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the superior abilities of the Conjoint man as comparedwith the university man. This can only be consideredunfortunate. Hitherto the whole crux of the questionhas been taken to be not a matter of personal abilitybut of opportunity in the case of the two classes of menThe larger number of students first enter at a hospitaland then consider what qualification they will aim at ;these form the Conjoint men, for having paid their fees,&c., they do not feel disposed to retrace their steps andundergo the ordeal of a matriculation and preliminaryscientific examination. A few men give anxious con-

sideration to the question of a qualification before

they enter a hospital ; most of such shape their coursefor the university. When I joined a London hospital Iwas one of four who had decided to go in for theuniversity ; the remaining 56 students were Conjoint men.It might be reasonably expected that out of 56 men therewould be a greater probability of a display of brilliant workthan out of a forlorn number of four men. But even apartfrom any such probability there was no question about thecapabilities of the Conjoint men as a whole and of two ofthem in particular, one of whom took all the hospital scholar-ships, and the other exhibited consummate ability in thenumerous resident posts he held. We university men werea scratch lot. Opportunity and an indulgent Providencerather than personal merit made us what we are.

Mr. Langford gives instances of examinational cropperssuffered by the intellectually great. We all know of such-the explanation of them belongs to that hazy land of specula-tion where the voice of the fool alone is heard ponder-ing on the imponderable-a striving and a strivingand an ending in nothing. To Mr, Langford and allother Britishers who are consumed by a wearing anxietyabout the quality of a man’s qualifications let me

say that throughout South Africa we pay no regardto such matters ; with us a "doctor" is a properly qualifiedpractitioner. By his merits do we judge a man ; he may bean M.D. of any university, but should he make an ass ofhimself and a mess of his cases we forthwith catalogue himamong the fools. Throughout this letter I have spoken of’’ Mr." Langford-may Providence once more be indulgentto me for thus bending the knee in the house of Baal. Letall Conjoint men take heart from the opinion of a Rhodesianwayside store-keeper on university graduates, many of whomfloat round South Africa like dentists. In a burst of con-fidence he said to me, "You know, doctor, ’Varsity men areno good as waiters" !

I am, Sirs, yours faithfully, ---- -----

Transvaal, Dec. 30th, 1902. AFRICANDER.

NOTES FROM INDIA.

(FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.)

The Walker Hospital at Simla. -Improvements at theMedical College, Calcutta.--The -Export of Goats’ Skins andthe Practice of flaying Goats alive.-A ASzcecessfulCrusade against Mosquitoes.-The Epidemic of Plague.AMONG the recent improvements at Simla is the new

hospital where Europeans can find improved accommodationduring their hours of illness. The old and unsuitable wardsformerly used have by the gift of the generous donor beenreplaced by a properly equipped building erected on the linesof the Eden Sanatorium at Darjeeling. Mr. Walker’shandsome gift was of the well-known Gordon Castle Estate,but Government acquired this for administrative buildings,and the present site of the new hospital has more suitablybeen found on a spur situated at the back of Snowdon. Themain building, consisting of a central portion with crossarms or wings at the end, is two-storeyed. It is very largelycomposed of timber, but ample provision has been madeagainst the risk of fire.The new pathological and physiological building to be

added to the Medical College, Calcutta, also requires notice.It forms one more step in the reconstruction of the collegeupon modern lines. The first improvement undertaken wasthe anatomical block and then came the chemical block,both of which are in full occupation. The present additionis three-storeyed and is designed to harmonise with thetwo others. The entire fitting up has been carefully thoughtout and will render this building when completed the bestinstitution of its class in Asia. It is anticipated, however,

that the beginning of 1904 will be the earliest date by whichit will be ready for use. On the ground floor will be roomsfor normal histology and physiological chemistry and anexperimental class-room, besides small rooms for the pro-fessors, diagrams, photography, &c. On the first floor willbe rooms for morbid histology and bacteriology besides thelarge theatre. The second floor will be chiefly taken up withthe museum.The common practice of flaying goats alive in different

parts of India has been nurtured by the demands for longnecks in the skins. The export of goats’ skins is enormousand a certain percentage-said to be only small-have longnecks. The religious method of killing is to decapitate bya cut through the neck, but for long necks an incision ismade round and under the jaws and over the top of the head,the skin being turned back, and then the head severed fromthe body. This, of course, is horrible cruelty and one couldwish that only 1 per cent. of exported skins as stated wasat least not exceeded, but this is doubtful. The practice isbeing actively investigated by the honorary secretary of theCalcutta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,and in a note he urges on consumers or users to reject longnecks and to alter the bases of measurements, fixing it fromthe base of the neck instead of from the apex. If the tradewould cooperate in this direction there would be no induce.ment for the continuation of this atrocious form of cruelty.This question deserves to be ventilated throughout the wholeof Europe and especially in the countries to which these skinsare exported.An effective crusade against the anopheles mosquito has

