751

of perforations, on either side, would be veryspeedily performed by the same simple andsafe process that a St. Crispin would punch.The parts might then easily be drawn to-gether, with a conveniently formed probe-pointed needle, unattended by the slightesthazard of puncture, which, in the case of thebodies of corpulent and aged persons is nowso frequent, from unctuosity or toughnessofthecutis. Another advantage also attendsthis proposal, that as two persons are usuallyengaged in the examination, both could as-sist without fear of contact, or the dreaded,and often dreadful results of this hastily-executed finale.With the hope that some maker of surgical

weapons will exercise his inventive facultyoil the subject, I remain, Sir, yours, &c.,

CHARGES J. H. RAY, Surgeon.34, Belgrave-place, Feb., 1837.

CHARLES J. H. RAY, Surgeon.

TETANUS CURED BY TURPENTINE.

J. PEACOCK, M.D.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.SIR:—In my third case a little inaccu-

racy had crept in, with regard to the ave-rage dose. When I let the patient who hadhad the wounded thumb see her case inTHE LANCET, she told me that when she hadtaken sixteen drops in a dose, during twodays, she found the spasms and the rigidityso much relieved, that she ventured, on herown accord, to increase the dose to twentydrops, three times a-day, and in two daysshe was perfectly well. So I presume, Mr.

Editor, we may reckon twenty drops theaverage dose for an adult. I have thehonour to remain, Sir, your much obligedservant,

J. PEACOCK, M.D.Darlington, Feb. 8, 1837.

THE KING VERSUS PENRUDDOCK.

MODE OF CONDUCTING THE EXAMINATIONS AT

APOTHECARIES’ HALL.

To tlte Editor of THE LANCET. ’

SIR:—I am inclined to address you onthe above case, because I think the circum-stances require some observations. In

making the following comments I am by nomeans actuated by any feeling of hostilityto the Apothecaries’ Company; on the con-trary, if well regulated, I think that thatcorporation might contribute to render themedical profession both useful and respect-atile. My principal observations here willhe confined to remarks on the Court of Ex-

aminers, because it is with the errors ofthat branch of the body that I am more

familiar. Respecting Mr. Penruddock, I

would say that no one would attempt, inthe abstract, to justify his conduct, but,still, the examiners themselves admit thattheir behaviour on that occasion was by nomeans proper or consistent. It is obviousthat individuals like Mr. P., brought beforea tribunal of men who have, in many in-

stances, the power to blast all their future

prospects in life,-a result which has oftenfollowed as the consequence of their rejection,-under such circumstances is it won-derful that the candidate should feel nervousand embarrassed? But the Court of Ex-aminers seem to think that, instead ofrestoring the self-possession of a candidate,they should adopt every means of increas-ing his confusion and his difficulties. Thecourt say that they have a " public," a11 sacred" duty to perform. Grant thatthey have. Is there no other method ofperforming that duty, than by listening onlyoccasionally to the answers,—coming up tomark the errors of the candidate,-to listento his mistakes; to count them, and com-ment on them in discouraging terms ? whileso long as he betrays no signs of embarrass-:ment or difficulty, they never think it neces-

sUl’y or worth their while to honour- him withthe slightest attention. Now, Sir, this con-stant overlooking when in difficulty, andthe neglect of all redeeming parts of the .

examination, would shake much strongernerves than most of the young men whopresent themselves at the Hall can gene-rally boast of possessing. Nor is the

annoyance confined to mere overlooking,-the candidate is often depressed by obser-vations such as the following: Oh, heknows nothing of his chemistry,’ = Heknows nothing of anatomy,"-« Take himon the viscera,"-«The liver,’ -« See if heknows anything of the brain,’ =« Try himin his drugs,"—" His materia medica," &c.Now, I submit that this is not the propermode of conducting an examination, nordoes it afford the means of forming a pureand correct judgment of the candidate’scompetency. The examiner who pronouncesan opinion ought to listen to the whole ofthe examination, that he may be able tocontrast the deficiencies with the ability

and knowledge displayed; and should he, wish to take a part in testing the candidate,he should wait for a proper occasion, andbegin when the preceding examiner has

entirely finished his examination. Therecan be nothing more disheartening, or evenmore rude and vulgar, than the interrup-tion of the examination by a second per-son, either by putting questions, suggesting

subjects of inquiry, or commenting, or ex-pressing openly any opinion, on the answers

or the capabilities of the candidate, beforethe examination has closed.

