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the perpetuation of an obsolete joke, which had itsorigin when dentistry was not what it is now. AsMr. Randell points out, the dread of dental treatmentwill, in course of time, disappear, and the muchappreciated cooperation of the head teachers is amost valuable means to this end.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN ENGLAND AND WALESDURING THE WEEK ENDED APRIL 26TH, 1924.

- VocaMoMS.—The following cases of infectious diseasewere notified during the week-namely : Small-pox, 124 ;scarlet fever, 1328 ; diphtheria, 615 ; enteric fever, 53 ;pneumonia, 1674 ; puerperal fever, 51 ; cerebro-spinalfever, 10 ; acute poliomyelitis, 5 ; acute polioencephalitis, 1 ;encephalitis lethargica, 212 ; dysentery, 3 ; ophthalmianeonatorum, 117. No cases of cholera, plague, or typhusfever were notified. The cases of encephalitis lethargica,41 fewer than in the previous week, were notified in thefollowing counties : London, 31 ; Chester, 6 ; Derby, 9 ;Devon, 4 ; Durham, 4 ; Essex, 8 ; Gloucester, 13 ; Kent, 4 ;Lancaster, 27 ; Lincoln, 5 ; Middlesex, 4 ; Northumberland,7 ; Nottingham, 4 ; Warwick, 27 ; Yorks W.R., 37 ; andelsewhere in smaller number.

Deaths.-In the aggregate of great towns, the deathsfrom influenza fell from 282 to 218. In London the deathsfrom diphtheria numbered 12, from measles 57 (same aslast week), from influenza 21 (a drop of one-half).

IThe Services.

ROYAL NAVAL MEDICAL SERVICE.

Surg. Comdrs. J. G. Peebles and L. S. Whitwam areplaced on the retd. list.

J. V. Williams to be Surg. Lt.The following appts. have been notified : Surg. Comdrs.

A. F. 0. Sankey to R.N. Hospital, Portland ; E. L. Markhamto the Castor; H. E. Perkins to the R.N. Hospital, Bermuda ;and A. G. V. French to the Canterbury, temp. on

commissioning. -

ARMY MEDICAL SERVICE.

Col. H. P. W. Barrow, late R.A.M.C., to be Dir. ofHygiene, vice Maj.-Gen. W. W. 0. Beveridge.The undermentioned Maj.-Gens. retire on retd. pay :

W. W. 0. Beveridge, K.H.P., late R.A.M.C. ; and E. M.Pilcher, K.H.S., late R.A.M.C.

Lt.-Col. F. Ashe, from R.A.M.C., to be Col.

ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS.

Lt.-Col. and Bt. Col. J. W. West, K.H.S., is granted thetemp. rank of Col. whilst empld. as Consulting Surg. to theBritish Army, vice Maj.-Gen. E. M. Pilcher.

Capt. L. J. Sheil retires, receiving a gratuity.TERRITORIAL ARMY.

Supernumerary for Service with O.T.C.-Capts. (LocalMajs.) P. H. Mitchiner and G. A. Williamson to be Majs.

A. MacPherson to be Lt.

ROYAL AIR FORCE.

Flying Officer K. R. Smith relinquishes his temp.commission on ceasing to be employed.

INDIAN MEDICAL SERVICE.

Maj.-Gen. A. Hooton has been confirmed in the appoint-ment of Surgeon-General with the Bombay Government insuccession to Maj.-Gen. W. J. Jennings, K.H.S., on leave,pending retirement. Lt.-Col. W. O’S. Murphy has returnedfrom leave and assumed the appointment of Director ofPublic Health with the Bombay Government. Lt.-Col.A. W. Tuke, civil surgeon, Ahmedabad, has proceeded onleave.

DovER: NEW DENTAL CLINIC.-The adult dentalclinic presented to Dover by Major J. J. Astor, M.P., willbe opened to-day (Friday). Major Astor has undertaken tomeet the expenses of the clinic for the first two years, andthe staffing and other arrangements have been approvedby the town council. The clinic adjoins the municipalbuildings.

Correspondence.

SIR MALCOLM MORRIS MEMORIAL FUND.

" Audi alteram partem."

To the Editor of THE LANCET.SIR,-The death of Sir Malcolm Morris, on Feb. 19th

last, marks the passing of one who was widely knownand greatly respected, both by his professionalcolleagues and the public generally, for his work inconnexion with dermatology, tuberculosis, publichealth, and medical literature.To perpetuate his memory it was resolved at a

recent meeting of representatives of the varioushospitals and organisations with which he was

particularly associated, to endeavour to raise a sumof money sufficient to provide for an annual lectureon the preventive aspects of public health and derma-tology. If funds permit it is hoped also to endow abed for cases of skin disease at St. Mary’s Hospital,London. These objects are known to accord withSir Malcolm Morris’s expressed view that the onlyfitting memorial to a life of successful endeavour isone that carries on the causes to which that life wasdevoted.A representative committee has been formed, and

we invite contributions, in any amounts, which willbe gratefully acknowledged if forwarded to the hon.treasurers, Malcolm Morris Memorial Fund, at 12,Stratford-place, London, W. 1.

NA-e are. Sir, yours faithfully,THOMAS HORDER,

Federation of Medical and Allied’ Services.

E. B. TURNER,British Medical Association.

E. GRAHAM LITTLE,St. Mary’s Hospital.

C. NEVILLE ROLFE,Nat. Council for CombatingVen. Diseases.

W. GRIFFITH,St. John’s Hospital.

A. E. HAYWARD PINCH,Radium Institute.

H. T. HERRING,Cremation Society of England.

N. HOWARD MUMMERY,May 1st, 1924. Hon. Secretary.

THOMAS HORDER,Federation of Medical and Allied

Services.

E. B. TURNER,British Medical Association.

E. GRAHAM LITTLE,St. Mary’s Hospital.

C. NEVILLE ROLFE,Nat. Council for CombatingVen. Diseases.

W. GRIFFITH,St. John’s Hospital.

A. E. HAYWARD PINCH,Radium Institute.

H. T. HERRING,Cremation Society of England.

N. HOWARD MUMMERY,Hon. Secretary.

A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OFPSYCHO-ANALYSIS.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.SIR,-In THE LANCET of April 26th Dr. Wohlge-

muth suggests that he has been successful in showingthat psycho-analysis and its means of penetratingthe unconscious is unscientific and fallacious, and that,in common with other psycho-analysts, I am avoidingthe main thesis in side-tracking the discussion uponunessential details. As Dr. Wohlgemuth seems tobe incapable of understanding the psycho-analyticconception of the unconscious it is difficult to knowwhat kind of proof he requires. He has not employedthe technique himself, but presumably knows thatassociations made by the patient are recorded inplenty and that their reactions have been described.These communications are the proof of the need forthe theory. Dr. Wohlgemuth is in the position of acritic of chemical theory who refuses to handle atest-tube. I referred him to one book in which the" test-tube " results are recorded independently oftheory. The point of discussion concerning abreactionis one which lie raised himself ; his denial ofresults which are confirmed by responsible Englishphysicians is surely evidence of a desire to rejectproofs when they are offered. What does he require ?

I am, Sir, yours faithfully,ROBERT M. RIGGALL.

Wimpote-strcet, W., May 3rd, 192-t.ROBERT M. RIGGALL.