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Facts, notices, and remarks.
518 exam.; C. C. Meade has leave to Quilon on primonths; A. J. Carter is acting as assist. garrison surg. at presidency during absence of Ogilvie on sick cert. to Poona; T. C. Carr and F. W. Harris are ordered for employ in Indian navy; H. C. Coles acting civil surg. at pre-
given, there is
passed colloq.
very graphically described, the impanelling of the jury of mesmerists and anti-mesmerists; the formation of the " Cupar-Mesmeric-Phenomena-Investigation-Association," &c.; the sudden conversion to mesmeric belief of a physician The last being the principal event which of Cupar, &c. occurred during the conclave, we must find room for the sidency.—Indian News, Oct. 27th. extract giving its history, so far as known to the historian. " Up till this date Dr. Mackie had fought the battle of the unbelievers. We left for a few minutes, tired with the silliMEDICAL NEWS. At that time the doctor’s whole ness of the proceedings. FACTS, NOTICES, AND REMARKS. heart appeared to be still as hard as the nether millstone. NEW METHOD OF TREATING A MEDICAL RIVAL.- On returning, however, towards the hall in less than half an We recommend the following to gentlemen who are not over- hour, we heard the shouts of rejoicing; and on getting in, we found that it was the mesmerists rejoicing over the conversion .scrupulous in their dealings towards those who cross their of Dr. Mackie-the reverend chairman crowing like the best to or their It paths, presume dispute professional supremacy. of them. We learned that the turning point in the fate of is not, perhaps, so safe as the nod-and-wink plan, or the Richard had his eyes looking pretty solemn and confidential communication of plausible folk, but mesmerism here was this: shut-like, and yet was able to hit Mr. Thomas Brown, shoeit is more off hand:on the head with a draft-man. On this, light flashed " The following case is reported in the Gazette Médicale to maker, on the doctor’s mind, and he candidly admitted that he had have occurred recently at Bethune, in France:-A medical been in error, that he was now convinced that mesmerism was man, newly arrived in a neighbourhood where therewas and would do all in his power for the promotion of the already a highly-esteemed practitioner in good practice, com- true, of it." menced his career by endeavouring to injure the reputation of study then, is the kind of evidence which leads to a belief this gentleman, resorting to the basest calumnies in order to in Such, this system of imposture ! We fully agree with the editor .attain his object. Finding that his efforts to bring M. Bacque- of the Journal, that " while there may be little occaville, the practitioner referred to, into disrepute, had com- sion forFifeshire zeal in crushing harmless falsehoods, there ought to be a pletely failed, he at length spread a report that lady of some energy in putting down lies, which have proved to be high rank had been clandestinely delivered by this gentleman, productive of great injury to society;" and truly, none can be and that the child had been made away with! When this more calculated to produce public injury than the monstrous in report was fairly circulation, the calumniator proceeded to a lie of Mesmerism. cemetery, disinterred a child, and threw it into a privy on the CHOLERA: MEDICAL SOCIETIES.—TO the Editor. premises of M. Bacqueville; he then addressed a letter to the authorities, accusing M. Bacqueville of having murdered - Sir : In your report of the meeting (Sept. 4th) of the " Western Medical and Surgical Association," one of the a child, and pointed out the place where the body would be found. Accordingly, the premises of M. Bacqueville were speakers is made to assert that "he had attended three hunsearched, the body of a child discovered, and that gentleman dred cases of Asiatic cholera, and had not lost one patient from the disease." The term " Asiatic cholera" should, I was taken to prison, where he remained confined for a con. siderable time. He was at length liberated on account of think, be confined to those well-marked instances where the there being no evidence against him. From some cause or bile is absent, or almost completely so, from the stools. It other, shortly after this, the scandalous proceeding was dis- surely never was meant that out of three hundred such cases covered, and public indignation being roused, the man was the doctor never lost one! I have seen cholera, both in brought before the authorities, and charged with an offence England and Asia, but am sorry to acknowledge that my own He was found experience, and that of many friends practising in India, has contra bonos mores, in disinterring a body . guilty, and sentenced to a year’s imprisonment, and a fine of been far more discouraging. A disease which does not destroy one patient out of three hundred is not to be dreaded by a 3000 francs, (£120.)"—Dublin Medical Press. medical man. I take this opportunity of offering you my PAYMENT OF MEDICAL WITNESSES.—The assizes, sincere thanks for censure, in THE LANCET of the which lately terminated generally through the country, afford 10th inst., of Mr. your graveadvocacy of secret debates. The Woolley’s the following good example reported in the Cork Constitution use of the "Western Medical and Surgical Association," and of August 4, 1846:" His lordship (Judge Jackson) said he similar to excite emulation in all ranks of our societies, is, had received a memorial from Dr. Barry of Kanturk, on profession, and, by discussion, to elicit for the benefit of all the subject of remuneration to medical witnesses for their at- the experience of the many. What with quackery and secrecy, tendance at assizes. In reply, he would say, that on the one would suppose the dark ages were about to r eturn.-I am, Leinster circuit, Baron Pennefather ordered a physician reSir, respectfully yours, W. M. P., M.R.c.s. siding in the country two guineas a day while in attendance October, 1846. at the assizes, and Mr. Serjeant Stock had made the same deQUEEN’S COLLEGE, BIRMINGHAM.—The annual discision in Limerick. He therefore would direct that Dr. of the prizes to the successful students of the Queen’s tribution should receive two a a Barry guineas day." It is new feature to have the public functionaries thus acknowledging that the College took place at a recent date, in the theatre of that .services rendered by medical men to the crown should receive institution, the Principal, the Right Hon. Lord Lyttelton, in reasonable compensation; and I am happy to say that most, the chair. There were also present-Richard Spooner, Esq., perhaps all, of the medical men who were summoned to the M.P. ; the Rev. and Worshipful Chancellor Law, Vice-prinlate Cork assizes, on behalf of the crown, were treated with cipal ; W. S. Cox, Esq., Dean of the Faculty; the Rev. George One gentleman, who Richards, Chaplain of the College; Professors J. B. Davies, .some measure of politeness and justice. for many years had been summoned before the judges of G. B. Knowles, Langston Parker, and Wright; J. E. Piercy, Webster, and B. D. Webster, Esqrs.; the Revds. assize, and ofttimes had been detained from home for from Joseph ten to fourteen days, and who hitherto had never received J. C. Miller, G. S. Bull, C. Craven, and H. Pixell; Messrs. D. Barnett, J. Taylor, G. Macaulay, H. Seymour, F. Grant, and more than five pounds for his attendance, on the last occasion, much to his amazement, was respectfully presented with Dr. Annesley, and several other gentleman, with a few ladies. - Letters of apology for unavoidable absence were read from twenty guineas. the Earl of Bradford, Lord Brooke, Viscounts Lifford, FRAUDS OF MESMERISM.