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EPSOM COLLEGE.
1176
acquired immunity primarily depends on the presence of the neutralising antitoxin. It will be noted that this antitoxic
-
Annotations.
material appears as the result of the injection of the corresponding toxin or may be transferred, as in the injection "Ne quid nimis." of antidiphtheria serum, from one animal to another. These facts do not furnish any ground for a general theory EPSOM COLLEGE. of immunity, as even in the diseases mentioned animals WE are sure that many of our readers will be glad to hear naturally immune need not possess any antitoxic body in that the council of the Royal Medical Benevolent College of their blood. Epsom has decided to take the necessary legal steps for The relation between toxin and antitoxin, at one time the purpose of changing the official title of the institution regarded as a physiological one, is now considered to be of to "Epsom College." It will be seen on reference to the nature of a chemical reaction similar to that which exists our advertising columns that an extraordinary general of the governors is to be held on Wednesday, between an acid and an alkali. Of course, as our test for meeting Nov. llth, for the purpose of making the requisite alteraneutralisation is physiological and not chemical, as is tion, since the amending Act of Parliament obtained in 1894pointed out by Dr. BASHFORD, there is room for a large provides that the passing of a motion at a general meeting margin of error, nor, since we are unaware that there is any to the effect that the name of the College is to be altered phenomenon corresponding to precipitation in this inter- will be all that is required to effect the legal change of action, can we expect the influence of mass to be absent title. Those qualified to judge have for many years believed in this any more than in other chemical changes. It is, that two words in the long title have militated against the success of the educational side of the institution. "Medical" however, possible to fix the neutralising relationship between " certainly conveys the idea. that the College is a "class" toxin and antitoxin with sufficient accuracy to satisfy the school and almost all persons nowadays grant that schools requirements of practical medicine. It is difficult to for the children of members of a single profession are believe that such intimate union as is implied by undesirable ; and the term "Benevolent"" serves to stamp the effects produced by a toxin on the susceptible tissue all scholars as being in receipt of an education more should be of other than a chemical nature, and it is or less of an eleemosynary character. As Epsom College contains a very large number of pupils who pay full fees, found experimentally that all toxins capable of giving rise many who are not sons of medical men paying as much to antitoxic bodies are so intimately combined with the as 75 guineas a year, the word "Benevolent" applied to cells that they cannot be separated by other than chemical the school as a whole is certainly misleading. THE LANCET EHRLICH’S explanation of these facts is that a was probably the first tj take exception to this word, for means. toxin poisons a cell by uniting chemically with an un- in the year 1851, when the late Mr. Propert inaugurated satisfied affinity-a side chain-of some cell constituent this noble work, the following appeared in our columns : which is required to carry on the ordinary metabolism of " We wish then the proposal of Mr. Propert good speed. We should like to see the termbenevolent’ omitted from the healthy cell life. The cells thus poisoned, and possibly also title, but for the objects of the institution, whether for similar associated cells, if in process of recovery reproeleemosynary or educational purposes, we have but one duce this side chain of the cell constituent with its word and one thought-that of hearty cooperation and potential toxin- combining affinity, so that once more the support." Soon after this a rumour wacirculated that it cell can carry on its normal processes. Under the constant was proposed to make the College a class school, and as a stimulus of the toxin, as occurs in the process of immunisa- consequence we wrote in a leading article on Nov 29th, abroad as an objection to 1851, as follows : "It has tion, these toxin-combining side chains are not only repro- the scheme that the school gone will not only be exclusively for duced but developed in excess of the cell requirements the sons of medical men but for those sons only who are and are then cast off into the general circulation. intended for the profession. The idea is monstrous. We These side chains, produced in excess, capable ex have authority for stating that the school will not be conof with the and toxin ltypothesi existing fined to the sons of medical men, but the foundation will be combining free in the circulation, constitute the antitoxin. There are 3xelusively for the orphans and sons of distressed members" )f our own profession, whatever be their future destination." many facts which go to show that antitoxin is the product Fhe advertisement shows that in proposing to change the of cell activity under the influence of a stimulus, generally iitle the council is not unmindful of the importance of the that of the corresponding toxin, but in some cases that of )haritable side of the institution-namely, the giving of non-toxic derivatives of the toxin, and the yield of antitoxin )emions to 50 aged medical men or to their widows and the in an immunised animal may be increased by the injection revision of board, education, and clothing free of charge or 50 foundation scholars the sons of medical