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interest-namely, the pending and threatened legislation in It would have been hard, indeed, to look upon those 15,000reference to the Corporation. men devoting themselves with ardour to a contest which from

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a distance bore all the attributes of reality with anything butBRIGHTON LYING-IN INSTITUTION. feelings of pride and pleasure. Coming nearer, one found that

in spite of the exhausting character of the day’s service, andA VERY judicious move is being made by some benevolent the fact that a large number of the men had scarcely had any

governors of this institution, with the view of making such rest for the preceding thirty hours, they showed little or noarrangements as may be necessary for the reception of a limited signs of fatigue. The reflection would be apt to occur that atnumber of poor married women during their contingent. Mr. the physique of these Volunteers must be vastly superior to that Tuke, the governor who moved the resolution, referred to the

the physique of these Volunteer-s must be vastly superior to that

Tuke, the governor who moved the resolution, referred to the which is ordinarily to be found in armies ; that here, in fact,

arguments which have been held In IllE LANCET to favour was "stuff" of which soldiers were very seldom made.

such motions for the aid of poor women whose labours are Turning to the accounts which have lately reached us fromliable to be attended with danger or to require more than usual America., one’s perplexity would be increased on reading ofcare; and stated that as these views are shared by the medical America., one’s perplexity would be increased on reading of

care; and stated that as these views are shared by the medical armies shattered by disease, and unable to move forward bypractitioners of the town, the institution would have their reason of the vast numbers lying in the hospitals ; this, too,support. At the same time, the demonstrated danger ofaggre- be it remembered, occurring to troops fighting in their owngating lying-in women is held in view; and it is proposed, as country, and within reach of plentiful supplies. It is difficult,far as possible, to accommodate the patients received in sepa- indeed, to realize the fact that, in the event of our gallaiitrate rooms, or at any rate not to collect them in large wards, Volunteer army being called into active service, every nerveThis is a very important provision, and we trust that it will would have to be strained, every item of dearly bought expe-be strictly carried out. Recognising the great importance of rience on the subject of military hygiene employed, to save ittraining, for the service of lying-in women, nurses more expe- from inevitable ruin and destruction.rienced and better informed than the majority of those who In the face of the well-nterited eulogiums so frequentlynow ply their vocation ignorantly among the poor, and indeed passed by competent authorities upon the condition and con-among the rich, arrangements will be made for establishing a duct of these troops, this is indeed a melancholy reflection.system of training nurses at the institution. The object and But it is useful occasionally to call to mind that, although ingeneral plan discussed deserve medical approbation, and we the present Volunteer force we possess a large body of menhope the scheme will be carried out to a successful issue. more or less trained to the use of the rifle, and the habit of

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manoeuvring to command, its resemblance to a fighting armyTHE FEDERAL SICK. there ceases, and before it would be in a condition to take the

The Northern armies are suffering terribly from sickness, field, a vast gap would have to be filled. It is only last,iHE .Northern armies are suffering terribly from sickness, field, a vast gap would have to be filled. It is only just,

notwithstaneling the exertions of their able Surgeon- General, too, to the army proper, that we should not forget the pointsDr. Hammond. A. correspondent of the Dubuque Herald says

of difference ; that we should not jump to the conclusion that

that Dr. Russell, of Bowens’ Prairie, Linn County Iowa, a soldiering, after all, is a very simple matter, which is ratherthat Dr. Russell, of Bowens Prairie, Linn Lounty iowa, a

surgenu sent , Governor Kirkwoocl to Vicksburg to look after to be deemed an agreeable recreation than a, serious occupation

surgeon sent by Governor Kirkwood to Vieksburg to look after to of life. be deemed an agreeable recreation than a serious occupdtionthe Iowa sick and wounded, has returned, and gives a most of life.

army possesses no staff. A s at present con-sick and wounded, has returned and gives Tj most 1-he Volunteer army possesses nostatf. As at present con-sickening account of the horrible condition of affairs. He says stituted it could not remain in the field en masse for twenty-

that there are at least 50,000 sick Federal soldiers in Grant’s four hours. . It has no means of sheltering, feeding, clothing, ,army, and that they are dying in droves. He says words will or warming the men ; of transporting them for ever so short a.fail to paint the terrible suffering of the wounded and diseased. distance, or of tending them in sickness. The few medical

