change, to meditate on the following parable or apologue :—“ A man was taken by his enemies, and, having been blindfolded and led out, a rope was put into his hands; he was then swung into the air, and told to hold on to the rope because there was an abyss beneath him. He held on for many hours, his muscles became cramped, and his ligaments stretched, till he, in fact, really tasted the bitterness of death; the bandage was then removed from his eyes, and he found his feet within two inches of the ground."

Dr. Thomson spoke at considerable length in favour of women being allowed to enter the profession, as so many desired it, though personally he did not much like it, and did not shut his eyes to the difficulties which presented themselves.

Sir William Gull observed that it was entirely a personal question for women themselves, whether they were fit, or had a mind to become doctors. They were not expressing an opinion as to whether women should enter the profession; if so, he should vote against it; but they were only expressing an opinion that there were certain things in the medical profession as to which it would be better for women to deal with women. It was only a permissive opinion that they were giving, and that opinion must be given with a slight caveat that the entrance of women is rather dangerous. The history of this question, as seen in America, taught us something about that, and he therefore hoped the paragraph would be accepted as it stood.

Mr. Turner thought the words proposed to be admitted were of great importance; if the question was surrounded with special difficulties, "these could not be safely disregarded," and the Council ought to point this out to the Government.

Dr. Parkes also spoke in reply; and then Sir William Gull suggested that the words Dr. Parkes proposed might be added to the end of the paragraph as it stood. This proposition, after some discussion, was accepted, and the paragraph with the added words was carried by fourteen votes to seven. But when it was put as a substantive motion, Dr. Andrew Wood moved to substitute for it a long paragraph speaking of the toils, anxieties, perplexities, responsibilities, and dangers attendant on medical practice; of the unfitness of women to face these; and stating that the Council did not recommend that the difficulties in the way of their entering the profession should be removed. Dr. Quain seconded the amendment, but it was negatived by a large majority, and Dr. Parkes's motion was carried.

The remainder of the report was adopted without any very serious opposition or prolonged discussion; though some amendments were moved and rejected, some verbal alterations were made, some clauses were re-arranged, and a good deal of time was consumed in this way. But the end was arrived at, and the report, as amended, was adopted by the Council.

Mr. Lowe, on a late convivial occasion, when returning thanks for the House of Commons, spoke of the wonderful fidelity and accuracy with which that body represents the opinions of the country at large, even when his own party is in the cold shade of the Opposition; and we cannot but think that on the occasion of this debate on the admission of women to the medical profession, the Medical Council, though not elected by, and only indirectly representing, the profession at large, have with great truth and accuracy represented their opinion on the question. We believe that the majority of the profession would agree "that the study of medicine and surgery, instead of affording a field of exertion well fitted for women, do, on the contrary, present special difficulties, which cannot be safely disregarded; but that they are not prepared to say that women ought to be excluded from the profession"; and that they also would stipulate that, if women are to be admitted to the profession, they shall be thoroughly educated for it, and educated apart from males.

THE WEEK.

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Mr.

DELAY in the holding of inquests is an evil likely to be attended with serious results. There can be no doubt that the sooner an inquest is held after death, the better, and it is manifestly the duty of a coroner to make arrangements by which unnecessary delay should be avoided. At an inquest held on Monday at the Royal Free Hospital on the body of a man who died from injuries received on the previous Wednesday morning, the body was very much decomposed. Deputy Tegg, who was on the jury, inquired why so long a delay had occurred in the holding of the inquest. The only explanation given was by Mr. Murray, the coroner's officer, who stated that the lists were full up to Monday, and he could not appoint an earlier day. This may be all very correct, but it is far from satisfactory. What is the use of a deputy coroner unless he officiates in cases of emergency? His appointment was not allowed by the Lord Chancellor merely Under for the purpose of being a convenience to the coroner. these circumstances we trust we shall hear no more of unnecessarily delayed inquests. The Coroner's Court must not become a focus of disease. We are glad to perceive that Mr. Tegg, who is one of the oldest governors of the Hospital, will bring the subject before the notice of the next meeting of the committee of the Hospital.

