1240 ] NOTES, SHORT COMMENTS, AND ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Century Thermal Bath Cabinet in their own families, many of whomare recommending it to their patients." We wonder whether all thephysicians whose names appear in this list have been bribed in theway above indicated, and although we do not suppose that such isthe case, still, anybody allowing his name to appear in such a listlays himself open to the suspicion of having accepted 10s. 6d. perCentury Thermal Bath Cabinet sold through his recommendation.We can only advise all medical men to have nothing to do with acompany which employs such questionable methods to increase itstrade.

THE UNQUALIFIED ASSISTANT.To the Editors of THE LANCET.

SIRS,—I beg to inclose a cutting from the Daily Mail of Oct. 23rd bywhich you will see that Judge French decided that the employmentof an unqualified assistant is not an illegal act. As this decision seems

.quite the opposite from the last issue from the General MedicalCouncil in which the employment of unqualified assistants has beenmade a penal offence, I should, in the interest of the profession atlarge, be obliged if you would in your next issue inform me whether’(1) this ruling will stand as a precedent in case of defence; and (2)whether the passing of that Act forbidding the employment of anunqualified assistant by the General Medical Council has been obtained’by a special Act of Parliament.-I am, Sirs, yours faithfully,

Pyrland-road, N., Oct. 28th, 1901. M. BLOK.

** According to the Daily Mail in an action in which a medicalpractitioner sued for fees for services rendered by his unqualifiedassistant to the defendant His Honour Judge French said that themedical practitioner was entitled only to fees for his own visits,although it was not illegal for him to employ an unqualified assistant,provided that the assistant was not held out to be a qualified medicalpractitioner. There appears to be a confusion in the mind of our

- correspondent, Mr. Blok, between that which is an infringement ofthe law of the land, dealt with as such before a judge or magistrate(as, e.g., when an unqualified person wilfully and falsely pretends’that he is a registered medical practitioner) and that which is an

infringement of the etiquette of the medical profession dealt with assuch by the General Medical Council (as, e.g., when a medical prac-titioner advertises, or, to take our correspondent’s example, when he- employs an unqualified assistant). Only a registered medical prac-titioner is entitled to recover fees for medical and surgical attendance,.and it naturally follows that he cannot recover fees in respect of workdone by an assistant which the assistant would not be able torecover for himself. The employment of an unqualified person topractise medicine could hardly be made illegal without makingunqualified practice illegal in itself, of which at present there appearsto be no prospect, but the employment of an unqualified assistant tocompound or dispense poisons by a medical man keeping an opensurgery is illegal under the Pharmacy Acts.-ED. L.

FREE TRADE IN VENEREAL DISEASE.

’THE following lines were picked up in the board-room of a hospitaland evidently refer to certain active demonstrations in the cause ofpurity which we have had before now occasion to find fault with in’THE LANCET.

Contagious diseases Spread loathsome contagion,Some ladies it pleases That so it may rage onTo take as their hobby, And prove a preventionAnd rail at a Bobby To vicious intention 1 "

When duty compels himAnd Parliament tells him But Physical Evil,To take up a lady The child of the Devil,Whose habits are shady; Was never intended

And make an inspection, With Good to be blended.

Despite her objection, So, " Good doctor, detain her!Whereby, if infected, Good Guardians, maintain her!She’s promptly detected, Till taint of pollutionAnd placed in seclusion Is lost in ablution."

Until the conclusion Methinks, if the ladies Of indisposition Whose mission or trade is

Has made her condition To stump on a platformNo longer a terror .,,, No longer a terror Would argue in that form,’To youth in its error. a healthier nationWhy, a healthier nationThey say, " It were better Would bless their vocation ITo look on and let her

THE TREATMENT OF THE DROWNED.

To the Editors of THE LANCET.

SIRS,—I have carefully studied the lectures in the June and Julyissues of THE LANCET of this year, delivered by Dr. Bowles. Not

knowing where to get a description of the Marshall Hall method ofresuscitation of the drowned I trust you will be kind enough either tozend me a copy of the instructions or the address where I could obtainone. Perhaps one of your readers will give me the information.

I am, Sirs, yours faithfully,Oct. 24th, 1901. .1:’. T.

ADVERTISEMENT.

