FOURTH DAY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10597, 18 February 1896, Page 3

FOURTH DAY.

Thefourth session of the Intercolonial Medical Congress of Australasia was resumed on the 6th iusfc,, when a generil meeting was held in the cberoiatry lecture room, ! University Buddings. There was a larjje attendance, and Dr B.itche.lor (president of the congress) occupied the chair. Dr Spkingthobpk (president of the Section of Public Health) delivered an able address, in which he directed the attention of members to a physician's view of the battle of life—that ceaseless, restless conflict in which physicians played the double- part of. advisers as well as combatants. '■' ■ A vote of thanks to Dr Springthorpe was propoped by Dr Love (Brisbane) and carried by acclamation. SECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH. Dr Stenhoose read a paper on "Educational ! Problems," which provoked an interesting discussion, iv which the queation of school age, the kindergarten system, femsla education, and kindred subjects were de»lt with. Dr Tkukt Kino contributed an exhaustive paper upon " Structural Changes in tho New vous System in Mental Bisea^e." SECTION OF SUHGEBY. The Section of Surgary met in the chemistry lecture room, Dr O'Hara presiding. A paper by Dr Closs (Dunediu) on " Hypertrophy of Prostate" elicited a leogthy discussion, which was not concluded when the time at the disposal of members became exhausted, and it was consequently adjourned. SECTION OF JIKDICINK. I The meeting of the Section of Medicine was presided over by Dr Hsyward (of Adelaide), and the following papers .were read:—"A Case ,of Diabetes Mellifcus from Cancer of the Pancreas," by Dr Sprotfc (of Hoburt), and " Reichmann's Disease aad Some Othor Sf.omach Conditions," by Dr D. Colquhoun, Notes of of a case of Myxoeclema, which was mentioned at the last congress, were given by Dr Whitton (of Oamaru), and, a gall stone" of uausual size was exhibited by Dr Martin (of Wellington). The readiug of the other papsra eet down in the order paper was dofc-rred. SUBDIVISION OF EYE, EAR, AND THROAT. Dr Jackson (of Melbourne) presided over the subsecbion on Diseases of the Eye, Ear, and Throat;;. and oue paper—an exceedingly able one—was read by Dc Hamilton, tbe subject being " Rhinitis Chrouica Atrophicans Fcetida." The reiding of other papers by Drs Hamilton sad Purchirf w»h deferred. SECTION OF MIDWIFREV. The order paper for the day provided for three papers b::iog read iv this nectiou, bub oce on "Puerperal Fever" by Dr Garland (Oamsrn), and the discussion oa it, absorbed all the tims available. FIFTH DAY. The session of tha Intercolonial Medical Congress was resumed at 10 a.m., Dr Batchelor (■president) occupying the chair at a general meeting: Dr Mobier read the presidential address prepared by Dr Way, M.8., L.R.C.P., M.R.C.S., lecturer on diaaases of women, I University of Adelaide, president of the secj tion of midwifery and diseases of women, who i emphasised the advance made in recent years lin scientific knowledge, and claimed that in I medicine and surgery no more remarkable | growth, no more brilliant progress was presented than that shown by its great branches of obstetrics and gyiiEecolouy. A vote of thanks to Dr Way waa proposed by Dr Woebali- (Sydney) and carried by acclamation. SECTION OP PUBLIC HEALTH. Dr Speinothobpe read a communication from A. F. Blakislon, secretary of St. Saviour's Guild, Curistchurch, cove-ing a request from the Chtittchurch Society for Promoting Social Purity to be supplied with information on a number of points with respect to the Contagious Diseases Act from a medical and sanitary aepect, and a telegram from the Auckland Association for the Abolition of State Regulation of Vice urging the importsmes of tbe repeal of the act. On the motion of Dr Knaggs (Sydney), it was resolved —" That the question of the Conl tagious Diseases Act bs referred to the next congress for discussion," Dr Spmngtiiokpe moved —"That in the onioiod of this congress elementary hygiene fvhould form a tubjaot for instruction in all State-capported schools, and that where practiaable tefichers in such schools should be rej quired to undergo a course of instruction in the same subject previous to their being licensed to teach." In supporting the resolution, he said that this system was now, and had bsen for some time, in operation in Victoria. Tha handbook he had exhibited was part of tbe curriculum in e?.oh of the 5000 odd schools of Victoria, and tha Health Society held examinations, and a ceriifioata was issued ho those who passed the examiuatioa in the subjsct. It was a very important matter, and one likely to lead to great good in the future.—; Hear, hear.) Tbe second pare of the motion, that teachers should be required to undergo examination in the subject, wa| something that he was sure would not be goS-at present, though it was well to suggest that those who taught should kuow something of what thvy ware teaching, and the suggestion was qualified by the words " where practicable." They would not get the reform all at once, but: he thought the two parts of the resolution were useful and should be adopted. Dr Hope Lkwis seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Dr Sphingthobpk said that the secretary ! and bimself had drawn up the following resolution, the adoption of which he moved: — "That this congress respectfully beg to draw thu attention of the different colonial Governments to the scheme by which the authorities of British India propose to deal with saaitary administration and the public health, with a view to the local adoption of such portion thereof as may be nuifcable to their respective requirement*; and that they be respectfully asked to authorise a conference of their medical advisers empowered to report as to the best manner in which sanitary progress may be furthered." The motion was carried nem. dis. Dr SrRiNGTHOiiPE said that Dr Chappie was not present to move his resolution on the subject of aleoh ilism nor had he (the chairman) a copy of'it. He should venture to t»ke the coarse he should have adopted had Dr Chappie been present aud move that the roaolutiou was unnecessary. Dr Chappie's motion waa to tbfl f'fftict that chrome alcoholism was a disease. Well it was knowa to be so. Theo some measme3 were suggested, but they were what were taken b/ a good many of the colonies, and it was really not a matter for intercolonial but for local interference. With the permission of the section, therefore, he would move— " That a resolution regarding alcholiom is at present unnecessary." The motion was carried nem. con. Two other papers—one by Dr Mailing on "Death Certification and Rsgistration in New South Wales," and the other by Dr M'DouuU on " Insanity from Asuoci&tion " —were received and ordered to be incorporated with the proceedings. . SECTION OT MEDICINE. Dr Love (Brisbane) read papers contributed by Drs Turner and Ashworth (Brisbane) on "Anchylostomiasis "andon" Anti-toxin in Diphtheria." The statistics of the Brisbane Hospital were quoted to show that the general mortality in diphtheria treated by anti-toxin had decreased from 40 per ceßt. to 21 per cent while the mortality after, tracheotomy had decreased from 61 per cent to 40 per cent. Dr Sphinqthoepe (Melbourne) said anti-toxin was a great advance in the treatment of diphtheria, but it was important that it should ba commenced early before the functional and orgauic changes attendant upon the toxins had reached a dangerous stage. It was essential that the practitioner should carry the antitoxin in his pocket and treat his cases as promptly as in a case of snake bite. Dr Chapple (Wellington) said the fate of tuberculin had made many at first guarded in the use of anti-toxin, bat its efficacy was now established. An important factor in its use was the encouragement it gave to tracheotomy when asphyxia threatened a fatal end. With antitoxin at his hand no doctor should hesitate to perform this operation in appropriate cases. He had h»d four oases of ag>tisxi» iv Jftis own *

