- Email: [email protected]
"INTEMPERATE ADVOCACY OF TEMPERANCE."
450 Salford.
As
result it
that the
present hospital portion of the old these requirements, and
"INTEMPERATE ADVOCACY OF TEMPERANCE."" authorities havedecided to retain a
seems
a
To the Editor of THE LANCET. building in John-street to meet unnecessary. It would SIR,—I observe in your issue of the 21st of last month!l thus render aa new institution be pity to still further multiply our now too that you make some severe strictures on a speech I am . certainly numerous medical charities, most of them being constantly supposed to have made somewhere and somewhen. Youuin difficulties to make their income balance their expendiaccuse me of making three assertions, which are in effect-ture; the Lock, the Ear, the Children’s, the Clinical Hospitals (1) That medical men prescribe alcohol to increase theirrare all asking for increased subscriptions unless the work is practices; (2) that under no possible circumstances oughtto be curtailed. At the annual meeting of the last named, it to be used; (3) that increasing death-rate is the gauge ofpresided over by the Bishop of Manchester, it was advocated our retrogression in drunkenness. I am surprised that you by some that wards for private patients should be tried as credit any member of the profession with making such an experiment for those willing to pay; the experience gained, absurd and silly statements without proper inquiry. I have however, at the Children’s Hospital, Pendlebury, does not give before me a report of a speech in the Weymouth, Portland, much encouragement to this proposal. At the first annual and Dorchester Telegram, to which I suppose your remarkse meeting of the newly-established Victoria Dental Hospital refer, and, though it is difficult for me to recognise my ownL the financial statement showed that there was a balance in speech, so imperfectly are the medical points stated, I defy hand on the year’s work of .E226, and now that it has issued anyone to find the slightest foundation for supposing I hold an annual report and an audit of its accounts it will be eligible such opinions or have given expression to them. I did not for a grant from the Hospital Sunday and Saturday Funds. go beyond what several medical men of great eminence have The amounts collected this year for these two funds comstated on the question. While holding most strongly the bined was, up to the 28th ult., .67224, being £4665 for the opinion that healthy persons do not need stimulants, I think Hospital Sunday and £2559 for the Saturday Fund. These in some cases it may prove valuable as a medicine, though amounts show a little falling off from last year; but there it is not required even here so frequently as is generallywill be a few more sums yet to come in. Unfortunately, I am, Sir, your obedient servant, supposed. Hospital Sunday this year was a very wet day, and that may JOHN H. ALDRIDGE. haveinfluenced the result. It has been pointed out that Southampton, March 2nd, 1885. our Saturday collection does not equal that of other similar *** Dr. Aldridge has misunderstood the extent of our populations, and that if it were made in a more Teference to his lecture. We attributed to him only the or revised manner the returns from this sourcesystematic might be third of the above assertions, and that on the authority of a considerably augmented. report in a daily paper. His letter shows that in the main THE MEDICO-ETHICAL SOCIETY. his theory of the use of alcohol is identical with our At the last meeting of the above Society the newlyown.-ED. L. elected President, Mr. Walmsley, gave a short address on the present and future position of the Society, and in his remarks alluded to many matters which he thought MANCHESTER. might fairly claim attention. A somewhat animated discussion ensued, bearing especially on the illegitimate practice (From our own Correspondent.) of medicine by unqualified men, and the unprofessional conduct of legally qualified men in connexion with the PROVIDENT DISPENSARIES. same. This evil would appear to be on the increase, and it AT the annual meeting of the provident dispensaries a was resolved that the special attention of the committee be report was presented which was considered by the com- directed to that subject during the ensuing year. Another mittee to be of a very satisfactory character. Practically, they matter set down also for early consideration was the relation of medical men in regard to coroner’s inquests, more parare now self-supporting ; four out of the nine branches are making an annual profit on their work. The total subscrip- ticularly the conducting of post-mortem examinations. tions from members amounted to £3400, of which sum THE SALLORD GUARDIANS AND THE MEDICAL STAFF OF .E1865 was paid to the medical staff, not including fees for THE NEW HOSPITAL. confinements. One of the chief objects the Society has in The new hospital at Hope belonging to the Salford Guarview is to prevent abuse of medical charity whilst probefore the public of late;y dians has been rather moting the independence of the working classes in obtain- some of the membersprominently that of board have been bringing ing medical relief in time of sickness. Investigations are the medical adminismade into the means and position of applicants for relief at forward rather serious charges against the various hospitals in the city, and the general result of tration. First, it was stated that at some Christmas festivities this action has been to cause a large diminution in the held there patients were neglected while these were proand that they were prolonged too far into the number of those applying for gratuitous advice who are in