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coroner. All the causes of death were duly certified in

Cardiff, Salford, Oldham, Sunderland, and in nine othersmaller towns; the largest proportions of uncertified deathswere registered in West Ham, Liverpool, Burnley, andBradford.

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HEALTH OF SCOTCH TOWNS.

The annual rate of mortality in the eight Scotch towns,which had been 18’2 and 20-5 per 1000 in the two precedingweeks, declined again to 19’0 during the week endingAugust 14th, and was 10’5 per 1000 below the mean rateduring the same period in the thirty-three large Englishtowns. The rates in the eight Scotch towns ranged from10’2 in Aberdeen and 14’4 in Edinburgh to 23’7 in Greenockand 25’6 in Perth. The 565 deaths in these towns included113 which were referred to diarrhoea, 18 to whooping-cough,12 to scarlet fever. 7 to measles, 4 to "fever," and 2 to

diphtheria ; in all, 156 deaths resulted from these principalzymotic diseases, against 89 and 137 in the two precedingweeks. These 156 deaths were equal to an annual rate of5’2 per 1000, which was 60 below the mean rate for the weekfrom the same diseases in the thirty-three large Englishtowns. The fatal cases of diarrhoea, which had been 35, 51, Iand 87 in the three preceding weeks, further rose to 113during the week, of which 79 occurred in Glasgow, 12 in

Greenock, and 6 in Dundee. The 18 deaths referred to

whooping-cough showed a decline of 4 from the numberrecorded in the preceding week, and included 9 in Glasgowand 6 in Edinburgh. The fatal cases of scarlet fever, whichhad been 5 and 8 in the two preceding weeks, furtherrose to 12 during the week; 9 occurred in Edinburghand 2 in Dundee. The 7 deaths from measles showeda marked decline from the number in the precedingweek and included 4 in Leith. Of the 4 deaths referred todifferent forms of "fever" 2 were recorded in Glasgow.The deaths from disease s of the respiratory organs in thesetowns, which had been 66 and 71 in the two precedingweeks, declined to 58 during the week, and were 13 belowthe number in the correspondng week of last year. Thecauses of 38, or nearly 7 per cent., of the deaths in theseeight towns during the week were not certified.Tae annual rate of mortality in the eight Scotch towns,

which had been 20 5 and 19’0 per 1000 in the two precedingweeks, rose again to 21-6 during the week ending Aug. 21st,.but was 7’1 per 1000 below the mean rate during thesame period in the thirty-three large English towns. Therates in the eight Scotch towns ranged from 13’6 inPerth and 16-9 in Aberdeen to 24-2 in Dundee and 31-3in Greenock. The 643 deaths in these towns included 147from diarrhcea, 21 from whooping-cough, 6 from measles.5 from scarlet fever, 4 from diphtheria, and 4 from "fever."In all, 187 deaths resulted from these principal zymoticdiseases, against 137 and 156 in the two preceding weeks.These 187 deaths were equal to an annual rate of 6’3 per 1000,which was 4’7 below the mean rate last week from thesame diseases in the thirty-three large English towns. Thefatal cases of diarrhoea, which had been 51, 87, and 113 inthe three preceding weeks, further rose to 147 last week, ofwhich 89 occurred in Glasgow, 21 in Greenock, 8 in Edin-.burgh, and 8 in Dundee. The 21 deaths referred to

whooping-cough exceeded by 3 the number in the pre-ceding week, and included 16 in Glasgow, 2 in Edinburgh,and 2 in Dundee. The 6 fatal cases of measles showeda slight further decline from those registered in recentweeks, and included 3 in Leith. The deaths from scarletfever, which had increased from 5 to 12 in the three pre-ceding weeks, declined again to 5 last week, oE which 4occurred in Glasgow. The 4 fatal cases of I I fever" corre-sponded with the number recorded in the preceding week,and included 3 in Glasgow. The deaths referred to diseasesof thp respiratory organa in these towaa, which had been 71and 58 in the two preceding weeks, were 62 last week, andslightly exceeded the number in the corresponding periodof las; year. The causes of 36, or more than 5 per cent., ofthe deaths in these eight towns last week were not cerbified

HEALTH OF DUBLIN.

