1
269 like his contemporaries, to measures which were not alto- gether decorous. But his humanity showed itself even on such occasions. It is recorded that on one such expe- dition he encountered a widow weeping over the grave of her recently-buried husband, who had died on his return, as a harvester, from England. Corrigan not only relented, but originated a subscription for the widow. He studied also in Dublin, and attended the clinical lectures of Dr. Toomey, delivered in Latin, at Sir Patrick Dun’s Hos- pital. So early as 1832 he gave proof of that discrimination in the study of disease which has so creditably distinguished him, by publishing an article on " Permanent Patency of the Aortic Valves." This work brought him great and last- ing distinction ; and so high an authority as Trousseau, whose appreciation of Irish merit was acute, gave to the disease the name of " Maladie de Corrigan." His pursuits as yet and for a long time were pathological and physiologi- cal rather than clinical-not such as to bring immediate popularity as a physician. But a careful study of a little book entitled " Lives of Eminent Physicians from Linacre to Gooch," and his own honest reflections, satisfied him as to the true basis of reputation, and he worked and waited. He first became connected with the Meath Dispensary, then with the Cork-street Fever Hospital, then with the Jervis-street Hospital. As his reputation began the College of Physicians on the proposal to make him a fellow blackballed him. But the college soon relented, and, in after time, made ample amends by electing him President for five successive years, and by getting Foley to chisel his statue in marble. In 1833 he began to lecture on the Practice of Medicine in con- nexion with the Carmichael School. In 1840 he was ap- pointed physician to the House of Industry Hospitals, an appointment he held till 1866. Here he delivered his im- portant and valuable Lectures on Fever, which he published in 1853. In 1841 public recognition of his merits began. Practice had been coming for some years prior to this. In 1841, on the foundation of the Queen’s University, he was nominated a member of the Senate. Thirty years later he was made Vice-Chancellor of the University. In 1849 the University of Dublin honoured him and itself by conferring its degree of M.D. upon him. In 1866 he was made a Baronet during the ministry of Lord Russell in considera- tion of his public services to education-he was one of the Commissioners of National Education-and of his high pro- fessional position. Arnongst his many honours we must not omit to say that he was Physician-in-Ordinary to the Queen in Ireland. His professional position was now at its height, and few or no physicians of his time enjoyed a more remunerative reputation. He could not see all the patients that wished to see him, and it is said that he used to see as many as he could, and then escape from his house as he best could. He had such a reputation that after his election to Parliament for Dublin in 1870 he had only to return to Dublin to find himself as much in demand as ever. In London, of late years, Sir Dominic has been a most grateful and familiar figure in Parliament, in the Reform Club, and in the Medical Council, in which he has repre- sented the Queen’s University since the formation of the Council in 1858. We do not like to think of the blank in the Council, and of the loss to the liveliness of its debates, which his death will occasion. The general practitioners of the country, too, lose in him one of their best friends. He had none of the "airs" of a consultant in his constitution ; he looked on all medical men as his brethren, and often elo- quently denounced the injustice of their exclusion from the Medical Council. He did this very recently before the Select Committee of the House of Commons, and we may well be thankful that his evidence was taken so early. Sir Dominic’s influence in the Medical Council was always used in favour of holding high the standards of preliminary and professional education. Though occasionally his fine racial and constitutional pugnacity brought him into slight colli- sions with his colleagues in the council, we are sure there will be but one deep sentiment of regret that they will see his face and hear his Irish eloquence no more. We cannot close this sketch of a true leader in the pro- fession without reverting to the thoroughly sound basis on which Sir Dominic’s reputation was based. Those who have only seen him of late years in London, with too many and too evident indications of the ravages of gout on his fine physique, are apt to forget his work as a pathologist and a physician, though his work in both capacities remains standard to this day. In this multifarious work we should be disposed to specify, as of chief merit, three pieces : his article on Permanent Patency of the Aortic Valves, his description of Cirrhosis of the Lung, and his lectures on Fever. We have already spoken of his article on Patency of the Aortic Valves. In the light of recent pathology his speculations on cirrhosis of the lung are more meritorious than ever, and continue to be regarded as in the main sound. They anticipated by forty years much of the present pathology. As regards Fever, his lectures abound not only in practical and sensible suggestions for treatment, but he had the merit which two or three at least of his illustrious compatriots escaped, of seeing the difference between typhus and enteric fever. We can scarcely praise too highly a man who could show such discernment, and who could add to such scientific and professional labours work as a public-spirited citizen and statesman which make his death to be lamented as a national loss. It had been a cause of great pain to all Sir Dominic’s friends to observe, for the last two years, and notably for the last few months, that his bodily health was failing. Five weeks ago he had a severe stroke of paralysis of the left side, from which he partially recovered, but during the last ten days of his life his strength failed and all hope vanished. From the commencement of his illness to its end he was closely attended by his intimate friends Drs. Banks and Cruise, and he died on Sunday morning, Feb. 1st, most peacefully, conscious almost to the very last, and surrounded by all the immediate members of his sorrowing family. His funeral took place on Feb. 5th, and was very largely attended by representative persons. There are few lives more full of usefulness and honour than the one whose outline is sketched above, and for many particulars of which we are not a little indebted to an ad. mirable article in the Freeman’s Journad of Feb. 2. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS. HOUSE OF LORDS. Friday, Feb. 6th. MEDICAL EDUCATION. THE Marquis of RIPON asked the Lord President of the Council whether he could state what were the intentions with reference to medical education. The Duke of RICHMOND and GORDON replied that the Bill on the subject which passed through their lordships’ House last session was sent down to the other House, where it was referred to a select committee. The same Bill would be in- troduced in the House of Commons and referred to the same committee, in the hope of legislation this session. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Friday, February 6th. THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. Mr. ANDERSON asked the President of the Local Govern- ment Board why, in filling the office of Chief Registrar, the forty-two years’ services of Dr. Farr were ignored, and the public deprived of his aid in the new census ? Mr. SCLATER-BOOTH.—I understand from the Prime Minister, whose duty it was to advise the Crown in regard to this office-the office, that is, of Registrar-General, not " Chief Registrar," as stated in the quest.ion-that he was satisfied that the state of Dr. Farr’s health was alone suffi- cient to render it inexpedient to appoint him to any arduous and laborious post. (" Hear, hear," and murmurs ) Mr. ANDERSON gave notice that in consequence of the unsatisfactory answer which he had received he should take an early opportunity of calling attention to the office of Registrar-General. (" Hear, hear.") Monday, Feb. 9th. INTEMPERANCE. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in answer to Sir W. Lawson, said he did not think it was at all probable that it would be in the power of Her Majesty’s Government in the present session to take any steps for carrying out any of the recommendations made by the Loids’ Select Committee on Intemperance. Wednesday, Feb. 11th. The Medical Act (1858) Amendment Bill was read a second time. THE Mile-end workhouse infirmary is to be enlarged to the extent of 200 additional beds.

