The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-05-10
MISC ELL AN EAuS

The recent decision OF Judge Welles in the case
OF the physicians called to testify in the case of Ira
Stout convicted at Rochester, N. Y, of murder
derives considerable Importance from the fact that
1t was Judicial Interpretation of the law of 1929
establishing the law of secresy between physician
and patient. The common law allows no such re-
lation, but was construed to compel the physician
to reveal any disclosures made to him by criminals
under his care. Before the passage of the law of
1873, instances occurred where physicians acting
under their professional code of ethics suffered the
penalties OF contempt of court rather than betray
the confidence of patients. After Louis Napoeons
successful coup detat some forty surgeons of Paris
were arrested TO" refusing to disclose the hiding
places of wounded persons whom they were attend
ing. All of them persisted in their refusal and it is
noteworthy that the courts sustained them, al
though a strong Government influence was brought
to influence their decisions.
The Buffalo Water Works are owned by aprivate
company They have made a losing business of it,
and have therefore, been endeavoring to sell out to
the city. They demand a perpetual guarantee from
the city OF seven per cent. interest on the cost of
their extension, which is estimated at SIPS 0OO.-
The Common Council acceded to the other demands
OF the company, and agreed to pay $4,000 or seven
per cent. per annum on their extensions for twelve
years only. This is not satisfactory to the company
and they have given public notice that they shall
suspend all operations on May I'd. This leaves the
Bu1alona ms in a sad plight.
The Boston Courier informs us that two beauti-
ful pieces of bronze ordnance, one mounted upon a
carriage intended for ships launch. the other up
on wheel carriage were exhibited in that city the
other day, and attracted much attention They
were twelve FOUNDER howitzers for throwing shells,
the weight of each being about 700 pounds The
carriages were highly ornamented and provided
with all the equipments for immediate service
Both guns and carriages were of the United States
Government model, as designed by Captain Dahl
gren, OF the navy. They were manufactured by
Cyrus Alger Company, who have orders for some
similar pieces for the Russian government.
Nearly year ago a citizen of Springfield, Mass,
offered premium of three hundred dollars for the
best series of newspaper articles, not to exceed
twelve in number, on the Importance of having good
men at the head of all civil and corporate bodies.
The Springfield Republican of Monday announces
that the premium has been divided by the commit
tee OF award between the Rev. Dudley A. Tying, of
Philadelphia, Rev. William SiIsbee of Northampton
and Rev. James Freeman Clark, of Jamaica Plains
Mr. lying did not live to hear the award in his favor.
The pigeon-roost in Decatur county, Ind, extends
over distance of twenty-eght miles; it is about
Ia miles wide. The birds have not nested at this
roost for thirty years until this spring. Over this
vast extent of country every tree has from ten to
fifteen nests, and every nest at least bird The
young now hardly able to fy, and the shooting
is mere slaughter The old birds leave early in the
morning in search of food and return ins the even
ing.
The London Geological Society have conferred
the Waoston medal and the balance of the pro-
ceeds OF the Walloston Fund, upon Professor James
Hall, the eminent geOlogist of Albany. The award
OF a w alloston medal is the highest honor which
can be conferred by the Geological Society Except
the Presidency of the Society," and this is the first
instance its having been bestowed upon an Amer
ican The medal is struck in palladium, a metal
discovered by DR.. Walloston.
We see it stated that Elias Baker, ESQ.,, proprie-
tor of Allegheny furnace, in Blair county, Pa. and
reputed to be one of the wealthiest men in the
State, has failed to large amount His liabilities
it is said, exceed two hundred thousand dollars 1t
is thought however, that his extensive property
will cover all his debts, and still leave him hand
some competence.
The bank at Hudson, Wisconsin, was robbed on
the 2lth ult., of Sc 900 in money and number of
valuable papers. A reward of $500 was offered for
the thieves, and short time afterwards two residents
OF st. Paul, Minnesota named Snyder and Davis
johnson were arrested and lodged in Jail. Snyder
Is known Baltimore Bill"
Foreign immigration at New York, shows a very
heavy falling off this year. The number OF immi-
grants arrived since the lst of January is only
II 487 which is % 0l0 less than for the same time
last year. 'Hard times" both here and in Europe
is attributed as the cause of the heavy decrease
A bill has passed the Louisiana Legislature, de-
claring dogs to be personal property.
The value of the annual crop in broom corn GROWN
in Schenectady county is set down at Sl33, 80.
The Philadelphia papers state that Mr.. Forrest
has fully recovered from his recent indispositon.
Edwin A. Stevens, of Hoboken, isrecoyerino from
his late illness.