578 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF HENRY HANCOCK, E S Q. SURGEON TO CHARING-CROSS AND ROYAL WESTMINSTER OPHTHALMIC HOSPITALS. [The Portrait is from a Daguerreotype just taken by MR. MAYALL, 433, West Strand.] THE subject of the present memoir is the youngest son of the delivering two lectures on anatomy and physiology, and one on late Samuel Hancock, Esq., a merchant of high standing in the surgery, on the-day even after he had received the news of his City, and was born in the year 1810. He is descended from an loss, which appeared to be so irretrievable to him that he con- old Derbyshire family, whose property, with the exception of a suited his friends as to the propriety of giving up his house in small portion still in possession, was alienated during the civil Harley-street, and seeking some less expensive residence. wars of Charles the First. He received his education from the Among others, he sought the advice of Mr. Guthrie, who Rev. W. Butler, of Chelsea, whose brother was at that time would not listen to the proposed plan, saying, "No, Head Master of Harrow. Having studied pharmacy under Hancock, you must stay where you are; it will injure you too Mr. Campbell, of Wilton-place, Mr. Hancock entered, in May, much to move; if you cannot pay your rent come to me." 1830, to the practice of the Royal Westminster Ophthalmic This decided him in remaining; and although he never Hospital, then situated in Warwick-street, Golden-square, and had occasion to tax Mr. Guthrie’s generosity, he has never in the following October, he attended Mr. Guthrie’s Lectures forgotten his kindness. In a few months he was enabled on Surgery, which were delivered in Little Windmill-street, to resume the occupation of the whole of his house. At whilst the remainder of the lectures were attended at the the death of Mr. Howship, which occurred in the summer King’s College. He at the same time entered to the practice of 1841, Mr. Hancock. became senior surgeon to the Hos- of the Westminster Hospital, of which the late Mr. Lynn, Sir pital, and was at the same time appointed to the chair A. Carlisle, Mr. A. White, and Mr. Guthrie, were the surgeons; of surgery at the school, and about this time he was Sir G. Tuthill, Dr. Bright, and Dr. Roe being the physicians. elected orator to the Medical Society of London. In 1846 During this period Mr. Hancock attended sedulously to the he became president of the Westminster Medical Society, practice of the Royal Westminster Ophthalmic Hospital, which was then at a very low ebb, and: by his unceasing per. to which institution he was appointed house-surgeon in 1832, severance, he soon collected around him a large body of friends, He subsequently filled the same office to the Westminster whe were glad to enrol’themselves as members, and serve Hospital in 1832. In 1834 he passed his examination at the under the banner of one who proved himself to be a most College of Surgeons, and in 1835 was married to the eldest successful leader. In 1848, he was elected as president and daughter of the late J. W. Burford, D.D., Vicar of Magdalen trustee of the Medical Society of London; and in 1851, he Laver, Essex, and Brent Pelham, Herts. In the autumn of received from the Society that honourable acknowledgment of this year he became the lecturer on, and demonstrator of Ana- his services, which is awarded in the shape of a silver medal to tomy to the Westminster School of Medicine, Dr. Todd being those who have exerted themselves in promoting its interests. the lecturer on Physiology, and. Mr. Guthrie the lecturer on Upon the retirement of Mr. Clifton from the office of treasurer, Surgery. In 1837 the late Mr. Howship applied to Mr. Han- Mr. Hancock was unanimously chosen for that office, and in cock to undertake the’duties of anatomical and physiological the year 1851 was appointed the Lettsomian Professor of Surgery lecturer to the school which was about to-be instituted in to the Society.y . connexion with the Charing-cross Hospital. He consequently Soon after the passing of the New Poor-law Act, Mr. Han- resigned the office he then held, and joined the latter school, cock was on several occasions appointed a special commissioner; together’with Mr. Hird, who