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THE HEADS OF CHARTER.
223 USE OF THE SPECULUM VAGINÆ. To the Editor.—SirA week or two ago I addressed a note to you on this subject. That the speculum vaginae is a valuable instrument in the practice of medicine, both with the view of detecting the precise disease and in applying the appropriate remedies, can admit of no doubt. But it has been very properly almost excluded from practice, on account of the exposure to which it has hitherto subjected the patient. In addition to my former suggestion, I would now propose that a female attendant should be taught to place the patient in the proper position, and to spread over her a sheet, properly perforated aud adjusted. In this manner the patient may be entirely and absolutely unseen. I need not add a word ; this suggestion will be justly appreciated by the good feeling which, I am proud to say, pervades and adorns I am, Sir, your obedient servant, CENSOR. our profession. London, Feb. 14, 1845. P. S.-Light may be reflected from a parabolic mirror, so as to assist in viewing disease within the vagina. I may also add, that from the freedom of the very posterior part of.e throat from sentient and excitor nerves, a mirror of the proper form and size may be employed to examine the condition of the rima glottidis and epiglottis. It must be pushed on at once, firmly and boldly. In this manner the irritation, which would prevent its use, is avoided-that irritation arises from a slight touch, The mirror must be first warmed to the due degree of temperature, to prevent the deposit of moisture.
there are many diseases, besides uterine in which exposure of the parts of the person habitually covered is unavoidable, as every region of the body is subject to numerous maladies ; and, in all, the necessary inspection of the affected part must be repugnant to females. The evil, however, is unavoidable ; health and life are too precious to be weighed in the scale, and it is our duty to overcome these scruples by every means in our power. We ourselves can see no more objection to the discreet use of the speculum than to that of the hand in ordinary labour; and, although convinced that the suggestion ofCensor" is prompted by the purest feelings of humanity, should not advise its adoption, as we firmly believe that any proceeding which renders a valuable means of diagnosis more difficult of application impairs its usefulness. Moreover, by pursuing such a plan it appears to us that we should shew so plainly to our patients that we consider the operation indecent, that we much doubt whether they would submit to it under any circumstance. Every man of honour, and possessingproper moral sentiments, will spare the feelings of his patient as m ach as possible, and his own good sense will tell him, in each case, in what way this must be done.
** Unfortunately,
disease,
THE CASE OF BAKER v. LOWE. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,—On the 15th inst., the suit of Baker v. Lowe was tried in the Court of Queen’s Bench, Westminster, brought by the former, a highly-respectable general practitioner, resident at Hampton Court, to recover charges for surgical attendance upon the latter, who resided about a mile and a half from Mr. Baker. Maltreatment of the case was the defendant’s plea, in support of which Mr. Key, Mr. Lawrence, and Mr. Skey, were called, Mr. Liston and Mr. B. Cooper appearing on the part of the plaintiff. The maltreatment was denied, and a verdict returned for nearly the amount claimed, with the satisfactory addition of " no want of skill." I was a spectator during the trial, and observed some singular conduct in a member of that most liberal society the "Bat Club," who sat, as prompter, at the elbow of the defendant’s counsel, suggesting the best questions to put to plaintiff’s witnesses on their cross-examination, though subpoenaed to give an impartial opinion on oath, the plaintiff being a member of his own College, and actually one of his old pupils ?Pray admit an anecdote of this same Bat. He was once called a few miles into the country by
THE HEADS OF CHARTER. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,-On perusing the 11 suggestions for principal Heads of Charter," in THE LANCET for Feb. 15th, I observe amongst the members to be incorporated in the first instance, " every licentiate of the Apothecaries’ Society, also every member of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons in England, Ireland, or Scotland," a provision which I think most unjust, inasmuch as it tends to legalize the practice of those who are now practising illegally, as it is a notorious fact that many are now practising with the single diploma from the College of Surgeons, one which it is possible to obtain without the slightest knowledge whatever of the practice of physic. I would therefore suggest that all those who are now practising with the single diploma only, should be required to obtain the other in a given space of time to be eligible for incorporation, or be considered to be practising illegally. This, I think, is but due to those who have gone through the trouble and expense of obtaining both. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,
