527

Medical Diary of the Week.

MONDAY, Nov. 2........

TUESDAY, Nov. 3 .....

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 4

THURSDAY, Nov. 5....,

FRIDAY, Nov. 6 .......

SATURDAY, Nov. 7....

(ST. MARK’S HOSPITAL FOR FISTULA AND OTHERDISEASES OF THE RECTUM.-Operations, 1¼It P.M.METROPOLITAN FREE, HOSPITAL. - Operations,

2 P.M.ROYAL INSTITUTION. - 2 P.M. General Monthly) ( Meeting.

", EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SOCIETY. -- 8 P.M. Dr. B. W.Richardson, "On the Present Position andProspects of Epidemiological Science."

MEDICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.-8½ P.M. GeneralMeeting. - Mr. de Méric, " On Occasional Non-transmission of Syphilis to the Offspring."

’Guv’s HOSPITAL.-Operations, It P.M.WESTMINSTER HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.M.ANTHROPOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON,-8 P.M.

’1/ Mr. C. Carter Blake, " On the AnthropologicalPapers read at the British Association.’-Prof.

" -{ J. Marshall, "Un the Superficial Convolutions ofa Microcephalio Brain." - Mr. Geo. E. Robertsand Prof. Busk, " On the Opening of a Cist atBurghead." - Captain Eust&ce Jacob, "On theIndian Tribes of Vancouver’s Island."

LPATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.-8 P.MMIDDLESEX HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1 P.M.ST. MARY’S HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1 P.M.UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL. - Operations,

2 P.M.HUNTERIAN SOCIETY. - 8 P.M. Mr. Allingham,

" On Two Cases of Stricture treated by PerinealSection."

OBSTETRICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.-8 P.M. Mr.Hardey, " On Retroversion of the Uterus."-Dr.Braxton Hicks, " On his Method of Turning."-Mr. 1. B. Brown, " 011 Vaginal Lithotomy."

("ST. GEORGE’S HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1 P.M. I

CENTRAL LONDON OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL I

Operations, 1 P.M. ILONDON HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1½ P.M.GREAT NORTHERN HOSPITAL, KING’S CROSS.- I

Operations, 2 P.M.

LONDON SURGICAL HOME.-Operations, 2 P.M.WEST LONDON HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.M.ROYAL ORTHOPÆDIC HOSPITAL. - Operations, 2

P.M. ICHEMICAL SOCIETY.-8 P.M. Dr. Sprengel, "Onthe Detection of Nitric Acid."-’Dr. Thudiehnm," On Physiological Variations of Hippuric Acid in Human Urine."

HARVEIAN SOCIETY. - 8 P.M. 31r. Ernest Hart,"On the Diseases constituting the Conditioncommonly called Amaurosis (with Ophthalmo-

scopic Demonstrations)."fWMTMINSTBB OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL, - Opera-

tions, 1½ P.M.,., WESTERN MEDICAL AND SUSGICAL SOCIETY OF

LONDON.-8 P.M. Practical Evening for the Nar-L ration of Cases and the Exhibition of Specimens.ST. THOMAS’S HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1 P.M.

LOCK HOSPITAL, Dean-street, Soho.-Clinical De-monstrations and Operations, 1 P.M.ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1½

..

P.M.KING’S COLLEGE HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1l P.M.ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1½ P.M. CHARING-CROSS HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.A2.

To Correspondents.THE BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

THE organ of this Association complains that the proceedings of the Bristolmeeting were not reported this year in THE LANCET. That complaintcomes with a very bad grace from such a source. We reported at somelength the proceedings of the London meeting in 1862, when the Associa-tion took alarm for the welfare of its Journal, and that Journal, as theofficial organ of the Association, had the folly and impertinence to comparethe applications made to Dr. Walshe and others for copies of their orations,to "petty larceny" and robbery of the person. The Association can haveno reason for complaint, therefore, if now we allow their organ the exclu-sive privilege of reporting their meetings.

West Indian.-According to a high American authority, Dr. de la Roche, thespleen is but little, if at all, changed in yellow fever; whilst in "biliousremittent" it is very generally much enlarged and softened.

A Constant Reader.-There is no rule; but it is more courteous for the new-comer to call on the residents.

Veritas.-We do not doubt the statements of our correspondent; but thedefence should come more directly from the persons immediately im-plicated.

