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GLASGOW.
254 THE LATE DR. EDWARDES. I
from Dr.
Edwardes’ letter in THE it appears LANCET of Feb. 3rd that Mrs. Edwardes is not in a position to require a testimonial of a pecuniary nature from the profession, I think it would be a graceful act on the part of medical men to present her with an address expressive of their sympathy with her and respect for her late husband. I enclose my card, and am, Sir, your obedient servant, C. H. February 6th, 1883.
SiR,—As
time ago declined the offer of the Telephone Company to fit up the necessary apparatus free of expense. The practice of charging the honae-physicians and house-surgeons a certain sum for board is now very properly discontinued. As a whole, this year’s Royal Infirmary report may be said to be more interesting than satisfactory ; with the sole exception of the favourable death-rate, things do not seem to be going smoothly, or as they should in the institution.
SCOTTISH NOTES. lrroaaa
our
own
Correspondent.)
THE GILCHRIST LECTURES. THESE lectures have now concluded another very successfu (From our own Correspondent.) course on science subjects in various towns in the north, IN last week’s number of THE LANCET, Dr. R. Macpherson, Dr. Andrew Wilson, speaking on some forms of lower animal in criticising my account of the notification of infectious life, appears to have excited the displeasure of some of the diseases agitation in Glasgow, professes to find and to point over-orthodox, and this has been plainly put forth in news. out a suggestio falsi in the statement that " professional paper correspondence ; but the lecturer is an expert con. as well as a successful platform orator, ard opinion was dead against"Dr. Russell in this matter. I troversialist had no difiiculty in justifying his right to discuss evolution and believe that only one who was looking painfully labowhen dealing with such a subject as that mentioned. for such a to find a would be
GLASGOW.
riously likely suggestio !, thing falsi in these words. As they appeared in my report they referred solely to the discussion at the Philosophical Society, I and viewed in this relation they are absolutely correct ; no
I
medical voice save Dr. Russell’s alone was there raised in favour of the official side of the question. But even if taken I as descriptive of the attitude of the profession as a whole in regard to this question, they are substantially true. At but one professional meeting on the subject, that called by the ’ Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons, did the official pro-I posals find any support; here two medical gentlemen spoke in their favour. If to these be added the name of Dr. I Macpherson, we have the sum total of the medical practitioners in Glasgow who so far have given any sign of sympathy with the notification clauses as they stand. It is, doubtless, possible, as Dr. Macpherson states, that there are other sympathisers with the official view among the professional men of Glasgow; but- up to the present time they have given no public evidence of their existence, and there has been no dearth of opportunity of doing so in the discussions before medical and other societies and in the course of
I
a
long
newspaper
correspondence.
The report furnished by the Managers of the Glasgow Royal Infirmary at the recent annual meeting of the qualified contributors to the institution is one of more than ordinary interest. It shows over all a large increase in the amount of work done. The admissions to the infirmary numbered for the past year 5601, as against 5107 in the previous year. The mortality was 8 per cent., as against 8’6 last year, or, excluding the deaths which took place within forty-eight hours after admission, 6 2 per cent. The number of out-door patients treated was over 26,000. The total ordinary income was 18,914 7s. 5d., while the ordinary expenditure amounted to j623,974 Is. 6d., leaving a deficit of over E500ù. Extraordinary income, JE74S2 3s. lld.; extraordinary expenditure, .61804 6s. 3d. The report indicates the resolution of the managers to increase the number of surgeons by one, and to reduce the staff of physicians by a like number. Other alterations are hinted at, though not specified ; it is understood that these include proposals to appoint the physicians and surgeons of the staff for one year only, and to reduce their honorarium from .S100 to E50 per annum. These and other changescompleted and contemplated, together with the recent passing of the obnoxious chloroform resolutions in the face of the unanimous protest of the entire visiting and dispensai staff, have developed a feeling of uneasiness among the professional supporters of the infirmary, and have brought the staff and the management into direct collision. In intimating that the negotiattons for the amalgamation of the Infirmary School of Medicine and that of Anderson’s College had fallen through, the unfortunate remark is made that this is not "a matter for regret, as Anderson’s College had nothing to offer except teachers, for whom they wished accommodation gratis, and with these the infirmary is already amply supplied" ; this is certainly not conciliatory or at all in good taste, to put it mildly. The infirmary is now in communication with the Telephonic Exchange; for this it pays the usual rates, having some
HOSPITAL CHARITY. The abuse of charity at our larger hospitals has frequently received notice in the pages of THE LANCET. Coincident reference to the work of these institutions by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh and his brother magnate in Glasgow seems worthy of notice, as both of these gentlemen, well known for philanthropic effort, appear to court the use of the Royal infirmaries over which they preside in a way which must lead to grave abuse. At Edinburgh it is stated that the infirmary is useful to rich and poor alike, in that both may obtain gratuitous services from the most distin. guished physicians and surgeons there ; while in Glasgow it is said that the institution is maintained for the benefit of the better among our working classes, equally with the poor and needy. Taken together, these statements of course plainly invite the general public to partake of the charity, which is surely intended for the poor only; and if the advice of these right honourable gentlemen be taken they must look for largely increased subscriptions to meet the greater dernand, while the medical profession must be prepared for a diminution in the field for remunerative employment, such as has not hitherto been hinted at. It is perhaps more charitable and correct to consider these statements as unin. tentional slips, as men so distinguished for patriotic work would be the first to recognise the pauperising tendency of an indiscriminate charity. THE POLICE BILL.
