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Credit: Jenner centenary number. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![not be attached to the utterances of politicians in the heat of a general election, but there is one statement reported to have been made on behalf of the Government as to which we felt bound to make some inquiries, although it was on the face of it exceedingly improbable. When the negotia- tions which had been opened with the medical profession on the spot finally broke down, it was given out that in reply to cablegrams it had been ascertained that “three hospital experts could be obtained at Guy’s for a reasonable figure,” and would come out if called for. We have communicated with the medical superintendent of Guy’s Hospital, and he is unable to throw any light on the statement. So far as he is aware no attempt has been made by the Government of South Australia to induce Guy’s men to go out to take the vacant appointments at Adelaide, and no Guy’s man is going. We have already stated in previous numbers of the British Medical Journal (April 18th, p. 993, April 25th, p. 1053, and May 2nd, p. 1107), the main grounds upon which the medical staff of the hospital felt compelled to take the ex- treme course of collective resignation, and that in this action they have had the almost unanimous support of the medical profession in the colony. From a careful consideration of all the facts of the controversy as they have come to our knowledge, we have no hesitation in saying that the medical profession in the Colony has been fully justified by the cir- cumstances, and that members of the medical profession in this country will be well advised to refrain from helping the Government of South Australia out of a difficulty which it has created for itself by a long course of arbitrary conduct. [Since the above was written we have learnt with regret that Dr. Leith Napier, of London, has accepted one of the vacant surgical appointments at the Adelaide Hospital.] THE GENERAL MEDICAL COUNCIL. The summer session of the General Medical Council will commence on Tuesday, June 2nd. In addition to the ques- tion of appointing examiners in surgery and medicine for the examinations of the Apothecaries’ Hall, Dublin, which has been referred back to it by the Privy Council, there will be on the agenda, we understand, several disciplinary cases, raising important questions of principle for consideration and decision. ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS. An extraordinary Comitia of the College was held on Thursday, May 14th, Samuel Wilks, M.D., F.R.S., President, in the chair. The President announced that Dr. W. Collingridge had been appointed Milroy Lecturer for 1897. The ten members of the College who were elected to the Fellowship at the last meeting were admitted Fellows. A letter was received from the Head Master of Bury St. Edmunds thanking the College for the gift of an engraving of Sir Thomas Watson. A communication was received from the General Medical Council to the effect that the terms of office of Sir Dyce Duckworth as representative of the College expired on May 14th, and an election was held in accordance with the statute, when Sir Dyce Duckworth was re-elected by an almost unanimous vote as the Representative of the College in the General Medical Council for five years. THE ASSOCIATION OF FELLOWS OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS, ENGLAND. A meeting of the Committee of the Association of Fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons, England, was held on May 18th, at 25, Grosvenor Street, W.; Mr. Timothy Holmes, Vice-President, being in the chair. Mr. Percy Dunn, Honorary Secretary, reported that he had received a reply from the President, forwarded through the Secretary of the College, to the resolution passed at the meet- ing of the Committee on May 6th.1 The reply was to the effect that it had appeared to the President that the Committee- had misinterpreted or had been misinformed as to the pro- ceedings of the Council at the meeting in February, as no such agreement as that referred to in the resolution had* been arrived at by the Council either at the meeting in. February or any subsequent meeting. It was decided that no action should be taken regarding this communication. With regai-d to the resolution of the Council of the College- in favour of polling the Fellows on the question of the repre- sentation of the Members on the Council, the following resolution was unanimously adopted: The Committee of the Association of Fellows, understanding that the- Council of the College of Surgeons have nominated a Committee for the- purpose of ascertaining the opinion of the Fellows on the question of the Members’representation on the Council, respectfully suggest the follow- ing as the points which should be submitted to each Fellow: (i) Are you in favour of giving to the Members direct representation on the Council ? (2) If so, do you think that such representatives should be Fellows only,, or would you accept Members as representatives ? (3) What number of such representatives would you admit ? (4) Should they be in addition to- the present Council ? A copy of this resolution was directed to be sent to the- Secretary of the College, with the request that it be laid before the Council at their next meeting. It was also reported that the vacancies on the Council this year would be caused by the retirement of Mr. Cadge, Mr. Bryant, and Mr. Pick. It was understood that the former did not intend to offer himself for re-election, but that the two latter would again come forward. It was pointed out that Mr. Bryant had already served two consecutive periods of eight years each. The Honorary Secretary was instructed to communicate with Mr. Victor Horsley, with a view* to ascertain his intention as to becoming a candidate for the Council at the election in July next. A similar instruction was given with respect to a provincial Fellow. A long dis- cussion then followed regarding the action which it would be expedient for the Association to take in the event of certain other candidates coming forward. Ultimately the discussion was adjourned until the next meeting of the Com- mittee. ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS. An ordinary Council was held at the College on May 14th; Mr. Christopher Heath, President, was in the chair. The minutes of the last quarterly Council were read and confirmed. Mr. Harold J. Stiles was introduced and received from the President the Walker Prize G£6o), together with the document declaratory of its award. Dr. A. A. Kanthack was also introduced and received the Jacksonian Prize for the past year, together with the instru- ment declaratory of the award thereof. The consideration of the report from the Committee on the dental surgery regulations was postponed. A letter was read from Mr. J. S. Edkins forwarding a memorial signed by various professors and lecturers on physiology in the United Kingdom requesting that certain alterations be made in the present examination in physiology for the Fellowship of the College. It was resolved that Mr. J. S. Edkins be informed that the questions respecting the examination for the Fellowship having been very fully dis- cussed only eighteen months ago, the Council do not see their way to reconsider the matter. It was announced that the annual meeting of Fellows of the College for the election of members of the Council will be held on July 2nd at 1.30 p.m. A meeting of the Fellows of the College will be held the same day (July 2nd) at 5 p.m. Mr. Tweedy proposed: That a poll of the Fellows be taken respecting the motion passed at the general meeting of Fellows on January 2nd in favour of giving to the Members of the College direct representation upon the Council, and that a committee be appointed to prepare, for the approval of the Council, an elucidatory statement of the subject in question, together with the interrogatories which shall be submitted to the Fellows. This proposition was carried and a committee was appointed. Letters were read from the Committee of the Society of 1 British Medical Journal, May 9th, 1896, p. 1169.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b22290187_0122.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
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