INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORY OF LARYNGOLOGISTS AND OTOLOGISTS, containing the names and addresses of practitioners engaged in the study and practice of laryngology and otology. Compiled by Richard Lake, F. R. C.S. Eng. Second edition, revised and enlarged. London: Rebman, Limited, 1901.

This directory is published under the auspices of the Journal of Laryngology, Rhinology and Otology, and as far as it goes is a useful book of reference. In the preface to the edition it is admitted that the list (especially the British) is far from complete, and that this is due to the fact that the editors of the Journal of Laryngology, Rhinology, and Otology felt that in this edition, as in the former, the name of no resident in Great Britain interested in the specialities should be included who had not given his sanction to the same. On turning to Australia we find one specialist is accredited to Balmain, one to Brisbane, two to Melbourne, and one to Sydney. Adelaide being conspicuous by having no representative at all. In future editions we shall probably find that if only in pure self defence many practitioners of these specialities who have hitherto refrained from doing so will see that their names are not omitted.

G.T.H.

GOLDEN RULES FOR DISEASES OF CHILDREN. By George Carpenter, M.D., M.R. C. P. Lond., Physician to the Evelina Hospital for Sick Children, London. Bristol John Wright and Co., 1901. Price, 1s. This is one of the "Golden Rules" series of books published by the well-known firm of Wright and Co., Bristol. So far as it goes the book is reliable, the rules are judicious and practical, and many useful hints on the diagnosis and treatment of disease in children are given. The chief use of a work of this kind must be for students preparing for examination, and for young practitioners entering upon practice.

ELEMENTS OF PRACTICAL MEDICINE. By Alfred H. Carter, M.D., M.Sc., F.R.C.P., Professor of Medicine, University of Birmingham, and Senior Physician to the Queen's Hospital, Birmingham. Eighth edition. London: H. K. Lewis, 1901. This well-known student's manual has now reached its eighth edition, and this fact would seem to show how popular the work has been for the last twenty years. It is only intended to be an introduction to the more exhaustive treatises, and the author has succeeded, with the assistance of his colleagues and friends, in producing this edition, well brought up to modern requirements.

M. Haushalter, Etienne, Spillmann. Agrégés a la Faculté de Médicine de Nancy; et C. Thiry, Ancien Interne des Hôpitaux de Nancy. Fascicule 1 avec Planches 1-7. Paris C. Naud, 3 Rue Racine, 1901.

This is the first part of an Atlas of Clinical Medicine by some well-known members of the Faculty of Medicine of Nancy. It does not pretend to be a complete treatise on medicine, but is intended to illustrate different diseases, and in the complete work some 300 diseases will be illustrated. The text which accompanies each plate is subordinate to the illustration, and is only intended to be a short resumé, pointing out the important features of the disease as represented in the figures. The illustrations are all reproductions of

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PATHOLOGIE GENERALE ET EXPERIMENTALE. PROCESSUS GENERAUX, Par M. M. A. Chantemesse, Professeur de Pathologie Expérimentale et comparée à l'Université de Paris, et W. W. Podwyssotsky, Professeur de Pathologie Générale à l'University d'Odessa, Paris C. Naud, 3 Rue Racine, 1901.

This is the first volume of a book on General Pathology, by a well-known Parisian Professor of authors state in their preface that they are not dealing Pathology in association with a Russian Professor. The with the description of morbid processes, but, taking as the point of departure the functions of each organ or tissue, they deal with the alterations of function of the different organs in each morbid state; that is, general pathology bears the same relation to pathological anatomy that physiology does to anatomy. It will be seen, of course, that no sharp line of demarcation can be drawn. Such a book as this, is necessarily based largely on experiments on animals, and it deals with those fundamental problems of pathology, which are still exceedingly obscure.

The book begins with a description of the physiology of the cell, which is very well illustrated. Then follows a chapter on the general etiology of disease, which is almost entirely occupied by an account of the influence of heredity in producing disease. One naturally turns to what is said about tuberculosis and syphilis. these questions are very fully and impartially discussed, but one cannot help feeling how much of hypothesis and how little of fact there is in our knowledge of these important and interesting questions.

Both

The greater part of the book is occupied with an account of the various degenerations of the cell, including lardaceous and horny, mucoid, colloid, glycogenic, pigmentary, and fatty. The account given of lardaceous degeneration is very good, and very well illustrated. In the chapter on horny degeneration. particular attention is directed to the various cell inclusions, which degenerating squamous epithelial cells show, and which are particularly common in cutaneous epitheliomata, being simply due to the ordinary process of degeneration of the cells. These are the bodies which were formerly described by some observers as cancer parasites.

