644 THE BRITISH MEDICGA JOVRNAL. [Sept. 17, 1887.

ASSOCIATION INTELLIGENCE,NOTICE OF QUARTERLY MEETINGS FOR 1887.

ELECTION OF MEMBERS.ANY qualified medical practitioner, not disqualified by any by-law ofthe Association, who shall be recommended as eligible by any threemembers, may be elected a member by the Council or by any recognisedBranch Council.A meeting of the Council will be held on October 26th, 1887.

Candidates for election by the Council of the Association must sendin their forms of application to the General Secretary not later thantwenty-one days before that meeting, namely, October 5th, 1887.

Candidates seeking election by a Branch Council should apply tothe Secretary of the Branch. No member can be elected by a BranchCouncil unless his name has been inserted in the circular summoningthe meeting at which he seeks election.

FiaNois FowEE, General Secretary.

COLLECTIVE INVESTIGATION OF DISEASE.INQUIRIES are being pursued on the following subjects

DIPHTHERIA, THE ETIOLOGY OF PHTHISIS,Memoranda on the above subjects, and forms for communicating ob-

servations on them, may be had on application.The Inquiries on OLD AGE and on the CONNECTION OF DISEASE

WITH HABITS OF INTEMPERANCE are now closed.Reports are in preparation upon the Inquiries made into Acorx

RHEumATISM, DIPHTHERIA, and HABITS OF INTEMPERANCE, a fullReport on OLD AGE, and a Supplementary Report on PUEP.PRALPYRXIA. All the above will be published in the JOURNAL as soon ascompleted. Tables of the Chorea and Acute Rheumatism cases willbe published in separate form.The Returns made to the GEOGRAPHICAL INQUIRY are being

tabulated for report.Application for forms, memoranda, or furth-er information, may be

made to any of the Honorary Loal Secretaries, or to the Secretary of theCollective Investigation Committee, 429, Strand, W.C.

BRANCH MEETINGS TO BE HELD

SOUTH-EASTERN BRANCH: EAST SUssEx DISTRicT.-The next meeting of theabove District will be held at the Queen's Hotel, Eastbourne, on Thursday,September 29th. H. D. Farnell, Esq., will preside. Meeting at 3.30 P.m.; dinnerat 5 3); charge, 6§. 6d., exclusive of wine. The Chairman, Dr. Gabbett, and Dr.Habgood have promised communications. Members desirous of reading papersshould write to the Honorary Secretary, T. JENNER VERRALL, 97, MontpellierRoad, Brighton. _

SOUTH-EASTERN BRANCH: EAST KENT DISTRICT.-The next meeting of theabove district will be held at llainsvate, on Thursday, September 29th. RobertHicks, Esq., will preside. Memiiber s wishiDg to read papers should communicatewith the Honorary Secretary, W. J. TYSON, 10, Langhorne Gardens, Folkestone.

NOR"TH OF ENGLAND BRANCH.-The autumnal meeting will be held on Wednes-day, September 21st, at 3 o'clock, at the Grand Hotel, Tynemouth. The followingpapers will be read. Dr. Hunoe: A Case of Congenital Fistula of the Stomach,cured by operation. Dr. Philipson: Aphasia. Dr. Murphy: A Visit to Apostoli.Dr. Atkinson: The Excretion of Nitrites and Nitro-Glycerine, and their Fate inthe System. Dr. Gibson (Tynemouth): On Tynemouth as a Health Resort. Dr.Coley: On the Treatment of Empyema in Children. Dr. Mears: On AmbulanceWork. Members wishing to read papers, etc., are requested to communicate withthe Secretary. The dinner after the meeting will take place at the Grand Hotel,at 5 P.m.-G. E. WILLIAMSON, F.R.C.S., Honorary Secretary, 22, Eldon Square,Newcastle-on-Tyne. _

BORDER COUNTIES BRANCH.-The autumn meeting of this Branch will be heldat the Buccleuch Arms, Moffat, on Friday, September 30th, at 3 P.M. The Secre-tary will be glad to receive intimation of papers for reading, and morbid specimensor patients for exhibition, not later than September 20th. Dinner at the Hotel at5 P.m.-H. A. LEDIARD, Honorary Secretary, 41, Lowther Street, Carlisle.

SOUTH MIDLAND) BRANC.-The autumnal meeting of this Branch will be heldat Daventry, on Thursday, October 6th. Gentlemen wishing to bring forwardcommunications at the meeting are requested to send the titles of the same with-out delay to the Honorary Secretary, C. J. EVANS, Northarnpton.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE. -The annual dinner of the pAst and presentstudents of the Faculty of Medicine will take place on October 3rd, atthe Freemaeons' Tavern. Sir Henry Thompson, 1. B., F. R. C. S,Emeritus Professor of Clinical Surgery, will omcupy the chair, anda large attendance is expected. The tickets, price 12s., exclu'iveof wine, can be had of the Honorary Secretaries, Dr. Poore, 30, Wim-pole Street, or C. Stonham, F. R. 0.S., University College.

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE,PARIS.

