586 SCIENTIFIC MARCHING.-THE LIVERPOOL PUBLIC ABATTOIR.

haemorrhage due to capillary oozing the very excellentresults obtained by Dr. Hare warrant us in giving amylnitrite a trial, but that in cases of post-partum haemorrhageupon theoretical grounds its use is distinctly contra-

indicated, whilst given before delivery it may be notwithout danger both to the mother and to the foetus.

I am, Sir, yours faithfully,STANLEY COLYER, M.D., M. R. C. P. Lond.

Halifax, August 10th, 1908.STANLEY COLYER, M.D., M.R.C.P. Lond.

THE ALLEGED PRESENCE OF MALTAFEVER IN HONG-KONG.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.SIR,—In the Milroy lectures recently published in

THE LANCET 1 Dr. J. W. H. Eyre states, " Bishop, who him-self suffered from the disease, states that it is endemic in

Hong-Kong and Shanghai." May I say that there is someerror here ? ‘! The statement has not the slightest foundationin fact. I have been in practice here for over 21 years, andfor 12 years have been connected with this hospital-thelargest in the colony-which admits patients of all classesanct all nationalities. I have never seen a case myself orever heard of one arising in the colony. No medical manof the name of Bishop has been in practice in this colony forthe last 25 years. The same remark applies to kala-azar,which I believe is also put down as a Hong-Kong disease.

I am, Sir, yours faithfully,J. BELL,

Civil Hospital, Hong-Kong, July 14th, 1908. Superintendent.J. BELL,

Superintendent.

SCIENTIFIC MARCHING.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,—The physique of our recruits and their proper train-ing are occupying the minds of many of us while we arewatching the development of our new army. It seems to

me, speaking out of considerable experience, that our styleof marching requires constant care and observation. In

walking the heel touches the ground first and then rapidlythe rest of the foot, and the great toe leaves the groundlast. The soldier in some countries is taught to place thefoot almost fiat on the ground, but this is a mistake as the

body loses in part the advantage of the buffer-like mechanismof the heel. The toes are turned out at an angle of about300 to 450 and at each step the leg advances forward and alittle outward; the centre of gravity, which is between thenavel and the pubes, about in a line with the promontory ofthe sacrum, is constantly shifting.

It has been supposed that it would be of advantageto keep the foot quite straight or to turn the toesa little in and to let the feet advance almost ina line with each other. But the advantage of keep-ing the feet apart and the toes turned out is that,*6rst, the feet can advance in a straight line, which is

obviously the action of the great vasti muscles in frontof the thigh, and second, when the body is broughtover the foot, the turned-out toes give a much broader baseof support than when the foot is straight. The spring fromthe great toe may perhaps be a little greater when the footis straight (although this is doubtful, and there seems noreason why the gastrocnemei and solei should contractbetter in this position), but there is a loss of spring from theother toes. Besides this it has been shown by Weber thatwhen the leg is at its greatest length-i.e., when it has justurged the body forwards and is lifted from the ground-it falls forward like a pendulum from its own weight,not from muscular action, and this advance is fromwithin and behind to without and before, so thatthis action alone carried the leg outwards. The footshould be raised from the ground only so far as is

necessary to’ clear obstacles. "Formerly the Russian Guardwere taught to march with a peculiarly high step, the kneebeing lifted almost to a level with the acetabulum. Theeffect was striking, but the waste of power was so great thatlong marches were impossible and this kind of marching isnow given up. The foot should never be advanced beyondthe place where it is to be put down : to do so is a waste oflabour." " I emphasise the importance of this, as in modern

1 THE LANCET, June 13th (p. 1677), 20th (p. 1747), and 27th (p. 1826),1908.

campaigns rapidity of movement combined with endurancehave been all-powerful factors in determining the issue.

In the Franco-German war, for example, McMahon,advancing to the east to relieve Bazain, his troops consistinglargely of raw and imperfectly trained levies, accomplishedonly an average of about 10 or 11 miles daily, while theCrown Princes of Prussia and Saxony, suddenly changingfront, seized both sides of the Meuse and advancing throughChampagne and the Ardennes, marching 20 to 25 miles a day,encircled the French forces and hemmed them up in the basinof Sedan against the Belgian frontier. In his skilful retreaton Orleans Van der Tann with his Bavarian army marched42 miles in 26 hours. In advancing to join Wellington atTalavera Mackenzie marched 62 miles in 26 hours. In theIndian Mutiny several regiments marched 30 miles a dayfor several days. The longest march of the Russiansin the Khiva expedition in 1873 was 26 miles in 24hours. The Russian Footguards advancing to Paris in 1814after the combat at Fere-Champenoise, marched 48 miles in26 hours. After Sedan the Germans marching on Parisaveraged about 21 to 22 miles daily, on some days accom-plishing 26 to 28 miles daily; they started at 5 or 6 andwere on their -ground from 4 to 8 o’clock, the averagepace being 3.1 miles per hour. Dr. E. Parkes remarks.’’ that it is scarcely less interesting to the physiologistthan important to the soldier to know what hasbeen done and what can be done with a large bodyof infantry. Gradual increase of exercise is well knownand attended to by trainers ; gentle walking perse-vered in for a long time, then slow gallops ; then, as

the horse gains wind and strength, quicker gallops; but thehorse is never distressed, and a boy would be dismissed froma stable if it were known that the horse he was ridingshowed, by sighing or in any other way, that the speed was.too great for him.

