Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment, Disease, Surgery, Cultural Geography, Heroism, Patronage, Nationalism

    Describes the assiduous attention which house surgeons and students give to patients in cholera hospitals, and notes that Emperor Napoleon III of France has awarded two such practitioners the Cross of the Legion of Honour. Considers that Queen Victoria 'will not be advised to follow the example set here', notwithstanding the comparable industry of British medical practitioners dealing with cholera, and that 'surgical hardihood' will not receive the recognition in Britain that it does in France. Concludes by arguing that a doctor who 'combats contagion' should not be treated like a military hero.