S. H. K.-There is no such application. Follow the scriptural advice, "Tarryat Jericho," &c.

M.D.-Yes, he can be taken as an inmate or boarder without a certificate.

Australian.-We must decline to enter into the controversy, whether in itsscientific or social aspect, regarding Professor Halford’s criticism upon thework of Professor Huxley. We would remark, however, that from suchevidence as is before us, if it is to be depended upon,-and here at theantipodes we are compelled to be cautious,-we think the Melbourne Pro-fessor is bound to cultivate a little more of the suaviter in modo and foregoa little of the fortiter in re. Professor Huxley’s anatomy does not stand inneed of our support.

Anxiety.-It is impossible from the description given to form an opinion onsuch a case. Our correspondent probably cannot do better than apply toMr. H.

THE DIGNITY OF DRESS.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-Having carefully perused the letters of " C. S. M. P." and "A. H. C.,"in your journal of last week, upon the above subject, and also their remarksupon my letter which appeared in THE LANCET of the 17th instant, I must,in self-defence, ask permission to make a few more remarks upon the subject.Your first correspondent, in the commencement of his letter, states that he

considers it desirable that the members of the medical profession shouldappear at meetings of our learned societies or otherwise in the costume de-noting their rank and position. How then, may I ask, is the M.R.C.S. orF.R.C.S. to do so unless some distinguishing mark be granted him ? He thengoes on to say that the request of " M.R.C.S." would tend to lower ratherthan elevate the dignity of the profession. This seems to me very like con-tradicting himself.A. H. C.," who, I presume, is a graduate of some University, jealous of a

rival hood, speaks in a most disparaging manner of St. Bees and King’s Col-lege, London. I would simply ask him, supposing it had been his lot to havebelonged to either of the two Colleges mentioned, would he have beenashamed of his alma mater, and thrown aside the hood or distinguishingmark that she had, after examination, legally entitled him to ? He alsoseems forgetful that for some time past all medical students have been com-pelled to pass an Arts examination, thus entitling them to the motto,"Medicina et literis," which is spoken of in the article on the "Education ofMedical Students" in THE LANCET of last Saturday.In order, then, to carry out my proposition in my former letter, I would

suggest that the Members or Licentiates, as some are of the three great Sur-gical Colleges of England, Scotland, and Ireland, should have black silk orstuffgowns, with black hoods, each of the Colleges hav’ng a differently colouredlining or edging, and that the Fellows of the respective Colleges should eitherhave hoods entirely of one colour, say that of the lining of the Members orLicentiates’ hoods, or else that the Members or Licentiates’ hoods shouldhave the colours reversed for Fellows, in like manner as the hoods of theM.A. and D.D. of Oxford are. Thus the colours of the rainbow, as mentionedby "A. H. C.," would be prevented, and the profession would, I think, beelevated rather than otherwise.

I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,October, 1863. M.R.C.S.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.SIR,-I quite agree with your article on "The Dignity of Dress," and I am

glad to see that the matter has been taken up so warmly. There can be nodoubt that, as the question now stands, University graduates alone have theprivilege of wearing the gown and hood, and that on all suitable public occasionsthey should assert their status in the profession by wearing them, and thusshow the world at large that Physic as well as Divinity and Law has theemblems of a learned profession. I think, too, that the Fellows of the diffe-rent Colleges might very properly have their badge; but there I would let thematter stop. Whether this is a question for the Colleges or for the MedicalCouncil, I know not; but I apprehend that the respective costumes must besettled by the Councils of the different Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons,and that the sanction of the Medical Council would easily be obtained totheir adoption, even if the Council does not previously recommend it, whichis all probably it could do.

I hope, therefore, that this subject will have the early attention of thedifferent Colleges, as a means of elevating the profession in the eyes ofthe world, and of conferring additional rank on the higher grades in theColleges. I am, Sir, your obedient servant,October, 1863. :iY1.D.

Mr. W. Demaure.-1. Health, no doubt, can be obtained if the person observetemperate habits. 2. The attacks of illness and suffering are not from thecause imagined by our correspondent.

A Member can obtain it by application to the Secretary of the College. The

price is one shilling.Staedens.-The letter referring to a practitioner in Dudley must be authen-

ticated.A Patient, (Croydon.)-The article can be obtained of Francis Newbery and

Sons, 45, St. Paul’s-churchyard.T. C.-The first volume of THE LANCET for 1857.

