UNQUALIFIED ASSISTANTS AND THE MEDICAL BILL.

557 that amount. Again I say, let passengers be fully satisfied that they have a qualified medical man to take charge of their lives to their destination; and to more easily facilitate this, let every vessel be compelled to have the " British Medical Directory," so that any passenger wishing to be satisfied with respect to the qualifications of the surgeon, can apply to that work; and should the name of the surgeon not appear in it, let him satisfy the passengers by producing his diploma. Apologizing for this long epistle, I remain yours, &c. G. S. M., M.R.C.S.E. Wye, Dec. 1852. their P.S.-Certainly persons paying passage-money are entitled to have their minds set at ease by knowing that they have a legally-qualified medical man on board to fly to for help in time of need ;-in fact, the man of all others who can comfort a poor creature in distress, is the medical man-far beyond all Qthers. I know this from great experience among the sick. A NEW MODE OF ADVERTISING. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,-The enclosed circular has just been put into my hands by my druggist and friend, Mr. Brown, of the Commercialroad, whose opinion of the "author" will, I hope, be found to coincide with that of every one who receives the document. That opinion I need not repeat, as it is one you have often had occasion to express under similar circumstances. I have not been able to refer to a " Directory," but I should like to know whence Dr. Gardner obtained his M.D. Any further remark from me would be superfluous, as I cannot leave the case in better hands than yours. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, CHAS. JOSEPH TOMKINS. ToMKINS. Commercial-road East. Colet-place, December, 1852.

51, Mortimer.street, Cavendish-square. December, 1852. SIR,- Having, by a chemical investigation of tubercle, obtained (as I believe) a clue to distinguish true consumption from the many cases of pseudo-consumption often mistaken for it, together with a successful plan of treatment, I am desirous of extending my sphere of observation beyond the limits of my private practice. Should, therefore, any cases of chest disease fall in your way, I shall be happy to attend them gratuitously, and also any cases of liver disorder, obstinate dyspepsia, gout, dropsy, urinary disease, and generally all cases caused by, or associated with, chemical disturbances of the system or the secretions. If, in answer to my request you send any persons to me for gratuitous advice, please to write the name of the patient on your own card, or on a slip of paper with your name and address, which will always insure them my best attention. Your obedient servant, JOHN GARDNER, M.D., Editor of Liebig’s Letters and Lectures. To Mr. J. Brown. P. S.-I shall not fail to recommend all patients you may send to me to take my prescriptions to you, that you may supply them with the medicines they may require. The 11 circular" of Dr. GARDNER is of too objectionable a character to require a word of comment. What does the doctor expect to gain by outraging the feelings of all respectable members of the profession?-ED. L.

should be revived. This deduction might have a salutary effect on some of those on whom the voice of conscience, and the restraints of morality and religion, fall unheeded. While human nature remains as it is, all men cannot be arrested in their career of vice. It is clearly, therefore, the duty of the philanthropist to endeavour to mitigate an evil which he knows well cannot be entirely removed. I believe that no rational or well-grounded arguments can be advanced against the establishment of the institutions above referred to. Trusting you will use your influence in promoting this important object, and that you will do me the favour of inserting this letter in THE LANCET, I am, Sir, your obliged and obedient servant, M.D. Dec. 1852. -

THE NEW MINISTERIAL BUDGET AND PROFESSIONAL INCOMES. To the Editor oj THE LANCET. Mr. Disraeli’s notions of the relative value of professional incomes and those arising from realized property be correct, a medical practice, producing a clear annual profit of £ 300, ought to sell for .S7500, or three-fourths of a capital which, invested on real securities at three per cent., will produce an income of £ 300. Surely Mr. Hume, or some other honourable member, -will do the medical profession the great service of informing the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is really the fact, that incomes arising from medical practices are not worth more than three* years’ purchase, which would be less than one-tenth of a realized capital producing the same annual income. It is a gross injustice, therefore, and a most oppressive exaction, to tax at 5 1/4 d. in the pound, the precarious income of a hard-working medical man, who has been obliged to sink a considerable sum in his education, whilst the fortunate possessor of an income from real property, an income which places him in easy and independent circumstances, will only have to pay 7d. So much for the boasted impartiality of British law! I trust that every medical practitioner in the kingdom will petition against so unequal a tax. I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, W. P. BROOKES. Much-Wenlock, Dec. 1852.

