531PHARMACOPŒIAL ANOMALIES.

the Registrar-General, "died in the quarter at the rate of20,000 in a year, whose lives would have been saved if epi-demics or atmospheric causes of a nature unfavourable to healthhad not been in greater force than usual." Fatally as a low

temperature may affect the aged, a certain degree of cold isnecessary for the restoration of the enfeebled vigour and re-laxed condition of the system induced by the heat of summer.A prolongation of the peculiar conditions of the autumnal

season into the winter months is the prolongation of those con-ditions which are most apt to foster epidemic outbreaks of dis-ease, and an extension of that period in the cycle of the yearwhen the individual is least able to resist the morbific causes

which surround him. Hence we read in the mortality returnsfor the quarter of fever being active in many parts of the

country, and of measles and scarlatina being widely prevalent,and very fatal. Scarlatina and measles appear to have been

general over the whole kingdom, and in Yorkshire and thenorthern counties, as in London, small-pox was epidemic.But if the warmth of the winter acted unfavourably upon the

health of the population generally, it was otherwise with thepeople of the cotton districts. The North-West counties alone,Chester and Lancashire, of the eleven registration divisions,showed a diminution of mortality in the past quarter as com-

pared with the corresponding quarter of 1862. The cold of

winter had been chiefly dreaded as the days shortened and theautumn came to an end. The food doled out to the unemployedoperatives, although scanty, had sufficed to maintain health.Clothing and fuel were forthcoming to a greater or less extent.But who could foretell the effects of severe cold upon an im-

perfectly fed and badly clothed people, among whom, even atthat time, typhus had found a lodgment ? Happily the dreadedcontingency of an intemperate season did not occur, and thecotton districts now, as before the winter, maintain that condi-tion of health which affords the most remarkable and sig-nificant insight into the evil sanitary conditions under whichthe prosperity of the cotton manufacture has been achievedand maintained.

Medical Annotations."Ne quid nimis."

PHARMACOPŒIAL ANOMALIES.

IT is well known that the principal London hospitals haveeach a nosocomial compilation of formulae used commonly asapproved medicines and applications, and which for the sakeof uniformity and convenience are generally prescribed by themedical officers and kept ready in the dispensary. Theseformulas representing at each hospital the favourite mixturesof their medical officers, and those which their experience hasshown to be best suited to the more ordinary forms of disease,a good deal of interest always attaches to them. They haveusually a wide circulation among the students of each hos-pital, who there learn the composition of the mixtures habitu-ally ordered under an arbitrary and short title on the patients’cards, and become accustomed to use in after life certain formswhich they have heard well spoken of and seen much employedin the wards by their teachers.Each of the larger hospitals has such printed collections of

forms ; and Mr. Peter Squire, the well-known President of thePharmaceutical Society, lately conceived the happy idea ofmaking a classified combination of the thirteen Pharmacopeeiasof London hospitals as a work of reference likely to be accept-

able to the medical profession and pharmaceutists. A verycurious result, however, is obtained by comparing together theformulas which pass under the same title. The difference is

striking and altogether anomalous. The same denomination isused for compounds of most remarkably different strength.This variation is so great that it may well be supposed to beattended with considerable disadvantage and possible danger.A few ordinary examples will suffice to show the nature andextent of these peculiarities. If we take such an article asacidum nitro-hydrochloricum, we find that at Middlesex Hos-pital by this name is meant a’compound consisting of nitricacid, two drachms; hydrochloric acid, two drachms; distilledwater, five drachms. At St. George’s-nitric acid, four drachms;hydrochloric acid, six drachms, undiluted. At Westminster-nitric acid, four drachms ; hydrochloric acid, four drachms, un-diluted. It is obvious that any practitioner whose ideas ofnitro-muriatic acid and its potency were formed at MiddlesexHospital might fall into an inconvenient error should that titlebe interpreted by the dispenser according to the standard ofSt. George’s or Westminster Hospitals. Then if we pass to

