on duty as Civil Surgeon with the 21st Field Hospital. To turn to the brighter side-we note with pleasure that Major A. Baird and Capt. J. H. Campbell, R.A.M.C., were mentioned in despatches, and that the latter officer, and also Capt. E. C. Anderson, of the same corps, have been made Companions of the Distinguished Service Order.

To revert to internal affairs, the standard of work throughout the year has been well maintained, and if we may judge by the competition at the sessional examinations and by the unusually long list of awards, the year's work has been above the average.

At the University of London, Mr. W. H. Willcox, B.Sc., has been awarded the Scholarship and Gold Medal in Forensic Medicine, and Honours in Medicine and Obstetric Medicine, 'at the Final M.B. Examination; and at the Intermediate M.B., Mr. H. E. Corbin obtained the Exhibition and Gold Medal in Organic Chemistry, with Honours in Physiology and Materia Medica; while Mr. M. F. Kelly took First Class Honours in Anatomy, and Honours in Physiology and Materia Medica. Including the Pass and Honours candidates, seven gentlemen have taken the degree of Bachelor of Medicine, and fifteen have passed the Intermediate M.B. at the University of London. Another noteworthy point has been the list of successes at the Primary Examination for the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons, eight candidates having passed during the year. evidence of similarly good results at the ordinary qualifying examinations, it may be noted that during the year thirty-three candidates have obtained the diplomas of the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons.

As

In Athletics the year has again been conspicuously successful. At the end of last season we were joint holders with St. Thomas's of the Inter-Hospital Cricket Cup, holders of the United Hospitals' Athletic Shield, of the Inter-Hospital Cycling Shield, and of the Inter-Hospital Swimming Cup, and joint holders with St. Bartholomew's of the Water Polo Cup. To these was added another brilliant success when at the end of the football season our Association team, captained by Mr. B. W. Gonin, won for St. Mary'sand this for the first time-the Inter-Hospital Association Cup.

During the year two important changes have taken place in the Teaching Staff. Mr. G. Anderson Critchett, after twenty years' services as Ophthalmic Surgeon, has retired from the Active Staff and has been appointed Consulting Ophthalmic Surgeon. His services are too well known to require mention, and all regret the withdrawal from active Hospital work of so distinguished and popular a member of the Staff. To the vacancy created by Mr. Critchett's retirement, Mr. H. E. Juler has been duly elected. In November last Dr. A. P. Laurie, on his appointment as Principal of the Heriot Watt College, Edinburgh, resigned the post of Lecturer of Chemistry and Physics which he had held since 1895, and Mr. W. H. Willcox, M.B., B.Sc., was elected to succeed him.

The appointments made during the year also include the following:-Dr. W. J. Harris as Medical Registrar, Mr. A. G. Wilson as Surgical Registrar,

We regret to record the decease of the following former students:-Dr. R. H. Milson, of Hampstead, Mr. A. Stewart Brown, of Brockley, Mr. C. H. Broadhurst, of Bournemouth, Mr. R. B. Anderson, and Mr. C. C. Parsons, to whose death in South Africa reference has already been made.

In conclusion, the Medical School Council note with special satisfaction that the Pathological Department, which was made more complete last year by the addition of a section of Chemical Pathology, has made further advance, and desire to express the hope that the new regulations for the Kerslake Scholarship in Pathology and Bacteriology may conduce to more individual work and research on the part of senior students, and that the revised regulations for the Gold Medal in Clinical Medicine, founded by Dr. Cheadle, may likewise act as a stimulus to similar work in the clinical field.

THE PRESENTATIONS.

The Prizes and Certificates of Honour were then presented by Sir Michael Foster (for List of Awards see page 113).