The death-rate in Dublin, which had declined in the fourpreceding weeks from 24-2 to 22-4 per 1000, rose again to26-5 during the week ending August 14tb. During the firstsix weeks of the current quarter the rate of mortality in thecity has averaged 23’5 pex 1000, the rate during the sameperiod being 21-2 in London and 18 8 in Edinburgh. The

178 deaths in Dublin during the week showed an increase of28 upon the number in the preceding week, and included 51which were referred to the principal zj motic diseases, against14 and 25 in the two preceding weeks ; of these 39 resultedfrom diarrhoea, 5 from whooping-cough, 4 from " fever,"’and 3 from scarlet fever. These 51 deaths were equalto an annual rate of 7 6 per 1000, the zymotic death-rate during the same period being 85 in London and 4 1in Edinburgh. The fatal cases of diarrhoea., which hadincreased from 2 to 18 in the four preceding weeks, roseto 39 during the week. The mortality from whooping-coughand from ’’ fever" considerably exceeded that recorded inany recent week. The deaths refeired to scarlet fever,which had been 1 and 4 in the two preceding weeks, declinedto 3 during the week. The 178 deaths registered in Dublinincluded 42 of infants under one year of age and 32of persons aged upwards of sixty years ; the deaths ofinfants showed a slight increase, while those of elderlypersons were slightly below those recorded in the precedingweek. Twelve inquest cases and 6 deaths from violence-were registered ; and 49, or more than a fourth, of the deathsoccurred in public institutions. The causes of 12, or nearly7 per cent.. of the deaths in the city during the week werenot certified.

I’he death-rate in Dublin, which had been 22 4 and26’5 per 1000 in the two preceding weeks, declined again to>24 3 during the week ending Aug. 21st. During the

past seven weeks of the current quarter the rate of mortalityin the city has averaged 23 6 per 1000, the rate during thesame period being 216 in London and 18 5 in Edin-

burgh. The 163 deaths registered in Dublin during theweek under notice showed a decline of 15 from the numberin the preceding week, and ineluded 39 which were referredto the principal zymotic diseases, against 25 and 51 iaathe two preceding weeks; of these, 31 resulted fromdiarrhoea, 3 from scarlet fever, 2 from whooping-cough,2 from "fever," and 1 from measles. These 39 deathswere equal to an annual rate of 5 8 per 1000. the zymoticdeath-rate during the same period being 7’7 in Londonand 2’7 in Edinburgh The fatal cases of diarrheea, which hadincreased from 2 to 39 in the five preceding weeks, declinedto 31 last week. The deaths referred to scarlet fever,which had been 4 and 3 in the two preceding weeks, wereagain 3 last week. The mortality from whooping-coughand from "fever" showed a decline from that recorded inthe preceding week. The 163 deaths in Dublin last weekincluded 48 of infants under one year of age, and 2&of persons aged upwards of sixty years; the deaths ofinfants showed a further increase, while those of elderlypersons showed a slight further decline from those recordedin recent weeks. Seven inquest cases and 4 deaths fromviolence were registered; and 55, or rather more than &third, of the deaths occurred in public institutions. Thecauses of 10, or more than 6 per rent., of the deaths inthe city last week were not certified.

THE SERVICES.

ARMY MEDICAL STAFF.

SURGEON - LIEUTENANT - COLONEL CALEB K. POWELLretires on retired pay. The under - mentioned Surgeon -Majors to be Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonels : William T.Johnston, Abraham W. Browne, Robert D. Hodson, HughC. Kirkpatrick, John Armstrong, William W. Kenny, Philip.M. Ellis, and James F. Bfodie. The under - mentionedSurgeons on probation to be Surgeon-Lieutenants : Steven-son Lyle Cummins, Joseph McArdle, Charles HensleyHopkins, Lewis Jalius Christopher Hearn, Peter McKessack,John McDonald McCarthy, Ernest Brodribb, John Poe.Henry Lawrence Weekes Norrington, Hamilton GeorgeFrampton Stallard, Robert Dalkeith Jephson, and ArthurWinmett Nunn Bowen.

Surgeon-Captain C. J. W. Tatham will embark for serviceat Mauritius next month. Brigade - Surgeon - Lieutenant QColonel F. Lyons has joined at Colchester for duty.

INDIA AND THE INDIAN MEDICAL SERVICES.

