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MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL

THE Medical Research Council, formerly the MedicalResearch Committee, National Health Insurance,was incorporated under the present title in 1920,coming under the direction of a committee of thePrivy Council. It distributes moneys voted byParliament and other, privately contributed, fundsfor the furtherance of medical research work in theUnited Kingdom and other parts of the Empire.The work supported by the Council is published partlyin its own Special Reports Series (H.M. StationeryOffice) but mainly in the form of papers in scientificjournals. In addition, the Council issues each springan annual report giving a general review of theresearch supported, with references to scientificpapers; these reports have proved of the greatestvalue to the medical profession and to all workersin the cause of health, while they also form a practicalliaison betwen the public and scientific medicine.The Council, which has regularly assisted ’clinicaland other research work by grants, has recentlyinstituted studentships and fellowships with theobject of encouraging young British medical graduatesof special ability and original mind towards becominginvestigators in those branches of medical scienceconcerned directly with disease as it occurs in humanbeings. Each selected student will receive an inclusivestipend at the rate of .B200 per annum, during aperiod not exceeding 12 months, for his maintenancewhile undertaking approved courses of study in thiscountry calculated to advance his training in methodsof research. This study may include modernlanguages and such advanced physiological, patho-logical, and special clinical work under recognisedteachers as may be regarded as forming a suitablepreliminary to serious research work to be under-taken later; but the approved course may notinclude studies of which the purpose is to enable thestudent to pass further examinations. The Councilalso offer four research fellowships at 2250 per annumfor candidates of similar qualifications who havealready had some experience in the use of researchmethods. Each fellowship will be tenable for oneyear, and possibly for a second year at B300 perannum. These fellowships are intended as proba-tionary appointments for research in clinical scienceor experimental pathology under suitable directionin this country. Research expenses will be providedin addition to stipend. Forms of application can beobtained from the secretary, Medical Research Council,38, Old Queen-street, London, S.W.I, and should befilled in and returned to him before Oct. 1st, 1937.

Junior and senior fellowships for research intropical medicine are also offered by the MedicalResearch Council. Inquiries about these should beaddressed to the secretary, Tropical Medical ResearchCommittee, 38, Old Queen-street, London, S.W.I,from whom forms of application may be obtained.

RESEARCH FACILITIES AT THE ROYAL

COLLEGE OF SURGEONS

DURING the current academic year 1937-38, thenew Bernhard Baron research laboratories of theRoyal College of Surgeons of England will be openedin Lincoln’s Inn-fields. These laboratories, togetherwith the Buckston Browne research farm at Downe,Kent, will form the research institute of the college.Laboratory facilities are available for workers whodesire to undertake investigations which will throwlight on problems of surgical diagnosis and treatment,and investigations in the field of medical sciencegenerally. Although fellows and members of thecollege have first call on the facilities of the labora-tories, workers who do not hold these diplomas aregiven facilities when accommodation is available.

Application should be made to the director ofresearch at the College, stating qualifications, experi-ence, and an outline of the proposed research. Whena worker is accepted he is allowed, if he so wishes,to reside at the research farm where a limited numberof single rooms are provided. Physiological equip-ment, X ray apparatus, histological facilities, andoperation theatres are provided in each unit.The College offers a limited number of scholarships

and also provides funds to defray the expenses of thelaboratory work.

MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS AT L.C.C.HOSPITALS AND INSTITUTIONS

THE hospital service of the London County Councilprovides opportunities for valuable experience formedical graduates who intend to be general practi-tioners or consultants, as well as for those who intendto make the public health service their career. Underthe operation of the Local Government Act, 1929,the L.C.C. is responsible for the management of74 hospitals (excluding mental hospitals)-namel7,28 general hospitals, including one for children,10 hospitals and institutions for the chronic sick,2 convalescent hospitals for general cases, 2 hospitalsfor sane epileptics, 16 fever and other hospitals forinfectious diseases, 9 tuberculosis hospitals, includingthree for children, 5 special hospitals and convalescenthomes for children, and one hospital for the treatmentof ophthalmia neonatorum and vulvo-vaginitis inchildren, and one for the treatment of venerealdisease.

Medical superintendents of the hospitals, who areexpected to be experienced hospital administrators,receive £ 900 to 61650 a year, corresponding to hos-pitals varying in accommodation from 160 to 1300patients. In addition, medical superintendents areprovided with an unfurnished house or quarters, withpayment by the Council of local and water rates.The subordinate staff is classified thus :

,-.., Scale of

Grade. annual salary.Deputy Medical Superintendent, Grade I. B650-B50-B800

Deputy Medical Superintendent, Grade II. JE600-jB30-JB750Senior Assistant Medical Officer, Grade I. JB550-B25-B650Senior Assistant Medical Officer, Grade II. JE500-J625-B600Assistant Medical Officer, Grade 1... B350-jE25-B425

rising to k450 if placed on promotion list.Assistant Medical Officer, Grade II... S250 (fixed)

In addition all these officers are provided withboard, lodging, and washing. All the positionsmentioned involve full-time duties, and it is acondition of service that such officers shall notundertake any other paid employment. Thestaffing provides, where necessary, for house physi-cians or house surgeons, remunerated at the rateof .6120 a year, with residence, and for clinicalassistants, who are non-resident and receive 2150 ayear, with meals when on duty. These officers arenot employed in a whole-time capacity and are

granted adequate leisure for study.Deputy medical superintendents and senior

assistant medical officers who occupy unfurnishedhouses or quarters (married quarters) in the hospitalsare paid the following salaries in lieu of those setout above. The unfurnished houses or quarters areprovided free of charge, the Council also payingall local and water rates :-

Scale ofGrade. annual salary.

Deputy Medical Superintendent, Grade 1. 700-eSO-MODeputy Medical Superintendent, Grade II... 660-830-6800Senior Assistant Medical Officer, Grade 1. 600-825-700Senior Assistant Medical Onlcer, Grade II... 5SO-82 5-650

Vacancies in the higher grades are filled, as far aspossible, by promotion from the existing staff. Forsubordinate staff, the extent and fluidity of the