654 THE BRITISH MEDICAL _OURNAL. [May x6, 1874. fairly do the same with the girls. There are good advisers-Maudsleys WE publish in another column an alleged cure for hydrophobia, sent to and Clarkes-who will not allow the element of sex in education to be us by Mr. Prince, from whom we have already published several com- overlooked. The University of London has enough of its own work to munications on the subject. It is impossible not to attach some im- do, without aiming at supplementing the decrees of Providence by pro portance to the cases recited; but the formula appears to us to resemble hibition legislation intended to enforce a disability which it is feared many which have already been tried and found practically useless. that the alleged natural incapacity of women might be powerless to maintain. THE TICHBORNE CLAIMANT. The same excess of benevolence of intention, accompanied with ab- WE understand that the result of imprisonment has been materially to solute cruelty in action, marks the rest of the argument. A woman lessen the enormous bulk .of Arthur Orton-the Tichborne Claimant. must not be granted a degree in medicine because she could not practise He gets the ordinary prison diet, and has not suffered in health. He efficiently when entceintte, and because she ought not to take home scarla- is employed in tailoring. He is reduced in weight from 22 stone to less tina to her children. Caveat emozplor. The first is a matter which con- than I8. cerns those who propose to engage alud pay for her services very much -the University of Londoni not at all. As to the second, it may be KING'S COLLEGE IIOSPITAL. said that a man ought not to carry scarlatina to his own children or to WVE understanid that the Secretary of King's College Hospital, and the anybody else's children any more than a woman: it is presumable that members of the Council who had publicly declined to accept the report he takes precautions, which are not the exclusive privilege of any sex. of the arbitrators in respect to the nursing of the hospital, have re- The argument is two-edged ; for it might, in practical life, easily be signed; so that it may noNw be expected that concord will be restored. turned in another direction, as accoucheurs are aware. It is, in fact, It is, in our opinion, much less important that this hospital should be worthless for either use. nursed under any particular system, than that a good understanding Did the world undertake to provide hiandsomely for ulmarried should prevail among all who are responsible for the efficiency of the women, the benevolence of the argument which would, against their hospital. We hear that there is likely to be some opposition to that will, deprive them of the higher and more remunerative kinds of know- clause of the arbitrators' report which adopted the suggestion contained ledge and mental training, might be more cogent. But as it does not, in our report on the nursing-that a senior resident medical officer and as it raises no objection to their following the laborious callings of should be appointed. That oppositioln is, however, apparently based schoolmistress, governess, nurse, and midwife, on the condition that upon a misconception, which is likely to be corrected by furtlher in- they shall be only half educated and poorly paid, the benevolence of quiry. The appointment of such an officer would involve a small the proceeding seems to be on a par with its logic. expenditure only; and if, as at St. MIary's Hospital, he were constituted registrar and cliloroformist, the expense could be nearly met by an junior appointments would THE SOHO HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN. existing endowment, and no sacrifice of the be necessary. \WE have received from Lord Cholmondeley a copy of the reply of the Council to the statement of the medical officers, in respect to the alleged DARWINISMAl TESTED 1VY RECENT RESEARCIIES IN LA?NGUAGE. dlisregard of their complaints as to the nursing and general managemenit ON Monday, Mlay i ith, Dr. Bateman of Norwich delivered a very of the hospital. Hadc we received it earlier we would have felt it a interesting lecture on this subject in Paris to a large Anglo-American duty to publish it, notwithstanding its length. As, however, the dis- and French audience. Sir John Cormack, who was in the chair, in it pute to which it relates may, we hope, be considered as in a great mea- few remarks at the close of the lecture, amid the assenting applause of sure settled by satisfactory concessions on the part of the Councilj we the meeting, said that he thought the lecturer had made good his anti- trust we do sufficient justice to the Council in this matter by intimating Darwinian position. Dr. Bateman chiefly insisted on the three follow- all that this document expresses a general defence of their proceedings, and ing points. i. Articulate speech is an nnive,-sal attribute of man; of acquiring it. In support of this gives an account of their efforts to improve the nursing. WVe hope that the races have language and the capacity were cited the writings of Tylor, Lubbock, and Moffat the Council, having established a better systemii of government, will make the proposition African traveller. 2. Language is a distinctive attribute of man; it coii- anzende hono-rable to those who had to tender their resignation in order to the difference of kind between man and the lower that Dr. sequently establishes secure it. It ought to be mentioned here, Heywood Smith animals, whiclh Mr, Darwin is in search of. 3. Although physiologists has, as we learn, been in no small degree instrumental in influencing the -Gall, Broca, and others-have been for a long period trying to con- adoption of the improved constitution, to which we last week referred. nect speech with some definite portion of the brain, they have hitlherto failed; and, as science has failed to trace speech to a material centre- DR. JAMES PALFREY has beeln appointed co-lecturer oni Midwifery has failed to connect mind with matter-speech contstitttes a difetncs) at and Diseases of Wiomen at the London Hospital Medical College. kintd bet-ween ;nan andI thze lozuer- aninmals. THREE distinict laboratories for Physics, Physiology, and Pharmaco- DEAT}I FROM CHLOROFOR'M. logy, are being constructed at Potsdam, under the superintendence of A LAMIENTABLE accident, with a fatal result, occurred on Wednesday, Herr Spieker. May 6tlh, to MIrs. Walker, wife of Dr. Robert Walker, Lowther Street, ON Monday eveninig, Mlay 25th, Dr. J. 11. Axeling will read a paper Carlisle. The lady was troubled wvith toothache, and had occasionally at a nmeeting of the Health Departmnent of the Social Science Associa- taken chloroform to allay the pain. On the afternoon in question, she "' complained of toothache to Dr. Walker, as lie was leaving home to tion, to be held at their rooms in Adam Street, Adelphi, on The which Almielioration of the Present Position of Midwives". proceed to Longtown. Afterwards she lay down on the sofa, shie \vas accustolmied to do after dinner, and was observ-ed by a servant THE biennial festival of the Royal National Hospital for Consunmp- to have a handkerchief pressed to her face. Dr. Walker returned at tion at Ventnor was held on April 29th at Willis's Rooms, under the half-past four o'clock, when, to hiis great grief and astonishment, he presidency of the Bishop of WVinchester. Ladies as well as gentlemiieln found his wife lying quite dead on the sofa. He tried artificial respira- were present at this dinner, and the contributions during the evening tion, and galvanism, but in vain. An inquiry into the cause of deatlh amounted to £°5oo. The last block of two houses, completing the was held, when the evidencc of Lr. Sulliv,an showed that the immediate original design for the hospital, as intended by the founder, Dr. A. cause of death was suffocation, brought about by the fillinig of the Hassall, is to be erected at the cost of the Baroniess Meyer de Roths- mouth, and the falling back of the root ofthe tongue inlto the throat during child, in memory of her late husband. unconsciousness produced by bceathing chloroform; so that suffoca- May i6,1874.1 THE BRITISH MEDICAL _70URNAL. 655 May 16,1874.] THE BRITISH MEDICAL 7OURNAL. 655~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ tion was the immediate cause of death, but that suffocation owed its advancing its realisation. Notwithstanding the favour it finds in many presence and its action to the influence produced by chloroform breathed places, there must be people of greater weight to take it in hand before immediately before. The jury held a brief consultation, and returned it can succeed. The little way the movement has made in spite of much talk and discussion, appears best from the fact that it has not met with a verdict that death was accidental tlhrough the inadvertent use of opposition from the clerical side." chloroformn. INTERNATIONAL MIEDICAL CONGRESS. TIHE BRITISHI CHIARITABLE FUND IN PARIS. IN consequence of the decision arrived at in September last at the OUR Paris correspondent writes : The annual ball on behalf of the Medical Congress held in Vienna, appointing the city of Brussels as the British Charitable Fund in Paris, and under the patronage of the seat of the next meeting in I875 for the International Congress of British Ambassador, took place, for the first time since the war, on Aledical Science, a Committee has been formed to make arrangements. Tuesday, the 28th ultimo, at the Grand Hotel, and a most brilliant The Committee is composed of the following members: M. Vleminckx, affair it was. The hall was profusely decorated with flowers, and by President of the Royal Academy of Medicine of Belgium; MI. Derou- the British, American, and French flags. Among the personages baix, Vice-President of the Academy of Medicine; MM. Bellefroid and present, were the Duchess of Alagenta, Lord Lyons, 'Mr. Washburne, Crocq, former Vice-Presidents of the same institution; with M. Warlo- several members of the diplomatic body, and a large number of British mont as Secretary. The Committee has promulgated the following and American residents, as also Frenchmen. The medical element was regulations and programme for the Congress. i. A AMedical Inter- also fairly represenited, and the following British practitioners of Paris national Congress will commence its sittings at Brussels on September were present on the occasion: T. B. Bishop, M.D.; Alexander Boggs, rgth, 1875, under the auspices of the Belgian Government. 