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REMUNERATION OF MEDICAL MEN BY MAGISTRATES.
331 universities where the studies and examination are of similar extent, so should all within its walls be on a footing of perfect
undeceived. on a visit to
branches of the profession. Much as this consummation is to be desired, I fear it is not to be expected; and I confess, for my own part, I think, unless
charged
On the day after my seeing the patient, I went Swansea, and was much surprised the following week, by a policeman calling to tell me, that" they had lodged equality. As the licence of the college confers the right to practise, the man in Carmarthen Gaol upon the charge of rape," and and within its jurisdiction " the same honours and titles which " that my attendance was required there, to give evidence :’ I was thus necessitated, "volens, nolens," to return thirty miles are given to physicians, here or elsewhere," and is, in truth, a for that purpose. The case was not, however, heard until the more valuable testimony of medical acquirement than the degrees of many universities, it ought to confer on its possessor, following week, when I was summoned by the Chairman of the Petty Sessions, to attend at ten o’clock A.M. The distance bonâ fide, the degree of doctor of medicine. All persons desiring to practise as physicians in England from my residence being nine miles, I was obliged, not keepshould be required to become members of the college. ing a horse, to hire one. My evidence clearly exculpated the If an institution of this nature were conducted in a liberal man from the charge of rape, and as the surgeon to the gaol and enlightened spirit-and probably a mixed system of had examined the accused, without finding any sympton of government, based on seniority and election, would be found gonorrhoea, that charge also fell to the ground, and the poor the best adapted for this eiid-it might safely be entrusted man was immediately discharged. On my applying for my with such large controlling powers as would ensure it the expenses after the case wasfinished, I was told to send the confidence of its own members, and the respect of the other bill in at the ensuing Quarter Sessions, which was done. I
one guinea, and four shillings and sixpence mileage. At the Sessions the account was refused. I wrote to the magistrate who signed the summons, and he brought the case forward again at the adjourned Quarter Sessions, but with the same result. I then made application by letter to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, stating the facts of the case, and received a very polite note in answer, informing me that his secretaryship could not interfere in the matter; and thus it ended by my being put to great inconvenience, loss of time, and money out of pocket, without the least remuneration. As the law at present stands, what a temptation to the "black sheep" of the profession to lean on the opposite side to that which is usually laid down by the judges, where a doubt exists-viz., in favour of the prisoner, that being the only means whereby he can reckon upon receiving the paltry remuneration which bv law is given. Is it not monstrous that our statute-book should contain no act, or section thereof, to compel magistrates to remunerate, in such cases, the medical profession ? It is almost holding out a premium, or btibe, to take the life or liberty of a fellow-creature away. Thank God, however, the character of my professional brethren in general stands too high for the temptation! How long is this anomalous state of things to last ? I fear, until all petty and jealous feelings, which at present so abundantly exist amongst the practitioners at large, be totally eradicated, and they join heart and hand, and with a strong pull all together, not only in protesting against the injustice done us in all ways, but likewise in inundating both the houses of parliament with petitions for the redress of the manifold grievances complained of. Then, and not till then, will the medical profession rise in the estimation of the public, as well as their own; then only will they experience that independence of action which ought to be felt. Thesemeans, together with the aid of the all-powerful press, at no very distant period, must procure for the medical, that justice which is uniformly accorded to every" other profession, even without asking. Let their motto be Union." I am, Sir, your constant reader, J. WM. LEADAM. Ferry Side, Carmarthenshire.
