- Email: [email protected]
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION AND LIFE ASSURANCE OFFICES.
53 THE MEDICAL PROFESSION AND LIFE ASSURANCE OFFICES. To the Editor of THE LANCET. it right to call your attention to the manner think SIR,-I ja which the directors of the Norwich Union Life Insurance Society endeavour to obtain gratuitous medical advice as to the eligibility of proposed insurances. Enclosed is a copy of a letter I received the other day from this Society. Although significantly headed " Non-Medical," and politely reit is addressed to me as a "Surgeon, &c.," quests replies to eleven comprehensive questions, of which at ’least eight-and these the most comprehensive-are, as you will perceive, strictly professional in character and bearing. I need scarcely add that I deolined to reply to the professional questions unless I received the usual fee. I am, Sir, yours very obediently, ARTHUR E. DURHAM, F.R.C.S., &c. &e. Brook-street, Grosvenor-square, July, 1863. Subjoined are the "Queries" to which the "Non-Medical" letter of inquiry requests replies :-
ROYAL COLLEGE
OF
SURGEONS
OF
ENGLAND. - The
annual election of officers of this institution took place on Thursday. Mr. Frederick Carpenter Skey, F.R.S., Surgeon to St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, was elected President, and Messrs. Joseph Hodgson, F.R.S., and Thomas Wormald, also one of the surgeons of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, were elected Vice-Presidents of the College for the ensuing year. At this meeting of the Council Messrs. S. A. Lane (of St. Mary’s Hospital), George Busk (of the Seaman’s Hospital), and Henry Hancock (of Charing-Cross Hospital), the recently elected Councillors, were sworn in and took the chairs lately occupied by Messrs. C. H. Hawkins (Serjeant-Surgeon to the Queen), Thomas Tatum, and William Coulson.
ACCIDENTAL DEATH INSURANCE COMPANY.-The annual
report of this company shows very satisfactory progress in its business. The premiums received from all sources during the year amount to upwards of £65,776, against .647,878 in 1861. The claims during the year were .634,579 4s. 7d., giving a total since the commencement of the society of no less a sum than 1;215,579. The year having terminated by a large reduction in the expenses, and a large increase of premiums from all sources, it may be inferred that the company will prosper, and maintain itself in the front rank of kindred in(COPY.) stitutions, of which it is the parent. NON-MEDICAL. A great increase has lately HEALTH OF BOSTON. occurred in the mortality of Boston. The excess is chiefly Norwich Union Life Insurance Society, July 3rd, 1863. to typhoid fever, many children having died from SIR,-The directors of this office having been referred to attributable that cause. you for an account of the present and general state of health LECTURES ON THE VOICE.-A series of lectures, in of -, they will esteem it a favour if you will have the goodness to answer the questions printed on the other side of this classes, on reading, speaking, singing, also on stammering and letter, and to communicate, from your own knowledge, such general defects of speech, has just been concluded by the Rev. farther information respecting his constitution, health, and Mr. Cazalet. For a popular exposition of the principles of general manner of living, as may enable them to form an elocution Mr. Cazalet is not to be surpassed, and in a physioloopinion as to the safety of insuring his life ; and they beg leave gical view of the subject his lectures possess considerable into observe, that such information may be given with confidence, ’, terest. as it is an invariable rule with the office never to suffer the inTHE NATURAL FORMATION OF CARBONATE OF SODA.surer, or any other person, exeept the directors, to read the At Aden, and it is believed at other parts of the east coast of answer of the referees. Arabia, a natural formation of carbonate of soda has been reI am, Sir, your very obedient servant, cently discovered. It is at present used for no other purpose R. P. WOOD. To Arthur Durham, Esq., Surgeon, -&c. than that of being mixed with and imparting pungency to snuff. QUERIES. WATER IMPREGNATED WITH ARSENIC. -It is stated 1. How long have you known Mr. -, and when did you in the Edinburgh Philosophical Journal, on the authority of last see him? Dr. John Davy, that the inhabitants of the parish of Whit2. Has he had the gout ? 