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THE PROVINCIAL MEDICAL AND SURGICAL ASSOCIATION.
strive, by
every
means
and at every
time, to make them wiser.
Correspondence.
They must combat unceasingly those narrow prejudices which prevent taking advantage for the purpose of the only day which
" Audi alteram
is available to many for instruction, and which hinder our making use, to the fullest extent, of those valuable and expensive public institutions which are so well calculated to elevate our fellow-creatures in morals and in mind.
partem."
THE PROVINCIAL MEDICAL AND SURGICAL ASSOCIATION. To the Editor
of THE
LANCET.
SiR,-The accompanying " letter of resignation"
was
sent
publication in the Association Medical Journal to the late editor, Dr. Cormack; but arriving on the eve of his retirement from office, it was (together with many other communications upon the " affairs of the Association") by him necessarily handed over to the newly-appointed secretary, Dr. Williams, of Worcester. Finding that my letter did not appear in the ensuing number of the Journal for October 5th, I thereupon wrote to the secretary, requesting, that in case I was correct in construing the non-insertion of my communication as an evidence of a determination on the part of the present ruling powers at Worcester to close the Journal against its introduc. tion, he would have the kindness to return my letter, with a view to its publication elsewhere, in a periodical whose pages were open to a fairer representation of both sides of the fundamental questions at issue, affecting, as they do, not merely the vitality, but the very existence of the Association itself. As the secretary’s reply to my letter, just received, clearly for
RARELY is it that the Government or the Legislature mark in any satisfactory manner the labours and services of medical in dispatches, passed over in " votes of the and unrewarded House," by honours or decorations, the miliand naval surgeons of this kingdom meet with no entary couragement to go a step beyond the bare line of their duties. But our brethren on many occasions, even though in this ’" cold shade," sacrifice their comforts, and even their lives, in the cause of that country that so ill repays them. When was
Neglected
men.
heroism displayed equal to that of JAMES THOMSON ? He perished in the noble cause of humanity, not less an honour to his profession than to human nature itself. The Government, after solicitation, have allowed a small annuity to his bereaved mother. But surely his memory is entitled to some mark of respect, and that, too, from the country, although it is vain to expect a monument to him amongst the "heroes" in our cathedrals or abbeys; the niches in those great temples are reserved for tablets in honour of the destroyers of life. Gratifying is it, then, to state that a monument is to be erected to him at the place of his birth, near the Bav nf C’^=vy. -1 subscription has already been entered into for the purpose. The following letter from Sir JAMES MACGRIGOR to Sir JAMES MATHESON was read at a county meeting held at Inverness a few days since :-
I
"
Sir James Macgrigor, late Director of the Army Medical Department, presents his compliments to Sir James Matheson, and though he has not the honour of a personal acquaintance ’with him, trusts that the subject of this note, which is almost one of public interest, may be considered an excuse for troubling
The
step
Medical
thus taken is
highly honourable to the late veteran
Director-general. 374
To the Editor
of the" Association Medical Jourrzal." SIR,-In tendering my resignation, permit me, as an old member of the Association, and one who has for so many years taken a deep and lively interest in the furtherance of its objects, thus publicly, through the medium of the Journal, very briefly to assign the grounds on which I decline to continue any longer
connected with it. A long and familiar experience, and careful observation of the working of the Association in all its details, has gradually, but irresistibly, forced upon me the painful and reluctant conviction, that, as at present constituted, represented, (?) and governed, the Association, so far from its being instrumental or made subservient in promoting the great and laudable objects for which it was professedly founded, constitutes in itself an additional and most formidable obstacle in the way of their attainment. It is scarcely necessary that I should add, that the essentially retrograde tendency towards an illiberal and exclusive provincialism, exhibited at the annual meeting recently held at York, and that in the face of the "declaration of opinion" so numerously and influentially signed, (and forwarded to York, but quietly shelved,) and which I verily believe embodies the sentiments and feelings of a large majority of the members, has tended in no small degree to enhance and confirm me in the conviction above assigned as my reason for tendering my
him.
