1626 transfer these children will be removed from their fellows and placed under a board whose only educational work is in the care of children of unsound mind. It is thought that the arrangements may resemble too much those of an asylum. The managers of the Kensington and Chelsea schools at Banstead wish to make provision for the feeble- minded children under their care, and propose to allot a " special class-room," where a dozen such children, who have been selected with care, may receive special instruction. After some delay the Local Government Board has sanctioned the appointment of a teacher to take educational charge of these children. It is not proposed to separate the children, who will reside in the cottage homes, but to arrange that as now in domestic life, sleeping, and meals, they may join in with the others as much as possible. In school time they will go to the "special class," where they will receive a modified form of Kindergarten training and appropriate physical exercises. The experiment is inexpensive and well worth trying. We hope it may succeed. RECURRENT MEASLES. IT is, we suppose, admitted that in none of the infective diseases does one attack confer absolute immunity from a second; but apart from small-pox there are but few available data for estimating the comparative frequency with which such second attacks occur. Dr. Pole Kitson, of Cleobury Mortimer, Salop, reports that in a recent outbreak of measles in his district several examples of this somewhat unusual character took place. In particular he cites one in which several members of one family were attacked with measles in March and again in May or the end of April. He gives details of one of these patients whom he first saw on March 3rd with well-marked eruption and catarrhal symptoms. Recovery followed in a fortnight, but on May 4th Dr. Kitson was again summoned to attend him for an illness in which all the previous symptoms were repeated. Such a case can hardly be regarded as a " relapse," and if the later illness were indeed measles it points to a very brief immunity from infection, and it is not a little remarkable that other members of the same family should also have been again infected. We have assumed that the diagnosis was accurate, for in all such cases, as remarked by a recent writer, there is a possibility of the first or the second eruption being in reality that of German measles.’" " To adopt such an explanation, however, in the present instance, in view of the fact that measles was prevalent in the district, would be begging the question ; and it would be preferable to admit that under certain conditions the protection afforded by a single attack does not always secure the individual against further infection. THE Drapers’ Company with great munificence have offered to erect a new building for the accommodation of the Radcliffe Library at Oxford, at a cost of .615,000, from plans to be submitted by Mr. T. G. Jackson, R.A., for the approval of the University authorities. THE death of Professor Charteris, of Glasgow University, is announced. He had been in indifferent health since the end of March, and had not conducted his class during the current summer session. ___ H.R.H. THE PRINCE oF WALES will open the Brook Fever Hospital, erected by the Metropolitan Asylums Board at Hither-green. The date of the ceremony has not yet been fixed. The Lancet Special Commission ON SICILY AS A HEALTH RESORT IL1 Tlte Factors which determine Cliiiiate.-C7taracteristies of the Mediterranean Climate, -Prevailing Winds in Sicily.- The Sirocco.-The Sicilian Clirrcate essontially Insular.- Meteorological Returns of (1) Palermo, (2) Catania, (3) Syracuse, (4) Girgenti, (5) Termini, (6) Taormina.- Skete7t of a Year’s Weather at Palermo. THE last article contained a short sketch of the features of the Sicilian climate in general. The present article will be devoted to a more detailed consideration of the same subject, and to the special meteorological characteristics of the different localities-Palermo, Catania, Syracuse, Girgenti, Termini, and Taormina. The factors which determine climate are the following :- (1) Latitude ; (2) elevation above the sea level ; (3) prevail- ing winds ; (4) ocean currents ; (5) conditions of local shelter or exposure ; (6) proximity of warm or cold seas, deserts, snowfields, &o. ; and (7) geological formation and conditions of soil. Sicily lies between 36° 38’ and 38° 19’ of north latitude. Cape Passaro, the extreme southern point of the island, is farther south than Algiers or Tunis, a fact that may serve to emphasise the point that the climatological rela- tions of Sicily with the African continent are intimate and important. As has already been observed, a strait of shallow water, about eighty miles wide, separates Sicily on the west from Tunisia. Lying in the centre of the Mediterranean, Sicily possesses the typical Mediter- ranean climate, of which the leading features are warmth, mildness, brightness, moderate