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GYMNASTIC BELTS.
1392 the work of the organisation of the professionthat 1 comparatively few of the teachers in the three subjects but is also endeavouring to induce all other Governments to have 1 taken any interest in either of the schemes. The patronise this important movement. Under such propitious ,delegates of the medical schools and the authorities of these circumstances medical men will only have themselves to schools have not been asked for their opinions. The meeting blame if their unions do not grow rapidly in strength and of the special teachers to-day (Friday) will therefore be of numbers. but little weight in the discussion of the question. We are well aware that a concentration of early-that is to say, THE SEVENTH INTERNATIONAL OTOLOGICAL scientific-teaching in London would be most advisable and CONGRESS. that probably university influence alone could procure such a ( OwiXG to the date for holding the International Medical desirable change. It is, however, very questionable whether could t this be brought about by a few teachers who are next in it that the has been decided 1903 Congress falling E The views of the interested in the subjects. International Otological Congress shall not take place in specially 1 medical staffs at the various schools must be known that year but in 1902. The meeting will be held at Bordeaux large 1 before the Commissioners can take a report in favour ofa under the presidency of Dr. Moure. < central institute as the one that is most consonant with the opinions of the London teachers. Concentration is a worthy THE DENTAL HOSPITAL OF LONDON. object, but in a city of the size of London it requires much THE annual dinner of the staff and past and presentt thought and care. students will be held on Saturday, Dec. 2nd, at the Hotel Metropole (Whitehall Rooms) under the presidency of AN INSANITARY AREA IN BIRMINGHAM. Mr. Alfred Coleman. Gentlemen either now or formerly SERIOUS complaints are being made as to the sanitary connected with the hospital or medical school who may (condition of St. Laurence parish, Birmingham, which is through inadvertence not have received special notice and ( in a local journal, the Daily Ary2ts, as " a blot on who desire to be present are requested to communicate withdescribed 1 the city and on civilisation." All large towns have their the Dean at the Dental Hospital, 40, slum districts, the inhabitants of which deliberately ignore all the precepts of sanitary science, but this is only a reason LONG SERVICE OF A PUBLIC VACCINATOR. for increased activity on the part of the municipal autho. AT the meeting of the St. Pancras Board of Guardians on rities in order that remediable evils may be mitigated. Oct. 26th a letter was read from Mr. Claude C. Claremont, The principal advocate of sanitary improvements in this public vaccinator for the parish, intimating that in con- neglected part of Birmingham seems to be the vicar of the sequence of ill-health he had determined to retire from parish, the Rev. T. G. Bass, who summoned a public meeting practice and live in the country. The board regretfully as far back as last April with the view of inducing the city accepted Mr. Claremont’s resignation of the position of authorities to make a full inquiry into the condition of the public vaccinator and at the same time unanimously neighbourhood, one nuisance complained of being the free to be his escape of foul effluvia from the sewers. It seems that in appointed his son, Mr. Louis B. successor. Mr. Claude C. Claremont, received his medical this area the annual death-rate is 40 per 1000 and that education at University College, and became qualified enteric fever is prevalent. Obviously the state of the parish’ in 1855. He has now been 40 years in the ser- leaves much to be desired and the vicar has our best wishes vice of the St. Pancras Guardians, 10 years as for the success of his efforts to improve it. district medical officer and 36 years as public vaccinator. When he first entered the service of the parish he was one of GYMNASTIC BELTS. 16 or 17 vaccinators, but in course of time the Government authorities reduced the number to six, and in the year 1870 MAN is ever ready to improve on nature. He is apt to he was made sole vaccinator. It is an interesting circum- think that the human body is so faultily constructed that stance to note that during his long professional career he unless it be assisted and controlled by art it is incapable of became acquainted with Thomas Wakley, the Founder of To this idea even the most functions. ordinary performing THE LANCET, who died in 1862. We trust that there may must be attributed the of the regular common very practice remain for Mr. Claremont many years in which to enjoy his of waters. The attention of the
strengthen
in
-
Leicester-square.
