958 A FAKIR DEMONSTRATION TO DOCTORS. I A demonstration, said to be in the interests of science and for the benefit of the medical profession, was given by Fakir Dr. Tahra Bey a few days ago at the New Scala Theatre. The place was well filled with invited guests ; a panel of 40 medical men had seats reserved on the platform, and a few volunteers from the audience joined this jury. An interpreter stated that Tahra Bey had graduated in medicine at Constantinople and that his sole object was to demonstrate to scientists the influence of mind over body. The fakir, who was clad in oriental costume, then gave an exhibition of his power to enter a state in which considerable physical insult can be suffered without pain. After some manipulation of his neck he fell rigid ; he was placed on his back, supported only by two blunt scythe blades several feet apart; a block of stone weighing at least 60 lbs., was lifted on to his abdomen and chest, and a heavy sledge hammer was brought down forcibly on the stone by an assistant. The state of so-called cataleptic rigidity thus demonstrated was followed by a period of analgesia during which the fakir, chatting pleasantly in French the while, pierced his cheeks with hat pins, worried his neck with a large knife which passed through a fold of skin, and allowed a surgeon to transfix any part of his flesh with a sharp instrument, the forearm being the site chosen. These operations were practically bloodless. He also lay down on a bed of vertical nails while an assistant stood on his body. There followed a demonstration of thought reading, which was difficult to follow accurately, but which apparently satisfied those members of the audience who personally tested the fakir’s powers. Finally, he endured burial for ten minutes in a coffin which was covered with sand, his mouth and nose being lightly plugged with cotton-wool but his hands left free. When he emerged it was stated by an assistant that his pulse rate was 80. At his first appearance, the pulse rate was ascertained to be 118 and the fakir said that it was normally 120. The explanation given of the means whereby Tahra Bey gained control over his circulatory, nervous and respiratory systems was unintelligible, and the replies to certain pertinent questions were barely coherent. We have received from many sources alternative explanations and suggestions for tests under experimental conditions. INFECTIOUS DISEASE IN ENGLAND AND WALES DURING THE WEEKS ENDED APRIL 24th AND MAY 1 St. Notifications.—The following cases were notified during the week ended April 24th : Small-pox, 130 (last week 213) ; scarlet fever, 1502 ; diphtheria, 866 ; enteric fever, 42 ; pneumonia, 1391 ; puerperal fever, 60 ; cerebro-spinal fever, 10 ; acute poliomyelitis, 5 ; encephalitis lethargica, 52 ; dysentery, 6 ; ophthalmia neonatorum, 107. There were no cases of cholera, plague or typhus fever notified during the week. Deaths.-In the aggregate of great towns, including London, there was 1 (1) death from enteric fever, none from small-pox, 81 (35) from measles, 6(1) from scarlet fever 57 (7) from whooping-cough, 38 (13) from diphtheria, 51 (17) from diarrhoea and enteritis under 2 years of age, and 209 (35) from influenza. The figures in parentheses are these for London itself. The notified deaths from influenza for the 105 great towns show a diminution of well nigh 100 on the figures of the previous week. The measles deaths are now below the 100 limit. No printed return has yet been issued for the week ended May 1st, 1926, but we are able to give the total notifications of infectious disease for London and for England and Wales as a whole. In London there was notified no case of small-pox ; scarlet fever, 241 ; diphtheria, 242 ; enteric fever, U ; pneumonia, 117 ; puerperal fever, 5 ; cerebro-spinal fever, :3 ; encephalitis lethargica, 4 ; continued fever, 2 ; and ophthalmia, neonatorum, 5. In England and Wales as a whole cases were notified : small-pox, 146; scarlet fever, 1518 ; diphtheria, 979 ; enteric fever, 44; pneumonia, 1198 ; puerperal fever, 42 ; cerebro- spinal fever, 9 ; acute polio-myelitis, 3; acute polio-encephalitis, 2 ; encephalitis lethargica, 53; continued fever, 2 ; ; dysentery, 7; and ophthalmia neonatorum, 93. In the same week 166 deaths occurred in the 105 great towns from influenza, of which 28 were in London. Obituary. STEPHEN PAGET, M.A. Oxr., F.11,.C.S. ENG. Mr. Stephen Paget died at his residence, "Furze- down ", Limpsfield, on May 8th, aged 70. Born in 1855, the fourth son of Sir James Paget, Stephen was educated at Shrewsbury, Christchurch Oxford, and St. Ba,rtholomew’s Hospital, whence he qualified M.R.C.S. in 1883, taking the F.R.C.S. two years later. Following his father, he became Surgeon to the West London and Metropolitan Hospitals before developing the specialty which led to his appointment as Surgeon to the Throat and Ear Department of the Middlesex Hospital. His name will be remembered chiefly as the founder in 1908 of the Research Defence Society, a reincarnation of the earlier Association for the Advancement of Medicine by Research which his father had helped to inaugurate 25 years