616 good arrangements carried out in all the hospitals, conciliating manner, and attention paid to the wants of the sick. Cholera and scurvy, to a great extent, were amongst the diseases they had to cope with at different periods; but when the force was handed back again to the Sultan after the war, there never was a healthier or more contented body of soldiers, numbering some 20,000 or more men. When on the eve of the force being broken up, and all the officers permitted to return to England, Major-General Michell, then in command, and now I hear at the Cape of Good Hope, called for a return of the names of those medical officers who were considered most eligible for any order or decoration that might be given to their military brethren. You would natu- rally imagine after this, that the names of both the mili- tary and medical officers would have been sent in to the War Department together. Not so with the names of the military, they were sent, but the medical department were excluded; and, I am informed, it was by the merest chance the concealed omission came to the notice of either the inspector-general, Dr. M’Phurson, of the Madras army, or Dr. J. Vaughan, of the Bombay army, the deputy-inspector ; when the case was brought before the Minister for War, who rectified the omis- sion-if it might be called by such a mild term. Remarks on the above facts are needless. It is to be hoped that there are but a very few commanding officers remaining in our army who would not wish to see the medical officer re- ceive like honours with his military brother. I remain, Sir, your obedient servant. December, 1857. ______________ SENEX. SPECIAL HOSPITALS AND THEIR ABUSES. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,-It would be well if you would reprint the following paragraph from your last number frequently, in order that it may be constantly borne in mind :- " Some figures emanating from a committee on Beneficent Institutions of the Statistical Society may well set us thinking upon the difficulty of defining the limit between useful and well-meant charity, and an ill-coizeeived prodigality which apes the name of Benevolence. From a series of complete returns from all the dispensaries and hospitals in London, we learn that upwards of £1,000,000 of money is spent in the metropolis in the bestowal of medical aid, and that nearly 700,000 persons- one-tenth of the whole populatson-receive medical service for which they do not pay. Here is a gigantic abuse. It is not possible that one-tenth of the population are entitled to this gratuitous service. Ill-directed charity becomes injustice here. It is a double-edged evil: it wrongs the medical man; it injures those who improperly lean upon his kindly staff, by giving birth in them to an improvident spirit of dependence." The "gigantic abuse" here alluded to is the curse of the profession. But who is to blame for it ? Why, the profession itself. Only look at the list of some of the hospitals and dis- pensaries which have been founded in the metropolis during the last few years. We well know, that to benefit themselves at the expense of others, many of the founders of these insti- tutions have not hesitated to inflict a most serious injury upon the whole body of London medical men. And even you, Sir, usually the champion of progress, aid the selfishness of these men by advertising the growth of embryo hospitals. If you would really assist the great body of physicians and surgeons, you will expose this monster evil, and check its career ere we are swamped by it. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, December, 1857. A HATER OF SHAMS. HOSPITAL REFORM. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,—Your correspondent "Juvenis," to judge from his letter, is evidently very young. From the commencement, he labours under a misconception, and, as could only be expected, his remarks fall far wide and very short of the subject. It was not intended that a senior resident surgeon should undertake the ordinary work of a house-surgeon; his position would rather be that of a supernumerary—in fact, the loc?,6?;t tenens of the surgical staff in general. "Juvenis" does not seem to think a compound fracture of the thigh can call for the opinion of one of the surgeons: if he will read the report of a case lately published in one of your contemporaries, he will derive instruction on the subject, more especially as it is a case in point. He may not be aware that compound fracture of the lower extremity, in any part, involves the question of amputation. The idea o: a man taking such an appointment as that proposed for the sake of a livelihood, and particularly if a " disappointed man," as your correspondent suggests, is sufficiently absurd. Comparatively few would be fitted for the discharge o the onerous. and responsible duties, and none but those wh{ follow their profession for something more than lucre would bE worthy of the post. One who could ably fill the situation would he well content with the advantages it must afford in the way of practice, and he could not fail eventually to react a still higher position. I should not have troubled you with another note on the subject, but it seemed called for, lest others, like " Juvenis," mistake the original meaning. After all, considering the eminently conservative feeling of the old London hospitals, I scarcely expect this startling measure of reform is soon likely to be introduced; nevertheless, there can be no harm in venti. lating the idea in your columns. I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, AN ADMIRER OF A FREE December, 1857. CONSTITUTION. Medical News. RoYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS.