ficiency in this important pre-requisite sede the study of nature in the dissecting of a medical education. NOTICE.-Every person intending to qualify himself under the regulations of this Act to practise as an Apothecary, must give notice in writing, addressed to the clerk of the Society, on or before the Monday previously to the day of examination, and must, also, at the same time, deposite all the required testimonials at the office of the beadle, at Apothecaries' Hall, where attendance is given every day (except Sunday) from nine until two o'clock. The Court will meet in the Hall every Thursday, where candidates are requested to attend at half-past one o'clock. By order of the Court, JOHN WATSON, Secretary. London, Sept. 14 1827. Information relative to the business of this Court may be obtained of Mr. Watson, at his residence, 43 Berner's-street, between the hours of nine and ten o'clock every morning (Sunday excepted.) *** It is expressly ordered by the Court of Examiners that no gratuity be received by any officer from any person applying for information relative to the business of this Court. It will be seen that the principal changes in the above Regulations relate to the order of succession in which the various branches of medicine shall be studied. The great object is evidently to compel the student to pass two seasons -or, in other words, to study, two years in London-a regulation which we cannot but approve, as we consider the ratio of medical education for the general practitioner as, even now,below what it should be. Those who urge that an examination alone should be the test for candidates of all kind in medicine, know nothing of the matter. There must be authentic proof afforded of a certain time spent in the acquisition of knowledge, as well of the identical spots where the knowledge was obtained, otherwise booklearning would, in a great measure, super room, and at the bed-side of sickness. We do not say, indeed, that a more efficient examination is not necessary. Far from it. The mode of examination at the Royal College of Physicians is the worst of all calculated to test the candidate's qualifications-that in the College of Surgeons is better, but far from sufficiently strict-and we believe the same may be said of the Apothecaries' Company. But it is evident that the two last corporate bodies cannot rise per saltum to an efficient examination, till they can gradually introduce laws for an efficient preparatory study. This, they appear to be doing; and every step, however slow, by which they proceed, is entitled to the approbation of all who wish well to the profession. We We firmly believe that the increased period of study among students-the necessary enlargement of their educationthe consequent acquisition of liberal ideas -and the aid of a spirited and upright press, will yet check the horrible system of demoralization and calibanism which has been lately instilled into their minds through the medium of a wicked press. The tide of honour and liberality has again turned, after the lowest ebb ever witnessed in modern times; and the results will soon be conspicuous. Our efforts shall not be wanting in the good cause. V. LUNACY-INSANITY-UNSOUND MIND. The medical profession would really seem to be in a most critical situation. Scarcely is there a newspaper published, which does not attach some foul stain on the moral character or professional acquirements of medical men! every one knows what the TIMES has lately said of the ignorance, and the mercenary character, of medical practitioners, as furnished by the representations of the LANCET and its partisans; and the MORNING CHRONICLE of Saturday, the 3d of November, plainly states that medical men, when called into a court of justice, are precisely like lawyers-namely that they will furnish arguments on any side of a professional question for which they are best paid! This caustic remark was called forth by the working of a commission of lunacy, issued against the Rev. Mr. Holmes, aged 77, and before which commission, a number of medical gentlemen were examined, and contradicted each other, as usual, in the most distressing manner. It may not be useless to look a little into this evidence. Dr. Pennington, who had been physician to the Nottingham Lunatic Asylum for 15 years, had examined Mr. Holmes, and the following were the facts on which he grounded his opinion. "Breakfasted with Mr. H. Mrs. H. and Mr. Amor, her brother. A newspaper lay about, and the Dr. said, Do you read the newspaper, Sir? to which he replied, Oh yes, every day. Dr. P. remarked, They have been more than ordinarily interesting of late, on account of the melancholy death of Mr. Canning-to which he replied, O! Mr. Canning, poor man, is he dead? O! I did not know that he was dead; O! poor man. Knowing that he was acquainted with Mr. Benjamin Maddock, the surgeon, I said, Have you seen or heard any thing lately of your friend, Benjamin Maddock? Benjamin Maddock, said he, how does his brother John do? I said his brother John had been dead twenty years, to which he answered, O! poor man.