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of extended observation, in the article alluded to calls theattention of your readers to the modes of treatment he hasseen adopted at several of the Parisian hospitals, as well as atmany of the London ones, in cases of fracture of the femur,and he particularizes an example where the apparatus em-ployed does not fully answer all the purposes required of it.The example he selects, by way of enforcing his views, is thatof fracture of the thigh, at its upper third, below the site ofthe small trochanter. He discusses, at some length, the natureof this injury, and points out, in all correctness, the improprietyof treating it with the long splint, showing how inefficientthis must be.

I had hoped, Sir, that the time for such discussion hadpassed away, and that amid the skill and judgment of modernsurgery, such information was uncalled for. I had thoughtthat fractures, ulcers, and joint-diseases, for instance, werenot now indiscriminately huddled together, and treated all ona fixed principle, merely because fractures, ulcers, or joint-diseases ; but that cases were now carefully distinguished,elaborately dissected out, as it were, so as to show their pointsof resemblance and dissimilarity, and thus to indicate themeans that may be scientifically had recourse to for theiralleviation. To treat a case of acute synovitis and one ofulceration of the cartilage of old standing on the same plan,because both joint-affections, appears to me to be scarcelycharacteristic of modern research and ingenuity; yet, certainly,to treat all cases of fracture of the thigh with one and thesame apparatus is but a very short step in advance of such aprocedure. I have not hitherto visited Paris; it is my in-tention, however, to do so shortly; and I unhesitatingly affirm,that should I there find surgeons treating fracture of thefemur at the junction of its upper with its middle third withthe long splint, I shall feel myself compelled to declare them(what they will in no wise allow) to be out of sight behind themodern British practitioners in the management of fracturedbones; and shall not be surprised to see them, upon equallysound principles, strongly flexing the leg upon the thigh, in thecase of a transversely-broken patella, and similarly adjustingthe forearm and arm, in the case of fracture of the olecranon.

Air. Maclise proposes a mode of treatment for the form offracture of the thigh in question, upon principles combiningthose of the long splint and double-inclined plane, and this,doubtless, with great propriety and judgment; he, however,omits what to me appears a most important item in this modeof treatment; I mean, the flexion of the trunk upon the thighs,which, by the effect it has in relaxing the psoas and iliacusmuscles, tends much to the undoing of that tilting upwards ofthe upper fragment of the bone which is so characteristic,and, at the same time, so inimical to apposition.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,Gorleston, Suffolk, Jan. 1846. S. D. T.

APOTHECARIES’ HALL, LONDON.

Names of gentlemen who obtained Certificates of Qualification to practiseas Apothecaries, on Thursday, 29th January, 1846:- Francis EzekielBarton, Korfolk; George Ayton, Kenilworth ; Charles Pantin Slaytor,Woolpit, Suffolk; Arthur Hewgill, Repton, Derby.

CORRESPONDENTS.THE whole of the correspondents who have written to us onthe subject of THE MILITIA BALLOT (and the letters we havereceived amount to some hundreds in number) are referred toan announcement, made on the authority of the government,at page 164 of this week’s LANCET. It is now certain thatthere is to be no ballot for the militia under the existingAct of Parliament.

il-redicits, (York.) The Secret Committee are still without

by-laws for their government. The members of the Associa-

tion, therefore, are incapable of enforcing a demand for a Igeneral meeting of the Association. The conduct of thiscommittee for baseness is unparalleled in the black history ofthe old corrupt corporations. With the latter there was no

y-reteitce of liberality, no affectation of governing on the prin-ciple of representation. In the robberies which they com-mitted, there was some spice of manly boldness. It is evidentthat they were not influenced in their conduct bv any frater-nity of SxiPEs and SNEAKS. The cause of medical reform willyet triumph over the sordid efforts of a small knot of despicableintriguers.We should feel obliged if the medical gentlemen who are

engaged in practice in the manufacturing districts wouldfavour us with an account of the results of their experienceof the effects of THE FACTORY SYSTEM on young persons ofboth sexes. The subject is likely to be again warmly debatedin Parliament, in consequence of the reintroduction into theHouse of Commons of Lord Ashley’s Bill, the object of themeasure being to prevent persons under eighteen years of agefrom working in factories during more than ten hours a day.The evidence of medical practitioners on such a question mustcarry with it the greatest weight in the minds of statesmenof judgment and authority.

