- Email: [email protected]
UTERINE HÆMORRHAGE FROM IDIOSYNCRASY.
941 cases, in which a themselves with an aair of thi$kind by their regood reason, but f01 presentatives. These logicians, Sir, are the the sake, perhaps, of annoying his prose- original proposers of the action ; men who cutors only, procures a writ of certiorari, stand accountable in the books of the attorand thus increases the expense. As this ney, and they are amazingly eloquent in hadnot been my motive, (which consisted in i preaching charity sermons for themselves. I am sure that you, Sir, and every just an entire distrust of the judicial impartiality, ’i and indeed ability, of the magistrates, and (to say nothing of generous) individual, will in an apprehension of general prejudice,) I be pleased to hear of the final defeat of that, readily assented to the proposition of my which you have so truly characterised as a
which
provides for those
defendant, without
any
that the order for payment of costs opposed. This gentleman, (Mr. Coleridge, to whom I wish I could express my concurrence in the general high opinion which is entertained of his legal knowledge, and of his clear and classical eloquence,) further grounded his opposition on an affidavit, made by a gentleman of Exeter, stating, that he had heard the nominal prosecutors ; those poor friends, namely, of the deceased, in whose names the whole had been conducted, and who are considered the actual prosecutors in law, declare, that they had not instituted any proceedings at all, that they had expended nothing, but that, on the contrary, they had been paid for their time and trouble, and that they did not make the m’esent application for costs. The fact is. that had been raised by the nages of the vestry-meeting, who, with their proverbial generosity, had voted the necessary sums out o/’ (Ae poc7(ets of the parishioners ! The law required that the actual Two.ecutnrs should have suffered pecuniary loss, which, being denied by affidavit, of course no costs
paltry persecution.
I had almost said second because it is matter of common observation, that this second attempt (which one could pity, were it not so very ridiculous) arose out of the galling recollection, that I had been screened even from pecuniary punishment, by a high-minded effort of the free medical press, which had opened, as if by magic, the hands of a generous and zealous profession. The time when students of anatomy will not be exposed to these vexatious attacks, is, I hope, very fast approaching ; and if, in the mean time, any should be subjected to them, I heartily wish them the support with which I have been honoured, and (what would not be half so gratifying, however,) more liberal, that is to say, better instructed prosecutors.
counsel,
should be
money
defeat;
perso
With continued admiration, 1 am,
,
’
Sir,
Your most obedient servant, ’V1B[. COOKE. WM. London, March 22nd, 1828.
awarded to them;and as to the illustrious holders of the parish helm, they are " rich fellows enough, and some that have had losses." I have been informed that the money is now in process of collection from all the pa- ’, rishioners, and that they are so far from cordial in their obedience to the parish admi-’ nistration, that it has been necessary to make a show of that authority with wliich it is so ,u,is8ly endowed. I cannot, Sir, describe the tardiness of this payment : " The line must labour, and the words move slow." were
’
Here, forgetfulness is pleaded : there is
declaring that he hates oppression: a third willing that anatomy should be studied, having lately become convinced of its utility. A fourth, who never doubted this, is of opione
is
nion, that occasional disinterments of poor people ought to be connived at. There are a
UTERINE HÆMORRHAGE FROM IDIOSYN-
CRASY.
To the Editor
of THE LANCET.
