,peezifurn.

CONTENTS. PAGE EDITORIAL

THE MEDICAL SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE 2 THE AUSTRALIAN MEDICAL IN EUROPE .. 7 NOTES AND COMMENTS I0

THE NEW CURRICULUM, BY SENIOR 13 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE M. S. S. 16 A BACTERIOLOGICAL TRAGEDY 17 CORRESPONDENCE-UNQUALIFIED MEN AS Locum Tenens 18 ANNUAL HARE AND HOUNDS RUN AND DINNER 19

OBITUARY .. 20 HONOUR LISTS, I900.. 20 SPICULA 21

OLD BOYS 22

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Editorial.

THE War—the all prevailing topic—has provided an excellent °PPortunity for undergraduates and graduates of the Medical School to see active service, and it has been availed of, wherever possible, by our men, amongst whom we are fairly justified in including the well known and popular surgeon, Sir Thomas Fitzgerald. He is now in South Africa acting in the important and responsible position of Consulting Surgeon to the Imperial Forces; a position which can only be occupied by men who have proved themselves by their work as eminently suited for it. Amongst others may be mentioned the late Dr. Hopkins, who has been praised everywhere for his gallant deeds in attending the wounded, and also Dr. Buntine, who has endured the privations and troubles of the famous siege of Ladysmith, during which he was specially mentioned for rescue work under heavy fire. The late Lieutenant J. C. Roberts, and Lieutenant Tremearne, were medical students when the call for volunteers for Africa was made, and they were accepted out of a large number of applicants for the positions of officers of the First Contingent.

THE new Curriculum has been in full working order since the beginning of the year, and defects in it, which were noticed when the proposed reforms were first mooted, are by no means so bad now as they seemed then. The proposal to do away with lectures for the Fifth Year was not carried into effect, although it would be welcomed by a large number of those who have to attend them, but it is only by systematic lecturing that men are able to keep up systematic work which as a rule means success, and also that the points in various diseases which are lot made much of in the text books can be enlarged upon by the lectures with advantage to those attending. 2 THE SPECULUM. May, rgoo.

In order to carry out the various reforms brought on by the new Curriculum, new buildings have been erected; but in spite of old promises, the Students' Society have not so far succeeded in obtaining new rooms in which to carry out " their new Curriculum." The President of the Society, in his address as Chairman at the Annual Meeting, still held out hopes of an improvement of the present state of affairs, and members are hoping that the time is not far distant when they will have commodious rooms, properly fitted up, in accordance with the importance of Society. their

The Medical School of The University of Melbourne. BY DR. J. E. NEILD. THE late Sir Anthony Brownless was the founder of the Medical School of the University of Melbourne. He was appointed a member of the Council in 1855, and he commenced at once to advocate the desirability of its establishment. But he met with little encouragement, either in the Council, the public, or the medical profession. The Act of Incorporation of the University provided for the granting of medical degrees, but not for medical teaching. The project, therefore, was regarded as premature, and therefore unnecessary. In 1857, Dr. Brownless presented his scheme to the Council, but it was not received encouragingly. It was not until five years later that it grew into definite form. Meanwhile a sort of beginning was made in an informal manner by Dr. Eades and Dr. Macadam, who lectured severally on Materia Medica and Chemistry, in the laboratory of the latter, at the rear of the Public Library. And this was really the actual beginning of the Medical School. On the 15th of December, 1861, Dr. Brownless persuaded the Council to pass the regula- tions for the Medical School. A little later he obtained permis- sion to erect the original buildings. His own wish was to attach them to the other structures, but the Council were shocked at the proposal. It would never do, they said, to allow the odour of a dissecting-room to come betwixt the wind and their corporate nobility, and so a quarter of a mile was interposed betwixt Arts and Medicine. Their dislike was further emphasised by building the school in a cockneyfied classic style, of brick and stucco. It was not ready for occupation until about April, 1864. The first appointment of a lecturer was made in January, 1862, Dr. Macadam being chosen as Lecturer on Chemistry. And his name was the first of all the medical teachers to appear in the

May, 190o. THE SPECULUM. 3

Calendar (1862-3). At a somewhat later period, Dr. Eades was elected Lecturer in Materia Medica, Therapeutics, and Medical Botany. Professor Halford arrived from England in the latter Part of 1862, and on May 1st, 1863, he gave his introductory address in the Mathematical Theatre. Thenceforth the work of the School went regularly on, and the teaching staff, as published in the Calendar for 1863-4, consisted of Professor Halford, Dr. Macadam and Dr. Eades. The first class of medical students Were Patrick Moloney, who has long held a leading place in the medical profession in this city, and is at present in Europe; William Carey Rees, who died some years ago, and Alexander Mackie, who fell away from his allegiance to medicine and entered the Presbyterian ministry. Curiously enough, 20 years later he returned to the medical fold, and proceeded to complete his qualification, but he died before obtaining his degree. I may here mention parenthetically that in 1862, the Council issued special regulations for the admission to examination for medical degrees of medical practitioners holding any British medical qualifications recognised by the Medical Board of Victoria. Accordingly in the February Term of 1862, six gentlemen presented themselves for examination. Of these only three were successful, and this unfavourable result had the effect of deterring others from presenting themselves, and in the subsequent years, 1863 and 1864, and later in 1879, there were only five other candidates for examination. After that date the Special regulations were rescinded; the severity of the examiners having barred further applications for the honour of an alliance with the University. Continuing our history of the progress of the School, as it had now been fairly started, the Council proceeded to appoint the rest of the lecturers as they were required, so that on its comple- tion it consisted of Professor Halford, in Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology ; Dr. Macadam in Chemistry ; Dr. Eades in Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Medical Botany ; Dr. Rob- ertson in Medicine ; Dr. Barker in Surgery ; Dr. Tracy in Obstetric Medicine and the Diseases of Women and Children, and myself in Forensic Medicine. Of this list, with the excep- tion of Professor Halford and myself, all are dead. And as Professor Halford has permanently retired from the University, remain as the sole representative of the original staff of teachers. I will ask to be permitted to speak personally of these Illy colleagues in the early days of the School. Professor Hal- ford has been my intimate and dear friend from the date of his arrival in the colony. We worked diligently together in those early days, and I never knew a man more earnest, more sincere, and more genuine in the honest pursuit of medical science than

