,.,.v

the Gaunt“ maul"

:E (tintrtoponilmtv.

.——_

. [Coincidence in opinion with our correspondents is not always to be inferred, because their communications may appear in our columns.]

To 1n: Eon-on or me COLONIAL Hzrutu.

snow Tue sccoun. Sir; We are told that two of a trade can never agree—— how far this observation is generally true 1 cannot pretend to say, but its applicability to the medical profession is in- dtthitable. V'Vo have, however, seen and heard enough ofthc disgusting quarrels of‘its members, not only on ordinary occasions, but extended even to the chamber ot'deiitli; we ' shall, therefore, leave them to their own reflections, in the hope that time, and the anuisition of'inoney, the great bone of contention among tlicin, may soften down their Iiiiainin— hle dispositions, and cause them to think, act and live like Christiane.

‘ 1 now proceed to remark on their enormous charges lor services, probably, of little value. We have heard of Four- teen Pounds being demanded from an indigent family for at professional absence ofa few hours only, and where the case terminated in death. We have heard ofa dollar it mile. heing charged for co'untry visits, with the superadditlon Ol Pounds for medicines, intrinsically not worth ashilliug. “to have heard of Twenty, Thirty and Fort]; Shillings being asked and taken for a small bottle of medicine, iicctiii byd advice which, instead of being serviceable, " injurious to the party who received it; and the institution of actions to recover the 1 iniquitous demands. Yes, Sir, we have be we can only tremble for the offender when ,_ . death shall place him before a more awful tri . ofan earthly one, to answer for his acts of rupeéiousness and pecuniary oppression. In other profits-ions, the mem- bers ofit have titi equitable scale, by which their claims are regulated; but among the professors of medicine, it is thrown open to arbitrary capricc. 'l'liey pounce with coi'iiioruut voracin on their prey, and their ill-fated victims, whether in ; comfortable circumstances or the walks of poverty, are alike ‘ and indiscriminately called upon to gratify their gluttonotis appetites. [would allow every one, whatever his calling

; may be, a quantum meruit for his services, a fair remunera- tion for labour and the exercise ofhis talents; but when the limits ofmoderation are violated by inordinate and merciless exactions, the trniisgreesor should be publicly marked, and the friends of humanity should cease to employ him.

Among the professors of the healing art, there are orders and generic distinctions; and as far asfiny observations serve, there,are four descriptions of practitioners to be met with in evoryIcommunity capable of maintaining a certain llutllbel‘i ofthein, each having his peculiar path, in which, howover, the some objects are steadily pursued with undeviating pro- cision by all.

The first description is a person who, being patronized by one or two influential individuals, is pushed on by them, through thick and thin, without the slightest regard whatever to character, education or talents. The frequent failures of their prolegé are passed over with tho most unaccountable oh- stinncy—tbeir personal vuiiity appears to be involved in his

rotectioii, and their patronage must not be tlisuppuiltted.‘

iko liebuchudnezznr’s, they have set up an image oftheir own, and all must bow down to their superior taste with ob- sequious submission. This being, however, is the mere creature ofconvenioncs, and having no substantial basis on which n permanent reputation can be sustained, he is ultimately supplanted by others, and sinks into nothinguess, when the stream ofcnprice shall fitfully carry his supporters

9 in another direction.

The second description is one who fearlessly dashes on in ‘ his medical career, cutting and slashing, right and left, at his brethren iii the profession, and every one else that stands iii I

. his way, and fancies that no one with safety can or ought to

beentrusted-witb the lives ochr Majesty’s subjects btit him-

- sell: This sort of practitioner is generally found to possess

i every considerable share of ability; but he unfoi‘tuuatsly

(in: everything by his ridiculous self-importance and arro- ! - _i ' .isio s o superiority. fi 7 The third description is a regular cujoler, and by an u_n-

e

skill in his profession? 0 no, Sir, flu- from it; it tells you no such thing; and here it will be necessary to give your readers some idea of these examinations, that they in” judge for themselves. The fees on diplomas are divide usttally among the professors, who examine the parties to be

