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Paterson. Physiology under the Conjoint Board: C. F.

Myers-Ward and Herbert E. Roaf. Anatomy for the Fellow-- shiv : W. H. Clayton-Greene, R. W. Reid, Gordon Taylor,.and William Wright. Physiology for the Fellowship : G. A.Buckmaster, John S. Edkins, H. W. Lyle, and A. RendleShort. Midwifery under the Conjoint Board : H. R.

.Andrews, W. Blair Bell, C. H. Roberts, and G. DrummondRobinson. Public Health : Part 1, R. T. Hewlett; Part 2,.’Sir Shirley F. Murphy. Tropical Medicine and Bacteriology:J. W. H. Eyre. Diseases of Tropics : C. W. Wilberforce.

It was agreed to nominate a representative of the College- on the managing committee of the Maternity Hospital and’School for the Higher Training of Midwives which it is pro-posed to establish at Woolwich under a scheme of the Charity

’ Commissioners.A letter was read from Sir Henry Morris reporting the

proceedings of the General Medical Council at their recentsession. The best thanks of the Council were given to Sir

"Henry Morris for acting as the representative of the College.A letter was read from Mr. F. Richardson Cross reporting his

attendance before the Royal Commission on Venereal Diseases’ ’to give evidence as requested by the Council.

The PRESIDENT reported that Mr. William Pearson, owing’ to the state of his health, wished to retire from the post ofProsector.

It was resolved, on the motion of Sir ALFRED PEARCE- <GOULD&mdash;

That a committee be set up to watch the development of theInsurance Act. and in particular the steps to be taken to set up clinicallaboratories and to appoint consultants for the assured.

The PRESIDENT reported that a meeting of Fellows wouldbe held on Thursday, July 2nd next, to elect five members of.’Council in the vacancies occasioned by the retirement in rotation of Sir Henry Morris, Bart., Mr. F. Richardson Cross,- and Mr. C. A. Ballance, M.V.0. (of whom Sir Henry Morris"and Mr. Cross do not offer themselves for re-election),and by the resignation of Mr. R. Clement Lucas and Mr.Jonathan Hutchinson. I

A vote of thanks was accorded to Sir Henry Morris and Mr. Cross for their services on the Council.

ROYAL COMMISSION ON VENEREALDISEASES.

AT the forty-first meeting of the Royal Commission on-Venereal Diseases evidence was given by Mr. J. SmithWhitaker, medical member and deputy chairman of theNational Health Insurance Commission (England) and amember of the National Health Insurance Joint Committee.

Mr. Whitaker explained the working of the panel system,"and said that an insured person suffering from venerealdisease was entitled as part of his medical benefit to receivemedical attendance and treatment and to be supplied withnecessary medicines a,nd appliances exactly in the same

way and to the same extent as for other diseases. As a’matter of fact, a large number of cases of venereal diseasewere being treated by panel doctors. It might be said

- generally that the position of the insured as regards theadequacy of the treatment which they received when sufferingfrom these diseases did not differ substantially from that ofthe ordinary population when under the care of general

practitioners, and in cases requiring treatment by specialistsboth sections of the population stood exactly on the samefooting. In certain cases a person might under the Insur-ance Act be allowed to make his own arrangements for treat-

"ment, and this would cover the case of treatment by an un-’ registered practitioner. The number of Insurance Committeeswho had permitted arrangements of this kind was, however,very small indeed, and it was not likely to become common.With regard to sickness benefit&mdash;i.e., periodical paymentsmade to the insured person whilst rendered incapable ofwork by some specific disease-it was possible for an

Approved Society to provide by its rules for the withholdingof this benefit in cases in which the sickness was caused bythe insured person’s own misconduct, and this applied to

many cases of persons suffering from venereal diseases. Itwas the usual practice, and had been for many years, forsocieties to class venereal diseases as a disease caused by

-misconduct.Mr. Whitaker said that the Insurance Commission had no

special information regarding the extent to which medicalmen might need facilities for laboratory methods as an aidto diagnosis, but if facilities were afeorded practitionersattending the insured could be required to take allsteps in their power and within their competencewith a view to obtaining the benefit of such assist-ance in the treatment of their insured patients.Looking at the future, Mr. Whitaker thought it was

very important that provision made for the treatment ofparticular diseases or particular groups of persons should belooked at not only from the point of view of those diseasesor those persons but from the broad point of view of therelation of that part of the administration to the whole bodyof treatment by medical practitioners of all kinds through-out the country. Any scheme of administration that mightbe devised, for example, for dealing with venereal diseasesshould be so framed that it would develop the abilities ofmen already in practice, the general practitioners, andmake them more efficient for their general functions as thefirst line of defence of the country. It was quite con-ceivable that simplicity of administration might tend to asystem that would to a great extent ignore the generalpractitioners ; he wished to suggest that that would be, apartfrom the merits ’of the question of the actual treatment ofvenereal diseases, prejudicial to the general public interest.