SIR,-If

*

THE POSITION OF THE PATIENT IN TAPPING OVARIAN CYSTS. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,-IN THE LANCET of the 20th ult., you did me the favour to publish a short paper " On the Position of the Patient in Tapping Ovarian Cysts," in which I may briefly say that I gave credit to Dr. Simpson, of Edinburgh, for having proposed that this operation should be performed with the sufferer lying down, rather than sitting in the upright posture, as is usually done. I have since learnt, howeverwhat I ought to have known before-that Professor Fergusson has not only long been in the habit of operating in the manner suggested, but that he has also advocated this mode of proceeding in the last two editions of his work on Surgery, as well as in his surgical lectures at King’s College; and conse-

quently the credit bestowed upon Dr. Simpson is due to Mr. Fergusson. Although the modification suggested may at first sight seem unimportant, yet I think this will not appear to be

when it is remembered how much the success of most upon attention to minute circumstances; but I ara at all events anxious to correct the error I have committed, since it is generally allowed that the old proverb, " Palmam qui meruit ferat," should be on all occasions borne I am, Sir, your obedient servant, in mind. T. H. TANNER. Charlotte-street, Bedford-square, the

case

operations depends

LOCK HOSPITALS. To the Editor of THE LANCET. December, 1852. SIR,-I think the subject of the following letter deserves the attentive consideration of those who have the will and the power to benefit the condition of our soldiers and sailors. I allude to the UNQUALIFIED ASSISTANTS AND THE propriety of establishing Lock hospitals at our great naval ports, MEDICAL BILL. for that unfortunate class of females, who are the means of proTo the Editor of THE LANCET. pagating a disease fearful in its consequences, and without doubt a very powerful cause of sapping the foundations of our nation’s SIR,-The New Medical Bill is well worthy of the profession! It would take away the power of visiting, attending midwifery, in of The annual incurred the treatment strength. expense syphilitic cases at our military and naval hospitals, is enormous; and prescribing from the chemists, which is now being done and even on the ground of economy, the subject is worthy of the under my nose so often as to render such matters ordinary attention of Government. I understand that the physicians and occurrences ; but not a word about qualified men of any surgeons of our naval hospitals have repeatedly recommended to grade using " unqualified assistants" to scheme the thing for the Admiralty the propriety of adopting the plan now suggested. them. It has also been proposed, that the old custom of charging a * It is seldom that more than two years’ purchase can be obtained.certain sum from all patients admitted with the disease in question ED. L. -

558 The advertising columns of your last week’s impression ledge-of having studied practical pharmacy for six months-of might suggest an idea to Mr. Hastings. I will make a few having attended lectures on anatomy and physiology, with demonstrations and dissections, during two winter sessions-of extracts:having attended one course of lectures on the practice of mediWanted, an assistant, who has a knowledge of midwifery; cine-of having attended one course of lectures on the practice not qualification necessary." of surgery-of having attended the medical practice of a hospital " to and an Wanted, visit, dispense, unqualified assistant, during twelve months-of having attended the surgical practice attend midwifery." of a recognised hospital during twelve months - of having Now, Mr. Editor, would you allow wife, sister, or daughter attended one course of lectures on midwifery and the diseases of to be attended by unqualified hands? Your answer is certain. women and children-and of having personally conducted thirty Then why complain of the chemists, when such things are labours. advertised by the profession for the use of the profession? EDMUND BELFOUR, Sec. August 10th, 1852. The Apothecaries’ Company have a standard for the qualification of dispensing assistants; but where are the medical men who employ such assistants, or who have any further Medical News. test for the safety of their patients than what the state of the ? afford market may dispensing-assistant ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS. The following I am, Sir, yours faithfully, gentlemen having undergone the necessary examinations for J. W. EDMONDS. Camberwelt, Dec. 1852. the diploma, were admitted Members of the College at the meeting of the Court of Examiners, on the 3rd inst. :UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL.— ARNISON, GEORGE, Allendale, Northumberland. THE OPERATIONS. "

-

To the Editor

of THE LANCET. SIR,-Knowing you always to he a friend to the student, I have taken the liberty of addressing you. Will you allow me, through the medium of your excellent journal, to address a few words to those in authority at University College Hospital. In the operating theatre of that institution, a board is placed against the wall, stating that no one is allowed to stand in the area, (during an operation,) except the surgeon and his assistants. Now, instead of this being the case, it is quite the contrary; for on Friday last, during an amputation, I counted no less than sixteen persons surrounding the table on which the patient was placed, so that no one but themselves could see hardly anything of what was going on. Now, Sir, 1 think you will agree with me in saying this is too bad; for after paying large fees for hospital practice, we should not be debarred from receiving the full benefitarising from the same;’ by strangers and others who casually drop in on those days when operations are going on. By inserting this note you will be doing a great favour to the students attached to that Institution; for I know that many of them, as well as myself, think that such proceedings ought

BEAL, PHILIP, Guernsey. MACLIMONT, ROBERT, New York. NORTH, SAMUEL WiLLIAM, York. ROUSE, JOHN OLIVER, Great Torrington, Devon. RUTTER, THEODORE WILLIAM, Clapton. TAIT, EDWARD WILMHURST, Heytesbury, Wiltshire. W RIOHT, THOMAS, Kilkenny.