The soldiers' huts on Woolwich-common, in which diphtheria was a short time ago so prevalent and fatal, are to be pulled down, and six blocks of model residences for married soldiers are to be erected on the site. The six blocks will provide accommodation for ninety-six families-almost as many as were removed from the huts to arrest the spread of the diphtheria epidemic. By only the most stringent measures has the epidemic been overcome since the removal of the families to the Red Barracks. Isolation of the patients has been strictly enforced. The large wards, which usually contained sixty or eighty hospital beds, are now occupied each by one family only.

At a general meeting of the subscribers to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, held on the 22nd ult., the managers were authorised to apply to the Crown for alterations of the charter of the institution, and for additional powers. Amongst other objects, they desire to obtain the power to establish a school of medicine in connexion with the Infirmary, the lectureships in which shall be thrown open to all who may have the ability and inclination to teach. Four gentlemen have already received the sanction of the managers to deliver lectures during the ensuing winter, on practice of medicine, surgery, forensic medicine, and pathology. The lecturers are to receive no endowment.

The annual meeting of the trustees of Anderson's University was held on the 22nd ult., at which it was intimated that a legacy of £1000 had been bequeathed to the managers, for the foundation of three bursaries in connexion with anatomy, botany, and natural philosophy. A very satisfactory report was made regarding the attendance at the various classes of the institution, the number of enrolled students having been as large as 2275.

The energetic steps taken to establish a system of teaching swimming among the working classes on an extensive scale will, we hope, be successful. There are many other than its hygienic advantages to recommend it to public approval. Sir Charles Reed, the Chairman of the London School Board, presided at a public meeting held at the Mansion House on the 25th ult., on the subject, at which resolutions were unanimously adopted that swimming ought to be taught in all our public schools, and that funds should be raised for carrying out the objects of the meeting.

We have been assured of the truth of the report, which we confess is scarcely credible, that the employés of the Nine Elms goods station of the London and South-Western Railway are terribly overworked, and not even paid extra for it. It appears that the men have sometimes to labour as many as eighty-seven hours and a half in six days, and that no allowance is made for the extra twenty-seven and a half hours' work. Most of this labour is performed during the night, by artificial light, the men going on duty at five o'clock in the evening, and working until five, six, and sometimes seven o'clock next morning. The long hours of labour and the short hours of broken sleep during the day must speedily tell upon the health of the men. We are not surprised to learn that a movement is on foot among them to obtain, if possible, a reduction in the working time. Four of the great railway companies lately adopted a system, according to which a day consists of ten hours' ordinary work, nine hours' night work, or eight hours' extra work; but the London and South-Western Company are said to have refused to make a similar arrangement with their employés. It is much to be hoped that the directors will, in the interest of themselves and of the public, as well as of the men, reconsider their decision, and grant a request which must be considered perfectly reasonable.

The Commissioners appointed to inquire into the subject of vivisection, and to report what measures, if any, it may be necessary to take in respect of any such practice, areViscount Cardwell, Baron Winmarleigh, Right Hon. W. E. Forster, Sir J. B. Karslake, T. H. Huxley, John E. Erichsen, and Richard Holt Hutton, Esqs.

STATE MEDICINE.

THE concluding lecture of Surgeon-Major de Chaumont's course on this subject was delivered at Apothecaries' Hall on Saturday, June 19. The topics considered were the prevention and propagation of disease; epidemics; and the value and importance of statistics bearing on the public health. It is obvious, said the lecturer, that the efficacy of the methods employed for the prevention of disease depends upon our knowledge of its origin and modes of propagation; and, failing such knowledge, upon the view or theory which is held. Thus, a disbeliever in contagion would probably think isolation unnecessary; while a man who rejected the possibility of water conveying disease would look with indifference upon the pollution of the water-supply. On the whole, however, we find that, whatever view may be held about the actual modus operandi of disease, all persons are substantially agreed that general unhygienic conditions are favourable to it; and it must be admitted that if such conditions can be avoided, more than half the battle will be won. But there is still something beyond, and we must view the possibility of the introduction of morbific poison, even when purity and plenty are attained in the matter of air and water. Let it be granted that there is such a thing as a communicable materies morbi, and the question is then reducible into disinfection and isolation.