been carried on during the past year at Jaidulpur in theCentral Provinces. The local conditions were particularlyunfavourable in consequence of numerous tanks and opendrains, but mosquito brigades have set to work actively.Formerly 28 per cent. of the patients in the hospitals werecases of malaria fever, but during the last five months thepercentage has dropped to 11’55 per cent.Upwards of 16,000 deaths from plague were recorded

throughout India for the week ending Jan. 10th. This is anincrease of 511 on the previous week and 5829 more than inthe corresponding week of last year. The Bombay Presi-dency reported 8340 deaths, an increase of 1045 ; the BengalPresidency reported 1854, an increase of 92; the UnitedProvinces 1712, an increase of 52 ; and the Madras Presidency596, an increase of 151. The Punjab alone reported anydecrease-viz., from 2238 to 1736. Other returns of im-

portance are : Calcutta, 29 deaths ; Bombay city, 352 deaths ;and Karachi, 25 deaths. In all three of these cities plagueis increasing, especially in Bombay, where 169 additionaldeaths occurred during the past week. The Hyderabadand Mysore States, the Chitral Provinces and Berar, continueto be infected. A commission has been appointed to inquireinto the lamentable accident which occurred in the Punjab inconnexion with inoculation. Without any disparagement tothe members appointed I think that officers should havebeen selected who are well acquainted with the methods of

manufacture of the prophylactic serum and of the practice of17 plague inoculation. The President of the Commission is a

Judge, not a scientific expert, and in an investigation of thiskind it is difficult to see where his abilities can be utilised.Jan. 15th.

BIRMINGHAM.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Health of the City.THE returns of the medical officer of health, Dr. A. Hill,

for the week ending Jan. 31st, show improvement in somedirections and some cause for anxiety in others. The death-rate was 17’1 per 1000 against 21-4 the previous week, but,on the other hand, there are an outbreak of small-pox and alarge number of cases of scarlet fever. There are now 18cases of small-pox in the isolation hospital, one patient havingdied during the week. 66 fresh cases of scarlet fever werenotified during the week, the total number in the hospitalbeing 475. The type is not a virulent one, fortunately.There is no doubt that the dissemination of small-poxis caused mainly by tramps who occupy the tramp wards atworkhouses and by the common lodging-houses of the city.The difficulty of dealing with these carriers of contagion isalmost insurmountable. Of course they are isolated and

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complete disinfection is carried out as soon as the discoveryis made, but in many cases the mischief has already beendone. In connexion with this subject a circular letter,signed by the Lord Mayor, the chairman of the healthcommittee, and the medical officer of health, has beenaddressed to the medical practitioners of the city, pointingout that chicken-pox has been added to the list of notifiablediseases, the object being that all cases of chicken-pox inchildren over seven years of age may be visited by themedical superintendent of the hospital with the view of

promptly discovering any modified case of small-pox thatmay be among them. That this course has proved to bejustified is shown by the fact that in several instances casesof small-pox were found. Of course, all these examinationsare made in consultation with the ordinary medical attend-ant or with his consent.

The Ne,7v Licensing Act.One of the most emphatic attempts at a needed social

reform is exhibited in the powers of the new Licensing Act indealing with drunkards and drunkenness. Some typicalinstances have been already dealt with by the magistrates ofthe city where the requisite number of previous convictionshave been proved. Several separation orders also have beenobtained by the husbands of inebriate wives.

St. John Ambulance Association.The annual meeting of the Birmingham branch of this

association was held on Jan. 21st under the presidencyof the Lord Mayor. The accounts showed a surplusof £19 odd. Four classes had been held during theyear in connexion with manufactories and the attentionof employers of labour was called to the importanceof inaugurating classes in connexion with their works.It was pointed out that the Birmingham centre was

formed in 1880 and that it had qualified nearly 8000 men andwomen in rendering first aid. Last year 22 classes hadbeen held and 284 members had received certificates. TheLord Mayor was of opinion that it should be made com-pulsory that most public servants should hold certificates.The advantages and the sense of security he thought wouldbe obvious. The Birmingham corps had seven divisions witha membership of 150, which it was considered should begreatly increased. Votes of thanks to the medical officersand others were passed unanimously.

The Women’s Hospital.A strong appeal has been issued for funds towards the

building of a new women’s hospital in the city. At a

meeting held on Jan. 15th the following resolution was

passed :-That the meeting is of opinion that it is necessary to build a new

hospital on freehold land as soon as possible, with beds for 40 patients,and also a new convalescent home with accommodation in proportion.

The reasons for desiring additional space and modern

equipments were pointed out by the President who statedthat a sum of 30,000 was needed to realise their expec-tations. Already large sums have been promised andthe enthusiasm and energy with which the work has beencommenced have occasioned much encouragement.

