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General Meeting of the North of England Medical AssociationSource: Provincial Medical and Surgical Journal (1840-1842), Vol. 3, No. 4 (Oct. 23, 1841), pp.77-81Published by: BMJStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25490655 .

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MIEETING OF THE NOWrH OF ENGLAND ASSOCITION. 77

quantity of lotass separated from the feldspath to form kaolin?

Suclh are the questions which the authors en deavour to solve. Nothing can be more interest ing than the study of these sldw but powerful agencies, which are constantly operating on the

materials of our globe, modifying their properties, or changing one into another, and thus furnishing an inexhaustible supply of substances which are neeessary to the existence of animals and man. As yet we know little of the secret operations of this vast laboratory, but modern discoveries begin to throw some light upon them, and reveal some of the mysterious changes which take place in the bosom of the earth. The ingenious experiments of M. Becquerel have given a clue to some of the processes employed by nature, when she effects an interchange of particles between different sub stances; this interchange takes place without any alteration of form, an by a gradual substitution of one molecule for another. Electricity appears to be the agent by which all this is effected, and it is probable that, as our knowledge increases

we shall find tbiat on this principle depends the various mutations which take place around us, in the atmosphere, in the hidden parts of the earth, and perhaps even in the organized bodies of vege tables and animals.

It is to electricity, also, that the authors attri bute the transformation of feldspath into kaolin. M. Becquerel has already succeeded in produc ing mineral substances in tubes, under the influ ence of weak electrical currents prolonged for a considerable timc; and the authors have, in the same way, converted feldspath into kaolin; a small quantity of potass is disengaged during the process. Here, then, we find an operation of nature perfectly imitated in the laboratory of the chemist, by following up the process wliich nature emr)loys.

SOCIETE MIEDICALE D'EMNULATION.

Atugotst 4.

IPHLEBITIS.

M. NONAT communicated a remarkable case of phlebitis of the superior mesenteric vein and por tal system. A man, 69 years of age, was ad

mitted irnto the hospital of La Pitie, labouring under general jaundice; he complained of acute pain in the right hypocondrium; the liver was not enlarged. The treatment employed was very ac tive, but the patient died after having exhibited, for several days, the signs of purulent absorption.

On examination of the body after death, the sto mach was found contracted; near the pyloric ori fice were two small black Points, one internal, the otlher external, and formed by effused blood. The trunk and branches of the vena portae were con

idlerably dilated: the coats thickened, and they contained pus mixed with blood; the splenetic vein, near its junction with the vena portae, also contained the same matter; the superior mesen teric vein presented, on its external surface, a dark point similar to that on the stomach; on dividing the vessel there was found a small fish hone, which had penetrated the coats, and caused obliteration of the vein below it, but superiorly towards the vena porte the vein was permeable,

and contained a quantity of pus, the coats being thickened and lined with false membrane. The liver was of natural size, but softened, and on pressing it there issued a mixture of blood, pus, and bile. Neither the large venous trunks nor heart presented any trace of purulent deposit.

GENERAL MEETING

OF

THE NORTH OF ENGLAND MIEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

Ox Wednesday last, in the afternoon, the mem bers of this institution assembled in considerable numbers in the Exhibitiop Room, Sadler-street, Durham.

William Green, Esq., of that city, one of the Vice-Presidents, was called to the chair. There were also present -Drs. Fife, De Mey, Glover, Charlton, and Knott, and Messrs. Greenhow, Carter, Turner, Potter, and Brumell, of Newcastle; Dr. Trotter, and Messrs. Shaw, Oliver, Heppell, Hopton, and Dodd, of Durham; Mr. Green of Houghton-le-Spring; Mr. Morrison of Pelaw House ; Mr. Shield of Chester-le-Street; Mr. Steavenson of Heighington; Mr. Jobson of Bishop Auckland; Mr. Potts of Richmond; MesErs. Watson, Dixon, and Gregory, of Sunderland; Dr. Nicholl of Hetton; and many other gentlemen, whose names we could not ascertain.

MIr. C. T. Carter of Newcastle, the Honorary Secretary of the Association, read the Report of the Council, which want of space alone prevents us from inserting in full. Having taken a view of the progress of legislative proceedings in con nexion with medical reform, the reporter examines

X those changes which have been effected or are contemplated by the London corporations.

