FACTS, NOTICES, AND REMARKS.

547 EAST INDIA MEDICAL INTELLIGENCE. ASSIST.-SURG. Sylvester is doing duty in the Indian navy.Surg. D. Buddo allowed a furlough to Europe for three years. Cholera has reached Ceylon, and by the last account was raging so much in the central province, that the judge had deemed it necessary to adjourn the sessions of the Supreme Court from Kandy to Colombo. Mr. Laing, deputy-postmaster of Kandy, was attacked, among others, on the 9th of September, and died in a few hours; several men of the 95th regiment had also died of cholera. Sickness was rife at Colombo about the same period, dysentery in a severe form being prevalent. The death of Mr. Solomon Ferdinands is announced, an old respectable member of the Burgher community at Kandy. The deceased was in early life attached to the Colonial Medical Department ; he quitted it in 1812, and entered on an extensive private practice, from which he retired only a few years ago. Dr. Ferdinands held high testimonials the various European surgeons with whom he had acted. from LEAVE OF ABSENCE.-The Indian News, copying the Star, comments, with objection, on the leaves of absence, whether on private affairs or medical certificate, being restricted within the limits of the East India Company’s charter°."With regard to sick leave: it may granted for twelve months, half the salary to be drawn-again very liberal-but the invalid must not transgress the limits. His native air might set him up in three months, but he must travel in search of a climate, anywhere within the limits he pleases, so that

stood; and persevering for several hours in the most lament able maltreatment, she left her unfortunate patient, about twelve o’clock, still unrelieved, without calling in or suggest ing the propriety of further aid. The consequences were fatal to the deceased, whose sufferings were terminated by death at the dawn of the following day. The details of the case, as elicited by the evidence, left no doubt that the life of the deceased had been sacrificed to the gross ignorance of the midwife, and her still more gross neglect to call in medical assistance when the case had evidently baffled her own ability. The result, therefore, was a verdict of "manslaughter" against Mrs. North, who was immediately committed for trial, Hampshire Advertiser, Oct. 10th. MEDICAL CERTIFICATES

’

he is back in twelve months. The sick man who would feel it some alleviation of his sufferings, and some recompence for the loss to his family entailed by illness, that he could go and be nursed by those dearest to him, or revisit his native land in case he might see it no more, blessed with health and fortune, is compelled to cast his lot among strangers at the Cape, or the Straits, or China, or New South Wales. This is inconsiderate, if not unjust; and we sincerely trust that these rules for the uncovenanted service have been merely republished in their present form, with regard to absence on leave, because the question is, generally, before the home government."—Star, August 10th.

MEDICAL NEWS, FACTS, NOTICES, AND REMARKS. An inMIDWIVES’ MIDWIFERY. WINCHESTER. .quest was held by Mr. Todd, in this city, on Saturday, Oct. 3rd, -

RELATING TO

ILLNESS

AND

DEATHS.—The Registrar-General of Births and Deaths (Major Graham) has just issued his " Seventh Annual Report" of the business of the office over which he presides. On the above subject, in relation to "the circular letter which he addressed some time since to all the authorized medical practitioners throughout the country, impressing upon them the importance of attention to this matter," he presents the following remarks:"To be enabled to make deductions from the causes of death recorded in the registers, combined with the ages and professions of the deceased, I have considered it my duty to induce medical practitioners to give written statements of the cause of death, for the purpose of registration, in all cases where fatal diseases come under their notice. I have accordingly furnished them with books of blank certificates, to be filled up and placed in the hands of those persons who will be required to give information of the death to the registrar. My appeal to the medical profession has been responded to, and I am happy to report that, with rare exceptions, the members of that liberal and enlightened profession now generally state in writing the fatal diseases which come under their notice. From their exertions I hope that a correct knowledge may be obtained of the comparative prevalence of various mortal diseases, of the localities in which they respectively prevail, and the sex, age, and condition of life which each principally affects. The abstracts which in future years I shall publish, may form a useful addition to the vital statistics of this kingdom. Perhaps fifty persons of the medical profession have refused to return the causes of death, for very various reasons: one gentleman, because a factory inspector had displeased him; another, because he had not been elected a medical officer under the new poor-law; another, because the remuneration under that law is insufficient; another, because he is not specially paid for signing the written certificate. That it is the duty of the state to require from the medical attendants, and to register, the cause of every individual’s death which takes place in the country, appears to me incontestable; and, as I have stated, I have found that the profession as a body, comprising more than ten thousand qualified medical practitioners,-physicians, surgeons, and general practitioners,-have expressed their readiness to return the causes of death in the best way the present state of medical science, and their means of procuring information, will admit, I have determined not to attempt at present to compel the few medical practitioners who have refused to sign certificates, to return the causes of their patients’ deaths, as the information they would be induced to furnish might be of little comparative value."

