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THE SERVICES

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1537 THE SERVICES. Greenwich. There were 308 cases of diphtheria under treatment in the Metropolitan Asylum Hospitals at the end of Novem- ber, against 291, 296, and 306 at the end of the preceding three months ; the weekly admissions averaged 70, against 68, 65, and 64 in the preceding three months. EnLeric fever showed considerably increased prevalence during last month ; among the various hanitary districts this disease was proportionally most prevalent in St. James West- minster, Hackney, Holborn, St. George-in-the-East, and Poplar. The Metropolitan Asylum Hospitals contained 116 enteric fever patients at the end of November, against 95, 104, and 112 at the end of the preceding three months ; the weekly admissions averaged 19, against 16, 17, and 17 in the preceding three months. Erysipelas showed the highest proportional prevalence in St. Luke, City of London, Bethnal Green, Mile End Old Town, and Poplar sanitary districts. Six cases of puerperal fever were notified during November in Islington, 4 in Paddington, 3 in Hammer- smith, and 3 in Lambeth sanitary districts. The mortality statistics in the accompanying table relate to the deaths of persons actually belonging to the various metropolitan sanitary districts, the deaths occurring in the institutions of London having been distributed among the various sanitary districts in which the patients had previously resided. The distribution of these deaths, especially of those resulting from zymotic diseases, affords the most trust- worthy data upon which to calculate reliable rates of mortality. During the five weeks ending Saturday, Dec. 2nd, the deaths of 9762 persons belonging to London were regis- tered, equal to an annual rate of 23-6 per 1000, against 21-8, 20-2, and 17-8 in the preceding three months. The lowest death-rates during November in the various sanitary districts were 13 ’0 in Hampstead, 16 6 in Wandsworth, 17 ’3 in St. George Hanover-square, 17 5 in Plumstead, 17-6 in Lewis- ham (excluding Penge), and 18 ’1 in Chelsea ; the highest rates were 30’2 in St. George-in-the-East, in Limehouse, and in Rotherhithe, 30 4 in Shored itch, z8 in St. Olave Southwark, 33-2 in Holborn, 33-6 in St. George Southwark, and 40 8 in Strand. During the five weeks of November 1221 deaths were referred to the principal zymotic diseases in London ; of these, 435 resulted from diphtheria, 203 from scarlet fever, 202 from whooping-cough. 193 from measles, 104 from different forms of "fever" (including 101 from enteric fever and 3 from ill-defined forms of fever), 77 from diarrhoea, and 7 from small-pox. These 1221 deaths were equal to an annual rate of 3 0 per 1000, against 3’6 and 2-7 in the preceding two months. Among the various sanitary districts the lowest zymotic death-rates were recorded in St. George Hanover-square, Westminster, Hampstead, City of London, St. Saviour Southwark, and Lewisham ; and the highest rates in Holborn, Shoreditch, Limehouse, St. George Southwark, Newington, and Battersea. Seven fatal cases of small-pox were regis- tered in London during the month under notice, being 11 below the corrected average number in the corresponding periods of the preceding ten years ; of these 7 deaths, 3 belonged to Poplar, and 1 each to Kensington, Chelsea, Lime- house, and Mile End Old Town sanitary districts. The 193 deaths referred to measles were 63 below the average number; among the various sanitary districts this disease showed the highest proportional fatality in St. Pancras. Holborn, Shore- ditch, Limehouse, and Battersea. The 203 fatal cases of scarlet fever exceeded by 48 the corrected average number; this disease was proportionally most fatal in Strand. Clerken- well, Limehouse, St. George Southwark, and Greenwich sanitary districts. The 435 deaths referred to diphtheria were nearly three times the corrected average and exceeded the number in any month on record ; among the various sanitary districts this disease showed the highest propor- tional fatality in Hackney, St. Luke, Bethnal Green, New- ington, Bermondsey, Battersea, Camberwell, and Greenwich. The 202 fatal cases of whooping-cough were 44 above the corrected average ; this disease was proportionally most fatal in Holborn, Shoreditch, St. George-in-the-East, St. George Southwark, and Newington sanitary districts. The 104 deaths referred to different forms of "fever" almost corresponded with the corrected average ; among the various sanitary districts the highest "fever" death-rates were recorded in Hackney, Holborn, Bethnal Green, and Greenwich. The 78 fatal cases of diarrhoea were 18 below