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A DEFINITION OF QUACKERY.
242
I
not at all seem likely to me, that were that not ASIATIC CHOLERA. the case, the self-called National Institute (but without one atom i To the Editor of THE LANCET. of nationality in it-national, I presume, meaning, in its most limited sense, "public" or ° general," whereas I cannot find that SIR,—Will that dreadful scourge the cholera visit our island this exalted body possesses any such properties) would be selected again ? and if so, are medical men prepared to wage war against for those purposes. When students work hard for their diplomas, it? I ask this on these grounds :-In a conversation with my they expect, and that rightly enough, that they will bear the sig- family medical attendant, I inquired-If myself, wife, or children, natures of individuals eminent, in the highest degree, in the dif- should be attacked with cholera, what mode of treatment would ferent branches of their profession, whose names in themselves you adopt ? His reply was, " I scarcely know; there are so many would give a d:gnity and shed a lustre over their hard sought-for remedies As a husband, and father of fivelovely chilproposed." prize. That this could not be the case with this fresh-advertised dren, what must my feelings have been at this reply ? I admired clique-the offspring of a rapidly decaying licensing body- the candour of my medical friend, in whom I had thegreatest must be apparent to all. How is it, I would a
it, and it does
kept,
____
,
,
,
,
243 the most credulous of the community, but who, when he A CATALOGUE OF finds himself established by the recommendation of his dupes, charges the poor working-man exorbitantly for his advice and ORIGINAL ARTICLES RECEIVED FOR PUBLIis a quack. That man, who hesitates not his sugar CATION IN THE LANCET. on every seemly and unseemly occasion to trumpet forth his THESE own laudation in the private drawing-room and public papers have been accumulating for many weeks past, who is a That visits the and have remained unpublished to this date, (Feb. 24th, 1848,) man, quack. clandestinely assembly, patients of another practitioner, and countenances or en- owing to the daily increasing demand upon our columns, from courages their deceiving those in attendance upon them, is a correspondents who are resident in all parts of her Majesty’s quack. That man, who attempts, by insinuating messages dominions, and, indeed, other portions of the world. to the sick and suffering, to disturb the confidence of the Two Lectures on Inflammation of the Iris, delivered at patient in his physician, and who, without knowing even the character of the disease, dares to deprecate the means of the London Ophthalmic Hospital. By James Dixon, Esq., treatment used by others, and to boast of the infallibility of F.R.C.S.E., Surgeon to that Hospital, and Assistant-surgeon to his own remedies, is a quack. The man, who proclaims St. Thomas’s Hospital. himself the possessor of a universal panacea, is a quack. The 1. Lecture I., post, pp. 29. man, who, when he is unsuccessful in the treatment of a case, 2. Lecture II., ditto, pp. 24. attempts the mean subterfuge of throwing the odium on his 3. On some of the Precautions to be observed in the Comin is a attendance, quack. predecessor One case in point. A young gentleman, suffering from parison of the Relative Irritability of the Muscles of Paralyzed onychia maligna, consulted his surgeon, and was advised to and Healthy Limbs by means of Galvanism. By William have the operation of evulsion performed ; the pain, however, Frederick Barlow, Esq., M.R.C.S., London. Folio, pp. 12. 4. Report of a Case of Injury to the Shoulder-joint. By frightened the patient, the surgeon was dismissed, and the homoeopathist consulted, a cure by internal remedies promised. William Fraser, Esq., L.S.A., Sunderland. Post, pp. 12. Week after week went by-no cure. At length, wearied of 5. Report of a Case of Sanguineous Apoplexy. By J. relying on unperformed promises, a physician of high standing Thomson, Esq., Aberfeldy, Perthshire. Post, pp. 6. in this town was consulted, and by him the patient was sent 6. Remarks on the Case of Instant aneous Death from a to his surgeon, who successfully performed the needed Blow, related by Mr. Kyd, (THE LANCET, 1847, vol. ii. p. 521.) operation. C. R. Bree, Esq., M.R.C.S., Stowmarket, Suffolk. Post, Such are the professions, promises, and performances of By pp. 6. one who claims to be ranked among the regular practitioners, 7. Essay on some peculiar Cerebral Affections. Read at and who founds that claim on his possession of the diploma King’s College Medical Society. By R. Griffith, Esq. Post, of the College of Surgeons and licence of the Apothecaries’ pp.9. will I doubt not it the for yet present; Company. Enough Observations on Scurvy. By James Turnbull, M.D., Physibe my pleasing duty to acquaint you with the shortening of this orthodox gentleman’s tether, and that homoeopathy, while cian to the Liverpool Northern Hospital. 8. Part I., post, pp. 26. it proves as savoury to the palate, will become as difficult and uneasy in the digestion to the public as the cook’s seductive 9. PartII., ditto, pp. 18. pottage to the schoolboy, yclept a " bubble and squeak." 10. Report of an Instance of Extensive Malignant Disease I am, Sir, your obedient servant, of the Lungs and Heart, with Caries of the Ribs, Clavicle, ANTI-HUMBUG. Huddersfield. and Vertebrfe. By R. D. Emmett, Esq., M.R.C.S., DarlingP.S.-A friend has just informed me that some of the fol- ton. Folio. DD. 2. lowers of the great man here have begun to practise homoeo11. Report of a Case of Scirrhus of the Sub-maxillary pathy on animals-that one is about to cure a horse of " blood- Gland, and its Successful Removal by Operation. By George spavin," another treats a cow for " the yellows ;"-but the arch- Borlase Childs, Esq., F.R.C.S.E., London. Post, pp. 9. practitioner himself keeps all the asinine part of the com12. On an Instance of Congenital Strangulated Inguinal munity for his own practice, and treats them for the disease, Hernia, with Internal Strangulation, relieved by Operation called by Yorkshiremen "the simples." to
ance
of milk,
:
MEDICAL FEES AT LIFE-ASSURANCE OFFICES.