collyria, we may observe that whereas a Westminster manwho speaks of collyrium aluminis means a solution containingabout three grains and three quarters to the ounce of water,a St. Bartholomew’s man means by that same term a solutionof eight grains to the ounce. Turning over the leaves at ran-dom, we notice that a haustus sennæ includes from two to fourdrachms of sulphate of magnesia according to the hospital atwhich it is prescribed ; an enema of assafoetida, from four toeight drachms of the tincture; gargarisma æruginis,—a highlypoisonous compound,-from one part of liniment. asruginis infour to one part in sixteen; garg. boracis, from one drachm intwo ounces to one drachm in six ounces; garg. capsici, fromone drachm of the tincture in four ounces to one drachm in ten

ounces ; garg. hyd. bichlorid., from four grains in eight ouncesto four grains in fifteen ounces ; garg. sodae chlorin., from fourdrachms in two ounces to four drachms in twelve ounces; lini-mentum aconiti, from one drachm of the tincture to fivedrachms of liniment, to equal parts of the tincture and diluent;linimentum olei crotonis, from equal parts of the oil and rec-tified spirit to one part in seven, one in eleven, in sixteen, andeven twenty-four.

These observations extend only to a third part of the book;but from these it may be inferred how great the disparity is,and how far it is from the same thing being meant by the samename in different hospitals. Moreover, such an instance as thelast may suggest a hint for a little pharmaceutical amendment ofthe construction as well as the potency of some of the formulae.Croton oil liniment is made differently at nearly all the hos-pitals ; and at most it is certainly very badly made. Thus atSt. Bartholomew’s and Guy’s Hospitals it is made by adding adrachm of the oil to seven of the compound camphor liniment;at Middlesex Hospital by combining one drachm of the oil withone drachm of rectified spirit; at St. George’s, London, andthe Consumption Hospitals by combining with soap liniment ;and at the Ophthalmic Hospital with glycerine. We speaksubject to correction; but we believe it to be true that theseare all highly unpharmaceutical formulae, inasmuch as neitherglycerine, spirit, soap liniment, nor compound camphor linimentdissolves the oil, while olive oil or simple camphor liniment doesit perfectly. The only hospital at which the formula given iscorrect is St. Mary’s.The publication of the new Pharmacopoeia, (whenever that

may take place, whether towards the end of the present yearas now intimated, or at the millennium) will afford an occasionfor revising the hospital formularies to bring them into uni-formity with the new standard; and we hope that the oppor-tunity will be taken of obtaining a concerted action of the hos-pital authorities with the view of amending any defectiveformulae such as that which we have indicated, and of obtaininga general uniformity of strength in those compounds which bearthe same name at the various institutions.

532

the public necessity for them, the want of hospitals was moreMETAPHYSICAL TAXATION. easily supplied by voluntary contributions; and he believed that,

ME. GLADSTONE has the happy art of reconciling the utmost if any calamity swept from the surface of the earth the greatextremes of opinion and action; he harmonizes a whole series and wealthy endowed hospitals, the liberality of the publicof discords by a singularly complex form of reasoning, which would immediately supply accommodation for all who requiredenables him to reject the obvious in favour of the abstruse. At It. Moreover, he was of opinion that an exemption was itien.the very moment when he puts forward common-sense reasons tical with a donation-that if he abstained from taking fivewhich the world holds to be decisive in favour of any particular pounds out of his neighbour’s pocket when he had a chance, it

course, and when it may be anticipated that he is about to act was equivalent to putting five pounds into it. Hence, by thison them, he substitutes certain transcendental theories of a process of reasoning, Mr. Gladstone elaborately demonstrated

totally different bearing, and ultimately wanders to the very that the State was in the habit of annually making large dona-

opposite pole from that where he might have been expected to tions to these institutions, which he proposed to revoke. The

rest. logical puzzle between exemption and donation was, however,Mr. Gladstone has the most enlightened appreciation of the solved by the House, and the hospitals escaped the meta-

peculiar position of the members of the medical profession, and physical tax-gatherer. Let us hope that shortly Mr. Gladstonetheir claims to be exempted from some of the burdens of the may also be supplied with the required definitions of the wordsState. He admitted last week that precarious incomes de- "precarious" and "professional," and that the incomes of theserved exemption from the Income-tax ; and, said the Chan- members of the medical profession may then be less heavilycellor, " if we are to proceed to the relief of precarious incomes, taxed.

