GENERAL MEETING OF THE PROFESSION IN LONDON.

599 of a curse by the medical student? Did he not tremble when he found he was under the individual examiner so much dreaded? Could a public examination be conducted in so irresponsible a manner? I firmly believe that there is scarcely a medical man in England who has not considered the Apothecaries’ Hall as a pest and nuisance to the profession, and that all medical students absolutely hate the Hall, while they respect the College. If I had been one of the general practitioners of London, I would have scorned the offer of assistance from the Hall, unless I could have made it subservient to the interests of the profession. They came forward only when they found that the minister treated ! them with the contempt they deserved. With regard, Mr. Editor, to the committee of seventy-two, whose doings you have so fearlessly analyzed, I suspect, if we could discover the secret, that we should find that that which they have said is indeed and literally true-viz., that they never did premeditate a junction with the college. Why? because if there be another college, there must be a certain number of the council, a certain number of examiners, a certain number of officers, paid and honorary, the former preponderating, a certain amount of patronage, and, lastly, a certain amount of self-satisfaction at having had a " finger in the pie." A fresh institution, in short, will be a fine catch to many, and who so likely to obtain the bonuses as those who have taken an active part in the undertaking. When self-interest is concerned, what will men not do, especially when they act in bodies, and are not answerable as private indi-

Iif

viduals ?

Pray, Mr. Editor, protect

the country surgeons from

being

severed from their own College, and from being joined to another, and that, inevitably, a second Apothecaries’ Hall, which perhaps may be brought into existence to serve the purposes, or to gratify the vanity, or to fill the pockets, of a few prejudiced individuals-individuals who have acted in such a manner as their I fear, Mr. own speeches have manifested that they have done. Editor, if great care be not taken we shall lose the boon Sir James Graham has offered ; he has said, that we who are surgeons may register as surgeons. Now, I say, we must take care lest the Committee make us all register as general practitioners, or rather as apothecaries only. Why should we be separated from our College? Is it not our own? Have we not paid for it? On what grounds, then, are we to be forced to give it up to the

"pures"?

If a second Hall is to be formed, how will the College of Sur" geons be maintained? Only by pure" surgeons. If so, I apits funds will dwindle; or, supposing a few general prehend practitioners do pass at six-and-twenty, it will be very few, comparatively, that will keep up their knowledge, and be at the inconvenience and expense of passing again, in order to register as surgeons. By the by, Mr. Editor, it would be an interesting document, if you move for and obtain, in your place in Parliament, an account of how the enormous income of the College has been expended, or what the Apothecaries’ Company have done with their tremendous income. They have had no institution, no &c. to keep up; therefore, what can have been done with all the monies which have been wrung from the poor students, amounting in each case, for the College and Hall, to about twenty-eight pounds. Alas! how improper, how unconstitutional, how pregnant with evils, are self-elective bodies, from whose decision there is no appeal, and to whose councils there is no access. If you can find room in your valuable pages for this letter I shall be obliged by its insertion. I think it may cause the eyes of some to open wider, and to follow my example in withdrawing from the Association; and I confess, that if I had seen the full bearing of the case, I would not have returned an answer to their queries. In my answer I stated that I was in favour of a three years’ franchise, but in their report they did not even allude to such a return. This was, perhaps, a mistake. I have the honour to remain, your obedient servant, JAMES SHEPPARD, M.D., M.R.C.S.S. & L.A.C. Union-street, Stonehouse, May 19, 1845.

library, no museum,&c.

ENFRANCHISEMENT IN THE COLLEGE. To the Editor

of THE LANCET. with SIR,-In compliance your request in the current LANCET, I, as a member of the National Association," beg to state, that when a circular was sent to me bv that body for signature, in reference to the election of councillors to the New College," although I returned the said circular, with a note to the effect that I was first of all in favour of enfranchisement in the College of Surgeons, and that in the event only of a failure of that, I should vote for the formation of a " New College," this latter being a

dernier ressort, I feel called upon, after your many remarks concerning the proceedings of the Association Committee, to declare, through the medium of THE LANCET, that my opinions are altogether in favour of enfranchisement in the College of Surgeons. For one, I trust that you will act in conformity with Mr. Grove’s suggestion, as country and county meetings are generally biassed on the wrong side, by those pure surgeons and physicians who possess great local influence. I am, Sir, very respectfully yours, T. CATTELL, M.R.C.S., L.A.C. L.A.C.. Braunston, Northamptonshire, May 20,1845.

TREACHERY. To the Editor

of THE

LANCET.

