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CIRENCESTER UNION.
586
originators of the university, Mr. Warburton,, law commissioners (and inserted in THE highly disapproved of the examiners being LANCET a few weeks ago) were directed to their order, that no one should attend any disalso members of the council. Mr. HuME wished to know whether any trict of an union who was not doubly qualireport had been made of the manner in which fied in one of their four prescribed modes, the former grant had been expended. He and to the provision that any one might be had always been opposed to the system ofcontinued in office, although he did not posthe council appointing members of their own sess the double qualification, provided their body to the office of examiners, which was sanction were given to the boards of guara paid office, and the salary settled by them- dians for such appointment. The ineffectiveness and ridiculous inconHe hoped the Chancellor of the selves. Exchequer would call for a report in future, sistency of this order and provision must be and would take care not to submit any other evident to every one. If the great body of estimate without the house being made ac- medical practitioners were competent to take quainted with the manner in which the former the charge of union districts, as we believe grants had been spent, by means of a report. they were, there was no necessity for the He wished to see the names of the exa- commissioners’ order for double qualificaminers, in order that he might know if they tion, unless to shut out new candidates. If were really members of the council; for he the commissioners, in the exercise of their sucould not countenance a system under which preme wisdom, deemed it necessary to enforce a man might apportion a salary to himself. the possession of the double qualification, He was one of the first supporters of the they should have compelled everyone equally university, but he must say the expense had to have abided by the order, and not have made and the absurd and obnoxious provision. Legal the enactments decreed by the combined wisdom of many, one can cheerfully submit to; but establishment. Mr. G. W. WooD said, the members of the such absolute power, and wielded in so parcouncil had been asked to undertake the t iala manner, as is displayed by the poor-law duty of examiners ; they did not seek the triumvirate, cannot be borne with impunity. After the order so frequently referred to, it is office. (! !) Of course they did not seek the office, it most unseemly that the boards of guardians throughout the country should be compelled was thrust upon them; but is it true that they to act 11 with the consent of the commissioners refused to appoint Professor GRANT to be first had and obtained;" and it is most unjust that the thoroughly and doubly-qualified one of their Examiners; and treated him young practitioner should be compelled to only less shabbily than they did that amiable submit to the unequal operations of such aband accomplished physician, Dr. WATSON?i solute power. Surely such things cannot be allowed long to exist in these days of enlightThe Editor of this Journal was prevented ened liberty and knowledge. I am, Sir, your from taking a part in the discussion : but obedient servant, T. HERBERT BARKER. this is the less to be regretted, as the temBedford, July 18, 1842. porary institution in question will, we apprehend, so far as medicine is concerned, be
greatly exceeded his anticipations, might be reduced with advantage to very
CIRENCESTER UNION.
of medical reform which may be carried in the next session of Parliament.
superseded, by
any
plan
To the Editor of THE LANCET.
SIR,- Notwithstanding the indignation displayed by Mr. Hitchman (LANCET, p. "
with reference to the letter of Meand the denunciations of offended dignity fulminated both against the writer of that letter and the principle and practice of anonymous writing, I will take leave (with your permission) to venture within the scope of his ire, by denying, in limine, the soundness of his general argument, and the justice of its application in the present instance. As regards the question of anonymous writing, it is not necessary to occupy any time in its discussion. As Mr. H. is no doubt an observer of " the signs of the times," he will be the better enabled to satisfy himself as to the expediency and ultimate advantage to the public of abolishing the custom altoge-
526,)
dicus,"
BEDFORD UNION. To the Editor
SIR,-Allow
of THE LANCET. early as possible
me as
to
of your correspondents (" Medicus") of last week, appears to have fallen with reference to the qualifications of the medical officers of the Bedford Union. All the medical officers of that union are legally qualified to practise, inasmuch as they possess the licence of the Apothecaries’ Company, or were in practice before the existence of that chartered body, and some of them are also members of the college. My communications to the poor- ther. correct
