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To Correspondents.d. M.-Our correspondent has drawn our attention to the numerous cases of Idrowning which are continually occurring in the docks at Cardiff, and com-

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plains that there is no reception-room in the neighbourhood to whichbodies taken from the water might be removed. The danger of the docksis greatly increased in consequence of a dispute between the Marquis ofBute and the Town Council with respect to lighting. Serious accidents atthe quarries in the neighbourhood are also frequent, and the difficulty ofremoval much aggravates the pain of the sufferers. "A. M." suggests theprovision of an ambulance for this purpose. It is to be hoped that hisreasonable and philanthropic views will be adopted by the authorities, notonly at Cardiff, but in all extensive works where injury to life and limb isprevalent. The rough impromptu conveyances used on such occasions fre-quently increase the injury already sustained, and tend to a fatal termina-tion. We trust our correspondent will have sufficient influence to effecta reform, which is urgently demanded by the voice of humanity, and, itwould appear in the case of Cardiff, of policy also. The public have nosympathy in these matters with the disputes of the contentious parties.The remedy is so easy of adoption, the evils which it might prevent areso striking, that it is marvellous to every disinterested person on what

grounds it can possibly be delayed.Enquirer and an Old Subscriber.-He can do it by courtesy. The right wouldnot be inquired into by those who alone have power to put it to the test.

ESPRIT DE CORPS.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-This subject, of vital importance to the well-being of our profession,is surely worth more to us all, and merits more notice, than the cursoryletters that have appeared in your two last numbers. There is amongst usno lack of genuine esprit de corp.; but it finds no adequate expression, andis put to no practical use beyond the furthering of partial and individualmovements. For those medical men who possess true esprit de corps, andwho would unite in common action if they only saw a way likely to lead toany great and good result, are so intermixed and alternated with men whosesole leading motive is self-interest, and with others who are overworked, orweak, or indolent, or sceptical of their fellows, or unreliable, that they feelthemselves quoad hoc isolated; and of course they know, as men of business,that the isolated action of public spirit is mere waste of time and energy. ITherefore they sit still. They have their living to get, and cannot spendtheir time over a work in which no one helps them. But such men would not Isit still if there were a general intercommunication and organization to turntheir efforts to account. They would find methods of acting for the good andthe interest of the whole profession; they would exert a beneficial influence onthe inert, the selfish, and the sceptical; and they would form a public bodyof witnesses, before whose eyes professional conduct would improve, andunder whose care a better code of medical common law would spontaneouslydevelop itself, provided there were no dogmatic interference.The necessity for some such organization is urgent. Daily the practitioner

of limited means feels that he ought to contribute to the A. or the B. or theC. defence fund, to reimburse those men who in their proper persons havefought the battle of the profession in a damaging action. But he feels thatthere may be no end of such contributions ; they are the mere patch upon therent; and that his putting down his guinea, sorely needed to pay his ownChristmas bills, will not prevent a dozen similar cases from happening to-morrow. Daily the honourable practitioner feels that any right self-denialon his part is of use to his own heart and conscience alone, and has not theslightest effect in amending the conduct of others. Daily every medical manfeels that his only protection from insult or wrong is with himself; for thatthe profession will not stir, except it be a conspicuous case exciting interest,to call to account that man or body of men who insult the whole professionin his name. Daily we feel that we have no power to agree upon any commonaction respecting the ordinary eventualities of public and private practice.But I need not multiply instances.

I have no time left to speak of the kind of organization needed. TheMedical Registration Association ought to have supplied it; but that is nowdefunct. Medico-Ethical Societies are not to the purpose. The proper Medi-cal Societies have their own business to mind. And it is no local or partial

organization that is wanting. Yet there ought to be no new machinery re-quired. The means of forming a general organization throughout Englandof all those medical men who really care for the interests and welfare, theposition and the honour of the profession they belong to, must surely lie veryclose to us. Can you, Sir, to whom so large and important a section of theprofession confide their interests, suggest a plan that, rising superior to allcliques and parties, shall do good to us all Might not a general Associationfor the protection of the interests and dignity of the profession be made torise out of the remains of the Medical Registration Association, all regularand orthodox registered practitioners to belong to it on paying a smallannual subscription ? The time is fully come for it. There are hundredswho will be glad to help, but who, as working men, can only help if there iseffective co-operation. I am, Sir, your obedient servant,Brighton, December, 1863. W. E. C. N.

