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FROM THE LANCET, SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 1825.
420 A report was received from the committee appointed to collection and investigation of facts with any hypothesis so firmly rooted in the mind as to allow it to interfere with consider and to report on the practical safety and prophyimpartiality of the judgment. He was certain that this lactic value of anti-typhoid inoculation. This was to the effect investigation had been, and was going to be, carried out with that not only was a lessened susceptibility to the disease due attention to this precaution, and he earnestly advised the brought about as a result of the inoculation but that the casepublic not to show impatience at the slow march of discovery mortality was largely reduced ; also that with due care there upon a matter which had defied the greatest physicians of was no direct danger, except possibly from some temporary the world up to the present time. He trusted that the increase of susceptibility immediately following inoculation. A report was received from the representative of the public would go forward in a liberal spirit, recognising that success, however certain, must be slow ; not to be too im- College in the General Medical Council on the proceedings patient of results nor too anxious to receive some equivalent of that Council during its session in May last and at a special in discovery for every subscription that they might give session in July. to the work. He hoped that they would be anxious to The Parkes-Weber prize was awarded to Hugh Walsham, endow this great machinery for scientific and pathological M.D. Cantab., F.R.C.P. Lond. The Council recommended investigation in a way which should, by the accumulated that the Moxon medal should be awarded to John Hughlings learning and experience of years, do something to mitigate Jackson, M.D. Aberd., F.R.S., as having especially distinone of the greatest curses under which humanity groaned. guished himself by observation and research in clinical It was, however, disquieting to find that, though the sum medicine. The Council also recommended that the Baly which had been collected appeared to be a large one, it was medal should be awarded to Johp Newport Langley, D.Sc., nevertheless contributed by only 213 persons out of a F.R.S., of Trinity College, Cambridge, as having pre. community of 40,000,000. Considering that all of these eminently distinguished himself in the science of physiology. The quarterly report of the College finance committee 40,000,000 had either in their own persons or in the persons of those dear to them-wives, children, grandchildren-a was received and adopted, as were also the annual reports of direct interest in the successful result of these investigations, the library committee and curators of the museum. it was surprising that the contributors should be so few in The quarterly report of the examiners for the Licence on number. He hoped that when the next annual meeting took the results of the April examination was received and also place it would be found that others had come forward and an application from Horatio George Adamson, M.D.Lond., that the result of their united efforts would be the providing praying for the restoration of Membership resigned by him of an assured financial basis which would be the best in 1897. The newly elected officers, examiners, and members of guarantee of ultimate success. Sir WILLIAM CHURCH proposed that Sir Henry Howse standing committees gave their faith to the College. should be added to the general committee as, in consequence of his having vacated the office of President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, he necessarily went off the executive committee. This was unanimously agreed to and the proceedings then terminated.
Looking Back. FROM
THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS OF LONDON. AN ordinary Comitia was held on July 30th, Sir WILLIAM S. CHURCH, Bart., the President, being in the chair. Seven gentlemen, having satisfied the Censors and given their faith to the College, were admitted Members. Licences were granted to 122 gentlemen who had satisfied the examiners and conformed to the regulations of the The Diploma in Public Health was Conjoint Board. awarded to 17 candidates on the recommendation of the examiners. George Francis Angelo Harris, M.D. Durh., elected on April 30th, was admitted to the Fellowship in absentiâ and the seal of the College was set to his diploma.
THE
LANCET, SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 1825. FOREIGN DEPARTMENT. ANALYSIS OF FOREIGN MEDICAL JOURNALS.
On the
insensibility of the .Retina.
