- Email: [email protected]
COURT OF EXCHEQUER, JULY 1.
46
pints,)
and
measure
out my dose
daily, never exceeding on
application any1 applied accepted; shortly after, patient again
was answered, and whom he had attended. The the died. The office the life to my friend to know if he had not made a mistake in his answer to their first inquiries. My friend
account, and each time fill up the bottle with water, mixed With a little spirit of nutmeg, and by that means I really do not feel the loss. I have lately entirely cured a young lady who had got into the habit of taking two grains of acetate of morphia daily, and, unknown to her, I entrusted the secret of diminishing the dose to her mother, to whom I gave a quart bottle of solution of acetate of morphia, four grains to the ounce, and also gave her some spirit of nutmeg, and directed her, each time she measured out her daughter’s daily dose, to fill it up with spirit-and-water; by this means in three or four
months she was quite cured, and was very much pleased with the result of the deception, as she was perfectly unconscious of any alteration until told.
MEDICCTS.
THE POOR-LAW COMMISSIONERS AND UNION SURGEONS.
To the Editor of TaE LANCET. Sm,-By a general order of the Poor-Law Commissioners, dated July 24, 1847, it is decreed, by Art. 177, that" No salary of any district medical officer shall include the remunerations for operations and services," as named, but that they " shall be paid for by the guardians, according to the rates specified in this article." The Assistant-Commissioner, Mr. Gulston, has been travelling to the various western boards of guardians, to endeavour to persuade them to alter the system hitherto pursued, and has thrown out a bait to quiet the grumbling, ruined (?) farmers and agriculturists, at the expense of the well-doing, lazy, rich, union doctor. Here is the proposal:"The Government feel for the agricultural distress, and therefore will (privately) try to alleviate it. You - the farmers-now have, from the parish rate, to pay the medical officers for accidents, midwifery fees, &c.; now, if you will take a three years’ average you may add that to the salary, of , which we, the Government, pay half from the consolidated ’ fund; so that you will not pay the doctors half as much as you do now." This is greedily swallowed, and it is done. " If any medical officer dare refuse, or even plead, away with him." Sir, a three years’ average is not a fair calculation, as I am ready most easily to demonstrate; and I do hope that you will use your influence to do away with this unjust and hard ordonnance;—unjust.because districtswere taken under certain conditions; hard, because you are not paid in proportion to the work and labour done. There is another grievance which will tell fatally on many poor wretches:-Art. 178 requires the advice of another pro. fessional gentleman, in cases of operation; and now the medical gentleman cannot afford to pay for such, because he receives no fee, and the guardians refuse to pay, so that the medical officer must take the whole responsibility on himself. Art. 181, providing for difficult surgical cases, is also annulled, as is Art. 183. This is the concoction of our precious Poor-Law Board. I could write much more about them, but can say no good of them, therefore leave others to find out, as I have, that they do not scruple to make unfounded charges, and send copies of private letters to boards of guardians. I am. Sir. vour obedient servant. A UNION DOCTOR.
I
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION AND LIFE ASSURANCE OFFICES. THE LONDON LIFE ASSOCIATION. To the Editor QfTHE LANCET. SiR,—I requested Mr. Docker to send me a guinea before I Answered his queries respecting Mr. C-’s health, &c. Since I have not received any reply, I conclude that the " London Life Association" refuse to do justice to medical men, and I hope you will give due publicity of the fact. I am, Sir, yours obediently, EYA11S RIADORE, Lecturer
Harley-street, June,
on
Surgery
at the Hunterian School of Medicine.
1851.
if they had paid proper attention to his answer. This induced them to re-peruse the letter, and on so doing, they acknowledged they had not sufficiently attended to the answer, and the blame rested with themselves. In this case a candid opinion was given, and had the office observed ordinary care, they would have saved their money; but the gentleman received nothing for his opinion. Another party applied at an office to assure his life, where it was necessary to procure a medical opinion. In this case the party did not refer to his usual medical attendant for a statement of particulars of his health, and when he appeared before the directors, a gentleman present detailed particulars of his habits and disposition to disease that induced the Board to decline accepting the life. Some time since, I was asked if I would give a certificate of the health &c. of a patient of mine, but I declined it, as I was well aware that he was strongly disposed to affection of the head, and at the same time a free liver. Many other cases could be brought forward to show the importance of a correct medical opinion in all cases where life is to be assured; and if offices do think they should not pay for them, let them decline asking for them. Again, I am sure I speak for the profession in saying, if medical men are not justified in expecting a fee for a candid opinion of health, habits, &c. of a patient, by which an assurance office is to be guided in accepting or declining a life, let it be withholden from them; but if, on the contrary, they are entitled to it, why should any office attempt to withhold it from them ? I am, Sir, your obedient servant, W. Nix. Savile-row, July, 1851.