Sir MICHAEL FOSTER said :

Dr. Cheadle, Ladies, and Gentlemen,-It is now my pleasurable duty to say a few words, which you have been so kind as to designate an address. I need say nothing to those to whom I have just presented prizes and certificates-they have their reward, and it will be very difficult to say something to those who have not been before me to receive certificates, but may be before me now, who think they ought to have appeared-something which will be real consolation to them, without seeming in some way to cast a slur upon the awards-so I will leave them without words of consolation, and venture to say a word or two upon some more general topic. Perhaps two years ago I might have chosen a physiological or a medical topic, but as some of you know, with this body of flesh I have left the green pastures and the still waters of the academic science, and have put into troubled seas, and feel myself drifting further and further away from shore. In the feelings of malaise at the unaccustomed movements, I look back upon the land, and its beauty increases in my sight, and so I get a better view of its more general features. So I will to-day speak not on a physiological, not even upon a distinctly medical topic, but venture to say a few words on what is naturally very much in my mind-the University of London.

As you are aware, Parliament has rough-hewed, and certain Commissioners have tried to establish Statutes for the new University. These Statutes are dry bones-they can be rattled, and they have been and are being rattled-but they have in themselves no life. In order to make the University a living thing, these bones must be clothed with flesh and blood. With regard to blood, we know that this is largely made in the red marrow of bones; but the bones of which I am speaking are hollow, and there is no red marrow. If we were to put the question to him, Mr. Singer, who took the prize in Physiology, would, I have no doubt, tell us that the essential feature of blood was the presence of small round discs of a yellowish-red colour. It is that blood which is wanting

be made by the University itself, and without going so far as to adhere to the old doctrine, "the blood is the life thereof," we may say that the University of London cannot expect really to live without the transfusion, and the large and ample transfusion, of blood from without. But besides the blood, there is the flesh, and what we physiologists and anatomists call the tissues. What can I say of these from the physiological point of view? First, that it is a firm law in biology, that in each organism there are the special character and properties which belong to itself alone, and distinguish it from all other organisms, and the prosperity and success of that organism depends upon the development of those special characters; and I venture to say that the tissues of the University of London will only thrive if they set about to exert themselves according to the character, and in the way which is especially proper and peculiar. And then, Dr. Cheadle, we think of the old Universities who gathered youth from all parts of the Kingdom to drink the waters of knowledge in academic grooves. The distinctive feature of the University of London is, I take it, to bring the waters of knowledge, to bring University learning, to the doors of everyone in this great Metropolis, and without ceasing to be, as it has been, Imperial, it should be, at the same time, distinctly Metropolitan. It should bring to the Metropolis the University learning which the Metropolis needs. And what University learning is it that is now needed? This metropolis is a great manufacturing, commercial, industrial centre, and it is the duty of the new University to bring knowledge and learning to aid the development of manufactures, of industry, of commerce, and of policy. It has to do, and to continue to do as it has done in the past. I need not say here that it is acknowledged that the strong part of the University in the past has been the medical part of it, because that medical part of it had close relationship with practical life; and I take it that it is one of the characteristic features of the new University to make the medical profession more effectual and powerful than it is, and at the same time to do the same thing for the practical branches of life, for manufactures, for industries, for engineering, and for commerce. That, I take it, is the one thing it has to do if it is to succeed. But it also has other things to do. There are certain studies spoken of as the humanities, and distinctions have been drawn between the humanities studies and the bread-winning studies-the bread-winning study which gives power to the man as a bread-winning machine, and the humanities studies which develop him as a man.

In their isolation from practical life there has grown up in the old Universities an idea, which still exists, that there is an essential antagonism between the bread and the humanities study, and there is a certain justice in the complaint which was made by the Times only a few days ago, that our Universities stood aloof from practical life, and did not mix themselves up with the movements of the people. I venture to think not only that this distinction is a fictitious and unreal one, but to urge that there is a great opportunity for this new University of London--which must deal with the bread study, and which can deal with the

