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quested Dr. Christie to report to them on the particular pre-valence of enteric fever affecting their parish, and from thebeginning of the inquiry Dr. Christie was in communicationwith Dr. Russell on the relations of this prevalence to theoccurrences of fever within the municipal boundaries ofGlasgow. A comparison of notes made it evident that theoutbreak in Barony parish was closely connected with theoutbreaks in Glasgow, and that there was probably a

common cause of the several outbreaks which was to besought in an infected milk-supply. This part of the in-vestigation was left to be followed out by Dr. Russell, andhis report shows how admirably this was done, and how com-pletely the line of research indicated by the preliminary in-quiries of the two reporters was justified in the result. Dr.Christie, in this report, does not go over the ground alreadytraversed by Dr. Russell, which goes to prove the infectionof the milk with enteric-fever poison, but contents himselfwith showing how the occurrences in Barony parish confirmfrom point to point the conclusions suggested by the occur-rences in Glasgow. Dr. Christie’s report completes the storyin part told by Dr. Russell, and completes it well; and thetwo reports form one of the most interesting and instructiveaccounts we possess of a series of circumscribed outbreaksof enteric fever caused by infected milk.

THE POTATO.

The Select Committee on the potato crop have closedtheir inquiry and completed their report. They accept theopinions of the scientific witnesses examined by them, thatthe potato disease consists in the growth of a fungus (Pero-naspora infestans) in the plant, which spreads duringthe summer by means of spores, a single fungus pro-ducing millions of spores. They attribute the persistenceof the disease to the degeneration of the older varieties ofthe plant, and look chiefly to the cultivation of new varietiesas the chief mode of escape from future losses from it, or ofdiminishing its ravages. To this end they suggest thecareful cultivation of new varieties by the larger potatogrowers and the agricultural societies, but having regardto the fact that little has as yet been obtained in thisdirection by these agencies, they hold that the time hascome for Government to give assistance, and establish ex-perimental farms in England, Scotland, and Ireland, for thecultivation of new varieties of potato.

INDIAN MEDICO-SANITARY NEWS.

We gather from our contemporary the Indian 1lTediccclGazette that the profession in Calcutta are by no meansunanimous in the conclusion that "The New Disease" inthat city is beri-beri.-The Madras Sanitary Commissionerdescribes a peculiar and intractable form of ulcer as "uni-versally prevalent in the districts lately subjected to famine." "-A general census of India is to be taken in February,1881.-It would appear that the mortality among seamen inthe port of Calcutta is more than double that of the generalpopulation on shore. This excessive mortality is attributedto the influence of the foul water on which they live andexposure to night air. It is noted also that the fatality fromcholera amongst sailors in the port is much greater thanamong the shore population. Efforts are being made to im-prove the sanitary condition of the foreshore on both sidesof the river, and the practice of discharging the Fort sewageinto the river is to be stopped. 105 human bodies and2543 carcases of animals were stopped and sunk by the riverpolice during 1879, against 128 and 2528 in 1878.

THE SEWAGE OF PARIS.

The municipality of Paris are so satisfied with the resultsobtained by irrigation in the disposal of the sewage of thecity, that they have determined to ask the Government forpermission to increase largely the area of ground to be sub-mitted to irrigation, and in other ways to facilitate thedistribution of sewage to farms on the line of the outfallsewers.

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At a recent meeting of the AVhitchurch Local Board, thesurveyor stated that Dr. Thursfield, the medical officer ofhealth for the district, had said that none of the water inthe town was fit to be used. The board thought the matterwas of the greatest importance, and directed the clerk towrite to Dr. Tbursfield for him to make an analysis andreport immediately.

I Dr. Kay’s report on the outbreak of fever at Waterberg,Transvaal, attributes it to the unhealthiness of the site, badsanitary arrangements, and the exceptionally dry summer.

I It has been decided by a majority of 96 votes to establisha Local Board in Dorking.THE DISPUTE AT GUY’S HOSPITAL.

WE hope there may be ground for the anticipation thatthe unhappy disagreement between the Treasurer and theMedical Staff of Guy’s Hospital is at an end. The Committeeof Governors, which was appointed to inquire into the wholequestion of nursing, has made its report, after holdingfourteen sittings, and after having examined the chief exe.cutive officers of the institution. This Report is fairlyjudicial in tone, and may, perhaps, prove conciliatory tothose who have been aggrieved by the autocratic action ofthe Treasurer, especially as it is evident that if the sugges-tions of the Committee be actec upon the Guy’s autocracyis dead, and its place will be taken by a properly-constitutedCommittee.The Report states that the Committee is satisfied as to the

bona fides of all who have taken part in this dispute ; thata reform in the nursing of the hospital had become neces-sary, and that the supply of efficient nurses had become

unequal to the demand, although "it may be admittedthat many of the sisters and nurses heretofore attached tothe hospital were capable persons, and attended to the sickwith kindness, intelligence, and sympathy."

