THE NEW INFIRMARY AT NEWCASTLE.

1902 (Dulwich) and was replied to by Professor W. H. COBFIEU), who said that such was the excellence of the carryvaccination regulations in Germany cases of relapse in typhoid fever have ing out of the occurred. In the first case the patient’s temperature that since 1874 no epidemic of small-pox had occurred rose about 10 or 11 days after his first attack and he throughout that empire, and as a result when a case of had all the usual symptoms of a slight relapse, such small-pox occurred in the extreme outlying parts adjacent. to countries where the vaccination laws were carelessly as headache, malaise, pains in the limbs, slight abdominal distension, and enlargement of the spleen. The enforced the first German medical officer seeing the case evening temperature remained up for seven days, with generally mistook it for chicken-pox. He himself could remember three hospitals in London where scarlet fever a normal temperature each morning after the first three days, during which time it rose to 102° F. On the eighth cases in times past were mixed up with the general patients. day the patient seemed quite well again; his temperature For his efforts to stop that he had received the severest On the possible censure from the chief physician of one of the was normal and it remained so for five days. fourteenth day he was seized with pain in the abdomen and hospitals concerned who was also medical officer of health;. his temperature suddenly ran up to 105° without any pre- that alone showed how preventive medicine had advanced.ceding condition of collapse being noticed. His abdomen Dr. A. WHITELEGGE (Chief Factory Inspector), in giving was rigid and did not move well with respiration. There the toast of "The General Medical Council," said was dulness of the lower part of the abdomen, especially on that it was realised that the Council was endeavouring the right side, sickness began, and the pulse became more to make the profession more select by elimination of rapid and weaker. Dr. Washbourn, in connexion with Dr. undesirable members and by increasing the stringency of Richmond, diagnosed a perforation of a typhoid ulcer, and the qualifying examinations.-Dr. J. G. GLOVER, in respondlaparotomy was performed by Mr. Raymond Johnson. A small ing to the toast, said that it would be well for the medicat perforation was soon discovered in the centre of a typhoid profession if all gentlemen spoke of the General Medical ulcer in the ileum of about the size of a shilling. The walls Council with the generosity which characterised the remarks of the gut were too soft to allow of the ulcer being stitched of Dr. Whitelegge. He (Dr. Glover) did not wish tc up and so it was sewn into the wound and the peritoneum save the Council from criticism for it was the better for was washed out with boric acid lotion and the pelvis drained. it, but any fair student of its proceedings would conclude The patient unfortunately sank a few hours after the opera- that with the limited powers it had it did the best it tion. At the post-mortem examination it was found that could. Nothing would do the Council more good than the this was the only ulcer present, although there were evidences encouragement of the profession. As a slight proof of the of recent typhoid ulcers. It is thus clear that a single right of the Council to feel that it had done something for typhoid ulcer can give rise to a relapse, and that although the profession he would refer to the question of infectiousI such relapse may have a very short period of pyrexia it is diseases. He himself had taken an active,part in trying to of the utmo nportance to treat such attacks with as much increase the education of students in the matter. He was a In this instance the patientt member of the deputation sent to ask Mr. Ritchie to open care as in llJ...c primary attack. the Metropolitan Asylums Board hospitals to students. It was kept on a strict diet of plain milk from the second day In the was possible for a man to be a most distinguished student on which his temperature rose nntil his decease. second case a relapse occurred with all the usual symptoms and yet never see a case of small-pox and possibly measles. and with enlargement of the spleen and with spots five When the deputation went to Mr. Ritchie Sir Samuel Wilks related how Guy’s Hospital had been asked to send a weeks after the patient’s temperature had been normal. medical man to one of the important public schools, and Deelfontein, May 14th. the best man the hospital had was sent. There arose in the school a mysterious complaint which this gentleman had never seen before. He was so puzzled that he went to the ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH POSTAL oldest medical practitioner in the district and detailed the MEDICAL OFFICERS. symptoms and was duly informed that he had to deal with an outbreak of measles. This defect in medical education ANNUAL DINNER. the Council was trying to remedy. The unity of the profession would be best served and promoted by giving all THE annual dinner of the Association of British Postal encouragement to the General Medical Council, for it was the Medical Officers was held under the chairmanship of the most representative body in the profession: it represented the President, Dr. W. DOUGAN, on June 21st, at the White- medical schools in the United Kingdom, the Universities, hall Rooms, Hotel M6’iropole. The usual loyal toasts the medical corporations, and the great body of the medical having been honoured, Sir JAMES CRICHTON BROWNE profession, though, of course, it must be admitted thatIf direct representation was not as adequate as it might be. proposed ’’ The Imperial Forces" in an eloquent speech they used the amount of direct representation which they and the toast was replied to by Sir JOSEPH FAYRER in had the right way it would be increased, but they might who said that he had endeavoured to record in the so abuse it as to secure not extension but extinction. had he written and the book which just published He Glover) could say as one of the Direct Representahistory of his life’s work and he had honestly done his tives(Dr. that the other members of that Council representing best for those Services for which he was responding. For the the rest of his life, which in the nature of things could the Crown and other interests paid great respect to of the Direct Representatives.-Dr. R. PARAMORE proviews not be very prolonged, he felt that he had the approbawas suitably tion of his confrcres in the profession and of his brother posed 11 The Medical Press," which toast officers in the Service, which he thought was the best responded to.-The Rev. HENRY BELCHER proposed "The reward a man could have. "The Houses of Parlia- Association of the British Postal Medical Officers," and this having been replied to by the PRESIDENT, Dr. H. ment" was next proposed by Mr. EDMUND OWEN in a brilliant and witty speech, and was replied to by Mr. J. FITZGIBBON proposed " The Guests," which received ’ due acknowledgment from Sir THOMAS ROE and Mr. P. J. WALTON, M.P., who said that he had always entertained the FREYER.-A very cordial vote of thanks to the honorary idea that the House of Lords was a body of men independent Dr. R. Ritchie Giddings, concluded the of, and uninfluenced by, the voice of clamour, but that idea general secretary, The proceedings. enjoyment of the evening was much of his a short time ago received a shock when the peers enhanced the excellent by singing of Miss Lilian Corner and on Mr. EUGEXE surrendered the vaccination question. Mr. Schneider and George by a well-selected programme o WASON, M.P., "proposed, and Sir ROBERT HUNTER replied music executed the Orchestra. by Imperial the and the toast of The

