317

general tendencies to refine and enlighten the understandings ’’,of those around him.The lecturer next referred to the value of chemistry, and

especially to organic chemistry, the latter so recent in its origin,as aids in the study of medicine, and one of those subjectswhich the student should learn before proceeding to the higherstudies of pathology. There have been also recently added,the beautiful discoveries of the microscope and micro-chemistry,to which the learner must pay attention. The microscopealone was every day opening up new fields of inquiry and re-search, and putting aside ancient errors. In practical medicine,when we looked around to what our knowledge of the nervoussystem, for instance, was before the great discoveries of SirCharles Bell and Dr. Marshall Hall, we could readily acknow-ledge what a great debt we owed these great men. Then,in cerebral disease, what was once believed a peculiar form ofserous apoplexy, requiring bleeding and so forth, was now foundto be due to an entirely different cause than vascular conges-tion, and to call for an almost opposite line of treatment. Anew revolution in medicine has been wrought, within the lastfew years, by one single instrument-the stethoscope. Onecould now scarcely realize to himself how diseases of the "lungsand pleura" were known or distinguished before the time ofLsennec. There was one disease, he had almost said, peculiarto England from our advance, as a maritime and mercantilenation, due to our crowded sea-ports and manufacturing dis-tricts-due, perhaps, to our advancing civilization: (?) he need

scarcely say, he alluded to pulmonary consumption. Our know-ledge of this disease was now quite perfect. The stethoscopecould trace it through all its phases; and when it had arrivedat a stage almost incurable, we could prevent patients beingsent to Madeira to die far away from friends and home. Manycases also prove to be not consumption of a tubercular cha-racter, but chronic pleurisy, simulating phthisis or consump-tion. Had Lsenneo indeed done nothing else but taught ushow to form a proper diagnosis of these two diseases, he wouldbe deserving of the lasting gratitude of mankind as havingconferred the greatest of boons on the human family. Auscul-tation and percussion, in a word, had given almost a mathe-matical exactness to our researches in lung affections, and notthe least of the advantages afforded by these modes of dia-gnosis (auscultation and percussion) was the power they gaveus ill what was thought cases of consumption, to assure friendsit was a different disease, thus helping to dispel anxiety. Infevers, again, we had lately quite a new set of doctrines,(here the lecturer glanced, in a very popular manner, atthe labours of Monsieur Louis, as having remodelled ourknowledge of typhus, typhoid, and relapsing fevers; the cha-racters of measles and scarlet fever were also laid down in apopular form.) Cholera was also dwelt upon, our chief remedylying, according to the lecturer, in sanitary laws and prophy-lactic measures. We scarcely did ourselves credit in. the returnof our cures of cholera, if we eliminated all cases of choleraicdiarrhoea, which were, in fact, like cases of fever or consump-tion he had just spoken of, merely cases of cholera in the firstor earlier stage, but going into cholera if not treated properly.The lecturer next went into an elaborate description of what

is known as the system of statistics, or the " numericalmethod," more particularly that of M. Louis. This greatphysician, in marshalling his facts together, very often foundthey corrected his preconceived theories of fevers and chestaffections; and Dr. Peacock would recommend the numericalsystem to the attention of the more advanced medical students.This system was particularly useful in rendering definite ourknowledge as to the tendencies of each disease to be influencedby age, sex, temperament, profession or calling, &c. Its bear-

ings upon the regulations of Life Insurance Companies, forinstance, were always recurring. The numerical system wasalso at the base of all sanitary laws. Cullen had said, " Falsefacts were more frequent in Medicine than false theories;" butin the system of Louis, if properly understood, we had a meansof correcting such false facts. Homosopathy, the lecturer nextremarked, was a memorable instance of one of these falsedogmas. Becazise, in a few special instances, so and so occurred,it was, forsooth, to be raised to a law; and bacuzcse so-and-soproduced tickling in the fauces, or sore throat, al’rtal, the bestway to cure a sore throat was to cause one. Belladonna wassaid to prevent scarlatina because it caused scarlatina, or sorethroat, or red rash, or something; but if all the rest of homoeo-pathy was like this, it had not much to recommend it. Amoderate eclecticism was better even than this sort of generallaw. Medicine, as he had already hinted at in the former partof the discourse, in the discovery of the stethoscope, the im-provements in our knowledge of the nervous system, in our

