the Australian Natives' Association on any terms Craig :-" That the Branch, having re-considered the whatever.

question of contract medical attendance

on the Dr. GLEDDEN wished to caution the members against members of the Australian Natives Association, hereby rushing into print and replying to the numerous letters re-affirms the decision of the Council meeting of that would, no doubt, appear in the daily press as a 7th August, 1900, in declaring the Australian Natives' result of their action; he rather advocated that all Association prejudicial to the interests of the medical replies should be undertaken by their hon. secretary. profession.' He would move this in the form of a resolution if he Letter was read from the Commonwealth Medical were in order. This was seconded by Dr. O'NEILL, and Benefit Society with reference to medical attendance unanimously approved.

upon its members. Dr. WORRALL was called upon from all parts of the Resolved—“That the Council, having considered the room to speak. He explained he had not intended proposal, declines to accede to the request.” addressing the meeting unless there had been some Annual Meeting.-Resolved—" That the Annual opposition to the motion. He read some letters from Meeting be held on the 4th April, 1902. prominent medical men in Victoria, one from a gentle. The draft report of the Council for the year was man whose name would be known to every one in the considered and amended, also the report on the Australroom were he to disclose it. The speaker emphasized asian Medical Garette was approved. the state of affairs in the sister State by affirming that Accounts passed—Stamps, £2 13s. 9d.; Petty Cash, £5. no newspaper in Victoria dare publish a letter signed simply M.D., if the writer ventured to criticise the

New Zealand. Australian Natives' Association, the proprietors demanded medical men who had such hardihood to furnish The opening meeting of the New Zealand branch of their names in full, and this inevitably called down the the British Medical Association was held in the Town vengeance of the Australian Natives' Association upon Hall, Dunedin, on February 3rd, Dr. Colquhoun, .of the writer. In conclusion, Dr. Worrall urged his hearers Dunedin, President, being in the chair. The question to persist in the attitude taken up that night, assuring of the notification of infectious diseases was brought them that any treaty entered into with the Australian up by a Nelson delegate, but consideration of the matter Natives' Association would certainly be broken.

was deferred till later in the week. Dr. Collins, of Đr. KERB stated that he had been approached by the Wellington; was appointed chairman of the council, Australian Natives' Association, and had been informed Dr. Mason, editor of the medical journal, and Dr. by such that the British Medical Association was only Campbell secretary. Dr. Colquhoun gave his presiopposed to them on account of the issue of the wage dential address on the evening of February 3rd. limit, and this question being settled there remained no logical objection to their association,

Queensland. The PRESIDENT remarked that he would deal with

A MEETING of the Branch was held on Friday, March the question in his forthcoming presidential address. As for the misgivings hinted at with regard to country (President),

The Hons. w. F. Taylor

, and C. F. Marks,"

7th, with the following attendance :- Dr. P. Bancroft districts they had already had proof that local medical men, by the help of the Branch, had successfully

, Wheeler, Hardie, Carvosso, Turner, Orr, Cameron,

Drs. Lilian Cooper, Eleanor Greenham, Lockhart Gibson, resisted the encroachments of the Australian Natives'

Flynn, Salter, Connolly, Ure, Hawkes, Francis, Sutton," Association. The resolution was then put to the meeting and was

McEvoy, Espie Dods, Culpin, Byrne, Nall, Clowes,

Wield, and Brockway (Hon. Sec.). Visitor : Dr. Edith carried unanimously by acclamation.

Ure.

Dr. CONNOLLY exhibited a uterus removed for fibroid, COUNCIL MEETING.

one tumour showing calcareous degeneration.