—The following gentle- men, having undergone the necessary examinations for the Diploma, were admitted members of the College at the meet- ing of the Court of Examiners on the 4th inst. :- ANGUS, JAMES ACWORTH, Newcastle. BowFR, WILLIAM ELIOT, Nantwich, Cheshire. COOPER, VINCENT MoRTON, Bow-road. CROUCHER, ALEX. RICHARD, Shadwell. EVEREST, GEORGE JOHN, Cork. FLEURY, CHARLES ROBERT, Passage, co. Waterford. GRANGER, WM. SLOCOMBE, Bradford, Yeovil, Somerset. HILLMAN, WILLIAM, Army. HOLMES, JOHN, Chesterfield. HOWARD, JOHN SIMPSON, Madras. LAND, JOHN FULLARTON, Patrington, near Hull. LEET, CHARLES HENRY, Army. PEMBERTON, JOHN M’LEOD, H.E.I. Co.’s Service. At the same meeting of the Court, Mr. EDWARD HIGGON EvANS, of the Naval Hospital, Plymouth, passed his examina- tion for Naval Surgeon. This gentleman had previously been admitted a member of the College, his diploma bearing date January 23rd, 1851. THE FELLOWSHIP.—The following gentlemen have just passed the preliminary examination (in Classics, Mathematics, and French) for the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons:- ’ BROWNE, JAMES HERBERT, West-street, Brighton. LEE, FRED. FAWSON, Charles-street, Trevor-square. MASON, FRANCIS, Bedford-place. WALFORD, WALTER GILSON, Cambridge. APOTHECARIES’ HALL. — Names of gentlemen who passed their examination in the science and practice of Medi- cine, and received certificates to practise, on T7tursday, December 3rd, 1857. Dow, JOHN, St. Martin’s-le-Grand. MAY, JOHN, Gerranarworthal. TUNMER, JAS. ROBERT, Ipswich. ROYAL MEDICAL BENEVOLENT COLLEGE.—A general meeting of the governors of this institution took place on Friday, the 4th instant, Henry Pownall, Esq., in the chair, when the following resolutions were passed :- Moved by Mr. Propert, and seconded by Mr. Ray- " That the following words be substituted for the last para- graph but one in the 15th bye-law:-‘A governor who has one vote or more may at all elections use such vote or votes for as many candidates as there are vacancies to be filled up, and those votes may be divided at pleasure or accumulated on any one candidate, provided they do not exceed the number to which the governor is entitled according to the vacancies de- clared. ’ " Moved by Mr. Chas. Hogg, and seconded by Mr. Fincham- " That the following words be omitted from the i5th bye- law:-‘ All new subscriptions must be paid one month before the election, in order to entitle governors to vote.’ " Moved by Sir John Forbes, and seconded by Mr. Webb- That the following words be added to the 13th bye-law:-
Transcript
616
good arrangements carried out in all the hospitals, conciliatingmanner, and attention paid to the wants of the sick. Choleraand scurvy, to a great extent, were amongst the diseases theyhad to cope with at different periods; but when the force washanded back again to the Sultan after the war, there never wasa healthier or more contented body of soldiers, numberingsome 20,000 or more men.When on the eve of the force being broken up, and all the
officers permitted to return to England, Major-General Michell,then in command, and now I hear at the Cape of Good Hope,called for a return of the names of those medical officers whowere considered most eligible for any order or decoration thatmight be given to their military brethren. You would natu-rally imagine after this, that the names of both the mili-tary and medical officers would have been sent in to the WarDepartment together. Not so with the names of the military,they were sent, but the medical department were excluded;and, I am informed, it was by the merest chance the concealedomission came to the notice of either the inspector-general, Dr.M’Phurson, of the Madras army, or Dr. J. Vaughan, of theBombay army, the deputy-inspector ; when the case was
brought before the Minister for War, who rectified the omis-sion-if it might be called by such a mild term.Remarks on the above facts are needless. It is to be hoped
that there are but a very few commanding officers remainingin our army who would not wish to see the medical officer re-ceive like honours with his military brother.
I remain, Sir, your obedient servant.December, 1857.
______________
SENEX.
SPECIAL HOSPITALS AND THEIR ABUSES.To the Editor of THE LANCET.
