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THE MEDICAL PROTECTION ASSEMBLY.
619 JUST before
going to press, we received tifying announcement, in print, from DR.
following graJosxsoN. In all the other counties a similar movement should be made instantly. We want COUNTRY MEDICAL REPRESENTATIVES in London. They are shamefully excluded from the Committee in Hanover Square. "COUNTY MEDICAL MEETING IN SHROPSHIRE. TO HENRY
" 3. A fair and. effective Health."
he
JOHNSON, ESQ., M.D.
WE, the undersigned members of the medical profession, of the and county of Salop, respectfully request you to call a meeting of the profession at Shrewsbury, in order to consider the pro-
town
to urge priety of soliciting the co-operation of other counties, and the necessity of a general meeting of county deputies in London, appointed to consult on the means of a common protection against the objectionable clauses in Sir James Graham’s Bill. J. Y. Arrowsmith J. M. Coley, M.D., Bridgnorth J. Nigel Heathcote C. T. Hughes Clarke Samuel Wood Francis Whitwell William Roderick Edwin Foulkes John Stephens W. P. Brookes William Griffiths George P. Gill James Bratton Peploe Cartwright, Oswestry David Crawford Edward D. Bennion, Oswestry Wm. J. Clement Francis Bangham, Bridgnorth
A. G. Brookes, Cress age Henry Keate Shrewsbury, May 19, 1845. The foregoing requisition having been put into my hands this day, requesting me to.call a meeting of the medical profession in Shrewsbury, for the purpose therein mentioned, I beg to invite the general attendance of all my professional brethren who take an interest in the parliamentary proceedings now in progress relative to our profession, and particularly to solicit the favour of their attendance at the meeting which will be held at the Lion Inn, Shrewsbury, on Wednesday, June 4, 1845, at 3 o’clock P.M. A provisional meeting will be held at 10 o’clock A.M., the same day, and at the same place, for the purpose of considering and preparing the necessary resolutions, to which all members of the profession are respectfully invited. I am, dear Sir, your obedient servant, Shrewsbury, May 27, :8l5. HENRY JoHNSON."
representation
TwQ out of nineteen, and the
two
in the Council of
belonging to a class of
upwards twenty thousand in " fair and This is effective." What can possess these number. men! silly *’ 4. No examination permitted under twenty-two years of age, or without producing testimonials of having devoted five years to medical studies." practitioners amounting
of
to
.
I
Five
yearsí Ay, this is new. The existing testimonials study of seven or eight years. The seventy-two
a
prove must be demented.
,
"5. That general practitioners shall be declared eligible statute to fill any public appointment at home or abroad."
by
Any public appointment!" The Bill actually excludes them from holding the office of physician or surgeon in any institution, public or private. The seventy-two evidently believe that the members, generally, are as demented as 11
themselves. " 6. A will most
complete registry of all qualified practitioners, which materially assist in suppressing illegal practice, and in
rendering a penal clause
effective."
Did they get the promise of a registry? Bah! Where is the penal clause in the Bill that can be made effective ? Is summary punishment provided ?P .
"
7. A "locus standi," which, with the powers conferred by the ]3ill, -will enable the general practitioner to attain and maintain station, honour, and attainments, of which the completeness of his own curriculum, and the efficiency of his own examining board, will be the best and most ample -guarantee."
