1605THE LONDON LICENTIATES AND MEMBERS SOCIETY.

stemless variety, but not in the pansy (Viola tricolor). The’root contains starch, a yellow colouring matter, gum, andtraces of volatile oil. The flowers contain a blue colouringmatter which is turned green by alkalies. The odoriferous

principle has not been definitely established, nor is it knownwhether it is identical with the synthetical violet perfume- or with that obtained from orris-root. The violet odour of.orris-root was shown by Tiemann and Kriiger (1893) to be.due to a ketone (irone) and it is probable that the samesubstance causes the natural odour of the violet. Irone, and.an allied substance, ionone, are both injurious in their effectson the animal organism when taken internally, as shownby Professor F. von Mering’s experiments upon himself,and upon dogs. In view of a recent discussion as tothe harmful effects of violet perfume on the voice thesenotes are of interest. K. Mandelin found that the leavesof the violet contained a substance which yielded salicylicacid after boiling.l He found a little of the free acid in- the rhizome. With regard to pharmacy, the herb and the rootare said to yield their active principles to water. There is.an idea prevalent that the plant should be used in the fresh- state as drying destroys the active principles. The taste ofthe flowers is sweet and mucilaginous ; that of the rhizomeis bitter, mucilaginous, and subacricl. The flowers of Violaodorata are used in the French Codex in preparinga syrup thus: fresh deep-blue flowers, minus calyx, are

infused with twice their weight of boiling water, andthen to every 21 parts of infusion are added 38 parts ofsugar to form a syrup. If the whole plant is employedfor medicinal purposes it should be gathered as soon as theflowers have being expanded, each flower being deprived of itscalyx and, according to King’s ’’ Dispensatory," from whichwe have derived much of our information, dried. As to thedose, of the flowers and seeds, as a laxative, from three tofour drachms rubbed with sugar and water, presumably into.a confection, and of the root from one-half to one drachm asan emeto-cathartic. This is uncertain in its action. Theroot is administered in from 8-grain to 10-grain doses as atonic and in from 25-grain to 30-grain doses as a purgative,while from 40 to 60 grains constitute an emetic dose. Theroot, leaves, and seeds are emetic in the larger doses.P. L. Simmonds states that the whole plant of Viola odoratais largely sold in the bazaars in Bengal for making ,,

an infusion as a diaphoretic in fevers and that large<loses nauseate and produce vomiting. It is not knownwhether the odorous emanations from the flowers are

’poisonous, but they have been known to produce giddinessand faintness. The seeds have been recommended in uric:acid gravel, and, in conjunction with Corydalis formosa, inthe treatment of syphilis ; also in pectoral, nephritic, and-cutaneous affections, especially in crusta lactea. Professor ’,Scudder states that the plant stimulates waste and secretion,Telieves nervous irritation, and improves nutrition. Furtherinformation about this drug is wanted.

POISONING BY BELLADONNA PLASTER.

Dr. W. Makeig Jones 2 has drawn attention to a case ofpoisoning by belladonna plaster which requires explanation.’The patient had removed the first plaster from the costalregion and applied a second ; after 12 hours severe symptomsof belladonna poisoning were experienced. The skin beneaththe plaster was found to be swollen and covered with a rash.’Though the patient speedily recovered under treatment thetoxic effects remained for some days. The fact that thesymptoms did not appear until the application of the second.plaster eliminates the factor of idiosyncrasy. The suggestionof Dr. Jones that the plaster may have been fortifiedby the addition of alkaloid after manufacture is based’on the fact that the original strength of the plastershould be 0 5 per cent. of alkaloid, whereas the secondplaster was found, on removal, to contain 0’44 per cent.,’the loss representing a quantity too small to producethe effects observed. This suggestion leads to the natural

inquiry, what is the amount of alkaloid that would normallybe absorbed through the skin in a given time ’ Until this’question receives a satisfactory answer it is scarcely fair tolay the blame on the plaster, nor is this one case sufficientto bring the belladonna plaster into disrepute.

THr VALUE OF ETHER IN OINTMENTS.

H. Wyatt3 has called attention to the use of ether in oint-ments-a practice recommended by Sir James Sawyer in

1 American Journal of Pharmacy, 1882, p. 11.2 Quarterly Medical Journal, vol. ix., p. 29.

3 Pharmaceutical Journal, 1900, vol. i., p. 129.

cases where absorption is required in applications to the skin.The ether, in the proportion, say, of two fluid drachms to sixdrachms of ointment, softens or dissolves the sebaceoussecretions in the skin, thereby enabling the latter to take upthe medicament.

THE LONDON LICENTIATES ANDMEMBERS SOCIETY.

A MEETING of the London Licentiates and Members

Society was held at the Wimpole Hotel, London, on Nov.29th, Dr. FREDERICK J. SMITH being in the chair.