-

and continued by adjournment on Monday and Tuesday, upon the body of Eliza C-, aged twenty-two years, the wife of a private in the 40th regiment, who died early in the morning of the same day, under the following circumstances:-The deceased, being near her confinement, arrived from Canterbury, with part of the regiment, on the Thursday previous, and slept that night in the barracks, without appearing to be much fatigued by the journey. About five o’clock on Friday afternoon, she was taken in labour, and having no place to be connned in, except the barrack-room, which was full of soldiers, her husband advised her to apply to the wife of one of his comrades for permission to occupy a room which she had hired in the town. Between six and seven o’clock she parted DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE QUACK WHO SUCCEEDS from her husband, and, accompanied by another soldier’s wife, went in search of the friend to whom she was to look for an BY DISTRIBUTING HAND-BILLS, AND THE TRADESMAN WHO OPENS AND TRUSTS TO THE BLESSING OF HEAVEN.— .asylum. Neither of them knew where she lodged, but, for- AToDOCTOR’S-SHOP the Editor: SiR,—Whilst passing Gloucester-place, yestertunately, they met her in the street, and she immediately acceded to their request. With some difficulty the deceased day, a boy, with a large bundle of hand-bills, put one in my The following is the identical bill :was then conducted to the house, and assisted up two pair ofhand. stairs into the room, which contained no furniture, except two " Mr. H. BURSEY, SURGEON, MEMBER OF THE or three chairs and a small bedstead, with nothing but the ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS, AND OF APOTHECARIES HALL, bare sacking for her to lie upon. The women who accom,panied her, however, did their utmost to supply all defi- " His practice of DRY-CUPPING so eminently successful in ciencies. One ran off to fetch a midwife and some coals, while Liver Disorders, Tic-touloureux, and as a most effective stimutheothers, not being able to obtain even straw to make a bed,, lant to those labouring under (from too close an application to opened their boxes and made use of their own and theirstudy, or by any other action), an impaired Sight, Deafness, children’s clothes for that purpose. There was no time tc Headache, Nervousness, and as a local remedy for weakness of make any further preparation, so the poor woman laid downparts, as now practiced by F. BURSEY, Mechanical Dentist just as she was, and in about ten minutes gave birth to a fine and Cupper, (brother of the above), may be co?2sitlted in either girl, her second child, who is still alive and well. The mid of the above branches of his profession, daily, at No. 9, Dloawife, an old woman of the name of North, seventy-two year: TAGUE STREET, MONTAGUE SQUARE. of age, was there in time to superintend the birth, which wai"TEETH AND GUMS.—Their preservation indispensable as favourable as possible under the circumstances. But, un - to health, comfort, and appearance. Mr. B.’sArtificial &c. fortunately for her, and still more so for the deceased, a diffi Teeth, " SCALING.—The Tartar, the effects of which on the Gums culty afterwards arose, which the midwife entirely misunder -

