170 
llE VIEW. — LATH AMS LECTURES 
thinks it probable that there had been a great tendency to 
contraction at that time, the foot being: naturally small. It is 
likely that the foot was in a contracted state in April. 
If there had been much lameness behind at this time, he thinks 
that it would have been seen; but this depends on circumstances. 
He has seen many instances in which contraction like this has 
arisen, and been perfectly formed, in much less time than from 
April to August. 
Verdict for the defendant. 
Quid sit pulchrum, quid turpe, quid utile, quid non. — H or. 
Lectures on subjects connected with Clinical Medicine , by P. M. 
Latham, M.D. , Physician to St. .Bartholomeiv’s Hospital. 
Longman and Co. 
A few years only have passed since the most important branch 
of the education of the student was fairly recognised in the schools 
of human medicine — the study of disease at the bedside of the 
patient. It was neglected by the teacher, it was not coveted by 
the pupil. A certain number, and sometimes a small proportion 
only of the students, followed the physician or the surgeon as he 
paraded the wards of the hospital ; they looked at the label at the 
head of the patient — no, they had not always that to look at ; they 
listened to the ordinary routine of questions to the sick man, and 
to the half-indistinct directions to the dresser or attendant clerk. 
None of the lookers-on were benefitted, or fairly understood the 
matter, except they had paid somewhat heavily for certain privi- 
leges and the information which they received, and that, perhaps, 
a little dearly purchased ; and so the farce ended. 
When a few ardent and noble minds attempted to discard 
this profitless disgraceful routine, they met with the common 
fate of reformers ; they were calumniated by those on whom 
they would impose some additional, but most useful labour ; and 
they were treated with neglect and ingratitude by others whose 
interests they had at heart. Clinical lectures were not at first 
popular lectures ; they have grown in deserved estimation, but 
they are not popular now. A small proportion of the students 
’only are in the habit of watching disease through all its 
changes, through its whole course from the commencement 
O' o 