To the Editors of THE LANCET.

SIRS,—You have exerted yourselves so frequently in attempting to Iprotect the profession from the annoyance of receiving offensive llllecirculars by post, that I venture to draw your attention to the worst

example of this kind of advertising that I have yet seen. Somedays ago I received by book post, and inclosed only in an ordi-

nary wrapper, a pamphlet entitled, " The Radical Treatment ofPiles and Prolapsus Ani," purporting to be written by a Dublinhospital surgeon whose name and distinctions it bears. On the

title-page is written my name, " with the author’s kind regards,"and on glancing down the page I find the date of publicationto be 1889. As the author is entirely unknown to me personally I amquite at a loss to know why I should be the recipient of his kind

regards and 12-year old pamphlet, unless it be due merely to the fact ofmy name being in the Directory. I should say that the circular wasaddressed not to my professional but to my family address.

I am, Sirs, yours faithfully,Oct. 29th, 1901. A DUBLIN PHYSICIAN.

THE OBLIGATION TO ATTEND A CASE.

A CORRESPONDENT sends us the following two questions :-(1) Can amedical man refuse to attend-a case if his fee is offered ? and is heliable for damages if it is proved that death is caused through hisnon-attendance, there having been no previous engagement? (2) Isthere any law or rule of the General Medical Council to compel amedical man to attend in a case of emergency ? The answers are :-

(1) A medical man is at liberty to refuse to attend a case, but heshould never do so for any trivial reason or unless he knows that thecase cannot possibly be serious. (2) The answer to the first questionapplies to the second.

HER MAJESTY QLTFFN ALEXANDRA has consented to become patronessof the St. Mary’s Hospital for Sick Children at Plaistow.

S. E. S.-Generally speaking Florida has an excellent climate and ismuch used as a winter resort by invalids from the Northern Statesof America. St. Augustine on the east is one of the chief resortsand the climate there is similar to that of Italy and the south ofFrance. The hotel accommodation is, we believe, fairly good.Jacksonville is the chief distributing centre of commerce betweenFlorida and the North. A certificate of satisfactory examination bythe State (or a district) board of medical examiners is necessary.Diplomas confer no right to practise.

H. B. will find that the question that he asks was answered in the’ current Students’ Number, THE LANCET of Sept. 7th, 1901.

Subscriber.-Our correspondent will find a list of books in the Students’Number of THE LANCET, Sept. 7th, 1901, pp. 634 to 636.

COMMUNICATIONS not noticed in our present issue will receive attentionin our next.

Medical Diary for the ensuing Week.OPERATIONS.

METROPOLITAN HOSPITALS.

MONDAY (4th).-London (2 P.M.), St. Bartholomew’s (1.30 P.M.), St.Thomas’s (3.30 P.M.), St. George’s (2 P.M.), St. Mary’s (2.30 P.M.),Middlesex (1.30 P.M.), Westminster (2 P.M.), Chelsea (2 P.M.),Samaritan (Gynaecological, by Physicians, 2 P.M.), Soho-square(2 P.M.), Royal Orthopaedic (2 P.M.), City Orthopaedic (4 P.M.),Gt. Northern Central (2.30 P.M.) West London (2.30 P.M.), LondonThroat (2 P.M.).

TUESDAY (5th).-London (2 P.M.), St. Bartholomew’s (1.30 P.M.), St.Thomas’s (3.30 P.M.), Guy’s (1.30 P.M.), Middlesex (1.30 P.M.), West-minster (2 P.M.), West London (2.30 P.M.), University College(2 P.M.), St. George’s (1 P.M.), St. Mary’s (1 P.M.), St. Mark’s(2.30 P.M.), Cancer (2 P.M.), Metropolitan (2.30 P.M.), London Throat2 P.M. and 6 P.M.), Royal Bar (3 P.M.), Samaritan (9.30 A.M. and2.30 P.M.), Throat, Golden-square (9.30 A.M.).

