the widow of Mr. Sharpe, Sir Ludford Harvey, Dr. Fleming, Mr. Cotton and Mr. Long. The Court of Assistants also directed.from time to time, the expenditure of small sums of money for the purchase of books, and eventually voted a sum of 100 pounds per annum for this purpose. Sir Charles Blicke, in the year 1816, invested the sum of 300 pounds, the proceeds of which sum were to be devoted to the same object. Some of the purchases thus made were considerable, as in the purchases of the libraries of Mr. Pitt, Mr. St. Andre and Sir Anthony Carlyle. And books of importance were added at the recommendation of the conservator of the museum and others. In this way a library of considerable value was gradually accumulated, but it was only accessible to a limited number of persons. In 1827 active steps were taken to render it more generally useful, and, with this object, catalogues and extensive lists of desirable acquisitions were ordered to be prepared. Large sums of money were also expended during this and the ensuing two years, amounting in the aggregate to nearly 6000 pounds. A librarian was appointed, and in 1828 the library contained 10,500 volumes, and was then thrown open to members of the college, and all other persons engaged in the pursuit of natural science were freely admitted. The This large collection, thus opened, offered great facilities to the studious. By means of extensive additions the collection was well nigh complete in works on medicine and surgery, both domestic and foreign, whilst it was also very rich in publications relating to the accessory sciences, transactions of academies and societies, and the collection of periodical publications in general, owing to their completeness, and the difficulty with which access can be obtained to this class of literature elsewhere than in the large libraries, formed a valuable feature. The maintenance of the library, from that time to the present, has involved a very considerable expenditure of the funds of the college. It has been the object of those to whose care it has been confided to ensure the completeness and excellence of the collection, and great facilities of reference have been provided by the preparation of additional catalogues and indexes of subjects. During the past year there have been added to the library 534 volumes, including 145 works and 303 tracts, pamphlets, es says, reports and theses. The entire collection now consists of 40,291 volumes, comprising 15,662 works and 40,303 tracts, pamphlets, essays, reports and theses. THE MUSEUM. The Hunterian collection, which forms the basis, and still a large proportion, of the contents of the present museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, was originally arranged in a building which its founder, John Hunter, erected for it in 1784, behind his house in Leicester Square. John Hunter died Oct. 16, 1793, aged 65 years. By his will he directed the museum to be offered in the first instance to the British government, on such terms as may be considered reasonable, and, in case of refusal, to be sold in one lot, either to some foreign State, or as his executors might think proper. In the year 1799 Parliament voted the sum of 15,000 pounds for the museum, and an offer of it being made to the surgeons, it was accepted on the terms proposed by the government. In 1806 the sum of 15,000 pounds was voted by Parliament in aid of the erection of an edifice for the display and arrangement of the Hunterian collection. A second grant of 12,000 pounds was subsequently voted, and upwards of 21,000 pounds having been supplied from the funds of the college, the building was completed in Lincoln'sInn-Fields in which the museum was opened for the inspection of visitors in the year 1813. In consequence of large numbers of additions, this building became too small for the adequate display and arrangement of its contents; and more space being required for the rapidly increasing library, the greater portion of the present building was erected, wholly at the expense of the college, in 1835, at a cost of about 40,000 pounds, and the Hunterian and Collegiate collections were rearranged in what are now termed the western and middle museums, which were opened for the inspection of visitors in 1836. Further enlargement of the building having become necessary by the continued increase of the collection, the college, in 1847 purchased the extensive premises of Mr. Alderman Copeland, in Portugal street, for the sum of 16,000 pounds, and in 1852 proceeded to the erection of the eastern museum at the expense of 25,000 pounds, Parliament granting 15,000 pounds in aid thereof. The re-arrangement of the specimens was com pleted, and the additional portion of the building open to visitors in 1855. The Hunterian collection was estimated to consist of 13,682 specimens, distributed