IRISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

922 been acknowledged to be fair and reasonable. You have not ciation, and that of their president, Sir Dominic Corrigan, had the least difficulty in awarding compensation for the Bart. This Bill was introduced by the Marquis of Harinjuries, and you have also given the medical expenses tington and the Attorney-General for Ireland, and was without criticism. There are other cases which, unfortu- read the first time on the 13th May, 1872, and ordered to nately, were too common formerly, but, fortunately, they have be printed. The secretary of the Irish Poor-law Medical now almost ceased; and the result of this case may be a Officers’ Association immediately communicated with Sir lesson to those who have to do with such cases, where the Dominic Corrigan on the subject, who brought it under the most fraudulent and the most dishonest claims are put notice of the Marquis ofHartington and the Poor-law forward, founded on falsehood, fraud, and perjury’—because Commissioners, and was present in the House of Commons there is no escape from that in this case; there has been a on the 30th of June, the night appointed for the second most wilful misrepresentation, and that I understand to be reading of the Bill, to move the amendments. It was postponed, however, owing to the debate on the Ballot Bill. your opinion. The Jury : Quite so, my lord. Dr. Maunsell also brought it under the notice of the English The Lord Chief Justice : Unfortunately this is an example Poor-law Medical Officers’ Association-vide THE LANCET of of not simply a fraudulent claim made by the plaintiff, but, the 1st June, 1872, page 777, in which also is published and unhappily, it is put forward through the instrumentality i commented upon the Bill as amended by Dr. Maunsell, of medical men, who are supposed to be gentlemen, which which amendments, with slight verbal alterations, ultimakes it ten times worse; and you have a case here in mately were adopted in committee, and now have become which the medical man introduces the attorney, and the law. On the 3rd of June was held the meeting of the Irish attorney or his clerk obtains a loan of money for the Poor-law Medical Officers’ Association, Sir Dominic CorYou then have a most exorbitant claim, at least rigan presiding, at which he read a very favourable letter what I should suppose you would think a most exorbitant from the Marquis of Hartington, in which he said that he had already communicated with the Poor-law Commisclaim, made by the medical man. sioners on the subject. The Bill was discussed very freely The Jury : Yes. The Lord Chief Justice: No bills have been sent in to at the meeting, as appears from the report of the Associathe client, and the result of this action, if it is in favour of tion. The Irish Medical Association also held their meeting the defendants, will be the means of those medical men on the same day, but no allusion is made to the Bill in the not obtaining a single sbilling. I think it is most credit- report. This had all taken place prior to the 3rd of June. able to the Company that they have resisted this claim to As to the action of the Irish Medical Association in the the utmost, and if companies had formerly done so, we matter, Dr. Quinan himself furnishes an account of it in a should have long since ceased to have been troubled with letter written to the Medical Press and Circular (which prothese cases. In the present instance four days of most valu- fesses to be the organ of that Association), which appeared able time have been occupied; the time, however, has not on the 9th October, 1872, page 314. "At our June annual been wasted, but, on the contrary, it will be of essential meeting of the Association, I brought the matter before the benefit in preventing such fraudulent claims for the future; members, and Dr. Evory Kennedy, our president, accomand if the Company can obtain sufficient evidence, it will pa,nied me to the Attorney-General, at that time in Dublin, be for them to consider what further steps shall be taken and, having explained what we required, obtained his proin this matter. There have been cases in which, after an mise to consider it" (sic). A second deputation soon after action of this sort has failed, criminal prosecutions have waited upon the Poor-law Commissioners. After giving followed, and persons who have endeavoured to make a a very graphic description of his almost superhuman efforts court of justice the means of robbing shareholders-I do towards the end of July to amend the Bill, Dr. Quinan not know whether you concur in that view ?informs us that he went himself to London, and having The Jury : Quite so, my lord. applied to several members wholly ignorant of the subject The Lord Chief Justice: Persons who have endeavoured (Sir Dominic Corrigan ?), he called upon Mr. Brady finally, to make a court of justice the means of robbing share- who at once accompanied him to the House of Commons; holders have been prosecuted, and I hope the result of this. and he "therefore feels certain that it ito our well-tried and faithful friend of the profession, Mr. Brady, to whom case will be a warning to all persons who engage in such nefarious transactions. You find a verdict for the defend- I appealed as Secretary of the Irish Medical Association, and to him alone (sic) that the medical officers owe the ants ?( Foreman of the Jury : We do, my lord. amendment of the Superannuation Act, as well as the Act Mr. McIntyre : Will your lordship certify for a speciall itself." In the next issue of the same organ, however, a writer styling himself "Impartiality" (vide Medical jury ?( The Lord Chief Justice : Certainly. Whatever happens! Press and Circular, October 16th, page 336) says, 11I can they will have to pay the costs of this most expensive explain truly what actually occurred," and, after handling Dr. Quinan’s letter rather roughly, states, "immediately on trial. the Rill being- introduced. Sir Dominic Corrigan nut a notice Foreman of the Jury : We hope it will be a warning. on the books of the House to include registrars’ as well This amendment was as ‘ superintendent-registrars."’ accepted in committee by the Chief Secretary and the Attorney - General. The only other amendment on the notice paper was an amendment by Mr. Rylands, M.P. for Warrington, which was to move a second reading .. Audi alteram partem." that day six months, which he afterwards withdrew. To this letter Dr. Quinan did not reply, but the editor IRISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. feebly remarks :-" It was, we are sure, very far from Dr. To the Editor of THE LANCET. Quinan’s intention to ignore Sir Dominic Corrigan’s efforts influence in the matter"; in other words, that Dr. Quinan SiB—In the last issue of THE LANCET, I observe that the or did not mean what he said. And it is evident that his honorary secretary of the Irish Medical Association, Dr. ideas are somewhat modified, for in the annual report Dr. Quinan, takes exception to certain remarks which I made Quinan says :-" Your secretary then proceeded to the House in my Irish correspondence which appeared in your columns of Commons, and with the assistance of Mr. Brady and Sir Dominic Corrigan, the amendment was affected.’ on the 14th instant, and denies, in no measured language, the truth of my statement "that the Council of the Society From the above statement it strikes me that, with regard have merely to feel gratetakes credit to itself for the work done by other societies," to this Act, the medical officers ful to the Irish Medical Association for their omitting and defies me to prove it. It is a disagreeable duty, I to oppose it. admit, but nevertheless I will undertake it at his desire. As to the second error that Dr. Quinan points out in The annual report of the Council takes the sole credit for his correspondence, he does himself an injustice. The the introduction of certain amendments into the "Union scheme to form a society to make provision for the Officers’ (Ireland) Superannuation Act," which became law widows and children of Poor-law medical officers has last year. This, I purpose proving, was chiefly owing to been under the notice of the Society for four instead of the exertions of the Irish Poor-law Medical Officers’ Asso- two years, and has been very useful as a peg to hang an

