289MIDWIFERY.-BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF DR. ANDREW COMBE.

thanks were passed to the CHAIRMAN, Dr. COFFIN, Dr. HARLES,and 3 Irs. UMPLEBY, and to the Committee of Mount Zion

Chapel. ’

We have detailed these things, because, without detail, weare sure such silly atrocity would not be believed, and be-came, however humiliating such proceedings may be, theyform a stronger argument in favour of a legislation which shalldefend the poor against such impostors, than the most seriousreasoning.

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IT will be seen that Professor SIMPSON has read us a lecture

on the impropriety of admitting anonymous communicationsinto the pages of THE LANCET. Our readers will give uscredit for always attempting, and we hope fairly, to set

before them both sides of any disputed question in practiceor politics. We admit that we very much prefer communica-tions to which the names of the writers are appended, toanonymous contributions. We invariably give insertion tothe former rather than to the latter. Still, in the presentstate of the press, it would be difficult, if not impossible,altogether to exclude anonymous writing, and we are notaware that any successful instance of such exclusion is on

record. Many things, necessary and proper to be done,would so expose the doers to the enmity of others, or renderthem liable to the charge of vanity and self-sufficiency, thatthey would pass undone, but for such a mode of publication.After all, readers judge by facts rather than by names; butan anonymous writer labours under this disadvantage, thathis facts are looked at more suspiciously, and scrutinized

more rigidly, than facts to which the name of the author isgiven. The justice of the comparison with quack medicineswe by no means allow. In the case in point, we were re-quested to give insertions to the communication complained ofby Dr. SIMPSON, on the plea that the practice of midwiferywas running wild and extravagant at various points, and weare not sure but that the plea was correct. One thing weinsist on-namely, that our pages have been as open to

defence as to attack. It may be well to state also, that in hissurmise respecting the author or authors of the letters inquestion, Dr. SiMPSON is altogether wrong.

Obituary.DR. ANDREW COMBE.

THE decease of Dr. Combe took place at Gorgie Mill, nearEdinburgh, on Monday, the 9th of August, when he hadnearly attained the age of fifty years. Since 1820 he had la-boured under severe pulmonary consumption, which frequentlyinterrupted his practice, compelled him to spend manywinters in France, Italy, or Madeira, and at length, by whollyunfitting him for the active duties of his profession, gavehim that leisure which he turned to so excellent account inthe preparation of his well-known works on health and edu-cation. In April last, hoping to receive benefit from a voyage,he paid a short visit to the United States; and although thishope was disappointed, his health did not appear to havesuffered from the exertion, and it was not till within a fewdays of his death that his condition became alarming. Theimmediate cause of that event was chronic disease of thebowels, which suddenly came to a crisis, and was such as todefy every effort of medical skill. His sufferings were ex-tremely alight, and he displayed to the end that cheerfulnessand serenity which was a prominent feature of his characterduring life.Dr. Combe was born at Livingston’s Yards, a suburb under

the south-west angle of the rock of Edinburgh Castle, on the27th of October, 1797. His father-who carried on the busi-

ness of a brewer, and was remarkable for his worth and un-assuming manners-had married, in 1775, a daughter of AbramNewton, Esq., of Curriehill, noted among her acquaintancesfor her skilful domestic management and general activity andgood sense. From this union sprang a family of seventeenchildren, among whom Andrew held the place of fifteenthchild and seventh son. In those days, the district we havenamed abounded still more than it does at present with offen-sive pools and ditches, the noxious influence of which, in con-junction with defective ventilation of small and crowdedsleeping apartments at home, appears to have been a chiefcause of the disease and early mortality which prevailed inthe family. Certain it is, that his youthful experience andobservation supplied Dr. Combe with not a few of the exam-ples by which he afterwards impressed on his readers the evileffects of ignorance of the laws of the human constitution.Having gone through the usual course of instruction at the

High School, he was bound apprentice to the late HenryJohnston, Esq., surgeon in Edinburgh; and in 181 had ac-quired an amount of skill and knowledge which enabled himthen to take a surgeon’s degree. With the view of further

qualifying himself for medical practice, he next repaired toParis, where two years were laboriously spent under the tui-tion of such men as Dupuytren, Esquirol, and Spurzheim.In 1823 he began to practise in Edinburgh, and about twoyears later took there his medical degree. The conscientious-ness, kindliness, and sagacity which he displayed as a physi-cian, and the extensive knowledge he had acquired of hisprofession, speedily brought him a flourishing practice, whichbecame every year more extensive, till a return of pulmonarysymptoms obliged him, in 1831, to proceed once more to Italy.He was, however, able to pass the winter 1832-3 in Scotland,and in the latter year to resume his practice. In 1836 he washonoured with the appointment of Physician in Ordinary tothe King and Queen of the Belgians, and for several monthsattended the royal family in Brussels; but the climate provingunfavourable to him, an alarming return of the pulmonarysymptoms abruptly sent him back to recruit his health in hisnative land. Subsequently he continued to act as consultingphysician to their majesties, and occasionally paid them avisit. About six or seven years ago he was appointed one ofthe physicians extraordinary to the queen in Scotland, andafterwards one of her majesty’s physicians in ordinary in thispart of the United Kingdom. He was also a fellow of the

Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, and a correspond-ing member of the Imperial and Royal Society of Physiciansof Vienna.The works by which the name of Dr. Combe is best known

to the public, are, " The Principles of Physiology applied tothe Preservation of Health, and to the Improvement of Phy-sical and Mental Education," of which twelve editions havebeen called for since its first appearance in 1834; " The Phy-siology of Digestion considered with Relation to the Principlesof Dietetics," originally published in 1836, and now in theseventh edition; " Experiments and Observations on the Gas-tric Juice and Physiology of Digestion," by William Beau-mont, M.D., Surgeon to the United States Army; reprintedwith notes by Andrew Combe, M.D., &c., 1838; and "ATreatise on the Physiological and Moral Management ofInfancy, for the Use of Parents," of which the first editioncame out in 1840, and the fifth in the present year. In

preparing these works, his constant aim was to exhibitthe relation subsisting between the rules of conduct recom-mended, and the particular laws of the organization ac-

cording to which their influence is exerted, so that the recom-mendation might rest, as far as possible, on the foundation ofnature, and not on his mere personal authority. He wishedto make his readers understand why certain courses are bene-ficial, and others hurtful-to exhibit principles in a clear andintelligible manner, so that every individual might be enabledto adapt his conduct rationally to his own peculiar circum-stances. He urges, that as every organ of the body has aspecific constitution, and is regulated in its action by fixedlaws appointed by Divine wisdom, success in avoiding causesof disease, and in removing them when they come into play,will greatly depend on the extent of our knowledge of the

’ nature and laws of the various organs, and their relations toeach other and to external objects. " In teaching dietetierules and hygienic observances, therefore," says he, " the pre-

cepts delivered should be connected with, and supported by,’ constant reference to the physiological laws from which they

are deduced. Thus viewed, they come before the mind of thereader as the mandates of the Creator ; and experience will soon

prove, that, by his appointment, health and enjoyment flow- from obedience, and sickness and suffering from neglect and

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infringement of them." The words we have put in italics ex.press an idea on which he frequently dwells with earnestnessin his works, and which he delighted in private conversatiorto enforce. The extent to which these valuable treatises havEbeen circulated, and not merely read but studied, shows thaihe did not mistake the manner in which such instruction canbe successfully imparted.

In 1820 was instituted the Prenological Society, of whichhe and his elder brother, Mr. George Combe, were among thEleading members. He contributed two essays to the volumeof Transactions published by that body in 1824, and subse-quently wrote many valuable papers in the PhrenologicaiJournal, which was commenced in 1823, and now extends tctwenty volumes. In 1831 he published "Observations onMental Derangement; being an application of the Principlesof Phrenology to the Elucidation of the Causes, Symptoms;Nature, and Treatment of Insanity." This work has long beenout of print, and is thus referred to in the preface to theeleventh edition of his " Physiology applied to Health andEducation:"-" As many inquiries continue to be made for anew edition of my Observations on Mental Derangement,’ Iavail myself of this opportunity to state, that infirm healthhaving prevented me from devoting much attention to thetreatment of insanity for some years past, and consequentlydisqualified me for doing that justice to the subject which itslater progress and inherent importance imperatively demand,I have, although with great reluctance, abandoned all presentintention of reprinting the work." In the beginning of 1846,his strong conviction of the importance of phrenology tomedical men, induced him to write, at the expense of consider-able fatigue, an " Address to the Students of Anderson’s Uni-versity, Glasgow, at the opening of Dr. Weir’s first course oflectures on Phrenology."* It was delivered to a crowdedaudience by his brother, and subsequently appeared as apamphlet. He also contributed several articles to the Britishand Foreign Medical Review, and was an occasional writer onmedical and sanitary subjects.The decease of Dr. Combe will have taken no one who

knew him by surprise, for he was for many years in that con-dition which makes life a greater miracle than death; but itwill not on this account be the less deplored, either as causinga blank in the circle of private friendship, or as the significa-tion of a public loss. Dr. Combe belonged to that rare classof physicians who present professional knowledge in connexionwith the powers of a philosophical intellect, and yet in prac-tical matters appear constantly under the guidance of a richnatural sagacity. All of his works are marked by a peculiarearnestness, lucidity, and simplicity, characteristic of theirauthor; they present hygienic principles with a clearness forwhich we know no parallel in medical literature. To thismust be ascribed much of the extraordinary success theyhave met with, and on this quality undoubtedly rests no smallportion of their universally acknowledged utility. Those,however, who look below the surface will not fail to trace adeep philosophical spirit as pervading these works-somethingarising from a perfect apprehension of, and a perfect allegi-ance to, the natural rule of God in our being. It has been aguidance-we would almost say an inspiration-to the author,without ever carrying him for a moment where ordinaryreaders could not follow him. Here, we think, is the truethough latent strength of Dr. Combe’s popular writings, andthat which will probably give them a long-enduring pre-eminence in their particular department. We always feel,in reading them, that we are listening to one of those whomNature has appointed to expound and declare her mysteriesfor the edification of her multitudinous family. In his ownsection of her priesthood, certainly few have stood in hisgrade-fewer still become his superiors.The personal character and private life of Dr. Combe

