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was passed to Professor O.5ler and the visitors afterwardsproceeded to inspect the home. We take this opportunity ofadding our congratulations to those already expressed in somany quarters to Miss Acland upon the success which hasattended her efforts. The late Sir Henry Acland’s love foranything connected with Oxford is too well known to needrepetition, and nothing would have given him greater pleasure,had he been still here, than to see the additions to the homein which he took so great an interest.

THE Department of Pablic Health, Queensland, in a

plague bulletin dated from Brisbane, Sept. 1st, states thatno case of plague had occurred in Brisbane since June 20thbut that 2 suspicious cases had been reported by the medicalofficer of Cairns, the one being a female, aged 40 years, andthe other a female, aged 22 years. A dead rat had been

found on the premises where the first-named had been livingten days previously to the onset of her illness. In a bulletindated Sept. 8th these 2 cases were reported as having beendefinitely ascertained to be cases of plague ; and 2 furthercases had been reported, during the week ending Sept. 8th,one of which had proved fatal on Sept. 6th. At the date ofthe bulletin no further cases had occurred and only oneplague-infected rat had been found-namely, the one men-tioned in respect of the woman aged 40 years.

A COURSE of eight lectures on the Carbohydrates and theirRelations to Living Organisms will be given in the PhysiologyDepartment of University College, London, by Dr. S. B.

Schryver, D.Sc., Ph.D., lecturer on Physiological Chemistryto University College, on Wednesdays at 5 P.M., beginningon Wednesday, Oct. 24th. These lectures are open to all

students of the University of London, also to qualifiedmedical men on presentation of their cards, and to suchother persons as are specially admitted.

AT a meeting of thf council of the county borough ofSunderland, held on Oct. 10th, it was decided that water,milk, and other foods should be examined bacteriologicallyand an agreement has been made with the University ofDurham College of Medicine for the execution of the work.

THE first instalment of the Reports of the Advisory Oom.mittee for Plague Investigation in India has been issued asan extra number of the Journal of Hygiene. We hope todeal with the report at length in a future issue.

THE SEMMELWEIS MONUMENT INBUDAPEST.

THE last day of September, 1906, will long be rememberedby those representatives of the medical faculty of the worldwho gathered in Budapest to do honour to Semmelweis. Itwas an ideal day from the point of view of weather andthe enormous crowd which gathered in Elizabeth-square atmidday to witness the unveiling were most enthusiastic.But prior to this in the Aula of the University at 10.30 A.M.there was a meeting of distinguished personages representingmany nations. Among those present were Count A. Apponyi,the Minister of Education, and other members of the

Ministry; Dr. Chyzer, councillor of the Medical Department;Dr. Szab6, rector of the University of Kolosvdr ; Dr. Képes,director-general of the Army Medical Department; and

representatives from the Hungarian Academy of Sciencesand other learned bodies.The visitors present from foreign countries were as

follows: from Vienna, Professor Schauta and ProfessorChrobak, Royal councillors ; Professor Hertzfeld, ProfessorHalban, Professor Mandl, Professor Laczk6, Dr. Fischer, andDr. Schurer von Waldheim, the biographer of Semmelweis;from Basle, Professor Herff. von Salis ; from Breslau, Professor

Asch ; from Copenhagen, Professor Fribiger ; from Freiburg,Professor Wekerling; from Genoa, Professor Rossi; fromRome, Professor Pestalozza ; from Messina, Professor Guzzonidel Ancerini ; from Jena, Professor Schultze ; and from