By Henry Hancock, Esq., F.R.C.S.E., Surgeon Cross Hospital. Folio, pp. 3.
To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,—We beg to inform you, that at a meeting of the Committee of the Manchester Medico-ethical Association, held on the 3rd instant, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted, and which we shall be obliged by your inserting in the next number of your journal. We are, Sir, your obedient servants, RICHARD ALLEN. J. AIKENIIEAD. AIKENHEAD. Manchester, Feb. 1848. That since the conrse Resolved,-" adopted by the life insurance companies, with regard to the payment of fees for medical certificates, varies in the different offices, and since the profession is greatly dissatisfied at the difficulty of obtaining remuneration when acting as medical referees of applicants for insurance, the committee is desirous that an effort be made to effect such a settlement of the question as shall be advantageous to all parties interested." Resolved, °‘ That a sub-committee, consisting of three members and the secretaries, be appointed to frame plans calculated to carry out the object of the first resolution, and also to prepare a memorial, which shall embody their proposals, and recommend them to the equitable consideration of the insurance companies; that the report of the sub-committee be laid before the general committee as early as possible." In accordance with the last resolution, a sub-committee was —————
appointed.
portrait of Dr. Todd, King’s College Hospital, London, has lately been scale as that of Mr. produced by Mr. Maguire, on the same Fergusson, recently published. The figure is half-length, attitude standing, and the features and expression are correctly rendered. MEDICAL PORTRAIT.-A very excellent
physician
to
13. On Hydrophobia, and Means ment. By Charles Cobbe, Esq., Post, pp. 6. 14. On Embalming Bodies, and
Charing-
suggested for its TreatM.R.C.S.E., Kensington.
Preserving them for an indefinite period from Decomposition, and in a fit state for Anatomical Purposes. With Appendix. By A. Ross, M.D., Boulogne, L.R.C.S. Edin., and Fac. Med. Paris, late Physician to the Suffolk General Hospital. Folio, pp. 28. 15. Report of a Case of Internal Hæmorrhage, and Death from Rupture of an Ovarian Sac. By E. W. Pollard, Esq., M.R.C.S., Brompton, (formerly House-Surgeon to St. George’s Hospital.) Note paper, pp. 10. 16. On the Use of Chloroform in Midwifery and in Chorea. By R. D. Emmett, Esq., M.R.C.8.E., Darlington. Post, pp. 2. 17. Anaesthesia: Suggestions for the Employment of Ether and Chloroform together. By John Gabb, Esq., M.R.C.S., &c., Bewdley, Worcestershire. Post, pp. 3. Alphabetical Notices of Subjects Connected with the Treatment of Dyspepsia. By Robert Dick, M.D., London. 18. Series I., Gastrodynia to Gout. Post, pp. 39. 19. Series II., Gypsum to Hepatitis, ditto, pp. 17. 20. Report of a Case of Spontaneous Rupture of the Uterus before Labour. By Thomas F. Browiibill, Esq., Surgeon to the Tutford Workhouse, Lancashire. Note paper, pp.9. 21. Remarks on Cholera, and Report of Meteorology at Bournemouth, Hants. By Edward Vincent Mainwaring, M.D., Bournemouth. Post, pp. 10, and table. 22. Anatomical Examination of a Human Astomatous Cyclops. Illustrated with Engravings and copious References. By Robert Allan, Esq., Staff Surgeon, Mauritius. Folio, pp. 4. Observations on Malaria. By Sir James Murray, M.D., Dublin. Four parts, folio.