4 THE SPECULUM. May, Iwo.

he. When he arrived here, the Medical School was not built, and his lecture room and dissecting room consisted of a stable and coach house at the back of his residence in Madeline-street. I had the honour and privilege of being his pro-sector, and it was my further great privilege to work with him in his enquiries into many subjects, including the structure of the chiropodous apes, and, still later, into the pathology of snake-poisoning. In all these, and other allied questions, Professor Halford showed a zealous spirit of investigation which has entitled him to rank as one of our foremost scientific workers. He is now, to use a familiar phrase, " out of the running," but he has done enough to entitle him to perpetual and grateful remembrance. Of his teaching powers I cannot speak too highly. He was always master of his subject, and his class thoroughly understood what he taught. Dr. Macadam, the pioneer in the School, was a genial and an active-minded men. Besides being Lecturer in Chemistry he was the City Health Officer and the Government Analyst, and he acquitted himself well in all these capacities. Being a clear and fluent speaker, he gave popular lectures, in which he was very successful. He presented scientific subjects in an attractive form. But he committed the fatal error of going into political life, and he died all too soon. Dr. Eades was the most kind-hearted of men. As a lecturer he had already gained a deserved reputation in the old country. He had that charming conversational manner which makes lis- tening to a speaker a real enjoyment. He was a man of varied information, an accomplished talker, and, being an Irishman, a perfect humourist. There never was a better after-dinner speaker and in the days when medical dinners were frequent and delight- ful, he was always an attractive feature. In those days we used to forget that there were professional differences, and we were truly convivial. Then it was that dear old Eades would sing in his fine baritone voice those rollicking Irish songs, with rolling choruses, which helped one to live in the present moment and care nothing for the coming morrow. He has been dead thirty- three years, but his old friends, of whom there are few remaining, will never forget him. Dr. Barker was an old colonist, a good surgeon, an agreeable teacher, a jolly fellow, and a pleasant companion. He was rich once, but he died poor, and everybody was sorry for the misfor- tune which had overtaken him in his old age. Dr. Tracy was a successful and a deservedly leading man. He was always at the head of any movement having for its purpose the good of his profession. He looked a man likely to live ninety years, but he died comparatively young, of intestinal cancer, and the whole 5 May 190o, THE SPECULUM. brotherhood of Medicine mourned his death, and followed him to his grave. The changes which have happened in the different Professor- ships and Lectureships since the commencement of the School have been many and various. In 1892, Professor Allen relieved Professor Halford of part of his duties, taking the subjects of Anat- omy and Pathology, and leaving those of General Anatomy and Physiology to Professor Halford. The retirement of Professor Hal- lord has rendered necessary a new appointment, and Dr. Martin of Sydney, who comes with a good reputation, has taken his place. To Dr. Macadam, as Lecturer on Chemistry, succeeded his assistant, Mr. Kirkland, who, in 1882, was created Professor. He died in 1885, and was succeeded by Professor Masson. Dr. Fades was followed by Dr. Sturt, who came from nobody knew where, and after a brief tenure, went nobody cared whither. After him came Dr. Bird, to whom followed Dr. Williams, who gave place to Dr. Grant. This Lectureship underwent a pro- cess of abscission, a new Lectureship being created of Thera- peutics and Hygiene, which Dr. Springthorpe now fills. The resignation of Dr. Robertson was filled by Dr. Bird, who, on resigning, made way for Dr. Jamieson. Dr. Tracy's death made a vacancy for Dr. Martin, who, dying at Cannes in 1879, was succeeded by Dr. Jamieson, who in turn gave place to Dr. Balls- Headley. Dr. Barker's resignation caused a vacancy which Mr. Girdle- stone filled for many years, and on his leaving the colony Mr. P. D. Bird took his place, which he still holds. The various minor offices of Assistants and Demonstrators have also exper- ienced many changes. My own department is the only one which underwent no change until quite recently, when the governing body of the University saw fit to reduce my lectures to one a week instead of three as hitherto, a change which I regret, as I find it quite impossible under such limitation to do satisfactory justice to my subjects. I am, however, at this moment the oldest Lecturer in the University, having been appointed in 1865—thirty-five years ago. Without any self glorification, I hope I may be permitted to say that I think I have done my duty. I have never had a complaint preferred against me, and although I have had occasion sometimes to speak angrily to my class, I hope I have not created an abiding resentment in any member of it. In the Medical School buildings there have been many changes. I have already told you how and under what circumstances the first lectures were delivered. Then the original building of the Medical School was erected. It 6 THE SPECULUM. May 1900. was, and is, a poor, paltry, brick and stucco thing, without dignity, without grace, and unpossessed of any architectural beauty. Then there came an enlargement of it in the same bastard style ; then there was an addition in a pseudo-gothic style; then there was a biological abortion ; and to this has fol- lowed an incongruous brick confusion, which has nothing in common with the other buildings, but stands solitary, defiant in its inharmonious ugliness. Fronting Lygon-street there is another brick curiosity, with a miraculous tower, of the purpose of which I am as yet ignorant. Perhaps the Council may know, but as the Council meet at the Law Courts, and do not, as I am told, ever come up to that conglomerate of buildings known as the University, I hardly think they do know. In the early days of the School, and after the stucco travestie was built, the lecturers for a time lectured in the Library. There were only three students in the class, and they and the lecturer sat round the fire and made themselves comfortable. But as the classes grew, we had to migrate to the theatre now used by Dr. Martin, and there I lectured for some years. Then I was ordered to go to the Chemical Theatre ; then I was again transferred to the Anatomical Theatre ; then I was sent to the Anatomical Theatre in the new addition to the School; then, for some inscrutable reason, I was condemned to lecture for a whole winter in a dingy, frowsy, dirty, draughty apartment in the abandoned Training College at the South end of the grounds; then I was told I had better go and lecture in a room at the Melbourne Hospital. I said I would go to the Melbourne Hospital if I were compelled to go, but I should go under protest. So now I am back again in the Anatomical Theatre. God knows where I shall go to next. Perhaps I shall be told to go about my busi- ness. I feel something like Adam in "As you like it," a little out of date. Nevertheless, I am proud of the success the Medical School of the University has achieved during the forty years it has existed. It is the largest and most important section of the University ; it has turned out many good men ; its teaching compares favourably with that of the best schools in Europe ; its teachers, quorum pars sum, have done their work well ; it has recognised the right of women to share in the instruction it affords, and I think I may predict, with entire confidence, that its progress in the years to come will be consonant with what has happened in the past. The Medical Students' Society has become, I may say, an integral part of the University, and I am glad that such an association was formed. In the early days such a means of promoting a spirit of cameraderie among the classes did not exist. It has, however, steadily grown, and its