"Within the last few months, certain indications of a reforming spirit have been observed in some of the medica corporate bodies. The College of Physicians of Lndon has begun the adoption of a more liberal policy than has hitherto marked its history. The exclusive privileges of graduates of the English Universities lhas been abolished. The college has been thrown open to its members. T he obnoxious appellation of ' LICENTIATE' has been abandoned, and a systemn of representative government introduced. Suclh changes are gratify ing proofs of the progress of reform, and might afford a sufficient answer to those timid and de sponding persons who find an excuse for their own apathy, in representing the efforts of reformers as visionary and useless. The council give the College of Physicians credit for their late proceed ings, although forced upon them by the influence of public opinion, and of wide-spread discontent in the profession; and when they find amongst those who have been assisting in the work, the names of Kidd, Seymour, Latham, Watson, and

Williams, they cannot but hope for still further concessions to the reasonable wishes of the pro fessional community.

The College of Surgeons has yet made no declaration of its intentions, although rumour states that some internal movements are going on in that institution also; and the well-known liberality of a portion of those gentlemen who are

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MEErING OF THE NOrTH OF ENGLAND ASSOCIATION.

at this time members of its council, induces a belief that it cannot long remain in its present tun satisfactory condition. The most eminent of its council lhave plublicly declare(l the necessity of amen(dment."

With respect to the imme(liate measures which may be a(lopted for the reform of the profession, the reporter observes, that the coLuncil ave bceen anixious to gather the sense of the association upon this p)oint, and accordingly submitted to their perusal, some time ago, two ouitlines of l)lans, upon which their opinions will be taken before the termination of this meeting. They beg, in offering them, to repudiate once more the oft-repeated ac cusation that they are seeking to (lestroy the present existing medical institutions. On the contrary, they woul(d rendler thein constituent parts of one national system."

The plans coinci(le in several important points. Thney mutually contemplate the possession of a

license by all persons hereafter legally entering into practice, aid the establishment of a uniform

qjualification, throughout each divirion of this empire, for all future candidates for such license; and a similar uniformity in the granting of degrees and titles in medicine and surgery.

They each provide for an authentic registry of all legally-authorized practitioners, with means for its publication; and a representative governing body for the whole profession.

According to plan No. 1, the examining and licensing board wouild be formed prnor to, and

would be distinct from, the governing body, except that vacancies occurring in it would be filled by that body. It would contain members appointed by the Crown.

The examining board, according to the second plan, would be under the control of, and re sponsible to, the general council.

'T'he plans agree in dispossessing the Apothe carics' C ompany of the power now held by it, of examining and licensing medical practitioners.

The London corporations have declared that the public have divided the profession into physicians, suirgeons, and apothecaries. They surely must be aware that if this divrision ol)tain even in the me

tropolis, it does so to a limited extent: unless, indeed, they identify the apothecary and the general practitioner, which would be most unjust, seeing that the latter partakes quite as much of the cha racter of the two first-named classes as of the third. 'rhe public require a class of medical attendants who have been educated and examined in all departments of the healing art, and such a class not one of the London corporations is at present able to supply. Hence the necessity of a general examining board, and of a class of persons who shall be examined in all depamtments, before receiving a license to practise.

The council have been at muclh pains to obviate an erroneous idea that the possession of a license to practise wouild abrogate in future all distinctions an(d grades in the lprofession. Divisions in labour there will ever be; and it is most desirable that different men should cultivate, more especially, particular departments of the lhealing art; and provided they do not mislead the pulblic as to the relative qualifications of medical practitioners, and are not so conferred as to inflict injustice upon the latter, there can be no reasonable objection to the granting of degrees and honorary titles either in

inedicine or in surgery. These distinctive marks of pre-eminence each of the l)lans would leave in the hands of the existing universities and colleges,

making provision only that tlhe conditions where upon they shall in fuiture be conferred be rendered uiniform throoigliotut the three countries.

The first ouitline -provides for a general incorpo ration of the whole p)rofession into one faculty.

The second woulnI incorporate eachl of the exist ing orders of the profession into its own facuilty, and would form a general couincil of an equal pro portion of members belonging to the governing body of each-such bodics liaving been previously elected by their respective commonalties.

'The second plan would, in addition to other provisions, reformn the existing corporations.

Material benefit inight en-sue fronm such a change. 'I'he members, hiitlherto treated as " ciphers, if not as aliens," wouald become part and parcel of their p)arent institution: they woulld, by being admitted to the enjoyment of their just rights and l)rivi leges, take an interest in its prosperity, and would feel pride in atugmenting its revenues, since these latter would then be dedicated to the enTcourage

ment of science, and the re-ward of distinguished services in the cause of professional improvement. In the language of Professor Kidd, " each insti tution woulld vie witlh anotlher in a spirit of liberal emulation."

