THE CROWTHER STATUE AT HOBART.

646 those who have received

injury be conveyed to a convenient A COUNTY COURT JUDGE UPON TYPHOID possible and in a manner least likely to do FEVER. harm to the sufferers, but do not hold the hospitals in any AN action was lately brought in the County Court by a lady In way responsible until the patients are taken there. these days of first-aid and ambulance lectures there is too against St. Ann’s Hill Hydropathic Establishment, Blarney, great a tendency to hurry off the injured to the nearest near Cork, to recover damages for the illness of one of her hospital, the patient having received such poor attention as sons from typhoid fever whilst occupying a room there. The the bystanders have been able to bestow. Often there is a plaintiff’s case was to the effect that the disease had been contracted in the establishment, aud evidence was given to a medical man close at hand, who ought to decide as to what is best to be done for the patient. Why is he prove that the room occupied by the youth was in the not called upon to give his assistance? How often close vicinity of a closet, whence foul odours were somethe mode of conveyance is blamed for a compound times noted, and which had been shown not to be free fracture which medical skill would have prevented. We from escape of sewer gas. On the other hand, there had do not think that hospital authorities would object to never been a case of typhoid fever contracted in the init contended on behalf of the provide space for ambulances if a request were made to stitution before, and was them to do so, on the understanding that such were managed plaintiff that the disease in this instance might have been who was called contracted at Cork. Dr. Gelston spot

as soon as

Atkins,

way as those stationed elsewhere. The staff of maintained is never so large as to permit of their porters out of the hospital. being engaged in the

same

to

see

the

case

pressed by the

THE SUSPENSION TREATMENT OF TABES. AT the meeting of the Paris Society of Medicine on the 9th inst. (l’ Union lTed.), M. Duroziez asked whether there was any satisfactory explanation of the results obtained in tabes by suspension. He pointed out that if tabes be invariably due to an affection of the spinal cord, it is difficult to explain how the method acts, and he asked whether other varieties of tabes must not be admitted, and also what are the cases in which the treatment was efficacious. To this M. Abadie replied that the majority of neurologists concur in believing that locomotor ataxy is a more complex affection than was formerly supposed. The remarks of Dejerine in particular have shown that patients who during life presented all the objective and subjective signs of tabes dorsalis have not shown any spinal lesion, but an interstitial peripheral neuritis. This proves that the com- ’, bination of symptoms described under the name of locomotor ataxy is complex, and having regard to abortive forms, and mild forms of very slow evolution, limited to a few lightning I pains, and a few disturbances of coordination, as well as to the severe forms associated with joint affection, it may be concluded that the morbid varieties of ataxy are daily increasing in number. It is highly possible that the treatment by suspension, which amounts to an elongation of the nerve roots, may only act in certain forms-viz., those in which the spinal degeneration is slightly marked. " So far," added M. Abadie, 11 I have noticed that among the patients whom I have submitted to suspension, it is not the true ataxics who have derived the most benefit, but those who had ocular (sic) lesions of indefinite nature."

deposed to the fact of typhoid fever, was presidingjudge as to his opinion respecting

and

the nature of the disease. Dr. Atkins affirmed that he believed it to be of bacillary nature, and only transmissible from a pre-existing case, but that in this instance it must have been exceptionally developed spontaneously. The judge clearly laid down that the agreement of all the scientific witnesses as to typhoid fever being a germ disease was inconsistent with the view taken by the plaintiff, and the jury found for the defendants, replying in the negative to the three questions put them by the judge-viz., " Were the closets improperly constructed so as to be unwholesome? Was there negligence, and was the room unwholesome as distinct from unpleasant? And was the fever caused by any circumstances existing upon the premises?"

I

If

’I

NEW BYE-LAWS FOR MANCHESTER. A PUBLIC INQUIRY was held at Manchester last week by Mr. S. J. Smith, C.E., and Mr. Gordon Smith, F.R.I.B.A., Inspectors of the Local Government Board, concerning certain new powers which the corporation desire to acquire as to building regulations. These matters are in Manchester mainly dealt with by local Acts, and since it is desired to amend some of these which are faulty, as also to acquire powers in excess of those which can be sanctioned under the Public Health Act, the corporation again proceed by special legislation instead of adopting the simpler and, as a rule, the more efficient process of making a new code of bye-laws. On the whole, Manchester is to be congratulated on the step which is in progress, which will secure to the city considerable advantages as to the sanitary state and stability of new buildings, as well as such matters as he provision of proper means of ingress to and egress from

public buildings.

