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MR. HOLLOWAY'S CHARITIES.
98 Save
covering
with ashes certain fetid streams of the
national colour on the surface of this deposit, work was abandoned in this dep6t for more than a week before Cap-
THE ELEVATING WARRANT.
tain Robinson’s inspection of what I’ve heard characterised How geologists would as " harmless ground silicate." marvel at the specimens. In colour, °° Heberden’s ink" to a shade; in smell, a nuisance to all except sufferers from official catarrh; and ornamented by a heap of worn-out metal household utensils. As the only surgeon resident in the vicinity, holding an interest in the adjoining property, and as representative of its owners, I felt bound to be active in the inquiry before alluded to. With courtesy I thank him, for Capt. Robinson, I the Local Government Board inspector, heard me. assured him that in some of the localities admitted to furnish the mud, a practice only too common among the poor existed-namely, depositing on the highway the proper ’contents of the ash-pit. To import such filtli en masse to the centre of a populous neighbourhood I held an outrage on hygiene-dangerous at all times, during epidemic (now so imminent) peculiarly so. To combat this came a rambling statement that neo 11 good stuff" (N.B., this is the night-soil) came here. My inquiry how the mud was separated from its Siamese twin, the house filth, only procured an admission that in the liquid state of the mud separation would not be possible. I then suggested that, as utensils similar to the discarded ones before us were, to my own knowledge, used by the lower classes as bed-pans, nightstools, slop-pails, &c., they might alone, if in large numbers, prove during epidemics a centre of contagion. To this I received from a corporation officer a flat, and to my mind rude, denial. I say ,to my mind"; we may differ, perhaps, as widely on " good taste " as on " bad smells." A sworn inquiry was decided upon. To it came the memorialists to a man, ready to verify on oath their statements Without notice of their intention, the corporation came represented by their law officers, who proposed crossexamining witnesses. This being considered an unfair advantage, the petitioners being unrepresented by counsel and totally unprepared, they formally withdrew. They may possibly now demand as a right what has been refused as a request, and test if damages cannot be recovered for injury done. Perhaps THE LANCET will lend its aid, and assure the corporation that my views on hygiene receive the great weight of its authority. I have the honour to be. Sir. vour obedient servant. CHAS. D. MOUTRAY, L.R.C.S.I. July 16th, 1873.
A NEW IDEA. To the Editor
of
THE LANCET.
SIR,-It is an important function of the medical journals to raise the veil behind which modesty would too often conceal her achievements, and to make known, for the benefit of the many, the latest developments of the ingenuity of a few. I have accidentally become acquainted with the following circumstance, and am proud of being enabled to bring it to the knowledge of your numerous readers. A few days ago an omnibus in which I was a humble traveller
stopped, as it passed one of our great hosyoung woman of provincial aspect. She bore upon her person the outward and visible signs of having been under the treatment of one of the surgeons holding office in the institution; and her neat bundle and other belongings showed that she had been an in-patient, and She had scarcely taken her place was just discharged. when she drew out of her pocket a sealed envelope, and, - eagerly tearing it open, took from it two or three photographs of the aforesaid surgeon, and after gazing at them for a short time in silent rapture, handed them round to be admired by the other occupants of the conveyance. They had been given to her, she said, on her discharge, in order that her friends and neighbours in the country might be familiarised with the outward aspect of the great man by whom she had been cured. Surely there is a good time coming, when the portraits of great men will no longer be distributed in sealed envelopes, but openly, and with all the attendant advantages which the widest publicity can was
pitals, by
give.
a
T
am.
London, July, 1873.
Sir-
vonr
obedient servant.
A POOR SPECIALIST.
To the Editor of THE LANCET. late Warrant issued for the alteration of the SIR,-The titles of assistant-surgeons in Her Majesty’s Navy cannot have given the slightest satisfaction to the senior members of that body, considering that some of them have been labouring for twelve and thirteen years with the term "assistant" attached to their names; and now, when they expected to have a change-at least, some of them hope so, I presume-in title and income, they have the great satisfaction of seeing the juniors fresh from the schools termed the same as themselves. Did the Warrant convey any substantial and tangible benefit in what we may suggest a monetary form, there would not be so much dissatisfaction. This Warrant is certainly, as it stands, a step in the wrong direction. We may naturally suppose that anyone who has been any time in the service must consider it a very poor compliment to be restored to a rank which they held and paid for before they joined the service, not to mention other qualifications also obtained and paid for before accepting H.Mo’scommission. I am, Sir, vour obedient servant, A LATE ASSISTANT-SURGEON.