practice, in two of which he had not had tha j courage to operate, and they, of course, died, j In the other two he determined to give his patients this,,their only chance, and performed tracheotomy—both made »n excellent recovery.. The lay prees bad given prominence to a statement made iv another section by a distinguished surgeon, that of 52 such operations all had ended fatally; while another said he had never seen a successful case. If this w«ra allowed to represent to the public the history of tha operation doctors would fiad it.almost impdssible to get the consent of parents to the procedure, and all surgeons knew how difficult it often was to persuade relatives to allow operations at n, stage early enough to give patients tha best chance of recovery. Dr Love (Brisbane) said it must be r*aa«>nbared that anti-toxin w»« not a curative agent; it simply neutralieed the toxins of dipiifcheria iv the body, and local antiseptic measures sboald be persisted in, aa tha bacilli were not killed. In Brisbane intubation largely replaced tracheotomy, being simple, prompt,/ and effieicious, and consent to perform it readily obtained. Dr Haywabd (Adelaide) said that in South Australia uniformly good results had followed the use of anti-tozin, but they had not so much diphtheria as was, apparently, to ba found in Queensland. He agreed with Dr Chappie thut if the public were prejudiced against an .operation legitimate and necessary surgical interference may be unwisely opposed by parents or delayed too long to be of any service in saving life. SECTION OF SURGEttY/. Dr Martin (Weliiagton) read a paper on Thyroidectomy, which was followed by a similar paper by Dr Closs (Diinedin) ;audl after discussion on these pipers, papers were read j by Dr Cleghorn, of Blenheim, and Dr Nash, of Wallsend, N.S W. SECTION OF MIDWIFERY, ETC. The paper, by Dr Garland (Oamaru) on pnerperal fever, read on Thursday, evoked a loug discu36ion, in which Dr Adams (Melbourne), D? Purdy OVellington), Dr Bafcchelir, Dr Gieghorn (Blenheim), Dr Hocksn, aad Dr Wcrrall (Sydney) took part. Dr Worrall (Sydney) yesterday read a paper on retro displacemsnts of the i uterus, which was followed by a lengthy discussion, in which most of the memoes present aired their views. A new form of needleholder and of vaginal pess&ry, by Dr Campbell (Christchurch), was | exhibited, and Dr Purdy (Wellington) rend a paper on " Rapid Dilatation of the Os Uteri during Labour." • SUBSECTION OF EYE, BAB, AND THROAT. The substcHon of Diseases of the Bye, Bar, and Throat was fairly attended, and Dr Jackson (of Melbourne), the president of this subsection, occupied the chair. All the papers set down on ] the order paper ware read and discussal, and ] •votes of tbanks were accorded to the writers of i them. The papers were:—Pterygium, by Dr j Puxchas, of Auckland ; Glaucoma Simplex, by . Dr Hamilton, of Adelaide : Ante Natal ; Adenoids and the Etiology of Scleritis, by ! Dr Stenhouae, of Dunedin. I SIXTH DAY. , I The sixth and last sitting of the liourth session of the Intercolonial Medical Congress commenced at 9.30 a.m. on the Bth inst., when J the members of congress assembled iv the j Chemistry Lecture Hall of the University Build- j ing - ' . • . | THE NEXT CONGRESS. , | The President (Dr Batchelor) said the firat business was the choice of the place of the next meeting of congress. A letter had been received | from the medicAl men of Bri&o^QO invifeiutr the : congress to meet in that city in 1899, and he moved that the invitation be accepted. i Dr Love (Brisbane) supported the motion. | The medical men of Queensland would feel it | an honour to have a visit to Brisbane from as j many members as could there gather together, ! and thongh Queensland could not hope to rival j tile magnificent hospitality bestowed at this j congress—(applause)—they would do their beat 1 to make all who attended feel at homa. The year j 1899 had baon proposed as the year of the next congress, and he would suggest that the time should be the winter. Brisbane had perhaps the finest climate in the world during the j wintsr months, whereas the summer would, he feared, ba found too hot for the comfort of visitors. Any month from May to October would do, and hs should say that about July would be preferable. Fine weather could be pretty well depended on at that season. He cordially echoed the invitation forwarded jointly by the secretaries of the two medical societies of Brisbane. This year he (Dr Love) hfl.d the honour of being elected president of the senior society, the Medical Society of Queensland, and as such it was his duty and privilege to support the invitation.