Remarks on the operation of the perineal section : for the cure of stricture of the urethra and fistula in perineo / by F.G. William Mullar.

  • Mullar, William.
Date:
1850
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Remarks on the operation of the perineal section : for the cure of stricture of the urethra and fistula in perineo / by F.G. William Mullar. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    5/18
    REMARKS, &c. [The following Remarks were originally intended for inser¬ tion in the Lancet, but that Impartial Journal having declined inserting them, in consequence of their length, I now submit them in the form of a Pamphlet to the Profession.] It was with amazement, not unmingled with a feeling of com¬ miseration, I read in the Lancet of 16th November 1850, the very uncalled for Note from Mr Syme, published in that paper, in an¬ swer, as he himself states, to the cases of reported failure of the Perineal Section, which Professor Lizars published in liis letter to the Medical Times of 26th October 1850, and in which Mr Lizars very properly shows that the Perineal Section is the changing of a simple proceeding into that of a capital operation. I would not have taken the least notice of so splenetic a production, had I not (although my name was not mentioned) been implicated, to a certain extent, by Mr Syme having denied all knowledge of the cases which I recorded and handed over to Mr Lizars, who then published them for the benefit of the Profession. As Mr Syme did not, in his work on Stricture of the Urethra, inform the Pro¬ fession that his operation is liable to fail in curing this disease, other persons who have had opportunities of knowing the ultimate result of such cases, are in duty bound to give publicity to them. Mr Syme states in the 4th line of his communication to the Lancet, “ of the four cases recorded I know nothing.” It is a most inge¬ nious way to get rid of a disagreeable subject, but decidedly not the most courteous ; and, as Mr Syme seems to have forgotten some of his patients, I will take the liberty of laying before your numerous readers circumstances which will confirm Mr Lizars’ report, and also of bringing back to Mr Syme’s recollection three of the cases of which he seems to affect that he knows nothing; and I make this denouement without the least fear of contra¬ diction, because, if requisite, I can bring forward living proof to