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POLAND
330 usual
classification, 4 are still alive and without symptoms, having had only primary irradiation. Of the inoperable cases (group III. or IV.) there were 110 under treatment, and only 14 of these are alive and without symptoms. Operations followed by irradiations were done in 115 cases, of which 49 per cent. can be deemed cured. The of recurrences in irradiated cases is 12 per cent. in the second year of observation and 9 per cent. for the third year, whilst it is 6 per cent. in cases with post -operative irradiation. It is not feasible, however, to compare these two groups of patients, for they were chosen from different standpoints. Of 5 cases of cancer of the vulva treated by irradiation 1 only was cured ; of 11of cancer of the vagina 2 were cured ; of 11 of cancer of the corpus uteri 3 were cured ; of 23 cases irradiated after operation 19 were cured; and of 14 cases (not operated on) with cancer of the It ovary 1 only was cured, 2 being improved. that the third show the second and appears years highest figures of recurrence. In a report from the radiotherapeutic institute of the city of Vienna, presented at the same time, Dr. Schloss gave the results of observations based on a two-year term ; they had 96 women with malignant disease of the sexual organs, verified histologically. Primary irradiation resulted in 68 being alive after two years ; only 46 are without symptoms, 6 are doubtful. At this institute also, groups I. and II. gave good results, group III. gave about 35 per cent. cures, and group IV. no cure at all (cancer of the cervix). With cancer of the corpus, the vagina, or the vulva the results were very much like those of Dr. Simon. Prof. Adler emphasised the excellent effects obtained by the combined method of operation followed at once (on the operating table) by X ray or radium therapy. Up to 36 per cent. five-year cures have thus been obtained, whilst operative mortality of the "extended vaginal radical operation " of Wertheim-Schanta is only 3 per cent.
and obstetrics, and neurology are located. Gradually the old hospital, which outwardly retains its antique appearance, has been inwardly transformed into a modern fully equipped institution.
frequency
A VENERABLE HOSPITAL
In August the well-known Allgemeines Krankenhaus, general hospital, of Vienna, which for so many years -indeed, generations-was the Mecca of students of medicine from all parts of the world, will celebrate the 150th year of its existence. It was founded by the Emperor Joseph II., who was at that time (1784) considered the most advanced and liberal ruler, and was almost the originator of democratic ideas in Central Europe. The jubilee festivities, however, will not be held this year ; on account of the difficulties now prevailing in Central Europe-of all sorts and kindsit is intended that the August celebrations shall be purely domestic, and that the proposed meeting of former pupils of the hospital shall be postponed until next spring. Invitations for this meeting will be sent out to all the professors and students whose names are known, and the Government, as well as the medical faculty of Vienna, will do their best to make the affair a real success from every point of view. It is interesting to note that the building practically reached its present size 150 years ago, when it was first erected. Only a few additional extensions have been made in later years within its spacious Hof (garden-grounds), among them the famous tower-like building for the care and cure of the mentally affiicted, called Narrenthurm (fool’s tower), an outstanding feature of the hospital. The old general hospital, with its 1800 ordinary beds and 600 reserve beds, is now in close connexion with the new " hospital, where the splendid clinics for materia. medica, rhino-laryngology, children’s diseases, surgery or
"
(FROM
OUR
POLAND OWN CORRESPONDENT) THE FLOODS
THE recent floods have been worse than any for over a century. Whole villages have been destroyed, fields are lying covered with ruined crops, and there are people who have lost everything they possess. Financial assistance is being organised, but there is still another misfortune which threatens these unfortunate people-the outbreak of an epidemic. With this in view preventive measures have been carried out since the beginning of the floods by the department of health of the Ministry of Social Service. The Minister and the head of the department of health paid personal visits to the flooded provinces in the early days of the disaster so that they might the better judge of the situation and decide on the steps to be taken. The department is in touch with the flooded areas by telephone and wireless, and has been able immediately to take steps to cope with All the chief officials of the new developments. department and their sanitary inspectors were sent to help in the work of rescue, and leave was cancelled for all members of the administration of the sanitary service who might help on the local rescue committees. Even the general practitioners of the districts were mobilised and sent to the flooded regions. The population were forbidden to drink water from rivers or wells which had been muddied or contaminated, and warnings were issued against drinking Good water or milk which had not been boiled. drinking water, which often had to be brought from a distance, was distributed among the people. When the floods had subsided the purification and disinfection of the wells with chlorine or with lime was ordered. Houses which had been covered by the water were dried and whitewashed, and the carcasses of domestic animals were buried to prevent the people from eating the contaminated flesh. Propaganda for personal hygiene was carried on by medical hygienists, and parties armed with suitable apparatus were sent round to disinfect salvaged goods and chattels. Inoculation against typhoid and dysentery was made compulsory and administered without fee, and in one week 8500 people were vaccinated for typhoid and 45,000 for dysentery. The State Institute of Hygiene had considerably to increase its output of vaccine. A service of ambulances which patrolled the districts was organised ; the number of beds in the existing hospitals was increased, and new ones were improvised to accommodate all the sick. During the last few days a mild epidemic of common gastroenteritis of short duration has been reported, principally among children, but so far there has not been a single case of dysentery or typhoid. It seems that the battle against epidemic diseases has been won.
