- Email: [email protected]
ONE BELL.
1802 cases then the statement of the Registrar-General that of the deaths from this cause nearly half of the victims are under the age of five years. 2. The main object of the education authority must inevitably be to educate the child, and in this way treatment will be made subservient to teaching. Under the present system of grants, quite inadequate as they are to the needs of the work, the local authority cannot afford to maintain any ailing child who is not on the register as an active scholar. 3. Action by local authorities is likely to lead to the building of numerous small scattered institutions probably of unequal efficiency and often of necessity built in climates unsuitable for the treatment of a tuberculous disease The only efficient means of treatment is by a relatively small number of large institutions situated in the most favoured parts of the country and under the supervision of surgeons who have special experience of this branch of work. The only authority which can be expected to carry out this work in a sufficiently broad spirit is the State itself. The State proposes to erect sanatoria for the treatment of phthisis. This is well, but the matter cannot rest here. There must be provision made for the treatment of surgical tuberculosis in children before the scheme can be regarded as satisfactory. It is our duty as a profession to show plainly that the provision of sanatoria for consumption is far from offering a complete solution of the problems in the treatment of tuberculosis, and that these children with their special form of the disease cannot be treated in such sanatoria. For this latter reason I think that the use of the word sanatoria is unfortunate when applied to any provision for the better treatment of tuberculous disease of the bones and joints in childhood, and it would conduce to clearness if the word were entirely eliminated from the literature of this special branch of tuberculosis. I am, Sir, yours faithfully, D. TELFORD. TELFORD. E. D. Manchester, Dec. 16th, ]911.
The sum referred to has been expended upon pathological and bacteriological work, done entirely for the patients of the hospital ; in other words, the money is spent in giving the patients of St. George’s Hospital the benefit of the latest improvements in diagnosis and treatment. In previous years, when the same money was paid out of a discretionary fund, no objection was made by the King’s Fund, but in such a case the accounts of the hospital are fallacious to the extent that the sum paid out of a discre. tionary fund cannot appear in the final calculation of the cost per bed. The governors of St. George’s Hospital believe that all moneys paid for the bent fit of patients should be paid out of the general funds and published in the accounts. Feeling sure that no good can result either to the King’s Fund or St. George’s Hospital by the public discussion of the ques. tions involved, the whole circumstances of the case are not now entered into, but a statement can be obtained by those who are interested upon application to the secretary.
scientific .
I
am.
Sir.
vrmra
faithfl111v.
A. WILLIAM WEST, Chairman St. George’s Hospital, S.W., Dec. 13th, 1911.
and Treasurer.
THE VALUE OF THE ALBUMIN REACTION IN TUBERCULOUS SPUTUM.
To the Editor of THE LANCET. to the letter of Mr. H. S. Gettings in reference SiR,-With THE LANCET of Dec. 9th on the Value of the Albumin Reaction in Sputum, I have made the albumin test on 25 sputa in Dr. Morland’s laboratory in Arosa with the following result : positive cases, 21 ; negative cases, 4. With regard to the 4 negative cases, 1 of these was a case of influenzal pneumonia, the other 3 of pulmonary tuberculosis, long inactive, 2 of which still contained tubercle bacilli in the MISS FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE’S sputum. Of the 21 positive cases, tubercle bacilli were found in 19, and on a previous occasion in one of the others. The LETTERS. remaining case was also undoubtedly one of pulmonary tuberl’o tAe ’rztor a7 THE LANCET. culosis. These were 25 consecutive specimens of sputum sent in for routine examination. So far, then, a positive Florence of the will of the late Miss executors SiR,—As has coincided with the presence of active or reaction Nightingale, we shall be glad to receive any letters written active recently pulmonary tuberculosis. to her by Miss Nightingale, and any other materials relating One point in the technique deserves notice ; where only a which the owners may be willing to lend us for the