752

Now, Sir, if there be. any one cause of jdouabts ignorance! It is within, the know.

justification for an assault, conduct such as ledge of the writer, that a student presented. have described seems to me to be that himself for examination, who said that "hecause. It has been asserted that the exa- -’had niver heard of the cœcum,"—" that themination is always fairly and deficately .stomach was situated in the left, or right,conducted, so far, at least, as is cousistent iliac fossa," and displayed equally grosswith a " conscientious discharge, of duty." ignorance on two or three other points,For my own part, 1 cannot perceive any and who very properly was rejected; but at

essential relation between the conscientious the same time another, who, through theperformance of ’duty and an offensive man- anxiety and apprehension which 3vere’(oD.ner of performing it.

"

° ’

sequent on the ordeal’he had to undergo.’There is another circumstance which I forgot what passed through. one o.f the hoksfeel called upon to notice. When there is af the skull, but whose general answeringa. great number of names upon the list, say .ought to ha-ve convinced any reflecting mansixteen, eighteen, twenty, or twenty-five, that an appearance of. incapability in This’-ih6se who unfortulia,tely happen to be last respect arose purely, from loss of self-pos-on the list look -upon themselves as already session, not from ignorance, was also n-rejected, even. before examination, and, jected; perhaps it may be suppased for aindeed, but too frequently; they do so cor- iceek, a fortnight, or even a month, —no, butrectly.* At the late period to wluch such for six months, thus making no distinctionexaminations are protracted, I am informed between the grossly and unpardonabhthat the eyes and fingers of the court point ignorant, and him who at least showed a

incessantly to the clock,—wateher are competent knowledge generally. 1 kaoydrawn in most unrelenting and mystic suc- that the examiners have not adi&cietimb,cession from the pockets, while each fix the period between rejection and re-removal is accompanied with some such examination, and in mentioning this fact!observation as" It is very late,"—" it is need scaa cely observe, ’that it is highlyof,uo use,"—" We shall be here all night," deserving of YOUR serious attention. The- —" He knows nothing about it." matter can hardly be in better hands than; Perhaps here it may be asked, if even your’s; and should you exert yourself sue-conduct such as I have described, would cessfully to make the period of remand dis-justify the commission of all assault, more cretionary within certain limits, you willespecially such an assault as occurred some not only confer a public benefit, but be,time since in the examination-room? The perhaps, the means of saving many fonuGanswer is distinctly, No. There is a sort of men from total ruin.

’

Sction in the law, that there exists no wrong Now, the improvements which I shouldwithout some leg’al remedy; and, therefore, suggest are the following;—while we adopt or profess such a judicial 1. There are twelve examiners, and gehe-maxim, perhaps nothing can justify self- rally four candidates are under etaminatiooredress for an injury. But let us inquire, at the same time. Let the three only whoWhat is the redress for wrongs, allowing are charged with inquiring into the candi-lsuch wrongs occasionally to occur, which date’s proficiency, decide upon the question,are sustained at the Hall? ’? Let us suppose They alone, and not those who are engageda candidate not only to be rejected, but in another inquiry, wholly foreigu to the

,unfairly rejected. The legislature has purpose, can decide. It may be thoughtplaced the option of the rejection solely, that the pupil would be worse off, because.and without appeal, at the discretion of the for his rejection the majority of the court

Court of Examiners. Thus there is no must agree: But how is the agreement ob-appeal from their decision, however unjust tained ? Upon what data? Why, upon theor however unfair it may be. Nor is this report atone of the examiner? If the pu-the only hardship,—the candidate who is pil consider his rejection unfair or name-rejected even upon the slightest grounds, is rited, let him have, within a limited period.debarred from any opportunity of re-exami- au appeal to the whole court, assembled forilation for the space of six months. Thus, that gpeciiic purpose, he paying down a cer-the well-informed candidate who may have tain sum, not merely as an indemnificationbeen guilty of merely one or two trifling for the extra-meeting, but as a kind of check

-

errors, or is deficient upon only a single upon those who might be disposed to call abranch, although fully competent upon court for a second examination, however

every other, is -1 remanded," if it may hopeless their prospects of success. Thisbe so expressed, for as long a period as he right would insure fair dealing, and wouldwho betrays the grossest and most unpar- not involve the credit or respectability of amparty, and would, at least, afford to all reject-* So fearful are students under these cir- ed candidates a fair and more solemn opp’r-

cumstances, that when there are eighteen or tunity of redeeming their character, which.twenty on the list, the three or four last if they did not avail themselves of it, must.absent themselves, and this is technically at all events, completely silence their com-termed " funking:’, plaints.

