largely to Rae's example, has already somewhat improved. Finally, we appear at last to have discovered a back who can both field the ball, kick well, and tackle strongly. Especially when he begins to find touch more surely, and also to make an occasional opening for his three-quarters, he should develop into the soundest full back we have had for years.

The Soccer team record to the time of writing is one win, one drawn game, and two defeats. It should in fairness be added that the Rugger fifteen have lately been recruiting from the ranks of the Soccer men, and have thus been supplied with some much-needed fresh blood. The Rugger A team and their energetic secretary are entering upon a record of unbroken triumphs. The B team still exists. Things as a whole, then, look cheery. Now there is a gloomy room in the basement of the Club, known as the Gymnasium. It possesses a floor of the hardest and most unyielding cement that we have ever stepped upon the place consequently wears at times a deserted look. This is regretable, as the addition of a false wooden floor upon the existing cement basis could readily be made: the architecture of the place is all in favour, and the result would be a great addition to its value as an exercise ground. We believe that a representation to the proper authority would result in some such procedure being carried out.

Mr. Clutton has been appointed an Elector to the Professorship of Surgery in the University of Cambridge.

Dr. Fairbairn has been co-opted as a member of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Oxford for two years.

Mr. J. H. Yearsley, B.A. Oxon, M.R.C.P., F.R.C.S. Edin, has been appointed Ophthalmic Surgeon to the Royal Boscombe and West Hants Hospital.

The following recent appointments have also been gained :—

Dr. H. S. Sington, R.M.O., British Lying-In Hospital.
Dr. A. C. H. Suhr, H.P., Seamen's Hospital, Greenwich.
Dr. S. W. Grimwade, Casualty Officer, Shadwell.

Dr. R. J. H. Cox sails for India about the middle of November to take up his duties as Medical Missionary at Peshawr, where two old St. Thomas's men are already stationed, viz., Dr. A C. Lankester (H.S., 1890), and Dr. L. E. Wigram (H.S., 1903), though the latter is at present home on leave. Lieut. F. D. G. Howell, R.A.M.C., also sails for India at the end of this month.

The following have recently been seen about Hospital:

Dr. F. G. C. Arnold (late Obstetric Tutor), from Fiji.
Dep. Inspector-General T. D. Gimlette, R.N.

Dr. S. R. Gibbs, Barnstaple.

Dr. H. H. Scott, Ludlow.

Dr. G. W. Harrison.

Capt. J. N. Walker, I.M.S.

We note that Dr. Preston King, of Bath, and Dr. George Philip Francis, of Brecon, have both attained municipal honours; and regret to record the death of Dr. Frederick Albert Stabb, of St. John's, Newfoundland.

PRESENTATION TO MR. W. F. HASLAM, F.R.C.S.

At a special meeting of the Birmingham Medical Benevolent Society, held on July 11th, at the Medical Institute, Mr. W. F. Haslam was presented with an address and a silver tea and coffee service, kettle, and rose bowl, upon his retirement from the post of honorary secretary of the Society after sixteen years' service. Mr. Haslam entered St. Thomas's Hospital in 1874, and won the Cheselden Medal for 1877-8. The presentation was made before a large number of the members of the Society by the President, Dr. Whitcombe, who said in the course of his address that Mr. Haslam had thrown his whole heart into his work during sixteen years, and that he had shown a great amount of tact, ability, energy, and devotion as honorary secretary. To his devotion and energies the present satisfactory position of the Society was largely due. The President was supported by Sir James Sawyer and Sir Thomas Chavasse, both of whom paid tribute to the unselfish devotion and untiring energy of the late secretary. Mr. Haslam in returning thanks said that he was very grateful for the presentation that had been made to him, and he greatly appreciated the honour they had conferred upon him. He spoke of the work of his predecessors in the post of Secretary, and pointed out what excellent work the Society was doing, and how that it performed it in a quiet and unobtrusive way. During his term of office the number of members had increased from 300 to 400, but he was disappointed and surprised that more medical men had not joined, for the Society ought to be supported by all members of the profession residing in the district. Dr. James E. H. Sawyer, an old St. Thomas's Hospital man, was appointed honorary secretary in the place of Mr. Haslam.

hints for the Homely.