SIR,-It would be well if you would reprint the followingparagraph from your last number frequently, in order that it
may be constantly borne in mind :-" Some figures emanating from a committee on Beneficent
Institutions of the Statistical Society may well set us thinkingupon the difficulty of defining the limit between useful andwell-meant charity, and an ill-coizeeived prodigality which apesthe name of Benevolence. From a series of complete returnsfrom all the dispensaries and hospitals in London, we learn thatupwards of £1,000,000 of money is spent in the metropolis inthe bestowal of medical aid, and that nearly 700,000 persons-one-tenth of the whole populatson-receive medical service forwhich they do not pay. Here is a gigantic abuse. It is not
possible that one-tenth of the population are entitled to thisgratuitous service. Ill-directed charity becomes injustice here.It is a double-edged evil: it wrongs the medical man; it injuresthose who improperly lean upon his kindly staff, by givingbirth in them to an improvident spirit of dependence."
The "gigantic abuse" here alluded to is the curse of the
profession. But who is to blame for it ? Why, the professionitself. Only look at the list of some of the hospitals and dis-pensaries which have been founded in the metropolis duringthe last few years. We well know, that to benefit themselvesat the expense of others, many of the founders of these insti-tutions have not hesitated to inflict a most serious injury uponthe whole body of London medical men. And even you, Sir,usually the champion of progress, aid the selfishness of thesemen by advertising the growth of embryo hospitals. If youwould really assist the great body of physicians and surgeons,you will expose this monster evil, and check its career ere weare swamped by it. I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
December, 1857. A HATER OF SHAMS.
HOSPITAL REFORM.To the Editor of THE LANCET.
SIR,—Your correspondent "Juvenis," to judge from hisletter, is evidently very young. From the commencement, helabours under a misconception, and, as could only be expected,his remarks fall far wide and very short of the subject. It wasnot intended that a senior resident surgeon should undertakethe ordinary work of a house-surgeon; his position would ratherbe that of a supernumerary—in fact, the loc?,6?;t tenens of thesurgical staff in general.
"Juvenis" does not seem to think a compound fracture ofthe thigh can call for the opinion of one of the surgeons: if hewill read the report of a case lately published in one of yourcontemporaries, he will derive instruction on the subject,more especially as it is a case in point. He may not beaware that compound fracture of the lower extremity, in
any part, involves the question of amputation. The idea o:a man taking such an appointment as that proposed for the
sake of a livelihood, and particularly if a " disappointedman," as your correspondent suggests, is sufficiently absurd.Comparatively few would be fitted for the discharge othe onerous. and responsible duties, and none but those wh{follow their profession for something more than lucre would bEworthy of the post. One who could ably fill the situationwould he well content with the advantages it must afford inthe way of practice, and he could not fail eventually to reacta still higher position.
I should not have troubled you with another note on thesubject, but it seemed called for, lest others, like " Juvenis,"mistake the original meaning. After all, considering the
eminently conservative feeling of the old London hospitals, Iscarcely expect this startling measure of reform is soon likelyto be introduced; nevertheless, there can be no harm in venti.lating the idea in your columns.
I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,AN ADMIRER OF A FREE
December, 1857. CONSTITUTION. -
Medical News.RoYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS.—The following gentle-
men, having undergone the necessary examinations for theDiploma, were admitted members of the College at the meet-ing of the Court of Examiners on the 4th inst. :-
ANGUS, JAMES ACWORTH, Newcastle.BowFR, WILLIAM ELIOT, Nantwich, Cheshire.COOPER, VINCENT MoRTON, Bow-road.CROUCHER, ALEX. RICHARD, Shadwell.EVEREST, GEORGE JOHN, Cork.FLEURY, CHARLES ROBERT, Passage, co. Waterford.GRANGER, WM. SLOCOMBE, Bradford, Yeovil, Somerset.HILLMAN, WILLIAM, Army.HOLMES, JOHN, Chesterfield.HOWARD, JOHN SIMPSON, Madras.LAND, JOHN FULLARTON, Patrington, near Hull.LEET, CHARLES HENRY, Army.PEMBERTON, JOHN M’LEOD, H.E.I. Co.’s Service.
At the same meeting of the Court, Mr. EDWARD HIGGONEvANS, of the Naval Hospital, Plymouth, passed his examina-tion for Naval Surgeon. This gentleman had previously beenadmitted a member of the College, his diploma bearing dateJanuary 23rd, 1851.THE FELLOWSHIP.—The following gentlemen have just passed
the preliminary examination (in Classics, Mathematics, andFrench) for the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons:-
’ BROWNE, JAMES HERBERT, West-street, Brighton.LEE, FRED. FAWSON, Charles-street, Trevor-square.MASON, FRANCIS, Bedford-place.WALFORD, WALTER GILSON, Cambridge.