" A short time since Sir James Macgrigor wrote to Lord Panmure asking a pension for the mother of the late AssistantSurgeon Thomson, 44th Regiment, to which he returned a kind and satisfactory answer. According to the regulations, Mr. Thomson was not entitled to a pension, but the merit of that officer, in sacrificing his own life after the battle of the Alma in the cause of humanity, so far exceeded what the framer of any code of regulations perhaps ever contemplated, that Lord Panmure well and wisely considered this peculiar case a fair ground for deviating from them, and, at Sir James Macgrigor’s request, a pension was granted. Though it was Sir James Macgrigor’s fortune to give this zealous and talented officer his commission, yet his merit having been most favourably noticed in both Houses of Parliament, it would be superfluous for him to make them here the subject of remark. The Duke of Newcastle and others may have, perhaps, exhausted words of praise already on this interesting subject. Sir James Macgrigor, however, has a natural pride in reflecting that a native of the Highlands of Scotland should have been the subiect of these well-earned eulogiums. Buried near the shore of the Black Sea and the plains of the Alma, Surgeon Thomson was born near the Bay of Cromarty, and the object now of this note is to suggest that some monument or record should mark the birth-place of one whose career was alike honourable and useful. If, therefore, Sir James Matheson, who so worthily represents the county in which this officer was born, would only countenance such a project, the writer of this note would cordially give it his humble support. 11 3, Harley-street, Cavendish-square, London, Sept. 12th, 1855."
indicates that I was not mistaken in the construction I had exclusion of my communication from the ,7oM)’m<, will you have the goodness to publish it for me (together with this letter) in THE LANCET, and thereby afford me an opportunity of publicly assigning my reasons for withdrawing from the Association, a duty which, as an old member-one who has taken a somewhat active part in its affairs, and through whose instrumentality some fifty members or more have been induced to join its ranks-I feel I owe no less to these gentlemen than to the members of the "Trtli ’ÃTA1"" -D’3nCII" of Hie iMuu, WHO, at their late annual meeting, did me the honour of unanimously electing me their president for the ensuing year. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, JAMES EDWARDS. Benarth, Conway, Oct. 9the, 1855.
put upon the
resignation. Benarth, Conway, Sept. 19th,
’
I
remain, &c.,
1855.
JAMES
EDWARDS, M.D.
To the Editor of THE LANCET. I am not much accustomed to writing for the press, I cannot refrain from addressing you at the present juncture. The Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, to which I belong, is now in a deplorable condition ; and as we have at this moment no journal on which we can rely to act for the benefit of the Association at large, excepting your own, I venture to plead to you in behalf of our unfortunate body. I am induced to do so from reading your leading remarks in THE LANCET of last week, and the sound common-
SiR,—Although
letter signed " J. P."in that of the preceding week THE SURGERY OF THE WAR. (Sept. 29th). Pray help us in the commotion which we now suffer, and give the members of the Association the advantageTHE SANITARY CONDITION OF THE BRITISH ARMY of your advice. How should we act ?1 I am loth to retire from IN THE CRIMEA the Association, but really the continual conflicts which disDURING THE WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 22ND. turb us take away all the pleasure which I expected to enjoy by being a member; they fill our journal with personalities and polemics, to the distraction of our minds, and the almost In transmitting the usual state of sick, the Inspector-General total exclusion of scientific and interesting subjects. of Hospitals remarks:I quite agree with the remarks of " J. P." For the I have much pleasure in stating that the sanitary condition money that has been spent upon our Journal we might, of the army is satisfactory, and