Ciremont,
well-earned repose.
drinking
-
THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON AND MEDICAL
EARLY
STUDIES.
THE scheme for the formation of a teaching universit) in London has led to a report on the part of some of thE teachers of anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology tha one or more establishments for these subjects should bi instituted under the direct control of the University University professors are to be appointed in these subject by the University, which will also fix the places in whicl the establishment (one or more) is to be conducted fo purposes of teaching and reseach. Demonstrators are to b also appointed by the University on the nomination of th existing medical schools. There are evidently two opinion as to this question of centralisation entertained by eve; the few teachers of anatomy, physiology, and pharmaoolog who were present at the meetings in July when the subjec was brought forward. Two committees were then appointed one of five members to report as to a central institutE .and another of five members to draw up a scheme embodyin .concentration in not less than three centres. It is obviot
aperient
profession
is drawn to another instance of the same tendency by a letter from a correspondent who tells us that the authorities of a large public school insist on a belt being worn by all the boys during gymnastic exercises with the object of preventing "ruptures." It is not quite clear from our correspondent’s account what is the shape of the belt worn, but whether it be only a waist-belt or, as is more probable, an"abdominal" " belt covering the lower part of the abdomen it is very doubtful if it would have the least effect in preventing a hernia. The only hernia which is at all likely to occur in a boy is the inguinal variety, and the only form of belt which could in the least degree tend to prevent this variety of hernia would be one which would press on the inguinal rings and canal. It is very improbable that the belt mentioned is of this form, for it would be, in fact, a double inguinal truss. If the belt is of any other form it must tend to increase abdominal pressure by compressing the abdomen and so might predispose to that which it was intended to prevent. The somewhat violent agitations to which the abdominal viscera are subjected during some rapid gymnastic movements may be relieved and the gymnast’s comfort increased
1393
by the use of a suitable belt, but this is not the ground on which this belt is advised. We should be interested to learn of cases in which bernise in boys have been obviously the result of ordinary reasonable gymnastic exercises, for, as our
correspondent observes, if any of these exercises have such a great tendency to cause hernia they should be avoided in the athletic education of THE EDINBURGH
boys. UNIVERSITY CLUB DINNER.
held an inquest last week there was no evidence to show that. he had actually handled Russian hair, though the same wasadmittedly on the premises where he was working. As a. matter of fact, two men in the same employ were attacked One was. with anthrax within a few days of each other. now in a and is at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital operated upon fair way of recovery, but Edward Brandon unfortunately died from heart-failure upon the operating table at the London.
Hospital.
-
THIS club held its quarterly dinner on the night of "MORPHINISM, DRINK, AND THE MEDICAL Nov. 8th under the able and genial presidency of Dr. PROFESSION." H. S. Stone of Reigate. The November meeting occurs in THE Nem York Medical Record of Nov. 4th, 1899, has a a dull month and it might be supposed to be small and article on the abovO question. The conclusion is leading It was quite otherwise and the club thoroughly dull. arrived at that physicians are more addicted to the use of enjoyed itself. The guests seemed equally happy and morphine and of strong drink than are the members of the includedGeneral Colclough, Major MacMahon, Mr. other learned professions. Dr. T. D. Crothers at a recent Christopher Heath, Mr. F. C. Wallis, Rev. A. Ryde Bird, of the New York State Medical Association meeting Dr. Max Huler, Dr. Colcott Fox, and Mr. Clarke, the maintained that 10 per cent. of all medical men used Attorney-General of the Gold Coast. The speaking was morphine. The statistics seem to us insufficient as a good and so was the music. A few very apt words by basis for such sweeping conclusions. The editor admits General Colclough on the behaviour of our troops in in Britain this habit is much less common amongthat South Africa and especially on General Sir George White physicians than in France, Germany, or the United were much appreciated. States, while strong drink is said to be used more by Great Britain, Denmark, and Russia than in the physicians_in "THE LAW AND THE SALE OF POISONS." United