for it is in the midst of a centre of literature and art, and London is great even as a centre of literature and art as it is for commerce and industry — an opportunity for the University to show that this antagonism is unreal, and that the same University can carry on the vital studies, and develop them to the utmost, and show for the benefit of all other people, and countries, and universities, that knowledge, however glaring may be its usefulness, may walk hand in hand successfully with knowledge the use of which, though it may be far-reaching, is indirect and even hidden, knowledge which silently builds up character, that character without which useful knowledge cannot be really potent. This is an opportunity for the new University of London to seize, and I think that its success may be measured by the readiness and completeness with which it seizes that programme and carries on both those studies in common union as two proper studies together, thus demonstrating that the old prejudices are incorrect. And it must be bold not only in that, but seek to put aside from it all prejudices about ways and means. I look to the new University to carry university learning wherever it can be carried, throughout the length and breadth of this great metropolis, by all possible means; not to rest in its efforts, but struggle continually to carry learning everywhere in the schoolroom, and even in the street; and if it takes that course, then I believe its success is assured.

Another physiological point. There is the living flesh and the dead flesh, and flesh may seem to be living when it is really dead. I am not, in spite of my physiological tendency, going to lead you into a discussion as to what is really a criterion of life. I am ready for present purposes to accept the hypothesis of a vital principle. And what is it that can make the learning of the University of London a living learning and not a dead one? I venture to think that the answer to that is easy. There is one activity of the human mind which has all the necessary similarity to that called the vital principle, the one great feature of whose action is a continual fermentation and change of nature. I venture to say that the vital principle which will make and keep the learning of the University of London living is the present and due recognition of enquiry and research. Without enquiry and research knowledge is a dead film, and cannot live; but put into it research and enquiry, and it becomes at once alive, and one reason why the medical branch of this University has been so great in the past, as it will undoubtedly continue to be in the future, is that position which it has always given to research, and, it may indeed be, by desire to find out something new. And the university learning of which I have spoken is not a particular kind of university learning; it does not indicate a particular kind of learning; neither useful learning, nor scientific, nor literary, but learning the heart of which is the extension of knowledge in the pursuit, and development, and increase of enquiry and research. I venture to find fault with that which has been implied as regards the University when it is spoken of as a teaching university, because it has really been a teaching university from its very outset ; but so far as I can see, what is hoped for by the

the operations of University enquiry and research. Hitherto it has been a stranger without the gates, but in the new University it ought to be placed on the very highest seat.

Yet another physical attribute. It is the first law of organism that its working power and even its very life depends on the co-ordination of the separate tissues and works to the co-ordination of the parts during physiological action, and particularly works not for itself alone, but for the good of the general body, knowing that in working for the common good of the body, its own good is thereby assured, and that which is true of living organisms is especially true of the University of London, an organism of great complexity, made up of many divers parts, the working power and the health of which will depend upon the co-ordination of its several parts, and upon the extent with which they are willing to work for the common good as voluntary agents, so as to ensure success for the common good. We have in this University those who belong to Medical Schools and those who belong to no Schools, and I venture to say that the University will only be really and truly successful if those who belong to no School work in such a way as to ensure in some way the success of those who work in the Schools, and those belonging to the Schools bear in mind that the success of the University as a whole is due to the character of those who belong to no School. And then with the Schools themselves; if the University is to be successful, one School must not seek its own interests at the expense of other Schools; one kind of learning must not seek to gain its own interests at the expense of other kinds, but seek to secure its own good by the development of the whole University; and even then the University will only prosper if each School governs its dealings towards the new University not with a view to its own position, but the common good, in the first place of medical science, and secondly of the University at large. If it is to take any other course of action, the growth of the School itself will suffer. There can be no doubt that in the new birth which this University is undergoing, there must be changes and sacrifices more or less of one kind or another by this or that particular member, but I believe that the success of the University as a whole is dependent upon the loyalty with which each constituent member makes the sacrifice for the good of all. But I know that I preach to the converted. Patriotism is the giving up of the minor interests for the good of the commonwealth, and I am quite sure in the commonwealth of this new University there is no place more patriotic than St. Mary's Hospital.

Sir Michael Foster resumed his seat amid loud and prolonged cheers.