SIR,-In the last of Dr. Blundell’s valuable lectures, (being that on After-Floodthe following are made :ings) " Some women there are, from idiosyncrasy, peculiarly liable to bleeding ; and very undesirable patients they are ; the probability being, that they will ultimately die under your hands. Hence it becomes a in cases of after-flooclings, whether we can use any means of prevention. jB’ow, as 1 am in general called to cases in which the flooding has commenced before my arrival, I have had very little opportunity of seeing the effect of any preventive practice, and cannot, therefore, from my own experience, enlarge upon this topic." Not long since 1 met with a case which, as it bears on the above remarks, may not be uninteresting. I engaged to attend a woman in her approaching labour, and, on questioning her, I found that she had been delivered of nine children; and that, immediately on the birth of each child, flooding came on to such an extent, that for upwards
observations
question
few who stoutly maintain the propriety of the late prosecution. They hold, that those who so much encourage disinterment in ever so indirect a way, connive at a vile sacrilegious trespass, not to say a burglary. Next, they contend, that as this is the case of all such persons, much more is the character of the parishioners at stake, who have connected of twelve hours she remained in
a state
of
942 syncope, inducing extreme debility, from nothing but the truth," under the penalty which she did not recover for many months. of his soul’s perdition for his perjury. But In the major part of her labours she was the cant of ex pM’te criticism, and the merce. attended by one practitioner, who always nary character of our periodical press, have remained with her twelve or fourteen hours become proverbial. It is a stigma on about nine-tenths of our literary indicators, that after the delivery had been effected. Under these circumstances, I desired her the self eulogy of laborious independence is to send for me at the very commencement on their lips, while the serpent envy coils of her labour, which she did ; and I imme- around their hearts. Their comments aie diately procured a quantity of ice, and im- argumenta ad hominem ; and (still to speak mersed in it a jug of spring water. The metaphorically) as the really brilliant lights labour proceeded naturally and rapidly ; as of science, or the paltry gods of their own soon as the child’s head had cleared the vulva, idolatry, may be the subjects of their criti. and while the shoulders were yet undeliver- cism, so do they dip their pens into the gall ed, I gave my patient a tumbler full of the of invidious satire, or the sympathetic ink ice-cold liquid ; the body of the child was of servile flattery, easily deciphered, howquickly liberated ; the placenta followed in ever, by the penetratingglance of real and about two minutes ; the due contractions ofcandid impartiality. I confess, Sir, that the uterus were indicated by after-pains ; a such is the distrust and suspicion which I very moderate quantity of blood escaped ; have long entertained for most of our critical and my patient expressed much surprise analyses, that I regard them in the same and pleasure at her exemption from her light as I do the fulsome eulogiums of the usual tax. A very slight shivering was the ignorant parent, dazzled with some very only untoward symptom ; but this I was pre- slight good quality in her child, and blind pared for, and did not attempt to relieve. to its thousand defects and deformities. It quickly passed, and within half an hour These critics are, indeed, little better than after the delivery I left the house, well the sectarian bigot ; for while the one will pleased that I had apparently saved myself warp and mutilate the holy records to suit his own selfish views, (for even the devil many hours of trouble and anxiety. It may be necessary to state, that I en- can cite scripture to his purpose,") adducing deavoured to ascertain whether, in the only those texts which seem to throw light former labours, the placenta was quickly on his own dogmas, so will the other, in expelled, and whether there were any after- servile obedience to the literary despot who pains ; but the woman’s insensibility at the rules him with a rod of iron, trumpet forth time precluded the possibility of her afford- the virtues and abilities of all those satellites ing me any information on the subject, and who revolve round this great Jupíte’!’ Bibliit unfortunately happened, that a removal opola, however impeachable may be the one, from the country to the metropolis obliged or shallow and erroneous the other. Such reviewers her to change her nurse. I have the honour to be, Sir, of author’s names, not works, and Your obedient humble servant, " Judge then J. G. EVANS. Nor praise, nor blame the writings, but March 20, 1828. the men." St. Alban’s Place. All who have reflected on this subject, will feel and acknowledge that this imputation may be justly cast on the great maON MEDICAL CRITICISM. jority of reviewers in general literature. It would lead me, however, into digression, were I to take so comprehensive a view of the subject. My remarks shall peculiarly To the Editor of THE LANCET. apply to the literature of our own profes" sion; that profession which is capable, pre ’Tis hard to say, if greater want of skill Appear in writing, or in judging, ill; aliis, of conferring incalculable benefits on But,of the two, less dangerous is th’ offenct’, mankind, if liberally cultivated, and jitdiTo tire our patience, than mislead our sense." ciously defended, but which must of necesAMONG the professors of politics and me- sity fail of attaining its full grade of perfecdical literature, the pretensions to inde- tion, while that Auga;an stable, from which pendence are so universal, that a stranger the streams of its degradation have so long to the trickery of authorship, and the cant flowed, shall remain uncleansed. But, leavof literary hypocrisy, would naturally con- ing this Herculean task to wiser heads clude that the opinions of the critic were and more powerful sinews, I venture to quite under a bond, as secure as the solemn offer a few brief remarks on a subject of guarantee of a legal witness’s oath, which no less importance to the march of medical enjoiua him to speak " the whole truth, and intellect-the duties oj’medim critimm.