earlier. For many years under his inspired leadership as Secretary and later as Vice-Chairman this Society has striven to make generally known the value and necessity of animal experiment. The active prosecution of medical research being debarred to him by ill-health, the protection of other workers from undeserved attack became his chief life work. His publications, which include a memoir of his father and a biography of Sir Victor Horsley, reflect this bias but differ from most propagandist literature in the grace and charm of their style. His essays are delightful and Confessio Medici, first published in 1908, has become a classic cherished by medical men and reread perhaps more often than any other book on their shelves. Stephen Paget lived to see the need for experimental work accepted by nearly all his colleagues and by a large section of the thinking public. V.D. CLINICS AND THE L.C.C. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,—With regard to my letter on this subject in your issue of April 3rd (p. 735), the chairman of the Public Health Committee of the London County Council has asked me to write and explain that it is not the intention of the County Council to con- centrate entirely on six whole-time clinics, and that those clinics which are to be closed will receive one year’s intimation of the fact. I am, Sir, yours faithfully, Chiswick, W., April 29th, 1926. STELLA CHURCHILL. Vacant Appointments. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital, Muston-road.—Wanted. fully qualified Medical Women for the following posts : HOUSE PHYSICIAN, OBSTETRIC ASSISTANT, and HOUSE SURGEON. Salary at the rate of £50 per annum, with board, residence, and laundry. Appoint. ments from 1st July for six months. Applications, with three copies of testimonials, to be sent to the Secretary before 26th 1Blay. IMOGEN H. MURPHY, Secretary. Applications are invited for the Chair OF ANATOMY at the Royal Veterinary College, Camden Town, London, N.W. 1, which will be vacant at 1st October next. Salary £600 per annum, plus Superannuation benefits. Applications, accompanied by not more than four testimonials, should be addressed to the Secretary, and received not later than lst July.
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958
A FAKIR DEMONSTRATION TO DOCTORS. IA demonstration, said to be in the interests of
science and for the benefit of the medical profession,was given by Fakir Dr. Tahra Bey a few days ago atthe New Scala Theatre. The place was well filled withinvited guests ; a panel of 40 medical men had seatsreserved on the platform, and a few volunteers fromthe audience joined this jury. An interpreter statedthat Tahra Bey had graduated in medicine atConstantinople and that his sole object was todemonstrate to scientists the influence of mind overbody. The fakir, who was clad in oriental costume,then gave an exhibition of his power to enter a statein which considerable physical insult can be sufferedwithout pain. After some manipulation of his neckhe fell rigid ; he was placed on his back, supportedonly by two blunt scythe blades several feet apart;a block of stone weighing at least 60 lbs., was liftedon to his abdomen and chest, and a heavy sledgehammer was brought down forcibly on the stone byan assistant. The state of so-called catalepticrigidity thus demonstrated was followed by a periodof analgesia during which the fakir, chatting pleasantlyin French the while, pierced his cheeks with hat pins,worried his neck with a large knife which passedthrough a fold of skin, and allowed a surgeon totransfix any part of his flesh with a sharp instrument,the forearm being the site chosen. These operationswere practically bloodless. He also lay down on abed of vertical nails while an assistant stood on hisbody. There followed a demonstration of thoughtreading, which was difficult to follow accurately, butwhich apparently satisfied those members of theaudience who personally tested the fakir’s powers.Finally, he endured burial for ten minutes in a coffinwhich was covered with sand, his mouth and nosebeing lightly plugged with cotton-wool but his handsleft free. When he emerged it was stated by anassistant that his pulse rate was 80. At his firstappearance, the pulse rate was ascertained to be 118and the fakir said that it was normally 120.The explanation given of the means whereby
Tahra Bey gained control over his circulatory,nervous and respiratory systems was unintelligible,and the replies to certain pertinent questions werebarely coherent. We have received from manysources alternative explanations and suggestions fortests under experimental conditions.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE IN ENGLAND ANDWALES DURING THE WEEKS ENDED
APRIL 24th AND MAY 1 St.Notifications.—The following cases were notified
during the week ended April 24th : Small-pox, 130(last week 213) ; scarlet fever, 1502 ; diphtheria, 866 ;enteric fever, 42 ; pneumonia, 1391 ; puerperal fever,60 ; cerebro-spinal fever, 10 ; acute poliomyelitis, 5 ;encephalitis lethargica, 52 ; dysentery, 6 ; ophthalmianeonatorum, 107. There were no cases of cholera,plague or typhus fever notified during the week.