One case he mentions of a Missouri Federal soldier, both of officers attached to the regiments are the only evidences of thewhose legs were broken, he being at the same time afflicted

serious character of the duties which the army might some,whose legs were broken, he being at the same time ainicted day be called upon to perform. Under existing circumstances,with the dysentery. He lay in the camp m hi-3filthfor eleven they, the least conspicuous, and, to outward appearances, thedays, without the least attention being paid him until one of least important officers of the whole body, are the only onesthe legs had gangrened. Dr. Russell spoke to the surgeon in who have any really grave and responsible work. Accidents,,charge about his case, who brutally replied that he had nothing it is true, are not very common, but a field-day never passesto do with Missouri troops. and that if he (Dr. Russell) t d without the occurrence of some few. We venture to say, that,to do with Missouri troops, and that if he (Dr. Russell) wanted as a rule, adequate provision is not made for such contid-to take his l-gs off he might do it. Dr. Russell says that there gencies. The mere presence of a surgeon is of little avail ifare but few medicines, and that, in the utter absence of he be unprovided with the means of assistance to a woundedquinine, the physicians attempt a cure of dysentery, which is man, and. speaking generally of the Volunteer service, we

everywhere prevalent, with nnt. aall the only approach to a insist that there is anything but a just appreciation of this,

remedy they can procure. necessity. We are most anxious to call the serious attentionremedy taey can procure. of the medical officers to this point, as it is clearly their duty

to see that they have the means provided them of renderingefficient aid when the occasion arises. Thi is a duty of the

THE SURGICAL DEPARTMENT OF THE hour; it is quite independent of the question of the actualVOLUNTER ARMY. employment of the force ever being called for, and it is there-

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fore of moment that, in the time of need, the surgeon shouldnot be found as useless an appendage to the regiment as it is

IT is difficult, to grasp the full significance of the oft quoted too often the custom of his brother officers in times of peaceterm " horrors of war." An inexperienced looker-on at the to consider him.mimic fight which racred for three hours over Brighton Downs In addition to this pressing necessity, we conceive that theon Monday last. even after allowina for the absence of shot medical officer is bound in honour, whilst the other members-

andshe’I, would be disposed to appreciate the excitement and of the service are striving hard to learn their business as

glory rather than the harrors of war. It is, in fact not u on soldiers, to acqua;n hirmself, by reference to the various pub-glory rather than the horrors of war. It is, in fact, not upon lications upon the subject, with the duties which he might, at

the battle field that these must be looketl for in their intensity; a. very short notice, he called npon to undertake if the forceit is rather in that Hood of disease which wells up, as it were, were called out. He would then be in a position to prevent,wherever large numbers of men are massed together, as though, by his timely advice, errors of management, which if uncheckedindeed, the earth resonted the unnatural pressure upon one

would endanger the very existence of the grandest and most.remarkable institution of modern times.

portion of her surface. In the hospiral-tent the alternative The arrangemellts made at the Brighton Review this yearaut cita mors aut victoria læta" can find little place, have been of the most complete character, and reflect greatThis portion of campaigning was not represented at Brighton, credit on the surgeons who gave up their time and employed

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their energies in rendering efficient service to the Volunteercause in the department to which they were attached. Everycase of accident was duly provided for. Field hospitals wereorganized, and reports were collected and forwarded in duemilitary form. A useful precedent has thus been established.

RUSSELL VERSUS ADAMS.

WE have received many letters offering subscriptions to

assist in defraying the expenses to which Mr. Adams has beenput by the failure of the plaintiff to pay the costs to which hehas been perforce subjected in the defence of his characteragainst the disgraceful attack made upon him. The verdict ofthe jury carried costs, but the plaintiff is penniless, and leavesMr. Adams to pay the heavy sum incurred in necessary legalexpenses. It was believed at first that this would not exceed afew hundred pounds ; it is now evident that it will be near athousand pounds. This is a greater burden than any manshould be expected to sustain, when pressing upon his hardlyearned professional income. Although Mr. Adams was at firstdesirous to bear the brunt of the attack, as far as possible, out ofhis own personal resources, and therefore reluctant to acceptthe liberal offer of help from his professional brethren, we thinknow that the expenses are understood to involve so largean amount, it is only fair the sympathy which is universallyfelt and expressed towards him should assume a substantialform. Pending the formation of a Committee to carry out thisobject, subscriptions will be received at THE LANCET Office.

Correspondence.

HOMICIDAL MANIA.

" Audi alteram partem."

To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,—A gunner named Holden, of heretofore fair character,wearing the good-conduct badge of his regiment, on Tuesday,March 31st, deliberately murdered his only child. He doesnot deny or conceal his guilt; he states that he wishes to behung, and, by killing his infant, he has spared its young mother- whom he is said to love tenderly-the burden of its support,

This most insane deed has followed immediately upon theexecution of Charles Fooks, at Dorchester, and the condemna-tion to death of Burton, at Chatham. Those who consider thelegal test of the responsibility of alleged lunatics to be just andwise, which is founded upon their presumed knowledge of thedistinction between right and wrong, will rejoice over the in-evitable execution of Holden, as they have done at the sen-tencing to death of the boy Burton, within sight of whoseprison this new and sad tragedy has been enacted.

