1390 Wigan, have had to deal with odd cases, as also Man- AT a meeting of the governors of the Middlesex Hospital on chester, the infected person being removed to the Clayton May 28th Mr. Leopold Hudson, F.R.C.S. Eng., antral surgeon Hospital. In Dublin matters have certainly improved of late, to the hospital, and assistant surgeon to the Hospital for and in the two weeks ended May 18th there were but 15 Sick Children, Great Ormond.street, was elected assistant and 12 admissions respectively to hospital, the 61 patients surgeon to the Middlesex Hospital, in succession to under treatment a month previously having decreased to 44, Mr. Andrew Clark, who has been recently appointed surgeon. though there have to be added to the latter number 35 con- valescents in hospital at Kilmainham. Only one death took place in the two weeks, of a person aged over twenty years and vaccinated. These data serve to show that the epidemic is on the wane in the city. - THE annual meeting of this Association was held at the Holborn Restaurant on Thursday, May 23rd. Among those were Dr. G. J. Mr. THE of and present Eady (President), George Jackson, Congress Gynaecology, Obstetrics, Paediatrics, F.R.C,S. (President-elect), Dr. J. W. J. Oswald, Dr.F.H. which was to have been held at Bordeaux on Aug. 12th, is Alderson and Mr. George Brown (Vice-Presidents), Mr. to take four on 8th. place days earlier-namely, Aug. R. J. W. Oswald and Mr. Frank Greaves (hon. Medical men desirous of in the are secs.), taking part congress Dr. Bedford Fenwick (hon. treasurer), Mr. J. B. Cook desired to their intention of so doing as soon signify Dr. J. Pollock Simpson, Dr. Mark Sharman, Mr. A. G. Beale, as to the Dr. Lefour, Rue Duffour possible secretary, Mr. H. Rainsford, Mr. J. L. Dr. Rivers Bordeaux. Callaghan, Willson, Dubergier, 11, Dr. J. W. O’Bryen, Mr. A. Primrose Wells, Dr. Fletcher Beach, Dr. R. M. Beaton, Dr. R. Paramore, Dr. Andrew Murray, Mr. H. Banks, Mr. A. Kisch, and Mr. M. Cursham Corner. THIS association has in the course young acquired strength The annual report stated that the number of members had of the past year under the vigorous guidance of Dr. Eady, been nearly quadrupled during the past twelve months, and who has now retired in favour of a provincial president-Mr. whereas formerly the majority resided in the metropolis there George Jackson, F.R.C.S. Eng., of Plymouth. Its membership was now a very large proportion who practised in the provinces, has increased, especially in the provinces. One of the in Scotland and Ireland. The debt-collecting department had obtained a fair measure of success. The sale and transfer members the existence of the association as a justified of practices department had been thoroughly organised, and distinct on the that the British Medical society ground was now available for the assistance of members. The legal Association was giving too little attention to the interests assistance department secured from the solicitor to the Asso. of men in general practice. This view is scarcely tenable, ciation first-class legal advice and assistance at much reduced but it is worthy of note by the larger association. The charges. There had been no necessity for a formal arbitra- tion the but in various cases the Council which the association were those during past year ; questions chiefly occupied had advised differences which had arisen between of the medical aid associations and the Midwives upon Regis- members and other practitioners, or other persons outside the tration Bill. A necessity for some legislation with regard profession, and in all but one of these cases the advice had to midwives was admitted, but the feeling was in favour been adopted and further trouble prevented. In several of highly trained nurses rather than midwives proper. instances members had insured their lives or property through the of the Association, and had saved them. A deputation was appointed to wait on the General agency thereby selves a considerable sum, while the funds of the Association Medical Council on the of medical aid asso- subject had also benefited to a similar extent. The Council con- ciations and kindred devices for sweating medical men. sidered that the dangers to which the poor were at present The executive committee of the Council have considered exposed at the hands of ignorant and incompetent midwives this request, but have declined to recommend the were too great to be ignored, and it therefore recommended Council to receive the deputation, seeing that the Council the members to authorise the Council to carry out a scheme for the of the education and control of a new has considered and on the of such improvement already reported subject class of workers, in the shape of obstetric nurses who shall features of are associations. Among other the association not be certificated until they are properly trained and an