THE BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. MEETING AT CHELTENHAM.

320 and needy. He also interested himself in local affairs and at various periods of his life held all the important He became a member of the Stanlocal public offices. at its formation, and for the last Board School hope 23 years, until his untimely death, was its chairman. He also took an active part in Poor-law affairs, and he became a member of the board of guardians, being chairman from April, 1885, to February, 1894, when For some years he was medical officer he, resigned. of health of one of the Stanhope rural districts. In educational matters he took a very deep interest. The best instruction that was obtainable he wished to place at the disposal of the people, and it was chiefly due to his efforts that the School Board, finding that small wages were unproductive of good results, decided to remunerate their teachers more liberally. On the establishment of the county councils Dr. Livingstone was elected a member of the Durham county authority. His services in connexion therewith ware highly valued and he was elected an alderman eight years ago, which position he held at the time of his death. He was also chairman of the Health Committee of the county council and had occupied that positiori for the last 10 years with great ability. He took a very lively interest in the St. John Ambulance Association and in the volunteer forces he occupied the position of surgeon for many years. He was also a magistrate for the county of Durham, being appointed some 10 years ago. As evidence of the esteem in which the late Dr. Livingstone was held by his friends and neighbours of Stanhope and the dales two years ago he received a handsome presentation, the outcome of public subscription, on the occasion of his silver wedding. His funeral, which took place on July 18th, was largely .attended, genuine sorrow being evinced by all classes. He leaves a widow (a sister of Mr. Joseph Walton, M.P.) and two sons to mourn their loss. CHARLES DAGXALL CLARK, M.B. M. R. C. S. ENG., L. R. C. P. Loxi). THE death is

LoxD.,

at the early age of 45 years, at of Dr. C. D. Clark, eldest son of the late Mr. Alfred Clark, Cross Deep, Twickenham. He was educated at Uppingham, and on leaving that school decided on -entering the medical profession. He matriculated at the University of London, first in honours with scholarship. As a student of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, lie obtained the Kirkes gold medal and was appointed resident gynaecologist under Dr. Matthews Duncan. His health failing he left for Australia, where he shortly afterwards obtained the .appointment of resident surgeon at the Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney. After three years’ service he entered upon private practice and was appointed on the staff of the hospital. His death will be mourned by a large circle of patients and friends. He leavesa widow and four children.

THE

BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. MEETING AT CHELTENHAM. THE sixty-ninth annual meeting of the British Medical Association commenced its session in Cheltenham on Tuesday, July 30th. This is the second time that the Association has visited Cheltenham, the first being in 1837, the year of the accession of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, and it is somewhat curious that the year of the present visit is marked by the accession of His Majesty King Edward VII.

Dr. G. B.

Ferguson,

President of the British Medical

exceedingly interesting Presidential Address at the first (adjourned) general meeting. His description of the position now occupied by scientific medicine was not only eloquent but learned. As a rule a ?’su.nze of medical progress is rather a dreary thing to listen to, the orators who are condemned by circumstances to speak to this theme being apt to use the same words in describing the same things. Dr. Ferguson’s address was not in the least stereotyped in character. Obviously familiar with the many-aided developments that have followed upon recent research, he touched suggestively upon the more important, and in so doing justified his forcible plea for better facilities in this country for the pursuit of science. A Faraday, a Koch. a Pasteur would be a cheap purchase at a million " is his forcible answer to those who would oppose the educational demands of progressive science by a counter-cry of economy. Association, delivered

an

announced,

.Sydney, N.S.W.,

"SALTPETRE."-At the Devizes

Borough Petty

Sessions held on July 18th, a firm of provision merchants were summoned at the instance of the Wilts County Council for selling as saltpetre an article which was not of the .quality and substance demanded. The county analyst stated that the percentage composition of the sample sent to him .as saltpetre consisted of sodium nitrate, 97’2 per cent. ; potassium nitrate, 1’8 per cent. ; chlorides and sulphates, ’0 ’7 per cent. ; and water and insoluble matter, 0 ’3 per cent. For the defence it was stated that hundreds of tons of this substance were sold for bacon-curing purposes. The magistrate inflicted a fine of 10s. in addition to 8s. 6d. costs.

