- Email: [email protected]
THE THERAPEUTICS OF SCARLET RED.
1043 is exactly those struggling practitioners, before whom Mr. Benthall would not spread temptation, who will be made more secure financially, and therefore more independent to discharge their duties under the Act. It is only doing bare justice to the heads of the British Medical Association to say that, since the introduction of the Bill, their policy has been to get from this measure the greatest good for the greatest number ; but whilst I admit this, I believe that criticism of the Bill, both lay and medical, has been often one-sided and unfair, and frequently of the blind-alley kind. No attempt seems to have been made to consider the Bill in an impartial, calm, and reasoned manner, and from the point of view of the present position of the general practitioners who, as I have stated above, will attend the largest number of patients under No acknowledgment is made of the fact, the scheme. admitted by hospital managers, that the out-patient departments of the hospitals will be depleted by reason of the number of patients who will then be the paying patients of the insurance doctor instead of the recipients of charity ; or of the number of present parish patients who will in the future be placed under the insurance scheme. And then we are told nothing, by those critics, of the one or two millions of money for maternity benefit which may, if we wish, go into our
practitioners, who, after all, are the mainspring’fof general the machine. While maintaining those points which we have hitherto deemed vital to our existence, I think in many
pockets.
And arewe
to forget the Battle of the Clubs" (so described in THE LANCET), or, to come to questions more immediately connected with the present crisis, are we to leave out of count the undoubted fact that in any case, even if the Bill is lost, there will be a large accession in numbers of the members of the Friendly Societies, partly due to the increased business stimulus given by the discussions on the Bill, but, even more due to the fact that the industrial insurance companies, the dividing and
other directions from no other source could Mr. George obtain more valuable help and wider experience in making straight the way to the loyal and lasting acceptance by the entire medical profession of a very necessary measure of social improvement. I am, Sir, yours faithfully, FRANCIS MURPHY. Norbury, S.W., Oct. 3rd, 1911.
THE HUNTERIAN SOCIETY’S MEDAL. To the Editor
of THE LANCET.
SIR,—The Hunterian Society awards annually a silver medal for the best essay by a general practitioner embodying the results of his own observations. May we remind intending candidates that the last day for the present competition is Dec. 31st, 1911. Any further particulars may be obtained from us. Thanking you, We are. Sir. vours faithfullv. A. P. GIBBONS, A. C. JORDAN, J 17, Finsbury-circus, E.C., Oct. 3rd, 1911.
HonorarySecretaries.
graphically
collecting societies, &c., may, Bill or no Bill, start Friendly Society work on their own account, safeguarding themselves, if necessary, from any hostile action of the General Medical Council by the adoption of a system based somewhat on the lines of the National Deposit Friendly Society. By this means it is said that, including women and children, the number of club patients in the kingdom will soon reach a total of 10 or 12 millions-a figure nearly approaching that I, contemplated under the Insurance Bill. And who will say that the present club doctors and others will not continue to give attendance to those new members in the future as they have attended the old members in the past, especially when we are informed that even recently men were working against each other to secure a club appointment with a 3s. 6d. per annum capitation fee ? In conclusion, I am fully aware that many medical men ’, would kill the Bill and use some polite word about the consequences. But I will not be "in at the death," because I ’, believe in the scheme, and I think the profession will make a huge blunder if by unreflective action this disastrous result is brought about. I am, Sir, yours faithfully, M. S. HARFORD. Mile End-road, E., Oct. 2nd, 1911. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,-From the almost universal dissatisfaction expressed regarding the Insurance Bill, it is now evident that failing its withdrawal it will secure at most a reluctant acceptance in the House of Commons. The present is therefore, I think, an opportune moment for the profession to come forward and
proffer its assistance
in
which would be in its best and truest sense a State Medical Service. Each of the three parties concerned-the State, the public, and the medical profession-are now cognisant of each other’s difficulties as well as of the advantages and disadvantages in such a scheme ; indeed, the ignorance of Mr. Lloyd George on these matters was the primary cause of the present intpasse. Should such a proposition be accepted by those concerned, the medical element in such a conclave needs some guarding. Grateful indeed as we are to the British Medical Association for its action in the later negotiations with the Government, there is a feeling amongst many of us that in the earlier stages it was the vis a tergo of the justly irate general practitioner that saved the situation by strengthening the resistance of that Association. Following the recent precedent of a Royal Commission on Railway Disputes the Chancellor of the Exchequer may perhaps see his way to appointing a commission comprised of delegates from Friendly, Dividing, and Insurance Societies, hospital officers, chemists, and, last, but not least important,
THE THERAPEUTICS OF To the Editor
SIR,-A
SCARLET RED.
