ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS

919

illustrated by beautifully and delicately elaborated drawingswhich Mr. Albany Hancock had undertaken at the urgentrequest of several scientific friends in London, he receivedthe gold medal of the Royal Society for 1858. This presenta-tion was the first ever made to a native of Newcastle. TheBewick collection ’and the Hancock drawings are now on

the walls of our museum, and well worthy of a visit fromall interested in nature and art.

VACANT HOSPITAL APPOINTMENTS IN NEWCASTLE.

There is now an unusual number of hospital appointments vacant in Newcastle. As well as the vacancy at the Chest ’,Hospital, mentioned last week, an honorary physician andsurgeon is wanted at the Children’s Hospital. Dr. J. G. Houseman and Dr. Coley are candidates for the physician’s post and Dr. Aitchison and Mr. W. Glaholm Black for the ’,surgeoncy. At the infirmary Dr. Limont is, so far as I haveheard, the only candidate for the vacant physicianship. !,Dr. Limont has been acting as senior resident medical officerto the house for more than three years. For some time he has devoted himself specially to physician’s work; and heasks the committee to release him from the post to enablehim to compete for the higher appointment.Newcastle-on-Tyne May 11th

EDINBURGH.

(From our own Correspondent.)

A LIME-LIGHT FOR DEMONSTRATION PURPOSES.

AT the fortnightly meeting of the Edinburgh Medico-Chirurgical Society, Dr. Foulis gave a demonstration ofthe circulation in the web of a frog’s foot and of some

botanical test objects by means of the oxyhydrogen light.The light, transmitted through a powerful condenser, passedthrough an ordinary microscope lens, and was thrown upona large plate of ground glass at a distance of about 25 ft.The image of the object demonstrated could be focused onthis plate with great exactitude, the definition even withhigh powers being excellent, and the general effect strikinglysatisfactory.

A RARE FORM OF ICHTHYOSIS.

Dr. Allan Jamieson exhibited a drawing from a case ofichthyosis palmaris et plantaris. The palms and soles ofthe patient were covered with a horny growth a quarter ofan inch thick, which gave a loud resonant note when struck.All other parts of the skin were absolutely normal, and theonly other morbid symptom was the very rapid growth ofthe nails both of the fingers and toes. In Dr. Jamieson’sexperience a case of ichthyosis with such exact delimitationof the areas affected was absolutely unique.

SUBPERIOSTEAL SURGERY.

Dr. C. W. MacGillivray exhibited portions of bone removedsubperiosteally from the lower end of the humerus in a caseof compound fracture and dislocation. The whole of thebone removed was replaced by a new formation, and theresult of the operation was a movable and useful joint.

LARYNGEAL PARALYSES.

Dr. McBride read a paper on the above subject, dealingspecially with bilateral paralyses, and illustrated by therecords of several interesting cases. An observation of someimportance was the detection of paralysis of both lateralesin a case of locomotor ataxia, in which all the usual symptomswere well marked. He specially insisted on the value oflaryngeal examination as an important adjunct to thediagnosis of various morbid conditions.

THE SCIENCE AND ART MUSEUM.

An extensive addition has just been commenced whichwill complete the lluseum buildings as originally designed.For some time there has been overcrowding of specimens inseveral of the departments, rendering increased accommoda-tion very desirable; and the crying need for a properly fittedlibrary, where the public can avail themselves of the valu-able collection of books possessed by the Museum, will atlength be satisfied. Colonel Murdoch Smith has been ap-pointed Director, a post left vacant by the sudden death ofthe late Professor Archer. Colonel Smith has a considerablereputation as an antiquarian, and has enriched both theBritish and South Kensington Museums by valuable collec-

tions made in the East. These public services have receivedtheir due recognition in the important post to which he hasbeen appointed; and there is every reason to expect that hewill prove no unworthy occupant of the place once filled bysuch men even as the genial and versatile Dr. George Wilson.Edinburgh, May 11th.

IRELAND.

(From our own Correspondent.)

ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS.

AT the last meeting of the Council, a letter was receivedfrom Mr. O’Reilly-Dease offering a portrait of Mr. Butcher,the eminent Dublin surgeon, and also proposing to build ahall for the reception of Mr. Butcher’s museum, in the eventof that gentleman giving it to the College. Dr. Cameron

vice-president of the College, stated that he was authorisedby Mr. Butcher to offer his museum, and that Mr. Wheeler,to whom Mr. Butcher had promised to bequeath it, hadkindly waived his claim. On the motion of Mr. Colles,seconded by Sir George Porter, the thanks of the Councilwere voted to each of the gentlemen concerned. The annualelection of examiners, which had been arranged to takeplace on the 19th inst., has, in view of the expected newcharter, been postponed to the 27th. It is confidentlyexpected that several changes will occur, and some newblood be infused into that body. Among the various can-didates who will come forward will be Mr. Swanzy toexamine in ophthalmic surgery, Dr. Mapother in phy-siology, and Dr. Robinson in anatomy.