ceeding, and a resolution has been passed by which such night; a position to pay something for the same. at the Thus, festivities in the future will be very much curtailed. Still Royal Infirmary the applicants found able to pay during more recently, on the application of some of the members the past year were 12 per cent., against 17 per cent. in 1878. of the same board, a Local Government Board inquiry has than more 40 Ten years ago per cent. of the cases applying been held to inquire into certain allegations made against at our charities were found not to be fit objects of charity, the medical superintendent; but, so as appeared from whilst last year the percentage was only 14’9. This cannot the published reports of the inquiry, the charges were not but be regarded as a satisfactory result, if among this army of a very serious character. The decision of the Local of would-be medical paupers none truly deserving have Government Board has not yet been received. Last week The charges at one time made by some been included. an animated discussion took as to the adminismembers of the medical profession, that patients were tration of alcoholic stimulants place the medical staff, some of by of who were a dispensary allowed to become members the guardians wishing to go so far as to prohibit their use really in a position to pay the ordinary fees of a medical altogether, until it was pointed out that they would be so that it be but little have been of late heard, man, may their exceeding powers to endeavour to carry into effect any assumed that this fairly legitimate complaint has been such resolution. looked into and remedied. Dr. William Roberts is at present delivering a weekly MANCHESTER MEDICAL CHARITIES. series of lectures, at Owens College, upon Dyspepsia and We have lately had rather an animated discussion going on Dietetics," which are open to all members of the profession, in the daily papers in relation to the New Eye Hospital. It and to students in the medical department. They have was at first intended on the completion of the new building to been very numerously attended. As they will, in all proremove entirely the work of the hospital from the centre of bability, be published at their conclusion, further notice of the city, where it has hitherto been located, to the new them in these columns is unnecessary. Dr. Morrison Watson, who was seized with an apoplectic hospital in Oxford-road, situated some mile and a half from the present site. This has led to a scheme being proposed attack at the College three weeks ago, has so far recovered for establishing another eyehospital near the old situation as to permit of his removal to a private nursing institution, to provide for emergencies, and for the convenience of out- but his condition is still one of exceeding gravity.: patients who liveon the eastern side of the town and in Manchester, March 3rd. ,
,
far
As
result it
that the
present hospital portion of the old these requirements, and
"INTEMPERATE ADVOCACY OF TEMPERANCE."" authorities havedecided to retain a
seems
a
To the Editor of THE LANCET. building in John-street to meet unnecessary. It would SIR,—I observe in your issue of the 21st of last month!l thus render aa new institution be pity to still further multiply our now too that you make some severe strictures on a speech I am . certainly numerous medical charities, most of them being constantly supposed to have made somewhere and somewhen. Youuin difficulties to make their income balance their expendiaccuse me of making three assertions, which are in effect-ture; the Lock, the Ear, the Children’s, the Clinical Hospitals (1) That medical men prescribe alcohol to increase theirrare all asking for increased subscriptions unless the work is practices; (2) that under no possible circumstances oughtto be curtailed. At the annual meeting of the last named, it to be used; (3) that increasing death-rate is the gauge ofpresided over by the Bishop of Manchester, it was advocated our retrogression in drunkenness. I am surprised that you by some that wards for private patients should be tried as credit any member of the profession with making such an experiment for those willing to pay; the experience gained, absurd and silly statements without proper inquiry. I have however, at the Children’s Hospital, Pendlebury, does not give before me a report of a speech in the Weymouth, Portland, much encouragement to this proposal. At the first annual and Dorchester Telegram, to which I suppose your remarkse meeting of the newly-established Victoria Dental Hospital refer, and, though it is difficult for me to recognise my ownL the financial statement showed that there was a balance in speech, so imperfectly are the medical points stated, I defy hand on the year’s work of .E226, and now that it has issued anyone to find the slightest foundation for supposing I hold an annual report and an audit of its accounts it will be eligible such opinions or have given expression to them. I did not for a grant from the Hospital Sunday and Saturday Funds. go beyond what several medical men of great eminence have The amounts collected this year for these two funds comstated on the question. While holding most strongly the bined was, up to the 28th ult., .67224, being £4665 for the opinion that healthy persons do not need stimulants, I think Hospital Sunday and £2559 for the Saturday Fund. These in some cases it may prove valuable as a medicine, though amounts show a little falling off from last year; but there it is not required even here so frequently as is generallywill be a few more sums yet to come in. Unfortunately, I am, Sir, your obedient servant, supposed. Hospital Sunday this year was a very wet day, and that may JOHN H. ALDRIDGE. haveinfluenced the result. It has been pointed out that Southampton, March 2nd, 1885. our Saturday collection does not equal that of other similar *** Dr. Aldridge has misunderstood the extent of our populations, and that if it were made in a more Teference to his lecture. We attributed to him only the or revised manner the returns from this sourcesystematic might be third of the above assertions, and that on the authority of a considerably augmented. report in a daily paper. His letter shows that in the main THE MEDICO-ETHICAL SOCIETY. his theory of the use of alcohol is identical with our At the last meeting of the above Society the newlyown.