The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1833-03-01 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL DISPENSARIES.

On Tuesday, pursuant to a requisition to, the Rev. James
Aspinall, president, signed by several of the governors, a ge-
nevil meeting was, held in Wason's-buildings, Harrington-
street, to consider of the propriety of rescinding a resolution
passed at a meeting on the 15th instant, for the appropriation
of a portion of the North Dispensary to the purpose of a
hospital.
'I he Rev. J. ASPINALL, on taking the chair, rcommended,
in consequence of the length in which the farmer discussion
had been carried, that gentlemen should be as brief and as
much to the point as possible.
The Rev. J. B. MONK, as one of the requisitionists, begged
leave to state to the meeting the reasons which had induced
him to join. in so unusual a proceeding as that of calling a
meeting to rescind resolutions passed after long consideration.
But' many gentlemen who had. attended purposely to resist
the measure, had been obliged to retire, in consequence of the
length of the discussion. He might safely say that two-
thirds of the meeting, as originally constituted, were against
the • measure, and they lost it by a very small majority. As
it was also necessary. that a great interest should be excited
upon the subject before the requisite funds could be looked
for, he considered that he was only benefitting the institution,
by assisting in bringing the question before the public. lib
had heard that as a member of the Infirmary committee, it
was indelicate, if not improper, for him to come there for that
purpose ; he did not conceive it possible for any man to con-
sider the Infirmary committee had an interest against the
measure, but rather the contrary. He had as great au interest
in the welfare of that charity as any one in being: he has
served on the committee, and had only retired when other
duties claimed his time. The subject before them was not
introduced to them without much discussion in the Dispensary
committee; they did not come forward to recommend it; many,
on the contrary, were the warmest opposers of it. Some of
them he had seen in that room very actively engaged in oppo-
sition to it, and they ought to have great hesitation in adopting
that which they had rejected. He did not wish to discuss the
merits of the plan, and he would, therefore, conclude by pro-
posing that the resolution adopted at the ast meeting should
be rescinded.
The Rev. C. T. GLADWIN seconded the motion. He thought
it was not expedient to combine two institutions, the operations
of which were under such different regulations, the one being
that of complete order and quiet, the other of a desultory
operation altogether. It had also been already stated, that
the building was not in itself fit for the purpose; next, that the
funds could not be procured from the sources from which they
at Present sprung ; and finally, that it would be improper to
press a measure so much against the wish of the subscribers.
Mr. WAINWRIGHT said, he would beg to trespass a little
on their time, while he stated the reasons for the part which
his.- friends and himself had taken, craving their indulgence
on the ground of the great importance of the subject, and the
belief that persons of his procession were most likely to be
acquainted with it. To begin with the principle, he thought
it the duty of every man to perfect the institution with which
he was connected. He ought not to rest satisfied with it as
it was, but if he saw anything which could improve it, to
bring it before the public. He should better explain his
meaning if he alluded to two or three in the town which he
considered . perfect institutions ; none was perhaps isexf"..` '
extent, but he meant rfection as to chaisis.ter. r irst the
Infirmary appeared a peg ' et institution.
it.,
There was nothing
for either medical officei tesss.....s. es uesire: everything to
supply the most. judicious .treatment to sufferers, speedily to
remove their diseases, and to iestore them to health. Every
man entering the house had not only a claim upon it, but was
in some measure considered a property of the institution, and
was there until the end of his life or his disease. It was of
the first conscquence that a person afflicted with a disease,
whether medical or surgical, should remain under the same
treatment from beginning to end. No second attendant could
have the proper idea of the operation of medicines, or the
effect of constitution and habit. He could not know so well
the moral character of his patient, so as to adopt his remedies
accordingly. That institution was perfect in this respect. A
man who no longer required the beds and food, might remain
an out-patient, whilst he continued under the same care.
Another was the Institution for Curing Diseases of the Eye.
The professed object of it was to relieve those who attended
at the institution, and no doubt that answered in a great
majority of cases. But what were they to do with extreme
cases, perhaps requiring, operation ? What were they to do
when a patient had no friends, or any one to take care of him ?
They had beds, and there a poor creature was treated pro-
perly, and kept from all those exposures and habits which
could not be avoided in any other, way. He might mention
ether institutions, if the time would allow, but he just wished
them to compare their institution with these. It was well
known the object was to prescribe for those who could attend
the house or not. Its object was great and noble, and pursued
to an extent which did honour to the liberally of the town
but he contended it was not a perfect institution. They dicl
not all the good they might do, if they would only grant them
the few beds they asked for. He would look at it first as it
concerned the poor, and secondly as it concerned the institiii
tion, in the light of a medical school. With respect to the
poor, both in in-door and out-door practice, he wished the
objectors would only sit with them in their halls as surgeons
or physicians, and in a very short time their objections would
be at an end. Nothing. could do away with them so quickly,
for, if he might so say, it would floor them immediately.—(A.
laugh.) The great majority of cases did unconummiy well
iii the way they followed. The poor patients were kept from
all the vicissitudes of climate, and from all the disadvantages
of their condition : it might be said at first that there was
nothing requiring a bed, but if in a very short time that idea
was not changed, he would confess himself mistaken. Ile
assured them that they had cases week after week, month after
month, which they could not cure, because they were not able
to protect them from the.. evil consequences to m.Lich they were

