DEATH under anæsthesia is always a most lamentable occurrence, and these accidents fall into three categories: first, those which no human skill can avert, for example, in unsuspected cases of status lymphaticus; secondly, those due to want of knowledge on the part of the medical practitioner; and, thirdly, those which occur in the practice of unqualified per sons. The second class of cases can be met by ensuring that instruction in anæsthetics is an essential part of medical and dental education, and this has been in a measure secured by recent alterations in the regulations of examining bodies. The deaths which occur under the third heading can only be prevented, and the public protected, by making the administration of anæsthetics by unqualified persons illegal. There is reason to believe that such accidents occur more frequently than reports in the public Press would lead one to suppose, but statistics are obviously difficult to obtain. A Government measure, regulating the ad ministration of anæsthetics and prohibiting their use by unqualified persons, was suggested by a Depart mental Committee of the Home Office some years ago, but this has never come to fruition, and private bills introduced into Parliament have shared the usual fate of private bills. The question, however, has been kept alive by the energy of Sir Frederick Hewitt, Prof. Waller, and others, and year by year fresh evidence has accumulated showing the urgent need of legis lation; since the introduction of cocaine the evil has in creased. We are glad to learn that the council of the British Association, at its last meeting, passed a resolution (inspired by the anæsthetic committee of the association) by a large majority, asking the Government to introduce a measure limiting the use of these dangerous drugs to properly qualified persons, or to those acting under their immediate supervision. The council is to be congratulated on thus fulfilling one of the objects of the association, namely, to attempt to remove disadvantages of a public kind. We can only trust that Parliament, having got the burden of its three large measures off, or nearly off, its shoulders, may now find time to do so some really useful work.