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CHARING-CROSS HOSPITAL.—THE MEDICAL SCHOOL.
151 FIG. 12.
Fia. 10. PORTION
OF
UNDER SURFACE
OF
RHUBARB LEAF.
GENUINE
’
CUT TOBACCO.
(Magnified
Showing the situation of the cells, one of the short spines or hairs, and also one of the gland-like bodies. Magnified 220
40
diameters.)
diameters.
The differences between the mid-ribs of the leaves of the two plants being in form, and in the absence of distinct ridges on the mid-rib of the rhubarb leaf. (See Fig. 11.) °
The next report will contain numerous Analyses of Tobacco in the manufactured state, and as purchased of various manuretail dealers, and others.
facturers,
FIG. 11.
TRANSVERSE SECTIOV
OF
MID-RIB
OF
Correspondence.
RHUBARB LEAF.
(Magnified 40 diameters.)
"Audialteram partem."
CHARING-CROSS HOSPITAL.—THE MEDICAL SCHOOL. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,-Dr. Edward Smith having endeavoured, by making violent attacks upon others, to divert attention from the circumstances which induced the Medical Committee of Charing-Cross
Hospital to
annul his
appointment
Demonstrator, I feel it
a
as
duty which I
Anatomy and myself, as well as
Teacher of owe
to
colleagues, to give a plain statement of them. During the latter part of last session complaints were conwhich Dr. Smith continually reaching me of the mannerofinthe school. That Dr. ducted the anatomical department Smith, for the first three or four months of the session devoted the greater part of his time to comparative anatomy, instead of confining himself to descriptive and surgical anatomy; that he was usually late at lecture ; that he rarely attended above half an hour in the dissecting room ; that in describing parts at lecture to my
,
in the habit of doing so from notes; that he did not for lecture, but lectured from the parts for which the students had paid; that when he demonstrated in the dissecting-room he did not give a lecture in the theatre and vice versa. Two of the students, Mr. Clarke and Mr. Evans, complained to me that they had been made to take parts which had been rendered imperfect by post-mortem examination, they having paid for perfect parts. I was also informed that whilst In examining a sample of tobacco, in order to determine the dissatisfaction was general among the students, some were so whether it contain any other leaf, it is in most cases suffi- displeased that they openly expressed their determination to cient to employ an object-glass of one inch focal distance. If write to the public journals upon the subject, which determina. the specimen be genuine, the sections or narrow slips of the tion, if I am correctly informed, more than one carried into leaf, including also occasional transverse sections of the veins, effect. These complaints did not reach me from one source merely ; will be seen, clothed with the glandular hairs which are so not from the students alone, but also from some of my colleagues, characteristic of the tobacco leaf. (See Fig. 12.) For the samples of the manufactured leaf tobacco, full and likewise from gentlemen unconnected with the school, and communication with each other ; some, indeed, analyses of which have been given above, we are indebted to having no the courtesy of Mr. J. Rogers, tobacco manufacturer, 392, residing in the country. Dr. Hassall, of Richmond, Mr. Woolcott, of Maidstone, Mr. Canton, Mr. Echlin, Mr, Hird, and Mr. Oxford-street. he
was
provide subjects
-
152
Hogg, have all spoken to me of the complaints which had been made to them upon the subject, besides several other gentlemen who have expressed their unwillingness to have their names
(in which he asserts he cannot obtain a copy of these rules) appeared. I will now refer to the following letters. I have the honour to remain. Harley-street, August, 1853.
published.
Sir,
your obedient servant, HENRY HANCOCK.