men in disof such a cell stimulant as pilocarpin. The widely exIt is proposed to pass a standing ressed circumstances. tended use of antitoxin in the treatment of diphtheria Irder of the council directing that in documents issued from makes these neutralising bodies bulk large in our con. he office in London the following words shall appear ceptions of the means by which immunity is produced, mmediately after the title : " Established in 1855 as a but it is in but a very limited number of diseases ] public school with a Royal Medical Benevjient Founda" The production1 ion. The idea appears to be a happy one, for it not that antitoxins can be shown to exist. and therapeutic use of antitoxic sera are, of course, nly traces the institution under its new title of Epsom iollege back to its foundation close upon 50 years ago, The means by based on solid experimental grounds. o that friends of the old title may easily recognise which the relations between toxin and antitoxin are ; under the new one, but emphasis is laid upon gauged have also an experimental basis, though theoreticalt ie fact that a great medical charity is combined with a reasonings have led to the development of the presentI ublic school. This fact was never clear under the old, r dsleading title of "Royal Medical Benevolent College," practical methods,
i
1177 The matter may tend to prove the limitations investigation is necessarily subjected upon such rather than to show that want of care or other side to the question and it would have held good even if the College had contained only foundation scholars : it is intelligence can be attributed to those concerned ; the fact, not true charity constantly to remind those who, owing to however, of the presence of a corpse having so long adverse circumstances, have been compelled to receive a remained undiscovered in such a place will remain as one gratuitous education that they have been to a benevolent of the conspicuous features of a tragedy which has aroused To the sympathy and wonder of the whole country. school. we Hickman of Miss friends and relatives the bereaved tender our respectful condolence in their sorrow which has KING EDWARD VII. SANATORIUM. now lost the element of suspense together with whatever ANOTHER stage will be reached in the progress towards At the inquest faint hope may have hitherto survived. - the realisation of the King Edward VII. Sanatorium for was opened on Oct. 21st before Mr. M. H. Taylor, which stone foundation Tuberculosis on Nov. 3rd when the coroner for Mid-Surrey. medical evidence was given by Dr. will be laid by His Majesty the King at Lord’s Common, M. H. Gardiner and by Mr. A. J. Pepper that no signs of :Easebourne, Midhurst, Sussex. The advertisement for the death from violence were found at the post-mortem examinabest essays and plans appeared in THE LANCET of tion. The result of the examination as regards the cause Jan. 4th, 1902, between pages 36 and 37 and the name of death was entirely negative. The inquiry was adjourned of the donor of the .6200,000 for the sanatorium, to Nov. 5th. Sir Ernest Cassel, K.C.M.G., was announced in our columns The result of the prize competi- THE HATCHING OF CHICKENS FROM PRESERVED on Jan. llth, 1902, p. 111. tion for the best essays and plans was given by us on EGGS. August 9th, 1902, p. 369, and the three prize essays and IN a letter from a correspondent published in our present plans were published in THE LANCET of Jan. 3rd, 1903. issue attention is again called to the remarkable preIn our issue of May 16th, 1903, p. 1391, we stated that servative effects on eggs of silicate of soda. Some months the site chosen had been acquired from Lord Egmont at we referred to a statement which had been made Lord’s Common, Easebourne, six miles south of Haslemere ago that a chicken had been hatched from an egg which and about three from Midhurst, and that it was 150 acres Our correhad then been preserved for 12 months. in extent. Midhurst is about 64 miles from Waterloo station which’had been prehatch to endeavoured eggs spondent .(L. & S.W.R.) and the time occupied by the journey is from served for three months. This he entirely failed to do but two and a half to three hours. he found that the eggs, even when they had been incubated for over three weeks, remained perfectly fresh and THE DEATH OF MISS HICKMAN. He could not be distinguished from recently laid eggs. THE body of Miss Hickman was found on the afternoon of points out that if the preservative effect of the silicate of Sunday, Oct. 18th, in one of the inclosed plantations of soda is due to the formation of an impermeable substance Richmond Park in a condition which leaves no doubt that it in the shell of the egg-and there seems no reason to had lain there during the whole, or almost the whole, of the doubt this explanation-then it can hardly be expected period which has elapsed since her disappearance from the that the chick will develop unless some method is adopted Royal Free Hospital on August 15th. The inquest which is in order again to render the shell permeable to air. Experibeing held upon the remains will submit to the test ments in this direction would be of great interest. of open inquiry and cross-examination such information as may be available as to the last occasions MORAL DELINQUENCY IN CHILDREN. upon which the deceased lady was seen alive and to IN an annotation which was published in THE LANCET a considerable extent, if not in every detail, should elucidate of July 18th last (p. 175) reference was made to the obserthe mystery of her fate. The mere discovery of her body in vations and cases recently reported by Dr. A. McLane such circumstances has served to dispel the more distressing Hamilton