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DOWLING v. DODS.
COMPLIMENTARY DINNER TO SIR GEORGE HARE PHILIPSON.
1362
approval in all classes of the community, and we trust that it will not be forgotten among the earlier domestic measures of the
new
that head. With respect to etiology Surgeon Clayton summarises his conclusions as follows : "Altogether, one inclines to accept the view that although syphilis or its toxins in many cases, by interference with nutrition, render liable to general paralysis many persons otherwise free, there is no evidence of direct connexion.. The influences which act remotely are usually conditions tending to interference with nutrition and to promoting the growth of less highly organised tissues while the proximate influences probably act by lowering vitality. A specific’ cause, as yet unknown, capable of developing the disease per se, though often aided by various factors, and which usually selects those apparently most healthy and vigorous both in mind and body, seems to be indicated by all the evidence." As is well known, general paralytics always become bed-ridden and in the concluding paragraphs of his article Surgeon Clayton gives some useful hints for the prevention of bed-sores.
Parliament. ___
COMPLIMENTARY DINNER TO SIR GEORGE HARE PHILIPSON.
meeting of the Southern Council of the Durham University Medical Graduates’ Association held at the rooms of the Medical Society on Nov. lst it was unanimously resolved to invite Sir George Hare Philipson to a complimentary dinner at the Caf6 Royal, Regent-street, on Thursday, Nov. 29th. All graduates of the University who AT
a
members of the association in the south are invited to in honouring the guest of the evening, who is one of the founders of the association and one of its strongest supporters. Full particulars may be obtained from the honorary secretary for the south, Dr. T. Outterson Wood,
are
join
40, Margaret-street, Cavendish-square, W. HUXLEY MEMORIAL LECTURE.
DOWLING
v.
DODS.
I,
To commemorate the anthropological work of the late Professor Huxley the council of the Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland has decided to found a public lecture, which will be called the " Huxley Memorial Lecture," and will be given annually at the opening of the winter session of the institute. The first Huxley Lecture will be delivered by the Right Hon. Lord Avebury, D.O.L., LL.D., F.R.S., and is announced to take place on Tuesday, Nov. 13th, at 8.30 P.M., in the Lecture Theatre of the Museum of Practical Geology in Jermyn-street, S.W., which as the scene of so much of Huxley’s most impressive was felt to be the most teaching, appropriate place for such a ceremony, and has been placed for the occasion at the disposal of the Anthropological Institute. It is understood that Lord Avebury will take as the subject of his discourse Huxley’s own contributions to anthropological science: a theme on which as a friend and colleague of Huxley, as himself a distinguished anthropologist, and as the first President of the Anthropological Institute he has peculiar authority to speak. Applications for tickets of admission should be addressed to the secretary, the Anthropological
TowARDS the end of last June an action was brought by Miss Agnes Dowling, a nurse, against Mr. Louis Ferdinand !, Dods, a medical man, for libel. The circumstances were reported in THE LANCET and may be remembered by our readers. The alleged libel was contained in a document purporting to be a certificate of lunacy and addressed to the local relieving officer. The defendant pleaded justification and privilege. The learned judge before whom the case was tried, Mr. Justice Darling, held that the occasion was privileged, but the jury found for the plaintiff, awarding her damages to the amount of .E100. The ’, plaintiff in her evidence showed herself to be the victim of I dangerous hallucinations, so that the result of the trial surprised the medical profession and the public considerably, and a different issue upon appeal was antici- ’, pated. This week, before the Master of the Rolls, ’, Lord Justice Collins, and Lord Justice Stirling, an application was made by Mr. Dods for judgment or An attempt was made on Miss Dowling’s a new trial. part to show that Mr. Dods had been actuated by Institute, 3, Hanover-square, W., as early as possible. malice, but the judges held that there was no evidence of malice and judgment was entered for the defendant DEATH UNDER NITROUS OXIDE. with costs. We congratulate Mr. Dods upon this A RECENT inquest held by Dr. Danford Thomas, the result. We are