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A RETRACTOR FOR INTRACRANIAL OPERATIONS.
879
ordinary flat malleable copper retractor : (1) it is so shaped that it is comfortably held by an assistant’s hand resting on the patient’s head and does not obscure the field of operation ; (2) it is deeply, but not sharply, serrated and its sliding off AN IMPROVED COUCH FOR THE CONSULTING ROOM. with an undercut bulbous extremity to prevent the smooth and wet surface of the dura mater ; and (3) it THIS couch has been designed for use in small consulting-rooms where space is a consideration. It has the advantage of occupying the minimum of room when not in use, since when folded it only occupies a space of about seven inches projecting from the wall and extending, of course, longitudinally for the length of the couch. The body, which resembles the ordinary couch in use (with tilting head-rest), is attached by hinges to a frame- is highly polished to act as a reflector to a head lamp wom work which in turn is secured by screws to the skirting by the operator. It was originally made for me by Mr. board. If the skirting board is a deep one, say, about ten Farrow (Coxeter and Son) from my design but can now be inches, no other fixing is necessary, but if it is smaller the obtained from Messrs. H. and W. Davis, 52, Grafton-street, the
New Inventions.
framework can be further secured by two screws to the wall. The front legs can be folded out of sight underneath the
London, W.C.
DONALD ARMOUR, M.B. Toronto, F.R.C.S. Eng.
Looking Back. FROM
THE LANCET, SATURDAY, March 25, 1826. A few remarks1 in conclusion on the culture of chirurgical and on the conduct of its professors will not be irtelevant. Liberality of sentiment encourages merit and fosters genius ; a jealousy of excellence creates envy, which ever detracts from the qualifications of others and stifles rising talent. It is a pleasing reflection to survey the improvements which have of late been manifested in the various branches of science, and to contemplate the general benefits which the patronage of the liberal-minded has conferred upon mankind. But in the review our satisfaction is not unmingled with regret, when we discover that equal advantages have not been extended to all; that one science, the most important as regards the actual comforts of men, has been excluded from this otherwise general support. It has been alleged against the most exalted members of the chirurgical profession, that they have limited the opportunities of improvement, and founded measures calculated rather to impede the progress of scientific knowledge, than to cherish it. That this is not an idle averment, facts do but too plainly testify ; the pertinacious adherence to absurd forms and the adoption of rigorous orders evince its truth. Of what utility is it to mankind if the curiosities which have been afforded to philosophic research are defended from the eye of the inquirer ? If the peculiarities incident to human nature are hidden in the venerable dust of obscurity ?-? It is like digging for gems, and then burying them in a dunghill. Who is he that hides his talent in the earth to preserve it ?2 The man who cannot estimate its value, and who therefore is not worthy the possession of it. Those men are guilty of an injustice towards their fellowcreatures, who have the power to extend real benefits, and who do not exercise it with discretion. It is not allotted to all, to be equally wise ; one man by superior attainments, or from fortuitous causes, may have acquired the means of improving our knowledge in a particular study ; is it thEn the duty of his successors to appropriate these advantages to themselves? Are they not bound by the gratitude which is due to his memory, to perpetuate his fame and virtues by imitating his laudable example ? To say that he was accounted wise, does not honour them, but rather tells a tale which they would blush to hear. Misrule never exulted in a long reign, and I hope a brighter sun will dispel the clouds which have so long obscured the horizon of this science. Liberality will usher in genius in triumph, and humble merit will assert its prerogative, freed from the fetters imposed by envy and riveted by ignorance.
knowledge,
body, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, and the couch then falls downwards by its hinge attachment against the wall as shown in Fig. 2. When wanted it is easily lifted up and the front legs after being pulled down into their place are kept in position by the weight of the couch itself. The couch is absolutely steady and in actual use has proved itself extremely convenient. Within certain limits the dimensions may vary, but probably the most convenient size is about 5 feet 6 inches in length by 1 foot 10 inches in width and 23 or 24 inches in height. It is made by Messrs. Arnold and Sons of West Smithfleld, London, E.C. ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL, M.B., C.M. Glasg. A RETRACTOR FOR INTRACRANIAL OPERATIONS. THE instrument shown in the accompanying illustration is for use in the Krause-Hartley operation for removal of the Gasserian ganglion in which the temporal lobe with its dnral covering is elevated and retracted from the basis cranii. Its present form has been attained after use in practice and it possesses the following advantages over
