502

MEDICAL DIARY OF THE WEEK.

MONDAY, Nov. 3......... ’l

TUESDAY, Nov. 4 ...... { (

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 5...l

THURSDAY, Nov. 6 ...IFRIDAY, Nov. 7 ..........

IIISATURDAY, Nov. 8......<

II

ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.M.[ METROPOLITAN FREE HospiTAL. -- Operations,2P.M.EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SOCIETY.-8 P.M. Dr. Milroy,

‘

" On the Study of some Epidemic Diseases."GUY’S HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1 P.M.PATHOLOGICAL ’ SOCIETY OF LONDON.-8 P.M.ST. MARY’S HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1 P.M. UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL. - Operations, ) 2 P.M.

ROYAL ORTHOPOEDIC HOSPITAL.-Operations, 3&frac12;P.M.

lGEOLOGICAL SOCIETY (Somerset House).-8 P.M.

rMIDDLESEX HOSPITAL.-Operations, 12&frac12; p.)!.ST. GEORGE’S HospiTAL.&mdash;Operations, 1 P.M.CENTRAL LONDON OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL.

Operations, 1 P.M.LONDON HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1 1/2 P.M.HARVEIAN SOCIETY.-8 PM.OPHTHALMIC

HOSPITAL, MOORFIELDS.-Opera-tions, 10 A.M.

WESTMINSTER OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL. - Opera-! tions, 11/2 P.M.

WESTERN MEDICAL AND SURGICAL SOCIETY OFLONDON,-8 P.M. Mr. Ellis, "Notes on a Patu-lous State of the Os Uteri, and its Relation to

Abortion."CHARING-CROSS HosPITAL.-Operations, 12a P.M.WESTMINSTER HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1 P.M.ST. THOMAS’S HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1 P.M. ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S HOSPITAL.-Operations, 1 1/2

P.M.KING’S COLLEGE HOSPITAL.-Operations, 2 P.M.‘MEDICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.-8 P.M.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

CO CORRESPONDENTS.Royal Medical Benerolent College.-By the laws, the Council are required tosummon an extraordinary general meeting immediately on the requisitionof twenty governors. The following names have been added to the memo-rial (now lying at THE LANCET Office) to the Council of the Royal MedicalBenevolent College, requesting them to call a public meeting with referenceto the late vote respecting the increase in the charges for education :-Dr. W. Carter Hoffmeister, Cowes, Isle of Wight; Dr. Wm. Cass, Cowes, Isleof Wight; Dr. Chas. Hollis, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight; Mr. J. E. Beckingsale,Newport, Isle of Wight; Mr. Ernest P. Wilkins, F.G.S., Newport, Isle ofWight; Mr. James R. H. Pomery, Newport, Isle of Wight; Mr. W. K.Loveless, Stockbridge, Hants. The memorial will be forwarded to theCouncil on the 20th instant.

P.ROPOSED BRITISH INSTITUTE OP DENTAL SCIENCE.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-Some weeks since, there appeared in the columns of your valuablepaper a report of a large and influential meeting of dentists, which was held atthe London Tavern on Monday evening, the 22nd of September last, whichhad for its objects the intention of forming themselves into a corporate bodyor society, ostensibly for the purpose of mutual improvement, and for the pur-pose of establishing a sound system of educational training for future membersof the profession. A committee was chosen by the meeting to carry out theresolutions which were passed then and there, to which duty the committeehave assiduously devoted their attention.During last week a printed copy of a circular letter has been received by

members of the profession, purporting to be a copy af a memorial addressed tothe College of Surgeons by some eighteen gentlemen practising as dentists inLondon. The presentation of this memorial to the Council of the College ofSurgeons has been managed in so secret a manner, that I believe very fwv,except the persons whose names are attached to the circulated copy, were,until last week, aware of its existence, nor are we now informed of the date ofits presentation; we are only told that the Council have not yet given an answer.