THE CROWTHER STATUE AT HOBART. O Jan. 9th, at Hobart, Tasmania, before a large assembly, learn from the Mercury, the Hon. P. 0. Fysh, Premier, unveiled a statue erected in Franklin-square to the memory of the late Hon. W. L. Crowther. This, a bronze statue, was executed by Signor Racci in London, and is regarded as a good likeness, "a living memorial." Some of the facts in the career of the late Mr. Crowther, who was deservedly held in the highest esteem, may be of interest. William Lodewyk Crowther was born at Haarlem, Holland, in April, 1817, and was the son of Mr. W. Crowther, M.R.C.S., of London. Early in life he went with his parents to Tasmania, returning to this country in 1839, when he entered as a student at St. ThomaÙ1 Hospital, afterwards going to Paris for a time. He then returned to Tasmania to practise, and was appointed surgeon to the General Hospital, Hobart, in 1860, which appointment he held for nine years. In 1867 lie contributed to our columns a paper on the Median Operation for Stone, with Section of the Urethra only and Dilatation of the Prostate, and another in 1873 on Urethrotomy in Aged and Debilitated Subjects. He was also known in England as a contributor to the museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, and for his special services the gold medal of the College was awarded to him in 1869, and in 1874 he was elected a Fellow of the College. At the time of his death he was a surgeon-major of Volunteers on the retired list. Mr. Crowther was a most prominent figure in the political life of the colony. In 1866 he was elected a member of the Lower House, and in 1869 of the Upper House, and was Premier from Dec. 20th, 1878, to Oct. 29th, 1879. He was re-elected to the Upper House on the termination of his period of office, and held the seat at the time of his death. Mr. Crowther was well known for his philanthropy, and as a never-failing helper of the poor who came under his notice. It is also said that he was certainly one of the most proHe was a logical minent members of the Legislature. as we

647

debater, quick at retort, and his extensivereading made B his speeches very effective. Careful, painstaking, constaniin attendance, his opinion was sought for and highly valued, The Hon. P. 0. Fysh, in his speech at the unveiling of th( statue, said of him: " He was thorough in what he under - took; his perseverance, enterprise, and skill had left for hiu a name in the community, and lie knew of no other name which was more respected throughout the colony, and nom i more worthy of being held in perpetual remembrance.’ The pedestal on which the statue is placed bears the following inscription: " Erected by a grateful public, and sincere personal friends, to perpetuate the memory and long and zealous political and professional services rendered in this colony by William Lodewyk Crowther, sometime Premier of Tasmania. Born April 15th, 1817. Died " April the 12th, 1885." .

.

the devising of means to meet it, much good will be done both to the profession and to the institutions themselves. It is high time that some system of inspection should be adopted to remedy these abuses, and protect the more deserving poor in the administration of medical charity. TAPPING THE CEREBRAL VENTRICLES.

