PUBLIC HEALTH.

New South Wales.

Vital Statistics.-The Government Statistician reports on the vital statistics of the metropolis for the month of December, 1901, as follows :

The births during the month of December numbered 1,005, being 70 greater than the average for December for the past five years. The deaths for the month were 574,or 52 greater than the quinquennial average for December. Balance of births over deaths, 431. The birth rate being 2.06 per 1,000 of population, and the death rate 1.18 per 1,000. True infantile mortality, under one year, compared with the births for the month, at the rate of 244 per 1,000 for the city, and 176 for the suburbs. For the metropolis, as a whole, the rate was 189 per 1,000. Zymotic diseases caused 104 deaths, or 18 per cent.; typhoid fever, 9; scarlet fever, 3; whooping cough, 37; and bubonic plague, 1. Constitutional diseases were responsible for 94 deaths, or 16'4 per cent; those from phthisis being 50; cancer, 30. The deaths from phthisis comprised 8.7 per cent. of all deaths. Local diseases numbered 284 deaths, or 49.5 per cent. of the death list; of these, 76 were from enteritis, and 21 from heart disease.

For the quarter ended 31st December, 1901, the births numbered 3,195, and the deaths, 1,605; which are respectively 245 and 101 more than the average numbers registered for this quarter during the previous five years, equivalent to an increase of 8 per cent, on the average of births, and of 63 on the average of deaths. In the zymotic group, the death rate increased by 29 per cent. above the average of the December quarter for the last five years, caused mainly by the deaths from whooping cough. There were satisfactory decreases in deaths from influenza, typhoid, and diarrhoea, but an increase in the number of deaths from measles, scarlet fever, diphtheria (with 18 deaths), and the septic diseases. In constitutional diseases, with the exception of phthisis, which shows an excess of 14 per cent. above the five years' average, there is little variation. Developmental diseases show a slight advance. The most material divergence from the normal in local diseases is found in the respiratory group, wherein there were 185 deaths, as against an average of 146 for the previous five years, being an increase of 27 per cent. The main complaint in this group was pneumonia, which brought about 124 deaths, as compared with the average of 73, thus increasing the rate from this disease by 71 per cent. Enteritis, the great cause of mortality among children during the hot months, caused 151 deaths; about the average number. The birth rate for the quarter under review, was 6'54, that for the previous five years being 6:31 per 1,000. The death rate for the quarter is 3.29 per 1,000, being almost identical with 3-22 per 1,000 the quinquennial

rate.

THE BUBONIC PLAGUE.

We regret to report that since our last issue several cases of bubonic plague have occurred in Sydney. The following is an abstract of a report on the subject to the Government by Dr. F. Tidswell, the Acting-President of the Board of Health:

"After a period of quiescence lasting about 15 months, plague re-appeared in Sydney on November 14th, 1901. From this time to date there have occurred 17 cases.

"It is to be noted that no less than four produce stores have been implicated in the present series of cases, viz., Hay Street, city, George Street West, Rushcutters' Bay, Alexandria. Inquiries show that the produce sold at these stores was obtained in each instance from several places; the railway station, the Adelaide, Tasmanian, New Zealand, North Coast, and Howard likely that the railway station is infected, but some Smith's wharves being usually mentioned. It is not suspicion naturally attaches to the wharves. Nevertheless the absence of any cases attributable to infection acquired at or near the wharves and the negative result of their recent sanitary inspection, makes it possible centre. The City Council has already taken impossible to determine on any one of them as a action to require the owners to provide rat-proof cement basements to produce stores, and no further measure with respect to them appears to be indicated at the present time.

