- Email: [email protected]
PALL-MALL PHYSICIANS v. GENERAL PRACTITIONERS.
636 Such
a state of things cannot last long; and with a full hope that your Registration Bill will eventually be confirmed by Act of Parliament, I remain, Sir, AN OLD PRACTITIONER OF TWENTY YEARS’ STANDING. Southwark, Oct. 1847.
grade."
SERIAL IRREGULARITIES. l’O tlLG’ L’CG2t0?’ OJ 1HE LANCET. SIR,—Professor Sharpey informed the students, at the commencement of the present course of lectures, that " Quain’s Anatomy" would be completed on the 1st of November. Professor Graham promised that the remaining numbers of his work on Chemistry should be published in time to keep up with his present course of lectures. Now both these gentlemen have broken their promises in a most
would dare to sneer at them, and no Dr. Burrows would presume to speak of them as men of an "inferior Perhaps on the southern side of the Tweed it may not be commonly known that William Hunter, Cullen, and Abercrombie, were all general practitioners, men who for many years practised medicine, surgery, and midwifery; and who even dispensed their own medicines. Alison and Christison were, till lately, family doctors, and it was only when death had cleared the way, by removing Abercrombie, that they were called, by the almost universal consent of the profession, to the dignity and emoluments of pure consultants. Alison and Christison are known over the whole world as men possessed of the highest scientific eminence, and of vast hospital experience, but these recommendations would not have ensured them their present position as consultants, had they not also been known by the profession to have enjoyed the benefits of family practice. Let it be proclaimed that general practice increases the accomplishments and available knowledge of the physician. Let this never be lost sight of; here, in Edinburgh, no one would dare to maintain the opposite proposition. How could they ? For, I ask, do nobler names adorn the annals of medical science than William Hunter, Cullen, Abercrombie, Christison, and Alison ? Let the general practitioners of England be true to themselves, and indignantly resist the attempt which is now being made by a monstrous coalition of incorporated, irresponsible, and selfish physicians, surgeons, and apothecaries, to enslave and degrade them. Let Drs. Paris, Burrows, and Co., and the whole community, be loudly told, that it is not general prac tice, but aiding and abetting quackery, that degrades the medical practitioner, and unfits him to take the position of a consultant. In the meantime, let us all unite in one grand struggle on behalf of Mr. Val:ley’s Bill, which, though not all that is required, is a long step in the right direction. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, SCOTUS. Edinburgh, Nov. 1847.
rence
flagrant manner.
To you, Sir, as the student’s friend, we must look, for the reform of such abuses.-I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, A JUNIOR STUDENT. November, 1847.
PALL-MALL PHYSICIANS v. GENERAL PRACTITIONERS. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,—I have been particularly struck with the disingenuousness and senseless self-glorification which pervades the evidence given before the Medical Registration Committee, by the officials of your London College of Physicians, while I have greatly admired the tact and sagacity of the members of
tribunal, who, from possessing a good knowledge of the subject, have been enabled, by cross-examination, to make these gentlemen turn to foolishness their own clumsy, though carefully-concocted, objections to Mr. Wakley’s Bill. One very important and startling fact has come out, especially from the evidence of Dr. George Burrows, reprinted in THE LANCET, that jealousy at the increasing reputation of general practitioners is the practical (though somewhat concealed) objection to the registration scheme, and, indeed, to I
that
every measure calculated to elevate and protect that class of medical men to whom the health of the community is chiefly entrusted. Mr. Lawrence, of oration notoriety, has certainly found worthy allies and imitators. General practitioners must, without exception it appears, be tabooed as of "inferior grade" and imperfect education," lest, I presume, the physicians and surgeons of the obstructive corporations of Pall Mall and Lincoln’s-Inn-fields be unable to keep their ground! I hopenow that the men who pretend to be of the " superior grade" have unmasked themselves—an indignant profession will quickly deal with them according to their deserts. Let them be told, that so long as they strive to undervalue their brethren in general practice-so