The object of disinfection is to destroy the morbific poison, or to suspend its action if its destruction cannot be accomplished. The destruction may be effected by airing, by certain chemical agents, or by wet or dry heat. The first method-that of exposure to currents of air-is slow and uncertain. The chemical agents used in disinfecting are chlorine, nitrous acid, sulphurous acid, chromic acid, and the permanganates, the first three being available for fumigation. However, the best method of destroying morbific poison is exposure to heat. Boiling is very efficacious, but steam under pressure, or a gas disinfecting chamber, is still better. A dry heat of 230° Fahr. effects the object without charring clothes. A disinfecting chamber ought to be provided, and made readily accessible in every district or town, so that there

might be no excuse for allowing infected bedding to lie about. The activity of morbific poisons may be suspended by extreme cold, or by carbolic acid and certain other vegetable products; but these agents do not destroy the poison. Minute organisms, such as monads and bacteria, cease to move or reproduce in the presence of such substances; and there is a singular absence of life in tarry water. The most important application of this fact is the well-known antiseptic method of Professor Bristowe.

Thorough cleansing and fumigation ought to be carried out even in the case of diseases not looked upon as contagious. Care should be taken to provide as few resting-places as possible for morbific poisons; yet so little is this considered, that we often find bed and window curtains even in hospitals. Stools ought to be disinfected and the sick-room carefully dusted, for the emanations from the skin in small-pox, scarlatina, and measles may be disturbed and find a new and appropriate nidus after a considerable period of rest.

As to isolation, it is next to impossible in ordinary dwellings; and, therefore, adequate means for securing it ought to be provided by the sanitary authority. The importation of a single case of disease is often enough to light up an epidemic. The question of quarantine is a difficult one; but, no doubt, if quarantine could be effectually carried out, it would check the spread of disease.

There is one special branch of isolation of great interest and importance, and that is the prevention of venereal disease under the Contagious Diseases Acts, which apply to seaport and garrison towns. Similar measures have been in operation on the Continent for many years, the result being that syphilis was much less frequent there than in our own country before the passing of the Acts. In Malta, an Act of the same kind has been long in vogue under our own government. A temporary suspension of the Act in Malta took place some sixteen years ago, and this suspension was followed by an increase of the disease. A similar Act has been enforced in Calcutta with excellent results, although its application was a matter of great difficulty. In spite of what has been written against the Acts in this country, it can be safely asserted that their operation has been decidedly beneficial. It is only necessary to turn to the army and navy returns to see the necessity for legislative measures on the subject. Returns compiled by Dr. Stuart Balfour show that before the passing of the Acts about onefourth of all the cases of disease admitted consisted of primary venereal sores and gonorrhoea. The returns for Portsmouth showed 503 cases per 1000 admissions in 1860, and 485 in 1861. Reckoning the value of a soldier's services at £100 a year, the loss of service from enthetic diseases amounts to about £221,000 a year, without including the loss from diseases aggravated or influenced by the venereal class. The testimony of the deadhouse at Netley is grimly significant, hardly a body being opened there which does not show traces of syphilitic influence. The diseases influenced or aggravated by this means are chiefly those of the heart and great vessels, and of the cerebro-spinal system, phthisis, rheumatism, ophthalmia, and skin diseases. Could we stamp out syphilis we should reduce sickness in the army and navy by one-half. In the Crimea, where the possibility of venereal disease was eliminated, sickness almost entirely disappeared.

