Letters to ... the Royal College of Surgeons in London, on the unprofessional conduct of Mr. Liston / [James Yearsley].

  • James Yearsley
Date:
[1842]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Letters to ... the Royal College of Surgeons in London, on the unprofessional conduct of Mr. Liston / [James Yearsley]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    leave to your consideration. The more immediate object of my ap¬ peal is to claim your protection as a member of the College, and to seek your opinion on the conduct of Mr. Liston, in going out of his way in the testimonial to make an attack on myself of a nature cal¬ culated to do me professional injury, when, as I maintain, and am, with your permission, prepared to prove, it has no foundation, whatever. I have the honour to be, Mr. President and Gentlemen, Your very obedient and humble Servant, 15, Saville-row, March 30, 1842. Jas. Yearsley. “ Royal College of Surgeons in London, “ Sir, “ March 14, 1842. “ The President yesterday laid before the Council of this College your letter of the 30th ultimo, complaining of a certificate given by Mr. Liston to Mr. Hunt. And I am directed to acquaint you that the Council have invariably refused to interfere in disputes between members of the College, and see no reason to depart from their rule upon this occasion. “ I have the honour to be. Sir, your most obedient servant, “ James Yearsley, Esq., &c. &c.” “Edmond Belfour. 15, Saville Row, April 16, 1842. Mr. President and Gentlemen, I regret that you should have interpreted my complaint as a mere “dispute between two members of the College.” I beg distinctly to state that I have no dispute with Mr. Liston. In a testimonial given to an unprofessional man, Mr. Liston chose to reflect upon certain operations which I had originated, denominating them “unwarrantable incisions,” and “horrible mutilations.” I required an explanation, which was refused me. Apart from this uncourteous conduct I deemed myself injured, and unjustly as¬ persed, and I arraigned my asperser before you, at the same time inviting inquiry into my own professional conduct, expecting that if I had done aught discreditable to me as a surgeon, or as a member of the College, to meet with your disapprobation—if I had done right, to meet with the expression of your sympathy under the wrong I suffered. On the other hand, if Mr. Liston had compro¬ mised himself, that he should be visited with your censure, and be required to make the amende due from one professional man to another. These are the simple facts. Your not entertaining my appeal leaves me without faith or reliance on that regulation of the College which promises protection to its members, and which led me to seek it at your hands. I have the honour to remain, Mr. President and Gentlemen, Your very obedient and humble Servant, To the President and Council, &c. Jas. Yearsley.
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