MR. EDMUND OWEN, in proposing a vote of thanks to Sir Michael Foster for his excellent address, which he assured him the large audience had greatly appreciated, remarked that it must be a treat to Sir Michael to be present amongst so many of his Cambridge Students. He would assure him that his Cambridge Students were doing extremely well in Athletics-G. B. Norman was Captain of the Cricket Club, H. M. Wilson was Captain of the Rugby Football Club, and C. R. Worthington, one of their best students at football, had

bridge Students were always welcome at St. Mary's— in fact he didn't know what they would do without them. He concluded by suggesting that Sir Michael might become a Missionary in his University, and endeavour to send to St. Mary's as many Cambridge men as he could convert.

DR. WALLER, in seconding the vote of thanks, remarked that we in the West of London were somewhat removed from the centre of things, and from the general movements taking place a little farther East, but it was a great pleasure to recognise, and be recognised, as forming a part of the general organisation of the University of London.

The Motion on being put to the Meeting was carried amid applause.

SIR MICHAEL FOSTER briefly responded, and thanked Mr. Owen and Dr. Waller for the kind manner in which they had spoken of what share he had had in the afternoon's proceedings.

DR. LEES then proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman, remarking that it required no words of his to recommend this vote, for he would say without fear of contradiction that of all the members of the Staff there was no one who was more universally respected than Dr. Cheadle. Speaking of Sir Michael Foster, he remarked that we had him here to talk of the University of which he was no unworthy representative, but he could not forget that he was also Professor of Physiology at the University of Cambridge. He (the speaker) remarked that he remembered that he was one of a small band of students who listened to Sir Michael's first lectures. The subject was "The development of the chick." Sir Michael had another chick in hand just now, and its development was a very serious and hard matter, but what could be done, Sir Michael would not fail to do, and he had given them some earnest that afternoon of the work he was expending on the University of London.

MR. PAGE seconded the vote of thanks to Sir Michael Foster, which was carried by acclamation.

Recollections of the Siege of
Ladysmith.

From the Diary of Miss CHARLESON.

(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 93.)

In the early morning of December the 7th I heard what sounded like a great explosion; so, striking a light, I looked at my watch, and found the time was half-past three. When I got outside I saw there was some disturbance in the neighbourhood of Lombard's Kop, and the "Ping!" of the rifles reached us very clearly. Afterwards we learnt that our people had blown up a "Long Tom," and taken also a Howitzer and Maxim, which they had brought back to the town. The next day 17 wounded arrived.

December the 9th or 11th, we took two guns on Surprise Hill, and amongst the wounded in this attack were two young officers, both having fractured thighs. An attack was made on one of these wounded officers by a Boer, but another, seeing the cowardly act, stepped between them, and thus saved his life. I well remember these two young officers, in the first

demand the necessity for removing their limbs. Happily they both recovered, and, most miraculously, both limbs united, without much shortening of the legs. These good recoveries were most noticeable, for daily the camp was becoming more unhealthy, and the food rations were decreasing. Nothing but a good, sound constitution could have possibly overcome these obstacles to recovery.

There was very bad news for us on December 13th. For some while we had heard in the distance heavy firing, and upon this day we were told, what seemed to us as almost incredible, that Buller had failed. We were expecting him, and as many of our medical officers and orderlies belonging to the bearer company had gone into town to receive the wounded, 1,000 beds had been put in readiness in old camp to receive them. On this day also 86 sick arrived, rumour having it that Sir George White had sent out all the sick to prevent his being hampered with them.

The heat had become very oppressive, and our camp, with no trees near, was very exposed. The glare of the sun and the increase in the number of sick made the work very difficult and hard to bear; yet the excitement of the hope of relief kept us up, and we had no time to think of our fatigue.

All day long on the 14th we again heard heavy firing, and knew that Buller was not far off. But alas, the firing ceased, and no relief came! Our medical officers and the bearer orderlies returned in a few days; their services had not been needed.