—A very amusing account Guernsey, and Lewisham, G. F. Muntz, Esq., M.P., the of what may be called a " Mesmeric Festival" at Cupar- Mayor, the High and Low Bailiffs, the Rev. Dr. Buckland, a "Grand Mesmeric Week in the language of the editor, is the Hon. and Rev. G. M. Yorke, and James Taylor, Esq. recorded in the Fifeshire Journal, for Oct. lst. We can The Rev. Vaughan Thomas was compelled to return to Oxford make no extract from a report occupying five newspaper on important business. The right hon. the Principal commenced the business of columns, which would convey any idea of the raciness and sustained interest with which the whole matter is related,, the day by stating the object of the meeting, which was, to and readers who may wish an hour’s excellent entertainment,, distribute rewards of merit obtained by the students in the -at the expense of this system of profligate deceit and quackery,, medical college. No doubt a large proportion of the company should obtain, each for himself (if he can), a copy of the Fife- had been present at the first meeting of the kind, which took .shire Journal, of the above date. What chiefly characterizecL place in the Town Hall last year. He had the honour to the proceedings was, the determination of the Cupar populace preside at that meeting, and took occasion then to go at some to believe, on the shallowest possible trial, in the tricks ancL length into the details of the system by which the school was falsehoods of the charlatan exhibitor; and in the account proposed to be regulated. He did not now intend to go over vate affairs for two
’
-
519 the same ground, or enter into the general topics connected scientific nature; the subject to be taken out of any branch of with the subject; but he would briefly state that which had anatomical, physiological, or pathological science, and to be since taken place in consequence of the system laid down by handled in a practical or professional manner, and according the Council of the College, and also the present position and to those evidences of facts and phenomena which anatomy, future prospects of the College. The outline then laid down physiology, and pathology, so abundantly supply; but always, had been in the main adhered to; but there was one important and especially, with a view to exemplify and set forth, by improvement which he believed it his duty to allude to, and instance and example, the wisdom, power, and goodness of that was, the formation of a juvenile and preparatory class as God, as revealed and declared in Holy Writ:’-The rev. gentleman proceeded to state that he had taken part in the proan integral portion of that institution; and that portion, as well as every other, he felt happy to say, had been attended ceedings of that day with the greatest pleasure, as he conceived with the most gratifying results. Having been appointed to it to be the duty of every minister of the Gospel to christianize an onerous office under Government, which required his education, and said he trusted that by the system adopted in personal attendance in London, he had been unable during that College, the imputation would never attach to them the past year to give to the affairs of the institution all the - namely, that to be a medical student was to be a dissipated, attention he wished and they required; but he rejoiced to say dangerous, and reckless character.—Mr. Miller then presented that his place had been more than supplied by the Vice- the medals. Joseph Webster, Esq., and John Piercy, Esq., presented principal, the Rev. Chancellor Law, who had brought to the discharge of his important duties an amount of assiduity, following prizes:The Jephson prize (twenty guineas)—Mr. James V. Hughes, kindness, attention, and munificent liberality, which deserved the thanks of all true friends of the institution. With respect Nannerk Rectory, Flintshire. Clinical medicine (five guineas)—Mr. James V. Hughes, to the circumstances under which the Rev. Vice-principal Nannerk Rectory, Flintshire. came into residence in the College, it would perhaps be Clinical surgery (five guineas)-Mr. Peter H. Bird. recollected that the late Rev. Warden had resigned his office Dr. WRIGHT next presented the Smith French prize to for various reasons, in no way reflecting on his character, and that Mr. Chancellor Law then kindly offered to fulfil the Mr. James V. Hughes, and advocated the necessity of medical duties of that office until another gentleman should be men being acquainted with- foreign languages, in order to read appointed. At the present moment, he could not announce works of science in the original, innumerable mistakes ocany conclusive arrangements with respect to the entire curring in translations made by men incompetent to the task. management of the College; but the Council hoped they had EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ON THE ANIMAL FRAME.already done sufficient to claim a continuance of the good When alcohol is introduced into the circulation, its elements wishes of the friends of the establishment. He might, howwith of arterial and the globules, combine the blood; oxygen that no had taken in the alteration ever, say, place personnel of the institution. The same visitor, principal, vice-principal, becoming thereby deprived of this vivifying principle, no The animal becomes assume a florid red colour. professors, and other subordinate officers, still remained; and longer the only alteration that had been made was the appointment asphyxiated; and if the quantity of alcohol be large, it dies of Mr. Richards to the office of senior tutor, to whom was as speedily as if it had been plunged into an atmosphere intrusted the same duties as those discharged by the sub- deprived of oxygen. Carnivorous animals, as the dog, which warden. A mathematical tutor had been appointed, and a has a large stomach compared with the rest of the alimentary resident medical tutor also ; and lie had, moreover, the canal, are very easily affected by alcohol, and may be deby a moderate dose; for the liquid is rapidly absorbed, gratification of assuring them, that their munificent visitor, I stroyed Dr. Warneford, notwithstanding his advanced age, was in and is not carried beyond the duodenum. Herbivorous the enjoyment of good health and undiminished activity, and ’, rodentia, as rabbits, are, in like manner, easily killed by small still took the most lively interest in all that concerned the quantities of alcohol. Absorption takes place rapidly in the and alcohol is not found in the intestines. Graprosperity and welfare of the College. With respect to the stomach, birds, such as chickens, will bear comparatively junior department, the Council had arranged with the Rev. nivorous Mr. Wellstead to receive and take under his care such young larger doses of alcohol. The inner cavity of their stomachs is of limited extent, and the organ itself is formed of powerful gentlemen as might be intrusted by their guardians or parents muscles. When alcohol is injected, it is soon expelled from to the Council; and he could with confidence state that it would be the unceasing endeavour of the Council to combine this cavity, and is found in the intestines; it is thence carried the moral and religious culture of the students with the to the liver by the vena portæ, and only reaches the great mass of the circulation slowly. Fish will live at a tempepeculiar branches of science and of art in which they were rature of 41 degrees in which contains one halfwater, that so would convinced confer by doing they engaged, being of hundredth alcohol.