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provincial towns. During the past eight weeks of the currentquarter the death-rate in the twenty-eight towns averaged23’5 per 1000, and exceeded by 0’5 the mean rate in the cor-responding periods of the ten years 1881-90. The lowest ratesin these towns last week were 13’8 in Plymouth, 14’6 inDerby, 18-3 in Hull, and 18’4 in Portsmouth; the highestwere 28-6 in Bristol, 30-4 in Huddersfield, 33-9 inHalifax, and 38-9 in Blackburn. The deaths referred tothe principal zymotic diseases, which had increased from332 to 381 in the preceding three weeks, further rose to431 last week; they included 150 from measles, 139 fromwhooping-cough, 52 from diphtheria, 37 from diarrhoea, 30from scarlet fever, 23 from "fever" (principally enteric),and not one from small-pox. No deaths from these diseaseswere recorded in Brighton, Norwich, Plymouth, Wolver-hampton, and Carditf; while they caused the highestdeath-rates in Leicester, Bristol, Huddersfield, and Black-burn. The greatest mortality from measles occurred inLeicester, Huddersfield, Bristol, and Blackburn; fromscarlet fever in Derby and Preston; from whooping-coughin Leicester, Hudderstield, and Halifax ; and from "fever"in Birkenhead. The 52 deaths from diphtheria included 32 inLondon, 4 in Birmingham, 4 in Manchester, 3 in Liver-pool; and 3 in Sheffield. No death from small-pox was regis-tered in any of the twenty-eight towns, and one case ofsmall-pox was under treatment in the MetropolitanAsylum Hospitals on Saturday last. The number ofscarlet fever patients in the Metropolitan Asylum Hos-pitals and in the London Fever Hospital at the end ofthe week was 1242, and showed a further decline fromrecent weekly numbers; the patients admitted duringthe week were 80, against 97 and 113 in the precedingtwo weeks. The deaths referred to diseases of the re-spiratory organs in London, which had increased in thepreceding three weeks from 428 to 524, further rose lastweek to 685, and exceeded the corrected average by 202. Thecauses of 102, or 2’2 per cent., of the deaths in the twenty-eight towns were not certified either by a registeredmedical practitioner or by a coroner. All the causes of deathwere duly certified in Portsmouth, Norwich, Bristol,Sunderland, and in three other smaller towns. The largestproportions of uncertified deaths wpre recorded in Liver-pool, Preston, Huddersfield, and Sheffield.

HEALTH OF SCOTCH TOWNS.

The annual rate of mortality in the eight Scotch towns,which had been 21-4 and 22’6 per 1000 in the precedingtwo weeks, further rose to 23-8 during the week endingFeb. 28th, but was slightly below the rate that pre-vailed during the same period in the twenty-eight largeEnglish towns. The rates in the eight Scotch towns

ranged from 17-0 in Perth and 18’2 in Dundee to 26’6 inPaisley and 27’8 in Glasgow. The 620 deaths in theseeight towns showed an increase of 29 upon the number inthe preceding week, and included 27 which were referredto whooping-cough, 18 to measles, I to "fever," 10 to diar-rhoea, 7 to scarlet fever, 7 to diphtheria, and not one to small-pox. In all, 80 deaths resulted from these principalzymotic diseases, against 50 and 62 in the precedingtwo weeks. These 80 deaths were equal to an

annual rate of 3’1 per 1000, which exceeded by 0 7the mean rate last week from the same diseases in thetwenty-eight English towns. The fatal cases of whooping-cough, which had been 13 and 26 in the preceding twoweeks, were 27 last week, of which 9 occurred in Edin-burgh, 7 in Glasgow, and 5 in Leith. The deaths frommeasles, which had been 8 and 10 in the previous twoweeks, further rose last week to 18, and included 9 inGlasgow and 8 in Paisley. The 11 fatal cases of " fever "

also showed a further increase upon recent weekly numbers ;4 occurred in Edinburgh and 3 in Glasgow. The 7 deathsfrom diphtheria corresponded with the number in the pre-ceding week, and included 2 in Greenock and 2 in Glasgow.Of the 7 fatal cases of scarlet fever, 4 occurred in Glasgowand 2 in Aberdeen. The deaths referred to diseases of therespiratory organs in these towns, which had been 138 and140 in the preceding two weeks, further rose to 146 lastweek, but were 55 below the number in the correspondingweek of last year. The causes of 49, or nearly 8 percent., of the deaths in the eight towns last week werenot certified.

