wine, ebullition commences, and as soon as the first steam has heated the junction tube sufficiently to prevent condensation before reaching the descending portion, the distilled liquor flows from the delivery pipe into the receiver, which must be previously placed underneath with the spout well inserted to prevent loss. In some 8 or 9 minutes sufficient will have been distilled over to include the whole of the spirit; this, in light wines, under 26 degrees, is about one-half, and in stronger wines, twothirds; but as a rule, the latter proportion is the safest to take for all kinds. In boiling some wines, especially light French or Rhenish, of low quality, the bubbles of steam have great tenacity, and rise without breaking, so that, unless great care is taken in keeping the heat gentle, the wine itself will be carried over unchanged, and the operation nullified. In event of such a mishap occurring, the flask should be removed, and some plain water distilled through the condenser until the tube is cleansed of all trace of wine. This should also be done in any case if an operation has been stopped when the spirit was in transit, as another sample passed through immediately afterward would be rendered apparently stronger by carrying with it the spirit that would be clinging within the tube. The distillate over, the next step is to dilute it to the bulk of the original wine. This is done with distilled water poured in carefully so as exactly to reach the upper mark. As any excess cannot be removed, it will be as well to pour in carefully from a bottle until it nearly reaches the point, and adjust the remainder with a pipette specially kept to this use. The distillate is now poured into the trial glass, and the temperature and indication taken in the usual manner. When Sykes's hydrometer is used, the strength per cent., as found in tables compiled for this purpose, and which is invariably under proof in the distillate, is then deducted from 100, and the remainder is the percentage of proof spirit in the wine under operation. Thus let the percentage strength found be 642 U.P., then 10064.2-338 which is the amount per cent. of proof spirit in the wine, or, as called in the Act of Parliament, "Degrees of Proof Spirit." In cases where the result is very close to the line dividing the classes, viz., 26, 42, or the degrees above this, especially if any doubt should exist, it will be necessary to take the wine and the distillate at the same temperature for the measurement. The most convenient temperature, in many respects, is 60°, but any other average point will do as well. If the temperature of the wine be much lower than that of the distillate, the result will be a greater proportionate strength: if higher, the contrary will be the case; for in the former instance, the wine, being condensed by the cold, will have more spirit bulk for bulk than at a higher temperature. If, then, the distillate be warmer, and consequently expanded in bulk, it will not require so much distilled water to dilute it to the bulk of the wine at starting, and the percentage amount of spirit will be proportionately greater. It requires, however, a large margin of difference of temperature to produce any important variation, generally speaking. In the custom's laboratories 60° F. is the temperature always used, and this is the degree to be recommended. The true indication should be very carefully read, and if the stem of the instrument, on rising to its place after immersion, show the liquor standing in drops on it, as if from the repulsion of the surface, it should be gently wiped with a clean cambric or silk handkerchief, to remove any greasiness, or with the fingers moistened by the tongue, and in some instances a difference of two subdivisions deeper immersion will be afterwards observed; making an alteration of more than one per cent. A solution of carbonate of potass is a very excellent thing to cleanse the stem by gently rubbing it over with the finger and thumb, and then wiping with a soft rag. To a careful operator the process is very simple and easy; care only and ordinary intelligence are needed to perform the whole correctly. Practice will give confidence and rapidity. CURRENT LITERATURE. THE second number of the Practitioner has appeared, and is fully equal to the first. It contains communications by Drs. Beale, Fraser, Hewitt, and Beigel, followed by several reviews, and the Clinic of the Month, with extracts from British and foreign journals. Messrs. Longman have issued an entirely new edition of Thomson's Conspectus, adapted to the British Pharmacopoeia. The mere announcement of this is sufficient to please all who have been accustomed to Thomson. The new edition is edited by Dr. Lloyd Birkett-an ample guarantee of its thorough revision, and is got up as a small 8vo., which can be carried conveniently in the pocket. The cloth cover is light and flexi ble, and the edges are cut and marbled. We hope other pub lishers will follow this example. on Messrs. Palmer and Howe, of Manchester, sends us a book on Odontalgia, by Mr. S. P. Shaw, which