humidity, a high propor- tion of fine weather, and comparative immunity from mist, fog, sharp winds, and winter cold. The prevailing winds from October to March are from the west-south-west, hence an equatorial marine current which brings rain. From May to September north-easterly polar currents prevail, and for many consecutive weeks the weather is practically rainless. At the season of the equinoxes there is a conflict between the equatorial currents and the polar currents, with windy and unsettled weather. The sirocco, a south-easterly wind from the southern deserts, blows at all seasons, but it is rare in winter, and at this season its disagreeable features are insignificant. It is comparatively common at the turn of the season in April and May, and again in September and October, while it also occurs, though more rarely, during the summer months. The sirocco is a hot, dry wind, obscuring the sky and bringing clouds of dust. During its prevalence the thermometer sometimes rises to from 100° to 1051 F. (==37-8° to 406° C.) in the shade, but this is rare. It lasts one, two, or at most three days, and is usually followed by refreshing rains. Its enervating effects are more felt by the healthy than by the ailing, and some : invalids (especially some poitrinaires) feel unusually well : during the prevalence of the sirocco. Though disagreeable , it is not an unhealthy wind, and it does not aggravate existing disease or raise the general rate of mortality. It would not appear that marine currents exercise any considerable influence upon the climate of Sicily. Con- ditions of local shelter or exposure have important bearings upon the special features of some of the Sicilian resorts. , Palermo owes some of the special characteristics of its climate to its ring of enclosing mountains. Catania is , affected by the proximity of the Etna snowfields. Girgenti faces Tunisia and feels more fully than other parts of the island the influence of the African continent. The influence of the encircling Mediterranean is a dominant factor in determining the character of the Sicilian climate. The Mediterranean is an expanse of comparatively warm water, and as Dr. Marcet has shown, the temperature of £ 1 No. I. was published in THE LANCET of June 5th, 1897.
Transcript
1626
transfer these children will be removed from their fellowsand placed under a board whose only educational work isin the care of children of unsound mind. It is thoughtthat the arrangements may resemble too much those ofan asylum. The managers of the Kensington and Chelseaschools at Banstead wish to make provision for the feeble-minded children under their care, and propose to allot a" special class-room," where a dozen such children, who havebeen selected with care, may receive special instruction.After some delay the Local Government Board hassanctioned the appointment of a teacher to take educationalcharge of these children. It is not proposed to separate thechildren, who will reside in the cottage homes, but to arrangethat as now in domestic life, sleeping, and meals, they mayjoin in with the others as much as possible. In school time
they will go to the "special class," where they will receivea modified form of Kindergarten training and appropriatephysical exercises. The experiment is inexpensive and wellworth trying. We hope it may succeed.
RECURRENT MEASLES.
IT is, we suppose, admitted that in none of the infectivediseases does one attack confer absolute immunity from asecond; but apart from small-pox there are but few availabledata for estimating the comparative frequency with whichsuch second attacks occur. Dr. Pole Kitson, of CleoburyMortimer, Salop, reports that in a recent outbreak of measlesin his district several examples of this somewhat unusualcharacter took place. In particular he cites one in
which several members of one family were attackedwith measles in March and again in May or the
end of April. He gives details of one of these patientswhom he first saw on March 3rd with well-marked
eruption and catarrhal symptoms. Recovery followed in
a fortnight, but on May 4th Dr. Kitson was againsummoned to attend him for an illness in which allthe previous symptoms were repeated. Such a case can
hardly be regarded as a " relapse," and if the later illnesswere indeed measles it points to a very brief immunity frominfection, and it is not a little remarkable that othermembers of the same family should also have been againinfected. We have assumed that the diagnosis was
accurate, for in all such cases, as remarked by a recentwriter, there is a possibility of the first or the seconderuption being in reality that of German measles.’" " To
adopt such an explanation, however, in the present instance,in view of the fact that measles was prevalent in the district,would be begging the question ; and it would be preferableto admit that under certain conditions the protectionafforded by a single attack does not always secure theindividual against further infection.