3. Has he a spitting of blood, asthma, consumption, or other beck, near Whitehaven, derive their supply of water from a small stream named the Beck, which is impregnated with pulmonary complaint? 4. Do you consider him at all predisposed to any of these arsenic. It appears to be wholesome both for the inhabitants and the cattle and poultry, ducks only suffering from its use. complaints ? 5. Has he, to your knowledge, been afflicted with fits, mental NAVAL LUNATIC HOSPITAL, GREAT YARMOUTH.-The derangement, or hernia ? insane patients belonging to Haslar have been transferred to 6. Do you think his constitution perfectly good in the common the above hospital, which has hitherto been occupied by the acceptation of the term ? lunatics of the army, who are now removed to a licensed house 7. Are his habits in every respect strictly regular and tem- at Bow. The sea view from the building renders it especially rperate ? to its present purpose. applicable 8. Is he at present in good health ? IMPERFECT VACCINATION. -As an illustration of the im9. Is there anything in his form, habits of living, or business, ’which you are of opinion may shorten his life ? perfect system of public vaccination now in vogue in this country (says the Medical Critic), of 694 districts inspeoted, 10. What complaints are his family most subject to ? 11. Are you aware of any reason why an insurance might; only 64 were found where the public vaccinator professed to follow regularly the plan of vaccination prescribed by his connot with safety be effected on his life ? tract. THE GIBSON HOSPITAL.-The late Mr. Wyatt George Gibson having by his will left X5000 for the building of an hospital for the town of Saffron Walden and the neighbourhood, the committee have obtained a large number of designs It will be from which to choose the plan for the building. APOTHECARIES’ HALL.-The following gentlemen passed erected in the Park-wall Allotment Gardens, on the London their examination in the Science and Practice of Medicine, and Road. received certificates to practise, on the 2nd inst. :ERGOT OF WHEAT.-M. Leperdriel has proposed the Brend, Alfred, Middlesex Hospital. employment of ergot of wheat as a substitute for that of rye. Harrap, George, Charing-eross Hospital. The reasons for which, as assigned by him, are :-lst. It does The following gentlemen also on the same day passed their not undergo decay or change very quickly. 2nd. It contains first examination :15 per cent. less of the poisonous resinous principle, and 20 per Jeffery, Edward, King’s College. cent. more of the efficacious principle of the ergots. Simpson, Spencer Henry, St. Bartholomew’s Hospital. -
Medical News.
,
OXFORD UNIVERSITY.-At a Congregation held on the 25th ult., the degree of Doctor of Medicine was conferred on Sunter, Thomas Moore, Trinity College, Dublin.
EDGE WORKHOUSE, SHEFFIELD.-An hospital and receiving wards, together with new schools, are about to added to the workhouse buildings at Edge, near Sheffield.
MEDICAL HONOURS.-The honour of knighthood was on the 30th ult., conferred by his Excellency the Lord
Tuesday,
Lieutenant of Ireland on Dr. Gray, the chairman of the Waterworks Committee and editor of Freeman’s Journal, on the occasion of turning the course of the river Vantry from the old bed into a new channel, cut for the purpose of supplying Dublin ’UTlt,h
n::rP
watpr-
ROYAL COLLEGE
OF
SURGEONS
OF
ENGLAND. - The
annual election of officers of this institution took place on Thursday. Mr. Frederick Carpenter Skey, F.R.S., Surgeon to St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, was elected President, and Messrs. Joseph Hodgson, F.R.S., and Thomas Wormald, also one of the surgeons of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, were elected Vice-Presidents of the College for the ensuing year. At this meeting of the Council Messrs. S. A. Lane (of St. Mary’s Hospital), George Busk (of the Seaman’s Hospital), and Henry Hancock (of Charing-Cross Hospital), the recently elected Councillors, were sworn in and took the chairs lately occupied by Messrs. C. H. Hawkins (Serjeant-Surgeon to the Queen), Thomas Tatum, and William Coulson.