long as they strive to exalt prescribing druggists into the position of the old apothecaries, and so long as they flirt with quackery in palaces and other high places, they must be treated as the worst enemies of legitimate medicine. It is desirable that there should exist Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons; but then these bodies should be composed of the 61ite of the profession, chosen from the whole medical community, perhaps by concours. I make this remark to show that I have no radical objection to grades in our profession, provided there be some guarantee that those occupying the high places are entitled so to do. If the colleges were composed of really great men, they would not dread, and attempt to repress the rapid and secure progress by which general practitioners have long been advancing (by virtue of their scientific attainments) to public confidence. General practice is not inimical to scientific eminence and profound research, while it conduces as much, if not more, than hospital or consulting-room experience, to beget practical tact, and to make knowledge available at the bed-side. It is only in general practice that the medical history of families Can be studied through the course of years, and the influence of age and sex be accurately appreciated. Physical diagnosis and much of the natural history of disease may be learnedin hospitals, but there is a and perhaps best learned practical tact, and nice appreciation of minute differences, which can only be imparted by extensive family practice. The general practitioners of England ought to take a lesson from their brethren in Scotland, who demand science and an available knowledge of disease,-not a parchment from
Medical News. UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.-SECOND EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF B2CIIELOR OF MEDICINE. 1847.—Excamination for Honours. (The names are arranged in the order of proficiency.)—Physiology and Comparative Anatomy: Henry Wiglesworth, (Scholarship and Gold Medal,) University College; Peter Eade, (Gold Medal,) King’s College; William Henry Greenwood, Guy’s Hospital ; John Braxton Hicks, Guy’s Hospital.—Surgery: Peter Eade, (Scholarship and Gold Medal,)
King’s College; John Cooper Forster, (Gold Medal,) Guy’s Hospital; Henry Isaac Fotherby, Guy’s Hospital; John Braxton Hicks, Guy’s Hospital.—Medicine: Peter Eade, (Gold Medal,) King’s College; Walter Johnson, (Gold Medal,) Guy’s Hospital; Gopal Chunder Seal, University College; Henry Isaac Fotherby, Guy’s Hospital; John James Rygate, London Hospital; John Braxton Hicks, Guy’s Hospital; William Henry Greenwood, Guy’s Hospital.—Midwifery: H. Wiglesworth, (Gold Medal,) University College; J. Cooper Forster, Guy’s Hospital.-Examination for the Degree of Doctor of Mediciaze, 1847.- First Division: Thomas Herbert Barker, University College; Henry Bateson, Guy’s Hospital; Bose Bholanoth, University College; Arthur Hadwen, University College; Nicholas Parker, London Hospital; Peter Redfern, 1, Surgeon’s-square, Edinburgh; William Henry Williams, University College.-Second Division: Hugh Bell, Guy’s Hos-, pital; Thomas James Sturt, King’s College. ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS. - The following gentlemen, having undergone the necessary examinations for the diploma, were admitted members of the College, on the 3rd instantviz., Messrs. William England, Dudley; William Scovell Savory, New North Iload, Islington; Harvey Buchanan Holl, Michael’s Grove, Brompton; John Bustin, Hetton le Hole, Durham; Robert Montgomery, Dub1in; John Griffiths Doidge, Launceston, Cornwall; John Frederick Stevenson. BirkenCheshire; Thomas Godwin Salt, Rugeley, Staffordshire; William Davies, Merthyr, (Glamorganshire; Charles Forbes, Royal Navy; Adolphus John Gee, Brompton; ’William Morris, Petworth, Sussex; and Anthony Dickson Home, Berwickupon-Tweed. APOTHECARIES’ HALL.—Names of gentlemen who passed their examination in the science and practice of medicine, and Oxford, Cambridge, or Pall Mall,—as indispensable qiiali- received certificates to practise, on Thursday, December 2nd, fications in those called to consulting practice. If the 1847 :-Edward Henry Malton, Glastonbury; Thomas William general practitioners of England were as jealous of their Crosse, Norwich ; James Horniblow Williams, West Stockclaims to consideration as we are in Scotland, no Mr. Law- with, Bawtry.
plainly
-
head,
a state of things cannot last long; and with a full hope that your Registration Bill will eventually be confirmed by Act of Parliament, I remain, Sir, AN OLD PRACTITIONER OF TWENTY YEARS’ STANDING. Southwark, Oct. 1847.
grade."
