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odd remedies employed for the relief of gout may be men-tioned the use of honey from the linden-tree. The Russian

peasantry restrict the bees to a period of three days, as theyaffirm that by this time the valuable saccharine matter ismost commonly exhausted, and they assert that it possessesthis great property-that no one who drinks it is ever

troubled with the gout; and it may be noted that in ourown country districts various plants, such as the winter

cherry, horse-radish, crane’s-bill, herb-gerard, and strawberry,have long been held in high repute among the peasantryas specifics for gout.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OFENGLAND.

A QUARTERLY meeting of the council was held on the9th inst., the President, Mr. Christopher Heath, being in thechair.

It was decided that the revised Dermatological Catalogueshould be issued at 4. per copy.A report, dated Dec. 16th, from the Committee of Manage-

ment, was read, and was approved and adopted. It was tothe following effect :-

1. That the Bancroft School, Woodford, Essex, be added to the list ofrecognised places of instruction in chemistry, physics, and practicalchemistry and biology. 2. That the West London Hospital be recog-

nised as a place of study during the fifth year of the curriculum. 3.That the Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital, Moorfields, be added tothe list of ophthalmic hospitals recognised by the Board. 4. That theexamination in elementary physiology, applicable only to candidatesunder the four years’ curriculum, which has hitherto been conductedby papers and written answers, be for the future conducted vivd voce.

A report, dated Dec. 6th, from the Laboratories Committee,was approved and adopted ; it was as follows :-The work in Diphtheria for the Metropolitan Asylums Board.-(a)

Examination of Material for Diagnosis. Since Oct. 4th, 2415 specimenshave been examined and reported upon. The average number of speci-mens examined per diem has been thirty-four. Ducing the year 10.374cases have been examined, giving an average of 35’6 per diem. (b) ThePreparation of Antitoxin Serum. Since Oct. 5th the director hassupplied about 2075 doses of antitoxin serum for the treatment of diph-theria in the hospitals of the Metropolitan Asylums Board, and all thedemands have been fully met. Six horses are being used, and threeothers are being prepared.Mr. Bryant, on behalf of Miss Baillie, presented to the

College some further letters of John Hunter, Edward Jenner,and other persons of note. The council voted their bestthanks to Miss Baillie for her gift.The President reported the proceedings at the half-yearly

meeting of Fellows on the 2nd inst. The two resolutions

passed at that meeting were read. The first, which statedthat it was desirable to give to Members of the College directrepresentation upon the council, was referred to the Deputa-tion Committee, to consider in connexion with the subjectsalready submitted to them. The second resolution, approvingof the admission of women to the diplomas of the College,was not proceeded with.The Senior Vice-President reported that the President, Mr.

Christopher Heath, had consented to deliver the nextHunterian Oration, and accordingly declared Mr. Heath tobe appointed Hunterian Orator for 1897.A letter was read from the Civil Rights Defence Com-

mittee enclosing copies of memorials to be presented toMembers of Parliament, inviting their support in the work ofthe committee, and asking for signatures. Several membersof the council signed.

BRITISH MEDICAL BENEVOLENT FUND.

THE annual general meeting of subscribers to this fundwas held on Tuesday, Jan. 14th, at the residence of thetreasurer. The chair was taken by Mr. J. T. Mould, F.R.C.S.,Vice-President, in the absence of Sir James Paget, Bart.,President, unavoidably prevented from presiding. Amongstthe subscribers present were Dr. Sidney Phillips, Dr.

