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arises ; but in Trouville many of the houses are small andmany arc uninhabited for six months or more. It does notseem to me that there would be any great difficulty in flush-ing these evacuators at the end of each season. However,the municipality has given its preference to o, project of pneu-matic drainage which is more like the Licrnur than the Berliersystem. This is known in France as the système aspirateur,

and a company, the Société to the town d’Assainissement,proposes to apply this system to the town of Trouville on terms which the municipality considers the most favour-able and the most practical. The cost of application wouldamount on an average to ;C4 10.’!. per house. Air-tight suctionsewers, 22,000 metres in length, with engine-house and worksfor producing vacuum &c., are estimated to cost E17,200, andthe sewage is to be drawn off to a guano factory some milesdistant from the town.

It is not for me at the present moment to investigate therespective merits of these rival schemes. It suffices to saythat the worst scheme would be infinitely preferable to acontinuation of the present state of affairs. This much in

passing I will, however, urge—namely, that the schemewhich has found favour with the Trouville municipality, incommon with the Liernur system as I have seen it working atAmsterdam, does not ensure, but, on the contrary, hinders, themaintenance of the perfect cleanliness of the soil pipes withinthe houses. In the Licrnur system and its French adaptationthe soil pipe retains the soil till such time as a functionarydraws it off by bringing to bear the pneumatic suction. But,however this may be, it is gratifying to find that the munici-pality of Trouville is stirring in the matter, and is determinedthat, in one way or another, its town shall be properly drained.

THE BRAIN OF THE LATE MR. GEORGEGROTE, F.R.S.

II

IN THE LANCET of Nov. 12th we referred to many interest-

ing peculiarities in the brain of Mr. Grote, as reported onthe Journal of Anatomy and Physiology by the late Professor

John lIar.hall, and we now add some further details as to this

particular brain together with some suggestions on cerebralphysiology by the same anatomist. The general form of thebrain must depend greatly on the shape of the skull, and mustto a great degree correspond with it. The extreme length ofMr. Grote’s head still covered by the soft parts was 8 -1 in ,its extreme breadth 6’5 in.-a ratio of 100 to 81—and its cir-cumference 22¼ in. Such a skull would be included amongthe brachycephalic, although it is just on the border-line ;but a measurement of 15 3/4 in. from one auditory meatus tothe other over the vertex shows that its height was the greatcharacteristic, for this is quite half an inch above the averageof an English skull with the same circumference. This

peculiarity opens up the question whether an unusual heightof the cranium is necessarily or usually associated with arelatively large cerebrum or a small cerebellum, or it is onlycorrelated with a diminished size of the lower occipital fossæof the skull ? In long skulls (dolichocephalism) the inter-mastoid measurements are generally low, whilst in broadskulls (brachycephalism) they are high. But although inMr. Grote’s case the unusually high measurements over thevertex were associated with a large cerebrum and a relativelysmall cerebellum we have no data on which we can rely fora further pronouncement on such an interesting problem. Thedimensions of the cranial fossce occupied by the cerebellummust be much more fully mapped out on the skull and

carefully taken and recorded before we can discuss this

point, in view of national, racial and individual peculiarities,and particularly if such measurements are to be applied tothe living subject.

Mr. Grote’s brain, when removed from the skull, appearedbroad in proportion to its length, and, whilst fully acknow-ledging the difficulty of defining and expressing the relativesize and extent of the various lobes, Professor Marshall, fromhis naked-eye observations on other brains side by side withthis one, came to the conclusion "that the frontal lobes ofthe cerebrum appeared to be very long on their upper surface,very wide in front of the Sylvian fissure, and both long andbroad on their under surface ; the parietal lobes were shortand wide ; the temporal lobes were also wide, though short ;the occipital lobes were small and shallow. " He has also

suggested a, valuable method of ascertaining the weights of theseveral lobes and their white conducting fibres, and gives fulldirections for making these dissections. "On being weighed,the several lobes were found to be in very nearly their usualproportion- a chief individual distinction being that the.

fronto-parietal mass was somewhat heavier than usual,this superiority being mainly due to an excess in the