London, Dr. Albert T. Duka, D.S.O. The widow and sisterof Semmelweis and representatives of other families con-nected with him were also present. The proceedings wereopened with a speech by the Rector Magnificus, CouncillorAjtai, who spoke of the great respect in which the memoryof Semmelweis was held by the grateful citizens of his nativecity. Professor Barsony spoke in the name of the professorsof the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Budapest.The speeches of the visitors from abroad then followed,Professor Schultze being the first, succeeded by ProfessorSchauta, Professor Fribiger, Professor Pestalozza, ProfessorAncerini, Professor von Salis, and Dr. Daka.The meeting then adjourned to Elizabeth-square where

after the singing of the Hungarian National Anthem thestatue was unveiled by Professor Tauffer. This beautifulstatue is made of Carrara marble and is the work of thesculptor Strobl ; it represents Semmelweis standing on apedestal which is surrounded by naked figures of childrensupporting a wreath, while on the base sits a woman

with an infant on her knee, looking up into the faceof the statue with an expression of deep gratitude; themodel for the woman was the sculptor’s wife, MadameStrobl,Professor Tauffer in his capacity of President of theexecutive committee delivered an address dealing with thehistory of the movement which led up to the memorial.He said that in 1891 the faculty of medicine of the Univer-sity of Budapest initiated the idea of the immortalisation ofthe memory of Semmelweis in order to give a visible tokenand expression of the debt due to the founder of the anti-septic treatment of child-bearing women and the discovererof the etiology of puerperal fever. The first practical resultof the movement was the return of the ashes of Semmel-weis, which had found a resting place on foreign soil, tothe Kerepes Cemetery, Budapest where a special tomb hadbeen set apart for them. Following this the medical menof his native land erected an elaborate tombstone, afterwhich an international appeal was made for the superbmonument which now finds a place in Elizabeth-square.Steadily the money came in. Rich and poor alikeenjoyed the privilege of erecting the statue, for richand poor alike had enjoyed the boon of his dis-

covery. The movement extended beyond the bounds ofHungary to all civilised states, seeing that the discoveryand teaching of Semmelweis had become the publicproperty of the medical science of the entire worldand of humanity. In 1894 the members of the Inter-national Sanitary Congress meeting for its deliberationsat Budapest placed a magnificent wreath upon thetomb of Semmelweis in the cemetery. Professor Taufferthen formally handed over the statue to the mayoras vue icpresemative or biie niunicipiimjy ut Duuapesb.After wreaths had bsen placed on the statue by the familyof Semmelweis and the representatives of learned societiesthe proceedings terminated with the singing of the Hun-garian National Anthem. Following this a commemorativetablet was unveiled at the house in Buda in whichSemmelweis was born.

Professor Barsony and Professor Tauffer gave a dinner tosome 200 guests at the Park Club at which all the foreignvisitors were present.

BRITISH MEDICAL BENEVOLENT FUND.

AT the September meeting of the committee 16 applica-tions for help were considered and sums amounting to .E137were voted in relief. One case was passed over and thefollowing is an abstract of those which were assisted :-Widow, aged 58 years, of L.R.C.S. Irel , L.S.A. Dub., who practised

in Staffordshire. Small capital available at husband’s death hasbeen spent on the education of children who are at present barelyself-supporting. Recommended by Dr. A. M. Edge (honorary localsecretary). Voted ;E10 in two instalments.Daughter, aged 58 years, of late M.R.C.S., L S,A., who practised in

Derbyshire. Has been given a home in return for services by a rela-tive recently deceased, but is now practically destitute. Health veryfeeble. Recommended by Mr. W. J. Cooper. Voted 12 in 12instalments.Daughter, aged 35 years, of late F.R.C.S. Eng., who practised in

London. No income and incapacitated by tuberculous disease of theright shoulder-joint. Relatives only able to give very slight assistance.Recommended by Professor Howard Marsh (vice-president). VotedoB12 in two instalments.