they have lately published. We have also received the fifth edition of a pamphlet the London and General Water Purifying Company (157, Water: its Impurities and Purification, published by Strand). Of course, it contains a full account of the Company's Cistern Filters, of which, after two years' use, we can report most favourably. At the same time there is plenty of other information in the pamphlet, and as it only costs 2d., it might be well for everyone to read it before purchasing a new filter. We suppose it is not necessary to say here that no one should drink unfiltered water. A. REGISTERED FOR TRANSMISSION ABROAD. THE MEDICAL PRESS AND CIRCULAR is published Sole Agents for the United States. The Medical Press and Circular. "SALUS POPULI SUPREMA LEX." WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1868. THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS OF LONDON. WHEN the necessity for a change in certain particulars of College management forces itself on the minds of such men as Sir THOMAS WATSON and Dr. C. J. B. WILLIAMS, the Profession has a sufficient guarantee that such change is urgently required. They are men far above any suspicion of courting professional popularity, for they have long enjoyed all the advantages that great and honestly-earned reputation could bestow. Such men are too philosophically trained to allow an impulse to sway their judgment, and too experienced in knowledge of the world, not to foresee that without some change a coming crisis is inevitable. All are interested (and deeply so) in the coming eventthe Fellows in upholding their scientific status, and the reputation for fair play, accredited to the large majority, and the members, in knowing that, in the future, neither favouritism nor prejudice will interfere with a proper recognition of their standing and their claims. Most of our readers will, we think, agree with us that the time has gone by when the irresponsible Council of any College ought to be permitted to hold secret meetings for the nomination of Fellows. A Council ought to be placed beyond even the possibility of dealing unfairly with the College members. That some members of Council have heretofore dealt out their honours (?) "without fear," we can well believe, and would we could add, "without reproach." The College of Physicians has tried, of late, to render itself a public professional institution; the Profession has, consequently, the right to demand an account of its stewardship, and an assurance that the College gates have not been so suddenly and widely opened either from selfish or other interested motives. The large number of gentlemen admitted as "Licentiates" ought to regard their College as one in which, with the highest order, the highest honour should combine; but they may justly claim excuse for any laxity of discipline when they find that the good faith of some of their elder brethren assumes at times so questionable a shape. In our opinion, the real reform needed is an entire change in the mode of election of the Council. Its members should be chosen by the general voice of the Fellows. So long as the system of self-election is in force, so long may abuses continue, and that abuses have been rife, is the almost unanimous verdict of the Profession. THE MEDICAL COUNCIL We know well enough the answer that will come from an immense majority, and we call on those who have determined to support no longer the present state of things to take sides in the controversy. Is the representation demanded to be direct or indirect? That is a question several times propounded, but of less importance than some think. If the indirect method should be adopted, no one doubts that the Council would be more efficient, while every Corporation would also receive new life. We need corporate reform almost as the element of every reform. This point constitutes the beauty of the scheme put forth by Dr. PROSSER JAMES. Its chance of success lies in the fact that it can be carried out without expense, and without legislation. But there is something still more important than this, and which should unite all in its favour-viz., that it is not in itself necessarily antagonistic to the other plan. It would, in fact, be a stepping-stone to the other. We have never heard it alleged that indirect need supersede direct representation, nor are we aware that Dr. PROSSER JAMES has ever expressed himself as hostile to the plan of direct representation proposed by Dr. ANDREW WOOD. This much is certain: the present Council is satisfied, with itself, though the Profession is dissatisfied with it. Let the Corporations imitate the University of Cambridge. so that the indirect plan may have a fair trial. A Council elected in that manner would not only be more likely to give satisfaction, but would almost of a certainty reflect professional opinion, and that even on such a question as its own reform. It would also be more like a Parliament than a Convocation. PARLIAMENT OR CONVOCATION. THE proposals for reforming the Medical Council grow more and more definite. It may therefore