1379LIVERPOOL.-WALES AND WESTERN COUNTIES.

of hospital work. As an illustration he said that shortlybefore Hospital Sunday he received letters from two clergy-men, both men of great enlightenment, inclosing circularswhich had been sent to them asking them to discriminatein the allocation of their hospital collection in order that nosupport might be given to institutions where vivisection waspractised or where working men were made the subjects ofexperiments. The circular suggested that almost all the

hospitals were infected with these practices. He was, how-ever, able to give the lie direct to these base sugges-tions. Dr. William Alexander, in proposing the toast of"University College," referred at some length to the

splendid work accomplished at its laboratories both in

teaching and in original research. He hoped the time wasnot far distant when University College would be transformedinto the Liverpool University. He advocated a closer cor.-nexion between University College and all the large hospitalsof the city. It was an anomaly that whilst in Liverpoolthere were three large hospitals, all possessing equal facilitiesfor giving clinical instruction to medical students and allequally well equipped for that purpose, in only one hadthe full staff university status. He considered that, in theeyes of University College, all these hospitals should haveequal privileges and that all should be representedin the medical faculty of the College. Then, and nottill then, would University College, which had progressedvery rapidly since its foundation, continue to advance in astill greater degree. The toast was replied to by ProfessorRubert W. Boyce who said that the standard at the

Liverpool Medical School was scholarship, and the schoolcould hold its own in that respect. He agreed with Dr.Alexander that the David Lewis Northern Hospital, the

Royal Southern Hospital, and the Royal Infirmary were allcapable of supporting a medical faculty, and if they hada united medical faculty representative of all three he wassure it would be a great step towards founding a universityfor Liverpool. The toast of "The Tropical School" wasproposed by the Bishop of Liverpool in a felicitous speechand was replied to by Major Ronald Ross, late I.M.S.Dr. Balfour Stewart (who is shortly to leave Liverpool incharge of a new expedition to the west coast of Africa),and Dr. C. J. Macalister. The toast of " The Sister

Huspitals," proposed by the Lord Mayor, was responded toby Sir William Banks and Mr. R. W. Murray. The dinnerwas by far the most successful held since the inception ofthese popular gatherings and was attended by about 180gentlemen, inclusive of guests.

Tlte Liverpool School of Tropical -Tledicine Opening of aStudents’ Hall of Residence.

On Nov. 2nd a students’ hall of residence in connexionwith the School of Tropical Medicine was opened by theBishop of Liverpool. The object of the promoters of the in-stitution (which is situated in Upper Parliament-street) is toprovide a temporary home for colonial students, chiefly WestAfrican and West Indian, who come to study at the school.The Bishop alluded to the generosity of Sir A. L. Jones, Mr.John Holt, and the Hon. R. B. Blaize who had enabled thehall to be opened free from debt. Already five students are inresidence at the new hostel, including two West Africans,one Belgian, one Canadian, and one American. Dr. H. E.Anuett is the warden of the hostel. Principal Dale of Uni-versity College, in moving a vote of thanks to the Bishop andto the three gentlemen above mentioned and also to thewarden, spoke strongly of the value of such a home tostudents brought from abroad into the midst of a great citywith its many temptations. Sir A. L Jones, in acknowledg-ing the vote, spoke of the continued progress of the TropicalSchool of Medicine which was now spending .65000 a year.They were meeting that evening, he added, to bid farewellto another expedition which was going to leave in a weekor two.

The Proposed Extension of the Birkenhead Borough Hospital.The increase of the population of Birkenhead from 59,000

in 1866 (the year in which the Borough Hospital was opened)to 117,000, the present estimated population, will show thenecessity for an enlargement of the hospital to enable it tocarry on its work in a thoroughly efficient manner. It ismanifestly impossible to provide for the treatment of 10,520cases annually in a building designed for a much smallernumber. In addition to this the accommodation for thenurses is much too limited. The committee are appealingfor funds to place the institution in a position more in

accordance with present requirements. They have pur-chased the old fever hospital at the rear of the building.and here they propose to erect a nurses’ home at an estimatedcost of .67000, which will include furnishing, improvementsin the kitchens, which at present are ventilated into thehospital, a mortuary, &c. Last year the ordinary subscrip-tions to this charity were <&937, and the workmen’s con-tributions reached the substantial sum of <S1007. At presentthe committee are confining themselves to extensions whichthey consider of vital importance to the welfare of thecharity; but they hope, with the generous aid of theinhabitants of Birkenhead, in time to add to the existingbuildings and to make the hospital worthy of its pasttraditions.

The ex-Lord Mayor’s Hospital Century Fund.Mr. Arthur Crosthwaite (the ex-Lord Mayor of Liverpool)

has remitted to the treasurers of various city charitiesE337 10s. 9d., the balance of the Hospital Century Fundinaugurated by him at the beginning of his mayoralty,making a total of f.lO,463 10s. 8d. distributed among 23charities.

