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before the public in our right position as leaders of a healthytone of feeling on this all-important subject.

I have the honour to be. Sir. vour obedient servant.ROBERT FARQUHARSON.

Brook-street, Grosvenor-square, Nov. 1877.

" THE EFFECTS OF FRIGHT."

ALFRED WILTSHIRE, M.D.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,—The interesting article on the above subject in THELANCET for November 10th, while exciting thankfulness thatin this favoured land we have for many generations happilybeen spared experiencing the horrors of war within our ownborders, also suggests inquiry into the effects of fright pro-duced otherwise than by war and cataclysms—catastrophes.Fortunately it seldom happens that in England we have

the opportunity of observing the effects of fright on a largescale, but perhaps on that account such effects as may beobserved here are freer from complicating elements than isthe case elsewhere, and therefore are of value as illustratingthe results of simple fright. When war, for instance, isdevastating a land, or in countries where earthquakes arecommon, a constant state of apprehension and dread mayexcite such mental tension that terrible events produceserious and exaggerated effects; or, on the other hand,familiarity with scenes full of horror and terror may bluntthe sensibilities, and render less susceptible those who areexposed to them.

It seems desirable, therefore, that such effects as havebeen observed to follow events exciting fright on a largescale in this country should be recorded, and as a smallcontribution to the subject, and in the hope of eliciting in-formation from others, I send a brief statement of twocases which came under my notice shortly after the explo-sion on the Regent’s-park canal about three years ago.A day or two after the catastrophe Dr. Read, of St.

Greorgq’s-square, asked me to see with him a lady who mis-carried owing to fright caused by the explosion. The casewas a troublesome one, but the patient recovered. She livednear Primrose-hill.About the same time I saw with Dr. Stone a patient living

near here who had convulsions and became hemiplegic from,she stated, fright caused by the explosion. I had beencalled to see the same patient in consultation a few dayspreviously for retained placenta, but from her confinementshe was progressing quite favourably until the explosionoccurred. This patient also recovered.The fact that two such cases came under my notice im-

mediately after the explosion has led me to think that theymay be representatives of others, and that gentlemen ingeneral practice in the neighbourhood of the explosionmight have it in their power to enlighten the professiongreatly upon the subject, if they would kindly recall, and,with your permission, record in your pages its effects in theirpractice at the time, the nature and number of the cases,and the immediate and subsequent results. It may happenthat pregnant women suffered more frequently relativelythan others, for pregnancy as well as childhood seems topredispose to suffering from fright. In both conditions thenervous centres are mostly in a state of exalted tension, andfear often plays sad havoc among those exposed to it underthese conditions. The greater mortality among unmarriedover married primiparm has reasonably been attributed tothis cause. I have recorded in your pages a case of facialparalysis, brought on by fright, in a child five years of ageand some time since I had under my care, at St. Mary’sHospital, a healthy young woman, who immediately beganto flood, and was speedily delivered of a dead child, onwitnessing a shocking accident. These are perhaps ex-amples of common occurrence, and are familiar to yourreaders; but where a large number of persons are suddenlyfrightened, the results, as observed by our profession, areworthy of record.I would suggest that not only the immediate but also

such remote effects as may reasonably be attributed tofright from the explosion should be mentioned, for thereare good reasons for believing that scenes of terror exertunfavourable influences on child-bearing women long afterthey have occurred. Those who have had much to do with

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idiots, as my friend Dr. Langdon Down, could well illustratEthis from their own experience.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,ALFRED WILTSHIRE, M.D.

Wimpole-street, W., November 19th, 1877.

THE GOLDEN-SQUARE HOSPITAL

W. MAC NEILL WHISTLER,Secretary to the Medical Council.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.SIR,—Will you please insert in your next issue the fol-

; lowing extract from the minutes of a meeting of the council’ of the medical staff, held at the Hospital for Diseases of the, Throat, on Tuesday, November 20th, 1877; Dr. R. H.

Semple in the chair :-" Having listened to a detailed account of certain opera-

tions referred to in the recent charges against the medicaladministration of this institution, the staff resolved unani-mously that these operations were performed with properskill and care, and that no blame can attach to Dr. Mac-kenzie’s clinical assistant."

I am, Sir, your obedient sprvant,W. MAC NEILL WHISTLER,

November 20th, 1877. Secretary to the Medical Council.

