A letter to the Presidents of the Westminster Medical Society, on cholera / [John Webster].

  • Webster, John.
Date:
1832
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A letter to the Presidents of the Westminster Medical Society, on cholera / [John Webster]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    until conviction arrives, every one, whilst zealously sup¬ porting his own theories, ought assuredly to respect, and examine into those, from whom he may differ. With these sentiments in view, the preceding pages have been penned, and I trust, my motives will neither be misrepresented, nor mistaken. Lastly, I would again direct attention to one of the principal points adverted to in the early part of this letter, namely; that the question requiring decision, from being one of paramount importance, is, not whether the disease, now prevailing in England, be identical with that of India, or the north of Europe; but whether it be really a new complaint, and never hitherto known in England. Or to repeat the question, whether it is only an aggravated, more rapid, and fatal form of pestilent typhus fever; if denied to be the Cholera so well known to English, practitioners. This important topic, upon which I have dilated, at consi¬ derable length, can only be satisfactorily settled, by being referred, speaking as it were legally, to a jury of medical men, composed of the oldest, and most experienced mem¬ bers of the profession. This, 1 would beg leave to suggest, ought not longer to be delayed, for until something simi¬ lar, or a more efficacious plan be instituted, and unless means be taken, to clear up the doubts, enveloping some other much disputed points; the public will neither have confidence, in the opinions of medical men, nor will they be convinced, by what shall be promulgated from autho¬ rity. Nor is it likely that the medical profession them¬ selves will rest satisfied, that every measure has been adopted, in order to explain the difficulties, with which these controverted questions are now embarrassed; thereby throwing distrust on the well intended, although perhaps joined, with some mistaken, measures of Government. I have the honour to remain. Gentlemen, Your very faithful Servant, JOHN WEBSTER,