217NOTES, SHORT COMMENTS, AND ANSWERS TO OORRESPONDENTS.

Notes, Short Comments, and Answersto Correspondents.

"EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCE."

TgREE weeks ago, under the heading of "Looking Back," we pub-lished an extract from the columns of THE LANCET for Dec. 24th,1831, in which Mr. John Hoare, M.R.C.S., related how a farmer ofSomersetshire, whose wife had given birth to three daughters,uttered a vow that if she presented him with a daughter at her nextconfinement he would never speak to her. A son was born, who,though he could converse perfectly well with his mother and sisters,was unable to speak to his father (and other males) for the remaining30 years of that rash man’s life. A most interesting commentappeared on this story in the form of a letter sent by a Bristolcorrespondent to, and published in, the Daily News, which ran :-

In the " Old World Gleanings " of the Bristol Times and Mirrorfor Jan. 30, 1886, the substance of the letter from John Hoare

quoted by you is given under the heading of "Strange Circum-stance," and in addition is the following : In confirmation of theabove curious circumstance, the following authenticated statement,made some years since, is worthy of being recorded, and it is givenin the words of the late venerable clergyman, the Rev. John Boun,of Bath :-"On the 20th April, 1825, called with my young friend,Mr.John i

Beauchamp, of West Pennard, at the hamlet of Lubbon, in theparish of Baltonsborough, to see an extraordinary young man, EliHiggins, who, though 28 years of age, had never spoken to hisfather; but who could converse with his mother and sisters whenin private with them. I saw him, when I asked him some ques-tions, which he answered in writing. I told him that if he should

happen to come to Bath I should be glad to see him at my house.On the 23rd of May he called, and, to my surprise, he enteredfreely into conversation with me, and told me that he had neverthe power to speak to his father, or to any other person in the

neighbourhood, but only to his mother and sisters, nor even tothem if any person was present. I asked him for a reason of his

silence ; he could not account for it in any way otherwise than thathe wanted power to speak; but he had heard that his father hadmade a rash vow, but could not say what that vow was. He alsodesired that I would not make the circumstance known to his

neighbours of his having conversed with me, lest they should

suppose that his silence proceeded from obstinacy, not inability;but wliilst his father lived he never should be able to speak to him,or anyone else in the country but his mother and sisters, but

supposed that, should his father die, he might be restored to thefree use of his tongue. Eli Higgins is a respectable-looking youngman, the son of Robert and Jane Higgins. His father occupies hisown freehold estate at Baltonsborough."

We are obliged to our contemporary for opening its columns to sosingular a corroboration of our former correspondent’s veracity, butwe feel constrained to maintain the cautious attitude of the then

- editor of THE LANCET and to be content with retelling the storyof this curious case of intermittent aphonia without comment.

THE ANTI-TUBERCULOSIS EXHIBITION.

THis peripatetic exhibition, which we described at its successful

inauguration by the National Association for the Prevention of Con-sumption and Other Forms of Tuberculosis at Whitechapel last June,was lately held in Oxford, Paddington, and Chelsea, and during the

, first week of this year was moved to Marylebone. On some previousoccasions it had been found that the principal visitors to this educa-tional display belonged to the well-dressed members of the com-

munity, and, as phthisis in Marylebone makes its chief ravages amongthe very poor, it was decided by the organisers that the exhibitionmust be housed in the least aristocratic locality, and in a buildingwhich no one would be too timid to enter. The County Councilschool in Bell-street, Lisson Grove, admirably answered these

requirements and was thronged with eager visitors, especiallyin the evenings. During the six and a half days that theexhibition was open 10,583 admissions were recorded, about half

of whom were school children, and nearly all of whom belonged tothe poorest classes of the neighbourhood. Many intelligent workingmen found time to be there, besides crowds of mothers who attendedwith their babies. The school teachers were interested in the question from the start and announced to the children that on the

reopening of the school an essay would have to be written on the- exhibition. This doubtless stimulated some of the youngsters to paya second visit and to pass on to their friends the information gainedthe day before from an untiring group of willing helpers. The