the average. In conclusion, it may be stated that the mortality in London during November from these principal zymotic diseases exceeded the average by nearly 32 per cent. Infant mortality in London during the month under notice, measured by the proportion of deaths under one year of age- to births registered, was equal to 182 per 1000, and con- siderably exceeded the average; the lowest rates of infant mortality were recorded in Paddington, Kensington, Chelsea, Hampstead, St. Luke, and City of London ; the highest rates in St. James Westminster, Strand, Holborn, Shoreditch, St. Saviour Southwark, Bermondsey, and Rotherhithe sanitary districts. THE SERVICES. MOVEMENTS IN THE MEDICAL STAFF. THE following officers embarked on the 9th’ inst. for- a tour of service in India : Surgeon-Major Cree, Surgeon- Captains Skinner and Weir, and Surgeon- Lieutenant Mitchell. Surgeon-Major Maclean also embarked in the Sercpis on return from sick leave. Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel Barry has assumed Medical Charge of the Curragh. Surgeon- Captain Morgan has been posted to the Thames District. Surgeon-Captain Mangan has been trans ferred fromAldershot to London for temporary duty ; Surgeon-Lieutenant Buswell to Newbridge ; and Surgeon-Lieutenant Samman to Dublin. Surgeon-Captain Luther has embarked for the Mauritius oc" return from sick leave, and Surgeon-Major Dempsey has- resumed his duties at Aldershot. Surgeon-Lieutenant- Colcnel Collier, retired pay, has resigned his appointment at Berwick-on-Tweed. INDIA AND THE INDIAN MEDICAL SERVICES. The following appointments are announced :-12th Regi- ment (2nd Burmah Battalion), Madras Infantry : Surgeon- Captain Vickers, M.B., M.C., I. M.S., to the Medical Charge of the Regiment. 15th Regiment, Madras Infantry: Surgeon- - Major J. J. Moran, M.D., LM.S., to the Medical Charge of the Regiment. 17th Regiment, Madras Infantry : Sargeon- Captain G. G. Giffard, I.M.S , to the Officiatmg Medical Charge of the Regiment. 20th Regiment, Madras Infantry:. o. Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel T. C. H. Spencer, 1. M.S., to the- Officiating Medical Charge of the Regiment. 27th Regiment,. Madras Infantry : Surgeon-Captain 1. P. Doyle, D.S.O., 1. M. S., to the Medical Charge of the Regiment. 31st Regiment (6th Burmah Battalion), Madras Light Infantry: Surgeon- Major A. G. E. Newland, I.M.S., to the Medical Charge of- the Regiment. Surgeon-Major J. Moorhead, M.D., I.M.S., (Bengal) Civil Surgeon, Bhagalpur, is appointed Joint Medical Officer of Simla in succession to Surgeon-Major J. Lewtas, M. D., whose services are placed temporarily at the- disposal of the Government of Bengal. Surgeon-Captain J. T. Calvert, Civil Surgeon of Chittagong, is appointed to- act as Civil Surgeon of Mymensingh, or until further orders. Mr. Peary Mohan Gupta, Officiating Civil Medical Officer of Mymensingh, is appointed to act as Civil Medical Officer of Noakhali. Mr. R. S. Ashe, Civil, Medial Officer of Jalpaiguri, is appointed to be Civil Medical Officer of Serampore in the District of Hooghly. Mr. J. L. Hendley, Civil Medical Officer of Serampore, is appointed to be Civil Medical Officer of Jalpaiguri. Mr. C- Banks is appointed to be Civil Medical Officer of Noakhali, but will continue to act as Civil Medical Officer of Puri until further orders. Mr. P. A. Rigby, Civil Medical Officer of Rangpur, is appointed to be Civil Medical Officer of Faridpur. Surgeon-Major J. C. Marsden is appointad to be Civil Surgeon, Coconada, in succession to Surgeon-Major J. Maitland, M.D. Surgeon-Captain G. C. Hall is appointed to be additional Medical Officer, General Hospital, Madras, and to act as. Secretary to the Surgeon-General with the Government of Madras during the employment of Surgeon-Major C. M. Thompson, M.B., on other duty. Surgeon-Major A. J. O’Harais appointed to act as District Surgeon, South. Canara, and Superintendent of Gaol, Bangolore, during the employment of Surgeon-Major W. A. Lee on other duty. Surgeon-Captain D. Simpson, M.I>., is appointed to- act as additional Medical Officer, General Hospital, Madras, during the employment of Surgeon-Captain G. Hall on other duty. lst Battalion, 1st Gurkha Rifles : Surgeon-Major A. Duncan, from the Medical Charge of the Corps of Guides. to the Officiating Medical Charge of the Battalion, vice Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel A. B. Seaman. NAVAL MEDICAL SERVICES. The following appointments are announced : Fleet-Surgeon Matthew F. Ryan, to the TTiZad (additional). Surgeons : W. G. Oxford, to the Penelope, for Ascension Island ; E. T.
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Page 1: THE SERVICES

1537THE SERVICES.