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269

like his contemporaries, to measures which were not alto-gether decorous. But his humanity showed itself even onsuch occasions. It is recorded that on one such expe-dition he encountered a widow weeping over the graveof her recently-buried husband, who had died on hisreturn, as a harvester, from England. Corrigan not onlyrelented, but originated a subscription for the widow. Hestudied also in Dublin, and attended the clinical lectures ofDr. Toomey, delivered in Latin, at Sir Patrick Dun’s Hos-pital. So early as 1832 he gave proof of that discriminationin the study of disease which has so creditably distinguishedhim, by publishing an article on " Permanent Patency of theAortic Valves." This work brought him great and last-ing distinction ; and so high an authority as Trousseau,whose appreciation of Irish merit was acute, gave to thedisease the name of " Maladie de Corrigan." His pursuitsas yet and for a long time were pathological and physiologi-cal rather than clinical-not such as to bring immediate

popularity as a physician. But a careful study of a littlebook entitled " Lives of Eminent Physicians from Linacre toGooch," and his own honest reflections, satisfied him as tothe true basis of reputation, and he worked and waited. Hefirst became connected with the Meath Dispensary, then withthe Cork-street Fever Hospital, then with the Jervis-streetHospital. As his reputation began the College of Physicianson the proposal to make him a fellow blackballed him.But the college soon relented, and, in after time, made ampleamends by electing him President for five successive years,and by getting Foley to chisel his statue in marble. In1833 he began to lecture on the Practice of Medicine in con-nexion with the Carmichael School. In 1840 he was ap-pointed physician to the House of Industry Hospitals, anappointment he held till 1866. Here he delivered his im-portant and valuable Lectures on Fever, which he publishedin 1853. In 1841 public recognition of his merits began.Practice had been coming for some years prior to this. In1841, on the foundation of the Queen’s University, he wasnominated a member of the Senate. Thirty years later hewas made Vice-Chancellor of the University. In 1849 theUniversity of Dublin honoured him and itself by conferringits degree of M.D. upon him. In 1866 he was made aBaronet during the ministry of Lord Russell in considera-tion of his public services to education-he was one of theCommissioners of National Education-and of his high pro-fessional position. Arnongst his many honours we mustnot omit to say that he was Physician-in-Ordinary to theQueen in Ireland. His professional position was now at itsheight, and few or no physicians of his time enjoyed a moreremunerative reputation. He could not see all the patientsthat wished to see him, and it is said that he used to see asmany as he could, and then escape from his house as he bestcould. He had such a reputation that after his election toParliament for Dublin in 1870 he had only to return toDublin to find himself as much in demand as ever.In London, of late years, Sir Dominic has been a most