The lecturer then dealt at considerable length with the objections which are generally urged against the Acts. In answer to the statement that the activity of the legislation tended even to increase the prevalence of the disease, he compared two groups of stations of about the same numerical strength, in only one of which the Acts had been enforced. In that group where the Act had operated there had been a wellmarked decline in the number of cases since 1866, when the second and more complete law was passed, as compared with the previous period, although there had been fluctuations, as

there always must be as long as the disease exists. In the group which had never been under the Act there appeared to be no tendency whatever of the disease to die out. As to the assumed immorality of the Act, he contended that prostitution is no more provided for now than it was formerly; but the Legislature, having recognised the existence of an evil, has taken means to check it, and thus to avert from the community the burden which would be entailed by the infirmity of the sufferers themselves, and the vitiation of their innocent offspring. Those who object to the requisite examination must be very innocent or very disingenuous if they really think that it can have a demoralising effect upon the loose women who are the associates of soldiers and sailors. answer to those who say that the disease is sent as a punishment for sin, and therefore ought to be left to take its course, the lecturer pertinently asked, in the words of the Great Master, "Were those on whom the tower in Siloam fell sinners above all others ?"

In

As to the origin of disease in general, we are still as far as ever from any real knowledge of it. The vexed question of the existence of germs of disease, or the propagation of disease de noro, deserves attention. The majority of observers are in favour of the view that there is a special poison which produces a particular disease, and the evidence supports this idea. Again, it has been urged that the doctrine of evolution may be applied to material organisms; but at no time does the doctrine of evolution ever contemplate the direct change of one organism into another. And another important part of the doctrine is, that when organisms become determinate in a particular direction, and reach a high state of perfection, their chances of evolution become lessened, if not nullified. It would seem, on the other hand, that when the limit of integration is reached, the type tends to decay. It may be thus with the germs of disease, and, probably, from their low type of life, the limit is soon reached. Thus it is not improbable that some diseases will disappear altogether from sheer decay, before we are able to discover their nature; or we may stamp them out before they have had time to decay.

The theory of the spontaneous origin of disease supposes that a disease may be produced from organic germs different from itself, and that these germs may arise directly from combinations of inorganic matter. The advocates of this view, however, among whom Bastian is one of the most noted, can hardly have understood the tremendous nature of the postulates they demand. The simplest process of chemistry, such as the formation of a drop of water from its constituent gases, requires as much force as would furnish a flash of lightning; and yet we have people who ask us to believe that creatures as high in the scale as paramecia, and even acari, can arise spontaneously.

In treating of the subject of epidemics, the lecturer mentioned the recent paper of Dr. Tripe, in which he states that his investigations as to scarlatina seem to point to the existence of periodic waves of disease. If, as Dr. Tripe concludes, scarlatina, like other diseases, is controlled by influences which are not within the scope of ordinary hygienic means, we cannot hope to stamp it out, but must only expect to modify it by care. It may be, however, that the apparent periodicity of certain diseases arises from the fact of a severe epidemic exhausting the supply of susceptible individuals. The scientific history of epidemics is still to be written, but good work is being done in that direction. The science of statistics must be at the base of all inquiries on the subject, and ought to be more generally taught. A proper attention to it would prevent crude generalisations from insufficient data. When facts are honestly collected and sufficiently numerous, averages give a very fair approximation to the truth.

In concluding his discourse, the lecturer expressed a hope that he had been successful, however imperfectly, in putting

before his hearers reasons for believing that there was a great future for sanitation, and that, if the State did its duty, this subject must be hereafter one of its chief cares.

THE POLLUTION OF RIVERS BILL.

