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escaped, not only from the surface grids that communicatedwith old and defective sewers, but also from those thatventilated the best constructed sewers, and it is maintainedthat these improved sewers are equal to the most perfectspecimens in the country. The object of ventilatingsewers is so to dilute the effluvia rising from the sewageas to prevent any nuisance whatsoever either in thesewer itself or elsewhere, and when this is not achievedthe street ventilating grid reveals the fact to all who

pass by. If the sewer air can only escape at highlevels above the roofs of the houses it is not so easy toascertain whether this purification by dilution has -beenachieved. Also there still remain 22 miles of very defectivesewers in the town. These are in course of reconstructionand I had an opportunity of seeing some of this work done.A 15 inch brick sewer was being removed. The bricks hadnot been properly cemented. The sewage had passed outbetween them and the back as well as the invert side of thebricks was black with sewage deposits. The earth all roundwas also blackened. with sewage and had to be dug out,placed in tip carts, mixed with disinfecting powder, and

promptly removed.There is yet another consideration that accentuates the

importance of the problem of sewer ventilation as it presentsitself at Leicester. The town, to a large extent, has adoptedthe separate system. In all small streets, and in some

large streets, there are separate sewers for the rain-waterfrom the roads and fronts of the houses. These rain watersewers are connected, whenever possible, with the main inter-cepting storm-water culverts which discharge directly intothe river or canal. Where, however, such main storm over-flow culverts do not exist the rain-water sewers have theiroutfall into the nearest main foul-water sewers. Conse-

quently a considerable portion of the sewers of Leicestercontain sewage proper only, diluted by the small portionof rain water that comes from the backyards. Thereforethe effluvia such sewers engender might be of a more

dangerous nature than if they arose from sewage mixed withall the rain water, and this renders the necessity of efficientventilation even more imperative. In view of all thesecircumstances it is not surprising that the sanitary authori-ties should devote the utmost attention to this vexed, andas yet unsolved, problem. But they are determined notto leave a stone unturned to find the best solution andfor this reason a small district has been set aside for thepurpose of applying and thoroughly testing the Shone systemof sewer ventilation. This system has already been describedin our columns and theoretically it appears to meet all thenecessities of the case. Sanitarians throughout the worldwill be grateful to the Leicester authorities for havingsupplied an opportunity for testing whether what is promisedin theory will work satisfactorily in practice.

There are many other subjects of interest to be studiedat Leicester, notably the bacterial treatment of sewageeffluents. Very extensive experiments have been madewith the result that for Leicester the best method is

thought to be a combination of septic and land treatment.It is proposed that the sewage should pass through detritusor settling tanks of a capacity of about one-sixth of the dryweather flow, then through first-contact bacteria beds,finishing off by passing the effluent on to old pasture orrye-grass land. It has been found that this mode of treat-

ment, which the land at the disposal of the authoritiesfavours, gives an effluent of equal purity to that of the bestbacteriological processes. Altogether, therefore, it must be

acknowledged that the authorities at Leicester have dis-

played commendable energy and perspicacity in dealing withsanitary problems. That they have met with their rewardis shown by the vital statistics of the town published year by

Iyear.

BIRMINGHAM.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

University of Birmingham.THE session of the Faculty of Medicine was commenced

on Oct. lst by a meeting held in the buildings of the

University. The Dean, Professor B. C. A. Windle,received the visitors in the medical hall. The pro-.ceedings included an address by Professor R. F. C. Leith entitled ’’ The Possibility of Evolutionary Variation in the

1 THE LANCET, August 9th, 1902, p. 405.

Characteristic Features of some Diseases. a SpeculativeForecast in Bacteriology." A large audience, some ofwhom were perhaps attracted by the suggestive title ofthe address, listened with interest to the problems ofthe future as forecasted in relation to the practicalapplication of medicine and surgery. The addresswas illustrated by lantern slides and by a number of

preparations of bacteria shown by means of the projec-tion lantern or the microscope. In the bacteriologicallaboratory physiological demonstrations were given byProfessor E. W. W. Carlier. A collection of Greek vases,a series of specimens illustrating the implements and

carvings of the prehistoric period, and other objects ofinterest were on view.

Licensing in Birmingham.An interesting and instructive pamphlet has been issued

by Mr. Arthur Chamberlain on " Licensing in the City ofBirmingham." As chairman of the justices Mr. Chamber-lain’s opinions are entitled to great weight. Part I. isexplanatory of the Birmingham surrender scheme ; Part II.deals with the actual reduction in the number of licences inthe city ; and Part III. consists of statistics in reference tothe sale of intoxicating liquors in eight large cities. In theintroduction he says that Birmingham is now sixth in thelist of places where drunkenness is most prevalent, and thatits record cannot be said to be an improving one. Variousreasons are advanced for this and suggestions are made forthe amelioration of the evil. He states that in his belief"the most effectual, the most permanent, and, in the longrun, the cheapest remedy, is to withdraw the slum courtsfrom the secrecy in which they now fester, and to bring themto the light of day and under the public eye." Theinsanitary and unsavoury conditions of the slums in all largecities call for improvement and if this was carried out andthe inhabitants were exposed to daylight and public opinionthere is but little doubt that their health and morals wouldbe also improved.