May, 1900. THE SPECULUM. 7

Progress is an encouraging sign. Believe me when I say that I wish it every success.

The Australian Medical in Europe. THE number of our graduates who take a trip to Europe for a year or two before settling down into practice is always increas- ing. The reasons which determine this expedition are complex. They include considerations of the long holiday, of the educa- tional advantages of travel other than those which bear directly In medicine, and chiefly, perhaps, the value of a twelve months' experience in the medical schools of the whole world. Everyone goes at first to London, which is undoubtedly the centre of the universe, most people locating the exact spot at the statue of the Duke of Wellington, in the three-cornered space between the Bank, Mansion House, and the Exchange. That however is a mere matter of detail. When a man arrives in London, he generally loses two or three months before he settles down to work in making up his mind as to the best plan of campaign. The colony of Australian medicals is usually located in the west Central parts of the city, not far from Euston Square. This is a good position for commanding the Hospitals; University College, Middlesex, Barts and Kings, are all within a short walk, and the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, and special hospitals, such as the Sick Children's, and the Nervous Diseases', are also 'Close at hand. The advantage of making up your mind at once to go in for an exam. is that a definite object is in view ; and this reduces the frittering away of energy to a minimum. On the other hand it has the disadvantage of turning a good deal of your visit into a process of "stewing," and narrows your experience during the first year two. Of the letters available Which have a tangible value, the D.P.H. can be obtained com- fortably within the first year; the F.R.C.S. takes a couple of Years' fairly hard work. The most reliable information as to the best coaches laboratories and hospitals, can always be obtained from other Australians who are in the process of working their way through. My object, however, is not to talk of examinations, but to give a few notes on laboratories outside the usual run of the medical student from Australia. At any of these a portion at least of his time might be spent with pleasure and advantage. Most of those which I visited were of course connected with pathology. In the neighbourhood of London there are two—the Jenner Institute of Preventive Medicine at Chelsea, and the London County Asylum at Claybury. The former is specially fitted up 8 THE SPECULUM. May, igoo. for research work in bacteriology, with full provision for post graduate work. The latter, under the direction of Dr. Mott, presents an unrivalled field for the study of the pathology of the nervous system. It is about 25 miles out of London, so that anyone wishing to work there would require to take lodgings in the neighbourhood. This branch of pathology has hardly been touched in Australia up to the present time, and it offers a good chance to anyone who wishes to become a specialist. Of the provincial schools, Cambridge and Liverpool are worth special notice. In Cambridge there is but little hospital practice, but the laboratories are known all over the world. Professor Wood- head has been fortunate in securing half a dozen demonstrators who seem to spend most of their lives in the laboratory. The present accommodation is somewhat old fashioned, but it will soon he replaced by a new building with eight or ten rooms for research work. Independently of work, however, every Univer- sity man should contrive to spend a few months in Cambridge, preferably in early summer. One of the chief objects of a visit to England is to become acquainted with such places, to get to know the Colleges, and to wander under the old elms as Milton and Darwin have done before you. At Liverpool they say that the professional board has been mistaken for a team of foot- ballers—which perhaps accounts for the energy which is seen in all directions. The rivalry of Manchester and Leeds also has much to do with keeping Liverpool up to the mark in other things besides those which pertain to matters of education. The new Thompson-Yeates laboratory is a palace, built by Water- house, of brick stone and terra cotta, and under Professors Sherrington and Boyce it has become a perfect hive of industry. Liverpool people, from their commercial relations, take perhaps more interest in the colonies than any other citizens in Great Britain, and a colonial research Scholarship in Bacteriology, of the value of £ioo, has already been founded in University College. I hope it will not be long before this is held by a Melbourne graduate. On the Continent, the great centres—Berlin, Vienna, and Paris—are the points to which medical men always gravitate. A few remarks on some of the schools more outside the beaten track may be of interest. First of all, there is the Pasteur Institute at Lille, half way between Calais and Brussels. This building surpasses the parent Institute in Paris as far as size and equipment are concerned. It cost [ioo,000. The director, . M. Calmette, is well known throughout Australia on account of his researches into the anti-toxin of snake venom. A day spent in Lille forms a pleasant break on the journey either to Paris or Berlin. At Frankfort-on-Main a new Serum Institute has just May, 1900 THE SPECULUM 9 been finished. The director is Professor Ehrlich, his first assistant Dr. Neisser, names familiar to all fourth and fifth year students. When I was there, three months ago, English and American medical men were already beginning to resort to the laboratory for research work, and it will soon become one of the great centres of international scientific work in the Continent. Frankfort-on-Main is also the home of Weigert, the veteran histologist. In the North of Germany not far from the Baltic, is the sleepy old University town of Greifswald, once the rival of Lubeck and Stralsund, now however left behind in the race for commercial greatness. Its medical school is well worth a visit, the pathological laboratory being under Professor Grawitz, and the Hygienic Institute under Professor Loftier. The former is a new building, the latter is an old private house Which has been fitted up as a laboratory, and the old garden contains the professor's menagerie, which is rather an extensive one. Professor Loffler's private house is in the market square, and is a typical example of medieval North German Gothic architecture, with five storeys in the gable. Crossing the arm of the Baltic to Copenhagen, I was surprised to find the amount of scientific work which was being there carried on. The University pathological laboratory is an old hotel, but the make- shift accommodation has not prevented Professor Salomonsen from establishing a world-wide reputation. A Sydney graduate, Dr. Frazer, is at present holding the position of one of his demonstrators. The great Veterinary and Agricultural High School is really a University, and Professor Bang is the greatest authority on tuberculosis in the lower animals. The museum of comparative pathology at this institution is an education in itself. Close by there are the Carlsberg laboratories, the chemical side of which is under Kjeldahl, and the biological under Hansen. Both these men have already revolutionised their specialities. When in Copenhagen it is well to cross to Malmo, and take the train to Stockholm, a ridiculously cheap journey-775 miles return for L"'t 18s. At Stockholm there is much to admire in the most picturesque city in the world—at least everyone assigns it the second place, so that it is probably really the first. At the Carolina Institute all the laboratories of a modern medical school are seen in full working order, and the new Seraphina Hospital opposite appeared to me to be one of the best clinical schools I have come across. The names of Axel Key and Retzius have worthily upheld the reputation of the home of Linnaeus and Scheele. Finally, when thus far North, take the seamer. up Lake Malar to Upsala—a University which prac- tically constitutes the town. The broad clear river, overhung 10 THE SPECULUM. May, Igoe.

