OBITUARY. FRANK BUCKLAND. MR. FRANCIS TREVELYAN BUCKLAND, known throughout the country as Frank Buckland, was born on December 17, 1826, and consequently had only just entered his fifty-fifth year when he died on (as we noticed last week) December 19 last. He was the eldest son of the Very Rev. William Buckland, D.D., Dean of Westminster, well and widely known in his day as a geologist and palæontologist, and as a writer of one of the most famous and valuable of the Bridgwater Treatises. Frank Buckland was educated at Winchester School and at Christ Church, Oxford; and then, feeling drawn towards medicine as his life-career, he studied in London, at St. George's Hospital, and in Paris; and, having become a member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, served as House-Surgeon at St. George's Hospital. A commission was next offered him in the Household Cavalry, and from 1854 till 1863 he served as Assistant-Surgeon in the 2nd Life Guards. By this time, however, he had fully found that the study of natural history was much more to his taste than the practice of medicine, and, leaving the Life Guards, he devoted himself entirely to his favourite pursuits. He was for a time a constant contributor to the Field; and soon after resigning his commission, he, in conjunction with Mr. Pennell, the first Inspector of English Salmon Fisheries, projected and started Land and Water. In this periodical he recorded his observations on natural history, conducted its intelligence regarding sea and river fisheries, and contributed to its pages up to the time of his death. But he devoted himself especially to pisciculture; and, having become an acknowledged authority on it, he was in 1867, appointed Inspector of English Salmon Fisheries. Further, when, in 1870, the scope of the Trust was extended, the Government made him Special Inspector for the Salmon Fisheries of Scotland. In these offices he did excellent work -no one more or better to advance and to popularise our knowledge respecting fishery cultivation and preservation. His exact and intimate acquaintance with fish-habits and fish-breeding enabled him to benefit his own and other countries well. His advice was sought on the subject by the Governments of Russia, Germany, France, and America; and his efforts for the introduction of salmon and trout into the waters of Australia and New Zealand are well known. His report on the Norfolk fisheries led to the Norfolk and Suffolk Fisheries Act of 1877; and in that year also he was on a commission of inquiry into the crab and lobster fisheries of England and Scotland, and served besides on a commission of inquiry into the herring fisheries. In 1878 he was employed on the commission regarding the sea fisheries around England and Wales, an excellent report upon which, by himself and Mr. Spencer Walpole, was made public in 1879. He made pets of animals of all kinds; and his fishery museum at South Kensington was well known. He had no pretence to being a student by the dry light of science only; but he was a keen and indefatigable observer, and a delightful popular writer on natural history. His very interesting and attractive "Curiosities of Natural History" first appeared in 1857; and in 1858 he edited an edition of his father's Bridgwater Treatise on "Geology and Mineralogy." His "Familiar History of British Fishes" came out in 1873; his "Log-book of a Fisherman and Zoologist," in 1876; and in 1879 he published a magnificent edition of Gilbert White's "Natural History of Selborne." We alluded last week to his search for, and discovery in 1859 of, the remains of John Hunter in the vaults of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields; and it will be remembered that the coffin was re-interred in Westminster Abbey at the expense of the Royal College of Surgeons. Frank Buckland was endeared to a large circle of friends; and, as a public servant and a popular writer, the gap made by his death will not be easily filled up. THE taste of chloral is very disagreeable to many, and is said to be disguised by administering it in syrup of gooseberries with the addition of a drop of chloroform to each grain of chloral.-New York Med. Record, November 20. NEW INVENTIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS. FRY'S MALTED COCOA. WE noticed a while ago an excellent combination of Fry's chocolate with Allen and Hanburys' extract of malt, and recommended it to the profession. It has, as we expected, been very favourably received; and Messrs. Fry and Son have now brought out a malted cocoa, which is an admirable and pleasant combination of their pure cocoa extract with Allen and Hanburys' excellent malt extract. The preparation is convenient and handy for use-not requiring any boiling is highly nutritive, refreshing, and very agreeable to the palate. ALLEN AND HANBURYS' MALTED FARINACEOUS FOOD. THIS preparation, brought out by Messrs. Allen and Hanburys, of