TO CORRESPONDENTS.
1
258 strengthening our case. In the words of the importal poet, we say, 11 I thanh thee, Jew, for teaching me that word." When speaking of Sir James M’Grigor, a Scotchman, they remind us of his professional assistant, Dr. Andrew Smith, another Scotchman, who, we have reason to believe, will succeed Sir James. Moreover, our professional Vales informs us, that Sir William Burnett, another Scotchman (as all assistant-sur- geons in the navy well know), is to be succeeded by a country- man, report says, Sir John Liddell. About the Gilbert Blane medal, he shows more wisdom that we gave him credit for, in saying nothing. To show the sincerity of the writer, we need only refer our readers to the Medical Times, vol. xvii., page 303, where they show that all the appointments held by the late Mr. Liston were bestowed on Scotchmen. TO CORRESPONDENTS. ALL communications sent to this journal for publication should be addressed I as follows :- To THE EDITOR OF THE LANCET, THE LANCET Office, 423, Strand, London. We hope that this intimation will receive attention, as we occasionally find that letters and papers for THE LANCET are addressed to gentlemen who are not in any respect connected with the literary departments of this publication. THE number was forwarded to Dr. Hess, as he requested. We regret that it was not sent immediately on the receipt of the note, which was, for a short time, accidentally misplaced. WE thank Mr. F. S. Garlick for his report. We do not recollect receiving a separate document in January. WE cannot notice the proceedings of such a person as Albert Isaiah Coffin, We do not believe that such a feeble creature has sufficientstrength to be the author of mischief ; but should the reverse prove to be the fact, he will receive his quietus. If we had a medical college which really and truly represented the opinions and interests of the profession, the odious vermin that now fatten on the credulity of the public would be speedily annihilated, Mr. George Wilson (Leeds) shall receive a private note. Mr. Newman.-Such places are advertised as being in existence; but we cannot recommend them, as we fear they are for the most part under the control of quacks. There may be exceptions, but we believe the rule is the practice. If Mr. Newman will take the trouble of describing the particulars of the case, and the position in life of the party, it is just pos- sible that we may be enabled to answer the object of his inquiry. WE are sorry that Dr. Forge took the trouble to return the paper. WE beg to inform Afr. W. Westwood that his letter of the 14th instant has never reached us. We have sent him THE LANCET for the 5th of January, which we request him to accept. A Medical Assistant’s communication requires some corrections before it shall be published. Are there not weighty deductions made from the sums mentioned, for allowances of various kinds? ’ WE have received a note purporting to be written by Mr. Eyre, of No. 2, Fitzroy-street, Fitzroy-square, requesting us to contradict a statement relative to a sale of a medical partnership which had appeared in an advertisement in the Times newspaper. It is stated that the advertise- ment was published without any authority. Probably the note which we have now received has been sent to us by the trickster who was the author of the advertisement. We have no means of deciding. Knocks will find relief by applying to any respectable surgeon. A Constant Subscriber.-Yes, certainly. WE have to inform our friend Mr. Churchill that there is no general law on the subject. Payments at the assizes are regulated by orders signed by the judges. But we have also to state that the allowances vary in different places, and that in some instances they are most discreditably insufficient. IN writing on the subject of the questions which were propounded by Mr. Jackson, of Islington, in THE LANCET of Jan. 26, p. 118, Mr. R. W. Gil- lespie, of the Durham County Infirmary, amongst other remarks, writes as follows:- To the Editor of Tii LANCET. SiR,—It certainly would be interesting to learn how Mr. Jackson gets rid of the tis ii tergo and other influences which effect the propulsion of the venous blood in the other parts of the body, and how lie dispenses with their influence on what he terms his hepatic afferent vessel; also, as Mr. Jackson seems to place the spleen in parallelism with the heart, an account of its physiological action as a