282

say more of Sir William himself ?-and would the precisemeaning of the last nine words be perceived by any but amedical reader? The newspaper editor is fully justified insaying, as he does, 11 this, in itself, is a very high recommenda-tion" ! More, however, remains behind; and the paragraphquotes other testimonials also, from gentlemen who wouldprobably be equally surprised with Sir William Jenner tosee their opinions adduced in corroboration of his. It is

painful to add that the whole manifesto is given to theworld in order to secure to Mr. Z- the post of parishdoctor, at a stipend of .815 per annum ! Truly Mr. Zis worthy of better things; or else the testimonial systemds greater humbug than even we ourselves had thought it.

THE RESULT OF SANITARY IMPROVEMENTSIN ST. LUKE’S, MIDDLESEX.

THE Vestry of St. Luke’s, Middlesex, have at length re-,solved to put in force the 35th section of the Sanitary Actof 1866. They have been induced to adopt it on account ofthe great diminution of sickness which has resulted fromthe general enforcement of sanitary improvements. In the

year 1865, the year before the Aet was passed, there were1766 cases of fever in the parish; during 1866 there were.572. The Act being now put in force, the numbers werereduced to 207 in 1867 ; to 179 in 1868 ; to 174 in 1869 ; andto 100 in 1870. Every case of fever sent to the hospital ’,had cost the district 2 ; and, besides this, the families hadin many cases to be supported for several weeks out of thepoor-rates, whilst every now and then the death of a maleparent left a widow and a young family in a state of desti-tution requiring relief for many years. The Vestry are nowconvinced of the economy of putting legislation into effect,and the resolution to adopt the 35th section was carried bya majority of 39 to 7.

ST. THOMAS’S HOSPITAL.

WE learn that Mr. Wagstaffe has retired from the candi-- dature for the assistant-surgeoncy, and will be unopposed-for the subordinate appointment of resident assistant-

surgeon. Mr. Arnott, of the Middlesex Hospital ; Mr.

Barwell, of the Charing-cross Hospital; Mr. MacCormac,of Belfast ; and Mr. West, of Birmingham, remain in thefield for the former appointment. The two first-named

gentlemen have only recently come forward, and can

hardly expect to succeed on the present occasion, as Messrs. ’,West and MacCormac have already been actively engaged ’,in canvassing for several weeks, and each gentleman hasno doubt secured numerous friends among the Governors.Mr. Barwell might have stood well in the contest if he hadbeen earlier in the field; but we think he would nowincrease his popularity by withdrawing. By such a coursehe would avoid creating a division in the staff of St.

’Thomas’s; who, unless united, may see Mr. West, who is aman from their own school, defeated by a comparativeatranger, with smaller claims to such promotion.

EDINBURGH INFIRMARY.

ON Monday the Managers met to consider a communica-tion from the Senatus of the University containing repliesto several questions discussed at a late conference betweenthe two bodies as to the sale of the Infirmary. The Senatus

(it set forth) were advised that the transaction between theManagers and the University, with regard to the sale, wasin every way valid. They had no intention of taking partin the litigation commenced by Mr. Maclaren, 21.P., against Ithe Infirmary Managers, but were disposed for the presentto leave the affair in the hands of the latter, convinced thatthese gentlemen would be able to devise some arrangement,

satisfactory, not only to both the interested parties, but tothe public generally.At the same meeting the Managers agreed to postpone

consideration of the subject of the medical education ofwomen.

THE CONTAGIOUS DISEASES INTERESTAT GLASGOW.

Pas est et ab 7toste daceri is a maxim which we should liketo see obeyed by the profession in its warfare against the11 Contagious Diseases Interest." How is it that the energyand self-devotion are all on the side of that mischievous

propaganda P eve should like to see a counter-demon-stration in support of the sound sanitary view, for everysuch meeting as that announced from Glasgow, where Mrs.Butler, of Liverpool, called upon a gentleman to read herprepared address, which was followed by the moving andcarrying of resolutions demanding the repeal of the Acts.At least, if we are to oppose the " Contagious DiseasesInterest," let us adopt some better tactics than those of theGlasgow students, whose interruptions to the reading ofMrs. Butler’s paper were such that the ringleaders had tobe expelled by the police. It is a pity to see a good causeprejudiced by youths whose only apology is that they are"young and curly"; while the bad cause rather gains thansuffers from the conduct of the working men, who, inshowincr n themselves especially hostile to the Acts," donot fail to observe the proprieties.

THE VENTILATION OF THE SEWERS INLIVERPOOL.

WE regret to observe that the Town Council of Liverpoolhave resolved to continue and extend the present imperfectmode of ventilating the sewers. In the absence of man-

holes and flushin- apparatus, it is impossible to prevent theformation of deposits, and, without adequate openings onthe surface, the foul gases must inevitably escape into thedwelling-houses through imperfect service drains. If theauthorities are afraid of such openings as are found at veryfrequent intervals in every London thoroughfare, they mayadopt the protection of charcoal ventilators, like those inuse at Croydon. We never yet heard of any harm comingfrom openings in the centre of the roadway; and if thestench should in any case be disagreeable, attention oughtat once to be directed to the foul condition of the sewerunderneath. We hope, therefore, that the Liverpool autho-rities, if not convinced, will wait until the question hasbeen examined and reported on by Drs. Parkes andSanderson.

____

THE DISTRESS IN FRANCE.

IT is probable that by this time there are many peoplewho entertain grave doubts as to whether the course

pursued by this country, as a neutral power, in spendingan enormous sum with the view of directly relievingthe sick and wounded soldiers, was a very wise one.

The effect of relieving the contending armies of theirwounded was, logically speaking, to free the combatantsfrom a great and embarrassing responsibility, and enablethem to prosecute their military plans with greater energy.It may sound parodoxical to declare that to succour thewounded men of both sides was not a humane act, butwe fear that such a declaration is nevertheless true. Quiteotherwise, however, is it with the efforts that have been, andare still being, made to ward off the famine and pestilencethat were threatening France. The Mansion House fund hasalready reached upwards of .8100,000. The peasants and agreat part of the civilian population of France, on whom thiswar has fallen with so cruel a stroke, are worthy of every as-