Plough-court, Lombard-street, is a new and improved form of the infants' food recommended by Liebig, for infants and invalids. It is highly nutritious and easily digestible, and possesses the great advantage of being a cooked food, ready for use without either boiling or straining. To prepare half a pint of it for an infant it is only necessary to mix one tablespoonful of the food, one teaspoonful of sugar, and three tablespoonfuls of cold water into a smooth paste, and to stir this up with half a pint of boiling milk-andwater. The food will then need no straining, but, as soon as cool enough, can be given with the ordinary feedingbottle. For invalids a very nutritious food may be prepared by doubling the proportion of the malted food, using pure milk instead of milk-and-water, and sweetening to taste. The preparation may be strongly recommended, and the name of the makers is guarantee enough of excellence in the manufacture of it. obtaining the grand desideratum of a level surface for the berth, however much the ship may pitch or roll; and, further, preventing perfectly, it is said, any sudden jerking of the berth by sudden changes of the vessel's motion and position. If the invention proves to be as practicable and as effectual for the prevention of sea-sickness as is claimed for it, there can be no doubt of its being widely appreciated. Further information about it may be obtained from Wm. Nicholson and Co., 5, Jeffreys-square, St. Mary Axe, E.C. FOETID PERSPIRATION OF THE FEET.-Dr. Ambrook writes:-"As recipes for foetid perspiration of the feet seem to be in order, and as I do not remember seeing one mentioned that never failed in my hands, I herewith send it, viz., a 1 per cent. watery solution of the permanganate of potash. Bathe the feet with it night and morning-oftener if necessary, even to every hour-letting them dry without wiping after each bath. A stronger solution may at times be necessary, but generally the weaker one will answer. The stronger the solution, the greater the discolouration of the feet; but this is temporary."-New York Medical Record, November 20. MEDICAL NEWS. APOTHECARIES' HALL, LONDON.-The following gentlemen passed their examination in the Science and Practice of Medicine, and received certificates to practise, on Thursday, December 23: Daniell, Charles Henry, Derby. Gleeson, John Gerald, Cromwell-street. Belgravia. Verdon, Michael John, Craven-street, Charing cross. Wordley, Alfred William, Green street, Suffolk-street. The following gentlemen also on the same day passed their Primary Professional Examination: Allwork, Frank, Westminster Hospital. Holberton, Henry Nelson, St. Thomas's Hospital. APPOINTMENTS. The Editor will thank gentlemen to forward to the Publishing-office, as early as possible, information as to all new Appointments that take place. BURROWS, W. S., L.D.S.R.C.S.-Dental Surgeon to the North-West SCHREIBER, AUGUSTUS, M.D.-Resident Medical Officer to the German BIRTHS. KENDALL.-On December 28, the wife of Surgeon-General Henry Kendal, M.D., P.L., Medical Officer Chatham District, of a son, who survived his birth only a few minutes. MRADE.-On December 25, at Anglesey, Gosport, Hants, the wife of MARRIAGES. BUCKLAND-Ross.-On December 21, at Jubbulpore, India, Lieut. P. A. DEATHS. COMERFORD, JOHN LESLIE, son of J. T. Comerford, M.D., L.R.C. P., GAYE, ELIZABETH EMILY, wife of Henry 8. Gaye, M.D., at Newton KRE, ISABELLA, wife of C. Buchanan Ker, M.D., at Hadley House, Cheltenham, on December 23. PARKINSON, ALICE FRANCES, wife of Edmund Wollaston Parkinson, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., of Melbourn, Cambs, at Tiptree Rectory, Essex, on December 23. SIMPSON, KATHARINE LUMSDEN, widow of the late Alexander Simpson, M.D,M.H. Indian Army, at Highgate, at the residence of her son, Dr. Malcolm Simpson, on December 21. TOULMIN, ABBAHAM, M.D., of 18, Russell-road, Kensington, W., on December 22, in his t6th year. VACANCIES. HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN, SOHO, W.-Clinical Instructor. (For particulars see Advertisement.) LONDON LOCK HOSPITAL, MALE AND OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT, 91, DEANSTREET, SOHO, W.-House-Surgeon. Applications, with testimonials, to be sent to D. Harvie, Esq., Secretary, on or before January 15. MACCLESFIELD GENERAL INFIRMARY.-Junior House-Surgeon. Candidates must be doubly qualified and duly registered. Applications to be sent to Chairman, House Committee, Macclesfield Infirmary, on or before January 1. MANCHESTER ROYAL INFIRMARY.-Resident Medical Officer. (For particulars see Advertisement.) NOTTINGHAM DISPENSARY.-Resident Surgeon. Candidates must be on the Medical Register as having obtained two qualifications-one to practise medicine, the other surgery, in the United Kingdom; and to agree to remain in the office for a term of three years. Applications, with testimonials, to be sent to the Committee at the Dispensary fourteen days before the day of election, which takes place on January 3. ROYAL HANTS COUNTY HOSPITAL, WINCHESTER.