can be effected, the less the old fabric is better. The hostile feeling which appears formerly to have been felt by the licentiates towards the fellows has subsided into indifference, and if report speaks truly, a feeling not much warmer is prevalent among the fellows themselves. In my opinion, if the two orders are to be continued, a better plan than the present would be-confer the fellowship on every member of a certain standing. At present, connexion with one or other of the hospitals, the physicians of which possess, for the time being, influence in the medical world, would seem at least as sure a passport to the distinction as extraordinary acquirements, which are the ostensible ground on which vacancies in the governing body are filled up. As for the suggestion, which, I see by THE LANCET of April 8th, is revived, of requiring a second examination for it, it is utterly puerile, and founded on a misconception of the practical duty of the College, which is to protect the public against unqualified persons practising as physicians, not to discriminate as to the attainments of qualified physicians. The plan is, for obvious reasons, so objectionable, that if it were passed into a law, I believe it would soon become a- dead letter, simply from none of the licentiates presenting themselves for examination. I agree with you on so many points of medical reform, that I am sorry to differ from your opinion (THE LANCET, April 15) as to the advantage likely to follow a convention of the variously qualified practitioners of which London can produce specimens." You may depend upon it, if they could be brought together, they would never arrive at any satisfactory conclusion. For my own part, I believe that if Sir George Grey, disregarding the narrow views of private individuals and public bodies, would pass a good registration bill, and give to each College and the Apothecaries’ Company power, by a short and inexpensive process, to prevent practice in their several departments by persons not qualified, and to punish sins against professional moralitv among their own members, more practical good would be effected than is likely to result from the discussions and conferences of the doctors themselves. I must apologize for trespassing at such length upon your SALARIES OF MEDICAL PROFESSORS AND DEPUTY PROFESSORS columns, but I thought that a temperate exposition of views which I believe accord with the sentiments entertained by IN PARIS.—The French Minister of Public Instruction has many members of the body to which I have the honour to just decided that the salary of the professors of the faculty of medicine should be lowered from S400 to S320 a-year, and belong, might not be without its use in these times. that the deputy professors should, instead of £40, receive £80 I am, Sir, your obedient servant, A LICENTIATE INTRA URBEM. a-year. THE CHOLERA.-A letter from St. Petersburg states, that on the 19th ult. there were 34 new cases of cholera, 34 REMUNERATION OF MEDICAL MEN BY recoveries, and 9 deaths. The day after, there remained 545 MAGISTRATES. persons attacked, or 79 less than the day before. At Riga, To the Editor of THE LANCET. up to the 17th of August, 6,095 persons had been attacked, SIR,—Having seen in THE LANCET of the 26th ult., a letter of whom 1,968 died, 3,709 recovered, and 418 were still ill. upon the above subject, and as you expressed a desire for ana- The epidemic has been more fatal at Mittau: of 782 persons logouscases, I beg leave to forward rather a strong one. In who were attacked, up to the 31st of August, 303 have died, October, 1847, I was sent for to visit a child, aged three years, and only 54 have recovered. Since the beginning of July, on whom the parents supposed a rape had been committed, as the cholera has broken out in Siberia, where it had not penelikewise that the child-to use their own language—" had the trated in former years. At Stettin, where it broke out on foul disease." The father and the man suspected were both the 10th, there have been 204 victims up to the 30th. During 4c navvies" on the South Wales line. I very carefully exa- the twenty-four hours, from noon on the 30th to noon on the mined the patient, and gave a decided negative to their sup- 31st, the police received intelligence of 38 fresh cases-a far positions, as there was not the least appearance of violence higher number than during any preceding cay, when the having been used, and the discharge was only leucorrhceal. I number did not exceed 25. During the next twenty-four ordered a purgative and sulphate of zinc lotion, and thought hours, the number of cases amounted to 150. During the my labours in the case finished; but to my cost, I was quickly same lapse of time, the number of fresh cases at Magdeburg
a thorough repair meddled with the
Medícal News.
undeceived. on a visit to
branches of the profession. Much as this consummation is to be desired, I fear it is not to be expected; and I confess, for my own part, I think, unless
charged
On the day after my seeing the patient, I went Swansea, and was much surprised the following week, by a policeman calling to tell me, that" they had lodged equality. As the licence of the college confers the right to practise, the man in Carmarthen Gaol upon the charge of rape," and and within its jurisdiction " the same honours and titles which " that my attendance was required there, to give evidence :’ I was thus necessitated, "volens, nolens," to return thirty miles are given to physicians, here or elsewhere," and is, in truth, a for that purpose. The case was not, however, heard until the more valuable testimony of medical acquirement than the degrees of many universities, it ought to confer on its possessor, following week, when I was summoned by the Chairman of the Petty Sessions, to attend at ten o’clock A.M. The distance bonâ fide, the degree of doctor of medicine. All persons desiring to practise as physicians in England from my residence being nine miles, I was obliged, not keepshould be required to become members of the college. ing a horse, to hire one. My evidence clearly exculpated the If an institution of this nature were conducted in a liberal man from the charge of rape, and as the surgeon to the gaol and enlightened spirit-and probably a mixed system of had examined the accused, without finding any sympton of government, based on seniority and election, would be found gonorrhoea, that charge also fell to the ground, and the poor the best adapted for this eiid-it might safely be entrusted man was immediately discharged. On my applying for my with such large controlling powers as would ensure it the expenses after the case wasfinished, I was told to send the confidence of its own members, and the respect of the other bill in at the ensuing Quarter Sessions, which was done. I
one guinea, and four shillings and sixpence mileage. At the Sessions the account was refused. I wrote to the magistrate who signed the summons, and he brought the case forward again at the adjourned Quarter Sessions, but with the same result. I then made application by letter to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, stating the facts of the case, and received a very polite note in answer, informing me that his secretaryship could not interfere in the matter; and thus it ended by my being put to great inconvenience, loss of time, and money out of pocket, without the least remuneration. As the law at present stands, what a temptation to the "black sheep" of the profession to lean on the opposite side to that which is usually laid down by the judges, where a doubt exists-viz., in favour of the prisoner, that being the only means whereby he can reckon upon receiving the paltry remuneration which bv law is given. Is it not monstrous that our statute-book should contain no act, or section thereof, to compel magistrates to remunerate, in such cases, the medical profession ? It is almost holding out a premium, or btibe, to take the life or liberty of a fellow-creature away. Thank God, however, the character of my professional brethren in general stands too high for the temptation! How long is this anomalous state of things to last ? I fear, until all petty and jealous feelings, which at present so abundantly exist amongst the practitioners at large, be totally eradicated, and they join heart and hand, and with a strong pull all together, not only in protesting against the injustice done us in all ways, but likewise in inundating both the houses of parliament with petitions for the redress of the manifold grievances complained of. Then, and not till then, will the medical profession rise in the estimation of the public, as well as their own; then only will they experience that independence of action which ought to be felt. Thesemeans, together with the aid of the all-powerful press, at no very distant period, must procure for the medical, that justice which is uniformly accorded to every" other profession, even without asking. Let their motto be Union." I am, Sir, your constant reader, J. WM. LEADAM. Ferry Side, Carmarthenshire.