pathological specimens were referred to as "’earts and souls in

bottles," but, on the whole, the feeling of the crowds was one of

intelligent interest and subdued awe. One delicate-looking boy

remarked proudly to a lady helper, " Oh, yes, there is lots of

consumption in our family; the doctor says I’m tubercular, butMother says I ain’t." One of the last visitors to the exhibi-tion fired a Parthian shaft at the ladies which they founddifficult to parry. In the evenings these helpers were very tiredand probably looked it, so a muscular charwoman, after beingworsted in an argument on the value of fresh air, revenged herselfby exclaiming, " Well, miss, I don’t think much of the looks of youladies, for all your fresh air." The talks to school children were a

great success, and they seemed thoroughly impressed with thedangers of "dust, darkness, damp, and dirt," while several wereoverheard officiously telling their elders to open their windows, orto sweep a room without raising dust. Experience here, as else-where, showed that the rising generation is very appreciative of new truths. Popular lectures, illustrated by lantern slides, weregiven every evening by Dr. J. E. Squire, Dr. J. J. Perkins, Dr. J.Walter Carr, Mr. C. H. Garland, Dr. W. P. Herringham, Dr. JaneWalker, and Dr. Christine Murrell, and were increasingly well

attended, so that the last two lectures had to be given twice, oneach occasion to crowded rooms. The greatest praise is due to theladies of the Marylebone Health Society who so successfully carriedthrough the undertaking and loyally aided Miss M. E. Broadbent,who bears a name reminiscent of energy and public spirit.

DANGEROUS HAIR-DYES.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-Although not desiring to appear an advocate for the employ-ment of hair-dyes, there may be justification for their use under specialcircumstances; therefore it can do no harm to give your readersinformation concerning a harmless and efficient hair-dye which impartsa rich black colour to the hair.

I discovered its application by chance and analogy very many yearsago, and my recollections of it were refreshed by an excellent paperwhich was read a few years ago by Dr. Joseph O’Carroll of Dublin at theRoyal Academy of Medicine, Ireland, on "Lead Encephalopathy," inwhich he traced the symptoms to the use of a hair-dye containing lead.In the preparation that I referred to bismuth is the metallic

ingredient and it is prepared as follows:.I took 1 drachm of bismuthnitrate Bi (NO3)3 in crystals (free from uncombined nitric acid) anddissolved it in an ounce of glycerine, and made up to 10 ounces withdistilled water ; this was used by my " subject " with ammonium sulph-hydrate solution, and after with sodium sulph-hydrate as being lessoffensive than the former. Some time after I was working at originalinvestigation on Emerson Reynolds’s sulphurea, when it occurred to meto use it as a source of the electro-negative radicle of the bismuth com-pound ; this succeeded, and as sulphurea solution has no unpleasantsmell its use was an advantage.Perhaps this information may be acceptable to some of your readers.

If you think ao, you are very welcome to make use of it.I am, Sir, yours faithfully,

NrrmArr M. FALKINER.Terennre, Ireland, Jan. lst, 1909.

** The reaction between bismuth nitrate and thio-urea results prob-ably in the formation of sulphide of bismuth and the regenerationof urea. At all events, alkaline silver nitrate gives urea and silversulphide, although the oxides of lead and mercury give sulphides andcyanamide.-ED. L.

THE HEALTH OF MAURITIUS.