-House-Surgeon and Secretary. Candidates must possess a diploma of the Royal College of Surgeons, or the surgical diploma of a Royal College or of a University in England, Scotland, or Ireland, and also a degree in medicine from one of the said Universities, or a licence from the Royal College of Physicians in London, or from the Society of Apothecaries. They must also possess unexceptionable testimonials as to moral character. Applications and testimonials to be sent to L. Fuller, Esq., Secretary, before January 5. VICTORIA HOSPITAL FOR CHILDRER, QUEEN'S-ROAD, CHELSEA, S.W.Medical and Surgical Registrar. Candidates must be fellows or members of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and Licentiates of the Apothecaries' Hall or of the Royal College of Physicians, or graduates in medicine of any university recognised by the Medical Council. Applications, with testimonials, to be sent to Captain Blount, R.N., Secretary to the Hospital, on or before January 3. WOLVERHAMPTON FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' MEDICAL ASSOCIATION-Resident Medical Officer. Candidates must be members of one of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons in the United Kingdom, and registered under the Medical Act. Applications (stating salary required), with diplomas and original testimonials of recent date, to be endorsed Medical Officer," and forwarded to F. Blower, Esq, Chairman of Committee, Town Hall Hotel, North-street, Wolverhampton, not later than February 1. UNION AND PAROCHIAL MEDICAL SERVICE. The area of each district is stated in acres. The population is computed according to the census of 1871. RESIGNATIONS. Aylesbury Union.-The Third District is vacant by the death of Mr. Robert Ceely: area 9640; population 9187; salary £85 per annum. Also the Workhouse: salary £45 per annum. Battle Union. -Mr E. Smith has resigned the First District: area 12.479; population 4299; salary £65 per annum. Also the Workhouse: salary £2 per annum. Blackburn Union. -Mr. W. H. Pilkington has resigned the Rishton District: area 4039; population 7967; salary £10 per annum. St. Asaph Union. Mr. Humphrey Roberts has resigned the Llanfairtalhaiarn District: area 37,175; population 3693; salary £3 per annum. Brackley Union-Mr. George Cox Douglas has resigned the Sulgrave District area 11,900; population 8216; salary £30 per annum. Bridge Union.-The First District and the Workhouse are vacant by the death of Mr. Amelius Sicard: area 8626; population 2481; salary £50 per annum; salary for Workhouse £50 per annum. Bromyard Union.—Mr. W. Powell has resigned the First District: salary £120 per annum. Burton-on-Trent Union.-The Burton-on-Trent District and the Workhouse are vacant by the resignation of Mr. Paul Belcher: area 9600; population 25,715; salary £120 per annum; salary for Workhouse £30 per HOMATROPINUM HYDROBROMATUM. In the Phil. Med. Times, November 6, Dr. Keyser reports the results of the trials which he has made of this mydriatic, which correspond pretty closely with those obtained by Dr. Schell (Medical Times and Gazette, December 18, page 696). Produced by Prof. Ladenberg, of Kiel, in 1819, by the treatment of amygdalinate of atropia with hydrochloric acid, its mydriatic power was subjected to examination by Drs. Völckers and Fuchs; and the results of the trials which Dr. Keyser has made correspond with those obtained by these observers. He finds that the irritation of the conjunctiva which it causes is so considerable that it cannot come into general use in displacement of atropia or duboisia, except in weak solution of a grain or two to the ounce, employed to dilate the pupil for a short time during examination of the fundus. Compared with duboisia, its action does not begin any sooner, but this passes off much more readily completely in from six to twelve hours, while duboisia requires from one to four days. In examining cases of refraction under homatropinum with comparatively weak solutions, the paralysis of accommodation was often of such short duration and so incomplete that the defect could not be accurately ascertained; while the determination under larger doses was interfered with by the irritation produced. Still there is no doubt that this mydriatic is a great acquisition for the diagnosis of affections of the posterior chamber and fundus, owing to the rapidity with which its effects pass away. 1242 1908 2 44 At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean reading of the barometer last week was 29-41 in. The highest reading was 29-98 in. on Tuesday evening, and the lowest 29.00 in. on Friday morning. The figures for the English and Scottish towns (except for Nottingham, Balferd, and Oldham) are the numbers enumerated in April, 1871, raised to the middle of 1890 by the addition of nine years and a quarter's increase, calculated at the rate which prevailed between 1861 and 1871. Revised estimates have been adopted for Nottingham, Salford, and Oldham, based upon special returns of inhabited houses existing within those boroughs. The population of Dublin is taken as stationary at the number enumerated in April, 1871. . NOTES, QUERIES, AND REPLIES. Se that questioneth much shall learn much.