locus standi." There is no doubt of that promise. GALLIPOT LoDGB FOR EVEB!z Hurrah for THE BILL—THE CHARTER—THE LAWLESS GALLIPOT LODGE !z COMMITTEE. On reading the above’audacious statements, it is quite ANOTHER long advertisement has just been issued by the evident that FERDINAND Mendez PINTO has still some surunhappy COMMITTEE in Hanover-square. The whining tone is viving relatives. of the of this
Ah, that’s the thing-a
"
strange production argumentative portion significant of the castigation which the exposed culprits have received. But the unblushing effrontery which they exhibit THE COVERNMENT MEDICAL BILL in their statements, is equalled only by their other peculiar AND the of dolts treat members the Association as IN THE ROYAL COLLEGE ENFRANCHISEMENT qualities. They OF SURGEONS. and idiots. Under seven heads, they describe " a few of the their exertions" which advantages" extraordinary (extraTHE MEDICAL PROTECTION ASSEMBLY. ordinary enough!) have obtained from the Minister. We shall AFTER the minutes had been confirmed, a letter was read from quote them verbatim et literatim, and dispose of them in Dr. Lynch, regretting his inability to attend, and commenting on almost a dozen words. They number their great gains as the inconsistency of Mr. Ancell, who stated, in reply to Dr. Lynch, at the meeting at the Hanover-square Rooms, on the in the following paragraphs. They say, 14th March, to the effect that when the Association was powerful 11
"
We have claimed, and been promised1. A royal charter of incorporation, perfectly
independent of
existing corporations."
Independent! Only think of the" liceat," and the entire control of the curriculum and examinations by the physicians and surgeons belonging to the superior Colleges, opposed by only two from the Gallipot Institution. " 2.Representative and responsible government, with the power of appointing our officers, framing our own curriculum, and of establishing a competition of professional worth." OF
Think, again, of the composition and p
in numbers, it would seek for enfranchisement in the College of Surgeons. In direct refutation of that statement, heard by hundreds of medical men, Mr. Ancell stated, at the lastmeeting, that the Association was instituted for the purpose of procuring a charter of incorporation, and for that purpose only. The letter proved the unfounded nature of this assertion. Several letters from correspondents were received, remitting subscriptions, and declaring their repugnance to enrol under the contemplated degrading scheme, and offering to co-operate in the efforts for enfranchisement in the College of Surgeons, the home of the English surgeon, or for an EQUAL COLLEGE. Subscriptions were received from Mr. Cartwright, Teignmouth ; Dr. Kinnier, Dorset-crescent; Mr. O’Shea, Lambeth; Mr. Baker, Gray’s-inn-lane; Mr. Thos. Carter, Newberry; Mr. Arnison, Allendale town; Mr. P. Edgar, Hartlepool; Mr. Thos. English, Hartlepool; Mr. Pretty, Momington-road; Mr. Wm. Gaye, Somerset; Mr. Francis Daniel, Liskeard; Mr. Thomas
620 Rolph, Portsmouth;
Mr. A.
Illingsworth, Fowey; Mr.
Wm.
adequate medical advisers.
2. That your
petitioner
believes
Jackson, Staffordshire; Mr. R. Rushforth, Fitzroy-square; Mr. there exists in this corporation the foundation of much power and J. Bond, Nuneaton; Mr. Wm. May, Leicester; Mr. Charles national honour, and that it behoves every member of this empire Gardiner, Lisson Grove; Mr. J. Lyddon, Birkenhead; Mr. S. who loves his country, to build on that foundation to such country’s
Harris,
Mr.
Pynn,
BRITISH
and Mr. J.
best
May, Devonport.
MEDICAL
advantage.
That while the Council of the
College went in this wrong path, likely to be taken by all corporations while the good things of office were their own, and as long as clamour, popular or from its members, remained subdued; but the voice of the members, as well as the popular voice, having cried in vain, your petitioner conceives, that with an impartial mind the legislature should interfere and do that for the people which a limited corporation can never do, but which wise legislators should it was, perhaps, the
ASSOCIATION.
