for the purpose of purifying infected clothing, bedding, &c., pursuant to the Sanitary Act, 1866, sec. 23; and as a preliminary step the board have invited the local boards of adjoining parishes to join with them in providing such an establishment. This is a measure which the medical officers of the metropolis have long urged upon their respective boards, but without success in even a single instance.

Civic Honours to Medical Men. THE Lord Mayoralty of Dublin, which has been held for the last year by a member of the Profession, will be this year again occupied by a medical man. The present Lord Mayor entered on his functions as Dr. Carroll, and he retires from them as Sir William, having been honoured with knighthood to celebrate his entertainment of the Prince of Wales. The corporation have nominated Sir John Gray, also a member of our Profession, for the Mayoralty of the ensuing year, but it is believed that he will decline the honour, and that Sir William Carroll will continue in office.

Dr. Babington, of Londonderry, has been also placed by his fellow townsmen in the chief magistracy. Without arrogating to the Profession any peculiar claims to civic dignities, we are gratified to see that medical men are at length stepping forward into public positions. Hitherto it has been the fashion for doctors to adopt a miserable timid policy of keeping themselves in the background. A successful practitioner has been supposed to have no mind or judgment of his own, and a discreet one was supposed never to give expression to any idea beyond his actual business, for fear it might cost him a guinea. We congratulate ourselves on the end of such a system.

A New Principle of Medical Editorship. THE Gazette Medicale de Lyon and the Journal de Medicine de Lyon have, it appears, amalgamated, and will appear as a single periodical. In announcing this fact, the Courrier de Lyon took occasion to add that in future there would be no permanent editor, but that the new journal would be directed by a committee elected by the subscribers and re-chosen every four months. The editor of the Gazette Medicale hastens to deny the latter part of the information, and declares that such a method of administration would necessarily carry with it too many elements of instability for any sensible person to think of proposing it.

The Preservation of Meat. ANOTHER process has been added to the multitudinous proposals of inventors for the preservation of meat in the fresh condition, and this time it is one which would at least appear to effect the desired object, whether it do so or not, "to pay." The process of Dr. Estor, the inventor, which he last week submitted to the Society of Arts, consisted simply in using two gases, i.e., sulphurous acid and chlorine. These gases are not applied simultaneously, but in succession. For general purposes, and when comparatively small quantities of meat require to be treated, the most convenient form of applying these gases is that of a pastille, consisting of a clay bowl resembling that of a tobacco-pipe of large size, coated on the outside with sulphur, the interior of the bowl being filled with a paste containing chlorine. The action is this--the sulphur of

the pastille, being set fire to, burns, giving off sulphurous acid gas, and by the time the sulphur is nearly burnt out sufficient heat has been generated to cause the chlorine gas to be evolved, thus effecting the object of the inventorthe subjecting the meat to the influence of the two gases in succession. The joints or carcasses required to be treated are hung in a safe or other air-tight receptacle, lined with tiles or other non-absorbent substances. A lighted match is applied to the bottom of the pastille; the door of the safe is closed immediately the pastille begins to burn, and the meat is left in that condition till required for use. It is better to keep the meat in the safe till it is to be used; but it may be taken out half-an-hour after burning the pastille, and hung in the open air, without fear of it suddenly going bad, even in the hottest weather. In cases where large quantities are required for preservation for a length of time, he had found from experience that with the gases he was able to keep meat in a perfectly good condition for eight weeks in the hot weather, which he said was the longest period to which his experiments extended. There was not the slightest taint of decomposition, and the only difference between that and fresh butcher's meat was that the former was excessively tender eating. He had no experience as to the results of this process in the case of meat sent from a long distance in ships. When it is desirable to keep meat for a month, or two months, the fumigation should be repeated. Sulphurous acid alone will preserve meat for a time, so will also chlorine, but the meat thus preserved is nauseous; whereas, when the gases are used conjointly, in the manner above-described, and in due proportions, no trace of either remains.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales most kindly forwarded on Saturday week a valuable present of game for the use of the patients in Westminster Hospital.

AT an inquest lately held on the obstetric case of Mrs. Clifford, of Bethnal Green, the jury brought in a verdict of manslaughter against Mr. T. W. Popplewell, the surgeon

who attended her.