WEDNESDAY (6th).-St. Bartholomew’s (1.30 P.M.), University College(2 P.M.), Royal Free (2 P.M.), Middlesex (1.30 P.M.), Charing-crosa(3 P.M.), St. Thomas’s (2 P.M.), London (2 P.M.), King’s College e(2 P.M.), St. George’s (Ophthalmic, 1 P.M.), St. Mary (2 P.M.),National Orthopaedic (10 A.M.), St. Peter’s (2 P.M.), Samaritan(9.30 A.M. and 2.30 P.M.), Gt. Ormond-street (9.30 A.M.), Gt. NorthernCentral (2.30 P.M.), Westminster (2 P.M.), Metropolitan (2.30 P.M.),London Throat (2 P.M.), Cancer (2 P.M.), Throat, Golden-square(9.30 A.M.).

THURSDAY (7th).-St. Bartholomew’s (1.30 P.M.), St. Thomas’s(3.30 P.M.), University College (2 P.M.), Charing-cross (3 P.M.), St.George’s (1 P.M.), London (2 P.M.), King’s College (2 P.M.), Middlesex(1.30 P.M.), St. Mary’s (2.30 P.M.), Soho-square (2 P.M.), North-WestLondon (2 P.M.), Chelsea (2 P.M.), Gt. Northern Central (Gynxco-logical, 2.30 P.M.), Metropolitan (2.30 P.M.), London Throat (2 P.M.),St. Mark’s (2 P.M.), Samaritan (9.30 A.M. and 2.30 P.M.), Throat,Golden-square (9.30 A.M.).

FRIDAY (8th).-London (2 P.M.), St. Bartholomew’s (1.30 P.M.), St.Thomas’s (3.30 P.M.), Guy’s (1.30 P.M.), Middlesex (1.30 P.M.), Charing-cross (3 P.M.), St. George’s (1 P.M.), King’s College (2 P.M.), St. Mary s(2 P.M.), Ophthalmic (10 A.M.), Cancer (2 P.M.), Chelsea (2 P.M.), Gt.Northern Central (2.30 P.M.). West London (2.30 P.M.), LondonThroat (2 P.M. and 6 P.M.), Samaritan (9.30 A.M. and 2.30 P.M.),Throat, Golden-square, (9.30 A.M.).

1241DIARY, EDITORIAL NOTICES, MANAGER’S NOTICES.

SATURDAY (9th).-Royal Free (9 A.M. and 2 P.M.), London (2 P.M.),Middlesex (1.30 P.M.), St. ThomaA’s (2 P.M.?, University College(9.15 A.M.), CharJng-cross (2 P.M.), St. George a (1 P.M.), St. Mary’s(10 P.M.), London Throat (2 P.M.), Throat, Golden-square (9.30 A.M.).

At the Royal Eye Hospital (2 P.M.). the Royal London Ophthalmic(10 A.M.), the Royal Westminster Ophthalmic (1.30 P.M.), and theCentral London Ophthalmic Hospitals operations are performed daily.

SOCIETIES.

TUESDAY (5th).-PATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON (Jenner Insti-tute of Preventive Medicine).-8 P.M. Lahoratoy Meeting. Dr. A.Macfadyen and Mr. S. Rowland : (1) Investigations on lutracellularConstituents; (2) Demonstration of Methods of obtaining Intra-cellular Constituents; (3) Some Results already obtained as regardsthe Bacillus Typhosus.-Mr. A. Moore: The Isolation of the TyphoidBacillus.-Mr. G. F. Petrie: The Haemolysis of Bacillus Pyo-cyaneus.-Mr. J. B. Leathes: (1) On the so-called Mucous Intes-tinal Casts (Mucous Colitis); (2) On the Products of SplenicProteolysis.-Mr. A. Harden : On Isotonic Culture Media.-Mr. A.Mackenzie : The Artificial Preparation of Active Bacillus Hydroxy-butyric Acid of Urine.-Mr. S. G. Hedin : Proteolytic Enzyme ofFibrin. Specimens :—Dr. A. Macfadyen : Experimental Tuberculosisin a Monkey.-Mr. A. Moore: Apparatus for Sub-cultivating Micro-scopic Cultures.

WEDNESDAY (6th).-OBSTETRICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON (20, Hanover-square, W.).-8 P.M. Specimens will be shown by the President,Mr. Bland-Sutton, Dr. Handley, Dr. Lewers, Mr. Doran, and Dr.Galabin. Paper :-Mr. A. Doran and Dr. C. Lockyer: SloughingFibroid of the Left Uterine Cornu, Abnormal Relations.