" Before a Prussian recruit is entered in afoot regiment he is carefully examined in order to see

whether his feet will bear the strain of long marches and thegreatest attention is paid to the fit of the boots. In forcedmarches, whenever practicable, the knapsacks are conveyedin a cart attached to each company.

I am, Sir, yours faithfully,August 18th, 1908.

________________

ALLEX.

THE LIVERPOOL PUBLIC ABATTOIR.(FROM OUR SPECIAL SANITARY COMMISSIONER.)

As an old historic port Liverpool suffers as well as itbenefits from this ancient origin. The presence of much

shipping has attracted an unstable and varying populationof rough unskilled labourers. These are an uncouth class whonever earn high wages, who are content to live in slums, andwho do not attempt to create a comfortable and decent homelife. Flocking to Liverpool before any sanitary legislationhad been enacted to check such evils, they encouraged thercreation of fearful slums and had to live in the most un-wholesome surroundings. Typhus fever, became endemic andwhen the cholera came it found ready victims. The death-rate at Liverpool was 41 7 in 1866, but that was the year ofthe cholera. The average death-rate for the ten years 1861to 1870 was 32 - 5. For the ten years 1891 to 1900 it hadfallen to 23 - per 1000, and this, while showing that greatimprovements have been effected, also indicates that therestill remains much to be done. When in 1842 the celebratedCommission was appointed to inquire into the healthof towns this constituted an event from which may be datedthe commencement of modern sanitation, and these com-missioners, speaking of Liverpool, said that whilst in someparticulars the condition " of a few other cities was almostthe same as that of Liverpool, yet there were many in whichit must be acknowledged that Liverpool was worse than anyof them." " Out of a population then amounting to 223,000some 160,000 lived in narrow courts and in cellars. Therewas no adequate water-supply, no drainage, no control of thefood-supply, of the schools, and of the dwellings. From thesanitary point of view chaos reigned supreme. The numerousofficial inquiries made in regard to the various epidemics thatoccurred showed the excessive drunkenness prevalent in thesetimes, but it was regarded as, the result of destitution ratherthan its cause. It was not till 1867 that the city’s healthcommittee took the scavenging in hand, and Mr. Reynolds,

587THE LIVERPOOL PUBLIC ABATTOIR.-MANCHESTER.

the veterinary superintendent, reported that under themethods then prevailing there were 64,000 tons of filthyrefuse in the huge ashbin or middens which formed channelsextending the whole length of the streets and overflowingwith fæcal matter and offensive refuse.

It was at the beginning of the nineteenth century andwhile Liverpool was still in the condition which the abovewords very inadequately describe that a few butchers

agreed to unite their slaughter-pens and to form one estab-lishment. For this purpose, and considering only their ownconvenience as tradesmen, they naturally selected a centralposition. Nobody in those days sought to classify the

slaughtering of animals as an unwholesome industry thatshould only be allowed at a certain distance from dwellinghouses. Therefore the butchers established themselves inthe very heart of the city close to the Royal Infirmary andthe University. They bought up surrounding houses andkilled a large number of animals in the immediate neighbour-hood of crowded dwellings. With the great reforms intro-duced in Liverpool during recent years the corporation boughtout the private butchers and converted their premises intoa public slaughter-house. The premises were quite unsuitedfor the purpose but are better managed now. First someclearances have been effected and a row of dwelling housespulled down so that there are more space and air. But, aboveall, the situation is saved by the fact that there is com-

paratively little killing done there. What used to be a sortof slaughter-hall has now been converted into a wholesalemeat market. Most of the killing is done on the other sideof the Mersey where there are cold storage and many otherfacilities available. What meat is wanted for Liverpoolis brought over from Birkenhead and exposed for sale inthe meat market. Nevertheless some killing is done atthe Liverpool abattoir, notably of sheep. Here there are nomodern contrivances. It is but a small place at the end ofthe old meat market. The pavement is cemented so that thesubsoil is no longer contaminated and there is a good lightfrom a glass roof. As this roof faces the north the slaughter-men are not troubled by direct rays of sunlight. The wholeplace, however, is so small that the pens where the sheep arekept are in full view of the spot where the animals are killed.In view, however, of observing the rules as to humane

slaughtering a sheet is hung up to prevent the living, sheepfrom seeing what is going on. Also to efface all trace ofblood and to keep the place clean the walls should be white-washed once a month according to the by-law ; in,practice,however, they, are whitewashed every week.