. dubbed or invested with medical honors; anti, of'oourse, the

more they have to do in this way, the more money they WIll put into their pockets, and therefore they are not particularly nice in conferring their satisficits. Ifa young man has gone through the required course, unless he isa perfect nuinskull, there is seldom an instance of rejection; and, consequently, as the number oft-looted persons hours but a very small proportion to those who are not so, .it of necessity follows, tliatn mass of ignorant men, from time to time, must be turned loose upon the public, to inflict, under the authority of diplomas, the most serious iniecliiefon the gulli- ble portion ofthe community. It may then be asked, how are we to know whether a man is or is not properly qualified, unless it be by it diploma, or some certificate ofn similar nature? The answer is, without difficulty. If, oti acquaint-

geiieral‘literature, thinking, speaking aiul writing like a man of education, these qualifications, in connection with a diplo- ma, or sometimes even without one, may indiiceyou,nt once to confide in him; but when the reverse is the case,imd you can scarcely elicit an idea from the doctor that does not smell ofthc shop, althongh he may know something of the ,uicre mechanical part of his profession, rest assured, Sir, that his tact as ii physician is extremely qucstiouable, and

'e ought not, iii matters of difficulty, to be implicitly relied on.

Iain afraid, Mr. Editor, that my oiicroachmeiits on your columns have been carried to too great an extent, I shall,

- therefore, conclude this letter by giving your readers some

notion ofthc mode ofdubbing a dontor, or, in other words, ofconfcrriug a medical degree. My authority is from a re- spectabls English periodical now before me; and although the «inscription ofthc ceremony appears to hordera little on the ludicrous, l uni not exactly, on this account. to he held answerable for its liiitlifulness; but from what I have heard and secn, Iniri inclined to think it bears a strong resemblance to the truth.

The scene is laid in the spacious hall of it College. The drmimtt's persona: are the professors, in their gowns and wigs, standing iii the form ofa crescent iii the middle ofthc apart- ment, the candidate standing before them, and a handle oti the right side, with a large fidl bottomed wig in his hand. The ceremony then commences, and the followingr will suf- fice as a specimen of the inaugural examination. 1’. stands for professor, and C. for candidate.

1’. Young gentleman, I must inform you that some ofthc Colleges have lately been very remiss in their examinations of persons for the medical profession, and have thereby iii- llicted on the publicnscvere injury, and an indelible disgrace ou'thenisclves. by qualifviiq.r improper people for that most important ofull undertakings, the practice of'niedicine. We have, therefore, resolved to be most particularly strict and severe with candidates for degrees, and trust you will acquit yourselfin a creditable manner.

The senior professor conducts the ceremony.

P. What is the upper extremity ofa man’s body called or denominated? C. llis llt’fl'I. P. What are the external surfaces of the head? C. The anterior and posterior sur- liices, the right or dexter side, the left or sinister side, and the upper or superior surface, except in cases of baldness, usually covered with capillary olongutions, vulgarly called hair. P. \tht is the anterior surface ofa man’s head called or denominated? Q The face. P. What are the lead- ing or characteristic features of the face? C. Forehead, eyes, nose, mouth and chin, with two lateral surfaces, under the appellation ofchceks. P. How many eyes has a man under ordinary circumstances? C. Two, right and loft. P. C. They contain the organ ofvision, and are for the purpose ofdistiiiguisliiiigthe form and size ot'objects b sight. P. Good—how many noses has a man? C. One, i not previously destroyer! by disease or accident. P. Its use? C. It contains the organ of smelling, and is for the