APOTHECARIES’ HALL. — Names of gentlemen whopassed their examination in the science and practice of Medi-cine, and received certificates to practise, on
T7tursday, December 3rd, 1857.Dow, JOHN, St. Martin’s-le-Grand.MAY, JOHN, Gerranarworthal.TUNMER, JAS. ROBERT, Ipswich.
ROYAL MEDICAL BENEVOLENT COLLEGE.—A generalmeeting of the governors of this institution took place onFriday, the 4th instant, Henry Pownall, Esq., in the chair,when the following resolutions were passed :-Moved by Mr. Propert, and seconded by Mr. Ray-" That the following words be substituted for the last para-
graph but one in the 15th bye-law:-‘A governor who hasone vote or more may at all elections use such vote or votesfor as many candidates as there are vacancies to be filled up,and those votes may be divided at pleasure or accumulated onany one candidate, provided they do not exceed the number towhich the governor is entitled according to the vacancies de-clared. ’ "
Moved by Mr. Chas. Hogg, and seconded by Mr. Fincham-" That the following words be omitted from the i5th bye-
law:-‘ All new subscriptions must be paid one month beforethe election, in order to entitle governors to vote.’ "Moved by Sir John Forbes, and seconded by Mr. Webb-That the following words be added to the 13th bye-law:-
617
’After the election of a pensioner, and before admission, a cer-tificate must be given by two householders, that, in the case ofthe decease’ of the pensioner, they, or either of them, will bebound to bury the deceased, or guarantee the burial expenses."’Moved by Mr. Jonson, and seconded by Major Milles-"That the following words be added to the 16th bye-law :-
‘Each pensioner must take up his or her residence within twomonths after his or her election, unless for reasons approved bythe council; otherwise the election of such pensioner will be-come void.’ "
A vote of thanks to the chairman was then moved by Mr.Propert, and carried unanimously.GLASGOw SOUTHERN MEDICAL SOCIETY.—At the annual
meeting of this Society, held on the 3rd inst., the followinggentlemen were elected office-bearers:—President, Mr. DavidTindal; Vice- President, Mr. Andrew Macfarlan; Treasurer,Dr. Robert Parker; Secretary, Mr. Bryce Rankin; Seal-keeper,Mr. John Burns; Court Medical, Drs. Howatt (convener), J.Stewart, Lonergan, and J. Morton.PUBLIC HEALTH IN VIENNA.—Dysentery and cholerine
are now endemic in Vienna, and foreign medical men areinclined to attribute the prevalence of such complaints to the"abuse of water." Their meaning probably is, that theAustrians would do well to use more water externally, and lessinternally.—Times’ Co2-respondeizt.DEATH OF AN INFANT FROM OVER-FEEDING.—On Thurs-
dayweek an inquest was held at Brighton on a female child, agedthree months, who had been unwell for several days, and onthe preceding evening displayed some alarming symptoms,which induced the father to go for Mr. Tuke, a neighbouringsurgeon. Being in a confused state, the father gave a wrongaddress, and Mr. Tuke went wandering about in vain. Find-ing the surgeon did not come, the father went for Mr. Verrall,hut before he arrived the child was dead. Mr. Verrall ascer-tained that, in addition to the breast-milk, three cups of arrowrootand some milk-and-water had been given to the child, and heattributed death to the fact of the stomach being unable torelieve itself of the mass. Verdict, " Died of natural causes."
CARBONIC-ACID-GAS DOUCHES. - M. Fordos, chiefpharmacien of the St. Antoine Hospital, in Paris, has just pre-sented to the Academy of Medicine a very simple apparatus,by the aid of which carbonic acid gas may be projected againstregions affected with pain, as the uterus, the rectum, &c. Itis composed of a bottle stopped by a tube; in the latter, frag-ments of marble and bits of stone are placed. To this tube isattached an elastic one ending in a canula, and into the bottlecrystals of tartaric acid, bicarbonate of soda, and water areintroduced. The gas escapes from the bottle and enters thetube, where it is purified by the marble and the sponge, andmay be directed towards any part. To complete the sedativeeffect, chloroform may be poured on the bits of sponge, and theaffected region is then douched with a combination of chloroformand carbonic acid gas. Messrs. Aran and Follin, physicians ofthe St. Antoine Hospital, have found the apparatus extremelyuseful.