be well to keep THE REPORTS OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF an eye constantly on its constitution and its action. What has it done? what is it like? One reformer speaks of it as "our Medical Parliament." But does that phrase describe it? Three bodies have lately concluded their sittings Parliament, Convocation, and the Medical Council. Now, Parliament possesses great legislative power. Convocation little or none. Parliament has been called "a talking machine," but in this capacity is perhaps outdone by Convocation, as well as by the Council. Parliament professes to be the representative of the people, and in order to make it so has passed its reform bills. Convocation professes to represent the Church but is composed only of a small number of ecclesiastics. That is one reason why the nation will never give it any power. Now look at the Medical Council. It professes to represent the Profession, but really consists only of delegates from the corporations. Unlike Parliament it has refused to reform itself. It possesses considerable power in relation to the Profession, and so far may claim to be a Medical Parliament. It ignores a large part of the Profession, and spends most of its time in vain talk, and in these respects resembles Convocation. The Profession is much agitated at its shortcomings, and will infallibly insist on reform. Sick of talk and impotent resolutions, the practitioners of the country have come to the conclusion that they are not represented in the body they pay to support, and they demand their rights. We second their just and natural cry of indignation at the results of the last ten years, with their enormous cost, and ask whether they desire a Parliament or a Convocation? THE PRIVY COUNCIL. MR. SIMON never fails to excite considerable interest by his annual reports, and the tenth of these important blue books, now before us, will be no exception to the rule. fact respecting the series which is not very creditable to This being the case, we beg to draw his attention to a those who manage that department. We allude to the difficulty often experienced in obtaining copies, and their very unequal distribution. So much is this felt that we happen to be aware that a person is engaged in collecting copies under the idea that a complete set will soon be a curiosity. We have it, too, on the most reliable authority, work of this kind is national property. The expense of that of one report only 150 copies were printed. Now, a producing it is by no means slight, and, when once produced, surely the price of a little extra paper ought to be allowed in order to produce an adequate issue. Again, some journals are provided with early proof-sheets of these reports, while others cannot have a copy before the public-then only by purchase; and sometimes there has been found a difficulty in getting them even by purchase. The writer of this speaks from experience, having found this unfair and unusual practice on the various journals which have done him the honour to request his opinion anent the blue books in question. the Medical Officer of the Privy Council to personally Of course we do not mean to say that it is the duty of superintend the distribution of his reports, but we do feel that he is interested in having them widely distributed and fairly criticised in all quarters; and, for this reason, we ask his attention to the anomalies we have complained of. We are sure he will agree with us that all journals likely to comment upon the reports ought to be supplied with them as soon as they appear, just as publishers send their books for review. He will admit too that press copies ought all to be dis tributed the same day, and that his subordinates who fur nish in advance proofs of their communications or abstract" of them to favoured periodicals, are guilty of a breach of etiquette which would not be tolerated in other quarters. Such tricks tend to sap the foundations of all true criticism, and go far to make the reports less useful than they otherwise would be. Frequently, in this way, opinions obtain a certain illegitimate support, while those who differ, and may possibly be correct in differing, will not take the trouble to criticise what has obtained a one-sided endorsement in other quarters. medical department on that occasion there would have been no army left to capture Magdala; no officers or soldiers to receive their well-merited honours and rewards." We wish that the army medical officers at our other large military stations would imitate the example set by their brethren at Portsmouth; and we venture to remark that by means of such societies they would do far more to elevate the departments of which they are members than by discussing in the public papers, as is too often the case, so-called "grievances," many of which seem only to exist because individuals condescend to notice, if not to seek for them. What we desire is, that the reports of Mr. Simon to the Privy Council should be as widely distributed as possible. If any encouragement were needed to induce Army Medical We