1522 GENERAL MEDICAL COUNCIL: ELECTION OF DIRECT REPRESENTATIVES.

A will be seen, the heating efficiency of the Clamond gas(radiator is very great and we doubt whether such an output-of radiant heat has ever before been attained at so little cost- and so low an expenditure of gas. Thus in the case of the gasstoves examined by THE LANCET Commission in 1893 the meanamount of gas required to raise the temperature one degreewas 5’4 cubic feet. costing 0195d., whereas with the Clamondgas radiator the amount of gas required to effect the same- advance of temperature is three cubic feet at a cost of0.108d., nearly half the consumption and cost. The fact thatthe stove produces effective radiant heat is evident from therecords of two thermometers.. one placed two feet in front ofthe fire and the other six feet. The former showed after twohours a temperature of from 1170 to 1200 F. and the latter offrom 68° to 70° F., the temperature of the room beingmany degrees less. It is also shown that the heating effectof the stove is soon realised, the temperature of the roomhaving been raised from 50° to 61° F. in half an hour insome instances, with a consumption of only 10 cubic feetof gas. Nor is this heating efficiency obtained at the

- expense of the purity or healthy condition of the air. The

degree of moisture varied only within small limits, whilethe increase in the proportion of carbonic acid was quiteinsignificant.

It will be noticed, however, that the stove provided witha heating chamber (Tables I. and II.) gave rise to a greaterincrease of carbonic acid gas than was the case with the stovewithout a heating chamber (Tables II and IV.). This is tobe accounted for partly by the fact that the former stove isnot provided with an iron curtain over the top of the fire-clay radiators, as is the case with the latter stove, and

partly to the hot-air currents from the heating chamber having;a tendency to draw with them traces of the products of com-bustion. As, however, the heating efficiency of the stovesis practically the same the hot-air chamber would appearto afford no advantage, either as regards heating efficiencyor hygienic effect. A rough but very practical proof of the- radiant heat projected by the Clamond radiator can beobtained by exposing a slice of bread to the rays, as in

making toast.It is interesting next to examine the gaseous mixture

’effected by the Kern burner. In a series of five analyses the- average result was found to be one part of coal gas to 5’5parts of air. On igniting the mixture in a closed tube overmercury complete combustion was proved to have ensued,nothing but carbonic acid gas, nitrogen, and water remain-ing. There is therefore in the Kern burner neither excess- of gas nor excess of air, the ratio of one to the other

being exactly in accordance with theoretical requirements forperfect combustion. The atmospheric burners of ordinarygas stoves, on the other hand, seldom effect a mixture inwhich the air exceeds the gas by three volumes. Mostburners gave the ratio of 2-3 of air to 1 of coal-gas.The next table (Table V.) is of interest in showing the

’composition of the gases taken from the middle of the fire-clay tube or radiator.

TABLE V.-Composition (by volume) of the Gases taltcnfrocnthe Middle of the Fire- Clay Tube.

The results give the history and progress of the com-bustion. The bulk of the hydrogen and methane are evidentlyburnt at the lower part of the tube, while the carbonmonoxide with some hydrogen and hydrocarbon burn ina blue fringe of flame near the top of the fire-clay tube,ultimately yielding complete products of combustion, as

jshown in Table VI.

TABLE VI.-Composition; (by volume) of the Gases takenfrom the Top of the b’ire-Clay Tube.

This table demonstrates the interesting and most importantfact that in the Clamond gas radiator the combustion of coalgas is complete, and without the production of those partlyburnt gases or escaping unburnt gases which are injurious tohealth. In no instance was the deadly carbon monoxidefound either in the gases escaping from the flue or in theair of the room, although the most approved test for this gaswas applied-viz., after absorbing all the oxygen by phos-phorus the residual gas was shaken with fresh blood. Theresult was always negative. This is hardly surprising whenwe consider the intensity of the Kern flame. The result

speaks highly in favour of the Kern burner as a hygienicmeans of warming and maintaining the temperature of a room.A few words may be added on the management and

conduct of the Clamond gas radiator. It is easily controlled.readily lighted, and is free from that great drawback of

atmospheric burners-it cannot "light back "-that is to say.the flame never runs back to the gas nipple. It is importantthat the pressure and the supply of gas should be sufficiept.The Kern burner, however, is not always free from thatwhirring noise characteristic more or less of all gas-stoves.Improvement in this direction is desirable and doubtlesswill be attained unless the noise is an inevitable concomitantof burners through which a mixture of gas and air is

passing. The heat of the Clamond gas-radiator may beeasily regulated, the stove being provided with two stop-cocks, each controlling five burners. In some cases it appearsto be desirable to be able to reduce the number of burnersstill further, so powerful is the beating efficiencv.Under any circumstances we think the Clamond gas-stove

should be properly attached to a chimney-vent, the fluc

running through a hole provided in sheet-metal casing. Thesulphur compounds inseparable from coal-gas demand thisprecaution, while however perfect the combustion may be itis not desirable to diminish the proportion of oxygen in theair by adding carbonic acid gas to it. The Clamond gasradiator resembles closely in appearance the electric radiator:it presents a bright cheery-red heat within a few moments ofits being lighted, thus obviating any cooling down of theproducts-a process which leads to the formation of unburntand injurious gases which is one of the drawbacks of the ordi-nary gas-fire where a mass of inert fire-clay has to be heated.