States. Our contemporary does not apologise for the A WRITER in the Chemist and Druggist of Nov. 4thfact but he goes further than we should go in extenuating directs attention to some extraordinary errors" which heit. i The hard conditions of medical life, especially in the has discovered in an annotation under the above heading( country and in island districts, are undoubtedly a strong in THE LANCET of Oct. 28th (p. 1177). He takes ex-t temptation to an educated man to abate the sensitiveness of ception chiefly to the substitution of letters for figures his I nature to its surroundings. But education, and especially in quoting from the schedule of poisons. WhateverImedical education, should supply strength as well as sensiadvantage our critic may feel himself entitled to on thettiveness, and whether in regard to his strictly professional ground of this trifling inadvertence we make him welcomerresponsibilities or to the influence of his example the medical to. Our argument is unaffected, and with that he does notman r should be above suspicion. That ignorant people attempt to deal seriously. We repeat that laudanum is "should drink excessively is not perhaps a matter for surprise. sold by several ounces at a time over the druggist’s counter, rj They know no better. But a medical man should know and, if needful, we can prove the fact. In this kind oftthat indulgence is full of risk nQt only to his health and life, practice we see but the virtual evasion of a Poisons Actbut x to his character and his reputation. At any moment in itself too lenient. We therefore assert once more, whatLunder the influence of drink he may undo the reputation of a no chemist or druggist who even moderately appreciates his 1 lifetime and bring his profession as well as himself into euml; professional responsibility will deny, that with a view to the &discredit. correction of its patent abuse the existing Sale of Poisons Act stands in need of certain important alterations. THE NEW SYDENHAM SOCIETY. --
____
ANTHRAX.
WE would draw the attention of our readers to the announcement in our advertisement columns that the
WHILE so much has been done by our Legislature to 11 lexicon of Medicine and the Allied Sciences," which has ameliorate the condition of those engaged in hazardous been produced by the New Sydenham Society and which has occupations yet cases of death from anthrax not infrequently occupied many years in its preparation, is now complete. This work is of immense value alike to medical occur among those employed in the preparation of horsehair. Russian and Chinesehair have an evil repute in this respect writers and the profession generally and the Society and the cases which occur are generally found to be associated has performed a useful service in undertaking its publicawith the opening of bales imported from those countries. It tion. The fact that these labours are at an end will liberate is not only the workpeople, condemned as they are daily to the funds of the Society considerably, and should lead to a face death in their struggle for life, who are exposed to many renewed interest in its work which, we are afraid, has someunnecessary risks, but to a certain extent the general public what waned during the last few years. The New Sydenham are also. The hair from animals, irrespectively of the cause Society is probably unique in its objects, which are mainly of death, is imported in canvas bales, which are dumped the translating and editing of valuable foreign works and rolled about on ship, wharf, truck, station, and van, on medical science, and of important papers which to be finally dealt with in some factory situated in may have recently appeared in foreign journals; also the a densely populated distlict in one of our large towns. reproduction of British works, lectures, and papers which Here the bales are opened and an opportunity is whilst of great practical value are out of print or difficult afforded for the dispersal of anthrax spores among the to obtain. Many works of the kinds mentioned above will unfortunate employes and others who are resident in the im- probably at once be remembered, but we may instance mediate vicinity of the factory. Surely at or near the port Hebra on "Diseases of the Skin," Trousseau’s "Clinical of debarkation a piece of waste land might be found Medicine," Cbarcot’s "Diseases of the Nervous System," where, fairly isolated from other buildings and with Billroth’s "Surgery and Surgical Pathology," and Sir diminished risk to those employed, the hair might be sub- William Gall’s "Collected Papers." The Society has also mitted to some process of disinfection. In the case of undertaken the publication of an "Atlas of Illustrations the man Edward Brandon upon whom Mr. King Houchin of Pathology " _ aud the publication of an "Atlas of
strengthen
in
-
Leicester-square.