It would seem as though the Marquis of Salisbury had been utterly taken by surprise at the immense amount of consternation sown broadcast over the country by his Bill for preserving the rivers from pollution; and yet the tone adopted by all the deputations which have waited upon him must have impressed upon his mind the absolute necessity which has long been felt amongst all classes for legislation of some sort on this subject. It is with somewhat mixed feelings, therefore, that we now learn from the Marquis's speech of the other evening that a portion of the Bill is to be abandoned; it is satisfactory, however, to find that there is every prospect of the measure being passed this session, even if it be in only a modified form, and we shall be much astonished if steps are not taken to enlarge its provisions in subsequent sessions. The reason given by the Marquis for curtailing his Bill is the pressure of business which exists in the other House, and which would jeopardise its passing before the rising of Parliament, unless considerably reduced in its proportions. With respect to the necessity for keeping solid matters out of rivers, the noble lord said that very little difference of opinion existed, and the Government had been urged to proceed at least with that portion of the measure. With regard to the question of sewage, it was not one of such great difficulty or complication; but there were corporations and other large bodies to deal with, and the offence complained of sometimes arose from injudicious attempts to improve the public health. The requirements of the Bill, however, would be continued, and it would be provided that the casting of sewage into rivers should, after a limited time, cease, and that proper means should be taken to purify it. The third portion of the Bill, which relates to the pollution of rivers from mining and manufacturing districts, is the most difficult question to deal with, and it is this portion which it is now contemplated to abandon, at least for the present. The terrible pollution cast into our rivers can only be corrected by special schemes adapted to each river and each drainage area, carried out by some authority, upon whom would be placed the same obligation which was imposed some years ago upon the Metropolitan Board of Works-of providing a general plan for the purification of the rivers under their charge. Meanwhile it would be made unlawful to send mining or manufacturing pollutions into rivers through any new channels; and had such prohibition been passed twenty years ago, much of the evil now existing would have been entirely avoided. The Marquis also specially announced that, so far from wishing to convey the idea that those who now polluted rivers were to be allowed to do so with impunity, he desired to guard against any argument in the future that vested interests had been accepted by Parliament and could not be touched. It was proposed to place on record a special protest against any contention of that nature. His lordship concluded his observations by observing that he was sure that any diminution of the present evil, even though small and limited in amount, would be an appreciable good to the people, and one which Parliament ought not to despise; and with these sentiments we cordially concur.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS.

THE annual election of Fellows into the Council of the College took place yesterday, the 1st inst. There were three vacancies caused by the following retiring members, who offered themselves for re-election-viz., Messrs. Prescott Hewett, SurgeonExtraordinary to her Majesty, Vice-President of the College, and Surgeon to St. George's Hospital; Henry Spencer Smith, Senior Surgeon and Lecturer at St. Mary's Hospital, and a

member of the Court of Examiners of the College; and John Birkett, also a member of the Court, and Consulting-Surgeon to Guy's Hospital. The new candidates were Messrs. John Cooper Forster, Senior Surgeon and Lecturer at Guy's Hospital; Edward Law Hussey, Senior Surgeon to the Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford: and Alfred Smee, F.R.S., Surgeon to the Bank of England. The election, which was by ballot, was not brought to a close until half-past four, when the President, Mr. Le Gros Clark, F.R.S., declared that the choice of the Fellows had fallen on Messrs. Hewett, Forster, and Birkett. The numbers polled by the respective candidates were as follows:-Mr. Prescott G. Hewett, 127, including 5 plumpers; Mr. John C. Forster, 110, 5 plumpers; Mr. John Birkett, 109, 1 plumper (Mr. Birkett did not vote); Mr. Henry S. Smith, 97, 32 plumpers; Mr. Alfred Smee, 30, 13 plumpers; Mr. Edward L. Hussey, 29, 3 plumpers. In the evening the Fellows dined together at the Albion Tavern, Surgeon-General Longmore in the chair, supported by several distinguished guests. As showing the increasing interest taken in the election, it may be mentioned that Fellows attended from distant provincial towns, as Messrs. Green, Bristol; Wiblin, Southampton; Archer, Birmingham; Barrow, Ryde; Bartrum, Bath; Benfield, Leicester; Carr, Gomersal; Carter, Pewsey; Cattlin and Rugg, Brighton; Ceily, Aylesbury; Crosse, Norwich; Fletcher, Manchester; Hawkins and Hitchman, Cheltenham; Horsfall and Jessop, Leeds; Hutchins, Rochester Lee, Salisbury; Longmore, Southampton; Lund, Manchester; Lush, Weymouth; Manby, Wolverhampton ; Maurice, Marlborough (2); May, Reading; Nankivell, Chatham; Orsborn, Southampton; Owen, Oxford; Pentall, St. Leonard's; Raven, Litcham; Scott, Aughnaclay, co. Tyrone; Shaw, Bedford; Taylor, Birmingham; Thomson, Clifton; White, Oxford; Wood, Shrewsbury; Woodman, Ramsgate; etc.