The PRESIDENT welcomed Dr. W. S. Byrne, on his

return to Brisbane. THE Council met at the Branch offices on Tuesday Drs. EDITH URE, ZWAR, PRING and HAMMOND were evening, 4th March, 1902, at 8.30 o'clock. Present :- nominated for membership. Drs. Foreman, Hankins, Rennie, Crago, Newmarch, The PRESIDENT announced that it was a recomAbbott, Quaife.

mendation of the Council that the meeting in April be The minutes of the previous meeting were read and held at Toowoomba. The recommendation after dis. confirmed.

bussion was adopted. The following members were elected :-Dr. E. A. The adjourned discussion upon the resolutions Bardsley, Oxford Street, Waverley ; Dr. H. M. Ander- with reference to the Brisbane Associated Friendly son, Sydney Hospital ; Dr. L. E. Ellis, Children's Societies' Medical Institute and its medical officers Hospital, Glebe ; Dr. Louis Vallee, Inverell ; Dr. G. S. was resumed, and after discussion, it was unanimously Samuelson, Armidale ; Dr. R. L. Davies, Children's resolved: "That Members of the Branch shall not Hospital, Glebe ; Dr. Margaret J. White, Children's meet in consultation, medical practitioners employed Hospital, Adelaide, S.A.

by the Brisbane Associated Friendly Societies' Medical Members nominated for election :- Dr. R. T. | Institute, until the agreement entered into by them“ Mitchell, Wee Waa; Dr. C. C. Cocks, Wentworth. shall have been amended to the satisfaction of the

Correspondence with regard to the Inverell Lodge, Branch. M.U.

It was also resolved :-“That, except by a special Resolved—“That the matter be allowed to remain resolution of the Branch at a meeting called for the over until the result of the conference is received." purpose, the members of the Branch shall not meet in

Correspondence with reference to the Australian consultation medical men who are now employed or who Natives' Association was read.

shall after this date have been employed by the Brisbane Arrangements for the special general meeting on Associated Friendly Societies' Medical Institute." Friday, 7th March were made.

The second resolution :-" That members of the The following resolution was agreed upon, to be Branch shall not meet in consultation medical men who moved by Dr. Rennie, and seconded by Dr. Gordon meet in consultation the medical practitioners employed

more

an

by the Brisbane Associated Friendly Societies' Medical It is obviously the wish of the King that his Institute,” gave rise to considerable discussion, and it sanatorium shall be as perfect as possible ; fully was resolved that its further consideration be deferred equipped with all that is necessary for scientific until an occasion for its adoption were reported to the research, and suitably arranged for the carrying out in Branch.

detail of all the most recent and approved methods of In consequence of the lateness of the hour, a paper treatment. by Dr. W. $, Byrne was not read.

That this generous gift should thus be dedicated to

the foundation of a medical institution, when no limit CORRESPONDENCE.

was put to the King's choice but that the money should be expended · for charitable or utilitarian

purposes," adds one to the many previous London.

evidences we have had of His Majesty's untiring

consideration for the health of his subjects, and cannot (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT).

fail to afford particular pleasure to every medical man King Edward's Hospital Fund for London—The King's within his wide dominions.

Sanatorium- Adrenal Therapy-High Frequency Considerable attention has been recently directed to Currents – The Cure and Causation of Cancer

the therapeutic properties of supra-renal extract. It The London Polyclinic- The New Postage Stamp8. acts as a powerful stimulant to involuntary muscle, By special desire of the King, the Prince of Wales's which it seems capable of affecting both directly and Hospital Fund, with the creation and success of which through the medium of the nervous system. Its His Majesty when Prince of Wales was so closely principal physiological effects, so far recorded are, identified, shall in future be known under the name of (1) elevation of blood pressure, secondary to constriction “ King Edward's Hospital Fund for London. The of the arterioles ; (2) retardation of the pulse rate ; distribution meeting of the Council was held at York (3) increased force of the cardiac systole ; (4) blanch. House, St. James's Palace, on Saturday, December 28th, ing of tissues when applied locally. Until compara: under the presidency of His Royal Highness, the Prince tively recently its use was restricted to

