THE MIDWIFERY CHAIR AT EDINBURGH

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THE MIDWIFERY CHAIR AT EDINBURGH.

OUR interpretation of the mind of the profession on bothsides of the Tweed as to the recent appointment of a suc-cessor to Sir J. Y. Simpson in the University of Edinburghhas been more than confirmed by the events of last week.A meeting was held on Monday in the rooms of the Medi-cal Society 11 to consider the recent election to the Chair ofMidwifery in the University of Edinburgh, and also thegeneral question of the mode of election to the Professor-ships in that University." Dr. Tweedie presided. Dr.

Murchison proposed the first resolution, " that circum-stances connected with the recent election to the Chair of

Midwifery in the University of Edinburgh, in the opinion ofthis meeting, call for a reform in the constitution of theCourt of Curators." In the course of his remarks, he al-luded to the general and deep disappointment, both in theprofession and out of it, at the postponement of tried menlike Drs. Matthews Duncan and Keiller to a comparativenovice like Dr. A. R. Simpson. Such an appointment was,of itself, pessimi exempli for the University, adding anotherto the far too numerous precedents of the less-strongly re-commended candidate being preferred, on local, sectarian,or at least secondary grounds, to men of approved abilityand outstanding reputation. No one would contend that the

representatives of the bourgeoisie in the Court of Curators are equally well qualified with the representatives of theUniversity to decide on questions of purely academic in-terest ; and when the former were invariably unanimous inelecting the candidate whom the latter were invariablyunanimous in opposing, a sufficient case had been made outfor the transference of the electoral power to more competenthands. Dr. Murchison’s resolution was ably seconded byDr. Halley, and carried raem. con. The second resolutionwas proposed by Dr. Spencer Cobbold, who moved " that thisresolution be printed and circulated for signature amongthose interested in the welfare of the Edinburgh School ofMedicine, and the advancement of University education, andthat a copy of the resolution thus signed be forwardedto the University Court, the University Council, the SenatusAcademicus, and the member of Parliament representingthe University." The tenour of Dr. Cobbold’s speech wentto enforce what we have already insisted on-the loss of somany world-renowned lights in the Edinburgh school, andtheir replacement by such inferior successors, that thefatal word " Ichabod " may almost be inscribed upon herwalls. The resolution was supported in a temperate speechby Dr. Burdon-Sanderson, and carried, like its predecessor,unanimously; it being further arranged that all personsdesirous of attaching their signatures to the circular em-bodying the resolutions should communicate with Dr. JohnMurray, the secretary. Some irrelevant discussion thenarose as to the personal qualifications of Dr. A. R. Simpson,but nothing was said to make us withdraw one step from ourposition, that on this, as on many other occasions, theleast strongly recommended candidate was chosen. BetweenDrs. Matthews Duncan and Keiller the curators mighthave decided like Palaæmon in the Eclogue--"Et tudignus et hie"; though, for ourselves, we should havebeen inclined to recognise the superior academic claims ofDr. Duncan. But Dr. Simpson’s recommendations becomethe less the more they are looked at; his inherited museum,for example, dwindles into one only partially of his uncle’scollection, and surpassed by that of a rival candidate. Dr.Simpson, moreover, has been praised for withholding freshtestimonials, and for relying on his five-and-twenty contri-butions to the journals as proof of his scientific proficiency.It would have been better to have re-printed and publishedthese than to have utilised their existence on the omne igno-tuna pro magnifico principle. As to his having lectured inhis uncle’s absence, again, it was asserted that he did littlemore than read from Sir James’s already written prelec-tions. " Truth, like a torch, the more it’s shook, it shines,"

was a saying- of Sir William Hamiitoo’s, which is by nomeans applicable to the qualifications of Dr. A. R. Simpson,whose supporters, as a leading Edinburgh journal puts it,must be simply enamoured of " congenial mediocrity."

POOR-LAW MEDICAL OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION.

THE annual meeting of this Association was held on

Wednesday, the 13th inst., Dr. Rogers in the chair. Therewas a large attendance of members, and about sixty gentle-men sat down to dinner. The Chairman was supported bySir John Gray, M.P., iller. E. S. Gordon, M.P. (late LordAdvocate of Scotland), Mr. Brady, M.P., Dr. Lush, M.P.,Mr. Dalrymple, M.P., Mr. Harvey Lewis, M.P., Mr. H.Barclay, M.P., Mr. Charles Reed, M.P., and Mr. Jones-Parry, M.P. A number of gentlemen were elected hono-rary members of the Association, amongst whom were the-Presidents of the Colleges of Surgeons and Physicians, who.however were not present. Letters of apology were re-ceived from several other members of Parliament.The annual report of the Council was taken as read. It

stated that 120 new members have been enrolled duringthe year, and that the balance sheet is in a healthy state.It is proposed that the future subscription shall be 5s. perannum, such subscription to include the Transactions ofthe Association. The Council report the various measureswhich have been adopted to facilitate the passing of theSuperannuation Bill. The Council congratulate the Asso-ciation on the attainment of their first object-viz., "taobtain life appointments for all Poor-law medical officers,"Mr. Goschen having promised to issue a general order onthe subject, relating to parishes as well as unions. Acknow-ledgement is made to the honorary secretaries, many ofwhom have exerted themselves very actively to enlist newmembers ; and all officers who have hitherto held aloof areinvited to join in order to increase the power and usefulnessof the Association.

Dr. ROGERS moved the adoption of the report. He gavea lengthened history of the labours of the Associationduring the last two years. He alluded to the support whichthe Association had given to Mr. Brady by collecting infor-mation and getting up petitions in favour of the Superan-nuation Bill. He congratulated the members on the toneof the debate in the House of Commons, and on the successwhich had been achieved in the passing of the Bill, and heheld out better prospects for the Poor-law medical serviceas shown by the altered complexion of the annual report ofthe Poor-law Board, and the conclusion arrived at by Mr.Goschen, " That the economical and social advantages offree medicine to the poorer classes generally, as distinguishedfrom actual paupers, and perfect accessibility to medicaladvice at all times, under thorough organisation, may beconsidered as so important in themselves, as to render itnecessary to weigh with the greatest care all the reasonswhich may be adduced in its favour."A vote of thanks was passed in favour of the local secre-

taries and the officers and council. Dr. Orme Dudfield ex-

pressed his desire to retire from the office of honorarysecretary. The proposal was received with expressions ofgeneral disapprobation, and the following resolution, pro-posed by Dr. Dixon, was passed by acclamation :—" Thatthis meeting has heard with great regret of Dr. Dudfield’sintention to resign the office of secretary, and desires to re-cord its deep sense of the ability and energy which he hasat all times brought to bear on the interests of this Associa-tion, and which have so largely contributed to its prosperityand influence." It is satisfactory to know that the resigna-tion was not immediately pressed. It was then resolvedunanimously, on the motion of Dr. Dudfield, " That thismeeting desires to place on record the feelings of gratifica-tion with which it is inspired by the generous support givenby the President of the Poor-law Board to the MedicalOfficers’ Superannuation Bill, and to which the success ofthe measure must be mainly attributed. The meetingdesires also to express the great pleasure with which it haslearnt the intention of the President to make parish medi-cal appointments permanent, the same as those of unions;and it trusts that he may continue at the Board long