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&ssurance from the landlord as to the sanitary state of thehouse. Should this assurance prove untrustworthy, theywill be able to act on the precedent which this case affords.Incidentally, we may observe that, unless inspectors of

nuisances hold the certificate of a competent body as totheir fitness for their duties, it is most unwise to trust to

their opinion on such points as are involved in this case.

INJECTIONS OF CARBOLIC ACID ANDHYPEROSMIC ACID.

No one probably lays claim to a complete knowledge ofthe pathological changes which give rise to the condition orconditions known as muscular rheumatism, but it may fairlybe supposed that they include a hyperaemic state of theperimysium, together with some plastic infiltration and

migration of white blood-corpuscles. Now it was shown-byBinz that carbolic acid, salicylic acid, and several othersubstances possess the property of paralysing and killingleucocytes, and of preventing their migration. This ledDr. Edgar Kurz of Florence some few years ago to employintramuscular injections of a 2 per cent. solution of carbolicacid in a few cases of muscular rheumatism. The resultswere astonishingly satisfactory, and were published in

,11,,mo)-abilien, 1882, from which source a notice appeared inmany other journals; not, however, always very correct asto the doses employed, grammes having been mistaken forgrains-a misconception which, however important, is oftenvery difficult to avoid, as those who read many foreignmedical journals know only too well, simply because abroad"gr." sometimes stands for grains and sometimes forgrammes, and as a gramme is more than fifteen grains the ’,consequences of a misunderstanding on this point mayfrequently prove serious. Dr. Kurz introduced from eightto forty syringefuls into the muscular tissue at a sitting,each syringeful consisting of a gramme of the solution. Inno case was the urine discoloured, or any other sign oftoxic action observed; the injections were practically pain-less, and their anaesthetic effect became apparent in halfan hour. Since these observations were published Dr. Kurzhas continued to employ this method with excellentresults. He has also found it very efficacious in the

inflammatory affections of the sheaths of tendons due toinjuries, and generally in sprains where the ligaments,tendons, or muscles were affected. Some similar and evenmore universally successful results have this year been

published by Professor Benedikt of Vienna from the use ofthe same solution in affections of the ligaments and tendonsbut more especially in acute rheuma,tism, where it appearedto act similarly to salicylate of soda, quickly reducing thepain, the swelling, and the pyrexia. Tae best results were,however, obtained by combining the two methods, par-ticularly at the commencement of the disease, giving largodoses of salicylate by the mouth and at the same time fromone to three injections of carbolic acid daily. A somewhatsimilar form of treatment has been very successfullyemployed by Dr. Stekoulis of Constantinople in sciatica, anaffection due to causes of very various nature, but frequentlyallied pretty closely with chronic rheumatic affections. Theinjection he used was a solution of hyperosmic acid, asubstance which is in constant request by pathologists forhardening tissues for microscopical purposes. All the tencases in which this remedy was employed were of con-siderable standing and very obstinate, Jacoby having re-commended its use under such circumstances. A 1 per cent.solution was used, which, on account of the action of lightupon it, was preserved in dark glass bottle?. One grammewas injected deeply into the gluteal region close to thenerve, and this was followed by other injections extendingalong the course of the nerve to the number of some-

thing like a dozen. The pain caused by the injections wassomewhat severe and burning, but it only lasted one or atmost two minutes. At first the injections were repeateddaily, afterwards every three or four days. Care was

required never to insert the needle into the same point asbefore. Out of ten cases, eight were completely and onepartially cured, one only remaining unbenefited. No un-

pleasant effects beyond a slight tenderness over the pointswhere the needle had entered, and which did not last morethan a day or two, were observed.

EARLSWOOD ASYLUM.