THE Drapers’ Company with great munificence haveoffered to erect a new building for the accommodation ofthe Radcliffe Library at Oxford, at a cost of .615,000, fromplans to be submitted by Mr. T. G. Jackson, R.A., forthe approval of the University authorities.
THE death of Professor Charteris, of Glasgow University, isannounced. He had been in indifferent health since the endof March, and had not conducted his class during thecurrent summer session.
___
H.R.H. THE PRINCE oF WALES will open the BrookFever Hospital, erected by the Metropolitan Asylums Boardat Hither-green. The date of the ceremony has not yet beenfixed.
The Lancet Special CommissionON
SICILYAS A HEALTH RESORT
IL1
Tlte Factors which determine Cliiiiate.-C7taracteristies of theMediterranean Climate, -Prevailing Winds in Sicily.-The Sirocco.-The Sicilian Clirrcate essontially Insular.-Meteorological Returns of (1) Palermo, (2) Catania,(3) Syracuse, (4) Girgenti, (5) Termini, (6) Taormina.-Skete7t of a Year’s Weather at Palermo.
THE last article contained a short sketch of the featuresof the Sicilian climate in general. The present article willbe devoted to a more detailed consideration of the same
subject, and to the special meteorological characteristics ofthe different localities-Palermo, Catania, Syracuse, Girgenti,Termini, and Taormina.The factors which determine climate are the following :-
(1) Latitude ; (2) elevation above the sea level ; (3) prevail-ing winds ; (4) ocean currents ; (5) conditions of localshelter or exposure ; (6) proximity of warm or cold seas,deserts, snowfields, &o. ; and (7) geological formation andconditions of soil.
Sicily lies between 36° 38’ and 38° 19’ of north latitude.Cape Passaro, the extreme southern point of the island, isfarther south than Algiers or Tunis, a fact that mayserve to emphasise the point that the climatological rela-tions of Sicily with the African continent are intimateand important. As has already been observed, a straitof shallow water, about eighty miles wide, separatesSicily on the west from Tunisia. Lying in the centreof the Mediterranean, Sicily possesses the typical Mediter-ranean climate, of which the leading features are warmth,mildness, brightness, moderate humidity, a high propor-tion of fine weather, and comparative immunity frommist, fog, sharp winds, and winter cold. The prevailingwinds from October to March are from the west-south-west,hence an equatorial marine current which brings rain.From May to September north-easterly polar currents prevail,and for many consecutive weeks the weather is practicallyrainless. At the season of the equinoxes there is a conflictbetween the equatorial currents and the polar currents, withwindy and unsettled weather. The sirocco, a south-easterlywind from the southern deserts, blows at all seasons, butit is rare in winter, and at this season its disagreeablefeatures are insignificant. It is comparatively common atthe turn of the season in April and May, and again in
September and October, while it also occurs, though morerarely, during the summer months. The sirocco is a hot,dry wind, obscuring the sky and bringing clouds of dust.During its prevalence the thermometer sometimes rises tofrom 100° to 1051 F. (==37-8° to 406° C.) in the shade, butthis is rare. It lasts one, two, or at most three days, and isusually followed by refreshing rains. Its enervating effectsare more felt by the healthy than by the ailing, and some
: invalids (especially some poitrinaires) feel unusually well
: during the prevalence of the sirocco. Though disagreeable,
it is not an unhealthy wind, and it does not aggravate existingdisease or raise the general rate of mortality.
It would not appear that marine currents exercise anyconsiderable influence upon the climate of Sicily. Con-ditions of local shelter or exposure have important bearingsupon the special features of some of the Sicilian resorts.
