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UNION HOSPITAL, MIDDLESBROUGH.
1247 the breast and
the
womb
more
fitted for the
activity
attendant upon the marital and the maternal state than when after long hibernation, so to say, after years of disuse, and when these organs have almost forgotten the habit and to a certain extent have lost the instinct nature had endowed them with primarily7 And that in the latter case the extravascular supply, the increased cellular activity attendant upon the connubial or the pregnant state, is more liable to accidents, is more apt to run into vicious channels, to be diverted from its natural course into the formation of neoplasms ? Or does cancer take its origin in the repression of the sexual feeling during the antecedent long celibacy ? And in either case might it be that the progeny of these late prudential marriages inherit the tendency from their birth ?7 Cancer, for instance, is more frequent at the terminations and bends than at other parts of the alimentary canal. Might it not be due to muscular irritability ?7 There is more muscular tissue at these parts. Cancer of the rectum is ascribed to the irritability of detained fasces. The repressed sexual desire will also engender some irritation. Is there anything in this
posteriori argument ? Oil-bathing is a regular institution among the Hindoos. An experienced masseur rubs the oil on his patrons, friends, ,or relations generally once a week. And it is a fact that moles, warts, and such faults of the surface of the skin are very rare among them. The new-born infant gets the oil bath daily for 40 days. The intervals are then gradually lengthened, but he will be considered a very naughty boy who during his school days tries to shirk the oil bath at least once As a youngster he yells all the time he is being a week. bathed. Perhaps it is good for his lungs. Anyhow, nobody thinks of finding fault with the nurse for the hollaing of her charge and, generally speaking, it may be said that Indians have better lungs and better pectorals as compared to the cc
body-weight than the Europeans, and the feminine bust is decidedly fuller and more perfect. Perhaps that is also one cause
of the
rarity of
cancer
I am,
April 23rd,
1900.
UNION
of the breast among them.
Sirs, yours faithfully, C. N. SALDANHA.
HOSPITAL, MIDDLESBROUGH.
doubted by the nativtwho are leaving the city by thousands every day. It seems astonishing, but there are still a few people (including one or two with a medical training) who endeavour to persuade the public that it is not real plague which is causing the doubled but some other fever. Their appeal now is, fortunately, to a The mortality from plague is invery limited section. creasing nearly all over India. For the week ending March 24th there were 4834 deaths, as against 4725 in the previous week. In Bengal there were 2186 deaths, Patna district alone contributing 1986. In Calcutta the plague mortality rose from 744 to 878. In Karachi the lull has been only temporary and the disease is now increasing again with great rapidity. A further development must be anticipated. The great mortality which has ruled in Bombay during the past eight weeks shows signs of abating. The rate is, however, still over 130 per 1000 per annum. The total deaths last week amounted to 2364, against an average of between 500 and 600. The absurdity of the registration is shown in giving 244 deaths from phthisis-a rate of 15 per 1000 per annum; in giving 377 deaths from respiratory diseases and 250 deaths from remittent fever-whatever this may be. The probable number of deaths from plague is 1500, but the official returns say 780. I am glad to see that inoculation still goes on in Bombay and that 4821 operations were performed last week, making a total since Sept. 6th, 1899, of 133,305. It is unsatisfactory to hear, however, that the prophylactic fluid distributed is still being sent out in corked bottles and of varying degrees in strength. Some of the brews apparently are only half as potent as others. It is reported that 20,COO doses are being sent to the Australian colonies. Complaint has recently been made of the contamination with vegetable matter both in solution and suspension of the water supplied to Bombay city. There isno evidence of contamination with animal organic matter It will be remembered that the city derives its water-supply from three large lakes several miles inland. These lakes are filled by the rain water flowing over the forest and other lands around. It is said that the district is intensely malarious. This therefore becomes a matter of importance. The supply from the Tausa lake is unfiltered and only 50 per cent. of the Tulsi supply is filtered. It is reported that the filtered Tulsi water contains an excess of albuminoid ammonia, but that it is otherwise good. Besides the careful attention to the conservancy of the gathering grounds it behoves the medical advisers of the municipality to investigate the reported malarious character of the district. It has been suggested that persons inhabiting certain districts in and near towns receiving unfiltered watersupplies are more subject to enlarged spleens and other reputed manifestations of malaria than the inhabitants of other districts apparently similar but having a filtered water-supply. It further observations prove that this statement has some foundation the presence of malaria in the gathering grounds of a water-supply is a danger to the community. With