THE SUMMER DRILLS AT ALDERSHOT.

THE forces selected to take part in the summer drills at Aldershot were assembled in camp by the 26th ult., and the standing orders for their guidance have been made public. From these it would appear that the instructions to medical officers are as follows:-1. Regiments about to take part in the manœuvres to be carefully inspected, so that none but robust men take the field. 2. The station-hospitals at Aldershot will be used as base hospitals for the sick of the whole force. 3. Two light field-hospitals on the following plan will be provided for each division. For one hospital, four bell tents (with high walls) for sick; one bell tent for medical officers; one for surgery, etc.; one for hospital servants and Army Service Corps men; four ambulance waggons, eight horses; one Army Service Corps waggon, four horses; one water-cart, two horses; total fourteen horses. 4. A surgeon-major to be appointed as principal medical officer of each division. One surgeon to be attached to each hospital. One non-commissioned officer and six privates of the Army Hospital Corps will do duty under each principal medical officer. 5. The hospitals of each division to be entirely under the control of the principal medical officer of the division. 6. Sick to be sent into station-hospitals, Camp Aldershot, without delay, and not to be retained in the field longer than absolutely necessary. It is also ordered that medical officers attached to fieldhospitals are to wear forage caps and patrol jackets; and their instrument cases are to be carried and worn over the left shoulder, in order that they may be at once distinguished, in the event of their services being required.

UNITED HOSPITALS ATHLETIC SPORTS.

THE annual competition for the Challenge Shield and prizes offered by the United Hospitals Athletic Club, took place on Saturday last at the Lillie-bridge Grounds,

West Brompton. The weather was very fine, and a large number of spectators were present, among them being many ladies. All the events were well contested, but in some the entries were not so numerous as on former occasions. The first contest was for the One Hundred Yards Challenge Cup, which was won by G. R. Sanders, of St. Bartholomew's; time, 10 seconds. The One Hundred and Twenty Yards Hurdle Race was won by G. R. Turner, of St. George's, in 18 seconds; Reader, of Guy's, taking second honours. The latter took the first prize in the High Jump clearing 5 feet 1 inches; Chapman, also of Guy's, being second with 5 feet 1 inch. The Mile Race fell to King's, whose representative, C. B. Lewis, won easily in 4 minutes 53 seconds. The Half-Mile Race was a splendid struggle between Jefferson, of King's, and Jennings, of St. George's, the former winning by 3 yards, in 2 minutes 12 seconds. In Putting the Shot, Guy's got first and second places, Stevenson doing 33 feet 3 inches, and Gray 33 feet 1 inch. The Quarter-Mile Race was finely contested, E. H. Howlett taking first place, and G. R. Turner, of St. George's, second. The Long Jump fell to Brumell, of St. Bartholomew's, who cleared 19 feet; Gravely, of Guy's, being second with 18 feet 10 inches. The Two-Mile Race was won easily by L. W. Swabey, of St. George's; and the same hospital scored another victory in the Two Hundred and Fifty Yards Race, E. F. Wright beating Howlett in the final heat by just half a yard. St. George's Hospital having thus scored the largest number of events, was declared the winner of the Champion Challenge Shield, which it will hold until next year's meeting. Since the shield was first contested for, Guy's Hospital has won it three times, King's three times, St. George's twice, and St. Bartholomew's

once.

THE ARMY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.