cases of of Wales. In the absence of Lord Rothschild the Addison's disease, in some of which its exhibition was financial statement was presented by Mr. Craggs, and attended with satisfactory results, but further investishowed that the nett receipts for the year amounied to gation of its physiological effects has led to its £51,496 8s. 5d., which when added to £174,225 3s. 7d., adoption as a promising remedy in cases of dilatation the balance of funds from last year, made a grand total of the heart, exophthalmic goitre, and cardiac failure. of £225,721 12s. A sum of £50,000 was recommended In experiments conducted by Maukowski, of St. for division among hospitals, being £1000 more than Petersburgh, it was found that 30 seconds after the previous distribution. The Visiting Committee cessation and respiration and cardiac action from reported that they had visited eighty-five hospitals, to chloroform inhalations, intravenous injection seventy-nine of which grants had been made, of the unfailingly resulted in producing resuscitation. Its six left out, one institution was not in immediate need greatest successes so far, however, have been achieved of assistance and the remaining five were considered from its local application, In epistaxis, metrorrhagia, ineligible because they required either reconstructing and other forms of hæmorrhage from surfaces that can or rebuilding. Owing to the increased administrative be reached it may be counted upon as a powerful work necessary to carry on the business of the fund and astringent and hæmostatic. But in internal hæmorrthe jucrease of staff necessitated thereby, larger and bages, hæmatemesis, hæmoptysis, hæmaturia, etc., its permanent offices have been secured at 81 Cheapside, administration by the mouth is credited with surE.C.

prisingly successful results. When instilled into the Widespread interest has been aroused by the eye it produces within one minute complete blanching announcement, made on January 2nd that the King of the ocular and partial blanching of the palpebral “had graciously consented to direct that a large sum conjunctiva, and from a similar effect on other mucous of money placed at his disposal for charitable or membranes, it is recommended in cases of coryza, hay utilitarian purposes, shall be devoted to the erection in fever, tonsillitis, and other affections, attended with England of a sanatorium for tuberculous patients.” capillary congestion. Its ascertained properties suggest The munificent donor of this noble gift, which amounts it as useful for careful trial as a hæmostatic. It may to no less than £200,000, is Sir Ernest Cassel, K.C M.G., be given in tabloid form as a dried extract, but the eminent financier. The Daily Mail, gives the recently the active principle has been extracted in a following details of his career. “ He was born in pure form by Dr. Jokichi Takamine, and is now in the Cologne in 1852 where his father was a banker ; when market under the name of “ Adrenalin." It is a stable be first came to London he was attached as clerk to substance which occurs in the form of minute wbite a large financial house, and subsequently started in crystals, has a slightly bitter taste, and is soluble business on his own account; he took an active part in sparingly in cold, but readily in hot water. placing the Egyptian position on a trustworthy basis, Considerable attention has recently been aroused by was largely concerned in the amalgamation of the great reports, mostly emanating from Paris, of surprising firm of Vickers, Sons, and Maxim, and is a director of results achieved by various observers in the treatment the Swedish Central Railway Company and of many of disease by electric currents of high potential and other important industrial enterprises.'

great frequency. The fact that the body may be For the purpose of carrying out the decision thus painlessly charged with quantities of electricity arrived at, His Majesty has appointed an Advisory enormously in excess of anything previously attempted, Committee consisting of Sir William Broadbent, Sir owes its discovery and recognition to the excellent Richard Douglas Powell, Sir Francis Laking, Sir Felix work of Tesla in America, and of D'Arsonval in Semon, Sir Hermann Weber, and Dr. Theodore France. Williams, and as a first step towards the practical These observers have found that currents of high fulfilment of the scheme, a sum of £800 is offered in frequency exert a powerful influence on respiratory prizes for the best essays upon sanatoriums for the combustion, so that their use is attended with a marked treatment of tubercular disease.

increase in the amount of oxygen absorbed, and of

cure.

as

carbonic acid given off; also that when the fre- Dr. James Braithwaite has just published in the quency of alternation has reached a limit of from Lancet a paper advocating reasons for believing that twenty to thirty million undulations per second, both probably excess of salt is the ultimate factor in the motor and sensory nerves are insensible to them.