Cheltenham is of course renowned for its waters, its good shops, its tree-bordered streets, and its educational advantages for either sex. -

The town has evidently decided to "do the thing well,’’ and even the shops show the influence of medicine. Thus the principal printshop has filled its windows with medical pictures. There is a photograph of Rembrandt’s celebrated "Lesson in Anatomy," and engravings of Luke Fildes’s " The Doctor," and William Small’s " The Good Samaritan." This last-named picture, which attracted some notice in the Academy last year, illustrates an episode in the day of a country practitioner with great fidelity. The child of a gipsy has been taken ill and the dogcart of the medical man has been stopped as he passes the encampment. There are also in this shop four studies of apparently quite healthy young 1, women stripped to the waist and entitled L’Odalisque," "Epanouissement," 11 Jeunesse," and Reverie," chosen, we suppose, to exhibit different types of chest.

The opening service was held at St. Matthew’s Church on Tuesday, July 30th, at 11.30 A.M., when the large congregation completely filled the building. The preacher was the Very Rev. the Dean of Gloucester (Dr. Spence), who basedhis remarks upon the text, "Luke, the Physician," and, in CARMARTHEN JOINT COUNTIES LUNATIC ASYLUM. concluding, paid a warm tribute to the work done by the -The thirty-sixth annual report of this asylum, which medical profession which, in his opinion, most nearly ,accommodates the lunatics of the three counties of Carto the ideal of the Master Himself. The marthen, Cardigan, and Pembroke, has just been issued. approached of the musical service of was a portion very mediocre During the year 116 cases (67 males and 49 females) were and in .admitted. The discharges amounted to 57. The deaths description slovenly parts-probably due to an .numbered 76, a larger number than usual owing to an out- augmented choir which had not practised together. The On Dec. 31st, 1900, there remained collection, as usual, was on behalf of the Royal Medical break of influenza. amder treatment 633 patients (329 males and 304 females). Benevolent College and the British Medical Benevolent The charge made for maintenance of pauper lunatics was Fund. ’7s. 7d. per patient weekly.-Miss Alice Neville Johnson, M.D. Brux., L.R.C.P. Edin., L.S.A., was appointed on The Organising Committee of Reception and certain .July 25th second assistant medical officer to the asylum at a the municipal authorities, with whom was the mayor, of annum. of.S130 per salary ____

321 gave their first welcome and at home" to the members and " their friends in the Winter Garden of theGarden Town," on Monday evening, July 29th, thereby pleasantly anticipating the opening of the meeting. The Winter Garden, which is a large glass structure of pleasing ornamental design, was gaily decorated and the illuminated fountains in the centre served to relieve the closeness of the atmosphere. The lawns were illuminated with myriads of fairy lights. The guests were well pleased with their reception and with the excellent entertainment provided, which exceeded in display and magnitude any similar event of previous occasions. The fact is, Cheltenham is admirably adapted for both the festive and the serious side of a gathering of this sort. There are excellent buildings wherein to hold the meetings and open spaces for garden parties. Above all, the various places of meeting and of entertainment are not scattered, but within an easy distance of the reception room and Winter Garden.

regarded as mild Carlsbad waters, and there is no reason why they should not be just as therapeutically efficient, having regard to the amount of saline ingredients contained in them. At the Cambray Spa there are two waters-onea chalybeate and the other a saline. The chalybeate contains as much as seven grains of carbonate of iron pergallon, which are associated, it is interesting from a. therapeutic point of view to add, with 24 grains of thepurgative salt, sodium sulphate, and with sodium chloride.. This spa is not under the management of the corporation. In the prettily wooded and watered Pittville Park, to thenorth-east of the town, is situated the Pittville Spa and Pump-room. The water here belongs to the class of alkalineThe sulphated waters are concentrated bysaline waters. of dosage. for convenience The Pittville Spaevaporation contains a spacious room for the amusement and recreation, of people drinking the waters. All three sources of waterare practically in a straight line from the south-west to thenorth-east of the town and nearly parallel with the tree-bordered promenade, the Montpellier Spa coming first, then* the Cambray Chalybeate, and lastly the Pittville Spa.