Dangers of the Brass Trade.Brass casting, which is one of the leading trades of

Birmingham, is generally recognised to be a very unhealthyoccupation. Many plans have been proposed to protect theworkmen. As a rule, the men themselves ignore or neglectthe precautions suggested for their safety and welfare. An

apparatus has been patented lately which promises to bemore valuable than anything before tried for protectivepurposes. This apparatus is simple and consists of an ironhood placed over the casting-pot before it is withdrawn fromthe furnace ; to this hood is attached a tube with a steellining cased in asbestos. This tube, two and a half inches.n diameter, communicates with another tube, six inches inL iameter, leading into the chimney, the fumes being thusconveyed directly into the outside air. The adoption of thissimple apparatus will, it is prophesied, do away with muchrisk in the process of casting.

Edinburgh University Graduates in the Midlands.The sixth annual dinner of graduates of Edinburgh Uni-

versity residing in the Midlands was held at the Grand Hotel,Birmingham, on Oct. llth, Dr. Thomas Nelson being in thechair. Professor T. Annandale was the guest of the cluband in replying for the toast of "The University" mademany happy remarks on the world-wide reputation of Edin-burgh as a teaching centre which were heartily cheered.

Oct. 21st.

MANCHESTER.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

The Infirmary Question.A SPECIAL general meeting of the trustees of the Man-

chester Royal Infirmary was held at the Memorial Hall onOct. 16th. The Earl of Derby presided. Its purpose was toconsider, and if approved to accept, the resignation of theboard of management and to arrange for the filling up ofvacancies, &c. Mr. Gerald Peel moved the necessary altera-tions of the rules, which the treasurer, Mr. J. H. Grafton,seconded, and they were carried unanimously. The meetingalso had before it the following motion which was proposedby Judge Parry and seconded by Mr. Joseph Bell:-That the trustees be asked to confirm the policy that there should be

no rebuilding on the Piccadilly site, and that a new infirmary be builtat Stanley-grove without delay, unless a better site offers.

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Judge Parry said that the intirmary question had been with Ithem for a generation and they seemed as far as ever froman answer ; and this was why they wished to put themotion before the trustees so that they might once and forall give an answer. He did not think that anyone wouldnow speak in favour of rebuilding on the present sitewhich they would have to realise to the best advantage.A large body of public opinion was in favour of an art

gallery and a library being erected on it but as trustees

they need not then consider that matter. He could notwell avoid a hit at some of the medical staff who haveadvocated rebuilding in Piccadilly. It may be remem-bered that some time ago he was terribly injured andtaken to a nursing home in Nelson-street, close to Stanley-grove. He said that he felt reassured when he foundtwo eminent medical men living opposite and "wouldbelieve in the horrible atmosphere of Stanley-grove and theclear, unpolluted atmosphere in which they were at thatmoment when he saw the medical profession sitting on theirdoorsteps or underneath their fig-tree in the salubrious airof Oldham-road, but not before " Mr. Alfred Simpson, as amember of the old board, said that they considered thequestion of rebuilding on the Piccadilly site to be decided bythe recent poll of the trustees. He thought, however, that themotion in its present form, f-tating that there should be norebuilding on the present site, might cripple the trustees inoffering it for sale and proposed an amendment whichdealt with this point. After some further discussion and aconsultation on the platform the following motion was

drafted as a joint motion, proposed by Judge Parry,seconded by Mr. Simpson, and adopted with only a fewdissentients :-

That the trustees confirm the policy that there shall be no re-

building of the infirmary on the Piccadilly site; that that buildingand site be disposed of on terms to be approved by the trustees andsanctioned by the Charity Commissioners ; and that a new infirmarybe built at Stanley-grove without delay unless a better site can beobtained.

This closes one act of the drama. The controversy as tothe rebuilding of the infirmary has been before the trusteesand the public of Manchester for the last 30 years or moreand has been a familiar topic of conversation-some-times animated. The question of a small hospital for thetemporary reception of accidents still remains. Some wouldlike a part of the present infirmary left for that purpose, butthis would diminish the value of the site too seriously for allother purposes. It would ill accord with plans for the artgallery and library that many think should occupy part ofthe site and would interfere with any scheme for preservingthe whole of it as an open space or for selling it for ware-houses, offices, and shops, from which uses it is to be hopedit may be saved.

