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THE WROXETER SKULLS.-An interesting discussionwas held on these deformed skulls at the last meeting of theEthnological Society, as announced. A letter was read fromProfessor Owen, and Dr. Knox and other distinguished ethno-logists took part in the proceedings. The ultimate conclusion

appeared to coincide with the opinion which we have alreadyexpressed--that the deformities were the result of softeningand pressure. We hope to lay a fuller account of this in-

teresting subject before our readers next week.

THE FEEDING AND REARING OF INFANTS.—On Mondayevening, the 13th inst., a meeting of medical gentlemen andothers was held at the Hanover-square Rooms, for the purposeof hearing a paper read upon the" Comparative Properties ofHuman and Animal Milks, considered in relation to some Phy-siological Facts"-the object of the meeting being, accordingto the card of invitation, to induce discussion as to the bestsubstitute for breast-milk in the case of hand-reared children.There were present Drs. Druitt, C. H. F. Routh, R. D. Thom-son, T. Hillier, G. H. Bachhoffner, E. Smith, &c.

Dr. DRUITT, medical officer of St. George’s, was called to thechair, and, in opening the proceedings, said that, as infantmortality had been so great, any contribution showing a bettermode of rearing children must be received with the greatestsatisfaction by all classes.

Dr. ROUTH then said that the paper which would be readhad been prepared by a lady, and the object of the authoresswas to bring before the public some general plan by whichchildren might be more safely and satisfactorily brought up !,than at present.

’

The paper was then read-a lengthy and elaborate document,referring chiefly to the chemical properties of human milk, anew theory relating to the essence of milk, and a new inter-pretation of the requirements of the human infant. It wascontended that the children would thrive much better onfarinaceous food, with a mixture, perhaps, of cows’ milk.The CHAIRMAN, in proposing a vote of thanks to the autho-

ress, said the question was very important, for there was noclass that suffered more than the poor children of this metro-polis.

Dr. BACHHOFFNER, the superintendent-registrar of births anddeaths for Marylebone, said that during the five years ending1857 the births were 3,202,363, and the deaths 803,094, or 25per cent.; of that number, 34,073 had died from violence,3757 from want of breast-milk, and above 119,000 from con-sumption.Some further discussion ensued, in which Dr. Routh and

others took part, and in which the system of putting childrenout to nurse was stigmatized as child murder, and it was alsoregretted that the plan laid down by the authoress was notclearly defined ; still, the importance of the question and thevalue of the paper were admitted on all bands.A recommendation to the authoress was proposed, in the

form of a resolution, and unanimously carried, to the effectthat she would give publicity to the paper in a printed form.We believe it will, accordingly, be shortly published.INSTRUMENTAL ABORTION : CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER.

- The Salisbury Journal contains the following: Mr. Whit-marsh held an inquest last week on the body of Mary Walford,of Highworth, housemaid in the service of G. Alexander, Esq.,of that place. Deceased had obtained leave of absence fromher mistress from Monday, Jan. 16th, to the following Friday,when she returned, apparently in her usual health. On Sun-day she complained of a chill in her leg. and Mr. Kennard,surgeon (sent for her at her request), found her suffering froma febrile attack, and ordered her to bed. As early as two A.M.on Monday Mr. Kennard was again sent for, and found herdecidedly worse and very much agitated. She told him shehad miscarried at Bath; he examined the leg, and consideredthat she was suffering from phlebitis due to the miscarriage.On the following Wednesday, knowing herself to be dying, sheconfessed that, when absent, she had visited a Mr. Hind, of thatvicinity, and that he used an instrument to procure abortion,giving her brandy to support her during the operation. Shedied soon after making her statement. A post mortem exami-nation was made, and the jury returned a verdict of man-slaughter against Mr. Hind, who was committed for trial. Heappears to be nearly seventy years of age. Mr. Hind’s namedoes not appear on the Register. NOT INSURED.-The " Post" records a fresh accident,

seriously endangering life, which has arisen from the ignitionof inflammable clothing. The account cinses thus: .. It isquestionable whether she can recover. Unfortunately, thesufferer is not insured."

MEDICAL DIARY OF THE WEEK.

MONDAY, FEB. 27 ......

TUESDAY, FEB. 28 ......

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 29

THURSDAY, MARCH 1 -

FRIDAY, MARCH 2 ......

