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learned in the laboratory; a sound but not exclusive know- ’,ledge and employment of organic chemistry is of practicaluse, but care must be taken that the treatment be not too che-mical, the chemical forces being often more easily acted upon ’

through the vital forces than the vital through the chemical. I,Surgery and medicine must be learned in the ward, at the Ibedside, and in the dead-house, lectures being of service todirect the medical and surgical studies. The observation ofthe vital changes witnessed in surgical cases in eye diseases isimportant for the comprehension of the hidden changes thatgo on in medical cases. In practising the profession, successmay be attained either by practical knowledge or by cunning:the worker adopts the former plan; the idler, the latter. Inthe former case, you will have confidence in yourself, even indifficult cases; you will know how to meet disease; the moreyou are known and tested, the more you will be valued andeonfided in. But if success in practice is sought by mereartifice, audacity will carry a man through in slighter cases;but if he is known and tested, he is found out and loses con-fidence. However, the man who uses artifice will often succeedmore quickly than he who seeks success by means of practicalknowledge; but the latter plan is successful in the long run.

Dr. Sibson concluded his address by urging the student toaim high, to prosecute original research, to scrutinize all hiscases, shunning routine, -hcthpr they be among the rich orthe poor, and to extend the boundaries of medical knowledgeby adding to its common stores. ,

ST. THOMAS’S HOSPITAL AND COLLEGE.

The large and handsome hall was occupied by about threehundred governors, students, visitors, &c., together with themedical and surgical and collegiate staff, and a little aftereight in the evening Dr. LKESON commenced his introductorylecture. He first dwelt on the advantages to the student inmedicine of referring to the experience of past ages, and alsoof cultivating a highly moral tone of feeling and conduct. Heconsidered that medicine, ere long, might become rankedamongst the exact sciences, as are now astronomy and che-mistry; he attributed the rank which these branches of know-ledge have taken, and the discovery of the fixed principles bywhich their phenomena are regulated, to the employment ofwxtitematical and arithmetical processes, and the Baconian

system of reasoning with respect to tnem..tie iooxea iorwarctwith satisfaction to the period when the same principles shouldbe more widely applied in the study of the healing art, and heurged strongly the necessity of students in medicine havingembarked in preliminary mathematical studies with a viewto this end. He congratulated the friends of St. Thomas’sCollege that the voluntary preliminary examination which 1they had suggested to the students attending there, andwhich had been at first accepted by but few, was now sub-mitted to by the majority. In particular, he drew attentionto the vast advance which chemistry had made; in conse-quence of the rigid application of sound and philosophic prin-ciples to its study, wonders had been effected-as, for instance,those of the electric telegraph and of photography-whichrealized some of the wildest dreams of the alchemists or oforiental romance. In all the early vagaries of the humanmind, some germ of truth’worthy of being sought out was tobe found; and he anticipated that hereafter strict reasoningand observation would unveil how far even planetary influ-ence, some conditions of which were demonstrable, exercisedany physical effect upon the inhabitants of this globe.Returning to the subject of the medical curriculum, Dr.

Leeson drew attention to the increasing stress laid by theApothecaries’ Company upon clinical medicine; but he warnedhis younger hearers that clinical lectures in the theatre are asdifferent from clinical instruction in the wards of the hospital,as a chemical lecture is from chemical manipulation. Dr.Leeson recommended especially attention to practical instruc-tion in the wards; and he considered that in many branchesof medical science, lectures might well be superseded byprivate tutorial teaching, by reading, and by frequent exami-n.tions. He expressed his opinion, that in the medical ciirri-culum, as laid down by examining bodies, attention to prac-tical chemistry was postponed too late-that it ought to followclose upon the theoretical instruction in that science, and notbe entered upon when the student’s mind was more suitablyengrossed by subjects not quite cognate.The principal remaining feature of the address was Dr.

Leeson’s own view of what system would meet the demandfor medical reform. He advocated (at least so we understood

him) that all the present qualified members of the medicalprofession should be organized into one great medical univer-sity ; that these members at large should choose their senate;that the present examiners of the examining bodies shouldconstitute the first board to grant degrees, which board shouldbe afterwards filled up from the body of the university; thatthe degrees granted should be those of Bachelors of Medicine,Masters of Medicine (corresponding to what are now calledgeneral practitioners), and Doctors of Medicine or of Surgery(corresponding to those practising as physicians and pure sur-geons). He believed that it would be easy to make arrange-ments with the old universities giving to the holders of theirdegrees ad eundem privileges. This was nearly the last sub-ject treated of by Dr. Leeson, and with another eulogium onthe Baconian philosophy his discourse terminated.The assemblage afterwards took tea and coffee in the College

Hall.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE.The introductory lecture was delivered at eight P.M., by

Dr. PARKES, in the large theatre. Dr. Parkes commenced byremarking on the importance of the transition period betweenyouth and manhood, when the mind is being prepared for itsfuture career, and on the necessity on all accounts that theaims of the future calling should be duly considered. Aftera brief allusion to the* nAna--4+- for - -c —*— —’* - -1 . -