Ciremont,
well-earned repose.
drinking
-
THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON AND MEDICAL
EARLY
STUDIES.
THE scheme for the formation of a teaching universit) in London has led to a report on the part of some of thE teachers of anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology tha one or more establishments for these subjects should bi instituted under the direct control of the University University professors are to be appointed in these subject by the University, which will also fix the places in whicl the establishment (one or more) is to be conducted fo purposes of teaching and reseach. Demonstrators are to b also appointed by the University on the nomination of th existing medical schools. There are evidently two opinion as to this question of centralisation entertained by eve; the few teachers of anatomy, physiology, and pharmaoolog who were present at the meetings in July when the subjec was brought forward. Two committees were then appointed one of five members to report as to a central institutE .and another of five members to draw up a scheme embodyin .concentration in not less than three centres. It is obviot
aperient
profession
is drawn to another instance of the same tendency by a letter from a correspondent who tells us that the authorities of a large public school insist on a belt being worn by all the boys during gymnastic exercises with the object of preventing "ruptures." It is not quite clear from our correspondent’s account what is the shape of the belt worn, but whether it be only a waist-belt or, as is more probable, an"abdominal" " belt covering the lower part of the abdomen it is very doubtful if it would have the least effect in preventing a hernia. The only hernia which is at all likely to occur in a boy is the inguinal variety, and the only form of belt which could in the least degree tend to prevent this variety of hernia would be one which would press on the inguinal rings and canal. It is very improbable that the belt mentioned is of this form, for it would be, in fact, a double inguinal truss. If the belt is of any other form it must tend to increase abdominal pressure by compressing the abdomen and so might predispose to that which it was intended to prevent. The somewhat violent agitations to which the abdominal viscera are subjected during some rapid gymnastic movements may be relieved and the gymnast’s comfort increased
1393
by the use of a suitable belt, but this is not the ground on which this belt is advised. We should be interested to learn of cases in which bernise in boys have been obviously the result of ordinary reasonable gymnastic exercises, for, as our
correspondent observes, if any of these exercises have such a great tendency to cause hernia they should be avoided in the athletic education of THE EDINBURGH
boys. UNIVERSITY CLUB DINNER.
held an inquest last week there was no evidence to show that. he had actually handled Russian hair, though the same wasadmittedly on the premises where he was working. As a. matter of fact, two men in the same employ were attacked One was. with anthrax within a few days of each other. now in a and is at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital operated upon fair way of recovery, but Edward Brandon unfortunately died from heart-failure upon the operating table at the London.
Hospital.
-
THIS club held its quarterly dinner on the night of "MORPHINISM, DRINK, AND THE MEDICAL Nov. 8th under the able and genial presidency of Dr. PROFESSION." H. S. Stone of Reigate. The November meeting occurs in THE Nem York Medical Record of Nov. 4th, 1899, has a a dull month and it might be supposed to be small and article on the abovO question. The conclusion is leading It was quite otherwise and the club thoroughly dull. arrived at that physicians are more addicted to the use of enjoyed itself. The guests seemed equally happy and morphine and of strong drink than are the members of the includedGeneral Colclough, Major MacMahon, Mr. other learned professions. Dr. T. D. Crothers at a recent Christopher Heath, Mr. F. C. Wallis, Rev. A. Ryde Bird, of the New York State Medical Association meeting Dr. Max Huler, Dr. Colcott Fox, and Mr. Clarke, the maintained that 10 per cent. of all medical men used Attorney-General of the Gold Coast. The speaking was morphine. The statistics seem to us insufficient as a good and so was the music. A few very apt words by basis for such sweeping conclusions. The editor admits General Colclough on the behaviour of our troops in in Britain this habit is much less common amongthat South Africa and especially on General Sir George White physicians than in France, Germany, or the United were much appreciated. States, while strong drink is said to be used more by Great Britain, Denmark, and Russia than in the physicians_in "THE LAW AND THE