- Email: [email protected]
MIDLAND CIRCUIT, LEICESTER, JULY 17TH.
111
present system of Poor-law medical relief the whole machinery clashes, and the result inevitably is an enormous increase of expenditure of poor-rates throughout England. Mr. Griffin has for many years acted in the most indefatigable
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION AND LIFE ASSURANCE OFFICES. To the Editor of THE LANCET. manner, and deserves every credit and better support from his SIR,-As you have published two letters, and your own immedical brethren; but after all his incessant toil and anxiety, of the Norwich Union comments, on the portant for which no money can ever compensate him, what does it Life Assurance Society, shortcomings will you perhaps permit me, as a amount to ? why, to the very thing I predicted at the com- matter of to that Society, to state that, on Dec. 23rd, justice which his letter mencement of his labours-nothing at all,-and 1862, I received their usual form of certificate by post, to medical last week’s verifies. in
If, therefore, journal fully which was attached the following foot-note :-" A fee (21s.) after this, in acting in opposition to the will be paid by the Society." On Dec. 24th the certificate must of the and their benefit own interests, they poor expect filled up and returned, and on the same day the fee (21s.) the consequences to recoil upon themselves in the shape of in- was I am, Sir, yours obediently, duly paid. creased labour, and great distress and suffering among the poor, T. CHAMBERS. Sutherland-street, S.W., July, 1863. your
practitioners persist,
was
the result of which will be
ratepayers’
an
extravagant expenditure
of the
money.
Now the remedy for this crying evil is to convene county meetings throughout England of all the medical men, and to request the medical officers of each Poor-law union, or their deputies, to attend. At such meetings a code of resolutions and regulations should be drawn up, signed, and submitted to an aggregate meeting of medical practitioners in London, the primary object of which should be (all others having failed) to give one week’s notice to the several boards of guardians, and then tender their resignation simultaneously upon a given day; this being accomplished, no qualified medical man in England, either in the employ of guardians or otherwise, to resume hisI
THE ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL OFFICERS OF ASYLUMS FOR THE INSANE. THE fourteenth annual meeting of this Association was held, by the permission of the President and Fellows, at the Royal College of Physicians, on the 9th instant. Dr. Kirkman, the retiring President, resigned the chair to Dr. Skae, of Edin-
burgh, President elect, who delivered an able address on subduties, under any pretence whatever, until a satisfactory ar-I jects connected with psychological research. There was a rangement had been made, and an equitable emolument givenI numerous attendance of members ; amongst these were Dr. for his services, a detailed account of which I am prepared to Conolly, Dr. Monro, Dr. Thurnam, Dr. Wood, Dr. Sherlock, place before the Poor-law Board at Whitehall whenever anI Dr. Duncan, Dr. Fox, Dr. Wollaston, Dr. Willett, Dr. Crichton The resignation of Mr. Ley, Browne, Dr. Herz, of Vienna, &c. eligible opportunity presents itself. for many years the Treasurer of the Association (President, I am aware that to this comprehensive view of the some practitioners may possibly make frivolous objections; but 1848), was received with much regret. The following officers if the scheme is well organized, there need be no difficulty of the Association were elected :-President Elect: Dr. Henry whatever in carrying it into effect. Thus would be obtained Monro. -Treasurer: Dr. Paul.-Editors of the Journal : Dr. the long-sought object, without further misgivings, or expendi- Lockhart Robertson and Dr. Maudsley.-Secretaries for Scotture in money in the shape of expensive government com- land and Ireland : Dr. Rorie and Dr. Stewart.