propetting agent might afford in- struction. Again ; might not Mr. Jackson with advantage explain the dis- tention of the lacteals observed when an animal has been kilted or a man hanged some time after taking food, and while digestion was going on? Nor is this all ; but also how it is that analyses of the chyle in the thoracic duct show such a decided difference between it and lymph, both in colour and in the quantity of solid albumino—fibrinous constituents? A little eclaircissement on such points as these would, so far as I am concerned, be necessary before implicitly confiding in the new dogmas ; and I anticipate you, Sir, will agree in thinking, that when an attempt is made to supersede old-established physiological theories, it is of the first importance to estahlish the new and overthrow the old doctrine by some very carefully conducted series of experiments. J. 0. S. should add the aromatic spirit of ammonia to the tincture; let it stand forty-eight hours; then filter and dilute, or rather, fill up the mix- ture with distilled water. The addition of a powerful alkali like ammonia to vegetable tinctures frequently gives rise to insoluble precipitates. Gentian contains pectic acid, which forms an insoluble compound with lime. Did J. 0. S. use common water ? H. H. Baldock.—We are unable to answer the question. We have made many inquiries, but without success. Ignoramus is correct. It has indeed a very leaden appearance. JUST as we were going to press, we discovered that Mr. Synzzot’s letter is j amongst the excluded communications which were intended for the pre- sent number. Care shall be taken that such an accident shall not occur next week. Dr. Bascome shall receive a private note. WE regret that we have not space this week for the communication of Dr. Philip B. Ayres. A lIIedical Pupil is informed that we believe he would be admitted to an examination under the circumstances he has stated, and we advise him to commence his studies forthwith. G. B., &c., (Stafford.)-The colleges are separate. The degree is granted by the university. Aberdeen stands first of the universities mentioned. Mr. W. Finer, surgeon, suggests that leaden coffins might be entirely dis- pensed with if coffins containing bodies were filled up with Roman cement, in a semi- fluid state. The wood would rot away, and leave stone coffins. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,— Your correspondent, an Englishman, seems highly indignant that English medical men should be thought capable of so gross an act as inquir- ing after each others welfare, and that a contrast should be made to the custom in Scotland of conversing on scientific topics. Now, really, as nobody is ever known to make any money in Scotland, I think that the difference of conversation is not so very much to be wondered at. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, TOMASO. THE communications of A Member of the Committee of the Associated Surgeons of England, Dr. Hearne, An Injured Member, &c., on the proceedings of the Council of the College of Surgeons, shall be published in our next number. If the " Member of the Committee," &c., will send his address, he shall receive a proof of his letter, a portion of which can- not be read at the printing- office. Mr. E. J. Wilson.—We believe that the application would fail, and we fear therefore7 that the attempt would only end in the triumph of parties who ought to be completely defeated. A PORTION of the letter of a Medical Assistant shall be published at an early period. WE have before us a breviate of the Bill which has been introduced into the House of Commons by the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glas- gow. It is only right that we should publish, without postponement, the following paragraph from the breviate. The provision it contains wil!, we suspect, somewhat startle the Council in Lincoln’s-inn-fields; but where will they apply for help ?- "FACULTY OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS OF GLASGOW. Extension of Privileges.-The Bill provides that the fellows and members of the Royal College shall respectively enjoy the same status and privileges in the practice of their profession, and be equally eligible to the same offices in connexion therewith throughout her Majesty’s dominions, as the fellows and members of any other royal college authorized by law to grant licences or diplomas in surgery ; but this Act is not to interfere with any exclusive privileges heretofore granted by competent authority to any other royal college or corporation, so long as the same shall remain in force and unre- repealed." Querist.