Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Accidents, Railways, Government, Medical Practitioners, Surgery, Cultural Geography

    Responds to news that the Russian government is enforcing the rule that every railway train must carry a surgeon. Thinks the British government should be as 'despotic' as the Russian regime and should therefore subject railroads to an 'iron rule' regarding safety. Observes that while English trains run faster and are larger than those in Russia, railway company directors would not dream of providing a surgeon. Noting the high cost of hiring surgeons on railways, ponders the alternative solutions which include 'increasing the securities to public safety' and 'greater punctuality'.