[F:ROM OUIR OWN CORRESPONDKNT.Treatment of Anthrax by Chloride of Zinc. -Structure and Morpha-

logical Significateon of the Vitreous Body. -Phosphaturia, Polyuria,Urobilinuria. -Galvanism in Lingual Ulcer. -Transission ofTyphoid Fecrer by Air.-lNew Hospital inb Pdris.-NYew IsolatedPavilion at La Piti6.

AT a meeting of the Societe de Mledecine of Paris on June l1th,M. Polaillon made an interesting communication on the treatment ofanthrax by the insertion of darts of caustic chloride of zinc. M. Polailonbases his treatment on the fact that anthrax is caused by a nAicrobe, andthat incision with the bistoury is sometimes dangerous, as liable to openup numerous roals to inoculation to septiccemia. When the inflamma-tion does not give way to simple treatment by baths and emollients,recourse is generally necessary to the b.stoury, or, better still, tothernio-cautery, which presents less danger; but Al. Polaillon prefersemploying caustics that entirely destroy the germs in the purulentfocus. For that purpose he chooses Canquoin paste, chloride of zinc,in the form of sticks or darts, hardened by deAiccation in a furnace.When the anthrax is suLppurating, and when the skin is broken atseveral points, he introduces through these apertures darts of caustic,thrusting them down into the focus, so as to fill it. At theend of a few hours the focus forms one solid mas3, separatedfrom the healthy tissue by a zone of caut-riied tissue, and in afew days the es^har is eliminated, leaving in its place a granulat-ing surface, that rapidly heals. When the focus is beginning to form,and shows itself only by some white spots on the surface of the skin,he makes a sufficient number of openings with the bistoury or thethermo-cautery to introduce the caustic darts, and proceeds 'as above.When the anthrax is only in its first stage, and there is no suppura-tion and but little fever, M Polaillon simply applies emollients untilthe affection has progressed sufficiently for hirn to apply the causticdarts. But if the anthrax is accompanied by intense febrile symptoms-if it is voluminous-he does not hesitate at once to treat it withdarts of Canquoin paste. In all cases he covers the surface of theanthrax with a thick layer of compresses soaked in carbolic acid solu-tion, or, better still, in a solution of sublimate of 1 per 1,000, whichhe prefers. He applies a linseed-meal poultice made with the solutionof sublimate, and in that way obtains the antiseptic effect of the subli-inate and the emollient effect of the poultice. This treatment is ratherpaiuful for two or three hours, but has the advantage of at once trans-forming a serious infectious disease into a simple wound. The resultsobtained by M. Polaillon by this treatment of anthrax were excel-lent. Otut of forty-eight cases brought to him, he bad forty-sevencures and one death. This was a man, aged 48, highly glycosuric, andwho had already been very irregularly treated at home during a month.He had an immense anthrax in the back, and notwithstanding everycare and energetic antiseptic treatment, diffuse inflammation carriedhim off one week after entering hospital. The average duration of thetreatment is only twenty-one days.The following note from M. Edmond Hache on the structure and

morphological signification of the vitreous body was presented by M.Ranvier to the Academie des Sciences. " The vitreous body isformed of two fundamentally constituent parts: first, a liquid of well-known composition; secondly, a solid substance, on the nature anddisposition of which there exist various hypotheses, but which hasbeen considered by most authors to be an amorphous, structurelesssubstance, of connective or mucous nature (Virchow, Koelliker, etc.),a sort of jelly in which are, at least at the periphery, slits containingliquid (Ivanhoff, Stilling, and Schwalbe). Recent researches at thehistological laboratory of the College de France have revealed unex-pected facts to the author, which enable him to explain the contradic-tory results hitherto obtained. The solid part of the vitreous body isan essentially hygrometrical substance. Several authors have noticedthat when the vitreous body had been desiccated, or submitted to theaction of absolute alcohol, and reduced to a simple pellicle, it waspossible to restore t) it its volume, its aspect, and consistence, byleaving it for some time in water. This fact, hitherto unexplained,is owing to the bygrometricity of the solid part of the vitreous body.This may be tested by placing for several hours, in a solution ofgum and then in strongf alcohol, the vitreous body of the eye of asheep, from which the crystalline has been extirpated, leaving thecrystalloid in situt. By this means it loses its constituent water, andis reduced t:) a thin pellicle extending beyond the borders of the

Stept. 17, 1887.J THE BBITISH MEDICAL JOUBNAL_ 653

that any contracts for the supply of bacon to the navy had beenplaced out of the United Kingdom.

Fires in Theatres.-Mr. MATTHEWS, in reply to Sir A. BORTHWICK,said he was afraid, at this period of the session, he could hardly under-take to pass a Bill, however short, upon this subject. Her Majesty'sGovernment were, however, fully sensible of the importance of thematter, and he thought he could undertake, on behalf of Her Majesty'sGovernment, that they would at the earliest opportunity offer practicalsuggestions to any theatrical manager who chose to avail himself ofthem to secure the safety of the public in the practical details of theconstruction of a theatre.

Tuseday, September iSth.Coroners Bill.-This Bill was read a third time and passed..

INDIA AND THE COLONIES.INDIA.