Omicron.-We are inclined to the belief that the several pocks of the diffe-rent animals mentioned by our correspondent are only small-pox modifiedby the particular animal constitnt’ons. For instance, M. Bouley related tothe French Academy a short time back, that having recently observedsome aphtha-like eruption in the mouth of a horse, and having ascer-tained its contagiousness by applying it to the mouth of another horse, heinoculated the matter on the teat ef a cow. The eruption thus producedwas in every respect similar to the cow-pox, and served to vaccinate aninfaut. This child, as well as three pupils of the Veterinary School ofAlfort revaceinated from the same source, were presented to the Academy.The vesicles on the child were very well marked, and some of those on thestudents also were sufnciently characteristic.

SUMPTER v. POND.CERTAINLY we cannot agree entirely with the defendant’s attorney in this

case, that the Act is so clear as to prohibit a Doctor of Medicine of Aber-deen from recovering for surgical attendance. The point is one of greatdoubt, and we believe has been decided differently by different CountyCourt judges. Final judgment on the question must issue from the superiorcourts of law. We regret to say that the tone of the correspondence whichhas taken place, so far as the solicitor for the defence is concerned, is notcharacterized by that dignity which should exist amongst educated gen-tlemen. Dr. Sumpter may have been wrong in the opinion which he ex-pressed ; but he does not appear to have used any language calling for anuncourteous reply.

A Constant Reader would ensure the fulfilment of his object in a more com,prehensive manner by placing before the profession a record of his obser-vations on the effects of tea, than by the simple publication of his letter.

THE ERLANGEN DEGREE OF M.D.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR -As another of your countless "regular subscribers,’ permit me to saythat the expense of graduation at the Protestant University of Bavaria, abovenamed, is not £18 only, but £25. Any legally qualified medical practitionercan obtain it in an ad eundem manner, provided he can write a satisfactorydissertation, give proof of an adequate professional education, and furnishtestimonials of his general intellectual and moral proficiency from men ofacknowledged reputation. In this way, at least, I know it was successfullysought by Pereira, Ashwell, Waller, and a host of other talented physiciansin this country, as well as in Scotland and Ireland; in fact, none but wellqualified persons can obtain this diploma, except by fraudulent means, for all’the previous letters-testimonial are recited in the Doctor’s degree of theMedical Faculty thus conferred, as well as the nature and merits of the ori-ginal thesis. The degree of M.D. is not, as with us, the same for all; but, onthe contrary, special for each individual, and granted to him for reasons-’ therein stated and printed! Application should be made, in the first in-stance, to the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine (post paid), University ofErlangen, Bavaria.I need hardly add that many celebrated names have been, and still ’are,connected with it in every department of literature and science, and that itwould, in my judgment, reverting to the pleasures of the past, amply repay avisit from your correspondent. The University is, indeed, a splendid esta-blishment, having a noble and richly-stocked library of far more than 100,000valuable books, a fine museum, botanic garden of unrivalled excellence inmedicinal plants, together with large and interesting hospitals, in the midstof a handsome and elegant town, on the Regnitz, with wide streets and goodhouses.

I would observe, in conclusion, that there are few educated men in Englandwho have not heard or read something of the Erlangen professors, and formedsome notion of them, however indefinite, as theologians, anatomists, patho-logists, philosophers, pantheists, or patriots-men possessed of a stoicalmoral nature, and practical self-devotion to high purposes, such as we findbut too few of in any age or country.

I remain, Sir, yours with respect,Liverpool, December, 1863. WILLIAM HITCHMAN, M.D.

