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"THE APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL MEDICAL OFFICERS FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF LUNATICS."
LIVERPOOL.
352
of the defects of its constitution but also of certain administrative evils which had resulted therefrom. To this end the medical staff issued to those governors whose names and addresses could be discovered by them a statement and report of the condition of the affairs of the hospital. This report we enclose together with other documents. It should be noted that an application by the medical staff for a copy of the official list of the names and addresses of the governors The next step was refused by the board of management. was the appointment by the board of a sub-committee consisting of three of their own members to investigate the grave defects to which their attention had been called and for which they were responsible. The medical staff naturally at once repudiated such an unsatisfactory inquiry and urged upon the governors that any committee of investigation should be an independent one and not appointed by the body whose acts were called in question. The final stage of this dispute was reached at the recent meeting of the Distribution Committee of the Hospital Sunday Fund. The Sunday Fund Committee, bearing in mind their instructions to the board of management of last year, issued this year a request to the board and medical staff respectively to send representatives to their meeting on July 19th. After hearing both sides the Distribution Committee of the Hospital Sunday Fund adopted the following resolution for submission to their council :-
advocacy. Only
In consequence of the serious dissensions between the staff and the board of management at the National Hospital for the Paralysed and Epileptic, Queen-square, your committee held a conference at which both were fully represented. After a long discussion it was decided that no award could be recommended until the existing differences had been satisfactorily arranged.
In conclusion, we desire only to reaffirm our view that the affairs of the hospital need a searching inquiry and its constitution thorough reform. We are unanimous in our resolve to put an end to the evils of the present system of administration. We are, Sirs, yours obediently, J. HUGHLINGS JACKSON, M.D. St. And., F.R.C.P.
Lond., F.R.S., THOMAS BUZZARD, M.D., F.R.C.P.
Lond.,
Consulting Physicians to the Hospital. R. BRUDENELL CARTER, F.R.C.S. Eng , Consulting Ophthalmic Surgeon H. CHARLTON BASTIAN, M.D., F.R.C.P. Lond.,
F.R.S., W. R. GOWERS, M.D., F.R C.P. Lond., F.R.S., DAVID FERRIER, M.D. Edin., F.R.C.P. Lond.,
F R.S., J. A. ORMEROD, M.D. Oxon, F.R.C.P. Lond., Physicians to In-patients. CHARLES E. BEEVOR, M D., F.R.C.P. Lond., HOWARD H. TOOTH, M.D., F.R.C.P. Lond., JAMES TAYLOR, M.D. Edin., F.R.C.P. Lond., J. S. RISIEN RUSSELL, M.D Edin., F.R.C.P.Lond., Physicians to Out-patients. W. ALDREN TURNER, M.D. Edin., F.R.C.P. Lond., FREDERICK E. BATTEN, M.D. Cantab., M.R.C.P.
Lond., FELIX
Assistant
Physicians.
(The authority.)
July 27th, 1900.
LIVERPOOL. (FROM
by
_______________
"THE APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL MEDICAL OFFICERS FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF LUNATICS." To the Editors of THE LANCET. SIRS,—What Mr. Polhill Turner proposes in THE LANCET
July 28th is identical with what I proposed in a short pamphlet entitled " Proposals for the Amendment of the Laws relating to Lunatics and Habitual Drunkards," published in 1885. Many, if not all, of the anomalies now con-
of
nected with the process of certification of lunatics would be obviated by the adoption of some such plan, and much benefit will accrue, not only to the public, but to the
OUR OWN
CORRESPONDENT.)
University College, Liverpool: The Faculty.
Work of the Medical
THE medical faculty, which may be regarded as the foundation-stone of University College, continues to flourish, Professor A. M. Paterson, the Dean of the Faculty, in his recently-issued report for the past year remarked on steady The number of students progress in all departments. session of 1899-1900 classes the winter during attending (excluding those taking out hospital practice) was 194. In 1897-98 and 1898-99 the numbers were 169 and 188 respectively. There were 85 new entries, including 60 medical, 13 dental, and 12 entering for special In the previous winter session there were courses. 88 new entries-54 medical, 19 dental, and 15 for special courses. During the present summer session the total numbers have been 163, including 10 new entries and 16 for special courses. Last summer the total reached 144, including 12 new entries and five for special courses. These figures represent the largest numbers in the history of the medical school. The increase was mainly due to students taking special courses or parts of their medical curriculum. Professor Paterson elaborates the subject of buildings. Last year the plans of the new building were devised and passed. The scheme was divided for building purposes into three sections, which was necessitated through lack of funds. The first section, comprising an anatomical museum and dissecting-room, is now being erected. The second section will include, in addition to the main staircase, the laboratories for surgery and the lecture theatres. The third section, which will complete the block, will contain laboratories and smaller rooms necessary for teaching, investigation, and administration in the several departments of the school. Professor Paterson regrets that the surgical section of the building has not already been begun, as the completion of the old block would be expedited by the erection of that section. The estimated cost of the three sections is oE30,OOO, towards which promises of .614000 As each section of the building is have been received. estimated to cost about £10,000, a start will be made with the second section when the requisite sum of B6000 has been guaranteed.