THURSDAY (7th).-HARVEIAN SOCIETY OF LONDON (Stafford Rooms,Titchborne-street, Edgware-road, W.).-8.30 P.M. Mr. B. Browne:Twenty-five Years’ Experience of Urinary Surgery in Children.

(Harveian Lecture.)RONTGEN SOCIETY (20, Hanover-square, W.).-8.30 P.M. Mr. H.Jackson. Presidential Address.

CHILDHOOD SOCIETY (Library of the Sanitary Institute, Margaret-street, W.).-8 P.M. Lecture.

NORTH-EAST LONDON CLINICAL SOCIETY (Tottenham Hospital).-4 P.M. ’ Clinical cases will be shown by Dr. Tresilian, Dr. Wil-loughby, Dr. Whiting, and others.

FRIDAY (8th).-CLINICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON (20, Hanover-square,W.).-8.30 P.M. Papers:-Mr. B. G. Moynihan: The OperativeTreatment of Cancer of the Pyloric Portion of the Stomach.-Mr.T. H. Morse: Case of Intracranial Section of the Second and ThirdDivisions of the Trigeminal Nerve for Severe Neuralgia.-Mr. W.Haward : A Case of Fragilitas Ossium.

OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (11, Chandos- street, Cavendish-square, W.).-Dr. A. H. Thompson : Section ofOrbital Tumour (? Endothelioma ? Adeno-sarcoma).-Mr. E. Nettle-ship : Chronic Serpiginous Ulcer of Cornea (Mooren’s Ulcer).-Dr.W. E. Thomson: Three Cases of Keratitis in the New-born occurringafter Instrumental Delivery and Resulting in each case in analmost identical Rare Form of Opacity.-Dr. C. 0. Hawthorne :On Intra-cranial Thrombosis as the cause of Double Optic Neuritisin Cases of Chlorosis.

BRITISH LARYNGOLOGICAL, RHINOLOGICAL, AND OTOLOGICAL Asso-CIATION (11, Chandos-street, Cavendish-square, W.).-4 P.M. AnnualGeneral Meeting.- Communications will be read and cases shownby the President, Mr. L. Browne, Dr. Abercrombie, and Mr. Nourse.5 P.M. Address :-The President-Elect (Dr. J. Macintyre, Glasgow):The Application of Physical Science to the Surgery of Diseases ofthe Throat and Nose.

LECTURES, ADDRESSES, DEMONSTRATIONS, &c.MONDAY (4th).-MEDICAL GRADUATES’ COLLEGE AND POLYCLINIC

(22, Chenies-street, W.C.).-4 P.M. Dr. R. Crocker: Clinique.(Skin.)

POST-GRADUATE COLLEGE (West London Hospital, Hammersmith-road, W.).-5P.M. Mr. Edwards: Electrical Examination of theBladder and Urethra.,

TUESDAY (5th).-ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS OF LONDON.-5 P.M. Dr. J. S. Bury: Prognosis in Relation to Disease of theNervous System. (Bradshaw Lecture.)

MEDICAL GRADUATES’ COLLEGE AND POLYCLINIC (22, Chenies-street,W.C.).-4 P.M. Dr. J. Taylor : Clinique. (Medical.)

NATIONAL HOSPITAL FOR THE PARALYSED AND EPILEPTIC (Queen-square, Bloomsbury).-3.30 P.M. Dr. A. Turner: Locomotor Ataxy.

POST-GRADUATE COLLEGE (West London Hospital, Hammersmith-road, W.).-5 P.M. Mr. Baldwin: Minor Surgery.

WEDNESDAY (6th).-MEDICAL GRADUATES’ COLLEGE AND POLYCLINIC(22, Chenies-street, W.C.).-4 P.M. Mr. J. Cantlie: Clinique.(Surgical.)

LONDON THROAT HOSPITAL (204, Great Portland-street, W.).-5 P.M.Mr. Waggett: Diseases of Accessory Sinuses. (Post-GraduateCourse.)

HOSPITAL FOR CONSUMPTION AND DISEASES OF THE CHEST (Bromp-ton).-4 P.M. Dr. Latham: The Early Diagnosis of PulmonaryTuberculosis.