Grant, when addressing his constituents at Leith last week, expressed the opinion that Government has largely entrusted to ex-Provost Lindsay of that town the construc. tion of the General Police Bill for Scotland, to be introduced during next session. The country has profited largely by the former Lindsay Act, and looks with confidence for the forthcoming measure. The Bill was in the printer’s hands last week; but I hear on the best authority that its issue has been delayed in consequence of alterations deemed Mr.
necessary. NOTIFICATION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES. After a discussion which occupied the Perthshire Medical Association for two meetings that Society has resolved in favour of direct notification of infectious diseases by the medical attendant. Though not expressed in the resolution, there was a consensus of opinion that in all cases the medical ofiicer of health should be entirely free from private practice. Up till now the medical men in Perth have optionally intimated the existence of these diseases, at the request of the authorities, but it appears that the Commissioners have disallowed the fees for such reports, and it is unlikely that they will be continue,l. This, in the face of recent experience, is surely a penny-wise policy, as well as a breach of an
implied agreement.
Professor Struthers has commenced a series of popular lectures at Aberdeen on the " Relation of Man to the Lower Animals." The lectures are free, and excite considerable interest.
from Dr.
Edwardes’ letter in THE it appears LANCET of Feb. 3rd that Mrs. Edwardes is not in a position to require a testimonial of a pecuniary nature from the profession, I think it would be a graceful act on the part of medical men to present her with an address expressive of their sympathy with her and respect for her late husband. I enclose my card, and am, Sir, your obedient servant, C. H. February 6th, 1883.
SiR,—As
time ago declined the offer of the Telephone Company to fit up the necessary apparatus free of expense. The practice of charging the honae-physicians and house-surgeons a certain sum for board is now very properly discontinued. As a whole, this year’s Royal Infirmary report may be said to be more interesting than satisfactory ; with the sole exception of the favourable death-rate, things do not seem to be going smoothly, or as they should in the institution.
SCOTTISH NOTES. lrroaaa
our
own
Correspondent.)
THE GILCHRIST LECTURES. THESE lectures have now concluded another very successfu (From our own Correspondent.) course on science subjects in various towns in the north, IN last week’s number of THE LANCET, Dr. R. Macpherson, Dr. Andrew Wilson, speaking on some forms of lower animal in criticising my account of the notification of infectious life, appears to have excited the displeasure of some of the diseases agitation in Glasgow, professes to find and to point over-orthodox, and this has been plainly put forth in news. out a suggestio falsi in the statement that " professional paper correspondence ; but the lecturer is an expert con. as well as a successful platform orator, ard opinion was dead against"Dr. Russell in this matter. I troversialist had no difiiculty in justifying his right to discuss evolution and believe that only one who was looking painfully labowhen dealing with such a subject as that mentioned. for such a to find a would be
GLASGOW.
riously likely suggestio !, thing falsi in these words. As they appeared in my report they referred solely to the discussion at the Philosophical Society, I and viewed in this relation they are absolutely correct ; no
I
medical voice save Dr. Russell’s alone was there raised in favour of the official side of the question. But even if taken I as descriptive of the attitude of the profession as a whole in regard to this question, they are substantially true. At but one professional meeting on the subject, that called by the ’ Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons, did the official pro-I posals find any support; here two medical gentlemen spoke in their favour. If to these be added the name of Dr. I Macpherson, we have the sum total of the medical practitioners in Glasgow who so far have given any sign of sympathy with the notification clauses as they stand. It is, doubtless, possible, as Dr. Macpherson states, that there are other sympathisers with the official view among the professional men of Glasgow; but- up to the present time they have given no public evidence of their existence, and there has been no dearth of opportunity of doing so in the discussions before medical and other societies and in the course of
I
a
long
newspaper
correspondence.