-General Secremittees, or contribution from the already overtaxed medical tary : Dr. Tuke. Twenty-two new members were proposed, I will venture to say there is not a Poor-law medical ’, and the following psychologists unanimously elected honorary man. officer in England adequately paid for the labour he is called members :-William Lawrence, F. R. S., Surgeon to Bethlehem upon to perform; then why, let me ask, should he sacrifice his Hospital; Dr. Delasiauve; Editor of the Journal de Médecine time, his money, aye, even his very life, for the benefit of his Mentale, Physician to the Bicetre, President of the Society fellow-men, without an equitable return? Would any member Medico-Psychologique of Paris; Dr. Girard de Cailleux, Inof Divinity or Law for a moment submit to such a degradation, spector-General of Asylumsin the Prefecture of the Department of the Seine; Dr. Moreau de Tours, Chief Physician of or subject himself to be insolently interrogated by men who have procured a seat at a dictatorial board of guardians, whose the Salpetriere ; Dr. Damerow, Physician of the Halle Asylum, sole object is pounds, shillings, and pence? Prussia, Chief Editor of the Allgemeine Zeitschriftfür PsychiaIn conclusion, I do then most unhesitatingly call upon every trie. carefully-written paper was then read by Dr. Eastwood, qualified medical practitioner in England to aid in carrying out onAPrivate the above project, which, if done, will not only tend to benefit Asylums. Papers by Dr. Robertson and Dr. Maudswere on the list, but the time of the meeting was occupied but the and those who seek ley himself, ratepayers, generally in a long and animated discussion upon the question involved Poor-law medical relief. in the proposed removal of Bethlehem HospitaL Upon the I am, Sir, your obedient servant, motion of Dr. Lockhart Robertson, seconded by Dr. Conolly, R. C. S. E. &c. M. Kensington, July, 1863. the following resolution was carried unanimously :’’ That the members of this Association have regarded with THE INFLUENCE OF SMOKING ON THE especial interest the question of the removal of Bethlehem MUCOUS MEMBRANE. Hospital to a site more adapted to the present state of psychological and sanitary science, and affording enlarged means of To the Editor of THE LANCET. relief to the insane of the middle and educated classes in imSiB,—In the summary of the recent inquiry by Dr. Richard- poverished circumstances, and that they desire to express their son on the Influence of Smoking, noticed in your article on the concurrence in the representations already made to the goverTobacco Question in last week’s number, there is one point to nors of that important institution by the Commissioners in which I take exception. In the enumeration of the parts Lunacy." affected by smoking, Dr. Richardson mentions, amongst others, The annual dinner of the Association was held, on the same the mucous membrane of the mouth and the bronchial surface at the Freemasons’ Tavern, Dr. Skae, the President, in day, I of the lungs. Why he should select the commencement and the chair. Among the guests were Dr. Bucknill and Dr. Wood, termination of the respiratory mucous tract, as being more inmembers of the Association, Dr. Webster, Dr. Russell honorary fluenced than the intervening portion, I cannot understand. and Mr. Skae. From very considerable experience on this subject, I unhesi- Reynolds, tatingly state that the fauces, pharynx, larynx, and trachea are much more frequently affected from excessive smoking than MEDICAL TRIALS.
matterI
"
"
are the bronchi and the month, and I feel satisfied that in this observation I shall be borne out by most if not all of those experienced in this matter. For many years past well-marked and sometimes severe cases of true follicular disease of the throat and larynx have presented themselves to my notice, which were clearly the result of excessive smoking; and I considered the disease of so much importance that a chapter was devoted to its consideration in my work on Diseases of the
Throat (p. 142). I
remain, Sir,
your obedient servant,
Portman-street, Portman-square, July, 1863.
GEO. D. GIBB, M.D.
MIDLAND CIRCUIT, LEICESTER, JULY 17TH. Justice WILLIAMS, and a Special Jury.)
(Before Mr.
BROWN V. EDWARDS.
action for slander, to which the defendant pleaded that he was "Not Guilty." Mr. Serjeant Hayes and Mr. Flowers appeared for the plaintiff ; Mr. Macaulay, Q.C., and Mr. Mundell for the-
THIS
was
defendant.
an
112 The parties to this action are both members of the medical profession, and reside at Uppingham. The plaintiff, who is the son of a well-known solicitor practising there, had lately passed his examination at the College of Surgeons, but at the time when the alleged slander was uttered had not been registered under the late Medical Act, and was not an apothecary. There is in Uppingham a friendly society, calling itself the Artisans
Parliamentary Intelligence. HOUSE
OF
MONDAY,
COMMONS. JULY 20TH.