THE Boston Medical Journal says:-"In the State of Ohio, from the 1st of October last, by a new law no one is allowed to practise medicine who has not graduated in some legally constituted medical college, and has a diploma from the same."

A BANQUET in aid of the funds of the French Hospital in London is announced for Tuesday next, under the presidency of Sir B. Phillips. The Princes of the Orleans family, Mr. Reverdy Johnson, and other persons of distinction, have promised by their presence to aid this most excellent charity.

DR. GREEN it is thought, as well as others, will resign his candidature for the appointment of Medical Officer of Health for St. Pancras, in consequence of the vestry having passed a resolution that the future medical officer is to reside in the parish.

YESTERDAY a special meeting of the metropolitan branch of the British Medical Association was to be holden, to consider the address of the committee relating to the direct representation of the profession in the Medical Council.

Transactions of Societies.

THE ST. ANDREW'S GRADUATES' ASSOCIATION. THE annual Session of this Association was commenced by a meeting held this day week at Willis's Rooms, at 7.30 p.m. The chair was occupied by the President, Dr. Richardson, F.R.S.

After several members were elected associates, Professor Owen, Dr. W. Farr, F. R.S., and Mr. Froud, Lord Rector of the University, were elected members of the Association.

The report was then read, and unanimously adopted on the motion of Drs. Pike and Watson. The officers and members of the Council for 1869 were then elected, and after the usual business was completed, the consideration of scientific subjects was commenced. A report was read by Dr. Sedgwicke on the Parasitic Theory of disease. This was followed by an animated discussion, after which the meeting adjourned.

On the next day the Association met again. There was a large attendance of gentlemen and ladies. Several papers were read, the chief one by Dr. Richardson, who selected as his subject, "The World of Physic and the World." We have not time even to analyse the different topics which were discussed. He concluded a powerful and interesting lecture by expressing his belief that in time the world of physic would reveal the mysteries of life with a clearness and simplicity which would only render more wonderful the wisdom of the "uncreated, super-essential, and all-beauteous mind."

The remarkable merits of the discourse were recognised by all present, and there was much applause at its conclusion. Then Sir Edward Belcher moved a vote of thanks to the President, which was carried by acclamation.

Dr. Richardson responded in very modest terms, and, before he sat down, proposed a similar compliment to Dr. Leonard Sedgwick, M.D., the Honorary Secretary to the Association, in acknowledgment of whose services a testimonial has been subscribed for by a large body of members. The present, which was exhibited in the room, consists, of a handsome writing table in carved oak, and a silver inkstand. It was duly made over to Dr. Sedgwick, with a complimentary address; and the recipient having returned thanks in very pleasant spirit, the proceedings came to a close.

POOR-LAW REFORM.

THE first meeting for the present session of the Health Department of the Social Science Association, was held on the 30th of November, at the Society's rooms, Adam street, Adelphi. Dr. Brewer presided. Dr. Richardson had prepared a paper on the subject, which, in his absence, was read by Dr. Hardwick. It referred to the four propositions which had been made in respect to the amendment of the Poor-law in this country; first, that the present laws should be repealed and the Elizabethan code adopted; next, the modification of the present law; then a national instead of a local rate; and lastly, that all support of the poor should be self-supportor, as Dr. Farr expressed it, a proportion to the money which the applicant had contributed himself to the rates. The eirors connected with the present Poor-law system of management were fully discussed and exposed in the paper, and suggestions were made as to the modes of future regulation, showing that the poor should be divided into classes and treated accordingly -that the helpless should have comforts and amusementsthat the able-bodied should be set to work-the children educated-and that under a revised system we should not have any such word as pauper. The lecture was an able one, and was followed by a discussion, after which the meeting sepa

rated.

Literature.

BARTON ON THE NATURE AND TREATMENT OF SYPHILIS.Perhaps no subject has attracted so much attention, and been the source of so many essays of late years, as that of syphilis. A new work, therefore, on its "nature and treatment," must interest the profession, and especially those who are concerned in the intricate and puzzling question of the various and obscure form of its development, and constitutional manifestations. Dr. Barton, to the credit of the Dublin school, has undertaken a work in which he proposes to give the latest gleanings and information in the form, as he mentions in his

preface, "of one book of moderate compass which would give a clear account of the whole matter," and one not only suited to the practitioner, but to the student especially.

