NAVAL ASSISTANT-SURGEONS—WANT OF DUE ACCOMMODATION FOR THEM ON BOARD.

538 console himself with the satisfactory feeling, on behalf of the that the aforesaid Bill, though altered by Mr. CartAssociation, nor any part or portion of the late deputation, as wright’s party, has been mainly produced by the origination, of the National Insti. proved bv the memorial of the one, and the proposals of the formation, and indefatigable laboursand as precedents show, other; and certainly not any one of the 2266 gentlemen who tute, although, as in general politics, signed the balloting-papers in favour of the principle of con- the party originating, subscribing for, and working, the prestitutional representation, thereby abrogating all speciality in liminary measures past the most serious stumbling-blocks, the College of Surgeons. On my own behalf also, I must and through the most difficult obstructions, (and in reality decline the impeachment, as it would but ill assort with the having procured everything but the forms of legal authority ° self-complaisance" for which Mr. Allison gives me credit, or for a Medical Reform Bill,) may have been at last foiled in with the principles of such a thorough-going reformer as he their o2-igincil intentions, and may not have actually carried it on makes me out to be, to degrade any order, least of all that of through the latter stage,3!" the general practitioners, to which I myself belong. ’° Heu Fortuna, quis est crudelior in nos Mr. Allison is a little over creative; and sometimes, perTe Deus ! ut semper gaudes illudere rebus

plation any such humiliating or restrictive arrangements for the general practitioners, certainly not the Provincial Medical

haps,-

Institute,

Humanis !"

I "Animum

pictura pascit inani."

The questions would more accurately adjust themselves to the present state of things, if put as follows:1st. Shall we have a new College of General Practitioners according to the provisions of a Bill now before Parliament?

2nd. Or shall we have the College of Surgeons so remodelled on the representative principle, as to give, under certain limitations, an elective vote to all who are members of the College, and seats at the Council Board to surgeons in general practice; the unity of medicine and surgery being preserved by a co-joint Board of the Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons to examine and license all who enter the pro-

fession ? The first of these is approved of by Mr. Allison, and the National Institute party. The second, by all those who are opposed to a new College of General Practitioners.

Were more evidence wanting to show the decadence of the of the Institute, it will be found in the unsatisfactory demonstration that resulted from their balloting-papers, and in the fact that even the journal devoted to the Council of the Institute characterizes their Bill before Parliament as one "that will pauperize the College of Surgeons, insult the College of Physicians, close the schools of medicine in London, and finally render the general practitioner a less highlyeducated man than he is, even under the defective institution of the existing licensing boards." To conclude, Mr. Editor, " with all deference to the fore. sight and discretion of all general practitioners," I cannot consider any plan, which omits to redress those grievances which have been so long complained of in the College of Surgeons, as likely to conduce to a settlement of the medical reform question which shall be either satisfactory or permanent. I am, Alr. Editor, yours &c., PEPLOE CARTWRIGHT. Oswestry, Oct. 24, 1850.

