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THE MEDICAL TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.
78
THE MEDICAL
TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION.
to arrive at
just conclusions respecting the condition of cannot feel very sanguine as to the results. Perhaps the the passengers. Dr. J’Op;80N define4 tj. ship to be a pri- matters most open for discussion are those respecting the internal economy of the medical schools, which have formed son in which one has a phance of eing drowned; but if fatal rocks in the course of previous associations of the kind, it be a prison subject to an unusual risk, it surely ought It is much as we pointed out in THE LANCET of June 15th. to be made as wholesome and as pleasant as a prison can be to be desired, however, that some distinct understanding reo under the circumstances in which it exists. In these days of specting fees, prizes, and advertisements should be come to sanitary improvement and progress, it is impossible that the before another winter session shall have arrived. present condition of emigrant ships can long remain to be a disgrace to our country and a rejection upon the GovernPROVINCIAL WORKHOUSE INFIRMARIES. ment,
!
THE inquiry which has been made by THE LANCET, with notable results, into the condition of the metropolitan workhouse infirmaries, was originally designed to be extended ultimately to the workhouse infirmaries of the provinces. Many obstacles have intervened to delay the carrying out of 11 Ne quid nimis." design, which has, nevertheless, been always in our mind; and it has been with sincere regret that we have found ourselves unable, for the time, to give the attention which we THE MEDICAL TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION. gladly have accorded at once to many appeals we THE second general meeting of the Medical Teachers’ Assohave received from medical men and others, resident in the ciation was held on Monday evening last to consider the byelaws which had been drawn up by a committee. Dr. King, provinces, and acquainted with the necessity which exists for Chambers took the chair, and in a rather thin meeting of searching investigation into the management of the in-door sick metropolitan teachers the bye-laws were discussed and settled, poor in country districts. We print, this week, one of the numerous letters which have been addressed to us on this of which the following were the most important. The " Medical Teachers’ Association"" is to include alll question. The writer does not, it is true, parade a long list of teachers of the metropolitan medical schools recognised by thej grievances; but to those who have any experience in the ways of examining bodies, and all the members of the hospital staffsI guardians, as respects workhouse management, the letter will attached to such schools who enrol themselves by the payment at once indicate a condition of things radically vicious. It of a subscription of fiveshillings. The Association is to be: proves that the very same selfish and short-sighted principles at work, in the district to which it refers, as have led to governed by a council, consisting of a president, two vice- are the worst scandals which THE LAXCET Commissioners exposed presidents, a treasurer, two secretaries, and four members, to in the London workhouses. Everything is sacrificed, if we are be elected by the Association; and of two members elected by believe to our correspondent, to the mere immediate saving of each Bchool from among its staff. The president is to hold and one is shocked to hear that a board of guardians, expense; and the four memoffice for one year only; the vice-presidents bers elected by the Association are not to hold office for more consisting, not, as is generally the cage in London, of small shopkeepers, but of clergymen, gentry, and well-to-do farmers, than two years in succession. It is intended that four general meetings of the Association who might have been thought incapable of the meannesses shall be held during the year-namely, on the third Monday which have disgraced the administration of so many metroin November, January, March, and June, the Council assem- politan boards, is as cruel, as mean, and as incapable as the of these boards. bling a month previously to each general meeting to arrange worst We do not pretend to omniscience, and we confess that we the business to be submitted to the meeting, a programme of which will be circulated among the members. Any member, had made a very great mistake. When we commenced our however, may cause a motion to be inserted in the programme campaign against injustice and cruelty in the management of by giving a written notice to the secretaries fourteen days z, the in-door sick paupers, we certainly did believe, in a general before the meeting; or at the meeting itself, immediately ’!, way, that there was a bright as well as a dark side to the after the reading of the minutes, may request the permission question of workhouse infirmaries, and of this bright side we of the meeting to bring forward any business of which notice naturally expected to find very numerous illustrations in the had not previously been given. These regulations have country workhouses. We are sorry to say that, week by week, framed in order to prevent " surprises" on the part of any month by month, this comfortable hypothesis has been steadily undermined by the information which has reached us, and of the members, and seem to us well adapted for the purpose. Since no council can yet be in existence, it was arranged at that at this moment we have reached a most unhappy state of the meeting on Monday that the delegates from the several suspicion about the whole workhouse infirmary system through, schools should be summoned by the secretary to assemble priorr out the kingdom. We are not doubting but that here and there, under exceptionally favourable circumstances, a degree to the general meeting in November to draw up for good management has been attained which leaves little to lists the various of tions, and especially to arrange balloting be desired. But we are no longer able to believe that, in y be circulated the members which should offices, among prior to the meeting. important degree, the average of country guardian boards are On the third Monday in November next the first annual wiser or more humane in their treatment of the sick poor than London brethren. general meeting of the Association will be held, when the president, vice-presidents, and council will be duly elected, and the Association will be ready to embark upon the business THE SOCIAL CONDITION OF DISPENSARY PATIENTS. IN another column we publish a letter which may be re proper to it. What that business will prove to be we are at present unable to say; nor do the leading members of the garded as an approximate determination of the social condition Association appear to have any very definite views upon the of the large class of people relieved at dispensaries. A few subject. As has been more than once remarked, the Asso- of the cases at these institutions--certainly not many-might, ciation can only have a moral influence, since it has no legal with more providence and independence, be able to employ a powers; and though we hope that influence may be brought private practitioner. More of them might, by a club arrangeto bear with the best effect upon the various medical corpora- ment, have such a medical attendant. It will be seen that the tions, the General Medical Council, and the Government, we majority are not in sick clabs;that the diseases generally are
such
Medical Annotations.
this
would ,
f ,
,
’,
been
recommenda-
their
,_Y
_,
THE MEDICAL
TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION.