By M. MAGENDIE. It has already been shown, that some parts usually considered as nerves, and consequently as the organs possessed of the greatest sensibility, were, notwithtanding, impervious to tactile impressions ; that they could be even pricked and lacerated without appearing to induce the least Communications were received from the secretary of the feeling of sensibility, and such were the olfactory and optic Royal College of Surgeons of England, reporting certain pro- nerves of the retina. About four months since a young woman was brought to ceedings of its Council on July 9th ; from the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers, asking the views of the M. MAGENDIE, having two perfect cataracts, for the removal College on a proposal that competency in sight-testing should of which she expressed a very great desire, and the great in future form a subject of examination and certification for wish M. M. had of ascertaining whether the retina did the diplomas granted by them to opticians (this was referred possess that exquisite sensibility so much insisted on by to the Censors for consideration and report) ; from the physiologists and metaphysicians, soon induced him to Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. University of Edinburgh, comply with her request. The cataract being of the soft reporting the award of the Murchison scholarship, July, 1903, kind could not be couched at once, it yielding to the to Charles John Shaw, M.B. Edin. ; and from Dr. Norman pressure, and therefore only a portion could be depressed at Moore, offering for the acceptance of the College an auto- a time ; each time, however, a bit was carried down, the resistance from the parietes of the eye could be distinctly type portrait of Dr. Fitz-Patrick. The election of Censors, other College officers, and exa- felt, forming at once a convincing proof of having pressed on miners, on the nomination of the President and Council, was the retina. Notwithstanding this, the patient not only did carried out. not complain, but appeared not even to have been conscious A confidential report by the visitor and inspector of the of such pressure being used, and which she necessarily must General Medical Council on the Final Examination of the have shown had the retina been so sensible as is usually Conjoint Board was referred to the council of management believed. Somewhat emboldened by this result, M. MAGENDIE for consideration and report. directed the needle towards the bottom of the eye and touched A report was received and approved, dated July 22nd, from the retina very slightly ; this was repeated five or six times, but the conjoint committee appointed to consider and to report the woman evinced no feeling of sensibility. It could not upon any alterations that may be desirable in the regulations have happened that the retina was paralysed, for the instant for the First Conjoint Examination. the nervous membrane was touched she expressed her great A report was received from the committee appointed todelight on again seeing the light. consider and to report on the question of the alleged physical The other eye underwent the same treatment, the nature of degeneration of recruits for the army, the tenour of which the cataract being the same. This time, however, less was to the effect that the information furnished was not of caution was observed. The crystalline lens was depressed as such a character as to enable the College to express acompletely as possible ; the retina was freely touched in with a decided opinion, many parts with the point of the instrument, even .
’
421 force sufficient to have pierced through the membrane ; all this, however, was done unknown to the patient, who felt no ill effects from it. The experiment has subsequently been performed at the Hopital de la Pitie, on a man affected with a cataract of the right eye. The crystalline lens was easily depressed, and the sight immediately restored ; at different times in the course of the operation the retina was touched, but no sensation was produced indicative of any exquisite sensibility in the part. In this case, as in the former one, the contact of the instrument, and even the pricks which were made in the retina, did not prevent the eyesight being completely restored. Thus it would appear, that the retina of man is devoid of sensibility except to the action of light, and thus far we in no wise differ from the lower animals. "In a physiological point of view this result is more important, since,"observes M. MAGENDIE, "it shows at all times the great superiority of experiments over abstract reasoning, and what deductions are more abstruse and complicated than those of philosophers, founded on the great sensibility of the retina 1 "-Journal de Physiologie, June
1825. _______________
resolved that the loan of museum specimens to the Medical Department for examination purposes be renewed for another year. Permission was granted, subject to the usual conditions, to Mr. George Pernet to make use of the dermatological models, drawings, and specimens in the museum for the purpose of publication in the form of an atlas. It was resolved to have rooms Nos. 2 and 3 of the museum painted and therefore the museum will be closed from August 8th to Oct. lst. The balance-sheet was approved and adopted. It showed that the balance of income over expenditure amounted for the year to 2004. The Council elected Mr. P. Sidney Spokes, M.R.C.S., L.D.S., a member of the Board of Examiners in Dental It
was
Army
Surgery.
A report was read from the committee on the physical disability of recruits for the army which was appointed to
consider a memorandum forwarded through the Home Office. The report was approved. A letter was read from Mr. Thomas Bryant reporting the proceedings of the General Medical Council at its late session and the best thanks of the Council were given to Mr. Bryant for his services as the representative of the
College. THE BATTLE OF THE CLUBS. KIDDERMINSTER. WE have received the following letter from the secretary of the Kidderminster Medical Society with a request for its
publication : To the Editors of THE LANCET. write to inform you at the request of the SIRS,—I Kidderminster Medical Society that after a conference with the Kidderminster Medical Aid Association the latter association has agreed to adopt the following new rules :— 1. A rule to prohibit canvassing. 2. That the cash
reserve fund shall not exceed 2300. 3. That it will not admit to the benefits of the association as public members any persons whose wages exceed 23per week; also that the minimum contribution for public members of all ages shall in the future be 4d. per month or Is. per quarter per member.
