When it is considered that all the parliamentary and legal charges attending a new Bill, must begin de novo, it is certain, if any opposition be encountered, that the present fund will be too small to sustain the expenses of so vast an undertaking with any reasonable hope of success. It is, therefore, an object of the highest moment, that it be promptly and liberally replenished. The practitioners of London and its environs, who do not constitute a twelfth part of those of England and Wales, have raised above a third of the subscription; and many of the most eminent have devoted a very considerable portion of time, of labor, and of private cost, in assisting the cause. If the sums which were subscribed in the country, the number and amount of which were transmitted to the London Committee, with assurances of being speedily remitted, had been duly received, the necessity for this further appeal for pecuniary aid would not have been experienced. In this particular, great disappointment and some surprise has been felt. In some instances, the subscriptions have been, without any reason being assigned, entirely withheld; in others, partially remitted; some have made deductions for personal and public expences incurred by them, of twenty-five, thirty, and even fifty per cent. from the aggregate amount of the subscription of entire districts; some keep back money for expences that may arise; and many individuals have altogether omitted to fulfil their promises! However reluctantly, the Committee, in the due execution of their trust, are compelled to acknowledge these disagreeable truths; nor could they discharge the duty they owe to themselves and their constituents, did they not make a fult representation of a difficulty, which, if not overcome by more unanimous liberality, and more just and generous feelings, must render nugatory a plan formed to restore and to render permanent the respectability of this branch of the medical profession, and to afford an extensive benefit to society. If the efforts of the Committee deserve support, they must be met with prompt and vigorous exertions on the part of the country practitioners; subscriptions must be renewed, and those who have not yet subscribed must be solicited. But it is not by subscribing to the fund only that the country practitioner is now called upon to further this great cause. The recess of parliament will afford to him ample opportunity to ascertain the sentiments and receive the advice of members of the House of Commons; to impress on them a full and clear understanding of the motives, the objects, the operation, and the effects of this application to the legislature. Every 3 chance chance should be seized of explaining to the peers of the realm, as well as the members of the House of Commons, the benefits that must result to all descriptions of persons by this measure; the little possible evil that can arise out of its operation; and the preponderance of good that will necessarily be the result of its passing into a law. Neither can the Committee omit to remark, that the present is the time for removing the prejudices which have been so industriously excited in the public mind; nor can it be too often enforced, that, if there were errors in the former Bill, they were those of judgment, and unavoidable in a measure for which no precedent afforded a guide. The Resolutions, as outlines of the intended Bill, should be submitted to members; their opinion should be consulted, and their interest and support engaged. It is of the utmost importance likewise, that the names of such members who declare their good-will toward the measure, should be punctually sent to the chairman of the London Committee. The Committee, anterior to the meeting of the country deputies on the 23d of March, had received many sensible and highly-interesting communications on that important subject-Medical Attendance on Parochial Poor; a system which every moral and religious obligation demands should be amended. Since that period, nothing of importance on the subject has been added. It appears indeed a serious evil to the poor, and a just cause of complaint among country practitioners. But the London Committee avow their incompetency to suggest a remedy, though they will exert their utmost interest to promote any generally approved plan that may be proposed. That both the evil and the remedy may receive all the elucidations which they so strongly claim, it is strenuously advised that every opportunity be sought of directing the attention of members of parliament, to inquire, personally, and investigate the real sources of the nefarious and disgraceful scenes which are perpetually, and almost universally, passing in every country parish, in which the health and comfort of the poor are the certain sacrifice. This will be laying the surest foundation for redress. Finally, the Committee recommend, most earnestly, that a petition be written (not printed) on parchment, agreeably to the form herewith given, and laid on the table of every county, city, or district medical meeting, throughout England and Wales, for the signatures of those present; that it be conveyed to neighbouring parishes by some. confidential person for a similar purport; and that every individual subscriber should not only state his place of residence, but if he be be a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, or of the Society of Apothecaries, to insert that distinction; and that when the petition has received all the signatures expected, it be formally requested of the representatives for the county, city, or borough, to present and support the