SATURDAY, MARCH 3...

ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL,-Operations, 2 P.M.METROPOLITAN FREE HOSPITAL. - Operations.( 2 P.M. MEDICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.-8½ P.M. ClinicalDiscussions.(Guy’s HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1½ P.M.WESTMINSTER HOSPlTAL.-Operations, 2 P.M.

ROYAL INSTITUTION. - 3 P.M. Prof. Owen, " OnFossil Reptiles."

ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF ENGLAND.-4 P.M. Prof. Savory, "On General Physiology."

ROYAL MEDICAL ANI) CHIBUEGICAL SOCIETY OFROYAL MEDICAL AND John Wood, "On a. New OlpMethod of Operating for the Radical Cure ofHernia." - Dr. Rcbert Lee, "On Ovarian CystsL which contain Teeth, Hair, and Fatty Matter."(MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1 P.M.ST. MARY’s HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1 P.M. ,

UNIVERSITY COLLRGB HOSPITAL. - Operatioiti’, 2 P.M.

ROYAL ORTHOPÆDIC HOSPITAL. - Operations, 2P.M.

- ROYAL COLLEGE OT PHYSICIANS.-4 P.M. G

I -tonin n Lectures : Dr. Radchffe, "On the Theoryand Therapeutics of Convulsive Diseases, espe-cially of Epilepsy."

HUNTERIAN SOCIETY.-7½ P.M. Council Meeting.’ -8 P.M. Mr. Critchett, " On some Cases ofL Lithotomy by the New Method."(ST. GEORGE’S HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1 P.M.CENTRAL LONDON OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL.

t/’ Operations, 1 P.M.

LONDON HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1½ P.M.GREAT NORTHERN HOSPITAL, KlNG’8 CROSS.

Operations, 2! P.M.ROYAL INSTITUTION. - 3 P.M. Prof. Tyndall,, "On Light."

ROYAL COLLEGE 01’ SURGEONS OF ENGLAND.-4 P.M. Prof. Savory, "On General Physiology."

LHARVEIAN SOCIETY.-S P.M.(WESTMINSTER OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL. - Opera-

r tions, 12 P.M.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIAN s.—4 P.M. Croonlajt

I Lectures: Dr. Guy, "On the Numerical Method,and its Application to the Science and Art ofMedicine."

ROYAL INSTITUTION.-8 P.M. Prof. H. C. Roscoe,‘‘ "On the Measurement of the Chemical Action

’/ of the Solar Rays."WESTERN MEDICAL AND SURGICAL SOCIETY OPi, LONDON. - 8 P.M. Dr. Markham, "On Blood-letting in Disease."(ST. THOMAS’S HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1 P.M.ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1½I P.M. KING ’S COLLEGE HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1 P.M.CHARING-CROSS HOSPITAL.--0perations, 2 P.M.

’’

ROYAL INSTITUTION. - 3 P.M. Dr. Lankester,

I " On the Relations of the Animal Kingdom tothe Industry of Man."

ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF ENGLAND.-1_ 4 P.M. Prol. Savory, "On General Physiology."

To Correspondents.TURNING IN DISTORTED PELVIS.

Lucina.-The literature on this subject is scanty and widely scattered. Dr.Simpson’s papers, which will be found in his collected works, form the bestexposition in the English language. In 1i3o0, an interesting historicalaccount of it was published by Dr. Charles West. We hope shortly to findspace for the commencement of a clinical examination of the question fromthe pen of Dr. Barnes.

S’alopiaaa.-As the Apothecaries Act was not repealed by the recent statute, liecannot practise as an apothecary; but he can charge for medicine andattendance, and recover.

Relaxation.-We do not give advice in this place.Mr. ltlurray will perceive that the subject of tie "Novel Hot-Air Bath" hasbeen discussed by correspondents who are well qualified to speak withauthority.

L.-The master is not legally liable under the circumstances; but surely inequity he ought to pay it.

