1319MEDICINE AND THE LAW.-THE LONDON MEDICAL EXHIBITION.

commenting unfavourably on the fact that a mere child hadbeen brought to the court without any steps having been takento ascertain, and to secure the punishment of, the person,if any, who employed him to sell the newspapers. Thesethree, cases reported in a single day from three different

police courts, not only prove the care with which the interestsof children are now being watched, but the fact of theirbeing published simultaneously in one newspaper (the daily2elegrcph) tends to show that measures taken to promote thehealth and well-being of children are recognised as beingof interest to the public.

Stamp Dzcty on Medicines.A case of considerable importance relating to the sale of

patent foods and medicines came before the magistrate at theMansion House on Oct. 26th. Mr. W. Migge, of 10,Eastcheap, was summoned by the Board of Inland Revenuefor an infringement of the Medicine Stamp Act (52 Geo. III.,c. 150, s. 2) in having vended and exposed to sale a box

containing preparation and composition to be used and

applied as a medicine and medicament, and liable as such tothe stamp duty-to wit, I antineurasthin "-without a paperwrapper showing that the duty had been paid. The Inland IRevenue authorities stated that the defendant was the agentin this country of a widely advertised German preparationcalled "antineurasthin" " or I I Dr. Hartmann’s brain andnerve food." The defendant wrote to the Board of InlandRevenue a year ago asking its opinion whether it requiredto be stamped or not, and after considerable correspondenceit informed him that a stamped wrapper would have to besupplied with each box. As the defendant took a contraryview these proceedings were instituted. The preparation"antineurasthin" was sold at 4s. 6d. per box, and in theBoard’s view required a stamp duty of Is. per box.On the box, or in papers supplied with the box, itwas stated that the preparation had been "prescribeby eminent physicians." The tablets were described as"doses" and to be taken between meals, and theBoard submitted that to the man in the street it was amedicine and to be used as a medicine. Counsel for thedefence said the simple question was whether this prepara-tion was a medicine and medicament or a food. If this hadbeen a medicine the Board of Inland Revenue, which hadanalysed it, would have produced evidence to that effect,but it had not done so. As a matter of fact, it was anatural nutrient composed only of organic substances. Assuch it was exempt from duty. It was not manufactured byany secret process. In Germany it was classified as purenatural food and exempted from duty. The Board had hadthe official analyses of German experts, in which the pre-paration was described as food, placed before it, and ithad brought forward no counter statement. It was the last

thing which the defendant desired that this preparationshould be publicly regarded as medicine. It acted only asa nutrient and not as a medicine. Although it containecphosphorus, so did eggs and fish, but these were not medi.cines or sold with stamped wrappers. As to its being " prescribed by eminent physicians," so was a milk diet or brandyand milk, but that did not constitute them medicines, neitherdid the use of the word dose. " So far as the evidencewent, it was conclusive that this was a food and not 1medicine. In a case in 1896, that of Fincher v. Duclerc((60 J.P. 276), the respondent was charged by th

appellant on two informations, the one for selling imedicine without a paper cover, wrapper, and labelprovided by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, anduly stamped for denoting the duty charged, being properly and sufficiently affixed thereto, contrary to Section’of the Medicines Stamp Act, 1812, and the other for sellin,a medicine without having taken out a licence, contrary tSection 9 of the Medicines Stamp Act, 1802. It was provein support of these informations that the respondent soldbox containing three tablets of an article called Ludovicpine tar soap, and that there was not any stamp affixed tthe box, and that the respondent held no licence to semedicines. The box contained advertisements setting Ol

the properties of the pine tar soap in curing eczema, rinworm, coughs and colds, influenza, diphtheria, and 0thE

complaints. No evidence was given of the composition (the soap except that it was said to be composed entirely (vegetable ingredients. The justices dismissed both inform:tions on the ground that there was no evidence of any offen(being committed against either of the acts in question.