MR. HOLLOWAY’S CHARITIES. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,-Mr. Thomas Holloway, as you announced in a recent number, is about to erect some hospitals, amongst
others for convalescents and incurables. He is extremely anxious to avail himself of the mosb matured experience to make them thoroughly efficient to their several ends. Would you allow me through your columns to put the questions at the foot, and to ask your well-informed readers to favour me with suggestions, to the undermentioned address. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, JAMES BEAL. 20, Regent-street, London, S.W., July 14th, 1873. Inquiries antecedent to the erection of Hospitals for Convalescents and Incurables. 1. What is the preferable situation for either of such ? 2. What distance should they be from London ? 3. Is it desirable that for convalescents they should be by
the seaside ? 4. What is the greatest number that should be provided for of each class in each hospital ? 5. Which are the best of the present hospitals of these classes ? 6. What improvements can be suggested in the best? 7. Is it desirable to have them partly free and partly self supporting ; if not, what is the objection ? 8. Is a hospital for the reception of convalescents from contagious diseases, such as scarlet fever, small-pox, and the like, required ? 9. Is a large institution preferable to several small onesP 10. What should be the cubic space provided for each of both classes ? 11. What are the essential requisites to perfection in such establishments ? .
A MEDICAL BANKING COMPANY. THE LANCET. SIR,-I have just received the following letter from Dr. Emmens, the consulting actuary of the Mutual Society, to my inquiries relative to the proposed establishment of a Medical Banking Company for the United Kingdom. May Irequest the favour of its insertion in your next issue ? "Kingston House. Brixton-rise, London, S.W. "July 12th, 1873. H DEAR SIR,-I was duly in receipt of your letter and preliminary pamphlet, and have given very careful consideraThe tion to the matter you have brought before me. I have arrived at is that a Medical Banking and -InTo the Editor
opinion
of
covering
with ashes certain fetid streams of the
national colour on the surface of this deposit, work was abandoned in this dep6t for more than a week before Cap-
THE ELEVATING WARRANT.
tain Robinson’s inspection of what I’ve heard characterised How geologists would as " harmless ground silicate." marvel at the specimens. In colour, °° Heberden’s ink" to a shade; in smell, a nuisance to all except sufferers from official catarrh; and ornamented by a heap of worn-out metal household utensils. As the only surgeon resident in the vicinity, holding an interest in the adjoining property, and as representative of its owners, I felt bound to be active in the inquiry before alluded to. With courtesy I thank him, for Capt. Robinson, I the Local Government Board inspector, heard me. assured him that in some of the localities admitted to furnish the mud, a practice only too common among the poor existed-namely, depositing on the highway the proper ’contents of the ash-pit. To import such filtli en masse to the centre of a populous neighbourhood I held an outrage on hygiene-dangerous at all times, during epidemic (now so imminent) peculiarly so. To combat this came a rambling statement that neo 11 good stuff" (N.B., this is the night-soil) came here. My inquiry how the mud was separated from its Siamese twin, the house filth, only procured an admission that in the liquid state of the mud separation would not be possible. I then suggested that, as utensils similar to the discarded ones before us were, to my own knowledge, used by the lower classes as bed-pans, nightstools, slop-pails, &c., they might alone, if in large numbers, prove during epidemics a centre of contagion. To this I received from a corporation officer a flat, and to my mind rude, denial. I say ,to my mind"; we may differ, perhaps, as widely on " good taste " as on " bad smells." A sworn inquiry was decided upon. To it came the memorialists to a man, ready to verify on oath their statements Without notice of their intention, the corporation came represented by their law officers, who proposed crossexamining witnesses. This being considered an unfair advantage, the petitioners being unrepresented by counsel and totally unprepared, they formally withdrew. They may possibly now demand as a right what has been refused as a request, and test if damages cannot be recovered for injury done. Perhaps THE LANCET will lend its aid, and assure the corporation that my views on hygiene receive the great weight of its authority. I have the honour to be. Sir. vour obedient servant. CHAS. D. MOUTRAY, L.R.C.S.I. July 16th, 1873.