were the casualties of war dedoubtless, have possessed ourselves of much that he enume- ducted from the list, it would be very favourable indeed. As Transactions" annually published, it is, the admissions to strength during the present week have rates. A splendid set of contributions to the Medical Benevolent Fund and Medical only been 2’98 per cent., including transfers from regimental Benevolent College, medical scholarships at the Universities, to general hospitals. and funds available for the protection of ouo rights, when The death to strength have been 0 ’20 per cent.; and the sick assailed by boards of guardians or others, are advantages to healthy is 10’02 per cent; last week, these proportions were, of which we might well be proud, and they would prove of 7-22, 0-40, and 12-00 per cent. respectively. In deducting the casualties of war, the proportion of sick to high utility to us, and form lasting bonds of union. All these things we have been sacrificing for the support of a journal healthy, this week, would be 6 -26 per cent., and that of deaths confessedly inferior to the other medical journals which exist; to strength 0’05 per cent. and not only are we wronging ourselves by a deprivation of The following abstract shows the near approximation of these advantages, but if, as "J. P."implies, and as I fully disease and death between this and the preceding week :believe, our Journal has been the cause of the discomfort and dissatisfaction which assail us, are wenot doubly unwise in tormenting ourselves by prolonging its existence ? Would it not be a proper step for those who object to the useless expenditure of a journal to memorialize the Council to that effect, them to call a general meeting for the purpose of determining whether such a great expenditure should go on or not ? I shall be happy to know the opinions of mybrother members from you on this subject. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, A COUNTRY SURGEON. Oct. 1855. The only head under which there is a remarkable and decided sense
"
"
desiring
THE WAY PRIZES ARE DISTRIBUTED AT ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S HOSPITAL. To the Editor
’
of THE LANCET.
SiR,—Many of the prizemen of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital earnestly beg you to notice the extremely unsatisfactory manner in which the distribution, or rather the non-distribution, of prizes is conducted at that institution. It was understood that the prizes were to have been distributed on the 1st of October, but nothing of the kind ever took place. It was with difficulty that several of the friends of prizemen, who had arrived from the country to view the ceremony, could be persuaded that they had not been hoaxed. At most of the other metropolitan schools of medicine the prizes are distributed, in at least an orderly and decent manner, at the commencement of the summer session. Why should it
decrease in the admissions is wounds, and 2 out of the 84 of these were transfers to the General Hospital at Balaklava. The number of deaths from wounds is, I regret to say, conslcter4l,’, hnt. a. great many men were shot through the upper part of the chest in the assault ot the Redan, and wound.,-, of that nature are alwaysserious; but a large proportion of the wounds were slight, as is evinced by the discharges this and the preceding week, amounting to about 1000 men, deducting those transferred to general hospitals. Cholera has nearly disappeared, and there has been no increase in the other forms of bowel complaints, and the health of all the divisions is reported by the different superintending medical officers to be highly satisfactory. In the 3rd Division, no death occurred during the week; and in the 4th, only one, from an injury of the skull. During the week, we have had strong equinoctial gales, with heavy rain, which has reduced the temperature considerably, and rendered the weather delightful. The men are employed on fatigue duties, in making roads, and preparing for their own comforts during the winter, but the night duty is light. Their rations are good, and abundant, and everything is favourable to health.