" That the new

régime instituted in November, 1879, whereby the work, re-creation, and supervision of the nurses were made conform-able to certain rules and regulations, proved distasteful tomany of the old nursing staff, " of whom many left the hos-pital rather than agree to them," and among them were" some persons highly valued by the Medical Staff.

" Thatthe new arrangements are working fairly well, and that "inabout two-thirds of the wards there is now no dissatisfac-tion." That " there is no valid reason for believing that inany case is interference with the orders of the Medical Staffeither sanctioned or connived at by the Matron," and that"there is no reason to think that the present nursing ar-rangements put any real hindrance in the way of medicalobservation or practice on the part of the students."With regard to the manner in which the recent changes

were introduced the Committee is of opinion that this wasdone "without sufficient consultation and preparation, thatsome details were unduly insisted upon, and that much mis-apprehension ensued."

" The Matron was not personally introduced to the Staff.She was apparently authorised to frame rules, on which theStaff were not consulted, but which, in their opinion, affectedthe medical treatment of the patients. The Matron herselfunderstood that no further authority than that of the Trea-surer was required ; and he, on his part, was under theimpression that the changes contemplated would be accept-able to the Medical Staff. The Committee cannot feel sur-prised that the Staff resented the publication of the articleon the crisis at Guy’s Hospital in the April number of theNineteenth Centu7v, which they deemed to be an attackfrom within the walls of the hospital, on their professionalhonour, but the Committee have no evidence that anyonenow in the hospital was responsible for the article, or hadany knowledge of its contents before it was printed. TheCommittee are firmly convinced that the Treasurer, theMedical Staff, and the Matron have had the same object inview-viz., to promote the good of the hospital and the com-fort of the patients. It is, however, essential that thereshould be no bar to frank personal communication betweenthose who are practically engaged in arduous duties involv-ing complicated arrangements, and provision for sudden

emergencies. The Committee cannot find sufficient justifi-cation for the difficulties which have existed between theMedical Staff and the Matron almost from the date of her

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entrance into the hospital, nor can they see, in the presentstate of feeling, any just ground for calling upon her toabandon the duties of a post which she did not seek, butwhich she was specially invited to undertake."The Report finally deals with the question of remedies for

the state of things which has arisen, and the proposals madeseem to us to be suitable and adequate for the attainment ofthe ends proposed. The final clauses of the Report proceedas follows

They understand that the Staff desire that no rulesaffecting their patients should be issued without their pre-vious knowledge, that no one person should be supreme inthe removal or dismissal of nurses without some appeal ; andthat the Staff should have some recognised right and a simpleway of bringing their requirements before the Governors.The Committee, therefore, recommend that the Court shouldmake such arrangements as may be necessary to render theattendance of the Governors at the Taking-in Committeemore regular ; and they would suggest that the best way toeffect this purpose would be to abolish the old plan of twoGovernors coming on duty in rotation once a week, and tosubstitute instead the following arrangement. That eachyear not less than ten Governors be nominated as theTaking-in Committee for the twelve succeeding months, andthat they be requested to make such arrangements betweenthemselves and the Treasurer as will procure the attendanceof at least two members at every Taking-in Committee.That once a month, or oftener if necessary, two members ofthe Medical Staff, appointed by that body, be invited toattend the Committee with the view of deliberating on anymatters relating to the medical and nursing arrangements.That regular Minutes be kept of the proceedings of theTaking-in Committee, and that such Minutes be brought forconfirmation before the next Court of Committees as thesole executive body authorised by Act of Parliament. Thatin any difference of opinion the views of the Medical Staff,as well as those of the Governors, be recorded on the Minutes.The Committee consider that the full reports at present laidbefore the Taking-in Committee might with advantage be.supplemented, so as to embrace every matter of importance.The Committee believe that the above arrangement, whilematerially assisting the Treasurer, would enable theGovernors to become more intimately conversant with theinternal working of the Hospital, and at the same time itwould afford the Medical Staff an opportunity (the want ofwhich they have felt) of personally coming in contact withthe Governors."The Report is signed by Henry H. Gibbs, Charles Barclay,

Trevor Lawrence, Richard M. Harvey, J. A. Shaw Stewart,Thomas Dyke Acland, Samuel Hoare (Chairman).

It is very easy to see that the Committee is of opinionthat in the present day autocracy is an anachronism, andthat the best intentions, coupled with a "plentiful lack ofwit," are of all things the most likely to bring ruin uponancient and valuable institutions. Guy’s has passedthrough a period of great danger during the last few months,and has now, we find, emerged from it not altogetherunscathed, but with the advantage of some guaranteeagainst the recurrence of similar troubles. Possibly thequestion may now be allowed to rest, and the Medical5staff will consent to accept the decision of the Committee.While, on many grounds, it would have been well had theviews of the Medical Staff received greater support, yet itwould be gracious to lend a cordial support towards remov-ing all friction that may interfere with the working of thenewly constituted nursing machinery. If after a really fairtrial it is found not to work satisfactorily, the new NursingCommittee " will take cognisance of any shortcomings, andshould this Committee do its work fairly and honourably,the necessity will not again arise for " washing dirtylines " in public, or for writing sharp articles in the pagesof magazines.