, Palermo owes some of the special characteristics of its
climate to its ring of enclosing mountains. Catania is, affected by the proximity of the Etna snowfields. Girgentifaces Tunisia and feels more fully than other parts of theisland the influence of the African continent.The influence of the encircling Mediterranean is a
dominant factor in determining the character of the Sicilianclimate. The Mediterranean is an expanse of comparativelywarm water, and as Dr. Marcet has shown, the temperature of £
1 No. I. was published in THE LANCET of June 5th, 1897.
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the surface of the sea has a mean excess in places of about ]12° F. (=6-6° C.) over the minimum temperature of the air. ;
Sicily is thus laved on all sides at all seasons by a warm sea,which retains its summer heat until at least the end of November. Occasion will hereafter be taken to compareand contrast the climate of Sicily with that of the RivieraIt is sufficient to remark here that while the climateof the Riviera owes its characteristics partly to the influence of the Mediterranean and partly to that ofcontinental Europe, Sicily owes its climatic peculiaritiespredominantly to the influence of the Mediterraneanand in a minor degree to the influence of the Africancontinent. It does not feel the influence of conti-nental Europe to any appreciable degree. From Sicilyto Cape Bon in Tunisia is a distance of less than140 kilometres, while from Sicily to Genoa is a distanceof 780 kilometres. Thus, much is heard in Sicily ofthe sirocco, but nothing of the mistral or the bise. Hence the rainless summer of Sicily, the absence offrost, snow, and winter cold, the rarity of cold, the
rarity of cold winds from any quarter, the high averageof fine weather, the marked equability of temperature. TheEtna snowfields exercise some slight effect upon localmeteorological conditions’ at Catania, Aci Reale, andTaormina. Otherwise their influence is unimportant. The
geological conditions in Sicily are on the whole favourablein their influence upon climate. The surface of the countryis in large part composed of tertiary limestone. Alluvial soiland marshy lands occur, but are not widely distributed.The meteorological characteristics of the various localities
will now be considered more in detail.
1.-PALES,MO.
Palermo lies on the west side of the Bay of Palermo, andis surrounded by a rich plain, the fertile Conca d’Oro orGolden Shell, which is enclosed by an amphitheatre of loftymountains, the highest summit, Monte Cuccio, attaining analtitude of 3445 ft. The town is protected on the north bythe imposing mass of Monte Pellegrino, but is exposed on thenorth-east. Palermo owes the special features of its climate-viz., its mildness, equability, and comparatively large rain-fall-in considerable degree to the influence of the encirclingmountains, which intercept the moisture-laden winds fromthe south-west and west-south-west and cause a consider-able precipitation of rain upon the "agro palermitano," orConca d’Oro. The mean annual temperature of Palermo is18-15’C. (= 64.6° F.), while that of Catania is 180° C.(= 64-4°F.). of Syracuse 17-4°C. (= 63-3°F.), and of Girgenti17.9°C. (= 64.2° F.). These are the official figures. Assumingtheir correctness it would appear that Palermo, in spite of itsgeographical situation, has a higher mean annual tempera-ture than the other chief localities in the island. It owesthis peculiarity, probably, to the conditions of local shelteralready referred to. Palermo has an average daily variationof only 6-7°C. (=128°F.), as against 7-7°C. (= 138°F.)for Catania. It is warmer in winter and cooler in summerthan Catania, and its climate may be regarded as one of themost equable in Sicily. The mean temperature of the monthsof the year at Palermo is as follows :-
Degrees. Degrees.January, 10’89 C. = 51’60 F....... July, 26-03 C. = 78’85 F.February, 11-61 C. = 52-90 F....... August, 26-160. =79’09F.March, 13-34 C. = 56’01 F....... September, 23’93 C. = 75’07 F.April, 15-56 C. = 60-01 F....... October, 20-31 C. = 68’56 F.May, 18-89 C.= 66’00 F....... November, 15’88C.= 60.58 F.June, 22-67 C. = 72-81 F....... December, 12-53 C. = 54-55 F.