was held by a Divisional Court, composed of Lord ChiefJustice Russell and Mr. Justice Wright, that the decision ofthe justices was right on the ground that it was a questionof fact for them whether the article was a medicine or not,and that there was no,evidence that it was. In the case theother day it was submitted for the defendant that there was noevidence that "antineurasthin"’ was a medicine, but thaton the analyses and descriptions of the German doctorsthere was strong evidence that it was food. The magistratedismissed the case. The stamp duty on medicines is imposedby 44 Geo. III., c. 98, s. 2, and Sched. B. ; but the descrip-tions of medicines chargeable are contained in 52, Geo. III.,c. 150, s. 1, and Schedule, while section 3 of 42 Geo.’III.,c. 56, specifies the persons who are liable to pay such duties.The Acts are badly drawn with the use of much involved andtautologous language. The duty is ad valorem and applies to(1) the drugs and preparations of various enumerated kindsspecified by name in the schedule to 52 Geo. III., c. 150;and (2) all other preparations of various kinds (which areenumerated) to be used externally or internally as medicinesfor the prevention, cure, or relief of any disorder incident tothe human body, made, prepared, uttered, rendered, vended,or exposed to sale by any person, when the person doing soeither (a) has or claims to have any occult secret or art formaking or preparing the same ; (b) has or claims to have anyexclusive right or title to the making or preparing of thesame ; (c) which have been, are, ’or shall be prepared,uttered, vended, or exposed for sale under the authority of anyletters patent; (d) which have been, are, or shall be, by anypublic notice or by any papers or handbills, or by any labelor words written or printed, affixed to, or delivered with, anypacket, box, bottle, phial, or other inclosure containing thesame, held out or recommended to the public by the makers,vendors, or proprietors thereof, as nostrums or proprietarymedicines, or as specifics, or as’beneficial to the prevention,cure, or relief of any ailments incident to or in any wiseaffecting the human body.

THE LONDON MEDICAL EXHIBITION.(Concluded from p. 1170.)

THE manufacturers of foods and dietetic products, as wasthe case last year, were fully represented. Messrs. Brandand Co., Limited (74-84, South Lambeth-road, Vauxhall,London, S.W.), displayed specimens of their products,including essences of meat in great variety, concentratedbeef-tea, and several peptone preparations. Lemco, oxo, bifti,and the Fray Bentos meat products were presented to viewat the stall of Messrs. Liebig’s Extract of Meat Co., Limited(4, Lloyd’s-avenue, London, E.C.). "Bovril," Limited(152-166, Old-street, City-road, London, E.C.), had amongits many exhibits some ration foods. The agents for the"Hercules" Patent Meat Juice Press (85, Queen Victoria-street, London, E.C.) showed a press by which it was statedthat the whole of the juice, about 50 per cent., can beobtained from raw meat. Horlick’s Malted Milk Company(Slough, Bucks) had on view samples of their milk food.The dried milk powder known as Glaxo, which, it is

claimed, resembles human milk, was shown by the GlaxoCompany (88, Gracechurch-street, London, E.C.). Mrs.Francis Marsh (Overshot Mill, Colne Engaine, Essex)prepares a special kind of sour milk named by the TurksYaourte which is used in the treatment of diseases ofthe digestive organs. Specimens of this milk were shownat the exhibition. Diabetic bread was the feature of thedisplay of Messrs. Callard and Co. (74, Regent-street,London, W.). Messrs. Bonthron and Co. (50 and 52, Glass-house-street, London, W.) displayed specimens of theirdiabetic foods. Plasmon in numerous forms was exhibitedby the International Plasmon Co., Limited (London, E.C.),including plasmon granulated milk powder, plasmon

, chocolate, and plasmon cocoa. The Manhu Food Co.,Limited, of 23, Mount Pleasant, London, W.C., exhibited

their special foods for diabetic patients. It is not claimedthat in these foods the starch is changed into dextrine or, glucose but that it is rendered so easily digestible and. assimilable as not to have any harmful action or to place a burden on the metabolic processes.J The exhibit of beverages, mineral waters, and wine tonics

1320 I GRAND PRIORY OF ORDER OF HOSPITAL OF ST. JbH’1’ OF JERUSALEM.

was large and representative. Messrs. Gautier Freres (thCharentes, France) showed their V Cognac brandy. Messrs