—Mr. Thomas Wakley is "the Surgeon of the Hospital," and Mr. H. Membury Wakley is " the Deputy Coroner." COMMUNICATIONS have been received from-Mr. F. S. Woods; Mr. C. J. Moore, [(Liverpool;) Mr. W. Keane ; Dr. J. O. M’William; Mr. R. W. Gillespi,2, (Durham;) Dr. Forge, (Diiffield,) Mr. R. Gillard, (Leeds, with inclosure;) Mr. G. Edwin Lee; Air. Finer; A Medical Assistant; A Sur- geon ; Mr. T. Griffin; Dr. llassall; Mr. Harding; Dr. Ti:t; Dr. G. Web- ster ; Mr. Lusignare; Mr. Winch; Knocks; Mr. P. R. Hay ; A Constant Subscriber; Mr. Clapham; An Injured Member of the College and a General Practitioner ; Mr. R. Ta) lor, (Exeter Mr. E. J. Wilson; Tomaso ; Dr. Hearne, (Southampton A Constant Header, and One of the London Assistants; The Secretaries of the Manchester Medico Ethical Associa- tion ; Mr. Small, (Nottingham, with stamps ,) Mr. W. Nix; Mr. Hannan, (Knaresborougb, with stamps;) Veritas; Mr. D. Fumey; Mr. W. P. Brookes (Much-Wenlock;) Mr. Hawes; Mr. Earle; M.R.C.S.E.; Mr. F. S. Garlick, (Halifax;) Messrs. Brown and Green; Mr. Holland; Mr. Chapman; A Medical Pupil; Dr. E. Williams; Mr. F. Collier, ’,Ship-on- Stour, with inclosure;) Mr. George Wilson, (Leeds;) Mr. Newman, (Winchcombe; two communications;) Mr. W. Westwood, (Pontefract;) ; Mr. T. Thring, (Wilton Union;) Mr. Francis Bulhn; N. H.; Mr. L. Bowles; Mr. S. J. Ashton, (Xurthumbetland;) Mr. J. Godding, (Oxton;) Medicus, (Carlisle;) Mr. Onidge; Mr. Bleek, (Warmins’er.) Dr. Herbert Davies; Mr, Farr; Mr. li. Brown, (·.,ith inclosure;) Mr. J. Potts; A Surgeon; Mr. Haythornewhite; A Member of the Committee of the Asso- ciated Surgeons of England; Dr. Bascome; Dr. Ayres; Preface to the Regulations of the Court of Exam:ners of the Society of Apothecaries ; Ignoramus ; and also a great number of paragraphs and newspapers.
Transcript of TO CORRESPONDENTS.
258
strengthening our case. In the words of the importal poet, wesay,
11 I thanh thee, Jew, for teaching me that word." When
speaking of Sir James M’Grigor, a Scotchman, they remindus of his professional assistant, Dr. Andrew Smith, anotherScotchman, who, we have reason to believe, will succeed SirJames. Moreover, our professional Vales informs us, that SirWilliam Burnett, another Scotchman (as all assistant-sur-geons in the navy well know), is to be succeeded by a country-man, report says, Sir John Liddell. About the Gilbert Blanemedal, he shows more wisdom that we gave him credit for, insaying nothing. To show the sincerity of the writer, we needonly refer our readers to the Medical Times, vol. xvii., page303, where they show that all the appointments held by thelate Mr. Liston were bestowed on Scotchmen.
TO CORRESPONDENTS.
ALL communications sent to this journal for publication should be addressed Ias follows :-To THE EDITOR OF THE LANCET,
THE LANCET Office,
423, Strand, London.
We hope that this intimation will receive attention, as we occasionallyfind that letters and papers for THE LANCET are addressed to gentlemenwho are not in any respect connected with the literary departments ofthis publication.
THE number was forwarded to Dr. Hess, as he requested. We regret thatit was not sent immediately on the receipt of the note, which was, for ashort time, accidentally misplaced.
WE thank Mr. F. S. Garlick for his report. We do not recollect receiving aseparate document in January.
WE cannot notice the proceedings of such a person as Albert Isaiah Coffin,We do not believe that such a feeble creature has sufficientstrength to bethe author of mischief ; but should the reverse prove to be the fact, hewill receive his quietus. If we had a medical college which really andtruly represented the opinions and interests of the profession, the odiousvermin that now fatten on the credulity of the public would be speedilyannihilated,
Mr. George Wilson (Leeds) shall receive a private note.Mr. Newman.-Such places are advertised as being in existence; but wecannot recommend them, as we fear they are for the most part underthe control of quacks. There may be exceptions, but we believe the ruleis the practice. If Mr. Newman will take the trouble of describing theparticulars of the case, and the position in life of the party, it is just pos-sible that we may be enabled to answer the object of his inquiry.
