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THE ROYAL SOCIETY
1062
Edsall, Wilbur, and Drinker conclude that " the
is most open to criticism is in
metal
for this is absolutely and completely preventable. By the vigorous treatment of a syphilitic woman during her pregnancy, especially in the early months, one can guarantee that the child will be born not only alive but free from those ghastly heritages, interstitial keratitis and nervous lesions, which The obstacle cause so much unnecessary suffering. to the eradication of this disease is the fact that many women show little in their early infection. The primary sore may not be visible, the secondary phase may be transient, and then the stage is set for a series of miscarriages and congenital children. Perhaps the only way to get rid of this disease would be to do a routine Wassermann test on all expectant mothers in the first two months of pregnancy, and institute treatment as early as possible whenever it is found necessary.
apparently makes a very definite attack upon some non-vital portion of the neuromuscular system, destroys it thoroughly, if time for action is permitted, and leaves the victim quite well in every other respect." The essential and characteristic lesion common to victims of poisoning and to laboratory animals is destruction of the ganglion cells of the basal ganglia, followed by gross scarring and shrinkage. Microscopic examination shows the gliosis to be more or less evenly distributed between the thalamus and the caudate and lenticular nuclei. In a recent communication Canavan, Cobb, and Drinker3 give of the autopsy findings, an exhaustive account notably the histopathology, in a case of a man of 69 who died of cardio-renal disease 14 vears after the onset of symptoms due to manganese poisoning. They draw attention to the fact that manganese is evidently not a highly poisonous element ; it does not accumulate in the body, and reduction of dust in the air breathed by workers appears to check the incidence of cases of poisoning. Unfortunately, however, patients with a well-developed syndrome of manganese poisoning make but little recovery when removed from poisonous surroundings. They suffer no serious general impairment, but live for years as healthy but more or less helpless invalids. According to Alice Hamilton4 the cause is always the inhalation of dust of manganese ore, or dioxide, or the fumes from the fusing of the manganese in steel manufacture. Manganese plays a part in various industries, but a very large proportion of the world’s production of manganese ores, manganiferous ironores and manganiferous zinc residuum is consumed in metallurgical processes, particularly in the manufacture of iron and steel. This form of poisoning demands attention from the neurologist, because the clinical picture, consequent upon lesions of the basal ganglia, closely resembles that of the commoner causes of the Parkinsonian syndrome. Enquiry into the occupations of all Parkinsonian sufferers might well indicate that
suspected as being post-encephalitic or arterio-sclerotic in origin are really due to manganese poisoning. some
cases
THE CONTROL OF SYPHILIS
trend of medicine is nowadays towards rather than cure, but Wilepoints out that from the economic point of view it is almost as important to prevent the serious late effects of a disease as to prevent its onset. Because of its peculiar method of infection attempts to prevent syphilis have not been altogether successful, but if the subject is properly approached it should be possible by modern methods to prevent the devastating sequels. Among the worst of these are neurosyphilis, cardiovascular syphilis, and transmission of infection to the next generation. After 25 years’ experience Wile has come to the conclusion that the vast majority in these three groups are preventable. For example, he believes that adequately treated cases never develop cardiovascular syphilis. Routine lumbar puncture during the first year of infection and treatment will show definite changes in the cerebro-spinal fluid which indicate future nervous
THE
prevention
and tryparsamide, mtraspinal,and (most of all) malarial therapy can easily be instituted, with happy results. Where the profession
trouble ;
regard
to
congenital
syphilis,
THE ROYAL SOCIETY
THIS year the Royal and other medals have been awarded as follows :The Copley Medal to Prof. J. S. Haldane for his discoveries in human physiology as applied to medicine, mining, diving, and engineering. The Rmnford Medal to Prof. W. J. de Haas for his researches on the properties of bodies at low temperatures. A Royal Medal to Prof. S. Chapman for his researches in the kinetic theory of gases, in terrestrial magnetism and in the phenomena of the upper atmosphere. A Royal Medal to Prof. E. D. Adrian for his work on the physiology of nerve and its application to the problems of sensation. The Davy Medal to Prof. W. N. Haworth for his researches on the molecular structure of carbohydrates. The Darwin Medal to Prof. A. C. Seward in recognition of his work as a palseobotanist. The Sylvester Medal to Earl Russell for his distin. guished work on the foundations of mathematics. The Hughes Medal to Prof. K. M. G. Siegbahn in recog. nition of his work on long-wave X rays.