—(Applause.) The motion was carried unanimously. Dr Garde (Brisbane) proposed that Dr John Thomson, of Brisbane, ba elected president. The mover's speech was brief and to the point: I recognise, sir, that he will have an onerous position to fill after the worthy manner in which jou have discharged the duties, and I can only hope that we shall be able to approach the brilliant hospitality experienced by visitors to Dunediu.—(Applause.) Motion carried nem. con. THB CONTAGIOUS DISEASES ACT. On the motion of Dr Springthorpe, the congress confirmed the resolution passed by the public health section, referring the question to the next congress. TUBERCULOSIS. The subcommittee appoiuted to draw up resolutions recommended the approval of the following : — (1) That this congress expresses the opinion that it is unwise and cruel to recommend advauced cases of phthisis to seek Australasia as a health resort; that whilst there are many places in the different colonies of great climatic value in the earlier aad curable stages, the coastal regions generally are to be regarded as unsuited for almost all stages. (Copies of this resolution to be forwarded to the English medical press.) (2) That this congress recommends for the use of medical men in their routine treatment of phthisiis the printed table of advice and information originally rfrawn up by the Australian Health Society., (3) That, recognising the serious extent to. which tubercular disease prevails throughout Aus-' tralasia, the fact that the disease is to some extent au infectious one, spreading through the medium of infected milk, meat, and air, this congress begs respectfully to bring under the notice of the Governments of the different colonies the necessity which exists for the continuous and skilled inspection—veterinary as well as medical—of cattle and dairy stock, dairies, milk shops, and abattoirs ; and for the proper disinfection of public spittoons, conveyances, buildings, Ac. known or suspected to have become iufected. The congress also strongly urges the general use of tuberculin as a test for the presence of tubercular disease in dairy and other stock. Dr Springtiioepe moved the adoption of the resolutions. The subcommittee was representative of each colony, and the resolutions were arrived at unanimously. Motion carried. HYGIENE. The resolutions of the Public Health section on the subject of hygiene were confirmed. .TESTINQ THE VISION. The subsection concerned with eye, ear, and throat diseases presented the following report :— The congress urges : — 1. That the Governments of the different colonies should take steps to ensure the proper testing of the vision of all men who are employed either at sea or in railway services whose duties are such that the lives of others depend on the acuteness of their sight either for form or colour. 2. That all examinations of vision should be made by a properly-qualified ophthalmic surgeon. 3. That a high standard of vision and perfect colour sense should be insisted on for all men who are engaged as deckhands at sea. and who have to undertake duty on the look-out or in steering. Also that such a standard be fixed for those engaged iv the engine room as will suffice for their j own safety and that of the ship. . | 4. That a high standard be fixed for vision and j perfect colour sense required in all deck officers of j ships, that they be re-examined on "each pro- ! motion, and after reaching the rank of master at intervals of five years. 5. That the attention of the different Governments be called to the report of the Committee | on Colour Vision presented to the Houses of Par- | liament in June 1892, and to the report of the Council of the British Medical Association oa the j efficient control of railway servants' eyesight, i published in the same year, and that the stan- j darda recommended in these reports be taken as the basis on which the requirements of vision should be framed.