753

Every one who knows anything of the ex- apothecary faithfully to prepare, compound,amination at Apothecaries’ Hall, must know and administer?’, &c. What knowledge ofthat the necessity of the concurrence of the anatomy, of physiology, of pathology, &c.,ismajority is a complete farce, not more than necessary for the competent performance ofthree out of twelve knowing, of their own such a duty ? If the question came before aknowledge, a tittle of the examination. legal tribunal,! question very much whetherThey take it upon the report of others. Let the court would be found to be (legally)us imagine four judicial benches at Guild- qualified to examine upon any other sub-hall, and the jury divided among the four, jects than those ofmateriamedica, pharmacy,three in each jury-box, trying their own spe- and a little pharmaceutical chemistry.rial causes, but every now and then sum- Therefore, they who usurp a power, shouldmoned by each other, in order to render use judgment and due discretion in its ex-their verdicts the unanimous verdicts of the ercise, lest they bring on a revolution, andwhole twelve. In mercy to those whose perish in the ruins of their own constitution.sides are already breaking with laughter at It was asserted on Penruddock’s trial,so ludicrous a picture, I shall drop the cur- that he was answered, when soliciting for antain on the scene. Yet, Sir, such is the examination in anatomy, that however com-"majority" of the Court of Examiners, as petent

he might be in anatomy, he was unfittheir proceedings are now conducted. They for association, if deficient in inateria me-never hear anything of the examination, un- dica. How, then, is It, that many pass with-less, indeed, under those peculiarly unfa- out any examination at all in materia me-votirable circumstances to the student, of dica, or that those who are less conversantbeing the last candidate, a student under with anatomy, on soliciting an examinationexamination at one o’clock on Friday morn. in materia medica, are answered, " Anato-ning. Then, indeed, he will often be fa- my is the foundation of medicine ; no othervoured with a visit. Now, how can an ex- knowledge, however extended or profound,aminer decide upon an examination, in the can compensate for anatomical deficiency ?"course of which he has been heard to say- It thus appears, that if found deficient in

"Well, how is he getting on now?" "Is any department, the candidate is rejectedhe doing any better?" Surely he who will with the most unrelenting obstinacy, nor isnot listen, or hear the good side of a case, he suffered to compensate for a superficialshould not form any opinion on it ; or, at all defect in one branch, by the display ofevents, he should not express any opinion super-excellence in another. Here is thefrom an inquiry solely into the bad points of injustice of the arbitrary six-months’ rejec-the case. tion. The examiner may feel assured that a

I have stated that there is no appeal from fortnight, or a three weeks’ study, mightthe Court of Examiners; but this propo- suffice to qualify the candidate; yet he issition requires some limitation; there is a compelled to remand for the period of sixremedy, although a bad, because an expen- months. I will put it conscientiously, andsive, and an uncertain, one. I mean a MAN- as men of honour and veracity, to the wholeDAMUS from the Court of King’s Bench. court, "Have none of you ever found causeLet us suppose a rejected candidate, who to regret a hurried or hasty rejection ?" Ibelieves himself to have been, or really has by no means wish to insinuate that the re-been, unfairly treated, applying for a rule jections are corrupt, but I believe that they"to show cause why he should not be ad- are often hasty, and that cases have occurred,mitted a member." Cause must be shown, in which the examiner would gladly havethe examination must be inquired into, and recalled his sentence of rejection, and havethe grounds of rejection stated. There might given the candidate his diploma. What abepleaded—"Ignorance of Materia Medica," satisfaction would an appeal prove in suchof "Pharmacy," " Chemistry," " Anatomy," cases-to see the blighting effects of misre-or " Therapeutics," commonly named presentation and haste relieved by the calm"Practice of Physic." Let us suppose either and unbiassed coolness of a more temperateof the last to be the ground of alleged judgment ! justification. Would it be difficult to show Mr. Penruddock, in the hopelessness ofthat the court have no authority to examine redress, in despair originating in disappoint-in anatomy, or in physic, or in many other ment, committed the assault for which, per-branches into which they inquire ? The haps, he is at this moment again on trial.evidence before Mr. Warburton gives us a That he was wrong in taking the law intoreason for their not instituting examinations his own hands, all must allow ; but whatin midwifery, that a legal opinion taken, de- should that proceeding be called, whichnied their right to do so. What gives the would place a young man who was respect-right to examine into anatomy, physiology, ably connected, in Newgate, make him thepathology, practice of physic? The student associate of felons, and, after a long period,presents himself as a candidate for a licence in which reflection and cool moments oughttu practise as an apothecary. Does the Act to have pointed out the untenableness of thedefine what an " apothecary" is, in other charge, convict him in a dreadful penalty ?terms than, "Whereas it is the duty of an No one for a moment entertained an idea of

