361THE BACTERIOLOGY OF CHOLERA IN INDIA.

Namur, on the eastern frontier of Belgium. There had been

numerous cases of the disease last autumn in the Charleroi

district, and it is thought that some of the dejecta were thenthrown into the Sambre. It is just at the point where thisriver falls into the Meuse at Namur that cholera has re-

appeared. The first case occurred on Dec. 10th last, andfrom that date up to Jan. 25th of this year there were 41cases and 23 deaths in the town. Most of the cases were ofa very severe type and were generally fatal after an averageof five or six hours’ illness. In the neighbourhood of Namur,at Flawinne, there were 7 cases and 3 deaths ; at Auvelaisthere were 15 or 16 cases and 8 deaths. In other districts18 cases were notified, resulting in 13 deaths. At Saint-

Trond, in the district of Saint Pierre, 15 sudden deaths arerecorded. As usual, the poorest, the intemperate, and thosewho lived in the most insanitary conditions were the principalsufferers. A special isolation hospital has been opened atNamur. Most of the clothing worn by the patients has beenburnt, and the bedding has been disinfected in stoves whereit was exposed to a temperature of 130° C.

THE BACTERIOLOGY OF CHOLERAIN INDIA.

. AT the present time, when the International Sanitary Con-ference has opened its proceedings in Paris, it will interest- our readers to learn what has been taking place in India inregard to the bacteriological question of cholera. In replyto a communication from the Editors of THE LANCET senttowards the end of last year Brigade-Surgeon-Lieutenant-ColonelD. D. Cunningham, C.LE., M.B., has been good enouglato forward us the following proof copy of a paragraph whichhe has contributed to the forthcoming annual report of theSanitary Commissioner with the Government of India as tothe views which the results of his bacteriological experimentsand observations have led him to entertain regarding thebacteriological question of cholera :-

" The evidence which has been gradually accumulated inthe laboratory attached to the office of the Sanitary Com-missioner with the Government of India during thecourse of the past four years appears fully to justifytha conclusion that there is no one specific choleraiccomma bacillus. Certain distinct forms of comma bacilliobtained from cases of cholera have now been in con-tinuous cultivation for nearly four years, and various othersfor periods ranging from over three years to one yearand a half. During the periods in which they have beencultivated they have all been exposed to the influence of pre-cisely similar conditions. They have been grown in portions z,of the same media in the strictest sense, they have beentransplanted simultaneously, and have been exposed to likeconditions of environment during growth, and yet theyeontinue to present well-defined differences. Abundant ievidence has been acquired that the majority of them are ’,extremely susceptible to both morphological and physiologicalmodifications under the influence of prolonged exposure to ’,particular environments, and consequently there are fair z,grounds for concluding that, under the influence of pro-longed cultivation under precisely common conditions, anydistinctive peculiarities which were originally present, notas the result of any inherent specific - peculiarities, but

merely owing to antecedent exposure to unlike conditions,ought to have disappeared. But no tendency to any suchgeneral assimilation in the characters of the various formshas manifested itself. Prolonged cultivation under specialconditions has certainly in many cases givemrise to importantmodifications of property, but these have not been of a natureto produce any general unification of the various forms ; theyhave not led to the development of any common averageform as the result of disappearance of distinctive features.The distinctive features which the various forms now present

- ae net invariably precisely of the- same nature- as theyoxiginally were, which, of course, is only natural in a

group of modifiable organisms; but where the original differ-ences have disappeared equally conspicuous new ones have