should like every Medical Officer of Health to be sup- Officers to imitate the example upon which we are commenting, plied with a free copy, as well as every journal likely to it would be found in the roll of army medical worthies from distribute a knowledge of them. We would gladly see the time of the siege of Troy to our own day; and this kind these reports made the texts of able and conscientious essays of encouragement formed the introductory address with which by experienced writers, their value thoroughly sifted, and their facts made known to the whole thinking community. the Portsmouth Society was opened by the principal Medical Let Mr. Simon say the word, and we feel sure it will be Officer of the station, Dr. Gordon, C.B., and which the society done. A few reams of paper, to utilise a large outlay, could has printed and circulated. This address is before us, and, not be grudged by the most thorough-going economist. inasmuch as it epitomizes much, we would fain say to our Again, some care might be taken about distribution. army brethren, we hope it may be the subject of conversation One medical friend of ours received gratis three copies of the at all the stations. It counts the bead-roll of fame of military most scarce report (of which only 150 were printed). But surgeons, and enumerates the merits of some, that their civil for his presenting us with one we should never have been brethren may, amidst the cares of practice, be apt to forget. able to get one at all. This speaks much for the necessity of Paré, Lowe, Woodall, Wiseman, Cleghorn, all these were army a change. Perhaps some plan may be devised of ensuring that all who legitimately would use it should find no diffi- surgeons, as also, though it is seldom remembered, JOHN culty in having a copy at the public expense. That is the HUNTER. When we get another Guthrie in the Council of the only way in which Mr. Simon can have justice done to his College of Surgeons it is to be hoped he will be made Huntelabours. rian orator, and will take for his subject matters relating to military surgery, as elucidated by the labours of the great THE ARMY MEDICO-CHIRURGICAL SOCIETY OF anatomist, physiologist, and surgeon. PORTSMOUTH. SOME of our readers may not be aware that a society under the above title has for some months past been in active operation. Its meetings are held monthly; papers are read on subjects bearing upon military medicine, surgery, and hygiene; officers in the army and navy, and medical men in civil practice in and around Portsmouth, are frequent visitors on those occasions, and altogether, while the society is calculated to bring the medical men of the army serving in that garrison into contact with the military officers in reference to questions which, as bearing upon the efficiency of soldiers, have a mutual interest to both, it is no less so to preserve that connection which should ever exist between the members of our own profession, whether in civil life or in the public service. If we continue our enumeration we cannot do it better than in the words of Dr. Gordon : “Donald Munro, an army surgeon, and cotemporary of Hunter, may be said to have placed the study of anatomy in the University of Edinburgh upon a scientific basis; and may be mentioned here that he was the first of four genera tions of his name who in succession filled the chair which he in effect established. "Then comes the name of Brocklesby, of whom we learn that he set to work to improve the wretched barracks and still more wretched hospitals, into which in his days the troops were crowded. He drew up a code of instructions for the preservation of health, and especially enforced the observance of cleanliness and good ventilation. To him the profession is indebted for the plan of treating cases of fever by means of liberal quantities of wine, in supercession of the bleedings and depletions that up to his time had been in use. 6 "I would remind yon that not until 1739 were barracks erected in this country for the accommodation of soldiers. Prior to that date the men lived in billets-chiefly in beer. houses and livery-stables; being there lodged in garrets, lumber-rooms, or back sheds fit for no other purpose; abso lutely without means of preserving personal cleanliness, and destitute of those conveniencies which are no less essential to bodily health than they are to morality. We are glad, therefore, to learn that the society in question gains in interest, and that its meetings are on each succeeding occasion becoming larger and longer. On the 5th of the present month, the most numerously attended one that has hitherto been held, took place at the Garrison Hospital, intimation having been previously circulated, that among other papers to be read on that occasion was one on "The Medical Transactions in the 33rd Foot during the late Expedition to Abys sinia," by Assistant-Surgeon Ball, of that regiment. The paper was an extremely interesting one. It detailed the nature of the medical arrangements made at Bombay, but opposed; the people of London declaring that they wanted