purposes trace of albumin is present it is necessary to add a considerof a memoir. We should respect the wishes of every friend and corre- able amount of saline to ensure its precipitation on boiling. I am, Sir, yours faithfully, spondent of hers who will kindly afford us information, and M. B. CHRISTOPHERSON. CHRISTOPHERSON, no letters will be published without the consent of the Arosa, Switzerland, Dec. 14th, 1911. should be sent to the owners. by registered post Papers executors of the late Miss Florence Nightingale, 31, South End-road, Hampstead, London, N.W., who will be happy to ONE BELL. give any further information. To the Editor of THE LANCET. We are, Sir, yours faithfully, ! HENRY BONHAM CARTER. note in your otherwise appreciative review of my SIR,—I S. SHORE NIGHTINGALE. "The Surgeon’s Log," in THE LANCET of Dec. 16tb, book, L. H. SHORE NIGHTINGALE. that you cast some polite doubt on the statement that 11 one A. H. CLOUGH. bell " is sounded at 11 45 P.M. and 5.45 P.M. The explanation is as follows: "One bell" is sounded a quarter of an hour before every change of "watch." It, therefore, is KING EDWARD’S HOSPITAL FUND FOR sounded at a quarter to 12, 4, 8, and in addition at a quarter LONDON AND ST. GEORGE’S to 6, this last indicating the approaching advent of the " second "dogwatch." The object of sounding "one bell" HOSPITAL. at such times is to remind the quartermaster who is not at the To the Editor of THE LANCET. wheel to call the men who have presently to come on duty in the next watch. This warning bell has nothing, therefore, the of the of Edward’iSIR,-In report meeting the King to do with the usual bell signals indicating half hours at sea. Fund for the London, following paragraph There are several other variants from the half-hour Hospital , rule-as, appeared sfor instance, the sounding of "seven bells" at 7.20 A.M. and Among the institutions which do not appear in this year’s list is St. George’s Hospital, the Governors having withdrawn their applica- 11.20 A M. ; but as your review does not touch upon these tion as the result of the decision of the Fund on the question of the I need not occupy your space in explaining. ,
I
amounts which could properly be paid to the Medical School in respect, of the work done for the hospital. The grant of ;E20CO which was reserved last year lapses, the conditions attached to it by the Council of the Fund not having been fulfilled,
The governors of St. George’s Hospital have always endeavoured to work in harmony with the King’s Fund, and much regret the difference of opinion upon a matter of principle, which they consider to be of such importance as to justify their refusal to comply with the demands of the Fund. The Governors maintain that no money whatever is paid by the hospital to the Medical School for the purposes of education.
I am,
Queen’s-road, W.,
Sir, yours faithfully,
Dec. 15th, 1911.
J. JOHNSTON ABRAHAM.
DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS.—The Royal Dental Hospital, Leicester-square, has received a donation of L200 from the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths and 10 guineas from the Worshipful Company of Broderers.-Under the will of the late Mr. William Wright Tasker, of Hull, the testator left .tSOO each to the Hull Royal Infirmary and the Hull Victoria Hospital for Sick Children.
The sum referred to has been expended upon pathological and bacteriological work, done entirely for the patients of the hospital ; in other words, the money is spent in giving the patients of St. George’s Hospital the benefit of the latest improvements in diagnosis and treatment. In previous years, when the same money was paid out of a discretionary fund, no objection was made by the King’s Fund, but in such a case the accounts of the hospital are fallacious to the extent that the sum paid out of a discre. tionary fund cannot appear in the final calculation of the cost per bed. The governors of St. George’s Hospital believe that all moneys paid for the bent fit of patients should be paid out of the general funds and published in the accounts. Feeling sure that no good can result either to the King’s Fund or St. George’s Hospital by the public discussion of the ques. tions involved, the whole circumstances of the case are not now entered into, but a statement can be obtained by those who are interested upon application to the secretary.
scientific .
I
am.
Sir.
vrmra
faithfl111v.
A. WILLIAM WEST, Chairman St. George’s Hospital, S.W., Dec. 13th, 1911.
and Treasurer.
THE VALUE OF THE ALBUMIN REACTION IN TUBERCULOUS SPUTUM.