ON THE USE OF COLLODION WITH GLYCERINE IN EETSIFELAE.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-In reply to "Constant Reader’s" letter, contained in last week’sLANCET, I beg to state that the substitution of a glycerinated collodion forthe common collodion will completely prevent the cracking of the skin andother unpleas ant consequences which often occur when the latter is used as adressing in e ysipelas of the face.The manner in which it should be prepared, according to Dr. W. Abbotts

Smith’s recent small work, ("On Glycerine, and its Uses in Medicine, Sur-gery, and Pharmacy," p. 30,) is by adding two parts of glycerine to one hun-dred parts of common collodion. The addition of this small proportion ofglycerine is sufficient to impart considerable suppleness to the collodion, andto prevent its dragging upon and cracking the delicate tissues to which it isapplied. I am, Sir, yours obediently,October, 1863..I. L.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.SIR,-Having found equal parts of collodion and castor oil a very usefnl

varnish to protect the skin in cases of simple erysipelas of the face, I wouldsuggest it to " Constant Reader." Yours faithfully,

Jermyn-street, October, 1863. ALFRED COOPER,

528

Lithotomy or Lithntrity.-The causes of death after the former, of course,vary; but a high authority, Mr. Henry Thompson, lays it down that in themajority of cases a fatal event is due to unnecessary violence inflicted onthe neck of the bladder and parts adjacent, occasioning destructive inflam-mation of the connective tissue and of the network of the minute blood-vessels which pervades it. When this takes place, infiltration occurs, whichnecessarily rapidly and frightfully augments the already existing danger.

NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.To the Editor of Tax LANCET.

SIR,-A letter appeared in your columns of the 17th instant respecting theinternal arrangements and management of this school and hospital. Nor wasit premature. With reason the students complain, and unfortunately not forthe first time-nay, the history of the institution from its very origin is butthat of a series of complaints, irrefutable in themselves, and unchallenged bythe authorities. In truth, as each succeeding year adds another span to itsalready waning existence, fresh grievances are enacted, new difficulties inter-posed.Not only are lectures (in defiance of remonstrances made in good part)

appointed for such times as in due course the staff would be pursuing theirresearches in the wards of the hospital, but let the student, driven to it as afinal expedient, desert his wonted seat in the lecture-room, not to be deprivedof clinical instruction,-at least as important a branch of his medical educa-tion as that attained by the more theoretical lore of lectures,-and wend hissteps to the hospital, yet there still are his good designs to be thwarted andhis enthusiasm chilled. Long may he wait (and wait in vain) before he isprivileged to see his tutors, on whose care hangs oftentimes the life or death,the weal or woe, of so many of their fellow-creatures, the special objects ofthe charity.Comment on such a line of conduct as this, to which there can be but one

inevitable result to teacher and student, is needless; silence is gold, speechis but dross indeed. To their honour, however, be mentioned the names ofthe two senior surgeons of the hospital, Sir John Fife and Mr. Heath, the- latter of whom ably fills the chair of Surgery at the school, who are both atall times ready and willing to exert themselves for the professional and socialadvancement of the students.The benefit or injury accruing to the profession by the inauguration of pro-

vincial schools is indeed a moot point, and certainly not one which it is mywish to enter into. Suffice it to remark that nowhere has the dark side ofthe question been more lamentably apparent than at Newcastle and in theNewcastle School of Medicine.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,October, 1S63. A NEWCASTLE MAN.

Mr. C. F. Burdett.-In the present state of the law it might be dangerous toenforce the operation.

Over D., (Lancashire.)-I. There is no rule. The new-comer should call ifthe residents fail to pay him a visit.-2. For either.

