2
1391 Dr. Eady, Mr. Brown, Mr. Beale, Dr. Oswald, Mr. Greaves, and Dr. Sharman were elected to form the deputation. A resolution authorising the Council to promote such a scheme of home hospitals and out-patients’ dispensaries as may seem to be most suitable to the needs of general practi- tioners and the public was unanimously adopted. Dr. Eady then delivered his valedictory address, in which he referred to his successful year of office and the help he had received from the Council and officers of the Association. He briefly passed in review the work of the year and called attention to the insurance department, which helped both the insured and the Association. He also referred to the success of the arbitration board. Referring to the friction between medical officers of health and practitioners, he thought a little good sense and kindly forbearance would effectually smooth over any difficulty that might otherwise arise. In conclusion, he paid a tribute to the memory of Dr. Henty, who had gone to his rest full of years and honour, and who had left behind a name that would always linger in the hearts of those who knew him. Dr. Eady then conducted Mr. Jackson to the presidential chair, and the meeting came to a close with the usual compliments to the chairman. THE DINNER. The members present afterwards adjourned to the Queen’s Salon for dinner, where Dr. Eady again took the chair. He was supported by Sir Walter Foster and Dr. J. G. Glover, and many friends and members of the Association, besides those present at the previous gathering, rallied round the retiring President. The loyal toast of "The Queen " having been duly honoured, Dr. Eady proposed the toast of the evening, "The Incorporated Medical Practitioners’ Association." After referring to the satisfactory position of the Association, he passed to the question of the Midwives Bill. He was sorry to say a few members of the profession had separated them- selves from the great majority, and because the latter did not think with them it was assumed that they did not want legislation on this important point. That was an error. They were fully alive to the evils of the present day and were anxious for legislation to remedy the existing state of things. They objected to the Midwives Registration Bill because it would in no way tend to mitigate those evils, but, on the con- trary, would increase them tenfold and foist on the general public a large number of practitioners belonging to an unedu- cated class who would know j just enough to be dangerous, and if licensed would with difficulty be constrained or controlled. There were no penal clauses in the Bill, and no penalty was provided in cases of a complicated character. Still-born children would become more common and other offences against the law would be rife. The Association had not con- fined itself to finding fault with the Bill, but had adopted an alternative scheme. The present Bill started with the assumption that a midwife was a necessity. He maintained that a midwife was not a necessity. What had been done for sick nursing must be done for obstetric nursing. This was not to be done by three months’ training. A better class of women must be taken and given a longer and better training. The scheme referred to did away with a midwife and substituted for her the obstetric nurse. Two years’ general training as a sick nurse and one year’s special training were proposed. The President-elect, Mr. George Jackson, spoke of the harm that the medical aid associations had done in Plymouth. Dr. Bedford Fenwick proposed "The Visitors," couplmg with the toast the names of Sir Walter Foster and Dr. James Grey Glover. Sir Walter Foster, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Local Government Board, in responding, said he had made a special effort to be present at this dinner in order that he might show the interest which he took in the work of the Incorporated Medical Practitioners’ Association, and to apologise for his absence on previous occasions. No man had a greater interest than he had in the thorough training of women to look after their sisters in the peril of labour, and he was sure that all would desire to place them in a better position ; but he looked upon the present Bill as a severe blow not only to the public, but to the profession. The Midwives Registration Bill, he thought, was a contravention of the Medical Acts of 1886. He had laid it down in a Minute, which he hoped the Local Government Board would be guided by, that no woman was to be recognised by the Local Government Board as capable of attending midwifery cases unless she was fully qualified in medicine, surgery, and midwifery. If she had not those three qualifications she must attend cases only under the direct superintendence of a medical officer. He (Sir Walter Foster) stated that he had given notice to the General Medical Council that at their meeting in the ensuing week he would move the following resolution : "That this Council, while desiring to improve the education, training, and control of women who act as midwifery nurses, is unable to give any support to the Midwives Registration Bill, inas- much as that Bill would give women a legal status to under- take the sole charge of cases of midwifery, for which no persons are qualified unless qualified in medicine, surgery, and midwifery." Speaking of the competition among medical men, he said all attempts to raise salaries of medical officers were rendered futile. Cases were sent up to him where he considered the fees inadequate, but if he told the local bodies so they replied that they could have half a dozen medical men at the same price. As long as this insane com- petition went on no Minister, however strong his desire might be to benefit them, could do any good. Dr. Glover congratulated the Incorporated Medical Practi- tioners’ Association upon the satisfactory state of its affairs. He wished to touch for a few moments on the question of the Midwives Bill, but he could not help feeling that there were other matters of importance besides this Bill, and he did not wish them to lose sight of other things which were eating into the dignity and character of the profession. There were members of the profession pursuing methods of practice on a huge scale which would very seriously alter its whole character. With regard to the Midwives Bill he recognised with pleasure the amount of unanimity among them. He was deeply sensible of the evils caused by untrained midwives, and some remedy must be found. He recognised the respect that had been paid to the General Medical Council, and he believed that that body would not wantonly disregard the interests of the profession. It was suggested that the women should have three years’ training like the highly trained nurse. But such highly trained nurses were the luxury of the rich. The only way to supply them to the classes who now employ midwives would be to make mid- wifery free, like education, and throw it on the rates. This would be a serious course, and one of very questionable advantage to the profession. If the provision of a humble class of midwives acting in strict subordination to medical men is a blow to the profession, the provision of a class of highly trained nurses would be "a staggering blow." Other toasts followed, and the meeting was brought to a close. THE ROYAL MILITARY TOURNAMENT. , THE Royal Military Tournament no ov being held at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, promises to prove in every way as successful as its predecessors and in many respects to surpass them. From a spectacular point of view it is a decided success, and we sincerely hope that when the Tournament closes on June 6th we may say as much from a financial point of view. To Colonel Onslow and to Colonel Tully and his committee the highest praise is due, not only on account of the efforts they have put forth to please the public, but also for the way in which they have endeavoured to minister to the health and comfort of the troops. The main object of the Royal Military Tournament is to provide money for military charities; but apart from this the amount of good that must be done to the soldier throughout the British army, both moral and physical, is almost incalculable. Only the men who have proved their ability at local tournaments are allowed to compete at the Royal Military Tournament, and thus a spirit of emula- tion is fostered among the troops for the honour ; and this increased interest in feats of strength, skill, and pre- cision must necessarily improve the moral tone, for intem- perance of living and high physical skill are incompatible. No colonial troops have entered for competition this year, but almost all branches of the services are represented, ard a small contingent of the Egyptian army, or fellaheen soldiery, under the command of Sergeant-Major De Vere, a past instructor in the gymnasium at Aldershot, who go through some gymnastic exercises, show what excellent soldiers they make when properly trained.