concerning insanity and moral delinquency in and alarming of the theories which have been suggested and In the Daily Express of Sept. 25th an account children. To some extent also an explanation may be circulated. was given of a little girl who was the subject of murderous .afforded before the coroner of the fact that in a public The child is described tendencies of a peculiar sort. park and pleasure resort within eight miles of the as 11 a of nine, innocent-looking, with girl bright-eyed ’centre of London the dead body of a person of whose a happy smiling face," who had a propensity for luring ’disappearance everyone is aware may lie, practically little boys to a brook and throwing them in and leaving It is true unconcealed, for more than two months. Twice during the week preceding her them to drown. that the public are excluded by the regulations of trial she had sought to carry her murderous instincts into the park from the wood or plantation in question effect. Some time previously she lured a boy six years and that owing to the preservation of game some care is no and pushed him into a stream but after watching old doubt exercised to enforce the rules laid down. It was not, for some moments she helped him out again. his however, in any way physically inaccessible and, as a matter For struggles this deed she was kept in close confinement for ten of fact, the small boys who made so grim a discovery while and almost her first act on regaining her freedom looking for horse chestnuts had no difficulty in entering or days o was to entice a little boy aged three years to a brook, to leaving it. That Miss Hickman had been seen in the park throw him in, and to run away. By the merest chance the was one of the most tangible of the many rumours regarding incident was witnessed by a man who was working near her movements after leaving Gray’s Inn-road and the past and the little one was rescued. She had attempted to drown residence of her family in the neighbourhood gave a certain child in the same way. A curious absence of the The fact, however, another colour of probability to the story. sense of remorse was exhibited by this youthful criminal. remains that neither police nor parkkeepers, either in the magistrate she is said cheerfully to have the exercise of their ordinary duties or in consequence Questioned by she threw children into the stream but she that admitted of the suggestions put forward, made a discovery which not say what prompted her to do it. Apparently, could a would have spared long pericd of anxiety to motive was lacking except the innate instinct of those upon whom the terrible period of suspense and 1THE LANCET, May 16th, 1903, p. 1393. the complete absence of information have weighed most
since the granting of pensions cannot by any stretch of the imagination be associated with a college. There is one
heavily.
to which occasions
____
____
z,
all
acquired immunity primarily depends on the presence of the neutralising antitoxin. It will be noted that this antitoxic
-
Annotations.
material appears as the result of the injection of the corresponding toxin or may be transferred, as in the injection "Ne quid nimis." of antidiphtheria serum, from one animal to another. These facts do not furnish any ground for a general theory EPSOM COLLEGE. of immunity, as even in the diseases mentioned animals WE are sure that many of our readers will be glad to hear naturally immune need not possess any antitoxic body in that the council of the Royal Medical Benevolent College of their blood. Epsom has decided to take the necessary legal steps for The relation between toxin and antitoxin, at one time the purpose of changing the official title of the institution regarded as a physiological one, is now considered to be of to "Epsom College." It will be seen on reference to the nature of a chemical reaction similar to that which exists our advertising columns that an extraordinary general of the governors is to be held on Wednesday, between an acid and an alkali. Of course, as our test for meeting Nov. llth, for the purpose of making the requisite alteraneutralisation is physiological and not chemical, as is tion, since the amending Act of Parliament obtained in 1894pointed out by Dr. BASHFORD, there is room for a large provides that the passing of a motion at a general meeting margin of error, nor, since we are unaware that there is any to the effect that the name of the College is to be altered phenomenon corresponding to precipitation in this inter- will be all that is required to effect the legal change of action, can we expect the influence of mass to be absent title. Those qualified to judge have for many years believed in this any more than in other chemical changes. It is, that two words in the long title have militated against the success of the educational side of the institution. "Medical" however, possible to fix the neutralising relationship between " certainly conveys the idea. that the College is a "class" toxin and antitoxin with sufficient accuracy to satisfy the school and almost all persons nowadays grant that schools requirements of practical medicine. It is difficult to for the children of members of a single profession are believe that such intimate union as is implied by undesirable ; and the term "Benevolent"" serves to stamp the effects produced by a toxin on the susceptible tissue all scholars as being in receipt of an education more should be of other than a chemical nature, and it is or less of an eleemosynary character. As Epsom College contains a very large number of pupils who pay full fees, found experimentally that all toxins capable of giving rise many who are not sons of medical men paying as much to antitoxic bodies