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but cannot walk in his boots; and last of all, the regimentalsurgeon, who works him well, because lie has been treated thesame in his time. I have often and often heard the same con-

temptuous remarks of the medical department from grey-headedfield-officers down to privates, though not made of course per-sonal. I remember, standing on the right of a regiment paradedfor the general, hearing a few remarks between two soldiers,one an Irishman, who in his rich brogue answered the other.It was loud enough for me to hear, and gave me an idea of thesoldier’s opinion of medical officers in the army.A newly-fledged staff assistant-surgeon thought it evidently

of importance to show himself at the inspection in full uniform,and attracting notice, previous to the general’s appearancc,caused the following dialogue :-"Who is that, Jim?" "Faix,bad cess to me if I know ! Stop, its the staff-serjeant; no, itis not: he has no stripes on his trousers, and he has no facings.Faix, I dont know who the devil he is at all, at all! I tell

you, Tom, now who he is. Let me see. He has no feather inhis cocked-hat, and he has no stripes-no facings: that’s a dis-grace, mind; Tom." " And he has no sash." " I’ve got itnow; he’s what they called a staff-docthur, bekase they is notallowed to wear a driss like the officers. Sure, didn’t I hearthe serjeant say so the other day, when he was putting onhis sash? Here’s the gineral. Attention!" So stopt the re-marks.Now, Sir, I, as a gentleman, and the son of one, never for-

got this. Knowing the same feeling pervaded the service, Isaid inwardly to myself, if this is not altered I shall not longremain in such a humiliating position. Neither did I, Sir.The doctors since have got black facings, and a hearse’s feather;that is, they are marked for ridicule. I do not contend fordress; but if officers are worthy a position, give them a dressin which they will be respected. Soldiers look to it as a

criterion of rank: they know nothing of your medical posi-tion. Compare the difference between the commissariat de-partment : they take precedence in importance to the medicaldepartment. Ought it to be so ? Certainly not. One com-mences as a clerk in a public store; the other commencesas a gentleman by title and profession. The poor commissariatdo not get off scot free either, when attended to by executives:often they rejoice in the name of " porkers." Still the medicosrank beneath this.Now, Mr. Editor, I must not tire you; but I should like

to see the dress, the pay, and the position of the junior medicalofficers much improved. Men of money will join them, whichI know the department would like; but such men, I think,would stop but a short time if they had to undergo what Ihave seen. I speak feelingly myself. I always did myduty, and that is well known at the War-office; but I thinkit no harm to let others know what is in store for them.A medical officer is of great importance when there is any-

thing faulty that in a regiment can by hook or by crook bethrust upon him. Leave of absence after hard work he mustnever look for. The executive officer, after a general’s inspec-tion, can get any amount of leave.Another point certainly wants rectifying. It would appear

that the heads of the medical departments are so evidently dis-trustful of the juniors in their departments, that when thehalf yearly inspection of hospitals is made, you scarcely eveihear of the principal medical officer coming, till you walk intcyour hospital, and find the chief pulling your registers and diet.rolls over, to see if one-eighth of an ounce of tea agrees, or a

half-pint of milk is wrong. It savours of a bad style. If yorcall a man a gentleman, treat him as such, as the general doefthe officers of a regiment. Officers of the Queen’s medical department, that have served in India, speak feelingly upon thLpoint. The department wants revising : if there were a fevhonourables in it matters would change, but as it is at presentmedical men in private practice, I think, may fairly say it rnot worth going into. I hope the time may yet arrive whenthere will be great improvements. A commission has beesitting for some time past, but I fear the result.

I am, Sir, yours, &c.,September, 1857. M. D., A MEDICAL OFFICER wHo

HAS SEEN SERVICE.

AMONGST the Assessed Taxes cases determined by theJudges on Appeal in England, is one of interest to the medicalprofession. A surgeon, who kept two riding horses, claimedexemption for one of them as the surgeon of a regiment ofmilitia, and to pay for the other at 10s. 6d. only, under Rule 2of Schedule E, 16 and 17 Vict., c. 90; which was allowed bythe commissioners. It was decided that the commissionerswere right.