SIR,—I have just perused the proposed new Medical Bill. It at this moment lies at the further end of my room, propelled there by a kick

of unutterable, unmeasured disgust. Sir, I am a member of the College of Surgeons. I paid for surgical lectures, surgical practice, &c., a large sum of money; for my diploma itself, 22/., and, in order to obtain that diploma, I had further to submit to much fagging-much anxiety; and now what does it avail me? Nothing. Sir, I am a member of the National Association. I enrolled my name under the decided impression that the committee would use every endeavour to influence the self-elected Council of the College of Surgeons to alter their disgraceful conduct, and open wide the portals of that noble institution to its legitimate, but insulted and indignant owners. Such was my impression when I enrolled myself a member. But now, what do I hear ? Why, that the committee have been from the very commencement endeavouring to procure for the General Practitioners a separate charter of incorporation!Verily, hypocrisy, (I could use a much harsher term,) that stalking giant of the day, has -been performing -transfusion with unprecedented success among the members of the committee of the so-called National Association. A member of the College, and Licentiate of the Hall, I am now to have the privilege of being registered a member of the College of General Practitioners, and of being brought down to a level with those who possess only the licentiate What, Sir, is to be done? By treachery, I fear, the battle is against us. Our noble institution is fast receding from view, disclosing to its members, with triumphant success, the inferior College of Practitioners. You, Sir, (to whom I enclose my name and address,) have my warmest, most grateful acknowledgments, for although deserted by your followers, you have fearlessly fought the battle of one who now, for the last time, signs himself A SURGEON.

qualification! -

May 21,

1845.

GENERAL MEETING OF THE PROFESSION IN LONDON. PRELIMINARY MEETING IN SHROPSHIRE.

To the Editor of THE LANCET. of my medical friends in this county have expressed a wish that there should be a general meeting of the profession in London early next month, to consider, amongst other matters, whether the institution of a College of General Practitioners would not have a tendency to injure and degrade this branch of the profession, so important from their number and their valuable services to the public. A county meeting will be held next week, at Shrewsbury, to consider the provisions of Sir James Graham’s Bill, to solicit the co-operation of other counties, and to elect two medical representatives, who will attend an aggregate meeting of the profession in London, if you will kindly undertake to make the necessary arrangements for it, giving sufficient notice in THE LANCET and the Times newspaper, and the county papers. We feel greatly indebted for your unceasing exertions in our behalf, and respectfully solicit your aid in the arrangements for meeting, which, we trust, may have the effect of causa general ing Sir James Graham to pause ere he urges the passing of a measure which will be so degrading and injurious to the surgeons of this kingdom. I remain, Sir, with gratitude and respect,

SIR,—Many

your obedient

servant, W. P.

BROOKES, M.R.C.S.L.

Much Wenlock, May 20, 1845.

**Mr. BpooEES has published an admirable letter, on subjects which are now agitating the profession, in the

the

Shrewsbury

He appears thoroughly matter, evidently is capable of renservice to the cause which he supports. A

Chronicle of last week.

to understand the

dering great

and

600

general feeling seems to prevail amongst the profession in London, that the aggregate meeting should be held in the metropolis at about the middle of JUNE. Meantime, individual members of the profession should petition the House of Commons, through their representatives, to stop the progress of the nefarious Bill. The form of a petition may be found in THE LANCET of April 26, page 473. Every which would can alteration the make adapt petitioner readily it to his particular case. The prayer of the petition should be for the postponement of the Bill total rejection.

until next session,

or

its

COUNTY MEETINGS OF MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS. To the Editor

of

THE LANCET.

SIR,—Whatever may be the differences of opinion

the merits

as

from the place where I was. I gave the messenger my card, and the name of two or three gentlemen who resided very near the patient, with a request that some one of them would oblige me by attending; at the same time I desired her to delay as long as she could, in order that whoever attended might not have unne. cessary trouble. She acted accordingly, and presented my card, to two gentlemen, who both refused to attend, saying, herself, " they knew nothing of me," and that " they should not go until they had a guinea." The poor woman not having a guinea with her was obliged to return home and procure one. On renewing her application, and showing one of them the guinea, there was no longer any hesitation ; he instantly attended, was detained about half an hour, took the guinea, and has continued his attendance ever since. Now. you may say what you please about the baser metals not possessing mesmeric properties; in this case there is positive T. proof of the efficacy of gold. Southwark, May 14, 1845.