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Wife, aged 65 years, of M.D., Trinity College, Dublin. who haspractised for 25 years in Ireland but for the last seven years has beenconfined in an asylum. During this time applicant has earned herliving as companion or housekeeper. At present receives a home in aboarding house in exchange for services, but is obliged to leave onaccount of her age. No income. Recommended by Dr. II. M.Macnaughton-Jones. Voted L12 in J2 instalments.Daughter, aged 60 years, of late M. ft. C. S., L S.A., who practised in

Sreffordshire. Maintained herself for 20 years by teaching and wasthen matron at an institution but was obliged to give up the post onaccount of indifferpnt health. No income. Recommended by MissCumming. Voted B5.LE.OP..L.R.C.S. Edin., aged 49 years. Has practised in a small

town in Scotland for 15 years, but is now almost incapacitated by spasticparalysis. Relieved twice, !:24. Recommended by Dr. G. S. Middleton.Voted B12 in 12 instalments.Widow, aged 52 years, of M.H.C S.. L S.A., who practised in a

London suburb for 30 years, but whose means were exhausted by along illness before death. No income. Five children; two dependent,the others barely self-supporting. Applicant endeavcurs to maintainherself by taking boarders. Relieved twice, oB20. Recommended bySir Anderson Critchett (vice-president). Voted ,E10 in ten instalments.Daughter, aged EO years, of late M.R.C.S., L.S.A., who practised for

many years in Essex. Used to keep a school but was obliged to giveit up after the opening of a high school and has since found greatdifficulty in supporting herself. No income; indifferent health.Relieved once, £ I0. Recommended by Dr. J. H. Galton. Voted oBiOin ten instalments.Widow, aged 31 years, of M.B., C.M. Glasg., who practised in county

Durham, Two children, aged ten and nine years respectively, both atinstitutions. Income less than oB20 a year; health at present toodelicate for regular work and applicant is being temporarily housed bya relative. Relieved tvtice, oBi5. Recommended by Dr. J. Elliott.Voted 25, 5.L.RC.P. Edin., M.R-C.S. Eng., aged 58 years. Practises in the

South-West of London but earnings are very small owing to competi-tion and indifferent health following an attack of hemiplegia. Sevenchildren, aged from 20 to three years, only the eldest being self-support-ing. Relieved three times, ;E22. Recommended by Mr. Hugh It. Ker.Voted 25. 5.Daughter, aged 50 years, of late M.R.C.S., L S.A.), who practised in

London. No income; has maintained herself by nursing but is nowquite incapacitated after rheumatic fever and is dependent on a nieceRho keeps lodgings to support a consumptive brother. Relieved threetimes, .627. Recommended by Dr. R. J. Ryle. Voted £ 10 in twoinstalments.Daughter, aged 31 years, of late DT.It.C.S., L.S.A., who practised in

Yorkshire. Has done some nursing but during the last two years hasundergone three or four operations and at present is qu’te uniit to earnher living. Slight help from relatives and the Gentlefolk’s Aid Society.Relieved twice, £ 7. Recommended by Dr. E. Hyla Greves. Voted £ 12in 12 instalments. a.

Widow, aged 52 years, of L R C. P. Irel., -iU. R. C S. Eng., who prac-tisedin Liverpool. No income; no children. Endeavours to supportherself by nursing but earnings insufficient for maintenance. Relievedfour times, f’,20. Recommended bv Dr. J. Bligh. Voted E5.Daughters, aged 42 years and 34 years, of late L S.A., who practised

in Essex. Both incapable of earning a living on account of physicalinfirmities and dependent on a mother whose only income is a smallpension. Relieved twice, .E24. Recommended by Dr. R. T. Nichols.Voted £ 12 in 12 instalments.Widow, aged 65 years, of F.R.C.S. Eng. Supported herself for many

years by keeping a small shop but is now unable to work and is entirelydependent on an annuity from this Fund. Voted:E5 as a special granton account of ill health.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OFENGLAND.

A QUARTERLY meeting of the Council was held on

Oct. llth, Mr. HENRY MORRIS, the President, being in thechair.

It was resolved, on the recommendation of the museumcommittee, to grant an honorarium of R100 to Mr. WilliamPearson, prosector, in recognition of his valuable work andof his having completed 50 years in the service of theCollege.

