| Description Of Item | Pages 697 to 698 from The Lancet, originally published 23 June 1866. Print of a letter by Dr Thomas Laycock to the editor of the Lancet [James Wakley], written in Edinburgh on 11 June 1866, in response to the letter sent by Dr Geroge Johnson to that same editor (DEP/LAT/1/41/2). Laycock strongly believed that Johnson had not read his paper on delirium tremens and thus misrepresented Laycock’s views in his lecture. This letter explains that, in fact, Laycock did not adhere to any theories, only used experiences, facts and figures to examine different treatments, and did not particularly ‘advocate’ a cure ‘without the use of opiates and stimulants.’ Laycock had also acknowledged ‘the excellent paper of my neighbour’ Dr [Alexander] Peddie, as well as other physicians using the same treatment without opium or stimulants ‘long before either Dr Peddie or myself’, in his own publication. Laycock thus strongly contends with Johnson’s views of his practice and affirms that this letter is not for his own sake but for the ‘reputation and usefulness of British medicine.’
From the collection of Thomas Laycock. |