Special dispensations have been made for the schools of medicine, so that the services of the more advanced students may be utilized while at the same time they are enabled to continue their studies. This has been made possible by the establishment of the so-called "_Universita Castrense_," or Camp University, situated in the war zone, where distinguished physicians who are also university professors teach the young students, while teachers and pupils alternate the hours of class with those of service in the camp hospitals. The change caused by the war in the condition of women has probably been more profound and more keenly felt in Italy than in other countries, such as England and France, where women have for many years been engaged in various useful pursuits. In Italy the women of the middle class, with rare exceptions, remained at home. Those of the lower class, when they worked at all, generally chose some occupation such as teaching. Most women had no economic independence. Unmarried girls usually lived with their parents or some married brother or sister. [Illustration: ST. MARK'S PLACE, VENICE Though the beautiful buildings were protected, crowds gathered daily and regular occupations were pursued Photograph by E. M. Newman] An ardent group of Italian women prepared the ground and labored for years to convince their sisters that they were wrong in the belief that under all conditions "a woman's place is in her home." This belief was almost a religion in the southern provinces of Italy; the prejudice there was so strong that it required the utmost courage of the women to combat it. Intelligent, progressive and cultured Italian girls are now to be found in almost every occupation in which their English, French and American sisters are engaged. This revolution in the attitude of Italian women is accepted, not as a temporary war necessity, but as a permanent change that cannot fail to have a deep and, on the whole, beneficent effect upon social conditions in Italy. _Food Regulations_ Conditions in civil life are comparatively good. Of course, there are many restrictions, above all in food conservation and supply. Prices have increased, but so have salaries. There are no unemployed, and the working classes generally are prosperous. War conditions required three meatless days per week, as in the other countries of the Allies. Cards were given for bread, sugar, coal, olive oil, macaroni and rice. That the quantity allowed to each individual was sufficient was proved by the fact that the authorities often received offers to diminish the rations of some families who found they had more than they needed. The use of gas was limited to meal hours for heating, and for illumination until ten o'clock at night. [Illustration: Hall of the Great Council, Ducal Palace, Venice. On the floor may be seen in rolls paintings taken from ceiling and wall