EGYPT.

1643 in the Chamber of Deputies on the 2nd inst-a debate headed in the parliamentary reports, "Gli Orrori del Brefotrofio di Napoli" (The Horrors of the Naples Foundling Hospital)-drew from several speakers the demand that the "administrators" should be prosecuted to conviction. These "functionarieshave all resigned, and the Minister of Grace and Justice has undertaken that they and their conduct shall come before the tribunals. The Italian Karlsbad and its Ohief Promoter. Attention has from time to time been drawn in these to columns Italy’s wealth in mineral waters, and particularly to those of the Tuscan Monte Catini, known as the Italian Karlsbad," for their efficacy in hepatic disorders and in the initial phases of gout. Next to the name of Fedeli, the most honourably associated with Monte Catini has of late years been that of Federici, to whom the thermal establishment owes many substantial and enduring services. That eminent physician, who held one of the clinical chairs in the Florentine school, died in 1.892, when a full account of his On Sunday, May 30th, career was given in THE LANCET.l a commemorative tablet, inserted in the facade of his house in Florence, was unveiled in the presence of a large concourse of the public, professional and lay, the medical schools throughout the kingdom being nearly all represented, and the spokesman of the occasion being his successor in the Direction of Monte Catini and in the Florentine chair, Dr. Pietro Grocco, the acknowledged head of Tuscan medicine. The text of Professor Grocco’s speech is now before me, and I need only say of it that it is equally honourable to its subject and to its author. The Italian intellect at its best never appears to greater advantage than in the medical field, whether in enlarging the scientific horizon or in adding to the resources of practice. Cesare Federici was one of those worthy successors of B1glivi and Morgagni, Rasori and Nobili, who have left indelible traces on the evolution of the healing art, and his example was effectively utilised by his successor as a stimulus to the medicine of young Italy to follow the same independent and painstaking line. A few more leaders of his stamp, and the ground she has lost since the Renaissance would be not only retreived but extended, to the development of her professional Efficiency all round and especially of. her resources in balneary methods of treatment wherein her native advantages have hitherto been inversely to her energy in utilising them.

-

June 3rd.

(FROM

Budapest Humane Society. held on Sunday last in the new town hall A of Budapest, the occasion being the tenth anniversary of the foundation of this society. The meeting was honoured by the presence of H R.H. the Archduke Joseph, the patron of the Humane Society, and by his Excellency M. Wiassics, Minister for Public Instruction. The Mayor of Budapest, Count Lamezan, the President of the Vienna Humane Society, and most professors of the medical faculty were also present. The Budapest Humane Society was founded ten years ago by the philanthropist, Chevalier S. Falk, Count A. And) assy, and its present director, Dr. G. Kresz, and has since risen from small beginnings to an organisation which brings help and comfort to thousands whose lives are in jeopardy. During last year the society was called upon in 13,251 cases. The whole number of cases in which its assistance had been resorted to during the ten years of its existence amounts to 81,315. The society has also done very good work in establishing and organising similar institutions in the larger provincial towns of Hungary, such as Kolozsvar, SzekesThe

1.fEETISG was

Nagyvarad.

Tlte First Hungarian Lady Doctor. Last week Countess Hugonnay took the degree of M.D. of Budapest University. She completed her medical curriculumL and graduated as M.D. in Switzerland some years ago, but was not allowed to practise in Hungary, because, according: to law, foreign degrees-save those of Austria-cannot be: entered in the Hungarian Medical Register. She had, therefore, to pass the final examinations of Budapestj .

1

THE

LANCET, June 4th, 1892, p. 1278.

practise in Buda-

Long Forceps (Axis Traction) ’I-’erSllS Turning.

BUDAPEST. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

and

an

Dr. St. Tosh has published out of the rich material of Professor Tauffer’s Obstetrical Clinic a series of cases in, which he employed long forceps instead of turning. The conclusions he drew in his very elaborate paper were the following: 1. The use of the forceps atthe inlet of the pelvic cavity is not so hazardous as’ is still believed by many writers, and is decidedly more favourable to both mother and child than internal podalic version. 2. In all cases where speedy delivery is required for the safety of the mother and version is not applicable the axis traction forceps should be tried before resorting toperforation. 3, In cases of moderately contracted pelvis long forceps are to be preferred to turning, because by thus waiting the expulsive powers have a chance to complete labour spontaneously. 4. Should the forceps at the inlet. prove of no success, then perforation is to be performed at once. Symphyseotomy may under favourable circumstances prove to be the right proceeding, but internal podalic version is decidedly contra-indicated in these cases. 5. Axis, traction forceps of different lengths may be used, but Dr. St. Tosh prefers Tarnier’s instrument.

June 5th.

iehefvar, Szabadka,

and I understand that she will obstetrician and gynecologist.