DEATH OF MR. JOHN NEILL, RESIDENT SURGEON,STEEVENS’ HOSPITAL.

It is with deep regret I record the death of this promisingyoung surgeon, at the early age of twenty-five, from bloodpoisoning. He died rather suddenly, and it is a doubtfulpoint whether the cut which he received on making a post-mortem examination and which caused the blood poisoningwas complicated with scarlatina or not. Mr. Neill was aprivate teacher of considerable repute, and was connectedwith the Ledwich School of Medicine as a demonstrator ofanatomy, where he was much liked and where his loss willbe greatly felt. Thoroughly straightforward in all his actions,kind in disposition, and unassuming in manner, he madefriends everywhere, and his sudden and untimely decease iswidely regretted. Mr. Neill’s funeral took place on Tuesdaylast and was largely attended, a notable feature being thepresence of about one hundred students, who walked inprocession from Steevens’ Hospital to the place of inter-ment. It is contemplated by the students to present anaddress of condolence to Mr. Neill’s father on his sadbereavement.

Dr. H. B. Fleming has been unanimously elected medicalofficer to the Omagh workhouse, in the room of his father,Dr. H. Fleming, resigned.At a meeting of the Royal Cork Yacht Club, last week,

Dr. Tanner was removed from the list of members onaccount of his action on the occasion of the Royal visit.Small-pox is reported to have broken out at Enniskillen.Dublin, May 12th.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS.

AT an ordinary meeting of the Council of the College, heldon Thursday, May 14th, the usual resolutions were passedfixing the date (July 4th) for the election of members ofCouncil, in place of Messrs. Erichsen, Holmes, and Savory,who retire. It is probable that the two former will not seekre-election.The report of the Committee in reference to the required

certificate of instruction and proficiency in the practice ofvaccination was received as follows :—" The Committee re-commend to the Council that the existing regulation on thesubject of the recognition of certificates in vaccinationshould remain in force, not only on account of the obliga-tions of the College to the Local Government Board inEngland and the agreement with the Royal College of Phy-sicians under the Scheme for the Examining Board inEngland, but because by recognising other certificates the

920

value of the diploma would be depreciated to futureMembers of this College. The Committee have, at the sametime, further to report that they have reason to believe thatif a representation were made by the Council of Queen’sCollege, Belfast, to the Irish Local Government Boardsuggesting that that Board should invite the English LocalGovernment Board to confer with a view to the establish-ment of educating vaccination stations in Ireland, subjectto terms to be agreed upon by both Boards, the difficultyunder which Irish candidates for the diploma of this Collegenow labour might be surmounted."The following recommendations of the Committee of

Management were approved : 1. That every member ofthe University of Edinburgh who shall have passedsuch an examination or examinations at his universityas shall comprise the subjects of the First and Second Exa-minations of the Examining Board in England, and whoshall have completed not less than four years of medicalstudy according to the regulations required by his university,be eligible for admission to the Third or Final Examinationof the Board, two years after his having passed all the otherrequired examinations; that every candidate so admittedto examination be required to pay a fee of five guineas; andthat every such candidate who shall have passed such Thirdor Final Examination shall, on the further payment of notless than twenty-five guineas, and subject to the bye-lawsof each College, be entitled to receive the licence of theRoyal College of Physicians of London and the diploma ofMember of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.2. That the regulation exempting candidates, members ofuniversities, from any part of the examinations of the Exa-mining Board in England do continue in force so long onlyas the examinations of the universities shall be satisfactoryto the Committee of Management. 3. That the regulationapplicable to the conditions of the admission of members ofthe English universities to the Third or Final Examination ofthe Examining Board in England be extended to such of theScotch and Irish universities as require that not less thantwo of the four years’ curriculum of professional educationshall have been spent in residence at the university."The President and Vice-Presidents’ report on Sir James

Paget’s resolution, that a marble bust by Mr. Brock, A.R.A.,of Sir Erasmus Wilson be placed in the College, wasadopted.The following motion, of which he gave notice at the last

meeting, was moved by Mr. DURHAM, seconded by Mr.SAVORY, and carried unanimously :" That seven delegatesfrom this College be appointed with authority to invite anequal number of delegates from the Royal College of Phy-sicians to meet and confer upon what steps, if any, can betaken to enable the two Colleges to obtain the legal right ofgiving the title of Doctor’ to persons who shall haveobtained the licence of the Royal College of Physicians ofLondon and the diploma of the Royal College of Surgeonsof England."The delegates appointed were: the President, the Vice-

Presidents, Sir Joseph Lister, and Messrs. Marshall, Hulke,and Durham.

