A narrative of the proceedings relative to the appointment of the medical officers to the Portsmouth, Portsea, and Gosport Hospital / by W.C. Engledue.

  • Engledue, W. C. (William Collins), 1814-1859.
Date:
[1849]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A narrative of the proceedings relative to the appointment of the medical officers to the Portsmouth, Portsea, and Gosport Hospital / by W.C. Engledue. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    cussion, and considerable opposition on the part of some of the Dispensary Committee, the point was con- ceded. It was also expressly stated, that the medical appointments to the Hospital were to be on a different plan altogether to that pursued in the Dispensary; and the chairman of our section Mr. W. Grant, stated if the doctrine of free trade,* as regards the medi- cal attendance was not conceded, we would withdraw at once, because we considered tliis a fundamental point, and one essential to the efficient working of the proposed Institution. The chairman's language was, These are om' terms; we consider tliis medical ques- tion so necessary to be clearly understood, that we will not join you unless you fully comprehend and guaran- tee this position. The point was conceded, insomuch as it was perfectly understood that these were the only terms on which we joined the meeting, and resolutions were passed in accordance with these views. At this meeting I stated the same opinions, and there are * This was his own term, and will serve to shew the extent to which he was prepared to go. He was puhlicly pledged at this meeting, and he was privately pledged to me before the meeting to pursue this policy; and yet he declared to the deputation of medical men, on a subsequent occasion, as will be hereafter seen, that he would resign the chair if the Hospital Committee agreed to the wishes of the Profession, these wishes being precisely those for which he originally contended. 0 ternpora ! O mores ! Many gentlemen who were present at the meeting to which I refer, remember the strong language which he used on this portion of the question, and have expressed their great astonishment to me, at this, to use a mild term, dereliction from good faith. At the last meeting of Subscribers, when he was told of his former opinions and statements, he repeated the same language, and to shew how little real meaning he attaches to his own words, he stated that he still adhered to the doctrine of free trade, although at this very meeting all his exertions were used on the Protectionist side of the question, that is to say, in supporting the presumed privi- leges of the Committee of Management to elect the Medical Officers. It is evident that these public asseverations are to be taken in the non-natural seme.