plan

Of the two deputations that waited upon Sir George Grey, advocated one, and the other the other plan. I may, however, observe, that if Mr. Allison now prefers the former, the ‘#’Want of space prevented the insertion of this letter in latter was not unpalatable to him in 1845; at least, it was the last number of our journal.—ED. L. not so to the National Association, cf whose managing committee he was a member, and who, in their Transactions of May 9th, 1845, declare, that if it could be s2accessficLLy carried out, "a new Incorporation would be unnecessary." Since then, NAVAL ASSISTANT-SURGEONS—WANT OF DUE ACCOMMODATION FOR THEM ON BOARD. the National Institute, in their Report of August 9th, 1848, declare that their demands would be satisfied (for particulars, To the Editor of THE LANCET. See Report itself, page 68) by such a plan, but they decline its leave to forward to you for insertion in THE SIR,—I beg adoption on account of its supposed impracticability. More re- LANCET the following facts, as furnished to me by a friend on in their of the 14th of cently, Report August last, they reiterate west coast of Africa:in the same sentiments a very fair spirit of mutual accord; and I suppose Mr. Allison, being a strenuous supporter of the ° Our squadron is composed of steamers and brigs, and Institute, does not dissent from such sentiments. It is clear, each may be said to be in two classes. " The first-class steamers, such as the Centaur, Cyclops, and therefore, that he and his party can have no real ground of objection to the plan of reform advocated by the party op- Gladaator, possess ample accommodation, their gun-rooms posed to them; doubtless they consider their own scheme the being on the main deck, with a cockpit or lower deck below. better one, but the time is now arrived when some arrange- Taking the Centaur as an example of the class, there is on the ment must be come to, and the most practicable plan decided main deck a spare cabin, used as a store-room; and in the upon, and put in execution. cockpit (which is her proper lower deck, as this ship is frigateI know it will be said, that the remodelling of the College built) are two cabins which are occupied by the commanderof Surgeons has been attempted over and over again, and in-chief’s steward and valet respectively, while the assistantall to no purpose. I may have my doubts as to the unity and surgeon hangs in his hammock alongside those very servants’ sincerity with which those efforts weremade, but I prefer to cabin-doors; and performing his toilette in that locality, on ask-Is there not a much greater probability of success from his sea-chest lid, has to make way, at times, for the gentlea combined effort, at this juncture, than ever existed before ? man’s gentlemen to pass to and fro. In the Cyclops the Are not rnauy of the barriers broken down ? Is not the assistant-surgeons occupy cabins in the cockpit by permission alliance of the corporate bodies dissolved, wherein, as Mr. of the captain. The gun-room stretches across the entire Guthrie said, each party was " keeping its own," and making beam of the ship, and there are cabins on the main deck. such an adjustment as would answer for themselves ? Have The Gladiator’s arrangements are the same as respects the not concessions been obtained from the Council ? Does not gun-room and main-deck cabins. The assistant-surgeon has Sir George Grey, in his last letter to them, significantly point no cabin in this ship. In all these vessels the warrant officers, out that more will be required? And, at such a crisis, sup- and the first, second, and third class engineers, have separate pose the two deputations, whose differences he has availed cabins. The plea of want of space ia these vessels is absurd, himself of, to procrastinate for a season the bringing in a ridiculous, untrue. In the other division of steamers, as the Hecla, Prometheus, Medical Bill, were now to inform him that their interests and views were identical for a remodelling of the College of Sur- Phœnix, Rattler, &c., all have large and commodious gun-rooms; eons, is it likely that he would be influenced by any greater and the warrant officers’ and engineers’ cabins are, in part, of maudlin sensibility than Sir James Graham mani- situated abaft in the steerage, in lieu of being on the lower forward. If these officers were, as usual, in the fore fested on a former occasion, when he made the accept and pray for a Charter against their wishes ? Thepart of the ship, there would be abundance of space fora for the single assistant-surgeon that is borne by these Minister wants but an united demand to set this long-vexed steamers. question at rest. "The brigs may also be divided into two classes. The But is it not palpable, also, that the plan for a new College of General Practitioners has proportionately declined as to larger, such as the Contest, Wolverine, Kingfisher, &c., hate each its chance of success ? How different its aspect now, to when one spare cabin, now in use as the captain’s office. In all these, everything, as Mr. Allison remarks, had in reality been pro- the gun-room is capable of accommodating several guests, cured but the forms of legal authority for a Bill ! How without any inconvenience whatever. The second division of mournfully, in his last letter, he depicts its declining lustre ! brigs, such as the Ranger, Plailomel, Heroine, &c., is very how pathetically he laments the unrequited labours and ex- numerous on this station, but ’these vessels are not allowed an penses of himselfand party! He hoped to be allowed " to assistant-surgeon; consequently,’ want of space in small one

the

.

-

degree

--.