___

HEALTH OF DUBLIN.

The death-rate hi Dublin, which had increased in the

preceding three weeks from 26-6 to 27-3 per 1000, furtherrose to 29 4 during the week ending Feb. 28th. During the,first eight weeks of the current quarter the death-rate in thecity averaged 31’8 per 1000, the rate for the same periodbeing 23-6 m London and 20-9 in Edinburgh. The 199 deathsin Dublin showed an increase of 14 upon the number in thepreceding week, and included 4 which resulted from diarrhoea,3 from "fever," 1 from diphtheria, 1 from whooping-cough,and not one either from small-pox, measles, or scarlet fever.Thus the deaths referred to the principal zymotic diseases,which had been 3 in each of the preceding two weeks, rose to9 last week; they were equal to an annual rate of 1’3 per1000, the rate from the same diseases being 1’8 in Londonand 32 in Edinburgh. The 4 fatal cases of diarrhoea ex-ceeded the number recorded in any week since Novemberlast. The deaths referred to different forms of "fever,"which had declined from 4 to 0 in the previous four weeks,rose again to 3 last week. One fatal case of diphtheria wasregistered, corresponding with the number in each of theprevious four weeks. The 199 deaths in Dublin included42 of infants under one year of age and 57 of personsaged upwards of sixty years ; the deaths of infants showeda further increase upon recently weekly numbers, whilethose of elderly persons showed a slight further decline.Four inquest cases and 5 deaths from violence were re-

gistered ; and 53, or nearly a fourth, of the deaths occurredin public institutions. The causes of 20, or nearly 10 percent., of the deaths in the city were not certified.

THE SERVICES.

A TRIANGULAR BANDAGE.

Surgeon R. R. Sleman, M.A., of the 20th Middlesex(Artists) Rifle Volunteers, has recently brought out aTriangular Bandage with a printed key to it, in connexionwith the Volunteer Ambulance School of Instruction. Thevarious figures on the bandage clearly depict the methodsof using it. The bandage can be obtained of Messrs. Savoryand Moore.

THE AFGHAN CAMPAIGNS.The Journal of the United Service Institution of India has

a paper by Surgeon-Major G. J. H. Evatt, M.D., of theMedical Staff, describing that officer’s personal recollec-tions of the Afghan campaigns of 1878-79-80. The presentis the first part of the report, and Dr. Evatt proposes ina subsequent paper to deal with the occurrences of thesecond campaign, where much progress was made, andapparently required, and the lessons learned in 1878-79were largely made use of. The record is interesting as itsets forth what occurred when the medical service, mobilisedin a hurry and with little cohesion or defined method ofwork, had suddenly changed over from our old system toan entirely novel one.ARMY MEDICAL RESERVE OF OFFICERS.—Surgeon-Major

Geo. Paddock Bate, M.D., 5th Battalion, the Rifle Brigade(the Prince Consort’s Own), to be Surgeon-Major, rankingas Major (dated March 4th, 1891).-The notification in theGazett of Feb. 10th, 1891, that Surgeon William Duncan,M.D., F.R.C.S. Eng., ceased to be an Officer of the ArmyMedical Reserve of Officers, is cancelled.INDIA OFFICE.-The Queen has approved of the follow-

ing appointments to Her Majesty’s Indian Medical Service:Surgeons on probation to be Surgeons, ranking as Captains(dated Jan. 31st, 1891):-Bengal: James Muir Crawford,John William Wolfe, Bawa Jiwan Singh, Hugh RobertCampbell Barber, Charles Henry James, Fredk. O’Kinealy,Christopher Clemons Cassidy, and Arthur Wm. TreminhereBuist-Sparks. Bombay: Ernest Gerald Robt. Whitcombe,Frank Erskine Murray, Henry James Younger, and BamanDas Basu.NAVAL MEDICAL SERVICE.-The following appointments

have been made at the Admiralty:—Staff Surgeons: Wm.B. Drew to the Trafalgar, Richd. D. White to the Colliny.wood, and Henry C. Walsh to the Neptune (all datedMarch 2nd, 1891); William Bennett to the Alexandra,(dated March 8th, 1891). Surgeons: John P. J. Coolican tothe Vivid, for the Royal Naval Barracks (dated March 7th,1891); Alfred E. Weightman to the Wildfire, additional(dated March 7th, 1891); and William O’Meara to theAlexandra (dated March 8th, 1891); Mr. Joseph WilliamGallagher to be Surgeon and Agent at Kellybegs, and Mr,