I
not at all seem likely to me, that were that not ASIATIC CHOLERA. the case, the self-called National Institute (but without one atom i To the Editor of THE LANCET. of nationality in it-national, I presume, meaning, in its most limited sense, "public" or ° general," whereas I cannot find that SIR,—Will that dreadful scourge the cholera visit our island this exalted body possesses any such properties) would be selected again ? and if so, are medical men prepared to wage war against for those purposes. When students work hard for their diplomas, it? I ask this on these grounds :-In a conversation with my they expect, and that rightly enough, that they will bear the sig- family medical attendant, I inquired-If myself, wife, or children, natures of individuals eminent, in the highest degree, in the dif- should be attacked with cholera, what mode of treatment would ferent branches of their profession, whose names in themselves you adopt ? His reply was, " I scarcely know; there are so many would give a d:gnity and shed a lustre over their hard sought-for remedies As a husband, and father of fivelovely chilproposed." prize. That this could not be the case with this fresh-advertised dren, what must my feelings have been at this reply ? I admired clique-the offspring of a rapidly decaying licensing body- the candour of my medical friend, in whom I had thegreatest must be apparent to all. How is it, I would a
it, and it does
kept,
____
,
,
,
,
243 the most credulous of the community, but who, when he A CATALOGUE OF finds himself established by the recommendation of his dupes, charges the poor working-man exorbitantly for his advice and ORIGINAL ARTICLES RECEIVED FOR PUBLIis a quack. That man, who hesitates not his sugar CATION IN THE LANCET. on every seemly and unseemly occasion to trumpet forth his THESE own laudation in the private drawing-room and public papers have been accumulating for many weeks past, who is a That visits the and have remained unpublished to this date, (Feb. 24th, 1848,) man, quack. clandestinely assembly, patients of another practitioner, and countenances or en- owing to the daily increasing demand upon our columns, from courages their deceiving those in attendance upon them, is a correspondents who are resident in all parts of her Majesty’s quack. That man, who attempts, by insinuating messages dominions, and, indeed, other portions of the world. to the sick and suffering, to disturb the confidence of the Two Lectures on Inflammation of the Iris, delivered at patient in his physician, and who, without knowing even the character of the disease, dares to deprecate the means of the London Ophthalmic Hospital. By James Dixon, Esq., treatment used by others, and to boast of the infallibility of F.R.C.S.E., Surgeon to that Hospital, and Assistant-surgeon to his own remedies, is a quack. The man, who proclaims St. Thomas’s Hospital. himself the possessor of a universal panacea, is a quack. The 1. Lecture I., post, pp. 29. man, who, when he is unsuccessful in the treatment of a case, 2. Lecture II., ditto, pp. 24. attempts the mean subterfuge of throwing the odium on his 3. On some of the Precautions to be observed in the Comin is a attendance, quack. predecessor One case in point. A young gentleman, suffering from parison of the Relative Irritability of the Muscles of Paralyzed onychia maligna, consulted his surgeon, and was advised to and Healthy Limbs by means of Galvanism. By William have the operation of evulsion performed ; the pain, however, Frederick Barlow, Esq., M.R.C.S., London. Folio, pp. 12. 4. Report of a Case of Injury to the Shoulder-joint. By frightened the patient, the surgeon was dismissed, and the homoeopathist consulted, a cure by internal remedies promised. William Fraser, Esq., L.S.A., Sunderland. Post, pp. 12. Week after week went by-no cure. At length, wearied of 5. Report of a Case of Sanguineous Apoplexy. By J. relying on unperformed promises, a physician of high standing Thomson, Esq., Aberfeldy, Perthshire. Post, pp. 6. in this town was consulted, and by him the patient was sent 6. Remarks on the Case of Instant aneous Death from a to his surgeon, who successfully performed the needed Blow, related by Mr. Kyd, (THE LANCET, 1847, vol. ii. p. 521.) operation. C. R. Bree, Esq., M.R.C.S., Stowmarket, Suffolk. Post, Such are the professions, promises, and performances of By pp. 6. one who claims to be ranked among the regular practitioners, 7. Essay on some peculiar Cerebral Affections. Read at and who founds that claim on his possession of the diploma King’s College Medical Society. By R. Griffith, Esq. Post, of the College of Surgeons and licence of the Apothecaries’ pp.9. will I doubt not it the for yet present; Company. Enough Observations on Scurvy. By James Turnbull, M.D., Physibe my pleasing duty to acquaint you with the shortening of this orthodox gentleman’s tether, and that homoeopathy, while cian to the Liverpool Northern Hospital. 8. Part I., post, pp. 26. it proves as savoury to the palate, will become as difficult and uneasy in the digestion to the public as the cook’s seductive 9. PartII., ditto, pp. 18. pottage to the schoolboy, yclept a " bubble and squeak." 10. Report of an Instance of Extensive Malignant Disease I am, Sir, your obedient servant, of the Lungs and Heart, with Caries of the Ribs, Clavicle, ANTI-HUMBUG. Huddersfield. and Vertebrfe. By R. D. Emmett, Esq., M.R.C.S., DarlingP.S.-A friend has just informed me that some of the fol- ton. Folio. DD. 2. lowers of the great man here have begun to practise homoeo11. Report of a Case of Scirrhus of the Sub-maxillary pathy on animals-that one is about to cure a horse of " blood- Gland, and its Successful Removal by Operation. By George spavin," another treats a cow for " the yellows ;"-but the arch- Borlase Childs, Esq., F.R.C.S.E., London. Post, pp. 9. practitioner himself keeps all the asinine part of the com12. On an Instance of Congenital Strangulated Inguinal munity for his own practice, and treats them for the disease, Hernia, with Internal Strangulation, relieved by Operation called by Yorkshiremen "the simples." to
ance
of milk,
:
MEDICAL FEES AT LIFE-ASSURANCE OFFICES.