ROYAL EAST SUSSEX HOSPITAL.-On
July
14th
Lady Willingdon opened a new nurses’ home at this hospital. It was originally proposed to build a home near the hospital, but the large premises and grounds of a school nearby became vacant and the premises were acquired, reconditioned, and adapted at a cost of 25,000.
classification, 4 are still alive and without symptoms, having had only primary irradiation. Of the inoperable cases (group III. or IV.) there were 110 under treatment, and only 14 of these are alive and without symptoms. Operations followed by irradiations were done in 115 cases, of which 49 per cent. can be deemed cured. The of recurrences in irradiated cases is 12 per cent. in the second year of observation and 9 per cent. for the third year, whilst it is 6 per cent. in cases with post -operative irradiation. It is not feasible, however, to compare these two groups of patients, for they were chosen from different standpoints. Of 5 cases of cancer of the vulva treated by irradiation 1 only was cured ; of 11of cancer of the vagina 2 were cured ; of 11 of cancer of the corpus uteri 3 were cured ; of 23 cases irradiated after operation 19 were cured; and of 14 cases (not operated on) with cancer of the It ovary 1 only was cured, 2 being improved. that the third show the second and appears years highest figures of recurrence. In a report from the radiotherapeutic institute of the city of Vienna, presented at the same time, Dr. Schloss gave the results of observations based on a two-year term ; they had 96 women with malignant disease of the sexual organs, verified histologically. Primary irradiation resulted in 68 being alive after two years ; only 46 are without symptoms, 6 are doubtful. At this institute also, groups I. and II. gave good results, group III. gave about 35 per cent. cures, and group IV. no cure at all (cancer of the cervix). With cancer of the corpus, the vagina, or the vulva the results were very much like those of Dr. Simon. Prof. Adler emphasised the excellent effects obtained by the combined method of operation followed at once (on the operating table) by X ray or radium therapy. Up to 36 per cent. five-year cures have thus been obtained, whilst operative mortality of the "extended vaginal radical operation " of Wertheim-Schanta is only 3 per cent.
and obstetrics, and neurology are located. Gradually the old hospital, which outwardly retains its antique appearance, has been inwardly transformed into a modern fully equipped institution.
frequency
A VENERABLE HOSPITAL
In August the well-known Allgemeines Krankenhaus, general hospital, of Vienna, which for so many years -indeed, generations-was the Mecca of students of medicine from all parts of the world, will celebrate the 150th year of its existence. It was founded by the Emperor Joseph II., who was at that time (1784) considered the most advanced and liberal ruler, and was almost the originator of democratic ideas in Central Europe. The jubilee festivities, however, will not be held this year ; on account of the difficulties now prevailing in Central Europe-of all sorts and kindsit is intended that the August celebrations shall be purely domestic, and that the proposed meeting of former pupils of the hospital shall be postponed until next spring. Invitations for this meeting will be sent out to all the professors and students whose names are known, and the Government, as well as the medical faculty of Vienna, will do their best to make the affair a real success from every point of view. It is interesting to note that the building practically reached its present size 150 years ago, when it was first erected. Only a few additional extensions have been made in later years within its spacious Hof (garden-grounds), among them the famous tower-like building for the care and cure of the mentally affiicted, called Narrenthurm (fool’s tower), an outstanding feature of the hospital. The old general hospital, with its 1800 ordinary beds and 600 reserve beds, is now in close connexion with the new " hospital, where the splendid clinics for materia. medica, rhino-laryngology, children’s diseases, surgery or
"
(FROM
OUR
POLAND OWN CORRESPONDENT) THE FLOODS
THE recent floods have been worse than any for over a century. Whole villages have been destroyed, fields are lying covered with ruined crops, and there are people who have lost everything they possess. Financial assistance is being organised, but there is still another misfortune which threatens these unfortunate people-the outbreak of an epidemic. With this in view preventive measures have been carried out since the beginning of the floods by the department of health of the Ministry of Social Service. The Minister and the head of the department of health paid personal visits to the flooded provinces in the early days of the disaster so that they might the better judge of the situation and decide on the steps to be taken. The department is in touch with the flooded areas by telephone and wireless, and has been able immediately to take steps to cope with All the chief officials of the new developments. department and their sanitary inspectors were sent to help in the work of rescue, and leave was cancelled for all members of the administration of the sanitary service who might help on the local rescue committees. Even the general practitioners of the districts were mobilised and sent to the flooded regions. The population were forbidden to drink water from rivers or wells which had been muddied or contaminated, and warnings were issued against drinking Good water or milk which had not been boiled. drinking water, which often had to be brought from a distance, was distributed among the people. When the floods had subsided the purification and disinfection of the wells with chlorine or with lime was ordered. Houses which had been covered by the water were dried and whitewashed, and the carcasses of domestic animals were buried to prevent the people from eating the contaminated flesh. Propaganda for personal hygiene was carried on by medical hygienists, and parties armed with suitable apparatus were sent round to disinfect salvaged goods and chattels. Inoculation against typhoid and dysentery was made compulsory and administered without fee, and in one week 8500 people were vaccinated for typhoid and 45,000 for dysentery. The State Institute of Hygiene had considerably to increase its output of vaccine. A service of ambulances which patrolled the districts was organised ; the number of beds in the existing hospitals was increased, and new ones were improvised to accommodate all the sick. During the last few days a mild epidemic of common gastroenteritis of short duration has been reported, principally among children, but so far there has not been a single case of dysentery or typhoid. It seems that the battle against epidemic diseases has been won.
ROYAL EAST SUSSEX HOSPITAL.-On
July
14th
Lady Willingdon opened a new nurses’ home at this hospital. It was originally proposed to build a home near the hospital, but the large premises and grounds of a school nearby became vacant and the premises were acquired, reconditioned, and adapted at a cost of 25,000.