that Sir D. Corrigan was the most fitting representative who could be found for a university or medical corporation, if enfranchised.

His administrative ability has been proved at the governing boards of many of our charitable institutions, the Board of Health, the Medical Council, and several Royal Commissions. His splendid ability, strong common sense, and independent bearing have raised him to a most exalted position. He would enter Parliament for no selfish purpose, and the turmoil of an election would not have to be repeated, as would happen if a lawyer be chosen, for no lawyer could be selected save one whose ability had already put him in the groove for promotion, and Dublin City should never become as convenient a seat as that of the university, which has accommodated in succession so many Attorneys-General. It is said, however, that that learned constituency is likely to choose another class of representative in future.

Notes on
on Current Topics.

Tweedledum v. Tweedledee. CONCURRENT with the Peruvian convulsions of nature, the medical oracle has spoken. The mental tranquillity which the leading medical journal had shed upon the minds of the British nation in connection with the health of the sovereign is, at the bidding of Jupiter Tonans No. 2, cruelly dissipated, and grim despair, issuing from Great Queen street, Lincoln's Inn, has cast its gloom around the people of Europe.

We hasten to relieve the sickening apprehensions of loyal subjects by a friendly editorial whisper. We are in a position to state that her most gracious Majesty is decidedly better than when she was worse; and that in the absence of any reliable information whatever, the plush liveries of the Lancet and British Medical Journal may be refolded in their lining of silver paper and consigned to oblivion. Our own special Court flunkey has deferred producing his uniform, and anxiously awaits some inteligence more real than the guess shots of our contemporaries. Perhaps the aura may return.

The Morality of Lord Amberley's Platform. THE young hopeful of the professed reformers and radicals has questioned the accuracy of our representation of his views on large families. Will he repudiate the other theories of his party as easily? But his remedies for over population are a part and parcel of their views we may assume, from the following quotation extracted from a journal edited by Mr. Bradlaugh, the expectant representative of the Reform League. Discussing the remedies for poverty, a lady correspondent (save the mark) writes:

"Another party suggests a remedy, namely celibacy. What ignorance! Man, know thyself, has been wisely urged. What does celibacy mean? It means this, prostitution or insanity. The man who advocates celibacy knows nothing of himself and his physical organization.

Man might then

himself, and justice to his fellow men. if he choose live out a noble life, and if we beheld vice in our streets we should not have to sigh and exclaim while we deplore it This evil is a necessary one.”

If Lord Amberley is incompetent to understand the vile suggestions hidden under the phrases of the morceau, we would explain that the writer means that continence is a physical impossibility, and the "noble life" alluded to is neither more nor less than unbridled licentiousness under a "reformed" system.

Vaccino-maniacs.

THE myrmidons of a tyrannical monarchy have no respect of persons, and its minions in the blue coats and the felt helmets appear to be lost to all just appreciation of the enquiring mind, it would appear that the patrons of small-pox are groaning under the oppression of the Vaccination Act, and the divine right of stupidity is not reverenced in the persons of the Vaccino-maniacs. Public Opinion records that one of its most trenchant antivaccination correspondents, whose nom de plume is "Search," has been actually fined ten shillings for aiding and abetting the spread of small-pox, in refusing to allow his child to be vaccinated.

"Search and ye shall (be) fined" (may we be excused the misquotation) proves true once more, and the great privilege of pigheadedness for the British subject is unfringed.

But no! The Vaccino-maniacs are not forgetful of their rights as men we are in a position to assert that they will try the great question of the Female Franchise by returning Mrs. Borrodaile as the representative of their intelligence in the next Parliament.

Public Health.

WE make our usual quotation from the Registrar General's return of births and deaths in the week that ended on Saturday, the 19th of the present month. In London and 13 other large towns of the United Kingdom, there were 4,332 births, and 2,981 deaths; the annual rate of mortality being 24 persons living, distributed as follows: 20 per 1,000 in London, 29 in Edinburgh, and 22 in Dublin, 19 in Bristol, 23 in Birmingham, 30 in Liverpool, 36 in Manchester, 30 in Salford, 26 in Sheffield, 24 in Bradford, 31 in Leeds, 30 in Hull, 29 in Newcas tle-upon-Tyne, and 22 in Glasgow.