3D

754

the existence of any intention, on his part,which would render the assault a capitaloffence. It was nothing more than, norever could, even with the utmost stretch ofof fancy, be construed into anything morethan, a common assault. Had he been in-dicted for that, he would probably havebeen convicted, and properly punished, norwould any one have sympathised with him ;but now, first subjected to an unfoundedprosecution, then acquitted, and then charg-ed again, even should he be convicted, theworld will look upon him as a persecutedindividual, and, as such, will not only notwithhold their sympathy, but even suspectthat there is more behind the curtain than it would be wise to unveil.

’ ’

I am actuated by two motives in address-ing to you these strictures. First, I desireto call your attention to what I conceive tobe some improvements in the conduct ofthe examinations at Apothecaries’ Hall,under the assurance that, should you enter-tain similar opinions, you will not fail toattempt their introduction in the properquarter. Secondly, if published in yourJournal they cannot fail to attract the noticeof the Worshipful Court, and thus lead tothe correction of abuses which add neitherto the credit nor the respectability of thatbody.

I am, Mr. Editor, your obedient servant,DIDASKOLOS.

London, Feb. 13,1837.

MEDICO-BOTANICAL SOCIETY.

ANALYSIS OF BITTER ALMONDS.—HYDRO-CYANIC ACID.—At a late meeting of the Med.Botan. Soc., Mr. EvERITT stated some curiousfacts at which the French chemists havelately arrived, respecting the analysis ofbitter almonds. The substance called "amyg-daline" was obtained by macerating thebruised seeds in alcohol, or ether; but it wasproved that no hydrocyanic acid or essentialoil was contained in them ; and that thoseprinci ples are not educts, but mere products,formed by water, or by mastication; thatbenzoic acid is formed in the volatile oil byits union with oxygen ; that the bitter prin-ciple is developed only by attracting azoteor nitrogen.

Mr. EvERITT also showed a very delicatetest for hydrocyanic acid, consisting in sim-ply placing over a watch-glass containingthe smallest quantity of hydrocyanic acid,alone, or mixed with some other body, ano-ther piece of glass, damped with a solutionof nitrate of silver. The hydrocyanic acid,being extremely volatile, escapes, and, com-ing in contact with the nitrate of silver,renders the glass opaque, by forming cyanideof silver.

INFLUENZA.—Mr. JUDD, surgeon to theScotch Guards, said that he had a greatnumber of his regiment affected with influ-enza, one-ninth of the men having suffered.The mortality had been great among thosewho were disposed to consumption, or

other affections of the lungs. In one iu.stance he had noticed a peculiar symptom,a spasmodic action of the legs, whichlasted two or three days during the attack.Dr. SIGMOND said he had found the use ofthe warm bath, after purgation, very effee.tual in removing the pains which are so com.mon in this epidemic. The diaphoreticwhich he had usually; chosen, was Dover’spowder; he considered antimonials to betoo depressing, and thought that where noplethora existed, his treatment, in the ear.

lier stages, would be found successful.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE MEDICALSOCIETY.

January 20, 1837.Mr. MORTON, President.

SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS.

Mr. HOBSON read a paper on the pfiysio-logical and pathological effects of alcoholicbeverages on the human system. Ardent

spirit, he observed, on being applied to

mucous membranes, produced pain, and

congestion of the capillaries and minute

vessels. If taken with food it interrupteddigestion, as proved by the experiments ofBeaumont and others, probably by the ex.cessive excitement of the gastric mucousmembranes, and the coagulation of the inci-pient albumen formed during the process ofdigestion. Its effects on the sensoriumwere sometimes coma and death. Dyspep-sia was a common effect of the constant irri-tation of the stomach, and atrophy of theliver, the result of a deposition of fibroustissue around the portal veins, known bythe name of " gin liver," would occur asthe consequence of drinking spirits. So,also, was dropsy, frequently ; and deliriumtremens seldom occurred from any othercause. From the facts which he had collected, and from the immediate physiological effects of wines, also, he questionedtheir general utility. As articles of nutri-tion they had no claim to attention. The

experiments of Dr. Turner and others provedthat the nutritive matter of seven or eightpints of ale did not exceed that of a pennyloaf.