not be so at St. Bartholomew’s ?1 It is true that at the conclusion of Mr. Paget’s admirable introductory address a few students, who had been crowded together on some benches out of sight, were introduced in a higgledy-piggledy kind of manner to the President, but with what object it is difficult to conceive. I say, a few only were tortured in this way, for the majority of the prizemen, seeing FROhI OUR OWN SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] how miserable an affair it was likely to turn out, wisely kept CAMP BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, SEPT. 23XD. aloof. The prizeswere invisible during the whole of the before I intend to send it, to see if I evening, with the exception of a few books placed on the table. canI BEGIN this a few days pick up any news, or anything worth relating. Since the In fact, the books constituting the prizes were in a dark, dusty everything seems so quiet, that you would cupboard in the reading-room, and many of them are there fall of Sebastopol believe were within a mile of a large force of the hardly you in have since been several times now. out, They dragged order to be signed by the various medical officers and lecturers, Russians, who, I suppose, are now at a loss to know what to do’ regards the capture of Sebastopol, a visit to the and, having undergone that ordeal, they have been mercilessly next. As and Redan and town, I will refer you to The Times hurled back to their dusty abode, again to be dragged out, and Malakhoff but respecting a scene I witnessed, I must say correspondent, hurled delicate treatment back. The of this again consequence description will fall far short of the is, that few of the prizes are worth having; they are so few words, though my scratched, blotched, jagged, and damaged in various ways, that reality. Having got into the part of the town where the docks wharf are, I proceeded to the latter place, along which they would hardly be received as a gift by the proprietor ofand there is a long row of buildings, used as store-houses formerly, the cheapest book-stall. about three stories high, and an underground cellar in each. I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, THE FRIEND OF A DISCONSOLATE: The first four of these presented the most horrid sight imaginable, the first story of each, and the underground parts being PRIZEMAN. St. Barthotomew’s Hospital, Oct. 1855. all filled with human bodies that had been wounded and had MEDICAL OFFICERS OF HE3LTH.-Z’Ve learn that in died. All were dead when I saw them except two. The most of the parishes the profession are bestirring themselves- wounds were of all descriptions : some had arms and legs for these appointments, perhaps prematurely, as we cannot blown off; in others the intestines were protruding; others believe the old vestries will be re-elected. In the united had extensivewounds of the head. Hardly one had received medical treatment. They were, excepu a very few, (in the last parishes of St. George’s, Bloomsbury, and St. Giles-in-the- room I went into,) all lying on the ground, without either bed have heard, intend to be Fields, the following gentlemen, we or what is more, without anything to eat or drink. candidates, viz.:-Dr. Hensley, Dr. Gibb, Mr. Thomas Hunt, or blanket, * Two of this number were transfers to General Hospital. Mr. George L. Cooper, Mr. Robarts, and Mr. George Simpson ,
l _
, .
375
every
means
and at every
time, to make them wiser.
Correspondence.
They must combat unceasingly those narrow prejudices which prevent taking advantage for the purpose of the only day which
" Audi alteram
is available to many for instruction, and which hinder our making use, to the fullest extent, of those valuable and expensive public institutions which are so well calculated to elevate our fellow-creatures in morals and in mind.
partem."
THE PROVINCIAL MEDICAL AND SURGICAL ASSOCIATION. To the Editor
of THE
LANCET.
SiR,-The accompanying " letter of resignation"
was
sent
publication in the Association Medical Journal to the late editor, Dr. Cormack; but arriving on the eve of his retirement from office, it was (together with many other communications upon the " affairs of the Association") by him necessarily handed over to the newly-appointed secretary, Dr. Williams, of Worcester. Finding that my letter did not appear in the ensuing number of the Journal for October 5th, I thereupon wrote to the secretary, requesting, that in case I was correct in construing the non-insertion of my communication as an evidence of a determination on the part of the present ruling powers at Worcester to close the Journal against its introduc. tion, he would have the kindness to return my letter, with a view to its publication elsewhere, in a periodical whose pages were open to a fairer representation of both sides of the fundamental questions at issue, affecting, as they do, not merely the vitality, but the very existence of the Association itself. As the secretary’s reply to my letter, just received, clearly for
RARELY is it that the Government or the Legislature mark in any satisfactory manner the labours and services of medical in dispatches, passed over in " votes of the and unrewarded House," by honours or decorations, the miliand naval surgeons of this kingdom meet with no entary couragement to go a step beyond the bare line of their duties. But our brethren on many occasions, even though in this ’" cold shade," sacrifice their comforts, and even their lives, in the cause of that country that so ill repays them. When was
Neglected
men.