HALL, TUESDAY, MAY 27. DR. WEBSTER, PRESIDENT, IN THE CHAIR. EXETER
THE minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Letters were read from James Mactear, M.D., secretary to the Glasgow Medical Association, and a professor in one of the Scotch universities, on the subject of medical reform. Mr. EVANS, in a speech of some length, and considerable energy, denouncing the amended Bill of Sir James Graham, moved the following resolution :" That after having carefully examined the amended Bill of Sir James Graham, the members of this Association feel called upon to declare unequivocallv their extreme regret that the plan proposed is not one to which they can lend their assent, considering that many of the provisions of the Bill will operate injuriously to the interests of the whole profession, and tend to
course
do-look to that machine of state, whose mind, blood, and are wanted both in peace and war. That your petitioner conceives a separate incorporation might be temporarily injurious to the general practitioners, and, ultimately, ruinous to the College of Surgeons, but that the junction of the former to the latter, on the representative principle, is most desirable, and would give an impulse to the science of medicine in this country which the most ardent can scarce contemplate. That your petitioner therefore prays of your honourable House the enfranchisement of the general practitioners in the ’ College of Surgeons, in preference to a separate incorporation. degrade the general practitioner." And your petitioner will ever pray. Mr. WAKLEY, M.P., in seconding the resolution, condemned WILLIAJlI RYAN. most strongly the conduct of the committee of the National !, Association of General Practitioners for having let slip fairest and best opportunity that had ever offored of placing the THE AMENDED MEDICAL BILL AND THE general practitioner in his right and high position. PROJECTED CHARTER. Mr. HOOPER and Mr. I’oN spoke in much the same terms of the treacherous manner in which the Committee of the National MANCHESTER. Association had led members of that body astray. To the Editor of THE LANCET. President left the GEORGE chair, BOTTOMLEY, (The Esq. having (Croydon) as Vice-President, was called to the chair.) The SiR,-We are instructed to forward to you, for insertion in motion having then been put by the chairman, was unanimously your valuable and influential journal, a copy of a resolution carried. passed at a meeting of the Manchester committee, appointed to A lengthened discussion having taken place, in a more watch the progress of the " Bill for regulating the Profession of detailed manner, into the proceedings of the National Association, Physic and Surgery," now before the House of Commons; and the following resolution was carried; moved by Mr. WAKLEY, to request the favour of your advocating the principles therein M.P., seconded by Mr. HARRisoN, and spoken to by every set forth. member of council present :We are, Sir, your obedient servants, " That the .Committee of the National Association of General THOMAS DORRINGTON, DORRINGTON, Hon. Hon. Secs. S ecs. Practitioners having entirely forfeited the confidence of this ISAAC A. FRANKLIN, Fi council, and considering that the further continuance of our pre- I Manchester Medical Library, 38, Faulkner-street, sident as one of that body might induce the profession to believe May 21st, 1845. that we do not disapprove of the conduct of the committee, we RESOLUTION. are decidedly of opinion that Dr. Webster ought no longer to At a meeting of the Committee of MEDICAL REFORM AssocrAremain in that body as the EX-oFFicio representative of this TION in this town, held in the Manchester Medical Library, on Association."" the 20th of May, 1845, it was resolved-That this committee ia On the motion of Mr. HoopER, seconded by Mr. EALES, it of opinion that the Medical Reform Bill now before the House of was unanimously resolvedCommons imperatively requires such modifications as that, lst, " That the members of the council of this Association pledge In the initiatory examining board, intended as a common poital themselves to use every means in their power to maintain their for all branches of the profession, the proposed NEW COLLEGE OF just corporate rights and interests in the College of Surgeons, as GENERAL PRACTITIONERS in Medicine, Surgery, and Midwifery, members of that college." shall be dniy represented by having members thereon in the Resolved, " That this meeting do adjourn to Tuesday next, the same number as the Colleges of Surgeons and Physicians; 2nd, 3rd of June, 1845." The members of the new college shall be entitled to retain on the Throughout the present discussion, as well as that of last proposed register their present title of " surgeons," in the same week, all the speakers, while condemning the conduct of the manner as the FELLOWS of the College of Surgeons; and, 3id, COMMITTEE of the National Association, entirely disclaimed the The new college shall stand, in every respect, on the same footremotest reflection on the personal honour and character of with the other colleges; and further, that if this position be ing Dr. WEBSTER and Mr. READ, the two members of that body. not guaranteed to the GENERAL PRACTITION:ERS by their proposed CHARTER of Incorporation and by the BILL, this committee itself to oppose their further progress. pledges PETITION TO PARLIAMENT. ever
muscles,
the
ISAAC A. FRANKLIN,Jon. gon, Secs.