an error
into which
one
587
success, to bring so many new adventurers into this branch of quackery. They must contrive to fleece many persons, or these expensive puffs would not appear. If the disease (whatever it is) be half so prevalent as they pretend, an absolute necessity exists for " medical men" that are not only NOT quali- the formation of hospitals, or some other mode fied, but who, I have reason to know, are of alleviating the suffering, and rescuing the utterly ignorant and incompetent, and pos- victims from the hands of such rapacious sess no qualification whatever, excepting Jews, without delay. Calling attention to the very useful one of modest assurance. the circumstance, I remain, Sir, your obeOh! but it will be said, state the parties dient servant, and the part of the union to which they beRUSTICUS. long. Give us their names and localities. July 14, 1842. Softly if you please. There is no necessity for doing either ; it is sufficient for our imMANUAL RESTRAINT IN mediate purpose to observe that such is the LUNACY. fact. There can be no difficulty in discoverthe locus in when ing proper inquiries quo, To the Editor of THE LANCET. are instituted by the parties who are offiSIR,-Your correspondent at Lincoln has cially concerned, and who certainly ought to to you the opinion of a very emiforwarded hasten to the know, and, knowing, remedy, nent man upon the subject of non-restraint ; existence of such gross abuses ! From the number of capitals attached to but he has not answered the questions of Mr. Hitchman’s signature, it is very evident your Belfast correspondent. Dr. Hutcheson deprecates a change from that he is not the party alluded to. Although not much in the habit of obtruding instrumental coercion to the manual coercion Will your Lincoln corremy crude notions upon the public, I have of attendants. judged it proper to lend my feeble aid in de- spondent undertake to say that manual coernouncing an abuse which is discreditable to cion is, and has been, disused in all cases at the governing powers, and manifestly unjust LincolnIn the case, for instance, of Mr. M., and injurious to the poor. I am, Sir, your respecting whose decease there has been some discussion in your columns, was there, obedient servant, or was there not, manual coercion ? In cases NON-MEDICUS. similar to that of the late Mr. M., is there, July 13, 1842. or is there not, a necessity for manual coercion in the absence of instrumental ? If there is not such necessity, what is the kind WHOLESALE QUACKERY. of treatment which ought to be pursued ?
With reference to the immediate subject of this communication, I beg to offer my humble tribute of thanks to " Medicus" for his statement; in corroboration of which I take leave to repeat, that there are in the Cirencester Union persons employed as
QUaeSTOR. QUÆSTOR. To the Editor
of THE LANCET.
SIR,-Allow a gratified but non-professional reader of your work to call your attention to a nuisance which is daily increasing’, and deserves the attention of the heads of the profession. I allude to the -advertisements published in nearly all the newspapers of Great Britain, by parties calling themselves "Davis and Co.," "La Mert and Co.," "Jordan and Co.," and numerous others, who were once usually considered venereal quacks ; but lately, finding actually the whole front page of a paper in the north, one whole side, taken up by these advertisements, I had the curiosity to read them, and I find that the advertisers pretend to treat a new class of disease, which, according to their account, pervades the whole population, and which the -regular medical practitioner refuses to treat at all, "leaving the miserable victim of folly to die a horrible death," as one of them phrases it. But I cannot bring myself to believe in the truth of any such libel on the medical profession, and I think the subject well deserving the attention of the College of Surgeons, for I fear there must be some inducement, by
July 20, 1842. i, !
CURE FOR SORE NiPPLES.-Among the modes of treatment published in THE LANCET for this painful and distressing affec. tion, I have been surprised that no mention is made of the leaden shield. I have’ recommended it for the last thirty years with invariable success, even where half the nipple has sloughed away before I saw the patient. It is moulded by the plumber from thin sheet lead, over a wooden nipple, and forms a receptacle for the natural one, which, from the oozing of the breast, is constantly immersed in a solution of lactate of lead, and speedily effects a cure. It is about the size of half-a-crown, and forms an effectual segis to the part, as it may be worn with the dress. My patients have kept with religious care those with which I have supplied them against the recurrence of the evil. The person who has supplied me with the leaden shield, properly made, is Mr. Parkin Jones, Fulham, whose experience in the manufacture of them has made him perfect. T. W. W. WANSBROUGH.