with the birches which half bury the colleges, recalls Cambridge, perhaps more by contrast than by likeness. The pathological institute is only half finished, but there is great activity in the rooms already furnished. One attraction to a town in Northern Europe is the knowledge that the professors all speak English. THOMAS CHERRY.

Notes and Comments. A movement was made by a few members of the School with the purpose of forming a Rifle Club, and the idea was enthusi- astically taken up by a large number of the students. A provisional Committee was elected at the Annual Meeting of the M.S.S., and these gentlemen have canvassed the School with great success, with the result that not only have students joined, but also members of the lecturing staff. The Defence Depart- ment has also been interviewed with satisfactory results and the swearing in of members is now taking place. The Annual Commencement passed off very successfully from the Students point of view, and also from that of the higher authorities. A great feature of the Students part of the performance was the amount of medical topics which appeared in the verses of the songs, especially those about our men in South Africa. A number of Medicals assembled at Flinders Street to bid Sir Thomas Fitzgerald goodbye on the afternoon when he sailed for the seat of war. His appointment as Consulting Surgeon to the British Army' was announced too soon before his departure to enable the Students to give him a fitting send off, or otherwise some organ- ized farewell would undoubtedly have been given him. The Annual Demonstration on Splints was again given by Dr. Moore on April 5th, and was thoroughly appreciated by, and very instructive to, the large number of members present. At the close a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded Dr.. Moore for his kindness in giving the demonstration. A new room has been built at the Hospital for lecturing purposes, but, as the furnishing is not yet completed, it has not been occupied by the Students. Dr. R. J. Bull has received an appointment in the Board of Health Department in connection with the Bubonic Plague, and we hasten to congratulate him on being appointed to such an , important position. May, 190o. THE SPECULUM, It

We sincerely regret that Dr. Balls-Headley has resigned from his position as Lecturer on Obstetries owing to ill health, and trust that he may long be spared to carry on his professional duties in his private practice. Dr. Rothwell Adam, who temporarily acted as lecturer last year in Dr. Balls-Headley's absence, has been appointed in his Place, and we are quite sure that an excellent appointment has been made. The first Smoke Night for the year will take place on May 1 2th, and we trust that members will roll up and keep things going as of yore. It is intended by the Committee to engage two or three professional performers, and by doing so they hope to improve the programme, and add to the evening's enjoyment. Copies of Dr. Embley's Lecture on Ansthesia, which was delivered last year to members of his class, may be obtained at any time from the Secretary of the M.S.S., on payment of 6d. Dr. Cherry has returned from his trip to the old country, and he has kindly contributed some of his investigations to the columns of this number of the Speculum. A matter of considerable importance has been in existence for some time, and that is, that copies of the Hospital Pharmacopoeia are not obtainable. The Committee of the M.S.S. recently investigated the matter, with the result that they were informed that the old one was being revised by the hospital staff, and would shortly be avail- able for Students. It was intended, according to all accounts, to publish a new one last year, but it is to be hoped that they will shortly appear, as, at present, a large number of men are without them, and have to borrow them at great inconvenience to themselves and the lenders. .Dr. Balls-Headley was presented at the beginning of the year :with a photograph of the Fifth Year of 1899, and, in acknow- ',edging the gift, expressed his best wishes to the men in their future medical careers. It will be gratifying to both past and present members of the Medical School to hear that they have been well represented at various times during the past season in the University cricket eleven by Messrs. Colin Campbell, T. M. Drew, T. A. McLean, Feilchenfeld, W. O'Hara, T. B. Lewers, and J. T. Anderson. 12 THE SPECULUM. May, 1900.