-purpose ol'distiugnishing things by the. peculiarity ofsmell,

odour, 5w. P. \thre is the. mouth situate? C. Between the nose and the. chin. P. \Vhat are its uses? C. It is a large aperture or opening, for the introduction of nutriment,

tiring go-adieutl system, contrives to worm himself into the good graces ofthc community in the most astonishing man- I ner. Ile entertains his patients with long details of liisl ' wonderful success in the various departments of the profcs- l sion, and artfully iiisinuntes that he has been the means of‘ saving a Itttiiibcr ofpersons who, otherwise, must have died I [under iujudicious treatment. llis chiefobject is to iiigrntinto' hitnselfwitli the ladies; and it‘hc can onlyl obtain a position i

on the blind side of a wife, he is sure to succeed In the tita- nagcincut ofuii obcdiont husband. Ilia cases are tlSlluIlV: unfortunate; but, although he does not carry an ubiindunccl ofskill to the bed-sides ufliis patients, he makes tip, iui

some measure, for the deficiency, by an overwhelminbr uttcn-i tion their complaints.

The fourth and lust dcscri ogotism personified—sell; d night and day, of his thou with all his pursuits. own, and no one must

ptiorv oftlio medical genus isi ai'liug self, is the nloiic object” glue, and is inscpnrnbly connected llis patients are to be exclusively his interfere with them. He avoids con- sultations, test his insufficiency at any time should be dis-l covered, and his reputation suffer ‘by the successful treat- I mout oftt competitor; and when, in consequence ofthc ini- portunities of friends, a professional brother is admitted, It is never sanctioned by him until the death-rattles are in the throat of'his patient, and human assistance is no longer available. I'lc tlieti consents to a consultation, that be niuv have-“.1” his power to bolster up his practice and avoid suspicion, by throwing a partion of the responsibility on a arson who has had little or nothing to do with the case. here are ‘otbcr moieties in the profession of medicine, but 2:1:5 pressed for tune, the above, for the present, must suf- Strarigcrs, on coming to a place without any knowledge of or acquaintance with the society in which they are destined to mix and reside, are frequently at a loss, in the event of sickness, as to the employment ofa competent physician. One family recommends their medical iittendant,aiid another theirs; but as these recommendations are oftciitiiiics at vu- l'lallt'e'wjlll each other, according to the diflci'eiit views and piit'ro‘nizmg pnrtialitics ofthc parties recommending, uothinv satisfactory or decisive can be gathered from such discrepanc— cies: In order, therefore, to remove all perplexities on this subject, the following pluii should be adopted by the pub- Iisliers of Newspapers—that, whenever thev announce a _ death, the name of the disease, duration of'illnose, age 0f the patient, together with the name of' the medical attendant, should be given in the obituary; and perhaps the follow- pose :—

ing form might answer the pur

“Died, of pleurisy [or in child bed, of fever, &c., as the case may be], on last, after an illness of —— diivs, aged —--, S —, the beloved wife of A lsq. Dr. .Medical attendant.”

‘TIHS sort of'annotincoinent would gratify the curiosity of the public mind, frequently iii ignorance ofthc event; and at the same time, I should say, would afford an utlIl‘l'illl' rule to: stronger in the choice ofa doctor. Now, although an ‘ occasional failure ought not to implicate the oliai'actei- ofn [a medical than, the general Wnut of success unquestionably implies a want oftaleut; and it, on consulting an annual file ofthc newspapers, you find a striking majority of unsuccess- ful cases under the management ofa particular practitioner, _ on may naturally conclude, cretcris paribus, that he is the , east competent, and ought therefore to be avoided. Medical _ people generally are fond of pufling off their operations in

newspapers, and it is but fair, for their own and the benefit of the public, that the results ofthoir practice under ground should be duly compared with and admeaaiired by their sue- - coss among the living.