We are happy to bear testimony to the carrying out of the intention here expressed by the author, the work being compact, well written, and without that craving for ostentatious book-making unfortunately so prevalent in the present day.

The introduction is devoted to a general and brief consideration of the varieties of venereal poison, the usual plan being adopted of trifold division as gonorrhoea, simple or chancroid sore, and syphilis.

Dr. Barton, admitting that he "has occasionally met with cases in which it was impossible at the first examination to decide, but these are exceptions to the general rule," proceeds to the consideration of "Syphilis," or true infecting sore in contradistinction to the chancroid; he is a believer in the duality of the venereal poison and thus characterizes the third form of venereal disease true syphilis, the name mentioned as the basis of his work, and for the elucidation of which it was doubtless chiefly intended.

"We pass from the consideration of local sores and other complications to that of a disease affecting the whole system, from which no tissue or organ of the body is exempt, a disease apparently produced by a subtle poison, which gaining admis sion into the blood is by it carried to every part. This virus or poison has been as yet detected by no process, but we infer its presence from its effects, which sometimes continue to be produced when twenty or thirty years have elapsed since it entered the system.”

The consideration of this sore in all its bearings is then critically entered into by the author, who not only collates the most recent information on this question, but adds some results of his own experience and observations. We find him (p. 99) rather inclined to revive the theory propounded in the Dublin School by Carmichael as the result of his very wide observations that there exists a plurality of poisons, each charac terised by its train of constitutional symptoms, and following the remark of Bassereau amongst the French syphilographers, who states "the benignity of a chancre announces that the constitutional symptoms will be of little severity, its malignity on the other hand tells us that the patient will be attacked with consecutive symptoms of great gravity," the author adds as his opinion" that we should be guided not so much by the amount of induration present as by the ulceration; if the chancre has a deep ulcer with a sloughing surface or high indurated edge, it is a severe case, but if there be simply an indurated nodule without any, or scarcely any ulceration, that is not a bad case." Though this proposition may hold good to some extent, we doubt if it will be generally adopted without modification; for instance, in case of maternal infection by childbearing where no primary existed, what inveterate symp toms will affect the one case and not another, or why two men contract a sore from the same woman (who never were before affected), yet one suffers pain, the other escapes with comparative immunity. We fear the ground upon which the seed is sown modifies the after crop, and that peculiarities of constitution have most powerful, if not the chief influence in the after consequences.

The constitutional symptoms are grouped and considered in characterized by the syphilodermata; mucous patches, and an effective and simple way as "The Second Stage of Syphilis," the "Third Stage of Syphilis," or stage of deposit, which are divided into the earlier or lymphy deposits, which the author names sthenic, and the later "gummy" or asthenic.

The whole history of the third stage is considered fully and practically, not only with regard to the external manifestations, but to the minute and often intractable changes that take place in the viscera and internal structures.

We would have wished for a more copious allusion to the painful and interesting class of nervous and paralytic affections, but as the book is intended to be rather a class-book, we may excuse a more detailed consideration of these cases.

As to the treatment, the author is neither a mercurialist or non-mercurialist; he uses the "two edged sword" with judg ment, believing "that it may be so given as to tell upon the syphilitic lesions while the system will scarcely feel its presence," inunction being the form which seems most advisable.

The subject of syphilization is considered, and its details, which have found as yet but little favour in this country: so that, as the author laconically observes, "It is probable that Christiania will continue to be the stronghold of this mode of treatment," more particularly as the proofs of its superior

efficacy should be strong indeed," before the profession or the public would overcome their repugnance.

far as

The important question, interesting not only to the profession but to the State, of infantile syphilis is largely considered, being divided into the stages of early symptoms, intermediate stage and second stage, extending as puberty; the author coinciding with the practice generally adopted in this country of a careful mercurial treatment. On the whole we may class this work as one coming up to the mark indicated by the author as "a guide and a book of moderate compass, giving a clear account of the whole matter." It shows much research and careful reflection, and will succinctly indicate the way to the inquirer in this important and intricate branch.

