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"These results, in themselves liigNly cre-ditable to the able medical officers of theseestablishments (Dr. Harty and Mr. Head),when placed in contrast with similar mat-ters in former years, and in other countries,as sUown above, furnish additional and irre-sistible evidence of the importance, to thewhole mass of the community, of the studyof political medicine. Without it the penalinstitutions of the country would be now, asthey were so lately, as in the days of How-ard, not the means of punishing crime andreclaiming criminals, but the instrumentsfor spreading pestilence and death through-out the land."The subjects of quarantine, epidemic, and

endemic diseases, unwholesome trades, lu-

nacy, and the provision of suitable aid insickness for the poorer classes, are succes-sively noticed, and the lamentable neglect ofour own Government on these importantpoints of political medicine, is stigmatisediu a forcible manner :-

" Unhappily (says Dr. Maunsell) anyillustration of the present subject, derivablefrom the institutions of Great Britain, mustbe included in a category of uegations;thus, except in the instance of the countyinfirmaries of Ireland, and of sick prisonersin the public jails, the Government in noway interferes with the providing of medicalaid for the people. They may have it ornot if they please, and how they please—iis a matter with which neither Whig nor

Tory coocerns himself, further than to take advantage of human weakness, and of theignorance which both parties have encou-raged, for the purpose of wringing from thesufferings of the diseased a few paltrypounds of revenue, by the tax upon patentmedicines and stamp upon diplomas. This,in a word, is the amount of Government in-terference in this important matter. Six-teen or seventeen institutions for grantingmedical qualifications do, indeed, exist inthe empire ; but what is their use ? Suchof them as are bonest, and inclined to per.form that duty toward the public whichthe Legislature has neglected, serve but astrammels upon those who place themselvesunder their regulations. Such individuals,indeed, by their own voluntary act, renderthemselves liableto punishment for infringe.

ment of regulations having for their objectthe benefit of the human race—they cannotadvertise the possession of secret remedies,nor publicly traffic in human misery ; but inrestraining themselves from those sources

of profit, they but make way for rival prac-titioners, encouraged and abetted by theGovernment. In return for the labour and

expense of a prolonged education they re-ceive no protection Woatsoerer; they havenot even a legal scale of charges whichthey can enforce upon those who employand are unwilling to remunerate them. Ifthey are required for the public service, thehardest possible bargain is driven with

them, and their exertions often obtained fornothing (as under the new Eogiish Poor-Law), by a skilful use of the threat of em-ploying their uneducated rivals."With the above quotation we close our

notice of Dr. Maunsell’s pamphlet, whichwe recommend to the attention of all classesof our readers.

’

BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

Tuesday, March 26th, 1839.

Dr. WEBSTER in the Chair.

HALF-YEARLY MEETING.

STATE AND I’ROSI’ECTS OF THE ASSOCIATION.-

ILLEGAL PRACTITIONERS.—STATE OF THE

POOR-LAW QUESTION.—THE NATIONAL FA-’

CULTY OF MEDICISE.—MEDICAL CORONERS.THE Association held its half-yearly meet-

ing this evening at Exeter Hall,

The PRESIDENT, in addressing the mem-bers, stated that the Council had not, on the -

present occasion, a regular report to offer,such report being only brought forward atthe anniversary meeting in September. Themembers, however, would be gratitied to ..

learn that the Association had prosperedsince the last general meeting. Since Sep-tember a Branch Association had been form.ed at Kottinnham, and was joined by themost influential members of the profession,and among others the physicians and sur-geons to the hospitals and infirmaries in thatand the adjoining counties. This branch ofthe Association had made a noble standwith regard to the Poor-Law question, and

‘

had forwarded a report on the subject to theparent Council, pledging themselves not to

accept office under the system of tender.The Stroud branch was vigorous in pursuitof such matters as were conducive to thebest interests of the profession ; they hadalso forwarded a report to the Council re- °

specting the Poor-Law. Tu use the languageof their President, " the Stroud Associationwas becoming what he bad wished, themembers being tinctured with the most

