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A MIDWIFE POSING AS A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER
A MIDWIFE POSING AS A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER.
790
its reputation to bear the burden of its operator’s infirmities." He then goes on to say that the employés should be systematically trained, and the public educated to habits of cleanliness and their minds freed from the trouble-making notions and imaginings which prevail with reference to ventilation even among those boasting of culture. We quite agree, for herein lies the key to the whole matter. If the public possessed an intelligent knowledge of the laws of health they would immediately unite in demanding, with every chance of obtaining, a redress of the grievances from which they suffer. -
A MIDWIFE POSING AS A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER THERE is one point on which all are agreed-that the line between the midwife and the medical practitioner must be kept distinct. A case was investigated by Mr. Troutbeck at the Horseferry-road court, in which it appeared that one William Hinton applied to Dr. G. de G. Griffiths of the Medical College, St. George’s-road, to attend his child, and that Dr. Griffiths, instead of going himself, sent the matron of the college, who described herself as a midwife. The child was dead when they arrived. Asked by the coroner if she attended medical cases the midwife answered, "Not The jury as a rule," which seemed to imply exceptions. censured Dr. Griffiths, for, as the coroner observed, when people applied for medical advice they were entitled to that of a skilled practitioner. -
THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF DERMATOLOGY. THE Third International Congress of Dermatology will be held in London this year from Aug. 4th to 8th inclusive. The meetings will take place in the Examination Hall of the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons, on the Victoria Embankment. Separate sections will be established for dermatology and syphilis, the meetings of these being held simultaneously. The scientific portion of the programme is practically complete, and the large number of British as well as foreign physicians who have testified their intention of being present will doubtless ensure the success of the Congress, of which Mr. Hutchinson is President. The fee for membership, which entitles to the volume of Transactions to be issued, is £1, payable to the hon. treasurer, Mr. Malcolm Morris, 8, Harley-street, London, W. The secretary-general, to whom all communications should be addressed, is Dr. J. J. Pringle, 23, Lower Seymour-street,
London, W.
-----
THE REMUNERATION
OF CORONERS.
AT the last meeting of the Brighton town council a somewhat significant correspondence was read with regard to the fees paid to the borough coroner (Mr. J. E. Bush). Mr. Bush wrote to the town clerk suggesting a revision of the scale, and the following facts were laid before a committee of general purposes. At present Mr. Bush receives the statutory fee of .616s. 8d. for each inquisition, with mileage and other disbursements, which make the average cost of each inquest about .64. Mr. Bush asked that some allowance should be made in cases where, after inquiry, he does not think an inquest necessary and simply reports the case to the registrar, receiving no fee whatever. The coroner said that in Worcester a fee of 13s. 4d. was paid in such cases, and in Croydon, ’-B’eweastle-upon-Tyne, and Swansea a fee of 6s. 8d. "Other coroners inform me that it is almost their universal practice to hold an inquest in every case reported to them. If I were to adopt a similar practice my emoluments would be nearly doubled, but the expense to the borough would be similarly increased, which I wish to avoid if an equitable arrangement can be made." The town clerk, in his letter to the committee, said he had no doubt that the coroner
would in many of the cases in justified in holding an inquest."
question "be technically During the last five years,
stated, the number of inquests held and of cases investigated, but simply registered, was: 1891, 89 inquests and 100 cases of investigation; 1892, 87 and 85; 1893, 95 and 87 ; 1894, 106 and 58 ; and 1895, 100 and 77. In view of it may be
these facts and the candid statement of the coroner it seems scarcely satisfactory that the committee and the council alike were of the opinion that it is unadvisable to make any alteration. The town clerk, it may be added, recommended a fee of 6s. 8d. ____
THE
MEDICO-ETHICAL SOCIETY OF BRADFORD.