The report of the council havingf been unani mously adopted,

Mr. T. M. Greenhow moved the first resolution, vis. "That a ruile be made, requLiring any member wi wo shall wish to leave the Atssociation, to give a

written notice to that effect to the Secretary.' In the course of his speech, Mr. Greenhow remarked:

It was a great many years since he became aware

of the evils that existed in the state of the pro fession. So far back as twenty years ago, he was strongly impressed with the disadvantages under

which the general practitioner laboured, in con sequence of the necessity wlhich then existed, and

which, he regretted to say, was not yet abolished, of furnishing medicines, and being obliged to make a charge for them in some degree adequate to his

professional services.-(tiear, hear.) He thought then, that this was Inot a creditable l)ractice, and

he had long wished that something might be done for its correction. 'Tlhe profession was rising in l)ublic estimation, in scientific attainments, and in

usefulness and dignity, an(l he did lhope that they Iwould have secure(d to them by lav that dir ect and honourable recompense to which they are entitled, instead of lbeing compelle(d to smuggle, in the shape of a bill for medicines, the remuneration of their valuable services.-(Hear, hear.) This was due, not only to the profession, but also to the public; for it must be obvious to every one, that the pre sent system held ouLt a temptation to furnish more

medicines than the patient really required; and the mind of the me(lical adviser was likely to be directed into a wrong channel, and to consider, in his pre scriptions, what was goo(d for himself, rather than for the case which he was attending.-(H'car, hear.)

He hoped that the number was few indeed that yielded to this temptation, but he knew that in stances of the kind had occurred, to the injury of the public and the discredit of the profession. The

North of England Association sought a remedy for this and other abuses. The report now pre sented had gone largely into the objects which me

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MEETING OF THE NORTH OF ENGLAND ASSOCIATION.

dical reformers had in view, andl he looked anxiously forNvard to the time when those olhjects shoul(l lbe realized. To hasteni the ap)proach of that wished for (lay, he hoped every mcmber of the association,

wvlhenever he had the opportunity, would imprcss the subject of: medical reform upon the minds of inembers of the legislature, and slhow them that this a,itzation was disinterested and patriotic-that the me(lical profession, if they were seeking for themselves any advantage, it was in honouir, in dignity, in scientific attairnments, and not in merc p)ecuniary gain.-(Hear, hear.) T'he advantage wlhichi they coveted was one in which the public IIiUst necessarily share. They were united together to insure a sound medical education for all medical practitioners, and to insure to the public a means of knowing who wiere and wlto were not duly

(qtualified to practise the alrt of heacling. Their views welrc strictly philanthriopic, an(l hle trtusted that the )ublic and the professioni would go hand inhand in the endeavour topromotethe great objects conteml)Iated by this association.-(Applause.)

Dr. De Mey seconded Mr. Greenhow's motion, and it was carried unanimously.

Dr. Knott moved:-" That, in the opinion of this meeting, the medical gentlemen of Carlisle have entitled themselves to the approbation and thanks of their professional brethren at large, by the una nimity and spirited conduct they have recently (lisplayed in reference to the medical appointments in the Cumberland Infirmary." The example of

Carlisle (Dr. K. observed) ouglit not to be thrown a-way, nor ought the medical profession of that city to aout-lirewvar(le(l l)y the approbation of their

brethren in othier parts of the kingdom. An in uirinary had been establislhe(d in Carlisle, the go vernors of wliclh were non-medical, and the regu lations of the instituition hlad been frained without the concurrence of the professiorn. Th'ley lhad re solved on the appointment of a certain inuimber of plure physicians and surgeons, altlhouglh, in fact, there was not a pure )hysician in the city. There vere fifteen medical meni in Carlisle, thirteen of

wlhom met and adopted an address to the governors, to wvhich were attached the names of six doctors of medicine and nine surgeons, offering to attend the infirmary gratuitously in rotation. In the

mean time, one of the physicians of the city had (utlified himself for appointment, by becoming a

p pure,") and his services had been accepted by the governors. The latter came to a resolution to wvaive their rule as to pure physicians, but as to the rotation system they demurred, and it remained .sibf judice. As to that system, there vas reason ale ground of doubt; but undoubtedly it was a great evil, in cases of this kind, that medical men should be judged of by those who knew nothing of

mnedicine, and yet wvho would exclude them for life from all connexion with public charitable institu tions, to the manifest injury of the excluded parties and of the public.