-Bacon. A. K., Leeds. We are acquainted with no organisms which will resist the temperature of boiling water continued for a certain time. On these broad grounds we would therefore say that impure water may be rendered safe by boiling; but it is very unpalatable except some addition be made to it in the shape of a flavouring ingredient. You may safely leave all statements about brain-food on one side, as nonsense. Simply, we don't know. Poet's Corner.-The Rev. George Crabbe, the celebrated poet, was apprenticed to Mr. Page, a surgeon, at Woodbridge, Suffolk, where he was born. A. A., Essex.-If the dynamite is used in a populous place so as to endanger life, or be a nuisance in any way, no doubt the users would be liable to penalties in the same way as for committing any other nuisance. Death-rate of "Free Men" and "Trisoners."-Contrasting the death-rates of London and the prisons of England, the Chaplain of Clerkenwell Prison makes the statement that the alcohol-drinking and other irregularities of "free men" caused a mortality of 21 per 1000, whereas in "her Majesty's teetotal hotels the death-rate is only 8 per 1000 for the whole of England! A choice sample of statistics misused. Smoke and Fogs.-Amongst the private bills deposited for the ensuing session of Parliament is one, inter alia, for the abolition of smoke, foga, and impure air in large buildings. Generosity.-Dr. Forbes, of Milburn, has endowed the Inverness Dispensary with £6CCO. The endowment will be under the management of trustees, who will be the provost and four bailies of the burgh, the minister of the West Church, and the member of Parliament for the burgh for the time being. £100 a year of the interest will go to the medical attendant, who may be one of the local practitioners. Butter Adulteration, Chicago.-At a meeting of the leading dealers in butter in this city, resolutions were adopted calling on producers to take immediate action to prosecute parties guilty of violating the State law, making it an offence to sell either butter or cheese which is adulterated, except under some appropriate name. Money was, at the same time, subscribed to defray the expenses of prosecution, with the view to stamp out the fraudulent practice now in vogue of selling doctored lard as genuine butter. The City Council was also petitioned to pass a city ordinance against the sale of any spurious article as butter unless it was placarded as to its real composition. Specialist.-No; "the Home Secretary, in reply to an inquiry of an honourable member in the House, did not pledge the Government to introduce in the forthcoming session a Bill for amending the lunacy laws, but said there was ample information available to supply material whenever there was time to bring in a Bill on the subject. L. N. P., Gloucester.-The Local Government Board have made regulations for preventing overcrowding on canal-boats, and it rests with the local authorities to see that these regulations are observed. The Board have no power, we believe, to compel the local authorities to enforce the Act of 1877. A Surgeon, Kent.-Relieving officers of poor-law unions have a certain discretion as to over-ruling the orders of the medical officers in the supply of medical necessaries to the sick poor, but they are cautioned by the Local Government Board to be very guarded in the exercise of that discretion. Mater familias.-The Government decided, after consultation with the Registrar-General, that it would not be possible to employ women as clerks in the preparation of the census returns. M.D., Glasgow. -The proper designation would be "the Queen's Indian Army." The gentlemen mentioned were members of the "Hon. East India Company's Service," as it was then designated. On the establishment of the Studentships in Human and Comparative Anatomy of the Royal College of Surgeons, appointments of an assistant-surgeoncy in the Navy, Army, and the East Indian Company's Service were given to the Council triennially to be awarded to these gentlemen; and it is a curious fact that not one of the appointments in either of the Royal Services was taken up, the candidates invariably preferring the Hon. East India Company's Service. Out of the eighteen gentlemen who have held the appointment, only eight survive. The office, which was established in 1889, was abolished in 1855. Inquisitive, Bayswater.-We believe there is a well-fitted laboratory under the management of a competent chemist at the premises of the Aylesbury Dairy Company, St. Petersburg-place, where careful analyses of the milk-supplies are made. J. G. G., M.D.