- Email: [email protected]
BERLIN.
1000 Native Practitioners. in French Indo-China. A decree by the President of the French Republic dated 12th sanctions certain orders issued by the Governor’General of Indo-China dealing with the school of medicine - of Indo-China at Hanoi, the object of this school being The to train natives as medical men and midwives. of medical study lasts four years and the course -examination held at the end of the fourth year entitles successful candidates to receive diplomas as native practitioners. A second decree authorises the practice -of medicine by natives in the colony of Indo-China. Native practitioners (both medical men and midwives) are placed under the control of the administrateurs cliefs de province and in medical matters are under the supervision and control of the directeur du service de santg (principal medical officer). They must comply with all the regulations drawn up for working of the department to which they belong, they must give medical attendance (vaccination included) to natives free of charge, and must obey the provisions of the law of 1892 relating to the practice of medicine, this law having been by the decree of August 12th made applicable to Tongking, Annam, Cambodia, and Laos.
August
the proper
ne Inte’rnational
Congress on
1’uberczclosis.
Two months ago I made a brief reference to the holding of this Congress and I now supply some further details. The Congress will meet in Paris at the Grand Palais from Oct. 2nd to 7th. The President of the Republic will preside at the opening ceremony which will take place at 2 P.M. and will be attended by the French and the foreign delegates. The meeting ought to be a great success, for, in reply to the invitations sent by France, 33 countries have appointed national committees. France itself has been divided into areas represented by regional committees which will submit to the Congress the statistics for their several The work of the Congress will be divided into districts. four sections-namely, (1) Medical Pathology (President, Professor Bouchard) ; (2) Surgical Pathology (President, Professor Lannelongue) ; (3) Protection of Children (President, Professor Grancher); and (4) Protection of Adults (Presidents, Professor Landouzy and M. Paul Strauss, senator). The four sections will meet simultaneously, each in its own rooms, not far from one another, so as to be easily accessible to the members. Each section will hold seven meetings. There will be several discussions on special subjects (rapports) and 250 papers will be read. The whole of Oct. 5th will be devoted to visiting homes, sanatoriums, and other similar institutions outside Paris. In Paris visits will be made to dispensaries, hospitals, sanatoriums, the Pasteur Institute, and gardens for the working classes, the various details of these visits being matter of arrangement between the four sections. On Oct. 7th, the closing day, the Congress will meet in the large hall of the Sorbonne, when the business will include voting on motions proposed by the sections and deciding in what year and in what country the next meeting of the Congress will be held. On Oct. 2nd there will be a general reception by Dr. Herard, the President of the Congress, at the Hotel Continental. During the week there will be a soiree at the Palace of the Elysee after a dinner at which the President of the Republic will entertain 120 official delegates representing foreign Governments, French provinces, and Paris. There will be a reception by the Paris municipal council at the Hotel de Ville. On Oct. 7th there will be a grand farewell banquet. Readers of papers and speakers at the meetings must be ordinary members paying a subscription of 25 francs. Papers, the exact title of which, together with a summary 12 lines in length, must have been sent to the general secretary by Sept. 20th, will appear on the programme of the Congress, -and printed resicnacs will be distributed to the members before the meeting. Members of the Congress will receive the following publications :—A volume containing 46 addresses delivered in discussions on 15 questions of primary importance ; a summary of the 46 addresses in three languages (German, English, and French) for distribution before the first meeting of the Congress; a guide giving full information as to the prevention of tuberculosis in France ; a catalogue of the Tuberculosis Museum and the International Exhibition in the Grand Palais open to visitors during the whole of October ; and, finally, a volume containing the Transactions of the Congress. Members are entitled to reductions of .50 per cent. on the fares of all French railways and of .30 per cent. on steamboat fares.