King’s-road, Chelsea, July 18,1842.
originators of the university, Mr. Warburton,, law commissioners (and inserted in THE highly disapproved of the examiners being LANCET a few weeks ago) were directed to their order, that no one should attend any disalso members of the council. Mr. HuME wished to know whether any trict of an union who was not doubly qualireport had been made of the manner in which fied in one of their four prescribed modes, the former grant had been expended. He and to the provision that any one might be had always been opposed to the system ofcontinued in office, although he did not posthe council appointing members of their own sess the double qualification, provided their body to the office of examiners, which was sanction were given to the boards of guara paid office, and the salary settled by them- dians for such appointment. The ineffectiveness and ridiculous inconHe hoped the Chancellor of the selves. Exchequer would call for a report in future, sistency of this order and provision must be and would take care not to submit any other evident to every one. If the great body of estimate without the house being made ac- medical practitioners were competent to take quainted with the manner in which the former the charge of union districts, as we believe grants had been spent, by means of a report. they were, there was no necessity for the He wished to see the names of the exa- commissioners’ order for double qualificaminers, in order that he might know if they tion, unless to shut out new candidates. If were really members of the council; for he the commissioners, in the exercise of their sucould not countenance a system under which preme wisdom, deemed it necessary to enforce a man might apportion a salary to himself. the possession of the double qualification, He was one of the first supporters of the they should have compelled everyone equally university, but he must say the expense had to have abided by the order, and not have made and the absurd and obnoxious provision. Legal the enactments decreed by the combined wisdom of many, one can cheerfully submit to; but establishment. Mr. G. W. WooD said, the members of the such absolute power, and wielded in so parcouncil had been asked to undertake the t iala manner, as is displayed by the poor-law duty of examiners ; they did not seek the triumvirate, cannot be borne with impunity. After the order so frequently referred to, it is office. (! !) Of course they did not seek the office, it most unseemly that the boards of guardians throughout the country should be compelled was thrust upon them; but is it true that they to act 11 with the consent of the commissioners refused to appoint Professor GRANT to be first had and obtained;" and it is most unjust that the thoroughly and doubly-qualified one of their Examiners; and treated him young practitioner should be compelled to only less shabbily than they did that amiable submit to the unequal operations of such aband accomplished physician, Dr. WATSON?i solute power. Surely such things cannot be allowed long to exist in these days of enlightThe Editor of this Journal was prevented ened liberty and knowledge. I am, Sir, your from taking a part in the discussion : but obedient servant, T. HERBERT BARKER. this is the less to be regretted, as the temBedford, July 18, 1842. porary institution in question will, we apprehend, so far as medicine is concerned, be
greatly exceeded his anticipations, might be reduced with advantage to very
CIRENCESTER UNION.
of medical reform which may be carried in the next session of Parliament.
superseded, by
any
plan
To the Editor of THE LANCET.
SIR,- Notwithstanding the indignation displayed by Mr. Hitchman (LANCET, p. "
with reference to the letter of Meand the denunciations of offended dignity fulminated both against the writer of that letter and the principle and practice of anonymous writing, I will take leave (with your permission) to venture within the scope of his ire, by denying, in limine, the soundness of his general argument, and the justice of its application in the present instance. As regards the question of anonymous writing, it is not necessary to occupy any time in its discussion. As Mr. H. is no doubt an observer of " the signs of the times," he will be the better enabled to satisfy himself as to the expediency and ultimate advantage to the public of abolishing the custom altoge-
526,)
dicus,"
BEDFORD UNION. To the Editor
SIR,-Allow
of THE LANCET. early as possible
me as
to
of your correspondents (" Medicus") of last week, appears to have fallen with reference to the qualifications of the medical officers of the Bedford Union. All the medical officers of that union are legally qualified to practise, inasmuch as they possess the licence of the Apothecaries’ Company, or were in practice before the existence of that chartered body, and some of them are also members of the college. My communications to the poor- ther. correct
an error
into which
one
587