We tIOW come, Sir, to the qualifications of medical men, I on. which they frequently vnunt with the moat unbecoming and ridiculous vanity. \Vliut is it diploma, Mr. EditOr,ouv

the supposition that a practitioner has one? It is simpr ll piece of paper or parchment stating that [beholder has lins- l sad the necessary examiuatiou—thnt is to say, has answered‘ ' a certain nuiiibcrofi'outine questions, and isilierclbrc autho- rized to practise; but docs it tell you that ho is a man of education, literary acquirciusut, judgment, cleverness and

__B._

l i .

and contains the tongue and teeth. P. How many teeth are there? C. The number is indefinite—in infants under: month old, and in very old people, there are none; in the middle stages oflife, the iuunber will depend Oll the loss by disease and extraction. P. Is the chin a fixture? C. No;

it has a sort of tip and down motion in the mastication of

food,nnd in old age, when the teeth are entirely absent, the chin, coming immediately in contact with the nasal extre- mity, forms it very convenient and useful sort ofntit cracker. P. Admirablc—n discovery, no doubt, of your own. Pray what docs the inside ofthc head contain? 0. In people of no understanding it is entirely hollow; but in ordinary cases, it contains a substance called brain, which, in quantity or bulk, is in it proportionate ratio to the possessor’s understand- iugand capabilities ofdisccrniuent. P. You appear to be per- fct'tly conversant in anatomy. we shall, therefore, praceed to examine you in other branches: how do you treat a pleurisy? C. By taking as much blood as yoti can from the arms, then holding the patient tip by the heels, in order to drive or send the blood to the ripper extremities, that the whole of it, if possible, may be drawn off. P. A most safe and efficacious practice. \Vhat is rhubarb? C. A little yellow powder, used as a laxative. P. How much Epsom Salts would you give a mail that required it? C. From one ounce to half a pound, according to constitution. P. How do you cut off a man’s leg or arm? C. By first cutting the flesh down to the bone, then sawing ofi'the bone and applying the neces- sary dressings. P. Very properly described. You have passed a minute and very excellent cxniiiiiintion, and much to your credit. We shall now, therefore, proceed to confer the degree ofa doctor upon you. Kiioel.

P. Jtllcndc ct responde. Quamodo est doctor in medicina cretmdus :7

C. Creare doctorem estfaccre aliqui'd (x nihilo.

P. Responltisli recto, ergo le creamua doctorem.

The professor then takes the wig from the hostile, and gives it to the candidate, addressing him as follows:—

Hic, pone line 2111ng super tuum eruditum caput, ct surge cnidili'ssime doctor.

The dubbed doctor now rises, and the professors shake I hands with him, and wish him success in his practice. "1‘he senior professor then administers the following decla-

ration to him, oaths having been abolished in Colleges for o lenzth oftimo:

“ You solemnly and sincerely declare, that you will faith- fully obey the laws, rules and regulations of this College, and discharge the duties ofyour profession with zeal and assiduity—that you will not associate with quack doctors, or give them the slightest countenance; and in order to support the dignity ofthis Collch and your own respecta- bility, and at the same time to impress on the public mind that you place it due and proper value on your services, you declare that you will charge patients as much as their cir- cuiiistunces can possibly bear, without the slightest regard whatever to their station in life, means or capabilities ofpay- ing; and all this you faithfully promise to do and perform, on the honor ofa Doctor ofMedicine, and the faith ofa Christian man.”

0. All this [promise to do and perform, without any equivocation, mental reservation or self evasion of mind in me whatever. The ceremony now concludes, and the meet- lng or convocation is adjourned.

WHIZ !

INDEPENDENCE or was FAlMll.—By Henry Colman—Of all the conditions ofinon—end l have mingled with every variety—l believe iii truth that none is so independent as that of an industrious, frugal, and sober farmer—none af- fords more the means of contentment and substantial enjov- meat—none, where the education has not been neglected, presents better opportunities for moral and intellectual iin- provoiiicut—none calls more loudly for religious gratitude— nono is suited to give a more lively and deeper impression ofthc goodness of God. Some years since, in the most rug- god parts ofNew Hampshire, among its craggy cliffs and rude and bold mountains, I was travelling on horseback,

and some suddenly upon a plain and moss-covered cottage

d bespoke industry and care.