In consequence of this agreement the Kidderminster Medical Society has removed the professional disabilities previously imposed upon the medical officers of the Kidderminster Medical Aid Association and will in future meet them in professional consultation. I shall be obliged if you will publish this in your next issue. I am, Sirs, yours truly, O. C. PENRHYS EVANS, August 1st. Honorary Secretary, Kidderminster Medical Society.
THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF ENGLAND.
A letter was read from Sir William Turner, K.O.B., President of the General Medical Council, forwarding copies of reports on the first examination under the Conjoint Board. The consideration of this was postponed until the October meeting. A report from the conjoint committee on the first examination was received and entered on the minutes but its consideration was postponed until October. A letter was read from Messrs. Davidson and Morris, of 40, Queen Victoria-street, solicitors to the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers, stating that the company had appointed a committee to consider two memorials signed by 220 opticians praying the company to include the subject of sight-testing in their examination and to extend their diploma by certification of efficiency therein and that the committee propose to sit in November next to hear evidence and will be glad to have the views of the College, more especially as to what further restrictions should be included in the agreement which is to be signed by the diploma holders in the event of the request of the memorialists being granted. The letter was referred to the President and the two Vice-Presidents to consider and to report to the October
meeting.
A letter of thanks
was
read from Lieutenant-Colonel W. H.
Cadge, I.M.S., thanking the Council for passed by it in reference to his uncle, William Cadge.
the resolution the late Mr.
A letter was read from the Director of the Nottingham Museum and Art Gallery thanking the Council for the loan of the portrait of the late Sir Spencer Wells and stating that the portrait would be removed and returned by the museum agents and would be insured for such sum as the College may
wish. Mr. 0. T. Dent and Mr. G. H. Makins were appointed AN ordinary meeting of the Council was held on August 4th, trustees of the Hunterian and Jacksonian funds in place of Mr. Reginald Harrison and Mr. Alfred Willett, who had Mr. JOHN TWEEDY, the President, being in the chair. on ceasing to be members of Council. resigned It was resolved that diplomas of Membership should be The Chairman of the Library Committee reported the preissued to 120 successful candidates. sentation to the library by Professor Retzius of Stockholm of As recommended by the Court of Examiners, the Univer- the following works : 30 tracts by Professor Retzius himself sity of Birmingham was added to the list of Universities or in collaboration and 11 volumes of his own and his whose graduates may present themselves for the examina- father’s works, including I I Anthropologia Suecica"and the tions for the Fellowship without first becoming Members of "Anthropology of the Finns," and his edition of Johannes Miiller’s letters to Anders Retzius. the College. The best thanks of the Council were given to Professor It was resolved that diplomas in public health should be issued jointly with the Royal College of Physicians of London Retzius for his valuable gift. The next meeting of the Council will be held on Oct. 15th. to the 17 successful candidates. It was resolved that, as recommended by the museum committee, facilities should be offered to the University of London for holding the examinations in pathology of the VITAL STATISTICS. University at the College instead of at the Examination Hall, with the object of preventing the injury likely to be HEALTH OF ENGLISH TOWNS. caused in course of time to the museum specimens by their IN 76 of the largest English towns 8853 births and 4158 frequent removal from the College premises. It was resolved that the loan of museum specimens to the deaths were registered during the week ending August lst. University of London for examination purposes be renewed The annual rate of mortality in these towns, which had for another year and that the University be requested to take been 13-7, 13-5, and 13-4 per 1000 in the three preinto consideration the practicability of holding its examina- ceding weeks, rose to 14-4 per 1000 last week. In London sions in pathology at the College. the death-rate was 13-5 per 1000, while it averaged 14’8
Looking Back. FROM
THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS OF LONDON. AN ordinary Comitia was held on July 30th, Sir WILLIAM S. CHURCH, Bart., the President, being in the chair. Seven gentlemen, having satisfied the Censors and given their faith to the College, were admitted Members. Licences were granted to 122 gentlemen who had satisfied the examiners and conformed to the regulations of the The Diploma in Public Health was Conjoint Board. awarded to 17 candidates on the recommendation of the examiners. George Francis Angelo Harris, M.D. Durh., elected on April 30th, was admitted to the Fellowship in absentiâ and the seal of the College was set to his diploma.
THE
LANCET, SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 1825. FOREIGN DEPARTMENT. ANALYSIS OF FOREIGN MEDICAL JOURNALS.
On the
insensibility of the .Retina.