*** This communication raises a very disagreeable re-flection. Doubts were entertained regarding the bonafidesof an inquiry which the medical staff alleged they had in-stituted respecting the charges made against the medicalsuperintendent, and they attempt to dispel these by holdinga second meeting and passing a fresh resolution. Alike on

public and professional grounds we must object to the

adequacy or even the relevancy of the explanation nowoffered. It should not be necessary to remind the mem-bers of the medical staff that they cannot terminatetheir responsibility by listening to a detailed account ofan operation. It is incumbent upon them to showthat they impartially investigated not only this parti-cular case, but also the other charges that were broughtagainst Dr. Mackenzie. Both the public and the pro-fession have a right to know by whom the account towhich the medical staff say that they listened was related,and also to be informed whether the witnesses that wereexamined by the medical officers were the same as thosewho gave evidence before the Committee of Inquiry. Wholaid the charge before the medical staff, and who defendedit? Why were the other charges, which so far as the ad-ministration of the charity is concerned are most important,not considered? £ Dr. Prosser James, who seems to haveelected himself the champion of the hospital and its ad-ministration, has been asked to state publicly the nature ofthe inquiry which the medical officers conducted, and toexplain the grounds on which they based a judgment dif-ferent from that of the Committee of Inquiry. He has not

yet replied.-ED. L.

Medical News.ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF ENGLAND. -

The following gentlemen, having passed the required ex-amination for the diploma, were duly admitted Membersof the College at a meeting of the Court of Examiners onthe 15th inst. :-

Brindle, R. Francis, Liverpool., Chapman, H. Frederick, Richmond.’, Colquhoun, Daniel, L.S.A., Kennington.

Cressey, G. Heury, Tunbridge Wells.Dingle, W. Alfred, L.R.C.P.Lond., Southampton.Duke, G. Amas, L.S.A., Cornwall-road.Flint, Arthur, Highbury.Hammond, A. Billing, L.S.A., Queen-street.Husband, W. Edward, York.Johnstone, A. J. James, Kensington.Lowe, H. Griffiths, Birmingham.Master, G. Reginald, Norwich.Parry, G. Hales, L.S.A., Dorking.Rowe, B. Meredith, Wrexham.Smith, C. Robert, Wolverhamp’on.Teevan, Alfred, Richmond.

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Trevan, F. Adolphus, Port Isaac.Walsh, W. A. Stephenson, L.S A., Worcester.Willcocks, Frederick, L.S.A., Kensington.

Of the 81 catididates examined on the 13th, 141h, and 15thinst., 50 acquitted themselves to the satisfaction of theCourt of Examiners and obtained their diplomas, 9 passedin Surgery, and when qualified in Medicine will he admittedMembers, and 22 were referred for six months’ further pro-fessional study. Nine candidates who had passed in Surgeryat previous examinations, having subsequently obtained aMedical degree or licence recognised by the College, werealso admitted Members on the above-named days.The following gentlemen passed the Primary Examination

in Anatomy and Physiology at meetings of the Board ofExaminers on Tuesday last :-

Francis F. Perry, Bilton Pollard, and James J. Paddle, University Col-lege ; Hugh P. Dunn, William L. Heath, Charles B. Lockwood, W. C.Chaffey, Herbert G. Cronk, and D. A. Coles, St. Bartholomew’s Hos-pital ; Chas. E. Sheppard, H. Castle, and Kanehiro Takaki, St. Thomas’sHospital; C. W. Cathcart, Edinburgh.Ten candidates failed to satisfy the Board, and were re-

ferred for a period of three months’ further anatomical andphysiological study. !

APOTHECARIES’ HALL. - The following gentlemenpassed their examination in the Science and Practice of Medi.cine and received certificates to practise on Nov. 15th :-

Evans, Henry, Barmouth.Garman, Vincent Cornelius, Kent House, Bow-road.Harrison, Edmund Meredith, Brackley.Pemberton, Robt., Richmond-terr., Clapham-rd.

The following gentlemen also passed the Primary Pro-fessional Examination -

Frederick Benjamin Judge Baldwin and George Henry West Jones, Guy’sHospital; Lysander Maybury, St. Thomas’s Hospital ; Joshua Rhys,St. Bartholomew’s Hospital.

