodily constitution of women did not suffer. The bestwomen were those who could enter into competition withmen successfully, but these were the mothers who sufferedfrom bodily and nervous exhaustion, and whose suffer-ings were handed on to their children. In addition togoing over the subjects of schools, long hours, andplay-grounds, the lecturer broke up new ground, partof it at any rate. There was no doubt, he said, thatwomen in shops not only had long hours and continuedstrain, but they were denied even the simple matter of aseat during work hours. They were often, indeed, tootired for recreation after their work. The same held goodwith domestic servants. Much of the want of harmonybetween mistress and maid was due to the lowered nervoustone which comes on in women who had the long hours andlittle recreation of a servant. It was surely possible thatservants might arrange among themselves so as to give eachother a day’s outing occasionally ; their mistresses in turnwould soon find the inconvenience to themselves amplycompensated for by the smoother working of that greatcause of health depression to women-housekeeping. Afterspeaking of the necessity for rest, good food, and fresh airfor the jaded mind, Dr. Hart spoke strongly against the useof sedatives and stimulants, by which so many valuable liveshad been wrecked. How foolish, he said, to use that whichmerely goaded on a jaded mind to leave it more wearied orto establish a habit of narcotism. Any sacrifice, he pithilyput it, should be made before mortgaging one’s body andsoul to such "Shylocks" as drink, chloral, or opium.Such a lecture must have an influence on the opinions ofthose who have the charge of young girls, and it was

good sound common-sense treatment of a most difficultsubject. The chairman, Dr. Peel Ritchie, said not oneword too much in his eulogistic speech on his motion that avote of thanks be accorded to the lecturer.

Infirmary Sunday.Last Sunday collections were made in all the churches

on behalf of the Royal Infirmary. Pulpit references werealso made in most cases, but in none were the words more

appreciative of the work done than those uttered by

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Dr. Walter Smith in the Free High Church, who, aftercontending that God was the God of health as well as ofsalvation, said that he had no sympathy with a cold andpitiless form of religion that could behold with indifferencesuffering and pain, and only point the sufferer to a betterworld where there should be no more pain. The work of the

Royal Infirmary breathed the very spirit of Christian com-passion. He spoke of the gratuitous labours of men ofthe highest skill there given, of the patience and gentlenessof women highly cultured, who without fee or reward hadconsecrated themselves to the waiting on the sick, and ofthe watchful care of others to whom this task was a workthat no wage could repay. Sad as it was to go through thewards, one could not help being struck by the comfort andcleanliness of the place, and how gratefully the servicesrendered by those in charge were regarded by one and all.In so far as people aided in healing the sick they werefellow-workers with the Lord.

Erroneous Reporting.Last Friday a paragraph appeared in one of the lay

papers to the effect that " a woman had died while underchloroform iu one of the operating theatres of the infirmary.

"

It went on to say : " Her history was that she had had atumour in the middle line of the neck for the last nineteenyears. Last year it began steadily to increase, and shetherefore came to have it removed. How the death cameabout has not been explained. Artificial respiration wasresorted to without success, and as a final resort tracheo-tomy was performed, but also without avail." On careful

inquiry it is found that the patient never came completelyunder the influence of chloroform at all, and it is statedthat the tumour spoken of above had almost obliterated thetracheal canal, and that death was actually from suffoca-tion. It is a great pity that such misleading and halfcorrect paragraphs should find their way into the papers.They shake the confidence of patients, and in some cases itis absolutely impossible to undo all the damage thus, oftenunthinkingly, done.

Pharmaceutical Society.At the first meeting of the session of the North British

Branch of the Pharmaceutical Society, Professor Fraser, inhis inaugural address, suggested that a university diplomashould be given to those who, having passed through adefined compulsory curriculum, were successful in passingcertain examinations. Existing university regulationswould cover part of the work, and the’issue of a diploma bythe university would be a valuable recognition of a highereducation than was at present wichin their reach, andwould enable them to engage in a higher species of workthan at present, as, for example, that of public analysts.It would, he thought, be advisable to approach the NewUniversity Commission, who would most probably grantfacilities for the carrying out of such a curriculum, ifproper representations were made. ’,