I do not propose to discuss the question whether the execu-tion of these men be not as just as it is clearly in accordancewith the law; my object is only to draw attention to the caseof Holden, immediately following that of Burton, as illustrat-ing the uselessness of condemning homicidal monomaniacs todeath, if the object be simply the prevention of crime. I be-lieve the experience of all who have studied the symptoms andtreatment of mental disease must have led them to the conclu-sion that the capital punishment of lunatics for murder willnever succeed in preventing the commission of such crimes inothers. Judicial threateniugs, and the certain prospect of ashameful death, have no terrors for the diseased brain. Theyproduce an antagonistic effect; just as the old plan of whippingand chaining maniacs made them more furious—just as the

imposition of restraint only rendered them more restless—sothe present attempt to put down morbid impulse to kill by the"common-sense impulse" to hang, will tend to make homi-cide by the insane more common, and cause the sacrifice ofmany an innocent life, ill-avenged by the execution of its de.stroyer.The fear of death did not deter Oxford from shooting at the

Queen; but his incarceration as a lunatic afforded a lesson that

has effectually prevented a repetition of such an offence. Onthe other hand, Bellingham’s execution did not avail to savethe secretary of Sir Robert Peel from the insane fury ofMcNaughton.The one thing most repugnant to the criminal lunatic-the

only punishment, as it may be called, that can reach him-isthe imputation of insanity. The homicide Charles Fooks ex-

pressed frequently his dread of being thought crazy, and,therefore, being sent to a lunatic asylum; yet he had no fear ofdeath by his own hand, and walked to the scaffold without atremor.

Gentleness and kindness, conjoined with firm maintenance ofdue authority, succeed in asylums in counteracting diseasedtendencies to noise, to insult, and to violence. Judicial con-sideration and indulgence, to clearly proved morbid action ofthe brain, may equally succeed in checking diseased impulsesto murder. Homicidal maniacs should be treated as madmento be pitied, not as miscreants to be hanged. Death for themhas no sting. On the contrary, it offers a premium to theircrime. It is certain that although many monomaniacs havecommitted murder in order to be hanged, no madman ever yetattempted homicide for the purpose of procuring his imprison-ment in an asylum for the insane.Whether evidence as to the insanity of Holden is, or is not,

brought forward at his trial, it is evident that his apparentknowledge of the distinction between right and wrong mustensure his conviction and condemnation, as it did that of Fooksand Burton.

If, said a learned judge, in a recent trial for murder, thejury are convinced that the prisoner at the bar knew the con-sequences of his act, and the distinction between right andwrong—although he might have some insane delusion —it wastheir duty to find him guilty.At the same time, with curious inconsistency, in the civil

courts, we find delusion to be taken as the proof of madness;and, in the case of Burton, the judge dwelt upon the absenceof proved delusion as an evidence of the prisoner’s responsi-bility, although, whether deluded or not, by the ruling in theformer case, he must have been condemned.

I can only conclude by expressing my earnest hope that inthe case of Burton-perhaps that of Holden-more mercifulcounsels will prevail than in that of Charles Fooks. I do not

impugn the verdicts of the juries, or the ruling of the judges,but the wisdom of the statute that avowedly condemns luna-tics upon a purely legal test. Apart from all questions of specialscience, ignoring all the so-called theories of " mad doctors," Iwould venture to urge that it will be found as much for the in-terests of society, as it is justice to human nature, and con-sonant with true scientific teaching, to treat such deeds asthose of Fooks, Burton, and Holden as the results of diseaserequiring life-long confinement and treatment, but not as

crimes demanding the cruel, and, in such cases, the useless

vengeance of the cord.T a.m Sir vnnr obedient servant-

HARRINGTON TUKE, M.D.Albemarle-street, Piccadilly, Apri,,1863.

ARMY DISPENSERS OF MEDICINES.1’0 the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,—With reference to the letter which appeared in yourjournal of the 14th ult., respecting Army Dispensers of Medi-cines, permit me to trespass on your valuable space, beinganxious to add a few remarks to those of " Pharmaceutist."I believe the three gentlemen referred to were distinctly givento understand by the present Director-General, on accepting anappointment for the third time, and after passing either thePharmaceutical Society’s examination or the Assistant’s at the*’ Hall," for this express purpose, that they would be perma-nently retained.

After serving at home-stations, they were ordered to Canadain December, 1861, and, as -no war occurred, they came homeagain. Four junior dispensers were immediately reduced, whohad been recently re-appointed, some of these having nearlyfive years’ service, and in December last three more were sud.denly reduced, notwithstanding the Director-General had givenhis word to the contrary. This conduct contrasts strangelywith that of Sir Andrew Smith, K.C.B., and the late I)irecLor-General, who were anxious to do everything for the good ofthe whole department.Now, Sir, these three gentlemen having served in every

quarter of the globe, with nearly six years’ service, are thusthrown upon the world, having spent some of the best part of