-

-

-,--

Councildeck

cabin

brigs’

539 is irrelevant to the subject of accommodation for assistant-

surgeons. These vessels wereformerly commanded by lieutenants, when there was abundance of space for the officers; but even now, with an increase in the number of officers, and in the number of officers’ messes, there is accommodation for the

flectingly, arranged,-such governmental oversights, however, too frequently occur. Surely, Mr. Editor, the chivalrous rival (if he may be so called), the cotemporary, of the ennobled Larrey, will not be so slighted, or led to suppose he has, as God knows many of us in private practice have, " bled" in vain (vein). This ought not to be; Justice forbids it! Be it hoped that a second list will correct the omissions of the first, by placing him, and others fully deserving, in that high position to which their admirable services so indisputably entitle them. Why should not the gallant Alexander Ogilvie, of the Ordnance Medical Department, after thirty-nine years’active service, and wounded (a bayonet wound, too,) at the storming of Fort Niagara, receive some decoration? I would venture to

present complement." The preceding communication was dated August 5th, 1850— namely, nineteen days after the date of the Admiralty order, respecting rank and position of assistant-surgeons. The profession is now made acquainted with the capabilities of steamers and brigs on the West coast of Africa. We shall again hear from Africa, when, if the assistant-surgeons be reported as still unprovided with cabins, let the profession call upon the members of Parliament to bring the matter propose that the claims of those whose extensive, as brilliant again before the House. Last session, a great principle was service, can be carefully sought out, be, through the medium enunciated-viz., That the accommodation provided for the of your valuable journal, laid before the public. Why should assistant-surgeons on board her Majesty’s ships of war is not medical officers reach the honoured rank, though perhaps inadequate, and insuhicient for securing the full benefit of not quite so easily as Sir Charles Trevelyan,an Under Secretary their professional service." But the Lords of the Admiralty of State, &c., and others. At first, the " civil order of the do not understand principles,- they must be told in detail what Bath" was off’ered, but most spiritedlv declined. On the 16th they have to do. I trust that the legislature will meet the inst., a short military gazette acknowledged the error, correctnecessity with suitable measures. The history of the case of ing the slight. That on more mature consideration, however, a the naval assistant-surgeons is unexampled for the disregard more generous arrangement will be made, there is little paid by the Admiralty to the commands of the Sovereign, and doubt! Under this impression, for the present, I say no more; but I purpose, if my ideas on the subject meet your views, to the declared sentiments of Parliament. I take this opportunity of renewing my grateful acknow- trespass again, and perhaps again to do so. I would now, in ledgments to Mr. Wakley for the continuation of his literary addition, particularly beg to recommend all medical officers, services, as Editor of THE LANCET, in behalf of the assistant- on full and half pay, to send in, as soon as possible, a list of general service, naming the different actions they have been surgeons of the Royal Navy. I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, in, the dates of their respective rank, &c., to Major Hart, 49th FREDERICK JAMES BROWN, M.D., Regiment, care of Mr. Murray, Albemarle-street, for publicaLate Assistant-surgeon, tion in his forthcoming Military Biographical Dictionary, Assistant-surgeon, R.N. Strood, Rochester, Nov. 1, 1850. which work will, in all probability, find a place in the library "

