410 1, Hawley-terrace, Camden-town, August 31st, 1848. SIR,—I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your circular relative to the assurance of Mr. - life. I never answer such without first receiving the -usual fee from the directors, well knowing that any information I possess is for their benefit, and upon the receipt of which I shall give the case the due attention it merits, and reply to your questions. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, EDWARD GIBSON, M.D., M.R.C.S.E. Charles Jellicoe, Esq., Secretary, Eagle and Protector Life Association, 3, Crescent, Bridge-street. EDWARD GIBSON, M.D., M.R.C.S.E. Medical News. PHYSIOLOGY OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM.-In the first number of an able little periodical which has reached us, entitled the Anglo-Jewish Magazine, the middle-age Hebrew philosopher, Maimonides, is represented as having anticipated Sir Charles Bell in showing that the nerves were "the instruments of sense and motion" respectively. N passages from the learned author are, however, quoted. It may be well here to remark -as we have done before-that it was not Sir Charles Bell who first pointed out that the anterior and posterior roots of the spinal nerves have separate functions, but that it was Mr. Alexander Walker; and there is shortly to be published in THE LANCET some papers illustrative of Mr. Walker’s views, and of the diversities between his opinions and those of Bell, Majendie, &c. MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN RUSSIA.—The medical schools oj Russia are carried on in a grand and becoming manner, and they are plentifully supplied in every respect. The studies must extend over five years, each- year beginning in August, and terminating in June. The whole of May is given up to examinations; all the courses last the full year, and every student is obliged to attend them, irrespectively of the- pecu- liar branch of medical science he may wish to study. There are six censures, or examinations. If the candidate do not give satisfaction with the first three, he is put back for one year; but when he has creditably passed five, he obtains his doctor’s degree. The sixth is only attempted by those who are looking for state appointments. The fourth and fifth years are especially dedicated to clinical instruction; after which, the young men may settle in any part of the empire. BURIAL OF PERSONS APPARENTLY DEAD.-The Medico-Chi- rurgical Society of Milan has lately expressed a wish that rooms for the reception of corpses (as they exist in some parts of Germany) should be established; likewise that the dead should not be buried until signs of decomposition became manifest. Three medical officers would be appointed to ascertain, both in the above-mentioned rooms and in the deceased persons’ residences, the characteristic signs of’disso- lution &c. FRENCH NAVAL MEDICAL SERVICE.-A call for reform in the French naval medical service has issued from the sur- geons of the naval school of Toulon; for it would seem that this service, as in England is also the case, has been over- looked in the improvements which have been brought about in the medical service of the army. The first appeal is that the naval be assimilated to the army medical service. At the head of the navy medical department is an inspector- general, whose power is despotic, although under the control of the minister of marine --a control which is but nominal. Instead of this, a central council of three members is pro- posed, meeting in Paris, and selected from the three chief ports of the country. Other changes are advocated, as in the mode of promotion, and in the concours, which is carried on to the injury of the medical,officers, &c. THE CHOLERA IN CONSTANTINOPLE AND ALEXANDRIA; EFFECT OF LOCALITY ON ITS APPEARANCE.—That errors of diet have a great deal to do with the attacks of cholera, when the dis- ease is epidemic, is shown by the increase of mortality which the advent of the Ramazan produced at Constantinople. It is well known that at this period great excesses follow very severe fasting. The Ramazan began on the 31st of July, and the first week’s return then gave 113 deaths from cholera. From the 31st to the 9th of August, the number rose to 197; and from the 10th to the 17th of the same month, it reached 201; but from the 17th to the 24th, it again fell to 165. And to show that the Ramazan really augmented the mischief, it may be noticed that in casting up the deaths of these three weeks, we shall have a total of 563. which were thus divided.:-- Mussulmen 226, Greeks 151, Armenians 153, Jews 30. The first in the list,’being strict observers of the Ramazan, are the- most numerous. Another- remarkable episode of the history of the disease may here be mentioned. At Koubeli, on the Asiatic shore of the Bosphorus, there are cavalry barracks which can accommodate from 1200 to 1500 men. Hard by is an hospital which had formerly been used as a lazaretto. As several cases of cholera broke out in the barracks, the soldiers there were ordered to leave them, and pitch a camp on a neigh- bouring hill. The attacks of the disease became very rare; when suddenly, in the night between