subject from a variety of causes. It was impossible, again,
for many disorders to be cured while the patient was attending
his daily labour. On the subject of a medical school, it Was-
a subject of deep regret that, with thirty or forty thousands
patients a-year it did not become a medical school. The gene-
rality of their practice was most unsatisfactory. A young.
man might witness the beginning, the middle, or the end of a,
case; and never see it again. As a member of the profesSion
which had lives to deal with, he did pray them to make the
institution as perfect as possible. If they had beds they conid
give clinical 'lectures, and many other advantages. With
regard to the friends of a charity not being able to afford
£3OO a-year, he thought it trifling with the subject. If they
could raise £7OOO for n new hospital, he thought they need
not despair of obtaining £3OO a year. They did not wish to
interfere with the Infirmary; they asked for twelve or twenty
beds to relieve extreme cases, and the Infirmary had 240.
(Hear.) The Infirmary he might call his alma neater; there
he had received kindness which he could never forget, and he
should be pained to the heart if he thought
.he was doing any-
thing injurious to its interests. As to the locality of the Dis-
pensary, instead of being in a hollow, it was absolutely on a
ridge of ground, and in some directions they might almost
roll from it. (Laughter.) The apartments were admirably
adapted to the purpose, and one of thein, the anatomy room,
surpassed any of the apartments in the- Infirmary. (Heai,
hear.) He had entertained this object for a length of time,
and he was glad of the opportunity of thus expressing him-
self. He candidly avowed that one great consideration was
his 'own benefit, for he held it to be their hightest duty to do
good to themselves in this respect. It was a duty to those
when' he saw around him. (Cheers.)
Dr. Foamy said, about two or three years ago an applica-
tion was made from the surgeons of the Dispensary to the me-
dical men whether there was any objection to an
being made to the committee to make use of the rooms of the
Divensary. They had not the slightest objection. (Hear,
heai.) He moreover asserted that no such feeling existed in
the committee against making that —an infirmary, if they
pleased. There ,was no such jealousy between the committees
of the two institutions : that he was sure of. All the cases Mr.
Wdinwright had alluded to were provided for by the Infirmary,
where the doors were open night and day for cases of accident,
and he was confident if they brought surgical cases into "th&
rooms of the Dispensary, with the stagnant, stinking water of
the canal separated from the building only by a single street,
added to the want of ventilation in the rooms, the first heats of
summer would bring the hospital gangrene into the place.
(Hear, hear.) A desultory discussion then ensued in which
several gentlemen delivered their opinions, and on a division
being called for, the numbers were declared to be—for the amend-
ment 33, for the motion 35—which annulled the resolution for
the admission of in-door patients.
The thanks of the meeting were then voted to the proprietors
for the use of the room, and to the president, for his impartial.
and gentlemanly conduct in the chair.

ELECTION OF A PHYSICIAN TO THE WORKHOUSE.

Yesterday a meeting was held in St: Nicholas' Church for the
election of a Physician to the Workhouse and Fever Hospital,
in the place of Dr. Baird, who has been appointed to the Infir-
mary.
At one o'clock the Rev. JONATHAN BROOKES took the chair,
and Mr. LOWNDES, the vestry-clerk, having read the public mi-
tice under which the meeting was assembled,
Air. T. B. HORSFALL, in moving an adjournment to the Ses-
sions House, said, that he was aware it had been customary for
the nomination of the candidates to take place in the church,
and, subsequently, to adjourn to the Sessions House, for the pur-
pose of taking the votes ;—but he was sure the disgraceful scenes
which had on previous occasions taken place, at meetings of this
description, must have been deeply painful to the rev. chairnian,
and to every member of our national church, as well as to every
conscientious diisenter, he should, therefore, move that the
meeting do at once adjourn to the Sessions House.
Mr. THOMAS KAYE seconded the motion.

The CHAIRMAN thought the abuse alluded to by Mr. Hors-
fall would not be likely to take place on that occasion, as the
present meeting was only one for the nomination of candidates
to fill the office. Before the next vestry meeting took place, he
would take the subject into consideration, and he agreed with
Mr. H. that it would be very desirable that they should find
some other place to discuss the affairs of the parisli
Mr. SANDARS proposed Dr. Hunter Lane as a fit and proper
person to fill the situation, and expressed his confidence that he
would, if elected, give every satisfaction to the parish of Liver-
pool.
. .
iltr. Tilos. TAYLOR secOudeti the inotion, and in doing so eulo-
gised the talents and acquirements of the Doctor, and expressed
a hope that the parishioners would not forget the important ser-
vices which he had rendered them duriug the prevalence of the
cholera.

