merit of being the patron of the young and unbefriended of the profession.

A concurrence of circumstances favoured his benevolent inclinations in this respect. At the breaking out of the late war, so long and disastrous, several of his pupils possessed high departments in the Army and Navy Boards, and their respect to their former preceptor made them pay every attention to his recommendation. In one year four army physicians owed their preferment solely to his interest.

His influence with the Directors at the East-India House enabled him to do the same to a considerable extent; and, after performing the part of an enlightened instructor and able lecturer, in conveying professional information, he ushered his pupils into life with the advantage of certainty and preferment. The consequence of this was, that no one was better acquainted with the professional improvements going on in every quarter of the globe than this gentleman. His good deeds of service and patronage formed ramifications of friendship and correspondence from the most distant regions, which returned their streams of intelligence, as marks of gratitude, to their parent benefactor. His lectures, therefore, which were highly popular and well delivered, were furnished with every thing new in respect to information on disease, and he had the earliest opportunities of giving a trial to every novel remedy, that either had been suggested, or put to a trial by others.

Thus, he was the first who proposed to Dr. Percival, in a letter published by that eminent physician, the use of the carbonic acid in calculous complaints; and in the pharmaceutical treatment of mercury he introduced an important improvement, that of making a mercurial ointment with more certainty and less labour, by a new preparation of its oxyde, in adding lime-water to calomel, and with this oxyde forming the ointment-an ointment far more readily absorbed, and possessing more activity, than that commonly prepared by triture.

Though thus immersed in an increasing routine of extensive practice and varied engagements, such was the order of Dr. Saunders's mind, and such his regard for the pursuits of literature, as not to overlook the character of the author as well as the physician.

His first publication was, a Treatise on the Red Bark, in which he has stated the particular qualities of this species compared with the others, and in which he has offered a number of practical remarks on the use of the bark in general.

This treatise was well received; and, from the authority of its author, gave a preference for a time in practice to that species of this valuable remedy which was the subject of it. This work was followed by another and more important one, a Treatise on the Liver and its Diseases, which may be considered as his standard production. It was first read before the College as the subject of the Gulstonean lecture; and, in consequence of being so well received by that learned body, he was induced to give it to the world in its present shape. He was also naturally led to the subject from

his East-India connexion, and the number of Anglo-Asiatics who, on their return, put themselves under his care. He has there laid the foundation of the Hepatic Theory, now so universally adopted by his successors, but without that judgment, on their part, he has displayed in the use of the specific so much recommended in Asiatic practice. His earnestness to enforce a proper and regulated use of this means led him lately, in a small pamphlet, to resist the late opinions of others, and to oppose, the solemn admonitions of practical experience to the jejune and immature notions of fanciful hypothesis.

From this acceptable production to the profession and the public, he was next induced to turn his attention to another of no less importance, and which united chemical abilities with practical knowledge, and clinical observation in treating it. This is his work on Mineral Waters: a work of high merit and utility; and which shews every one, when at a watering-place, what he should prefer, and what he should avoid, during his residence at these seats of health and amusement. This production was much wanted. The former treatises on mineral waters were either obsolete or incomplete, and this has supplied the desideratum which every patient looked for.

Dr. Saunders's elevated character as a physician gained him a ready admission into the first and most distinguished literary associations. He was elected early a Fellow of the Royal Society. He was President of the New Medical Society, founded on a select plan; and he belongs to most of the public institutions of consequence in the country.

From his extensive information, and standing at the head of the city medical department, no one had it more in his power to benefit the profession in general than Dr. Saunders. He took, at this period, a delight in knowing whatever was going on in medicine in the different parts of the country; and that knowledge he applied to serve his friends, and in pointing out where they could best settle, and where he could most serve them by his introductions.

Such a character could not fail but to be generally respected by the profession; and the friendship that subsists between him and many of the first individuals of this class, is a strong proof of it. The intimacy between him and Sir W. Farquhar has continued for upwards of forty years, with mutual advantage to both; and, in consequence of that friendship, Dr. Saunders had the honour of being appointed Physician to the Prince Regent, and was also called in to attend the late Princess Amelia, on the supposition that her disease was connected with an affection of the liver.

Dr. Saunders's patronage of Dr. Babington does him no less credit than the other parts of his conduct. This gentleman, who has succeeded him in this hospital, and in his city practice, owes his rise in life entirely to his introduction. Commencing in what may be termed the initiatory department of the profession, he gradually rose in medical honours and preferment, till the resignation of Dr. Saunders in his favour, on the latter's retiring to Russel-square, and

quitting

quitting liis city connexion. Many other acts of similar benevolence and philanthropy might be instanced.

Thus, in concluding the character of this respectable individual, we may justly say, his earlier days were marked by much industry and exertion, in establishing his professional reputation; in the zenith of his practice and fame, his influence and connexions were employed to the best and most benevolent ends; and in his present retirement he carries with him the regrets of the profession, to the young of which he was always accessible, and to them his advice and services were always extended. Though, as we have noticed, he is properly the founder of the modern Herpetic System of Medieine, he may be truly said to take no impression from his hypothesis, or to view the world with a jaundiced eye.

The restoration of Dr. Saunders's health, and his return to the capital, is anxiously wished for, especially by the junior part of the profession, who cannot fail, in consultation with one of his long experience and enlarged observation, to profit greatly by his opinions as a consulting physician.