The silence that follows a battle is very terrible, and especially when expecting to be saved. No relief comes! Shut up in that hollow with so many sick and wounded, surrounded by high mountains in which our enemies were seated with their long-reaching guns, we were indeed to be pitied. Can any who has not experienced this truly realise it? I doubt it. We looked helplessly to the mountains, but they preserved their impervious silence! No hope from them they were coldly indifferent in their grandeur.

For our readers thoroughly to recognise the bravery of the gallant generals and troops in holding out so long, against an enemy four times their number, and Occupying every position of vantage, they should have visited Ladysmith. This town lies in a hollow, exactly like the inside of a soup plate. Our troops occupied a few kopjes on the very inside of the rim, whilst the Boers occupied the outside part of the plate all round. Guns were mounted on every mountain. It was a gloriously brave defence !

From this date onward I have no diary to refer to for notes, and must trust to my memory. So far as I can remember, we were put on half rations before Christmas. The quantity of tinned milk was rapidly decreasing, and as the cows' milk had been at all times scarce, we began to feel badly off for feeding the sick. We ourselves had not seen milk for many weeks.

Christmas day dawned, but with it no pleasurable feelings. I was thankful that I had not one patient on a full diet, for I had no extra dainty to give them. Sir George White most kindly sent us Sisters a gift of some groceries. Our mess orderly tried to make us a plum pudding, but it was a great failure-for there was no fat or suet in it. On the whole,

soldiers alone kept us from despair, for we felt if we could wait patiently, and suffer sickness and hunger, our garrison would never surrender, and the day must come when we should be free once more.

It was at this time that volunteers were called upon, for some of the limited number of Sisters were ill, and also many Medical Officers and orderlies. Among these volunteers was a young man named Twhose services to me can never be too highly estimated. He was an Englishman from the Transvaal, who had done much wandering in South Africa; he was trying to do some business at Ladysmith when it became invested, and could not get away. There was nothing this man could not do, from digging trenches to making puddings.

New Year's Day passed uneventfully.

Upon January 6th I was awakened by the noise of heavy rifle firing. "Ping-ping!" the double "pingping!" of the Mauser. On striking a light I found it was a quarter-past three o'clock; I quickly got into my dressing-gown, and went outside the tent. The sound of the rifle firing came from the side of Waggon Hill, our only position of importance near Ladysmith, lying on our left looking towards the town. It was not very far from our camp, so I could see the flashes of the rifles, and what appeared to be an attack by the Boers on our position. I watched these rifle flashes and reports increasing, and getting higher up the side of the mountain, and knew now for a certainty there was to be a severe day's fighting. Knowing the hungry condition of our men, I felt grieved for them, but felt sure that in spite of all they would succeed in holding the position.

Chilled by the cold morning air, I went back to bed; but the firing never ceased, so shortly after dawn I got up again and went out to watch the progress of the fight. To me rifle firing is much more gruesome than that of big guns. The sound of those "Long Toms" was to us by this time such an ordinary noise that we could sleep through it, although Bulwana Long Tom," right above us, made a loud enough report to alarm anyone; but the sharp sound of the rifle made us jump.

By

By breakfast-time the fight seemed growing fiercer; we could see everything going on quite well, for we were practically in the Boer lines. midday the enemy had reached the first ridge. Already their heliograph was up, and the Boers above us on Bulwana were replying to them, whilst "Long Tom" was assisting to the best of his ability, continually roaring, whistling, and screaming over our heads. All day the battle raged, but by seven o'clock in the evening not a Boer was to be seen on Waggon Hill.

The day was ours and a thanksgiving arose in our souls for the brave defence our poor tired troops had made. The total defeat of the enemy was quite apparent to us, and that was the last attack made on our people. The newspapers have chronicled the particulars and statistics of the brave fight, of the loss of the gallant Colonel Dick-Cunyngham, Lord Ava, and other valiant soldiers; of the gallant defence of the position by the Manchesters; of the dashing charge of the Devons; and anything I might add would only be superfluous. It is strange to witness a battle, but stranger after it is over, in the stillness, to

wounded and dead; and later, to see the numbers of vultures soaring round.