By M. MAGENDIE. It has already been shown, that some parts usually considered as nerves, and consequently as the organs possessed of the greatest sensibility, were, notwithtanding, impervious to tactile impressions ; that they could be even pricked and lacerated without appearing to induce the least Communications were received from the secretary of the feeling of sensibility, and such were the olfactory and optic Royal College of Surgeons of England, reporting certain pro- nerves of the retina. About four months since a young woman was brought to ceedings of its Council on July 9th ; from the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers, asking the views of the M. MAGENDIE, having two perfect cataracts, for the removal College on a proposal that competency in sight-testing should of which she expressed a very great desire, and the great in future form a subject of examination and certification for wish M. M. had of ascertaining whether the retina did the diplomas granted by them to opticians (this was referred possess that exquisite sensibility so much insisted on by to the Censors for consideration and report) ; from the physiologists and metaphysicians, soon induced him to Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. University of Edinburgh, comply with her request. The cataract being of the soft reporting the award of the Murchison scholarship, July, 1903, kind could not be couched at once, it yielding to the to Charles John Shaw, M.B. Edin. ; and from Dr. Norman pressure, and therefore only a portion could be depressed at Moore, offering for the acceptance of the College an auto- a time ; each time, however, a bit was carried down, the resistance from the parietes of the eye could be distinctly type portrait of Dr. Fitz-Patrick. The election of Censors, other College officers, and exa- felt, forming at once a convincing proof of having pressed on miners, on the nomination of the President and Council, was the retina. Notwithstanding this, the patient not only did carried out. not complain, but appeared not even to have been conscious A confidential report by the visitor and inspector of the of such pressure being used, and which she necessarily must General Medical Council on the Final Examination of the have shown had the retina been so sensible as is usually Conjoint Board was referred to the council of management believed. Somewhat emboldened by this result, M. MAGENDIE for consideration and report. directed the needle towards the bottom of the eye and touched A report was received and approved, dated July 22nd, from the retina very slightly ; this was repeated five or six times, but the conjoint committee appointed to consider and to report the woman evinced no feeling of sensibility. It could not upon any alterations that may be desirable in the regulations have happened that the retina was paralysed, for the instant for the First Conjoint Examination. the nervous membrane was touched she expressed her great A report was received from the committee appointed todelight on again seeing the light. consider and to report on the question of the alleged physical The other eye underwent the same treatment, the nature of degeneration of recruits for the army, the tenour of which the cataract being the same. This time, however, less was to the effect that the information furnished was not of caution was observed. The crystalline lens was depressed as such a character as to enable the College to express acompletely as possible ; the retina was freely touched in with a decided opinion, many parts with the point of the instrument, even .
’
421 force sufficient to have pierced through the membrane ; all this, however, was done unknown to the patient, who felt no ill effects from it. The experiment has subsequently been performed at the Hopital de la Pitie, on a man affected with a cataract of the right eye. The crystalline lens was easily depressed, and the sight immediately restored ; at different times in the course of the operation the retina was touched, but no sensation was produced indicative of any exquisite sensibility in the part. In this case, as in the former one, the contact of the instrument, and even the pricks which were made in the retina, did not prevent the eyesight being completely restored. Thus it would appear, that the retina of man is devoid of sensibility except to the action of light, and thus far we in no wise differ from the lower animals. "In a physiological point of view this result is more important, since,"observes M. MAGENDIE, "it shows at all times the great superiority of experiments over abstract reasoning, and what deductions are more abstruse and complicated than those of philosophers, founded on the great sensibility of the retina 1 "-Journal de Physiologie, June
1825. _______________
resolved that the loan of museum specimens to the Medical Department for examination purposes be renewed for another year. Permission was granted, subject to the usual conditions, to Mr. George Pernet to make use of the dermatological models, drawings, and specimens in the museum for the purpose of publication in the form of an atlas. It was resolved to have rooms Nos. 2 and 3 of the museum painted and therefore the museum will be closed from August 8th to Oct. lst. The balance-sheet was approved and adopted. It showed that the balance of income over expenditure amounted for the year to 2004. The Council elected Mr. P. Sidney Spokes, M.R.C.S., L.D.S., a member of the Board of Examiners in Dental It
was
Army
Surgery.