The meat-eaters diet which is responsible for his greater principal effects claimed for them are (1) a marked susceptibility to the dreaded disease. Dr. Braithwaite influence on the vaso-motor system, causing a primary does not claim to produce conclusive proofs of his fall and subsequent increase of arterial tensions ; (2) theory, but the well-known prevalence of the disease in assimilitative and nutritive changes with increased Switzerland where salt enters very largely into the activity of skin ; (3) a diminution in the amount of daily regimen of the population is a suggestive fact in uric acid and an increase in the amount of urea support of his contention. excreted ; (4) promotion of natural sleep and appetite; In all probability the solution of the problem of (5) restoration of vital energy ; (6) attenuation of curability, when found, will resolve itself into a certain toxins and modification of the normal growth question of prevention rather than

It is and behaviour of various micro-organisms. It is not difficult to conceive how any methods other than yet accepted an established fact that the surgical can cause the disappearance of such an active painless currents actually penetrate the tissues, though tissue growth as cancer once it has become fairly there is much to warrant the belief that they do. If established. it be so, the body would become an electrolytic The fixture card of the Medical Graduates College conductor, and as such would be subject to molecular in Chenies Street for the first term of 1902 has just and other changes similar to those which are always been issued and again contains an attractive programme associated with the passage of the electric current of practical work. During the absence of Mr. Jonathan through any kind of electrolyte. The application of Hutchinson, who has gone to South Africa to enquire this form of electricity is carried out according to into the causation of leprosy, the Thursday afternoon various methods, both generally and locally, and with consultation will be conducted by Mr. W. H. A. proper precautions is unattended with the least risk.

Jacobson. The other cliniques are arranged on much Its great usefulness has, so far, manifested itself in

the same plan as formerly. Clinical lectures are the treatment of hæmorrhoids, anal fissure, diabetes, promised by Dr. Halliday Croom of Edinburgh, Mr. arthritis, anæmia, and various superficial maladies of

Henry Power, Dr. Handfield Jones, Mr. Rushton the skin. Certain claims have also been advanced in

Parker of Liverpool, and others. favour of its value in diseases associated with micro

This young institution is carrying on a very useful and organisms, especially phthisis, but the investigations much needed work, and requires only to be more are too recent and too few to justify great reliance on

widely known in order to have the facilities which it the results so far attained. It may be admitted that

offers for post-graduate study more extensively taken high frequency currents possess a distinctive influence advantage of. We learn from Captain Pinch, the over nutritional activity, and that they may ultimately medical superintendent, that there has been a larger prove to be the most valuable form of electricity as a attendance of Colonial and American practitioners therapeutic agent yet discovered, but the suggestive during the autumn montbs of 1901 than at any other influence which their manifestations must exert upon period since the foundation of the College, and that the neurotic patients must be borne in mind if their true

general progress as regards attendance of members, value as a remedial agent is to be arrived at. Most supply of patients, etc., is one of slow but satisfactory other electrical methods have suffered from a too blind improvement. faith in their virtues, and it will be regrettable if this

On the 1st of January the Post Office replaced our most recent development in the field of electro

old postage stamps by a new series bearing the effigy therapeutics should similarly perish from the enthusiasm

of His Majesty the King. The Lancet has taken the of its votaries.

trouble to inquire into the nature of the colouring We are at present suffering from a severe epidemic matter used for distinguishing their different values. of cancer cures. The case of Lady Marsham to which In the case of the penny issue, whose colour has reverregrettable notoriety was recently given by the London ted to the red with which we were for so long familiar, press was professedly published to extol the virtues of one of the innocuous anniline dyes, which is peculiarly violet leaves as an infallible remedy. From America resistant to atmospheric action and to moisture, has speedily comes the news that the value of violet leaf been used. The same is true of the half-penny, and fomentations is as nothing compared with the efficacy no doubt of all the stamps of the series ; in none of of an old friend which bas periodically been credited them could any trace of metallic or irritant poison be with marvellous powers in a long succession of diseases, found. The adhesive material used is in all instances namely sulphur. Various forms of electricity are being dextrin or British gum. In view of the fact that the exploited vigorously, and whereas one set of believers large preponderance of stamps in use are rendered pin unyielding faith to the Röntgen rays, another as adhesive by the dirty but convenient practice of licking contidently asserts that high frequency currents are them, it is a matter of no small consequence to be thus about to supersede every previous method of treatment assured that, so far at least as the manufacture of and are to prove the permanent panacea for the control these daily necessities is concerned, every care has been of all forms of malignant disease. The publicity given taken to provide that the materials are clean and to these and many other so called cures in the general harmless. This, however, does not lessen the possi. press is most undesirable from every point of view. bility of any stamp becoming vehicle for