—Dublin Medical Press, from the part the and set a students themselves, lasting benefits on good Renctus. example to the country.-The noble lord then presented the Comptes POOR-LAW GUARDIANS’ ESTIMATE OF MEDICAL prizes as follow :First medal, (anatomy,) Mr. C. W. Izod, Fladbury, Wor- SERVICES AND MEDICINES.—Mr. J. W. WORKMAN, of Reading, cestershire. supplies the following as "another instance of the little peFirst medal, (materia medica,) Mr. Samuel Hughes, Dudley. cuniary value put on the services of a union medical officer." Second medal, (materia medica,) Mr. George Peat Dunn, He adds, "II may say I have tried to do my duty to the Ledbury. guardians and to the poor, and it is a satisfaction to have the First medal, (chemistry,) Mr. Thomas Whittall, Leamington. testimony of the Board that my services have been efficient." Mr. Workman, on September 7th, thus addressed the guardians Second medal, (chemistry,) Mr. R. Thomason, Shiffnall. First medal, (medicine,) Mr. A. H. Paterson, Stourbridge. of the Workingham Union :" First medal, (surgery,) Mr. P. H. Bird, London. Gentlemen,-I have now attended the Shinfield District B. of Mr. G. First medal, (midwifery,) Masfen, Stafford. your Union for nearly one year and three-quarters. From First medal, (botany,) Mr. Samuel Hughes, Dudley. calculations, I find that I travel nearly 1000 miles during the First medal, (forensic medicine,) Mr. A. H. Paterson, quarter, and supply medicines &c. to an average of 1TOcases; and my labours are rather on the increase during the present Stourbridge. Certificates from Demonstrators.—Mr. C. W. Izod, Nuneaton ; quarter. The remuneration I receive is 73l. per annum for Mr. Nason, Nuneaton; and Mr. Hodges, Ludlow. the above work. Do you think it at all adequate to it ? IndeThe Rev. J. C. MILLER, Rector of St. Martin’s, rose to pre- pendently of my own time, and the partial employment of an sent the two gold medals, which, he said, he was enabled to do assistant to compound medicines for the poor, my expenses from the munificent endowment of Dr. Warneford. The first incidental to the Union amounted during the past year to he had the pleasure to present to Mr. Oliver Pemberton, ofconsiderably more than 1001. I have tried to do my duty to Birmingham, the successful candidate; and the second, to Mr. the poor; but is it possible for me to go on ? I can hardly G. B. Masfen, of Stafford. The prize subject for the year conceive that a body of gentlemen would wish 1846 was the Anatomy and Physiology of the Larynx; and the their medical officer to be out of pocket by his attendance. instruction of the donor, in reference to this prize, was" The If I have anything like a remunerating allowance, I have no interest of £1000 to be applied for the institution of two’ wish to give up the Union, but if you decide on continuing the prizes, either in equal or unequal amount, as may seem to the present salary, I at once tender my resignation." trustees most likely to advance the great ends in view, whichL To this the clerk to the guardians replied, that the Board are, to combine religious with scientific studies and pursuits;;would take the subject into consideration, being most unwilling. to make medical and surgical students good Christians, as welll to be deprived of his services, as they had every reason to be as able practitioners in medicine and surgery. The composi-satisfied with the attention he had bestowed on the poor. But tions written for these prizes to be of a religious as well as a6on September 17th, the clerk wrote as follows :=At the
the
,
,
.
’
respectable
520 Minor Surgery; or, Hints on the Every-day Duties of the Surgeon. By Henry H. Smith, M.D., Lecturer on Minor Surgery, Fellow of the College of Physicians, Member of the Philadelphia Medical Society, &c. Philadelphia, 1843: Edward Barrington and George D. Haswell. The Pathological Anatomy of the Human Body. By Julius M.D., Giessen. Translated from the German by G. E. Vogel, with the name and We be to *** supplied professional Day, M.A. beg & L.B., Cantab., &c. London, 1846: Bailliere. history of the successor who has agreed to travel 4000 miles, 8vo, pp. 586. With Plates. and attend and furnish medicines to 680 sick paupers per Elements of Chemistry. Part I. Second Edition, revised and enlarged by Professor Graham, F.R.S., &c. London, 1846: annum, for 73l.—ED. L. MANCHESTER MEDICAL SOCIETY. The following Bailliere. 8vo. Seventh Annual Report of the Registrar General. 1845. elected were office-bearers of the Society for lately gentlemen The Physiology of Cells. By T. Williams, M.D. Pamphlet. the ensuing session:-President: Dr. J. L. Bardsley.- Vice-PreOn the Correlation of Physical Forces, &c. By W. R. sidents : Dr. Black and Mr. Noble; Mr. Hunt and Dr. Radford. -Councillors: Messrs. Crompton, Dorrington, Brownbill, Ker, Grove, M.A. London, 1846: Highley. Pamphlet. Lectures and Observations on Clinical Surgery. By Andrew Franklin, Middleton, Southam, Bent, Goodman, Golland, W. and Surgeon to Jervis-street Hospital. Smith, and Dr. Lambert.—Treasurer: Dr. Ashton.—Honorary Ellis, F.R.C.S.L, Librarian : Mr. Stone.—Honorary Secretaries: Drs. Renaud Dublin, Fannin and Co.; London, Longman and Co.; Edinburgh, Maclachlan and Stewart. 1846. pp. 275. and Reid. The Stars and the Earth; or, Thoughts upon Space, Time, To the Editor.-Sir :You ask " What will the and Eternity. London, 1846: H. Bailliere. pp. 48. Time Tables, on a New and Simplified Plan, &c. By Thomas Marquis do?" The answer is easy; he will remain president another year, but no longer: he will neither execute nor see Reader. London, 1846: Longman and Co. Small 8vo.—*** This, to the execution of the statutes of the Society: he will permit which has reached us, is anything but a medical book; but in the regulations of Queen Victoria to be violated, and then vow so far as it spares mercantile men a great deal of mental that the offence will not be repeated: he will check no irre- labour, and helps thereby to avert some of the evils traceable gularities, nor keep any person in order, but encourage the to an overstrained intellect, we deem that we may notice it, disorderly. As heretofore, his lordship will attend no com- and give it a due meed of approbation. Carefully prepared mittees, but he will be ready to adopt the recommendations tables like these are a boon to those who have habitually to of committees which he knows to be illegally constituted. task the brain in arithmetical calculations, and who, with Finally, the Marquis will provide tea, coffee, compliments, others, will do well to husband their mental vigour as much and cakes, for the Fellows. as possible in this age of impetuous advancement, when the F. R. S.
meeting on Tuesday last, the Board did not feel justified in increasing the present salary; at the same time, I was directed to express their regret that the Union would be deprived of your efficient services. It is understood that you will resign your duties on the 8th of October next, thirty days from the day on which your letter was read to the Board."