Next there is a chapter on concretions and deposits, including renal and biliary calculi, The book concludes with a section on necrosis, mortification, and gangrene. Each chapter is accompanied by a very full and complete bibliography.

As usual with French books, the style is very clear, but quite the most remarkable feature of the book are the coloured illustrations. These are very numerous, and of most unusual excellence, reminding one of the illustrations in Woodhead's "Pathology."

We would only make one criticism on this most excellent and thorough book it is too long. The reader might have been referred to other books for a description of the minute anatomy of the cell, and for a discussion of the various theories of heredity. The style also is somewhat diffuse. The whole book might have been condensed with advantage.

J.M.G.

THE AUSTRALASIAN

MEDICAL GAZETTE.

SYDNEY, 20TH JANUARY, 1902.

OURSELVES.

WITH this number the Australasian Medical Gazette enters upon the twenty-first year of its existence. Originally started by Mr. L. Bruck, it was purchased some six years ago by the New South Wales Branch of the British Medical Association at the suggestion of the late Dr. L. R. Huxtable, at that time the energetic honorary secretary of the Branch. It was carried on successfully for some years under the editorship of Dr. S. T. Knaggs as the Journal of the Australasian Branches of the British Medical Association. In August last Dr. Knaggs resigned his appointment as editor, and the present editor was appointed by the Council of this Branch in October last. We have to thank our many friends for valuable assistance rendered to the Gazette in the past, and for the kindly words of welcome and approval of the innovations in the last two issues under the new regime. We would remind our readers that the Gazette is the organ of all the Branches of the Association in Australia, and no effort or expense will be spared in the future to make the Gazette the most widely circulated and influential medium for the full discussion of scientific medical questions, medical politics, and medical news in Australasia.

Arrangements are now in progress for securing full information on medical matters in all the States as well as in New Zealand; and we hope shortly to be brought into direct touch with the medical world in Great Britain and

America. Special arrangements are being made to secure a full report of the important discussions which will be held at the approaching Congress in Hobart, and with this issue we

publish a special Congress supplement, which we hope members attending the Congress will find useful at the meeting, as well as a memento of the visit to Hobart on this occasion. A copy of this issue is being sent to every practitioner whose name and address is known in Australasia and New Zealand, and we shall gladly send a specimen copy of the Gazette to any medical man who does not receive it.

THE PROPOSED AUSTRALASIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

As will be seen on reference to our Special Congress Supplement, the motion bearing on the proposed Australasian Medical Association is to be proposed at the last evening meeting of Congress at the close of the discussion on cancer, and will only be brought forward if sufficient opportunity is offered The proposal has not been received with anything like general favour, and from a report in another column of this issue of the special meeting of the New South Wales Branch of the British Medical Association called to discuss the question, it will be seen that this Branch is unanimously opposed to it. The opposition to it is not confined to members of the New South Wales Branch. As stated by some of the speakers, it would be extremely difficult to formulate any constitution which would likely meet with unanimous approval in all the States. The great distance between the capitals alone would render it difficult to secure a quorum at the meeting of the managing Council of such an Association. An annual Congress in place of a triennial one, moreover, would not meet with the same amount of support, nor would the meeting likely be attended by so large a number of medical men at present. The condition of things in England, of course, is very different There, a very large number of medical men reside within a comparatively short distance of one another, and of the central place of meeting,

as

but even there the number of members of the British Medical Association who attend the annual gatherings in the different towns is only a small fraction of the total membership of the Association in Great Britain and Ireland. In

Australasia the long distances to be travelled would necessitate a medical man being absent from his practice for two or three weeks, and in these days of keen competition this is what very few medical men can afford. But a further strong argument against the proposal is that if such an Association were formed it would practically mean the disruption of the present State Branches of the British Medical

so that the resolutions are practically certain to be ratified at the February meeting, the clause requiring such ratification being a well considered addition to the main resolutions. After the February meeting, when it is hoped that the same unanimity will prevail, it will be quite impossible for any member of the Branch to plead ignorance as an excuse for his action in continuing to meet in consultation the medical men who serve the Brisbane Associated Friendly Societies' Medical Institute. It is also the intention of the Branch to acquaint by circular every member of the profession in

number of members from the Association, with no corresponding benefit. We esteem it a high

tioners of Brisbane, by doing which the hands of practitioners in other towns where medical institutes are in existence will be strengthened.