2. The M.I).; Sir John Rose Cormack, M.D.; The Hon. Alan Herbert, MT.D.; Congress will be exclusively scientific, and will last one week. 3. It D. MacCarthy, M.D.; J. D. MacGavin, M.D.; A. Markheim, M.D.; will be composed of those members of the medical profession, Belgian J. Faure-Miller, M.D.; also Surgeon-AMajor H. Blanc, M.D. (Bombay and foreign, who shall have given notice to the General Secretary. Medical Service), and Surgeon-Major R. T. Lyons (Bengal Medical They will not be liable to any expense, and will have exclusive right Service). of taking part in the discussions. 4. The labours of the Congress will be divided into five sections; viz.: a. Medicine, Surgery, and CREMATION. Obstetrics; b. 'Military Surgery, including the service of and material THE Vienna correspondent of the Timiies writes: for ambulances; c. Hygiene; d. Ophthalmology; e. Pharmacology. 5. " If wve seldom commence a movement, we do not like altogetlher to When the members of the Congress claim their ticket of admission, be left behind; so we have takein up the agitation started for the burn- to section desire to member ing of bodies, instead of interring them in the old fashion. The agita- they will state which they belong. Any tion, in this instance, is not altogether owing to a spirit of imitation, can have himself put down in several sections. Each section will elect for the cemetery question is a burning one. All the cemeteries about a president, two vice-presidents, and a secretary. 6. The Congress will the outskirts of Vienna are not only getting gradually filled, but, as the meet twice a day: in the morning, from ten to one o'clock, for the town becomes extended, they will soon be in the midst of the inhabited work of the sections; in the afternoon, from one o'clock to half-past districts ; so that in every way it has become necessary to provide new for the cemeteries. A plot of ground at Schwechat, to the east of Vienna, five, general meetings. 7. Reporters, previously appointed by sufficiently removed not to be exposed soon to the danger of being sur- Committee, will lay before the sections statements of the questions rounded by buildings, has been acquired by the municipality with a which have been assigned to them. These statements will contain pro- view of making- a central burial-ground there. A railway is to be built visional conclusions, which will have been made public several months to the spot, so that every convenience wvill be given for getting there. before the meeting of the Congress, and which the sections will examine But time presses, and until this can be done provisional measures are to in the order in the This work the sections be taken. The bodies are to be taken from the mortuary chamber to adopted reports. finished, the church, anid thence, after service, to the mortuary chambers of the will be able to devote the remainder of their time to the receipt of com- district, from which they are to be transported in the evening, in closed munications not included in the programme. The conclusions voted by carriages, to the central burial-ground. This has provoked consider- the sections will afterwards be submitted to the sanction of the general able opposition, as it would in some measure prevent the relatives from assembly. 8. The general meetings will be devoted-a. To the com- assisting in rendering the last honours to the defunct. To meet this munication of papers relating to questions not included in the pro- objection, the idea is to complete the interments early next morning, of the in the order of their which means for poor people a loss of tvo days instead of one. Then gramme; b. To the discussion reports pre- in what state will the bodies-enclosed, in the case of the poor, in deal sentation, and, if needl be, to votes of the whole Congress on the coffins, at the price of 5s.-arrive at the central burial-ground, after a conclusions arrivedl at by the sections. 9. MIembers who wish to present jolting for fifteen miles over the road? Then there is the greater ex- communications on any subject foreign to the questions included in the pense which the distance entails. There is no difficulty now in walking programme, should give notice to the General Secretary at least one out to the burial-grounds, which are close to the town, but it will be of the The Committee will otherwise when fifteen miles intervene. The whole question being thus month before the opening Congress. decide still in an unsatisfactory state, the idea of joining the movement in whether the communications are proper to be received, and in what favour of cremation naturally suggested itself. Two public meetings order they are to be read. The time allowed to each speaker will be have already been held, in which the idea met with general approval; limited to a maximum of twenty minutes. This arrangement does not and the more energetic movers in the matter have already got up an to the At the first the will association, called the ' Urne', to promote the realisation of the idea. apply reporters. IO. meeting, Congress Like all enthusiasts, they seem, however, apt to forget the difficulties name its working Council, which will be composed of a president, two which are in the way of so great a change from old habits and notions. acting vice-presidents, an indefinite number of honorary presidents, a Instead of confining themselves to popularising the idea in the first in- general secretary, and secretaries of sections. I I. All the papers read stance, they are already thinking of carrying it into effect. Thus, at the at the Congress will be deposited at the office of the Council. The who met Kummer's last meeting, attended by five hundred people, in Committee of Organisation, which, after the session, will resume its beer-saloon on Wednesday, they tried to interest people in their new of association, reading its complicated statutes, with a mutual insurance of functions in order to go on with the publication the proceedings of the costs of burial. Naturally the idea arose that the whole thing was the Congress, will decide on their entire or partial insertion in, or meant to get up a new burial society, and great was the disappointment. omission from, the published transactions. 12. Though French will be People had come to hear something of cremation. Naturally, there was the language in which the business will be conducted, members will beer in plenty, and, besides, those who are always ready to take advan- nevertheless be allowed to express themselves in other tongues. In tage of such occasions for a 'lark'; but at last one of the movers in the the substance of matter placed things in a fair way by asking for the moral support of this case, if a desire to that effect be expressed, their the meeting, which was given unanimously. From this you may see discourse will be briefly interpreted to the meeting by one of its mem- that, if cremation is the topic of the day, we have not got far as yet in bers. 13. The President will direct the meetings and the discussions 656 THE BRITISH MEDICAL _70URNAL. (May i6,1874. according to the plan generally adopted in deliberative assemblies. He points out that one cause is the delay in procuring early curative treat- will decide on the orders of the day in concert with the working Coun- ment in English asylums. Instead of sending recent cases at once to cil. 14. Medical students will receive cards of admission, but cannot the asylum, boards of guardians struggle to keep down immediate be allowved to speak. The Committee are now employed in colnsider- expenditure by retaining them in the union workhouses. Advice on ing the questions to be represented in the programme. They w-ill this poinlt has been given again and again, but in vain. But gratefully receive from any and all quarters communications on this Dr. Arlidge asks, Wl'hy should this be the legal process? " WVhy subject, and take note of them in the constitution of their definitive pro- should workhouses be legalised by Acts of Parliament as receptacles in gramme, which will be published in the medical journals in January the first instance for the insane, thus becoming feeders of asylums, in- next, wvith the provisional conclusions arrived at by the Committee. stead of the latter institutions being always made the places for primary Copies of the programmne will be forwarded to members on application. admission, alnd the workhouses the receptacles for many of those chronic cases which unhappily will remain as a residuum after the best A NEW SARCOTOME. treatment has been afforded ? To put the question in another fashion, AT the last meeting of the Clinical Society, MIr. Callender exhibited, Why should one policy be pursued in England, and another in Scot- for Dr. Hollis, an instrument devisecl by the latter gentleman, land ?" In the latter country, not only do the Commissioners exercise wvhich substitutes for the caoutchouc tubing, used by Dittel in his to the utmost their authority and influence to secure asylum accommo- operations by the elastic ligature, a simple waxed thread, or a svire, dation for every recent case of insanity, but, by the poNvers vested in which is tiglhtened by a spiral steel spring. The force exerted on the them, they limit and regulate the transfer of patients to workhouses; thread can be constantly maintained at any given point up to I2 lbs. thus they prevent the introduction of curable and otherwise improper When the instrument, which is shaped somewhat like an ordinary pen- cases into workhouses, and weed out from asylums those hopeless cases holder, and is about four inches long, is fastened on the tissues to that encumber their wards. In addition to those removed from asy- be divided, it cuts its way out in about two, three, or four clays. One lums to workhouses, a large number of chronic cases in Scotland are great merit claimed for this sarcotome is, that it appears to be abso- boarded out in cottage-homes as single patients ; and tlhus also relief is lutely painless in its operationi. For the division of fistulk, removal of afforded to the asylums. These patients are under methodical inspec- small growths, etc., it has been used by AMr. Callender. tion, chiefly by the Deputy-Commissioners; and