Medical News.ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS. - At the usual

quarterly meeting of the Comitia Majora, held on the 30thultimo, the following gentlemen having passed the necessaryexamination for the diploma, were admitted members of theCollege :-

DR. ANDREw SMITH, Thtirlow- square. _

DR. JAMES LEWIS SIORDET, Holles-street, Cavendish-sq.Also,

DR. FREDERICK J. BURGESS, Bishops Waltham;DR. WILLIAM FRAS. NooTT, Portsmouth; andDR. WILLTAM TIDMAS, Nottingham,

were admitted Extra-Licentiates.At the same Comitia,

DR. CAPE, Ciirzoii-street, Mayfair,was admitted a Fellow of the College.APOTHECARIES’ HALL. - Names of gentlemen who

passed their examination in the science and practice of Medi-cine, and received certificates to practise, on

Thursday, S’eptemben 24th, 1857.BAKER, THOMAS STEPHEN, Moreton-in-Marsh.ELT,IS, JAMES, Landport, Portsea.FLEISCHMAN, ALFRED, Leeds, Yorkshire.JOHNSON, BURDFTT, Somersham, Hants.MASON, THOMAS, Leominster, Hereford.NORTON, SELBY, West Malling, Kent.PRYTHERCH, JOHN, Llanerchymedd, Anglesea.SICCAMA, RrNSO ROBERT, Royal Navy.TURNEY, TIIOMAS HENRY, Halifax, Yorkshire.WILLIAMS, WILLIAM RUMSEY, Carnarvon, N. W.

THE OPHTHALMOLOGICAL CONGRESS AT BRUSSELS.-This Congress has just closed its labours, and the result of thisgreat gathering of ophthalmic surgeons is the accomplishmentof as much as might be expected of such meetings. The

governments of the principal states of Europe had sent militarymedical officers to the Congress, as questions of much import-ance to the health of the soldier were, according to the pro-spectus, to be discussed. We find that Dr. S. Roberts was thedelegate for England. The meetings were attended besides bya large number of medical men from various countries. In tLe

published list, we perceive the names of Mr. Bowman, Mr,Dixon, and Dr. Little. The chairman, M. Fallot, Presidentof the Academy of Medicine of Brussels, opened the Congressby an excellent speech, and the questions, divided into threeseries, were, by means of reports, successively brought beforethe general meetings. (See THE LANCET, Aug. 22nd, p. 209.)The delegates of the different nations also read papers on thenature and frequency of diseases of the eye in their respectivecountries, on the remedies used, on the institutions for diseasesof the eye, and the schools specially intended for the study ofophthalmology. Military purulent ophthalmia was one of theprincipal questions discussed, and much was elucidated, al-though it clearly appeared that some doubts still remain to becleared up touching some points of the pathology of the dis-ease. Various other subjects were brought before the meetings,amongst which we may name---the ophthalmoscope, whichnow stands by the side of the stethoscope and the speculum;the adaptation of the eye; the specificity of certain kinds ofophthalmia-(it is the opinion of the Congress that specific dis-eases of the eye should be combated both by a specific generaltreatment and local applications); the practice of completelysecluding the palpebrae (which was condemned); the utility ofspecial institutions for the treatment of diseases of the eye(which was fully recognised), &c., &c. A general wish for thefoundation of ophthalmological chairs in all the faculties ofmedicine was expressed. Papers of some importance wereread: amongst these we may mention one by M. Grafe, ofBerlin, in which he brought forward new views respectingglaucoma; another by M. Serre d’Uzs, on phosphenes, &c., &c.Many objects of great interest were exhibited. M. VonAmmon, of Dresden, showed a collection of illustrations ofdiseases of the eye, as yet unpublished, which is highly spokenof; M. Testelin presented a preparation of the conjunctiva,which proves that this membrane is really continuous over thecornea. At the Brussels Ophthalmic Hospital, M. Donders, ofUtrecht, and De Grafe, were, by the staff of the institution,allowed to illustrate the use of the various modifications of theophthalmoscope made by Messrs. Patz and Flohr, of Berlin.M. Boissonneau exhibited his artificial eves. which have

