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technic. In cases of renal tuberculosis, where catheterization of the ureters is impossible, this is the most reliable test of renal sufficiency which we possess.

Treatment.-In cases of unilateral renal tuberculosis, nephrectomy is the only operation to be considered, and has given satisfactory results. The earlier this is done the better. The general opinion now is that one should never resort to partial resection. Nephrotomy may be performed in cases of mixed infection and abscess formation, but should be considered only as a palliative operation. Secondary nephrectomy should follow as soon as the patient's condition permits.-H. A. FOWLER.

The Washington Home for Incurables.-The Washington Home for Incurables was incorporated March 6, 1889, and its object, as stated in Article I of its by-laws, is "to provide a comfortable and permanent home for persons afflicted with any incurable physical disability or disease, for whom no provision exists elsewhere." Previous to this time there was no provision for such cases, and the need of such an institution was most urgent.

The Home was first located on Meridian Avenue, Mount Pleasant, in a building which soon proved altogether inadequate for the increasing demands made upon it, and in 1892 land was obtained north of U Street, between Thirty-first and Thirtysecond, on Georgetown Heights. Here a new building, costing over $50,000 was erected, and here the Home has continued its good work ever since. The new building was made possible by the generous liberality of several of its friends and without any public appropriation.

The Home is open to any person with an incurable disease except those suffering from mental derangement and contagious diseases, and is intended for those chronic cases which are not desired by a general hospital.

Patients who are able to pay anything, however small, toward their maintenance are expected to do so, but those who are not, are cared for absolutely without charge, and no discrimination is made either in admission or accommodations between those who do and those who do not pay.

Application is made on a blank form, and must be certified to by a reputable physician; the applicant is then examined by a member of the medical staff as to his eligibility, and, if found suitable, is placed on the waiting list, as the Home is unfortunately not large enough to accommodate all who apply. Efforts are now being made to obtain funds to enlarge the building to meet, as far as possible, the ever increasing demands.

Some years ago provision was made for a cancer ward, also a

children's ward.

Only four cancer cases can be received, and many of these poor unfortunates must be turned away.

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All the patients are given the best of care, and each patient has a private room, and these rooms have been furnished by some friend of the Home as a memorial. When full there are accommodations for 46 patients-31 females and 15 males.

The Medical Staff comprises four attending physicians, nine consulting physicians and a resident physician.

The Home receives an appropriation of $4,000 from Congress, and the other funds necessary for its support are raised by private donations and by charitable entertainments.

The management is in the hands of a Ladies' Board, and too great praise cannot be bestowed upon these good women for their untiring zeal and energy in providing means to make it possible for the Home to do its best work.

A visit will give a better idea of the good which is being done and the kind attention which the patient receives, and the members of the Medical Society are most welcome at any time.

The Medical Staff consists of Drs. Wellington, Nichols, J. D. Thomas, Lee and Dunlop.-J. R. WELLINGTON.

The Bruen Home, located at 436 M Street, N. W., was undertaken October 24, and was duly incorporated November 10, 1896, as a Home for destitute, deserted and friendless women and children. Women of known vicious character or of evil life are not received. There is also a nursery where children can be left while mothers are at work. The object is to furnish a more or less temporary home for homeless, destitute or deserted young mothers and women temporarily out of work. It is always preferred that the mothers live in the Home with their children, even though they may go out to day's work. Children whose mothers cannot live in the Home are cared for at a nominal charge. The moral training, uplifting influence and protection from temptation is the prime object of the association. Any woman in need of such help will be kept in the Home if she proves herself worthy. Pauperism is not encouraged, for self help is continually taught. The woman who will not do the work assigned her to the best of her ability, but who is found to be simply making a convenience of the Home, will not be retained.

October 31, 1906, the Home completed its tenth year. The receipts for the first year were $2,313; for the ninth year $6,891. The receipts of the seventh year, $7,684, included a legacy of $2,245 from Mrs. Sarah E. Barron. The statistics for the year ending October 31, 1905, were as follows: average number of children in the Home, 94; and of adults, 19; children sent to hospital, 5; adopted, 1; returned to their homes, 74.

Dr. George N. Perry has been the medical advisor of the Home since its incorporation. The remaining staff comprises Drs. E. H. Egbert, W. A. Frankland, N. D. Graham and W. P. Reeves. Drs. Balloch and Dufour are consultants.

Except for occasional epidemics of eruptive fevers among the children, no serious disease occurs in the Home.-G. N. PERRY.

Health Department, District of Columbia.—

Memorandum showing the relative prevalence of certain communicable diseases from August 1, 1905, to November 1, 1905, and the same period of 1906, in the District of Columbia.

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*The percentage of fatal cases is based upon the total number of cases which have definitely ended either in recovery or death, and not upon the number of cases reported or the number of cases which have been under treatment.

W. C. WOODWARD, Health Officer.

The Woman's Clinic, 1237 T Street, Northwest, was established in October, 1890. Its objects are, first, the establishment in the District of Columbia of an institution for the medical and surgical treatment of women and children by women physicians; second, the establishment as soon as possible, in or near Washington, D. C., of a Hospital and Sanitorium for women and children, with a view to suitable clinical instruction in both institutions.

Since the establishment of the Clinic the women physicians at

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tending have treated a large number of patients without distinction of race or creed, whose limited means have made them unable to meet the ordinary charges for medical treatment. The small fee of ten cents, which is charged those who are able to pay it, while inadequate for the maintenance of the Clinic, prevents those applying for treatment from considering themselves charity patients and losing thereby some of their self respect.

The income of the Clinic consists of these fees, of some annual subscriptions and of a small appropriation from Congress. For the year ending June 30, 1906, the receipts from all sources

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