"Certain rats taken in the south and west of the city in November last were found to be infected with plague. Among the 844 rats examined in the Board's laboratory since that date, all were clearly free from the disease until the past week or 10 days (January 28th-February 8th), during which some suspicious specimens have been received from two places in the city at which rats were said to be dying. Several specimens from these places have been bacteriologically examined, and although the results are obscured by mixed the rats have plague. infections there is a certain amount of evidence that

"On the evidence furnished by the foregoing data there can be little doubt that the plague is still existent amongst the rats in this city. Nevertheless, it does not appear, on the one hand, to be generally prevalent amongst them, nor on the other hand, to be maintained at any specific centre which can be dealt with by cleansing operations. Consequently the only prac ticable measure of a general character is rat destruction be mentioned that since November, 1901, 24,269 rats on the lines already in operation. On this point it may have been burnt in the board's furnaces, and that additional large but uncounted numbers were killed during the fumigation of vessels and sewers. reasonable to conclude that these measures have hitherto averted the more serious possibilities of the epidemic which has threatened and still threatens the city. But in view of recent developments it may now be deemed desirable to make use of every possible means to induce increased destruction of the rats. this purpose householders should be enjoined to lay poison freely, and to clear away accumulations which may afford food or harbourage for rats.

It is

For

"In the meantime the occurrence of cases can only be met by the usual measures of isolation and disinfection. These are vigourously carried out by the department with respect to all actual cases of plague wherever occurring, and with respect of suspicious premises in the suburbs. With regard to suspicious premises in the city, an arrangement has been made with the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. W. G. Armstrong) that they shall be dealt with by the city local authorities to the full extent of their powers. immediate reference to this department to be made when anything further is necessary."

At a meeting of the Sydney Municipal Council held on February 11th, it was resolved "that as produce stores were apparently plague centres where outbreaks occurred, the whole of the produce in infected stores should be

held be true, we, in happier lands, should be prepared to make considerable sacrifices to come to their aid.

There are other questions of great importance-such as hospital abuse, the necessity for a supreme court of appeal for medical ethics, and many others, but I cannot deal with them. Have we not some power of looking before and after? In solidarity lies our safety. If the wharf-labourers, the miners, the seamen on our boats can strive and suffer for what they hold principle, surely we, with our advantages of education, of resources, of belonging to what is practically a close corporation, can so band ourselves together that we may face our future with confidence and unafraid With apologies for a verbosity, the sincerity of which should discount a charge of "high-falutin."-Yours, etc., RICHARD ARTHUR.

Sydney, 10th January, 1902.

THE cause of this unfortunate trouble appears to have been a want of confidence in the honorary staff by the committee of the hospital.

The facts are as follows:-A death from septicemia occurred at the end of December, and a number of cases were running a high temperature.

A meeting of the honorary staff was held, and it was decided to make certain changes, viz., to isolate all septic cases, and to have the ward disinfected with formaline. (This latter had actually been done).

Dr. Cuscaden, on behalf of the staff, reported this to the committee, and informed them that all danger was passed, and that the staff saw no necessity to close the wards. He was asked the following question:-"Would the staff take all responsibility if the hospital remained open?" and he replied "Yes."

He was then asked if he would guarantee that no further outbreak of sepsis would occur, and he replied that he would give no such guarantee. It was then moved and seconded that a sub-committee be appointed to inquire into the matter.

Nothing further did Dr. Cuscaden, as representative of the staff, hear, until he received a telephone message that the committee had decided to close the hospital, and that they were carrying out his wishes.

Dr. Cuscaden asked the secretary to kindly take a message from him to the committee, and to say (fearing any mistake) that the honorary staff did not wish the hospital closed.

The secretary's reply to this was that the committee had decided to close the hospital.

On the 25th January, it was reported at a committee meeting that Messrs. J. B. Lewis and J. Sandison Yule (the medical staff for the midwifery department) refused to follow out the instructions of the committee, and they sent a letter to the committee, in which they stated that they had not defied the instructions of the committee out of mere bravado, but that their "consciences as medical men in a position of trust would not allow them to send away patients, who might be within a few minutes of confinement, to a private institution half-a-mile away, when they had behind them a hospital pronounced clean by the unanimous voice of the honorary medical staff."

