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kept waiting in that room most of the time; and had I anyfunking propensities, alas! for the result. Gladly did I hailmy number being called when I had to undergo the usualquestioning on surgery and pathology. It affords me un-bounded pleasure to state that one of the examiners, whostill has a spark of feeling for others, expressed biq regretthat I should be kept waiting so long. and, when un-

able to answer a question, said that it was not surprising,and hence gave me credit for it; in fact, my memory wassadly at a discount. ,

After this I was ushered into a still smaller room, the ’,library, I imagine, whre I found the remainder of thecandidates. We were thpn in a glorious state of uncer-tainty, each one for himself reflecting upon his answers, ’,,thereby trying to prove to himself that he had done well. ’,At this juncture it became too exciting for me, and henceI forgot to note the time spent here previous to beingcalled out. We were at length summoned like dumblambsto the slaughter, not knowing whether we were plucked ornot, nor did we dare open our mouths by way of enlighteningour darkness. After more delay we signed our namesto somedocument (it is to be hoped they know my signature erethis). Then, in a very solemn and catholic sort of mannerwe were ushered in one by one into a sanctum where theexaminers sat in state; and on seeing the men standing ina line, similar to so many Sunday-school children, it quiteovercame me, and I was compelled to relieve myself with agood round of laughter, which was immediately stopped.My expectations rose high while standing thus, imaginingthey would place a piece of cake or something simile* intoour hands, bnt was doomed to be disappointed. I find itwould have been a great insult to ask for a seat. The Pre-sident in a solemn tone addressed us, but I was too ill atease to hear or mind his words. To my great relief we werethen allowed to depart, and could get our diplomas on themorrow.

Such is the ordeal I have undergone to obtain the 1%1.R C.S.’The hardships and unconrteous treatment gone throughare sufficiently patent, and require no comment on my part.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,August 10th, 1871. A SUCCESSFUL M.R.C.S.

DETENTION OF ALLEGED LUNATICS.

W. FAULKNER, M.R.C.S.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-Respecting a notice which appeared in THE LANCETa few weeks since, in which a question was raised as to thepower of the Lords Justices to order the release of a re-

ported lunatic, &c., I beg to inform you that the matterwas ultimately carried before the Lord Chancellor, who ex-pressed himself strongly on the case, and wrote to the’Commissioners in Lunacy on the subject, and at his recom-mendation the reported lunatic was allowed leave of absencefrom the asylum (in which he has been detained about twoyears) for the space of three or four months, during whichtime he is to be visited by the Commissioners, at my re-sidence in Brecknock-road.

It thus appears that neither the Lords Justices nor theLord Chancellor have power to order the release of analleged lunatic, if the Commissioners in Lunacy object; andI consider the present case a strong instance why theLunacy Laws should be altered. I consider this case highlyinteresting to the medical profession, as in my opinion thealleged lunatic is perfectly sane, and has been most unfairlydetained.Any further information I shall be glad to afford, either

at 40, Endell-street, or 142, Brecknock-road.I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

August, 1871. W. FAULKNER, M.R.C.S.

SEQUELS OF SMALL-POX.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-I send the following "short abstract ’of a case illus- ,trating the secondary consequences of small-pox." Itoccurred during the present epidemic. C. A aged sixmonths, well formed and plump (vaccina.ted successfullywhen three months old), took small-pox, which was goingthrough the family. The symptoms were mild, and the

eruption discrete. On the morning of the seventh day, how-ever, the nurse noticed a large patch of phlegmonous ery-sipelns on the right buttock. This communicated a brawnyfeel to the touch. The surface of the swplling was

generally red, but there was a livid spot in the centre.On the next day vesication and sep&ra.tion of patches ofcuticle had taken place, and the whole surface was purple.The infant, however, continued to take its food, and lingeredtill the fourth day of the invasion of erysipelas, and theeleventh of small-pox. I ought., perhaps, to add that the

! mother bad erysipelas (not phlegmonous) in the last monthof pregnancy, which might possibly act a,s a predisposingcause of the disease in the case of the child.

I am, Sir, yours obpdiently,Blackheath, July 28th, 1871. J. HARMAR SMITH, M.R.C.S.J. HARMAR SMITH, M.R.C.S.

IRELAND.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

THE THREATENED APPROACH OF CHOLERA.