their reports of the condition of the patients so placed are highly satisfactory. Their TMEDICAL FEES. mortality is lower than in asylums or workhouses; and, what is more ONE passage in the recent Quarterly Return of the Registrar-General remarkable, there is a very appreciable ratio of recoveries among them, contains a statement which we commend to the earnest attention of the equal, according to Dr. Sibbald, to rather more than a third of that members of our Association. It relates to certain statistics included in which occurs in asylums. The English Commissioners, however, do the report respectinig the prices of the necessaries of life, which are not encourage the boarding out of patients with strangers, on account of found to have riseni rapidly during the last twenty-two years. By the risks that, in the existinig state of the law, are ilncurred ; for, as taking the averages of the prices of the two years i852-3 and I872-3, it matters stand, the staff of English Commissioners have only a casual is found that the price of whleat has risen 23 per cent., the price of and intermittent acquaintance with such singly placed lunatics, and no potatoes 31 per cent., the price of mutton 40 per cent., the price of sufficient and satisfactory inspection of them is supplied by the officers beef 50 per cent.; so that it may be computed that /134 wN'ill purchase of the Local Government Board, under whose auspices they are especi- now only the same quantities of meat and wheat as /ioo purchased ally placed. The experience of the Commissioners for Scotlanid has twenty years ago. " The reason of this is obvious: the same process shown that, thouglh this distribution of the insane exhibits many advan- of depreciation of money has begun which took place after the first dis- tages, it must be placed under strict supervision and control. " Why, covery of the American mines of the precious metals in the reigns of and how! long," askSpain, Italy, Austria, and Russia, which have not that Board be mnade sufficienit for its duties, wlhich clearly it is not?" circulated chronically for years an excess of debased inconvertible paper- money, France and the United States, formerly employing a large stock FIGURES AND FALLACIES. of metallic money, under a sound system of finance, have recently, by ANIONGST the numerous pamphlets which have been published in con- of been driven into the issue of floods of inconvertible the pressure war, nection with the King's College Hospital quarrel, is one entitled Zios- notes still floating. This has affected prices all over Europe. There pitol Lxpenditui-e, or the Cost of Afointenance int the v(lriotts London has been a but it has been felt starts when- general rising wave, only by Hospitals, by Charles Hood, F.R. S. The paper, however, scarcely ever an increased demand, as in the case of coal and food, or a dimi- warrants so wide a title. It consists mainly of an elaborate ana- nished supply, have given sellers the opportunity." Whilst, however, lysis of the annual expenditure of King's College Hospital during the of the necessaries of life have increased in this prices great propor- the last five years. Amongst other details, " the number of articles of tion, medical charges remain in many districts precisely as they were. hospital linen washed per week" is given; and our statement (in the One guinea purchases noow as much medical advice as it did in I850. papers on Hospital Nursing published a few weeks ago), that the St. This being the case, it would appear to be hioh time that the members John's Sisters are somewhat extravagant in this respect, is confirmed. of the profession took the matter seriously into consideration, with the As an after-thought, an attempt has been made to analyse on a similar object of making a general rise in their charges. plan the accounts of seven other metropolitan hospitals-viz., University ARLIDGE ON LUNACY. College Hospital, Charing Cross, the Westminster, Royal Free, Lon- IN the January number of the Br-itishz and Foreign Mfed(ico- Chzi,-nr,ical don, St. George's, and St. Mary's. Unfortunately, these figures are Review, there is a suggestive article by Dr. Arlidge on Lunacy in Eng- not so carefully collated as are those of MIr. Hood's own institutioni. land and Scotland, in which, among other topics, he dwells on the For instance, we were astonished to find it stated that the cost per bed accumulation of chronic patients in pauper asylums, and the method of at King's College Hospital and at St. Mary's is about equal-/66 8 encountering it. " The perversion of English county and borough and £66 6 pew annum respectively-exceeded only by University Col- asylums from their primary purpose as hospitals for treatment, to lege Hospital, which is put down at /71: I7. As this differs consider- boarding-houses for lodging incurables, demands the serious considera- ably from the result of our own recent investigations into the same tion not only Of medical men, but also of statesmen." And the first accounts, we were anxious to find out how these figures were arrived at. question to be solvea is, what has led to this state of things? He We find that, in the first place, Mr. Hood deducts the whole cost of the May i6, 1874.]THE BRITISH MEDICALMEDICAL 7OURNAL. 657 May i6, 1874.1 7OURNAL. 657~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ board of the resident medical staff at King's, but includes that of St. late winters have given the lie direct to the proverb which speaks of the Mary's. As a hospital cannot be carried on without a resident staff, relationship of a green yule and a full churchyard. Still, it is allowable the cost of this is certainly an item of ordinary expenditure; though to suppose that the increased efficiency of sanitary measures, which are wheni, as at University College Hospital, the number of residents is in now to some extent in operation, is beginning to producQ visible effect excess of the actual requirements of the hospital, a part of the cost may in these diminished returns of deaths. And further improvements in reasonably be deducted. Then Mr. Hood puts down /609 as the cost the life of the nation may yet be anticipated. The births in January, of wines and spirits at St. MIary's. The actual cost of these items in 1872 February, and March exceeded the deaths by nearly 8o,ooo; that is, the !s given in the hospital balance-sheet as £39X. And, lastly, the cost of population would have received an augmentation amounting to 866 the I872 "festival" of the Maternity Charity, and other sums, are in- daily, had immigration and emigration been equal. Nearly 25,000 cluded, which should not strictly be charged to the cost of ordinary emigrants left these shores, of whom over I5,000 went to the United maintenance. If MIr. Hood had treated the accounts of St. Mary's as States. Tlle remainder went principally to the Australian colonies. he has those of King's, the cost per bed at the former hospital would The meteorology of the quarter was peculiar. The mean temperature be under £6o. The statements respecting the other hospitals named at Greenwich was 2.7 deg. Fahr. above the average of 103 years. The seem to be more nearly correct, though the cost of the residents' board rainfall was less than half the average, being only 2.4 inches, whereas is deducted from the expenses of University College Hospital, but in- the average fall for the three months of the March quarter is 5.0 inches. cluded in those of the six institutions following. It has been said There has only been one instance since I815 when the rainfall at that "figures may be made to prove anything"; but, so far as we can Greenwich has been so low; that was in I829, when the amount see, Mr. Hood's figures prove nothing at all; nor can we say what they measured was also 2.4 inches. The corresponding quarters of I872 and are intended to prove. It is easy to copy the foi-r of TMr. Wilkinson's I873 were wet seasons; consequently, as regards the rainfall, the me- well known tables; but that gentleman's patience, accuracy, and know- teorology of the past quarter presents a strong contrast to that of the ledge of his subject, are not so readily acquired, and have certainly not preceding winters. yet been acquired by Mr. Hood. THE ADULTERATION OF FOOD COMMITTEE. CREMATION. THE Select Committee of the House of Commons to THE New York Incremation Society has applied to the Legislature appointed inquire into this matter met again on Monday last, when evidence was taken as of that State for an act of incorporation. The society numbers among to the manufacture of mustard and cocoa. Mr. Colman, the well its members several distinguished men, and at a recent meeting a coni- known mustard-manufacturer, first gave and he was mittee reported that there was strong probability of the charter asked evidence; asked, incidentally, as to the effects to ensue from the use for being obtained. The society accepts the the injurious likely of obligation of burning impure mustard in the shape of plasters for medical bodies of all the members, provided the relatives of the deceased do not purposes. He stated that, if mustard condiment-that is to say, mustard in the manu- object. The statement was made, that a body could be burnt at a cost facture of which other articles than the pure seed had been used-were of five to eight dollars. As soon as the charter is obtained, the bought for medical purposes, and there happened to be little or no society's intention is to lease a piece of land in the suburbs of New York, and erect thereon buildings and furnaces, "where bodies will be mustard in it, he did not imagine it would answer the purpose as a plaster; but those who purchased mustard for such a burnt in a business-like and unostentatious manner." The estimated requirement should be particular as to where and as to the article cost of these structures is IO,OOO dollars. A great deal of interest in this they bought it, they got. He did not think mustard was used subject is being developed in the country. absolutely pure for this pur- pose. There were two processes for producing mustard, one of which THE QUARTERLY RETURN OF BIRTHS, DEATHS, AND MARRIAGES. produced pure mustard, and the other mustard mixture or mustard con- Ttiis return includes the marriages which took place in England in the diment. The only ingredient used in the manufacture of pure