The Arrest of Plague in Liverpool.There have been no fresh developments of plague in

Liverpool since Oct. 27th. Every precaution is being takenby Dr. E. W. Hope, the medical officer of health, againstthe spread of the disease. All boats from Glasgow arecarefully examined on arrival at the port. Should no furthercase arise within the ensuing week it may fairly be assumedthat Liverpool will have a clean bill of health as far as

plague is concerned. It is satisfactory to note that no panicwhatever has taken place owing to the few cases reported inthe daily papers.

T7ze late John Stopford Taylor, ]&yuml;I. D. AbertL.Dr. John Stopford Taylor, formerly medical officer of

health of Liverpool, died on Nov. llth, in his eightiethyear. The late Dr. Taylor was appointed deputy medicalofficer of health in 1875, succeeding the late Dr. WilliamTrench as medical officer of health two years later. Prior tohis appointment as deputy medical officer of health Dr.Taylor was an alderman of the City Council and chairmanof the Health Committee. He was considered one of thebest debaters of his time in the City Council and made anexcellent chairman of the Health Committee. He resignedthe medical officership of health about seven years ago,receiving a superannuation allowance upon his retirement.Dr. Taylor was a native of Sheffield, where his fatherhad been in medical practice for a considerable number ofyears.

Demand for Civil Surgeons and Dental Surqeons at the Seatof War.

The demand for civil surgeons in South Africa still con-tinues. Agplications have been received by the Dean of theMedical Faculty of University College and Warden of theLiverpool Dental Hospital respectively for civil surgeons anddental surgeons for service in South Africa on terms whichare said to be particularly advantageous.Nov. 12th.

________________

WALES AND WESTERN COUNTIES.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)

Precautions against Plague at Bristol.UPON the recommendation of the medical officer of health

(Dr. D. S. Davies) the Health Committee of the city ofBristol has decided to reappoint the plague sub-committee forthe purpose of dealing with vessels trading between Glasgowor Liverpool and Bristol, and with the necessity for makingthe destruction of rats in the city warehouses a matter ofmunicipal interest. Dr. Davies stated to the Health Com-mittee that he feared that the carriage of plague over seawould never be stopped until the disease was recognised as adisease of animals and dealt with as such, and until theowners of merchant vessels were compelled to rid themselvesof the rats which are now permitted to be carried in drovesfrom one port to another.

Cottage Homes for Adult Paupers.The success which has attended the establishment by

boards of guardians of cottage homes for children has led tothe suggestion that similar homes should be provided foradult paupers. The proposal was recently discussed at a

1380 SCOTLAND.

meeting of members of friendly societies at Cardiff at whichseveral members of the Cardiff Board of Guardians were

present. The principal objection to the scheme appears tobe the fact that many of the children who occupy cottagehomes are able to render assistance in the work of the house-holds, whereas adult inmates would be of little or no servicein this direction, so that the cost of management would beconsiderably higher than that in a workhouse and would,indeed, be prohibitive.

An Isolation Hospital for Kings7vood.The Urban District of Kingswood in Gloucestershire

adjoins the city of Bristol and has a population of 12,000persons, many of whom are working people. At the meet-

ing of the district council on Nov. 6th the medical officer ofhealth (Mr. C. J. Perrott) reported upon the existence ofinfectious disease, principally scarlet fever, diphtheria, andtyphoid fever, in the district, the death-rate from thesethree diseases during October having been equal to 4 per1000 per annum. This unusually high death-rate is

very likely to continue unless the district councildecide to carry out the recommendation of the medicalofficer of health to erect an isolation hospital. Mr.Perrott has estimated the cost of a hospital with accommoda-tion for 16 patients at about 800. This must, of course,mean for a more or less temporary erection of iron or wood.It seems a pity that more permanent brick or stone buildingsshould not be provided, for there is really very little economyin building a temporary hospital which requires to be kept ina proper state of repair at the expenditure often of con-

siderable sums annually; moreover, the Local GovernmentBoard will not sanction a loan for the erection of temporarybuildings enabling the payment of the initial cost to be

spread over a series of years.Public Health Matters in Cardiganshire.

Under the chairmanship of Mr. Evan Evans, M. R. C. S.

Eng., L. R. C. P. Lond., the Public Health Committee of theCardiganshire County Council is taking an active interest inthe sanitary condition of the county. At a meeting of thecouncil held on Nov. 7th it was decided to recommend thedistrict councils to pay for diphtheria antitoxin used bymedical practitioners in treating those patients who cannotthemselves afford to pay for the serum, and also that the costof procuring bacteriological examinations for diagnostic andother purposes should be defrayed by the district councils.In connexion with the latter recommendation a more

desirable course would appear to be for the county council toprovide for all examinations either by arrangement with anexisting institution or by the establishment of a countypublic health laboratory. Although the population of

Cardiganshire is not large-only a little over 60,000-thereought not to be much difficulty in providing a laboratoryjointly with the Aberystwith College of the University ofWales.

Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport.A special meeting of the governors of this hospital was

held on Nov. 4th to consider the proposal of the DevonportCorporation to subscribe f.lOO per annum to the institutionconditional upon the corporation having three representa-tives as members on the management committee. Thecondition imposed gave rise to a considerable amount ofdiscussion, as it would modify the existing arrangementsof the institution, and the question of subsidising thehospital, even to this small amount, out of the rates involveda matter of principle with several of the subscribers. After a

prolonged meeting it was decided not to accept the offer.Nov. llth.

________________

SCOTLAND.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.) z

The Edinburgh Medical Societies,THESE societies have all opened their new sessions. The

opening night of the Medico-Chirurgical Society was

promising and interesting. The attendance was good andthe members remained even for private business. Theofficials are evidently anxious to put some life into the

society. They have carried a proposition that clinical meet-ings should be held in the Royal Infirmary and the RoyalHospital for Sick Children, and they have obtained the per-mission of the directors of these institutions to hold such

meetings. Professor T. R. Fraser has been elected President

in succession to Mr. A. G. Miller and he will doubtless

encourage any efforts directed towards making the societymore attractive to all classes of members. At the Obstetrical

Society Dr. James Ritchie becomes President in successionto Dr. Milne Murray. The Pathological Club has als.resumed its meetings.

Scarcity oj Water in Edinburgh.Owing to prolonged drought extending over months the

people of Edinburgh have been within measurable distance ofwater famine. Some of the reservoirs are empty; otherscontain millions of gallons less than the amount which theyought to contain at this season. Quite recently it was

stated that there was only a fortnight’s supply unless raincame. The city has been on short rations for weeks. Thesupply is cut off for a portion of every 24 hours, and houseswhere the cisterns are small and the consumption is con-

siderable have been without water for hours daily. The rainhas come, but it will take many days of constant down-pouring to relieve the anxiety of the Water Trust.

Direct Representation on the General Medical Council.Dr. W. Bruce of Dingwall seeks re-election as a Direct

Representative and has issued his address to his con-

stituents. Dr. Norman Walker of Edinburgh is formally inthe field as his opponent, as is Dr. Charles E. Robertsonof Glasgow. 1 Dr. Walker addressed a meeting in Edinburghon Nov. llth. The chair was occupied by Dr. G. A. Gibson,and a motion to the effect that Dr. Walker was a suitablecandidate was moved by Dr. James Ritchie and seconded byDr. Alexander James. There were about 60 persons presentat the meeting, which was quite harmonious. Dr. Walker’spolicy may be briefly outlined as follows. He agreedwith the Royal College of Physicians of London infavour of the removal of the scientific preliminary subjectsfrom the curriculum into an entrance examination ; in regardto the professional examinations he thought that the Councilought to see to their being levelled up ; he objected to"drawing-room" lectures to women and the granting of

midwifery certificates on such terms ; as regards the dis.

pensing of drugs he did not see that that could be interferedwith ; and as to the sale of scheduled poisons by unqualifiedassistants of medical men he entirely agreed with the positionwhich the General Medical Council had taken up.

Glasgow University.The adjourned meeting of the General Council of the

Glasgow University was resumed on Nov. 6th. The VeryReverend Principal Story presided. The council was occupiedfor the most part with the consideration of reports from sub-committees dealing with the legal and medical faculties.The chief feature of the recommendations dealing with themedical ordinances was a somewhat radical suggestion pro-posing the development of practical classes at the expenseof the present courses of systematic lectures. The reportwas moved by Dr. J. K. Kelly and seconded by Dr. D. C.MeVail. It led to some discussion, but there was no activeopposition and in the end it was adopted by the council. Inrelation to the question of practical teaching in midwiferyDr. Munro Kerr drew attention to the necessity for extendingand improving the clinical opportunities offered by thepresent maternity hospital. He moved a proposition to theeffect that the council should urge the University authoritiesbo promote the development of a midwifery school in con-nexion with, or independently of, the existing hospital.This was seconded by Professor Murdoch Cameron, who,aid that he had long been desirous of a movement in thisjirection and had taken some practical steps to inaugurate.t. From the Bellahouston trustees he had been promised arant of &pound; 5000, from Lord Overtoun f.5000, from Sir CharlesFennant &pound; 500, and from other sources sufficient to raise thetotal to &pound; 11,000. The foundation of an adequate maternityiospital was, he considered, necessary not only for purposes)f clinical teaching but also directly in the public interest.a was needed both to meet the necessities of the poorerlasses and to fit the medical student for responsible dutiesvhich almost certainly would come to him in his earlier>ractice. Professor Cameron strongly supported the proposalor the establishment of a large and efficient school of mid-vifery as a part of the University medical faculty and hopedhat in it there would be taught both medical graduatesnd trained nurses. The Council unanimously approved of

1 Dr. Robertson’s and Dr. Norman Walker’s addresses will be foundat p. 1364 of our present issue.&mdash;ED. L.