-
Athenseum Ciub.
mind is
A NEW WATER-DEATH.-We learn from
a
so
much taxed at the expense of the
body.
hydro-
pathic patient now in Silesia, under Preissnitz, that a new sect APOTHECARIES’ HALL. LONDON. has sprung up in that district, which adopts a system directly Names of Gentlemen who passed their Examination, and received Certiopposite to that of the great hydropathist of Grafenberg. ficates to practise, on Thursday, October 29th, 1846 :-William Knowles, The new party, instead of giving the copious libations of cold Yorkshire; John Gardiner; John Barrow, Kegworth, Leicesterwater prescribed in the original system, recommend a total Batley,Edward Henry Chalk, Shilbottle, Northumberland. abstinence from the drinking of water, and effect their cure by long-continued thirst! They so far follow Preissnitz as to CORRESPONDENTS. keep their patients, for a series of hours each day, wrapt in wet blankets or cloths; but the patients are rigidly restrained G. H. S. should address his question, personally, to some medical gentlefrom the drinking of water, and are restricted in their diet to man who has given his attention to the class of diseases which he names. such a few slices of stale bread daily as they can swallow with He may be wrong in the name which he assigns to the disease. The appli. out drink. On two days of each week only, they are allowed cation in question will not injure the hair. a cup of soup and a small piece of animal meat, and they are We do not express opinions in this place on such questions as those put kept on that routine for many weeks. The consequence of to us by Mr. D. Lake. this treatment is, that patients of the most robust habit are To the Editor.—SIR: : ° Doctor Daniel Carr, of 64, St. Paul’s Square, Birsoon reduced to skeletons. In a few desperate cases, it is said mingham," so ignobly mentioned in your number for October 24th, was, that the new treatment effects a change of system that is for until within the last few months, a schoolmaster at Fakenham, in Norfolk. the time beneficial, whilst in most other instances it is fatal to The pedagogue, probably thinking that a prophet hath no honour in his own the invalids.—Scotsman. country, has removed his operations to Birmingham, and assumed the title PROFESSIONAL ETIQUETTE.— To the -Editor.-Sir: of Doctor. Thus are the profession and the public impudently served. VERAX. Yours, very truly, On reading the letter of Mr. Wigan, of Somerset-street, in Norwich, October 25th, 1846. THE LANCET of Oct. 10th, complaining of the conduct of Dr. G. X. Y. Z.-The conduct of the party in suspicious, but it is Gregory, I was forcibly reminded of an instance of the very very difficult to decide in such a case. question looks opposite behaviour of that highly respected physician, the late The letter received from Messrs. T. H. Smith, of Duke-street, EdinDr. Babington. Some years ago, Dr. Babington was called to burgh, and dated the 28th of July, was not acknowledged in consequence of a most Mr. solicitor in attend W., respectable residing its having been mislaid. The omission was owing entirely to that accident. Lincoln’s-inn-fields, who was suffering from obstruction in the It would be useless now to publish the letter, nor do weat all agree in the bowels. He inquired who was Mr. W.’s medical attendant. opinions which the Messrs. T. & H. Smith have expressed. Mr. W. replied that he had none, but that he knew Mr. H., An Old Subscriber, (Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow.)of Holborn. " Then," said Dr. Babington, " send for Mr. H. Such qualifications on the part of a Scotch graduate are offences not to be to meet me in consultation;" and I attended with Dr. Babing- forgiven by the amiable Society of Apothecaries. As an Old Subscriber is a ton during the continuance of our patient’s illness. Contrast highly educated Scotch graduate, the Society would not only prosecute him, the conduct of the two physicians, and if the heads of our but hang him, if they could; but their impotence and malignity are now profession, as they are called, desire the respect of the general about equal. In the mock-liberal Association in Regent-street, all the practitioner, let them follow the example of Dr. Babington.- Scotch and Irish practitioners were free to be enrolled, the Court of ExaI remain, Sir, your most obedient servant, W. H. miners of the Apothecaries’ Society being the chief members of the ccmmittee of that Association. But when it is proposed to give the Scotch and
shire ;
BOOKS RECEIVED FOR REVIEW. Manual of Operative Surgery, based on Normal and Pathological Anatomy. By J. F. Malgaigne, Professor Agrege de de laFaculté de Médecine de Paris, Chirurgien de Lauraine, Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur, et de Mérite Miiiteure de Pologne, &c. Translated from the French by Frederick Brittan, A.B., M.D., M.R.C.S.L. London, 1846: Henry Renshaw, 356, Strand. An Essay on the Tongue. By Edward Williams. Second Edition. London, 1846: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. 8vo;
l’Hôpital
pp. 236.
Irish practitioners the real advantage of an enrolment under a Medical Registration Bill, then these pretended medical reformers immediately display their cloven feet. In their opposition to the Medical Registration Bill, the Society of Apothecaries have more effectually unmasked themselves, than they were ever before exposed. The greatest dolt in existence cannot now be blind to the object of the Society. Communications have been received from-Dr. H. Rowe, (Twickenham,) with Guernsey Comet newspaper; Anti-Quackery Secundus; A. 0.; An Old Subscriber; Dr. W. Wood Bradshaw, [Reading;) Agricola; M.R.C.S.E., &c. ; H. J. H., (Bury;) AWelchman; Anti-Humbug; Mr. Jackson, (Hull,) with the Report of the Lincoln Asylum; Mr. George Redford; Dr. E. Williams; G. H. S.; Suggestor; M. R. C. S. ; Mr. John Parkin, (Hemel Senex. (Birmingham;) An Army Surgeon; Dr. A. G. Hull, (London;) and Mr. F. H. Brett.