ACCIDENTAL DEATH INSURANCE COMPANY.-The annual
report of this company shows very satisfactory progress in its business. The premiums received from all sources during the year amount to upwards of £65,776, against .647,878 in 1861. The claims during the year were .634,579 4s. 7d., giving a total since the commencement of the society of no less a sum than 1;215,579. The year having terminated by a large reduction in the expenses, and a large increase of premiums from all sources, it may be inferred that the company will prosper, and maintain itself in the front rank of kindred in(COPY.) stitutions, of which it is the parent. NON-MEDICAL. A great increase has lately HEALTH OF BOSTON. occurred in the mortality of Boston. The excess is chiefly Norwich Union Life Insurance Society, July 3rd, 1863. to typhoid fever, many children having died from SIR,-The directors of this office having been referred to attributable that cause. you for an account of the present and general state of health LECTURES ON THE VOICE.-A series of lectures, in of -, they will esteem it a favour if you will have the goodness to answer the questions printed on the other side of this classes, on reading, speaking, singing, also on stammering and letter, and to communicate, from your own knowledge, such general defects of speech, has just been concluded by the Rev. farther information respecting his constitution, health, and Mr. Cazalet. For a popular exposition of the principles of general manner of living, as may enable them to form an elocution Mr. Cazalet is not to be surpassed, and in a physioloopinion as to the safety of insuring his life ; and they beg leave gical view of the subject his lectures possess considerable into observe, that such information may be given with confidence, ’, terest. as it is an invariable rule with the office never to suffer the inTHE NATURAL FORMATION OF CARBONATE OF SODA.surer, or any other person, exeept the directors, to read the At Aden, and it is believed at other parts of the east coast of answer of the referees. Arabia, a natural formation of carbonate of soda has been reI am, Sir, your very obedient servant, cently discovered. It is at present used for no other purpose R. P. WOOD. To Arthur Durham, Esq., Surgeon, -&c. than that of being mixed with and imparting pungency to snuff. QUERIES. WATER IMPREGNATED WITH ARSENIC. -It is stated 1. How long have you known Mr. -, and when did you in the Edinburgh Philosophical Journal, on the authority of last see him? Dr. John Davy, that the inhabitants of the parish of Whit2. Has he had the gout ? 3. Has he a spitting of blood, asthma, consumption, or other beck, near Whitehaven, derive their supply of water from a small stream named the Beck, which is impregnated with pulmonary complaint? 4. Do you consider him at all predisposed to any of these arsenic. It appears to be wholesome both for the inhabitants and the cattle and poultry, ducks only suffering from its use. complaints ? 5. Has he, to your knowledge, been afflicted with fits, mental NAVAL LUNATIC HOSPITAL, GREAT YARMOUTH.-The derangement, or hernia ? insane patients belonging to Haslar have been transferred to 6. Do you think his constitution perfectly good in the common the above hospital, which has hitherto been occupied by the acceptation of the term ? lunatics of the army, who are now removed to a licensed house 7. Are his habits in every respect strictly regular and tem- at Bow. The sea view from the building renders it especially rperate ? to its present purpose. applicable 8. Is he at present in good health ? IMPERFECT VACCINATION. -As an illustration of the im9. Is there anything in his form, habits of living, or business, ’which you are of opinion may shorten his life ? perfect system of public vaccination now in vogue in this country (says the Medical Critic), of 694 districts inspeoted, 10. What complaints are his family most subject to ? 11. Are you aware of any reason why an insurance might; only 64 were found where the public vaccinator professed to follow regularly the plan of vaccination prescribed by his connot with safety be effected on his life ? tract. THE GIBSON HOSPITAL.-The late Mr. Wyatt George Gibson having by his will left X5000 for the building of an hospital for the town of Saffron Walden and the neighbourhood, the committee have obtained a large number of designs It will be from which to choose the plan for the building. APOTHECARIES’ HALL.-The following gentlemen passed erected in the Park-wall Allotment Gardens, on the London their examination in the Science and Practice of Medicine, and Road. received certificates to practise, on the 2nd inst. :ERGOT OF WHEAT.-M. Leperdriel has proposed the Brend, Alfred, Middlesex Hospital. employment of ergot of wheat as a substitute for that of rye. Harrap, George, Charing-eross Hospital. The reasons for which, as assigned by him, are :-lst. It does The following gentlemen also on the same day passed their not undergo decay or change very quickly. 2nd. It contains first examination :15 per cent. less of the poisonous resinous principle, and 20 per Jeffery, Edward, King’s College. cent. more of the efficacious principle of the ergots. Simpson, Spencer Henry, St. Bartholomew’s Hospital. -
Medical News.
,
OXFORD UNIVERSITY.-At a Congregation held on the 25th ult., the degree of Doctor of Medicine was conferred on Sunter, Thomas Moore, Trinity College, Dublin.
EDGE WORKHOUSE, SHEFFIELD.-An hospital and receiving wards, together with new schools, are about to added to the workhouse buildings at Edge, near Sheffield.
MEDICAL HONOURS.-The honour of knighthood was on the 30th ult., conferred by his Excellency the Lord
Tuesday,
Lieutenant of Ireland on Dr. Gray, the chairman of the Waterworks Committee and editor of Freeman’s Journal, on the occasion of turning the course of the river Vantry from the old bed into a new channel, cut for the purpose of supplying Dublin ’UTlt,h
n::rP
watpr-