replaced them. There is thus no scientific ground whateverfor the assumption that all the distinct forms of commabacilli occurring in connexion with cases of cholera are merevarieties of one species. Taking the facts as they stand,there are no more logical grounds for regarding all the formsof choleraic comma bacilli as mere varieties than there arefor regarding all schizomycete organisms as such. Anydefinite relation between the occurrence of cholera andthe presence of a particular species of comma bacilluswithin the intestinal tract cannot, therefore, be shownto exist, and with this any theory ascribing the choleraiccondition to the action of any distinct species of intes-tinal organism which has yet been discovered comes tothe ground ; but, more than this, the induction of thecholeraic condition cannot even be ascribed to the action ofa group of organisms consisting of the various forms ofcomma bacilli which occur within the intestinal tract in casesof the disease, seeing that cases occur in which there is no,evidence of the presence of comma bacilli of any kind what-ever. If the induction of the primary choleraic condition beowing to the action of any organisms growing within theintestinal tract, these have yet to be found. The introduc-tion of large quantities of comma bacilli into the intestinaltract has never yet been satisfactorily shown to lead tothe development of cholera, and comma bacilli of variouskinds frequently abound in the intestinal contents of caseswhich are unequivocally not of choleraic origin in theordinary sense of the term. There is thus no evidenceto show that any form of comma bacillus is capable ofinducing the choleraic condition if it gain access tothe intestinal tract, and there are many facts sug-gesting that the frequency with which comma bacilliabound within the intestinal tract in cases of cholerais a consequence, not a cause, of the choleraic con-

dition. Even, however, if this be so ; even if the prevalenceof comma bacilli within the intestinal tract hold a con-sequential and not a causal relation to the establishment ofthe primary choleraic condition, it by no means necessarilyfollows that they are of no importance. Some forms, atall events, may be capable of affecting the ultimate courseof the disease owing to the nature of the products towhich they give rise and which are liable to enter thesystem in bulk whenever active intestinal absorption begins tobe re-established. The facts as they stand afford no reason-able grounds for supposing that any measures establishingimmunity from the toxic effects of the products, which arecertainly produced by certain forms of comma bacilli andother schizomycete organisms, can have any appreciable effecton the prevalence of cholera, but, at the same time, they aresuch as to render it not unlikely that the immunity. may becapable of affecting the mortality of the disease." . ,

THE REPORT OF THE ROYAL COMMISSIONAPPOINTED TO CONSIDER THE DRAFT

CHARTER FOR THE PROPOSEDGRESHAM UNIVERSITY OF

LONDON.

’

THE Royal Commissioners appointed to consider the draftcharter for the proposed Gresham University of London haveconcluded their report, in which they point out the lineson which they think the charter might be amended and

extended so as to form a practical scheme for an efficientTeaching University of London.The Royal Commissioners, after full and careful inquiry,have come to the conclusion that there should be butone university, and that the existing University of Londonshould be reconstructed so as to discharge the teachingduties. The necessary changes, in their opinion, shouldbe effected not by charter, but by legislative authority,and by the appointment of a Commission with statutorypowers. These powers and the duties consequent upon themshould be as follows : (1) To determine in what mode, andunder what conditions, any property now held by the Univer-sity of London should continue to be held by the Universityas reconstituted, regard being had to any trusts to which thesame is now subject. (2) To receive the assents of the variousinstitutions to be admitted as schools in the University, andwith reference thereto to determine, in the first instance,

362 THE PROPOSED GRESHAM UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.

(a) whether any institution is to be admitted as a whole t.be a school in the University, and if nct, in respect of wha1department or departments it is to be admitted ; (b) whateachers in such institutions are, in the first instance, to birecognised as teacheis in the University, and in whictFaculties they are respectively to be placed. (3) To receivlthe assents of the various persons and bodies, otheithan the Crown, the Convocation, the Faculties, anethe Academic Council, who are to nominate to seats uporthe Senate. (4) To determine the time or times withirwhich, and the mode or modes in which, nominations are irthe first instance to be made by the various nominatingpersons and bodies-(a) to the Academic Council, (b) to theSenate ; to determine (when necessary) the period of office ofthose first nominated upon the Academic Council and theSenate respectively so as to secure a due rotation ; and tcreceive and record or appoint some person to receive and.record such first nominations. (5) To frame, in accordancewith the recommendations now submitted, the statutes of theUniversity, and such ordinances as they may deem necessaryfor the conduct of business. (6) To make temporary provisionfor effecting the transition from its prasent form and func-tions to its new constitution. (7) An application by thegoverning body of any of the above institutions to repealtheir existing constitution in any detail, and even take overtrust funds, property, &c. (8) Generally to make suchorders from time to time as may seem necessary to them for

carrying into effect any of the matters aforesaid.The following is a detailed summary of the recommenda-

tions of the Commissioners, but the report, though signed byall, has as appendices dissentient notes, with explanations,from nine out of thirteen of the gentlemen forming the RoyalCommission.