had been already associatcd with and amongst other places he visited the Wakefield, Seven him for some time as demonstrator of anatomy. In 1838 Mr. Oaks, Nottingham, and Marylebone Workhouses, for the pur- Hancock published a translation of Velpeau’s Anatomy, and, pose of investigating complaints. in 1839, was elected assistant-surgeon to the Charing-cross Thus, then, it will be seen that from the commencement of Hospital after a severe contest for the office with Mr. Palmer, Mr. Haneock’s professional career until the present time there the accomplished editor of the works of Hunter, of St. has been a steady succession of achievements, which, how- George’s, and Mr. Avery. In 1837, he was chosen by the ever, have not been so many gifts of good fortune, but have Governors of the Royal Infirmary for Children to fill the resulted from that indomitable perseverance, combined with office of surgeon, which position he retained until 1839, when sound and varied knowledge, which form leading characteristics he resigned to become a candidate for the above hospital. In in one who at the onset of his public life had pictured to him- the autumn of 1840, his colleague, Mr. Howship, was attacked self a path, along which he intended to travel, but which he with the illness which proved fatal to him in the spring of the knew could only be trodden successfully by one possessed of following year, and in order to prevent inconvenience to the honour, energy, and knowledge. Not alone by such features students, Mr. Hancock undertook the delivery of the course is Mr. Hancock known to the profession, but, keenly alive to of lectures on surgery, in addition to the lectures on physiology the value of that information by which he himself so largely he was then engaged upon. profited, he has entered the lists as an author, and contributed In March, 1841, in consequence of the failure of the house in the results of his own experience, which are already widely which his money was placed, Mr. Hancock lost nearly the acknowledged to be valuable additions to our medical litera- whole of his private fortune. He received information of this ture. The translation of Velpeau has already been alluded ’ unlooked-for circumstance at nine o’clock at night; and before to; the articles "Hip-joint" and "Arteria Innominata," in eight o’clock on the following morning, he had placed his Todd’s Cyclopaedia were from his pen. In 1844 he published house in the hands of an agent, for him to let off the principal a series of lectures on " Dislocations and Injuries of the portion of it, reserving to himself merely that part which was Shoulder-joint." " Two other works succeeded-viz., "On the absolutely required for professional purposes. Notwithstanding Operation for Strangulated Hernia," and " On Strictures of the this heavy blow, he continued his work without intermission, Urethra." In the latter volume is a detailed account of his
Transcript
578
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHOF
HENRY HANCOCK, E S Q.SURGEON TO CHARING-CROSS AND ROYAL WESTMINSTER OPHTHALMIC HOSPITALS.
[The Portrait is from a Daguerreotype just taken by MR. MAYALL, 433, West Strand.]
THE subject of the present memoir is the youngest son of the delivering two lectures on anatomy and physiology, and one onlate Samuel Hancock, Esq., a merchant of high standing in the surgery, on the-day even after he had received the news of hisCity, and was born in the year 1810. He is descended from an loss, which appeared to be so irretrievable to him that he con-old Derbyshire family, whose property, with the exception of a suited his friends as to the propriety of giving up his house insmall portion still in possession, was alienated during the civil Harley-street, and seeking some less expensive residence.wars of Charles the First. He received his education from the Among others, he sought the advice of Mr. Guthrie, whoRev. W. Butler, of Chelsea, whose brother was at that time would not listen to the proposed plan, saying, "No,Head Master of Harrow. Having studied pharmacy under Hancock, you must stay where you are; it will injure you tooMr. Campbell, of Wilton-place, Mr. Hancock entered, in May, much to move; if you cannot pay your rent come to me."
