SUPPRESSION OF QUACKERY

62

M. TRo{;3sEAu. Finally, Dr. LococK hasintroduced, with advantage, the use of arse-nic in cases of atonic menorrhagia, and insome other disorders of the uterine system.The labours of anatomists during the past

year have not been productive of many re-markable results ; in fact, anatomy appearsto be at a discount. The only contributionsin this department of medical science whichwe have to mention are those made by 1BIIL-

LER, the mechanic, relative to several pointsof embryology, and the valuable observa-

tions on the structure of the negro’s skin, bythe late Mr. WALLACE, of Dublin. Mr. Junnhas also furnished several anatomical facts,worthy of notice, upon the last-mentioned

subject. To Dr. KNox we are indebted for

the description of a new paras itical animal(cysticel’cus cellulosae) inhabiting the humanmuscles.

Pathological anatomy does not seem to

have been cultivated with much greater zealthan normal anatomy ; in the former depart-ment, however, we have to notice an uniquecase of anterior spina bifida, which was re-lated on the authority of an anonymous per-son, at the London Medical Society, and avery instructive case of ectopia cordis, byDr. O’BRYEN, from which may be derivedseveral facts respecting the motions and

sounds of the heart.

A sense of the importance of statistics as

applicable not only to the various relationsin which man is placed, but also to medical

science, is daily gaining ground. This maybe gathered from the various statistical

communications of the highest value whichare contained in the pages of this Journalfor the preceding year.The papers of Mr. T. R. EDMONDS oc-

cupy the first rank, for the richness, variety,and value of the materials of which theyare composed. A simple enumeration willat once show that we do not estimate too

highly the contributions made by Mr. ED-MONDS to this department of science, Theyconsist of communications on the influence

of age and selection on the mortality of themembers of the Equitable Life Insurance

Society on the duration of life in the Eng*lish peerage ; on the mortality and sicknessof soldiers engaged in war; and on the

mortality and diseases of Europeans andnatives in the East Indies. Mr.FARRhas

also furnished some valuable statistical ob-

servations on Benevolent Funds and Life As.

surance, and an important document on therate of mortality and expectation of recoveryat different periods of the Asiatic cholera.

Lastly, some points relative to the statisticsof infantile disease have been cleared up byoriginal tables, for which we are indebtedto Dr. P. HENNIS GREEN.

We have thus taken a rapid survey of thedifferent facts and observations connected

with medicine, of any importance, whichhave been published during the course ofthe year 1838. Our catalogue is, perhaps,imperfect, but it has been drawn up withconscientiousness and care.

There yet remains for consideration a

topic, almost as important as the scientificone, we mean the medico-political aspect ofthe year 1838. It has been fruitful in

events which touch the vital interests of

the profession. The Poor-Law investiga.tion has been brought to a close ; the IrishMedical Charities Bill has once again beenbrought forward and withdrawn ; the wrongsunder which the profession labours have

elicited an unexampled number of petitionsto the Legislature for redress. These, and

many other points of minor import, press

upon our recollection, but they are matterstoo weighty to be treated of towards the

close of an article.

SUPPRESSION OF QUACKERY.

DR. CEIARLES COWAN, of Reading, whofills the office of chairman of a Committeewhich has been appointed by the ProvincialMedical and Surgical Association, with theprofessed purpose of 11 investigating theevils of Quackery, and suggesting the bestmeans for its suppression," has recentlyaddressed a letter (dated Sept. 14th) to thePresident of the BRITISH MEDICAL Asso-

CIATION, begging to be informed what a

63

" the intentions of that Association on the

Isubject of empiricism. The Committee of Ithe Provincial Society, according to Dr.Cowan, are " unable to co-operate with eachother, from various circumstances," and thechairman, therefore, was naturally anxiousto derive assistance from some other quar-ter, previous to putting forward a briefstatement on the subject, in the forthcomingportion of a new volume of the " Transac-tions" of the Society. On the question ofempiricism, "if on no other," Dr. Cowansays, the British Association and the Pro-vincial Society" should be united," and hewould regard it as a misfortune if his Com-mittee were to " recommend one conrse

while the British Medical Association ad-vised another." With this feeling he hassupplied the following outline of what he11 believers to be essentially necessary forthe effectual diminution of empiricism."" 1. The abolition of all quack advertise-

ments and placards." 2. The cessation of stamps." 3. The declaring illegal all establish-

ments for the practice of medicine, not con-ducted by qualified individuals.

" 4. The appointment of district censors,whose duty it shall be to inflict medicalpenalties.

" 5. The power of summarily punishingany individual who attempts to practisewithout a diploma. 6. An easy local legislation. petitions to this effect."

In reply to this communication, Dr. WEB- I

STER, expressed his willingness to co-ope-rate with Dr. Cowan in the object alludedto, and stated the nature and extent of thelabours of the British Association for the

suppression of quackery, but pointed outthe uselessness of attempting to combat theevil by pu>°tinl legislation. He explained toDr. C., that quackery was, in reality, " partand parcel of a numerous train of evilswhich had grown np and flourished underthe supineness and misgovernment of themedical corporations," and that " applica-tions to Parliainert for separate Acts, forzanious grievances, which all proceeded fromune source, would be alike unwise and im-

politic." The President added-" Until a

comprehensive measure of medical reformshall be carried into effect, I despair of put-ting down empiricism. You would onlylop off a few of the topmost branches. I

would lay the axe to the root of the tree.* * * Our intentions are, immediately, to

take up the question of a NATIONAL FACULTYOF MEDICINE ; carefully to consider and ar-I range its details ; to solicit the opinions andco-operation of our medical brethren, and toget introduced, during the next Session ofParliament, such a measure aa will unite thescattered members of our profession into

one body, to be represented by a Council,chosen by themselves, and entrusted withfuil powers to regulate all professionalmatters. In this measnre of general reformample powers would be introduced to sup-press quackery, so far as is possible, bysome such plan ai that mentioned in yourletter."

CONDUCT OF GUARDIANS AT THESTOW UNION.

To the Editor of THE LANCRT.SIR :—Your correspondent, Mr. Fletcher

Wilson, in a late number of THE LANCET,has given a very candid, and I have nodoubt a very correct, statement of thepecuniary injury, lie has sustained by themal-operation of the New Poor - Law

tyranny ; his case is the case of hundreds,and like hundreds of his professionalbrethren, lie has committed the mistake ofputting the saddle on the wrong horse; inother words, he has attributed to the Boardof Guardians acts and consequences forwhich the Poor-Law Commissioners are

alone responsible. It is by and through theCommissioners that the profession has beenso wantonly slandered, plundered, and in-sulted, and it is upon their heads that thephials of our wrath ought to he discharged.Boards of Guardians, what are they ’!* Witha few honourable exceptions, the willing orthe unwilling tools of the Commissioners ;still they are but tools ; but some of the actsof the Commissioners merit our deepest re-probation. Well would it be for us if thesemen possessed only the power to injure ourpecuniary -interests ; but it ia so ordered,that our professional, as well as our privatecharacters are often at their mercy. Letany man offenfl them, oppose their injustice,or expose their ignorance, and they willpursue him till they have hunted him to hisdestruction. In proof of the truth of thisassertion, I beg permission to infringe uponyour valuable columns, so far as to state myown case :-

When the Assistant Commissioners madetheir first appearance in this county, I be-lieve the sapient and humane instructionsthey ieceived were to throw every possibleimpediment in the way of the poor and dea-titute obtaining either parochial or medicalrelief ; and, in order to reconcile them tothe latter privation, the Assistant Commis-