222

you have observed in the Royal Victoria Hospital, and gathered from yourstudies here.

2. Describe the different conditions under which insolation has been ob-served in India, and the causes which, in addition to heat, seem to produceit. Give,

a, the best preventive, andb, the best curative treatment.

B.-PRACTICAL EXAMINATION.1. and II. Military Surgery and Military Medicine.

Make an examination of the case of -. You are required to write con-cisely a history of the case, your diagnosis, prognosis, the probable effects oftreatment, and the influence of the disease (or injury) on the man’s fitnessfor service as a soldier.(Twenty minutes allowed for the examination ; half an hour for the de-

scription. Written notes may be taken.)

III. Hygiene.Chemical and microscopic examination of water.Chemical examination of adulterated beer.Microscopic examination of adulterated milk.

IV. Pathology.1. Describe the morbid specimens numbered respectively 1., II., II1., IV.,

and V., and in your description embrace the following points :-a. Name the part shown;b. Describe exactly the lesions which it exhibits;c. Describe how the lesions have originated, and name the diseases of

which they are significant, and the period or stage of the diseasewhich had been arrived tt; and

d. Connect your account of the condition of the parts with the probablephenomena during life.

2. Examine microscopically the portion of organ given you, name the organof which it is a part, and give an account of its morbid condition.

3. Demonstrate the urinary tubules with their contained functional cells,and leave the preparation properly displayed under the microscope.

To Correspondents.ALCOHOLIC MEDICATION.

Ojr this subject we have received from Jtff. Henry Mudge, of Bodmin, a letterwhich we really cannot insert. That gentleman is at liberty to makeas many rash statements as he pleases elsewhere; but we cannot permitour columns to become the medium for circulating a farrago of bad physio-logy and violent abuse of the practice of men so distinguished as Dr.Greenhow, Dr. Graily Hewitt, and others to whom he refers. Mr. Mudgethrows out mysterious references to "recent researches," and appears tobelieve that the lungs in all cases eliminate the whole of any dose ofalcohol taken into the system. If, instead of talking about the matter,Mr. Mudge will quietly read the principal treatises which have beenwritten on the physiological action of alcohol in England, France, andGermanywithin the last few years, he will find, with liumiliation but withprofit, that every statement he makes on this point is pure conjecture, andhis eyes will then, perhaps, be opened to the impropriety of expressingstrong polemical opinions on such insufficient grounds.

A Parent.-Inguinal hernia is not of uncommon occurrence in young boys,and is occasionally double. Strangulation is far from being so likely as inthe adult. Let proper advice be at once sought.

THE communication of Dr. Philipson, " On Fibrinous Concretion in thePulmonary Artery," shall, if possible, appear in our next impression.

EFFECTS OF IODIDE OF PoTdsszunr.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.SIR,-I do not remember seeing in the correspondence on this subject an

effect mentioned that I have observed in two cases.One was the case of the wife of a medical man, who suffered from rheu-

matic gout. On the second or third day of her taking the iodide, spots ofpurpura appeared on both legs, disappearing when the iodide was omitted,and appearing again when its administration was renewed. This effect wasproduced several times; for her husband and I were both interested in dis- Icovering the cause, and which we had no difficulty in doing.The second case was a young woman, who had also been the subject of

rheumatism. In her the purpura-like spots appeared and reappeared on thechest, and nowhere else, on the iodide being given, omitted, and given again.

I am, Sir, yours obediently,August, 1865. J. BRENDON CuxaaxvsN, M.R.C.S.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-Several letters having appeared lately in your valuable journal, de-tailing the various effects which the iodide of potassium has produced, Iventure to send you the following _

J. M- a stout, healthy-looking man, aged forty-one, was admitted as apatient in the Notting-hill Dispensary, under my care, suffering from rheu- matic pains. I ordered him two grains of iodide of potassium with infusion ’’,of quassia three times a day. In the evening of the day he was first ad- imitted I received a message to see him immediately. Upon my arrival, Ifound him suffering from most profuse salivation, although he had onlytaken one dose of the mixture. I ordered him to discontinue his medicine, Iand the next day I found him completely recovered, but still complaining alittle of tenderness of the mouth, &e. ’i

I remain, Sir, yours, &e., ,

JOSEPH SMITH, M.R.C.S., ,

August 3rd, 1865. Resident Medical Officer, Notting-hill Dispensary.