THE YELLOW FEVER AT LISBON.—The number of casesfrom the outbreak of the epidemic to the end of October hasbeen 7177, and the deaths 2215. The hospitals set aside foryellow-fever patients have received 3068 individuals, 2449 menand 619 women. The deaths amongst the former were 811,and amongst the latter 188. The relative proportion of thegeneral mortality has been 1 in every 3 ’24, and of the mortalityof the five hospitals 1 in every 3. The epidemic is on thedecrease.
THE BIBLIOTTIEQUE JUSSIEU.—Scientinc men will hearwith some interest and much regret, that the valuable libraryof the De Jussieu’s is about to be brought to the hammer.this valuable collection includes a series of important manu-scripts in science, natural history, and medicine, as well as anassemblage of the most precious works on these subjects. Itis a collection which will lose much of its value by being scat-tered ; and it were much to be wished that it might be rescuedfrom its fate by Government interference.SUDDEN DEATH OF A SURGEON.—On the 3rd instant,
Mr. Whiston held an inquest on Mr. John Hill, surgeon, ofSt. Alkmund’s Church-yard, Derby, who was found dead inhis bed at nine o’clock that morning, having retired to reston the previous night in his usual health. Mr. Hamilton,surgeon, was called in, and gave his opinion that disease of theheart was the primary cause, but that suffocation was the im-
mediate cause of death. The jury returned a verdict in accord-ance with the facts.EXERTIONS IN FRANCE FOR ERECTING A STATUE TO
JENNER.—It would appear that the opposition lately offered tothe favourable opinion held respecting vaccination by medicalmen and the public, has roused the admirers of Jenner toaction, in this country and abroad. A subscription has beenin progress in France since the 5th of June, for the purpose ofraising a statue to our countryman in the most appropriatespot of the half-English city of Boulogne. Remittances are tobe addressed to M. Gossart, notary, Rue St. Honore 217, Paris;and the following eminent members of our profession haveagreed to act as honorary members of the committee :—Messrs.Dumeril and Serres, presidents; Messrs. Barthez, Begin,Berard, Boyer, Cloquet, Danyau, Davenne, Dubois, GeoffroySt. Hilaire, Jobert, Louis, Nelaton.OUTRAGE ON A MEDICAL MAN.—An atrocious outrage
was perpetrated on Saturday night, at Bushy-park Retreat,near Limerick, upon the person of Dr. Peppard, proprietor of
. the private lunatic asylum in that locality. As the doctor was’ driving home from Limerick, accompanied by his three
daughters, he was violently assaulted by two men, who dragged’ him from the car in which he was seated, and beat him with’ their guns in a most brutal manner, not desisting until they’
thought him dead, notwithstanding the shrieks and entreatiesof the young ladies. One of the keepers recently dischargedfrom Dr. Peppard’s asylum has been arrested.MEDICAL BEQUESTS. -Thomas Wilkinson. Esq., of
Kensington, West Derby, Lancaster, has made the followingbequests to charitable institutions in Liverpool :--Royal In-firmary and Lunatic Asylum, Northern and Southern Dis-
A COUNTERBLAST FOR PUFFING.(To be committed to Memory.)
My son, each rogue eschewOf the advertising pack.
He’s generally a Jew,Invariably a quack.
Punch.
PUBLIC MEDICAL SERVICE.—Dr. Alexander Armstrong,who was surgeon of her Majesty’s ship Investigator at the dis-covery of the north-west passage, and Mr. Charles Steel,who has recently been appointed staff-surgeon to the Ports-mouth division of Royal Marine Light Infantry, have beenawarded Sir Gilbert Blane’s gold medal, conferred once inthree years on the surgeon in the royal navy whose medicaland scientific journal during a ship’s commission shall be ad-judged of the highest merit.