Finding the complaints of so serious a character, so general, and so widely disseminated, I felt that if Dr. Smith continued to Kent County Opht.halmic Hospital, Maidstone, retain his appointment of teacher of anatomy the character of 30th July, 1853. the school would be seriously prejudiced, but, at the same time, DEAR MR. HANcocK,—It was Mr. ]3arties, the late housefrom friendship towards him, and feeling that his previous surgeon to this hospital, and who I believe was, Demonstrator of pursuits, whilst incapacitating him for the rougher details of Anatomy under Dr. Smith before he came here, who informed simple anatomy might most probably have rendered him more me that the students of Charin-cross Hospital, with scarcely an I if I was could teach to anxious, very competent physiology, were dissatisfied with Dr. Smith as their teacher of possibly do so, to effect a change in position between Dr. Smith exception, and that if he continued Lecturer on Anatomy another Anatomy; and Mr. Canton-that is, for Dr. Smith to take the chair of the school wonld be greatly injured. session, that of Mr. Canton which he had resuming anatomy, physiology, Believe me, yours very truly, I therefore spoke (in my so efficiently filled for some years. JOHN WOOLCOTE. Hancock, Henry Esq. _____ Jo’HN private capacity) to Mr. Canton, upon the point, and as he received the matter in a very liberal and generous spirit, I subRichmond-green, July 20th, 1853. sequently proposed it to my colleagues, Dr. Shearman, Dr. My DEAR MR. UAXcocK,—My impressions have been derived Golding, and Dr. Chowne, and they concurred in my views, and from Mr. Thomas, my present assistant, and Mr. Price, my I was in great hopes that I should have succeeded in the pupil, both students of Charin-eross Hospital. They arrangement. However, whilst the matter was under con- former have spoken of the inefficient manner anatomy is frequently the committee received a communication charging Dr. sideration, caught in the Charing-cross school by Dr. Smith, and that he Smith, amongst other things, with making mistakes at lecture, seldom came in before half-past ten, and concluded his lecture at and lecturing from notes. For obvious reasons I cannot give his duty was to proceed from the theatre to the eleven ; that letter itself will the here, but if Dr. Smith give me permission in writing to do so, I laerebz undertake to obtain a copy tlaereof, dissecting-room for two hours, but his usual practice was to remain there about twenty minutes, when he wished the students and to furnish the same to the public journals. The committee considered it but fair that they should make "good morning," and lelt the hospital; that he took no pains to Dr. Smith acquainted with the substance of this communication, afford practical instruction, and that it was a subject of general and invite him to any explanation with which he might be complaint by the students, Mr. Clarke particularly remarking desirous of favouring them, and they accordingly addressed a that "he knew his anatomy as well as Dr. Smith." I am yours very truly, letter to Dr. Smith, embodying the substance of this commu- i I RICHARD HASSALL. Henry Hancock, Esq. RICHARD nication, but which, as he has already published it verbatim in No. 1. of his correspondence, it will be unnecessory for me to Cleveland-row, St. James’s, 2nd August, 1853. insert here. The committee likewise received a copy of a re- I MR. MY DEAR HANCOCK,—In reply to your note of this mornsolution passed, it is stated, unanimously, at a meeting of the me to state to you in writing the complaints which Smith with the wishing Dr. to use his influence ing, students, requesting medical committee to obtain the appointment of a qualified had reached me during the past session in reference to the demonstrator. Now, as Dr. Smith, by the terms upon which he management of the anatomical department of the school, I can held his appointment, was bound if he did not attend in the only repeat what I personally told you some time ago-viz., that dissecting-room himself to appoint a qualified demonstrator as three or four of the students had complained to me of the want of his deputy, and as he stands published in the prospectus attendance in the dissecting-room, and of the irregular manner in of the school as follows, "Descriptive and Surgical Anatomy, which the lectures and demonstrations on anatomy were given. With respect to the latter complaint, I was given to understand Dr. E. Smith," " Demonstrations and Dissections, Dr. E. Smith," it must be very evident that had Dr. Smith done his that when Dr. Smith lectured he did not demonstrate, and when duty there would have been no necessity for such a meeting of he demonstrated there was no anatomical lecture, and that in students, and the committee could not but regard the resolution place of giving a systematic course of instruction, in the order as a confirmation of one of the complaints which had previously usuallypursued in the schools, there was a want of arrangement reached me, and which was also contained in the letter to which throughout the whole course. In consequence of what had taken place in the school, and I have already alluded. I would add, that Dr. Smith held his from certain statements contained in Dr. Smith’s pamphlet, appointment upon precisely the same terms as those which which I thought the class might consider as applicable to the governed his predecessors, Mr. Hird, Mr. Canton, and myself, for fifteen years. The committee have never made charges anatomical department whilst under my superintendence, I felt it against Dr. Smith, they have made him acquainted with the my duty, in my last lecture, to address a few words to the students allegations brought against him in the letter in question, but they on this painful subject, confining my observations strictly to the for illustrating the more difficnlt studiously avoided any comment either one way or the other. detailsofof my own arrangements Whatever publicity has hitherto been given to the transaction parts anatomy during the fourteen years I held the anatomical has been due entirely to Dr. Smith; it is true that