M. A. C.-The question has never yet been decided by any competent tribunal.’, Until that is the case, some doubts upon the subject must remain. We

think, however, that he could recover.

;Enquirer (Liverpool) might with advantage make an application on the sub-ject of her letter to Dr. Down, Earlswood, Redhill.

D. F. should apply to Dr. O’R. himself.

M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.-We are not aware of the nature of the composition.

HYDATIDIFORM FORMATIONS IN THE UTERUS.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-Referring to the very interesting questions as to the " etiology" ofthe above subject, you will probably see no impropriety in my stating thateighteen years ago I met with three cases (all occurring within a twelvemonthof each other), of the expulsion of a mass of hydatids. The first was from ayoung woman, the wife of a deformed cripp’e, in the village of Uickenhall, inWarwickshire; the second from an old woman, past sixty years, of Meriden,four miles from the before-named place, the wife of the constable; the thirdcase was from an old woman, more than sixty years, wife of a carpenter atCorley, five miles from Meriden. The age of the subjects of the two lattercases would seem to preclude our assent to the interesting theory advancedby Dr. Graily Hewitt. I think no one who saw what I saw in these threecases would doubt their being veritable entozoa, the offspring of a parentgerm, but how that parent found a habitat in a woman’s womb is a mystery.I may say that the appearance of the vesicular mass was remarkably similarin all the three cases, the haemorrhage not at all alarming either in theyoung or old, and the patients were neither of them seen until some hourshad elapsed after the extrusion of the masses, the volume of which was veryconsiderable in either case. In that of the young woman, she supposed her-self to be five months gone in pregnancy, and the whole case would moststrongly support Dr. Hewitt’s views ; while the other cases as strongly mili-tate against them. Indeed, even in the case of the young woman, there wassuch an enormous mass of hydatid formation that I can hardly conceive itpossible that anything but the parent hydatids could develop them. All threewomen recovered very well pro tem. I remember the policeman’s wife saidshe had suffered in a less degree previously, but not sufficiently to call inadvice. The other old woman was in delicate health, but did not reouire anyfurther care during the two years later that I remained in Warwickshire. Ifthought desirable, I can learn the condition of the young woman, as I daresay she is still alive. The two others are dead.

I may suggest that, if required, and there be a notice given to your readers,some of them would very soon be in a position to send a specimen of thismorbid production, which as I saw it was of the volume of near a gallonmeasure, something between the appearance of toad or frog spawn and thefroth we sometimes see on the sea-shore. I have never met with a case sincethose I mention; but, doubtless, others often see such cases.

I am, Sir, faithfully yours,Peckham, December, 1863.

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F.R.C.S.

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Symm v. FRASER AND ANDREWS. Mr. J. Rorran, (Salford.)-M. Poggiale has recently analyzed a sample ofMRS. Sfxxu, we think, was wrongly advised in the publication of her letter in butter submitted to him for that pappose, a1’J1d! reports that after separatingthe Sunderland Times. The whole facts of the case were fully brought out the fatty matter with ether and filtering the etherated liquor, a yellow sub-before the Lord Chief Justice, and the verdict of the special jury has met stance was found, composed of chromate of lead, and a vegetable coloringwith general approval. It would have been a great calamity, not only to matter resembling turmeric.the profession, but to the public, had Mrs. Symm succeeded in obtaining a M.R.C.S. Eng.-Such cases are not very remarkaÞ1e yet they scarcely admitverdict against her medical attendants in London, whose conduct was cha- of successful treatment.

racterized by humanity and caution. <S’<Mm.&mdash;Fresh vegetables and fruits are the best dietetic antidotes to

Le Droit.-The work of Mr. Baker, the late Coroner for East Middlesex. scurvy. Cold and damp strongly help its outbreak where men are pro-visioned on salted meats.