-Witness afterwards saw Mr. H. alone. After some other conversation, I said, Sir, have you any child? He said, O no, no family, no children at all. I said, I understand, Sir, you've a daughter? He replied, O yes, I believe I have a daughter. Is she married? Yes, she is married, but has no family. Pray what is her name, the name of her husband? O, I don't know the name of her husband, and this answer he repeated several times. After a pause, he said, I think his name is Stevenson. I said, pray Sir, how long has your brother been dead? To which he replied, I have a brother living, a druggist, at Leicester; he is not dead. I said, I understand he is dead, and you had property of your brother's. He said, O, I had a brother, who died some years ago, but he left me nothing. I said, Had you no property from Mrs. Chamberlain? Mrs Chamberlain, he said, is still living. I said, You have a large property, where is it situated? He said, I have property in Lincolnshire, but I do not know what is the name of the place. I said, I understood your income is considerable, what is it yearly? He said, I do not know how much my income is. Then you have a steward, I rejoined. He replied, no, indeed, not I, I have no steward; 1 do my business myself, and I go to Sleaford to receive my rents. Have you been there lately, Sir? to which he answered, I cannot recollect when I was there last. Another question was, Was Silcock a charwoman or a domestic servant? to which he replied, I do not know whether she is hired for a charwoman.-Do you know Mary Buckley? and to this he snswered, I never knew Mary Buckley, no person of that name ever lived with me.-Another question was, Have you seen Dr. Arnold lately, or more than once? to this he said, he called on me once, but not the second time at all.-Have you seen Dr. Peach lately? I have not seen Dr. Peach lately, no not for a year.-Pray, Sir, what is your age? I am 77.-Such were the questions that Dr. Pennington put to him, and his replies. His manner was confused at times, and at times was trifling, and he generally ended his observations with a silly kind of laugh. Witness considered his condition to be what is denominated dementia, or fatuity of mind, denoted in Mr. Holmes by the decay or abolition of the thinking faculty, which rendered him unfit for the ordinary purposes of life." Dr. W. Arnold corroborated the above testimony, by stating it as his opinion, that "mental imbecility, feebleness of mind, and a great want af memory, were the chief features in Mr. Holmes's case." "For the management of pecuniary matters he was totally unfit." We shall pass over a number of nonmedical witnesses, whose evidences were unimportant, though they tended substantially to confirm that of the two physicians above-mentioned. We now come to the great man of mind, on the other side of the question-namely Dr. Haslam. He stated that, for 57 years past, his practice has been confined to diseases of the mind-that he had had sufficient means of knowing Mr. Holmes's state of mind-and that "he believed him to be a responsible being, completely so"-that he believed him not to be a lunatic-that "he did not think he was of unsound mind at all." Dr. Haslam was quite shocked at the idea of applying the term unsound to mind, as " it has a tendency to spread the doctrine of materialism." Mr. Holmes's 66 is an emanation from the Deity, and insusceptible of the ordinary corruptions of matter-that mind which he declares to be the nurseling of casual excitation, and dependent on the individual himself for all its more important attributes and attainments! But again. Dr. Haslam, after pronouncing the Rev. Mr. Holmes to be "NON COMPOS," declares that, if the said non compos individual took away the life of another he would not only find him guilty mind was perfectly sound--he was only forth the exalted doctrine, that the mind non-compos-that was the proper term." "If Mr. Holmes (a man acknowledged to be "non-compos") were to murder a man, I would find him guilty, and would see him hanged after !!!" "The mind cannot be said to be unsound, for, if we suppose the human mind an emanation from the Supreme Being, it is not susceptible of the ordinary corruptions of matter." We can say an unsound tooth, an unsound horse, or unsound cheese; but we cannot say an insane tooth, an insane horse, or insane cheese, and, therefore, they are not convertible terms." On cross examination, Dr. Haslam observed that "the expression defective mind relates to quantity:-The mind is incommensurable, but the unsoundness of cheese commensurable by the number of mites, and the extension of rottenness!!" Notwithstanding the brilliancy of these metaphysical distinctions, the jury brought in a verdict of "unsound mind and incompetency as to the management of his own affairs"- partly from paralysis, and partly from old age"-but that he was not a lunatic. The quibbling metaphysical jargon displayed in Dr. Haslam's evidence is perfectly sickening-and, after such a display we do not much wonder at the caustic remarks of the Chronicle. But let us examine a little into the consistency of this great metaphysician, who is so shocked at the idea of the human mind, an emanalion from the Deity," susceptible of the ordinary corruptions of matter." This emanation from the Deity is thus defined by Dr. Haslam himself, in his recent lectures. "The human mind is not the progressive unfolding of intellectual germs, which nature first protrudes and subsequently expands; but a structure that is reared, in its primordium, by casual excitations, and, in its most important attainments, by the active exertions of the individual himself."