SERIAL IRREGULARITIES. l’O tlLG’ L’CG2t0?’ OJ 1HE LANCET. SIR,—Professor Sharpey informed the students, at the commencement of the present course of lectures, that " Quain’s Anatomy" would be completed on the 1st of November. Professor Graham promised that the remaining numbers of his work on Chemistry should be published in time to keep up with his present course of lectures. Now both these gentlemen have broken their promises in a most
would dare to sneer at them, and no Dr. Burrows would presume to speak of them as men of an "inferior Perhaps on the southern side of the Tweed it may not be commonly known that William Hunter, Cullen, and Abercrombie, were all general practitioners, men who for many years practised medicine, surgery, and midwifery; and who even dispensed their own medicines. Alison and Christison were, till lately, family doctors, and it was only when death had cleared the way, by removing Abercrombie, that they were called, by the almost universal consent of the profession, to the dignity and emoluments of pure consultants. Alison and Christison are known over the whole world as men possessed of the highest scientific eminence, and of vast hospital experience, but these recommendations would not have ensured them their present position as consultants, had they not also been known by the profession to have enjoyed the benefits of family practice. Let it be proclaimed that general practice increases the accomplishments and available knowledge of the physician. Let this never be lost sight of; here, in Edinburgh, no one would dare to maintain the opposite proposition. How could they ? For, I ask, do nobler names adorn the annals of medical science than William Hunter, Cullen, Abercrombie, Christison, and Alison ? Let the general practitioners of England be true to themselves, and indignantly resist the attempt which is now being made by a monstrous coalition of incorporated, irresponsible, and selfish physicians, surgeons, and apothecaries, to enslave and degrade them. Let Drs. Paris, Burrows, and Co., and the whole community, be loudly told, that it is not general prac tice, but aiding and abetting quackery, that degrades the medical practitioner, and unfits him to take the position of a consultant. In the meantime, let us all unite in one grand struggle on behalf of Mr. Val:ley’s Bill, which, though not all that is required, is a long step in the right direction. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, SCOTUS. Edinburgh, Nov. 1847.
rence
flagrant manner.
To you, Sir, as the student’s friend, we must look, for the reform of such abuses.-I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, A JUNIOR STUDENT. November, 1847.
PALL-MALL PHYSICIANS v. GENERAL PRACTITIONERS. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,—I have been particularly struck with the disingenuousness and senseless self-glorification which pervades the evidence given before the Medical Registration Committee, by the officials of your London College of Physicians, while I have greatly admired the tact and sagacity of the members of
tribunal, who, from possessing a good knowledge of the subject, have been enabled, by cross-examination, to make these gentlemen turn to foolishness their own clumsy, though carefully-concocted, objections to Mr. Wakley’s Bill. One very important and startling fact has come out, especially from the evidence of Dr. George Burrows, reprinted in THE LANCET, that jealousy at the increasing reputation of general practitioners is the practical (though somewhat concealed) objection to the registration scheme, and, indeed, to I
that
every measure calculated to elevate and protect that class of medical men to whom the health of the community is chiefly entrusted. Mr. Lawrence, of oration notoriety, has certainly found worthy allies and imitators. General practitioners must, without exception it appears, be tabooed as of "inferior grade" and imperfect education," lest, I presume, the physicians and surgeons of the obstructive corporations of Pall Mall and Lincoln’s-Inn-fields be unable to keep their ground! I hopenow that the men who pretend to be of the " superior grade" have unmasked themselves—an indignant profession will quickly deal with them according to their deserts. Let them be told, that so long as they strive to undervalue their brethren in general practice-so long as they strive to exalt prescribing