The honorary medical staff of the infirmary and obstetric departments sent the following letter to the committee:" At a meeting of the united staffs of the infirmary and obstetric departments, held at the hos pital on the 20th inst, it was unanimously resolved that the action of the committee in closing the obstetric department, contrary to the expressed wish and advice of the honorary obstetric staff, was, under existing conditions, unnecessary and uncalled for, inflicting a severe and needless hardship on the suffering and indigent women of this city, and so calculated to place many of them in a dangerous and desperate position at a most critical time.

We therefore urge that the obstetric department be re-opened for the reception of cases, without further delay."

The committee then catechised members of the honorary medical staff who were present, trying to justify their own position, and making use of medical terms. One member wished to know the meaning of sapræmia, and was informed by a member of the staff that terms were used probably with which the committee was not familiar; the inference being that they were not a committee of medical practitioners, but ordinary individuals not supposed to understand such matters.

The committee gave the resident medical officers a month's notice, and dismissed the secretary and superintendent (Mr. Gibson) at once for disobeying their orders.

There can be no doubt that the officials of the Hospital made a mistake in disobeying the orders of the committee, and they ought certainly to have left the matter in the hands of the honorary staff. The committee, on the other hand, should not have taken upon itself medical duties, and should have been guided by its honorary staff, who have quite as much at stake in any matter pertaining to the well-being or otherwise of the Hospital.

The medical staff may well consider that they have been unjustifiably snubbed by the committee, and such treatment could not be passed over by them without vigorous protest. Their opinions have been flouted, and their medical knowledge ignored, and, according to the resident medical officers, the interference of two members of the committee in the medical department of the Hospital has been a source of great annoyance. They have been accused of patrolling the wards weekly, bursting into labour wards during confinements, entering the residents and students rooms without knocking, and turning away an urgent case to get a reference without the resident medical officer seeing the case at all.

It is to be hoped that some new system of management will be inaugurated, and that such a worthy and useful institution as the Women's Hospital should not suffer by mismanagement.

PUBLIC HEALTH.

New South Wales.

Vital Statistics.-The Government Statistician reports on the vital statistics of the metropolis for the month of December, 1901, as follows:

The births during the month of December numbered 1,005, being 70 greater than the average for December for the past five years. The deaths for the month were 574,or 52 greater than the quinquennial average for December. Balance of births over deaths, 431. The birth rate being 2.06 per 1,000 of population, and the death rate 1.18 per 1,000. True infantile mortality, under one year, compared with the births for the month, at the rate of 244 per 1,000 for the city, and 176 for the suburbs. For the metropolis, as a whole, the rate was 189 per 1,000. Zymotic diseases caused 104 deaths, or 18 per cent.; typhoid fever, 9; scarlet fever, 3; whooping cough, 37; and bubonic plague, 1. Constitutional diseases were responsible for 94 deaths, or 16'4 per cent; those from phthisis being 50; cancer, 30. The deaths from phthisis comprised 8.7 per cent, of all deaths. Local diseases numbered 284 deaths, or 49.5 per cent. of the death list; of these, 76 were from enteritis, and 21 from heart disease.

For the quarter ended 31st December, 1901,

the births numbered 3,195, and the deaths, 1,605; which are respectively 245 and 101 more than the average numbers registered for this quarter during the previous five years, equivalent to an increase of 8 per cent, on the average of births, and of 63 on the average of deaths. In the zymotic group, the death rate increased by 29 per cent. above the average of the December quarter for the last five years, caused mainly by the deaths from whooping cough. There were satisfactory decreases in deaths from influenza, typhoid, and diarrhoea, but an increase in the number of deaths from measles, scarlet fever, diphtheria (with 18 deaths), and the septic diseases. In constitutional diseases, with the exception of phthisis, which shows an excess of 14 per cent. above the five years' average, there is little variation. Developmental diseases show a slight advance. The most material divergence from the normal in local diseases is found in the respiratory group, wherein there were 185 deaths, as against an average of 146 for the previous five years, being an increase of 27 per cent. The main complaint in this group was pneumonia, which brought about 124 deaths, as compared with the average of 73, thus increasing the rate from this disease by 71 per cent. Enteritis, the great cause of mortality among children during the hot months, caused 151 deaths; about the average number. The birth rate for the quarter under review, was 6.54, that for the previous five years being 6:31 per 1,000. The death rate for the quarter is 3.29 per 1,000, being almost identical with 3.22 per 1,000 the quinquennial

rate.

