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PAYMENT TO MEDICAL OFFICERS OF HOSPITALS.
197 urged the possibility than the probability of transmutation ; it The Druggist’s General Receipt-Book, comprising a Copious Second edition, 18mo, would, moreover, be exceedingly difficult to resist the evidence Veterinary Formulary, dec., &c. recorded by Helvetius, Boerhaave, and others, as to these transpp. 460. mutations having been performed, without the aids of modern science. Even in the year 1782, Dr. Price,-of Guildford, asserted that he could convert mercury into silver and gold by means of a peculiar powder :and Peter Woulfe, of whom little is known, long searched for the elixir. It is related of the latter, that when he felt himself seriously unwell, he was accustomed to take a place in the Edinburgh mail, and, on reaching that city, to come back to London in the returning coach. He died in 1805 of a - severe cold caught during one of these excursions. It is a trite maxim, that every science must pass through three periods of development; and we find this to be the case in the history of chemistry.
WHEN the first edition of this useful work made its appearance about two years since, it was commended in THE LANCET. The fact of a second edition being already required, shows in what estimation it is held by the public. The following are amongst its chief contents :-Veterinary Materia Medica; Patent and
Proprietary Medicines; Druggists’ Nostrums, &c.; Perfumery, Cosmetics, Beverages, Dietetic Articles and Condiments, Trade Chemicals, and a copious Appendix. The work must be of great utility to a very extensive class of persons.
PAYMENT TO MEDICAL OFFICERS OF HOSPITALS. To the Editor of THE LANCET.
I
In the first period," says Baron Liebig," all the powers of men’s minds were devoted to acquiring a knowledge of the properties of bodies ; it was necessary t-o discover, observe, and ascertain their peculiarities : this is the alchemistical period. The second period embraces the determination of the mutual relations or connexions of these properties : and this is the period of phlogistic chemistry. In the third period, in which we now are, we ascertain by weight and measure, and express in numbers, the degree in which the properties of bodies are mutually dependent. The inductive sciences begin with the substance itself; then come just ideas; and lastly, mathematics are called in, and, with the aid of numbers, complete the work."-p. 51. "
SIR,—In THE LANCET of the 31st ult. you mention the gratifying fact that the governors of the Royal Free Hospital
determined, " that in consideration of the laborious and indefatigable exertions of the medical officers, one hundred guineas be presented to each of the physicians and surgeons of the hospital, and that for the future they shall receive each one hundred guineas per annum." Sir, tiiis is a most important movein the right direction. It suggests to me to bring under your notice a subject which, for its importance, well merits your earnest attention; and the public ought to be enlightened upon it. I mean the entire non-payment of the assistant-physicians and assistant-surgeons From the general ignorance of scientific truths and discoveries of several of the large hospitals of this metropolis. The which prevails so lamentably in the present day, we may in some duties, as you know, ot those gentlemen are very arduous, and measure trace the mental imbecility of the multitude. The yield not in importance to those of their seniors, and are even more as to attendance; consequently, all other engageour own times of is allied to the credulity closely superstition of mentsbinding must give way to this one duty, and often at a pecuniary former ages, and is as great, if not a far greater, source of error. sacrifice. That a body of talented and highly-educated men It is not too much to say, that the assertion of Bacon, that in should be found ready and willing at all hours to bestow their the opinion of the ignorant multitude, witches and impostors time and intellect within the walls of an hospital, without any have always held a competition with physicians," continues as of the world’s rewards, might well excite surprise, if we knew not the vast amount of unseen charity daily and hourly true as when written, and is not more to be wondered at. Are bestowed by the medical profession. But men ought not to not medical men themselves somewhat to be blamed for this? be expected, in a country like onrs, with a redundant, Are they as well acquainted with the truths of chemistry and struggling, and active middle-class population, to pursue for physiology as they should be ? What are we to think of men years a course of unrewarded practical charity. The majority of the public