825

records and compares the nature of morbid processes set up Iexperimentally by tubercle bacilli of human and bovine origin Irespectively, and also the cultural characters of bovine andhuman bacilli from a variety of different sources. The

general result of his observations has led Dr. Eastwood, inreporting to the Commission, to emphasise the underlyingunity of the morbid processes produced experimentally byinfection with every variety of human and bovine tuberclebacillus. The Commission, in its second report, drew

freely on Dr. Eastwood’s observations, and the volume nowissued illustrates the magnitude and thoroughness of theresearch which has been made into this aspect of the subjectWe hope to revert later to some of the questions raised bythis valuable report. -

HEALTH STATISTICS OF THE PEABODYBUILDINGS.

THE forty-second annual report of the governors of the Pea-body Donation Fund contains some most satisfactory statisticsrelating to the health condition during 1906 of the 19,737residents of the buildings owned by the Trust. It is pointedout in the report that the birth-rate among the residents wasequal to 30’ 5 per 1000, exceeding the general London rate by3’8 ; that the death-rate did not exceed 12 5 per 1000 andwas 3 2 below the mean rate in London ; and that the rateof infant mortality was only 84’9 per 1000 births, against133 - 0 in the whole of London. It appears that the

buildings occupy nearly 33 acres in various parts ofthe metropolis and that the mean density of popula-tion on this area is equal to 603 persons per acre,or nearly ten times the mean density throughoutLondon. The low death-rate of 12’ 5 per 1000, among apopulation with a mean density of 603 per acre, affords- conclusive proof that a high proportion of persons to anacre is not necessarily dangerous to health. Tested byanother standard it is clear that there is no overcrowdingin the Peabody Buildings. The Census Commissioners intheir report on the census in 1891 adopted as a standard ofovercrowding any excess in ordinary tenements beyond twooccupants per room. It appears from the Peabody reportunder notice that at the end of last year the governors of thetrust had provided 12,328 rooms for the artisan and labour-ing poor of London, exclusive of bathrooms, laundries, andlavatories; as these rooms contained a population of 19,737persons, the average number of persons per room did not exceed

1’6, well within the standard of overcrowding adopted by theCensus Commissioners. The report states that the averageweekly earnings of the head of each family in residence atthe close of last year did not exceed £ 1 ls. 9d., showing thatthe residents are of a distinctly working-class character.That in a distinctly working-class population of nearly20,000, for the most part residing in the north of London,the rate of infant mortality should be as low as 84’ 9 per1000, affords striking testimony of the value of the PeabodyTrust and should afford the greatest encouragement to thosewho are labouring to reduce the waste of infant life which isnow the most unsatisfactory feature of English public healthadministration.

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LESSONS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF INFANTS.

"I HAVE no hesitation in saying that in my opinion theproper time to teach girls about babies is from 10 to 13

years of age." These are the words of Mr. BenjaminBroadbent, the ex-mayor of Huddersfield, in his preface toa leaflet 1 by -Nlrs, Watson on the subject of the care ofinfants. This little publication of 12 pages has been preparedwith a view to its being used in public elementary schoolsfor the instruction of girls. It is written in the very

1 Lessons on the Care of Infants, by Mrs. Watson. Copies may be obtained from Mr. B. Broadbent, Grateshead, Lindley, Huddersfield,at 1d. each, or 9d. per dozen.

simplest language and contains quite enough information forthe instruction of girls of this age. The first of the fivelessons is devoted to the subject of baby’s food, the seconddeals with the preparation of artificial foods, the third withwashing and clothing, the fourth with sleep and fresh air,and the fifth with general hygienic rules, and the whole con-cludes with a list of questions which it is suggested shouldbe put to the girls at the end of each lesson. In everyrespect this is an admirable little book, the advice given isquite sound, and the information is correct, while thereis nothing in it to offsnd the most sensitive sense of

delicacy, although, as Mr. Broadbent lays, "it is a difficultmatter to prepare girls for motherhood without endangeringthe freshness and sweetness of their innocence."

DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS AT THENECKER HOSPITAL.

A COMPLETE course of clinical demonstrations upon diseases sof the urinary system will be held at the Necker Hospital,Paris, under Professor Albarran, commencing on April 18tb.The course will last three months and will include about80 lectures. The symptomatology and the diagnosticpoints of the various diseases will be lectured uponand illustrated by the exhibition of patients. Those

attending the lectures will be given opportunities for

the practical examination of patients as well as forinstruction in the handling of cystoscopes and variousother instruments used in the diagnosis and treatment

of urinary disorders. Three lectures will be given perweek in the Salle de la Terrasse, commencing at 2.30 P.M.During the first month those attending the courses willattend the consultations held every morning in the Salle de laTerrasse and during the two other months they will accom-pany Professor Albarran when he goes round the wardsand at his demonstrations at the bedside. The numberof those who can attend the class is limited. All informa-tion as to the conditions necessary to be observed for

attending the classes can be obtained from Dr. Ertzbischoff,chef de clinique of the Necker Hospital.

EIGHTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF REDCROSS SOCIETIES.

WE understand, although no official information seems tohave been given, that the Eighth International Conference ofRed Cross Societies will be held in London from June 10thto 15th. ,We do not know who are responsible for the

arrangements, but it has been said that their Majestiesthe King and Queen will receive the delegates at Windsorand amongst the entertainers will be the Marquis andMarchioness of Salisbury, Lord Rothschild, and others.It is believed that our guests will number about 200, andthese will include some of the most distinguished men fromall the continental States of Europe, America, Japan, &c.Several of these gentlemen will be accompanied by their wivesand daughters. The Central British Red Cross Society hasbeen dissolved and a new substitute is in course of organisa-tion. This is very much to be regretted, as we fear that themembers of the older societies, many of which have existedfor nearly 40 years, will change their opinion as to this beinga practical nation. We once possessed a national society,but this has been swept away, and for more than

a year attempts have been made to replace it, but

hitherto without much result. The conference will affordan opportunity for us to learn something about the workin other countries, and we hope that a hall of sufficient

space will be secured to enable some hundreds of

persons interested in Red Cross work to attend the

sittings of the congress and to learn something as to the

manner in which it is regarded in other countries. This is