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Thomas M. Pollard to be Surgeon and Agent at Tribane(both dated March 3rd, 1891).ROYAL NAVAL ARTILLERY VOLUNTEERS. - (Clyde

Brigade): Surgeon John Maclntyre, M.B., to be StaffSurgeon (dated Feb. 21st, 1891).VOLUNTEER CORPS. --Artillery.- 1st Cornwall (Duke of

Cornwall’s), Western Division, Royal Artillery: ActingSurgeon J. Quick resigus his appointment (dated Feb. 28th,1891).-Rifle: 2nd (Prince of Wales’s) Volunteer Battalion,the Devonshire Regiment: William Square, Gent., to beActing Surgeon (dated Feb. 28th, 1891).—1st VolunteerBattalion, the Cheshire Regiment: Surgeon A. Craigmile,M.D., resigns his commission (dated Feb. 28th, 1891).-3rd Volunteer Battalion, the Cheshire Regiment: ActingSurgeon T. Fennell to be Surgeon (dated Feb. 28th, 1891).-4th Volunteer Battalion, the Cheshire Regiment: ActingSurgeon E. Chamberlayne, M.B., resigns his appointment(dated Feb. 28th, 1891).—1st Roxburgh and Selkirk (theBorder): William Turnbull Barry, M.B., to be ActingSurgeon (dated Feb. 28th, 1891).-3rd (the Blythswood)Volunteer Battalion, the Highland Light Infantry: ActingSurgeon A. D. Moffat to be Surgeon (dated Feb. 28th, 1891).VOLUNTEER MEDICAL STAFF CORPS.—The Edinburgh

Division: William Henry Barratt, M.B., to be ActingSurgeon (dated Feb. 28th, 1891).

Correspondence.

THE LATE MR. JOHN MARSHALL, F.R.S.

" Audi alteram partem."

To the Editors of THE LANCET.SIRS,—The former colleagues and many of the friends of

the late Professor John Marshall wish to establish a memorialof him in connexion with his alma mater, UniversityCollege, London. It is proposed that, primarily, thememorial should take the form of a bust, to be placedwithin the College. In the event of the contributions tothe fund which is being raised for this purpose being morethan enough, the surplus will be set aside for the foundationof a prize in the medical faculty of the College, to be calledthe Marshall Prize. As there are doubtless among yourreaders many of Mr. Marshall’s friends and old pupils whowill be glad to cooperate in this attempt to perpetuate thememory of his useful and many-sided labours, both withinthe profession and without, we beg to be allowed to statethat subscriptions may be sent on or before April llth nextto the Treasurer of the fund, Mr. John Tweedy, 100,Harley-street, W.

We are, Sirs, yours truly,THOMAS BARLOW, M.D.,

10, Wimpole-street, W., HonoraryVICTOR HORSLEY, Secretaries.80, Park-street, W.,

THOMAS BARLOW, M.D.,10, Wimpole-street, W.,

VICTOR HORSLEY,80, Park-street, W.,

Honorary

Secretaries.

THE "REVISED SCHEME" OF THEUNIVERSITY OF LONDON.

To tlze Editors of THE LANCET.