Gaymer and Sons, Limited (Attleborough, Norfolk), werrepresented by samples of their various brands of cydein bottle. Messrs. Ingram and Royle, Limited (East Paul’Wharf, 26, Upper Thames-street, London, E.C.) had, 01

view samples of nearly all the known natural mineral watersincluding Contrexéville "Pavillon," Evian-Cachat, an(Giesshiibler. Messrs. Findlater and Co, (London BridgeS.E.) showed among other mineral waters I I Carabana, araperient water with a very large proportion of sodiunsulphate in its composition, and Martigny, containing s

large quantity of lithium. Two interesting specimens wereshown, viz., a thermal mud and table water from thE

springs of Postyen, Hungary, said to be of value ir.the treatment of gout, rheumatism, and syphilis, bythe Bath Establishment, Postyen, through the Londonagent, Mr. H. N. Davidge (42, Shaftesbury-avenue,London, W.).The display of surgical instruments and hospital and sick

room appliances and scientific instruments was not so largeas at the medical exhibition held in the Horticultural Halllast year. However, the firms represented had a varied andcomprehensive assortment of the latest articles pertaining tothe medical man’s craft, and those who visited the exhibitionhad ample opportunity to inspect some useful novelties. An

interesting display was that of the Hospitals and GeneralContracts Co., Limited (33 and 35, Mortimer-street, London),whose exhibits included the Gordon cruet for sterilisingsafety pins, suggested by Sir Victor Horsley, the Arnoldelectric vibrator for massage purposes, capable of making2000 movements per minute, and an improved portable opera-tion table suitable for cottage hospitals, nursing homes, andprivate practice. Messrs. Mayer and Meltzer (71, Great Port-land-street, London, W.) showed general surgical instru-

ments, anæsthetic apparatus, ophthalmic surgery appliances,laryngological instruments, gynaecological instruments, andaural instruments. Messrs. J. R. Collins and Co. (AllianceSteam Mills, Windus-road, Stamford Hill, London, N.) ex-hibited chemical, physical, and scientific apparatus, apparatusfor radiography, and high-frequency apparatus. Messrs. F.Davidson and Co. (29, Great Portland-street, London, W.)exhibited ophthalmic and aural appliances, including a

new electric ophthalmoscope suggested by Mr. R. W.

Doyne, an adjustable transilluminator suggested by Dr.H. Lewis Jones, portable x ray outfits, and electrolysisappliances and sledge coils. Messrs. Bruce, Green, andCo., Limited (14, 16, and 18, Bloomsbury-street, London,W.C.), showed some useful optical instruments. Aninstructive exhibit was that of Messrs. C. A. Hoefftcke,Limited (21, Woodstock-street, London, W.). At this stallwere to be seen appliances for joint diseases, fractures,lateral curvatures, and for other injuries and deformities.Stansfield Collier’s tubes for artificial anus were also onview. Messrs. J. and J. Taunton, Limited (3, Maiden-lane,Queen-street, London, E. C.), showed their non-sagging asylumbedstead. The chief feature of the exhibit of Messrs. Browneand Sayer (Swan Chambers, 104, Upper Thames-street,London, E.C.) was an easy-poise consulting-room couch. Thiscouch is constructed on the principle of bedsteads, couches,and chairs made by the Easy-Poise-Couch Co., Limited (lateEquipoise). Mr. Henry Silverlock (92, Blackfriars-road,London, S.E.) showed a large assortment of dispensinglabels, visiting lists, charts of every description, diet cards,&c. The Nauheim Institute, Limited (6 and 7, George-street, Hanover-square, London, W.), had a stall at whichthe mode of treatment followed in that establishment was

fully set forth.Medical publishers were represented by four firms. Messrs.

W. B. Saunders Company (9, Henrietta-street, Covent-

garden, London, W.) had a full exhibit of the latest medicalworks by British and American authors. Amongst thesewere Keen’s ’’ Surgery, which when complete will be a workof five large volumes with numerous woodcuts and manycoloured plates ; Kelly and Noble’s ’’ Gynaecology"; ;Moynihan’s "Abdominal Operations"; Bonney’s "Pul-monary Tuberculosis " ; and "The Pancreas " by Mr. A. W.Mayo Robson and Dr. P. J. Cammidge. Messrs. Bailli6re, Tindall, and Cox (8, Henrietta-street, Covent-garden,London, W.) had on view a long list of medical works,including French’s Medical. Laboratory Methods and ]