regard to Bombay city it may be stated boldly that compared with many places malaria is infrequent ; the average death-rate of the city proves its comparative absence. In the districts around Calcutta, on the other hand, malaria is common, whereas in the city itself I am told it is comparatively rare. The death-rate of the suburbs is, as a rule, higher than that of the city, and the greater part of the city receives water from the river Hoogly after filtration. The suburbs get what they can. The distribution of malaria by mosquitoes has not yet been fathomed, and therefore this point is one which might be further inquired into. One may easily theorise that the organism of malaria can infect through the supply of water as well as by the bite of an insect. Under any circumstances the water to a large city should be adequately filtered. The Government authorities in India are engaged in relieving nearly 5,000,000 persons. Such a thing has never before been heard of in the history of an Indian or any other famine. In the Central Provinces twice as many people are in receipt of relief as at the height of the disastrous famine of 1897. In one district alone-that of Raipur-over 30 per cant. of the whole population are receiving relief-i e., 500,000 persons out of a total of 1,600,000 are being supported by the State. Again, in four districts of Bombay between 20 30 per cent., and in three districts of Berar 20 per cent., are receiving relief. It is re-assuring to find, however, that
mortality
areI
To the Edito’l’S of The LANOET. the SiRs,-As Middlesbrough Board of Guardians advertising for a workhouse medical officer will you allow me, out of a dearly-bought experience, to warn intending candidates to ascertain exactly what will be expected of them by this board, and to compare the extent of work and responsibility with the entirely inadequate remuneration and "residence"" (some quarters in the hospital which is at the back of a steam laundry), provided. I may mention that I am resigning voluntarily on account of the treatment received from the board, details of which are scarcely of sufficient interest for your columns ; but if any intending candidate cares to write to me I will give him particulars. Within a little over two years three workhouse medical officers have resigned here. I am, Sirs, yours faithfully, L. G. L. G. DAVIJS, DAVIES M.D. Cantab , Medical Officer. Officer, Workhouse and Hospital ; Visiting Medical Officer, Broomlands Children’s Hospital. Middlesbrough, April 23rd, 1900.
NOTES FROM INDIA. (FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) The
Ravages of Plague in Calcutta and Bombay City.-The Water-supply of Bombay City.-Malaria and the Sources of Water-supply -Figures of the Famine.-The Formation of an Anglo-Indian Army Hospital Corps by Eurasians : Speech of the Viceroy.
A DEATH-RATE of 117-5 per 1000 per annum has been reached in Calcutta for the week ending March 24th. The five years’ average is 51 per 1000 per annum. The increase is wholly due to plague-deaths from which amounted to 878-as no other epidemic diseases are prevalent, and deaths from cholera and small-pox are actually below the average in number. The case mortality is apparently very high. The existence of plague is no longer
’
and
the
womb
more
fitted for the
activity
attendant upon the marital and the maternal state than when after long hibernation, so to say, after years of disuse, and when these organs have almost forgotten the habit and to a certain extent have lost the instinct nature had endowed them with primarily7 And that in the latter case the extravascular supply, the increased cellular activity attendant upon the connubial or the pregnant state, is more liable to accidents, is more apt to run into vicious channels, to be diverted from its natural course into the formation of neoplasms ? Or does cancer take its origin in the repression of the sexual feeling during the antecedent long celibacy ? And in either case might it be that the progeny of these late prudential marriages inherit the tendency from their birth ?7 Cancer, for instance, is more frequent at the terminations and bends than at other parts of the alimentary canal. Might it not be due to muscular irritability ?7 There is more muscular tissue at these parts. Cancer of the rectum is ascribed to the irritability of detained fasces. The repressed sexual desire will also engender some irritation. Is there anything in this
posteriori argument ? Oil-bathing is a regular institution among the Hindoos. An experienced masseur rubs the oil on his patrons, friends, ,or relations generally once a week. And it is a fact that moles, warts, and such faults of the surface of the skin are very rare among them. The new-born infant gets the oil bath daily for 40 days. The intervals are then gradually lengthened, but he will be considered a very naughty boy who during his school days tries to shirk the oil bath at least once As a youngster he yells all the time he is being a week. bathed. Perhaps it is good for his lungs. Anyhow, nobody thinks of finding fault with the nurse for the hollaing of her charge and, generally speaking, it may be said that Indians have better lungs and better pectorals as compared to the cc
body-weight than the Europeans, and the feminine bust is decidedly fuller and more perfect. Perhaps that is also one cause
of the
rarity of
cancer
I am,
April 23rd,
1900.
UNION
of the breast among them.
Sirs, yours faithfully, C. N. SALDANHA.