Hempstead;
given, there is
passed colloq.
very graphically described, the impanelling of the jury of mesmerists and anti-mesmerists; the formation of the " Cupar-Mesmeric-Phenomena-Investigation-Association," &c.; the sudden conversion to mesmeric belief of a physician The last being the principal event which of Cupar, &c. occurred during the conclave, we must find room for the sidency.—Indian News, Oct. 27th. extract giving its history, so far as known to the historian. " Up till this date Dr. Mackie had fought the battle of the unbelievers. We left for a few minutes, tired with the silliMEDICAL NEWS. At that time the doctor’s whole ness of the proceedings. FACTS, NOTICES, AND REMARKS. heart appeared to be still as hard as the nether millstone. NEW METHOD OF TREATING A MEDICAL RIVAL.- On returning, however, towards the hall in less than half an We recommend the following to gentlemen who are not over- hour, we heard the shouts of rejoicing; and on getting in, we found that it was the mesmerists rejoicing over the conversion .scrupulous in their dealings towards those who cross their of Dr. Mackie-the reverend chairman crowing like the best to or their It paths, presume dispute professional supremacy. of them. We learned that the turning point in the fate of is not, perhaps, so safe as the nod-and-wink plan, or the Richard had his eyes looking pretty solemn and confidential communication of plausible folk, but mesmerism here was this: shut-like, and yet was able to hit Mr. Thomas Brown, shoeit is more off hand:on the head with a draft-man. On this, light flashed " The following case is reported in the Gazette Médicale to maker, on the doctor’s mind, and he candidly admitted that he had have occurred recently at Bethune, in France:-A medical been in error, that he was now convinced that mesmerism was man, newly arrived in a neighbourhood where therewas and would do all in his power for the promotion of the already a highly-esteemed practitioner in good practice, com- true, of it." menced his career by endeavouring to injure the reputation of study then, is the kind of evidence which leads to a belief this gentleman, resorting to the basest calumnies in order to in Such, this system of imposture ! We fully agree with the editor .attain his object. Finding that his efforts to bring M. Bacque- of the Journal, that " while there may be little occaville, the practitioner referred to, into disrepute, had com- sion forFifeshire zeal in crushing harmless falsehoods, there ought to be a pletely failed, he at length spread a report that lady of some energy in putting down lies, which have proved to be high rank had been clandestinely delivered by this gentleman, productive of great injury to society;" and truly, none can be and that the child had been made away with! When this more calculated to produce public injury than the monstrous in report was fairly circulation, the calumniator proceeded to a lie of Mesmerism. cemetery, disinterred a child, and threw it into a privy on the CHOLERA: MEDICAL SOCIETIES.—TO the Editor. premises of M. Bacqueville; he then addressed a letter to the authorities, accusing M. Bacqueville of having murdered - Sir : In your report of the meeting (Sept. 4th) of the " Western Medical and Surgical Association," one of the a child, and pointed out the place where the body would be found. Accordingly, the premises of M. Bacqueville were speakers is made to assert that "he had attended three hunsearched, the body of a child discovered, and that gentleman dred cases of Asiatic cholera, and had not lost one patient from the disease." The term " Asiatic cholera" should, I was taken to prison, where he remained confined for a con. siderable time. He was at length liberated on account of think, be confined to those well-marked instances where the there being no evidence against him. From some cause or bile is absent, or almost completely so, from the stools. It other, shortly after this, the scandalous proceeding was dis- surely never was meant that out of three hundred such cases covered, and public indignation being roused, the man was the doctor never lost one! I have seen cholera, both in brought before the authorities, and charged with an offence England and Asia, but am sorry to acknowledge that my own He was found experience, and that of many friends practising in India, has contra bonos mores, in disinterring a body . guilty, and sentenced to a year’s imprisonment, and a fine of been far more discouraging. A disease which does not destroy one patient out of three hundred is not to be dreaded by a 3000 francs, (£120.)"—Dublin Medical Press. medical man. I take this opportunity of offering you my PAYMENT OF MEDICAL WITNESSES.—The assizes, sincere thanks for censure, in THE LANCET of the which lately terminated generally through the country, afford 10th inst., of Mr. your graveadvocacy of secret debates. The Woolley’s the following good example reported in the Cork Constitution use of the "Western Medical and Surgical Association," and of August 4, 1846:" His lordship (Judge Jackson) said he similar to excite emulation in all ranks of our societies, is, had received a memorial from Dr. Barry of Kanturk, on profession, and, by discussion, to elicit for the benefit of all the subject of remuneration to medical witnesses for their at- the experience of the many. What with quackery and secrecy, tendance at assizes. In reply, he would say, that on the one would suppose the dark ages were about to r eturn.-I am, Leinster circuit, Baron Pennefather ordered a physician reSir, respectfully yours, W. M. P., M.R.c.s. siding in the country two guineas a day while in attendance October, 1846. at the assizes, and Mr. Serjeant Stock had made the same deQUEEN’S COLLEGE, BIRMINGHAM.—The annual discision in Limerick. He therefore would direct that Dr. of the prizes to the successful students of the Queen’s tribution should receive two a a Barry guineas day." It is new feature to have the public functionaries thus acknowledging that the College took place at a recent date, in the theatre of that .services rendered by medical men to the crown should receive institution, the Principal, the Right Hon. Lord Lyttelton, in reasonable compensation; and I am happy to say that most, the chair. There were also present-Richard Spooner, Esq., perhaps all, of the medical men who were summoned to the M.P. ; the Rev. and Worshipful Chancellor Law, Vice-prinlate Cork assizes, on behalf of the crown, were treated with cipal ; W. S. Cox, Esq., Dean of the Faculty; the Rev. George One gentleman, who Richards, Chaplain of the College; Professors J. B. Davies, .some measure of politeness and justice. for many years had been summoned before the judges of G. B. Knowles, Langston Parker, and Wright; J. E. Piercy, Webster, and B. D. Webster, Esqrs.; the Revds. assize, and ofttimes had been detained from home for from Joseph ten to fourteen days, and who hitherto had never received J. C. Miller, G. S. Bull, C. Craven, and H. Pixell; Messrs. D. Barnett, J. Taylor, G. Macaulay, H. Seymour, F. Grant, and more than five pounds for his attendance, on the last occasion, much to his amazement, was respectfully presented with Dr. Annesley, and several other gentleman, with a few ladies. - Letters of apology for unavoidable absence were read from twenty guineas. the Earl of Bradford, Lord Brooke, Viscounts Lifford, FRAUDS OF MESMERISM.