-The office of Inspector of Salmon Fisheries for England and Wales is not necessarily held by a member of the College of Surgeons of England, although Mr. Francis Trevelyan Buckland was one, having been admitted a member in 1851. There are two inspectors, at a salary of £700 each. T. H. L., Charing-cross.-The morning and afternoon collections at the B. P., Guy's.-The primary examination for the membership of the College M.D.-Of the two Hunters, William was the senior, having been born in G. G., Sussex.-The estimated cost is about £15,000 for the new hospital Urban and Rural Sanitary Works.-The Local Government Board, having made pressing communications to the Town Council of Dorchester on the question of the town sewage, the Town Council have at length held prolonged discussions on the subject, and the Town Clerk has been instructed to communicate with the Duchy of Cornwall on the matter. -The efforts to obtain a supply of good water for Cromer have, after many difficulties, been successful. An abundant supply of pure water has been obtained.-The Newbury Urban Sanitary Authority have offered a premium of £100 for the best plan for the drainage of the borough.- -The Workington Local Board have applied to the Local Government Board for sanction to expend £300 on sewerage works, and £3000 for works of water supply outside the Board's district.- -A Local Government Board inquiry has been held at Cockermouth as to an application from the Local Board for permission to borrow £1500 for sewerage and water-supply works. An official report on behalf of the Whitechapel Board of Guardians on the blocks of buildings connected with the Peabody Trust, in Royal Mint-street, and also those in course of erection in Glasshouse-street and Blue Anchor-yard, states that due attention had been paid in the erection of the buildings to sanitary requirements, but it recommends, in the event of other buildings being constructed, that the domestic offices should not be inside, but attached to the walls, and with windows opening from them, so that thorough ventilation might be secured in accordance with the suggestions of Mr.(Simon, formerly Medical Officer of the Privy Council. -It is proposed to convert into a recreation-ground the well-known garden at North Woolwich, and application is to be made to the Metropolitan Board of Works to purchase the garden. - -The Kensington Guardians have decided on purchasing from the Vestry of St. Margaret's and St. John the land (about three acres and three-quarters) adjoining the Kensington Infirmary and the buildings thereon for £55,000. The cost of adapting the premises for an infirmary, it is stated, will not be large. At a recent meeting of the Kensington Vestry it was an nounced that the Guardians had refused to consent to a public mortuary being erected by the Vestry on their land at Notting-hill, and it was resolved to take steps for the purpose of constructing a mortuary in the parish churchyard at the rear of the Town Hall, with the consent of the churchwardens.- -The first summer season during which the new Salford baths and washhouses (the property of the Corporation) have been opened has been very successful-the number of bathers being no ❘ less than 58,844.--After perfecting a scheme for improving two districts which had been condemned as unhealthy under the Artisans' and Labourers' Dwellings Act, the Town Council of Brighton has refused to seal the formal petition praying for a confirming order. This decision was arrived at in consequence of the Government being about to amend the Act, as it did not work satisfactorily. The Metropolitan Board of Works have sanctioned the following loans, subject to the approval of the Local Government Board and the Treasury :-£19,500 to the Guardians of Marylebone, for works at their new infirmary; £33,000 to the Guardians of Mile-end Old Town, for the erection of a new infirmary; and a further loan of £17,350 to the managers of the Metropolitan Asylums District. COMMUNICATIONS have been received from THE SECRETARY OF THE ROYAL INSTITUTION, London; THE SECRETARY BOOKS, ETC., RECEIVED Fonctionnement de l'Ambulance Urbaine de New York-Wheat Meal PERIODICALS AND NEWSPAPERS RECEIVED- APPOINTMENTS FOR THE WEEK. January 1. Saturday (this day). Operations at St. Bartholomew's, 14 p.m.; King's College, 1 p.m.; Royal 3. Monday. Operations at the Metropolitan Free, 2 p.m.; St. Mark's Hospital for 4. Tuesday. Operations at Guy's, 13 p.m.; Westminster, 2 p.m.; Royal London Oph- ROYAL INSTITUTION, 3 p.m. Prof. Dewar, "On Atoms." (Juvenile PATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 83 p.m. Annual General Meeting for Election of Officers, etc. The President-1. Rheumatism and Gout in the same Subject; 2. Diseased Kidneys from a Pig. Dr. Thin, "On the Pathological Histology of Molluscum Contagiosum." Dr. Radcliffe Crocker -Molluscum Contagiosum. Dr. F. Taylor-Obstruction of Mesenteric Artery and Vein. Mr. McCarthy-Case of Strangulated Hernia. Mr. Cripps-Recurrent Multiple Sarcoma. Dr. Ormerod-Enlargement of the Median Nerve (living specimen). Dr. Burnet-Calcareous Aorta (card). The Secretary (for Mr. Devis, of Hereford)-Acute Inflammation of Muscle. 