1IR. THOMAS JAMES SCHOLLICK, M.R.C.S. Eng.,L.S.A., has been elected Coroner for Guildford, Mr. T.Russell, solicitor, having resigned.

THE SERVICES.

SIR DONALD STEWART’S DESPATCHES.

THE Gazette of India has just published the despatchesof Lieutenant-General Sir D. M. Stewart, K.C.B., reportingthe success of his troops at the action of Ahmed Khol onApril 19th, and in the neighbourhood of Ghuzni on the23rd. After describing minutely the operations and dis-

positions, and bringing to notice the military officers whohe considers did good service on these occasions, GeneralStewart adds, Paragraph 15 : The arrangements for theimmediate care of the wounded reflect the highest credit onDeputy Surgeon-General A. Smith, C.B, the PrincipalMedical Officer with the force; and the exertions of thesubordinate medical staff deserve my warmest acknow-

ledgments." The casualties during the engagement amountedto-killed, 17 ; wounded, 124, of whom 9 are oincers. Morethan 1000 dead bodies of the enemy were counted on the

field, and their loss is estimated at from 2000 to 3000.

The Kandahar paper reports that fresh vegetables are veryscarce, the supply for the troops being so small that themedical authorities are dreading an outbreak of scurvy.

DEATH OF BRIGADE-SURGEON HANNAN, A.M.D.We regret to record the death at Simla, on the 12[b June,

from heat apoplexy, of Brigade-surgeon J. Hannan, ArmyMedical Department. Mr. Hannan served for many yearsin the 49th Regiment and in the Royal Artillery; and by hisdeath the Army loses the services of a hard-working, pains-taking medical officer. Mr. Hannan was unmarried.

ARMYMEDICALDEPARTMENT.—Temporary Surg.-GeneralSir Anthony Dickson Home, V.C., K.C.B., to be Surgeon-General, vice Hampden Hugh Massy, M.D., C.B., grantedretired pay ; dated April 4th, 1880. Brigade Surgeon JohnLyster Jameson to be Deputy Surgeon-General, vice Sir A.D. Home, V.C., K.C.B. ; dated April 4th, 1880. BrigadeSurgeon John Phillips Cunningham, M.D., to be DeputySurgeon-General, vice G. Pain, granted retired pay ; datedApril l7tb, 1880. The local rank of Surgeon-General con-ferred upon Deputy Surgeon-General John Andrew Wool-fryes, M.D., C.B., C.M.G., in Gazette of Jan. 28th, 1879, isconverted into temporary rank, but without pay or allowances;dated April 10th, 1880. Surgeon-Major John Meane to beBrigade Surgeon, vice Augustus Patrick Meyers Corbett,M.D., deceased ; dated March 26th, 1880. Surgeon-MajorCharles Carroll Dempster to be Brigade Surgeon, vice H. T.Reade, V.C., promoted; dated March 27th, 1880. Surgeon-Major William Henry Corbett, M.D., to be Brigade Sur-geon, vice E. Y. Kellett, whose promotion has been can-ff))fd - dated March 9St.h ISSf) Snroffm-MHint- Pit-herd

John William Orton, from half-pay, to be Surgeori-Alajor;dated June 18tb, 1880. Surgeon-Major George Simon, M.D.,has been granted retired pay, with the honorary rank ofBrigade Surgeon; dated May 21st, 1880. Surgeon-MajorWilliam Langworthy Baker has been granted retired pay,with the honorary rank of Brigade Surgeon; dated June 10th,1880. Surgeon-Major Alexander Campbell McTavish isgranted retired pay, with the honorary rank of BrigadeSurgeon ; dated July 7th, 1880. Surgeon-Major EdwardDenham Tomlinson is granted retired pay, with the honoraryrank of Brigade Surgeon; dated July 7th, 1880. Surgeon-Major James Barry, M.D., retires from the Service, receivinga gratuity; dated June lst, 1880. Brigade-Surgeon W.Macnamara, M.D., is granted retired pay, with the honoraryrank of Deputy Surgeon-General; Surgeon-Majors GeorgeAlexander Moorhead, William Jay, and Henry Harrisonare granted retired pay, with the honorary rank of BrigadeSurgeon.Deputy Surgeon-General Cunningham, Army Medical

Department, proceeds to Hong Koug on promotion, andrelieves Deputy Surgeon-General W. A. Mackinnon, C.B.,

’ as Principal Medical Officer of the China command.ADMIRALTY.—Staff-Surgeon James Devonshire has been

promoted to the rank of Fleet-Surgeon in Her Majesty’sFleet, with seniority of the 6th inst. Fleet Surgeon WilliamLoudon Gordon, M.D., has been promoted to the rank ofDeputy Inspector-General of Hospitals and Fleets in HerMajesty’s Fleet, with seniority of the 16th inst.