OPERATIONS AT THE DERBY INFIRM ARY.

622 on going into her room, was alarmed finding her asleep in so unusual a position, with her breathing inaudible. The swellings of the limbs continued rapidly to decrease, aided by the use of oil-silk stockings, though the uneasiness in the region of the heart, with occasional palpitation, continued. From this time the patient lerogressively improved, and became able to walk down stairs, and engage in some of the lighter concerns of her family. She discon-

band, on

conduct of the medical officers of the Derbv Infirmary, it would have been in my power to have eulogised their new rules and regulatious, as well as to have acknowledged a

radical reform iii the medical and surical departments. But in this, Sir, I am disap. pointed, and I fear, judging by recent circumstances, that the day of congratulation is far distant. A revision of the old laws took place, or rather a new code was enacted, during the early part of March last, with all probable chance of improvement. Such ndeed were the alterations, that on viewing them as a whole, they might have been considered good, and likely to he productive of general utility, though, I confess, if each rule were subjected to scrutiny, reasonable objections might be raised ; for my present object, I shall content myself by singling out one of the faulty rules, to illustrate the necessity of a speedy remedy. Appended to Kule 7, page 10, of the reo gulations of the Infirmary, will be seen the

tinued the use of her former medicines, taking only an occasional aperient, and at her own discretion. Dr. Ayre did not see her for several weeks, and I paid her only an occasional visit. At length an accidental cold which she took, renewed her cough and difficulty of breathing, and the other unfavourable symptoms, when Dr. Ayre was again consulted. But the patient having resisted his order, as she had done mine several days before, to be again cupped, she rapidly became worse, and expired suddenly the following night. The examination of following note :" It being desirable that the Infirmary the body the next day exhibited the appearThere were traces of for- should be a means of promoting professional ances expected. mer and long-continued inflammation ; the science to the greatest extent consistent heart was extremely softened, the muscular with the benefit of the patient, and good refibres being torn or divided by the slightest gulation of the house ; the governors think effort. The aorta at its junction with the it proper to express their wish, that the heart was greatly ossified, and a small sac medical men of the town may be permitted was formed from it, constituting an incipient to see operations, when not attended with

inconvenience." aneurism. There were two This recommendation was proposed by each cavity of the chest, and an unusual quanthe committee who met to revise the laws, in as well as the which, tity pericardium, the other serous tissues of the chest, were in consequence of an united appeal from the greatly thickened, and united by preterna- surgeons of the town. Prior to the introductural adhesions. The lungs were sound, but tion of the note, the medical officers had been in the habit of consulting their whims and washed with a serous effusion. From the foregoing statement of facts we vagaries as to who should, and who should may, I think, assume with Dr. Ayre, that not, witnESS either their practice or their these effusions into the chest are the effects adroitness with the knife ; and so far had of inflammation, and that the urgent symp- they carried their pleasure, that on one metoms in the above case were not so much morable occasion, the senior surgeon (Mr. depending upon the actual disease, as upon Godwin), with the greatest sany froid, orthe effusion which resulted from it ; and dered Mr. Huggins, a Derby practitioner, that, therefore, besides using the means to out of the operating theatre. At other times remove the effused fluid, we must apply our- this gentleman has operated privately m the selves to remove also the inflammation the wards ; at least, he has had which causes it, and that the above case, sanction and countenance of his apprentices like the one you published last week from at the time. Such was the deplorable state Dr. Ayre’s work, proves that even in the of the surgical department when Expositor worst cases we need not despair of success. took upon himself the task of pointing out to the world, through your Journal, the effectof I am, Sir, your obedient servant, Mr. Godwin’s lordly will, as hkewise his EDWARD WHITE, EDWARD VVHITE, Surgeon-Apothecary. Surgeon-Apothecary. revolting system of 11 liole-and-cornersurRed Lion Street, Holborn, gery." Since the present code of laws came into action, the governors have believed 12th July, 1830. that no obstacles would be thrown in the way of the town-surgeons witnessing the OPERATIONS AT THE DERBY INFIRM ARY. operations. Such indeed were my own anticipations ; but to-day, for the first time, To the Editor of THE LANCET. my hopes were defeated. An operation was SIR,—I hoped that the next time I had to fixed for this morning at eleven o’clock, and, address you on the government and the as customary, I went up with the full in-

pints of water in

only

623 tention of seeingit; but when on the

eve

theatre, I presenting myself ceived a message from Mr. Godwin, by at the

of

performing

the

opportunity

fiaming laws,

to

those duties [his

like to meet their enemies in

field, that the public eye may have

the

bouse-apottlecary, informing me that my companv might be dispensed with." I immediatelv inquired personally of Mr. Godwtn, whether he was incapacitated hy my

presence from

path ; they

re-

an

of appreciating or censuring. What, then, shall we say of this conduct in a man of inferior attainments-in a man who has proved himself incompetent for the duties of his office? I am, Sir, Your very obedient servant, HENRY F. GISBORNE, M.IL.C.S. GISBORNF.. M.R.C.S.