JURIDICAL SOCIETY.-At the meeting to be held onthe 14th inst., at eight P.M., the Hon. Vice-Chancellor Sir J.Stuart, President of the Society, in the chair, Forbes Winslow,M.D., D.C.L., will read a paper on "The Legxl Doctrine ofResponsibility in Cases of Insanity connected with allegedCriminal Acts."THE authorities at the War-office have it in comtem-
plation to send a large body of stewards, wardmasters, andorderlies of the Medical Staff Corps to Alexandria, for the pur-pose of being employed in the transit of the troops overland toIndia.THE Genoese journals announce the death of the eminent
naturalist, the Marquis Maximilian Spinola.ROYAL INSTITUTION.—At the general monthly meeting
on the 7th inst., W. Pole, Esq., M.A., F.R,.S., in the chair,C. Brooke, Esq., F.R.S., was duly elected a member, and Dr.Neil Arnott, F. R. S., admitted as member.DR. LIVINGSTONE.—The last advices from Lisbon con-
vey so fearful a representation of the ravages of the epidemicthere, that Dr. Livingstone has thought it right to postponehis visit to that capital. He has not embarked on board theTarfus, according to his announced intention, but will proceedthither as soon as may be thought prudent. The object of hisvisit to that city is understood to be for the purpose of consult-ing with the Portuguese government, through whose terri-tories on the eastern coast of Africa the great traveller purposespassing to reach the heart of the great African continent topursue his magnificent discoveries there, and to open CentralAfrica to Europe through the great river Zambesi, which passesthrough the Portuguese possessions, and empties itself in theMozambique Channel.
618
MEDICAL DIARY OF THE WEEK.
MONDAY, DEC. 14 ....
TUESDAY, DEC. 15.....
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 16
THURSDAY, DEc. 17 ...
FRIDAY, DEC. 18 .........
SATURDAY, DEC. 19 ...
ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1½ P.M.MExaoroLITdN FREE HOSPITAL. - Operations,
JURIDICAL SOCIETY.—8 P.M. Dr. Forbes Winslow,"On the Legal Doctrine of Responsibility in! Cases of Insanity, connected with alleged Cri-L minal Acts."
(’GuTr’s HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1 P.M.
.. WESTMINSTER HOSPITAL.—2 P.M.PATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.-8 P.M.ST. MARY’S HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1 p.x.UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL. - Operations,
- { Operations, 1 P.M.’ LONDON HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1½ P.M.KING’S COLLEGE MEDICAL SOCIETY. - 8 P.M.Dr. Whitford, "On the Uses and Effects of
ST. THOMAS’S HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1 P.M.ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1½
P.M.
KING’S COLLEGE HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.M.MEDICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.-8 P.M.
To Correspondents.Mr. H. Hamilton.—Unless there is an arrangement to the contrary, the fees
should be paid by the guardians. In order, however, to prevent mistakesand misunderstandings, the district vaccinator should confine himself to thevaccination of children within his own district.
Mr. J. Wearne, (Hilston.)-There have been established several deodoriza-tion companies. One used peat, another peat-charcoal, whilst others usedvarious metallic salts, for removal of odours. None have simply used theashes of peat.
H. M., a Subscriber to THE LANCET, should, if resident in the neighbourhood,make inquiries respecting the person named in his note.
J. H. B., (Blackman-street.)—1. It might be effected by proper arrangement.- 2, About £150.
Studens writes on Prostitution from a very imperfect knowledge of it I-Ieshould read Mr. Acton’s work on the subject.
TREATMENT Of CARBUNCLE.To the Editor of THE LANCET.
SIR,—I see from the report of the proceedings of the Medical Society ofLondon, published in your journal of Nov. 21st, that the members’ views ofthe nature of carbuncle are quite different from those held by Professor Syme,of Edinburgh. He is quite against the tonic or stimulating plan of treatment,and restricts his patients, I believe, to bread and milk-at least during theviolence of the disease.Might I ask (as an old Edinburgh student, and one having a good deal of
confidence in Professor Syme’s opinion) what is thought of this practice inEngland ? I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,North Dispensary, Liverpool, Dec. 1857. M.R.C.S.E.
A Physician.—Dr. Conolly’s Lectures on Insanity and the Construction ofInsane Hospitals" have been published in THE LANCET. Sir A. Morison’swork on the "Physiognomy of Mental Diseases" was not, we believe, a verysuccessful publication.
Mr. H. S. Stuart, (Isle of Man.)-We regret that we have not space for ourcorrespondent’s communication.
A,n Old Subscriber.-Yes, the paragraph referred to the person named. He isa notorious and unscrupulous quack.
B. M. G.—1. Neligan and Wilson.—2. Yes.-3. No.
SMALL-POX IN AUSTRALIA.To the Editor of THE LANCET.
SIR—It is stated by the late Dr. Gregory, in his work on the "EruptiveFevers," (published in 1843,) that small-pox is unknown in Australia and VanDieman’s Land. Can you or any of your correspondents intbrm me whether,in spite of our vastly increased relations and more rapid communications withthese countries, Dr. Gregory’s statement holds good ?