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friendly feelings, and assuming that import- The Council had a few months since formedance and influence which the medical pro- themselves into a committee, and had subse-fession ought everywhere to command." quently appointed a sub-committee to consi-Since the anniversary in September the der the details of a National Faculty ofParent Association had added to their num- Medicine. From a variety of circumstances,ber fifty-one new members; lie (Dr. Webster) but particularly from the want of the evidencetrusted that every member would endeavour on medical education given before Parlia-to add to the strength of the Association, as ment, the sub-committee had not yet framedthe increasing number would, of course, add a report, although they had held several meet-to its influence. The masterly oration of ings, and had agreed, he believed, on theDr. Granville, on medical reform, had been heads of a plan which they intended to sub-printed by the Council, and might be had by mit to the Association, reserving until thethe members at the cost price ; it was in all production of the evidence alluded to, arespects worthy the attention of the profes- final settlement. He had lately written tosiou. The Council had been engaged with Lord John Russell respecting the evidenceamass of correspondence, which was con- in question, and although the evidence.tinually kept up, chiefly on the subjects of was not yet printed, he hoped it soon

medical reform and the Poor-Law question; would be made public. In the question ofthey had had communications on these mat- medical reform for Ireland, the Royal Col-ters from Edinburgh, Dublin, Glasgow, lege of Surgeons had taken the lead. Dr.Newcastle, Leeds, Hull, and other influen- Maunsell, one of the professors in that Col- ’

tial places. The great object of the Asso- lege, was a corresponding member of theciation had been the forwarding of an efli- Association, and lie, with some of his col-cient medical reform. When it was esta- leagues, were promoting the welfare of theblished in 1836, the corporations were en- profession and reform, in a most energetictirely asleep, or apathetic, regarding this manner. They had also established a weeklyimportant subject ; they seemed perfectly medical journal, an organ much wanted ineatistied with the condition in which they Ireland, where the beneficial effects of awere placed. Since the foundation of the weekly medical press had not yet been felt.British Medical Association, however, the The tone assumed by the new journal, andvarious corporate bodies had made such a the ability with which it was conducted,mighty stir respecting reform, that they bid left no doubt of its success. In addition tofair to outstrip the Association, if it were this, the profession were about establishingnot particularly active in the matter. Thus, an Irish Medical Association, formed on theprinted documents on the subjects of medi. same principles as the British, and which,cal reform, or on medical education, had if it did not become a part of the latter,been forwarded to the Council by the Royal would, at all events, work in the same cause.College of Surgeons in Ireland ; by the Uni- The Poor-Law question had, since theversity, <,nd the Royal Colleges of Pitysi- anniversary meeting,assumed a different po-cians and Surgeons in Edinburgh, by the sition. The British Medical Association hadUniversity of London,bytheGtasgow Asso- last session mainly broti oht about the appoint-ciation, and by the Newcastle Medical So- ment of a Parliamentary Committee, the re-ciety. Many suggestions and communica- sult of whose inquiries was gratifying, excepttions from various private individuals had on one point. most of the evils of the existingalso been sent to the Council; and, not to system had been examined by the Commit-be singular, the Royal College of Physicians tee, and reported upon by the chairman toin London had also published a document the House of Commons, and many of themon medical reform. He remembered the time were likely to be removed. Unfortunately,when the last-named College would admit no however, from want of power or of willing-gentleman for examination for a license who ness in the authorities, matters had since re-was not a graduate in medicine ; and thirty mained in statu quo; and although there wasyears since, in addition to a doctur’s degree, a tacit understanding that the election ofthey passed a law requiring the candidate to medical officers by tender should be disconti-have resided two years at an university; and nued, he regretted to say, that this dis-these laws had been acted upon until a very graceful mode of proceeding had been again,late period. A new light appeared to have lately, resorted to in several districts. Indawned upon the Royal College ; they now consequence a deputation from the Associa.not only examined for a license, but granted tion had waited on the Poor-Law Commis-a doctor’s degree without the above prelimi- sioners to inquire why it had been intro-nary steps. Perhaps the College were not duced again, in opposition to the recom-’aware, until lately, that they possessed this mendation of a Select Committee of thepower. These movements in the corporate House of Commons ; and also, generally,bodies showed that medical reform w as ne- what alterations had been made, or werecessary, and how advantageous agitation was likely to be made? The deputation wasin propelling the subject forward. The Asso- received most courteously ; the Commis-ciation had not, however, been behind-hand sioners expressed their desire to please allregarding the important question of reform. parties, if possible; i to render the raedical

