Reviews

REVIEWS

MEDICAL ECONOMY DURING THE MIDDLE AGES . By Bro . G . F . FORT . J . Boulton , 706 , Broadway , New York . B . Quaritch , 15 , Piccadilly , London . Bro . Fort , who is known to many of our readers by his taking and picturesque " Early History and Antiquities of Freemasonry" to which we have often called attention in our columns , and for which there has been in our opinion deservedly a wide demand , now claims our sympathetic attention by another very striking and interesting work

though on a very different subject . The same now of melodious diction , and the same grouping of special incidents , the same laborious compilation from , for the most part , inaccessible authorities , will also serve to commend this new work to the serious perusal of a fresh circle of professional and we will fain believe grateful readers . For this work of Bro . Fort gives the medical profession a great many interesting facts , and puts before

them certain considerations which they perhaps have never seen treated before or realized in so lucid and collected a measure . We have conscientiously read the volume from the first to the last page , and we can only recommend professionals and unprofessionals , Sceptics and Nihilists , if any such exist , in respect of a lay commentary and criticism on medical history and discoveries , to read the book for themselves . We shall be

quite satisfied with the verdict of such an intelligent jury and can pretty nearly predicate before hand what the verdict will be . We are aware that the members of our medical schools naturally object to unexpert works and witnesses as regards their most important science . Some may " prima facie " be inclined to doubt whether a lawyer can write anything worth reading on such a purely technical subject . But we think if they turn over carefully

the long pages bristling with facts and illustrative statements , replete with information and statistics , with novel details and ancient evidences , they will see cause not to regret their study of a singularly prepossessing work . The 22 S chapters contain an enormous amount of professional and historical data , data such as we have never seen collected together before , and we can onlv wonder at the industry which has

accumulated , the patience which has sifted , the accuracy which has developed , the digestion which has assimilated such a mass of minute details and historical memoranda . Bro . Fort shows us how the medical science came through Rome from Greece , with perhaps a derivation from Egypt ; as all Greek arts and mysteries emerged from that wondrous land of Mizraim . Taken in hand by the Roman priests it eventually degenerated into empiricism and fantastic

formulae of every kind , until ameliorated if not revived by the undoubted learning of Celsus , and the ability of Galen of Pergamos . He mentions other medical names which it is needless to enumerate here , and touches upon one or two curious and moot points too as regards hospitals . It has been doubted whether the Romans knew of the hospital in our sense , though the word is clearly of Latin origin . There were "hospitia" in the Roman towns for

communal and personal guests , and physicians were paid by the municipalities to attend the poor and friendless . The temples of / Esculapius are understood to have been localities and institutions to which all could go for healing and cure ; but it has been said that of the latter hospital there is no trace among the Romans and Greeks . This however may be doubted . In the Roman armies there were hosoitals for sick soldiers , and for sick horses "

veterinarium , hence our word " veterinary , " and the " valetudinarium " of the Roman army for sick soldiers may have been the type of later hospitals . The " Tessera ; hospitalitatis" enabled the bearer to receive communal ^ and individual hospitality from town to town , and ¦ there is no reason why medical attendance should not have been included . Be this as it may , the hospital as we have it now seems to have developed from the Lazar houses of the

Crusades , and the special movement of last century . During the Middle Ages the Convent and religious houses had undoubtedly general and special infirmaries , and medical attendance and advice and help for the sick poor . It is remarkable to note how Gnostic theories of earlier professors of the healing art , and the Cabalistic teaching of the Hebrew physicians , at one timeavery important body , affected all the earlier medical teaching and usages in

Europe , and how the use ot charms and occult means , and a dependence on , if we may so say , the supernatural element , marked the dogmatic teaching and practical outcome of . mediaeval times . The most ridiculous remedies , the most revolting prescriptions , the most barbarous and torturing operations are gravely suggested and warmly commended . Curiously cnourrh , the revival of learning seems again to have been

brought to the . fore , the treatises of Celsus and the dicta of Galen . There was in very early days a great school of anatomony at Alexandria , and Celsus had to deal with the even then vexed question of vivisection at Rome . From the fall of thc Roman Empire to the full sway of mediaevalism , medical science , such as it was , was confined to the remnants of the old medical schools , monastic mediciners , barber-surgeons , the lay , the clerical quack . Medical

