Letter from Henry Smith to Richard Butcher Manuscript letter from Henry Smith to Richard Butcher. Smith apologies for his delay in replying, he is 'delighted to find a surgeon of your repute lending his aid to the spread of conservative surgery and assisting to destroying ancient [prejudices]'. Smith then provides details of a recent case of excision of the knee carried out by him, and states that 'Dr Keith of Aberdeen has operated on two excisions most successfully.' 26 November 1854