PROBABLY most persons are apt to associate with theterm " idiot " an entire absence of the mental faculties, and aconsequent total incapacity for acquiring knowledge or fordoing work of the most elementary kind. The report whichis annually issued by the managers of the Asylum at Earls-wood, Surrey, goes far to prove that this is, in a majority ofcase, an erroneous supposition. The institution during theyear ending March 31st, 1887, contained 569 inmates. Ofthese between 300 and 400 receive some sort of education,and while in the case of some this implies but a triflingmeasure of success in instruction, there are not a few otherswhose naturally feeble intelligence has been materiallystrengthened in the school of the asylum. The subjectstaught include speaking (in the case of deaf-mutes), reading,writing, arithmetic, religious instruction, singing, and in twocases mentioned in the last report piano-playing by the ear.The wholesome effect of such light instruction, judiciouslycommunicated, cannot be disputed. Certain trades are also

taught, and it is a fact at once creditable to the teachers andindicative of the latent capacity of the idiot and imbecilepupils, that a considerable part of the tailoring and shoe-making of the establishment is done by the inmates. Other

trades, such as printing, brush, mat, and basket making, arealso taught, with an encouraging degree of success. Recrea-

tions, in-door and out-door, very properly occupy a promi-nent place in the asylum régime. The health of theinstitution during the past year has, on the whole, beengood. Several cases of diphtheria have, however, occurred,and the sanitary arrangements are undergoing a thoroughrevision, with the intention of bringing them up to the pre-sent standard of enniency. The passing af the Idiots Act of1886, which allows of the admission of weak-minded per-sons on the strength of a single and simply-worded medicalcertificate, will, it is believed, encourage many to avail them-selves of the advantages of the establishment who havehitherto been deterred by the format preliminaries requireduntil very recently under the Lunacy Acts. The expenditureof so large a concern as the home at Earlswood is necessarilygreat at any time, and particularly at present, while sanitaryand other improvements are being carried out on an exten-sive scale. We therefore hope that the liberal supportwhich has brought the asylum to that state of public use-fulness in which we find it now will forbid that its workshould suffer from the present general diminution ofincome.

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THE REGISTRATION OF "LOCUMS."IN these summer months, when medical men are so de-

pendent on the assistance of the locum tenens, it is oftenimportant to be able to ascertain the fact of their registra-tion. This is easy enough if their registration has not beenvery recent. But where it has taken place in the currentyear it can only be verified by information from the

registrar, and it can easily be imagined that there are diffi-culties in the way of supplying such information at any-one’s request. Yet in the absence of it, it is possible forunscrupulous persons to pretend to be registered, and to palm

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themselves off as such on honourable practitioners, to theinjury of their practice and of their patients. This is not amere theoretical case. And we advise medical practitionersto be particular in asking all reasonable evidence of state-ments made by persons who are strangers to them. Weoften receive complaints that representations made are notconfirmed by actual experience. It is only fair to the generalbody of gentlemen who lay themselves out for locum tenens’work-many of whom are highly capable men-to useprecautions against those who bring discredit on a mostuseful class. Of course registration is only a legal form ofqualification, and is not more important than evidence as topersonal qualification, for procuring which each practitionermust itely on himself.

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LONDON FIRES.

THE great fire which on Saturday evening last destroyeda large portion of Mr. Whiteley’s premises at Westbourne-grove has once more directed public attention to theundeniable insufficiency of the Metropolitan Fire Brigadefor the important duty which is cast upon it. It is under-

stood that the responsible authorities feel their deficiencymost keenly in the matter of horses; but from the figuresthat have been made public it would seem that the force isnot less under-manned than under-horsed, and that a sub-stantial addition ought to be made forthwith to CaptainShaw’s resources both in men and material. The total forceincludes 589 men. It could hardly be too much to assumethat a score, or say nineteen, of these would at any givenmoment be incapacitated by sickness and the like causes, sothat the whole force available could not be reckoned at morethan 570. Then, again, a deduction of probably one-halfmust be made from this number for men off duty, thusleaving not more than 285 ready to answer a summons. Themen are distributed through fifty-five stations, and if theseare not to be wholly deserted a sufficient force must be leftbehind to average at least two men to each station. Thismodest -provision would demand 110 men, leaving 175 at thedisposal of the superintendent on duty at the fire. Thenumber of men actually mustered at Westbourne-grove issaid to have been 173; so that it would seem not only thatthe entire strength of the force was brought up for theemergency, but also that it was, considering the total

strength of the brigade, a very strong and efficient muster.But, although the men respond well to a summons and dotheir work in admirable style, it is painfully obvious thattheir number is much too small. A second large fire would onSaturday night have greatly overstrained their powers; anda third, had such a misfortune occurred, would have utterlynonplussed Captain Shaw. Such a contingency as thatought not to be beyond the scope of our precautions.