heroism displayed equal to that of JAMES THOMSON ? He perished in the noble cause of humanity, not less an honour to his profession than to human nature itself. The Government, after solicitation, have allowed a small annuity to his bereaved mother. But surely his memory is entitled to some mark of respect, and that, too, from the country, although it is vain to expect a monument to him amongst the "heroes" in our cathedrals or abbeys; the niches in those great temples are reserved for tablets in honour of the destroyers of life. Gratifying is it, then, to state that a monument is to be erected to him at the place of his birth, near the Bav nf C’^=vy. -1 subscription has already been entered into for the purpose. The following letter from Sir JAMES MACGRIGOR to Sir JAMES MATHESON was read at a county meeting held at Inverness a few days since :-
I
"
Sir James Macgrigor, late Director of the Army Medical Department, presents his compliments to Sir James Matheson, and though he has not the honour of a personal acquaintance ’with him, trusts that the subject of this note, which is almost one of public interest, may be considered an excuse for troubling
The
step
Medical
thus taken is
highly honourable to the late veteran
Director-general. 374
To the Editor
of the" Association Medical Jourrzal." SIR,-In tendering my resignation, permit me, as an old member of the Association, and one who has for so many years taken a deep and lively interest in the furtherance of its objects, thus publicly, through the medium of the Journal, very briefly to assign the grounds on which I decline to continue any longer
connected with it. A long and familiar experience, and careful observation of the working of the Association in all its details, has gradually, but irresistibly, forced upon me the painful and reluctant conviction, that, as at present constituted, represented, (?) and governed, the Association, so far from its being instrumental or made subservient in promoting the great and laudable objects for which it was professedly founded, constitutes in itself an additional and most formidable obstacle in the way of their attainment. It is scarcely necessary that I should add, that the essentially retrograde tendency towards an illiberal and exclusive provincialism, exhibited at the annual meeting recently held at York, and that in the face of the "declaration of opinion" so numerously and influentially signed, (and forwarded to York, but quietly shelved,) and which I verily believe embodies the sentiments and feelings of a large majority of the members, has tended in no small degree to enhance and confirm me in the conviction above assigned as my reason for tendering my
him.
" A short time since Sir James Macgrigor wrote to Lord Panmure asking a pension for the mother of the late AssistantSurgeon Thomson, 44th Regiment, to which he returned a kind and satisfactory answer. According to the regulations, Mr. Thomson was not entitled to a pension, but the merit of that officer, in sacrificing his own life after the battle of the Alma in the cause of humanity, so far exceeded what the framer of any code of regulations perhaps ever contemplated, that Lord Panmure well and wisely considered this peculiar case a fair ground for deviating from them, and, at Sir James Macgrigor’s request, a pension was granted. Though it was Sir James Macgrigor’s fortune to give this zealous and talented officer his commission, yet his merit having been most favourably noticed in both Houses of Parliament, it would be superfluous for him to make them here the subject of remark. The Duke of Newcastle and others may have, perhaps, exhausted words of praise already on this interesting subject. Sir James Macgrigor, however, has a natural pride in reflecting that a native of the Highlands of Scotland should have been the subiect of these well-earned eulogiums. Buried near the shore of the Black Sea and the plains of the Alma, Surgeon Thomson was born near the Bay of Cromarty, and the object now of this note is to suggest that some monument or record should mark the birth-place of one whose career was alike honourable and useful. If, therefore, Sir James Matheson, who so worthily represents the county in which this officer was born, would only countenance such a project, the writer of this note would cordially give it his humble support. 11 3, Harley-street, Cavendish-square, London, Sept. 12th, 1855."
indicates that I was not mistaken in the construction I had exclusion of my communication from the ,7oM)’m<, will you have the goodness to publish it for me (together with this letter) in THE LANCET, and thereby afford me an opportunity of publicly assigning my reasons for withdrawing from the Association, a duty which, as an old member-one who has taken a somewhat active part in its affairs, and through whose instrumentality some fifty members or more have been induced to join its ranks-I feel I owe no less to these gentlemen than to the members of the "Trtli ’ÃTA1"" -D’3nCII" of Hie iMuu, WHO, at their late annual meeting, did me the honour of unanimously electing me their president for the ensuing year. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, JAMES EDWARDS. Benarth, Conway, Oct. 9the, 1855.
put upon the
resignation. Benarth, Conway, Sept. 19th,
’
I
remain, &c.,
1855.