In London 1,220 deaths were registered during the week. The average number of deaths for the corresponding week of the year is 1,252, consequently, the deaths in the present return are less by 32 than the estimated amount. The deaths from zymotic diseases were 348, the corrected average number being 392. Four deaths from small-pox, 22 from measles, 74 from scarlatina, 15 from diphtheria, 32 from whooping-cough, 56 from fever, and 86 from diarrhoea were registered. The deaths of eight children and one adult from syphilis, of three children and four adults from burns or scalds, of five persons from drowning, of three infants from suffocation, of four persons who committed suicide, and of two persons who were killed by horses or carriages in the streets, were regis tered last week.

The daughter of a gentleman died on the 11th September, aged 19 years, of sunstroke (7 days), and the daughter, aged 18 years, of a carpenter on the 12th Sep

Twining, Esq., in connection with the Economic Museum at Twickenham, that gentleman has propounded a plan for examination, and offered prizes to be competed for by the attendants at his lectures. The course will embrace the subjects of Physics, Chemical Physics, Chemistry, Natural History, Human Anatomy, and Human Physiology. Arrangements are at present made for the course at the Lambeth Baths, and although Mr. Twining will be happy to receive proposals for the gratuitous delivery of the lectures in other localities, the examination and prize scheme is, for the present, limited to the Lambeth Baths, where the most numerous and attentive audiences have been present in past seasons. One of the examiners will be Mr. William Hudson, chemical superintendent of the Twickenham Museum, another will be the Rev. G. M. Murphy, and a third is to be named by the Society of Arts. Mr. Twining has desired special precautions to be taken to exclude all except bona fide working class competitors. It is sincerely to be hoped that this practical attempt at popular technical and scientific instruction will meet with the success so well-meant an endeavour de

serves. It is to be followed, according to present arrangements, by a South London Industrial Exhibition in the Lambeth Baths, opening early in March next.

THE PURGATORY OF LONDON HOSPITALS. As might be anticipated, the assertions contained in the article printed by Public Health, and criticised in our last issue, have given rise to no little excitement. They were of such a nature that we felt constrained to give them a wider publicity than they could attain in a monthly journal so recently started. We are gratified that the profession generally should admit the justice of our remarks. We feel it superfluous to say more than we did, knowing full well the character of our hospitals and their physicians and surgeons. It is equally unnecessary to publish letters from persons officially connected with any of these incomparable institutions. The accusation has been made by a quondam patient. We therefore prefer this week to print the reply of such a person. Our correspondent, perhaps carried away by natural indignation, appears to have confused our journal with the one in which the impeachment appeared. We must beg him therefore to look again at THE MEDICAL PRESS AND CIRCULAR for last week, when he will find that the word purgatory and other phrases, which equally amazed him and ourselves, are quotations from the article in the Public Health. The conductors of that magazine-not we, are called upon to explain or justify the allegations

made.

Here is the letter of our ex-Patient :

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MEDICAL PRESS AND CIRCULAR,

SIR,-Looking through your valuable paper of the 23rd inst., I was surprised to see an article headed "The Purgatory of London Hospitals." I therefore think it a debt of gratitude to one of those establishments, viz., "the Westminster," to contradict the above title to Life in the Hospital, experienced by myself for six weeks in this year. The part I particularly allude to is this, "Those occupying a higher social sphere, who are reduced to avail themselves of hospitals, find it very distressing to their self-esteem.”

Now, I have a slight idea that the writer of that sentence must be either a very disagreeable, discontented, or selfish individual, never trying to make himself comfortable under and circumstances, or thinking that perhaps he should have had all attention paid to him, and that other patients of the inferior order to himself should be neglected.

Abcut being obliged to crawl to a bath, I can only say that patients who were unable, or who asked for a bath to be brought to their ward, were never refused, and more than that, the porter used to come up for orders.

Referring to the "female Cerberus" who ruled the room, I can speak as to the willingness and kindness of the Sister and nurses towards all the patients both night and day without looking for bribes, and as to imposing tasks, that is simply absurd, The patients, if convalescent or not confined

to their beds, were asked to assist in the various duties of the Sister or nurses, such as washing up the tea-things, laying the cloth, looking after the kettle, carrying up bread, the milk, and such like, which I myself never for one moment considered hard work, but rather felt pleasure in help. ing those who have plenty to do and who never grumbled to perform any duties they were called upon, and, in addition, pleasing to any well-disposed person, and, furthermore, out I thought that "helping fellow-creatures" must be always of gratitude to the promoters and subscribers of such charitable institutions, I might surely give a helping hand.

If the writer of that word purgatory considers those tasks as such, I fancy that he hardly understands the word, and sincerely hope he may never experience the "real place of abode."