We regret the want of illustrations, and would be glad to have seen more of the author's own cases and results of his treatment.

Obituary.

DR. EDWARD PHILLIPS, OF COVENTRY.

WE have to announce the death of Dr. Edward Phillips, of Coventry. He was Physician to the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital, and Senior Magistrate for the City of Coventry. It appears that he was highly respected, and his death will be widely lamented.

DR. HOBSON, OF LEEDS.

ON Monday week Dr. Hobson, of Leeds, was found dead in his bed. Some months previously he was thrown out of his carriage and slightly injured. Another accident occurred shortly after in his own house. His foot caught the carpet, and he fell, by which his thigh was broken. He was consequently confined to his bed for some months, but had so far recovered as to be out for a drive on the Sunday before the day on which his death took place. He was advanced in life, being seventy-three years of age.

DR. CHARLES COWAN, OF READING. Ir is our painful duty this week to record the death of Dr. Charles Cowan, of Reading, which took place on the evening of November the 29th. Dr. Cowan had for many years filled the post of Senior Physician to the Royal Berks Hospital, and enjoyed an extensive consulting practice in and around the town of Reading, his opinion being often sought by practitioners at Newbury, Basingstoke, Abingdon, and other places at some distance from Reading. Dr. Cowan took his M.D. degree in the University of Edinburgh in 1833, and a year after he graduated in Paris. In 1835 he published a translation of "Louis on Phthisis," which gave him at once celebrity as a thoracic pathologist, and some of his medical friends were anxious for him to establish himself in London as a consulting physician. He was not, however, one of those who find London alone to be a place worthy for the display of their talents, and after being a short time at Bath, Dr. Cowan eventually settled at Reading and soon took a prominent position there, and acquired a large practice, the experience gleaned from which was often made to serve a useful purpose by publication in the journals.

Lately, Dr. Cowan had been failing a good deal in his natural energy and vigour, and, by the advice of his friend, Mr. May, of Reading, he went for a short holiday to the Isle of Wight. From this he returned much improved; but unhappily the improvement did not continue, and soon symptoms of great nervous exhaustion and depression came on, so that, despite the kind and constant attendance of his friends, Dr. McIntyre, of Odiham, and Messis. May and Maurice, of Reading, subsequently aided by the skilful advice of Dr. Hyde Salter, this truly excellent and accomplished physician at last sunk, and eventually was carried off, as he himself predicted, by an internal hæmorrhage.

The funeral took place in the cemetery at Reading on Friday, December 5th, and the day was quite one of general mourning in the town.

OPERATIVE SURGERY.

THE regulations which we publish elsewhere, as having been recently adopted by the Council of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, will, we understand, apply to all students from this date.

ILLNESS OF DR. R. B. GUINNESS.

THE Irish profession will learn with much regret of the dangerous illness of Dr. B. G. Guinness, of Dublin, the recently-elected Registrar of the King and Queen's College of Physicians. The malady under which Dr. Guinness suffers is aggravated erysipelas of the head with cerebral complications. On Saturday last his medical advisers had little hope of his surviving many hours, his respiration having risen to 60, and a state of semi-coma having supervened. On Sunday some amelioration had shown itself, and the respiration was at 48. On Monday, however, his attendants were of opinion that having passed a restless night he was not so well. Through the urgency of all these symptoms the patient has fortunately been able to partake of nourishment, and hopes are entertained of his recovery. Dr. Guinness is surgeon to the County Dublin Militia, and an ex-assistant physician of the Rotundo Hospital.

THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE POOR-LAW BOARD.Notwithstanding many conflicting statements now in circulation, we have reason to believe the Presidency of the Poor-law Board will be conferred upon the Right Hon. G. J. Goschen, M.P. for the City of London, who held office under the Government of Earl Russell in 1865.

THE Siamese Twins are reported to be on their way to Europe. Before the surgical separation, for which purpose they have undertaken the voyage, takes place, they

will exhibit themselves for a few weeks to the British

public, on account of the lowness of their exchequer. Those of the profession who were unable to see this monstrosity when in this country before, will now have the opportunity of so doing.