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THE REPRESENTATION OF EDINBURGH ANDST. ANDREWS UNIVERSITIES.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-I have to express my regret that I was unavoidablyprevented being present on Monday last at the meeting of theSt. Andrews medical graduates held at the Freemasons’

Tavern. I was most anxious to know Dr. Richardson’s

opinion on various matters before pledging myself to supporthim in his candidature for the representation in Parliament ofthe conjoint Universities of St. Andrews and Edinburgh. Iwas the more anxious to learn under what leadership he wasseeking the suffrages of the electors. Judging from the abstractof his address published in the daily papers, had I been pre-sent I would most decidedly have explained to the some

thirty gentlemen forming the meeting that I could not, andwould not, support any candidate for a seat in the House ofCommons simply as a medical man without some fixed politicalviews. Such a man would be looked upon as a nonentity. Iask the Liberal graduates of the Universities not to stultifythemselves by pledging their votes to a purely medical candi-date, and thus tend to secure the return of one who is purelylegal and Conservative. There is no doubt that the contestwill be between Professor Playfair and Mr. Swinton, theformer a learned and Liberal professor in sciences collateral tomedicine. Moreover, his sympathies are largely with themedical profession. The latter, judging from his address, farfrom sympathising with the medical profession, ignores us al-together, and simply urges his claims to our support on theexclusive principles of Conservatism. Besides, it is a matterof importance to the medical graduates of St. Andrews toknow that Mr. Swinton is supported in his candidature bytwo men most hostile to their being placed on the register aselectors.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,Montague-square, July 22nd, 1868. A. WYNN WILLIAMS.A. WYNN WILLIAMS.

METROPOLITAN DISTRICT ASYLUMS.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-Allow me to correct an error which appears in yournotice of the proceedings of this Board in your last number.The Committee for the Southern Districts of the metropolis,in preparing their instructions to architects for the Fever Hos-pital, have had before them two documents prepared withgreat care and research by Dr. Sibson, the late chairman ofthe" Committee for Fever Patients." One, a compilation fromthe returns of the Registrar-General, and from the reports ofthe London Fever Hospital, gives the complete fever statisticsof London, and the other is a memorandum containing sug-gestions for the plan of a Fever Hospital.The information and suggestions thus left by Dr. Sibson,

who, I regret to say, is unable, owing to professional engage-ments, to continue a manager of the board, were most valu-able ; and, although the Committee are not sanguine enoughto imagine that they have " solved the difliculty " of adoptinga hospital on the pavilion plan, to receive three varieties offever, which must be kept distinct, as well as cases of inflam-matory disease, mistaken for fever, and sent to the hospital,they have endeavoured at least to grapple with it. ;

In like manner the Committee for "small-pox patients,"lately presided over by Mr. T. Holmes, left a memorandum ofinstructions, which the Southern Committee have adoptedwith few alterations, the principal one being an increase inthe number of beds from 75 to 100.

I feel a great interest in the construction of hospitals, bothmilitary and civil, as well as in the nursing and general treat-ment of the sick, but lay claim to no merit not equally sharedby every member of the Committee.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,J. A. BOSTOCK,

July 27th, 1868. Scots Fusilier Guards.J. A. BOSTOCK,

Scots Fusilier Guards.

FOUNDER’S DAY AT THE ROYAL MEDICALCOLLEGE, EPSOM.

On Thursday, July 23rd, the Founder’s day was celebratedat the above College, Earl Granville, the President, in thechair, surrounded by a distinguished body of ladies and gen-

tlemen. Service having been performed in the chapel, thespeeches were delivered in the schoolroom in the following

’ order :-

Newton’s delivery was very impressive, and at the conclusionof his elegy he was rewarded with immense applaase. Theother boys were highly successful, Taylor and Sloman throwinggreat vivacity into their dialogue.The head master, before proceeding to distribute the prizes,

feelingly, although briefly, alluded to the loss the school hadsustained in the death, since their last similar meeting, of theirrevered founder; and he then presented to Newton the Propertprize, consisting of jE20, and a bronze medallion with the headof the late Mr. Propert, given for the first time this year.The following is the list of prizes :-Propert prize, Newton;

Wakley prize, Cates; Carr prize, Harding; Watts prize, Lowe.Brande prizes: Good conduct, Wallis, w.; essay, Taylor, ma.Engledue prizes: Latin verse, Sloman, ma.; essay, Carter, ma.;Greek verse, Newton; reading, Wright, ma.; essay (remove),Sylvester. Sterry prize, Lowe. Divinity: (1) Newton, (2)Boulger. Classics : (6) Newton; (5) Wright, ma.; Ren. Phillips;(4) Bannister, ma.; mid., Sloman, min.; (3) Sworder, ma.; (2)Caudler ; (1) Wakefield. Mathematics, Newton. Arithmetic:(1) Morse; (2) Herbert. English: (1) Taylor, H.; (2) Fox,Parker, mi. French: (1) Fox; (2) Wall. German: (1) Sloman,ma. ; (2) Carter. Italian : Harvey, Sloman, ma. History:(1) Collins, F.S.; (2) A. Menzies, Bannister, ma.; Hamilton.Drawing : Wright, ma.; Watt, Clark. Choir : Taylor, mi.Drill : Sloman, ma. Forest exhibition, Newton. Gilchristexhibition, Harvey.The head master accompanied each prize with some appro-

priate and encouraging remarks. After the distribution thenoble Chairman addressed a few eloquent words to the assem-bly, and, the usual votes of thanks having been given, themeeting separated.

THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS.

A COMITIA MAJORA was held on Thursday, at which a prettylarge number of Fellows were present. After the reception ofcommunications from the medical profession relative to vacci.nation, the election of new Fellows was proceeded with, andthe following gentlemen were duly chosen :-Dr. W. Ogle,Dr. Lockhart Robertson, Dr. Harrington Tuke, Dr. Heaton,Dr. Morgan, Dr. Moxon, Dr. Hughlings Jackson, Dr. ReginaldThompson, and Dr. Symes Thompson. It will be seen thatthe above names tally with those in the Council nominationlist which we printed last week, and the same remark appliesto the election of office-bearers in the College. The Nomen-clature report was ordered to be published. The most im.portant matter before the meeting was a notice of motion by Dr.C. J. B. Williams, to give the Fellows a larger share in thenomination of Fellows. Dr. Williams intends to move thatbefore the Council prepares its list of members for the Fellow-ship nominations from any two or more Fellows may be re-ceived, the grounds of the recommendation being stated; andfurther, if the Fellows are not satisfied with the list of theCouncil’s nominees, the Fellows may add others, these beingsuspended as an amended list for a fortnight prior to the dayof election; and when the names are submitted to the ComitiaMajora, the majority of votes to elect. Dr. Bence Jones arguedthat the matter should be submitted to the Council for itsconsideration ; but Dr. Williams defended his own plan. SirT. Watson proposed that this and other schemes should bereceived in comitia, and then referred to the Council. Dr.Williams’s motion is to be printed, and brought up for discus.sion at the next meeting.

THE NEW PHARMACY ACT.

THE main provisions in the new Pharmacy Act are as fol-lows :-From and after the 31st of December next it shall beunlawful for anyone to sell, or keep open shop, or to assume