NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS.

DR. FARR.

[Vol. i. page 27.]

ON On one occasion, in obedience to instructions received, he prepared a prescription which his father had entered, after much hesitation in the day-book, and in which was included a small quantity of laudanum, an article then for the first time introduced into medical practice. The next day reporting with some exultation the good effects of his medicine, he expressed, though still hesitatingly, an intention of repeating the dose. "You may do so safely, Sir," said the son. "Don't be rash, boy; beginners are always too bold. How should you know what is safe?" "Because, Sir, when I made up the prescription," replied the son, "I doubled the dose." "Doubled the dose," ex

claimed the angry father in great alarm, "how dared you do that?" "Because," coolly rejoined the son, "I saw you hesitate."

WHY THE WIG WAS ABANDONED.

[Vol. i. page 34.]

DR. SOMMEVILLE, who frequented a coffee-house much resorted to by the faculty, took it into his head to appear in coloured clothes, and without a sword; this gave great offence to some of his brethren, who on this account insulted him. The following day the doctor renewed his visit to the coffeehouse, dressed in the jehu-wig of his coachman, who on the contrary wore his master's tie, and accompanied him. “Here, gentlemen," said the doctor, is an argument for the purpose, that knowledge does not consist in exteriors. There is not one of you would trust me to drive you; and the world shall see as I pass through the streets of London, that the wig does not constitute the physician.

Continuing for several days to visit the coffee-house, and his patients, thus metamorphosed; the tie wig became an object of ridicule, and was at length universally abandoned.

THE PHYSICIAN'S CANE.

[Vol. i. page 34.]

It was formerly the practice among physicians to use a cane with a hollow head, the top of which was of gold, pierced with holes, like a pepper-box. This top contained a small quantity of aromatic powder or snuff; and on entering a house or room, where a disease that was supposed to be infectious, prevailed, the doctor would strike his cane on the floor to agitate the powder, and then apply it to his nose. Hence all the old prints of physicians represent them with canes to their noses.

ON THE VALUE OF A KNOWLEDGE OF ANATOMY TO THE SURGEON.

[Vol. i. page 41.]

SIR CHARLES BELL in one of his clinical lectures dwells most upon the importance, yea, the absolute necessity of an acquaintance with the science of anatomy, to any one who intends the practice of the medical profession, and also the advantage which a small degree of information confers on the possessor in enabling him to render assistance to a medical man in cases of emergency. "In coming home," says Sir C. Bell, "one morning, the streets were deserted, and the lamps seemed to shine for the

exclusive enjoyment of watchmen and women of the town. What occurred might well have suggested to De Foe the description, which he gives of the plague of London. I was going down a street, absorbed in my own contemplations, when I heard a woman shouting at the top window of ahouse, 'Death! death' as I turned round into one of the squares, a window was suddenly raised, and a lady screamed out; My husband has cut his throat, and is bleeding to death-will no body fetch a surgeon? It was singular that I a hospital surgeon should be passing under the window at the time. I rushed into the house, and was admitted with some difficulty; the people of the house being alarmed, and naturally afraid of admitting improper characters. I made my way to the drawing-room, there I encountered a new obstacle; for the lady when she saw me, and knew who I was, embraced me closely, beseeching my assistance, yet holding me so that I could not move. At last I threw her from me, and rushing into the bed-room, found her husband lying on his back, the blood streaming from his neck. I immediately caught hold of the vessel in the angle of the wound. After having secured it between my finger and thumb, I looked round for further assistance. Instead of finding my usual assistants, I was somewhat puzzled when I saw one who had on a large shaggy white great coat; an old hat with a broad brim upon his head, and a red night-cap under it; a beard of a fortnight's growth, and a checkered shawl around his neck. 'Sir,' said the man, I am off my beat, I believe you will be able to answer for me why I have left it?' I found it was the watchman who had followed me up stairs without my noticing