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it passes through the lovely Hertfordshire sceneryare eloquently set out, with ample literary references,and its tributaries receive similar notice. We con-gratulate Sir Alexander Houston on his successfulblend of science and letters.

QUALIFIED PRACTICE IN PHYSICAL

TREATMENT.

THE advantages to be derived from physicaltreatment are becoming better known not only to themedical profession but to their patients. To giveonly one example, the public are nowadays preparedto pay a reasonable price for massage after fracturesand are likely to demand prescription of this treat-ment if it is not spontaneously suggested to them.Unfortunately, a large number of unqualified people,by specious advertisement and otherwise, are

attracting to themselves much of this work, to thedisadvantage of the patient and to the cause ofphysical treatment generally. The publication ofthe recent Register of Members of the CharteredSociety of Massage and Medical Gymnastics 1 showsthat there are now 6570 men and women who arequalified, by training and examination, to carry outphysical treatment. It will be seen from the placeindex which forms part of the Register that thereare few, if any, districts where none of its membersis available. It is easy to distinguish between thequalified and unqualified, since under the Chartermembers of this Society alone are entitled to stylethemselves " Chartered Masseurs " and " CharteredMasseuses." Before registration each candidate formembership has to sign an undertaking not to treatany case except under the direction of a registeredmedical practitioner; not to advertise except in

recognised medical and nursing papers ; not to sellgoods to patients in a professional capacity, and notto accept secret commissions on the sale of goods. Itis seldom that these undertakings are not faithfullyrespected, and it would seem only fair that membersof an ancillary profession which is so loyal tomedical practitioners, should receive correspondingsupport. There is good reason to believe that thisis not always forthcoming, possibly because theactivities of the Society are not sufficiently wellknown, though attention has frequently been drawnto them in these columns.One of the duties of this Society is to inspect all

the schools in which candidates for the Society’sexaminations are being trained. This inspection iscarried out in the most searching manner, and everyattempt is being made to bring those schools whichlag behind up to a proper state of efficiency. Theprogress made since the Charter was granted in 1920is remarkable, and if the Society receives the supportwhich it deserves, the standard of physical treatmentin this country should reach a high level.

HYDROCYANIC ACID AS AN INSECTICIDEAND RATICIDE.

Hydrocyanic acid is much used as a means ofkilling rats, bugs, and other vermin, more especiallyon ships. About its efficacy there can be littledifference of opinion, but it is very poisonous, andelaborate precautions have to be taken to ensure thesafety of human beings and domestic animals exposedto risk. It appears that in France this -deadlysubstance has been used for "disinfecting" houses,and as accidents have been reported the Paris policehave now forbidden its employment in any form fordisinfection or for the destruction of harmful animalsin habitations. It certainly seems undesirable thatthis or any other poison gas should be used in anyplace which cannot, like a ship, be effectively isolatedfrom surrounding dwellings-. Such isolation is impos-sible in any house which is not detached from other

1 Printed for the Society by the Campfield Press, St. Albans.Pp. 266. 4s.

buildings and distant from public highways. Detachedhouses standing in their own grounds are not usuallyoverrun with bugs. but cockroaches only too oftenabound in old country houses which have been fittedwith central heating. Those who are tempted to useso efficacious a means of killing these vermin shouldremember the Paris edict. Information about theway the gas is used will be found in a pamphlet 1recently issued by the Ministry of Health. Theparticulars it gives will enable any ordinarily intelli-gent person to generate, use, and dispose of theresidues left after use of HCN, and it includes valuableinformation on gas masks and on first aid for personsovercome by the gas. ____

As was announced last week, subscribers to theDawson Williams Memorial Fund will meet at theRoyal Society of Medicine, 1, Wimpole-street, London,W., on Tuesday, July 10th, at 5.30 P.M., to receive thestatement of Sir StClair Thomson, the hon. treasurer,and to decide upon the form of the memorial. Theorganising committee recommend that the memorialshould take the form of a " Prize to be awarded everytwo years, or at longer intervals, for the best workwhich has appeared on pediatrics since the previousaward." The list of subscribers will remain open untilJuly 10th, and contributors should send their chequesto Sir StClair Thomson before that date. At presentthe net amount to be invested will be somewhatover £800. The meeting will also be asked to makearrangements as to the trusteeship of the Fund.

Modern Technique in Treatment.A Series of Special Articles, contributed by invitation,on the Treatment of Medical and Surgical Conditions.

CCLXXXII.

THE TREATMENT OF ONYCHIA.

THE term " onychia " is usually defined as an

inflammation of the matrix of the nail, but inpractice it is used rather more loosely to includeinflammations of the nail bed and also of the nailfolds, though for the latter the term perionychia isoften used. It is however often difficult, clinically,to separate inflammations of the nail matrix andbed, and hence the term onychia is often employedto cover inflammations of all these structures.

Inflammations of the nail may result from physicalor chemical injury, from local infection by bacteriaor fungi, or may be a part of some general inflamma-tory eruption, such as syphilis, eczema, or psoriasis.With this last group we are not concerned in thisarticle.

Physical injuries to the nail may be traumatic-crushing, bruising, and the like ; due to heat or cold-burns and frostbite ; or to harmful radiations, as inX ray and radium dermatitis.

Chemical injury to the nails is frequently seen inindustrial workers ; it is almost invariably secondaryto dermatitis of the fingers, but not infrequentlythis inflammation spreads over the nail folds andinvolves the matrix, usually producing a chronic typeof onychia with mal-growth of the nail, so that thislatter becomes rough, thickened, and furrowed.The treatment consists of removing the cause anddealing with the associated dermatitis with soothingand protective applications, the nails requiring nospecial treatment.

It is, however, to the infective types of onychiathat our attention is specially directed ; of these thereare two groups: pyogenic onychia and mycoticonychia.

Pyogenic Onychia.Pyogenic onychia is a common affection, and may

be due to infection either with streptococci or

1 Memorandum on the Fumigation of Ships with HydrogenCyanide. H.M. Stationery Office. 1928. 1d.