designed
1 Excerpt from "Anatomy and Surgery considered in Relation to the Other Branches of Learning" by Mr. William Steele.
ordinary flat malleable copper retractor : (1) it is so shaped that it is comfortably held by an assistant’s hand resting on the patient’s head and does not obscure the field of operation ; (2) it is deeply, but not sharply, serrated and its sliding off AN IMPROVED COUCH FOR THE CONSULTING ROOM. with an undercut bulbous extremity to prevent the smooth and wet surface of the dura mater ; and (3) it THIS couch has been designed for use in small consulting-rooms where space is a consideration. It has the advantage of occupying the minimum of room when not in use, since when folded it only occupies a space of about seven inches projecting from the wall and extending, of course, longitudinally for the length of the couch. The body, which resembles the ordinary couch in use (with tilting head-rest), is attached by hinges to a frame- is highly polished to act as a reflector to a head lamp wom work which in turn is secured by screws to the skirting by the operator. It was originally made for me by Mr. board. If the skirting board is a deep one, say, about ten Farrow (Coxeter and Son) from my design but can now be inches, no other fixing is necessary, but if it is smaller the obtained from Messrs. H. and W. Davis, 52, Grafton-street, the
New Inventions.
framework can be further secured by two screws to the wall. The front legs can be folded out of sight underneath the
London, W.C.
DONALD ARMOUR, M.B. Toronto, F.R.C.S. Eng.
Looking Back. FROM
THE LANCET, SATURDAY, March 25, 1826. A few remarks1 in conclusion on the culture of chirurgical and on the conduct of its professors will not be irtelevant. Liberality of sentiment encourages merit and fosters genius ; a jealousy of excellence creates envy, which ever detracts from the qualifications of others and stifles rising talent. It is a pleasing reflection to survey the improvements which have of late been manifested in the various branches of science, and to contemplate the general benefits which the patronage of the liberal-minded has conferred upon mankind. But in the review our satisfaction is not unmingled with regret, when we discover that equal advantages have not been extended to all; that one science, the most important as regards the actual comforts of men, has been excluded from this otherwise general support. It has been alleged against the most exalted members of the chirurgical profession, that they have limited the opportunities of improvement, and founded measures calculated rather to impede the progress of scientific knowledge, than to cherish it. That this is not an idle averment, facts do but too plainly testify ; the pertinacious adherence to absurd forms and the adoption of rigorous orders evince its truth. Of what utility is it to mankind if the curiosities which have been afforded to philosophic research are defended from the eye of the inquirer ? If the peculiarities incident to human nature are hidden in the venerable dust of obscurity ?-? It is like digging for gems, and then burying them in a dunghill. Who is he that hides his talent in the earth to preserve it ?2 The man who cannot estimate its value, and who therefore is not worthy the possession of it. Those men are guilty of an injustice towards their fellowcreatures, who have the power to extend real benefits, and who do not exercise it with discretion. It is not allotted to all, to be equally wise ; one man by superior attainments, or from fortuitous causes, may have acquired the means of improving our knowledge in a particular study ; is it thEn the duty of his successors to appropriate these advantages to themselves? Are they not bound by the gratitude which is due to his memory, to perpetuate his fame and virtues by imitating his laudable example ? To say that he was accounted wise, does not honour them, but rather tells a tale which they would blush to hear. Misrule never exulted in a long reign, and I hope a brighter sun will dispel the clouds which have so long obscured the horizon of this science. Liberality will usher in genius in triumph, and humble merit will assert its prerogative, freed from the fetters imposed by envy and riveted by ignorance.
knowledge,
body, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, and the couch then falls downwards by its hinge attachment against the wall as shown in Fig. 2. When wanted it is easily lifted up and the front legs after being pulled down into their place are kept in position by the weight of the couch itself. The couch is absolutely steady and in actual use has proved itself extremely convenient. Within certain limits the dimensions may vary, but probably the most convenient size is about 5 feet 6 inches in length by 1 foot 10 inches in width and 23 or 24 inches in height. It is made by Messrs. Arnold and Sons of West Smithfleld, London, E.C. ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL, M.B., C.M. Glasg. A RETRACTOR FOR INTRACRANIAL OPERATIONS. THE instrument shown in the accompanying illustration is for use in the Krause-Hartley operation for removal of the Gasserian ganglion in which the temporal lobe with its dnral covering is elevated and retracted from the basis cranii. Its present form has been attained after use in practice and it possesses the following advantages over
designed
1 Excerpt from "Anatomy and Surgery considered in Relation to the Other Branches of Learning" by Mr. William Steele.