Bright, Dr. Baines, Dr. Felce, Dr. Bowles, Dr. Holmanand Dr. Lowe, and Mr. Parker, Mr. Young, Mr. Page,Mr. Kiallmark, Mr. Roche, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Byam, Mr.Morgan, and Mr. Howard Marsh; the treasurer, Sir WilliamBroadbent, Bart. ; and the honorary secretaries, Dr. SamuelWest (finance) and Mr. Edward East (cases). The financial

statement was submitted and the report of the committeeread, and from them it appeared that subscriptions, .6991 8s.,.and donations, ;6700 18s. 8d., together .61692 3s. 8d,, had beenreceived, the income from investments amounting to .62333,.61548 had been distributed in grants, and 107 annuitantshad received 92114 6s. 8d. The distribution had beeneffected mainly through the agency of the Cheque Bank inmonthly instalments, a mode found by the committee to beexceedingly advantageous. Eighteen annuitants had beenelected to supply vacancies caused by death, and grants hadbeen made to 158 applicants, the total number of applicationsreceived being 212. Three legacies had been received duringthe year--viz., .6500 from the estate of the late Mr. T. M.Stone, .645 from that of Miss Wallace, and f.300 from thatof the late Miss Brigstocke. During the year the trustees.had asked to be relieved from the responsibility theyhad borne so long, and had resigned their office. Their

resignation had been received by the committee withregret and an expression of thanks for their services inthat capacity. Sir William Broadbent, Mr. John H. Morgan,and Dr. Samuel West had accepted office in their place.Several changes in the useful office of hon. local secretaryhad taken place. Dr. Markham Skerritt had been suc-

ceeded by Dr. Michell Clarke at Bristol, and Dr. Duncansucceeded Dr. Miller at Dundee ; new secretaries had beenappointed for Tottenham, Hampstead, and Kilburn-viz.,Dr. G. A. Watson, Mr. J. W. Pilcher, and Dr. T. Morton;.and Mrs. E. E. Palmer had accepted the post of lady col-lector for Norwich. Dr. Baxter Forman, Dr. MarmadukePrickett, and Mr. Edward East joined the committee, andSir Henry Acland, Sir Edward Sieveking, and Mr. HerbertPage were appointed vice-presidents. Mr. Edward East

resigned his appointment as secretary for cases and receivedthe thanks of the meeting for his long services ; he is suc-ceeded by Mr. Joseph White, 6, Southwell-gardens, S.W.Votes of thanks were passed by acclamation to the treasurer,secretaries, auditors, and to the medical press, and Mr.Mould was thanked for his services to the fund and conductin the chair.

THE MIDWIVES QUESTION AND THELANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE BRANCH

OF THE BRITISH MEDICALASSOCIATION.

THE following is the last utterance of the special com-mittee of the Lancashire and Cheshire Branch of the-

British Medical Association in connexion with legislation forthe registration of so-called midwives. It is in the form ofan appendix to a report of the committee received nem. corn,at its meeting on Jan. 8th, 1896.

APPENDIX.The prolonged and careful consideration which your committee has

given to the midwives question warrants the belief that a short résuméof the conclusions arrived at would be acceptable to the Branch.Your committee is convinced:-

I. That the existing state of things is not satisfactory.II. That there does exist a large class of persons too poor to pay

ordinary medical fees, too proud to ask for medical reliefthrough the existing machinery of the Poor-laws, and wha^consider that the skill of those members of our professionwho have lowered their remuneration to an extent which is.aegrading our calling in the eyes of the public M no higherin comparison with that of others than is their fee or

ethical position.III. That the continuance of this state of things constitutes a

grave imperfectton in our system and leaves a distinctopening for the pseudo-philanthropist-ever ready to poseas a

" public benefactor."IV. That the Midwives Registration Bills hitherto promoted are

essentially bad in principle, and, even were they practicableschemes, would not remedy the above-mentioned defects.

V. Your Committee think the following suggestions for effectingan improvement in the present unsatisfactory condition ofthings worthy of the serious and careful attention of the-branch:-

A. That an easy and ready method of effecting such improve--ments consists in a slight modification of the machineryby which 1’oor-law "medical relief" is administered, onthe following lines:-

(1) That orders for such relief should be available from,some source other than the relieving officer.

(2) lhat a much larger number of "district medical officers"be authorised Lo receive such orders.

(3) That in emergency cases and midwifery a person shouldbe able to apply to any registered medical practitionerin the district who would secure his fee from theparochial authority.