I
.
ENFRANCHISEMENT IN THE COLLEGE OF SURGEONS.
The humble Petition of WILLIAJlr RYAN, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, Licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries in London, Licentiate of the Coombe Lying-in Hospital, Dublin; late Surgeon to Old Oscott College, and late medical officer in the Aston Union,
SHOWETH,That your petitioner belongs to a corporate body of men who have given to science some of the first names in the world-the Royal College of Surgeons. That the fact of such names existing and having existed, speaks much fora nation’s intellect, but doubly so when it is remembered that this body, instead of spreading the light of science, has cramped intellectual exertions. 1. That this body has so conducted the powers entrusted to it, as to be injurious to the profession and ruinous to the community ; to the former, inasmuch as they endeavour to depreciate people whom they formerly attested to be worthy of all confidence ; and to the latter, if their own words be true, by inflicting on them, as fully qualified, in-
BRECON. To the Editor
0/*THE LANCET. you, in your opinion of the conduct of the Committee of the National Association, as expressed in THE LANCET of the 10th and 17th instant, I herewith forward to you a copy of a petition I forwarded last week to Colonel T. Wood, with a request that he would give it his support in the House of Commons. The petition was signed by every surgeon and general practitioner practising in the hindreds of Crickhowel, Merthyr, Brecon, and Talgarth, in this county, with the exception of one, whose absence from home alone prevented his signing it; I also sent a copy of the petition to the Committee of the National Association. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, THOMAS BATT. Brecon, May 21, 1845. P. S.-Pray insert the foregoing, with the copy of the petition, in your next number or not, as you may think most proper.
SIR,- Perfectly coinciding with
going to press, we received tifying announcement, in print, from DR.
following graJosxsoN. In all the other counties a similar movement should be made instantly. We want COUNTRY MEDICAL REPRESENTATIVES in London. They are shamefully excluded from the Committee in Hanover Square. "COUNTY MEDICAL MEETING IN SHROPSHIRE. TO HENRY
" 3. A fair and. effective Health."
he
JOHNSON, ESQ., M.D.
WE, the undersigned members of the medical profession, of the and county of Salop, respectfully request you to call a meeting of the profession at Shrewsbury, in order to consider the pro-
town
to urge priety of soliciting the co-operation of other counties, and the necessity of a general meeting of county deputies in London, appointed to consult on the means of a common protection against the objectionable clauses in Sir James Graham’s Bill. J. Y. Arrowsmith J. M. Coley, M.D., Bridgnorth J. Nigel Heathcote C. T. Hughes Clarke Samuel Wood Francis Whitwell William Roderick Edwin Foulkes John Stephens W. P. Brookes William Griffiths George P. Gill James Bratton Peploe Cartwright, Oswestry David Crawford Edward D. Bennion, Oswestry Wm. J. Clement Francis Bangham, Bridgnorth
A. G. Brookes, Cress age Henry Keate Shrewsbury, May 19, 1845. The foregoing requisition having been put into my hands this day, requesting me to.call a meeting of the medical profession in Shrewsbury, for the purpose therein mentioned, I beg to invite the general attendance of all my professional brethren who take an interest in the parliamentary proceedings now in progress relative to our profession, and particularly to solicit the favour of their attendance at the meeting which will be held at the Lion Inn, Shrewsbury, on Wednesday, June 4, 1845, at 3 o’clock P.M. A provisional meeting will be held at 10 o’clock A.M., the same day, and at the same place, for the purpose of considering and preparing the necessary resolutions, to which all members of the profession are respectfully invited. I am, dear Sir, your obedient servant, Shrewsbury, May 27, :8l5. HENRY JoHNSON."
representation
TwQ out of nineteen, and the
two
in the Council of
belonging to a class of
upwards twenty thousand in " fair and This is effective." What can possess these number. men! silly *’ 4. No examination permitted under twenty-two years of age, or without producing testimonials of having devoted five years to medical studies." practitioners amounting
of
to
.