satisfied that his conduct in the matter coroner for the county of London and Central Middlesex, had its origin in a well-founded belief that Miss a patient lately in the Great Northern Hospital, Dowling was of unsound mind and a source of danger upon one of the few dangers which are incidental to illustrates to the community. the use of nitrous oxide. The patient, a man, aged 36 years, was admitted as an out-patient, declihing to be taken GENERAL PARALYSIS IN THE NAVY. as an in-patient, at the Great Northern Hospital. He was IN the November number of the Edinburgh Medical J01l’rnal then suffering from suppuration in the structures of the Surgeon F. H. A. Clayton, R.N., assistant medical officer at neck. The swelling extended from the leftear round the the Royal Naval Hospital, Yarmouth, publishes an analysis jaw and well beyond the middle line. The left tonsil and of the statistics of general paralysis as observed in the Royal structures between it and the outside were swollen and Naval Asylum for a series of years, and discusses the inflamed. As incisions were urgently called for the made of man was to inhale nitrous oxide. This was given by its with reference to sexual question etiology, especial of and An of this one the officers of the hospital who gave the gas diluted alcoholism. excess, syphilis, investigation disease as it occurs in the navy possesses the advantage that with air at first, but subsequently he employed pure nitrous the inquiry is limited to a distinct class of men who are par- oxide. An extremely small quantity of gas-a bag and a ticularly subject to it, whose medical history since entry has quarter-is said to have been inhaled and it is expressly been recorded, and whose physical condition, environment, stated that no re-breathing from the bag took place. When and even mental characteristics are much alike. That seamen the ocular reflex was still present the incision was made It is said to have disappeared are more liable than officers to this disease appears from the and respiration ceased. fact that of 274 officers admitted in the last 25 years only 48 after the "excited stage." Possibly the man was never were paralytic cases, 12 of whom were warrant officers coming fully under the gas and the cessation of respiraseamen whereas from the of 839 men were tion was due to syncope from fear in the semi-conscious 188 class, originally At 27 cases. commissioned officers condition. present among However, the house surgeon stated at the paralytic in the asylum there is no case, but, on the other hand, four inquest that the death was due to asphyxia. At the out of six warrant officers and 18 out of 97 men come under necropsy cedema of the larynx was found to exist and the -
1362
approval in all classes of the community, and we trust that it will not be forgotten among the earlier domestic measures of the
new
that head. With respect to etiology Surgeon Clayton summarises his conclusions as follows : "Altogether, one inclines to accept the view that although syphilis or its toxins in many cases, by interference with nutrition, render liable to general paralysis many persons otherwise free, there is no evidence of direct connexion.. The influences which act remotely are usually conditions tending to interference with nutrition and to promoting the growth of less highly organised tissues while the proximate influences probably act by lowering vitality. A specific’ cause, as yet unknown, capable of developing the disease per se, though often aided by various factors, and which usually selects those apparently most healthy and vigorous both in mind and body, seems to be indicated by all the evidence." As is well known, general paralytics always become bed-ridden and in the concluding paragraphs of his article Surgeon Clayton gives some useful hints for the prevention of bed-sores.
Parliament. ___
COMPLIMENTARY DINNER TO SIR GEORGE HARE PHILIPSON.
meeting of the Southern Council of the Durham University Medical Graduates’ Association held at the rooms of the Medical Society on Nov. lst it was unanimously resolved to invite Sir George Hare Philipson to a complimentary dinner at the Caf6 Royal, Regent-street, on Thursday, Nov. 29th. All graduates of the University who AT
a
members of the association in the south are invited to in honouring the guest of the evening, who is one of the founders of the association and one of its strongest supporters. Full particulars may be obtained from the honorary secretary for the south, Dr. T. Outterson Wood,
are
join
40, Margaret-street, Cavendish-square, W. HUXLEY MEMORIAL LECTURE.
DOWLING
v.
DODS.