Woolton Convalescent Institution. ’
SEMON, M.D. Berlin, F.R.C.P. Lond.,
Physician for Diseases of the Throat. VICTOR HORSLEY, F.R.C.S.Eng., F.R.S., CHARLES A. BALLANCE, F.R C.S. Eng., Surgeons. R. MARCUS GUNN, F.R.C.S. Eng., Ophthalmic Surgeon. A. E. CUMBERBATCH, F.R.C.S. Eng., Aural Surgeon. names of absent members have been added
if such
a plan were to receive your powerful those whose fate it is to have to do with lunacy certificates, both in their inception and in their completion, know how gladly a simplification of the process such as that proposed would be welcomed. I am, Sirs, yours faithfully, W. H. KESTEVEN. Hendon. Julv 31st. 1900.
profession,
The twenty-sixth annual meeting of the Woolton Con. valescent Institution was held on July 21st. The institution is largely self-supporting ; payments made on behalf of patients amounted last year to oEI729 4s., whilst the total receipts realised Z4701 5s. 4d. Subscriptions amounted to oE944 8s. 6d. The Hospital Sunday Fund contributed £315, the proceeds of the city ball amounted to .E159 Os. 8d., and during the year donations had been received amounting to oE415 4s. The number of patients received into the in. stitution was 2661, which was six short of the previous year, but showed 25 per cent. above the average for the past 10 The accounts showed an increase in the debit years. balance from Z63 to £354, which was due to necessary alterations in the institution. The number of special subscriptions had increased and Mr. T. S. Timmis had endowed a free bed, bringing the number of free beds up to 20. The popularity of the institution is evidenced by the fact of the number of applicants for admission. In the year 1878 the number of patients was 638 and the annual subscriptions were .6110, as compared with 2661 patients and 6944 recorded for the past year. The grounds of the institution have been considerably improved at an expense of .61206, and the committee have spared no effort to make the institution comfortable and attractive. The Council in their report referred with great regret to the death of Sir Henry Tate. Bart., who had closely connected himself with the institution for many years, having been the honorary treasurer
352
of the defects of its constitution but also of certain administrative evils which had resulted therefrom. To this end the medical staff issued to those governors whose names and addresses could be discovered by them a statement and report of the condition of the affairs of the hospital. This report we enclose together with other documents. It should be noted that an application by the medical staff for a copy of the official list of the names and addresses of the governors The next step was refused by the board of management. was the appointment by the board of a sub-committee consisting of three of their own members to investigate the grave defects to which their attention had been called and for which they were responsible. The medical staff naturally at once repudiated such an unsatisfactory inquiry and urged upon the governors that any committee of investigation should be an independent one and not appointed by the body whose acts were called in question. The final stage of this dispute was reached at the recent meeting of the Distribution Committee of the Hospital Sunday Fund. The Sunday Fund Committee, bearing in mind their instructions to the board of management of last year, issued this year a request to the board and medical staff respectively to send representatives to their meeting on July 19th. After hearing both sides the Distribution Committee of the Hospital Sunday Fund adopted the following resolution for submission to their council :-
advocacy. Only
In consequence of the serious dissensions between the staff and the board of management at the National Hospital for the Paralysed and Epileptic, Queen-square, your committee held a conference at which both were fully represented. After a long discussion it was decided that no award could be recommended until the existing differences had been satisfactorily arranged.
In conclusion, we desire only to reaffirm our view that the affairs of the hospital need a searching inquiry and its constitution thorough reform. We are unanimous in our resolve to put an end to the evils of the present system of administration. We are, Sirs, yours obediently, J. HUGHLINGS JACKSON, M.D. St. And., F.R.C.P.
Lond., F.R.S., THOMAS BUZZARD, M.D., F.R.C.P.
Lond.,
Consulting Physicians to the Hospital. R. BRUDENELL CARTER, F.R.C.S. Eng , Consulting Ophthalmic Surgeon H. CHARLTON BASTIAN, M.D., F.R.C.P. Lond.,
F.R.S., W. R. GOWERS, M.D., F.R C.P. Lond., F.R.S., DAVID FERRIER, M.D. Edin., F.R.C.P. Lond.,
F R.S., J. A. ORMEROD, M.D. Oxon, F.R.C.P. Lond., Physicians to In-patients. CHARLES E. BEEVOR, M D., F.R.C.P. Lond., HOWARD H. TOOTH, M.D., F.R.C.P. Lond., JAMES TAYLOR, M.D. Edin., F.R.C.P. Lond., J. S. RISIEN RUSSELL, M.D Edin., F.R.C.P.Lond., Physicians to Out-patients. W. ALDREN TURNER, M.D. Edin., F.R.C.P. Lond., FREDERICK E. BATTEN, M.D. Cantab., M.R.C.P.