lysol for 24 hours washed. Two interesting

before it is taken to the

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to,

Postmaster-General,

Secretary,

other Executive Officers of the Post Office." 11 The Board of Education and other State Departments"was proposed by Dr. F. DE HAVILLAND HALL, and was responded to by Sir GEORGE KEKEWICH, Secretary to the Board of Education. THE NEW INFIRMARY AT NEWCASTLE. Dr. J. F. W. TATHAM. Superintendent of Statistics to the Registrar-General’s Office, also acknowledged the toast, THE foundation-stone of the Royal Victoria Infirmary was and said that he wished to extend the usefulness of the laid by the Prince of Wales on Wednesday, June 20th. The He had to thank the statistics issued by his office. members of his own profession for the hearty support new building, which is to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee extended to him in the performance of his duties. The of Her Majesty the Queen, will occupy a site upon Castle toast of " Preventive Medicine"was proposed by Dr. WOOD Leazes and will take the place of the old infirmary which, by

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1903 its lack of adequate accommodation, has not for many yearsi Highness a golden trowel and a mallet. The Prince then been able to minister to the wants of a greatly increased popu- declared the stone to be " well and truly laid." The MAYORESS, on behalf of the governors of the Royal lation. Briefly the story of the new building is as follows. , In 1896 Mr. R. Lord was for the first time elected mayor of Victoria Infirmary, presented to the Princess of Wales a fan Newcastle and he initiated the movement to build a new infir- embellished with a view of the new building. At a lunch which was afterwards served in the St. George’s mary to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. He asked for 60,000, L1000 for each year the Queen would have reigned. Drill Hall to some 900 guests the PRINCE OF WALES, in This sum was raised more easily than it was expected it reply to the loyal toasts, said : In the name of the Princess would be and Mr. Lord then asked for .640,000 more to re- and of our daughter and in my own name I must express our build the infirmary on its present site. While this money heartfelt thanks for the manner in which the Mayor has so was being collected Mr. John Hall, a wealthy Newcastle kindly proposed this toast and for the cordial way in which merchant, offered to give .6100,000 to build a new infirmary you have received it to-day....... The Mayor having intiprovided the site were changed and after great trouble mated a great wish that the Queen should lay the foundation and much delay ten acres of land were given by the corpora- stone of the great infirmary which is called after her name, tion who own the soil and by the freemen who own the she, being unable for various reasons to do so, deputed me to herbage on one of the sites selected by Mr. J. Hall take her place....... I need hardly say how gladly I on the Castle Leazes, at one time a part of the great was able to take the opportunity of once more being among Newcastle Town Moor. For the part which Mr. R. you, where we have always been so kindly received. Lord has played in this gigantic undertaking he deserves Most sincerely do I hope that the builcing will meet all its the gratitude of the inhabitants of the counties of Northum- requirements. The spot chosen seems to be a most excellent berland and Durham. For 30 years at least the building one, and I am glad to hear not only of the great munificence of another infirmary in Newcastle has been talked of and of a donor who, alas, has been taken from us, but that the from time to time efforts have been made to raise the working classes have shown the great interest that they take requisite funds, but till Mr. Lord did it everyone thought in their own welfare by subscribing considerable sums the task impossible. Now at last a complete building will towards the institution. Everybody knows how celebrated be erected. It will accommodate 400 patients and will pro- Newcastle is for its great works and for its shipping. It is bably cost, including the value of the site, 300.000. It will known all over the world. His Royal Highness then probe one of the very finest hospitals in the kingdom. posed the health of the Mayor and Corporation of Newcastle, The date chosen for the foundation-stone ceremony was to which he added the health of the Mayoress. particularly appropriate, inasmuch as June 20th is the anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne. Never before have the streets of Newcastle been decorated as they were ; ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF bunting and other coloured decorations disguised the handsome stone buildings so that in many cases they could ENGLAND. hardly be recognised, and the thoroughfares were thronged with such a crowd of visitors as has rarely if ever ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF COUNCIL. collected together in the stately old town. Fortunately the day, with the exception of a few slight showers, was ON July 5th the Fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons fine and warm, so that everything contributed to make the of England will be called upon to elect four members of the laying of the foundation-stone a complete success. The Council, and the occasion is remarkable, not for the number Royal party arrived at the Central Station from York at of vacancies, for in some years five vacancies have occurred, 12.10 P.M. and were met by the Home Secretary, the Lord for number the large of Fellows who have come forward Lieutenant of Northumberland (Earl Grey), Lord Durham, but the Mayor (Mr. E. Lord) and Mayoress, the Sheriffs, and the as candidates. 