A NEW IDEA. To the Editor
of
THE LANCET.
SIR,-It is an important function of the medical journals to raise the veil behind which modesty would too often conceal her achievements, and to make known, for the benefit of the many, the latest developments of the ingenuity of a few. I have accidentally become acquainted with the following circumstance, and am proud of being enabled to bring it to the knowledge of your numerous readers. A few days ago an omnibus in which I was a humble traveller
stopped, as it passed one of our great hosyoung woman of provincial aspect. She bore upon her person the outward and visible signs of having been under the treatment of one of the surgeons holding office in the institution; and her neat bundle and other belongings showed that she had been an in-patient, and She had scarcely taken her place was just discharged. when she drew out of her pocket a sealed envelope, and, - eagerly tearing it open, took from it two or three photographs of the aforesaid surgeon, and after gazing at them for a short time in silent rapture, handed them round to be admired by the other occupants of the conveyance. They had been given to her, she said, on her discharge, in order that her friends and neighbours in the country might be familiarised with the outward aspect of the great man by whom she had been cured. Surely there is a good time coming, when the portraits of great men will no longer be distributed in sealed envelopes, but openly, and with all the attendant advantages which the widest publicity can was
pitals, by
give.
a
T
am.
London, July, 1873.
Sir-
vonr
obedient servant.
A POOR SPECIALIST.
To the Editor of THE LANCET. late Warrant issued for the alteration of the SIR,-The titles of assistant-surgeons in Her Majesty’s Navy cannot have given the slightest satisfaction to the senior members of that body, considering that some of them have been labouring for twelve and thirteen years with the term "assistant" attached to their names; and now, when they expected to have a change-at least, some of them hope so, I presume-in title and income, they have the great satisfaction of seeing the juniors fresh from the schools termed the same as themselves. Did the Warrant convey any substantial and tangible benefit in what we may suggest a monetary form, there would not be so much dissatisfaction. This Warrant is certainly, as it stands, a step in the wrong direction. We may naturally suppose that anyone who has been any time in the service must consider it a very poor compliment to be restored to a rank which they held and paid for before they joined the service, not to mention other qualifications also obtained and paid for before accepting H.Mo’scommission. I am, Sir, vour obedient servant, A LATE ASSISTANT-SURGEON.
MR. HOLLOWAY’S CHARITIES. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,-Mr. Thomas Holloway, as you announced in a recent number, is about to erect some hospitals, amongst
others for convalescents and incurables. He is extremely anxious to avail himself of the mosb matured experience to make them thoroughly efficient to their several ends. Would you allow me through your columns to put the questions at the foot, and to ask your well-informed readers to favour me with suggestions, to the undermentioned address. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, JAMES BEAL. 20, Regent-street, London, S.W., July 14th, 1873. Inquiries antecedent to the erection of Hospitals for Convalescents and Incurables. 1. What is the preferable situation for either of such ? 2. What distance should they be from London ? 3. Is it desirable that for convalescents they should be by
the seaside ? 4. What is the greatest number that should be provided for of each class in each hospital ? 5. Which are the best of the present hospitals of these classes ? 6. What improvements can be suggested in the best? 7. Is it desirable to have them partly free and partly self supporting ; if not, what is the objection ? 8. Is a hospital for the reception of convalescents from contagious diseases, such as scarlet fever, small-pox, and the like, required ? 9. Is a large institution preferable to several small onesP 10. What should be the cubic space provided for each of both classes ? 11. What are the essential requisites to perfection in such establishments ? .
A MEDICAL BANKING COMPANY. THE LANCET. SIR,-I have just received the following letter from Dr. Emmens, the consulting actuary of the Mutual Society, to my inquiries relative to the proposed establishment of a Medical Banking Company for the United Kingdom. May Irequest the favour of its insertion in your next issue ? "Kingston House. Brixton-rise, London, S.W. "July 12th, 1873. H DEAR SIR,-I was duly in receipt of your letter and preliminary pamphlet, and have given very careful consideraThe tion to the matter you have brought before me. I have arrived at is that a Medical Banking and -InTo the Editor
opinion
of