NEW ETHER INHALER,

315 has been enforced throughout the and when there is any fear of the traps being dried in hot weather means are adopted for refilling them. The closets are separate; those out of doors arranged in sheds, whilst a sufficient number are provided on each staircase for night use ; they are all well ventilated, and free from smell. The urinals are of slate, and flushed with water. The sanatorium for the reception of infectious cases is situate some little distance from the school; it is commodious and well ventilated. The apparatus for baking the clothes and bedding of the patients is admirable and convenient, any quantity of clothes and bedding being heated in a remarkably short space of time. The ordinary sick-house is quite distinct from the sanatorium. Medical supervision is carried out to its fullest extent. The medical officer devotes his whole time to the interests of the school; he is constantly mixing with the boys. On entrance each boy is required to fill up a form, signed by the parent, stating age, date of admission, school number, specifying what contagious disease he has had, together with any peculiarity of constitution that should be noted by the medical officer, such as liability to colds, if born in India or within the tropics, hernia, headache, rheumatism, It is a rule that every boy who is not in school must &c. be in the sick-house, or have leave to be elsewhere, so that all boys who complain even of the most trivial ailment are at once seen by the medical officer, and prompt treatment and isolation secured in case of infectious disease manifesting itself. Moreover, all malingering is thus checked. Marlborough has the reputation of being a working school; indeed, nearly all the boys are dependent on their own exertions for’their future prospects in life, consequently the amount of work required is above the standard. Dr. Fergus assures us, however, that cases of breakdown are exceptional, and this must be attributed to his constant supervision, any apparent overtask coming at once under his eye, and a check being placed on the studies. The same wholesome supervision is exercised in the playground. At the time of our visit we entered the gymnasium, and Dr. Fergus at once recognised a boy who was, in his opinion, taking too much out of himself, and said, 11 I shall have to give him a caution." This frequent contact of the medical officer with the boys is most beneficial, for it teaches him to recognise at a glance the particular strain injurious in a given individual, and to check at once the mischief that may arise from too long or severe continuance of the same. Only a medical officer entirely and devotedly attached to the work could acquire such knowledge, and we are sure that our large public schools would not only be doing their simple and obvious duty, but also consulting their own interests, by making it worth the while of cultivated medical men to undertake this special branch. One other judicious regulation we must notice. In case any boy is found unfit for school life, the house master and the head master are consulted, and the boy sent away for a term or so until his health or strength allows him to return. Dr. Fergus has found that many delicate boys suffer during the spring months, a time trying to the health at all schools ; in these cases he allows them only to keep the summer and autumn terms. This, while causing no real loss of time, promotes the general health, and permits the boy, who otherwise might have broken down altogether, to go successfully through his school career. It has been suggested to us that Marlborough, lying as it does in the hollow of the chalk downs, is damp. At the time of our visit we saw no indications that that was the case, though from its situation it might be somewhat flooded in wet seasons, when the water from the hills drained rapidly down into the valley; this water would, however, speedily run off. If any dampness was experienced during the autumn and winter months it might easily be remedied by increasing the surface drainage, with little expense, as far as the college is concerned.

pipe carefully trapped

New Inventions.

college,

EXAMINATION

IN

STATE MEDICINE

This examination will

AT

CAMBRIDGE.

October 5th. Candidates who pass it satisfactorily will receive certificates testifying to their competent knowledge of what is required for the duties of an officer of health. Any person whose name is on the Medical Register may present himself for the examination provided he is twenty-four years of age. Candidates for the examination are required to send their names before September 15th to Professor Liveing, Cambridge. commence on

NEW ETHER INHALER, AS

SUGGESTED

BY

MR. GOLDING

BIRD.

THE advantages claimed for this inhaler are its simplicity and cheapness as compared with the usual ether inhalers. The waste of the ansesthetio by evaporation is reduced to a minimum by the fact that the inspired air enters by the aperture at the apex, guarded by a valve opening inwards, and the expired air passes out by that just above the nose, where there is a valve opening outwards. The mouthpiece includes all from the bridge of the nose to the chin, and is so arranged as to be practically air-tight to all faces. The

instrument is light; it is lined with a waterproof material, . and its edge is bound with soft leather, either of which will wash ; but, if desired, a thin flannel bag carrying the sponge can be inserted, and its mouth be turned up all round outside the mouthpiece of the inhaler, and so each patient can have the advantage of a clean instrument. It is used not only for ether, but also for the mixture of alcohol (1 pt.), ether (2 pts.), and chloroform (3 pts.), for which it is admirably adapted. It is designed to embrace some of the advantages of the more elaborate inhalers, and to do away with the waste of the anaesthetic that is always caused where a sponge and towel or felt inhaler are employed. This inhaler is manufactured by Mr. J. Millikin, of St.

Thomas’s-street, Borough. MYCOSIS

OF

To the Editor

THE

SKIN.

of THE LANCET. SiR,-During a recent examination of specimens of the "Bouton de Biskra," which Dr. E. Weber was good enough to send me-none being procurable during my visit to Biskra in October last,-I have found, in addition to the ordinary "granulation" tissue, very clear evidence of the presence of a true fungous growth. Thus, in canals which have the appearance of lymphatics," and one of which runs alongside a "sweat-duct," there may be seen masses resembling the well-known groups of " micrococci," and, in addition, a transition from the characteristic granular substance to filaments and felted masses, which are clearly of veritable fungous character. "Conidia" seem to be given I off at the ends of some filaments. My examination has yet to be completed in other respects, and I hope to submit the results inclusive to one of our medical societies in due time; meanwhile, in order to record the present observation without loss of time-and I think it is one of considerable significance,-these few lines are forwarded for early insertion in THE LANCET, should you be able to find a place for them. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, H. VANDYKE CARTER, M.D., H.M. Indian Army. Bombay, July 30th, 1875. "