Review

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 71, 13 December 1888, Page 3

Review

Sir Morell Mackenzie's book, "Frederick the Noble," has arrived in tbe colonies. For a long time tbe cablegrams furnished us with information so vajme and frequently Contradictory concerning N. t"he "illness of the illustrious patient, and the ; account as published by the eniinenl specialist created such a furor in medicat and legal circles at Home, that the little work is sure to be read witb interest. It purports to give a history oi not only the sufferings of a man of mark as Prince and Emperor, but also a popular exposition of the case and its treatment throughout — a series of medical rows and blunders that in themselves are rather startling. As a result, the minds of the readers we think will be pretty unanimous in concluding that " too many cooks spoilt the broth." It is certainly curious that while the profession at large had long formed an opinion that cancer must be at tbe bottom of the complaint, yet the highest pathologists of the day failed to identify the disease as malignant until a very late period. Sir Morell's own actions are open to grave comment for continuing in supposed charge, while his opinions were ridiculed, and his professional conduct embarrassed j or overruled by a crowd of medical and surgical coadjutors, - some of whom he asserts were second rate and incompetent j men in that particular branch. He states in his writings that chloroform should not be administered in operations of the throat, and gives, we believe, sound surgical reasons, yet he permitted himself to oe overborne, and ran an extreme risk of losing the life of his patient. He objected to certain tubes being inserted that were ill adapted and injurious, but be permitted others to use them, and gave them his countenance. He was treated not only with scant courtesy by his medical confreres, but, as exhibited in the book, by persistent and malevolent ill treatment. He was asserted to be a Pohsh Jew in the Grerman press. He was defamed, lied about, and even bis life threatened by assassins, and yet he continued at his post as the acknowledged associate of, if half he says is correct, men whose chief aim was to thwart and disgrace him. His reputation stood high enough before, and we do not think, though he has made a title and a power of money through tbe business, that it has been enhanced by his submission to a very degrading position. His statement, though an ex-parte one, appears to be redolent of truth, and we think that he must have been very deeply stung indeed before he would commit himself to the scathing assertions and remarks, he indulges in towards some of his colleagues, who, we understand, will not give liirn another heart scald in expensive legal proceedings. The work, though peculiarly interesting to the profession, is extremely readable by ihe ordinary public, to. whom it imparts much information, .illustrated by well got np plates of the parts affected, and the instruments, good, bad, and indifferent; that were used. We understand that Mr Carthew is expectiug a consignment of the books sufficient to meet the probable -demand. -• ■ -■.-'■•