JAMES
EDWARDS, M.D.
To the Editor of THE LANCET. I am not much accustomed to writing for the press, I cannot refrain from addressing you at the present juncture. The Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, to which I belong, is now in a deplorable condition ; and as we have at this moment no journal on which we can rely to act for the benefit of the Association at large, excepting your own, I venture to plead to you in behalf of our unfortunate body. I am induced to do so from reading your leading remarks in THE LANCET of last week, and the sound common-
SiR,—Although
letter signed " J. P."in that of the preceding week THE SURGERY OF THE WAR. (Sept. 29th). Pray help us in the commotion which we now suffer, and give the members of the Association the advantageTHE SANITARY CONDITION OF THE BRITISH ARMY of your advice. How should we act ?1 I am loth to retire from IN THE CRIMEA the Association, but really the continual conflicts which disDURING THE WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 22ND. turb us take away all the pleasure which I expected to enjoy by being a member; they fill our journal with personalities and polemics, to the distraction of our minds, and the almost In transmitting the usual state of sick, the Inspector-General total exclusion of scientific and interesting subjects. of Hospitals remarks:I quite agree with the remarks of " J. P." For the I have much pleasure in stating that the sanitary condition money that has been spent upon our Journal we might, of the army is satisfactory, and were the casualties of war dedoubtless, have possessed ourselves of much that he enume- ducted from the list, it would be very favourable indeed. As Transactions" annually published, it is, the admissions to strength during the present week have rates. A splendid set of contributions to the Medical Benevolent Fund and Medical only been 2’98 per cent., including transfers from regimental Benevolent College, medical scholarships at the Universities, to general hospitals. and funds available for the protection of ouo rights, when The death to strength have been 0 ’20 per cent.; and the sick assailed by boards of guardians or others, are advantages to healthy is 10’02 per cent; last week, these proportions were, of which we might well be proud, and they would prove of 7-22, 0-40, and 12-00 per cent. respectively. In deducting the casualties of war, the proportion of sick to high utility to us, and form lasting bonds of union. All these things we have been sacrificing for the support of a journal healthy, this week, would be 6 -26 per cent., and that of deaths confessedly inferior to the other medical journals which exist; to strength 0’05 per cent. and not only are we wronging ourselves by a deprivation of The following abstract shows the near approximation of these advantages, but if, as "J. P."implies, and as I fully disease and death between this and the preceding week :believe, our Journal has been the cause of the discomfort and dissatisfaction which assail us, are wenot doubly unwise in tormenting ourselves by prolonging its existence ? Would it not be a proper step for those who object to the useless expenditure of a journal to memorialize the Council to that effect, them to call a general meeting for the purpose of determining whether such a great expenditure should go on or not ? I shall be happy to know the opinions of mybrother members from you on this subject. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, A COUNTRY SURGEON. Oct. 1855. The only head under which there is a remarkable and decided sense
"
"
desiring
THE WAY PRIZES ARE DISTRIBUTED AT ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S HOSPITAL. To the Editor
’
of THE LANCET.