CHOLERA.-Cholera is extensively prevalent in India this season.The death-rate from this cause in Calcutta during the winter wasunusually high, and during May, June, and July, Bombay, the NorthWest Provinces, and Oude have suffered severely. The most ordinarysanitary precautions, with regard to water-supply especially, aresystematically neglected, and there seems to be a want of an apprecia.tion on the part of the Government of the value of systematic inspec-tion, and the enforcement of simple methods of securing drinkinwater from contamination by natives who do not hesitate to bathe andwash therein.THE MEDICAL AND PHYSICAL SOCIETY OF BOMBAY.-At the

last meeting of the Medical and Physical Society, the PreRident(Dr. Carter) showed a fever patient in whose blood were found theliving organisms first described by Dr. Laveran in Algeria, and morerecently by Dr. Osler in the United States of America (see JOURNAL,AMarch 12th, 1887). The members present had an opportunity of veri-fying by inspection the pigmented crescents and spheroidal bodies inquestion, including the flagellate organisms, which are so remarkablewvhen seen alive, and it was unanimously considered that they re-s: mbled closely the figures given by the observers just named. Sofar as is known, this is the first occasion upon which the so-called" hnmatozoa of malaria " have been demonstrated for India. It wasfurther mentioned that four or five other instances of this peculiarblood contamination could be seen at the larger Native General Hos-Iital, but that it did not yet appear such were nearly so common asordinary "remittent fever" cases in which the organisms were not,at least usually, to be seen. Dried and stained specimens of the bloodwere exhibited, showing the membrane attached to the concavity ofthe " crescentic bodies," and some other points of interest.

OBITUARY.THOMAS CUMING, M.D.EDIN. and DUB., F.K.Q.C. P. I., Armagh.THis well-known physician passed away on September 4th in hisninetieth year. He was born on March 19th, 1798, at Armagh, wherehis father held the appointment of minister to the PresbyterianChurch. Thomas Cuming was originally;intended for the same call-ing, but, feeling himself more drawn to the medical profession, hewent to the University of Edinburgh, where he took the degree ofM.D. in 1819. In 1826 he was appointed physician to the WellesleyFever Hospital, Dublin, and for some years he was assistant-physicianand lecturer to the Pitt Street Institute for the Diseases of Children.In that year Dr. Cuming married Miss Mary Black, daughterof the Rev. Dr. Black, said to have been the first great orator in thePresbyterian Church in Ireland prior to Dr. Cooke. In the year1829, at the age of thirty-one years, he returned to his native city,and commenced his career as a medical practitioner in Armagh.

Notwithstanding his youth, his courage and fertility of resourcein treating patients during an epidemic of fever which scourged thetown immediately after his return placed him on the road to fameand affluence. The high opinion and confidence which he then ob-tained were fully warranted by his conduct, medical skill, andexample some years afterwards, when that dreadful scourge, cholera,swept the city, sparing neither young nor old, rich nor poor, in itshomiible course. In the decade between 1830 and 1840 there were

many deaths in early life from consumption, a study of whichmalady was almost thrust on the young physician, who publishedsome of his researches in an essay on "The Peri-Pneumonia ofChildren." He also made other contributions to medical literature.He was for thirty-seven years visiting physician to the Armagh Dis.trict Lunatic Asylum, the duties of which office he carried outwith thatconscientious thoroughness which was a special trait in his character.He became famed not only in Ulster, but throughout the kingdom forhis treatment of phthisis, and he enjoyed the confidence of all as ageneral practitioner.

In 1854 the University of Dublin conferred on him the degree ofM.D., and in the same year he became a Fellow of the King andQueen's College of Physicians.No doubt one so well and widely known and loved will long live

in the affections of many whom his skill has relieved and his friend.ship aided; but even those who most loved him, however they maydeplore his loss, can scarcely regret his passage into rest after so longand active a career of usefulness and beneficence. Of Thomas Cumingit may be said, in the full sense of the words, that he died full of yearsand honours.

MEDICAL NEWS,MEDICAL VACANCIES.

The following vacancies are announced.BIRMINGHAM GENERAL HOSPITAL.-Assistant Etouse-Surg6on. Applications by October 1st to the House Goverior.BRISTOL ROYAL INFIRMARY.-Obstetric Physician. Applications by Oatober 11th to the Secretary.BRITISH HOSPITAL, Buenos Ayres, South America.-Resident Medical OfficerSalary, £200 per annum, with board, etc. Applications by September 30th toMessrs. Burgoyne, Burbidges, and Co., 16, Coleman Street, London, B.C.EAST LONDON HOSPITAL FOR CHIILDREN, Shadwell, E.-Two ResidentClinical Assistants. Applications by September 22nd to the Secretary.EAST SUFFOLK HOSPITAL, Ipswich.-Honorary Physician. Applications bySeptember 20th to the Secretary.EVELINA HOSPITAL, Southwark Bridge Road.-Out-patient Surgeon. Appli.cations by October 3rd to the Committee of Management.FEMALE LOCK HOSPITAL, Harrow Road, W.-House-Surgeon. Salary, £100per annum, with board, etc. Applications by September 21st to theSecretary.GALWAY UNION.-Medical Officer. Galway Dispensary, No. 2 District. Salary,£125 per annum, and fees. Applications to Mr. C. J. O'Coninor, HonorarySecretary, William Street West, Galway. Election on September 28th.GENERAL HOSPITAL, Birmingham.-Assistant House-Surgeons. Residenceboard, and washing. Applications by October 1st to the House-Governor.GREAT NORTHERN CENTRAL HOSPITAL, Caledonian Road, N.-ObstetrlcPhysician. Applications by September 26th to the Secretary.HALIFAX INFIRMARY AND DISPENSARY. - Assistant House-SurgeonSalary, £50 per annum, with board, etc. Applications by Septemnber 27thto Dr. E. West-Symes, Hope Hall, Halifax.HORTON INFIRMARY, Banbury.-House-Surgeon and Dispenser. Salary, £60per annum, with board, etc. Applications by September 29th to C. H. DavidsEsq., 27, Marlborough Road, Baubury.LEAMINGTON AMALGAMATED FRIENDLY S30CIETIES' MEDICAL ASSO.CIATION.-Resident Medical OffMcer. Salary, £200, with £50 for conveyance,midwifery fees, and residence. Applications by September 26th to Mr. J. B.