THE LICENCE IN MIDWIFERY OF THE ROT1:NDA HOSPITAL. Mr. John Hunter, M.A.-The mavetnent af the chemists and druggistsTo the Editor of THE LANCET. (so called) against the proposed amendment of the Medical Act does not

SIR,-I wish to draw your attention to a grievance to which the licentiates receive the sanction, we believe, of the really recognised members of thatin Midwifery of the Rotunda Lyirg-in Hospital are exposed and compelled at fraternity, the pharmaceutical chemists.present to submit to. It is its omission from the Medical Register. Why isit not permitted to be registered ? How is it that it seems to have escaped A "SPECIAL" Dispi3xsA.Ry,notice, since we perceive it is the only chartered School of Midwifery in the To the Editor .-I"T LUnited Kingdom, and the only school where practical obstetrical science is .

0 the Ed . tor of T HE LANCET.

inculcated under the direct and immediate superintendence of the most able SiR,-The following startling announcement in a local paper of last weekajid learned men in the profession The diploma is a recognised qualifica- deserves wide circulation, and, as it was no doubt intended solely for the pro.tion ; the lectures are recognised by all the licensing bodies; the Poor-law fession (and not the public), I beg to enclose it for the information of yourCommissioners of Ireland now accept it in preference to the one granted by numerous readers :-.their College of Surgeons, which is obtained upon the strength of a mere FREE DISPENSARY FOR DISEASES OF THE THROAT AND Loss OF VoiCB,theoretical examination; but, notwithstanding these advantages, those who 5, KING-STREET, REGENT-STREET.-During the week ending December 19th,do possess it are in a legal point of view no better provided for than the most 213 patients were under treatment, of whom 51 were new cases."unclean abortion-monger that is now enabled to ravish the best interests of It is rumoured that a Dispensary for Diseases of the Nose and Loss ofsociety. As far as the qualification empowers them to obtain their fee, as the Smelling is to be established also in the same Royal street. This is a greaterMedical Act is at present constituted, there is no advantage whatever obtained convenience than the profession is aware of; for any unlucky wight, smell-lessor insured by its possession by those whose wish it is to act honestly. Its and voice-less, can have both faculties restored, being led by the nose or.omission from the Register is a mark significant of anything but respect and throat, according to circumstances, from the one to the other.admiration of this noble and excellent institution, to say nothing of the want It is quite clear to the mind of one so unsophisticated as I am that theof respect to its position as a school, where sound and practical knowledge of hospitals must shut up. It is impossible that they can compete any longera most important branch of medical science is taught; and I feel persuaded with the odoriferous and vociferous influences at work to restore the blindthat you, Sir, will agree with this when you consider the import of the ques- in speech and smell. I am, Sir, yours, &c.,tion in connexion with the circumstances named. Rhinoceros-lane, Dec. 1863. EusTAomus.

I am, Sir, yours obediently,Church-lane, Whitechapel, Dec. 1863. EDWARD PouLSON. ’ ’ M. T.-I. Before such an arrangement is made, it would be better to consult

with the Board of Guardians.-2. It would depend on the nature of the2*. F.-The course which the Government has thought proper to take in the contract. If not specified as one of the duties, the attendance would be

case of George Victor Townley renders the publication of our correspond- paid for extra.ent’s letter unnecessary. S. A. Z-The last work on the subject is Dr. Abbotts Smith’s on " Human

Omega.-We think it offers a fair advantage to a medical practitioner so Entozoa."

situated. Medicine and Surgery.-It is not usual to take a fee under such circum-An Assistant.-It is probable that he might obtain a situation as medical stances.

assistant or even as dresser in the Federal army. WE have received 218. from Mr. R. Winning towards the fund raising forMr. J. W., Sharnbrook.

