538

PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIESOF

Members of the Medical & Surgical Profession.

The subject of the next Portrait and Biography will be

PROFESSOR FERGUSSON, F.R.S., ’,,SURGEON TO KING’S COLLEGE HOSPITAL, AND

SURGEON TO PRINCE ALBERT.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.SEVERAL notes have reached us, requesting that single numbers of THELANCET may be forwarded to addresses direct from our office. The

numerous engagements of the publisher frequently prevent him fromcomplying with such requests. The best way to obtain THE LANCET withcertainty and regularity is to order it from some respectable bookseller ornewsvendor.

A London Surgeon.-The review in the Times newspaper is, at all events,sufficiently laudatory ; but the reviewer, in his zeal to serve the author of11 Operative Surgery," would award him a position in his professionwhich his professional brethren have never yet thought him entitled tohold. But it would be easy enough to show that Mr. Skey has no rightto any of the praise which has been so liberally awarded to him. As to

’the first point regarding the apprenticeship system, that was condemnedyears before the Hunterian Oration was delivered by Mr. Skey, and bysome with an ability and eloquence to which Mr. Skey might vainlyaspire. He has merely followed in a beaten track. With respect to the"drugging system," we believe that it is gradually but steadily losingground; that what are called "general practitioners" are now in mostcases paid for their visits and attendance, quite irrespective of medicine.This is the case at all events amongst the more respectable surgeons whopractise generally. But was Mr. Skey the first to point out the evil?Absurd! After the case of Handey v. Henson, what does the reviewer meanby saying that the legally qualified practitioner cannot recover at law forvisits and attendance ? Our correspondent may well ask, °’ What especialqualities adorn the mind of Mr. Skey that he is to lecture his brethren onethics ?" It would, indeed, be difficult to find them. His Oration, asdelivered, was one of the most offensive and rude ever heard. Even as

printed, the reviewer in the Times, with more taste than his author,"declines to enter judicially on ground so delicate." Mr. Skey needsno stronger reproof on this point than the praise of his commentator. Asto the book itself, we are at a loss to conceive that it was wanted at all.In all respects it is inferior, as a work for students, to the productions ofListon and Fergusson; and as for Mr. Skey’s "bold and useful warning,"that is mere fudge. He has no claim to be the author of that warning.The greatest surgeons, ay, and the greatest operators, too, have alwaysregarded the unnecessary resort to the knife as a reflection upon the ’,practice of surgery and on the skill of the surgeon ; but when an opera-tion is to be performed, skill, dexterity, and even safe celerity, are thehighest qualifications for an operator. Mr. Skey may rest assured thatbe will gain no reputation that is worth having by making attacks on hismedical brethren. As he professes to be so fond of ethics, it would bewell for him, before he sets up for a teacher, to take a few lessons on thesubject. In conclusion, we may observe, that the entire profession isperfectly astonished that such a review as the one in question shouldhave found its way into the columns of the Times newspaper.

THE ATTACK ON MR. HODGSON.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.Sm,-However it may suit the purpose of those who, from some inte-

rested motive or other, profess to support " every branch of the profession,"I can assure you that the attack made on Mr. Hodgson has excited disgustamong the few readers of which a certain print can boast in the provinces.Thanks to THE LANCET for its independent course in reference to the elec-tion of our late townsman to the chair of the Royal Medical and ChirurgicalSociety. You have said, justly, that it is an honour conferred on the greatbody of surgeons practising in the country. The circumstances connectedwith the election offer another proof, if such were wanting, that it is to THELANCET that the great body of surgeons of this country must look for sup-port and protection.

, I am, Sir, your obedient servant,April 25, 1851. A BIRMINGHAM SURGEON.

Dr. Tunstall (of Bath) informs us, in reply to 11 A Correspondent," thatthere is no hospital or other establishment there where patients mayobtain baths and medical advice on payment of a weekly sum; but thatthere are many boarding and lodging houses in the neighbourhood of thehot-springs, where persons are accommodated during a course of thewaters on moderate terms, the owners and servants of which, beingaccustomed to the care of invalids, show them every attention.