The Committee take this opportunity of thanking the vaccin- ation class for their kind donation of 12 2S. to the funds of the Society. The J. C. Roberts Memorial Fund was contributed to by members of the School, and resulted in the sum of £5 3s. being obtained, although one shilling was the highest donation asked for and taken. The Committee have donated ;4-2 7s. to the fund, and a suitable memorial will be erected in the M.S.S. room at the University. Dr. Neild, the well known and popular Lecturer on Forensic Medicine delivered a most interesting lecture on April 19th on " Personal Reminiscences of the Medical School," and was thoroughly enjoyed by the members present, who were highly amused by the various asides made during the course of the lecture. Dr. Howard, who so kindly suggested to the Society the idea of asking Dr. Neild to give the lecture, made some very well chosen remarks at the close of the lecture. The evening closed by all present heartily singing the very appropriate "For he's a jolly good fellow," coupled with three cheers and a tiger. A very interesting ceremony took place in the Wilson Hall on Wednesday afternoon, April 25th, when a large painting of our late Chancellor, Sir Anthony Coiling Brownless, was unveiled by His Excellency, the Lieutenant-Governor. Sir Henry \Vrixon, the Vice-Chancellor, in an introductory speech, described the life-long interest taken by the late Chancellor in the University, from the date of its being founded up to the date of his death, mentioning in particular the fact that he was the founder of our Medical School. The Lieutenant-Governor, before unveiling the picture, delivered a very interesting and impressive address on the relation between the governing bodies of the University and the undergraduates, and also described the original movements made by the late Sir Redmond Barry towards the successful founding of the University. The picture, which is an excellent likeness of our dear Chan- cellor, was painted by Mr. Longstaff, the well known Victorian painter, and was subscribed to by all sections of the University. We have received from Messrs. Burroughs, Wellcome & Co. specimens of their tabloid preparations, which may be inspected by anyone on applying to the Editor. Mr. G. A. Syme delivered the Annual Lecture on Instru- ments, on Tuesday evening, May 1st, and was fairly well at- tended by the members.. The lecture was thoroughly enjoyed 13 May, 'goo. THE SPECULUM by those present, who undoubtedly learnt a great deal about the various articles used by medical men in the course of their pro- fessional work. The Annual lecture will be delivered this year in the Wilson Yall, if available, on June ritth by Dr. Rothwell Adam, the lecturer on Obstetrics. It is the intention of the Committee to ask the Lieutenant-Governor, Sir John Madden, to preside, and they hope that the coming lecture will be as well attended by Members and their friends as in the past, when it has been one of the great events of the Medical School. Most of the members know the abilities of the lecturer, in spite of the little while he has been with us, and the Committee can very safely promise that the lecture will be quite as good, if not better, than any previous ones. We have been requested to inform everyone that the age limit Will not be enforced in the University Rifle Club, as it is open to everyone at the University over 16 years of age.

The New Curriculum.

BY SENIOR. FOR a few years past it has been evident to experienced observers that what had been at one time a fairly reasonable and workable curriculum had outlived its usefulness, and they kept urging upon the powers that be the necessity for reform—at an early date. But the aforesaid powers, evidently anticipating trouble, postponed the day of reorganisation as long as they possibly could. Even- tually a move was made, and after several months' discussion by Committees of the whole and sub-committees a scheme was Provisionally adopted by the Faculty, which was like most things of the sort, a compromise between the opinions of different Members. The Melbourne Hospital staff also gravely and deliberately discussed the matter, referred it to a sub-committee of two, disagreed with their reports, referred the matter to another sub-committee, disagreed with their reports ; finally accepting the Faculty's scheme with a few amendments. The University Senate next referred it to a sub-Committee Consisting of about 25 medical graduates, who considered it in great detail, finally doing the same as the Hospital staff, accepting It as a by no means perfect yet not at all unreasonable com- promise. It will be seen then that it was considered and re-considered THE SPECULUM. May, 1900.

almost ad nauseam, and that there was no indecent haste mani- fested in the process. The crux of the situation was the first year work. An influen- tial section urged strongly that Anatomy should be a first year subject, either wholly or partly displacing Biology. In this way, and in this way alone, was it possible, they alleged, to attain that desideratum, a fifth year free from systematic lectures. Unfor- tunately for them an overwhelming majority were in favor of a purely scientific first year as at present. That point being after very long discussion decided, though not without emphatic and persistent protests from the minority, the rest was comparatively plain sail- ing, the Faculty winning everywhere except when a proposal was made to establish an Elementary Surgery examination in the fourth year. The following is a brief comparison between the old and the new :- First year is absolutely unaltered. In the second year, Junior Descriptive and Surgical Anatomy becomes Junior Anatomy twice a week instead of three times as hitherto. Per contra, students are to get post mortem demonstrations the elements of topographical and visceral Anatomy in the first term. This alone is a decided improvement. In the Physiological Department, Elementary Physiology is added, so that when a student commences medical out-patient work in the following year, he may be in a position to profit by the teaching of the physicians who were previously heavily han- dicapped by students' complete ignorance of Physiology, His- tology and Physical Chemistry have been cut down a little. The most important innovation in this year is the disappear- ance of Materia Medica from the list of University systematic lectures. Now it is simply a subject for examination, the teach- ing to be wholly practical and be done at some institution approved by the Faculty of Medicine. One cannot but feel a certain amount of sentimental regret at the loss of an old friend like Materia Medica, and real regret that the University should lose the services of such an able teacher as Dr. Grant. Another important innovation in this year is the introduction of tutorial instruction in Elementary Surgery during the second and third terms, after students have learnt a little Anatomy. It is understood that this is to be wholly practical work to be given by members of the Hospital staff on a different day from their visiting one. It has been suggested that they restrict themselves to systematic work at bandaging, and the treatment of simple fractures and dislocations and recent wounds, but those points are not quite decided at present. In the third year, Surgery lectures disappear from the list May /900, THE SPECULUM. 15 a together, and Physiology and Anatomy (more simply Senior Anatomy) are reduced by one-third, so that there is a very larked reduction in the number of systematic lectures. Pathological Histology is now to be done in this year instead of the fourth as hitherto. There is practically no alteration in t"• e Post mortem work, but one of the most decided improvements rn the whole course ought to be the institution of tutorial instruc- tion in Medicine. Students are to be systematically taught the nlethodst of examination of the circulatory and respiratory sys- ,erns, and as much of the other systems as time will permit, so Lhat when they go into the wards later on, they will not have to Painfully and without system acquire the elements of physical examination. The Fourth Year, hitherto a much overloaded one, is now ecidedly lightened, the subject of Medicine disappearing from 'he list. Anatomy by Dissection accompanies it, but to prevent students neglecting their Clinical Surgery and Anatomy a little examination in Junior Surgery and Surgical Anatomy is provided at the year's end. It is not quite decided at present what shape this is to take, but details will probably be forthcoming in due tune. Pathology remains as before. Therapeutics slightly curtailed, ,and the leeturer on Diseases of Women is no longer expected to 'each students all about children in one lecture. Dr. Adam is now to lecture for two terms instead of three, so it would Perhaps be as well if students were to devote the time thus made available to attending the Children's Hospital. In the fifth year, the only innovations of importance are the curtailing of Forensic Medicine and the institution of clinical assistantships (for one term) in the out-patient room. The lecturers on Medicine and Surgery will now have to address classes consisting of fifth year students only, instead of nlixed ones of seniors and juniors as hitherto, and it is not too much to expect that their lectures will be better understood and appreciated. Of course they cannot adequately discuss the whole of their subjects in seventy-eight lectures, but they will doubtless lake a judicious selection of subjects to be treated. In addition to work hitherto compulsory, it is now provided that students must produce evidence of special instruction in two gt, the four following subjects, viz., Diseases of Children, Eye, Skin and Insanity. Every wise student will attend to "Children," and will, no doubt, wisely select one other one. The principal points about the new curriculum may be summed up very briefly. They are— ( 1 ) A marked reduction (about 3o per cent.) in the number of systematic lectures. r6 THE SPECULUM May, 1900.