THE BUBONIC PLAGUE.

We regret to report that since our last issue several cases of bubonic plague have occurred in Sydney. The following is an abstract of a report on the subject to the Government by Dr. F. Tidswell, the Acting-President of the Board of Health:

"After a period of quiescence lasting about 15 months, plague re-appeared in Sydney on November 14th, 1901. From this time to date there have occurred 17 cases.

"It is to be noted that no less than four produce stores have been implicated in the present series of cases, viz., Hay Street, city, George Street West, Rushcutters' Bay, Alexandria. Inquiries show that the produce sold at these stores was obtained in each instance from Tasmanian, New Zealand, North Coast, and Howard several places; the railway station, the Adelaide, Smith's wharves being usually mentioned. It is not likely that the railway station is infected, but some suspicion naturally attaches to the wharves. Nevertheless the absence of any cases attributable to infection acquired at or near the wharves and the negative result of their recent sanitary inspection, makes it impossible to determine on any one of them as a possible centre. The City Council has already taken action to require the owners to provide rat-proof cement basements to produce stores, and no further measure with respect to them appears to be indicated at the present time.

"Certain rats taken in the south and west of the

city in November last were found to be infected with plague. Among the 844 rats examined in the Board's laboratory since that date, all were clearly free from the disease until the past week or 10 days (January 28th-February 8th), during which some suspicious specimens have been received from two places in the city at from these places have been bacteriologically examined, which rats were said to be dying. Several specimens and although the results are obscured by mixed infections there is a certain amount of evidence that the rats have plague.

"On the evidence furnished by the foregoing data there can be little doubt that the plague is still existent amongst the rats in this city. Nevertheless, it does not appear, on the one hand, to be generally prevalent amongst them, nor on the other hand, to be maintained cleansing operations. Consequently the only pracat any specific centre which can be dealt with by ticable measure of a general character is rat destruction be mentioned that since November, 1901, 24,269 rats on the lines already in operation. On this point it may have been burnt in the board's furnaces, and that additional large but uncounted numbers were killed during the fumigation of vessels and sewers. reasonable to conclude that these measures have hitherto averted the more serious possibilities of the epidemic which has threatened and still threatens the city. But in view of recent developments it may now be deemed desirable to make use of every possible means to induce increased destruction of the rats. For this purpose householders should be enjoined to lay poison freely, and to clear away accumulations which may afford food or harbourage for rats.

It is

"In the meantime the occurrence of cases can only be met by the usual measures of isolation and disinfection. These are vigourously carried out by the department with respect to all actual cases of plague wherever occurring, and with respect of suspicious premises in the suburbs. With regard to suspicious premises in the city, an arrangement has been made with the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. W. G. Armstrong) that they shall be dealt with by the city local authorities to the full extent of their powers. immediate reference to this department to be made when anything further is necessary.'

At a meeting of the Sydney Municipal Council held on February 11th, it was resolved "that as produce stores were apparently plague centres where outbreaks occurred, the whole of the produce in infected stores should be

destroyed; and that it be an instruction to the health committee to see that such produce was destroyed; and that in the opinion of the Council, it was not desirable that the City Health Officer should absent himself from

duty at this juncture." Dr W. G. Armstrong is thus prevented from attending the Intercolonial Medical Congress at Hobart.

Victoria.

Typhoid Fever in Melbourne.-A return presented to the Board of Public Health showed that during the fortnight ended February 1st, 166 cases of typhoid, with three deaths, occurred in the State.