the committee chair. I also informed the class that I was neither a partisan of the told Dr. Smith, in their letter of the lith of April,"that they did not wish to entertain the subject of the lecturer’s anatomical medical committee on the one hand, or of Dr. Smith’s -on the errors, and his being obliged to lecture copiously from notes ;" other; and in giving you this simple statement of reports made this cannot with any justice be construed into a withdrawal of to me by members of my own class, in my own house, voluncharges, but simply, as it was intended and expressed, " that the tarily, and in the absence of any knowledge on my part of the committee did not wish to entertain certain allegations made to, correspondence that either had or was about to take place benot by, them, but leaving those allegations unprejudiced ;" and tween the medical committee and Dr. Smith, I consider that I am so they remain to the present moment. Dr. Smith, to cover his only doing an act of justice to all parties. Believe me, my dear Mr. Hancock, own deficiencies, has made numerous assertions, but throughout Yours very faithfully, the whole of his correspondence he has avoided anything FRANCIS HIRD. Henry Hancock, Esq. approaching to an explanation. From the temper displayed by Dr. Smith, and the reckless 31A, Savile row, August 2nd, 1853. charges made by him in his correspondence with the committee, MY DEAR MR. HAcocK,—During the past session I had frethey felt that his colleagues could no longer work harmoniously with him, and they consequently acted upon the agreement entered quently mentioned to you complaints which were rife in the into and signed by every teacher upon his joining the school, school respecting the mode in which the anatomical department which is equally binding upon the managers of the school as upon was conducted. I was not unfrequently appealed to respecting the teachers, and upon which both teachers and managers have the correctness of anatomical descriptions which had been given acted to my own knowledge for the last fifteen years, and I would in the dissecting-room or theatre. I have personally been add that the hesitation of the committee to supply Dr. Smith with acquainted with the lateness of the teacher to his ten 9’elock a copy of the rules which he had signed, arose from his having, lectnre, in conseqnence of having visited the hospital not unfreby implication, threatened the committee with law proceedings; quently with my brother, whose duty called him there at that the committee, therefore, deemed it more proper to refer Dr. Smith time. I have been told repeatedly of the continued absence of to their solicitors, Messrs. Fladgate and Co, whom, on the 12th the demonstrator from the dissecting-room, and been asked often reason why so much comparative anatomy was given in the of July, they instructed to furnish Dr. Smith’s solicitor with the information required more than a fortnight before his pamphlet descriptive course of anatomy. I
-
the
-
153 My long connexion with the anatomical department of our school has doubtless caused these matters to have been brought Yours very truly so prominently before me. E. CANTON. -
<
conduct and urbanity we have ever experienced from the director and the other members of the committee, and that we entertain for them the highest esteem, both in their official and private
capacities.
JOHN STEGGALL, M.D., Fifteen years
Gower-street, July 2gth, 1853. My DEAR SiR,-In reply to your note of the 27th inst., the only explanation I can giveyou, with regard to the paragraph at page 10 of Dr. Smith’s pamphlet relating to myself, is thisthat the grievances of the students, with reference to the teaching of anatomy, formed the daily topic of conversation in my own surgery, between my assistant and his friends, all of them students at your school. I could not fail, therefore, to become well acquainted with the subject at home, as well as at the hospital ; and it was thought by these gentlemen that, as a governor of the hospital, I ought to bring the matter to the notice of the medical committee, and urge the necessity for an alteration in the attendance of the teacher of anatomy in the dissecting-room, especially with regard to there being no demonstrator to offer them any assistance. It was shown to me, also, that the course of anatomy was fast drawing to a close, and many important parts of anatomy had not been given. I now think I might with great propriety have represented this (that I was made acquainted with before the close of the session) to the committee ; butI thought proper, out of a regard for the position of Dr. Smith, and as a friend of that gentleman, to call his attention to the fact. He, in a few days after, wrote to me to request (I have unfortunately lost or mislaid his note and my reply) that I would do him the favour to inform him if Mr. Canton and Mr. Carr, with or without others, were not, directly or indirectly, the authors of this complaint against him; if not, if I would object to say who were the I parties." I thought this an unreasonable request, and objected to give him an answer to any questions of the kind. This was my part in the affair; and I can only add that I am still assured by my assistant that long before the close of the session complaints were of general and almost daily occurrence, as every student at times experienced the want of demonstrations, and of some one to assist them in their dissections; the more especially so, as the teacher of anatomy (as I am informed) had not once dissected amongst them, notwithstanding it is stated in the syllabus of Dr. Smith’s lectures, at page 4 of the prospectus of the school, that practical .anatomy is conducted in the dissectingroom, where demonstrations are given, and the students directed in their studies, during. several hours daily. Believe me very sincerely yours, ___
1853.
Lecturer in the School.
Ten years
a
M.D.,
Lecturer in the School.
EDWIN CANTON, F.R.C.S.E., Thirteen years a Lecturer & Demonstrator in the School.
GEORGE BIRKETT, M.D., Three years
a
Lecturer in the School.
W. HUGHES WILLSHIRE, M.D., Fourteen years
a
Lecturer in the School.
