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FEES OF MEDICAL WITNESSES AT ASSIZE COURTS.
warranty of purity be printed upon the wrapper of every to his future practice, the more lightly that is touched parcel of manufactured goods sold. This warranty would give better for himself and his patients.
on
the
the public confidence, because it is not probable that anyone would use it as a cover for adulteration, and there is no doubt but that all warranted articles would meet with a more ready sale than those not warranted. 11 I see no objection to manufacturers and retailers supporting their own warranty by the testimony, in the form of certificates, of scientific persons of ability and reputation. "If the precautions here suggested were observed, there would be but little fear of any proceedings being taken against any manufacturers or retail dealers under the provisions of the Bill recently enacted for preventing the adulteration of articles of food and drink."
I humbly conceive it to be the duty of the press, and especially the medical press, which, I think, has latterly shown itself not so acutely alive as it used to be in this respect, to protect the student, and expose the shortcomings and faithless-
Correspondence.
FEES OF MEDICAL WITNESSES AT ASSIZE COURTS.
"Audi alteram
of such schools or individuals as are fonnd remiss and indifferent to their engagements. It is really the worst and cruelest kind of robbery, inasmuch as no other chance may ever occur of making up for the loss and injury to the student, and deserves to be held up to public reprehension and censured as one of the paltriest and least excusable means of taking money under false pretences. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, PATERFAMILIAS. September, 1860.
ness
To the Edit01’
of THE LANCET. the °° ITOtices to Correspondents" in your SiE,—Amongst journal of Aug. 25th, I find a communication upon the subject of Fees to Medical Witnesses from Mr. Henry S. Wharton. The question is most important, and urgently demands the attention of the profession. I beg, therefore, to transmit for insertion in THE LANCET the substance of a memorial which was forwarded about nine months ago to the Lords Commissioners of her Majesty’s Treasury. It was signed by all the medical practitioners of this town, with the exception of one or two, who were from home at the time. I enclose the reply. I may further state that at least four or five medical gentlemen in Nottingham are at the present time minus fees for attend" ance at the assizes, from having refused to take them, as being totally inadequate to compensate them for the loss of time and. the responsibility incurred. Your obedient servant, J. MASSEY, M.D., Senior Surgeon to the Nottingham Dispensary.
partem."
MEDICAL SCHOOLS—PROFESSION VERSUS PRACTICE. To the Editor of THE LANCFT.
SiR.—Now that the
papers, as usual at this season, are with exuberant laudation and high-sounding details of teeming the special advantages of each particular Medical School, our attention should be drawn to the wide difference between promises and pe1formances. Everything valuable and necessary to the future welfare and efficiency of the medical student depends upon the good faith, energy, and perseverance with which the several services so prominently paraded are carried out, and on the capability, enthusiasm, and thorough devotion of each teacher to the task he has undertaken; for, although it may be true that the dull, idle, and ill-disposed student may not readily be made attentive and proficient by any amount of exertion, those of a difTo the Lords Commissione1’s ofhe1’ Majesty’s Treasury. ferent stamp, who lay themselves out for study, and who and seek for every opportunity profit advantage, anxiously WE, the undersigned medical practitioners in the town and have a right to every possible help and encouragement, and neighbourhood of Nottingham, beg respectfully to submit to must be grievously disappointed-not to say ill-used-and, in- your Lordships that the present rate of payment to medical men for giving evidence in criminal cases is altogether inadedeed, robbed outright, if they do not get it. Unfortunately, some schools are open to animadversion in quate, considering the time occupied by such cases and the this respect, the grand object apparently being to secure a responsibility involved. We beg to remind your Lordships goodly number of students by specious and voluble promises that the fee for giving evidence in the Coroner’s court is one and high-sounding engagements, which are wholly lost sight guinea, and when a post-mortem examination is made, two of, or most apathetically and indifferently carried out when guineas, while for an examination before the magistrates the the fees are paid, and the pupil irrevocably fixed. fee is only half a guinea. We further submit that the fee Often, I regret to say, very flimsy and insufficient grounds should in all cases be not less than a guinea, and should be paid’ are made to suffice for the omission or curtailment of a subject, in every case, whether there be a conviction or not. even in the legitimate and imperative courses the student is Treasury Chambers, 29th December, 1855. obliged by law to attend, so that the connexion, interest, and half the utility of the whole are lost. The hospital attendance, SiR,—I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of her got up the first two or three weeks for tremendous effect, very Majesty’s Treasury to acknowledge the receipt of a memorial, soon flags. Interesting and methodical enough at first, it be- signed by yourself and other gentlemen of the medical profession in Nottingham, representing the inadequacy of the remucomes gradually irksome, fitful, and uncertain, the principal medical officers probably going round the wards at the same neration at present allowed for giving medical evidence in hour, and that often hurriedly and silently, discouraging, in- criminal cases. I remain. Sir. vour obedient servant. stead of inviting, the students, who come to be questioned, G. ARBUTHNOT. enlightened, and taught disease by the bed-side, and not merely to walk round the wards. The grand clinical courses, postmortems, microscopic and other superabundant instructions, so CLINICAL INSTRUCTION IN THE METROfreely offered, and so prominently taken credit for, in the advertisements, having no fixed periods, and, withal, not being POLITAN SCHOOLS.