To look at the glorious mountains round us, it was sometimes difficult to imagine a hostile foe sat there, watching us as a spider does the fly he has in his net. At other times it seemed wonderful to imagine we should ever be free and able to go beyond the present boundaries. The sunsets were beautiful, and behind Ladysmith rose the Drakensberg mountains, on whose lofty crags the departing sun shed his warm beams as if loth to leave them. My acquaintance from St. Mary's always admired these sunsets, and told me how much he liked South Africa. I often told him that Ladysmith could give him no idea of the grandeur of the vast expanses of the Transvaal. But he was never to see that land, for he developed enteric fever of a very virulent type, and not all that medical skill and nursing could do, saved him. His resting place is within sight of his beloved mountains. After the siege was raised I sent for flowers to plant on his grave, but before I got them, I was also a victim to enteric, so did not get the work done. I shall return later and do as I intended, for I know his friends would be glad to know that a friend's hand adorned his last home.

had

We

After the battle of Waggon Hill, each day became more monotonous, and medical comforts rapidly decreased. Fuel was very scarce, and would have been an impossibility for me, if the orderly Tnot daily sent "Coolies " to fetch green thorn branches. But how the smoke from that green fuel tried our eyes! In January, we once more heard the firing of Buller's column, and we prayed for relief, but the firing ceased, and for days silence followed. knew another failure had taken place. More and more scarce became the food, the lack of bread was the greatest trial for those that were well, and the scarcity of milk for the sick. At last we were reduced to a quarter of a small bun of "mealie" meal held together by starch, and then baked. The result of this bread was, that dysentery became very prevalent, then instead we got a biscuit and a quarter for daily allowance. I was obliged to keep the meat that made beef tea, and stew it over again, adding a little flour and horse sausage-meat for flavouring, and give it to my convalescent surgical patients for supper. It is needless to say they relished it. Stimulants also were very scarce, and it was now a long time since a candle or match had been seen in the camp; men wanting to light their pipes of dried tea leaves, which many were now smoking, had to do so by putting twigs into any fire they could see.

There were some lamps for use in the wards in which the worst cases were placed. I, personally, went to bed for a long time in the dark, stumbling over tent ropes, cold, wet, fatigued, and hungry. Sometimes the Boer search-light used to play upon our camp, and by its light I many times was aided in making my night toilette. Food, as the figures below bear witness, was fast becoming a luxury. These privations took effect upon me, and about ten days before the relief, I took to my bed, laid up by an attack of dysentery. For the first few days I was too ill to care about anything, but after a little rest I got over the attack,

On Sunday, February 25th, we could hear heavy firing beyond the hills south of us, in the direction of Pieters. The firing continued all day and all the following Monday, sometimes sounding near, sometimes far away. It was a hopeful sign, but on Tuesday we could not hear the sound of a single gun. Our hearts sank low-and you cannot imagine how low your heart can sink unless you are faint from fatigue and hunger-and so passed another day of anxious thought.

On Wednesday, the 28th, we were still convinced our people had failed again. The stillness of the afternoon was broken by one gun on Cæsar's camp firing persistently at "Long Tom." There appeared to be something unusual happening, for our guns did not waste ammunition. About five o'clock, what we most prayed for, but what we had nearly despaired of, we discovered had happened, for, suddenly on the hills, a little to our right looking towards Colenso, we saw horsemen appearing on the skyline coming towards us. We were free at last! It was sufficient reward for all we had gone through, that moment of supreme joy! Everybody knows this was Lord Dundonald accompanied by some of the Natal Carbineers and I.L.H. who first reached Ladysmith.

Thus ended the Siege of Ladysmith in no dramatic manner, but words cannot express the delight of the famished victims of the siege, the welcome that was given to Buller, or the joy that we felt at having en