RABIES IN DOGS.

THE report from the Select Committee of the House ofLords on Rabies in Dogs was issued on the 10th inst. Thecommittee believe that while it cannot be absolutelydemonstrated that rabies does not arise spontaneously, yetit is practically proved that subcutaneous inoculation withits virus is the only ascertained means of imparting thedisease. The following are the recommendations of the

committee :-(1) That when rabies is prevalent the muzzleshould be enforced; (2) that the power of the policeconstable should be extended to authorise the slaughter ofstray dogs; (3) that the symptoms of rabies should be en-dorsed on dog licences; (4) that local authorities shouldhave power to order that dogs should wear badges whichmay identify their owners ; (5) that in populous places localauthorities should place restrictions upon dogs generally, Iand especially deal stringently with apparently ownerless I

dogs in their districts; (6) that in the event of its beingconclusively proved that M. Pasteur’s system provides &

preventive remedy, facilities should be afforded for its

application in England. In our next issue we purposedealing at length with the report.

DUTCH FACTORY LEGISLATION.

THE Dutch Government, while prosecuting agitators, hasthought fit to mitigate the cause of agitation by bringingforward laws for the protection of workpeople. Despatchesfrom the Hague announce that the Committee of the SecondChamber advise the restriction of the work of boys and girlsunder sixteen years of age, and urge that young womenunder eighteen should be absolutely forbidden to work atnight or on Sundays. The work-day must be divided bytwo hours’ rest for meals, and the committee also advisesthat women should not be allowed to work till a full monthafter their confinement. Further, there are recommenda-tions dealing with the inspection of factories and workshopsby qualified officials. Laws are proposed to protect thehealth and personal security of workmen, and measures forcreating a reserve fund for old age, deaths, accidents, andillness. How far all these beneficent suggestions will meetwith the approval of the Legislature still remains to b&seen. The agitation prevailing in the country points to thenecessity of some such measures, and doubtless the states-men of Holland will have the wisdom to yield rather thanprovoke a dangerous storm. Already, twelve years agoan important measure was enacted of this description.According to the law of September 19th, 1874, the employ-ment of children under the age of twelve is forbidden.

Exception, however, is made in cases of domestic serviceand farm labour. The penalty for breaking the above lawis a fine of X2 10s. and from one to three months’ im-

prisonment, together or separately. The new proposalsactually before the Dutch Parliament go much further thanthe law of 1874, and undoubtedly the necessity of such

legislation is becoming more and more apparent. The vastsize of the factories, the presence of complicated, sometimesdangerous machinery, and the difficulties under such circum-stances of securing efficient ventilation and drainage, renderit more and more urgent to arm the authorities with theright of interference. It is also desirable that at the sametime a competent staff of inspectors should be organised whopossess scientific and practical knowledge to detect defects,and whose position would place them above the danger ofcorruption. The working classes themselves must also beable to assist in the detection of all defects that tend todeteriorate public health. They, at least, have the practicalexperience of the working success or otherwise of anymeasure introduced; and a little practice is often worthvolumes of theory. In any case, and whatever may be theresult of the present effort, the Commission of the DutchSenate are to be congratulated on the useful initiative theyhave taken.

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CHOLERA IN ITALY.

SINCE cholera first appeared in Calabria early in July,there has been a slow but steady extension of the disease.Rocella was at first the principal seat of the outbreak, butit soon appeared that the cholera which in an early part ofthe year had existed on the eastern coast of Sicily had brokenout again, Catania having for some time past been impli-cated. Gradually the epidemic has extended over most

parts of Sicily, the provinces of Calabria, Caltanicetta, Syra-cuse, Messina, Gergenti, and Palermo being affected. On themainland a number of additional towns on the Calabrian

coast, such as Palmi, Reggio, and Melita, have also been

attacked. Then came news as to the extension of the