FROM THE "EVENING STANDARD."

"To know a good lobster, a simple test is that of grasping the curled-up tail and gently putting it straight. If the lobster is perfectly fresh and in good condition for eating, the elasticity of the joints will cause it to relax automatically when the hold is released.”

We submit a few further suggestions, the careful application of which may save the householder many a nasty attack of ptomaine poisoning.

I.

To become acquainted with a reliable rabbit, an easy method is to grasp the defunct rodent by the fur and to allow it to fall from an upper window on to the flagged court yard. Should the suspected carcase bounce back and strike one on the face, or even burst with a detonating report, it will be found too " gamey" for even the most jaded palate, and should be deposited on a neighbour's rubbish-heap.

II.

To ascertain whether the smoked haddock, purchased at the Village Stores, is fit for the breakfast table, a sound procedure is to drop the desiccated denizen of the deep behind one after walking some distance along a railway tunnel. If on turning round the fish is perfectly apparent by its luminosity in the dark, it is wise to relegate it to the servants' hall, and fall back on porridge for the matutinal repast.

III.

One is sometimes in doubt as to whether the last crate of Bulgarian eggs shipped by the local grocer are not more suitable for the orchid house than the omelette. A decision may be most expediently arrived at by breaking one of the suspected ova into a tumbler, and, after deftly flinging it at the back of the palate, swallowing it at a gulp. The egg, if good, may be retained, but if bad should most certainly be taken back to the shop.

IV.

Has the passing thunder storm turned the milk in the larder sour? A simple test is to pour a spoonful into baby's mouth, and observe if the face twitches.

V.

It must have often struck the nervous householder as he retires for the night, and gazes upon the outstretched form of the watch-dog upon the mat-does Fido sleep? Have the bits left over from dinner been too much for even his iron stomach? Or, horrible to think, has

he been poisoned by the subtle strychnine steak of the prowling burglar? One can be easily assured as to whether death or sleep reigns in that faithful but flea-bitten form by approaching the apparently moribund carnivore, and, raising one of its eyelids with the fore-finger, allow a few drops of molten wax from the guttering candle to fall upon the cornea. A less scientific, but equally reliable, method is to place the right heel carefully on the animal's tail, and, raising the left foot from the ground, to whirl round rapidly. The signs are unmistakable!

THE

First Impressions of St. Thomas's.

BY AN EX-PATIENT.

HE first thing I remember is that I was lying on a sort of bed in large white room with a high ceiling. A strange, regular, grunting noise came from the other end of the bed. There were wonderful brass and copper things, all bright and shiny, at one end of the room. The room was hot, so I was not cold. About ten people stood round my bed, all more or less gaping at me. They wore long white garments and white caps, and two or three wore gloves. I remember wondering why on earth they wanted gloves! Some of the people had much bigger caps than the others, large white turbans all folded up and stuck together with safety pins. I noticed that these persons regarded me with more interest than the small-capped ones did, and they smiled at me in a most affectionate manner.

Looking round with interest at my strange surroundings, I perceived with horror that at the end of the room a solid wall of people, rising in rows one above the other, were staring intently at myself! I had always understood that staring was rude, and, considering the state of my toilette (I was a trifle-well, décolletée), I found this marked attention peculiarly embarrassing. As things seemed rather at a standstill and nobody spoke, I thought I might create some diversion by crying, so I did, lustily. Would you believe it, everybody smiled! I felt rather hurt, as I wanted sympathy, not mockery. To make things worse, one of the people in white, who seemed to be in authority over the others, remarked contemptuously: "There he is; take him away." "Him" indeed! I had rather been called "It." I was then picked up like an empty dressing-tin and wrapped in a horrid blanket, all rough and prickly. Ugh! How it did tickle!

My next clear recollection is that I was in a nice warm little bed near a fire in a small room. I felt nice and comfy, and at peace with all the world. I was just dropping off to sleep, dreaming of soap and