Greenwich. There were 308 cases of diphtheria under treatmentin the Metropolitan Asylum Hospitals at the end of Novem-ber, against 291, 296, and 306 at the end of the precedingthree months ; the weekly admissions averaged 70, against68, 65, and 64 in the preceding three months. EnLericfever showed considerably increased prevalence during lastmonth ; among the various hanitary districts this diseasewas proportionally most prevalent in St. James West-minster, Hackney, Holborn, St. George-in-the-East, and

Poplar. The Metropolitan Asylum Hospitals contained 116enteric fever patients at the end of November, against95, 104, and 112 at the end of the preceding three

months ; the weekly admissions averaged 19, against 16, 17,and 17 in the preceding three months. Erysipelas showedthe highest proportional prevalence in St. Luke, City ofLondon, Bethnal Green, Mile End Old Town, and Poplarsanitary districts. Six cases of puerperal fever were notifiedduring November in Islington, 4 in Paddington, 3 in Hammer-smith, and 3 in Lambeth sanitary districts.The mortality statistics in the accompanying table relate

to the deaths of persons actually belonging to the variousmetropolitan sanitary districts, the deaths occurring in theinstitutions of London having been distributed among thevarious sanitary districts in which the patients had previouslyresided. The distribution of these deaths, especially ofthose resulting from zymotic diseases, affords the most trust-worthy data upon which to calculate reliable rates ofmortality. During the five weeks ending Saturday, Dec. 2nd,the deaths of 9762 persons belonging to London were regis-tered, equal to an annual rate of 23-6 per 1000, against21-8, 20-2, and 17-8 in the preceding three months. Thelowest death-rates during November in the various sanitarydistricts were 13 ’0 in Hampstead, 16 6 in Wandsworth, 17 ’3 inSt. George Hanover-square, 17 5 in Plumstead, 17-6 in Lewis-ham (excluding Penge), and 18 ’1 in Chelsea ; the highest rateswere 30’2 in St. George-in-the-East, in Limehouse, and inRotherhithe, 30 4 in Shored itch, z8 in St. Olave Southwark,33-2 in Holborn, 33-6 in St. George Southwark, and 40 8in Strand. During the five weeks of November 1221deaths were referred to the principal zymotic diseasesin London ; of these, 435 resulted from diphtheria, 203from scarlet fever, 202 from whooping-cough. 193from measles, 104 from different forms of "fever"

(including 101 from enteric fever and 3 from ill-definedforms of fever), 77 from diarrhoea, and 7 from small-pox.These 1221 deaths were equal to an annual rate of 3 0per 1000, against 3’6 and 2-7 in the preceding two months.Among the various sanitary districts the lowest zymoticdeath-rates were recorded in St. George Hanover-square,Westminster, Hampstead, City of London, St. SaviourSouthwark, and Lewisham ; and the highest rates in Holborn,Shoreditch, Limehouse, St. George Southwark, Newington,and Battersea. Seven fatal cases of small-pox were regis-tered in London during the month under notice, being 11below the corrected average number in the correspondingperiods of the preceding ten years ; of these 7 deaths, 3

belonged to Poplar, and 1 each to Kensington, Chelsea, Lime-house, and Mile End Old Town sanitary districts. The 193deaths referred to measles were 63 below the average number;among the various sanitary districts this disease showed thehighest proportional fatality in St. Pancras. Holborn, Shore-ditch, Limehouse, and Battersea. The 203 fatal cases ofscarlet fever exceeded by 48 the corrected average number;this disease was proportionally most fatal in Strand. Clerken-well, Limehouse, St. George Southwark, and Greenwichsanitary districts. The 435 deaths referred to diphtheriawere nearly three times the corrected average and exceededthe number in any month on record ; among the varioussanitary districts this disease showed the highest propor-tional fatality in Hackney, St. Luke, Bethnal Green, New-ington, Bermondsey, Battersea, Camberwell, and Greenwich.The 202 fatal cases of whooping-cough were 44 above thecorrected average ; this disease was proportionally mostfatal in Holborn, Shoreditch, St. George-in-the-East, St.George Southwark, and Newington sanitary districts. The104 deaths referred to different forms of "fever" almostcorresponded with the corrected average ; among the varioussanitary districts the highest "fever" death-rates were

recorded in Hackney, Holborn, Bethnal Green, and Greenwich.The 78 fatal cases of diarrhoea were 18 below the average.In conclusion, it may be stated that the mortality in Londonduring November from these principal zymotic diseasesexceeded the average by nearly 32 per cent.

