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ST. ANDREWS UNIVERSITY AND THE LONDON HOSPITAL SCHOOLS.
443
name
the number which I annually attend. Had Mr. Hadaof secale powder in some warm water. This certainly excited uterine action, and a second dose produced good expulsive way seen the true report, he would have seen that Dr. Davis pains, and 1 really did hope that the thild would be expelled and myself proved that the child was dead at least forty-eight the patient herself believed that it would, from her feelings. I hours previous to the operation, being twenty-five hours before waited with her until half-past eleven, and then sent my assis- I saw the patient. tant to her. Trusting that you will kindly give this statement early inSaturday morning. -1 heard from my assistant the condition sertion in your columns, I am. Sir vonrs trnlv. of the patien-, and on my visit to her, finding her still in a PETER CHARLES DUNCAN, M.D. dangerous state, although decidedly in a better condition for the operation than on the Friday, I at once went for Dr. Davis, Great Marlborough-street, April, 1862. who came the moment he had finished his dispensary patients. P.S.-As an evidence of the feelings of sympathy which I The head at this time had receded, and on Dr. D.’s appearance possess towards Mr. Pierpoint, I have pleasure in enclosing you the operation of craniotomy was performed. two guineas as my subscription to the fund already raising to Dr. D. saw her the next day with me, and I continued to defray his expenses. attend her for some considerable time after, but she ultimately did well. To the Editor of THE LANCET. From the foregoiug facts you will see upon what I ground of the consequences of the remarkably one-sided SIR,-One the evidence which I gave at the trial, -namely, the evidence and abridged report that appeared in llhe Times of last week of the four witnesses for the plaintiff; the statement Mr. P. is evidenced by the grievous error that a gentleman named made to me ; and the condition in which I found her, which Hadaway (whose letter appeared in your last impression) comwas so completely opposed to Mr. P.’s explanation. He states that he thinks the ergot of rye "had mitted. I have here omitted a host of minutias and circumstantial to do" with the death of the child. Had the evisomething matters, which would tend considerably to place the above more dence been extenso, he would have seen that both published in before but I entertain no readers ; your strongly disposition Dr. Hall Davis and Dr. Charles Duncan swore to their belief whatever to enter into this matter further, my only object that the child had been dead at least forty-eight hours-i. e., being to place myself in a true light before the profession, and twenty-four hours before Dr. Duncan saw the case. If been at has fault, myself. my judgment thereby exculpate It also struck me as very singular that a Dr. Thomas Duncan, there is no one more willing to bow and express my regret. of Richmond, should feel it necessary a "second time" to disBut I cannot avoid here stating that the decision has not in claim connexion with the case; for, however well his reputathe least altered my conviction. In Mr. P.’s examination, tion may stand in that charming locality, I scarcely think that after L had given my evidence, he admitted that stimulants on the west end of London is so entirely destitute of medical the Wednesday would have been advisable; also that he made talent as to necessitate a journey to Richmond in so urgent an no inquiries whatever as to the state of her bowels, bladder, affair. Had his anxiety taken a sympathetic form, and with the and that after when he saw her at five &c., Tuesday; his letter he had forwarded a subscription to assist in defraying o’clock on the Thursday morning the os uteri was dilated to Mr. Pierpoint’s expenses, it would have met with more approval the size of a more than half-a nearly crown-piece-certainly from his brethren than a simple disclaimer. Verbum sup. and the were at membranes that, although crown ; ruptured In conclusion, let me add that, though not in any way contwelve noon, he did not see her until eleven at night, a period nected with the trial, I can easily fancy how truly painful it over seventeen hours. He stated that he had sent antispasmodic must be to against a professional brother; and I have draughts. This they positively deny, the only medicine being good reasons appear for believing that in this case, as far as Dr. Dunthat sent on the Thursday yet he never inquired whe- can was concerned, his appearance in the witness box was a ther she took it, or what were the effects. matter of necessity, and not of choice. Begging you to add the will in the You perceive that nothing whatever was done first stage of her labour, and certainly nothing in the second; enclosed ;S1Is. to the sums already received, Believe me. Sir. vours verv truly. that the attendance and examinations were not such as are B. ARCHDEKIN DUNCAN, L.R.C.P. Ed. usual, especially after the different stages had commenced, the Francis-street, Torrington-square, April, 1862. only thing being the attempt to give the enema of black the of the child’s head, draught, evidently forgetting position and consequently the total impossibility of such administration. ST. ANDREWS UNIVERSITY AND THE LONDON I shall not comment further upon this to me indeed exceedHOSPITAL SCHOOLS. but leave it the to conwill to ingly painful case, profession clude how they would have acted in such, and whether they [The subject referred to in the following letter from the learned would ever have allowed her to get into the state in which I Treasurer of Guy’s was noticed in our last number. It is, found her. Regarding the secale which I gave, it will be rehowever, so important that we gladly publish Mr. Turner’s membered that it had nothing to do with the case, Mr. P. communication.] being only held responsible for his treatment up to the Friday. To the Editor of THE LANCET. I explained why I gave it, and found nothing in the condition of the uterus or the bony pelvis to prohibit its administration. SIR,-The accompanying extract [inserted at p. 424] from What was Dr. Lee’s evidence ?