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SIR BENJAMIN BRODIE
144 La Mer," M. Michelet proposed the establishment of bathinghouses in the seaport towns for the children of the poor, such as we possess at Margate, Scarborough, Brighton, and elsewhere. The municipality of Paris have adopted the idea with generous warmth, and its author now proceeds to develop his opinions further in a letter to the Presse. He suggests an odd combination of charity with state policy, which promises a singular reinforcement of the naval power of France. The bathing infirmaries are to feed the naval service. The foundling children who might be placed there, the convalescents, the cured, should be employed, according to the situation of the establishment, in the lightest labours of the port, and in navigation, as well as in the different trades which belong to them. M. Michelet laments that whole populations of fishermen and sailors turn their backs upon the sea in order to become mechanics. He proposes in this medico-political scheme to find The country must adopt a compensation for the desertion. these convalescent but strumous children, and imbue them with the love of the ocean. It will thus create by adoption a popu- I lation of sailors who, devoted from childhood to the heroic labours of the sea, will prefer that life to any other; who, from their earliest infancy rocked by the ocean, will love no other nurse, and own it as their sole home and country. It may be a politic scheme to convert the Government establishments for foundlings into seminaries for sailors; but if the French fleet is to be reinforced from the scrofulous convalescents of the sea-bathing infirmaries, we fear that the pith of the naval power of France will be unworthy of its shell. This part at least of M. Michelet’s proposition is not likely, we apprehend, to give rise to anything else than a smile; but the project of establishing sea-bathing hospitals, although not of utilizing them, will, we trust, be realized.
of overcoming this difficulty than by appointing in. examine the meat when it arrives at the different to spectors railway stations, and thus to cut off the principal avenues of approach. It is, however, gratifying to see that energetic efforts at repression are being made even in a more limited
tive
plan
sphere. success of the first prosecution undertaken is a matter congratulation. The case was very clear. Five rotten sheep were seized in one salesman’s shop; of course " a most respectable man," as was agreed on both sides. The inspector
The
of
who seized them described them as rotten, and so wasted with disease that they did not weigh more than eighteen to twentyfive pounds each-less than a fourth of what should have been their normal weight. They had been sold by a Mr. Firmin to Mr. Dixon, at the rate of 22d. per pound. Dr. Letheby gave evidence that if such meat got into the animal body in a partially cooked state it produced either low fever or violent vomiting and purging. On the other hand, there was a sur’ prising unanimity of evidence amongst a body of salesmen, who declared that. the disease was hidden when the meat became frozen; that it is common for healthy sheep and lambs to be brought to London weighing not more than seventeen to twenty-five pounds each, and to be sold at 2½d, per pound. When we add to this fact that the defence was conducted by the solicitor of the Butcher’s Association, we may conclude that it was a very healthy example to fine Mr. Firmin £10; and that it is clear that the inspector’s business is not likely to come to an end just yet. It is useful, although not agrees able, to know that a body of " respectable salesmen" partakethese remarkable opinions, and concur in these extraordinary statements as to fact.
SIR BENJAMIN BRODIE. MORE FOOD FOR DISEASE. WE believe that it will no longer be necessary to repeat, as we have often done, the statement of the vast extent and deleterious influence of the infamous traffic in diseased meat in London, merely with the view of keeping this great abuse fresh in the minds of the profession, and preventing it from becoming permanent by neglect and oblivion. Thanks to the lively sense which the Sewers Committee of the Corporation of London entertain of their duties as guardians of the public
IT is with infinite regret that we have to state that the present condition of the eye which Sir Benjamin Brodie has.
submitted successively to iridectomy and linear extraction of the lens, is not so favourable as might be inferred from recent statements. The late extraction of the lens became necessary owing to the formation of a traumatic cataract following a wound of the lens, accidentally inflicted during the performanceof the previous operation of iridectomy. The last reports announce that the section of the cornea has not healthily united, and that some amount of low inflammation has attacked the eye. It must be earnestly hoped that the protracted endurance of the illustrious sufferer will be rewarded by final restora. tion to sight.
intelligent activity of their officer of health, being taken for putting an end to this dangerous and filthy trade. Week after week we have read of the seizure of so many thousand pounds of diseased meat, slaughtered for the consumption of the poor. Medical officers of health know well enough that the amount seized is but a fraction of the quantity exposed for sale, and actually consumed by the poor, who are tempted by the lowness of its price. Henceforth the names of the willing vendors, when detected, and of the purveyors of this unhealthy and disgusting food, will "Audi alteram partem." be published, and, where possible, proceedings will be taken to punish them. The public exposure will in itself be a severe ON THE "MARSHALL HALL" AND OTHER punishment, and it may be hoped that the penalties of the law METHODS IN CASES OF DROWNING. will be rigorously enforced. We have already expressed our To the Editor of THE LANCET. fear that the present machinery is insufficient for the complete detection of those who are culpably involved in this trade. SIR,—I am happy to see that the all-important subject ofUnquestionably the most guilty persons are those who wilfully Restoration from Apncea is again revived, a paper on that and designedly slaughter and send to market meat which they question having been read on the 22nd ult. before the Royal know to be unfit for human food. The rigid inspection of Medical and Chirurgical Society; and as it appears from the slaughter-houses and markets will be insufficient to bailie the report in THE LANCET of last week that my name was brought, enterprise and ingenuity of those who are concerned in this forward in the discussion that ensued, I trust you will afford proceeding. They well know how to forward their dangerous me space for the following remarks. wares direct to the retailers without filtering them through Two great points with regard to the subject seem still to bethe larger central markets, and, by splitting up the localities of undecided :sale, to render efficient inspection and general detection pracI. As to the propriety of using the warm bath. tically impossible. There is reason to believe that the amount II. As to the best mode of performing artificial respiration. seized bears no proportion to the quantity of diseased meat L Concerning the warm bath. The continuous warm or hot actually sold and consumed. We know of no more effechealth, active
and to the
measures are
Correspondence.