which, as is usual, could not be carried out when actual service began; the nature of the country through which the force advanced from Zuolla to Magdala; the plants and animals that were observed; and gave many interesting particulars in regard to the various races of people met with. But what was of the greatest consequence in a professional point of view were the details which Dr. Ball gave in regard to the orders issued in Abyssinia itself, and other means to protect the health of the soldiers, and to provide for the requirements of such as fell sick or were wounded. It is, in reality, to the success of those measures that England is now indebted for the glorious and successful termination of the expedition. As well remarked by a contemporary: "had it not been for the exertions of the "Such being the conditions, it will hardly seem credible to us of the present day that when in 1720 the first proposal to establish barracks for the troops was made, it was violently 'no red-coated nurses.' Perhaps, therefore, it is not to be wondered at that the buildings erected, after nineteen years of discussion, and, as we are informed, angry suspicion in the public mind,' were, as described by Dr. Brocklesby, 'low and ill-ventilated-calculated rather to generate than cure disease; and sweeping off the men like a perpetual pestilence.' To him, in conjunction with Munro, Pringle, and Hume, is due the credit of instituting post-mortem examinations, at a time prior to that when this method of investigating the action of disease was sytematically adopted in civil hospitals. "Then came Dr. Girdlestone, who was the first to publish a work on liver disease and cholera, as these affect British soldiers in India. "Dr. Hamilton, also an army surgeon, who was the first to advocate the abolition of corporal punishment, saying regarding it, I wish it with all my heart abolished; it is an inhuman thing, more fitting the nature of savages than civilised and polished nations. Such were the sentiments expressed by him in 1787. "In 1791, John Bell, of the 26th Regiment, introduced into Military Hospitals a scale of diets, suited to the requirements of sick men, instead of the salt pork and beef which prior to that time had been the food allowed to the soldier, whether at his ordinary duties or prostrated with dysentery. He published a work on the causes which produce, and means of preventing disease in the West Indies-the title indicating the importance which he attached to hygiene; and to him, in a letter addressed to Earl Spencer in 1798, is due the first advocacy of one great school for military surgery. In that communication he entered into various details in regard to the subjects which, according to his views should be taught in such a school. These were anatomy, military surgery, military medicine, medical geography, including climates, seasons, the coasts of various countries; the manner of conducting soldiers in foreign expeditions, the general care of their health, the choice of encampments, the forming of hospitals on shore, how to convert churches and public buildings to this purpose. how to attend an army in the field, how to lay wounded in besieged towns, and how to carry them off the field in a retreating army. He would, moreover, have taught what he called military economics-as diet, clothing, exercise, general medicine, and all methods of preventing disease. Surely, it must be admitted that this army medical officer justly appreciated the importance of preventive medicine, or hygiene, as this branch of science is now more generally termed." Space forbids or we would gladly continue our extracts, and show in detail how Robert Jackson wrote works valuable alike to the military and medical officer, and devoted much attention to the "health of troops," arguing that "health officers" were needed by armies in the field; how he was followed by Dr. Reide, who introduced statistical returns; how Dr. Rollo pointed out the means of preserving health in the West Indies; how Somerville produced a work embracing the whole subject of army hygiene; and how Lemprière, Borland, Pringle, Blane, Wright, Guthrie, Hennen, Thompson, Bellingall, Marshall, Millingen, Burke, and others carried on the good work which, we believe, is being continued by many earnest officers at the present day, who cannot fail to be encouraged by such societies as that at Portsmouth. Such examples as these, so felicitously sketched by Dr. Gordon, and the hearty approval and sympathy of their brethren in civil practice, we hereby cordially tender them. Notes on Current Topics. Representation of the Profession in the Mr. THIS subject continually grows more important. Gamgee, in a very able speech at the Oxford meeting, pointed out the fruitlessness of the efforts of the British Medical Association and its deputation. The profession is gradually becoming educated, but it is a very slow process, and as yet there is no facility for quickening. What is wanted is an association of three times the strength of all the others, that exist, and as this is never likely to be