I
Five
yearsí Ay, this is new. The existing testimonials study of seven or eight years. The seventy-two
a
prove must be demented.
,
"5. That general practitioners shall be declared eligible statute to fill any public appointment at home or abroad."
by
Any public appointment!" The Bill actually excludes them from holding the office of physician or surgeon in any institution, public or private. The seventy-two evidently believe that the members, generally, are as demented as 11
themselves. " 6. A will most
complete registry of all qualified practitioners, which materially assist in suppressing illegal practice, and in
rendering a penal clause
effective."
Did they get the promise of a registry? Bah! Where is the penal clause in the Bill that can be made effective ? Is summary punishment provided ?P .
"
7. A "locus standi," which, with the powers conferred by the ]3ill, -will enable the general practitioner to attain and maintain station, honour, and attainments, of which the completeness of his own curriculum, and the efficiency of his own examining board, will be the best and most ample -guarantee."
locus standi." There is no doubt of that promise. GALLIPOT LoDGB FOR EVEB!z Hurrah for THE BILL—THE CHARTER—THE LAWLESS GALLIPOT LODGE !z COMMITTEE. On reading the above’audacious statements, it is quite ANOTHER long advertisement has just been issued by the evident that FERDINAND Mendez PINTO has still some surunhappy COMMITTEE in Hanover-square. The whining tone is viving relatives. of the of this
Ah, that’s the thing-a
"
strange production argumentative portion significant of the castigation which the exposed culprits have received. But the unblushing effrontery which they exhibit THE COVERNMENT MEDICAL BILL in their statements, is equalled only by their other peculiar AND the of dolts treat members the Association as IN THE ROYAL COLLEGE ENFRANCHISEMENT qualities. They OF SURGEONS. and idiots. Under seven heads, they describe " a few of the their exertions" which advantages" extraordinary (extraTHE MEDICAL PROTECTION ASSEMBLY. ordinary enough!) have obtained from the Minister. We shall AFTER the minutes had been confirmed, a letter was read from quote them verbatim et literatim, and dispose of them in Dr. Lynch, regretting his inability to attend, and commenting on almost a dozen words. They number their great gains as the inconsistency of Mr. Ancell, who stated, in reply to Dr. Lynch, at the meeting at the Hanover-square Rooms, on the in the following paragraphs. They say, 14th March, to the effect that when the Association was powerful 11
"
We have claimed, and been promised1. A royal charter of incorporation, perfectly
independent of
existing corporations."
Independent! Only think of the" liceat," and the entire control of the curriculum and examinations by the physicians and surgeons belonging to the superior Colleges, opposed by only two from the Gallipot Institution. " 2.Representative and responsible government, with the power of appointing our officers, framing our own curriculum, and of establishing a competition of professional worth." OF
Think, again, of the composition and p
in numbers, it would seek for enfranchisement in the College of Surgeons. In direct refutation of that statement, heard by hundreds of medical men, Mr. Ancell stated, at the lastmeeting, that the Association was instituted for the purpose of procuring a charter of incorporation, and for that purpose only. The letter proved the unfounded nature of this assertion. Several letters from correspondents were received, remitting subscriptions, and declaring their repugnance to enrol under the contemplated degrading scheme, and offering to co-operate in the efforts for enfranchisement in the College of Surgeons, the home of the English surgeon, or for an EQUAL COLLEGE. Subscriptions were received from Mr. Cartwright, Teignmouth ; Dr. Kinnier, Dorset-crescent; Mr. O’Shea, Lambeth; Mr. Baker, Gray’s-inn-lane; Mr. Thos. Carter, Newberry; Mr. Arnison, Allendale town; Mr. P. Edgar, Hartlepool; Mr. Thos. English, Hartlepool; Mr. Pretty, Momington-road; Mr. Wm. Gaye, Somerset; Mr. Francis Daniel, Liskeard; Mr. Thomas
620 Rolph, Portsmouth;
Mr. A.