.—- - for va men WUO should

occupy themselves with the consideration of the numerous illsthat flesh is heir to, he proceeded to consider the method inwhich the practitioners of medicine discharge the duties whichhave been imposed on them. He showed that the method foracquiring medical knowledge was the same as in all othercases that both in pathology and in therapeutics facts were firstobserved, and that, by induction, general rules were found toexpress their sequences. Dr. Parkes observed that theevidence necessary for ascertaining a therapeutical fact wasthe same as in all inductive sciences, and that as much cer-tainty could be introduced into therapeutics as into chemistryor astronomy, by multiplying the observations under differentconditions. He contended that a therapeutical statement,when based on sufficient evidence, was as much a truth asthat water was composed of oxygen and hydrogen, or as thatthe earth went round the sun. The subject of quackery wasthen mooted, and after an allusion to the causes of quackery,which originate in the quacks themselves- gueh as desire of

riches or notoriety, Dr. Parkes proceeded to consider the cir-cumstances which induce a certain portion of the public tolook with favour on charlatanism. These " objective" causesof quackery were said to be ignorance, incapacity for esti-mating evidence, and undue credulity; discontent on the partuf th3 "hlin with the necessary imperfections and with thevt urev public with o .....,. - - ..

inevitable failures of art; and a love of novelty and a disposetion to be attracted by anything which is a departure fromthe beaten track.

It was also observed that always in the popular mind somegreat truth was floating about to which some dogma of charla-tanism might make a false appeal. Thus, the so-calledhomoeopathic law was received with favour by some personsbecause they took it to be a generalization and an attemptat simplicity, whereas it is really a mere hypothesis and guesswithout proof or evidence. Other persons again were so

struck by the extraordinary forces which modern science isbringing to light, such as electricity, magnetism, &c., andwhich they look upon as instances of power almost disjointedfrom matter, that the absurd invention of infinitesimal dosesdoes not appear incredible in their eyes. Dr. Parkes statesthat the only mode of argument likely to be successful withsuch persons, was to expose the utter want of trustworthyevidence which can be brought to prove the production ofremedial forces by division and trituration of matter. It wasthen observed that quackery should teach us to have recoursealways to that method of observation and experience onwhich our art is based, and which can alone protect it fromthe constant attacks made on it by unscrupulous persons.The subject of preventive medicine was then introduced, andthe address concluded with a few observations on the intel-lectual and moral aspects of the profession.

WESTMINSTER HOSPITAL.The introductory address was delivered by Mr. HOLTHOUSE.

The lecturer commenced his discourse by giving the historyof the origin and development of the several metropolitanmedical schools. The four oldest of the hospital schools are

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those of the London Hospital, St. Bartholomew’s, and the twoBorough Hospitals, which were established in their presentcomplete state towards the latter end of the last century, andin the chronological order in which they are here named. Inthe period intervening between their establishment and theschools at University and King’s Colleges, and the smallerhospitals at the West-end of London, numerous privateestablishments sprung up, the teachers of which were, for themost part, unconnected with the hospitals. The origin ofsome of these was shown to be connected with the defectivearrangements and unhappy differences existing at the hospitalschools, and their eventual dissolution was attributed indi-rectly to the rise of the London University and King’s College.The schools at St. George’s; the Middlesex and WestminsterHospitals, are of later date, and were founded chiefly tosupply the wants and remedy the inconveniences experiencedat these institutions on the dissolution of the private schools.The lecturer then proceeded to inquire whether the present‘system of unlimited tenure of office which prevails at ourvarious hospitals is not a faulty one, and whether many of the ievils which affiict the public, the profession, and the hospitals themselves, may not be traced to this source. Amongthese evils he enumerated the impoverishment of our oldand more comprehensive charities by the rapid multi-plication of dispensarics, especially those for particular diseases, wmen were gm up generally by young men oftalent and ambition, who were debarred the covetedhonours of our hospitals; the jealousy and ill-feeling en-gendered by uncertainty among the expectants to office, andthe hardship to those who, already occupying subordinateoffices at our hospitals, are too long kept from the honoursand emoluments of the higher grade; and lastly, the loss ofmuch valuable talent where it could be most effectivelyexerted-viz., in and for our hospitals and medical schools.These evils, the lecturer then proceeded to point out, wouldbe in great part prevented, first, by making all appointmentsat our hospitals for a limited period-say twenty-four years-or such other term as should ensure a vacancy taking placeevery three.years; secondly, by filling up all these from theschool, the teachers in which should be selected from amongthe most dvserving and talented pupils; thirdly, by extendingthe functions of the out-patient department of our hospitalsto that of visiting as well as prescribing for the sick; andlastlv. bv specializing. to a greater extent. our large hos-pitals, whereby their efficiency as schools of medicine wouldbe increased, and one of the pleas for the multiplication ofseparate and special charities would be taken away. Theobjections that might be urged against these changes werethen combated; and the lecturer concluded his address bypointing out to the students the fallacy of the opinion, thatexperience waa only to be _..., - - ’ . -

. experience was only to be gained at, large hospitals, and ex-horting them to unwearied diligence in the pursuit of thestudies they were now about to enter upon.