FRANCIS HIRD, F.R.C.S., Fifteen years
a
Lecturer in the School.
HARMAN H. LEWIS, A.M., Cantab., Five years To the Medical Committee of the
a
Lecturer in the School.
Charing cross Hospital. LUNATIC ASYLUMS BILL. To tlte Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,-My attention was directed early this morning, on the third reading of the ’’ Lunatic Asylums Bill," to Clause 67, which provides that" Every pauper lunatic not in an asylum, or a hospital registered, or a house licensed for the receptiozz of lunatics, shall be visited once in every quarter of a year by the medical officer of or for the parish, or union, or district of a union, in which such lunatic is resident; and such medical officer shall be paid the sum of two shillings and sixpence for each such quarterly visit. That-"Within seven days after the end of every such quarter such medical officer shall prepare and sign a list according to the form in Schedule E," &c. "And every such medical officer, in failing to comply with this enactment, shall for every such offence forfeit any sum not exceeding twenty pounds, nor under two pounds." The glaring injustice of requiring any gentleman to do such an amount of work, involving probably a journey of live or six or more miles, under a penal enactment of twenty pounds forfeit, was admitted instantly by all those honourable members to whom I spoke upon the subject; and on applying to Mr. Bouverie, was recommended to call the attention of the House to this clause, and to move any amendment I mightwish, when the Speaker put the question, " That the Bill do THE
J. HOGG.
Frith-street, Soho, July 4th,
a
RICHARD ROWLAND,
now pass."
MY DEAR MR. HAcocK,—In reply to your note of the 2nd Complaining, then, of so insulting an estimate of the value inst., wherein you requested me to state what complaints had of professional labour, and moving that the sum of two shilbeen made to me, and in my hearing, by some of the students of lings and sixpence be augmented to that of ten shillings and the Charing-cross Hospital, and afterwards made a subject of sixpence, (and which I believe would have been instantly conversation between us, I beg to say they were as follows, and, agreed to,) I was informed by the Speaker, that this being a. the time about the end of November or the beginning of Decem- Bill from the Upper House, and moreover a money question, ber, 1852 :it was now too late to introduce any such amendment. Mr. M’Lean stated publicly before the students, in the hall of I propose, therefore,-if my professional brethren consider the hospital, that Dr. Smith did not give satisfaction to his class, this a question of sufficient interest to them,-to introduce a that he was seldom to his time at lectures, and the duration of short bill as speedily as possible-to increase the paltry sum his lectures varied from thirty to forty-five minutes each. His of two shillings and sixpence, now enacted to be paid for the attendance in the dissecting-room seldom exceeded fifteen minutes; performance of such duties, to a somewhat more reasonable and when he gave a demonstration in the dissecting-room, he did but still scarcely remunerative fee of ten shillings and sixnot give a lecture in the theatre. He lectured largely from pence. I have the honour to bf, Sir, your faithful servant, notes, and made a great many anatomical errors, and entered JOHN BRADY. upon matter foreign to his duties; and that it was a matter of Warwick-terrace, Warwick-square, August, 1853. surprise that the medical committee did not interfere. Many of the- students must have heard these remarks as well as myself, and r.lr. Burton has upon several occasions, when THE VACCINATION EXTENSION BILL. spoken to about the school, repeated the above facts, and left To the Editor of THE LANCET. upon my mind a general impression of discontent throughout the school. SiR,--There are one or two points in connexion with the Vaccination Extension Bill, respecting which I am anxious to Allow me to remain very faithfully yours, address you, and request, in the name of the general practitioners, WILLIAM L. ECHLIN. an impartial hearing. Henry Hancock, Esq., Hariey-street, It is. I believe, the first time the LegislaHarley-street, Cavendish square. ture of this country has enforced hygienic law directly upoix. the person of the subject, and if they do not take care their intentions The following document has also been forwarded to us for will miscarry. insertion :Vaccination is to be made compulsory; very good. Every medical man throughout the country will be happy to assist, but [Copy.] August 5, 1853. Government must first of all enlist the co-operation of that proDEAR SIRs,-We very much regret the occasion which de- fession, by which alone it can be carried out. I strongly suspect mands-this assurance to you upon our part of our unqualified that the Bill, as it at present stands, will not do this. To make dissent from the expressions used in a pamphlet recently pub- it effective, I would suggest two measures. The first and most lished, bearing reference to the manner in which we, the lecturers important is, to take the. executive of this Bill altogether and in the school, are treated by the committee. On the contrary, entirely out of the hands of the Poor-law Commissioners, and we beg to assure you that we are fully sensible of the honourable place it in those of the Registrar-General. Already we have a
II
,
Fia. 10. PORTION
OF
UNDER SURFACE
OF
RHUBARB LEAF.