(2) An increase and a much more systematic arrangement of the practical work. Whether these desiderata are to be attained in the best possi- ble way may safely be left to those very wise people—posterity. In the matter of the higher degrees radical changes have been made. Formerly these degrees were practically only open to leading honourmen who had been residents at hospitals. Nov any Bachelor of Medicine or Surgery of one year's standing is an eligible candidate. In the M.D. examination, Logic and the Physiology of the Nervous System are both dropped. In lieu of examination candidates may present a thesis in some branch of the Medical Curriculum proposed by the candidate and approved by the Faculty of Medicine, but a strong opinion was expressed that the obtaining of a degree in this way should not degenerate into a farce, as it is alleged to elsewhere. With regard to the Master of Surgery examination the only alteration is the exclusion of Logic and the opening of portals of candidature to all Medical Graduates of one year's standing.

Annual Meeting of the M.S.S. The Annual General Meeting of the M.S.S. was held in the .old Operating Theatre, Melbourne Hospital, on the evening of March t5th. Professor Allen, the President of the Society, acted as chairman, and the attendance of members and intend- ing members as usual was very good. After confirmation of the minutes of the previous Annual Meeting, Mr. J. S. Yule, the retiring secretary, read the report of the Committee of the work done in the previous year which, judging by the manner in which it was received, was gratifying to the members present. The balance sheet was read by Mr. J. B. McLean, acting hon. treasurer, in the absence of Mr. T. R. Inglis, and showed the very satisfactory and sound financial condition of the Society in spite of the heavy extra expense during the past year. It was satisfactory to note that the membership list was decidedly increased in comparison with that of 1898, although some members had not up to the date of the balance sheet paid their subscription. The balance sheet was criticised in a friendly way by some of the members, and in every instance a satisfactory reply was given to all the questions asked. The President commented on the report and balance sheet in a complimentary and humorous manner, and, whilst comph- 17 MaY, 1900. THE SPECULUM. meeting the Couumittee on their splendid work during the year, sPecially commended the Speculum Committee for the manner in which the journal was conducted. • .,, During the meeting the retiring secretary, Mr. T. Sandison Pule was unanimously elected a Life Governor of the Society in recognition of his valuable services to the Society. , A great deal of discussion arose when Mr. Ulbrich proposed „. ,That a Rifle Club be formed in the Medical School " and in 'us speech emphasised the fact that all Australians should be Prepared at any time to take up arms in defence of their country, besides availing themselves of the recreation afforded on the ranges of a Saturday afternoon. After some interesting and at times humorous comments were made on the question, it was decided by a large majority to form a Rifle Club, and a Pro- visional Committee was appointed to make all preliminary angements.arr The following members of the Committee and officers of the Society were elected for 1 goo Hon. Secretary, Mr. T. A. McLean ; Hon. Assistant Secre- rp, Mr. J. F. C. McKenzie ; Hon. Treasurer, Mr. M. H. QL"vhey • Committee (Fifth Year), Messrs. J. B. McLean, P. M. 'eackell, and W. A. Reid ; (Fourth Year), Messrs. J. Bennett ai,,nd A. W. Hart ; (Third Year), Messrs. A. B. Campbell and D. ; (Second Year), Messrs. J. S. McLean and C. Finlayson. Votes of thanks were passed to the Residents of the Hospital for the assistance rendered to members during the past year and also to the various gentlemen who so kindly conducted demon- s_r,rations and held special classes during the year. The meeting closed with a hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman of the evening.

A Bacteriological Tragedy. A gay bacillus, to gain him glory, Once gave a ball in a laboratory; The fête took place in a coverglass, Where vulgar germs could not harass. None but the cultured were invited (For microbe cliques are well united); And tightly closed the ballroom doors To all the germs containing spores. The Staphylococci first arrived— To stand in groups they all contrived; The Streptococci took great pains To set themselves in graceful chains,

THE SPECULL/ \I May, 19 ,x).

While somewhat late, and two by two, The Diplococci came in view. The Pneumococci, stern and haughty, Declared the Gonococci naughty, And would not care to stay at all If they were present at the ball. The ball began, the mirth ran high, With not one thought of danger nigh; Each germ enjoyed itself that night, With never a thought of phagocyte. 'Twas getting late, and some were "loaded," When a jar of formalin exploded, And drenched the happy dancing mass Who swarmed that fatal coverglass; Not one survived, but perished all At this bacteriological ball. —(From an American Magazine.)