The report furnished by the Managers of the Glasgow Royal Infirmary at the recent annual meeting of the qualified contributors to the institution is one of more than ordinary interest. It shows over all a large increase in the amount of work done. The admissions to the infirmary numbered for the past year 5601, as against 5107 in the previous year. The mortality was 8 per cent., as against 8’6 last year, or, excluding the deaths which took place within forty-eight hours after admission, 6 2 per cent. The number of out-door patients treated was over 26,000. The total ordinary income was 18,914 7s. 5d., while the ordinary expenditure amounted to j623,974 Is. 6d., leaving a deficit of over E500ù. Extraordinary income, JE74S2 3s. lld.; extraordinary expenditure, .61804 6s. 3d. The report indicates the resolution of the managers to increase the number of surgeons by one, and to reduce the staff of physicians by a like number. Other alterations are hinted at, though not specified ; it is understood that these include proposals to appoint the physicians and surgeons of the staff for one year only, and to reduce their honorarium from .S100 to E50 per annum. These and other changescompleted and contemplated, together with the recent passing of the obnoxious chloroform resolutions in the face of the unanimous protest of the entire visiting and dispensai staff, have developed a feeling of uneasiness among the professional supporters of the infirmary, and have brought the staff and the management into direct collision. In intimating that the negotiattons for the amalgamation of the Infirmary School of Medicine and that of Anderson’s College had fallen through, the unfortunate remark is made that this is not "a matter for regret, as Anderson’s College had nothing to offer except teachers, for whom they wished accommodation gratis, and with these the infirmary is already amply supplied" ; this is certainly not conciliatory or at all in good taste, to put it mildly. The infirmary is now in communication with the Telephonic Exchange; for this it pays the usual rates, having some
HOSPITAL CHARITY. The abuse of charity at our larger hospitals has frequently received notice in the pages of THE LANCET. Coincident reference to the work of these institutions by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh and his brother magnate in Glasgow seems worthy of notice, as both of these gentlemen, well known for philanthropic effort, appear to court the use of the Royal infirmaries over which they preside in a way which must lead to grave abuse. At Edinburgh it is stated that the infirmary is useful to rich and poor alike, in that both may obtain gratuitous services from the most distin. guished physicians and surgeons there ; while in Glasgow it is said that the institution is maintained for the benefit of the better among our working classes, equally with the poor and needy. Taken together, these statements of course plainly invite the general public to partake of the charity, which is surely intended for the poor only; and if the advice of these right honourable gentlemen be taken they must look for largely increased subscriptions to meet the greater dernand, while the medical profession must be prepared for a diminution in the field for remunerative employment, such as has not hitherto been hinted at. It is perhaps more charitable and correct to consider these statements as unin. tentional slips, as men so distinguished for patriotic work would be the first to recognise the pauperising tendency of an indiscriminate charity. THE POLICE BILL.
Grant, when addressing his constituents at Leith last week, expressed the opinion that Government has largely entrusted to ex-Provost Lindsay of that town the construc. tion of the General Police Bill for Scotland, to be introduced during next session. The country has profited largely by the former Lindsay Act, and looks with confidence for the forthcoming measure. The Bill was in the printer’s hands last week; but I hear on the best authority that its issue has been delayed in consequence of alterations deemed Mr.
necessary. NOTIFICATION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES. After a discussion which occupied the Perthshire Medical Association for two meetings that Society has resolved in favour of direct notification of infectious diseases by the medical attendant. Though not expressed in the resolution, there was a consensus of opinion that in all cases the medical ofiicer of health should be entirely free from private practice. Up till now the medical men in Perth have optionally intimated the existence of these diseases, at the request of the authorities, but it appears that the Commissioners have disallowed the fees for such reports, and it is unlikely that they will be continue,l. This, in the face of recent experience, is surely a penny-wise policy, as well as a breach of an
implied agreement.
Professor Struthers has commenced a series of popular lectures at Aberdeen on the " Relation of Man to the Lower Animals." The lectures are free, and excite considerable interest.