compulsory, although really
great object with the
of
paramount importance, and
a
To the Editor
thoughtful, intelligent student, who may,
of
THE LANCET.
other chance of studying, or beSIR,-I feel assured that you will do me the justice of allowprobability, coming practically acquainted with these minor, but now abso- ing me space for a few lines, in order that " Ganglion’simlutely necessary, points,-these courses, I say, so ostentati- plied doctrine, that the matter of a teacher is one of little or ously thrown in, have too generally but a shadowy existence no importance, may not pass unnoticed. Cceteris paribus, it cannot be denied that of two students throughout. Seldom commencing at all until late in the second half of the session, they are even then but few and far between, preparing for an examination, he will have the better chance and having no notice given, or determined periods of delivery, that has enjoyed the abler tuition. Why is it that some tutors are lost to all not constantly on the look out for them. Sub- enjoy so much higher a reputation than others, except for the jects, too, always scarce in these sleepy marts, become at last reason that they have a peculiar ability in imparting knowvery likely not procurable at all ; aud so the student, foiled and ledge, not ignoring the element of conscientious earnestness in the deceived in all his hopes of solid and practical instruction in discharge of the duties which have devolved upon them. I the school he has unfortunately chosen, flounders on as best he think .. Ganglion,"on a little reflection, would have concluded may, dispirited and almost reckless, with nothing to trust to that my remarks had reference to industrious students only, as but his own energy and resources, wanting in which he departs the discouragements they meet with in certain schools at at last but a sorry figure to his parents and his examiners. As the hands of uneca’nest teachers. Half his letter is composed
in all
have
no
to
273
on
the
the public confidence, because it is not probable that anyone would use it as a cover for adulteration, and there is no doubt but that all warranted articles would meet with a more ready sale than those not warranted. 11 I see no objection to manufacturers and retailers supporting their own warranty by the testimony, in the form of certificates, of scientific persons of ability and reputation. "If the precautions here suggested were observed, there would be but little fear of any proceedings being taken against any manufacturers or retail dealers under the provisions of the Bill recently enacted for preventing the adulteration of articles of food and drink."
I humbly conceive it to be the duty of the press, and especially the medical press, which, I think, has latterly shown itself not so acutely alive as it used to be in this respect, to protect the student, and expose the shortcomings and faithless-
Correspondence.
FEES OF MEDICAL WITNESSES AT ASSIZE COURTS.
"Audi alteram
of such schools or individuals as are fonnd remiss and indifferent to their engagements. It is really the worst and cruelest kind of robbery, inasmuch as no other chance may ever occur of making up for the loss and injury to the student, and deserves to be held up to public reprehension and censured as one of the paltriest and least excusable means of taking money under false pretences. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, PATERFAMILIAS. September, 1860.
ness
To the Edit01’
of THE LANCET. the °° ITOtices to Correspondents" in your SiE,—Amongst journal of Aug. 25th, I find a communication upon the subject of Fees to Medical Witnesses from Mr. Henry S. Wharton. The question is most important, and urgently demands the attention of the profession. I beg, therefore, to transmit for insertion in THE LANCET the substance of a memorial which was forwarded about nine months ago to the Lords Commissioners of her Majesty’s Treasury. It was signed by all the medical practitioners of this town, with the exception of one or two, who were from home at the time. I enclose the reply. I may further state that at least four or five medical gentlemen in Nottingham are at the present time minus fees for attend" ance at the assizes, from having refused to take them, as being totally inadequate to compensate them for the loss of time and. the responsibility incurred. Your obedient servant, J. MASSEY, M.D., Senior Surgeon to the Nottingham Dispensary.
partem."
MEDICAL SCHOOLS—PROFESSION VERSUS PRACTICE. To the Editor of THE LANCFT.
