British medical journal
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r StrppLEMtfST f<5 thm ' L British Medical Journal Hf Metropolitan Counties Branch.— Dr. E. E. Crosse and Mr. N. Bishop Harman (Honorary Secretaries) give notice that the annual general meeting of the Branch will be held at 429, Strand, W.C., on Friday, June 25th, at 4p.m. The business will be: (1) Report of scrutineers as to the election of new officers. (2) The annual reports of council and of representatives of the Branch on the Central Council. (3) Alteration of Rule 19 b by the insertion of the words “ and adopt (with or without amendment) ” after the words “To receive ” so that the rule shall read as follows: 19. In addition to, the ordinary business of any ordinary general meeting, the business of the annual meeting shall be : To receive the report of the election of new officers; (b) to receive and adopt (with or without amendment) the annual report of the Council on the affairs of the Branch, and the annual financial statement; (c) to receive the annual report of the representatives of the Branch on the Central Council of the Association ; ( d ) to make new rules, or alter or repeal existing rules. (4) President’s address : Side¬ lights on the Practice of Medicine in the Past from Early English Literature. Metropolitan Counties Branch : Tower Hamlets Division. — Dr. W. H. F. Oxley, Honorary Secretary, 119, East India Road, gives notice that the annual meeting of the Division will be held at the Public Health Offices, 43, White Horse Street, Stepney, on Tuesday, June 22nd, at 3 p.m. Munster Branch.- — Dr. Philip G. Lee, Honorary Secretary, gives notice that the annual general meeting of the Branch will be held at 74, South Mall, Cork, on Saturday, June 26th, at 4.30 p.m., to elect officers, Representatives, and Council for the ensuing year ; to receive the reports of Council, and transact any other business proper to general meetings. Northern Counties of Scotland Branch.— Dr. -T. Munro Moir, Honorary Secretary (4, Ardross Terrace, Inverness), gives notice that, owing to many members of the Branch being absent on military duty, the Branch Council have decided not to hold the annual meeting at Kyleakin on June 26th, as advertised in the Supplement of June 12th. Forth of England Branch: Newcastle-upon-Tyne Divi¬ sion. — Mr. David Ranken, Honorary Secretary (23, Ridley Place, Newcastle-upon-Tyne) gives notice that the Executive Committee of the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Division have decided to hold the annual meeting at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, on Wednesday, June 23rd, at 8.30 p.m., instead of Wednesday, June 30th, as previously announced. North Lancashire and South Westmorland Branch : Furness Division. — Drs. George Alexander and A. E. Thompson give notice that the annual meeting of the Furness Division will be held in the Masonic Hall, Barrow-in- Furness, on Wednesday, June 30tli, at 3.15 p.m. Agenda : Annual report. Consider report and recommendations of the Ethical Committee. Election of officers. Reports on fii) the question of fees for treatment of juvenile members of friendly societies, (b) fees for medical examination for life insurance, (c) on eligibility for election as a member of the Association (Supplement, March 20tli). Any other business. South-Western Branch. — Mr. Russell Coombe, Honorary Secretary, and Mr. J. M. Ackland, Acting Secretary pro tern., give notice that the annual meeting of the Branch will be held at the Athenaeum, Plymouth, on Tuesday, June 29th, at 3.30 p.m. The report of the Branch Council will be presented, and the officers for the year 1914—15 elected. The Branch Council gives notice under Branch Rule 20 that it will propose the adoption of new Branch Organization Rules based on the Model Branch Organization Rules of the Association, with the modifications necessary to retain certain special provisions of the existing Branch Organization Rules. By the kind invi¬ tation of the President, members and any ladies accompanying them are asked to tea at 16, The Crescent, at the conclusion of the meeting. _ Staffordshire Branch.— Dr. Harold Hartley, Honorary General Secretary (Basford, Stoke-on-Trent), gives notice that the forty-second annual meeting of the Branch will be held at the George Hotel, Lichfield, on Thursday, June 24th, at 5. 15 p.m., when an address will be delivered by the President-elect, Dr. F. M. Rowland. Agenda : Correspondence. Report of the Council. Financial statement. Election of officers for the ensuing year — President-elect, Secretary, and Treasurer, lo decide the place of the next annual meeting. Address by the President. Members have the privilege of introducing friends. Dinner at 6.30 p.m. ; charge 5s. Surrey Branch. — Mr. Cecil P. Lankester, Honorary Secre¬ tary (1, Rectory Place, Guildford), gives notice that the second annual meeting of the Surrey Branch will be held on 1 Mn’sday , July 1st, at 4 p.m., at the Head Offices, 429, Strand. Agenda. In addition to the business of an ordinary meeting, (1) to receive the report of the election of officers for 191o 16, who wi thereupon take office; (2) to receive the annual report and financial statement. There will be no social function this 3 eai. Worcestershire and Herefordshire Branch. Legge, Honorary Secretary (24, Foregate Street, -Dr. S. C. Worcester). gives notice that the annual meeting of the Branch will be held at the Hereford Hospital, Hereford, on Wednesday, June 23rd, at 3 p.m. The Branch Council will meet at 2.45 p.m. THE LIBRARY OF THE BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. The following volumes were added to the Library during October, November, and December, 1914 : Presented by the Authors. Bolton, C. : Ulcer of the Stomach. 1913. bandwith, F. M. : The Lettsomian Lectures on Dysentery. 1914. Transactions of the Seventeenth International Congress of Medicine. Section III (i) and (ii). General Pathology and Pathological Anatomy. (Presented by Dr. H. C. Bastian.) Section IV (i), Bacteriology, and Section V (i), Therapeutics. (Pre¬ sented by Dr. M. D. Eder.) Presented by the Crown Agents for the Colonies. The Yellow Fever Commission (West Africa). 