GENUINE
’
CUT TOBACCO.
(Magnified
Showing the situation of the cells, one of the short spines or hairs, and also one of the gland-like bodies. Magnified 220
40
diameters.)
diameters.
The differences between the mid-ribs of the leaves of the two plants being in form, and in the absence of distinct ridges on the mid-rib of the rhubarb leaf. (See Fig. 11.) °
The next report will contain numerous Analyses of Tobacco in the manufactured state, and as purchased of various manuretail dealers, and others.
facturers,
FIG. 11.
TRANSVERSE SECTIOV
OF
MID-RIB
OF
Correspondence.
RHUBARB LEAF.
(Magnified 40 diameters.)
"Audialteram partem."
CHARING-CROSS HOSPITAL.—THE MEDICAL SCHOOL. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,-Dr. Edward Smith having endeavoured, by making violent attacks upon others, to divert attention from the circumstances which induced the Medical Committee of Charing-Cross
Hospital to
annul his
appointment
Demonstrator, I feel it
a
as
duty which I
Anatomy and myself, as well as
Teacher of owe
to
colleagues, to give a plain statement of them. During the latter part of last session complaints were conwhich Dr. Smith continually reaching me of the mannerofinthe school. That Dr. ducted the anatomical department Smith, for the first three or four months of the session devoted the greater part of his time to comparative anatomy, instead of confining himself to descriptive and surgical anatomy; that he was usually late at lecture ; that he rarely attended above half an hour in the dissecting room ; that in describing parts at lecture to my
,
in the habit of doing so from notes; that he did not for lecture, but lectured from the parts for which the students had paid; that when he demonstrated in the dissecting-room he did not give a lecture in the theatre and vice versa. Two of the students, Mr. Clarke and Mr. Evans, complained to me that they had been made to take parts which had been rendered imperfect by post-mortem examination, they having paid for perfect parts. I was also informed that whilst In examining a sample of tobacco, in order to determine the dissatisfaction was general among the students, some were so whether it contain any other leaf, it is in most cases suffi- displeased that they openly expressed their determination to cient to employ an object-glass of one inch focal distance. If write to the public journals upon the subject, which determina. the specimen be genuine, the sections or narrow slips of the tion, if I am correctly informed, more than one carried into leaf, including also occasional transverse sections of the veins, effect. These complaints did not reach me from one source merely ; will be seen, clothed with the glandular hairs which are so not from the students alone, but also from some of my colleagues, characteristic of the tobacco leaf. (See Fig. 12.) For the samples of the manufactured leaf tobacco, full and likewise from gentlemen unconnected with the school, and communication with each other ; some, indeed, analyses of which have been given above, we are indebted to having no the courtesy of Mr. J. Rogers, tobacco manufacturer, 392, residing in the country. Dr. Hassall, of Richmond, Mr. Woolcott, of Maidstone, Mr. Canton, Mr. Echlin, Mr, Hird, and Mr. Oxford-street. he
was
provide subjects
-
152
Hogg, have all spoken to me of the complaints which had been made to them upon the subject, besides several other gentlemen who have expressed their unwillingness to have their names
(in which he asserts he cannot obtain a copy of these rules) appeared. I will now refer to the following letters. I have the honour to remain. Harley-street, August, 1853.
published.
Sir,
your obedient servant, HENRY HANCOCK.