plaintiff.

Correspondence.

923 annual resolution upon.

No doubt the idea is excellent, but

unfortunately it is utopian, and I have it on the best authority that the most eminent actuary in Ireland has pronounced it to be impracticable. The idea is to obtain power for the compulsory stoppage of the sum of
of the salaries of all medical officers, whether married or single or widowers, for the support of the widows and orphans of others. The report proves that the scheme is not in favour, however well meant. It states that 2000 circulars were sent out to medical men, but 289 did not take the trouble to reply, and of these seventeen are directlv opposed. It omits to mention, however, how many of the others are lukewarm. The Poor-law Medical Service must be included in the Civil Service before such a scheme can be made feasible, but at present it is decidedly premature. In conclusion, I would hazard one word of advice to Dr. Quinan and his Association, although it is not by any means original, as I have frequently heard it recommended : that it would be much more advantageous to all parties if both his Association and its organ-it they really do take the interest that they assert they do in the Poor-law medical officers-would assist them in carrying out important and useful measures and co-operate with their Associatio instead of abusing and obstructing it on every occasion whilst frittering away its own strength in such petty schemes as endeavouring to obtain an additional sixpence a month for attending policemen. I have already trespassed to an inordinate degree on your space. I remain, Sir, YOUR DUBLIN CORRESPONDENT. June 24th, 1873.

MR. HOLMES ON THE TREATMENT OF ANEURISM. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR, In Mr. Holmes’s second lecture on the Surgical Treatment of Aneurism, published in THE LANCET of last week, he mentioned the successful treatment by digital pressure of an aneurism of the carotid artery, in the case of an eminent City merchant. From that report it might treatment of the case the was conducted by Mr. appear I must state that this was not the fact. Neither did Mr. Gay suggest digital pressure. For the first ten days I was in almost constant attenda,nce, sleeping in the house, &c. I then got Mr. Coles, who lived in the neighbourhood, to relieve me in part, he acting under my superintendence, I usually paying three visits

Gay.

a

In

justice

to

myself

day.