1st and 2nd Reports. 1913-14. Presented by Dr. H. M. Fernando. Colombo. Journal of the Ceylon Branch, B.M.A. Yols. vi to x. 1909-13. Calendars, Beporls. and Society Transactions, etc. Board of Education, Re ports from Universities and University Colleges, 1912-13. 2 vols. 1914. British Pharmaceutical Conference. The 'Yearbook of Pharmacy. 1914. Calendars have been presented by the following Universities : Birmingham Q914 15), Bristol (1914 15), Calcutta (1914-15), King’s College (1914-15), Leeds ( 1914 -15), Manchester (191415), Sheffield (1914-15), South Wales (1915), Sydney (1915), University College (London) (1915). Edinburgh Obstetrical Society. Transactions, vol. xxxix. 1914. London Dermatological Society. Transactions and Second Report. 1914. Medical Officer to the Local Government Board. Report by Dr. Carnwatli on the Sanitary Circumstances of Padiham, Urban. 1914. Metropolitan Water Board. Report on the Metropolitan Water Supply. July, August, September. 1914. Navy, Statistical Report on the Health of the, 1913. 1914. Philadelphia Academy of Surgery, Transactions, vol. 16. 1914. Philadelphia Pathological Society, Transactions. 1914. Regisirar-General for England and Wales, Supplement Part I to 75tli annual report. 1914. Registrar-General for Scotland, 58tli Annual Report, for 1912. 1914. Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research Studies, reprints, vol. 19. 1914. Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Transactions, vol. 7. Straits Settlements, Annual Report of Medical Department. 1913. United Provinces, Triennial Report of the Civil Hospitals and Dis¬ pensaries. 1911-1913. United States Treasury Department, Hygienic Laboratory Bulletin, Nos. 95, 96. 1914. United States War Department, Report of the Surgeon-General United States Army, 1913 ; Bulletin No. 6, Prophylaxis of Malaria, 1914. Added to the Library through the British Medical Journal. Adam, J. : Asthma, its Radical Treatment. 1913. Adams and Cassidy : Acute Abdominal Diseases. 1913. Andre, Thomas and Durupt: Localisations Cerebelleuses. 1914. Ascii : Die moderne Thera, pie der Gonnorrhoe bei Manne. 1914. Babkin : Die aussere Selcretion der Verdammgsdrusen. 1914. Ball: Mediterranean Winter Resorts. 1914. Ballinger and Elder : Genito-urinary Diseases and Syphilis. 1914. Bardswell, N. D. : Preliminary Report on the Treatment of Pul¬ monary Tuberculosis with Tuberculin, 1914. Biclunore, A. : Industries for the Feeble-minded. 1913. Buxton, D. W. ; Anaesthetics, 5th ed. 1914. Caird and Cathcart: Surgical Handbook, 16th ed. 1914. Clioyce, C. C.: A System of Surgery, vol. 3. 1914. Elderton and Fippard : Construction of Mortality and Sickness Tables. 1914. Gordon. A. : Diseases of the Nervous System. 2nd ed. 1914. Green, C. E. : The Cancer Problem. 3rd ed. 1914. Grotjahn : Geburten ltuckgang mid Geburten Regelung. 1914. Halliburton : Handbook of Physiology. 11th ed. 1913. Harrower: Practical Hormone Therapy. i914. Hyvert : Pathologie interne et diagnostic. 1914. Ivellieott, W. E. : Textbook of General Embryology. 1914. Lambart, H. C. : Handbook of Tropical Diseases in Asia and Africa. 1914. Launoy, L. : Thyroicles, Parathyroides, Thymus. 1914. McMunn : Spectrum Analysis applied to Medicino and Biology. 1914. Mercier : Astrology in Medicine. 1914. Mumford : One Hundred Surgical Problems. 1911. Mum ford : The Practice of Surgery. 2nd ed. 1914. Paterson : Anatomists' Notebook. 1914. Reinbeimer: Evolution by Co-operation. 1913. Silk: Modern Anaesthetics. 1914. Sollier : l’Hysterie et son traitement. 1914. Springthorpe : Therapeutics, Diet, and Hygiene. Vol. i. 1914. Stopford-Taylor : Salvarsan Treatment. 1914. Swanberg: The Intervertebral Foramen. 1914. Taylor, F.: The Practice of Medicine. 10th ed. 1914. Verworn, M. : Irritability. 1913. , , „ Walker, J. W. T.: Surgical Diseases and Injuries of the Genito¬ urinary Organs. 1914. A list of periodical publications, official reports, and Blue Books in the Library of the British Medical Association available for issue to members onloan lias been printed, and copies can be obtained free on application to the Librarian, at tlie house of the Association, 429, Strand, W.C. The regulations governing the loan of these publications aro stated in the introduction to the list. The Library is open for consultation from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. (on Saturdays till 2 p.m.). sri pi. Baxtx 5H :,r.MKNX TO THE 1 Mi di al. Journal J ELECTION OF COUNCIL. [JCNE 19, 1915 ELECTION OF COUNCIL, SESSION 1915-16. BRANCHES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. Branches Included in Group. Name. Unopposed or Contest. North of England, and North Lancashire and South West¬ morland Branches Professor R. A. Bolam, M.D. . . Unopposed. Yorkshire Branch Dr. II. J. Campbell .. . • . . Unopposed. Lancashire and Cheshire Branch Dr. T. A. GOODFELLOW .. .. Unopposed.- Mr. F. C. Larkin .. Unopposed. East York and North Lincoln, and Midland Branches Dr. Adam Fulton . • .. Unopposed. Cambridge and Huntingdon, East Anglian, and South Midland Branches Dr. 0. R. M. WOOD .. . . Unopposed. Birmingham and Staffordshire Branches Mr. Albert Lucas • • . . Unopposed. North Wales, Shropshire and Mid-Wales, and South Wales and Monmouthshire Branches Mr. W. F. Brook . . Unopposed. Metropolitan Counties Branch. Dr. F. J, Smith .. . . Fleeted. Dr. James Galloway .. .. Elected. Dr. Major Greenwood .. ' . . Elected. Mr. H. B. Brackenbury .. . . Elected. Dr. M. G. Biggs • • Bath and Bristol, Gloucestershire, West Somerset, and Worcestershire and Herefordshire Branches Dr. George Parker .. . . Unopposed. Dorset and West Hants, and South-Western Branches Dr. Wm, Johnson Smyth .. . . Unopposed. Oxford and Reading, and Southern Branches.. Mr. James Green .. Unopposed. Kent, Surrey, and Sussex Branches Dr. A. Tennyson Smith . . Unopposed. SCOTLAND. Aberdeen, Northern Counties, Dundee, and Perth Branches Dr. John Gordon . . Unopposed. Edinburgh and Fife Branches . . . .. Dr. J. R. Hamilton .. . . Unopposed. Glasgow and West of Scotland Branch (4 City Divisions) .. Dr. John Adams . . Unopposed. Glasgow and West of Scotland (5 County Divisions), Border Counties, and Stirling Branches Dr. J. Livingstone Loudon • • .. Unopposed. IRELAND. Connaught and South-Eastern of Ireland Branches .. Dr. Denis Walshe .. • • .. Unopposed. Leinster Branch Professor Arthur Hamilton White . . Unopposed, Munster Branch (No return.) Ulster Branch . . • •. Mr. R. J. Johnstone .. • • .. Unopposed. COLONIAL RETURXS- Ncw South Wales and Queensland Branches. New Zealand Branch South Australian, Tasmanian, Victorian, and Western Australian Branches South African, etc., Group of Branches. Dr. c. J. Martin, F.R.S, Dr. David Ewart. Dr. G. S. Same. Dr. T. Duncan Greenlees. SrPJ'I.KMKNT TO TDK Bki rrsa M cldc vr. Journ al June 19, 1915] LOCAL MEDICAL AND PANEL COMMITTEES. 