1830, to the practice of the Royal Westminster Ophthalmic This decided him in remaining; and although he never
Hospital, then situated in Warwick-street, Golden-square, and had occasion to tax Mr. Guthrie’s generosity, he has neverin the following October, he attended Mr. Guthrie’s Lectures forgotten his kindness. In a few months he was enabledon Surgery, which were delivered in Little Windmill-street, to resume the occupation of the whole of his house. Atwhilst the remainder of the lectures were attended at the the death of Mr. Howship, which occurred in the summerKing’s College. He at the same time entered to the practice of 1841, Mr. Hancock. became senior surgeon to the Hos-of the Westminster Hospital, of which the late Mr. Lynn, Sir pital, and was at the same time appointed to the chairA. Carlisle, Mr. A. White, and Mr. Guthrie, were the surgeons; of surgery at the school, and about this time he wasSir G. Tuthill, Dr. Bright, and Dr. Roe being the physicians. elected orator to the Medical Society of London. In 1846
During this period Mr. Hancock attended sedulously to the he became president of the Westminster Medical Society,practice of the Royal Westminster Ophthalmic Hospital, which was then at a very low ebb, and: by his unceasing per.to which institution he was appointed house-surgeon in 1832, severance, he soon collected around him a large body of friends,He subsequently filled the same office to the Westminster whe were glad to enrol’themselves as members, and serveHospital in 1832. In 1834 he passed his examination at the under the banner of one who proved himself to be a mostCollege of Surgeons, and in 1835 was married to the eldest successful leader. In 1848, he was elected as president anddaughter of the late J. W. Burford, D.D., Vicar of Magdalen trustee of the Medical Society of London; and in 1851, heLaver, Essex, and Brent Pelham, Herts. In the autumn of received from the Society that honourable acknowledgment ofthis year he became the lecturer on, and demonstrator of Ana- his services, which is awarded in the shape of a silver medal totomy to the Westminster School of Medicine, Dr. Todd being those who have exerted themselves in promoting its interests.the lecturer on Physiology, and. Mr. Guthrie the lecturer on Upon the retirement of Mr. Clifton from the office of treasurer,Surgery. In 1837 the late Mr. Howship applied to Mr. Han- Mr. Hancock was unanimously chosen for that office, and incock to undertake the’duties of anatomical and physiological the year 1851 was appointed the Lettsomian Professor of Surgerylecturer to the school which was about to-be instituted in to the Society.y .connexion with the Charing-cross Hospital. He consequently Soon after the passing of the New Poor-law Act, Mr. Han-resigned the office he then held, and joined the latter school, cock was on several occasions appointed a special commissioner;together’with Mr. Hird, who had been already associatcd with and amongst other places he visited the Wakefield, Sevenhim for some time as demonstrator of anatomy. In 1838 Mr. Oaks, Nottingham, and Marylebone Workhouses, for the pur-Hancock published a translation of Velpeau’s Anatomy, and, pose of investigating complaints.in 1839, was elected assistant-surgeon to the Charing-cross Thus, then, it will be seen that from the commencement ofHospital after a severe contest for the office with Mr. Palmer, Mr. Haneock’s professional career until the present time therethe accomplished editor of the works of Hunter, of St. has been a steady succession of achievements, which, how-George’s, and Mr. Avery. In 1837, he was chosen by the ever, have not been so many gifts of good fortune, but haveGovernors of the Royal Infirmary for Children to fill the resulted from that indomitable perseverance, combined withoffice of surgeon, which position he retained until 1839, when sound and varied knowledge, which form leading characteristicshe resigned to become a candidate for the above hospital. In in one who at the onset of his public life had pictured to him-the autumn of 1840, his colleague, Mr. Howship, was attacked self a path, along which he intended to travel, but which hewith the illness which proved fatal to him in the spring of the knew could only be trodden successfully by one possessed offollowing year, and in order to prevent inconvenience to the honour, energy, and knowledge. Not alone by such featuresstudents, Mr. Hancock undertook the delivery of the course is Mr. Hancock known to the profession, but, keenly alive toof lectures on surgery, in addition to the lectures on physiology the value of that information by which he himself so largelyhe was then engaged upon. profited, he has entered the lists as an author, and contributed
In March, 1841, in consequence of the failure of the house in the results of his own experience, which are already widelywhich his money was placed, Mr. Hancock lost nearly the acknowledged to be valuable additions to our medical litera-whole of his private fortune. He received information of this ture. The translation of Velpeau has already been alluded ’
unlooked-for circumstance at nine o’clock at night; and before to; the articles "Hip-joint" and "Arteria Innominata," ineight o’clock on the following morning, he had placed his Todd’s Cyclopaedia were from his pen. In 1844 he publishedhouse in the hands of an agent, for him to let off the principal a series of lectures on " Dislocations and Injuries of the
