587THE ASHANTI EXPEDITION.

ugly, dark, unhealthy looking swamps were noticed, and onarrival we found the locality chosen for this rest camp any-thing but what it should be, being low and decidedlyobjectionable from a sanitary point of view, while I was not atall surprised to learn that two officers were here down withmalarial fever. My attention was immediately called to thewater-supply, which I found to be in strict accord with the.other undesirable surroundings. To be brief, it was foundto be both a snare and a delusion, being a mere water-hole- of surface drainage from ground around, on which were,deposits of an unmentionable character. The water turnedlitmus paper quite red and produced deposits from solutionof nitrate of silver, acetate of lead, and Nessler’s solution,besides taking the colouring matter from permanganate ofpotash in a few minutes-in fact, it was loaded with.animal and vegetable matter to such an extent that Icould only tell Major Sinclair that my opinion was that itwas quite unfit, even after boiling, for human consumption.The officer commanding the advance instantly wired myopinion back to Prahsu, with the result that any stoppage fora night at this camp was countermanded, and as a visit bythe Principal Medical Officer since has in every way verifiedmy opinion the camp has been abandoned and given up.altogether for the future. Surgeon-Colonel Taylor alsonoticed, as I had previously done, that all the banana and

plantain trees had been cut down round the camp in this,place; their foliage and stump ends lay scattered about andwere rotting in the sun, producing quite a stench and addinggreatly to the malarious influence of this dismal, wretchedspot. The two officers sick here with remittent fever wereabout to be sent back to Prahsu ; but the Principal MedicalOfficer, considering the matter over in his mind and knowingwe ought in a day or two to be at a much higher elevationwith a freer and better air supply at the Monsi Hills,determined to bring the ailing ones on, with what result willbe presently seen. At’10 A.M. on the 6th Sir Francis Scottand staff arrived, and after learning from the lips of thePrincipal Medical Officer the true state of affairs determinedto push on with all haste, and within two hours of the,Commander-in- Chief reaching Akusirem the whole force hadwisely quitted this pest hole and were well on their road toanother rest camp, evidently better chosen as regards sitethan this one had been. On Jan. 7th, at 10 A.M., I breakfastedwith the headquarter staff by the invitation of ColonelBellfield. At 1 P.M. we passed up the native villageof Sheramasso and at 2.30 P.M. came to an anchoronce more at the newly erected camp of Bafra Edru.This place is approached by a gradual ascent, and theroad to the hills lies about N.W. and S.E. Just beyondthe camp is an excellent free-running stream of pure,good water, which will prove a great boon to some ofthe long-suffeting, thirsty souls who have outlived an ex-perience of Akusirem. I place this spot about 500 feet abovesea level. The barometrical record pointed to the changesin climate may be experienced by an army corps boundfrom the coast to Kumasi and proves that a high tempera-ture can be easily borne without any very serious results,but that a comparatively low one with great moisture in-stantly has an effect on the health of those employed inthese West African campaigns. For instance, at Akusiremthe temperature one day did not exceed 78°F., with a wet

’’

bulb nearly equal to it, and yet how desperately oppressive itfelt. A languor was experienced that words fail to describe.Whereas at the place I am now dictating this letter

from, on the north side of the Monsi Hills, some 600 feetabove sea level, where the influence of the N.N.E. wind isfelt, with a temperature standing at 90° in the shade,small inconvenience is felt. The effect of the change is

simply marvellous. Why ? Simply because the moisturepoint is so low and the increased heat can be borne withimpunity. The Monsi Hill was crossed by my party at,8 A.M. yesterday, the 9th ; its height I place at 1122 feetabove sea level. From its summit nothing can be seen inconsequence of the forest of trees that encircle it ; if thesetrees could be cleared away no doubt an excellent view ofthe surrounding country could be obtained. Descending byan excellent but rather circuitous cut road a small water-fall was passed half-way down, and the new camp atKwissa reached at 10 A.M., 600 feet above sea level.For the first time the headquarter staff are in advance of