Finding the complaints of so serious a character, so general, and so widely disseminated, I felt that if Dr. Smith continued to Kent County Opht.halmic Hospital, Maidstone, retain his appointment of teacher of anatomy the character of 30th July, 1853. the school would be seriously prejudiced, but, at the same time, DEAR MR. HANcocK,—It was Mr. ]3arties, the late housefrom friendship towards him, and feeling that his previous surgeon to this hospital, and who I believe was, Demonstrator of pursuits, whilst incapacitating him for the rougher details of Anatomy under Dr. Smith before he came here, who informed simple anatomy might most probably have rendered him more me that the students of Charin-cross Hospital, with scarcely an I if I was could teach to anxious, very competent physiology, were dissatisfied with Dr. Smith as their teacher of possibly do so, to effect a change in position between Dr. Smith exception, and that if he continued Lecturer on Anatomy another Anatomy; and Mr. Canton-that is, for Dr. Smith to take the chair of the school wonld be greatly injured. session, that of Mr. Canton which he had resuming anatomy, physiology, Believe me, yours very truly, I therefore spoke (in my so efficiently filled for some years. JOHN WOOLCOTE. Hancock, Henry Esq. _____ Jo’HN private capacity) to Mr. Canton, upon the point, and as he received the matter in a very liberal and generous spirit, I subRichmond-green, July 20th, 1853. sequently proposed it to my colleagues, Dr. Shearman, Dr. My DEAR MR. UAXcocK,—My impressions have been derived Golding, and Dr. Chowne, and they concurred in my views, and from Mr. Thomas, my present assistant, and Mr. Price, my I was in great hopes that I should have succeeded in the pupil, both students of Charin-eross Hospital. They arrangement. However, whilst the matter was under con- former have spoken of the inefficient manner anatomy is frequently the committee received a communication charging Dr. sideration, caught in the Charing-cross school by Dr. Smith, and that he Smith, amongst other things, with making mistakes at lecture, seldom came in before half-past ten, and concluded his lecture at and lecturing from notes. For obvious reasons I cannot give his duty was to proceed from the theatre to the eleven ; that letter itself will the here, but if Dr. Smith give me permission in writing to do so, I laerebz undertake to obtain a copy tlaereof, dissecting-room for two hours, but his usual practice was to remain there about twenty minutes, when he wished the students and to furnish the same to the public journals. The committee considered it but fair that they should make "good morning," and lelt the hospital; that he took no pains to Dr. Smith acquainted with the substance of this communication, afford practical instruction, and that it was a subject of general and invite him to any explanation with which he might be complaint by the students, Mr. Clarke particularly remarking desirous of favouring them, and they accordingly addressed a that "he knew his anatomy as well as Dr. Smith." I am yours very truly, letter to Dr. Smith, embodying the substance of this commu- i I RICHARD HASSALL. Henry Hancock, Esq. RICHARD nication, but which, as he has already published it verbatim in No. 1. of his correspondence, it will be unnecessory for me to Cleveland-row, St. James’s, 2nd August, 1853. insert here. The committee likewise received a copy of a re- I MR. MY DEAR HANCOCK,—In reply to your note of this mornsolution passed, it is stated, unanimously, at a meeting of the me to state to you in writing the complaints which Smith with the wishing Dr. to use his influence ing, students, requesting medical committee to obtain the appointment of a qualified had reached me during the past session in reference to the demonstrator. Now, as Dr. Smith, by the terms upon which he management of the anatomical department of the school, I can held his appointment, was bound if he did not attend in the only repeat what I personally told you some time ago-viz., that dissecting-room himself to appoint a qualified demonstrator as three or four of the students had complained to me of the want of his deputy, and as he stands published in the prospectus attendance in the dissecting-room, and of the irregular manner in of the school as follows, "Descriptive and Surgical Anatomy, which the lectures and demonstrations on anatomy were given. With respect to the latter complaint, I was given to understand Dr. E. Smith," " Demonstrations and Dissections, Dr. E. Smith," it must be very evident that had Dr. Smith done his that when Dr. Smith lectured he did not demonstrate, and when duty there would have been no necessity for such a meeting of he demonstrated there was no anatomical lecture, and that in students, and the committee could not but regard the resolution place of giving a systematic course of instruction, in the order as a confirmation of one of the complaints which had previously usuallypursued in the schools, there was a want of arrangement reached me, and which was also contained in the letter to which throughout the whole course. In consequence of what had taken place in the school, and I have already alluded. I would add, that Dr. Smith held his from certain statements contained in Dr. Smith’s pamphlet, appointment upon precisely the same terms as those which which I thought the class might consider as applicable to the governed his predecessors, Mr. Hird, Mr. Canton, and myself, for fifteen years. The committee have never made charges anatomical department whilst under my superintendence, I felt it against Dr. Smith, they have made him acquainted with the my duty, in my last lecture, to address a few words to the students allegations brought against him in the letter in question, but they on this painful subject, confining my observations strictly to the for illustrating the more difficnlt studiously avoided any comment either one way or the other. detailsofof my own arrangements Whatever publicity has hitherto been given to the transaction parts anatomy during the fourteen years I held the anatomical has been due entirely to Dr. Smith; it is true that