The Sun.
London, England, 1860-02-01 00:00:00

ROY AL FREE HOSPITAL.

The annual meeting of this hospital was halt
, yesterday, in the board-room of the institution,
Gray's-inn-road ; General Watkins, one of the
governors, in the chair.
Mr. SMITH, the secretary, having read the ad-
vertisement convening the meeting,
The Rev. J. B. OWEN, chaplain of the ;institu-
tion, and a member of the committee of manage-
ment, read the report, of which the following is a
summary :—" The aspect of the finances was
favourable as compared with that of the last year,
whether as donations, subscriptions, or legacies, the
donations having been £2,504 2s. hi. ; the sub-
scriptions, £1,665 3s. 6d. ; and the legacies, £3,683
3s. 2d. As evidence of the increasing confidence
of the public, the report stated that there had been
liberal donations of £5O each from the Goldsmiths'
and Grocers' Companies ; fifty guineas and an an-
nual subscription of five guineas from the Fish-
mongers', and a further donation of ten guineas
from the Skinners' Company. Also a large
anonymous donation for ten successive years
from the Trustees of a Charity Fund,' and
the seventh donation of £lOO from a charitable
lady. These sums had been applied to the
liquidation of outstanding claims, and paying
off the mortgage debt of £5,000, leaving a
balance on the mortgage debt of £3,500, £l,BOO
of which had been recently paid, and the committee
hoped to pay off the balance of £1,700 this year.
The usefulness of the hospital had kept pace with
the extension of its means. During the year 1859
there had been 1,063 in and 40,290 out patients,
making a total of 41,353 cases of destitute sickness
and persons relieved."
The report concluded with thanks to the Earl of
Carlisle for his zeal and urbanity in the chair at
the last anneal festival in June, and thanks to the
founder, Dr. Marsden, the honorary medical officers,
and the cheii man.

The medical report stated that of the persons re-
lieved during the past year, 17,526 had been afflicted
with malignant and contagious diseases, and 18,707
with various disorders ; of accidents 1,848 had been
relieved and sent home ; and there had been 2,209
patients under the dentist. In addition to the
above, 959 totally destitute and diseased persons
had been admitted into the wards, of whom 45 had
died and 914 been discharged or relieved. The
number of accidents admitted into the wards bad
been 104, of whom 21 had died and 83 been cured
or relieved.

The reports having been universally adopted, and
Mr. E. Masternian reappointed treasurer, votes of
thanks were passed to the committee of manage-
ment, the medical officers, auditors, treasurer,
founder, chaplain, secretary, and other officers.
In seconding the vote of thanks to the committee
of management, Dr. O'CoNNor. said, it was a matter
of considerable importance at the present time, when
the question of charitable institutions was so much
canvassed, to find the affairs of the institution so
admirably conducted. He might safely say that
every voucher of income and expenditure was sub-
mitted to the auditors, and passed by them after
careful investigation. This was good evidence that
the management of the institution deserved the most
unqualified approval, and accordingly, as the pro-
sperity of the hospital was to be mainly attributed
to the sedulous attention of the committee, the gen-
tlemen composing it were entitled to the warmest
thanks of the supporters of the charity.
Dr. MARSDEN, in replying to the vote of thanks
to the founder, said that his great object, during the
last thi' ty years of his life, had been to establish
the principle that disease and poverty should be the
only letter of recommendation to an hospital.
Until the establishment of the Free Hospital, there
was no institution in the country that had received.
gratuitously the sick and diseased. Thirty-two
years ago—the first year of the existence of the
Free Hospital—the patients admitted had amounted
to somewhat more than 800, last year they had
amounted to upwards of 41,000, which, he believed,
spoke a great deal in favour of the principle on
which the hospital was founded. He hoped that if
he lived a few years more he should see the doors
of every hospital as freely open as those of the Free
Hospital. (Cheers.)
In the course of the meeting, on the motion of
the Rev. J. B. OWEN, seconded by Mr. BOWYER, it
was resolved that it was expedient to make some
compensation to the medical officers for their ex-
penses connected with their respective duties, and
that the weekly board be requested to further con-
sider the qaestion, and to make such report and order
thereon as they might think fit.
'1 his resolution was unanimously passed.
It was arranged that the annual meeting should
in future be held, instead of on the last Tuesday in
January, on the first Thursday in February.
The proceedings terminated with the usual vote
of thanks to the chairman, and also with another to
the press, on the motion of Dr. Marsden, for its
advocacy of all noble and benevolent principles.

HEALTH OF LONDON DURING THE

WEEK.