unce with a medical man, yott find him to be a person of

' ver bosom of a valley, where the brave settler had :II‘li't'ed hiiuselfoii a few acres of land which alone spouted capable of cultivation. Everyething about the residence

ilg fatigued, I stopped .to ask refreshments for my hem. Hay and oats were reedin furnished, and a young girl of about fifteen, perfectly modest and courteous, spread a table With a cloth as white as the snow-drift, and a bowl of pure milk and brown bread for myself. 1 never enjoyeda meal more. offered the family pay for their hospitalit ; but they steadily refused, saying thatI was welcome. was not Willing thus to tax their kindness, and therefore took out a piece of money to ["0 to one ofthe children that stood near “No,” said the pee rents, “ he must not take it: we have no use for money here.” “ Heaven be praised,” said I, “that 1 have found a people without avarice. 1 will iiot_corrupt you ;” apd giv- ing them a hearty thank-offering, Wished them God I bles- sing, atid took my leave. Now, here Were these humble people, with a home which, if it were burned down to-day, their neighbours would rebuild for them to-morrow—wuh clothing mode from" their own flecks by their own hands—- with bread enough, and beef, pork, butter, cheese, milk, poultry, eggs, &c., in abundance—a good school for six months in the year, where their children probably learned more, because they know the value of tune, than those Who were driven to school every day in the week and every week in tho year—with a plain religious meeting on Sunday, where, without oetontation or parade, they met their neigh- hours to exchange friendly snlutation’in, to. hear words. of good moral counsel, and to worship God It) the most sim- pic but not the less acceptable form—and, above all, here wore hearts at peace with the world and With each other, full ofhospitality to the passing ctranger, uncankered by avarice, and undisturbed by ambition. Where, upon earth, in an humble condition, or iii any condition, shall we look fora more beautiful example of trite independence, for a brighter picture of the true philosophy of life ?—.IV. E. Farmer.

10 TH: Pitncmms or cnnis'r's non oosPnL.

Deer Brethrcn,—A friend in London has just sent me a printed circularrespecting a great effort to be made in behalf oftlie Jews. 1 tbiiik it probable that most of you have also received a copy.

With a view to excite a deep interest in the behelfpf the laced of Abraham, twelve lectures are to be delivered in the National Scotch Cbiirch, Regent-square. .

Now, it has occurred to me that ii thousand of us in the country could preach on the very same subjects to our ree- pective congregations; and thus we should have a thousand sermons weekly, for twelve successive weeks, for the scat- .tcred remnants ofthc house of Israel! ‘VIIHI glorious ro- .iui|ts would follow, no mortal can foresee. But surely the prayerful study oftlio subjects would do good to_our own souls; and the delivery of them could hardly fail to be a blessing to our people. 0! let us try. It would honour our adorable Redeemer, anti bring down additional tokens ofhjs favour, who is the light ofthc Gentiles, and the glory of Illl people Israel. .

Let none say, “1 have not books, like Dr. Bennet and Dr Pve Smith, from which to draw information on the subject.” We have all of us the best book, written by the best Jowuh writers, containing all the divine threatetiings against the Jews, and all the promises and prophecies which God has made in their favour. All the new prophecies are chaff.

Dear Brethren, the Lord of Hosts is with us; therefore, let us arise and work.

Yours, for Christ's sake. Ricuann Kain. Wotton-uuder-Edge, Jan. 31, 1843.

Tho servants who believe that their Lord will return sc— lcording to his promise, gird their loins, ptit on their best apparel, and hold all things in readiness; and though the shades of evening should set in, they despair not ; and though the darkness of midnight should begin to pass, they slumber not; but keep their lights burning, and hearkeu in watchful silence to every distant sound that may perhaps give notice of their Lord’s approach. And it they speak, if the silence ofexpoetation be broken, it is to rouse the slum- bering, or to ask, “ Watchman, what ofthe night 5”? tr to dis- course about the happy meeting: for their Lord has pro-