POST-GRADUATE COLLEGE (West London Hospital, Hammersmith-road, W.).-b P.M. Mr. Eccles : Surgical Anatomy.

THURSDAY (7th).-MEDICAL GRADUATES’ COLLEGE AND POLYCLINIC(22, Chenies-street, W.C.).-4 P.M. Mr. Hutchinson : Clinique.(Surgical.)

THE HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN (Gt. Ormond-street, W.C.).-4 P.M.Mr. Fennell : Clinical Demonstration.

ClURING-CROSS HOSPITAL,.-4 P.M. Dr. Green: Cases in the Wards.(Post-Graduate Course.)

POST-GRADUATE COLLEGE (West London Hospital, Hammersmith-road, W.).-5 P.M. Mr. Edwards: Electrical Examination of theRectum.

FRIDAY (8th).-MEDICAL GRADUATES’ COLLEGE AND POLYCLINIC(22, Chenies-street, W.C.).-4 P.M. Mr. T. Collins: Clinique. (Eye).

POST-GRADUATE COLLEGE (West London Hospital, Hammersmith-road, W.).-5 P.M. Dr. Saunders: Therapeutics.

EDITORIAL NOTICES.IT is most important that communications relating to the

Editorial business of THE LANCET should be addressedexclusively "TO THE EDITORS," and not in any case to anygentleman who may be supposed to be connected with theEditorial staff. It is urgently necessary that attention begiven to this notice.

-

It is especially requested that early intelligence of local eventshaving a medical interest, or which it is desirable to bringunder the notice of the profession, may be sent dirrect tothis Office.

Lectures, original articles, and reports should be written onone side of the paper only, AND WHEN ACCOMPANIEDBY BLOCKS IT IS REQUESTED THAT THE NAME OF THE

AUTHOR, AND IF POSSIBLE OF THE ARTICLE, SHOULDBE WRITTEN ON THE BLOCKS TO FACILITATE IDENTI-

FICATION.

Letters, whether intended for insertion or for private informa-tion, must be authenticated by the names and addresses oftheir writers-not necessarily for publication.

We cannot prescribe or recommend practitioners.Local papers containing reports or news paragravb should be

marked and addressed ’° To the Sub-Editor." Letters relating to the publication, sale, and advertising

departments of THE LANCET should be addressed ’ ° To theXanager.

"

We cannot undertake to return MSS. not used.

MANAGER’S NOTICES.TO SUBSCRIBERS.

WILL Subscribers please note that only those subscriptionswhich are sent direct to the Proprietors of THE LANCETat their Offices, 423, Strand, W.C., are dealt with by them 7Subscriptions paid to London or to local newsagents (withnone of whom have the Proprietors any connexion what-ever) do not reach THE LANCET Offices, and consequentlyinquiries concerning missing copies, &c., should be sent tothe Agent to whom the subscription is paid, and not toTHE LANCET Offices.

Subscribers, by sending their subscriptions direct toTHE LANCET Office, will ensure regularity in the despatchof their Journals and an earlier delivery than the majorityof Agents are able to effect.The rates of subscriptions, post free, either from

THE LANCET Offices or from Agents, are :-FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM. To THE COLONIES AND ABROAD.

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METEOROLOGICAL READI NGS.(Taken daily at 8.30 a.m. by Steward’s Instruments.)

THE LANCET Office, Oct. 31st, 1901.

During the week marked copies of the following newspapershave been received:- Western Daily Press, Bristol Mercury,Westmorland Gazette, Liverpool Courier, Buildirag News, RevueScientifique, Sunday Times, Yorkshire Post, Liverpool Daily Post,Reading Mercury and Oxford Gazette, Windsor and Eton Expres8,Hertfordshire Mercury, Philadelphia Evening Telegraph, WiltshireCounty Mirror, British Sanitarian, Leeds and Yorkshire Mercury,Blyth News, Local Government Chronicle, Public Health, SanitaryRecord, Globe, Leeds Post, County Press (Bristol), Oxford Times,Belfast News Letter, Wiltshire County Express, Swansea DailyLeader, Northern Whig (Belfast), Work8ov Guardian, St. James’s

Gazette, &c.