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The results of this inquiry distinctly confirm what isclaimed for the Clamond gas radiator-it gives a cheerful,healthy, radiant heat, is remarkably economical, and, as

far as our experiments have gone, shows no deterioratingeffect upon the air.THE LANCET Laboratory.

THE GENERAL MEDICAL COUNCIL:ELECTION OF DIRECT REPRE-

SENTATIVES, 1901.

THE MEDICAL GUILD OF MANCHESTER AND

DR. WOODCOCK’S CANDIDATURE.

Wn’H reference to the official announcement of the guildthat was published in THE LANCET last week to the effectthat it had been resolved to urge members of the guild toplump for Dr. S. Woodcock, Mr. G. H. Broadbent has sentus a copy of a letter to the president of the guild protestingagainst the way in which the resolution was obtained Thisletter has been signed, he informs us, by several prominentmembers of the council of the guild who consider the actionof the chairman of the meeting at which the resolution waspassed to have been irregular.

THE CANDIDATURE OF MR. GEORGE BROWN ANDMR. GEORGE JACKSON.

A meeting, which was attended by about 40 of the medicalpractitioners of Halifax and neighbourhood, Dr. B. West Symesbeing in the chair. was held on Nov. 26th at the White SwanHotel, Halifax, to hear addresses from Dr. J. Brassey Brierley,Mr. Colin Campbell, and Mr. G. H. Broadbent, a deputationfrom the Manchester committee of Mr. George Brown andMr. George Jackson. At the conclusion a vote of thanks waspassed to the former gentlemen and those present unani-mously pledged themselves to support the two candidates inquestion. A further motion was carried earnestly protestingagainst any Bill being passed by Parliament which had forits object the creation of an order of practitioners licensed

1523ASYLUM REPORTS.

only to practise any one branch of the profession. Dr.

Brierley pointed out that the General Medical Council hadreally no legal power to sanction any certificate issued towomen who were not recognised medical students.

ASYLUM REPORTS.

Gartioch Asylum, Glassgow (Annual Report for- 1900). ---Theaverage number of patients resident during the year was 522,and comprised 273 males and 249 females. During the year268 patients were admitted, of whom 131 were males and 137were females. Dr. Landel R. Oswald, the medical super-intendent, states in his report that the admissions continueto show a steady increase. "The probable causes of the

insanity among the male admissions were principallyalcohol, syphilis, and the adolescent period of life.......Among the females moral causes were more highly operative,especially when a mental breakdown was predisposed to byinherited nervous instability." The admissions were generallyof an unfavourable type as regards the prospect of recovery,An hereditary predisposition to insanity was found in nearly40 per cent. of the admissions and though the influence ofenvironment in causing insanity cannot be accuratelyestimated it is probable that in many of the admissions itacted powerfully as a cause. The number of patients dis-charged as recovered during the year was 84-viz., 37 malesand 47 females, or 16’1 per cent. of the average numberresident. The deaths during the-year amounted to 60-viz.,25 males and 35 females, or 11’5 per cent., as calculated onthe same basis. Of the deaths one was due to purulentmeningitis, two each were due to epilepsy and puerperalsepticsemia, three to pneumonia, six each to cardiac diseaseand senile decay, seven to general paralysis, 11 to phthisisand other forms of tuberculosis, and the rest to other causes.In 88 per cent. of the deaths post-mortem observations weremade to ascertain the cause of death. 11 16 per cent. of thedeaths were due to phthisis pulmonalis or other form oftuberculosis. Beyond doubt the larger proportion of thosewho died from phthisis contracted the disease here." Six

patients escaped during the year, and two such patientshaving remained absent for 28 days were regarded as dis-charged. In view of the increasing admissions and of theaccommodation required for the same the Asylum Committeehave decided that additional buildings shall be erectedwhich will take the form of detached houses of the followingnumber and character: a small sanatorium for the treat-ment of phthisis and capable of accommodating 50 patients,a farm colony for 60 patients (50 males and 10 females), ahouse near the male wards for the accommodation of about50 male cases of senile weak-mindedness and insanity, a villafor 36 women where among others there will be placed thosewhom it is desired to test before discharging or boarding-out,and a house-for about 50 female cases of insanity and mentalinfirmity associated with old age. The farm report statedthat the harvest and garden produce were good and abundant.’’The year has been as a whole one of the development ofexisting arrangements and methods of treatment rather thanone of trial of new ideas....... The treatment of acute casesby rest in bed and isolation has been more successful [thanbefore]." The Brabazon scheme continues to give interest-ing employment to about 30 patients. Owing to theepidemic of small-pox in the city of Glasgow the patientsgenerally were revaccinated and other precautions weretaken, with the happy result that the disease did not invadethe asylum. The Commissioners in Lunacy state in theirreport that the hospital was in excellent order and that themedical books were well kept.