parietal lobes ; the temporal lobes, however, were a littlesmaller, and the occipital lobes decidedly smaller than usual.The cerebral convolutions were very massive, being not only-broad and deep, but well-formed and marked with secondarysulci over the whole cerebrum, but especially in the frontaland parietal regions." This relative development of differentlobes and convolutions is now being studied in the light ofexperimental and pathological research, and has afforded us,much exactitude of knowledge on localisation of function,especially in regard to the motorial area of the brain.Professor Marshall held a critical and most judicial view as.to the results to be deduced from these experimentalinquiries, observing that no amount of mere argument can.touch the facts, however difficult they may be to understand,but that a.ny use which is to be made of them must be cautious,reserved, and even hypothetical. Applying this method, heasks.the following questions, after critically examining Mr. Grote’s.cerebrum :-" Supposing that we assume size and complexityof convolutions to be evidence of superior functional capacity,might we credit the very large orbital and anterior frontalregions of Mr. Grote’s cerebrum with the active and able-exercise of proper mental processes, and the relatively smalloccipital lobe with a comparative deficiency of conduct, or-carelessness as to personal interests and safety ? May weassociate the relatively large convolutions in the frontal andparietal regions, before and behind the fissure of Ilolando,with the large upper and lower limbs of a person nearly sixfeet, even though the purposive movements of those limbs are.held in but moderate equilibrium or control by a compara-tively small cerebellum’? How shall the great breadth,yet comparative simplicity, of the inferior frontal convo-lution be interpreted in reference to any peculiarities.as to verbal expression or lingual utterance ? Was the bolddevelopment of the back convolutions associated with anygreat activity of visual perception or the relatively full

development of the superior temporal convolution with anyspecial appreciation of a love of sounds ? "

Other marked peculiarities of Mr. Grote’s brain were therelatively large quantity of white fibres and the asymmetryof the cerebral convolutions. This asymmetry is remark-

ably well shown in three photographs which are reproducedat the end of the article. Asymmetry, suggested ProfessorMarshall, could scarcely be correlated with the performance-of higher intellectual processes, or with their more perfectperformance, for it is difficult to detect any obvious advantagein purely intellectual operations, being, as it were, hamperedby an asymmetrical apparatus. He refers it to the habit,common to and inherited by the human family, of using forspecial purposes the right hand more than the left, generationafter generation, and to all the direct and indirect conse-

quences arising therefrom throughout its organism. This.

chapter is to us the most interesting and suggestive in the.article. In Mr. Grote’s cerebrum it was apparent on trans-verse section that the broad and massive characterof the convolutions was due to the relatively largeamount of the white substance. The sectional area ofthe corpus callosum was 1440/1900 ths of a square inch, whichis about six times the ordinary proportion when comparedwith the total area of the inner surface of the hemisphere." It is obvious that so high a ratio of white commissural or’radiating substance must have great significance as regards,the more effectual utilisation of the grey matter itself. Ifthe grey matter be the source or seat of all special actions,whether original or reflex, exercised by or within the cerebralhemispheres, the white fibres must be accredited with the’offices, not only of bringing impressions from the confines..of the human frame, and conveying impulses to its muscularapparatus, but likewise of utilising to the utmost the power-of the grey matter by multiplied connexions of part with,part, in countless lines of combination and reflection. Justas the usefulness of the apparatus employed in telegaphy is.increased according to the number of its advehent and evehentwires, so the efficacy of a ceitain quantity of grey matter,containing a certain number of ganglionic corpuscles, is en-hanced by the multiplicity and variety of the connexions and’combinations of these latter. Whether for old or for recent.

impressions, the paths of intercourse, combination, contrast

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construction and volitional impulse would all be increased,and the efficiency of the cerebral apparatus be thus improved.Certain it is that, under normal conditions, a well-developedcorpus callosum must add to the possible, if not to the

actual, capacity for work of a bilateral cerebrum ; and,although eases of its absence, unsuspected during life, are onrecord which require further investigation, yet its relativemagnitude is undoubtedly associated with varieties in

intelligence or training. "

THE METROPOLITAN HOSPITALSUNDAY FUND.

ON Friday, Nov. 25th, a meeting of the Council of thisFund, presided over by the Lord Mayor, was held at theMansion House, for the purpose of considering the draft

report of the Council, which stated that the twentieth year ofcollecting the fund had resulted, under the presidency of theRight Hon. Sir David Evans, in a total of £41,512, and thata further anonymous donation of £500—£250 to be used in

providing surgical appliances and ;S250 in aid of the generalfund-had been received. One legacy only, £105, had beenreceived during the past year, and a donation of £1000 hadagain been most generously given by Sir Savile Crossley.The report was passed and the next annual meeting fixed for’Tuesday, Dec. 13th.

Mr. Custance, the secretary of the Fund, intimated thatthe leading clergymen had been consulted, and it had beensuggested that June llth should be fixed for the hospitalcollection. Archbishop Vaughan had consented to put offthe annual school collection in the Catholic Church, whichhappened to fall upon June llth next year, to the18th or the 25th of the same month. It was finallyrecommended that June llth, 1893, should be adoptedas the date on which the collection of the Fund should’take place. The Rev. Dr. Marks proposed and the Rev. Dr. J.Kennedy seconded the following resolution, which was unani-mously passed : " That it be recommended to the Committeeof Distribution that all accounts presented under Law 4 of ’’

the Constitution on or from Jan. lst, 1893, shall be auditedby a chartered accountant.

"

A vote of thanks to the President concluded the meeting.

THE ASSOCIATION OF FELLOWS OF THEROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS

OF ENGLAND.

