337

MEDICAL DIARY OF THE WEEK.

MONDAY, APRIL 2 ......

TUESDAY, APRIL 3......

(ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.M.METROPOLITAN FREE HOSPITAL. - Operations,

2 P.M.LONDON INSTITUTION. - 7 P.M. Dr. F. W. Pavy,On Experimental Physiology: Respiration."EPIDEYIOLOGICAL SOCIETY.-8 P.M. " Cholera atthe Cape de Verd." -" Cholera at Guildford in

I 1854." By Mr. H. S. Taylor.-" Cholera at Wick,Caithness." By Dr. Littlejohn and Dr. Banks.

ODONTOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.—8 P.M.

MEDICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. - 8½ P.M. Dr.Routh,

" On some of the Disadvantages of Em-L ploying Fallen Women as Wet-Nurses.’(Guy’s HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1 ½ p.M. WESTMINSTER HOSPITAL. - The following Opera- I

J tions will be performed at 2 P.M. :-By Mr. Holt:

I Amputation at the Thigh; for Two Cases ofStricture of the Urethra.

PATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.-8 P.M.

IWEDNESDAY, APRIL 4 i

THURSDAY, APRIL 5...

FRIDAY, APRIL 6.........

SATURDAY, APRIL 7 ...

(MIDDLESET HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1 P.M.ST. MARy’S HOSPITAL.-Operations. 1 P.M.UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL. - Operations,l 2 P.M.ROYAL OITTHOPAKDIC HOSPITAL. - Operations, 2

P.M. LONDON INSTITUTION. - 7 P.M. Dr. T. Spencer) Cobbold, "On the Structure and Habits of the

Mammalia."OBSTETRICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. - 8 P.M. Dr.L Bouth, " On the Treatment of Menorrhagia."(ST. GEORGE’s HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1 P.M.! CENTRAL LONDON OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL.

!’ Operations, 1 P.M.LONDON HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1% P.M.GREAT NOBTBEBN HOSPITAL, KING’S CROSS.-

Operations, 2½ P.M.

HARVEIAN SOCIETY. - 8 P.M. Clinical Cases, byDrs. Hamilton Roe, Pollock, Sibson, Handfield

l Jones, Stewart, and Mr. Weeden Cooke.

WESTMINSTER OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL. - Opera-’

(. tions, 1 ½ P.M.

(ST. TnoMAS’s HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1 P.M.ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S HOSPITAL.-Operations. 1½

, { P.M.

KING’S COLLEGE HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1 ½ P.M.CHARING-CROSS HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.M.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

To Correspondents.THE POOR-LAW MEDICAL RELIEF BILL.

ON the 28th March, the Poor-law lIedical Relief Bill was brought in by Mr.Pigott, and ordered to be printed. The second reading is fixed for the 16thApril. The Easter vacation ousrht to be sedulously turned to account inforwarding petitions in support of the honourable members whose namesare attached to the Bill. The Bill could not be in better hands. But the

Poor-law medical officers must not for one moment forget that the attentionthe measure will receive in the House will be very much determined by theamount of interest they themselves evince.

TEE communication of Dr. Madden arrived too late for insertion.

Inquirer.-Our correspondent seeks information upon the methods of dealingwith church-vaults, and draws a shocking picture of the state of the churchin his parish. "The church," he says, "is very old, and so often has thefloor in every pait been disturbed for burial purposes that no two seats areupon the same level, and the aisles are foot-falls for the unwary ! Nay, youcan all but see into some of the graves." The idea of proceeding to warm sucha church, without first taking effective measures to secure the congregationagainst the danger of emanations from the dead, is as absurd as it is revolt-ing. It is not, however, possible for us, in the absence of accurate knowledgeof the details, to indicate the exact remedies that are called for.