formed a beautiful and harmonious commentary upon his

writings. In the bosom of his family, and the limited socialcircle to which his weakly health confined him, he was thesame benignant and gentle being whom the world finds ad-dressing it in these compositions. The same clear, sagaciousintelligence-the same entire right-mindedness-shone in hisconversation. An answer to any query put to him, whetherrespecting professional or miscellaneous matters, was preciselylike a passage of one of his books, earnest, direct, and conclu-sive. Whatever, moreover, he called upon others to do or toavoid, that lie did, and that he avoided, in his own course oflife; for doctrine with him was not something to be treatedas external to himself, but as the expression of a system of

Divine appointment of which he was a part. To his rind,though unostentatious, adherence to the natural laws whichhe explained, it was owing that he sustained himself for manyyears in a certain measure of health and exemption from suf-fering, while labouring under the consumptive tendency whichfinally has cut short his career. On this point there is themore reason to speak emphatically, when we reflect that theyears thus redeemed from the grave were employed in thatwhich will yet save many from premature death, as if it hadbeen his aim to show the value of even the smallest remainsof life and strength, and thus advance one of the principlesdearest to humanity. It was not, however, in any of theserespects that the character of Dr. Combe made its best im.pression, but in his perfect geniality and simplicity, and theuntiring energy of his practical benevolence. Here residedthe true charm of his nature, and that which made him thebeloved of all who knew him. No irritability attended hisinfirm health; no jealousy did he feel regarding those whomsuperior strength enabled to outstrip him in the professionalrace. Kindly and cordial to all, he did not seem to feel as ifhe could have an enemy, and therefore we believe he neverhad one. It might almost have been said that he was toogentle and unobtrusive ; and so his friends perhaps would havethought him, had it not, on the other hand, appeared as themost befltting character of one who, they all knew, was notto be long spared to them, and on whom the hue3 of a brighterand more angelic being seemed already to be shed.

MEETING OF THE DISTRICT SURGEONS OFGLASGOW.

A MEETING of district surgeons, called by public advertise-ment, was held on Wednesday, Aug. 25th, in Carrick’s Hotel,George’s-square, Glasgow, at three o’clock.On the motion of Dr. TAIT, Dr. Paterson took the chair.The CHAIRMAN said, he could not but express his surprise

and regret that so few of the district surgeons had come for-ward to bear them out in their present struggle, which wasas much for their interest as for the interest of those whohad called the meeting. They had come forward on publicgrounds, when they had presented a memorial to the Paro-chial Board for an increase of salary; but he was sorry tosay, as was well known, that no answer had been returned,nor the slightest mark of acknowledgment given: in fact, ifthey had been a set of coal-porters they could not have beentreated more disgracefully than the district surgeons had beenby the Parochial Board. Not only had they been neglected, butafter pressing their claims through the medium of the press,they had been treated still further with contempt andneglect ; and, to crown all, they had been tried and coil-demned by the very men to whom they had applied in regardto the improvement of their situation as district surgeons,and who had acted both as their accusers and their judges.Now, he thought it but reasonable, on their part, to expect-seeing the four individuals who had been singled out by theParochial Board had put themselves forward in front of thebattle to maintain the cause of the district surgeons-that theyshould have given their support on the present occasion; andhe could not but express his regret that they had not doneso. It just remained for them to consider what steps theyshould take, in the circumstances in which they were placed,to put themselves right with the public generally. They hadstood forward as the champions of the medical profession,and he for one was still prepared to follow up the coursewhich had been taken.

Dr. HAY said that he had just a very few remarks to make.Mr. Andrew Rutherglen, at a meeting of the district sur-geons, held in the Religious Institution Rooms, about twomonths since, had asked them to perform certain duties inconnexion with the new fever hospital, which, not having

contracted with the Parochial Board to perform, they de-clined to consent to do. Since that period, Mr. AndrewRutherglen had endeavoured to place the district surgeonsin a false position before the Parochial Board and the citizensof Glasgow; and they had been forced into their presentmovement to protect themselves, in consequence of the con-duct of that gentlemen and a few more who supported him.Dr. Hay next alluded to the report which had been sub-mitted to the Parochial Board by Dr. Thompson, regarding thefever hospital, and said that he would dispute the statisticsfurnished by that gentleman. That institution had been heldup to the citizens of Glasgow, by Messrs. M’Lellan and nd

Rutherglen, as a means of protecting life; instead of that, nwas the very means of depriving many families of those who

* The substance of this Address will be found in the pages of THE LANCET, vol. i. for 1846, p. 61.