the 14th and 15th of August, the cholera broke out with such intensity, that above 100 men were seized- in the space of a few hours. The next day,l&th,102 cases were reported; on the 17th, 75; on the 18th, 26; on the 19th, 15; on the 20th, 13; on the 21st, none; on the 22nd, none; in fact, the disease had disappeared. In six days the disease had attacked 331 men, who were’con- veyed to the above-mentioned hospital; from whom, up to the 22nd of August 170-viz., more than half-had already died. Now, how is this sudden inroad of the epidemic; and, not less wonderful, its sudden disappearance, to be explained a Investigations -relative to the peculiarities of the locality have led to no- definite solution of this puzzling problem. This in- cident ought certainly to hold a prominent place in the his- tory of the cholera, and will be rather a hard nut for con- tagionists to crack. We will close these few remarks by giving our readers a table, by which the rate of mortality by cholera in large cities may pretty accurately be measured. The dis- ease broke out at Alexandria on the 25th of July; the popu- lation is about 80,000. The mortality up to the 8th of August was as follows: At Cairo, however, where the population is treble, the mortality reached only 296. On the 5th of August, it had fallen to 150. L’ Union Medicale has published several private communi- cations which that journal received from the various places where the cholera has broken out. From these we perceive that at Stettin the disease reigned with the greatest intensity in a certain district called Lastadie, which is thickly inhabited by labouring people, penned up in high houses and small rooms. This part of the town is made still more unhealthy by containing a large slaughter-house, which spreads around the most offensive effluvia. The cholera here made more victims in August 1848, in the short space of three weeks- viz., 275-than in seventeen weeks, when the disease reigned in 1831 and 1837. Let this be a lesson to the authorities of this country; we know of several parts of London where slaughter-houses, if we are visited by the disease, will be as fatal to human beings as they are to cattle. A MEDICAL MAN IN TROUBLE.—Dr. Pinel Grandchamp, who, unfortunately for him, was Mayor of the twelfth district of Paris in June last, and who, in spite of many kind acts by which his period of office was marked, allowed himself to be involved in the insurrection, of which his district was the chief focus, has just been condemned to transportation, to the great regret of his professional brethren, by whom he was much esteemed. GENERAL ASSOCIATION OF THE MEDICAL MEN OF ITALY.- The project of a general association of all the medical men of Italy seems to be gaining ground. On the 26th of last July, a large meeting was held at Turin, Dr: Trompeo, the great promoter of the association, in the chair. Resolutions were passed, to the effect that the Piedmontese Association should take the name of Piedmontese Section, and that it should act in unison with the Lombardian section. The sections will be divided into provincial committees &c. The same agitation is prevailing in Tuscany, and in the papal states. The aim is to put everywhere extensive and far-spread associations in the place of petty and jealous corporations. PROFESSIONAL LOYALTY.-Sir Philip Crampton, Bart., with several noblemen and gentlemen, waited on his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, at the Viceregal Lodge, last week, with an address, or declaration, against repeal, signed by upwards of 80,000 persons, determined to maintain the union between Great Britain and Ireland. The address in question was signed by upwards of 260 physicians and surgeons.
Transcript
410
1, Hawley-terrace, Camden-town,August 31st, 1848.
SIR,—I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your circularrelative to the assurance of Mr. - life. I never answersuch without first receiving the -usual fee from the directors,well knowing that any information I possess is for their benefit,and upon the receipt of which I shall give the case the dueattention it merits, and reply to your questions.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,EDWARD GIBSON, M.D., M.R.C.S.E.
Charles Jellicoe, Esq., Secretary,Eagle and Protector Life Association,
3, Crescent, Bridge-street.
EDWARD GIBSON, M.D., M.R.C.S.E.
Medical News.
PHYSIOLOGY OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM.-In the first numberof an able little periodical which has reached us, entitled theAnglo-Jewish Magazine, the middle-age Hebrew philosopher,Maimonides, is represented as having anticipated Sir CharlesBell in showing that the nerves were "the instruments ofsense and motion" respectively. N passages from the learnedauthor are, however, quoted. It may be well here to remark-as we have done before-that it was not Sir Charles Bellwho first pointed out that the anterior and posterior roots ofthe spinal nerves have separate functions, but that it wasMr. Alexander Walker; and there is shortly to be publishedin THE LANCET some papers illustrative of Mr. Walker’sviews, and of the diversities between his opinions and thoseof Bell, Majendie, &c.
MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN RUSSIA.—The medical schools ojRussia are carried on in a grand and becoming manner, andthey are plentifully supplied in every respect. The studiesmust extend over five years, each- year beginning in August,and terminating in June. The whole of May is given up toexaminations; all the courses last the full year, and everystudent is obliged to attend them, irrespectively of the- pecu-liar branch of medical science he may wish to study. Thereare six censures, or examinations. If the candidate do notgive satisfaction with the first three, he is put back for oneyear; but when he has creditably passed five, he obtains hisdoctor’s degree. The sixth is only attempted by those whoare looking for state appointments. The fourth and fifthyears are especially dedicated to clinical instruction; afterwhich, the young men may settle in any part of the empire.BURIAL OF PERSONS APPARENTLY DEAD.-The Medico-Chi-
rurgical Society of Milan has lately expressed a wish thatrooms for the reception of corpses (as they exist in someparts of Germany) should be established; likewise that thedead should not be buried until signs of decomposition becamemanifest. Three medical officers would be appointed to
ascertain, both in the above-mentioned rooms and in thedeceased persons’ residences, the characteristic signs of’disso-lution &c.
FRENCH NAVAL MEDICAL SERVICE.-A call for reform inthe French naval medical service has issued from the sur-geons of the naval school of Toulon; for it would seem thatthis service, as in England is also the case, has been over-looked in the improvements which have been brought aboutin the medical service of the army. The first appeal is thatthe naval be assimilated to the army medical service. Atthe head of the navy medical department is an inspector-general, whose power is despotic, although under the controlof the minister of marine --a control which is but nominal.Instead of this, a central council of three members is pro-posed, meeting in Paris, and selected from the three chiefports of the country. Other changes are advocated, as in themode of promotion, and in the concours, which is carried on tothe injury of the medical,officers, &c.
THE CHOLERA IN CONSTANTINOPLE AND ALEXANDRIA; EFFECTOF LOCALITY ON ITS APPEARANCE.—That errors of diet havea great deal to do with the attacks of cholera, when the dis-ease is epidemic, is shown by the increase of mortality whichthe advent of the Ramazan produced at Constantinople. Itis well known that at this period great excesses follow verysevere fasting. The Ramazan began on the 31st of July, andthe first week’s return then gave 113 deaths from cholera.From the 31st to the 9th of August, the number rose to 197;and from the 10th to the 17th of the same month, it reached201; but from the 17th to the 24th, it again fell to 165. Andto show that the Ramazan really augmented the mischief, itmay be noticed that in casting up the deaths of these threeweeks, we shall have a total of 563. which were thus divided.:--
Mussulmen 226, Greeks 151, Armenians 153, Jews 30. Thefirst in the list,’being strict observers of the Ramazan, are the-most numerous. Another- remarkable episode of the historyof the disease may here be mentioned. At Koubeli, on theAsiatic shore of the Bosphorus, there are cavalry barrackswhich can accommodate from 1200 to 1500 men. Hard by isan hospital which had formerly been used as a lazaretto. Asseveral cases of cholera broke out in the barracks, the soldiersthere were ordered to leave them, and pitch a camp on a neigh-bouring hill. The attacks of the disease became very rare;when suddenly, in the night between the 14th and 15th ofAugust, the cholera broke out with such intensity, that above100 men were seized- in the space of a few hours. The next
day,l&th,102 cases were reported; on the 17th, 75; on the18th, 26; on the 19th, 15; on the 20th, 13; on the 21st, none;on the 22nd, none; in fact, the disease had disappeared. Insix days the disease had attacked 331 men, who were’con-veyed to the above-mentioned hospital; from whom, up tothe 22nd of August 170-viz., more than half-had alreadydied. Now, how is this sudden inroad of the epidemic; and,not less wonderful, its sudden disappearance, to be explained aInvestigations -relative to the peculiarities of the locality haveled to no- definite solution of this puzzling problem. This in-cident ought certainly to hold a prominent place in the his-tory of the cholera, and will be rather a hard nut for con-tagionists to crack. We will close these few remarks by givingour readers a table, by which the rate of mortality by cholerain large cities may pretty accurately be measured. The dis-ease broke out at Alexandria on the 25th of July; the popu-lation is about 80,000. The mortality up to the 8th of Augustwas as follows: .