The services of Surgeon-Captain J. Gould (Bengal) are

replaced at the disposal of the Military Department, and als<Ythose of Surgeon - Captain Cleveland (Bombay), Surgeon-Captain Seton (Bengal), Surgeon - Lieutenant Jamw

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(Madras), and Surgeon-Lieutenant Dee (Madras). Surgeon-Lieutenant - Colonel Cook is appointed to be Surgeon,.3rd District, Madras, in succession to Brigade-Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel H. J. Hazlett, retired. Surgeon-Lieu-tenant-Colonel G. L. Walker to be Surgeon, 1st District,’Madras, and Medical Inspector of Emigrants, vice Surgeon-Lieutenant - Colonel Cook. Surgeon - Lieutenant - ColonelW. A. Lee is appointed to be District Medical and Sanitary’Officer, Tanjore, vice Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel G. L.Walker. Surgeon-Major J. C. Marsden is appointed to be-District Medical and Sanitary Officer, South Arcot, vice Sur-geon-Lieutenant-Colonel W. A. Lee. Surgeon-Major A. J.O’llara is appointed to be District Medical and Sanitary’Officer, Godavery, vice Surgeon-Major J. C. Marsden.Surgeon-Major W. F. Thomas, M.D., is appointed to beDistrict Medical and Sanitary Officer, Cuddapah, vice

;Surgeon-Major A. J. O’Hara. The services of the under-mentioned officers are replaced at the disposal of the-Government of India, Home Department :-Surgeon.CaptainW. P. Barter, A.M.S., Surgeon-Lieutenant E. R. Steel,.A.M.S. The services of Surgeon - Lieutenant F. Wall.(Madras) are placed temporarily at the disposal of the<Chief Commissioner of the Central Provinces for employ-ment on famine duty. Transfers :-Surgeon - Captain C.Thomson, Supernumerary Civil Surgeon, from Aligarh to<Fatehgarh. Surgeon-Lieutenant C. B. Harrison, on plague- duty, from Agra to Jhansi. Surgeon-Lieutenant C. H.Bensley, on plague duty, from Cawnpore to Meerut. Sur-geon-Captain A. W. Dawson from plague duty at Hardwarto that at Saharanpur.

NAVAL MEDICAL SERVICE.The following appointments are announced : - Staff

’Surgeons: William E. Horne, M.D., B.Sc., to the MM::?-/’Richard A. Fitch to the Barrosa; Henry B. Beatty to theRoyalist; William Spry to the CMo; Robert Hicksonto the I’hilomel; John Lowney to the lllelampus; and Cyril.J. Mansfield, M.D., to the ITotspur. Surgeons: Charles S.Facey, M.B., to the Pembroke, and Louis E. Dartnell tothe Triton.

Staff Surgeon Henry William Duffield Walsh has beenpromoted to the rank of Fleet Surgeon in Her Majesty’sFleet.

ARMY MEDICAL RESERVE OF OFFICERS.The under-mentioned officers having resigned their Volun-

’teer appointment, cease to belong to the Army Medical’Reserve of Officers :-Surgeon -Lieutenant -Colonel ThomasMichael Dolan and Surgeon-Captain John Cunningham.

VOLUNTEER CORPS.

Artilkry : : 2ad Cheshire (Railway) : James ReginaldAtkinson, gent., to be Surgeon - Lieutenant. Rifle :’Galloway: Surgeon-Captain R. Bell Lorraine resigns hiscommission. 1st Volunteer Battalion the Hampshire Regi-ment : Surgeon-Lieutenant W. A. Griffiths to be Surgeon-Captain. 19th Middlesex (St. Giles’s and St. George’s,Bloomsbury): Surgeon-Captain Alexander MacGregor, M.D,from the Volunteer Medical Corps (Aberdeen Company), tobe Surgeon-Captain.

VOLUNTEER MEDICAL STAFF CORPS.The Aberdeen Company: The resignation of Surgeon-

- Captain A. MacGregor, is cancelled.THE INDIAN NjNVS AND THE MEDICAL SERVICES.