J. M.-It is much to be regretted that the still-born children in Englandare not registered. Consequently no information as to the proportionalnumber of still-born children to those born alive can be gathered from thereports of the Registrar-General. In a paper by Dr. Granville (" Obste-trical Transactions," vol. ii., p. 183, London, 1861), it is shown that out ofa total of 7717 children born between the 1st January, 1818, and the 31stDecember, 1828, at the Westminster General Dispensary, only 192 werestill-born. Of these, 94 were boys, and 98 were girls. Of the whole num-

ber, 13 were born before the full time of gestation-namely, 7 boys and6 girls. From the opening of the Dublin Lying-in Hospital in 1757 to theend of the year 1817, the total number of children born was 158,535, ofwhich number 9291 were dead-born. Thus nearly 1 child in every 17½ wasstill-born. During the Mastership of Dr. Shekleton, from November, 1847,to the same month in 1854, there were born 13,933 children; of whichnumber 968 were born dead ("Practical Midwifery," by Drs. Sinclair andJohnston, pp. 5 and 13, London, 1858). In 13,783 deliveries occurring inthe western district of the Royal Maternity Charity, and at the St. George’sand St. James’s Dispensary, there were 13,916 children; of which number537 were still-born, or about 1 in every 26 ("Parturition and its Difficulties,"by J. Hall Davis, M.D., second edition, p. 322, London, 1865).

A Theory.-It should be remembered that the experiments of Lallemandhave been since subjected to examination by Baudot, who maintains thata comparatively very small proportion only of the alcohol ingested can berecovered in the secretions.

Mr. John Tomlinson’s sentiments do credit to his humanity.

T REM E D I C A D I R E C T O R I E S.

To the Editor ofTRE LANCET.

SIR,-I am one of those who believe that the Medical Directories could be.reduced instead of enlarged. I am sure there are not many intelligent menout of, and few in, the profession who have not been often thoroughly dis-gusted with the weak displays of vanity exhibited by many members of ourprofession in having appended to their names a long list of articles writtenby them, which so materially assist to swell the Directories to their presentlarge size. You can scarcely look at a page but you will find Dr. So-and-sois the author of such-and-such. Now, Sir, what is the meaning or use ofthis ? Is it information to the profession, or an advertisemerxt for the eye ofthe public? In the present Directories the greatest distinction is to be with-out such. Let the Editors sweep away all this; give us only the name,medical and surgical qualifications, and present and past appointments ofeach; let them compare the schedules returned with the Medical Register,and they will secure accuracy, and prevent parties from inserting degreespurchased from foreign universities, which are worthless, and to which theyhave no legal right. We will then have pure and reliable Directories.Regarding information about our medical and surgical schools and uni-

versities, I think we cannot have too much.

August 9th, 1865. I remain, Sir, yours, &c.,

J. M. A.August 9th, 1865. J. M. A.

M.R.C.S.-A surgeon of volunteers ranks as major. An honorary assistant-surgeon ranks as lieutenant; after six years’ service, as captain. By regu-lation of Volunteer Force, No. 55, "no officer holding an honorary com-mission can, in virtue of it, take precedence of any officer holding asubstantive commission of the same rank."

Medicu8, (Kidderminster.)-The salaries of Poor-law medical officers areliable to the income-tax.

J. B. F.-The tobacco known as "bird’s-eye," when really good, is, on thewhole, the least injurious.

F. C. S.-Write to the Secretary of any of the German Universities.

BORNEO CAMPHOR.

To the Editor ofTnE LANCET.SIR,-Could any of your readers kindly inform me where and at what price-

Borneo camphor (that obtained from Dryobalanops camphora) can be pro-cured in this country? Yours obediently,August 15th, 1865. CH.

Enquirer.-There is scarcely a locality on the Continent of Europe frequentedby our countrymen for more permanent residence in which a British medi-cal practitioner is not already installed. At least such is our impression,as also that our correspondent should "look before he leaps."

Junior had better think more of his hospital practice, and less of his micro-scope and objectives.

Iatros, (Liverpool.)-It is still in use; but its composition is kept secret.