-that, not having a medical the Order of Her Majesty in Council, on the subject of the history of the case, he would offer no opinion. But he could petitions against the St. Andrews Ordinance may be interesting not help saying that Mr. P. did not manifest that care, that to your readers. attention, and that patience which were absolutely essential in It will be perceived, on reference to the Ordinance itself, such a case. Dr. Davis, in his evidence, said he did not see that the effect of the Order is to place the students of all the any bad treatment, but he would haveoperated on the Thurs- medical schools of the metropolis, including those of King’s day ; and on the Friday, which was the first time I saw her, and University Colleges, on the same footing. The relief is I would havedone so, but felt satisfied I dare not. With not, indeed, given in the form which the petitioners would reference to the death of the child, my opinion, from the state- have inasmuch as-instead of extending to the mepreferred, ment of the mother, is that it died on the Wednesday. schools generally the privileges which the Ordinance, tropolitan In conclusion, I am quite satisfied to take the Judge’s re- as originally framed, gave to the schools of King’s and Univer. marks for what they are worth, considering that I was not a sity Colleges exclusively-the Order redresses the inequality ready or willing witness ; on the contrary, I should have been complained of by simply withdrawing from the two latter delighted had 1 never been called to attend the patient or as a schools the exceptional privileges which it had been proposed witness. I informed Mr. Pierpoint the moment I heard of this to confer upon them. action, and sent my card to him, in the hope of making myself It appears, therefore, that the Privy Council has not judged available. I also expressed my sense of sympathy with him, it fit to accord to the University of St. Andrews, even under and would have been happy in assisting him as offered on two itp of examination, the right of receiving cansystem improved subsequent occasions. didates for graduation in Medicine from the same area and This must contrast very strangely with the letter of Dr. under the same circumstances as are allowed in the case of the Thomas Duncan, which had much better never have been University of London. But this decision, however serious may written. The letter of Mr. Hadaway is rather novel, and I be its consequences to the University of St. Andrews, would have little doubt that if the readers of THE LANCET really not seem likely to have any appreciable effect upon the schools knew the true object of that communication they would of the remain, Sir, your obedient servant, metropolis.-I think with me. My experience in midwifery is tolerably well Treasurer’s House, Guy’s Hospital, THOMAS TURNER. known, and having no wish for cheap advertising I shall not April 16th, 1862. ____
night;
-
name
the number which I annually attend. Had Mr. Hadaof secale powder in some warm water. This certainly excited uterine action, and a second dose produced good expulsive way seen the true report, he would have seen that Dr. Davis pains, and 1 really did hope that the thild would be expelled and myself proved that the child was dead at least forty-eight the patient herself believed that it would, from her feelings. I hours previous to the operation, being twenty-five hours before waited with her until half-past eleven, and then sent my assis- I saw the patient. tant to her. Trusting that you will kindly give this statement early inSaturday morning. -1 heard from my assistant the condition sertion in your columns, I am. Sir vonrs trnlv. of the patien-, and on my visit to her, finding her still in a PETER CHARLES DUNCAN, M.D. dangerous state, although decidedly in a better condition for the operation than on the Friday, I at once went for Dr. Davis, Great Marlborough-street, April, 1862. who came the moment he had finished his dispensary patients. P.S.-As an evidence of the feelings of sympathy which I The head at this time had receded, and on Dr. D.’s appearance possess towards Mr. Pierpoint, I have pleasure in enclosing you the operation of craniotomy was performed. two guineas as my subscription to the fund already raising to Dr. D. saw her the next day with me, and I continued to defray his expenses. attend her for some considerable time after, but she ultimately did well. To the Editor of THE LANCET. From the foregoiug facts you will see upon what I ground of the consequences of the remarkably one-sided SIR,-One the evidence which I gave at the trial, -namely, the evidence and abridged report that appeared in llhe Times of last week of the four witnesses for the plaintiff; the statement Mr. P. is evidenced by the grievous error that a gentleman named made to me ; and the condition in which I found her, which Hadaway (whose letter appeared in your last impression) comwas so completely opposed to Mr. P.’s explanation. He states that he thinks the ergot of rye "had mitted. I have here omitted a host of minutias and circumstantial to do" with the death of the child. Had the evisomething matters, which would tend considerably to place the above more dence been extenso, he would have seen that both published in before but I entertain no readers ; your strongly disposition Dr. Hall Davis and Dr. Charles Duncan swore to their belief whatever to enter into this matter further, my only object that the child had been dead at least forty-eight hours-i. e., being to place myself in a true light before the profession, and twenty-four hours before Dr. Duncan saw the case. If been at has fault, myself. my judgment thereby exculpate It also struck me as very singular that a Dr. Thomas Duncan, there is no one more willing to bow and express my regret. of Richmond, should feel it necessary a "second time" to disBut I cannot avoid here stating that