—A very amusing account Guernsey, and Lewisham, G. F. Muntz, Esq., M.P., the of what may be called a " Mesmeric Festival" at Cupar- Mayor, the High and Low Bailiffs, the Rev. Dr. Buckland, a "Grand Mesmeric Week in the language of the editor, is the Hon. and Rev. G. M. Yorke, and James Taylor, Esq. recorded in the Fifeshire Journal, for Oct. lst. We can The Rev. Vaughan Thomas was compelled to return to Oxford make no extract from a report occupying five newspaper on important business. The right hon. the Principal commenced the business of columns, which would convey any idea of the raciness and sustained interest with which the whole matter is related,, the day by stating the object of the meeting, which was, to and readers who may wish an hour’s excellent entertainment,, distribute rewards of merit obtained by the students in the -at the expense of this system of profligate deceit and quackery,, medical college. No doubt a large proportion of the company should obtain, each for himself (if he can), a copy of the Fife- had been present at the first meeting of the kind, which took .shire Journal, of the above date. What chiefly characterizecL place in the Town Hall last year. He had the honour to the proceedings was, the determination of the Cupar populace preside at that meeting, and took occasion then to go at some to believe, on the shallowest possible trial, in the tricks ancL length into the details of the system by which the school was falsehoods of the charlatan exhibitor; and in the account proposed to be regulated. He did not now intend to go over vate affairs for two
’
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519 the same ground, or enter into the general topics connected scientific nature; the subject to be taken out of any branch of with the subject; but he would briefly state that which had anatomical, physiological, or pathological science, and to be since taken place in consequence of the system laid down by handled in a practical or professional manner, and according the Council of the College, and also the present position and to those evidences of facts and phenomena which anatomy, future prospects of the College. The outline then laid down physiology, and pathology, so abundantly supply; but always, had been in the main adhered to; but there was one important and especially, with a view to exemplify and set forth, by improvement which he believed it his duty to allude to, and instance and example, the wisdom, power, and goodness of that was, the formation of a juvenile and preparatory class as God, as revealed and declared in Holy Writ:’-The rev. gentleman proceeded to state that he had taken part in the proan integral portion of that institution; and that portion, as well as every other, he felt happy to say, had been attended ceedings of that day with the greatest pleasure, as he conceived with the most gratifying results. Having been appointed to it to be the duty of every minister of the Gospel to christianize an onerous office under Government, which required his education, and said he trusted that by the system adopted in personal attendance in London, he had been unable during that College, the imputation would never attach to them the past year to give to the affairs of the institution all the - namely, that to be a medical student was to be a dissipated, attention he wished and they required; but he rejoiced to say dangerous, and reckless character.—Mr. Miller then presented that his place had been more than supplied by the Vice- the medals. Joseph Webster, Esq., and John Piercy, Esq., presented principal, the Rev. Chancellor Law, who had brought to the discharge of his important duties an amount of assiduity, following prizes:The Jephson prize (twenty guineas)—Mr. James V. Hughes, kindness, attention, and munificent liberality, which deserved the thanks of all true friends of the institution. With respect Nannerk Rectory, Flintshire. Clinical medicine (five guineas)—Mr. James V. Hughes, to the circumstances under which the Rev. Vice-principal Nannerk Rectory, Flintshire. came into residence in the College, it would perhaps be Clinical surgery (five guineas)-Mr. Peter H. Bird. recollected that the late Rev. Warden had resigned his office Dr. WRIGHT next presented the Smith French prize to for various reasons, in no way reflecting on his character, and that Mr. Chancellor Law then kindly offered to fulfil the Mr. James V. Hughes, and advocated the necessity of medical duties of that office until another gentleman should be men being acquainted with- foreign languages, in order to read appointed. At the present moment, he could not announce works of science in the original, innumerable mistakes ocany conclusive arrangements with respect to the entire curring in translations made by men incompetent to the task. management of the College; but the Council hoped they had EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ON THE ANIMAL FRAME.already done sufficient to claim a continuance of the good When alcohol is introduced into the circulation, its elements wishes of the friends of the establishment. He might, howwith of arterial and the globules, combine the blood; oxygen that no had taken in the alteration ever, say, place personnel of the institution. The same visitor, principal, vice-principal, becoming thereby deprived of this vivifying principle, no The animal becomes assume a florid red colour. professors, and other subordinate officers, still remained; and longer the only alteration that had been made was the appointment asphyxiated; and if the quantity of alcohol be large, it dies of Mr. Richards to the office of senior tutor, to whom was as speedily as if it had been plunged into an atmosphere intrusted the same duties as those discharged by the sub- deprived of oxygen. Carnivorous animals, as the dog, which warden. A mathematical tutor had been appointed, and a has a large stomach compared with the rest of the alimentary resident medical tutor also ; and lie had, moreover, the canal, are very easily affected by alcohol, and may be deby a moderate dose; for the liquid is rapidly absorbed, gratification of assuring them, that their munificent visitor, I stroyed Dr. Warneford, notwithstanding his advanced age, was in and is not carried beyond the duodenum. Herbivorous the enjoyment of good health and undiminished activity, and ’, rodentia, as rabbits, are, in like manner, easily killed by small still took the most lively interest in all that concerned the quantities of alcohol. Absorption takes place rapidly in the and alcohol is not found in the intestines. Graprosperity and welfare of the College. With respect to the stomach, birds, such as chickens, will bear comparatively junior department, the Council had arranged with the Rev. nivorous Mr. Wellstead to receive and take under his care such young larger doses of alcohol. The inner cavity of their stomachs is of limited extent, and the organ itself is formed of powerful gentlemen as might be intrusted by their guardians or parents muscles. When alcohol is injected, it is soon expelled from to the Council; and he could with confidence state that it would be the unceasing endeavour of the Council to combine this cavity, and is found in the intestines; it is thence carried the moral and religious culture of the students with the to the liver by the vena portæ, and only reaches the great mass of the circulation slowly. Fish will live at a tempepeculiar branches of science and of art in which they were rature of 41 degrees in which contains one halfwater, that so would convinced confer by doing they engaged, being of hundredth alcohol.