Richardson, 9, Queen Street, Leamington.LIVERPOOL NORTHERN HOSPITAL.-Assistant Resident House-SurgeonApplications to the Chairman.MONKWEARMOUTH DISPENSARY.-House-Surgeon. Salary, £80 per annumwith board, etc. Applications by September 27th to the Honorary Secretary,NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE ROYAL INFIRMARY.-Junior House-Physician. Ap-plications by September 27th to the Secretary.NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE ROYAL INFIRMARY.-Two House-Surgeons. Appil.cations by September 27th to the Secretary.RATHDOWN UNION.-Medical Officer. Blackrock and Stillorgan Dispensary.Salary, £137 10s. per annum, and fees. Applications to Mr. M. Crowe, J.P.,Melfield, Blackrock. Election on September 26th.ROYAL HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN AND WOMEN, Waterloo Bridge RoadB.E.-House-Surgeon. Honorarium, £70 per annum, with board, etc. Applications by September 20th to the Secretary.ROYAL SOUTH HANTS INFIRMARY, Southampton.-Assistant House-Sur-geon. Applications by September 19th to the Honorary Secretary.ROYAL UNITED HOSPITAL, Bath.-House-Surgeon. Salary, £60 per annum,with board, etc. Applications by September 23rd to the Secretary-Super-intendent.SHEFFIELD GENERAL INFIRMARY.-Two Honorary Assistant-PhysiciansApplications by September 21st to the Secretary.SHEFFIELD GENERAL INFIRMARY.-Two Honorary Assistant-Surgeons.Applications by September 21st to the Secre.tary.ST. MARWK'S OPHTHALMIC AND AURAL HOSPITAL, Dublin.-ResidentSurgeon. Salary, 50 guineas per annum, with apartments, etc. Appicationsby September 19h to the Chairman of the Board of Governors.

664 THE BRITISH MEDIGAL JOURNAL. [Sept. 17, 1887.

ST.: `LUJKS HOSPITAL-Resident Clinical Assistant. Applications bySeptember 22nd to the Secretary.

TA,UNTON UNION.-Medical Officer. Salary, £75 per annum, and fees. Appli-cations by, September 17th to W. F. B. Dawe, Esq., Clerk.

TORB&Y HOSPITAL AND PROVIDENT DISPENSARY, Torquay. -JuniorElouse-Surgeon and Dispenser, ao4 Medical Officer to the Provident DispensAry. Applieations by October 8th to the Honorary Secretary.

VOLUNTEER MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, AMBULANCE DEPARTMENT.-Two Surgeon Iustru9tors. Applications by September 29th to the Secretary,26, King William Street, B.C.

MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS.-BOND, F. P., M.D., appointed Medical Officer of Health to the Rastrick-trban

Sanitary District, vice Thomas Britton, M.D., resigned.BRODRICK, H. Edwards, M.B., M.R.C.S., L.S.A., late Resident Clinical Assistant

to the East London Hospital for Children and Women, appointed AssistantSurgeon to the Liverpool Dispensaries.

CARR, William, M.B,, L,R.C.S.Ed., appointed Medical Officer to H.M. General,Prison, Barlinnie, Glasgow.

DAVIES, J. B., M.B., C.M., appointed Resident Medical Officer to the Denbigh.shire and Flintshire I-nfirmary, vice John T. H. Davies, M.D., M.R.C.S.,resigned.

DuNLoP, J. C., M.B., C.M., M.R.C.S., appointed Resident Surgeon to the Chal-mers Hospital, Edinburgh.

DUNSTAx, R., M.R.C.S., L.S.A., appointed Medical Oflicer to the St. Just Dis-trict of the Truro Union.

GARDNER, James, M.B.-, M.N., appointed Medical Officer of Health to the RoytonUnion District, vice James Anderson, M.D., resigned.

GRAY, Allan, M.B., appoinlted House-Surgeon to the Sunderland Infirmary, viceW. H. Malinig, M.R.C.S., L.S.A., resigned.

KIDD, Mr. H. A., appointed Assistant House-Surgeon to the Royal Berks Hos-pital, vice MIr. J. C. ltossall, resigned.

LONDON, M. M., M.D., M.Ch.R.JU.I., L.M.K.Q.C.P.I., appointed Medical Officerand Public Vaccinator to thse Mere Union, vice H. P. Long, M.R.C.S., L.S.A.Presigned.