grateful and familiar figure in Parliament, in the ReformClub, and in the Medical Council, in which he has repre-sented the Queen’s University since the formation of theCouncil in 1858. We do not like to think of the blank inthe Council, and of the loss to the liveliness of its debates,which his death will occasion. The general practitioners ofthe country, too, lose in him one of their best friends. Hehad none of the "airs" of a consultant in his constitution ; helooked on all medical men as his brethren, and often elo-quently denounced the injustice of their exclusion from theMedical Council. He did this very recently before theSelect Committee of the House of Commons, and we maywell be thankful that his evidence was taken so early. SirDominic’s influence in the Medical Council was always usedin favour of holding high the standards of preliminary andprofessional education. Though occasionally his fine racialand constitutional pugnacity brought him into slight colli-sions with his colleagues in the council, we are sure therewill be but one deep sentiment of regret that they will seehis face and hear his Irish eloquence no more.We cannot close this sketch of a true leader in the pro-

fession without reverting to the thoroughly sound basis onwhich Sir Dominic’s reputation was based. Those whohave only seen him of late years in London, with too manyand too evident indications of the ravages of gout on his finephysique, are apt to forget his work as a pathologist anda physician, though his work in both capacities remainsstandard to this day. In this multifarious work we shouldbe disposed to specify, as of chief merit, three pieces : his

article on Permanent Patency of the Aortic Valves, hisdescription of Cirrhosis of the Lung, and his lectures onFever. We have already spoken of his article on Patencyof the Aortic Valves. In the light of recent pathology hisspeculations on cirrhosis of the lung are more meritoriousthan ever, and continue to be regarded as in the main sound.They anticipated by forty years much of the present pathology.As regards Fever, his lectures abound not only in practicaland sensible suggestions for treatment, but he had the meritwhich two or three at least of his illustrious compatriotsescaped, of seeing the difference between typhus and entericfever. We can scarcely praise too highly a man who couldshow such discernment, and who could add to such scientificand professional labours work as a public-spirited citizenand statesman which make his death to be lamented as anational loss.

It had been a cause of great pain to all Sir Dominic’sfriends to observe, for the last two years, and notably forthe last few months, that his bodily health was failing.Five weeks ago he had a severe stroke of paralysis of theleft side, from which he partially recovered, but during thelast ten days of his life his strength failed and all hopevanished. From the commencement of his illness to its endhe was closely attended by his intimate friends Drs. Banksand Cruise, and he died on Sunday morning, Feb. 1st, mostpeacefully, conscious almost to the very last, and surroundedby all the immediate members of his sorrowing family. Hisfuneral took place on Feb. 5th, and was very largely attendedby representative persons.There are few lives more full of usefulness and honour

than the one whose outline is sketched above, and for manyparticulars of which we are not a little indebted to an ad.mirable article in the Freeman’s Journad of Feb. 2.

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

Friday, Feb. 6th.MEDICAL EDUCATION.

THE Marquis of RIPON asked the Lord President of theCouncil whether he could state what were the intentionswith reference to medical education.The Duke of RICHMOND and GORDON replied that the Bill

on the subject which passed through their lordships’ Houselast session was sent down to the other House, where it wasreferred to a select committee. The same Bill would be in-troduced in the House of Commons and referred to the samecommittee, in the hope of legislation this session.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.Friday, February 6th.

THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL.Mr. ANDERSON asked the President of the Local Govern-

ment Board why, in filling the office of Chief Registrar, theforty-two years’ services of Dr. Farr were ignored, and thepublic deprived of his aid in the new census ?Mr. SCLATER-BOOTH.—I understand from the Prime

Minister, whose duty it was to advise the Crown in regardto this office-the office, that is, of Registrar-General, not" Chief Registrar," as stated in the quest.ion-that he wassatisfied that the state of Dr. Farr’s health was alone suffi-cient to render it inexpedient to appoint him to any arduousand laborious post. (" Hear, hear," and murmurs )Mr. ANDERSON gave notice that in consequence of the

unsatisfactory answer which he had received he should takean early opportunity of calling attention to the office ofRegistrar-General. (" Hear, hear.")

Monday, Feb. 9th.INTEMPERANCE.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in answer to SirW. Lawson, said he did not think it was at all probable thatit would be in the power of Her Majesty’s Government in thepresent session to take any steps for carrying out any of therecommendations made by the Loids’ Select Committee onIntemperance.

Wednesday, Feb. 11th.The Medical Act (1858) Amendment Bill was read a

second time.

THE Mile-end workhouse infirmary is to be enlargedto the extent of 200 additional beds.