A MEETING of the committee of the Association of Fellowsof the Royal College of Surgeons of England was held at5.30 P.M. on Wednesday, November 30th. Mr. GeorgePollock, the President, occupied the chair. The minutes ofthe last meeting were read and confirmed. The hon.

secretary read the reply which had been received froman official of the College in answer to the last com-munication which had been forwarded to him by thecommittee. This reply was considered by the committeeto be of a very unsatisfactory character, inasmuch as thewriter neither attempted to substantiate the allegations whichhad been categorically refuted by the committee, nor with-’drew them. A long discussion then took place with referenceto the course of action which should be pursued. In thefirst place, a letter was drafted expressing the regret of thecommittee that the inability or unwillingness of the gentle-man in question to substantiate his repeated allegationshad not led him frankly to withdraw them, and statingwhat course of action the committee would pursue. Thisletter was unanimously adopted, and the hon. secretary wasdirected to forward a copy of it to the gentleman concerned.In the second place, it was agreed that, in the event of no’satisfactory reply to this communication being receivedwithin fourteen days, the hon. secretary should proceedat once with the publication of the whole correspondence,with a view to submitting it in the form of a pamphlet to theFellows of the College.A letter was read from the hon. secretary of the Members’

Association asking to be favoured with a printed list of thenames of the members of the Fellows’ Association, as well

as with a copy of their last report. The latter request wasmade with the view to the pu blication of a report of the pro-ceedings of the Association of Members. The hon. secretarywas directed to forward the "Further Account of the Proceed-ings of the Association of Fellows, " published in June last,and to say that a printed list of the members of the Fellows’Association had not yet been issued.

This concluded the business of the meeting, and the com-mittee adjourned.

DEATH FROM ELECTRICITY.BY H. A. CLOWES, M.D., M.S. DURH. &c.

DEATHS from electricity have happily been of rare occurrence in this country. So far as I am aware, only five caseshave been reported in the medical journals since 1880,though many cases have occurred in America and several onthe Continent.On the afterncon of Nov. 9th T. P. L——, aged twenty-

three, an employe of the House-to-house Electric SupplyCompany, was engaged in making connexion with a house inRoland-gardens, Old Brompton-road, and while workingin the surface box he was observed to fall to one side as if ina fit. A fellow-workman ran to him, and found him withhis left arm contracted and attached by his left hand to theconnecting wire. The wire was immediately broken by ablow with an axe handle, and when released he gave a loudsigh and fell forwards on to his forehead, but made no furthermovement or sound. He was brought in a cab to the Queen’sJubilee Hospital, where I saw him about five minutes afterthe occurrence. The heart and respiration had then stopped.The face, neck and upper extremities were congested, theeyes suffused and the pupils widely dilated. The featureswere not distorted and the face wore a peaceful ex-

pression. There was a strong smell of burning notunlike the smell of gas, and it was at first reportedthat the man had fallen down while working on a

gas main. The palm and first two fingers of the left handwere burnt and charred and the fingers were strongly flexed.the clothing was not burnt or injured in any way. Arti-ficial respiration was at once commenced, and was main-tained for more than an hour, but the patient did not respondin any way, and it was evident that the case was hopeless.Besides artificial respiration an injection of strychnia wasgiven, with the idea of stimulating the respiratory centre,and the faradaic current was applied to the precordia.At the inquest, which was held on Nov. 14th, the current

which the man received was said to have been a rapidlyalternating one (10,000 alternations per minute) of a strengthof about 2000 volts. It was not clearly shown how he hadcompleted the circuit, for at the time of the accident he washolding only one wire with the left hand, which was burnt,but there was no other burn on any part of the body. The

piece of wire which he held had in some way become denudedof the insulating rubber. A post-mortem examination wasmade three days and sixteen hours after death. The bodywas that of a well-developed, muscular young man, and thecongestion of the face, neck and upper extremities andocular conjunctiva remarked at the time of death wasstill noticeable. Rigor mortis, which had set in shortlyafter death and had been strongly marked, was still presentto a slight extent in the lower extremities. Decompositionwas not advanced in any unusual degree. The whole of the

palmar surface of the forefinger and middle finger of the lefthand was burnt and the tissues of the carpal half of thesetwo fingers were destroyed and carbonised, exposing the flexortendons. The epidermis generally of the palm of the hand,the palmar surface of the thumb, and of the cleft between the ethumb and index finger was burnt black and separated fromthe deeper structures of the skin. On the dorsal surface ofthe hand, between the thumb and index finger, the epidermiswas destroyed and missing over a surface the size of a florin.There was a small circular abrasion, not a burn, on the outerside of the right knee, and a small ecchymosis and swellingover the right frontal eminence. There were no otherexternal marks of injury. The vessels of the scalp,meninges of the brain and brain substance were congestedand full of liquid blood, and the surface of the white su1 -stances when cut across presented a punctate appeari1nc’t’The lateral sinuses were full of liquid blood, and the later: 1ventricles contained a fair amount of cerebro-3pinal .