HoasFALL regretted that the nomination of Dr. Gouth-
wtite had not been entrusted to some one more intimately ac-
quainted with Dr. Gouthwaite than himself, and, conse,quently,
more competent to do justice to his merits. Ile had, however,
known him as an able and indefatigable physician to the Dis-
pensary for the last seven years, and thottglit that it would be an
ill return for those services to place another over his head who.
had but servedthe town fora short period of time. To Dr. Lane
and his colleague Dr. Squires, the parish was much indebted, for
their services at the Cholera Hospital. But still he thought the
claims of Dr. G. superior, and he felt assured that by electing
that. gentleman, the parish would do credit to themselves and
confer a lasting benefit on the pitiable objects who were the in-
mates of the Fever Hospital.
Mr. ACKERS seconded the motion.
The resolutions having been put by the Chairthan, the show
of hands was declared to be in favour of Dr. Gouthwaite._

Mr. SANDAIt, on the part of Dr. Hunter Lane, demanded a
poll, which will commence this morning, at the Sessions-house,
at ten o'clock.

The announced appointment of Lord Frederick Fitzclarence
to the Deputy Lieutenaucy of the Tower will not take place
on the contrary, we believe that the post will be immediately
filled by a veteran general office.—Globe.

Though upwards of £2,000 were expended in the Isle of
Guernsey, in cleansing and other precautionary measures, we
regret to learn that the cholera has proved extremely fatal
there. Out of 351 persons attacked, not less than 97 have
died in less than three weeks.—Times.

THE EMBARGOo—In consequence of the embargo against the
Dutch so large a quantity of foreign craft has arrived in Eng-
lish ports, for the purpose of conveying goods to Holland; that
they cannot all be employed in that trade ; and as foreign
vessels under any circumstances can work cheaper than Eno.
---. -ad as many of thean are now here looking out for
employment in an over-stocKeu marKet, -
lug their attention to other ports besides those of Holland, and
the result of Lord Palmerston's magnanimous policy in entlea-
vouring to crush an honourable ally is further to depress the
much-injured British ship-owner, by exposing him to a more
severe and unnatural rivalry than the new Navigation Code had
laid him open to. Foreign captains are now asking for freight to
any place upon almost any terms.—Standard.
Miss FANNY KEMBLE.—The Philadelphia papers, received
yesterday, contain the following account of a scandalous at-
tempt to excite the popular indignation in that city against Miss
Kemble :—The following contemptible libel was circulated_ in
the form of a hand-bill at Walnut-street Theatre last night (Jan.
30,) during the performance of Fazio, in which Mr. and Miss.
Kemble appeared. After the fall of the curtain, at the close of
' the second act, a large bundle of them were thrown from the
gallery into the pit by a person who immediately left the house.
—" Fanny Kemble.—A letter from Washington, of the 26th
instant, received in this city from a gentleman of undoubted
'veracity, contains the following :—" Miss Fanny Kemble was
introduced by one of her own countrymen to a gentleman of
respectability, and with whom she subsequently. rode out on
horseback. She observed, in course of conversation with him,
"that she had not seen a lady or gentleman fit for her to asso—
ciate with since she came to America." Whew near honie he
(the gentleman with whom she had been conversing, and whom:
she supposed to be an Englishman,) said he had the honour of.
being an American, and that her sex alone protected her- from
a proper resentment of the insult given. What a comment on-
the fashionables of Philadelphia! Will they continue toapam--
per the heiress of Mrs. Trollope ? Such conduct as this com-
ing from one who has had the praises, and the purses of -the-
American people lavished upon her without measure, ought to
be particularly' remembered, especially at her benefit." , Af-
ter a few minutes Mr. Keiable came forward, and after reading
the hand-bill aloud with great perspicuity and firmness of man
ner, he declared its contents, wholly faire ; that the individua!-
who had so signalised his valour by insulting a female would
have fetal(' in her father a protector ready to answer for any
thing. she had done ; that his daughter and himself had received
the utmost kindness and attention in every city in America
which they had visited; and that if they could have used any.
such expressions, they would have been amongst the most un-
grateful people in the world. This address was received wits
unanimous applause, and great regret was expressed that the
author could not be discovered. A letter had been subse-
quently received from the gentleman whose conversation with
Miss Kemble the hand bills had referred to, denying the whole:story, and expressing his cordial respect, &c., for the lady ailki
her Conduct.