INTERCEPTED LETTER.

762

MEDICAL

ANTI-REFORMERS.

tion rests upon the moral character of Dr. themselves, it is resolved, unanimously, on this occasion. " that no further proceedings are neces" Signed, Edmd. Lyon, M.D., James sary !" It is true that the law may fail to Lomas Bardsley, M. D., J. Daven- punish in such a case, but we trust that port Hulme, M. D., J. A. Ransome, Dr. BAIllD will sufficiently feel what is due Rd. Thorpe, Wm. James Wilson, to retributive justice, to lay before the Thomas Turner." in a detailed form, every cirprofession, A general meeting of the trustees havcumstance connected with this scandalous ing been convened for the purpose ofI The public should be made’ taking this report into consideration, it proceeding. to understand, that the moral character of was resolved, nem. con.,— a physician is the only security for the " That as the medical board of the exercise and utility of his professional Manchester Royal Infirmary are unaniskill. no mously of opinion that imputation rests unon the moral character of Dr. BAIRD for his conduct on this occasion, it is the opinion of this meeting that no further INTERCEPTED LETTER. proceedings are necessary."

BAIRD, for his conduct

COLL. OF PHYS. This, then, was the finish of the busi-THE PRES. OF THE LoN. the Country), TO THE PROF. OF (in ness, and, considering the character of the PHYS. OF GLAS. UNIV. (in London). attack on Dr. BAIRD, the apparent ferocity of his pursuers, the adoption, erc parte, MY DEAR B—DH—M.—Though I de. "

to tell you of my proof a sub-committee of inquiry, the consti- sired Doctor here on the 1st of Septusnts of that committee,when, when all posed congress and of the absolute necessity of these circumstances are borne in mind, a our havingyour assistance as one of the most impotent conclusion it was. No four- twelve of our " best fellows," who are to 1 now write to you with my ther proceedings necessaryWhy! should own hand to express the high gratification nothing be done, then, to punish the slanpleasant society will certainly afford all of us at -. Wemust join hand derers, the conspirators, the moral is- in hand," and use our utmost energies, not sassins, who had polluted every house only to concentrate our forces," as my Liverpool with their atrocious calumnies ? dear friend the Duke would say, but to determine on the best mode of combating It was pretended, we perceive, at the last and conquering that enemy of everything meeting of the trustees, that no attempt that is venerahle and estimable in church,’ had been made to cast any imputation on state, and college—Reform. Remember that we must not be idle, Much, too, as the moral character of the libelled physi- we all admire your poetical talents, you cian. If this be true, on what plea, we firmst nnt. m-hiln here enchain and seduce our excited minds by the exercise of your ask, was the whole inquiry instituted ? great literary acquirements, of which On the ground, we must presume, that there isno more devoted admirer than under the reasonable Dr. BAIRD made a more minute examiof a little partridge-shooting, pretence nation into the diseases of the patient our time must be entirely devoted to buthan the trustees thought was necessary! siness. Youknow, dear B——, that how0 what enlightened governors ! What ever much we all hate these °’ licentiates," we all, notwithstanding, have excellent non-medical conjurors ! What " licenses to kill." Afflicted as you well admirable infirmary Crichtons ! We deny know me to be at CHAMBERS’s sad tumble from his carriage, yet I cannot avoid the allegation, toto ccelo. The entire pro- i expressing my delight at the prospect ceeding was founded on an imputation of of this accident preventing him from that vigorous and active part in gross immorality ; and now that the taking the revolutionary cause which advancing charge is whoJly disproved by the arbiters he might have assumed had he been in who were selected by the complainants health. He is a clever and determined -

tember,

Iassemble,

I your

in

myself. Except

763 character, and must be considered our attending

to

paupers and other persons

most serious enemy in the College. We’ afflicted with cholera who are unable to may safely count on the powerful co- pay for medicine and attendance, can oboperation of all the lace-holders in the tain redress for the same from the paxoI had no chial authorities, and to what extent? College of Surgeons. 2nd. If we have any claim, how shall idea that their situations were so lucrative ! " The least important matter which now we proceed to enforce it ? I presume, sir, you are aware, that in makes me write to you is myself, for no man, as you know, my dear B-m, thinks some districts, the medical men have reless of himself than I do, though to know ceived at the rate of two guineas, and thyself, dear friend, is indeed " true wis- those in the city at the rate of one guinea, dom !" I have heard it whispered that an per case. Is it not then most ungenerous odious journal to which I will not further and unjustifiable, that in a district which allude, is going to charge me with having was the first attacked with cholera, where in my " oration" on madness, adopted its ravages were most severe, and, consemany of the ideas and illustrations fur- quently, required the greater exertions on nished by Bishop Newton in his work on the part of the medical men ; and where theprophecies, as my own. If this report the disease was the last place to quit,be true, the attempt may do me no good. that the overseers of such a district should I beseech thee to see dear friend Mac- refuse one sous to save a pauper, although michael about this matter instantly. and those very overseers are now applying for assist him to get a stop put to the threat- an extension of the over-gorged churchened publication. M— is as much in- yard, and will give 15001. for a few yards terested in that volume of essays as I am, of ground adjoining the north side of the for tell him that any stir in the matter church, already the property of the parish, may in one way or other lead to the ex- and at least 15001, more to some friend to posure of his being the author of the prepare it for the reception of their dead? review of my work in the lL2carterly, in They have been appealed to on behalf of which he very kindly and considerately, the medical men, but you might as well but too flatteringly, extols me for my " ex ore esuriente leone exculpere præanatomical and pathological dam," as refer to them. The appalling devastations which took my classical learning, high and disinterested feelings. A knowledge that place a few days ago in Clerkenwell work. review came from that quarter might do house. tally awfullv with the unhandsome us both irretrievable mischief, and ma- way in which the overseers behaved toterially weaken the effect of any future wards the medical gentlemen in that discommendation that my excellent friend trict last year; and the refusal to act on the part of the medical gentlemen, when there on me in the of that influential were fifty cases of cholera in the house at riodical. Pray continue to send me per one time, and eighteen lying dead, ought coach, all the medical periodicals, regu- to be a warning to all overseers of the larly, as fast as they come out, and believe poor who refuse us compensation.-I am, me to be most affectionately yours, Sir, with the highest respect for yoUr talents and principles, your most obedient " Leicestershire, Aug. -, 1833." servant, &Dgr;∈&lgr;&tgr;&agr;. St. Saviour’s, Southwark, Aug. 26, 1833. CONDUCT OF OVERSEERS *,* This question is one of consider-

By-the-by,

I

(, knowledge,

the

pages

pe-

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TOWARDS MEDICAL MEN WHO HAVE ATTENDED PAUPER CHOLERA PATIENTS.

difficulty, and involves many im. portant matters connected with legal able

If overseers wilfully withhold meSIR,—We naturally look to you for dical aid from paupers who are utterly advice in our troubles, and protection destitute, whether belonging to their own against injustice, whether corporate or individual, and I now appeal to you onor other parishes, medical practitioners behalf, as I am sure it will prove, of somecan recover at law some remuneration hundreds of our professional brethren ‘ for their medicines and attendance. The (who would rather pine under the oppression of an overbearing overseer, than unite; overseers are the legal guardians of the con amore and resist them) on a new subpoor, and, like other guardians, are subject. I beg leave to ask you, 1st. Whether, we, who have been em-ject to the just charges which spring out ployed by the Local Boards of Health inL of the responsibilities of their office. To the Editor

of’THE

LANCET.

proof.