Punch,  33 (1857), 209.

The Panic and its Consequences

Anon

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Medical Practitioners, Health, Disease, Commerce, Government, Telegraphy, Language


    Begins with a description of how Prime Minister Henry J Temple (3rd Viscount Palmerston), represented as 'Doctor Pam', treated the 'tightness of the money chest' experienced by the City—a reference to the financial crisis in the City following the collapse of American banks due to railway speculation. Explains how the condition had led to the cessation of 'Respiration' and fears that 'there was such infection in the air' that breathing was fatal. Goes on to note how Mr Punch kept Doctor Pam informed of the state of the 'panic' by 'Tobygrams' (a reference to Mr Punch's dog and the recent controversy over the word 'Telegram') and accordingly enabled the 'State-Physician' to perceive and prescribe for the 'crisis'.



© Science in the Nineteenth-Century Periodical Project, Universities of Leeds and Sheffield, 2005 - 2020

Printed from Science in the Nineteenth-Century Periodical: An Electronic Index, v. 4.0, The Digital Humanities Institute <http://www.sciper.org> [accessed ]