discuss it, in any, or all of its bearings, as a proposed improvement in the system of teaching preparatory for the practical duties of the accoucheur. It is, we trust, needless to say, that our columns are open to any who desire to discuss it, in a proper spirit, whether the object be to sustain or oppose it. As our readers are aware, the subject has elicited an expressed difference of opinion by several medical gentlemen of this place, associatted for that purpose, and this it is which has called out the views of the physicians of Lockport, who appear to regard it with more unanimity of sentiment, than do the medical fraternity of Buffalo. It is not a new saying that Doctors disagree. It would certainly be unjust to refuse to the medical profession the right to differ-a privilege conceded to every other class. No one can complain of differences of opinion, honestly cherished, be they ever so stoutly maintained. Propriety, not less than good policy, however, manifestly requires that discussions growing out of such differences should be restricted, as far as practicable, within the pale of the profession. "Who shall decide when doctors disagree?" Most assuredly not the public. The effort to involve popular sentiment, or the prejudices of a community in professional disputes, always evinces a a sinister pur pose, is in direct violation of medical ethics, and tends, more than any thing else, to lower the profession in popular estimation. On this point the code adopted by the National Medical Association, and by local associations generally throughout the country, is explicit, and as the topic is one concerning which all should have clear views, we quote from the instrument referred to, as follows: Of differences between Physicians.-Diversity of opinion, and opposition of interest, may, in the medical, as in other professions, sometimes occasion controversy and even contention. Whenever such cases unfortunately occur, and cannot immediately be terminated, they should be referred to the arbitration of a sufficient number of physicians, or a courtmedical. As peculiar reserve must be maintained by physicians towards the public, in regard to professional matters, and as there exist numerous points in medical ethics and etiquette through which the feelings of medical men may be painfully assailed in their intercourse with each other, and which cannot be understood or appreciated by general society, neither the subject matter of such differences nor the adjudication of arbitrators should be made public, as publicity in a case of this nature may be personally injurious to the individuals concerned, and can hardly fail to bring discredit on the faculty. To return to the subject of demonstrative midwifery, so far as expressions of opinion have come to our knowledge, they go to sustain the belief hazarded by us in the February number of this Journal, that the "plan must commend itself to the approbation of the medical profession." whether we were correct in this assertion or not, does not necessarily af. fect the merits of the plan itself. The latter we design to consider, at length, at some future date, provided we are not anticipated by some one more capable than ourselves of doing justice to the subject. Several editorial articles are excluded from this No. by the title page and index. We have received the Transactions of the State Med. Society; report of committee on Med. Colleges to the Senate on Epidemic Cholera, and several other publications, which will receive notice in our next No. Communications from Drs. George Hadley, F. H. Hamilton, C. Colgrove, and P. H. Strong, have been received and will appear in our next No. See cover for correction of errors in the article by Prof. Hamilton in the present No. Prof. L. M. Lawson.-Prof. Lawson, editor of the Western Lancet, is about to sail for Europe, designing to pass the summer abroad, for professional purposes. Dr. G. Mendenhall, supplies his place, as editor of the Lancet, during his absence. New Appointment.-Dr. Landon C. Rives, of Cincinnati, Ohio, has been appointed to the Chair of Materia Medica in the Medical College of Ohio, made vacant by the decease of the late Prof. Harrison. New Medical School.-A bill has been introduced into the Massachusetts Legislature to establish a new Medical School at Springfield, Mass. Errata. In the article communicated by Prof. Hamilton, page 980, the following errors occurred, which the reader is requested to correct:Line first, should have read "Catherine Dolen, aged 24, admitted Dec. 25, 1849," with onychia osteosa of the last phalanx of the thumb. In the second line, for "extracted," read expected; in the last line of the same paragraph, for "exterior," read extensor; and in the third line from the end of the article, for "totolity," read totality. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. ART. 1.-Notes of Epidemic and other Diseases that have prevailed in the ART. II History of a case of Traumatic Cataract By C. Green, M. D. ART. IH-Reconstruction of an entire Phalanx. By Dr. F. H. Hamilton ART. IV.-Case of Persistant Vomiting, etc. By Austin Flint, M. D. ECLECTIC DEPARTMENT. Ulceration of the Vagina connected with the states of Utero Gestation and TO THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. The Subscriber has on hand a well selected stock of pure Drugs and Medicines, Buffalo, January 1, 1850. A general assortment of Paper, Cards, Ink, &c., on hand, for sale at liberal prices. |