Lond., FELIX
Assistant
Physicians.
(The authority.)
July 27th, 1900.
LIVERPOOL. (FROM
by
_______________
"THE APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL MEDICAL OFFICERS FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF LUNATICS." To the Editors of THE LANCET. SIRS,—What Mr. Polhill Turner proposes in THE LANCET
July 28th is identical with what I proposed in a short pamphlet entitled " Proposals for the Amendment of the Laws relating to Lunatics and Habitual Drunkards," published in 1885. Many, if not all, of the anomalies now con-
of
nected with the process of certification of lunatics would be obviated by the adoption of some such plan, and much benefit will accrue, not only to the public, but to the
OUR OWN
CORRESPONDENT.)
University College, Liverpool: The Faculty.
Work of the Medical
THE medical faculty, which may be regarded as the foundation-stone of University College, continues to flourish, Professor A. M. Paterson, the Dean of the Faculty, in his recently-issued report for the past year remarked on steady The number of students progress in all departments. session of 1899-1900 classes the winter during attending (excluding those taking out hospital practice) was 194. In 1897-98 and 1898-99 the numbers were 169 and 188 respectively. There were 85 new entries, including 60 medical, 13 dental, and 12 entering for special In the previous winter session there were courses. 88 new entries-54 medical, 19 dental, and 15 for special courses. During the present summer session the total numbers have been 163, including 10 new entries and 16 for special courses. Last summer the total reached 144, including 12 new entries and five for special courses. These figures represent the largest numbers in the history of the medical school. The increase was mainly due to students taking special courses or parts of their medical curriculum. Professor Paterson elaborates the subject of buildings. Last year the plans of the new building were devised and passed. The scheme was divided for building purposes into three sections, which was necessitated through lack of funds. The first section, comprising an anatomical museum and dissecting-room, is now being erected. The second section will include, in addition to the main staircase, the laboratories for surgery and the lecture theatres. The third section, which will complete the block, will contain laboratories and smaller rooms necessary for teaching, investigation, and administration in the several departments of the school. Professor Paterson regrets that the surgical section of the building has not already been begun, as the completion of the old block would be expedited by the erection of that section. The estimated cost of the three sections is oE30,OOO, towards which promises of .614000 As each section of the building is have been received. estimated to cost about £10,000, a start will be made with the second section when the requisite sum of B6000 has been guaranteed.
Woolton Convalescent Institution. ’
SEMON, M.D. Berlin, F.R.C.P. Lond.,
Physician for Diseases of the Throat. VICTOR HORSLEY, F.R.C.S.Eng., F.R.S., CHARLES A. BALLANCE, F.R C.S. Eng., Surgeons. R. MARCUS GUNN, F.R.C.S. Eng., Ophthalmic Surgeon. A. E. CUMBERBATCH, F.R.C.S. Eng., Aural Surgeon. names of absent members have been added
if such
a plan were to receive your powerful those whose fate it is to have to do with lunacy certificates, both in their inception and in their completion, know how gladly a simplification of the process such as that proposed would be welcomed. I am, Sirs, yours faithfully, W. H. KESTEVEN. Hendon. Julv 31st. 1900.
profession,
The twenty-sixth annual meeting of the Woolton Con. valescent Institution was held on July 21st. The institution is largely self-supporting ; payments made on behalf of patients amounted last year to oEI729 4s., whilst the total receipts realised Z4701 5s. 4d. Subscriptions amounted to oE944 8s. 6d. The Hospital Sunday Fund contributed £315, the proceeds of the city ball amounted to .E159 Os. 8d., and during the year donations had been received amounting to oE415 4s. The number of patients received into the in. stitution was 2661, which was six short of the previous year, but showed 25 per cent. above the average for the past 10 The accounts showed an increase in the debit years. balance from Z63 to £354, which was due to necessary alterations in the institution. The number of special subscriptions had increased and Mr. T. S. Timmis had endowed a free bed, bringing the number of free beds up to 20. The popularity of the institution is evidenced by the fact of the number of applicants for admission. In the year 1878 the number of patients was 638 and the annual subscriptions were .6110, as compared with 2661 patients and 6944 recorded for the past year. The grounds of the institution have been considerably improved at an expense of .61206, and the committee have spared no effort to make the institution comfortable and attractive. The Council in their report referred with great regret to the death of Sir Henry Tate. Bart., who had closely connected himself with the institution for many years, having been the honorary treasurer