(From the Report of the Registrar-General.)
The present return exhibits a higher mortality
than that recorded in any previous return since the
beginning of the year. The deaths in London in
the week that ended last Saturday were 1,386. In
the ten years, 1850-59, the average number of deaths
in the weeks corresponding with last week was
1,174 ; but as the deaths contained in the present
return occurred in a population which has increased,
they should be compared with the average raised
in proportion to the increase, namely, with 1,291.
It appears from the comparison that the mortality
of last week exceeded to the extent of 95
deaths the number which the average rate of mor-
tality, as calculated for the fourth week of January,
would have produced.
By comparing the results of the last two weeks,
it will be seen that from zymotic diseases in the
aggregate there was no increase; that the mortality
from " constitutional" diseases remained exactly
the same, and that there was an increase from
" local" and also " developmental" diseases. Under
the third head (local diseases) the deaths by affec-
tions of the nervous system rose from 123 to 139 ;
those by diseases of the heart rose from 53 to 65;
those by diseases of the respiratory organs from
357 to 368; and by diseases of the digestive organs
the deaths rose from 52 to 62.
While there is an increase which is not inconsi-
derable in the " deaths from all causes," it is satis-
factory to remark a decrease last week in small-pox,
and also a continued decrease in scarlatina. The
deaths from the former disease were 26; 2 of these
occurred in one family in the London-road sub-dis-
trict. From scarlatina the deaths in the last three
weeks were successively 62, 48, and 33. Last week
there were 11 diphtheria. Nine infants died from
syphilitic diseases ; and no less than 16 from suffo-
cation, apparently by accident, and all or for the
most part in bed. Two children, one at the age of
6 weeks, the other 7 weeks, and belonging to the
same family, were suffocated in bed, the former on
the 7th and the latter on the 17th inst. The regis-
trar of the Kent-road sub-district returns three
children, belonging to different families, who were
" accidentally suffocated in bed," two on the 17th
inst., and one on the 23d. Two persons died from
privation.
The oldest person who died last week was a
widow, aged 96 years.
Last week the births of 1,089 boys and 978 girls,
in all 2,067 children, were registered in London.
In the ten corresponding weeks of the years 1850-9,
the average number was 1,691.
29 268 in.
height of the barometer in the week was At the Royal Observatory, Greenwhich, the mean
respectively
to 29.99 in. on Saturday, these being
week. The
The barometer increased from 28.46 in. on Tuesday.
the lowest and highest readings ihnet
average of the
deg., which is 0.5 deg. abass,e
mean temperature of the air inthte
determined by Mr.
weeek was 38.4
same week in 43 years (
attainedthermometer in the week, to
Friday, the highest point
day,
the freezing point of
27.5 deg. on the followingolow
Gl:isher). The (as
fetlhleflrooNmves4t9pdoeingt. on
ture the week was
21.5 deg. daily range was
The meanll.s deg.
The difference between the mean dew-point tempo-
wthaetewr.eekilv
ei z
range
4.5ge doe?.
tempe-
rature and the air temperature was 5.50 deg. The
ienityera
mean degree of humidity of the air was 80 (com-
plete saturation being represented by 100). The air
on Sunday and Saturday was unusually dry. The
wind generally blew from the south-west. It blew
othuentat
strong at the beginning of the week ; the maximum
pressure on Sunday and Monday was 171bs, on the
square foot. Rain was measured on four days, and
the
wteolt.asl
or,
ryaser afternoon in.of on
neatvyhe
Turle'hsderaey,
,wanerde
evening of that day, and next morning, lightning
was very frequent.

DEATH OF R. B. TODD, EsQ., M.D., F.R.S.-
1 his eminent physician and physiologist died suddenly on.
Monday evening, the 30th ult., at his residence, in Brook-
street, Grosvenor-square. The deceased gentleman was
born and educated in Ireland, and was admitted a Fellow
of the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin in 1824. On
settling in London he became a licentiate, and in 1837 a
Fellow, of the Royal College of Physicians. On the open-
ing of King's College Hospital he was appointed physician
to that institution, which office he resigned only a short
time back. In 1836, in conjunction with Dr. Grant, he
became editor of the "Cycloptcdia of Anatomy and Physio-
logy," an extensive work which has not been long com-
pleted. Latterly Dr. Todd was the sole editor, and he has
himself contributed several articles, more especially those
on the Heart, Brain, and Nervous System. He has besides
published many works, which has given him a wide repu-
tation as a practical physician. The deceased was a mem-
ber of the Council of the Royal College of Physicians, and
had enjoyed for many years a very extensive practice.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS—(YESTERDAY•)
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack
at five o'clock.