The mean average temperature of the invalid season-Nov. lst to April 30th-is 1330°C. at Palermo, which isalmost equivalent to 56° F. This figure may be contrastedwith the mean temperature at London during the sameperiod, which is 418°F. (=5.4°C.), and at Cannes-vjz.;50 1°F. (=100° C.). The absence of winter cold is brought outclearly by the returns of the Palermo Meteorological Observa-tory. In the decennial period 1880-89 there were only twoyears—viz., 1882 and 1883-in which the thermometer touchedfreezing point on the terrace of the Observatory. In theother years the minimum temperature registered varied fromabout 32-5° F. to 37° F. (=0°C. to nearly 3°C.). The meantemperature of the coldest month at Palermo, January-viz.,10.89° C. (= 51.6° F.) -may be compared with the meantemperature of the same month at Ventnor-viz., 41-6° F.(=5.3°C.) ; at Cannes—viz., 49.6°F. (==9-8°C.); and at Cairo- viz., 52.6° F. (=12.0° C.).The mean relative humidity of the air at Palermo is 65’4
per cent. (saturation = 100 per cent.). The humidity of theair is greatest in November (69’3 per cent.), December (70 7per cent.), and January (69-9 per cent.) ; least in June (63-4per cent.), July (60’2 percent.), and August (59’7 per cent.).As pointed out in the first article of this series these figuresindicate a moderate, not a high, degree of humidity. The
proportion of fine, sunny days on the one hand, and of
cloudy or rainy days on the other, is a matter of the first
importance in connexion with any health resort. The
following are the average annual figures for Palermo :-1. " Giorni sereni "-i.e., days of cloudless
}sunshine ........................ 167 229 fine days2. "Giorni misti"-i.e., days of combined JJJ per annum,cloud and sunshine.................. 6
3. " Giorni coperti "-i.e., cloudy days ...... 1364. "Giorni piovosi"-i.e., days with some
rain ........................... 1165. "Giorni ventosi"—i.e., windy days ...... 33
The average annual rainfall is 758 68 mm. (=29-87 in.) andthe average precipitation per month is as follows :-
It will be thus seen that Palermo has a considerable rain-fall (758-68 mm. = 29-87 in.), and that the fall is chiefly inthe winter months.The following may serve as a slight sketch of the usual
climatic conditions throughout the year at Palermo. Summersets in towards the end of May and lasts until September.This is the dry season, and the rainfall is very small.It is not uncommon for an entire month to pass without anycollectable rainfall. The mean temperature varies from19° to 26° C. (= 66’2 to 78’8 F.), and with the exception ofan occasional day of sirocco, when the maximum temperaturemay exceed 100° F., (=37’8°C.) high temperatures are rare.There is great power of sun-heat from 11 A.M., to 5 P.M., but themornings, evenings, and night are moderately cool. The skyis for the most part cloudless, the atmosphere is calm exceptwhen the sirocco is blowing, and the prevailing wind is N.E.,with occasional variations to W.S.W. The settled summerweather begins to break in September. The wind changesfrequently and is sometimes boisterous. The sirocco becomesmore frequent, and the amount of cloud and of rainincreases. The weather is often close and relaxing, and onthe whole September is perhaps the least pleasant month ofthe year. In October the winds settle to W.S.W., fromwhich quarter they continue to blow until April, withoccasional changes to N.N.E. and S.E. The temperaturefalls and rain becomes more frequent. November presentsa similar condition of things, with a further fall oftemperature and a slight increase of rainfall. St. Martin’ssummer (" 1’estate di San Martino") is sometimes wellmarked. December and January have a considerablerainfall and a somewhat high proportion of cloudy days.There is little real cold, the thermometer only veryexceptionally touching freezing point, and the amount ofsnow being confined to a slight shower four or five times inthe season. A slight film of ice occasionally forms onstanding water, but this is rare. February and March oftenbring fine, bright, settled weather, with a very agreeabletemperature and a large proportion of charming days. Atthis season the weather in Sicily generally is often much thebest in Europe. There are no cold winds comparable to themistral or the bise, though the north-east wind or greco maybe felt rather sharply at times by the more delicate invalids.
April marks the transition season, and the weather is some-! what less settled. Sirocco days become more frequent.The weather is, however, often charming in the highest
degree, the air is delightfully soft and balmy, there is no unpleasant heat or treacherous cold, and the aspect of the’ country, with its waving corn crops, luxuriant orange groves,and innumerable multitude of wild flowers, is truly
"incantevole" "(enchanting)-to use the favourite term ofthe Sicilian meteorologists. In May the temperature rises: steadily, rainy days become rare, the winds settle in the
l north-east, and by the end of the month the cloudless,rainless, Sicilian summer has fairly commenced.
2.-CATANIA.