The Royal Medical Society.The meeting for the election of office-bearers in the Royal

Medical Society took place several weeks ago, but as yet nolist has appeared in most of the journals. The Presidentsfor the year are-Mr. W. G. W. Sanders, M.B., C.M.; Mr.A. D. Turner, M.B., C.M.; Mr. James Ritchie, M. A., M.B.,C.M.; Mr. R. 0. Adamson, M.B., C.M. Secretaries: Mr.R. D. Rudolf, M.B., C.M., and Mr. James Middlemass,M.A., B.Sc., M.B., C.M. Chairman of Finance Committee :Mr. George C. Cathcart. Curator of Library Committee :Mr. C. D. Sutherland. Chairman of Museum Committee :Mr. H. G. Huie. Editor of Transactions: Mr. R. E.Horsley., M.B., C.M.

Legacies to Edinburgh and Leith Hospitals.Amongst other legacies announced as made by the late

Mr. Robert Tweedale of Madeira-street, Leith, are twoof £ 500 each, one to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, andone to the Leith Hospital.Edinburgh, Nov. 26th.

-

GLASGOW.

Opening of the Medical Schools.The various medical schools of Glasgow, intra-mural and

extra-mural, were opened a few weeks ago, and are now inthe full swing of work. In opening the session at theUniversity, Professor M’Call Anderson referred to thebenefaction by which the University had profited during

the past thirteen years, and mentioned specially the-Students’ Union. He advocated the cause of the UnionBazaar, which is to take place at Christmas. In speakingof changes made in the curriculum, he was not sure thatthe recent Arts course gave the best preliminary culture to-the student of medicine, as in it Latin and Greek bulkedtoo largely, to the exclusion of modern languages. He con--demned cramming and the examination mania, and lookedforward to the time when the student’s inducement towork would be not simply his desire to pass an ex-amination, but the cultivation of his mind and theamassing of knowledge. He objected strongly also tothe dissociation of the examining from the teaching func-tion, and finished by discussing some of the recentadvances in practical medicine, with special reference tmthe relief and cure of medical ailments by surgical means.The new buildings of Anderson’s College Medical Schoolwere formally opened by an address from the President ofthe board of governors, Mr. T. A. Mathieson, in the courseof which was given a very interesting account of the rise andprogress of the school. The Royal Infirmary School startsthis session on a new career at St. Mungo’s College, thefloating of which gave rise to so much heart-burning a fewweeks ago. At the opening Principal Blackie gave a sketclaof the proposed arrangements in the various Faculties inthe College, and followed this up with a historical accountof education in Glasgow, with special reference to Uni-versity education, beginning with the labours of St. Kenti-gern 1286 years ago, and ending with a criticism of Uni-’versity organisation at the present time.

Medical Education of Women in Glasgow.The opening address at St. Margaret’s College, delivered

by Professor McKendrick, was marked by a long andimportant discussion of this question. Beginning with a.

statement of the interest he had in the movement, aninterest which had originated years ago in Edinburgh whenthe whole question had been keenly debated, the lecturer.gave his voice against the teaching of mixed classes ofmale and female students, and announced that the pro-priety of starting a medical course for women was underthe consideration of the Council of the College. As regards,clinical instruction, it would not be difficult to find clinicalteachers and an adequate field of clinical material in theVictoria Infirmary.

Disturbance at the University Graduation Ceremony.At the University graduation ceremony a few days ago-

