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he declared. that the surgeons, ofthat institution, had come to theresolution of suppressing the pub-lication of Hospital cases, and hehad the effrontery to add, that ifany student should be convictedof furnishing an account of hospi-tal cases, with a view to puhlica-tion, that they (the surgeons ofSt. Thomas’s Hospital) wouldexpel him. It will be easily con-ceived that t-hi&-was not a verypalatable decla-ration to the tu-

dents it appeared, however, ra-ther to excite ridicule, than indig-nation. Had such a declaration

as this, been made by a professoron the other side of the channel,to the students of the Ecole deMedicine, it would have been fol-lowed by very different results.The medical students-of Paris, abody distinguished for their spirit,intelligence, unanimity, and highsense of hunour, would never havesuSered such a man to resume hisfunctions, without as ample andhumiliating a concession, as theinsult, which he had ventured tooffer, was gross, and unwarrant-able. ’We -think, however, that,under all the circumstances, theridicule with which the 8peechwas treated by the students of St.Thomas’s, was better suited to tlieimpotent nature of the threat.What could be more absurd, thanthe hectoring tone assumed byMr. TpAVERS? What more ludi-crous than a threat of expulsionfrom the surgeons of St. Thomas’sHospital ; men, so utterly divestedof an power in that institution,that their prescriptions are not dis-pensed at the apothecary’s a se-cond. time, unless theypave b enexamined by a physician. Thiswe assert as a fact, and it is thebest possible evidence that can be

adduced to prove not only theirwant of power in the hps-pital, but the manner in whichtheir talents are appreciated bythe governors. ’

The three Ninnyhammers, likeMoonshine, Lion, and Wall, en.deavoured to enact their partsgravely, but they were receivedonly with laughter and derision.Mr. TRAVERS attempted- to playthe Lion, but the students imme-diately detected, snug the joiner.’ This Lion is a very fox for his valour,—Aye, and a goose for his discretion.’

In conclusion, we have to ob.serve, that this malignant, thoughludicrous, attempt to gag the presshas had the usual effect of openingnew sources of intelligence, and ofexciting an increased dispositionin all quarters, to furnish. autben.tic rnedieal information. ’THELANCET has hitherto pursued, andit will continue to pursue, the eventenor of its way, unmoved hythreats, unbiassed by prejudice,and solicitous only to discharge-ina fearless, independent, and im-partial manner, the duty which itowes to the , profes,iou, and tothe public.

ROYAL ACADEMY OF MEDE-CINE AND THE LONDON COL-LEGE OF SURGEONS.

The ROYAL ACADEMY of ME-DECINE, at PARIS has proposedthe following as subjects for theprizes, consisting each of a goldmedal worth a thousand francs;the first to be decided in the pub-lic sitting of 1825: the secondin that of 1826.First.-To determine, byphy

siological -experiments, chemical

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observations, and anatomico-pa-thological ;re,shearches, . the -seatand mode of the alterations of thecerebro-=spinal nervous system,and to state the indications ’oftreatment to be, drawn from them ?

Second — To determine, byobservation and precise experi-ments, what are the .-way, theconditions, and the mode of ab-sorption in man, in health and in. I,disease, -and in animals with adouble circulation?The treatises on these two clues-

tions, written in Latin or.French,with a motto at the beginning ofeach, and, another correspondingto this to be sealed in a letter,which is to contain the name andAddress - of the author, must besent, post free, before the first ofMarch, 1825 for the first question;and before the first of March,1826, for the secon.d, to the Secre-tary- of the Academy at Paris,Rue de Poitiers, No. 8.

It is impossible to see the ex-exertions that are made abroadto promote the- cultivation ofmedical science, and not, contrastthem with the apathy manifestedat home by the public medicalbodies of this country. - Here wesee the first professional body inFrance holding out an inducementto all, both foreigners as well asFrenchmen, to direct their atten-tion top subjects at present invol-ved in much obscurity, and butlittle understood. In this country,on the contrary, we see nothingof the sort ever adopted by thore.bodies which are appointed forthe express purpose of advancingmedical knowledge. Let us take,for instance, the LONDON COL-LEGE of SURGEONS, we will askany candid member of the pro-

fession, has this body ever done,any thing by which the professionhas been benefited? There canbe but one opinion on the subjectin the minds of those who haveno sinister interest to make themthink otherwise. The Collegehas taken considerable pains to

enrich its museum, -and- the ad-

vantages to be derived from it,are all that the profession derivesfrom this corporate body. The;College has appointed a professor-ship, and some lectures on zoologyand comparative anatomy, to bedelivered every year ; but where-ever we see a desire on the part Jefthe College to be of service to theprofession,, - its - intentions :are;frustrated by the want of know-ledge exhibited in carrying theminto effect. When the slender benefitwhich the College has conferredon the e professi-on.’ be comparedwith the amount of evil it has in-flicted, . every impartial person,must acknowledge, that itweaMhave been a fortunate circumstancefor the surgical profession of -thiscountry, if it had never existed,,.-We sincerely recommend the Ex-AMINERS to bestir themselves; andthough little good- can be expectedfrom them, as_they are- at presentelected, yet they might imitatethe Academy of Medicine at Paris,and thus benefit the profession,without, in - the slighest degreeinjuring themselves. We musthowever, confess that we do notexpect this advice will be followedby men, who possessing no desire:for the advancement of sciencethemselves, have no idea of ’en.

couraging it in others. ,

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