ARMY MEDICAL OFFICERS. BenefitSociety, of which the defendant had for some years been the medical officer. About the end of last year, some of MR. BLAKE asked the Under Secretary of State for War on the members, having become dissatisfied with the defendant, what grounds medical officers of the army were by a late war. waited upon the plaintiff, and asked if he would consent to be- rant precluded from acdng as presidents of boards of inquiry, come their medical officer ; to which he replied he should have boards of survey, and committees. no objection to act as such, if elected. The meeting for the The Marquis of HARTiNGTOsaid that a committee had been annual election of officers took place on the 5th of January in appointed to consider the subject, and the result of their in. this year, when the defendant was present. One of the mem- quiries was to place the medical officers in the same position bers proposed the plaintiff as their medical officer, upon which as other non-combatant officers of the army, but certainly no the defendant got up and said the plaintiff could not be pro- stigma was intended to be thrown upon them. posed because he had not sent in a written statement of his *** The reply of the Under Secretary of State for War is any. qualifications, as required by the rules. The chairman, who but an answer to the pertinent question of Mr. Blake. thing appears to have favoured the plaintiff, replied, " Why you yourself, Mr. Edwards, have not sent in any written statement. The question referred to the " grounds" or reasons upon which Moreover, you are not a member of the society, and cannot in- medical officers were excluded from holding the office of pre. terfere in the discussion." The defendant became excited, and sident, &c. The Marquis of Hartington has failed to state said the plaintiff had no wish to become their officer; to which these It is all very well to declare that " no stigma grounds. several of the members replied that they had seen him, and was intended." We look at the act, and not at the intention. that he had no objection to act, if elected. The defendant thereupon said, "Mr. Brown is not legally a doctor. I can The "intention" may have been good. Everyone is familiar stop him at any time. He is here by my sufferance, and if he with the aphorism respecting " good intentions." We contend interferes with my practice I can send him out of the town, as that the act itself is most unjust, and does cast a stigma upon I did Mr. Walker." This was the slander complained of, the the army medical service. By education, by experience, and result being that the defendant was re-elected. The plaintiff’s by every quality which should be possessed by a president of father had written to the defendant to complain of this statement ; but the defendant had declined either to retract or to such tribunals, the army surgeon is the one pre-eminently apologize for it unlesa the plaintiff would state that he was a fitted to occupy that post. The entire course of proceedings member of the Apothecaries’ Company, and a duly qualified of the authorities with regard to what are called the I I comgeneral practitioner. To this the plaintiffs father replied that batant" officers of the army in contradistinction to the medical his son was not, and perhaps did not intend to become, a certified vendor of physic ; and the defendant persisting in his re- staff is anything but honourable to the Commander-in-Chief. It is true that military surgeons are "non-combatant" officers;i fusal to retract or apologize, this action was commenced. but who are more exposed than they are to the perils of At the close of the plaintiff’s evidence, Mr. MACAULAY submitted that he had failed to establish his war? Who have ever shown more gallantry in the fieldThe declaration by its inuendoes charged the defendant more devotion to the service in the case. hospitals ? The Commander. with saying of the plaintiff that he was not a duly qualified his life at Inkermann to the courage and presence in-Chief owed surgeon and accoucheur, while what he had said was in effect that, being only a surgeon, he was not qualified to become the of mind of Assist. -Surgeon Wilson. Gratitude alone, leaving medical officer of a society where he would have to attend both out other considerations, might, one would think, have induced and medical cases, which by law he could not do. his Royal Highness to act with more justice to a body of men Mr. Serjeant HAYES contended that the useless and un- who have never been found wanting in the hour of danger. necessary inuendoes could be rejected and the declaration -ED T. amended ; but this MONDAY, JULY 20TH. The learned JUDGE refused, on the ground that, if the deDISEASED SHEEP AND CATTLE. claration were amended in that respect, and the wider interpretation put upon it, the defendant might