A HARD CASE.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-I shall be greatly obliged if you will allow me to acknowledge, withgrateful thinks, the subscriptions I have received in answer to the appealmade in THE LANCET of the 17th instant, towards the relief of a widow anddaughter of a deceased medical man. Should they be fortunate enough toreceive other subscriptions,-and they are much needed,-I will, with yourpermission, acknowledge them in the same way.Medical Benevolent Fund, £10 0

0 Miss Fullagar and Friends, £7 0 0

Mrs. Drummond ......... 1 0 0

Mrs. Hodginson ......... 1 0 0

Mr. Lewis ............ 2 0 0 Mrs. B. and Friends ...... 0 7 6Ludlow friends ......... 0 15 0 Miss Andrews, in stamps... 0 2 0Miss Dunn .......·, ..· 2 0 0 Mrs. S. ditto ... 0 1 0T. I)un-,i, Esq........... 2 2 0 F. D. Dyster, M.D., Tenby... 5 0 0Thos. Kidd Cox......... 1 0 0

I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,J. ROBINSON, M.R.C.S.E.

Devonshire-street, Portland-plaee, October, 1863.

Dr. Morgran, (Manchester.)-The article on the "Health of Manchester" hasnot reached us.

Mr. W. Rovertsora, (Glanton.)-The fee for medical evidence at petty sessionsvaries from one to two guineas, according to the order of the magistrate.The former is that most usually allowed.

IS PODOPHYLLIN AN EMMENAGOGUE ? To the Editor o/’TB:E LANCET.

SIR,-In reply to Mr. Batterton’s query in your impression of the 17thInst., I beg to say that I have observed in one marked instance emmenagogueresults foDowing the exhibition of podophyllin, which acted freely on thebowels as well. Whether, however, the post hoc was also the propter hoc, I’am unable to sav. I am inclined to think, from what I have observed, thatthe drug in question is undoubtedly a deobstruent.

I remain, Sir, yours, &c.,South Petherton, Oct. 1863. HUGH NosRis, L.R.C.P. Ed.

To the Editor of Tsrs LANCET. ,

SIR,-Mr. S. W. Batterton writes in your impression of the 17th instant-Will you or any of your readers inform me whether podophyllin has beennoticed to possess any emmenagogue properties ?"Having procured a supply of the drug in the United States, I have used it

for several years past with the happiest results. In certain cases I frequentlygive it with a view to induce the menstrual flow, and with invariable success;not for any properties I entertain it to possess as an emmenagogue specificallyso, but for those indirect and sympathetic properties attributable to aloes andsuch like; the advantage in favour of podophyllin being the smallness of dose(half a grain), and consequent convenience of exhibition. Is it not rather aquestion for consideration how far this susceptibility of aetion indirectly as anemmenagogue invalidates and limits its general usefulness as a safe and cer-ai cathartic ? I remain, Sir, yours truly,

J. E, G.October, 1863. J. E. G.

Theta.-Dr. Koberle, in the Gazette Médicale de Strasbourg of perhaps ninett months back. While removing through an opening made in the abdomen

a fibrous tumour of the uterus of considerable size, he determined, in con-sequence of the changes which the uterus and ovaries had undergone, toextirpate the whole of these organs, leaving only the vaginal portion of thecervix uteri. The operation was performed successfully, the patient beingconvalescent in five weeks.

ST. ANDREWS UNIVERSITY CALHNDAR.’1’0 the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-I was much pleased to observe the letter of your correspondent,"A Graduate of St. Andrews," in last week’s LANCET. I lately obtained acopy of the present Calendar, and was astonished to find that it containednone of the information you would naturally look for in such a work. A pro-perly arranged Calendar, containing the educational requirements for thevarious degrees, &c., would, I am sure, be much desired by many.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,October, 1863. ENQUIRER.

4. B. C.-It would certainly be considered a surgical case. The chargescould be recovered in a court of law for medicine and attendance as a

surgeon.

A Constant Reader, (Brighton.)-We know nothing of the preparation. We are doubtful, however, whether that or any similar compound acts bene-ficially upon the organs of digestion.

A CORRHCTION.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-Having seen in your number of last week a report of a court-martialon an assistant-surgeon of H.M.S. Pioneer, allow me to correct a mistake.The person tried was an assistant-engineer, not an assistant-surgeon.

Yours truly,Devonport, October, 1863. AssisTAN’T-SuEMON’, R.N.

* * We have received upwards of twenty letters referring to the above sub-ject.-ED. L.

Mr. John Carr, (Birmingham.)-We cannot insert the case in its presentshape. If his medical attendant will send us the particulars, it shall re-ceive our attention.

A Subscriber (Manchester) will obtain what he requires of John Smith andCo., Long-acre, London.

A DOUBTFUL CASE.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-Can any of your numerous readers give a hint for the cure of the fol-lowing case?

