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ASSISTANT-SURGEONS IN THE ROYAL NAVY.
594
betraysan ignorance of grammar (rare, let us charitably hope, amongst captains R.N.) which I rather wonder escaped the observation of the gentleman who so very efficiently took it to
thigh or leg; and 1:1for fracture dislocation of the arm. What, then, is the remedy for the above evil? Why, I should say, as a medical man, let every respectable tradesman &c. keep his three shillings, and employ what medical man
£3for simple fracture of the or
pieces. My correspondent alludes, with something not unlike a taunt, to my having applied the term "gallant" to a"Captain R.N." Had it been applied to the writer of the letter of the 15th, I should in truth have admitted the justice of his taking me to task for it; but it was by me intended to refer to the
pleases; and should there be in the club a very poor trades(although a master mechanic) who should not be in a position to pay a " doctor’s bill," I say, let it be left to the he
man
discretion of the surgeon to attend that poor man by the year, if he thinks well to do so. After fully considering this affair, I should beg to suggest to these societies what I conceive (as regards terms of contract) to be just and fair to both parties-viz., the medical attendant and the societies.
writer of the letter of the 1st,—In fact, the expression, as we all know, is a sort of generic one as applied to the officers of both services-a mere façon de parler;" just as we say " learned" to the lawyers, " honourable" to M.P.S, and "reveto the clergy. I am as well aware as any man can be, that there is, and Tenrras of Medical and Surgical Attendance on Clubs and has been from time immemorial, a strong, a deep-rooted, and Benefit S’ocieties :a most unwarrantable amongst all the exe1st. The surgeon to receive three shillings for each member cutive classes in the prejudice existing the medical officers, and against navy not residing more than three miles from his residence. against the assistant-surgeons; indeed, no man 2nd. To receive one shilling per mile for every mile beyond I particularly could have served without witnessing, most painfully witness. the three miles above stated, but not to be required to goi daily, nay hourly, instances of it; it was one of the many more than six miles from his own house. ’, ing, causes of disgust which drove me out of the service. 3rd. All members out of bounds (that is, beyond the first I am, however, bound to say that I have met with many three miles) to be allowed to make the best arrangement they honourable exceptions, and these exceptions have invariably can with the nearest surgeon to their home. been found amongst the most aristocratic and the best edu4 tli. That no farmer, master tradesman, or master handi- cated of the executive class. I certainly do feel strongly the craftsman, be admitted upon the surgeon’s list, but that mem- degraded position of the naval assistant-surgeons. I have bers for medical attendance (on club account) be strictly con- often expressed myself strongly on the subject; I shall confined to labourers and journeymen mechanics. tinue to do so, as opportunities present themselves, till their 5th. Leeches to be paid for by the society. position shall be made what it ought to be. I have no personal 6th. Fracture of leg, two guineas. interest whatsoever in the matter; I do not think I have an Fracture of one 7th. arm, guinea. acquaintance now on the medical list, save one, a near and a 8th. Dislocation of elbow or shoulder, one guinea. dear connexion, and lie has no more (or at least very There are many other accidents to which the human frame very little more) interest in it than I have, having obtained his pro. is liable, and the remuneration for which would be left open, motion after a service of about seven years as an assistant. I such as retention of the urine; broken collar-bone; fracture of with the cpinion that any farther agitation of this