CHURCH-RATES.
Viscount DUNGANNON presented petitions from Den-
bigh and Flint against the abolition of Church-rates
without an. equivalent.
Lord CHELMSFORD presented petitions from Essex
against the abolition of Church-rates.
The Bishop of OXFORD also presented similar petitions
and also petitions from York and other places against the
bill affecting endowed schools.
COURT OF CHANCERY.
The LORD CHANCELLOR moved for a return of all
persons in confinementin England and Wales for contempt
of the Court of Chancery.
LAW AND EQUITY.
The LORD CHANCELLOR also intimated that a bill
was in preparation, enabling the Courts of Common Law to
take cognisance of questions of equity which might occur
therein.

THE INDIAN WAR MEDALS.
Lord 'BERNERS gave notice that, on an early day, he
should ask a cAestion relative to the delay in issuing medals
for the suppression of the Indian mutiny, and also with re-
spect to the prize money captured at Delhi.
GLEBE HOUSES.

Viscount DUNGANNON rose, pursuant to notice, to
put a queitien to the Government as to whether it is in con-
templation to introduce this session, under the sanction of
the episcopal bench, a bill to alter and amend the law rela-
tive to the dilapidation in glebe houses.
The Archbishop of CANTERBURY said the question
had never been lost sight of, and he hoped in a short time
a bill would be introduced into their lordships' house to
remedy the evil complained of.
The Earl. of CARNARVON expressed his gratifies,
tion at the announcement made by the most rev. primate.
He thought it would be quite possible to unite all the
laws, at present scattered throxgh the statute book, into
one good and effective bill.
The LORD CHANCELLOR was extremely glad to
hear the announcement from the episcopal bench. He was
fully aware of the difficulty of dealing with the subject, as
in the course of his official duties he had frequently come
in contact with the subject.
The Bishop.of OXFORD said many of the difficulties
which had existed for a long time had been overcome, and
he believed the bill, when before their lordships, would be
found to fully answer all the expectations entertained. The
unanimity that had grown up in the lower house of convo-
cation had in a great measure led to this desirable result.

LAW OF REAL PROPERTY.

Lord BROUGHAM presented a petition on this subject,
and proceeded to notice the evils that existed under the law
with respect. to the conveyance and transfer of land on
account of the great expenses, and to meet the evil he an
nounced that he had prepared a bill which he thought
was calculated to grealy simplify and reform the
law for the transfer of real estates. The noble lord con-
cluded by introducing the bill.
After a few words from Lord CRANWORTH and the LORD
CHANCELLOR, the bill was read a first time.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—(YESTERDAY.)
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The standing orders were declared to have been complied
with in the case of several railway and other private bills.
The following bills were read a second time :—Blackburn
Gas ; Bradford, Wakefield, and Leeds Railway ; Brecon
and Merthyr Tydfil Junction Railway; Cheshire
Midland Railway • Disley and Hayfield Railway;
Doncaster and Wakefield Railway ; Dorset Cen.
tral Railway (New Works, &c.) ; Droylsden Gas ;
East Somerset Railway ; Great Southern of India Railway
Company ; Great Western Railway ; Hedon Burgesses
Lands and Corporation Tolls; Leeds, Bradford, and Hali-
fax Junction, and Bradford, Wakefield, and Leeds Rail-
way Companies Amalgamation; Leicester Gas • Liverpool
Corporation Water; Llandaff and Canton District Mar-
kets; Llangollen and Corwen Railway; London and North
Western Railway and Saint Helens Canal and Rail.
way Companies; London and South Western Railway
(New Line to Bristol and Exeter Railway at Exeter, &c.) ;
London and South-Western Railway (New Line to Exeter
and Ciediton Railway, &c.) ; Manchester and Buxton Road ;-
Midland Railway (Burton upon Trent Branches); Midland
Railway (Rowley and Buxton Lines); Midland Railway
(Station in St. Pancras, &c.); Midland Railway (Use of
Railways in and near London) ; Mid-Wales Railway ;
North London Railway ; Oswestry and Newtown Railway
(Additional Capital, &c.); St. Helens Canal and Railway
(Powers over Railways, &c.); Silverdale and Newcastle
Railway ; Wem and Bronygarth Roads ; West Middlesex
Water; and York Improvement, &c.

PETITIONS.
Several petitions were presented against the unconditional
abolition of church rates ; in favour of the introduction into
any Reform Bill proposed by Government of provisions
for securing universal suffrage, triennial Parliaments, and
vote by ballot; from the shipowners of Swansea, for an in-
ciairy into the grievances complained of by the shipping in-
terest.