VITAL STATISTICS.

HEALTH OF ENGLISH TOWNS.

IN the 97 English and Welsh towns with populationsexceeding 50,000 persons at the last Census and whoseaggregate population at the middle of this year is estimatedat 18,120,059 persons, 9511 births and 4687 deaths were

registered during the week ended Saturday, June 13th. Theannual rate of mortality in these towns, which had steadilydeclined from 15’1 to 13’2 per 1000 in the seven precedingweeks, rose to 13’5 per 1000 in the week under notice.During the first ten weeks of the current quarter themean annual death-rate in these towns averaged 14-1, against13’3 per 1000 in London during the same period. Among theseveral towns the death-rate last week ranged from 6’1 inWimbledon, 6’7 in Dewsbury, 6’8 in Enfield, 6’9 in Ilford,and 7-2 in Cambridge, to 20-3 in Liverpool, 21-2 in Grimsby,21-4 in Middlesbrough, and 22-7 in Carlisle.The 4687 deaths from all causes were 101- in excess of the

number in the previous week, and included 395 which werereferred to the principal epidemic diseases, against 391 and401 in the two preceding weeks. Of these 395 deaths, 119resulted from measles, 111 from whooping-cough, 69 frominfantile diarrhoeal diseases, 56 from diphtheria, 24 fromscarlet fever, and 16 from enteric fever, but not one fromsmall-pox. The mean annual death-rate from thesediseases was equal to 1-1, against 1-1 and 1-2 per 1000in the two preceding weeks. The deaths attributed tomeasles, which had been 143, 139, and 131 in the three pre-ceding weeks, further declined to 119 last week, and causedthe highest annual death-rates of 1-2 in Liverpool and inSheffield, 1’4 in Smethwick, in Oldham, and in Burnley, and2’1 in Warrington. The deaths referred to whooping-cough,which had been 144, lll, and 117 in the three preceding weeks,fell to 111 last week, of which 27 occurred in London, 8 inManchester, 8 in Sheffield, 5 in Birmingham, 4 in Bristol,and 4 in Salford. The fatal cases of diarrhoea and enteritis(among infants under 2 years), which had been 83, 52, and 80in the three preceding weeks, fell to 69 last week; 15 deathswere registered in London, 4 in Birmingham, 4 in Liverpool,4 in Manchester, and 3 each in Leicester, Wallasey,Bolton, and Salford. The deaths attributed to diphtheria,which had been 51, 47, and 38 in the three preceding weeks,rose to 56 last week, of which 13 occurred in London, 7 inBirmingham, 4 in Liverpool, 4 in Manchester, and 3 inSunderland. The deaths referred to scarlet fever, whichhad been 34, 31, and 26 in the three preceding weeks, furtherfell to 24 last week, and included 4 deaths in London,4 in Liverpool, 4 in Manchester, and 2 in Salford. The fatalcases of enteric fever, which had been 13,11, and 9 in the threepreceding weeks, rose to 16 last week, of which 5 wereregistered in London.The number of scarlet fever patients under treatment in

the Metropolitan Asylums and the London Fever Hospitals,which had increased from 2862 to 2970 in the four precedingweeks, had further risen to 2993 on S aturday last ; 391new cases were admitted during the week, against415, 377, and 339 in the three preceding weeks. Thesehospitals also contained on Saturday last 1095 cases ofdiphtheria, 362 of whooping-cough, 98 of measles, and 34of enteric fever, but not one of small-pox. The 1108deaths from all causes in London were 11 in excess of the

1771

number in the previous week, and corresponded to an annualdeath-rate of 12-8 per 1000. The deaths referred to diseasesof the respiratory system, which had been 188, 165,and 179 in the three preceding weeks, declined to 143.in the week under review, and were 10 below thenumber registered in the corresponding week of last year.Of the 4687 deaths from all causes in the 97 towns, 173

resulted from different forms of violence, and 377 were thesubject of coroners’ inquests, while 1410 occurred in publicinstitutions. The causes of 32, or 0-7 per cent., of the totaldeaths were not certified either by a registered medicalpractitioner or by a coroner after inquest. All the causesof death were duly certified in London and in 13 of its14 suburban districts, in Leeds, Bristol, Bradford, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Nottingham, and in 63 other smaller towns. Ofthe 32 uncertified causes, 8 were registered in Liverpool,6 in Birmingham, 3 in Gateshead, and 2 each in Preston,Sheffield, and Sunderland.