3X3 LOCAL MEDICAL AND PANEL COMMITTEES. PORTSMOUTH. Local Medical and Panel Committees. The annual report, dated May 21st, 1915, of these Com¬ mittees has been issued. Alleged Excessive Prescribing.— A Joint Committee of the Insurance, Panel, and Pharmaceutical Committees lias been appointed to deal with the matter of alleged excessive prescribing, and has arranged for a comprehensive scrutiny of all medical prescriptions for 1914. Finance— A grant has been applied for by the Com¬ mittees under Section 33 (2) of the National Insurance Act, 1913, to be used mainly to meet tlie cost of the inquiry as to excessive prescribing. Proposed ' Portsmouth Insurance Pharmacopoeia. — The Committees recommend the preparation of a Portsmouth insurance pharmacopoeia for the use of the local panel practitioners. ISLE OF WIGHT. Local Medical and Panel Committees. A meeting of the Isle of Wight Local Medical and Panel Committees was held at Sandown on May 27th, when Dr. K. W. L Mackenzie was in the chair. Certificates. — A letter was read from the Insurance Com¬ missioners in reply to the copy of the resolution with regard to the unnecessary frequency with which certifi¬ cates of sickness were granted, stating that it was for the approved society in the first instance to determine what evidence of claim for sickness would be accepted, and adding that in cases in which practitioners considered Memo. 211/1. C. (36) applied, they should make representa¬ tion to the society, indicating the facts which led them to that opinion. Election of Committees. — It was considered desirable to continue the present Committees during the Avar. Conference of Local Medical and Panel Committees. — Dr. J. W. Pridmore Avas elected as representative at the conference of representatives of Local Medical and Panel Committees in London on June 16th. EAST SUSSEX. Local Medical and Panel Committees. Official Medical Pcfcrees. — -The East Sussex Local Medical and Panel Committees have recently passed a resolution urging the Government to appoint official medical referees. It is felt that such referees would be of great service to the panel practitioners in dealing Avitli doubtful cases, and that the practice of some approved societies in appointing referees of tlieir own Avithout con¬ sultation Avitli the profession does not provide for the difficulty in the same Avay that tlie appointment of medical referees by the Commissioners Avould do. COUNTY OF SURREY. Panel Committee. Tiie monthly meeting of the Panel Committee was held at Surbiton Cottage Hospital on May 21st, Avlien Dr. Lankester Avas in the chair. Supply of Drugs and Appliances. — A reply Avas read from the Insurance Commission to the letter from the Panel Committee asking whether the regular supply of aperients to insured persons Avas to be considered as part of medical benefit. The letter stated : “ That an insured person is entitled in respect of medical benefit to such proper and sufficient medicines and prescribed appliances as may be required in connexion Avitli any treatment rendered by the practitioner under the terms of his agree¬ ment Avitli the Insurance Committee.” It Avas decided to ask tlie British Medical Association to get a more definite ruling on the point from the Insurance Commission. Temporary Residents. — It AAras decided to. ask the British Medical Association if a medical practitioner who receives an honorarium for attending patients in a con¬ valescent home should also make a charge against those patients as temporary residents. Range of Services. — It Avas resolved that the examina¬ tion of the eyes is not a service which could be rendered by a practitioner Avitli ordinary competence and skill. Distribution of Unallotted Funds. — The scheme for the distribution of the money for unallotted persons similar to. the one in force uoav, except that it did not need renewing each year, Avas left to he settled by the chairman. Vacancy on Medical Service Subcommittee. — -Dr. Clarke Newton was appointed to fill the vacancy on the Medical Service Subcommittee caused by the resignation of Dr. Crichton. Conference of Local Medical and Panel Committees.— Dr. Gripper, of Wallingtou, Avas appointed to represent the Committee at the conference of representatives of Local Medical and Panel Committees. Sunday Consultation Hours.— It Avas resolved to ask practitioners in the next circular, if they would discon¬ tinue having Sunday consultation hours, owing to the extra pressure a good many practitioners were feeling owing to the Avar. Honorary Treasurer's Statement. — The Treasurer stated that the receipts to date Avcre A'161 10s. and the expenses £58. He estimated that after all expenses had been paid there would be a surplus of £T6. COUNTY OF BEDFORD. Panel Committee. A meeting of the Panel Committee for the County of Bedford Avas held at the County Hospital, Bedford, on May 13th, Avhen.Dr. John Waugh Avas in tl 10 chair. Prescribing. — The Committee expressed the opinion that 2s. per insured person per annum is sufficient to meet the dispensing for insured persons, and a subcommittee Avas appointed to draw up a circular to be sent out to each practitioner on the panel Avitli regard to future proscribing. Local Pharmacopoeia. — Drs. Ross, Butters, and