of overcoming this difficulty than by appointing in. examine the meat when it arrives at the different to spectors railway stations, and thus to cut off the principal avenues of approach. It is, however, gratifying to see that energetic efforts at repression are being made even in a more limited
tive
plan
sphere. success of the first prosecution undertaken is a matter congratulation. The case was very clear. Five rotten sheep were seized in one salesman’s shop; of course " a most respectable man," as was agreed on both sides. The inspector
The
of
who seized them described them as rotten, and so wasted with disease that they did not weigh more than eighteen to twentyfive pounds each-less than a fourth of what should have been their normal weight. They had been sold by a Mr. Firmin to Mr. Dixon, at the rate of 22d. per pound. Dr. Letheby gave evidence that if such meat got into the animal body in a partially cooked state it produced either low fever or violent vomiting and purging. On the other hand, there was a sur’ prising unanimity of evidence amongst a body of salesmen, who declared that. the disease was hidden when the meat became frozen; that it is common for healthy sheep and lambs to be brought to London weighing not more than seventeen to twenty-five pounds each, and to be sold at 2½d, per pound. When we add to this fact that the defence was conducted by the solicitor of the Butcher’s Association, we may conclude that it was a very healthy example to fine Mr. Firmin £10; and that it is clear that the inspector’s business is not likely to come to an end just yet. It is useful, although not agrees able, to know that a body of " respectable salesmen" partakethese remarkable opinions, and concur in these extraordinary statements as to fact.
SIR BENJAMIN BRODIE. MORE FOOD FOR DISEASE. WE believe that it will no longer be necessary to repeat, as we have often done, the statement of the vast extent and deleterious influence of the infamous traffic in diseased meat in London, merely with the view of keeping this great abuse fresh in the minds of the profession, and preventing it from becoming permanent by neglect and oblivion. Thanks to the lively sense which the Sewers Committee of the Corporation of London entertain of their duties as guardians of the public
IT is with infinite regret that we have to state that the present condition of the eye which Sir Benjamin Brodie has.
submitted successively to iridectomy and linear extraction of the lens, is not so favourable as might be inferred from recent statements. The late extraction of the lens became necessary owing to the formation of a traumatic cataract following a wound of the lens, accidentally inflicted during the performanceof the previous operation of iridectomy. The last reports announce that the section of the cornea has not healthily united, and that some amount of low inflammation has attacked the eye. It must be earnestly hoped that the protracted endurance of the illustrious sufferer will be rewarded by final restora. tion to sight.
intelligent activity of their officer of health, being taken for putting an end to this dangerous and filthy trade. Week after week we have read of the seizure of so many thousand pounds of diseased meat, slaughtered for the consumption of the poor. Medical officers of health know well enough that the amount seized is but a fraction of the quantity exposed for sale, and actually consumed by the poor, who are tempted by the lowness of its price. Henceforth the names of the willing vendors, when detected, and of the purveyors of this unhealthy and disgusting food, will "Audi alteram partem." be published, and, where possible, proceedings will be taken to punish them. The public exposure will in itself be a severe ON THE "MARSHALL HALL" AND OTHER punishment, and it may be hoped that the penalties of the law METHODS IN CASES OF DROWNING. will be rigorously enforced. We have already expressed our To the Editor of THE LANCET. fear that the present machinery is insufficient for the complete detection of those who are culpably involved in this trade. SIR,—I am happy to see that the all-important subject ofUnquestionably the most guilty persons are those who wilfully Restoration from Apncea is again revived, a paper on that and designedly slaughter and send to market meat which they question having been read on the 22nd ult. before the Royal know to be unfit for human food. The rigid inspection of Medical and Chirurgical Society; and as it appears from the slaughter-houses and markets will be insufficient to bailie the report in THE LANCET of last week that my name was brought, enterprise and ingenuity of those who are concerned in this forward in the discussion that ensued, I trust you will afford proceeding. They well know how to forward their dangerous me space for the following remarks. wares direct to the retailers without filtering them through Two great points with regard to the subject seem still to bethe larger central markets, and, by splitting up the localities of undecided :sale, to render efficient inspection and general detection pracI. As to the propriety of using the warm bath. tically impossible. There is reason to believe that the amount II. As to the best mode of performing artificial respiration. seized bears no proportion to the quantity of diseased meat L Concerning the warm bath. The continuous warm or hot actually sold and consumed. We know of no more effechealth, active
and to the
measures are
Correspondence.