Unqualified Men as Locum. Tenens. To the Editor of The Speculum. Dear Sir,—With your permission I would like to bring before the Medical Students the growing practice of unqualified men acting as locum tenens. As a rule, the recently qualified man finds it quite hard enough to obtain professional engagements at the recognised scale of fees, without having to contend with the undergraduate, who in many instances is prepared to act for half the ordinary fees. Not only does the Student do the qualified man an injustice, but often he does the patients, who entrust themselves to his care, a greater injustice by his want of know- ledge of the diseases he is likely to meet with in private practice. It is well known amongst the Medical Students, that the aver- age Fourth Year man has but a very superficial knowledge of surgery, and one might say only a nodding acquaintance with medicine. Yet at times we find these men taking practices in country towns, with no other medical man close at hand ; and when confronted with even ordinary cases, doing infinite harm by their want of knowledge of the essentials of treatment. As an example, an unqualified, not from our own Unlversity, took a practice in the country. A patient called to see him with some surgical complaint, and during a conversation mentioned that a doctor from another town had told him he had heart disease. The student examined him, detected a bruit, looked grave, and straight away put him on large doses of digitalis. The doctor •whom the patient had originally attended saw him some few May, 1900, THE SPECULUM. '9 weeks after, and informed me that it was a case of mitral disease with good compensation, and that the digitalis did more harm than good. As regards the cutting down of fees, within the last Year there have been instances where students have worked for magnificent salary of Z'3 los. a week—a very good salary ftOror a student, no doubt, but not at all sufficient for a qualified Iri an. If these students are hard up, why don't they take assist- antships, many of which are easily obtained, and where no one could complain. No ! They are not satisfied with that. They Oust have a practice all to themselves, where they are dubbed r. So and So. Later, however, people begin to find out that it Was a student who was in their midst, and when a properly qualified man comes along they look upon him as a fraud, and m ore especially so if he happens to be of youthful appearance, and in that district he has very little chance of keeping his plate 1-1? long. Exception cannot so well be taken to the unfortunate Fifth Year student who has been ploughed at his final exam. For very ofren he knows as much and sometimes more than his More successful companions of the fifth year, and usually he is a 'man who holds out for a guinea a day and expenses. Yours, etc., DIAMANTINA.

Annual Hare and Hounds Run and Dinner. t The Run and Dinner in connection with the Medical School 00 att k place on April 26th, at Brighton Beach, and was largely ended by members of the School. An excellent trail of over ielght miles was laid by Dr. D. Kelly and Mr. W. D. Yuille, as t Year's winner, through Brighton and Sandringham, with a Rood run home of about four miles along the Sandringham road. A full field toed the mark, but after about four miles had been coversed, the field began to dwindle away, owing to the want of (1): edition on the part of some of the runners. The winner turned p to be Mr. S. M. Ware, of the Second Year, who thus receives of Springthorpe's annual omedal,medal, while Mr. F. L. Davies, also the Second Year, receives Messrs. Denyer Brothers' annual Prize for the second hound. About forty yards separated the first13 two men, who were closely followed in by the others. The Dinner took place at the Royal Terminus Hotel, Brighton a each, an old spot for medical outings, and was partaken of by ry large gathering, who thoroughly enjoyed the excellent meale provided by the proprietor. l'he old friendusual Smoke Night took place in the evening, with an , Dr. Balls-Headley, in the chair, who ably carried out 20 THE SPECULUM. May, 1900. the duties attached to that position. The various items included songs, recitations, flute solos, and pianoforte selections, given by Messrs. Shackell, Lidwill, Downey, Calder, Triado, R. Nolan, Finlayson, J. M. McLean, and T. A. McLean. The usual toasts were suitably proposed and responded to during the course of the evening. The thanks of all present are due to Mr. Nolan, who so kindly and so ably acted as accompanist to most of the songs at a moment's notice, and by doing so filled a gap which it would have been impossible to fill from amongst those present on account of the want of the set music.

Obituary. It is with the deepest regret that we have to record the death of two of our old Students, whilst taking part in the fighting 1 11 South Africa, namely, Dr. Hopkins and Lieutenant J. C. Roberts. Dr. W. F. Hopkins graduated at the Medical School in 189 1, and for the greater part of the time since then has been Resident Surgeon at the Stawell Hospital, where he became universallY respected by those who came into contact with him. He was accepted as Surgeon to the First Contingent of Victorian troops for South Africa, and was with them up to his untimely end. Everyone was greatly enthused with the stories of his bravery in treating the wounded and removing them to safety under a heavy fire, and his praise was on every lip, only to receive a heavy blow when the news of his death by enteric fever was announced shortly afterwards. Lieutenant J. C. Roberts graduated in the Engineering School prior to entering on his medical course. Whilst attending lec- tures in his first year, he volunteered and was accepted for Africa, receiving a lieutenancy in the Mounted Rifles. He was severely wounded in the fighting near Rensburg, when the gal- lant Victorian troops so ably covered the retirement of sorile companies of the Wiltshire Regiment, and succumbed to his wounds shortly afterwards. A suitable memorial is to be placed in the M. S. S. room by his fellow students in honour of a brave and gallant fellow.

Honour Lists, 'goo. Medicine and Forensic Medicine and Psychological Medicine' —First Class.—Bernhard Trangott Zwar, John Sandison Yule' Second Class.—Charles Franklin Garcia Webster, HentY Douglas Stephens, Arthur Geoffrey Owen, John Clarke Muir , Alfred Edward Rowden White, Philip Timothy Putnam. Thirdi May, rgoo. THE SPECULUM. 21

Class._James Edward Faucourt McDonald, James Herbert rn, gbam, Henry George Chapman, John Thomas Murphy, '-lermann Zwar, Daniel Kelly, Arthur Francis Deravin. Scholarship awarded to B. T. Zwar. tirgery and Obstetric Medicine and Diseases of Women and ,-,1111dren.—First Class.—Arthur Geoffrey Owen, James Herbert ‘1-12 gham, Charles Franklin Garcia Webster, John Thomas ly,lurphy. Second Class.—Philip Timothy Putnam, Hermann Bernhard Trangott Zwar, Henry George Chapman, Douglas Francis Deravin, Claude Hutton Hodgkinson, Henry Edward Stephens, John Sandison Yule. Third Class.—Alfred n•dward Rowden White, John Clarke Muir. Scholarship awarded to Arthur Geoffrey Owen.