A. hi. Phillips Avcre appointed a subcommittee to draw up a pharmacopoeia for use in the area and to examine the drug tariff and make any suggestions for its improvement which they think necessary. Local Medical and Panel Committee. A meeting of the Local Medical and Panel Committee for the county of Bedford was held at Luton on June 3rd, Avlien Dr. John Waugh was in the chair. Local Pharmacopoeia. — It was decided that a draft of the proposed Pharmacopoeia be sent to each practitioner on the panel, inviting suggestions Avitli regard to the inclusion of other mixtures, and in order that the Pharmacopoeia may come into use on July 1st, 1915, Drs. Butters, Ross, and A. S. Phillips were appointed, with executive poAvers, to meet three representatives of the Pharmaceutical Committee, to discuss Avith them the question of the ten mixtures Avhich should bear half dis¬ pensing fees, in accordance Avitli their agreement with the Insurance Committee. It Avas also agreed that as and from July 1st, 1915, prescriptions should he ordered from the Pharmacopoeia, or Avritten out in full, and that rep. mist, prescriptions Avould not be issued after the said date. Expenses of Pharmaceutical Committee. — It was re¬ solved that the Panel Committee agrees to tlie Pharma¬ ceutical Committee receiving funds not exceeding Id. per insured person per annum, the charge to be the first charge upon the drug fund, the Pharmaceutical Committee agreeing to bear two-thirds of the cost of the checking, scrutiny, and analysis of prescriptions. Medical Referees. — The Secretary was requested to draw up a letter of strong protest, to be signed by the President, and forwarded to the Insurance Commission, Avitli regard to the action of certain medical referees in cases which have been brought to the notice of the Committee, and it Avas decided to bring the matter before the next Repre¬ sentative Meeting. Attendance on Soldiers. — A scheme whereby a civil practitioner could attend tlie military cases and receive capitation fees in respect of all soldiers billeted in the district as a set-off against the likely loss by members of their panel joining the army, for which it is contemplated adjustments will be made from their insurance credits, was directed to be forwarded to the War Office, through the Insurance Commission, with a request that it be given consideration, and that Dr. Bone be asked to bring the matter before the conference in June. EAST SUFFOLK. Panel Committee. A meeting of the East Suffolk Panel Committee was held at Saxmundham on June 8th, when Dr. Hklsham was in the chair. LOCAL MEDICAL AND PANEL COMMITTEES. [June 19, 1915 3i4 SUPPLEMENT TO THE "| ■British Medical Journal J Payments to Practitioners. — The Secretary was in¬ structed to write to the Insurance Committee requesting it to furnish information as to the amount of the capitation fees credited to the respective practitioners on the East Suffolk Panel in accordance with Clause 35 (1) of the Statutory Rules and Orders, 1914, No. 5, for the year 1913, and for each quarter of the year 1914, and to request also that this information may in the future be supplied at the end of each quarter. Expenses of Committees.- — The Secretary reported that he had received payment of the Panel Committee’s ex¬ penses up to December 31st, 1914, that the expenses of the Panel Committee from that time to date amounted to £17 16s. 6d., and that after payment of expenses incurred by the Local Medical Committee in 1913 there would be left a balance of £3 11s. 2d. in hand out of the special fund subscribed by practitioners. Mileage. — It was resolved that an increased mileage grant for 1913 be applied for. The Committee considered that as there were comparatively few claims for distance of fifty yards or thereabouts, and the amount of the grant would not be thereby materially increased, and that owing to the exigencies of the country a dwelling fifty yards distance from the metalled road (which with the return journey made 100 yards to be traversed) was invariably difficult of access, the distance should not be increased. WEST SUFFOLK. Panel Committee. A meeting of the West Suffolk Panel Committee was held at Bury St. Edmunds on June 8th, when Dr. Wilkin was in the chair. Election of Committee. — The hope was expressed that the efforts of the British Medical Association to obtain suspension of elections this year would be successful. The Secretary was instructed to support at the conference in London on June 16th the suggestion that Panel Com¬ mittees should be elected triennially, and also any action with a view to obtaining a system of monthly certification in chronic cases. Annual Beport and Balance Sheet. — These were con¬ sidered and, with slight alterations, passed for issue to practitioners on the panel. The expenses of the Com¬ mittee from March, 1914, to May 31st, 1915, amount to £14 18s. 7d. Further Payment for the Year 1913. — It was decided to recommend that of the additional grant of £374 17s. 8d. for the year 1913 sufficient be allocated to pay the balance of the claims for the first quarter of that year in full, and that the remainder be allocated to the doctors in propor¬ tion to the mean of their panel lists for the last three- quarters of the year. The Secretary was instructed to inform practitioners in the next circular issued that an interval of thirteen days can, according to the rules, elapse between successive certificates. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. Panel Committee. A meeting of the Northamptonshire Panel Committee was held on June lOtli in the board room of the Northampton Hospital, when Dr. Baxter was in the chair. Election of Committees. — The action of the Chairman and Secretary in signing the British Medical Association petition in favour of the suspension of Panel Committee elections this year was approved, and it was resolved to ask the Insurance Commissioners to recognize the Panel Committee as the Local Medical Committee for the area. Voluntary Levy. — The Secretary reported that every practitioner on the panel had joined the scheme of voluntary levy towards the expenses of the Committee. BIRMINGHAM. Panel Committee. A meeting of the Birmingham Panel Committee was held on June 1st. Election of Committee. — The suggestion of the British Medical Association, that it is advisable to forego an election this year, was approved. Ilegisters of Insurance Committees. — Many complaints having been received from doctors as to the method adopted by the Insurance Committee for correcting and completing its registers, the Clerk to that Committee attended the meeting and gave reasons for the procedure. The Secre¬ tary was instructed to send a report of the interview and the finding of the Committee to all practitioners in the area. Local Medical and Panel Committees. A combined meeting of the Local Medical and Panel Committees was held later, when the draft rules for the administration of medical benefit were considered and approved. Conference of Local Medical and Panel Committees. — Dr. Dain was appointed to represent the joint Committees at the forthcoming conference of Local Medical and Panel Committees, and it was arranged to hold a special meeting to consider the final agenda. LANCASHIRE. Panel Committee. A meeting of the Lancashire County Panel Committee was held on May 19tli, when Dr. A. I. Petyt was in the chair. Term of Office of Panel Committee. — It was considered that better work could be done if the Panel Committee could obtain recognition for three years instead of only for one, as there was always a certain amount of time lost, and also considerable expense incurred, in the formation of a new committee. It was decided therefore to apply to the Commissioners for an extension of the period of office of the Panel Committee from one year to three years. Local Pharmacopoeia. — The question of adopting a local pharmacopoeia was considered, and the secretary was instructed to obtain copies of any pharmacopoeia which might be in use in the county areas. Medical Certification. — The Committee had received notification that certain doctors had been antedating and post-dating sickness certificates at the request of approved societies, thereby breaking the most important part of the rules governing the system of medical certification. One of the advantages of the new system was that the demand for certificates on particular days of the week disappeared. It was decided to ask certain doctors who were alleged to have disregarded the rules with regard to the antedating and post-dating of certificates to attend the next meeting of the Panel Committee. The Committee considered that Clause 27 of the Commissioners’ Memorandum 211/1. C. was the chief factor in producing friction, in so far as it left it open to approved societies, in certain cases, to require certificates from their members on specified days, and it was decided to ask the Commissioners to delete it. Agreement. — It was resolved that the British Medical Association be asked to consider the agreement for next year. Medical Benefit. — A copy of Revised Rules for the Administration of Medical Benefit, submitted by the Insurance Committee, was approved, since it did not differ materially from the last approved by the Committee. Excessive Prescribing . — Certain prescriptions, con¬ sidered to be examples of excessive prescribing, had been returned to the practitioners with requests for explana¬ tions ,' and a subcommittee was appointed to consider the replies. Deductions from Doctors' Lists. — The Panel Com¬ mittee was of opinion that no deductions should be made from the lists of those doctors who have joined His Majesty’s Forces, either during the year or at the end of the year ; and the Secretary was instructed to write to the Commissioners asking them to set aside for the period of the war Regulation 30, so far as it concerned doctors on military service. Issuing of Medical Cards. — The Committee was of opinion that the medical cards were not issued (particu¬ larly in the cases of new entrants into insurance) as promptly as they might be, the result being that great inconvenience was caused both to insured persons and to doctors. The Committee instructed the Secretary to write to the Lancashire Insurance Committee, with the request that in future the bull’ medical cards be issued to insured persons without the usual delay. LIVERPOOL. Panel Committee. Meetings of the Liverpool Panel Committee were held, under the chairmanship of Mr. F. C. Larkin, at the Medical Institution on May 18tli and 28tli. June 19, 1915] LOCAL MEDICAL AND PANEL COMMITTEES Supplement to thb ^ T British Medical Journal 3 1 Conference of Local Medical and Panel Committees. — The business for the conference of representatives of Local Medical and Panel Committees summoned by the British Medical Association to meet in London on June 16th was considered, and the following resolutions were adopted for submission to the conference : That inasmuch as the men who are removed from the panel lists are amongst the best lives and were unlikely to be any serious charge on the medical services for many years, and thart many of them are now returning permanently damaged in health, the Liverpool Panel Committee is of opinion that Parliament should make some grant to practitioners on the panel to compensate them for w'hat is likely to be a serious charge on them in the future. That the Insurance Commissioners be urged to provide that permission be given to any panel practitioner who so desires to dispense for his insurance patients, and in that event a sum of 2s. per patient on his list be paid to him out of the Drug Eund. Dr. A. Stanley Parkinson (Wavertree) was deputed to attend the conference as representative of the Committee. WEST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE. Local Medical and Panel Committee. A meeting of the West Riding Local Medical and Panel Committee was held at the County Hall, Wakefield, on May 14th, when Dr. Hillman was in the chair. Record Cards of Doctors Absent on Military Service. — The Secretary was instructed to write to the Commis¬ sioners again, pointing out the impossibility