The Birth Rate.-At a meeting of the Board of Public Health on February 5th, it was stated that the excess of births over deaths in the Victorian metropolitan area was not more than 500 per month. The president remarked that the falling off of the birthrate was engaging attention all over the world.

Vital Statistics of Melbourne and Suburbs.— During the month of December, 1901, the births numbered 945, and the deaths 784. Excess of births over deaths, 161. Specific febrile or zymotic diseases caused 92 deaths, or 11.73 per cent.; constitutional diseases, 158 deaths, or 20.15 per cent. ; local diseases, 389 deaths, or 49.62 per cent. Of the specific febrile or zymotic group, whooping cough was responsible for 44 deaths, and diarrhoeal diseases for 28. Of the constitutional group, cancer caused the death of 55 persons; tubercular meningitis, 11 deaths; phthisis, 60; other forms of tuberculosis, 16. Of the local diseases, 71 deaths occurred from diseases of the nervous system, and diseases of the circulatory system accounted for 60 deaths. Diseases of the respiratory system caused 88 deaths, of which pneumonia caused 34. Diseases of the digestive system were responsible for 147 deaths. From enteritis 109 deaths occurred. Diseases of the urinary system accounted for 41 deaths, and Bright's disease for

28.

The mortality from diphtheria for the years 1890 to 1901-1890, 470; 1891, 172; 1892, 100; 1893, 35; 1894, 51; 1895, 57; 1896, 93; 1897, 151; 1898, 128; 1899, 56; 1900, 77; 1901, 45. From typhoid fever1890, 403; 1891, 192; 1892, 154; 1893, 120; 1894, 155; 1-95, 142; 1896, 149; 1897, 121; 1898, 222; 1899, 143; 1900, 94; 1901, 69. Thus the mortality from typhoid fever in 1901 was-both absolutely and relatively-the lowest recorded during the last 41 years. The deaths of infants under twelve months for December, 1901, numbered 266, as compared with 205 in the corresponding month of the year 1900. Hence the infant mortality was 281 per 1000 births in the month under review as compared with 204 in December, 1900. The proportion of deaths of elderly persons, aged 75 and upwards, has shown a marked increase during the last eleven years, steadily rising from 5.94 per cent, in 1891 to 11.42 per cent. in 1901.

South Australia.

Central Board of Health.-A meeting of the Central Board of Health was held at the offices, Victoria Square, on Wedi esday, January 29th.

The infectious disease returns showed 2 cases of typhoid fever at Bundaleer, 2 at Gawler South, and 1 at each of the following places :-Koolunga, Luton, Kadina, Kapunda, Port Elliot, Booleroo, Centre, and Baroota. One case of pulmonary tuberculosis at each

of the following places:-Adelaide, Knightsbridge, Kent Town, Baker's Flat, Forestville, New Parkside, North Unley, Parkside, and Franklin. One case of

puerperal fever at Stirling West.

The infectious disease mortuary returns showed 1 death from pulmonary tuberculosis at each of the and Richmond; 1 from typhoid fever at Murray following places :-Adelaide Hospital, Knightsbridge, Bridge, and 1 at Adelaide; 1 from puerperal fever at

Norwood, and 1 at Currency Creek.

Vital Statistics.-The following returns of births and deaths are given for South Australia. exclusive of the Northern Territory, for the month of November during the years 1896-1901 inclusive. 1896, births 810, deaths 292; 1897, births 766, deaths 367; 1898, births 649, deaths 486; 1899, births 735, deaths 432; 1900, births 751, deaths 329, 1901, births 708,