SiR,—Many of the prizemen of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital earnestly beg you to notice the extremely unsatisfactory manner in which the distribution, or rather the non-distribution, of prizes is conducted at that institution. It was understood that the prizes were to have been distributed on the 1st of October, but nothing of the kind ever took place. It was with difficulty that several of the friends of prizemen, who had arrived from the country to view the ceremony, could be persuaded that they had not been hoaxed. At most of the other metropolitan schools of medicine the prizes are distributed, in at least an orderly and decent manner, at the commencement of the summer session. Why should it
decrease in the admissions is wounds, and 2 out of the 84 of these were transfers to the General Hospital at Balaklava. The number of deaths from wounds is, I regret to say, conslcter4l,’, hnt. a. great many men were shot through the upper part of the chest in the assault ot the Redan, and wound.,-, of that nature are alwaysserious; but a large proportion of the wounds were slight, as is evinced by the discharges this and the preceding week, amounting to about 1000 men, deducting those transferred to general hospitals. Cholera has nearly disappeared, and there has been no increase in the other forms of bowel complaints, and the health of all the divisions is reported by the different superintending medical officers to be highly satisfactory. In the 3rd Division, no death occurred during the week; and in the 4th, only one, from an injury of the skull. During the week, we have had strong equinoctial gales, with heavy rain, which has reduced the temperature considerably, and rendered the weather delightful. The men are employed on fatigue duties, in making roads, and preparing for their own comforts during the winter, but the night duty is light. Their rations are good, and abundant, and everything is favourable to health.
not be so at St. Bartholomew’s ?1 It is true that at the conclusion of Mr. Paget’s admirable introductory address a few students, who had been crowded together on some benches out of sight, were introduced in a higgledy-piggledy kind of manner to the President, but with what object it is difficult to conceive. I say, a few only were tortured in this way, for the majority of the prizemen, seeing FROhI OUR OWN SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] how miserable an affair it was likely to turn out, wisely kept CAMP BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, SEPT. 23XD. aloof. The prizeswere invisible during the whole of the before I intend to send it, to see if I evening, with the exception of a few books placed on the table. canI BEGIN this a few days pick up any news, or anything worth relating. Since the In fact, the books constituting the prizes were in a dark, dusty everything seems so quiet, that you would cupboard in the reading-room, and many of them are there fall of Sebastopol believe were within a mile of a large force of the hardly you in have since been several times now. out, They dragged order to be signed by the various medical officers and lecturers, Russians, who, I suppose, are now at a loss to know what to do’ regards the capture of Sebastopol, a visit to the and, having undergone that ordeal, they have been mercilessly next. As and Redan and town, I will refer you to The Times hurled back to their dusty abode, again to be dragged out, and Malakhoff but respecting a scene I witnessed, I must say correspondent, hurled delicate treatment back. The of this again consequence description will fall far short of the is, that few of the prizes are worth having; they are so few words, though my scratched, blotched, jagged, and damaged in various ways, that reality. Having got into the part of the town where the docks wharf are, I proceeded to the latter place, along which they would hardly be received as a gift by the proprietor ofand there is a long row of buildings, used as store-houses formerly, the cheapest book-stall. about three stories high, and an underground cellar in each. I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, THE FRIEND OF A DISCONSOLATE: The first four of these presented the most horrid sight imaginable, the first story of each, and the underground parts being PRIZEMAN. St. Barthotomew’s Hospital, Oct. 1855. all filled with human bodies that had been wounded and had MEDICAL OFFICERS OF HE3LTH.-Z’Ve learn that in died. All were dead when I saw them except two. The most of the parishes the profession are bestirring themselves- wounds were of all descriptions : some had arms and legs for these appointments, perhaps prematurely, as we cannot blown off; in others the intestines were protruding; others believe the old vestries will be re-elected. In the united had extensivewounds of the head. Hardly one had received medical treatment. They were, excepu a very few, (in the last parishes of St. George’s, Bloomsbury, and St. Giles-in-the- room I went into,) all lying on the ground, without either bed have heard, intend to be Fields, the following gentlemen, we or what is more, without anything to eat or drink. candidates, viz.:-Dr. Hensley, Dr. Gibb, Mr. Thomas Hunt, or blanket, * Two of this number were transfers to General Hospital. Mr. George L. Cooper, Mr. Robarts, and Mr. George Simpson ,
l _
, .
375