quite agree skull requiring trepanning; fracture of ribs; dislocation of question before the Admiralty is useless. I do think that knee and ankle; tapping in dropsy; hernia, and the operation it is to the legislature the naval assistant-surgeons must look for it. for redress, and I do hope that Mr. Wakley will take an opI think it would be well if guardians and the leading membefore the close of the session, to bring the matter bers of friendly societies would take the trouble torecommend portunity, before the House; when the naval estimates are under conevery member to cultivate a good understanding with his sideration would seem to be the most fitting time. I have "doctor;" that is to say, not to harass him unnecessarily; and reason to know that the honourable member for Montrose when the patient wishes to see his medical attendant, except will the subject his support; and there is, or was, a naval give in sudden illness, let the order be at the surgeon’s residence officer, Captain Jones, in the House, who on a former occaearly, before he takes his first journey in the morning, so that sion advocated the claims of the assistant-surgeons. the surgeon may know what journeys he has to take during I cannot boast of a numerous acquaintance amongst our the day, and’not be put to the inconvenience and trouble of but there are three honourable members who reckon me M.P.s, riding the same ground over and over again. their constituents, and I think I could enlist the amongst I would also suggest that the heads of societies, and every of these gentlemen in favour of my naval brethren. sympathies respectable man, should stand by and support the regularly I feel obliged to "An Assistant-Surgeon R.N." for the kind educated surgeon; and I hope the day is not far distant when manner in which he speaks of my efforts on behalf of his class; the bulk of society will be deeply convinced that, iri sickness, he does me but justice in attributing to me an ardent desire if legitimate medical science and the accumulated experience to see him ranking where he and all like him ought to be-in of ages cannot afford them a remedy, they will seek for it in the service.-I am, Mr. Editor, faithfully yours, vain at the hands of ignorance and quackery. MICHAEL HEALY, M.D. MiCHAEL Bindon-street, Ennis, May, 1848. Colsterworth, April, 1848."
rend"
COUNCIL OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF AND THE MEMBERS OF THAT COLLEGE. To tlte Editor of THE LINCET.
THE
ASSISTANT-SURGEONS IN THE ROYAL NAVY. To the Editor of THE LANCET. LANCET SIR,—THE of May the 6th contains a letter addressed to me, signed,"An Assistant-Surgeon R.N." The writer appears to have made a mistake with regard to a letter, signed, " A Captain R.N.," to which my observations in your paper of the 22nd of April had reference. The mistake of your (or, rather, of my) correspondent would seem to have arisen from the circumstance of there having appeared in THE LANCET two letters, each bearing the signature,"A Captain R.N.," and dated respectively, Jan. 1st and Jan. 15th. Now my observations were applied to the former letter, and were made altogether with a view to the correction of what seemed to me to be a mistake on the part of the writer-viz., the sentiments. attributed by him to the full surgeons of the navy, and particularly to Sir W. Burnett on the long-agitated subject of the, removal of the assistant-surgeons tothe ward-room. With respect to the letter, bearing a similar signature, which was transferred to your columns of the 15th January, and which is very ably handled by " An Assistant-Surgeon R.N.," (perhapsi my friend,) my letter had no reference to it, for the simplest possible reason,-I had neither seen nor heard of it when I wrote; indeed, even if I had, I should have considered it unnecessary to have alluded to it, for it is really unworthy the’ trouble taken to show up its weakness, its vulgarity, and its total want of argumentative matter. Its very first sentence, ,
.
.