are so intimately combined with the as 75 guineas a year, the word "Benevolent" applied to cells that they cannot be separated by other than chemical the school as a whole is certainly misleading. THE LANCET EHRLICH’S explanation of these facts is that a was probably the first tj take exception to this word, for means. toxin poisons a cell by uniting chemically with an un- in the year 1851, when the late Mr. Propert inaugurated satisfied affinity-a side chain-of some cell constituent this noble work, the following appeared in our columns : which is required to carry on the ordinary metabolism of " We wish then the proposal of Mr. Propert good speed. We should like to see the termbenevolent’ omitted from the healthy cell life. The cells thus poisoned, and possibly also title, but for the objects of the institution, whether for similar associated cells, if in process of recovery reproeleemosynary or educational purposes, we have but one duce this side chain of the cell constituent with its word and one thought-that of hearty cooperation and potential toxin- combining affinity, so that once more the support." Soon after this a rumour wacirculated that it cell can carry on its normal processes. Under the constant was proposed to make the College a class school, and as a stimulus of the toxin, as occurs in the process of immunisa- consequence we wrote in a leading article on Nov 29th, abroad as an objection to 1851, as follows : "It has tion, these toxin-combining side chains are not only repro- the scheme that the school gone will not only be exclusively for duced but developed in excess of the cell requirements the sons of medical men but for those sons only who are and are then cast off into the general circulation. intended for the profession. The idea is monstrous. We These side chains, produced in excess, capable ex have authority for stating that the school will not be conof with the and toxin ltypothesi existing fined to the sons of medical men, but the foundation will be combining free in the circulation, constitute the antitoxin. There are 3xelusively for the orphans and sons of distressed members" )f our own profession, whatever be their future destination." many facts which go to show that antitoxin is the product Fhe advertisement shows that in proposing to change the of cell activity under the influence of a stimulus, generally iitle the council is not unmindful of the importance of the that of the corresponding toxin, but in some cases that of )haritable side of the institution-namely, the giving of non-toxic derivatives of the toxin, and the yield of antitoxin )emions to 50 aged medical men or to their widows and the in an immunised animal may be increased by the injection revision of board, education, and clothing free of charge or 50 foundation scholars the sons of medical men in disof such a cell stimulant as pilocarpin. The widely exIt is proposed to pass a standing ressed circumstances. tended use of antitoxin in the treatment of diphtheria Irder of the council directing that in documents issued from makes these neutralising bodies bulk large in our con. he office in London the following words shall appear ceptions of the means by which immunity is produced, mmediately after the title : " Established in 1855 as a but it is in but a very limited number of diseases ] public school with a Royal Medical Benevjient Founda" The production1 ion. The idea appears to be a happy one, for it not that antitoxins can be shown to exist. and therapeutic use of antitoxic sera are, of course, nly traces the institution under its new title of Epsom iollege back to its foundation close upon 50 years ago, The means by based on solid experimental grounds. o that friends of the old title may easily recognise which the relations between toxin and antitoxin are ; under the new one, but emphasis is laid upon gauged have also an experimental basis, though theoreticalt ie fact that a great medical charity is combined with a reasonings have led to the development of the presentI ublic school. This fact was never clear under the old, r dsleading title of "Royal Medical Benevolent College," practical methods,
i
1177 The matter may tend to prove the limitations investigation is necessarily subjected upon such rather than to show that want of care or other side to the question and it would have held good even if the College had contained only foundation scholars : it is intelligence can be attributed to those concerned ; the fact, not true charity constantly to remind those who, owing to however, of the presence of a corpse having so long adverse circumstances, have been compelled to receive a remained undiscovered in such a place will remain as one gratuitous education that they have been to a benevolent of the conspicuous features of a tragedy which has aroused To the sympathy and wonder of the whole country. school. we Hickman of Miss friends and relatives the bereaved tender our respectful condolence in their sorrow which has KING EDWARD VII. SANATORIUM. now lost the element of suspense together with whatever ANOTHER stage will be reached in the progress towards At the inquest faint hope may have hitherto survived. - the realisation of the King Edward VII. Sanatorium for was opened on Oct. 21st before Mr. M. H. Taylor, which stone foundation Tuberculosis on Nov. 3rd when the coroner for Mid-Surrey. medical evidence was given by Dr. will be laid by His Majesty the King at Lord’s Common, M. H. Gardiner and by Mr. A. J. Pepper that no signs of :Easebourne, Midhurst, Sussex. The advertisement for the death from violence were found at the post-mortem examinabest essays and plans appeared in THE LANCET of tion. The result of the examination as regards the