NORTHERN COUNTIES NOTES
1
656 MANCHESTER. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Certifying Factory Surgeons. ABOUT a month ago a deputation representing the employers in the cotton industry of Lancashire, waited upon the Home Secretary with a view to have the office of certi- fying surgeon to factories abolished. The arguments were that it was an unnecessary tax if a small one upon mill owners and a source of trouble and inconvenience to the parents of the children employed, and resulted in no real benefit. The deputation appeared to think that the chief, if not only, function of the surgeon was to certify as to the child’s age before commencing work, and ignored the fact that more important considerations than this were involved. Yesterday a deputation representing the medical men of this district had an interview with the Home Secretary accompanied by several local M.P.’s, which you will probably refer to in another part of your issue. Medical Officer of Health for Manchester. For the vacant post caused by the death of Mr. Leigh in November last there were forty-seven applicants ; from these six were selected to meet the special committee appointed for the purpose-i.e., Dr. Tatham of Salford, Dr. ’Tomkins of Leicester, Dr. Hime of Bradford, Dr Niven of Oldham, Dr. Cameron of Huddersfield, and Dr. Downes of Chelmsford. Of these the choice finally fell upon Dr. Tatham. Dr. Tatham has for fourteen years been officer of .health to the neighbouring borough, and is well familiar with the conditions affecting the public health in our city. He was formerly one of the Poor-law surgeons to one of the Manchester districts, and is well known as an earnest and ,capable sanitarian, and one upon whom the corporation may safely rely as a guide and adviser in all matters affecting the .health and sanitary progress of this large community. Salford and Manchester. The question of the amalgamation of Salford and Manchester does not appear at present to be making much progress. The Salford corporation appears to be adverse to the proposal; but the difficulties in the way of a satisfactory sewerage scheme for the smaller districts and local boards ,outside the city will probably cause several of these ere long to bring themselves within the municipal boundaries. The Senior Fellow of the College of Surgeons. By the death of Mr. John Boutflower, F.R.C.S., there passes away one of the oldest members of the profession. Born in 1797, he has for some years been the senior Fellow of the College, and has outlived all his contemporaries. Half a century ago he was lecturer on surgery at the old "Chatham-street School of Medicine. He held the office of resident surgeon to the Infirmary in his youth, but was never on the honorary staff of that institution, though twice .a candidate in days when an election to the Infirmary staff was almost as important a local event as a parliamentary election : certainly much trouble and time were expended in a contest in those days. He gave much time to the work .of the Salford Dispensary in years gone by, and his memory reached back into the times of George III. and Louis XVIII. St. Mary’s Hospital. At the annual meeting of St. Mary’s Hospital the most important matter brought forward was the scheme for re-building this hospital or erecting a new building on another site. More than £20,000 has been collected for this purpose, but, as was stated, this sum will only pro- wide for the building, and will not suffice to secure a site as well. Seeing that the present hospital is situate in the beart of the city, and certainly not in the most salubrious - position, it would seem to be the best policy for the manage- ment to seek for a new site, and, like the Eye Hospital, move to the outskirts of the town, where land is less valuable, and the present site could then be disposed of for no mean figure. Next year is the centenary of this charity, and the managers confidently hope to have the work on hand by then. Lecturer on Skin Diseases at Owens College. A new lectureship on skin diseases has recently been in- stituted at the College, and Dr. H. Brooke has been appointed the first lecturer. This gentleman has for some years been physician to the Hospital for Skin Diseases, and will have ample opportunity there of following up his lectures by clinical demonstrations. Manchester, March 26th. NORTHERN COUNTIES NOTES. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Anthrax and Infection. DR. FIELDEN reports to the Shilden (county Durham) Board some interesting particulars as to an outbreak in February of splenic fever in a farm in his district. The first animal attacked-a fat bullock-was found to be in such a strange condition that a butcher was hastily sum. moned, and it was slaughtered and dressed for food, and, so far as Dr. Fielden was aware, no evil effects followed. At the time of the slaughter the spleen was devoured by two dogs, and they, assisted by two kittens, lapped up a goodly quantity of the blood, but they never showed the slightest sign of illness afterwards; the butcher, however, on the eighth day following, noticed two spots on his forearm, which developed into malignant pustules. The man, after being in great jeopardy, eventually recovered from a well-marked attack of anthrax. Dr. Fielden remarks that several of the animals attacked on the farm succumbed to the disease, but, as in animals attacked the milk is arrested, he did not think it necessary to stop the supply offered for sale, and in this view he was supported by Mr. H. E. Armstrong, the medical officer