under the following heads: Physiological Department, or Normal Structure. Physiological preparations in spirit, Osteological preparations, Dry preparations, Zoological preparations, Fossils, Vertebrates, Invertebrates, Plants, 3745 965 617 1968 1215 2202 292 Of the additions by which the size and value of the collection have been so materially increased since it came into the possession of the college, very many have been presented by Fellows and members of the college, and other persons interested in scientific pursuits. Among the largest contributions from this source have been the collection, consisting of 847 specimens, presented in 1811 by Sir William Blizzard, and a valuable series of pathological specimens presented in 1851 by Sir Stephen L. Harervick. At the same time the council of the College have availed themselves of various opportunities as they have occurred, to purchase specimens of interest. Especially at the dispersion of private anatomical and pathological museums, as that of Sir A. Lever in 1806, of Mr. Joshua Brooks, in 1828, of Mr. Heariside, in 1829, Mr. Langstaff in 1835, Mr. South, in the same year, Mr. Howship and Mr. Taunton, in 1841, Mr. Liston, in 1842, Mr. Walker, in 1843. And deserving of especial mention on account of the great number and value of the specimens acquired, those of Sir Astley Cooper, in 1843, and Dr. Bernard Davis, in 1880. The Histological collection, of which the 215 Hunterian specimens, prepared by Hewson, constitute the nucleus, was chiefly formed by the late Prof. Quickett, with considerable additions by purchase from Mr. Todd, Mr. Nasmyth and Prof. Lerhossek. It now contains upwards of 12,000 specimens, all arranged and catalogued so as to be readily available for reference. The superintendence of the museum is confided by the council of the college to a committee of its members. The college building, which contains also the library and museum, is situated in Lincolns-Inn Fields and is built of stone. The front is plain, with the exception of the portico, consisting of six large fluted columns of stone. The front doors open into a large quadrangle. To the right leads into the museum; to the left are the secretary's offices. Crossing this quadrangle leads into a large anteroom, on the left of which is a fine staircase which leads to the library, theater and committee rooms. The staircase is embellished with marble busts of celebrated men, including Cæsar Hawkins, Pott, Arnott, S. Cooper, Liston, Cline, Astley Cooper, Abernethy, Home, Dalrymple, W. Blizard, Chas. Bell, Harvey, Cheselden, Brodie, Lawrence, Green, Hunter, Travers, Gutherie, Simon and Belcher. The museum consists of three rooms adjoining each other, and are termed the western, middle and eastern museums. Turning to the right as you enter the quadrangle from the portico leads you to the anteroom of the western museum. This room is about 95 feet long by 40 feet wide. In the center of this room, suspended in mid air is the skeleton of a huge Greenland whale. The specimen is complete and measures, 'in a direct line from the anterior extremity of the skull to the last caudal vertebra 46 feet, 2 inches. The greatest length of the cranium in a straight line is 17 feet. On the right of the specimen, also suspended, is the skeleton of a lesser fin whale, whose length is 24 feet. On the left of the first described is the skeleton of a fetal Southern right whale, taken from the temperate Southern ocean, length 13 feet, 4 inches. At the opposite end of this room from the entrance door, on the ground floor, stands a beautiful life-size marble figure of John Hunter. He is represented sitting in a chair in a meditative mood, left elbow resting on the arm of the chair, and left hand supporting the chin. An open book rests on the left knee, a large scroll of manuscript at the feet, and a quill pen in left hand. All three of the rooms contain two galleries in which are arranged principally the pathological series, including in the first gallery in western room many specimens from the intestinal canal. Hernias, injuries and diseases of the peritoneum, stomach, rectum and anus, voluntary muscles and tendons, bursæ, cartilage, bone diseases and injuries of joints, vertebral column and teeth, tumors of the jaws, injuries and diseases of the tongue, palate, lips, tonsils and esophagus. In the upper gallery, pathological series, injuries and diseases of the vagina and external organs of generation in the female; and diseases incident to gestation and parturition, diseases of the breast, anatomy of stumps after amputation, injuries and diseases of the finger, disease of the gall bladder and pancreas, disease of the lymphatic glands, injuries and diseases of the thyroid gland, diseases of the pericardium and heart, injuries and diseases of the arteries, injuries and