British Medical Association, which has done so much for the welfare of the profession throughout Great and Greater Britain, and we should not appreciate severing our connection with such a world-wide and influential Association. Even the combination of all the Australasian Branches of the British Medical Association in one large Australian Branch, with sub-branches in the different States would, we think, be impracticable, and the best work and best results will be obtained by the different Branches continuing their steady work in their own States, and endeavouring to embrace every member of the profession in the Association, which is not the organisation of any party or clique, but whose sole object is the furtherance of professional brotherhood.

THE BOYCOTTING OF THE BRISBANE MEDICAL INSTITUTE.

THE Queensland Branch of the British Medical Association is to be congratulated upon the results of the discussion which was held at its last meeting, particulars of which appear in another part of the present issue. The meeting was a representative and largely-attended one,

minds of the executive officers of the Brisbane

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Institute," they do not wish it to be known that by taking office in their service, medical men place themselves on a level which carries with it a sense of degradation. The Secretary of the "Institute" has expressed his unwillingness to give a copy of the agreement to a member of the Branch for the reason that a more satisfactory agreement is in course of preparation. The action of the Queensland Branch can have only a good effect upon the terms of the the executive of the new agreement, unless "Institute" blindly decide to take up the gauntlet in which the branch resolutions are enclosed. It is possible, also, that benefit may accrue to those medical men who hold club appointments unconnected with the "Institute," some at least of which are held under unsatisfactory conditionsguinea confinements, absence of wage limitation, inclusion of anesthetics and of all operations, fee-less examination for admission to the lodge, insignificant mileage rates, the custom of calling for tenders for such appointments, and so on, all of which require modification in the interests of the profession and of the public. A word of

praise should be accorded to the senior members of the profession in Brisbane for the cordial manner in which they have supported this movement, since to many of them it is a matter of personal (monetary) indifference; from the point of view of the profession it is mainly to the advantage of its junior members that success is desired. It is not surprising that a young man, whose financial resources have been entirely exhausted by the prolonged and expensive education which he has necessarily undergone, and who finds that the beginning of his troubles is synchronous with the attainment of his degree or diploma, should accept an "Institute" appointment, in ignorance of the degrading nature of his service, and of the slur

a

which he unwittingly places upon his name and the value of his work-a slur which a long life will with difficulty remove. That such condition of ignorance may no longer exist it is desirable that during the fifth year of his career, the student should have an opportunity of attending a short course of lectures upon ethical and kindred subjects delivered by a practitioner whose motives were above all suspicion of prejudice. We congratulate the Queensland Branch on the firm position which they are taking up, and wish them success in

the fulfilment of their laudable desires.

THE MONTH.

The Medical Defence Association of Victoria, Ltd.

JUDGING from the last quarterly report of this Association, it would appear to be a most vigorous institution, and to do a large amount of work which in other States is done by the Branches of the British Medical Association. Amongst the subjects which have occupied its attention during the last quarter are, the matter of prescribing by chemists, the issuing of a "black list," the raising of the rates for women's lodges, etc. The profession in Bendigo is at war with the Bendigo United Friendly Society, and is endeavouring to raise the rate of remuneration of the medical officers. The result of the united efforts of the professsion has

been to reduce the number of applicants, and to lower the standard of men who are applying for this lodge. The matter of fees to be paid for examinations for life insurance has also been under discussion, and it was resolved that no further action be taken at present in the matter of life insurance fees As regards burials without medical certificates the council forwarded the following recommendation to the Solicitor-General: "That no Deputy Registrar shall register a death or still-birth without medical certification, and that where certificate is not filled in by a registered medical practitioner, the Deputy-Registrar must report to some such officer as may be held most desirable e.g., Coroner or police officer." The Council accepted the resignation of Dr. W. L. Mullen with regret, and recorded its high appreciation of the zeal and interest he had always shown in the Association and the sound legal advice he had given it.

the

The North Sydney Water Famine. During the past few weeks the inhabitants of North Sydney have been suffering acutely from a water famine, but we are glad to note that the very serious state of matters as regards the water supply has been remedied, at any rate temporarily. It is not necessary to point out how serious from a sanitary point of view a shortage of water at this time of the year is to all classes. There has not only been a deficiency of water for the morning bath, but the amount available for food and drink has been very small; and what is of still more serious moment the water closets have been choked up in such a way as to render life anything but pleasant. The trouble appears to have arisen, not from the general shortage of rainfall but from a defect in the pumping arrangements and in the size of the water pipes. This can only have been due to a want of foresight on the part of the officers responsible for the control of the water supply and sewerage, for the rapid growth of the northern suburbs in recent years has been a matter of common knowledge and comment, and provision should have been made years ago for an efficient water supply. Now that matters have reached the present crisis, it is absolutely necessary that the whole of the water supply and sewerage systems of the city and suburbs be thoroughly investigated by some independent authority, for recent events have shaken the faith of the inhabitants in the present Water and Sewerage Board, and we know not when some similar serious break down may affect not only one suburb, but perhaps the whole of Sydney.