M. B., (Bristol.)-Yes. Dr. Johnson had always a very high opinion of themembers of the medical profession. Boswell says, " Talking of the eminentwriters in Queen Anne’s reign, he observed, ’ I think Dr. Arbuthnot theflrst man among them. He was the most universal genius, being an ex-cellent physician, a man of deep learning, and a man of much humour.’ "

Mr. R. Snowden.-Our correspondent will perceive that, although we haveextended our visits to very many parts of the metropolis, the City.roadis not one of the localities in which our agents have as yet effected pur-chases. Mr. S. must therefore not feel disappointed that in our report onCanister Coffees we have not made mention of his name. The principle ofthe patent porcelain roasting cylinders appears to be good. Mr. Snowdenmay rest assured that the adulteration of coffee with chicory will notmuch longer be tolerated.

Alpha.-Yes. The effort has been made on several occasions. Mr. Lynn issufficiently ill-advised to retain his position at the hospital, though heresides twelve miles from it. The school attached to the hospital suffersin consequence; for what student is likely to "enter" there when hehears that the senior surgeon of the institution is an hour’s journey fromthe place ? The assertion that he " fulfils his duties" is simply absurd.

A City Man.-Whatever the thing may be called, it is certainly not an hospital.We cannot admit the letter; 11 -etting money under false pretences" issurely too strong.

A Governor.-Dr. Webster’s application is strictly a just one. We trust thatour correspondent will exert himself to procure the information required.The statistics of our hospitals are at present most incomplete and unsatis-factory. The profession is much indebted to Dr. Webster for his laboursin the cause.

DR. GARDNER SIBSON AND MR. SKEY.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-An official of the Exchequer and Railway Mutual Life AssuranceSociety informs me, that the question of remuneration for the medicalreport in the case of the usual attendant of a party proposing to insure waslaid before their medical advisers, Dr. Gardner Sibson and Mr. F. C. Skey,and that they, in a very able report, objected strongly to the practice ofpayment on the part of the office.Now, having rather a strong opinion in the opposite direction, is it pre-

suming too much to ask those gentlemen to make the profession acquaintedwith their reasons for coming to this conclusion.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,X. Y. Z.,

And an Old Pupil of Mr. Skey’s.Dr. Niddrie observes, that Mr. Chavasse, in his reply to him, has gainsayednone of his (Dr. N.’s) statements, which he reiterates at some length. Hesays, I I When I received Mr. Chavasse’s letter, to the effect that he hadclosed with another gentleman, I held in my hands the lease of his house,"which he takes credit to himself for having returned on the followingday. He afterwards says, " I have been glad I did not get his house."Any further correspondence on the subject is unnecessary.

S.-The paper referred to was rejected by the Council. It was of a highorder of merit. It remains to be seen whether the paper read at the last

meeting will meet with the same fate. Mr. Dunn is a surgeon in generalpractice.

M.D., (Birmingham.)-We received the list. Our crowded columns wouldnot admit of its insertion. The plan might be followed with advantagein other schools. The report was creditable to Queen’s College.

Delta, and others, (Southampton.)-We cannot enter further into the sub-ject without some further proofs. Anonymous communications on sucha subject cannot be acted upon. If the circumstances alluded to are

susceptible of proof, surely our correspondent, being on the spot, cansupply them to us in confidence. Does our correspondent who hasaddressed several letters to us from Southampton really believe that ananonymous communication on such a subject should be published? If

he does, he must have a very strange opinion respecting the duties of ajournalist.

SHORT MEASURE.To the Editor of THH LANCET.

SIR,-In your number of the 19th April is a letter signed °‘ Bick Wyatt,"imputing fraud to druggists for not supplying to him by the pint that whichis usually bought and sold by the pound. If" Bick Wyatt" be agreeable to

PAY for a pint of tincture, I am sure no druggist will do other than indulgehim! but if " Bick Wyatt," when he " sends for four ounces of tincture ofopium," expects to receive five, he must be unusually sanguine, and shouldbe more explicit in his order.Druggists have yet to learn that when four ounces are ordered, five are

expected, and that if they charge only for the goods actually sold they arefraudulent in so doing.The Sanitary Commission to which your correspondent refers might per-

haps be usefully employed upon himself touching his intellectual health.I am, Sir, yours, &c.,

ONE OF THE FRAUDULENT.

Enquirer.-We do not know where the metallic tractors of Perkins can nowbe procured. The cures said to be effected by these agents leave all thepathys far in the shade. It is calculated that upwards of 30,000 of themwere in use in England in the year 1800. Mr. Iliff, of Kennington, ex-hibited a pair of tractors as a curiosity at the Medical Society some yearssince. He would, no doubt, favour our correspondent with a view of thefunny little instrument. A homoeopathic medicine-chest will, no doubt,in the next generation, be as great a curiosity.