It has often been said that the British are a warlike butnot a military people, and we certainly generally manage tobe engaged in home small war or other. At the present timewe have many expeditions and ward on our hands. On theIndian frontier there is the expedition in the Chitiral-Swatdistrict, that in the Trochi valley, and the tribal outbreakon the Khyber-PE.shawar border, to say nothing of the ’Nile expedition in the Soudan, the fighting in SouthAfrica, and in other parts of the world. The factis that our empire is so extensive and widely spreadthat it is nearly hopeless to expect there will be peacethroughout the whole extent of our territories at any giventime ; it is one of the responsibilities of our position thatwe must always be ready to meet and repel an attacksomewhere or other. By far the most important news at thepresent time comes from India regarding the serious out-oreak of the tribes, snd especially of the large and powerfultribe of Afridis, in the Khyber Pass, and of their attack inforce on the posts in the immediate vicinity of Peshawar.’That the Government of India regard the situation as

serious and the disaffection as likely to spread to otherplaces and tribes on the frontier, and give rise to muchfuture trouble and expense, is clear from the large forcethat has been concentrated on the frontier generally and inthe vicinity of the Khyber Pass, at Khohat, and otherplaces. Those medical officers who took part in the lastAfghan wars will be familiar with the country and withthe names of the posts and districts occupying a moreor less prominent place in the descriptions that are appear-ing in the papers regarding these tribal revolts. It is

nearly certain that the Ameer of Afghanistan has taken noactive part whatever in these outbreaks ; the most that canbe said is that he does not seem to have shown any alacrityin warning the Indian Government or in attempting to repressthem. These wars on the frontier are not to be reckoned asa source of any serious danger to our power in India, so longas they are not so successful as to damage our prestige, butthey are very costly and embarrassing. We have now alarge and splendid European army in India, and the nativearmy is in a high state of efficiency, reliable and well-affected to the Indian Government, its main source ofweakness being that it is greatly under-officered as far asBritish officers are concerned. All the medical officers onleave in this country from India have been recalled. Thework imposed upon the medical officers of both the Britishand Indian services is unusually arduous, and it behoves theWar Office authorities in this country to lose no time indoing all they can to render the Army Medical Servicemore attractive to candidates, for medical officers must begreatly required under existing conditions in India.

THE POONA ALLEGATIONS.

It is an old story now, but we do not think that theretractation of Professor Gokhale could be put more stronglyor succinctly than it was in his telegram to H.E. theGovernor of Bombay, preliminary to the reception of hismore extended report: "Have just posted full statementcontaining explanation, full retractation, and unquali-fied apology." Lord Sandhurst, the Governor of Bombay,in closing the late Budget discussion, according to theTimes of India of the 6th inst., made a strong statementvindicating his policy with regard to the plague. The con-tinued prevalence of plague and famine had strained, notonly the powers, but the utmost possibilities of the adminis-tration of the Government. His lordship characterised thestatements that had been made against the action of theauthorities as ridiculous, ruthless, and heartless allegations.The operations for the suppression of the plague in Poonawere carried out with the utmost regard to decency and thefeelings of the people.

DEATHS IN THE SERVICES.

Surgeon-General William Henry Muschamp (retired), agedsixty-four years, on the 21st inst. He entered the service in1855 and served in the Crimea, being present at the siegeand fall of Sevastopol and the attack of Sept. 8bh, 1855(medal with clasp and Turkish medal). He served alsoin the North-West Provinces in suppressing the Mutiny of1857-58, and was present at the operations at Cawnpore, theactions of Kali Nadi and Khankur, the capture of Bareilly,the relief of Shahjehanpur and the affairs of Mahomdi,Shahabad, and Bunkagahon (medal).

ENTERIC FEVER AT CHERAT.

The Times of India reports that there has been a severeoutbreak of enteric fever at Cherat. One officer, fifty men,two women, and a child are in hospital from that disease.

SURGEON-CAPTAIN P. HEHIR.

The Bombay Government have refused the extension ofthis officer’s services for five years in the Nizam’s State, andhe consequently reverts to the Bengal Medical Service.

THE MERTHYR TYDVIL GENERAL HOSPITAL.-The half-yearly meeting of this hospital was held on

Aug. 12th. The report showed that during the balf yearended June 30th 100 in-patients had been admitted. Thebalance standing to the credit of the institution on Jan. 1stwas &pound;429, and &pound;571 had been received since then, making atotal of &pound;1000. The expenditure for the six months amounted

to &pound;800. It was stated that of the &pound;10,000 proposed to beraised for the endowment of the Diamond Jubilee Ward only&pound;1000 was still required to make up that amount.