Rothmann points out how important it is to surgeons that the localisation of lesions in the brain and spinal cord should be made with the utmost accuracy. In many cases diseases do not strike suddenly upon a nervous system previously intact. Often the circulation has been previously deranged by arterial sclerosis, which prepares the way for transitory hemiplegia or aphasia. Sometimes there is loss of function after central lesions, which disappears in longer or shorter time. Goltz and his followers have treated many effects following the extirpation of the whole or part of the cerebrum as due to what they call inhibition (Hemmung). Thus the functions of the spinal cord are much impaired after removal of the cerebral ganglia, or the lower portion of the cord loses its reflex function after section higher up, but after a while it again resumes its act$ibon.

Carmarthen.—We read with considerable surprise some very trenchant remarks made by the visiting Commissioners in their report. They regret to find that many matters requiring attention have remained neglected for years because of the dispute that rages between the authorities contributing to the asylum. Among these is mentioned the absence of any proper system of drainage. The Commissioners record their opinion that by this neglect of the above and other things the interests of the asylum and the patients suffer to a considerable extent, and that the condition of things is not creditable to those responsible. But far more serious, in our opinion, is the record, “It does not appear from the entries of visits that two or more members of the committee have visited the institution on any one occasion during this year.” Some of us think that the best chance of solving lunacy difficulties lies in relaxing some of the cast-iron precision of the lunacy law in favour of increased liberty of experiment and exploitation on local initiative. How this can be conceded when the Commissioners have to whip up committees to carry out the very first essential of their being it is impossible to see. The actual facts, however, suggest that the cast-iron precision of the lunacy law, inconvenient in many important matters, is not of much value where it is particularly wanted. We note that considerable use has been made of electric baths, but no report of the results is given.