ARMY MEDICAL RETIRING FUND.

238 unfortunate patients whose treatment is to be controlled in accordance with the results of his investigations ! There is, however, one subsidiary matter that turned up in the course of the discussion which is of real importance. The medical officer admitted that to a limited extent the expenditure in alcoholic drinks was increased by the difficulty of procuring for the patients certain particular forms of nutritious food. It appeared that the cooking arrangements for the supply of small articles, like mutton chops, &c., were so imperfect, that it occasionally happened that the medical officer hesitated to order such things, and substituted what he thought the next best article, a small allowance of wine or spirit. This points to a real blot in the system of many, if not most, workhouses. Our readers will not have forgotten how strenuously our Commissioners insisted, in their Reports, on the necessity of infirmary kitchens in which small nutritious delicacies could be properly cooked. We observe that the Wolverhampton guardians propose, in consequence of the facts elicited, to "enlarge"their cooking range. We trust that if expenditure is to be incurred, it will be laid out in the form either of a separate infirmary kitchen, or of small sick kitchens attached to every two or three wards.

has had its influence in determining the formation of similar colleges in different parts of England and the colonies; in effecting sound improvements in medical education; in furthering the establishment of the University of London, of which we may very justly boast. For these and other reforms, which have ever been carried out in the spirit of generous rivalry, the profession and the public at large owe it a debt of gratitude; and the Council now come forward and ask for assistance to enlarge the machinery of the college, lest it should have to halt in its career of usefulness. The Council desire to build, at once, some portion of the south wing in accordance with the original design. In this new building they would place the school, and thereby gain for the use of the college the rooms which the school at present occupies. By this means the boys of the school would be separated from the students of the college, and the youngest boys from the older ones; while more complete arrangements would be made for instruction in the college itself. The erection of the whole of the south wing would require the expenditure of at least JE20,000; but the Council have ascertained from their architect that so much of the wing as is now most urgently needed could be built for a smaller amount. The subscription list already contains some fair and goodly sums. We add our testimony to the usefulness of the college, and hope that the public will come forward and help ARMY MEDICAL RETIRING FUND. the Council to carry out, at once and completely, the very A SCHEME for raising the above fund by voluntary subscrip- desirable object they have in view. We trust that the former tion has been projected. It is hoped that in this way the students of the college, who may well be proud of their conpromotion of men in the prime of life would be accelerated, nexion with it, will advocate its cause in earnest, and bring and an increase of income afforded to those compelled to retire its claims to the notice of all generous promoters of education, by age &c. The Department is the largest and most important or in some other way show their gratitude for the benefits they medical service in the world; and there can be no doubt that have themselves received from their Alma Mater. such a scheme, if practically carried out, would be attended with great advantages. We very much fear, however, that COMPARATIVE CLIMATOLOGY. its accomplishment will be found to be impracticable. The DR. ARTHUR MITCHELL, the chairman of the Medical Comadvantages would be reaped by all, and all must therefore mittee of the Scottish Meteorological Society, has recently share the pecuniary liabilities; and this, we think, they will submitted to comparative examination the climates of Edinnot do. Some officers, from the rank of the Director-General and Mentone. The results are given in the burgh, Jersey, down to that of surgeon-major of twenty-five years’ service, number of the Journal of the Society. The data, exApril will not, and others cannot, afford to pay dE48 per annum; tending over three consecutive years, were originally prepared and there are probably many officers of the rank of surgeon, by Dr. Scoresby Jackson, whose sad and untimely death the married and with families, whose circumstances would not profession so widely deplores. Dr. Mitchell first examines admit of any diminution of their income. No doubt the the mean monthly temperature of the three places. In EdinGovernment were very unwilling, for financial reasons, to give burgh the temperature of February is below that of January a larger and fairer retiring pension than five-tenths after and March. In Jersey also the temperature of the second twenty years’ service ; but if the recommendations of the late month of the year is below that of the first, but it is somewhat Select Committee on the Seniority Corps of the British Army warmer than the third. At Mentone, however, the temperabe made effective, there is no reason whatever why the mem- ture gradually increases throughout the three months, so that bers of the Army Medical Department should not participate February is warmer’than January, and March than February. therein. We may direct attention to Dr. Frederick J. Brown’s But this rule is not without exception. " Thus," writes Dr. communication of last week. It would be a great boon if the Mitchell, "in 1865 January was the warmest of the three privilege of receiving the net value of a pension in money were months ; and in two of the three years March, though warmer than January, was colder than February. It thus appears permitted at the period of retirement. that March is a disappointing month, even at that sheltered spot on the shores of the Mediterranean. Where, indeedUNIVERSITY COLLEGE, LONDON. not out of Europe,-is it otherwise ? In Edinburgh it is cold FOR some little time past the Council of University College as January; while in Jersey it is only one degree, and in have found themselves very much pressed for room, in conse- Mentone only two degrees warmer; so that at all of these quence of the increase in the number of those who seek to be stations, during the first three months of the year, the proeducated within the walls of their college. The ever-augment- gress towards summer temperature is either nothing or very ing demand made by young men for enrolment in the list of trifling." On an average of three years it is found that the students of the college is the surest and the all-sufficient test January of one year differs as much from the January of of the value of the system of education pursued at the institu- another year at Mentone or Jersey as at Edinburgh. " It is tion ; and it cannot be gainsaid that within the last forty years a mistake, therefore," Dr. Mitchell states, " for an invalid to University College has advanced the cause of liberal education make sure of finding again, either at Mentone or Jersey, in a greater degree than any other institution of its kind. The the exact weather which he had found at a previous visit, the college is entirely dependent upon the public for support; it de- variations from year to year being quite as great there as at rives no aid from parliamentary grants; it has no endowments; home. The monthly range of temperature is greatest at Edinwhilst the cost of the education it gives is small : yet it has ever burgh, and least at Mentone. Low temperatures are rare at striven to make the amplest provision for the wants of those Mentone, common at Edinburgh, and not infrequent in Jersey; who come to it for assistance, without distinction of creed. It hence the difference in range at the two places. The chance

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