) Having dealt fully with the climatic conditions of Palermothose of the other chief localities of the island may bemore briefly considered. The mean annual temperature of
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Catania is 18° C. (= 64’4°F.). The mean temperature of thevarious months is as follows :-
Degrees. Degrees.January, 9’73:0. = 49-61 F....... July, 26 65 C. = 79-97 F.February, 10-93 C. = 51-67 F August. 26’28 C. = 79-30 F.March, 12’610. = 54’52 F. September, 24’610. = 76 30 F.April, 14’84 C. = 58’71 F....... October, 20 810.= 69 46 F.May, 18-35JC. = 65-03 F. November, 16’14 C. = 61’05 F.June, 23 02’0.= 73’44 F. December, 12-09 C. = 5376 F.
The mean temperature of the different seasons is as
followsDegrees. Degrees.
Winter... 10-88 C. = 51-58 F ....... Summer... 25-31 C. = 77-56 F.Spring... 15-26 C. = 59’47F....... Autumn... 20-530. =6895F.
The mean daily range of temperature is 7’7°C. (=13’8° F.).The range is greatest in summer, least in November andDecember. The mean relative humidity is 61’0 (satura-tion = 100). The average *annual rainfall is 542 7 mm.
(= 21’32 in.). The average amount/of daily sunshine is 0 62
and in the lower humidity and smaller rainfall. It is pro-bable that the proximity of Mount Etna is a chief factor inthe explanation of these peculiarities.
3.-SYxACUSE.The following figures refer to the year 1896 unless
otherwise stated. The mean temperature for the year was1’74° C. (= 63’3 F.). The mean temperature for the variousmonths was as follows:-
Degrees. Degrees.January, 9’8 C. = 49’6 F ....... July, 26M C. = 79’0 F.February, 10’2 0. = 50’3 F August, 25-5 C. = 77’9 F.March, 12-9 C. = 55-2 ]<’....oo, September, 23’8 0. = 74’9 F.April, *12’5 C. = 545 F ....... October, 20’2 C. = 68’4 F.May, 16 8 C. = 62 2 F. November, 16’5 C. = 61’7 F.June, 22 1 0. = 71-8 F. December, 12 6 C. = 54’7 F.
* This is the official figure. It is probably a slip for 14’5,
’ The lowest temperature recorded was 2 90 C. (= 37-2° F.),which occurred in the month of January. The mean relative
Catania from the gardens of the Villa Bellini:: MonntEtna in the distance.
per cent. The following is the average state of theweather :-Giorni sereni " (days of cloudless sunshine) ... 164 282 fine daysGiorni misti (days of combined cloud and per annum.sunshine) ......................... 118) per annum.
"Giorni coperti" (cloudy days) ............ 83" Giorni piovosi" (days with rain) ...... 86Snow falls on an average one day in the year, frost occursonce or twice a year, hail falls on from 3 to 4 days, andstorms occur on about 8 or 9 days. Cold winds from theEtna snowfields are not frequent or troublesome, but dustfrom the lava is sometimes a source of annoyance.A comparison of these figures with those of Palermo
shows some interesting points of contrast. The climate ofCatania is drier and brighter than that of Palermo, the rain-fall is one-third less, the relative humidity is less by 4’4 percent., the proportion of days of cloudless sunshine is aboutthe same as Palermo, but the "giorni misti" are morenumerous by 56, the mean daily range of temperature isgreater by 1°C., and the difference between the hottest and thecoldest month is more marked. It would thus appear thatCatania has a less equable climate than Palermo, but that ithas a decided superiority in the proportion of fine weather
humidity was 70. The number of days with rain was 85.The number of windy days was 109. The average rainfall(1874-1896) was 570 mm. = 22-7 in. The number of " giornisereni " and " giorni misti " is not stated, but the proportionis probably high.The above returns being for the most part for one year
have but a limited value. The general characters of theclimate of Syracuse are, however, clear. It has a fine,bright, somewhat windy climate, with little or no wintercold, frost, or snow. The windiness is its great drawback,and it is a serious defect.
4.-—&IRGBNTI.