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attendance as efficient as it conld be ; and,at the same time, to make the arrangementsagreeable to the medical men. Regardingthe system of tender, they had issued no

fresh instructions on the subject; the Guar-dians acted on their own authority ; theCommissioners, however, admitted that thesystem of tender was offensive to the feel-ings of the profession. Regarding what hadbeen done, or what was about to be done, the Commissioners had submitted a docu-ment, containing a number of queries to theCouncil, being desirous of receiving a Re-port, or any suggestions from them in thematter ; they had also expressed a’ wish tosee the deputation again; an interview

would, accordingly, take place on the fol-lowing day. The Council had drawn up a’Flail, which they hoped would be an im-provement on all the other modes now inuse; but he (Dr. W.) would not enter intodetails at present, as the result of their in-terview with the Commissioners, and the

plans and Report submitted to them, wouldsoon be laid before the profession.Another very important subject had come

under the consideration of the Council sincethe last general meeting, and that was thepart which the Association had taken in the Ielection of the medical coroner for Middle-sex. Feeling that a medical coroner wasmuch more likely to discharge the dutiesefliciently than a legal one, when the latevacancy occurred, they had no hesitation incalling upon Mr. Wakley to stand forwardas a candidate, his great influence with thefreeholders, and his capabilities for the situ-ation, rendering him in all respects themost desirable person to contest the elec-tion. He need not allude to the triumphantmanner in which Mr. Wakley had been re-turned. The medical profession owedmuch to Mr. Wakley, and he (Dr. W.)trusted that the profession would evincetheir sense of his services by contributing tothe fund which had been instituted for thepurpose of assisting in defraying Mr. Wak-ley’s expenses, and that he would be broughtin free of expense to himself. (Hear, hear.)Many gentlemen he (Dr. W.) knew wouldsubscribe if asked to do so, and he trustedevery member of the Association would usehis influence in promoting the growth of thefund. (Cheers).

Several subscriptions to the Medical Co-runer’s Election Fund were now announced,and

Dr. DtH.ot,of Park-place, Islington, hav-ing been proposed and seconded, was electeda member of the Association.Mr. DAVIDSON now rose to move the first

resolution :-" That Wm. Farr, Esq., be appointed to

deliver the oration at the next anniversaryof the Association." The mover of the reso-lution knew no one more likely to do justiceto the subject than Mr. Farr, who had been

of the greatest benefit to the Association.The resolution, having been seconded byMr. Harvey, was carried unanimously.The second resolution was proposed by

Mr. R. L. HOOPER, who stated his desire torender the Benevolent Fund at once avail-able for its legitimate purposes, that of re-lieving the distressed members of the pro-fession. The existing law stated that thefund in question should not be toucheduntil it reached 20001. Now, the Associa-tion had been established two years, and thatfund had not yet reached 2001. If the lawremained as it now stood, the memberswould be grey-headed before the fund couldbe distributed. Cases were constantly oc-curring in which 41. or 51. would be the ab-solute saving of a man. Mr. H. then men.tioned a case in proof of his assertion. Feel-ing how painful it was to be applied to forrelief by men whom unforeseen misfortuneshad brought to poverty, without the fundbeing availahle for the relief of such per-sons, he would read the resolution :-

" That the law, chap. 10, clause 5, re.specting the Benevolent Fund, be rescinded,and that the fund be immediately applied tothe relief of distressed members of the profes-sion, at the discretion of the Council."Mr. C. H. R. HARRISON seconded the re.

solution, and stated, that as the distributionwould be controlled by the Benevolent FundCommittee, there would be no fear of impro.per objects being relieved, the duty of theCommittee in question being to inquire intothe cases presented for relief.

Mr. EALES moved, as an amendment,That under no circumstances shall theCouncil distribute, in any one year, morethan half the amount received during thepreceding year, for the purpose of the Bene-volent Fund." The original object of theestablishment of the fund was, that it shouldbe a growing one, and he set apart for therelief of future distress. The annual in-come of the fund had not yet exceeded 60l.,and he thought it advisable to still reserve aportion of it for the purpose of accumulation.

Dr. Do,4.At.i) M’EWAN seconded theamendment, which, after some observationsin opposition from Messrs. Hooner. Howell.Davidsun, and Brady, and in support fromMr. James, was carried.The PRESIDENT, on putting the motion,

stated that as some difference of opinion hadexisted in the Council respecting the origi-nal proposition, it was thought best to bringthe subject before the general meeting. Heconsidered that the fund might be much aug-mented by the contributions of benevolentpersons, not members of the profession, whoju:tly considering themselves indebted to

their medical attendants, would be glad, onthe fund being mentioned, oftbeopportuaityof subscribing to it. The fund, he was happyto say, was increasing, and many donationshad been made to it.