At Cairo, however, where the population is treble, themortality reached only 296. On the 5th of August, it hadfallen to 150.
L’ Union Medicale has published several private communi-cations which that journal received from the various placeswhere the cholera has broken out. From these we perceivethat at Stettin the disease reigned with the greatest intensityin a certain district called Lastadie, which is thickly inhabitedby labouring people, penned up in high houses and smallrooms. This part of the town is made still more unhealthyby containing a large slaughter-house, which spreads aroundthe most offensive effluvia. The cholera here made morevictims in August 1848, in the short space of three weeks-viz., 275-than in seventeen weeks, when the disease reignedin 1831 and 1837. Let this be a lesson to the authorities ofthis country; we know of several parts of London whereslaughter-houses, if we are visited by the disease, will be asfatal to human beings as they are to cattle.A MEDICAL MAN IN TROUBLE.—Dr. Pinel Grandchamp,
who, unfortunately for him, was Mayor of the twelfth districtof Paris in June last, and who, in spite of many kind acts bywhich his period of office was marked, allowed himself to beinvolved in the insurrection, of which his district was thechief focus, has just been condemned to transportation, to thegreat regret of his professional brethren, by whom he wasmuch esteemed.GENERAL ASSOCIATION OF THE MEDICAL MEN OF ITALY.-
The project of a general association of all the medical men ofItaly seems to be gaining ground. On the 26th of last July,a large meeting was held at Turin, Dr: Trompeo, the greatpromoter of the association, in the chair. Resolutions werepassed, to the effect that the Piedmontese Association shouldtake the name of Piedmontese Section, and that it should actin unison with the Lombardian section. The sections will bedivided into provincial committees &c. The same agitationis prevailing in Tuscany, and in the papal states. The aim isto put everywhere extensive and far-spread associations inthe place of petty and jealous corporations.PROFESSIONAL LOYALTY.-Sir Philip Crampton, Bart., with
several noblemen and gentlemen, waited on his Excellencythe Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, at the Viceregal Lodge, lastweek, with an address, or declaration, against repeal, signedby upwards of 80,000 persons, determined to maintain theunion between Great Britain and Ireland. The address inquestion was signed by upwards of 260 physicians and surgeons.
411
ROYAL HOSPITAL FOR CONSUMPTION.-The Court of CommonCouncil, on Thursday last, unanimously voted a grant of £100to augment the funds of this excellent institution.MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL.-A handsome turret clock, having an
illuminated dial eight feet in diameter, has been purchased bysubscription of the inhabitants in the vicinity of the hospital,and was presented on Thursday last to the trustees of this in-stitution, to be by them placed in the nearly completed newwing of the hospital.-In consequence of the resignation of thesurgeoncy by Mr. Arnott, Mr. C. H. Moore is a candidate forthat appointment, and Messrs. Nunn, Hillman, and Henry forthat which would be vacated by Mr. Moore.WESTMINSTER HOSPITAL.—At a meeting of the Committee of
Management of this institution, last week, the following muni-ficent bequests were stated to have been left during the pastyear-viz., from Miss Collyer, of Farningham, Kent, .E2000;Sir Simon Howard, Bart., £500; Mrs. Elizabeth M‘Pherson,£500; and X500 from a gentleman who did not wish hisname to appear," making a total of .63500. The income of theyear, from all sources, amounted to £7,332 3s. 3d., being anexcess over expenditure of £1,555 Os. 8d.