12 Fellows will compete for the four seats, members of the corporation, together with many of the pro- and so far as we are aware this number is absolutely unminent citizens. An address, enclosed in a casket of ivory precedented. There were, indeed, 13 candidates, but Mr. and gold, was presented to the Prince of Wales in the J. H. Morgan has retired, as Mr. J. A. Bloxam, his senior Assembly Room. His Royal Highness, who represented the colleague at Charing-cross Hospital, is a candidate. The electors will certainly experience some difficulty in ’Queen, having replied, a procession wag formed and, escorted by a detachment of the Household troops, proceeded to deciding for whom ;they should vote. The motives which a large covered stand capable of accommodating some influence the voting are necessarily complex, but far above thousands of spectators, where, in the presence of a huge all others the influence of the medical school is felt, for as a rule Fellows support thcse candidates who come from crowd, the foundation stone was laid. In reply to an address read by Professor G. H. PuiLlPSON, their own medical school, and provincial voters support proM.D. Cantab., on behalf of the governors of the infirmary, vincial candidates. There is- much that is good in this the PRINCE or WALES said : It gives me much pleasure to be feeling of loyalty, but we do not hesitate to point here to-day, by the desire and on behalf of the Queen, my out that the power of electing to so important a dear mother, to lay the foundation-stone of the beneficent body as the Council of the Royal College of Surgeons of institution which Her Majesty has directed shall bear her England is a serious trust and it should be exercised not i for the benefit of any individual, but for the good of medical name in permanent commemoration of the wisdom of your and and freemen of the of the education and of the medical profession at large. Those charity corporation generous inhabitants of this great city and the adjoining counties on Fellows should be chosen who have shown themselves to the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee. The vast and varied have at heart the real advancement of surgery. industries which have grown up on the banks of the Tyne In considering the long list of candidates we find that and maintain your population of resolute and prosperous three of them have already been members of the Council. workers are, unfortunately, in some instances carried on Two of the retiring members, Mr. John Tweedy and with a considerable, though happily diminishing, risk to Mr. Alfred Cooper, are offering themselves for re-election, life and health. It is therefore extremely gratifying to the and we imagine that all will agree that a retiring member Princess of Wales and myself to take part in the inaugura- of the Council who has served one term of office well tion of a hospital so extensive and well eqnipped, where the is always justified in looking forward to being appointed best resources of medical science and of skilled and efficient for a second period. Mr. Tweedy was originally elected as nursing will be at all times available for the benefit of the representing the reform party in the College, and his conduct suffering. We learn with satisfaction that a very generous during the time he has already served has fully justified his contribution has been made by working men towards the appointment, for though he has shown himself at all times endowment of the infirmary from which they will derive such a zealous supporter of reform, he does not under-estimate the benefits. I shall be happy to convey to the Queen your difficulties of the task. He has done good work on the loyal and dutiful expressions of attachment and your good Council and he would be certainly much missed by his wishes, and I have to thank you for the cordial reception colleagues should he not attain re-election. Mr. Alfred which you have given to the Princess of Wales and myself Cooper has also served one term and has proved himand to our daughter the Princess Victoria. self a useful member of the Council ; he will no doubt The Bishop of NEWCASTLE offered a special prayer and receive much support. Dr. Ward Cousins has not at the MAYOR, on behalf of the architects, Mr. W. L. Newcombe, present a seat on the Council though he has been twice F.R.I.B.A., Newcastle, and Mr. Percy Adam, London, and elected a member. On each occasion he has replaced a of the contractor, Mr. A. Pringle, presented to His Royal member who through death has not finished his full term of ,

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