mustard last quarter of 1873, and which, being 61,26I, were more numerous was the flower of the white and brown mustard-seed, while to make than those registered in any preceding quarter. The births and deaths mustard condiment there was an addition of a little wheaten flour and enumerated are those which were registered in the first three months of turmeric; and, if it were desired to make a very cheap article, some the present year. The birth-rate was slightly below the average: manufacturers used a small proportion of chilies or cayenne. These 214,437 births were registered. The deaths during the quarter amounted admixtures were not in any way injurious to health. According to the to 136,528; and the rate of mortality was I.6 per 0ooo living persons experience of the mustard-manufacturers, the public decidedly preferred below the average of the last ten winters. The Registrar-General com- the mixed article to that which was absolutely pure and contained none putes that, roughly speaking, thirteen millions of people now occupy of the ingredients he had mentioned. The operation of the Adulteration the chief town districts and subdistricts, whilst ten millions are spread Act had greatly disturbed the trade; and he contended that mustard over the small towns and county parishes; the death-rate of the former should be altogether exempt from the Act, as the article was already was 25, that of the latter 21, per IOOO living persons. The rapid made so good, that its quality could not be improved upon. The growth of the population living in towns, while it implies increase of statement that the retailers adulterated the article was altogether intelligence, makes the question of their hygienic condition of infinitely untrue; it would not pay them to do so. Witnesses were next examined greater importance than many trivial questions of the day on which as to cocoa; and Mr. Fry and Mr. Holm (Dunn and Hewitt) gave evi- public attention is squandered. It is a question not only of more or dence upon the subject. They concurred in saying that the public pre- less sickness and suffering, but of the health, the vigour, and the de- ferred the ordinary soluble or manufactured cocoas, rather than the velopment of the excellencies of the English race. Measles, whooping- cocoa in its pure state; and that the former were much the more nutri- cough, and scarlet fever prevailed: 380I, 293I, and 5326 deaths were tious and wholesome for general consumption. The English public due in the three months to these three diseases respectively. Small- also abhorred anything like a tedious cooking process; and in the pre- pox, fever, cholera, and diarrhcea were less fatal; but sanitary autho- pared cocoas they had an agreeable drink without any trouble of that rities must not be thrown off their guard, for Asiatic cholera has been kind. The principal ingredients used were sugar and arrowroot or prevailing in Munich and other cities of Germany, and may enter this sago; and some descriptions were flavoured with aromatic substances, country in the course of the year. London, it is satisfactory to learn, such as vanilla, which was very expensive. One of the chief objects in was one of the great towns of the United Kingdom which showed the combining arrowroot and sugar in the preparation of cocoa was to lowest rates of mortality; it had also the lowest death-rate for the make it soluble; or, as this term had been objected to as not chemically quarter of all the chief towns of Europe. The low death-rate throughout accurate, he ought perhaps to say miscible. It was also contended that England was, perhaps, in part due to the mildness of the season, for the cocoa-trade ought not to be brought under the operation of the Act, THE [May BRITISH MEDICAL x6, 658 6-8 70URNAL. [May i6, 1874.I874. as the article was not sold or made in any way fraudulently, but was it is trodden on by the feet of writers who are by no means slow to vended quite in its proper clharacter. Mr. Fry said he was not particu- profit by its services; and thus, in spite of its services, hvpothesis has larly desirous e' any alteration in the law; but, if a new Adulteration become the pariah of research." Act were prssed, it was desirable that a notice-label, stating plainly that the amlcle was a mixture, should protect the seller from prosecu- tion. Tc was also mentioned that the prepared cocoa was largely con- SCOTLAND. sumod by the working classes, and in that respect was valuable as a se.bstitute for alcoholic drinks. The Committee then THE directors of the Gartnavel Lunatic Asylum have voted to Dr. adjourned. Alexander Mackintosh a retiring annual pension equal to two-thirds of as " his salary, in consideration of his long and efficient services its medical HYPOTHESES NON FINGO.' superintendent. I.N an article, interesting to all who care about scientific method, lately published in the FortnigAhfly Review of December, Professor Jevons SMALL-POX IN ABERDEEN. deals with the Use of Hypothesis. The Professor thinks that Newton's THE small-pox epidemic in Aberdeen, which broke out recently, celebrated saying, hiypotlheses non fingo, "bears the appearance of putre threatens to become somewhat serious. On Saturday afternoon, six irony". Throughotut Newton's works, he tells us we find deductive patients were taken to the Small-Pox Hospital, Mount Hooly, making reasoning wholly predominant, and experiments are employed, as they the total number of cases twelve-four from Woodside, and the re- should be, to confirm or refute hypothetical anticipations of nature. The mainder from the city. The disease is, happily, of a mild type. word we have italicised will automatically call to mind Bacon's protest against " anticipating nature". But the Professor, after stating that the true course of inductive procedure is that which has yielded all the more IRELAND. lofty and successful results of science, declares that " it consists in THE medical officers of the Kinsale Union have had their salaries anzticigpating natu-e " (here the italics are his), " in the sense of forming increased, each from /90 to /ioo per annum. hypotheses as to the laws which are probably in operation; and then observing whether the combinations of phenomena are such as would AT a meeting last week of the Board of Guardians of Nenagh Union, follow from the law%s supposed. The investigation begins with facts, Dr. Quin, late medical officer, was unanimously allowed a retiring and ends with them". What he says about the much vaunted Baconian allowance equivalent to two-thirds of his salary. method deserves careful consideration. There has been in recent times, he declares, a reaction against the purely empirical or Baconian methodc; DR. O'NEILL QUIN has been awarded a retiring pension of /143 per the value of this method may be, he considers, estimated historically by antnum by the Nenagh Board of Guardians upon resigning as medical the fact that it has not been followed by any of the great masters of officer to the Workhouse and the Silvermines Dispensary District. science. This truth, he tells us, has only been recognised by physicists in this century. Nevertheless, in the eighteenth century, although SIR DOMINIC CORRIGAN, of Dublin, we are pleased to state, has been unanimously elected to the vacant place of Corresponding Foreign science was supposed to be advancing by the Baconian method, " in Member of the Academy of Paris. We congratulate Sir reality hypothetical investigation was the main instrument of research". Mledicine, Jevons elsewhere says that it is probably the greatest merit in Mr. Dominic Corrigan on the honour conferred upon him by an Academy Mill's logical writings, that he points out the entire insufficiency of which numbers so many illustrious names among its members. what is called the Baconian Method to detect the more obscure and ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS. difficult laws of nature. That Newton once or twice uses the expression THE annual meeting for the election of Examiners was held on Tuesday, ex.perimentum crucis in his Optickes, is the only evidence Jevons can find the when that 5th instant, the following gentlemen were elected for the en- this great man had any acquaintance, direct or indirect, with Bacon's suing year. Anatomy and Surgery: Christopher Fleming, Benjamin writings. After remarking that there was, in fact, little truth or reason in Wills Richardson, Edwvard A. Stoker, John Parker, Edward Stamer Newton's celebrated protest against hypothesis, Jevons states that O'Grady, Robert McDonnell, William O'Leary. Midwifery: J. Ruther- Newton's theory of gravitation rested upon the greatest and most suc- ford Kirkpatrick, William Roe, John Cronyn. Arts: J. H. Tweedy, cessful of hypotheses, and that his views of the material nature of light William Stoker, M. Ward. The previous Examiners in Anatomy and and the causes of its peculiar phenomena involved a false hypothesis, Surgery were re-eiected, with the exception of Mr. Stapleton, who has which has long since been completely disproved. We think these state- been replaced by Mr. O'Leary, M.P., Surgeon to St. Vincent's Hos- ments should be borne in mind by those who quote the sentence which pital. The first examination under the new system took place on the 2ISt we have made the heading of this article. In his recently issued ultimo, with a result of nine candidates being rejected out of thirteen Problellns of Life and AMind, Lewes devotes a chapter to the Use and who themselves. We understand that the medical students Abuse of presented Hypothesis. In the Introduction of that work, he shows, by in Dublin are unanimously opposed to the recent changes which have citing instances, that Newton largely availed himself of the aid of taken place in the surgery examination of this College, and that a numer- hypothesis, notwithstanding that he reprobated its use. To those to whom ously signed memorial has been presented, praying that the new the word hypothetical is almost a missile of abuse rather than an system may not be enforced. exact term, the study of Lewes' chapter may be strongly recommended. Lewes makes three kinds of hypotheses: real, auxiliary, and illusory. BELFAST BRANCH OF THE ROYAL MEDICAL BENEVOLENT FUND We conclude with a quotation from this masterly work. Speaking of SOCIETY OF IRELAND. auxiliary hypotheses, Lewes says : " It is necessary to insist on the ON May 6th, the quarterly meeting of the committee of this local strictly scientific use of the imagination in constructing these auxiliaries, Branch of the above Society was held. After deliberate consideration because Newton has, in emphatic language, condemned them, though of nine cases which came before the committee, seven were approved of his own practice we have seen to be a splendid vindication of them. as suitable to receive assistance. Dr. Stewart, honorary secretary, He pronounced hypotheses illegitimate which were not deduced from made the satisfactory communication that the medical students of the the phenomena; in fact, it was these only that he called hypotheses. Belfast Queen's College had this year exceeded their liberal donation of 'Whatever is not deduced from the phenomena', he says, in the famous last year by /2, handing in now /I7. The committee regarded this Scholium, 'is to be called an hypothesis; and hypotheses, whether as an example to be folloved, not only by the students of the profession metaphysical or physical, have no place in experimental philosophy.' elsewhere, but by practitioners themselves. Dr. Filson, of Portaferry, The weight of his authority has pressed hypothesis into the mire, where presented subscriptions from Surgeon-Major Scott, late Rifle Brigade; May i6, I874.1 THE BRITISH MEDICAL _OURNAL. 