STINK-TRAPS.—A person with the slighest sense of smellmight walk through the streets of London blindfold, andpoint out the exact locality of these danger-valves of ourstreets. If not able to detect the nuisance in Regent-street,we would direct their course over Trafalgar-square, and justin front of Northumberland-house they will find two mostmagnificent gullyholes, which have lately never failed towarn our nostrils of the dangers lurking near. Over one ofthese precious holes all the omnibuses passing to and fromthe Strand always stop to take up and set down their Gharing-cross passengers. It would be an inquiry of some interest toascertain the exact number of omnibus passengers who havecaught influenza, continued fever, or other zymotic disease,from being thus freely exposed for a few minutes to the pesti-lential gases that are exhaled from this unclean mouth of theStrand and St. Martin’s-lane sewers. Those who understandthe action of these vapours in the air upon the system will Inot for a moment doubt that they must tend most powerfully ’ito maintain that peculiar condition of the atmosphere in which ’,epidemic diseases are most rife. The exhalations of an open I
drain, a gullyhole, a dung-heap, an ash-pit, may not produce aspecific disease, but they will produce a state of the system inwhich derangements that are ordinarily trivial and easilycured become severe and fatal. They will not producescarlet fever, or measles, or small-pox, but persons living intheir neighbourhood will more easily catch these diseases, andwhen they have caught them they are much more likely todie with them. If we have no evidence to show that suchgases can ever produce cholera, we have abundant evidenceto show that persons exposed to them are most likely to havecholera. We are not, then, so free from liability to diseaseby living in large houses, in open streets, as some personsmight be led to suppose. The vapour of these gullyholes willfind its way as easily into the air of a carriage as on the foot-path, and may be inspired from the open window of a palaceas easily as in the street.—Daily News, Oct. 3rd.THE SANITARY COMMISSION AND THE CHOLERA.-We notice
in the Birmingham Journal a lengthened report of the evi-dence of Joseph Hodgson, Esq., who, on the authority of £ ’,a correspondent, " never visited a single case," yet who was ’,called upon to state to the Commission his opinions on thecharacteristics and cure of cholera in Birmingham and theadjoining towns. The following are some of the minutes ofevidence:- ’," You are a surgeon of eminence at Birmingham ?-I am a
surgeon in Birmingham." You were in Birmingham during the time that the cholera I
visited England, in 1832 and 1833 ?-Yes, I was. I was one ’’,of the two medical officers appointed at that time by thegovernment on the Board of Health in Birmingham. ’," Then, on account of that, as well as other reasons, you
took especial note of everything with regard to that disorder,at that period ?-No; I cannot say that I took especial note. Idid not write down anything, but I paid particular attention tothe cholera at the time. We had an inspector and otherofficers appointed, and it was part of my duty to see whatmeans could be adopted for the purpose of preventing thisdisease coming into the locality, and to secure the safety ofthe inhabitants.
" Have you not made it a special object of your inquiry, byreading the publications, or watching the evidence in relationto it, in your own general experience ?—The circumstance ofmy being on the Board of Health brought my attention agood deal to the subject. I do not know that I have read more
about the cholera than all medical men ought to do. I may havedone. I do not know that I have very specially turned my atten-tion to that subject; but, however, in consequence of my con-nexion with the Cholera Board, it was my duty to pay, and Idid pay, great attention to all the circumstances at the time,and I devoted myself to seeing that the town was purified,and we did what we could to prevent the cholera coming intothe town."
It appeared from further evidence that Birmingham wasremarkably free from Asiatic cholera; only thirty-one casesin all were reported to the Board of Health in London duringthe whole time that the disease existed in England, but thatat Bilston, which is only ten miles from Birmingham, it ragedmore than perhaps in any other place in Great Britain.Bilston at that time contained 14,700 inhabitants, of whichnumber 3568 had the cholera, and 742 died of that disease inless than seven weeks. One in fourof the population had thedisease, and one in five of those who had the disease, died."Were any precautions taken to prevent the disease spread-
-ing between Bilston and Birmingham ?-None. And there werecommunications constantly between the towns; coaches andother conveyances went through. The disease went on to afrightful extent, till the Government sent down to Bilston Dr.McCann, who had seen a good deal of the cholera in India,and, I believe, in Persia, or abroad somewhere."
The remainder of Mr. Hodgson’s evidence is chiefly takenup with the detail of Dr. McCann’s recommendations andideas, "that if you catch (oppose) the disease in the pre-monitory condition you may stop it at once, but that when itcomes to the other condition there is great danger. I wish tostate (added Mr. Hodgson) that I consider that very greatmerit is due to Dr. McCann; there. is no merit due to me exceptthat of pointing out-to my friend, Mr. Chadwick, the importanceof Dr. McCann’s proceedings.