science seems to have been a compound of effete notions and childish " nostrums , " with a mournful jumble of alchemical jargon and quasi-learned dogmata , the diluted recipes and practices ot the ignorant and the impostor . And we fear , — -yes , we fear very much , as was but the natural result , —that the great outcome of mediaeval medical science rested still more upon a basis of quackery and impiety combined , on ridiculous charms , on nauseous

remedies , on fantastic notions , on uselesss operations , on a combined system of gnostic , cabalistic , occultist charlatanism , which must have caused fearful agonies often to the suffering patients , though probably as Bra . Fort points out a very lucrative occupation for noisy quacks , and conscienceless professors of the so-called heaiing art . Until quite late , though there were schools and universities even for medicine ,

the " grundwerk , " to use a German term , was quackery , and the application barbarism . What the suffering of some of these unfortunate victims of empericism must have been whom Bro . Fort mentions it is sad to remember and painful to realize . We are indebted to Bro . Fort for much novel information , and many striking facts , and we feel sure that his work , as an effective contribution to a correct

Reviews

" diagnosis " of the history and economy of medicine and " mediciners , " will be received with courteous criticism and friendly greeting , by that really great profession whose members , happily for us all , are always ready to add to ancient formuUc the gathered wisdom of centuries , the ever new , exciting , and invaluable discoveries of modern science , modern originality , and modern manipulation . Medicine

seems to come from" medens or " mederi , and the Greek " medo , " to command , just as " medicus , " the medical man , comes from the same root , and is identical with " iatros " in the Greek . In early French " Medecin " is used under various forms , though the word is not always to be found as a pure French word . In " Mesnage , " the word is said to be synonymous with " Meige " or " Mege , "

an old provincial word at ; Bourges and elsewhere , just as in Auvergne the words Megissier , Megisseur , means also medicus , and which seems as with the former word to point to an oriental origin . Surgeon comes from chirurgien , chirurgus , cheirourgos , . and Physician from physicien , physicus , phusikos , one who professes to explain or searches into natural philosophy and the secrets of nature .

Masonie Notes And Queries.

Masonie Notes and Queries .

1 S 5 ] RAN OLE HOLMES . Can my investigating friend Bro . Rylands tell me which Randle Holmes is alluded to in " Heraldic Miscellanies , " page 10 , as being " a paynter in the City of Chester , " and

prosecuted by Sir W . Dugdale Garter , in 1677 , for setting up without authority certain " at chievements " at the funeral of Sir Ralphe Ashton , of Middleton , and in the city of Chester in sundry churches and others , to wit , Bredworth , Nether Pever , Hooton , in Cheshire ; Biddulph , in Staffordshire ; and Chirke , in North Wales ? MASONIC STUDENT .

186 J PAPAL BULLS FOR FREEMASONS . Sir W . Dugdale is clearly the " Fautor " of this theory in England . Has any search ever been made amid his MSS . in tfie Ashmolean Library ? MASONIC STUDENT . 187 ] EL 1 AS ASHMOLE . It seems very odd that we cannot find out where the bulk of Elias Ashmole ' s papers went or are . Dr .

Rawlinson and probably Sir Hans Sloane bought some , but others are still extant somewhere . In the earlier and later editions of the " Biographia Britannica" allusion is distinctly made to " collections , " and what others and myself want to know is , where are these •" collections" now ? Ashmole knew Sir Christopher Wren and Dr . Plot , and Dr . Plot gave him

his history of Staffordshire , and he had a constant correspondence with Dr . Wilkins and others . I think it would be important , and mi g ht elicit some valuable information if Bro . Gould , who is closely attending to the subject , would collate what is said about Ashmole ' s collections in the " Biographia Britannica , " earlier and later , and give us a short or long note here thereanent . To him the information sought might be of special value just now . BOOKWORM .

iSS ] GRAND LODGE CERTIFICATES . Has any brother a certificate of an Ancient lodge " under the old Constitutions , " dated between I 75 iandi 8 i 2 ? If so , will he kindly favour me with a careful copy of thc seal ? I want also particulars as to date of issue , the name both

of the lodge and the brother in whose favour it was issued , as well as the ( then ) number and place of meeting , which were always inserted on the margin . It is not necessary that the Masonic arms on the seal should be drawn , though better , if possible . I am more particular about the inscription round it . I . RAMSDEN RILEY .