oftice required of him, for if so, I would sacrifice my desires for the benefit of the at last openly con- Green Lane, Derby, July 10, 1830. patient. He hesitated, but fessed that it would be " inconvenient" for him to proceed in my presence, and that if I remained in the room he should postpone UNIVERSITY OF LONDON. his operation for a more convenient season. Of course, by the foregoing rule, I was A Pupil of this Institution has forwarded bound to leave, as my company was " at- to us the following statements in reply to tended with inconvenience ;" and I did so, the animadversions made by Dr. Birkbeck after stating to Mr. Godwin that it was in at the last meeting of the proprietors of the London University, on the acquirements compliance with the rules of the house. This renewal of illiberality will, I trust, and conduct of Mr. Eisdell, one of the pupils be a lesson to all future committees who un- with whom the expression of dissatisfaction dertake the thankless and arduous duty of on the subject of Professor Pattison’s lec-

consider beforehand for

tures

originated :-

whom they are legislating. Had they done In the first place (the writer observes), so in the present case, the absurd introduc- it is not true that this student is ignorunt; " tion of the loop-hole " inconvenience for, he cairied off the gold medal in Dr.

would never have taken place. It behoves Grant’s Class of Comparative Anatomy, from the governors, therefore, at their first meet- pupils who had hitherto surpassed him, and ing, to amend the above rule by the omission from all those who had received the highest

with

inconvenot attended if not, it will bear the semblance of hypocrisy, for, without doubt, the note was made with the laudable intention of benefitting both the institution and the medical profession, and it becomes their duty to arrest that which is clearly found to be ineffective. If such a course be not pursued, governors may again expect to hear of their senior surgeon practising " hole-and. corner surgery ;" of his again transfixing the iris in the operation of cataract—of his again removing a healthy testicle as a cure for hydrocele-of his again operating for an incarcerated femoral hernia, without either opening the sac or dividing the stricture. By the admission of the town practitioners, a guarantee is obtained that the public will be protected, and without it I feel assured, little benefit will attend the unfortunate sick who fall under the charge of Mr. Godwin. I have just heard that Mr. Godwin, by way of acquitting himself for the conduct of which I have complained, asserts that he will not permit any individuals but his friends to be present during his exhibition of manual dexterity. This is, indeed, ridiculous. Does Cooper or Lawrence, or any other surgeon of well-known merit, before he commences an operation, ask of the gazing throng, whether they are his friends or his enemies ! Do they degrade themselves by sdmtttmg this man and rejecting that’! No, no; men of talent pursue a more enlightened

of, " When

nience ;"

honours in the various classes of anatomy; it would be idle to attempt to show that no man can be a good comparative anatomist, who is not well acquainted with the structure and arrangement of the human body. I have myself heard Dr. Grant state publicly, that Mr. Eisdell distinguished himself above Mr. Phillips and Mr. Blackmore (our two

best anatomists) chiefly by his accurate views regarding the anatomy of the development of organs,—the highest grade in the science, and that, indeed, which has been the source of the fame ofCuvier, Blainville, and Meckel. Secondly ; There is not one of Mr. Eisdell’s fellow-pupils who has not the highest respect and esteem for him, and it is the intention of at least one half of the class, to come forward to present Mr. Eisdell with some token of their respect for his talents, and their admiration of the independent and noble spirit which led him, without consultingany one of them, to come forward and vindicate the credit of the school, by informing the Council of the slovenly and imper· fect character of the anatomical lectures. There is, moreover, none of the professors under whom Mr. Eisdell has studied, saving Professor Pattison, who has not declared himself pleased with the acquaintance of that Gentleman, and confident of his superior acquirements. Thirdly; Mr. Eisdell’s charge has been called an " ignorant accusation." lllr. Eis-

dell’s

charge is

not

founded in

ignorance.