attained, nothing remains but for the professional press to redouble its energies. The various schemes proposed for placing the Council on a satisfactory bases have never yet been fairly discussed by our contemporaries, and it is a sad indication of the condition of medical journalism, that in some quarters an attempt has been made to smother the full expression of opinion that has already been evoked. For the honour alike of the profession and of journalism, we rejoice to add, the bad example is producing its own well-merited punishment, while the life it attempted to strangle is more vigorous than ever. Medical reformers must be up and doing, they must no longer wait for the sound of the trumpet to waken them as of old by its warning voice. Tempora mutantur. We have now fallen on evil days. New leaders must be chosen for the new campaign, or it well assuredly be lost. Let all who see the signs of the times rally around the few who are prepared to lead the way. The Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of London.. OUR anticipations have been realized so far as the late election of Fellows is concerned, but happily a movement has been commenced that is not likely to be arrested. It has been proposed by some of the most distinguished Fellows that the Council should not be all-powerful in promoting its friends. Those who are disposed for reform would effect it by giving the body of Fellows at large the opportunity of proposing names for promotion. Dr. Williams and Sir T. Watson both agree as to the necessity ofthis, and, the refore, some hope remains. An authority, upon whom we rely, writes to us as follows: "The long delayed election of members to the Fellowship passed off this time without blackballing; but we may fairly presume that no expression of opinion emanating Thomas Watson, as to the time having come for a change from so experienced and dispassionate an authority as Sir in the mode of selection, will be lightly regarded. The mode in which the Council has hitherto managed matters may well be styled undignified and degrading. "Some light, at least, has now been thrown upon the character of these secret meetings, and ugly rumours are afloat as to the reasons for some of the nominations. "Indeed, the entire matter requires serious and public consideration. Evidently it is not much longer that this College will be permitted to continue to defy professional opinion so loudly and generally expressed. "One thing is certain, that since the ventilation of the proceedings of the Council, the Fellowship is rapidly becoming estimated at its proper value, and that not of the highest to some of its possessors." The Chair of Botany in the University of Dublin. THE Professorship vacated by Dr. A. Dickson (lately appointed Professor of Botany in the University of Glasgow) has already three claimants, and further competition for its occupancy may be expected. The candidates, who have as yet avowed their intention of seeking it, are Dr. Edward Percival Wright, Professor of Zoology in the University; the Rev. Dr. Browne, of Aberdeen, formerly a missionary and a well-known lecturer in popular science, and Mr. M'Nab. Death of Dr. Mackenzie, of Glasgow. OUR record of the loss to the ranks of the profession of Mackenzie, of Glasgow, and our eulogium on his worth must be something more than a mere complimentary repetition of the trite phraseolgy of obtuaries in general, for we feel that in his death the very small phalanx of real, straightforward, sterling eye surgeons is reduced. Dr. Mackenzie's posthumous merits do not lie in great honours or a gigantic fortune gained in practice, though his career even in these directions was no ignoble one. It is in his sterling worth as a surgeon, that his name ought to live in the memory of the profession; it is because he stood firm to the erudition and experience, which great practice and an intelligent judgment had taught him, and did not allow himself to be carried away by the overwhelming flood, of what we must take leave to call ophthalmological | accurate means of distinguishing between real and apquackery, which has for many years almost swept practical parent death. He presents this very liberal prize, on the eye surgery out of sight or recognition. condition that the means of diagnosis shall be open to non-medical persons, and that the sum be reduced to £200, if none but the profession can use it. The surgeon and author, one of whose pages of clear, well-grounded information was worth volumes of the insubstantial Germanisms lately current, has lived to see the wane of the ophthalmologic craze-the infrequent oases of accurate theory and genuine practice left visible here and there in the watery waste of useless and mischievous guess-work. When half the ophthalmological disquisitions of the last ten years will have completed their mission in the chandler's and trunkmaker's, Mackenzie's work will occupy the choicest corner in the library of the oculist, and Mackenzie's name will be recollected as a material guarantee" for what it contains. The Medicine of the Future. SIR