The
names have been put forward for officers and council for the ensuing year :—
following
election
as
President, Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins, F.R.C.P.; treasurer, Sir Henry Lyons ; secretaries, Sir Henry Dale M.D., and Sir Frank Smith ; foreign secretary, Prof. A. C. Seward. Other members of council: Prof. E. D. Adrian, M D., Dr. E. J. Butler, Mr. W. T. Calman, D.Sc., Mr. D. L. Chapman, Prof. A. W. Conway, Prof. W. H. Eccles, Prof. T. R. Elliott, M.D., Dr. P. P. Laidlaw, Sir Gerald Lennox-Conyngham, Prof. J. C. McLennan, Mr. F. H. A’ Marshall, Sc.D., Sir Charles Martin, F.R.C.P., Prof. G. T. Morgan, Prof. R. Robison, Mr. Herbert H. Thomas, Sc.D., and Prof. E. T. Whittaker.
A DINNER will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 27th, under the auspices of the Chairman (Mr. Bernard Cuddon) and the Committee of the Hospital for Epilepsy and Paralysis to commemorate the jubilee of the first operation for the removal of a tumour from the brain. Lord Horder will take the chair. The operation was performed by Sir Rickman Godlee on Nov. 25th, 1884, and a description of the case and of Godlee’s procedure was published in THE LANCET of Dec. 20th, 1884. On the afternoon of the same day a paper will be read by Mr. Wilfred Trotter, F.R.S., entitled A Landmark in Neurology, at the Royal Society of Medicine.
valuable
3 Arch. Neur. and Psychiatry, 1934, xxxii., 501. 4 Hamilton, A., Industrial Toxicology, 1934, New York and London. P. 93. 5 Wile, Udo J. : Jour. Amer. Med.
p. 648.
Assoc., Sept. 1st, 1934,
ROYAL
VICTORIA
HOSPITAL, FOLKESTONE.-The
of this hospital is so heavily taxed that its 98 beds should be increased to 150. This extension will cost between :S20,000 and 30,000. Private wards, a maternity section, a pathological department, and a children’s ward will also be added.
capacity
Edsall, Wilbur, and Drinker conclude that " the
is most open to criticism is in
metal
for this is absolutely and completely preventable. By the vigorous treatment of a syphilitic woman during her pregnancy, especially in the early months, one can guarantee that the child will be born not only alive but free from those ghastly heritages, interstitial keratitis and nervous lesions, which The obstacle cause so much unnecessary suffering. to the eradication of this disease is the fact that many women show little in their early infection. The primary sore may not be visible, the secondary phase may be transient, and then the stage is set for a series of miscarriages and congenital children. Perhaps the only way to get rid of this disease would be to do a routine Wassermann test on all expectant mothers in the first two months of pregnancy, and institute treatment as early as possible whenever it is found necessary.
apparently makes a very definite attack upon some non-vital portion of the neuromuscular system, destroys it thoroughly, if time for action is permitted, and leaves the victim quite well in every other respect." The essential and characteristic lesion common to victims of poisoning and to laboratory animals is destruction of the ganglion cells of the basal ganglia, followed by gross scarring and shrinkage. Microscopic examination shows the gliosis to be more or less evenly distributed between the thalamus and the caudate and lenticular nuclei. In a recent communication Canavan, Cobb, and Drinker3 give of the autopsy findings, an exhaustive account notably the histopathology, in a case of a man of 69 who died of cardio-renal disease 14 vears after the onset of symptoms due to manganese poisoning. They draw attention to the fact that manganese is evidently not a highly poisonous element ; it does not accumulate in the body, and reduction of dust in the air breathed by workers appears to check the incidence of cases of poisoning. Unfortunately, however, patients with a well-developed syndrome of manganese poisoning make but little recovery when removed from poisonous surroundings. They suffer no serious general impairment, but live for years as healthy but more or less helpless invalids. According to Alice Hamilton4 the cause is always the inhalation of dust of manganese ore, or dioxide, or the fumes from the fusing of the manganese in steel manufacture. Manganese plays a part in various industries, but a very large proportion of the world’s production of manganese ores, manganiferous ironores and manganiferous zinc residuum is consumed in metallurgical processes, particularly in the manufacture of iron and steel. This form of poisoning demands attention from the neurologist, because the clinical picture, consequent upon lesions of the basal ganglia, closely resembles that of the commoner causes of the Parkinsonian syndrome. Enquiry into the occupations of all Parkinsonian sufferers might well indicate that