SIRS,-Having served many years on the committees of Convocation and having given evidence before the RoyalCommission on its behalf, may I again appeal to yourreaders on the most recent phase of the Universityquestion? The latest revised scheme of reconstitutionwhich you have published in your columns has not yet beenofficially communicated to Convocation, and members ofthat house have been refused copies of it. This appears tobe a suicidal policy upon the part of the promoters of thescheme directed towards a body which possesses, and nodoubt will not hesitate to use if it see fit, the rightof veto. It may, however, be consistent with the in-tention of first squaring all outside claimants, andthen having thus cornered Convocation endeavour to

compel its reluctant submission. Meanwhile opposi-tion to the wholesale dissolution of the Universityis growing apace; arts and science and law graduates, whohave no interest to serve save that of " the promotion of

regular and liberal education throughout Her Majesty’sdominions," are not slow to recognise the tendency of thenew scheme to destroy the unity and high standard and in-dependent character of our pass examinations. I ask per-mission to add a few criticisms upon the medical aspect ofthe scheme.The Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians and the

Council of the Royal College of Surgeons have approvedthe scheme. The former body, not, however, without thedefection of a minority, appear to have swallowed theirobjection of last year to the delegation of the control of ex-aminations by the Senate to a body partly outside itself.The Council of the College of Surgeons, without consultingthe Fellows, in accordance with the newly recognisedpower, and the expressed desire of some of its number,appear to have approved without division the new scheme,with which, according to the chairman of their committeeon the subject, his colleagues were very imperfectly ac-quainted.Let us follow a hypothetical medical student’s career

through the curriculum which the new scheme implies, upto the coveted M.D. London. First of all, if procession tothe preliminary scientific is to be conditional on matricula-tion, or what is to serve as its substitute, his paterfamiliaswill be wise in sending him to University, or King’s, orsome other constituent college in arts and science, withwhich an arrangement has been come to under Clause 46for a modified matriculation. If he go to one of the othermedical constituent. colleges, or, if a woman, to the Schoolof Medicine for Women, then the ordinary matriculation mustbe encountered. Now either the matriculation is to remainwhat it is, or it is to be lowered probably to the level of theCollege of Preceptors examination in arts. If it is to remainwhat it is, medical students will remain where they are,with the first gate remaining shut except to a better few,or they will drift into constituent colleges with an artsfaculty and a modified matriculation; if the matriculation isto be lowered for medical students, and presumably then forall, it would save a great deal of misconception and mistrustby candidly saying so. Next, an undergraduate will comeup for the preliminary scientific with its 50 per cent. ofrejections. If he be a University or King’s man he maytake their collegiate intermediate B.Sc., perhaps, in lieu ofthis; if not, then under pressure from the corporations andmedical colleges, anxious to prevent an exodus to Scotland,down’will come the standard of the preliminary scientific.The intermediate and pass M.B. examinations, as conductedunder Clause 47, must tend to simulate the ordinary exa-mination for the M.R.C.S. and L.R.C,P., and will presentlittle difficultyEven then the new "M.B. London" will find his heart’s

desire of the doctorate unsatisfied. The admonition of theUniversity against M. B.’s assuming that title will disturb hisconscience. TheM.D. is to remain "under the absolute controlof the University," for which may be read, under the controlof the Standing Committee in Medicine, with its ten out ofnineteen members representing the two London medicalColleges and English teaching bodies. Now, it is commonknowledge that the demand for the title of " Dr." has filledthe sails of the agitation for the Teaching University andcarried it along. Will those teachers who have urged thispopular demand rest content with this stoppage just short ofthe promised land ? Of course they will not ; they wouldbe foolish if they did. Logic and psychology and mentalphysiology will be thrown to the winds, and the M.D.London of the future will exhibit only slight histologicaldifferences from the M.R.C.S. and L.R.C.P. All this isvery sad, and comes of attempting the impossible-of incor-porating metropolitan teaching colleges into a cosmopolitanexamining university. Even the Vice-Chancellor, Sir JamesPaget, would appear not to have foreseen this inevitableresult when in May, 1886, he assured the assembledgraduates and undergraduates that "he was not one ofthose who advocated the lowering of the standard ofexcellence of the University ; it was not proposed to inter-fere with theworking of the University; itwas proposed toaddsomething better rather than create something different, andit would certainly not tend to lower the standard in any onedeqrec "; nor the Chancellor, Lord Granville, when in1887, amid loud cheers, he declared " the high character o/our degrees will be maintained." Sir Philip Aagnus not sovery long ago waxed eloquent over the "undue and pre-ponderating influence" " of the teachers, and the con-

sequently imperilled standard of examination, as well as