5. Wednesday. Operations at University College, 2 p.m.; St. Mary's, 1 p.m.; Middlesex, EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SOCIETY (Council Meeting, 7 p.m.), 8 p.m. Surgeon- 6. Thursday. Operations at St. George's, 1 p.m.; Central London Ophthalmic, 1 p.m.; 7. Friday. Operations at Central London Ophthalmic, 2 p.m.; Royal London Ophthal- CHLOROFORM MORTALITY IN ENGLAND.-In an article on this subject, the New York Med, Record (November 27) observes-"There does not appear to be any valid reason why English surgeons should continue the practice of sending a dozen persons annually on their long journey, simply because chloroform is convenient and has the authority of long usage." SOUTH LONDON SCHOOL OF PHARMACY.-The medals and certificates for the first B Course were presented to the following successful competitors on Saturday, December 11, 1880:-Senior Chemistry-medal, Mr. Preston. Junior Chemistry-medal, Mr. Cracknell; certificates, Messrs. Llewellyn and Haines (equal). Botany-medal, Mr. Fisher; certificate, Mr. Fry. Materia Medica-medal, Mr. Llewellyn; certificate, Mr. Cracknell. Pharmacy and Practical Dispensing-medal, Mr. Haines; certificate, Mr. Fisher. ORIGINAL LECTURES. CLINICAL LECTURES ON DISEASES OF THE ABDOMEN. By FREDERICK T. ROBERTS, M.D., B.Sc., F.R.C.P., LECTURE I.-INTRODUCTORY. GENTLEMEN,-I have ventured to undertake the delivery from time to time of a course of clinical lectures upon Diseases of the Abdomen, according to a certain plan, which I have mapped out for myself as likely to be useful to you in the practical study of these diseases. I propose to consider them mainly from a clinical point of view, but shall have to allude incidentally to the chief points bearing upon their pathology. I do not intend to read lengthy descriptions of cases, though I may call attention to points in cases which have come under my notice, and which serve to illustrate subjects under our consideration. My principal object, however, will be to use such cases as are actually under our observation, which you can see and study for yourselves. Consequently you will understand that this will not be a continuous or altogether systematic course of lectures, but I intend to avail myself of such opportunities for studying particular subjects as the cases at our command afford, though I hope ultimately to be able in this way to get over the whole field. I desire, in the first place, to consider abdominal diseases from a general point of view, and if you give me your attention while discussing what may seem to be rather dry matter, I think you may learn what will be of material assistance to you in your subsequent study of these diseases. Recognise the fact, at the outset, that abdominal diseases constitute a very numerous and extensive class. For this reason alone they are difficult, and need much personal application in their study. The knowledge acquired about these diseases is often very vague and confused, so that when a case occurs which is at all unusual or obscure, the practitioner is quite at a loss; and this arises, to a great degree, from the fact that students do not give the necessary amount of attention to them, and do not take the trouble to study them adequately and systematically. Bear in mind that it is well worth your while to master them thoroughly, for they are very common, and, if understood, can often be treated with marked success. In the next place, not only are abdominal diseases extensive and numerous, but, further, they present great variety, partly on account of the number of organs and structures which may be affected, but also because each organ or structure is liable to various diseases; while it commonly happens that we meet with affections of more than one organ, or of different kinds, and thus cases may become very complicated. In my next point I may seem to be contradicting myself, for while lecturing on abdominal diseases, I strongly warn you at the outset against regarding them as a distinct and separate class, which have to be looked at entirely in themselves-a mistake not unfrequently made. As you will hereafter learn, they have important relations to the general system, and to other parts of the body besides the abdomen, and these relationships should be recognised from the first. Still more necessary is it to guard against fixing upon one organ or set of organs within the abdomen. It is your duty as intending practitioners to study the diseases and disorders of every organ and structure contained within this cavity, and, in the first instance, you should learn systematically what is taught about each of these individually in text-books and lectures on Medicine, though subsequently I think