inquired
ON THE INCISION OF STRICTURE OF THE URETHRA. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SiR,—Having perused the remarks of M.D., and a Surgeon of Twenty Years’ Standing," in reference to the treatment of permanent stricture of the urethra, in the last number of your excellent journal, permit me to observe that within the last month Professor Syme has operated upon a patient of mine, for impermeable permanent stricture of the urethra, with the
complete, and I would also say, almost incredible, sucfalsifying M.D.’sobservations as to the danger and fatality of that gentleman’s operation. most cess,
During the two winters (those of 1848-49 and 1849-50) I spent in Edinburgh, I several times saw Professor Syme per-
form the operation of which M.D. speaks in so false a manner, and with the greatest success, and therefore persuaded my patient to go and place himself under Professor Syme, which he did on Friday, the 20th ult. During the six or seven weeks he had been under my care, he had had perfect retention of urine three times for many hours. When he first sent for me he had been drinking, but the other two times he had it there was no accounting for it. The last time he had it for about eighteen hours, and had to be bled twice (in a full stream and in the upright position) to the amount of thirtytwo ounces, with potassio-tartrate of antimony and Battley’s solution, and the hot hip-bath, &c., ere he could evacuate the contents of the bladder. He had been dischargpd from the army last November, when several eminent army surgeons in vain endeavoured to pass either bougie or catheter. Yesterday, Sir, the 7th inst., this man arrived at home perfectly cured, to his and my very great delight. The same feeling-a sense of justice-which prompted M.D. to make his remarks on this subject, has also induced me to say what I have; and, in conclusion, I would state that I have the greatest confidence in its propriety, safety, and superiority over any other operation. I am. Sir. yoursvervtruly, trulv. Sir,vours SIDNEY HENSON, L.A.C. & M.R.C.S. Lond. very
COURT OF EXCHEQUER, JULY 1. LEETE V. THE GRESHAM LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY.
of THE LANCET. MR. M. CHAMBERS and Mr. HANNEN appeared for the cases SiR,—The following may not be altogether uninte- plaintiff, and Sir F. TIIESIGER and Mr. ATHERTON were counsel resting at this time while assurance offices are endeavouring to for the defendants. obtain medical opinions without remuneration. An office This was an action to recover the sum of X350 upon a policy applied to a friend of mine as to health, habits, &c. of a patient which had been effected in the Gresham Assurance Office upon To the Editor
47 the life of a person named Giles Clement. The defendants pleaded in effect, that but for the misrepresentations and con. cealment of facts as to the real state of the health of the deceased, the office would never have granted the policy in
meuponhisstateofhealth. Hewasagreatinvalid. Heanswered
Clement, which he himself told me was his They stated that they had come from Plum stead in Kent. The son was about seventeen, rather short in personal
to the name of Giles name.