CONSIDERABLE apprehension has arisen at Drogheda, notaltogether groundless, considering the ravages made therefrom former visitations of this dreaded disease. On Thurs-

day last the Market Jury brought the suhject of the water-supply under the notice of the Mayor, who, after consult-

ing with the Waterworks Company, declined to move in the! matter. The following day the Jury again met, and passed a resolution to the effect that in their opinion the waternow supplied by the Drogheda Waterworks Company is

utterly unfit for human use, and calculated to create dis-ease. Memorials were also adopted to be forwarded toEarl Spencer, the Drogheda guardians, and the magistratesof the district, praying that the most urgent efforts be atonce adopted for the abatement and removal of a nuisanceso highly dangerous, not only to consumers of the conta-minated water, but to the community at large. Themajority of towns in Ireland are indeed wretchedly sup-plied with pure water. Among others I may mention that ofMonivea, situate about a d zen miles from Galway. In thisvillage, except bog-water, there is no supply nearer than a.spring some miles distant, there b-ing no pump or well inthe village ; and there are numerous other towns in Con-naught in no better condition. What wonder is it, then,that in an epidemic of cholera or fever the mortality shouldbe so excessive ? ?

A NEW ANTISEPTIC.

Dr. Emerson Reynolds, attached to the Laboratory of theRoyal Dublin Society, has lately suggested the use of thesulphite of zinc as an antiseptic and deodoriser, and con-siders that its power of checking decomposition, and ab-sorbing sulphuretted hydrogen and other noxious gases,renders it useful as a sanitary agent. It can be preparedat a cheap rate by treating the refuse zinc oxide from brassfoundries or zinc factories with sulphurous acid in pre-sence of water. It is also inodorous, and not liable to rapidchange. The only matter requiring elucidation is as re-gards its poisonous properties, for should it not be harmlessits use can never be expected to become general, especiallywhen deaths from poisonous deodorising preparations haveof late become so unfortunately frequent.

HEALTH OF IRELAND.

From the Report of the Registrar-General for Ireland forthe first quarter of the year, only issued within the last fewdays, I find that the births registered during that periodamounted to 41,637, affording an annual ratio of 1 in every324, or 3 08 per cent. of the population by the last Census;and the number of registered deaths to 26,510, being equalto an annual ratio of 1 in 51 0, or 1-96. The Registrar-Genera) states that it is but too apparent from the fore-going figures that the registration of births and deaths isstill very imperfect, the annual ratio of births to the esti-mated population in England being about 1 in 29 or 30, andof deaths 1 in 44 or 45; whilst in Ireland, according to thepresent return, the ratios are-for births, 1 in 32 4, and fordeaths, 1 in 51. Now, as the registration of deaths is so de-fective, would it not be a good plan to have a law that nobody should be buried in this country until a certificate of

death had been handed to the officiating minister or

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officials connected with the place of interment ?-a severepenalty being the result of an infringement of this regu-lation. The state of the public health during the quarterwas, with some exceptions, satisfactory. The harsh easterlywinds proved very fatal to the aged and infirm, and theprincipal mortality was dueto pulmonary affections. Small-pox made its appearance in about twenty districts, but inalmost all the cases the infection could be traced to Englishor Scotch sources.

CHARITABLE BEQUESTS.

Michael Bernard Mullins, Esq., has bequeathed £1000 tothe Hospital for Incurahles, and £500 to each of the follow-ing-viz., Jervis-street, St.Vincent de Paul, Coombe Lying-in, and Mater Misericordiæ Hospitals. Besides these be-

quests, the remainder of his property he has principallyplaced in the hands of trustees for the purpose of estab-lishing a convalescent home to be erected near Dublin, tobe connected with the name of the donor.Dublin, August 22nd, 1871.