As regards causation, the trend of professional septic or other infection. When, indeed, the opinion has lately been in the direction of supporting kind of storage and manipulation to which postage the theory which connects the admitted increase of stamps may be subjected is contemplated, the risk from cancer with a more luxurious way of living and the use of the tongue as a moistening agent becomes. particularly with the progressive dietetic preference of in these days of bacterial omnipresence, a danger of the western world for nitrogenous food which systems greater actuality than is generally recognised. This of cold storage and preservation by canning have idea is most unpleasantly suggestive if it is applied to the within recent times brought so largely within the hobby of stamp-collecting which, however interesting reach of all classes, As a deduction from this theory, | and instructive, puts into circulation old stamps from

come

all parts of the world ; these pass through innumerable | Infirmary, have entailed a heavy expenditure above hands and various phases of ownership until eventually the ordinary. Apart from these the ordinary expendithey find their way into our schools and families where ture, including that for out-patient departments, where they are freely handled, perhaps even “ lickerl ” for the 33,238 were treated in the year, amounted to an tenth, twentieth, or hundredth time.

average of £71 ls. 9d. per occupied bed. The InLondon, January 14th, 1902.

firmary is fortunately well supported, and is one of the best-managed and most efficient in Great Britain.

At this season of the year Edinburgh medical circles Scotland.

are bueily engaged. The University has entered on (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

the second half of the winter session, and the ap

proaching “ Professionals" in March are beginning to The Carnegie Bequest - The Edinburgh University and feel unpleasantly near to many who intend to appear

Royal Infirmary – The Edinburgh Australasian for examination then. Medical classes cease for a

Club-Farewell Dinner to Professor Welsh. fortnight's welcome vacation during the Christmas and The Scottish Universities were brought prominently

New Year weeks ; the laboratories remain open most before the notice of the English-speaking world by Mr.

of the time, but with the exception of a few enthusias. Carnegie's great gift last year. A settled income of tic men who take the opportunity of getting some over £100,000 a year, half to go to the payment of dissecting done in the anatomical rooms there are not class fees of needy students of Scotch parentage, and

