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258 he comes to with a great sigh and feels weak for some time. I have not been able to see one of these seizures myself, but have questioned some of the patients in the same ward and also the apothecary in charge of him. They state that he lies on his back moaning, with his eyes shut (apothecary reports pupils contracted), and without any working of the limbs or frothing at the mouth. If an arm or leg is raised, it falls again as if the muscles were all relaxed ; the pulse is slow but regular, and the sphincters are not relaxed. His family history is as follows : Father dead, cause unknown ; mother dead, "fever (?) "; grandfather dead, paralysis ; one brother and three sisters alive and healthy. Patient had syphilis in 1879, and dates his illness from last year, when he was 128 days in hospital with abscess somewhere about the ankle-joint, which is supposed to have been due to syphilitic deposit. He has not had an attack since March 25th; has not slept in bed since the 23rd of that month, but sits in an arm-chair all night and generally sleeps well in that position. The seizure on the 25th was not nearly so severe as usual. The treatment was quinine, iron, and strychnine ; arsenic and quinine ; blisters to the nape of the neck; light nourishing diet and a little wine or brandy. At one time the heart’s action was a little irregular, but three minims of tincture of digitalis three times a day soon made it all right. Within the last week he has complained of nervous shivering at night, keeping him awake. His bowels have been quite regular throughout, and the urine normal. If any of your readers can throw any light on this case, I shall be glad to hear from them through your columns. The case does not seem to be epileptic, nor, what is more rare, cataleptic. If syphilitic, it is very extraordinary, and such a case has not been heard of before by yours faithfully, Dinapore, Bengal. _____________ M.B., India. THE ROYAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,-In the report of the proceedings of Convocation, in your issue of the 28th July, it is stated that my third reso- lution on a division was lost. Such was not the case, but an amendment postponing it with the first and second reso- lutions to the October meeting was carried, it being stated by a member of the Senate that if the unsuccessful candidates would make application to the Senate their cases would be considered. On this representation many members of Con- vocation voted for the amendment; but I doubt if they would have done so had they been aware that no meeting of the Senate would be held until after the autumn examina- tions. The unsuccessful candidates have now to wait for twelve months before again presenting themselves for exa- mination. I hope those interested in medical university education will give the subject their best attention when I bring forward these resolutions again at the October meet- ing. I am, Sir, faithfully yours, Harcourt-street, Dublin, Aug. 7th, 1883. C. F. KNIGHT, M.D. C. F. KNIGHT, M.D. BIRMINGHAM. (From our own Correspondent.) ) PRESENTATION TO MR. ALFRED BAKER. AN interesting presentation was made in the board-room of the General Hospital on the 27th ult., the occasion being connected with Mr. Baker’s retirement from active service. On behalf of the subscribers, Mr. T. Kenrick presented to the hospital a life-size portrait in oils of Mr. Baker painted by Mr. F. Holl, R.A., and remarked that during the thirty- three years in which he had served the hospital in various capacities, Mr. Baker had devoted the greatest possible skill and earnestness to his duties. Dr. Russell, as senior physician, then presented to Mr. Baker a silver salver and dessert service, in the name of a large body of subscribers. The salver bears the following inscription ,-:Presented with a silver dessert service to Alfred Baker, Esq., F.R. C. S., J.P., in acknowledgment of his eminent services and un- tiring devotion to the interests of the General Hospital, as one of its servants for thirty-three years, by friends and col- leagues, who, in further recognition of his worth and their esteem, have presented his portrait to the governors of the hospital." It is not allowed to many professional men to retire with honours of such a substantial kind as these, in addition to "all that should accompany age," and in thus recognising the work and merits of so many years’ associa- tion, a just tribute has been paid, which speaks well for the good feeling and cordiality which exist among those con. nected with this time-honoured institution. BIRMINGHAM WATER-SUPPLY. On the 28th ult. a new storage reservoir at Shustoke, be- longing to the Corporation, was opened by the Mayor amid much eclat. The work, which has occupied two years, is of great extent and perfection. It adds a storage of 400 million gallons to that already existing, thus bringing the total capacity to 607 millions. This storage would enable the water department, in a time of drought, to dispense 14,000,000 gallons of water daily for 100 days. When it is also known that the works are most complete, the machinery of the best and most modern kind, the management most efficient, it will be recognised that the water-supply of this large town is second to none in the kingdom. LOCAL RAILWAY CASE. An important case was decided at the recent Staffordshire Assizes in which a number of local medical men were engaged. The theory of "spinal irritation " and the usual conflicting evidence of the professional men engaged on either side afforded abundant ground for criticism, which was freely taken advantage of by the coroner employed, and failed to raise the value of expert evidence in the trials of such causes. The spectacle of " friends and colleagues" diametrically opposed to each other in opinions does not tend to increase the respect to be paid to medical evidence in courts of law, and lamentably exposes the weaknesses of testimony when riddled by shrewd advocates in the public light of day. THE EYE HOSPITAL. The buildings of the new hospital are rapidly approaching completion, and will give much relief when occupied to the strained resources of the present building. It is doubtful if the best advantage has been made of the space at the dis- posal of the architect, and it is evident that there has been no room allowed for future growth. On this point future comment may be advantageously employed, and, if not too late, many alterations may be carried out with good effect to the utility of the hospital. Already the Wolverhampton Eye Infirmary has made a good start in competition, and in the second annual meeting of the subscribers, held on the 30thult,, it was shown that there had been 2600 cases treated there in the year; with the statement that cases were constantly refused admission, it will be seen that a formidable rival is extending its arms in close proximity to the older charity, and necessitating the best of arrangements to effectually prove its greater claim to support. SMALL-POX. In the absence of compulsory notification of diseases of an infectious kind, the authorities have a difficulty in isolating cases and adopting proper precautionary measures. That the disease has spread and is increasing its area is undoubted. It is a matter of much regret that private influences should deter both medical men and householders from making known these cases at the outset; by thus doing they baulk the valuable aid which the medical officer of health is always willing and most able to give, and in which he is always amply supported by an energetic and strong health committee. There is no want of means, but causes over which they have no control oblige the commitee to learn of the additional cases only after they have been in existence for some time. Stamping out, the only effectual remedy in such instances, is thus rendered of little avail, and is a serious detriment to the community at large. SCOTTISH NOTES. (From our own Correspondent.) ) PROFESSOR COSSAR EwART and Sir James Gibson Mait- land have started upon a dredging expedition in the Moray Firth in connexion with investigations to be made by a, committee of the Fishery Board for Scotland. The gunboat Jackad has been placed at the disposal of the Board by the Admiralty. The questions which will more especially engage the attention of these observers have reference to the habits of the herring.