THE Session of 1875 is hurrying on very rapidly to its close, and still Mr. Hardy is considering the case of the Medical Officers of the Army. Some time ago we ventured to predict that, with all his Parliamentary duties to attend to, the Secretary of State for War would find it difficult to arrange the various grievances under which the Medical Department is labouring, and we fear that this question, so important to a large body of officers, will have to be postponed for a settlement until the forthcoming recess. This, if unavoidable, is to be regretted, as the next examination for appointments in the Medical Department of the Army is advertised to take place in August; and, with the uncertainty which hangs over the future of the army medical officer, it is hardly likely that many candidates will be found willing to come forward until something definite is promulgated by the authorities on the subject. It must, however, be cheerfully conceded by the most impatient that if the delay on Mr. Hardy's part proceeds from a desire to settle the affairs of the Department on an equitable and lasting basis, there would be no gain in hasty legislation; and that some ameliorative and beneficial alterations are intended, which take time to mature, we think cau scarcely be doubted.

SALUBRITY OF RICHMOND.

DR. LETHEBY, in his evidence given at the Richmond water inquiry on February 12 last, stated that, assuming the population of Richmond to be 16,000, the average number of deaths for the year 1873-74, according to Dr. Rowland's figures, would be 283-5, equivalent to 17.7 per 1000, whilst the deathrate in all England was 22.5 per 1000, in London 24-5 per 1000, in the chief towns of England 24.8, and in the subdistricts (the healthiest parts) 19-7. The proportion of zymotic diseases (fever, cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, etc.) in Richmond was 2.5 per 1000 of the population; in all England, 5·086. The proportion of zymotic deaths to other deaths in Richmond

was 144-8 per 1000, whilst in all England it was 240-286, in London 242, and in seventeen of the chief towns in England 247. So that the mortality of Richmond was considerably below that of England generally.

DR. FLEETWOOD CHURCHILL, OF DUBLIN. OUR distinguished Irish confrère has retired from the active practice of his profession, to which he has so long been an ornament. He seeks for the repose which many years of unceasing toil have earned, in a country home far from “the busy haunts of men"-Ardtrea Rectory, Stewartstown, co. Tyrone. Dr. Churchill's retirement was graced by a generous gift to the King and Queen's College of Physicians, on his own part, and on that of his son, Dr. Fleetwood Churchill, jun., of the valuable obstetrical library he had collected during his lifetime. The President and Fellows, recognising the value of the gift and the generosity of the donors, have resolved to place a portrait of their ex-President and Fellow in the College Hall, Kildare-street, Dublin.

SANITARY MEASURES IN MARYLEBONE.

DR. WHITMORE, Medical Officer of Health for Marylebone, in his last monthly report observes that "there are two difficulties which not unfrequently interpose in the management of epidemic infectious diseases. The first, and perhaps the most formidable, arises from the careless and reckless habits of the poor and destitute; and the next, from the selfishness of a certain class of persons who, in providing for the recovery of their own sick and infected children, utterly disregard the safety of the public at large; for this latter reason, I am thankful to the Vestry for having sanctioned the distribution of posters and handbills throughout the parish, calling attention to the provisions of the 'Sanitary Act,' which prohibits the removal of infected persons in public conveyances, and the otherwise exposure of such persons, together with the removal of infected bedding, clothes, etc. After this notice, should any one of the provisions of this Act be infringed, and the offender discovered, I trust the Vestry will prosecute him with all the rigour which the offence merits."

CHARING-CROSS HOSPITAL.

THE annual distribution of prizes at this medical school took place on Thursday, the 24th ult. Admiral Strange occupied the chair, and there was a fashionable attendance of the friends of the school, and others. In the Dean's report mention was specially made of the large additions to the Hospital and medical school. Fifty new students had been enrolled during the academical year. The Llewellyn Scholarship was gained by Mr. T. B. Conolly, the Governors' Clinical Gold Medal by Mr. Walter J. Brookes, and the Entrance Scholarships by Mr. Rowbotham and Mr. H. Hoole. The chairman, having awarded the prizes, delivered an address to the students full of counsel and encouragement. Dr. Fayrer, who sevenand-twenty years ago was a student at Charing-cross Hospital, then proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman, and the proceedings terminated.