Dr. De Mley seconded the resolution, and it was unanimously passed.

Dr. Glover moved :-"'That a committee be ap pointed to inquire into the system by which tlle public charitable institutions of this country are at present regulated, and to consider whether it can be improved." This (said Dr. G.) was a subject of the greatest importance-second, indeed, to none; and he was glad that the association had just adopted a motion which in some degree paved

the way for the one now unider consideration. The members, as a body, were certainly not committed, by Dr. Knott's resolution, to any specific principle of reform-either to the rotation-system, or the al)pointment of medical officers by concours; but in affirming that resolution, they had admitted the

management of ouir p)ublic charitable institutions to b)e in nee(l of reformation. This was one step in advance-he desired them to take another. He did not come l)efore them to suggest any particular plan. All that his resolution required hiim to (1o, was to slhow a sufficient case of inquiry; and the present system, h-c conten(led, was a great evil, In the first l)lace, it (lid not encourage the ad vancement of me(lical science. 'I'he medical officers of plublic institutions were not necessarily appointed in riglht of their scientific attainments. The sys tem under wlicll they were appointed gave birth to contention and bitterness, and the non-medical electors were not (and could not be) influenced in their decision by their knowledge of the merits of the respective candidates. No one could con tradict him when he said that scientific acquire

ments were not the passport to office. Able men, it was true, did obtain admission to public institu tions, but not necessarily in virtue of their eminent

labilities. If such institutions were properly ma

i naged, they woul(d in some degree correct the evils under wlhich the profession laboured, whether the rotation-system, or that of election by concours, was adopted. Success with the public was by no

means an attendant of scientific eminence, and mere external circumstances had frequently more weight with the masses than the highest profes sional acquiremenits; so that even if the governors of these institutions wished to do justice in making the appointments, they could not always be directed 1 aright by their judgment. And thus men admir ably calculated to advance medical science were frequently kept out of public charitable institutions,

while very inferior persons were admitted. To leave the system as it stood at present, non-medi cal men making the medical appointments was

most objectionable. Dr. Fife concurred in the observations of his

friend Dr. Glover. The object of the institutions now under consideration should be regarded as threefold:-1. The effectual medical relief of the poor. 2. The diffusion among the profession of the facts observed by medical officers. 3. The ad vancement of medical students by clinical instruc tion. He was happy to see one gentleman present in this meeting, who was connected with the New castle Infirmary-a gentleman who, to his honour be it spoken, had been greatly instrumental in 1 liberalizing that institution--(Applause.) Soon iafter the appointment of Mr. Greenhow, one of the earliest medical reformers in the North of England, this beneficial change had taken place; and he was glad to say, that many surgical cases, occurring in the Newcastle Infirmary, had been published from time to time, for the benefit of the profession and the public. But, so far as he knew, not one single

medical fact, observed in that institution, had ever seen the light of day; nor were any clinical lectures delivered by its physicians. Surely, then, there was great need of inquiry and amendment.

Mr. Greenhow acknowledged, wvith much satis faction and gratitude, the compliment paid to him by Dr. Fife. Most certainly, changes had been introduced into the Newcastle Infirmary,

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so MEETING OF THE NORTH OF ENGLAND ASSOCIATION.

which lhe regarded as very beneficial. Formerly, no person, not connected with the establishment, could enter its walls, or be present at an operation, unless lhe were specially invited. But, for many years, the ,vards and operation-room had been throwvn open to the profession; and wvhatever might be thoughlt of the mode of appointment-for which, of course, the medical officers were not responsible

-the institution, in other respects, was one of the most liberal in the kingdom. Pupils were ad mitted to all its advantages on the payment of a yearly fee of five guineas, which did not go to the officers, but was applied to the enlargement of the library.-(Applause.)

After some further remarks, tlle folloving gen tlemen were named as a committee:-Dr. Brown of Sunderland, Dr. Knott, Dr. Glover, Mr. Carter, Mr. Potter, Mr. Green, Dr. Trotter, Mr. Dixon, Mr. Gregory, Mr. Greenhow, and Dr. Charlton.

Dr. Elliot moved the next resolution-which was to the effect that non-medical gentlemen be admitted to the association as honorary members, if the council should concur in the proposal.