cause Jan. 4th, 1902, between pages 36 and 37 and the name of death was entirely negative. The inquiry was adjourned of the donor of the .6200,000 for the sanatorium, to Nov. 5th. Sir Ernest Cassel, K.C.M.G., was announced in our columns The result of the prize competi- THE HATCHING OF CHICKENS FROM PRESERVED on Jan. llth, 1902, p. 111. tion for the best essays and plans was given by us on EGGS. August 9th, 1902, p. 369, and the three prize essays and IN a letter from a correspondent published in our present plans were published in THE LANCET of Jan. 3rd, 1903. issue attention is again called to the remarkable preIn our issue of May 16th, 1903, p. 1391, we stated that servative effects on eggs of silicate of soda. Some months the site chosen had been acquired from Lord Egmont at we referred to a statement which had been made Lord’s Common, Easebourne, six miles south of Haslemere ago that a chicken had been hatched from an egg which and about three from Midhurst, and that it was 150 acres Our correhad then been preserved for 12 months. in extent. Midhurst is about 64 miles from Waterloo station which’had been prehatch to endeavoured eggs spondent .(L. & S.W.R.) and the time occupied by the journey is from served for three months. This he entirely failed to do but two and a half to three hours. he found that the eggs, even when they had been incubated for over three weeks, remained perfectly fresh and THE DEATH OF MISS HICKMAN. He could not be distinguished from recently laid eggs. THE body of Miss Hickman was found on the afternoon of points out that if the preservative effect of the silicate of Sunday, Oct. 18th, in one of the inclosed plantations of soda is due to the formation of an impermeable substance Richmond Park in a condition which leaves no doubt that it in the shell of the egg-and there seems no reason to had lain there during the whole, or almost the whole, of the doubt this explanation-then it can hardly be expected period which has elapsed since her disappearance from the that the chick will develop unless some method is adopted Royal Free Hospital on August 15th. The inquest which is in order again to render the shell permeable to air. Experibeing held upon the remains will submit to the test ments in this direction would be of great interest. of open inquiry and cross-examination such information as may be available as to the last occasions MORAL DELINQUENCY IN CHILDREN. upon which the deceased lady was seen alive and to IN an annotation which was published in THE LANCET a considerable extent, if not in every detail, should elucidate of July 18th last (p. 175) reference was made to the obserthe mystery of her fate. The mere discovery of her body in vations and cases recently reported by Dr. A. McLane such circumstances has served to dispel the more distressing Hamilton concerning insanity and moral delinquency in and alarming of the theories which have been suggested and In the Daily Express of Sept. 25th an account children. To some extent also an explanation may be circulated. was given of a little girl who was the subject of murderous .afforded before the coroner of the fact that in a public The child is described tendencies of a peculiar sort. park and pleasure resort within eight miles of the as 11 a of nine, innocent-looking, with girl bright-eyed ’centre of London the dead body of a person of whose a happy smiling face," who had a propensity for luring ’disappearance everyone is aware may lie, practically little boys to a brook and throwing them in and leaving It is true unconcealed, for more than two months. Twice during the week preceding her them to drown. that the public are excluded by the regulations of trial she had sought to carry her murderous instincts into the park from the wood or plantation in question effect. Some time previously she lured a boy six years and that owing to the preservation of game some care is no and pushed him into a stream but after watching old doubt exercised to enforce the rules laid down. It was not, for some moments she helped him out again. his however, in any way physically inaccessible and, as a matter For struggles this deed she was kept in close confinement for ten of fact, the small boys who made so grim a discovery while and almost her first act on regaining her freedom looking for horse chestnuts had no difficulty in entering or days o was to entice a little boy aged three years to a brook, to leaving it. That Miss Hickman had been seen in the park throw him in, and to run away. By the merest chance the was one of the most tangible of the many rumours regarding incident was witnessed by a man who was working near her movements after leaving Gray’s Inn-road and the past and the little one was rescued. She had attempted to drown residence of her family in the neighbourhood gave a certain child in the same way. A curious absence of the The fact, however, another colour of probability to the story. sense of remorse was exhibited by this youthful criminal. remains that neither police nor parkkeepers, either in the magistrate she is said cheerfully to have the exercise of their ordinary duties or in consequence Questioned by she threw children into the stream but she that admitted of the suggestions put forward, made a discovery which not say what prompted her to do it. Apparently, could a would have spared long pericd of anxiety to motive was lacking except the innate instinct of those upon whom the terrible period of suspense and 1THE LANCET, May 16th, 1903, p. 1393. the complete absence of information have weighed most
since the granting of pensions cannot by any stretch of the imagination be associated with a college. There is one
heavily.
to which occasions
____
____
z,
all