As regards the Matron's visits "being few and far between," I witnessed, during the six weeks I was taken care of, the Matron-a most estimable and kind person-go the rounds of the different wards every day, and frequently during the day, and that lady was always ready, should either of the Sisters or nurses require anything, and instead of "bringing a cold, disdainful glance along both sides of the wards," was always anxious to hear how the patients were going on, and studying their comforts.

From the tone of the purgatory author, I am not surprised at the Chaplain being condemned. I am glad to say that our Chaplain was not one he described, which, I must confess, I hardly credit, I fear his own thoughts and eyes were wandering. We had service in the chapel twice on Sunday and during the week, and those patients who were not able to attend were visited by the Chaplain, who read to them. Lastly, but of course of first consequence, the physicians, surgeons, and others connected with the establishment, deserve the highest praise for their great care and perseverance in all cases. The House-Surgeon, who has, of course, an immense amount of work, was ever ready to come up to any patient, at all hours of the night. And when, sometimes, I have heard grumbling and dissatisfaction, I could not help speaking my mind to those who are ever ready to condemn, but seldom grateful to confess their cures.

With regard to the nurses receiving bribes, there is a notice in every ward forbidding money to be given by a patient or received by a nurse, and, from my experience, the nurses never behaved in the slightest respect different to the poorest or those of a "higher social sphere.'

As a proof of what I have here written with regard to the feeling of patients towards the much-abused functionaries, I can only add that during my stay I saw very many old patients call to see their old nurses. I have done so myself, and would certainly never think I was losing my selfesteem by paying a visit to your correspondent's so-called Purgatory.

The only thing I regretted was that I was obliged to fill up a bed which many a poor creature would have found a

"Paradise."

Not being an author nor medical man, but the relative of a subscriber to your journal, and wishing to give you my experience, to refute the ill-natured remarks about the invaluable institutions, I trust you will excuse me taking so much space.-I am, &c.,

R. I.

P.S.-One of the Governors or Members of Committee was constantly through the wards enquiring if there were any complaints to be made by the patients, and visit the kitchen to see that the rations were good.

Board and there make a complaint of any ill-treatment or irWhen a patient was discharged, he had to go before the regularity, and he was especially asked about the nurses or other members of the establishment receiving or borrowing money.

THE VALUE OF A DIPLOMA. WITH the exception of the degree of M.D. of London University, which is sought for only by those who aspire to a place amongst the elite of the profession, or who can bring the necessary amount of ability, time, and money for this attainment of this qualification, we would seem to attach too much importance to the licenses of our different Colleges, whether it be the Membership of London, or the Licentiateship of Edinburgh or Dublin. In reality, the diplomas themselves will depend for their value on the ability and character

of their possessor, as well as on the subsequent zeal or indifference in the profession.

With some, the obtaining of their diploma is the ending of their studies. They have obtained their El Dorado from one of the Colleges which pride themselves on their licence being of the highest order."

With others, it is but the commencement: they look upon the profession in a more extended view, and consider their few brief years of medical study as only a pupillage, and their diploma as a blue valetis to encourage them to further exertions.

The latter is the more noble view. By further observation and study such men fit themselves for their calling, and are likely to be of benefit to mankind.

"Vita Brevis-Ars Longa," say the philosophers. Of all professions, that of medicine comes under this category. Yet if a license is to stamp a man for life, how brief the period in which it has been acquired, how easy has been the acquirement.

What are three or four years spent in the acquisition of knowledge, whether of the general literature of our own country, or of the language of Greece, of Rome. How much longer must they who seek some of the honorary preferments of our Universities devote themselves to study? Yet the recipients are comparatively not benefited in the race of life, for but to a few are these honours of utility, There are long years spent at Harrow, or Eton, or one of the other public schools, under masters of ability; and these are but the preparatory schools, where the mind, if it is not stored with the rich lore of classical or general information, is yet prepared for its reception, and undergoes a process of formation which is subsequently turned to account. Then several years are passed at a University, and ever after those years, the knowledge acquired is felt by those who appreciate what knowledge is, to be comparatively | trivial. It was a saying of the ancients, "The more we know the less we know;" but this, in modern days, is, unfortunately, often reversed, so that 'tis said, "The less we know the more (we think) we know."