The

deaths 317. Of these deaths, 375 occurred from zymotic diseases, 347 from constitutional diseases, 201 from developmental diseases, and 201 from local diseases. The highest birth rate occurred in the year 1896 viz. 235 per cent., and the lowest in 1901 viz. 198. The highest death rate was in 1898 viz. 140 per cent. and the lowest in 1896 viz. 085 per cent. causes of death registered for the month of November, 1901, are whooping cough 7, enteric fever 5, diarrhoea and dysentery 15, cancer 20, phthisis 17, apoplexy 5, epilepsy 1, convulsions 12, other diseases of the brain and nervous system 26, diseases of the circulatory system 30, bronchitis 13, pneumonia 19, enteritis 14, while old age was responsible for 16 deaths. For the city of Adelaide during the month of November the returns of births and deaths for the period 1896-1901 are In 1896, births 78; 1897, births 89; 1898, births 78; 1899, births 92; 1900, births 87, 1901, births 70. The highest birth rate thus occurred in 1899, 92 or 236 per cent., and the lowest 1991, 70 or 179 per cent. In 1896 the deaths were 70; in 1897, 76; in 1898, 119; in 1899, 70; in 1900, 63; and in 1901, 78. The highest death rate occurred in 1898, 119 or 307 per cent., and the lowest in 1899, 70 or 180 per cent. Of the deaths during these five years 62 occurred from zymotic diseases, 88 from constitutional diseases, 37 from developmental diseases, and 220 from local diseases.

New Zealand.

Vital Statistics.-In Auckland and Suburbs during the month of December, 1901, 110 births and 44 births were registered. In Wellington and Suburbs 92 births and 30 deaths. In Christchurch and Suburbs 92 births and 42 deaths. In Dunedin and Suburbs 94

In

births and 40 deaths. The death rates per 1000 of population in Auckland and Suburbs was 0.88; in Wellington and Suburbs, 0·69; in Christchurch and Suburbs, 0.94; in Dunedin and Suburbs, 0.76. these four districts eight deaths occurred from zymotic diseases, 41 from constitutional diseases and 80 from local diseases. Under the constitutional group, cancer was responsible for the death of 16, and tubercular diseases for 21 persons. Under the local diseases group nine deaths occurred from apoplexy, six from pneu. monia, and five from bronchitis.

Tasmania.

Vital Statistics.-During the month of December, 1901, 136 births (72 males, and 64 females) were registered in the districts of Hobart and Launces'ton; proportion per 1,000 of population, 2:43. The

deaths numbered 97 (50 males and 47 femalǝs). Of the deaths-14 occurred from constitutional diseases, or 6.67 per cent.; 24 from developmental diseases, or 33.33 per cent.; and 43 from local diseases, or 46.67 per cent. of the constitutional diseases 7 deaths were caused by cancer; of the developmental diseases, 18 deaths were from old age; of the local diseases, 14 were caused by enteritis.

Queensland.

General

Vital Statistics.-The Registrar reports that during the month of November, 1901, 172 births were registered in the district of Brisbane, being 23 more than in the previous month; 106 deaths were also recorded for the same period and district, being 24 more than in October, and 15 less than in the corresponding month of last year. In the suburbs outside Brisbane the deaths numbered 49, the total number of deaths in the combined distric's was 155. True infantile mortality under one year as compared with births in the district being 1771 per cent. within and 17.86 per cent. outside the municipality of Brisbane. Total for the city and suburbs being 21.75. Of these 16 were from zymotic, 25 from constitutional, and 95 from local diseases. Of the constitutional diseases ten were from cancer and eleven from tuberculosis. Of local diseases nine were from heart disease and 14 from pneumonia.

West Australia.

Vital Statistics.-The Registrar-General reports for the quarter ended June, 1901, the total number of births to be 1,455, and the deaths for the same period as 713. Deaths of children under one year as 226. Deaths from zymotic diseases 122. Constitu. tional diseases 82. Local diseases 302. Of the zymotic disease 45 were from typhoid. Of the constitutional diseases 25 were from cancer, and 37 from phthisis. Of the local diseases 20 were from heart disease, 39 from pneumonia, 75 from enteritis. For the quarter ended 30th September, 1901, the total number of births was 1,538, and the deaths 594. Deaths of children under one year 126. Deaths from zymotic diseases 76, constitutional diseases 74, local diseases 293. Of the zymotic diseases 19 deaths were from measles, and 12 from influenza. Of the constitutional diseases cancer was responsible for 14 deaths, phthisis 39, other forms of tuberculosis 6. Of the local diseases 12 deaths occurred from inflammation of the brain, 10 from convulsions; from endocarditis 17, from heart disease 27, bronchitis 24, and from pneumonia 63.