Infant mortality in London during the month under notice,

measured by the proportion of deaths under one year of age-to births registered, was equal to 182 per 1000, and con-siderably exceeded the average; the lowest rates of infant

mortality were recorded in Paddington, Kensington, Chelsea,Hampstead, St. Luke, and City of London ; the highestrates in St. James Westminster, Strand, Holborn, Shoreditch,St. Saviour Southwark, Bermondsey, and Rotherhithe sanitarydistricts.

THE SERVICES.

MOVEMENTS IN THE MEDICAL STAFF.THE following officers embarked on the 9th’ inst. for-

a tour of service in India : Surgeon-Major Cree, Surgeon-Captains Skinner and Weir, and Surgeon- Lieutenant Mitchell.Surgeon-Major Maclean also embarked in the Sercpis onreturn from sick leave. Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel Barryhas assumed Medical Charge of the Curragh. Surgeon-Captain Morgan has been posted to the Thames District.Surgeon-Captain Mangan has been trans ferred fromAldershotto London for temporary duty ; Surgeon-Lieutenant Buswellto Newbridge ; and Surgeon-Lieutenant Samman to Dublin.Surgeon-Captain Luther has embarked for the Mauritius oc"return from sick leave, and Surgeon-Major Dempsey has-resumed his duties at Aldershot. Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colcnel Collier, retired pay, has resigned his appointment atBerwick-on-Tweed.

INDIA AND THE INDIAN MEDICAL SERVICES.The following appointments are announced :-12th Regi-

ment (2nd Burmah Battalion), Madras Infantry : Surgeon-Captain Vickers, M.B., M.C., I. M.S., to the Medical Chargeof the Regiment. 15th Regiment, Madras Infantry: Surgeon-- Major J. J. Moran, M.D., LM.S., to the Medical Charge ofthe Regiment. 17th Regiment, Madras Infantry : Sargeon-Captain G. G. Giffard, I.M.S , to the Officiatmg MedicalCharge of the Regiment. 20th Regiment, Madras Infantry:. o.

Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel T. C. H. Spencer, 1. M.S., to the-Officiating Medical Charge of the Regiment. 27th Regiment,.Madras Infantry : Surgeon-Captain 1. P. Doyle, D.S.O.,1. M. S., to the Medical Charge of the Regiment. 31st Regiment(6th Burmah Battalion), Madras Light Infantry: Surgeon-Major A. G. E. Newland, I.M.S., to the Medical Charge of-the Regiment. Surgeon-Major J. Moorhead, M.D., I.M.S.,(Bengal) Civil Surgeon, Bhagalpur, is appointed JointMedical Officer of Simla in succession to Surgeon-Major J.Lewtas, M. D., whose services are placed temporarily at the-disposal of the Government of Bengal. Surgeon-CaptainJ. T. Calvert, Civil Surgeon of Chittagong, is appointed to-act as Civil Surgeon of Mymensingh, or until furtherorders. Mr. Peary Mohan Gupta, Officiating Civil MedicalOfficer of Mymensingh, is appointed to act as CivilMedical Officer of Noakhali. Mr. R. S. Ashe, Civil,Medial Officer of Jalpaiguri, is appointed to be CivilMedical Officer of Serampore in the District of Hooghly.Mr. J. L. Hendley, Civil Medical Officer of Serampore, isappointed to be Civil Medical Officer of Jalpaiguri. Mr. C-Banks is appointed to be Civil Medical Officer of Noakhali,but will continue to act as Civil Medical Officer of Puri untilfurther orders. Mr. P. A. Rigby, Civil Medical Officer ofRangpur, is appointed to be Civil Medical Officer of Faridpur.Surgeon-Major J. C. Marsden is appointad to be Civil Surgeon,Coconada, in succession to Surgeon-Major J. Maitland, M.D.Surgeon-Captain G. C. Hall is appointed to be additionalMedical Officer, General Hospital, Madras, and to act as.