University, pest as

OUR

EGYPT. OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Pilgrims and Quarantine. DR. ARMAND BUFFER, the new President of the International Quarantine Board of Egypt, has just returned fromthe pilgrim camp at Tor. In order to be prepared for the influx of returning pilgrims he had established a large staff’ of European and native medical men, some of the latter having been temporarily lent by the School of Medicine here. For the first time, also, an Englishman is being employed there, Mr. Chilton. Orders were given that during the three days’ quarantine, which every pilgrim is obliged to undergoat Tor, all cases of diarrhoea should be viewed with suspicion and examined bacteriologically. On May 24th, as a matter of routine, a miserably ick man moribund from kidney disease was so examined. The medical officers) who conducted the necropsy declared their conviction that it could not possibly be a case of cholera. Yet of the fasces revealed the examination microscopical typicalcomma bacilli, which were so familiar a year ago in Cairo to some of the workers now at Tor. In some other cases of diarrhoea, among the living and the dead, bacilli of choleracould not be discovered; while, on the other hand, they were found in some cases where diarrhoea was not a prominent symptom. So far cholera bacilli have been found in eight pilgrims during the last week, though the telegraph reports. that there were no fresh cases yesterday. Now all these cases of comma bacilli were similar, and all behaved in the same way to various tests employed. For instance, the suspected substance gives the indol reactio]2. with sulphuric acid added to peptonised bouillon,. and the addition of cholera serum to an emulsion of the organism produced a flocculent precipitate. Yesterday as a further proof Dr. Symmers and Dr. Bitter inoculated three guinea-pigs with material brought from All three died within s.ix hours, their temperature Tor. falling within three hours after injection from 99.zoF. (two) and 1015° to something below 95°, which the thermometer could not register. To-day, again, three more guinea-pigs were inoculated with a fatal dose of the bacillus, together with varying quantities of cholera serum (Pfeiffer) ; but the result of thi3 is not yet known. This is the case for cholera:: much diarrhoea, a few deaths, and unmistakable bacilli found in eight patients. The arguments against cholera are that the’ bacilli are not yet corroborated by clinical, pathological, or epidemiolcgical evidence. So far, it is said, there is an absence of vomiting, cramps, cyanosis, and rice-water stools, and the intestines of the dead are found filled with bile-stained fseces. Dr. Zachariades, who is in medical charge of Tor, has seen three cholera epidemics there, and firmly denies that the present disease is cholera. This is based upon his cwm clinical opinion, but it is interesting to remember that he was the medical man who in 1895 reported that cholera was then existent at Tor. His French colleague was unable to find any

1644 The Quarantine Board in Alexandria supported the bacteriologist and gave no credence to the clinical report. Officially there was no cholera at Tor in 1895, and yet the disease was introduced about that time into Egypt and remained in the country till October, 1896. Up till now the Quarantine Board has declared the present pilgrimage to be "clean," but it is difficult to see how they can now In this latter case all avoid declaring it "unclean." existing and future pilgrims will be kept at Tor for ten days after the last case. By decision of the various congresses a pilgrimage must be in one of these two categories—it cannot be classed "suspeeb." By declaring it "unclean"some inconvenience would be caused to quarantine officials and to about 2000 pilgrims, but, on the other hand, Egypt would very likely be saved from another outbreak of cholera. Cholera always has entered Egypt from Hedjaz, though it has never been discovered at the time. Also, it must be remembered that cholera has often been at Tor, as in 1890 and 1891, without the disease entering Egypt. ’Past history tells us that when the quarantine officials have recognised cholera and treated it energetically Egypt has not been attacked. On all occasions when Egypt has suffered from cholera the enemy has been allowed to penetrate the first line of defence without question. At this crisis we may congratulate ourselves that Dr. Ruffer is at the head of the Alexandria Board and that he happened to be inspecting Tor last week.

bacilli.

Uoruly Pilgrilzs. days ago temporary rising took place at Tor among pilgrims, who naturally demurred at any extension of their quarantine. One of their grievances is that they have to supply themselves with food during their impdsonment in camp. At the time of this rising eighty Egyptian soldiers were guarding 5000 Turks. To any one who knows the two Now races this is like setting a sheep to watch the dogs. the guard has been doubled, and what is obviously wanted is A few

a

Eaglish officer in command. Cairo, June lst.