-

HEALTH OF SCOTCH TOWNS.

In the 16 largest Scotch towns with an aggregate popula-tion estimated at 2,293,200 persons at the middle of this year,1204 births and 631 deaths were registered during the weekended Saturday, June 13th. The annual rate of mortality inthese towns, which had been 16’1, 15’6, and 16-0 per 1000in the three preceding weeks, declined to 14-4 per 1000 inthe week under notice. During the first ten weeks of thecurrent quarter the mean annual death-rate in these townsaveraged 15-8, against a corresponding rate of 14-1 per 1000 inthe 97 large English towns. Among the several towns thedeath-rate last week ranged from 8-1 in Hamilton, 8’8 inKilmarnock, and 11-8 in Leith, to 17-3 in Ayr, 17-6 in Mother-well and in Clydebank, and 18’2 in Coatbridge.The 631 deaths from all causes were 71 fewer than the

number in the previous week, and included 48 which werereferred to the principal epidemic diseases, against 55 and62 in the two preceding weeks. Of these 48 deaths, 15resulted from whooping-cough, 12 from measles, 10 frominfantile diarrhceal diseases, 7 from scarlet fever, 2 fromdiphtheria, and 2 from enteric fever, but not one from small-pox. The mean annual death-rate from these diseaseswas equal to 1R per 1000, and coincided with the rate recordedin the 97 large English towns. The deaths attributed towhooping-cough, which had been 10, 23, and 19 in the threepreceding weeks, further declined to 15 last week,. andcomprised 12 in Glasgow, 2 in Falkirk, and 1 in Paisley,The deaths referred to measles, which had been 27,17, and 19 in the three preceding weeks, fell to 12last week, of which 6 occurred in Glasgow, 2 inDundee, and 2 in Hamilton. The fatal cases of diarrhoeaand enteritis (among infants under 2 years), which hadbeen 14, 7, and 16 in the three preceding weeks, fell to 10last week, and included 3 in Glasgow, 2 in Dundee, and 2 inGreenock. The deaths referred to scarlet fever, which hadbeen 7, 5, and 3 in the three preceding weeks, rose to 7 lastweek, of which 3 were registered in Edinburgh. The 2deaths attributed to diphtheria, which occurred in Glasgow,were 4 below the average in the earlier weeks of the quarter.The fatal cases of enteric fever were recorded in Glasgowand Coatbridge.The deaths referred to diseases of the respiratory system,

which had been 107, 96, and 99 in the three precedingweeks, fell to 95 in the week under notice; 24 deathswere attributed to different forms of violence, against33 and 22 in the two preceding weeks.

HEALTH OF IRISH TOWNS.

In the 27 town districts of Ireland, with an aggregatepopulation estimated at 1,205,280 persons at the middle ofthis year, 636 births and 413 deaths were registered duringthe week ended Saturday, June 13th. The annual rate ofmortality in these towns, which had been 18-9, 17-8, and16-7 per 1000 in the three preceding weeks, rose to 17-9per 1000 in the week under notice. During the first tenweeks of the current quarter the mean annual death-rate in these towns averaged 19-7 per 1000 ; in the 97 largeEnglish towns the corresponding rate did not exceed 14-1,while in the 16 Scotch towns it was equal to -L5-8 per 1000.The annual death-rate last week was equal to 18-S inDublin (against 12-S in London and 15-0 in Glasgow),16-9 in Belfast, 21-1 in Cork, 10-1 in Londonderry, 23-0 inLimerick, and 13-3 in Waterford, while in the 21 smaller ’.

towns the mean death-rate was 18-5 per 1000.The 413 deaths from all causes were 28 in excess of the

number in the previous week, and included 40 which werereferred to the principal epidemic diseases, against 48 and36 in the two preceding weeks. Of these 40 deaths, 16resulted from measles, 10 from infantile diarrhoealdiseases, 8 from whooping-cough, 4 from scarlet fever, 1from enteric fever, and 1 from diphtheria, but not one

from small-pox. The mean annual death-rate from thesediseases was equal to 1-7, against 1-1 per 1000 in theEnglish and in, the Scotch towns. The deaths attributed