MEDICAL NOTES IN PARLIAMENT.

The Case of Mr. Hillman.IN the House of Commons on the 7th inst., in reply to

Mr. W. Corbet, who asked whether it was true that in theCourt of Appeal the Lord Chief Justice of England decidedin favour of Mr. Hillman, while two other judges heldopposite views; and whether he would cause the law re-garding the confinement of persons alleged to be insane tobe so altered as to be intelligible to those who had toadminister it,-Sir W. Harcourt stated that the Court ofAppeal seemed to have decided that the detention of Alr.Hillman was lawful, and he could not admit that he was un-lawfully placed in the asylum. He had no doubt the attentionof the Lord Chancellor would be called to this matter inconnexion with the Bill now under consideration.

Inoculation for Cholera.On the-8th inst., in reply to Dr. Cameron respecting the

discovery reported to have been made by Dr. Jaime Ferranof Valencia, in connexion with inoculation for cholera, LordE. Fitzmaurice stated that Her Majesty’s Minister at ialadridwould be instructed to send home translations of any papers

of Dr. Ferran’s, and reports of the Madrid Academy ofMedicine on the subject.

The Royal University (Ireland).On the llth inst., in reply to Mr. Kenny, Mr. Campbell-

Bannerman stated that a power was granted to the Senateof the Royal University in their original charter, but lastingfor three years only, with a view to facilitating the obtain-ing of degrees by medical men qualified before the passingof the Royal University Act. It expired in November last,and the Senate have not sought to have it renewed. Therewas an obvious reason for giving it in the first instance,which does not now hold good, and he was not aware of anyintention to revive it.

Mortality from Small-pox.On the 12th inst., in reply to Mr. Hopwood, Mr. G. Russell

stated that two tables as to the mortality from small-pox,which were compiled respectively by Dr. Greenhow and Dr.Farr, could be found in the Appendix to the Report of theSelect Committee in 1871 on the Vaccination Acts. Accord-ing to these tables, the small-pox death-rate in London was3044 per 1,000,000 in 1746-55; and 5020 per 1,000,000 in1771-80. In 1871-80 the mortality, according to the returnsof the Registrar-General, was 460 per 1,000,000.

Medical Relief and the Franchise.On the report of the English Registration Bill, Mr. Davey

moved the addition of a clause providing that the receipt ofparochial medical relief should not disqualify a voter. Theclause was opposed by the Attorney-General; but after someconsiderable discussion was carried by 87 to 50.

The Hospital on Quarantine Island.On the 14th inst., Lord Hartington, in answer to Lord

E. Cecil, who inquired whether he would ascertain if itwas true that the Auxiliary Hospital on Quarantine Island,at Sawakin, stood on an old burial-ground, and that greatsickness prevailed there just now in consequence of theunhealthiness of the situation, said that there was a hospitalwhich had been selected by the authorities on the spot.When it was first suggested, he had doubts as to the salu-brity of an island that had been a burial-ground. A tele-gram was sent to Sawaldn, and in reply he was informedthat the island was most healthy. For six years pastscarcely a burial had taken place, and there was no reasonto believe it would be unhealthy.

Vaccinatiun.Mr. G. Russell, replying to Mr. Hopwood, who asked

whether the President of the Local Government Board wasaware that by a house-to-house visitation of 15,000 housesin West Ham, instituted by Dr. Kennedy, it had beenascertained that the inhabitants are vaccinated in numberup to the average of 98 per cent., said the figures in thequestion were inaccurate. Some complaint had been madeof the system of sewers and drains in West Ham, and hehad directed an inspector to make inquiries on the spot.

Overwork at School.Mr. Mundella, in answer to General Feilden as to whether

it was true that a young girl had committed suicide onaccount of overwork at school at Adlington, said inquiryhad been made, and it was found that she was the daughterof a dairyman and worked in a cotton mill. As she wasunder thirteen, she attended school half-time, was in a lowstandard, and had no home lessons. She had a deal of farmwork to do in carrying out milk. Her companions said she hadcomplained of harsh treatment on the part of the womanwho employed her at the factory, and that was the cause ofher suicide. The school was well conducted, and no blameattached to the teacher in this case. Mr. Mundella addedthat more labour was exacted from children of tenderyears in England than in any other country in Europe.

The Sanitary Conference at Rome.Lord E. Fitzmaurice, in reply to Mr. Sutherland, said Her

Majesty’s Government have accepted an invitation to ascientific and sanitary conference which is about to meet atRome, and will examine the best methods of preventing thespread of cholera. Sir Guyer Hunter, who was employed inEgypt during the epidemic of 1883, and whose valuablereports have been laid before Parliament, and Dr. Thorne, theAssistant Medical Officer of the Local Government Board,will be the British delegates. The recommendations of theConference will be in the usual course submitted to the