of numbers connected with the British army. I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant, Jogrr BOND, JOHN BonD, M.D., M.R.C.S. L. & E., &c. MILITARY HONOURS. ) Grafton-street, Fitzroy-square, Oct. 1850. To the Editor of THE LANCET. P.S.—The following is a hasty sketch of some gallant offSIR,—Having perused with much gratification a well-written cers’services; a more lengthened list can be forwarded herearticle on thelate award to merit granted to medical officers," after: in your number of Saturday, the 24th inst., I aminduced to offer 28th Regiment.--Surgeon William Henry Young, M.D.: a few observations on the subject, and to bring before the thirty-eight years’ service; Peninsula and Waterloo; medal public the names of individuals whose gallant bearing, I see, and two clasps, for Badajos and Salamanca. finds well-merited mention in Hart’s Army List. The limited Third Dragoon Guards.-Surgeon G. Alexander Stephennumber, culled from a long list of deserving officers, has urged son : forty-three years’ service, in Peninsula, from 1809 to 1814; your indignant but humble servant to inquire as to the ser- medal and eight clasps, for Fuentes D’Onor, Ciudad Rodrigo, vices of my professional brethren attached to the army. To Badajos, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, and Nive. those at present on full pay, the gallant Major Hart, 49th Fifth Dragoon Guards.-Surgeon James Barton, M.D.: in his valuable publication, does ample justice. The forty-one years, full pay; Copenhagen in 1807, capture of MarRegt., services of hundreds, now on half-pay, cannot, of course, tinique in 1809,campaign 1815, in the Netherlands and France; reach the eye, yet very many of them are indeed replete with medal and one clasp, for Martinique. noble and chivalrous deeds and daring. Sixth Dragoon Guards.-Surgeon John Heriott: forty yearsa The proportion of honours which, in the British army, is full pay; in the Peninsula, from 1809 to the end of the war, open to all ranks, is not fairly meted out to the medical officers. 1814; medal, with six clasps, for Talavera, Salamanca, Siege Where was the general action,from Minden to Goojerat, that of Burgos, Vittoria, the Pyrenees, Nivelles, and Orthes. the regimental medical, as well as staff officers, were not as First Royal Dragoons.-Surgeon John M. Martley, M.D.: forward as their spirit dare consistently urge them? Where thirty-nine years’ service; medal, for Salamanca. was the storming party that had not a medical officer attached Third Light Dragoons.-Surgeon James Henderson, M.D.: toit? One glance, however, at a general hospital, when either forty-one years’ service; capture of Guadaloupe, 1810; two epidemics or endemics prevail, will show the same individual years in the American War; during the whole of the Burmese who faced death in many a hard-contested action, coolly and war, as also in the campaign of 1842, in Affghanistan. The medical department affords a very strong list of serphilosophically performing onerous and honourable duty, through the foetid and fatal atmosphere: of a densely-diseasedvices, but a reference to Hart’s Army List shows a lengthy or strongly-fevered ward. Let but, indeed, any or all of the(detail of long and valuable services. The Ordnance Medical gallant generals of the present day be asked an opinion as to theDepartment, too, has its full share. Merits of the medical officers who served under their immediate command, and, as by magic, the names of those whose FURTHER NOTE ON MR. DUNN’S CASE OF modesty will otherwise doom them, seemingly, to the silence of neglect, shall at once be brought into notice. In the name HEMIPLEGIA. of justice-not generosity-then, let a full and fair award be BY MARSHALL HALL, M.D. made. To the Editor of THE LANCET. Every legitimate effort should and ought to be urged to obtain that which no right-minded man, enjoying the emSIR,—Iunfeignedly regard Mr. Dunn as one of the most meriblazoned insignia of hardy service, could deny to those of the torious members of our profession. He has especially bestowed on the subject of the nervous system. I regret, medical department who were side by side with them in the much "Battle and the Breach." therefore, the more, that he should not have adopted another When I mention the name of Guthrie, I almost blush for line of proceeding in regard to his contributions on this subthose who could, apparently with so much apathy, have the ject. Five minutes’ conversation with me, or with my friend, want of common moral courage, rectitude, and spirit, to offer to such a man only a third-class order. Enumerate Mr. Smith, would have preserved him from writing some partshis services! Who can ? In the name of common sense, then, of his late communication to your own pages, and physiology at any rate, if government take such especial pains to be from the continued reproach of uncertainty and disputation. Mr. Dunn concludes his paper thus:-" The condition of the neither necessarily just, nor commonly generous, palmam qui meruit ferat. Such an omission must have been acci- irritability of the muscles of paralyzed limbs being still, I an unsettled question-" If this question be still un dental, or, to say the least of it, hastily, and perhaps unre- i

CLAIMS OF MILITARY MEDICAL OFFICERS TO

attention

believe,