Deaths.-In the aggregate of great towns, includingLondon, there was 1 (1) death from enteric fever, nonefrom small-pox, 81 (35) from measles, 6(1) from scarletfever 57 (7) from whooping-cough, 38 (13) fromdiphtheria, 51 (17) from diarrhoea and enteritis under2 years of age, and 209 (35) from influenza. Thefigures in parentheses are these for London itself. Thenotified deaths from influenza for the 105 great townsshow a diminution of well nigh 100 on the figures of theprevious week. The measles deaths are now belowthe 100 limit.No printed return has yet been issued for the week
ended May 1st, 1926, but we are able to give the totalnotifications of infectious disease for London and forEngland and Wales as a whole. In London there wasnotified no case of small-pox ; scarlet fever, 241 ;diphtheria, 242 ; enteric fever, U ; pneumonia, 117 ;puerperal fever, 5 ; cerebro-spinal fever, :3 ;encephalitis lethargica, 4 ; continued fever, 2 ; and
ophthalmia, neonatorum, 5. In England and Walesas a whole cases were notified : small-pox, 146;scarlet fever, 1518 ; diphtheria, 979 ; enteric fever, 44;pneumonia, 1198 ; puerperal fever, 42 ; cerebro-spinal fever, 9 ; acute polio-myelitis, 3; acutepolio-encephalitis, 2 ; encephalitis lethargica, 53;continued fever, 2 ; ; dysentery, 7; and ophthalmianeonatorum, 93. In the same week 166 deathsoccurred in the 105 great towns from influenza, ofwhich 28 were in London.
Obituary.STEPHEN PAGET, M.A. Oxr., F.11,.C.S. ENG.Mr. Stephen Paget died at his residence, "Furze-
down ", Limpsfield, on May 8th, aged 70. Born in1855, the fourth son of Sir James Paget, Stephen waseducated at Shrewsbury, Christchurch Oxford, and St.Ba,rtholomew’s Hospital, whence he qualified M.R.C.S.in 1883, taking the F.R.C.S. two years later. Followinghis father, he became Surgeon to the West Londonand Metropolitan Hospitals before developing thespecialty which led to his appointment as Surgeon tothe Throat and Ear Department of the MiddlesexHospital. His name will be remembered chiefly asthe founder in 1908 of the Research Defence Society,a reincarnation of the earlier Association for theAdvancement of Medicine by Research which hisfather had helped to inaugurate 25 years earlier. Formany years under his inspired leadership as Secretaryand later as Vice-Chairman this Society has strivento make generally known the value and necessity ofanimal experiment. The active prosecution of medicalresearch being debarred to him by ill-health, theprotection of other workers from undeserved attackbecame his chief life work. His publications, whichinclude a memoir of his father and a biography ofSir Victor Horsley, reflect this bias but differ frommost propagandist literature in the grace and charmof their style. His essays are delightful and ConfessioMedici, first published in 1908, has become a classiccherished by medical men and reread perhaps moreoften than any other book on their shelves. StephenPaget lived to see the need for experimental workaccepted by nearly all his colleagues and by a largesection of the thinking public.
V.D. CLINICS AND THE L.C.C.
To the Editor of THE LANCET.SIR,—With regard to my letter on this subject in
your issue of April 3rd (p. 735), the chairman of thePublic Health Committee of the London CountyCouncil has asked me to write and explain that itis not the intention of the County Council to con-centrate entirely on six whole-time clinics, and thatthose clinics which are to be closed will receive oneyear’s intimation of the fact.
I am, Sir, yours faithfully,Chiswick, W., April 29th, 1926. STELLA CHURCHILL.
Vacant Appointments.Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital,Muston-road.—Wanted. fully qualified Medical Womenfor the following posts : HOUSE PHYSICIAN, OBSTETRICASSISTANT, and HOUSE SURGEON. Salary at the rateof £50 per annum, with board, residence, and laundry. Appoint.ments from 1st July for six months. Applications, with threecopies of testimonials, to be sent to the Secretary before 26th1Blay. IMOGEN H. MURPHY, Secretary.
