Dr. François Semal, the celebrated Medical Superintendent of the State Hospital for Insane Women at Mons, who died the 16th of May, 1896, was born at Brussels the 20th December, 1835. He took his diploma in 1860 and entered the Belgian Army. Soon afterwards he gave proof of his great mental activity, and was presented at the Exhibition of Hygiene of London with a diploma of honour for is study of epidemic diseases. In consequence of his careful treatment of patients suffering from cholera at Antwerp, he received Stars of the Orders of Belgium, Prussia and Holland.