portion of it, reserving to himself merely that part which was Shoulder-joint." " Two other works succeeded-viz., "On theabsolutely required for professional purposes. Notwithstanding Operation for Strangulated Hernia," and " On Strictures of thethis heavy blow, he continued his work without intermission, Urethra." In the latter volume is a detailed account of his
581
discovery of the muscularity of the urethra. The medical
periodicals have also not unfrequently been the medium forsome valuable communications. In the pages of THE LANCETwill be found one in which a successful operation is describedupon the caput coli for disease of the appendix vermiformis.In the same journal are articles upon " The Employment ofTurpentine in Indolent Ulcers;" " On Strumous Ophthalmia;""On Axillary Aneurism;" " On Dislocation of the Tibia andFibula, with the Astragalus inwards from the other Bones ofthe Tarsus;" " On Internal Strangulation of the Intestines ;""On the Operation of Section of the Perinseum in Retentionof Urine. "
Mr. Hancock’s hospital practice has furnished him with somerare opportunities, which were not lost upon one bent on im-proving that art and science which is his favourite pursuit. Thus,amidst the brilliant triumphs achieved by Chopart, Baudens,Lisfranc, T. Wakley, and Syme, in respect of operations upon thefoot, we recognise Mr. Hancock to be the first surgeon who hasremoved the os calcis alone from the tarsal bones, and left thepatient an useful limb. The science of surgery is mainly con-servative-the art is chiefly mutilative; both, nevertheless, areclosely associated, for whilst we remove we preserve, and hewho can advance the science whilst he assists in improving theart, deserves the best thanks at the hands of suffering humanity,and earns for himself laurels, which will retain through ages animperishable freshness. Mr. Hancock, too, was the firstsurgeon in this country who excised the parts forming the ankle-joint, and with a happy result. Other joints it has not un-
frequently fallen to his lot to remove-as the hip, shoulder,and elbow; and few surgeons have met with such success inoperations for the removal of the superior and inferior maxillarybones. As an operator Mr. Hancock is bold but judicious,paying particular attention, too, to the after treatment. His
delicacy of manipulation is peculiarly well shown in the frequentoperations which he is called upon to perform as surgeon to theRoyal Westminster Ophthalmic Hospita.1.
’
In stature Mr. Hancock is rather below the middle height.His countenance is animated, the features strongly marked,and the quick intelligence of a dark eye gives an expressivesharpness to lineaments, in which may be found harmoniouslyblended indications of kindness, intelligence, resolution, andthought. In his manner there is an admixture of serene drol-lery and serious consideration, combining, too, the sziaviter inmodo with the fortiter in re. With his pupils he is alwaysfound to encourage the industrious, to stimulate the inatten-tive, and, by his solicitude for the interests of all, he is de-
servedly considered in his school as a general favourite, and islooked up to by the students as the pupils’ friend. His styleof lecturing is peculiar, and partakes of the Abernethian orderboth in matter and manner; whilst the illustrative cases, fromtheir point, and the occasional anecdote, from its pungency,remind us strongly of the palmy days of Guthrie and Cooper.
THE COMPULSORY VACCINATION ACT.
JOHN AIKENHEAD, M.D.
To the Editor of THE LANCET.SIR,-In compliance with a resolution to that effect, I beg
to transmit to you for publication in the pages of THE LANCETthe accompanying memorial to the Poor-law Board, and to theBoard of Guardians of the Chorlton Union. The memorialwas unanimously adopted by a meeting of the profession re-siding in the before-named Union, which was held on the 6thinst., Dr. Bowman occupying the chair.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,Manchester, Dec. 1853. JOHN AlKENHEAD, M.D.
To the Honourable the Commissioners of the Poor of Englandand Wctles.
The memorial of the undersigned medical practitionersresident within the limits of the Chorlton Union, re-
spectflùly showeth,- ’
.
That experience has already demonstrated the CompulsoryVaccination Act to be an inefficient measure, since, whilst itrequires medical practitioners to furnish duplicate certificatesof successful vaccination, it contains no provision for their re-muneration for the trouble such certificates must occasion.Neither has the Act any power to enforce -the production ofthese duplicates, this object being only attainable by an indict-ment for misdemeanour. The adoption of this course wouldrender the measure still more odious both to the profession andto the public, and would further tend to defeat the objectscontemplated by its promoters. That, in the opinion of your
memorialists, all the purposes of the Act would be attainedby appointing each qualified practitioner a vaccinator, and bypaying him for every duplicate certificate of successful vacci-nation. That whilst the adoption of this plan would encouragethe younger practitioners to vaccinate the childen of the poor,it would, by its recognition of the just claim of the professionto remuneration for its labours, lead all classes of its membersto co-operate heartily in giving effect to the Act, and thusmake the practice of vaccination universal.