—Dublin Medical Press, from the part the and set a students themselves, lasting benefits on good Renctus. example to the country.-The noble lord then presented the Comptes POOR-LAW GUARDIANS’ ESTIMATE OF MEDICAL prizes as follow :First medal, (anatomy,) Mr. C. W. Izod, Fladbury, Wor- SERVICES AND MEDICINES.—Mr. J. W. WORKMAN, of Reading, cestershire. supplies the following as "another instance of the little peFirst medal, (materia medica,) Mr. Samuel Hughes, Dudley. cuniary value put on the services of a union medical officer." Second medal, (materia medica,) Mr. George Peat Dunn, He adds, "II may say I have tried to do my duty to the Ledbury. guardians and to the poor, and it is a satisfaction to have the First medal, (chemistry,) Mr. Thomas Whittall, Leamington. testimony of the Board that my services have been efficient." Mr. Workman, on September 7th, thus addressed the guardians Second medal, (chemistry,) Mr. R. Thomason, Shiffnall. First medal, (medicine,) Mr. A. H. Paterson, Stourbridge. of the Workingham Union :" First medal, (surgery,) Mr. P. H. Bird, London. Gentlemen,-I have now attended the Shinfield District B. of Mr. G. First medal, (midwifery,) Masfen, Stafford. your Union for nearly one year and three-quarters. From First medal, (botany,) Mr. Samuel Hughes, Dudley. calculations, I find that I travel nearly 1000 miles during the First medal, (forensic medicine,) Mr. A. H. Paterson, quarter, and supply medicines &c. to an average of 1TOcases; and my labours are rather on the increase during the present Stourbridge. Certificates from Demonstrators.—Mr. C. W. Izod, Nuneaton ; quarter. The remuneration I receive is 73l. per annum for Mr. Nason, Nuneaton; and Mr. Hodges, Ludlow. the above work. Do you think it at all adequate to it ? IndeThe Rev. J. C. MILLER, Rector of St. Martin’s, rose to pre- pendently of my own time, and the partial employment of an sent the two gold medals, which, he said, he was enabled to do assistant to compound medicines for the poor, my expenses from the munificent endowment of Dr. Warneford. The first incidental to the Union amounted during the past year to he had the pleasure to present to Mr. Oliver Pemberton, ofconsiderably more than 1001. I have tried to do my duty to Birmingham, the successful candidate; and the second, to Mr. the poor; but is it possible for me to go on ? I can hardly G. B. Masfen, of Stafford. The prize subject for the year conceive that a body of gentlemen would wish 1846 was the Anatomy and Physiology of the Larynx; and the their medical officer to be out of pocket by his attendance. instruction of the donor, in reference to this prize, was" The If I have anything like a remunerating allowance, I have no interest of £1000 to be applied for the institution of two’ wish to give up the Union, but if you decide on continuing the prizes, either in equal or unequal amount, as may seem to the present salary, I at once tender my resignation." trustees most likely to advance the great ends in view, whichL To this the clerk to the guardians replied, that the Board are, to combine religious with scientific studies and pursuits;;would take the subject into consideration, being most unwilling. to make medical and surgical students good Christians, as welll to be deprived of his services, as they had every reason to be as able practitioners in medicine and surgery. The composi-satisfied with the attention he had bestowed on the poor. But tions written for these prizes to be of a religious as well as a6on September 17th, the clerk wrote as follows :=At the
the
,
,
.
’
respectable
520 Minor Surgery; or, Hints on the Every-day Duties of the Surgeon. By Henry H. Smith, M.D., Lecturer on Minor Surgery, Fellow of the College of Physicians, Member of the Philadelphia Medical Society, &c. Philadelphia, 1843: Edward Barrington and George D. Haswell. The Pathological Anatomy of the Human Body. By Julius M.D., Giessen. Translated from the German by G. E. Vogel, with the name and We be to *** supplied professional Day, M.A. beg & L.B., Cantab., &c. London, 1846: Bailliere. history of the successor who has agreed to travel 4000 miles, 8vo, pp. 586. With Plates. and attend and furnish medicines to 680 sick paupers per Elements of Chemistry. Part I. Second Edition, revised and enlarged by Professor Graham, F.R.S., &c. London, 1846: annum, for 73l.—ED. L. MANCHESTER MEDICAL SOCIETY. The following Bailliere. 8vo. Seventh Annual Report of the Registrar General. 1845. elected were office-bearers of the Society for lately gentlemen The Physiology of Cells. By T. Williams, M.D. Pamphlet. the ensuing session:-President: Dr. J. L. Bardsley.- Vice-PreOn the Correlation of Physical Forces, &c. By W. R. sidents : Dr. Black and Mr. Noble; Mr. Hunt and Dr. Radford. -Councillors: Messrs. Crompton, Dorrington, Brownbill, Ker, Grove, M.A. London, 1846: Highley. Pamphlet. Lectures and Observations on Clinical Surgery. By Andrew Franklin, Middleton, Southam, Bent, Goodman, Golland, W. and Surgeon to Jervis-street Hospital. Smith, and Dr. Lambert.—Treasurer: Dr. Ashton.—Honorary Ellis, F.R.C.S.L, Librarian : Mr. Stone.—Honorary Secretaries: Drs. Renaud Dublin, Fannin and Co.; London, Longman and Co.; Edinburgh, Maclachlan and Stewart. 1846. pp. 275. and Reid. The Stars and the Earth; or, Thoughts upon Space, Time, To the Editor.-Sir :You ask " What will the and Eternity. London, 1846: H. Bailliere. pp. 48. Time Tables, on a New and Simplified Plan, &c. By Thomas Marquis do?" The answer is easy; he will remain president another year, but no longer: he will neither execute nor see Reader. London, 1846: Longman and Co. Small 8vo.—*** This, to the execution of the statutes of the Society: he will permit which has reached us, is anything but a medical book; but in the regulations of Queen Victoria to be violated, and then vow so far as it spares mercantile men a great deal of mental that the offence will not be repeated: he will check no irre- labour, and helps thereby to avert some of the evils traceable gularities, nor keep any person in order, but encourage the to an overstrained intellect, we deem that we may notice it, disorderly. As heretofore, his lordship will attend no com- and give it a due meed of approbation. Carefully prepared mittees, but he will be ready to adopt the recommendations tables like these are a boon to those who have habitually to of committees which he knows to be illegally constituted. task the brain in arithmetical calculations, and who, with Finally, the Marquis will provide tea, coffee, compliments, others, will do well to husband their mental vigour as much and cakes, for the Fellows. as possible in this age of impetuous advancement, when the F. R. S.
meeting on Tuesday last, the Board did not feel justified in increasing the present salary; at the same time, I was directed to express their regret that the Union would be deprived of your efficient services. It is understood that you will resign your duties on the 8th of October next, thirty days from the day on which your letter was read to the Board."