1 S 9 ] GLAMORGAN LODGE . It seems a great pity that queries like that of Bro . F . Garrett Horder , in No . 743 of the Freemason , should remain unswered in your columns . The Glamorgan Lodge was originall y under the " Ancients , " and consequently , unless the minutes prior to 1 S 0 S can be found in or near the lodge , 1 fear Bro . Garrett Horden must make up his mind that they have been destroyed . Were all records of

the ancient lodges systematically destroyed at the Union ? Has any brother met with evidence bearing on this destruc tion ? The Derwent Lodge , Hastings , No . 36 , under the Ancients ( now 40 ) would be co-existent with the Glamorgan Lodge , and it would be interesting to know what records it possesses prior to 1 S 13 . Cannot some brother do for the Derwent Lodge what Bro . Francis has so well done for No . 56 ? I observe the warrant of the Derwent Lodge is given by Bro . Francis in his " History of Sussex , " p . 126 . J . RAMSDEN RILEY .

190 ] RE BROWNE'S "MASTER KEY . " If Bro . J . Ramsden Riley has not discovered thc key to Browne's " Master Key , " I shall be pleased to send it to him , if he will transcribe the first page of the ritual and send me . I have the Key to the 1798 edit ., having found it out after a little trouble . W . J . HUGHAN .

191 ] OLD WARRANTS . I shall esteem it a favour if brethren will send me , or communicate with the Editor of the Freemason , as to any old warrants prior to 1730 . We want copies of such original documents before that year , but as yet I have not come across one , the old lodges I have traced having later confirmation Charters . W . J . HUGHAN . 192 ] AN OLD LODGE . In the minute book of the Royal Lancashire Lodge , Colne ,

No . 116 , there is the following record viz : —*• February 25 th , 1782 . This day being the funeral of James Shackleton , we marched in procession to the Church in good order and decorum in commemoration of his memory , he being a member of our lodge upwards of 50 years , aged 83 years . " Although the present charter is dated 17 G 2 , the above is lod

pretty strong evidence that the ge must have been in existence long before that time , especially so as there is another record in 1760 , which runs thus : "It is agreed this 27 th day of March , 1760 , by us whose names are hereto subscribed being Freemasons and members of a lodge held at John Petty's , the sign of the Hole in the Wall in Colne . ' After setting forth various details this is signed by 31 members . MANCUNIUM .

Testimonial To Bro. John H. Scott, P.G.D., Deputy Provincial Grand Master Of Sussex.

TESTIMONIAL TO BRO . JOHN H . SCOTT , P . G . D ., DEPUTY PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER OF SUSSEX .

This interesting Masonic event took place at the Royal Pavilion , Brighton , on Saturday afternoon last , at twoo'clock . The Prov . Grand Master , Sir W . W . Burrell , Bart ., M . P ., presided . Over fifty brethren sat down to a cold luncheon . The tables were laid for nearly one hundred , but at the last moment many who had taken tickets were unable to

attend owing to the ceremony of turning the first sod of the Dyke Railway , which took place at the same time , and at which many , in their official capacity , were obliged to be present , notably Bros . Alderman Davy , Hallett , Brigden , and Abbey . A great number of letters were received from all parts of Sussex and from several officers of the Grand Lodge : Bros . Sir John B . Monckton , Col . Shadwell H .

Clerke , Frank Richardson , Robert Grey , Dr . Pigott , Peter de Lande Long , Horace Jones , John R . Hollond , M . P . ; W . Batley , H . Evill , Joseph Farncombe , W . H . Hallett , H . Davey , Jas . Stride , Jas . Eberall , A . S . Price , Lord A . Hill , M . P ., C . J . Smith , W . L . Harris , Dr . Trollope , J . L . Brigden , E . A . Head , G . De Paris , G . Cole , Fryman , and Pidcock . The Chairman had on his right hand

: Bro . Scott ( his deputy , who was the guest of the day ) , and Bros . Kuhe , P . G . O ., Wood , P . G . Purst ., Dixon , Rev . Dr . McCarogher , Rev . Dr . O'Brien , F . W . Gruggin , Dr . Alfred King , C . R . Burrell , and others ; and on his left Bros . Crosskey , Wyndham Burrell , Gerard Ford , Lavers , T . Wilkinson , and others . The vice-chairs were occupied by Bro . Kidd , Treasurer to the Testimonial Fund , and Bro . W .