HOSPITAL, MIDDLESBROUGH.
doubted by the nativtwho are leaving the city by thousands every day. It seems astonishing, but there are still a few people (including one or two with a medical training) who endeavour to persuade the public that it is not real plague which is causing the doubled but some other fever. Their appeal now is, fortunately, to a The mortality from plague is invery limited section. creasing nearly all over India. For the week ending March 24th there were 4834 deaths, as against 4725 in the previous week. In Bengal there were 2186 deaths, Patna district alone contributing 1986. In Calcutta the plague mortality rose from 744 to 878. In Karachi the lull has been only temporary and the disease is now increasing again with great rapidity. A further development must be anticipated. The great mortality which has ruled in Bombay during the past eight weeks shows signs of abating. The rate is, however, still over 130 per 1000 per annum. The total deaths last week amounted to 2364, against an average of between 500 and 600. The absurdity of the registration is shown in giving 244 deaths from phthisis-a rate of 15 per 1000 per annum; in giving 377 deaths from respiratory diseases and 250 deaths from remittent fever-whatever this may be. The probable number of deaths from plague is 1500, but the official returns say 780. I am glad to see that inoculation still goes on in Bombay and that 4821 operations were performed last week, making a total since Sept. 6th, 1899, of 133,305. It is unsatisfactory to hear, however, that the prophylactic fluid distributed is still being sent out in corked bottles and of varying degrees in strength. Some of the brews apparently are only half as potent as others. It is reported that 20,COO doses are being sent to the Australian colonies. Complaint has recently been made of the contamination with vegetable matter both in solution and suspension of the water supplied to Bombay city. There isno evidence of contamination with animal organic matter It will be remembered that the city derives its water-supply from three large lakes several miles inland. These lakes are filled by the rain water flowing over the forest and other lands around. It is said that the district is intensely malarious. This therefore becomes a matter of importance. The supply from the Tausa lake is unfiltered and only 50 per cent. of the Tulsi supply is filtered. It is reported that the filtered Tulsi water contains an excess of albuminoid ammonia, but that it is otherwise good. Besides the careful attention to the conservancy of the gathering grounds it behoves the medical advisers of the municipality to investigate the reported malarious character of the district. It has been suggested that persons inhabiting certain districts in and near towns receiving unfiltered watersupplies are more subject to enlarged spleens and other reputed manifestations of malaria than the inhabitants of other districts apparently similar but having a filtered water-supply. It further observations prove that this statement has some foundation the presence of malaria in the gathering grounds of a water-supply is a danger to the community. With regard to Bombay city it may be stated boldly that compared with many places malaria is infrequent ; the average death-rate of the city proves its comparative absence. In the districts around Calcutta, on the other hand, malaria is common, whereas in the city itself I am told it is comparatively rare. The death-rate of the suburbs is, as a rule, higher than that of the city, and the greater part of the city receives water from the river Hoogly after filtration. The suburbs get what they can. The distribution of malaria by mosquitoes has not yet been fathomed, and therefore this point is one which might be further inquired into. One may easily theorise that the organism of malaria can infect through the supply of water as well as by the bite of an insect. Under any circumstances the water to a large city should be adequately filtered. The Government authorities in India are engaged in relieving nearly 5,000,000 persons. Such a thing has never before been heard of in the history of an Indian or any other famine. In the Central Provinces twice as many people are in receipt of relief as at the height of the disastrous famine of 1897. In one district alone-that of Raipur-over 30 per cant. of the whole population are receiving relief-i e., 500,000 persons out of a total of 1,600,000 are being supported by the State. Again, in four districts of Bombay between 20 30 per cent., and in three districts of Berar 20 per cent., are receiving relief. It is re-assuring to find, however, that
mortality
areI
To the Edito’l’S of The LANOET. the SiRs,-As Middlesbrough Board of Guardians advertising for a workhouse medical officer will you allow me, out of a dearly-bought experience, to warn intending candidates to ascertain exactly what will be expected of them by this board, and to compare the extent of work and responsibility with the entirely inadequate remuneration and "residence"" (some quarters in the hospital which is at the back of a steam laundry), provided. I may mention that I am resigning voluntarily on account of the treatment received from the board, details of which are scarcely of sufficient interest for your columns ; but if any intending candidate cares to write to me I will give him particulars. Within a little over two years three workhouse medical officers have resigned here. I am, Sirs, yours faithfully, L. G. L. G. DAVIJS, DAVIES M.D. Cantab , Medical Officer. Officer, Workhouse and Hospital ; Visiting Medical Officer, Broomlands Children’s Hospital. Middlesbrough, April 23rd, 1900.
NOTES FROM INDIA. (FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) The
Ravages of Plague in Calcutta and Bombay City.-The Water-supply of Bombay City.-Malaria and the Sources of Water-supply -Figures of the Famine.-The Formation of an Anglo-Indian Army Hospital Corps by Eurasians : Speech of the Viceroy.
A DEATH-RATE of 117-5 per 1000 per annum has been reached in Calcutta for the week ending March 24th. The five years’ average is 51 per 1000 per annum. The increase is wholly due to plague-deaths from which amounted to 878-as no other epidemic diseases are prevalent, and deaths from cholera and small-pox are actually below the average in number. The case mortality is apparently very high. The existence of plague is no longer
’
and