success, to bring so many new adventurers into this branch of quackery. They must contrive to fleece many persons, or these expensive puffs would not appear. If the disease (whatever it is) be half so prevalent as they pretend, an absolute necessity exists for " medical men" that are not only NOT quali- the formation of hospitals, or some other mode fied, but who, I have reason to know, are of alleviating the suffering, and rescuing the utterly ignorant and incompetent, and pos- victims from the hands of such rapacious sess no qualification whatever, excepting Jews, without delay. Calling attention to the very useful one of modest assurance. the circumstance, I remain, Sir, your obeOh! but it will be said, state the parties dient servant, and the part of the union to which they beRUSTICUS. long. Give us their names and localities. July 14, 1842. Softly if you please. There is no necessity for doing either ; it is sufficient for our imMANUAL RESTRAINT IN mediate purpose to observe that such is the LUNACY. fact. There can be no difficulty in discoverthe locus in when ing proper inquiries quo, To the Editor of THE LANCET. are instituted by the parties who are offiSIR,-Your correspondent at Lincoln has cially concerned, and who certainly ought to to you the opinion of a very emiforwarded hasten to the know, and, knowing, remedy, nent man upon the subject of non-restraint ; existence of such gross abuses ! From the number of capitals attached to but he has not answered the questions of Mr. Hitchman’s signature, it is very evident your Belfast correspondent. Dr. Hutcheson deprecates a change from that he is not the party alluded to. Although not much in the habit of obtruding instrumental coercion to the manual coercion Will your Lincoln corremy crude notions upon the public, I have of attendants. judged it proper to lend my feeble aid in de- spondent undertake to say that manual coernouncing an abuse which is discreditable to cion is, and has been, disused in all cases at the governing powers, and manifestly unjust LincolnIn the case, for instance, of Mr. M., and injurious to the poor. I am, Sir, your respecting whose decease there has been some discussion in your columns, was there, obedient servant, or was there not, manual coercion ? In cases NON-MEDICUS. similar to that of the late Mr. M., is there, July 13, 1842. or is there not, a necessity for manual coercion in the absence of instrumental ? If there is not such necessity, what is the kind WHOLESALE QUACKERY. of treatment which ought to be pursued ?
With reference to the immediate subject of this communication, I beg to offer my humble tribute of thanks to " Medicus" for his statement; in corroboration of which I take leave to repeat, that there are in the Cirencester Union persons employed as
QUaeSTOR. QUÆSTOR. To the Editor
of THE LANCET.
SIR,-Allow a gratified but non-professional reader of your work to call your attention to a nuisance which is daily increasing’, and deserves the attention of the heads of the profession. I allude to the -advertisements published in nearly all the newspapers of Great Britain, by parties calling themselves "Davis and Co.," "La Mert and Co.," "Jordan and Co.," and numerous others, who were once usually considered venereal quacks ; but lately, finding actually the whole front page of a paper in the north, one whole side, taken up by these advertisements, I had the curiosity to read them, and I find that the advertisers pretend to treat a new class of disease, which, according to their account, pervades the whole population, and which the -regular medical practitioner refuses to treat at all, "leaving the miserable victim of folly to die a horrible death," as one of them phrases it. But I cannot bring myself to believe in the truth of any such libel on the medical profession, and I think the subject well deserving the attention of the College of Surgeons, for I fear there must be some inducement, by
July 20, 1842. i, !
CURE FOR SORE NiPPLES.-Among the modes of treatment published in THE LANCET for this painful and distressing affec. tion, I have been surprised that no mention is made of the leaden shield. I have’ recommended it for the last thirty years with invariable success, even where half the nipple has sloughed away before I saw the patient. It is moulded by the plumber from thin sheet lead, over a wooden nipple, and forms a receptacle for the natural one, which, from the oozing of the breast, is constantly immersed in a solution of lactate of lead, and speedily effects a cure. It is about the size of half-a-crown, and forms an effectual segis to the part, as it may be worn with the dress. My patients have kept with religious care those with which I have supplied them against the recurrence of the evil. The person who has supplied me with the leaden shield, properly made, is Mr. Parkin Jones, Fulham, whose experience in the manufacture of them has made him perfect. T. W. W. WANSBROUGH.
King’s-road, Chelsea, July 18,1842.