HUDSON'S "EUMENTHOL" JUJUBES (Registered) are a Gum Jujube containing the active constituents of well-known Antiseptics, Eucalyptol, Thymus Vulg., Pinus Sylvestris, Mentha Arv., with Benzo-Borate of Sodium, etc., and exhibit the antiseptic properties in a fragrant and efficient form. Sold by all chemists, tins 1s. 6d. Are Antiseptic, Prophylactic, reduce Sensibility of Mucous Membrane.

Mr. W. A. Dixon, F.I.C., F.C.S, Public Analyst of Sydney, after making exhaustive tests, says: "There is no doubt but that "Eumenthol" Jujubes have a wonderful effect in the destruction of bacteria and preventing their growth. I have made a comparative test of Eumenthol" Essence and Creosote, and find that there is little difference in their bactericidal action.”

MILITARY INTELLIGENCE.

NEW SOUTH WALES.

A MEDICAL CORPS ORGANISED.-A thoroughly equipped Army Medical Corps will accompany the Commonwealth Contingent to South Africa. MajorGeneral French, Brigadier-General Finn, and Colonel Williams have received instructions to form the corps, which will include five army medical officers and 110 of all ranks. The medical unit will include 50 bearers and 60 members of field hospital corps. It will be equipped with four ambulance waggons from New South Wales, and also with transport carts and water carts for the field hospital. Medical and surgical equipments will be drawn in South Africa.

The Commander-in-Chief of the British Army has appointed Dr. Frank Tidswell, as Surgeon Captain, and Drs. Sinclair Gillies and Charles MacLaurin, as Lieutenants, in the Royal Army Medical Corps.

Erratum.-We regret that it was inadvertently stated in our last issue that Lieutenant G. S. Samuelson. M.D., Army Medical Corps, of Armidale, had resigned his commission.

The Army Medical unit is now practically complete. There are six Tasmanians and six West Australians to be added to the strength, but these will not come to

Sydney. The Queensland quota reached camp yesterday morning. Captain Green is in charge, he will soon be joined in camp by Captain Howse, V.C., who will go as second in command of the unit, which will probably be shipped for the Cape first, on the 11th or 12th of February.

VICTORIA.

Dr. Code, junior resident surgeon at the Ballarat Hospital has resigned his appointment as he is leaving for South Africa with the Commonwealth Field Hospital Dr. W. James has left Williamstown, Vic., for service on the field hospitals with the outgoing contingents. NEW ZEALAND.

Dr. Horace Eccles, of Mangonui, has been appointed to the medical staff of the Eighth Contigent.

New Zealand Volunteer Medical Staff.-David Mathewson Nairn to be Surgeon-Captain. Commission to date from the 15th November, 1901.

HOSPITAL INTELLIGENCE.

The resident medical officer of the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Dr. Major, reported to the committee of management on January 31st, that owing to the rapid influx of typhoid fever patients during the past week there were no vacant medical Dr. Major asked for permission to improvise a couple of beds in the cottage to meet cases of emergency. The matter was left in the hands of the secretary and superintendent.

beds for females available.

The Sydney Hospital.-At the last meeting of the Board of Directors, Dr. R. Steer Bowker forwarded a cheque for £100 from a donor who requested that his name should not transpire. It was decided that the money should be utilised for the purchase of surgical instruments for the hospital, under the direction of Drs. Fiaschi and Bowker. Plans of proposed alterations to Moorcliff were received from the Department of Public Works, and referred to the house committee. The house committee was authorised to have plans and specifications prepared, and tenders