SALE OF POISONS." United States. Our contemporary does not apologise for the A WRITER in the Chemist and Druggist of Nov. 4thfact but he goes further than we should go in extenuating directs attention to some extraordinary errors" which heit. i The hard conditions of medical life, especially in the has discovered in an annotation under the above heading( country and in island districts, are undoubtedly a strong in THE LANCET of Oct. 28th (p. 1177). He takes ex-t temptation to an educated man to abate the sensitiveness of ception chiefly to the substitution of letters for figures his I nature to its surroundings. But education, and especially in quoting from the schedule of poisons. WhateverImedical education, should supply strength as well as sensiadvantage our critic may feel himself entitled to on thettiveness, and whether in regard to his strictly professional ground of this trifling inadvertence we make him welcomerresponsibilities or to the influence of his example the medical to. Our argument is unaffected, and with that he does notman r should be above suspicion. That ignorant people attempt to deal seriously. We repeat that laudanum is "should drink excessively is not perhaps a matter for surprise. sold by several ounces at a time over the druggist’s counter, rj They know no better. But a medical man should know and, if needful, we can prove the fact. In this kind oftthat indulgence is full of risk nQt only to his health and life, practice we see but the virtual evasion of a Poisons Actbut x to his character and his reputation. At any moment in itself too lenient. We therefore assert once more, whatLunder the influence of drink he may undo the reputation of a no chemist or druggist who even moderately appreciates his 1 lifetime and bring his profession as well as himself into euml; professional responsibility will deny, that with a view to the &discredit. correction of its patent abuse the existing Sale of Poisons Act stands in need of certain important alterations. THE NEW SYDENHAM SOCIETY. --
____
ANTHRAX.
WE would draw the attention of our readers to the announcement in our advertisement columns that the
WHILE so much has been done by our Legislature to 11 lexicon of Medicine and the Allied Sciences," which has ameliorate the condition of those engaged in hazardous been produced by the New Sydenham Society and which has occupations yet cases of death from anthrax not infrequently occupied many years in its preparation, is now complete. This work is of immense value alike to medical occur among those employed in the preparation of horsehair. Russian and Chinesehair have an evil repute in this respect writers and the profession generally and the Society and the cases which occur are generally found to be associated has performed a useful service in undertaking its publicawith the opening of bales imported from those countries. It tion. The fact that these labours are at an end will liberate is not only the workpeople, condemned as they are daily to the funds of the Society considerably, and should lead to a face death in their struggle for life, who are exposed to many renewed interest in its work which, we are afraid, has someunnecessary risks, but to a certain extent the general public what waned during the last few years. The New Sydenham are also. The hair from animals, irrespectively of the cause Society is probably unique in its objects, which are mainly of death, is imported in canvas bales, which are dumped the translating and editing of valuable foreign works and rolled about on ship, wharf, truck, station, and van, on medical science, and of important papers which to be finally dealt with in some factory situated in may have recently appeared in foreign journals; also the a densely populated distlict in one of our large towns. reproduction of British works, lectures, and papers which Here the bales are opened and an opportunity is whilst of great practical value are out of print or difficult afforded for the dispersal of anthrax spores among the to obtain. Many works of the kinds mentioned above will unfortunate employes and others who are resident in the im- probably at once be remembered, but we may instance mediate vicinity of the factory. Surely at or near the port Hebra on "Diseases of the Skin," Trousseau’s "Clinical of debarkation a piece of waste land might be found Medicine," Cbarcot’s "Diseases of the Nervous System," where, fairly isolated from other buildings and with Billroth’s "Surgery and Surgical Pathology," and Sir diminished risk to those employed, the hair might be sub- William Gall’s "Collected Papers." The Society has also mitted to some process of disinfection. In the case of undertaken the publication of an "Atlas of Illustrations the man Edward Brandon upon whom Mr. King Houchin of Pathology " _ aud the publication of an "Atlas of