Spicula. Dr. Stawell, in one of his lectures at the Children's Hospital, referred to his personal observations made in connection with infantile diarrhcea in the large cities in the States, and incident- allY spoke of Melbourne as " a small city." The men present, of course, smiled, and Dr. Stawell, no doubt, is still in the dark about the reason for the amusement. QUITE TRUE.—During the discussion at the Annual Meeting ye the formation of a Rifle Club at the Medical School, one of the speakers said that Medicals would never be required to take up arms, but to attend to the wounded in time of war. This was P.t rnmptly replied to by a well-known wag, " We get shot some- 'Ines in exams." lingA new condition discovered amongst the out-patients—"Swel- of the Testaments." A well-known and respected Honorary, in a short clinic on ;_"septic Surgery, after referring to the precautions to be taken "Y the operator and his assistant, made the startling statement :` that the nurses must also be sterile." Happily he added, Figuratively speaking," when the laughter had died away. START.—One of the Fifth Year started his midwifery Work`v rk GOOD by assisting twins to this world in his first two cases. Whenihen his third case was safely delivered, a nurse came up and Seemed disappointed at him not keeping up his record, remarking I thought it would have been twins again, Mr. a11 9r. Neild was once asked why he did not go in for politics, 4 '1 the reply given was do not wish to waste my time, rid besides, I am also fond of good company." 22 THE SPECULUM. May, 1900.

A Most Alarming Accident :—Constable at a Magisterial in' quiry, in his evidence, said : " On arrival at the place I found the body about five chains from the Railway Station, it was very much mutilated ; the neck was broken and almost severed from the body ; on the left cerebellum there was a compound fracture and there was a portion of the brain torn away with a part of the cerebrum and three parts of the left ear. There were several simple fractures on the frontal bone ; the ribs were broken on both sides of the sternum, and there was a commin - uted fracture of the libia and fibula. No doubt he got his certificate at the St. John's Ambulance Society.

Old Boys. " Billy " James locum at Williamstown. G. A. Syme a father. Congratulations. Arthur Deravin insurancing in Queensland. Pat Lang going with the Imperial Bushmen. "Stumps" Makin medical assistant at the war. Hopkins, Bunting and Hearne in South Africa. New M.D.—J. R. M. Thompson. Our respects. Harold Catford insurancing in New South Wales. "Hair Specialist" Lee a daughter. Congratulations. "Billy" Spring at Traralgon, locum to Scout Horne. Tremearne unwilling to surrender against heavy odds. MacDonald at Singapore. An authority on Beri Beri. "Brickey" McKenzie and Horsfall also army surgeons. '• Bill " Gosse a gallant gunner with the South Australians. "Teddy" Feilchenfeld at the Women's vice South resigned. C. G. Crowley his left Queensland and is now at New York. Japan still the attraction. Bert Palmer off to the land of the Geishas. H. South resigned Women's, gone to Children's Hospital , Brisbane. Bert Russell at Adelaide, and Cooper at " the Kids " in the same city. Alf. White appointed to Medical Depot, Quarantine Station' Perth, W.A. "Joe" Cunning surgeon on s.s. "Persic" taking special car e of the boys. Chapman at St. Vincents, and "Tracy" Inglis at Auckland , New Zealand. " Bert " Shorney at the Bendigo Hospital, improving the morals of the patients. May. 1900. THE SPECULUM 23

" Ned " Officer locum at Beechworth. No doubt the football authority up there now. my" Riddell insurancing in South Australia. Greatly 4lissed at the H. and H. Run. , "Cox Robbie" locum to Vivian Orr at the Cancer Hospital, 'London, the latter obtaining his M.R.C.S. recently. exP'ePrt. Yelland's trip to Japan has turned him into a plague rof."See leading article in Herald some time back. an adept in skating at Edinburgh; required three stitches'I ches and collodion to his face after one of his " exhibitions." Phil Parsons, according to a recent letter, is the leading guide `0 Australian visitors to all places of interest around Edinburgh. Great exodus to the old country. Col. Campbell, S. H. Allen, W' R. Marsden, N. E. Gibbs and Telford per s.s. "Persic." Gus Kearney, Dick Glassford, Bob Cameron and Col. Ander- '011 sailing by earlier steamers. a J. A. R. Smith, Demonstrator on Anatomy at the " Shop," „III Resident Tutor at Ormond College, while Basil Kilvington Assistant Demonsttator in Pathology and Resident Tutor at Trinity College. ales Kearney was Champion at tennis of Victoria, New South ws .ales, South Australia, Geelong and the University before he s led We all hope that he will continue to win champion- 'Ps in the old country.

feweffers and Opticians. ubENTS' MICROSCOPES, " LEITZ," £3 io

5, 5, 71 7 10 AND UPWARDS. a.rge Assortment of Sports' Trophies, etc. Liberal Prices. INSPECTION INVITED. .,..5lLPATRICK & CO., 307 Collins Street.

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ge, MAYER, MELTZER & JACKSON.

(Opposite Melbourne 233 Lonsdale Street ,at Hospital Oates)• And at London and Capetown. Surgical Instrument Makers MEDICAL STUDENTS' REQUISITES SUPPLIED. DISSECTING SETS. Our own Make, as supplied to Students attending the University College Hospital, London. BIOLOGICAL SETS. OSTEOLOGICAL SETS. " The Student's Set," Case containing Vertebrae, Leg and Foot, Arm and Hand, and Skull.

Skulls, Articulated and Disarticulated.

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All Repairs Executed on the Premises.

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OPPOSITE HOSPITAL GATES, 233 LONSDALE STREET.

Library Digitised Collections

Title: Speculum 1900

Date: 1900

Persistent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11343/24147

File Description: Speculum: issue 46, May 1900