By Henry Hancock, Esq., F.R.C.S.E., Surgeon Cross Hospital. Folio, pp. 3.
To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,—We beg to inform you, that at a meeting of the Committee of the Manchester Medico-ethical Association, held on the 3rd instant, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted, and which we shall be obliged by your inserting in the next number of your journal. We are, Sir, your obedient servants, RICHARD ALLEN. J. AIKENIIEAD. AIKENHEAD. Manchester, Feb. 1848. That since the conrse Resolved,-" adopted by the life insurance companies, with regard to the payment of fees for medical certificates, varies in the different offices, and since the profession is greatly dissatisfied at the difficulty of obtaining remuneration when acting as medical referees of applicants for insurance, the committee is desirous that an effort be made to effect such a settlement of the question as shall be advantageous to all parties interested." Resolved, °‘ That a sub-committee, consisting of three members and the secretaries, be appointed to frame plans calculated to carry out the object of the first resolution, and also to prepare a memorial, which shall embody their proposals, and recommend them to the equitable consideration of the insurance companies; that the report of the sub-committee be laid before the general committee as early as possible." In accordance with the last resolution, a sub-committee was —————
appointed.
portrait of Dr. Todd, King’s College Hospital, London, has lately been scale as that of Mr. produced by Mr. Maguire, on the same Fergusson, recently published. The figure is half-length, attitude standing, and the features and expression are correctly rendered. MEDICAL PORTRAIT.-A very excellent
physician
to
13. On Hydrophobia, and Means ment. By Charles Cobbe, Esq., Post, pp. 6. 14. On Embalming Bodies, and
Charing-
suggested for its TreatM.R.C.S.E., Kensington.
Preserving them for an indefinite period from Decomposition, and in a fit state for Anatomical Purposes. With Appendix. By A. Ross, M.D., Boulogne, L.R.C.S. Edin., and Fac. Med. Paris, late Physician to the Suffolk General Hospital. Folio, pp. 28. 15. Report of a Case of Internal Hæmorrhage, and Death from Rupture of an Ovarian Sac. By E. W. Pollard, Esq., M.R.C.S., Brompton, (formerly House-Surgeon to St. George’s Hospital.) Note paper, pp. 10. 16. On the Use of Chloroform in Midwifery and in Chorea. By R. D. Emmett, Esq., M.R.C.8.E., Darlington. Post, pp. 2. 17. Anaesthesia: Suggestions for the Employment of Ether and Chloroform together. By John Gabb, Esq., M.R.C.S., &c., Bewdley, Worcestershire. Post, pp. 3. Alphabetical Notices of Subjects Connected with the Treatment of Dyspepsia. By Robert Dick, M.D., London. 18. Series I., Gastrodynia to Gout. Post, pp. 39. 19. Series II., Gypsum to Hepatitis, ditto, pp. 17. 20. Report of a Case of Spontaneous Rupture of the Uterus before Labour. By Thomas F. Browiibill, Esq., Surgeon to the Tutford Workhouse, Lancashire. Note paper, pp.9. 21. Remarks on Cholera, and Report of Meteorology at Bournemouth, Hants. By Edward Vincent Mainwaring, M.D., Bournemouth. Post, pp. 10, and table. 22. Anatomical Examination of a Human Astomatous Cyclops. Illustrated with Engravings and copious References. By Robert Allan, Esq., Staff Surgeon, Mauritius. Folio, pp. 4. Observations on Malaria. By Sir James Murray, M.D., Dublin. Four parts, folio.