The following medical students obtained the prizes givenby the Apothecaries’ Society during the present year:—For’Proficiency in Botany: (1) A. H. S. Lucas, London Hospital,a gold medal; (2) S H. H’?nty, University College, a silvermedal and books ; (3) C. P. Lukis, St. Bartholomew’s Hos-pit.al, a bronz medal and a boob. For Materia Medica andPharmaceutical Chemistry: (1) A. K. Morgan, Guy’s Hospital;(2) James Ba.Us, Ktrig’t3 College, London.ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS IN IRELAND. -

The following gentlemen obtained the licences in Medicineand Midwifery at, the November examinations:-

MEDICINE.— Alfred Asbury, John Thomas Brereton, Joseph EdwardCorbett, Alexander Samnel Faulkner, James Gaussen idacneece, HenryMichael O’Hara, Montague William Cairns Perceval.

MIDWIFERY.— Archibald Robt. Hamilton Bland, Joseph Edward Corbett,Alexander Samuel Faulkner, Henry Michael O’Hara, Montague WilliamCairns Perceval.

A. BAZAAR in aid of the funds of the DublinOrthopsedio Hospital will be held at the Rotundo on the29th inst.

THE corner-stone of the west wing and out-patients’department of the West London Hospital was laid on Mon-day last by the Rev. R. G. Baker, M.A. The cost of thisextension will, it is estimated, amount to about £11,000.

Miss O’FARRELL, late of Dublin, has bequeathedthe sum of X3000 for the erection of a monument in memoryof her brother, the late Dr. O’Farrell, in Clarendon-streetChapel, and a statue to him in St. Vincent’s Hospital, to-gether with £5000 to this institution.THE LATE JOSEPH T. WINNARD, M.R.C.S. ENG.-

The Town Council of Wigan have commissioned CaptainCharles Mercier to paint a whole-length portrait of thEabove-named gentleman, who bequeathed =620,000 for th(purchase of books for the Free Library of that town.THE LATE DR. ERASMUS M. MILES.—A granit(

drinking-trough for animals has been erected by publicsubscription at Heavitree, Exeter, on which is inscribed" This trough is erected to continue and commemorate thekindness of the late Erasmus Madox Miles, M.D., of Heavitree. 8th November, 1877."

DR. JOHN C. BuRY, of Wisbech, has been presente(with a silver salver and a purse containing £130. Thsalver was inscribed: 11 Presented to John C. Bury, M.D. (accompanied by a purse of .6130), by numerous sympathismlpatients and friends upon his recovery from a long and painful illness. November 10th, 1877."

Medical Appointments.ATKINSON, H. S., L.S.A.L., has been appointed Resident Apothecary to the

Queenstown Dispensary, in the Cork Union, vice Malone, deceased.CAMPBELL, W., L.R.C.S.Ed., L.S.A.L., has been appointed a SuMeon to

the East Sussex, Hastings, and St. Leonard’s Infirmary, vice Penbajl,resigned.

COLLINGWOOD, T., M.R.C.S.E., L.S.A.L., has been appointed Medieal Officerto the new Workhouse of the Rochdale Union.

EMMERSON, J. B., M.R.C.S., L.S.A., has been appointed Medical Officer ofHealth for the Local Board of Willington Quay, vice Hadfield,deceased.

HARRsoOr, E. M., L.S.A., has been appointed Assistant Medical Officer toCharing-cross Hospital, vice Claremont, whose time has expired.

LEAHY, A. W. D., L.S.A., has been appointed Resident Obstetrical Officer toCharing-cross Hospital, vice Iloole, whose time has expired.

LiTCENELD, H. R. C., L.R.C.P.L., M.R.C.S.E., has been appointed MedicalOfficer and Public Vaccinator for the No. 9 or Twickenham District ofthe Brentford Union, vice White, resigned.

1’I’!:CKELYIE, R., M.D., L.R.C.S.Ed., has been appointed Medical Officer forthe No. 4 or Cromer District of the Erpingham Union, Norfolk, viceCooper, resigned.

MONAGHAN, T. J., L.R.C.P.Ed., L.R.C.S.Ed., has been appointed MedicalOfficer to the Accrington and District Dispensary, vice Ewart, whoseappointment has expired.

PENH ALL, J. T., M.D., F.R.C.S.E., has been appointed an Honorary LifeGovernor of the East Sussex, Hastings, and St. Leonard’s Infirmary, onresigning as Surgeon.