be able to justify Mr. HUME, in the absence of Mr. R. Long, asked the and prove the truth of the alleged slander. His Lordship Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his atthought that some light might be thrown upon the defendant’s tention had been called to certain statements respecting the meaning by ascertaining the reasons for which the defendant importation of diseased sheep and cattle, made by Professor had compelled Mr. Walker to leave the town. ’, Gamgee in his inaugural address to the members of the New Mr. thereupon called a witness, who proved that Veterinary College, Edinburgh, in November, 1862—viz., that Mr. Walker had been compelled to give up practising at "pleuro-pneumonia and epizootic aphtha never appeared in 17ppingham because he was only a surgeon, and not a member Ireland till foreign cattle were imported there;"that "the of the Apothecaries’ Company. maladies peculiar to British soil, though often very fatal, never The jury found a verdict for the defendant. arose above 1 or 1 per cent. loss, and usually much less ; 5,6, There was a second action between the same parties, com- and 10 per cent. are a common yearly average now ;" and that plaining of a repetition of the alleged slander after the plaintiff last year we did not lose in England alone less than three times had registered under the Medical Act, but it was not pro- the amount of cattle we imported ; and, if we calculate the ceeded with. loss over the three kingdoms, it will be found that for every animal we from foreign dealers we did not lose less ** The above case well illustrates the necessity of some recog- than six or purchased Whether the abovestatements seven of our own." nized professional tribunal for the settlement of questions in- are well if so, what steps the Government proand, founded, volving private difference between local practitioners. It is pose to take to prevent such evils for the future ; and whether much to be regretted that every petty altercation should find the reports of Professor Gamgee, made to the Government on its way into Court, and that small personal disputes should his return from the continent last autumn, would be laid upon the table of the House this session. assume the serious and expensive aspect of civil actions. Being Sir G. GREY said he had not seen the inaugural address of opinion that disagreements of this character reflect little alluded to, and therefore could not say whether the statements credit on either party, we are far from congratulating the de- alleged to have been made in it were well founded. He underfendant on the technical point which procured him the verdict, stood that the report of Mr. Gamgee would be presented in a and have certainly little sympathy with the plaintiff for the few days. outlay he himself has occasioned.--ED. L. PRODUCTION OF CINCHONA BARK.-In 1861 the quantity of Cinchona bark exported from Bolivia and Ecuador, the Cinchona producing countries of South America, was ADULTERATED YEAST.—We are glad to learn that the importation of adulterated yeast is under the consideration of respectively 496,500 and 583,700 pounds, the value being the Secretary of State for the Home Department. £70,918.
surgical
MACAULAY
principal
present system of Poor-law medical relief the whole machinery clashes, and the result inevitably is an enormous increase of expenditure of poor-rates throughout England. Mr. Griffin has for many years acted in the most indefatigable
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION AND LIFE ASSURANCE OFFICES. To the Editor of THE LANCET. manner, and deserves every credit and better support from his SIR,-As you have published two letters, and your own immedical brethren; but after all his incessant toil and anxiety, of the Norwich Union comments, on the portant for which no money can ever compensate him, what does it Life Assurance Society, shortcomings will you perhaps permit me, as a amount to ? why, to the very thing I predicted at the com- matter of to that Society, to state that, on Dec. 23rd, justice which his letter mencement of his labours-nothing at all,-and 1862, I received their usual form of certificate by post, to medical last week’s verifies. in
If, therefore, journal fully which was attached the following foot-note :-" A fee (21s.) after this, in acting in opposition to the will be paid by the Society." On Dec. 24th the certificate must of the and their benefit own interests, they poor expect filled up and returned, and on the same day the fee (21s.) the consequences to recoil upon themselves in the shape of in- was I am, Sir, yours obediently, duly paid. creased labour, and great distress and suffering among the poor, T. CHAMBERS. Sutherland-street, S.W., July, 1863. your
practitioners persist,
was
the result of which will be
ratepayers’
an
extravagant expenditure
of the
money.