MANDER, Percy R., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., L.S.A., appointed Medical Officer to theWestern Dispensary, Westminster, vice W. A. Ellis, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.,resigned.

MILNER, Edmund T., M.A., M.B.Oxon., M.R.C,S., appointed Resident Surgical.Officer to the Manchester Royal Infirmary, vice Joseph Collier, F.R.c.S.,resigned.

PiHILLaPs, Edward E., L.R.C.P., M.R;C.S., L.S.A., J.P., reappointed MedicalOfficer of Heath to the Rochford Rural Sanitary District, Essex.

SAWELL, F. L. P., M.R.C.S., L.S.A, appointed Provident Medical Officer to theWeston-super-Mare Hospital.

TURNEeR, Clifford W., M.R.C.S., app(onted Medical Officer to the Leeds GeneralInfirmary, vice T. W. Blair, M.B., C.M., resigned.

THE Emperor of Austria has sent to NI. Pasteur the Order of theIron Crowil-a distinction whiclh carries with it the title of " Baron."TiE Coiiseil d'Hygi6ne et de Salubrite, at a recent meeting, called

the attention of the Prefect of Police to the dangerous consequencesto which persons who used coloured crayons containing minium, chro-mate of lead, and sulphur of mercury are exposed.M. LANNELONGUE, Professor of Surgery in the Paris Medical

Faculty, has been invited to become a candidate for the department ofGers at the forthcoming election of senators.THE Marquis of Hertford has been elected President of the Strat-

ford-upon-Avos nlritfiriiary, vice Sir R. N. C. Hamilton, Bart., K.C.B.TEE will of Mr. Robert Garroway, of Cunbernauld Road, Glasgow,

L.I.P.S.'Glasg., has been proved, personalty.X48,679.MEDICAL MAGISTRATE.-Dr. Smnithies has been placed on the Com-

mission of the Peace for the Borough of Clitheroe.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS.The chcrge for-inserting announcemnents of Births, Marriages, and Deaths is Ss. 6dc.

which shlweld be forwarded in stamps with the annowncament.BIRTHS.

HOLBrCRIE.-On September 2nd, at Gloucester House, Malvern Wells, the wife oA. 0. Holbeche, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., of a daughter.

MAASoN.-On September 11th, at Windermere, the wife of John Mason M.D.Cantab., M.R.C.S., of a daughter.

MARRIAGE.STURMER-1HAYWARD.:-On September 8th, at the Parish Church, Avebsry, by the

*Rev. Bryan Kilng, M.A., assisted by the Rev. J. Wilson, M.A., Arthiur JameSturmer, Surgeon-Major I.M.D., to Susan, elder daughter of W. Pierce Haward, of West Kennlett, and formiierly of Wilsford, Wilts.

DEATHS.CUMING.-At his residence, The Mall, Armagh, Ireland, Thomas Cumning Esq.

M.D., aged 89 years.Hicscsoc.-August 13th, 1887, on board the British and IiidiarX Steam Navigation

Coinpany's ss. Qieetta,. fromt Calcutta to London, Surgeon-Major Richard C. C.Hlickson, M. D., Medical Statl, eldest son of the late Richard Skerret Hickson. Esq., Dublin Castle. R.I.P

OPERATION DAYS AT THE LONDON HOSPITALS.

XONDAY.--_.10.80 A.M.: Royal London Ophthzlmic.-1.80 P.m. G: ys (Oph.thalmic Department); and Royal Westminoter Ophthalmic.-2P.Ag.: Metropolitan Free; St. Mark's; Central London Ophthal1mic; Royal Orthopsedic;a*d Hospital for Women.-2.80 P.m..Chelsea Hospital for Women.

T1JEBDAY _.9 A.m.: St. Mary's (Ophthalmie Department).-10.80 A.m.:Royal London Ophthalmic.-1.80 P.M.: Guy's; St. Bartholo.mews (Ophthalmic Department); St. Mary's; Royal Westsinn.ster Ophthalmic.-2P,m.: Westminster; St. Mark's; CentralLondon Ophthalmic.-2.0SP.M.:West London; Cancer Hospital,Brompton.-4 P.M.: St. Thomas's (Ophthalmic Department).

WEDNESDAY -10 A.m.: National OrthopEedic.-10.30 A.m. RRoyal LondonOphthalmic.--l J.x.: Mi4dlesex,-1.30 P.M.: St Bartholo-mew's ; St. Thomas's; Royal Westminster Ophthalmic.-2 Px..:London ; University College; Westminster ; Great NorthernCentral; Central London Ophthalmic.-2.80 P.m.: SamaritanFree Hospital for Women and Children; St. Peter's.-8 to 4Pm. : King's College.

THURSDAY. __1O8100 A.: Royal London Ophthalmic.-i r..: St. George's-1 30 P.M.: St. Bartholomew's (Ophthalmic Department);Guy's (Ophthalmic Department); Royal Westminster Ophthal'mic.-2 P.m.: Charing Cross ;,London ; Central London Oph-thalmic ; Hospital for Diseases of the Throat; Hospital forWomen.-2.30 P.M. : North-west London; Chelsea Hospital forWomen.