appearance, and rather dark. The father told me that he The maintenance of these pleas rendered it necessary that had brought his son to me for a disease of the bladder from the defendants should commence. which he had been suffering for some years-from his early Sir F. THESIGER accordingly, on the part of the office, opened years. He also told me the names of various medical men the case, stating that his clients had felt it necessary to oppose by whom his son had been attended. From the description I this claim, in consequence of the important principle that was received of the symptoms I was apprehensive of gravel, but at issue. At the time that it was proposed to effect the iu- on examination I found that was not so, but that he had surance in question, as was the custom, a printed form of an enlargement of the prostate gland, a very unusual thing queries had been handed to the applicant, to which replies in persons so young. He told me that his urine was of a thick cloudly nature and very offensive ; that he was in frewere required. All these replies were considered satisfactory, especially as the answers which had been received from the quent violent pain, and that he had lost all control in respect two referees-those parties being the young man’s brothers- of retention of urine. The father said he had been obliged to remove his son from a school at Dover in consequence. I were corroborative of those replies; and after the young man had been questioned, and had undergone the customary exa- was consulted twice or thrice. The description of the mination by the medical officer of the Society, the policy was disease was irritation of the bladder resulting from enlarged granted. After entering into a history of some of the circum- prostate gland. The kidneys were affected in a secondary stances of the case, the learned counsel said that he was pre- manner. There was a constant irritation of the bladder, and pared with evidence to show that there had been a great it was a disease calculated to shorten life, most undoubtedly. amount of concealment of facts and misrepresentation as to Cross-examined.—I have not known a person of sixty years the state of the deceased’s health, for he should prove that he of age with this particular disease, but I should say that if had from his childhood suffered under the painful disease and you (Mr. Chambers) had had an enlargement of the prostate its effects known as an enlargement of the prostate gland, gland for ten years you would not be speaking there at the creating vast irritation of the bladder and kidneys. This was present moment. (Laughter). Sir F. THESIGER.-My friend does not like to have the case a disease which tended to shorten life; whereas the reply given to the query in the printed form of questions put by the brought home to himself. (Renewed laughter.) officer was to the effect that the deceased had no disease The examination resumed.-There are such cases met with which had a tendency to shorten life. Then, in answer to the in the hospitals, but not often in private practice. I know question as to 11 hot long it was since he had been attended of no recorded case of a perfect cure of enlarged prostate by a medical man?" deceased had said that he had not had gland. Gout no doubt is a disorder tending to shorten life, any medical attendance during the last year, while he should and so is rheumatism, and so is weakness of lungs. I cannot prove that he had had medical attendance for painful and mention any disease which does not tend to shorten life. Re-examined.-A spasmodic stricture comes and goes. dangerous diseases considerably within the year; for not only had this poor young man suffered from the disease to which By the CouRT.-This disease has an active tendency to he had referred, but he had been afflicted with a violent destrnv life. Dr. cough, which produced copious expectorations of phlegm and assistant-physician to Guy’s Hospital, said,-l have frequent spittings of blood. In conclusion, the learned counsel published works on the subject of urinary diseases. The sympsaid he should place a mass of evidence before the jury, which toms which I have heard of here to-day, are those which are would satisfy them that the misrepresentations and conceal- peculiarly indicative of disease of the bladder. The offensive smell was the effect of the decomposition of the constiments had been such as to invalidate this Dolicv. The letters from the referees were then in and read. tuent parts of the urine. The spitting dark blood is indicaThey in terms said that the deceased had no disease which tive of congestion of the stomach,.and is often proof of the tended to shorten life. presence of serious disease. From what I have heard to-day, The " form" containing the questions submitted by the office I should say this young man had brought up blood from the stomach. An ordinary spitting of blood I should connect with was put in and read, as were the answers to the several queries. The sum proposed to be insured for was .S350. The following the lungs-the rupture perhaps of a small vessel of the lungs. witnesses were then called and examined:Spitting of blood from the stomach is indicative of disease, BERNARD MAGUIRE.-I am a surgeon in Aldersgate-street. and will be aggravated by intemperance. In the examination Prior to 1839,had been in the 4th Regiment of Artillery in for an insurable life this disease may be overlooked if the France. In that year I returned to England, and in 1841, party conceals the fact. Disease of the bladder such as this in the month of August, I was called on by the father of the was, tends to shorten life. When disease of the prostate is deceased, who afterwards became my apprentice. He was shown in a young subject, it is usually the result of a scrofuthen about twelve or thirteen years of age. I had had very lous habit. Cross-examined.