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before I went there in 1868. Of this I am certain, syphiliscould not have existed among the Samoans without myknowing it and seeing cases of it, and up till Dec. 1879 Ihad heard of no cases of it, nor have I heard of it since,though it may have been introduced since I left. Long mayit remain unknown there ! If there is any further point onwhich I can give you information I shall be very glad.

"

Yours truly,"GEO. W. TURNER."

HONG KONG.

THE report of the colonial surgeon of Hong Kong for 1887 ishows the admissions into hospital of the white troops tohave been 1173, the deaths 8’22, and the mean daily sick47’28 per 1000 of the strength in a force of 1217 non-com-missioned officers and men. Among the black troops, whowere only 177 strong, the admissions were 1842, the deaths22-60, and the mean daily sick 36-89 per 1000. The policeforce averaged 636 men, of whom 116 were Europeans, 201Indians, and 319 Chinese. Among the Europeans the caseswere 1198 and the deaths 34-5, among the Indians 1458 and4’9, and among the Chinese 586 and 12’5 respectively per1000 of strength. The small numbers from which theseratios are derived deprive them of much of their value,especially as regards the mortality. The Chinese appear to

enjoy a marked exemption from sickness compared withthe other portions of the force ; while that of the Europeanscorresponds closely with the ratio of the white troops. Inan average of 584 prisoners in the Victoria gaol, the casesof sickness were 572 and the deaths 10’27 per 1000, resultsdiffering very slightly from those of the Chinese in the police.The statistics of the Tung Wa Hospital show a fearfullyhigh rate of mortality ; 1213 deaths having occurred in 2231cases, or 544 per 1000. It is stated that 376 of these werebrought to hospital in a moribund condition, but deductingthese the deaths are still in the ratio of 168-5 per 1000.Mr. Ayres, the colonial surgeon, states that " the greatmajority admitted into this institution are incurables in adestitute condition." An epidemic of small-pox prevailedduring the last two months of the year, when 310 caseswere admitted into the Tung WaHospital, of which 221 died.The majority of the cases were childen under four years ofage, and nearly all unvaccinated.The mortality among the European and American

residents in Hong Kong, in number 3040, was in the ratioof 35.5 per 1000, being higher than in any of the nine

preceding years. As no information is given as to the agesof the population, it is impossible to draw any deductionsregarding it. The medical superintendent of the Govern-ment Civil Hospital appears to have experienced greatdifficulty in carrying on the duties from the insufficiency ofthe nursing staff. A scheme for its reorganisation wasdrawn up by -Nir. Atkinson, and is stated to be still underconsideration. The difficulty appears to be the result of acombination of overwork and insufficient pay.Mr. Crow, the Government analyst, reports that he

examined 328 waters derived from wells and springs, andplaced 233, or 71 per cent., of them in "the category oiwaters that were evidently much polluted," and he recom.mended "that when an abundant water supply was avail.able the Government would do well to order the closing orall wells in the city of Victoria." Of nine samples of milhobtained by the nuisance inspectors, three were returned afadulterated, one of them having at least 50 per cent. o

added water. The milk supplied morning and evening t(the Civil Hospital is analysed at least once a month; in allthirty-six samples were analysed during the year.An interesting account is given of a substance called ch’;

tsai ping," being the refuse matter of the seeds of the cccynellieulei fera after the tect oil has been expressed. It appearto be used for poisoning fish ; the fish so killed do not seer,to act injuriously when used as food. It is used in gardenfor eradicating earthworms, the cake being crushed an,

boiled and the decoction poured on the grass. The wormcome to the surface; the smaller die, but the largerecover after a time. The worms are eaten greedily bthe fowls and ducks, which experience no inconveniencfbut appear to thrive on them.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OFENGLAND.