THE report of Sir Graham Bower, K.C.M.G., Colonial Secretary ofMauritius, who recently arrived in England on leave, on the Blue-book of the Colony for the year 1908 has just been presented to bothHouses of Parliament. There was a decrease in both the generalpopulation and the Indian population during 1908. In the generalpopulation the deaths exceeded the births by 325, and amongst theIndian population the deaths exceeded the births by 1315 The birth-rate in the general population was 34’1, and in the Indian 36’3 per1000. The death-rate rose from 34’7 in 1907 to 40’0 in 1908. There hasbeen a steady increase in poverty for years past, and it was greatlyaggravated in 1908 by the financial crisis through which the island haspassed. The proportion of general population relieved in 1908 was 35’2per 1000, as against 26’2 in 1907; and the proportion of Indian popula-tion relieved was 8’9, as against 6’2. With so much poverty andunemployment the island must be over-populated. The admissionsinto the hospitals and asylums of the colony rose from 20,371 in 1906and 23,335 in 1907 to 27,751 in 1908. The number of cases treated in

dispensaries increased from 55,635 in 1907 to 66,077 in 1908. Theadmissions to hospital for malaria numbered 5071, the highest figurerecorded during the past ten years, with the exception of 1905, whenthe number reached 5123. A large number of cases of enlarge-ment due, apparently, entirely to old-standing malarial infectioncame into hospital largely owing to distress. There was an alarmingincrease in deaths from diarrhoea and dysentery, 310 and 1316 respec-tively in 1908, as against 230 and 899 in 1907. The actual type ofthe disease has not yet been definitely established, but there are

indications that many of the cases are of amcebic origin.Although in isolated outbreaks infection may possibly have taken

218 MEDICAL DIARY FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

place through the instrumentality of flies or dust, there seems

to be good ground for regarding the contamination of rivers andstreams, which serve very generally as sources of water-supply,with excremental matters as the principal channel of infection.229 cases of enteric fever were notified, as against 145 in the pre-vious year, this rise, however, being accounted for probably by thegreater accuracy of diagnosis, principally through the assistance

furnished by the bacteriological laboratory. It is not infrequent tomeet with cases of more or less continued fever refractory to quininewith no malarial parasites in the blood, in which Widal’s reactionis,negative. These cases, which appear to be neither malarial nor

typhoid in their nature, seem to point to the existence in the islandof a febrile affection or affections, possibly similar to the unclassified

. fevers of India. The cases of diphtheria notified rose to 114, against60 in 1907, and there were 14 deaths. Anti-diphtheritic serumfrom the Lister Institute was supplied by Government to all

who applied for it. The epidemic of measles which broke out

in 1907 continued in 1908, but disappeared before the end of theyear; 476 cases were registered with 27 deaths. The number ofcases of plague recorded during the year was 167, showing a reductionof 57 upon that for the preceding year. The epidemic of plague of1908 was the smallest since 1899. The campaign against it was con-ducted on the same general lines as before, special prominence beinggiven to the destruction of rats and disinfection of contaminated andinsanitary premises. 172,504 rats were destroyed; of these, 11,518were microscopically examined and 234 were found plague-infected.In spite of this a fairly severe epidemic is at present affecting theisland. Twenty cases of cerebro-spinal meningitis were recorded

during the year, this being the first time that this disease has everassumed anything like epidemic form in the colony; 16 out of the20 cases ended in death. Beri-beri showed no tendency to recur inepidemic form. In addition to the cases admitted to the public hos-pitals, a few scattered cases were reported by private medical practi-tioners. Nephritis, whatever may be its etiology, is steadily on theincrease. It is to be hoped that clinicians and bacteriologists willunite in their endeavours to trace its as yet obscure causes. Erysipelasassumed some epidemic prevalence during the year, 73 cases beingnotified, with 16 deaths. Little change has taken place in the numberof lepers maintained at the St. Lazare Asylum at the expense ofGovernment, but this is no criterion of the progress of the disease inthe island, as segregation in the asylum is not compulsory. The

report describes at some length the anti-malarial measures which arebeing carried out in accordance with the recommendations of Pro-fessor Ronald Ross.

CONSCIENTIOUS.

"Isyour milkman reliable ? asks the careful man in the FliegendeBldtter, and receives as a reply, " Absolutely! He even sterilises thewater he adds to the milk."

THE "RYLAND SCHEMATIC EYE."

