The year that has just passed has been marked by some occurrences of great interest to the members of our profession.
The Victorian Medical Society, whose organ the Journal now is, in a more direct sense than formerly, has had a peaceful and prosperous year. That there has been progress might be assumed, from the circumstance that some members have thought that the time has come for the formation of sections, which would take up special depart- ments of medical work. This is a matter, with regard to which there may well be difference of opinion, and while it is not necessary here to discuss the reasons for and against, few if any will be prepared to deny the abstract desirability of specialising, in the literary and scientific, as well as in the practical every-day work of the members of the Society.
Those who are in doubt as to the propriety of taking this
step, at the present time, would probably have their
hesitations removed, if another change, now talked of, could
be brought about. Very many of the members of the
Medical Society are also members of the Victorian Branch of
the British Medical Association, and cannot find time to take
part in the working of both Societies. If the proposed
amalgamation could be brought about, though at some
sacrifice to one or both, there would be less likelihood of
meetings of sections interfering materially with attendance
at the ordinary monthly meetings. It would be vain to
form one or two successful sections, if the attendance at
general meetings were to be interfered with to any consider-
able extent. Most of us are busy men, to whom regular
JAN. 15, 1891 The New Year. 47
attendance on meetings easily becomes a burden, and the lightening of that burden, by amalgamation of the two Societies now existing, would be felt as a relief by many.
Never previously in the history of the colony has so much and such earnest attention been given to questions of sanitation, as during the year 1890. The Central Board of Health has had its constitution completely re-modelled, with results which, so far, appear to be entirely satisfactory. In its deliberations, the New Board of Public Health has had the benefit of expert advice from Dr. Gresswell, who came to Victoria with au excellent reputation as a scientific observer and practical worker in various departments of Public Hygiene. Local bodies have been stirred up to take action, and improvements, great and numerous, are either in con- templation or actually being carried out. Improved methods of night-soil disposal, and arrangements for the destruction of much of the rubbish, which is now tipped in the most convenient spots, should do something toward reducing the prevalence of epidemic diseases, and lowering the rate of mortality in Melbourne. That rate is now discreditably high, when compared with that of cities in the Old World, which are in many ways less favourably circumstanced.
Still more is to be expected, however, from the great
undertaking of carrying out a comprehensive system of
underground drainage. The report, recently presented by
Mr. Mansergh, may be said to have brought the question
fairly within the range of practical politics ; and the power
given by Parliament, for the formation of a Metropolitan
Board of Works, makes it possible to have operations begun
at no distant date. If the new Board, thus created, rises to
the occasion, and if the representatives on it, from the many
municipalities in the Metropolitan area, will boldly recognise
that a liberal expenditure on sanitary works is really a wise
economy, we must, before many years pass, see removed the
reproach, which now rests on Melbourne, of being not only
the least healthy of the Australian capitals, but less healthy
than cities like London and Birmingham, which have not
such great natural advantages. Public opinion has been
stirred, by the exceptionally high mortality from both
48 Australian Medical Journal. JAN. 15, 1891
typhoid and diphtheria, during 1888-89, and even in the beginning of 1890. Happily, there are marked indications of a decline in the prevalence of both diseases. If, however, this decline is made an excuse for inaction or half-measures, the misfortune will be great. Reduced prevalence is the rule with all epidemics, for a longer or shorter time after great outbreaks, and unless the permanent sanitary improve- ments, which everybody desires during the period of high mortality, be not quickly and thoroughly carried out, we shall inevitably have a return of the diseases mentioned, with an intensity perhaps exceeding even that of 1889.