FRIDAY _ __ ,9 Au..: St. Mary's (Ophthalmic Department).-10.80 A.M.:Royal London Ophthalmic.-1.15 P.M.: St George's (Ophthal.mic Department).-1.30 p.m.: Guy's; Royal Westminster Oph-thalmic.-2 P.M.: King's College St. Thomas's (OphthalmicDepartment); Central London Ophthalmic; Royal South Lon.don Ophthalmie; EastliondonHospitalforChildren.-2.80 P.M. IWest-London.

SATURDAY _.9 A.M.: Royal Free.-10.80 A.m.: Royal Londnn Ophthalmic.-P.M.: King's College.-I.30 P.m.: 3St. Bartholomew's; St.

Thomas's; Royal Westminster Ophthalmic.-2 P.m.: CharingCross ; London; Middlesex; Royal Free; Central London Oph.tbhalmic.-2.30 P.n.: Cancer Hospital, BroMpton.

HOURS OF ATTENDANCE AT THE LONDONHOSPITALS.

ARINf C'oss.-edical and Surgical, daily, 1; Obstetric, Tu. F., 1.80; Skin,M. Th., 1.80; Dental, M. W. F., 9.Guy's.-Medical and Surgical, daily, 1.80; Obstetric, M. Tu. F., 1.80; Eye,-M. Tu.Th. F 1.30;* Ear, Tu. F., 12.80; Skin, Tu., 12.30; Dental, Tu. Th. F., 12.

XING's bOLLEGR.-Medical, daily, 2 ; Surgical, daily, 1.30; Obstetric, Tu. Th. S..p., M. W. F., 12.30 ; Eye, M. Th., 1 ; Ophthalmie Department, W., 1 ; Ear,

Th., 2 Skin, Th.; Throat, Th., 3; Dental, Tu. F., 10.LoNDON.-Medlcal, daily, exc. S., 2 ; Surgical, daily, 1.80 and 2 ; Obstetric, M. Th.,

1.30 ; o.p. W. B., 1.10 ; Eye, W. B., 9; Ear, B., 9.30 ; Skin, Th., 9; Dental, Tn., 9.MIDDLxSXx.-Medical and Surgical, daily, 1; Obstetric, Tu. F., 1.30; o.p. W S

1.30 ; Eye, W. 5. 8.30* Ear and Throat, Tu., 9: Skin, Tu., 4 ; Dental, dally,9.ST. BAWRTaoLOMEWS.-Medical and Surgical, daily, 1.30 ; Obstetric, Tu. Th. 5., 2

o.p., W. 5., 9; Eye, Tu. Th. S., 2.30; Ear, Tu. F., 2; Skin, F., 1.30; Larynx, F.,2.30; Orthopedic, M., 2.30; Dental, Tu. F., 9.

ST. GEORGE's.-Medical and Surgical, M. Tu. F. B., 1; Obstetric, Tu. B., 1 : op.Th 2; Eye, W. S. 2; Ear, T., 2; Skin, W., 2; Throat, Th., 2: OrthopMdic, W.,2; bental, Tu. B., 9; Th., 1.

ST. MARYs.-Medical and Surgical, daily, 1.45; Obstetric, Tu. F., 1.45; o.p., M.Th., 1.30: Eye, Tu. F. S., 9; Ear, M. Th., 3; Throat, Tn. F.. 1.30: Skin, M. Th.,9.30; Electrician, Tu. F., 2; Dental, W. B., 9.80; Consultations, M., 2.30 ; Ope-rations, Tu., 1.30; Ophthalwnic Operations, F., 9.

ST. THOMAS's.-Medical and Surgical, daily, except Sat., 2; Obstetric, M. Th., 2;o.p., W., 1.80; Eye,. M. Th., 2; o.p., daily, except Sat., 1.80; Ear, M., 12.80;Skin, W., 12.80; Throat, Tn. F., 1.80; Children, S., 12.30; Dental, Tu. F., 10.

UrNIVETY OoLLWE.-Medical and Surgical, daily, I to 2 ; Obstetrics, M. Tu. Th.F., 1.30; Eye, M. Tn. Th. F., 2; Ear, 5., 1.80; Skin, W., 1.45 B., 9.15; Throat,Th., 2.30; Dental, W., 10.80.

WESTMINSTER.-Medical and Surgical, daily, 1.30 ; Obstetric, Ta. F., 8 . Eye, M.Th., 2.30; Ear, M., 9; Skin, Th., 1; Dental,W.S., 9.15.

LETTERS, NOTES, AND ANSWERS TOCORRESPONDENTS.

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TEE.BRITIH MEDICAL JOURNAL, [Sept. 17, 1887.

:ong. a ,the .pupil was kept dilated did not recur. She always relapsed,bhaweyer, -immediately the, be$Qouna.was diisontinued..''I kept her manyweeks or months under its influence, duiring which time her defective visionprecluded reading, writing, practising, etc., but this was considered the lesserevil, seeing that in, all other respects she was again presentable In society.' Ibegan with halfa grain-of the extract three times a day,'steadily'Increasing .thedose up to fIve or six grains. At length becoming alarmed at my own temerity,I coiqulitd Dr. 'Full1r, of St. Georges who shared my fears, counseled thediscontinuance of the bellidopna and tie substitution of bromide bf potassium.The fits recurred, aind eventtLally the poor girl died. Perhaps ohe of the mostpotent nerve-tonics we possess, little nsed, Is a saturated solution of oxide ofzinc in hydrochloric acid, of which one or two drops or more may be takenthrice a day.