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS.

Visitor.The Queen will be Visitor of the University.

The Ohancellor.The Chancellor will be elected by Convocation, will hold

office for life, will be head of the University, and ex offielo amember of the Senate and of Convocation. He will presideover all meetings of the Senate at which he is present.

The <*e-<7A?M’6Hc7’.

The Vice-Chancellor will be elected annually by the Senateout of its own body and will be ex officio a member of Con-vocation, a member of all boards and committees appointedby the Senate and a member of the Academic Council. Hewill, in the absence of the Chancellor, preside over all meetingsof the Senate and will be chairman ex officio of all boardsand committees appointed by the Senate and of the AcademicCouncil.

The Oonstitution of the University.The constituent bodies of the University will be the Senate,

the Academic Council, the Faculties and Boards of Studiesand the Convocation.

The Senate.The Senate will consist of the Chancellor and of sixty-five

other members appointed as follows: three by the Crown;three by the Lord President of the Council (one in respect ofthe Royal College of Science, one in respect of the EducationDepartment and one in respect of Art); one by the Secretaryof State for the Colonies ; one by the Secretary of State forIndia ; nine by the Convocation (two each by the registeredgraduates in Arts, Science, and Medicine, and one each bythe registered graduates in Law, Theology, and Music) ;two by the Royal College of Physicians ; two by the Royal iCollege of Surgeons ; one by the Society of Apothe- Icaries; four by the Inns of Court [one for each Inn] ;two by the Incorporated Law Society ; one each by theRoyal Agricultural Society, the Institution of Civil Engineers,the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, tte Royal Instituteof British Architects, the Trustees of the British Museumand the Royal Society ; two by University College ; two byKing’s College : one each by the governors of the City andGuilds of London Institute, the Corporation of London, andthe Mercers’ Company ; two by the London County Council;and twenty-two as follows: four by the Academic Council, fourby the Faculty of Arts, five by the Faculty of Science, fourby the Faculty of Medicine, two by the Faculty of Law, twoby the Faculty of Theology, and one by the Faculty of Music.

All members of the Senate, other than the Chancellor, will(except by special provision in the case of the first appoint-

;0 ments) re appointed for a term of four years. The Senate,t will be the supreme governing body of the University, andLt will have power from time to time to frame statutes 1 to bee submitted to the Queen in Council and to be laid beforeh Parliament, for altering or adding to the constitution, powerse or functions of the University.r The Senate will further have power to make, alter, or revoked ordinances 1 for regulating all matters concerning the Univer-n sity and to exercise all powers and do all things authorisedn to be exercised and done by the University, provided always:n (1) that any such ordinance be not repugnant to any pro-g vision of the statutes of the University; and (2) that it shalle not adopt or impose on any person any test whatsoever off religious belief or profession or assign any grant of moneye for any purpose in respect of which any privilege is granted0 or disability imposed on account of religious belief.i Subject to these conditions the Senate will, in particular,e control the affairs and property of the University, regulatee the amount and determine the distribution of all fees payable7two the University, and appoint a registrar and other officers1 necessary for conducting the business of the University; Assignfunds for the conduct and administration of the Universitye and, after first inviting the opinion of the Academic1 Council, assign funds for the erection or extension ofr buildings, for the provision of teaching and equipment,iand for the endowment or remuneration of University pro-rfessors, readers, lecturers, demonstrators, or assistants;

Make regulations regarding scholarships and other emolu-- ments ; For good cause deprive the holder of any University, office or emolument of such office or emolument; Admit insti-, tutions or departments of institutions as schools ’of thet University, visit such schools, and (subject to an appeal to

the Queen in Council) remove any institution or departmentof an institution from being a school of the University;Recognise medical schools other than schools of the Univer.sity for the time being, as schools from which candidates willbe allowed to proceed to medical degrees, and withdrawsuch recognition; Alter the number and distribution of theFaculties ; appoint university professors upon the report ofstanding boards appointed by it for the purpose; appoint