659 = Dr. Maconachy, Downpatrick; Dr. Thetford, Strangford; and him- self of one guinea each. It was suggested by Dr. Whitaker, and unani- PROFESSOR OWEN AT KING'S COLLEGE. mously agreedl that, for the future, a statement should be given in the ON Annual Report, not only of the respective amounts obtained from the Tuesday last, the prizes and certificates of honour awarded to the Branches throughout the country, but also of the portion which each students in the medical department of King's College were distributed received subsequently in grants at the yearly distribution of the funds by Professor Owen, D. C. L., F. R. S. After the distribution, Professor in hand. Owen addressed the meeting in the following terms. I have to thank you, sir, the professors, and the others in authority by whom I have been placed in this distinguished and most happy posi- VACCINATION PROSECUTIONS. tion. It is with very great pleasure that I find myself here taking part THE Council of the Irish Medical Association have addressed a letter in these proceedings. My memory goes back far now, and most to the Local Government Board, calling their attention to the fact that agreeably, in association with King's College. I look back half a cen- the medical officers of dispensaries are required to attend, without fee tury, when the Council of the Royal College of Surgeons put me in or at the of defaulters in and have communication with a young architect then residing in Ely Place, and reward, prosecutions vaccination; with the intimation that, if the museum of comparative anatomy were received a reply to the effect that if the justices, before whom the pro- not made to my mind, it would be my fault. The disposition of light ceedings are, certify under the thirteentlh section of the Compulsory and economy of space, and all the ideas I could impart to that archi- Vaccination Act that expenses ought to be allowed, the medical officer tect, were realised and carried out by him to a degree of perfection will be entitled to be paid out of the poor-rates. which the museum itself now testifies. It is with one accord considered to be a type museum for such a purpose throughout Europe ; its plan has been copied in the museum in Jermyn Street, and is mainly carried SANITARY REPORT OF DUBLIN. out in the great new museum of natural history for our national treasures, THE Public Health Committee of the Dublin Corporation have lately which is being erected at South Kensington. That architect became issued their report for the quarter ended MIarch last. During that Sir Charles Barry, and through that early acquaintance I have enjoyed official visits of made in tene- the friendship of his representatives and descendants. Then, of course, period, 7,000 inspection were examining I recollect many of your old professors, some of whom are happily still ment-houses, and 560 visits to slaughter-houses. During the three in the flesh-Dr. Bissett Hawkins, my dear old friend Thomas Bell, Sir months there were 131 confiscations of unsouiid meat, and the amount Charles Lyell; and then others of a somewhat younger stage, whom I condemned was equivalent to 5 I,ooo lbs. weight; the penalties and costs remember as giving me the pleasure of being my pupils during my first levied coming to /56 15s. There were thirty-two less cases of fever course of lectures delivered at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, of whom I than in the of last and less than that of see two now present-Rymer Jones and Arthur Farre. All these are corresponding quarter year, 304 associations which link one in feelings of amity and every good wish to 1872. The deaths from zymotic affections amounted to 143. King's College. I must say that, in fulfilling the duty that I have the pleasure of performing to-day, I see no prospect of King's College losing DUBLIN COW-POCK INSTITUTION. in any degree its reputation, but rather of its continuing to extend and THE secretary of this institution has lately drawn attention to the fact increase. King's College has a great reputation in those sciences to which I have especially devoted myself. I may name Professor Todd, that the State grants the sum of £io,ooo yearly in England for the who has brought together a vast mass of systematised information in supply of vaccine lymph, which can be obtained by any medical prac- that constantly resorted to CycZopaedia of Physiology. Then asso- titioner there free of charge; but, in Ireland, medical men have to pay ciated with him was Bowman, who made one of the finest discoveries sixpence for every package they require. The reason of this is, that in minute anatomy, unravelling for us that organ, the kidney, in a the Dublin Cow-Pock Institution receives only a grant of £4oo yearly, manner equal to the work which Kiernan did for the liver. So you have which is had a succession of eminent men-Dr. Beale, and Dr. Ferrier, who has miserable pittance altogether inadequate to allow the gratuitous given us a most unexpected insight into the most recondite field of of distribution lymph. The governors of the institution, however, state physiology. And now, with regard to those among my many friends (if that, if the Government will increase its nominal grant by £600 a year, I may be permitted so to address you) who have not been successful, I they will supply vaccine lymph without charge to all applicants. We should be very much wanting in giving expression to my feelings if I may add that this institution issued 24,698 charges of lymph during the forgot you. To you I wish to say that, in the degree in which in this competition you have stored and systematised any parts or parcels of past year. those divers sciences and kinds of knowledge which your professors im- part to you in your future life, you may find that knowledge more lasting BELFAST GENERAL HOSPITAL. and of greater value than those material signs of success that I have had THE quarterlv. meeting of this institution was held last week; the com- the pleasure this day of distributing. As to any kind of advice which mittee state that they have completed their new buildings for extern the experience of a somewhat long life devoted to the direct acquisition cases, fitted wvith three and with of the of knowledge may give, I think the first piece of advice I would give is up consulting-rooms, appliances this: beware of mistaking generic names which signify groups of ideas most approvc(I construction for the treatment of patients, and for the for positive entities. I think, if I were to presume to consider at all performance of such minor operations as may be necessary. These the probable progress of medicine, or its advancement to the claims of buildings have cost nearly /i,ooo. A donation of /5oo has lately a science, I should say that it would depend upon a right and clear been given by Sir Edward Coey, to be invested for the benefit of the understanding of what it now is. Take, for instance, those definitions hospital, and a bequest has been received of /i,ooo from the late of groups of symptoms which we read in the admirable works of medi- Daniel cine-definitions and groups of symptoms which are lessons to us as Mr. Ross. descriptive analysts. Say rheumatism-a genus with its species, acute, chronic, and so on. We see how these are analysed, and the THE CORK NORTII INFIRMARY. remedies applied to each particular species and variety. Now all that WE very much regret to see that party feeling in Cork is running high, means considerable study and great powers. So with regard to carditis and is expending some of its exuberant vigour on the medical conduct of and its subgenera pericarditis, endocarditis, and so on; their detection the North else can the absurd and mis- by the stethoscope, by percussion; and the various remedies applied. So Infirmary. Nothing explain with reference to pleurisy, pneumonia, dyspepsia. I have nowv given chievous repetition of a charge which is being urged at the Board of utterance of a number of Greek compounds, all at least tetrasyllabic, Guardians, that the meedical officers conspired to cut off an old wvoman's all signifying certain groups of symptoms; and, when you have learned leg unnecessarily, and, in concert with the other officers and nurses, all these, and know how to appreciate them, and know the remedies to proceecded to remove her unnecessarily and cruelly to another institution, be applied, you regard yourselves great scientific physicians. But what for the of her refusal to submit to The I would suggest to you from this place would be, that there is another purpose avenging amputlation. step requisite in order to make your science truly so; that is to say, that reported debates on the subject are anything but creditable to the good you should not only understand the signs and detect the symptoms, and sense or judgment of those who have brought these transparently absurd know howv to apply the remedies, but that you should know what is the accusations. cause of such symptoms. To illustrate my meaning, let me suppose an 660 THE BRITISH MEDICAL _70URNAL. [May I 6 1874.