-

548 and Sockets are often erroneously considered as arising from and public morals. It is a remark constantly made to me by Scurvy in the Gums, and which as well as being the cause of men who have been several times in confinement:—’Ilearned offensive and fœtid Breath, destroys not only the tee,th but more wickedness in one month there, than I did all my life also their Sockets, causing the front ones to become loose and before."’-Report of a Prison Chaplain, 1846. fall out, and the larger ones to decay,-is removed by Mr. B. On Monday, Nov. 9th, W. PHILPOT BROOKES, M.D., in a few minutes, without the slightest pain," &c. was elected Surgeon to the Cheltenham General Hospital and "TERMS MODERATE. Dispensary, by a majority of 409 votes. CUMBERLAND INFIRMARY.—Dr. Henry Lonsdale, "No. 9, UPPER MONTAGUE-STREET, MONTAGUE-SQ., F.R.C.P. Edin., was unanimously elected Physician to the "Near Crauford-street, Marylebone." Cumberland Infirmary, on the 4th instant, in the place of The Advertiser, whose name I need not publish here, is so Dr. Goodfellow, resigned. far a private practitioner, that he has no shop. His door is seemingly a private one. Now, I keep a shop, and, in my ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS. opinion, a respectable shop. You pronounce me to be a man Gentlemen admitted Members on Friday, November 6th, 1846 :-R. H. that degrades the noble profession of physic and surgery. In T. W. Bradley, W. B. Beatson, R. Gething, J. Rambaut, H. Mumey, my defence I urge, first, that I must live on material, not im- Leach, F. material and ethereal things; which, secondly, are to be se- J. Bland, J. Barber, Hope, H. Sandwith, and J. T. Brooke. cured by a good connexion; which, thirdly, must be collected APOTHECARIES’ HALL, LONDON. by me, who am a comparative stranger in London, and without any thing to aid me but honesty, perseverance, a little Names of Gentlemen who passed their Examination, and received Certito practise, on Thursday, November 5th, 1846 :-John Elliot Snow; knowledge, and an humble confidence in God; having no re- ficates lations, no influential friends, to pusli me on. And for this Richard Norris Bower, and John Archibald Jones Martin. end, I long since complied with ancient usage, by opening a shop, and, by the Almighty’s blessing, am thriving. Point CORRESPONDENTS. out to me any more honourable or sensible course than this, A. 0. S.-The election did not take place until February, 1839. for supporting a young beginner, with a young wife, and a We unhesitatingly advise Mr. F. Solly to have nothing to do with a proyoung family; and if practicable, or practical, we will consider it. Meanwhile, what is to be done with this man, whom I fession which his communication shows him to be utterly unfit to join. are many other honest avocations in which success might attend unhesitatingly affirm to be the real delinquent, and all such, There in degrading the profession ? Let the Council of the College his efforts. The communications of Dr. F. T. Wintle, and Dr. Dick, will be inserted. authorize a communication, warning him to desist, on pain of Dr. R.-The statement that the assertions were incorrect would be valueremoval from the membership of the College, or at least of less, in print, as a denial, because it is general, and does not descend to par1 and obedient sec. 3.)-Your suspension. (By-Laws,1831, xx., ticulars. Such remarks and declarations cannot be satisfactorily met in RHADAMANTHUS. servant, public by sweeping denonncements. They could only be usefully contraOctober 27th, 1846. dicted sentence by sentence. The word appointed" is not used in error. MEDICAL for 1846 The DIRECTORY contains the LONDON . True, the day is not appointed for the magistrates, but it is appointed by following ltem :—" BURSEY, HENRY, 11, Chandos-street, Strand. them. How it happens that the day becomes known to other persons we Gen. Pract. Qual. M.R.C.S. Dec. 9th, 1839; L.S.A. July 29th, cannot tell. We need only further point out, that the insertion of Dr. R.’s note would at once convert the communication into direct charges against "

1840.

tured cause,

parts should be liberated without delay. If, from any delay have occurred, and the parts be tender, or in risk

