XXX11 



existing arrangement of the muscles, bones, and joints with a less 

 expenditure of force than would be possible under any other arrange- 

 ment ; so that any alteration would be a positive disadvantage to the 

 animal." In this — as indeed in all his writings — he takes up a most 

 uncompromising attitude towards the theory of evolution or, as he 

 expresses it, " the unproved hypothesis " of the descent of living 

 organisms from " a supposed common ancestor." He would have 

 none of it. 



In 1878 Dr. Haughton retired from the post of Medical Registrar, 

 and became the chairman of the Medical School Committee and 

 University Representative on the General Medical Council. 



With regard to his work as a member of the General Medical 

 Council, Sir William Turner writes : " Dr. Haughton, as might 

 naturally be expected, gave especial attention to matters con- 

 nected with medical education. His speeches on the preliminary or 

 entrance examination of intending medical students were charac- 

 terised by shrewdness, both of thought and expression, and were 

 enlivened by wit and humour. He held that the entrance examina- 

 tions to the medical profession should be conducted by the national 

 bodies engaged in general education, and he advocated the im- 

 portance of mathematics as a mental training. His brightness and 

 warmth of nature made him very popular with his colleagues, who, 

 when his declining health made it necessary for him to resign his 

 seat, expressed, through the President, their regret that he was no 

 longer able to assist them in the discharge of their duties." 



As a Governor of Sir Patrick Dunn's Hospital Dr. Haughton 

 likewise did noble work. For thirty-four years he laboured in its 

 behalf, and even during the failing years of his life his interest never 

 slackened, and he rarely missed a Board meeting. The undaunted 

 courage which he showed during the epidemic of cholera in 1866 is 

 not likely to be forgotten. At that time there was most inadequate 

 provision for the proper nursing of the cholera patients in Dublin, 

 and as the disease spread, very naturally the entire nursing machinery 

 broke down. Dr. Haughton called for volunteers from amongst 

 the students and organised from them a nursing staff which did duty 

 during the time that the epidemic lasted. In this work he drew no 

 distinction between himself and the student members of the staff. 

 He took his turn at nursing with the rest ; and, by the energetic and 

 enthusiastic way in which he grappled with the difficulty, he did 

 much to alleviate the suffering of the sick and panic-stricken poor in 

 Dublin at a most trying and anxious time. The experience which 

 Haughton passed through during the outbreak of cholera left on his 

 mind an abiding sense of the value of bedside work. He was thus 

 led to found medals for the encouragement of clinical work in 

 Dunn's Hospital, and the last act of his life was, out of very scanty 