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,Edinburgh, December, 1857.
- _. F.R.C.P.E.
Alpha.-The fees in criminal courts are regulated by Act of Parliament. Forattendance daily, one guinea, with travelling and other reasonable expenses,
- during the actual attendance of the witness on his subpoena. In the civilcourts the fees vary from one guinea to two or more, according to circum.
3’ stances. Fees are recoverable at law.
2 M.R.C.S.—Why is the communication anonymous ? The name of our corre-
spondent must be furnished in confidence, and a report of the trial sentto us.
Hippocrates.—The question requires consideration.M.D.-We have received several letters on the proposed Hospital at Bays.
water, all condemnatory of the projected institution.A. Z.-Dr. Marris Wilson’s papers on the subject, lately published in thisjournal.
M. R. D.—We know nothing of the fellow beyond his beastly advertisements.
DOEs PERFUMERY CAVSB HYSTERIA?’ To the Editor qf TIEEE LANCET.
SIR,—I trespass on your valuable space to ask the above query, in order thatthe matter may be settled once for all. I am acquainted with three gentlemen,
who experience hysterical fits immediately on smelling cinnamon and itsessential oil. In France, the medical profession recommend that pomatumsshould never be scented, believing that they give rise to hysteria andneuralgia! It is an uncontested fact, that the encouragement of perfumery in
the sick-room is positively mischievous, and that it should never be dependedon to the exclusion of more efficient means, nor be made a substitute for freaventilation, and the removal of all sources of noxious effluvia when practicable.
Professor Johnston has pointed out that " the odour we dislike is overpoweredby one more agreeable, but it is neither removed nor destroyed; the invalidcontinues to inhale it, in spite of the warning given him by his senses of itsinjurious effects." I am, Sir, yours, &c.,December, 1857. SUB ROSA.
Cymro.—Avoid all advertising quacks and patent medicines. You will berobbed as well as injured. There is no hospital for the cure of such casesspecially; but any respectable surgeon can treat the case.
Dr. C. R. Francis will oblige by forwarding h’s promised co-nmunication.d Subscriber, (Ombersley.)-1. Headland’s work on the Action of Medicines,·’’Waring’s "Materia Medica."-2. Yes.
J. M.—Cannot prescribe. Apply to your own medical attendant.Mr. Dangleish.-The newspaper did not come to hand.Mr. F. Greene.-Any respectable surgeon can cure the elssase. Avoid quack
advertisers.
Anti- Tomfoolery.- Harnett, Museum-street, Bloomsbury.Medicus (Durham) will find the subject has not escaped our notice.
Ax ADVEBTISING "DOCTRESS."To the Editor of TaB LANCET.
SIR,—The following advertisement appeared in the Haverfordwest andMilford Haven Telegraph:-"The public are hereby respectfully informed that, in consequence of the
lamented death of Mrs. R. Davies, Docteress, &c., the business will from hence,forth be carried on by her daughter and son, whom she had appointed to suc-ceed her. " M. & B. DAVIES." Prendergast, Oct. 2nd, 1857."The above is an instance of the impositions of the present day, and a growing
evil. Is there a remedy for such glaring abuses and intrusions upon our pro-fession ? Ought we, as members of the profession, to allow it ? ’
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,Narberth, Dec. 1857. MAURICE G. EvaNS.
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borough ; Mr. Hubbard, Market Bosworth, (with enclosure;) Mr. Roberts,Dlaen-y-Gader; Mr. Bird, Richmond, Surrey; Dr. Thomson, Hounslow;Mr. Davies, Birmingham; Mr. Rose, Drogheda, (with enclosure;) Mr.Caparn, Banbury, (with enclosure;) Mr. Prowse, Millbrook, (with enclosure;)Mr. Dangleish; A. Z.; The Treasurer of the Royal Medical BenevolentCollege; Studens, Edinburgh; Chirurgus; M.D.; M. A. B.; An Admirer ofa Free Constitution; Senex; M.R.C.S.; R. M. G.; Alpha; H. M., a Sub-seriber to THB LANC13T; An Old Subscriber; J. M. ; J. H. B. ; Medicus,Durham; Cymro; Anti-Tomfoolery; M. R. D.; A Physician; Hippocrates;A Subscriber, Ombersley; F.R.C.P.E.; A Hater of Shams; &c.&c.
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