we must take first the case of professional men. It is the

strongest, because, generally speaking, persons in professions, ANIMAL LIFE.

not so much when they are on the top of the wave of success THE French correspondent of The Times gives an accountas in their first struggles, are obliged to live close up to their of some experiments recently made in Paris as to the mostincomes, and even beyond them. I have heard gentlemen in humane mode of depriving oxen and other animals of life. Hethe medical profession, for instance, now of great eminence, says that "the conservator of the Paris slaughterhouses, beingmention the number of years through which they had to of opinion that the mode of slaughtering oxen by knockingstruggle on some independent resources of their own before them on the head with a heavy metal instrument must causethey obtained a subsistence from their profession; and the the animal excessive pain, endeavoured to discover anothersame thing is true of the law." Nevertheless, he concluded mode to avoid this suffering, and at the same time to preservethat he should do nothing to aid in giving relief, because, said the slaughtermen from the danger to which they are exposedhe, "you must furnish us with new definitions of the terms in the performance of this disagreeable duty. He thought that* precarious’ and professional,’ and I say that task is not only enervation would accomplish this object, and this opinion wasdifficult but impossible." founded on the doctrine taught by physiologists, who assertThus were we wrecked on a definition; and it will be but that the separation of the spinal marrow at once destroys

poor consolation to the struggling professional man writing a animal life. Experiments were tried on more than one hundredlarge cheque for Income.tax to know that he is so mulcted by oxen, and it was demonstrated that although the ox was morereason of lexicographical difficulties. quickly put to death, his sufferings ’were not the less excru.The hospitals and other institutions supported by charity ciating, inasmuch as his entire vitality was preserved, and

were marked out to suffer by a similar literary imposition death did not ensue until after an agony of fifteen or sixteenof taxation. In speaking of the claims of hospitals to in- minutes. These experiments were repeated on calves and

dulgence from the State, Mr. Gladstone used language worthy sheep, and, in place of merely cutting the spinal marrow, theof his philanthropic character and just perception of social head was separated from the body in order to observe the de-relations. He said : " The case of the hospitals is by far gree of vitality which would still remain in each of the sepa-the best, and in hospitals I include everything which em- rated parts. A calf was suspended, and a butcher’s boy cutbraces the relief of involuntary ailments-dispensaries, infir- his head off with a knife. This operation was accomplishedmaries, and lunatic asylums. Hospitals probably amount to in a quarter of a minute. The head was immediately placednearly one-fourth of the charities, and they give the best case, on a table, and it lost two ounces and a half of blood in thebecause they involve so little of the vicious and corrupting space of six minutes. During the first minute all the muscleselement of patronage. When we speak of a charity, as a of the face and neck were agitated with rapid convulsions, andgeneral rule we speak of some administrator or dispenser of during the two following minutes the convulsions assumed an-charity who derives consequence and importance from manag- other character. The tongue was stretched out of the mouth,ing that charity which he would not otherwise possess. But which opened and closed alternately; the nostrils opened as ifin the case of hospitals, within the limits of certain distances, the animal experienced a difficulty of breathing. The convul-their doors are open to all who suffer from poverty, misery, sions became more active when the tongue or nostrils wereand disease, and patronage does not exist. There is no fear of pricked with a needle. When the hand was applied to thestimulating disease by a multiplication of hospitals, and there mouth or nostrils, respiration was felt to be continued by theis no waste in canvassing. It is perfectly true that in the case air entering and coming out. When a finger was broughtof many charities the candidates spend more in the canvass within an inch of the eye, in the direction of the pupil, the eyethan the presentation is worth. But in the case of hospitals was quickly closed, as if it wished to avoid the touch of thethere is no canvassing, there is no expectancy, there is no finger, and the same result followed at several intervals. At