THE Ryland Schematic eye has been placed on the market to meet thedemand for a practice eye which reproduces the conditions of thehuman eye. It is provided with four standard refractive conditions-viz., (1) hypermetropia ; (2) myopia ; (3) astigmatism ; and (4) emme-tropia. Conditions 1, 2, and 4 are obtained by differences in thelength of the globe, while 3 is obtained by the use of a toric cornea.The globes are solid glass and of a refractive index to bring the nodaland principal points to practically the same position as in the humaneye. The length and radii are the same as those met with in theaverage eye. In addition the backs are left slightly grey, thus givinga realistic appearance to the artificial retina, and also permitting thestudy of the retinal images and their variation for different positionsof the correcting lens. It is completed by the addition of an irisdiaphragm in contact with the cornea to give variation of pupillaryaperture. The whole is nicely mounted and packed in a moroccocase and may be obtained from any optician.

COMMUNICATIONS not noticed in our present issue will receive attentionin our next.

M E T E O R O L O G 1 C A L R EAD I NGS.

(Taken daily at 8.30 a.m. by Steward’s Instruments.)

Medical Diary for the ensuing Week.SOCIETIES.

ROYAL SOCIETY OF MEDICINE. 20. Hanover-square. W.TUESDAY.

PATHOLOGICAL SECTION (Hon. Secretaries-L. S. Dudgeon, C.Bolton) - at 8 P.M.

Communications: :Mr. Walter Edmunds: Action of Thyroid and Anti-thyroid

Preparations.Dr. P. J. Cammidge and Dr. Semon : An Experimental Inves-

tigation of the Origin and Cause of the "Pancreatic", (Cammidge) Reaction in the Urine.

Mr. S. G. Shattock : Oophorectomy and the Growth of the Pelvisin the Cow.

Dr. Herbert French : (1) A Case of Extensive but not CompleteDestruction of the Adrenal Capsules by Caseation withoutSymptoms of Addison’s Disease ; (2) Pigmentary Deposits inLiver and Pancreas in Bronzed Diabetes.

Mr. E. 0. Thurston : Chylous Cyst from the Neck.THURSDAY.

DERMATOLOGICAL SECTION (Hon. Secretaries-E. G. GrahamLittle, H. G. Adamson): at 5 P.M.

Cases :Dr. J. H. Sequeira : Case of Tuberculides.Dr. H. G. Adamson : Onychia Syphilitica Sicca.Dr. E. G. Graham Little : Sclerodermia.

And other cases.

ELECTRO-THERAPEUTICAL SECTION (Hon. Secretaries-ReginaldMorton, Gr. Harrison Orton): at 8.30 P.M.

Dr. J. A. Voorthuis (Holland) will demonstrate and read a paperon the Use of the Static Brush and Flame Discharge in theTreatment of Some Skin Diseases.

LECTURES, ADDRESSES, DEMONSTRATIONS, &c.MEDICAL GRADUATES’ COLLEGE AND POLYCLINIC, 22.Chenies-street, W.C.MONDAY.-4 P.M., Dr. W. Evans: Clinique (Skin). 5.15 P.M.,

Lecture :-Dr. E. Wynter : Heart Disease in Middle Life.TUESDAY.-4 P.M., Dr. P. Stewart : Clinique (Medical). 5.15 P.M.,

Lecture :-Dr. J. Collier : Acute Encephalitis and Acute Polio-myelitis in the Year 1909.

WEDNESDAY.-4 P.M., Mr. J. Cantlie: Clinique (Surgical).5.15 P.M.. Lecture-Dr. A. Lieven (Aix-la-Chapelle): On theTreatment of Syphilis.

THURSDAY.-4 P.M., Sir Jonathan Hutchinson: Clinique (Surgical).5.15 P.M., Lecture :—Dr. A. Wylie : Foetid Breath.

FRIDAY.-4 P.M., Mr. W. Stuart-Low: Clinique (Ear, Nose, andThroat).