Now the remedy for this crying evil is to convene county meetings throughout England of all the medical men, and to request the medical officers of each Poor-law union, or their deputies, to attend. At such meetings a code of resolutions and regulations should be drawn up, signed, and submitted to an aggregate meeting of medical practitioners in London, the primary object of which should be (all others having failed) to give one week’s notice to the several boards of guardians, and then tender their resignation simultaneously upon a given day; this being accomplished, no qualified medical man in England, either in the employ of guardians or otherwise, to resume hisI
THE ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL OFFICERS OF ASYLUMS FOR THE INSANE. THE fourteenth annual meeting of this Association was held, by the permission of the President and Fellows, at the Royal College of Physicians, on the 9th instant. Dr. Kirkman, the retiring President, resigned the chair to Dr. Skae, of Edin-
burgh, President elect, who delivered an able address on subduties, under any pretence whatever, until a satisfactory ar-I jects connected with psychological research. There was a rangement had been made, and an equitable emolument givenI numerous attendance of members ; amongst these were Dr. for his services, a detailed account of which I am prepared to Conolly, Dr. Monro, Dr. Thurnam, Dr. Wood, Dr. Sherlock, place before the Poor-law Board at Whitehall whenever anI Dr. Duncan, Dr. Fox, Dr. Wollaston, Dr. Willett, Dr. Crichton The resignation of Mr. Ley, Browne, Dr. Herz, of Vienna, &c. eligible opportunity presents itself. for many years the Treasurer of the Association (President, I am aware that to this comprehensive view of the some practitioners may possibly make frivolous objections; but 1848), was received with much regret. The following officers if the scheme is well organized, there need be no difficulty of the Association were elected :-President Elect: Dr. Henry whatever in carrying it into effect. Thus would be obtained Monro. -Treasurer: Dr. Paul.-Editors of the Journal : Dr. the long-sought object, without further misgivings, or expendi- Lockhart Robertson and Dr. Maudsley.-Secretaries for Scotture in money in the shape of expensive government com- land and Ireland : Dr. Rorie and Dr. Stewart.-General Secremittees, or contribution from the already overtaxed medical tary : Dr. Tuke. Twenty-two new members were proposed, I will venture to say there is not a Poor-law medical ’, and the following psychologists unanimously elected honorary man. officer in England adequately paid for the labour he is called members :-William Lawrence, F. R. S., Surgeon to Bethlehem upon to perform; then why, let me ask, should he sacrifice his Hospital; Dr. Delasiauve; Editor of the Journal de Médecine time, his money, aye, even his very life, for the benefit of his Mentale, Physician to the Bicetre, President of the Society fellow-men, without an equitable return? Would any member Medico-Psychologique of Paris; Dr. Girard de Cailleux, Inof Divinity or Law for a moment submit to such a degradation, spector-General of Asylumsin the Prefecture of the Department of the Seine; Dr. Moreau de Tours, Chief Physician of or subject himself to be insolently interrogated by men who have procured a seat at a dictatorial board of guardians, whose the Salpetriere ; Dr. Damerow, Physician of the Halle Asylum, sole object is pounds, shillings, and pence? Prussia, Chief Editor of the Allgemeine Zeitschriftfür PsychiaIn conclusion, I do then most unhesitatingly call upon every trie. carefully-written paper was then read by Dr. Eastwood, qualified medical practitioner in England to aid in carrying out onAPrivate the above project, which, if done, will not only tend to benefit Asylums. Papers by Dr. Robertson and Dr. Maudswere on the list, but the time of the meeting was occupied but the and those who seek ley himself, ratepayers, generally in a long and animated discussion upon the question involved Poor-law medical relief. in the proposed removal of Bethlehem HospitaL Upon the I am, Sir, your obedient servant, motion of Dr. Lockhart Robertson, seconded by Dr. Conolly, R. C. S. E. &c. M. Kensington, July, 1863. the following resolution was carried unanimously :’’ That the members of this Association have regarded with THE INFLUENCE OF SMOKING ON THE especial interest the question of the removal of Bethlehem MUCOUS MEMBRANE. Hospital to a site more adapted to the present state of psychological and sanitary science, and affording enlarged means of To the Editor of THE LANCET. relief to the insane of the middle and educated classes in imSiB,—In the summary of the recent inquiry by Dr. Richard- poverished circumstances, and that they desire to express their son on the Influence of Smoking, noticed in your article on the concurrence in the representations already made to the goverTobacco Question in last week’s number, there is one point to nors of that important institution by the Commissioners in which I take exception. In the enumeration of the parts Lunacy." affected by smoking, Dr. Richardson mentions, amongst others, The annual dinner of the Association was held, on the same the mucous membrane of the mouth and the bronchial surface at the Freemasons’ Tavern, Dr. Skae, the President, in day, I of the lungs. Why he should select the commencement and the chair. Among the guests were Dr. Bucknill and Dr. Wood, termination of the respiratory mucous tract, as being more inmembers of the Association, Dr. Webster, Dr. Russell honorary fluenced than the intervening portion, I cannot understand. and Mr. Skae. From very considerable experience on this subject, I unhesi- Reynolds, tatingly state that the fauces, pharynx, larynx, and trachea are much more frequently affected from excessive smoking than MEDICAL TRIALS.