-Every disease tends more or less to great experience in diseases of the bladder and the urinary organs. I also attended the boy professionally. I found that shorten life, and this disease particularly tends to shorten life he had disease of the prostate gland, stricture, and other to a very short span. It is very rare to examine a subject urinary diseases. The father said the boy had been afflicted above seventy-five years without finding an enlargement of in this way from his infancy. He had paralysis of the bladder i the prostate. also, besides the spasmodic stricture. It was a very singular Mr. MoNTAGU CHAMBERS addressed the jury for the plaintiff, case to find in a child of such tender years. He was much and contended that the disease of the urinary organs was not improved by my treatment of him. He was afterwards ap- of a character calculated to shorten life, except as it might be prenticed to me; that was in 1846. I was then in practice in said that any disease whatever had such a tendency. Men of George-street, Euston-square. He resided in my house. I the most advanced age were found to be affected with enlargefound by the bedclothes sufficient indications that the disease ment of the prostate gland, and yet lived on. The evidence was still upon him. I found that he had drinking habits, of Dr. Rees showed that the so-called spitting of blood was no and that to carry out these habits he would steal the key such thing; bringing up blood from the stomach was of an exiof the street door, and go out after I had gone to bed, and tirely different character, and the deceased was justified in in consequence I sent him about his business. He never statingthat he had not that disease. He was also warranted liked to get up until one or two o’clock in the day. I in saying that he had not been attended of late years by a found him drunk twice, and therefore I sent him off from medical man; the consulting on one or two occasions Mr. Gill, did not constitute him a usual medical atmy house. I have seen him spit blood in a morning, which two I attributed to the disturbance of his stomach from his over tendant, such as the inquiry by the company related to. The night’s drinking. It was not what is denominatedspitting of medical man who attended the deceased at his death ought to blood," but it was the effect of his excesses. He was of a very have been called to prove what lie died of. His LORDSHIP summed up at considerable length, reading delicate constitution always. His indentures were cancelled the evidence over to the jury. because I could make nothing of him, and his getting drunk. The Jury found a verdict for the defendants. Cross-examined.-The bedclothes showed an incontinence of urine. The boy was a "dashing sort of chap." I do not THE COLLEGE FELLOWSHIP.-The examinations in or that he was fond of know that he was a cricket. classics, mathematics, and French, commenced at the College W. S. GILL.-I am a surgeon at Pentonville. On the 10th of on Monday last: several candidates presented themselves for March,I848,thelad Giles Clement and his father came to consult this distinction.
question.
I
REES,
put
years before,
skittle-player,
pints,)
and
measure
out my dose
daily, never exceeding on
application any1 applied accepted; shortly after, patient again
was answered, and whom he had attended. The the died. The office the life to my friend to know if he had not made a mistake in his answer to their first inquiries. My friend
account, and each time fill up the bottle with water, mixed With a little spirit of nutmeg, and by that means I really do not feel the loss. I have lately entirely cured a young lady who had got into the habit of taking two grains of acetate of morphia daily, and, unknown to her, I entrusted the secret of diminishing the dose to her mother, to whom I gave a quart bottle of solution of acetate of morphia, four grains to the ounce, and also gave her some spirit of nutmeg, and directed her, each time she measured out her daughter’s daily dose, to fill it up with spirit-and-water; by this means in three or four
months she was quite cured, and was very much pleased with the result of the deception, as she was perfectly unconscious of any alteration until told.
MEDICCTS.
THE POOR-LAW COMMISSIONERS AND UNION SURGEONS.
To the Editor of TaE LANCET. Sm,-By a general order of the Poor-Law Commissioners, dated July 24, 1847, it is decreed, by Art. 177, that" No salary of any district medical officer shall include the remunerations for operations and services," as named, but that they " shall be paid for by the guardians, according to the rates specified in this article." The Assistant-Commissioner, Mr. Gulston, has been travelling to the various western boards of guardians, to endeavour to persuade them to alter the system hitherto pursued, and has thrown out a bait to quiet the grumbling, ruined (?) farmers and agriculturists, at the expense of the well-doing, lazy, rich, union doctor. Here is the proposal:"The Government feel for the agricultural distress, and therefore will (privately) try to alleviate it. You - the farmers-now have, from the parish rate, to pay the medical officers for accidents, midwifery fees, &c.; now, if you will take a three years’ average you may add that to the salary, of , which we, the Government, pay half from the consolidated ’ fund; so that you will not pay the doctors half as much as you do now." This is greedily swallowed, and it is done. " If any medical officer dare refuse, or even plead, away with him." Sir, a three years’ average is not a fair calculation, as I am ready most easily to demonstrate; and I do hope that you will use your influence to do away with this unjust and hard ordonnance;—unjust.because districtswere taken under certain conditions; hard, because you are not paid in proportion to the work and labour done. There is another grievance which will tell fatally on many poor wretches:-Art. 178 requires the advice of another pro. fessional gentleman, in cases of operation; and now the medical gentleman cannot afford to pay for such, because he receives no fee, and the guardians refuse to pay, so that the medical officer must take the whole responsibility on himself. Art. 181, providing for difficult surgical cases, is also annulled, as is Art. 183. This is the concoction of our precious Poor-Law Board. I could write much more about them, but can say no good of them, therefore leave others to find out, as I have, that they do not scruple to make unfounded charges, and send copies of private letters to boards of guardians. I am. Sir. vour obedient servant. A UNION DOCTOR.