-LANCET. Now, if there ever was a doctrine or definition more completely, palpably, and unequivocally, that of materialism than the above, we acknowledge ourselves to be incapable of perceiving the difference between A and B. Such, however, is the doctrine delivered in Bolt-court, by a man, who, in a court of justice, cants but "see him hanged afterwards!!" Gracious heaven! is it possible that such a savage declaration could issue from the mouth of a medical philosopher in the nineteenth century? Can we blame the CHRONICLE for affixing a sweeping stigma on the medical profession generally, when such evidences as the above come forth in courts of public justice! These are the ways in which a whole faculty is disgraced in the eyes of the public, by the clashing testimonies of men, from whom scientific truths are, or rather were expected, but whose evidences are now held in scorn and derision by judge and jury! In fine, we have no hesitation in pronouncing the opinions of Dr. Haslam, on the above trial, to be erroneous, quibbling, and ridiculous; and that the verdict of the jury which was in direct opposition to these opinions, was just, proper, and accordant with pathological science. To maintain that the mind of man is sound, when all its more important faculties and manifestations are in utter decay, (as was the case with Mr. Holmes) is about as much as to say that a man is in perfect health and strength, when, as in the Seventh Act of Shakspeare, he is -" sans eyes, sans teeth, sans taste, sans mind was as incapable of performing its every thing." The organ of Mr. Holmes's office, as is a harp of bringing forth harmonious sounds, when nine-tenths of its strings are broken. We are sorry to observe that, in some cross-examination of the other medical witnesses by the lawyers, certain confessions came out, not very complimentary to the "march of intellect" in the nineteenth century. Thus, when physicians were asked if they knew what were the sentiments of some of the most eminent medical writers, ancient and modern, on the subject of insanity, the reply was that they had not perused any such writings, but that they had read "Haslam on sound mind!!" What must be the effect of such confessions on the minds of judge, jury, and auditors? We blush for the answer-but out it must come. The minds of medical men, of late, have been too much captivated with the seductive pleasure of seeing their brethren caricatured, scandalized, and defamed. The painful and laborious investigations of medical literature and science are quite disrelished after such piquant sauces. But the day of retribution is at handnay, it has already come! The professors of a learned and humane science are on the very brink of losing their character, and of being precipitated into the abyss of ignorance-if not the general detestation of their more liberal and enlightened neighbours ! These are the effects of demoralizing publications and scandalous chronicles! They are coming home, with terrible retribution on the heads of the innocent as well as the guilty! The reaction is inevitable,, and the ultimate consequences will be most salutary. Medical men will soon awake to their own interests, as well as to the respectability of their profession and the good of society at large. Another and a better æra is on the eve of bursting forth. P.S. What between the technicalities of the law and the quibbles of physic, the relations of Mr. Holmes are likely to have merely the shells, while the lawyers and doctors devour the oysters. It appears that, in an appeal to the Chancellor, a flaw was discovered in the verdict of the jury, and a new commission is to be issued! Another council of TRENT is to determine whether a man who is pronounced by both parties-even by Dr. Haslam, as non compos, be also of "unsound mind." Some of the Chancellor's observations are to us Chaldaic. This, however, we can understand. "If the jury had said directly that Mr. Holmes was of unsound mind, their finding would be direct and proper." But, in consequence, we suppose, of the fine spun theories which were sported by Dr. Haslam, the unlettered jury brought in Mr. Holmes as "afflicted with paralysis and old age, and consequently of unsound mind." This introduction of the premises was fatal to the conclusion, and the whole business is to be gone over again, in order to leave out the paralysis and old age! In law there is nothing certain but ruin-in physic, but death. VI. LUNATIC ASYLA. In this inquiring age, it was not to be expected that the disgraceful manner in which pauper lunatics were let out to the lowest bidder, could long remain unstigmatized. Various investigations had taken place before committees of the House of Commons; and although facts of the most revolting nature came out, nothing was done in the way of remedy. The magistrates of the county of Middlesex at length took up the business, and, after a somewhat stormy discussion, it was carried, almost unanimously, that a county lunatic asylum should be erected for insane paupers, in order to supersede the disgraceful system of sending them out, at 14 or 15 shillings a week, to starve, rot, and become incurable, in certain of those wretched asyla, ycleped "private madhouses." In this discussion, we are sorry to observe that transactions came to light not very well calculated to enhance the character of the medical profession, whether we look to the highest body or to the humbler members of that