THIS society, which has for some years been in a somewhat moribund condition, has become once more, from force of circumstances, an active agency in the professional life of the town. There has been a very large accession of new members, including a great proportion of the yoanger generation. At the general meeting held on March 12th there was a sweeping change made in the personnel of the old group of office-bearers. Dr. Hime was elected President, and will, we are sure, be an active agent in maintaining the highest standard of ethical and professional conduct. Among the questions which have been agitating the mind of the profession in Bradford and which have led to this revived interest in medical ethics are the great abuse of medical charities in Bradford, the club question, and, we regret to hear also, the alleged unprofessional behaviour of some of the senior members of the profession. Although names are freely mentioned in this connexion, it is to be hoped that the suppression of any irregularities will be effected without the necessity for any serious action by the Medico-Ethical Society ; but it is evident that the younger members of the are determined that matters to which they object shall be settled on a basis of high professional conduct.
profession
DISTURBING CEMETERIES. A CORRESPONDENT puts to us the question whether or no there would be a, danger in cutting’ through a cemetery (for the purpose of widening a road) in which no interments have taken place for the past forty years ?If interments had been conducted on scientific lines and the bodies (not too deeply buried) had been left to be dealt with by the " living earth," and if, in addition, the earth had been encouraged to bring forth "herb yielding seed and tree bearing fruit after its kind," we should have had no hesitation in saying that no evil would result from the proposed But when we consider that the bodies disturbance. interred have perhaps been enclosed in leaden coffins and carefully preserved in brick vaults we have some hesitation in giving an answer. As to the evils which have arisen or may arise from disturbing cemeteries there is practically no evidence which is of any value. These forty year old bodies may, owing to the mode of interment, still be undergoing a most unpleasant form of slow putrefaction, and their disinterment, while it would hasten their disintegration, might be a most unpleasant process and lead to the disengagement of foul-smelling gases if to no more serious consequences. On the whole we are inclined to think that the sentiment which has led to our regarding burial grounds as sacred places which ought not to be lightly disturbed or put to any other use is serviceable on sanitacry grounds;; and when an alteration is proposed in the interests of traffic and business we should recommend that a cemetery should not be utilised if such a course can possibly be avoided, but that the ground for the should be gained in some necessary improvement other way, even though the road should have to be turned The evidence of bacterioa little out of its direct course.
790
its reputation to bear the burden of its operator’s infirmities." He then goes on to say that the employés should be systematically trained, and the public educated to habits of cleanliness and their minds freed from the trouble-making notions and imaginings which prevail with reference to ventilation even among those boasting of culture. We quite agree, for herein lies the key to the whole matter. If the public possessed an intelligent knowledge of the laws of health they would immediately unite in demanding, with every chance of obtaining, a redress of the grievances from which they suffer. -
A MIDWIFE POSING AS A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER THERE is one point on which all are agreed-that the line between the midwife and the medical practitioner must be kept distinct. A case was investigated by Mr. Troutbeck at the Horseferry-road court, in which it appeared that one William Hinton applied to Dr. G. de G. Griffiths of the Medical College, St. George’s-road, to attend his child, and that Dr. Griffiths, instead of going himself, sent the matron of the college, who described herself as a midwife. The child was dead when they arrived. Asked by the coroner if she attended medical cases the midwife answered, "Not The jury as a rule," which seemed to imply exceptions. censured Dr. Griffiths, for, as the coroner observed, when people applied for medical advice they were entitled to that of a skilled practitioner. -
THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF DERMATOLOGY. THE Third International Congress of Dermatology will be held in London this year from Aug. 4th to 8th inclusive. The meetings will take place in the Examination Hall of the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons, on the Victoria Embankment. Separate sections will be established for dermatology and syphilis, the meetings of these being held simultaneously. The scientific portion of the programme is practically complete, and the large number of British as well as foreign physicians who have testified their intention of being present will doubtless ensure the success of the Congress, of which Mr. Hutchinson is President. The fee for membership, which entitles to the volume of Transactions to be issued, is £1, payable to the hon. treasurer, Mr. Malcolm Morris, 8, Harley-street, London, W. The secretary-general, to whom all communications should be addressed, is Dr. J. J. Pringle, 23, Lower Seymour-street,
London, W.
-----
THE REMUNERATION
OF CORONERS.