, university readers, lecturers, demonstrators, and assistantsi

upon the report of boards, whether boards of studies or

otherwise ; Determine the duties of university professors,readers, lecturers, demonstrators, and assistants; Assignuniversity professors, readers, and lecturers to their respectiveFaculties ; Regulate the admission and order the examina-tions of internal and external students ; Appoint a standingboard to superintend, regulate, and conduct the examina-tions for external students, and to advise external studentsin the prosecution of their studies ; Appoint examiners ofinternal students, upon the reports of boards of studiestransmitted through the Academic Council; Appoint exa-

miners of external students upon the nomination of theboard for external students ; Appoint a standing board topromote the extension of university teaching, and upon thereport of the Academic Council recognise work done underthe superintendence of the board as an equivalent for partsof the regular university course ; Confer degrees, diplomas,and certificates; Admit duly qualified graduates to the registerof Convocation, and for non-payment of fees, or for othergood cause (subject to an appeal to the Chancellor), removethe name of any member from the register ; Determine themanner of conducting the election of the Chancellor, and ofthe representatives on the Senate of Convocation, of theFaculties, and of the Academic Council ; And elect the Vice-Chancellor out of its own body.

Sixteen members should form a quorum.

The Acade1ltic 00 un cU.The Academic Council will consist of the Vice-Chancellor,

who shall preside, and of fifteen members, elected by theFaculties as follows : four by the Faculty of Arts, four bythe Faculty of Science, three by the Faculty of Medicine,two by the Faculty of Law, one by the Faculty of Theology,and one by the Faculty of Music. All representative membersof the Academic Council will (except by special provision inthe case of first appointments) be elected for a term of fouryears.The Academic Council will elect four representatives upon

the Senate, and, subject to the statutes and ordinances of

1 By a "statute" " is meant a law of the University, alterable only bythe Queen in Council, with the usual reference to Parliament; by an" ordinance " a law of the University passed by the Senate and alter-able upon its sole authority.

363THE PROPOSED GRESHAM UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.

the University, will have power :-To recognise teachers inany admitted school of the University as teachers of the

University and to withdraw such recognition ; To assign suchteachers to their respective Faculties ; To assign, if theythink fit, a place upon the Faculties to demonstrators andassistants appointed by the University ; To determine thenumber and composition of the boards of studies in eachFaculty, and the mode of election and period of service ofthe members of the boards ; To appoint such members asthey think fit upon any board of studies, provided thatthe number so appointed shall not exceed one-fourth ofthe board ; To delegate to any board or boards of studiessuch functions as it may see fit, and to refer any matterfor report to any board or boards of studies ; To directthe Dean of any Faculty to summon a meeting of theFaculty for the consideration of a report of any board ofstudies belonging to the Faculty; To determine curricula ofstudy and examination, after having had before them theopinion of the board or boards of studies of the Facultyconcerned; To settle university courses of study to be pur-sued at any school of the University, after consultation withthe authorities of the institution concerned ; And to arrange forthe holding of university examinations for internal students,in so far as these are separate from those for external students,and to fix the times and places at which they shall be held.Six members should form a quorum.

Faculties and Boards of Studies.The Faculties will be six in number-viz., Arts, Science,