624 It amounts to this, that Professor Pattison is so negligent in the delivery of his lectures, that if he be a scientific anatomist, the pupils are unable to discover it. That the Professor neglects to link together any of the numerous facts which he crowds upon the notice of his pupils, by a judicious arrangement, or by physiological remarks t’lat he, in fact, makes no refel ence what-

thrives at Court. HAL may be active, bit the FORD is no longer considered to be either safe or sound. F We are not aware that there are any " lectureson midwifery delivered to females; hut we believe that women are practically instructed in that department of

the profession, by the experienced matron of the Lying-in Institution in the old City ever to regional, functional, developmental, Road. Dr. Burton denies that he solicited for Nut to descend or comparative anatomy. to minutiae, these are :;rave, serious, and the situation of ale-conner. Justus. A true bill was found bv the vexaimportant charges, tious, nor ignorant. Nor are the.se charges grand jury ;but the matter has been hushed supported by Mr. Eisdell alone, but by up. Who quoted the catechism, in order seventeen of his fellow-pupils; in fact, byto obtain the expulsion of a deserving mem. all ber of the profession1 How feels the old every one of the gold-medalists, and the men who have distinguished themselves. man now’’ Is he another Roman father? is a science, and of course Indeed, Professor Pattison’s inadequacy has Botany however been the theme of conversation during the it was not " unprofessional" to cultivate the long and tedious session ; the benches of rape plant. his class-room have been deserted, and Expositor. In due time. His conduct sometim?s only two men have come to his has been foolish, if not vicious. No DuB. Dr. Macmichael was registrar examinations. Are these prool’s of the truth of Mr. Eisdell’s charge, or of its ignorance ? to the College in Pall Mall Kast, and lie is Had Mr. Eisdell not been out of town, now private secretary to Sir Henry Halford. I should have left him to himself to answer Dr. Hawkins is clerk to Dr. Macmichael. this attack, made while he was absent. As The carpet-shop is in Holborn, and the pro. it is, I close my letter by stating that even prietor disclaitiis the letters of ’4 Medicus," Professor Pattison’s favourite pupil and because they are so exceedingly ptosy, il. gold-medalist, has signed the allegation of logical, and illiterate. At the hospital about Professor’s twelve, and at Lord ————’s about four. The Princess’s carriage arrives every mnrnA LOVER OF TRUTH AND PUPIL OF THE LONDON UNIVERSITY. ing from Kensington at about eight o’clock. A Parent. We are not sufficiently well acquamted with the school kept by Dr. Paris’s mother, in Bishopsgate Street, to BOOK FOR REVIEW. recommend it, but we have heard that it is conducted very high moral principles. An Inquiry as to the expediency of a The crime upon of is held in great County Asylum for Pauper Lunatics. Se- abhorrence. cond Edition. By W. Palmer, D.D., a Zeta. If such a contradiction had been Magistrate for the Counties of Devon and received by us, it would have been pubSomerset. Exeter : Trewman and Co. 1830. lished. pp.36. Reformer. We do not think that Bedford could be made available for the purpose. The electors there, are, generally speaking, TO CORRESPONDENTS. men of spirit and character, but their local interests are too strong to allow them to he Prior -. The facts are sufficient; altogether independent. With regard to the motives do not concern us. Lord John Russell, a more miserable crea. A Surgeon. Undoubtedly. The society ture, in the shape of a reformer, iieverinored must fail. It bear3 too much of the aspect upon the face of this earth. He can talk of a " hole-and-corner"birth to receive the about giving liberty to the Greeks, and at support of the influential mernbars of the the same time work night and day to deprive profession. It is a curious way of increas- Englishmen, aye, and his neighbourstoo, of ing " respectability," to descend from the popular rights and privileges which thev bad title of surgeon to that of general practi- enjoyed from time immemorial. The bill tioner. A conveyancer, in older to elevate which he brought into, and smusgled through, the general character of his calling. would parliamentfor the government of St. Giles’ scarcely assume the appellation oi pick- and St. George’s, Bloomsbury, would have pocket. It is all fudge, and the most activebeen a disgrace to a Caligula. know the least. Prepare to support the ERRATUM.—In the review of Mr. King’s LONDON COLLEGE OF MEDICINE. SuccessTranslation of Cloquet, page 581, col. 2,

neither, frivolous,

by

-

the

ignorance.

plagiarism

is certain.

Benighted influence

no

"

longerlite 51, for parcoumes"read parcournes,