Tlte International Congress of the " Gouttes de Lait," The International Congress of the Gouttes de Lait"will be opened in Paris on Oct. 20th and will extend over the The gouttes de lait" have been mentioned in 21st. THE LANCET on several occasions. It will be remembered that they are establishments at which milk for the use of young children is supplied to parents in humble circumstances either free of charge or at a nominal price. The Minister of the Interior has consented to occupy the position of honorary President of the Congress. The acting presidents are Dr. Variot and Dr. Léon Dufour and the secretaries are Dr. Paul Roger, 39, Rue de Berry, Paris, and Dr. Paul Grasset. The subjects proposed for discussion are as follows : Fresh Milk, Sterilised Milk, Natural Milk, and "Modified" Milk in the "Gouttes de Lait" ; Methods of Sterilisation, including Pasteurisation, Soxhlet’s Process, and Commercial Processes ; Conveyance of Milk to, and Distribution of it in, Large Towns ; Gratuitous Supply of Milk and Sale of it at Reduced Prices in the "Gouttes de Lait"; and in conclusion the Feeding of Healthy Suckling Infants and also of those Suffering from Atrophy. Papers must not require more than ten minutes for reading, and in the discussions each speaker will only be allowed five minutes. Discussions on the following subjects have been arranged : The History of Infants’ Milk Dep6ts in Great Britain, introduced by Dr. George F. McCleary, medical officer of health of the metropolitan borough of Battersea; "Gouttes de Laitconsidered as Fields for the Systematic Observation of Children’s Diseases, introduced by Dr. Variot of Paris ; Infantile Scurvy and the Sterilisation of Milk, introduced by Dr. Martinez Vargas of Barcelona ; the Philanthropic Organisation of " Gouttes de Lait,introduced by Dr. Leon Dufour of Fecamp ; " Gouttes de Lait" and the Municipalities, introduced by Dr. Gourinaud of Brest; the Prevention of Rickets by "Gouttes de Lait," introduced by Dr. Saint-Philippe of Bordeaux ; and, finally, the Establishment of "Gouttes de Lait " in Connexion with Dispensaries for Sick Children, introduced by Dr. Leroux. Sept. 25th. __________________
(FROM
OUR
BERLIN. OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
nolera in
Germany.
ALTHOUGH cholera has nowhere as yet attained alarming proportions in Germany the sanitary authorities are actively making preparations against a possible extension of the disease. The sanitary stations on the Vistula and its affluents have been increased in number and the system has been introduced on other rivers. A large station with a permanent staff of medical men has been established at Copenick, a town on the river Spree some miles from Berlin, and a very strict inspection of every passing craft is made there in order to prevent cholera patients from entering the Berlin waterways. In Berlin itself the river police may be seen conveying medical men in their motor boats and steam launches to visit boats and barges, the placid occupants of which wonder at the careful attention bestowed on them by the Government. Up to Sept. 21st there were 227 cases with 78 deaths reported. Both the medical and the lay press are meanwhile drawing attention to the state of matters in Russia. It would seem that the Russian Government has either taken no steps to ascertain whether cholera existed within its territory or has concealed the prevalence of the disease. It is even announced that the Russian police have dispersed a meeting of medical men assembled to discuss cholera matters. It is stated by the Berliner Klinische Wochenschrift that the official journal of the Imperial German Health Office, which is published by that omce and therefore contains only official intelligence, reported in its issue of July 19th that according to a communication received from the Russian Government no case of cholera had occurred but that in a suspected case the bacteriological examination proved negative. A similar note was inserted in the issue of July 5th, whilst the August number does not contain a word regarding cholera notified by the Russian Government. The Russian ofticial journal, in its August issue, even expressly states that no case of cholera had occurred since April 21st. The Berliner Klinische Wochensehrift rightly asks what steps the German Foreign Office will take to protect Germany against
1001 the consequences which may result from the Russian authorities disregarding the existing international treaties on the subject of epidemic disease, and it is remarkable that a French medical journal, the Semaine Medicccle, also joins with the German papers in severely blaming the action of our Eastern neighbour. In these circumstances the suggestion that medical attachés should be appointed at the various German embassies to inform their Government as to the health of the countries to which the ambassadors are accredited ought very soon to be carried into effect, beginning with the embassy at St. Petersburg. The Transmission of Relapsing Fever. According to the Deutsche Ostafrika Zeitung, a German East African journal quoted by the T7ossische Zeitung, Professor Koch has succeeded in ascertaining the mode of transmission of relapsing fever. He has found that, just as in Texas fever, the spirilla of relapsing fever are conveyed from patients to other persons by a tick-the ornithororus Larigni. These ticks when they bite patients swallow the spirilla, which they subsequently introduce into the blood of healthy persons. This species of tick is found throughout the German possessions in East Africa. The disease is contracted especially in the inns and shelter-houses along the caravan roads of the colony. The governor of the colony has therefore ordered his military and civilian subordinates to abstain from entering these shelter-houses together with, or immediately after, natives. Professor Koch, who will probably make another long stay in Africa, is busy with experiments the object of which is the removal of the ticks by chemical agents from the floors of dwellings. His researches on the subject of relapsing fever date back to a period many years ago and were begun by him as a district medical officer when he succeeded in inoculating monkeys with the spirillum. Sept. 23rd.