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I 874- accomplished physician, a perfect master of that phase of science of nomena. If you wvill allowv me, by way of hypothesis, to regard the which I have spoken, anid another who may have employed the micro- sun as the centre, with our eartlh as one of the planets moving round it scope or other collateral means of obtaining information. The physician somewhere between Venus and Mars; allow the motion of the earth is called to see a patienit who has a weight on the stomach, a tendency upon its axis to be diurnal in connection with this anniual movement, to sickness, nausea, or dyspepsia; and the learned physician gives his I can then explain these phenomena so much more clearly to my remedies accordingly. Another practitioner may say, " What is the last own mind and, I think, to others." Well, it was an hypothesis ; there thing you ate ?" and, if he learn that it was ham, he may say, " I should was no great objection to it, and the Pope of that period permitted him like to see a little of it", and he takes up a small portion, puts it under to dedicate his immortal -work De Revolutiozibus O-biutmn Cieestium to the microscope, and possibly discerns the cysts of trichinre. Now com- him. The work came out in print when Copernicus was on his death- pare his knowledge of this cause of dyspepsia with the other kind of bed, when he clasped it to his breast, thankful that he had been per- knowledge to which I have alluded. The physician who has that know- mitted to complete it. But the friends of Copernicus said: " It is all ledge not only sees the symptoms, but he sees the cause of them. He very well to talk about this fixity of the sun and the movement of the sees the trichinre beginning to flourish and propagate, to increase in earth. If the earth did go round in twenty-four hours, knowing, as we numbers in the stomach, and probably, if he be a practical man, he do, something of its size and the rate at which your hypothesis requires rings the bell and tells the cook to bring up the mustard-pot, and he that it should go, your steeple would fly into space, and we should all mixes the mustard and hot water, so as to lose no time in getting the do the same." Copernicus said: " I cannot explain how it is that we offending creature out of the stomach. He may be too late; he may do not do that; all I can say is, that this hypothesis will enable me to be called on to a case in which there are symptoms which, in our sys- explain my phenomena better." We know what occurred afterwards; tems of medicine, would be grouped under theGreek names of diarrhcea and it is very encouraging to us to think favourably of a hypothesis and dysentery, and, having a knowvledge of the cause of the symptoms, that will enable us to explain a number of phenomena that cannot be he sees again that he has a chance of doing something by large doses explained without it. A century or so passed, and then came Galileo of calomel; or, again, he may come at another stage, and find palpita- with his telescope, who saw in the movement of the satellites of Jupiter, tion of the heart, oppression, immense difficulty of breathing, pain, and visibly and in fact, what Copernicus had suggested for the universe in all the symptoms that may be classified or described under carditis, peri- general. Then came Kepler, and afterwards Newton, who showed us carditis, pleurisy, and pneumonia. Without knowing the real nature of the nature of the power by which we do not fly off. Biology, as far as these things, he might know the remedies usually applied; but, if he I can comprehend it, is now in its Copernican stage. If you go back had the knowledge to which I alluded, he would know that the young of in time, you find that the horse of the present day was preceded, in the that infesting creature had contrived to get out of one part of the frame middle tertiary period in geology, by one that, instead of having one into the circulating system; had found their way to the heart; that hoof, had a pair of small hoofs, which completed the rudiments that they had gone from the right side of the heart to the pulmonary arteries you find in the legs of existing horses. Go back a little farther, and and their ramifications over the lungs, and had come back to the you find a pair of small dangling hoofs in the miocene horse, presenting left side of the heart, and so irritated the w,hole of those parts. Mark the appearance of another type. Now, there you have a series of phe- the difference of knowledge and feeling between the physician knowing nomena that you may explain in two ways. In this work that I have the cause of these symptoms and the physician knowing only the name brought with me, and that I hope may be accepted for the library, you and the group. The one unfortunately says, " I can do nothing; the have represented a rare creature called the king-crab, a curious thing, case is past my power ; it has escaped me". When these creatures get something like a frying-pan with a long tail; and, when you trace the themselves over the whlole system, and, by a curious selective attraction mode in which that creature gets its form, you find that, at one stage, it which has often reminided me of the migration of birds that comne to a is without a long tail. But, in our old world, we find not one or two, country that suits them, they take up their abode in the muscular tissue, but four or six of the several stages through which this limulus goes in then you have the symptoms of acute rheumatism to a very dreadfuli the progress of development, permanently retained by the adult pro- degree, and all that you can do will scarcely save the patient's life. Now creating animals in the olden times. I merely mention these two ex- that is a case that may illustrate what I mean, when I say that I hope amples of classes of phenomena which we find it is impossible to explain and trust the time may come (it must be a long time) wlhen medicinie or make intelligible to ourselves by the hypothesis of special creation. may properly be called a science, instead of remaining in its present For look what you have to do. You suppose a special creation for the state with regard to the great majority of maladies that have classical paleotherium wvith three hoofs on each foot. Cuvier, who was in the names. I am unwilling to sit down, moreover, without saying a few condition to go on building up cycles and epicyles for these things (and words on the present phase of my own science or class of sciences. to him we are indebted for the knowledge of the facts), said that there That phase-I dare say every one of you knows to what I allude-is came a day when a great cataclysmr. took place, and all the paloeotheria very rarely presented in what appears to me its fair aspect. The pre- were swept off the face of the earth, and the act of special creation sentation of it is a good deal modified by preconceived notions. The was again renew,ved ; so that we had the three-toed horse anid all its con- present phase of biology; the number of phenomena, both as to the geners again, whiclh through the long lapse of years flourished upon the known species of organiised things and their relations to space, and surface of the earth. Then came another revolution or cataclysm, and then, again, their relations to time, as shown by the evidence of the ex- these again wvere swept away, and again a direct creative act interposed tinct remains of those creatures ; the various stages and forms of struc- and produced a horse of another kind. That is an explanation resting tures that each individual of existing species passes through before ma- exactly upon the same grounds as those of the friends of Copernicus, turity.-all these now burden our minds and thoughts very much in the whlo quizzed him about the reason why he was not driven aw-ay from the same way as that in which Copernicus felt himself burdened and per- earth when the earth was whirling at the rate at which his hypothesis plexed when he contributed so greatly as he did to the knovledge of required. Now, if you take another hypothesis, and regard the crea- the phenomena of the movements of the heavenly bodies. I dare say tive power as operating through secondary law and cause, and in these most of you know the history of Copernicus-a young student at a long lapses of time by slow variations producing one form after another, fine old university in l'oland, then an extremely flourishing country in we can get the same comfortable notion of the condition in which we the European system ; his family having a living or canonry ready for go on, and comprehend all these facts, as Copernicus did when he sug- his enjoyment, and hie himself strongly bent upon the acquisition of gested his hypothesis. Therefore, encouraged by that hypothesis of natural knowledge, not oinly going through the divinity class, wIhich he Copernicus, we may hope that in time we also shall have our Galileo did with great success, but also the medical class, and taking the degree in biology, and finally, perhaps, our Newton. The preselnt position in of doctor of medicine. 1Ihow+ever, he was ordained, aind took the family which we are is, these attempts are made, and continue to be made, canonry, and he lived and died there with the blessilng and gratitude of most laudably to explain how the secondary law acts, and in what way all his flock, to whom he was extremely charitable, whom he attended, one species comes to be turned into another. To that question I am not only as a spiritual, but as a medical adviser and curer. There was compelled to give the same answer as Copernicus did to his friends: " I an old tower in the nei(ghbourhood of his church, and thither he used to do not lknow." The author of the Vestiges of Creation suggested causes betake himself of an evening to watch the progress of the heavenly which might account for some of the phenomena, but not the whole. bodies. He had no telescope, not even anything to be compared wvith Charles Darwin has contributed some observations in reference to that which Galileo afterwards used, which might be about as good as " natural selection"; but I am compelled to say that they are inadequate our ordinary binocular glasses used in theatres at the present day. He to the whole solution; they do not bear (what we are really in want of) tried to make out the satellites of Jupiter, and he said, " These phe- the relation whiclh Newton's crowning discovery bore to astronomy. nomena compel me so to multiply the mental machinery by which they With these remarks, I ask your forgiveness for trespassing so long oi; were explained (maclhinery called the way of cycles and epicycles), that your patience. the whole superstructure has got cumbrous, and will fall down. I must ask you to allow me to suggest another way of explaining these phe- May THE BRITISH MEDICAL 66I i6,1874.1 May i6, 1874.]THE BRITISH MEDICAL 7OURNAL._70URNAL. 