knowledge of fevers, in the improvement of our hygienic andsanitary laws founded on the numerical system, was every-where actively progressive. Hahnemann, or homoeopathy,would at once arrest all knowledge. The lecturer here againencouraged his pupil hearers to attend with diligence to theirvarious studies, nothing wavering; to avoid specialists andspecialism; to attend particularly to the out-patients’ rooms,to see there the cases they would be called on to treat inprivate practice. He alluded also to the new fields nowopening for industrious students, in which patronage andgovernmental influences were to be done away, and the bestmen placed in the best and most fitting places. He re-ferred to the war in which we were "unfortunately engaged,"as he observed; but out of evil good would arise, as both inthe Army and Navy Medical Departments, in the India

Medical Service, and elsewhere, the system of examination, orconcours, was now superseding the old plan of electioneeringand political favouritism. Our army and navy surgeons, heconcluded by remarking, had in several instances proved them-selves deserving the highest honours of the profession, by theirbravery and intrepidity, even under the fire of the enemy,afloat and in the field. There were not only openings now inthe army and navy for students, but even at home ; from thenumbers of surgeons going abroad, vacancies were becomingmore numerous, and the general features of the profession moreattractive. Indeed, he might conclude, as he had commenced,by congratulating all students alike on the active progressMedicine was making, which should be looked on everywherewith satisfaction.The address, which seemed to give much pleasure, was fol-

lowed by a general conve2-sazione in the beautiful old hall of St.Thomas’s, with refreshments. Several microscopes, &c., were

also on the tables, and the various prizes were distributed tothe prizemen. -

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL.

MR. WILLIAMSON’S INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.

THE eccentricities which we have in former years noticed ascharacterizing the opening of the medical session at this schooldo not appear to have been entirely abandoned. Whilst allthe other medical schools had opened on the first of October,the inauguration of the new session at University College didnot take place until the second day of the month ; and whilsteverywhere else some general views of the subjects about toengage the attention of the students formed the basis of theaddress, here, on the contrary, a special subject was pressedupon the attention of the hearers. This is a peculiarity onwhich we have commented on several occasions, and certainlynot with approbation. The lecture by Professor Williamson,at three o’clock on Tuesday last, would have served exceed-ingly well for one introductory to his own course of instruction,but it was scarcely fitted to be the introductory lecture of asession, and it contrasted strongly with the oratorical displayat St. Bartholomew’s in every respect, except that ProfessorWilliamson’s lecture contained, like Mr. Paget’s, much inte-resting matter. It was a history of chemical science, from theearliest known period to our own time. The Professor stated,that down to the fourth century of our era, if we except thelittle that appeared to have been known to Aristotle, as to thestates assumed by inorganic matter, chemical science was con-fined to the Egyptian priesthood, who had certainly made someprogress into its mysteries, but who guarded with the mostjealous care any escape of their occult science beyond the ranksof their order. At length, at the time of the conversion toChristianity of some of the Egyptian priesthood, certain por-tions of chemical science began to be popularized, and the newdoctrines were promulgated by the Greeks of the Alexandrianschool, and then by the Arabians, after their conquest ofEgypt. Spain now became the seat -of Arabian universities,and the head-quarters of chemical knowledge, or rather of itsimperfect phasis known as alchemy. The lecturer successivelyreviewed the labours of Geber and of Roger Bacon-our owncountryman, and the first inquirer in Europe who, at the earliestperiod of the revival of learning, devoted his main atten-tion to chemistry with any important results. He then dweltsomewhat on those of Paracelsus, Albertus Magnus, FrancisBacon, Boyle and others, who were followed by Lavoisier,Guyton Morveau, Berthollet, Black, Priestley, Cavendish andScheele. He entertained his audience by sketches of the cha-racters of the four latter, and brought the history of chemistrynearly to the present day, with a short enumeration of theprincipal chemists that have appeared in the last and presentcentury—Davy, Dalton, Liebig, &c., indicating the amount

318

and direction of their researches. The lecture, in the largetheatre of the College, was attended by about 400 auditors,who gave hearty applause to the professors as they entered,and to the lecturer at the close of his address.

