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THE TREATMENT OF MEDICAL APPRENTICES.
132 of the ward-room officers ! ! !
Was there
ever
anything
taught, the rudiments of the profession to which they aspire. Sir, is not this conduct alike derogatory to and unworthy of those gentlemen who have sworn to uphold the honour and dignity of their profession. If you consider the above as deserving a small space in your truly valuable journal, you will confer a great obligation both on myself and many others.
so
purely nonsensical ? Why is not the chaplain obliged to spend some probationary period in a similar manner ? Why is it not "felt extremely important" that that reverend person should complete his ed2ccation amongst all the elegantice of the midshipmen’s mess ? Why is not the second lieutenant of marines
also subjected to a similar process of being polished off for the society of the ward-room ? Ah, Mr. Editor,’tis a pity to see a man of Sir. F. Baring’s position made the cat’s paw of the old and tyrannical naval
I am,
July,
Sir, yours obediently,
A STUDENT.
1850. ______________
MEDICAL RECIPROCITY.—THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH AND APOTHECARIES’ HALL. acquainted with the service, are only a source of ridicule and To the Editor of THE LANCET. Sir believes Francis is a landsman, and, doubtless, contempt. these statements true as " holy writ," but the youngest I I been attacked by a letter signed have SiR,-As middy in the service would laugh at their absurdity, and at ’, " Vindex," in THE LANCETpersonally of the 20th inst., I must request the his credulity. favour of your allowing me to reply. " Vindex," with all his in. ! Regarding the miserable ;condition of a three-year proba- dignation against me for bringing charges of illiberality against tion, with which the admission of the assistant-surgeons to the the various Scotch Examining Boards, does net, and cannot, find ward-room is clogged, I scarcely know what view to take of anything in my letter to deny the truth of, and I am glad to see it,-whether it would be the best policy and the most ex- I am borne out in the assertions I made in it by a most gentle. pedient course to leave it so, and to allow it to right itself, (as and well-written letter in your journal of the 13th inst. most assuredly it must do,) or whether those who have worked manly In my former communication I only asked the Scotch graduates so long and so hard in the cause of the assistant-surgeons the same examination I had myself undergone for to should persevere till these officers shall obtain their rights in the undergo of liberty practising in England, and surely it is only fair an unqualified and unshackled manner. I am really at a loss should do so, when they refuse me the privilege of prac. they to determine this. How much more becoming the high posiin Scotland without joining their own colleges-sure tion of Sir F. Baring would it have been, had he bowed fully tising there are but few English who go north of the Tweed to and unreservedly to’ the expressed wish of the House of enough When accused by " Vindex" of littleness in writing practise. Commons, and to the universal voice of the medical profession anonymously, he should have placed his name in full to his throughout three kingdoms. But, as I have said, the miserable attack, otherwise he must take back his accusation, and try restriction by which this tardy submission to the force of whether it will fit himself. Had he signed his name to his letter, justice, and to the all-powerful weight of public opinion, this I should have had much pleasure in putting mine to this. wretched truckling to the prejudices of the old naval school, I am, Sir, your obedient servant, cannot last,-it must give way, and the time cannot be distant M.D. St. And., M.R.C.S. Eng., L.S.A. July, 1850. when the medical officer, on his entry into the service, will at once find himself in the position to which his profession so justly entitles him. Now that the long-fought battle has been KING’S COLLEGE HOSPITAL. won, I would suggest to the naval assistant-surgeons that they THE OPERATING THEATRE. with little as as to take an of delay may be, ought, opportunity To the Editor of TaE LANCET. expressing to Capt. Boldero their sense of the deep debt of gratitude they owe him, during the long and arduous struggle was enabled, a few weeks since, through your kindness, they have had for their rights: they have had many powerful and to Sin,—I draw attention to the excessive crowding of the area around efficient advocates, but for Capt. Boldero was it reserved to the operating table at King’s College Hospital. give the coup de grace to the Benbows and the Commodore I am sure you will again permit me to trespass on your pages Trunnions of the nineteenth century. in regard to this matter, for I am sorry to say that the evil comI am, Sir, your obedient servant, plained of still continues. For a week or so after the publication MICHAEL HEALY, M.D. of my last, a full view of the patient was always obtained, and Bendon Street, Ennis, July 14, 1850. lS50. the surgeon took care that the class could watch every move. ment of his hand; but that has once again become a a tale of yesterday," and to the student, the witnessing of 11 operations" THE TREATMENT OF MEDICAL APPRENTICES. here is a complete farce. To the Editor of THE LANCET. He may, by chance, now and then, manage to get a glimpse of eyes, and SiR,—Presuming that the pages of your invaluable journal a bleeding limb, but as to following the knife with his turn it one in which the the too, alike to minor well of abuses of a as as those noticing takes,-perhaps, every greater are open irrportance, has induced me to make you acquainted with the whole difficulty of the operation consists,--4feherele !’twere an existence of the following, hoping that its appearance in your easier task to drive a coach and six down the oesophagus, or to journal may