the committee chair. I also informed the class that I was neither a partisan of the told Dr. Smith, in their letter of the lith of April,"that they did not wish to entertain the subject of the lecturer’s anatomical medical committee on the one hand, or of Dr. Smith’s -on the errors, and his being obliged to lecture copiously from notes ;" other; and in giving you this simple statement of reports made this cannot with any justice be construed into a withdrawal of to me by members of my own class, in my own house, voluncharges, but simply, as it was intended and expressed, " that the tarily, and in the absence of any knowledge on my part of the committee did not wish to entertain certain allegations made to, correspondence that either had or was about to take place benot by, them, but leaving those allegations unprejudiced ;" and tween the medical committee and Dr. Smith, I consider that I am so they remain to the present moment. Dr. Smith, to cover his only doing an act of justice to all parties. Believe me, my dear Mr. Hancock, own deficiencies, has made numerous assertions, but throughout Yours very faithfully, the whole of his correspondence he has avoided anything FRANCIS HIRD. Henry Hancock, Esq. approaching to an explanation. From the temper displayed by Dr. Smith, and the reckless 31A, Savile row, August 2nd, 1853. charges made by him in his correspondence with the committee, MY DEAR MR. HAcocK,—During the past session I had frethey felt that his colleagues could no longer work harmoniously with him, and they consequently acted upon the agreement entered quently mentioned to you complaints which were rife in the into and signed by every teacher upon his joining the school, school respecting the mode in which the anatomical department which is equally binding upon the managers of the school as upon was conducted. I was not unfrequently appealed to respecting the teachers, and upon which both teachers and managers have the correctness of anatomical descriptions which had been given acted to my own knowledge for the last fifteen years, and I would in the dissecting-room or theatre. I have personally been add that the hesitation of the committee to supply Dr. Smith with acquainted with the lateness of the teacher to his ten 9’elock a copy of the rules which he had signed, arose from his having, lectnre, in conseqnence of having visited the hospital not unfreby implication, threatened the committee with law proceedings; quently with my brother, whose duty called him there at that the committee, therefore, deemed it more proper to refer Dr. Smith time. I have been told repeatedly of the continued absence of to their solicitors, Messrs. Fladgate and Co, whom, on the 12th the demonstrator from the dissecting-room, and been asked often reason why so much comparative anatomy was given in the of July, they instructed to furnish Dr. Smith’s solicitor with the information required more than a fortnight before his pamphlet descriptive course of anatomy. I
-
the
-
153 My long connexion with the anatomical department of our school has doubtless caused these matters to have been brought Yours very truly so prominently before me. E. CANTON. -
<
conduct and urbanity we have ever experienced from the director and the other members of the committee, and that we entertain for them the highest esteem, both in their official and private
capacities.
JOHN STEGGALL, M.D., Fifteen years
Gower-street, July 2gth, 1853. My DEAR SiR,-In reply to your note of the 27th inst., the only explanation I can giveyou, with regard to the paragraph at page 10 of Dr. Smith’s pamphlet relating to myself, is thisthat the grievances of the students, with reference to the teaching of anatomy, formed the daily topic of conversation in my own surgery, between my assistant and his friends, all of them students at your school. I could not fail, therefore, to become well acquainted with the subject at home, as well as at the hospital ; and it was thought by these gentlemen that, as a governor of the hospital, I ought to bring the matter to the notice of the medical committee, and urge the necessity for an alteration in the attendance of the teacher of anatomy in the dissecting-room, especially with regard to there being no demonstrator to offer them any assistance. It was shown to me, also, that the course of anatomy was fast drawing to a close, and many important parts of anatomy had not been given. I now think I might with great propriety have represented this (that I was made acquainted with before the close of the session) to the committee ; butI thought proper, out of a regard for the position of Dr. Smith, and as a friend of that gentleman, to call his attention to the fact. He, in a few days after, wrote to me to request (I have unfortunately lost or mislaid his note and my reply) that I would do him the favour to inform him if Mr. Canton and Mr. Carr, with or without others, were not, directly or indirectly, the authors of this complaint against him; if not, if I would object to say who were the I parties." I thought this an unreasonable request, and objected to give him an answer to any questions of the kind. This was my part in the affair; and I can only add that I am still assured by my assistant that long before the close of the session complaints were of general and almost daily occurrence, as every student at times experienced the want of demonstrations, and of some one to assist them in their dissections; the more especially so, as the teacher of anatomy (as I am informed) had not once dissected amongst them, notwithstanding it is stated in the syllabus of Dr. Smith’s lectures, at page 4 of the prospectus of the school, that practical .anatomy is conducted in the dissectingroom, where demonstrations are given, and the students directed in their studies, during. several hours daily. Believe me very sincerely yours, ___
1853.
Lecturer in the School.
Ten years
a
M.D.,
Lecturer in the School.
EDWIN CANTON, F.R.C.S.E., Thirteen years a Lecturer & Demonstrator in the School.
GEORGE BIRKETT, M.D., Three years
a
Lecturer in the School.
W. HUGHES WILLSHIRE, M.D., Fourteen years
a
Lecturer in the School.