OBTURATOR FOR THE CYLINDRICAL Sr7CULUM UTERI.To tlle Fditor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-Some time ago, having had occasion to apply leeches to the os uteriby means of the glass cylinder, I found unusual difficulty in its introduction,from sensitiveness of the ostium vaginæ, which led me to consider whether aguide of simple construction could not be made for the introduction of thetube. A little reflection on the way a canula is introduced into a cavity bythe stilet convinced me that an obturator or guide for the speculum, consisting*of either three or five pieces, might easily be made, somewhat in the manner ofa boot-tree.For ordinary purposes, a speculum, five inches in length, and an inch and a

quarter in diameter, answers well. The glass being about the eighth or three-sixteenths of an inch in thickness, an interior space an inch across is left tobe filled up with the obturator, which may be in five pieces, the centre squareone being seven inches in length, so as to project an inch at top and bottom.A thickness of three-quarters of an inch will, on trial, be found to suit best forthis. Two lateral pieces, as well as an anterior and posterior one, are to beadded, rounded on the outside to fit the speculum, each an eighth of an inchthick, and with an additional thickness of an eighth of an inch at the top, tocorrespond to the rim or edge of the speculum. The pieces of which the ob-turator consists, when joined and rounded off at the top, look not unlike themale organ without urethra. The square central piece and the lateral onesare to be pierced half an inch from the bottom for a pin, which serves to con-nect the whole, serving to retain the central one in connexion with the otherswhen the speculum has to be used. The anterior and posterior portions shouldbe half an inch shorter than the others. When the speculum is used, the ob-turator is easily withdrawn by taking out the pin, when the central piece fallsout, and all the rest follow. The material used should be of some hard wood,as ebony; but if an obturator is made for experiment, soft wood will suit best,being more easily carved.The use of the guide I have suggested will allow the introduction of any

ordinary cylindrical speculum, without pain to the patient, or much trouble tothe surgeon, and a little practice makes its use quite easy. A wider one mayalso be employed than could be otherwise. Three pieces, instead of five, maybe used for the sake of simplicity ; but they do not tit to the rim of the specu-lum so exactlv.With regard to the specula, simple trumpet-mouthed tubes of glass seem to

do better for examining the os uteri, or for making scarifications or usingleeches, than expensive and complicated metallic instruments. It seems to b&convenient also to have a notch at the posterior part of the outer rim, to cor-respond to the posterior surface of the cervix uteri. Tubes such as are re-quired can be got of any form from a glass manufacturer for about six shillingsa dozen. If silvered ones are preferred, they can be coated and varnished blackby a lookiug-glass maker at a small extra cost.

I have communicated my invention to several of my medical acquaintances,and they think it likely to be useful. Yours truly,

Glasgow, March, 1860. D. m.

zi. Laigh.- We have received a letter relating’ to the case of Alfred Godfrey,alleging that the provision made for him by his family as to raiment andnourishment is inadequate. This is a matter into which we cannot enter.It may be that the means of Alfred Godfrey’s family do not admit of a moreliberal allowance.

E. F. B.-We cannot recommend any of the medicines named. Our corre

spondent shall receive a private note if he will forward us his address.

EXAMINATIONS AT THE COLLEGE OF SURGEONS.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-I find that some of those students who intended to present themselvesfor the first examination at the Royal College of Surgeons on the 3rd of April,cannot do so till the 21th of that month, on account of the very large numberwishing to be examined. Cannot an examination be held between the 3rd and24th ? Surely the Examiners could make it convenient to hold one then, andconfer a very great favour on their students. If such an examination be notheld, many of the unfortunate gentlemen who intended to pass at the com-meucement of April, and then have a month’s holiday, will he greatly disap-pointed. It is reported also that some may have to wait till the 4th of May.

I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,A STUDENT WHO WAXTS A FORTNIGHT’S HOLIDAY

March, 1360. BETWEEN WINTER AND SUMMER SESSIONS.

A Graducate of the University of London.-It is reported that lllr. Grote, theillustrious historian, a member of the Senate, may be induced to stand forthe University.

An Assistant.-l, He cannot be registered under the new Medical Act.-2. Fullinformation will be found in the Students’ Number of TxY LANCET.

IF lIIedic!ls has commenced his professionad stndies, lie is exempt. He shouldwrite to the Secretary for the regulations, which are very clear on the sub- -

ject.THE MEDICAL REGISTER.

To the Editor of TaE LANCET.SIR,-It was announced that the Medical Register for 1&60 would contain

only the names registered up to the 1st January, 1860. As the printing of thevolume will take a considerable time, it is to be hoped that a Supplement atthe end of the book will give the names entered between the Ist of Januaryand a few days previously to the day of publication. This will accommodatethose late bir is, the members of the "Dilatory Society," as well as those whoobtained diplomas in January and February. Yours, &c.,March. 1860. MEDICAL REGISTER.