with an efficient staff of medical attendantswill be attached to it. The Circumeision of Mahomedan Children. One of the curious acts of generosity which the Sultan Abdul-Hamid exercises on such festive occasions as, forinstance, the last anniversary of his accession to Othman’s throne, is the circumcision of poor Mahomedan children at the expense of his private purse. During the last two weeks about 3000 children were thus circumcised at the Padishah’shospital, Hamidie. Every one of them received also, after the performance of the religious operation, nice presents from the Sultan as well as from the inmates of his harem. The operation was performed by 20 medical men in coöperation with hodjas of the Islam. The usual age at which Mahomedan children are circumcised is 13 years but thisvaries greatly according to circumstances. It very frequently happens that Mussulmans are subjected to the religious operation at the age of 20 years and even later. A Higlt Distinction for a Medical Man. The distinguished Greek physician of Constantinople, Dr. Zambaco Pasha, has been decorated by the Sultan with the Grand Cordon of the Osmanie in brilliants in recognition of his eminent services to Turkey. Sept.19th.
superintendent
___________________
CONSTANTINOPLE. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) The A_p_proach of Cholera. GREAT and extensive precautionary measures are being taken by the Conseil Superieur de Sante" of the Turkish metropolis to ward off the possible invasion of the country by the epidemic of cholera. Since 1893, when the scourge raged in Constantinople and in the provinces with terrific force, the medical men and sanitary authorities of the Ottoman capital have learned many a lesson of warning and vigilance. There is no more now, as there used to be, in matters concerning public health, that nonchalant easy-going manner of dealing with things that distinguishes the oriental trend of mind. Thus the Supreme Sanitary Council ordered the construction of barracks at the stations of Zibefdje and Mustapha-Pasha, where all the passengers coming from Europe and showing any suspicious symptoms will be subjected to strict medical supervision. On the arrival at the chief station of Stambul everyone has to undergo a medical examination. Strict precautions are also taken at Cavac, the entrance station on the upper Bosphorus near the Black Sea. Those passengers who come from Hamburg and the German province Posen, and who have already undergone a medical examination before entering Turkish territory, will have to submit their dirty underclothing to a thorough disinfection on their arrival at Constantinople. The railway carriages and the cabins of the steamers occupied by these passengers will also be disinfected. The latter will, besides, be submitted to a five days’ medical supervision at their homes. At Constantinople itself, where hygienic and sanitary arrangements are still far from being very satisfactory, all is being done to remove every source of danger. Streets are being cleaned in the early morning under the inspection of specially appointed men. Chloride of lime is being extensively used to disinfect public privies, stables, &c. A New Hospital for S’yphilitics. At Angora in Asiatic Turkey a new hospital will be constructed for the treatment of venereal and syphilitic diseases. The plans of the establishment have already been approved by the Government and the funds necessary for the upkeep of it have been secured by the Sanitary Council of the State. The expense of the construction is estimated to amount tc 149,000 piastres. The annual amount for the maintenance of the establishment will be 150,000 piastres. The hospital will have two wards, a male and a female one. A
__________________
CANADA. (FROM
OUR OWN
CORRESPONDENT.)