many who remain to work. half to the furnishing of laboratory and teaching The Australasian Club held its annual smoking requisites, seemed a great windfall to the Scottish concert in its rooms in Melbourne Place on December Universities. There have been many opinions of a 19th, rather later than usual. The large billiard room widely different nature as to the effect this princely was tastefully decorated with flags, but the Common. yift will have on them. So far no results are apparent, wealth flag was not there, though the committee tried a large amount of fee money has been paid this winter, their best to get one. The members of the club are mostly to students who were already attending the for the most part medical students and graduates from Universities ; the other part of the grant has not as Australia and New Zealand; older members settled in yet been apportioned. It is not to be anticipated that England often in for the "smoker," and the payment of fees will have much immediate effect it makes a very pleasant reunion for Australasians in on the number of students, the preliminary examina- this part of the world. In the unavoidable absence of tion acts as a barrier to those who will profit most by the President (Dr. Young), the chair was taken by Dr. the scheme, and some years must elapse before many Begg, of New Zealand. The evening was a great success. candidates can present themselves who have not pre- and the club “smoker” maintained its reputation of viously resolved on having a University education. being one of the best socials in Edinburgh. Among The scheme makes no provision for a preliminary edu- the guests were many of the leading medical men of cation, and this will prevent any great rush to take the city, Dr. Malcolm Morris of London, and Dr. Welsh, advantage of free University classes. The grant for pathologist to the Royal Infirmary, the recently elected labority expenses should bear fruit sooner ; hitherto Professor of Pathology at Sydney University. Dr. many departments have suffered severely from want of Welsh's health was proposed by the Chairman, and was funds necessary to bring them up to modern require. enthusiastically received. Dr. A. B. Timms. a proments. In future this will be largely remedied, but minent member of the club, came up from Birkenhead. the rapid progress made in scientific knowledge requires He is playing centre three-quarter for Scotland next a great annual expenditure to keep the Universities Saturday in their match with Wales. A. N. Fell, a New abreast of the times The medical schools, University | Zealander, is also representing Scotland as wing threeand Extramural, will be chiefly benefitted, and Scottish quarter; both men played in all three internationals medical education will be better enabled to maintain for Scotland last year. the high standard it has hitherto been justly credited On January 10th a dinner was given to Dr. Welsh by with. The annual returns of Edinburgh University his many friends in Edinburgh on the occasion of his lately published are of more than usual interest this departure to Sydney. Professor Greenfield, Professor year. There are now 1,139 medical students as against of Pathology at the University, was in the chair, and 1,094 last year and 1,136 the year before. In the first there were present a large number of medical men and year of study there are 220, against 237 last year, and teachers, including Professors Schäfer, Chiene and 221 the year before ; the number in the first year does Muir, Drs. Allan Jamieson, Milne Murray, Mr. Stiles, not, however, indicate the full number of new students, and many others. Dr. Welsh was University Assistant as many come here who have already completed a year in Pathology and Lecturer on Pathological Bacteriology or more of study in colonial or other Universities. for some years before the new arrangements in the The number of medical students at the University has Pathological Department of the Royal Infirmary were been steadily decreasing for several years ; most other made, and was the first to be appointed to the post of Universities have also shown a decrease, and the Pathologist to the Infirmary under the new conditions. London Hospitals have had a marked falling-off with a Since then he has had the organisation of a new laborafew exceptions. It is hoped that the lowest limit has tory there, which is now doing splendid work. A man been reached, and Edinburgh at any rate shows an better fitted to conduct the Pathological department at increase this year and will probably continue to do so. Sydney University could not have been found. We all

The annual returns of the Edinburgh Royal In. wish him success, and Australasians at any rate, aud firmary for the year ending October 1st last were others besides, envy him his good fortune, recently issued. During the year 9,552 patients were Edinburgh, January 15th, 1902. treated, and there remained in the Infirmary 604 patients on October 1st. Owing to drainage works, one or other of the medical pavilions, comprising three Dr. Edward Figg, one of the oldest doctors in Vic. wards, have been closed during the year. This, and toria, recently died at Williamstown at the age of 87 the building of new pavilions for eye and ear patients, years. He was the author of several theological, and alterations in the kitchen and other parts of the medical, and poetical works,

Queensland.

Though there may be differences of opinion with

regard to the formation of an Australasian Medical (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT).

Association, there cao, one thinks, be only one opinion The Lady Boren IIospital. — Administration of Ances

as to the desirability of union in reference to defence

matters. At the present time, an advertisement is thetics.- Insurance Fees.— Medicul Defence.

appearing in the lay press, calling for applications for

the position of medical officers to the Rockhampton A NOTICE with reference to the Lady Bowen Hospital,

Associated Friendly Societies' Institute. So far as Brisbane, which appeared in the last issue of the

Queensland is concerned, such an advertisement can be Gazette, may convey a wrong impression. A resident

met by the insertion of a notice asking intend. surgeon, Dr. Eleanor Greenham, was appointed last

ing applicants to communicate in the first instance July ; Mrs. Doyle and Miss Doyle, who have rendered

with the secretary of the Queensland Branch of the valuable service to the hospital during a period of nine

British Medical Association or of the Medical Defence years, have resigned, with a view to undertaking Society of Queensland. But the applications will come private practice, Miss Brown having succeeded them

from medical men in the southern States who possibly as matron. There has always been private accomoda

know nothing of the conditions under which they will tion for « country " patients, an arrangement which is

be expected to serve, or of the attitude of the profession not an unmixed blessing, since it it involves a mixture

in Rockhampton towards them. Such mistakes would of charity, and “the other thing” under the same

be avoided were the Medical Defence Societies fed. roof and management. The hospital is further served erated. by a staff of six honorary physicians, who take a

A section of the lay press in Brisbane has obtained a month at a time in rotation. There are three classes of

considerable amount of “copy from Dr. Taylor's patients ; (1) private patients who pay £5 59. for a pri

presidential address to the Queensland Branch. The vate room in addition to the fee of their own medical at.