H . Gibson , the indefatigable Hon . Secretary , who was supported by Bros . V . P . Freeman , Billing , C . W . Hudson , H . R . Wood , jun ., T . Francis , H . Dennant , Kemball Cook , J . Morris , Medcalf , and others . After the luncheon Sir W . W . BURRELL briefly but heartily gave the usual loval and Masonic toasts . Bro . W . KUHE , P . G . O ., responded on behalf of "Thc

Officers of the Grand Lodge , Present and Past . " Personally , he felt great pleasure in being present on such an interesting occasion , and while the officers of Grand Lodge took _ great interest in all that concerned the general working of Freemasonry , it was gratifying to know that several of them had subscribed to Bro . Scott ' s testimonial and would have been present that day but for unforeseen circumstances . Bro . GERARD FORD , Prov . G . Reg . and P . Prov . G . S . D . Lincolnshire , rose and said the gavel had been entrusted to him for the purpose of submitting to the brethren the next toast , being that of "The R . W . the Prov . Grand Master , Sir Walter Wyndham Burrell , Bart ., M . P ., " and considering the very interesting object for which they were assembled , he felt they were exceptionally

fortunate in being presided over that day by their muchesteemed Prov . Grand Master . Indeed , without his genial presence their proceedings would have lacked that which gave completeness to the gathering , and he was . sure that their W . D . P . G . M ., whom they were met together to honour , would feel most gratified that the coming presentation was to be made under the direct presidency of Sir

Walter Burrell . Bro . G . Ford continued that although by a sort of fiction it was supposed that excellent persons shrank from hearing their excellencies alluded to , still he believed there could be no indiscretion in referring even in his presence to the acknowlenged worth of their chief , for that was a matter of simple truth known to them all . Not that he ( Bro . Ford ) had any intention of recapitulatimr

the many public and private virtues of their Prov . Grand Master . It was enough to call upon those around that table to remember the present advantageous position of Fre'emasonry in thc piovince brought about under his a ; gis . Bro . Ford concluded by assuring the R . W . the Prov . Grand Master that he possessed at the hands of the brethren generally their complete respect as Masons , th eir

entire affections as men , and their earnest hope and desire that he might long live to preside over them , and thus to prolong the welfare of their Craft in the Province of Sussex . The toast was received with great enthusiasm . Sir W . W . BURRELL , who heartily thanked the brethren present for their kindness , said he was not going to make a long speech about himself , because he was anxious

to get on to the order of the day , which was , as they all knew , to present to their excellent friend and brother thc Deputy Prov . G . M ., Bro . Scott , the testimonial which thc brethren of the province now offered for his acceptance . It was very pleasing to himself to be present , and to have the honour and delight of handing to Bro . Scott a testimonial worthy of his acceptance as he was worthy to receive

it . It would be needless for him to recapitulate Bro . Scott ' s services to Freemasonry in the province . They were well known to them all , and extended over the lengthened period of 30 years . Whenever and wherever his presence was necessary he was always to be found , not only willing but able to perform , in a manner few could emulate and none surpass , the duties required of him . Bro . Scott came of a

Masonic family , his father , his grandfather , and uncle were eminent brothers , so that his name and his career were historic in this province . Bro . Scott knew how great was the regard which he himself bore towards him . They differed in other matters which often estranged people ; but Bro . Scott and he were entirely agreed about Masonry , and he hoped as long as he held the responsible Dosition of Pmu .

Grand Master he might always have the valuable co-operation of his highly esteemed Deputy . Sir Walter Burrell then presented the testimonial , accompanying each object with appropriate , hearty , and humorous remarks . The testimonial consisted of a cheque , an illuminated record , bound in purple levant morocco , executed by Mr . F . Curtis , and which Bro . Scott spoke of as

in itself an admirable work of art , containing a list of the subscribers , and a silver goblet , bearing the following inscription : "This cup was presented , together with a purse of 700 guineas , by thc Freemasons of Sussex to W . Bro . John Henderson Scott , P . G . D . England , Dep . Prov . G . Master Sussex , P . M . 271 , of which lodge he was W . M . in the years 1859 , 1 S 66 , and 1 S 77 , P . G . Standard Bearer of

the Supreme Grand Chapter of England , Prov . G . H . of Sussex , and P . Z . of Nos . 3 S , 271 , and 732 , as a grateful testimony of the zeal with which he has long illustrated the duties of Masonry by his precepts , and enforced them by his example . Anno Domini , 1 S 83 . " Bro . J * HENDERSON SCOTT on rising to respond was most warmly received . He said he must claim their indulgence if he did but feebly return them his thanks . He had not been well for many weeks past , and he did not