Midland Counties Home for Incitrables.The annual report, read at a meeting on Jan. 16th, showed

that while the need of this institution continued toincrease in every direction, the expense had been keptwithin the income for the year. This fact in the historyof such homes cannot but be regarded as satisfactory. The

subscriptions for the year amounted to £2245, the donationsto £289, and the patients’ payments to £2487. The totalamount collected for the third section extension fund ist2209, but in regard to this extension the committee recom-mended the governors to rescind the plans for a chapel andrecreation-room in one building and to authorise the workbeing undertaken in two separate portions, the nurses’ dining-room and the recreation-room being put in hand at once. Anew plan had been prepared containing a room suitable forweek-day entertainments and also when required for Sundayafternoon services. Various legacies were announced andvotes of thanks were accorded.

The Queen’s Hospital.At a meeting held on Jan. 30th, Dr. J. G. Emanuel

was elected to the new post of casualty physician andDr. Arthur Stanley Barnes was appointed pathologist to thehospital.

Feb. 3rd.

LIVERPOOL.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Liverpool Royal Infirmary : Annual Meeting: Changes inthe Honorary Staff.

THE annual meeting of the friends and supporters of theRoyal Infirmary was held in the board-room on Jan. 29th ;Mr. T. Sutton Timmis (the President) occupied the chair.The committee lamented the loss by death of Mr. WilliamRathbone, its senior member, whose election dated backto 1860. He took an active part in building the presentinfirmary and to him the charity was chiefly indebted forthe existing admirable nursing system. Under the opera-tion of the laws Dr. Richard Caton’s term of office expiredin July, 1902. Appointed in 1886, he worked for 16 years,to the immense benefit of both patients and students,and had earned the friendship and respect of all. So alsoin November, 1902, after a devoted service of 26 years, cameSir William Mitchell Banks’s retirement in the same cir-cumstances. Both as a surgeon and a professor his longconnexion with the hospital had been of inestimable value.By an arrangement with the committee, and by the courtesyof his colleagues, ten beds in the surgical wards are still athis disposal, whereby the benefit of his advice and expe-rience will be retained for some time longer. To the posts ofhonorary physician and honorary surgeon, rendered vacantby the retirement of Dr. Caton and Sir William Banks, Dr.John Hill Abram and Mr. George Gibson Hamilton hadbeen respectively elected. Dr. E. E. Glynn and Mr. T. C.Litler Jones had been elected to the vacancies caused by thepromotion of the latter two gentlemen So great had beenthe progress within recent times of surgical science thata rearrangement of the operating theatre was deemedwise. The two new theatres that had been constructedthrough the munificence of Mr. Ralph Brocklebank wereopened in October last by Sir Frederick Treves. Theyhad in practice proved, as anticipated, all that could bedesired. Each honorary surgeon had now a separatetheatre ; thus the harassing delay to patients awaitingoperation was ovoided, while every modern appliance toinsure their speedy recovery had been adopted. Thenumber of major operations had risen from 770 in 1881 to1372 in 1901. Through the generosity of a member of thecommittee an electrical department for the treatment ofskin diseases had been opened. 3415 patients had beentreated in the house and 20,441 in the out-patient depart-ment, giving a total number of attendances of 78,017. The

average number resident was 244. The expenditure hadbeen .614,800 and the receipts £12,957. The debt now stoodat £2809. The chairman of the committee (Mr. E. Kewley)made a feeling allusion to the death of Mr. HamiltonB. Gilmour which occurred on Jan. 24th. The late Mr.Gilmour had been closely connected with the infirmary forover 30 years and was chairman of the general committeefor 18 years. Mr. James Lister was elected as President forthe ensuing year. Mr. Lister is also an old member of thecommittee, having served on that body for nearly 30 years.Mr. Sutton Timmis (the retiring President) announced hisintention of contributing 200 guineas to the funds of the

charity.Another Increase in the Number of Small-pox Cases.

According to the report of the medical officer of health

presented to the health committee on Jan. 29th, it appearedthat there were 274 cases of small-pox under treatment inthe corporation hospitals. 51 fresh cases were reported, asagainst 42 in the previous week. The outbreak in thePrescot workhouse and neighbourhood is, happily, abating.23 cases are under treatment at Wigan.Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine : Dr. A. Logan Taylor’8

Visit to the Gold Coast.The Governor of the Gold Coast, Sir Matthew Nathan,

in a letter dated Accra, Jan. 10th, acknowledges thatso far as he can judge from official and non-officialopinions, Dr. Logan Taylor, who had been sent out by theLiverpool School of Tropical Medicine, had already effectedconsiderable improvement in the sanitary condition of CapeCoast Castle, and asked that he might continue as healthofficer there until the arrival of one of the assistant colonialsurgeons who takes considerable interest in sanitary workand who was due to return to the colony about the middle ofMarch.

Feb. 3rd.