Ixxx 



possible relation with the periodicity of solar and other super-terrestrial 

 phenomena." 



The object of the paper was to show that there is a marked rise and 

 fall of the death-rate in Europe and Australasia, as ascertained from the 

 records of various countries during the last 39 years, the periodicity of 

 which closely corresponds with the maxima and minima of sun-spots, and 

 with the movements of Jupiter in his orbit from aphelion to perihelion. 

 In the colonies of Australasia, especially during the last 25 years, there 

 is such a close agreement with each other in the rise and fall of their 

 respective death-rates that it is nob easily accounted for unless it be 

 referred to some superterrestrial influence of a variable character. 

 Local causes appear in conjunction with this obscure powerful influence 

 as mere ripples on the swell of a great wave. Although the several 

 states of Europe do not correspond with each other so closely as do the 

 widely separated colonies of Australia it is considered significant that the 

 mean of the death-rate of Europe corresponds in a remarkable way with 

 that of Australasia. Mr. Johnston considers that the greater agreement 

 of the Australasian colonies is due more or less to the absence of 

 artificial evils, such as pestilence of war and excessive density of 

 population, and therefore it is conceivable that the death-rate of the 

 Australasian colonies is a more reliable index of the mediate or 

 immediate effect of super-terrestrial causes. The paper was illustrated 

 with diagrams. 



CAXCEE IX CATTLE. 



Dr. H. A. Perkixs, M.D., read a paper on Osteosarcoma^ or so-called 

 cancer of the jaw in cattle ; and added that since writing the paper he 

 had found that there had not been an undue number of deaths from 

 cancer in man during the last few years, but only in a corresponding 

 degree to the increase of population. Accompanying the paper were 

 specimens of tumorous bones illustrated by comparison with the bones 

 of healthy animals taken from similar parts, which in reality was not 

 cancer at all, but a growth of scrofulous or tuberculosis origin. The 

 paper was accompanied with a post mortem report of the examination 

 of 12 beasts, sufi'ering from the disease, made by Mr. Park. 



The AcTixa Chief Justice (Hon. W. L. Dobson) : Cannot you abso- 

 lutely destroy tuberculosis ? 



Dr. Perkixs : In many cases only by destroying the entire animal. 

 The AcTiXG Chief Justice : Would there be no harm in eating it 

 after it was well cooked ? 



Dr. Perkixs : That would depend upon how it was boiled or 

 roasted, and on the extent of ravages of the disease. Many people put 

 meat into the water before it is boiling, and let it, as it were, simmer 

 for a time, and so make a decoction. The better plan is to wait until 

 the water has reached •boiling point before placing the meat in it. 

 Mr. Belstead : For the purpose of destroying the disease ? 

 Dr. Perkixs : Partly so, and partly for ordinary cooking to be done 

 well. At the same time it was true that the disease might be killed 

 in the parts contiguous to the water. 



Mr. JoHX SwAX' said he had received a letter written by a person 

 who was in the habit of purchasing cattle for slaughter in one of 

 the mining districts. The writer observed that he seldom or never 

 bought a lot of cattle without getting one or more with swollen jaws. 

 As he would not be likely to purchase more than 15 or 20 at a time, this 

 would give a higher percentage than he should have suspected to exist. 

 It was much more general in many parts than was supposed, and in 

 the early stages of the disease the beast sufi'ering from it would, in his 

 opinion, be passed by the inspector of stock, who would not, on account 

 of the ailment, condemn it as unfit for human food. 