believe that all the medical who, apparently sane, believe in homoeopathy, clairvoyance, and officers of all the hospitals are paid officials; and even many cf the like ? the governors and subscribers are under the same impression, and many have looked rather incredulous on being told to the The physician," says Liebig, "who has learned as a science, but as an empirical art, acknowledges no princontrary. That the ruling powers of those establishmeats, derived from The of but rules his consisting chiefly of men knowing well the value of time and object ciples, experience. only to receive the benefits arising from so inquiries is only whether a remedy, in any given case, had a good labour,a should continue or a bad effect. This is all the empiric cares about. He never large sacrifice of both, is an anomaly difficult to explain. I have been told that they upheld the practice of this asks why?? He never inquires into the causes of what he observes. injustice, by alleging that the funds, over which they for the I know From what a different point of view should we contemplate time being preside, could not be so bestowed. the abnormal or diseased conditions of the human body, if we not whether this point has ever been fairly settled; at all were first thoroughly acquainted with its normal conditions-ifevents we see that, from the lowest grade of porter up to an aristocratic house-governor, are all well, some liberally, paid; we had established the science of physiology upon a satisfactory basis. How differentlv would the treatment of diseases be con- and upon what principle the practice is net carried out with ducted, if we had perfectly clear notions of the processes ofthose of the medical staff, who derive emolument from no digestion, assimilation, and excretion. Without just views ofother source, I cannot understand. see, nevertheless, in many cases, a most lavish expendiforce, cause, and effect-without a clear insight into the very essence of natural phenomena—without a solid physiological aaidture of those very funds, in external decoration, and alterachemical education,-is it to be wondered at that men, in othertions in the buildings, having no reference either to increased respects rational, should defend the most absurd notions?-thatt accommodation, the comfort or more speedy restoration of the the doctrines of Hahnemann should prevail in Germany, and find1 patients; but often to indulge the whims of a building comand enrich the builder and architect. disciples in all countries? Reason alone will not prevent wholeg mittee, nations from falling into the most abject superstitions; whilstt It is also alleged, that the prospective advantages to the assistants are great. But before these are realized, death even a child, whose mind has been duly developed and instructed, will repudiate the fear of ghosts and hobgoblins."-p. 13. may, as it has in several cases, remove from this sphere the hard-worked assistant, his services alike unrewarded, unrecoMuch more might be said to the same effect, were it our objectt gnised, and soon to be forgotten. Is this a fair state of things! had
medicine,
not
"
,
.
We
,
Is it what the benevolent donors meant? I think not. than recommend this work to our readers, as one I believe, Sir, that if the case were properly represented, capable of imparting knowledge in an agreeable form. Theemany persons holding the doctrine that " it is better to be letters on the connexion of the sciences, on the belief in obscure’e just, before they are generous," would willingly so apportion subjects on insufficient grounds, on the properties of various kinds their gifts, as to provide a fund, from the interest of which of food, and on agriculture, are particularly deserving of notice a proper remuneration could be given to the at present hardand surgeons; and worked and We cannot but think that the work, as a whole, will be acceptablee’ this without unpaid assistant-physicians upon the purely charitable funds oi encroaching not only to the members of our own profession, but to the readinf I am, Sir, yours obediently, the hospitals. S. P. R. London, Feb., 1852’ public generally.
to do
more
WHEN the first edition of this useful work made its appearance about two years since, it was commended in THE LANCET. The fact of a second edition being already required, shows in what estimation it is held by the public. The following are amongst its chief contents :-Veterinary Materia Medica; Patent and
Proprietary Medicines; Druggists’ Nostrums, &c.; Perfumery, Cosmetics, Beverages, Dietetic Articles and Condiments, Trade Chemicals, and a copious Appendix. The work must be of great utility to a very extensive class of persons.
PAYMENT TO MEDICAL OFFICERS OF HOSPITALS. To the Editor of THE LANCET.