WESTMINSTER HOSPITAL.INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS BY MR. BROOKE.

Mr. BROOKE, the lecturer, commenced by remarking on thevaried pleasing emotions that must arise on this periodical re-union of medical students and their teachers ; some of theformer will feel that they are now for the first time removedfrom the endearments of the domestic health, and are calledon to enter upon the great arena of life; to the latter itmust be a source both of gratification and of encouragementto renewed exertions to recommence their intercourse withthose whose career has been uniformly marked by diligenceand good conduct. It was then remarked, that notwithstandingthe attempts that have been, or may hereafter be made toraise the character of the medical body by charters or legisla-tive enactments, still the character of the body is the aggre-gate of individual character, and hence each must duly estimatehis individual responsibility to maintain the corporate characterof his profession. The duty and necessity of taking an enno-bling and exalted view of professional duties was then com-mented on; a low and grovelling estimate of medicine as beingmerely a source of livelihood, will never conduce to establishthat high position which every professor of the healing art isentitled to occupy. The dignity of that art consists in thebeneficence of its object ; to relieve or assuage the anguish ofdisease or injury, to resuscitate the latent vital spark, or torecall aberrant reason, are indeed noble offices. It may wellbe said in the words of a heathen writer, slightly modified tosuit the views of a Christian community,-" Nihilo magishomines diis appropinquant, quam salutem hominibus dando."And it may be further observed, on reference to the records ofHoly writ, that divine interposition has been almost univer-sally manifested in the restoration of life or of health, and theremoval of suffering and disease. The medical practitioner,therefore, seeks to follow the steps of Him, and humbly toimitate His example, who is the great physician both of thebody and the soul; nor can his duties be rightly considered asstrictly limited to the relief of bodily ailments. The practiceof universal charity and benevolence in its widest sense is notless the duty of the medical man than of every other sincereChristian ; and of this charity spiritual aid is undoubtedly thenoblest phase. Can any amount of benefit conferred on themortal be compared with the least that we may have anopportunity of conferring on the immortal or in other words,"what is a man profited if he shall gain"-not merely a briefimmunity from pain and suffering, but-" the whole world,and lose his own soul." The sincere Christian may oftenfind that a timely word of spiritual advice or consolation, un-ostentatiously and unobtrusively offered at a period when thedepression of disease predisposes the sufferer to its beneficialinfluence, may be of as much service to the suffering spirit asthe most timely and judicious medical appliance can be to theagonised frame. And it may be further remarked as a noto-rious fact, that missionary labours have ever been most suc-cessful, when the light of revelation has been ushered in bythe previous exercise of the healing art. In thus advocatingthe highest aspect of professional duty, the lecturer was farfrom recommending his hearers to bind on the " broad phy-lactery, "or to put on a starched and pharisaical demeanour.The religion of the heart is unobtrusive, and recent events inthe commercial world have lamentably demonstrated how lit-tle dependence can be placed on the fairest external appear-ances of religion. Mr. Brooke then remarked the intimaterelations that must frequently, from the force of circumstances,subsist between the medical man and his patient ; and in beingthus admitted to the depths and shadowy recesses of humanfrailty, we must cautiously avoid forming a harsh and cen-sorious judgment; and more especially is it our duty to abstainfrom converting the failings of others to our own personaladvantage. The lecturer then more especially addressed thecommencing students on the paramount importance of theforce of habit,-