SURGEONS,
SIR,--Allow me to express my humble gratitude for the straightforward and manly manner in which you have come forward and suggested to our apathetic profession the only means
that now lie open for it to rescue itself from a second edition of Apothecaries’ Hall. Let your advice be acted upon, and we are certain of success. The earnest and temperate remonstrance of ten thousand insulted and injured members of the College of Surgeons of England could not fail at the present moment to have a decided effect. Now, or never, should be our watchword. To crush the so-called degradation seeking institute, and compel the college to institute a medical as well as a surgical examination,—this is all we want; but a poor concession after all, and only raising their standard of requirements to an equality with the Dublin and Edinburgh Colleges, but which, by some peculiar mode of reasoning best known to the grave and wise council itself, is not compatible with their Royal College’s dignity. Liverpool practitioners, be up and stirring. Stand by Mr. Wakley, your old and tried friend. Show the other provincial towns of Great Britain the initiation, as on the last occasion, when you numbered your hundreds to petition in favour of his Registration Bill, which nothing but the corrupt
betraysan ignorance of grammar (rare, let us charitably hope, amongst captains R.N.) which I rather wonder escaped the observation of the gentleman who so very efficiently took it to
thigh or leg; and 1:1for fracture dislocation of the arm. What, then, is the remedy for the above evil? Why, I should say, as a medical man, let every respectable tradesman &c. keep his three shillings, and employ what medical man
£3for simple fracture of the or
pieces. My correspondent alludes, with something not unlike a taunt, to my having applied the term "gallant" to a"Captain R.N." Had it been applied to the writer of the letter of the 15th, I should in truth have admitted the justice of his taking me to task for it; but it was by me intended to refer to the
pleases; and should there be in the club a very poor trades(although a master mechanic) who should not be in a position to pay a " doctor’s bill," I say, let it be left to the he
man
discretion of the surgeon to attend that poor man by the year, if he thinks well to do so. After fully considering this affair, I should beg to suggest to these societies what I conceive (as regards terms of contract) to be just and fair to both parties-viz., the medical attendant and the societies.
writer of the letter of the 1st,—In fact, the expression, as we all know, is a sort of generic one as applied to the officers of both services-a mere façon de parler;" just as we say " learned" to the lawyers, " honourable" to M.P.S, and "reveto the clergy. I am as well aware as any man can be, that there is, and Tenrras of Medical and Surgical Attendance on Clubs and has been from time immemorial, a strong, a deep-rooted, and Benefit S’ocieties :a most unwarrantable amongst all the exe1st. The surgeon to receive three shillings for each member cutive classes in the prejudice existing the medical officers, and against navy not residing more than three miles from his residence. against the assistant-surgeons; indeed, no man 2nd. To receive one shilling per mile for every mile beyond I particularly could have served without witnessing, most painfully witness. the three miles above stated, but not to be required to goi daily, nay hourly, instances of it; it was one of the many more than six miles from his own house. ’, ing, causes of disgust which drove me out of the service. 3rd. All members out of bounds (that is, beyond the first I am, however, bound to say that I have met with many three miles) to be allowed to make the best arrangement they honourable exceptions, and these exceptions have invariably can with the nearest surgeon to their home. been found amongst the most aristocratic and the best edu4 tli. That no farmer, master tradesman, or master handi- cated of the executive class. I certainly do feel strongly the craftsman, be admitted upon the surgeon’s list, but that mem- degraded position of the naval assistant-surgeons. I have bers for medical attendance (on club account) be strictly con- often expressed myself strongly on the subject; I shall confined to labourers and journeymen mechanics. tinue to do so, as opportunities present themselves, till their 5th. Leeches to be paid for by the society. position shall be made what it ought to be. I have no personal 6th. Fracture of leg, two guineas. interest whatsoever in the matter; I do not think I have an Fracture of one 7th. arm, guinea. acquaintance now on the medical list, save one, a near and a 8th. Dislocation of elbow or shoulder, one guinea. dear connexion, and lie has no more (or at least very There are many other accidents to which the human frame very little more) interest in it than I have, having obtained his pro. is liable, and the remuneration for which would be left open, motion after a service of about seven years as an assistant. I such as retention of the urine; broken collar-bone; fracture of with the cpinion that any farther agitation of this quite agree skull requiring trepanning; fracture