contribute in some measure to its mitigation; and tie the femoral in a wooden leg. In order to reduce the affair to figures, I may mention that, although, at first sight, it may appear only deserving the consideration of the former, I think it may, with both truth and to-day the space around the table, which is at most only three justice, be considered as one of the latter. I know not whether wards square, was tenanted by twenty-three surgeons and seven it is the custom in other provincial towns, but in the town of dressers. Perhaps, Sir, some one skilled in squaring the circle which I am a native, (Whitby, Yorkshire,) it is the custom of could dispose of these superfluous gentlemen, so that all might medical men to employ their pupils as servants, compelling them see in the meantime; be kind enough to assist me in putting them to perform the most menial duties, such as washing bottles, behind the front rail. It certainly seems scarcely compatible with the dignity of the opening out and cleansing their shops, &c., and compelling them, with a large basket on their arm-perhaps larger than neces- medical profession to permit the cries of despairing students to sary-to carry out the medicines which they dispense, and this clear the intervening heads away, at that moment of exciting susafter working hard all day in making pills and horse-balls by the pense which the performance of a dangerous operation awakens, thousand ; and, as if not already sufficiently degraded, they are but few can be surprised when this annoyance is so frequently compelled to take their meals and associate with the servants repeated. of the household, being considered totally unworthy the Assuring you that no splenetic motive actuates me in this society of the master and the rest of the family, to all of whom matter, and with sincere thanks for past favours, I remain, Sir, yours most respectfully, they are in every respect equal. Is this conduct worthy the July 20, 1850. NEOPHYTE. membcrs of a liberal and learned profession? and merely for the sordid and avaricious motive of saving the few shillings it would cost for the employment of a suitable person. What must be THE APOTHECARIES’ COMPANY AND DR. BURT. the feelings of a youth, who has received an education befitting To the Editor of THE LANCET. him both as a gentleman and a member of respectable society, after being ensnared into a situation the nature of which only am much SiR,—I pleased with the letter of 11 Vindex" on Dr. becomes apparent after having paid pretty dearly for it, and Burt’s case, but it does not go far enough ; something more than
school for the enunciation of statements which, to those
I
when
too late for remedy or repentance ! And this is the treatan expression of sympathy for the oppressed and indignation at adopted by these gentlemen towards their pupils, instead the oppressor is here required. It would take up too much of teaching them or causing them, according to oath, to be your space to enter into a disquisition on the legality of Scotch
ment
of
I
Was there
ever
anything
taught, the rudiments of the profession to which they aspire. Sir, is not this conduct alike derogatory to and unworthy of those gentlemen who have sworn to uphold the honour and dignity of their profession. If you consider the above as deserving a small space in your truly valuable journal, you will confer a great obligation both on myself and many others.
so
purely nonsensical ? Why is not the chaplain obliged to spend some probationary period in a similar manner ? Why is it not "felt extremely important" that that reverend person should complete his ed2ccation amongst all the elegantice of the midshipmen’s mess ? Why is not the second lieutenant of marines
also subjected to a similar process of being polished off for the society of the ward-room ? Ah, Mr. Editor,’tis a pity to see a man of Sir. F. Baring’s position made the cat’s paw of the old and tyrannical naval
I am,
July,
Sir, yours obediently,
A STUDENT.
1850. ______________
MEDICAL RECIPROCITY.—THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH AND APOTHECARIES’ HALL. acquainted with the service, are only a source of ridicule and To the Editor of THE LANCET. Sir believes Francis is a landsman, and, doubtless, contempt. these statements true as " holy writ," but the youngest I I been attacked by a letter signed have SiR,-As middy in the service would laugh at their absurdity, and at ’, " Vindex," in THE LANCETpersonally of the 20th inst., I must request the his credulity. favour of your allowing me to reply. " Vindex," with all his in. ! Regarding the miserable ;condition of a three-year proba- dignation against me for bringing charges of illiberality against tion, with which the admission of the assistant-surgeons to the the various Scotch Examining Boards, does net, and cannot, find ward-room is clogged, I scarcely know what view to take of anything in my letter to deny the truth of, and I am glad to see it,-whether it would be the best policy and the most ex- I am borne out in the assertions I made in it by a most gentle. pedient course to leave it so, and to allow it to right itself, (as and well-written letter in your journal of the 13th inst. most assuredly it must do,) or whether those who have worked manly In my former communication I only asked the Scotch graduates so long and so hard in the cause of the assistant-surgeons the same examination I had myself undergone for to should persevere till these officers shall obtain their rights in the undergo of liberty practising in England, and surely it is only fair an unqualified and unshackled manner. I am really at a loss should do so, when they refuse me the privilege of prac. they to determine this. How much more becoming the high posiin Scotland without joining their own colleges-sure tion of Sir F. Baring would it have been, had he bowed fully tising there are but few English who go north of the Tweed to and unreservedly