The Lunacy Acts of England and of Scotland are in urgent need of amendment. The parent Act for Scotland dates back to 1857, since when great changes affecting its serviceableness have taken place in the social life of the country as well as in the scientific world. It, however, definitely recognizes the paramount position of the medical profession in the treatment of mental diseases, for under its provisions no layman or magistrate is called upon to interview the patient before he is placed in a mental hospital, and no layman or visiting committee is held to be responsible for his removal when recovered. Medical men discharge these and all similar duties, and to this feature must be ascribed the success of the Scottish system. It has gained the confidence of the people' and in place of misgivings and suspicion, there is pride in our mental hospitals and in their management. No case of improper detention has ever been recorded in the law courts. The Act of 1857 has served its day and generation well, and its principles of medical responsibility and of reliance on the honour of the Medical profession are established in Scotland.