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Pelvis.-The soft parts over the iliumwere in a state approaching to gangrene;there was a comminuted fracture of the leftilium, which commenced about two inchesand a half from its anterior superior spine,extended through the substance of the bonein an oblique direction, and having describ- ied a semicircle, terminated at the sacro- Iiliac symphisis. The remaining portion ofthe ilium was separated from its articulationwith the sacrum, and thrown considerably Iupwards and forwards. The ramus of theleft ischium, and the horizontal ramus of thecorresponding pubes, were also fractured.A small collection of pus was found withinthe capsule of the hip-joint, and the carti-

lage of the acetabulum was in several partsabsorbed.

SINGULAR EFFECT OF LIGHTNING.

WE lately communicated a very remark-able instance of the effect of lightning on aman who, though the shock seemed to havepassed directly through him, afterwardscompletely recovered ; we find a similarcase in a late number of the " KuitischeRepertorium." On the 5th of last May, inthe naighbourhood of Moersbach, a largeoak was struck by lightning, at the timewhen two children were standing under-neath. They were found a short time afterthe accident in a state of complete insensi-bility, from which, however, they soon re-covered. The elder, eleven years of age,had on the outer side of the left thigh, alivid streak, about half an inch in breadth,and five inches in length ; another twoinches in length, on the posterior surfaceof the left upper arm ; and a third from theinner ancle of the right foot to the great toe,where the shoe was completely torn through.The other child, seven years of age, had

only one streak at the outer side of the leftthigh, terminating at the knee ; both chil-dren complained of great lassitude, stiffnessof the limbs, and pain in the abdomen; butafter the use of aperients and the externalapplication of camphorated spirit, completelyrecovered in ten days.

ERRATUM.

W. B. O’SHAUGHNESSY, M.D.

To the Editor of Tjir, LANCET.

SIR,—I perceive in " THE LANCET " ofthe 6th November, an anonymous commu-nication, containing strictures on the pro-fessional character of Sir W. Blizard, anddated the 12th of October, 23, HtidlowStreet, Burton Crescent.As that has been my place of residence

since the 29th of September, and as I havecommunicated to THE LANCET an authenti-

cated article (besides two advertisements ofLectures) with that address, I beg you willafford me the earliest opportunity of em.phatically disclaiming the slightest con-nexion with the anonymous communication.

I am, Sir,Your obedient servant,

W. B. O’SHAUGHNESSY, M.D.23, Hadlow Street, Burton Crescent,

9th November, 1830.

SURGICAL PRACTICE IN WORKHOUSES.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.SIR,—Under the impression from the

past, that you are always ready to exposein your valuable periodical, all professional11 humbug" and " hole-and-corner prac-tice," I am led to ask insertion for theselines, arising from a sincere wish that, asmedical students pay the most exorbitantand shameful fees for the little knowledgethey are enabled to acquire, so they shouldin like manner, make the most of it when-ever an opportunity presents itself. I aman apprentice to the surgeon of one of our

largest metropolitan workhouses, and inlatter part of my time, from which, up tothe period when 1 entered the profession, Ihave invariably been allowed to examineand derive what knowledge I could fromthe cases contained in the ward appropriatedto the male venereal patients ; but, will itbe believed, in the present enlighterredstate of the profession, when I write thatthe surgeon of the establishment refuses toadmit me when he examines female cases,differing frequentiy from the disease in themale, in consequence of the difference of theparts, and, forsooth, because his sense ofdecorum bids him pronounce his " veto."" 0 chastitas ! 0 pristina fides !" Surelynothing can exceed the well-timed benevo-lence of this worthy man, in thus sparingthe feelings of generally the lowest class ofprostitutes, and, in consequence, denying a

stripling of twenty-one, who has paid himhandsomely, to acquire all professionalknowledge, and who possesses an anxiouswish to understand his calling, from witness-ing cases which tend to illustrate and affordto the student correct pathological _data re-lative to this important disease.

’

In begging you a sincere pardon for thustrespassing on your press and patience,

I am, Sir,Your most obedient servant,

A CONSTANT READER.Oct. 28th, 1830.

** If the writer of this letter be of ma-ture age, we think the restriction imposedby his master is neither sensible nor just.