a disgraceful and unprecedented scene occurred. It seems.that the Senate had taken offence at the noisy and boisterous.horseplay indulged in by the students at such ceremonies,,a kind of licence which has hitherto been looked upon witha lenient eye, but which in April last was more pronouncedthan usual. To put an end to these demonstrations thesomewhat commonplace remedy of a lock-out suggesteditself to the Senate; the "capping," instead of being con--ducted in the large Bute Hall, took place on this occa-sion in the Randolph Hall, a small apartment whichat most holds about 150, only graduates and theirfriends being admitted, by ticket, the students being thusforcibly excluded from a function in which they have" as-sisted " from time immemorial. The result, though it mighthave been expected, was deplorable. The hall was besieged,and a riot took place in which violence went far beyondanything on record in Glasgow. The professors in passingthrough the crowd were hissed, mobbed, and assaulted ;Sir Geo. MacLeod had his gown torn off his back. Anotherprofessor, who had seized a student, was roughly handled,.thrown down, and escaped to the Senate room with diffi-culty. When, after a severe struggle, the door of the hallhad been shut, an assault was made upon it with an impro-vised battering-ram, by means of which several panels were’driven in, and through the opening thus made bucketfuls ofwater were thrown on professors and spectators in the hall.The noise and disturbance were such that the whole cere-mony was conducted pretty much in dumb-show, while theaudience, especially the ladies present, were much alarmed.The violence used and the determination with which the-students carried on the struggle are evidence of the keen feel-ing of resentment aroused by the action of the Senate. It wasa very impolitic move on the part of the Senate to resort tmsuch a drastic and unpalatable remedy as exclusion of theundergraduates from the ceremony; on the other hand, it is.impossible to defend the violence of the students (howevereasily it may be accounted for), more particularly as they

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now have, in the Students’ Representative Council, a con-otitutional and recognised channel through which they canapproach the Senate for the statement and arrangement ofany grievances. It is to be hoped for the good name of theUniversity that the quarrel may be amicably adjusted, anatter which should not be impossible if a kindly feeling anda disposition to yield a little be displayed by both sides.

Glasgow, Nov. 27th. -

ABERDEEN.

The Medico-Chirurgical Society.At the annual meeting of the Aberdeen Medico-Chirur-

gical Society, held on the 21st inst, the following office-earers were elected :-President, Dr. Smith Shand ; vice-president, Dr. Garden ; secretary, Dr. Edmond ; recordingsecretary, Dr. MacGregor; treasurer, Dr. John Gordon ;librarian, Dr. Gibson; members of Council-Dr. AngusFraser, Dr. Rodger, Dr. McKenzie Booth, Dr. Gibson,Dr. W. H. Williamson. The Society completes its hundredthyear next month, and in celebration of the centenary themembers are to dine together in their own hall on Saturday,Dec. 14th. A number of prominent citizens and the membersof Parliament are to be invited as guests, and each membermay invite one guest.

The University Assessorships. i

By the withdrawal of three candidates a contest in the- election of representatives from the Council to the Univer-sity Court has been avoided. Dr. Angus Fraser is the choiceof the medical profession. At a meeting of the committeeappointed to promote his candidature, held on the 2 Lst inst.,Dr. Fraser was present, and there was handed to him a requi-sition, signed by 620 medical graduates, requesting him toallow himself to be nominated as one of the assessors to theUniversity Court under the new Act. The promised supportfrom the local profession was practically unanimous, andamong the other signatures occur the names of Sir ArthurMitchell, K.C.R.; Sir Gayer Hunter, K. C. M. G.; ProfessorFerrier, LL.D.; Dr. Mitchell Bruce, London; ProfessorCossar Ewart, Edinburgh ; Dr. James Ross, LL.D., Man-chester ; Dr. Bruce, Dingwall; Dr. James Anderson,London ; Dr. Stephen Mackenzie, London &c. Dr. Fraser expressed his gratification at the hearty way in which hisname had been received by his professional brethren, and atonce agreed to place his services at their disposal.Aberdeen, Nov. 27th.

DUBLIN.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

The Entries at the Dublin Medical Schools.THE following is the official list of the anatomical entries

for the session 1889-90 :-Schools of Surgery, R.C.S., 285 ;School of Physics, Trinity College, 231; Catholic University,19—total, 635. This return shows a falling off as com-pared with recent years.

Enteric Fever in Dublin.

