400

hoped that the example set by Dr. Thoner will befollowed by others, and that work of this kind will notbe financially starved on the assumption that researchis a monopoly of the laboratory.

THE IRISH FREE STATE AND THE

MEDICAL REGISTER.

THE Senate of the Irish Free State recently passedthe Medical Bill, dealing with the maintenance of theMedical Register, through all its stages, and the Billhas now become law. The Bill authorises the GeneralCouncil of Medical Education and Registration tocontinue to exercise authority in respect of medicalpractitioners in the Irish Free State. Persons regis-tered under the Medical Acts are, in the Free State,to have the same rights, privileges, and immunities,and be subject to the same obligations as in Irelandbefore the Free State came into existence. TheGeneral Council is to have, in relation to persons andmatters in the Free State, all the old powers, juris-dictions, and authorities; the Branch Council forIreland will similarly retain its powers ; the GeneralCouncil and the Branch Council will continue to beconstituted and elected as before ; and Universitiesand medical corporations in the Free State continueto have powers of granting diplomas and holdingqualifying examinations under the Medical Acts. TheBill is for the period of one year. Mr. McGilligan,Minister for Industry and Commerce, who was incharge of the Bill, stated that prolonged negotiationshad taken place between the British and Irish Govern-ments in reference to some points in dispute. For thenext 12 months, however, the position of medicalmen qualified in the Free State is assured, in that theywill continue to enjoy equal privileges with their col-leagues in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.

THE DANGERS OF EARTHENWARE COOKING

UTENSILS.

A VARIETY of types of saucepans, frying pans, andcasseroles have been recommended from time to timeby health enthusiasts, but the dangers of each havebeen unmasked by a relentless series of chemicalinvestigations. Thus enamel vessels have beencondemned because it has been stated that suchlesions as appendicitis may result from the swallowingof small pieces of dislodged enamel. Nickel-linedutensils have also been included in the danger list,since, although stable to alkaline fluids, they areunsuitable for acid foods, such as stewed fruits andthe like. Aluminium and zinc 3 containing alloyshave also proved to be unsuitable for the manufac-ture of cooking utensils. Iron and steel rust, andconsequently earthenware goods have been lookedupon as a last resort, and have, up to the present,been regarded as being ’safe. A report just issuedby the Ministry of Health (Reports on Public Healthand Medical Subjects, No. 29)4 proves conclusivelythat we must inquire carefully into the history andhirthplace even of our casseroles and earthenwarevessels before entrusting our meals to them. Inthis report Dr. G. W. Monier-Williams calls attentionto the danger of absorbing noxious substances fromthe glaz3 of these articles. The report, which.although highly technical, is extremely interesting,commences with a brief outline of investigationsalready performed upon the question of lead poisoningarising in connexion with lead glazing. As Dr. Monier-Williams points out, practically all these investiga-tions were conducted from the point of view of danger

1 THE LANCET, 1924, ii., 339.2 Ibid., 1913, i., 54.3 Ibid., 1923, i., 242.

4 Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects, No. 29.The Solubility of Glazes and Enamels Used in Cooking Utensils.By G. W. Monier-Williams, M.A., Ph.I ., F.I.C. London : H.M.Stationery Office. 1925. 6d.

to the workers during the actual process. Briefly, the, process consists in

"

fritting," or fusing a mixture ofred lead, clay, ground flint, and washing soda in akiln. A mass of lead silicates is thus produced. The" fritt " is then ground up and suspended in waterin which the vessels to be glazed are dipped. Thevessel is then baked at a high temperature in order toproduce a uniform glossy surface. As early as 1887the Germans realised that such gla7.e might liberatelead if boiled with acid solutions, and they laid downa law that condemned any cooking vessel yieldirnlead on boiling with 4 per cent. acetic acid. Theobject of Dr. Monier-Williams’s researches was toreinvestigate those problems, and to determine thestability of glazed articles to ordinary cookingprocesses. His results may be summarised bystating that certain wares do give off lead, arsenic,and other toxic substances when submitted tothe ordinary cooking processes, and that con-

sequently they are a source of danger. We gatherfrom the report that the most unsuitable articlescome from abroad, or from the smaller Englishpotteries.The question naturally arises as to what sort of

cooking utensil really is safe. In view of the un-suitability of most ordinary materials, a new formof extravagance in the shape of platinum-linedcasseroles suggests itself for delicate millionaires.

THE zeal inspired by Sir James Mackenzie will notcease with his death. It would be unfortunateindeed if the work which he initiated at St. Andrewsshould have to be discontinued through lack of funds,especially since the ultimate value of observationsby a group of practitioners must depend largely onthe length of time covered by their records. Asuggestion that a fitting tribute to his memorywould be the endowment of the Institute foundedby him at St. Andrews is likely to receive cordialsupport. We understand that 260,000 is the mini-mum sum required if the James Mackenzie Institutefor Clinical Research, St. Andrews, as it is now tobe called, is to be put on a sound financial basis.Of this sum 27000 has already been collected.Donations should be sent to the hon. treasurer of ’the Institute, Commercial Bank, St. Andrews.

INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF THALASSOTHERAPY.-The fourth International Congress of Thalassotherapy willbe held at Arcachon, near Bordeaux, from April 27th to 29th.The Association of Thalassotherapy (treatment of diseaseby a residence at the seashore, by sea-bathing, or by asea-voyage) was founded by Prof. Verneuil, of Paris, at theInternational Congress at Boulogne in 1895. The Presidentof the Association was for many years Prof. Albert Robin, ofParis, Member of the Academy of Medicine, and the presi-dency is now held by Prof. Gilbert, of the Paris Faculty ofMedicine and a Member of the Academy of Medicine. TheAssociation is managed by a permanent bureau with itsoffice in Paris. This permanent bureau, together with thenational committees of each country, organises the inter-national congresses. Among the French Committee are

many well-known names, such as Prof. D’Arsonval, Prof.Marfan, Prof. Pinard, and Prof. Roger, Dean of the Facultyof Medicine of Paris. Dr. Robert Pierret has been electedliaison secretary to assist the work of the British Committee.among whose members are Sir Dyce Duckworth, SirHumphry Rolleston, and Sir StClair Thomson (Presidentof the British Committee), and Dr. Campbell McClure(secretary). The question to be discussed at the forth-coming International Congress is the Marine Treatment ofRickets. The speakers from Great Britain will includeProf. Leonard Hill and Dr. P. L. Webster, and delegatesfrom France, Italy, Belgium, and other countries will alsocontribute papers to the discussion. The Association iscomposed of titular and adhering members and the sub-scription for the Congress is fixed at 50 French francs forthe titular members and 30 francs for the adhering members.Special facilities for accommodation at Arcachon have beensecured at reasonable rates. All the members who intendto be present at the Congress are requested to write to Dr.Pierret, 7 bis, Rue Raynouard, Paris (16e) from whomfurther information may be obtained.