John Lizars, Esq, Surgeon, against James Syme, Esq., Surgeon, Monday, 26th July 1852 : (before the Lord Justice-General and a Jury).

  • Lizars, John, 1787?-1860.
Date:
[1852]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: John Lizars, Esq, Surgeon, against James Syme, Esq., Surgeon, Monday, 26th July 1852 : (before the Lord Justice-General and a Jury). Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    without communication with Mr. Lizars or any one else ? With¬ out communication with any one, with the exception of Mr. Kesteven. Was your attention afterwards called to the letter in the Monthly Journal of Medical Science? Yes. What was the impression made on you when you saw the whole letter there? That it would certainly be very injurious to the reputation of Mr. Lizars. By the Court — Was your attention called to it by any one ? Yes, by a party. I only saw it yesterday morning, and had not seen it before to my recollection. Of course I saw the original letter, but did not see it as printed in the Monthly Journal of Medical Science till yesterday* William Bedford Kesteven — Examined by Mr. Deas — You are a member of the College of Surgeons in London ? Yes. You were for some years Surgeon to the Dispensary at Hollo¬ way ? Yes. You are now practising in London ? Yes. I have been a practitioner in London for about fourteen years. Did you write reviews for the London Medical Gazette when it was under the charge of Dr. Taylor ? Yes, I did. Look at this number of the Medical Gazette — Do you see a letter there from Mr. Syme of Edinburgh ? Yes. And in the outset of it, it alludes to an article that appeared in the Journal of May 16th ? Yes. You know that article ? Yes. Who wrote it ? I did. You reviewed the book it referred to, at the request of Dr. Tay¬ lor ? I did. Had you any knowledge of Mr. Lizars personally at that time ? None at all. Do you remember Dr. Taylor showing you that letter after he received it ? He sent it to me and I read it. Is the whole letter there ? Some passages are omitted. Look at this number of the ‘ Journal of Medical Science’ — Do you see the omitted passages there, within brackets ? Yes. What impression did the letter in its original state make upon you when you read it ? That it was offensive towards Mr. Lizars.