IF G. L. B. will send his address in confidence, he shall receive a private notes

PARALYSIS AND THE GERMAN SPAS.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-A patient of mine, under forty years of age, who has been confined teher couch and unable to walk for nearh twenty years, has been most stronglyadvised to go to Langen Schwalbach, in the Uuchy of Nassau, and try thewaters of that place. As the journey would be one ot great difficulty and muchexpense, I am very anxious to learn from my professional brethren, who haveknown the waters of the Stah) und Wein Liruniieiis to be used in eases ofparalysis, what have been the results, and also if they would inform me whe-ther the water of any other spa in Germany or elsewhere has been successfullyemployed in any similar case..Letters addressed to Medical inquirer," THELANCET Office, Strand, would oblige, You-s very iaithfully,

February. 1860. A SURGEON.

210

Royal College of Surgeons.-In reply to several correspondents, who have ad-dressed us on the subject, we find, on inquiry, that the period during whichlicentiates of the Society of Apothecaries, whose licences bear date prior to18a6, will be admitted to examination for the diploma of the College of Sur-geons, will cease at the end of the ensuing month (March), after which noone will be admitted to such examination without a strict compliance withthe regulations.

Investigator.-We should be happy to give the information required, but wehave no means of obtaining it.

S. K. E.-He cannot assume the title unless he be registered.

A WOMAN’S VIEW Or THE SOCIAL EVIL.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-I read with much interest your feeling and admirable article in yourjournal of Feb. 4th, relative to the employment of fallen women. You veryproperly pointed out the duty incumbent on ladies to endeavour to raise theirunhappy sisters, and, by employing them, to give them some chance of re-deeming a lost character.Now, I entirely agree with you in all this; but why do not men, whose

boast it is to style themselves the protectors of the weaker sex, do their part ?Why, when women try to reform their own sex, do not men endeavour equallyto shame the vicious of their own ? I have heard it said that for every poorgirl rescued, two are drawn into the vortex of dissipation. Then how hopelessa task have we to perform, unless the sti onger and nobler (?) sex will help inthe good work. I think you are wrong in supposing’ that women do not feelfor the poor lost victims of man’s most disgusting and degrading (thoughleast censured) vice. There are many who feel acutely their sex’s degradation,and who are equally disgusted at men’s undisguised profligacy, but they haveno means of expressing those feelings. Modesty closes the lips, even when theheart is fullest.No, the remedy for fallen women is not with the ladies of England. Let the

gentlemen of England stand up for the right, and preach morality and self-control to their own sex, and let them call the great social evil by its rightname. Let us not call that gaiety which annually destroys thousands of thefairest of our women. No ! let the sin of profligacy be as much denounced inmen as it is in women, and let the men known to be indulging in a filthy anddisreputable life be shunned with loathing and horror, as men would be werethey known to be shortening the lives of their fellow-creatures in any otherway. lVoatld men spend one tithe of the money in helping their fallen sistersthat they so recklessly squander in dragging them deeper into the abyss of in-famy, we should not see so many poor young creatures plying their wretched -trade in the streets. If the finger of scorn were pointed at the bad man as wella,4 at the bad woman, we should see men ashamed to do what society would be- disgusted with. If when some unhappy girl murdered her infant, driven tosuch a crime by the desertion of her seducer, that seducer’s name and addresswere published, and the man held up to public scorn and detestation, we shouldhave fewer mothers tempted to murder their innocent offspring.

Sir, you some time ago endeavoured to teach young men how foolish it was,to make " ehimneys of their months," and how deleterious such a practice wasto their health. Will you not try to raise the tone of their morals also, andtell them how profligacy is undermining the health of the present generation,and too surely sowing the seeds of disease for their children. Pray do yourpart in staying this awful tide of prostitution, which is more and more invadingour land, and you will have the prayers of the wives and mothers of Englandthat God may bless your efforts to raise the standard of morality in our father-land.Trusting you will excuse me for expressing a woman’s feelings and thoughts

on such a subject as this, I remain, Sir, yours respectfully, I

February, 1860. A WIFE AND MOTHER. ’

0. Z.-There is no bye-law or other restriction of the Royal College of Physi-cians forbidding its members to prescribe in a case of gleet or gonorrhcea.The M.R.C.S. may also remember that there is no bye-law of his College for-bidding him to attend a case of small-pox.

WE hope to find room to notice the case of Mr. Alfred L. Godfrey, an allegedlunatic, in our next impression.

Talipes.-There are many registrars. The Registrar-General is appointed bythe Secretary of State for the Home Department.