Medicine, Law, Theology, and Music; and the Faculty ofScience will be divided into two departments, one for pureand one for applied science ; but the number and distribu-tion of the Faculties may be altered from time to time byordinance of the Senate.The Faculties will consist of : (1) university professors,

readers, and lecturers ; (2) university demonstrators andassistants approved by the Academic Council ; and (3) teachersin the schools of the University recognised by the AcademicCouncil. University professors, readers, and lecturers willbe assigned to their respective Faculties by the Senate, anduniversity demonstrators and assistants [if approved for thepurpose], and all recognised teachers of the University, willbe assigned to their respective Faculties by the AcademicCouncil.Each Faculty will elect representatives upon the Senate, in

the manner prescribed by the Senate, as follows : the Facultyof Arts, four; of Science, five; of Medicine, four ; of Law,two; of Theology, two; and of Music, one. Each Faculty willelect representatives upon the Academic Council, in themanner prescribed by the Senate, as follows : the Faculty ofArts, four; of Science, four ; of Medicine, three ; of Law,two; of Theology, one; of Music, one.Each Faculty will elect a dean, to hold office for four

years. The dean of each Faculty will summon a meeting ofthe Faculty when he sees occasion, or when directed by theAcademic Council, or when requested by one-third of themembers of the Faculty to do so.In each Faculty a board or boards of studies will be con-

stituted in the way determined by the regulations of theAcademic Council, and not less than three-fourths of themembers of every such board will be elected by the Facultyto which it belongs. Each Faculty or board of studies willconsider and report upon any matter referred to it by theSenate or the Academic Council, and may consider anymatter concerning courses of study, examination, degrees,diplomas, certificates, and teaching in subjects within theprovince of the Faculty, and report to the Academic Councilthereon. Each board of studies will elect its own chairmanand conduct its own proceedings. A board of studies maymeet and act concurrently with another board or boards, andwill, if so requested, deliberate in conjunction with theAcademic Council or any committee thereof. Any board ofstudies may exercise administrative or executive functionsexpressly delegated to it by the Senate or the AcademicCouncil

The Convocation.Convocation will consist of the Chancellor, the Vice-

Chancellor, and registered members as follows : (1) presentmembers of Convocation; (2) graduates of the existingUniversity qualified to be members ; (3) future graduates ofthree years’ standing from the date of first graduation ;(4) members of the Academic Council registered underordinance of the Senate ; and (5), subject to the assent ofConvocation, persons admitted to a degree otherwise than by iordinary graduation.

Saving the rights of members already registered or qualifiedto register, members of Convocation will be required to

register and to pay fees according to the regulations of theSenate. In default of payment of fees, or for other goodcause (subject to an appeal to the Chancellor), the names ofmembers may be removed from the register by the Senate.Convocation will elect its own chairman, manage and recordits own proceedings, and appoint a clerk with such salary asthe Senate may determine. It will be convened by the chair-man once at least every year as provided by the Senate, andat other times if directed by the Senate ; the chairman will athis discretion convene an extraordinary meeting for thedespatch of specified business, if so requested in writing bytwenty members of Convocation, but no such extraordinarymeeting will be held within three calendar months of the lastforegoing extraordinary meeting. When convened for ordinarypurposes it will have power to discuss any matter relating tothe University, and declare to the Senate its opinion thereon,but for the decision of any question in Convocation thenumbers present should be not less than fifty. Convocationwill be entitled to express its views before the Queen inCouncil upon any alteration of the Statutes proposed by theSenate. It will elect the Chancellor, voting by voting papers,in accordance wich regulations laid down by the Senate ; andwill have nine representatives upon the Senate. But untilthe registered graduates in theology amount to twenty theirrepresentative will be elected by the registered graduates inarts. The elections will be conducted by voting papers inaccordance with regulations laid down by the Senate.

Schools of the University.A school of the University will be any institution or

department or departments of an institution admitted bythe Senate to a place in the University as a school atwhich university courses of instruction may be pursued.In deciding the claim of any teaching institution to beadmitted as a school of the University the Senate will con-sider : (a) the character of the foundation ; (b) whether theteaching and appliances are of university rank ; (c) theaverage age of students ; (d) the number of students pro-ceeding or likely to proceed to university degrees ; (e) financialposition ; (f) relation to any other university. But theclaim of special institutions for research will be consideredon the special merits of the case.The following institutions will be admitted in whole or in