6. That the attention of the different Governments be specially directed to the law passed in the State of Alabama in ISS7, dealiug with rail^ i>y servants' eyesight, entitled " An Act for the Pro tection of the Travelling Public against Accidents caused byColourßHndness and Defective VisioD," as a model on which suitable legislation might be based.

In order to put in a defiuite form the standar that should bo aimed at, the congress suggest that no candidate be allowed to enter the danserous services unless he is free from any chronic inflammation of the conjunctive or lids; he must be free from strabismus, and possess perfect equilibrium of the external ocular muscles; his distant vision must not be less than (i.Gin one eye and C.9 with the other without glasses, the tests to be made with Snellen's types; he must have a perfect colour sense, tested both with Holmgren's wools and with distant colonr testa under varing conditions ; and he must also have a normal field of vision for both form and colour. Hypermetropia of more than ono diopter should be a bar to entering the services.

Dc Lindo Feeguson proposed the adoption of the resolutions. They were, he said, the result of a discussion in the oubseotion dealing with this matter, and it was thought that if they wero cdopfced by the congress and forwarded to the Government they might pave the way to legislation which • would add materially to the safety of the travelling public. Some of the instances given during the diacossion were sufficient to make the hair of travellers stand on end. If the congress adopted the resolutions it would be doing a service to the travelling public. The motion was carried. BLOOD POISONING BY SNAKE BITE, fee. The Pkbsidbnt said a voluminous letter had been received on the very important subject of" snake bite. That was a matter that wonld require a great deal of discussion that could not be undertaken at that stage of the congress. (Hear, hear.) , COMPtIMENTAKV. Prof esapr; Watson said: On behalf of everj

member of the ooogmSi'tpA more especially tht visitors from the Aaxtadian colonies, I wish to propose a vote of thanks to our president, Dl Batchelor.—(Applaoss.) His vigour, his tenness, and his courtesy have gained for him the esteom of all of us.—(Renewed applause.) The magnificent hoepiiaSty of Mm Batchelor—• (applause)—has lei's an impression n/pon vi whioh.will long remain—(cheers)—and as tot the doctor, I fear th*t he has done incalculable injury to his successors.—(Lond applause.) Dr Batchetjsb, who was greeted with applause, briefly, returned thanks, referring to the CO' operation he had received from bis medical confreres, and particularly from the .general secretaries. . j