M. R. C. S. and L. A. C.
** We have received various other letters on the which it would be useless to arguments above advanced.
PROCEEDINGS
publish,
as
same subject, they merely repeat the
IN PARLIAMENT
RELATING TO THE MEDICAL PROFESSION AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH. .Feb. 13th, 1845.-Petitions against the Medical Practice Bill, (1844,) presented from Penzance, and the Tower Hamlets. Copy presented to the House of the Supplemental Report of the Metropolitan Commissioners in Lunacy, relative to the general condition of the insane in Wales. Feb. 14th.-Petitions presented for alteration of the Medical Practice Bill, (1844,) from Sunderland, the Wearmouths and their vicinity; Ulverston and Lonsdale north of the Sands; Reading, Kingston-upon-Hull, Nottingham, and Maidstone. Feb. 17th. Medical Practice Bill, (1844.)-Petitions for its amendment, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Spalding, Essex, and
Cambridge. College of Surgeons in Ireland.-Copy presented of the latest Charter granted to the College of Surgeons in Ireland, (by command.) To be printed. Feb. 18th.—Notice of motion by Mr. MACKINNON. To call the attention of the House to the necessity of promoting the health of large towns, by preventing interments within their precincts. Deferred until the 4th of March. Notice of motion, by Sir JAMES GRAHAM, to bring in a Bill for the better regulation of medical practice throughout the United Kingdom. Also, to bring in a Bill to enable her Majesty to grant new charters to certain Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons. Both Bills deferred until Tuesday, Feb. 25th. Medical Practice Bill, (1844.)-Petitions for its alteration presented from Halifax, Norwich, Woolwich, the Isle of Sheppey, Bristol, Wisbech, the President and Secretary of the Medical Association of Ireland; from Leeds, the North Riding of the county of York; Devonport and Stonehouse, and Blackburn. Feb. 19.-Medical Officers of Poor-Law Unions. The return to Mr. Wakley’s motion, ordered Feb. llth, presented, containing a description of the diplomas, licences, or other letters-testimonial, that are admitted by the Poor-Law Commissioners as legal qualifications of the medical officers of Unions. Petitions for a reform in the laws relating to Medical Practice,
presented from Leamington, Normanton, Wrexham, (two petitions,) and the county of Gloucester.
a general practitioner,-who, also, was a former pupil,-to see a patient. After the visit, the mother of the practitioner being HOUSE OF COMMONS. unwell, he was requested (I believe he offered) to see her. Her husband (also a medical man) said-" I am exceedingly obliged Tuesday, Feb. 18th, 1845. to you, Sir ; how shall I repay your kindness ?" Your readers MEDICAL BILLS. Twelve guineas, if you may be surprised to learn the answer. Sir J. GRAHAM postponed till Tuesday next his motion for The was please." paid. money Surely, Mr. Editor, this gentleman might deal more leniently leave to bring in bills for the regulation of the medical prowith what he may regard as the infirmities of his fellow Bats than fession. he has hitherto done. But, doubtless, the atmosphere which has had such a peculiar influence upon his own honourable and Latest Parliamentary Intelligence. libe- al professional feelings, has, by this time, by blinding him to Thursday, February 20th, 1845. their defects, rendered Mr. Lawrence (for he it is) a more li Mr. WAKLEY stated that he was desirous of moving for an if not a more charitable colleague. tolerable, Address to her Majesty, praying that a return" might be preYour obedient servant, VERITAS. sented to the House, containing a "Copy of any petition, togeFebruary 19, 1845. "
"
there are many diseases, besides uterine in which exposure of the parts of the person habitually covered is unavoidable, as every region of the body is subject to numerous maladies ; and, in all, the necessary inspection of the affected part must be repugnant to females. The evil, however, is unavoidable ; health and life are too precious to be weighed in the scale, and it is our duty to overcome these scruples by every means in our power. We ourselves can see no more objection to the discreet use of the speculum than to that of the hand in ordinary labour; and, although convinced that the suggestion ofCensor" is prompted by the purest feelings of humanity, should not advise its adoption, as we firmly believe that any proceeding which renders a valuable means of diagnosis more difficult of application impairs its usefulness. Moreover, by pursuing such a plan it appears to us that we should shew so plainly to our patients that we consider the operation indecent, that we much doubt whether they would submit to it under any circumstance. Every man of honour, and possessingproper moral sentiments, will spare the feelings of his patient as m ach as possible, and his own good sense will tell him, in each case, in what way this must be done.