To the Editor of THE LANCET. to the letter of Mr. H. S. Gettings in reference SiR,-With THE LANCET of Dec. 9th on the Value of the Albumin Reaction in Sputum, I have made the albumin test on 25 sputa in Dr. Morland’s laboratory in Arosa with the following result : positive cases, 21 ; negative cases, 4. With regard to the 4 negative cases, 1 of these was a case of influenzal pneumonia, the other 3 of pulmonary tuberculosis, long inactive, 2 of which still contained tubercle bacilli in the MISS FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE’S sputum. Of the 21 positive cases, tubercle bacilli were found in 19, and on a previous occasion in one of the others. The LETTERS. remaining case was also undoubtedly one of pulmonary tuberl’o tAe ’rztor a7 THE LANCET. culosis. These were 25 consecutive specimens of sputum sent in for routine examination. So far, then, a positive Florence of the will of the late Miss executors SiR,—As has coincided with the presence of active or reaction Nightingale, we shall be glad to receive any letters written active recently pulmonary tuberculosis. to her by Miss Nightingale, and any other materials relating One point in the technique deserves notice ; where only a which the owners may be willing to lend us for the purposes trace of albumin is present it is necessary to add a considerof a memoir. We should respect the wishes of every friend and corre- able amount of saline to ensure its precipitation on boiling. I am, Sir, yours faithfully, spondent of hers who will kindly afford us information, and M. B. CHRISTOPHERSON. CHRISTOPHERSON, no letters will be published without the consent of the Arosa, Switzerland, Dec. 14th, 1911. should be sent to the owners. by registered post Papers executors of the late Miss Florence Nightingale, 31, South End-road, Hampstead, London, N.W., who will be happy to ONE BELL. give any further information. To the Editor of THE LANCET. We are, Sir, yours faithfully, ! HENRY BONHAM CARTER. note in your otherwise appreciative review of my SIR,—I S. SHORE NIGHTINGALE. "The Surgeon’s Log," in THE LANCET of Dec. 16tb, book, L. H. SHORE NIGHTINGALE. that you cast some polite doubt on the statement that 11 one A. H. CLOUGH. bell " is sounded at 11 45 P.M. and 5.45 P.M. The explanation is as follows: "One bell" is sounded a quarter of an hour before every change of "watch." It, therefore, is KING EDWARD’S HOSPITAL FUND FOR sounded at a quarter to 12, 4, 8, and in addition at a quarter LONDON AND ST. GEORGE’S to 6, this last indicating the approaching advent of the " second "dogwatch." The object of sounding "one bell" HOSPITAL. at such times is to remind the quartermaster who is not at the To the Editor of THE LANCET. wheel to call the men who have presently to come on duty in the next watch. This warning bell has nothing, therefore, the of the of Edward’iSIR,-In report meeting the King to do with the usual bell signals indicating half hours at sea. Fund for the London, following paragraph There are several other variants from the half-hour Hospital , rule-as, appeared sfor instance, the sounding of "seven bells" at 7.20 A.M. and Among the institutions which do not appear in this year’s list is St. George’s Hospital, the Governors having withdrawn their applica- 11.20 A M. ; but as your review does not touch upon these tion as the result of the decision of the Fund on the question of the I need not occupy your space in explaining. ,
I
amounts which could properly be paid to the Medical School in respect, of the work done for the hospital. The grant of ;E20CO which was reserved last year lapses, the conditions attached to it by the Council of the Fund not having been fulfilled,
The governors of St. George’s Hospital have always endeavoured to work in harmony with the King’s Fund, and much regret the difference of opinion upon a matter of principle, which they consider to be of such importance as to justify their refusal to comply with the demands of the Fund. The Governors maintain that no money whatever is paid by the hospital to the Medical School for the purposes of education.
I am,
Queen’s-road, W.,
Sir, yours faithfully,
Dec. 15th, 1911.
J. JOHNSTON ABRAHAM.
DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS.—The Royal Dental Hospital, Leicester-square, has received a donation of L200 from the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths and 10 guineas from the Worshipful Company of Broderers.-Under the will of the late Mr. William Wright Tasker, of Hull, the testator left .tSOO each to the Hull Royal Infirmary and the Hull Victoria Hospital for Sick Children.