diseases of the veins, injuries and diseases of the pleura and lungs, injuries and diseases of suprarenal capsules and kidneys, injuries and diseases of urinary bladder, injuries and diseases of brain, injuries and diseases of membranes of brain, injuries and diseases of spinal cord and its membranes and of the nerves, diseases of nose and ear, injuries and diseases of the eye, injuries and diseases of skin, diseases of the testicle and its coverings, injuries and diseases of scrotum and vesiculæ seminales, injuries and diseases of prostate gland, injuries and diseases of urethra, injuries and diseases of penis, disease of ovaries, disease of Fallopian tubes and broad ligaments, injuries and diseases of the uterus. The above mentioned specimens are all beautifully preserved in alcohol, and so arranged and suspended that every part can be conveniently inspected. The wall cases on the ground floor are devoted to normal human osteology-skeletons showing variations in stature. Large numbers of skulls from each of the following countries, showing at a glance the characteristics peculiar to each group, and the points in which each group differs from the rest of mankind. There are skulls from the British Isles, Italy, Greece, Canary Islands, North Africa, Egypt, Algiers and Tunis, Asia, India, Siberia and central Asia, China, Polynesia, America, Australia, New Caledonia, Fiji, New Hebrides, Africa, Papua. Every variety of osseous morbid growths, skeletons of plants, etc. The ground floor also contains two rows of cabinet cases, six cases in each row. These are so arranged as to form three aisles, with spaces between the ends of the cabinets. Each cabinet is about 10 feet long by 6 feet wide, has a bevel glass top. The space below is all fitted with shallow drawers for dry specimens, fossils, etc. An elevated shelf runs along the top of each 'case upon which stand glass jars containing some beautiful dissections showing the various nervous plexuses, arteries, veins, etc. In some of the glass cases preserved in shallow glass dishes are a complete set of transverse sections of the human body, about one inch in thick NEW YORK, Aug. 21. Editors Review: Since my last letter another one of our shining lights has gone from us, Dr. Frank Hastings Hamilton. His allotted span was over three score and ten, and up to the fortnight preceding his death he was actively engaged in the duties of his profession. Some two years ago he had a hemorrhage from the lungs and the symptoms of pulmonary phthisis gradually presented themselves. He died quietly at the age of 73 years. No name is more intimately connected with surgical annals in this city than his own. "Hamilton on Fractures" is in the library of every one about here who does any surgical practice whatever. Valuable books also are his "Treatise on Surgery," and "New Views on Provisional Callus". Beginning his practice in Auburn, he lived successively in Fairfield, Geneva, Buffalo, Brook lyn and this city. At Buffalo he met Austin Flint, and the foundation of their life long friendship was then laid. The various positions and offices filled at various times by him are far too numerous to name. He was a "war surgeon" and was rapidly promoted during his service. He was one of the founders of the Bellevue College, and held the chair of surgery till his resignation in 1875. It is not easy to estimate his influence on the development of American surgery. He truly advanced our knowledge and therapeutic resources in every surgical field in which he labored. Original, bold, logical, his was a type of life which we cannot too much admire. "The King of Shadows loves a shining mark.” The general subject of "counter-prescribing" by druggists has recently came up in a very practical way. A man went to a drug store here with a splinter in his foot and asked for advice. A salve of some sort was recommended by one of the proprietors, and a few days later a wash by another. Meanwhile the wound in the man's foot had gone on to suppuration, having been under the care of the store men for over a week. The counsel of the County Medical Society brought suit against the proprietors on charge of practicing medicine without license. The defendants pleaded that they had refused to prescribe for the man, except that one admitted he had removed the splinter after the wound had festered. The jury refused to convict, obviously on the basis of conflicting testimony, and because it could not be shown that the defendants had wilfully violated any statute. An important change has recently been made in the management of the out-patient department of Bellevue College. This is officially under the control of the Charities Board of this city. This Board has the power of appointing the attending physicians and surgeons. The nomination of these latter has heretofore been