This resolution was seconded by Dr. Charlton, and carried unanimously.

Mr. Morrison was delighted to see so much unanimity in the meeting, and he hoped that the harmony of their proceedings would not be inter rupted by the motion which he now rose to sub

mit for their consideration. He regretted that he was not l)repared vith statistical information in support of his motion, vlhich called upon the asso ciation to petition parliament for an alteration of the Anatomy Act; but from his own personal ex perience, and the information which he had re ceived from all quarters, he had no hesitation in stating that the act had not worked efficiently had not provided a supply of bodies adequate to thle necessities of medical science. By this means th-ie uisefulness of our schools of anatomy had been crippled-the education of medical students im paired. I'he great evil of the Anatomy Act con sisted in tlhis-that its operation wvas dependent, generally, on an ignorant and prejudiced class of persons. It had been said, that the subject of wvhich he was now speaking was one which they hihoulld not entertain-at least at a pu-blic meeting -because it was unpopular with large numbers of their fellow-countrymen. He could not concur in this opinion. Besides, the Anatomy Act did not apply to any particular class. He had read the act carefully, and in no one clause (lid he find any class adverted to more particularly than another: it was a measure applicable to all, and only affected the poorer classes more than others, so far as they

were most numerous. The petition which he in tended to propose was as follows:

[We shall endeavour to find room for the )eti tion in our next number,-EDs.]

His experience of the operation of the Anatomy Act had tauglht him, that the greatest obstacle to its efficiency arose from the unwillingness of the public functionaries, wvho had possession of un claimed bodies, to exercise the discretion which was confided to them by the legislature. They shrank from the odium to wvhich that discretion exposed them. The boards of guardians urged and urged very properly-that the legislature ought to have taken upon itself the responsibility of

making the act compulsory, instead of throwing

so delicate a discretion on parties who resided on the spot. WVere the act compulsory, official per sons, who were aware of the importance of anato

mical knowledge, would not have demurred to carry out the duties imposed upon them by the legislature. Great objections had been raised, in some quarters, to the making of the Anatomy Act compulsory; but were not all other acts, with few exceptions, strictly compulsory? For instance, they were all taxed by compulsion.-(Laughter.)

Mr. M. concluded by moving the adoption of his petition.

Mr. Potter seconded the motion. Unless some alteration were made in the act, anatomical lec turers would soon have no bodies at all. Through out all England there was so serious a deficiency in the supply, that the study of anatomy-one of such vast importance to the public-was almost neglected.

The Chairman suggested, that Mr. Morrison should merely move that a petition should be adopted, without requiring the meeting, on so short a consideration, to adopt the identical peti tion which he had read.

Mr. Morrison cheerfully acceded to the sugges tion; and the motion, as amended, having been unanimously adopted, the petition was referred to the council.

Mr. Carter now called the attention of the meet ing to the two " Outlines of Plans for the Better

Government of the Medical Profession," a copy of wvhich had been transmitted to every member of the association. We give these " outlines," with some abridgment in the detals:

No. I.

"An examining and licensing board to be es tablished in England, Scotland, and Ireland, re spectively, by one or other of Nvhich boards all future candidates for medical practice shall be ex amined and licensed.

" The qualification required for such license to be determined by the three boards conjointly, and to be made uniform throughout each division of the United Kingdom.

" A register to be preserved, and lists of names published, of all persons who are already prac tising wvith certain qualifications, and of all per sons who may hereafter receive a license to prac tise.

" The professiornal body so registered, to be empowered to conduct its internal government by a representative council or senate, elected periodi cally.

" Degrees in medicine, and diplomas and de grees in surgery, to be conferred by the univer sities an(d colleges-the terms on which such distinctions are to be granted being equalized throughout the United Kingdom. No person to obtain a degree who shall not have previously ob tained a license."

No. II.

"A FaculLy, or Corporation, to be established in Eng,land, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively,

of-i. Physicians; 2. Surgeons; and (in Eng land, of) 3, Licentiates of the Apothecaries' Com pany. [The latter faculty would terminate with the existing race of licentiates, as the Apotheca ries' Company would not, according to this plan,

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THE CUMBERLAND INFIRMARY.

be longer empowered to examine and license me dical practitioners.]

" IC Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons of London, Edinburgh, and Dublin, might form the nuclei of the two first-named faculties; and, under a new and extended arrangement, be de signated the Colleges of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

" Every doctor of medicirne, practising in either country, with the degree of a British university, to be admitted on payment of a prescribed fee into the membership or fellowship of the College of Physicians of the country wherein he resides.