Leaving our own smaller world, and regarding the great field of medical activity in the older countries of Europe, it has also to be said that the year 1890 has been marked by some events of striking importance. The Berlin meeting of the International Medical Congress was in several ways by far the most successful of these triennial gatherings. The attendance was very large, the number of members enrolled being about 5600. Perhaps the most striking feature, in the tabulation of nationalities represented, was the large number of members belonging to the United States of America, more considerably than from Great Britain and its numerous Colonies and dependencies. If for nothing else, this meeting will be memorable as the one at which the preliminary announcement was made, by Professor R. Koch, of his success in discovering an agent which he believed to have a curative action in cases of tuberculosis. It is perhaps unfortunate that the announcement was thus prematurely made. There is reason to believe that Koch was induced to say what he did, because some of the leaders of the profession in Berlin, and possibly prominent persons outside its ranks, thought that a discovery of such importance should befittingly get publicity best at a great international gathering in the German capital. That the discovery is one of cardinal importance must be at once admitted, in view of the reports which have since reached us. It marks a completely new departure in therapeutics, in so far as it is the first use of a specific virus for curative, and not merely preventive, purposes. While the results
obtained by competent observers conclusively show that the new remedy does exercise a specific influence, of a destructive kind, on tuberculous tissue, it may safely be assumed that the limits to its permanently curative action will be ultimately much narrower than sanguine persons are now inclined to believe. Sufficient time has not elapsed, to test the reality and permanence of the cures which have been reported, and we do not know enough yet of the nature of the remedy, and of its mode of action to justify very positive expressions of opinion. But what- ever may be the limitations to the practical application of this remarkable discovery, it marks the first distinct step toward the realisation of what pathologists and physicians have long hoped to see attained—some mode of treating the specific infective diseases, which would consist in inhibiting the growth, within the organism, of the
Contagium, animatwm,to which they owe their origin. If this, which till recently was little better than a dream, should be realised in practice, it will be owing to the labours of Robert Koch more than to those of any other man. If realised, it may also be truly said, that the discovery is not only the greatest of our own times, but that it will rank with the greatest scientific achievements of any age. There is honest pride in saying that, to no class of persons, all over the world, will this discovery give more genuine satisfaction than to the medical profession. Our boast is that the prevention of disease is our constant aim, almost more than its cure, whatever be the material results as regards ourselves.
As far as possible, in our special circumstances, it has been the aim of the conductors of the Journal to keep it abreast with the progress of science and practice in all departments of medicine; and looking forward to increased help from our contributors in carrying out that end, we wish them and all our readers a HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Dr. Molloy, of the Melbourne Hospital, and Dr. Rothwell Adam, of Hotham Street, East Melbourne, have been elected members of the Hon.
Medical Staff of the Austin Hospital.
The New Year. 49 SAN. 15, 1891
50 Australian Medical Journal. JAIL 15,189
VICTORIAN BRANCH OF THE BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION—THE PRESIDENT'S DINNER.
A dinner was given in the Freemasons' Hall, Collins Street, on Tuesday evening, January 13, by Dr. Le Fevre, the President of the Victorian Branch of the British Medical Association, to the Members of that Branch. The chair was occupied by Dr. Le Fevre, and there were about 100 gentlemen present.
The usual loyal toasts were proposed by the Chairman, and duly honoured.
The CHAIRMAN proposed " The Parliament of Victoria," and in doing so said that it had been hoped that some of the Ministry would have been inveigled to the dinner, so that they might have slated them for not passing an Amending Medical Act last session, but they had not attended. The Premier had sent a telegram regretting that he could not be present, and others of the Ministry could not do so because they were out of town. It was to be hoped, however, that the new Medical Act would be passed next session. He should not trouble his guests with much speaking that evening, as he had asked them together for enjoy- ment, and the speaking in connection with the scientific work of the Branch of their Society would be done at the Annual Meeting, which would be held in a few days.
Dr. JACKSON proposed "The University," and in doing so said the University was doing very good work, and he thought the various Governments of this Colony were to be complimented for the assistance they had given the authorities of the University in carrying on their duties.
Dr. BROWNLESS, Chancellor of the University, responded to the toast, and said that though he had been asked to acknowledge the compliment paid to the University, he felt that he had been invited to the gathering that evening because he was one of the very oldest of the medical men of this colony. As head of the University, he thanked all present for the manner in which they had just honoured it. He might say that he was the founder of the Medical School of the University, and he was proud to say that the Medical School here was considered by the medical authorities of Great Britain to be one of the best schools in the world. He might also state that the other schools of the Univer- sity were held in high esteem by the learned authorities of Great Britain.
JAN. 15, 1891 University Intelligence. 51 Dr. NEILD proposed " The British Medical Association," and in doing so gave a short historical resume of its career. He said it was perhaps now the most important scientific society in the world, and it numbered about 11,000 members. The Branch here had done good service in the furtherance of health, and one of its most active members had been Dr. Le Fevre, their present president.
Dr. SHIELDS, in responding, said the Branch of the Society here was in a most flourishing condition, and had now 160 members.