Canadian Medical assoc2ataon.
annual meeting of the Canadian Medical Association was held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from August 22nd to 25th. The president was Dr. John Stewart of Halifax whilst Dr. George Elliott of Toronto acted as general secretary. This is the third time that a meeting of Canada’s national medical organisation has been held in that city, the last occasion being in 1881. Then 53 persons were present; this year there were more than four times as THE
many.
thirty-eighth
Then
some
were
present
who
had
journeyed
1300 miles ; now some were present who had journeyed This shows that the medical profession in 4000 miles. Ther Canada does not stop at magnificent distances. presidential address was delivered by Dr. John Stewart, the address in surgery by Mr. Francis M. Caird of theRoyal Infirmary of Edinburgh, the address in medicine by Dr. D. A. Campbell of Halifax, the address in gynascology by Dr. Howard A. Kelly of Baltimore, U.S.A., and the address in ophthalmology by Dr. J. W. Stirling of Montreal. All these were of a high order and received the deserved applause of the assembled members. The most important item of practical medical politics as it concerned the Canadian medical profession dealt with was the question of reorganisation. Discussion on this led to the appointment of a special committee with Professor McPhedran of the University of Toronto as chairman. One member was appointed from each of the provinces of the Dominion of Canada and this special committee made an interim report suggesting complete reorganisation of the Canadian Medical Association on the lines of the British Medical and American Medical Associations, with
probably city, county, and provincial branches, incorporation, permanent membership, and the publication of an association journal. This committee was authorised to continue its labours and to report as fully as possible at the next annual meeting to be held in Toronto at the same time as the meeting of the British Medical Association. The formal opening of the meeting took place on the afternoon of August 22nd, when proceedings
commenced with prayer by the Rev. President Forrest of Dalhousie University. Following that reverend gentleman his honour Lieutenant Governor Jones formally welcomed the visiting delegates in a felicitous speech on behalf Then his worship the of the province of Nova Scotia. Mayor of Halifax extended a cordial welcome on behalf Next the president of the of the corporation of that city. Nova Scotia Medical Society, Dr. H. A. March of Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, read an address of welcome from the Medical Society of Nova Scotia, this latter society standing as hosts to the national medical organisation. This over the President delivered the annual presidential address, one of the best in the history of the organisation. Succeeding him one of the prominent and older
were
August
the proper
ne Inte’rnational
Congress on
1’uberczclosis.
Two months ago I made a brief reference to the holding of this Congress and I now supply some further details. The Congress will meet in Paris at the Grand Palais from Oct. 2nd to 7th. The President of the Republic will preside at the opening ceremony which will take place at 2 P.M. and will be attended by the French and the foreign delegates. The meeting ought to be a great success, for, in reply to the invitations sent by France, 33 countries have appointed national committees. France itself has been divided into areas represented by regional committees which will submit to the Congress the statistics for their several The work of the Congress will be divided into districts. four sections-namely, (1) Medical Pathology (President, Professor Bouchard) ; (2) Surgical Pathology (President, Professor Lannelongue) ; (3) Protection of Children (President, Professor Grancher); and (4) Protection of Adults (Presidents, Professor Landouzy and M. Paul Strauss, senator). The four sections will meet simultaneously, each in its own rooms, not far from one another, so as to be easily accessible to the members. Each section will hold seven meetings. There will be several discussions on special subjects (rapports) and 250 papers will be read. The whole of Oct. 5th will be devoted to visiting homes, sanatoriums, and other similar