Illingsworth, Fowey; Mr.
Wm.
adequate medical advisers.
2. That your
petitioner
believes
Jackson, Staffordshire; Mr. R. Rushforth, Fitzroy-square; Mr. there exists in this corporation the foundation of much power and J. Bond, Nuneaton; Mr. Wm. May, Leicester; Mr. Charles national honour, and that it behoves every member of this empire Gardiner, Lisson Grove; Mr. J. Lyddon, Birkenhead; Mr. S. who loves his country, to build on that foundation to such country’s
Harris,
Mr.
Pynn,
BRITISH
and Mr. J.
best
May, Devonport.
MEDICAL
advantage.
That while the Council of the
College went in this wrong path, likely to be taken by all corporations while the good things of office were their own, and as long as clamour, popular or from its members, remained subdued; but the voice of the members, as well as the popular voice, having cried in vain, your petitioner conceives, that with an impartial mind the legislature should interfere and do that for the people which a limited corporation can never do, but which wise legislators should it was, perhaps, the
ASSOCIATION.
HALL, TUESDAY, MAY 27. DR. WEBSTER, PRESIDENT, IN THE CHAIR. EXETER
THE minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Letters were read from James Mactear, M.D., secretary to the Glasgow Medical Association, and a professor in one of the Scotch universities, on the subject of medical reform. Mr. EVANS, in a speech of some length, and considerable energy, denouncing the amended Bill of Sir James Graham, moved the following resolution :" That after having carefully examined the amended Bill of Sir James Graham, the members of this Association feel called upon to declare unequivocallv their extreme regret that the plan proposed is not one to which they can lend their assent, considering that many of the provisions of the Bill will operate injuriously to the interests of the whole profession, and tend to
course
do-look to that machine of state, whose mind, blood, and are wanted both in peace and war. That your petitioner conceives a separate incorporation might be temporarily injurious to the general practitioners, and, ultimately, ruinous to the College of Surgeons, but that the junction of the former to the latter, on the representative principle, is most desirable, and would give an impulse to the science of medicine in this country which the most ardent can scarce contemplate. That your petitioner therefore prays of your honourable House the enfranchisement of the general practitioners in the ’ College of Surgeons, in preference to a separate incorporation. degrade the general practitioner." And your petitioner will ever pray. Mr. WAKLEY, M.P., in seconding the resolution, condemned WILLIAJlI RYAN. most strongly the conduct of the committee of the National !, Association of General Practitioners for having let slip fairest and best opportunity that had ever offored of placing the THE AMENDED MEDICAL BILL AND THE general practitioner in his right and high position. PROJECTED CHARTER. Mr. HOOPER and Mr. I’oN spoke in much the same terms of the treacherous manner in which the Committee of the National MANCHESTER. Association had led members of that body astray. To the Editor of THE LANCET. President left the GEORGE chair, BOTTOMLEY, (The Esq. having (Croydon) as Vice-President, was called to the chair.) The SiR,-We are instructed to forward to you, for insertion in motion having then been put by the chairman, was unanimously your valuable and influential journal, a copy of a resolution carried. passed at a meeting of the Manchester committee, appointed to A lengthened discussion having taken place, in a more watch the progress of the " Bill for regulating the Profession of detailed manner, into the proceedings of the National Association, Physic and Surgery," now before the House of Commons; and the following resolution was carried; moved by Mr. WAKLEY, to request the favour of your advocating the principles therein M.P., seconded by Mr. HARRisoN, and spoken to by every set forth. member of council present :We are, Sir, your obedient servants, " That the .Committee of the National Association of General THOMAS DORRINGTON, DORRINGTON, Hon. Hon. Secs. S ecs. Practitioners having entirely forfeited the confidence of this ISAAC