Dr. BALLS-HEADLEY, as a member of the Medical Society of Victoria, returned thanks. He said that the Society had worked strongly for years past, with a view to the conservation of health, and he was happy to say that there was now an important Public Board of Health, with an able man as its adviser.
The toast of " Kindred Societies " was proposed by Dr. BALLS- HEADLEY.
Dr. GRESSWELL, as a member of the Public Board of Health, responded to the toast. He said that kindred societies held the highest opinion of the British Medical Society and its works.
There was no association which had wielded such enormous influences for the good of the public as it had done, and kindred societies had therefore the greatest pleasure in holding out the hands of friendship to it.
Dr. ROWAN proposed "Commercial Interests," and the toast was responded to by Mr. A. PRIESTLY.
Several other toasts were proposed and honoured, and the pro- ceedings then closed.
THE MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY.
The following were the successful candidates in Medicine, at the second pass examinations, recently held at the University:—
First Year.—William Alexander Forsyth, Alfreda Hilda Gamble, Gustave Alfred Hagenauer, Ida Gertrude Margaret Halley, Glen Album Knight, Harold Valdemar Munster, Alfred Ernest Walsh.
Second Year.—Robert Hodgson Anderson, Robert Lee Brown, Robert John Fullerton, Colin Gray, John Daniel Hurst, Edward Bernard Levy, Maurice Patrick MacGillicuddy, Stanley James Docker Read, Gavin Shaw.
P 2
52 Australian Medical Journal. JAL 15, 1891 Third Year.—Thomas William Brown, Ernest Arthur Dombrain, William James Hallows, George Joseph Ley, Robert Henry Strong.
Fourth Year.—George Armstrong, Edward Brookes, Egbert John Connell, Ernest Alfred de Ravin, Samuel Arthur Ewing, Paul Ward Farmer, John Kennedy Freyer, John Leslie Henderson, David Henry Edward Lines, Frank Ernest Littlewood, Elizabeth Alice Maud O'Hara, William Henry Rigby, Helen Hannah Mary Sexton, Grace Clara Stone.
Fifth Year.—Stanley Seymour Argyle, John Henry Joseph Crowley, Joseph Milton D'Amer Drew, Edgar Holcroft, William Waugh Hope.
The following gentlemen were admitted to Degrees in Medicine or Surgery at the University, on the 29th ult. :—
Bachelors of Medicine.—Stanley Seymour Argyle, James M. D.
Drew, Edgar Holcroft, and William Waugh Hope.
Bachelor of Surgery.—Leslie Davies.
1
Nospital ntelligente.
MELBOURNE HOSPITAL.
At the meeting of the Committee held on the 6th inst., exten- sion of leave was granted to Dr. M'Inerney, one of the hon.
physicians, who is at present on a visit to Europe. It was also resolved to request Dr. M'Inerney to visit Berlin, in order to investigate Dr. Koch's method of treating consumption, as the accredited representative of the Hospital, but without expense to it.
The Lady Superintendent drew the attention of the Committee to the accommodation provided for those nurses who are engaged nursing contagious cases. During the past week there had been seven nurses working amongst diphtheria and scarlet fever. It was only possible for four of these to be in a measure separated from the others. The three others were obliged to be mixed up with the general nursing staff, both at meals and in their bedrooms.
There was some idea of using the new refractory wards for isolated cases, and, if so, she was afraid it would be impossible for her to supply the nurses who undoubtedly would be required for those cases, and the whole question of the accommodation of the nursing staff should be carefully and at once considered. At the present
JAN. 15, 1891 Vital Statistics.
time there were two nurses sleeping in bedrooms which were only large enough for one. The consequence was that they felt more tired and worn-out in the morning than at night after their day's work. The matter was referred to the Building Committee, with power to act.
ALFRED HOSPITAL.
At a meeting of the Committee held on the 9th ult., Dr. W. H.
Embling, chairman of the Hon. Medical Staff, reported that at a meeting of the Staff held on January 5, it was decided to recom- mend—(1) That the best way of disinfecting the canvas of the tents that had been pulled down would be to saturate it in a solution of corrosive sublimate, of a strength of 1 in 2000 ; (2) That it was desirable to asphalt the ground under the tent floor prior to re-erection of tents ; (3) That it was desirable, when the camp was re-formed, to have the same amount of space between the tent-walls as in the past. Upon discussion, the managers decided to inquire from the chairman of the Hon. Staff the reasons why it would be necessary to asphalt the ground under the floor.