Dr. SMITH said that there were three schemes arising outof the minutes of the preliminary meeting of the societywhich were on the agenda for the present meeting. Thefirst was to petition the Royal College of Physicians of

London to rescind By-law 177, which by-law was to the effectthat the Royal College did not grant to its Licentiates any

power to call themselves "Doctor." The second was to

petition the Royal Colleges of Physicians of London and

Surgeons of England to obtain power to grant the

degree of M.D. and the third was to petition the two

Royal Colleges to approach the London University andprevail upon that body to admit Licentiates and Membersof the Colleges to the final examination for the l2. D.of that university. The last suggestion seemed to himto fulfil every reasonable expectation of the Licentiates,and to promise to put the Licentiates at once into a positionfrom which no one could possibly disturb them. There wasa statute of the University which distinctly gave power tothe new university to ’’associate" itself with the existingColleges in London, so as to promote in any way that theymight think right the advancement of medical education.including examination. He thought that Licentiates shouldbe admitted to the final examination of the new universityby arrangement with that university.Mr. F. W. COLLINGWOOD favoured the third suggestionand referred to the grave disabilities which the double-

qualification men of London laboured under. It was statedin THE LANCET of Nov. 23rd that it was the universal

opinion of the leading London physicians and surgeons in1886 that the students in London were under grave db-abilities, and that when the Colleges by a unanimous voteasked that they should grant degrees it was met by theCrown with a distinct negative, and he thought the decisionmust have been made under some misconception of thefacts.

Mr. DOUGLAS did not agree that there should be anyfurther examination for the title Doctor."

Dr. SMITH said it would not be practicable for anycorporate body to give the M.D.

Mr. E. R. DAWSON maintained that the double-qualificationmen passed a better examination than that for the M. B. ofCambridge.

Dr. W. G. Dicl-.1,NSON pointed out that London corpora-tions, including the London University, were fee-gettinginstitutions, and no degree would be obtained without payingmore money.

Mr. A. E. JOSCELYNE said that he thought it would be verymuch better to have an examination.

Mr. ARTHUR GREENWOOD supported the third proposition.Dr. SMITH alluded to the fact that the London medical

schools were now fighting for their existence-a fact whichthe authorities and the teaching stali’s recognised. The

proposals would not be less likely to succeed on that account,for it would be felt that the existence of the London schoolswas at stake. Provincial students had increased by 800while those in London schools had decreased.

Mr. P. ROSE hoped that the standard of the London M.D.would not be lowered.

Dr. SMITH said that the examinations of the new

University of London were still in the cruciblo, and he

hoped that the representations which would be made mighthave influence in determining the standards.

Mr. COLLINGWOOD said that the new university shouldlay itself out for a more liberal distribution of degrees, seeingthat it was the only university for a population of over5,000,000 people.

Dr. SMITH suggested that the proposed petition mightmention a thesis as a qualification for a degree.

1606 LOOKING BACK.-ASYLUM REPORTS.-VITAL STATISTICS.

Mr. JOSCELYNE proposed, and Mr. F. C. LANGF0RD

seconded, the following motion :&mdash;

That a petition he sent to the College of Physicians and College ofSurgeons requesting them to approach the London University andprevail upon that body to admit Licentiates and Members of theColleges to the final examination for the M.D. degree of that university.

This was carried unanimously.A committee composed as follows, with power to add to

the number, was appointed to frame the petition and forwardthe interests of the society :-Dr. F. J. Smith, Mr. A. E.

Joscelyne, Mr. P. Rose, Mr. E. H. Dawson, Mr. F. C.

Langford, Mr. F. W. Collingwood, Mr. W. E. Morgan, andMr. E. H. Tipper.

Dr. SMITH was then unanimously elected President ofthe society, and in acknowledging the compliment he saidthat he was ready to do all in his power to further themovement.

Looking Back.FROM

THE LANCET, SUNDAY, DEC. 7, 1823.

Various Games adapted foi- the Members of t7te MedicalProfession.

To the Bditor of The Laneet.MR. EDITOR,&mdash;I admire the discretion which has induced

you to introduce into your well conducted publication,lessons in chess for the purpose of insinuating under theguise of that game the maxims of the therapeutic art-

- ut pueris olim dant crustula blandiDoctores elementa velint ut discere prima."

It is well known that Podalirius and Machaon played atchess at the siege of Troy with Palamedes the inventor of it.I have to suggest, however, that you should not confine

yourself to chess alone, especially as it is a game of skillmerely, but should extend your amusing and useful laboursto other games, which bear a stricter analogy to the JI1’dica.