of coping with the immense clerical work involved in the duty of keeping the records, particularly in the case of doctors absent on military service, and requesting that this duty may be considered unnecessary. It was also decided to request the British Medical xissociation to have a repre¬ sentation made in Parliament to the effect that the duty of keeping these records should be abrogated during the period of the war. Payments to Practitioners. — It was reported that the Insurance Committee was appointing a special sub¬ committee to consider the whole question of payments to doctors and chemists; the Panel Committee, being invited to appoint two representatives as members of this sub¬ committee, nominated Dr. Fry and Dr. Steven. Range of Medical Services. — The Committee expressed the opinion that the surgical treatment of empyema (resection of rib under a general anaesthetic) was “ a major operation, and not within the scope of medical benefit under the Insurance Act,” but that the removal of a sebaceous cyst from the ear came within the scope of medical benefit under the Act. Vacancy on the Committee. — Dr. H. A. Fenton, of Hatfield, near Doncaster, was elected representative for the district of Goole vice Dr. Eardley, who had resigned on his appointment to the Secretaryship of the Committee. Belgian Doctors' and Pharmacists' Fund. — An appeal was made on behalf of the Belgian Doctors’ and Pharma¬ cists’ Fund. Subscriptions to the above fund may be sent to Dr. A. G. Barrs, 25a, Park Square, Leeds. YORK. Local Medical and Panel Committees. A joint meeting of the York Local Medical and Panel Committees was held on Juue lltli. Election of Committee. — It was reported that the Com¬ missioners have been approached with a view to postponing the election until after the war. Complaint against a Practitioner. — A letter from the Clerk to the York Insurance Committee was read, stating that the Committee finds no grounds for the complaint against a practitioner which the Panel Committee had asked it to investigate. It was decided to instruct the Secretary to write to the approved society in question suggesting that the sick visitor responsible should apologize to the practitioner, the complaint having been proved to be not merely groundless, but to have never been made b_y the patient at all. „ , Payments to Practitioners. — The Honorary Secretary was instructed to suggest that quarterly cheques mig i ic got out nearer the end of the quarter, as is done m le North, East, and West Riding areas- DURHAM COUNTY. Medical and Panel Committee. A meeting of the Durham County Medical and Panel Committee wTas held on May 14th, when Major L. G. Dillon was in the chair. Alleged Excessive Prescribing. — It was decided to notify certain practitioners of the Committee’s intention to recommend the Insurance Committee to make deductions from the amounts payable to them on the ground that certain orders were extravagant in character or in quantity unless they intimated within fourteen days that they desired to be heard. Mileage Grant. — It ivas reported that the Insurance Commissioners had approved the scheme for the distri¬ bution of the Special Mileage Fund for the medical year ended December 31st, 1914. Final Medical Benefit Crcd/it.— It.was reported that an additional credit for the amount available for medical benefit had been received from the Insurance Commis¬ sioners in respect of the year ended January lltli, 1914, which it was estimated would enable the payment of a further dividend of 8d. in the £ to be made. Advance Payments to Practitioners. — The meeting also considered correspondence between the Commissioners and the Insurance Committee, intimating that the total amount available for advance payments on account of medical benefit during the current year should not exceed £72 per 1,000 of the insured population on the Committee’s Register at the commencement of the quarter, and it was agreed that the Insurance Committee would not be able to make monthly advance payments to practitioners at a capitation rate exceeding 6d. per insured person during the current year. Suspense Register. — It was agreed to recommend the Insurance Committee to remove from the panel lists of practitioners the names of all patients whose title to medical benefit cannot be traced, on the understanding that such patients be reinstated on production of proof of such title, and be granted medical treatment in accordance with the scheme under Article 21 (4) and 35 of the Medical Benefit Regulations. Medical Certification. — The Secretary was requested to submit to the Secretary of the British Medical Association for an expression of opinion the question of the right of approved societies to accept certificates of incapacity for work from unqualified men. Acting Secretary. — An honorarium at the rate of £75 per annum was voted to the Acting Secretary as from October, 1914. COUNTY OF GLAMORGAN. Panel Committee. A meeting of the County of Glamorgan Panel Committee was held in Cardiff on June 1st, when Dr. W. E. Thomas was in the chair. Over-prescribing. — The report of subcommittee was pre¬ sented showing a surcharge of £23 17s. 9d. in one case. Conference of Local Medical and Panel Committees.