Such, then, is the evidence and the witness which havesatisfied the requirements of the sanitary commission !Verily the commission yields .a hopeful prestige of the doingsof its archetype the Boardof Health.AN HOSPITAL REVOLT.—The Hotel Dieu, of Marseilles, has
just been the -seat of -a regular insurrection. The physicianto whom the ward of the 11 Fille8 Soumises," or penitent girls,(rather an inapplicable epithet in this case,) belongs, wasobliged to impose one day’s low diet on all the patients ofthe ward, for insubordinate conduct. As soon as they heardof this, they n-tade a general attack upon the Æsculapius,and nothing but a prompt retreat saved him from severehandling. Exasperated by his flight, the women became in-furiated, and soon heaped together tables, chairs, beds, mat-tresses, &c., wherewith they formed a huge barricade, behindwhich-they began voeiferating patriotic hymns, &c. The mili-tary were called in to destroy the barricade, and now begunfaregular shower of divers pieces of furniture and utensils,hurled by these furies upon the poor fellows. The soldierssucceeded at last in securing the leaders, and no little curio-sity was evinced by the people outside to get a glimpse ofthese heroines.
BOOKS RECEIVED FOR REVIEW.A Lecture on the Nature, Causes, and Prevention of
Cholera. By J. M. S. Kennedy, M.D., Ashby-de-la-Zouch.1832. Hextall. 8vo. pp. 36.
British American Journal of Medical and Physical Science.September, 1848. Montreal: Bichet.
Rapport Addresse a M. le Deleque, du Gouvernement Pro-visoire, sur les Traitements Orthopediques de M.le Dr. JulesGuerin, a I’H6pital des Enfans, pendant les annees 1843-44-45.Par une Commission composee de MM. Blandin, P. Dubois,Jobert, Louis, Rayer, et Serres. President, M. Orfila. Paris:bureau de La Gazette Médicale. 1848. Folio. pp. 202.
Plain Directions for the Prevention and Treatment ofCholera. By Thomas Allen, M.R.C.S. Oxford: Vincent.London: Renshaw. Pamphlet. pp.40.
Report of the Secretary of the National PhilanthropicAssociation, of the Sanitary State of the Parish of SaintMartin-in-the-Fields. Renshaw. Pamphlet.
Observations on Hospital Gangrene, with Prefatory Re-marks, Cases, &c. By John Boggie, M.D., Surgeon to H.M.Forces. Edinburgh: Sutherland and Knox. London: High-ley. 1848. 8vo. pp.151.On Femoral Rupture, its Anatomy, Pathology, and Sur-
gery ; with a New Mode of Operating, applicable to Casesof Strangulated Hernia generally. With Plates. By JohnGay, F.R.C.S.E. &c. London : Highley. 1848. Royal 4to.pp.97.
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A Register of Cases of Cholera Professionally Attended.A Note-Book for the Practitioner. London: Smith, Long-acre. Small 8vo, bound in cloth.
Cholera Investigated. By F. Smith, Surgeon. London:Gibbs. 12mo.The Fifty-Second Report of the Friends’ Retreat, near
York. York: Linney. 1848.British and Foreign Medico-Chirurgical Review. No. IV.
October, 1848. London: Highley; J. Churchill.The Anglo-Jewish Magazine. A Monthly Journal. No. I.
Tishri,5609. October, 1848. London: Solomon Bevis Marks;Aylott and Jones, Paternoster-row. pp. 56.A Letter to Lord Morpeth &c., on the question-Is Cholera
Contagious, or Not ? By W. Reid, M.D. London: Highley.Edinburgh: Maclachlan and Stewart. Pamphlet. ’
Hints on the Probable Approach of Cholera. A Letteraddressed to the Mayor of Newcastle. By T. M. Greenhow,F.R.C.S.E. &c. Pamphlet. Newcastle: Charnley. 1848.The Nineteenth Annual Report of the Inspectors of the
Eastern State Penitentiary of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia.1848.
Cuvier’s Animal Kingdom. Part VII. London: Orr andCo. Large 8vo. (Cirrhopoda to Arachnida.)The Charleston Medical Journal and Review. Vol. III.
No. IV. July, 1848. Charleston, United States: Burges,James, and Paxton.