part as schools of the University :-University College ; King’s.College ; the Royal College of Science ; the medical schoolsof the following hospitals : Charing-cross, Guy’s, London,Middlesex, St. Bartholomew’s, St. George’s, St. Mary’s,St. Thomas’s, ard Westminster ; the London School ofMedicine for Women ; the City and Guilds of LondonInstitute ; Bedford College ; the following theological col-leges : Hackney, New, Presbyterian, Regent’s-park, Cheshuntand Richmond ; and the following four colleges of music ;Royal Academy, Royal College, Guildhall School of Music,and Trinity College ; and, under certain reservations, theInns of Court and the Incorporated Law Society.No institution will in the future be admitted which is not

within the administrative County of London, including theCounty of the City of London, but any institution or depart-ment of an institution which the Senate shall refuse to admitas a school of the University will have a right of appeal to theQueen in Council.Any teacher in a school of the University, who has been

duly recognised by the Academic Council, will be a memberof the Faculty or Faculties to which he is assigned by theAcademic Council.The courses of university study to be pursued at any school

of the University and the requirements of attendance will beregulated by the Academic Council, after first consulting theauthorities of the institution.

Schools of the University will be open to the visitation ofthe University, and subject to the right of appeal to the Queenin Council any school may be removed by the Senate frombeing a school of the University.

Examinations and Degrees.The University may, if it think fit, impose an entrance or

matriculation test on all students of the University, and mayaccept in lieu of any such examination other examinationsof equivalent standard. It will recognise students of twokinds, internal and external. Internal students will pursueregular courses of study, of not less than three academicyears’ duration, under the regulations of the AcademicCouncil, in a school or schools of the University. Externalstudents will proceed to a degree by way of examination

364 ARMY MEDICAL SCHOOL, NETLEY.

without attendance, and three academic years must elapsebetween their first examination by the University and theirfinal examination for the first degree. The final examinationsfor the first degree, for internal and external students respec-tively, will, if not the same, represent the same standard ofknowledge, and will be identical so far as identity is con- Isistent with the educational interests of both classes.

All candidates for degrees in medicine will be required togo through regular courses, whether in schools of the

University or in other schools recognised by the University.The degrees should, as a rule, be of two orders only. The

degree of Doctor will, except in medicine, be conferred onlyon those who have by study or research contributed to theadvancement of learning or science. In addition to ordinarygraduation, degrees may be conferred without examination onuniversity professors; similar and equal degrees on graduatesof other universities who are recognised teachers of theUniversity ; and honorary degrees, except in medicine, onpersons esteemed worthy of that distinction by the Senate.

ARMY MEDICAL SCHOOL, NETLEY.TERMINATION OF THE SIXTY - SEVENTH SESSION.

ON Wednesday, Jan. 31st, the winter session of the ArmyMedical School, Netley, was brought to a close. The resultsof the recent examinations held in the school were read byBrigade-Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel J. Lane Notter, Professorof Hygiene and Secretary to the Senate, in the presence of adistinguished company, including Sir Alfred Lyall, K. C. B., andLady Lyall, Sir Joseph Fayrer, K. C. S. I., Sir Thomas Longmore,C.B., Dr. W. H. Allchin, Surgeon-Major-General Broke-Smith, the Principal Medical Officer, Netley, and the staff ofthe Royal Victoria Hospital. Sir Alfred Lyall presentedthe prizes to the successful officers. The following are listsof the surgeons on probation for the Army Medical Staff andIndian Medical Service in their respective orders of meritwho were successful at both the London and Netley examina-tions :-

ARMY MEDICAL STAFF.

The prizes are awarded for marks gained in the specialsubjects taught at the Army Medical School. The final

positions of these gentlemen are determined by the marksgained in London added to those gained at Netley, and the

[combined numbers are accordingly shown in the list which IfAll,."u"

INDIAN MEDICAL SERVICE.

The final positions of these gentlemen are determined inthe same manner.