Applications are invited for the ChairOF ANATOMY at the Royal Veterinary College, CamdenTown, London, N.W. 1, which will be vacant at 1st Octobernext. Salary £600 per annum, plus Superannuation benefits.
Applications, accompanied by not more than four testimonials,should be addressed to the Secretary, and received not later thanlst July.
959
Hertford County Hospital.— Applications are invited for a HOUSE PHYSICIAN(Male). The appointment is for six months, eligible for re-
election, duties commencing June lst, 1926. Salary:&bgr;150 perannum with furnished apartments, board and laundry.Applications, stating age, qualifications, and accompanied bycopies of three recent testimonials, to be sent not later thanTuesday, May 18th, 1926, to the undersigned from whomfurther particulars can be obtained if desired.
PERCY G. BROOKS, Secretary.
County Mental Hospital, Whittingham,Preston, Lanes.
TEMPORARY MEDICAL OFFICER required for six monthsor longer. To commence duty about beginning of June. Salary7 7s. per week, together with board, furnished apartments,attendance, and laundry. Those who are keen on Pathologyand who have held House Physician or House Surgeon’sappointment preferred. Well equipped and well staffedLaboratory for research work. Candidates must be unmarriedand registered under the Medical A ct.Apply stating age and full particulars to the Medical
Superintendent. _ ----- -- _ .
estminster Hospital Medical School,S.W. 1.—Applications are invited for the HonoraryOffice of LECTURER ON TROPICAL DISEASES. Candidatesshould have special experience in Tropical Diseases, andpreference will be given to one holding a Diploma in TropicalMedicine.Applications should be submitted to the Dean, Westminster
Hospital School of Medicine, 12, Caxton-street, S.W. 1, notlater than Tuesday, 18th May. _ __ ___ _
South Devon and East CornwallD HOSPITAL, Plymouth.-Applicants are invited for thepost of HONORARY ASSISTANT PHYSICIAN.
Candidates must hold the Fellowship or Membership of oneof the Royal Colleges of Physicians in Great Britain, or beDoctors of Medicine of a University of Great Britain.Applicants must send twelve copies of their application and
testimonials to the undersigned by Wednesday, May 26th.H. KINGSLEY PEARCE, Gen. Supt. and Secretary.
Plymouth. May 3rd, 1926. ___
Acton Hospital.Appointment of Male RESIDENT MEDICAL OFFICER.
Salary £150 per annum, with board, residence and laundry.Candidates must be fully qualified and registered. Duties tocommence towards the end of June. Applications stating age,nationality, and qualifications, together with copies of recenttestimonials, should be sent to the Secretary, Acton Hospital,Gunnersbury-lane, Acton, W. 3, not later than May 21st, 1926.
Miller General Hospital for South- EAST LONDON, Greenwich-road, S.E. 10.
HOUSE SURGEON (Male) required, unmarried (there are
three other residents). Salary el25 per annum with board,lodging and laundry. Applications stating age, nationality,qualifications and experience, accompanied by not more thanthree recent testimonials, to be sent as soon as possible to theSecretary.________ _ _ _ _
Miller General Hospital for South- EAST LONDON, Greenwich-road, S.E. 10.
RESIDENT CASUALTY OFFICER (Male) required,unmarried (there are three other residents). Salary 150 perannum with board, lodging, and laundry. Applications statingage, nationality, qualifications, and experience, accompanied bycopies of not more than three recent testimonials, to be sent assoon as possible to the Secretary. ______________
Parish of Lambeth : Board ofGUARDIANS.
Wanted for the Lambeth Hospital, Brook-street, S.E. 11, aNON-RESIDENT PATHOLOGIST. Salary E500 p.a., togetherwith meals when on duty. Candidates must be fully qualifiedand registered by the General Medical Council. Preference willbe given to gentlemen who have held resident hospital appoint-ments. It is essential that candidates should have had previousexperience of work in a pathological laboratory.The candidate appointed will be required to take charge of
the pathological department of the hospital, includingbacteriology, morbid histology, haematology, and pathologicalchemistry. He will also be expected to supervise the clinicalassistants in the performance of post-mortem examinations.Written application to be sent to the Clerk to the Guardians,
Guardians’ Offices, Brook-street, Kennington, S.E. 11, and toarrive not later than by first post on Monday, 17th May.