** There are a few errors in the above, which we make no scruple to correct. But, first, it is worth remarking, that we have no date to any event excepting the taking a doctor's degree in 1766. After this, it appears by the account as if Dr. Saunders had been chosen a Fellow almost as soon as he appeared in town, and before his appointment to Guy's Hospital. This ought to be corrected, because it is impossible to say how far such an error may mislead those who are ambitious of collegiate honours. Dr. Saunders was chosen physician to Guy's on the first vacancy that occurred after his arrival in London: but it was not till some time after the year 1790 that he was admitted to the honour of a Fellowship in the London College. For this distinction he was supposed to have been much indebted to his countryman Dr. William Pitcairn, at that time President.

Dr. S. never professed to be a profound classical scholar; he was a man of quick genius, amiable temper, and very warm and sincere in his patronage and assistance whenever he undertook either. In the latter part of his life he was much affected by some apparently arterial irregularity about the brain, which, though it never impaired his just conceptions, rendered application extremely painful to him. He recovered in great measure from this, and his friends again indulged a hope of sharing his convivialities, his friendship, and his advice. By the date of his degree, he must, however, have exceeded his 70th year some time before his death.-EDIT.

DR. C. COMBE, Licentiale in Midwifery of the Royal College of Physicians, and Physician to the British Lying-in Hospital. (From the same.)

Besides great professional and classical knowledge, this gen tleman has distinguished himself by subjects of science, not so often cultivated by the professional character, the love of historical

and

and antique research, in both of which pursuits he stands deservedly high.

Dr. Charles Combe is a native of London: his father was an apothecary in considerable business, for many years, in Southamptonstreet, Bloomsbury. The doctor received his classical education at Harrow, where, having risen to the sixth form, he left school between 16 and 17 years of age, and was to have been entered at Queen's College, Oxford, but his elder brother, who was then with his father, being in a bad state of health, and soon after dying, the doctor continued with his father, who procured for him every assistance in his power for the prosecution of his studies.

At the age of 19, he became a perpetual pupil to Mr. Moffat, surgeon to the Middlesex Hospital: during the time he attended Mr. Moffat, he regularly dissected the subjects for lectures, two or three years; he also attended the different professors in medicine, chemistry, and natural philosophy.

In January, 1771, he was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, and in January, 1776, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, into both which his known acquirements gave him easy access.

Having thus traced Dr. Coombe's professional progress, we must not omit noticing what he has contributed to our fund of general and professional information. In the year 1780, he published a Description, in 4to. of the large Brass Coins of the 12 first Cæsars: this work, which was dedicated to the Marquis of Rockingham, evinced an intimate acquaintance with medalic history. This science of medals has been too little cultivated in this country, as, in addition to many other advantages, medals possess the very important one of recording events which historians have passed over in silence, and which they alone have not failed to perpetuate.

In 1782 Dr. C. published a Catalogue, in 4to. on an entire new plan, of the Coins of the Autonomous Greek Cities, in Dr. Hunter's Museum, illustrated by an extensive and well-executed series of plates, in which the coins are represented of their true size, and with the most scrupulous fidelity,

Dr. William Hunter, at his death in March, 1783, left him, jointly with Dr. George Fordyce and Dr. David Pitcairn, executor and trustee to his museuin. The confidence thus reposed in him is, perhaps, the most honourable testimony of friendship that could be shewn, and an evidence, at the same time, how competent Dr. H. considered him to the task of a trust which required not merely correct and conscientious conduct, but also the proper fund of science to estimate its value.

In 1784 he received the degree of Doctor of Physic from the University of Glasgow: in the same year he was admitted a Member of the College of Physicians; and, the year after, was elected a governor of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, on the recommendation of Dr. William Pitcairn, President of the College of Physicians, and one of his Examiners,—a proof of the high opinion entertained of him by that distinguished character.

In February, 1789, he was elected Physician in Ordinary to the British Lying-in Hospital, Brownlow-street, which situation he resigned February 16, 1810. As a return for the very zealous and honourable discharge of his duties there, on the next Special General Court, he was unanimously elected Consulting Physician, and afterwards received the following note from the secretary.

.

April 13, 1810.

At a Special General Court, the Hon. Philip Pusey in

the chairResolved, That the unanimous thanks of this Court be returned to Dr. Combe, for his long and faithful services as one of the Physicians in Ordinary to this Hospital.

In addition to the proofs of Numismatic learning, Dr. Combe, in 1793, edited, conjointly with the late Henry Homer, of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, a Variorum edition of Horace, in two volumes quarto: a work which will not be easily superseded, either with respect to the judicious selection of the notes, or the elegance of the typography.

Besides these works, Dr. Combe has, at different times, sent va rious small essays, principally on subjects connected with his profession, and mostly without a name, to different periodical publi

cations.

In 1783 he published, in Mr. Maty's Review, a critical Examination of the (then new) Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia, in which he shews ability as a chemical physician and pharmacopolist, and points out several imperfections in the work which was the subject of his criticism.

In 1814 he sent to the College the case of W. P. G. Esq. which they did him the honour of publishing in the 4th volume of their Transactions. This is a singular case of stricture and thickening of the ilium, occasioning an uncommon pulsation of the aorta, not depending on any diseased structure of the artery. The pulsation had existed for several years, and was not only perceptible to the patient internally, but even by the hand applied externally upon the umbilical region.

In closing our account of this gentleman, it may not be improper to notice, that he possesses a very extensive medical library, and more particularly in the class of obstetrical books, perhaps the most complete private collection in this or any other country. We feel great pleasure in adding, that no man has a greater claim to the character of the finished scholar and intelligent physician; and that he has, consequently, enjoyed through life that distinguished connection with the learned which gives him high respectability in the College list.

**Such is the brief account of one of those valuable men who serve their generation with the greatest steadiness, but often, for want of starting properly, if we may use such a term, or of finding the proper road afterwards, are nearly neglected at the close of life,

aud