Cymro Gog.-Yes. THE HOT-AIR BATH.THE HoT-AlB BATE.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.SIR,-I venture to think that Messrs. Price’s new hot-air bath, with the

long name and many wicks, is only a dirty contrivance, and moreover not verysafe. The sweating process can, with perfect safety and cleanliness, be inducedby a spirit-lamp placed below a wooden chair, the patient being enveloped inhalf a dozen blankets, covered externally with a sheet to retain the heat. Thisprocess produces profuse perspiration in abont half an hour. It is assisted bythe drinking of cold water, and is rendered less irritating to the nervous sys-tem by the addition of a small quantity of vapour to the heated air. A tinspirit-lamp, with a small vessel above it for generating the steam, and resem-bling a Greek tripod, is much used for this purpose at the Water-cure atMalvern. Messrs. Langworthy and Reed, ironmongers, of Brighton, havemade several at the cost of 4s., and I doubt not would be ready to supply anyof your readers with one of these lamp baths; the spirits of wine consumedfor one bath would not cost 6d.A hot-air bath, however cleanly in its application, which produces perspira-

tion in five minutes, is moreover a dangerous remedy, and I would cautionagainst its use. The sweating process-perhaps, when rightly used, the mostpowerful alterative we possess in the treatment of chronic disease-is apt atall times to affect the head unpleasantly, and it is only when slotcly and eau-tiously induced that it is free from danger. To procnre its alterative action, itis further necessary (though this is not named in the notice ot the new hot-airbath) that the sweating process be followed by cold affusion, either by meansof the dripping sheet, or else by pouring two pails of culd water over thepatient. In delicate persons the shock is agreeably lessened if the first pailbe tepid, and the second cold. A brisk walk both belore and after the bath isof service.

I trouble you with these practical hints on the use of a favourite remedy ofmine, the lamp bath (which by the-bye I find a charm against sciatiea), in caseany of your readers not so familiar with the application of the sweating processshould be induced unwarily to try the method described in the notice in lastweek’s LANCET.-I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,

C. LOCKHART ROBERTROIT, M.B. Cantab., M.R.C.P.Sussex Lunatic Asylum, Haywards Heath, Feb. 1860.

Hypophosphites in Phthisis.-Dr. Quain has recently and fnlly tried the remedy,

at the Brompton Hospital. We shall be happy to publish the results of hisobservations, if he will forward us a report.

W. M. shall receive a private note.An Old Sttbscriber.-He cannot assume the title of "surgeon" or "doctor;’

" Licentiate in Medicine."E. C.-The subject shall not escape our attention.A Tv.-eZte Years’ Subscriber.-A change is contemplated; but nothing daSnitehas been decided on.

INTERSCAPULAR PAIN.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.SIR,-In your impression of February llth, Dr. Sisson makes a deduction

from my letter, which I believe to be foreign to its contents. He says, after reoferring to Dr. Tilt’s case, that the pain in mine was "merely increased, notproduced, by evacuation of the bowels." I did not say the pain was produced bythis means, as he seems to intimate. If increased by muscular effort, it musthave had some previous origin, such as the cause I assigned. The fact of oneof Mr. Leekie’s* patients being a male does not negative my statement.

If Dr. Sisson’s solution be the correct one, why is it that this symptom isinfrequent in gouty dyspepsia ? or what reason can he aS8ign for pent-up" acid secretion" not producing similar results in other cases ? Do we see paiaof this description in cases where the bowel contents have by their acidityabraded and ulcerated the intestinal wall ? If so, it is the exception, not therule. The great difference between Mr. Leckie’s case and mine is the freedomfrom pain experienced by his patient when the bowels were constipated,whereas in mine it was the reverse. Perhaps the constipation in the formerhad not caused that distension requisite for the production of pain, or, thatbeing liquid, gas was furnished, which would tend to the same effect. The in-testines are not like a cylinder, uniform from end to end, but capable of forminga nidus for the development of gas, even though the stools be liquid; and whenthe colon is thus distended, its condition, as far as pressure is concerned, isalmost the same as if it were filled with solids ; the valves in connexion with itwill alike be subservient to the power that closes them. I do not pretend tosay that all cases of interscapular pain are produced in accordance with myhypothesis. Dr. Tilt’s case shows otherwise; but I cannot subscribe myself abeliever in Dr. Sisson’s theory. Your obedient servant,

Greenwich, February, 1860. HENRY UssaER, M.B.* In consequence of its indistinctness in the manuscript, the signature to

the letter which we published on Jan. 28th, p. 106, was misprinted. It shouldhave been "A Seeker," and not A. Leckie," &c.