of health for Newcastle. The Palmer Memorial Hospital, Jarrow. This hospital affords an example of a surgical hospital entirely supported by workmen. The hospital is near the works, so that in a few minutes an accident can receive prompt attention. The subscriptions of the workmen exceed £20 per week. Middlesbrough. It appears that pneumonia still lingers in Middles- brough ; the deaths from this cause in February, according to Dr. Malcolmson’s report, were 15, having reached 31 in the same month last year. The delay of Dr. Ballard’s report on the epidemic is a cause of some remark in the town, and at a late meeting of the guardians, at which the subject cropped up, it was stated by the clerk that the report was in the hands of the Local Government Board, and would be printed in the course of a few weeks. At the Middlesbrough County Police Court a herbalist pleaded " not guilty" to posting obscene bills on the Redcar-road. The offence was proved by the police and a medical practitioner. The chairman, in fining the defendant £3, or two months’ imprisonment, said " the Bench had decided to put down this curse with a strong hand." Silloth Convalescent Institution. The annual meeting of the Silloth Convalescent Institu- tion has been held. The report showed that 549 patients had been admitted during the year. The medical officer said that 429 patients had gained weight, 72 had lost weight, 32 remained unchanged, and 17 left before expiry of time. Wigton. Measles of rather a severe type is now very prevalent in Wigton. The whole of the Board schools are closed, but the Local Board, it appears, has not the power to close the private schools. It is to be hoped, however, that the pro- prietors will accede to the general wish expressed, to close, and anticipate the Easter holidays. Sunderland Higlb Death-rate. During the past week 74 deaths occurred in Sunderland, being equal to 28-1 per 1000. Last week’s high death-rate is due in a great measure to the large number of deaths from diseases of the respiratory organs, no fewer than 32 being ascribed to these ailments. The total number of deaths in the preceding week was 36. Newcastle-on-Tyne, March 26th. OPEN SPACES.-The Ecclesiastical Commissioners have informed the Fulham vestry that, in concert with the Bishop of London, they will grant a lease of 999 years, at a nominal rent, of the meadow adjoining Fulham Palace, for use as a public recreation-ground. The vestry have accepted the offer.
Transcript of NORTHERN COUNTIES NOTES
656
MANCHESTER.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
Certifying Factory Surgeons.ABOUT a month ago a deputation representing the
employers in the cotton industry of Lancashire, waited uponthe Home Secretary with a view to have the office of certi-fying surgeon to factories abolished. The arguments werethat it was an unnecessary tax if a small one upon millowners and a source of trouble and inconvenience to theparents of the children employed, and resulted in no
real benefit. The deputation appeared to think that thechief, if not only, function of the surgeon was to certifyas to the child’s age before commencing work, andignored the fact that more important considerations thanthis were involved. Yesterday a deputation representingthe medical men of this district had an interview with theHome Secretary accompanied by several local M.P.’s, whichyou will probably refer to in another part of your issue.
Medical Officer of Health for Manchester.For the vacant post caused by the death of Mr. Leigh
in November last there were forty-seven applicants ; fromthese six were selected to meet the special committeeappointed for the purpose-i.e., Dr. Tatham of Salford, Dr.’Tomkins of Leicester, Dr. Hime of Bradford, Dr Niven ofOldham, Dr. Cameron of Huddersfield, and Dr. Downes ofChelmsford. Of these the choice finally fell upon Dr.Tatham. Dr. Tatham has for fourteen years been officer of.health to the neighbouring borough, and is well familiarwith the conditions affecting the public health in our city.He was formerly one of the Poor-law surgeons to one of theManchester districts, and is well known as an earnest and,capable sanitarian, and one upon whom the corporation maysafely rely as a guide and adviser in all matters affecting the.health and sanitary progress of this large community.
Salford and Manchester.The question of the amalgamation of Salford and
Manchester does not appear at present to be making muchprogress. The Salford corporation appears to be adverse tothe proposal; but the difficulties in the way of a satisfactorysewerage scheme for the smaller districts and local boards,outside the city will probably cause several of these ere longto bring themselves within the municipal boundaries.
The Senior Fellow of the College of Surgeons.By the death of Mr. John Boutflower, F.R.C.S., there
passes away one of the oldest members of the profession.Born in 1797, he has for some years been the senior Fellowof the College, and has outlived all his contemporaries.Half a century ago he was lecturer on surgery at the old"Chatham-street School of Medicine. He held the office ofresident surgeon to the Infirmary in his youth, but wasnever on the honorary staff of that institution, though twice.a candidate in days when an election to the Infirmary staffwas almost as important a local event as a parliamentaryelection : certainly much trouble and time were expendedin a contest in those days. He gave much time to the work.of the Salford Dispensary in years gone by, and his memoryreached back into the times of George III. and Louis XVIII.