Foreign Department.Hcomostatic Fluids.

i

PROFESSOR SEDILLOT has published some remarks in theGazette Médicale de Strasbourg, on the good effects of thehaemostatic water of Signor Pagliari, an apothecary of Rome.Dr. Sedillot has used the fluid in eight cases of primary andconsecutive haemorrhage, both arterial and venous; and thegood results have been permanent. He even intends to tryit in cases where rather large vessels are furnishing the blood.Monterossi, Binelli, Brocchieri, Tisserand, have all, at diffe-rent periods, brought forward haemostatic fluids, which havelong been forgotten: it would seem that Pagliari’s is now tobe put up for public favour. It will, however, make littleprogress among those who, contrary to Professor Sedillot’sopinion, object to secret remedies.

The Treatment of Popliteal A neurism irt Belgium.A case of popliteal aneurism has lately been treated at the

Hospital St. Pierre, at Brussels, by M. SEUTIN, chief surgeonto the hospital. The patient, who is thirty-one years of age,and debilitated by syphilis, was first seen when the tumour inthe ham was the size of a hen’s egg; in nine months’ time itgrew to be as large as the head of a foetus of six months.Galvanc-puncture was tried by the consent of the whole hos-pital staff; and after three very painful operations, each

averaging half an hour, and giving intense pain, M. Seutinwas obliged to tie the femoral artery, as the galvano-puncturehad not yielded any favourable results, and the patient didnot wish to submit to it again.The ligatura came off on the tenth day after the deligation

of the vessel, and the wound was quite cicatrized at thepatient’s residence (lie had insisted upon leaving the hospital)on the twenty sixth day. The man now began, in spite of re-peated warnings, to walk about, and went several times upand down stairs. Inflammatory symptoms soon set up in thesac; the latter suppurated, and the skin over it become sothin that the tumour was opened with the lancet, and puru-lent matter and grumous blood evacuated. Seven days after-wards the patient had an attack of haemorrhage; his life wassaved, by timely compression of the femoral vessel; but M.Seutin thought that haemorrhage would certainly recur if theartery were not tied in the ham. The sac was thereforelargely laid open; but when the end of the vessel was found,it was so weak that pieces of it remained in the dressingforceps with which it was seized. M. Sentin, therefore, can-terized it with the hot wire; the wound in the ham now gra--dually closed, and the patient was quite wdl six weeks afterthe laying open of the sac. Galvano-puncture does not seemto have been a favourable forerunner to the ligature.-PresseMédicale Belge.

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The Sympathy between the Uterus and Intestines.Dr. VANDEEN, a Dutch physician, has published in the

Presse -3fdicale Belge, a few judicious observations respectingthe sympathy which exists between the functions of theuterus and intestines at certain periods. He considers thatthe reaction of the uterus upon the bowels at the time ofmenstruation produces diarrhoea, as both the uterus and largeintestine (the latter sympathetically) are at that period in a.

congested state, and their secretion therefore abundant.During gestation, however, a great deal of functional energyis transferred to the breasts and uterus, and thus constipationis a frequent symptom both during the development of thefoetus and for some time after parturition. The author looksupon these facts as brought to light for the first time by him-self ; we were, however, in reading his remarks, forcibly re-minded of a paper read by Dr. Tilt before the Medical Societyof London, (THE LANCET, March 15,185I, p. 295.) In this com-munication, mr. lilt pointed out how frequently diarrhoea, isa precursory symptom to menstruation, and the followingpassage of Dr. Vandeen’s remarks shows how identical factsmay be simultaneously observed in different countries. TheDutch physician, namely, says: "The sympathy between theuterus and the large intestine is rendered evident by the fact,(which to my knowledge has not been pointed out before,)that with most women the alvine dejections are much morefrequent and loose when menstruation is about to set in."

Cotton Wool in Fractures.

M. BuBGGRATB, professor of clinical surgery at the Uni-versity of Ghent, has sent a paper to the Surgical Society ofParis, wherein he mentions his method of putting up fractures.The professor, after pointing out how useful cotton woolmight be made in surgery, states that immediately a fractureis set, he surrounds the limb with the wool; upon the lattermoistened pasteboard splints are adapted, and the wholesecured by a starched roller. When the apparatus is to beremoved, he cuts it longitudinally with strong scissors, takesit off, and keeps it for the use of some other patient. Theauthor states that with this contrivance he acts t2cto, citò ejoc2cnde; this may be partly true in simple fractures, whereno extension is required, but it is hardly applicable when thefracture is of a compound nature, or when there is a tendencyto shortening.

Reviews and Notices of Books.

A History of Epiderraic Pestilences from the earliest ages, withResearches into their Nature, Causes, and Prophylaxis. ByEDWARD BASCOME, M.D. Octavo, pp. 250. London:Churchill.

THIS work embraces the history of epidemic pestilencestfrom a period commencing 1495 before Christ to the year1848. The author has endeavoured by careful examination toreconcile the discrepancies of historians as regards dates,