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which a decrease of drunkenness has been noted is one inwhich there has been a closure of many low public-housesand beer-shops. Captain Nicholls thinks that the " longbar" traffic in intoxicating drinks which is extendingthrough the district calls for careful attention, as it hassuch a tendency to encourage the consumption of a largequantity of spirits in a comparatively short space of time-a habit which experienced policemen affirm accounts forso many persons of both sexes being found in an incapablestate in the public streets, into which they are ejected sosoon as the first symptoms of intoxication are observed.-The financial condition of the Royal Infirmary is givingmuch concern to its governors and friends. At the lastcourt a deficiency or over-draft of nearly E5000 wasannounced. It was stated that the number of patientstreated was very much greater than formerly, and theoperations were heavier and more costly. Not long ago thenurses numbered eleven; now they were fifty, and theywere worked very hard. It was instanced that a case ofovariotomy required two nurses-one for night and one forday duty. Operations were now safely performed which itwould have been considered manslaughter to have done atall at one time.-Saturday last was the day on which theusual collection for the infirmary and other medical charitieswas appointed to take place at our workshops and factories.It was rather unfortunate that a large number of men werewalking about the streets in consequence of the strike ofengineers-now happily settled,-and this would of coursehave an adverse influence on the amount.-Dr. Bowlan,who has served for two years and a half as house surgeonto the Newcastle Union Hospital, has been appointedto a similar post in the St. George’s-in-the East Infirmary,London. He was the recipient the other day of a testimonialas a mark of the esteem in which he was held by the officersof the Union to the number of about thirty. Mr. Dodd, thesenior surgeon, presided, and the Rev. T. Averell, the chap-lain, in making the presentation of a handsome dressing-case, said that " a more genuine token of respect and gcodfeeling was never bestowed upon a public officer."

Sunderland.Mr. Hopgood, in opening a bazaar in aid of the new

Eye Infirmary at Sunderland last week, mentioned thatfew people were perhaps aware that Sunderland possessedan Eye Infirmary, and still fewer that its foundation datedback fifty years. It was not until 1881 that the presentinstitution came into notice. Eighteen years ago theirpatients numbered 300, while a year ago 1500 were treated.The new building, which was in course of erection, wouldaccommodate fourteen beds, and provision had been madefor extension if deemed necessary. "Several handsomedonations had been received, but EI000 was still necessary."I venture to say that this will soon be forthcoming in atown with the public charitable spirit of Sunderland.

The Sunderland Death.rate.The late high death-rate recorded for Sunderland has been

the subject of much discussion in the Town Council, andthe report of the medical officer of health (Mr. A. E. Harris)has drawn attention to the sanitary evils in the borough ina forcible manner. It appears that the town stands on asmall area when its population is taken into account, andthat it abounds with tenements of the worst description. It ’,was mentioned in a discussion on the matter in the TownCouncil, as showing this overcrowding, that Nottingham,which had always a very low death-rate, had an area ofthree times that of Sunderland, where the population tothe acre was three times that of even Newcastle.A requisition has been presented to the Mayor to call apublic meeting to discuss and consider the whole matter.I believe that the Act of Parliament as to insanitarydwellings, especially as to the east end of Sunderland, willhave to be put into force very freely before there is anypermanent improvement in the health of the borough. Atthe same time the Council (as was pointed out at thediscussion) would have to make it their duty, when theypulled down property, to provide proper dwellings in itsplace for the working classes.

The Sedgefield Asylum.The Visiting Committee of the Durham County Asylum

have reported that it is quite inadequate to the presentrequirements of the county, and will continue so untilthe Sunderland patients are removed. In the asylum onOct. 13th there were 1265 patients, and eighty-six wereboarded out in other asylums.

Fatal Result following Football Accident at Gateshead.An inquest has been held at the Town Hall, Gateshead, on

the body of a young man who, it was alleged, died of injuriesreceived in playing football (under Rugby rules). It was.shown that the game was played on Sept. 19th, and thedeceased was accidentally kicked in the face and eye. The.wound was transverse about an inch and a half; it soonhealed, and he was supposed to be quite well. He went to-the seaside, and returned on Oct. 13th with symptoms offacial paralysis. Tetanus supervened, and death occurredon the 26th. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidentahdeath from injuries received in a friendly football match."

Newcastle-on-Tyne, Nov. llth.

SCOTLAND.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)

Edinburgh Medico-Chirurgical Society.THE first meeting of this Society for the winter was held

on Wednesday of last week. Professor Simpson, the retiringPresident, delivered his valedictory address, in which he-dwelt in detail upon the work brought before the Societyduring the two years he had occupied the presidential chair,and on the great variety of topics discussed. He madespecial reference to three great meetings, at one of whichhad been discussed the education of school children, and at,which he compared what he had seen at some of the schools.in America with the methods in this country. He laudedthe place given to physical training and recreation whenproperly and regularly applied as it was in some of theAmerican schools. The other great meetings had been de-voted to Dr. Philips’ paper on his observations on Koch’s.Treatment of Tuberculosis, and to Dr. Russell’s paperon an Organism in Cancer. He was awarded a vote ofthanks for his address and for his conduct in the chair.The remainder of the meeting was devoted to business, ofwhich there were several important items. The followingoffice. bearers were elected :-Mr. Joseph Bell, President;;.Drs. Brackenridge, P. H. Maclaren, and Claud Muirhead,Vice-Presidents ; Drs. David Menzies, J. H. Balfour, H.McKenzie Johnstone, R. H. Blaikie, J. Batty Tvke, andSemple, Mr. George A. Berry, and Professor Simpson,Councillors; Dr. Francis Troup, Treasurer; Dr. W. Craig,,Editor of Transactions ; and Mr. F. M. Caird and Dr. W.Russell, Secretaries.

Appointments at the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh.The managers of the Royal Infirmary, at their meeting

on Monday, elected Dr. William Russell and Dr. MurdochBrown assistant physicians to the institution. Dr. Russell,who is the senior pathologist to the infirmary, is to con-tinue to hold that office also until the end of the session.

The Neto Lord Provost of Edinburgh.The new Lord Provost of Edinburgh is Dr. J. A. Russell,

or, as he is better known, Bailie Russell. He is a Masterof Arts and a Bachelor of Medicine of Edinburgh University,and a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edin-burgb. In his earlier professional years he was a de-monstrator of anatomy in the University, but he soondevoted himself to civic affairs, and has been for some yearsa bailie. In that capacity he has been chairman of thePublic Health Committee of the Town Council. He is alsoinspector of anatomy for Scotland. He is the first medicalLord Provost the city has had-medical men, as a rule, notseeking civic honours and labours in Edinburgh.

The Aberdeen Medical School Extension.The Marquis of Huntly presided at a meeting of the

Aberdeen University Court held on the 6uh inst. A jointCommittee of the Court and the Senatus reported that theyapproved generally of the amended plans for the extensionof Marischal College. His lordship pointed out that the-new proposals for the enlargement were practically the sameas those suggested by the Court some time ago ; the onlydifference was an alteration of the site on which to rebuildthe Greyfriars Church. On moving that the report of thecommittee be received, an amendment was adopted thatthe consideration of the matter be deferred to a special meet-ing of the Court to be held on the 20th inst., and it wa&further decided that the Court should meet in committee onthe 16th inst. to consider the plans of the extension scheme.Nov. loth.