FRANCIS HIRD, F.R.C.S., Fifteen years
a
Lecturer in the School.
HARMAN H. LEWIS, A.M., Cantab., Five years To the Medical Committee of the
a
Lecturer in the School.
Charing cross Hospital. LUNATIC ASYLUMS BILL. To tlte Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,-My attention was directed early this morning, on the third reading of the ’’ Lunatic Asylums Bill," to Clause 67, which provides that" Every pauper lunatic not in an asylum, or a hospital registered, or a house licensed for the receptiozz of lunatics, shall be visited once in every quarter of a year by the medical officer of or for the parish, or union, or district of a union, in which such lunatic is resident; and such medical officer shall be paid the sum of two shillings and sixpence for each such quarterly visit. That-"Within seven days after the end of every such quarter such medical officer shall prepare and sign a list according to the form in Schedule E," &c. "And every such medical officer, in failing to comply with this enactment, shall for every such offence forfeit any sum not exceeding twenty pounds, nor under two pounds." The glaring injustice of requiring any gentleman to do such an amount of work, involving probably a journey of live or six or more miles, under a penal enactment of twenty pounds forfeit, was admitted instantly by all those honourable members to whom I spoke upon the subject; and on applying to Mr. Bouverie, was recommended to call the attention of the House to this clause, and to move any amendment I mightwish, when the Speaker put the question, " That the Bill do THE
J. HOGG.
Frith-street, Soho, July 4th,
a
RICHARD ROWLAND,
now pass."
MY DEAR MR. HAcocK,—In reply to your note of the 2nd Complaining, then, of so insulting an estimate of the value inst., wherein you requested me to state what complaints had of professional labour, and moving that the sum of two shilbeen made to me, and in my hearing, by some of the students of lings and sixpence be augmented to that of ten shillings and the Charing-cross Hospital, and afterwards made a subject of sixpence, (and which I believe would have been instantly conversation between us, I beg to say they were as follows, and, agreed to,) I was informed by the Speaker, that this being a. the time about the end of November or the beginning of Decem- Bill from the Upper House, and moreover a money question, ber, 1852 :it was now too late to introduce any such amendment. Mr. M’Lean stated publicly before the students, in the hall of I propose, therefore,-if my professional brethren consider the hospital, that Dr. Smith did not give satisfaction to his class, this a question of sufficient interest to them,-to introduce a that he was seldom to his time at lectures, and the duration of short bill as speedily as possible-to increase the paltry sum his lectures varied from thirty to forty-five minutes each. His of two shillings and sixpence, now enacted to be paid for the attendance in the dissecting-room seldom exceeded fifteen minutes; performance of such duties, to a somewhat more reasonable and when he gave a demonstration in the dissecting-room, he did but still scarcely remunerative fee of ten shillings and sixnot give a lecture in the theatre. He lectured largely from pence. I have the honour to bf, Sir, your faithful servant, notes, and made a great many anatomical errors, and entered JOHN BRADY. upon matter foreign to his duties; and that it was a matter of Warwick-terrace, Warwick-square, August, 1853. surprise that the medical committee did not interfere. Many of the- students must have heard these remarks as well as myself, and r.lr. Burton has upon several occasions, when THE VACCINATION EXTENSION BILL. spoken to about the school, repeated the above facts, and left To the Editor of THE LANCET. upon my mind a general impression of discontent throughout the school. SiR,--There are one or two points in connexion with the Vaccination Extension Bill, respecting which I am anxious to Allow me to remain very faithfully yours, address you, and request, in the name of the general practitioners, WILLIAM L. ECHLIN. an impartial hearing. Henry Hancock, Esq., Hariey-street, It is. I believe, the first time the LegislaHarley-street, Cavendish square. ture of this country has enforced hygienic law directly upoix. the person of the subject, and if they do not take care their intentions The following document has also been forwarded to us for will miscarry. insertion :Vaccination is to be made compulsory; very good. Every medical man throughout the country will be happy to assist, but [Copy.] August 5, 1853. Government must first of all enlist the co-operation of that proDEAR SIRs,-We very much regret the occasion which de- fession, by which alone it can be carried out. I strongly suspect mands-this assurance to you upon our part of our unqualified that the Bill, as it at present stands, will not do this. To make dissent from the expressions used in a pamphlet recently pub- it effective, I would suggest two measures. The first and most lished, bearing reference to the manner in which we, the lecturers important is, to take the. executive of this Bill altogether and in the school, are treated by the committee. On the contrary, entirely out of the hands of the Poor-law Commissioners, and we beg to assure you that we are fully sensible of the honourable place it in those of the Registrar-General. Already we have a
II
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