MANCHESTER MEDICO-ETHICAL ASSOCIATION.

MANCHESTER MEDICO-ETHICAL ASSOCIATION.

374 measures and public acts which affect their body as a whole or any of their members individually. They have achieved an immense amount of good in ...

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374 measures and public acts which affect their body as a whole or any of their members individually. They have achieved an immense amount of good in the course of the year, and we feel assured that if they follow in the same course during successive years with equal energy and unanimity, they will do very much to ensure for the medical profession in all its branches that position in public estimation to which it is en-

mentary

titled.

1861, Dr. Noble reported the result of his interview with Mr. Roberton. The

Honorary Secretaries submitted a letter which they had Roberton, of which the following is a copy:

received from Mr.

11 Brighton-place, Manchester, April 3rd, 1861. have read the resolution of the Committee you forwarded me, and am sorry that they did not take a

" GENTLEMEN,—I

different, "

more

friendly

course.

It is perhaps needful for me to state that the lady, residing They have protected their members against oppressive acts twelve miles off in the country, in whose case I consulted with surgeon, has, until her recent illness, been a of guardians and other public officers; they have taken active a homoeopathic of her husband and most of his connexions mine, patient though measures to procure modifications in the Medical Charities are attached to homceopathy. When on this occasion she was (Amendment) Bill for Ireland, and in the Poor law Amend- taken ill, her husband’s homceopathic attendant was summoned, ment Bill for Ireland; they have made united, successful, and and it was after two days-the illness having become alarming energetic representations to the various objectionable clauses in - that I was requested to meet him in consultation. This I the Irish Registration Bill ; they have adopted the functions of declined on the plea that my doing so would violate professional etiquette. The messenger then said that the lady’s brother, a a Registration Society; and in a series of resolutions, of a chasurgeon residing near Birmingham, had been telegraphed for, racter affecting the relations and salaries of medical officers and would arrive in the evening; on hearing which I replied employed by public boards, they have given a salutary and that I would cheerfully go and meet him. When I reached I found the homoeopathic surgeon there, and after emphatic warning to one and the other against imposing or the house, some time for the arrival of the lady’s brother, but in seeking employment at reduced and insufficient rates of remu- waiting vain, I had to converse with the homoeopath, who explained to neration. me the nature of the case, and the treatment he had pursued. The spirit, energy, and character of the proceedings of this "After some further delay, the relative not making his appearSociety are worthy of the highast of all praise-implicit imita- ance, we saw the lady together. I wrote my prescription, and tion. then took leave, intimating that I would see her again the next evening. The lady’s brother arrived late, and left early next morning without my having seen him. Next visit I again consulted’with the homœopathic surgeon, and did so for several successive evenings. "During three days our patient continued in imminent danger, and my reason for consenting to these consul:ations was partly "Audi alteram partem." the fear lest by refusing I should add to the distress of the husband, who was distracted with grief, and partly lest he and MANCHESTER MEDICO-ETHICAL ASSOhis circle might suppose me to be actuated by resentful feelCIATION. ings. Had I thought of my professional interests only, I To the Editor of THE LANCET. should, of course, have insisted on the dismissal of the homoeoSiR,-We beg to forward you the accompanying report of pathic surgeon. And I must here repeat that my motive for the proceedings of the above Association, with a request that the course I took was blameless-a motive of which I can never be ashamed, however much I may regret (and I do sincerely the same may be inserted in your journal. regret) that circumstances should thus have, as it were, comWe are, Sir, your obedient servants, me to violate a rule of the Medico-Ethical Association. pelled JOSEPH STONE, M.D., " After this frank explanation, I doubt not the Committee 1861. JONATHAN WILSON, F.R.C.S., ; Sees. April, will rescind their resolution of last week, and kindly accept A meeting of the Committee was held on the 28th ult. to my resignation of membership. " Believe me to remain, Gentlemen, consider the course of action to be adopted with respect to " Your obedient servant, Mr. Roberton, the senior Vice-President, who has been in a " JOHN ROBERTON. recent case repeatedly meeting a homoeopathic practitioner. "To Dr. Stone and J. Wilson, Esq., Hon. Sees." The Honorary Secretaries submitted a letter of resignation After due deliberation by the Committee, it was from Mr. Roberton, of which the following is a copy :" Resolved,-" J hat Mr. Roberton’s letter, dated 3rd April, Brighton-place, Manchester, March 27th, 1861. in which he endeavours to explain his consulting with a 1861, from your notice, issued two days "GENTLEMEN,—Judging practitioner, is not so satisfactory to this Comhomoeopathic ago, I infer that the business of the Medico-Ethical Association mittee as was desirable; yet, inasmuch as it contains a frank this afternoon has reference to the circumstance of my having explanation and an avowal of sincere regret, the Committee lately consulted with a homoeopathic practitioner. feel that they are now enabled to accept the resignation which "As it happens that the motives -which induced me to Mr- Roberton has again tendered." deviate from what has hitherto been my-uniform course are Resolved,-‘ ‘That as the question of consulting with homoeopeculiar, and do not admit of a full explanation to the Asso- pathic practitioners is not limited to the Association, but is of ciation, I deem it best, in order to save needless discussion and public professional interest, the Honorary Secretaries be retrouble at your meeting to request that my name be erased to forward a copy of the proceedings of the Associaquested from the list of members. tion on this subiect to the leading medical iournals_" "Permit me at the same time to.assure you that in takingJOSEPH STONE. M.D., Hon. sincere towards those of this step my feelings profesrespect JONATHAN Secs. WILSON, F.R.C.S., sional friends with whom I have now been for so many years associated remain unaltered. - ttc Believe me to remain, Gentlemen, your obedient servant, " JOHN ROBERTON. - °To Dr. Stone and Mr.’WUsen.11 THE FEVER IN LIVERPOOL. To the Editor of THE LANCET. After the reading of the above letter, a very animated discussion arose as to the best mode of dealing with this question. two SIR,—The following cases, given in some detail, will ,-It-was then resolved,-" That the Committee cannot accept show that the fever which broke out in the Southern Hospital Mr. Roberton’s resignation ; -that this meeting be adjourned to in consequence of the admission of the Egyptian sailors posThursday next, hoping that Mr. Roberton, while admitting sessed most of the characteristics of true typhus :his error in meeting a homoeopathic practitioner in consultation, T. S-, aged twenty-five, sailor. Had been six weeks au will give. an assurance to the Association that it will not be re- in-patient of the hospital with simple fracture of the femur peated by him, and that such explanation, with this resolution, when the Egyptians were admitted. He began to complain in to the medical journals." about ten days afterwards. For the first few days his sympResolved,-" That Dr. Noble be requested to wait upon toms were more those of intermittent fever, of which he had Mr. Roberton, and explain to’him the feelings of the Com- an attack two years ago when abroad, severe rigors occurring mittee as expressed at this meeting." every evening, preceded by violent vomiting, and followed by ,At the adjourned Committee meeting, held on April 4th, a hot moist skin. In the intervals, however, the pulse con-

Correspondence.

Hon.

be forwarded