institutions outside Paris. In Paris visits will be made to dispensaries, hospitals, sanatoriums, the Pasteur Institute, and gardens for the working classes, the various details of these visits being matter of arrangement between the four sections. On Oct. 7th, the closing day, the Congress will meet in the large hall of the Sorbonne, when the business will include voting on motions proposed by the sections and deciding in what year and in what country the next meeting of the Congress will be held. On Oct. 2nd there will be a general reception by Dr. Herard, the President of the Congress, at the Hotel Continental. During the week there will be a soiree at the Palace of the Elysee after a dinner at which the President of the Republic will entertain 120 official delegates representing foreign Governments, French provinces, and Paris. There will be a reception by the Paris municipal council at the Hotel de Ville. On Oct. 7th there will be a grand farewell banquet. Readers of papers and speakers at the meetings must be ordinary members paying a subscription of 25 francs. Papers, the exact title of which, together with a summary 12 lines in length, must have been sent to the general secretary by Sept. 20th, will appear on the programme of the Congress, -and printed resicnacs will be distributed to the members before the meeting. Members of the Congress will receive the following publications :—A volume containing 46 addresses delivered in discussions on 15 questions of primary importance ; a summary of the 46 addresses in three languages (German, English, and French) for distribution before the first meeting of the Congress; a guide giving full information as to the prevention of tuberculosis in France ; a catalogue of the Tuberculosis Museum and the International Exhibition in the Grand Palais open to visitors during the whole of October ; and, finally, a volume containing the Transactions of the Congress. Members are entitled to reductions of .50 per cent. on the fares of all French railways and of .30 per cent. on steamboat fares.
Tlte International Congress of the " Gouttes de Lait," The International Congress of the Gouttes de Lait"will be opened in Paris on Oct. 20th and will extend over the The gouttes de lait" have been mentioned in 21st. THE LANCET on several occasions. It will be remembered that they are establishments at which milk for the use of young children is supplied to parents in humble circumstances either free of charge or at a nominal price. The Minister of the Interior has consented to occupy the position of honorary President of the Congress. The acting presidents are Dr. Variot and Dr. Léon Dufour and the secretaries are Dr. Paul Roger, 39, Rue de Berry, Paris, and Dr. Paul Grasset. The subjects proposed for discussion are as follows : Fresh Milk, Sterilised Milk, Natural Milk, and "Modified" Milk in the "Gouttes de Lait" ; Methods of Sterilisation, including Pasteurisation, Soxhlet’s Process, and Commercial Processes ; Conveyance of Milk to, and Distribution of it in, Large Towns ; Gratuitous Supply of Milk and Sale of it at Reduced Prices in the "Gouttes de Lait"; and in conclusion the Feeding of Healthy Suckling Infants and also of those Suffering from Atrophy. Papers must not require more than ten minutes for reading, and in the discussions each speaker will only be allowed five minutes. Discussions on the following subjects have been arranged : The History of Infants’ Milk Dep6ts in Great Britain, introduced by Dr. George F. McCleary, medical officer of health of the metropolitan borough of Battersea; "Gouttes de Laitconsidered as Fields for the Systematic Observation of Children’s Diseases, introduced by Dr. Variot of Paris ; Infantile Scurvy and the Sterilisation of Milk, introduced by Dr. Martinez Vargas of Barcelona ; the Philanthropic Organisation of " Gouttes de Lait,introduced by Dr. Leon Dufour of Fecamp ; " Gouttes de Lait" and the Municipalities, introduced by Dr. Gourinaud of Brest; the Prevention of Rickets by "Gouttes de Lait," introduced by Dr. Saint-Philippe of Bordeaux ; and, finally, the Establishment of "Gouttes de Lait " in Connexion with Dispensaries for Sick Children, introduced by Dr. Leroux. Sept. 25th. __________________
(FROM
OUR
BERLIN. OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
nolera in
Germany.