can be effected, the less the old fabric is better. The hostile feeling which appears formerly to have been felt by the licentiates towards the fellows has subsided into indifference, and if report speaks truly, a feeling not much warmer is prevalent among the fellows themselves. In my opinion, if the two orders are to be continued, a better plan than the present would be-confer the fellowship on every member of a certain standing. At present, connexion with one or other of the hospitals, the physicians of which possess, for the time being, influence in the medical world, would seem at least as sure a passport to the distinction as extraordinary acquirements, which are the ostensible ground on which vacancies in the governing body are filled up. As for the suggestion, which, I see by THE LANCET of April 8th, is revived, of requiring a second examination for it, it is utterly puerile, and founded on a misconception of the practical duty of the College, which is to protect the public against unqualified persons practising as physicians, not to discriminate as to the attainments of qualified physicians. The plan is, for obvious reasons, so objectionable, that if it were passed into a law, I believe it would soon become a- dead letter, simply from none of the licentiates presenting themselves for examination. I agree with you on so many points of medical reform, that I am sorry to differ from your opinion (THE LANCET, April 15) as to the advantage likely to follow a convention of the variously qualified practitioners of which London can produce specimens." You may depend upon it, if they could be brought together, they would never arrive at any satisfactory conclusion. For my own part, I believe that if Sir George Grey, disregarding the narrow views of private individuals and public bodies, would pass a good registration bill, and give to each College and the Apothecaries’ Company power, by a short and inexpensive process, to prevent practice in their several departments by persons not qualified, and to punish sins against professional moralitv among their own members, more practical good would be effected than is likely to result from the discussions and conferences of the doctors themselves. I must apologize for trespassing at such length upon your SALARIES OF MEDICAL PROFESSORS AND DEPUTY PROFESSORS columns, but I thought that a temperate exposition of views which I believe accord with the sentiments entertained by IN PARIS.—The French Minister of Public Instruction has many members of the body to which I have the honour to just decided that the salary of the professors of the faculty of medicine should be lowered from S400 to S320 a-year, and belong, might not be without its use in these times. that the deputy professors should, instead of £40, receive £80 I am, Sir, your obedient servant, A LICENTIATE INTRA URBEM. a-year. THE CHOLERA.-A letter from St. Petersburg states, that on the 19th ult. there were 34 new cases of cholera, 34 REMUNERATION OF MEDICAL MEN BY recoveries, and 9 deaths. The day after, there remained 545 MAGISTRATES. persons attacked, or 79 less than the day before. At Riga, To the Editor of THE LANCET. up to the 17th of August, 6,095 persons had been attacked, SIR,—Having seen in THE LANCET of the 26th ult., a letter of whom 1,968 died, 3,709 recovered, and 418 were still ill. upon the above subject, and as you expressed a desire for ana- The epidemic has been more fatal at Mittau: of 782 persons logouscases, I beg leave to forward rather a strong one. In who were attacked, up to the 31st of August, 303 have died, October, 1847, I was sent for to visit a child, aged three years, and only 54 have recovered. Since the beginning of July, on whom the parents supposed a rape had been committed, as the cholera has broken out in Siberia, where it had not penelikewise that the child-to use their own language—" had the trated in former years. At Stettin, where it broke out on foul disease." The father and the man suspected were both the 10th, there have been 204 victims up to the 30th. During 4c navvies" on the South Wales line. I very carefully exa- the twenty-four hours, from noon on the 30th to noon on the mined the patient, and gave a decided negative to their sup- 31st, the police received intelligence of 38 fresh cases-a far positions, as there was not the least appearance of violence higher number than during any preceding cay, when the having been used, and the discharge was only leucorrhceal. I number did not exceed 25. During the next twenty-four ordered a purgative and sulphate of zinc lotion, and thought hours, the number of cases amounted to 150. During the my labours in the case finished; but to my cost, I was quickly same lapse of time, the number of fresh cases at Magdeburg
a thorough repair meddled with the
Medícal News.