Mitnicipal School of TechnologyManchester was honoured last week by the presence of the

Prime Minister. To the political occasion of his visit Ineed not refer, but though the School of Technologyhas no direct connexion with medicine its importance to thecommunity is so great that I may be permitted perhaps tomention its formal opening by Mr. Balfour. It has cost

nearly 300,000 and has been seven years in building. It issix storeys high and occupies an area of 6400 yards. Thebasement is a great workshop and laboratory for spinningand weaving, and mechanical and electrical engineering.On the ground floor are the entrance hall and ad-ministrative offices, class-rooms, and laboratories con-

nected with the physics and textile departments. Onthe first floor are a large examination hall, library andreading-rooms, a room for the meetings of scientific socie-ties, laboratories, class- and lecture-rooms for electrical,mechanical, and sanitary engineering, and the lecturers’common room. The second floor contains lecture-rooms andlaboratories in connexion with architecture, photography,printing, and the electrical trades. There are also an

experimental bakery, students’ common room, and a

restaurant. On the third floor are laboratories for organicand inorganic chemistry, the principal chemical lecture-theatre, laboratories for metallurgy and brewing. withworkshops for wood-working and plumbing. On thefourch floor are dyeing laboratories and an experimentalbrewhouse and a well-equipped gymnasium. There are

also an observatory, a house-painting and decorativedepartment, and rooms for bookbinding and lithographicdrawing. But in addition to all this a special departmentfor the textile industry is now being built adjoining the

main btrucLure. It will contain a commodious dyeing,bleaching, printing, and finishing house for textile goods andfor the manufacture, dyeing, and finishing of paper. The-Lord Mayor, Alderman Hoy, is the chairman of the technicalinstruction committee and it is in a large measure throughihis energy and devotion that this great scheme for atechnical school has been brought to a successful issue.The formal ceremony of opening the main doors was quicklygone through and Mr. Balfour was presented as a souvenir-with a gold card case, a more useful gift, perhaps, than theconventional gold key. In his brief speech he dealt withtwo "capital facts " which have a bearing, not only on thestudents of the technical school, but on those who are nowentering on their medical studies at the medical schools andcolleges. In the first place, he said, ’’ education is, andmust be, an organic whole," and the student must be "not.only anxious to learn but ready to learn." With slightmodification of phrase this might well be said of medicaleducation. In order to profit by the studies they enteron at the beginning of each session medical students,like those of technology, must be not only anxiousto learn but ready to learn and fitted by the characterand quality of their preliminary education" to take-

advantage of their opportunities without losing timeby having to make up leeway. It cannot be doubted thatthis technological school, with its combination of theoreticaland practical work, will influence beneficially the cause ofeducation in Manchester and the district round, not exceptingthat of the various departments of the Owens College.

The Small-pox Scare.The gradual and insidious invasion of first one place,-

then another, by cases of small-pox is exciting apprehen-sion and leading to talk about isolation hospitals, if it does.no more. Manchester has not been quite free and when.a letter was received from the Local Government Bcard,.urging that the arrears of vaccination should be brought up.and emphasising the desirability of revaccination, the clerksuggested the formation of a small sub-committee, as "one-never knew what might happen between the fortnightlymeetings of the guardians." " Three more cases were removedfrom Oldham to the isolation hospital at Strinesdale. Upto that time 28 cases had occurred there. Rochdalehas had no small-pox for a dozen years till a tramp.caught the infection at Bolton, went to Manchester, andthence to Rochdale, where he slept in a lodging-house. Hewas removed to the corporation hospital at Marland, wherehe was followed by two other lodgers who had caught the-complaint. A tramp went to the Chorley workhouse two orthree weeks ago ill with small-pox and a serious outbreakoccurred. Some districts, such as Heaton Norris, are in

hopes of escape, as the medical officer reports that there isno place sufficiently isolated for a small-pox hospital. It is

anticipated" that some outside authority would take a case-if there were one." Probably a general and severe visitationof small-pox, though at the cost of much suffering andlife, would be the most effective means of leading to the-protection of the next two or three generations.

Oct. 21st.

NORTHERN COUNTIES NOTES.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Morpeth Dispensary and Cottage Hospital.THERE is at present a movement for the amalgamation of-

the Morpeth Dispensary and the Cottage Hospital. The dis-

pensary dates from 1817 and the cottage hospital, knownas the Victoria, was established in 1897 as a jubileememorial of the late Queen. A committee, compo6ed of

governors of both institutions, has considered the ques-tion of amalgamating them and its report has been circu-lated amongst the governors and subscribers. The com-mittee says that an amalgamation is desirable because the-two institutions working in the same district are auxiliaryto one another and so efficiency would be promoted.The dispensary is bound by its rules to have a resident.medical officer, and such an officer is most necessary at the-

cottage hospital in order that serious cases may be treatedon the spot. After going into details of the estimated cost,.with the estimated annual income and expenditure, the com--mittee gives it as its opinion that " the most practicahmeans of bringing about a final amalgamation would be for-