EDWARD TOMLINSON.WILLIAM WINN.THOMAS MILLER.J. W. WAINWRIGHT.THOMAS WILD.PETER N. ROBERTS.J. ROLF.G. W. PETTINGER.JOSEPH M’KEAND.W. C. WILLIAMSON.ST. JOHN W. LUCAS.GEORGE PETTINGER.J. WILSON.G. B. MUSFEN.JOSEPH PEEL CATLOW.ALEXANDER WILSON.WILLIAM LEES.WILLIAM BATES.HENRY SWIFT.JAMES BRUID.W. J. WILSON.
WILLIAM SKINNER.FARQUHAR MILNE.A. J. PRESTON.J. D. WARD.JAMES ARMSTRONG.T. J. WILKINSON.R. HESLOP. SAMUEL WITLOW.HECTOR HELSHUMJAMES LOWE.JOHN DILL.H. M. WILLIAMSON.J. E. PARTINGTON.SAMUEL CROMPTON.JOSEPH MURPHY.DAVID BOWMAN.CHARLES JAMES RIX.JOSHUA BARLOW.A. W. DUMVILLE.THOMAS WOOD.R. J. WHITEHEAD.
JOHN AIKENHEAD.
Forty-three names, consituting six-sevenths within theUnion, exclusive of the present district vaccinators.
ADVENTITIOUS MUSCULAR GROWTHS.To the Editor of THE LANCET.
SIR,-In THE LANCET of Dec. 3, appears a report of Dr. E.Smith on an adventitious growth, to which true muscularfibres were freely attached, exhibited before the Medical Societyof London, Nov. 19, 1853. In this report Dr. Smith states--" A microscopic examination showed it to be a very good ex-ample of bony growth in a fibrous matrix, and to have attachedto the greater part of - its surface voluntary muscle, withunusually well-marked transverse striae. The origin or thattachment of this muscular fibre was the point of interest.Was it a new formation? No instance is on record of so highlyorganized a structure as muscular fibre having been producedin the progressive changes of effused lymph." "
It may be necessary to remark, that Dr. E. Smith was inerror when he stated that " no instance is on record of so highlyorganized a structure as muscular fibre having been produced inthe progressive changes of effused lymph," in proof of whichI beg to refer you to the case which you did me the honour topublish in your valuable journal, p. 641, 1840, which was anensemble of it. I allude to a polypus tumour in connexion withthe os uteri. In reference to the composition of the tumour,it is therein stated-" On examination of the section, nine-tenths of the tumour were apparently cellular membrane, con-taining a gelatinous fluid, and the remainder bone envelopedin distinct muscular fibres." " The tumour I forwarded to youfor examination; also in reference to which you have therein
, stated-‘ The red tissue surrounding the ossific matter wehave examined under one of Powell’s latest microscopes, andhave ascertained to be true muscular fibre of animal life in anincipient state." " Should you consider the insertion of thiscommunication in your journal calculated to further the pro-gress of science, you will greatly oblige yours obediently,
Stalybridge, Dec. 1853. M. D. THOMPSON, Surgeon.M. D, THOMPSON, Surgeon.
THE CHOLERA AT HOLBEACH.
R.S. BARRON, Surgeon, &c.
To the Editor of THE LANCET.SIR,—Having been a reader of THE LANCET since 1823, and
knowing your desire at all times to correct errors, I aminduced to forward the following correction :-
In the number of THE LANCET, dated November 12th, youhave stated some deaths to have occurred in Holbeach Parish,from Asiatic cholera. As medical officer to the local board of
health, I beg to state that there has not been a single case ofdeath from Asiatic cholera in Holbeach Parish. By insertingthis in your next number, you will very much oblige-
Your obedient servant,Holbeach, Dec., 1853. R. S.. BARRON, Surgeon, &c.
