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took possession of a building (now vacated) specially erectedfor it. In 1870 it was incorporated as the Medical Depart-ment of the University of Durham, its officers constitutingthe Faculty of Medicine. The number of students rosefrom eight in 1832 to eighteen in 1840-1850, and to aboutsixty in 1879. Until that time, from the commencement ofthe connexion between the College and the University,students proceeding to the degrees in Medicine were

required to pass arts examinations of the same standards asthose for the B.A. degree, and to undergo an arts course offrom one to two years. Hence the number of candidateswas very small. At the time mentioned, these arts exa-minations were done away with, and a medical matricula-tion or a corresponding examination at other universitiessubstituted. The results of this and of other similarregulations were at once apparent. The number of stu-dents, which had remained stationary at about sixty forseveral years, began rapidly to augment, quadrupling in thenext ten years; whilst the number of candidates for thefinal examinations for the degrees, which was representedby a fraction per year previously, ran up to from one to twohundred. At this juncture the College premises were

required by the North-Eastern Railway Company, and itbecame necessary to erect the new building now in courseof construction. The College work is at present carried onin the anatomical block, itself larger than the old school,and will be greatly facilitated on the completion (byOctober next) of the front portion. As regards the latter,the castellated red brick and terra-cotta exterior, the solidsuare tower, the mullioned windows, the arched vestibulewith its carved stone roof, the massive, oak staircase, thedeeply panelled wood and plaster ceiling, the specially de-signed furniture and fittings, and the style and proportionsof the large (examination) hall, give to it a collegiate air asdistinct from the modern and utilitarian appearance of mostbuildings of the kind in the country as it is in harmonywith that of the home of the university in the ancient castleat Durham. On the other hand, the anatomical block, withits anatomical, physiological, and pathological workrooms,public and private, lined throughout with white glazedbrick, its asphalte and concrete floors and perfect lighting,heating, and ventilation, meets the latest structural re-

quirements as regards cleanliness, light, quiet, freedomfrom vibration, and space for work. The expenditure onthe building so far will not be less than f:30,OOO. No factcan better testify to the progress of the College or augurbetter for its future than this-that it should be able toerect such a building, and that very largely out of its ownfunds.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS.

IN pursuance of a resolution passed at the adjournedmeeting of the Comitia at the College on Feb. 7th, acircular note, containing a copy of the report of the Censors’Board relating to Sir Morell Mackenzie’s book has this day(Friday) been addressed to every Fellow and Member of theCollege. Although we were aware of the resolution last week,we thought it only courteous to abstain from referring tothe matter until the College had communicated the reportto their Fellows and Members. The circular is as follows:

"Royal College of Physicians, London, S.W., Feb. 15th, 1889."DEAR SIR,-I am directed to forward you the subjoined

copy of a report of the Censors’ Board, adopted by theCollege at a general meeting held on the 31st ultimo.

"I am, dear Sir, yours faithfully,"HENRY A. PITMAN, Registrar.

"Report.-The attention of the Censors Board havingbeen directed to a publication by Sir Morell Mackenzie,entitled ’The Fatal Illness of Frederick the Noble,’ theCensors’ Board, although unable to deal judicially with thevarious matters brought into dispute therein, feels calledupon to express to the College its grave disapproval of thegeneral character of the book, and its profound regret thatone, whilst a Member of this College, should have given, inany circumstances whatever, publicity to statements con-cerning his patient and charges against his colleagues,injurious to the interests of the public, destructive of theconfidence necessary between persons co-operating in thedischarge of a great responsibility, and contrary to the

traditions of the medical profession throughout the civilisedworld." "

We learn, in addition, that the Secretary of Sir MorellMackenzie has written the following letter to the Registrarof the College :-

" 1D, Harley-street, Cavendish-square, Fob. 4th, 1889.Sir,-I am requested by Sir Morell Mackenzie to express

his surprise that you should have written to him on behalfof the Royal College of Physicians. I am further instructedto inform you that Sir Morell Mackenzie takes no interestwhatever in the proceedings or opinions of the Collegeof Physicians, and to request that, as the representative ofthat body, you will do him the favour to desist from allfurther intrusion.-I am, Sir, your obedient servant,"Sir Henry Pitman, M.D." "EDWARD NAINBY.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OFENGLAND.

AT the ordinary meeting of the Council of the aboveCollege held on Tuesday, February 12th, the minutes of thequarterly meeting of the Council of January 10th were readand confirmed.The report of the Court of Examiners, dated January

24th last, of candidates found qualified for the diploma ofMember of the College, was received, and it was directedthat diplomas should be issued to the persons whose namesare included in the report.The eighth report, dated January 19th, 1889, of the

Committee on the Mode of Election to the Council, andother matters relating to the charters and bye-laws of theCollege, was received, adopted, and entered on theminutes, subject to the approval of certain legal pointsreserved for further consideration.The report having been approved and adopted by the

Council, and the formulae for new bye-laws having beentaken as read, the Council, in pursuance of Section 3 ofthe bye-laws, proceeded to ballot for the referring the saidformulae to a committee, and a majority being in favour ofthe reference, a committee of three members was elected totake the formulae into consideration, and to report thereonat the next meeting of the Council. Sir James Paget, SirSpencer Wells, and Mr. Marshall were chosen to act withthe President and Vice-Presidents.A letter was read, dated the 21st ult., addressed to the

President, from the Secretary of State for War, stating thathe purposes to appoint, under the presidency of the Earl ofCamperdown, a small representative committee, to considerand report generally on the pay, status, and conditions ofservice of the medical officers of the army and navy, andinviting the President to nominate a gentleman wellacquainted with the medical schools to serve on the com-mittee. Mr. Macnamara was chosen as the representativeof the Council.A letter of the 25th ult., from the Secretary of State for

War, was read, stating, in reply to the communication for-warded to him by the President in pursuance of the resolu-tion of Jan. 10th, that the question of assimilating themanner of granting commissions in the British and IndianMedical Services is still under his consideration.A letter of Jan. lOth was read from Sir Henry Pitman,

M.D., Registrar, reporting the proceedings of the RoyalCollege of Physicians in relation to matters concerning thetwo Colleges, and approved.A letter of the 21st ult. was received from Mr. Wilde,

stating that, under the rules as modified for "THE LANCETRelief Fund," the President of the College would incur nopractical responsibility in accepting the office of almoner tothat Fund.There will be an extraordinary meeting of the Council

on Thursday next, the 21st inst., to receive the report andconfirm the minutes of this meeting, and consider such otherbusiness as may be brought before the meeting.

FOOTBALL FATALITY.-A football player, namedKnowleson, who broke his leg a fortnight ago whilst playingin a match at Leek, died at Leek Cottage Hospital on the12th inst.; tetanus supervened after amputation.