Dr Knaggs said: Mr Pr evident and gentlemen, —I have much pleasure in rising to propose a vote of thanks to the secretaries, treasurer, officers of sections, and local secretaries. I kuow full well what the work has been, having gone through the mill myself in the Sydney congress, and I can thoroughly appreciate the very workmanlike way in which all the arduous duties of these officers and offices have been performed. I have not heard a.single complaint of a letter missing or of anything going astray. Everything has been done in the most proper, official manner. I shall not delay you longer, but I hope you will by acclamation carry th« resolution.—(Applause.)

The vote was carried by acclamation, and was acknowledged by Professor Scott.

! Dr Sprott naid : I have much pleasure in proposing a hearty vote of thanks to the Eremiec (the Hon. E. J. Seddon) and to the New Zealand Government i;eoeratty for tha very kiud way in which they have received us. The action of the Prsmier and the Government in granting m free railway passes for oarj selvsa and our wives has been a boon I am sure very much appreciated by every member of the coDgress, of which wa will show onr great appreciation by our travels throughout the colony. lam sure we will get about as much as we can in the short time we have. To show, oar appreciation of this courtesy I beg to move a hearty vote of trimnka to the Premier and I Government of New Zealand.—(Applause.)

Carried by acclamation.

Dr HocKKNsaid : I beg to propose thata vote of thanks be given to the Bishop of Donedin-for the eloquent and philosophical sermon preached to members of the congress, and that if not inconsistent with usnge the same be printed in the proceedings.—(Applause.)

The President : I might he excused for inter* fering here, but I think it is not usual for'thesa sermons to be printed, and I rather think the vote of thanks should be passed leaving the other matter an opea question.

Dr Spkingthorpk : I think it would be wiser to delete the latter portion of the resolution and leave it to the discretion of the Editorial Committee, who will look into that as into everything else.

Dr Hocken : The second" portion of the motion is qualified by tha words "if not inconsistent with usage."

Dr Springthorfe : It is inconsistent, I think, and with great deference to this par« ticular sermon, I think it would bs a had pre« cedeafc to start.

The resolution of thanks, omitting the latter part, waß then pat, and was carried by accla> inafcioD. ■

Dr Hayward moved—" That the thanks of this congress be sent to the Chancellor and Council of the Otago University for the use of this building.

Professor Allen 6aid : Gentlemen, I am sure the next motion will be one that will be received with the utmost enthusiasm, it is that a most hearty vote of thanks be accorded to all those wbo, as our hosts, have contributed so enormously to ouc enjoyment during out stay in New Zealand. Before we cama here infinite paias ware taken to provide for our reception and comfort, and during the time we have been here we have been overwhelmed with magnificent hospitality.—(Applause.) Reference has been made to our great debt of gratitude to the president (Dr Bitchelor) of the eorigresG, and I am sure we shall always have a lively remembrance of what has been done for us by the President of the New Zealand Medical Association (Dr Liudo Ferguson) and his most charming lady. With regard to the others I will not take up your time, but will propose a most hearty vote of thanks to thoss who have entertained us : To the Right Rev. Bishop of Dunediu (Dr Nevill), Mr A. Thomson, Mr George Gray Russell, the Hon. W. H. Reynolds and Mrs Reynolds, Mrs Cutters, the Otago Harbour Board, the Dunedin Club, the Otago Club, the Duneflin Bowling Clnb, the Otago Lawn Tennis: Club, the Otago Golf Club, the Doneifo Cycling Club, the Athenjeurn, and others.

Carried by acclamation.

Professor Allen said that the congress -were deeply sensible of the honour conferred T>y presence of his Excellency the Governor, and a motion acknowledging the compliment of the vice-regal patronage was passed with-eordialifcy.

Votes of thanks were also acsorded to Dr Roberts, for piloting a part; of medical men over from Milford Sound, and to the press foi reporting the proceedings of the congress. The meeting terminated with three cheers ~ being given for Dr Batchelor.