WE are sorry that Dr. Forge took the trouble to return the paper.WE beg to inform Afr. W. Westwood that his letter of the 14th instant hasnever reached us. We have sent him THE LANCET for the 5th of January,which we request him to accept.
A Medical Assistant’s communication requires some corrections before itshall be published. Are there not weighty deductions made from the sumsmentioned, for allowances of various kinds?
’
WE have received a note purporting to be written by Mr. Eyre, of No. 2,Fitzroy-street, Fitzroy-square, requesting us to contradict a statementrelative to a sale of a medical partnership which had appeared in anadvertisement in the Times newspaper. It is stated that the advertise-
ment was published without any authority. Probably the note which wehave now received has been sent to us by the trickster who was theauthor of the advertisement. We have no means of deciding.
Knocks will find relief by applying to any respectable surgeon.A Constant Subscriber.-Yes, certainly.WE have to inform our friend Mr. Churchill that there is no general law on
the subject. Payments at the assizes are regulated by orders signed by thejudges. But we have also to state that the allowances vary in different
places, and that in some instances they are most discreditably insufficient.IN writing on the subject of the questions which were propounded by Mr.Jackson, of Islington, in THE LANCET of Jan. 26, p. 118, Mr. R. W. Gil-lespie, of the Durham County Infirmary, amongst other remarks, writes asfollows:-
To the Editor of Tii LANCET.SiR,—It certainly would be interesting to learn how Mr. Jackson gets rid
of the tis ii tergo and other influences which effect the propulsion of thevenous blood in the other parts of the body, and how lie dispenses withtheir influence on what he terms his hepatic afferent vessel; also, asMr. Jackson seems to place the spleen in parallelism with the heart, anaccount of its physiological action as a propetting agent might afford in-struction. Again ; might not Mr. Jackson with advantage explain the dis-tention of the lacteals observed when an animal has been kilted or a manhanged some time after taking food, and while digestion was going on?Nor is this all ; but also how it is that analyses of the chyle in the thoracicduct show such a decided difference between it and lymph, both in colourand in the quantity of solid albumino—fibrinous constituents? A littleeclaircissement on such points as these would, so far as I am concerned, benecessary before implicitly confiding in the new dogmas ; and I anticipateyou, Sir, will agree in thinking, that when an attempt is made to supersedeold-established physiological theories, it is of the first importance to estahlishthe new and overthrow the old doctrine by some very carefully conductedseries of experiments.
J. 0. S. should add the aromatic spirit of ammonia to the tincture; let itstand forty-eight hours; then filter and dilute, or rather, fill up the mix-ture with distilled water. The addition of a powerful alkali like ammoniato vegetable tinctures frequently gives rise to insoluble precipitates.Gentian contains pectic acid, which forms an insoluble compound withlime. Did J. 0. S. use common water ?
H. H. Baldock.—We are unable to answer the question. We have made
many inquiries, but without success.
Ignoramus is correct. It has indeed a very leaden appearance.JUST as we were going to press, we discovered that Mr. Synzzot’s letter is
j amongst the excluded communications which were intended for the pre-sent number. Care shall be taken that such an accident shall not occurnext week.
Dr. Bascome shall receive a private note.WE regret that we have not space this week for the communication of Dr.
Philip B. Ayres.A lIIedical Pupil is informed that we believe he would be admitted to anexamination under the circumstances he has stated, and we advise him tocommence his studies forthwith.
G. B., &c., (Stafford.)-The colleges are separate. The degree is grantedby the university. Aberdeen stands first of the universities mentioned.
Mr. W. Finer, surgeon, suggests that leaden coffins might be entirely dis-pensed with if coffins containing bodies were filled up with Roman cement,in a semi- fluid state. The wood would rot away, and leave stone coffins.
To the Editor of THE LANCET.
SIR,— Your correspondent, an Englishman, seems highly indignant thatEnglish medical men should be thought capable of so gross an act as inquir-ing after each others welfare, and that a contrast should be made to thecustom in Scotland of conversing on scientific topics. Now, really, asnobody is ever known to make any money in Scotland, I think that thedifference of conversation is not so very much to be wondered at.