suspected as being post-encephalitic or arterio-sclerotic in origin are really due to manganese poisoning. some
cases
THE CONTROL OF SYPHILIS
trend of medicine is nowadays towards rather than cure, but Wilepoints out that from the economic point of view it is almost as important to prevent the serious late effects of a disease as to prevent its onset. Because of its peculiar method of infection attempts to prevent syphilis have not been altogether successful, but if the subject is properly approached it should be possible by modern methods to prevent the devastating sequels. Among the worst of these are neurosyphilis, cardiovascular syphilis, and transmission of infection to the next generation. After 25 years’ experience Wile has come to the conclusion that the vast majority in these three groups are preventable. For example, he believes that adequately treated cases never develop cardiovascular syphilis. Routine lumbar puncture during the first year of infection and treatment will show definite changes in the cerebro-spinal fluid which indicate future nervous
THE
prevention
and tryparsamide, mtraspinal,and (most of all) malarial therapy can easily be instituted, with happy results. Where the profession
trouble ;
regard
to
congenital
syphilis,
THE ROYAL SOCIETY
THIS year the Royal and other medals have been awarded as follows :The Copley Medal to Prof. J. S. Haldane for his discoveries in human physiology as applied to medicine, mining, diving, and engineering. The Rmnford Medal to Prof. W. J. de Haas for his researches on the properties of bodies at low temperatures. A Royal Medal to Prof. S. Chapman for his researches in the kinetic theory of gases, in terrestrial magnetism and in the phenomena of the upper atmosphere. A Royal Medal to Prof. E. D. Adrian for his work on the physiology of nerve and its application to the problems of sensation. The Davy Medal to Prof. W. N. Haworth for his researches on the molecular structure of carbohydrates. The Darwin Medal to Prof. A. C. Seward in recognition of his work as a palseobotanist. The Sylvester Medal to Earl Russell for his distin. guished work on the foundations of mathematics. The Hughes Medal to Prof. K. M. G. Siegbahn in recog. nition of his work on long-wave X rays.
The
names have been put forward for officers and council for the ensuing year :—
following
election
as
President, Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins, F.R.C.P.; treasurer, Sir Henry Lyons ; secretaries, Sir Henry Dale M.D., and Sir Frank Smith ; foreign secretary, Prof. A. C. Seward. Other members of council: Prof. E. D. Adrian, M D., Dr. E. J. Butler, Mr. W. T. Calman, D.Sc., Mr. D. L. Chapman, Prof. A. W. Conway, Prof. W. H. Eccles, Prof. T. R. Elliott, M.D., Dr. P. P. Laidlaw, Sir Gerald Lennox-Conyngham, Prof. J. C. McLennan, Mr. F. H. A’ Marshall, Sc.D., Sir Charles Martin, F.R.C.P., Prof. G. T. Morgan, Prof. R. Robison, Mr. Herbert H. Thomas, Sc.D., and Prof. E. T. Whittaker.
A DINNER will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 27th, under the auspices of the Chairman (Mr. Bernard Cuddon) and the Committee of the Hospital for Epilepsy and Paralysis to commemorate the jubilee of the first operation for the removal of a tumour from the brain. Lord Horder will take the chair. The operation was performed by Sir Rickman Godlee on Nov. 25th, 1884, and a description of the case and of Godlee’s procedure was published in THE LANCET of Dec. 20th, 1884. On the afternoon of the same day a paper will be read by Mr. Wilfred Trotter, F.R.S., entitled A Landmark in Neurology, at the Royal Society of Medicine.
valuable
3 Arch. Neur. and Psychiatry, 1934, xxxii., 501. 4 Hamilton, A., Industrial Toxicology, 1934, New York and London. P. 93. 5 Wile, Udo J. : Jour. Amer. Med.
p. 648.
Assoc., Sept. 1st, 1934,
ROYAL
VICTORIA
HOSPITAL, FOLKESTONE.-The
of this hospital is so heavily taxed that its 98 beds should be increased to 150. This extension will cost between :S20,000 and 30,000. Private wards, a maternity section, a pathological department, and a children’s ward will also be added.
capacity