RICHARD OWEN AND JOHN HUNTER.

1531 THE AGE RETIREMENTS IN THE MEDICAL STAFF IN 1893. f]rom the setting sun-a peaceful close to a long day of life. ’ew now living knew Sir Richard Owen in his prime. He Five officers of the rank of Surgeon-Major-Generals and ecame famous early, and even the old amongbt us have of the rank of Bligade-Su geon-Lieuterant-Colonels &c. oked up to him as a leader from their own young days. He due to retine in the course of next year. Tas a link with past generations and his memory is worthy t,o be cherished. My own knowledge of him was only in his FEVER AT MALTA. According to an Exchange Company’s recent telegram from old age, when his work was done and he was quietly waiting Malta fever is stated to be increasing among the soldiers of f or the end ; yet there was about him still a wonderful that garrison. It may be assumed that cases of typhoid fever g:race of manner, a kind and cordial speech and nothing and discontent with new ways oof that impatience of are included under the term "fever," for enteric fever comis ofttimes excusable in old men. monly prevails to some extent in Malta during the autumn their surroundings which and early winter. The health of the troops in that command IIe loved to speak of his own work, but not in pride, and of late years has, we believe, been much better than it was 1 ooked upon his honours rather as kindnesses received than many years ago in this respect, and this has been attributed as rewards for merit. Especially he would talk of Cuvier and to the sanitary works that have taken place in the way of 1iow when Cuvier, obliged to flee France, was studying in the water-supply and drainage. Although the barracks have Ilunterian Museum Owen was appointed to attend on him, been improved and a large proportion of the troops are en-und how cordially they worked together "like friends. " A camped during the summer months with manifest advantage fine large medallion of the great Frenchman adorned Sir 1Richard’s study; above it an admirable miniature of John to their health, it cannot be said that the barrack accommodation is satisfactory. The buildings are generally old and Hunter, inherited from Wm. Clift and highly prized by him ; some of them badly placed, consequently they are not of the !above this a portrait of William Clift himself in his old age; construction considered necessary by modern sanitary require-aand Sir Joseph Banks surmounting all. It is as a link with ments. The native population is large and generally poor Hunter that I would speak of Owen. Although not born and a good deal of overcrowding exists in the towns. Theuntil eleven years after Hunter’s death, Owen earned the right chief military hospital is not at all a good one and occupies ato be his chief interpreter. Indeed he comes down to us in bad site ; but, after all, it is to the character of the barrack idirect succession from Hunter. William Clift was Hunter’s accommodation provided for the troops that we must look forlast and favourite pupil and entered most [I quote from the prevention of disease, and for this reason we should beOwen’s words to me] into his master’s spirit. His was a glad to hear that additional barracks are to be built on somesingular example of lifelong devotion, entire and absolute, healthy open site at a reasonably convenient distance from to one object-the memory of his master, John Hunter, and Valetta or the other overcrowded towns of Malta. the care of his collection. He had no aims of his own, no thought of distinguishing himself; his one care was the REPORTS ON RECRUITING. of his master’s work. "1 With such a man was The War Office has given orders for assistant adjutant- pursuit Owen associated, as his assistant in the care of Hunter’s generals for recruiting and officers commanding regimental Museum from 1827 to 1842, when he succeeded Clift, districts to send in their reports by Jan. 7th ; but on the bound to the latter by the close tie of a son previous day colonels of cavalry and battalions of foot guards already When Owen to a father. William Clift died in 1849. are to send to the Horse Guards a special report showing the in 1861 the well-known edition of Hunter’s (postpublished growth and development of recruits joined during the past humous) Essays and Observations, taken from copies so year who, at the time of their enlistment, were under the preserved by Clift, he wrote in his dedication that his regulated standard of height, weight or chest measurement. long "labours in making known the thoughts and works of the Returns, reports and discussions regarding recruits are con- founder of philosophical surgery " were now terminated. He stantly cropping up, and somehow or other our system does told me himself that it had been throughout life one of his not seem to work very satisfactorily. The army is not popular chief aims to preserve the memory and carry on the work of with " the masses " whatever it may be with "the classes " ; that And so in Owen a link which bound man. whilst the number of candidates for Sandhurst and Woolwich the great with the life andlosing work of John Hunter is broken present is overwhelming, it is quite the reverse as far as recruits are and his days seem to recede into a more distant past. The concerned, although we believe that just at the present time coming year is the centenary of John Hunter’s death, which they are fairly numerous. It has often seemed to us sur- took place on Oct. 16th, 1793. It would surely be fitting to prising, under these circumstances, that the strength of the commemorate in some way this event. The Hunterian Royal Marines is not increased. It is a very popular service Society (of which I am one of the honorary secretaries) will, I and there would be no difficulty in enlisting any number of make some endeavour to this end, but it is much to be recruits for it. The men of that corps are of fine physique ; they think, that some hoped larger bodies will take the matter up. Not cover on parade a larger amount of ground than other troops ; alone the medical art, but the kindred study of biology in its they are well-drilled, excellent soldiers, and as they are in the wider bearings owe much to John Hunter, and I trust that main a very healthy, contented body of men, their state of next October will witness some worthy memorial of his name discipline is perfectly satisfactory. Why not, therefore, in- and fame. I am, Sirs, yours faithfully, crease their numbers? R. HINGSTON HINGSTOX FOX. Fox. Dec. 23rd, 1892.

six are

THE LATE DR. WALSHE.

Correspondence.

To the Editors

"Audi alteram pa.rtem."

RICHARD OWEN AND JOHN HUNTER. To the Editors of THE LANCET.

SIRS,—Ham churchyard

was

the

scene

of

THE LANCET.

SIRS,—I have read with much interest the letter of Dr. Sturges, in your last issue, on Dr. Walshe. I only had

to-day

of

an un-

throng when the great naturalist was laid to rest. Our own profession was well represented by the President of the College of Surgeons, by Sir Joseph Fayrer and others, and many leaders in science stood around. The simple

wonted

service in the church seemed well to befit the veteran who is gone ; thoughts of his genial yet reverent spirit in peaceful old age came over the mind as the preacher read of man that liveth by reason of strength to fourscore years. The stiltness was unbroken save by the twittering of birds in the leafless trees. The level rays of the low December sun shone on the company of mourners. It had been overcast with heavy grey clouds, but as the service went on the sky grew clear and blue and the dark clouds lay piled away on the eastern horizon, their summits tipped with rosy light

the honour of Dr. Walshe’s friendship during the last seven years of his life, but confess that the interpretation of his character which Dr. Sturges sets forth does not altogether satisfy me as being a correct image of "the man." Of his method and of his refinement in observation and description I think his account is excellent ; but Dr. Sturges appears to me to view Walshe as a physicist who degenerated into a metaphysician. The conclusion which my intercourse with him would lead to is that he was a metaphysician who had forced himself in a measure to become a physicist, but only in a measure, for he had in a rare degree the attributes of both. His refinement in description, indeed, was, in my opinion, a consequence of that mental habit which felt itself surrounded by "unending Nature," as various in expression, as unfathomable in itself. He was good enough at one time to express concern lest I should develop too metaphysical a vein, and advised me to stick to clinical work. ’’ That’s 1 See also the Memoir of William Clift (a

brochure), by Owen.