AT a recent meeting of the Philadelphia County Medical Society (Medical News, March 9th), Dr. Keen, the president, read a preliminary report on a case of tapping and irrigation of the ventricles, a procedure which he had advocated last autumn, and which he had since learnt had been suggested by Wernicke in 1881. The case in question was one of marked double choked disc, with complete blindness, dating from Christmas. He tapped the ventricle five weeks before reporting the case, reaching it by the " lateral route," POISONING BY CHLORODYNE. at a depth of an inch and three-quarters from the dura mater. A CASE of suicide which was recently the subject of From two to four ounces of fluid escaped daily at first, inquiry at South Shields merits note from the remarks con- but the discharge became freer when a rubber tube was cerning the sale of chlorodyne made by the doctor who gave substituted for the horsehair drain at first employed. He evidence at the inquest. He drew the attention of the jury explored the left occipital lobe with a probe, and also the to the fact that the bottle in which it had been sold did not cerebellum, but could find no tumour; and subsequently bear a label marked " Poison," though there was a Govern- he tapped the opposite ventricle and washed both ventricles ment stamp upon the bottle. The coroner also remarked out with boracic solution. The sequel of the case is to that the law as to the sale of poisons wanted thoroughly come, as indeed are the full details of the symptoms and revising, since, as shown in the case then under investiga- treatment of the case. The publication of these will be tion, a person could purchase chlorodyne without even a awaited with interest. question being asked. It was stated that the bottle would conRESULTS OF THE BRISTOL FLOODS. tain one ounce, which, according to the British Pharmacopoeia formula for chlorodyne, would represent a grain of morphine, THE recent disastrous floods at Bristol have evidently put thirty minims of dilute hydrocyanic acid, a drachm of chloro- a number of dwellings to the test in so far as concerns form and fifteen minims of ether, besides other, but harmless, their stability and their sanitary state. Rotten bricks are ingredients. It is certainly an anomaly that there should crumbling under the effects of the water ; and mortar, in be no check upon the sale of such a compound. In other the composition of which road rubbish has had a share, has respects the case followed the usual course. A young man been washed out or irremediably saturated. So, also, of twenty-five had three weeks before been in very low cellars hitherto made the receptacles for tons of refuse spirits and complaining of having nothing to do with his have, since the admixture of water and sewage with the time; he had not been troubled by sleeplessness, hence the accumulated stuff, become so unwholesome that, according reason for purchasing chlorodyne was sufficiently obvious to the .B/’M -fcrcM/’y, no less than six hundred tons of the after the event. refuse have already been carted off. In these ways some lesson, it may be hoped, has been taught those who live in DEATH OF PROFESSOR DONDERS. jerry-built houses and those who are careless of the comof WE regret to learn that the illness Professor Donders, monest known principles of health. Rigid inspection can of which we last week gave some particulars, terminated get rid of the evil resulting from the storage of refuse in fatally on the 24th inst. We hope to give in a future cellars; but it is difficult in the extreme to touch the work number a sketch of the career of the eminent ophthal- of thejerry builder if he is once allowed to enter on his task. Nothing but well-considered bye-laws, enforced by an mologist. officer having ample time to look after the details of all THE "ABUSE OF HOSPITALS." buildings in process of construction, can free a district from A PRELIMINARY MEETING, called at the instance of the mischief wrought by the jerry builder. Mr. E. Chesshire, F.R.C.S., and presided over by that gentleman, to consider this subject, was held at the BirOPHTHALMIA AT HANWELL SCHOOLS. mingham Medical Institute on the 25th inst. lZx. F. Marsh, THE Special Committee of the Central London School F.R.C.S., acted as lion. secretary pro !’6?K.. There was a fair attendance of the profession. Some remarkable in- District, appointed to inquire into the question of the stances were given of the extent to which deception is chronic prevalence of ophthalmia amongst the children of carried in order to profit by the gratuitous advice given at the school at Hanwell, have recommended that it should the Queen’s Hospital. One applicant whose parents farmed be authorised to negotiate with Messrs. Debenham and 170 acres of land near the town was rejected; also another, Tewson in regard to the purchase of an eligible site near a lady who drives a carriage and pair, who sought treat- Epsom Downs Station for the erection of an isolation ment under similar conditions of assumed inability to pay; school, on the ground that complete isolation is the only and it was reported that last year 136 cases were rejected method of successfully coping with the malady. Without where the circumstances of the applicants did not justify taking exception to the very positive view expressed in the the reception of such relief. A committee was formed to last few lines, it may be pointed out that the isolation organise opinions upon the subject, and to gain information building will soon be rendered unnecessary if due care be from the number of hospitals in the town. It appeared to taken that fresh cases are not introduced from without. In be clear that the special hospitals suffered most in this the case of schools of this character, every child should be respect, and if some practical outcome from this meeting most carefully examined before being allowed to mix with results in calling attention to the abuse, and still more in those who are healthy, and appropriate treatment should ____

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