The mean annual temperature is 17’90 C. (= 642° F.).The mean temperature of the coldest month (January) is90° C. (= 48 2° F.) ; of the hottest month (July), 25Z° C.(= 773° F.). The average daily range of temperature is64° C. (= 115° F.). The average annual rainfall is560 mm.The mean relative humidity is 72 per cent.; the mean
maximum temperature is 371° C. (= 988° F.) ; the meanminimum temperature is 24° C. (= 36-3° F-).
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The town of Girgenti is at an elevation of from 255 to400 metres above the sea level, there is a considerable Jamount of wind, and the air is on the whole fresh and pure J
except when the sirocco blows. The rainfall is small, and it 4will be observed that the rainlessness of the summer season lis even more marked at Girgenti than at Palermo, also that Ithe rainless season lasts through September at Girgenti, 1while at Palermo this month shows quite a considerable Irainfall.
5.-TERMINI. ’
(On the north coast, twenty-three miles from Pale’J’nw.)Mean annual temperature (average of twenty years) v
18-680C. (= 65’60 F.) ; mean minimum temperature, 3’27° C. I(= 37-8° F.) ; mean maximum temperature, 38’150 C. I
(=100’7° F.) ; average annual rainfall, 674-60 mm. = 26-7 in. -1average number of days with rain per annum, 85; average
I
number of cloudy days, from 100 to 105.6.-TAORMINA.
(Abo2ct midway between Messina and Catania.)An inspection of the meteorological records kept at
the Semaphore station of Taormina proved them tobe of considerable interest, but unfortunately theywere not in a form admitting of any proper com-
parison with the returns from the other stations. Itwould appear, however, that Taormina enjoys a remark-ably rainless, bright, and, on the whole, equable winterclimate. The temperature at midday at the coldest seasonis rarely under 100 C. (= 50° F.). The number of rainydays is very low, not more than twenty in the courseof the whole winter, according to the officer in chargeof the Semaphore station. As observations have onlybeen made for two seasons this figure cannot, of course,be taken as the correct average, but it may fairly beallowed some weight. Snow hardly ever falls. There ismuch wind, and the north-east wind (greco) is sometimesrather cold. Cold winds from the Etna snowfields are notfrequent. The sirocco blows about three or four times permonth in the winter season and brings much cloud with it.Meteorological returns from many other parts of Sicily
were available, but probably the above six localitiesare sufficient to give a general idea of the climate. Itwill be observed that two of these places are on thenorth coast-viz., Palermo and Termini; three on thesouth coast-viz., Syracuse, Catania., and Taormina; and oneon the west coast-viz, Girgenti. The materials do notexist for any exact classification of the various types ofclimate to be found in Sicily, nor is it possible to contrast inany satisfactory way the climates of the coast with those ofthe higher mountains-e.g., Etna or the Madonian moun-tains. This must be reserved for the future. For the pre-sent it is sufficient to have given the returns fromsix of the chief stations in the island, noting the broadfeatures of the Sicilian climate and some of the more obviousdifferences between the meteorology of the six places inquestion. It is evident that the climate is one of remarkablewarmth, mildness, and equability, that winter cold (inthe sense in which the inhabitant of northern or westernEurope understands the term) is practically unknown,that the proportion of bright sunny days is very high,that the humidity of the air is moderate, that the rainfallvaries considerably, but is generally moderate, that coldwinds are rare, and that, with the exception of the sirocco,the climate has no grave drawback. Palermo has a largerrainfall and a higher proportion of wet and cloudy days thanGirgenti, Catania, Taormina, or Syracuse. On the otherhand, the equability of its climate is more marked than thatof the other places in question. Catania excels in warmth,brightness, and large proportion of fine days, but is some-what less equable. Syracuse has a bright climate with asmall rainfall, but it is one of the windiest places in Sicily.In the next article the above meteorological details will
be contrasted with those furnished by some of the chiefhome and foreign sanatoria, and their importance from thepoint of view of medical climatology will be considered.
ROYAL MEDICAL BENEVOLENT COLLEGE.