PERKINS, E. B. S., L.S.A.L., has been appointed Medical Officer and PublicVaccinator for the No. 6 District of the Brixworth Union, vice Olive,deceased.

PITTS, T. S., M.R.C.S.E., L.B.C.P.Ed., & L.M., has been appointed UnionMedical Officer for the Thorne District, Yorkshire; also Surgeon to theThorne District M. S. & L. Railway Co., vice Gooddy, resigned.

PYE, Mr. W., has been appointed Lecturer on Physiology at St. Mary’sHospital Medical School.

ROWBOTHAM, Mr. H. C., has been appointed Assistant Surgical Officer toCharing-cross Hospital, vice Leahy, appointed Resident ObstetricalOfficer.

SHERATON, G. R., L.R.C.P.Ed., M.R.C.S.E., has been appointed MedicalOfficer of Health for the Sedgefield Rural Sanitary Districts, vice theDistrict Medical Officers.

THOMPSON, T., L.R.C.P.Ed., L.R.C.S.Ed., has been appointed Medical Officerand Public Vaceinator for the Sedgefield and Bishopton Districts andthe Workhouse of the Sedgefield Union, vice Sheraton, resigned.

WHITEHEAD, H. R., M.R.C.S., has been appointed Resident Surgical Officerto Charing-cross Hospital, vice Wickers, appointed Resident MedicalOfficer.

WICKERS, H. A., M.R.C.S., has been appointed Resident Medical Officer toCharing-cross Hospital, vice Steedman, whose time has expired.

WRIGHT, W. M. A., M.B., has been appointed Medical Officer of theKilliney Dispensary District, Rathdown Union, vice Mayne, appointedto the Workhouse Hospital, Rathdown Union.

Births, Marriages, and Deaths.BIRTHS.

ATTHILL.—On the 14th inst., at Faversham, the wife of BlenaerhassettAtthill, Esq., of a son.

DALTOx,-On the 18th inst., at Winsley House, Hartwith, Ripley, Yorks(the residence of her mother), the wife of Henry Dalton, M.D., C.M.,British Guiana Medical Service, of a son.

GODSON.—On the 18th inst., at Upper Brook-street, the wife of ClementGodson, M.D., of a daughter.

LONGMUIR.—On the 13th inst., at Bathgate, Linlithgowshire, the wife of, James Longmuir, M.D., of a daughter.

RICE.—On the 12th inst., at Cadogan-place, the wife of M. W. Rice, M.D.,of a son.

SAUNDERS.—On the 18th inst., at Lee-terrace, Lee, the wife of ’WilliainEgerton Saunders, L.R.C.P.L., Surgeon, Army, of a son.

MARRIAGES.BARRY—HAVART.—On the 15th inst., at St. Peter’s, Tunbridge Wells,

James William Barry, L.R.C.P.L., to Mary Louisa, daughter of the lateRev. W. J. Havart.

CAMPBELL—CLOUSTON.—On the 15th inst., at Edinburgh, John A. Camp-1 bell, M.D., to Janet Ann, daughter of the late Joseph Clouston, Esq.

DEATHS.CONNOLLY.—On the 13th inst., at the Asylum, Waterford, Pierce James

Connolly, L.K.Q.C.P.I.DE MORGAN.—On the 14th ult., at Aliwal North, Cape Colony, Edward

Lindsay De Morgan, M.R.C.S.E., aged 35.GIMBLETT.-On the 13th inst., at Weston-super-Mare, John Gimblett, M.D.,

: of Lydney, aged 37.GRIFFITHS.—On the 16th inst., at Upper Fitzwilliam-street, Dublin, Dr.

William Handsell Griffiths, aged 31.JONES.— On the 4th inst., at Beaumaris, Lewis Jones, L.R.C.P.Ed.,

aged 37.MILLEN.—On the 16th inst., at Elm-grove, Peckham, Stephen Richard

Millen, L.S.A.L., aged 59.REID.—On the 13th inst., at Blue Anchor-road, Bermondsey, Matthew"

Reid, M.R.C.P.Ed., L.S.A., aged 29.WIGMORE.—On the 12th inst., at Knockarabane, co. Cork, Patrick S.

Wigmore, L.K.Q.C.P.I. ____

[N.B.—A fee of 5s, is charged for the inaertion of Notices of Births,Marriages, and Deaths.]