ARTISANS' DWELLINGS.

A VERY satisfactory report was presented to the thirty-first annual meeting of the Society for Improving the Dwellings of the Labouring Classes. The Artisans' Dwellings Bill of the Government was described as an important step in the right direction. The Society had eight properties in different parts of the metropolis, all of which were well let, and the rents kept duly paid, producing a rental of upwards of £5000. The mortality amongst the tenants during the past year had been twenty-three per 1000, which was less than the average mortality of the metropolis.

DUBLIN REGISTRATION DISTRICT.

WE believe that the Registrar-General for Ireland has lately subdivided one of the South Dublin City Dispensary Districts for registration purposes. The district in question had some time ago been subdivided for medical and sanitary purposes, and this fact lends importance to the present change, which will do away with the last remnant of divided responsibility on the part of the medical officers. It is to be hoped that this improvement, which is likely to be equally advantageous to the public and to the medical officers, will shortly be extended to the other districts of Dublin. If it be so, the working of the machinery for medical, sanitary, and registration purposes will be much more satisfactory, one competent medical man being head of the organisation in each sub-district of the city.

IRISH LONGEVITY.

THE Irish mortality returns, made up for the year 1872, record the deaths of 368 males and 481 females registered as ninety-five years old or upwards when they died. Of these, 303 were persons stated to have reached the age of one hundred years and upwards-135 males and 168 females. Seventy-seven of the men and 100 of the women in every 10,000 are stated in the returns to have been over ninetyfive years of age. The sanitary condition of several of the districts is extremely defective, notwithstanding these instances of longevity.

NEW SICK ASYLUM.

SIR SYDNEY WATERLOW, M.P., opened, on the 24th ult., the new asylum for the sick poor erected on the site of the old Strand Union Workhouse in Cleveland-street, Fitzroy-square, at a cost of upwards of £32,000. The building will accommodate 281 patients, and is the second built by the managers of the Central London Sick Asylum District. Patients will be received from the following Unions, viz. :-Westminster, the Strand, St. Giles's and St. George's, Bloomsbury, and St. Pancras.

DISCUSSION ON PUERPERAL FEVER AT THE OBSTETRICAL SOCIETY.

THIS debate will be resumed and concluded on Wednesday next. We believe that Dr. Fordyce Barker, of New York, will speak in favour of the specificity of puerperal fever, and that Mr. Spencer Wells will reply on the whole discussion. It is expected that Dr. Newman, of Stamford, will show the uterus of a woman on whom he performed Cæsarian section some years ago with successful result.

PARLIAMENTARY.-POLLUTION OF RIVERS-PUBLIC HEALTH.

IN the House of Lords, on Thursday, June 24,

The Marquis of Salisbury opened the discussion in committee on the Rivers Pollution Bill. He feared that, in consequence of the complicated nature of some of the provisions of the present Bill, it would be impossible to pass it at such a late period of the session. Other provisions were of such importance that it was desirable to legislate upon them without further delay. He proposed to discuss the Bill under three heads. First, the question of keeping solid pollution out of rivers. Persons in all parts of the country were strongly in favour of having that portion of the measure proceeded with. A great part of the solids was not absolutely thrown into the rivers, but, having been placed on the banks, was swept into them by the floods. This evil would not be remedied by the Bill. The second question was that of sewage, which was more complicated, as corporations invested with special powers would have to be dealt with. He proposed that they should cease to pollute the rivers after a limited period, or take means to purify their sewage. He hoped so much of the Bill would become law this session. The third question was how to deal with the mining and manufacturing interests, the first proposals of the Government on this head having been almost universally condemned. As a body, the manufacturers created the evil; and, as a body, they must correct it by conveying the polluted water by special sewers to some distant place. In some places, dye-works, etc., obtained their