Lectures on the Diseases of Infancy and Childhood. ByCharles West, M.D. London : Longmans and Co. 1848.8vo. pp.488.On the Ganglionic System of Nerves. By C. Radclyft’e
Hall, M.D. &c. Pamphlet. pp. 77.Journal of Public Health for October, 1848.A Treatise on the Advantages and Necessity of Frequent
Bathing, with Drawings of the various Kinds of Baths. ByE. Perry, Wolverhampton. Pamphlet. 1848. Wolverhamp-ton : Price and Williams.Water Cure Journal. No. XIV.The Charleston Medical Journal and Review, (late Southern
Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy.) Vol. III. March,1848.No. 2, (bi-monthly.) Charleston, United States: Burges, James,and Paxton.
TO CORRESPONDENTS.Preparations of Cod-Liver Oil.-The best method of preparing cod-liver
oil consists in extracting the oil from the liver by means of heat andmoisture. For this purpose, the livers should be boiled in water, and theoil, as it collects, skimmed from the surface. After all the oil has sepa-rated, it should be purified by repeated filtration through flannel. The
livers yield, on an average, one-third of their weight of oil. The quality ofthe oil depends on the care with which the livers are selected, as to theirfreshness, &c.; and secondly, on the mode in which the filtration has beenperformed.
M.D., (Islington.)-It is deplorable indeed that, in the words of our cor-respondent, " the honoured name of Liston should be made use of by thefilthy quacks; and it makes one blush for the laws of the country." It is
preposterous that the present state of the law should be such, that thepublic have no remedy against the base and glaring impositions to which iquackery resorts.Americus.-Does our correspondent mean basalt or bay-salt?The request of Methodos shall be responded to as soon as we can afford
complete information on the subject.Both the communications of J/f. Cox have been received. They shall
’meet with the earliest insertion of which our arrangements will admit.We thank Mr. Camden for his note. We will refer to the advertisement
and the subject of it.We have seen the document signed "G. Bum," which is a tissue of mis-
representations from beginning to end. It was printed evidently for thepurpose of obtaining money from the credulous. As we have often stated,the bill was drawn by its promoter in parliament, and finally settled by Mr.Theobald, Barrister-at-law, of the Middle Temple.Mr. Hulbert.—It is uncertain, but we will make further inquiry.A Young Surgeon.-At the Government Emigration Office, 8, Park-street,
Westminster. It is of immense advantage to medical gentlemen who mayemigrate to possess a thorough knowledge ’of practical agriculture. The
fee-simple of a good estate may be purchased in Australia or New Zealandfor a sum which would only be equivalent to the rent and taxes paid for agood house in London for a single year. But the Australian colonies, how-ever well-suited for farmers and artizans, hold out little prospect of ad-vantage to medical practitioners, who are there, as in Great Britain, over-numerous, and many of whom have become farming or herding settlers in" the bush." The superintendence of an emigrant ship, if he can obtain it,would best suit the views of a young surgeon, and others like him.
Argus had better look again, and with all his eyes. There is much to be
unveiled that is wrong. The delinquent professors are receiving an appro-priate punishment.
A Stranger Student.—University College, we regret to state, has ceased tooffer any advantage as a school of practical surgery.L. H.-The circumstances are very peculiar, but a portion only of such
details is fit for publication.Our correspondent Britomart should forward the circulars which he
states have been issued by the practitioners whom he has named, and whoreside in his neighbourhood.The letter and extracts on cholera, of Alr. Arneciple, shall be published.
THE "CONFERENCE."I To the Editor of THE LANCET.
SIR,—When I became a member of the National Institute, I did so, (andI presume that most of the members did so too,) upon the understandingthat it was intended "to form. irrespective of the special colleges, an ill-stitution comprising within itself the entire range of medical and surgicalknowledge." So at least says the prospectus, with all the emphasis thatlarge type can give.But now, instead of this, it appears by the lately published report, that
Mr. Bird and Mr. Ancell, under pretence of representing this body, havebeen employed, together with the heads of the Special Colleges, in concoct.ing a joint-stock scheme of medical reform, and settling the terms of a mostdisgraceful compromise with the College of Surgeons, the functions ofwhich body, so far as the general practitioners are concerned, the Institutewas formed for the especial purpose of superseding.
Will you allow me, through the medium of your journal, to ask thesegentlemen, what authority they have for those proceedings, which, are indirect violation of the fundamental principle upon which the Institute wasbased.