SPECTACLES.M.D., L.R.C.P., writes: 1. Will any of your readers kindly inform me how to tell aPebble lens from a glass lens, and a well-ground lens from one of inferior make?Ras any, special instrument been devised to tell the quality 'and character of alens? ,1iere can I fihd. some information on the subject? Books, on refractionsay nothing about it.

2. What is the relative frequency ot different degrees of myopia and hyper.metrcpia in a given number of cases? In 100 cases of myopia or hypermetroplahow many would be of 1 D, how many of 2 D,'how many of 3 D, and so oniWhat is the proportion of myopic to hypermetropic cases met with in ophthal-mic practice?*** A pebble lens can be distingiished from a glass one by placing it between

two plates of tourmaline, And observing the manner In which light passingthrough it is polarised. Most optinians keep for this purpose the "tourinalinepincette,'5 which consists of two, plates 'mounted in rings which allow them tobe rotated, and connected with a spring forceps, so that the lens to be testedcan easily be held between them. Inferior lenses are often irregularly groundso that the optical centre does not coincide with the geometric centre, or is notsymmetrically placed in the two lenses of a pair of spectacles.' The phakometer,which at the same time measures the focus of the lens, indicates the position ofth optical centre. The instrument is elaborate and expensive, but an apparatuscomprising its essential points could be easily fitted up by anyone familiar withthe principle on which it is constructed. Of course, the focus of any lens andthe direction of the axis in a cylindrical lens can be found at once by findingwhat lens neutralises it.Abundant statistical information on the relative frequency of the different

fbrms of ametropia can be found in Cohn's Hygiene of the Eye, trnslated byTurnbull.

COST OF SMALL HOSPITALS.M.L HOwAnD J. COLLINS (Secretary, The Hospitals Association, Norfolk Street,

Strand) writes: Will you allow me to state in reply to " A Hospital Secretary"sinquiry in the JOURNAL of September 3rd ?

1. There are no general hospitals (usually so-called) containing such a smallnumbler of beds as twelve ; but I find, by calculation, that the average cost peroccupied bed in the London general hospitals of over 200 beds is about £75, andfor those of smaller size from £80 to £90. In provincial hospitals the averagecost is about £50 for the larger, and £90 to £100 for the smaller, institutions.

2. The average cost per occupled bed in a small hospital, iceteris paribus, willnecessarily be greater than in a large hospital.

8. As the number of beds would lead to the inference that the hospital referredto Is a "cottage hospital," I would refer the inquirer for books on the subject toCottage HIospitals: their Origin, Construction, Management, and Work, by HenryC. Burdett; and also to Hospitals and the State, by the same author, both pub-lished by J. and A. Churchill, of New Burlington Street, W.

I would like to add that, in my opinion, a far better comparison can bedrawn between hospitals by taking the average cost per in-patient per week,making an allowance for the cost of out-patients (if the expenditure is not ker"tdistinct). Allowing Is. per head for out-patients, I find the average cost perin-patient per week in London hospitals is 25s. to 30s., and in provincial hos-pitals 20s. These figures are all based upon the accounts for 1885.In conclusion I may say that one of the objects of the Hospitals Association

Is " to afford opportunities for the acquisition of a sound knowledge of hospitaladministration," and that I shall have much pleasure in answering any furtherquestions in my power on hearing from " Hospital Secretary."

NOTES, LETTERS, ETC.

OXYGEN INHALATIONS.TWICE A HoUsE.-PsIvscIAwr -writes: Several cases have been recorded In the

medical papers during the last two years in which much beneflt has beenobtained from the use of oxygen inhalations in various chest affections; themost striking' Instance, perhaps, being that of Professor Billroth's illness, whererecorvery seems to have been chlefli, due to that agent.Many works'on medicine advocate its use, but none, so far as I have been able

to tascertain state how It is to be manufactured and administered. A cheapmethod and apparatus for doing this would be a great boon to suffering humanity,and I am sure many others beside mriyself would be glad if you or any of yourreaders'would inform ushow this could be done cheaply azid efficiently.

*** Though the preparation of oxygen from chlorate of potassium and bin-oxide of manganese, or other methods, is easy and familiar to every student ofchemistry, for the purposes of inhalation large quantities are required, and theseare best and most cheaply procured from some of the chief manufacturers, suchas Barth, 54, Poland Street, who supplies It compressed in iron receivers at amnoderate rate. It is also manufactured on a considerable scale by the BrinOxygen Company (Limited), Connaught Mansions, Victoria Street, S.W.,according to an Ingenious plan, by passing atmospheric air through retorts con-taining absolutely pure anhydyrons oxide 'of barium, atd then raising them tX agiven temperature, when the oxide of barium becomes paroxidised, and the'nitrogen escapes. The air pumps are then reyersed, and the oxygen that hasbeen absorbed Is yielded up under vacuum, and passed into iron cylinders, and

can be procured at prices varying from fourpence to twopence a cubic foot,according to the quantity of gas ordered. For the inhalation of oxygen, thecylinder is fitted on to one of the various apparatus used for the administrationof nitrous oxide and other gases; but a simple balloon, with proper mouthpieceand stop.cocks, is all that is strictly necessary.

