ANALYSIS OF BITTER BEER.

IT is due to Messrs. Salt & Co., of Burton-on-Trent, andto Messrs. Tetley & Son, of Leeds, to state that we have

been-solicited by them to analyse their Bitter Beer and Pale

Ale;" and they have promised to afford to us every facilityfor ascertaining whether the bitter beer brewed by them is anarticle free from impurity and adulteration.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

A Surgeon in General Practice, (Manchester.)-R. P., (Birmingham.)—After the failure of two Medical Protection Societies in London, in conse-quence of circumstances familiar to our readers, it behoves medical prac-titioners in the large towns of the country to be cautious in joining anynew society of the kind, particularly if established as a local society. Itis only from its large number of members, its responsible committee, andits excellent machinery, that the present Office in Lincoln’s-inn-fields hasbecome so effectually beneficial to the profession. It will take years to

organize a fresh society; and then, if local, it must necessarily be verylimited in its means, as also in the number of its members. It would be

far better for our correspondents to join the London Society, which, nodoubt, if application were made, would establish an agency in every con-siderable town.

Georgius.-Not in the slightest respect to their inconvenience or injury,Two Students of Bartholomew’s.-It is not customary for us to publish thelist in extenso, but we will endeavour to insert it in a condensed formnext week.

TREATMENT OF SCARLATINA.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,— In the treatment of scarlatina many of your readers may have ex-perienced some difficulty in obviating the ill consequences resulting fromthe swellings of the parotids, which so frequently complicate that disease.A recent epidemic has enabled me to institute some experiments, of which

the result may be stated in a few words.I have found leeches applied to the tumefied glands worse than useless.

The peculiar condition of the blood noticed by Dr. Copland as occurring inthis complaint-viz., 11 an increase of the serous portion of the blood, and adiminution of the vital crasis,"-renders haemurrhage after leech-bites veryfrequent and very difficult to control. Nor is this the only objection. Theypositively increase the swelling by sucking a quantity of blood into the sub.cutaneous cellular tissue, where it adds to the existing cedema. The bestplan I have found to consist in friction with counter-irritants, and of theseI prefer a diluted unguent. antim. tart. It will cause a little pustular erup-tion ; but when early employed, the great swelling will be prevented, andall tendency to suppuration avoided or modified. I use an ointment con-sisting of a quarter of the College preparation with three-quarters of lard.This should be well rubbed in twice or thrice daily, a piece of flannel beingworn on the neck in the interim.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,Chesterfield, Derbyshire, May, 1852. WM. SMITH, Surgeon.

M. and L.S.A.-The question is altogether a legal one, and your best planwill be to write to Mr. Upton, at Apohecaries’ Hall, upon the subject.

A. S.-The remuneration to surgeons of emigrant ships is not fixed uponany principle. Indeed, the entire system is fraught with evils, and is adiscredit to the governing powers. No doubt, many unqualified personsare permitted to take charge of the lives and limbs of long voyagers.This necessarily diminishes the rate of remuneration of those who, havingobtained certificates of competency, are entitled to practice their profes-sion.

THE EFFECTS OF "THE EAST WIND" ON HEALTH.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,—I have read the answer of Dr. Ryan to my inquiry ; but though Iam inclined to agree with him in his theory, as far as it goes, the mainobject of my question remains in statu quo. It is, Why should a windblowing over a given space of land and water, give health and vigour to theframe while its direction is from west to east, but on its return, over pre-cisely the same ground, (but in the direction of eust to west,) cause totalprostration of strength, loss of appetite and spirits, and a variety of otheIdistressing symptoms? Granting that "the sudden abstraction of theelectric fluid from the human body" will produce these effects, why shouldthe east wind alone (independently of temperature or localities, whether itbe a "sea" or a "land" breeze, hot or cold, damp or dry) cause such"abstraction"? There must be some reason for this-well-known and moslextraordinary fact. Quære—What is it? This is the information so longsought in vain byLondon, May, t852. AN INQUIRER.

A Student is informed that his best plan will be to go up for his genera:examination at the end of his studies. The examination in classics ancmathematics is not compulsory.

WORCESTER INFIRMARY.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SiR,—I observe in the last number of THE LANCET a statement tha"Mr. Erie Clark has been appointed surgeon to the Worcester Infirmary.’No such appointment has been made. Probably the name is intended fo:mine, and the mistake has arisen from my having acted for a short time aihouse-surgeon to the Infirmary, and having been a candidate for the situation which Mr. George A. Sheppard, the present house-sut geon, holds.

Yours obediently,May, 1852. ERLIN CLARKE.

A Querist asks whether the requirements in the indentures of pupils "toobey all the lawful commands" of their masters, refers to such menialemployments as sweeping the surgery, cleaning the windows, lightingthe fire, and carrying out medicines. He also inquires whether theclause binding the master to teach the art and practice of medicine re-quires him to allow the pupil to visit patients, and to converse with himon the disease and treatment of the cases. With regard to the first ques.tion, in the present day, we may safely disregard the legal validity of thecommands, and condemn the moral feeling of the master who can requiresuch degrading services from a pupil. With regard to the second, wehave no hesitation in saying that a master is bound to afford his pupilpractical opportunities of acquiring a knowledge of his profession, and ofaiding him in his studies by oral instruction.