-ED. L. elected President, Mr. Walmsley, gave a short address on the present and future position of the Society, and in his remarks alluded to many matters which he thought MANCHESTER. might fairly claim attention. A somewhat animated discussion ensued, bearing especially on the illegitimate practice (From our own Correspondent.) of medicine by unqualified men, and the unprofessional conduct of legally qualified men in connexion with the PROVIDENT DISPENSARIES. same. This evil would appear to be on the increase, and it AT the annual meeting of the provident dispensaries a was resolved that the special attention of the committee be report was presented which was considered by the com- directed to that subject during the ensuing year. Another mittee to be of a very satisfactory character. Practically, they matter set down also for early consideration was the relation of medical men in regard to coroner’s inquests, more parare now self-supporting ; four out of the nine branches are making an annual profit on their work. The total subscrip- ticularly the conducting of post-mortem examinations. tions from members amounted to £3400, of which sum THE SALLORD GUARDIANS AND THE MEDICAL STAFF OF .E1865 was paid to the medical staff, not including fees for THE NEW HOSPITAL. confinements. One of the chief objects the Society has in The new hospital at Hope belonging to the Salford Guarview is to prevent abuse of medical charity whilst probefore the public of late;y dians has been rather moting the independence of the working classes in obtain- some of the membersprominently that of board have been bringing ing medical relief in time of sickness. Investigations are the medical adminismade into the means and position of applicants for relief at forward rather serious charges against the various hospitals in the city, and the general result of tration. First, it was stated that at some Christmas festivities this action has been to cause a large diminution in the held there patients were neglected while these were proand that they were prolonged too far into the number of those applying for gratuitous advice who are in ceeding, and a resolution has been passed by which such night; a position to pay something for the same. at the Thus, festivities in the future will be very much curtailed. Still Royal Infirmary the applicants found able to pay during more recently, on the application of some of the members the past year were 12 per cent., against 17 per cent. in 1878. of the same board, a Local Government Board inquiry has than more 40 Ten years ago per cent. of the cases applying been held to inquire into certain allegations made against at our charities were found not to be fit objects of charity, the medical superintendent; but, so as appeared from whilst last year the percentage was only 14’9. This cannot the published reports of the inquiry, the charges were not but be regarded as a satisfactory result, if among this army of a very serious character. The decision of the Local of would-be medical paupers none truly deserving have Government Board has not yet been received. Last week The charges at one time made by some been included. an animated discussion took as to the adminismembers of the medical profession, that patients were tration of alcoholic stimulants place the medical staff, some of by of who were a dispensary allowed to become members the guardians wishing to go so far as to prohibit their use really in a position to pay the ordinary fees of a medical altogether, until it was pointed out that they would be so that it be but little have been of late heard, man, may their exceeding powers to endeavour to carry into effect any assumed that this fairly legitimate complaint has been such resolution. looked into and remedied. Dr. William Roberts is at present delivering a weekly MANCHESTER MEDICAL CHARITIES. series of lectures, at Owens College, upon Dyspepsia and We have lately had rather an animated discussion going on Dietetics," which are open to all members of the profession, in the daily papers in relation to the New Eye Hospital. It and to students in the medical department. They have was at first intended on the completion of the new building to been very numerously attended. As they will, in all proremove entirely the work of the hospital from the centre of bability, be published at their conclusion, further notice of the city, where it has hitherto been located, to the new them in these columns is unnecessary. Dr. Morrison Watson, who was seized with an apoplectic hospital in Oxford-road, situated some mile and a half from the present site. This has led to a scheme being proposed attack at the College three weeks ago, has so far recovered for establishing another eyehospital near the old situation as to permit of his removal to a private nursing institution, to provide for emergencies, and for the convenience of out- but his condition is still one of exceeding gravity.: patients who liveon the eastern side of the town and in Manchester, March 3rd. ,
,
far