SiR.—Now that the
papers, as usual at this season, are with exuberant laudation and high-sounding details of teeming the special advantages of each particular Medical School, our attention should be drawn to the wide difference between promises and pe1formances. Everything valuable and necessary to the future welfare and efficiency of the medical student depends upon the good faith, energy, and perseverance with which the several services so prominently paraded are carried out, and on the capability, enthusiasm, and thorough devotion of each teacher to the task he has undertaken; for, although it may be true that the dull, idle, and ill-disposed student may not readily be made attentive and proficient by any amount of exertion, those of a difTo the Lords Commissione1’s ofhe1’ Majesty’s Treasury. ferent stamp, who lay themselves out for study, and who and seek for every opportunity profit advantage, anxiously WE, the undersigned medical practitioners in the town and have a right to every possible help and encouragement, and neighbourhood of Nottingham, beg respectfully to submit to must be grievously disappointed-not to say ill-used-and, in- your Lordships that the present rate of payment to medical men for giving evidence in criminal cases is altogether inadedeed, robbed outright, if they do not get it. Unfortunately, some schools are open to animadversion in quate, considering the time occupied by such cases and the this respect, the grand object apparently being to secure a responsibility involved. We beg to remind your Lordships goodly number of students by specious and voluble promises that the fee for giving evidence in the Coroner’s court is one and high-sounding engagements, which are wholly lost sight guinea, and when a post-mortem examination is made, two of, or most apathetically and indifferently carried out when guineas, while for an examination before the magistrates the the fees are paid, and the pupil irrevocably fixed. fee is only half a guinea. We further submit that the fee Often, I regret to say, very flimsy and insufficient grounds should in all cases be not less than a guinea, and should be paid’ are made to suffice for the omission or curtailment of a subject, in every case, whether there be a conviction or not. even in the legitimate and imperative courses the student is Treasury Chambers, 29th December, 1855. obliged by law to attend, so that the connexion, interest, and half the utility of the whole are lost. The hospital attendance, SiR,—I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of her got up the first two or three weeks for tremendous effect, very Majesty’s Treasury to acknowledge the receipt of a memorial, soon flags. Interesting and methodical enough at first, it be- signed by yourself and other gentlemen of the medical profession in Nottingham, representing the inadequacy of the remucomes gradually irksome, fitful, and uncertain, the principal medical officers probably going round the wards at the same neration at present allowed for giving medical evidence in hour, and that often hurriedly and silently, discouraging, in- criminal cases. I remain. Sir. vour obedient servant. stead of inviting, the students, who come to be questioned, G. ARBUTHNOT. enlightened, and taught disease by the bed-side, and not merely to walk round the wards. The grand clinical courses, postmortems, microscopic and other superabundant instructions, so CLINICAL INSTRUCTION IN THE METROfreely offered, and so prominently taken credit for, in the advertisements, having no fixed periods, and, withal, not being POLITAN SCHOOLS.
compulsory, although really
great object with the
of
paramount importance, and
a
To the Editor
thoughtful, intelligent student, who may,
of
THE LANCET.
other chance of studying, or beSIR,-I feel assured that you will do me the justice of allowprobability, coming practically acquainted with these minor, but now abso- ing me space for a few lines, in order that " Ganglion’simlutely necessary, points,-these courses, I say, so ostentati- plied doctrine, that the matter of a teacher is one of little or ously thrown in, have too generally but a shadowy existence no importance, may not pass unnoticed. Cceteris paribus, it cannot be denied that of two students throughout. Seldom commencing at all until late in the second half of the session, they are even then but few and far between, preparing for an examination, he will have the better chance and having no notice given, or determined periods of delivery, that has enjoyed the abler tuition. Why is it that some tutors are lost to all not constantly on the look out for them. Sub- enjoy so much higher a reputation than others, except for the jects, too, always scarce in these sleepy marts, become at last reason that they have a peculiar ability in imparting knowvery likely not procurable at all ; aud so the student, foiled and ledge, not ignoring the element of conscientious earnestness in the deceived in all his hopes of solid and practical instruction in discharge of the duties which have devolved upon them. I the school he has unfortunately chosen, flounders on as best he think .. Ganglion,"on a little reflection, would have concluded may, dispirited and almost reckless, with nothing to trust to that my remarks had reference to industrious students only, as but his own energy and resources, wanting in which he departs the discouragements they meet with in certain schools at at last but a sorry figure to his parents and his examiners. As the hands of uneca’nest teachers. Half his letter is composed
in all
have
no
to
273