Secretary to the Surgeon-General with the Government ofMadras during the employment of Surgeon-Major C. M.Thompson, M.B., on other duty. Surgeon-Major A. J.O’Harais appointed to act as District Surgeon, South.Canara, and Superintendent of Gaol, Bangolore, duringthe employment of Surgeon-Major W. A. Lee on other

duty. Surgeon-Captain D. Simpson, M.I>., is appointed to-act as additional Medical Officer, General Hospital, Madras,during the employment of Surgeon-Captain G. Hall on otherduty. lst Battalion, 1st Gurkha Rifles : Surgeon-Major A.Duncan, from the Medical Charge of the Corps of Guides.to the Officiating Medical Charge of the Battalion, viceSurgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel A. B. Seaman.

NAVAL MEDICAL SERVICES.The following appointments are announced : Fleet-Surgeon

Matthew F. Ryan, to the TTiZad (additional). Surgeons :W. G. Oxford, to the Penelope, for Ascension Island ; E. T.

Page 2: THE SERVICES

1538 "PLASTIC BRONCHITIS."

31eagher, to the De,aace; E. F. Mortimer, to the Cambridge;Henry B. Hall, to the Oaledonia; Arthur H. Howell, tolithe Plassy; Horace B Marriott, to the Victory (additional) ;.-and Hugh St. D. Griffiths, to the Vit’Ìd Inspector-GeneralDuncan Hilston, M D., to Haslar Hospital.

VOLUNTEER CORPS.4th Volunteer Battalion, the King’s (Liverpool Regiment):

’Surgeon-Captain G. G. Hodgson resigns his commission. -1st Volunteer Battalion, the Prince of Wales’s Own (WestYorkshire Regiment) : Surgeon-Major W. H. Jalland resignshis commission ; he is also permitted to retain his rank and to,continue to wear the uniform of the Battalion on his retire-ment.-1st Roxburgh and Selkirk (the Border) : Surgeon-Major G. H. Turnbull, M.D., to be Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel ; William Doig, M.D, to be S urgeon- Lieutenant. -1st Volunteer Battalion, the Gordon Highlanders : Surgeon-Major P. B. Smith, M.D., to be Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel.—’i?th Middlesex (London Scottish): The undermentioned Sur-geon-Captains resign their commissions : L. Ogilvie, M.B.,and G. Ogilvie, M B.

THE VOLUNTEER OFFICERS’ DECORATION.This decoration has been conferred upon the under-

mentioned medical officers: Weatern District A’l’tillery: :2nd Glamorganshire: Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel CharlesTanfield Vachell, M.D.-Rifle : 4th Volunteer Battalion,the Devonshire Regiment : Surgeon John Gould, retired.-s5’oicth-Eccstern -District : Artillery: 2nd Cinque Ports (EasternDivision, Royal Artillery) : Surgeon and Honorary Surgeon-Major (ranking as Major) A. R Ticehurst, retired.-ScottishIJist’l’ict: Rifle: lst (Inverness-shire) Highland VolunteerBattalion, the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders : Surgeonand Surgeon-Major (ranking as Lieutenant-Colonel) Kenneth’Corbett, retired.

THE MATABELELAND EXPEDITION.

According to late intelligence there was every reason to

’hope and believe that, as far as any more fighting is concerned,this expedition may be said to be over. The natives were

giving up their arms and returning to their usual occupations,and the operations now resolve themselves, it was reported,into adopting such precautionary measures as will ensure themaintenance of peace. The latest news from the Cape, how-ever, would indicate that this favourable estimate of the-situation is premature. It seems uncertain whether Lobengulahas been captured as previously reported. A small advancedforce under Captain Wilson, sent in pursuit of the King, issaid to have been compelled to retire. The Matabele woundedare stated to be progressing favourably. The Chartered Com-

pany have utilised some of their waggons for the transport ofwounded to Buluwayo for treatment. All the men of theforce are under canvas or in huts, and, spite of the rain,’there is no sickness.

THE PASTEUR INSTITUTE FOR INDIA.The scheme for the establishment of this institute seems to

be progressing very favourably. Additions to the funds inthe way of donations, monetary grants, and subscriptionsfrom municipalities, natives, and Europeans, are coming in,and the Government of India have promised the services of aqualified medical officer to superintend the institution.