my small party, for they reached Kwissa an hour or sobefore I came in, having left the composite battalionbehind at the last place for them to follow on the

following day. This specially-selected corps has so far

proved a decided success. They appear well and havemarched well, and have lost only two of their number sofar, whereas the West Yorkshire had early in the marchto send back some sixty-five of their comrades as unfitto proceed further towards Kumasi. The Haussas beingahead, I am unable to say what their casualties as far ashealth is concerned have been, but cannot speak too

favourably of the manner in which the carriers have so farperformed their share of the work, for out of, say, some1200 carriers organised and commanded by Captain D. A.Donovan, Civil Police Force, not a man is reported as unfitat any rate up to this date. These fine fellows have nowmarched over 100 miles and carried an average weight of451b. on their heads without turning a hair, so to speak, andhave been exceedingly willing and obedient into the bar-gain.

Kwissa, the advanced camp at the north side of the Monsi Hills,about forty miles fromKumasi.

Jan. 10th, 1896.We left Kwissa on Jan. llth at 5 A.M. and joined the

Special Service Batallion on march towards Kumasi. On

starting I felt quite fit and had gone on foot with themen about six miles when suddenly I was seized witha fit of shivering and general prostration and had to

immediately summon my hammock bearers. I got withdifficulty into my cot. The officer in command instantlypassed me through the troops, and had me quickly sent on toEssenquenta where Surgeon-Colonel Taylor was in medicalcharge. He pronounced my case one of fever and adoptedmeasures accordingly. I must reserve a description ofmy personal experiences of this West African plague as Iam feeling very debilitated after a whole week’s detention onthe sick list, and having been sent back to the Coroman del amhere at Mansu to-day, Jan. 18th, much better, and so farrecovered that I can return to my work in a day or two.Being within twenty miles of Kumasi it certainly seemedhard luck to be knocked down within a stone’s-tbrow ofour destination ; but to-day (the 19th), as I expected whensent back a week ago, we learn by telegram from the frontthat the city of King Prempeh has been entered (Jan. 17th)without a shot being fired, and our campaign is so far at anend. Scarcely an officer who returns will be able to recordthe fact that he has escaped the fever, but happily most getover an attack in from about five to seven days.Mansu, thirty-five miles from Cape Coast Castle,

, Sunday, Jan. 19th, 1896.

THE HOSPITAL SHIP "COROMANDEL."

The medical transport Coromandel from Ashanti arrived atPlymouth on Feb. 25th with Sir Francis Scott, Prince VictorChristian, and a number of sick on board. It was proposedto land some of the troops at Plymouth, but as some diffi-culty arose about pratique the Coronaandel proceeded directto London, where the passengers were landed on the 26thinst. It transpired that she had already disembarked some31 officers and men at Gibraltar for hospital treatment, allsuffering from remittent fever, it being considered un-

desirable to bring these cases too suddenly into a colderclimate ; but she had on board at the time of her reachingthe docks some 30 or more cases still under treatment forremittent fever, 13 of these being more serious than the rest.Prior to being sent on shore these poor fellows were visitedin the hospital below deck by the Commander-in-Chief, withhis staff. Lord Wolseley, approaching the cots, addressedsympathetic words to each sufferer in succession, inquiringcarefully about their homes, friends, and belongings,giving each pale-faced malarial-stricken "Tommy" muchencouragement by his earnest and friendly words. Severalambulances from Woolwich were drawn up in the shedsready to convey the sick to their respective sick quarters.It has been reported to us that pratique was refused theCoromandel at Portsmouth the day before yesterday on

somewhat startling grounds. We are informed that on

arrival at that port the Coromandel was visited, not by amedical officer, but by a Customs official, who, on asking ifthey had any sick on board," was immediately answered" Yes, we have several cases of remittent fever andague." " Then," replied the Customs oflicer, I I must refuseyou pratique; if there had been only ague I couldhave passed the ship, but I cannot with intermittent fevercases on board." The source of our information leaves noroom to doubt that this curious interview actually took place,otherwise we should have hesitated to give it credence.Where was the medical officer of the port ? ?