I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,TOMASO.
THE communications of A Member of the Committee of the AssociatedSurgeons of England, Dr. Hearne, An Injured Member, &c., on the
proceedings of the Council of the College of Surgeons, shall be publishedin our next number. If the " Member of the Committee," &c., will sendhis address, he shall receive a proof of his letter, a portion of which can-not be read at the printing- office.
Mr. E. J. Wilson.—We believe that the application would fail, and we feartherefore7 that the attempt would only end in the triumph of parties whoought to be completely defeated.
A PORTION of the letter of a Medical Assistant shall be published at anearly period.
WE have before us a breviate of the Bill which has been introduced into theHouse of Commons by the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glas-gow. It is only right that we should publish, without postponement, thefollowing paragraph from the breviate. The provision it contains wil!, wesuspect, somewhat startle the Council in Lincoln’s-inn-fields; but wherewill they apply for help ?-
"FACULTY OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS OF GLASGOW.
Extension of Privileges.-The Bill provides that the fellows and membersof the Royal College shall respectively enjoy the same status and privilegesin the practice of their profession, and be equally eligible to the same officesin connexion therewith throughout her Majesty’s dominions, as the fellowsand members of any other royal college authorized by law to grant licencesor diplomas in surgery ; but this Act is not to interfere with any exclusiveprivileges heretofore granted by competent authority to any other royalcollege or corporation, so long as the same shall remain in force and unre-repealed."Querist.—Mr. Thomas Wakley is "the Surgeon of the Hospital," and Mr.H. Membury Wakley is " the Deputy Coroner."
COMMUNICATIONS have been received from-Mr. F. S. Woods; Mr. C. J.Moore, [(Liverpool;) Mr. W. Keane ; Dr. J. O. M’William; Mr. R. W.
Gillespi,2, (Durham;) Dr. Forge, (Diiffield,) Mr. R. Gillard, (Leeds, withinclosure;) Mr. G. Edwin Lee; Air. Finer; A Medical Assistant; A Sur-geon ; Mr. T. Griffin; Dr. llassall; Mr. Harding; Dr. Ti:t; Dr. G. Web-ster ; Mr. Lusignare; Mr. Winch; Knocks; Mr. P. R. Hay ; A ConstantSubscriber; Mr. Clapham; An Injured Member of the College and aGeneral Practitioner ; Mr. R. Ta) lor, (Exeter Mr. E. J. Wilson; Tomaso ;Dr. Hearne, (Southampton A Constant Header, and One of the LondonAssistants; The Secretaries of the Manchester Medico Ethical Associa-tion ; Mr. Small, (Nottingham, with stamps ,) Mr. W. Nix; Mr. Hannan,(Knaresborougb, with stamps;) Veritas; Mr. D. Fumey; Mr. W. P.Brookes (Much-Wenlock;) Mr. Hawes; Mr. Earle; M.R.C.S.E.; Mr. F.S. Garlick, (Halifax;) Messrs. Brown and Green; Mr. Holland; Mr.Chapman; A Medical Pupil; Dr. E. Williams; Mr. F. Collier, ’,Ship-on-Stour, with inclosure;) Mr. George Wilson, (Leeds;) Mr. Newman,(Winchcombe; two communications;) Mr. W. Westwood, (Pontefract;) ;Mr. T. Thring, (Wilton Union;) Mr. Francis Bulhn; N. H.; Mr. L.
Bowles; Mr. S. J. Ashton, (Xurthumbetland;) Mr. J. Godding, (Oxton;)Medicus, (Carlisle;) Mr. Onidge; Mr. Bleek, (Warmins’er.) Dr. HerbertDavies; Mr, Farr; Mr. li. Brown, (·.,ith inclosure;) Mr. J. Potts; ASurgeon; Mr. Haythornewhite; A Member of the Committee of the Asso-ciated Surgeons of England; Dr. Bascome; Dr. Ayres; Preface to theRegulations of the Court of Exam:ners of the Society of Apothecaries ;Ignoramus ; and also a great number of paragraphs and newspapers.
