Address of the President, Samuel Solly, F.R.S., to the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society, at the Annual General Meeting, March 2nd, 1868.

  • Samuel Solly
Date:
1868
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Address of the President, Samuel Solly, F.R.S., to the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society, at the Annual General Meeting, March 2nd, 1868. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

    15/28 (page 15)
    He has been known to give a blank cheque to serve a friend, accompanied with the simple request that he would not overdraw his account. His friendships once formed endured for life. He was rigidly- truthful and upright. He was cold in his manner, but never oppressive, he never gave way to violent anger. He had great respect for talent, a still graver respect for industry. He has helped many students whose up-hill course would never have been accomplished unaided. He discharged his public duties most faithfully, and was one of those who introduced the highest tone of treating hospital patients with gentleness, sympathy and kindness. In private practice no labour was too great, no hour too late nor too early for a visit. He usually operated at 8 a.m., summer and winter, for then, said he, I shall have time to correct secondary haemorrhage before nightfall, should it occur. Lawrence held office, says his admiring pupil, long, and it was not for the money. He loved his work as he did his life, and both ended together. Prom the same authority I have this account of his resignation. He gave a large dinner party to some old friends, when he was observed to be rather more silent than usual. The following day his old pupil, Mr. Holmes Coote, who had been present and who had noticed his altered looks, called on him. Mr. Coote found him in his consulting room writing. He rose to shake hands, saying, I am particularly glad to see you ; I wished to tell you that I am suffering from certain symptoms which you know cannot go on without loss of life. I am writing my resignation to the Treasurer. He lived, notwithstanding these warnings, above two months from this time. About twelve years before Lawrence's death, when he was living at Ealing, not feeling well he sent for his friend Mr. Cooper, of Brentford. Mr. Cooper, who lias kindly given me the particulars, says, Mr. Lawrence sent for me hastily ono Sunday afternoon about three o'clock. I found him sitting in his dining room alone. He rose, but had to steady himself by holding on to the table. I have pain here, he said, pointing to the right side of his head. u I am giddy, and had vertigo a day or two ago. I have a little numbness of my left hand. I have nausea, but I