THE report of the Committee of Management of the twoColleges, which was adopted at the meeting of the Councilon the 13th inst., included amongst its recommendations arevised schedule of drugs. This is similar to the old schedule,but combines various alterations in and additions to it,suggested by the examiners in materia medica and pharmacy.This revised schedule will be used on and after Oct. 1st, 1889.Those drugs of which the candidates are required to showa practical knowledge are printed in italics. The only drugexpunged from the list is cinchonine ; the new ones addedare-acetic acid, zinc chloride, citrate of iron and quinine,butyl-chloral hydrate, collodion, apomorphine, codeine,ammoniacum, myrrh, guaiacum, senega, croton oil, cascarasagrada, copaiba, cubebs, and santonin. The following isthe complete list :-

Chlorine ; chlorinated lime; chlorinated soda. Bromine;bromides. Iodine ; iodides. Sulphur; sulphurous acid ; sul-phides. Phosphorus; phosphates; hypophosphites. Acids-Hydrochloric, nitric, sulphuric, boric, acetic, citric, tartaric,hydrocyanic (dilute). Alkalies-Ammonia, potash, soda.Ammonimn carbonate, chloride, acetate. Potassium biear-bonate, sulphate, chlorate, permanganate, acid tartrate.Sodium bicarbonate, sulphate; borax. Calcium oxide,carbonate. Magnesia, magnesium carbonate, rnccgnesiuncsulphate. Alum. Zinc oxide, chloride, zinc sulphate.Copper sulphate. Silver nitrate. Mercury, oxides,chlorides, iodides. Lead oxide, acetate, subacetate. Tar-tarated antimony. Arsenious acid; arseniates. Bismuthsubnitrate, carbonate, citrate. Iron carbonate, sulphate,perchloride, ammonio-citratc. Citrate of iron and qumine,Dialysed solution of iron. Alcohol, ether, chloroform,iodoform. Chloral hydrate. Butyl-chloral hydrate. :Nitriteof amyl. Nitrous ether. Nitro-glycerin. Collodion.Carbolic acid. Salicylic acid. Salicylate of soda. Aconite;aconitine. Opium; morphine; apomorphine: codeine.Coca; cocaine. Jaborandi; pilocarpine. Quassia. Calumba.Gentian. Calabar bean; physostigmine. Caffeine. Conium.Asafoetida. Ammoniacum. Myrrh. Guaiacum. Cin-chona ; sulphate of quinine. Salicine. Ipecacuanha,Senega. Glycerine. Nux vomica; strychnine. Bella-donna ; atropine. Hyoscyamus. Stramonium. CannabisIndica. Digitalis. Castor oil; croton oil; ccloes ciiid cclozn:cascara sagrada; colocynth; elaterinm and elaterin; jalop:podophylln ; rhubarb; ; serma. Camphor. Turpentine.Tannic acid. Gallic acid. Kino. Catechu. Benzoic acid.

Copaiba. Cubebs. Colchicum. Squill. Male fern.Santonin. Ergot. Cod-liver oil. Cantharides.

Public Health and Poor Law.I LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT.REPORTS OF INSPECTORS OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT

OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD.

Diphtheria at Ashbourne.-An interesting report has beensubmitted to the Local Government Board on diphtheria atAshbourne by Dr. BRUCE Low. Ashbourne is a small centrefor agricultural purposes and for visitors who in summertravel about Dovedale ; there are also some manufacture,in the district. Diphtheria, as in so many cases, was for-merly wont to attack the rural area around the small town :indeed, the last recorded diphtheria death in the urban di--trict prior to the outbreak under consideration seems to

have taken place as far back as 1883. Then the town beganto suffer slightly, two non-fatal attacks taking place in ,?

, yard which has been associated with the present attack.. Again there was a lull, until in September, 1887, there

began a prevalence of throat disease, which was maintained. epidemically and continuously month by month until the end’ of April, 1888. In all twenty-six houses were invaded, the, attacks numbering fifty-six and the deaths eighteen. Fur a

while the disease was not fully understood. The real signi-