** Unfortunately,
disease,
THE CASE OF BAKER v. LOWE. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,—On the 15th inst., the suit of Baker v. Lowe was tried in the Court of Queen’s Bench, Westminster, brought by the former, a highly-respectable general practitioner, resident at Hampton Court, to recover charges for surgical attendance upon the latter, who resided about a mile and a half from Mr. Baker. Maltreatment of the case was the defendant’s plea, in support of which Mr. Key, Mr. Lawrence, and Mr. Skey, were called, Mr. Liston and Mr. B. Cooper appearing on the part of the plaintiff. The maltreatment was denied, and a verdict returned for nearly the amount claimed, with the satisfactory addition of " no want of skill." I was a spectator during the trial, and observed some singular conduct in a member of that most liberal society the "Bat Club," who sat, as prompter, at the elbow of the defendant’s counsel, suggesting the best questions to put to plaintiff’s witnesses on their cross-examination, though subpoenaed to give an impartial opinion on oath, the plaintiff being a member of his own College, and actually one of his old pupils ?Pray admit an anecdote of this same Bat. He was once called a few miles into the country by
THE HEADS OF CHARTER. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,-On perusing the 11 suggestions for principal Heads of Charter," in THE LANCET for Feb. 15th, I observe amongst the members to be incorporated in the first instance, " every licentiate of the Apothecaries’ Society, also every member of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons in England, Ireland, or Scotland," a provision which I think most unjust, inasmuch as it tends to legalize the practice of those who are now practising illegally, as it is a notorious fact that many are now practising with the single diploma from the College of Surgeons, one which it is possible to obtain without the slightest knowledge whatever of the practice of physic. I would therefore suggest that all those who are now practising with the single diploma only, should be required to obtain the other in a given space of time to be eligible for incorporation, or be considered to be practising illegally. This, I think, is but due to those who have gone through the trouble and expense of obtaining both. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,
M. R. C. S. and L. A. C.
** We have received various other letters on the which it would be useless to arguments above advanced.
PROCEEDINGS
publish,
as
same subject, they merely repeat the
IN PARLIAMENT
RELATING TO THE MEDICAL PROFESSION AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH. .Feb. 13th, 1845.-Petitions against the Medical Practice Bill, (1844,) presented from Penzance, and the Tower Hamlets. Copy presented to the House of the Supplemental Report of the Metropolitan Commissioners in Lunacy, relative to the general condition of the insane in Wales. Feb. 14th.-Petitions presented for alteration of the Medical Practice Bill, (1844,) from Sunderland, the Wearmouths and their vicinity; Ulverston and Lonsdale north of the Sands; Reading, Kingston-upon-Hull, Nottingham, and Maidstone. Feb. 17th. Medical Practice Bill, (1844.)-Petitions for its amendment, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Spalding, Essex, and
Cambridge. College of Surgeons in Ireland.-Copy presented of the latest Charter granted to the College of Surgeons in Ireland, (by command.) To be printed. Feb. 18th.—Notice of motion by Mr. MACKINNON. To call the attention of the House to the necessity of promoting the health of large towns, by preventing interments within their precincts. Deferred until the 4th of March. Notice of motion, by Sir JAMES GRAHAM, to bring in a Bill for the better regulation of medical practice throughout the United Kingdom. Also, to bring in a Bill to enable her Majesty to grant new charters to certain Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons. Both Bills deferred until Tuesday, Feb. 25th. Medical Practice Bill, (1844.)-Petitions for its alteration presented from Halifax, Norwich, Woolwich, the Isle of Sheppey, Bristol, Wisbech, the President and Secretary of the Medical Association of Ireland; from Leeds, the North Riding of the county of York; Devonport and Stonehouse, and Blackburn. Feb. 19.-Medical Officers of Poor-Law Unions. The return to Mr. Wakley’s motion, ordered Feb. llth, presented, containing a description of the diplomas, licences, or other letters-testimonial, that are admitted by the Poor-Law Commissioners as legal qualifications of the medical officers of Unions. Petitions for a reform in the laws relating to Medical Practice,
presented from Leamington, Normanton, Wrexham, (two petitions,) and the county of Gloucester.
a general practitioner,-who, also, was a former pupil,-to see a patient. After the visit, the mother of the practitioner being HOUSE OF COMMONS. unwell, he was requested (I believe he offered) to see her. Her husband (also a medical man) said-" I am exceedingly obliged Tuesday, Feb. 18th, 1845. to you, Sir ; how shall I repay your kindness ?" Your readers MEDICAL BILLS. Twelve guineas, if you may be surprised to learn the answer. Sir J. GRAHAM postponed till Tuesday next his motion for The was please." paid. money Surely, Mr. Editor, this gentleman might deal more leniently leave to bring in bills for the regulation of the medical prowith what he may regard as the infirmities of his fellow Bats than fession. he has hitherto done. But, doubtless, the atmosphere which has had such a peculiar influence upon his own honourable and Latest Parliamentary Intelligence. libe- al professional feelings, has, by this time, by blinding him to Thursday, February 20th, 1845. their defects, rendered Mr. Lawrence (for he it is) a more li Mr. WAKLEY stated that he was desirous of moving for an if not a more charitable colleague. tolerable, Address to her Majesty, praying that a return" might be preYour obedient servant, VERITAS. sented to the House, containing a "Copy of any petition, togeFebruary 19, 1845. "
"