The physiological question : The medical discussion held at Framlingham, Suffolk, March 29th, 1843, between Dr. Frederic Richard Lees and William Jeaffreson, Esq., surgeon, (the challenger) on the nature and uses of alcohol.

Date:
1843
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The physiological question : The medical discussion held at Framlingham, Suffolk, March 29th, 1843, between Dr. Frederic Richard Lees and William Jeaffreson, Esq., surgeon, (the challenger) on the nature and uses of alcohol. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    MEDICAL DISCUSSION. The Discussion originated in a conversation between Mr. Wm. Jeaffreson, Surgeon, and Mr. Samuel Fruer, Architect, (the Treasurer of the Framlingham Temperance Society, to whose manly and disinterested support, amidst great obloquy and persecution, the cause stands greatly indebted.) Mr. Jeaffreson observed, that “ Teetotalism had assumed such a daring, that he, as a medical man, could not put up with it, without rebuke and presented his respects to R. D. Alex¬ ander, Esq., of Ipswich, as President of the Suffolk Temperance Society, saying, “that he would feel most happy, the first fitting opportunity, publicly to meet any of the Temperance Agents or others, to discuss the Temperance Question; or, rather, to inquire whether the Temperance Lecturers are sufficiently acquainted with the medical or physiological effects of alcohol upon the human system, or know anything of the laws, or basis, upon which nutrition is carried on. If teetotalers could remove the moral evil of drunk¬ enness, they did well, but the physiological department they cannot know anything about—that must be left entirely to the medical profession to decide!” The challenge was readily accepted by Mr. Fruer; and Charles Mingaye Syder, M. D., of London, and Frederic R. Lees, Ph. D., of Leeds, were invited to take up the gauntlet thus thrown down. The latter gentleman having accepted the invitation, preparations were made for the discussion; which excited great interest in the town and neighborhood. The Town Hall was taken for the purpose, by the Teetotalers, and bills were issued, announcing that on Wednesday, the 2.9th March, 1843, Dr. Lees would open the discussion by a Physiological Lecture, explaining the physical effects of alcohol upon the human system, illustrated by large Drawings of the stomach, in health and under alcoholic
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