St. Mary’s Hospital.At the annual meeting of St. Mary’s Hospital the most
important matter brought forward was the scheme for
re-building this hospital or erecting a new building onanother site. More than £20,000 has been collected forthis purpose, but, as was stated, this sum will only pro-wide for the building, and will not suffice to secure a siteas well. Seeing that the present hospital is situate in thebeart of the city, and certainly not in the most salubrious- position, it would seem to be the best policy for the manage-ment to seek for a new site, and, like the Eye Hospital,move to the outskirts of the town, where land is lessvaluable, and the present site could then be disposed of forno mean figure. Next year is the centenary of this charity,and the managers confidently hope to have the work onhand by then.
Lecturer on Skin Diseases at Owens College.A new lectureship on skin diseases has recently been in-
stituted at the College, and Dr. H. Brooke has beenappointed the first lecturer. This gentleman has for some
years been physician to the Hospital for Skin Diseases, andwill have ample opportunity there of following up hislectures by clinical demonstrations.Manchester, March 26th.
NORTHERN COUNTIES NOTES.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
Anthrax and Infection.DR. FIELDEN reports to the Shilden (county Durham)
Board some interesting particulars as to an outbreak inFebruary of splenic fever in a farm in his district. Thefirst animal attacked-a fat bullock-was found to be insuch a strange condition that a butcher was hastily sum.moned, and it was slaughtered and dressed for food,and, so far as Dr. Fielden was aware, no evil effectsfollowed. At the time of the slaughter the spleen wasdevoured by two dogs, and they, assisted by two kittens,lapped up a goodly quantity of the blood, but theynever showed the slightest sign of illness afterwards;the butcher, however, on the eighth day following, noticedtwo spots on his forearm, which developed into malignantpustules. The man, after being in great jeopardy, eventuallyrecovered from a well-marked attack of anthrax. Dr.Fielden remarks that several of the animals attacked on thefarm succumbed to the disease, but, as in animals attackedthe milk is arrested, he did not think it necessary to stopthe supply offered for sale, and in this view he was supportedby Mr. H. E. Armstrong, the medical officer of health forNewcastle.
The Palmer Memorial Hospital, Jarrow.This hospital affords an example of a surgical hospital
entirely supported by workmen. The hospital is near theworks, so that in a few minutes an accident can receiveprompt attention. The subscriptions of the workmen exceed£20 per week.
Middlesbrough.It appears that pneumonia still lingers in Middles-
brough ; the deaths from this cause in February, accordingto Dr. Malcolmson’s report, were 15, having reached31 in the same month last year. The delay of Dr. Ballard’sreport on the epidemic is a cause of some remark in thetown, and at a late meeting of the guardians, at which thesubject cropped up, it was stated by the clerk thatthe report was in the hands of the Local GovernmentBoard, and would be printed in the course of a fewweeks. - At the Middlesbrough County Police Court aherbalist pleaded " not guilty" to posting obscene bills onthe Redcar-road. The offence was proved by the police anda medical practitioner. The chairman, in fining the defendant£3, or two months’ imprisonment, said " the Bench haddecided to put down this curse with a strong hand."
Silloth Convalescent Institution.The annual meeting of the Silloth Convalescent Institu-
tion has been held. The report showed that 549 patientshad been admitted during the year. The medical officersaid that 429 patients had gained weight, 72 had lost weight,32 remained unchanged, and 17 left before expiry of time.
Wigton.Measles of rather a severe type is now very prevalent
in Wigton. The whole of the Board schools are closed, butthe Local Board, it appears, has not the power to close theprivate schools. It is to be hoped, however, that the pro-prietors will accede to the general wish expressed, to close,and anticipate the Easter holidays.
Sunderland Higlb Death-rate.During the past week 74 deaths occurred in Sunderland,
being equal to 28-1 per 1000. Last week’s high death-rateis due in a great measure to the large number of deathsfrom diseases of the respiratory organs, no fewer than 32being ascribed to these ailments. The total number ofdeaths in the preceding week was 36.
Newcastle-on-Tyne, March 26th.
OPEN SPACES.-The Ecclesiastical Commissionershave informed the Fulham vestry that, in concert with theBishop of London, they will grant a lease of 999 years, at anominal rent, of the meadow adjoining Fulham Palace, foruse as a public recreation-ground. The vestry have acceptedthe offer.
