under the same roof. About fifty important operations are annually
performed under chloroform, but the people of Akita ken are very
conservative, and object to part with their limbs and to foreign
drugs. This conservatism diminishes the number of patients.

The odour of carbolic acid pervaded the whole hospital, and there
were spray producers enough to satisfy Mr. Lister! At the request
of Dr. K. I saw the dressing of some very severe wounds carefully
performed with carbolised gauze, under spray of carbolic acid, the
fingers of the surgeon and the instruments used being all carefully
bathed in the disinfectant. Dr. K. said it was difficult to teach
the students the extreme carefulness with regard to minor details
which is required in the antiseptic treatment, which he regards as
one of the greatest discoveries of this century. I was very much
impressed with the fortitude shown by the surgical patients, who
went through very severe pain without a wince or a moan. Eye cases
are unfortunately very numerous. Dr. K. attributes their extreme
prevalence to overcrowding, defective ventilation, poor living, and
bad light.

After our round we returned to the management room to find a meal
laid out in English style--coffee in cups with handles and saucers,
and plates with spoons. After this pipes were again produced, and
the Director and medical staff escorted me to the entrance, where
we all bowed profoundly. I was delighted to see that Dr.
Kayabashi, a man under thirty, and fresh from Tokiyo, and all the
staff and students were in the national dress, with the hakama of
rich silk. It is a beautiful dress, and assists dignity as much as
the ill-fitting European costume detracts from it. This was a very
interesting visit, in spite of the difficulty of communication