Medical News.H.M. BRITISH MEDICAL SERVICE.-The following is

a list of gentlemen who competed successfully for appoint.ments as Assistant-Surgeons at the competitive examina-tion held at the London University on Aug. 9th, 1871:-

Marks.Cottle, E. W.......... 2060Connolly, P. S.......... 2055

Dwyer, C. E.......... 2020lilood, R.......... 1970Fasken, W. A. D.......... 1959Edge, J. D.......... 1890Drury, R.......... 1885

Bridges, W. P.......... 1875RugerR, J. G.......... 1865Ash, R. V....... ,.. 1825Grant, W. C.......... 1782Connolly, B. B.......... 1720Barrow, H. J. W.......... 1665Barrow, F. E.......... 1654

ApOTHECARIES’ HALL. - The following gentlemenpassed their examination in the Science and Practice of Medi-cine, and received certificates to practise, on Aug. 17th:—

Allen, Marcus Henry, Regency-square, Brighton.Birch, Robert, Lichfield.Bonser, John Hanbury, Sutton-in-Ashfield.Butler, Francis William, Spring-grove House, Peckham.Hosford, Joseph Atexajider, Cumberland-street, Barnsbury.Sarjant, Josiah John, blillwall, Poplar.Steele, Edward Henry, Dorchester.

On the same day the following gentlemen passed their firstprofessional examination :-Thomas James Dixon and Robert William Murphy, Guy’s ; Robert

L. fitts, Middlesex Hospital; Percy Butler Stoney, St. Bartholomew’s.

THE LACAZE PRIZE (£400) lately founded at theFaculty of Medicine of Paris, will be awarded every secondyear to the best work on phthisis and typhoid fever alter-nately. The first prize will be given at the end of thesession of 1871-72. The essays must be sent in before the1st of July, 1872, in the ordinary way-namely, sealedenvelope, with a motto, but no name.A NEW LADY DOCTOR.-Miss Putnam has just been

undergoing the very strict examinations for the doctor’sdegree in Paris, and has passed very creditably. This isthe second case in the Paris Faculty, the innovation beingmade quietly, whilst elsewhere angry discussions intervene.

Medical Appointments.BAINES, M. M.D., has been appointed Certifying Surgeon for the South-

Western District under the provisions of the Factories Act.BOURNES, D,. H. A., has been appointed Medical Attendant to the Royal

Iri h Constabulary, Kulala, Co. Mayo, vice C. Neilson, F.R.C.S.I., de-ceated.

BOWRING, G., M.R.C.S.E., has been appointed an Hon. Surgeon to theRoyal Infirmary, Manchester, vice A. W. Dumville, F.R.C.S.E., de-ceased.

CBELTr, R. W., M.R.C.S.E., has been appointed Assistant Medical Officerto the Devonshire Lunatic Asylum, Exminster, vice J. W. Burman,M.B., L.R.C.S.Ed., resigned, and appointed to the West Riding of York-ehue Lunatic asylum.

CLAYTON, Dr. J , h s been appointed a Visiting Physician to the Banff Dis-trict Lunatic Asylum.

FORDHAM, J W., L.R.C P.Ed., has been appointed Reoident Accoticheur tothe London Hospital, vice G. E. Herman, M.1i.C.S.E., arpointed anAssistant Medical Officer to the Hampstcad Small-pox Hospital.

HARRIS, A. G. R., L.R.C.P.L., 111 R.C.S.E, has bee.. appoined MedicalOfficer and Public Vaccinator for the Southern District of the GodstoneUnion, vice S. C. Austin, M.R.C.S.E., resi. ned.

MAGOR, H. C., M.B., C.M., has been appointed Clinical Assistant at theWest aiding’ of Yorkshire Lunatic Asylum, Wakefield, vice W. W. Dove,L.R.C.P., M.R.C.S.E., appointed Assistant Medical Ofticer to the Somer-setshire Lunatic Asylum, Wells.

MANSON, A. J., M.D., has been appointed a Visiting Physician to the BanffDistrict Lunatic Asylum.

MATHEws, G. C., L.R.C.P.Ed., L R.C.S.I., has been appointed MedicalAttendant to the Royal Irish Constabulary, Moate, Co. Westmeath, viceJ. M. Mathews, L.K.Q.C.P.I., L.R C.S.I., deceased.

PARSONS, F. J. C., M.R.U.S.E., has been lected Medical Officer for theMiddlezoy District of the Bridgwater Union, vice E. Carse, L.R.C.P.Ed.,L.F.’P. & S. Utas., resigned.

PARTRIDGB, T. B., M.B., has been appoin’ed an Assistant-Physician to theMetropolitan Free Hospital, vice J. G. Dudley, M.D., M.R.C.P.L., ap-pointed a Physician.

