[John Lizars, Scottish surgeon] Autograph Note Signed John Lizars to Dr. Warden [see Note]

One page, 12mo, fold marks, good condition. Text: My Dear Sir, | Do me the favour to give me a Testimonial of my qualifications as a Lecturer on Surgery a Surgeon & an operator as I find such documents are required by the Town Council. Note: A. Given that Lizars served in the Royal Navy this could be William Warden (1777?1849) [who] was a British surgeon in the Royal Navy who published a popular account of his conversations with Napoleon Bonaparte. [Wikipedia]; B. Lizars claimed in print in 1838 that James Syme had endangered a patient's life and ruined his health by want of care in averting hemorrhage; Syme had been an unsuccessful competitor for the post held by Lizars. Syme replied with a lawsuit, in which he claimed damages for false and malicious statement. The suit was successful, but with token damages only. Syme, however, had a probable role in dissuading the College of Surgeons from re-electing a professor of surgery when Lizars's tenure of the office finished. Lizars published further criticism, in 1851, of external urethrotomy as practised by Syme. Syme retaliated with a comprehensive personal attack; this time Lizars sued, and lost..Lizars had become eccentric, and was unable to obtain further public appointment; and his private practice declined.[Wikipedia]