-
Athenseum Ciub.
mind is
A NEW WATER-DEATH.-We learn from
a
so
much taxed at the expense of the
body.
hydro-
pathic patient now in Silesia, under Preissnitz, that a new sect APOTHECARIES’ HALL. LONDON. has sprung up in that district, which adopts a system directly Names of Gentlemen who passed their Examination, and received Certiopposite to that of the great hydropathist of Grafenberg. ficates to practise, on Thursday, October 29th, 1846 :-William Knowles, The new party, instead of giving the copious libations of cold Yorkshire; John Gardiner; John Barrow, Kegworth, Leicesterwater prescribed in the original system, recommend a total Batley,Edward Henry Chalk, Shilbottle, Northumberland. abstinence from the drinking of water, and effect their cure by long-continued thirst! They so far follow Preissnitz as to CORRESPONDENTS. keep their patients, for a series of hours each day, wrapt in wet blankets or cloths; but the patients are rigidly restrained G. H. S. should address his question, personally, to some medical gentlefrom the drinking of water, and are restricted in their diet to man who has given his attention to the class of diseases which he names. such a few slices of stale bread daily as they can swallow with He may be wrong in the name which he assigns to the disease. The appli. out drink. On two days of each week only, they are allowed cation in question will not injure the hair. a cup of soup and a small piece of animal meat, and they are We do not express opinions in this place on such questions as those put kept on that routine for many weeks. The consequence of to us by Mr. D. Lake. this treatment is, that patients of the most robust habit are To the Editor.—SIR: : ° Doctor Daniel Carr, of 64, St. Paul’s Square, Birsoon reduced to skeletons. In a few desperate cases, it is said mingham," so ignobly mentioned in your number for October 24th, was, that the new treatment effects a change of system that is for until within the last few months, a schoolmaster at Fakenham, in Norfolk. the time beneficial, whilst in most other instances it is fatal to The pedagogue, probably thinking that a prophet hath no honour in his own the invalids.—Scotsman. country, has removed his operations to Birmingham, and assumed the title PROFESSIONAL ETIQUETTE.— To the -Editor.-Sir: of Doctor. Thus are the profession and the public impudently served. VERAX. Yours, very truly, On reading the letter of Mr. Wigan, of Somerset-street, in Norwich, October 25th, 1846. THE LANCET of Oct. 10th, complaining of the conduct of Dr. G. X. Y. Z.-The conduct of the party in suspicious, but it is Gregory, I was forcibly reminded of an instance of the very very difficult to decide in such a case. question looks opposite behaviour of that highly respected physician, the late The letter received from Messrs. T. H. Smith, of Duke-street, EdinDr. Babington. Some years ago, Dr. Babington was called to burgh, and dated the 28th of July, was not acknowledged in consequence of a most Mr. solicitor in attend W., respectable residing its having been mislaid. The omission was owing entirely to that accident. Lincoln’s-inn-fields, who was suffering from obstruction in the It would be useless now to publish the letter, nor do weat all agree in the bowels. He inquired who was Mr. W.’s medical attendant. opinions which the Messrs. T. & H. Smith have expressed. Mr. W. replied that he had none, but that he knew Mr. H., An Old Subscriber, (Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow.)of Holborn. " Then," said Dr. Babington, " send for Mr. H. Such qualifications on the part of a Scotch graduate are offences not to be to meet me in consultation;" and I attended with Dr. Babing- forgiven by the amiable Society of Apothecaries. As an Old Subscriber is a ton during the continuance of our patient’s illness. Contrast highly educated Scotch graduate, the Society would not only prosecute him, the conduct of the two physicians, and if the heads of our but hang him, if they could; but their impotence and malignity are now profession, as they are called, desire the respect of the general about equal. In the mock-liberal Association in Regent-street, all the practitioner, let them follow the example of Dr. Babington.- Scotch and Irish practitioners were free to be enrolled, the Court of ExaI remain, Sir, your most obedient servant, W. H. miners of the Apothecaries’ Society being the chief members of the ccmmittee of that Association. But when it is proposed to give the Scotch and
shire ;
BOOKS RECEIVED FOR REVIEW. Manual of Operative Surgery, based on Normal and Pathological Anatomy. By J. F. Malgaigne, Professor Agrege de de laFaculté de Médecine de Paris, Chirurgien de Lauraine, Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur, et de Mérite Miiiteure de Pologne, &c. Translated from the French by Frederick Brittan, A.B., M.D., M.R.C.S.L. London, 1846: Henry Renshaw, 356, Strand. An Essay on the Tongue. By Edward Williams. Second Edition. London, 1846: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. 8vo;
l’Hôpital
pp. 236.
Irish practitioners the real advantage of an enrolment under a Medical Registration Bill, then these pretended medical reformers immediately display their cloven feet. In their opposition to the Medical Registration Bill, the Society of Apothecaries have more effectually unmasked themselves, than they were ever before exposed. The greatest dolt in existence cannot now be blind to the object of the Society. Communications have been received from-Dr. H. Rowe, (Twickenham,) with Guernsey Comet newspaper; Anti-Quackery Secundus; A. 0.; An Old Subscriber; Dr. W. Wood Bradshaw, [Reading;) Agricola; M.R.C.S.E., &c. ; H. J. H., (Bury;) AWelchman; Anti-Humbug; Mr. Jackson, (Hull,) with the Report of the Lincoln Asylum; Mr. George Redford; Dr. E. Williams; G. H. S.; Suggestor; M. R. C. S. ; Mr. John Parkin, (Hemel Senex. (Birmingham;) An Army Surgeon; Dr. A. G. Hull, (London;) and Mr. F. H. Brett.
Hempstead;