THANKS to Juvenis for his letter.Mr. F. Sparrow.-We are glad to receive so good an account of the grocers

of South Audley-street. We have more than once expressed the hopethat there are in this great city hundreds of dealers who sell genuinecoffee. As there are, we believe, nearly 5000 grocers in London and itssuburbs, many must escape our notice, whether they be sellers of thegenuine or adulterated articles. As we shall return to the subject ofcoffee from time to time, many whose names have been omitted will atfuture period fall under public observation.

-’ - ——t

A Visitor to the Medical Society.-The names ought to be read over every A Visitor to the Great Exhibition.-Half a dozen copies of a medal of Mor-evening, and, in accordance with custom, the president should have in- rison, the pretended hygeist, are of course intended as a puff. It renectavited the visitors to take part in the proceedings. It was from no want little credit on the parties who allowed the department which containsof courtesy, we are sure, on the part of the president, that this duty was these shams to be disgraced by such an exhibition.omitted. He is most anxious to act kindly and justly to all. We agree " One who will not touch Pitch," &c., (Norwich,) is requested to authenticatewith our correspondent, however, that it is desirable that the names of his communication.

- visitors be read from the chair, or by one of the secretaries, and the usual THE HOMŒOPATHIC QUACKERY.

compliment passed upon them. To the Editor of THE LANCET..

Chirurgus, (Norwich.)-The claim is absurd. The communications are SIR,-Things are now indeed come to a pretty pass. The last meeting ofChirugus, (Norwich .) The claim is absurd The communications are the London Medical Society was devoted to that hornd and disgustingwell adapted for the print in which they are inserted. the London Medical Dr. Routh covertly advocated the cause of this vile

Mr. Bake?-.-Our correspondent writes-" The public owes you much for knavery, by first reading a paper which he called " Statistics of Homoeo-your determined opposition against the dishonest traders of the metro- pathy," in which he alleged that " it was impossible to doubt that the perpolis ; for it is acknowedged that there is a manifest improvement in the centage of cures preponderated in favour of this system of quackery, and

quality of the viands supplied, more especially to the poorer classes, then he pretended to account for these cures by attributing them to diet,

quality of the viands supplied, more especially to the poorer classes, imagination &e. ’

since the appearance of your fearless exposures. I thank you, as one of If homoeopathy is to be admitted into our medical societies as a subject ofthe public benefited, for the happy thought of the Sanitary Commission, debate, then good bye to science and legitimate medicine.and the spirit in which it is conducted." "

May7, 1851 I am, Sir, yours, Subscriber.

THE communication of Mr. Mayne shall receive attention. May 7, 1851. ., , ... ,

X., a Subscriber.THE commumcation of Mr. Mayne shall receive attention. Messrs. Wortley & Hanbezry.-After a brief interval we shall return to theTHE DRACUNCULUS, OR GUINEA-WORM OF INDIA, subject of Coffee and its Adulterations. In the meanwhile, we extract

To the Editor of THE LANCET. the following suitable observations from the prospectus issued by Messrs.SIR,-Mr. Berncastle might have added to his account of the dracuncu- W. & H. :-

lus, that a very common consequence in natives is anchylosis of the ankle- " The rapid and injurious progress of adulteration is at last attractingjoint. I have seen once anchylosis of the knee-joint from guinea-worm. the notice of Government, and fines of large amount have in several in-The scrotum is a very usual seat, and I have seen one extracted from the stances been inflicted; but it is likely to meet with its severest check fromaqueous humour of the eye, between three and four inches long. On the the publication announced in that excellent medical work, THE LANCET, ofGuinea coast there is not a part of the body from which they have not been the various articles adulterated-the extent of their adulteration-and thetaken. The cause is certainly not tank-water, as they are more frequent in names and addresses of the fraudulent dealers, whether they be merchantsthe native town, where there are few tanks, than in the fort, where all the or retailers,-and whatever their line of business. The importance of thewater consumed is tank-water. I do not know what the microscope would labours of the Analytical Sanitary Commission’ cannot be overstated, anddiscover, but no ordinary lens shows the slightest difference between the the results must be in every way beneficial, both to the health of the com-two ends of the animal, as Mr. Berncastle has remarked. From the soft munity and the morals of the traders; and if the plan proposed be carriedparts, as the scrotum, abdomen, &c., they may be extracted at one sitting, to the promised extent, the public will no longer receive potato-flour forbut it is a work of weeks to get them from amongst the bones of the foot, arrowroot-gelatine for isinglass-caustic refuse for pepper-or beans and

Yours truly, HENRY LANDOR, chicory for coffee; nor will the poor be any longer allowed to cheat them-....., Late Colonial Surgeon, Gold Coast. selves by purchasing cheap substitutes, sold under genuine names, to theirHeigham Retreat, Norwich, May 6. 1851. ultimate, if not immediate injury, in all vital respects."