The remainder of the report was held in abeyance.
trrtistits.
The Government Statist's report on the Vital Statistics of Melbourne and Suburbs for the month of November, 1890, shows that the births of 1,249 children, viz., 641 boys, and 608 girls, were registered. The deaths registered numbered 581, viz., 304 males, and 277 females. To every 1,000 of the population of the district, the proportion of births registered was 2.72, and of deaths registered 1.27. Of those who died, 141 were under one year of age ; the total number under five years being 204.
In the month of November, 14 deaths from puerperal fever, miscarriage, or accidents of childbirth were registered, and as the registered births numbered 1,249, one death of a mother occurred to every 89 births. Four deaths were set down to typhoid fever in November, which is 1 more than in September, but with that exception, a smaller number than had been recorded in any month since November, 1886. Deaths from diphtheria during the month numbered 18, or 2 less than in October, 9 less than in September, and the same number as in August. In addition to
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54 Australian Medical Journal. JAN. 15, 1891
the deaths from diphtheria, 5 deaths were set down to diphtheritic croup in the month under notice, as against 2 such deaths in October, 3 in September, and 7 in August.
DEATHS FROM TYPHOID FEVER AND DIPHTHERIA, 1888 TO 1890.
MONTHS.
TYPHOID FEVER. DIPHTHERIA.
1888 1889 1890 1888 1889 1890
January • •
February • •
March • •
April • •
May • •
June • •
July • •
August • •
September • •
October • •
November • •
39 63 54 43 32 20 12 9 9 10 8
70 64 91 113 92 36 17 16 6 6 16
78' 73 89 63 36 20 12 5 3 7 4
5 2 13 13 19 16 14 11 11 9 8
15 13 18 26 35 30 48 33 37 21 27
25 46 56 50 39 45 41 18 27 20 18 Total .. 299 527 390 121 300 485
Local ithiertS,
MEDICAL. BOARD OF VICTORIA.—The following gentlemen have registered their qualifications :—George Ernest Morrison, Geelong, M.B. et Ch M. Edin.
1887 ; William Johnson, Upper Hawthorn, L. et L. Mid. R.C.P. et R.C.S.
Edin. 1890, L.F.P.S. Glas. 1890 ; Stanley Seymour Argyle, Windsor, M.B.
Melb. 1890 ; Joseph Hilliard Johnson, Northcote, M.B. et Ch. M. Edin. 1890 ; Edgar Holcroft, Melbourne, M.B. Melb. 1890 ; Joseph Milton d'Amer-Drew, Richmond, M.B. Melb. 1890 ; William Waugh Hope, Moorabool, M.B. Melb.
1890 ; John Henry Joseph Crowley, Sandhurst, M.B. Melb. 1890 ; Albert Ernest Foster, Melbourne, M.R.C.S. Eng. 1883, L.S.A. Lond. 1884; Otto Ferdinand Grnelin, Melbourne, Staats Examen Halle 1889, M.D. Leipzig 1890.
Name of deceased medical pra5titioner erased from the Register :—John F. W. Manson, M.B. Melb.
HEALTH OFFICERS.—The following appointments have been confirmed :- Shire of Dimboola —William Clow Little, M.D. ; Shire of Mount Rouse—
Frank Arthur Sweetnam, L.R.C.P., vice William S R Woodford, M.B., resigned. James de Burgh Griffith, M.B., has been appointed Assistant Health Officer, temporarily, at the Quarantine Station.
PUBLIC VACCINATORS.—The following appointments have been made :—
Maffra—William Boake, L.R.C.S., vice W. H. Brown, M.R.C.S., whose resignation has been accepted ; St. Arnaud—John David Collier, L.R.C. S., vice J. J. Wolfenden, L.R.C.S., deceased.
Gerald Henry Fetherston, M.D., J.P., has been appointed an Official Visitor of the Lunatic Asylums at Yarra Bend and Kew.
Dr. H. Paynter Sloggett, M.R.C.S. Eng., has been appointed Resident Surgeon at the Eye and Ear Hospital, vice Dr. E. Gutheil, resigned.
ii