AT the last meeting of the Brighton town council a somewhat significant correspondence was read with regard to the fees paid to the borough coroner (Mr. J. E. Bush). Mr. Bush wrote to the town clerk suggesting a revision of the scale, and the following facts were laid before a committee of general purposes. At present Mr. Bush receives the statutory fee of .616s. 8d. for each inquisition, with mileage and other disbursements, which make the average cost of each inquest about .64. Mr. Bush asked that some allowance should be made in cases where, after inquiry, he does not think an inquest necessary and simply reports the case to the registrar, receiving no fee whatever. The coroner said that in Worcester a fee of 13s. 4d. was paid in such cases, and in Croydon, ’-B’eweastle-upon-Tyne, and Swansea a fee of 6s. 8d. "Other coroners inform me that it is almost their universal practice to hold an inquest in every case reported to them. If I were to adopt a similar practice my emoluments would be nearly doubled, but the expense to the borough would be similarly increased, which I wish to avoid if an equitable arrangement can be made." The town clerk, in his letter to the committee, said he had no doubt that the coroner
would in many of the cases in justified in holding an inquest."
question "be technically During the last five years,
stated, the number of inquests held and of cases investigated, but simply registered, was: 1891, 89 inquests and 100 cases of investigation; 1892, 87 and 85; 1893, 95 and 87 ; 1894, 106 and 58 ; and 1895, 100 and 77. In view of it may be
these facts and the candid statement of the coroner it seems scarcely satisfactory that the committee and the council alike were of the opinion that it is unadvisable to make any alteration. The town clerk, it may be added, recommended a fee of 6s. 8d. ____
THE
MEDICO-ETHICAL SOCIETY OF BRADFORD.
THIS society, which has for some years been in a somewhat moribund condition, has become once more, from force of circumstances, an active agency in the professional life of the town. There has been a very large accession of new members, including a great proportion of the yoanger generation. At the general meeting held on March 12th there was a sweeping change made in the personnel of the old group of office-bearers. Dr. Hime was elected President, and will, we are sure, be an active agent in maintaining the highest standard of ethical and professional conduct. Among the questions which have been agitating the mind of the profession in Bradford and which have led to this revived interest in medical ethics are the great abuse of medical charities in Bradford, the club question, and, we regret to hear also, the alleged unprofessional behaviour of some of the senior members of the profession. Although names are freely mentioned in this connexion, it is to be hoped that the suppression of any irregularities will be effected without the necessity for any serious action by the Medico-Ethical Society ; but it is evident that the younger members of the are determined that matters to which they object shall be settled on a basis of high professional conduct.
profession
DISTURBING CEMETERIES. A CORRESPONDENT puts to us the question whether or no there would be a, danger in cutting’ through a cemetery (for the purpose of widening a road) in which no interments have taken place for the past forty years ?If interments had been conducted on scientific lines and the bodies (not too deeply buried) had been left to be dealt with by the " living earth," and if, in addition, the earth had been encouraged to bring forth "herb yielding seed and tree bearing fruit after its kind," we should have had no hesitation in saying that no evil would result from the proposed But when we consider that the bodies disturbance. interred have perhaps been enclosed in leaden coffins and carefully preserved in brick vaults we have some hesitation in giving an answer. As to the evils which have arisen or may arise from disturbing cemeteries there is practically no evidence which is of any value. These forty year old bodies may, owing to the mode of interment, still be undergoing a most unpleasant form of slow putrefaction, and their disinterment, while it would hasten their disintegration, might be a most unpleasant process and lead to the disengagement of foul-smelling gases if to no more serious consequences. On the whole we are inclined to think that the sentiment which has led to our regarding burial grounds as sacred places which ought not to be lightly disturbed or put to any other use is serviceable on sanitacry grounds;; and when an alteration is proposed in the interests of traffic and business we should recommend that a cemetery should not be utilised if such a course can possibly be avoided, but that the ground for the should be gained in some necessary improvement other way, even though the road should have to be turned The evidence of bacterioa little out of its direct course.