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Royal College of ChemistrySource: Provincial Medical and Surgical Journal (1844-1852), Vol. 10, No. 24 (Jun. 17, 1846), pp.281-282Published by: BMJStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25499301 .

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kOYAL COLLEGE OF CHEMISTRY. 281

attended the yost-mortem examination of the deceased's

body. There was nothing to account for death but the

congested state of the lungs and the heart.

The written statement of Dr. Ellis, as to the cause

of death, was handed to the witness. The Coroner. Does that statement agree with what was ascertained on a post-mortem examination . Not in any one point. From reading this paper, I have no doubt the deceased was treated for disease of the liver and its consequences. Deceased was a man of very feeble power as regarded the action of the heart. I don't think there could have been any reason for treating him for diseased liver. The only judgment I can form of what disease deceased was labouring under from that report is difficulty of

breathing. Had the liver of the deceased been dis

eased, as described, nothing could have more rapidly destroyed his life than the hydropathic system. I attribute the congestion of the lungs and heart of deceased to the external application of cold. The liver was not congested, although Mr. Hicks thought so; but I can say I hardly ever saw a more healthy liver in my life.

Mr. Waterwcrth underwent a lengthened cross-ex

amination by the counsel employed for Dr. Ellis, Mr.

Prendergast, in which that gentleman behaved in so

unbecoming a manner to the witness as to draw upon himself a severe reprimand from the Coroner, with an intimation that a repetition of his conduct would be followed by an order for his removal from the court.

In summing up the case to the jury the Coroner observed that in the case of Mr. St. John Long, which had been previously alluded to, the Judges had laid down the law in a very clear and perspicuous manner, as did also the present Lord Chief Justice, who was then Attorney.General, and conducted the prosecution.

That learned authority argued, as in the case of St. John Long, that, although there might be no malice

aforethought, if he proved the defendant had applied himself to the treatment of a case of which he knew

nothing as to its proper treatment, and that he admin istered a liquid or medicine of the constitution of which

he had no knowledge, he was clearly guilty of man

slaughter. The Judges in the same case laid it down

that, whether a man was a legally qualified practitioner or not, went for nothing. The question was, whether the treatment adopted was a rash and reckless treat

ment, and which had resulted in the death of the

patient, or whether it was such treatment as might, under any other circumstances, have ended in fatal results. Now, in the present instance, they had no evidence that Dr. Ellis was not a duly qualified practi tioner, and, therefore, the sole question for the jury to consider was whether, in the present case, he had acted towards the patient in a bond fide manner, or had acted in his treatment with a gross degree of reckless ness or rashness and incaution, and thus caused death to ensue. If the jury viewed the case as one of bond

Jfde treatment, then they were bound to acquit Dr. Ellis of all blame; but if, on the contrary, they con.

sidered he had acted with rashness, then their verdict would be one of manslaughter.

The verdict returned by the jury was " That Mr.

Dresser's death resulted from the rash treatment he received under Dr. Ellis's care. We are unanimous in a verdict of manslaughter against Dr. Ellis."

Dr. Ellis was then bound over by the Coroner in

the sum of ?500, and two of his friends in the sum of

?260 each, as security for his appearance before the

Central Criminal Court to take his trial on the charge of manslaughter.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF CHEMISTRY.

The first evening meeting of the Royal College of

Chemistry was held on Wednesday, June 3rd, at the

rooms of the College, in Hanover Square; the Earl

of Clarendon, one of the Vice-presidents, in the Chair.

Amongst the gentlemen present were Lord Newry, Colonel Wylde, the Hon. O. Duncan, Sir J. Clark, Bart., B. B. Cabbell, Esq, F.R.S.; R. Blakemore,

Esq., M.P.; Dr. Bevan, Dr. Reid, Dr. Porrett, John

Dalrymple, Esq., Dr. Gardner, &c.

The noble Chairman commenced the proceedings by

expressing his regret at the absence of the President, His Royal Highness Prince Albert, and that the meet

ing was not presided over by one better acquainted with the science of chemistry than himself. After

alluding to the low state of chemistry in this country, as compared with several of the continental nations, he proceeded to observe that the idea of founding a

college of chemistry had originated with some eminent

agriculturists, who felt that the body to which they

belonged stood in as much, perhaps in more need, than

any other, of the aid of organic chemistry, in order to

enable them to understand the economy of vegetable

life, and to place the practice of farming on a scien

tific basis. Other persons connected with different

branches of productive industry had not been behind

them in recognising the extensive relations of the

science of chemistry, and the necessity of an institu

tion, where students might devote themselves to

acquiring the skill indispensable for its successful

practice, and for promoting its application to the im

provement of arts and manufactures. A provisional council had accordingly been formed, and their efforts

had met with such encouragement as induced them

to persevere, and ultimately to found the Institution.