It was decided that a revised edition of Part I. (Man) ofthe Oncological Catalogue should be published.A draft copy of the annual report of the Council was

submitted and approved. It will be presented to the Fellowsand Members at the annual meeting on Thursday, Nov. 15th.The President was re-elected a member of the committee

of management.The Council nominated as fourteenth Jenks scholar Mr.

Godfrey Alan Walker, till lately a pupil of Epsom Collegeand now a student at the London Hospital.A letter was read from Mr. Edmund Owen, reporting his

attendance as the representative of the College at the

Quatercentenary celebrations of the University of Aberdeenand stating that he had presented the address of congratula-tion from the College and that he had had the honour ofreceiving the degree of LL D. from the University.

It was resolved to appoint a committee to consider and toreport on the standing rules and regulations of the Counciland to submit a revised copy.

ELECTION OF DIRECT REPRESENTATIVESUPON THE GENERAL MEDICAL

COUNCIL.

WE have received the following communications forpublication, in reference to the forthcoming election ofDirect RepreEeLta,tives on the General Medical Council :-

To THE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS OF ENGLAND ANDWALES.

I had decided to withdraw my name from the listof applicants for the election of three Direct Representativeson the General Medical Council, and this decision has beenmentioned in the British Med’ical J01lrnal for Oct. 6th. Theadvice of professional friends, on whose judgment in thismatter I rely more than on my own, has induced me toreconsider the question, and I now beg to offer myself as arepresentative of the profession on the General MedicalCouncil.For 13 years previous to 1888 I was a general practitioner

at IIartlepool, and as medical officer to large clubs and

friendly societies and medical officer of health to theborough and in private practice also, I obtained an ex-

tended experience of the requirements of ordinary everydaypractice and practitioner. For the last five years 1 have been

president of the Northumberland Medical Association nowmerged with the North of England branch of the BritishMedical Association and known as the Northumberland Com-mittee. Its functions are limited to the advancement of theinterests of its members directly, and indirectly of themedical profession in Northumberland. The work that hasbeen done by us here, especially in increasing the fees forcontract practice, has sati&iied me that, if we know what wewant and the whole profession cooperates in any reasonabledemand, it will not, because it cannot, be refused.There is one point on which I must offer a strong opinion.

It has been urged that only those in practice as generalpractitioners should be appointed to fill the vacancies on theGeneral Medical Council. It seems difficult to believe thatthis view can be held by any but a minority of the 20,000voters on whom the result depends unless the invaluableservices rendered by Sir Victor Horsley can be left out ofconsideration. In this part of the country we derived verygreat advantage from the help and cooperation of con-

sultants and I feel strongly that to divide the profession intoindependent sections can only end in disaster. The

cc operation of all is needful if any real and permanentimprovement in the conditions of medical practice is to beobtained. I am acquainted with the work that has beendone by the General Medical Council of late years and amfully in sympathy with the efforts that have been made tosuppress disreputable forms of practice. Without, however,a new Medical Act passed on the lines adopted by the BritishMedical Association, I am of opinion that the chief evilsfrom which the profession now undoubtedly suffers cannotbe satisfactorily dealt with.

Yours faithfully,Saville-row, Newcastle-on-Tyne. RUTHERFORD MORISON.

To the Editors of THE LANCET.

SiRs,-In forwarding a copy of Mr. Rutherford Morison’saddress we should like at the same time to invite thosecognisant of his magnificent work for the general practi-tioner in this part of the country, and who are wishful to seehis abilities placed at the diposal of the whole profession,to send us their names to be placed on a general committee.We already have promises of very influential support fromvarious parts of the country but would take as a favour anearly reply to this general invitation.

We are,- Sirs, yours faithfully,EDWARD JEPSON, Honorary Secretaries,ALFRED Cox, pro tem.

Cotfielcl House, Ben6ha.m-road, Gateshead, l

Oct. 15th, 1906.

To the Editors of THE LANCET.

Sms,-Will you please allow me to add (which I omittedin my address) that 1 have been adopted by the followingsocieties as their candidate for election to the GeneralMedical Council-the Association of Members of the Royal