Applicants are advised to visit the Hospital (by appointment)to learn the actual conditions.
It is understood that the Guardians will have first claim onthe Officer’s services, but they will be prepared to considerapplication from him to undertake other work, provided itwould not interfere with the duties of the appointment.
By order,JAMES L. GOLDSPINK, Clerk to the Guardians.
30th April, 1926.
central London Throat, Nose andEAR HOSPITAL, Gray’s Inn-road, W.C. 1.
ASSISTANT OUT-PATIENT REGISTRAR.There is a vacancy for an Assistant Out-patient Registrar.
The office is honorary, and tenable for one year, subject tore-election.Attendance required on two afternoons weekly (at present
Monday and Saturday).The duties are to assist the Surgeons in attendance upon
patients, and to assist in keeping the records for the days ofattendance.
Applications should be sent to the Secretary at once.
olton Iniirmary and Dispensary.SECRETARY’S OFFICE.
(233 beds, including Auxiliary Hospitals).
Applications for the appointment of TWO HOUSESURGEONS, Salary £150 per annum ; and an ASSISTANTHOUSE SURGEON, Salary 100 per annum, with apartments,Board and attendance, are invited from ladies and gentlemenhaving a registered Medical and Surgical qualification.
Applications, stating age, with copy of testimonials, shouldbe forwarded to the undersigned (from whom further particularsmay be obtained), not later than Monday, May 24th 1926.- - ALBERT Ei. BRiscoE, Secretary.
Bolton Infirmary and Dispensary,SECRETARY’S OFFICE.
(233 beds, including Auxiliary Hospitals).
Applications for the appointment of a RESIDENT SURGICALOFFICER, Salary 250 per annum, with apartments, Board andattendance, are invited from gentlemen having a registeredMedical and Surgical qualification.
Applications, stating age, with copy of testimonials, shouldbe forwarded to the undersigned (from whom further particularsmay be obtained), not later than Monday, May 24th, 1926.__ ALBERT E. 113Ri,,;;coip, Secretary.
The Liverpool Eye and Ear Infirmary.JL Myrtle-street, Liverpool.
Applications are invited for the post of HOUSE SURGEON(Male) to the above Institution. Salary £100 per annum, withboard and lodging. Applications, stating age and qualifications,together with copies of not more than three recent testimonials,should be sent before May 25th, 1926. to CHAS. W. WRIGHT,Esq., 9, Harrington-street, Liverpool.
Stockport Infirmary. - Applicationskj? are invited for the post of RESIDENT SURGICALOFFICER. Salary £ 250 per annum, with board, residence, andlaundry.
Applicants must have had at least one year’s Hospitalexperience since qualifying.Written applications, stating age, qualifications, and positions
held, with copies of three recent testimonials, to be delivered onor before Monday, the 17th instant, addressed to the undersigned-
EDWIN J. PEARCE, Secretary-Superintendent.
Cumberland County Council.ASSISTANT COUNTY MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH.
Applications are invited by the County Council for the aboveappointment. The salary will be 600, rising by £25 annuallyto £700 with travelling expenses.The person appointed will be required to devote his whole
time to the service of the Council and to pass a medical examina-tion, and the appointment will be subject to the provisions ofthe Local Government and Other Officers’ Superannuation Act,1922. The appointment will be subject to two months’ noticeon either side.
Candidates must be fully qualified medical men holding adiploma in public health or similar qualifications.Forms of application may be obtained from the County
Medical Officer of Health, Citadel Chambers, Carlisle, on receiptof a stamped addressed foolscap envelope.Applications endorsed Assistant Medical Officer" and
accompanied by copies of three recent testimonials, will bereceived by the County Medical Officer up to Thursday, the 20thMay, 1926.
Canvassing is prohibited and will be considered a disqualifica-tion. C. COUIZTENAY HODGSON, Clerk of the County Council.3rd May, 1926 __ _ __ ________ _ ________
Doyal Medico-PsychologicalAssociation.
The examination for the Certificate in PSYCHOLOGICALMEDICINE will be held at Bethlem Royal Hospital, London,at 10 A.M. on MONDAY, June 7th, and Examination for theGASKELL PRIZE on TUESDAY, JUNE 8th, at 10 A.M. Thepractical part of the examination will be at 2.30 P.M. on
Wednesday, June 9th.Entrance fees £3 3s., to be paid to the Registrar prior to May
19th.Essays for Bronze Medal to be sent to the Registrar prior to