practically in the hands of the Bellevue College, which naturally recommended those interested in itself. The entering wedge was the desire of some of the members of the Hospital Medical Board for a reorganization. The hospital itself has for some years been divided into four sections, one each under the management of the three medical colleges, and the fourth, or "non-collegiate," under gentlemen not connected with these institutions. These latter gentlemen are, however, connected with the Polyclinic and Post-graduate schools, and naturally desired to secure for their institutions the clinical advantages of the out-patient department, and so made application to the commissioners of charities for a reorganization of the dispensary similar to that of the hospital. This was opposed by Bellevue College. It was practically Bellevue College vs. The Graduate Schools, and the latter won. The dispensary is now in process of re-organization, and will be hereafter managed by the medical board of the hospital. A movement is on foot for the establishment of a hospital for the poor Italians of our city. The number of these is now very large. They make good sturdy laborers, and their services are in great demand by contractors. They live in filthy houses, are badly fed, and very filthy. They never speak any language but their own, and hence the difficulty often arising in attempting to treat them in another hospital where no one understands a word of their language. We have at present a "French" and a "German" hospital, and there seems no reason why the swarthy sons of Italy should not have their distinctive accommodations. Dr. Wm. T. Bull recently performed another laparotomy for gunshot wound of the intestines. The patient is doing well thus far. Should he recover he will make Dr. Bull's third successful case and the fourth on record, the additional one having been performed by Dr. Frank Hamiltou, whose death is chronicled above. Dr. Bull's case of pancreatic cyst, to which I alluded in my last letter continues to do well. J. E. N. CORRESPONDENCE IN THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. The following letters give evidence of the interest taken abroad by those whose position commands attention: 40 Kensington Square, W. London, June 8, 1886. My Dear Sir:-I feel myself highly flattered by the invitation with which you honor me, that I should be one of the Vice-Presidents of Section XIV of the International Medical Congress about to be held in Washington. To my very great regret, I have no hope that it will be in my power to attend the Congress; and I feel doubtful whether, in that state of the case, you will still think me qualified for the honor you so kindly propose. This I can only leave to your judgment, subject to which, my answer to your very flattering invitation would of course be that I should be proud to hold under your Presidency, any honoring post for which you may deem me fit. Meanwhile, and at any rate, permit me to offer you from this side of the Atlantic, my heartiest good wishes for the success of the Congress in general, and of Section XIV in particular; and believe me, dear sir, with much respect, Your obliged faithful servant, JOHN SIMON. Professor Joseph Jones, M. D., 156 Washington Ave., New Orleans, La. 11 Pembroke Garden, W. London, June 9, 1886. JOSEPH JONES, M. D., NEW ORLEANS: My Dear Sir.-I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of May 17, ultimo, in which you express to me your wish that I should be appointed a Vice-President of the Fourteenth Section of the Ninth International Medical Congress, to be held in Washington in 1887. In reply I have pleasure in informing you that I shall consider it a great honor to fill this office, which will be so worthily presided over by yourself. I sincerely hope that circumstances will permit me to visit America, and to make your personal acquaintance. Yours most faithfully, J. W. THUDICUM, M. D. 25 Manchester Square, W. London, June 7, 1886. My Dear Sir.-It will give me the greatest pleasure to accept the office of a Vice-President of the Section on Public and International Hygiene of the International Medical Congress to be held in Washington in September, 1887. I do not know whether this intimation should be sent to you direct or to some other officer. I therefore send it to you direct with the request that you will send it to the right quarter. Yours always truly, B. W. RICHARDSON, Professor Joseph Jones, M. D., Post Office Box 1500, New Orleans, U. S. A. DEATH OF DR. BARRET. MEMORIAL MEETING OF THE MEDICAL PRESS ASSOCIATION. Saturday evening, Aug. 21st, the Association met in response to the call of the President, Dr. Porter, to take action regarding the death of their late Vice-President, Dr. Wm. L. Barret. Feeling and touching tributes were paid by the various members to the memory