matterI
"
"
are the bronchi and the month, and I feel satisfied that in this observation I shall be borne out by most if not all of those experienced in this matter. For many years past well-marked and sometimes severe cases of true follicular disease of the throat and larynx have presented themselves to my notice, which were clearly the result of excessive smoking; and I considered the disease of so much importance that a chapter was devoted to its consideration in my work on Diseases of the
Throat (p. 142). I
remain, Sir,
your obedient servant,
Portman-street, Portman-square, July, 1863.
GEO. D. GIBB, M.D.
MIDLAND CIRCUIT, LEICESTER, JULY 17TH. Justice WILLIAMS, and a Special Jury.)
(Before Mr.
BROWN V. EDWARDS.
action for slander, to which the defendant pleaded that he was "Not Guilty." Mr. Serjeant Hayes and Mr. Flowers appeared for the plaintiff ; Mr. Macaulay, Q.C., and Mr. Mundell for the-
THIS
was
defendant.
an
112 The parties to this action are both members of the medical profession, and reside at Uppingham. The plaintiff, who is the son of a well-known solicitor practising there, had lately passed his examination at the College of Surgeons, but at the time when the alleged slander was uttered had not been registered under the late Medical Act, and was not an apothecary. There is in Uppingham a friendly society, calling itself the Artisans
Parliamentary Intelligence. HOUSE
OF
MONDAY,
COMMONS. JULY 20TH.
ARMY MEDICAL OFFICERS. BenefitSociety, of which the defendant had for some years been the medical officer. About the end of last year, some of MR. BLAKE asked the Under Secretary of State for War on the members, having become dissatisfied with the defendant, what grounds medical officers of the army were by a late war. waited upon the plaintiff, and asked if he would consent to be- rant precluded from acdng as presidents of boards of inquiry, come their medical officer ; to which he replied he should have boards of survey, and committees. no objection to act as such, if elected. The meeting for the The Marquis of HARTiNGTOsaid that a committee had been annual election of officers took place on the 5th of January in appointed to consider the subject, and the result of their in. this year, when the defendant was present. One of the mem- quiries was to place the medical officers in the same position bers proposed the plaintiff as their medical officer, upon which as other non-combatant officers of the army, but certainly no the defendant got up and said the plaintiff could not be pro- stigma was intended to be thrown upon them. posed because he had not sent in a written statement of his *** The reply of the Under Secretary of State for War is any. qualifications, as required by the rules. The chairman, who but an answer to the pertinent question of Mr. Blake. thing appears to have favoured the plaintiff, replied, " Why you yourself, Mr. Edwards, have not sent in any written statement. The question referred to the " grounds" or reasons upon which Moreover, you are not a member of the society, and cannot in- medical officers were excluded from holding the office of pre. terfere in the discussion." The defendant became excited, and sident, &c. The Marquis of Hartington has failed to state said the plaintiff had no wish to become their officer; to which these It is all very well to declare that " no stigma grounds. several of the members replied that they had seen him, and was intended." We look at the act, and not at the intention. that he had no objection to act, if elected. The defendant thereupon said, "Mr. Brown is not legally a doctor. I can The "intention" may have been good. Everyone is familiar stop him at any time. He is here by my sufferance, and if he with the aphorism respecting " good intentions." We contend interferes with my practice I can send him out of the town, as that the act itself is most unjust, and does cast a stigma upon I did Mr. Walker." This was the slander complained of, the the army medical service. By education, by experience, and result being that the defendant was re-elected. The plaintiff’s by every quality which should be possessed by a president of father had written to the defendant to complain of this statement ; but the defendant had declined either to retract or to such tribunals, the army surgeon is the one pre-eminently apologize for it unlesa the plaintiff would state that he was a fitted to occupy that post. The entire course of proceedings member of the Apothecaries’ Company, and a duly qualified of the authorities with regard to what are called the I I comgeneral practitioner. To this the plaintiffs father replied that batant" officers of the army in contradistinction to the medical his son was not, and perhaps did not intend to become, a