Pg. 358

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November 2, 2020

358

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

DEATHS REGISTERED in the Metropolis for the Week ending Saturday, September 23, 1854.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE WEEK.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Meeting of the Provincial Association.

[To the Editor of the Medical Times and Gazette. ]

Sir, —I hasten to correct an erroneous impression of your reporter in the latter part of his account of the proceedings of the late anniversary meeting of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association.

It was not because our worthy Mayor is an homoeopath, that we had not the use of the Town Hall for our “festivities,” but that, in consequence of the Corporation being so pressed for room in their present building, they had determined that no public dinner should be given for the future.

I am happy to say, that the Mayor is not an homoeopath (or he would not have been invited to our dinner), and that in his letter giving permission for the members to inspect the Town Hall, he expressed his regret that there was little worthy to be seen, but that it would afford him pleasure to use his influence to gain admission for the members to anything interesting in the city. I am, &c.

John Hatton, Hon. Sec. to Local Committee.

Oxford-street, Manchester, September 25, 1854.

The Staff of Guy’s Hospital.

[To the Editor of the Medical Times and Gazette.]

Sir,—I shall feel obliged if you will permit me, through the medium of your widely-circulated publication, to express the deep surprise and regret I felt on seeing the prospectus of Guy’s—the Hospital that has ever maintained its pre-eminence ; and it would be grievous if from any mistake it should be shorn of any of its old glory. Names great and ever to be remembered have first been pupils, and afterwards teachers, in its School. I enjoyed the benefit of lectures on comparative anatomy (now entirely discontinued), which is necessary for the examination of B.M. at the London University, and Navy Board, as also pathology and physiology, which formerly claimed each a distinct course; but now I am astonished to find these combined, for every one must be aware that physiology by itself is ample for a course. I deem it a pity, to say the least of it, that pluralities are enjoyed to so great an extent, as it serves to exclude men of well-known ability and talent; I will only instance Dr. Lloyd, Dr. Wilks, and Dr. E. L. Birkett, each clever and rising men. I regret to find Dr. Lloyd’s, name erased from the prospectus as lecturer of Guy’s—a position he filled with credit to himself and great benefit and satisfaction to the pupils. The numerous losses the School has sustained during the last few years induces me to fear, unless greater care is observed in its management, it must fall in general opinion.

Lam, &c. “An Old Pupil.”

Treatment of Cholera.

[To the Editor of the Medical Times and Gazette.]

Sir,—I have attended hundreds of cases both in 1832 and 1849, and, I am happy to say, without losing a single patient, when called in one hour prior to collapse.

The treatment consists in giving two five grain pills of gum opium, and washing them down with a draught composed of sixty minings of tinct. opii and the same quantity of spirit. ammon. aromat., and one ounce and a-half of water. In watching my patients, if I find a pill has been rejected, I give another, and even another if rejection should take place. But very rarely am I obliged to do it. In a short time, the cramps, sickness, and purging, cease, the patient complains of great thirst, liquids are freely given, which enter into the blood, liquefying the thick blood (crassamentum) left in the vessels, so as to enable circulation to go on, and the patient is saved. It has been said, that the large dose of opium is poisonous. I grant it in ordinary cases, but not in cholera. For it must be borne in mind, the constitution is in an abnormal condition. The absorbents are inactive, therefore, if I want to get four grains into the system, I must give sixteen; but, if I give only four grains, I only get one grain into the system, which is of no use whatever.

If you want to extinguish a fire, you must pour a ton of water a minute, not a pint.

Topical applications are also made use of to the abdomen, such as bags of hot salt, mustard cataplasms, turpentine embrocations, etc.

Having been so very successful myself in the treatment here laid down, I trust the members of the Medical Profession will give it a trial.

I am, &c. John Patey Baldy,

M.R.C.S. Eng., and Surgeon to the Great Steam Navigation Yard, Keyham, Devonport.

Professional Quackery.

[To the Editor of the Medical Times and Gazette. J

Sir,—The enclosed is copied from the Durham Chronicle of last week. Quackery is almost as rampant in the Profession as out of it. The exposures you are now making must, one would hope, in time, do great service. I am, &c. Gateshead.

Sept. 26, 1854.

“ Retirement of Dr. Harper.—It has been reported that the good people of Darlington are about to lose the good services of that highly – successful Medical practitioner, Alfred Harper, Esq., M.D., who. for a long series of years, has enjoyed the esteem, confidence, and friendly sympathies both of his patients and the public; and by his generous kindness, benevolence, honourable conduct, and professional skill, has endeared himself to a most extensive circle of friends, by whom his departure will be deeply regretted, We are informed he will leave behind him an able successor in F. G. Clarkson, Esq., M.D., who, during his course of professional studies at the University College, London, has highly distinguished himself, having carried off no less than six medals (besides many certificates of honour)—viz., 4 gold medals, one for the best ‘ Hospital Report,’ one for ‘Midwifery,’ one for ‘Surgery,’ one for ‘Medical Jurisprudence;’ a silver medal for ‘Medicine,’ and a silver medal for ‘ Physiology.’ We believe there are other honours in abeyance, which, at the termination of the next session, may be expected to result in the presentation of one or two additional medals. These meritorious distinctions speak strongly in favour of the gentleman’s professional capabilities, and are sufficient guarantees to insure confidence of Dr. Harper’s recommendation of his successor.”

Mr. McIllree’s paper shall be inserted.

Erratum.—Mr. Ernst, 43, Lamb’s Conduit-street, should have been inserted in the list of Surgical Instrument Makers in our Students’ Number.

M.R.C.S. and L.S.A. —The evil is so glaring that it scarcely requires further Exposure.

Dr Black’s communication arrived too late for insertion this week.

Dr. Tyerman’s case shall be inserted next week, if possible.

R. F. S.—We know of no such place where an income would be certain, but probable in almost any Continental watering place frequented by the English.

Mr. Complin’s interesting account of the castor-oil treatment of cholera in the Dreadnought shall be inserted next week.

R. A. R.—It is imperative.

COMMUNICATIONS have been received from—

Dr. Rigby ; Mr. McIllree ; Sir George Ballingall ; Mr. Taaffe ; The Lecturers at St. George’s Hospital Medical School; Mr. Rowdon ; Mr. Jones ; Mr. Hatton ; Dr. Black ; The Council of Queen’s College, Birmingham; Mr. Gibb and Mr. Wilson, Newcastle-on-Tyne ; R. F. S.; M.R.C.S. and L.S.A.; Mr. Bulley ; Dr. Ranking, Norwich]; Mr. Ransom, Cambridge ; Mr. Fletcher, Liverpool; Dr. Stokes and Dr. Lyons, Dublin; Dr. M ‘Cormack, Belfast.