JoNES versus FATT.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-As possibly the above trial will elicit some notice from you, I beg tobe permitted to state that I am not the " Dr. Helsham" who appeared onbehalf of the defendant. Your notification of this will give me great satis-faction as an assurance to a large circle of friends in and outside the profes-sion, that my efforts would be most earnestly employed to protect the publiofrom such men as Mr. Fay rather than lending my professional status toscreen them from merited opprobrium and loss.The Mr. Fay, the defendant, was educated for, and engaged in the occupa-

tion of, the duties of a civil engineer, which calling he left three or fouryears ago for that of a chemist. Such a fact was not made known at thetrial; but it was sought to prove that he had had a medical training.

I am, Sir, yours very truly,HECTOR HELSB-AM, F.R.C.S. (Exam.)

Grove Villa, Loughborough-road, BrixtoD, Aug. 10th, 1865.

223

Alloaensis.-1. It would have been more consistent with fair dealing andmedical etiquette to have asked for an explanation of the person presumedto have acted improperly. Otherwise grave insinuations may be made towhich it is impossible to give an answer. This is unjust, for an injurymay be inflicted on a person who has no means of averting it. - 2. In thefirst ease recorded, Dr. F. should have been sent for; but, of course, thepatient had the right to object to this.-3. In the second case, no blamecould be attached to the gentleman who treated the patient after thebone-setter, provided he held no communion whatever with the irregularpractitioner.

Mr. Fred. Churchill.-The article referred to in Mr. Churchill’s letter hasnot been received.

A Youug Botanist.-Ferns attain their maximum ratio of freqnency and de-velopment in moist, insular, tropical situations, though certain forms occurpretty far north.

WILL the gentleman who addressed us some weeks since on a point of medi-cal etiquette be good enough to repeat the question ?

THE NAVAL MEDICAL SERVICE.

THE following appears in the Sailoes Home Journal and Naval Chronicle, asemi-official periodical :-

" Are the authorities waiting till they have succeeded in manning thenavy, to consider the best means attainable for supplying the service withassistant-surgeons ? Some decided action must soon be taken in thematter, however, or the fleet will have to dispense with the aid of thesenecessary and meritorious officers. In these days, when professional talentis highly paid, men of even average ability, who have devoted time andmoney on their education, will not enter a service where the pay and socialstatus is insufficient and the chances of promotion few. This faet is clearlyproved by reference to the last Navy List, which shows that while we have290 ships in commission, the number of assistant-surgeons on the activelist is only 285. The consequence is that all our ships are short-handed,and that on foreign stations, where medical services are most needed, weare, it is said, obliged to employ civil surgeons at high fees to attend ourseamen. In these enlightened days, when much is heard about the healthof the navy,’ a little more might be done to ameliorate the condition of itsconservators."

G. C. S.-1. A pamphlet was published by Dr. Silvester, which may be ob-tained of any bookseller, price one shilling. 2. There is no place foracquiring the knowledge gratuitously.

A Member of the Profession, who writes "On Fevers," must authenticate hiscommunication.

SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR MRS. THOMAS.THE following additional sums have been received:-

N. Davidson, Esq., Charles-street .................. zei 0 0 0Joseph Webb, Esq., Cobham ........................ 1 1 0Dr. Patton, Tandragee ........................... 0 2 6Dr. Rogers, Long Ashton ........................ 0 10 0H. L, Rippingale .............................. 0 2 6Freemasons’ Lodge, "Light in Adjoodhea," per Coutts & Co. 1 18 0

Curiosus.-A bilocular uterus and double-passaged vagina are occasionallyobserved in the female.

A Be,ginner.-The first degree mentioned bears a good reputation, but notso high as does the second. The Students’ Number of THE LANCET willafford every information on the subject.

CASE OF DOUBLE MONSTROSITY.

To the Editor ofTHE LANCET.

SIR,-Having read an account in a late nnmber of THE LANCET of " DoubleMonstrosity in an Adult," it reminded me of a case that I saw when a studentat Guy’s Hospital, and finding that the age of the person described verynearly corresponded with what would have been that of the child I saw, ifliving, I referred to my diary, and find that on February 21st, 1846, the childabove spoken of was brought to Guy’s Hospital, and submitted to the lateMr. Key’s examination. Being present at that examination, I made the fol-lowing memorandum of the case, and now regret that I did not make anexamination of the deformity myself, so as to be able to give a more detailedaccount of it ;-

" 181.6. Feb. 21st. Saw a child, about a twelvemonth old, with three legs;the parents were Portuguese, and perfectly healthy. The additional leg was.quite as large as the natural legs, and hung down between them. Therewere two penes, and two scrota with one testis in each. There was only one.anus," I am, Sir, yours faithfully,

St. Bernard’s, Torquay, Aug. 1865. P. P. NIND, M.R.C.S.P.S.-The fracture and dislocations mentioned as now existing must have

been produced since the child was exhibited at Guy’s, as the abnormal limbthen hung down between the other, and was equal to them in length as wellas size.