Warneforcl Asylum, Oxford (Annual Report for 1900).-This is a private asylum for patients of both sexes. The

average number of patients resident during the year was94, and comprised 46 males and 48 females. During theyear 23 patients were admitted, of whom 22 were firstadmissions. Dr. James Neil, the medical superintendent,states in his report that the admissions were more in numberthan in any previous year. " In the month of August (1900)the hospital became full and has practically continued so

ever since, and a number of applications have had to bedeclined or postponed. This filling up of the house is themost important fact of our recent internal history." Duringthe year five male and three female patients were dischargedas recovered, or 8’5 per cent. of the average number resident.

The deaths during the year amounted to three-viz., twofemales and one male, or 3-17 per cent. of the averagenumber resident. An epidemic of influenza prevailed duringthe opening weeks of 1900, but without any fatal results. TheCommissioners in Lunacy state in their report that thewards are very bright and cheerful and are decorated inexcellent taste, that the general bodily health of the patientsis good, and that the case-books and other medical recordsare regularly and well kept. They are glad to hear that it isintended to purchase some adjoining land which mightotherwise be built over and so become detrimental to thehospital. The Committee of Management record thepurchase of 14 acres of land from Magdalen Collegeadjoining the hospital grounds and known as "The Close"for the sum of £ 3000. The financial condition of theinstitution is stated to be satisfactory.

-Belfast District Asylum (Annual report for 1900).-Theraverage number of patients resident during the year was 877,and comprised 460 males and 417 females. The admissions

during the year amounted to 379-viz., 198 males and 181females. Of these 320 were first admissions. Dr. WilliamGraham, the medical superintendent, states in his reportthat the admissions of the year are "the maximum of a

series of admissions which since the opening of the asylumhas been mounting up by leaps and bounds." By someit is considered that the inebriate houses do not remedydrunkenness "nor do our increasing asylums preventinsanity. We must begin at the beginning....... If wecould get only one generation free from the inherited taint[of insanity] the foundations of a new and purified societywould be laid." Those with a predisposition to insanityshould lead quiet lives and abstain from marrying andreproducing their kind. The increase of insanity occurs notonly among the upper and middle classes, but also mainly inthe ranks of the poorest and most uneducated of the people,and the bulk of it is due to neglect or violation of funda-mental hygienic laws. ’’ The remedy for crass ignorance issimply knowledge....... Many cases of insanity are secondaryto disordered bodily function. It is by the early rectificationof these physical disorders that we may hope to maintain asound mind in a healthy body." The number of casesdischarged as cured during the year amounted to 81, or

about 9 per cent. of the average number resident. Thedeaths during the year amounted to 71, or 8’1 percent. as calculated on the same basis. Of the deathsfive were due to bronchitis, six to cerebral softening,-seven to epilepsy, seven to cardiac disease, eight to

pulmonary phthisis, nine to exhaustion from mania andmelancholia, 10 to general paralysis of the insane, and therest to other causes. Plans have been accepted by the,asylum’s committee for the erection of two villas for femalepatients. The cost of construction will be less in proportionthan that of the larger and more elaborately equipped build-ings, while the cost of administration will not necessarilybe higher. A better classification of patients will -also berendered possible. The Inspector of Lunatics in his reportstates that overcrowding of the asylum, especially on thefemale side, is very serious, and the necessity for relieving ithas become pressing and urgent. "The new accommoda-tion so urgently needed need not necessarily be of an expen-sive character and it would be better for the insane to behoused in wooden sheds in the pure air and greater freedom’of’the country than shut up in the worn-out buildings andcity surroundings of the parent asylum." The medicalrecords and case-books were found to be carefully writtenup and admirably kept, a fact which reflects credit on themedical staff.

BRISTOL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE COLSTON SOCIETY.-The annual dinner of this society will take place inthe Lecture Hall of the College on Feb. 5th under the

presidency of Sir F. Wills, Bart., M.P. The Lord Mayor ofBristol will attend and Mr. Haldane, K. C., M.P., will be theguest of the evening. The president-elect is the Bishop ofBristol.

CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL GRADUATES’ CLUB.-The-smoking concert of the Cambridge Medical Graduates’ Clubwas held at St. James’s Hall, London, on Nov. 21st. Theconcert was well attended by members of the club and-their guests, and also by members of the Oxford MedicalGraduates’ Club as guests of the Cambridge Club. Aftera most successful concert the members separated at,11. 30. P.M. 218 were present.

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