— Dr. J. Morgan Rees, Pontypridd, wTas appointed the repre¬ sentative at the conference in London on June 16th. Travelling Expenses of Members of Committee. — The Secretary reported that lie had sent out 331 circulars asking for a voluntary levy of Is. 3d. per 100 insured persons, and had received 94 signatures authorizing the deduction. Doctors' Lists. — It was decided to call the attention of the Glamorgan Insurance Commitee to the very unfair and unmethodical manner in which the lists are kept at present, and to ask that each doctor on the panel should be supplied with the number on his panel, a detailed account of what is due to him, and the payments that have been made to him. BURGH OF EDINBURGH. Panel Committee. A meeting of the Burgh of Edinburgh Panel Committee was held on June 8th, when Dr. Dewar occupied the chair. Joint Services Subcommittee. — Drs. M‘Larty and John M‘Laren were appointed to fill two temporary vacancies on this Committee. Collective Responsibility of Panel Practitioners towards Insured Persons. — It was proposed that panel practitioners should assume collective responsibility towards insured 3I6 SUPPLEMENT TO THK Bkitish Medical Jocanai ,] NATIONAL INSURANCE f CORRESPONDENCE. [June 19, 1915 persons, and that in order to put this on a business footing, each doctor should, in the absence of any individual doctor, make a visit when called upon, and that he should receive 2s. 6d. for an ordinary visit, 3s. 6d. from 8 to 11 p.m., and 5s. from 11 p.m. to 8 a. in. Excessive Prescribing. — In connexion with a case of alleged excessive prescribing, it was reported that the practitioner concerned had explained that the case was one of a paroxysmal character, and that in order to meet the attacks he ordered the patient to take at times the medi¬ cine much more frequently than was ordered on the prescription form. This explanation was considered satisfactory. Levy on Insurance Practitioners. — The Interim Trea¬ surer reported that up to date twenty-five practitioners had sent in their subscriptions of one guinea. lie was instructed to employ a collector to gather in the outstanding subscriptions. COUNTY OF LANARK. Local Medical and Panel Committees. A meeting of the Local Medical and Panel Committees for the County of Lanark was held on June 2nd at Glasgow, when Dr. W. G. Macpherson (Botlrwell) was in the chair. Suspension of Election of Committees. — It was agreed to inform the British Medical Association that the Com¬ mittees were in favour of the suspension of elections during the war. Drugs Account ( Central ) Bureau. — It was agreed not to contribute this year towards the expenses of the bureau, the Committee holding that the cost should come out of the administration expenses. It was also agreed to dis¬ approve of the Pharmaceutical Committee making a contribution towards the expenses of the bureau. Conference of Bcprcseniatives of Local Medical and, Panel Committees. — Drs. Thomson (Uddingston) and Grant (Blautyre) were appointed respectively as delegates from the Panel and Local Medical Committees to the conference summoned by the British Medical Association in London. It was agreed to propose at the conference that during the continuance of the war no further regulations be issued by the Insurance Commissioners. CO II LIES PON DEN CP. The Relation or Panel Committees to the British Medical Association. Dr. Charles Forbes of Aberdeen, Lieutenant R.A.M.C. (T.F.), now serving with the Highland Casualty Clearing Station, British Expeditionary Force, writes : In the agenda of business for discussion at the conference of the Local Medical and Panel Committees, as suggested in a letter from the Medical Secretary to Panel Committees, the very important question of the relation of Panel Committees and the British Medical Association is put down. Owing to the very sudden call to join this unit I omitted to send a letter that I had written on this subject before leaving practice in April. The democratic representation of panel practitioners on the British Medical Association is a matter that is of vital importance for the future success of the British Medical Association and for the protection of the interests of the panel men in the re¬ arrangement of medical benefit organization that is certain to come in the near future. Those of us who have volun¬ tarily given up general practice to accept temporary com¬ missions in the army are even more concerned in this matter than the men who remain in civil practice. We know we will, if and when we do return, return to depleted panel lists aud nebulous private lists. Now, Sir, if the British Medical Association is to efficiently represent panel practitioners in the fight that is before us. there must be democratic representation of these on the British M ;dical Association, and this for two reasons — first, un ess you have that the British Medical Association will not be able to say that it repres lit ; the authoritative opinion of panel practitioners; and secondly, it will be open to politicians who may be opposed to the policy of the British Medical Association to refuse to recognize the Association as authorized to act for and represent the panel men. The advantage of having a body democratically repre¬ sentative of those who are working the panel system is well seen in the success of the Chemists Committee for Scotland. This committee has been able to influence the Scottish Commissioners so as to secure the appointment of a “drug” bureau staffed by chemists. There is not a single medical man on the staff, and only two medical representatives on a managing committee of fourteen. Judging from the way central bodies conduct business, it may safely be predicted that the permanent staff and their chemical confreres on the committee will wheel the business the way the chemists direct through their central body. As one who lias spent a great deal of time in committees running the medical benefit system, and from experience gained as the secretary of a Panel Committee, I am con¬ vinced that unless panel practitioners have a democratic¬ ally appointed body to represent them there is risk of a defeat when the next big fight comes. That this will be soon is the opinion of any one who has had any close experience of the way the present system goes lumbering and creaking along. Does the proposed representation of panel men on the Panel and Local Medical Committee of the British Medical Association constitute the British Medical Associa¬ tion a body that can be called representative of panel practitioners? It may be said that such a constitution gives a prospect of the representation of the views of men on the panel, but it is not democratic representation. The Panel and Local Medical Committee has apparently got the mantle of the proposed federation of Local Medical and Panel Committees, and it is wearing it d la Mr. Fotliergill. The Committee has done good work but it cannot— even with the revision of its