you may study them with advantage according to a more comprehensive arrangement, which I will endeavour in future lectures to indicate. In the meantime, I desire to impress upon you most emphatically to habituate yourselves as VOL. I. 1881. No. 1593. students to take a broad view of every case that comes under your notice, and not to drift into the narrow and most mischievous practice of regarding some particular organ as being always at fault. This is a tendency against which you have constantly to guard yourselves. It is very common for individual practitioners to have a pet organ, which they always fix upon as being "out of order," no matter what the symptoms may be. With some it is the stomach, with others the kidneys, but I think the liver is the favourite. Again, this error is greatly fostered at the present day by the development of "specialties," which is being carried to an absurd and ridiculous extent. It has almost come to this, that in London, at any rate, no "general physician" has much chance of success, either with the profession or the public, unless he happen to become "the fashion," and that consequently any physician who wishes to get on in practice is almost bound to associate his name in some way or other with this or that organ, or with some special disease, or even symptom. Most patients who can afford it, if they have an idea that a certain organ is affected (and patients are very fond of diagnosing their own case), do not feel satisfied until they have consulted some "authority" on that organ, and they will often go the round of all the authorities. Indeed, the notions entertained in this matter are so exaggerated, that only those who are supposed to have paid special attention to an organ are credited with any knowledge whatever about it, even as to its most simple and trivial disorders. Injurious consequences of much importance not uncommonly result from these ideas, of which I could give many illustrations from personal knowledge, but I think I have said enough in the fulfilment of what I consider my duty-namely, to warn you against being in any way exclusive in your attention to a particular organ or set of organs. · I may remark, in passing, that, taking a comprehensive view of abdominal diseases, while those who are engaged in general practice must be acquainted with them all, in relation to "consultants," they naturally fall into three groups, according as they come respectively under the notice of physicians, surgeons, or those who pay special attention to diseases of the generative organs in women. At the same time, while recognising this classification generally, it must be remembered that in certain cases the distinction is by no means clear, and those belonging to the several classes of practitioners mentioned may materially assist each other, both as regards diagnosis and treatment. With regard to the general nature of abdominal affections, it is important to notice, and for you to bear in mind, the great frequency of so-called functional disorders in connexion with this part of the body, as well as of symptoms and ailments calling for special attention. Indeed, certain symptoms, such as jaundice, often become so prominent as to be regarded as diseases; or combinations of symptoms may be thus looked upon, and called by a particular name-for instance, dyspepsia, which does not really signify any disease having a separate existence. Moreover, malingerers, hypochondriacs, and hysterical persons often refer their sensations and other pretended or imaginary complaints to the abdominal region; or, in the case of hysteria, objective conditions may be present, simulating more or less serious diseases. On the other hand, the common occurrence of organic diseases, often of grave character, must never be forgotten; and it is of great moment to bear in mind that, as regards symptoms, there is frequently no marked line of demarcation to separate them from the functional group, and that many of them begin, or may even pass through their course, with very slight and indefinite symptoms. The obvious lesson to be learnt from this fact is, that a practitioner has no right to jump at the conclusion off-hand, or to take it for granted, that any case which comes under his care belongs to the functional class, simply because the symptoms are not marked, and do not seem to be of serious import. In practice you will probably find the frequency of functional disorders in the abdomen a troublesome fact, not only in leading you to make mistakes in diagnosis unless you are very careful, but also in causing you much concern and worry about cases which may really be of little consequence. I will conclude this lecture by giving you a general summary of the structures which may be the seat of disease in connexion with the abdomen, or from which diseases may take their origin, so that you may have some idea as to what you have to deal with when you come to the |