fraudulent pretence, there is no ill-will. Dr. Chalmers, the length the eye did not close until the eyelid was touched. It

man perhaps of all others in this country who most happily was remarked that the eye remained closed as long as theunited a high character for benevolence -%ith the character of a finger remained in contact with it. These phenomena becamesound political economist, was not ashamed to say that, while gradually weaker, and ceased entirely after four minutes. Evenhe proscribed most of the foundations termed charitable, he then, when the spinal marrow was pricked with a needle, theadmitted that great benefits were derived from hospitals." convulsions recommenced in the entire face, tongue and eyes.Singularly enough, Mr. Gladstone concluded from this, not After the sixth minute all contraction ceased. While thesethat the foundations devoted to purposes so noble should be experiments were being performed, the body, which remainedexempt, but that they might be dealt with no matter how If suspended, was greatly agitated. The agitation ceased gra-roughly; for he said that, by reason of their very merits and dually, and was replaced by feeble contractions, which con-

533

tinued moredthan an hour. But this was always observed, inwhatever manner the throat was cut. Forty calves and fiftysheep were decapitated, and they all presented the same phe-nomena. The director of the Paris slaughterhouses convincedhimself by these experiments that an ox suffered more by beingdecapitated than by being struck down with a heavy bar of iron;and that the bar, by producing an immediate stupefaction, pre-vents the animal from suffering, while the bleeding, immediatelyeffected, deprives him of life before the head recovers sensa-tion."

It is obvious that in this record of the experiments, thepainless nature of reflex movements is not properly considered;and the experimenter should procure the assistance of a goodphysiologist in order to explain the character of the resultsobserved. In that case he will probably arrive at very differentconclusions from those above stated.

MR. PROPERTS APOLOGY.

THERE are few who will not read with surprise the publicapology which Mr. Propert has tendered to Mr. Adams, as anamende for the gross insults and grievous injuries which hehas showered upon him. Mr. Propert acknowledges now, aftermonths of silence and insinuation, that he never had any foun-dation for the line of conduct which he pursued, other than theex-parte statements of the persons whom he backed in theirinfamous attack. He preferred to believe the scandalous gossipof these women, for months before the trial, rather than inquireinto facts. He turned a deaf ear to the statements made tohim by the most respectable and unprejudiced professionalgentlemen, such as Mr. Toynbee and Mr. Kesteven, whooffered him information as to the character and past career ofhis protégées. He refused even to have any communicationwith those who desired to lay before him the certified historyof the truth in respect to the circumstances of this case. Heconstituted himself judge without hearing evidence; he went ’,so far as to stigmatize Mr.. Adams with disgraceful epithets before the trial, and throughout afforded comfort and support to his assailants. Even after the trial he is publicly alleged to have maintained relations with them. For all the long monthsthat Mr. Propert has allowed his disgraceful immobility toscandalize the profession, it has been whispered and reportedthat he was holding back because he had good reasons to givefor his continued belief in the trustworthiness of the Russells,and that he abstained from explanations from motives ofcharity to Mr. Adams. For weeks and months he has silentlypermitted this shameful report to gain currency. When openlyappealed to by Mr. Adams, in the last correspondence whichwe published, as to the authenticity of such a statement, re-ported as from his own mouth by a respectable member of theprofession, Mr. Propert had not even then the candour andgood feeling to avow his opinion, but evaded the questionplainly put to him.At last he has been driven to the wall by the sheer force of

obloquy, and a more lamentable document than the apologyhe has produced as a reparation to Mr. Adams was never, wethink, made public. He avows everything, and exculpates Mr.Adams, without explaining anything. Such a statement cannoteven be read without its bringing a flush of shame and indig-nation to the cheek. For all the scandal which he has caused,not a shadow of foundation; for the grievous injury to anotherman’s reputation, not a tittle of reason; for the enormous

