150

according to Mr. Sharpe’s account, three cases of true Asiaticcholera came under observation, and a few of diarrhoea. Theposition of the poor, their habitations, and the locality, were suchas to encourage the spread of the malady, yet only three caseswere known out of a population of 4000. Can the merit here be

Iawarded to the cider?" I

BRITISH MEDICAL FUND.A NUMEROUS meeting of the members of this Society washeld at the Freemasons’ Tavern, on Wednesday last. Amongthose present, we noticed Dr. Burnett; Dr. Elliot; H. L. Smith,Esq., of Southam ; Dr. T. 0. Ward; T. Nicolson, Esq.; J.Forbes, M.D., F.R.S.; J. Spurgin, M.D.; J. R. Bennet, M.D.;W. Self, Esq.; C. F. J. Lord, Esq.; C. Smith, Esq., High-worth ; T. L. Matthews, Esq.; T. B. Curling, Esq., F.R.S.; H.Hancock, Esq.; Dr. S. W. J. Merriman ; Edward Headland,Esq.; Dr. Bushnan: Dr. G. Webster; James Bird, Esq.; R.Dunn, Esq.; G. J. Squibb, Esq.; W. Bainbridge, Esq.; S.Brougham, Esq., of Falmouth; Dr. Sieveking; C. H. Clarke,M.D., of Bath; Edward Daniell, Esq., of Newport Pagnel,&c.

Dr. FORBES having been called to the chair, after a brief in-troductory address, called on the Secretary to read the Re-port, which we regret our space will not permit us to insertat length. It contained the statement of the proceedings ofthe managing committee, since the 23rd of March, showingthat the rules had been enrolled, and were now submitted tothe meeting for their acceptance and approval.The rules being numerous, it was not thought expedient

to occupy the time of the meeting by reading them, especiallyas each member would shortly be furnished with a copy; andshould it be thought desirable, at any future period, to alteror amend them, it might be done according to the Act of Par-liament.

It being necessary that a board of directors should beappointed at this meeting, the managing committee expressedtheir readiness to undertake that office for the first year, con-sidering that on this occasion all delicacy of feeling in thusoffering their services should be laid aside, and under the im-pression that the interests of the Society would be betterpromoted by its first active proceedings being placed in thehands of those who were best acquainted with its principlesand mechanism. IAs it was thought some considerable time might elapse be-

fore the provident branch of the Society could be in a positionto meet its own expenses, it was suggested, that a portion ofthe fund derived from annual subscriptions should be at thediscretion of the directors, to be applied to meet any tem-porary deficiency in this respect during the earlier stages ofthe Society.The Report then stated that subscriptions, to the amount ofS220 8s. 9d., had already been received, which the committeethought was highly satisfactory, remembering that only a fewweeks had elapsed since they were authorized to call for pay-ments in respect of membership; and they had great pleasurein stating that the promises of support they had received,from all parts of the kingdom, had been most numerous, andthe approval of the plan of the Society, by the profession, asfar as they could learn, had been almost unanimous.In conclusion, the committee congratulated the members

on the present promising state of the institution, which theybelieved would eventually prove to be one of the most im-portant ever projected by medical men, and fraught with in-calculable benefits to the members of the medical profession,and to those nearest and dearest to them, for many genera-tions.The SECRETARY having read a statement of the receipts and

expenditure of the Society, from the appointment of the

managing committee to the present time, it was proposed byR. DuNN, Esq., and seconded by Dr. S. W. J. MERRIMN, andcarried unanimously-

" That the Report now made by the managing committeebe received and approved."

Dr. ELLIOT (of Stratford) thought the names of the managingcommittee, by whom the rules had been prepared, was a suffi-cient guarantee for their adoption, without the necessity oftheir being read. After dwelling upon the utility of the So-ciety, he instanced the success of the medical societies in In-dia, although supported by a comparatively small number;and concluded, by proposing the following resolution, whichwas seconded by W. SELF, Esq., and carried unanimouslyThat the rules now given in by the managing committee

be received and adopted as the rules of the Society, and thatthe same be printed for the use of the members."