of THE LANCET.
recent search in its literature inclined me to
think that scarlet red was almost unknown in this country, and your annotation on its properties may possibly bring it into commoner use. My introduction to it was through a letter from Mr. J. E. R. McDonagh, which appeared in your columns on Nov. 27th, 1909, and suggested its employment for ulcers. I have had no opportunity of trying it in this condition, although since April last I have prescribed it in almost 80 cases in this hospital. In the great majority of these it was given for intertrigo of the ears or of the napkin area, and certainly seemed to produce marked improvement in even 24 hours. One case in which I used it had an irregular raw area (measuring about 10 by 6 cm.) on the scalp over the left parietal bone due to a burn. This was treated with scarlet red and in 19 days was completely covered with smooth, supple skin, on patches of which hair is now growing. To set off such a satisfactory result I may mention one case of suppurating hip-joint disease the wound of which had completely broken down, and one case of fascal fistula with much skin irritation. In both these scarlet red failed, and in the latter made the conThis dition worse in the short time it was applied. emphasises the necessity of having the surface clean, as you quote from Schmieden. My experienge is limited to one form -that procurable from Zimmermann. I have noticed that after a time a gritty sediment forms in the preparation. This seems to show that it is preferable to make it up frequently in small quantities at atime. I am, Sir, yours faithfully, JAMES RAE. Park Hospital, Hither Green, Lewisham, S.E., Sept. 30th, 1911.
UNPAID
framing a measure
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE ON BOARD SHIP. To the Editor of THE LANCET.
an expression of opinion on the On board the steamer in which, as a passenger and not as a medical man, I recently returned to England, the surgeon sought my advice as to a stoker who had been in hospital some days. I at once volunteered to see the case and advised immediate surgical intervention. The surgeon then asked me if I would give the anaesthetic. I did so, and intimated that, while quite willing to help a. confrcre on a point of diagnosis, I considered I was entitled to a fee from the shipping company for the administration of the anaesthetic. The surgeon was in agreement with my view and promised to arrange the matter with the captain of the ship. The latter, however, ridiculed the idea, and on my speaking to him stated that the services were rendered to the ship’s surgeon personally and not to the company. He sent for the surgeon, and on his reply that he had asked for my services
SIR,-I should like
following.
practitioners, who, after all, are the mainspring’fof general the machine. While maintaining those points which we have hitherto deemed vital to our existence, I think in many
pockets.
And arewe
to forget the Battle of the Clubs" (so described in THE LANCET), or, to come to questions more immediately connected with the present crisis, are we to leave out of count the undoubted fact that in any case, even if the Bill is lost, there will be a large accession in numbers of the members of the Friendly Societies, partly due to the increased business stimulus given by the discussions on the Bill, but, even more due to the fact that the industrial insurance companies, the dividing and
other directions from no other source could Mr. George obtain more valuable help and wider experience in making straight the way to the loyal and lasting acceptance by the entire medical profession of a very necessary measure of social improvement. I am, Sir, yours faithfully, FRANCIS MURPHY. Norbury, S.W., Oct. 3rd, 1911.
THE HUNTERIAN SOCIETY’S MEDAL. To the Editor
of THE LANCET.
SIR,—The Hunterian Society awards annually a silver medal for the best essay by a general practitioner embodying the results of his own observations. May we remind intending candidates that the last day for the present competition is Dec. 31st, 1911. Any further particulars may be obtained from us. Thanking you, We are. Sir. vours faithfullv. A. P. GIBBONS, A. C. JORDAN, J 17, Finsbury-circus, E.C., Oct. 3rd, 1911.