I
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION AND LIFE ASSURANCE OFFICES. THE LONDON LIFE ASSOCIATION. To the Editor QfTHE LANCET. SiR,—I requested Mr. Docker to send me a guinea before I Answered his queries respecting Mr. C-’s health, &c. Since I have not received any reply, I conclude that the " London Life Association" refuse to do justice to medical men, and I hope you will give due publicity of the fact. I am, Sir, yours obediently, EYA11S RIADORE, Lecturer
Harley-street, June,
on
Surgery
at the Hunterian School of Medicine.
1851.
if they had paid proper attention to his answer. This induced them to re-peruse the letter, and on so doing, they acknowledged they had not sufficiently attended to the answer, and the blame rested with themselves. In this case a candid opinion was given, and had the office observed ordinary care, they would have saved their money; but the gentleman received nothing for his opinion. Another party applied at an office to assure his life, where it was necessary to procure a medical opinion. In this case the party did not refer to his usual medical attendant for a statement of particulars of his health, and when he appeared before the directors, a gentleman present detailed particulars of his habits and disposition to disease that induced the Board to decline accepting the life. Some time since, I was asked if I would give a certificate of the health &c. of a patient of mine, but I declined it, as I was well aware that he was strongly disposed to affection of the head, and at the same time a free liver. Many other cases could be brought forward to show the importance of a correct medical opinion in all cases where life is to be assured; and if offices do think they should not pay for them, let them decline asking for them. Again, I am sure I speak for the profession in saying, if medical men are not justified in expecting a fee for a candid opinion of health, habits, &c. of a patient, by which an assurance office is to be guided in accepting or declining a life, let it be withholden from them; but if, on the contrary, they are entitled to it, why should any office attempt to withhold it from them ? I am, Sir, your obedient servant, W. Nix. Savile-row, July, 1851.
inquired
ON THE INCISION OF STRICTURE OF THE URETHRA. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SiR,—Having perused the remarks of M.D., and a Surgeon of Twenty Years’ Standing," in reference to the treatment of permanent stricture of the urethra, in the last number of your excellent journal, permit me to observe that within the last month Professor Syme has operated upon a patient of mine, for impermeable permanent stricture of the urethra, with the
complete, and I would also say, almost incredible, sucfalsifying M.D.’sobservations as to the danger and fatality of that gentleman’s operation. most cess,
During the two winters (those of 1848-49 and 1849-50) I spent in Edinburgh, I several times saw Professor Syme per-
form the operation of which M.D. speaks in so false a manner, and with the greatest success, and therefore persuaded my patient to go and place himself under Professor Syme, which he did on Friday, the 20th ult. During the six or seven weeks he had been under my care, he had had perfect retention of urine three times for many hours. When he first sent for me he had been drinking, but the other two times he had it there was no accounting for it. The last time he had it for about eighteen hours, and had to be bled twice (in a full stream and in the upright position) to the amount of thirtytwo ounces, with potassio-tartrate of antimony and Battley’s solution, and the hot hip-bath, &c., ere he could evacuate the contents of the bladder. He had been dischargpd from the army last November, when several eminent army surgeons in vain endeavoured to pass either bougie or catheter. Yesterday, Sir, the 7th inst., this man arrived at home perfectly cured, to his and my very great delight. The same feeling-a sense of justice-which prompted M.D. to make his remarks on this subject, has also induced me to say what I have; and, in conclusion, I would state that I have the greatest confidence in its propriety, safety, and superiority over any other operation. I am. Sir. yoursvervtruly, trulv. Sir,vours SIDNEY HENSON, L.A.C. & M.R.C.S. Lond. very
COURT OF EXCHEQUER, JULY 1. LEETE V. THE GRESHAM LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY.