I think, Sir, you will agree that this movement was unconstitutional, and aneffort on the part of these eighteen gentlemen to steal a march on the greatbody of dentists practising in Great Britain. There cannot be a shadow ofexcuse for such a back-parlour proceeding, even if this memorial were all thatcould be wished for, either in itself, or in the effects its adoption would produce.

I have been many years in the profession, and am well aware of the amountand the diversity of knowledge that a good dental practitioner requires tobe master of; therefore I cannot see how the College of Surgeons, as it is con-stituted, can possibly institute an examination of dental students, when it iswell known that the matters cognizable by that College form but an adjunct tothe most necessary requirements of the dentist. If only a partial acquaintancewith Anatomy, Surgery, and Physiology is to be the maximum of knowledgenecessary for the student to possess to enable him to acquire a diploma fromthat honourable body, then there must either be instituted another examina-tion, embracing Chemistry and Mechanics, or I maintain that neither thepublic nor the profession will be benefited by the change, as such facility inacquiring a licence to practise would leave the ranks of the dental professiona prey to all sorts of irregularly-trained persons, placing it in a much worseposition than it is at present.My object in taking the liberty of addressing you upon this subject is, that

I hope to enlist your powerful pen to the interest of our body, by inducing theCouncil of the College to postpone their decision on so important a measureuntil the profession at large are in a position to decide upon its merits. Agreat meeting of the dental profession is fixed for the 10th of November, whenthis memorial, as well as the proceedings of the provisional committee, will belaid before them. An opportunity will then be afforded to the Council of theCollege of Surgeons of judging whether the majority of the profession are orare not in favour of the measure introduced by the eighteen.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,Savile-row, October, 1856.

I

502 your

DoNAM MA,CKENZIE.

502

A Conatant Reader of THE LANCET.-With the qualification of "L.S.A.," andthe sum mentioned to start with, emigration to any growing city on theborders of the great American Lakes-Lake Erie, or the west side of LakeHuron, or even Lake Superior-would be advisable. With energy and in.

dustry, success is certain. If settled in that part of the world, he canassume, in common with others, the title of " Doctor," which will be con.firmed on his going before some local board, as, for example, one of theColleges of Physicians or Surgeons, the examination before which wouldbe but a partial one, from the fact of his holding a British qualification.This will be unnecessary in the United States. With regard to other Britishcolonies, so little comparatively is known about the chances at Port Natalor the Cape, that it is difficult to advise, with all the means of informationat our disposal. In Australia, a relative or friend living there, to assist withadvice on arrival, will be found a great advantage ; but we think the meansmentioned inadequate for that part of the world.

F. G. S.-The suggestions shall be adopted, and the meetings regularly an-nounced in the " Medical Diary."

Dr. P. Ballantine Fergusson will perceive that a movement is being made withreference to the subject of his communication.

Dr. Henry Ager.-The new edition of Kirkes’s Handbook of Physiology, justout, will afford the requisite information.

An Apprentice.-Certainly not.Q in the Corner.-The subject will be noticed in the Report of the Pathological

Society.THE MEDICAL PROFESSION AND LIFE ASSURANCE OFFICES.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.SIR,-I hoped that your energetic treatment of the Insurance Oflices had

put an end to the plan of endeavouring to obtain medical opinions respectingthe health of intending insurers without paying the fee for them. You will

perceive by the enclosed that at least one office is still shabby enough to ad.here to the old system, and to adopt the plan of making it appear as if thereport were a benefit to the profession instead of the office, by inducing theproposer to sign the ready printed letter enclosed. I have explained toMr. - the real state of the case as far as I could in a letter, and I hopeyou may be able to do me the favour of noticing the matter in your publica-tion. I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

Oxford, October, 1856. JOHN F. WooD." SIR,-Being desirous of effecting an assurance upon my life in the London

Life Association, I shall feel obliged if you will unreservedly give such answersto the annexed questions as your knowledge of my present and general stateof health and habits of life enables you to afford, affixing your signature thereto,and forwarding the same to the Secretary of the Association, No. 81, KingWilliam-street, London.-I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

" J. F. Wood, Esq." "London Life Association, 81, King William-street, Oct. 24th, 1856.

