735

a salutary hint from the remarks of Mr. W.,and learn from thence that science (sotermed) without common sense, is but idlejabber.A justly celebrated Professor in the

University of Northern Athens, who hadunluckily joined in the hue and cry in praiseof a modern Baron Munchausen, received,two years ago, from Mr. W., a severe re-

buke, to which he has not thought properto attempt a reply; indeed, the said Pro-fessor has shown good sense in a tacit ac-knowledgment of his error, and by omittingany further plaudits on the individual inquestion.

I would make one remark further, i. e.,on the preservation of skins and otheranimal substances, a subject of no smallimportance to natural historians. I haveoften employed the alcoholic solution ofcorrosive sublimate, as recommended by Mr.Waterton, since he gave me his recipe in1812, and always with perfect success,when duly prepared. I have also tried thearsenical soap, but with me it has proved useless. Arsenic, indeed, is a potent cor-rosive, or caustic, but scarcely possessed ofany antiseptic or preservative property.* Itis true that I had previously employed thesublimate in a compound powder fromKuckahn’s recipe (see "Phil. Trans." 1770,and ‘ Dr. Lettsom’s Travellers’ Companion")an expensive preparation, containing withala quarter of a pound of musk. As to SirJames Smith’s recommendation of the useof corrosive sublimate, it was, if I rememberwell, only against the depredations of in-sectsoii dnied plants, and not as a preservativeof animal substances. I am, Sir, yourobedient servant,

JOHN HANCOCK.London, July, 1837.* Should a non-corrosive antiseptic be wanted,

the oxymuriate or chlorate of potash will be foundto be one of the most effectual.

JOHN HANCOCK.

POST-MORTEM EXAMINATION OF THE DUCHESS

OF ST. ALBANS.

ANDREW MACRAY.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR :-In the A7orKMig’ Chroaaicle of this day,the following advertisement appears, page 3,col. 4:—"The body of the late Duchess of St.Albans has undergone a post-anortetn exami-nation, which was performed by Mr. MAYO."Now, Sir, I beg to ask whether this is thetruth. I have heard, accidentally, thatanother gentleman, a teacher of anatomy,was called in by Mr. Wardrop, the stir-

geon of the late Duchess, to examine thebody, at the wish of his Grace, the Duke,and that that gentleman did perform thepost-mortem examination, assisted by Mr.Mayo, who was invited to be present byhe physician under whose care her Grace

departed this life. If it he the case thatMr. Mayo was only a partner in the ne-cropsy, I beg to know how that gentleman,or whoever else wrote the advertisement(and a good guess may be made of the au-thorship), justifies the advertising of onlyone name on this occasion? With regard tothe assistance of Mr. Mayo, I can say that itis not regarded in the profession as exactlythe thing for a " pure," who is amongst themost determined sticklers for rank and sur-gical position, to be going about taking fees,of either two or ten guineas, for openingdead bodies in private houses. I am, Sir,your obedient servant,

ANRREW MACKAY.London, Thursday, Aug. 10th,

THE QUEEN’S "MEDICALESTABLISHMENT."

(From the London Gazette, Aug. 8, 1837.)

Physiciaras in Ordinary.—James Clark,M.D.; Sir Henry Halford, Bart., M.D.,G.C.H. ; William Frederic Chambers,M,D.,K.C.H.

S’ergeant Surgeons,—Sir Astley P. Cooper,Bart., G.C.H.; Sir Benjamin C. Brodie,Bart.; Robert Keate, Esq.

Physician to the Household.—James Clark,M.D.

Surgeon to the Hoitsehold.—John Phillips,Esq.

Apolltecnuy to the Person.-John Nussey,Esq, and Edward Duke Moore, Esq.,jointly.

Apothecary to the Honsehokl.-dohn Nus-sey, Esq., and Charles Craddock, Esq.,

jointly.

The Queen has also been pleased to ap-point- -

: Sir James M’Grigor, Bart., M.D.; HenryHolland, M.D.; Peter Mere Latham, M.D.;Richard Bright, M.D.; and Neil Arnott,M.D., Physicians Extraordinary to HerMajesty.

’ Benjamin Travers, Esq. ; Thomas Cope-land, Esq.; William Lawrence, Esq.; HenryEarle, Esq.; and Richard Blagden, Esq.,; 8w’geons Extraordinary to Her Majesty.

Messrs. Merriman, of Kensington, Apothe-caries Extraordinary to Iler Ylajesty.,

Charles Dumergue, Esq., Surgeon Dentist’ to He/’ Majesty.

Louis Durlacher, Esq., Surgeon Chiropo-, dist to Her 1I1ajfSty.’ Mr. Squire, Chemist aratl Drvtggi.st tn Her

Majesty.r