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.Members of the College to the Council would give dignity tothat body and a president chosen by a council so constitutedwould indeed be the President of the whole College.

Dr. G DANFORD THOMAS, in seconding the motion,expressed the hope that such a conference as this motionsuggested might lead to a settlement of the question. Thatthere were difficulties was no argument against attemptingto settle the matter. Both sides might be willing to giveway a little in order to arrive at a satisfactory result.

Mr. J. FEARNLEY thought that a deputation would beuseless.The motion was carried nmnine contradicente.The third motion, proposed by Dr. W. G. DICKINSON, was

as follows :-

That this meeting regrets the inadequate information given toFellows and Members regarding the proceedings of the Council and isof opinion that the complete minutes of the Council meetings should’be accessible to any Member of the corporation at reasonable hours.

He acknowledged that it was true that an abstract of theminutes of the Council was suspended in the hall of the

- College in a bad light but this was not sufficient. The detailsgiven were not enough, for the Members wanted to know allthat the minutes of the Council contained.

Mr. J. BRINDLEY JAMES seconded the motion and urgedthat the Members would like to know the reasons why theConjoint Committee decided not to enter into negotiationswith the University of London.The PRESIDENT pointed out that the minutes suspended

in the hall were the full minutes of the Council with onlysuch omissions as were absolutely indispensable. Withregard to the negotiations about the union with theUniversity of London the full record had appeared in’the annual report of the Council. As to inspection of theminutes by any Member of the corporation he might pointout that sometimes charges brought against Members of the’College had to be considered by the Council and in somecases these charges could not be substantiated and thereforeit was very undesirable that such accusations should be made

public. With such exceptions as these the full minutes weresuspended in the hall. The introducer of the motion had

complained that the minutes were placed in a dark corner ofthe hall ; this was, of course, quite unintentional and if abetter position could be found the minutes should be placedthere.After hearing the explanation of the President Dr.

DICKINSON requested leave to withdraw the motion. Bythe permission of the meeting this was done.

In the absence of Mr, George Brown Mr. H. NELSON HARDYbrought forward the fourth motion :-That this meeting considers it unfortunate that the Council should

,have placed before it their reply to a report from the inspectors of theGeneral Medical Council without publishing at the same time thereport itself and further trusts that the Council will take immediatesteps to bring the dispute with the General Medical Council to an.amicable settlement.

He said that the dispute had now been going on for tenyears and it was entirely due to the Council of the Collegepermitting a part of medical education to be carried on insecondary schools.

Mr. J. C. SMITH seconded the motion and expressed theopinion that it was a great pity that the Council of the

College should run counter to the opinion of the GeneralMedical Council, the supreme body in medical education.He could see no advantage in any way in the course pursuedby the Council of the College and by the Royal College ofPhysicians of London.The PRESIDENT thought it would be best if he were to

explain the present situation. The Council of the Collegehad always been most careful in what it had done in thismatter. It had thought it cnly reasonable that chemistry,physics, and biology should be studied before passing thepreliminary examinations, or at least before the student beganhis no’e strictly medical studies, and this arrangement gave- him n ore time to devote to the studies more closelyallied tu his future work. That this arrangement was reallybeneficial to the scientific education of the country bad beenrecognised Many eminent scientific men had expressedthe highest opinion of the value of the action cf the

- College and one had said that it had contributed greatlyto the general study of science in England. The report ofthe vi.,itidg inspectors of the General Medical Council hadcertainly been unfavourable, but their opinion was still moreunfavourable of some other examining bodies. In fact, thegeneral report made by the visitors stated that there was only-one examining body which made an approach to a satisfactory

attempt at an examination in chemistry and that was theConjoint Board of England. In its opposition to the actionof the General Medical Cuuncil the Royal College of Surgeonsof England and the Royal College of Physicians of Londonwere absolutely at one.Mr. COLLINGWOOD opposed the motion, mentioning that

in the examinations for the services the percentage ofcandidates from the College of Surgeons who failed was lessthan from almost any other examining body.

Dr. DICKINSON thought that as this was a matter affectingthe external relations of the College it should have beenbrought before the Members.

Sir HENRY G. HowsE said that the Council had beenblamed for allowing ,cientific study to occur before regis-tration but it was really for the benefit of the student. Atfir,t the Conjoint Board had recognised those schools whichwere recognised by the Science and Art Department, but theCouncil soon began to investigate by personal inspection therecognised schools and many had been struck off the list.The requirements of the Conjoint Board were great andcertainly no other examining body took such pains to insurethe high character of the teaching bodies it recognised.When the motion was put to the vote it was lost by 9

votes to 8.Mr. JOSEPH SMITH then proposed a vote of thanks to the

President for presiding at the meeting He also expressedhis regret at the death of Sir Robert M. Craven who wasa very regular attendant at these annual meetings and

suggested that a vote of condolence should be sent to hisfamily.The PRESIDENT, in acknowledging the vote of thanks,

stated that he would carry out the wish of the meeting byconveying to the members of Sir R. Craven’s family the voteof condolence.