" Quo semel est imbuta recens, servabat odorem,Testa diu,"

is a trite, but most truthful adage. Habits of order and regu-larity, not only in conduct, but in the performance of thevarious prescribed duties, will be found invaluable ; of carefulobservation and reflection, without which the most valuable

opportunities of instruction will be utterly lost; of self-denial,especially to those who are now for the first time removed,from the benefits of domestic influence, and placed amidst thetemptations to every form of vice and folly which this greatmetropolis presents. The necessity of the habitual performanceof accustomed religious duties was then strongly inculcated.It was justly observed that there can be no valid excuse for thehabitual neglect of a duty so imperative on all members of aChristian community. Mr. Brooke here expressed withregret, his conviction of the absence of any adequate provisionfor the spiritual wants of medical students; this want, it ishoped, will be adequately supplied through the medium of the"Christian Medical Association." As ye sow, so shall yereap, is an adage confirmed by every day’s experience. Inreferring to the studentship of many eminent members of theprofession, it may be found that that period was marked bygood conduct and diligence, and frequently by successful com-petition ; on the contrary, most teachers probably have hadpainful opportunities of witnessing the degradation and ruinthat has ensued from an opposite line of conduct. The diver-sities of mental power were then remarked on, which must be,rendered manifest by the collision of mind with mind; andwhilst the more-gifted must ever bear in mind the responsibi-lity of the talents entrusted to them, the less gifted neverneed despair, since much may be accomplished by patienceand perseverance. The system of endeavouring to make upfor lost time by cramrning at the last was especially con-demned. A surfeit of mental is not less possible than that ofmaterial food; and the inevitable result of such a mental sur-feit is a "rudis indigestaque moles," which may indeed b&successfully cast forth on the examination table, but sub-sequently-

Like the baseless fabric of a vision,Leaves not a rack behind."

The lecturer, after forcibly insisting on the necessity to themedical student of a sound preliminary education, of thatwhich tends to stamp the character of a gentleman, and theadvantages of a competent knowledge of the elements of phy.sical science, reviewed the various sub-divisions of medicalstudy, and their mutual relations, which want of space compelsus to omit.

After the lecture, the company proceeded to the Board-room, where refreshments were provided. There was also’an excellent display of microscopes, stereoscopes, &c. The Rev.W. Cureton distributed the prizes to the successful candidatesof last session. We shall give the names of the prize-mennext week.

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONSON THE

NATURE AND TREATMENT OF THE DIS-EASES OF EUROPEANS ON THEIRRETURN FROM TROPICAL CLIMATES,

BY JAMES RANALD MARTIN, F.R.S.,SURGEON BENGAL ARMY RETIRED ; LATE PRESIDENCY SURGEON AND SURGEON

TO THE NATIVE HOSPITAL, CALCUTTA.

(Continued from page 295.)

Chronic Dysentery.CASE 2.-October 18th, 1849.-Assistant-Surgeon -, of

the Indian Army, aged thirty-eight, had resided eight years inIndia. His complexion was naturally sallow, temperamentphlegmatic, habit abstemious. "From childhood," he says," until shortly previous to the present dysenteric attack, he hadbeen subject to occasional bilious vomitings, and in 1840, whilewith his regiment in the Indian Archipelago, he was seizedwith hemiplegia of the left side, from the effects of which healmost, but never quite recovered. In 1847, he was stationedat Masulipatam, and in May was seized with slight diarrhoea,.to which sufficient attention was not paid. Dysentery super-vened, from which, in spite of all treatment, he has, with theexception of an interval of seven months, been suffering eversince, more or less." During this interval he took no medicine,the purging stopping and returning in the same sudden and un-accountable way. The acute symptoms had lasted three months,duringwhichleechestothe abdomen and anus, fomentations, bluepill with ipecacuanha, and mild aperients were used : then, asacute disease subsided, the mineral acids with opium, nitrateof silver and acetate of lead with opium, in the form of pill and.