of sphacelus, the operation should be performed forthwith, without previous attempt at reduction by other means. In cases which would seem to justify the taxis, it should be carefully and judiciously attempted once only, the patient having been placed previously in the most favourable state for its trial. This state is relaxation, general and local; the former being induced by such means as do not permanently diminish power, and are adapted to the age and the other concomitant conditions ; and the latter, by well-regulated posture. If, thus conducted, the taxis fail of success, the operation is demanded without further loss of time. Reduction of strangulated hernia has been effected by a great variety of means, and this has induced the employment of many in succession, with the hope of averting operative interference. Without enumerating them, or attempting a comparative estimate of their value, it is believed that the greatest ratio of success will follow their almost entire abandonment. The patient ’ may be brought to the side of the bed, the stricture be divided, and the whole completed, in little more time than is required for an ordinary venesection. Much evil has resulted from exciting the fear of a dangerous operation, and by the distressing ceremonies of preparation. The strictured parts having been liberated, and the wound adjusted, the utmost quietude is needful, the after-treatment being essentially soothing. The cardinal points, in brief, are, early operation and sedative after-treatment, to the exclusion of multiplied appliances and manipulations before operation, and disturbing agencies, especially of purgatives, afterwards. See the papers by Mr.

Macilwain, recently published in THE LANCET.—Mr. George .lfay’s Statistical Report of the Surgical In-patients of the Berks

Hospital, 1839

to 1845.

THE PRISONS

OF ENGLAND.—" I have conversed great many intelligent prisoners under my care, men who, from previous character, were entitled to no small credit, and from what I have heard from them, (each confirming the other’s statement in every leading point, though of course entirely ignorant of it,) I have come to the conclusion, that prisons, as they exist throughout the country departments of England, generally speaking, are schools in which everything wicked, deceitful, impious, and abominable, is practised, taught, and propagated, at the great expense of public money

with _

establishment which is not named in the indictment. To the Editor.— Sir: An old patient of mine was attacked with disorder of the liver, attended with bilious diarrhoea, from which she was recovering, when some of her friends sent their own medical man to attend her,Mr. Sulivan, of Guildford-street, Russell-square,—who, although informed of my previous attendance, and willingness to meet himin consultation, not only visited her without my knowledge, but is still in regular attendance on her. I wrote to him on this day week for an explanation of this extraordinary conduct; but no answer has arrived. If, Mr. Editor, the above conduct is worthy of remark, and likely to show to my professional brethren what treatment they may expect from Mr. Sulivan, of Guildford-street, Russell-square, a notice of it in THE LANCIIT will oblige, yours respect.. H. M. M. MEADOWS, L.S.A. fully, Windsor-place, Southwark-bridge-road, Nov. gth, 1846. ** The post may have miscarried the letter of Mr. Meadows.-ED. L. It is not likely that the appointment which has been offered to An Old Reader would be confirmed without his having passed the examination; but no information, in this place, could be more clear and explicit than that " which is contained in the STUDENTS’ NUMBER. If "the course of study necesand is characterized of the has been fulfilled, by possession required sary knowledge, the final step could not long prove an obstacle to the an

STRANGULATED HERNIA.—In all cases, the stric-

a

fast

appointment. 0. B.-" Beeberine " is an alkaloid contained in the bark of a tree found in British Guiana. It is said to be highly febrifuge, but is a non-crystalline substance, the true composition of which can scarcely be said to be known. The analyses of Drs. Tilley and Maclagan make it isomeric with morphine, C35 H20 N O6 ;but this formula requires confirmation. The letter of Philiutrus, relating to Mr. Griffin’s paper, and Mr. Owen’s subsequent inquiries relating to the mammary glands of the monotremata, was not inserted because it was anonymous. All communications from our correspondent must be authenticated, at least confidentially, with his and address. We had the honour of receiving the communication from the Ethnological Society, but not until after Nov. nth. To the Editor.-Sir: If what Dr. Forbes says, in his Review, for October, respecting hydropathy and the other things, be correct, why then the fees which professors receive from us must fall under the class of " money obtained under false pretences."-Your obedient servants, THE MEDICAL STUDENTS OF ENGLAND. November, 1846. A correspondent, from the vicinity of Manchester, has favoured us with

name

communication without appending his name, which we will beg of him to do at an early opportunity. Mr. Foster’s letter shall receive due attention. Communications have been received from-Mr. Milligan, (Keighlen) Mr. M., (Cornwall;) Dr. Robert Barnes ; Mr. John Lyell, (of Newburgh ;) Mr. Embling; and an Edinbro’ Druggist. We must postpone answers to other correspondents until next week. a