PORTER, R. H., L.A.H. Dub., L.M., has been appointed Apothecary andAccoucheur to the Fever Hospital and liou-’e of Recovery, Cork-street,Dublin, vice W. llrowa, L.F.P. & S. Glas., appo ntnd to the Royal Navy.

PuitsER, J. M., M.D, L.K.Q.C.P.L, has been appointed a Physician to theCity of Dublin Hospital, vice S. M. Hewitt, L.K.Q.C.P.I., L.R.C.S.I.,deceased.

REED, W. H., M.R.C.S.E., has been appointed Medical Officer for the Church-stanton Uistrict of the Taunton Union, vice A. L. Peacock, M.K.C.S.E.,resigned.

Iloaixsox, T., L.R.C.P., M.R.C.S.E., has been appointed Medical Officer forDistrict No. 1 of the liolborn Union, vice J. E. Gowland, M.D., de-ceased.

SOLOMAN, C., L.R.C.P.Ed., has been appointed Medical Officer for the Skir-laugh District and the Workhouse of the Skirlaugh Union, Yorkshire,vice R. V. Ash, ’d.B, resigned.

STOKER, W. T., M.D., L.R.C.S.I., has been appointed a Surgeon to the Cityof Dublin Hospital, vice Purser, appointed a Physician.

WATTS, G. H., M.R.C S.E., has been appointed Medical Officer for DistrictNo. 3 of the Newbury Union, vice G. Watts, L.S.A L., deceased.

WILSON, R. L., M.R.C.S.E, has been appointed Medical Officer for DistrictNo. 2 of the Brixworth Uiiioti, Northamptonshire, vice J. C. Pritchard,L.R.C.P.Ed., M.R.C.S.E., resigned.

Births, Marriages, and Deaths.BIRTHS.

HEARNDEN.-On the 21st inst., at Sutton, the wife of W. A. Hearnden,M.D., of a daughter.

HYDE.-On the 2nd ult., at Poonamallee. Madras, the wife of J. M. Hyde,M.R.C.S.E., Staff Surgeon Army, of a son.

MATTHEW.—On the 18th inst., at Warwick-street, Regent-street, the wife ofC. M. Matthew, M. B., of a daughter.

MORIARTY.-On the 22nd iust., at the Central Barracks, Woolwich, the wifeof Dr. Moriarty, of a daughter.

SPAULL.-On the 19th inst., at V.de-place, West Kensington, the wife ofB. E. Spaull, M.R.C.S.E., of a son.

MARRIAGES.BUTLER-SMITH.-On the 23rd inst., at St. J"hn’s, Woolwich, Wm. Harris

Butler, L.R.C.P.Ed., M.R.C.S.E., L.S.A.L., to Harriet Ann, eldestdaughter of Mr. R. Smith, both of Woolwich.-No Cards.

KARKE K-HEARD. - 0n the 22nd inst., at St. Mary’s, Truro, Paul Q.Karkeelc, M.R.C.S.E., of Torquay, to Clura, elder daughter of EdwardHeard, Esq., of Truro.

NORTHCOTE-WILSON.-On the 15th inst., at Christ Church, Clapham,Stafford Charles, eldest son of Stafford H.Norhcote, Esq, of WestBrixton, to Rosa Annette, fourth daughter of Henry Wilson, Esq., ofClapham, and Charles-street, St.James’s-square, S.W.

DEATHS.ARPTHOEPE.-On the 29th of May, at Melbourne, Australia, W. Arpthori’le,

L.S.A.L., formerly of Priiiees-st reet, Leiceter-square, aged 60.CASEY.-On the 21st inst., Thomas Casev, M.D., of St. Aibans. aged 76.DAY.-0n the 9th inst., at Bath, W. M. H. Day, M.R.C.S, Assistant Medical

Officer, Bnstol Lunatic Asyiun’.MANN.-On the 14(h inst., at St. Asaph, R. Mann, M.R.C.S.E., late of Man-

chester, aged 81.PFRKINS.-On the 17th inst.. at St. Sidwell’s, Exeter, John Shirley Steele

Perkins (of aneurism of the abdominal aorta), aged 26.THOMAS.-On the 1st of June, suddenly, at Collins-streer, East Melbourne,

Australia, David John Thomas, M.D., F.R.C.S.E, formerly of Llwyn-y-Berllan, Carmartheushire, South Walts, aged 58.