of the dead. On motion of Dr. Outten a committee was appointed to give formal expression of the sentiments of the Association. The Committee reported the following which was unanimously adopted: Dr. Wm. L. Barret was a man of strong convictions and clear perceptions of right, and in action never hesitated. He was of heroic build, physically, mentally and morally. For forty-three years, man and boy, he was before the people of this community, and in all that time no act of his was other than indicative of truth and honor and nobility of character. His ability was of a very high order, and though young in years he had achieved great eminence, and stood at the head of his department in this section of country, and his reputation was fast be- | coming national. For nearly twenty years he was a teacher of medicine, and the students are scattered all over our country who will testify that few men possessed greater ability in imparting information than did Dr. Barret. He wielded a ready pen, and his contributions to medical literature were practical and valuable. In his domestic and home relations his character was indeed admirable, and his untimely death was largely superinduced by his devotion to an invalid wife, and grief occasioned by the sudden death of his manly and beautiful boy, coupled with the effects of over-work. The Medical Press Association desires to express its appreciation of his worth as a citizen, as a physician, and as a co-laborer, and extends its sympathy to his bereaved family. The medical profession has lost one of its strongest and best men-one whom it could ill afford to lose. We are impressed with the weakness of words when we attempt to express our sorrow and feeling of personal loss. We cannot realize and do not desire to, that he who was so strong, so helpful, so rare and true a friend, has gone from among us. W. B. OUTTEN, M. D., ACTION OF ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL STAFF. At a meeting of the medical staff of St. Luke's Hospital, held on the 21st inst., to take action on the death of Prof. William L. Barret, M. D., the following preamble and resolutions were passed: WHEREAS, Divine Providence, to whose wisdom we, in all humility submit, has removed from his earthly career, our dearly loved friend and professional brother; one who, in the ripeness of his early manhood, gave promise of a long life of infinite service to his fellows and to medical science, therefore be it Resolved, That we mourn the loss of one who walked every path of duty, who bore the burdens of the day, as convinced that life is too short to waste its precious moments, that the highest reward is, "well done, good and faithful servant." Resolved, That the profession has lost one of its most tried and valued members; the community, a benefactor, whose charity, unbounded to frail and suffering humanity, was only equalled by his skill to relieve and cure. Resolved, That St. Luke's Hospital, throughout its existence, owes much to his wisdom and his labors; in life he gave to it of his vitality; in death, his memory will so endure as to refresh and sustain. Resolved, That we tender to the bereaved widow, whose sufferings are intensified by the loss of her only and cherished son, our deepest sympathies in this great affliction. May she be sustained in her hour of trial by Him who alone can give comfort and support. Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted to the family of the deceased; be also published in the newspapers and medical journals of the city, and spread on the record of the Hospital Staff. -An exchange says Dr. Billing's address was "the piece de resistance" at the Brighton meeting. How appropriate the expression ! How suggestive! It's just like him. It reminds us so much of him; a true picture by an "eminent” artist. -The malcontents and growlers against the International Medical Congress who are so narrow, provincial and unpatriotic as to attempt to secure the ruin of that which they cannot control, even though failure bring disgrace to the profession of our country, will fail in their contemptible work, but in their efforts they remind us of the conduct of the black cat which engaged in combat with a noble mastiff, as described by her youthful owner, a bright boy of our acquaintance: “She humped up her back as high as she could; she made her tail as big as she could, and then she blew her nose in his face." It is needless to say that the noble mastiff, with an amused air, calmly pursued the even tenor of his way. -Pa, if a mother gives birth to three children all at the same time, they are called triplets, aren't they? Yes, my son. But, pa, if there should happen to be four, what are they called? A "musical quartette," my son. -Dr. Morell Mackenzie says that the medical press never had such power and influence as now. |