pecuniary damage, not, a farthing of reparation offered. His

case, as he himself states it, is so bad that no man could pen asatisfactory apology. But he will hardly be so sordid, or sufferthe world to believe him so sordid, as not to offer a solid andliberal compensation for the great loss which Mr. Adams hassuffered mainly through him. The circumstances are so badthat the most eloquent could not hope to extenuate them, inamending the document which he has furnished. But there isone way in which his pen may suitably express his regret. The

only apology, indeed, which can redeem Mr. Propert in anydegree should be written in the form of a draft on his bankersfor X500 towards the X1000 which the trial cost Mr. Adams.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION AND LIFE ASSURANCEOFFICES.

THE Report of the annual meeting of the Briton Medical andGeneral Life Association, (with which is incorporated the NewEquitable Life Assurance Company,) which we print elsewhere,testifies very strongly to one important point. It shows that anycompany or body of men, basing their proceedings upon a. justprinciple, and carrying it out with energy and determination,cannot fail of success. The New Equitable rested its claim topublic and professional favour entirely upon the principle ofacting fairly and liberally towards the medical profession, andin a few years we see as the result one of the most flourishinglife offices in the kingdom. The New Equitable had a vigorousgrowth of its own; but it first amalgamated with the Medical,Legal, and General, which had previously adopted its prin-ciples ; then it became fused with the Briton, and the unitedoffices have recently absorbed the Unity; at each changeacquiring new strength and influence, without sacrificing aniota of principle. We confess to some regret at losing the oldfamiliar name of the " New Equitable;" but its far-seeingFounder lived to wish that it should become more distinctlymedical in its designation, and the special permission of theBoard of Trade has now been given to the present title-namely, "THE BRITON MEDICAL AND GENERAL." Howevernames may change, principles are indestructible; and we con-gratulate the profession that sound medical principles shouldpredominate in a great office, well worthy of its support, andsure, as years roll on, to render medical opinion of more andmore value in the conduct of the great and beneficent work ofLife Assurance.

MR. ADAMS AND MR. PROPERT.

WE, the undersigned, having been delegated with fall andunrestricted authority to arbitrate in the matter in dispute be-tween Mr. John Propert and Mr. William Adams, arising outof the late trial of "Russell v. Adams," are of opinion that thesubjoined document, signed by Mr. John Propert, should beconsidered as a satisfactory and an honourable settlement of thequestion at issue between these gentlemen.

FORBES WINSLOw, 23, Cavendish-square.FRANCIS HIRD, 17, Clifford-street.

London, May 6th, 1863.

" am willing to admit that I ought to have complied with

the request conveyed to me in Mr. Macrell’s letter, datedDecember 30th, lb61, and have conferred with that gentleman,as Mr. Adams’s legal adviser, in relation to the charge ofbreach of promise brought by Miss Russell against Mr. Adams,previously to my forming any opinion of my own respectingits truth. I now recognise, if I had done so, much annoyanceto both Mr. Adams and myself would have been obviated.I also regret that anything done by me should have ledothers to suppose that I advised or originated the legal pro-

ceedings taken by Miss Russell against Mr. Adams. I was, nodoubt, misled by certain ex-parte statements, but was influencedby no personal feelings of animosity to Mr. Adams, but solelyby a desire to protect the daughter of a deceased member ofthe medical profession alleged to have been cruelly treated.

’’ Whilst solemnly declaring that the motive governing mein these painful proceedings was strictly benevolent in its cha-racter, I nevertheless freely allow, that, having been deceivedby erroneous information, 1 unwittingly exposed myself to theimputation of acting imprudently towards Mr. Adams, whomI now conscientiously believe to be innocent of the infamonscharge which Miss Russell attempted to establish against himin a court of law."

"JOHN PROPERT." 6, New Cavendish-street, May 5th, 1863."