A New Morgue for Sydney. Up to a short time ago Sydney had two morgues, the South Sydney morgue in the Devonshire Street Cemetry overlooking Belmore Park; and the North Sydney morgue situated on the western side of the Circular Quay. The former, which was the most convenient and better of the two in every way, has been demolished in consequence of the site being required for the new city railway station, and the North Sydney morgue has had to do duty for the whole of the city and suburbs. This building is inconvenient in situation and construction, and quite unfit for the important work which has to be carried on in it. The need for a new and commodious morgue in the centre of the city has long been felt by those who are engaged in the medico-legal work of the Coroner's department. A short time ago a proposal was made that a morgue with all necessary appliances for pathological work should be erected in the north-west corner of the University grounds facing Parramatta Road. The Senate however refused to consent to this, and the matter is again in abeyance. A more central site and one which has much to commend it, is the south-east corner of the Domain in Woolloomooloo, which is in a quiet part of the city, and is convenient of access both by land and water. We hope that the Minister whose province it is to deal with this matter will lose no time in securing this or some equally central site, and in erecting a building fully equipped in every way for important medico-legal post mortem work, and providing for a suitable Coroner's Court and offices.

The Thomas Walker Convalescent

Hospital, Sydney.

Since this hospital was opened eight years ago 6491 patients have been received, and of these only seven have died. The number of patients treated during the year ending September 30th, 1901 was 979, which is an increase of 61 over that of the previous year. Of these, 791 were discharged cured, 109 relieved, and 5 unrelieved. There was one death, the patient being a man of 64, who died from suppuration and exhaustion following an operation for hydronephrosis. There were There were 72 remaining in the hospital on September 30th, 1900, and 73 on September 30th, 1901, the average daily resident being 75. During the recent epidemics of influenza and pneumonia large numbers of convalescents from these diseases were admitted to the hospital, and many convalescents from typhoid were rapidly restored to health. The hospital proves

a great boon to many also who have undergone some surgical operation, and to whom fresh air and good food are of the highest importance. The hospital has had to deplore the death of Dr. C. Dagnall Clark, of North Sydney, one of the honorary examining physicians since its establishment. Dr. Newmarch has succeeded Dr. Clark on the honorary medical staff. Dr. Spiers Kirkland, resigned his appointment as one of the visiting medical officers and Dr. Sydney Littlejohn, of Croydon, has been appointed to the vacant position.

The Coast Hospital, Little Bay, Sydney. The report of the select committee appointed by the Legislative Assembly of New South "to inquire into and report upon all the circumstances connected with the removal from the public service of Mr Glynn, late assistant storekeeper at the Coast Hospital, and on the action of the Public Service Board and Chief Medical Officer to the Government in connection with the exposures made by Mr. Glynn" contains some serious reflections on the officials of the Health Department. It would appear that there has been some laxity in the matter of supervision of the character of the food supplied to this institution, and that some confusion has arisen from the fact that the Board of Health officials in specifying in the contract dairy butter" and "fresh eggs," showed ignorance of their duties, as both of these are trade terms for second-grade articles, the firstgrade being designated "factory butter" and new laid eggs respectively. It is not a desirable state of things that what is, after all, now a general hospital should be under the control of the President of the Board of Health. The management of this hospital and of the Asylums for the destitute and infirm should be vested in a Board of Charity Commissioners, and detached altogether from the Board of Health.

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The Newington Asylum for Destitute Women.

This is the only public institution in Sydney where infirm and destitute women are received, and it is a matter of urgent necessity that some other institution or some modification in the present system of management of the Newington Asylum should be provided. Many very poor but respectable women positively refuse to enter the asylum in consequence of the prevailing conditions, and prefer to starve outside than accept the coldest charity of this institution. We sincerely hope that some attempt will be made at once to improve the lot of the destitute women at Newington.