THE GOLD MEDALS AT THE LONDON HOSPITAL.

that although accepted by the Irish College, your THE INFLUENCE OF ANÆSTHESIA ON THE President declined it. RESULTS OF AMPUTATIONS FOR DISEASES it we if be as " have lost I regret, you say, that immeasurably in the opinion of the London College" by our recent regulaOF BONES AND JOINTS. tions. It only convinces me of how great the power of misreTo the Editor of THE LANCET. presentation may be; but much as I value the good opinion of the London College, I trust we shall never seek to purchase it must SIR,-I request you to allow me the opportunity of by abandoning a course of action which I firmly believe will do replying to that part of Dr. J. Arnott’s letter, in your journal more to elevate the profession of medicine than any Medical of the 28th ult., "own the Effects of Chloroform on the Results Act which we have obtained or are likely to obtain for a hun- of the Severer Operations," in so far as my veracity is quesdred years to come.-Believe me yours very truly, tioned. AN OFFICE-BEARER IN THE EDINBURGH If the writer of that communication had read my pamphlet COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS. with greater care than that he professes, he would have seen June, 1859. that the statistics which he quotes as those of pathological amputations generally, were most distinctly stated to relate to To the Editor of THE LANCET. amputations for diseased bones and joints; and of the six deaths SiR,—As many of your correspondents seem to think that after amputation of the upper extremity, which are cited with the licence of the Edinburgh College of Physicians can be ob- the object of utterly destroying my title to be believed, four tained by merely paying the fees, perhaps the following may were for phlegmonous erysipelas, and in consequence excluded. Your correspondent has, however, convinced me of some not be out of place in your valuable journal:which I hasten to acknowledge; but I holds a who British slight Any registered practitioner qualification contenderrors,-errors leave these unaffected the general question. The that he the of obtain the licence, provided may, during year grace, data of the amputations of the several members, stated to can fill up the petition, which is sent on application, satisto the pre-chloroform period, should have been said to factorily, and also answer a number of questions as to age, relate have referred to the year 1840--a part of that period, not the classical and professional education, and where obtained, &c. The candidate must also send two or three written certificates whole. Upon going very carefully over the Reports again, I from well-known hospital physicians, stating that they are find my results differ slightly from those I formerly promulwell acquainted with him, and that, from his professional know- gated. In those cases wherein the dates are mingled together to arrive at the exact truth; I am, ledge and character, they consider him a fit and proper person it is extremely difficult however, perfectly assured of the correctness of the last figures to be admitted a licentiate of the College. If the foregoing be satisfactory to the council, the name of which Dr. Anstie and myself have collated with great care. Since, also, the table (VI.) from which the results from the candidate, together with the names of the physicians who have certified in his favour, will be sent round to the fellows, January, 1856, to July, 1857, were compiled was constructed and the candidate will be proposed at the next meeting, and if specially in relation to the causes of death after amputation, those cases the issue of which was at all doubtful, and those in he obtains the votes of two-thirds of the fellows he is elected. The mode of obtaining the licence of the London College of which the cause of death was not mentioned, were excluded those cases very carefully from the Physicians is precisely the same, only the London College re- I have since retabulated fuses to recognise the general practitioner; so that a person original Reports. It is, I am aware, unjust to quote for any being a M.R.C.S. Eng. and L.S.A. could not obtain their fact my pamphlet in your columns; I have, therefore, assembled licence, while a registered M.D. of Erlangen or Giessen, with- all that is of interest on the question at issue in the following out any other qualification, could be admitted, without exami- table, which I still think is overwhelming evidence of at least the innocuity of chloroform administered for the performance nation, a licentiate of the London College. I am sure that all will agree with me that those who hold of these operations :the M.R.C.S. and L. S. A. of London, as well as those who hold Mortality aftei’ Amputations for Diseases of Bones and Joints, the licence of the Edinburgh or Glasgow College of Surgeons, in London Hospitals are much better qualified than the M. D. of Erlangen or Giessen. As both of the Colleges of Physicians can, by their charter, confer the title of physician upon any practitioner they think qualified, of course they have a right to make what regulations they like; still, I think, it is most unfair, on the part of the London College, not to allow the general practitioner to be on an equal footing with those who hold only foreign degrees, and who, before the passing of the Medical Act, were only looked I had hoped to have been met, in this discussion, in a spirit upon as practitioners on sufferance.-Yours obediently, of greater courtesy than that assumed by my opponent; that. A SUBSCRIBER. June, 1859. at least it should have been accorded that I desired to elicit the truth; that I should not have been accused of manufacTo the Editor- of THE L.4NO2. i turing " imaginary " data, or perverting them to a foregoneSiR,-The special pleadings on behalf of the Edinburgh Col- conclusion ; and that I should not have been condemned by lege of Physicians by " One of the Majority" are calculated and one who has imperfectly read my essay. The acrimony of my intended to divert attention from the real facts and bearings opponent certainly does not strengthen his argument. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, of the question at issue concerning their recent " Regulations." ARTHUR E. SANSOM. June, 1859. The College is not censured for granting the licence to fullyqualified general practitioners, but for selling it to the unqualified, and that without examination or personal test of fitness. THE GOLD MEDALS AT THE LONDON By these obnoxious rules, persons who have passed no medical HOSPITAL. examination whatever-e.g., members of Colleges of Surgeonsare eligible for admission as licentiates; and thus a practitioner To the Editor of THE LANCET. who has passed no nzedical board, nor received any special ,Medical education, is by this curt process of purchase legalized, SIR,-As I must presume that I am the gentleman who, in if not qualified, to assume the title and status of physician. the words of your correspondent of last week on the above subSurely the Medical Act was intended to discourage irregular ject, "only entered last October from a provincial school,’’ and unqualified practice in pí>inciple as well as fact; and the perhaps you will giveme space for a few lines in reply to his course of the Edinburgh College of Physicians is to legalize observations. I am at a loss to understand on what grounds unqualified practice, and lower the standard of education and he considers the award unjust. I am not about to enter on any social status of an important branch of the profession. Traffic defence of that award, simply because I consider it needless, in diplomas, formerly the disgrace of some other northern and because any such defence would be an insult to the physimedical bodies, is resumed by this College of Physicians, and cians who decided as to the successful candidate. Surely it is their scandalous proceedings threaten to introduce confusion not necessary to remind your correspondent that the medal was not exclusively intended for those who happen to have and anarchy into the whole medical community. session of entered for three years, and to have lounged through the wards This subject must be settled in the the Medical Council. during that period, but rather for those who, according to his own quotation from the I am, Sir, your very obedient servant, prospectus, have displayed the greatest amount of industry and intelligence. M.D. & PERMISSUS. June, 1859.