to arrive at
just conclusions respecting the condition of cannot feel very sanguine as to the results. Perhaps the the passengers. Dr. J’Op;80N define4 tj. ship to be a pri- matters most open for discussion are those respecting the internal economy of the medical schools, which have formed son in which one has a phance of eing drowned; but if fatal rocks in the course of previous associations of the kind, it be a prison subject to an unusual risk, it surely ought It is much as we pointed out in THE LANCET of June 15th. to be made as wholesome and as pleasant as a prison can be to be desired, however, that some distinct understanding reo under the circumstances in which it exists. In these days of specting fees, prizes, and advertisements should be come to sanitary improvement and progress, it is impossible that the before another winter session shall have arrived. present condition of emigrant ships can long remain to be a disgrace to our country and a rejection upon the GovernPROVINCIAL WORKHOUSE INFIRMARIES. ment,
!
THE inquiry which has been made by THE LANCET, with notable results, into the condition of the metropolitan workhouse infirmaries, was originally designed to be extended ultimately to the workhouse infirmaries of the provinces. Many obstacles have intervened to delay the carrying out of 11 Ne quid nimis." design, which has, nevertheless, been always in our mind; and it has been with sincere regret that we have found ourselves unable, for the time, to give the attention which we THE MEDICAL TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION. gladly have accorded at once to many appeals we THE second general meeting of the Medical Teachers’ Assohave received from medical men and others, resident in the ciation was held on Monday evening last to consider the byelaws which had been drawn up by a committee. Dr. King, provinces, and acquainted with the necessity which exists for Chambers took the chair, and in a rather thin meeting of searching investigation into the management of the in-door sick metropolitan teachers the bye-laws were discussed and settled, poor in country districts. We print, this week, one of the numerous letters which have been addressed to us on this of which the following were the most important. The " Medical Teachers’ Association"" is to include alll question. The writer does not, it is true, parade a long list of teachers of the metropolitan medical schools recognised by thej grievances; but to those who have any experience in the ways of examining bodies, and all the members of the hospital staffsI guardians, as respects workhouse management, the letter will attached to such schools who enrol themselves by the payment at once indicate a condition of things radically vicious. It of a subscription of fiveshillings. The Association is to be: proves that the very same selfish and short-sighted principles at work, in the district to which it refers, as have led to governed by a council, consisting of a president, two vice- are the worst scandals which THE LAXCET Commissioners exposed presidents, a treasurer, two secretaries, and four members, to in the London workhouses. Everything is sacrificed, if we are be elected by the Association; and of two members elected by believe to our correspondent, to the mere immediate saving of each Bchool from among its staff. The president is to hold and one is shocked to hear that a board of guardians, expense; and the four memoffice for one year only; the vice-presidents bers elected by the Association are not to hold office for more consisting, not, as is generally the cage in London, of small shopkeepers, but of clergymen, gentry, and well-to-do farmers, than two years in succession. It is intended that four general meetings of the Association who might have been thought incapable of the meannesses shall be held during the year-namely, on the third Monday which have disgraced the administration of so many metroin November, January, March, and June, the Council assem- politan boards, is as cruel, as mean, and as incapable as the of these boards. bling a month previously to each general meeting to arrange worst We do not pretend to omniscience, and we confess that we the business to be submitted to the meeting, a programme of which will be circulated among the members. Any member, had made a very great mistake. When we commenced our however, may cause a motion to be inserted in the programme campaign against injustice and cruelty in the management of by giving a written notice to the secretaries fourteen days z, the in-door sick paupers, we certainly did believe, in a general before the meeting; or at the meeting itself, immediately ’!, way, that there was a bright as well as a dark side to the after the reading of the minutes, may request the permission question of workhouse infirmaries, and of this bright side we of the meeting to bring forward any business of which notice naturally expected to find very numerous illustrations in the had not previously been given. These regulations have country workhouses. We are sorry to say that, week by week, framed in order to prevent " surprises" on the part of any month by month, this comfortable hypothesis has been steadily undermined by the information which has reached us, and of the members, and seem to us well adapted for the purpose. Since no council can yet be in existence, it was arranged at that at this moment we have reached a most unhappy state of the meeting on Monday that the delegates from the several suspicion about the whole workhouse infirmary system through, schools should be summoned by the secretary to assemble priorr out the kingdom. We are not doubting but that here and there, under exceptionally favourable circumstances, a degree to the general meeting in November to draw up for good management has been attained which leaves little to lists the various of tions, and especially to arrange balloting be desired. But we are no longer able to believe that, in y be circulated the members which should offices, among prior to the meeting. important degree, the average of country guardian boards are On the third Monday in November next the first annual wiser or more humane in their treatment of the sick poor than London brethren. general meeting of the Association will be held, when the president, vice-presidents, and council will be duly elected, and the Association will be ready to embark upon the business THE SOCIAL CONDITION OF DISPENSARY PATIENTS. IN another column we publish a letter which may be re proper to it. What that business will prove to be we are at present unable to say; nor do the leading members of the garded as an approximate determination of the social condition Association appear to have any very definite views upon the of the large class of people relieved at dispensaries. A few subject. As has been more than once remarked, the Asso- of the cases at these institutions--certainly not many-might, ciation can only have a moral influence, since it has no legal with more providence and independence, be able to employ a powers; and though we hope that influence may be brought private practitioner. More of them might, by a club arrangeto bear with the best effect upon the various medical corpora- ment, have such a medical attendant. It will be seen that the tions, the General Medical Council, and the Government, we majority are not in sick clabs;that the diseases generally are
such
Medical Annotations.
this
would ,
f ,
,
’,
been
recommenda-
their
,_Y
_,