Tests"; Freyer’s Surgical Diseases of the UrinaryOrgans " ; Buchanan’s Anatomy"; and Rose andCarless’s I I Manual of Surgery. " The Oxford Medical Publica-tions (20, Warwick-square, London, E.C.) showed, amongother new publications, works by Professor W. Osler, Pro.fessor G. Sims Woodhead, Professor D. J. Cunningham,Sir Alfred H. Keogh, Mr. D’Arcy Power, and Dr. StanleyB. Atkinson. Messrs. J. B. Lippincott Company (5, Henrietta-street, Covent Garden, London, W.), had on view Piersol’s’’ Human Anatomy " ; a new and revised edition of ’’ Appendi-citis and Diseases of the Vermiform Appendix," by Dr.Howard A. Kelly ; and Pfaundler and Schlossmann’sDiseases of Children," in four volumes.

THE GRAND PRIORY OF THE ORDEROF THE HOSPITAL OF ST. JOHN

OF JERUSALEM IN ENGLAND.

1 WE have been asked by the’ chief secretary of theSt. John Ambulance Association to publish the following) memorandum:-

It has been brought to the notice of the executive that manymembers of the medical profession, especially in the provinces,are under the impression that no acknowledgment, beyond an

occasional resolution of thanks expressed in general terms, is madeby His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the Chapter-Generalof the Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in England of theinvaluable services gratuitously rendered by medical men since the-

institution of the St. John Ambulance Association. These services haveearned for the Association its reputation, and have enabled it to carryon its work for the benefit of suffering humanity. In has thereforebeen thought desirable to publish this memorandum for generalinformation and circulation.

1. Members of the medical profession, male or female, whose names.are on the Register published under the direction of the GeneralCouncil of Medical Education and Registration of the United Kingdomare elected " Honorary Life Members " of the St. John Ambulance Asso-ciation by the central executive committee at headquarters for actingas honorary lecturers for not less than four courses of instruction imFirst Aid to the Injured, Home Nursing, Home Hygiene or Sanitation.This distinction is generally published after their names in their bio-graphical notices in the medical directories and similar works.

2. " Honorary Life Members " who have continued to instructgratuitiously for several years, that is for not less than five or six,have their names submitted through the proper channel for the award,of the " Vellum Vote of Thanks " bestowed by His Roval Highness the-Prince of Wales, Grand Prior of the Order, and the Chapter-General,this document bearing the signature of His Royal Highness.

3. Those who continue to work as honorary lecturers and by assistingin administration and organisation at centres and branches for a furthernumber of years are recommended by committees of their centre orbranch for selection as Honorary Serving Brothers or for enrolment asHonorary Associates of the Order. This recommendation is submitted tothe Chapter-General of the Order through the official channel, as.

pointed out in the regulations, and if approved and sanctioned by His.Majesty the King, the Sovereign Head and Patron of the Order, carries.with it the award of a decoration which has to be worn at Court, inuniform, and on the various occasions, official and otherwise, when it iscustomary in Great Britain to wear recognised deeorations.

4. Further voluntary service to the Order of St. John or its depart-ments is recognised by promotion in the Order to the grade of Esquireor of Knight of Grace, or even to that of Knight of Justice, subject tothe other qualifications ordained by statute.

5. The names of recipients of honours mentioned in paragraphs 3 and4 are published on the Roll of the Order, which includes almost the-whole of the Members of the Royal Family in England and nearly athousand Members and Honorary Associates, a large proportion of theMembers and Associates being members of the medical profession.

(Signed) HERBERT C. PERROTT,Secretary of the Order of the Hospital of St. John of

Jerusalem in England and Chief Secretary ofits Ambulance Department.

Chancery of the Order, St. John’s Gate, Clerkenwell,London, E.C., 12th October, 1908.

ROYAL DENTAL HOSPITAL OF LONDON.-Theannual dinner of the staff and past and present students will’be held on Saturday, Nov. 21st, at the Hotel Metropole (White-hall Rooms), under the presidency of Mr. W. B. Paterson.Gentlemen, either now or formerly connected with thehospital or medical school, who may through inadvertencenot have received special notice and who desire to be presentare requested to communicate with the Dean at the RoyalDental Hospital, 32, Leicester-square, London, W.C. Themedical committee will be "at home" to all old studentsof the hospital on the same day from 2.30 to 5 P:M. when thevarious departments of the hospital and school will be openand specimens and eases of interest, &c., shown by themembers of the staff and lecturers.