traffic in opium

1223

symptoms. It is possible that they may depend onsome vascular affection, interfering with the trans-mitting apparatus although not interrupting it. Sucha partial block could be afforded by cedema due to acertain amount of venous obstruction, which in itsturn might be referred to the veins round one of theanterior roots being brought against the back of thearticular processes. A dislocation of the atlas carry-ing the skull with it would imply the cord beingcarried forward with the bones, whereas an atlasdislocated forward between the skull and the axiswould mean pressure on the cord from behind by theposterior arch of the bone. An oedema of the left

side, produced in such a way, would give the sensoryand brachial symptoms, while the motor disturbanceof the right lower limb can be brought into line withthese by assuming the corresponding and affected

pyramidal fibres to be uncrossed at the level of thelesion-i.e., to be as yet in the direct pyramidal tractof the left side.

PHYSIOLOGY OF HIGH ALTITUDES

IN Hamburg, under the general editorship ofProf. Ludolph Brauer, a new periodical is beingpublished under the name of Acta Aerophysiologz.ca.iIt is devoted to a branch of physiology which isattracting more and more interest because of theattempts to climb the highest Himalayan peaksand because of the rapidly increasing popularity ofair travel. Each contribution is printed in thelanguage of its author-a wise arrangement if one

may judge by the somewhat foreign English of thepolyglot introduction.To the first number Dr. Dybowski, director of the

physiological laboratory of the aviation researchcentre in Warsaw, contributes a description of thedecompression chamber recently erected in his depart-ment. The cylinder is 5! metres long and 3 metresin diameter, and is capable of holding six subjectsand two observers. It is fitted with a trap by meansof which instruments or food can be passed in andout without increasing the pressure within. The

pressure can be kept for many hours on end at alevel corresponding to 14,000 metres above sea-level.The temperature within the chamber can be variedand can be reduced to 54° C. All controls are dupli-cated within and without. Communication is bytelephone, a laryngophone replacing the ordinarymouthpiece in order that the hands may be leftfree and that the voice may still be audible even atvery low pressures. In this chamber Dr. Dybowskiplans to make a series of clinical investigations underconditions approximating closely to those of actualair travel. No decompression chamber of this

magnitude or conyenience exists in this country,and the Warsaw centre is to be congratulated on itsinitiative.

TRAFFIC IN OPIUM

THE council of the League of Nations has expressedsatisfaction at the ratification by Persia of theconvention of 1931 for the limitation of the manu-facture of narcotic drugs, but, in the absence ofratification of the Hague Convention of 1912 and theGeneva Convention of 1925, the cooperation of a

country so large a producer of raw opium is farfrom effective. It is gratifying to learn that thecouncil of the League is issuing to the various govern-ments questionnaires, as devised by the Leagueof Assembly, with a view to preparation for a con-

1 Broschek and Co., Hamburg 36. Obtainable from ConradBehre, Kleíne Johannisstrasse 19, Hamburg 1. R.M.3 (firstissue).

ference on the limitation of the cultivation of the

opium poppy and the harvesting of the coca leaf.For various reasons the production of opium has oflate greatly exceeded the demand, and stocks of thedrug are accumulating.The Chinese Government has also decided to

accede to the 1931 limitation convention, and itsrepresentative has reported that, in spite of thedifficulties confronting his Government, it isdetermined to cope effectively with the menace ofopium and other dangerous drugs. Moreover a

standing subcommittee has been set up to promotethe cooperation of the Chinese authorities and thoseof the other powers concerned in giving effect to

chapter iv. of the Hague Convention of 1912. Thatchapter provided for the powers having treatieswith China, in conjunction with the Chinese Govern-ment, taking measures to prevent smuggling of

opium and other narcotics into Chinese territoryas well as into far Eastern colonies and leased terri-tories in China, and for restricting and controllingthe smoking of opium.

Turkey, another opium-producing country, hasnow acceded to the conventions of 1912, 1925, and1931, and it is hoped that the cultivation and exportof raw opium, as well as the manufacture of narcoticdrugs, will now be effectively controlled and thecultivation of Indian hemp entirely prohibited inthat country. It is also understood that Yugo-Slavia, also an opium-producing country, will enterinto an agreement with Persia and Turkey with aview to limit the cultivation of the opium poppyin all three countries.

THE Thomas Vicary lecture of the Royal College ofSurgeons of England will be given by Mr. L. W. G.Malcolm on Thursday, Dec. 7th. Mr. Malcolm will

speak on prehistoric and primitive surgery. OnDec. 14th, Prof. A. H. Burgess will deliver theBradshaw lecture, and his subject will be electro-

surgery. Both lectures will take place at 5 P.M., atthe College, Lincoln’s Inn-fields, and are open tomembers of the medical profession on presentation oftheir cards.

THE SERVICES

ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS

ARMY DENTAL CORPS

Lt. S. G. Watson to be Capt.

TERRITORIAL ABMY

Lt.-Col. J. B. Stanley, having attained the age limit,retires, and retains his rank, with permission to wear theprescribed uniform.

Capt. J. G. Weston resigns his commn.2nd Lt. A. T. Fripp (late Guards M.G. Regt.) to be Lt.

ILB-DIAN MEDICAL SERVICE

Capt. G. J. Smith to be Maj.

DEATHS IN THE SERVICES

Colonel Michael O’Halloran, late R.A.M.C., who diedat Folkestone on Nov. 19th, at the age of 72, entered themedical service of the Army almost immediately aftergraduating in medicine and surgery in the Royal Universityof Ireland. He reached the rank of Surg.-Maj. in 1897,in which year he saw service in India, and took part inthe operations on the North-West Frontier. He alsoserved in the South African War of 1899-1902, andreceived the Queen’s medal with clasp and the King’smedal with two clasps. In 1905 he became Lt.-Col., andwas retained on the active list in the late war.