Chirugicus, (Birmingliam.)-There is no ground for fear.The apothecaries are defeated and openly rumped by theMinister. If a new College be now established, it will be co-equal in power with the most influential of the existinginstitutions. The cause is now getting fairly into the handsof the surgeons in general practice. The apothecaries whonever mere in general practice, and never did practise as

surgeons, have found their level. After much blustering andvapouring, they have discovered (too late) that they constitutethe residuum of the profession.

The Rev. IV. C—m.—There is no popular treatise ofthe kind that we could recommend. The results prove, thatit is not a humane act for persons unlearned in physic toundertake the treatment of the sick. The clergy cannotbetter employ their influence than by endeavouring to procurefor the destitute sick poor, the advice, skill, and attention ofqualification medical practice. Most of the "popular" Treatiseson Medicine are " popular" nuisances.A -Arew Member.—Without doubt the Royal Medical and

Chirurgical Society could have been more profitably occupiedthan by the reading of so silly and twaddling a production asthe paper of Mr. CHARLES BRooKE on Strabismus, the only" advantage" of what is called sub-cutaneous tenotomy being,as Mr. Dalrymple justly observed, "a greater liability toecchymosis, and a greater difficulty in the blood being ab-sorbed." The only eye, as Mr. Dalrymple said, that he hadever known to be destroyed by the operation for squinting,being lost from this very difficulty ! Could not Mr. BRooKEdevote his important professional attention to the cutting ofcorns?A Country Surgeon should address his request to Dr. G. B. Thepublica-

tion of the note of our correspondent would be regarded by the Doctor as apuff, and therefore offensive to his good taste.A Country Subscriber.-The right of practising all branches of the pro-

fession in Scotland and Ireland, but not in England and Wales.The note of H. S. S., being marked " private," we cannot notice its con-

tents in this place. His proposal should be addressed to the minister whosename is attached to any Bill on the subject that may be introduced into theHouse of Commons.A Student does not say to what " matriculation examination" he alludes.

If he means that of the University of London, a letter addressed to theRegistrar, Mr. Rothman, would obtain for him a satisfactory reply to hisquestion.An Enquii-er.-We believe, that in point of time, Dr. J. must be regarded

as ’* the inventor." Whether Dr. E. designed his instrument, or borrowedthe suggestion, we have no means of knowing. No person can patent whathas been "given to the public." The question of priority we have noroom to discuss.

, A Student.-Few authors are regular in furnishind copy to printers. The

labours of scientific men, when writing on scientific subjects, often tax the

powers of the mind, and occasionally tasks are undertaken without a dueestimate being made of their importance, or of the responsibility which theyentail on their authors.

A Generud Pructitioner is advised not to trouble himself to obtain anysuch worthless document. By obtaining the M.D. diploma in the mannerproposed, our correspondent would not m the slightest degree improve hispresent position in any new medical law that may be enacted by Parliament.With testimonials showing less than a six years’ devotion to medical

studies, A Pupil would not be admitted to Examination.The letter of Mr. Lunsdowne had been in type these three weeks. It will

be found in THE LANCET.

Mr. Hunt, (Herne Bay.)-The subject is highly interesting: the paperwould be inserted.

Communications have been received from-A Surgeon, (Bedfordshire,)Mr. J. L. Levison, Mr. John Christophers, Dr. Furnival, M.R.C.S.E.,(Liverpool,) Mr. G. Harvey, Mr. Hill, Mr. Eager, (Guildford,) M.D.,(Strand,) E. M.