" A similar arrangement to prevail in regard to persons holding the diploma of a British College of Surgeons.

" Foreign degrees and diplomas not to be recog nized, unless obtained upon terms equivalent to those of this country.

" A register of the members of vach faculty to be preserved, and copies thereof to he published at stated intervals.

" Each faculty to elect (periodically) a council, or board of management.

" The council of each faculty, shortly after its election, to make choice of ( ) names, wvhich shall be submitted to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, who shall select (two thirds?) thereof, to form conjointly a general council in each division of the United Kingdom.

"Should lay members be added? After care ful consideration it has been thought that advan tages might arise from the addition of laymen to the councils.

" The general councils to be the governing me dical bodies of each kingdom. lThey might serve also as boards of reference to Her Majesty's go vernment in matters relating to the public health, medical police, &c.

" Boards of examiners to be appointed in the three countries, by one or other of which all future candidates for a license to practise shall be exa mined. The license to be granted by the general councils.

"The Universities of the United Kingdom to grant degrees in medicine; and the Colleges of Surgeons, diplomas or degrees in surgery.

" No person to obtain a degree or diploma who shall not have previously obtained a license.

" A certain number of deputies, to be appointed by each council, to meet at stated times and places, and to arrange the qualification for a license to practise, and the condtions on which degrees and diplomas in medicine and surgery shall be granted by the universities and colleges.

" The new order of licentiates in medicine to constitute a faculty in each kingdom, with power to elect a council five years after its establishment.

A given proportion of such council to enter into the composition of the general council.

" The Apothecaries' Company to be divested of power to examine and license medical practitioners. (It might be converted into a College of Phar

macy.) " In addition to the general register, a local

register to be instituted. " Reciprocal privileges to be enjoyed by the

qualified members of the profession throughout the United Kingdom.

"Every leally qualified member of the profes

sion to be enabled to recover, at law, any-reason able charge for his professionable services."

Dr. Glover suggested that nothing would be gained by the expression, on this occasion, of an opinion upon these plans of medical reform, and, on the whole, it would be better to leave them to the consideration of the members until the usual general meeting.

The meeting, after a brief discussion, concurred with Dr. Glover; and the b)usiness of the day being closed,

Mr. Steevenson, on the invitation of the Chair man, addressed the meeting. His observations were to the effect that he stood aloof from the association, becaLuse it ha(l not resisted the system of medical contract-a system degrading to the profession, and injurious to the poor.

Mr. Carter replied, that Mr. Steevenson was mistaken. Theyhad petitioned against the system; and lie, (Mr. Carter,) as the representative of the association, had waited uponi Lord John Russell, witlh other deputies, on this very subject.

Dr. Trotter mnoved a vote of thanks to the chairman, vhich was carried by acclamation, and the meeting separated.

Two surgical cases now occuipied the attention of the members-one, a case of amnputation at the shoulder-joint-the other, a case hearing a strong resemblance to eleli)antiasis. 'rhe latter was viewed

with great interest. 'lThe unhappy patient had sus tained a dislocation of the arm, and l)laced limself in the hands of an uneducated " bone-setter,"

whose malpractice had brought him into a condi tion appalling to look upon, his arm being swollen to a monstrous size, and covered with large tubercles-an impressive illustration of the evils of empiricism.

On leaving the room, several of the members adjourned to the house of Mr. Hammond Hub.S bick, the Three Tuns inn, where they sat down to an excellent entertainment.-Abridged from the

Gateshead Observer."

THE CUMBERLAND INFIRMARY.

TO THE EDITORS OF THE PROVINCIATL NMEDI CAL AND SURGICAL JOURNAL.

GE,NTLEM%1EN,-A letter, signed " CUMBRI

ENSIS," in your journal of the 2nd inst., has very naturally attracted the attention of those gentlemen to whose conduct, in reference to the medical ap pointments of the Cumherland Infirmary, the writer distinctly expresses his wish to direct the notice of the profession.

The gentlemen in question, for whom I have the honour to act as secretary, are in no manner adverse to the most searching and complete discussior upon the subject, as the very spirit of their unioin at once puts out of the question every secret and sinister motive on their part; the terms of their me

morial and address,which it appears youhave already seen,bespeak nowish to conceal orwithhold any cir cumstance that can tend in any manner to elucidate the principle which they have expressed their de sire to see carried into operation. They do not

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