of ribs; dislocation of question before the Admiralty is useless. I do think that knee and ankle; tapping in dropsy; hernia, and the operation it is to the legislature the naval assistant-surgeons must look for it. for redress, and I do hope that Mr. Wakley will take an opI think it would be well if guardians and the leading membefore the close of the session, to bring the matter bers of friendly societies would take the trouble torecommend portunity, before the House; when the naval estimates are under conevery member to cultivate a good understanding with his sideration would seem to be the most fitting time. I have "doctor;" that is to say, not to harass him unnecessarily; and reason to know that the honourable member for Montrose when the patient wishes to see his medical attendant, except will the subject his support; and there is, or was, a naval give in sudden illness, let the order be at the surgeon’s residence officer, Captain Jones, in the House, who on a former occaearly, before he takes his first journey in the morning, so that sion advocated the claims of the assistant-surgeons. the surgeon may know what journeys he has to take during I cannot boast of a numerous acquaintance amongst our the day, and’not be put to the inconvenience and trouble of but there are three honourable members who reckon me M.P.s, riding the same ground over and over again. their constituents, and I think I could enlist the amongst I would also suggest that the heads of societies, and every of these gentlemen in favour of my naval brethren. sympathies respectable man, should stand by and support the regularly I feel obliged to "An Assistant-Surgeon R.N." for the kind educated surgeon; and I hope the day is not far distant when manner in which he speaks of my efforts on behalf of his class; the bulk of society will be deeply convinced that, iri sickness, he does me but justice in attributing to me an ardent desire if legitimate medical science and the accumulated experience to see him ranking where he and all like him ought to be-in of ages cannot afford them a remedy, they will seek for it in the service.-I am, Mr. Editor, faithfully yours, vain at the hands of ignorance and quackery. MICHAEL HEALY, M.D. MiCHAEL Bindon-street, Ennis, May, 1848. Colsterworth, April, 1848."
rend"
COUNCIL OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF AND THE MEMBERS OF THAT COLLEGE. To tlte Editor of THE LINCET.
THE
ASSISTANT-SURGEONS IN THE ROYAL NAVY. To the Editor of THE LANCET. LANCET SIR,—THE of May the 6th contains a letter addressed to me, signed,"An Assistant-Surgeon R.N." The writer appears to have made a mistake with regard to a letter, signed, " A Captain R.N.," to which my observations in your paper of the 22nd of April had reference. The mistake of your (or, rather, of my) correspondent would seem to have arisen from the circumstance of there having appeared in THE LANCET two letters, each bearing the signature,"A Captain R.N.," and dated respectively, Jan. 1st and Jan. 15th. Now my observations were applied to the former letter, and were made altogether with a view to the correction of what seemed to me to be a mistake on the part of the writer-viz., the sentiments. attributed by him to the full surgeons of the navy, and particularly to Sir W. Burnett on the long-agitated subject of the, removal of the assistant-surgeons tothe ward-room. With respect to the letter, bearing a similar signature, which was transferred to your columns of the 15th January, and which is very ably handled by " An Assistant-Surgeon R.N.," (perhapsi my friend,) my letter had no reference to it, for the simplest possible reason,-I had neither seen nor heard of it when I wrote; indeed, even if I had, I should have considered it unnecessary to have alluded to it, for it is really unworthy the’ trouble taken to show up its weakness, its vulgarity, and its total want of argumentative matter. Its very first sentence, ,
.
.
SURGEONS,
SIR,--Allow me to express my humble gratitude for the straightforward and manly manner in which you have come forward and suggested to our apathetic profession the only means
that now lie open for it to rescue itself from a second edition of Apothecaries’ Hall. Let your advice be acted upon, and we are certain of success. The earnest and temperate remonstrance of ten thousand insulted and injured members of the College of Surgeons of England could not fail at the present moment to have a decided effect. Now, or never, should be our watchword. To crush the so-called degradation seeking institute, and compel the college to institute a medical as well as a surgical examination,—this is all we want; but a poor concession after all, and only raising their standard of requirements to an equality with the Dublin and Edinburgh Colleges, but which, by some peculiar mode of reasoning best known to the grave and wise council itself, is not compatible with their Royal College’s dignity. Liverpool practitioners, be up and stirring. Stand by Mr. Wakley, your old and tried friend. Show the other provincial towns of Great Britain the initiation, as on the last occasion, when you numbered your hundreds to petition in favour of his Registration Bill, which nothing but the corrupt