tion; but

-

approaching

597

I would add that the medal

was

awarded after

an

examina-

ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL ANNIVERSARY DINNER.-This

tion, consisting of written cases, with a practical examination was celebrated at the Albion Tavern, Aldersgate-street,-the at the bedside, and that all the competitors were on precisely Earl of Carlisle in the chair. Amongst those present conthe same footing as regards the advantages they had enjoyed, nected with the institution were the following: Colonel the period of education, &c. Gordon, Mr. Thomas Wakley, jun., Mr. Edward Masterman, I am, Sir, yours obediently, treasurer, Mr. J. Dillon, Mr. George Moore, Mr. Beale Brown, JOHN BRIDE, M.R.C.S. Dr. Brinton, Dr. Kirby, Dr. O’Connor, Mr. J. F. Gant, Mr. Saxmundham, Suffolk, June, 1859. W. Cooke, Mr. W. Fanning, Rev. J. B. Owen, &e. On the removal of the cloth, the usual loyal and complimentary toasts were given, and were duly honoured. The Noble Chairman, in giving the toast of the evening-

Medical News.

ROYAL COLLEGE

OF

" Prosperity

to the

Free

Hospital"-remarked upon the conferred upon the public by institution- suffering humanity and poverty Royal

PHYSICIANS. - At the Comitia peculiar advantages which

were

Majora held on Saturday, the 4th instant, the following gentle- this admirable men were admitted licentiates of the College under the recently being the only passports requisite to obtain instant admission. He found that during the past year no fewer than 40,403 in- enacted temporary Bye-Laws :and out-patients had been afforded medical relief; and that DR. JAMES WHITEHEAD, Manchester. since the commencement of the hospital, in 1828, the total DR. FORBES BENIGNUS WINSLOVP, Cavendish-square. who had obtained relief amounted to 649,088. (Hear, ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS.-The following gentle- number and cheers.) He had further the pleasure of stating that during men, having undergone the necessary examinations for the the past year the committee had received, in donations, sub. - diploma, were admitted members of the College, at a meeting scriptions, and legacies, an aggregate sum of ;S6243. Amongst of the Court of Examiners on the 3rd inst. :the interesting incidents of the year, the committee acknowALLINSON, ANTHONY, Lynn, Norfolk. ledged the receipt, for the ninth time in succession, of an AYLiNG, WM. HENRY, Great Portland-street, Portland-pl. anonymous munificent donation of £300; also a generous gift AYRE, JOHN JOSEPH, Colne, Lancashire. of £100, as a Thank-offering," from a gentleman who withHENRY Bow-road. "

GARMAN, VINCENT, GARMAN, WM. CHANCELLOR, Wodneebury, Staffordshire. HARVEY, ALFRED, Tavistock-street, Covent-garden. HORROCKS, WM. HENRY, Liverpool. HowLET, WM., Wellington, Shropshire. JACOB, JOHN, Goswell-road. KELSON, CHAS. JOHN, Bristol. KEKNEDY, ANGUS, Stratford Hall, Essex. KINGSTON, ROBT., Woolsthorpe, near Grantham. LEAKE, JONAS, Old Kent-road. LOVE, JOHN HENRY, Brook-street, Grosvenor-square. MASSINGHAM, JOSEPH EBENEZER, Green-st., Bethnal-green. MOODY, JOHN, Strabane, Ireland.

MORRISON,

JAS.

GILES, Edgware-road.

PAUL, Jas. THOS., Burton-crescent.