1. That a limited liability company be formed. This is necessary in order to meet the losses which may arise the first few years, and to give stability and ensure confidence in the undertaking. 2. Capital ( £ 10,000, or any other sum thought desirable) in j81shares, 5s. to be paid on application and 5s. on allotment. Further calls, if required, not to exceed 2s. 6d. per share ; three months’notice to be given of each call. The .61 share is desirable to enable every member of the profession to become interested in the scheme. 3. The shares to be offered in the first instance to the

profession exclusively.

4. The business of life insurance to be combined with that of relief in sickness. I have been informed by a solicitor that a limited liability company can be formed with very little expense and trouble. Some small fee, I think 0122, at any rate under .85, has to be paid, and seven persons must sign the articles of association. I would prefer some more influential and better known member of the profession taking the matter up; but, if it will assist the matter in any way, I shall be happy to receive the names of any gentlemen who will assist in starting the concern, together with those who will take shares, stating the number of shares they will be willing to take. Any further suggestions shall meet with every attention, and it appears to me desirable that a meeting should be called to select a committee or board of directors at no distant date. Yours obedientlv. JAMES T. BECK. St. Andrews-street, Cambridge.

THE COLLEGE OF SURGEONS’ ELECTION. To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-I should be obliged if you would publish the enclosed letter, which has been forwarded to the secretary of the Royal College of Surgeons. I remain. Sir. vour obedient servant. THOMAS H. WAKLEY. To the

Secretary of the College of Surgeons. SiB,—Feeling, after mature consideration, that there might be some incompatibility between a seat in the Council of the College and my position as a proprietor of THE LANCET, though never having taken any part in its editorial management, I have resolved to withdraw from the candidature. I have accordingly to request you to remove my

I first mentioned digital pressure to Mr. Coulson, and name from the list of candidates. I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, afterwards finding that Mr. Coles had seen some cases of femoral aneurism successfully treated under Mr. Prescott THOMAS H. WAKLEY. 96, Redcliffe-gardens, June 25th, 1873. Hewett’s care in St. George’s Hospital, proposed at our next consultation that it should be tried in this case, Mr. Coles offering to obtain and arrange the relays of students. THE LATE MR. LUTWIDGE. Mr. Coles deserves all the praise awarded to him. To the Editor of THE LANCET. I suggested the substitution of mechanical for digital the first a with SiR,-In reply to Dr. Winslow’s letter, I refer him to my sponge-pad pressure, making attempt covered with soft leather on the end of a penholder. This paper, which, as far as I have at present gone, expresses was in a modified form used at intervals, but caused more question. I regret that he did not quote the soreness than the fingers. The successful issue appeared clearly my whole as by doing otherwise a very important paragraph, to me to depend upon the more skilful application of the is omitted. element pressure. The patient was perfectly conscious when presI am not surprised that, in these times of maudlin symsure was or was not properly applied, and two or three students who were not efficient were at his suggestion re- pathy with the criminal and almost forgetfulness of the victim, the raising of the question I did has caused severe quested to withdraw. comment and a challenge to discussion; but as the clause I remain. Sir, vour obedient servant, referred to of my paper read to the members of the SalisBUXTON SHILLITOE. Finsbury-circus, June 24th, 1873. bury Medical Society at their last meeting is placed on the

MEDICAL RELIEF IN SICKNESS. THE LANCET. some of your correspondents on the above subject. I recollect that some years since a similar scheme was proposed in connexion with the British Medical Association, but I suppose it was thought to be impracticable, as nothing came of it. I fear that unless some steps of a practical nature are now adopted the proposal may again drop. I therefore throw out the To the Editor

of

SiR,-I have read the letters of

following suggestions:-

agenda of that Society, Infirmary on July 2nd,

to be dealt with at the Salisbury at 2 30, it would be clearly premature and useless to enter into a literary discussion on the subject. It would give me great pleasure to be permitted by Dr. Winslow to introduce him to the meeting.

I still

think, Dr. Forbes Winslow’s opinion notwith-

standing, that a painless death received during and in consequence of the performance of a beneficent duty is preferable to the painful illness to which all aged men are liable, and which actually threatened Mr. Lutwidge. I am,

Salisbury, June 24th,

1873.

Sir,

yours

faithfully,

W. MARTIN COATES.