JAMES Y. SIMPSON, in his address to the new graduates, has drawn a picture of the medicine of the future which may at once inspire with hope and depress with doubt. He anticipates eradicating tumours without the knife, arresting hæmorrhage without ligatures, or even his own invention of accupressure, and hopes that other departments of human knowledge may make simultaneous and equal advances, so that, Governments interfering to protect their subjects from diseases that may be prevented, the generations shall succeed each other slowly-each attaining the full duration of existence. The learned Professor carried his audience with him by his eloquence, and it may be a good thing to enlist the enthusiasm of the young graduates, but the question returns whether we have sober reason for anticipating so much. The Thames. Ir would appear that Father Thames is not sure, even yet, to attain that degree of pellucid purity which has so often been promised. Recent analyses, by new methods, go far to show that the impurities of the river are much more serious than has been lately supposed, besides which, the grosser test of the ordinary passenger's nose has detected, during the late hot weather, a very disagreeable smell. Whence does this arise is a question the chemists may be expected to reply to very shortly. The upholders of our sewage system assert that it must be from what is thrown into the Thames higher up, and not from any part of the sewage being washed back by the tide. Others are of opinion that both these sources contribute impurity. Whatever the cause, the fact having been made known, should lead to immediate action. Yellow Fever. ANOTHER mail-ship has come in with less than its compliment of persons who set out, in consequence of yellow fever having carried them off. The epidemic prevails at Islay to the extent of 23 cases per day. Lima and Callao are reported to be in a more favourable condition. The late epidemic at these places destroyed 13,000 persons. Real and Apparent Death. THE Marquis of Ourches, a French nobleman, with the view, we presume, of guarding against the possibility of the burial of living persons in a state of catalepsy or prolonged syncope, has presented £1000 to the Academy of Medicine of Paris, for a prize to the discoverer of an Vaccination. THE action of the Medical Council in respect to the introduction of vaccination into the medical educational curriculum, has had the effect of bringing that subject within the second examination for the Bachelor of Medicine Degree at the University of London. In future a certificate from one of the vaccinators authorized by the Privy Council will be required of candidates, and vaccination will form one of the subjects of examination. The Onion as a Disinfectant. A WRITER (Mr. Wolff) in a recent number of the "Scientific American" maintains that the volatile principle of the onion is capable of destroying miasmatic gases. He states that the juice of the plant will neutralise the poison of certain snakes, and declares that he has used the onion as a disinfectant in severe cholera epidemics on ship-board. Mr. Wolff says Onions placed in the room where there is small-pox will blister and decompose with great rapidity; not only so, but will prevent the spread of the disease. I think, as a disinfectant, they have no equal when properly used; but keep them out of the stomach." Bathing. IN our remarks on this subject last week, the name of Dr. Christison was incorrectly stated instead of that of Dr. Christian as the author, with Dr. Sieveking, of the suggestions we published. We understand that the issue of these rules for bathers of the Royal Humane Society was effected at the request and cost of a benevolent lady wellknown under the signature of M. A. B. as a contributor to our journal. We last year inserted suggestions from the pen of the authoress on the subject, which were very favourably received by the non-medical press. Conveyance of Food. THE Society of Arts have, at the suggestion of their Food 1. For an improved method of conveying meat by rail, the Society's Silver Medal and £10. The object in view is to reduce to a minimum the deterioration which meat now suffers in its transit by rail. The principal evils to be avoided are-excessive changes of temperature, and injuries by pressure, by handling, exposure to dust, insects, &c. This prize may be awarded for an improved railway meat van or for a travelling meat larder suitable for railways. 2. For an improved method of conveying milk cans by rail, the Society's Silver Medal and £10. The object in view is to reduce to a minimum the deterioration which milk now suffers in its transit by rail in the ordinary open trucks. The principal evils to be avoided are-the heating and shaking of the milk cans. 3. For an improved railway milk can, the Society's Silver Medal and £10. The object in view is to reduce to a minimum the deterioration which milk now suffers in its transit by rail in the ordinary milk cans or "churns." The principal evils to be avoided are-the heating of the milk, and all motion |