Dr. BURNETT (of Alton) thought it highly important theSociety should be under the direction of those gentlemen whohad already expended so much time and unceasing exertionin its formation, and who were consequently best acquaintedwith its details. He felt much pleasure in proposing thefollowing resolution, which was seconded by Dr. S. W. J.MERRIMAN, and carried unanimously :-" That the following gentlemen, being members of the

committee of management, be appointed directors for theensuing year-viz., Benjamin Guy Babington, M.D., F.R.S.;James Risdon Bennett, M.D.; James Bird, Esq.; ThomasBlizard Curling, Esq., F.R.S.; Edward Daniel, Esq.; JohnForbes, M.D., F.R.S.; Henry Hancock, Esq.; Edward Head-land, EEq.; John Propert, Esq.; John Spurgin, M.D.; GeorgeJames Squibb, Esq.; George Webster, M.D."The names of certain gentlemen having been been proposed

to fill the offices of trustees, auditors, and arbitrators, andapproved of-

Dr. FORBES, in the temporary absence of the secretary, tookthat opportunity of passing a high compliment upon Mr.Hawtayne, to whose zeal and gratuitous exertions in behalfof the Society the members were so much indebted.After some further favourable remarks upon the same

subject from J. PROFERT, Esq., it was proposed by Dr. C. H.CLARKE, (of Bath,) seconded by H. L. SMITH, Esq., (ofSoutham,) and carried unanimously-" That Dr. Forbes be requested to convey to Mr. Hawtayne,

on the part of the meeting, their unanimous sense of his greatzeal, assiduity, and most important labours in the formationof the Society."

It was then proposed by C. F. J. LORD, Esq., and secondedby R. DUKN, Esq., and carried unanimously-

" That the thanks of the members be given to the managingcommittee for their exertions in behalf of the Society."

Dr. Forbes having then quitted the chair, it was proposedby C. F. J. LORD, Esq., and carried with loud cheers-

" That the thanks of the meeting be given to Dr. Forbesfor his very able, courteous, and gentlemanly conduct in thechair."

DR. BURT AND THE SOCIETY OF APOTHECARIES.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SiR,-Your correspondent, "a Scotch M.D," has my thanks forhis reply to my communication respecting Dr. Burt and theSociety of Apothecaries. I cordially agree with his proposition,and if he will point out a plan for carrying it into immediate ex-ecution, I for one shall be most happy to contribute.

It is time the graduates of the United Kingdom were up anddoing; the day for exclusive privileges has passed away, and fewpersons will be found to deny that all properly educated and cer-tificated members of the profession should enjoy equal rights.

Let every graduate in general practice sign a petition to theGovernment praying for that protection and recognition to whichhe is entitled by the Acts of Union. Should the proposition beadopted, I will most readily at once forward them a draft of sucha petition for their approval.Your correspondent has heard it whispered that the Company

are contemplating another attack on Dr. Burt in spite of theirlately published letter to Sir George Grey. Surely, Sir, no bodyof men could so far stultify their own acts: the very productionof their letter in the County Court, would, I should suppose, de-cide the case against them. I have written to Dr. Burt, andsincerely hope some plan will be at once arranged for arousingthe attention of the Universities, and inducing them to remonstrateagainst such proceedings as those in which this gentleman hassuffered, as well as for petitioning Government, and obtainingsubscriptions to defray expenses.

I have read the reply of M.D., M. R. C. S., L. A. C., to myletter, and yet survive ! ! ! I am not a Scotchman, nor am I agraduate of a Scottish University ; his heavy blow as to few

English practising north of the Tweed falls harmless. " Little"though I may be, and my speech withal, in his opinion, con-temptible, the great truth I promulgate of the right of allqualified men to equal privileges throughout the kingdom, willsurvive both him and me, and will, I believe, ere long, be asestablished a fact as that the " sun rises on the just and on theunjust." Co-operative "rights" and exclusiveness are dying out.The importance of the subject to a highly respectable and

numerous body of men will, I trust, excuse your old subscriber,and sincere admirer for again troubling you.

July, 1850. VINDEX.