The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-09-21 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL DISPENSARIES.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
Bm—A meeting being appointed for the purpose of re-
lieving the depressed funds of the Dispensaries, patronised,
and to be presided over, by the Mayor, upon Friday next,
I hope that a few remarks upon the subject may not be
considered as quite out of place, from one who has worked
hard, studied, and watched, the progress and proceedings of
the medical institutions of Liverpool for now nearly forty
years. No one; I think, can doubt the usefulness and extent
of the Dispensaries in this town ; and with the exception of
Manchester, I believe the numbers attended by the medical
officers is not equalled by any similar establishment under
the direction of one committee, throughout the whole of her
Majesty's dominions, h which may be included the metro-
polis itself. It cannot, therefore, be a matter of much sur-
prise that-these institutions should labour under pecuniary
embarrassment, as has always been the case once in about
every five, seven, or ten years. And why is it sot for it is
evident that there is no want of charitable feeling amongst
our mercantile community, and there ought not to be any
want either of pecuniary means ; although. I believe, that
experience has proved beyond the possibility of doubt, that
not only the dispensaries, but almost every charitable insti-
tution in the town, has been mainly supported by those who
can least afford it. Some of those (for I will not say all)
who have beep -most successful in mercantile affairs, are so
much absorbed in their extensive concerns that, it is much to
be feared, they consider the subjects of charity unworthy of
their attention. Unfortunately, it happens that, although
there is no charity in the town which does more extensive
and r.al good, at so small a cost, as the relief which the
dispensaries afford, to those who are afflicted with poverty
and disease, it is painful to acknowledge that their high stand.
big is not in the same proportion appreciated.
The first consideration of the committees ought to be, and
I believe is, the relief of the poor overwhelmed with dis—
tressing poverty and dire disease ; but there is a second con-
sideration, which comes so close upon the well-being of the
medical institutions, that I trust I shall not be considered as
inimical to such establishments, nor offens my medical
brethren, if I venture to point out the advan be
to both, if all the medical officers were more --,,ltmu-
nerated for their services, by which, lain confide Oiepr
would be better attended, and the standiuttoof medical Men
would be heightened.
At present 50,000 patients are annually prescribed for at
the north and south dispensaries, by which dime must be
either one of two evils ; viz., if the medical officer is both
zealous and conscientious in the discharge of his duties, the
probability is, that be is compelled to neglect his private pro-
fessional interests, in such a manner as to lay the foundation
for irremediable anxiety so long as he lives. If, on the con-
trary, he neglects his duties, his professional character is
probably injured, and, what is of more consequence to the
community, the objects and designs of the institution are not
carried out.

The great anxiety which medical men evince for being ap-
pointed to public institutions, leads to a very natural infer-
ence, that there are advantages to be derived from them un-
known to the public, and which medical men will not dis-
close ; and, no doubt, the opportunity of witnessing a great
variety of cases and practice is very considerable ; but as this
must entirely depend upon the use which each individual
makes of it, it is no criterion of superim ity ; for I am one of
those who think that twenty cases closely, diligently, and
scientifically watched, are more advantageous to the prac-
titioner and the patient than one hundred visited and at-
tended superficially. Now, as this subject will sooner or
later become an object of parliamentary investigation and
arrangement, I am anxious that Liverpool should be one of
the foremost in testing its practicability.
I would, therefore, urgently suggest that there should be
no honorary officers attached to any medical establishment
in Liverpool, and that the fees paid to those so called, by
pupils, should belong to the funds of the institution, and be-
come a part and parcel of its permanent resources.
I should also suggest that no physician or surgeon should
ever be appointed to any hospital or dispensary unless he
will consent to become at least a clinical teacher, if not some-
thing more, and that the services of all medical officers should
be limited to 7, 10, or 15 years, agreeable to their own wishes
and pi ospects for private professional confidence ; for beyond
which period he either injures himself, the profession, or the
objects of the institution.
By this modification in the constitution of medical chari-