the decision has not in claim connexion with the case; for, however well his reputathe least altered my conviction. In Mr. P.’s examination, tion may stand in that charming locality, I scarcely think that after L had given my evidence, he admitted that stimulants on the west end of London is so entirely destitute of medical the Wednesday would have been advisable; also that he made talent as to necessitate a journey to Richmond in so urgent an no inquiries whatever as to the state of her bowels, bladder, affair. Had his anxiety taken a sympathetic form, and with the and that after when he saw her at five &c., Tuesday; his letter he had forwarded a subscription to assist in defraying o’clock on the Thursday morning the os uteri was dilated to Mr. Pierpoint’s expenses, it would have met with more approval the size of a more than half-a nearly crown-piece-certainly from his brethren than a simple disclaimer. Verbum sup. and the were at membranes that, although crown ; ruptured In conclusion, let me add that, though not in any way contwelve noon, he did not see her until eleven at night, a period nected with the trial, I can easily fancy how truly painful it over seventeen hours. He stated that he had sent antispasmodic must be to against a professional brother; and I have draughts. This they positively deny, the only medicine being good reasons appear for believing that in this case, as far as Dr. Dunthat sent on the Thursday yet he never inquired whe- can was concerned, his appearance in the witness box was a ther she took it, or what were the effects. matter of necessity, and not of choice. Begging you to add the will in the You perceive that nothing whatever was done first stage of her labour, and certainly nothing in the second; enclosed ;S1Is. to the sums already received, Believe me. Sir. vours verv truly. that the attendance and examinations were not such as are B. ARCHDEKIN DUNCAN, L.R.C.P. Ed. usual, especially after the different stages had commenced, the Francis-street, Torrington-square, April, 1862. only thing being the attempt to give the enema of black the of the child’s head, draught, evidently forgetting position and consequently the total impossibility of such administration. ST. ANDREWS UNIVERSITY AND THE LONDON I shall not comment further upon this to me indeed exceedHOSPITAL SCHOOLS. but leave it the to conwill to ingly painful case, profession clude how they would have acted in such, and whether they [The subject referred to in the following letter from the learned would ever have allowed her to get into the state in which I Treasurer of Guy’s was noticed in our last number. It is, found her. Regarding the secale which I gave, it will be rehowever, so important that we gladly publish Mr. Turner’s membered that it had nothing to do with the case, Mr. P. communication.] being only held responsible for his treatment up to the Friday. To the Editor of THE LANCET. I explained why I gave it, and found nothing in the condition of the uterus or the bony pelvis to prohibit its administration. SIR,-The accompanying extract [inserted at p. 424] from What was Dr. Lee’s evidence ?-that, not having a medical the Order of Her Majesty in Council, on the subject of the history of the case, he would offer no opinion. But he could petitions against the St. Andrews Ordinance may be interesting not help saying that Mr. P. did not manifest that care, that to your readers. attention, and that patience which were absolutely essential in It will be perceived, on reference to the Ordinance itself, such a case. Dr. Davis, in his evidence, said he did not see that the effect of the Order is to place the students of all the any bad treatment, but he would haveoperated on the Thurs- medical schools of the metropolis, including those of King’s day ; and on the Friday, which was the first time I saw her, and University Colleges, on the same footing. The relief is I would havedone so, but felt satisfied I dare not. With not, indeed, given in the form which the petitioners would reference to the death of the child, my opinion, from the state- have inasmuch as-instead of extending to the mepreferred, ment of the mother, is that it died on the Wednesday. schools generally the privileges which the Ordinance, tropolitan In conclusion, I am quite satisfied to take the Judge’s re- as originally framed, gave to the schools of King’s and Univer. marks for what they are worth, considering that I was not a sity Colleges exclusively-the Order redresses the inequality ready or willing witness ; on the contrary, I should have been complained of by simply withdrawing from the two latter delighted had 1 never been called to attend the patient or as a schools the exceptional privileges which it had been proposed witness. I informed Mr. Pierpoint the moment I heard of this to confer upon them. action, and sent my card to him, in the hope of making myself It appears, therefore, that the Privy Council has not judged available. I also expressed my sense of sympathy with him, it fit to accord to the University of St. Andrews, even under and would have been happy in assisting him as offered on two itp of examination, the right of receiving cansystem improved subsequent occasions. didates for graduation in Medicine from the same area and This must contrast very strangely with the letter of Dr. under the same circumstances as are allowed in the case of the Thomas Duncan, which had much better never have been University of London. But this decision, however serious may written. The letter of Mr. Hadaway is rather novel, and I be its consequences to the University of St. Andrews, would have little doubt that if the readers of THE LANCET really not seem likely to have any appreciable effect upon the schools knew the true object of that communication they would of the remain, Sir, your obedient servant, metropolis.-I think with me. My experience in midwifery is tolerably well Treasurer’s House, Guy’s Hospital, THOMAS TURNER. known, and having no wish for cheap advertising I shall not April 16th, 1862. ____
night;
-