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reached so high a perfection; they were much admired, andbrought upon the maker the greatest encomiums; and M.Bonnels, of Brussels, presented a complete collection of all theinstruments used in operative ophthalmic surgery. On the

following subject there was but one opinion-viz., that the im-provement of any special branch of medical science, and ofophthalmology in particular, requires special and perseveringstudies; but that all those who devote themselves to this sub.division of our art should, beforehand, be practical men in thewhole range both of medicine and surgery.THE NEW ACT ON THE THAMES CONSERVANCY.—On

Tuesday last, the new Act an the Thames Conservancy cameinto operation. Twelve conservators are appointed, who havethe regulation, management, and improvement of the riverThames. There are 181 clauses in the Act, and several formsto be used. Amongst the provisions, there are several on theriver Thames. There is one to empower the conservators todredge, cleanse, and scour the river Thames, as also others toprevent rubbish being thrown into the river under a penalty of£20. The conservators are to be the Lord Mayor, two alder-men, and four common councilmen, with others, to be ap’pointed. The conservators are empowered to raise £100,000for the purposes of the Act by way of mortgage and anlluities.One-third of the receipts is to be paid to the Woods and Forests,and the remainder for the purposes of the Act.

INTERESTING CASE OF TRANSFUSION OF BLOOD.--Thisoperation was successfully performed on the 16th September,by Mr. Wheateroft surgeon, of Cannock, Staffordshire, on theperson of a woman named Wood, residing there. Immediatelyafter her accouchement fearful haemorrhage set in, dmining thewoman of blood. She felt herself dying, and summoned herhusband to her bedside, bid him "Good bye," and earnestlyrequested him to take care of the children when she was nomore. She ’then became pulseless and gasping, occasionalbreathing being the only indication of life. A vein was openedin her arm, and one in the arm of her husband, and as theblood flowed from the latter it was transmitted by suitableapparatus into the veins of the wife. After seventeen ounceshad been thus injected the pulse became perceptible, thecolonrless lips reddened, the glassy eyes brightened, and shethankfully said, " I am better." The case has progressed veryfavourably, and the woman is recovering. THE MAIN DRAINAGE SCHEME OF THE METROPOLIS.-

At the sitting of the Metropolitan Board of Works, on the 25thSeptember, a letter was read from Sir B. Hall, the Chief Com-missioner of Works, enclosing the report and appendices ofCaptain Galton and the other referees, to whom the plan ofthe Metropolitan Board of Works had been submitted for theiropinion to be given thereon. The referees have reported thatthe plan proposed will not meet all the requirements of themetropolis. Sir B. Hall has adopted that opinion, and sentthe whole of the plans and documents to the MetropolitanBoard, requesting them to fix an early day for taking the I

report into consideration; and, adopting the point of outfallselected by Captain Burstall, below Erith, he requests theboard to consider all the details of the plan with that amountof care and attention which is due to the opinions and plans ofthe eminent engineers to whom he had referred the question.The board has fixed Wednesday, the 7th October, for takingthe report into consideration, but as that is the day appointedfor the National Fast, some other time will be required to befixed.

THE INDIAN MUTINY.-The following is an extractfrom a letter from the medical officer in charge of the Goorkha.force marching towards Lucknow. Major Ho’mes accompaniedthe writer for two or three days from Segowlic, and was mur-dered the day after his return..;, -:.