588 MANCHESTER.

MANCHESTER.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Manchester Hospital for Consumption and Liseases of theThroat and Chest.

THE annual meeting was held on the 19th inst. in theTown-hall, the Lord Mayor presiding. The in-patients arereceived in the hospital at Bowdon, where during last year226 were treated, as against 256 in 1894 and 277 in 1893.During the year four wards had to be closed some time fornecessary cleansing and decoration, which would accountfor the smaller number of in-patients, but it is feared thatwant of funds may reduce the number in the future. Thereport says : "The demands upon the resources of the

hospital continue, unfortunately, to exceed the yearlyreceipts, and the board of management feel that it would bea public calamity if this institution should, through lack ofpublic support, have to close any of its beds against the toonumerous applicants for admission." The income from allsources during the year was .E3195 5s. 8d., and the expendi-ture L3228 10s. 10d., which increased the deficit due to thebank to £1130 11s. The conclusion of the report is not with-out pathos : ’’ With our present income of barely £3200 it isimpossible to grant admission to our Bowdon Hospital tomore than a small proportion of those who apply, and evento the fortunate few we can only offer a stay of a few weeksin hospital, after which, in almost every case, there is noalternative but to return at once to the old work and to theold unhealthy surroundings ; in fact, to just those conditionswhich are, in the main, the predisposing causes of their

malady. With ampler funds at our disposal much might bedone in the way of sending to the country and the seasidethose whose cases seem to promise a good hope of recovery,and this without adding in any way to our present hospitalaccommodation." In the report of the medical boardattention is called to the prevalence of lung diseases amongthose who work at trades not necessarily unhealthy, butwhich become so " by reason of their sedentariness and theunwholesome conditions under which they are carried on."It goes on to show how helpless the workers themselves are asto the improvement of these conditions and that the employersmust be looked to if the workrooms are to be rendered " morehealthy-or rather, less unhealthy." But, on the other hand,the carelessness, the ignorance, and the prejudices of theworkers contribute materially to their own unhealthiness.An effort is made by the authorities of the hospital to spreadinformation about phthisis and its causes, by giving toevery patient coming to the out-patient department a leafletpointing out the need for fresh air and cleanliness, andindicating the precautions to be used as regards sputa, &c.The urgent appeal made for help would surely be generouslyresponded to if, in addition to the personal sufferings of thevictims of phthisis, the misery caused by the long-continued illness of the mother or the father of a poorworking family could only be realised.

The " Hernia Specialist " again.In THE LANCET of Dec. 21st last it was stated that a quack

named Sherman was sued in the Manchester county courtand judgment given against him for £22 and costs for

defrauding a man whose hernia he had promised to cure.Another action was brought against him in the county courthere on the 19th inst. to recover £22 Is. from Samuel JohnSherman of 64, Chancery-lane, London. He has now,therefore, sought a wider field than Manchester can offer ;but even here he made himself known over a wide area,for in April, 1894, E. Jones, a farm labourer, of Llandegla,near Mold, was attracted by an advertisement in a NorthWales paper in which Sherman said he could cure ruptureswithout operation. Jones came to Manchester and paidSherman a guinea. "Then Sherman examined him andundertook to cure him for 20 guineas, which the plaintiffpaid. After a while the plaintiff lost faith in the defendantand in the virtue of his scientific and unique’ applianceand the curative compound known exclusively to the defen-dant’ and desired to have his money back." Sherman toldthe plaintiff, to whom he gave" a truss and a bottle ofcompound," which did no good, that after treatment hewould be able " to pitch hay properly." The credulity ofthese victims is wonderful, or they would not Le taken inby "pictures of men who had suffered from rupture" andhad been cured. Mr. Whitehead and Mr. Collier were