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Dr. A. B. GRANVILLE proposed the thirdresolution:-

" That the British Medical Associationdo present petitions to both Houses of Par-liament, praying for the immediate adoptionof an uniform penny postage throughout thekingdom, payable in advance, as proposedby Rowland Hill, Esq., and recommendedby the Report of the Select Committee of theHouse of Commons."He said he supposed there would be no

opposition to this motion, as all wouldreadily allow that the present very highrate of postage was a great hindrance to freecommunication between distant members ofthe profession ; that it therefore stood inthe way of medical reform, by preventingcorrespondence on the subject of grievances,and he considered it a very proper matterfor the Association to entertain.The motion was seconded by Mr. EALES,

and carried unanimously.Mr. DRADY moved the fourth resolution,

yiz. :-" That this Association, with the view of

taking measures for suppressing quackery,and protecting legally-qualified practition- ers, invite their own members, and the pro-fession generally, to forward to the Councilthe names of all persons in their respectiveneighbourhoods who are practising ille.

gally, or who assume titles to which theyhave no just pretension."He said that there was scarcely a medical

man in London who had not witnessed casesof chemists, druggists, and unqualified per-sons taking upon themselves to practisemedicine. When called in to see a patientin a very bad state, he had frequently in-quired if they not yet had advice. "Ob,

yes;" was the reply, " Mr.&mdash;(a chemistor druggist in the neighbourhood), has at-tended me." Illegal practitioners aboundedin his neighbourhood. A lady had beenattended in her confinement a short timesince by one of these persons, and thoughperitoneal inflammation of the most acutekind had set in, this practitioner had neverabstracted an ounce of blood, or used anymeans to check the disease. The patientwas io articulo mortis, when he (,)Ir. B.) wascalled in to see her.

Mr. WALLACE seconded the resolution.The PRESIDEND mentioned that one of the

members of the Apothecaries’ Company hadstated before Parliament that, according tothe opinion of counsel, the clause in the

Apothecaries’ Act relating to chemists anddruggists practising in their shops, onlyapplied to those in business before August1815 ; and that when asked why the Com-pany did not prosecute offenders, he saidthat "they had not moral courage to doit." Such a lax state of the- law requiredattention. Let the chemists and druggistsbe prevented from prescribing over the

counter, or in any other way, and let medical

men be prevented from retailing medicinesand interfering with the rights of chemistsand druggists.Mr. ARPTHORP said that however strict

might be the law, there would be instancesin which certain parties would evade it.He should be glad to see the time whenmedical men could establish themselveswithout opening shops. Regarding thepractice of medicine by chemists and druggists, he knew a case in which a patientnearly lost his life from a sloughing bubo,brought on by improper treatment by a

druggist in the Borough.Mr. JAMES said that in his neighbourhood

there were two or three establishments keptby chemists and druggists, who were con-stantly in the habit of visiting. They tookapprentices, who afterwards opened shops,and followed the practice of their masters.Mr. W. HARVEY said that the most serious

inconvenience in his district arose from theunqualified practitioners who called them.selves " men-midwives and surgeons." Hecould easily make a list of these offendersagainst the laws, and the safety of thepeople.Mr. J. F. CLARKE trusted that the Asso-

ciation would not lose sight of those dis-graces to the profession, the so-called phy-sicians, who lent themselves out on hire todruggists to assist in defrauding poorpatients who came for " gratuitous advice."He had that morning seen an advertisementin the " Times," from a " physician," offer-ing himself for the above service. Hetrusted that the public would be soonacquainted with the indignation with whichthe profession viewed the degrading com-pacts alluded to; and what their opinionwas of the 11 physician " who was so easilypurchased for the purposes of fraud.

Mr. BRADY said that a medical man in hisneighbourhood had adopted a plan of pro-ceeding which he (Mr. B.) considered dis-graceful to a liberal profession. He hadtwo classes of patients who came for advice; ;to one he charged a shilling a time, to theother sixpence, whatever the nature of thecase.

Dr. GRANVILLE related an instance of a"surgeon" who had instituted what lie

called a " family dispensary," and kept thepatients’ bodies " in good order " for a smallstipend weekly, which was to be paid bythem whether they were ill or well.The PRESIDENT was not surprised at any

instances of the kind he heard. He knewa case in which the medical attendant gavehis pauper patients nothing but nitre andwater ; his assistant left him in consequenceof the disgi-aceful proceeding. He (Dr. W.)understood that a person was to be broughtinto his neighbourhood who was to attendsome club patients at three shillings andsixpence per head per annum, as none ofthe resident medical men would lend them*

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selves to so degrading a compact. He blushed for his profession when such menwere to be found in it. The resolution tothe follwing effect was then put, and carriedunanimously :&mdash;" That the members of the IAssociation, and of the profession generally,be invited to communicate to the Secretary,by letter addressed to Exeter-hall, the nameand address of any known unqualified per-son, living in their neighbourhood, whopractises under any denomination, or by anymode whatever, those branches of medicine,surgery, or man-midwifery, which theexisting laws have hitherto restricted toindividuals duty and legally authorised toexercise the same."