_______________

THE INTERNATIONAL SANITARYCONFERENCE.

MEETING IN PARIS.

THE International Sanitary Conference has been workingwith but little respite for more than a month. The dis-

cussions were long and arduous and the result, we are

officially informed, is to be kept secret until after Nov. 30th.There now only remains the task of drawing up the text ofthe agreement which has been accepted in principle. Thiswork is left in the hands of the secretarial staff while most ofthe delegates have returned to their respective countries butthey are all to assemble again in Paris on Nov. 30th. Tosome delegates this opportunity of consulting their Govern-ments is especially welcome. As it was determined that nocommunication should be made to the press concerning thenature of the debates and the resolutions adopted we cannotguarantee the absolute accuracy of such information as,

notwithstanding this determination, we have been able toobtain. Still it would appear that all the proposals madewere not adopted. A certain number of resolutions havebeen unanimouoly approved and there will be no difficulty intheir embodiment as part of the international obligationswhich it is sought to impose. Then there were other

propositions which were approved by all the delegatesin principle but to which, nevertheless, some of the

delegates did not venture to pledge their Governments.Finally, there were other proposals that were looked uponas so far-reaching and as involving such important issuesthat a minority of delegates did not dare to vote eitherfor or against them and were anxious to refer these

questions to their Governments. In regard to the natui eof the problems involved it may safely be said that themeasures to be taken to prevent the spread of cholera andplague from country to country held a prominent place.The advanced school of sanitarians has demonstrated moreand more conclusively that impediments to communicationscan be reduced to a minimum ; in other words, strenuousefforts were made to abolish what little remains of the oldquarantine practices. But this tendency, it is said, metwith energetic resistance on the part of the representa-tives of Turkey, Greece, and Bulgaria. The Turkish

empire has ports on three different seas and a multi-plicity of ports that are close to plague-stricken countries.The Greeks plead that they have always enforced quaran-tine and, with the one exception necessary to prove

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the rule, have always escaped epidemics. During theCrimean war the quarantine regulations could not be

applied and then they had cholera,. Ever since the inde-

pendence of Greece and its constitution as a kingdom thecountry has not been infected by persons coming fromabroad. As for the argument that the period of incuba-tion is only five days and that therefore the passengers andcrews are effectively in quarantine during the journey, for theperiod of danger is over by the time when they arrive in port,this does not apply to Turkey, Bulgaria, and Greece. Thesecountries are farther east and can be reached in less thanfive days from places where plague exists. Then, again, ifone of these three Powers yielded it would be quarantinedby the other two. The question of rats as the transmittersof plague was also discussed at length and in this matterunanimity existed. Everyone approved of the measures whichit was proposed to take against these dangerous vermin.Then there was a debate on mosquitoes and yellow fever and,finally, it has been recognised that a permanent internationalsanitary bureau might render considerable service. Whatwould be the precise functions of such an institution hasnot yet been stated but it is generally agreed that its head-quarters should be in Paris. Undoubtedly it would be difficultto find a more pleasant city or one of easier access from allparts of the world.

ASYLUM REPORTS.

Glasgow, District Asylum, Woodilee (Report for the Yearended May 15th, 1903).-The average number of patientsresident during the year was 890, comprising 468 males and422 females. The admissions during the year amounted to280-viz., 139 males and 141 females. Of these 204 werefirst admissions. Dr. Hamilton C. Marr. the medical

superintendent, states in his report that the increase of

lunacy in the agricultural district and city of Glasgow isnot alarming. It must be borne in mind that there is aconstant flow from the country districts to the city whichhas a potent influence on the rate of the production ofinsanity. The young and strong, both in mind andbody, seek the city and add to its mental health,leaving behind them, unfortunately, in the country theinfirm and incapable. Hence the apparent anomaly in thefact that the Highlands of Scotland have a very muchrelatively larger insane population than populated districtssuch as Glasgow, where the causes of insanity are rife." in31 3 per cent. of the patients admitted there was a historyof intemperance. ’’ While the victims of alcoholism are asource of misery and degradation to others, it must beremembered they are often the source of the production ofinsanity in others....... The idiot, the epileptic, the mentallyweak and unstable, are all legacies to his country of thevictim of alcoholism." The number of patients dischargedas recovered during the year amounted to 128-viz , 59 malesand 69 females-or 14’4 per cent. of the average numberresident. The deaths during the year amounted to 99, or11’1 per cent. as calculated on the same basis. Of thedeaths eight each were due to epilepsy and cardiac disease,ten to pneumonia, 15 each to senile decay and generalparalysis of the insane, 17 to pulmonary and other formsof tuberculosis, and the rest to other causes. The Com-missioner in Lunacy states in his report that the patientswere well-dressed and suitably provided for, that the wardsand day-rooms were bright in appearance, and that themedical case-books were well and carefully kept. A sana-torium for consumptive patients was opened on Dec. 18th,1902 ; the 1 ’uildings are situated in close proximity to theasylum and are lighted by electricity and have all theneed ul equipment for carrying out the open-air treatmentof patients. The committee of management states in itsreport that two additional farms have been added to theasylum estate to produce sufficient crops to meet the require-ments of the institution and to provide for the healthfulemployment of a larger number of patients.