I
In the first period," says Baron Liebig," all the powers of men’s minds were devoted to acquiring a knowledge of the properties of bodies ; it was necessary t-o discover, observe, and ascertain their peculiarities : this is the alchemistical period. The second period embraces the determination of the mutual relations or connexions of these properties : and this is the period of phlogistic chemistry. In the third period, in which we now are, we ascertain by weight and measure, and express in numbers, the degree in which the properties of bodies are mutually dependent. The inductive sciences begin with the substance itself; then come just ideas; and lastly, mathematics are called in, and, with the aid of numbers, complete the work."-p. 51. "
SIR,—In THE LANCET of the 31st ult. you mention the gratifying fact that the governors of the Royal Free Hospital
determined, " that in consideration of the laborious and indefatigable exertions of the medical officers, one hundred guineas be presented to each of the physicians and surgeons of the hospital, and that for the future they shall receive each one hundred guineas per annum." Sir, tiiis is a most important movein the right direction. It suggests to me to bring under your notice a subject which, for its importance, well merits your earnest attention; and the public ought to be enlightened upon it. I mean the entire non-payment of the assistant-physicians and assistant-surgeons From the general ignorance of scientific truths and discoveries of several of the large hospitals of this metropolis. The which prevails so lamentably in the present day, we may in some duties, as you know, ot those gentlemen are very arduous, and measure trace the mental imbecility of the multitude. The yield not in importance to those of their seniors, and are even more as to attendance; consequently, all other engageour own times of is allied to the credulity closely superstition of mentsbinding must give way to this one duty, and often at a pecuniary former ages, and is as great, if not a far greater, source of error. sacrifice. That a body of talented and highly-educated men It is not too much to say, that the assertion of Bacon, that in should be found ready and willing at all hours to bestow their the opinion of the ignorant multitude, witches and impostors time and intellect within the walls of an hospital, without any have always held a competition with physicians," continues as of the world’s rewards, might well excite surprise, if we knew not the vast amount of unseen charity daily and hourly true as when written, and is not more to be wondered at. Are bestowed by the medical profession. But men ought not to not medical men themselves somewhat to be blamed for this? be expected, in a country like onrs, with a redundant, Are they as well acquainted with the truths of chemistry and struggling, and active middle-class population, to pursue for physiology as they should be ? What are we to think of men years a course of unrewarded practical charity. The majority of the public believe that all the medical who, apparently sane, believe in homoeopathy, clairvoyance, and officers of all the hospitals are paid officials; and even many cf the like ? the governors and subscribers are under the same impression, and many have looked rather incredulous on being told to the The physician," says Liebig, "who has learned as a science, but as an empirical art, acknowledges no princontrary. That the ruling powers of those establishmeats, derived from The of but rules his consisting chiefly of men knowing well the value of time and object ciples, experience. only to receive the benefits arising from so inquiries is only whether a remedy, in any given case, had a good labour,a should continue or a bad effect. This is all the empiric cares about. He never large sacrifice of both, is an anomaly difficult to explain. I have been told that they upheld the practice of this asks why?? He never inquires into the causes of what he observes. injustice, by alleging that the funds, over which they for the I know From what a different point of view should we contemplate time being preside, could not be so bestowed. the abnormal or diseased conditions of the human body, if we not whether this point has ever been fairly settled; at all were first thoroughly acquainted with its normal conditions-ifevents we see that, from the lowest grade of porter up to an aristocratic house-governor, are all well, some liberally, paid; we had established the science of physiology upon a satisfactory basis. How differentlv would the treatment of diseases be con- and upon what principle the practice is net carried out with ducted, if we had perfectly clear notions of the processes ofthose of the medical staff, who derive emolument from no digestion, assimilation, and excretion. Without just views ofother source, I cannot understand. see, nevertheless, in many cases, a most lavish expendiforce, cause, and effect-without a clear insight into the very essence of natural phenomena—without a solid physiological aaidture of those very funds, in external decoration, and alterachemical education,-is it to be wondered at that men, in othertions in the buildings, having no reference either to increased respects rational, should defend the most absurd notions?-thatt accommodation, the comfort or more speedy restoration of the the doctrines of Hahnemann should prevail in Germany, and find1 patients; but often to indulge the whims of a building comand enrich the builder and architect. disciples in all countries? Reason alone will not prevent wholeg mittee, nations from falling into the most abject superstitions; whilstt It is also alleged, that the prospective advantages to the assistants are great. But before these are realized, death even a child, whose mind has been duly developed and instructed, will repudiate the fear of ghosts and hobgoblins."-p. 13. may, as it has in several cases, remove from this sphere the hard-worked assistant, his services alike unrewarded, unrecoMuch more might be said to the same effect, were it our objectt gnised, and soon to be forgotten. Is this a fair state of things! had
medicine,
not
"
,
.
We
,
Is it what the benevolent donors meant? I think not. than recommend this work to our readers, as one I believe, Sir, that if the case were properly represented, capable of imparting knowledge in an agreeable form. Theemany persons holding the doctrine that " it is better to be letters on the connexion of the sciences, on the belief in obscure’e just, before they are generous," would willingly so apportion subjects on insufficient grounds, on the properties of various kinds their gifts, as to provide a fund, from the interest of which of food, and on agriculture, are particularly deserving of notice a proper remuneration could be given to the at present hardand surgeons; and worked and We cannot but think that the work, as a whole, will be acceptablee’ this without unpaid assistant-physicians upon the purely charitable funds oi encroaching not only to the members of our own profession, but to the readinf I am, Sir, yours obediently, the hospitals. S. P. R. London, Feb., 1852’ public generally.
to do
more