profession. Thus, it was proved by Serjeant Pell, that although the houses for the reception of lunatics are (or rather are said to be) under the inspection and control of the Royal College of Physicians, yet it appeared from evidence before the House of Commons," that that learned Body either did not possess, or did not exercise any efficient check and control for the correction of the abuses which prevailed in these establishments." The learned commissioners visited these asyla once or twice a year-they granted licences to whoever applied for them, "no matter how unfit the persons making the application might be no matter how gross their former misconduct." Yes, yes! the licensing trade has been an excellent one at the College-the fitness or unfitness of the persons licensed was quite another thing! The price of the license was the "main chance;" but, for the character of mad-housemen or licentiates, the College was not responsible! Well might Serjeant Pell observe that, if the College had no power or inclination to withhold licences, "wherefore was the authority of granting licences at all given to them." Wherefore, indeed! But can any rational being doubt for a moment, that were the College commissioners to do their duty in detecting and reporting abuses, they would be supported by the proper authorities, and licences would not only bewithheld but withdrawn, where delinquencies obtained? The truth is, that, because the Act of Parliament is defective, the commissioners, like commissioners in general, considered the routine of their inspection as a matter of course, and a mere form of doing a certain quantum of duty, annually, without any corresponding return of utility to the public or to humanity! But we are compelled to advert to a disclosure which will long rank high among the indelible stigmata which the present demoralizing influence of the medical press has given rise to, and affixed on the medical profession. Mr. Jessop, in adverting to the parliamentary reports, stated, that the evidence given before the committee presented such a lamentable exhibition" of evasion, subterfuge, and downright falsehood," as he had never before witnessed in the course of his professional life. A surgeon who attended a celebrated establishment for insane paupers, as assistant to another surgeon, asserted point blank, that his superior or principal kept a regular book of the cases, on which book he pronounced a high eulogium. Yet, when the principal, Mr.D- was examined, he declared, that the whole statement of his friend was a romance, without a particle of foundation, as he never kept any book of the kind!! The auxiliary surgeon described, with great minuteness, the shape, size, and arrangement of this register, the existence of which had no other" local habitation" than his own brain! And can we wonder at such exhibitions, when the medical press, for several years past, has taught, by precept and example, the various methods of cultivating the organ of mendacity, with the greatest degree of perfection and success? Can we wonder that men of weak and bad principles should readily give way to such propensities, when they see them practised with great profit and advantage, by, -directors of the medical press? Will it be believed, that there are men in this great metropolis, who rank high in medical science, but who are wicked enough to expend considerable sums in the reward of those who can invent the greatest, but, at the same time, the most plausible falsehoods, against the brightest characters in the medical profession? For the honour of human nature, we hope this will not be believed-yet such, we are credibly informed, is a certain fact! The days of Sparta are returning, when thievery will be stigmatized only when it is awkwardly performed! VII. WONDERFUL VIRTUE OF VENESECTION. The Medico-Chirurgical Society has revived from its bed of sickness or of death, and flourished. The Lancet begins once more to report, and modestly attributes the resuscitation of the Society to the vivifying influence of ITS REPORTS!! The modesty and the truth of this passage are quite on a par. There is just as much veracity in this statement as in the statements in general contained in the leading articles of that instrument, the beauties of which we shall now have pretty frequent opportunities of portraying. It has now cone out, * that the EDITOR is merely the PROPRIETOR, and that all the flaming articles about reform-in short, the whole of the leading articles, were written by hireling scribes, who cared no more for the profession than for the inhabitants of the moon!! By the way, we have a word or two to say as to the right or the propriety of these reports of societies. We conceive, then, that the papers read at a society which publishes the said papers, in the form of transactions, are, or ought to be, sacred; and no journalist has any right to publish reports of them before the society. The case, we conceive, is very different with those societies which do not publish their transactions-and with those debates which take place in consequence of the reading of papers afterwards to be published. These debates are no man's property. They are words spoken-and, if fairly condensed, the publication of them is praiseworthy and free from objection. Till very recently, debates were discouraged in the Medico-Chirurgical Society, * Vide DISSECTOR, No. 7. |