Not the last to appreciate the excellent accommodation which Cheltenham affords were the exhibitors in the Annual Museum. No better place could have been selected than the Winter Garden and the exhibitors themselves did not miss The seventieth annual meeting of the Association will be their chance of making their exhibits attractive. It need held in Manchester next year, under the presidency of Mrhardly be added that the fact that the first recepWalter Whitehead, F.R.C.S. Edin. tion was held in the Winter Garden and on its lawns: was very much appreciated by the exhibitors. Everyone’s attention was thus necessarily drawn to the exhibits and THE GENERAL MEETINGS. the building was crowded even up to the time of closing - 11 P. M. The genial weather added considerably to the THE FIRST GENERAL MEETING. pleasure of the occasion. We deal at length elsewhere with the great number of exhibits comprising drugs, foods, and The first general meeting of the Association was held io medical and surgical appliances that were presented to view. the Princess Hall of the Ladies’ College at 2.30 P. M. on An important feature of the exhibition this year was the Tuesday, July 30th. Both the members of the Council and ordinary members of the Association were present in large’ display of ambulance wagons, motor-cars, &c., in a marquee the numbers. on the grass adjoining the Winter Garden. The minutes of the last annual meeting were, on the, motion of Dr. W. A. ELLISTON, the retiring President, conThe general impression is that no previous exhibition has firmed and adopted, after which Dr. Elliston vacated thehad such opportunities for securing success. The Patho- chair in favour of his successor. Dr. G. B. Ferguson, seniorto the Cheltenham Hospital. logical Museum (opened only to medical men) adjoined the surgeon Dr. FERGUSON, after thanking the Association forAlle congratulate the local organising Winter Garden. electing him, gave notice that he would move that a humble secretaries on the very excellent way in which they have and loyal address should be presented to His Majesty King: provided for, and dealt with, this important section of the Edward VII., Patron of the British Medical Association. Having read the address it was duly seconded by Dr. JOHN meeting. They must certainly feel it a reward to hear on ROBERTS THOMSON and carried unanimously. all sides expressions of pleasure and satisfaction with the The usual vote of thanks to the retiring President was then, arrangements. moved by Dr. M. BEVERLEY and seconded by Mr. VICTOR HORSLEY. This was unanimously carried and acknowledged Cheltenham is evidently keenly alive to the public health in a few suitable words by Dr. ELLISTON. The PRESIDENT (Dr. Ferguson) then reported the followingrequirements as well as to general public administration. The water-supply is good and is derived from the huge water- recommendation :That the thanks of the Association be given to the Right Honourable’ shed of the Cotswolds. But a reservoir situated a few Walter Hume Long, P.C., M.P., for his strenuous efforts to stamp out miles up the Oxford and London road seems to us open to hydrophobia whilst President of the Board of Agriculture. criticism. It is close to the road and apparently no provision This was seconded by Mr. C. H. W. PARKINSON and carried’ is made to prevent road-dirt from getting into the water. unanimously. The next business on the programme was the. report of theThe reservoir is not banked up, nor is it protected by a Council and the financial statement, which was moved by cordon of trees as is the case in most other places. The Dr. ROBERTS THOMSON. He paid a tribute of sympathy to. water is filtered. Cheltenham possesses a refuse destructor Mr. Fowke, the general secretary, in a few well-chosen words and a public abattoir. The sewage is discharged upon the and also referred to the circumstances surrounding theland, though we should think that Cheltenham was favour- family of the late Mr. R. B. Anderson. Dr. JOHN HADDON (Hawick) made his usual protest ably en-vironed for a system of purification and disposal by bacterial methods. The public health is good, the vital against the scientific grants, while Dr. BRASSEY BRIERLEY statistics being very favourable. The electric light and the wanted to know about editorial expenses and the cost of ,

-

principal baths are in the

administration of the

corporation.

printing. Mr.

ANDREW CLARK, the treasurer, set Dr. Brassey mind at rest about the cost of printing, after which Mr. COLIN CAMPBELL spoke as to the desirability of articles in the British Medical Jo2crnal being signed. Dr. DAWSON WILLIAMS, the Editor of the British Medical ./OM7’M, then gave a few details as to how payment for articles in the journal was managed. Dr HADDON, who had in his previous speech suggested that a scientific grant should only be allotted to research in

Brierley’s The waters of Cheltenham have, of course, been known from very early times, and it seems to us that they present a very interesting composition which deserves more attention than has hitherto been allotted to them. At the Montpellier Spa there are two distinct waters-one a magnesia saline water and the other an alkaline saline water. They may be