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205 NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. An Old Campaigner, &c.-The letter is indeed too long for onr crowded columns. Moreover, our correspondent acknowledges that he himself has nothing to complain of. If he will state, in a concise form, "the injustiees junior medical officers frequently experience," the whole subject shall have our best attention. Stapes.-It is most discreditable to a learned and honourable profession that an F.R.S. and Professor in an hospital and medical school of distinction, should circulate " from the author" his puffing pamphlets of " cases relieved" and "complete cures." A. B.-The treatise by Dr. Gardner or Dr. Alexander. Mr. Brown.-Under the provisions of the new Medical Act, no qualified practi- tioner is recognised as such by law, nor can he recover for professional ser- vices, unless he be registered. THE letter of Dr. d2’arris Wil,son, in reply to "Orthodox Medicine," arrived after the journal was made up. A Working Man.-The Dental Hospital is situated at 32, Soho-square. THE A P O T H E C A R I E S’ LICENCE. To the Editor of THE LerrcE2. SIR.-You deserve the thanks of the whole profession for the unanswerable articles in THE LANCET, respecting the injurious effects of the Society of Apothecaries upon the dignity of the profession. It has carried out its legal power with despotic strictness, although conferring positive disgrace upon those who have beeu obliged to become associated with it. The conduct of the Society (no doubt caused by a consciousness of its authority being moribund, and its power of trading in certificates being about to be taken away) has of late been disgraeeful. It has positively been almost puffing for custom in the certi- I ficate department, by accepting in return a minimum amount of knowledge. Of this I have sufficient evidence by persons in my neighbourhood, who keep shops in the general line, having recently obtained them, and who, no doubt, now exhibit them by the side of similar documents, eulogizing the quali- ties of honey-soap and patent starch. These are truths, and it is equally true that this Society of semi-traders has been the great obstacle to the dignity of and the respect due to our profession. Therefore why tolerate it any longer ? Probably the worshipful Company may answer, because we keep pace with the go-a-head tendency of the age, and manufacture doctor3 (!) by steam; but regardless of the quality of the material of which they are made, which is also another attribute of these days of progress. I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, London, February, 1859. A GENERAL PRACTITIONER. P.S.-The College of Physicians has always been the guardian of our dignity, and I hope will soon be its principal guardian. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,—It no way appears clear to me, from anything that has been published in your journal, whether gentlemen holding the diploma of the London College of Surgeons, and who have been many years in practice, are, by the liberal dis- position of the Council towards the members of other Colleges and Universities, and the virtual abolition of the penal clause of the Apothecaries Act, to be en- titled to practise both medicine and surgery equally with the members of the Edinburgh and other Colleges. I cannot sufficiently commend the two very valuable articles in THE LANCET, on the proposed new Charter of the College of Physicians, and the abolition of the Apothecaries’ Company. I have always considered that the addition of the L.S.A. to the M.R.C.S. detracted from an honourable distinction, and de- graded the profession to the level of trade, and this without impugning the merits of those who possess the double qualification. The rapid advances made in the knowledge and treatment of disease have necessarily rendered the " surgeon" a practitioner in medicine no less than the "apothecary." The licence of the Hall could not make him more so. The proposed new Charter of the College of Physicians has reference to the future ; as regards the past, I see no way of simplifying matters but by placing all "legally-qualified practitioners," now in general practice, upon an equal footing. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, February, 1859. DELTA. H. W. J. (St. Georga’s-square, Sheffield) will find the information he requires in the Students’ Number of THE LANCET, which can be obtained by order of any bookseller. T. B.-If one of the papers be forwarded to us, we shall be able to answer the questions of our correspondent. Inquiret, (Birmingham.)-1. Mr. Alexander. 2. The depot is at Messrs. Evans and Stevens, Old Fish-street, London. Leo.-It is possible. W. W. P.-If the assistant be unqualified, such a proceeding would be de- cidedly illegal. If the assistant resided in the house of the practitioner, he might attend for him; but the accounts must be made out in the name of the principal. Mr. John Jaques.-Some of the suggestions are good; but the members of the profession would never consent to an annual tax. THE letter of Aliquis arrived too late for insertion in this week’s impression. UNQUALIFIED ELECTRICIANS. To the Editor of TaE LANCET. SIR,-I was much pleased to see a communication from Scrntator" in your impression of February 5th, relating to medical electricity. Doubtless the herd of unqualified practitioners, no longer able to administer medicines, will try hard to work the electrical oracle. The evil will be twofold. Not only will medical electricity sink in estimation amongst regular medical practitioners, but the law will be set at defiance. Practitioners of repute are now almost afraid to associate themselves with medical electricity ; nevertheless, thosE who have tried it can testify to its utility when properly applied. The Frenct military authorities, I perceive, have recently determined, as announced ir THE LA5CET of the 5th instant, to give medical electricity a fair trial, auc make known the results. Perhaps "Scrutator," who appears to be an elee tncian of the right sort, can furnish your readers with the outline of th, French ordonnance. Yours respectfully, February, 1859, AN ELECTRICAL BELIEVER. A Student, (Charing-cross Hospital.)-It is to be regretted that subjects for dissection are so difficult to be obtained. The Inspector of Anatomy is clearly not liable to be charged with shortcomings in regard to this matter. Until the Anatomy Act be somewhat modified, we fear the supply of sub- jects must still be inadequate to the wants of the various schools. Tyro had better consult the work to which he refers. 3&. F. M. Corner.-He can be proceeded against, under the Medical Act, if he assume any title which would imply that he is a registered practitioner. F. F..H.-1. Yes.-2. No.-3. No. W.-1. A guardian or an overseer can give the order.-2. They are not reo cognised by law.-3. No sufficient cause being shown to the contrary, the relieving-officer is bound to give the order. Beta cannot charge for a certificate, but may refuse to give one. MISCONDUCT OF MEDICAL STUDENTS. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,-As a student of King’s College Hospital, I cannot allow the stigma cast upon my fellow-students by your correspondent of the 12th instant to pass without the most unqualified contradiction. As a body, our men stand second to none in kind and heartfelt sympathy with their suffering fellow-creatures, neither do they want that respect for their professors which pre-eminent talent will always command. I was not present on the occasion referred to; but am assured, on the evi- dence of those who were, that the individuals alluded to as having kept their hats on during the operations were visitors, who were, doubtless, accus- tomed to do so upon similar occasions at other hospitals, and were not, there- fore, intending any disrespect to our professors. Yours obediently, February, 1859. To the Editor of THE LANCET. T. C. WHITE. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,-From a letter which appeared in your impression of the 12th instant, many might be led to suppose that the medical students of King’s College Hospital (or at least some of them) are accustomed to wear their " hats" in the theatre during operations. This is not the case; and as I was present at the time to which " E. H. R." refers, I can assure him that those students wearing hats did not belong to our hospital, but were strangers, who, I suppose, had come to see the operations by Mr. Fergusson’s skilful hand. At the entrance to the operating-theatre are several closets, which are fitted up for the recep- tion of hats, sticks, &c. These closets are chiefly for the accommodation of strangers. Yours, &c., February, 1859. A MEDICAL ST1mENT OF KING’S COLLEGE. To the Editor of Tgs LANCET. SIR,-I was delighted to find on my last visit to King’s College Hospital. that the letter in your last number had produced such a change for the better. The only fault I had to find with the said letter was, that it ignored the fact that all the other London operating-theatres present a picture much the same as King’s College. There can surely be little difficulty in enforcing some- change. Mr. Syme, during the short time that he was at University College Hospital, merely signified his wish that students should not forget they were gentlemen, and the hint was at once taken. Will you allow me to direct attention to even a grosser insult to an operator than that complained of? Why, when Mr. Fergusson is operating, should one gentleman tell another a capital joke (at least if we "outsiders" can guess by the attitudes and peals of laughter taking place inside the ring, it must be so) ? Is there no other period than the very time Mr. Fergusson selects for his re- marks for pointing out the merits or demerits of an inhaler ? Lastly, are they King’s College students, or "from other hospitals," who make such a hubbub on the staircase and passage to the theatre ?-Your obedient servant, February, 1859. M. L. A. COMMUNICATIONS, LETTERS, &c., have been received from -Mr. G. Todd West Auckland; Mr. Mitchell Henry ; Mr. WeedenCooke; Dr. Chas. Morris ; Assistant-Surgeon Scriven, Calcutta; Mr. Edward Sandwell; Dr. Watson, Glasgow; Mr. Lowe; Mr. Walmsley, Manchester; Dr. Hyde Salter; Dr. Fowler; Mr. H. W. Lobb; Mr. C. H. Cornish; Dr.Merrima.n; Mr. F. J. Thomas; Dr. Bishop; Capt. Burgess; Mr. 0. 0. Roberts ; Dr. Mapleton; Mr. J. N. Radcliffe; Miss Powers; Dr. Joshua Burgess; Dr. Allen Duke; Dr. Barratt, Birmingham, (with enclosure;) Mr. Lipscomb, Alresford, (with enclosure;) Mr. Dawson, Montreal, (with enclosure;) Mr. Boydel, Wingham, (with enclosure;) Mr. Hadden, Glasgow, (with enclosure;) Mr. Wallace, East Raiuham; Mr. Wood, New Romney, (with enclosure;) Mr. Williams, Whetstone, (with enclosure ;) Mr. Shaw, Sutton Coldfield, (with enclosure;) Mr. Mingaye, Dedham, (with enclosure;) Dr. Scoresby-Jackson, Edinburgh ; Mr. King, Abingdon, (with enclosure;) Mr. Hordley, Etruria, (with enclo- sure Mr. Baird, Dublin, (with enclosure;) -Mr. MacDonnell, Dirmingham, (with enclosure;) Mr. Groom, Whitchurch, (with enclosure;) Dr. Denton, Hornsea, (with enclosure;) Mr. Pearson, Sheffield ; Mr. Thomas, (with enclosure;) Mr. Jeaffreson, Tredegar, (with enclosure;) Mr. Goldsmith, West End; Mr. Neate, Stone, Staffordshire, (with enclosure;) Mr. Edwards, Alrewas, (with enclosure,) Mr. Hunter, Merthyr Tydvil, (with enclosure;) Dr. B. W. Marlow, Bombay, (with enclosure ;) Mr. Bodenham, Kington; Dr. Willis, Kensington, (with enclosure;) Mrs. Harrison, Hornsey Rise; Mr. Rackham, Southampton ; Mr. Hunt, Hinton Blewitt; Miss Garsia, Forth-street; Dr. Cogan, Whcatley, (with enclosure;) Dr. Ashton, Stock- port Infirmary, (with enclosure;) Dr. Edwards, Cheltenham, (with enclo- sure ;) Mr. Morewood; Mr. Skey; Mr. Brown; Mr. Logan; Dr. Ramskill ; Mr. F. M. Corner; Mr. John Jaques : Dr. Marris Wilson; Mr. J. F. Wody; Mr. Roberts; Mr. T. C. White; Mr. Edwards, Llansaintffraid, (with enclo- sure ;) M. L. A.; M.R.C.S. Eng.; An Unfortunate Naval Medical Officer; C. M. M.; Beta; S. E.; Avis; A Working Man; S. D. W.; Studens; Inquirer; Orthodox Medicine; W.; T. T. T.; M. A. B.; Stapes ; W. W. P.; ; T. B.; A. B.; A German Physician; H. W. J., Sheffield ; Tyro; A Student, Charing-cross Hospital; An Anxious Inquirer; Hydrophobia; Aliquis; Leo ; F. F. H.; M. L. A.; An Electrical Believer; A General Practitioner; &c,