ALTHOUGH cholera has nowhere as yet attained alarming proportions in Germany the sanitary authorities are actively making preparations against a possible extension of the disease. The sanitary stations on the Vistula and its affluents have been increased in number and the system has been introduced on other rivers. A large station with a permanent staff of medical men has been established at Copenick, a town on the river Spree some miles from Berlin, and a very strict inspection of every passing craft is made there in order to prevent cholera patients from entering the Berlin waterways. In Berlin itself the river police may be seen conveying medical men in their motor boats and steam launches to visit boats and barges, the placid occupants of which wonder at the careful attention bestowed on them by the Government. Up to Sept. 21st there were 227 cases with 78 deaths reported. Both the medical and the lay press are meanwhile drawing attention to the state of matters in Russia. It would seem that the Russian Government has either taken no steps to ascertain whether cholera existed within its territory or has concealed the prevalence of the disease. It is even announced that the Russian police have dispersed a meeting of medical men assembled to discuss cholera matters. It is stated by the Berliner Klinische Wochenschrift that the official journal of the Imperial German Health Office, which is published by that omce and therefore contains only official intelligence, reported in its issue of July 19th that according to a communication received from the Russian Government no case of cholera had occurred but that in a suspected case the bacteriological examination proved negative. A similar note was inserted in the issue of July 5th, whilst the August number does not contain a word regarding cholera notified by the Russian Government. The Russian ofticial journal, in its August issue, even expressly states that no case of cholera had occurred since April 21st. The Berliner Klinische Wochensehrift rightly asks what steps the German Foreign Office will take to protect Germany against
1001 the consequences which may result from the Russian authorities disregarding the existing international treaties on the subject of epidemic disease, and it is remarkable that a French medical journal, the Semaine Medicccle, also joins with the German papers in severely blaming the action of our Eastern neighbour. In these circumstances the suggestion that medical attachés should be appointed at the various German embassies to inform their Government as to the health of the countries to which the ambassadors are accredited ought very soon to be carried into effect, beginning with the embassy at St. Petersburg. The Transmission of Relapsing Fever. According to the Deutsche Ostafrika Zeitung, a German East African journal quoted by the T7ossische Zeitung, Professor Koch has succeeded in ascertaining the mode of transmission of relapsing fever. He has found that, just as in Texas fever, the spirilla of relapsing fever are conveyed from patients to other persons by a tick-the ornithororus Larigni. These ticks when they bite patients swallow the spirilla, which they subsequently introduce into the blood of healthy persons. This species of tick is found throughout the German possessions in East Africa. The disease is contracted especially in the inns and shelter-houses along the caravan roads of the colony. The governor of the colony has therefore ordered his military and civilian subordinates to abstain from entering these shelter-houses together with, or immediately after, natives. Professor Koch, who will probably make another long stay in Africa, is busy with experiments the object of which is the removal of the ticks by chemical agents from the floors of dwellings. His researches on the subject of relapsing fever date back to a period many years ago and were begun by him as a district medical officer when he succeeded in inoculating monkeys with the spirillum. Sept. 23rd.
with an efficient staff of medical attendantswill be attached to it. The Circumeision of Mahomedan Children. One of the curious acts of generosity which the Sultan Abdul-Hamid exercises on such festive occasions as, forinstance, the last anniversary of his accession to Othman’s throne, is the circumcision of poor Mahomedan children at the expense of his private purse. During the last two weeks about 3000 children were thus circumcised at the Padishah’shospital, Hamidie. Every one of them received also, after the performance of the religious operation, nice presents from the Sultan as well as from the inmates of his harem. The operation was performed by 20 medical men in coöperation with hodjas of the Islam. The usual age at which Mahomedan children are circumcised is 13 years but thisvaries greatly according to circumstances. It very frequently happens that Mussulmans are subjected to the religious operation at the age of 20 years and even later. A Higlt Distinction for a Medical Man. The distinguished Greek physician of Constantinople, Dr. Zambaco Pasha, has been decorated by the Sultan with the Grand Cordon of the Osmanie in brilliants in recognition of his eminent services to Turkey. Sept.19th.