an .-- --0---- -----

be found in his annual reports. The experience thus him in the discharge of value to proved gained great of his more important duties as medical inspector. He was appointed to this post in 1878, a year memorable in the history of prisons, as it was then the local prisons came under the Crown. The transference from the local authorities to a central board of so many large institutions was a work of considerable magnitude, and one requiring the exercise of great tact and discretion. Dr. Gover shared in the work, for there were many medical points which had to be dealt with. One of the most important of these was the introduction of a uniform scale of diet in all the prisons of England and Wales. This subject was submitted to a committee, of which Dr. Gover was a leading member. He displayed great interest in the subject, and published his views in a paper read before the Society of Arts in 1878. During the whole of his career as medical inspector, about eighteen years, the question of prison dietary frequently occupied his time and attention, and he introduced improvements On many other questions affecting wherever practicable. the well-being of prisoners—e.g., the treatment of weakminded and imbecile criminals, the management of infectious diseases in prisons, &c., he has left traces in the orders which are issued for the guidance of the officials. He had frequently to advise the Home Secretary and the high prison officials in matters of difficulty and delicacy. He gave important evidence before the Commission which inquired into the subject of criminal lunacy in 1880, and he appeared as a witness before the Commission of Inquiry regarding the management of Prisons in 1896, He contributed papers on the treatment of criminal lunatics and weak-minded prisoners to the Paris Penitentiary Congress in 1895. Dr. Gover’s manner was gentle and unassuming, and his courtesy and affability were constant. He was held in much esteem by the medical staff of the prison department, and they cannot but regret the loss of one who, as far as lay in his power, upheld their interests and invariably proved a good friend and a kind chief.

JOSEPH LAW, M.D. EDIX., L.F.P.S. GLASG.

Obituary. ROBERT MUNDY GOVER, M.D. ST. AND., F.R.C.P. LOND., LATE H.M. MEDICAL INSPECTOR OF PRISOXS.

WE regret to have to record the death of Dr. R. M. Gover, which took place at Falmouth on the 5th inst. Dr. Gover was in the active discharge of his duties until July of last year, when illness compelled him to take leave of absence, and to go to the south of England in search of health. It had been noticed for some time that his health was not good, but it was hoped that rest and change would restore him, and that he would soon be able to resume his duties. Unfortunately these hopes proved fallacious, the desired improvement did not occur, and in December last he felt obliged to place his resignation in the hands of the Secretary of State. The news of his death will come as a shock to his friends, and more particularly to those who were associated with him in the work of the prison department. Dr. Gover qualified as M.R.C.S. in 1856, and L.S.A. in 1859. He became M.R.C.P. in 1876, M.D. St. Andrews in 1882, and F.R.C.P. Lond. in 1883. He joined the prison service at Portsmouth in 1857, and was ’transferred as resident surgeon to Millbank Prison in 1860. A few years later, in 1865, he succeeded to the full medical charge, and held the position until appointed to the Home Office in 1878. Millbank during his tenure of office there was one of the most important prisons in the country, and his post was no sinecure. He had to deal with all sorts and conditions of criminals, and he became familiariscd with all aspects of criminal life. Not only were ordinary ,offenders confined within the walls, but there was a department for military prisoners, and it was the custom to send lunatics, imbeciles, and epileptics from other prisons for - observation and report. The requirements of this large and varied population, their diseases and weaknesses, their I excesses and breakings out," their malingering and all .grumbling, kept him busy, and he had not time to contribute much to contemporary literature. Many pertinent observations and valuable suggestions regarding the connexion between lunacy and crime are, however, to

DR. LAW, of Sheffield, who died at his residence in Devonshire-street at the great age of ninety years on June 1st, was a veritable link with the past. He was a native of Sheffield, where his family had long been established. His medical education was received at Trinity College, Dublin, and at Edinburgh University, and he became a Licentiate of the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow as long He returned to Sheffield, and about 1836 ago as 1831. obtained the appointment of house surgeon at the dispensary in West-street, where he remained until, in 1841, he became house surgeon at the general infirmary in succession to Dr. Ernest, who died after more than thirty years’ tenure of office. After eleven years’ service as house surgeon, during which he was frequently complimented by the governors at the annual meetings, Dr. Law resigned his position, returned to Edinburgh in 1853 for the purpose of taking his M.D. degree, and thereupon established himself in practice in Sheffield. In 1854 he was elected physician to the dispensary and in 1866 physician to the infirmary. On his resignation of the latter appointment in 1876 he became consulting physician, and on his final retirement in 1890, forty-nine years after he had first become connected with the institution, he was presented with a portrait of himself, which was hung in the infirmary board-room. Another portrait of him, executed in 1892, hangs in the Medical School. Dr. Law outlived his wife and his early associates, and witnessed many changes in medicine and surgery. He will be regretfully remembered by numerous friends and acquaintances, to whom his sincerity and goodness of heart endeared him.

THE CIVIL RIGHTS DEFENCE COMMITTEE: PUBLIC MEETING AT PLYMOUTH.—By the

help of the members of the

Plymouth Medical Society and other medical men in Plymouth

both political parties have combined to form an influential committee drawn from the towns of Plymouth, Devonport, and Stonehouse, which committee has convened a meeting to be held on June 14th to receive a deputation from the Civil Rights Defence Committee and hear an address from Mr. R. B. Anderson.