A report was read from the committee on the physical disability of recruits for the army which was appointed to
consider a memorandum forwarded through the Home Office. The report was approved. A letter was read from Mr. Thomas Bryant reporting the proceedings of the General Medical Council at its late session and the best thanks of the Council were given to Mr. Bryant for his services as the representative of the
College. THE BATTLE OF THE CLUBS. KIDDERMINSTER. WE have received the following letter from the secretary of the Kidderminster Medical Society with a request for its
publication : To the Editors of THE LANCET. write to inform you at the request of the SIRS,—I Kidderminster Medical Society that after a conference with the Kidderminster Medical Aid Association the latter association has agreed to adopt the following new rules :— 1. A rule to prohibit canvassing. 2. That the cash
reserve fund shall not exceed 2300. 3. That it will not admit to the benefits of the association as public members any persons whose wages exceed 23per week; also that the minimum contribution for public members of all ages shall in the future be 4d. per month or Is. per quarter per member.
In consequence of this agreement the Kidderminster Medical Society has removed the professional disabilities previously imposed upon the medical officers of the Kidderminster Medical Aid Association and will in future meet them in professional consultation. I shall be obliged if you will publish this in your next issue. I am, Sirs, yours truly, O. C. PENRHYS EVANS, August 1st. Honorary Secretary, Kidderminster Medical Society.
THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF ENGLAND.
A letter was read from Sir William Turner, K.O.B., President of the General Medical Council, forwarding copies of reports on the first examination under the Conjoint Board. The consideration of this was postponed until the October meeting. A report from the conjoint committee on the first examination was received and entered on the minutes but its consideration was postponed until October. A letter was read from Messrs. Davidson and Morris, of 40, Queen Victoria-street, solicitors to the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers, stating that the company had appointed a committee to consider two memorials signed by 220 opticians praying the company to include the subject of sight-testing in their examination and to extend their diploma by certification of efficiency therein and that the committee propose to sit in November next to hear evidence and will be glad to have the views of the College, more especially as to what further restrictions should be included in the agreement which is to be signed by the diploma holders in the event of the request of the memorialists being granted. The letter was referred to the President and the two Vice-Presidents to consider and to report to the October
meeting.
A letter of thanks
was
read from Lieutenant-Colonel W. H.
Cadge, I.M.S., thanking the Council for passed by it in reference to his uncle, William Cadge.
the resolution the late Mr.
A letter was read from the Director of the Nottingham Museum and Art Gallery thanking the Council for the loan of the portrait of the late Sir Spencer Wells and stating that the portrait would be removed and returned by the museum agents and would be insured for such sum as the College may
wish. Mr. 0. T. Dent and Mr. G. H. Makins were appointed AN ordinary meeting of the Council was held on August 4th, trustees of the Hunterian and Jacksonian funds in place of Mr. Reginald Harrison and Mr. Alfred Willett, who had Mr. JOHN TWEEDY, the President, being in the chair. on ceasing to be members of Council. resigned It was resolved that diplomas of Membership should be The Chairman of the Library Committee reported the preissued to 120 successful candidates. sentation to the library by Professor Retzius of Stockholm of As recommended by the Court of Examiners, the Univer- the following works : 30 tracts by Professor Retzius himself sity of Birmingham was added to the list of Universities or in collaboration and 11 volumes of his own and his whose graduates may present themselves for the examina- father’s works, including I I Anthropologia Suecica"and the tions for the Fellowship without first becoming Members of "Anthropology of the Finns," and his edition of Johannes Miiller’s letters to Anders Retzius. the College. The best thanks of the Council were given to Professor It was resolved that diplomas in public health should be issued jointly with the Royal College of Physicians of London Retzius for his valuable gift. The next meeting of the Council will be held on Oct. 15th. to the 17 successful candidates. It was resolved that, as recommended by the museum committee, facilities should be offered to the University of London for holding the examinations in pathology of the VITAL STATISTICS. University at the College instead of at the Examination Hall, with the object of preventing the injury likely to be HEALTH OF ENGLISH TOWNS. caused in course of time to the museum specimens by their IN 76 of the largest English towns 8853 births and 4158 frequent removal from the College premises. It was resolved that the loan of museum specimens to the deaths were registered during the week ending August lst. University of London for examination purposes be renewed The annual rate of mortality in these towns, which had for another year and that the University be requested to take been 13-7, 13-5, and 13-4 per 1000 in the three preinto consideration the practicability of holding its examina- ceding weeks, rose to 14-4 per 1000 last week. In London sions in pathology at the College. the death-rate was 13-5 per 1000, while it averaged 14’8