66i~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ the whole education of the country would be put on a higher level, if UNIVERSITY OF LONDON. women were better educated. Mr. ROBBERDS and Mr. MILLER supported the nmotion; the latter especially dwelling upon the fitness of women for the obstetrical branch THE annual meeting of convocation was held on Tuesday last, Dr. of medical art. STORRAR presiding. Hle stated that, in January last, the following Dr. QUAIN asked the last speaker whether he and other clergymen motion had been proposed by 'Mr. A. P. Hensman, B.A., and seconded who advocated women doctors were prepared to see their pulpits be- an of Amazons. Medical men were to by Mr. G. Serrell, M.A., "That, in the opinion of Convocation, it is sieged by army perfectly ready welcome the ladies, but they had too great a regard for the sex, knowing desirable that women should be permitted to take degrees in the Uni- the evil effects of hard study upon women's minds and health. This versity of London". Upon the motion of Mr. Hutton and Dr. Sibson, was a question of placing men and women in the position of competing the consideration of the question had been adjourned from that meeting, one against the other. The degrees of the University of London repre- sented the of education for men was that and the Annual Committee had, as requested, placed the question first highest type ; type suitable for women ? a woman entered the medical on the Suppose profession, married, agenda paper. and had a child, would she visit a case of scarlet fever? She must Mr. FITCH commenced the debate by reviewing the objections made either expose her child to infection, or neglect her patient. Again, if to the motion at the previous meeting. As regarded the entry of asked to attend a lady-patient at her confinement next November, she women into the professioni, the degrees were simply certificates of pro- might be compelled to decline, because at that time she might be re- ficiency, not licenses to pr-actise. [The CHAIRMAN corrected this state- quiring attendance herself. How could a refined lady continue her at- ment in so far as the degrees in medicine was concerned.] Again, it was tendance at the dissecting-room without being prejudicially affected said that, if degrees were given to women, all sorts of evils w%vould be thereby? or, if a lawyer, how could she return to her home from the brought about, as the objects and aims in life of the two sexes were so filthy purlieus of the Divorce Court or Old Bailey? Women's mission divergent, but the very same arguments had been used when the Sup- was higher-to make home happy and to educate and train their plementary Charter was discussed some years ago, before women were children. admitted to any examination in the University. Forty or fifty thought- Mr. A. MACKENNALL said that the highest education of men and ful women had taken advantage of that charter, but none of the pre- women was self-development; it afforded enjoyment of the highest kind dicted evils had come to pass; women had not yet been made into men. to its happy possessers; why, then, debar women from its pleasures? The University had made distinctions which should not exist in the The degree had advantages of its own supplementary to the certificate. examination of the two sexes. Italian and botany were introduced into Dr. MERYON gave two instances of young ladies, who became para- the curriculum for women ; but no special certificate of proficiency had lysed from overwork. ever been gained by women in either of these subjects. The women Dr. SI13SON said that women required a higih education, but one who had shone at the examinations already held had always taken up suited to their sphere in life ; raise that as much as possible. The the subjects of ordiniary education of men. Mlen would rebel, if told to proper balance of education, physical as well as mental, w,as required ; restrict their education to a few beaten tracks ; and women should have no part should be overworked. Properly conducted education conduced equally liberty in the matter. There was absolutely no difference in the to health of mind and body; if women worked for degrees as men did, papers set for men and women respectively; the standard of examina- they would fall and suffer in the competition. Could a vote in that tion had not been lowered to suit the assumed inferior capacity of room alter suddenly the traditions of centuries? Should the University women. The world knew the value of the University degrees ; it was, provide for general wants, or for a few exceptional masculine women? therefore, fair to place it in the power of women to obtain such advan- He thought there was an absolute needlessness of the University allow- tages as belonged to the degrees. Not many women, he thought, would ing women to be examined for degrees. ever gain them. He did not think women would be less efficient at, or Others spoke amid cries of " Divide, divide". would forsake, ordinary domestic duties because they had degrees in Mr. HENSMAN, in reply, said the matter had, on the whole, been that University. He quoted Mr. Grote, that many women had attained treated seriously ; and that, if his proposition was passed, human nature thehighest positions in learningand scientific culture, notablyNrs. Somer- would remain much as it is at present. The opponents of his motion ville. Every woman should be allowed to choose for herself her own had answered one another in most of the objections they had urged. course in life. If amoongst the types she should choose that upon which Mlany women were single, and never entered the state of matrimony. examinations are held at the University, she should be welcome to her They also formed a large part of the teaching power of this country - well-won degree. The education of women needed to be more systematic why, then, deprive them of the degree after they have passed the neces- and thorough. Oxford and Cambridge were now examining girls' schools sary examination? No profession was thereby opened to the sex. all over the land, applying the very same standard of severity for boys and The CHAIR'MAN said one female practitioner was on the register. girls, for which cause their examinations were most popular. Should the Mr. HENSMAN was glad to hear it. If women were capable of University of London be behind in the good work ? No ; they must ask taking the degrees, was there any justice in preventing them from doing- the Senate to obtain alterations in the Charter, so that women might be so? If the house passed the resolution, they would be doing justice to admitted to any examination at which they desired to present tllem- women and honiour to themselves. selves. Petitions in favour of the motion had already been presented The amendment was at once negatived; and the original motion to the Senate, signed amongst others by twenty-seven women who had carried amid loud cheers by a majority of 83 to 65. already passed the established examination for women. Whly should The report of the Annual Committee was then presented and received. they be kept back from higher honours ? Undoubtedly, there wvas a Mr. COZENS IhARDY, for Mr. SHAEN, moved, "That, while cordially niecessity for physical as well as mental culture; perhaps, also, com- concurring in the object of the Medical Acts Amendment (University of petitive examinations as far as women were concerned might be modi- ILondon) Act, Convocation requests the Chairman to express to the The demand nowv fied. made, however, was based on the ground of .Senate their hope that, for the future, no similar action may be taken justice and generosity, and could not be long delayed. Awithout the previous consent of Convocation." The one important Mr. GOLDSAIID, M.P., opposed the motion. 'Women's education ffuinction of Convocation was, that no new charter, or alteration in the wanted improving, but that might be done without granting them ccharter, could be made without their consent; and, therefore, they must degrees. The sexes should be kept separate, and their education should Ipress this riiht, lest a radical change in the University should be at any be distinct, their aims in life being different. 'Women were superior to ttime made without their consent. men in many respects; but they would lose by having men's training Dr. FAGGE, in seconding the resolution, observed that eaclh of the andl by competing with men. Ibodies affected by the conjoint scheme had had to give up something; Mr. ELLIOTT said the motion would allow exceptional women to take tthey would each lose, that the general public might gain. Still, that degrees, if they desired to do so; why not ? Why should not men and vvas no reason why the members of Convocation should abandon their women be examined together? Lindoubtecl privileges. Mr. A. CREAK proposed, as an amendment, that women should be The CIHAIRMIAN observed that what had been done was a mere matter admitted to the examiniations in arts, not in anything else, and that c:f inadvertence; every one concerned had overlooked the fact that the stuccessful candidates should receive, not degrees, but certificates of pprivileges of Convocation had been encroached upon. having passed. After a fewv remarks from Mr. R. M. FOWLER, the motion was carried Dr. SANSOM seconded the amendment. uinanimously. It was carried unanimously that the proposals of the Mr. CONWAY regarded the opening up of degrees to women as a LLegal Education Association be referred to the Annual Committee. powerful means of ending the heartless frivolity prevalent in the sex It was decided to hold a meeting of Convocation in January next. after leaving school and before entrance in the married state. Besides, I Ir. Robson was appointed Clerk of Convocation for the ensuing year. 662 6626THE6BRITISH2MEDICALTHE BRITISH MEDICAL _70URNAL. [May I6 I1874.