to measles, which had been 18,, 19,. and 21 in the’three preceding weeks, fell to 16 last week, and comprised 8in Dublin, 4 in Belfast, 3 in Sligo, and 1 in Lurgan. Thedeaths of. infants (under 2 years) referred to diarrhoea and’enteritis, which had been 10, 10, and 4 in the three pre-ceding weeks, rose to 10 last week, of which 5 occurred inBelfast, 4 in Dublin, and 1 in Cork. The fatal cases ofwhooping-cough, which had been 7, 11, and 6 in the threepreceding weeks, rose to 8 last week.,. and included 7 in.Belfast and 1 in Cork. The 4 deaths attributed to scarletfever, of which 2 occurred in Belfast, were equal to theaverage in the earlier weeks of the quarter. The fatalcases of enteric fever and diphtheria were registered in-Dublin.The deaths referred to diseases of the respiratory system,.

which had been 79, 85, and 63 in the three preceding.weeks, rose to 67 in the week under notice. Of the413 deaths from all causes, 136, or 33 per cent., occurred in

public institutions, and 6 resulted from various forms ofviolence. The causes of 12, or 2’9 per cent., of the totaldeaths were not certified either by a registered medical’practitioner or by a coroner after inquest; in the 97 large-English towns the proportion of uncertified causes of death.did not exceed 0’7 per cent.

THE SERVICES.

ROYAL NAVY MEDICAL SERVICE.

Staff-Surgeon Edward Bryan Kenny (retired) has been’reinstated on the Active List.The following appointments have been notified :-Fleet.

Surgeons : F. Fedarb to the Impregnable. and J. H. Stenhouse’to the Hibernia. Staff-Surgeon : R. St. G. S. Bond to the-Commonuealtla on recommissioning. Surgeon: H. E. G.White to the Commomcealth.

ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE.The undermentioned has been appointed a Surgeon:: :=

Henry Clarence Wardleworth Nuttall (dated June 12th,.1914).

ARMY MEDICAL SERVICE.

Surgeon-General William Babtie,- V.C., C.B., C.M.G., is.appointed a.n Honorary Surgeon to the King, vice Surgeon--General Sir W. L. Gubbins, K.C.B., M.V.O. (dated June 1st,.1914).

ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS.

Supernumerary Captain Douglas P. Watson, from theseconded list, is restored to the establishment (dated.June 6th, 1914).Surgeon-General Sir David Bruce, C.B., Knt., has arrived.

home on leave of absence from the Nyasaland Protectorate.Colonel C. Cooper Reilly has taken up duty as Assistant

Director of Medical Services to the Chatham District.Brevet-Colonel F. Smith, D.S.O., has been appointed MedicalInspector of Recruits to the Irish Command.Lieutenant-Colonel H. E. Winter has been appointed to

officiate as Assistant-Director of Medical Services to theBombay Brigade, vice Lieutenant-Colonel A. T. I. Lilly,granted leave of absence. Lieutenant-Colonel J. C. Connorhas taken up duty as Deputy Assistant Director of MedicalServices Con the Irish Command Headquarters Staff, viceLieutenant-Colonel C. Dalton, transferred to the Aldershot-Command and appointed Commandant of the RoyalArmy Medical Corps Camp of Instruction at Longmoor,.Lieutenant-Colonel M. P. C. Holt, D.S.O., has takenover charge of the Cambridge Hospital at Alder-shot. Lieutenant-Colonel T. Du B. Whaite has been,selected for advancement to the higher grade of his rankunder Article 358 of the Royal Warrant for Pay andPromotion.Major E. F. Q. L’Estrange has been appointed to hold

charge of the Military Hospital at Londonderry Barracks.Major G. M. Goldsmith has arrived home for duty fromIndia. Major S. W. Sweetnam has been appointed to theEastern Command for duty. Major C. T. Samman has beenappointed Specialist in Mental Science to the Southern Armyin India. Major H. Simson has been granted four monthsand 21 days’ general leave of absence. Major H. P.Waller-Barr’ow has been appointed Deputy AssistantDirector-General at the Medical Division of the War Office,vice Lieutenant-Colonel B. H. Scott, whose tenure of theappointment has expired. Major H. D. Packer has beentransferred from the Military Hospital at Devonport to.Karachi Cantonment. Major H. K. Palmer has beenappointed to the Military Hospital at Cosham, on transferfrom the Aden Brigade. Major W. L. Baker has been appointedto the Eastern Command. Major G. Baillie has joinedat Colchester. Major W. M. H. Spiller has beem trans-ferred from the Military Hospital at Liverpool to thePresidency Brigade for duty at Calcutta. Major P. S.Lelean has taken up duty at the Royal Army Medical.