AT a recent meeting of the SheffieldBoard of Guardians the medical officers of the union

presented the following petition : "We, the undersigned’medical officers of the Sheffield union, beg to bring before’’the consideration of the guardians the totally iradequate1xemuneration for their great an,d constantly increasingamount of work, and tru3t that the guardians will be able’ to see their way to revise the list of salaries and make them,more in proportion to the amount of work performed." The’letter was referred to a committee.

LEAD INDUSTRIES.-The departmental com-

mittee appointed by Mr. Asquith to inquire into the white-lead and allied industries have issued their report. Thecommittee had been requested by the Home Secretary tomake their inquiries in three different directions : (1) intothe conditions under which the various leads of commerceare prepared ; (2) into the rules with regard to the manu-facture of white lead ; and (3) into the possibility of

devising ampler precautions for the protection of the lives ofthe lead-workers. Their report is a most interesting, com-prehensive, and medically important document, and willreceive full notice in our columns shortly. ,

Correspondence.

THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS,IRELAND, AND APOTHECARIES’

HALL, DUBLIN, CONJOINTEXAMINATION.

" Audi alteram partem."

To the Editors of THE LANCET.

SIRs,-As your reporter does not appear to have caughtmy reply to Sir William Turner’s observation made in thecourse of the debate on the above subject at the meeting ofthe General Medical Council on Saturday, the 2nd inst.,"that my motion was unnecessary because the whole questionwas before the Education Committee," permit me to say nowthat I pointed out to him that he was under a misapprehen-sion ; the report of the inspector and visitor on the finalexamination of those bodies alone was before the Committee,while my motion referred altogether to their previousexaminations, and, moreover, that no inspector could detectthe irregularities I referred to, for he could only report onthe subjects examined; of the system by which certainsubjects were evaded he could have no knowledge. May Ialso point out that, while I willingly a.greed to Sir PhilipSmyly’s suggestion to postpone the subject till the Maymeeting, I cannot admit that the course adopted was in anyway irregular or improper; my original notice was to referto the consideration of the two Committees both thedefective curriculum and the alleged insufficient examina-tion for their report. The report of the Education Com-mittee subsequently presented to the Council rendered thefirst part of my notice unnecessary, but the second part Ifelt bound to proceed with, and I was equally bound to givemy reason for so doing. Had I not withdrawn my motion atSir Philip Smyly’s request, the Committee would have, ofcourse, communicated with the Royal College of Surgeons andApothecaries’ Hall before reporting and heard their explana-tions, so that the result will in the end be exactly the same.

I am, Sirs, yours obediently,LOMBE ATTHILL, M.D.

"PLASTIC BRONCHITIS."To the Editors of THE L A N C E T.

SIRS,-Under the above heading your correspondent "B.,"writing from the West Indies, asks whether any of your readerscan suggest some remedy which would be likely to benefit apatient who for two years has suffered from the affectionnamed, in spite of various treatment. It is possible, as I

hope, that the following remarks may be useful, by way ofsuggestion. Some years ago I exhibited at the PathologicalSociety of London an interesting specimen of plastic fibrinouscasts of larger and smaller bronchi which we have in ourpathological museum at St. George’s Hospital. The patient,who had been under the care of one of our hospital phy-sicians, the late Dr. Seymour, had been ill for a year, and"had brought up, by coughing, every third or fourth day, alarge quantity of plastic lymph, in pipes exactly resemblingmacaroni, and in their entire shape having the appearance ofa mould of the bronchial ramifications." Dr. Seymoursays: The patient had every rational and irrational medi-cine." He entirely recovered, the chief benefit being derived"from the inhalation of the vapour of the ’pix liquida’(three drachms to the pint) for ten minutes three timesa day." After describing, at the Pathological Society, theresults of my microscopical examination of the fibrinouscasts, I drew the attention of the members to theobserva-tions on the use of the vapour of tar to be found in Pereira’sMateria Medica, and remarked that the beneficial use of thevapour was probably due to the stimulating properties of thevolatile pungen material, the pyroligneous and acetic acid &c.,contained. These fibrinous casts or moulds of the bronchialsystem (formerly designated, as by Warren, and others whowrote of them, " bronchial polypi ") are comparatively rare,but several cases may be found described in the Transactionsof the Pathological Society by various pathologists-Peacock,

1 See Catalogue, Series 7, No. 96, and Pathological Society’s Trans-actions, vol. xi., p. 23.


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