COMMUNICATIONS, LETTERS, etc., have been received from:Mr. F. J. Rayner, London; Dr. P. H. Mules, Manchester; Dr. W. Graham,Belfast; Mr, P. 3. Macnamara, Bruff; Dr. C. R. Illingworth, Clayton-le-Moors;Dr. W. K. Giddings, Calverley; Mr. T. E. Lovegrove, Nottingham; Mr. J.Macgregor, Shrewsbury; Mr. C. T. Dent, London; Dr. W. T. Brooks, Oxford;Mr. G. A. Rae, Stoke, Devonport; Mr. H. B. Brodrick, Liverpool; Mr. G. E.Ethelston, London; Dr. S. T. Smith, Forest Hill; The Secretary of the LocalGovernment Board, London; Mr. C. E. Smith, Manchester; Mr. M. J. Smyth,Wolverhampton; Mr. A. H. Griffith, Douglas, Isle of Man; Dr. K. R. Smith,Brentwood; Mr. H. C. Woodrow, London; Mr. A. 0. Holbeche, MalvernWells; Miss E. Pearce, Bournemouth; Mr. H. R. Swanzy, Dublin; Justice;Dr. A. M. Cash, Torquay; Messrs. Gurney and Jackson, London; Mr. C.Cuthbert, Gloucester; Mr. F. A. Coward, Huddersfield; Messrs. Landon andWilson, Birmingham; M. Pasteur, Paris; Messrs. Bailliere and Son, Paris;Messrs. Simpkin and Marshall, London; Mr. G. C. 0. Dobbin, Dublin; Messrs.Sell and Co. London; Messrs. Thomas Christy and Co., London; Mr. J. Mills,London; Mr. M.. A. Gandevia, London; Dr. Willoughby, London; Mr. F.Penny, Donoaster; Dr. J. C. Weddell, Dartford; Dr. D. E. Corcoran, Dublin;Mr. W. Burnard, -Londonderry; Mr. W. Young, London; Mr. C. Harris,Whitehaven; Mr. E. B. Phillips, Southend; Messrs. J. Hamilton and Co.,London; Messrs. W. F. Fell and Son, Philadelphia; Mr. W. J. Smith, Lon-don; Messrs. Berger, Spence, and Co., London; Dr. Accacio Da Gama, Bom.bay; Mr. G. Greene, Ballyearney; Dr. W. Sykes, Mexborough; Mr. G. R.Fraser, Wark.on-Tyne; Mr. B. Pollard, London; Sir T. Longmore, Woolston;Dr. E. D. Mapother, Dublin; Dr. Strange, Worcester; Dr. E. West-Symes,Halifax; Mr. W. R. Smith, London; Mr. A. W. Hughes, Flint; Mr. M.Scott, London; Dr. M. Coates, Streathamn; Dr. W. Donovan, Birmingham;Dr. W. Graham, Armagh; Mr. J. Mason, Windermere; Our Vienna Corre-spondent; Our Paris Correspondent; Dr. Maxwell, Woolwich; Mr. C. Baber,Brighton; Mr. H. Hall, Birmingham; Dr. Hunter Mackenzie, Edinburgh;Dr. W. Aikin, London; Mr. J. Weller, Amersham; Mr. J. Vose Solomon, Bir-mingham; Mr. W. B. Mears, Newcastle-on-Tyne; Mr. J. F. Hunt, Biggles-wade; Mr. H. E. Canty, Liverpool; The Registrar of the General MedicalCouncil; Mr. J. Insworth, Liverpool; Mr. F. H. Knaggs, Gloucester; Mr. E.GMrraway, Faversham; Dr. Styrap, Swansea; Mr. M. M. Landon, Mere; Dr.J. Bately, Gorleston; Dr. J. Tathani, Salford; Mr. W. Fowler, London; Mr.G. H. Homan, Lchfield; Dr. Lutaud, Paris; Mr. T. Wilson, Wallsend; Mr.W. Carr, Perth; Dr. T. Watson, Tottenham; Dr. B. Anningson, Cambridge;W. H. Allen, M.B., Stanmore; Mr. J. F. Dell, London; J. B. Jameson, M B.,Heywood Hall, Lancs.; Dr. Stacpoole, London; etc.

BOOKS, ETC., RECEIVED.

Observations on Mental Derangement. By Andrew Combe, M.D. Edited andabridged by A., Mitchell, C.B., M.D., LL.D. Edinburgh: Maclachlan andStewart. London: SilnpKin, Marshall, and Co. 1887.

Modem Gymnastic Exercises: Part I, Elementary. By A. Alexander. Illus-trated. London: George Philip and Son. 1887.

Traite Pratique des Maladies du Nez et de la Cavit6 Naso-Pharynglenne. ParMorell Mackenzie. Traduit de l'Anglais et annotW par les Drs. E. J. Moure etJ. Charazac. Paris: 0. Doin. 1887.

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