* Gained the Herbert Prize of 20, with the Martin Memorial GoldMedal, the Parkes Memorial Bronze Medal, the Montefiore secondprize, and a prize in Pathology presented by Professor A. E. Wright,M.D.

t Gained the Montefiore Medal and Prize of 20 guineas, and theprize in Clinical Medicine presented by Surgeon-General W. C.Maclean, C.B.

t Gained the De Chaumont Prize in Hygiene.&sect; Gained a prize in Pathology presented by Professor A. E. Wright,

being of equal merit in this subject with Mr. Lamb.After congratulating the prize-winners on having scored

their first public success, Sir Alfred Lyall in a felicitousspeech reminded the young officers that the prizes of theworld were before those who had not taken premiums as wellas before those who had lately proved themselves so success-ful. Success put good spirits into a man and sent him outinto the world with good hopes and with a well-meriteddegree of confidence in himself. He said he felt sure it wasnot necessary to warn the prize-winners not to take away too

much of this confidence. Though it was an excellent thing e

to have won prizes, prizes were not everything in life, and anexamination did not test those very high qualities whichcame in with such effect later-qualities which formed themainspring of professional success-judgment, activity, andaccuracy in thought and action. The whole history of pro-fessional careers showed that those who had not won prizeswere often later on in life very formidable rivals of those whohad. He observed that although the word "luck" was anelement in the success of many, yet the word formed by theprefix of a "p" would have a far greater influence on thecareers of those listening to him, and he reminded his hearersthat no less than three officers of the services had of latebeen awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery in Burmah.In addressing the Indian officers he spoke of the immensefield open to them, not only in the medical department of thearmy in India, but also in the civil departments in thegaols and sanitary service. In speaking of the width offield he mentioned the names of distinguished officers ofthe Indian Medical Service who had been led away frommedical work to become administrators and ambassadors.He advised all the officers of both services, when in India, tocultivate the friendship of the natives, to get to know andunderstand them, for they were worth knowing; and to studytheir languages, their religions, and their prejudices. Inwishing the young officers prosperous careers he spoke tothem of the preservation of their health, and reminded themthat good health meant steady nerves, and steady nervespower at critical times-power to cope with difficulties andto pass through times of strain in such a way that in futureyears such moments could be remembered with pleasure andsatisfaction. He hoped that the young officers would ever dotheir duty in the spirit of men who remembered that theyhad in trust the reputation of England and the character.and traditions of high and noble services.

Sir Joseph Fayrer spoke of the pleasure which he alwaysfelt in the opportunities accorded him of addressing a

few words to the young officers before they left the NetleySchool. He said he did not consider that they need muchfear the Indian climate, for although epidemic diseases were.common and severe in India the influenza, pneumonia, andbronchitis of this country were almost as much to be dreaded.He spoke of the enormous field of research open to the youngofficers of both services ; he reminded them that medicalscience was still in its infancy and that they should go toIndia and other parts of the world with unbiased minds readyto observe, record, and discover. They left the Netley School.splendidly equipped and in every way fit to go to India andother foreign stations and build up the science of the future.He also spoke to them of the preservation of their own healthin tropical climates. He wished them good health and goodfortune, and hoped that they might one and all some dayrevisit Netley.Surgeon-Major-General Broke-Smith addressed a few words

to the company, thanking Sir Alfred Lyall for his kindness incoming to Netley to distribute the prizes and for the admir-able address which he had delivered. The ceremony was

brought to a conclusion by a few words from Brigade-Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel Notter, in which he wished theyoung officers God-speed. The company was afterwardsentertained at luncheon at the Army Medical Staff mess.

THE HERMITE PROCESS AT WORTHING.(FROM OUR SPECIAL COMMISSIONER.)

FROM interviews courteously:and cordially granted to meto-day by the mayor, the surveyor, and the town clerk of thistown I have ascertained that the Hermite system of sewagetreatment, an account of the technical working of which asrecently conducted at Havre was described by your special cor-respondent in the last issue of THE LANCET, is still in the pre.paratory stage at Worthing, but it is hoped that very shortly-in a week or so, perhaps-the experimental plant and machinerywhich have been erected at the rear of a row of smallhouses in a street situated in the western part of the town(West-street) will be quite ready for demonstration by theinventor, M. Hermite himself. Commendably anxious tofree the unfortunate town in the coming summer from allreproach in regard to its sanitary condition, the town council