HonorarySecretaries.
graphically
collecting societies, &c., may, Bill or no Bill, start Friendly Society work on their own account, safeguarding themselves, if necessary, from any hostile action of the General Medical Council by the adoption of a system based somewhat on the lines of the National Deposit Friendly Society. By this means it is said that, including women and children, the number of club patients in the kingdom will soon reach a total of 10 or 12 millions-a figure nearly approaching that I, contemplated under the Insurance Bill. And who will say that the present club doctors and others will not continue to give attendance to those new members in the future as they have attended the old members in the past, especially when we are informed that even recently men were working against each other to secure a club appointment with a 3s. 6d. per annum capitation fee ? In conclusion, I am fully aware that many medical men ’, would kill the Bill and use some polite word about the consequences. But I will not be "in at the death," because I ’, believe in the scheme, and I think the profession will make a huge blunder if by unreflective action this disastrous result is brought about. I am, Sir, yours faithfully, M. S. HARFORD. Mile End-road, E., Oct. 2nd, 1911. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,-From the almost universal dissatisfaction expressed regarding the Insurance Bill, it is now evident that failing its withdrawal it will secure at most a reluctant acceptance in the House of Commons. The present is therefore, I think, an opportune moment for the profession to come forward and
proffer its assistance
in
which would be in its best and truest sense a State Medical Service. Each of the three parties concerned-the State, the public, and the medical profession-are now cognisant of each other’s difficulties as well as of the advantages and disadvantages in such a scheme ; indeed, the ignorance of Mr. Lloyd George on these matters was the primary cause of the present intpasse. Should such a proposition be accepted by those concerned, the medical element in such a conclave needs some guarding. Grateful indeed as we are to the British Medical Association for its action in the later negotiations with the Government, there is a feeling amongst many of us that in the earlier stages it was the vis a tergo of the justly irate general practitioner that saved the situation by strengthening the resistance of that Association. Following the recent precedent of a Royal Commission on Railway Disputes the Chancellor of the Exchequer may perhaps see his way to appointing a commission comprised of delegates from Friendly, Dividing, and Insurance Societies, hospital officers, chemists, and, last, but not least important,
THE THERAPEUTICS OF To the Editor
SIR,-A
SCARLET RED.
of THE LANCET.
recent search in its literature inclined me to
think that scarlet red was almost unknown in this country, and your annotation on its properties may possibly bring it into commoner use. My introduction to it was through a letter from Mr. J. E. R. McDonagh, which appeared in your columns on Nov. 27th, 1909, and suggested its employment for ulcers. I have had no opportunity of trying it in this condition, although since April last I have prescribed it in almost 80 cases in this hospital. In the great majority of these it was given for intertrigo of the ears or of the napkin area, and certainly seemed to produce marked improvement in even 24 hours. One case in which I used it had an irregular raw area (measuring about 10 by 6 cm.) on the scalp over the left parietal bone due to a burn. This was treated with scarlet red and in 19 days was completely covered with smooth, supple skin, on patches of which hair is now growing. To set off such a satisfactory result I may mention one case of suppurating hip-joint disease the wound of which had completely broken down, and one case of fascal fistula with much skin irritation. In both these scarlet red failed, and in the latter made the conThis dition worse in the short time it was applied. emphasises the necessity of having the surface clean, as you quote from Schmieden. My experienge is limited to one form -that procurable from Zimmermann. I have noticed that after a time a gritty sediment forms in the preparation. This seems to show that it is preferable to make it up frequently in small quantities at atime. I am, Sir, yours faithfully, JAMES RAE. Park Hospital, Hither Green, Lewisham, S.E., Sept. 30th, 1911.
UNPAID
framing a measure
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE ON BOARD SHIP. To the Editor of THE LANCET.
an expression of opinion on the On board the steamer in which, as a passenger and not as a medical man, I recently returned to England, the surgeon sought my advice as to a stoker who had been in hospital some days. I at once volunteered to see the case and advised immediate surgical intervention. The surgeon then asked me if I would give the anaesthetic. I did so, and intimated that, while quite willing to help a. confrcre on a point of diagnosis, I considered I was entitled to a fee from the shipping company for the administration of the anaesthetic. The surgeon was in agreement with my view and promised to arrange the matter with the captain of the ship. The latter, however, ridiculed the idea, and on my speaking to him stated that the services were rendered to the ship’s surgeon personally and not to the company. He sent for the surgeon, and on his reply that he had asked for my services
SIR,-I should like
following.