Salop and Montgonaery Asylum (Annual Report for 1902).-The average number of patients resident during the year was779. comprising 355 males and 424 females. The admissionsduring the year amounted to 225-viz., 105 males and 120females. Of these, 142 were first admissions. Dr. D. F.Rambaut, the medical superintendent, states in his reportthat a large number of patients of both sexes have beenusefully employed during the year. "Knitting by machinery

has been introduced and mat-making has been commenced,while a sewing room has proved a marked success. A-further extension in this direction would prove economicaland beneficial to the patients." The health of the institutionsuffered severely from an epidemic of influenza which

appeared in the spring of 1902. 259 patients and many ofthe attendants were attacked and many patients died fromthis disease. The infirmary wards proved quite inadequate forthe number of those attacked and it was necessary to employtemporarily another assistant medical officer and severalattendants. The number of patients discharged as recoveredduring the year amounted to 83-viz, 40 males and 43.females, or 10 6 per cent. of the average number resident.The deaths during the year amounted to 144, or 18.5 percent. as calculated on the same basis. Of the deaths twowere due to renal disease, four each to epilepsy and pneu-monia, five to colitis, seven to cerebral hæmorrhage, 11 to

general paralysis of the insane, 13 to senile decay, 14 to

i pulmonary and other forms of tuberculosis, 18 to cardiacdisease, 44 to influenza, and the rest to other causes. Thedeath-rate was the highest ever recorded in the history ofthe asylum and this was largely due to the severe epidemicof influenza in the spring of 1902. During the year the cost ofmaintenance of patients per week has been 9s. 33/4d. per head,as against 8s. 11 1/8d. per week during the previous year. "Theincrease is due chiefly to the increased price of meat, to theimprovement of the dietary of the attendants, and to thereduction of the average number [of patients] resident."The farm and garden account shows a profit of £507 13s. ascompared with a profit of R243 8s. in the previous year.The Commissioners in Lunacy state in their report that thewards and dormitories were, on the whole, in very good con-oition and well ventilated, that the general health of theinstitution was good, that the patients were orderly in theirbehaviour and neat in their dress, that the dietary of thepatients was satisfactory both in quantity and quality, andthat the medical case-books were well and carefully kept."The means of combating an outbreak of fire and of securingthe escape of patients are by no means satisfactory " andvarious improvements and alterations are suggested by theCommissioners. The committee of management states in itsreport that the sum of ,6493 7s. was expended in additions,alterations, and repairs.Roxburgh, Berwick, and Selkirk District Asylum (Report

for the year ending May 15th, 1903).-The average numberof patients during the year was 321, comprising 142.males and 179 females. The admissions during the yearamounted to 78-viz., 39 males and 39 females. Of these65 were first admissions. Dr. J. Carlyle Johnstone, themedical superintendent, states in his report that owingto the want of accommodation at the asylum, "admissioncontinues to be refused to all private patients, exceptin cases of emergency and in cases which would other-wise be placed on the rates and sent in as chargeableto parishes." It frequently occurs that persons who wereat first quite willing to pay for their relatives as-

private patients show a marked unwillingness to contributeanything towards the cost of their maintenance when theyhave once been admitted as patients of the ’’pauper " class.Dr. Johnstone is of opinion that provision ought to be madein the district asylum for every case of insanity occurringin the district in which a sum can be paid sufficient to meetmaintenance and expenses, with a reasonable addition forinterest on capital, deductions being made in deserving andnecessitous cases. Hereditary predisposition to mentaldisorder was ascertained to exist in 45 per cent. of thecases admitted, while in 36 per cent. of the cases suicidaltendencies were present. The physical condition of thepatients was "bad in 59 cases and very bad in five cases."In 50 per cent. more or less serious physical diseasewas present. The number of patients discharged as

recovered during the year amounted to 29-viz., 14 malesand 15 females, or 9 per cent. of the averagenumber resident. The deaths during the year amountedto 27, or 8’ 4 per cent. as calculated on the same

basis. Of the deaths three were due to senile decay,six each to cardiac disease and general paralysis of theinsane, eight to pulmonary and other forms of tuberculosis,and the rest to other causes. The general health of theinmates has, on the whole, been fairly good. Electriclighting has been recently established throughout the

bmlding and the brief trials made have given every satis-faction. " The question of the adequacy of protection fromfire in the asylum has received the careful consideration of