Seeing that so many years are spent in acquiring a knowledge of languages and literature which are only required to give a man a status in society and to enable him to mingle with

his compeers, of what account are three or four years spent in the acquisition of the knowledge of a profession which embraces such a wide field, and into which so many collateral branches of science enter, for each of which the whole period would be required? Of what worth is the first year? The embryonic surgeon has the vast ocean of medical and surgical knowledge spread out before him. He is like the youth who makes his first voyage. He is dazzled by the extent of surface which he has to survey. As yet he knows not the land-marks or the soundings, nor can he read the stars or foretell a gale. As the voyage goes on he gets faint glimmerings of nautical knowledge, and all is not the chaos he once thought. Thus with the student: he is perplexed and bewildered-long-sounding names and opposite theories confound him; but as the year grows on he begins to see his way, and finds that the mysteries of diseases can be read. He has acquired some little knowledge, learnt a part of the grammer, and got by heart some of the names. In his second year he makes improvement, and reads some of the authors, the text books. The third year comes on: he is well" made up ;" he receives his diploma; he is stamped on an "ornatus vei," then farewell to books. During those years what has he read? A text book on Anatomy, with some directions; text books on Medicine, Surgery, Physiology, and the various other subjects-in all about nine text books.

The diplomas of our best Colleges can be thus obtained. Nor can we object to this. Yet, knowing that such is the nature of medical education, it does seem absurd to attach any intrinsic value to such qualifications. Nay, worse: it was the boast of "a grinder," now deceased, that he would take a carman of "ordinary" ability off the street and put him through our Colleges in six months. This sad truth was forced upon him by the class of men whom he had prepared, and by their success in obtaining their qualifications. Much has been said of late years about improving our College examinations. This is beginning at the wrong end. We must teach our students what is the meaning of the term, " reading." We must introduce some of the University element into their studies. We must make them un

derstand that a "reading man " is one who is not content with merely getting through a certain set of books, -as few as possible-but one who studies for the benefit and the gratification which learning affords.

Many may laugh at these ideas, may view them as "transcendental; yet this is owing to the education they have received. With pity more than anger we may look upon such. They cannot understand what it is to read Eschylus, Euripides, or Sophocles, for pleasure, whose works they consider dull, stale, and useless.

We may make our examinations more difficult, and may thus exclude many who should never have diplomas; but the wiser and better plan would seem to be to diffuse different ideas about medical studies, to change the typical medical student, to break through the prejudices and associations connected with the caste; then it would follow, as of necessity, that the rank of the profession would be improved, and the value of a diploma would be proportionately increased. G. H.

name.

REPORT ON WINE.

THE wines generally known and commercially dealt with under the name of "Sherry" comprehend all white wines imported direct from Cadiz, but the true sherry is the produce of that triangular portion of Spain included between Puerto Santa Maria, San Lucar, and Tribujena, including the wealthy town of Xeres, from which sherry acquires its The choicest wine is the produce of the vineyards between the two latter places, that is, north of Xeres. But the exports from Cadiz are drawn from all parts of the vast vineyard of Spain, and embrace many varieties which have a reputation almost equal to that of the exceptional Xeres. It would be well if these supplies were derived exclusively from such sources, but there is too much reason to believe that of late in particular, they are sometimes referable to a much more questionable origin; but the wines of Montilla, La Mancha, Valencia, Malaga, &c., are fully entitled to rank with the produce of any other part of the Peninsula.

It would be beside the object of these reports to enter into any consideration of wines in general, or sherry in particular, as a commercial commodity; we are only concerned with the nature and characteristics of the genuine article in its various aspects from a sanitary point of view, and the sophistications or adulterations which may interfere with or neutralise its hygienic properties, and we feel confident that what follows will sufficiently demonstrate the importance of the inquiry.

Wine, particularly port, and still more especially sherry, is frequently prescribed as a tonic or restorative. We have already shown how little claim port wine commonly has to such a distinction, and trust to prove that in some respects at least sherry is quite as objectionable,

unless with

proper

discrimination.

When a physician prescribes, he does so knowing to a tittle the proportions of the medicaments recognised by the Pharmacopoeia; but in the article of wine it is to be feared that his knowledge is exceedingly vague, and derived more from popular impression than from scientific research. In proof of this, in a lately published medical work upon the effects of alcohol on digestion, sherry, as something definite and beyond question, is put upon the same low alcoholic footing as beer, which never exceeds 14° of alcoholic strength. The subjoined results of our examination will show how "wide as the poles asunder" these two may be, and how fallacious, consequently, the conclusions drawn from such premises must be.

The type of a perfect sherry is a bright amber colour, inclining more to yellow than green, clean on the palate, dry, full of body, and characteristically fragrant. When fully fermented and matured, it possesses these qualities in perfection. The natural alcoholic strength is from 25.5 to 300 per cent. of proof spirit (the latter equivalent to about 17 per cent. of alcohol). As the wine ages it acquires a somewhat deeper colour, and a slight accession of strength, rarely, however, exceeding 32 per cent, of