THE INDIAN MEDICAL SERVICE. COMMUNICATIONS, LETTERS, &c., have been received from - Dr. Brinton;To the Editor of THE LANCET. Prof. Longmore; Mr. Skey; Mr. Savory; Dr. Dundas Thomson; Dr. Hare;

SIR -Sir Charles Wood’s statement last session in the House of Commons, Mr. Critchett; Dr. Forbes Winslow; Mr. Myers, Tottenham; Mr. Maude ;that the medical officers of the Royal and Indian service are on the same foot- Mr. R. W. Baxter, Tolleshunt, (with enclosure;) Mr. Syson; Dr. Helsham ;ing, was either an effort of imagination or awilful misrepresentation, as clearly Mr. W. Garneys, Repton, (with enclosure ;) Mr. Webber, Tunbridge Wells ;illustrated by my own position. I am a surgeon-major in the Indian service Mr. W. Garneys, Repton, (with enclosure;) Mr. Webber, Tunbndge Wells ;of twenty-four years’ standing. I am now on sick certificate in England, and Mr. Cooper, Brighton; Mr. Dunsop, Bushmills; Mr. Copney; Mr. Grubb;my pay is only 10s. 6d. a day, out of which I must deduct 3s. 6d. a day as my Mr. Bankart; Mr. Toller; Mr. Pyle; Dr. Creighton, Cork, (with enclosure;) ;)subscription to the Medical Retiring Fund, to which (let it be noted) Govern- Dr. Walker, Chesterfield, (with enclosure;) Mr. Hartley, Ivy Bridge, (withment compels me to subscribe; so that after this long period of service and enclosure;) Mr. Peat; Mr. Arnison, Allendale Town, (with enclosure ;) Mr.destroyed health, this paternal Government grants me the pittance of 78 a enclosure;) Mr. Peat; Mr. Armson, Allendale Town, (with enclosure Mr.day, that of a junior railway clerk. A Royal officer in my position and stand- Hardman, Oldham, (with enclosure;) Mr. Scott, Whitchurch; Mr. Spark,ing would be drawing from 20s. to 25s. a day. Twickenham, (with enclosure;) Dr. Down, Earlswood ; Mr. E. C. Ashford,

December, 1863. I am, Sir, yours faithfully,

VINDEX. Birmingham; Mr. Grabham, Pontefract; Mr. Perry, Eastbourne; Dr. Bell,December, 186J. VINDEX. St. Andrews; Dr. Sloane, Ovenden; Mr. Henson, Manchester ; Dr. M’Kay,

A Constant Reader.-Such alliances are at all times best avoided. They (with enclosure;) Dr. Stewart, Diss, (with enclosure;) Mr. H. Tibbits,seldom lead to a good result, and are often productive of much incon- Redland; Dr. Fairless, Montrose, (with enclosure;) Mr. Lomax, Stafford;venience and trouble. Mr. Sutherland, Castletown; Mr. Hesslegrave, (with enclosure;) Mr. Blyth,

Studens Medicin&aelig;, (Glasgow.)-The only "hive" we know of is the "vari- Whitchurch ; Dr. Cookson, Preston, (with enclosure;) Mr. Howard, (withcella globularis" of Willan. Refer to Bateman and Willan’s and to Dr. enclosure;) Mr. H. Raymond, Cirencester, (with enclosure;) Mr. D. Gravil,A. T. Thomson’s works on Diseases of the Skin, article Varicella. Ruthin, (with enclosure;) Mr. Holt, (with enclosure;) Mr. Ogden, Oldham;

Mr. Gell, Birmingham; Mr. Pratt, Cardiff, (with enclosure;) ;) Mr. Griffiths,ON THE TREATMENT OF DELIRIUM TREMENS BY DIGITALIS. Hay; Dr. Sheldon, Stratford-on-Avon; Dr. A. Brown, (with enclosure;)

To the Editor of THE LANCET. Mr. Kemp, Castleford, (with enclosure ;) Mr. Aspland, Dukinfield, (with