J. B- for the last five years has suffered from a congested state of themucous membrane of the pharynx; no ulceration. Under the suppositionthat it is of syphilitic origin, he has been treated with iodide of potassium,corrosive sublimate, iodide of mercury, &c.; topical remedies in the form ofgargles of different kinds, nitrate of silver applied with a small brush, &c.;but nothing gives permanent relief. I am, Sir, yours, &c.,

October, 1863. M.D.

ERRATUM.-In THE LANCET of last week, p. 489, line 10 of first column, forPartridge, read Fergusson.

COMMUNICATIONS, LETTERS, &c., have been received from-Dr. Devenish;Mr. J. C. Hunter; Mr. J. Smart; Mr. Ellis, Morley; Mr. SlatOT, (with en-closure ;) Mr. Jamieson, Peterhead; Dr. Calvert, Manchester; Mr. Baker,Staplehurst, (with enclosure;) Mr. Langdon, Chobham, (with enclosure;)Dr. Nimmo, Edinburgh; Dr. Gill, Dover, (with enclosure;) Mr. Williams,(with enclosure;) Mr. Tearne, Pickering; Mr. Kemp, (with enclosure;)

i Mr. Harris, Teignmouth, (with enclosure;) Mr. Fowler; Mr. J. Robinson;i Mr. Nunneley, Leeds; Dr. Wood, Wakefield, (with enclosure;) Mr. Blake,

Salisbury, (with enclosure;) Mr. Stute, Liverpool; Mr. W.lson, (with en-closure ;) Mr. Oswald, Rochford, (with enclosure;) Dr. Rae, Blackburn ;Mr. H. Norris, South Petherton ; Dr. Davey, Northwoods ; Mr. C. Pooley,

I Weston-super-Mare; Mr. Dawson, (with enclosure;) Mr. Joyce, Coleford;’i Dr. Atkinson, Grimsby, (with enclosure;) Mr. J. Mercer; Mr. S. Friend,

! Dover, (with enclosure;) Dr. Kirkman, Maidstone; Mr. Nunn, Dublin;, Mr. Morgan; Mr. Ludlow; Mr. Stephenson, (with enclosure ;) Mr. Larkin;’

Mr. Ledderdale; Mr. Budgett; Dr. Leadam, Iver; Mr. W. Anderson, Ports-mouth ; Mr. Barnes, Swindon, (with enclosure;) Mr. Butler, (with enclo-sure;) ;) Mr. Beardsley, (with enclosure;) Mr. Mitchell ; Dr. Harvey; Mr. F. J.Sutton, Timberland, (with enclosure;) Mr. Eadson, (with enclosure;) Mr.Tronsdell, Queenstown; Mr. Hall, Lincoln; Mr. Couper; Mr. Serle, (withenclosure;) Mr. Watson, (with enclosure;) Mr. Teague, (with enclosure;)Mr. Warren, Tutbury, (with enclosure;) Mr. Grosvenor, Hacley, (with en-closure ;) Messrs. Ferris and Co., Bristol; Mr. Robertson, Aberdeen ; Mr.Garlick, Halifax, (with enclosure;) ;) Mr. Rowley ; Mr. C. Henderson, Gates-head, (with enclosure ;) Mr. A. Goodwin, Kegworth, (with enclosure;) Mr.Browning, (with enclosure;) Mr. Payne, Sheffield; Mr. Davy, Penmnce,(with enclosure;) Mr. Summers, Banwell, (with enclosure;) Mr. OliverMr. IIugue, (with enclosure;) Mr. W. Brown; A Surgeon, R.N.; L.R.C.P.;M.D.; Assistant-Surgeon; A. B. C.; BI.R.C.13.; An Indian Officer; Beta;Lodgings to Let; A Constant Reader; A Subscriber; A Working Man;M.D., (with enclosure ;) Chemical Society; A Newcastle Man ; A. B., (withenclosure;) J. R.; W. D.; Medical Society of London; S. H. K.; Anxiety;A Member; R. 0.; Beta, M.D.; Enquirer; Royal Institution , Ruth; T. C.Obstetrical Society of London; Anti-Humbug; E. M. S.; An ExecutiveStudens; M. M. D., (with enclosure;), M.RC.S., (with en.clOirol’-8;) W. S.; &e.