During the nine weeks ending Nov. 16th the deaths

recorded from enteric fever in Dublin amounted to 76, or an’increase of 53 as contrasted with the previous nine weeks.In consequence of the prevalence of the disease in this citythe War Office has countermanded all orders for reinforcing- drafts to join battalions in Dublin from their regimental

depots in the sister countries. The drainage of the city, I’believe, has a good deal to do with this outbreak, anduntil we possess a proper main drainage these out-breaks will necessarily occur. As, however, the costof a system of intercepting sewers has been estimated at4rom half to three quarters of a million of money, thecorporation have not seen their way to add additionaltaxes to the already over-burdened ratepayers, and the

project has disappeared for a time. Sooner or later it mustbe dealt with, and a plan of Mr. Vaughan, an eminentBelfast civil engineer, has recently come under notice, whilehis estimate for the entire work has been fixed at £ 100,000.Mr. Vauglian’s plan is designed to get rid of the sewagein its crude condition at the furthest possible point, and heproposes that a locality north of Baldoyle should be takenas the place of outfall. There, he says, it will be caught bythe great ocean current, which passes along the eastern.coast northwards at the rate of between three and foui

miles an hour, and be carried past Portmarnock Point, andthence outwards till it is lost in the ocean. From CushPoint he would carry an outfall sewer along the coast lineto Ballybough Bridge, and by that route reach the city,taking in the townships. The scheme appears practicable,and no doubt will receive consideration when the subject isagain under discussion.

St. Mark’s Ophthalntic Hospital.The governors are making a special appeal for funds to

enlarge this institution by fifty beds. The hospital is over-crowded, and only a moiety of the applications for admissioncan be entertained. The demand for additional ward accom-modation has become a matter of pressing necessity, whichcan only be met by an extension of the hospital boundariesand buildings, with the beds increased to 100.

Health of Cork During October.The mortality, excluding 25 deaths which occurred in the

workhouse, amounted to a rate of 15 ’90. Of these, 13 weredue to zymotic affections. The dispensary medical officersreport the occurrence of 43 cases of zymotic diseases duringthe month, two-thirds of which were cases of scarlatina,and only 2 cases of typhoid fever, being the lowest recordfor the month of October for the past five years.

Mr. G. F. Blake has been appointed Registrar of theCollege of Surgeons in the place of Mr. Brennan, deceased.

Mr. Blake will also act as librarian.The Royal Society of England has conferred on theProvost of Trinity College, Dublin, the Copley medal fordistinguished writings and discoveries.Dublin, Nov. 26th.

PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

The Opening of the Medical Session.THE various courses and cliniques are now in full swing.

The anatomical, physiological, pathological, and bacterio-logical classes are installed this year in the lately constructedand extensive block of buildings forming the new school inthe Rue de 1’Ecole de Medecine opposite to the old school.To the latter is being added a magnificent new library andexamination rooms, so that whatever may be thought ofthe structures from a practical and architectural point ofview-and here it appears that, as in the case of your ownlaw courts, there is room for a second opinion-there is nodoubt that they give an imposing appearance in passing,and would seem at first sight, provided one is not toocritical as to details, to be a temple well worthy the scienceto which they will henceforth be devoted. The dissectingrooms are certainly the finest I have ever seen, and Idoubt if they are equalled, much less surpassed, anywhere.There are no less than eight of them, each room containingabout twenty-five tables, with prosectors’ and demonstrators’rooms, and a complete set of lockers and lavatory attached,and entirely separated from the adjoining dissecting hall.Professor Faraboeuf has a large and efficient staffofdemonstra-tors under him, so that, in addition to the general systematiclecture on anatomy, at which attendance is not compulsory,demonstrations and individual instruction are given all dayin the several dissecting halls, the students being classed inthe various rooms according to seniority in study. Hereconstant attendance and work are insisted upon for at leasttwo years. The systematic lectures on medicine, surgery,midwifery, &c., are still given in the old school, there beinggenerally two lecturers for each subject, one of whom takesthe first half and the other the second half of the session.Attendance on these lectures, although invited, is notcompulsory, the student being free to ignore them alto-gether. At the cliniques at the several hospitals, how-ever, the case is different. On these regular attendanceis rigidly exacted. The student must be "signed up" forhis hospital work by the physician or surgeon to whoseclinique he is attached. The clinical courses also had theirbeginning last week. One of the largest of these is that ondiseases of the nervous system by Professor Charcot. Atthis clinique the first thing that strikes an onlooker isthe number of men well on in life who follow thecourse; another thing is the strange mixture of almostall nationalities of which the audience is composed.Although the attendance is very numerous, and at times