363

Dr. H. S. Harding and a trained nurse. It numbers sevenmembers and is the first of its kind in Canada. The mem-bers on joining the class agree that they will follow strictlythe directions of the medical man and nurse in charge. It iscalled the alpha class. This system of class treatment wasinaugurated in Boston by Dr. Pratt who gave a number oflectures on the subject at the recent Tuberculosis Exhibitionin Montreal. In Boston the system has been carried on withgreat success. It is stated that a large percentage of thosewho enter these classes recover and return to their daily workin a perfect state of health.Toronto, Jan. 12th.

NOTES FROM INDIA.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)

. Changes in Type of Military Hospitals.A NEW type plan of military family hospitals has been

drawn up and several new hospitals now under constructionare being built according to it. The plan allows of betteraccommodation for lying-in cases, for isolating infectiouscases, and for an out-patient department. The adminis-trative parts have been added to and details of constructionand fittings have been brought into line with modern

improvements. A Warren’s cooking range is being providedfor the station hospital instead of the I chulas " (earthernfireplaces) authorised for all hospitals. Similar ranges haveproved a success at Quetta station hospital and are beingused in a number of barracks. If further trial confirmsthis it is proposed that these ranges shall replace the some-what primitive arrangements at present being used.

Progress of Vaccination in the Central Provinces.The Chief Commissioner of the Central Provinces, in re-

viewing the triennial report on vaccination for the year1907-08, says: ’’ The one thing certain is that the progressmade in protecting the population from small-pox has notbeen entirely satisfactory and that inefficiency among thevaccinators and insufficient supervision over them are largelyresponsible for the lack of progress. The report from theMandla district, while unsatisfactory in itself, has the meritof throwing considerable light on the unreliability of someof the results claimed, and the method of inspection whichwas followed by the civil surgeon might with advantage befollowed in other districts also." The use of glycerinatedlymph is steadily increasing, 98’ 62 per cent. of the opera-tions being performed in 1907-08 with this lymph. This is

satisfactory, but the results compared unfavourably withother kinds of lymph, which is ascribed to the inexperienceof vaccinators.

Food and Water Supplies.A Government of India circular dealing with the provision

and maintenance of pure water-supplies at railway stationshas been issued by the Railway Board to all railway authori-ties, who have been requested to circulate it widely amongstresponsible officials. Orders have also been issued with theconcurrence of the Railway Board for the sanitary inspectionof railway refreshment rooms and their surroundings, as faras food- and water-supplies are concerned, at all railwaystations where it is considered necessary in connexion withthe health of the troops. A box for storing groceries inbarrack kitchens has been designed and brought to the noticeof commanding officers with a view to its being introducedregimentally.

Sewage and Refuse Disposal.To meet modern sanitary improvements some new type

plans for latrines and urinals for the use of British troopsin barracks have recently been sanctioned by army head-quarters, Simla ; both are provided with impermeable floors.The latrine is arranged for the use of a solution ofa disinfectant in the pans and for cleaning them,instead of earth as used at present. The new systemis not yet, however, sanctioned for all stations. Theurinal is made with slate facings to the walls andpartitions, with a drain on the floor. This will replacethe trough pattern at present in use. A means of connect-ing the outlet pipes of kitchen sinks and urinals with theirrespective receptacles has been sanctioned. This allows ofthe receptacle being closed and prevents the access of flies

to the contents of the receptacles. The use of a solution ofa volatile disinfectant or kerosine oil in latrine pans insteadof earth has been extended to most barracks and hospitals,and it is proposed to install a sewerage system with biologicaltreatment and disposal of the effluent on land in connexionwith a new set of barracks and hospital now being built.This will be the first installation of the kind in Indianbarracks. An improved pattern of rubbish cart with a lidhas also been approved and is being introduced as fundsbecome available. Instructions regarding the more frequentremoval and better disposal of stable litter from the lines ofmounted corps have been issued.

Disinfection in the Ar7ity.The scale of authorised disinfectants has been revised and

crude carbolic acid and the chemicals for generating chlorinegas have been omitted, these being found to be of veryuncertain composition under Indian conditions. Saponifiedcresol, which will be of a definite bactericidal strength, hasbeen substituted.Jan.2nd.

___________

AUSTRALIA.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

British Medical Association: Victoria Branch.THE annual meeting was held on Oct. 2nd. The financial

position, as was expected, showed a slight falling off sincethe amalgamation with the Medical Society of Victoria, butit is hoped this will soon be overcome by an increasedmembership. The retiring President, Mr. G. A. Syme, deliveredan address contrasting the surgery of his student career withpresent-day methods. The office-bearers for 1909 were an.nounced as follows :-President : Mr. G. Cuscaden. Vice-Presidents : Dr. R. R. Stawell and Dr. P. S. Webster.Honorary treasurer: Dr. C. H. Mollison. Honorary secre.tary : Dr. H. Laurie. Honorary librarians: Mr. A. W. F.Noyes and Dr. H. Stephens. Council: Mr. Syme, Mr. A.Lewers, Dr. W. Moore, Mr. F. W. Morton, Mr. W. Beattie-Smith, Dr. W. R. Boyd, Dr. A. J. Wood, and Dr. L. J.Balfour.

Freeman and Wallace.The examination in bankruptcy of Louis Rosenberg, alias

Howard Freeman, of the notorious Freeman and WallaceMedical Institute, has thrown some interesting sidelights onpublic gullibility. The " firm " is stated to have had a turn-over in some years of £24,000 to £25,000. The first rebuffwas the action of New Zealand in prohibiting correspondence.Even after this was absolutely cut off the secretary gaveevidence they got a mail of £983 by strategy. The Common-wealth Government subsequently declined to deliver lettersto the firm and the climax of its misfortunes was reachedwhen a verdict for £450 and costs was awarded against it inNew South Wales. Freeman denied that he is possessed ofextensive property in San Francisco. ’

Federal Quarantine.An Act was passed last session giving the Commonwealth

Government power to take over the quarantine departmentsof the various States and to place them under Federal control.This Act will come into operation on July 1st, 1909, andfrom that date uniform laws and regulations will be broughtinto force throughout Australia. A conference of theprincipal quarantine officials will be held in Melbourne earlyin 1909. This conference will go fully into the question offuture administration and will make recommendations to theFederal Government. The Comptroller-General of Customshas meanwhile visited all the States and inspected theirquarantine arrangements and he will make a separate reporton the subject.

Charitable Relief in Victoria.The Victorian inspector of charities has issued his annual

report. The total number of separate recipients of charitableaid in Victoria is given as 146,467, of whom 110,516 receivedoutdoor treatment. The population of Victoria is about

1,200,000. The income of Victorian charities was made upas follows : Government grants. £125,000 ; municipal grants,f:11,834 ; local contributions, £75,784 ; legacies and bequests,£36.000 ; interest, £12.945; patients’ contributions, £20, 033 ;" out-patient fees, &6003 ; and value of inmates’labour, £15,669._