witnesses for the plaintiff, as in the former case. JudgmeLtwas given for the plaintiff for the full amount claimed—f:22 1s.-with costs, including costs of two medicalwitnesses, and it was directed that there should be imme.diate execution. Another action was brought against him onthe 20th inst. The plaintiff was a farmer from Eastham.The case was very similar to the last, and judgmentwas given against Sherman for f,23 2s., with immediateexecution to follow. And on Saturday last at the Manchesterassizes an action was brought against him by a lodging-house keeper of Rochdale. In this case Sherman, after

getting the preliminary guinea for examination, asked for afee of a 100 guineas, but finally took 80 guineas, in return forwhich he gave a truss which was not properly constructedand from which the plaintiff suffered severely, and a bottleof lotion. The jury gave a verdict for the plaintiff for 85guineas. Quackery, no doubt, pays well, but these repeatedactions against him must annoy Mr. Sherman, and mayincline him to return to his former business in the States.In the Manchester City News of Saturday it is interesting to see a paragraph relating one of these cases tried in,the county court, and the following advertisement imme-diately below :-" Rupture.-Unparalleled success in thetreatment of rupture by S. J. Sherman, Hernia Specialist,64, Chancery-lane, London. Write for his new book of fullinformation, 7½d. post free." Until recently he gave anaddress in King-street, Manchester.

Employer’s Liability Case.This case, decided on the 19th inst., is somewhat interest-

ing, as the question was as to whether the plaintiff’s con-dition was the result of injury or of his previous habits. Theplaintiff (Wrigley), a joiner, was working for the defendant(Joy), a contractor, on Oct. 12th, 1894. A beam was beinghoisted, and Wrigley was guiding it from below, when therope broke and the beam caught him on the nose, injuringhim somewhat seriously. His face was dressed at the Man-chester Infirmary, and he had since been under the care ofhis own medical man. He told the court that in consequenceof the shock he could not now work at any distance from the-ground. Mr. H. R. Strange, called for the plaintiff, said hedid not think Wrigley would be able to do any high scaffoldingwork in the future, but admitted that hi3 symptoms "wereconsistent with those caused by drink, though they had beenaccelerated and exaggerated by injury." Dr. Baynes andDr. Thomas Harris said that so far as the medical symptomswere concerned the accident was not responsible, and theformer added that when he saw the plaintiff it was almostimpossible for anyone to say that he had received any injury.Judge Parry said he was convinced that the plaintiff sufferedserious temporary inconvenience from the accident, but thesymptoms he now showed were due rather to his mode of

living in the past than to the accident. But he added" there had been carelessness on the part of the defendant’sforeman, and he would award the plaintiff £15 damages andcosts." This seems " a righteous judgment," the sum

awarded being no doubt less than it would have been if hehad not been unhappily a man " with a past."

Manchester Clinical Hospital for Women and Children.The Lord Bishop of Manchester took the chair at the

annual meeting of the subscribers to the above institution,which was held at the hospital on Friday last. 10,654 newcases had been treated in the out-patient department lastyear, and 900 in-patients had been received. It is a pleasantnovelty to learn that "the annual subscriptions show a sligL:’increase as compared with the previous years." There is

still, however, "considerable deficiency shown :n theaccounts, the actual loss on the year being £598, and thebalance owing to the treasurer on Dec. 31st was R701 15s."The Bishop spoke eloquently and sensibly in his appeal forincreased support. Mr. Edward Holt has given £1000 to thehospital, to be invested, "and the interest applied to pro’viding better comforts for convalescents." His lordshiphoped that this brilliant example" might be followed byothers. Mr. Morton Philips said that the finances were notso bad as would at first appear, as the expenses had beenextraordinary ; these had been caused chiefly in order toprovide much needed laundry conveniences.

More Deaths from Carbolic A aid.On the 17th inst. a labourer, Robert Fielding, of Boltoi,

before leaving his home to go to work, " picked up what hethought was a bottle of hop bitters and drank part of tLecontents," which proved to be carbolic acid. He roused his