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sickness on board have been leported since Nov. 26th. Atthe hospital at New Ferry two cases of suspicious illnessamongst isolated boys have proved to be mild small-pcx.All the cases in hospital are doing well. The total numberof cases at Park Hill Hospital has fallen from eighty-one onNov. 22nd to seventy-one on Nov. 29th, and further to

sixty-two at present.Dec. 4th.

BIRMINGHAM.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Hospital Saturday Convalescent Homes.AN interesting réunion (the third) of former inmates of the

convalescent homes at Tyn-y-Coed and Marle Hall was latelyheld at the town hall. The guests numbered nearly 2000.Alderman Cook, the president, addressed the members, andgave some details of the good results of the homes, resultswhich had more than fulfilled the expectation of the foundersof the movement. A presentation of a writing-desk was madeto Dr. Dalton of Llandudno, the honorary medical officer tothe homes, the tablet bearing the simple but expressive in-scription, "By his Hospital Saturday friends." A concert

followed ; limelight views were exhibited and the company iseparated after a cordial and hearty meeting.

The Royal Commission on the Health of Brassworkers.Some parts of the brass-working trade, no doubt, are

unhealthy, probably from the admixture of zinc in the

metal; but more injury to health is probably caused bydefects as regards cleanliness, ventilation, and other safe-guards. It is satisfactory to know that the Commissionhave the advantage of a medical expert in the person ofDr. R. M. Simon, one of the physicians to the GeneralHospital in this city. The masters and men, too, are repre-sented in adequate proportion, so that the inquiry into thisimportant industry will doubtless be thorough and complete.

Moral Fpidemics.Now and again the authorities of Mason College are troubled

with moral outbreaks affecting the property of the Collegeand those engaged in it. A lamentable instance occurred ashort time since in which a theft of books was traced to astudent. A conviction followed, and a fine of 40s., with costs,was imposed by the stipendiary. It is difficult to appraisethe condition of mind in the individuals who perpetrate thesepetty thefts, or to estimate the pain and suffering which suchmoral degradation brings upon their parents and friends. Itis obvious that reflection is not present at any stage in suchtransactions, and that impulse probably rules the motive.In justice to the authorities of the College it may be said thatevery means are taken to protect the property connectedwith it, and that they prosecuted only with great reluctanceas a public duty.

British Medical Association.At the opening meeting of the Birmingham Branch of the

British Medical Association an address was given by Mr.H. L. Browne on the Development of the Germ Theory.After reviewing the various theories relating to the sub-

ject Mr. Browne expresses his opinion that it is in the fieldof preventive medicine in which the greatest good mustbe expected. In connexion with the same subject a paperwas read at the first meeting entitled, "A Criticism of theGerm Theory of Disease based on the Baconian Method."This has been reprinted, and has given rise to much dis-cussion, explanation, and comment. At present it appearsthat the majority’ of the members at the meeting took anadverse view to the opinions and statements expressed inthe paper.

Dec. 4th. ________________

NORTHERN COUNTIES NOTES.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

The Proposed New Infirmary Building at Newcastle.AT a meeting of the joint committees of the stewards’ com-

mittee of the Freemen and of the Town Moor ManagementCommittee the prevailing feeling on the part of the Freemenwas that the site should be granted on terms to be fixed bythe council afterwards. A majority, however, of the mem-bers of the Town Moor Management Committee present

were against the Eite being granted at this portion of theLeazes, and against any portion of the Moor being built

upon, and so the matter stands.

A Pocket Bomb.A young miner of Hartley died yesterday at the Newcastle

Infirmary. It is supposed that on Nov. 12th he broughtsome gunpowder out of the mine in a gaspipe, both ends ofwhich were stoppered with cottonwool. One end of the pipehad been sticking out of his pocket, and while trimming hislamp the wool took fire, with the result that the gunpowderexploded. His thigh was terribly lacerated, and in spite ofthe efforts made at the institution just named, whither hewas at once conveyed, he succumbed to his injuries.

Border Centenarians.There has just passed away at Lumsden, about five miles

from the Carter Fell, on the English side of the Border,Mrs. Ord, who had reached the remarkable age of 103 years,During her long life she was exceptionally healthy, and untilrecently was able to go about and attend to her householdduties. She was a woman of considerable intelligence, andretained her mental faculties nearly unimpaired almost tothe last. She was born in September, 1791, and was,therefore, in her 104th year.An animated discussion took place at the last meeting of

the Tyne sanitary authorities on Dr. Armstrong’s paper onthe Hygiene of Merchant Ships.Newcastle-on-Tyne, Dec. 5th.

SCOTLAND.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)

Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.AT the meeting of the managers of the Edinburgh Royal

Infirmary last week it was pointed out with satisfactionthat the expenditure for 1894 was only £100 more than in1892, although there were sixty seven more beds. The decieasewas attributed to the manner in which the SuperintendentSurgeon-General Lithgow had carried out the wishes of theboard. An offer from the postal band of Edinburgh andLeith to give a Sunday evening concert for the benefit of theinfirmary was considered, and it was decided that the boardcould not give its countenance to the proposal as Sundayevening concerts were disapproved of by many people andwould do more harm than good to the infirmary. It was

suggested that some other proposal might be submitted.The S‘pread of Small-pox in Edinburgh.

Owing to the number of cases of small-pox in Edinburgh it.has been necessary not only to occupy the temporary hospitalin the Queen’s Park but also to have it enlarged. Early lastweek it was reported as full, and during the past weektwenty-nine fresh cases have been reported. Eight deathsfrom small-pox occurred during the week. The medicalofficer reported that no case had occurred in persons who hadbeen vaccinated within the last seven years. One interestingcase was referred to : a man about eighty years of age, whowas a strong anti-vaccinationist, had died from a virulentform of the disease, and his wife died an hour afterwards froma similarly severe attack.

-Edinburgh Irealt7b Statisticsfor October.During the month of October 381 cases of infectious

disease were intimated ; of these, 35 were cases of small-pox. There were 263 patients admitted to the City Hos-pital during the month, and of these 15 had died-3 fromtyphoid fever, 5 from diphtheria, 3 from small-pox, and 3from scarlet fever. The death-rate of the city for the monthwas at the rate of 18’13 per 1000. Diseases of a zymoticnature caused 6 60 per cent. of the total mortality.

The Pharmaceutical Society in Edinburgh.The North of Scotland Branch of the Pharmaceutical

Society of Great Britain have had to extend their buildingsin Edinburgh. This has been necessary owing to changesin the examinations and the number of students present-ing themselves for examination having increased. Theaddition has been made to their buildings in York-place,and include a hall, dispensing room, and laboratory, withlavatoty and cloak-room accommodation for the students.To celebrate the opening of these premises a dinner was givento the society, which was attended by many leading physicians