"SIR,-I have received a letter from Mr. Wood, requesting the Society tosend him a fee previously to giving the information required relative to yourhealth. You are aware that the Society does not make such payments, and Imust therefore request your attention to the matter.

" I am, Sir, your obedient servant,"Mr. ---. " "EDw. Docsssz, Secretary.

A Constant Reader.-l. Yes.-2. No; not if he dispensed his own medicine.-3. No; he could not practise legally, and he would be unable to recover hischarges in a court of laW if the attendance, &c., were on a medical case.-4. Not necessarily so.

A Lady.-One case has come to our knowledge, in which the use of belladonnato impart "brilliancy to the eye" has been followed by very serious mischief.

Mr. W. P. Smart.-The last meeting of the Zoological Society too]-, place onthe 22nd July.

F.-In some parts of the country there is a good opening.K. Y. B.-The study of sanitary subjects is by no means incompatible with

labours on Comparative Anatomy and Zoology.A LETTER has been received, enclosing a specimen of what appears to be a twig

of dulcamara, with the berries. In folding the letter, the berries have beencrushed, and scarcely a line of the communication is legible.

CmIMuNICATIONS, LETTERS, &c., have been received from-Mr. Syme; Mr.Fergusson ; Dr. Tyler Smith; Dr. Snow Beck; Dr. Quain; Mr. John Wool-cott, (Kent;) Mr. G. S. Keele, (Highbury;) Mr. J. F. Wood, (Oxford;)Dr. S. Connor, (Dublin;) Dr. Hoffmeister, (Cowes;) Mr. Loveless; Dr. R.Nelson; Dr. Henry Ager; Dr. P. Ballantine Fergusson; Mr. W. P. Smart;Mr. Donald Meckenzie; Dr. Hugh Hastings, (Cheltenham;) Mr. J. Griffith,(Dublin;) Mr. Edwards, (Chester Asylum;) Mr. Oldfield, (Heckmondwike,with enclosure;) Mr. Spencer, (Preston, with enclosure;) Dr. Hitchman,(Liverpool;) Mr. Potter, (Southampton, with enclosure;) Mr. Westwood,(Birmingham, with enclosure ;) Mr. Milner, (Nun Monkton, with enclosure;)Mr. Barron, (Southport, with enclosure;) Mr. Fisher, (Aspull Moore, withenclosure;) Mr. W. J. Smith, (Aberdare;) Right Hon. Henry Fitzroy, M.P.;Mr. Lewis, (Taly Bont;) Mr. Whitcombe, (Manchester;) Mr. Foster, (Dor-chester ;) Mr. Backhouse, (East Dereham;) Mr. Sutcliffe, (Hemel Hemp-stead ;) Dr. Taylor, (Cannobie, Dumfriesshire, with enclosure ;) Mr. Martin,(Abingdon, with enclosure;) Dr. Nottingham, (Liverpool;) Mr. Strickland,(Plymouth, with enclosure;) Mr. Woodd, (Tavistock, with enclosure;)Rev. J. J. Maltby, (Shelton, with enclosure;) Mr. Eady, (Chertsey, withenclosure;) Mr. S. J. Baker, (Abingdon, with enclosure;) Mr. Wilson,(Milnthorpe;) Mr. T. G. Beale, (Beeford, Hull;) Mr. F. H. Vertue, (South-wold, with enclosure;) Mr. Stonehouse, (Normanton ;) Mr. Lowe, (Solihull,with enclosure;) Mr. Dickson, (Bingley;) Mr. T. W. Gibbs, (Bath, with en-closure ;) Mr. Knaggs, (Swindon, with enclosure;) Dr. Hale, (Aldershott;)Mr. S. Pidcock; The Hon. Sees. of the Epidemiological Society; A ConstantReader of THE LANCET; An Honory Local Secretary; F. G. S.; K. Y. B.;An Apprentice; Q in the Corner; A Constant Reader; The Hon. Sees. ofthe Western Medical and Surgical Society of London; A Lady ; F.; &c. &o.