SiB-In Dr. Braithwaite’s "Retrospect of Medicine" for the half year enclosure;) Mr. D. Coutts, Cumbernauld, (with enclosure;) Dr. R. Cocks,ending June, 1863, there are two cases of delirium tremens recorded, which Dundee, (with enclosure;) Mr. B. Curgenven; Mr. J. Hetherington,were successfully treated by large doses of digitalis. Since reading them I Cockermouth, (with enclosure;) Mr. E. Poulson; Mr. T. Spencer Wells;have had an opportunity of treating a case of the same disease, with like Mr. J. Macdonald, (with enclosure;) Dr. Kernot, (with enclosure ;) Mr.results, of which the following are a few notes :- Redwood, Rhymney Dr. Routh; Mr. Nixon, Stratford-on-Avon, (with en-During the month of November, I was consulted by Mr. B- who Redwood, Rhymney; Dr. Routh; Mr. Nixon, Stratford-on-Avon, (with en-

appeared in a feverish and excited state. He admitted that he had been closure;) Mr. J. Hoare, (with enclosure;) Mr. Raymond, (with enclosure;)drinking for some days (I afterwards ascertained he was doing so at the Dr. Bell, Cockermouth, (with enclosure;) Mr. Coxeter; Mr. Thurston; Mr.time I saw him). I ordered him a little medicine, and on my being requested Hammond, (with enclosure ;) Mr. Holman, Uckfield; Mr. Blake, Salisbury;to see him the following evening, I found him with all the symptoms of de- Mr. T. R. Adams, (with enclosure ;) Dr. Cuthbertson, Stirling, (with enclo

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lirium tremens, totally unfit to attend to his business, could not sleep, and he Mr. T. R. Adams, (with enclosure,) Dr. Cuthbertson Stirling (with enclo-

told me he had not slept for three nights. I gave him opium with alcoholic sure;) Mr. Bain; Mr. Davies, Newport ; Mr. Rees, (with enclosure;) Mr..stimulants, without the slightest effect. He talked incessantly, and fancied Haworth, Keighley, (with enclosure;) Mr. Beecroft, Hyde, (with enclosure;)all manner of strange things. I was now led to try the tincture of digitalis. Mr. R. Close, Kingstown, (with enclosure;) Mr. Daniell Newport Pagnell;I gave him that night a draught containing two drachms of the tincture, and Messrs. NeNvbery and Sons; Dr. Culliman, Ennis, (with enclosure;) Dr.requested that he should be watched. In the morning I found him better, Williams Norwi .’ Dr. Montgomery; Mr. Wa ller Ches terfie ld, Mr. H

having slept at intervals through the night. I then gave him a six-ounce Williams, Norwich; Dr. Montgomery; Mr. Weller, Chesterfield; Mr. Hay,mixture, containing tincture of digitalis, two drachms, and camphor water : Portsea; Dr. Hardesty, Edinburgh, (with enclosure;) Mr. J. Lidderdale;one ounce to be taken every three hours. He had a relapse in the evening, Dr. Williamson, Aberdeen; Dr. Watson, Midealder; Mr. Hinks, (with en-and I then gave him a night containing three drachms of the tincture of closure;) Dr. Oliver, Stockton-on-Tees, (with enclosure;) Mr. Hayward,digitalis. He slept that night five hours continuously, and was considerably Bath Obstetrici ,’.,. of Lond , A Constan t Rea -, M.R.C.S. Eng;better in the morning, but exceedingly weak, having taken no food for several Bath; Obstetrical Society of London; A Constant Reader ; M.R.C.S. Eng.;days, and having suffered from sickness during the time lie was taking the Pharmaceutical Society; W. E. C. N.; Medical Society of London; A. M.;digitalis. I gradually reduced the dose of the tincture in his mixture, and in M.R.C.S., (with enclosure ;) Enquirer; Ethnological Society; F.R.C.S.;two days he was taking a quinine mixture and beef-tea, and was able in a few Anti-Bosh; S. A. Z. ; Assistans; Royal Institution; J. H. L., (with enclo-days to resume his mercantile duties. Sir, yours respectfully, sure;) A. G.; M. T.; Enquirer and an Old Subscriber; D. F. ; S. J. B. ;Ovenden, near Halifax, Dec. 1863.

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M. H. SLOANE, M.D. Old Subscriber; A. B. C., (with enclosure;) Omega; &c. &c.