The College, however, had had its difficulties to contend

with, and it had required no ordinary tact and perse verance to stimulate into active co-operation that

apathy, not to say aversion, with which people in

general viewed demands upon their time, their attention, and their purses. Even those most interested in the

success of any new system were not always the fore

most in coming to its assistance; an example of which

he may cite in the School of Design, which though now, he hoped, in a state of vigour and health, had had

a long and sickly infancy to struggle through, and yet

nothing, at the time of its establishment, had been

more wanted, or was likely to prove of greater

advantage in several of our leading manufactures. He

thought that the Council, seventeen months only having

elapsed since their first meeting was held, had good reason to congratulate themselves upon the success of

their labours, and the wisdom of their determination at

once to open the College, relying upon its immediate

results for future and efficient public support. It

was to be borne in mind that this was the first

school in England where the whole time and attention

of a qualified professor was given to the student, or

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282 TESTIMONIAL TO DR. LEE OF ASHBOURNE.

where practical teaching was systematically pursued, and at fees so moderate as to render the school

accessible to students possessing but the humblest

means of obtaining education. The method also which

had been adopted was not one which admitted of

doubt, or which still require the test of experience, for

its success had been completely established, and it hlia

already produced most important results under Professor

Liebig, at Giessen. He could not help on that occasion

expressing his satisfaction that the Council had been

able to induce Dr. Hofmann, the Professor-Extraor

dinary of Chemistry in the University of Bonn, and

formerly Assistant to Dr. Liebig, to accept the Pro

fessorship at their College. His name and character,

his high testimonials from the eminent among his own

scientific countrymen, his important researches, his

practical talents, and his published works, at once

proved that the College was a reality, assigned to its

locus standi in the country, and placed beyond the

reach of doubt the ultimate success of every object contemplated by the Institution.

Lord Clarendon then read some extracts from a

satisfactory and highly encouraging report of the

Council, stating the number of the pupils, the class in

society to which they belonged, &c.; and concluded by

commenting on the benefit which the College was

likely to confer on the agricultural classes at this

juncture, by enabling them to meet, by improved methods of tillage, the difficulties in which they were

about to be placed from foreign competition.

Dr. Gardner, the Secretary, then read an address,

which entered into and described more fully the

objects of the institution, as intended to associate

gentlemen representing all the professions, sciences,

arts, and manufactures, based upon or connected with

chemistry. A laboratory, where practical instruction

might be obtained by students at a moderate expense, according to the methods which experience has proved to be the best and most efficient, was essential; and it

is imperative that such a school should be assisted by

funds irrespective of the fees paid by the students. The

history of science proved that the teaching of chemistry could not be entrusted to individual effort, nor to

institutions for general education. The address went

on to state that the present condition of the institution

was most encouraging, and the council felt confident

of carrying into effect all the measures contemplated in its establishment. They had already been successful

in establishing a working laboratory, and the course of

study followed out in the school was adapted to make

the students well grounded in practical analysis, the

foundation of the whole science. Anticipating the

necessary increase of the school, the council had

already commenced the erection of a suitable building

for the laboratories. It was now intended to hold

evening meetings of members-to publish reports of

the progress of the science-to take measures for

carrying out original investigations--to establish depart ments for applied chemistry,-and, when the number of

subscribers reached 1000, (which number was nearly

complete,) to obtain a charter of incorporation, limiting the number of members and extending the privileges to be enjoyed by them as founders of the college.

A paper upon the microscope as applied to che

mistry, written by Dr. John Davy, was read by Mr.

Dalrymple.

A unanimous and cordial vote of thanks was then

given to the noble chairman, who briefly acknowledged the compliment, and expressed the pleasure it gave him in being able to assist in any way so excellent an

institution.

TESTIMONIAL TO DR. LEE OF ASHBOURN.

A most interesting testimonial to professional ability and private worth was presented this day by the inhabitants of Market Bosworth and its neighbourhood, to Dr. John Lee, who has lately gone to reside at

Ashbourn, in Derbyshire. The presentation took place at a public breakfast.

Richard Smith, Esq., of Sutton Cheney, addressed Dr. Lee in the following terms:-" I am deputed by a numerous class of your friends, to offer to you a memorial of the regard and esteem in which you were

held, and the high value placed on your professional character, during the time you lived here. I much

regret the absence of those more able to do justice to our feelings on this interesting occasion than I am, but this I can affirm, that it is owing, under Providence, to your skill and ability, that I am here this day. It

must be highly satisfactory to you to reflect that the opinions and views you took of my case, at the time I met with so serious an accident, were confirmed by two men so eminent in their profession as Mr. Jukes and Mr. Chevasse. They, together with other medical

friends, have seen me since my recovery, and have one and all spoken in high terms of the cure. I may truly be said to have one limb in the grave, but that I am here to-day is, as I said before, to be attributed to

yourkind and judicious management. I do not stand alone in the opinion I have expressed of your skill and

ability; all here present can testify to the same, and this memorial is offered to your acceptance, in token of our approval and satisfaction of your professional and private character. I have'therefore, in the name of all your old friends and patients, to request your

acceptance of this tea-service, with our best and earnest wishes for your happiness and success in the new scene of your labJours."

Dr. Lee, in reply, said, " My kind friends, there are times when words seem too feeble to express the

feelings that are passing within ;-such, I can assure

you, is my case at this moment. I feel most deeply and gratefully your kindness, at the same time, I feel

my own inability to do justice to my sense of it, and also how unworthy I am of this manifestation of your

goodness. The honour you have this day conferred

upon Ine claims my warmest gratitude. In ordinary circumstances it would have been a source of pleasure and gratification to me to have revisited this place; I

could not but have recollected that here I had passed

many happy years;-that here my children had been

born;-that here, surrounded by many kind and good friends, I had long practiced my profession. These, I

say, would at any time be to me a subject matter of

interest and gratification; but you have inspired me

with feelings of pride as well as gratification, for I

cannot but feel proportionally proud as well as gratified, when I receive at your hands such a token of your

approbation,-such a tribute of your confidence in my

professional, and in my private character. In t

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