A Student, (Bristol.)-Petition the Council of the College of Surgeons on nbia.-The fracture generally takes place at the lower third.the subject. All the information required may be obtained from Mr. Anonymous.-It will be necessary to obtain the diploma of the College ofBalfour, the secretary of the College. Surgeons and the licence of the Apothecaries’ Hall to do what our corre-

J. R. H.-Inter-marriages among individuals of the same family are well spondent requires. With respect to the second question, an Englishknown to be causes of mental and bodily degeneration, both in man and qualification ought also to be obtained.the lower animals. Our correspondent will thus see that marriage of the RepLiEs to the questions of several correspondents are unavoidably omittedchildren of first cousins is a lower step in the progress of deterioration. this week.

THE letter of Mr. H. T. Gore shall be published next week. COMMUNICATIONS, LETTERS, &c., have been received from-Mr. John Lee,Mr. Hunt.-In referring to the labours of the Analytical Sanitary Commis- (Newcastle-on-Tyne;) Mr. K. M’Neile, (Inverness;) Mr. W. Beale,

sion, Mr. Hunt observes-" It would seem that nothing could materially (Maidstone;) Mr. A. Manby, (Cheshire;) ;) Mr. Ball, (Iron Bridge, Salop;)affect the opaque mind of the Chancellor of the Exchequer." Mr. H. Anthony, (Dungarvan, Ireland;) Mr. G. Welch, (Shrewsbury

Dr. Edward Williams very properly urges the necessity of attention to the Hospital, Sheffield ;) Mr. Wood, (Glasgow;) Messrs. Hodges & Smith,state of the menstrual function in the treatment of female diseases; but (Dublin;) Mr. Hibblethwaite, (Bradford, Yorkshire;) Tyro-Medicus,we regret that we cannot find room for his communication. (Clifton;) A Working Man; Mr. H. Landor, (Norwich;) M.D. ; Mr. W.

AYoung Practitioner.-The qualification does not confer a legal right to Morgan, (Newport;) M.D., (King’s College;) Mr. T. Niddrie, (Leaming-practise in England.

VENOUS MURMURS. ton;) Mr. W. Notman, (Holloway;) A Student, (Bury, Lancashire;) Mr.

To the Editor MURMURS. R. Rutherford, (Kinross;) Mr. H. Sharp; Mr. W. Hand, (Winsford;)To the Editor of THE LANCET. - ... Dr. B.; Studens Mr. C Robertson, (Glasgpw;) Cogswell;SiR,-Without wishing in the slightest degree to detract from the value

Dr. Crisp; Dr. B.; Studens, Mr. C. Robertson, (Glasgow;) Dr. Cogswell;of Dr. Ogier Ward’s labours in relation to this subject, I may observe that Enquirer; Chirurgus; A Visitor to the Medical Society; Delta; M.D.,in his discovery that "all children, male or female, under seven years of (Birmingham;) A Governor; A City Man; Alpha; A Student; A Londonage, exhibit the venous murmur," he has been anticipated by Dr. Liman, of Surgeon; S.; M.B., (Bristol;) Mr. J. Kirk, (with inclosure;) Mr. Parker,Berlin, who has laid down the more general proposition, that "the murmur (Birkenhead;) An Old Student; Dr. E. Williams; Dr. Muspratt;in the’vessels of the neck is found to exist in most persons, and that it is (Birkenhead ) An Old Student, Dr. E. Williams, Dr. Muspratt,in the vessels of the neck is found to exist in most persons, and that it is

Mr. glake, Ross Mr. Potts, Stockton-on-Tees Mr. Clarke ( olalways perceptible in children." His paper appeared in the Deutsche Klinik Mr. Blake, (Ross ;) Mr. Potts, (Stockton-on-Tees;) Mr. Clarke, (Wolver-for last year; but there is a good abstract of it, and a general review of the hampton;) Dr. Cattell, (Braunston, Northamptonshire;) Mr. J. Lane,whole question of venous murmurs, in Schmidt’s Jalzrbucher for August. (Braunton;) Mr. Spackman, (Lutterworth;) Mrs. Lovesy, (Paignton,

St. Andrew’s, May 4, 1851. G. E· D. Devon;) Dr. A. Anderson, (Glasgow;) Mr. T. Kelly, (Draperstown;)

G. H., (St. Martin’s-lane.)-Let him banbh fear, and the cure is effected. Mr. B. Gallwey; Mr. Dover ; A Constant Reader; Mr. Edmund Harvey;A Long Subscriber.-A person holding simply the diploma of the Royal Mr. P. Bibby; Mr. G. Edwards, (Wolverhampton;) J. H. G. ; Mr. B.