constitution as pro¬ posed by itself— claim to be a body representative of panel practitioners. Some of us panel men were so dissatisfied with the want of a representative body, that we were seriously considering severing our connexion with the British Medical Association. Now, Sir. I yield to no one in gratitude for the magnifi¬ cent work the Association has done over the inception of the panel system and since then, but if the British Medical Association is to continue to do good and effective work in the future, it must either have a committee fully repre¬ sentative of Panel Committees, or act in co-operation with a body representative of panel practitioners. Those of us who are unable to use any direct influence in moulding the decisions of Panel Committees and the British Medical Association can only hope that a wise and statesmanlike policy will be adopted in dealing with this question. - ■ The Surcharging of Panel Practitioners. Dr. S. J. Ross (Bedford) writes : “ Ex uno discc omnes ” would be a suitable title for Dr. Blake’s letter. The medical profession fully recognizes the debt of gratitude it owes to the Medical Defence Union, and trusts im¬ plicitly the judgement and ability with which the members of the council safeguard our interests. The attitude of the Defence Union on the question of surcharging panel practi¬ tioners is approved by the majority of the profession. We must all of us doubt the desirability of publishing prescrip¬ tions of our colleagues as examples of carelessness or some similar quality. A prescription is the private property of the medical man who prescribes it. Dr. Blake is not in a position to judge of the requirements of his colleagues’ patients. Apparently experience counts for nothing. The truly loyal member of the panel is the man who prescribes the cheapest mixtures. I was a most strenuous opponent of the Insurance Bill, but since it became law I have endeavoured to conform in every way to the re¬ quirements of the Act, but I have never sacrificed the interests of my patients to the fetish of cheapness. At the present time I am treating a case of general psoriasis and general eczema, a case of psoas abscess, and a case of perinephritic abscess — all expensive types of disease. Many of my colleagues are doubtless doing similar work. Let us trust each other as honourable members of an honourable profession, and not ascribe to our colleagues a lower moral standard than that which we judge our¬ selves to possess. June ig, 1915] NAVAL AND MILITARY APPOINTMENTS. f Supplement to the L British Medical Journal 317 Jtalial anti JlttHtanr Appiriutturnis. ROYAL NAVAL MEDICAL SERVICE. The following announcements are notified by the Admiralty Fleet Surgeons R. W. Stanistreet to the Fndymion, F. Boestku to the Pembroke, additional, II. L. Penny to the hospital ship China vice Bolster, Samuel Conner, M.B., to the Theseus, Edward D. J. O Mallet to the Maidstone , vice Conner. Stall Surgeon John Thorn¬ hill to the Victorian. Temporary Surgeons J. Lambert to the hos¬ pital ship Itewa, vice Murison, J. S. Kennedy to the Monarch vice Barley, S. N. Toulmin to the Fndymion. C. W. Archer, M.B., and S. N. Wright, M.B., to the Victory, additional, for Haslar Hospital, F. R. Gilhespy and H. O. Martin to the Vivid, additional, for Ply¬ mouth Hospital. J. G . Dobson, M.B , to the Diana, vice Gilhespy. C. W. King to the Colleen , additional, for Haulbowline Hospital, vice Fisher. H. L. P. Peregrine to the hospital ship China. R. W. Townlky to the Victory, additional. W. A. McKerrow to the hospital ship Chinn, vice Townley. E. F. Fisher to the hospital ship China, vice McIntyre. William H. Kay, M.B., to the Theseus. To be temporary Surgeons: S. N. Wright, M.B., H. O. Martin, C. M. Burrell. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Surgeon C. S. McK. Murison, M.B., to the Vivid, additional, for Royal Naval Barracks, Devonport. Surgeon Probationer JohnB. W. Telford to the Victorian. To he Surgeon Probationer: J. J. Keatley. ARMY MEDICAL SERVICE. Colonel Sir Berkeley G. A. Moynihax, M.B., F.R.C.S., relinquishes his temporary commission. Royal Army Medical Corps. Majors to be temporary Lieutenant-Colonels : William A. Turner, R.A.M.C.(T.F.), Charters J. Symonds, M.D., F.R.C.S., K.A.M.CIT.F.), Robert H. Mills-Robkrts, C.M.G., F.R.C.S.E. (6tli Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers), whilst employed with a field ambulance of tlie 43rd Division. - To be temporary Majors : Temporary Captain Edward L. Gowlland, M.B., late Major, R.G.A.lT.F.). Major Arthur N. Walker, M.B. , 1st West Lancashire Brigade, R.F.AJT.F,). To be temporary Captains: Denis Murphy, M.B., late Captain, R.A.M.C. (Special Reserve), Frank A. A. Holmden, M.B., D.S.O., William J. Gow, M D., Ralph B. Mahon, M.D., F R.O.S., temporary Lieutenant Percival Wood, late Surgeon-Captain, 3rd Middlesex R. G.V.A. Temporary Lieutenant Ernest C. Peake, M.B., relinquishes his commission on aecc uut of ill health. To be temporary Lieutenants: Alfred Adams, M.D., Robert F. Russell, M.B., Mark S. Fraser, M.D., F.R.C.S.E., Gerald Holroyde, Dallas G. Perry, M.D., F.R.C.S.E., Thomas E. Ashley, William Russell, M.B., Francis G. M. Simpson,, M.B., Rowland Hamer, M.B., Henry Griffiths, F.R.C.S E , Richard W. Long, Edward T. Larkam, M.D., William H. MacKinlay, M.B., Cyril It. II. Crawford, Ernest C. Pratt, Alec Phillips, Robert J. Bonis, Arthur II. Tovey, James R. Spensley, Henry M. Agnew, George Gardner, M.D , Andrew W. Forrest, M.B., John B. Baird, M.B., John D. Batt, Robert Spears, John F. Broughton, M.B., Wyger Harkens, M.B., Guy N. Mottram, Jocelyn L. Waller, John' J. Robertson, M.B., Charles B. Pearson, M.D., Hugh H. Oarleton, M.D., Stephen F. Lynch, F.R.C.S., William Fraser, M.B., Ernest G. Rawlins on, M.D., Daniel Kelly, Edward J. Morton, M.B., F.R.C.S.E., Edwin A. C. Swainson, M.B,, Cecil BeNnett, Charles S. Thomson, M.D., .John W. Innes, M.B., Benitaviin Jones, M.D. , Robert R. Pirrie, M.D. , Leo Lane, Donald McF, Livingstone, M.D., John W. McCagie, John B. Milne, M.B. , Frank B. G. Stableford, Thomas G. Elsworth, M.D., Gerald S. 