druggists into the position of the old apothecaries, and so long as they flirt with quackery in palaces and other high places, they must be treated as the worst enemies of legitimate medicine. It is desirable that there should exist Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons; but then these bodies should be composed of the 61ite of the profession, chosen from the whole medical community, perhaps by concours. I make this remark to show that I have no radical objection to grades in our profession, provided there be some guarantee that those occupying the high places are entitled so to do. If the colleges were composed of really great men, they would not dread, and attempt to repress the rapid and secure progress by which general practitioners have long been advancing (by virtue of their scientific attainments) to public confidence. General practice is not inimical to scientific eminence and profound research, while it conduces as much, if not more, than hospital or consulting-room experience, to beget practical tact, and to make knowledge available at the bed-side. It is only in general practice that the medical history of families Can be studied through the course of years, and the influence of age and sex be accurately appreciated. Physical diagnosis and much of the natural history of disease may be learnedin hospitals, but there is a and perhaps best learned practical tact, and nice appreciation of minute differences, which can only be imparted by extensive family practice. The general practitioners of England ought to take a lesson from their brethren in Scotland, who demand science and an available knowledge of disease,-not a parchment from
Medical News. UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.-SECOND EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF B2CIIELOR OF MEDICINE. 1847.—Excamination for Honours. (The names are arranged in the order of proficiency.)—Physiology and Comparative Anatomy: Henry Wiglesworth, (Scholarship and Gold Medal,) University College; Peter Eade, (Gold Medal,) King’s College; William Henry Greenwood, Guy’s Hospital ; John Braxton Hicks, Guy’s Hospital.—Surgery: Peter Eade, (Scholarship and Gold Medal,)
King’s College; John Cooper Forster, (Gold Medal,) Guy’s Hospital; Henry Isaac Fotherby, Guy’s Hospital; John Braxton Hicks, Guy’s Hospital.—Medicine: Peter Eade, (Gold Medal,) King’s College; Walter Johnson, (Gold Medal,) Guy’s Hospital; Gopal Chunder Seal, University College; Henry Isaac Fotherby, Guy’s Hospital; John James Rygate, London Hospital; John Braxton Hicks, Guy’s Hospital; William Henry Greenwood, Guy’s Hospital.—Midwifery: H. Wiglesworth, (Gold Medal,) University College; J. Cooper Forster, Guy’s Hospital.-Examination for the Degree of Doctor of Mediciaze, 1847.- First Division: Thomas Herbert Barker, University College; Henry Bateson, Guy’s Hospital; Bose Bholanoth, University College; Arthur Hadwen, University College; Nicholas Parker, London Hospital; Peter Redfern, 1, Surgeon’s-square, Edinburgh; William Henry Williams, University College.-Second Division: Hugh Bell, Guy’s Hos-, pital; Thomas James Sturt, King’s College. ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS. - The following gentlemen, having undergone the necessary examinations for the diploma, were admitted members of the College, on the 3rd instantviz., Messrs. William England, Dudley; William Scovell Savory, New North Iload, Islington; Harvey Buchanan Holl, Michael’s Grove, Brompton; John Bustin, Hetton le Hole, Durham; Robert Montgomery, Dub1in; John Griffiths Doidge, Launceston, Cornwall; John Frederick Stevenson. BirkenCheshire; Thomas Godwin Salt, Rugeley, Staffordshire; William Davies, Merthyr, (Glamorganshire; Charles Forbes, Royal Navy; Adolphus John Gee, Brompton; ’William Morris, Petworth, Sussex; and Anthony Dickson Home, Berwickupon-Tweed. APOTHECARIES’ HALL.—Names of gentlemen who passed their examination in the science and practice of medicine, and Oxford, Cambridge, or Pall Mall,—as indispensable qiiali- received certificates to practise, on Thursday, December 2nd, fications in those called to consulting practice. If the 1847 :-Edward Henry Malton, Glastonbury; Thomas William general practitioners of England were as jealous of their Crosse, Norwich ; James Horniblow Williams, West Stockclaims to consideration as we are in Scotland, no Mr. Law- with, Bawtry.
plainly
-
head,