College of Surgeons cannot legally practise as an apothecary. He cer. Brookes; An Old Pupil of Mr. Skey’s; Mr. R. Snowden; Mr. Robert

tainly renders himself 1-able to a penalty for so doing. Appleton; Mr. S. Guning; Messrs. Salt & Son, (Birmingham;) Mr. J.THE specimen furnished by W. C. is under examination. Ikin, (Leeds;) An Apprentice; Anglicus; Mr. J. Rigby; Mr. F. Sparrow;Mentis had better address his inquiry to the secretary of either the Charring- Cymro; M.R.C.S., M.B., (Lond,,) & L.A.S. ; Mr. Thomas Blake; Mr.

cross or the Westminster Hospital, when, no doubt, he will receive a suit- Stephen Lane, (with inclosure ;) Dr. Tunstall, (Bath;) Mr. Wilson; ;able reply. ,.. , . , .. - , Mr Dunn, (Newcastle-on-Tyne, with inclosure ;) A Five Years’ Sub-

Self. - 1. In Dr. King Chambers’ lectures, in the first volume of THE scriber, and an Orthodox Surgeon; A Naval Surgeon, (Jamaica;) Diem;

LANCET for 1850. 2. The answer to the second query rests with the Marcus; One whose Patients have been tampered with by the Baby-lecturer. (From a Correspondent.) Hunter, (Leeds;) Self; Mr. J. Ashton, (Market-Drayton;) Mr. Tucker;

Ward says. when a sound is heard near the throttle, One who will not touch Pitch lest he be Defiled, (Norwich ;) Mentis ; ;Resembling the hum of a bee in a bottle, J. R. H. ; Dr. J. B. Thompson; Mr. J. Brindley, (Chester;’) Mr. Lord,"’Tis a murmur-in vain."-Now, I say with a shrug, (Hampstead;) A Visitor to the Great Exhibition; Mr. Baker- ; Mr. Hunt;" ’Tis not a hum-bee, it must be a hum.bug.11 A Subscriber of Twenty-six Years’ Standing; Messrs. Wortley & Hanbury ;

Bob Sawyer. The qualifications mentioned do not entitle the holder of them A Young Practitioner; A Student, (Bristol;) Tibia; A Surgeon; J. J.;to practise as an apothecary. The supplying his patients with medicine Juvenis, (Denbigh;) Mr. A. Campbell, (Roxton, Corofin ;) Dr. Beneke;brings him under the letter of the statute, and renders him liable to the Mr. J. Stephens, (Gloucestershire;) Mr. J. E. Owen, (Southampton;)penalty. Dr. Powell; A Provincial Surgeon; G. E. D., (St. Andrew’s;) Dr. R. Lee;

A. Surgeon. - The instruments mentioned will be found in the North-West Mr. J. F. Shaw; Dr. Williams, (Dublin;) Mr. J. F. Bridick, (Durham ;)Gallery at the Great Exhibition. Mr. G. R. Burt, (Ilminster, Somerset;) Mr. H. Jacobs, (Newton Abbott;)

A Subscriber’of Twenty-six Years’ Standing.-There is no positive informa- Mr. J. W. Wait, (New House;) Mr. T. Blake, (Ross;) Mr. E. P. Davies,tion on the subject. The freedom with which fresh air can gain access, (Christchurch;) Mr. J. M. Ling, (Saxmundham;) Mr. Potts, (Norton;) Mr.and the length of time during which a chamber is occupied, are matters W. D. Wilkes, (Salisbury;) Mr. W. Gibbs, (Heckington ;) Dr. A. Ross,for consideration in deciding the question. (Waterloo.) 4M.D.-The possession of the diploma of the Royal College of Surgeons does TH Wolverhampton Chronicle, April 30, and the Liverpool Times, April 2not confer a "legal right" to place "Esquire" after the name of the holder, have been received.