Their answer will determine whether or not I shall again subscribe my-self, as I do now, Your obedient servant,September 2sth. A MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTE.A Junior Practitioner.—It is useless to appeal to the council of the
College of Surgeons in such a case. Obtain evidence which would amountto proof of the fact in a court of law, and then bring an action against theslanderer. It is likely that heavy damages would be given in such a case.
To the Editor ofTHi., LANCET.SIR,—Will you oblige me by solving the fol!owing queries?What is the number of candidates at present on the Medical Naval
List ?Did all on the list prior to the demand lately made in the North, (who
would accept of them) get appointments? and if not, why?Is it often the case that a surgeon sei ves for twenty years or so without
promotion?-I mean an assistaut surgeon. When such is the case, what isthe retiring allowance? I am, Sir, yours respectfully,
October, 1848. A CONSTANT READER.
*** We are not in possession of official information which would justifyus in giving replies to the questions asked in the above note. It is
probable, however, that the publication of the questions may have theeffect of supplying us with materials which may enable us to comply withthe request of our correspondent at a future period.-En. L.
A. B., (Sussex.)-Can a member of the College enforce payment of acharge for journeys? and if so, at what rate per mile? Yes; but there isno fixed charge per mile. The charge must be a reasonable one, and itmust be in conformity with the established custom of the neighbourhood.A Weekly Reader.-The pleximeter is used as a medium of percussion ; it
can be purchased at any surgical instrument maker’s, and its price is verytrifling.An old Subscriber asks-Is a person possessing only the diploma of the
College of Surgeons considered a legally - qualified medical practitioner, andeligible to the office of vaccinator under the poor-law commissioners ?-Yes.
ALDERSGATE-STREET SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.WINTER SESSION.
Anatomy: Mr. Chance, daily, except Saturday, at half-past Eight. Course,£5 5s.; unlimited, ;E7 7 7s.
Chemistry: Mr. Holmes, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday,athalf-past Ten. Course, aE5 5s.; unlimited, £7 7s.
Physiology: Mr. Holthouse, daily, except Saturday, at half-past Two.Course, £5 5s. ; unlimited, £7 7s.
Materia Medica: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, at half-past Three.Course, £4 4s.; unlimited, £5 5s.
Medicine: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, at half-past Three. Course,£4 4s.; unlimited, £6 6s.
MIdwifery: Dr. Cutlett, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, at Six. Course,£3 3s. ; unlimited, £5 5s.
Surgery : Mr. Smee, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, at Seven. Course,£3 3s.; unlimited, £5 5s.
SUMMER SESSION.
Botany: Dr. Arlidge. Course, £2 2s.; unlimited, £3 3s.Forensic Medicine. Course, £2 2s.; unlimited, .3 3s.Practical Chemistry. Course, £2 2s.Midwifery. Course. £2 2s.Coml arative Anatomy : Dr. Rayner and Mr. Pittard.
General Fee to all the Lectures and Hospital Practice required by theRoyal College of Surgeons and Society of Apothecaries, Fifty-five Guineas,or to the Lectures, without Hospital Practice, ThIrty Guineas.
Communications have been received from-Dr. Parkes; Mr. Edwin Lee;Mr. Dixon, (Norwich;) Mr. Todd, (Evenwood;) An Old Subscriber, (Lan-cashire;) Dr. G. Paterson, (Edinburgh,) Methodos; Mr. H. J. W. We1ch;
’ Sir James Murray, (Antrim Castle, Ireland;) Mr. O’Shea, (Lambeth;) Mr.Camden, (Hounslow;) Dr. Robert Lee; Dr. Aldis; Justitia; A WeeklyReader; A Member of the Institute; A Junior Practitioner, (Yorkshire;)Mr. Cuolahan; Dr. Parrish, (Philadelphia;) Mr. Cox, (Kennington;) Mr.Thomson, (Aberfeldy—two communications A Medical Pupil ; Mr. Izod,(Bewdley;) Mr. Moore, (Bourton-on-the-Water;) A Constant Reader;Querulus; Mr. Boyle, R. W. D.
! The Birmingham Journal of September 30th has been received. The
remark in the margin has not been lost upon us.The Carlow Sentinel of Sept. 23rd has also been received,