NEW FELLOWS.-The

following members of the College, the necessary examinations for the distinction, were admitted Fellows of the College at the meeting of the Council on the 9th inst. :CoE, ROBERT WILLIAM, Bristol; diploma dated April 26, 1844. GODFREY, JAMES, Bristol, October 4, 1836. LEWIS, THEOPH. CARACTACUS, New Kent-road, Aug. 28,1843. LISTER, JOSEPH, Upton, Essex. OTWAY, CHARLES WILLIAM CARROL, Canterbury-row, Kennington, July 4, 1838. SKINNER, GEORGE ROBERT, Bath, January 22,1847.

having undergone

UNIVERSITY

OF

LONDON.-M.D.

EXAMINATION,

(1852.)-First Division: Armitage, Thomas Rhodes, King’s College; Bristowe, John Syer, St. Thomas’s Hospital; Bucknill, John Charles, University College; Cowdell, Charles, Univerto have an end. I am, Sir, yours obediently, sity College; Griffith, Samuel, King’s College; Jackson, Alfred, University College; Reynolds, John Russell, University ColONE OF THE UNFORTUNATES. Gower-place, Dec., 1852. lege ; Shearman, Charles James, University College; Woodforde, Wm. Thos. Garrett, University College.-Second Division : Drury, James Samuel, adjoining St. George’s ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF ENGLAND. Hospital. 1I{.B. SECOND EXAMINATION, (1852.)-PASS EXAMINATION.Regulations of the Council respecting the Professional Education of First Division: Bridgwater, Thos., King’s College; Cammack, Candidates for the Certificate of Qualification in Midwifery. Thomas Armstrong, University College; Hornidge, Thomas 1. PERSONS who are now, or who shall prior to the 1st day of King, St. George’s Hospital; Jordan, Robert Coane Roberts, King’s College; Lister, Joseph, B.A., University College; January, 1853, become Fellows or Members of the College, will Littleton, Thomas, University College; Pavy, Frederick be admitted to examination for the certificate of qualification in William, Guy’s Hospital; Rooke, Thomas Morley, Guy’s their diploma. midwifery upon producing John Henry, University College.Trouncer, Hospital; of Members the College subse2. Persons who shall become Division: William Second Gaye, University College; quently to the 1st of January, 1853, will be admitted to examina- Parfitt, Henry, King’s College; Thomas, Rice, Bernard, St. Bartholotion on producing their diploma, together with a certificate or mew’s Hospital ; Roberts, Elias Jones, Richmond Hospital, certificates of having attended twenty labours. Dublin. 3. Members or licentiates of any legally constituted College EXAMINATION FOR HONOURS.-Physiology and Comparative of Surgeons in the United Kingdom, and graduates in surgery of Anatomy: Hornidge, Thomas King, (Scholarship and Gold will also obtain residence to degrees, any University requiring St. Medal,) George’s Hospital; Jordan, R. C. Roberts, (Gold be admitted to examination on producing, together with their King’s College; Pavy, Frederick William, Guy’s diploma, licence, or degree, proof of being twenty-one years of Medal,) Rooke, Thomas Morley, Guy’s Hospital, equales; age--of having been occupied four years in theacqairement of pro- Hospital, Lister, B.A., University College.-Surgery: Lister, Joseph, on fessional knowledge-of having attended one course of lectures B.A., (Scholarship and Gold Medal,) University Colmidwifery-and of having attended not less than twenty labours. Joseph, Thos. King, (Gold Medal,) St. George’s Hos4. Graduates in medicine of any legally constituted College or lege ; Hornidge, Frederick William, Guy’s Hospital; Littleton, pital ; Pavy, also be residence to obtain will University requiring degrees, Thomas Morley, Guy’s admitted to examination on producing, together with their Thomas, University College; Rooke, Thomas, Bridgwater, College.-Medicine: Hospital; King’s or of of diploma degree, proof being twenty-one years age-of Rooke, Tho. Morley, (Scholarship and Gold Medal,) Guy’s been in of four the having occupied years acquirement profesFrederick Wm., (Gold Medal,) Guy’s Hossional knowledge-of having completed, at a recognised school Hospital; Pavy, pital ; Bridgwater, Thomas, King’s College; Jordan, Robert or schools, the anatomical and surgical education required of Coane Roberts, King’s College; Littleton, Thomas, University candidates for the diploma of Member of the College-of having Frederick William, Guy’s Hosattended one course of lectures on midwifery-and of having College.-Midwifery: Pavy, pital. attended not less than twenty labours. ST. JAMES’S LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY.5. All other persons will be required to produce the following certificates :-Of being twenty-one years of age-of having been Amongst the many attractions which this institution offers to engaged for three years in the acquirement of professional know- its members, the various lectures now in the course of delivery