I need hardly mention Draughts for their extensive

utility, they are certainly among the prima elementa of thegeneral practitioner.Push pin manifestly tends to increase the tactns oru’l,itus.Dominos inculcate the necessity of the juxta-position of

similar parts, and give warning of the evil consequences of asolution of continuity. They form an evidently sanative

game.Nine-pins and bowls, from their very forms, like two ounce

phials and pills, are evidently intended to do honour tomedicine.The various games of cards, however, seem particularly

designed for the use of medical practitioners, and may becalled the microcosm of medicine. In W7zist there is the

necessity of cuttiny, which involves much chirurgical know-ledge ; and sh1fffling. which is useful in all branches of theprofession. The good player will rely more on trichs than onhonours. The propriety of never omitting to call, is incul-cated on the physician, while the maxim of returning yourpartner’s lead, adumbrates that good understanding betweenDoctor and Apothecary, which may be termed the IlolyAlliance of Londonpractice. Some practitioners have playedwell at matrimony. Pope Joan conveys a curious historicalfact. and may thus increase the general knowledge of thestudent.

There is a game mentioned by Dr. Rabelais, under thename of Flux, which I am ignorant of ; but I doubt not, if itwere investigated by your learned cullaborators, it wouldthrow light on the nature of cathartics. The same astute

physician mentions the game of Pille: but the word, withhim, (in French) is not taken in the sense ofpilula, but isthe imperative of pillcr, to rob, strip, or pillage. In

English, it might be called bill, and refers to the mode ofmaking a c7?a,,I-ge.Blind Hookey. the cceca rapacitas of the Latins, is a game

venerable for its antiquity, and truly medical.Put the fool to bed. is a game litt’e used ; but it conveys

an useful instrnction as to the mode of dealing with a.patient. de hoc joco addam ?Kalendis

-- -

H. U. M. D.

ASYLUM REPORTS.

Suffolk C’ounty Asylum (Annual Report for 1900).-Theaverage number of patients resident during the year was 591and comprised 252 males and 339 females. During the year 178.patients were admitted, and of these 140-viz., 75 males and65 females-were first admissions. Dr. James R. Whitwell,the medical superintendent, states in his report that as.

regards the numbers resident in the asylum the figures tendto show "an increase on the female side which willnecessitate early boarding-out unless some other form ofrelief to overcrowding occur shortly." The bodily conditionof patients on a(lmission was not as a rule satisfactory. Aconsiderable number of patients were brought to the asylumin an "enfeebled and exhausted condition as a result.of attempted treatment at home which generally resultsin the patient being so physically reduced as to beunable to stand the severe strain of an acute mentaldisease." Dr. Whitwell adds that there is every reasonto believe that many of these patients, now apt to die orto lapse into chronic and incurable insanity, would haverecovered if brought earlier under treatment. Hereditarytendency to insanity was ascertainable in 36 per cent. of thepatients admitted, and there was every reason to believe thatthis figure was much smaller than the actual facts wouldshow if these could be ascertained. It was difficult to obtainexact information of the r6le of alcohol as a factor, thoughthis could be traced in 14 per cent. of the cases. Moral andemotional conditions when analysed carefully appeared taform no very important element in the production of insanityexcept as an exciting factor. The death-rate for the yearhas been rather higher than usual, the total number of deathsbeing 82-viz., 49 males and 33 females, or 13 ’8 per cent. ofthe average number resident. Of the deaths one was due topernicious anaemia, two each were due to cancer and

epilepsy, three were due to influenza, five to pneumonia,eight to phthisis and other forms of tuberculosis, 10 tocardiac disease, 13 to general paralysis of the insane, 14 tosenile decay, and the rest to other causes. During the year74 patients were discharged as recovered, comprising 39males and 35 females, or 12’5 per cent. of the average numberresident. The deaths from general paralysis seem to haveincreased steadily during the last four years. Thus per 1000resident patients the mortality from general paralysis was 2’6in 1897, 5-1 in 1898, 10-0 in 1899, and 16’8 in 1900. Thecasualties during the year have been few and slight, a factwhich reflects credit on the care and vigilance exercised bythe staff among the patients. Continual effort has been madeto keep as large a number of patients as possible usefullyemployed. Of the male patients 72 per cent., and of thefemales 88 per cent., were thus employed, which comparesfavourably with previous records and with other institutions.The general health of the patients has been good through-out the year. Diphtheria was contracted by a laundry-maid and to prevent the possibility of infection beingcarried from the patient by the asylum medical staff shewas attended by a local practitioner. A difficulty such asthis, adds Dr. Whitwell, ’’ must continue to exist until thenew isolation hospital is ready for occupation." The waterand gas supplies have been maintained in geod condition andthe new sewage works have proved satisfactory. The cost ofmaintenance per patient has risen somewhat during the year.The Commissioners in Lunacy state in their report that thebest order prevailed in the wards, that the surroundings werecheerful and pleasant, and that the medical case-books werewell kept.

VITAL STATISTICS.

HEALTH OF ENGLISH TOWNS.

IN 33 of the largest English towns 6504 births and 4459deaths were registered during the week ending Nov. 30th.The annual rate of mortality in these towns, which hadbeen 19-7 and 19’4 per 1000 in the two preceding weeks,rose again last week to 20-3 per 1000. In London thedeath-rate was equal to 20’5 per 1000, while it averaged