All the way from Bootle to Garston, a distance of sevenmiles, there are only 23 private slaughter-houses and the onesmall public abattoir. At the latter establishment anyonemay kill by paying ls. 6d. for cattle, 6d. for calves, and 1½d.for pigs. These charges are much too low. If properaccommodation is provided a higher charge can bemade. When after being killed an animal is found to bediseased it is not necessary to obtain a magistrate’s order forits destruction. As a measure of protection the medical officerof health calls for a jury of the trade. Three butchers areasked to examine the carcass and they sign a certificate thatit is unsound. They receive each a fee of 6d. for thus testi-fying. Any attempt to conceal unwholesome meat would bevery dangerous, as at Liverpool the magistrates readilyinflict terms of imprisonment for such offences. Thebutchers are bound to notify at once. Any delay would beconsidered suspicious and might cause an interference on thepart of the law that would not be pleasant. When anymeat is condemned there is a small dark room where itis kept till it can be taken to the destructor. Thisis an unsuitable and small place and ought not to exist sonear to fresh wholesome meat and inhabited houses. Carealso should be taken at once to surround diseased meat withwire gauze or some other contrivance that will prevent flieswalking over it and carrying away some of the disease germs.Modern research has fully demonstrated the danger of flies.

In consequence of the great trade done at Birkenhead withthe importation of live cattle from America there is com-paratively little slaughtering of cattle at Liverpool. Perhaps ifthere had been a large and model modern abattoir at Liverpoolmatters would have been different. For many years variousschemes have been suggested and the town council has beenurged to build a proper and large abattoir and cattle-marketin the outskirts. But the large number of cattle that arebrought over from Ireland disembark on the Princes Landing

Stage and it would be a difficult matter to drive them to-a distant suburb. Moreover there is the large and well-established business at Birkenhead. Nevertheless the reformindicated is much needed. Liverpool needs something betterthan what the butchers have left and had commenced toconstruct in the old days when Liverpool was celebrated as.the most unhealthy town in England.

MANCHESTER.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Precept and Example at Oldham.OLDHAM is a town of mills and works, but in spite of that

laudable efforts are being made to make it more beautiful, orat least less ugly, by planting open spaces and encouragingthe cultivation of flowers. Black smoke renders success

difficult, and the hope has long been held out that electricityfor heating, lighting, and power would get rid of thismonstrous and injurious nuisance. At all events, it was notanticipated that the production of electricity would bringabout the worst forms of smoke nuisance. But as to thismatter corporations have much to answer for, and the.Oldham town council, it would seem, stands out as one of thechief among the sinners. At a recent meeting of thecouncil one of the members attacked the corporation for

prosecuting mill companies- for sending out black smokefrom factory chimneys, " while the electricity stationbelched forth black smoke almost continually and wasallowed to continue without a prosecution." He said that" this chimney was a bigger nuisance than any other in thetown." " The chairman of the electricitv committee said:’’ The inspector has taken numerous observations of the

chimney and finds no fault with it." This remark wasreceived with "loud laughter." Another of the councilsaid that it was a perfect nuisance night and day.There is a great deal of slackness in many places aboutputting the powers for controlling the smoke nuisance intoaction, and inspectors soon begin, to. distinguish between anuisance caused by the "authority" and one haying no suchprotection. Things would be better if the prosecution were;for the offence irrespectively of the person of the offender.

Cats and Diptheria.There has been an outbreak of diphtheria in the Mottram--

in-Longdendale urban district attributed by Dr. G. J. Awburnin one case to infection from a pet cat which had been ill andwas found to be suffering from diphtheria. The cat was

destroyed. The liability of cats to contract diphtheria haslong been known but is often forgotten till mischief has beendone. Dr. Awburn gave some good advice, recommendingpeople who had cats suffering from coughs, particularly if

they were in an emaciated condition, to have them destroyedat once. Unfortunately this is the time when pets are, as arule, petted and nursed all the more. The danger, however,should be widely proclaimed.

Hea?th, and the Ship Canal.At the last meeting of the port sanitary authority Mr. W. F.

Dearden reported that in the month of July last 197 vesselswere inspected, 86 of which were found to be insanitary. Ofthese, 39 were at the Manchester end of the canal, 14 atRuncorn, and 17 at Westoh Point. The attention of the

skippers was directed to the defects found and a notice wasleft on the vessels ordering measures for abatement. In onecase where the notice had been disregarded the authoritygave the medical officer power to serve a public healthnotice. During the month ten vessels arrived from portsknown to be infected with plague or small-pox. It is

necessary, therefore, to keep up incessant watch againstsickness introduced by the canal. There is another dangerto be guarded against. During the month over 118 tons offoodstuffs were condemned and destroyed. In addition to.this 88 tins of beef, 99 of mutton, and 17 of tongue werevoluntarily given up. The canal has been of great benefitto Manchester as regards commerce but has made it morevulnerable to disease.

Houses without Windows.It seems almost unthinkable that in these days houses.

without windows should be in existence. It appears that there

are, however, such places in the district represented by the’;