same by their presence and votes in parliament when leave has been given for the introduction of the Bill. pur The Committee have endeavored as briefly and perspicuously as possible to inform the medical public, in this Report, of the steps they have with undeviating steadiness sued to attain the important object for which they were elected. In the execution of the task, they have had much prejudice to combat, many discordant opinions to reconcile, and have experienced no small degree of obloquy. They have persevered, however, conscious of the integrity of their intentions; nor do they entertain the least doubt of seeing their labors crowned with success. But they are aware, success depends not on their exertions only. Reflection, and a dispassionate retrospect of the past, must have convinced the supporters of the late Bill that any one formed on such principles, and embracing such complicated views, would never meet the approbation and countenance of the legis lature, and must always encounter a formidable and dangerous opposition. The Committee, therefore, submit the following Resolutions for consideration, in the confident hope that they will be found entitled to general approval and support. The Resolutions proposed by the London Committee as the Bases of a new Bill. 1st. That it shall not, in future, be lawful for any person, except those already in practice, to act as an apothecary, surgeon-apothecary, or as a practitioner in midwifery, in any part of England or Wales, unless such person shall have been first examined, and received a certificate of his being duly qualified for such practice: provided always, that no person shall be entitled to such examination until he has attained the age of twenty-one years. 2d. That no person, excepting such as are actually indented, or have commenced a course of medical studies, at the time of passing this act, be admitted to an examination for a certificate to practise as an apothecary or surgeonapothecary, unless he has served an apprenticeship of not less than five years to an apothecary or surgeon-apothecary, and shall produce other testimonials of a sufficient medical education. 8d. That no person be permitted to practise as an apothecary, thecary, either alone or conjointly as a surgeon-apothecary, unless he has been examined as to his knowledge of medicine and pharmacy, by a board of medical practitioners, properly qualified and legally authorised for that purpose, and likewise for the purpose of examinations in midwifery. 4th. That no person acting or having acted as full surgeon or apothecary in the army or navy, shall be liable to an examination, except as to his qualification in midwifery. 5th. That no person, in future, shall be allowed to practise surgery alone, or conjointly with pharmacy and midwifery, until he shall have obtained a diploma from the Royal College of Surgeons. - 6th. That no person, in future, act as an assistant to an apothecary, or surgeon-apothecary, to compound and dispense medicines, without passing an examination in pharmacy, unless he shall have served an apprenticeship of five years to an apothecary or surgeon-apothecary. 7th.-That no female, in future, be allowed to practise midwifery, without passing an examination. 8th.-That every apprentice's indenture shall bear a stamp of twenty-five pounds. 9th. That nothing herein contained be considered as preventing members of the Royal College of Physicians, or of the Royal College of Surgeons, or of the Society of Apothecaries, of London, enjoying the same privileges, and immunities, in their several branches of the profession, to which they are at present entitled. (Signed) Bloomsbury-square, GEORGE MAN BURROWS, N.B.-All communications and subscriptions are requested to be addressed to the chairman, by the first week in November. The petitions should be prepared and signed by the opening of the next session, and be ready to be presented to parliament when the Bill has been read the first time. State of the Treasurers' Accounts of the Association of Apothecaries and Surgeon-Apothecaries, from June 30th, 1812, to September, 1813. Subscriptions received Return from sale of Reports and Abstracts of Bill £. s. d. 1956 14 10 35 2 0 NO. 176. £1991 16 10 Disbursements Disbursements as undermentioned: Printing and copying. £. s. d. 316 3 Clerk and collector Advertisements 10000 Public and Committee meetings Solicitor's bill for legal and parliamentary charges Sundry petty charges, including paper, postage, carriage of parcels, &c. 32 3 101 18 44 6 6 Balance in treasurers' hands 1221 8 10 1991 16 10 N.B. Of this balance, 1011l. 14s. 5d. was expended, on the 13th of April last, in the purchase of an exchequer bill. We, the auditors, appointed by the General Committee, have examined the accounts, and find the balance in the hands of the Treasurers to be as above stated. Sept. 3, 1813. (Signed) JOHN HUNter. The Form for a Petition in support of the Bill intended to be introduced in the next Session of Parliament, and which is recommended to be copied and adopted by the Country Practitioners. To the Honorable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Sheweth, in * That apothecaries, surgeon-apothecaries, and practitioners in midwifery, form the great majority of the medical practitioners of England and Wales, and are very generally entrusted with the medical and surgical care of the population of the kingdom: That none of the above branches of the medical profession can be practised with safety or benefit to the community, * The blank to be filled up by inserting" the county of," or "city of S -" or "town of unless |