I,
To commemorate the anthropological work of the late Professor Huxley the council of the Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland has decided to found a public lecture, which will be called the " Huxley Memorial Lecture," and will be given annually at the opening of the winter session of the institute. The first Huxley Lecture will be delivered by the Right Hon. Lord Avebury, D.O.L., LL.D., F.R.S., and is announced to take place on Tuesday, Nov. 13th, at 8.30 P.M., in the Lecture Theatre of the Museum of Practical Geology in Jermyn-street, S.W., which as the scene of so much of Huxley’s most impressive was felt to be the most teaching, appropriate place for such a ceremony, and has been placed for the occasion at the disposal of the Anthropological Institute. It is understood that Lord Avebury will take as the subject of his discourse Huxley’s own contributions to anthropological science: a theme on which as a friend and colleague of Huxley, as himself a distinguished anthropologist, and as the first President of the Anthropological Institute he has peculiar authority to speak. Applications for tickets of admission should be addressed to the secretary, the Anthropological
TowARDS the end of last June an action was brought by Miss Agnes Dowling, a nurse, against Mr. Louis Ferdinand !, Dods, a medical man, for libel. The circumstances were reported in THE LANCET and may be remembered by our readers. The alleged libel was contained in a document purporting to be a certificate of lunacy and addressed to the local relieving officer. The defendant pleaded justification and privilege. The learned judge before whom the case was tried, Mr. Justice Darling, held that the occasion was privileged, but the jury found for the plaintiff, awarding her damages to the amount of .E100. The ’, plaintiff in her evidence showed herself to be the victim of I dangerous hallucinations, so that the result of the trial surprised the medical profession and the public considerably, and a different issue upon appeal was antici- ’, pated. This week, before the Master of the Rolls, ’, Lord Justice Collins, and Lord Justice Stirling, an application was made by Mr. Dods for judgment or An attempt was made on Miss Dowling’s a new trial. part to show that Mr. Dods had been actuated by Institute, 3, Hanover-square, W., as early as possible. malice, but the judges held that there was no evidence of malice and judgment was entered for the defendant DEATH UNDER NITROUS OXIDE. with costs. We congratulate Mr. Dods upon this A RECENT inquest held by Dr. Danford Thomas, the result. We are satisfied that his conduct in the matter coroner for the county of London and Central Middlesex, had its origin in a well-founded belief that Miss a patient lately in the Great Northern Hospital, Dowling was of unsound mind and a source of danger upon one of the few dangers which are incidental to illustrates to the community. the use of nitrous oxide. The patient, a man, aged 36 years, was admitted as an out-patient, declihing to be taken GENERAL PARALYSIS IN THE NAVY. as an in-patient, at the Great Northern Hospital. He was IN the November number of the Edinburgh Medical J01l’rnal then suffering from suppuration in the structures of the Surgeon F. H. A. Clayton, R.N., assistant medical officer at neck. The swelling extended from the leftear round the the Royal Naval Hospital, Yarmouth, publishes an analysis jaw and well beyond the middle line. The left tonsil and of the statistics of general paralysis as observed in the Royal structures between it and the outside were swollen and Naval Asylum for a series of years, and discusses the inflamed. As incisions were urgently called for the made of man was to inhale nitrous oxide. This was given by its with reference to sexual question etiology, especial of and An of this one the officers of the hospital who gave the gas diluted alcoholism. excess, syphilis, investigation disease as it occurs in the navy possesses the advantage that with air at first, but subsequently he employed pure nitrous the inquiry is limited to a distinct class of men who are par- oxide. An extremely small quantity of gas-a bag and a ticularly subject to it, whose medical history since entry has quarter-is said to have been inhaled and it is expressly been recorded, and whose physical condition, environment, stated that no re-breathing from the bag took place. When and even mental characteristics are much alike. That seamen the ocular reflex was still present the incision was made It is said to have disappeared are more liable than officers to this disease appears from the and respiration ceased. fact that of 274 officers admitted in the last 25 years only 48 after the "excited stage." Possibly the man was never were paralytic cases, 12 of whom were warrant officers coming fully under the gas and the cessation of respiraseamen whereas from the of 839 men were tion was due to syncope from fear in the semi-conscious 188 class, originally At 27 cases. commissioned officers condition. present among However, the house surgeon stated at the paralytic in the asylum there is no case, but, on the other hand, four inquest that the death was due to asphyxia. At the out of six warrant officers and 18 out of 97 men come under necropsy cedema of the larynx was found to exist and the -