It was resolved, " That the present representation of Convocation on knowledge of Parliament when the Act wlhiclh had been cited was the Senate is not satisfactory, and that it be referred to the Annual passed. The wlhole clause, which spoke of overdriving, torturing, etc., Committee to see wlhat change shall be introduced, in the event of a was governed by the word " cruelly", which prefaced the whole sen- supplemental charter being obtained." tence ; to " cruelly torture" an animal was illegal. According to Dr. The proposition, " That information as to the number of marks Johnson, " cruel" signified " pleased to give pain"; accordingto VWebster, awarded by the Examiners should be given to successful candidates for it meant 'disposed to give pain to others", " reckless of the pain given". the higher degrees," was negatived upon a show of hands. There might be justification for pain given, as in the experiments in Mr. HUTTON proposed " That this House earnestly requests the question; when the individual would not come within the letter or spirit Senate not to allow painful experiments on living animals, when not in- of the law, but anyone who cruelly tortured animals was clearly within tended to be medical or curative, to be in any case carried on in the the purview of the clause, were he donkey-driver or physiologist. He physiological laboratory of the Brown Institution: I. Because such ex- thought Mr. Hutton's view of the law of the question was wrong, and periments are so far from being sanctioned by the late MIr. Brown's that no judge in Westminster Hall would decide with Mr. Hutton. It Will, that he distinctly directed that ' kindness to the animals committed was a monstrous proposition that the majority should be asked to give to the charge' of the Superintendent should be ' a general principle of way to the sensitive natures of the minority, because they affirmed that the Brown Institution' ; 2. Because such experiments, wherever their it was a question of principle with them. Everything was a question subjects are 'domestic animals', are in all probability in contravention of principle ; people objected to the Income-tax on principle. But they of the second section of the i2th and 13th Victoria, cap. 92; 3. Because were assured by Dr. Sanderson that no experiments of simple scientific the cominection of this University with experiments of the vivisectional curiosity were done there; only those necessary for the investigation and kind would be detrimental to its honourable position, and an outrage on treatment of disease. Either that was a right thing or a wrong thing the principles of a large class of its graduates." He said he brought no to do. If right, it ought to be continued; if wrong, it should be done charges against the director of the Brown Institution or any other gentle- nowhere. But, further, if it were a right thing, and if it came within man. It was a fact that vivisectional experiments had been made, the terms of the will, as he thought it did, the directors would be wrong and the Senate was in favour of them. He based his proposition on if they did not do it. Was it wrong to give pain to animals, as was three grounds. i. Such experiments constituted very likely a breach daily done when we killed them to support our lives? Clearly not. of trust. Mr. Brown founded the hospital out of the kindness of his Neither was it wrong to give pain for the preservation of more valuable heart to the lower animals ; he certainly never contemplated that fever lives, as by testing a pestilential disease. It could not be wrong to give or other diseases should be produced in them. And, since such experi- pain that thousands of lives might be saved. Mr. Hutton had said that ments could not tell us exactly what the effects of like operations upon you would get more valuable results from experiments on criminals ; mankind would be, would it not be better to create at once a subdivision and that, if experiment on the lower animals were right, the other ex- of the slave trade, or take the criminal classes of the community, in periments might be defended on the same plea. Clearly not, however. order to provide subjects? The physiological experiments on them We might pole-axe a rabid animal, but might not shoot a man rabid would be far more exact. The motives for performing the experiments from disease. We might never have a less regard for human life. We of which he complained might be philanthropic; they certainly were clearly might subordinate the lower animals to our use, as by eating them not benevolent. 2. These experiments were very likely, he thought, to to support our own lives. be a breach of the law. It would not be difficult for anyone who knew Mr. PARKER said Mr. Brown did not give his money to benefit man, the race of lawyers to get an opinion against the legality of the acts now but to advance science on behalf of the brute creation. He founded permitted at the Institution; whilst anyone who knew the race of judges his hospital exclusively for the use of animals ; and any experiments knew that it was a " toss up" as to how the question might be decided for the benefit of man which might have been done had already contra- if brought before a Court. Truly, it might be said that the experiments vened the intentions of the founder. were done for the purpose of ultimately benefiting human beings ; but A GRADUATE said that the will allowed animals diseased or wounded that was not the question. The Act 12 and 13 Victoria, cap. 92, stated to be purchased for scientific purposes. That did not allow them to be that one should not torture animals now torture not involve ; did tortured. Again, was over-driving not torture, even if not cruelly done? a question of motive; btit the punishment for any act of torture was a Any one over-driving was guilty and liable, whether he did it because fine not exceeding /55 Ile believed that no physiologist had ever been it gave him pleasure or not. However, he should vote against MIr. prosecuted under the Act; but still anyone giving pain to an animal Hutton's motion, because, from the letter which had been read, he amounting to torture, whether for the good of human nature or not, was believed that Dr. Sanderson thought the provisions of the will to be liable to a fine £5 3. The University was of catholic; it covered all contrary to such experiments, and seemed determined that no experi- religious anid all moral opinions; but, by permitting these experiments, ments should be performed except those for the real advantage of the they committed themselves to the narrow principle of vivisection. It animals themselves. was monstrous that the opinions of a large minority of the members of Mr. the would be to the University should be outraged in that way for the sake of the SOLOoNION thought lawyers opposed Mr. Hutton's scientific results to be gained therefrom. Those wlho had experimented view of the matter. might be noble-minded and upright; but they must for the future be Dr. SANSOMi and MIr. NESBIT proposed that the meeting should pass prevented from such acts. to the next business on the paper; but the motion was lost. The CHAIRMAN read a letter from Dr. Sanderson, who said that the MIr. HUTTON then replied. He had purposely abstained from laboratory was not used for physiological inquiries, simply for investiga- making charges againist the learned Superintendent of the Brown Insti- tions into the nature and treatment of disease. It was necessary for tution. He wished clearly to separate his own motives in the matter such investigation to induce the disease and to perform small experi- from any charge of cruelty against very eminent men. Mr. Brown cer- ments, such as the abstraction of a little blood, etc. This must be tainly desired that aniimals should be bought for scientific purposes- done. As much care was taken of the diseased animals sent there as if but only on behalf of the animals themselves. Ile (Mr. Hutton) did, they were human beings. however, know that doctors had such zeal for experiments that he would Mr. HERSCHELL opposed the motion. He said that, if passed, it rathernot leave the matter to their discretion. It might be perfectly would be a vote of censure on the Senate; but the Senate had not so right that these experiments should be made, but that was far different acted as to lose the confidence of that House. What experiments did from saying that the University should permit them to be performed in to ? Mr. Hutton intend prevent He ought to have been more explicit. the Brown Institution. What reasons had Mr. Hutton given for knowing what had been done, A division then took place; when the motion was lost by a large and what was going to be done, at the Institution? He criticised majority. Sixteen only voted for, and fifty-nine against it. severely the three reasonis upon which the proposition was based. As The follow-inig medical graduates were elected to serve on the Annual regards the first, that was a very serious statement; because, if anything Committee for the ensuing year :-M. Baines, MI.D.; Malrcus Beck, had been done constituting a breach of trust, the Institution might be MI. S.; E. Clapton, Ml.D., C. H. Fagge, TM.D.; W. Tilbury Fox, removed from the contr-ol of the University. Now MIr. Brown said, in W. H. Holman, I-I. M.D. A. one paragraph of his that the Senate MI.D.; MNLB. MAIaudsley, ; Meadows, WVill, might purchase diseased or M.D.; J. F. Payne, B3.Sc.; G. V. Poore, M.)D.; and P. H. Pye- wotin(led animals or their carcases "for the purposes of science". lie, Smith, M.LD. therefore, wished for the of science, and was more benevolent promotion The meeting then terminated. and philanthropic than MIr. Hutton gave him credit for. They were

asked to affirm that so and so was, in all probability, the law ; now either it was or it was not the law. Clearly and uniquestionably such A YOUNG lady, Miss Jacobs of Sappemeer, has passed the examina- acts as Mr. Hutton hinted at were not contrary to the law. The experi- tion for a medical degree at Rotterdam with the greatest success. She ments of Dr. Brown-Sequard, mentioned by Mr. Hutton, were in the is the first lady who has achieved the distinction in Holland.