which
provides for those
defendant, without
any
that the order for payment of costs opposed. This gentleman, (Mr. Coleridge, to whom I wish I could express my concurrence in the general high opinion which is entertained of his legal knowledge, and of his clear and classical eloquence,) further grounded his opposition on an affidavit, made by a gentleman of Exeter, stating, that he had heard the nominal prosecutors ; those poor friends, namely, of the deceased, in whose names the whole had been conducted, and who are considered the actual prosecutors in law, declare, that they had not instituted any proceedings at all, that they had expended nothing, but that, on the contrary, they had been paid for their time and trouble, and that they did not make the m’esent application for costs. The fact is. that had been raised by the nages of the vestry-meeting, who, with their proverbial generosity, had voted the necessary sums out o/’ (Ae poc7(ets of the parishioners ! The law required that the actual Two.ecutnrs should have suffered pecuniary loss, which, being denied by affidavit, of course no costs
paltry persecution.
I had almost said second because it is matter of common observation, that this second attempt (which one could pity, were it not so very ridiculous) arose out of the galling recollection, that I had been screened even from pecuniary punishment, by a high-minded effort of the free medical press, which had opened, as if by magic, the hands of a generous and zealous profession. The time when students of anatomy will not be exposed to these vexatious attacks, is, I hope, very fast approaching ; and if, in the mean time, any should be subjected to them, I heartily wish them the support with which I have been honoured, and (what would not be half so gratifying, however,) more liberal, that is to say, better instructed prosecutors.
counsel,
should be
money
defeat;
perso
With continued admiration, 1 am,
,
’
Sir,
Your most obedient servant, ’V1B[. COOKE. WM. London, March 22nd, 1828.
awarded to them;and as to the illustrious holders of the parish helm, they are " rich fellows enough, and some that have had losses." I have been informed that the money is now in process of collection from all the pa- ’, rishioners, and that they are so far from cordial in their obedience to the parish admi-’ nistration, that it has been necessary to make a show of that authority with wliich it is so ,u,is8ly endowed. I cannot, Sir, describe the tardiness of this payment : " The line must labour, and the words move slow." were
’
Here, forgetfulness is pleaded : there is
declaring that he hates oppression: a third willing that anatomy should be studied, having lately become convinced of its utility. A fourth, who never doubted this, is of opione
is
nion, that occasional disinterments of poor people ought to be connived at. There are a
UTERINE HÆMORRHAGE FROM IDIOSYN-
CRASY.
To the Editor
of THE LANCET.