THE annual general meeting of this institution was held onthe 28th ult., the treasurer, Dr. HOLMAN, being in the chair.After the election of three pensioners, six foundation
scholars, and one Morgan annuitant (the results of
which are announced below), the SECRETARY read thereport of the Council to the Governors, which was satis-factory in every respect. In this reference was made to anoccurrence which was not unprecedented and was likely tohappen again-viz., a foundation scholar of marked abilityobtained in open examination a scholarship at Cambridge,but could not, from want of means, avail himselfof that opportunity of making his way in the world.In commenting on this "too early souring of a life" the
CHAIRMAN laid great stress upon the fact that it was notnecessary to capitalise a large sum of money in order to meetsuch cases, because a sum of, say, 400 or f.500 would enablethe Council to assist deserving necessitous foundationers forsome years ; and he read a letter from a general practitioner,who did not wish his name to be made known, offering acheque for 50 for the purpose in view if nine others wouldcontribute the same amount by a certain date.The CHAIRMAN stated that the new building for the junior
or lower school, capable of accommodating 100 boys, wasopened in May, and that the new chancel in the Collegechapel, designed by Sir A. W. Blomfield and Sons, hadincreased the accommodation by 120 sittings. The altar wasthe gift of Mr. John F. France, who had within thelast few years so munificiently placed at the disposalof the Council nine free scholarships for girls at the
Royal Asylum of St. Anne’s Society. During the pasttwelve months six open university honours in classics,mathematics, or natural science had been won by pupils ofthe college at Oxford or Cambridge, which was a good resultfor a school of 250 boys, and should lead to the educationgiven at the college being recognised by the parents of otherboys than those being prepared for the medical profession.The annual report having been duly approved, Dr. Ralph
Gooding was elected a vice-president of the college, in con-sideration of his having collected f.1000 as honorary localsecretary ; after which the usual formal business was trans-acted. The proceedings were brought to a close by a vote ofthanks to the chairman, proposed by Sir Joseph Fayrer,and seconded by Dr. Hare. -
The following were the successful candidates at theelection :-
PENSIONERS.Votes.
I Votes.
Broster, Alfred ......... 4296 Daniel, Benjamin......... 2469Wordsworth, Mary A.... 2720
FOUNDATION SCHOLARS.McCallum. William S.... 6613 Milner, Chas. E. H....... 5668Seccombe, Charles E ...... 6528 Davies, Stanley W....... 5634Palmer, Ronald C....... 6016 Silverlock, Richard Z.... 5617
MORGAN ANNUITANT.Heeley, Margaret M. ....., ........’ .................. 8523
VITAL STATISTICS.
HEALTH OF ENGLISH TOWNS.
IN thirty-three of the largest English towns 6581births and 3661 deaths were registered during the weekending June 5 eh. The annual rate of mortality in thesetowns, which had been 17’2 and 16-6 per 1000 in the twopreceding weeks, rose again last week to 17’4. InLondon the rate was 15’4 per 1000, while it averaged 18 7in the thirty-two provincial towns. The lowest death-ratesin these towns were 12’0 in Brighton, 13’1 in Derby and inBirkenhead, 13-4 in Portsmouth, and 13’7 in Norwich ; thehighest rates were 23-3 in Sheffield, 23-4 in Halifax, 24-9 inBolton, and 27’1 in Salford. The 3661 deaths inthese towns included 364 which were referred to the
principal zymotic diseases, against 357 and 355 in thetwo preceding weeks ; of these, 121 resulted frommeasles, 95 from whooping-cough, 56 from diphtheria,34 from diarrhoea, 32 from scarlet fever, and 26from " fever (principally enteric). No fatal case of anyof these diseases was recorded last week either in Swanseaor in Derby ; in the other towns they caused the lowestdeath-rates in Croydon, Nottingham, Norwich, and Halifax,and the highest rates in Birkenhead, Burnley, Bolton, andSalford. The greatest mortality from measle occurred inBirmingham, Liverpool, Bolton, Manchester, Salford, andBurnley; and from whooping-oough in Plymouth, Bolton,Manchester, Oldham, and Blackburn. The mortality fromscarlet fever and from fever" showed no marked excess