Resolved,-" That the preceding resolu-tion be advertised in Ttm LANCET."Mr. HARVEY moved, and Mr. JAMES se-

conded the fifth resolution,&mdash;" That the mem-bers of the Association, and the professiongenerally, be invited to forward to theSecretary observations or suggestions on

medical reform."Thanks having been voted to the Chair-man, the meeting separated.

WESTMINSTER MEDICAL SOCIETY.

Saturday, March 30, 1839.

DR. CHOWNE, President.DEBATE ON POISONING BY CHARCOAL FUMES.

&mdash;THE WORTHLESSNESS OF THE BOUGHT

CERTIFICATES OF CHEMISTS.

MR. SNOw, in rising to open the adjourneddebate on poisoning by carbonic acid, said,that he was now convinced that this gasexercised a deleterious effect independent ofthe diminution of oxygen consequent on itsinhalation. He thought, however, that someef the facts and arguments brought forwardin support of that opinion were objection-able. For instance, in the experiment ofCollard de Martigny, who descended into abrewer’s vat, the air was respired through along tube ; he would, therefore, at each in-

spiration draw back a great part of the airhe had already expired, which alone wouldaccount for all the alarming symptoms heexperienced. The absolute death of ani- Imals from the influence of carbonic acid,was no proof of its poisonous effects ; forDr. Edwards had stated that he never knewan adult animal recover, after it had beendetained under water till all external mo-tion had ceased. The illness following expo-sure to carbonic acid was no proof of its poi-sonous quality, for wherever apoplexy wasinduced, illness must follow. Mr. Snow hadperformed some experiments in which hehad tried to avoid the usual sources oferror. He procured a very large bottle,containing 2000 cubic inches; this he filled

with 75 parts of atmospheric air, 20 partsof carbonic acid gas, and 5 parts of oxygen.So that with 20 per cent. uf carbonic acid

gas, the natural proportion of oxygen waspreserved. Two small birds were intro-

duced ; they began to breathe laboriously, and in a few minutes were withdrawn, butdied shortly afterwards. A white mouse diedin an hour and a half, after breathing labori-ously. The same bottle was then filled with85 parts of atmospheric air, 12 of carbonicacid, and 3 of oxygen. Here, then, therewere 12 parts of carbonic acid, white the na-tural quantity of oxygen was preserved : asparrow was put into this mixture ; it shortlybegan to breathe in a very deep and labori-ous manner, and to open its bill in inspira-tion. It died after a period exceeding twohours and a half. A white mouse wasafterwards put into the same mixture; it

began to breathe with difficulty; in tenhours it breathed seldom and irregularly,and in fourteen hours was taken out in avery feeble state, but recovered. From theseexperiments it was evident that carbonicacid croduced fatal effects independent of

any diminution in the quantity of oxygen.He had performed some experiments to de-termine the effects of diminishing the natu-ral quantity of oxygen in the air, when nocarbonic acid was present. Into the samelarge bottle, filled with atmospheric air, heintroduced five per ceut. of nitric oxide gas ;this, of course, combined with its own bulkof oxygen, forming nitrous acid, which wasentirely absorbed by water, and thus anartificial atmosphere was produced, contain-ing but 1G per cent. of oxygen, instead of21, the remainder being nitrogen. Into thisa sparrow was put, and time-water was keptin agitation in the bottle to absorb the smallquantity of carbonic acid coming from thelungs of the bird as it was formed. Thesparrow died in six hours; its blood wasfluid, and that in its longs was of a floridhue. Another sparrow was taken out at theend of half an hour uninjured. Here, then,was a diminution of oxygen, which, thoughit produced no unpleasant symptoms at first,yet was fatal after a while. This fact wasimportant, as it was a circumstance that hadbeen considered peculiar to carbonic acid,and a proof of its poisonous nature. In tin-other experiment, eight per cent. of oxygenwere abstracted by the same means. A ,

sparrow was put in ; in thirty-five minutesit opened its bill and began to be convulsed ;it was taken ont, but never coiiipletel5, reco-vered, and died during the foUowing night.The lungs were oft and dark-coloured, andgorged with dark fluid blood. Here, then,was a case of illness caused by a diminutionof oxygen, where no carbonic acid was pre-sent. A white mouse put into this same

atmosphere, at the end of the hours and

three-quarters, breathed very deep, and onlyone-tenth as often as natural ; it was taken