to

demerits of Sir James Graham’s Bill for disthe existing relations in the medical profession, it

or

FUTURE RESULTS OF THE PRESENT BILL. integrating will unquestionably be attended by some important results for To the Editor of THE LANCET. good or for evil. In order, therefore, that the profession may SIR,—The last appearance assumed by the chameleon Bill not have to reflect on its own supineness, nor be left in the lurch ought to be viewed by the profession as a mere change of ex:on the occasion, the only mode of effecting a representation of its ternal features, the obnoxious provisions of the previous editions opinions would be the calling of simultaneous county meetings all being retained. If the measure should become law, the in the different county towns, and the appointment of respective foundation of division and confusion will be deeply laid. What deputations from the several counties thus professionally assem- with physicians, pure surgeons, pure licentiates in surgery, licenbled, to meet in London on or before the 7th of next month, to tiates in medicine, licentiates in medicine and surgery, who are consult, and to arrive at what are the real interests of the profes- not " general practitioners," and licentiates in medicine and sursion, in relation to the Bill in question, and afterwards wait on gery who are " general practitioners;’ there will be such hustling their respective members of Parliament to urge the merits of the and rivalry, such scuffling and hubbub, that the character of subject on their attention. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, every grade will be lowered, and the confidence of the public lost. HENRY KEATE, M.R.C.S.L. Let any one cast his eyes into futurity, and imagine the course .Shrewsbury, May 15, 1845. likely to be taken by men thus legally set against each other. *** County meetings cannot be called too soon. A really Their studies and the difficulties of their duties would tend to them together and to promote offices of kindness and REPRESENTATIVE CONFERENCE in London would soon instruct bring but by this Bill they would be broken up into numberfriendship; Sir JAMES GRAHAM as to the feelings of the surgeons of less parties, each being provided with materials for jealousy and each seeking by any means to depress the rest. England. The arrangements for the Aggregate Meeting enmity, The standing in society of the new licentiates in medicine and will, it is hoped, be completed by next week. Meantime, the surgery will be infinitely below that now held by those who, profession should petition the House individually, against the having passed their examinations at the College and Hall, practise by the name of "surgeon." The public know their medical odious Bill.-ED. L. The term " general practitioner" is entirely men by that name. to the profession; and although it has been eagerly confined ENFRANCHISEMENT IN THE COLLEGE OF adopted by certain parties, it must be confessed to be an unSURGEONS. meaning and unprofessional appellation, yet having in it a To the Editor of THE LANCET. whisper of something not very agreeable to patients. Your obedient servant, W. N. I. SIR,—Will you allow me to add my name to the list of those of May 19, 1845. my brother surgeons who are desirous of seeing the members of the College of Surgeons of England enfranchised in their parent I am, Sir, your obedient servant, College? THOMAS BOURNE, BOURNE, Surgeon. AGGREGATE MEETING OF THE PROFESSION Radstock-cottage, Bath, May 19,

1845.

,

AND

REPRESENTATIVE MEDICAL CONFERENCE. WITHDRAWAL FROM THE MISGOVERNED NATIONAL ASSOCIATION. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,—Ihave written to Mr. ANCELL, requesting the withdrawal of my name as a member of the miscalled NATIONAL Associ-

THE arrangements for this MEETING and CONFERENCE are rapidly progressing. A committee-room will be opened at the Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen-street, Lincoln’s-Inn Fields, on Monday next, where secretaries and clerks will afterwards be in TION," and I would recommend the adoption of the same course attendance, daily, between the hours of twelve and five. Letters to all those who feel dissatisfaction with the conduct and intento MEETING or CONFERENCE should be addressed,the ,tions of the Committee. The Association is at present nume- relating and of this the Committee take care to strong, strength Tically To the Honorary Secretaries, boast. Were the names of those members who are for union with MEDICAL AND SURGICAL CONFERENCE, the College of Surgeons to be struck off the list, and not for a new and beggarly incorporation, they would speedily find themselves Freemasons’ Hall, weak, indeed, in numbers, as they doubtless are in the confidence Great Queen Street, of the members, and in the goodness of their cause. LONDON. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, ARTHUR HILL HASSALL, M.R.C.S.L., F.L.S. A very general opinion, we find, appears to prevail that the Norland-villa, Addison-road North, May 18, 1845. AGGREGATE MEETING should be held, and the Conference commence its sittings, before Monday, June 16th. Probably some day ATTENDANCE OF ONE SURGEON FOR ANOTHER. in the week between Monday the 9th and the 16th would be the To the Editor of THE LANCET. most appropriate period, and well suited to the objects of the SIR,—The following occurrence, if published, may perhaps be edifying to some of your readers. I was engaged nearly the profession, with reference not only to the mischievous and whole of last Saturday with a midwifery case, and in consequence dangerous BILL, but also as regards the degrading APOTHEof certain peculiarities which the case presented I could not leave the COUNTY MEETINGS CA.RY-CHA.RTER. At all events, until it had terminated; at the same time my attendance was required by another femaie,- living rather more than half a mile, should be held immediately; the RriPRFSEIZTATIVES for the Cort,