Adolescens should write to the Secretary of the University of St. Andrews.Courtesy only, not right, authorizes the L.R.C.P. Ed. to style himself"doctor." If his brethren M.D.s ridicule him" for assuming the title, whythen-they are not courteous.

Ægrotus (Carmarthen) has neglected to authenticate his letter. We cantake no notice of anonymous communications.

THE letter of A Poor-law Medical Officer shall appear in our next.

THE USE OF THE CARBONATE OF BISMUTH.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-In reply to the query of Mr. Phillips, in last week’s LANCET, I beg toinform him, that when in the north of England (where the practice of eatingraw meat prevailed very much amongst the lower classes) I had many oppor-tunities of using the carbonate of bismuth in cases of dyspepsia, and considerit almost a specific in that complaint, when combined with rhubarb and car-bonate of soda. The usual way I prescribed it was as follows :-Carbonate ofbismuth, rhubarb powder, of each two scruples; sesquicarbouate of soda, onedrachm; aromatic spirit of ammonia, three draehms; infusion of calumba tohalf a pound : one ounce to be taken three times a day.-Yours, &c.,

Strood, February, 1860. J. B. H.

An Honorary Surgeon in the Volurateer Rifles.-If the surgeon be Gazetted, hewill be entitled to attend the levee.

Anti-Humbug.-1. No.-2. Not to dispense medicine.A. P.-He is eligible for election.Quero should apply to any of the respectable medical agents in London, whowould, no doubt, assist him in his object.

I SYPHILITIC SORES.’ To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR.-" A Country Surgeon" loses sight of the two different questions in-volved. It is not to be inferred that the infectang sore is ordinarily incapableof transmission by contact, except it be previously inflamed and irritated.Under the circumstances he mentions, a healthy individual is inoculated froma diseased individual, whereas Mr. Lee’s proposition refers solely to the ques-tion of transmission of sores from one part of a diseased individual’s body toanother part of it. I remain, Sir, yours, &c.,Albany Court-yard, February, 1860. JOHN HARRsoON, F.R.C.S.

COMMUNICATIONS, LETTERS, &c., have been received from - Mr. J. Bruce;Dr. J. Rogers ; Mr. Hancock; Dr. Budd ; Mr. J. Oliver; Mr. H. C. Stewart;Mr. C. W. Goodhart; Dr. Elliott; Mr. Cooke; Mr. J. Greene; Mr. r. C.Galton; Mr. H. Towle, Bingham; Mr. 0. Pemberton, Birmingham; Mr. J.Sutton, Ashton; Mr. J. F. Thomas, Newport, (with enclosure;) Mr. B.

Pinniper, Ryde; Mr.B.Marsack, Olney, (with enclosure;) Mr. J. Baxter,Clitheroe; Mr. J. B. Shepherd, Nottingham; Mr. R. Shiel, Chester-le-Street,(with enclosure;) Mr. J. Williamson, (with enclosure;) Dr. Tweedie; Mr.llliiigworth, Maindee; Mr. R. H. Hayes, Lowton, (with enclosure;) Mr. T.Homes, Cradley, (with enclosure;) Mr. J. F. Lawton, Owmby, (with enclo-sure ;) Mr. J. F. Fletcher, Long Sutton, (with enclosure;) Mr. M. J. Peilly,Bedford, (with enclosure;) Mr. J. R Peel, Ruyton, (with enclosure;) Mr.0. W. Barrett, Birmingham, (with enclosure;) Mr. J. E. Gibson, Cowes,(with enclosure;) Rev. J. Milner; Mr. J. Walter; Mr. H. Wotton, Harrold,(with enclosure;) Mr. C. Bennett, Shiffnal, (with enclosure;) Mr. N. B.

Nason, Nuneaton, (with enclosure;) Mr. J. Cooper, Cromer; Mr. ThomasHibberd, North Shields, (with enclosure;) Mr. W. R. Ashurst, Farnittgham,(with enclosure ;) A Surgeon; Ophthalmoscope; J. D. H.; Investigator;Anxious; An Old Subscriber; ’Egrotus; Kingston; W. C.; &c. &c.