Mr. Alfred B. Andrews, (Westgate, Canterbury.)-It is not possible to statewhen a person recovering from small-pox ceases to be dangerous. The

practical rule to follow is that adopted by our correspondent-namely, toprevent the patient going abroad until a day or two after all the scabshave come off, the skin being also thoroughly cleansed by washing. Thisrule being followed, communication of the disease subsequently is hardlyknown.

- 3f.-K C’.fS’., & c.-Nothing can be done in such a case. It is a breach of faith,but nothing more.

A Sufferer.-Bath, Vichy, Clifton, Matlock.C. C.-A saccharine, if not a truly diabetic, condition of the urine has beenmet with consequent upon injury to the head.

EvMTr communication, whether intended for publication or otherwise, mustbe authenticated by the name and address of the writer. Papers notaccepted cannot be returned. Articles in newspapers, to which attentionis sought to be directed, should be marked. Communications not noticedin the current number of THE LANCET will receive attention the followingweek.

COMMUNICATIONS, LETTERS, &c., have been received from-Dr. Eadcline;Dr. G. Johnson; Mr. Curgenven; Dr. Hicks; Mr. Dwyer (with enclosure) ;Dr. Patton (with enclosure); Mr. Eames; Dr. Eitchie; Dr. M. Holmes;Mr. Morgan (with enclosure); Mr. Gay (with enclosure); Mr. O’Dowd;Mr. Botham; Dr. Norris, Stourbridge; Mr. Beeves, Carlisle; Mr. White;Mr. Matthews ; Mr. Jas. Smith (with enclosure); Mr. Andres; Mr. Keith;Mr. Kirby (with enclosure) ; Mr. Nevins ; Dr. Cummings, Malpas; Bev. J.Llewellyn; Mr. T. H. Martin (with enclosure); Dr. Moss, South Shields;Mr. Gaylor; Mr. Syson; Mr. Irvine; Mr. Lee; Dr. M’Nab (with enclo-sure) ; Mr. Helsham; Mr. Watts (with enclosure); Mr. Venn; Dr. Scott(with enclosure); Mr. Stedman; Mr. Ashwell ; Dr. Philipson, Newcastle;Dr. Embleton, Newcastle; Mr. Taylor (with enclosure); Mr. Warington ;Dr. Turnbull (with enclosure); Mr. Millard (with enclosure); Dr. Green;Mr. 0. Johnson (with enclosure); Mr. Erhard, Berlin; Mr. J. Tomlinson;Mr. Staniland (with enclosure); Mr. Hale; Mr. Phelps (with enclosure);P. S. ; A Member of the Profession; M.RC.S., &c.; Ch.; T. C. S. ; J. B. F. ;An Old Jamaica Practitioner; H. C.; Asiaticus; Alloaensis; A Guardian;J. M. ; Enquirer; &e. &c.

THE Derbyshire Advertiser, the Bombay Gazette, and John Bull have beenreceived.

Medical Diary of the Week.Monday, Aug. 21.

ST. MARK’S HOSPITAL ROB FISTULA AND OTHER DISEASES OF THE RECTUM.-Operations, 1½ P.M.

METROPOLITAN FREE HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 p.M.

Tuesday, Aug. 22.Guy’s HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1½ P.M.WESTMINSTER HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.M.

Wednesday, Aug. 23.MIDDLE6Eg HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1 P.M.ST. MARY’S HOSPITAL.-Operations, It P.M.ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1½ P.M.GREAT NORTHERN HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.M.UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.M.LONDON HosPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.M.

Thursday, Aug. 24.CENTRAL LONDON OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1 P.M.ST. GEORSE’s HOSPITA.L.-Operations, 1 P.M.LONDON SURGICAL HOME.-Operations, 2 P.M.WEST LONDON HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.M.ROYAL ORTHOPEDIC HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.nt.

Friday, Aug. 25.WESTMINSTER OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1½ P.M.

Saturday, Aug. 26.ST. THOMAS’S HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1 P.M.ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1½ P.ad.Kura’s COLLEGE HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1½ P.M.ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1½ P.M.CHARING-CROSS HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.M.

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