City Ambulance Transport Brigade Hospital—a sotendant (who must be a member of the honorary staff ;

called hospital which is without a doctor and without (2) patients who pay £3, occupy a semi-private ward and

medical control of any kind-and which is, moreover, receive the attention of the honorary staff if required ;

subsidised by Government to the same degree as are leand (3) "ordinary.” patients, who are expected to pay

gitimate hospitals, is also up in arms against the censures £1 ls, for a fortnight's residence and attendance. The

of the medical profession. Nor has the last been heard committee of the hospital consists of ladies who, on

either of the Ambulance Brigade or of the Associated medical points, consult the honorary staff, and to their

Friendly Societies' Medical Institute. Neither need, percredit it may be said, generally follow the advice given

haps, be taked very seriously, but even small annoyances by them.

require a certain amount of attention. The large The position assumed by the Solicitor-General for

attendance at the recent meetings of the Branch is Victoria with reference to the right method of adminis

evidence, if evidence were needed, of the interest taken tering chloroform would be more amusing were it less

by members in questions of ethics, The adoption of sad, but the medical profession should have by this

the first resolution at the last meeting of the Branch (retime become inured to ignorant lay patronage and

ported in another column) by a unanimous vote is very criticism. But that there is room for improvement in

satisfactory, and should have the effect of showing the the broad question of anæsthetics there can be no

enterprising Medical Institute that the profession at doubt, and that there should be hospitals whose staffs

large does not approve of its tactics. The second do not include anæsthetists is a matter of surprise and

resolution was withdrawn in its original form, since it regret. An experienced anæsthetist occasionally strikes appeared to convey a mutual mistrust which does not a bad case, a case cac sing alarm or at least anxiety,

exist among members of the Branch, its adoption being and calling for special care and skill in the administra.

deferred until an occasion for it should be reported to tion, but the more ex; erienced a man is the less often do

the Branch. The fourth resolution, which depended such cases occur in his practice. As must happen

upon the second, was also withdrawn. The third resosometimes, such a case falls to the lot of a recently

lution was adopted with a verbal alteration made for qualified man, who is not under experienced super

the purpose of showing that it was not intended to be vision, and the misfortune which is very likely to ensue is

retrospective. It should be the endeavour of the Branch not so much his fault as that of the diploma-giving body

to insure, so far as possible, in the future that no medical which has authorised bim to practice anæsthetisation

man shall enter into an agreement with Institutes without having given him an opportunity of learning

similar to that existing in Brisbane without clearly so important and everyday a branch of professional

understanding the nature of the position which he will work, and also to the hospital authorities who place an

thereby take up. anæsthetic apparatus into his unpractised hands. Nothing has yet been heard in Queensland from the

ANISOMETROPIA. A.M.P. Society with reference to the reduction of fees for examination of insurance candidates. That such a suggestion should have come from them is surprising. (To the Editor of the Australusian Medical Gazette.) There are some insurance companies that pay half a SIR,—Your January issue, in referring to Dr. guinea for examinations of candidates who are assuring Duane's practice of giving each eye its correction in a small som, and it would be difficult to alter the rates anisometropia as being an unusual one, is likely to give already existing in connection with these societies, the members of the profession a false impression of the continuance of which are due to the quiescent manner

refraction work of ophthalmic surgeons. Dr. Kentin which the medical practitioners of Queensland have Hughes, in your February issue, has corrected this for accustomed themselves to submit to impositions and

Mr. F. B. Archer and himself - I should like to correct encroachments. It is to be hoped, however, that the it for every ophthalmic surgeon worthy of the name. prosperous and popular A.M.P. Society will not persist It is inconceivable that any oculist who takes his in action which will tend to reduce it to the level of the refraction work seriously would do other than correct second-rate and third-rate societies of a similar each eye in prescribing for anisometropia. Since going nature.

into practice in 1885, I have never done anything else,