of THE LANCET. MR. M. CHAMBERS and Mr. HANNEN appeared for the cases SiR,—The following may not be altogether uninte- plaintiff, and Sir F. TIIESIGER and Mr. ATHERTON were counsel resting at this time while assurance offices are endeavouring to for the defendants. obtain medical opinions without remuneration. An office This was an action to recover the sum of X350 upon a policy applied to a friend of mine as to health, habits, &c. of a patient which had been effected in the Gresham Assurance Office upon To the Editor
47 the life of a person named Giles Clement. The defendants pleaded in effect, that but for the misrepresentations and con. cealment of facts as to the real state of the health of the deceased, the office would never have granted the policy in
meuponhisstateofhealth. Hewasagreatinvalid. Heanswered
Clement, which he himself told me was his They stated that they had come from Plum stead in Kent. The son was about seventeen, rather short in personal
to the name of Giles name.
appearance, and rather dark. The father told me that he The maintenance of these pleas rendered it necessary that had brought his son to me for a disease of the bladder from the defendants should commence. which he had been suffering for some years-from his early Sir F. THESIGER accordingly, on the part of the office, opened years. He also told me the names of various medical men the case, stating that his clients had felt it necessary to oppose by whom his son had been attended. From the description I this claim, in consequence of the important principle that was received of the symptoms I was apprehensive of gravel, but at issue. At the time that it was proposed to effect the iu- on examination I found that was not so, but that he had surance in question, as was the custom, a printed form of an enlargement of the prostate gland, a very unusual thing queries had been handed to the applicant, to which replies in persons so young. He told me that his urine was of a thick cloudly nature and very offensive ; that he was in frewere required. All these replies were considered satisfactory, especially as the answers which had been received from the quent violent pain, and that he had lost all control in respect two referees-those parties being the young man’s brothers- of retention of urine. The father said he had been obliged to remove his son from a school at Dover in consequence. I were corroborative of those replies; and after the young man had been questioned, and had undergone the customary exa- was consulted twice or thrice. The description of the mination by the medical officer of the Society, the policy was disease was irritation of the bladder resulting from enlarged granted. After entering into a history of some of the circum- prostate gland. The kidneys were affected in a secondary stances of the case, the learned counsel said that he was pre- manner. There was a constant irritation of the bladder, and pared with evidence to show that there had been a great it was a disease calculated to shorten life, most undoubtedly. amount of concealment of facts and misrepresentation as to Cross-examined.—I have not known a person of sixty years the state of the deceased’s health, for he should prove that he of age with this particular disease, but I should say that if had from his childhood suffered under the painful disease and you (Mr. Chambers) had had an enlargement of the prostate its effects known as an enlargement of the prostate gland, gland for ten years you would not be speaking there at the creating vast irritation of the bladder and kidneys. This was present moment. (Laughter). Sir F. THESIGER.-My friend does not like to have the case a disease which tended to shorten life; whereas the reply given to the query in the printed form of questions put by the brought home to himself. (Renewed laughter.) officer was to the effect that the deceased had no disease The examination resumed.-There are such cases met with which had a tendency to shorten life. Then, in answer to the in the hospitals, but not often in private practice. I know question as to 11 hot long it was since he had been attended of no recorded case of a perfect cure of enlarged prostate by a medical man?" deceased had said that he had not had gland. Gout no doubt is a disorder tending to shorten life, any medical attendance during the last year, while he should and so is rheumatism, and so is weakness of lungs. I cannot prove that he had had medical attendance for painful and mention any disease which does not tend to shorten life. Re-examined.-A spasmodic stricture comes and goes. dangerous diseases considerably within the year; for not only had this poor young man suffered from the disease to which By the CouRT.