insurance department and an arbitration board. What is efficient, and who will be required to work directly under the wanted in the profession is a strong esprit de corps which supervision of medical men. will lead to united action not only in large centres but in Among the resolutions discussed at the meeting and carried was one Dr. Bedford smaller ones. A cordial between such associa- unanimously proposed by cooperation Fenwick, and seconded by Dr. Alderson, approving of the tions and the medical authorities would help much to pre- scheme suggested by the Council for the better education serve the prestige of the profession. An account of the and control of obstetric nurses, and authorising the Council annual meeting and dinner of the association will be found to carry the same into effect. On the motion of Mr. George Brown, seconded by Mr. opposite. - George Jackson, the following resolution was passed nem. eon. "That this considers that the Bill at AT the Levee held at St. James’s Palace on last meeting Monday present before the House of Lords would, if passed into law, the following gentlemen were presented to H.R.H. the Prince be fraught with the greatest danger to the public, and of Wales on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen: Dr. AIIchin, especially of the poor women of the labouring classes, who by the Duke of Westminster, KG.; Dr. T. Lauder Brunton, would thus be misled into believing that women qualified by Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart.; Dr. Radcliffe Crocker, by Sir under this Act were really skilled practitioners of midwifery. This considers that such would John Russell Bart. to the meeting legislation largely Reynolds, (Physician Household) ; tend to undo the effects secured the Medical John and Sir John Russell good by Acts, Sir Eric Erichsen, Bart., and would be harmful to the whole community by placing Reynolds, Bart,, by the Earl of Rosebery, K.G. (First the practice of midwifery upon a lower level of skill and Lord of the Treasury) ; and Mr. Christopher Heath, efficiency than that required from other branches of the President of the Royal College of Surgeons, by Lord medical art. " Ribblesdale. On the motion of Mr. A. G. Beale a resolution strongly ___ approving of the action of the Council with regard to medical aid and a to wait WE understand that there is a somewhat severe outbreak associations, appointing deputation upon the General Medical Council and present to that body of typhoid fever in Plumstead and Woolwich, attributable, it petitions signed by registered medical practitioners against is alleged, to milk contamination. the action of medical aid associations, was also carned. 1391 Dr. Eady, Mr. Brown, Mr. Beale, Dr. Oswald, Mr. Greaves, as capable of attending midwifery cases unless she was fully and Dr. Sharman were elected to form the deputation. qualified in medicine, surgery, and midwifery. If she had A resolution authorising the Council to promote such a not those three qualifications she must attend cases only scheme of home hospitals and out-patients’ dispensaries as under the direct superintendence of a medical officer. He may seem to be most suitable to the needs of general practi- (Sir Walter Foster) stated that he had given notice to the tioners and the public was unanimously adopted. General Medical Council that at their meeting in the ensuing Dr. Eady then delivered his valedictory address, in which week he would move the following resolution : "That this he referred to his successful year of office and the help he Council, while desiring to improve the education, training, had received from the Council and officers of the Association. and control of women who act as midwifery nurses, is unable He briefly passed in review the work of the year and called to give any support to the Midwives Registration Bill, inas- attention to the insurance department, which helped both the much as that Bill would give women a legal status to under- insured and the Association. He also referred to the success take the sole charge of cases of midwifery, for which no of the arbitration board. Referring to the friction between persons are qualified unless qualified in medicine, surgery, medical officers of health and practitioners, he thought a and midwifery." Speaking of the competition among little good sense and kindly forbearance would effectually medical men, he said all attempts to raise salaries of medical smooth over any difficulty that might otherwise arise. In officers were rendered futile. Cases were sent up to him conclusion, he paid a tribute to the memory of Dr. Henty, where he considered the fees inadequate, but if he told the who had gone to his rest full of years and honour, and who local bodies so they replied that they could have half a dozen had left behind a name that would always linger in the medical men at the same price.