certified vendor of physic ; and the defendant persisting in his re- staff is anything but honourable to the Commander-in-Chief. It is true that military surgeons are "non-combatant" officers;i fusal to retract or apologize, this action was commenced. but who are more exposed than they are to the perils of At the close of the plaintiff’s evidence, Mr. MACAULAY submitted that he had failed to establish his war? Who have ever shown more gallantry in the fieldThe declaration by its inuendoes charged the defendant more devotion to the service in the case. hospitals ? The Commander. with saying of the plaintiff that he was not a duly qualified his life at Inkermann to the courage and presence in-Chief owed surgeon and accoucheur, while what he had said was in effect that, being only a surgeon, he was not qualified to become the of mind of Assist. -Surgeon Wilson. Gratitude alone, leaving medical officer of a society where he would have to attend both out other considerations, might, one would think, have induced and medical cases, which by law he could not do. his Royal Highness to act with more justice to a body of men Mr. Serjeant HAYES contended that the useless and un- who have never been found wanting in the hour of danger. necessary inuendoes could be rejected and the declaration -ED T. amended ; but this MONDAY, JULY 20TH. The learned JUDGE refused, on the ground that, if the deDISEASED SHEEP AND CATTLE. claration were amended in that respect, and the wider interpretation put upon it, the defendant might be able to justify Mr. HUME, in the absence of Mr. R. Long, asked the and prove the truth of the alleged slander. His Lordship Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his atthought that some light might be thrown upon the defendant’s tention had been called to certain statements respecting the meaning by ascertaining the reasons for which the defendant importation of diseased sheep and cattle, made by Professor had compelled Mr. Walker to leave the town. ’, Gamgee in his inaugural address to the members of the New Mr. thereupon called a witness, who proved that Veterinary College, Edinburgh, in November, 1862—viz., that Mr. Walker had been compelled to give up practising at "pleuro-pneumonia and epizootic aphtha never appeared in 17ppingham because he was only a surgeon, and not a member Ireland till foreign cattle were imported there;"that "the of the Apothecaries’ Company. maladies peculiar to British soil, though often very fatal, never The jury found a verdict for the defendant. arose above 1 or 1 per cent. loss, and usually much less ; 5,6, There was a second action between the same parties, com- and 10 per cent. are a common yearly average now ;" and that plaining of a repetition of the alleged slander after the plaintiff last year we did not lose in England alone less than three times had registered under the Medical Act, but it was not pro- the amount of cattle we imported ; and, if we calculate the ceeded with. loss over the three kingdoms, it will be found that for every animal we from foreign dealers we did not lose less ** The above case well illustrates the necessity of some recog- than six or purchased Whether the abovestatements seven of our own." nized professional tribunal for the settlement of questions in- are well if so, what steps the Government proand, founded, volving private difference between local practitioners. It is pose to take to prevent such evils for the future ; and whether much to be regretted that every petty altercation should find the reports of Professor Gamgee, made to the Government on its way into Court, and that small personal disputes should his return from the continent last autumn, would be laid upon the table of the House this session. assume the serious and expensive aspect of civil actions. Being Sir G. GREY said he had not seen the inaugural address of opinion that disagreements of this character reflect little alluded to, and therefore could not say whether the statements credit on either party, we are far from congratulating the de- alleged to have been made in it were well founded. He underfendant on the technical point which procured him the verdict, stood that the report of Mr. Gamgee would be presented in a and have certainly little sympathy with the plaintiff for the few days. outlay he himself has occasioned.--ED. L. PRODUCTION OF CINCHONA BARK.-In 1861 the quantity of Cinchona bark exported from Bolivia and Ecuador, the Cinchona producing countries of South America, was ADULTERATED YEAST.—We are glad to learn that the importation of adulterated yeast is under the consideration of respectively 496,500 and 583,700 pounds, the value being the Secretary of State for the Home Department. £70,918.
surgical
MACAULAY
principal