POST-GRADUATE COLLEGE, West London Hospital, Hammersmith-road, W.MONDAY.-10 A.M., Lecture :-Surgical Registrar : Demonstration of

Cases in Wards. 2 P.M., Medical and Surgical Clinics. X Rays.Mr. Dunn: Diseases of the Eyes. 2.30 P.M., Operations. 5 P.M.,Lecture :—Mr. Armour : Anatomy of Hernia.

TUESDAY.-10 A.M., Dr. Moullin : Gynaecological Operations.12.15 P.M., Lecture :—Dr. Pritohard: Practical Medicine. 2 P.M.,Medical and Surgical Clinics. X Rays. Dr. Davis: Diseasesof the Throat, Nose, and Ear. 2.30 P.M., Operations. Dr.Abraham: Diseases of the Skin. 5 P.M., Lecture :-Dr.Saunders : Clinical (with cases).

WEDNESDAY.-10 A.M., Dr. Saunders: Diseases of Children.Dr. Davis: Diseases of the Throat, Nose, and Ear. 12.15 P.M.,Lecture :-Dr. G. Stewart: Practical Medicine. 2 P.M., Medicaland Surgical Clinics. X Rays. Mr. B. Harman: Diseases ofthe Eyes. 2.30 P.M., Operations. Dr. Robinson: Diseases ofWomen. 5 P.M., Lecture:—Mr. Bidwell: Surgical Treatment ofDuodenal Ulcer.

THURSDAY.-IO A.M., Lecture:-Surgical Registrar: Demonstrationof Cases in Wards. 12 noon, Pathological Demonstration :-Dr. Bernstein. 2 P.M., Medical and Surgical Clinics. X Rays.Mr. Dunn : Diseases of the Eyes. 2.30 P.M., Operations. 5 P.M.,Mr. R. Lloyd-: Anaesthetics.

FRIDAY.-10 A.M., Dr. Moullin: Gynaecological Operations. MedicalRegistrar: Demonstration of Cases in the Wards. 2 P.M.,Medical and Surgical Clinics. X Rays. Dr. Davis : Diseases ofthe Throat, Nose, and Ear. 2.30 P.M., Operations. Dr. Abraham:Diseases of the Skin. 5 P.M., Lecture :-Dr. Abraham: Cases ofSkin Disease.

SATURDAY.-10 A.M., Dr. Saunders: Diseases of Children. Mr. B.Harman : Diseases of the Eyes. Dr. Davis : Diseases of theThroat, Nose, and Ear. 2 P.M., Medical and Surgical Clinics.X Rays. 2.30 P.M., Operations.

NORTH-EAST LONDON POST-GRADUATE COLLEGE, Prince ofWales’s General Hospital, Tottenham, N.MONDAY.-Clinics:-10 A.M., Surgical Out-patient (Mr. H. Evans),

2.30 P.M., Medical Out-patient (Dr. T. R. Whipham); Nose,Throat, and Ear (Mr. H. W. Carson). 4.30 P.M., Medica!In-patient (Dr. A. J. Whiting).

TUESDAY.-Clinic: 10 A.M., Medical Out-patient (Dr. A. G Auld).2.30 P.M., Operations. Clinics:-Surgical (Mr. W. Edmunds);Gynaecological (Dr. A. E. Giles). 4.30 P.M., Lecture-Demonstra’tion :-lllr. F H. Wallace: Difficulties in Anæsthesia.

WEDNESDAY.-Clinics:-2.30 P.M., Medical Out-patient (Dr. T. R.Whipham); Skin (Dr. G. N. Meachen); Eye (Mr. R. P. Brooks).3 P.M., X Rays (Dr. H. Pirie).

THURSDAY.-2.30 P.M., Gynaecological Operations (Dr. A. E. Giles).Clinics:-Medical Out-patient (Dr. A. J. Whiting); Surgical(Mr. Carson). 3 P.M., Medical In-patient (Dr. G. P. Chappel).4.30 P.M., Lecture :-Dr. T. R. Whipham: Idiocy and AlliedDisorders in Children. (First Lecture.)