to’ the expressed wish of the House of enough When accused by " Vindex" of littleness in writing practise. Commons, and to the universal voice of the medical profession anonymously, he should have placed his name in full to his throughout three kingdoms. But, as I have said, the miserable attack, otherwise he must take back his accusation, and try restriction by which this tardy submission to the force of whether it will fit himself. Had he signed his name to his letter, justice, and to the all-powerful weight of public opinion, this I should have had much pleasure in putting mine to this. wretched truckling to the prejudices of the old naval school, I am, Sir, your obedient servant, cannot last,-it must give way, and the time cannot be distant M.D. St. And., M.R.C.S. Eng., L.S.A. July, 1850. when the medical officer, on his entry into the service, will at once find himself in the position to which his profession so justly entitles him. Now that the long-fought battle has been KING’S COLLEGE HOSPITAL. won, I would suggest to the naval assistant-surgeons that they THE OPERATING THEATRE. with little as as to take an of delay may be, ought, opportunity To the Editor of TaE LANCET. expressing to Capt. Boldero their sense of the deep debt of gratitude they owe him, during the long and arduous struggle was enabled, a few weeks since, through your kindness, they have had for their rights: they have had many powerful and to Sin,—I draw attention to the excessive crowding of the area around efficient advocates, but for Capt. Boldero was it reserved to the operating table at King’s College Hospital. give the coup de grace to the Benbows and the Commodore I am sure you will again permit me to trespass on your pages Trunnions of the nineteenth century. in regard to this matter, for I am sorry to say that the evil comI am, Sir, your obedient servant, plained of still continues. For a week or so after the publication MICHAEL HEALY, M.D. of my last, a full view of the patient was always obtained, and Bendon Street, Ennis, July 14, 1850. lS50. the surgeon took care that the class could watch every move. ment of his hand; but that has once again become a a tale of yesterday," and to the student, the witnessing of 11 operations" THE TREATMENT OF MEDICAL APPRENTICES. here is a complete farce. To the Editor of THE LANCET. He may, by chance, now and then, manage to get a glimpse of eyes, and SiR,—Presuming that the pages of your invaluable journal a bleeding limb, but as to following the knife with his turn it one in which the the too, alike to minor well of abuses of a as as those noticing takes,-perhaps, every greater are open irrportance, has induced me to make you acquainted with the whole difficulty of the operation consists,--4feherele !’twere an existence of the following, hoping that its appearance in your easier task to drive a coach and six down the oesophagus, or to journal may contribute in some measure to its mitigation; and tie the femoral in a wooden leg. In order to reduce the affair to figures, I may mention that, although, at first sight, it may appear only deserving the consideration of the former, I think it may, with both truth and to-day the space around the table, which is at most only three justice, be considered as one of the latter. I know not whether wards square, was tenanted by twenty-three surgeons and seven it is the custom in other provincial towns, but in the town of dressers. Perhaps, Sir, some one skilled in squaring the circle which I am a native, (Whitby, Yorkshire,) it is the custom of could dispose of these superfluous gentlemen, so that all might medical men to employ their pupils as servants, compelling them see in the meantime; be kind enough to assist me in putting them to perform the most menial duties, such as washing bottles, behind the front rail. It certainly seems scarcely compatible with the dignity of the opening out and cleansing their shops, &c., and compelling them, with a large basket on their arm-perhaps larger than neces- medical profession to permit the cries of despairing students to sary-to carry out the medicines which they dispense, and this clear the intervening heads away, at that moment of exciting susafter working hard all day in making pills and horse-balls by the pense which the performance of a dangerous operation awakens, thousand ; and, as if not already sufficiently degraded, they are but few can be surprised when this annoyance is so frequently compelled to take their meals and associate with the servants repeated. of the household, being considered totally unworthy the Assuring you that no splenetic motive actuates me in this society of the master and the rest of the family, to all of whom matter, and with sincere thanks for past favours, I remain, Sir, yours most respectfully, they are in every respect equal. Is this conduct worthy the July 20, 1850. NEOPHYTE. membcrs of a liberal and learned profession? and merely for the sordid and avaricious motive of saving the few shillings it would cost for the employment of a suitable person. What must be THE APOTHECARIES’ COMPANY AND DR. BURT. the feelings of a youth, who has received an education befitting To the Editor of THE LANCET. him both as a gentleman and a member of respectable society, after being ensnared into a situation the nature of which only am much SiR,—I pleased with the letter of 11 Vindex" on Dr. becomes apparent after having paid pretty dearly for it, and Burt’s case, but it does not go far enough ; something more than
school for the enunciation of statements which, to those
I
when
too late for remedy or repentance ! And this is the treatan expression of sympathy for the oppressed and indignation at adopted by these gentlemen towards their pupils, instead the oppressor is here required. It would take up too much of teaching them or causing them, according to oath, to be your space to enter into a disquisition on the legality of Scotch
ment
of
I