A. FRANKLIN, Fi council, and considering that the further continuance of our pre- I Manchester Medical Library, 38, Faulkner-street, sident as one of that body might induce the profession to believe May 21st, 1845. that we do not disapprove of the conduct of the committee, we RESOLUTION. are decidedly of opinion that Dr. Webster ought no longer to At a meeting of the Committee of MEDICAL REFORM AssocrAremain in that body as the EX-oFFicio representative of this TION in this town, held in the Manchester Medical Library, on Association."" the 20th of May, 1845, it was resolved-That this committee ia On the motion of Mr. HoopER, seconded by Mr. EALES, it of opinion that the Medical Reform Bill now before the House of was unanimously resolvedCommons imperatively requires such modifications as that, lst, " That the members of the council of this Association pledge In the initiatory examining board, intended as a common poital themselves to use every means in their power to maintain their for all branches of the profession, the proposed NEW COLLEGE OF just corporate rights and interests in the College of Surgeons, as GENERAL PRACTITIONERS in Medicine, Surgery, and Midwifery, members of that college." shall be dniy represented by having members thereon in the Resolved, " That this meeting do adjourn to Tuesday next, the same number as the Colleges of Surgeons and Physicians; 2nd, 3rd of June, 1845." The members of the new college shall be entitled to retain on the Throughout the present discussion, as well as that of last proposed register their present title of " surgeons," in the same week, all the speakers, while condemning the conduct of the manner as the FELLOWS of the College of Surgeons; and, 3id, COMMITTEE of the National Association, entirely disclaimed the The new college shall stand, in every respect, on the same footremotest reflection on the personal honour and character of with the other colleges; and further, that if this position be ing Dr. WEBSTER and Mr. READ, the two members of that body. not guaranteed to the GENERAL PRACTITION:ERS by their proposed CHARTER of Incorporation and by the BILL, this committee itself to oppose their further progress. pledges PETITION TO PARLIAMENT. ever
muscles,
the
ISAAC A. FRANKLIN,Jon. gon, Secs.
I
.
ENFRANCHISEMENT IN THE COLLEGE OF SURGEONS.
The humble Petition of WILLIAJlr RYAN, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, Licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries in London, Licentiate of the Coombe Lying-in Hospital, Dublin; late Surgeon to Old Oscott College, and late medical officer in the Aston Union,
SHOWETH,That your petitioner belongs to a corporate body of men who have given to science some of the first names in the world-the Royal College of Surgeons. That the fact of such names existing and having existed, speaks much fora nation’s intellect, but doubly so when it is remembered that this body, instead of spreading the light of science, has cramped intellectual exertions. 1. That this body has so conducted the powers entrusted to it, as to be injurious to the profession and ruinous to the community ; to the former, inasmuch as they endeavour to depreciate people whom they formerly attested to be worthy of all confidence ; and to the latter, if their own words be true, by inflicting on them, as fully qualified, in-
BRECON. To the Editor
0/*THE LANCET. you, in your opinion of the conduct of the Committee of the National Association, as expressed in THE LANCET of the 10th and 17th instant, I herewith forward to you a copy of a petition I forwarded last week to Colonel T. Wood, with a request that he would give it his support in the House of Commons. The petition was signed by every surgeon and general practitioner practising in the hindreds of Crickhowel, Merthyr, Brecon, and Talgarth, in this county, with the exception of one, whose absence from home alone prevented his signing it; I also sent a copy of the petition to the Committee of the National Association. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, THOMAS BATT. Brecon, May 21, 1845. P. S.-Pray insert the foregoing, with the copy of the petition, in your next number or not, as you may think most proper.
SIR,- Perfectly coinciding with