superintendent
___________________
CONSTANTINOPLE. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) The A_p_proach of Cholera. GREAT and extensive precautionary measures are being taken by the Conseil Superieur de Sante" of the Turkish metropolis to ward off the possible invasion of the country by the epidemic of cholera. Since 1893, when the scourge raged in Constantinople and in the provinces with terrific force, the medical men and sanitary authorities of the Ottoman capital have learned many a lesson of warning and vigilance. There is no more now, as there used to be, in matters concerning public health, that nonchalant easy-going manner of dealing with things that distinguishes the oriental trend of mind. Thus the Supreme Sanitary Council ordered the construction of barracks at the stations of Zibefdje and Mustapha-Pasha, where all the passengers coming from Europe and showing any suspicious symptoms will be subjected to strict medical supervision. On the arrival at the chief station of Stambul everyone has to undergo a medical examination. Strict precautions are also taken at Cavac, the entrance station on the upper Bosphorus near the Black Sea. Those passengers who come from Hamburg and the German province Posen, and who have already undergone a medical examination before entering Turkish territory, will have to submit their dirty underclothing to a thorough disinfection on their arrival at Constantinople. The railway carriages and the cabins of the steamers occupied by these passengers will also be disinfected. The latter will, besides, be submitted to a five days’ medical supervision at their homes. At Constantinople itself, where hygienic and sanitary arrangements are still far from being very satisfactory, all is being done to remove every source of danger. Streets are being cleaned in the early morning under the inspection of specially appointed men. Chloride of lime is being extensively used to disinfect public privies, stables, &c. A New Hospital for S’yphilitics. At Angora in Asiatic Turkey a new hospital will be constructed for the treatment of venereal and syphilitic diseases. The plans of the establishment have already been approved by the Government and the funds necessary for the upkeep of it have been secured by the Sanitary Council of the State. The expense of the construction is estimated to amount tc 149,000 piastres. The annual amount for the maintenance of the establishment will be 150,000 piastres. The hospital will have two wards, a male and a female one. A
__________________
CANADA. (FROM
OUR OWN
CORRESPONDENT.)
Canadian Medical assoc2ataon.
annual meeting of the Canadian Medical Association was held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from August 22nd to 25th. The president was Dr. John Stewart of Halifax whilst Dr. George Elliott of Toronto acted as general secretary. This is the third time that a meeting of Canada’s national medical organisation has been held in that city, the last occasion being in 1881. Then 53 persons were present; this year there were more than four times as THE
many.
thirty-eighth
Then
some
were
present
who
had
journeyed
1300 miles ; now some were present who had journeyed This shows that the medical profession in 4000 miles. Ther Canada does not stop at magnificent distances. presidential address was delivered by Dr. John Stewart, the address in surgery by Mr. Francis M. Caird of theRoyal Infirmary of Edinburgh, the address in medicine by Dr. D. A. Campbell of Halifax, the address in gynascology by Dr. Howard A. Kelly of Baltimore, U.S.A., and the address in ophthalmology by Dr. J. W. Stirling of Montreal. All these were of a high order and received the deserved applause of the assembled members. The most important item of practical medical politics as it concerned the Canadian medical profession dealt with was the question of reorganisation. Discussion on this led to the appointment of a special committee with Professor McPhedran of the University of Toronto as chairman. One member was appointed from each of the provinces of the Dominion of Canada and this special committee made an interim report suggesting complete reorganisation of the Canadian Medical Association on the lines of the British Medical and American Medical Associations, with
probably city, county, and provincial branches, incorporation, permanent membership, and the publication of an association journal. This committee was authorised to continue its labours and to report as fully as possible at the next annual meeting to be held in Toronto at the same time as the meeting of the British Medical Association. The formal opening of the meeting took place on the afternoon of August 22nd, when proceedings
commenced with prayer by the Rev. President Forrest of Dalhousie University. Following that reverend gentleman his honour Lieutenant Governor Jones formally welcomed the visiting delegates in a felicitous speech on behalf Then his worship the of the province of Nova Scotia. Mayor of Halifax extended a cordial welcome on behalf Next the president of the of the corporation of that city. Nova Scotia Medical Society, Dr. H. A. March of Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, read an address of welcome from the Medical Society of Nova Scotia, this latter society standing as hosts to the national medical organisation. This over the President delivered the annual presidential address, one of the best in the history of the organisation. Succeeding him one of the prominent and older
were