" Goorkha Camp, Kurowna, July 20th.Here we are, and I am well, and that is about all I can

say. We have had a terrible outbreak of cholera; many hun-dreds of cases, and vast numbers of deaths. I have had no

help, almost no medicines, and no hospitals; the men lie onthe wet ground ; they have almost no covering, no proper food,and no attendance at all. This is an out of the way place,thirty miles from Goruckpore and sixteen from the river Gun-duck, which was an obstacle of four days to our march. Theelephants swam over, but the river was three and n half Tnileswide, running a torrent, and we had only twenty-five boatsfor all the men and baggage,-6000 men (’000 soldiers and3000 camp followers), 4.50 carts, with 900 bullocks and 250horses. I don’t believe we are destined to see any active ser-vice. I think they never will be mad enough to trust such -a

set of barbarians in the field. They will do thp work of de.stroying villages and settling disturbed districts well enough.They suffer much from the heat; quite as much as we do.They march with umbrellas, and often with fans. They haveno notion of keeping together, and are the dirtiest set I eversaw in my life. They eat ravenously, and their food is un-cooked, or nearly so. They take no care or notice of theirsick, 400 of whom we had to leave on the other side of theriver. We are living (three of us) in tents, amid hordes of allkinds of vagabonds; but externally, at least, all is quiet abouthere, and the name of these Goorkhas may possibly do a gooddeal. "

HEALTH OF LONDON DURING THE WELK ENDINGSEPTEMBER 26TH. --The total number of deaths registered inLondon in the week that ended on Saturday, Sept. 26th, is1002, being an increase on that of the previous week, whichwas 946. Diarrhoea is now fast subsiding to its ordinary weeklyamount. In the two previous weeks the deaths from it were144 and 111 ; last week they were 83. Dysentery was fatal to7 persons, and cholera to 3 (the latter being adults). Next todiarrhoea., the most fatal in the zymotic class of diseases istyphus (with common fever) which carried of 52 persons; then

searlatina, of which 34 children died. Thirteen children died’of inanition and want of breast-milk ; two persons of intempe.rance.

Births, Marriages, and Deaths.BIRTHS.

On the 8th ult., at Mount-place, London Hospital, the wifeof Emanuel May, Esq., M. R. C. S. and L.A.C., of a son.On the 25th ult.., at Westbourne-park Villas, the wife of Dr.

Albert J. Bernays, of a son.

MARRIAGES.

On the 15th ult., at the parish church, Wedensbury, Stafford-shire, Herbert Eady Proctor, Esq., M.R.C.S., eldest son ofS. C. Proctor, Esq., of Evenloy, Northamptonshire, to Mary,youngest daughter of C. Loxton, Esq., of the former place.On the 17th ult., at St. Mary’s Church, Horncastle, Lincoln-

shire, Richard George Horton, Esq., M.R.C.S., of Meanwood,Leeds, to Elizabeth, fourth daughter of the late John Fawssett,M. D., of Horncastle.Ou the 18th ult., at Kenilworth, John Clanke, Esq.,

M.R.C.S., to Eliza., youngest daughter of the late John

Graspon, Esq., of Dowdsby, Lincolnshire.On the 22nd ult., at Shabbington, Bucl:s, James Torry

Hester, Esq., iNI.P,.C.S., of Oxford, to Ellen, youngest daughterof the late Benjamin Morla,nd, Esq.

DEATHS.

Killed, on the 31st May, at Bareiliy, John Macdowall Hay,M.D., Civil Surgeon of that station, younger son of the lateJohn Hay, Esq., Madras Medical Service.On the 19th ult. at Ball’s-pond-road, ls1ingtoD, G. B. Dray-

ton, Esq., surgeon, formerly of Gloucester, in his 74th year.On the 23rd ult., at Osnaburgh-street, Regent’s-park, the

wife of Dr. Mahon, surgeon R.N., F,R.C.S.E.On the 28th ult., at York, George Home, Esq., Staff-Sur-

geon.

TERMS F O R A D V E R TIS I N G.

TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION TO "THE LANCET."

Post-offlce Orders to be addressed to THOMAS PALMER LOWELL, THE LANCETOffice, ’423, Strand, London, and made payable to him at the Strand Post office.