i88i.] 
( i77 
J 
NOTES. 
The Threatened Epidemic of Small-pox . — London is appa- 
rently once again threatened with an epidemic of small-pox : 
the disease is described as marching on the metropolis from the 
south-east, and as being sporadically present in the south-west, 
and districts apparently unconnected with each other. It has 
been the custom for some years back to attribute the origin of 
small-pox, as of other zymotic diseases, to such causes as filth, 
fermentation , specific poison, and so on, its propagation to 
contagion. We should be glad to have the views regarding the 
present outbreak of those who would thus account for the large 
class of diseases of which small-pox is one. As a matter of 
facft, the recurrence of small-pox, typhus fever, and some other 
diseases, takes place at regular intervals of time, and, as far as 
we are able to see, without any difference in conditions as re- 
gards filth, or rather cleanliness of places, on such occasions 
from what prevails during its absence. Communication between 
persons is no greater during its presence than while small-pox is 
absent : if, therefore, the extension of an epidemic depends upon 
contagion alone, how are we to account for its cessation after 
having prevailed in a locality for a certain defined time ? These 
and kindred questions bearing upon epidemiology are perhaps 
easier put than answered. — Medical Press and Circular . 
According to Dr. Berkhan (“ Zeit. fur Psychol.”) marriages 
between normal men and cretin women are sometimes prolific, 
but the children usually die during childhood. 
M. Cceurdevache (singular name !), of the meteorological ob- 
servatory in the Park of Saint Maur, finds, from a series of 
special observations, that the lowest mean diurnal temperature 
in the months of March, April, and May, occurs about the 20th 
and 21st day of the moon. 
A writer in the “ Times ” complains in bitter terms of the cost 
of the Geological Survey of the United Kingdom. The 
“ Geological Magazine ” points out in reply that, considering 
the difficult nature of their duties, the men employed are not 
overpaid. One of them, after working for twenty years, receives 
£180 yearly, and another, who has served over thirty years, 
receives £219 ! 
According to the “ Scottish Naturalist ” a hoopoe was seen in 
Unst in Odtober last, and paid the usual penalty for appearing 
on British ground. Its stomach was found filled with earwigs, 