THE COMING GENERAL ELECTION AND NAVAL ASSISTANT-SURGEONS.To the Editor Of THE LANCET.

SIR,—I would beg, through your columns, to remind all our medicalfriends that they will have it in their power to advance to a final settlementthe claims of the naval assistant-surgeons. Their course should be torequire of any candidate, for whom they may propose voting at the coming-election, merely to pledge himself to take into his consideration the presentabsurd and false position of the junior naval medical officers. It is clearthat a candid, honest, and impartial consideration of the question mustlead to the conclusion, " that the accommodation at present afforded toassistaiit-stirgeons on board her Majesty’s ships of war is insufficient forprocuring the full benefit of their professional services." If it should beagain necessary to bring under the notice of the House of Commons thisquestio vexata, our medical friends will have conferred a benefit on the pro-fession in general by thus enlisting the favourable consideration of membersof Parliament. This appeal may perhaps appear to show a want of con-fidence in the sincerity of a statement made by the present Secretary of the

Admiralty. We will most willingly act towards the present Admiralty withthe greatest courtesy ; but we cannot forget the old adage, "There is manya slip between the cup and the lip."

My apologies are due for this appropriation of your valuable space.However, my experience of your desire at all times to forward our claimshas induced me to appeal, through your columns, to our medical friends.

Your obedient servant,May, 1852. AN ASSISTANT-SURGEON.

A Ten Years’ Subscriber and M.R.C.S.-Write a letter to Mr. Blatch, thesecretary of the Court of Examiners, stating your case.

Adolescens should apply to the secretary at the Hall for the information re-quired.

PRISONERS AND MEDICAL ATTENDANCE.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-A man is committed to the Borough Gaol for three months; hiscrime, a refusal to support his supposed illegitimate child; whilst in gaolhe desires to have the attendance of his usual medical man. The surgeonof the gaol, however, requests the chief magistrate of the borough, themayor, to issue his commands to the gaoler that the culpIit should nothave the advantage of his usual medical man’s attendance; the mayordoes so.Cannot the culprit, having no opinion of the gaol surgeon’s skill, demand

the services of his own medical man, and must not such demand beattended to ?An answer will oblige in your next publication.

Your obedient servant,May, 1852. ONE WHO WILL SEE THE LANCET.

*, The prisoner is undoubtedly subject to the regulations of the prison.Those regulations would give an answer to the query.—SUB-ED. L.

Anti-quack.-We agree with our correspondent, that the insulting con-fusion of legitimate practitioners with homoeopathic and mesmeric quacks,et id genus omne, is not the only mark of indifference to, or ignorance of,the interests of the profession evinced in the 11 getting-up" of the ex-isting illedical Directory.

SALE OF DIPLOMAS.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,—In last week’s LANCET a correspondent inquires what an advertise.ment in the Lady’s Newspaper (To Widows of Surgeons, &c.) can mean.Allow me to inform him, through your columns, that the advertiser, (withwhom I am personally acquainted,) possessing diplomas &c. of each yearfrom 1802 to ’45, is desirous of perfecting his cojlection to the present period.and does not purpose to commit any fraud by personating any deceasedperson in the colonies, as your correspondent supposes.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,May, 1852. A CONSTANT READER.

COMMUNICATIONS, LETTERS, &c., have been received from-Mr. P. Cart-

wright, (Oswestry;) Mr. M. Fletcher, (St. Andrew’s;) Dr. T. R. Davies,(Chester;) Mr. 0. Foster, (Hitchin, with enclosnre;) Mr. J. Burman,(Wath, with enclosure;) One who will See THE LANCET; Mr. F. Maury,(Leatherhead, with enclosure;) Mr. W. Smith, (Chesterfield;) Dr. AldisMr. J. Taylor; A. S. ; Mr. Ashbury Smith, (Glossop, Derbyshire;) Mr. E.Marshall, (Mitcham;) Mr. C. Kennedy, (Glasgow;) Mr. J. Jameson,(Ponteland, Newcastle ;) Mr. J. Espie, (Falkirk;) Mr. J. Masfen, (Stafford,with enclosure;) Mr. J. Sallerfield, (Knottyash, Liverpool;) Mr. A.

Beardsley, (Ulverstone, Lancashire ;) Mr. E. Williamson, (Sheffield;)Mr. J. James, (Aberayron;) Dr. Black, (West Norfolk and Lynn Hos-

pital;) Dr. Parker May, (Maldon;) Mr. H. T. Chapman; F. H. W.;Mr. William Browne; Georgius; Messrs. Tetley and Son, (Leeds;) TwoStudents of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, Mr. Erlin Clarke; Adolescens;Dr. A. Waller; A Leeds Student; An Inquirer; Mr. A. Normandy; Mr.Reeves, (Carlisle;) Merit; A Subscriber of Twelve Years; Studens; Vr.Robson; W. S.; A Constant Reader; A Surgeon in General Practice,(Manchester;) B. P., (Birmingham;) A Ten Years’ Subscriber andM,R.C.S.; M. and L.S.A.; A Querist; Anti-quack; &c. &c.