SIR,-In the last of Dr. Blundell’s valuable lectures, (being that on After-Floodthe following are made :ings) " Some women there are, from idiosyncrasy, peculiarly liable to bleeding ; and very undesirable patients they are ; the probability being, that they will ultimately die under your hands. Hence it becomes a in cases of after-flooclings, whether we can use any means of prevention. jB’ow, as 1 am in general called to cases in which the flooding has commenced before my arrival, I have had very little opportunity of seeing the effect of any preventive practice, and cannot, therefore, from my own experience, enlarge upon this topic." Not long since 1 met with a case which, as it bears on the above remarks, may not be uninteresting. I engaged to attend a woman in her approaching labour, and, on questioning her, I found that she had been delivered of nine children; and that, immediately on the birth of each child, flooding came on to such an extent, that for upwards
observations
question
few who stoutly maintain the propriety of the late prosecution. They hold, that those who so much encourage disinterment in ever so indirect a way, connive at a vile sacrilegious trespass, not to say a burglary. Next, they contend, that as this is the case of all such persons, much more is the character of the parishioners at stake, who have connected of twelve hours she remained in
a state
of
942 syncope, inducing extreme debility, from nothing but the truth," under the penalty which she did not recover for many months. of his soul’s perdition for his perjury. But In the major part of her labours she was the cant of ex pM’te criticism, and the merce. attended by one practitioner, who always nary character of our periodical press, have remained with her twelve or fourteen hours become proverbial. It is a stigma on about nine-tenths of our literary indicators, that after the delivery had been effected. Under these circumstances, I desired her the self eulogy of laborious independence is to send for me at the very commencement on their lips, while the serpent envy coils of her labour, which she did ; and I imme- around their hearts. Their comments aie diately procured a quantity of ice, and im- argumenta ad hominem ; and (still to speak mersed in it a jug of spring water. The metaphorically) as the really brilliant lights labour proceeded naturally and rapidly ; as of science, or the paltry gods of their own soon as the child’s head had cleared the vulva, idolatry, may be the subjects of their criti. and while the shoulders were yet undeliver- cism, so do they dip their pens into the gall ed, I gave my patient a tumbler full of the of invidious satire, or the sympathetic ink ice-cold liquid ; the body of the child was of servile flattery, easily deciphered, howquickly liberated ; the placenta followed in ever, by the penetratingglance of real and about two minutes ; the due contractions ofcandid impartiality. I confess, Sir, that the uterus were indicated by after-pains ; a such is the distrust and suspicion which I very moderate quantity of blood escaped ; have long entertained for most of our critical and my patient expressed much surprise analyses, that I regard them in the same and pleasure at her exemption from her light as I do the fulsome eulogiums of the usual tax. A very slight shivering was the ignorant parent, dazzled with some very only untoward symptom ; but this I was pre- slight good quality in her child, and blind pared for, and did not attempt to relieve. to its thousand defects and deformities. It quickly passed, and within half an hour These critics are, indeed, little better than after the delivery I left the house, well the sectarian bigot ; for while the one will pleased that I had apparently saved myself warp and mutilate the holy records to suit his own selfish views, (for even the devil many hours of trouble and anxiety. It may be necessary to state, that I en- can cite scripture to his purpose,") adducing deavoured to ascertain whether, in the only those texts which seem to throw light former labours, the placenta was quickly on his own dogmas, so will the other, in expelled, and whether there were any after- servile obedience to the literary despot who pains ; but the woman’s insensibility at the rules him with a rod of iron, trumpet forth time precluded the possibility of her afford- the virtues and abilities of all those satellites ing me any information on the subject, and who revolve round this great Jupíte’!’ Bibliit unfortunately happened, that a removal opola, however impeachable may be the one, from the country to the metropolis obliged or shallow and erroneous the other. Such reviewers her to change her nurse. I have the honour to be, Sir, of author’s names, not works, and Your obedient humble servant, " Judge then J. G. EVANS. Nor praise, nor blame the writings, but March 20, 1828. the men." St. Alban’s Place. All who have reflected on this subject, will feel and acknowledge that this imputation may be justly cast on the great maON MEDICAL CRITICISM. jority of reviewers in general literature. It would lead me, however, into digression, were I to take so comprehensive a view of the subject. My remarks shall peculiarly To the Editor of THE LANCET. apply to the literature of our own profes" sion; that profession which is capable, pre ’Tis hard to say, if greater want of skill Appear in writing, or in judging, ill; aliis, of conferring incalculable benefits on But,of the two, less dangerous is th’ offenct’, mankind, if liberally cultivated, and jitdiTo tire our patience, than mislead our sense." ciously defended, but which must of necesAMONG the professors of politics and me- sity fail of attaining its full grade of perfecdical literature, the pretensions to inde- tion, while that Auga;an stable, from which pendence are so universal, that a stranger the streams of its degradation have so long to the trickery of authorship, and the cant flowed, shall remain uncleansed. But, leavof literary hypocrisy, would naturally con- ing this Herculean task to wiser heads clude that the opinions of the critic were and more powerful sinews, I venture to quite under a bond, as secure as the solemn offer a few brief remarks on a subject of guarantee of a legal witness’s oath, which no less importance to the march of medical enjoiua him to speak " the whole truth, and intellect-the duties oj’medim critimm.