ties, the wants of the sick poor would be provided for, more
rigid attendance would be secured, ald much anxiety, if not
mortification, would be avoided in the young medical asp 4.•
ant, and, in addition to which, the more independent and
wealthy part of the community would secure for themselves
medical practitioners well grounded, both by claims and pre-
tensions, for the confidence of those who may honour them
by their preference.
These remarks are brought forward from the purest tno-
fives, both towards Inc medical brethren in this locality, the
medical profession in general, and, at the same time, of pre-.
i
pre-
serving permanent advantages, in future, for every class of
those who require medical assistance, from the humblest
tail
to the most exalted in society ; and if I should tail
in making any impression, I shall not regret having made the
attempt.—l am, sir, your obedient servant,
Liverpool, Sept. 20, 1811. MEDICUS.

, .
[We insert our correspondent's letter without implying an
assent to his propositions, as we are not sufficiently acquainted
with the practical working of the institution to be able to
offer an opinion upon them. We hope, however, that, at
the meeting on Friday, some arrangements will be entered
into, for the purpose of extending the operations of the cha-
rity, as well as placing it upon a permanently established
basis.]

VIE DISPENSARIES.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

Slll,—l observe with great pain that the governors of the
Dispensaries have avowed their intention (unless enabled to
continue as at present by the liberality of the public), to cur-
tail the usefulness of the charity, in consequence of want of
funds. Now, sir, permit me to suggest to the members of
the Festival Choral Society that if they would come forward
and perform an oratorio or performance of sacred music, a
very large sum might be raised, and be the means of reliev-
ing the charity in question from its difficulties. I think that
every performer of music in Liverpool would give his gra-
tuitous services, and join in,assisting a charity, the benefits
of which arc so well known. If the Choral Society will lend
their aid, and the use of one of the churches is permitted by
the bishop, (say St. Mark's, in Duke-street,) the expense
would be trifling.
Mr: Clarke ould, I verily believe, announce a night's
performance for the same laudable purpose, at the Theatre
Royal.
The Committee of the Exhibition of Modern Artists would
perhaps set over
one day's receipts—and the prop:ietors
of other exhibitions in the town might also be induced to co-
operate in the good work. If with heart and hand the mat-
ter is taken up, success is certain.
PHILANTHROPIST.

DEPENDING ON ONE'S WITS.--We have heard that a
journeyman tailor, who left this neighbourhood on tramp a
short time ago, played off the following not very creditaide
trick. Being " hard up," as the phrase goes, and rather
fatigued, he rested his arms upon a gate leading to a corn-
field, and was ruminating, when a body of Irishmen came up
Fancying, from the tailor's mariner, that he was the owner
of it
of the field, and in the act of looking at the crop lo.lsee
.01).,,
were ready for the hook, they at once asked for `tt I
and
The tailor hesitated for a moment, as if in deep thought,f.the tailor
then gave a half negative. The hesitation
caused the poor Irishmen to renew their
!iv, up,
'n to Irishmen, ' 1.3
last the tailor said he bad an objectitoo
1 their work properly.
employed some last year that did not_ entreatsocs. and at
ought to he ; but his ho-
nour dacently" arid do the work as it
unless they would the reapers assured " his honour" that that they would b.-Lave
was not disposed to trust them,s,
which they
d The poor fellows raised
de-
posit a certain sum in his.
rteicleeiiivinilghiinstrryet'urn orders to
spelavce
wheat on the following morning. We
eradlinpobuisudisio,nothner,sirhuairtisi:ol,f
commence cutting thetlor who practised the deception got
are sorry to add,
the
ehooty before the " mistake" was disco-
vered.with his
st
receive his deserts.—Derby Mercury.
P.A.17 HEADERS.—Some swindlers in
clear away
He may ye
the stale trick fadvertising '
o in
London are wspapers.-that they supply news. a,• • -
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POPULATION OF LANE ASIIIRE.--We 'understand that
the population of Lancashire, by census just completed; is
1,600,431; in 1831 it amounted to 1,336,834. Increase
20,597.