ROSE, CHAS., Barnes-place, Mile-end. WADE, HENRY THOS., Derby. WALKER, GEO. RICH. PRATT, Bow-lane, Cheapside.

held his name; and the committee also acknowledged the sixth donation from a benevolent lady (Miss C.) of £100. These were most cheering and most gratifying instances of the advance of the institution in public favour. In conclu sion he had to state the extreme pleasure he had experienced in visiting the institution a few days ago, all the arrangements, as regarded ventilation and cleanliness, being of the most satisfactory character. The toast was then honoured with three times three, and loud cheers. The " Health of the noble Chairman" was next given, and was cordially responded to by the noble Earl. The following toasts were then given :-" The Founder of the Charity," " The Committee of Management and the Chairman, George Moore, Esq.," "The Weekly Board and the Chairman," " The Medical Officers and Mr. W. Cooke," &c. The subscriptions amounted to .62905, exclusive of a legacy left by Mr. Bigg, the late proprietor of the Family Herald, of £100. The dinner was exceedingly well served, and gave great

THE FELLOWSHIP.-The following members of the College having been elected Fellows at previous meetings of the Council, satisfaction. were

admitted

as

such

on

the 8th inst. :-

CRADDOCK, WM., Bengal Army; diploma of membership dated May 4th, 1840. DENNE, WM., Bedford; Aug. 4th, 1837. JONES, RICH., Brackley; April 9th, 1847. MARSHALL, WM. GURSLAVE, Colney-hatch; July 30th, 1841. MASKWICK, ALFRED, Trinity-square; July 21st, 1843. SHEPHERD, WM. GEO., Claremont-square; March 1st, 1839. SIMPSON, JAS. MURRAY, Southampton; June 2nd, 1826. STONE, THOS., Christ’s Hospital; July 21st, 1834. THORPE, GEO. BowER, Stanley; April 22nd, 1839. WARWICK, JOHN, Stamford-hill; June 20th, 1843. WATERWORTH, HENRY, Newport; Feb. 22nd, 1833. WFLLS, WARRICK WALTER, Bengal Army; May 8th, 1835. WHITE, WM. TODD, Kempsey; March 5th, 1841. APOTHECARIES’ HALL.

-

Names of

wbo

examination in the science and practice of mediand received certificates to practise, on

passed their cine,

gentlemen

Thursday, June 2nd,

1859.

CHAPPELL, JOHN JAS., Axmouth, Devon. DAVIES, JOHN SIDES, Oswestry, Shropshire. FENNELL, CHAS., Uromley, Kent.

PALEY, EDWARD, Leeds. PALE, HENRY,Southampton. REED, THOS. SLEEMAN, Helston, Cornwall. STEVENSON, JAS., Totnes, Devon. The following gentlemen also, on the same day, passed their

DISTRIBUTION the

OF THE

VICTORIA CROSS.-Her

Queen distributed the Victoria Cross

Wednesday morning

within the

Majesty

at eleven o’clock

quadrangle

on

of

Buckingham our own profes-

Palace. Amongst the recipients were two of sion : Staff-Surgeon Anthony Dickson Home, late of the 90th Regiment, now of a depot battalion, for persevering bravery and admirable conduct in charge of the wounded men left behind the column when the troops under the late Major-Gen. Havelock forced their way into the Residency of Lucknow, on September 26th, 1857; and Assistant-Surgeon William Bradshaw, late of the 90th Regiment, now of the 32nd Foot, for intrepidity and good conduct in removing the wounded men left behind the column that forced its way into the Residency of Lucknow on the 26th of September, 1857.

DEATH

OF

DR. FRESCHI.-This eminent

professor

of

forensic medicine died at Genoa on the llth of April. He was the author of a continuation of Sprengel’s " History of Medicine,"of a " Manual of Forensic Medicine," a " History of the Venereal Virus," and other works.

PROFESSOR VIRCHOW.-This

great pathologist has just

been elected Corresponding Member of the Academy ofSciences of Paris, in the room of the late lamented Dr. Marshall Hall. The selection was made from the following names, proposed by the committee:-Chelius, of Heidelberg; Christison, of Edinburgh ; Magnus Huss, of Stockholm; Riberi, of Turin; Roki. tansky, of Vienna ;and the recipient of the honour.

THE WOUNDED IN ITALY.-The " Gazette des H6pi. taux" of the 31st ult. states that a French surgeon, writing DAVY, RICH., Chulmleigh, N. Devon. from the field of battle of Montebello, says : ’’ We have now HUDSON, GEO., Newport, Yorkshire. under our care 800 wounded (500 French and 300 Austrians). EDGAR BECKIT, Poultry, Nottingham. TRUMAN, The new projectiles (conical bullets) do considerable mischief; has APPOINTMENT.-Dr. Palk been appointed surgeon and we plainly see that operations will now be more frequently to the Borough Police Force, Southampton, in the room of called for than at the period when globular bullets were used. P. Mackey, Esq., deceased. The general health of the wounded is, however, extremely NAVAL APPOINTMENT. - Assistant - Surgeon James I good, and the proverbial French cheerfuluess has not lost its first examination :-

..

Trimble (acting), to the Melpomene.

598

way."