-This disease has an active tendency to he had referred, but he had been afflicted with a violent destrnv life. Dr. cough, which produced copious expectorations of phlegm and assistant-physician to Guy’s Hospital, said,-l have frequent spittings of blood. In conclusion, the learned counsel published works on the subject of urinary diseases. The sympsaid he should place a mass of evidence before the jury, which toms which I have heard of here to-day, are those which are would satisfy them that the misrepresentations and conceal- peculiarly indicative of disease of the bladder. The offensive smell was the effect of the decomposition of the constiments had been such as to invalidate this Dolicv. The letters from the referees were then in and read. tuent parts of the urine. The spitting dark blood is indicaThey in terms said that the deceased had no disease which tive of congestion of the stomach,.and is often proof of the tended to shorten life. presence of serious disease. From what I have heard to-day, The " form" containing the questions submitted by the office I should say this young man had brought up blood from the stomach. An ordinary spitting of blood I should connect with was put in and read, as were the answers to the several queries. The sum proposed to be insured for was .S350. The following the lungs-the rupture perhaps of a small vessel of the lungs. witnesses were then called and examined:Spitting of blood from the stomach is indicative of disease, BERNARD MAGUIRE.-I am a surgeon in Aldersgate-street. and will be aggravated by intemperance. In the examination Prior to 1839,had been in the 4th Regiment of Artillery in for an insurable life this disease may be overlooked if the France. In that year I returned to England, and in 1841, party conceals the fact. Disease of the bladder such as this in the month of August, I was called on by the father of the was, tends to shorten life. When disease of the prostate is deceased, who afterwards became my apprentice. He was shown in a young subject, it is usually the result of a scrofuthen about twelve or thirteen years of age. I had had very lous habit. Cross-examined.-Every disease tends more or less to great experience in diseases of the bladder and the urinary organs. I also attended the boy professionally. I found that shorten life, and this disease particularly tends to shorten life he had disease of the prostate gland, stricture, and other to a very short span. It is very rare to examine a subject urinary diseases. The father said the boy had been afflicted above seventy-five years without finding an enlargement of in this way from his infancy. He had paralysis of the bladder i the prostate. also, besides the spasmodic stricture. It was a very singular Mr. MoNTAGU CHAMBERS addressed the jury for the plaintiff, case to find in a child of such tender years. He was much and contended that the disease of the urinary organs was not improved by my treatment of him. He was afterwards ap- of a character calculated to shorten life, except as it might be prenticed to me; that was in 1846. I was then in practice in said that any disease whatever had such a tendency. Men of George-street, Euston-square. He resided in my house. I the most advanced age were found to be affected with enlargefound by the bedclothes sufficient indications that the disease ment of the prostate gland, and yet lived on. The evidence was still upon him. I found that he had drinking habits, of Dr. Rees showed that the so-called spitting of blood was no and that to carry out these habits he would steal the key such thing; bringing up blood from the stomach was of an exiof the street door, and go out after I had gone to bed, and tirely different character, and the deceased was justified in in consequence I sent him about his business. He never statingthat he had not that disease. He was also warranted liked to get up until one or two o’clock in the day. I in saying that he had not been attended of late years by a found him drunk twice, and therefore I sent him off from medical man; the consulting on one or two occasions Mr. Gill, did not constitute him a usual medical atmy house. I have seen him spit blood in a morning, which two I attributed to the disturbance of his stomach from his over tendant, such as the inquiry by the company related to. The night’s drinking. It was not what is denominatedspitting of medical man who attended the deceased at his death ought to blood," but it was the effect of his excesses. He was of a very have been called to prove what lie died of. His LORDSHIP summed up at considerable length, reading delicate constitution always. His indentures were cancelled the evidence over to the jury. because I could make nothing of him, and his getting drunk. The Jury found a verdict for the defendants. Cross-examined.-The bedclothes showed an incontinence of urine. The boy was a "dashing sort of chap." I do not THE COLLEGE FELLOWSHIP.-The examinations in or that he was fond of know that he was a cricket. classics, mathematics, and French, commenced at the College W. S. GILL.-I am a surgeon at Pentonville. On the 10th of on Monday last: several candidates presented themselves for March,I848,thelad Giles Clement and his father came to consult this distinction.
question.
I
REES,
put
years before,
skittle-player,